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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.
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Drin surreptitiously selects some morsels from the first course that he has hidden in his pocket and feeds them to the raven sitting on his shoulder.
"Spis op, pris," he mutters.
Eat up, Prize.
The raven greedily snatches the food from Drin's hand and tilts its head back to swallow. Drin shifts in his seat, causing the raven to slightly extend its wings to keep balance, and glances around nervously.
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Well that was a long week. Rhyfelwr assumes his thoughts echo those of his fellow agents. He begins to feel guilty as the initiates clear the tables for the next course...probably because he was always nowhere to be found when such work was to be done back when he was in their shoes, Not that he didn’t do his fair share of grunt work back in the day, mind you. Maybe a quick walk before the next course is served.
Mrrew?
A tiger face appears from under the table near Jangalee's leg, doing it's best to look sad and pathetic as it gently nudges the knee of Vudrani man seated before it.
Mrrph!
The face disappears with an indignant huff.
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Drin is divided between a class on identifying magical items without using magic and another about ways to trick an opponent and easy contrivances for infiltration. While he would prefer to learn more about identifying magic items, he's afraid of being the odd person out in a class likely to be filled with agents who aren't spellcasters.
Instead, he opts for the skullduggery class. What's most surprising is how a bigger lie can often be more effective than a smaller one. By the end of the last session, Drin has convinced a number of his classmates that he gained his personal falchion by defeating an orc warrior in single combat.
"Det var ikke slik du fikk det sverdet! Du stjal det fra . . ."
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”Not quick to trust; has difficultly working with others.” Rhyfelwr could hardly believe his eyes when he read those words on his most recent evaluation. While the other agents spent their day on worthwhile activities like fighting techniques, target practice and survival skills Rhyfelwr spent several excruciating hours being lectured on communication skills by a tiny gnome who was too cheerful for her own good.
”Banish negativity, embrace positivity.” I can’t get that tiny, squeaky voice out of my head. Perhaps it will make me a better person? Or slightly easier to deal with?
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Pulling his head off the table Tolinath shakes the alcohol induced fuzz from his head. As he reaches out grabbing his half full pint finishing he wipes the foam from his beard and the ink transfer from his face.
"Them classes on professional writing and you were gruelin'. I still learned a few things though." Tolinath picks himself up and finds the table hee has been assigned.
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As the Pathfinders conclude the dessert course, 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.
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This is an important event, Ny'a. They use this to identify the best Pathfinders... this is your chance to shine! Look at that, someone's calling me? What could it be?"
Ny'a is surprised to find herself called over to help a gruff elf with his communications skills. This is easy! she thinks. I got this!
"Banish negativity; embrace positivity!" she exclaims with a broad smile. With the elf seemingly pleased by this advice, she bounds away happily. The Venture Captain called on me to help teach! Maybe they think I could be an instructor here someday!
Beaming with pride at her massive training accomplishment, Ny'a continues mingling at the event, finding herself in a class held by none other than Janira Gavix! The halfling was instructing Pathfinders in simple techniques to stay alert in distracting situations. Distracted by her own internal monologue, she doesn't take as much from Janira's instruction as she might have otherwise, but she will remember to keep her eyes up. That's simple advice!
Ny'a finds her mind turning to the Blakros Museum and its curator, Nigel Aldain.
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"Never heard of it."
In response to the Human Druid Tolinath states "You an' me both. Wha be ur names?" he finishes adressing everyone whom offers there advice on the situation. "Names Tolinath Bronzebeard. But me friends can call me Red. Not sure why they be doin' tha' but anyway. If ye be needed help with a good report or a good axe I br ur dwarf." as if to confirm his statement he hoists a 'large' Dwarven Waraxe to his shoulder and lets out a devlish smirk.
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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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Drin would love to have a peek at the items in the Blakros vaults, but he needs to act fast if he wants the chance. He bolts up and gruffly shouts, "I can help recover and document the relics, as well as lend a hand capturing the looters!" He quickly surveys the room, notices the axe over Tolinath's shoulder, and adds, "That dwarf looks like he'd be handy in a fight, as well."
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With quick work you leave the Grand Lodge and join the hosts of pathfinders teaming toward the Blackros Museum.
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 says “Legacy of the Shining Crusade.”
A sergeant of the Learned Guard stalks up toward you. "I've pulled my men back..this is not the sort of thing they are trained for, and I'll not throw their lives away. The whole place looks like an overgrown haunted house." A crack of thunder splits the night sky and the smell of ozone says the lighting bolt must have landed near by.
