Terisha grunts non-committally and concentrates on her footing.
The party follows Celia and Barkot through Underbridge, their combined knowledge of the district allowing them to skirt trouble.
Passing through Dockway, Paeral takes the lead, swiftly scouting ahead to look out for anyone who looks like a Wreckwash Blade. While the group certainly attracts notice, nobody stops them.
Lowcleft is less of a problem, as most of the artists are just now coming out of their abodes and preparing for the evenings revelries.
The party arrives at the Avensoar without issue and approaches the ramp that winds around the huge tower, allowing for transit to the Summit far above.
A couple of bored city guard man the bottom of the ramp, ushering people along to keep the flow of traffic moving.
Perking up at the appearance of the strange group, one of the guards nudges the other then approaches the group.
"You there! What transpires here? You all have the look of a battle, and by the look of it, you lost."
Celia clears her throat, Thank you for your concern magistrates, you're eye does not deceive you. Celia sets down the crate and spreads her hands to show she has no hostile intentions. Pointing to Terisha Celia begins, This is a member of the infamous Tower-girls We captured her after her and a couple of her hirelings waylaid us in Underbridge. Celia pauses for a moment to let her companions support her story. Your keen eye has spotted that we've been involved in not one but two scuffles today. The first is Pathfinder business on the orders from Sheila Heidmarch herself.
Glancing at the crate, Celia continues quickly, The Venture Captain's orders concern the contents of that crate and as such is Pathfinder business. If you want to question us regarding that you'll need to summon your captain and your captain will need to contact the society leadership, in order for us to surrender that crate. Celia is careful to be both deferential and professional while firmly maintaining her position regarding the crate.
Pushing Terisha forward Celia then becomes extremely consolatory, This one however, is most likely a bit more than the highway man she's shown to be this day. She may even have a price on her head. A price we're only too happy to share with the guards at this station if they're willing to take her off our hands and perhaps offer us an armed escort back to Heidmarch manor. So what say you gentlemen? Make a little coin and become known as friend to the society? Or hold us up at your post while your superiors are summoned, extra paperwork need be filled after shift, and the end result will be our eventually release. Celia studies the guards faces intently before saying, If I were in your shoes it be no choice at all...but, I'm not so we'll obey the direction of the city guard no mater what their mandate..just as all law abiding citizens must.
"Desna's wings, Cee!" Barkot shakes his head, and mutters to the guards, "She took a coupla bad whacks ta the head over at Serpent's Run, ya know? She got most a' what happen'd right, though - Da Heidmarch told us ta collect somet'in' a' hers, an' we did, now we're bringin' it back. Dis broad --" he jerks a thumb at Terisha "-- got in da way. We were bringin' her back, too, ta see if Da Heidmarch wants her fer anyt'in'. If ya wanna take 'er back ta the garrison an' take credit fer da pinch, well, ain't none a' us gonna say nuttin 'gainst it."
He runs a meaty hand, rubbed raw from carrying the crate through the city, through his hair and rumbles in a low chuckle. "As fer da 'armed escort,' well, if youse guys wanna make sure we're on da up an' up, yer welcome ta come wit' us ta Heidmarch Manor. Da Heidmarch, she'll tell ya. But ya might wanna decide quick -- da boss lady got a temper."
"Look, Teri, we don' have no beef with da Tower Girls, an' if it were up ta us, ya could stick a shiv in Lady Whackadoodle here fer all we care. But Da Heidmarch wants ta talk ta her, so she's gotta live long enough fer dat ta happen, see? What's da story wit' her an' you, anyways? Like Reillana said, has she always been Lady Whackadoodle? Or did sumptin' happen ta make 'er dat way, like a conk on da head?"
Garduk sniffs at one of his armpits.
I t’ought dat presto-digirati spell Reilanna cast took care a’ da worst of da stink from da sewage.
The guard peers strangely at the uncharacteristically verbose travellers, thinking that perhaps they are protesting their innocence too much.
"Pathfinders, are you? I suppose that would explain the injuries, eh, Breeze?" he chuckles to the other guard, but his eye stay on the group with a calculating expression.
"You aren't causing trouble in the city, are you?" The flow of traffic is starting to back up, and irritated vendors who have to move around the party are giving you some glares.
