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Meanwhile, the Keleshite bows his head humbly at Hikari. "My apologies, I am Aram bin Kaleel, proud owner of Kaleel's Curiosities, a humble shop in the Coins district, but also devout of the Dawnflower as you rightly understood. Why don't you come to my shop sometime? I'm always keen to provide advice to new pathfinders like you, hoping to teach a thing or two that might save their life. By the way, have you heard? Sir Reinhart of Kenabres, a Mendevian crusader who recently arrived from the north, plans on attempting the Test of the Starstone, the legendary trial by which one might ascend to godhood. How foolish to pretend yourself divine, isn't it? Such hubris. What do you think of it, yourself?"
"Well met, Master Aram. I would certainly be interested to visit your most esteemed shop. Exotic curios would certainly be of fascination to me. After travelling half a world away, I have come to learn that there is much to learn of Golarion than I have imagined. I am indeed honored that a lowly member such as I am offered your assistance." Hikari adds a bow as part of his thanks.
Continuing on, "Sir Reinhart? No, I must say I have not heard of his attempt. It is not the place of the mortal to desire for the divine, but rather, through humility, service and self-perfection for divinity to grace him. Irori himself proved that. I have since learnt in the west, though, of mortals who ascended to divinity through such tests. This bewilders me, for what kind of tests in our physical realm could judge one ready for divinehood? Iomedae certainly proved her worth in her ceaseless battles against evil, but a drunken sellsword?" At this point, he realises he might have gone too far. Appearing embarassed, he continues, "But I blaspheme. Who am I as a mortal to even hope to understand the divine?"
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"Pah! You don't listen, young one. That was a joke. While it's true that we're famous in the Society for our strength in battle, I wish we could be seen as more than that. If you need help, ask and we'll come." proposes the half-orc, emptying his pint then holding it out to the young Shoanti. "Now be a good boy and fetch me another."
The Keleshite seems almost amused to see Hikari in such high spirits. "Most people in Absalom would think the Tien meek and tame, but I'm glad that your strength of character corrects that somehow incorrect archetype. In any case, it was a pleasure talking with you, Hikari. Good luck on your journeys and missions. Please do come and visit." he says, trying to mimic the Tien bow as an attempt to extend a bridge between your two cultures.
After some time, a replacement for Heryn shows up and takes over the bar. The bartender patiently wraps up her work, and looks to be ready to escort you all to the basement. The basement of the Wounded Wisp is a stonework affair, and Heryn explains that it has had its foundation strengthened following a significant donation by a Society member (Selmius Foster’s assistant Adolphus) only to suffer damage during the quake of 4698.
A set of wooden stairs descends from the main floor into this tightly packed storeroom. Barrels, boxes, and crates of assorted foodstuffs and drink garnishes are pushed against the walls or under the stairs.
A door leads to the next room. Formerly a meeting room where the staff of the Wounded Wisp could converse or take time off between shifts, this chamber suffered significant damage during the earthquake of 4698 ar. Several fissures split the floor, leading down to an equally damaged section of the city’s sewer system. "We had that plank - eh - installed after the quake. You'll have to be very careful, if you move too fast it might break and dump you into the pit below."
Finally, the last room holds the wine cellar, where Heryn points out Dreng's vintage wine. As soon as one of the party grabs the bottle, a panel slide away, revealing a room beyond.
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Seeing the fissure and the plank, bad memories of Hikari's last encounter with a similar set up flashed across his mind. Thanking Gridger for reinforcing the plank, he nonetheless still crosses the plank gingerly.
"What? That's it?" Hikari exclaimed, when Heryn pointed out what Dreng had sent them to collect. "Perhaps its contents is ..." Hikari wondered, uncertainly.
That was tossed aside though when the passage opened up. "Heryn, what's in that passage?"
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Gridger performs greatly in somehow fixing the plank, allowing everyone to pass freely. Heryn has returned upstairs, leaving you to your own devices. Boldly venturing into the passage, you discover a secret chamber beyond the passage. A sturdy silver chain jutting from the ceiling ends in a glowing orb that radiates yellow light across the rectangular room. A simple desk of polished wood, stacked with documents and scattered notes, shelters a pair of wooden chests against the south wall. A series of cracks along the eastern and western walls form makeshift entrances into exposed caverns. Upon entering the chamber, you're ambushed by a strange hunched-over wretch with long, pliable arms like tentacles capped with five wide, spiny claws.
The Secret Chamber - Surprise Round (standard action only)
1. (Gridger, Yakari, Yeska)
2. Creature
3. (Hikari, Haldoc)
The creature lashes out at Haldoc with one of its tentacles, but the mighty warrior's armor proves resilient against such pitiful attempts.
