GM Cwethan's Solstice Scar (B) 10-11 (Inactive)

Game Master Cwethan

Okay guys, go ahead and ninja dot or drop a character introduction in here!

Adsal Featherhair is a young man, about 5`8`` with maybe 140 pounds. His heritage is obvious, as he has white swanfeathers for hairs, and white orbs for eyes. He dresses usually in white robes of highest craftmanship, embroyeded at the hems with tiny prayers to his goddess Shaelyn, held together with belt of woven strands of golden hair with a beltbuckle showing a stone golem . If on a mission he adds a silken armor in the same colour, with the symbol of the pathfinders cleverly embroided on his left breast and the grand lodge on the other and a buckler of mithral, embossened with the paradise bird of Shaelyn, together with a glaive with a pearly white haft. On his left hip there is a haversack holding his many books and writing utensils. Rarely are his long fineboned hands without the one or the other inkstain, although he wears soft deerskin gloves for protection while adventuring.
His voice is a light tenor and he usually speaks quite agited, no matter to whom he talks.
He is accompanied by Darter, his trusted Familiar and best friend.
If he has vanity, it is his talent for languages.

A short man, approximately 5'6" and 30 years old, opens the doors wide and strolls into the Grand Lodge, wearing gleaming mithral armor covered in an opened resplendent uniform coat bearing leonine figures, clearly identifying his knightly order. Without the armor and coat, he would be the kind of man no one looks at twice, but those with a warrior's eye can clearly see that his posture speaks of an harmonious blend of strength, balance and stamina.

Outside, one can briefly see a largely built, approximately 6'8" and 25-year-old squire sporting an impressive red beard worthy of a dwarf's, sorting gear, putting away weapons and tending to a magnificent white horse with a silver-grey mane in chain barding adorned in the same colors and lion motifs as those worn by the cavalier. Several men who appear to be traveling merchants, their clothes still dusty from the road, quickly surround the large squire to clap him on the shoulders and invite him for drinks at nearby establishments... it appears the short cavalier and his large squire travel with an entourage or at least seems to be recognized as regulars by all these men.

After a few moments the short knight spots the table of Pathfinders. He approaches and nods to everyone. As he sits Eagle Knight ranks can be recognized, sewn into his Order of the Lion coat sleeves.

"Lance Corporal Chaine Alazario, at your service. Preparations are underway: what do we have here?"

Red and black mithril covers the chest of this broad man. The twin sabers hanging from his side seem older than he does. He wears six masks of the mantis. One properly, the others on his belt.

He crosses his arms across his chest, fingers curved into a talon gesture, and bows gracefully but with an over-exaggeration fit for the stage. "Welcome Lance Corporal Alazario, Master Featherhair, Darter. Talathal Gavax, but most of the Pathfinders know me as Mantis.

Skipper is a blond halfling seated at one of the low tables of the Lodge, with the colorful cards of a Varisian harrow deck spread on the table before him, and a purple-and-gold kapenia scarf around his shoulders. The rest of his outfit is no less colorful (some might say mis-matching). A tattoo of the open road winding between the stars decorate the back of one deft, small hand.

"Hello!" he chirps at the sight of the others. "My goodness! Those masks look rather ominous, Mantis! I'm Skipper, Skipper Daytripper, humble servant of our Empyreal Lord Sinashakti. Would any of you like a pamphlet on the god of journeys?" he asks brightly.

If any agree, he eagerly produces a folded paper from his scarf and offers it (pamphlet text in profile); if none accept, his good cheer dims not a whit.

"I'm mostly along to patch you all up," he says cheerfully. "Make sure you reach the end of your journey intact, that sort of thing. Would anyone care to have me read the cards, and see just what our mission may hold...?"

Chaine shakes hand with the newcomers. To Skipper, he asks, "I see you have a harrow deck. My father used to know all about that stuff. Can you do a reading?"

When the subject of Sinashakti is brought up, Chain mentions that he's been known to say a prayer to Cayden once in a while. He'd love to hear about Sinashakti, however!

PS: you see a magnificent white horse with a silver-grey mane in chain barding adorned in the same colors and lion motifs as those worn by the cavalier being tended by a squire, outside! :)

"Oh, really? Was your father a fortune teller?" Skipper says, smiling at Chaine as he hands over the pamphlet. "Also, is that your horse outside? He's beautiful! Ponies are more my speed for obvious reasons, but I certainly can appreciate the sight of him, at least..."

