For dotting in
It had been a good night in Absalom. Friends, food, drinks, all the hallmarks of the City had been enjoyed and sampled. Which is why when the hand gently shakes your shoulder just after the clock turning to a new day, it's an unpleasant interruption. Looking up, you see the face of Venture Captain Drandle Dreng peering down at you in your cot. "There is a problem, arise Pathfinder and meet me in my office as soon as you can."
Arriving at his door in the Grand Lodge, you step quietly inside and see a number of other Pathfinders are present, much in the same condition. Venture Captain Drandle Dreng looks no better now that your sight has shed it's sleepiness. His milky, half-closed eyes, normally offering a bearing of regal decrepitude, instead looked sour. "Pathfinders, I apologize for the early hours. This is a delicate matter that needs quickly resolved."
Dreng gestures to a thick man bearing the scars of many horrific burns seated in a chair in Dreng’s office, his feat soaking in a small metal bucket of steaming water. Behind him stand two enormous, heavily armored half-orcs, their arms crossed over their massive chests and all four of their eyes constantly scanning the room for danger.
Dreng continues a bit sleepily, “Pathfinders, this is Grandmaster Torch. He’s an… associate of the Society. We owe him a favor after that business in Sedeq, and it seems he’s looking to collect.”
The man raises an arm to his chest and gestures, “You wound me, my lord. I come in the interest of the common good. You see, my good friend and occasional business associate, Nuar Spiritskin, is missing. You may know him better as the Minotaur Prince of Absalom, the head of the Taurean Embassy and something of a famous foreign dignitary, what with his assertions that he speaks for all Minotaurs everywhere."
Gently lifting one foot from the bucket to peer at it, he pauses, and then looks up to you again and smiles. "Ahh, yes, where was I? A collection of papers recently entered my possession that spoke of a grand maze beneath the city. Naturally, my first instinct was to discuss the matter with Nuar. He seemed as intrigued as I and after I elicited his help, he set out at once for the maze. It has been several days, more than enough time for a minotaur to solve a maze, and I grow worried for my bovine chum."
Looking back to Drang, Grandmaster Torch takes a less jovial tone. “Clearly, I cannot take this matter to the guard. Poor Nuar would be scandalized if word got around that he couldn’t solve a simple maze. I can provide you with directions to this maze, called Delirium’s Tangle, if you promise to return Nuar quietly to his home. I’m even willing to let your organization keep the artifact I believe lies in the maze’s center. Some ancient, elven hourglass—my notes aren’t specific as to what it does. Just ensure the Prince’s safety.”
Dreng looks incredulous for a moment, but then shakes his head and solemnly nods. “Nuar is a useful ally to the Society and a lost labyrinth below Absalom herself is too convenient to pass up." Venture Captain Dreng turns to you and the other assembled Pathfinders "Introduce yourself to your companions, ask any questions of us you will, and then take an hour to prepare and head out. And be thorough! No telling what you’ll find down there.”
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A warrior, slightly older than her small stature and youthful face would lead you to believe, has been properly adjusting her hastily donned armor during the meeting. She speaks up, "Is it possible that someone else had a chance to see those papers before they arrived in your hands and are searching for the maze as well?"
The greenish incorporeal phantom stands beside his master as a faithful bodyguard.
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Off to the side stands a tall, strong looking human woman, clearly marked as Kellid by her scars, clothes, and braided hair. Her expression is one of ineffectually masked mistrust as she eyes the half-orc and the spirit. Her fingers unconsciously fiddle with the warhammer, which hangs heavily from a thick, well-worn belt. Forcing herself to focus on the briefing, she attempts to keep her emotions from her voice, lending it a cold detachment that comes across as somewhat arrogant: "Kala, daughter of Krokum. That's Stinky." She gestures to the wolverine scratching himself at her feet. "We should bring parchment and a charcoal stick to record the maze as we go. And rations for a week. Who knows how hungry that Minotaur will be when we find him."
"Ahh, yes Gedder.", Grandmaster Torch smiles over at you. "My notes refer to it as Delirium’s Tangle. The author claims to have once been lost in the maze ages ago and escaped by pure luck. I imagine it’s hardly the simple mines and crypts you’re accustomed to. The design sounds elven, but I haven’t finished translating everything. Perhaps you can enlighten me on your return.”
Taking his other foot from the bucket, he studies it a moment and returns it. "No Krystiana, I don't believe anyone else has seen these notes. Simply put, they are very old, and likely hold some value and collectors such as myself would hold to them. Besides, they’re far from useful, mostly nonsensical ramblings and gibberish. It’s taken me a month to understand them as well as I have.”
Listening politely, Grandmaster Torch nods and winks. "Well one of you two Bartolomey or Brun is asking a good question. Nuar Spiritskin is something of a local diplomat. Officially, he represents Kortos’ minotaur tribes here in Absalom, but most of those tribes aren’t quite as politically minded as Nuar. He seems to know just about everyone, though. Very useful fellow.”