He looks Terisha over and whistles to another guardsman closer to the entrance of the Avensoar, who comes over and reaches for the woman's arm. Terisha does not resist. "If you are taking that property up to Lady Heidmarch, then show us your sign, and be on your way. We'll take this Tower Girl to see the magistrate, though if you aren't staying to provide witness, she'll likely be on her way after we patch her up, and the Lady will be getting the bill."
"Don't mind Barkot," Reillana whispers to Terisha as they hobble down the street. "He's useful in a scrap and seems to know a lot, but he's a bit...colorful."
Raising her voice a bit more, she decides to try a slightly different tack. "I've got to say, an all-women gang is a brilliant idea, you can watch each other's backs and there's no men around to get ugly ideas into their heads. Why would anyone give that up to live amongst goblins in literal sewage? Especially a mage! Truly the mind boggles."
"Don't mind Barkot," Reillana whispers to Terisha as they hobble down the street. "He's useful in a scrap and seems to know a lot, but he's a bit...colorful."
[dice=Know (Local)]1d20+2
Raising her voice a bit more, she decides to try a slightly different tack. "I've got to say, an all-women gang is a brilliant idea, you can watch each other's backs and there's no men around to get ugly ideas into their heads. Why would anyone give that up to live amongst goblins in literal sewage? Especially a mage! Truly the mind boggles."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+7
Reillana is unaware of the name of the Tower Girl leader.
Terisha bites off a clipped response to Reillana's query, "Why does anyone do anything?", then continues trudging along, making no more responses.
"Ugh," Reillana sighs under her breath, then steps towards the guards (Terisha in tow) and removes her mask. Smiling prettily at the guards she starts chattering away, voice a tad higher pitched than usual.
"I wouldn't say we caused trouble so much as stopped it, officer! You have--or should I say had--a goblin infestation in one of your fine city's less pleasant establishment's by the docks. Now there's a dozen less of the little bastards running amok, you're so welcome!"
The elf flashes another smile at the officer coming to take Terisha by the arm, but doesn't let go of the Tower Girl. "Oh you're such a gentleman! We did have a bit of a scrap with our new friend Terisha here, but then we all realized it was a misunderstanding! Celia and Barkot, the brutes, appear to be holding a grudge." she glowers convincingly at the two but continues before any of the guards can get in a question. "I insisted on making things up to Terisha though, so we're off to the manor to get cleaned up, some warm food, maybe even a job!" Beaming at Terisha as though obliviously pleased with herself, Reillana mentally wills the thief not to spoil things.
The younger guardsman, helping to hold Terisha up smiles and puffs his chest a little at the attention, his eyes darting between Reillana and Terisha as his cheeks color slightly. "No problem at all, Miss. Glad to serve."
Terisha, who had been pleased at the prospect of being handed over to the watch, attempts to object. "Now, just w....", she starts, before a surreptitious hug from Reillana reduces her to pained coughing.
The guardsman who appears to be in charge considers Reillana's description of the events, and nods. "Damn goblins come right out of the sewers, more often that you might think. Someone should go down there and do something about them.", clearly meaning that Someone is not the watch. "We certainly do appreciate the assistance."
Glowering at Barkot and Celia, he admonishes them. "Was that so hard? Just be straightforward and tell the truth. I am not sure what the joke was, but I don't appreciate being pulled into your little games.
I'm marking the two of you. Don't get on my bad side again."
Holding the glower until he feels he has made an impression, he steps back and waves the party along. "Move along, then. Stop blocking my ramp."
The younger guard stammers, "This poor woman id wounded worse than it seems. I think I should give them a han..."
He is quickly cut off. "You have duties to attend to, Guardsman! Back to your post!"
Disappointed, the guard smiles at the women again, and returns to where he came from.
-----
Making it to the Summit with no further issues, the party proceeds directly toward Heidmarch Manor. The stares directed at the party are much more pointed, especially from the Abadarian patrols, but nobody stops the party.
At the Manor, the party is recognized and ushered inside to a meeting room. Ulyi is once again blocked from entering.
Lady Heidmarch is summoned and comes quickly to hear the results of the expedition.
With little initial expression, she looks at Terisha and the crate, then says simply, "Report."
Reillana rolls her eyes and gives Terisha a conspiratorial wink as the group moves away from the guards. "Men," she laughs softly with a shake of her head and she puts her mask back on.
