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Kivuli walks into the meeting chamber. First to arrive? Well I am certain the others cannot be far behind. The wayang looks over the provided food and scoops up a mango. Yes! I cannot believe how delicious these things are. Perhaps one day, after I have solved the mystery of my people, I will retire and buy a plot of land. Imagine, an orchard of these awaiting me every morning! It is tempting to walk away from The Pathfinders right now. Looking at the fruit, he decides that it may be lonely, so the rogue quietly picks up a companion piece and happily sit down to introduce the pair to his appetite.
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At the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Pathfinders the world have gathered to attend this annual symposium to share their knowledge, teach each other new skills, and reinforce their connections across the Inner Sea and beyond. To celebrate the end of festivities, the lodge is hosting a grand banquet in the visiting agents’ honor. You find yourself in your present company for dinner. A refreshing winter breeze blows through an open window, flickering torches and sending papers scattering. The smell of freshly baked desserts fills the air while initiates clear away the remnants of the first course, delicious jumbo prawns imported all the way from the Varisian Gulf.
Over the past three and a half days, you've perhaps attended a variety of classes, from Golarion’s history to spellcasting techniques, or ran obstacle courses or the traditional triathlon all put on and taught by the Three Masters (Kreighton Shane, Sorrina Westyr, and Marcos Farabellus), along with other notable Pathfinders.
Over the preceding days you may have picked up a bit of information in passing.
The Three Masters use the event to keep an eye out for particularly talented agents that embody the Pathfinder Society ideals: Explore, Report, and Cooperate.
At the end of the Torchbearing, the most exemplary agents are publicly recognized and given special wayfinders.
Sometimes Pathfinder agents disappear for hours during the course of events. Rumors suggest they are brought before The Decemvirate, but no one can agree on why.
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In the midst of the crowd, a pink skinned ifrit in stunningly white garments makes his way towards the party.
"Kivuli? Ranalus? By the gods, what a coincidence it is to meet once more in the illustrious occasion! How fares your health? The last time we met here we were chasing orcs were we not?"
"Perhaps this year one of us would be lucky to chance the odds for those special wayfinders they give out at this event."
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"Well met again my friends! It is great to see all of you! I have had the strangest sense of cryptomnesia today, and seeing you all again continues that trend." comes the friendly voice of Crios as he walks up to the group.
Smiling widely, the friendly plumekith greets each member of the group with either a handshake or a shoulder grasp, and begins to share the knowledge he has learned recently while at the symposium.
"I would hope one of our number would be recognized with such an award Kuriq. A special wayfinder could not only be useful in our future endeavors, but such a brand of accomplishment among our peers could well be invaluable."
Leaning into the group and speaking with a conspiratorial tone he whispers, "I have heard that members have been disappearing for hours at time and have been brought before The Ten, but there has been noting but wild speculation as to why with no solid reason as of yet."
Then as if suddenly realizing something, "Oh... was that what Kivuli was talking about just as I walked up? No offense friend, but sometimes it can be challenging to understand you when you try to work through the common tongue."
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"Aye! Well met friends! Kuriq it could be destiny perhaps that has us together again but fer me the good food always gets me here this time o'year." Anduris chuckles. Then is face becomes more concerned as he looks about the room with a hopeless look on his face."Vexed and vexed again! They be nowhere tah be found. Yeh don't happen tah know where some of those Numerian sweet meats are do ya?" He looks to his companion at his side, one eye brow raised, a questioning look on his face."Eh? Aye Mr Greymantle I be feel'en tha same way. It's in me bones. Not that I don't like all yer company an all but seems when we are together someth'en gets tah starten along the roads to mystery an adventure if ya know what I be say'en."
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"Me am ...my apologies Crios. When I get excited, all eleven language want to be firsting out of my mouth. I am working on it. However, all of that comes secondly to the enjoyingment I have seeing my friend coming back together. I agree that some recognition of our work would being nice. However, it is good to be united again."
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"It looks like the higher ups either have a sense of humor or we did a decent job last year." Reavis observes with a snort that borders on derisive. "Must be something important this time. I brought more universal solvent in case you guys get stuck again."
