The game will be here!
Feel free to dot or add to newsreaders while we sort out pre-gen selection.
You were all recently contacted by a curious and capable half-orc explorer by the name of Ulisha. Her note explained that in one of her recent "adventures", she discovered an enchaned sickle. After doing some research, she identified it as Silverhex - a weapon forged and used by druids thousands of years ago.
Her note further explained that she had gotten herself into a bit of trouble and that she was looking to part with Silverhex in order to raise funds which she would use to satiate creditors hot on her heels to collect.
As Pathfinders, always interested in procuring ancient treasures for the Society, you arrived at the meeting place to negotiate with Ulisha, but she was nowhere to be found.
Instead, she left her journal behind with another note attached. This one explained that she knew that you would not be able to afford to purchase Silverhex from her... yet.
As a sign of good faith, her journal contained a half-dozen leads to profitable finds of hers as a sign of good faith. She urged you to seek these items, sell them, and with the gold gained, she would trade Silverhex to you. She curiously ommitted why she could not run down these items herself.
The first page in her journal indicated that you would need to travel to Gralton, a large town in the River Kingdoms, where she indicated some sort of "treasure" could be obtained within Lord Laban Tullivor's mausoleum.
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"I'm Amiri." With this simple statement, you are introduced to a dark-haired woman carrying a sword that looks far too large for her to wield. Her hide armor is scratched and gouged from her fights.
Amiri reads over the journal page, "Hmpf. I think I heard a humorous story once about a group of aristocrats..." She hands off the journal to anyone else that will take it.
"So, we raid this mausoleum and take the treasure? The society is okay with this? At least it's a straightforward request. I can't stand it when people muck all their directions up with riddles and metaphors - just get to the point, I say!" Amiri calms herself down a bit.
"Ya think we'll need any special tools to get into this mausoleum? Maybe we'll need a crowbar or something - I've got some coin I could spend on that."
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An ornately dressed women glides into the room. She looks to be a priestess by her grab, but perhaps also a warrior given her weaponry. "Personally, I am not one to consider myself a grave robber, but it is a waste for those meeting their creators to try and take their possessions with them. So as long as we work towards the greater good, I think that is what matters most."
She checks her pack, and then looks up. "Sorry, I am perhaps being rude. My name is Kyra, and may the blessings of the Dawnflower help us this day!"
A man in blue robes listens as the task is discussed. His fingers tap upon a cane clasped before him, tip planted upon the ground.
"Amiri. Kyra." He nods in greeting. "I am Ezren." He introduces himself. "And I think perhaps there is more to this than grave-robbing."
Or perhaps not. No need arguing about trivialities before stepping out the front door.
The journey from Absalon to Gralton passes without incident and gives the freshly minted Pathfinders a chance to get to know one another. Farmers and travellers along the way admit surprise that the five of you passed without incident as bandits are known to take what they want from those passing through the River Kingdoms.
As you stroll into Gralton, you recognize it for the bustling city that it is. Ezren points out several facts along the journey, notably it's population has boomed to over nine-thousand inhabitants.
Everywhere you can make out displays of nationalism, nobility and affiliations - this "kingdom" built of Galtan refugees clearly not having lost the spirit that fueled the fires of unrest in their former nation.
Your arrival coincides with sundown. You can could choose to rest and begin the day tomorrow bright and early, or head to any destination you choose right now.
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"Please tell me more about Lord Laban Tullivor's mausoleum. I am Lini and my feline friend is Droogami."
A female gnome steps out of the shadows wearing leather and a sickle tucked into a belt near a bag of stones and sling. A snow leopard follows her without making a sound except for the occasional pur or growl.
Gralton must be a gloomy place as the nearest inn takes you past the large graveyard where the citizens bury most of the Galtan nobility.
As you pass, you all note from the bottom of the hill that the main gate is not only unlocked, but swings in the light breeze passing through the city.
From up the street, the beckoning sound of music can be heard starting up from a tavern of similar establishment.
As the five Pathfinders work their way into the cemetary, they observe a body slumped over a small marble pedestal. Fresh blood run from the body along the sides of the pedestal, seeping into the dark soil below.
Hanging back near the gate, Ezren looks around with a wary eye, then casts a simple spell to detect magic.
"Be wary, this may be a trap."
Lem hurries on after the group,
Hi gius! Sorry I'm late! says Lem as he catches up with Ezren.
As Kyra rushes ahead, she can clearly see the man draped over the monument is deceased.
It's hard to tell how he died, but Kyra does make note of a stab wound in the man's side the seems like a piercing blade or some sort.
She'd need to move the body a little, perhaps off the monument that it's perched upon for a better look. At the very least, it's no way to treat a dead body...
Kyra, with Amiri's help, lifts the body from the monument and sets it respectively on the ground for a more thorough examination
As you all get a moment to glance at the monument upon which the body was perched, you recognize it is actually a bust of a man.
The bust suddenly animates, speaking aloud
Additionally, you all recognize the mausoleum you are standing before must be the one you are searching for.
Above its heavy stone doors it reads TULLIVOR.
This is the place that Ulisha indicated should have the secured the treasure you are seeking.
Lem ponders the message...
"When the last son falls upon this spot... I wonder if somebody killed him to get in."
Further checking the body out, Lem point out a symbol on the man's belt "I don't recognize the badger mark on his belt, houses change so often in Galt anyway it doesn't surprise me though."
Lem stops to think for a moment.
"Hopefully whatever treasure we seek hasn't already been stolen."
"Murder seems a harsh prerequisite for entry." Ezren says, then looks to the sky. "Are you sure it refers to a last son, or last sun?" He points toward the horizon.
