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"Huh. Would have been about a year now that idiot Nigel allowed that ruckus over at his museum to happen. Sent half the lodge scrambling across Belkzen to help those other idiots with their idiotic problem. Heard the pay was ok though. Wonder if something will come up this year. Could use a little more weight in the coin pouch."
The kitsune suddenly winces as if he'd been smacked on the head by some invisible force.
"Hey! Fine. FINE! If there's a need, I will help out of the goodness of my heart," he growls with exaggerated and obviously-feigned earnestness to the air as he rubs his head.
"Though I'll at least make sure to collect some loot along the way," he adds under his breath.
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A chipper little red-headed gnome skips into the briefing room. A bright, enthusiastic smile takes up most of her face, and her too-big eyes are bright blue and twinkling. A bulging backpack is strapped to her back, and a well-polished crossbow peeks out from behind it.
"Whoah, only one person here! Well, one's better than none, I always say!" She sticks her hand out to the kitsune for a shake. "Hiya, pal! Nice to meet ya'!" she exclaims happily, speaking quite fast. "Nice fur! I'm a fan of red, myself." she winks.
"I can't wait to get going! Ya' know this is my fourth adventure? Well, not my fourth adventure at all, but my fourth sanctioned adventure! Man, that training took a LIFETIME! I mean, four years? It's agony, agony, agony to be out of the discovery game for that long! Don't know how I lasted!"
Ayla continues to ramble on without pausing for breath.
"You know what I mean? Of course you do--you're a wise fellow, I can see that! Why else talk to yourself, eh? Don't think you can fool me! No, siree! Ayla Vivendor let's NOTHING pass her by! Not wind, not words, not time!"
Suddenly her hand flies to her mouth and her eyes widen. "Oh, listen to me, rambling on! Why you didn't even get a word in edgewise! How rude of me, you want a chance to speak, don't ya'?" Without pausing to hear what the kitsune has to say Ayla continues her rapid prattling. "Of course ya' do! You're a clever fellow, ain't ya'? Plenty going on it that big old head of your, eh? Plenty to know, plenty to share."
"Wow, this is taking forever! How long has it been, an hour? Ah, jeez! A minute! Blasted time always dragging along, eh?"
Ayla pauses her rambling to take a deep breath.
"Hey, did I tell you I'm an author? Here, here! Take a copy!"
Ayla digs around in her bag a produces a professional looking novel entitled 'Ada Mantine and the Tentacle Man, An Adventure Novel by Ayla Vivindor.' She passes it to the kitsune.
"Read it, read it! You'll love it, I swear! It's the best selling yet! Not sure why, exactly. Ada's gone on 14 adventures--most based on my own exploits, mind you--and this one's not the most exciting, but man, you stick 'tentacle' in the title and sales sky-rocket! Not sure why!"
She waits a whopping four seconds before asking "Well, whaddya' think? Pretty swanky, huh? Want me to sign it for you?"
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The annual Torchbearing, one of the most distinguish events held at the grand lodge, has kept you busy these last three days. Pathfinder's from all over the globe, even the multiverse, have come to participate to build repertoire and share knowledge.
A little bit of talks and inspiring speeches were held by the Master of Scrolls, Master of Spells, and Master of Swords. A few simple teambuilding exercises here and there by a few Venture Captains. And not to mention the after hours drinking that has kept all the nights extremely lively. A corporate getaway at it's best it seems.
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The unusually cantankerous kitsune stares, shoulders slouched, with his mouth agape at the gnome as she rambles non-stop, then sighs.
"Oh great. This is one of the clowns I'm grouped with for the 'team-building exercise'? And who I'm gonna be grouped with in the next assignment?"
He buries his face in his paw.
"We're all gonna die."
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A halfling steps into the briefing room. His young face betrays the business demeanor he tries to put forth. He has several vials of brightly colored substances tucked into his belt. He wears a cloak that promises to hide more mixtures and tonics.
