Hralyk sighs and nods, "I am sorry, Miss Heidmarch. I...I lost myself, and Natalya is dead as a result. However, what Zeltyieli says is true - it was as if she was possessed."
As Telka expresses her frustration, Hralyk coughs. "I, too, have been feeling...strange. A pain in my leg, no doubt from falling into that pool of refuse." He grunts and shakes his head. "No matter. Telka has the artifact."
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"She's dead?" Sheila looks appalled, though she quickly regains her spirits. "Well, that should be expected when you fall in with the wrong crowd. I'll miss her, though, she was a good person deep down. But how you describe her... Are you sure we're speaking of the same person? A queen with goblins thralls?" the Venture-Captain appears quite shocked.
"How about the artifact? May I see it?" she asks Telka, quite taken by that discovery.
Jordan bows.
"I too am interested in the shard. It is the pick of the lot!"
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Despite Ramenhotep's summons, no page comes.
As Telka produces the shard, Sheila's eyes widen and her jaw drops in shock. She obviously recognizes what it might be, but isn’t immediately forthcoming with what she knows. "I suspect I know what this might be, but we'll need a slight verification. Here."
She offers a ioun stone to Telka, a scarlet and blue sphere. Upon closer inspection, you easily discern an indentation in the shard’s face where the ioun stone might fit.
"My theory is that the shard is based on Azlanti magic similar to that the Society based the design of our wayfinders on, and if this shard reacts to an ioun stone in the same way, my hunch will be proven correct."
Jordan opines: "Goblins are easily impressed."
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Pop! Ramenhotep suddenly notices a new compass-like contraption on his chest that has really been there all along. "Wha! Forgot I had this thing!"
Ramenhotep listens with interest as Sheila explains the device but after a moment mumbles something about the blasted service in this place and goes over to make his own cup of coffee.
Hralyk sniffs, not particularly interested in the inner workings of some magical shard.
Telka grabs the stone brusquely from Sheila and eyes it carefully.
"The magic of dead men haunting the lives of the living. In my land, we prefer living magic, the magic of the blood."
She snorts.
"But I see that you watch my actions closely, Heidmarch. Perhaps, this some sort of test to you? Or perhaps you think the shard will unleash some terrible magic when I place this bauble inside? Bah, I am not afraid." She places the bauble in the socket.
"Always keeping your agents in the dark; sometimes I think the shadow lodge had the right idea. The way Venture Captains treat agents is degrading. I'm not sure any of them know the mean of leadership; the bloodspeakers never would dishonor their warriors that way." the orcish woman sneers.
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"Have no fear, Telka, for this is no trick of the Decemvirate. I am simply ensuring you don't feel threatened, which I obviously have failed at." Heidmarch nods leniently, letting Telka shove the ioun stone into the shard. The stone flashes with coppery light and fuses to the shard, its appearance changing to look as if they were made of the same material as the shard itself.
"What you have found, my friends, is nothing short of a miracle. Varisia has seen its share of miracles of late—the discovery of a famed capital city of ancient Thassilon and the battle against a rising Runelord, 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..."
Lastly, you also feel that the scarlet-and-blue sphere ioun stone also gives you its normal benefits, as if it was orbiting around your head.
While Telka absorbs all that knowledge, she continues to explain that artefact's history to you.
"The Shattered Star was a powerful defensive item created well over 10,000 years ago by the founder of the empire of Thassilon, an exiled Azlanti named Xin. At that time, the item was known as the Sihedron—a seven-pointed star made of the seven skymetals infused with powerful magic. When the runelords rebelled against him, this item was broken into seven parts (at least, according to the legends), and the runelords each claimed a shard for their own. In the 10 millennia since Earthfall and the end of Thassilon, the shards have shifted locations, yet they have never been reassembled into the Sihedron. Until today."
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"Pah! I see now why Venture-Captain Balentiir sent me up here! This was in the times of Osirion's heyday, a subject I know a bit more about than ancient Thassilon! I've got their old language down, though."
Ramenhotep shifts his bony behind in the seat a bit and asks, "Until today, eh? So then let me guess: we've found one of them and now you want us to find the other six? Pah! Well, I wouldn't be a good servant of the Black and White if I didn't jump at the opportunity to study and search for one of the greatest magical artifacts of history. Ha! I'm in!"
"A powerful Thassilonian artifact??!!" Jordan compulsively rubs his hands together.
"What do these artifacts do individually and as a whole??"
"Hmph. It has a curse lain upon it: Shard of Pride indeed. This thing is why Natalya acted such a fool. One who has this thing is one who would rule. And the fire we saw earlier, perhaps an illusion?" She eyes it as she handles it. "You must have some insight into the location of the others. Or perhaps you intend we ask the Tower girls where the got it from. At least, that is what I would do if I was in your shoes."
