|
"Ooooh... that's really nice of you miss! Very nice indeed! Be careful on what you what you offer though! I might actually take you up on that offer and follow you home! You'd have an actual DRAGON roaming your house then!" Vendalfek chuckles, making an exaggerate roar, like he's a huge and terrible red wyrm and not a tiny and cute faerie dragon.
"In all seriousness though my jokes and tricks are never malicious. I never really hurt anyone! A ghost sound here a silent image there... it was all done in good fun I assure you"
The tiny dragon obviously seems tempted by Lirotha's offer although something seems to stop him from going further and ask to join you:"You see... Clenchjaw's is my new home. If I were to move away from it I'd have to move my hoard too... Say... would you allow me to keep my hoard with me if I were to move in with you?"
"I'm sure we would. We have some very nice caverns." adds Valrani.
"Actually, having a guard dragon would be awsome. We had this *very* annoying little devil try to move in with us. But I'm sure it would have been far too scared to try that if you had been with us... And things are never boring around us Ravens."
"If you'd like to move your hoard with you, we'd be happy to help you watch over it. If you help us around the place, we might be able to help you add to your hoard, you know..."
Smirking happily at the Dragon's honesty and obvious enthusiasm, Lirotha nods easily.
"Hey, that works for me...but let's keep you a secret from our other Ravens for now? The last thing any of us need is anybody overreacting to your greatness, at least until you get settled in Master Dragon?"
|
|
"Excellent! the small dragon yaps happyly making a few pirouettes through the air and landing back on the balcony.
"Don't worry about my hoard. I have the means to move it, I just wanted to make sure you'll allow me to keep it for me. You should know that hoards are really important for us dragons! Just show me where you live and I'll join you, as soon as I find a suitable place to turn into my lair. And by the way... with me moving in, you won't have to worry about small devils anymore!"
You return to the Wasp Nest with Vendalfek in tow and he immediately takes a liking to the place, flying around the halls and studying it, searching for the best place to nest. Once he's decided he disappears, but you find him the day after, having moved in with you for good, it seems.
"Well, that turned out quite pleasant after all! I like that little fellow...seems to be a good sort. Now, do we want to follow up on that other lead now, or wait until later?"
Rocco grins with pleasure as the dragon agrees to move in with the Ravens. "Excellent! We've got a real guard dragon now. No more pesky little devils for us! Plus, it was kinda fun getting in that bar fight, even if it was short-lived. That one bloke just about soiled himself when Kurglunn came up, you remember that K?" The phantom nods quietly, still watching the dragon with a look of wonder in his eyes.
The Hound nods "I'd like to see that imp try something now with a dragon around. Not often we get to resolve a problem without conflict. It was a productive evening."
He turns to the rest of the party. "Sorry I couldn't be more help but it looks like everyone had it all under control."
"All very well come indeed. I just hope the dragon doesn't cause the same sorts of problems in our home that he did in the bar!" she laughs, half humerus, have genuinely concerned.
"How are you all doing with recovering from the poison?"
|
|
With Vendalfek moving in with the rebellion and leaving Clenchjaw alone things quiet down considerable to the point Thrune shutting down one of the last good bars left in the city is no longer an immediate concern of the rebellion.
Meanwhile Rexus finally completes his decoding of the documents you recovered from Fair Fortune Livery, and the results are most shocking!
As you gather near what you have come to value not only as a good hearted man with a keen intellect but also as a good friend, a slightly trembling Rexus starts to present the results of his research:"First of all I need to thank you for the kindness and trust you showed me allowing me to study these documents. Most of the information hidden in these books and scrolls casts the events of the last century under a very different light than what the official records claim. Suffice to say I feel privileged to have had access to such fascinating secrets.
That said, let's start from the very beginning, just be aware that due to time constraints I'll be forced to summarize a little.
The Silver Ravens were established in 4606 ar in the wake of the chaos that swept over Cheliax after Aroden’s death to help protect the city of Kintargo from oppression. At the time the woman who founded the Silver Ravens was a mysterious elf known only as “Jackdaw,” a figure who, before the advent of the Age of Lost Omens, built herself into a sort of Kintargan folk hero who fought for the rights of the city’s downtrodden.
Many of the Silver Ravens were adventurers or worshipers of Milani. Jackdaw, a swashbuckler, was the most powerful and influential of them all, but others who rose to particular prominence among the Silver Ravens were Amyreid an half elf woman and cleric of Milani, Ba, an halfling enchanter, Kyda a human woman and thief by trade, and Brakisi a male human ranger who developed a strong link with the town of Kintargo.
