Hanzo is saddened that his story seems to fall on deaf ears.
Hakon clears his throat and commands attention merely by being large and blonde.
"Friends, I will give you a short song from the Land of the Linnorm Kings. Something to warm your bones." With a grin, he sings in a lusty, ringing baritone, while keeping time with boot stomps and hand claps.
"
Ro ro Håskjer
Der satt ei kjerring og fraus der
Dei sa ho skulle opp og dansa
Ho sa ho kunn' ikkje dansa
Trø i ring og trø ikring
Du må'kje trø på mor di sin kjitling!"
The melody is infectious and the words are clearly quite silly, although it isn't clear from Taldan speakers quite what it's about.
You each gain a +2 competence bonus on one Bluff, Diplomacy, or
Intimidate check attempted during the adventure.
You also hear tell that the Society’s success at Nerosyan and more recently at the sky citadel Jormurdun has captured the imaginations of a new crop of Pathfinders, who see the Society as a potential force for good as well as scholarship. The halls of the Quadrangle have not been so full in many years
“Pathfinders, please get settled. All campus-wide events are closing. All venture-captains and field agents are invited to gather on the north lawn for refreshments and the keynote address in several minutes.”
You wrap up your games and go to hear the speech (reiterated here, but also on the Overseer announcement, which is much nicer formatting!).
"“Greetings! Once again, I am Marcos Farabellus, Master of Swords, and it is my distinct privilege to welcome you all to the annual Grand Convocation of the Pathfinder Society! We have sent expeditions throughout the Inner Sea and beyond— from Tian Xia to Jalmeray to Irrisen, we have explored, worked together, and uncovered more mysteries about our world than ever before. It has been an incredibly successful year for the Society, and the ones responsible stand before me today: each and every one of you who continues to make the Society great. On behalf of the Decemvirate and your venture-captains, you have our sincerest thanks.
“As most of you know, one our greatest triumphs of the decade has been the location and exploration of the lost sky citadel, Jormurdun. Those of you who joined the Jormurdun expedition may recall the unusual artifact that we discovered on that mission: the Sky Key. The key gave us a momentary glimpse of the past—an unparalleled opportunity to meet and interact with a lost civilization. Unfortunately, the key was not whole. So, for the past year, teams have scoured Golarion in search of its missing components. I’m pleased to announce today, the Sky Key is whole! Soon we will again bridge the divide to ages past and…”
The Master of Swords pauses for a brief, questioning second as he peers into the air above the gathered crowd. There, an immense Glyph of the Open Road hangs in midair before booming an angry retort. “You’ll do what? Steal the past? Like you steal everything else?!”
Farabellus’s eyes narrow as he stares at the symbol. “Who are you and who put you up to this?”
“The better question is, ‘What am I?’” the voice retorts. “I’m not a liar, and I’m not a hypocrite. Nor do I rob captives of their livelihood, claiming the moral high ground of historical preservation!” With each accusation, cracks appear in the Glyph of the Open Road before the whole symbol ignites and drips flaming tears upon the crowd below. “But the Pathfinder Society is that and more, and today it shall answer for its countless crimes!”
Screeches from above announce scores of winged humanoids launching themselves from Skyreach’s many roofs, just as howls from the menagerie accompanied by explosions from the outbuildings that send painful reverberations through the Grand Lodge. The Pathfinder Society is under attack!
Many Pathfinders scatter as snipers from the nearby gardens begin firing on the crowd. Several of the venture-captains from distant lodges begin organizing a defense while local leaders rush to Skyreach to assess any damage to restricted areas.
Sir Laribold Croome, an immaculately dressed Taldan nobleman scrambles for cover behind a table, which his halfling manservant helpfully flips onto its side. Catching his breath, the Taldan fumbles for his monocle before addressing the nearby Pathfinders. “Monsters and villains are attacking all over the grounds,” he states with perfect articulation, punctuated by a crossbow bolt that embeds itself in his makeshift barricade.
“Spread out, patrol the grounds, and snuff out trouble as you find it. If you should discover any clues about what the devil is going on, report back here at the base of Skyreach.”
He pulls his sword cane free from its sheath and raises it overhead. “Look alive, and show initiative,” he shouts before performing an elaborate dueling salute in the direction of an elephant and setting off after it.
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"I have a light crossbow, I don't use all that often, perhaps you are better with it than I?" Sereniti says, pointing to the light crossbow on her back with a spider web in it. She grips her long spear tightly as she looks around the Grand Lodge.
"We were told to help, we could search the northeast campus, northwest campus, or the south campus. So many choices, I don't know what to do!" stammers Sereniti.
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"BAH!" roars Mors, "COULDN'T THEY LET ME FINISH MY GODS DAMNED DRINK?!"
