Heidmarch Manor is located in the Alabaster District of Magnimar, not far from the city’s easternmost gate. The manor grounds are surrounded by a stone wall, but the front gate hangs open during the day—visitors are always welcome to the manor, which has recently come to double as the first Pathfinder Lodge in Varisia.
As a Pathfinder Lodge, there are frequently members at some time or another always coming and going. Applicants preparing to take the test at the Grand Lodge, members looking for a place to stay as they move on to further locales, sometimes better known agents deliver updated policies from the the Decemvirate or exchange tomes between lodges.
With all the comings and goings, it is rare that anyone has much of an opportunity to have a moment or two to get to know one another. You are sure there's a few regulars, even here and there you recognize a local Magnimaran you think you've seen before. Early in the day as you move around the Manor house and grounds, the majordomo delivers a request from the Venture Captain herself
Greetings, fellow seeker of adventure!
You have come to my attention as someone who possesses a certain amount of skills and interests that make you an excellent addition to a highly specialized team I’m putting together for a matter of grave import, not only to the Society, but to Varisia as a whole. Please report an hour before noon to Heidmarch Manor—you will be compensated for your visit, but that reward will pale in light of the riches that await you should we come to an agreement on my proposition to you. I look forward to meeting you soon!
—Sheila Heidmarch
I will discuss the matter with my brother.
Dareon is sitting in the Manor's library, reading a treatise on Thassilonian culture when the majordomo arrives.
The man taps on his shoulder, and Dareon turns around suddenly, an irritated look on his face. "Can't you see that I'm trying to read?"
The majordomo takes his sass with no small amount of tolerance. He's used to Dareon's irritability, and simply hands over the note. Dareon's expression melts away with every line read, and quickly morphs into pure excitement, a wide grin on his face. I knew they'd call on me soon...I wonder what kind of job it is? Infiltrating an ancient ruin? Rooting out an evil cult? Deciphering hidden texts? Gaining new magical knowledge for the benefit of mankind? The possibilities!
He thanks the majordomo profusely, and decides to make sure he looks and seems his best when he sees the Venture-Captain about this.
Dareon heads to his room, changing out of his comfortable reading clothing into his fine black noble's clothing, weapon, and armor.
Fully equipped, Dareon cuts a fairly impressive figure. 6'3'', short blonde hair, broad shoulders and chest. He wears fine black noble's clothing under a silvered breastplate. The signet ring of his noble House encircles his right-hand pinky finger. He steps out of his room and moves to wait for Shiela in the room she typically reserves for conferring with Pathfinders.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Majordomo. The family of Lantherion might be very interested in this endeavor. This is something that I would need to discuss with my twin.
With a crooked smile, she turns away to speak with her brother.
"Do you see that, Little Wasp? Desna smiles and our fortunes have turned already. This is precisely what we were hoping for! Ha! I can't wait to see the look on Father's face when we return with all these riches." Faedrin very nearly hops from foot to foot in his excitement. I can't wait to see the look of shame and regret on that old wrinkled face of Father's! Oh how he'll beg for forgiveness, but we'll show him. Oh this will just be positively grand! Haha! He smiles at his twin, his glossy black eyes glittering with excitement.
Yes brother, it would appear that the goddess of dreams indeed does smile on us. Though I garner that she is not the only goddess to take our plight to heart.
Sitting in his paid room not far from the Manor, Tanjvats read the note with interest and gave a nod of appreciation at the excellent penmanship. A flicker of excitement rose in him at the phrase "riches that await you", but he quashed the emotion with practiced ease.
Finishing up his last pieces of official transcription work, he made himself ready to leave. At the last moment, he noticed a black ink stain on his right index finer; a mark of mild incompetence in his profession. It'll be alright, he thought nervously. No one will notice.
He made his way to the manor, rubbing his finger irritably. When he found the majordomo, he shoved his right hand into his robe, averted his eyes and presented the note with his left.
Across the room he noticed twin elves speaking happily together. Lantherions, perhaps? he mused. A bit of his old street-urchin-self piped up. Gods, their father is tight-fisted otyugh arse! it spat, recalling a puny fee paid on a large and difficult job of invitation writing.
Glancing out as the half orc passes by, Speaking of Desna, Fade... and motioning towards the door with her chin.
As more and more of those invited begin to arrive, the majordomo comes out and offers an apology, "Please forgive the delay, as Lady Heidmarch is in an important meeting with a fellow Pathfinder of some renown. I ask that you all wait patiently here within the foyer, and I will return briefly with refreshments if you would like." He bows slightly, as he turns and enters the house proper, leaving the rest of you standing in the hallway-like foyer just inside the front door of the manor lodge.
