Misplaced Trust

Misplaced Trust

System: Pathfinder 1e
Setting: Rennisilon (homebrew setting)
Location: Pauper's Mound, Northern Protectorate, territory of the Kingdom of Nemnowyn
Level: 5

	The Northern Protectorate has been embroiled in a war for fourteen years against men from across the sea who call themselves Dànaan. Hostilities have escalated for nigh on one hundred years. Aggressions began as scattered coastal raids, and have developed into all-out war and territorial occupation. Little is known of the Dànaan homeland, other than it is far to the west, across the ocean. They are led by their sea-queen, Pelagia, and seem to have inexhaustible resources at their disposal.

	While the war is distant, the threat to the eastern Kingdom of Nemnowyn has never been more near, and more real. Ripples of the war on the western front can be felt in every town and hearth in the lands of the Grand Mutual Protectorate of the Northlands, as it is known. An edict from the Oligarchs of the Northlands has decreed every healthy man and woman of ages 16 to 40 of the serf caste to be conscripted in the military, and sent to the western front. Exceptions are made for pregnant women, the sick, and official exemptions to conscription given by a member of the aristocratic or royal caste. In a region where seventy percent of the population are serfs, this has led to depopulated towns and general despair throughout the Northlands.

	Although far from the front line of the war, Nemnowyn is surrounded on three sides by wilderness - and in that wilderness, dark things lurk. Each territory of the Northlands must contribute equal amounts of soldiers, and given that Nemnowyn is sparsely populated compared to many of its sister states, it has found itself in a veritable perfect storm of civil unrest and instability. The orcish tribes in the eastern mountains have unified under a warlord named Vash Splithand. Warchief Splithand has declared himself a chosen of the beyond, and has formally declared his intent to conquer the northlands under the black banner of the Outer Gods. Due to bureaucratic misfires, this threat has been deemed secondary to the war with the Dànaan. Indeed, has not been formally recognized as a declaration of war by the Oligarchs of the Northlands. Officially, this incursion of orcs has been deemed as 'escalating raids', despite losses of territory.

	Elsewhere in the mountains, in disparate, ununified tribes, harpies periodically raid settlements, merchants, and supply lines. 	Violence is key to harpy proliferation and Nemnowyn is instable, offering windows for the opportunistic predators to strike. Thankfully, their raids are not exclusive to Nemnowyn. It is rumored the unified Splithand orcs have not made greater gains thanks to harpy raids. Logically, it would make sense for harpies to prey on the mountain-dwelling orcs, and their kind have never had any love for one another.

	In the subterranian caverns beneath Nemnowyn, elves called Tel-Shanas plot to reclaim the land they lost long ago. The Nemnowyn Vatisar dynasty traces distantly to a dissident faction of Tel-Shanas, in ages past. An alliance with the humans was struck, and many, many generations later, the Kingdom of Nemnowyn was born. The word Nemnowyn is an ancient elvish word for the land used by the Vatisar and their distant kin in the bowels of the earth. Since these times, the Vatisar and their offspring have bred with the humans they allied with, creating a pseudo-ethnocaste of half-tel-shanas, known as Duskbloods. Such heritage is held in high regard among Nemnowynese people, as it is a sign one holds noble heritage or is of 'old blood' in this land. Little is known of the organization of the shadowy Tel-Shanas, other than like other elves, they are tied to a heartbough. Their heartbough, known as the fungal bough, lies in the semi-mythological subterranean swamp known as Myrdyn Bog.

	You are a crown inquisitor. You are loyal to the Crown of Jet, king Myrhansíl Vatisar. You have been exempt from conscription both thanks to your highborn caste and gainful employment by the crown. You are most likely duskblood or human. You may be a rare outlander who has managed to buy their way in rank or climb the social ladder through good old fashioned bootlicking.

	You find yourself sent to the fortress-town of Pauper's Mound. In times past, this place has gone by many names, and has changed hands many times. Importantly, it is a stronghold-town deep in the mountains, and, until recently, has proved to be an important buffer against orcs and harpies. Lately, the previously robust military presence in Pauper's Mound has diminished, and orcish outriders have cut off aboveground supply lines. The crown had taken instead to braving the Deeps, and contending with the Tel-Shanas and other horrors which lurk below. Until recently, this has proven effective in circumventing the orcish blockade. One month ago, the supply tunnel was encircled and every man guarding were put to the sword or kidnapped. It is presumed the Tel-Shanas are guilty of this crime, but no culprit has been concretely identified. The supply tunnel was protected by guild mages, and required a passphrase to enter. The magics were not dispelled, they were bypassed. Due to this, it is all but certain a traitor who knew the passphrase was persuaded to give it to hostile forces. You, as a crown inquisitor, as always, are tasked with bringing the
guilty to justice.

