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Harold's silver arrow kills one of the pitiful creatures, and with the other one caught in the slippery magic, it proves no threat for you to dispose of safely.
Afterwards you find no other immediate threats, and are able to both rest and explore the underground facility with ease.
A fifty-foot-diameter pool of rancid, brown slurry fills most of this circular chamber. Chunks of plaster have fallen away, leaving ragged patches behind in the walls and ceiling and mounds of rubble on the floor. What wall space remains is decorated in crude drawings and symbols of sinister form. Greasy-looking chains run between four stout pillars rising from the muck and anchor to various points on the wall.
The next room beyond, where the Lemures came from appears to be an old hide out. These rooms have fallen mostly into disrepair. Chunks of plaster hang from the walls, exposing rough stonework beyond. Scattered furnishings that once outfitted bunkrooms, a kitchen, and even an armory lie scattered about in states of complete disrepair, and doors hang from hinges in the crumbling archways that lie between the chambers.
Though much of the area has been cleared out long ago by whoever once lived or operated from here, you do manage to find a single crate in the corner that holds an assortment of much needed supplies.
The crate contains a suit of +1 leather armor, a composite shortbow (+1 Str), a masterwork hand crossbow, a masterwork silver morningstar, a cloak of elvenkind, a pouch of a dozen pearls worth 100 gp each.
Also within is a locked (but easily opened) lockbox with a small
stack of documents and scrolls. Among the scrolls is a scroll of misdirection, a scroll of pass without trace, a scroll of undetectable alignment, and a scroll of whispering wind. As valuable as these scrolls are, the other documents in the coffer are perhaps worth even more. These documents number hundreds of pages in all, many of which are written in a cipher that mixes the languages of Celestial, Elven,
and Strix. These documents contain a wealth of information about the Silver Ravens, but it will likely take weeks of study by someone who is
fluent in all three languages and skilled in Linguistics to
decipher them.
Lastly, hidden at the bottom you find a small leather wrapping, and inside what looks at first like ancient straw, but even a cursory examination reveals its actual contents, six fully intricately carved figurines of a Silver Raven, no larger than the size of your palm.
"It's obvious that these figurines are more than simple art pieces, and it's not lost on me that Rex believes this to have been a secret hideout of a now lost group of folk heroes that called themselves the Silver Ravens..."
Harold then nods in the direction of the documents.
"We certainly have an interesting find here, but I dare say it will take some time to sort through all of that. We should retreat topside, sort out what we want to keep, and then sell the rest."
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Nihm casts detect psychic significance as he slowly walks through the chambers.
"Xavril, I can speak a few of those languages. I'm not all that familiar with Celestial, though. However, as they say, your first five languages are the hardest. I'll see if I can learn enough to help."
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After plundering and clearing the Fair Fortune Livery, an abandon hideout of the Silver Ravens, uncovering hundreds of pages of documents written in a cypher comprised of Celestial, Elven, and Strix alphabets. Although combined you are able to read those languages, there is some sort of key needed to understand and decode the documents, and even with that, it would likely take weeks of study and organization to get a clear picture of what the documents say.
Returning back to Rexus Victocora, a man who you had helped when he was being beaten to death in a back ally by Chelish guards, and who suggested you look into investigating the Livery as a possible Silver Raven base. Rexus had shared a note with you from his mother, and upon returning, he offers to help deciphering the texts, calling in allies and favors if he needs to.
If you are reading this, what I have feared has come to pass and I am dead. For many years, I have belonged to the Sacred Order of Archivists and have worked to free Kintargo from Chelish rule. I have learned much about Kintargo’s secret history, and fear the time will soon come when the city needs the return of its Silver Ravens. You have likely not heard of the Silver Ravens—few have. Mentions of them have been redacted by the agents of House Thrune, but during the civil war, the Ravens worked to ensure Kintargo’s safety. They were heroes in their day, and I fear that Kintargo needs their kind again.
