Your assembled team convenes in Oppara at the clandestine lodge of Venture-Captain Muesello, who maintains his operation in the back rooms of a bait and tackle shop. His pockmarked face creases with concern as he nods to you in greeting, checks outside, closes the door, and posts a “Gone Fishing” sign out front. From there, he ushers you into a concealed room where Lady Gloriana Morilla waits in a chair near the fireplace.
“I appreciate your answering my call,” Venture-Captain Muesello says with a subdued smile as he closes the room’s curtains and clears away an unfinished wayfinder to make space. “Some of you may already know Lady Gloriana Morilla, and I shall explain why she’s joined us momentarily. First, let us remember that General Arnisant, hero of the Shining Crusade, is one of the most highly regarded figures in Taldor’s history. Arnisant’s hometown of Ridonport has always been especially proud of him, and nearly nine centuries since his death, his home’s still preserved as a museum. The Society regularly submits requests to the museum to examine the historical artifacts there. Usually we get a polite and curt ‘no.’ Most recently, though?”
Muesello tilts his head from side to side as if considering his words. “This time the curator, Cincia Reviamo, wrote that she cannot help because the local lord, Earl Calhadion Vernisant, has been taking undue liberties with the museum and its collection—apparently taking whatever he wants from it, claiming he has the right because he’s a direct descendant of General Arnisant. Taking priceless relics is one thing, but there’s another angle that Lady Morilla can explain better.”
Gloriana Morilla picks up where Muesello left off. “Taldor has many great legacies, but there are some traditions better left in the past. The practice of primogeniture dictates that Taldor’s crown only passes to male heirs, yet the laws have been amended over time to allow women to inherit land and titles in some circumstances.
“Even so, the Lion,” Morilla states, motioning that the animal has special significance, “has no male heir and seems utterly against his young Lioness leading the pride. It’s a stubborn stance that could condemn Taldor to civil war. I have spoken to many senators who also believe it’s time to update the empire’s inheritance laws. The Lion and his loyalists view this growing equality movement as a personal attack, even a coup. Among these is the Earl Vernisant, who would readily vote against reform just to become part of the Lion’s inner circle.
“Count Orlundo Zespire, however, is an undecided senator. Exports from his lands travel through Vernisant’s region, yet along the way many of the goods go missing as a result of canal piracy. Zespire suspects his colleague is at least negligent in allowing these crimes to transpire in his town—and possibly worse. It seems this isn’t the first misunderstanding between the two, and the count has informed me that he would be in the Lioness’s debt were she able to arrange someone to resolve the matter. If that also involves finding evidence that ties Vernisant to criminal elements, making that evidence public would cause the earl considerable distress and bring the count considerable joy. Just keep in mind that no matter what evidence you find, you’ll need to convince Ridonport’s citizens to trust you before they’ll take your word over that of General Arnisant’s descendant.”
Muesello clears his throat before adding, “Just to be clear, the Society’s interest is in stopping Vernisant’s relic-pilfering and getting in the curator’s good graces. It so happens that Lady Morilla’s and the Society’s aims overlap nicely. Visit the museum, talk to the curator, figure out how to protect the collection, and investigate the earl’s alleged misdeeds. Any questions?”
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Altavan Kegdrainer smiled at the turn of phrase that was being used.
"Sounds like someone might have some explaining to do before they get their head bit off." he said. "Let me see how fate has to say about today's endeavor. he added as he drew a card from a deck that he had stored in his bandolier. He turned a bit pale as the card was revealed to be the Mute Hag. "Very interesting. This does make a lot of sense." he softly said.
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Richelle listens closely to the briefing. She was a tall human with dark hair and skin. The most noticeable feature of her was the shiny, wicked looking falcata strapped to her belt. ”I agree. The time of the boys’ club running Taldor needs to be brought to an end. I’m happy to help the Sociey and our homeland at the same time.”
Know. Local
The warrior clearly knew what was being hinted at, and let it pass without further comment.
Venture-captain Muesello addresses Encara's question. "The museum is a spacious, single-story stone house that was once the home of General Arnisant himself. Cincia Reviamo is the curator and she should have valuable leads for you to investigate regarding the...misdeeds of Earl Calhadion Vernisant."
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Geirahöð Bjornsdottiris a massive woman, with hard muscles and strong arms. She has a lightly tanned skin and very long hair in the colour of deep red wine with many braids, and usually wears an earthen coloured leather breeches and a sandstone coloured Tunic. She has an ugly scar on her forehead
In battle she is armored in a breastplate and a darkwood shield with the crest of a griffon, and carries a Falcatta as her main weapon.
Her voice is a beautiful alt.
"Sorry, I almost missed the boat. Well met all. I am Geirahöð. Let´s get this on the road."
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Encara knows quite a bit about local goings on and shares some of it.
"Ridonport is an important harbor for lumber from the Veduran forest and for resupplying the Taldan navy. The people have an independent streak here though, they managed to overthrow their previous Grand Duke 7 years ago for being more of a Grand Buffoon."
The journey by ship along the Jagged Saw and into Ridonport passes uneventfully. The museum is a short walk from the docks, where it stands surrounded by numerous old homes and within view of the 200-foot-tall statue of General Arnisant in the city’s main square. The museum is a spacious, single-story stone house, and some parts look overdue for repairs.
The entrance opens to a large sitting room. The furnishings are aging, albeit clean and free of dust. The walls are crowded with portraits, framed letters, and genealogical charts. Several glass cases protect more fragile items.