"Between bouts of getting drunk on Chelish wine, I've been reading up on spooks, spectres, and screaming skeletons. I figured it might come in handy somewhere."
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"Ooh! Great plan Reavis! If you brought extra I will take one of those solvents right now, just in case I am in a better position to help." Crios says enthusiastically to his tiefling friend.
Responding to Reavis' comment about his recent studies, Crios nods in agreement.
"Learning more about the various undead that exist is sure to be worthwhile. In fact I would be very surprised if one of us doesn't know at least something about the varied threats we tend to face whenever the society calls for a gathering. Now that I say that, I am starting to feel like I should activate my mage armor."
He fingers the wand at his hip but decides against using it.
I mean, really, it's not like things will happen right here...at least I hope not.
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As Chelish Reds flow, you get the strangest sense of DeJa Vu. The main course arrives, succulent rack of lamb or tender filet's from fine Andoran cattle. The mouth watering meal concludes with the dessert course, all manner of fine pastry from baker's right here in the City at the Center of the world. As you enjoys the sweets, a small origami swan flutters through the room and lands on the center of the table. In moments, it unfolds itself into a crisp and crease-less piece of paper.
The Blakros are one of the wealthiest and most well-known merchant families from Taldor. They own a variety of businesses with interests all over the Inner Sea.
For years, the Pathfinder Society and the Blakros family have been allies, even if only at arm’s length. Occasionally the family invites notable Pathfinders to one of its high-society affairs.
The Blakros family has been involved with some shady organizations during its rise to power, including the Onyx Alliance and House Thrune.
As Chelish Reds, you get the strangest sense of DeJa Vu, the main course arrives succulent rack of lamb or tender filet's from fine Andoran cattle. The mouth watering meal concludes with the dessert course, all manner of fine pastry from baker's right here in the City at the Center of the world. As you enjoys the sweets, a small origami swan flutters through the room and lands on the center of the table. In moments, it unfolds itself into a crisp and crease-less piece of paper.
The Blakros Museum is located in the Wise District, owned by the Blakros family, and curated by Nigel Aldain (a former Pathfinder). It is open to the public when an exhibit is on display. Though the exterior of the building is ugly and squat, patrons marvel at how much bigger it is on the inside.
The museum has been closed for the past several months, ramping up for a huge exhibit, “Legacy of the Shining Crusade,” opening next week.
Rumors suggest that shadow magic makes the inside of the museum larger. A few years ago the inside changed drastically, which drew the curiosity of many in Absalom.
Ralzeros the Overwatched was a powerful wizard who owned the building before the Blakros Family. Evidence suggests he cursed the building on his death. The number of accidents and strange events that occur there
would seem to support that rumor.
Though the relationship between the Society and Nigel is often strained, they remain steadfast allies. Nigel often collaborates with the Society, loaning artifacts and trading information. He has obsessively researched the Shining Crusade for the past several months.
Nigel is a former Pathfinder who resigned after marrying Dhrami Blakros; the position of curator was part of his marriage contract.
Nigel’s museum has suffered many mishaps since he became curator, which the Society has regularly helped clean up. Nigel still tries to distance himself from the Society and act independently, but when trouble befalls the museum, he often turns to the Society for help.
Recently, Nigel has spent a fortune in security for the museum, particularly in magical protections from the Arcanamirium and Golemworks in Magnimar.
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"Destiny is a funny thing, perhaps it could be so." Unusual of the Ifrit, Kuriq partakes heavily in the light hearted conversations over the course of the meal. Often smiling along the way. "I could have swore I've seen that paper bird before." he comments as his eyes follow the flight path with great curiousity.
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"Yes, it is most unusual, as if we'd been here before," remarks Ranalus. "Tricks like these happen in the First World, often at the whim of Shyka... perhaps that is where we are? But no, I would have sensed a breach before we went through."
He looks at the note. "This looks familiar, too."
Ranalus feels an odd sensation as he hears himself say, "Shadow magic is at work in the museum... Possibly a portal to my Lord's realm? In any case, the inside of the museum can be larger than the outside. Perhaps I can be of assistance."
