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For a city founded upon bloody combat traditions, Tymon is surprisingly docile. Weapons are invariably peace-bonded, there is a lack of muscle-flexing machismo in the streets—even public disputes are scarcer than in comparably large settlements. Rule of law here is strong, perhaps, or else violent urges are simply sated vicariously through the famed Arena of Aroden.
Whatever the cause, little impedes the swift journey to Smine’s Weaponworks, locally famous as a place of business but secretly also a Pathfinder lodge. The sound of ringing steel and the withering heat of the forge through an open sliding door identify the stone structure as readily as its wellpainted but soot-stained sign. Several apprentices work blades in various stages of completion, and at the largest work area toils a smiling dwarf: famed weaponsmith and venture-captain Holgarin Smine. He glances up under singed eyebrows, never missing a beat as he says, “Ah. It’s you. A moment.”
After putting some final touches on a spearhead, quenching it in water, and nodding approvingly after a brief appraisal, he unties his apron and opens the door into the adjoining building. Within a few minutes, Smine has set out refreshments such as bread and cheese in a much cooler kitchen. “Forgive me for not asking about your journey. Love the details, but those can wait. There's a friend of mine who has a druidic sickle you're going to retrieve. Head to her camp and we can have time to catch up when you get back."
The trek out of Tymon was uneventful, and three days into the River Kingdoms have led you to an abandoned camp. The only proof suggesting you are even in the right place is a journal, which upon inspection clearly belongs to Ulisha. Several excerpts stand out:
Consider the Rahadoumi and their Laws of Man, rejecting the gods despite the plagues and deserts that eat away at their lands. Others such as the Nidalese have sworn themselves entirely to one god who grants his followers power at a punishing price. The small nation of Razmiran is much like Nidal, in that the people pay homage to a most curious deity: a “Living God” who lives among his people. Don’t be fooled by his talk of prosperity for all. The Razmiri are an underhanded lot, and I recently heard that the village of Allenstead—once staunchly against the god Razmir—had all converted to Razmir’s worship. Apparently, a priest bearing a jeweled rod recently paid Allenstead a visit and won everyone over within a day. It’s obvious that some dastardly magic is at work here, and that the priest’s golden scepter is at the crux of it all. I wonder what it’s worth?
In a creaky voice Estra addresses the party. "Mmm, greetings, dearies. I hope you can trouble an old woman. Woe is my back! I'll try to keep up. Luckily ol' Honaire still gives me the best foot rubs this side of Golarion!"
"My vote would be for the cemetery, first. Can't start shopping for a retirement home too soon! Heh, heh, heh."
The ectoplasmic visage of a much younger man clad in armor manifests behind the elderly woman and smiles silently.
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"Thank you for your time Master Smine. We will do our best to complete this deal for you and return with this sickle as soon as we can."
"It feels like we have been travelling non-stop for many days now, yet our journey does not seem to be finished. We should take a brief rest here while we decide our next destination. Come sit here Estra and rest your poor back.
Kyra briefly ponders the locations mentioned in the journal. She's still trying to get used to the idea of Estra's husband's spirit watching over them all.
"I am keen to meet a follower of this so called "living god". What kind of magics must this 'priest' be using to convert an entire town to worship his god?"
At the campsite, Oloch looks over the journal with Kyra and Estra.
Well, that figures, we were supposed to retrieve dome druid sickle, but, instead our contact is in hiding and all we have is this journal. Well, at least there seems to be plenty of opportunities for mayhem and profit!
In the short time the group has traveled together, Mavaro, an occultist, has been quick with his strange but fascinating stories. He seems to know much about the world but speaks little of his past. He seems obsessed with finding esoteric relics.
"This sickle sounds intriguing. I wonder what secrets it holds. I can't wait to find it. The cemetery sounds like a fine place to start."
While traveling with the group, Hakon is simply ready to add more stories to his ever expanding list of exploits he has completed. He looks over the journal with the others.
"All those places are intriguing! And recovering a chalice should be simple enough. So I agree with the old woman about going to that... Galtan graveyard."
Honaire bristles at the phrase "old woman".
"Now, now, dearie," says Estra towards Honaire. "We can't all look as young and strapping as you! Heh, heh, heh."
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The trek to nearby Gralton is uneventful.
For a small city, Gralton boasts an ostentatious cemetery, with the tombs of wealthy Galtan refugees evoking their lost glories. The cemetery gates are ajar when you arrive.
A few steps inside, you will notice a dead body lying draped across a marble bust in front of one of the mausoleums. The body is that of a young human male dressed in a noble’s outfit with his hands bound with rope. To observe the corpse in any more than a cursory detail will require moving the body.