Celia gives a full report on her part of the mission including that she advised her companions to come back and fight a different day in the battle with Natayla . She concedes the battle went better than she feared it could end, and therefore doesn't mention anything about the 'dust-up' between her and Squint or her reservations about Parnel's ability to negotiate without firing first.
She believes ultimately in second chances and does not feign from reporting that she had to retreat during the second battle with the tower girls and the thugs...She doesn't mention how dire her situation was because, she considered everyone in dire circumstances. Ultimately, she just wants to serve and move on. But, she still harbors distrust towards squint. May Shelyn forgive me but I don't trust that little one or his other-worldly summoned monstrosity.
Celia missed the first half of the job, so she starts her report in the middle. Irritated at her apparent assumption that the story didn't start until she arrived, Barkot interrupts before Celia gets out more than a few sentences.
"Yeah, dat's when Cee showed up. But there's a lot ta tell ya dat happened 'fore dat. Ma'am. Ya see, foist we went ta see Da 'Mazin' Zogratty..." He continues rambling until someone better suited to story-telling takes over.
Sheila's order that the group should report, and your teammates' jumping to provide that report without deferring to you both send your stomach into fits.
You are not entirely sure which affront rankles more.
You feel compelled to make some kind of outburst
Sheila listens attentively, but calmly. As Celia starts reporting and then is cut off by Barkot, she holds up her hand. "First, who is this woman you have brought into my house?"
After Terisha's identity is proffered, she rings a bell, asking the answering guard to escort Terisha to a holding room and to have a healer attend to her. "I may have questions for you later."
After the door closes, she says, "Now, continue."
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Paëral can hold his tongue no longer. "Why should I answer to you? The others may slobber at your feet but not I...we did as you asked and even brought Natalya back with us alive, which was no easy feat I assure you...and you have the audacity to lord over me?"
As he rages, the rogue unconsciously fiddles with the object in his pouch...
Sheila stares daggers at Paeral's outburst. With a barely restrained calm, she clips off a reply.
"So far, I have seen neither Natalya nor the item. I suggest you produce them before my patience ends."
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Paëral sneers. "You think I lie? I care not one whit for your patience but Natalya is in the crate; you can look for yourself...
"As for the item...it's in my possession. 'Twas my arrow that brought Natalya down...so I claimed it...the item rightly belongs to me...it is mine...my preciousss..."
The rogue defensively clutches his pouch, holding it tightly, glaring at Lady Heidmarch...
Sheila's face turns bright red, and you can see a tirade about to erupt, when a sudden considering look comes over her face.
"I... see..."
Motioning calmly toward the crate, she looks at Celia. "Celia, can you please retrieve the wayward agent from the crate?"
She then returns her gaze to Paeral. Her expression is greatly calmed, and she gently asks, "May I see this item, please?"
Sheila takes a look at the coppery looking triangle and her mouth drops open.
After a second, she regains her bearing, closing her mouth and slowly standing.
Without even pausing to wait for Celia to finish extracting Natalya from the crate, she turns for the door.
"Well, well, Paeral. May I call you Paeral? It seems that your group of prospective Pathfinders has done quite well. Quite well, indeed.
Oh, but where are my manners? Here, I haven't even offered you refreshments yet."
Opening the door, she calls for her seneschal. "Fritz, please set up a table for our ESTEEMED GUEST", she motions to Paeral.
"Bring him and his companions some food and wine. I will return. Quickly, now."
Fritz looks surprised for just a second, then hurries off in the direction of the kitchens.
Turning back to Paeral, she offers another apology. "My apologies, but I must check on the reward for your task. I shall return in but a moment."
With that, she picks up the hem of her dress and quickly starts walking in the opposite direction. Before long, you hear her running down the hall. You hear her calling out, "Canayven!"
Almost as soon as she leaves, Fritz returns with a folding table and an elegant chair that he sets up in front of Paeral. Other servants bring a tablecloth, fruits, cheeses, breads, and pastries. They offer each of them to Paeral before setting the rest on the Venture Captain's desk for the rest of the party to sample.
Soon after the group starts in on their repast, Lady Heidmarch returns.
"I hope everything is to your liking." Pausing briefly for any response, she continues with a more professional voice.
"Now, the piece that you showed me does appear remarkable. I can see that it is made from horacalcum, which is the rarest of the sky metals.