He notices a gnome already deeply engaged in conversation with a kitsune. So engaged, in fact, that he suspects they must be incredibly good friends. It's hard to break into cliques. Nevertheless he steps up near the duo and puts out his hand.
"Hello there! I'm Wilen Proudbr..." He realizes that the gnome is still going on in a continuous stream that seems to never end.
"You know what I mean? Of course you do--you're a wise fellow, I can see that! Why else talk to yourself, eh? Don't think you can fool me! No, siree! Ayla Vivendor let's NOTHING pass her by! Not wind, not words, not time!"Suddenly her hand flies to her mouth and her eyes widen. "Oh, listen to me, rambling on! Why you didn't even get a word in edgewise! How rude of me, you want a chance to speak, don't ya'?" Without pausing to hear what the kitsune has to say Ayla continues her rapid prattling. "Of course ya' do! You're a clever fellow, ain't ya'? Plenty going on it that big old head of your, eh? Plenty to know, plenty to share."
"Wow, this is taking forever! How long has it been, an hour? Ah, jeez! A minute! Blasted time always dragging along, eh?"
Ayla pauses her rambling to take a deep breath.
Ah! She stopped. Maybe I can jump in and...
"Hey, did I tell you I'm an author? Here, here! Take a copy!"
Ayla digs around in her bag a produces a professional looking novel entitled 'Ada Mantine and the Tentacle Man, An Adventure Novel by Ayla Vivindor.' She passes it to the kitsune.
"Read it, read...
Wilen slinks over to the briefing room table and sits down, waiting to see if the gnome will stop before any of the other pathfinders arrive.
"Okay, I'll just be over... here..."
It's just then that he looks back at the pair and notices that perhaps the Kitsune isn't so into it.
This is why they made me hire a tavern negotiator for my brewery. I don't exactly command the room.
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Ayla bursts out laughing at Shiv's remarks. "Clowns? Where? I love jokes!"
Suddenly noticing the halfling, Ayla follows him to his table, chattering all the while. "Whoah! Don't think you can slip past, me, pal! Not gonna happen! Not to THIS gnome! No way, no how! OH! Listen to me! Forgetting my manners, and you didn't get a word in edgewise, did 'ya?"
Ayla smiles brightly at the halfling and sticks out her hand. "Hey there, friend! Famed Pathfinder and Adventure Novelist Ayla Vivindor, at your service!" she shakes his hand vigorously, then shoves a book into his hands instead. "You ever read an Ada Mantine novel, pal? They're a treat, I tell ya', a real treat! Epic! Award-worthy! A MASTERPIECE!"
She smiles brightly, and pauses for a moment. "Want me to sign it for you?"
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Suddenly, to his surprise, the energetic gnome turns her attention on him. He's not so sure this is a good thing.
"Oh, haha. I wasn't trying to slip by. You two were just in the middle of... something. It's good to meet you Ayla!"
He accepts the book and answers her without thinking about it. "Uh, sure, yeah! Make it out to Wilen Proudbrew! Are these books famous among gnomes?"
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A rather short human woman carrying a great sword walks in. Despite her height, she walks proudly, her head held high, taking what is, to her, large and confident steps. When she finally sees the gathered Pathfinders, she sweeps her red hair away from her face with her left hand as she breaks into a grin.
As she addresses them, her voice carries easily across the room. "Isn't Absalom great? There are always so many stories to hear from everyone. Hopefully there won't be too much trouble at the Blakros Museum, this time. It's like every time I'm here, something goes wrong and we have to seek out some artifact that got stolen or seemingly ran away on its own. You'd think mister Aldain would be more careful by now... Oh, but here I am telling stories already without even introducing myself." She bows with a flourish.
"My name is Atronia Regillus. I'm one who every day seeks new stories to tell and new audiences to tell them to. Or sing them. A song always cheers me up during a battle. Now, who have I been paired with on this wonderful day?" As she says this, she gestures to the others and smiles.