Nearby, a baroque marble tomb clamors for attention like a gaudy flag waving for a once noble house. Its most audacious feature is a sculpted badger that looms, gargoyle-like, above the door. The iron door is decorated not only with the Tullivor name and crest, but also with an elaborate arcane rune.
Hakon sees the name of the tomb the group is heading to. "Hm, whom ever this Laban Tullivor is, I don't think he'll mind a bit of grave robbing." He gets his gear ready and prepares to head on out with everyone.
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While passing through the small town of Gralton, Hakon looks around. "Small place, huh? Not much going on here. So where is that... Oh! I think I see it over there!."
Hakon will rush towards the graveyard but stops at the gates.
He looks around, seeing no guards for such a gaudy graveyard. When the others arrive, Hakon looks around quickly before speaking. "You know, I think I heard that such places like this should have guards." He pushes the gates open and steps into the gravveyard. "For something so... Gaudy, you'd think there would be guards. Oh well.... Ah, Snow toes." He sees the corpse slumped over a bust. "Well... That is one reason why there are no guards!"
Hakon will pull out one of his axes just in case, keeping his eyes open for anything moving within the graveyard.
The little Tien girl that has been traveling with you holds her stuffed owlbear tight to her chest as the group enters the graveyard.
I don't know about this, Gom-Gom... it seems kinda spooky...
"Oh, Honaire... *giggle*... This reminds me of that one time when..."
"Hmmm... I wonder what this young man has to say for himself?"
Estra will cast Grave Words.
Estra cups a hand to her ear.
"Hmm... What was that sonny? This old woman's hearing ain't what it... Oh, bugger."
Oloch watches in amazement as Estra seems to coax the corpse into speaking a few words before it convulses in maniacal laughter.
What's that all about?, he asks Estra.
He continues to observe the body. When Estra appears to have finished what she was doing, Oloch's curiosity gets the better of him and he begins to examine the corpse, moving it slightly in the process.
Look at his belt buckle. It is a badger.
Looking around some more...
Look here. Oloch says, There are two sets of humanoid footprints around the statue. Similar footprints can be found near the cemetery entrance, alongside horse hoofprints
Hakon lets out a shout as the corpse begins to speak and then laugh manically. He pulls out his other axe and points it at the corpse. "Such things should not speak, especially like that! It is truly dead, right? And what did that statue mean by, "When the last sun falls upon this spot, receive my thanks." Well, lets see what is about this belt buckle."
Hakon doesn't understand why it is stylized as a badger, it is nice though. "Well, might as we figure out what caused this poor bugger his doom." He will then check over the body to find out what killed him.
"Ah... The poor sod was run through with a short sword. But the scratches... Hakon then checks the face and tries to figure out what may have caused those.
"Hm... A hawk did this. Maybe who ever skewered the poor fool also had a pet. Can't say for certain." Hakon stands up and looks around, keeping his eyes open for any else in this graveyard. "I don't like the look of this." He looks around the immediate area and sees a mausoleum that has the iconography of the badger. Hakon will point it out to the others. "Hey! Oloch, don't you think that matches that poor wretch belt buckle? Maybe they're related."
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"It looks like some people have been here before us, and recently too."
Kyra listens as the others discuss the situation and their findings.
These people seem to be quite adept at investigation. I'm not sure i like disturbing the dead like this though...
"Estra please warn me if you're going to do that again! That was quite a shock!"
Put off by the corpse speaking, Kyra has no idea what killed this man. She does however notice the symbol on the buckle.
"Is that a badger on his belt buckle? I wonder if that means something..."
"Estra please warn me if you're going to do that again! That was quite a shock!"
"Ohhhh, come now dearie, it couldn't have been that much of a shock. You've been listening to me all this time, and I'm halfway in my grave already! Heh, heh, heh."
Yoon jumps as the corpse speaks, holding Gom-Gom even tighter and letting out a short "EEP!"
After everyone else does their investigating, she pipes up, Perhaps we should see what's in the building with the badger? Maybe the man was spending the night in there and someone pulled him out for his stuff.
After checking out the tracks in the cemetery, Oloch returns to the body. He once again looks at the dead youth, contemplating where his spirit might be now. He listens to Yoon and Kyra talk about the badger symbol.
Hakon asked:
"Hey! Oloch, don't you think that matches that poor wretch belt buckle? Maybe they're related."
After a moment of thought, Oloch replies:
I think you are right Hakon, they definitely seem to be related. As Yoon said, we should see what is in inside this building.
Hmm... I'm no good with traps, neither is Gom-Gom. How about any of you big people? Yoon says, looking to each adults face in turn until someone steps up.
Hearing the child's question, Oloch looks at the other members of the group.
Well, Yoon, we may have to do this the old fashion way. Hakon, you don't happen to be any good with locks and traps? If not, I will open the door, Gorum favors the bold!, says Oloch, ending on an optimistic note.
