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A tall lithe woman wearing a red bandana over her long black hair and wearing a matching leather outfit enters the room where the mission briefing is supposed to happen:"Hello everyone..." she says before stopping abruptly as she notices no one seems to be present.
"What in Besmara's black heart... was I late again???
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The fourth and final day of training has come to a close at the Grand Lodge of Absalom, heralding the end of this year's Torchbearing. Pathfinders the world over attend this annual symposium to share their knowledge, teach each other new skills, and reinforce their connections across the Inner Sea and beyond. To celebrate the end of festivities, the lodge has hosted a grand banquet in the visiting agents' honor. A refreshing winter breeze blows through an open window, flickering torches and sending papers scattering. The smell of freshly baked desserts fills the air while initiates clear away the remnants of the first course.
During the annual Torchbearing, the Three Masters, along with other notable Pathfinders, taught a variety of seminars and panel discussions, from Golarion’s history to spellcasting techniques, and ran obstacle courses and a triathlon. Rumor has it, Janira Gavix offered an unauthorized but popular filking class for aspiring bards and other social misfits under 30--inches, not years. You also heard some salacious gossip about an exclusive, late-night VIP experience Zarta Dralneen arranged for some her favorites. According to one hungover Pathfinder who claimed to have been there, a disgruntled Drandle Dreng was turned away at the door.
Speaking of the imp, ever the social butterfly and self-appointed mentor-to-the-masses, the halfling bard Janira Gavix approaches your small group. “Hi, friends. It’s been awhile since last we met. Have you enjoyed the Torchbearing? I volunteered to organize all the classes again this year. Kreighton Shaine always said I should have been a teacher. Did you learn anything useful?”
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Another dark-haired man enters on Constantin's heels, but he's shorter, slight of frame, dressed in slightly foppish clothing in blacks and reds. He has bright blue eyes, tousled curls with a runic tattoo just visible beneath them, a rather boyish look to his face that suggests he's barely reached twenty if that, and... very pale skin.
"Ah, we have a poet among us? Splendid, splendid," he says airily. "I'm sure there'll be need for your skills. And-- goodness, who is this lovely creature--"
He bows deeply to the woman with the red bandanna. "Madam, a pleasure to make your exquisite acquaintance! I am called Nox, and--"
"ONLY BY YOURSELF," says a deep, emotionless voice from the doorway behind 'Nox.' "CEASE YOUR TASTELESS BEHAVIOR, VLADIMIR DRAZNOI."
The figure that strides into the room behind the chagrined-looking 'Vladimir' stands over six feet tall and... might be nothing more than a suit of armor moving. It's a bit hard to see a face under the visored helm, though a burning rune glows on the helm, the match of the one on Vlad's head. The armor is a dull black, and a silver chain is wound several times around the breastplate, a large blade hanging over the... creature's? back.
"I AM IUDEX," the figure says, and nothing more, standing motionless behind Vlad.
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"Mine's Vanya and I guess yours is VLADIMIR DRAZNOI! Right?" She says, imitating the eidolon's tone and then winking at the black haired summoner.
Then Vanya turns to Janira Gavix:"Well met Janira! Hope this time things will run smoother than the last we saw each other! As for my activities through the year I guess I shanked a few asps, stopped an assassination plot in Korvosa and almost got killed in Bloodcove... same old same old I guess"
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Vlad smiles in a toothachy fashion. "...Vlad is fine..."
Reminded that Janira had asked a question, Vlad sits down on the lounge and crosses his finely made boots at the ankles. "Oh, let's see, what have I learned lately...
"I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED."
Vlad rolls his eyes. "Yes, yes. Well, we were last in Osirion, trekking some thief through the most godforsaken dunes you can imagine. It taught me the importance of having magic to protect you from the stupid heat. Ugh. It didn't rain once the entire time we were there! It's enough to make one miss Ustalav. Oh, Iudex, remind me to buy a scroll or two of endure elements, will you?"
Vlad leans forward, smiling at Vanya. "An assassination plot in Korvosa? Now that sounds exciting. At least it was actually in a proper city."
