You can see a message in the field of divots.
“Our monarch’s virtues are our own.”
Searching a room for texts requires a successful skill check, and multiple PCs can search an area simultaneously. Each researching PC can attempt a Linguistics, Knowledge (history), or text-based Craft or Profession check (such as Profession [librarian] or Craft [bookbinding]) to find texts. A PC might use a different skill or ability albeit with a penalty ranging from –2 to –5 at your discretion. Several areas also identify additional skill check options that PCs may use without penalty. PCs who use magic or class abilities in a particularly creative or relevant way might receive up to a +5 bonus on a check at your discretion.
So for each room that you search beyond this one, give me a roll for whatever check you wish. Only the highest check matters, the others are considered to aiding the best result. Any questions?
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"The divots read 'Our monarch’s virtues are our own'. Is anyone familiar with law?"
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This well-lit room holds many chairs aligned towards two giant chalkboards that hang on the north wall. Along the opposite wall, several shelves hold books on sundry topics. Simple but colorful tapestries hang along the north wall, giving the room a bright appearance despite the lack of sunlight and the dour portrait of Grand Prince Stavian III affixed to the south wall.
A brass plaque on the frame of the portrait reads, “To serve Taldor, I must first learn the history of Taldor.”
Every text you find will give some one-use bonus to find more clues and for every 5 you beat the DC, you gain an additional clue. For example in this room, you found a total of 5 clues listed below.
Cross Reference
A book references another promising text. If only you
could find where that other text is…
Clue: You may use this clue to gain a +3 bonus on
a single skill check made to find texts.
An Exciting Read
You have found several particularly engaging texts, and you find it particularly easy to concentrate on the reading.
Clue: Use this clue before a PC rolls a skill check to
find a clue or text. He rolls twice and takes the higher of the two rolls.
Magical Assistance
Some of the bookshelves bear a minor enchantment that aids researchers, such as briefly granting the benefits of read languages or creating
an unseen servant to aid in collecting documents.
Clue: After the PCs roll skill checks to find documents, any of them may reroll the check before learning the result.
Taldan Cipher 1
This text describes a cipher in which one must read the message backward, reading only every third letter; all other letters are ignored. The example the book provides is “RMNEB SISWD IILPL OTRSES,” which means “soldier.”
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"Hmm, yes, we've been quite successful. Perhaps Lord Timothy and I should search a separate location whilst Ser Henry and Ser Nikomedes should search elsewhere..." Wadsworth states, unsure of himself.
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This room’s well-worn wooden floor sets it apart from the others. The west wall is lined with shelves that support books, a variety of instruments, and dozens of rectangular baskets that contain loose sheaves of paper. Several chairs are pushed against the wall, and a portrait of the Grand Prince hangs to east, surveying everything in the room with magisterial authority.
The brass plaque on the frame of the portrait reads, “Persevere, persevere, persevere!”
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"Very astute of you, milord." Wadsworth looks through the papers, looking for any trend between music sheets. He takes out both his incredibly expensive violin and his backup. "Lord Timothy, perchance you recall any of the musical lessons I taught you last month?" He gestures to the instrument that came with the Bard's Kit.
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You have found 1 clue so far in this room.
Esoteric Alphabetization
This library uses a strange system for organizing its
texts: it alphabetizes its texts based on the progression of
major musical scales instead of using the Taldan alphabet.
Clue: You may use this clue to grant a +2 bonus on all
checks made to find texts in a single room for the rest of
the scenario.
Thousands of books line the dozens of shelves in this highceilinged library. Several tables and chairs near the center of the room provide a place to read quietly, and five rows of pewlike benches nearby face an immense lion’s head carved from the eastern wall.
Niko notices out of the corner of his eye that the lion has turned
slightly to watch him, and it tries to snap back to its original position without being noticed. He has also found 4 clues!
Card Catalogue
This aging card catalog system notes where one might find various types of information. The reference is somewhat dated and inaccurate.
Clue: Use this clue to learn how many clues or texts remain in any two rooms.
Taldan Cipher 3
This text contains an example of an encoded message that
uses a common substitution cipher (in which each letter
represents a different letter). It claims that “DQFIZ KPIED
WZYWS QIVKO ZKXFW ZIMVT DQFXW CFPAF PDFZ VFTJF” translates to “The orcs of Tar-Baphon circle around the lake’s western edge.
Failed Prophecies
This text gives a detailed analysis of hundreds of proclaimed “ironclad” prophecies that have failed since the disappearance of Aroden. The author speculates that any prophecy made by Arodenites should be viewed with considerable skepticism.
Taldan Cipher 2
According to this text, one common cipher involves changing each consonant into the letter that comes three places after it in the alphabet and changing each vowel into the letter that comes two places before. For example, D would become G, U would become S, and Z would become C. (Since the vowels rotate backward and the consonants rotate forward, it’s a particularly puzzling cipher to break).
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Disappointed at the lack of musical attempt, Wadsworth finds the other group mid search. "Did you find anything, Ser Henry? Any lead on our mission to the Crown, perhaps?"
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As Wadsworth and Tim join Henry and Niko in the main library, Henry comments, "What? Why, yes, we did! We have found a card catalogue which should help us along, two Taldan ciphers which are quite interesting and a text about the failed prophecies of followers of Aroden since his fall, although that is hardly a revelation, what?"
"We have yet to uncover anything about ancient Taldan relics, however, what?"
"Approach. Are you Lion Blades?" As you walk closer give me a will save and a spellcraft check.
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"Ho! Well, good day to you, what? I will not dishonor you by lying. No, we are not Lion Blades. I am, however, a loyal servant of the nation of Taldor! I have come here seeking knowledge on several things; perhaps you can assist us, as you are likely knowledgeable about many things. My friends and I are first of all looking for more information about the war with the Whispering Tyrant to perhaps learn some forgotten tactics."
"But perhaps you have not heard? The Wardstones around the Worldwound are failing! The demons are invading Mendev and so far Taldor has, ungraciously in my opinion, been slow to lend aid. This brings me to my second purpose here, which is to find information about an ancient Taldan artifact around which the Taldor people might rally and thus join the cause."
"Now, my good man, in an effort to be up-front with you I will say that I am not just a loyal (and upstanding, I might add) citizen of Taldor looking out for my country but we are also Pathfinders. The Society wants to help Mendev defend against the demons not only because it is a worthy cause but because we have heard rumors that the lost Sky Citadel of Jormurdun lies within the ravages of ruined Sarkoris."
"Well, that is enough about me and my friends here, what? Let's hear about you! What is a noble thing like yourself doing here in this library?"
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"Indeed, Ser Lion. We may very well be one akin to those who established the first Shining Crusade. Should you be able to help, we would be most grateful."
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You feel as though you cannot lie while standing this close to this creature(?).
"Well if you aren't Lion Blades, I should raise the alarm. But you do have a noble purpose, so I should be helping you. Like for instance I should tell you that the texts you're looking for is further in. Unfortunately most of the doors are locked, but there's a caretaker there who might help you. But demons, that sounds like it will be a grand story. Oh and I am Glorymane, I am the guardian here." It then is silent as if pondering something. "I wish I could see the grand battles of brave taldan knights versus dastardly demons. But unfortunately I am stuck here in this library, living vicariously through others. If only someone could find a worthy receptacle for my essence so that I might experience it for myself."
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"And a most noble guardian you are, what?" Henry bows slightly to Glorymane. "Perhaps if we find a worthy receptacle you can accompany us when we leave. We will keep an eye out. Now, the texts we need are further on, eh? No traps blocking us are there? Just see the caretaker for the keys? Thank you for your help, kind lion!"