“It is truly a pleasure to be back.” Venture Captain Drandle Dreng takes a seat at the head of the table and leafs through the papers set before him. “Some of you might have worked with me before my... furlough. And I look forward to reminiscing, but first it seems we need to spend the next few hours tidying up the paperwork you've accumulated over the course of your adventures.”
He wets his cracked lips. “First, we have this extradition order from Cheliax for... Oh my. Well, I’m sure the Society can—“
A blue-grey shape crashes through the window and lands on the oak table with a metallic schwak! The tangle of wings and claws eventually stands, a gleaming silver raven, and opens its mouth.
“G—gods help me, Dreng, I’m dying,” a distant male voice sputters from the bird. “Men in black—came for... Numeria exhibits. It’s Nigel... I've been shot! You owe me, you old bastard!”
Dreng’s lips crack and pop as they tighten. “Well... Sounds like you lot need to head to the Wise District. That sounds like Nigel Aldain, so go to the Blakros Museum. If he lives through the night, I might be able to make something of this—” he waves a hand over the mound of parchment, “disappear.”
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A young woman whose jet black hair is a stark contrast to her alabaster skin. Her red robes are more Varisian than stuffy wizard robes that leaves little to the imagination, so much so that you can pratically connect the lines of her tattoos underneath.
She enters sits in a chair at the back of the room, crosses her legs at which point a small sandy ferret climbs into her lap. She listens to the idle chit chat followed by the introduction of Captain Dreng while she scratches the ferret on top of the head. The ferrets eyes close in sheer contentment and you can almost see a smile creep onto it's little head.
At the interruption of Nigel she proclaims, Oh gods! That museum again. We should just burn the thing down and be rid of it.
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A stout dwarf with red braided beard and hair stands in the room with his full armour on, tower shield out and various weapons strapped around his body.
At the mention of heading to the museum he gives a grin.
"About time. Let's go save this poor sod." he readies himself, heading out the door first with his shield ready, though obviously not moving too quickly due to his stumpy legs.
Drandle Dreng gives a wry grin at the young woman's suggestion. "As many of our problems as that would solve I doubt fire would have much of an effect on that accursed building. I can't for the life of me understand why the Blakros family keeps it open."
Knowledge (local) or Knowledge (nobility)
PCs with the right skills may know some details about the Blakros Museum, its curator, and its history.
[spoiler= DC 30] The Blakros Museum was originally constructed by the powerful wizard Ralzeros the Overwatched and some people say he cursed the building upon his death. Apparently, Nigel Aldain found the artifact
Ralzeros originally used to shape the building and his “renovations” supposedly include making the museum less prone to catastrophe.
Knowledge (engineering) or Knowledge (geography)
Well-studied PCs may make a Knowledge check to see what they may know about Numeria and its people.
of a wilderness of barbarian tribes than a real nation.
While leaving the lodge another pathfinder clumsily bumps into Harlynne Quinn.
You find a small note has been planted on you. It reads:
Greetings, my moldable little mind,
In light of our recent reorganization, knowing the right people is quite vital. A pet of mine couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Dreng and Nigel Aldain’s pathetic cry for help. Sad though he is, the elf controls access to a wealth of knowledge I want access to, and he would make a delightful addition to the Dark Archive’s ranks. Persuade him to join us. It shouldn't pose much of a challenge with his ego, but he is a fickle and self-important little man. If you can find any way to ensure his true and lasting loyalty know that I will owe you a favor.
— Zarta Dralneen
The dark, blocky architecture of the Blakros Museum squats stubbornly between the more impressive government buildings of the Wise Quarter. One of the older buildings in Absalom, it remains unchanged and lacks the ornamentation of its newer neighbors. Imposing statues of armored men flank the entrance ahead, one partially obscured by a half fallen banner reading “Grand New Exhibition!” A blue flicker intermittently tints the dark windows, casting long, dull shadows over the groomed gardens and fountain. A crumpled figure in bloodstained robes lies against the fountain’s edge.
Nigel lies against the garden fountain in a haze of shock and melodrama. As he sees Pathfinders approaching he waves at you weakly and stammers:
“Keep your heads down fools! They could be anywhere!”
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Harlynne will follow the orders of Nigel. Ducking down behind him she will whisper to him. You are a great mind, reduced to the service of a curator, more of a glorified janitor, for the Blakros family. Truly a man of your intellect should be much more respected. I think I have an idea that would work for you if you are interested.
"Did Dreng send you? It was... it was... it was in no way my fault! We took every precaution! Tomorrow was going to be such an event, unveiling the new museum, and absolutely nothing could go wrong! I personally inspected every artifact that came in, as both a scholar and a wizard.
Everything was harmless as a newborn lamb! And anything the least bit suspicious went right into the lockbox! We even made sure those bizarre “robots” of theirs were neutralized!"
As Durin uses his wand the color begins to return to his face and he starts again.
“It was those vile cultists! They struck in the night like cowards! Oh, Abadar preserve my poor staff! None of us know how to fight. I went to find help and those Numerian monsters shot me in the back! I blacked out. Thought I’d gone on to the Boneyard, but when I awoke I called for assistance. I don’t know how many of my workers are still alive! Pendleton was in there! You have to do something. They could destroy the entire
museum! Half of that exhibit belongs to you people!"
