|
|
Post by Richard Loh on May 9, 2013 17:18:36 GMT 8
An autumn chill filled the Pathfinder Society’s chapter house in Almas as Venture-Captain Brackett briefed you. Normally brash and outgoing, the hatchet-faced veteran’s face instead wore an expression of guarded concern. “I need you to venture into the Aspodell Mountains between Cheliax and Andoran; a dwarven prospector there seeks a lost dwarven site and we want in on his expedition. The prospector’s name is Torvic and he’s obsessively searched for years, hoping to find the hidden galleries of his ancestor, the dwarven craftsman Barek Triongger.”
At this point, the chapter’s librarian Wystorn Telfyr stepped forward and from a small wooden case, he produced several tattered scrolls and a gleaming, strangely phosphorescent pearl. “We recently acquired these from a man called Beggar. They describe the Gallery of Wonders built by Barek Triongger during the death throes of the dwarven Empire of Tar Khadurrm.”
Picking up the strangely-glowing pearl, the librarian continued, “These pearls are only found in the deepest of the Darklands’ seas. While not especially valuable, a cache of these would be a rare find. Divinations revealed that Barek apparently used this one as a key. We could claim substantial favors from the dwarves of Emperor’s Peak should we discover what it’s a key for.”
Venture-Captain Brackett took over. “I’m wagering that Beggar stole these items, as the likelihood of a wandering vagabond possessing legally acquired dwarven heirlooms seems small. Looking through these documents and comparing them to Pathf inder Chronicles on the matter, it’s clear that this Torvic is onto something.” Brackett cocked a thumb toward Telfyr. “Our librarian was able to glean some information from Beggar about where he acquired these items and was also able to divine a likely location where the dwarf might be holed up. Find him and make an alliance with him; hopefully, he’ll want his pearl back and will show you the way to the Gallery of Wonders.”
GM: Stephan Logan aka Venino (Stephan)
|
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 10, 2013 9:44:33 GMT 8
[OOC: Guys, if you want to ask any question or make any skill checks, just post here (giving your skill bonus, I'll do the roll).]
|
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 12, 2013 15:22:28 GMT 8
The silence becomes uncomfortable after a while and Brackett and Telfyr share a concerned look. "Yes, well," continues Brackett, "perhaps you'd be interested in examining the scrolls?"
Anyone who makes a 30 DC perception can hear Brackett mutter, "Why do they keep sending me these vacant morons?"
|
|
|
|
Post by alexender on May 13, 2013 0:53:36 GMT 8
Would like to ask a OOC question though and study the pearl and scrolls ( I am a professional librarian check +8), where in the Darklands are these pearls found?
Aurelian
|
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 13, 2013 9:20:53 GMT 8
[OOC: Thanks Alex. The scrolls are all in dwarven -- anyone have this or Comp Lang?. Will post on the pearl shortly -- if anyone has appraise it will help.]
|
|
|
|
Post by alexender on May 13, 2013 10:03:13 GMT 8
OOC: either threaten a random dwarf that i will remove his lineage (intimidate +7) or tell another random dwarf that his beard is well groomed (diplomacy +7)to help me translate the scrolls.
or promise (leveraging on my ties with Lamashtu) to get some abomination or aberration to mate with him when he least expects it (damn i am better at intimidation)
|
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 13, 2013 10:49:46 GMT 8
Hehe. OK, one of those works. I prefer the 2nd, but your choice. And now the rest of you know what kind of cleric you're travelling with.
The scrolls tell of the dwarven craftsman Barek Triongger and his Gallery of Wonders hidden in a place called the Candlestone Caverns. You glean the following details:
Almost 250 years ago, the dwarven Empire of Tar Khadurrm tore itself apart. In the tragic final chapters of a millennium-long tragedy, internal conflicts destroyed a once-great realm. Thousands fled their empire’s turmoil. Among these exiles, the master craftsman Barek Triongger may have been the most famous. Secretive keeper of techniques known in no other land, Barek refused to bow before any other dwarf. Instead of fleeing to some dwarven hold, the renowned craftsman planned his own hall, a well-hidden workshop and gallery. Deep beneath the Aspodell Mountains, the skillful chisels of his apprentices excavated a hidden Gallery of Wonders filled with masterpieces of dwarven artistry.