He adds as sort of a bored afterthought, "Oh, and they're putting together an exhibit on the Shining Crusade."
He cannot recall anything about this Nigel fellow, other than that he is a former Pathfinder.
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The front doors of Skyreach burst open with a loud crack. Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin strides to the edge of the platform, with a slender elf dressed in practical but expensive clothing trailing meekly behind. The red-faced venture-captain addresses the crowd in a booming voice.
“Pathfinders, I regret interrupting the festivities, but we have something of a situation. Approximately twenty minutes ago, unknown forces invaded the Blakros Museum. Fortunately for everyone involved, the Torchbearing is about cooperation and helping our colleagues, so let’s think of this less as an inconvenience and more as an opportunity to practice what we preach.”
The elf, Nigel, exhales sharply, then speaks, “Now, Ambrus, I’ve spent a king’s ransom fortifying the museum from all sorts of invaders: sentinels from the Golemworks, magical wards from the Arcanamirium, and even contracts for guard beasts, both magical and mundane—spared no expense. I didn’t want to come here, but I’ve got no choice.”
Valsin’s forced smile cracks slightly, showing his annoyance. “Out with it, Nigel. Get to the point.”
“Someone broke into my museum and set off the magical protections! I was preserving priceless Shining Crusade pieces for our new exhibit when the first alarm activated. I sent for district guards and went to investigate, but by the time I arrived, the thieves had already locked themselves in my study. They somehow caused the Shining Crusade relics to fly around the museum and attack my sentinels. Everything is going haywire! The magical traps started to target me, the sentinels are not responding to my commands, and—”
Valsin holds out a hand to steady the increasingly agitated elf. “The last you knew, the thieves were still in your study?” Nigel nods. “Very well. Pathfinders: the Seekers should prepare to teleport directly into the Blakros study—“
“That won’t work,” Nigel interrupts, “The study is magically sealed. After that dreadful Numerian exhibit, I turned it into a magical safe room. The robbers must have figured out how to activate it; no one can get in or out while the wards hold. I can work on breaking the wards, but meanwhile my sentinels are smashing up the collection. Some of those priceless relics are on loan from your own Society lodges, so helping me is really helping yourselves.”
“Fine.” Ambrus Valsin takes a deep breath and then turns to the assembled Pathfinders. “Pathfinders, go to the Blakros Museum, secure any relics you can, disable the security systems, and apprehend the looters if possible. Stay safe.”
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Your feeling of Deja Vu just gets strong as you make your way to Museum with your fellow Pathfinders. Dozens of Wise District guards surround the Blakros Museum. You find yourself within ear shot of Venture Captain Valsin as he approaches. The sergeant nods to Ambrus Valsin as he approaches, a subtle smirk dancing across the venture-captain’s face. The museum itself is alight with swirling whorls of color and the sounds of metal and stone clashing. Occasionally, brief flashes of light burst from the front entrance, illuminating a toppled banner that says “Legacy of the Shining Crusade.”
The broad-shouldered, middle-aged Ulfen man salutes, a somewhat bemused expression on his face. “Well met, Venture-Captain Valsin. I am Svaralk of Asleifar, Sergeant of the Learned Guard. The Guard appreciates your assistance.” He points to his subordinates, “Our initial attempt to quell the animated relics within failed. I’ve ordered the Guard to withdraw and form a perimeter.”
Ambrus Valsin returns the sergeant’s salute, a gesture of mutual respect. “You once served in Grand Prince Stavian III’s Ulfen Guard, did you not?”
Svaralk nods, “That’s right. Afterwards, I retired to Absalom and have served this city for seven years. This is not the first catastrophe I’ve responded to at the Blakros Museum, though none has been quite so dramatic as this. As if anyone needed further proof of the museum’s reputation for trouble.”
The Ulfen confides to the Venture-Captain, “After Nigel Aldain harangued me for dereliction of duty in not immediately retaking the museum, I’m in no rush to sacrifice the lives under my command until the warring creatures inside wear each other down.” He holds up a hand and shakes his head, “I don’t hold Nigel Aldain’s outburst against him. I recognize the elf is rightfully concerned about his exhibits.”