Skipper keeps up a cheerful patter as his tattooed hands cut and shuffle the well-worn Harrow deck.

Skipper turns nine cards face up, one after the other, in the a three-by-three arrangement...

"First column-- the past: The Prince, The Demon's Lantern, and the Eclipse. Second column: the now-- the Marriage, the Peacock, and the Inquisitor. And finally, what will be: The Owl, the Jest, and the Theatre. My goodness. What a... trick-laden deck. Let's see here," Skipper says with a little frown, chin propped on his free hand.

"In the past, I see a young person still coming into their power-- represented by the prince, but not necessarily a male." Skipper taps the Demon's Lantern. "Whoever it was has been tricked, or lied to. Misled by a false promise of succor or friendship. This led to the Eclipse-- signifying a loss of faith, perhaps self-directed, or perhaps those around the prince-figure now doubt the prince's ability to lead. Our young person must set right whatever matter they were previously deceived in in order to reassure themselves of their abilities, and reassure those around them."

Skipper rakes a hand through his hair and continues. "Over here in the present, we have a union forming with the Marriage card. It needn't be romantic. It can represent a truce between countries, or entities. Essentially it's about the power of teamwork and cooperation-- it can even refer to all of us, as a team! --but I don't think so. Our prince-figure might be gathering allies, perhaps.

"They need to be ready, however. The Peacock signifies a moment in which something wonderful can happen, but you can't count on it to be there forever as an opportunity. And if you try to hold on to it too long, it'll fall apart. Or peck you pretty hard. The Inquisitor card reminds the prince-figure that in the end, the truth and only the truth matters. That's interesting it's right after the Peacock-- maybe an exhortation to consider that while the Peacock promises much, the seeker must remember not to be swayed by false claims and a flashy, colorful tail."

Skipper cracks his knuckles and moves on to the third column. "Okay! Now for the future. --the Owl, well, that's a little foreboding. It's the card of impartial, detached wisdom-- the ability to make the hard choices that will benefit the many, even if a few are lost. Our prince-figure may be faced with a choice like that, especially if they're a leader responsible for others. Very serious card...

"...followed by the Jest! Wow, this read is giving me a cramp in my neck from the abrupt mood shifts. Okay, so that implies that whatever challenge is being faced by our prince, it likely can't be defeated by pure force of arms alone. They'll need cleverness and the insight of clever people. Even the most powerful foe can be brought down by an unexpected solution...

"Leading us, finally, to the Theatre. Interesting. The card reminds us that we're all just actors on a stage, and that divination attempts, like my reading, are at best hasty stolen glances of the script. It's not within my power to change the outcome-- but that shouldn't let us stop ourselves from doing all we can in the service of what we think is right."

Skipper draws his legs up under himself and sits cross-legged a few seconds in silence, worrying his lower lip with his teeth.

"That was kind of a strange reading. I suppose the Prince could be one of us, but I don't think so-- I think we're actors on the stage in someone else's story, this time. They're trying to prove themselves after previously being tricked. Maybe we can help them. Or maybe they'll be our enemies, and we have to let the wisdom of the owl guide our actions! Sorry, that was kind of open-ended, I know. But with this many trickery-related cards in the spread, I'll just say, we should all be careful and watch our backs."

Since the dominant card by suit in the reading was 'keys' (Dexterity), participants in the reading gain a 24-hour +1 insight bonus to AC. I think this gets across how the reading works; in actual gameplay I'll do a shortened version.

Skipper claps his hands and smiles. "So, what's the name of your horse?"

"Impressive! you're a much better reader than my father was. You show a deep understanding of the Harrow... oh, and my loyal steed goes by Silvermane. I know, not very original, but by the color of its mane I couldn't really go for anything else. I can setup a passenger's saddle if you don't have your own mount, should we come to a point where we need to ride."

A small, dark skinned wiry creature with a rather exceptionally hooked nose sits at a nearby table. His eyes observe the ongoing conversation between Chaine and Skipper, though the creature's one eye is red while the other is blue. His dark robes do not conceal several piercings and bleached tattoos on his skin, nor does it conceal the rather evaluating gaze that he is giving the pair at the moment. A crooked staff leans against his chair with his pack nearby, with sculptor's tools and paint jars hanging off it.

"You weave an interesting tale with those cards," Yami Kurokage says to the pair in a slightly gravely voice. "A Theatre? I am a...puppeteer...of sorts. An...artiste, if you will. Our fates are...intertwined, perhaps?" The wayang starts drawing a relatively accurate sketch of the two, and Chaine's horse if it is within view of a nearby window, with a charcoal pencil on some paper in front of him. "Yami is my name, forgive my eavesdropping...and the sketching. I am...how do you say...a glutton...for art."