The Tullivor Mausoleum appears sealed shut.
A large metal lock is set upon the two massive stone handles, preventing entry. There is no discernible place a key could be inserted, either.
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"It appears the cause of death was a shortsword in the stomach. His face is scratched too."
Droogami circles around the body with his nose pressed toward the ground. His ears perk up and eyes dart toward the gate. He sniffs around a second time and picks up another trail leading into cemetery. Showing concern Lini casts Speak with Animals and has a minute long conversation with her cat.
"Lini smells a horse in the cemetery. A boy and girl was also here, but they have left through the gates. I assume the kids were innocent bystanders. Let's follow the horse's scent and see if we can find any more clues."
Lem looks up to Ezren "Ohhh, sun, good idea old man." Lem jumps and gives ezren a hearty slap on the back.
"A good idea indeed, wonder why the murder then... horses aren't known to wield short swords."
Lem listens to Lini. "Interesting, a short sword wielding horse, and it's hawk companion, I think we're either missing a key culprit here, or something has gone terribly wrong."
Lem chuckles a bit.
Just as you begin to glance towards where Droogami believes the tracks lead (towards a second museum), you can make out the name above its entrance as well.
SARVIO.
With a clip clop, a woman of noble bearing emerges from nearby this very locale, riding a well-bred horse. She trots ahead as her horse whinnies and she addresses Lini and Lem.
"Whoa, Zephyr! Easy boy..."
As her horse settles down, she gestures towards the Tullivor mausoleum.
"Is there trouble here? I heard talking, and .."
She scans the lot of you.
".. you're armed and equipped... like adventurers?"
Ezren looks up and down at the lady and her horse. "Appearances can be deceiving. For instance, one might take you for a noblewoman out for an evening ride, were it not for the odd setting." He gestures to the cemetery and raises an eyebrow at the lady.
The woman begins to smile as Ezren speaks, but her smile quickly fades as she puzzles out Ezren's pun.
"I, oh..."
Kyra takes note of the shortsword strapped to the woman's hip.
"I am Lady Rhiannon Sarvio, and I will have the proper respect of my station, as Gralton law dictates!"
The woman maintains an authoritative tone in her next question.
"Now, I'll ask - what is your business here before Lord Tullivor's mausoleum?"
Her horse shifts anxiously.
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Amiri keeps her large sword drawn, but not held up to the ready. Though she despises authority and nobility, she understands the complications that can arise with poking at the ruling class.
She thinks to herself, 'This is not going to end well.' The barbarian casually spits on the ground and answers the question bluntly.
"We're picking up something from the Tullivor mausoleum, for a friend," she says flatly.
Lem tries really hard not to roll his eyes as the overly authoritus woman and waits for her response to Amiri.
The woman's stern gaze seems to soften at Amiri's words.
"Pick something up now are we? Perhaps we may share a common interest, adventurers..."
She gazes over the the body on the ground, splayed before Kyra, and onto the Tullivor mausoleum.
"You do appear serious in your intent -- have you tried to gain entry to this mausoleum, yet?"
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"Listen, lady - that wasn't us. The body was dead when we got here. I'm not going back! You can't pin this on me! I served my dime already..." Amiri's sudden outburst seems to surprise herself.
"Wait, wha-? You want us to team up together? Hmm, dunno about that. But naw, we haven't gotten in yet. Maybe you could help us with the talking statue's riddle."
The horse's tail flits as she guides it a couple steps forward.
"Riddle? Ah yes, Tullivor's talking bust. All the aristocrats know the words..."
She glances upward as she recites them.
"When the last son falls upon this spot, receive my thanks"
She then gestures to the fallen body.
"Unless my eyes betray me, that is Northis Tullivor, Lord Laban's only son and heir, and it seems he has fallen..."
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Amiri's mind catches up a little with who this woman is. "Oh, you're a Sarvio! You guys hate the Tullivors, right? I'm still not sure. What do you guys think?"
Amiri turns her questioning gaze to her fellow companions. Without waiting for a response, she steps over and tries the door to the mausoleum to see if it will by chance open.
Not quite trusting Lady Rhiannon, Ezren keeps his distance and listens intently to the exchange. Glancing at the body of Northis Tullivor, he recalls Lem's words.
Killed by a shortsword...
He looks over the horsewoman and notes her weapon.
"You killed him." He states. "And the mausoleum did not open upon his death."
Lady Rhiannon eyes Ezren with concern.
"Oh, you're going to play that game, now? Perhaps I saw a band of tomb robbers in the cemetary kill poor Northis while I was praying at my family's mausoleum."
Her horse shifts anxiously.
"I wonder who the constable would believe? A pack of foreign tomb robbers or one of Gralton's best known nobles?"
Her eyes pierce through Ezren, daring him to press the matter further.
"Now, do you want into the mausoleum? Or do you want to try your luck with ol' Chalmsey the constable, who I do believe owes my father several favors..."
She then smiles at Amiri and Lem, seeming to trust them to make the right choice.
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Bold words from the gnome, Amiri thinks to herself. "Calm down, Lini. We're not even citizens here - and the Lady here probably really does have the local law in her pocket. No... if we're going to get into this tomb, I think we'll have to enlist her help."
She spits on the ground again and looks back up at Lady Rhiannon, "So, what do you suggest we do?"
GM Note: It's hard to know someone murdered someone with a Sense Motive check (even a natural 20), but Seoni is absolutely convinced that Lady Rhiannon either did it, was involved, or knows who did and simply doesn't care.