Not to offer and bring some sort of refreshment would be uncultured .
Tanjvats bowed slightly to the majordomo, signalling he was happy to wait. He shook his head kindly at the offer of refreshments.
He then put on his friendly demeanor: smiling enough to show he was open to conversation, but not enough that his large tusks were overly exposed.
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Gaileyon walks into the waiting room within the Manor, note in hand. He was obviously a late. His brow furrows as he speaks in an embarrassed grumble, "Oh... Ah... Didn't realize I was late." His cheeks flush red and his beard bristles as his face contorts from his embarrassment.
His heavy armor shuffles noisily as he awkwardly maneuvers around the room, trying to find a place to sit. After finally finding a place, he sets his pack down, his heavy steel shield making a loud and awkward 'PANG' sound, and sits down more properly than anyone in the room would be expecting. He leans forward some, placing the note within a pocket of his pack.
After a short pause, and presumable silence from his awkward entrance, he begins fiddling with a signet ring upon his pinky finger, rotating it as he waits patiently. He looks around the room to take in his environment, doing his best to stay as quiet as possible. Not wanting to embarrass himself any further.
The majordomo returns shortly, a large platter in hand, bearing a pitcher of ale and a carafe of wine. There were also several mugs and glasses on the tray. As he enters the foyer, he moves toward the new arrival, before stopping as soon as he notices him sitting there. He clears his throat, before speaking, "Pardon me, might I ask you to stand so that I may be allowed to set down this heavy tray?" He chooses not to explain to the dwarf that the reason no one else is sitting is because the one piece of furniture within the foyer is a hall table.
Knowledge Nobility Check
Dareon stands, walks to the tray after the majordomo sets it down, and pours himself a glass of wine.
He looks at the elves in the room, tall and graceful specimens of their species, but something about them looks familiar...
...But the memory slips out of his mind.
He forgets to thank the majordomo for the refreshments, as he stares absentmindedly at the restless-looking elven pair. They look similar, even for elves...probably related.
Elawein looks over at Dareon with a crooked grin and sparkle in her eyes. Grabbing a grape she walks over to the cavalier with a spring in her step and a twinkle in her eyes. She begins to slowly suck the juice out of the grape, in elven she says, Dareon of the House of Niroden, what a magnificent specimen you are. I understand you are both scholar and solider.
Dareon gives a startled jerk as the elven woman begins to talk to him, and words immediately begin to fumble over themselves in his mind, quicker than his mouth could possibly say them.
Magnificent specimen...? And she knows me!
He can't help but stare at the elven woman's mouth and the grape, but quickly pulls himself out of the trance he's in to respond.
She holds out her hand in a courtly manner waiting for the traditional kiss of her ring. In elven she responds.
And a speaker of the most honored of tounges, though your pronounciation and accent is all wrong. Tell me Dareon of the House of Niroden, where did you come by knowledge of so fair a tounge, though perhaps I might tutor you in the finer points of the language of the People. Yes, tutoring might be enjoyable. as she says this she pokes his chest, moving her fingers up to his nose and playfully pats him on the head, in the manner that a person would a child. She giggles.
But to answer your question, Dareon of the House of Niroden, I am Elrawien of the House of Lantherion, devotee of Calistria and a student of the arcane .
Dareon's back stiffens at her touch, and he does his best to sidle backwards without seeming like he's trying to get away.
It's good to meet you, Elrawien. How did you come by my name, may I ask?"
Turning around to walk back to her brother, That is a secret that you might just need to discover, Dareon of the House of Niroden with a playful flick of her hair, she walks back to her twin.
Faedrin snickers quietly as the dwarf helps himself to a stately seat atop a table. Under his breath he whispers to his sister, "Oh, but he's a proper brute isn't he? Heh. Dwarves." He turns to look at the dwarf directly then and nods his head in acknowledgment and greeting.
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As his sister saunters back over from her playful repartee with Dareon, Faedrin interjects, shifting the conversation back to common, "Oh come now, sister, must you play with every man that passes before you so? Honestly. Tsk tsk tsk." Faedrin walks over to Dareon then, extending his hand to a fellow noble in greeting. "Faedrin Lantherion. Please, pay no mind to my dear sister. She's... wickedly playful at times. And your diction wasn't quite as bad as she let on." He offers this last bit with a half grin and a wink, then turns so as to face both Dareon and the dwarf. "I take you're both here in resposne to Heidmarch's summons? Splendid! We are too!"
