Serpent's Skull [Racing to Ruin] (IC)

[lostsole31]

Late Rova to Lamashan, 4710 AR...

It was the Sargavan Faction's (and Aron's previous companion) LT(jg) Stephan Brauer who was the key to deciphering Yarzoth's notes, as he was the only one in the group that spoke and read Aklo, having worked for about a week to decipher the script (with Gelik as his scribe and amanuensis, who in turn got a copy of the translation to the Pathfinders), though Gelik put in more time at Eleder's Colonial Archives for cross-archival research, finding a mention of an existing Azlanti ruins in the Mwangi Expanse.

Once deciphered and researched by the team of Aberwhinge and Brauer, Yarzoth’s notes proved quite complete. They detailed the Zura cult’s birth in the fabled city of Saventh-Yhi, their exile to Smuggler’s Shiv, and their planned return to the lost city. According to the notes, however, Saventh-Yhi was hidden behind powerful magical wards, preventing the banished cultists from simply returning home. Instead, they planned to journey to a smaller Azlanti outpost called Tazion, wherein they could use something called “the pillars of light” to finally make their way into Saventh-Yhi.

Thus, while the notes did not reveal the location of Saventh-Yhi itself, they did accurately describe the site of Tazion, placing the latter in the southernmost reaches of the Mwangi Jungle, north of the Bandu Hills, between the Upper Korir and Ocota Rivers.

But, as described before and for various reasons, the translation to Tazion was quickly released into the "wilds" of Eleder and many factions began preparing expeditions of their own - the Aspis Consortium, the Free Captains of the Shackles, the Pathfinder Society, cultists of the Red mantis, and the Sargavan Government itself.

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PATHFINDER SOCIETY

The Pathfinder Society seeks Saventh-Yhi for the same reason they explore any other ancient ruin—for the lost knowledge it contains, not to mention the historical artifacts and rumored wealth that can be recovered from the fabled city. In addition, with the recent loss of their lodge in the city of Kalabuto, the Decemvirate is eager to expand their influence in the region, and Saventh-Yhi might just make a good site for a new Pathfinder Lodge.

Faction Leader: The Society has placed a skilled Pathfinder, Amivor Glaur, in charge of their expedition. A veteran of several expeditions into the Mwangi interior, Amivor is skilled at organizing and leading such missions, as well as appraising and exploring historical sites.

Rival Faction: The Pathfinder Society has long been at odds with the Aspis Consortium, and seeks to limit the trade syndicate’s influence here in Garund as elsewhere on Golarion.

Ally: Aronnahar (Aron) Zyianthus and Gelik Aberwhinge, two minor celebrities now for their returning knowledge of Tazion and Saventh-Yhi, worked with Amivor to contact and put together a team for a vanguard with Aron in nominal lead, but with a more democratic approach to vanguard leadership. Once Amivor Glaur's larger contingent of Pathfinders catches up to the vanguard (i.e., the PCs), he will take charge of camp organization and any inter-party disputes, but will primarily serve in an administrative capacity as an on-the-road venture captain.

Special: After establishing a base camp in Saventh-Yhi, the Pathfinders will assist the PCs’ explorations of the city using the Society’s knowledge and expertise in exploring ancient sites.