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The kitsune begins to take advantage of the halfling's intervention to extricate himself from the gnome, then thinks the better of it.
"Hey wait a minute. Those books you're handing out. How absorbent are they? The pages I mean. Just asking out of curiousity, of course..."
The human woman walks in before he can continue, and he leans back against the wall with his arms folded as she gives her introduction.
"Oh really. You sing when you fight. This like a personal theme song or you just like killing people to the sound of jaunty tunes? Though, heck if I care long as you can swing that big sword well enough."
He pushes himself off the wall and walks a little closer. Although he's about the same height as the human, his wiry frame makes him look much smaller. But if his small build made him self-conscious, it did not show in his aggressive stride.
"Me, name's Shiv. Well, Shivalier if you wanna be all formal 'cos you got a stick up your butt. Those idiots at the temple originally wanted to name me 'Chevalier' 'cos they wanted me to be a knight when I grew up, but I was always more the kind to shiv someone when they weren't looking. So in the end we came to a compromise. They figured most people wouldn't hear the difference anyway, but then all the other kids at the orphanage ended up just calling me Shiv, so I guess the joke's on them," he chuckles.
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Another woman quietly walks into the room and slips over to an empty space near the wall. Her skin is a pale blue color and her hair is silver. Her bare arms are tattooed with an elaborate pattern of white runes. The air around her feels perceptibly colder and faints puffs of steam form when she breathes. She has a haughty, regal air about her. At her feet a white furred stoat perches on her shoulder.
She carefully looks over everyone in the group as if she is sizing them up. A look of disapproval flashes across her face as she takes in the chatty gnome and the slovenly half-orc. She doesn't seem to know what to make of the skald and spends an uncomfortably long time staring at her red-hair. She gives a curt, professional nod to the halfling and kitsune. And without a word she finds a seat and sits down.
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After the new redhead arrives, Wilen watches her and the kitsune interact and observes that each has a personality that gives no ground, not to mention the persistent gnome.
Wow, this group is overflowing with confidence. Maybe it will rub off on me...
You notice that while the halfling is cheerfully looking around and watching each new member enter the room, he avoids all direct eye contact.
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Ayla proudly signs Wilen's copy of her novel,
To Wilen Proudbrew! All the best, pal! Ayla Vivindor
She blows on the ink to help it dry--the quietest she's been since entering the room!--then passes the book into Wilen's hands. "Famous? Of course they're famous! Haven't you ever been to a book store, pal? You're welcome, but they way!"
Ayla bursts out laughing. "You know, Shiv, that's not the first time I've heard that question since this new volume came out! It's not particularly absorbent, but I'd be careful! You don't want to get any paper cuts..."
Seeing the red-head and the orc, Ayla scampers over to hand them each a copy of her newest novel. "Here ya' go! One for you, and one for YOU!"
Ayla bows back regally, then gives each of them an excited handshake. "Nice ta' meet 'cha Atronia! Nice ta' meet 'cha, random half-orc! I'M Ayla Vivindor, famous Pathfinder and Adventure Novelist! You may have heard of me!"
With a wide smile, she says to Atronia, "Ah, a fellow story-teller, hey? That's great! Well, I've given you one of mine, so let's hear one of yours! Go on, sing away, girl!"
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The fourth and final day of training has come to a close at the Grand Lodge of Absalom, heralding the end of this year’s Torchbearing. Pathfinders the world over attend this annual symposium to share their knowledge, teach each other new skills, and reinforce their connections across the Inner Sea and beyond. To celebrate the end of festivities, the lodge has hosted a grand banquet in the visiting agents’ honor. A refreshing winter breeze blows through an open window, flickering torches and sending papers scattering. The smell of freshly baked desserts fills the air while initiates clear away the remnants of the first course.