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"I can help with the wards, but I say we go in. Their creator should be able to easily remove them once the museum is clear."
Drin points toward the bushes at the left of the entrance. "Pris, vent der og gi meg beskjed hvis du ser noen andre forlate eller angi."
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Ny'a nods her head in agreement. "I think you're right. Let's get inside and deal with what's happening in there. Iomedae has granted me much strength, but the unraveling of magical wards is not a part of that strength."
She turns to the raven flapping near her. "It's my arm. That's the strength I mean. The strength that Iomedae has granted me." Drin's been talking to it, and it sounds like it talks back, but they've been using another language. I wonder if it understands me?
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"Ai, Lass Strength in arm is what I be Hav'n. Though If we head fer the wards in the back then I can at least attempt to cover you or break whatever is need'n break'n." looking to the Half-Orc Enchanter and back to the bird Tolinath responds "Den fuglen er trent, godt jeg ser."
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The pathfinder team cautiously enter the museum. The first room is more or less empty, apart from what you would normally expect. Stuffed animals etc. None of which attack. However as you head through the two double doors leading into the main display hall..
Under a sign that reads “The Shining Armory,” priceless Shining Crusade artifacts displayed on pedestals creak and move by some unseen force. Eerie light seems to dart between the objects while the din of a raging battle echoes throughout
the chamber. The central feature is a low, artificial hill atop which stand two stuffed owlbears surrounded by shattered undead foes. Each of the beasts wears chainmail barding and an orange-and-black caparison depicting a stylized owlbear. A dead man dressed in furs lies on the floor before a suit of fullplate armor.
A banner flutters in non existant wind, and starts toward your team.
Status, bold may post (post for your pets at the same time as your character)
Tolinath
Drin
N'ya
Rhyfelwr
Thran
Jangalee
Flag
Hearing Jangalee's command, Panja springs forward to join him in the attack.
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Ny'a had dismounted her dog before entering the Museum, but this banner has her worried; she wants the better mobility... and maybe her lance. Why does this feel familiar? Why do I remember being here before?
She gets back up on the dog, and--using her knees--she nudges it over a bit so she has a line on the banner. "Leave me a lane." She calls out. "Iomedae's shown me what to do!" She gets her lance ready as they move over.
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Pangea and Jangalee both attack the banner, but without obvious effect. The arrow of Rhyfelwr has more effect, tearing through it.
Meanwhile Drin calls on his magical protections and Ny'a mounts up.
Status, bold may post (post for your pets at the same time as your character)
Tolinath
Thran
Flag 6 DAMAGE
Jangalee
Rhyfelwr
Drin mage armor
N'ya , mounted
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Hearing Nyá ask for a clear charge lane Thran decides against his first instinct to move in front of the flag and slash at it with his own weapon and decides to go for a more tactical approach drawing his falchion as he goes to the side he starts up a running commentary which somehow inspires some courage in the rest of the party
"See how we are attacking that unnaturally moving flag? We're are just going to shred it once we manage to surround it with everyone"
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Tolinath advances and slashes a banner, while Thran starts to provide advice to the team.
As Pamja charged forward, the flag had flapped out at the giant tiger, wrapped him up and crushed him before dropping him to the ground, unconscious.
It turns flaps out toward Jangalee, but misses.
Status, bold may post (post for your pets at the same time as your character) - Inspire courage is active +1 to hit and damage
Jangalee
(Panja) 11 NL damage; 8 real damage (unconscious)
Rhyfelwr
Drin mage armor
N'ya , mounted
Tolinath
Thran
Flag 14 DAMAGE
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Ny'a tries to urge the dog forward with her knees, but fails to spur it to action! "Iomedae, why do you test me like this?" She flings the lance off to the side. "Come on, I know it doesn't look like a normal enemy, but we've got to move!" She gently slaps it a couple of times on the side, and the dog finally begins running forward towards the flapping banner. She pulls her sword from her sheath as they run forward, slashing at the banner as they approach.
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Ny'a charges forward...
and is grabbed from the saddle by the flag, crushed and then dropped to the floor. She does take the opportunity to slash at the flag as it crushes her though.
Status, bold may post (post for your pets at the same time as your character) - Inspire courage is active +1 to hit and damage
Jangalee
(Panja) 11 NL damage; 8 real damage (unconscious)
Rhyfelwr
Drin mage armor
Tolinath
Thran
Flag 22 DAMAGE
N'ya , 14 NL damage