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A Garundi women wearing breathable, some would say scandalous, clothing rides in side saddle on an impressive looking axe beak. She arrives in time to hear the introductions.
"This is why I like these little gatherings. The society is the only place that doesn't get frightened by Nusar here," she pats the beak of her dire ostrich. "I am Khismia al-Shadun of Nex. I'm afraid I spent most of today in lectures about the dinosaurs and other Megafauna of Mediogalti island. A tad boring, but I needed the break. I had spent the previous week as guest of a Djinn in the city of Armun Kelisk in the Elemental plane of Air. Its good to be back on solid ground."
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Iudex does not appreciably respond to the ostrich squawking in his... visor. Vlad does, craning with amused curiosity to see the result. He seems disappointed when Iudex makes no response.
"Sorry, birdie, he's no fun at all," he drawls, then returns his gaze to Khismia and her interesting wardrobe. "Oh, I am really liking this team so far. How do you do, Khismia?"
A leopard sidles up to Nusar and begins sniffing at it inquisitively.
"Pardon my kitty," a gnome with wild green hair and protuberant eyes chimes as she follows behind the big cat. "She likes birds."
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The front doors of Skyreach burst open with a loud crack. Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin strides to the edge of the platform, with a slender elf dressed in practical but expensive clothing trailing meekly behind. The red-faced venture-captain addresses the crowd in a booming voice.
“Pathfinders, I regret interrupting the festivities, but we have something of a situation. Approximately twenty minutes ago, unknown forces invaded the Blakros Museum. Fortunately for everyone involved, the Torchbearing is about cooperation and helping our colleagues, so let’s think of this less as an inconvenience and more as an opportunity to practice what we preach.”
The elf, Nigel, exhales sharply, then speaks, “Now, Ambrus, I’ve spent a king’s ransom fortifying the museum from all sorts of invaders: sentinels from the Golemworks, magical wards from the Arcanamirium, and even contracts for guard beasts, both magical and mundane—spared no expense. I didn’t want to come here, but I’ve got no choice.”
Valsin’s forced smile cracks slightly, showing his annoyance. “Out with it, Nigel. Get to the point.”
“Someone broke into my museum and set off the magical protections! I was preserving priceless Shining Crusade pieces for our new exhibit when the first alarm activated. I sent for district guards and went to investigate, but by the time I arrived, the thieves had already locked themselves in my study. They somehow caused the Shining Crusade relics to fly around the museum and attack my sentinels. Everything is going haywire! The magical traps started to target me, the sentinels are not responding to my commands, and—”
Valsin holds out a hand to steady the increasingly agitated elf. “The last you knew, the thieves were still in your study?” Nigel nods. “Very well. Pathfinders: the Seekers should prepare to teleport directly into the Blakros study—“
“That won’t work,” Nigel interrupts, “The study is magically sealed. After that dreadful Numerian exhibit, I turned it into a magical safe room. The robbers must have figured out how to activate it; no one can get in or out while the wards hold. I can work on breaking the wards, but meanwhile my sentinels are smashing up the collection. Some of those priceless relics are on loan from your own Society lodges, so helping me is really helping yourselves.”
“Fine.” Ambrus Valsin takes a deep breath and then turns to the assembled Pathfinders. “Pathfinders, go to the Blakros Museum, secure any relics you can, disable the security systems, and apprehend the looters if possible. Stay safe.”
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"As expected... these things never go as they are supposed to. But that's the only reason I keep coming here after all! So... shall we save the Blakros Museum from its unstable guardians and bring the cunning thieves to justice? Let's go people! You know you want to!" Vanya chuckles and starts moving towards the exit.
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"Do you need a hand? I can help," Vlad calls hopefully to Khismia, only to have Iudex's iron hand descend, one on his shoulder, and the other on his head to forcibly wrench his face in the direction of the Venture Captain and Nigel Aldain.
"AlRIGHT," Vlad exclaims in irritation. "Ahem. Messire Aldain, what is the nature of these sentinels you've employed? Should we expect constructs? Bound elemental forces?
"And you mentioned traps. If you have any details on them, that might be helpful."