	Between then and now, serfs have taken to the streets to protest the lack of food, further destabilizing Pauper's Mound. Fear is painted on the face of every burgher and serf alike. No magistrates have hung yet, but the ever agitated peasants are itching for blood. The decreased military presence has not abated any worries. All expect an imminent orcish siege, with no avenue for escape. You, however, do not have to trifle with such trivialities. You have been provided with a talisman of recall, which will return you and one other to the Citadel of Justice, home of the inquisition, in the city of Nemnowyn.

	During the week you and your colleagues have stayed in Pauper's Mound you have gathered briefs on five suspects. You are staying in the Hayloft, the ironically named finest inn Pauper's mound has to offer, on the crown's dime. You have an allotment of one more week to reach a conclusion and report back to the crown with your findings and the accused. Until the accused goes on trial, they are not to be killed. Other than that proviso, you are given full authority to find the culprit by any means necessary.

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Nemnowyn Duskblood

	Duskbloods trace one side of their heritage to subterranian Tel-Shanas elves and the other to Cormish warriors, mages, and noblemen of old. This has proven to be healthy, powerful stock that reinforces the advantages of their elven
heritages, while ironing out many of the weaknesses. This, in part, has allowed the Kingdom of Nemnowyn to flourish. In modern times finding a partner of their own kind who is not distantly related is at times difficult for
Duskbloods. All Duskbloods trace their lineage to the Vatisar dynasty of Tel-Shanas. The Vatisar were, at one point, a group of around two hundred. Thier numbers have expanded but the elven stock of their heritage, largely, does not.
Duskbloods do not breed true with humans, often producing human offspring. Compared to humans, Duskbloods are remarkably long lived.

	Due to their history and innate aptitude, Duskbloods are held in high regard in Nemnowyn. Some consider them to be a subcaste unto themselves, although legally speaking, this is not true. Duskbloods represent the history of Nemnowyn in
flesh and blood, and serve as a living monument to greatness, in the eyes of some. In the eyes of some Tel-Shanas, they represent treachery and an absolute disregard for the elven sacred cycle. Some would even venture further and to
deem their very existence heretical to their goddess, Syr-Liandria. Those who hold that belief are few, even among the Tel-Shanas. To other Northerners, the actions of Duskbloods are often taken as broad representations of Nemnowyn itself. Other than that, they are generally accepted and often admired.

	Duskbloods are almost always quite tall by human standards. Their skin carries a distinct gray hue. Their hair generally is black, or is a very light color. Their eyes are often shades of blue and red. Purple eyes are a common trait
among Duskbloods. Like Tel-Shanas, female Duskbloods are taller than males of their kind, on average. The disparity between sizes is less than that of Tel-Shanas, thanks to the human side of their heritage. Many Duskbloods worship the god of war, Vollûr, as both sides of their heritage have done for generations. Due to this, often Duskbloods are musclebound and warlike.

Nemnowyn Duskbloods tend towards lawful and evil alignments more than humans.

Languages: Cormine, Jiné

Age Range and Size: Adult 30, middle age 60, old age 110, venerable 150, max age 200-250.

Nemnowyn Duskblood Males: Height 5'8"-6'5" and weight 100-220. Nemnowyn Duskblood Females: Height 5'8"-7' and weight 145-250.

Type: Humanoid (Elf).
Size: Medium.
Speed: 30 feet.

Superior Darkvision: Nemnowyn Duskbloods can see in the dark up to 120 feet.

Dynastic Chivalry: Nemnowyn Duskbloods gain a fighter bonus feat at first level. If the feat requires class levels of fighter, this requirement is waived.

Elven Immunities: Nemnowyn Duskbloods are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.

Exemplary: Choose an attribute. Gain a point in this attribute when adding an attribute point into a different attribute every four levels.

Racial Statistic Modifiers: +2 strength, +2 intelligence, +2 charisma