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Ah! Two excellent strikes, gentlemen! Now let us see if I can finish the job!
Vindlér raises his morning star and calls out in his native tongue,
His attack finally hits home, and Vindlér gives a victorious cry, Ah ha! Take that, you eight-legged menace!
Unlike the last spider no ichor goes anywhere as Vindlér splats it with his Morningstar. Heryn gives a whoop from behind you, "And that's why I enjoy watching Pathfinders fight."
Looking through the files properly you see that they chronicle the exploits of Selmius Foster, a famous name you recognize from your training. Most of his exploits are here in some detail, but it is clear from his later works he was looking into another investigation before he died. He was looking into the lost records of Pathfinder Agent Eylysia.
Heryn peeks her head in after you, "I know you can't get the bottle Dreng was looking for because it's the lever to a secret door, so I'll make sure you take him the next year's bottle. And tell him to bring 50 gold more to the Wisp, or to deliver it to me personally. He knows where I live." She tips you a wink and a smirk before waiting outside the secret chamber again.
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Well, this is a puzzle. Do you think Dreng knew of this when he sent us here? If so, are we being tested for our initiative and curiosity -- should we set out investigating now -- or for our respect for the chain of command?
My instincts are to report back to him as to what we found, and I expect he will then ask us to investigate. Perhaps starting with this gnome Fimbrik, or inquiring about Caskmail, Thorne, and Clamp. I dislike the idea of breaking into a tomb, although I understand it is sometimes part of this job and I will comply if Dreng so orders it.
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Aye, let's finish the task Dreng set for us first and get further orders from there. Like as not, he'll have us carry on with the investigation since we're already briefed on the details. He sighs through his beard, Breaking into tombs, though...just doesn't seem right somehow. He pauses again, then looks back up at the others, a twinkle in his eyes. I may know of someone who wouldn't object too much to doing some breaking and entering for us, though.
You return to the street corner where the Venture Captain first summoned you. It is still dreary outside, though the rain is letting up some, but it appears the VC abandoned his post for the time being. Thinking quickly you head for the Grand Lodge figuring that would be the place that Dreng would head to, and you are correct. When informed of your discovery he smiles proudly before sneezing loudly and looking a bit flush in the face. He tells you, "It is important that Pathfinder Agents respect the finds and claims of their colleagues, this exciting mystery is yours to pursue." He sneezes loudly once more before continuing, "I would, however, request that you hand over any documents not related to Agent Eylysia so that I can get others decrypting and collating the contents for proper study."
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Vindlér chuckles softly at the Venture Captain's remark as he hands over the wine. Heryn seems to be quite the woman, Captain! Wonderful establishment she's runnin' there. Now, as for this investigation we've stumbled upon. D'you suppose we'll need any kind of special permission to go rootin' around in some fella's tomb or is this fairly standard operating procedure 'round here? Oh, and as for other documents, we did find these records of some of Master Foster's expeditions prior to the Eylysia investigation. Hope they're helpful. He sorts through the documents and hands over the appropriate materials. As he rifles through the documents, he again studies the names written on the second sheet and an idea strikes him. Say, Captain Dreng, you wouldn't happen to recognize any of these names would you? Caskmail, Thorne, and Clamp. Don't ring any bells to me, but I figure you've been around the Society and around Absalom for a while. Maybe you would know something we don't?
Dreng hums to himself in thought before sneezing loudly yet again. "Can't say that I've heard of any of those names, may be important, may be nothing depending on what Eylysia was doing. And as for the issue with the tomb..." The Venture Captain looks chagrined, "We Pathfinders are known in some areas of Golarion as tomb-robbers. It is because of our extensive hunt for knowledge and our...our...*achew!*" Dreng groans in recovery before continuing, "Our willingness to do whatever necessary to preserve knowledge. It would probably be best to ask before going into any crypts and cementing our image as grave-robbers."
"Arkath was quite famous in his time. If I recall correctly his burial site is currently watched over by the church of Pharasma. I don't think Her followers would be too happy with randomly ransacking sarcophagi so seek permission first," he leans in conspiratorially and whispers, "or don't get caught." The conspiracy is broken by yet another powerful sneeze.
