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<img class="chapter-image" src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp" alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" /> <h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1> <div> <p> In Outlaws of Alkenstar, players assume the roles of renegade outlaws united under the banner of a shared grudge. To exact revenge on the despicable mogul who destroyed their lives, the party must hotfoot around the grime-caked streets of @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ooalk01player.JournalEntryPage.01alkenstarcit00]{Alkenstar, The City of Smog}. As the Game Master, you'll construct a scaffolding of riveting non-player characters, intricate plots, and electrifying encounters upon which your players can craft stories of their characters' thrilling exploits. As they explore a vast city of clockwork menaces and explosive drama, the party will take down brass-clad constructs, blast through steel vaults, and harness their reputations as hardened rebels to save the day. </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Using this Adventure Path</h1> <p> The three volumes of the Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path include everything necessary to run a complete Pathfinder campaign for characters from 1st to 10th level. Together with the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> and supplemental rules in the Pathfinder Reference Document (available online at <a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight: bold">paizo.com/prd</a>), each volume contains everything necessary for you as the Game Master to run the Adventure Path, including the adventure itself, articles to enhance the campaign's setting, and the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{Adventure Toolbox}, which features new character rules options and creatures that appear throughout the adventure. </p> <p> To play in this campaign, each player should have a copy of the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> as well as the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free supplement downloadable from <strong>paizo.com.</strong> </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Campaign Background</h1> <p> Amid the tangle of pipes, smokestacks, and bricks that congest Alkenstar's grimy manufacturing districts, innovations bubble up from inventors' laboratories, chemists' private factories, and gunsmiths' workshops. Most developments fizzle out like so much effervescence or otherwise elude containment from even the city's most brilliant minds. Sometimes, however, a single spark of genius is so explosive that it can change the fate of an entire city. </p> <p> Such is the case for the eccentric but brilliant alchemist Vashon Gattlebee and his latest invention, an extremely volatile liquid he's dubbed “pyronite.” No mere firecracker, this new instrument of destruction rivals the most powerful bombardments in terms of sheer catastrophic potential, yet its size is relatively diminutive; it can contain a hundred cannons' worth of energy in a tube no larger than a goblin's forearm. Never before has such a powerful explosive existed in such a compact form. It's no exaggeration to claim that Gattlebee's invention promises to shake the foundations of the known world. </p> <p> Gattlebee traces his interest in science and explosives back to a formidable childhood tragedy. When he was just a boy, Gattlebee's father took him on a hunting trip in a relatively quiet region of the nearby Mana Wastes. Monsters, bandits, and worse threatened the safety of Alkenstar, his father told him, so it would be important for Gattlebee to know how to handle himself. On the second day of their expedition, their makeshift long-gun backfired, killing Vashon's father instantly. Somehow, the boy made it back to Alkenstar in tattered, bloodstained clothes, but it took many weeks before he could speak of what happened. </p> <p> Vashon never picked up a firearm or ventured beyond Alkenstar's walls again. He shut out the rest of the world and entombed himself in his private quarters, where he read books, studied alchemy, and performed experiments from sunrise late into the night. One might have expected the survivor of such a terrible accident to avoid munitions altogether, but hardly a day passed without some contained explosion or planned calamity almost blasting Gattlebee's closed door off its hinges. Few were surprised when, years later, young Gattlebee enrolled at Blythir College to continue his scientific pursuits, vowing to someday develop a substance that would render gunpowder obsolete. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Chain Reaction</h2> <p> Gattlebee, now a middle-aged man, is one of Alkenstar's most famous recluses. He's regarded as a misunderstood genius by his friends and a perfectly understood crackpot by his detractors. Years of quiet, patient work in front of his alchemy bench have finally yielded an invention Gattlebee can be proud of—an explosive substance that he believes could eventually replace traditional black powder and revolutionize technology as the world knows it. </p> <p> In its raw state, pyronite is a viscous semi-transparent gel prone to catastrophic combustion at the slightest bump. Such volatile substances are not unknown on Golarion, but their unpredictable nature is exactly what makes such concoctions so rare and unwieldy. Gattlebee's true breakthrough came when he discovered that he could stabilize the chemical by mixing it with soda ash and a special type of white salt collected from the Spellscar Desert. Once it was stabilized, Gattlebee could pack the pyronite compound into small paper spheres, cylinders, or boxes and transport it with ease. </p> <p> The alchemist recently presented his formula to the public for the first time at an exposition at his alma mater, Alkenstar's esteemed Blythir College. Although he carefully determined the pyronite dosage for the demonstration—he brought a pellet no larger than a pea—his calculations must have been off. What should've been a dose just large enough to blow open an armoire-sized adamantine gun safe ended up leveling more than half of the college's largest lecture hall. Miraculously, no one was harmed except for Gattlebee, who sustained a few scrapes and bruises while he stoically looked over his bungled demo. To the nonplussed inventor, the minor wounds he suffered paled in comparison to the disappointment of an experiment gone awry. </p> <p> In spite of the botched exhibit (or perhaps because of it), the “pyronite incident” left a powerful impression on all the students, faculty, and entrepreneurs who witnessed it. Invitations for high-paying jobs and speaking engagements flooded in for Gattlebee, who was ill-prepared for the sudden spotlight. Overwhelmed by the attention, he retreated to his private lab in Steamhaven. As he'd done so many times before in his life, Gattlebee shut and locked the door behind him. </p> <p> Two of the demonstration's attendees weren't content to let Gattlebee slip back into the shadows. Ambrost Mugland, a powerful private financier, realized right away the destructive (and lucrative) potential of pyronite in construction, war, or whatever other ventures he could stick his hands in. The mogul deduced that two wealthy buyers resided in Alkenstar's own backyard: the warring wizard nations on either side of the Duchy's borders. If Mugland could pit the nations of Geb and Nex against one another in a bidding war over the pyronite formula—or secretly sell it to both of them—then he stood to make a veritable killing from the deal. </p> <p> The other attendee who set Gattlebee firmly in her sights was Foebe Dunsmith. Though she's known to most as the popular yet insouciant owner of the Barrel & Bullet Saloon, Dunsmith is, in fact, a high-ranking informant for the Alkenstar government, and the pyronite showcase unsettled her to her core. Dunsmith informed Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia of Gattlebee's invention and correctly speculated its potential to upend the already tenuous political order in eastern Garund. Dunsmith knew that other Alkenstar power brokers, such as Mugland, would also have their eyes on the pyronite formula and that any more public attention drawn to the matter would only complicate the situation. So, with the grand duchess's blessing, Dunsmith set about looking for independent yet manipulatable agents to help her secure the formula. Once the secrets of its creation were safe, Ricia could formulate a long-term solution for pyronite's inevitable release into the wider world. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Clock's Ticking</h2> <p> To fulfill his scheme of stealing the pyronite formula, Ambrost Mugland has had to pull strings and call in favors all across Alkenstar. The mogul has even gone into debt over the matter—an unconventional tack for the notorious copper-pincher—so convinced is he that this all-in bet on pyronite will pay off. </p> <p> Mugland's most expensive, but by far most useful, accomplice thus far has been a corrupt officer of the law, Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless. Loveless has likewise committed everything she has to the pyronite plot; she cowed dozens of low-ranking shieldmarshals into subservience, and she has called in favors with criminal gangs all around Alkenstar. Her minions have dutifully killed off anyone Mugland or Loveless suspected of potentially upsetting their schemes, even other Alkenstar elites who attended Gattlebee's exposition. Of course, the lowly saloon owner Foebe Dunsmith, among others, fell far beneath Mugland's or Loveless's notices. </p> <p> Mugland has already secured buyers for the formula: two revolutionaries from across Alkenstar's borders named Parsus (a ghoulish necromancer from Geb) and Ibrium (a suave Nexian geomancer). Despite hailing from nations famously at odds with one another, the two buyers seem to be working together. Mugland doesn't care about the details of their plans for pyronite, though; he just needs to deliver the goods so he can get paid. Unfortunately for the would-be weapons dealer, he hasn't been able to capture Gattlebee or the pyronite formula because the reclusive alchemist hasn't left his home since the Blythir exposition. Breaking and entering might work, but Gattlebee is famously unpredictable, and Mugland doesn't want to risk the alchemist accidentally blowing up his own lab (and, more importantly, the pyronite formula) in an act of self-defense. Mugland has no choice, for now, but to simply wait for Gattlebee to emerge from his domestic fortress. </p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith and Grand Duchess Ricia also understand that this waiting game can't last forever, and they've caught wind of Mugland's plot. The sooner they get Gattlebee and his formula to a safe, hidden location, the sooner they can rest assured that pyronite won't fall into the wrong hands. Dunsmith needs to find some trustworthy mercenaries—preferably ones who can keep a low profile, are blissfully unaware of the pyronite matter, and don't mind rubbing elbows with some of Alkenstar's less-reputable power brokers—to get Gattlebee to safety. For this task, she's applying a classic Alkenstar axiom: “A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.” </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Volatile Situation</h2> <p> Dunsmith has selected a handful of rough-and-tumble outlaws who each bear a personal grudge against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Loveless. To see if these toughs can work together in pursuit of their shared revenge, she has organized a heist targeting the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}, one of Mugland's smallest investment operations. The firm caters primarily to small-time, white-collar crooks and landowners who live off the sweat of others' brows by targeting ranchers, small businesses, and other vulnerable Alkenstar citizens with high-interest loans and exploitative contracts. Taking down the enterprise wouldn't solve everyone's problems right away, but it would send a definitive message to Mugland and those who support him. If Dunsmith's mercenaries can pull off this bank job, she plans to involve them in her and the duchess's scheme to secure Gattlebee and take down Mugland. </p> <p> Robbing the Gold Tank won't be so easy, however. Mugland's associate, Deputy Loveless, has caught wind of the party's plans and hopes to intercept the thieves along their getaway route. She and her fellow crooked shieldmarshals aren't known for offering mercy or playing fair—in fact, they look forward to the opportunity to dole out their own brand of cruel, wicked justice away from public eyes. </p> </div> <aside class="sidebar"> <h1 class="no-toc">Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1> <p> Before running this Adventure Path, provide your players with copies of the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free download from <a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight: bold">www.paizo.com</a>. This spoiler-free supplement includes details to get your players up to speed on the goings-on in Alkenstar, plus suggestions for creating characters with abilities that complement the challenges they'll face throughout the campaign. </p> <p> Most importantly, the Player's Guide also includes new character backgrounds specifically for this Adventure Path. Your players can use these backgrounds as written or as starting points to establish their characters' specific grudges against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Anjelique Loveless, the corrupt villains against whom the party will ultimately seek sweet revenge throughout this Adventure Path. </p> </aside> <div> <h1 class="no-toc">Adventure Path Summary</h1> <p> Player characters start this Adventure Path as outlaw mercenaries with a dire grudge. Their pursuit for revenge ultimately puts them in the best position possible to save the city of Alkenstar from utter catastrophe. The Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path spans three volumes and takes player characters from 1st through 10th level. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Punks in a Powderkeg</h2> <p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, Levels 1–3</strong></p> <p> To impress a mysterious patron who promises to help them get revenge against their rivals, the characters rob Ambrost Mugland's illicit banking operation, the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}. Afterward, the humble bartender Foebe Dunsmith reveals that she's actually an informant for Alkenstar's grand duchess. She then gives the mercenaries their next mission: protect the famous alchemist Vashon Gattlebee from kidnappers while escorting him across the city to safety. </p> <p> Two street gangs waylay the party and attempt to abscond with Gattlebee. The Clearwater Cleaners are obviously working for Mugland, but the Powderkeg Punks' motives are a mystery. After they get Gattlebee to a safehouse, the characters' investigation reveals that Gattlebee's small-time rival, Shoma Lyzerius, paid the Punks to apprehend Gattlebee. To put a stop to the renegade alchemist's schemes, the characters track down Lyzerius in the ramshackle district of Hellside. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Cradle of Quartz</h2> <p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, Levels 4–7</strong></p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith hires the characters to locate a priest of Brigh named Olomon Kosowana, who has somehow reverse-engineered the dangerous explosive called pyronite. When they get to Kosowana's home, they find the priest's clockwork laboratory already ransacked. Fortunately, Kosowana had enough time to leave a clue for the characters to track him down at the Cradle of Quartz, a remote shrine to Brigh in the middle of the Spellscar Desert. </p> <p> After arranging for an ill-fated airship journey to the desert and surviving the wasteland's strange cosmic horrors, the characters rescue Kosowana from the malevolent inhabitants of the Cradle of Quartz. The outlaws then learn from the priest that their rival, Ambrost Mugland, has gotten hold of Kosowana's recipe for pyronite and that he hired a gang called the Gilded Gunners to test it at the Steaming Kingdom, a rival business owner's exclusive speakeasy. The characters stop the assault then use their clues to finally track down Mugland and get their revenge once and for all. Before his fate is sealed, Mugland reveals that he has already sold the formula to a pair of renegades from Alkenstar's neighboring nations. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">The Smoking Gun</h2> <p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, Levels 8–10</strong></p> <p> Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia herself approaches the characters and explains that the pyronite situation has become dire. Unless the party can locate Deputy Loveless and Mugland's pyronite buyers before they use the bombs, the safety of all of Alkenstar is threatened. The outlaws' best lead takes them to the Gunworks far west of Alkenstar, where they learn more about the pyronite buyers—a necromancer from Geb named Parsus and a Nexian geomancer named Ibrium—and their potential plot to level Alken Falls using pyronite. </p> <p> The outlaws infiltrate the Tinwound Hydroforge at Alken Falls, where Parsus has used necromantic powers to fill the water purification plant with undead minions. The necromancer has cleared the place for Ibrium and Loveless to load it full of pyronite. Once defeated, Parsus explains that Ibrium and Loveless are on an inbound luxury riverboat, pyronite in hand. </p> <p> To save the day, the outlaws board a casino boat called <em>The Gearsmoke</em> as it cruises down the Ustradi River. They sneak about the vessel to disarm the pyronite and defeat Deputy Loveless and Ibrium, upending the villains' plot once and for all. </p> </div> <img class="chapter-image" src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp" alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" /> <h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading"> <div> <p> 在《霾都狂徒》冒险之路中，玩家将扮演一群为了共同 的复仇大计而团结在一起的亡命之徒。为了想那个摧毁了他 们生活的卑鄙大亨复仇，主角们必须驰骋于霾都阿肯斯塔 （Alkenstar，the City of Smog）肮脏的街头巷子尾。作 为游戏主持人，你将构建出引人入胜的非玩家角色框架、复 杂的情节以及令人兴奋的遭遇，以便你的玩家能为他们的角 色谱写惊险刺激的故事。在探索这个充满发条装置的威胁和 爆炸性事件的巨大城市的同时，队伍将拆除黄铜构装体、潜 入钢铁，并利用他们反叛者的名声来拯救世界。 </p> <h1 class="no-toc">游玩冒险之路 Using this Adventure Path</h1> <p> 《霾都狂徒》冒险之路一共三卷，包含能让角色从 1 级 升级到 10 级的全部冒险内容，开拓者 2 版<em>《核心规则书》 </em> 和 其 他 提 到 的 规 则 扩 展 可 以 在 Pathfinder Reference Document（<a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight: bold">paizo.com/prd</a> 或 2e.aonprd.com/）找到在 线版本。冒险之路的每一卷都包含了你作为主持人运行冒险 所需的必要内容，这些内容包括冒险故事本身、拓展战役设 定的文章、以及 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{冒险工具箱 Adventure Toolbox}。工具箱中包含了能让角色更符 合本次冒险风味的全新角色选项，以及众多在冒险中登场的 怪物们的详细介绍。 </p> <p> 为了游玩本次战役，每个玩家都需要有一本<em>《开拓者：核心规则书》</em>以及<em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>后者可以在 <strong>paizo.com.</strong> 免费下载。 </p> <h1 class="no-toc">战役背景 Campaign Background</h1> <p> 在挤满了阿肯斯塔肮脏的工业城区的扭曲管道、烟囱和 砖砌建筑中，新发明不断地从发明家的实验室、化学家的私 人工厂和枪械工匠的作坊中涌现出来。即使是城市中最强的 大脑都无法完成大部分那些令人沸腾的想法，但是有些时候， 来自天才的那一丝灵光是如此具有颠覆性，足以改变整个城 市的命运。 </p> <p> 这 就 是 古 怪 且 才 华横 溢 的 炼 金 术 士 瓦 申 · 盖 特 比 （Vashon Gattlebee）的最新发明——被他称为“爆熔雷” （pyronite）的极具挥发性的黏稠液体。这玩意儿可不仅仅 是鞭炮，它在制造灾难的潜力上可以和最强的爆炸相媲美， 但它拥有更小的尺寸；它能在一根不比地精前臂大多少的管 子内容纳上百门大炮的爆炸能量。从未有过有如此强大破坏 力的炸药以如此紧凑的形式存在。毫不夸张地说，盖特比的 新发明有望动摇已知世界的基础。 </p> <p> 盖特比对科学的兴趣可追溯至一场可怕的童年悲剧。当 他还是个孩子的时候，他的父亲带他去法力废土（Mana Wastes）附近一个相对平静的地区打猎。他的父亲告诉他， 怪物、强盗，甚至更糟的东西都威胁着阿肯斯塔的安全，所 以对盖特比来说，最重要的是学会如何对付他们。在他们远 征的第二天，临时租用的长枪发生了炸膛事故，导致瓦申的 父亲当场死亡。不知道他之后经历了什么，总之男孩穿着破 破烂烂、血迹斑斑的衣服回到了阿肯斯塔，但过了好几个星 期才说出发生的事情。 </p> <p> 瓦申再也没有拿起过任何火器，也没有走出过阿肯斯塔 的城墙。他整日把自己关在实验室里，夜以继日地读书、研 究炼金术、进行实验。一般人认为，经历过这样可怕事故的 幸存者肯定会对各种军火避之不及，但盖特比几乎每天都面 对各种计划内或计划外的爆炸，甚至差点把他家门给炸飞。 所以多年以后，当盖特比考入布莱瑟学院继续它的科学追求 时，几乎没有人感到惊讶。他发誓一定要发明出一种让黑火 药退出历史舞台的新物质。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">连锁反应 Chain Reaction</h2> <p> 盖特比如今人到中年，是阿肯斯塔最著名的隐居者之一。他的朋友认为他是个不被理解的天才，而他的批评者则已经 完全理解了他就是个疯子。多年来，他在炼金台上安静、耐 心地工作，终于制造出了一项让他感到自豪的发明——一种 新型爆炸物，他相信它最终会取代传统的黑火药，并为当前 世界带来革命性的变化。 </p> <p> 在原始状态下，爆熔雷是一种黏稠的半透明胶体，只要 受到轻微撞击就会发生灾难性的爆炸。这种易挥发的物质在 格拉利昂上也不是什么首创，但它不稳定的性质正是使这种 混合物如此罕见和难以处理的原因。盖特比真正的颠覆性突 破在于，他发现可以通过将苏打粉和一种法痕荒漠收集来的 特殊白盐混合，从而帮助稳定化合物。一旦稳定下来之后， 盖特比就能将爆熔雷化合物装入小型球体、圆柱体或盒子中， 并轻松地运输。 </p> <p> 炼金术士最近在他的母校——阿肯斯塔著名的布莱瑟学院（Blythir College）举办的一次发布会上首次向公众展 示了他的配方。尽管作为演示，他仔细地斟酌了爆融雷的使 用量——他带来了一个比豌豆还小的颗粒——但他的计算 肯定出了岔子。炸药的剂量本应该只炸开一个衣柜般大小的 精金保险柜，但最终却导致学院最大的演讲厅的一半以上被 炸飞。奇迹般地，没有人受伤，除了盖特比自己。他忍受浑 身的擦伤和瘀伤，检查着自己搞砸的演示。跟实验失败的失望和痛苦相比，这位困惑发明家的伤是如此微不足道。 </p> <p> 尽管发布会搞砸了（或许也正因为如此），“爆熔雷事故”给目睹这件事的学生、教师和企业家们留下了深刻的印 象。对盖特比来说，高薪工作和演讲邀请如潮水般涌来，他 对突如其来的聚光灯毫无准备，由于不胜其扰，他返回了自 己位于蒸汽港（Steamhaven）的私人实验室。就像他这辈 子一贯的那样，他再一次把自己关在实验室里，与世隔绝。 </p> <p> 可是，发布会的个别观众并不打算让盖特比就这么淡出视野。安布罗斯特·穆格兰（Ambrost Mugland），一个权势滔天的金融巨鳄，立刻意识到爆熔雷在建筑、战争或其他任何他涉足的领域中具有破坏性潜力（以及极大的利润）。这位大亨盘算，最富有的买家就离阿肯斯塔不远：位于大公国南北两侧不断交战的两个法师国家。如果穆格兰能让奈克斯和盖布为了争夺爆熔雷展开持久的战争，或者秘密地将爆熔雷分别卖给两个国家的代理人，他就能从中大赚一笔。 </p> <p> 另一个在暗中牢牢盯住盖特比的人则是菲比·邓史密斯（Foebe Dunsmith）。虽然菲比最出名的身份是枪弹酒吧（Barrel & Bullet Saloon）的老板，但她实际上是阿肯斯塔政府的高级线人，而这次爆熔雷展示让她深感不安。邓史密斯向女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚（Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia）报告了盖特比的新发明，并正确地推断，这东西极有可能颠覆加伦德东部地区本已十分脆弱的政治平衡。邓史密斯知道，一些阿肯斯塔的权贵，例如穆格兰，肯定也已经盯上了爆熔雷的配方。如果再次引起公众对这件事的注意，只会让事情变得更加复杂。因此，在女大公的首肯下，邓史密斯开始寻找独立但是可控制的特工来帮她获得配方。一旦制造爆熔雷的秘密得到安全保障，瑞希亚就能在它不可避免扩散到整个世界之前制定一个长期有效的解决方案。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">争分夺秒 Clock's Ticking</h2> <p> 为了完成将爆熔雷配方窃为己有的计划，安布罗斯特·穆格兰不得不动用关系，在阿肯斯塔各地召集党羽。这位大亨甚至为此背上债务——这对于这位臭名昭著的金融大亨来说这是一种常见策略——他非常自信，对爆熔雷的全部投资终将得到回报。 </p> <p> 迄今为止，花了穆格兰最多钱但也是最有用的一位同谋是一名腐败的执法者——盾勋执法官副警长安洁莉卡·洛夫莱斯（Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless）。洛夫莱斯同样在爆熔雷的阴谋上押上一切；她恐吓了几十名级别较低的盾勋执法官帮她做事，并且笼络了一批阿肯斯塔本地的犯罪团伙。她的手下会尽职尽责地杀死任何被怀疑有可能破坏她计划的人，甚至包括那些参加过盖特比发布会的其他阿肯斯塔精英们。当然，地位低下的酒馆老板菲比·邓史密斯和其他杂鱼是远不足以引起穆格兰和洛夫莱斯的注意的。 </p> <p> 穆格兰已经为配方找好了买家：分别来自阿肯斯塔两个邻国的革命者：来自盖布的叫做帕索斯（Parsus）的令人毛骨悚然的死灵法师，还有一个奈克斯的叫做伊布里姆（Ibrium）的温文尔雅的地卜师。尽管这两个买家来自两个以宿敌著称的国家，但他们似乎达成了某种合作。然而，穆格兰并不关心他们关于爆熔雷的计划的细节，他只想把货卖出去换钱。不幸的是，这位潜在的军火商并没能抓住盖特比，也没能找到爆熔雷的配方，因为这位隐居的炼金术士在布莱瑟学院的发布会之后就没有离开过自己的家。直接上门抓他也许是一种选择，但盖特比出了名的不可预测，穆格兰不敢贸然行动，怕炼金术士在自卫时不小心炸毁自己实验室（最糟糕的情况下连爆熔雷的配方也一起毁了）。现在穆格兰别无选择，只能等着盖特比哪天从他的“小堡垒”里出来。 </p> <p> 菲比·邓史密斯和女大公瑞希亚也明白，这种守株待兔的游戏不能一直持续下去，他们已经察觉到了穆格兰的阴谋。他们越早把盖特比和他的配方带到安全且隐蔽的地方，他们就能越早地确保爆熔雷不会落入坏人之手。邓史密斯需要找到一些值得信赖的雇佣兵把盖特比护送的安全的地方。这些人最好是那些行事低调，对爆熔雷毫不关心，并且不介意和阿肯斯塔一些名声不太好的权力掮客有交集的人。在这项任务中，她贯彻了一句阿肯斯塔最经典公理：“枪弹可毙敌，何必问出处。”（A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.） </p> <h2 class="no-toc">动荡的局势 Volatile Situation</h2> <p> 邓史密斯精心挑选了一批法外狂徒，他们每个人都对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯有着深仇大恨。为了测试一下这群恶棍能否合作完成复仇大业，她组织了一场针对穆格兰手下最小产业 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 的劫案。这家银行主要服务对象为那些榨取别人血汗钱的白领骗子和大地主，用高利贷和剥削性的合同来压榨农户、小企业家和其他势单力孤的阿肯斯塔公民。抢劫这家银行并不能马上解决每个人的问题，但这会向穆格兰和其支持者发出明确的信号。如果邓史密斯的雇佣兵能完成银行劫案的话，她计划让他们参与到自己和女大公的计划中来，保护盖特比，并伺机推翻穆格兰。 </p> <p> 然而，抢劫金罐子储蓄并不容易。穆格兰的帮凶——副警长洛夫莱斯，察觉到了队伍的计划，并希望在这群强盗的逃亡路线上截住他们。她和她的手下并不以仁慈和公平出名 ——事实上，他们一直等待着机会在公众面前展现自己残忍、邪恶的正义。 </p> </div> <aside class="sidebar"> <h1 class="no-toc">《霾都狂徒玩家指南》 Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1> <p> 在运行本次冒险之路之前，请向玩家提供 <em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>的副本，该副本可以从<a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight: bold">www.paizo.com</a>免费下载。这本不含剧透的指南提供了丰富的细节，让你的玩家能进一步了解阿肯斯塔的方方面面，对于他们即将在战役中面临的种种挑战，这本书也提出了很多角色创建方面的建议。 </p> <p> 最重要的是，玩家指南里还有为本次冒险之路准备的专属背景。你的玩家能将这些背景作为人物故事，或以此为起点建立角色们对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯的怨恨，让队伍在这条冒险之路中最终对这些腐败的恶棍展开甜蜜的复仇。 </p> </aside> <div> <h1 class="no-toc">冒险之路概要 Adventure Path Summary</h1> <p> 玩家角色们在冒险之路开始时是一群苦大仇深的雇佣兵。他们对复仇的渴望最终让他们有机会从一场彻底的灾难中挽救阿肯斯塔。《霾都狂徒》冒险之路的故事横跨三卷，玩家角色从1级跑到10级。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">《一触即爆》 Punks in a Powderkeg</h2> <p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, 等级 1–3</strong></p> <p> 为了给承诺帮他们复仇的神秘赞助人留下深刻印象，主角们抢劫了安布罗斯特·穆格兰的非法银行@UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 之后，低调的酒保菲比·邓史密斯透露，她实际上是阿肯斯塔女大公的秘密线人。她给了雇佣兵们下一个任务：保护著名炼金术士瓦申·盖特比不被绑架，同时护送他穿过城市抵达安全屋。 </p> <p> 两个街头帮派伏击了队伍，并试图把盖特比抢走。净水清洁工显然是为穆格兰工作的，但爆桶朋克的动机成谜。在把盖特比送达安全屋之后，主角们的调查显示，是盖特比的三流竞争对手邵马·利泽留斯付钱给爆桶朋克让他们绑架盖特比的。为了阻止叛逆的炼金术士的计划，主角们在摇摇欲坠的狱崖窟逮住了利泽留斯。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">石英摇篮 Cradle of Quartz</h2> <p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, 等级 4–7</strong></p> <p> 菲比·邓史密斯雇佣主角们去寻找布莱的牧师，他的名字叫奥洛蒙·科索瓦纳，他以某种方式对危险的炸药爆熔雷进行了逆向工程。当他们到达科索瓦纳的家时，他们发现牧师的发条实验室已经被洗劫一空。幸运的是，科索瓦纳给主角们留下了足够的线索，让他们能在石英摇篮找到他。石英摇篮是座布莱神殿，位于遥远法的痕沙漠中部。 </p> <p> 经历了一次不幸的沙漠飞艇之旅，并在废土上怪异的宇宙恐怖之下幸存后，主角们从石英摇篮的邪恶居民手中拯救了科索瓦纳。法外狂徒们从牧师那里得知，他们的竞争对手安布罗斯特·穆格兰已经拿到了科索瓦纳的爆熔雷的配方，他雇用了一个名为“镀金枪手”的帮派，在敌对企业老板的独家地下酒吧“蒸汽王国”内测试这种配方。主角们阻止了袭击，然后利用他们留下的线索最终找到了穆格兰，并完成了他们的复仇。在他的命运被封印之前，穆格兰透露，他已经把配方卖给了来自阿肯斯塔邻国的两个革命者。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">证据确凿 The Smoking Gun</h2> <p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, 等级 8–10</strong></p> <p> 女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚亲自接近主角们，并解释说，爆熔雷的事情已经逐渐变得可怕起来。除非他们能在炸弹引爆之前找到洛夫莱斯和穆格兰的买家，否则整个阿肯斯塔的安全都将受到威胁。法外狂徒们手中的线索将他们领向阿肯斯塔西部的枪械工坊，在那里他们了解到了更多关于爆熔雷买家的信息——来自盖布的名为帕索斯的死灵法师，以及来自奈克斯的名为伊布里姆的地卜师——以及他们打算利用爆熔雷来炸毁阿肯瀑布的阴谋。 </p> <p> 法外狂徒们潜入了阿肯瀑布旁的锡创净水厂，帕索斯用死灵法术的力量让净水工厂里充斥不死生物。帕索斯帮伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯清空了这个地方，转而在里面装满了爆熔雷。帕索斯被击败后解释说，伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯此刻正在一艘刚入境的豪华内河游艇上，手里有爆熔雷。 </p> <p> 为了挽救局面，法外狂徒们登上了一艘名为 <em>“齿轮生烟”（Gearsmoke）</em>的赌场游轮，这艘船沿着乌斯塔迪河向阿肯斯塔市中心开去。他们潜入船只，解除了爆熔雷，打败了伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯副警长，一劳永逸地推翻了恶棍们的阴谋。 </p> </div> |
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<img class="chapter-image" src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp" alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" /> <h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1> <div> <p> In Outlaws of Alkenstar, players assume the roles of renegade outlaws united under the banner of a shared grudge. To exact revenge on the despicable mogul who destroyed their lives, the party must hotfoot around the grime-caked streets of @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ooalk01player.JournalEntryPage.01alkenstarcit00]{Alkenstar, The City of Smog}. As the Game Master, you'll construct a scaffolding of riveting non-player characters, intricate plots, and electrifying encounters upon which your players can craft stories of their characters' thrilling exploits. As they explore a vast city of clockwork menaces and explosive drama, the party will take down brass-clad constructs, blast through steel vaults, and harness their reputations as hardened rebels to save the day. </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Using this Adventure Path</h1> <p> The three volumes of the Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path include everything necessary to run a complete Pathfinder campaign for characters from 1st to 10th level. Together with the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> and supplemental rules in the Pathfinder Reference Document (available online at <a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight: bold">paizo.com/prd</a>), each volume contains everything necessary for you as the Game Master to run the Adventure Path, including the adventure itself, articles to enhance the campaign's setting, and the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{Adventure Toolbox}, which features new character rules options and creatures that appear throughout the adventure. </p> <p> To play in this campaign, each player should have a copy of the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> as well as the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free supplement downloadable from <strong>paizo.com.</strong> </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Campaign Background</h1> <p> Amid the tangle of pipes, smokestacks, and bricks that congest Alkenstar's grimy manufacturing districts, innovations bubble up from inventors' laboratories, chemists' private factories, and gunsmiths' workshops. Most developments fizzle out like so much effervescence or otherwise elude containment from even the city's most brilliant minds. Sometimes, however, a single spark of genius is so explosive that it can change the fate of an entire city. </p> <p> Such is the case for the eccentric but brilliant alchemist Vashon Gattlebee and his latest invention, an extremely volatile liquid he's dubbed “pyronite.” No mere firecracker, this new instrument of destruction rivals the most powerful bombardments in terms of sheer catastrophic potential, yet its size is relatively diminutive; it can contain a hundred cannons' worth of energy in a tube no larger than a goblin's forearm. Never before has such a powerful explosive existed in such a compact form. It's no exaggeration to claim that Gattlebee's invention promises to shake the foundations of the known world. </p> <p> Gattlebee traces his interest in science and explosives back to a formidable childhood tragedy. When he was just a boy, Gattlebee's father took him on a hunting trip in a relatively quiet region of the nearby Mana Wastes. Monsters, bandits, and worse threatened the safety of Alkenstar, his father told him, so it would be important for Gattlebee to know how to handle himself. On the second day of their expedition, their makeshift long-gun backfired, killing Vashon's father instantly. Somehow, the boy made it back to Alkenstar in tattered, bloodstained clothes, but it took many weeks before he could speak of what happened. </p> <p> Vashon never picked up a firearm or ventured beyond Alkenstar's walls again. He shut out the rest of the world and entombed himself in his private quarters, where he read books, studied alchemy, and performed experiments from sunrise late into the night. One might have expected the survivor of such a terrible accident to avoid munitions altogether, but hardly a day passed without some contained explosion or planned calamity almost blasting Gattlebee's closed door off its hinges. Few were surprised when, years later, young Gattlebee enrolled at Blythir College to continue his scientific pursuits, vowing to someday develop a substance that would render gunpowder obsolete. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Chain Reaction</h2> <p> Gattlebee, now a middle-aged man, is one of Alkenstar's most famous recluses. He's regarded as a misunderstood genius by his friends and a perfectly understood crackpot by his detractors. Years of quiet, patient work in front of his alchemy bench have finally yielded an invention Gattlebee can be proud of—an explosive substance that he believes could eventually replace traditional black powder and revolutionize technology as the world knows it. </p> <p> In its raw state, pyronite is a viscous semi-transparent gel prone to catastrophic combustion at the slightest bump. Such volatile substances are not unknown on Golarion, but their unpredictable nature is exactly what makes such concoctions so rare and unwieldy. Gattlebee's true breakthrough came when he discovered that he could stabilize the chemical by mixing it with soda ash and a special type of white salt collected from the Spellscar Desert. Once it was stabilized, Gattlebee could pack the pyronite compound into small paper spheres, cylinders, or boxes and transport it with ease. </p> <p> The alchemist recently presented his formula to the public for the first time at an exposition at his alma mater, Alkenstar's esteemed Blythir College. Although he carefully determined the pyronite dosage for the demonstration—he brought a pellet no larger than a pea—his calculations must have been off. What should've been a dose just large enough to blow open an armoire-sized adamantine gun safe ended up leveling more than half of the college's largest lecture hall. Miraculously, no one was harmed except for Gattlebee, who sustained a few scrapes and bruises while he stoically looked over his bungled demo. To the nonplussed inventor, the minor wounds he suffered paled in comparison to the disappointment of an experiment gone awry. </p> <p> In spite of the botched exhibit (or perhaps because of it), the “pyronite incident” left a powerful impression on all the students, faculty, and entrepreneurs who witnessed it. Invitations for high-paying jobs and speaking engagements flooded in for Gattlebee, who was ill-prepared for the sudden spotlight. Overwhelmed by the attention, he retreated to his private lab in Steamhaven. As he'd done so many times before in his life, Gattlebee shut and locked the door behind him. </p> <p> Two of the demonstration's attendees weren't content to let Gattlebee slip back into the shadows. Ambrost Mugland, a powerful private financier, realized right away the destructive (and lucrative) potential of pyronite in construction, war, or whatever other ventures he could stick his hands in. The mogul deduced that two wealthy buyers resided in Alkenstar's own backyard: the warring wizard nations on either side of the Duchy's borders. If Mugland could pit the nations of Geb and Nex against one another in a bidding war over the pyronite formula—or secretly sell it to both of them—then he stood to make a veritable killing from the deal. </p> <p> The other attendee who set Gattlebee firmly in her sights was Foebe Dunsmith. Though she's known to most as the popular yet insouciant owner of the Barrel & Bullet Saloon, Dunsmith is, in fact, a high-ranking informant for the Alkenstar government, and the pyronite showcase unsettled her to her core. Dunsmith informed Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia of Gattlebee's invention and correctly speculated its potential to upend the already tenuous political order in eastern Garund. Dunsmith knew that other Alkenstar power brokers, such as Mugland, would also have their eyes on the pyronite formula and that any more public attention drawn to the matter would only complicate the situation. So, with the grand duchess's blessing, Dunsmith set about looking for independent yet manipulatable agents to help her secure the formula. Once the secrets of its creation were safe, Ricia could formulate a long-term solution for pyronite's inevitable release into the wider world. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Clock's Ticking</h2> <p> To fulfill his scheme of stealing the pyronite formula, Ambrost Mugland has had to pull strings and call in favors all across Alkenstar. The mogul has even gone into debt over the matter—an unconventional tack for the notorious copper-pincher—so convinced is he that this all-in bet on pyronite will pay off. </p> <p> Mugland's most expensive, but by far most useful, accomplice thus far has been a corrupt officer of the law, Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless. Loveless has likewise committed everything she has to the pyronite plot; she cowed dozens of low-ranking shieldmarshals into subservience, and she has called in favors with criminal gangs all around Alkenstar. Her minions have dutifully killed off anyone Mugland or Loveless suspected of potentially upsetting their schemes, even other Alkenstar elites who attended Gattlebee's exposition. Of course, the lowly saloon owner Foebe Dunsmith, among others, fell far beneath Mugland's or Loveless's notices. </p> <p> Mugland has already secured buyers for the formula: two revolutionaries from across Alkenstar's borders named Parsus (a ghoulish necromancer from Geb) and Ibrium (a suave Nexian geomancer). Despite hailing from nations famously at odds with one another, the two buyers seem to be working together. Mugland doesn't care about the details of their plans for pyronite, though; he just needs to deliver the goods so he can get paid. Unfortunately for the would-be weapons dealer, he hasn't been able to capture Gattlebee or the pyronite formula because the reclusive alchemist hasn't left his home since the Blythir exposition. Breaking and entering might work, but Gattlebee is famously unpredictable, and Mugland doesn't want to risk the alchemist accidentally blowing up his own lab (and, more importantly, the pyronite formula) in an act of self-defense. Mugland has no choice, for now, but to simply wait for Gattlebee to emerge from his domestic fortress. </p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith and Grand Duchess Ricia also understand that this waiting game can't last forever, and they've caught wind of Mugland's plot. The sooner they get Gattlebee and his formula to a safe, hidden location, the sooner they can rest assured that pyronite won't fall into the wrong hands. Dunsmith needs to find some trustworthy mercenaries—preferably ones who can keep a low profile, are blissfully unaware of the pyronite matter, and don't mind rubbing elbows with some of Alkenstar's less-reputable power brokers—to get Gattlebee to safety. For this task, she's applying a classic Alkenstar axiom: “A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.” </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Volatile Situation</h2> <p> Dunsmith has selected a handful of rough-and-tumble outlaws who each bear a personal grudge against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Loveless. To see if these toughs can work together in pursuit of their shared revenge, she has organized a heist targeting the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}, one of Mugland's smallest investment operations. The firm caters primarily to small-time, white-collar crooks and landowners who live off the sweat of others' brows by targeting ranchers, small businesses, and other vulnerable Alkenstar citizens with high-interest loans and exploitative contracts. Taking down the enterprise wouldn't solve everyone's problems right away, but it would send a definitive message to Mugland and those who support him. If Dunsmith's mercenaries can pull off this bank job, she plans to involve them in her and the duchess's scheme to secure Gattlebee and take down Mugland. </p> <p> Robbing the Gold Tank won't be so easy, however. Mugland's associate, Deputy Loveless, has caught wind of the party's plans and hopes to intercept the thieves along their getaway route. She and her fellow crooked shieldmarshals aren't known for offering mercy or playing fair—in fact, they look forward to the opportunity to dole out their own brand of cruel, wicked justice away from public eyes. </p> </div> <aside class="sidebar"> <h1 class="no-toc">Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1> <p> Before running this Adventure Path, provide your players with copies of the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free download from <a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight: bold">www.paizo.com</a>. This spoiler-free supplement includes details to get your players up to speed on the goings-on in Alkenstar, plus suggestions for creating characters with abilities that complement the challenges they'll face throughout the campaign. </p> <p> Most importantly, the Player's Guide also includes new character backgrounds specifically for this Adventure Path. Your players can use these backgrounds as written or as starting points to establish their characters' specific grudges against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Anjelique Loveless, the corrupt villains against whom the party will ultimately seek sweet revenge throughout this Adventure Path. </p> </aside> <div> <h1 class="no-toc">Adventure Path Summary</h1> <p> Player characters start this Adventure Path as outlaw mercenaries with a dire grudge. Their pursuit for revenge ultimately puts them in the best position possible to save the city of Alkenstar from utter catastrophe. The Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path spans three volumes and takes player characters from 1st through 10th level. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Punks in a Powderkeg</h2> <p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, Levels 1–3</strong></p> <p> To impress a mysterious patron who promises to help them get revenge against their rivals, the characters rob Ambrost Mugland's illicit banking operation, the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}. Afterward, the humble bartender Foebe Dunsmith reveals that she's actually an informant for Alkenstar's grand duchess. She then gives the mercenaries their next mission: protect the famous alchemist Vashon Gattlebee from kidnappers while escorting him across the city to safety. </p> <p> Two street gangs waylay the party and attempt to abscond with Gattlebee. The Clearwater Cleaners are obviously working for Mugland, but the Powderkeg Punks' motives are a mystery. After they get Gattlebee to a safehouse, the characters' investigation reveals that Gattlebee's small-time rival, Shoma Lyzerius, paid the Punks to apprehend Gattlebee. To put a stop to the renegade alchemist's schemes, the characters track down Lyzerius in the ramshackle district of Hellside. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Cradle of Quartz</h2> <p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, Levels 4–7</strong></p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith hires the characters to locate a priest of Brigh named Olomon Kosowana, who has somehow reverse-engineered the dangerous explosive called pyronite. When they get to Kosowana's home, they find the priest's clockwork laboratory already ransacked. Fortunately, Kosowana had enough time to leave a clue for the characters to track him down at the Cradle of Quartz, a remote shrine to Brigh in the middle of the Spellscar Desert. </p> <p> After arranging for an ill-fated airship journey to the desert and surviving the wasteland's strange cosmic horrors, the characters rescue Kosowana from the malevolent inhabitants of the Cradle of Quartz. The outlaws then learn from the priest that their rival, Ambrost Mugland, has gotten hold of Kosowana's recipe for pyronite and that he hired a gang called the Gilded Gunners to test it at the Steaming Kingdom, a rival business owner's exclusive speakeasy. The characters stop the assault then use their clues to finally track down Mugland and get their revenge once and for all. Before his fate is sealed, Mugland reveals that he has already sold the formula to a pair of renegades from Alkenstar's neighboring nations. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">The Smoking Gun</h2> <p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, Levels 8–10</strong></p> <p> Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia herself approaches the characters and explains that the pyronite situation has become dire. Unless the party can locate Deputy Loveless and Mugland's pyronite buyers before they use the bombs, the safety of all of Alkenstar is threatened. The outlaws' best lead takes them to the Gunworks far west of Alkenstar, where they learn more about the pyronite buyers—a necromancer from Geb named Parsus and a Nexian geomancer named Ibrium—and their potential plot to level Alken Falls using pyronite. </p> <p> The outlaws infiltrate the Tinwound Hydroforge at Alken Falls, where Parsus has used necromantic powers to fill the water purification plant with undead minions. The necromancer has cleared the place for Ibrium and Loveless to load it full of pyronite. Once defeated, Parsus explains that Ibrium and Loveless are on an inbound luxury riverboat, pyronite in hand. </p> <p> To save the day, the outlaws board a casino boat called <em>The Gearsmoke</em> as it cruises down the Ustradi River. They sneak about the vessel to disarm the pyronite and defeat Deputy Loveless and Ibrium, upending the villains' plot once and for all. </p> </div>
<img class="chapter-image" src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp" alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" />
<h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">《霾都狂徒》Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1> <div> <p> 在《霾都狂徒》冒险之路中，玩家将扮演一群为了共同 的复仇大计而团结在一起的亡命之徒。为了想那个摧毁了他 们生活的卑鄙大亨复仇，主角们必须驰骋于霾都阿肯斯塔 （Alkenstar，the City of Smog）肮脏的街头巷子尾。作 为游戏主持人，你将构建出引人入胜的非玩家角色框架、复 杂的情节以及令人兴奋的遭遇，以便你的玩家能为他们的角 色谱写惊险刺激的故事。在探索这个充满发条装置的威胁和 爆炸性事件的巨大城市的同时，队伍将拆除黄铜构装体、潜 入钢铁，并利用他们反叛者的名声来拯救世界。 </p> <h1 class="no-toc">游玩冒险之路 Using this Adventure Path</h1> <p> 《霾都狂徒》冒险之路一共三卷，包含能让角色从 1 级 升级到 10 级的全部冒险内容，开拓者 2 版<em>《核心规则书》 </em> 和 其 他 提 到 的 规 则 扩 展 可 以 在 Pathfinder Reference Document（<a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight:bold">paizo.com/prd</a> 或 2e.aonprd.com/）找到在 线版本。冒险之路的每一卷都包含了你作为主持人运行冒险 所需的必要内容，这些内容包括冒险故事本身、拓展战役设 定的文章、以及 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{冒险工具箱 Adventure Toolbox}。工具箱中包含了能让角色更符 合本次冒险风味的全新角色选项，以及众多在冒险中登场的 怪物们的详细介绍。 </p> <p> 为了游玩本次战役，每个玩家都需要有一本<em>《开拓者：核心规则书》</em>以及<em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>后者可以在 <strong>paizo.com.</strong> 免费下载。 </p> <h1 class="no-toc">战役背景 Campaign Background</h1> <p> 在挤满了阿肯斯塔肮脏的工业城区的扭曲管道、烟囱和 砖砌建筑中，新发明不断地从发明家的实验室、化学家的私 人工厂和枪械工匠的作坊中涌现出来。即使是城市中最强的 大脑都无法完成大部分那些令人沸腾的想法，但是有些时候， 来自天才的那一丝灵光是如此具有颠覆性，足以改变整个城 市的命运。 </p> <p> 这 就 是 古 怪 且 才 华横 溢 的 炼 金 术 士 瓦 申 · 盖 特 比 （Vashon Gattlebee）的最新发明——被他称为“爆熔雷” （pyronite）的极具挥发性的黏稠液体。这玩意儿可不仅仅 是鞭炮，它在制造灾难的潜力上可以和最强的爆炸相媲美， 但它拥有更小的尺寸；它能在一根不比地精前臂大多少的管 子内容纳上百门大炮的爆炸能量。从未有过有如此强大破坏 力的炸药以如此紧凑的形式存在。毫不夸张地说，盖特比的 新发明有望动摇已知世界的基础。 </p> <p> 盖特比对科学的兴趣可追溯至一场可怕的童年悲剧。当 他还是个孩子的时候，他的父亲带他去法力废土（Mana Wastes）附近一个相对平静的地区打猎。他的父亲告诉他， 怪物、强盗，甚至更糟的东西都威胁着阿肯斯塔的安全，所 以对盖特比来说，最重要的是学会如何对付他们。在他们远 征的第二天，临时租用的长枪发生了炸膛事故，导致瓦申的 父亲当场死亡。不知道他之后经历了什么，总之男孩穿着破 破烂烂、血迹斑斑的衣服回到了阿肯斯塔，但过了好几个星 期才说出发生的事情。 </p> <p> 瓦申再也没有拿起过任何火器，也没有走出过阿肯斯塔 的城墙。他整日把自己关在实验室里，夜以继日地读书、研 究炼金术、进行实验。一般人认为，经历过这样可怕事故的 幸存者肯定会对各种军火避之不及，但盖特比几乎每天都面 对各种计划内或计划外的爆炸，甚至差点把他家门给炸飞。 所以多年以后，当盖特比考入布莱瑟学院继续它的科学追求 时，几乎没有人感到惊讶。他发誓一定要发明出一种让黑火 药退出历史舞台的新物质。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">连锁反应 Chain Reaction</h2> <p> 盖特比如今人到中年，是阿肯斯塔最著名的隐居者之一。他的朋友认为他是个不被理解的天才，而他的批评者则已经 完全理解了他就是个疯子。多年来，他在炼金台上安静、耐 心地工作，终于制造出了一项让他感到自豪的发明——一种 新型爆炸物，他相信它最终会取代传统的黑火药，并为当前 世界带来革命性的变化。 </p> <p> 在原始状态下，爆熔雷是一种黏稠的半透明胶体，只要 受到轻微撞击就会发生灾难性的爆炸。这种易挥发的物质在 格拉利昂上也不是什么首创，但它不稳定的性质正是使这种 混合物如此罕见和难以处理的原因。盖特比真正的颠覆性突 破在于，他发现可以通过将苏打粉和一种法痕荒漠收集来的 特殊白盐混合，从而帮助稳定化合物。一旦稳定下来之后， 盖特比就能将爆熔雷化合物装入小型球体、圆柱体或盒子中， 并轻松地运输。 </p> <p> 炼金术士最近在他的母校——阿肯斯塔著名的布莱瑟学院（Blythir College）举办的一次发布会上首次向公众展 示了他的配方。尽管作为演示，他仔细地斟酌了爆融雷的使 用量——他带来了一个比豌豆还小的颗粒——但他的计算 肯定出了岔子。炸药的剂量本应该只炸开一个衣柜般大小的 精金保险柜，但最终却导致学院最大的演讲厅的一半以上被 炸飞。奇迹般地，没有人受伤，除了盖特比自己。他忍受浑 身的擦伤和瘀伤，检查着自己搞砸的演示。跟实验失败的失望和痛苦相比，这位困惑发明家的伤是如此微不足道。 </p> <p> 尽管发布会搞砸了（或许也正因为如此），“爆熔雷事故”给目睹这件事的学生、教师和企业家们留下了深刻的印 象。对盖特比来说，高薪工作和演讲邀请如潮水般涌来，他 对突如其来的聚光灯毫无准备，由于不胜其扰，他返回了自 己位于蒸汽港（Steamhaven）的私人实验室。就像他这辈 子一贯的那样，他再一次把自己关在实验室里，与世隔绝。 </p> <p> 可是，发布会的个别观众并不打算让盖特比就这么淡出视野。安布罗斯特·穆格兰（Ambrost Mugland），一个权势滔天的金融巨鳄，立刻意识到爆熔雷在建筑、战争或其他任何他涉足的领域中具有破坏性潜力（以及极大的利润）。这位大亨盘算，最富有的买家就离阿肯斯塔不远：位于大公国南北两侧不断交战的两个法师国家。如果穆格兰能让奈克斯和盖布为了争夺爆熔雷展开持久的战争，或者秘密地将爆熔雷分别卖给两个国家的代理人，他就能从中大赚一笔。 </p> <p> 另一个在暗中牢牢盯住盖特比的人则是菲比·邓史密斯（Foebe Dunsmith）。虽然菲比最出名的身份是枪弹酒吧（Barrel & Bullet Saloon）的老板，但她实际上是阿肯斯塔政府的高级线人，而这次爆熔雷展示让她深感不安。邓史密斯向女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚（Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia）报告了盖特比的新发明，并正确地推断，这东西极有可能颠覆加伦德东部地区本已十分脆弱的政治平衡。邓史密斯知道，一些阿肯斯塔的权贵，例如穆格兰，肯定也已经盯上了爆熔雷的配方。如果再次引起公众对这件事的注意，只会让事情变得更加复杂。因此，在女大公的首肯下，邓史密斯开始寻找独立但是可控制的特工来帮她获得配方。一旦制造爆熔雷的秘密得到安全保障，瑞希亚就能在它不可避免扩散到整个世界之前制定一个长期有效的解决方案。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">争分夺秒 Clock's Ticking</h2> <p> 为了完成将爆熔雷配方窃为己有的计划，安布罗斯特·穆格兰不得不动用关系，在阿肯斯塔各地召集党羽。这位大亨甚至为此背上债务——这对于这位臭名昭著的金融大亨来说这是一种常见策略——他非常自信，对爆熔雷的全部投资终将得到回报。 </p> <p> 迄今为止，花了穆格兰最多钱但也是最有用的一位同谋是一名腐败的执法者——盾勋执法官副警长安洁莉卡·洛夫莱斯（Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless）。洛夫莱斯同样在爆熔雷的阴谋上押上一切；她恐吓了几十名级别较低的盾勋执法官帮她做事，并且笼络了一批阿肯斯塔本地的犯罪团伙。她的手下会尽职尽责地杀死任何被怀疑有可能破坏她计划的人，甚至包括那些参加过盖特比发布会的其他阿肯斯塔精英们。当然，地位低下的酒馆老板菲比·邓史密斯和其他杂鱼是远不足以引起穆格兰和洛夫莱斯的注意的。 </p> <p> 穆格兰已经为配方找好了买家：分别来自阿肯斯塔两个邻国的革命者：来自盖布的叫做帕索斯（Parsus）的令人毛骨悚然的死灵法师，还有一个奈克斯的叫做伊布里姆（Ibrium）的温文尔雅的地卜师。尽管这两个买家来自两个以宿敌著称的国家，但他们似乎达成了某种合作。然而，穆格兰并不关心他们关于爆熔雷的计划的细节，他只想把货卖出去换钱。不幸的是，这位潜在的军火商并没能抓住盖特比，也没能找到爆熔雷的配方，因为这位隐居的炼金术士在布莱瑟学院的发布会之后就没有离开过自己的家。直接上门抓他也许是一种选择，但盖特比出了名的不可预测，穆格兰不敢贸然行动，怕炼金术士在自卫时不小心炸毁自己实验室（最糟糕的情况下连爆熔雷的配方也一起毁了）。