Relan raises an eyebrow at Nalar's suggestion. I'd much rather stick together Nalar. Should it concern me that you are so anxious to take that wizard away without us? No, I wish to be there when we tell his family how he treated the oracle.
Guilt flashes across Nalar's face as Relan speaks. "I'll come clean, I'm hoping to get on the good side of the Ardoc's to get access to their resources." He sighs, waving his hand in a circular motion muttering arcane phrases. A few seconds later a 3-ft disk of force appears under the troll, levitating him slightly off the ground. " That'll help us move him."
Braelex gives the troll a push. "Augustille to the Augurs, then Berk to the Ardocs. Let's go."
Andel, Braelex and Vuloo load up Augustille on to a rented cart and with some well-placed cloth are able to get him to the Augur Temple fairly easily. Over the course of the time it takes you to get there, he relaxes and stops straining at the bonds and his eyes clear up. A testament to the powers of troll regeneration that it didn't take much longer.
Vargun and a host of the Augurs walk quickly down to meet the party at the steps of their white, columned temple. Vargun turns to the tree of you to say something, gratitude evident on her face, but vefore she can relate it, however, the crowd of trolls steps back as Augustille falls to the ground in the grips of what looks like a seizure, his back arched and lips frothing. In a hoarse bellow, he cries out in the harsh foreign language of the deep.
The owl will seek but will not find,
but spire of knowledge pays in kind
in secret kept in secret keep
in forest dark and cavern deep.
The abbey of the glutton moon
will flow with blood, the wind in tune
to finish that begun before
and open wide the doomsday door.
The shattered star with seven shards
for seven lords with seven swords
the queen of blue in distant skies
will kindle new the ancient wars.
The seas will rise and men will drown
And what was lost shall claim the crown.
When Augustille finishes, his body relaxes and he returns to his senses. The other Augurs nod sagely and help him up, leading him into the temple.
Vargun informs you that you’ve witnessed a genuine prophecy, and
that she suspects this one is for you.
Relan and Nalar teleport to the Kiln, speak to the golems and await an escort in although a niggling feeling tugs at both of them
Up above, you spy something feathered circling the Kiln from far overhead. A flash of various colors leads you to believe this isn't the last you've seen of the harpy
You are eventually greeted by a different Ardoc than before, one who wasn't at the meeting, although he seems to know all about the terms. He listens to your report dispassionately and thanks you for bringing home the wayward brother. He promises that the Ardoc artisans will be available to your during your time in Kaer Maga
Andel translates the aklo rantings for the others. "The prophesy relates to the sihedrons that we seek, but I can't say how, other than it appears that rejoining the shatter star may be cataclysmic."
Braelex runs her hand through her hair and shakes her head. "Other than the bit about the shattered star and seven lords, I have no idea what any of that meant. You guys?"
She turns to Augustille and Vargun, asking, "Can you interpret your own prophecy? Or is it all just as meaningless to you?"
"It is a true prophesy, one that Augustille is known to have, but what it means, I cannot tell you? Perhaps it is something that will come to pass soon or perhaps it is much later. But come to pass, it will."
The wizened old troll looks at you apologetically and with a tinge of sadness.
After an interminable pause, Vargun continues, beckoning you to follow her into the Temple " I've been putting together some pieces of information that have been puzzling me of late. The word on the street is that the Council of Truth—a powerful order of scholars, engineers, and arcanists that vanished without a trace many years ago—has either returned or has been reformed, and people have been seeing the Council’s wide-eyed owl sigil showing up in strange places. Now the Therassic Spire has shut its doors—an unheard-of event for the great institution—and isolated itself from communication with the outside world. I believe the two might be connected, and called in some favors. I have discovered that the two organizations have quietly put together a team of adventurers to illegally enter the Undercity in search of a powerful artifact—something they refer to as “the Runelord’s Shard.” Sound like something you'd be interested in?"
Nalar nods his head politely, thanking him for the generosity. "I was also wondering if I could make an appointment to see Lord Merriman, given our successes I was hoping to make myself of more use to the Ardoc family." He says sweetly.
Braelex nods enthusiastically to Vargun, "Yes, I think that would be in all our interests. Thank you!" She looks around and then adds, "Can it wait until our companions arrive? They should be along presently."
Vuloo nods his agreement. "Yes, we are definitely interested in the shard. What can you tell us about the Therassic Spire? What exactly was the purpose of this Council of Truth? Did they govern Kaer Maga?"
Kanya follows your long enough to see you take Berkanin into the Kiln and then slinks off into the city.
The brother looks at Nalar impassively and then his eyes lose focus and glaze over. After a few moments, he refocuses on Nalar and asks, "Can you come back in three days time? Merriman can see you then."
Vargun scracthes her chin, before reciting as if from memory "Often called simply the Great Library, the Therassic Spire is believed by many to be the oldest repository of written knowledge in Varisia. A circular tower eight stories tall, the structure is rumored to extend an equal number of stories below ground. The librarians who run it are a reclusive sect that lives within its walls, and part of the library’s fame comes from the fact that all knowledge is welcome, no matter how trivial, dangerous, or profane— though finding it in the twisting, bizarrely organized stacks is another matter entirely."