Iudex's voice rumbles behind Vlad: "SHOULD YOU NOT TELL YOUR FELLOW AGENTS SOMETHING?"
Vlad exhales pointedly. "I'm GETTING to it. Right, ah, ifIgetknockedoutpleasedon'ttryandhealmethrough... conventional... means. There's a silver vial at my belt. And a specific wand. Iudex can tell you what to do, if need be."
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As soon as the announcement is made, the Pathfinders make their way to the notorious Blakros museum!
Dozens of Wise District guards surround the Blakros Museum. The sergeant nods to Ambrus Valsin as he approaches, a subtle smirk dancing across the venture-captain’s face. The museum itself is alight with swirling whorls of color and the sounds of metal and stone clashing. Occasionally, brief flashes of light burst from the front entrance, illuminating a toppled banner that says “Legacy of the Shining Crusade.”
The broad-shouldered, middle-aged Ulfen man salutes, a somewhat bemused expression on his face. “Well met, Venture-Captain Valsin. I am Svaralk of Asleifar, Sergeant of the Learned Guard. The Guard appreciates your assistance.” He points to his subordinates, “Our initial attempt to quell the animated relics within failed. I’ve ordered the Guard to withdraw and form a perimeter.”
Ambrus Valsin returns the sergeant’s salute, a gesture of mutual respect. “You once served in Grand Prince Stavian III’s Ulfen Guard, did you not?”
Svaralk nods, “That’s right. Afterwards, I retired to Absalom and have served this city for seven years. This is not the first catastrophe I’ve responded to at the Blakros Museum, though none has been quite so dramatic as this. As if anyone needed further proof of the museum’s reputation for trouble.”
The Ulfen confides to the Venture-Captain, “After Nigel Aldain harangued me for dereliction of duty in not immediately retaking the museum, I’m in no rush to sacrifice the lives under my command until the warring creatures inside wear each other down.” He holds up a hand and shakes his head, “I don’t hold Nigel Aldain’s outburst against him. I recognize the elf is rightfully concerned—albeit rather precious—about his exhibit.”
Svaralk turns to your team of Pathfinders and says, “Before you enter, I can provide you an overview of the museum’s layout and tell you that there are animated relics and guard animals on the ground level, and clockwork creatures skirmishing with each other on the floor above. We also have an especially challenging problem in the gardens at the southeast corner of the museum grounds. Some kind of magical runes displaying swarm-like behavior, more magical devices really than living creatures. They proved too complicated a challenge for me and my guards; we simply lacked the skills to disable them.”
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I can confirm what our good friend Constantin claims about the museum. Can't say I know much about the Blakros' or mr Aldain but with the museum there's a certain professional interest involved" says Vanya confirming Constantin's words.
Once she and her fellow pathfinders reach the museum and overhears Valsin's talking with Svaralk Vanya interjects:"I think we should take the ground level. Relics and animals sound better than animated swarms of magical runes to me..."
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Vlad nods along with Constantin's verses about the Blakroses. "Very rich family. Very prestigious. The most beautiful daughters," he sighs.
He looks with interest at the museum when they approach, being a young enough agent that this is his first time setting foot in the storied hall. "Ohhh exciting, look at all the lights. Iudex, try not to break anything.... perhap if this works out messire Aldain will introduce me to one of his cousins...
The pyschopomp does not bother to answer with words, but gives off an air of long-suffering patience and unwinds the chain-and-blade from around its torso. With a slow methodicalness, the armored figure begins to swing the chain in a spiral, imitating the symbol of Pharasma, in a fashion.
"Well, then," Vlad says brightly. "Thank you, Master Svaralk, that's helpful. I think Vanya has an excellent idea, I don't like swarms either. Animals should be easy enough, no? Go on, Iudex, you can open the door."
He pokes the psychopomp between the 'shoulderblades.' The suit of armor looks wordlessly towards the others, then advances for the door.
"Hey Vlady, I like the way you think, but you should know that if I see you hurt an animal I reserve the right to use your guts to lace my boots," Lini replies with a broad and cheerful grin as she scratches Droogami's chin.