现在穆格兰别无选择，只能等着盖特比哪天从他的“小堡垒”里出来。 </p> <p> 菲比·邓史密斯和女大公瑞希亚也明白，这种守株待兔的游戏不能一直持续下去，他们已经察觉到了穆格兰的阴谋。他们越早把盖特比和他的配方带到安全且隐蔽的地方，他们就能越早地确保爆熔雷不会落入坏人之手。邓史密斯需要找到一些值得信赖的雇佣兵把盖特比护送的安全的地方。这些人最好是那些行事低调，对爆熔雷毫不关心，并且不介意和阿肯斯塔一些名声不太好的权力掮客有交集的人。在这项任务中，她贯彻了一句阿肯斯塔最经典公理：“枪弹可毙敌，何必问出处。”（A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.） </p> <h2 class="no-toc">动荡的局势 Volatile Situation</h2> <p> 邓史密斯精心挑选了一批法外狂徒，他们每个人都对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯有着深仇大恨。为了测试一下这群恶棍能否合作完成复仇大业，她组织了一场针对穆格兰手下最小产业 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 的劫案。这家银行主要服务对象为那些榨取别人血汗钱的白领骗子和大地主，用高利贷和剥削性的合同来压榨农户、小企业家和其他势单力孤的阿肯斯塔公民。抢劫这家银行并不能马上解决每个人的问题，但这会向穆格兰和其支持者发出明确的信号。如果邓史密斯的雇佣兵能完成银行劫案的话，她计划让他们参与到自己和女大公的计划中来，保护盖特比，并伺机推翻穆格兰。 </p> <p> 然而，抢劫金罐子储蓄并不容易。穆格兰的帮凶——副警长洛夫莱斯，察觉到了队伍的计划，并希望在这群强盗的逃亡路线上截住他们。她和她的手下并不以仁慈和公平出名 ——事实上，他们一直等待着机会在公众面前展现自己残忍、邪恶的正义。 </p> </div> <aside class="sidebar"> <h1 class="no-toc">《霾都狂徒玩家指南》 Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1> <p> 在运行本次冒险之路之前，请向玩家提供 <em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>的副本，该副本可以从<a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight:bold">www.paizo.com</a>免费下载。这本不含剧透的指南提供了丰富的细节，让你的玩家能进一步了解阿肯斯塔的方方面面，对于他们即将在战役中面临的种种挑战，这本书也提出了很多角色创建方面的建议。 </p> <p> 最重要的是，玩家指南里还有为本次冒险之路准备的专属背景。你的玩家能将这些背景作为人物故事，或以此为起点建立角色们对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯的怨恨，让队伍在这条冒险之路中最终对这些腐败的恶棍展开甜蜜的复仇。 </p> </aside> <div> <h1 class="no-toc">冒险之路概要 Adventure Path Summary</h1> <p> 玩家角色们在冒险之路开始时是一群苦大仇深的雇佣兵。他们对复仇的渴望最终让他们有机会从一场彻底的灾难中挽救阿肯斯塔。《霾都狂徒》冒险之路的故事横跨三卷，玩家角色从1级跑到10级。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">《一触即爆》 Punks in a Powderkeg</h2> <p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, 等级 1–3</strong></p> <p> 为了给承诺帮他们复仇的神秘赞助人留下深刻印象，主角们抢劫了安布罗斯特·穆格兰的非法银行@UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 之后，低调的酒保菲比·邓史密斯透露，她实际上是阿肯斯塔女大公的秘密线人。她给了雇佣兵们下一个任务：保护著名炼金术士瓦申·盖特比不被绑架，同时护送他穿过城市抵达安全屋。 </p> <p> 两个街头帮派伏击了队伍，并试图把盖特比抢走。净水清洁工显然是为穆格兰工作的，但爆桶朋克的动机成谜。在把盖特比送达安全屋之后，主角们的调查显示，是盖特比的三流竞争对手邵马·利泽留斯付钱给爆桶朋克让他们绑架盖特比的。为了阻止叛逆的炼金术士的计划，主角们在摇摇欲坠的狱崖窟逮住了利泽留斯。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">石英摇篮 Cradle of Quartz</h2> <p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, 等级 4–7</strong></p> <p> 菲比·邓史密斯雇佣主角们去寻找布莱的牧师，他的名字叫奥洛蒙·科索瓦纳，他以某种方式对危险的炸药爆熔雷进行了逆向工程。当他们到达科索瓦纳的家时，他们发现牧师的发条实验室已经被洗劫一空。幸运的是，科索瓦纳给主角们留下了足够的线索，让他们能在石英摇篮找到他。石英摇篮是座布莱神殿，位于遥远法的痕沙漠中部。 </p> <p> 经历了一次不幸的沙漠飞艇之旅，并在废土上怪异的宇宙恐怖之下幸存后，主角们从石英摇篮的邪恶居民手中拯救了科索瓦纳。法外狂徒们从牧师那里得知，他们的竞争对手安布罗斯特·穆格兰已经拿到了科索瓦纳的爆熔雷的配方，他雇用了一个名为“镀金枪手”的帮派，在敌对企业老板的独家地下酒吧“蒸汽王国”内测试这种配方。主角们阻止了袭击，然后利用他们留下的线索最终找到了穆格兰，并完成了他们的复仇。在他的命运被封印之前，穆格兰透露，他已经把配方卖给了来自阿肯斯塔邻国的两个革命者。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">证据确凿 The Smoking Gun</h2> <p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, 等级 8–10</strong></p> <p> 女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚亲自接近主角们，并解释说，爆熔雷的事情已经逐渐变得可怕起来。除非他们能在炸弹引爆之前找到洛夫莱斯和穆格兰的买家，否则整个阿肯斯塔的安全都将受到威胁。法外狂徒们手中的线索将他们领向阿肯斯塔西部的枪械工坊，在那里他们了解到了更多关于爆熔雷买家的信息——来自盖布的名为帕索斯的死灵法师，以及来自奈克斯的名为伊布里姆的地卜师——以及他们打算利用爆熔雷来炸毁阿肯瀑布的阴谋。 </p> <p> 法外狂徒们潜入了阿肯瀑布旁的锡创净水厂，帕索斯用死灵法术的力量让净水工厂里充斥不死生物。帕索斯帮伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯清空了这个地方，转而在里面装满了爆熔雷。帕索斯被击败后解释说，伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯此刻正在一艘刚入境的豪华内河游艇上，手里有爆熔雷。 </p> <p> 为了挽救局面，法外狂徒们登上了一艘名为 <em>“齿轮生烟”（Gearsmoke）</em>的赌场游轮，这艘船沿着乌斯塔迪河向阿肯斯塔市中心开去。他们潜入船只，解除了爆熔雷，打败了伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯副警长，一劳永逸地推翻了恶棍们的阴谋。 </p> </div> |
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<img class="chapter-image" src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp" alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" /> <h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1> <div> <p> In Outlaws of Alkenstar, players assume the roles of renegade outlaws united under the banner of a shared grudge. To exact revenge on the despicable mogul who destroyed their lives, the party must hotfoot around the grime-caked streets of @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ooalk01player.JournalEntryPage.01alkenstarcit00]{Alkenstar, The City of Smog}. As the Game Master, you'll construct a scaffolding of riveting non-player characters, intricate plots, and electrifying encounters upon which your players can craft stories of their characters' thrilling exploits. As they explore a vast city of clockwork menaces and explosive drama, the party will take down brass-clad constructs, blast through steel vaults, and harness their reputations as hardened rebels to save the day. </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Using this Adventure Path</h1> <p> The three volumes of the Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path include everything necessary to run a complete Pathfinder campaign for characters from 1st to 10th level. Together with the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> and supplemental rules in the Pathfinder Reference Document (available online at <a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight: bold">paizo.com/prd</a>), each volume contains everything necessary for you as the Game Master to run the Adventure Path, including the adventure itself, articles to enhance the campaign's setting, and the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{Adventure Toolbox}, which features new character rules options and creatures that appear throughout the adventure. </p> <p> To play in this campaign, each player should have a copy of the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> as well as the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free supplement downloadable from <strong>paizo.com.</strong> </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Campaign Background</h1> <p> Amid the tangle of pipes, smokestacks, and bricks that congest Alkenstar's grimy manufacturing districts, innovations bubble up from inventors' laboratories, chemists' private factories, and gunsmiths' workshops. Most developments fizzle out like so much effervescence or otherwise elude containment from even the city's most brilliant minds. Sometimes, however, a single spark of genius is so explosive that it can change the fate of an entire city. </p> <p> Such is the case for the eccentric but brilliant alchemist Vashon Gattlebee and his latest invention, an extremely volatile liquid he's dubbed “pyronite.” No mere firecracker, this new instrument of destruction rivals the most powerful bombardments in terms of sheer catastrophic potential, yet its size is relatively diminutive; it can contain a hundred cannons' worth of energy in a tube no larger than a goblin's forearm. Never before has such a powerful explosive existed in such a compact form. It's no exaggeration to claim that Gattlebee's invention promises to shake the foundations of the known world. </p> <p> Gattlebee traces his interest in science and explosives back to a formidable childhood tragedy. When he was just a boy, Gattlebee's father took him on a hunting trip in a relatively quiet region of the nearby Mana Wastes. Monsters, bandits, and worse threatened the safety of Alkenstar, his father told him, so it would be important for Gattlebee to know how to handle himself. On the second day of their expedition, their makeshift long-gun backfired, killing Vashon's father instantly. Somehow, the boy made it back to Alkenstar in tattered, bloodstained clothes, but it took many weeks before he could speak of what happened. </p> <p> Vashon never picked up a firearm or ventured beyond Alkenstar's walls again. He shut out the rest of the world and entombed himself in his private quarters, where he read books, studied alchemy, and performed experiments from sunrise late into the night. One might have expected the survivor of such a terrible accident to avoid munitions altogether, but hardly a day passed without some contained explosion or planned calamity almost blasting Gattlebee's closed door off its hinges. Few were surprised when, years later, young Gattlebee enrolled at Blythir College to continue his scientific pursuits, vowing to someday develop a substance that would render gunpowder obsolete. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Chain Reaction</h2> <p> Gattlebee, now a middle-aged man, is one of Alkenstar's most famous recluses. He's regarded as a misunderstood genius by his friends and a perfectly understood crackpot by his detractors. Years of quiet, patient work in front of his alchemy bench have finally yielded an invention Gattlebee can be proud of—an explosive substance that he believes could eventually replace traditional black powder and revolutionize technology as the world knows it. </p> <p> In its raw state, pyronite is a viscous semi-transparent gel prone to catastrophic combustion at the slightest bump. Such volatile substances are not unknown on Golarion, but their unpredictable nature is exactly what makes such concoctions so rare and unwieldy. Gattlebee's true breakthrough came when he discovered that he could stabilize the chemical by mixing it with soda ash and a special type of white salt collected from the Spellscar Desert. Once it was stabilized, Gattlebee could pack the pyronite compound into small paper spheres, cylinders, or boxes and transport it with ease. </p> <p> The alchemist recently presented his formula to the public for the first time at an exposition at his alma mater, Alkenstar's esteemed Blythir College. Although he carefully determined the pyronite dosage for the demonstration—he brought a pellet no larger than a pea—his calculations must have been off. What should've been a dose just large enough to blow open an armoire-sized adamantine gun safe ended up leveling more than half of the college's largest lecture hall. Miraculously, no one was harmed except for Gattlebee, who sustained a few scrapes and bruises while he stoically looked over his bungled demo. To the nonplussed inventor, the minor wounds he suffered paled in comparison to the disappointment of an experiment gone awry. </p> <p> In spite of the botched exhibit (or perhaps because of it), the “pyronite incident” left a powerful impression on all the students, faculty, and entrepreneurs who witnessed it. Invitations for high-paying jobs and speaking engagements flooded in for Gattlebee, who was ill-prepared for the sudden spotlight. Overwhelmed by the attention, he retreated to his private lab in Steamhaven. As he'd done so many times before in his life, Gattlebee shut and locked the door behind him. </p> <p> Two of the demonstration's attendees weren't content to let Gattlebee slip back into the shadows. Ambrost Mugland, a powerful private financier, realized right away the destructive (and lucrative) potential of pyronite in construction, war, or whatever other ventures he could stick his hands in. The mogul deduced that two wealthy buyers resided in Alkenstar's own backyard: the warring wizard nations on either side of the Duchy's borders. If Mugland could pit the nations of Geb and Nex against one another in a bidding war over the pyronite formula—or secretly sell it to both of them—then he stood to make a veritable killing from the deal. </p> <p> The other attendee who set Gattlebee firmly in her sights was Foebe Dunsmith. Though she's known to most as the popular yet insouciant owner of the Barrel & Bullet Saloon, Dunsmith is, in fact, a high-ranking informant for the Alkenstar government, and the pyronite showcase unsettled her to her core. Dunsmith informed Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia of Gattlebee's invention and correctly speculated its potential to upend the already tenuous political order in eastern Garund. Dunsmith knew that other Alkenstar power brokers, such as Mugland, would also have their eyes on the pyronite formula and that any more public attention drawn to the matter would only complicate the situation. So, with the grand duchess's blessing, Dunsmith set about looking for independent yet manipulatable agents to help her secure the formula. Once the secrets of its creation were safe, Ricia could formulate a long-term solution for pyronite's inevitable release into the wider world. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Clock's Ticking</h2> <p> To fulfill his scheme of stealing the pyronite formula, Ambrost Mugland has had to pull strings and call in favors all across Alkenstar. The mogul has even gone into debt over the matter—an unconventional tack for the notorious copper-pincher—so convinced is he that this all-in bet on pyronite will pay off. </p> <p> Mugland's most expensive, but by far most useful, accomplice thus far has been a corrupt officer of the law, Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless. Loveless has likewise committed everything she has to the pyronite plot; she cowed dozens of low-ranking shieldmarshals into subservience, and she has called in favors with criminal gangs all around Alkenstar. Her minions have dutifully killed off anyone Mugland or Loveless suspected of potentially upsetting their schemes, even other Alkenstar elites who attended Gattlebee's exposition. Of course, the lowly saloon owner Foebe Dunsmith, among others, fell far beneath Mugland's or Loveless's notices. </p> <p> Mugland has already secured buyers for the formula: two revolutionaries from across Alkenstar's borders named Parsus (a ghoulish necromancer from Geb) and Ibrium (a suave Nexian geomancer). Despite hailing from nations famously at odds with one another, the two buyers seem to be working together. Mugland doesn't care about the details of their plans for pyronite, though; he just needs to deliver the goods so he can get paid. Unfortunately for the would-be weapons dealer, he hasn't been able to capture Gattlebee or the pyronite formula because the reclusive alchemist hasn't left his home since the Blythir exposition. Breaking and entering might work, but Gattlebee is famously unpredictable, and Mugland doesn't want to risk the alchemist accidentally blowing up his own lab (and, more importantly, the pyronite formula) in an act of self-defense. Mugland has no choice, for now, but to simply wait for Gattlebee to emerge from his domestic fortress. </p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith and Grand Duchess Ricia also understand that this waiting game can't last forever, and they've caught wind of Mugland's plot. The sooner they get Gattlebee and his formula to a safe, hidden location, the sooner they can rest assured that pyronite won't fall into the wrong hands. Dunsmith needs to find some trustworthy mercenaries—preferably ones who can keep a low profile, are blissfully unaware of the pyronite matter, and don't mind rubbing elbows with some of Alkenstar's less-reputable power brokers—to get Gattlebee to safety. For this task, she's applying a classic Alkenstar axiom: “A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.” </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Volatile Situation</h2> <p> Dunsmith has selected a handful of rough-and-tumble outlaws who each bear a personal grudge against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Loveless. To see if these toughs can work together in pursuit of their shared revenge, she has organized a heist targeting the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}, one of Mugland's smallest investment operations. The firm caters primarily to small-time, white-collar crooks and landowners who live off the sweat of others' brows by targeting ranchers, small businesses, and other vulnerable Alkenstar citizens with high-interest loans and exploitative contracts. Taking down the enterprise wouldn't solve everyone's problems right away, but it would send a definitive message to Mugland and those who support him. If Dunsmith's mercenaries can pull off this bank job, she plans to involve them in her and the duchess's scheme to secure Gattlebee and take down Mugland. </p> <p> Robbing the Gold Tank won't be so easy, however. Mugland's associate, Deputy Loveless, has caught wind of the party's plans and hopes to intercept the thieves along their getaway route. She and her fellow crooked shieldmarshals aren't known for offering mercy or playing fair—in fact, they look forward to the opportunity to dole out their own brand of cruel, wicked justice away from public eyes. </p> </div> <aside class="sidebar"> <h1 class="no-toc">Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1> <p> Before running this Adventure Path, provide your players with copies of the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free download from <a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight: bold">www.paizo.com</a>. This spoiler-free supplement includes details to get your players up to speed on the goings-on in Alkenstar, plus suggestions for creating characters with abilities that complement the challenges they'll face throughout the campaign. </p> <p> Most importantly, the Player's Guide also includes new character backgrounds specifically for this Adventure Path. Your players can use these backgrounds as written or as starting points to establish their characters' specific grudges against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Anjelique Loveless, the corrupt villains against whom the party will ultimately seek sweet revenge throughout this Adventure Path. </p> </aside> <div> <h1 class="no-toc">Adventure Path Summary</h1> <p> Player characters start this Adventure Path as outlaw mercenaries with a dire grudge. Their pursuit for revenge ultimately puts them in the best position possible to save the city of Alkenstar from utter catastrophe. The Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path spans three volumes and takes player characters from 1st through 10th level. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Punks in a Powderkeg</h2> <p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, Levels 1–3</strong></p> <p> To impress a mysterious patron who promises to help them get revenge against their rivals, the characters rob Ambrost Mugland's illicit banking operation, the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}. Afterward, the humble bartender Foebe Dunsmith reveals that she's actually an informant for Alkenstar's grand duchess. She then gives the mercenaries their next mission: protect the famous alchemist Vashon Gattlebee from kidnappers while escorting him across the city to safety. </p> <p> Two street gangs waylay the party and attempt to abscond with Gattlebee. The Clearwater Cleaners are obviously working for Mugland, but the Powderkeg Punks' motives are a mystery. After they get Gattlebee to a safehouse, the characters' investigation reveals that Gattlebee's small-time rival, Shoma Lyzerius, paid the Punks to apprehend Gattlebee. To put a stop to the renegade alchemist's schemes, the characters track down Lyzerius in the ramshackle district of Hellside. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Cradle of Quartz</h2> <p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, Levels 4–7</strong></p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith hires the characters to locate a priest of Brigh named Olomon Kosowana, who has somehow reverse-engineered the dangerous explosive called pyronite. When they get to Kosowana's home, they find the priest's clockwork laboratory already ransacked. Fortunately, Kosowana had enough time to leave a clue for the characters to track him down at the Cradle of Quartz, a remote shrine to Brigh in the middle of the Spellscar Desert. </p> <p> After arranging for an ill-fated airship journey to the desert and surviving the wasteland's strange cosmic horrors, the characters rescue Kosowana from the malevolent inhabitants of the Cradle of Quartz. The outlaws then learn from the priest that their rival, Ambrost Mugland, has gotten hold of Kosowana's recipe for pyronite and that he hired a gang called the Gilded Gunners to test it at the Steaming Kingdom, a rival business owner's exclusive speakeasy. The characters stop the assault then use their clues to finally track down Mugland and get their revenge once and for all. Before his fate is sealed, Mugland reveals that he has already sold the formula to a pair of renegades from Alkenstar's neighboring nations. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">The Smoking Gun</h2> <p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, Levels 8–10</strong></p> <p> Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia herself approaches the characters and explains that the pyronite situation has become dire. Unless the party can locate Deputy Loveless and Mugland's pyronite buyers before they use the bombs, the safety of all of Alkenstar is threatened. The outlaws' best lead takes them to the Gunworks far west of Alkenstar, where they learn more about the pyronite buyers—a necromancer from Geb named Parsus and a Nexian geomancer named Ibrium—and their potential plot to level Alken Falls using pyronite. </p> <p> The outlaws infiltrate the Tinwound Hydroforge at Alken Falls, where Parsus has used necromantic powers to fill the water purification plant with undead minions. The necromancer has cleared the place for Ibrium and Loveless to load it full of pyronite. Once defeated, Parsus explains that Ibrium and Loveless are on an inbound luxury riverboat, pyronite in hand. </p> <p> To save the day, the outlaws board a casino boat called <em>The Gearsmoke</em> as it cruises down the Ustradi River. They sneak about the vessel to disarm the pyronite and defeat Deputy Loveless and Ibrium, upending the villains' plot once and for all. </p> </div> |
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<img class="chapter-image" src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp" alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" />
<h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1> <div> <p> In Outlaws of Alkenstar, players assume the roles of renegade outlaws united under the banner of a shared grudge. To exact revenge on the despicable mogul who destroyed their lives, the party must hotfoot around the grime-caked streets of @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ooalk01player.JournalEntryPage.01alkenstarcit00]{Alkenstar, The City of Smog}. As the Game Master, you'll construct a scaffolding of riveting non-player characters, intricate plots, and electrifying encounters upon which your players can craft stories of their characters' thrilling exploits. As they explore a vast city of clockwork menaces and explosive drama, the party will take down brass-clad constructs, blast through steel vaults, and harness their reputations as hardened rebels to save the day. </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Using this Adventure Path</h1> <p> The three volumes of the Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path include everything necessary to run a complete Pathfinder campaign for characters from 1st to 10th level. Together with the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> and supplemental rules in the Pathfinder Reference Document (available online at <a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight:bold">paizo.com/prd</a>), each volume contains everything necessary for you as the Game Master to run the Adventure Path, including the adventure itself, articles to enhance the campaign's setting, and the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{Adventure Toolbox}, which features new character rules options and creatures that appear throughout the adventure. </p> <p> To play in this campaign, each player should have a copy of the <em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> as well as the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free supplement downloadable from <strong>paizo.com.</strong> </p> <h1 class="no-toc">Campaign Background</h1> <p> Amid the tangle of pipes, smokestacks, and bricks that congest Alkenstar's grimy manufacturing districts, innovations bubble up from inventors' laboratories, chemists' private factories, and gunsmiths' workshops. Most developments fizzle out like so much effervescence or otherwise elude containment from even the city's most brilliant minds. Sometimes, however, a single spark of genius is so explosive that it can change the fate of an entire city. </p> <p> Such is the case for the eccentric but brilliant alchemist Vashon Gattlebee and his latest invention, an extremely volatile liquid he's dubbed “pyronite.” No mere firecracker, this new instrument of destruction rivals the most powerful bombardments in terms of sheer catastrophic potential, yet its size is relatively diminutive; it can contain a hundred cannons' worth of energy in a tube no larger than a goblin's forearm. Never before has such a powerful explosive existed in such a compact form. It's no exaggeration to claim that Gattlebee's invention promises to shake the foundations of the known world. </p> <p> Gattlebee traces his interest in science and explosives back to a formidable childhood tragedy. When he was just a boy, Gattlebee's father took him on a hunting trip in a relatively quiet region of the nearby Mana Wastes. Monsters, bandits, and worse threatened the safety of Alkenstar, his father told him, so it would be important for Gattlebee to know how to handle himself. On the second day of their expedition, their makeshift long-gun backfired, killing Vashon's father instantly. Somehow, the boy made it back to Alkenstar in tattered, bloodstained clothes, but it took many weeks before he could speak of what happened. </p> <p> Vashon never picked up a firearm or ventured beyond Alkenstar's walls again. He shut out the rest of the world and entombed himself in his private quarters, where he read books, studied alchemy, and performed experiments from sunrise late into the night. One might have expected the survivor of such a terrible accident to avoid munitions altogether, but hardly a day passed without some contained explosion or planned calamity almost blasting Gattlebee's closed door off its hinges. Few were surprised when, years later, young Gattlebee enrolled at Blythir College to continue his scientific pursuits, vowing to someday develop a substance that would render gunpowder obsolete. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Chain Reaction</h2> <p> Gattlebee, now a middle-aged man, is one of Alkenstar's most famous recluses. He's regarded as a misunderstood genius by his friends and a perfectly understood crackpot by his detractors. Years of quiet, patient work in front of his alchemy bench have finally yielded an invention Gattlebee can be proud of—an explosive substance that he believes could eventually replace traditional black powder and revolutionize technology as the world knows it. </p> <p> In its raw state, pyronite is a viscous semi-transparent gel prone to catastrophic combustion at the slightest bump. Such volatile substances are not unknown on Golarion, but their unpredictable nature is exactly what makes such concoctions so rare and unwieldy. Gattlebee's true breakthrough came when he discovered that he could stabilize the chemical by mixing it with soda ash and a special type of white salt collected from the Spellscar Desert. Once it was stabilized, Gattlebee could pack the pyronite compound into small paper spheres, cylinders, or boxes and transport it with ease. </p> <p> The alchemist recently presented his formula to the public for the first time at an exposition at his alma mater, Alkenstar's esteemed Blythir College. Although he carefully determined the pyronite dosage for the demonstration—he brought a pellet no larger than a pea—his calculations must have been off. What should've been a dose just large enough to blow open an armoire-sized adamantine gun safe ended up leveling more than half of the college's largest lecture hall. Miraculously, no one was harmed except for Gattlebee, who sustained a few scrapes and bruises while he stoically looked over his bungled demo. To the nonplussed inventor, the minor wounds he suffered paled in comparison to the disappointment of an experiment gone awry. </p> <p> In spite of the botched exhibit (or perhaps because of it), the “pyronite incident” left a powerful impression on all the students, faculty, and entrepreneurs who witnessed it. Invitations for high-paying jobs and speaking engagements flooded in for Gattlebee, who was ill-prepared for the sudden spotlight. Overwhelmed by the attention, he retreated to his private lab in Steamhaven. As he'd done so many times before in his life, Gattlebee shut and locked the door behind him. </p> <p> Two of the demonstration's attendees weren't content to let Gattlebee slip back into the shadows. Ambrost Mugland, a powerful private financier, realized right away the destructive (and lucrative) potential of pyronite in construction, war, or whatever other ventures he could stick his hands in. The mogul deduced that two wealthy buyers resided in Alkenstar's own backyard: the warring wizard nations on either side of the Duchy's borders. If Mugland could pit the nations of Geb and Nex against one another in a bidding war over the pyronite formula—or secretly sell it to both of them—then he stood to make a veritable killing from the deal. </p> <p> The other attendee who set Gattlebee firmly in her sights was Foebe Dunsmith. Though she's known to most as the popular yet insouciant owner of the Barrel & Bullet Saloon, Dunsmith is, in fact, a high-ranking informant for the Alkenstar government, and the pyronite showcase unsettled her to her core. Dunsmith informed Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia of Gattlebee's invention and correctly speculated its potential to upend the already tenuous political order in eastern Garund. Dunsmith knew that other Alkenstar power brokers, such as Mugland, would also have their eyes on the pyronite formula and that any more public attention drawn to the matter would only complicate the situation. So, with the grand duchess's blessing, Dunsmith set about looking for independent yet manipulatable agents to help her secure the formula. Once the secrets of its creation were safe, Ricia could formulate a long-term solution for pyronite's inevitable release into the wider world. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Clock's Ticking</h2> <p> To fulfill his scheme of stealing the pyronite formula, Ambrost Mugland has had to pull strings and call in favors all across Alkenstar. The mogul has even gone into debt over the matter—an unconventional tack for the notorious copper-pincher—so convinced is he that this all-in bet on pyronite will pay off. </p> <p> Mugland's most expensive, but by far most useful, accomplice thus far has been a corrupt officer of the law, Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless. Loveless has likewise committed everything she has to the pyronite plot; she cowed dozens of low-ranking shieldmarshals into subservience, and she has called in favors with criminal gangs all around Alkenstar. Her minions have dutifully killed off anyone Mugland or Loveless suspected of potentially upsetting their schemes, even other Alkenstar elites who attended Gattlebee's exposition. Of course, the lowly saloon owner Foebe Dunsmith, among others, fell far beneath Mugland's or Loveless's notices. </p> <p> Mugland has already secured buyers for the formula: two revolutionaries from across Alkenstar's borders named Parsus (a ghoulish necromancer from Geb) and Ibrium (a suave Nexian geomancer). Despite hailing from nations famously at odds with one another, the two buyers seem to be working together. Mugland doesn't care about the details of their plans for pyronite, though; he just needs to deliver the goods so he can get paid. Unfortunately for the would-be weapons dealer, he hasn't been able to capture Gattlebee or the pyronite formula because the reclusive alchemist hasn't left his home since the Blythir exposition. Breaking and entering might work, but Gattlebee is famously unpredictable, and Mugland doesn't want to risk the alchemist accidentally blowing up his own lab (and, more importantly, the pyronite formula) in an act of self-defense. Mugland has no choice, for now, but to simply wait for Gattlebee to emerge from his domestic fortress. </p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith and Grand Duchess Ricia also understand that this waiting game can't last forever, and they've caught wind of Mugland's plot. The sooner they get Gattlebee and his formula to a safe, hidden location, the sooner they can rest assured that pyronite won't fall into the wrong hands. Dunsmith needs to find some trustworthy mercenaries—preferably ones who can keep a low profile, are blissfully unaware of the pyronite matter, and don't mind rubbing elbows with some of Alkenstar's less-reputable power brokers—to get Gattlebee to safety. For this task, she's applying a classic Alkenstar axiom: “A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.” </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Volatile Situation</h2> <p> Dunsmith has selected a handful of rough-and-tumble outlaws who each bear a personal grudge against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Loveless. To see if these toughs can work together in pursuit of their shared revenge, she has organized a heist targeting the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}, one of Mugland's smallest investment operations. The firm caters primarily to small-time, white-collar crooks and landowners who live off the sweat of others' brows by targeting ranchers, small businesses, and other vulnerable Alkenstar citizens with high-interest loans and exploitative contracts. Taking down the enterprise wouldn't solve everyone's problems right away, but it would send a definitive message to Mugland and those who support him. If Dunsmith's mercenaries can pull off this bank job, she plans to involve them in her and the duchess's scheme to secure Gattlebee and take down Mugland. </p> <p> Robbing the Gold Tank won't be so easy, however. Mugland's associate, Deputy Loveless, has caught wind of the party's plans and hopes to intercept the thieves along their getaway route. She and her fellow crooked shieldmarshals aren't known for offering mercy or playing fair—in fact, they look forward to the opportunity to dole out their own brand of cruel, wicked justice away from public eyes. </p> </div> <aside class="sidebar"> <h1 class="no-toc">Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1> <p> Before running this Adventure Path, provide your players with copies of the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free download from <a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight:bold">www.paizo.com</a>. This spoiler-free supplement includes details to get your players up to speed on the goings-on in Alkenstar, plus suggestions for creating characters with abilities that complement the challenges they'll face throughout the campaign. </p> <p> Most importantly, the Player's Guide also includes new character backgrounds specifically for this Adventure Path. Your players can use these backgrounds as written or as starting points to establish their characters' specific grudges against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Anjelique Loveless, the corrupt villains against whom the party will ultimately seek sweet revenge throughout this Adventure Path. </p> </aside> <div> <h1 class="no-toc">Adventure Path Summary</h1> <p> Player characters start this Adventure Path as outlaw mercenaries with a dire grudge. Their pursuit for revenge ultimately puts them in the best position possible to save the city of Alkenstar from utter catastrophe. The Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path spans three volumes and takes player characters from 1st through 10th level. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Punks in a Powderkeg</h2> <p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, Levels 1–3</strong></p> <p> To impress a mysterious patron who promises to help them get revenge against their rivals, the characters rob Ambrost Mugland's illicit banking operation, the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}. Afterward, the humble bartender Foebe Dunsmith reveals that she's actually an informant for Alkenstar's grand duchess. She then gives the mercenaries their next mission: protect the famous alchemist Vashon Gattlebee from kidnappers while escorting him across the city to safety. </p> <p> Two street gangs waylay the party and attempt to abscond with Gattlebee. The Clearwater Cleaners are obviously working for Mugland, but the Powderkeg Punks' motives are a mystery. After they get Gattlebee to a safehouse, the characters' investigation reveals that Gattlebee's small-time rival, Shoma Lyzerius, paid the Punks to apprehend Gattlebee. To put a stop to the renegade alchemist's schemes, the characters track down Lyzerius in the ramshackle district of Hellside. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">Cradle of Quartz</h2> <p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, Levels 4–7</strong></p> <p> Foebe Dunsmith hires the characters to locate a priest of Brigh named Olomon Kosowana, who has somehow reverse-engineered the dangerous explosive called pyronite. When they get to Kosowana's home, they find the priest's clockwork laboratory already ransacked. Fortunately, Kosowana had enough time to leave a clue for the characters to track him down at the Cradle of Quartz, a remote shrine to Brigh in the middle of the Spellscar Desert. </p> <p> After arranging for an ill-fated airship journey to the desert and surviving the wasteland's strange cosmic horrors, the characters rescue Kosowana from the malevolent inhabitants of the Cradle of Quartz. The outlaws then learn from the priest that their rival, Ambrost Mugland, has gotten hold of Kosowana's recipe for pyronite and that he hired a gang called the Gilded Gunners to test it at the Steaming Kingdom, a rival business owner's exclusive speakeasy. The characters stop the assault then use their clues to finally track down Mugland and get their revenge once and for all. Before his fate is sealed, Mugland reveals that he has already sold the formula to a pair of renegades from Alkenstar's neighboring nations. </p> <h2 class="no-toc">The Smoking Gun</h2> <p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, Levels 8–10</strong></p> <p> Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia herself approaches the characters and explains that the pyronite situation has become dire. Unless the party can locate Deputy Loveless and Mugland's pyronite buyers before they use the bombs, the safety of all of Alkenstar is threatened. The outlaws' best lead takes them to the Gunworks far west of Alkenstar, where they learn more about the pyronite buyers—a necromancer from Geb named Parsus and a Nexian geomancer named Ibrium—and their potential plot to level Alken Falls using pyronite. </p> <p> The outlaws infiltrate the Tinwound Hydroforge at Alken Falls, where Parsus has used necromantic powers to fill the water purification plant with undead minions. The necromancer has cleared the place for Ibrium and Loveless to load it full of pyronite. Once defeated, Parsus explains that Ibrium and Loveless are on an inbound luxury riverboat, pyronite in hand. </p> <p> To save the day, the outlaws board a casino boat called <em>The Gearsmoke</em> as it cruises down the Ustradi River. They sneak about the vessel to disarm the pyronite and defeat Deputy Loveless and Ibrium, upending the villains' plot once and for all. </p> </div>
<img class="chapter-image" src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp" alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" />
<h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">《霾都狂徒》Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1> <div> <p> 在《霾都狂徒》冒险之路中，玩家将扮演一群为了共同 的复仇大计而团结在一起的亡命之徒。为了想那个摧毁了他 们生活的卑鄙大亨复仇，主角们必须驰骋于霾都阿肯斯塔 （Alkenstar，the City of Smog）肮脏的街头巷子尾。作 为游戏主持人，你将构建出引人入胜的非玩家角色框架、复 杂的情节以及令人兴奋的遭遇，以便你的玩家能为他们的角 色谱写惊险刺激的故事。在探索这个充满发条装置的威胁和 爆炸性事件的巨大城市的同时，队伍将拆除黄铜构装体、潜 入钢铁，并利用他们反叛者的名声来拯救世界。 </p> <h1 class="no-toc">游玩冒险之路 Using this Adventure Path</h1> <p> 《霾都狂徒》冒险之路一共三卷，包含能让角色从 1 级 升级到 10 级的全部冒险内容，开拓者 2 版<em>《核心规则书》 </em> 和 其 他 提 到 的 规 则 扩 展 可 以 在 Pathfinder Reference Document（<a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight:bold">paizo.com/prd</a> 或 2e.aonprd.com/）找到在 线版本。冒险之路的每一卷都包含了你作为主持人运行冒险 所需的必要内容，这些内容包括冒险故事本身、拓展战役设 定的文章、以及 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{冒险工具箱 Adventure Toolbox}。工具箱中包含了能让角色更符 合本次冒险风味的全新角色选项，以及众多在冒险中登场的 怪物们的详细介绍。 </p> <p> 为了游玩本次战役，每个玩家都需要有一本<em>《开拓者：核心规则书》</em>以及<em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>后者可以在 <strong>paizo.com.</strong> 免费下载。 </p> <h1 class="no-toc">战役背景 Campaign Background</h1> <p> 在挤满了阿肯斯塔肮脏的工业城区的扭曲管道、烟囱和 砖砌建筑中，新发明不断地从发明家的实验室、化学家的私 人工厂和枪械工匠的作坊中涌现出来。即使是城市中最强的 大脑都无法完成大部分那些令人沸腾的想法，但是有些时候， 来自天才的那一丝灵光是如此具有颠覆性，足以改变整个城 市的命运。 </p> <p> 这 就 是 古 怪 且 才 华横 溢 的 炼 金 术 士 瓦 申 · 盖 特 比 （Vashon Gattlebee）的最新发明——被他称为“爆熔雷” （pyronite）的极具挥发性的黏稠液体。这玩意儿可不仅仅 是鞭炮，它在制造灾难的潜力上可以和最强的爆炸相媲美， 但它拥有更小的尺寸；它能在一根不比地精前臂大多少的管 子内容纳上百门大炮的爆炸能量。从未有过有如此强大破坏 力的炸药以如此紧凑的形式存在。毫不夸张地说，盖特比的 新发明有望动摇已知世界的基础。 </p> <p> 盖特比对科学的兴趣可追溯至一场可怕的童年悲剧。当 他还是个孩子的时候，他的父亲带他去法力废土（Mana Wastes）附近一个相对平静的地区打猎。他的父亲告诉他， 怪物、强盗，甚至更糟的东西都威胁着阿肯斯塔的安全，所 以对盖特比来说，最重要的是学会如何对付他们。在他们远 征的第二天，临时租用的长枪发生了炸膛事故，导致瓦申的 父亲当场死亡。不知道他之后经历了什么，总之男孩穿着破 破烂烂、血迹斑斑的衣服回到了阿肯斯塔，但过了好几个星 期才说出发生的事情。 </p> <p> 瓦申再也没有拿起过任何火器，也没有走出过阿肯斯塔 的城墙。他整日把自己关在实验室里，夜以继日地读书、研 究炼金术、进行实验。一般人认为，经历过这样可怕事故的 幸存者肯定会对各种军火避之不及，但盖特比几乎每天都面 对各种计划内或计划外的爆炸，甚至差点把他家门给炸飞。 所以多年以后，当盖特比考入布莱瑟学院继续它的科学追求 时，几乎没有人感到惊讶。他发誓一定要发明出一种让黑火 药退出历史舞台的新物质。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">连锁反应 Chain Reaction</h2> <p> 盖特比如今人到中年，是阿肯斯塔最著名的隐居者之一。他的朋友认为他是个不被理解的天才，而他的批评者则已经 完全理解了他就是个疯子。多年来，他在炼金台上安静、耐 心地工作，终于制造出了一项让他感到自豪的发明——一种 新型爆炸物，他相信它最终会取代传统的黑火药，并为当前 世界带来革命性的变化。 </p> <p> 在原始状态下，爆熔雷是一种黏稠的半透明胶体，只要 受到轻微撞击就会发生灾难性的爆炸。这种易挥发的物质在 格拉利昂上也不是什么首创，但它不稳定的性质正是使这种 混合物如此罕见和难以处理的原因。盖特比真正的颠覆性突 破在于，他发现可以通过将苏打粉和一种法痕荒漠收集来的 特殊白盐混合，从而帮助稳定化合物。一旦稳定下来之后， 盖特比就能将爆熔雷化合物装入小型球体、圆柱体或盒子中， 并轻松地运输。 </p> <p> 炼金术士最近在他的母校——阿肯斯塔著名的布莱瑟学院（Blythir College）举办的一次发布会上首次向公众展 示了他的配方。尽管作为演示，他仔细地斟酌了爆融雷的使 用量——他带来了一个比豌豆还小的颗粒——但他的计算 肯定出了岔子。炸药的剂量本应该只炸开一个衣柜般大小的 精金保险柜，但最终却导致学院最大的演讲厅的一半以上被 炸飞。奇迹般地，没有人受伤，除了盖特比自己。他忍受浑 身的擦伤和瘀伤，检查着自己搞砸的演示。跟实验失败的失望和痛苦相比，这位困惑发明家的伤是如此微不足道。 </p> <p> 尽管发布会搞砸了（或许也正因为如此），“爆熔雷事故”给目睹这件事的学生、教师和企业家们留下了深刻的印 象。对盖特比来说，高薪工作和演讲邀请如潮水般涌来，他 对突如其来的聚光灯毫无准备，由于不胜其扰，他返回了自 己位于蒸汽港（Steamhaven）的私人实验室。就像他这辈 子一贯的那样，他再一次把自己关在实验室里，与世隔绝。 </p> <p> 可是，发布会的个别观众并不打算让盖特比就这么淡出视野。安布罗斯特·穆格兰（Ambrost Mugland），一个权势滔天的金融巨鳄，立刻意识到爆熔雷在建筑、战争或其他任何他涉足的领域中具有破坏性潜力（以及极大的利润）。这位大亨盘算，最富有的买家就离阿肯斯塔不远：位于大公国南北两侧不断交战的两个法师国家。如果穆格兰能让奈克斯和盖布为了争夺爆熔雷展开持久的战争，或者秘密地将爆熔雷分别卖给两个国家的代理人，他就能从中大赚一笔。 </p> <p> 另一个在暗中牢牢盯住盖特比的人则是菲比·邓史密斯（Foebe Dunsmith）。虽然菲比最出名的身份是枪弹酒吧（Barrel & Bullet Saloon）的老板，但她实际上是阿肯斯塔政府的高级线人，而这次爆熔雷展示让她深感不安。邓史密斯向女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚（Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia）报告了盖特比的新发明，并正确地推断，这东西极有可能颠覆加伦德东部地区本已十分脆弱的政治平衡。邓史密斯知道，一些阿肯斯塔的权贵，例如穆格兰，肯定也已经盯上了爆熔雷的配方。如果再次引起公众对这件事的注意，只会让事情变得更加复杂。因此，在女大公的首肯下，邓史密斯开始寻找独立但是可控制的特工来帮她获得配方。一旦制造爆熔雷的秘密得到安全保障，瑞希亚就能在它不可避免扩散到整个世界之前制定一个长期有效的解决方案。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">争分夺秒 Clock's Ticking</h2> <p> 为了完成将爆熔雷配方窃为己有的计划，安布罗斯特·穆格兰不得不动用关系，在阿肯斯塔各地召集党羽。这位大亨甚至为此背上债务——这对于这位臭名昭著的金融大亨来说这是一种常见策略——他非常自信，对爆熔雷的全部投资终将得到回报。 </p> <p> 迄今为止，花了穆格兰最多钱但也是最有用的一位同谋是一名腐败的执法者——盾勋执法官副警长安洁莉卡·洛夫莱斯（Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless）。洛夫莱斯同样在爆熔雷的阴谋上押上一切；她恐吓了几十名级别较低的盾勋执法官帮她做事，并且笼络了一批阿肯斯塔本地的犯罪团伙。她的手下会尽职尽责地杀死任何被怀疑有可能破坏她计划的人，甚至包括那些参加过盖特比发布会的其他阿肯斯塔精英们。当然，地位低下的酒馆老板菲比·邓史密斯和其他杂鱼是远不足以引起穆格兰和洛夫莱斯的注意的。 </p> <p> 穆格兰已经为配方找好了买家：分别来自阿肯斯塔两个邻国的革命者：来自盖布的叫做帕索斯（Parsus）的令人毛骨悚然的死灵法师，还有一个奈克斯的叫做伊布里姆（Ibrium）的温文尔雅的地卜师。尽管这两个买家来自两个以宿敌著称的国家，但他们似乎达成了某种合作。然而，穆格兰并不关心他们关于爆熔雷的计划的细节，他只想把货卖出去换钱。不幸的是，这位潜在的军火商并没能抓住盖特比，也没能找到爆熔雷的配方，因为这位隐居的炼金术士在布莱瑟学院的发布会之后就没有离开过自己的家。直接上门抓他也许是一种选择，但盖特比出了名的不可预测，穆格兰不敢贸然行动，怕炼金术士在自卫时不小心炸毁自己实验室（最糟糕的情况下连爆熔雷的配方也一起毁了）。现在穆格兰别无选择，只能等着盖特比哪天从他的“小堡垒”里出来。 </p> <p> 菲比·邓史密斯和女大公瑞希亚也明白，这种守株待兔的游戏不能一直持续下去，他们已经察觉到了穆格兰的阴谋。他们越早把盖特比和他的配方带到安全且隐蔽的地方，他们就能越早地确保爆熔雷不会落入坏人之手。邓史密斯需要找到一些值得信赖的雇佣兵把盖特比护送的安全的地方。这些人最好是那些行事低调，对爆熔雷毫不关心，并且不介意和阿肯斯塔一些名声不太好的权力掮客有交集的人。在这项任务中，她贯彻了一句阿肯斯塔最经典公理：“枪弹可毙敌，何必问出处。”（A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.） </p> <h2 class="no-toc">动荡的局势 Volatile Situation</h2> <p> 邓史密斯精心挑选了一批法外狂徒，他们每个人都对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯有着深仇大恨。为了测试一下这群恶棍能否合作完成复仇大业，她组织了一场针对穆格兰手下最小产业 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 的劫案。这家银行主要服务对象为那些榨取别人血汗钱的白领骗子和大地主，用高利贷和剥削性的合同来压榨农户、小企业家和其他势单力孤的阿肯斯塔公民。抢劫这家银行并不能马上解决每个人的问题，但这会向穆格兰和其支持者发出明确的信号。如果邓史密斯的雇佣兵能完成银行劫案的话，她计划让他们参与到自己和女大公的计划中来，保护盖特比，并伺机推翻穆格兰。 </p> <p> 然而，抢劫金罐子储蓄并不容易。穆格兰的帮凶——副警长洛夫莱斯，察觉到了队伍的计划，并希望在这群强盗的逃亡路线上截住他们。她和她的手下并不以仁慈和公平出名 ——事实上，他们一直等待着机会在公众面前展现自己残忍、邪恶的正义。 </p> </div> <aside class="sidebar"> <h1 class="no-toc">《霾都狂徒玩家指南》 Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1> <p> 在运行本次冒险之路之前，请向玩家提供 <em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>的副本，该副本可以从<a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight:bold">www.paizo.com</a>免费下载。这本不含剧透的指南提供了丰富的细节，让你的玩家能进一步了解阿肯斯塔的方方面面，对于他们即将在战役中面临的种种挑战，这本书也提出了很多角色创建方面的建议。 </p> <p> 最重要的是，玩家指南里还有为本次冒险之路准备的专属背景。你的玩家能将这些背景作为人物故事，或以此为起点建立角色们对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯的怨恨，让队伍在这条冒险之路中最终对这些腐败的恶棍展开甜蜜的复仇。 </p> </aside> <div> <h1 class="no-toc">冒险之路概要 Adventure Path Summary</h1> <p> 玩家角色们在冒险之路开始时是一群苦大仇深的雇佣兵。他们对复仇的渴望最终让他们有机会从一场彻底的灾难中挽救阿肯斯塔。《霾都狂徒》冒险之路的故事横跨三卷，玩家角色从1级跑到10级。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">《一触即爆》 Punks in a Powderkeg</h2> <p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, 等级 1–3</strong></p> <p> 为了给承诺帮他们复仇的神秘赞助人留下深刻印象，主角们抢劫了安布罗斯特·穆格兰的非法银行@UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 之后，低调的酒保菲比·邓史密斯透露，她实际上是阿肯斯塔女大公的秘密线人。她给了雇佣兵们下一个任务：保护著名炼金术士瓦申·盖特比不被绑架，同时护送他穿过城市抵达安全屋。 </p> <p> 两个街头帮派伏击了队伍，并试图把盖特比抢走。净水清洁工显然是为穆格兰工作的，但爆桶朋克的动机成谜。在把盖特比送达安全屋之后，主角们的调查显示，是盖特比的三流竞争对手邵马·利泽留斯付钱给爆桶朋克让他们绑架盖特比的。为了阻止叛逆的炼金术士的计划，主角们在摇摇欲坠的狱崖窟逮住了利泽留斯。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">石英摇篮 Cradle of Quartz</h2> <p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, 等级 4–7</strong></p> <p> 菲比·邓史密斯雇佣主角们去寻找布莱的牧师，他的名字叫奥洛蒙·科索瓦纳，他以某种方式对危险的炸药爆熔雷进行了逆向工程。当他们到达科索瓦纳的家时，他们发现牧师的发条实验室已经被洗劫一空。幸运的是，科索瓦纳给主角们留下了足够的线索，让他们能在石英摇篮找到他。石英摇篮是座布莱神殿，位于遥远法的痕沙漠中部。 </p> <p> 经历了一次不幸的沙漠飞艇之旅，并在废土上怪异的宇宙恐怖之下幸存后，主角们从石英摇篮的邪恶居民手中拯救了科索瓦纳。法外狂徒们从牧师那里得知，他们的竞争对手安布罗斯特·穆格兰已经拿到了科索瓦纳的爆熔雷的配方，他雇用了一个名为“镀金枪手”的帮派，在敌对企业老板的独家地下酒吧“蒸汽王国”内测试这种配方。主角们阻止了袭击，然后利用他们留下的线索最终找到了穆格兰，并完成了他们的复仇。在他的命运被封印之前，穆格兰透露，他已经把配方卖给了来自阿肯斯塔邻国的两个革命者。 </p> <h2 class="no-toc">证据确凿 The Smoking Gun</h2> <p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, 等级 8–10</strong></p> <p> 女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚亲自接近主角们，并解释说，爆熔雷的事情已经逐渐变得可怕起来。除非他们能在炸弹引爆之前找到洛夫莱斯和穆格兰的买家，否则整个阿肯斯塔的安全都将受到威胁。法外狂徒们手中的线索将他们领向阿肯斯塔西部的枪械工坊，在那里他们了解到了更多关于爆熔雷买家的信息——来自盖布的名为帕索斯的死灵法师，以及来自奈克斯的名为伊布里姆的地卜师——以及他们打算利用爆熔雷来炸毁阿肯瀑布的阴谋。 </p> <p> 法外狂徒们潜入了阿肯瀑布旁的锡创净水厂，帕索斯用死灵法术的力量让净水工厂里充斥不死生物。帕索斯帮伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯清空了这个地方，转而在里面装满了爆熔雷。帕索斯被击败后解释说，伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯此刻正在一艘刚入境的豪华内河游艇上，手里有爆熔雷。 </p> <p> 为了挽救局面，法外狂徒们登上了一艘名为 <em>“齿轮生烟”（Gearsmoke）</em>的赌场游轮，这艘船沿着乌斯塔迪河向阿肯斯塔市中心开去。他们潜入船只，解除了爆熔雷，打败了伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯副警长，一劳永逸地推翻了恶棍们的阴谋。 </p> </div> |
<img
class="chapter-image"
src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp"
alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" />
<h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1>
<div>
<p>
In Outlaws of Alkenstar, players assume the roles of renegade outlaws united under the banner of a shared grudge. To
exact revenge on the despicable mogul who destroyed their lives, the party must hotfoot around the grime-caked
streets of @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ooalk01player.JournalEntryPage.01alkenstarcit00]{Alkenstar, The City of Smog}. As
the Game Master, you'll construct a scaffolding of riveting non-player characters, intricate plots, and electrifying
encounters upon which your players can craft stories of their characters' thrilling exploits. As they explore a vast
city of clockwork menaces and explosive drama, the party will take down brass-clad constructs, blast through steel
vaults, and harness their reputations as hardened rebels to save the day.