She shrugs apologetically, "The stuff we spout to tourists ... we've provided transcripts and copies of our prophecies to them for a fee in the past. I stopped that when I felt greed was becoming the motivation and we started selling all our prophecies not just the pure ones. They truly do take in all information, though. I can lead you there if you like."
Braelex looks around the street for Gav, but agrees to Vargun's offer. "We would appreciate it. Our guide has gone home, I think."
Vuloo nods his thanks to Vargun, "Yes, I would like to spend some time at the Great Library researching what lies under Kaer Maga. It may assist us in retrieving the shard."
Vargun grunts assent and spends a few moments delegating out instructions before gathering her toga and leading you back out and down the steps of the Augur Temple. She takes you briskly through the Warrens and back through Bis, past the Kiln and further south into Cavalcade.
The first thing you notice about the area is that it is constantly ringing with the pounding of anvils and the rushing of water as streams from the city’s central lake finally discover an exit and then cascade thousands of feet to the valley below. Cavalcade is so crosshatched by streams that is resembles an archipelago stitched together by a vast network of footbridges. The energy of the water as it streams over the falls, combined with the wind rushing up the cliff, provides the district with a valuable resource, and numerous mills and other such facilities turn that power into products, milling grain and timber or pumping forge bellows.
This is the industrial section of Kaer Maga and you see many a blacksmith and working forges hawking wares as you pass.
Additionally, you spy large breaks in the ceiling, some seemingly natural and others obviously manufactured. The sky access allows smoke and steam from the city’s industries to rise and disperse easily
Cavalcade is constantly abuzz with life, its workers surrounded by the houses of their families and the children who race through the scattered patches of sunlight and across mist-shrouded bridges in endless games of tag.
A narrow, perfectly circular tower eight stories tall rises between the branching of two major streams. Vargun marches right up to the huge ironbound doors of the library which are shut tight. A small, meticulously lettered sign announcing that the library is closed until further notice. Vargun ignores it and pounds on the door with a meaty fist, keeping it up for a full minute. At last, a panel in the doors slides open, and a pair of beady eyes stare out through ornate metal grillwork. “If you can’t read the sign,” a prim voice says, “then there’s nothing in here for you anyway.”
Vargun turns to you and indicates you respond.
Vuloo will speak up. "Good sir, we see that you are closed to the public, but we are pathfinders and have urgent need of the library. Will you assist us?"
With nothing more to say Nalar leads Relan away to meet up with the others at the Augurs base. Getting quickly up to speed from the others he quietly lets Vuloo take the lead.
The eyes glance down at the halfling Pathfinder and narrow slightly, "Pathfinders, eh? What could you possibly need that is so urgent and within a library? Think we open the doors to any clown that walks up here and says, 'Oh, it's urgent, I'm really important ... no, more important than everyone else! Hmmm?"
"Trust us, we wouldn't bother you lightly. And what we seek should probably be saved for discussion behind closed doors. We don't want passers-by to get any ideas." She shows the eyes her Wayfinder, specifically the embedded shard, and in a discreet way as to avoid the attention of onlookers.
If it helps, I have an appreciation of libraries far beyond a normal soldier. I'd love to see your library for its sake alone, but its true we do need access to your books.
The person begins to close the small window slot until Braelex flashes the shard. The eyes behind the grating go wide, and then the door cracks open. A hunched human woman in red robes ushers you inside quickly, closing and barring the doors behind you all.
The tiny wizened woman is well past eighty and stares at you fiercely, "Why didn't you get to the point right away? Where did you get that and why are you here with it, hmmm? Speak the truth, Pathfinder."
"We are here because the shard," Nalar begins, thinking it wise to not mention the others. "It gave us a vision that there was another shard here in this city." He walks to the front of the group. "As to how we came across it well, that's really a story we can tell through a door is it. You never know who else might be listening." Nalar leans in conspiratorially, giving the woman a charming smile.
Thyrl slinks onto Nalar's shoulders. "Trust me fair miss, my master and his friends pose you know threat. We are a very intellectually minded party, your library will be quite safe." It says, licking a paw disinterestedly.
My thanks good lady. Relan say stepping in. As the wizard explained one shard will lead the holder to another. We are on the trail to the next shard and intend to collect them all.
Vuloo provides additional details on the shard. "So, will you help us?"
The librarian sighs in irritation and then sweeps you all into a book-filled foyer complete with a table and a couple chairs. Without so much as a glance at any of you, she sits down with an audible groan.
"Shouldve started with Pathfinders rather than those other amateurs ...", she mutters before cleaning a pair of spectacles and placing them on her nose.
"We, here, at the library are ... or rather were ... in search of the Runelord's Shard as well. We got credible information, were informed of a secret entrance to the Undercity and hired a band if adventurers to rendezvous with our contacts. It was supposed to take a couple days. It's been well past a week, and our contacts tell us that they've not met up with them."