Responding with a knowing grin to the whisper, Brother, why did the gods curse the dwarves to be so terribly ugly? It is a shame that they cannot stay walled up in their dank and dark caves. This one seems to smell of dirt and other things unmentionable in my company.
Young Dareon's diction was much worse than I let on, I will take it upon myself, dear brother, to tutor him privately.
Walking over to the half-orc, You seem a might uncomfortable half-orc, cultured though you claim to be. Relax, let us pull up a chair. Be a dear and fetch me a goblet?
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Sitting back in one of the darker corners of the manor, Oz had made it a point to put out the nearby lights and enjoy the sight of people walking in. He liked stamping out lights like this, as he enjoyed the enigmatic feeling of being unknown and unpredictable. He wasn't that unpredictable, in fact, if you peeled away the black cloak and mask, he was pretty simple.
Regardless, leaning against the wall, he enjoyed the sight of the others arriving, but wasn't sure if they were here for the same thing. Certainly he had no idea, that is, until he overheard the male elf mention the summons, at which point he abruptly stands up, adjusts his mask, and approaches them.
Not too keen on conversation, however, Oz can't really think of anything to say, and simply dangles the note back and forth.
He'd enjoyed the conversation between the lot of them, and had understood them rather well. Was he about to tell them that? Well, it wasn't something they necessarily needed to know.
"Greetings... I trust we're all here for the same thing." His words are a bit muffled behind the mask, but, it's clear enough to easily understand.
Tanjvats nodded assent to Elrawien's request for a goblet. He was carrying one back when the black-masked human suddenly stepped out of the shadows.
"Baaah!" Tanj yelped in startled surprise, splashing wine on his sleeves and hands. Embarrassed and dripping, he sighed and made his way back over to the tray to get a proper glass for the lady.
A cavalcade of alternate responses played through his mind, from anger to biting insult to self-deprecation, but he couldn't bring himself to let anything out in the small room. Instead he took a deep breath, prayed briefly to Abadar for civil patience, and returned to the elf.
"I apologize for my clumsiness. Please enjoy."
Why thank you for your kindness, even if you spilled it all over yourself. And here I thought that half-orcs were graceless. Can you clear something up that I once heard in the Temple of the Savored Sting?
To the male elf, Dareon smiles gratefully. "I appreciate your friendliness...Fay-drin? Is that correct? Although I must say, if my Elven truly is that bad, I would welcome lessons wholeheartedly."
Dareon doesn't even notice the dark-robed Oz until he had been there for a few moments, and then just assumes he had been there the whole time.
To the queries about their collective purpose, Dareon answers "I am here to answer the Venture-Captain's summons, yes. Do any of you have any idea what its about?"
Oh Dareon, come here that we might practice your elven as I talk with the half-orc?
"Probably not, Lady. I do not know that temple."
I was told that the staying power of a half-orc was based on the length of their tusks.Is this true? saying coyly.
As the group waits and begins to grow slightly louder with small conversation, the door to the manor proper opens as the majordomo returns. This time he holds the door as he makes an announcement. "Venture Captain, Lady Sheila Heidmarch and Pathfinder Koriah Azmeren!" as two women step into the room. The first is Sheila Heidmarch, while the second is her guest, Koriah.
Sheila greets you all in an unusually deep voice and with a no-nonsense attitude, thanking you for answering her summons. She then introduces Koriah, an attractive half-elven woman dressed in leather armor and armed with a distinctive-looking mithral-and-redwood aklys and a bastard sword, both weapons are currently sheathed or hanging from her belt. After Lady Heidmarch introduces the woman, she goes on to explain "Koriah has just returned from an expedition to the Darklands below Varisia, having successfully scouted out a new route down to Nar-Voth from the Fogscar Mountains. She has returned with a surprising number of Thassilonian artifacts from this expedition, and I must spend a few more moments discussing the implications of this discovery with her. I sincerely apologize for the further delay."
She then pauses for a moment as if in thought. "Actually, could you all accompany me into the lodge library and study." As she walks through a brief series of doors into a room some of you are already familiar with. The walls are lined with bookshelves, while several tables in the middle of the room are heaped with scrolls and books. One table in the center, however, supports only a single object — an ornate cubical stone coffer covered with Thassilonian runes. She asks for you all to have a seat around the table while she speaks to you.