Yawning, Grandmaster Torch looks over to Venture Captain Dreng. Dreng perks up from his rumination and looks to Trixxex. "Based on the information provided, hmmph, by Grandmaster Torch, the Delirium's Tangle as we're calling it is below the Ivy District, but I couldn’t possibly tell you how deep, or even its surface relation. Very few citizens of Absalom go crawling about beneath the streets, let alone below the sewers. Even I didn’t realize there were any natural caverns below the city; it seems a trifle unsecured to my mind. But even then, it almost sounds from Grandmaster Torch's notes as if the Tangle somehow hides itself, or subconsciously steers people away."
At a mention of the artifact, Grandmaster Torch quickly cuts in. "The notes mention a large hourglass of elven design. I believe this may be Izryen’s Hourglass, an artifact left behind when the elves first fled Golarion. It appears often in elven astrological writings, and sounds like a complicated timepiece. Should the Pathfinder Society have no interest, I’d love to add it to my own collection.”
Taking his feet from the bucket, Grandmaster Torch stands up and stretches. "Venture Captain, I think you have a fine group to adventure forth and help my poor friend Nuar from weeks of embarrassment. Thank you again for the, the favor."
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Earlier...
Avi tosses and turns, his sleep disturbed by dark dreams of Duergar in the Vaults. The nightmares come often. He never knows from where, but they always foretell the aspect of his arcane essence that will be prevalent and active the following day (or until the next dream). A legion of the gray dwarves give chase and he can't possibly hope to outrun them all! They corner him into a series of tunnels, their battle cries close in on him in the tight space, echoing and amplifying all around him. The tunnels grow impossibly tight until he's forced with the decision to drop to his hands and knees and begin crawling. In an instant the tightening tunnel pops and becomes a dead-end, seemingly reflecting his decision. He stands up to face the approaching Duergar. Their leader approaches, and he notices he has the grim face.... of Drandle Dreng?!? The previously grim dwarf issues a command in his familiar, goofy demeanor, all smiles. We gotcha! Wake up.
He wakes suddenly with a start. The caverns and vaults are gone but the face remains.
Avi: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Dreng: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Avi: Whaaaaaaaaaaat?
Dreng (still screaming): Get up and get to my office faast! There's a mission!
Avi (also still screaming): Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine! Let me get properly dressed first!
Dreng (still screaming): Greeeeeeeeeat see you soooooooon!
Avi: Get out!
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Later...
Avi trudges into the briefing, purposely five minutes late to express his grumpiness from being woken early.
He patiently listens to the mission briefing, but at first has little to add.
So, we're heading into a maze to find some bull. Got it.
He suddenly realizes he said this out loud and sheepishly looks around at the room.
Uh, I'm Avi. Soooo... who likes mazes?
Hearing the intel on Nuar, he follows up with another question.
It's great that he has connections up here in the city, but what are his individual capabilities to defend himself down there in the maze? Is he a warrior or wizard of some ability, perhaps? Or is it possible he brought some trusty associates with him?
Hearing Kala's suggestion he nods vigorously in agreement. Yes indeed, parchment to track our way would be most prudent.
A dark thought then occurs to him, and he directs a final question to the Grandmaster.
From the prior account of this maze, is there any indication that it can shift and change over time? In that case we would be relying on the same luck to escape it.
He shudders visibly.
A separate though passes through his mind. The dream wasn't too far off. We're going underground, but surely the maze isn't as deep as the Vaults... His rational side is trying to convince the part of him still disturbed by the dream.
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"This one's got some sense." Kala peers over Krystiana's shoulder at the map, her lips moving slowly as she labors to read it. Long before she is finished, however, the paladin has packed it up and is heading out the door. Muttering "Stinky, heel." and following her out, Kala calls: " Krystiana, wait. We need to buy parchment and charcoal. And I could use a few more days' rations. Let's grab that stuff before we head out."
Venture Captain Dreng meets you at the exit of the Grand Lodge after you have gathered your items and prepared. You didn't recognize him at first, dressed in shabby robes and barefoot. His dirty face beams forth at you and he raises his hands "Pathfinders, do the Lodge proud and recover Nuar and save him from embarrassment. I am less than "convinced" at Grandmaster Torch's story, but he is a trusted asset of the Society and we do try to honor his wishes. Good luck!" Dreng then disappears down the street.
After a moments orientation, you set off for the Ivy Quarter. The directions are well marked and the night air is cool as you thread your way through Abasalom's quieter streets. The walks are not empty, but it's easy to make good time and after a few minutes stroll you converge at the entrance to the underground maintenance tunnels. The key left to you by Dreng fits easily into the lock and the door opens, apparently well maintained by Society. Well worn stairs dive into the darkness, with no visible light.
Descending the stairs, the tunnels branch out in numerous directions. Following the cursory directions provided by Grandmaster Torch, after some time you locate the appropriate tunnel and descend further into the caverns. These caverns, exposed to air when Aroden lifted Absalom from the sea, are larger than you expected and sensing your direction is tricky.