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"I'm afraid traps is something i'm not so good with. I usually let a friend of mine deal with little annoyances like this, but she's busy on another assignment today." says Kyra with a slight smile on her face.
"May the Dawnflower protect you brave Oloch." she adds when Oloch suggests his direct approach
Hakon shakes his head a couple times. "Nay, I have stories and strength in arms. And by that rune on that door, it is clearly trapped!" As Hakon points an axe towards the door. "Maybe if we figure out what that voice meant, we might be able to unlock it without breaking it down."
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Hakon! You may be on to something. Let's wait "until the last sun falls upon this spot" and see what happens.
Mavaro looks around haphazardly. "This is all very fascinating, though I regret what has happened to this noble."
"Oh, my..."
Estra looks somewhat worried.
"I do hope something happens soon. This old lady might need to use the old lady's room in not too long from now."
Hakon notices the shadow from the nearby Mausoleum. "Hey, that shadow is going to block the bust... Oh, I know of this family, the... Sarvio Family." He thinks a bit before adding. "Hey... Was it the Sarvio family rivals to the other...? To the Tullivor family? Right? Was that what was written in that journal?"
He looks back at the Mausoleum with the Badger and points at it. "The.. Tullivor Family...." He then points towards the other. "And the Sarvio Family. Both dead, yet stuck next to each other for eternity.... Ha! That's ironic. Wait... Badger... Tullivor?" Hakon then goes back to the corpse. "Heh, maybe only recently dead. This poor smuck might have been a Tullivor. Or he got one of their belt buckles."
"Perhaps we should try to move what is impeding the light..." Mavaro says as he looks up at the structure.
Estra takes out a torch and casts Light on the end of it.
"Here, dearie. Don't squint. Strains the eye muscles."
Yoon also produces a small flame, no larger than a candle, to help light the area. Looking at the bust, she tries to see if someone can move it. I dunno if this can be moved, but I'm not big enough to move it, and Gom-Gom is too tired tonight to move it on his own. Oloch and Hakon look big and strong, maybe if they work together? Or maybe my light can pretend to be the sun? she says as she holds up the candle flame floating in her hand.
Oloch scratches his green chin.
Hmm, I want to see what happens when the shadow hits that bust. I think we should let the shadow hit the bust and if nothing happens, then I will pust the it aside real quick, with some help from Hakon.
Thinking some more, Oloch says to Estra, Do you think we should remove the dead lad from over the marble bust?
Tears begin to well up in Estra's eyes. She glances to Honaire.
"Aye. He'll need a proper burial eventually. I'm sure someone loved him. Maybe he has a holy symbol on him? Would be best if we knew a little more about him before giving him last rites."
"You know, his family's custom might have had to put the body in a mausoleum... Like his ancestor. But I agree with ya... We should move the poor guy to a better spot for the time being."
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Hakon put two and two together, and posits that the corpse probably belongs to a Tullivor.
Mavaro follows the shadow to the spire of a nearby mausoleum building, an alabaster tomb evoking a past age of Galtan architecture, including a ten-foot spire atop a broad dome. Its awnings teem with sculpted white raptors. Its iron gate bears the motto, “Last to Fall.” Inside the padlocked iron gate stand four sarcophagi.
Estra is adamantly attending to her inner ear with the tip of her pinky finger.
"My beautiful wife, we have company."
Hakon overheard the spirit speak of company. "What? Some of your friends came to say boo?... Oh, I see, and a bird up there too. Oloch, we should go greet her to see if she needs help." Hakon points towards her with an axe.
He then reconsiders and sticks an axe into the ground before casting the spell Light on the remaining axe. "Better" Hakon mutters before picking up the axe embedded into the ground.
"Company?" Mavaro asks as he strains to see anything.
"Where?" he follows the line of sight provided by Hakon's axe until he sees the woman.
"A strange place to be watching from..." the occultist mutters.
""
Estra unbelievably turns even more pale than she already is.
"Good heavens, child! You can't go sneaking up on old women like that."
Estra steps forward.
"Come out into the light, child. I won't bite. I can't. No teeth! Heh, heh, heh."
"She is trustworthy, as are the rest of us."
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Hakon gives a sidelong glance at Estra and the spirit Honaire. "Right... That sounded very welcoming." As he speaks in a sarcasic tone. He shakes his head as Kyra speaks in a less.... Creepy tone.
Hakon speaks up as well, to try to assist her in convincing her to come out. But it comes out more threatening than he'd expect!
Oloch also sees the horse and rider.
Come out, so we can see better who you are!
Sensing he is not helping, Oloch continues to watch the marble bust for any changes when the shadow hits it.
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P-p-p-please come out? I'm really scared you might be some scary zombie, I don't like zombies... Please come out and say hi to us?