During their career the Silver Ravens defended Kintargo from being conquered no fewer than a dozen times during the Chelish Civil War: five times from power-hungry noble families, four times from agents of Thrune, once from an invasion of skum from the sea, once from a cabal of Nidalese vampires, and once from a blue dragon named Rivozair.
The Silver Ravens' main headquarters were stationed in and below the Kintargo Opera House; unfortunately, no information in the documents indicates any other safe houses the group may have maintained in other parts of the city but considering Fair Fortune Livery we know they are probably here somewhere.
The Silver Ravens were said to be able to use something called the “Song of Silver” to defend Kintargo when it was attacked by enemies, but sadly, no additional information as to what this mysterious song was can be found in these notes. I implore you to not to forget about this and keep an eye out for further clues on this Song of Silver. It might be the key to save Kintargo!
The last section I translated speaks of how the leaders of the Silver Ravens had seen the proverbial writing on the wall—they knew House Thrune was likely to seize control of the nation, and had come to the difficult decision to surrender should this event come to pass, hoping to prevent Thrune from razing Kintargo. Indications exist that the cache of treasure and documents hidden in the Fair Fortune were intended to serve as a sort of time capsule, should Kintargo forget the Silver Ravens with the passage of time.
This is about it... bit I think we are almost ready for the next stage of our mission, but before that happens I ask you to prepare yourselves. What will come is going to be the most dangerous trial we have faced yet"
So saying Rexus completes his report...
"So how do we get our hands on the cache of treasure? We could use some magic to defend the town, that's for sure," Oren wonders, hearing the summary.
"It sounds like we might need to visit the Opera house." notes Valrani.
"So much history. I wonder why the Ravens surrendered themselves rather than just leaving quietly? I can't imagine that house Thrune treated them kindly."
You gain a permanent +2 bonus on all Organization checks (Loyalty, Secrecy, and Security)
"THIS, my pretties, is the treasure! These papers! Its a major clue! We need to see if we can find out more info on the older Silver Ravens! Unfortunately the Opera House is Barsillai Thrune's base of operations right now. We cannot go there yet! We will need to work at finding this Song of Silver, and improve the rebellion in general before confronting him in his own lair. I wouldn't put it past him that he chose the location JUST for the fact the Silver Ravens used to work from there!"
Turning to Morricone, Lirotha will talk to the aristocrat.
"You are our resident performer. See what you can find out about this Song of Silver and the Opera House hideout...Discreetly of course! Don't go near the Opera House itself yet!"
She turns to Val.
"Val, once you are done in your work for the day, go check out the city archives for the original Silver Ravens. Anything could be useful: Owned property, relatives, even tombs and wills could be important! Again...be discreet!"
She turns to Rocco.
"If anybody turns up ANYTHING to do with the Ravens, I want you and Kurglunn to try working at digging deeper. If we find objects that belong to them, then use your powers to sense anything about the previous Ravens if you can. If we find a grave, see if you can talk to the spirit of that Raven! If they have relatives or distant ancestors in the city, go talk to them."
Looking at Oren, Lirotha smiled evenly.
"The Ravens were worshipers of Milani. See if you can discreetly contact them using any of our rebellion allies. They must be hiding in the city somewhere. We need to find out what they know!"
Speaking to the entire group at large, the witch snaps her fingers.
"We have a chance NOW. We can make a change for the better here. To help the downtrodden and push out the evil devils who hold this city by the throat. The next few weeks will be difficult I assume, but if we can work together, we can overcome any resistance. If anybody wishes my help on anything, they only need to ask. First come first serve. I only have so much time too, and someone need to keep an eye on things here too so nothing slows down. What say you all?"
"I can keep an eye here for you."
|
|
It reads:
My Dear Ravens
You are not alone in your fears for the nest we share, but for now, my flock and I must remain quiet and hidden. The time will soon come when we must meet, but until then, keep building your contacts and resources. Do not rush into opposition against our common enemy. The time to retake Kintargo will come, but to strike too soon will be to lose the war before it even begins. Recruit. Prepare. Remain strong in your patience. We shall speak soon.
—The Rose of Kintargo
"Anybody know who or what this Rose of Kintargo is?"
|
|
After decoding the documents Rexus starts growing restless. He goes out in the night exploring the ashes of his family's estate. He spends time checking on obscure texts and questioning Laria about the various underground organizations still active in Kintargo. It's clear he's searching for something but can't find it.