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Since more of you decide to look at the ground floor first (you can still double back to the runes later), you push open the great double doors of the museum to the foyer.
Under a sign that reads “The Shining Armory,” priceless Shining Crusade artifacts displayed on pedestals creak and move by some unseen force. Eerie light seems to dart between the objects while the din of a raging battle echoes throughout the chamber. The central feature is a low, artificial hill atop which stand two stuffed owlbears surrounded by shattered undead foes. Each of the beasts wears chainmail barding and an orange-and-black caparison depicting a stylized owlbear. A dead man dressed in furs lies on the floor before a suit of fullplate armor.
The Shining Crusade attracted soldiers of all stripes, from Taldor’s official armies and hedge knights to independent mercenary corps. The Order of the Sable Owlbear joined the crusade late but made a lasting name for itself on the field of battle.
Four more sets of double doors are set at the other end of the foyer. As you make your way in towards those doors, however, two of the the banners advance on you!
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
You are caught off guard by all the commotion! The banners act before you and advance on Droogami and Vladimir.
The banners' attacks are clumsy. Both miss.
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Vlad gives Lini an incredulous look.
"Sorry, did you just... threaten me? Because I agreed with Vanya that we ought to go deal with the animals running crazy? Goodness, that's certainly an interesting interpretation of 'explore, report, cooperate'. Don't worry, I won't hurt any animals. I'm a lover, not a fighter~."
Vlad smiles thinly and gestures at Iudex. "He might hurt something, though. If you want his guts, you might be out of luck. I'm not sure he actually has any. Though I'll be amused to see you try."
Vlad blinks hurriedly at the banner flapping at him, and steps quickly behind the axe beak and his own eidolon. "Not the FACE, oh my goddd. Right, after this, Iudex, you go AHEAD of me. They're.... animated... banners?"
Iudex says nothing, but lashes out with the flying blade at the nearest banner.
The psychopomp then steps forward with the implacable patience of Pharasma's stewards, interposing himself without complaint between Vladimir and the banner.
Lini looks at Vlad with wide-eyed innocence as she tilts her head to a side, staring as if he had said something nonsensical.
"I wasn't threatening you, I was just telling you how I gather material for my bootlaces. I don't question you guys when you cut strips from the skins of cows for your bootlaces, do I? And guts are so much easier to use..." she replies in a genuinely surprised tone. "Anyway, what makes you think the animals are crazy? I talk to animals as much as I talk to humans, and I can tell you humans are far more prone to crazy than animals. Have you seen what they wear in Oppara? And don't even get me started on that Zarta lady..."
"Wait, are you asking me to check if helmet-boy has any guts? I mean, I think asking him would be easier, but I suppose I could take a look later..." she continues as the banner suddenly lashes out at Droogami. Immediately, her wide-eyed and slightly vacant expression changes to one of manic rage.
"Hey! NO ONE TRIES TO HURT MAH KITTEH AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!" she shrieks in a shrill voice as Droogami begins to bite and claw at the offensive banner.
Lini herself also moves up to the banner and begins swinging wildly at the banner with her sickle.
"Get. Off. Mah. KITTEH!!!"
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A pained expression comes over Constantin's face as he listens to Lini and Nox bickering, but at least now that something else is trying to murder them, they might pay attention.
He hoists his own banner high as a challenge to the ones that oppose the Pathfinders and bravely leads the charge!
From the rear.
And without charging.
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Constantin goes first inspiring the group from the... 'front'.
Vanya, Khismia and Nusar go next and tear apart the blue banner.
Despite their banter, Vladimir and Lini finish off the red banner.
There is no loot to be found here. Valuable exhibits but they belong to the museum.
You hear coming barking from the inner areas.
"Oooh! Puppies!"
Lini grins broadly as she pushes the doors open, her argument with Nox completely forgotten. She stands boldly in the doorway with her arms wide open.
"Hello doggies! Come to me my fuzzies!"