Refusing to let it go, Mors slams back the rest of his ale, then throws the empty stein ineffectually up at their attackers. "Fine. Northwest. Let's go!"
He draws a long bastard sword from across his back as he stomps in that direction, black eyes peeled for anything useful.
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Hanzo deftly slips his sash off, turning it inside out to reveal a ninja mask stylized to resemble a viper, mouth open and attacking. He slides his kusari gama off of his back and gives the ball end a twirl in the air.
Wherever we go, we should be quick. Whoever dares attack us here, in our headquarters, is either a fool or has a death wish.
He gives the flying creatures a glance, and then runs a finger along his bandolier, making sure his shuriken are loose.
We'll also need to come up with a way to stop the fliers. We won't be much use swinging swords at them.
And to the northwest campus you go...
The northwest campus contains many vital areas, but a few of them, like the Center House, are so sensitive to the organization that they’re protected continuously. It is also more heavily wooded than any other section, which slows the systematic search of the grounds. You come across the Mausoleum.
This enormous, columned stone structure is both temple and fortress. Two wings flank an open courtyard. The imposing structure is adjacent to a thick copse of trees.
The Mausoleum serves many functions from temple to museum to research laboratory, all dedicated to the greatest mystery of all: death. The left side of the building houses the more academic areas, while the western side is used for more spiritual purposes.
You enter the courtyard. This is Mausoleum’s main entrance. It was a scene of destruction a few years ago, and Aspis agents have smashed what the Society rebuilt. Shattered statues and religious sculptures pertaining to death and the afterlife are strewn about the courtyard. The eastern stone doors are barred shut from the other side. The bodies of two caretakers are slumped to the sides of the western doors.
"Academic pursuits on the left side of the building, more spiritual rites to the right, here in the Mausoleum. All dealing with that eternal mystery, Death."
Hakon draws his axes. "Those two found an answer sooner than they wished. I say we go to the west and cut down whatever cut them down."
Hakon arches an eyebrow at Blanmeiux. "The west is over here."
You do not hear anything past the door, but when you check it, it is unlocked.
Hanzo silently enters the building, and looks around. This first are has steel tables, lab equipment (medical and alchemical), and barrels of wash water. The light here is dim from the windows along the east wall.
There are a number of doors and hallways in here.
You hear a gasp of breath - perhaps coming from the two bodies near the door.
Hanzo sneaks to the southern door, but knocks over a set of scalpels on a metal table along the way, making a terrible racket. When things get quiet again, however, he waits and listens, and hears nothing but the quiet breathing of his group.
The door is unlocked. Checking inside, you find another room, but nothing of added interest.
Hakon follows Mors and Hanzo, axes at the ready.
Before you move on, you hear Blanmieux call from outside, "Hey, those bodies are alive here! Not Undeath Alive, Alive-Alive!"
Hakon whirls about and runs back to Blanmieux. "What?!"
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Sereniti will move outside to where Blanmieux has called - she sees the bodies, curses in Celestial (which incidentally sounds very musical). When she comes to the first of the bodies he has indicated are alive, pulls her cure light wounds wand, and uses it on the person
She will do the same to the other, if others do not similarly act.
Hanzo, Mors, and Thaddeus continue to explore the other rooms, and find a workshop that appears to be a room for cleaning and preparing skeletons. It includes kilns and many jars of live beetles. This workroom also has the tools required to reassemble and study skeletal remains for study. The
natural light here is dim.
Meanwhile, Hakon watches as Blanmieux and Sereniti revive the caretakers that were left for dead outside (and would have been without intervention). They come to and are very grateful for the aid.
"They came in quickly and overwhelmed us! I fear the others are dead"
Upon hearing about the news of attacks all over the area, one of them says "Listen, we have some emergency supplies hidden in there. Get them! They should aid the effort! Also, here! " he says, pushing to vials into Serenniti's hands. "Potions of lessor restoration, should you need them. Now go - get those that seek to destroy our way of life!"
With that, they pick each other up and start to look for safer digs.
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Hearing the shout, Mors abandons the search for the moment. He hustles outside, where Sereniti, Blanmieux, and Hakon stand over the two caretakers. He stands defensively over the group, watching their surroundings while they care for the two men.
As the two men leave, Mors stops them, ”Where are those supplies? We wanna reach’em before the gods-damned Aspis snakes do. Also, keep yer damn heads down. Do you think you can find cover safely without us?”
Mors stomps back inside, waiting for Hanzo and Thaddeus to take point as they search for more survivors and those supplies. As they walk, he looks over at Sereniti and Blanmeux. ”Damn good work, you two. Damn good work.”