She shifts un discomfort and coughs uo a bit of phlegm into a handkerchief. She wheezes out between gasps, "Could use someone competent to clean up our mess ... preferably without the Duskwardens finding out."
She glances knowingly at Vargun, who nods sagely.
"Why the discretion?"
Vuloo smiles, "My lady, may we assist you with this matter? I assure you we are competent and have the highest integrity."
Vargun speaks up while the librarian has a coughing fit, "What Koifa intimates is the this whole operation is highly taboo, as unauthorized expeditions into the city’s depths put the whole populace at risk of increased monster activity, and I'd guess the library wants to avoid responsibility for any death or damage their hubris may cause."
The monstrous troll some how is able to put on a disapproving air.
Koifa regains her composure, "Yes, well a scandal would be terrible, but we are concerned about what happened to the previous party and shoring up the risk since, well ... the secret door to access those tunnels is here within the library. The risk to the people here and the wealth of information stored within these hallowed walls. You must find out if they awoke something bad ... and if you can find them all and return them, the Library is prepared to offer you a reward for their safe return or, less desirable, for their remains."
Braelex grins, "That's kinda our specialty."
Vuloo accepts the offer. "Let's waste no time. Show us to the secret door."
Nalar holds up a hand. "As much as I would love to run off to adventure, we need to prepare properly. Personally I need to rest and outfit my spells for the journey, plus it would be prudent to gather some information about what we may find below."
Koifa stands with a groan, "This way, young man. Your friend wanted to see the stacks? Did you need to do some research before you left? You may have your run of the library."
She looks to Relan expectantly.
"Regardless, whether you find the other party or not, please proceed to meet our contacts in the chamber of the black menhir, beyond the River of Memory. From there, assuming they havent been harmed or otherwise betrayed, they'll show you how to retrieve the shard."
She begins to lead you through the library if no one wishes to do any research.
Nalar quickly starts diving into any reports about monster attacks around the spire, looking into any duskwarden reports that he can find.
Andel will research both the black menhir and the River of Memory.
Nalar is right, of course. We will need at least a day of down time to recover and prepare.
Relan assists with research, delighted to be in a library.
[b]This library is not laid out as I expected. I must dedicate myself to learn its cataloging one day.[/ooc]
Braelex nods, "If we are not in an urgent hurry, then resting is a good idea. Back to the inn?"
Koifa directs you to a small room where you can set up your gear, and brings a few cots. She indicates the kitchen is open for a few more hours but they have limited selection.
The area under Kaer Maga is a vast network of natural and artificial chambers and tunnels lying underneath the city extending so deep into the cliff that its depths have never been charted. Locals refer to the whole system as “the Undercity” and avoid all but the topmost layers, which they use for storage, secret hideaways, and occasionally shelter, depending on the Duskwardens for protection from those things beyond. The duskwardens report all sorts of creature attacks to include gobins, undead, seugathi, oozes, nagas, medusa and darkfolk.
Of interest, you discover that the Runelords of Greed created and maintained both the Therassic Spire and laboratories underneath it, carved out of the Undercity itself and done with agreement with a race that existed before even the Runelords time ... the caulborn, an enigmatic race of knowledge gatherers that worked as wardens of Kaer Maga for a time until they abandoned the Runelords shortly before Earthfall.
Andel determines that the Black Menhir is part of an ancient Varisian legend about the Dark Rider. This legendary headless horror haunts the forest of northwestern Avistan hunting its victims relentlessly along with his pack. Legends vary from country to country, but in those stories it either beheads its victims and takes their skulls on to its belt or it raises them as shadow creatures to fill vacancies in its pack. The menhir itself is connected as some sort of secret transport to the legends' lair.
The River of Memory may refer to the River of Lost Souls or the River Styx ... the research is very non-specific
Before you head to the secret door, Koifa gives you a list of the adventurers that comprised the first, and now missing, expedition:
After several hours in the library Andel reports his findings to the group. "The menhir is a portal to something called the Dark Rider. The Dark Rider is a headless undead of some sort that is accompanied by a pack and shadow creatures. The River of Memory must refer to the River Styx. This journey beneath Kaer Maga will be very dangerous, I fear."
Nalar follows up Andel's report with his own. "I have to concur with Andel. It appears that most of the systems beneath the city are uncharted. Considering the encounter we had on arrival and these reports it's evident why, the tunnels are infested with all manner of monsters." He pauses to flick through his notes, ink smudging his fingers. "However there are records of an ancient race known as the Caulborn, though their nature is enigmatic at the least what is known is that they have been a fixture of Kaer Maga since before even the Runelords. It is also known that they collect knowledge, the why is unknown. While I doubt they will have reason to hinder us I also find it unlikely they will aid us."
4
Charm Monster
Emergency Force Sphere
Dimension Door
Emergency Force Sphere
3
Heroism
Magic Circle Against Evil
Resist Energy Communal
Dispel Magic
Hold Person
2
Hideous Laughter
Glitter Dust
Glitter Dust
Mirror Image
Hideous Laughter
Create Pit
1
Charm Person
Mage Armor
Shield
Shield
Magic Missile
Magic Missile
Magic Missile