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A gnome sits astride his companion, a white tiger, and responds, smiling. "Grimbli Fizzwhizzle, with Fluffy here, at your service. I wield the awe-inspiring energies of the arcane (to great effect, if you ask me, but then, I'm a bit biased), while Fluffy here generally deals with things in...other ways, generally with much more roaring, screaming and blood involved."
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Located in the Taldan Capitol city
of Oppara, Venture-Captain Muesello’s lodge hides
behind the facade of a simple bait and tackle shop, which
Muesello dutifully maintains to provide Pathfinders a
local base of operations that doesn’t invite much scrutiny.
His pockmarked face breaks into a smile as bell on the
door jingles, and he motions for everyone to gather in
the building’s back room before locking up the shop and
propping a sign in the window that reads “Gone fishing.”
Lady Glorianna Morilla sits at a table by a small fireplace
and Muesello introduces her with the full formalities as
a guest of the Society.
Venture-Captain Muesello quietly closes the door behind
him before speaking. “The Pathfinder Society does not have
a sterling reputation in Taldor, despite my and others’ efforts
to impress the local moves and shakers. As a result, the most
prestigious universities and colleges often deny our agents
access to the best libraries in Oppara, thinking we are meddling
good-for-nothings. As one of the oldest intact civilizations
near the Inner Sea, these libraries no doubt house some very
precious volumes. Recently we received a most wonderful
opportunity—an invitation, really, from a very powerful patron,”
he adds as he withdraws a scroll tube with a broken wax seal
from his apron.
“This patron will secure us a couple hours in the rare books
collection at the Kitharodian Academy, during which we may
peruse for whatever we wish so long as we also retrieve
several documents of interest for our friend. That,” he
punctuates by tapping the scroll tube on the table,
“is where things get interesting. Apparently
there is an even more precious archive hidden
beneath the academy’s library, and our patron
believes it to contain numerous original records
and undoctored historical accounts otherwise
unknown to the world! Our contact knows
how to get into the archive and has shared
the secret with us."
“Two hours is little time, so you must make
the most of your time. I know it will be tempting
to research other interests, but it would be
selfish for the Society to think of itself
when the Worldwound’s borders
threaten to envelop Mendev and
beyond. I am sending you in
with the express purpose of
uncovering more information
about the Shining Crusade,
the sustained war against
the Whispering Tyrant a
millennium ago.[b]”
Lady Morilla snaps open a fan to fend
off the room’s growing warmth, adding,
“[b]Historically, Taldor is the authority on massive military
campaigns, but most texts have undergone extensive revision
to serve some political agenda or another. Entering this hidden
archive is an excellent opportunity to learn from the real
mistakes of the past and apply those lessons to the Mendevian
Crusade."
She continues to fan herself.
“Remember that you have permission to be in the academy’s
library, but not in this secret archive, so do everything you can
to avoid being noticed while exploring. In fact, the fewer clues
you leave of your passage, the better. Specifically do not steal or
destroy any of the library’s contents. A few slip-ups might alert
the authorities that someone has been poking around, and too
many with give them enough evidence to trace this act to us.”
Muesello opens a drawer in the table and begins pulling out
a couple small parcels wrapped in cloth. “Any questions?”
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Muesello grins, and points to a small stack of scrolls and pens.
"By hand. The critical information is likely not too large."
Venture-Captain Muesello approaches you and gives you a piece of paper with an encoded message. He informs you that Ambrus Valsin contacted
him with this message, which he said is written in a
Taldan cipher that the Society is yet to crack. If you
find an notes about old codes that work for this message,
you are to report back with your findings.
Lady Morilla requests you remain in her company after Venture-
Captain Muesello dismisses the meeting. She speaks to
you in private. “Most of Taldor’s shortsighted nobles
have not deigned to aid the Mendevian Crusade in any
significant way, and as you may know, I am raising an
independent army to march to the Worldwound and
reignite the glory that Taldor once commanded. All
goes well, but the demons act more quickly than we can
recruit. We need something—some kind of holy relic or
the like—that the noble and the brave can rally behind.
This nation has led countless crusades, but the public
records contain little reliable information. If you find
clues about such an object, record everything that you can
about it so that we might use it for the good of Avistan.”
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"Fluffy and I will attempt to be the very picture of discretion." Grimbli states confidently. Then, after a moment, he shifts uncomfortably and adds, "Of course, Fluffy may feel the need to, erm, 'mark his territory', if you catch my meaning, but I'm sure I can keep him in line." He nods as if assuring himself of that fact, then remarks under his breath, "Well, fairly sure, anyway."
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Venture-Captain Muesello looks pained. "I do hope so. Leaving 'markings' is exactly the type of thing you must avoid. If you can't keep it under control, leave it behind. For this mission to be a success nobody but us can know you have even been in the secret archives..."
He looks around the group.
"Any further questions?"
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Before:
"My name is Periel and I bring determination, conviction and, if necessary a sharp blade to the mission. As devotee of lady Shizuru, I know that duty... is paramount!"