"That's a very good likeness of Silvermane, Mage Kami. Do not apologize for accepting to come with us for this meeting. Your help and mastery of the arcane will be greatly appreciated no doubt. Last time I was summoned like this, it involved that blasted Blakros Museum, and the way I charged in there with Silvermane made it look like the Society had unleashed a bull in a fine porcelain shop. Perhaps, for the next mission lying ahead of us, a subtle arcane divination approach would be... less destructive. Although admittedly less entertaining to Silvermane!"

NOTE: Silvermane and Chaine played Part A of Solstice Scar! :)

About the masks on his belt Mantis says Yes, well I got the first one when I was 12. I was not so lucky the second time the assassins came. I do not suppose your cards can tell me why my father was targeted by such high-priced killers? Apsu has been silent on the issue so far.

I have also played Part A, but with a different character. Also I just finished reporting my Outpost games, and still haven't updated Mantis profile. Oh and to avoid any confusion, his full moniker should include 'Red Mantis Assassin Assassin,' except he is a paladin. :)

The wayang lifts an eyebrow at the "assassin's" mention of Apsu and Talathel's distinctly un-dragonoid features, and studies him for a moment. Hmm...perhaps covered by the mask for the moment. He adds Talathel to his group sketch, oddly paying particular focus on the artistry of the masks. "Masks conceal, yet they also tell a story. I am curious as to yours, as well. You speak as a man of faith, yet you portray yourself in a...slightly different light. I am...intrigued, if you are at liberty to elaborate."

Adsal ponders for a moment and reflects on the Mantis god.
"You are a very strange Paladin.
You wear openly the unholy symbol of an evil god of slaughter and assasination.
Even wearing the sacred weapons of their assassins.
So with every life you take, you further the cause of an evil deity."

"...or maybe the gods, being omniscient all powerful beings beyond the comprehension of mortals, are not fooled by one's clothing, and can see the true value of one's soul? anyhow... who are we to judge or even pretend to understand the will of the gods? whether he calls himself a paladin or a butterfly knight of Desna is irrelevant to me: the true test will be on the field of battle, and I reserve judgement until then."

whether he calls himself a paladin or a butterfly knight of Desna is irrelevant to me: the true test will be on the field of battle, and I reserve judgement until then."

Yami smiles very widely, revealing a set of almost unnervingly white teeth. "I will hold you to that then, when the time comes," he says as he updates his sketches to include Adsal to the roster. "No, mysteries just intrigue me. The Society itself tends to attract a rather diverse group of individuals; it lets me have a chance to practice my...art."

"You are a very strange Paladin. You wear openly the unholy symbol of an evil god of slaughter and assasination. Even wearing the sacred weapons of their assassins. So with every life you take, you further the cause of an evil deity."

Yami's smile continues as he makes some embellishments on his sketch, detailing the embossing of Adsal's shield. "Forgive my pun, but allow me to play the devil's advocate. Is not evil a matter of perspective? Is murder and pillage that occurs to one country but a glorious crusade for another? Can a membership in an association of assassins be used towards a righteous end? " Finishing his sketch, the wayang sets it aside for the moment should another ally join the burgeoning group. "Do the means justify the end? Though, I must admit there some extremes that cannot be ignored. But perhaps that is a heavy discussion for another time."

Check out Mantis' Day Job description best shown here.

Mantis twists the blade through hypnotizing patterns. "A tool is just a tool, with no evil or good of its own." He bows to Adsal's point however, "I concede this is a symbol of an evil. A symbol I seek to weaken in my own work. Even the man who came after my father was only a tool for some other evil. But by putting the tool to work for good, and only against those who carry evil in their heart, the symbol and those it stands for are weakened. It is only a tool and that we must strive for good in ourselves to be truly good."

"As you will see, the blade grants mercy when the power of Apsu descends upon me. Apsu came to our world when he saw the destruction and chaos wrought by the Sorrowmaker, in order to stop Dahak's reign of terror. I too see it my duty to oppose and the terror of others whose role is only to destroy."

Whoa. Way more heavy than I normally get! :0

The blade twists out of his hand and clatters to the floor. In a graceful bow he bends to retrieve it banging his head against the table. He tries to stand, but a finds the room to small and instead twists away. A chair catches his scabbard and stops his momentum, reversing it and pulling him toward the seat. The chair slides out and Mantis lands butt-to-floor.