Zeltyieli nods, "That would explain the lack of damage... including to our gear."
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Sheila adopts a content smile, and continues. "You are wise indeed, Ramenhotep. Balentiir was right to send you for this mission, I see his trust was not misplaced. Yes, it would be a shame not to pursue that opportunity, now that we... that you have recovered a first shard. With so many threats rising over Varisia in the past few years, this could be a formidable weapon to defend our country and the whole of Golarion. Today, we start writing history in our own terms!" she enthusiastically concludes.
"Finding the other shards will be easier than you expect, at least the part about finding their location. I expect recovering them will be an entierly different matter, but I think you will be perfect for that grand quest. Now Telka, please concentrate on the shard, and try to imagine the Sihedron made whole, a seven-branched star."
"This thing must seek its like." she grunts. "I see an image of a pillar in the water, part of the broken bridge the bay, the Irespan. Hmph. One is called the Crow. That is our destination.
She relaxes and sets the shard down. "The Crow, eh? The name of a trickster. Maybe our way in will be difficult " the bloodspeaker quietly muses. "The girls of the Tower; hmph."
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"It sounds like the next step of your journey is all planned, then. I'll provide you with a rowboat big enough for all five of you, one of the shipwrights at the docks owes me a favor. You should talk to m husband before you leave, I think he posted a notice on the job board about a reward for surveying Thassilonian ruins. He's in his office upstairs. In the meantime, we should keep your mission secret. The longer you keep quiet about your quest, the least competitors you'll have. Good luck, Pathfinders."
Zeltyieli smiles, "Sounds like fun! I do love exploring... And certainly don't hate the thought of saving the world... Or fairly-earned reward, either..."
"Given our tendency to kill anyone who knows about the artifact, I doubt that will be a problem."
She looks directly at Hralyk, and pulls out a sap. "Perhaps you should buy one of these. In case we want to ask someone questions."
Hralyk considers the sap, then shakes his head. "No, the leather in such a weapon is hardly comparable to the magnificence of mithril, adamantium, or even lowly iron. I will keep to my falchion." He sighs, "However, if you wish to take prisoners, merely say the word and I will strike with the flat of my blade."
He looks to the Venture-Captain, "Speaking of which, do we have time for me to get some more respectable armor? Leather armor is so...inferior."
"Now would be as good a time as any to speak Sir Canayven. Where is he?" Telka inquires with Lady Heidmarch.
Zeltyieli nods, "Agreed. He may tell us something that would shape our purchases."
Hralyk follows the others, feeling increasingly uncomfortable in his leathers.
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Venture-Captain Canayven Heidmarch is working in his office upstairs when you knock at his door, a couple of hours later. "Come in!" his deep voice replies.
"Ah, you are the agents investigating the Thassilonian ruins, right? Sheila told me about your... special assignment, and there's something you might be able to do for me while you're exploring the Crow. You see, I've been looking for an entrance into the Irespan for ages, but I've never been able to locate one. I would accompany you, but unfortunately my duties keep me here. I'm looking for pieces of significant previously-unknown information about Thassilon. I'll pay you 500 gold pieces for each significant discovery, but you'll need to report it to me in writing, with illustrations if possible. You may take as much parchment and ink as you wish for this task, of course. Any questions? Ah, sorry - that's a quirk not uncommon for Venture-Captains." he jests as he strokes hs beard.
Hralyk nods as Ramenhotep steps forward to accept the responsibility of documenting their foray. At least there will be no need for me to do the same...
Zeltyeli says, cheerfully, "Sounds good to me. I hope you don't mind if we keep a copy for ourselves -- as long as we promise not to share?"
Jordan smiles as they get their assignment.
"Thassilonian ruins. Let us be careful, who knows what power and secrets could be there."
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You make preparations and are ready to go the next day.
As promised, Sheila obtained a small rowboat for you to sail around the pilings of the Irespan. Despite a fair weather, the waters aren't easy to navigate because of the trickiness of the tidal currents. After a 30-minute boat ride you finally arrive at the Crow, your stomach all messed up for some of you. The towering structure that once supported the Irespan has some majesty indeed, though its black stone only sends shivers down your spine.
You find one of the commonly-known landmarks, a small dock and a chamber at sea level that many people explored, but no one ever found a passage to deeper inside. You tie the boat to the docks and now venture into the Crow.
A tall lancet arch at water level leads into a chamber at sea level within the side of the Crow. Inside is what was once a small, stepped terrace, now filled with sea water to the level of its top step. Three rowboats are tied off to heavy stones placed on this step. Above, the ceiling rises almost all the way up to the top of the monument—an opening leads off this shaft to the west near the ceiling. At the west end of this room lies a small alcove whose floor shows the stains of countless campfires—the back wall of this alcove has broken through, revealing a passageway beyond.
