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While the party focus in searching the room left behind Rufus picks up the shield and moves with Ryskovich to the room where they first meet the talking stone lion head.
Hello friend. You asked us to look around for a vessel worthy of you. We found this shield and thought it would be a nice match. Do you like it? The halfling tells the guardian and show him the shield.
You are resourceful indeed, let me have a closer look. The lion gingerly grasps the shield in its mouth and inspects it. The lion concentrated for a minute, and the shield suddenly gives off a bright sheen. PERFECT, this vessel looks like it once bore an enchantment like my own. I have transferred a SPARK of awareness, so that this LION may travel the surface of the world once more. This shield will gladly assist one whose cause is JUST and whose purpose is GLORIOUS.
It then spots the inscription 'Gloryman'. GLORYMANE? That is FORTUITOUS. Glorymane is the name I go by, one that I reveal only to those I trust. Why, would you know it? This is truly WONDROUS. Now what remains is for you to take this shield out, so that you may PROWL the lands with a lion at your side.
Intelligent Item Alignment
Any item with intelligence has an alignment (see Table: Intelligent Item Alignment). Note that intelligent weapons already have alignments, either stated or by implication. If you're generating a random intelligent weapon, that weapon's alignment must fit with any alignment-oriented special abilities it has.
Any character whose alignment does not correspond to that of the item (except as noted by the asterisks on the table) gains one negative level if he or she so much as picks up the item. Although this negative level never results in actual level loss, it remains as long as the item is in hand and cannot be overcome in any way (including by restoration spells). This negative level is cumulative with any other penalties the item might place on inappropriate wielders. Items with Ego scores (see below) of 20 to 29 bestow two negative levels. Items with Ego scores of 30 or higher bestow three negative levels.
Glorymane
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Aura: moderate conjuration; Cl 10th
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Alignment: neutral; Senses 30 ft.
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Intelligence 10, Wisdom 10, Charisma 13; ego 4; language empathy (Common)
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Description
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Glorymane is a bronze lion’s shield specially enchanted by an entity known as the Guardian. The shield has an arrogant streak, despite its inability to express itself through anything but empathic signals, and it jealously urges its wielder to cast aside any other intelligent items. Glorymane has 5 ranks in Sense Motive and signals its wielder if it detects a lie.
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Glorymane is it, what values do you hold. I have heard stories if sentient items imparting great and wonderius effects on those that bear them. I have also heard that those unworthy, are severely weakened by the power they try to obtain against the will of said item. I do not wish to be the latter, and would like to know where you stand on moral issues and the greater good, he pauses for a moment to let the words resonate, then continues on, I myself, follow my own path; seeking not to conform to the laws set forth. My goal is to see the world, and should that mean I need to go against authority on occasion than so be it. I am a free spirit if you will, do you deem me worthy to carry the shield you have emblazened?
It would be an HONOR to be at your side. I judge not, save by VIRTUE and HONOR.
The final search of the library's secret vaults reveal two distinct text of interest:
One is a poem, a mess of esoteric poetry and obscure riddles. One of the parts describes a silver horn used by Taldor, which seems to be hidden somewhere in southern Brevoy. Spending considerably more time analysing this text may reveal additional information about the horn and its location.
Finally, a tattered, leather-bound tome describes tactical consideration of the generals of the great crusades when fighting supernatural beings. It includes many ways for the rank-and-file to mitigate the damage death by powerful spell casters.
Rufus clears the room of tracks and footprints. The orchestra is boiling to a grand finale:
Taldor, Taldor! Always Taldor! There is nothing greater than!
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Then it would be my honor to show the world to you, great guardian.
Ryskovich, gingerly picks up the shield , and dons it. Marveling at it, he had only heard stories of sentient items...never thinking he would ever have the chance to see one close up, or even don or use one.
After a few moments of awe, Ryskobich will help Rufus will clearing out everything, putting everything back in order and making their prescience down there nonexistent.
Duran focuses rather hard on the wall with the divots, but even his experience with this kind of stonework decoration does not help him. Carrel is a bit more lucky - tired from all the searching, he relaxes his eyes rather than focussing hard. The image appears: the divots form a complicated autostereogram (), that form the message 'Our monarch's virtues are our own'.
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The halfling scratches his head looking at the place his companions are pointing. "Our monarch's virtues are our own..." That made no sense for me at all. But then this place if full of strange quotes involving the emperor. I am done here, just let me know whenever you guys want to go up. We need to make haste.
Rufus is the first to emerge back into the rare books collection, his mirror image still studying tomes intently. Not a soul to be seen. The other party members follow, and soon, a double party - phantom and real - is present on the upper floor.
The music is coming to grand finale. You have a flight few minutes left - if any at all - to make your final moves.
The gods save our rightful King!
God save our king!
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Rufus retrieves his card and also cancel the illusion. He will hide his notes on the library below inside his armor. After everybody is back up the halfling closes the secret door making sure it, and the statue with the open book, looks undisturbed.
Then he will suggest to Ryskovich to hide the broze lion shield and offer his cloak to wrap it around it. And when everything is said and done Rufus will start putting back on the shelfs the books his illusionary double was studying.
Our adventurers conclude their stint in the Library of the Lion. They gather up their cards, close the door behind them, and - a folio of information of unimaginable wealth richer - leave the library, just as the caretaker comes up Aye. I checked on you an hour ago, but you were still looking so busy. Best I'd not disturb you, I thought. Found what you needed? Yes? Then I must urge you to leave, the performance is almost finished, and I've got this rumbling noise in the pipes to fix.
We'll meet again
Don't know how
Don't know when...