“I apologize once again for the delay, as I must conclude my business with Pathfinder Azmeren before we meet in an official capacity. In the meantime, though, I thought you could help us with another minor issue." She points to odd box on the table, "This stone coffer is an ancient Thassilonian puzzle, a cunning feat of magical engineering known as a paradox box. As you’ll see from even a casual investigation, what appear to be seams on the sides are only shallow grooves—there’s no obvious way to open the thing. Each paradox box has its own secret method of being opened. Essentially, a paradox box substitutes hidden catches and magical triggers for a lock. Given time, anyone clever enough could figure out how to open a paradox box, just as given time, a locksmith can open any lock. This particular box was among those items recovered by Koriah." She redirects the group's attention to the pile of papers beside the box, "The scrolls next to the box are her preliminary notes on possible triggers or methods of opening it, but she’s not yet had a chance to sit down and properly investigate the thing."
She looks at each of you in kind, as a hint of a smile breaks her rather proper demeanor. "So... why don’t you put your heads together and see if you can’t do that for me? Even if the box is empty, as I suspect it probably is, knowing the method of opening it makes it a valuable find anyway. I’ll return shortly, and I hope to see that box open! Think of this as an audition, if you will—because the actual task I want to speak to you about soon will require as much wit as it will brawn!”
With this last 'request' she offers almost no time to respond, as she moves to another door leading out of the room, Koriah following right behind her closes the door as she steps across the threshold. The majordomo, then closes the door the group entered through, leaving them all alone together with the task.
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Oz was, as you'd assume, amused with the playful amount of flirting in the air, that was, until the venture captain and... Koriah came through the door.
As she beckoned them inside and she began to speak of the magical box, and how they'd be delayed further, Oz did what he found he did best, and put 2 and 2 together.
Cocking his head to the right as he processed the information aloud, a habit he'd intended to break but found the alien thing all too enjoyable; "Oh... Special team, hmm? Thassilonian runes... Darklands... and Koriah, no less. Whatever they've got in store for us, well... His voice trailed off a bit as his thoughts did as well. Placing a hand on his chin he kept thinking to himself.
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Gaileyon mutters a few grumblings and curses in Dwarven under his breath as the majordomo asks him to move. He nods, somewhat embarrassed again at this choice to sit on the Table, his desire for some comfort after his long journey to Magnimar was much needed.
He hops down from the table, picking up his pack and slinging a single strap over his right shoulder, the heavy steel shield hanging from it. He noticed the elf-man nodding his his direction. He just grumbles a bit more, nodding in reply, not exactly sure what to say.
He looks on incredulously as the events of the Half-Orc and the shadowed man unfold, shaking his head as the half-orc spills the wine on his shirt. Perhaps he wasn't the only clumsy one here.
//Upon entering the lodge library...
The dwarf's tired feet ached for a chair - so naturally once one was offered, he gladly took a seat. He slings his pack over the back of the chair, sitting down. He grumbles, a bit miffed, as he realizes the chairs aren't meant for dwarfs and his feet dangle slightly, but he does his best to suppress any of his annoyance. 'Professionalism is more important than your annoyance, Madstout' he hears his subconscious voice of his great uncle say.
He looks at the puzzle box once it's presented. His lips tweak slightly as more annoyance floods his emotions - he hated puzzles!
Dareon is first to move to the box - he's fascinated with this sort of thing, after all, and he's been itching to prove himself again to the Heidmarches.
He picks it up and rotates it around in his hands, examining the faces for anything notable.
If he finds anything, he'll look in the Pathfinder's notes for references to the things he's found.
Tanjvats was relieved that the Venture Captain had interrupted Elrawien's playful flirting. He followed everyone into the room.
When the box was displayed, he found himself examining everyone's reactions as much as examining the box itself. He tried to find a place in the room where he wouldn't be in the way.
Beginning to concentrate, Elrawien will cast detect magic and make a spell craft check in order to help discern the properties of the item
Faedrin arches one of his eyebrows as Sheila enters, then arches the other as Koriah is introduced. Once the two women have left the group with the box, Faedrin comments, "Well I've never heard of that Koriah, but she looked positively dangerous." He smiles widely and playfully jokes, "I suspect it would be a tremendous pleasure to get to know her better." He turns to his twin, "Ha! Can you imagine the look on Father's face? Ha!"
After laughing lightly at his own imagination, he shakes his head, "Oh but heavens, we're being rude. Dareon here I recognize, but the rest of you I'm quite sure I've never seen before."