"Climb to the higher passage, or take this one? I do not think these tower girls limit themselves to a the earth and stone like we do. If they are here, they might take the higher route."
Telka looks for signs of recent passage, on either route.
Telka snorts, somewhat nonplussed by the old man's direct. "Lead on then."
She trails behind slightly. If the man wants to stumble into their defenses, who am I to stop him. she muses darkly, annoyed at the man's brashness.
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Rubble from the collapsed wall has been pushed out into the chamber. Traces of recent habitation—bits of trash and rubbish and the odd piece of clothing or equipment—are scattered here and there, though the room now appears to be unused. Telka is able to determine that this chamber recently housed as many as a dozen inhabitants.
The room to the south is an abandoned privy. The foul odor and suspicious stains on the floor reveal that this chamber was used as a privy within the last few weeks. Huddled in one corner are the rotten remains of a small dog. Upon closer inspection, the "dog" is a donkey rat—twice the size of a regular rat.
Ramenhotep ventures further. Between two curving stairwells lies a small landing. Three stone boxes, their lids raised, stand lined up against the east wall. A fine yellow powder surrounds them on the floor. The chests are empty, already looted.
Telka hears the faint sound of a squealing rat ahead.
"Careful, there might be bats around." Hralyk says, as he points to various piles of bat guano on the walls and floor near the docks.
He follows the others deeper into the Crow, falchion drawn, ready to take on any comers.
"What is that strange power?"
She cocks her head to turn her ear to the passage ahead. "Rats, too. This place swarms with life for being so far away from land."
"Do we have any means to pass them without disturbing their roost?"
Zeltyieli shakes his head, "I lack the power to cover our approach in magical silence... Unless you're suggesting there's an alchemical bat repellant? That would be useful! "
Jordan walks along keeping his robes out of the muck. He checks to see that his rat pets are in place in his pockets as well as his magical creature.
Jordan walks with an easy grace, trying to stay clean. At the sight of the mural he gets excited.
"A drawing of an intact Irespan. Let me annotate this."
Jordan scribbles quickly on his parchment.
Hralyk smirks. "A few rats will be no match for us, I'm sure." Then, at Jordan's request, he nods. Better him than me. While he waits, he rolls his shoulders and moves his arms and marvels again at the feel of the metal against his skin.
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Examining her surroundings, Telka is unable to say whether they have a nest somewhere, nor where it is. She is then taken by a hacking cough.
The stairs winding upwards seem endless, you think you've climbed at least four levels without seeing any door or opening. When they stop at last, you find yourselves in a succession of small rooms where bits and pieces of old rubble, fragments of furniture, and broken weapons and armor clutter the floor.
Suddenly, two girls clad in leather and hand crossbows at the ready spring from the shadows to attack you! Simultaneously, a humanoid with a rat face emerges from the eastern rooms. Fortunately, Ramenhotep, Telka and Jordan were paying attention to their surroundings and thus aren't surprised.
Initiative - surprise round (standard or move action only) - bold may act!
1. (Hralyk), Ramenhotep, (Zeltiyeli)
2. Tower Girls, Rat-faced girl
3. Jordan (& dog), Telka
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The two girls shoot their hand crossbow at Hralyk, who definitely looks the most threatening.
While the first bolt misses and finishes its course in a nearby wall, the second one wounds the half-orc at the knee.
The rat-faced creature shoots her crossbow at the same target, as if the ambushers often acted in a concerted manner.
The bolt delves deep into Hralyk's chest, but through sheer force of will he remains standing!
Initiative - surprise round (standard or move action only) - bold may act!
1. (Hralyk), Ramenhotep, (Zeltiyeli)
2. Tower Girls, Rat-faced girl
3. Jordan & dog, Telka
Jordan motions quickly at the girls and a patch of grease appears under their feet and in front of them.
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one object or 10-ft. square
Duration 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw see text; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION
A grease spell covers a solid surface with a layer of slippery grease. Any creature in the area when the spell is cast must make a successful Reflex save or fall. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details). Creatures that do not move on their turn do not need to make this check and are not considered flat-footed.
The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature requires its bearer to make a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item. A creature wearing greased armor or clothing gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks and combat maneuver checks made to escape a grapple, and to their CMD to avoid being grappled.
Telka begins a story of courage to bolster Hralyk sagging spirits.
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Jordan conjures a slippery patch in front of the girls and under their feet. One of them falls while the other manages to keep her footing.
Telka encourages her companions with her heroic words.
Initiative - round 1 - bold may act!
1. Hralyk, Ramenhotep, Zeltiyeli
2. Tower Girls, Rat-faced girl
3. Jordan & dog, Telka