If you are a member of the Restful Pathfinders’ Lounge (by possessing the vanity of the same name from page 61 of Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Pathfinder Society Field Guide), you can attend a special private banquet that grants you the benefits of hero’s feast for the duration of Part 1. Each player character with this vanity can invite one guest (such as another PC or an animal companion) to gain the benefits, too
During the annual Torchbearing, the Three Masters, along with other notable Pathfinders, taught a variety of seminars and panel discussions, from Golarion’s history to spellcasting techniques, and ran obstacle courses and a triathlon. Rumor has it, Janira Gavix offered an unauthorized but popular filking class for aspiring bards and other social misfits under 30--inches, not years. You also heard some salacious gossip about an exclusive, late-night VIP experience Zarta Dralneen arranged for some her favorites. According to one hungover Pathfinder who claimed to have been there, a disgruntled Drandle Dreng was turned away at the door.
Speaking of the imp, ever the social butterfly and self-appointed mentor-to-the-masses, the halfling bard Janira Gavix approaches your small group. “Hi, friends. It’s been awhile since last we met. Have you enjoyed the Torchbearing? I volunteered to organize all the classes again this year. Kreighton Shaine always said I should have been a teacher. Did you learn anything useful?”
Janira looks over her shoulder as she catches sight of another group of Pathfinders refilling their tankards at the grog bowl. “Oh, those are some more students of mine!” She bounces on her toes as she waves at the group and they wave back. “Excuse me? I’ll need to check in with them too!” Pleased that you appreciated her pedagogical efforts, she excuses herself with a smile and moves on.
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Some interesting information you might have heard over the course of the Torchbearing. Whispers from within the walls as people chat merrily during the festivities.
The Three Masters use the event to keep an eye out for particularly talented agents that embody the Pathfinder Society ideals: Explore, Report, and Cooperate.
At the end of the Torchbearing, the most exemplary agents are publicly recognized and given special wayfinders.
Sometimes Pathfinder agents disappear for hours during the course of events. Rumors suggest they are brought before The Decemvirate, but no one can agree on why.
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Wilen gets visibly comfortable when the familiar halfling society mentor approaches the group.
"Hello again Janira, well met! Yes, I definitely learned quite a bit in the classes, and maybe a trick or two more during your... extra credit course."
He gives her a knowing wink referring to her filking lesson.
After Janira walks away, Wilen addresses his new group generally, still not speaking directly to any one of them in particular.
"I hear the masters are looking out for particularly promising agents. Perhaps one of us will catch their eyes."
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Ayla sits in her chair at dinner, legs swinging back and forth, stuffing her face, and chatting happily. She's handed out tons of novels to her fellow Pathfinders, and signed her fair share of copies.
Ayla smiles happily at Janira when she approaches."Hey, girl! Nice to see you're still standing! How's the leg?" She pauses only a beat, barely leaving time for a breath, before continuing "Looks good! barely even a limp, eh? Ah, you're alright!"
Ayla nods vigorously at Wilen, "Yeah! I heard that, too!" Suddenly her eyes brighten. "Hey, now that's an idea! Maybe we will catch their eye. I mean, I'm pretty hard to miss, but you, Wilen... You're always looking at the floor! You gotta be proud, pal! Stand tall and make eye contact and stuff! Yes, sir-ee! That's the way to do it! Confidence! Besides, we're all Pathfinders here! That's like family! you probably were taught by a quarter of the people here, went to classes with another quarter and read tales about the rest! That's like... Familiarity, you know?"
She pats Wilen on the back and adds, "Yup, there's no need to be shy fella' I ain't gonna bite ya'! Gnomes don't eat people, hon, although come to think of it, if ya' get a real creative gnomish chef you never know what they might toss in there! I suppose I can't tell ya' what I've eaten in my lifetime, really. Not like this dinner! This one sure was swanky, hey?"
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"I find a song with a good-rhythm and well chosen lyrics brings out courage and energy in people during combat. Drums do the rhythm part quite well too, like war drums, but you can't swing a sword and beat a drum simultaneously. And I'm sure your talents and the path you've carved for yourself are most useful, Shiv. At the very least, they must bring you a sense of accomplishment," Atronia says in response to the skeptical kitsune, smiling.
