”Are you the person we’d talk to about the Esoteric Order of the Palantine Eye?”
"I am Abraun Chalest, and a member of the Order."
We have several items and information we know the Order will consider valuable.
Eleric nods and offers the items.
"Hmmm, well I have never seen anything like these, I would suggest that you need to access the Esoteric Vaults- our library and repository of lost and forbidden knowledge. Tell me do you know our colleagues who lives to the south, Professor Lorimor and Judge Daramid?"
"Yes, though I'm sorry to bring you bad news: Professor Lorimor is dead. He was caught up in the web of this dire conspiracy we are investigating."
"And the judge oversaw the case with that beast fellow I met shortly after joining you."
"I see, I am sorry for the Professor's loss, very well please come with me, we will help you as much as we can."
Saying this Abruan leads you down to a huge vaulted library. Piles of statuary, pottery, paintings, and art fill these chambers, clustered around large wooden crates, barrels and narrow bookshelves full of ancient, musty tomes, with only narrow, meandering pathways between them. In the final vault to the east, a large worktable lies half-buried under piles of scrolls, books and clay tablets, illuminated by magical work lights overhead.
"The mace first my friends?"
"A good place to start as any. We have much to learn."
Spellcraft
Eleric you discover the following:
Holy to the faith of Pharasma and imbued with the power of all the
bishops of Ustalav, this gold plated +3 undead bane heavy mace has a head
fashioned into the shape of four ravens’ heads, from which it gets its name. It was the symbol of office for the Bishop of Caliphas until Prince
Adamondais Virholt lost the mace in battle against the Whispering Tyrant. A character with the ability to channel positive energy gains the Channel Smite feat while wielding Raven’s Head, if she does not already
possess the feat. In the hands of a cleric of Pharasma,
Raven’s Head gains the disruption quality, and the wielder
can use the Channel Smite feat as if she were a cleric of
4 levels higher (+2 on the DC and +2d6 damage) and an
extra three times per day.
"Moribund key next then."
Creeden is better a lugging books than deciphering their contents, but he has been focusing on reading a bit more every morning.
Greater agents of the Whispering Way use these silver medallions as keys to their sanctuaries. Each moribund key bears an engraved skull with two gray, burned-out ioun stones for eyes. Small openings line the coin’s outer edge. By turning the skull’s head, an inner plate marked with runic symbols lines up with these openings to establish different combinations. Each setting matches symbols inscribed on objects of great importance to the cult, such as statues, paintings, and doors. The
proper arrangement of these runes activates stored spell effects in such objects, including powerful wards, programmed images, or the release of arcane locks. The bearer of a moribund key can cast message at will, and
spectral hand and vampiric touch 3 times per day. In addition, the skull’s eyes glow when undead approach within 60 feet. A moribund key bestows one negative level on any good creature carrying it. The negative level remains as long as the medallion is carried and cannot be overcome in any way while the medallion is in that creature’s possession.
Looking through chronicles you learn that the Whispering Way once kept dozens of these statues throughout Caliphas, however these have been reclaimed by the Cult over the centuries, however one remains in the Esoteric Vaults in the Order of the Palatine Eye, recovered from an ancient cemetery.
"Huh! Maybe we should see if the key does anything interesting with that statue in the vaults." Creeden considers. "After we complete our research, I suppose."
Half covered by a fallen tapestry, a hideous stone gargoyle crouches upon a solid block of rough hewn black granite. Its wings lie folded over its back, their sharp spurs reaching almost to the 10 foot high ceiling overhead. The statue's claws, teeth, and strangely protruding ribs all appear crafted from iron. A carved necklace with a skull shaped medallion bearing curious runes along its outer edge hangs upon the gargoyle's chest.
Eleric will take a look at the runes and see if they have any resemblance to the runic symbols on the key.
Eleric, you see that the runes are a perfect match.
”I bet that isn’t a coincidence,” Tess notices as the runes match up.
"Let's try the key shall we."
Eleric checks for traps and tests the key if it is safe.
You do not see any signs of a trap on the statue.
Eleric will touch the key to the door aligning the runes hoping to activate the secret magic of the door.
As you turn the key an illusory image appears. It appears to be of Caliphas but from hundreds of years ago. A single building is hihlighted with an unhealthy green glow.
Ortensia, you recognise the image as a representation of the Quarterfaux Archives, the main city library, however it appears that the area is in a sub basement.
Hm. Curious.Ortensia extended a slender finger at the illusory image,tracing the air as she observed it. It's the Quarterfaux Archives, however there is a sub basement which is unusual.
"Should we locate this sub-basement then?"
"Well, the Quarterfaux Archives are still in use, I can get you in there and give yo time to explore."
”I think that would be for the best if we could get into the subbasement.”
"That would be great."
Leading the way Abruan takes you through the city to the archives which is a combination of library and museum. He takes you to a back room and shows you the route to the sub basement but explains he can't go with you any further as he needs to prevent anyone from following after you."
"That is ok everywhere we go things get bad so better stay here."
Elric will inspect the entranceway and look around for any clue as to what is ahead.
Eleric you find a secret door. Using the key you find that the runes seem to match and it looks like the key will open the door.
Eleric opens the door, unless anyone objects
”No objection here. I love secret doors,” Tess grins as Eleric opens the door.
With a click the door opens. This appears to be a bolt hole once used by the the Whispering Way. You find piles of discarded, battered furniture, broken alchemical equipment and a few scraps of paper.
Tess casts detect magic and moves to the room. She also begins looking through the papers.
Ortensia gave the abandoned cultist bolt hole a critical eye as she used her mind to probe its dimensions as Tessara probed it for any active magicks.
Wonder why they scurried off...
Tess, nothing detects as magical.
Ortensia as you cast your spell you see a group of Whispering Way cultists. They seem to be celebrating that their plans are coming to fruition. They then start chanting a spell and a strange bone like arch appears that forms a portal which they step through one by one. As the last cultist steps through the portal crumbles into nothingness behind him.
"Let's explore further and see if we can figure out how to perform that ritual."