I can't tell much, but I have a suspicion that it is related to the same Azlanti magics that allows Pathfinder Wayfinders to work. An interesting thing about Wayfinders is that you can insert ioun stones, like this one...", she pulls out a small red and blue stone, ...into them, and it causes special magical effects.
It would be very interesting to see if the same happened if an ioun stone were inserted in that little indentation."
She then looks and seems to notice Natalya for the first time. "Oh! The poor dear! Is she very wounded."
She sets the Ioun Stone on the table in front of Paeral, then walks over to Natalya to examine her more closely.
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Paëral nods in approval. Finally, she gives me the respect I am due...
He sits confidently at the head of the table, partaking in the feast...
Upon her return, he listens to her repast on the metal of his special item and how ioun stones can make it even more powerful. When she places it near him and walks away, he thinks, Of course, this should be mine as well, it is just my due now that I'm in charge...
Paëral picks up the stone and inserts it into his prized possession and awaits what wonders will be bestowed upon himself...
From near Natalya, Lady Heidmarch watches Paeral from the corner of her eye. Her breath catches as he picks up the ioun stone, then releases it with a sigh of relief as the stone clicks into place.
The ioun stone glows with a coppery light, then fuses itself to the metal, changing appearance so that the whole appears to be one piece of the same substance.
Instantly, the strange feelings of PRIDE Paeral has been suffering from vanish.
Lady Heidmarch stands and returns to her desk. "I still wasn't positive. Not until you inserted the stone."
Steadying herself, she takes a deep breath, then continues in the voice you are more accustomed to. "What you have found, my friends, is nothing short of a miracle.
Varisia has seen its share of miracles of late. The discovery of Xin-Shalast and the defeat of Runelord Karzoug, or Korvosa’s release from mad Ileosa’s rule come to mind.
But...this discovery will soon be remembered as an equal to those
events. This is a powerful Thassilonian artifact, a fragment of horacalcum and a portion of the Shattered Star of Xin: to be precise, the Shard of Pride. I suspect that the shard’s current carrier already knows more about it than I do, in fact..."
As she say this, Paeral realizes that the abilities of the shard have manifested in his mind.
"Well done. Finding an experienced double agent intent on hiding, rescuing her alive, capturing another Tower Girl, and recovering a major artifact.
You have all proven yourselves beyond anything I could have imagined. You all would make worthy Pathfinders, and I hope you will choose to join us.
For now, finish your meal, and relax as you see fit. I will have rooms prepared for you, and we can talk more in the morning. For now, I would like to see to Natalya."
With that, she nods and opens the door, waving in a couple of waiting guards who retrieve Natalya and carry her out.
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Squint glowers throughout the report provided by the team and seems just about to be explode in anger when Paëral beats him to it. Stunned, the halfling watches as Venture-Captain Heidmarch begins acting deferentially to the even-more-than-normally-haughty elf.
Completely overwhelmed by the frenzy of the Heidmarch's schemes, Squint watches as the ioun stone becomes completely absorbed by the coppery shard that so bedazzled his vision.
"An artefact? From the Runelords? Wait, are we Pathfinders now?"
Squint seems completely turned around, a sensation not assisted by Lady Heidmarch's abrupt exit. He turns on the male elf with an exasperated look on his face.
"Paëral. What the hell?"
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Paëral hangs his head and blushes deeply as he comes back to himself...he's shamed himself and the memory of his mother..
He bows to Lady Heidmarch. "My deepest apologies, m'Lady...I don't know what came over me," he stutters, turning and bowing to his companions. "My apologies to all of you as well...my behavior was inexcusable, magic or not..."
Reillana stiffens in shock at Paëral's outburst, the drifts to a far wall to observe as events become ever stranger. When Lady Heidemarch reveals that that Paëral's strange device is a fragment of a greater relic she smiles behind her mask like a cat that got the cream.
"There is no reason for shame, cousin. The magic of the Azlanti was dangerous and potent, and the Thassilonians were their even less pleasant kin. We are warned to the danger now, you'll not be caught again!"
"The Shard of Pride, hmm? And she mentioned the Shattered Star of Sin as well. I suppose that means there must be more." Drawing close to stare at the object, she extends a hand. "May I?"
Barkot is increasingly confused. Finally, he says, "Waitasec, Paëral, ya was unner da control a' dat t'in' since we knocked out Lady Whackadoodle?" He gives a low whistle. "Ain't gotta 'polagize ta me. I din't even notice anyt'in' different 'bout ya."
