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.
During the annual Torchbearing, the Three Masters, along with other notable Pathfinders, taught a variety of seminars and panel discussions, from Golarion’s history to spellcasting techniques, and ran obstacle courses and a triathlon. Rumor has it, Janira Gavix offered an unauthorized but popular filking class for aspiring bards and other social misfits under 30--inches, not years. You also heard some salacious gossip about an exclusive, late-night VIP experience Zarta Dralneen arranged for some her favorites. According to one hungover Pathfinder who claimed to have been there, a disgruntled Drandle Dreng was turned away at the door.
Speaking of the imp, ever the social butterfly and self-appointed mentor-to-the-masses, the halfling bard Janira Gavix approaches your small group. “Hi, friends. It’s been awhile since last we met. Have you enjoyed the Torchbearing? I volunteered to organize all the classes again this year. Kreighton Shaine always said I should have been a teacher. Did you learn anything useful?”
Janira looks over her shoulder as she catches sight of another group of Pathfinders refilling their tankards at the grog bowl. “Oh, those are some more students of mine!” She bounces on her toes as she waves at the group and they wave back. “Excuse me? I’ll need to check in with them too!” Pleased that you appreciated her pedagogical efforts, she excuses herself with a smile and moves on.
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Drin Sholm always enjoys these chances to learn something new. He's decided he'd like to be a better negotiator. Maybe he can bargain his way to a few more gold pieces for his wares. He takes Diplomacy as a class skill.
Now Drin is back in the Grand Lodge for the Torchbearing again.
Wasn't I here at the same event last year? Or was it just a dream? My companions are not the same, so a dream seems unlikely . . .
At first he fears that his intense feelings of deja vu are the product of a particularly powerful enchantment. Then he wonders if it would be possible for any wizard to learn that kind of magic.
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You see that a huge Kellid is by the grog bowl. As Janira nears her students, the Kellid bursts out in laughter - somewhat a little tipsy. "Hey Janira! I want a rematch with that last obstacle course. You are one sneaky little woman. I'll be sure to keep an eye on you next time." He takes another gulp from his tankard and fills it up with grog again. He then begins to socialize with other society members.
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Philoneus looks more grumpy than usual as he sits in the corner eating a plate heaped with food, Mr. Tiggles, the feathered raptor companion, eating messily beside him. He sneers at Jing's words. "I'm always on my best behavior," he claims in a way that showed his behavior wasn't the best.
Not many approach the cantankerous, mud-encrusted halfling and his companion, and he does not learn anything pertinent.
Just curious if I take a skill that I am not trained in as the bonus and consider it a class skill how does that impact knowledge checks for that skill? If I am considered trained will take the bonus on Knowledge (religion) if not will probably take the +1 on Knowledge (Local)
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Drin surreptitiously selects some morsels from the first course that he has hidden in his pocket and feeds them to the raven sitting on his shoulder.
"Spis op, pris," he mutters.
"Eat up, Prize."
The raven greedily snatches the food from Drin's hand and tilts its head back to swallow. Drin shifts in his seat, causing the raven to slightly extend its wings to keep balance, and glances around nervously.
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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.”
As dessert is finally served, a variation upon the chelish Struedel, 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.
My apologies for interrupting your feast, but Nigel Aldain has just informed me that there is trouble at the Blakros Museum. Once your bitter laughter has subsided, let us continue. Nigel says it can’t wait until morning. We don’t want to jeopardize our relationship with the Blakros Family, so [u]we will do what we can to aid him[/u]. Please gather your gear and meet in the main hall within Skyreach. I will give more instructions then.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
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.
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 broad-shouldered, middle-aged Ulfen man salutes, a somewhat bemused expression on his face. “Well met, Venture-Captain Valsin. I am Svaralk of Asleifar, Sergeant of the Learned Guard. The Guard appreciates your assistance.” He points to his subordinates, “Our initial attempt to quell the animated relics within failed. I’ve ordered the Guard to withdraw and form a perimeter.”
Ambrus Valsin returns the sergeant’s salute, a gesture of mutual respect. “You once served in Grand Prince Stavian III’s Ulfen Guard, did you not?”
Svaralk nods, “That’s right. Afterwards, I retired to Absalom and have served this city for seven years. This is not the first catastrophe I’ve responded to at the Blakros Museum, though none has been quite so dramatic as this. As if anyone needed further proof of the museum’s reputation for trouble.”
The Ulfen confides to the Venture-Captain, “After Nigel Aldain harangued me for dereliction of duty in not immediately retaking the museum, I’m in no rush to sacrifice the lives under my command until the warring creatures inside wear each other down.” He holds up a hand and shakes his head, “I don’t hold Nigel Aldain’s outburst against him. I recognize the elf is rightfully concerned—albeit rather precious—about his exhibit.”
Svaralk turns to your team of Pathfinders and says, “Before you enter, I can provide you an overview of the museum’s layout and tell you that there are animated relics and guard animals on the ground level, and clockwork creatures skirmishing with each other on the floor above. We also have an especially challenging problem in the gardens at the southeast corner of the museum grounds. Some kind of magical runes displaying swarm-like behavior, more magical devices really than living creatures. They proved too complicated a challenge for me and my guards; we simply lacked the skills to disable them.”
Long shadows cast by ruined displays and broken furniture litter the floor. A humanoid-shaped figure made of shattered clockwork lies slumped over a bench. Above, an elaborately painted sign reads “Crusader’s Chronicles.”