He seems almost taken aback by Harlynne's offer. "This isn't the time to discuss anything like that! There's lives on the line and the exhibit to save." Though he seems to pause a moment considering them.
An electric tang overpowers the room’s scent of polish and wax. Walls and pillars of hewn black stone support the heavy ceiling overhead and a lattice of lamps burning with a steady, white flame. Dozens of paintings, both stunning and lackluster, line the walls just beyond the museum’s grand doors. Various statues stand against the walls, while a towering bronze figure, arm outstretched with waves parting beneath him, almost scrapes the fifteen-foot ceiling at the chamber’s far end.
Doors to the west are delicately labeled “Facilities,” while a sign over the double doors across the gallery boasts “Histories of the World.” Two sets of double-doors stand at the room’s north end, barely ajar. A banner hanging overhead proclaims “Secret Sorceries of a Savage Land,” while a more subdued sign below that reads “Grand Exhibition Hall.”
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You hear somebody running behind you, if you take a closer look you see a gnome running around the corner of the building. "Wait for me! Dreng sends me to assist you. Sorry for being late, I'm getting back from Osirion, but the customs agents questioned me for some time because of my assorted alchemical liquids. It seems they don't trust traveling gnomes." The gnome has short, red, scrubby hair. She carries a backpack with small pouches and bottles hanging around it. "My name is Lymwin, pleased to meet you! The big monkey is gone, I'm telling you! I burned it!"
Nigel give a little shudder at the mention of the ape. "That was years ago... and that wan't my fault either!"
An electric tang overpowers the room’s scent of polish and wax. Walls and pillars of hewn black stone support the heavy ceiling overhead and a lattice of lamps burning with a steady, white flame. Dozens of paintings, both stunning and lackluster, line the walls just beyond the museum’s grand doors. Various statues stand against the walls, while a towering bronze figure, arm outstretched with waves parting beneath him, almost scrapes the fifteen-foot ceiling at the chamber’s far end.
Doors to the west are delicately labeled “Facilities,” while a sign over the double doors across the gallery boasts “Histories of the World.” Two sets of double-doors stand at the room’s north end, barely ajar. A banner hanging overhead proclaims “Secret Sorceries of a Savage Land,” while a more subdued sign below that reads “Grand Exhibition Hall.”
As Durin moves to try the western door, he finds it locked.
The sound of grinding gears echoes throughout the large room as two of the statues snap to attention+. “Desist all trespassing.” One of them calls out in a scratchy and unnatural voice. The spears they carry begin to crackle with electricity.
Combat Order
GEARSMAN ROBOT G
Harlynne
Lymwin
Krieger
Durin
GEARSMAN ROBOT R
Round 1
GEARSMAN ROBOT G-
Gears seeming to strain and in obvious need of lubrication, the easternmost stature lurches forward. Too slow to close with you it throws its spear at Harlynne! As soon as the weapon leaves the machine's hands the electricity dissipates.
It's firm feet hold despite the leaking fluids.
Combat Order
GEARSMAN ROBOT G - Threw spear at Harlynne
Harlynne - Grease spell.
Lymwin - The bomb rocks the machine back on its heals but it's hard shell remains undamaged.
Krieger - Rushing forward he connects with his blade. (-12hp)
Durin - Charges the other machine (-2hp)
GEARSMAN ROBOT R -
As the dwarf makes contact the gears lock up. Leaving it staggered.
The spear goes far over teh dwarf's head.
Round 2
GEARSMAN ROBOT G -
It brings its heavy arms down hard onto Krieger.
Round 2
GEARSMAN ROBOT G (-19hp)- Hit Krieger
Harlynne - Casting haunted fey aspect
Lymwin - Misses.
Krieger - Hits again. (-7hp)
Durin - Misses
GEARSMAN ROBOT R (-2hp)-
Ignoring the febel strikes of the dwarf the macine walks away from him and moves to aid its companion. Swinging its spear at Krieger.
Round 3
GEARSMAN ROBOT G (-19hp)-
Fearlessly it moves toward Harlynne and retrieves it's spear.
Girm's blow with gnome's precise blow leaves the machine in pieces!
Round 3
GEARSMAN ROBOT G
Harlynne - Withdraws and begins casting Summon Monster
Lymwin -
Krieger -
Durin -
GEARSMAN ROBOT R -
Round 3
Harlynne - Withdraws and begins casting Summon Monster
Lymwin - Hits the machine with another explosive. This one seems to have struck with enough force to cause some minor damage. (-1hp)
Krieger - Takes another chunk from the machine. (-10hp)
Durin - misses
GEARSMAN ROBOT R (-14hp)- The machine stabs at Krieger but misses!
After a few more blows from Krieger the metal macine is left as a pile of scrap on the floor.
Treasure
In case of yet another emergency, Nigel Aldain concealed caches of emergency supplies throughout the museum. A secret panel in the Arodan statue’s base can be discovered and contains a healer’s kit, three doses of bloodblock, two doses of antitoxin, two doses of antiplague, a potion of cure moderate wounds, and a wand of remove disease (14 charges)