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Lini throws open the double doors where three large dogs await, ready to pounce. They charge at the gnome as soon as they see her but the sound of her voice soothes to them and they lick her at the end of their charge instead of biting her. Droogami hisses jealously from behind.
Behind the dogs, long shadows cast by ruined displays and broken furniture litter the floor. A humanoid-shaped figure made of shattered clockwork lies slumped over a bench. Above, an elaborately painted sign reads “Crusader’s Chronicles.”
"See? The puppies are not crazy. You puppies wouldn't hurt anyone, would you? Silly hoomans just don't understand you, do they? Oh shush Droogami, you're still my favourite, but we can still make new friends," Lini cooes as she pats her new friends affectionately.
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With merely an eyeroll for Lini's response, Vlad wanders near to the clockwork figure, and idly scans for magic, just to make sure they're not passing by something useful in the wreckage of the apparent construct. "Looks like somebody beat us to this one. Well, do we deal with those wretched runes? If they are swarms, I have some acid flasks on me, but that's it."
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Well done Lini! You saved us a lot of time and we avoided needless killing. Well done indeed! As for our next destination )I think we should stay inside and check out what hides upstairs. We could always get back later and deal with those nasty swarms of runes anyway" comments Vanya moving towards the stairwell...
"Hmm....well, I don't mind looking at those runes before we go upstairs. I don't know that much about arcane magic but Droogami here can bite a rune or two if that helps?"
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Lini tries to coax the hounds to come with her, and manages to persuade of them to follow her.
You head outside to the SouthEast Corner of the building where you see thousands of glowing glyphs forming a protective shell around the outside of the museum, casting a sparkling aura of light that bounces off the fountain’s waters. As Svaralk told you, they appear to be flying around like some kind of swarm, and as you arrive you see another group of less-experienced pathfinder beating a hasty retreat. The swarm promptly turns its attention to you.
A PC that is adjacent to the runes can attempt to shut them down by performing a certain number of Disable Device, Knowledge (arcana), Linguistics, Spellcraft or Use Magic Device check. Casting dispel magic, erase, or a similar effect on the swarm earns a number of successes equal to the spell’s level.
For every 5 points that your roll exceeds 13, you can ask another question about the living runes swarm.[/ooc]
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Constantin begins to inspire his allies.
The runes are quick to respond to your presence. They fly towards straight towards you, and when they get close to Iudex they glow briefly. A cone of fire shoots out from the glowing runes, washing over Iudex only. The runes keep moving, provoking an attack of opportunity from Iudex, as they just manage to reach it and swarm over it.
R4
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As the runes approach, Iudex's scythe-like blade on its long chain flashes out to intercept them, cutting a sparking line in the air.
The armored figure doesn't cry out at the blast of fire, but he does seem to stagger wordlessly under the assault, his outline flickering slightly.
Vlad winces a little at seeing Iudex struck, but studies the runes intently all the same. "I think we might be able to disrupt these! They're... magical, a little like a trap, but they're also made of words... and raw magic.... so if you know anything about how any of those work-- oh, hell with it."
Hurrying forward with an unhappy look on his face at getting so close to a fight, Vlad nevertheless tries to concentrate, his pale fingers spread out spider-like towards the runes. It's just a different application of magic, right...
Iudex wordlessly steps through the swarm to reach his ward's side. "REMEMBER OUR COMPACT," he intones to Vlad, but his form continues to flicker and he cannot attack.
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"Just for the record: the reason I didn't want to get near a swarm of bloody magical runes was because... I don't have any way to harm them! Best thing I can do is stay out of the way and let our arcane experts solve the problem..." shouts a disappointed Vanya keeping out of the swarm's reach.
"... and don't die while trying, hopefully..." she muses mentally.
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Khismia shouts back, "He said they're like a trap. Get out your thieving tools and try to disable them." There's a brief sound of a growling bear as Khismia calls upon the spirit of the bear to her.
She steps up to it and attempts to decipher the meaning of these runes.
Nusar, not liking these strange floating letters, squawks and attempts to peck at them
"Alright Droogami, let's go look at those runes!"
Droogami hops in front of the runes, bringing Lini with him as he takes a nibble at the runes.