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They are more confused and afraid from the chaos around them. Nonetheless, they are aggressive.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
That is a big dog. Perfect for a halfling to ride on it. Now, it is just trying guard the place.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
A pack of dogs menaces you as soon as you enter the library.
Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.
Manak
Philoneus
Mavin
Drin
Creslin
Jing
Dogs (x3)
Dog (x1)
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Sadly Creslin seems a little unsure when the note from Muttonchops lands on their table.
First mission and has to be in that crazy museum that seems to have problems all the time.
After taking a breath Creslin hurries to gather the small amount of gear he has before rejoining his impromptu companions.
Don't know a lot about the museum that isn't already in the note but from what I can remember everyone comments how it is bigger inside than it would seem based on the exterior. Also, Nigel seems to have been obsessed with the new exhibit that was supposed to be on display next week about the Shining Crusade.
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Creslin seems a little dazed with how fast everything is moving and doesn't really reply even when the question is directed at them and instead follows along behind the front-liners.
Well at least we seem to be well equipped to go toe to toe with anything we come across.
Seeing the dogs he draws his crossbow but not having it loaded he instead points a finger at the alpha dog while speaking a quick sharp word in Draconic. Casts Ray of Frost.
Apparently he fumbles his crossbow while trying to draw it one handed causing his spell to fly wide of any of the dogs much less his target.
Jing Hao swiftly displays his odium by charging the closest dog and cutting it down with a powerful swing. Mannak rushes the larger of the dogs and strikes it with a heavy blow. This dog, however, manages to stand its ground due to superior breeding and force of will. The larger dog glances at Mavin's attack on the floor before it lunges at Mannak. Following their pack leader's lead, the other two dogs circle around the barbarian and bite his legs.
Creslin fires ice past the dogs. Drin prepares to defend himself. Philoneus considers the situation.
Combat! Round 2. Bold may act.
Manak (-4 hp)
Philoneus
Mavin
Drin
Creslin
Jing
Dogs (x3)
Dog (x1) (-7 hp)
Jing Hao brings death to the larger dog. Two dogs remain standing and committed to their guard task.
Mr. Tiggles warbles in response to his master's commands and moves forward, pushing passed the other to get into the green dog's face. Once in position, he lashed out a feathered leg to strike with a fierce talon.
The dog snaps at Philoneus and bites onto the red scales protecting his arm and worries the leather. The halfling stabs the dog, forcing it to let go of its grip, and the his own beast pounces on the wounded dog and finishes it. The remaining dog easily dodges Mavin's blade.
Combat! Round 2. Bold may act.
Manak (-4 hp)
Philoneus
Mavin
Drin
Creslin
Jing
Small Dog (x1)
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Annoyed with how little he appears to be contributing currently Creslin...
Creslin moves into the hall and fires a ray of cold into the dog's flank. It yips in dismay. Manak takes a moment to catch his breath.
Devoid of direction, it goes after the smallest prey and snaps at Philoneus.
Combat! Round 3. Bold may act.
Manak (-4 hp)
Philoneus
Mavin
Drin
Creslin
Jing
Small Dog (-4 hp)
Mr. Tiggles looked at the new challenger in front of him, who had tried to bite his master, and found it wanting. He tore into the dog with tooth and talon.
Drin strikes the dog but fails to cut it down. The velociraptor, however, quickly shreds the guard animal in a bloody mess.
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 full-plate armor.
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You know for sure that a normal banner cannot move by himself. Even less when it is trying to attack you. One thing for sure, this animated object move like it was haunted. Like it is a part of the will of the Shining Crusade.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
A lone decorative banner flutters through the air toward you with some sort of arcane intelligence.
Combat! Round 4. Bold may act.
Manak (-4 hp)
Philoneus
Mavin
Drin
Creslin
Jing
Animated Banner
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Seeing the banner Creslin attempts to identify what he can of it.
Not sure why but it is a banner of the Shining Crusade and is acting like the crusade is still ongoing.
Moving up behind Mannak while casting Enlarge Person he touches the barbarian briefly on the shoulder before stopping to catch his breathe.
The banner dodges blade and arcane energies, fluttering erratically in the air. It snaps out, whip-like, at Jing Hao but fails to do much more than to make his breastplate clang.
Combat! Round 5. Bold may act.
Manak (-4 hp, enlarged)
Philoneus
Mavin
Drin
Creslin
Jing
Animated Banner
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"Mr. Tiggles, flank and attack the rag," Philoneus commanded of his companion.
Philoneus want quite sure what created this strange creature, but he didn't think it deserved much thought as he moved towards it readiedaction to strike as Mr Tiggles got into position. He waited for Mr. Tiggles to get into position before striking the banner with his spear.
Mr. Tiggles want sure why his master was fighting this piece of cloth, but it wasn't in his nature to question such silly things. Instead, he ran along the outskirts of the fight before ending opposite of his master, lashing out with a talon.
The banner continues to prove to be an illusive target until Philoneus steps forward and shows everyone how it's done. He spears a hole in the cloth. The velociraptor bounds forward--receiving a snap from the banner against his thick hide for his effort--and rends the banner with his teeth. The banner snaps at the dinosaur again. This time it stings him in the eye.
Combat! Round 6. Bold may act.
Manak (-4 hp, enlarged)
Philoneus (Mr. Tiggles 4 NL damage)
Mavin
Drin
Creslin
Jing
Animated Banner (-5 hp)