To Lady Heidmarch, he adds, "An' if choosin' ta join yas, Lady H., still means I c'n use da library, den count me in. Ma'am."
Celia finally understands something about this group upon witnessing their reactions, why I thought they were already Pathfinders like myself! No wonder their behavior was inconsistent! The male elf didn’t even take precautions when handling the ancient object ! Of coarse none of these people has sat even so much as one session through a class on ancient Thessalonians! They’re rookies like myself! Celia obediently obeys and defers to the Venture Captain offer thanks and gratitude when the VC brings in the rewards.
if it’s not too much to ask Looking directly at Squint, I’d like to replace the potion I used to heal myself with one from the rewards that the venture captain bestowed upon us...unless some of you... again looking directly at Squint and saying all this in front of Heidmarch, Unless some of you, feel me an unworthy traveling companion that is... Celia has no bitterness nor irony in her tone.. it is flat without a hint of coolness. She genuinely wants to know what the grotesque halfling thinks of her company because she would likely seek re-assignment if the Summoner remained hostile.
"Criminey, Cee, jes' take a flippin' potion, will ya? Squint ain’t da boss a’ healin’ potions. Not dat I weren’t grateful he had one ta pour down my gullet when he did." Barkot hands the gladiator the same potion she shoved at him after the fight with Terisha, during her argument with Squint. "But mebbe try not ta act like yer in charge alla time. It pisses people off."
At Barkot's first opportunity, he makes his way into the Manor's library. Once there, when he is sure that he is alone, he finds a dictionary and looks up the definition of "supplicant."
Wha? Dat's why Lady Whackadoodle t'ought we wuz dere? Dat magic dingus really must'a scrambled her brains somet'in' fierce!
After Lady Heidmarch leaves the room and the party finishes eating, a Society healer comes into the room and starts looking at your wounds.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. These wounds look filthy. Were you swimming through the sewers?! You should take more care and clean your wounds as soon as possible.
Fresh water and soap! Don't forget the soap!"
The rest of the evening is free for each of you to do as you like. In addition, Ulyi is no longer blocked from entering the manor house.
In the morning, after baths and breakfast, the party is summoned to the library, where Lady Heidmarch is sitting at one of the tables with Natalya.
"Good morning, everyone. Please take a seat."
Natalya's head hangs down, not looking up as the party enters. She grimaces in apparent pain as chairs are dragged on the floor. She appears to have quite the headache.
Once everyone is seated, Lady Heidmarch begins the debrief. "I am sure all of you are quite interested in finding out more about the Shard, but let's take care of the rest of our business first, shall we?
Now, your report last night got cut off, so let's start with that."
She listens intently and nods along as the party describes their activities. She smiles as the party describes handing Plutivarch to the Watch. "So, that is what that letter was about. Well done. It is always good to boost the image of the Society whenever possible."
She frowns as the encounter with Nikulaie is described, but makes no comment.
As the party finishes their report, she gives one final nod.
"Excellent! You were given a difficult task and accomplished it quickly without tarnishing the image of the Society.
In the future, I will expect you to provide a written Chronicle of your mission report. You should appoint someone to be in charge of taking field notes and sketching maps of the places you explore. When you return from an assignment, you will all work on finalizing the Chronicle."
Glancing to the side, she looks at Natalya. "Now, let's hear Natalya's report."
In a low, nearly monotone voice, Natalya begins telling her story of frustration with her place in the Tower Girls and how much of each take had to be kicked up to her leaders.
Unable to move up in the gang as fast as she would like, she looked for outside sources of revenue, eventually getting in touch with Lady Heidmarch who accepted her proposition to be an informant.
"It wasn't long after that when Ayala Javeski -- that's the leader of the Tower Girls -- attempted to take control of Dockway from the Wreckwash Blades, and what a miserable failure THAT was!" Speaking of Ayala is the first time that Natalya shows any emotion, and that is pure hate.
"We were forced to hide out in that horrible Fenster's warehouse, but then, I stumbled upon an entrance to the Crow."
Natalya continues, "As we explored, I found my way further and further into the Crow, and knew I was close to finding something important. Finally, I found a secret door, behind which was the skeleton of a long dead man and the Shard sitting on the ground at his feet.