Trying to catch himself a gloved fist hits the dropped blade flipping it up into the air. The tip hits the table and spins, catching Mantis between the eyes with the pommel. The sabre reverses direction bouncing again once on the table, then his head, then the table again.

The blade spins into the air seemingly hanging still for minute before dropping straight down. It lands tip first, stuck in the floor between the paladin's legs.

The man looks at the quivering blade, then to his allies, then back to the blade. He shrugs. "What can you do?"
That's more like it. :) or better yet... Perform: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Adsal raises an eyebrow and smilingly replies. "Challenge accepted! With your permission!"
With a flash of his hand he takes the mask and turns around, taking his illuminators kit and repaints the mask into a beautiful face of the dragon god, while singing beautifully a song in his godess name.
CraftIlluminator: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34
Perform Sing: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Putting it on Brass mantis face again he nods!
"A much better!"
Challenging an evangelist of Cheylin to a dance battle. Gutsy move!
"As for my other abilities... let´s say I am a patron. I.. am good at making others much better!"

A hardy wayang stands admist the Pathfinders gathered here. He wears a nice mithral breastplate which he doesn't hide, and carries various wands and scrolls. By his side he carries a blade.

The wayang has a strikingly baby blue ribbon he uses as a scarf around his face. By his side is a blade made of a black material. (Many will recognize it as a Black Blade) Tied around the hilt of the scimitar is a bright pink ribbon.

He talks in a breathy and mysterious voice. "My name is Fade. I joined the society along with my two brothers when our mother kicked us out of home."

He draws out his scimitar. "This is Penumbrae, my trusty companion." He concentrates on the scimitar a little. "She says she can't speak herself but wants you to know that she gives her greetings. She also wants you to know that if we run into Rust Monsters, we may be holding back a bit."

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The wayang sits quietly and observes the banter. He looks at his scimitar, as the two mutter unheard words to each other. "Perhaps the mere fact that our masked friend remains empowered by Apsu is evidence enough for the intentions held therein."

The man looks at the quivering blade, then to his allies, then back to the blade. He shrugs. "What can you do?" That's more like it. :) or better yet... Perform: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

With a wave of his hand and a slight imperceptible murmur, Yami manifests a small sign in his grasp. Turning it around and holding it up, it shows a "7". "A litte too much slapstick for my taste, but you 'stuck' the landing!"

Adsal raises an eyebrow and smilingly replies. "Challenge accepted! With your permission!"

With a flash of his hand he takes the mask and turns around, taking his illuminators kit and repaints the mask into a beautiful face of the dragon god, while singing beautifully a song in his godess name.

The wizard flips the sign around, gestures again, and turns it around to display an "8." "High marks for the detail on the mask, good pitch on the song. Religious arias aren't much my cup of tea." The sign vanishes in a puff of smoke.

"My name is Fade. I joined the society along with my two brothers when our mother kicked us out of home."

He draws out his scimitar. "This is Penumbrae, my trusty companion." He concentrates on the scimitar a little. "She says she can't speak herself but wants you to know that she gives her greetings. She also wants you to know that if we run into Rust Monsters, we may be holding back a bit."

Yami nods respectfully to a fellow creature such as himself, though he seems much more interested in the magical qualities of the weapon than anything else. "It appears that we will be in good hands. Welcome." Yami updates his sketch to include the pair as well.

Mantis laughs out loud at Adsal's improvements. "Not a challenge my friend," he smiles. "And I can accept that," he says of Yami's 7.

And then the paladin welcomes Fade. "Now there is a blade that is more than a symbol, he says reverently. "Welcome Penumbrae as well." [i]Can she hear?"[/b] he wonders. "Please forgive my ignorance," he says. "Can she hear me, or do I address you as her interpreter?"

"..."

"Yes, she can hear, but only if you are close enough to her" All intelligent items have the ability to hear 30 ft. away.

"However, she has no ability to speak, but I will often speak for her if she has something to say, as we can communicate telepathically." Would require something akin to Telepathic Bond to be able to communicate directly. She cannot use message as she cannot speak, although it would allow her to hear further away...

Would require something akin to Telepathic Bond to be able to communicate directly.

If the group wants to pitch in for amusement, Yami gets a 1/scenario 20% discount on a scroll; he could learn Telepathic Bond to provide Fade more amusing RP if desired.