When Makon comes in, she perks up even more. "Why, it's been so long since I've last seen you, Makon! Good to meet you again. Everyone, this one is Makon. Don't let the attitude fool you. He's a good fellow." She then bows to the samsaran following him in and presents herself.
She graciously accepts Ayla's book, barely frowning at the strange title before she puts it in her pack, promising to read it when she gets a quiet night. "As for the songs, that will have to wait for later, I think."
As they all have dinner, something in a conversation she heard makes Atronia apparently lose herself deep in her own thoughts for a shrt while. The appearance of Janira seems to bring her back to reality, but before she can even speak of what she has learned, Janira is gone again.
Atronia turns to the other Pathfinders around her again and smiles as she watches Ayla try to instill some confidence into Wilen.
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Noticing the samsaran, Ayla smiles. "Hey, pal, when did you slink in here? You're a quiet type, hey? Stoic, full of yourself, yup, yup, I can see it now! Here's hoping its deserved, hey? Yeah, I'm sure it is! You look the part, at least. But there is that saying...."
Ayla continues to ramble as she shoves another book at her.
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The main course arrives, succulent rack of lamb or tender filet's from fine Andoran cattle. Good company and great food seem to be the highlights of the day as you enjoy the lavish meals presented to you. As the dessert conclude, a small origami swan flutters through the room and lands on the center of the table. In moments, it unfolds itself into a crisp and crease-less piece of paper.
The Blakros are one of the wealthiest and most well-known merchant families from Taldor. They own a variety of businesses with interests all over the Inner Sea.
For years, the Pathfinder Society and the Blakros family have been allies, even if only at arm’s length. Occasionally the family invites notable Pathfinders to one of its high-society affairs.
The Blakros family has been involved with some shady organizations during its rise to power, including the Onyx Alliance and House Thrune.
The Blakros Museum is located in the Wise District, owned by the Blakros family, and curated by Nigel Aldain (a former Pathfinder). It is open to the public when an exhibit is on display. Though the exterior of the building is ugly and squat, patrons marvel at how much bigger it is on the inside.
The museum has been closed for the past several months, ramping up for a huge exhibit, “Legacy of the Shining Crusade,” opening next week.
Rumors suggest that shadow magic makes the inside of the museum larger. A few years ago the inside changed drastically, which drew the curiosity of many in Absalom.
Ralzeros the Overwatched was a powerful wizard who owned the building before the Blakros Family. Evidence suggests he cursed the building on his death. The number of accidents and strange events that occur there would seem to support that rumor.
Though the relationship between the Society and Nigel is often strained, they remain steadfast allies. Nigel often collaborates with the Society, loaning artifacts and trading information. He has obsessively researched the Shining Crusade for the past several months.
Nigel is a former Pathfinder who resigned after marrying Dhrami Blakros; the position of curator was part of his marriage contract.
Nigel’s museum has suffered many mishaps since he became curator, which the Society has regularly helped clean up. Nigel still tries to distance himself from the Society and act independently, but when trouble befalls the museum, he often turns to the Society for help.
Recently, Nigel has spent a fortune in security for the museum, particularly in magical protections from the Arcanamirium and Golemworks in Magnimar.
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Atornia does chuckle and roll her eyes as she reads the letter. She chomps down on her last big bite of cake before declaring, "Looks like we will have to go help that man again. Too bad for slowly enjoying dessert and winding down. I wonder what kind of troublesome item they got for the "Legacy of the Shining Crusade" exhibit. I guess we will find out soon. I really thought the new security measures he got from the Arcanimarium and Golemworks would help. The poor man has been trying to make something of himself away from the Society, but it doesn't seem to be working great so far."
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Wilen is slowly enjoying the succulent lamb when the origami note lands on their table. In typically halfling dinner behavior, he's polishing off his third pint of ale by then. He was just beginning to open up to the group and ramble as badly as Ayla, but instead about his ale brewing business.