On the wall just to the right of the front doors hangs a 4-by-6-foot painting of Earl Calhadion Vernisant looking dramatically into the distance with the crown-and-lion standard of Taldor waving behind him. You notice that the flag in the painting moves, and the painted earl nods stately if you catch his eye.
Geirahöð, the only unusual thing you notice is the animated painting. Portraits that appear to move are not all that common.
The main in the painting puffs himself up a bit, then proclaims to Encara, “I, Earl Calhadion Vernisant, member of the Taldan Senate and direct descendant of the famous General Arnisant, glorious hero of the Shining Crusade, welcome you to the General Arnisant museum and historic residence. On behalf of my legendary ancestor, General Arnisant, I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit.”
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”What an amazing display, Mr. Verniisant! I’ve never seen such an impressive work of art. And the magic behind your painting is like nothing I’ve ever seen!”. Richelle was quite astounded by the figure, even through she knew the group would have to watch their words around the portrait.
”Is the curator of the museum about?”
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After a few minutes a woman with dark black curly hair, dark eyes, and an olive complexion, wearing reading glasses and walking with a cane despite her relatively youthful appearance emerges from another room and smiles as she greets you. (picture here)
"Ah, visitors, welcome! I'm curator Cincia Reviamo. What brings you to the museum today?"
After looking you over quickly, without waiting for a reply she says, "If I'm not mistaken, you're the Pathfinders I was told to expect. I've prepared several rooms for you to use while you're here in Ridonport. Let me show you there and I'll explain my concern about the current ... situation."
“The museum owns all the contents, and it operates mostly on donations. But that doesn’t stop Earl Vernisant from treating it as his personal property! He sends his people to take anything he likes from the collection, but I almost prefer that to when he adds things. Have you met his painting?" Cincia rolls her eyes.
"That’s just one example, but there are more. Here we have the genealogy exhibit, which Vernisant commissioned when he found out that the mortal Iomedae spent some time with General Arnisant during the Shining Crusade. The earl added this chart to the display, and it’s the only document I’ve ever seen that suggests the Lady of Valor is one of his ancestors. That she and General Arnisant…then children…it’s not even…”
Cincia struggles to voice her dismay, finally settling for a frazzled groan that she ends with, “I have questions.”
She motions to another display. “These mannequins—I managed to assemble four full sets of armor to represent Taldor’s major armies in the Shining Crusade: the Phalanx, the Horse, the Navy, and the Knights of Ozem. Unfortunately, Vernisant learned that the Knight of Ozem’s helmet is magical, so he had it relocated to his private collection for ‘study.’"
“If you want this museum to be a useful source of anything other than propaganda, we’ll need to keep Vernisant away from it."
Pausing and turning to face you she asks, "So what are you going to do?”
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”Honestly, we plan on doing some investigation. We’ve heard that Arnisant might have some skeletons in his closet. If we could figure out what those are, we could use it against him to stop him from taking everything in this place. I’d be great if you could give us anything you might have heard. What helps our mission will help your museum.”
"Sad but true," says Cincia to Encara.
Responding to Richelle, Cincia says, “Your venture-captain Muesello was very polite, but you must know the Pathfinders have, shall we say, somewhat of a…mixed reputation. How can I be sure you’ll respect the historical significance of this collection?”
“I also don’t want the city guard knocking on the door asking if I know you. I must ask you to promise you won’t get me in trouble with the law.”
Cincia listens and appears satisfied with your responses.
”Okay. If you’re looking for evidence of Vernisant’s misdeeds beyond his disrespect for history, I can recommend a few people you’d do well to meet. There’s Rasvelg, the head of the shipwright’s guild. You’ll find him at the wharf most days. Patrician Neffery Adimare is a minor noble who owns the ship’s chandlery that supplies the navy. He likes to sit in there and listen to the naval officers’ stories. Joleana Tantriano is our senior magistrate. If you find out Vernisant’s doing anything illegal, you can take it to her at the courthouse.”
Ridonport’s wharf boasts numerous smokehouses, warehouses, dry docks, and more. Rasvelg Coalbraid (picture) is a tall and broad man in his early thirties. Despite being head of Ridonport’s shipwright’s guild, he dresses simply in a plain shirt, vest, and sturdy trousers. As you approach you see he’s busy assessing a dry-docked ship for overdue maintenance.
Rasvelg turns from from his work when you call out to him.
“I’m very busy working out how I’m going to repair this carrack without just building a whole new ship. These captains don’t come to me until the only thing that’s fixed is their budget. I don’t suppose you know anything about sailing or carpentry?”
You all get the feeling Rasvelg’s more impressed by those who can speak knowledgeably about a skill or trade, particularly one related to his own area of expertise. In addition, lending him a few hours of competent assistance would probably drastically improve his opinion of you.
Rasvelg smirks when Encara mentions his uncle’s yacht, but then composes himself in an effort to remain polite. When Richelle and Geirahöð offer to help, he says, ”Great, if you’ve got time to work I’ve got time to talk. Now what did you need this ‘word’ from me about, exactly?”
“Ah, so this is about Vernasandt, huh. He will talk your ear off about his heroic ancestry. I’m half Ulfen, but does that make me a linnorm king? Anyway, if you’re looking to find out just exactly what he’s been up to, I know a place you can start.”
“There are some tunnels that crisscross Ridonport, used by smugglers in days past. Vernisant likes to say he drove crime out of Ridonport by sealing them up years ago, but I remember there’s one tunnel that opens up underneath the Saint Lymirin Street Bridge over the main canal. I’ve also been told that barges with no lamps lit stop under the bridge late at night.”