"He did indeed have an odd smell." Nigel says, musing it over. "But I work with a lot of scholars and they tend to have a certain, odor to them."
"But what could the impostor be after?" he asks. "Maybe something in the book, History of the True Art has a clue? The Forae Logos has a copy, or perhaps you could ask Maren Fuln at the Arcanamarium, he's a wizard who has become quite well versed in Absalom's history."
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Bom had only been in Absalom for a few short months while he had been running missions for Ambrose a few weeks ago "Forae Logos? Arcanamarium?" Bom scratches his head and laughs, "Sorry, I don't speak Chelaxian. Is that a person or place? Though I'm not sure we have time to go to the library with a ghoul running loose in the museum." Bom looks at the group to see what their thoughts were. Bom was hoping Sigrun and Rook would be able to easily track the creature.
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Sigrun blinks a couple of times at Kargen's summary of events, then shrugs. That seemed logical enough.
"I'll try and get Rook to sniff around here. Might be hard to follow the tracks depending on how old it is, but we can try."
Sigrun whistles for her wolf companion, slapping her knees and calling his name. The wolf seems hesitant for a moment, but soon enough is able to jump pretty effortlessly over the gap and come into the room. Tearing off a scrap of Anumet's clothes, she gives it to the wolf to sniff, and also leads him towards the room decorated with runes--although Rook staunchly refuses to enter the place so perfumed with death.
Later, with the talk of investigating the books, Sigrun seems rather bored. "Maybe we can go to both on the way, if Rook picks up the trail," she suggests with a yawn.
The trail leaves the museum and goes out into the city.
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As the party continues the discussion Bom quietly pulls Shel aside, discretely handing her the book that as found earlier, making sure Nigel does not see,
Bom returns and engages Nigel, "Nigel, now that we know the danger has passed, we found some strange markings in the room where we believe the ghoul escaped. Would you mind taking a look at them to see if you can recognize their origin? I figure with your vast knowledge you might recognize them."
Nigel nods at Bom. "The Forae Logos is the great Library of Absalom! And the Arcanarium is the Arcane research academy, also here in Absalom."
Nigel's eyes widen when Bom mentions the markings. "Yes, yes, I'd be interested to see these. But are you sure it is safe?" he asks.
Neither of those locations are in the Precipice quarter.
You take some time to recover Anumet's body, with Nigel looking at the Ghoul's room. He informs you the writing is in Aklo and details years - probably centuries of insane ramblings, by a creature who names itself the Devourer of Reason who details various revenge plots against Ralzeros and a desire to open the portal to unleash the horrors of the Dark Tapestry on Golarion, though the particulars of how he plans to do this are vague.
Finally, with all matters wrapped up the party makes its way to the Arcanamarium to see Maren Fuln. Following precise directions through the complex and winding streets of the expansive Arcanamirium to find Maren Fuln is far from a simple task, as the journeyman is still largely unknown in the massive school and simply asking for his whereabouts garners few results. Students and faculty of the school try to help lost adventurers as best they can.
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Kargen blesses the body with the rites of Erastil, saying a few words on behalf of the poor man who was killed by such an evil thing. "The great Hunter shall watch over your soul even as your body returns to the earth. We shall find this beast and kill it that no more will follow your fate."
Kargen follows along to the Arcanarium helping the others ask for directions to Maren.
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Sigrun watches impassively as Kargen blesses the poor man's body, and she mutters a few words under her breath for his soul herself - though she was by no means a holy woman!
The barbarian is quite out of place amidst the halls of the Arcanamirium; her attempts to ask for directions generally result in the terrified students inexplicably running away from her. She sniffs her armpits vaguely after the third try, frowning in confusion. I bathed just yesterday, though...?
Rook has a lot of fun looming over the smaller students, at least.
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Noticing Kargen's efforts on Aumet's behalf, Oswin decides the blessings of multiple deities are better than one, and offers a short prayer on Anumet's behalf to Iomedae.
"May the grace of the Inheritor light your path in your journey to the hereafter."
To Kargen, he says: "Thank you, Brother, for your efforts in helping this man's soul find peace. I vow that as long as the grace of Iomedae dwells within me, I will not rest until justice is served to his killer."
Your inquiries bear fruit - at least about the location of Maren Fuln.
You find him in a classroom which has been converted into more of a lounge than a place of learning where Fuln, a pudgy man with mutton-chops, wearing a fine purple robe, is sitting in a cushioned chair reading a book while a half dozen young students hustle about doing various busywork.
Fuln looks up at Shel and Bom with irritation. "What? What? Can't you see I am a busy man?" he asks. His students wince.
Maren Fuln eyes you for a moment, then nods. "All of you! Out! I have some real scholarship to do here!" he says to his students, who scurry away, some with relieved expressions.
"What can I do for you then? I take you for Pathfinders. You must have some matter of Absalom history you wish addressed, yes!"
“Absalom legend tells that Blakros Museum was once the mighty stronghold of an astrologer called Ralzeros the Overwatched. He watched the stars with his weird machines, and some say he was able to communicate with the otherworldly beings of the Dark Tapestry, the black spaces between the stars."
“Ralzeros's rival was a prominent mage named Beldrin. After a significant feud between the two, Ralzeros disappeared. It is thought that this feud arose when Ralzeros accused Beldrin of stealing a key to one of Ralzeros's many chambers, which contained the wondrous magical tools he used to watch and be watched by the stars."
“If Beldrin did steal a key to Ralzeros's magical chamber, he most likely hid it in one of his three towers, which once stood on a promontory near what is now the Precipice Quarter. Only one tower remains standing—the Tower of the Broken Shield, commonly called Beldrin's Tower. The Tower of the Candelabra has sunk deep beneath the water. The Tower of the Horn fell to the base of the bluff; it remains half-flooded at all times and is only accessible during an extremely low tide. He most likely hid it in the Tower of the Horn, which is said to have held the keys to many of the chambers in his other spires.”
Maren shakes his head. "I've read nothing about such a creature in my research." he says to Kobad.
"Beldrin's tower? No, Rumor claims there are still items of great wealth and power within the tower, left by Beldrin and possibly able to rebuild the section of the city he loved so much. Adventurers have gone into the tower more than once, and while some return with treasure and others are never seen again, none have found any legendary artifact that can fix the district." he says to Kargen.
You figure such an expedition would require much more time and effort than you have luxury of expending at present.
"No, no! The sources do not speak to the specific appearance of whatever key you might be looking for!" he says, shaking his head. He seems to be growing more and more exasperated with each question.
"I haven't the foggiest notion about this 'Devourer of Reason'. And if you want the History of the True Art, you'll have to go to the Forae Logos." he says.
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A certain items catches Bom's eye. Though he wasn't sure what they were for, Bom was wise enough to realize that this might be what Shel was looking for. Eager to help out Shel, Bom entreats the Maren to sit down with the man's back towards the scroll rack.
"Professor, please sit down. We have only a few more questions.
Bom then tries to let Shel know indicate where he saw the items.