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Kulga leads the way through the double doors to the west. A restoration room lays beyond; a dedicated workspace designed to allow for the repair and restoration of the museum’s many age-worn wonders. Exhibits—from paintings to skeletons to taxidermy monsters—sit around, waiting to being cleaned, examined, or reassembled. It seems otherwise unoccupied.
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Two shocked looking men emerge from the staircase. They are older, perhaps middle aged, they have the look of museum workers.
Oh thank the gods, the first man down exclaims, We thought you were more of those Technic League invaders! Or even worse Pendleton, the poor boy!
He didn’t mean to open it I think, but whatever was inside was ready to escape, it overcame him in seconds! The second man adds. We think he went upstairs, we’ve been staying on the steps so we could run either direction if we needed too. Did NIgel send you? Did he make it our alive!
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"Wait! What did Pendleton open - that sarcophagus? What was in it? What happened to Pendleton, and what did he do to kill those people in the exhibit hall? Are there any more members of this Technic League alive in the Museum? Or robots? Or other weird Numerian constructs or whatever that are roaming loose and are likely to try to kill us?"
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He did; make sure to tell him how grateful you are that he has friends in the Society. The way should be clear as well.
"Be careful though. There was a woman, Gerva, that just left the museum and she was not keen on Nigel or those she would see as his allies. She left peaceably, but that could change if you approach her."
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The way clear good! No not the sarcophagus, the crate, the hazard crate from Numeria. It all happen so fast, Zenel and I were back here working, we heard screaming and I looked out the spy hole into the gallery the Technic League were arguing with Nigel, things started to get ugly. I didn't really see it happen but the next thing you know Pendleton is slamming everyone around seemed to be moving fast tossing people aside and then slamming the next person, and on an on. Like some ravenous dog and friend and foe alike. The was shooting and confusion. It was then I noticed the crate was opened. Yeah I saw that woman climb up into the exhibit too, and Nigel managed to craw out of the room. It looked like Pendleton went after him at one point so I thought he got Nigel too...what a relief! He pauses tears in his eyes. We were too afraid to move, between Pendleton running amok and that woman up in the exhibit, she keep yelling 'stay away or I'll shoot'. I told Zenel if we stay on the stairs we can make a run for it in either direction. Did you say Society, like the Pathfinder Society! What a relief, did I just say that, I guess I'm repeating myself. It was just awful.
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"There, there. You are safe now." Veres coos. Consoling the frazzled man, she reaches out to gently pat him on the shoulder.
"Did Pendleton say anything after being overwhelmed, or was it all just incoherent grunts and violence?"
Looking to the others, she says, "Pendleton was possessed by whatever this silvery substance is, but perhaps we can save him. It might abandon him if we use this technology magic of the numerians. I have the five shock arrows, and we also have the gun if we have to resort to combat. Till then we should continue our search of the lower levels in the hopes we find something useful."
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Just incoherent grunts and violence!
The men quickly exit the building once you are doing speaking with them. And other than stairs that access the basement you’ve seen what the museum lower level has to offer.The drag marks seem to lead to the front most stairs leading up.
Quick Edit - almost forgot!
Before they depart they add. Oh did Nigel tell you about the secret cache of emergency supplies in the statue of Aroden?
You go and check and although it very hard to find, you eventually do. Within are 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)
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The door opposite the offices opens onto the stage of a Lecture Hall, this is a long, narrow presentation space with comfortable looking chairs. The stage is elevated about 2 feet above the rest of the room.
Very little of use is found in the staff offices, some personal effects and loads of paperwork.
However, Kulga and Veres do notice something interesting in Nigel's office. A secret drawer in his desk, the drawer seems to contain a collection of letters.
The letters are from an anonymous contact in the elven homeland of Kyonin. It seems Nigel is negotiating a deal to smuggle out several historical relics. You think if made public, they could lead to the elf ’s permanent exile from his homeland. Dark Archive members might be able to use as blackmail material to ensure Aldain’s loyalty to the Dark Archives.
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Garduk scowls at the incriminating correspondence. "I suppose these might be useful leverage, and if it stops him from smuggling out the artifacts, so much the better. Once we deal with the damage caused by his smuggled Numerian trophies, it would be nice not to have to come right back and fight off a band of angry elves wielding ancient magical artifacts."
He sighs in frustration. "Not that I object to trafficking in powerful items - that would be pretty funny for the Pathfinders to complain about - but why does he think it's a good idea to advertise his possession of stolen property and put it out on public display?"
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Warm colors and skillful paintings of scenes and landscapes lend an inviting charm to this salon. A few small tables and chairs have been up-ended and scattered around the floor. Double-doors to the north are labeled “Hall of Incantation,” while open passageways lead east and west. A strange unpleasant odor seems to reside here.
Brayne notices Among the overturned furniture a few things look out of place. Several crates seem to have been haphazardly place here. One looks busted open and seems to contain strange plants with long vines.
The paintings are romanticized depictions of historical events from around the Inner Sea as interpreted by multiple artists.
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As Veres catches up with Brayne, moving quietly as she can, she listens for sounds of movement beyond her view.
She whispers to Brayne, "The art in here is quite beautiful. If I am not mistaken, the various artists all seem to be depicting historical events of the Inner Sea."
Upon seeing the plants, she adds, "Whatever do you think those are, and why is that crate broken open?"
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Once Garduk enters the salon, he is briefly distracted by the paintings.
"Historical events. Somewhat romanticized, I think." He gestures to the double doors. "Does that say 'Hall of Incantation'? Now that looks interesting."
Garduk starts towards the double doors, but stops when he sees the vines in the broken crate.
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" You said they can dig in the dirt, so they can likely move, but how fast? Do you know far can they extend those vines?" She asks Garduk, since he has the most knowledge about them. Thinking aloud she adds, "I wonder, is that little bit of spilled earth enough for them to dig into? Attacking them from range is the smart play here."
Veres raises her bow, ready to try a shot should the others indicate they approve. She will start a song, just before taking her shot.
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Brayne mutters a little prayer as each person feels a bestowing of blessing, perhaps they feel a little uncomfortable.
Brayne grips the spear tightly and walks around the corner, peering into the next corridor as he talks."Oh boy, A walking plant? That's something you don't see everyday I suppose... give us the signal!" Brayne looks to Veres as she readies her bow, assuming she will open the combat with the plant creature.
"Kulga, perhaps we could flank around it?"
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Initiative
The group readies to deal with plants, Veres readies her bow and starts a song, while Brayne provides a blessing.
Round 1 Effects: Bless and Inpsire Courage
map
Garduk
Veres
Weedwhips
Kulga
Brayne
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Garduk feels a shiver run down his spine from Brayne's Lamashtan blessing, but Veres's song restores his equilibrium. He focuses on triggering the new wand.
Let's see how this works in the field!
"Telum magicum," he murmurs. Two darts, glowing with an unnatural pale yellow light, blast from the end of his wand and slam into the south plant.