He gets a slight look of irritation after Atronia reads the letter and informs the group of their needed work that night.
"You know, this meal has nearly put me to sleep. I didn't think we'd be working tonight. I'm... going to need a shot of espresso on our way out to re-sharpen the mind."
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Ayla pauses in stuffing her face to read the letter. She smiles widely.
"Blakros, hey! Well, I'll be! Talk about swanky! Those buggers are RIIIIIIICH! Man, what I wouldn't give to have then minutes in their vault, if you know what I..."
Suddenly remembering which friends she's hanging out with, she smiles and refrains from finishing that thought. "That museum of his is weird! Still! I'm always up for an adventure! Let's go!"
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Naruda remains quiet during the meal and seems uncomfortable with the food that is being served and the cutlery that it is served with. Every once in awhile she leans over to someone to whisper, "What do you call this dish?" She eats little and spends most of the meal feeding small pieces of meat to the white furred weasel on her lap.
When Alya addresses her, Naruda smiles nervously and bows deeply to her. "I apologize! I am new to this part of the world and I'm unfamiliar with you customs and practices. Where I am from, it is customary to leave most of our thoughts unsaid. Please forgive my offense!" Naruda bows deeply again and addresses the whole group:
"My name is Naruda Burada. I have traveled far from the enlightened nation of Zi Ha to learn of your people and to Report! Cooperate! Explore!"
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The kitsune downs some ale as he takes the message from the last person and begins to read it. Seconds later ale sprays back into the mug and onto the table in front of him as he laughs hysterically.
"HA HA HA HA HA HA! BA HA HA HA HA! I'm sorry, I'm sorr- WAAA HA HA HA HA! Oh man, again!? Un-frikkin-believable! What a loser."
He looks around and notices that his laughter has drawn some attention.
"Nothing to see here, jackasses. Quit your staring! Yeah that's right, I saw you you jerk."
He waves a hand dismissively at a half-elf at the next table, then turns back to the rest of the guys at his table.
"Well, looks like things are gonna get interesting this evening after all. Haven't worked out how to get that gun working yet, so all I got at the moment is this bow. Hopefully it will be enough. So you guys ready to go or what."
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The front doors of Skyreach burst open with a loud crack. Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin strides to the edge of the platform, with a slender elf dressed in practical but expensive clothing trailing meekly behind. The red-faced venture-captain addresses the crowd in a booming voice.
“Pathfinders, I regret interrupting the festivities, but we have something of a situation. Approximately twenty minutes ago, unknown forces invaded the Blakros Museum. Fortunately for everyone involved, the Torchbearing is about cooperation and helping our colleagues, so let’s think of this less as an inconvenience and more as an opportunity to practice what we preach.”
The elf, Nigel, exhales sharply, then speaks, “Now, Ambrus, I’ve spent a king’s ransom fortifying the museum from all sorts of invaders: sentinels from the Golemworks, magical wards from the Arcanamirium, and even contracts for guard beasts, both magical and mundane—spared no expense. I didn’t want to come here, but I’ve got no choice.”
Valsin’s forced smile cracks slightly, showing his annoyance. “Out with it, Nigel. Get to the point.”
“Someone broke into my museum and set off the magical protections! I was preserving priceless Shining Crusade pieces for our new exhibit when the first alarm activated. I sent for district guards and went to investigate, but by the time I arrived, the thieves had already locked themselves in my study. They somehow caused the Shining Crusade relics to fly around the museum and attack my sentinels. Everything is going haywire! The magical traps started to target me, the sentinels are not responding to my commands, and—”
Valsin holds out a hand to steady the increasingly agitated elf. “The last you knew, the thieves were still in your study?” Nigel nods. “Very well. Pathfinders: the Seekers should prepare to teleport directly into the Blakros study—“
“That won’t work,” Nigel interrupts, “The study is magically sealed. After that dreadful Numerian exhibit, I turned it into a magical safe room. The robbers must have figured out how to activate it; no one can get in or out while the wards hold. I can work on breaking the wards, but meanwhile my sentinels are smashing up the collection. Some of those priceless relics are on loan from your own Society lodges, so helping me is really helping yourselves.”