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Hmm, if we gained permission from the Church of Pharasma, I would be willing to explore the crypt. But do we have a good reason why they should grant permission? Perhaps if we first find this gnome Fimbrik of the Arcanamirium, we may know more about the information buried in this crypt and have a better reason for seeking access.
I do not want to draw the ire of the Lady of Graves. Although my goddess has a... complicated... relationship with Her, nevertheless Her followers are valued allies against the foul devotees of the Whispering Way.
Venture Captain Dreng nods, "Sounds like a reasonable solution *achew*! Remember, this is your investigation, but if you need help don't be afraid to ask for it. The tenants of the Society are Explore, Report, Cooperate after all."
The group begins its investigations and with a little help from the Arcanamirium Fimbrik's home is quickly found. A brick step leads to Fimbrik’s front entrance, which is locked with a rusty simple lock. Numerous stacks of newspapers—roughly 2 years’ worth of monthly copies—are piled around the door and crammed into a thin slot at its base. Each rounded corner of the building has a large window, allowing you to look into the structure without difficulty.
There don't appear to be any tracks around the residence at all, and peeking in through the windows shows that the interior is well cleaned and free of dust and grime.
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Vindlér looks toward each of the others in turn. Hmm... this fellow's supposed to be some sort of arcane expert, yeah? Well maybe Alan's right. Maybe this is some sort of trick. He raises the glittering key he keeps as a holy symbol high overhead and extends a hand toward the window, forming a series of gestures and muttering a few words under his breath. Finally his hand begins to glow softly and his eyes turn a deep black with something like starlight shining out where his irises had been.
The desk and Fimbrik himself glow with very strong illusion magic, as do several other items in the room.
When Vindlér blinks his eyes again the gnome has disappeared entirely and he realizes it was only an illusion.
It is indeed a door, with a rather rusty lock.
It is indeed locked. Fimbrik's house is in a nicely secluded yard with several large trees and privacy hedges around.
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I did once learn that not all problems are best solved by following the law, but I wish it hadn't come to this on my first mission...
If the space allows for two to try together to open the door, treat this as an Aid Another for Alan's attempt, otherwise Anthys will do it himself.
Anthys hits the door jamb rather than the door itself and fails to accomplish anything.
Looking around and again verifying that no one is watching a quick application of boot and shoulder and the splintering of the door around the lock lets you inside. A large sofa sits awkwardly near the entrance, facing toward the center of the room. Sets of chairs and tables are arranged throughout, and statues of grandiose gnomes occupy the corners of the room. A set of stairs at the northern edge of the chamber leads to an unused basement filled with stacked newspapers. A second set of stairs leads up to an unfinished second floor.
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Vindler gazes around the entry of the house. Within moments he sighs and begins pulling his beard. Well, seems we've got ourselves into a dead end, lads. No ones lived here in ages. Despite his words, Vindler spends some time perusing the assorted papers and things lying about, searching for some hint of where Fimbrik might be.
Qioté walks into Fimbrik's room and notices that he is not there anymore. Spying two handwritten notes signed Fimbrik at the bottom he scoops them into his pocket as sounds come from the living room.
Alan is the one that notices it, even if it is from the outside. Peering under the sofa reveals a strange light blue glow that looks like some sort of circle. There is the smell of sulfur and ozone in the air before CRACK! two fire beetles appear in the room with you.
CMD 9 (17 vs trip)
hp 4
SR 5
The beetles click their mandibles and glow trying to decide whom to attack first.
The dagger sinks into the beetle causing it to explode in a cloud of smoke, disappearing entirely. The remaining beetle climbs over the arm of the couch and snips at Vindlér.
It manages to find a weak point in his armor and crunches down hard drawing a lot of blood.
The beetle, being both smashed and cut into bits, disappears in a puff of smoke as well. The battle was quick and furious, but everyone seems to have made it out ok, with the added bonus that the house is also not in shambles.
Seems Eylysia still holds a fondness for the dramatic, the name with the most meaning being Hollis "Evil Grin" Thorne.
Fimbrik