You resolve to ask him about this strange behaviour but he precedes you. As you gather inside the Wasp Nest he's there waiting for you.
"Friends. I'm ashamed to say I have another favor to ask of you. I think my mother, Porcia Victocora, lives still and I implore you to find her for me! he says a few moments after greeting you.
"You see..." he continues "My mother was a member of a secret group of historians called the Sacred Order of Archivists. I'm sure this was the main reason our estate was targetted by Thrune's arsonists that terrible night. Yet I could find no evidence of he passing. On the contrary, nothing among the ruins of my old home indicates she was even there when the fire started. I know of a stronghold of the order and I think she's been hiding there all this time... alone and terrified! And even if she were dead... I would at least be able to claim her personal effects, since everything else burned out!"
Rexus' visage breaks for a moment in an expression of anguish. Then he composes himself and speaks once more:"The Sacred Order of Archivists has long used chambers below a local museum of oddities called Hocum’s Fantasmagorium as a secret base of operations. If my mother survived the fire, she may have remained silent for so long simply because she’s been lying low in the chambers below the museum. I have never been inside the
place... indeed, it’s been closed to the public for many years, but I know this mithral key that was among the things my mother left me supposedly opens many locks within the building. Please help me. Help HER!" he finishes handing you the key before starting to cry.
Laying a soft hand on his houlder, Lirotha will smile.
"Of course we will try and find Porcia! Worry not good friend: Not only is she invaluable to you personally, but she could give our little organization a boost of information if she still lives."
Lirotha will quiz Laria on the Ancient Order of Archivists and anything she can tell us about them and Hocum's Phantasmagorium. We will of course listen to ANY advice she may offer.
Also, Lirotha will send the Fushi Sisters to scout the area around the building during the day to see if if there are any nearby problems: Basically to see if any local Dottari or agents of Thrune might be interested in the place. The last thing we need is to lead the enemy to a possible friend's door!
"How long has it been since you last laid eyes on her?p" says Valrani, as gently as she can.
"Wouldn't stores of food and water be running low by now?"
Morricone will use his contacts to question around for a chance to meet a collegue at the oppera. Maybe he has a contact there.
"I too can scout the place in the evening."
In a rare display of empathy, Rocco reaches up and grabs Rexus's forearm. "Ah, Rexus! I'm sorry. I know how much pain it must be causing you not to know what became of your mother. Don't worry, we'll be glad to check around the museum. Have you heard anything about the Dottari or any of Thrune's other lackeys hanging around the place?"
Lirotha will quiz Laria on the Ancient Order of Archivists and anything she can tell us about them and Hocum's Phantasmagorium. We will of course listen to ANY advice she may offer.
Also, Lirotha will send the Fushi Sisters to scout the area around the building during the day to see if if there are any nearby problems: Basically to see if any local Dottari or agents of Thrune might be interested in the place.
|
|
Rexus seems grateful for your kind words but asks you to be left alone. It's clear this sis a very emotional moment for him. He barely has in himslef to answers Valrani's question:"My mother was a wizard of sorts. She knew a few tricks to summon water and food in case of dire need, so she might just be hiding... all scared and alone!"
Lirotha opts to ask Laria about what Rexusu just told the Ravens. The revelation that the Fantasmagorium was used as a safe house for the Sacred Order makes a lot of sense to the halfling woman and she openly suggests you investigate the Fantasmagorium.
If any members of the Sacred Order of Archivists survive she reasons - they’d be great allies to have for the rebellion. At the very least, the number of documents the order has in safekeeping should be a significant boon to the Silver Ravens.
Of course - Laria adds - complicating matters is the fact that the building was closed down many years ago after its previous owner fell into debt. With the mithral key Rexus just gave you entering the museum should be much easier than otherwise though.
After this your next move is to mobilize your forces and scout the Fantasmagorium out. Meanwhile Lirotha sends the Fushi Sisters while the Hound and Rocco do the same in person. Morricone asks a contact in the opera but there's not much he can tell him besides what Laria already revealed.
Your scouting the place out reveals one thing for certain. There's moderate Asmodean presence moving in and out of the Fantasmagorium. They try to stay inconspicuous, but Rocco, the Hound and the Fushi's notice clerics and guards bearing the marks of the archfiend coming and going from the place on a semi regular basis.
"Should we try to disguise ourselves to get into the place easier? Fighting our way in seems like a recipe for disaster..."
Lirotha seems generally worried now.