Detect Thoughts would be cheaper... Edit: I again forgot that constructs are immune to mind-affecting, so detect thoughts wouldn't work on them... read aura occult skill unlock (1 full round action via Empath feat) would allow one to know the emotions of the sword...

Actually, it is not too expensive. With his discount and splitting the cost 6 ways it would only be 150 GP per person. Yami would cover his own scribing costs.

Not too sure what's being attempted here; telepathic bond is a 5th level wizard spell that's not on the magus list, unless I missed something...

No, I would be casting it. I merely thought it would be amusing to have a Black Blade directly speak to the group.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

@Table GMs: If you haven't already, please run "Beginning Part 1" on page 7 of the scenario, and then wait for the next announcement before continuing.

@Players: Please have fun, and remember to explore, report and cooperate at all times.

Almost sad to interrupt you guys :p

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.

The Three Masters, as well as other justly famed agents, have been teaching a wide variety of classes, from Golarion's history to spellcasting techniques, to more hands-on activities like obstacle courses and even a triathlon!

Go ahead and describe the activity you've been enjoying the most, or at least working at the hardest. For the rest of this adventure you can choose an associated skill to either gain a +1 bonus or treat as a class skill!

Regarding the Torchbearing:

Adsal is a scholar foremost. So knowledges (Arcane)
Adsal ponders for a moment, then confers with his follower.
Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 = 25

Skipper lets the sound of his companions for the road discussing morality and masks wash over him with a smile, occasionally sneaking glances at the artwork in progress, until the Torchbearing activities get underway...

Diplomacy to Gather Information: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

The halfling keeps his ear to the ground, as it were, as he moseys between this panel and the next, offering nods to agents he's worked with before. When he catches up to the group of other high-ranking agents he'd chatted with in the Lodge, he says conspiratorially, "The Decemvirate pulled you away for a private interview yet? No? Well, I hear that they use this as a real talent scouting sort of thing... some people get special wayfinders, even. Big awards ceremony and everything."

SKipper's priorities seem to be pie, not wayfinders. He has a fruit pie in each hand, snagged on a quick interdimensional jaunt into the kitchens.

Does eating count as an activity...?

Aside from stealing pre-emptively acquiring liberating pies, Skipper's also been attending any sessions on divination that might have been forthcoming. After all, there's an unspoken fourth part of the Pathfinder motto-- prepare-- and wise minds know to read the cards, or ask a question or two of the gods, before beginning their day...

I'm happy to grandfather in your introductory reading, so do note everyone that you're currently getting a +1 insight bonus to AC courtesy of the blessings of the mysterious fruit pies Harrow.

(Thanks! Delicious, delicious insight pie.)

Naw, don't worry too much about telepathic bond. Sometimes it can be more amusing without it.

Fade spent his time leaning to spot hidden things with more skill. Will make Perception a class skill.

Since it lasts all day, Fade will go ahead and start each with day an Extended Ablative Barrier. And FYI, Fade has a Wand of Shield in a spring loaded wrist sheath.

".... I want a special wayfinder. Can I get interviewed?"

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Welp, that was a nice roll :P

Yami, distracted by his recent philosophical discussions, decides to participate in classes that focus on nimbleness and calisthenics to bring his mind back into focus.

I will take making Escape Artist a class skill.

Chaine has sat on classes teaching how to activate scrolls and wands. UMD as class skill for this scenario.

Diplomacy, Absalom Townhouse 1/scenario: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 16 + 4 = 33

"The further one stays from this mysterious hidden leadership of ours, the better. I will however, sample one of these pies..."

Nom nom... shanks you for dje inshight bonush! nom nom nom!

As dessert, a variation upon a Chelish Strudel, is finally served to those not canny enough to get an early start on the pies a small origami swan flutters through the room and lands on the center of your table. In moments, it unfolds itself into a crisp and creaseless piece of paper.

Based on the contents of the missive, your subconscious brains already begin processing the information and unbidden to you, knowledge of the case at hand comes to you.

Blakros Family; Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
Blakros Museum; Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Nigel Aldain; Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Heading towards his room, Chaine mentions to the others, "Good old Nigel has been working on a Shining Crusade exhibit as of late. I bet that it tickled his Taldan pride on many levels. I wish he would have picked another venue to expose such noble subject matter instead of that dreadful shadow-cursed building though."

Chaine shakes his head, and instructs his squire to saddle up his horse.