“Fine.” Ambrus Valsin takes a deep breath and then turns to the assembled Pathfinders. “Pathfinders, go to the Blakros Museum, secure any relics you can, disable the security systems, and apprehend the looters if possible. Stay safe.”
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"So basically you did the exact same thing you did last year, and the exact same thing happened again. Great work, genius. What were you thinking, 'hey it didn't work the last time, but maybe better luck on the second try'? Is anyone wanting to bet that this same s!%% won't happen again next year? 'Cos I'm taking that bet."
He looks around at the other pathfinders, but all he gets is a few looks of varying degrees of disapproval.
"Oh fine. Let's go then. At least we're getting paid for this. Wait, we are getting paid for this, right?"
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Without hesitation, you head out towards the Blakros Museum under Captains orders.
Dozens of Wise District guards surround the Blakros Museum. The sergeant nods to Ambrus Valsin as he approaches, a subtle smirk dancing across the venture-captain’s face. The museum itself is alight with swirling whorls of color and the sounds of metal and stone clashing. Occasionally, brief flashes of light burst from the front entrance, illuminating a toppled banner that reads “Legacy of the Shining Crusade.”
The broad-shouldered, middle-aged Ulfen man salutes, a somewhat bemused expression on his face. “Well met, Venture-Captain Valsin. I am Svaralk of Asleifar, Sergeant of the Learned Guard. The Guard appreciates your assistance.” He points to his subordinates, “Our initial attempt to quell the animated relics within failed. I’ve ordered the Guard to withdraw and form a perimeter.”
Ambrus Valsin returns the sergeant’s salute, a gesture of mutual respect. “You once served in Grand Prince Stavian III’s Ulfen Guard, did you not?”
Svaralk nods, “That’s right. Afterwards, I retired to Absalom and have served this city for seven years. This is not the first catastrophe I’ve responded to at the Blakros Museum, though none has been quite so dramatic as this. As if anyone needed further proof of the museum’s reputation for trouble.”
The Ulfen confides to the Venture-Captain, “After Nigel Aldain harangued me for dereliction of duty in not immediately retaking the museum, I’m in no rush to sacrifice the lives under my command until the warring creatures inside wear each other down.” He holds up a hand and shakes his head, “I don’t hold Nigel Aldain’s outburst against him. I recognize the elf is rightfully concerned—albeit rather precious—about his exhibit.”
Svaralk turns to your team of Pathfinders and says, “Before you enter, I can provide you an overview of the museum’s layout and tell you that there are animated relics and guard animals on the ground level, and clockwork creatures skirmishing with each other on the floor above. We also have an especially challenging problem in the gardens at the southeast corner of the museum grounds. Some kind of magical runes displaying swarm-like behavior, more magical devices really than living creatures. They proved too complicated a challenge for me and my guards; we simply lacked the skills to disable them.”
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"Yeah, Nigel's a dick. Dresses like a princess and acts like a spoilt one too. Talks like he's better than everyone until he stuffs up on his little projects, and that's when he comes crying to other people to fix his problems. Heck, I'm surprised he hasn't been fired yet as thus museum's curator."
"Anyway, way I see it, we got a couple of spellcasters so maybe we can do something about those runes. If all else fails, I'm sure the big guy can just smash everything to bits as well. Somehow that always seems to work as a last resort."
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At Shiv's multiple bouts of laughing at insults at dinner, Ayla lets out a manic giggle, clearly thinking he's hilarious!
At the sight of the museum, Ayla lets out a gleeful laugh. "This is AMAZING! My next book's going to be kick-ass!"
After hearing about the many disturbances, Ayla scratches the back of her head in thought.
"Animated objects, clockworks and magical rune swarms?? Man, I'm not going to be much help against any of that! Haha!"