Svaralk turns to your team of Pathfinders and says, “Before you enter, I can provide you an overview of the museum’s layout and tell you that there are animated relics and guard animals on the ground level, and clockwork creatures skirmishing with each other on the floor above. We also have an especially challenging problem in the gardens at the southeast corner of the museum grounds. Some kind of magical runes displaying swarm-like behavior, more magical devices really than living creatures. They proved too complicated a challenge for me and my guards; we simply lacked the skills to disable them.”
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Initiative
You rush to the garden at the back of the museum to find thousands of glowing glyphs forming a protective shell around the outside of the museum, casting a sparkling aura of light that bounces off the fountain’s waters. They seem to shift and move. They seem to sense your presence and move to intercept you, the runes begin to swirl quickly covering Anduris, Ranalus, and Kivuli.
SHIFTING RUNES
Round 1
map
Runes
Anduris 9 dmg <need Fort save>
Kuriq
Kivuli 9 dmg <need Fort save>
Reavis
Crios
Ranalus9 dmg <need Fort save>
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"By the gods! Did I ever tell you I hate these things?!" Anduris, frustrated to be fighting off these magical runes tries his best to solve this riddle before someone dies. He thinks back on what he knows about what he is facing.
After he realizes what he is up against, or think he's up against being that he can't seem to recall much at all, he tries to help out in any way he can.
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Before entering the museum, Reavis takes a few moments to prepare himself with mutagen and extracts.
Finding the swarm conveniently next to him, Reavis attempts to pull it apart using his skills disarming traps.
Afterwards, he decides it's no longer convenient to be next to a swarm and Reavis moves away 20 feet.
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Anduris fights through the distraction of the swirling runes and begins to instinctively magically manipulate the wards. Kuriq knows what to do and moves into position, but can't find the correct sequence of changes to weaken the runes. Buffed up, Reavis finds the he is able to make changes and feels he is making progress, he then moves away. The swirling runes get the best of Kivuli his head begins to spin and he finds himself nauseated, all he can do is retreat from the effects. Crios ponders the working of the runes, as Ranalus also nauseated moves away as well.
The swarming ward shifts onto Kuriq, while continuing to effect Anduris. The runes set off a magical trap, engulfing everyone but Kivuli in a waves of hot flames and while the flames feel incredibly hot for a moment, when they subside you feel more spent than burnt.
Round 2
map
Runes
Anduris 15 n/l dmg <need Fort save> + 10/20 n/l dmg
Kuriq 6 n/l<need Fort save> + 5/15 n/l dmg
Reavis 5/15 n/l dmg
Kivuli 9 n/l dmg
Crios 10/20 n/l dmg
Ranalus 9 n/l dmg + 10/20 n/l
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Anduris dodges some of the fire and seems to be able to block out the distraction of the shifting runes, but he's able to make little progress on disabling the wards. Kuriq however becomes nauseated from the runes and is forced to move away. Reavis gets to work and begins rearranging the runes, he makes a good deal of progress. Crios takes the full effect of the flames and struggles to figure out the runes. Ranalus also makes some headway toward disabling the runes.
Round 2
map
Runes
Anduris 25 n/l dmg
Kuriq 11 n/l - nauseated
Reavis 5 n/l dmg
Kivuli 9 n/l dmg
Crios 20 n/l dmg
Ranalus 19 n/l dmg
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Kivuli gets to work and almost disables the runes; but the wards hold for now and so shift back onto Kivuli and Ranalus (as well as Anduris), but you can tell they are weakening. Trying to do it's job, it musters another fireball that covers the entire group this time.
Round 3
map
Runes
Anduris 30 n/l dmg + 12/25 n/l fire
Kuriq 11 n/l dmg + 7/20 n/l fire
Reavis 5 n/l dmg + 7/20 n/l fire
Kivuli 15 n/l dmg + 12/25 n/l fire
Crios 20 n/l dmg + 12/25 n/l fire
Ranalus 25 n/l dmg + 12/25 n/l fire