Do not believe the government’s claims that Lord-Mayor Bainilus abandoned us! Darker things are afoot, and I fear that all who work against Thrune may find themselves in danger in the days ahead. The Silver Ravens maintained numerous hideouts within Kintargo’s walls during the civil war. I have located one such site—the chambers below a building known today as the Fair Fortune Livery. If you are reading this, I was unable to seek further answers there myself.
Gather heroes to your side, my son, and search below the livery. There, if my research is correct, you will find something to teach you more of the Silver Ravens and their legacy. Do not let my death be in vain. Stand up for Kintargo. Bring the Silver Ravens back to life!
Rexus seems very keen on reviving the Silver Ravens, through you, hoping to create a bloodless rebellion against House Thrune's occupation of the city.
"Before my parents vanished, I had overheard them speaking. They thought that there was another group in the city operating under the noses of the government. If we can make contact with them, perhaps they could help us to grow. I've been thinking about it for some time, and I think they may have known who they where. I'd like for you to The Long Roads Coffeehouse. It's in Villegre, northeast of the park. Look for a woman Laria Longroad. She was my mother's friend, and I think she might have been a secret ally. Maybe she can help us?"
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"But why would you ever choose us?" Sinclair is perplexed at being considered a hero.
"Besides this useless lout Xavril, I've never met these other gentleman before. They may consider themselves heroes but I'm just a performer looking to entertain and find my next drink. Sure I don't like these Thrunes, but I have no idea how to go about stopping them."
Harold turns and nods to Sinclair.
"A fair question... I think it might simply be the right people in the right spot at the right time; after all, we did rescue him from a bunch of thugs."
He then frowns.
"I am loathe to draw attention to myself; I know far too many people who have done so, and ended-up dead, or worse... but something needs to be done! Who better than us? After all, an idea, a symbol, can be more powerful than a hundred swords... and we have the magical ravens to back us up. Why can't the Silver Ravens live again, and this time, succeed?"
Harold then nods to Rexus.
"I am be willing to go and speak with Ms Longroad."
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"No, he is right. But, it's precisely because, as you said, you didn't know each other, nor did you know me, o if so, by reputation only. But, you all stepped in when you saw someone being hurt. I likely would have died, or worse had you not."
"I have no doubt of that. I've heard rumors of what they do to people they don't like. I'm sure we all have. I just know that someone has to do something. Even if it's just a little thing, that might spread. Catch on like one candle lighting another, and then another. I didn't choose you. I'm not sure if anyone or anything did. And you have absolutely no obligation towards me, or the Silver Ravens, or to anyone here suffering under the yoke."
Rexus continues, "It was something within each of you that chose, and if you choose to continue, to join together and fight against the darkness, well, we can do a lot more together. Maybe even a little good. I know I'm in until the end."
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Im in, whatever the case may be, they have my crew and they aren't going to let me board my ship, so I have no choice in the matter. I must learn all I can about this place and House Thrune, study their strengths and weaknesses, then maybe we can start changing this place.... John is clinching his staff tight and seems lost in thought. We all have our own motivations, but I need you, I've seen what you can do. If you help me to get my ship and crew back, when this is taken care of, I'll take you where you want to go.
Harold smiles.
"Even a single candle, though it sheds but a small amount of light, can be seen from quite a respectable distance. Alone, we are no match for the darkness, but our example may be able to inspire others... and a blazing conflagration would certainly banish the dark!"
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The Long Roads Coffeehouse is located in Villegre, just northeast of the park. The establishment caters to an eclectic mix of customers, serving coffee and food to bright-eyed students of the Villegre and delivering fancy desserts and pastries to the noble estates in the Green. Known as much for its traditional halfling fare as for its lovable proprietor, Laria Longroad, the bakery greets you with a customary smile and nod as you enter, asking what she might do for you.
"Good Day, Ms Longroad. My, there are a lot of Ravens outside today! What a fine establishment you have here. The Silver gilding is lovely. What sort of Flowers are they over there under the Bell? Rexus Victocora recommended that we should speak with you - he said that you knew his parents, and might be able to offer some advice..."