I knew this was my ticket, but had to leave quickly before other Tower Girls discovered the room. I didn't even have time to loot the rest of the room.
Before I could get back, or deliver the Shard to Lady Heidmarch, I found that leading the Tower Girls was no longer sufficient. I wanted to lead ALL of the Sczarni, then Magnimar, and all of Varisia."
Show shakes her head and stares at her feet in obvious embarrassment. "Well, you know the rest, and from what I hear you come just before Terisha and her goons attempted to raid my hideout. So, I guess I should thank you all. You saved my life and freed me from that curse."
Celia interjects, The Crow? Why does that sound familiar? Where or What is this place you speak of?
[dice=knowledge local]1d20+4 Celia interjects, The Crow? Why does that sound familiar? Where or What is this place you speak of?
"It sounds familiar 'cause it's one a' da pilings fer da 'Span," Barkot answers. "But dere ain't no way in." Getting an idea, he looks back at Natalya thoughtfully. "Leastways, dere wasn't. Didja show dis secret entrance ta anybody else?"
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Squint looks well-rested and comfortable at the breakfast table. Ulyi stands at his side, his wounds from the battle healed. Squint nods at everyone - including Celia - as they arrive at the table.
Squint nods in comprehension to Venture-Captain Heidmarch’s orders. When it comes time for Natalya to speak, Squint looks at her quizzically. Once she finishes, his question tumbled out of his mouth at the same time as Celia’s, intermingling with her words in a confused rush.
”What was with the goblins? How did you come to be with them? And why?”
"Leastways, dere wasn't. Didja show dis secret entrance ta anybody else?"
Natalya look sheepishly at Lady Heidmarch. "I would have told the Society, once I recovered the treasure. The information certainly would have increased my value.
Otherwise... it wouldn't make a very good hideout if anyone knew about it, and we would have had to deal with competition for the treasures inside.
No secret stays safe forever, especially when you have to take boats back and forth, but I certainly never told anyone."
”What was with the goblins? How did you come to be with them? And why?”
Natalya sighs. "A queendom has to start somewhere... The goblin snake had actually started to gather them in that building. I charmed some, intimidated others... goblins are quite malleable."
"Leastways, dere wasn't. Didja show dis secret entrance ta anybody else?"Natalya look sheepishly at Lady Heidmarch. "I would have told the Society, once I recovered the treasure. The information certainly would have increased my value.
Otherwise... it wouldn't make a very good hideout if anyone knew about it, and we would have had to deal with competition for the treasures inside.
No secret stays safe forever, especially when you have to take boats back and forth, but I certainly never told anyone."
”Ah, OK. I jest thought... so where’re da rest a’ da Tower Gals? Dey ain’t still stayin’ wit’ dat mope Fenstah.”
I know dey was inside a’ somplace made a’ stone! If it ain’t Da Crow, where is it?
"Oh, I see what you mean. Of course I told the other Tower Girls.
I needed their help exploring parts of the spire. Plus, I thought it would help me to move up in the organization.
That's not good enough for Ayala though, is it? Stupid, ungrateful, rat-faced, little...
Yes, I imagine the rest of the Tower Girls are still in the Crow. It is too good of a hideout, and should prove to be defensible, in the case anyone ever learns of it."
----
Barkot spends time in the library, trying to learn more about the "blue dwarfies".
In a text of subterranean dangers, he finds reference to a blue-skinned race of humanoids from the Darklands called Derro. These creatures are extremely jealous of surface dwellers and their ability to survive long term exposure to sunlight.
They have been known to abduct surface dwellers and conduct experiments on them in order to divine how they are able to survive.
Cross-referencing, he find one additional entry in another text.
----
Lady Heidmarch speaks up now. "Thank you, Natalya. We are going to move on to other topics now. We might have some more questions, so please don't go far."
Natalya stands, and has to steady herself on the back of the chair while rubbing her temples. "Of course. I think I'll go lay down."
Looking at the party again, she continues. "Ayala is dangerous, and should be dealt with. I hope you will choose to do something about her before she is able to find something in those ruins that will increase her power.
Agree to hunt her down, and I won't ask for my boots back."
She leaves the library, and Sheila starts the discussion of the Shard.
Sheila begins. "In order to understand the importance of what is going on, we need to start with a brief history lesson.