"This is not good. If she's down there then she's surrounded by Thrune's brutes and devil-clerics. We HAVE collected an assortment of various Asmodean articles of armor and clothing. We could attempt to disguise our way in. But I am not a confidence trickster by any means myself. I doubt I could pull off being an Asmodean very easily. Rocco would be difficult to get in too, unless he wanted to pretend to be a slave? I think Stealth is our easiest asset here, if not the best one to use inthis situation. A distraction is in order. We could get one or two of our teams to set off some rebellious distractions semi-nearby in order to draw off some of the pressure? What do you all think?"
"I'm reluctant to slit us up. " says Valrani.
"Those going in will be facing...who knows what, and those of us who were in a distraction would be unable to help them.. I do agree about stealth."
The large woman sighs "Not that I am very good at it.."
She looks to Lirotha "Before we go, here is the amulet I made for you.." she hands over the amulet of protection.
"I tried making one for me too, but mangled the process somehow."
Lirotha accepts the items and thanks val for her time and work.
"No splitting us up. I suggesting we send two of our teams to make distractions. We as a group will be going in together to pull the Archivist out if we can. We have to consider this is also a trap of some kind. They may be waiting to see if anybody shows up and then they arrest them on the spot....if we're lucky."
"Any way we can get our hands on some schematics of the place? Knowing the layout would be an advantage." The Hound says in his trademark gravelly voice from beneath his fedora.
|
|
His charm and showmanship transformed the bizarre concept into a minor success for many years, but when the exhibits (many of which were either grossly exaggerated or utter hoaxes) began to lose some of their novelty, the Fantasmagorium struggled to make ends meet. It finally went out of business 20 years ago, and Hocum died not long thereafter. The building has remained shut down and something of an eyesore ever since.
Know. Local
Oren finds out quite a bit about he run down place from one of her clients.
"Well, that would sound like an ideal place to hide out. Who would expect a bunch of serious librarians to hide out in an old amusement arcade?"
Finalizing the plan, Lirotha nods with Valrani.
"Yes. We might have thought it out on our own if we had any inkling of such. OK, I have the Fushi sisters ready with a distraction? Are we ready to bust in the front door and take on whatever Thrune has down there?"
Making some mental notes Morricone nods."It´s time for the grand finale!"
"Perhaps the Street Performers could join in with the sisters to give us an impromptu show that might take some of the attention off of us. Should we disguise ourselves the best we can so that we can get as close as possible before having to fight our way in?"
"I can't think of a better time to try out my new toy." The Hound says, slinging his fine looking musket over his shoulder. It has engravings and motif's of a pack of hounds giving chase which mirrors the design of his pistol.
Casting her Mage Armor spell upon herself, Lirotha then quickly pulls out her face-mask, tying it around her face. It still smelled of stale tea and her breath from the last fight.
"Masks up! Keep a eye out. Rocco come give me a hand with this lock you little pick-pocket!"
She then pulls out the special key and casts a detect magic cantrip, hoping the Thrunes didn't put some sort of trap or alarm spell on the door anywhere.
Oren drinks down her mutagen, flexing instinctively as the reagents reacted with her muscles. "This only will last about a half hour, so let's be on with it," she calls out.
The Hound has his Musket slung across his back, loaded with Cold Iron. and his pistol in his hand he stands ready to enter with the group.
|
|
This sprawling, single-story structure has certainly seen better days. The building’s stone facade stands out amid the brick-lined walls of its neighboring structures, and numerous windows to the left and right are boarded up. Signs advertise rates and incredible exhibits within, and above everything a crimson sign announces “Hocum’s Fantasmagorium!” A large lock hangs from the front door.
Casting her Mage Armor spell upon herself, Lirotha then quickly pulls out her face-mask, tying it around her face. It still smelled of stale tea and her breath from the last fight.
"Masks up! Keep an eye out. Rocco come give me a hand with this lock you little pick-pocket!"
She then pulls out the special key and casts a detect magic cantrip, hoping the Thrunes didn't put some sort of trap or alarm spell on the door anywhere.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
|
|
Lirotha notices how the lock is in good working order despite the general appearance of neglect the rest of the building exudes.
As Lirotha opens the door you all follow her inside the old museum.
Macabre taxidermy and menacing skeletons line the walls of this fifty-foot circular chamber. A middling-quality fresco of terrifying and fantastic beasts lines the domed ceiling overhead. Large double doors lie to the northeast, southeast, and northwest; the northwest doors hang wide open.
Oren takes the initiative, moving 30' due north from her current position, leading the team. Expecting trouble, she consumes her potion of Barkskin, which will also last for 30 mins.
Perception