Avi recollects his hurried conversation with Grandmaster Torch as the various groups departed. "Retainers for my friend Nuar? Yes, yes he has many, but he was so excited for this challenge he appears to have just left in a rush and left them behind. Most odd, yes?"
Brun follows his master.
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Krystiana pours part of a flask of oil into a small lantern. She takes a small wad of shavings that look as if they're from the floor of a carpenter's shop and ignites them with her flint and steel. She uses the tinder to light her lantern.
"Anyone else need a flame to get their lanterns or torches started?" After stashing away her implements, she lifts the lantern with her right hand and draws her sword with her left.
The caverns are drier than you anticipated, no dripping of moisture or little puddles to mar the way. After kneeling down, Kala notes some tracks in the dry dust leading deeper into the caverns.
Frequently crossings by a large insect/beetle and then upright humanoids. The humanoid tracks are sparse, almost if periods of time the walking humanoids had left the ground and then reappear elsewhere
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From the prior account of this maze, is there any indication that it can shift and change over time? In that case we would be relying on the same luck to escape it.
Avi proceeds down the stairs with his teammates, watching for traps.
He seems to stick close to Kala and attempts to combine their efforts to get their bearings.
Minotaur tracks are a bit different, no? He drops to a knee to get a closer look, holding out his hand towards her wolverine to see if it will be receptive.
It's dry in here. How is this place protected from rainwater...?
The tracks are definitely not Minotaur, it appears to be small barefoot humanoid, possibly duergar, morlocks, etc
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As Kala inspects the tracks, she shares her assessment with the group. "So looks like we could run into some huge insects, and maybe some duergar or something. But yeah, how does this place stay so dry?"
She notices Avi trying to befriend Stinky, and gives her wolverine a noncommittal grunt. If the guy wants to risk being bitten or slobbered, that's his call.
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He drops to a knee to get a closer look, holding out his hand towards her wolverine to see if it will be receptive.
Seeing the man kneel with an outstretched hand, Stinky immediately sniffs the air for the scent of food. He doesn't smell much. With a glance at Kala, acknowledging her grunt of permission, he steps forward to investigate further, just in case. Sniffing and snuffing at the man's hand, he catches a hint of the man's last meal, but it's not even enough to justify licking the hand like a lollipop. He gets a bit of dust in his nose, and sneezes suddenly, just missing the man's hand, but splattering his knee with droplets. Stinky then turns back to Kala, nosing the back of her knee to beg for attention.
Brun obeys his master and starts moving forward.
Time stretches on in the dry caverns, but Kala and Stinky have the trail and follow it unerringly through the underground. After several hours, the caverns begin to change, with evident moisture in the air and some glistening sheen on the walls and floors. While you would not have guessed it, it appears you have gotten deeper under Absalom.
The cavern suddenly opens from a bottleneck into a large, smooth cavern of striated blue stone and pale, sandy floors. The walls glisten with moisture, and a small pool sits on the eastern side of the chamber. All across the area, thick carpets of fungus blanket the stones.
While Kala is focused on the trail, the rest of the party notices some small movement under the moss. Suddenly a number of feral mining beetles burst from the moss, lurching forward with pinchers clicking aggressively
The walls glisten with moisture, and a small pool sits on the eastern side of the chamber.
The beetles skitter forward and attack the front rank of the party. A pair of beetles attempt to pincher the incorporeal form of Brun, but pass through the entity and do no harm.
A third beetle reaches the line and lashes out at Krystiana, but it fails to penetrate the armor and scrapes harmlessly away.
Red Beetle attacks Brun
Yellow Beetle attacks Brun
Brown Beetle attacks Krystiana
Brun returns the hit. He strikes two times the yellow one.
Aided by the evil eye of Trixxex, Krystiana strikes hard with her sword and manages to carry that stroke through to kill two of the beetles!
With the beetle dropped, Brun redirects to the Red Beetle but fails to strike it. However, Bartolemy's scythe punches easily through the creature and kills it.
Initiative
Avi, Beetles, Kala, Stinky, Gedder are up
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Kala mutters: "I hate bottlenecks." she activates her Animal Focus for both her and Stinky, giving them each the Aspect of the Bull . Touching Stinky's head to get his attention, she points to the green beetle and commands: "Stinky, attack!"
She then mumbles to herself: "This is gonna hurt." ...as she strides right between the red and green beetles, drawing her shield as she goes. The light emitted by her warhammer arcs wildly in the dark cavern as she swings it down to smash the green beetle.
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"...she points to the green beetle and commands: "Stinky, attack!"
Handle Animal Companion; DC 10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Stinky sees the direction Kala points, but cannot see anything to fight beyond the mass of shifting bodies between him and his supposed quarry. Instead, he tags along after Kala as she steps right into danger. Huh? Attack what? Kala? Where're you going? What's up? Don't worry! I'll protect you! Hey, wait! Don't go there! You'll get hurt! Kala! Arg. Why would you do that?