</p>
<h1 class="no-toc">Using this Adventure Path</h1>
<p>
The three volumes of the Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path include everything necessary to run a complete
Pathfinder campaign for characters from 1st to 10th level. Together with the
<em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> and supplemental rules in the Pathfinder Reference Document (available online at
<a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight: bold">paizo.com/prd</a>), each volume contains everything
necessary for you as the Game Master to run the Adventure Path, including the adventure itself, articles to enhance
the campaign's setting, and the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{Adventure Toolbox}, which features new character rules options and creatures that appear throughout the adventure.
</p>
<p>
To play in this campaign, each player should have a copy of the
<em>Pathfinder Core Rulebook</em> as well as the <em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free supplement
downloadable from <strong>paizo.com.</strong>
</p>
<h1 class="no-toc">Campaign Background</h1>
<p>
Amid the tangle of pipes, smokestacks, and bricks that congest Alkenstar's grimy manufacturing districts,
innovations bubble up from inventors' laboratories, chemists' private factories, and gunsmiths' workshops. Most
developments fizzle out like so much effervescence or otherwise elude containment from even the city's most
brilliant minds. Sometimes, however, a single spark of genius is so explosive that it can change the fate of an
entire city.
</p>
<p>
Such is the case for the eccentric but brilliant alchemist Vashon Gattlebee and his latest invention, an extremely
volatile liquid he's dubbed “pyronite.” No mere firecracker, this new instrument of destruction rivals the most
powerful bombardments in terms of sheer catastrophic potential, yet its size is relatively diminutive; it can
contain a hundred cannons' worth of energy in a tube no larger than a goblin's forearm. Never before has such a
powerful explosive existed in such a compact form. It's no exaggeration to claim that Gattlebee's invention promises
to shake the foundations of the known world.
</p>
<p>
Gattlebee traces his interest in science and explosives back to a formidable childhood tragedy. When he was just a
boy, Gattlebee's father took him on a hunting trip in a relatively quiet region of the nearby Mana Wastes. Monsters,
bandits, and worse threatened the safety of Alkenstar, his father told him, so it would be important for Gattlebee
to know how to handle himself. On the second day of their expedition, their makeshift long-gun backfired, killing
Vashon's father instantly. Somehow, the boy made it back to Alkenstar in tattered, bloodstained clothes, but it took
many weeks before he could speak of what happened.
</p>
<p>
Vashon never picked up a firearm or ventured beyond Alkenstar's walls again. He shut out the rest of the world and
entombed himself in his private quarters, where he read books, studied alchemy, and performed experiments from
sunrise late into the night. One might have expected the survivor of such a terrible accident to avoid munitions
altogether, but hardly a day passed without some contained explosion or planned calamity almost blasting Gattlebee's
closed door off its hinges. Few were surprised when, years later, young Gattlebee enrolled at Blythir College to
continue his scientific pursuits, vowing to someday develop a substance that would render gunpowder obsolete.
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">Chain Reaction</h2>
<p>
Gattlebee, now a middle-aged man, is one of Alkenstar's most famous recluses. He's regarded as a misunderstood
genius by his friends and a perfectly understood crackpot by his detractors. Years of quiet, patient work in front
of his alchemy bench have finally yielded an invention Gattlebee can be proud of—an explosive substance that he
believes could eventually replace traditional black powder and revolutionize technology as the world knows it.
</p>
<p>
In its raw state, pyronite is a viscous semi-transparent gel prone to catastrophic combustion at the slightest bump.
Such volatile substances are not unknown on Golarion, but their unpredictable nature is exactly what makes such
concoctions so rare and unwieldy. Gattlebee's true breakthrough came when he discovered that he could stabilize the
chemical by mixing it with soda ash and a special type of white salt collected from the Spellscar Desert. Once it
was stabilized, Gattlebee could pack the pyronite compound into small paper spheres, cylinders, or boxes and
transport it with ease.
</p>
<p>
The alchemist recently presented his formula to the public for the first time at an exposition at his alma mater,
Alkenstar's esteemed Blythir College. Although he carefully determined the pyronite dosage for the demonstration—he
brought a pellet no larger than a pea—his calculations must have been off. What should've been a dose just large
enough to blow open an armoire-sized adamantine gun safe ended up leveling more than half of the college's largest
lecture hall. Miraculously, no one was harmed except for Gattlebee, who sustained a few scrapes and bruises while he
stoically looked over his bungled demo. To the nonplussed inventor, the minor wounds he suffered paled in comparison
to the disappointment of an experiment gone awry.
</p>
<p>
In spite of the botched exhibit (or perhaps because of it), the “pyronite incident” left a powerful impression on
all the students, faculty, and entrepreneurs who witnessed it. Invitations for high-paying jobs and speaking
engagements flooded in for Gattlebee, who was ill-prepared for the sudden spotlight. Overwhelmed by the attention,
he retreated to his private lab in Steamhaven. As he'd done so many times before in his life, Gattlebee shut and
locked the door behind him.
</p>
<p>
Two of the demonstration's attendees weren't content to let Gattlebee slip back into the shadows. Ambrost Mugland, a
powerful private financier, realized right away the destructive (and lucrative) potential of pyronite in
construction, war, or whatever other ventures he could stick his hands in. The mogul deduced that two wealthy buyers
resided in Alkenstar's own backyard: the warring wizard nations on either side of the Duchy's borders. If Mugland
could pit the nations of Geb and Nex against one another in a bidding war over the pyronite formula—or secretly sell
it to both of them—then he stood to make a veritable killing from the deal.
</p>
<p>
The other attendee who set Gattlebee firmly in her sights was Foebe Dunsmith. Though she's known to most as the
popular yet insouciant owner of the Barrel & Bullet Saloon, Dunsmith is, in fact, a high-ranking informant for
the Alkenstar government, and the pyronite showcase unsettled her to her core. Dunsmith informed Grand Duchess
Trietta Ricia of Gattlebee's invention and correctly speculated its potential to upend the already tenuous political
order in eastern Garund. Dunsmith knew that other Alkenstar power brokers, such as Mugland, would also have their
eyes on the pyronite formula and that any more public attention drawn to the matter would only complicate the
situation. So, with the grand duchess's blessing, Dunsmith set about looking for independent yet manipulatable
agents to help her secure the formula. Once the secrets of its creation were safe, Ricia could formulate a long-term
solution for pyronite's inevitable release into the wider world.
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">Clock's Ticking</h2>
<p>
To fulfill his scheme of stealing the pyronite formula, Ambrost Mugland has had to pull strings and call in favors
all across Alkenstar. The mogul has even gone into debt over the matter—an unconventional tack for the notorious
copper-pincher—so convinced is he that this all-in bet on pyronite will pay off.
</p>
<p>
Mugland's most expensive, but by far most useful, accomplice thus far has been a corrupt officer of the law, Deputy
Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless. Loveless has likewise committed everything she has to the pyronite plot; she cowed
dozens of low-ranking shieldmarshals into subservience, and she has called in favors with criminal gangs all around
Alkenstar. Her minions have dutifully killed off anyone Mugland or Loveless suspected of potentially upsetting their
schemes, even other Alkenstar elites who attended Gattlebee's exposition. Of course, the lowly saloon owner Foebe
Dunsmith, among others, fell far beneath Mugland's or Loveless's notices.
</p>
<p>
Mugland has already secured buyers for the formula: two revolutionaries from across Alkenstar's borders named Parsus
(a ghoulish necromancer from Geb) and Ibrium (a suave Nexian geomancer). Despite hailing from nations famously at
odds with one another, the two buyers seem to be working together. Mugland doesn't care about the details of their
plans for pyronite, though; he just needs to deliver the goods so he can get paid. Unfortunately for the would-be
weapons dealer, he hasn't been able to capture Gattlebee or the pyronite formula because the reclusive alchemist
hasn't left his home since the Blythir exposition. Breaking and entering might work, but Gattlebee is famously
unpredictable, and Mugland doesn't want to risk the alchemist accidentally blowing up his own lab (and, more
importantly, the pyronite formula) in an act of self-defense. Mugland has no choice, for now, but to simply wait for
Gattlebee to emerge from his domestic fortress.
</p>
<p>
Foebe Dunsmith and Grand Duchess Ricia also understand that this waiting game can't last forever, and they've caught
wind of Mugland's plot. The sooner they get Gattlebee and his formula to a safe, hidden location, the sooner they
can rest assured that pyronite won't fall into the wrong hands. Dunsmith needs to find some trustworthy
mercenaries—preferably ones who can keep a low profile, are blissfully unaware of the pyronite matter, and don't
mind rubbing elbows with some of Alkenstar's less-reputable power brokers—to get Gattlebee to safety. For this task,
she's applying a classic Alkenstar axiom: “A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.”
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">Volatile Situation</h2>
<p>
Dunsmith has selected a handful of rough-and-tumble outlaws who each bear a personal grudge against Ambrost Mugland
or Deputy Loveless. To see if these toughs can work together in pursuit of their shared revenge, she has organized a
heist targeting the @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}, one
of Mugland's smallest investment operations. The firm caters primarily to small-time, white-collar crooks and
landowners who live off the sweat of others' brows by targeting ranchers, small businesses, and other vulnerable
Alkenstar citizens with high-interest loans and exploitative contracts. Taking down the enterprise wouldn't solve
everyone's problems right away, but it would send a definitive message to Mugland and those who support him. If
Dunsmith's mercenaries can pull off this bank job, she plans to involve them in her and the duchess's scheme to
secure Gattlebee and take down Mugland.
</p>
<p>
Robbing the Gold Tank won't be so easy, however. Mugland's associate, Deputy Loveless, has caught wind of the
party's plans and hopes to intercept the thieves along their getaway route. She and her fellow crooked
shieldmarshals aren't known for offering mercy or playing fair—in fact, they look forward to the opportunity to dole
out their own brand of cruel, wicked justice away from public eyes.
</p>
</div>
<aside class="sidebar">
<h1 class="no-toc">Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1>
<p>
Before running this Adventure Path, provide your players with copies of the
<em>Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</em>, a free download from
<a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight: bold">www.paizo.com</a>. This spoiler-free supplement includes
details to get your players up to speed on the goings-on in Alkenstar, plus suggestions for creating characters with
abilities that complement the challenges they'll face throughout the campaign.
</p>
<p>
Most importantly, the Player's Guide also includes new character backgrounds specifically for this Adventure Path.
Your players can use these backgrounds as written or as starting points to establish their characters' specific
grudges against Ambrost Mugland or Deputy Anjelique Loveless, the corrupt villains against whom the party will
ultimately seek sweet revenge throughout this Adventure Path.
</p>
</aside>
<div>
<h1 class="no-toc">Adventure Path Summary</h1>
<p>
Player characters start this Adventure Path as outlaw mercenaries with a dire grudge. Their pursuit for revenge
ultimately puts them in the best position possible to save the city of Alkenstar from utter catastrophe. The Outlaws
of Alkenstar Adventure Path spans three volumes and takes player characters from 1st through 10th level.
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">Punks in a Powderkeg</h2>
<p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, Levels 1–3</strong></p>
<p>
To impress a mysterious patron who promises to help them get revenge against their rivals, the characters rob
Ambrost Mugland's illicit banking operation, the
@UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{Gold Tank Reserve}. Afterward, the humble
bartender Foebe Dunsmith reveals that she's actually an informant for Alkenstar's grand duchess. She then gives the
mercenaries their next mission: protect the famous alchemist Vashon Gattlebee from kidnappers while escorting him
across the city to safety.
</p>
<p>
Two street gangs waylay the party and attempt to abscond with Gattlebee. The Clearwater Cleaners are obviously
working for Mugland, but the Powderkeg Punks' motives are a mystery. After they get Gattlebee to a safehouse, the
characters' investigation reveals that Gattlebee's small-time rival, Shoma Lyzerius, paid the Punks to apprehend
Gattlebee. To put a stop to the renegade alchemist's schemes, the characters track down Lyzerius in the ramshackle
district of Hellside.
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">Cradle of Quartz</h2>
<p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, Levels 4–7</strong></p>
<p>
Foebe Dunsmith hires the characters to locate a priest of Brigh named Olomon Kosowana, who has somehow
reverse-engineered the dangerous explosive called pyronite. When they get to Kosowana's home, they find the priest's
clockwork laboratory already ransacked. Fortunately, Kosowana had enough time to leave a clue for the characters to
track him down at the Cradle of Quartz, a remote shrine to Brigh in the middle of the Spellscar Desert.
</p>
<p>
After arranging for an ill-fated airship journey to the desert and surviving the wasteland's strange cosmic horrors,
the characters rescue Kosowana from the malevolent inhabitants of the Cradle of Quartz. The outlaws then learn from
the priest that their rival, Ambrost Mugland, has gotten hold of Kosowana's recipe for pyronite and that he hired a
gang called the Gilded Gunners to test it at the Steaming Kingdom, a rival business owner's exclusive speakeasy. The
characters stop the assault then use their clues to finally track down Mugland and get their revenge once and for
all. Before his fate is sealed, Mugland reveals that he has already sold the formula to a pair of renegades from
Alkenstar's neighboring nations.
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">The Smoking Gun</h2>
<p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, Levels 8–10</strong></p>
<p>
Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia herself approaches the characters and explains that the pyronite situation has become
dire. Unless the party can locate Deputy Loveless and Mugland's pyronite buyers before they use the bombs, the
safety of all of Alkenstar is threatened. The outlaws' best lead takes them to the Gunworks far west of Alkenstar,
where they learn more about the pyronite buyers—a necromancer from Geb named Parsus and a Nexian geomancer named
Ibrium—and their potential plot to level Alken Falls using pyronite.
</p>
<p>
The outlaws infiltrate the Tinwound Hydroforge at Alken Falls, where Parsus has used necromantic powers to fill the
water purification plant with undead minions. The necromancer has cleared the place for Ibrium and Loveless to load
it full of pyronite. Once defeated, Parsus explains that Ibrium and Loveless are on an inbound luxury riverboat,
pyronite in hand.
</p>
<p>
To save the day, the outlaws board a casino boat called
<em>The Gearsmoke</em> as it cruises down the Ustradi River. They sneak about the vessel to disarm the pyronite and
defeat Deputy Loveless and Ibrium, upending the villains' plot once and for all.