In the year -6530 AR -- that's over 1000 years before Earthfall -- a wizard named Xin left Alzant to found a nation of his own. Xin was exiled from Azlant for espousing theories that "lesser races" could rival the achievements of Azlant.
Arriving in what we know of as Varisia, Xin embraced the local cultures. Varisians, Shoanti, Stone Giants, Taiga, and Elves. Over several decades he forged these groups into an Empire, only to have that empire torn down by the treachery of his subordinates.
Xin brought with him the Azlanti tradition of the "seven virtues of rule". Moreso, he had a theory that the seven virtues were tied to the seven Azlanti schools of magic, and that the powers of those magical schools flowed from the virtues."
"Xin's philosophy was represented by a rune of a seven-pointed star known as The Sihedron.". Lady Heidmarch opens a book of magical theory and shows a picture of the star.
"Xin had a theory that by focusing on one virtue --and one school-- and abstaining from the two opposite points, you could increase your magical power. He never embraced this theory fully, but his apprentices did, and rose in power.
Xin found symmetry in yet another "seven", the seven sky metals. Using those sky metals, he fashioned a powerful artifact known as The Sihedron. The power of this artifact confirmed his theories, and powered the magical legacy of the Thassilon empire.
As Xin aged, he sought to transfer his consciousness into a clockwork creation, spending more and more time obsessed with the task. In his absence, his apprentices -- now known as the Runelords -- became decadent and abused their powers. Xin knew that he would have to replace them, but needed to complete his new body first.
In order to speed up the process, he split the star into its seven pieces in order to siphon power into his creation. The Runelords saw this an an opportunity to strike and sent assassins to attack Xin. The resulting battle destroyed much of the palace.
Afterwards, the Runelords found the shards of the Sihedron in the rubble. Each Runelord claimed one of the shards and took it as a trophy.
Thassilon declined over the following centuries until Earthfall brought it to an end completely. Individual shards have surfaced from time to time, only to be lost again."
Sheila pauses to let the lesson sink in, before continuing. "Dangers have been rising in Varisia of late, and their frequency seems to be increasing. We need a powerful defense to protect us from the dangers that are surely coming.
This Shard, if combined with the other Shards, could be that defense! This is a tremendous opportunity for you and for the Society.
I want you to find the remaining Shards and hopefully a way to recombine them. You all -- and through you the Society -- can rise as great defenders of Varisia."
Lady Heidmarch smiles.
"Yes, you. You have already safely retrieved one of the Shards. You know their dangers and abilities better than anyone else. Also, you are still newcomers. While your fame is increasing, your activities will still go mostly unnoticed.
We don't want to get into a position where we are competing with other groups to retrieve the shards. As such, you should keep this search as quiet as possible, even inside of the lodge."
She looks each of the party in the eye, making sure the importance of secrecy has been received.
"I imagine you have many questions. Foremost, where should we look? Well, that is a difficult question, as the shards have been lost for millennia.
I have done some research on this topic, and, if I am correct, each shard is connected to one other shard. Once awakened, you should be able to meditate upon the shard, keeping an image of The Sihedron in your thoughts and it will reveal the location of the next shard."
She motions to Reillana to give it a try. At first, nothing happens. Looking at the picture again, she corrects the image in her mind and tries again.
This time, a vision passes through her mind. She gets an image of a large city on a coast, with an immense bridge sticking out into the water. She immediately recognizes this to be Magnimar.
The image shifts, focusing in on the bridge, then onto a collapsed portion of the bridge, and then onto a structure sticking out of the water. She notices that the structure has carvings on the side of it in the shape of a crow.
The image then fades, and Reillana opens her eyes..
Barkot grins. "Lady H., ya ain't gotta worry 'bout me keepin' dis job on da down low. I learnt a long time ago not ta brag on havin' a line on somet'in' juicy.”
He leans forward as Reillana describes her vision. "Dat's Da Crow! Sounds like we got our next job!"
Snapping his fingers, he says, "Dere's one udder t'in'. Lady H., we toldja about the part wit' dat dame at da guard station, an' da people gone missin' from Underbridge? Turns out dat ain't da gangs at all." Barkot tells her what they heard about the "blue dwarfies," and then explains to her and the party what he had learned about the derro during his research in the Manor's library.
"So dat seems like a sitchiation we oughtta do somet'in' about, too. Not as big a deal as dis shattered dingus, but it's still hurtin' da people a' da city."