The Secret Chamber - Round 1
1. Gridger, Yakari, Yeska
2. Creature
3. Hikari, Haldoc
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Gridger is the first to react. Drawing his dagger, he stabs at the creature he recognizes as a choker, but the ambusher is too elusive to allow himself to be struck this easily.
Yakari boldly strides into the room, provoking the ire of the odd creature. The tentacle lashes at the boy, ensnaring and crushing him with unmeasured strength.
The choker attempts to strengthen its hold on Yakari's chest. Luckily the wild child manages to break free!
The Secret Chamber - Round 2
1. Hikari, Haldoc, Gridger, Yakari (10), Yeska
2. Choker
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Haldoc slashes at the creature, yet he's fighting in too close quarters to hope to be efficient with his oversized blade. Yakari's fighting style, on the other hand, proves far superior in the same circumstances, and the choker takes a revenge blow by the young boy. Hikari slashes, but he cannot see his quarry well, and hacks into the wall with his curved Tien blade.
The Secret Chamber - Round 2
1. Hikari, Haldoc, Gridger, Yakari (10), Yeska
2. Choker (11)
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Gridger misses!
Seeing the child as his most formidable enemy, the choker lashes at him once again, seeking to finish off his prey.
Feeling his quarry going limp, the choker releases Yakari and attacks Haldoc. The tentacle wraps around the mighty warrior's neck, strangling him.
The Secret Chamber - Round 3
1. Hikari, Haldoc (10), Gridger, Yakari (21, -8, unconscious, bleeding), Yeska (D)
2. Choker (11)
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The papers chronicle the personal exploits of one Selmius Foster, a name that most Pathfinders recognise as a famous member of the Society. Most of Foster’s more infamous adventures appear here in varying amounts of detail, but it is evident there is another investigation he had been pursuing before he died: the lost records of a Society agent named Eylysia. Furthermore, someone called 'Adolphus' made additional notes.
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"Unfortunately, friend Gridger, they are unknown to me as well. But perhaps Janira might know of them." Hikari, who was initially disappointed that the party had been sent simply to sent to pick up a bottle of wine, is re-energised after uncovering this secret.
"It seems there are three possible leads: the mausoleum that the stonemason Arkath was buried, the wizard Fimbrik of the Arcanamirium, and the Wall of Names. Most interesting... But I say we return to Master Dreng first and inform him of our discovery. And uh... deliver his goods."
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By the time party gets back to where they met Dreng, he is no longer there. A different beggar has taken his place, and bares a row of rotten teeth as he grins and says: "Your beggar is in another Lodge, gentlemen."
Back at the Grand Lodge, Dreng looks surprised. "Who'd have thought! You should investigate these notes. It is important that Pathfinders respect the finds and claims of their colleagues, and this exciting mystery is yours to pursue."
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"Your beggar is in another Lodge, gentlemen."
Wrinkling his eyes, Yakari scratches his head. He seems to struggle understanding what it is all about. After a few seconds, he shrugs and declares. "Maybe it is that tentacle that hit too hard but I can't figure out what we have to do. Let's have it your way, elven dude. Oh sorry, half-elven dude."
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Frimbrik's place is a small house on the campus of the Arcanamirium. A brick step leads to Fimbrik’s front entrance, which is locked with a rusty simple lock. Through the window, the party can see an elderly gnome garbed in noble attire with a dapper rounded hat on his head and a cane tipped with a brilliant glowing gem in his hand. He's just entering the chamber, and slowly moves to a chair to sit down and read a newspaper.
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Frowning at the unlawful suggestions, Hikari intones, "Let us try the front door first. We are here on legitimate business of the society."
At that, Hikari walks up to the front door and knocks three times on it firmly. He calls out though in the direction of the window, "Mr Fimbrik? We apologise for bothering you. We are here on Pathfinder Society business. Could we have a minute of your time?"
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Curious that Fimbrik appears to be ignoring them, even Haldoc's thunderous smashing, Hikari wonders if he might be deaf like Uori. He paces over to the window, practically just a few steps away from him. Waving his hand to hopefully catch his attention, Hikari calls out again, raising his voice somewhat, "Mr Fimbrik? Is this a good time?" He stares at the gnome, trying to figure out why he might be ignoring them.
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The gnome acknowledges Haldoc's presence by gently smiling and tipping his hat. He then returns to his newspaper. A brick step leads to Fimbrik’s front entrance, which is locked. Numerous stacks of newspapers—roughly 2 years’ worth of monthly copies—are piled around the door and crammed into a thin slot at its base. Gridger estimates that the lock shouldn't be too hard to pick, since it's rusty.