</p>
</div>
<img
class="chapter-image"
src="modules/pf2e-ap178-punks-in-a-powderkeg/assets/art/chapter-0.webp"
alt="Outlaws of Alkenstar" />
<h1 class="no-toc chapter-heading">霾都狂徒 Outlaws of Alkenstar</h1>
<div>
<p>
在《霾都狂徒》冒险之路中，玩家将扮演一群为了共同 的复仇大计而团结在一起的亡命之徒。为了想那个摧毁了他 们生活的卑鄙大亨复仇，主角们必须驰骋于霾都阿肯斯塔 （Alkenstar，the City of Smog）肮脏的街头巷子尾。作 为游戏主持人，你将构建出引人入胜的非玩家角色框架、复 杂的情节以及令人兴奋的遭遇，以便你的玩家能为他们的角 色谱写惊险刺激的故事。在探索这个充满发条装置的威胁和 爆炸性事件的巨大城市的同时，队伍将拆除黄铜构装体、潜 入钢铁，并利用他们反叛者的名声来拯救世界。
</p>
<h1 class="no-toc">游玩冒险之路 Using this Adventure Path</h1>
<p>
《霾都狂徒》冒险之路一共三卷，包含能让角色从 1 级 升级到 10 级的全部冒险内容，开拓者 2 版<em>《核心规则书》 </em> 和 其 他 提 到 的 规 则 扩 展 可 以 在 Pathfinder Reference Document（<a href="https://paizo.com/prd" style="font-weight: bold">paizo.com/prd</a> 或 2e.aonprd.com/）找到在 线版本。冒险之路的每一卷都包含了你作为主持人运行冒险 所需的必要内容，这些内容包括冒险故事本身、拓展战役设 定的文章、以及 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17806advent.JournalEntryPage.06powderkegpar00]{冒险工具箱 Adventure Toolbox}。工具箱中包含了能让角色更符 合本次冒险风味的全新角色选项，以及众多在冒险中登场的 怪物们的详细介绍。
</p>
<p>
为了游玩本次战役，每个玩家都需要有一本<em>《开拓者：核心规则书》</em>以及<em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>后者可以在 <strong>paizo.com.</strong> 免费下载。
</p>
<h1 class="no-toc">战役背景 Campaign Background</h1>
<p>
在挤满了阿肯斯塔肮脏的工业城区的扭曲管道、烟囱和 砖砌建筑中，新发明不断地从发明家的实验室、化学家的私 人工厂和枪械工匠的作坊中涌现出来。即使是城市中最强的 大脑都无法完成大部分那些令人沸腾的想法，但是有些时候， 来自天才的那一丝灵光是如此具有颠覆性，足以改变整个城 市的命运。
</p>
<p>
这 就 是 古 怪 且 才 华横 溢 的 炼 金 术 士 瓦 申 · 盖 特 比 （Vashon Gattlebee）的最新发明——被他称为“爆熔雷” （pyronite）的极具挥发性的黏稠液体。这玩意儿可不仅仅 是鞭炮，它在制造灾难的潜力上可以和最强的爆炸相媲美， 但它拥有更小的尺寸；它能在一根不比地精前臂大多少的管 子内容纳上百门大炮的爆炸能量。从未有过有如此强大破坏 力的炸药以如此紧凑的形式存在。毫不夸张地说，盖特比的 新发明有望动摇已知世界的基础。
</p>
<p>
盖特比对科学的兴趣可追溯至一场可怕的童年悲剧。当 他还是个孩子的时候，他的父亲带他去法力废土（Mana Wastes）附近一个相对平静的地区打猎。他的父亲告诉他， 怪物、强盗，甚至更糟的东西都威胁着阿肯斯塔的安全，所 以对盖特比来说，最重要的是学会如何对付他们。在他们远 征的第二天，临时租用的长枪发生了炸膛事故，导致瓦申的 父亲当场死亡。不知道他之后经历了什么，总之男孩穿着破 破烂烂、血迹斑斑的衣服回到了阿肯斯塔，但过了好几个星 期才说出发生的事情。
</p>
<p>
瓦申再也没有拿起过任何火器，也没有走出过阿肯斯塔 的城墙。他整日把自己关在实验室里，夜以继日地读书、研 究炼金术、进行实验。一般人认为，经历过这样可怕事故的 幸存者肯定会对各种军火避之不及，但盖特比几乎每天都面 对各种计划内或计划外的爆炸，甚至差点把他家门给炸飞。 所以多年以后，当盖特比考入布莱瑟学院继续它的科学追求 时，几乎没有人感到惊讶。他发誓一定要发明出一种让黑火 药退出历史舞台的新物质。
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">连锁反应 Chain Reaction</h2>
<p>
盖特比如今人到中年，是阿肯斯塔最著名的隐居者之一。他的朋友认为他是个不被理解的天才，而他的批评者则已经 完全理解了他就是个疯子。多年来，他在炼金台上安静、耐 心地工作，终于制造出了一项让他感到自豪的发明——一种 新型爆炸物，他相信它最终会取代传统的黑火药，并为当前 世界带来革命性的变化。
</p>
<p>
在原始状态下，爆熔雷是一种黏稠的半透明胶体，只要 受到轻微撞击就会发生灾难性的爆炸。这种易挥发的物质在 格拉利昂上也不是什么首创，但它不稳定的性质正是使这种 混合物如此罕见和难以处理的原因。盖特比真正的颠覆性突 破在于，他发现可以通过将苏打粉和一种法痕荒漠收集来的 特殊白盐混合，从而帮助稳定化合物。一旦稳定下来之后， 盖特比就能将爆熔雷化合物装入小型球体、圆柱体或盒子中， 并轻松地运输。
</p>
<p>
炼金术士最近在他的母校——阿肯斯塔著名的布莱瑟学院（Blythir College）举办的一次发布会上首次向公众展 示了他的配方。尽管作为演示，他仔细地斟酌了爆融雷的使 用量——他带来了一个比豌豆还小的颗粒——但他的计算 肯定出了岔子。炸药的剂量本应该只炸开一个衣柜般大小的 精金保险柜，但最终却导致学院最大的演讲厅的一半以上被 炸飞。奇迹般地，没有人受伤，除了盖特比自己。他忍受浑 身的擦伤和瘀伤，检查着自己搞砸的演示。跟实验失败的失望和痛苦相比，这位困惑发明家的伤是如此微不足道。
</p>
<p>
尽管发布会搞砸了（或许也正因为如此），“爆熔雷事故”给目睹这件事的学生、教师和企业家们留下了深刻的印 象。对盖特比来说，高薪工作和演讲邀请如潮水般涌来，他 对突如其来的聚光灯毫无准备，由于不胜其扰，他返回了自 己位于蒸汽港（Steamhaven）的私人实验室。就像他这辈 子一贯的那样，他再一次把自己关在实验室里，与世隔绝。
</p>
<p>
可是，发布会的个别观众并不打算让盖特比就这么淡出视野。安布罗斯特·穆格兰（Ambrost Mugland），一个权势滔天的金融巨鳄，立刻意识到爆熔雷在建筑、战争或其他任何他涉足的领域中具有破坏性潜力（以及极大的利润）。这位大亨盘算，最富有的买家就离阿肯斯塔不远：位于大公国南北两侧不断交战的两个法师国家。如果穆格兰能让奈克斯和盖布为了争夺爆熔雷展开持久的战争，或者秘密地将爆熔雷分别卖给两个国家的代理人，他就能从中大赚一笔。
</p>
<p>
另一个在暗中牢牢盯住盖特比的人则是菲比·邓史密斯（Foebe Dunsmith）。虽然菲比最出名的身份是枪弹酒吧（Barrel & Bullet Saloon）的老板，但她实际上是阿肯斯塔政府的高级线人，而这次爆熔雷展示让她深感不安。邓史密斯向女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚（Grand Duchess Trietta Ricia）报告了盖特比的新发明，并正确地推断，这东西极有可能颠覆加伦德东部地区本已十分脆弱的政治平衡。邓史密斯知道，一些阿肯斯塔的权贵，例如穆格兰，肯定也已经盯上了爆熔雷的配方。如果再次引起公众对这件事的注意，只会让事情变得更加复杂。因此，在女大公的首肯下，邓史密斯开始寻找独立但是可控制的特工来帮她获得配方。一旦制造爆熔雷的秘密得到安全保障，瑞希亚就能在它不可避免扩散到整个世界之前制定一个长期有效的解决方案。
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">争分夺秒 Clock's Ticking</h2>
<p>
为了完成将爆熔雷配方窃为己有的计划，安布罗斯特·穆格兰不得不动用关系，在阿肯斯塔各地召集党羽。这位大亨甚至为此背上债务——这对于这位臭名昭著的金融大亨来说这是一种常见策略——他非常自信，对爆熔雷的全部投资终将得到回报。
</p>
<p>
迄今为止，花了穆格兰最多钱但也是最有用的一位同谋是一名腐败的执法者——盾勋执法官副警长安洁莉卡·洛夫莱斯（Deputy Shieldmarshal Anjelique Loveless）。洛夫莱斯同样在爆熔雷的阴谋上押上一切；她恐吓了几十名级别较低的盾勋执法官帮她做事，并且笼络了一批阿肯斯塔本地的犯罪团伙。她的手下会尽职尽责地杀死任何被怀疑有可能破坏她计划的人，甚至包括那些参加过盖特比发布会的其他阿肯斯塔精英们。当然，地位低下的酒馆老板菲比·邓史密斯和其他杂鱼是远不足以引起穆格兰和洛夫莱斯的注意的。
</p>
<p>
穆格兰已经为配方找好了买家：分别来自阿肯斯塔两个邻国的革命者：来自盖布的叫做帕索斯（Parsus）的令人毛骨悚然的死灵法师，还有一个奈克斯的叫做伊布里姆（Ibrium）的温文尔雅的地卜师。尽管这两个买家来自两个以宿敌著称的国家，但他们似乎达成了某种合作。然而，穆格兰并不关心他们关于爆熔雷的计划的细节，他只想把货卖出去换钱。不幸的是，这位潜在的军火商并没能抓住盖特比，也没能找到爆熔雷的配方，因为这位隐居的炼金术士在布莱瑟学院的发布会之后就没有离开过自己的家。直接上门抓他也许是一种选择，但盖特比出了名的不可预测，穆格兰不敢贸然行动，怕炼金术士在自卫时不小心炸毁自己实验室（最糟糕的情况下连爆熔雷的配方也一起毁了）。现在穆格兰别无选择，只能等着盖特比哪天从他的“小堡垒”里出来。
</p>
<p>
菲比·邓史密斯和女大公瑞希亚也明白，这种守株待兔的游戏不能一直持续下去，他们已经察觉到了穆格兰的阴谋。他们越早把盖特比和他的配方带到安全且隐蔽的地方，他们就能越早地确保爆熔雷不会落入坏人之手。邓史密斯需要找到一些值得信赖的雇佣兵把盖特比护送的安全的地方。这些人最好是那些行事低调，对爆熔雷毫不关心，并且不介意和阿肯斯塔一些名声不太好的权力掮客有交集的人。在这项任务中，她贯彻了一句阿肯斯塔最经典公理：“枪弹可毙敌，何必问出处。”（A bullet for my enemy aims as true in any gun.）
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">动荡的局势 Volatile Situation</h2>
<p>
邓史密斯精心挑选了一批法外狂徒，他们每个人都对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯有着深仇大恨。为了测试一下这群恶棍能否合作完成复仇大业，她组织了一场针对穆格兰手下最小产业 @UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 的劫案。这家银行主要服务对象为那些榨取别人血汗钱的白领骗子和大地主，用高利贷和剥削性的合同来压榨农户、小企业家和其他势单力孤的阿肯斯塔公民。抢劫这家银行并不能马上解决每个人的问题，但这会向穆格兰和其支持者发出明确的信号。如果邓史密斯的雇佣兵能完成银行劫案的话，她计划让他们参与到自己和女大公的计划中来，保护盖特比，并伺机推翻穆格兰。
</p>
<p>
然而，抢劫金罐子储蓄并不容易。穆格兰的帮凶——副警长洛夫莱斯，察觉到了队伍的计划，并希望在这群强盗的逃亡路线上截住他们。她和她的手下并不以仁慈和公平出名 ——事实上，他们一直等待着机会在公众面前展现自己残忍、邪恶的正义。
</p>
</div>
<aside class="sidebar">
<h1 class="no-toc">《霾都狂徒玩家指南》 Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide</h1>
<p>
在运行本次冒险之路之前，请向玩家提供 <em>《霾都狂徒玩家指南》</em>的副本，该副本可以从<a href="https://paizo.com/" style="font-weight: bold">www.paizo.com</a>免费下载。这本不含剧透的指南提供了丰富的细节，让你的玩家能进一步了解阿肯斯塔的方方面面，对于他们即将在战役中面临的种种挑战，这本书也提出了很多角色创建方面的建议。
</p>
<p>
最重要的是，玩家指南里还有为本次冒险之路准备的专属背景。你的玩家能将这些背景作为人物故事，或以此为起点建立角色们对安布罗斯特·穆格兰或副警长洛夫莱斯的怨恨，让队伍在这条冒险之路中最终对这些腐败的恶棍展开甜蜜的复仇。
</p>
</aside>
<div>
<h1 class="no-toc">冒险之路概要 Adventure Path Summary</h1>
<p>
玩家角色们在冒险之路开始时是一群苦大仇深的雇佣兵。他们对复仇的渴望最终让他们有机会从一场彻底的灾难中挽救阿肯斯塔。《霾都狂徒》冒险之路的故事横跨三卷，玩家角色从1级跑到10级。
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">《一触即爆》 Punks in a Powderkeg</h2>
<p><strong>By Vanessa Hoskins</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #178, 等级 1–3</strong></p>
<p>
为了给承诺帮他们复仇的神秘赞助人留下深刻印象，主角们抢劫了安布罗斯特·穆格兰的非法银行@UUID[JournalEntry.pf2ap17802reachf.JournalEntryPage.02goldtankrese00]{金罐子储蓄 Gold Tank Reserve} 之后，低调的酒保菲比·邓史密斯透露，她实际上是阿肯斯塔女大公的秘密线人。她给了雇佣兵们下一个任务：保护著名炼金术士瓦申·盖特比不被绑架，同时护送他穿过城市抵达安全屋。
</p>
<p>
两个街头帮派伏击了队伍，并试图把盖特比抢走。净水清洁工显然是为穆格兰工作的，但爆桶朋克的动机成谜。在把盖特比送达安全屋之后，主角们的调查显示，是盖特比的三流竞争对手邵马·利泽留斯付钱给爆桶朋克让他们绑架盖特比的。为了阻止叛逆的炼金术士的计划，主角们在摇摇欲坠的狱崖窟逮住了利泽留斯。
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">石英摇篮 Cradle of Quartz</h2>
<p><strong>By Scott D. Young</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #179, 等级 4–7</strong></p>
<p>
菲比·邓史密斯雇佣主角们去寻找布莱的牧师，他的名字叫奥洛蒙·科索瓦纳，他以某种方式对危险的炸药爆熔雷进行了逆向工程。当他们到达科索瓦纳的家时，他们发现牧师的发条实验室已经被洗劫一空。幸运的是，科索瓦纳给主角们留下了足够的线索，让他们能在石英摇篮找到他。石英摇篮是座布莱神殿，位于遥远法的痕沙漠中部。
</p>
<p>
经历了一次不幸的沙漠飞艇之旅，并在废土上怪异的宇宙恐怖之下幸存后，主角们从石英摇篮的邪恶居民手中拯救了科索瓦纳。法外狂徒们从牧师那里得知，他们的竞争对手安布罗斯特·穆格兰已经拿到了科索瓦纳的爆熔雷的配方，他雇用了一个名为“镀金枪手”的帮派，在敌对企业老板的独家地下酒吧“蒸汽王国”内测试这种配方。主角们阻止了袭击，然后利用他们留下的线索最终找到了穆格兰，并完成了他们的复仇。在他的命运被封印之前，穆格兰透露，他已经把配方卖给了来自阿肯斯塔邻国的两个革命者。
</p>
<h2 class="no-toc">证据确凿 The Smoking Gun</h2>
<p><strong>By Cole Kronewitter</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pathfinder Adventure Path #180, 等级 8–10</strong></p>
<p>
女大公崔莉塔·瑞希亚亲自接近主角们，并解释说，爆熔雷的事情已经逐渐变得可怕起来。除非他们能在炸弹引爆之前找到洛夫莱斯和穆格兰的买家，否则整个阿肯斯塔的安全都将受到威胁。法外狂徒们手中的线索将他们领向阿肯斯塔西部的枪械工坊，在那里他们了解到了更多关于爆熔雷买家的信息——来自盖布的名为帕索斯的死灵法师，以及来自奈克斯的名为伊布里姆的地卜师——以及他们打算利用爆熔雷来炸毁阿肯瀑布的阴谋。
</p>
<p>
法外狂徒们潜入了阿肯瀑布旁的锡创净水厂，帕索斯用死灵法术的力量让净水工厂里充斥不死生物。帕索斯帮伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯清空了这个地方，转而在里面装满了爆熔雷。帕索斯被击败后解释说，伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯此刻正在一艘刚入境的豪华内河游艇上，手里有爆熔雷。
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<p>
为了挽救局面，法外狂徒们登上了一艘名为 <em>“齿轮生烟”（Gearsmoke）</em>的赌场游轮，这艘船沿着乌斯塔迪河向阿肯斯塔市中心开去。他们潜入船只，解除了爆熔雷，打败了伊布里姆和洛夫莱斯副警长，一劳永逸地推翻了恶棍们的阴谋。
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