Blakros Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Blakros Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 = 21
Nigel Aldain Local: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 1 = 16

Yami primly dabs his mouth to clean away the remaining bits of strudel (the cakes were long gone by the time he made it to the kitchen), shoulders his pack and staff, and will join his allies when they are ready to depart. Should anyone want to snag a scroll on their way out, his offer for his discount still stands.

Hmmm... didn't see any 'new posts'

Ever the optimist the paladin has discovered too many times some folks are out to swindle others. He spends the time with shell games, card games, statue and reading body language seminars.

He manages to keep as many pie slices as he loses, and doubles down only when a chocolate cream is on the line.
Choosing Sense Motive for the bonus.

Diplomacy=Torchbearing: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Kn (nobility) Blakros family: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Kn (local) Blakros museum: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Kn (local) Nigel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Adsal ponders a moment and confers with his amiliar and replies.
Know Local: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 Blakros Family
Know Local: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 Blakros Museum
Know Local: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26 Blakros Nigel Aldain
He tells the others what he knows about those issues.
You can open the spoilers for those that he managed

Fortunately able to constrain his laughter to a mere smile Mantis reflects on the half-elf's reputation. Nigel's relationship with the Society is often strained, but he remains a steadfast ally and often collaborates with the Society by trading information and loaning artifacts.

"Nigel became the curator when he married Dhrami Blakros, and the museum has suffered many... mishaps. Fortunately the former Pathfinder turns to the Society when this happens. Despite his attempts to keep the Society at a distance and act independently, we have often been able to help clean up these troubles."

Mantis leads the group to the Skyreach main hall. Along the way he muses, "I don't think I have ever been to the Blakros Museum in an official capacity. I know it is located in the Wise District, is often open to the public when an exhibit is on display like the "Legacy of the Shining Crusade" Rumors suggest shadow magic makes the inside of the museum larger and patrons marvel at how much bigger it is on the inside. A few years ago the inside changed drastically, which drew the curiosity of many in Absalom, which is good. The exterior of the building is ugly and squat.

Skipper snags a few pies for the road, passing the note off to any who haven't yet read it and nodding along, his mouth full, with the others as they share their observations.

"What's that you say, Adsal? Nigel's beefed up the security even more lately? Poor chap, things just don't seem to work out for him, do they, despite the luck of landing a Blakros bride and the museum with it. Oh, yes, you're right that he's turned to the Society in the past as well. I suppose we'd better see what the trouble is!"

Skipper settles into a literal skip on his way to the Skyreach hall, humming cheerfully under his breath. "Another journey waits for us all... even if just here in the city."

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

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.”

@Table GMs: You have until May 16 to run Part A on page 10 and Part B on page 14, in whatever order you choose.

Fade comments in his usual breathy voice. "I don't envy Nigel's position, to say the least. I appreciate it, though. He has probably saved the entire world several times over at this point."

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 sergeant, a round-shouldered Ulfen man hurries over to you,
[b]"Ah good. Some folk who might actually solve a problem instead of just whinging about it. We made a push inside to try to sort matters out, but it's chaos in there. Animated relics, guard animals, rampaging barbarians, some sort of clockwork contraptions, and of course Mr. Aldain's fancy new magical security wards have gone berserk as well where we tried to come in through the side!
I'm not going to lose any more men, at least until the crazies already in there wear each other down.

Into the Museum proper, off round the back to deal with the wards, sending someone sneaky to scout either of them out, or something else clever?

Rule of two will take it!

Into the Museum proper, off round the back to deal with the wards, sending someone sneaky to scout either of them out, or something else clever?

Yami pulls out a wooden wand and taps himself with it, granting him mage armor for one hour. He offers a charge to any who feel they might benefit from the spell before tucking it back into a strap on his sash. The wayang looks to his allies for a consensus on further action. "The focus of my arcane studies unfortunately has left me unable to perform any magics that typically disable wards and such. Perhaps a more direct approach might be in order?"

"Crap... this is 4717 all over again!" says Chaine, steering Silvermane straight into the museum! "Let's take care of what's inside; if I remember well last time this happened, the runes outside are best handled by those who can disable traps or magic types who can blast large areas with magic. Inside, there's things we can actually hit if I remember well!"

GM Cwethan: not sure if character knowledge from playing part A with this PC is ok; just let me know.

Especially since the boons encourage replaying with the same character, I certainly won't hold it against you. Sadly, the scenario doesn't really know how to deal with it (NPCs will still have to be appropriately wooed etc.) So the fuzzier you keep your deja vu-esque recollections, the better.

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 cause of his death is made horribly apparent as a strange light begins to glow in the eyes of some of the exhibits!