Pulling out her crossbow, Ayla loads it.
"Well, bring it on! No one will ever say Ayla Vivindor shirked a challenge! No siree! Not THIS gnome!"
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The group decides the best course of action would be disable to runes before it gets out of hand and form a line towards the back of the museum. Thousands of glowing glyphs form a protective shell around the outside of the museum, casting a sparkling aura of light that bounces off the fountain’s waters.
(+1 higher vs. traps)
The runes immediately react to your presence before you are able to and swarm themselves over the frontline. Their erratic buzzing can be overwhelming to your senses.
Naruda notices that the living runes seem to have moved something closer towards the entrance, but she is unsure what they moved.
~~~
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"Hmm... I think I can do something about this. Some of these runes are especially important to keeping the whole thing together. So if I pop this one here, and this one here..."
As he's popping a few of the runes, Shiv recalls a rule of thumb he's been taught about fighting swarms, and runs around runes to the other side to avoid being clustered with his allies, while still looking carefully at the collective swarm for runes he can disable to help compromise the collective structure.
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As they make their way to the gardens, Atronia chimes in. "I'm not sure how useful you expect me to be against some kind of swarm, but I do rather little magic outside of... enhancing our ability to fight."
When they do get to the gardens, she looks at the runes with curiosity as they approach, only to find herself assaulted by the strange things.
Not really knowing what these are, but disliking the unpleasant feeling of the buzzing and crawling, Atronia steps aside, to get out of the worst of it, but looks at them closely. "I'm not entirely sure what these are, but let me see if I can make sense of the runes they are made of. Naruda, perhaps you can help me with this? Come take a look."
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Naruda crashes through the bushes to get on the other side of the swirling runes
"I think there's something inside the swarm! she shouts, pointing at the object that they seem to be moving.
Naruda begins to chant some lines from a warding ritual that she once studied in the libraries of Shangpo-Jong.
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Wilen gazes curiously at the rune-swarm as his teammates try to figure out what to do about it.
"Am I supposed to recognize something in them? A spell perhaps?"
But nothing comes to mind. He takes a step toward the swarm and reaches his hand out toward the swarm.
"Perhaps it's like a puzzle. If we activate them in some pattern, maybe they'll shut off."
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Collectively the group attempts to decipher the runes to figure out how to stop the madness! Realizing the runes fly in some sort of permanent pattern, Shiv, Naruda, and Atronia start disrupting the flow of the runes considerable putting the swarm out of sync allowing Ayla and Wilen to pluck out a few runes from the mix deactivating them and weakening the runes power overall. Makon on the other hand doesn't recognize the pattern and fails to contribute for the round.
Realizing they are slowly being put out of commission, the runes switch around the pattern and retaliate moving towards Wilen and Ayla.
Distraction: Makon, Atronia, and Ayla need to make a DC12 save or be nauseated for 1 round.
Meanwhile, the blinking lights of the runes seem to control something, an invisible marking which makes its way towards Naruda. From the floor, an arcane marking appears and goo appears from the floor!
~~~
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"Oh no! I'm stuck!"
Seeing that some of her allies look like they were injured, Naruda pulls out her wand of cure light wounds and activates it. She reaches out her hand which is now glowing with a soft golden light so that an ally passing by could touch her and receive healing.
"If you're injured, reach out and touch my hand!"
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"Hmm... hmm-hmm hmm-hmm..."
Shiv hums to himself as he watches the runes closely in an attempt to figure out which other ones might be of particular importance to the overall structure. He walks slowly up to the runes as he picks out a few and taps them in rapid succession.
"Alright, let's see what that does."
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"Naruda, are you alright? You're just stuck?" Atronia asks, trying to talk over the annoying buzzing sound of the runes and quickly checking around to make sure nothing else is coming. Not seeing any immediate threat to Naruda or to anyone else, she focuses her attention on the runes again. "It seems to be working. Maybe if we do this as well?" she thinks out loud as she picks out another rune.