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Sinclair gets distracted by all the smells and totally forgets why they came there. "Ahhhh I miss that smell. Reminds me of my mom's bakery she runs out of our home. Hmmm perhaps I could sample one of your scones? You know, I could even sing a little song to your customers, I'm sure that would improve business here for you."
Hearing Harold's cryptic question reminds him of their real purpose for the visit. "Yes Mr Victocora! He thinks you may be of some assistance to us. You knew his mother I believe?"
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Laria greets you like old friends after hearing Rexus' name, and presses steaming cups of fresh coffee and handfuls of pastries into their hands, then invites them into her office to “catch up on old times.”
This is, of course, a ruse, she merely wants a private place to talk to you in private. Once in her private office, she locks the door, and makes certain to close the windows. "Rexus told me he intended to look into the Fair Fortune. Tell me, friends, what sort of troubles did you find there?"
Harold waxes lyrical about the dogs, rats, and devils that were found... as well as mention the large pile of 'encoded' documents.
"We were hoping that you might be able to help..."
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"Perhaps we can help each other out," Laria says after listening to your answers. "I know a safe place you could hide out. I have a hidden bunkroom here in Long Roads. Since you know my little secret, and I've been in contact with Rexus, and he trusts you, I guess I'll have to trust you as well. Or at least start building to it."
"Below the coffee house is a series of secret tunnels. We use them to hide refuges and fugitives, Bellflower tillers, and stolen goods—the Halfling’s long called these chambers the “Wasp Nest.” Unfortunately, the hideout isn’t currently in our control. I allowed a friend, Nan Comerivos, to smuggle a load of Varisian textiles through the tunnels adjoining my basement, and has been storing many of them until he could find a buyer. Nan arrived days earlier to check on his goods amid the troubles, but still hasn’t emerged."
"With everything going on the last few days, and with the Coffee house under a little extra scrutiny, I've not been able to go look into it. Nan normally stays down there for a few days, but not this long. I've been leaving him food and wine, and it's been taken every time. Then, this morning, one of the servers told me they heard strange laughter. Inhuman laughter she called it, coming from behind the hidden entrance. So I'll tell you what. Head into the "Wasps Nest" and make sure everything's ok. Tell Nan to keep it down, and maybe find out just how long he plans on staying down there, and I'll let you hide out here for as long as you need."
Laria takes you down into the basement and points out the way into the secret tunnels, and how to open the way into them. This basement contains numerous crates of cooking ingredients, sacks of coffee beans, and other supplies needed to maintain a thriving business.
Stepping into the tunnels themselves, you see that they have 10ft ceilings, but no light. This long, damp hallway opens to the southeast into a large reservoir of calm, dark water. A wooden pier extends twenty feet into the water, while another twenty feet out rises the top half of a statue of a beautiful elven woman. A foul smell, like that of rotting meat, comes from somewhere near the pier. Two holes have been knocked into the northwest walls to provide access to chambers beyond.
Not long after the Chelish Civil War came to an end, the church of Calistria was forced to abandon its cathedral on Temple Hill after House Thrune outlawed worship of the Savored Sting. Most of the faithful fled north to seek shelter in cities such as Magnimar and Riddleport, but here and there worshipers clung to their traditions and their homes, practicing their faith in hiding. One small group chose this area as a place to hole up, and walled off a stormwater overflow pool to use as a shrine to their goddess. Eventually, inquisitors of Asmodeus routed the cult, and today all that remains of the shrine is a statue standing in 3 feet of stagnant water.
Harold frowns.
"Guys? Many of the supplies have been opened and seem to be missing small portions, as if someone’s been skimming from the top of the food in an attempt to keep the pilfering from being noticed..."
When he warily moves forward into the corridor, covering it with his bow...
Harold nods, and touches the tip of Xavril's sword, causing it to be outlined in a halo of fire which sheds Light.