Upon examining the 'paradox box' Dareon sees that it resembles a small stone chest of ornate design that measures approximately 1-1/2 feet by 1-1/2 feet by 1 foot, and weighing a good thirty pounds. Closer inspection reveals the paradox box to be a solid piece of stone that’s been carved to resemble a box—it has no seam for a lid or hinges to allow opening. The whole of the box is covered in runes which, although in Thassilonian, would likely take considerable time to distinguish from one another as they are overlapping and written in every conceivable direction.
As he looks the box over Elrawein checks it for any surrounding magical auras that may tell her something about the object. She casts a minor spell and focuses her attentions on the box. She is able to discern that there is a moderate aura of magic on the box, but can't seem to establish any of its properties.
Knowledge Arcana
After concentrating on the puzzle
Please brother, she is no Daeron Niroden. I would expect you all of all people to have a more refined taste and there are more dangers than simply being able to thrust a sword, she says as she smiles at Dareon
Tanjvats quickly and quietly shared his name and a smile with Faedrin in lieu of a formal introduction.
He then peeked over folks shoulders as they examined the box. After a few moments, he began scanning the book shelves to see if there was any tome that might prove helpful.
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In the sudden hustle and bustle about the box, Oz still keeps his thoughts relatively to himself. The dwarf's suggestion seemed rather straightforward, if a little brash, but he enjoyed the sight of the half-orc looking for ways that might seem to work.
Looking at the twins, who he was quite sure were lantherions, Oz didn't really know what to believe or think. He assumed it was just good they were here.
Leaning back and cocking his head to the side again as he pressed his back against a wall; "Can't recollect any intelligent wizards nearby. Try to open it yourselves? Get lucky?" Is all he can think to suggest.
While Oz's thoughts were rather clear, he still spoke strangely. It did it's job however, which was get his point across.
With a very sweet smile Oh Master Dwarf, I am sure that there are other ways to show off how strong you are but this is not one of them. There might be something important in this and breaking it will solve nothing of this pardox.
Oh Master Dwarf, I have been doing what I can to figure out this problem. This requires delicacy and not brute strength of brawn or odiferous substance which I am sure you have in plenty. Be patient, perhaps taking a nap would be more helpful? Or consumption of vast quantities of mead and ale and glutenous consumption of food might indeed calm your nerves?
Elrawein recognizes that the box actually bears two auras, both at the same strength, one of abjuration and the other conjuration.
As the discussion over the box and the box itself continues around the table, Dareon and Tanjvats take a closer look at the notes and scrolls left by Koriah's own examinations. A particular passage stands out.
"...Based on what I have been able to discern thus far, each face bears identical markings, though one face specifically has several additional runes. Of the other five, the most oft-repeated symbol are the runes for 'WRATH', which is also associated with evocation magic, and in the earliest days of Thassilon with the word 'KINDNESS'. This rune merely marks the box as having once belonged to a citizen of the Thassilonian nation of Bakrakhan, and that the rune likely has little to do with the method of opening this particular paradox box."
"The several additional runes however, spell out the word 'CRUEL' and I have deduced that this word is somehow linked to the box’s mystery. It is also important to note that each of the individual runes in the word can be reorganized by touching two runes at once. Doing so causes the two touched runes to exchange places for an hour before reverting to their original spelling of 'CRUEL'...."
Pathfinder Koriah Azmeren, where did you get such wonderful toys? Are there anymore like this?
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Gaileyon's cheeks flush an even brighter shade of red at the Elven woman's jab. The mention of mead suddenly widens his eyes, forcing him to realize that the woman is just trying to gently placate his inadequacies of this particular challenge. His demeanor deflates as he nods in agreement with her assessment. He hops down and heads toward the tray that the majordomo brought in originally, grabbing a mug of ale. He'll return to his seat, raise his mug towards Elrawien with a big smile and a nod before taking a lofty swig.
Enjoy yourself, Master Dwarf, when your unique skills are needed I am sure that they will be called upon.
Gaileyon can quite adequately confirm that the box indeed is bereft of seam, crease, or even noticeable crevice. He is even able to discern that the markings all over the thing were not carved by any tool he's ever seen. They are devoid of any tool marks or rough edges, almost as if they were a naturally occurring quality of the stone itself. The elf woman may be right that this stands just outside his area of expertise.
Dareon scratches his clean-cut chin slowly while still rotating the box when its his turn to have it.
"I believe I have a solution...Try to rearrange the letters into another word."
He then touches his finders to the runes that he recognizes making up "CRUEL" to form two words in succession.
The first he tries is "CLUE-R".
If that fails, he tries "LUCRE".