Barek’s dream lasted 20 years before the wondrous gallery was abandoned after toxic mold infested the complex’s air vents, triggering violent madness. A handful of survivors returned to dwarven lands, whispering of madness and murder. The amazing gallery was lost, becoming another legend of the dwarves’ fallen empire.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 13, 2013 10:56:32 GMT 8
Regarding the pearl, glowing like a golden candle, the opalescent stone gleams with hints of fiery crimson. One of you uses his double digits Appraise or Knowledge (Dungeoneering) to determine that such a pearl can be found in no surface sea, but only in the Vaults of Orv, a Darklands realm far below the surface. Telfyr's claim that it's "not especially valuable" is likely to be way off.
|
|
|
|
Post by alexender on May 13, 2013 11:01:59 GMT 8
Diplomacy is preferred, still have to show that I represent a new modern breed of Lamashtu priest, I actually care for the community that i live in, i spend my spare time either at the library or as a volunteer to tend to the locals who have physical injuries, especially those whose deformities (which i study in great detail seeking to see if my goddess's blessing is present) are a significant hindrance, and spiritually guide them along the way.
Oh fellow party members, just a note, I only channel negative energy.
Aurelian
|
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 13, 2013 13:35:30 GMT 8
Btw Alex, does your toon have any obvious blessings of Lamashtu?
|
|
|
|
Post by alexender on May 13, 2013 13:51:57 GMT 8
Blood from my Goddess's abyssal plane flows in my veins (tiefling), I wear her blessing (monstrously) openly and I have her holy symbol displayed. My aura is unmistakeable.  BTW could the kind Dwarf with the well groomed beard point me to a friend who has equally well-groomed beard and is good at appraising trinkets such the pearl at hand? |
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 13, 2013 14:10:42 GMT 8
K. Thanks Alex.
The second well-groomed-bearded dwarf bears an uncanny resemblance to the first. He clutches the pearl and stares deeply into it, muttering "nerseennuffinlykeit" and "priceless" over and over. After a few minutes of this Telfyr reclaims the pearl, hands it to you and ushers the dwarfs from the room.
|
|
|
|
Post by starzlancer on May 13, 2013 16:56:00 GMT 8
*Talever steps forward after the awkward initial silence which was broken by alex*
"What do we know of Beggar and his background? And do you have more information on Aspodell Mountains and the recently discovered site which might help us on our quest?"
(Dungeoneering +7)
|
|
|
|
Post by Stephen on May 13, 2013 17:31:40 GMT 8
"Thank you, erm, Talever, right?", continues Captain Bracket. "Well the Aspodell Mountains are a formidable range that divide Cheliax from Andoran. There's little of interest to most explorers as they're the hunting ground of barbaric giants and terrifying dragon-kin. There are sporadic patrols by the Chelish mountain troops to maintain the sole trade route along the winding Aspodell Pass trail. But other than that, only the rugged mountain men of the Aspodell Rangers can claim to have explored the mountains’ wild recesses.
"As for this Beggar character, we believe he's nothing more than an opportunistic thief. We've gleaned more on Torvic's current location through divination than from that scoundrel. From what we know, Torvic is holed up in a cave about four days’ hike from Piren’s Bluff in northwestern Andoran. Your journey will take you a couple of weeks so we can only hope you make it in time."
From your Dungeoneeing you know that the Candlestone Caverns are a vast labyrinth of limestone tunnels and caves under the northeastern Aspodell Mountains. They were exposed only two centuries ago in an earthquake. They are rumoured to be inhabited by dangerous vermin, kobolds of the Black Claw tribe, duergar, and undead, although apparently the main denizens are numerous tribes of gremlins and other subterranean fey.
|
|
|
|
Post by alexender on May 15, 2013 1:55:00 GMT 8
explains a lot on why this question was posted to me.
It was a shame, she did no grasp the true nature of our Goddess, I am a "perfect" example of achieving Lamashtu direction given form, for example gnolls and medusae are "perfect" as well, one does not have to be misshapen to be chosen, we are all her children and now because of her narrow and incorrect views, she not only lost her life but caused more misunderstanding about our faith and weaken our collective as we are already so few and far in-between.
I would like to thank my companions on this adventure for their patience and understanding for not persecuting myself or my faith any further.
And of course congratulations on a battle hard fought and may we all learnt well in the events, for greater challenges await us.
To the enemies of my faith: If my Goddess has anything to say to you she will do so through my weapon.
Aurelian
|
|