During the conversation:
Bowing to Muesello Periel smiles. "My skills might not be those of mind, but I will do my utmost to carry my weight!"
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Muesello slides the cloth-wrapped parcels toward you. "This one," he says, tapping the first parcel, "contains a deck of illusions that I am in the process of modifying; instead of each card creating a random creature, each one creates a copy of one of you. The illusions won’t interact with anyone, but they can pretend to be reading and deceive the casual observer. Each only lasts for two hours, though. Stick a card to the bottom of a chair to create the illusion, and don’t forget to remove the card when you’re done. The other package contains a potion of Invisibility and a potion of Pass Without Trace."
I forgot the important bit in the spoiler above. The code itself:
K-Y-V-W-K-C-E-C-O-O-M-I-M-E-C-F-G-C-Q-F-C
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Muesello passes over the scroll tube as well. "There is to be a musical performance tonight. Almost everyone who is anyone will be there, which should reduce the chance of you bumping into anyone in the archvies. The music may also be quite loud, and possibly cover up any accidents you have. Try not to have any."
Within the scroll tube are two papers.
The first is an unsigned letter that describes a a book that you are to try and locate. It is titled "Lines of Succession" That letter also goes on to say that the entrance to the secret archives is found by studying honor,
courage, and glory.
The second letter is signed by Arch-Exarch Gregorius. It commands those reading it to admit the bearers to the Kitharodian Academy’s rare books collection.
Colloquially called “the Kith,” this bard college is the
largest in the city, and ranks among the largest on
Golarion. Although this grand academy allows all souls
that wishes to enroll the chance to prove themselves,
students must adhere to a code of education and rigorous
self discipline. Each department advisor sets forth the
graduation requirements for their students.
The Kitharodian Academy sits atop the northern cliffs
of Oppara and has an impressive view of the Porthmos
River valley. The school boasts architecture as lovely
as its music, and elegant domes, towers, and columns
adorn the principle music hall. On the night of the
performance, mirror-focused lanterns and dancing lights
illuminate the structure, making the academy a radiant
beacon of Taldor’s greatness.
Currently you are just outside the Kitharodian
Academy, where crowds of commoners and nobility
alike jostle to enter the music hall.
The first challenge is how to find the library..
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Kath thinks on what he knows of the city and the location of the library.
Frustrated that he can't seem to locate it and upset that they didn't see fit to get a simple map of the area Kath will assist someone in sweet-talking the usher.
Greetings my good man, my friend and I are looking to find the library. We aren't much for crowds you see.
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No animals for me. Chain shirt under clothing. Don't have a big melee weapon, just a dagger at my belt. Pretty standard for anyone to carry. If my light crossbow can not fit inside my backpack, I will leave it behind.
We have authorization for some limited time within the rare book section for study. Please direct us to that location.
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Grimbli lets out a loud guffaw at the guard's joke. "That is so true." After a moment, he makes a show of drying his eyes as his voice returns to normal. "Oh, you may have missed your calling, sir. Of course we have the authorization." He fishes around in his pack for the scroll tube given them, and pulls out the proper authorization. "Here you are, my good man. Please allow us passage, so that we may begin our studies, forthwith."
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Tobias eyes up the letter and nods to himself. He leads the party through a tangle of rooms, eventually going through a pair of double doors.
A large table stands at the center of this large room, whose
walls are lined with rows upon rows of inset shelves. A set
of double doors is the only way into the room, and two stone
statues depicting bearded scholars with open books are the
only other decorations.
"All visitors must leave the library once the performance
concludes in about two hours." informs the you.
Tobias leaves and closes the doors behind him once
the PCs are settled. Most of the books in this section
are workbooks of famous composers, original copies of
musical treatises, and withered manuscripts describing
various operatic traditions from beyond the Taldan
empire.
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As Tobias is preparing to leave, It would be most appreciated it you would see to it that we are not disturbed. As you say, our time is quite limited. I would not see it reduced further answering questions that could easily wait until our return. Malaika passes the librarian 5 silver pieces.
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To the others after the librarian leaves, I would not deal the cards yet. If someone were to look in, there would be 2 sets of us in here. Besides right now we are looking through the stacks exactly as expected. Deal the cards when we are ready to leave the room
Malaika will first investigate for traces of power.
Guess I will try the obvious first.
While searching for clues to the entrance, Malaika keeps an eye out for anything that might indicate information on any particularly useful holy relics.
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Tobias nods his thanks "I'll try to keep everyone quiet."
Malaika notices that a section of the western wall looks like it could swing around, but there must be a mechanism nearby to move it.
Cathetel notices that each statue holds a blunt stylus - sometimes used to help read old, fragile text - that point to their books.
Eissen looks at the statues too. Oddly only the books on the western status actually have any words: a column of words that reads “Innovation, respect, knowledge, courage, integrity, honor, excellence, glory” in that order
Periel finds lots of old texts about battles, but none seem especially relevant.
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