Yarr.
----BEGINNING PART 1-----
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.
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"Hello everyone" smiles a friendly looking halfing. She is dressed in a light chain shirt and carries a rapier at her waist. However everything else about her almost screams "farmer". Dirt under her nails, sun tanned face and a hefty accent that you could cut with a knife.
"I heard the masters were on the lookout for talented agents. Good reports of cooperation while exploring get special mentions during the dinner at the end." she gushes.
Looking around she asks "Anyone seen my brother Bulgo? I heard that sometimes agents get brought before the Decemvirate, and I'll never hear the end of it if he got picked and I didn't."
Grabbing a plate of salad she adds "I really liked the talk on "talking your way out of tough situations. Although the practical with the town guard was not at all fun."
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"Well met, Belinda!" exclaims a Varisian man wearing plate armor as he steps up to the table and sets out a set of mugs full with frothy ale. He winks at those seated at the table as he takes a seat. "I hear they're bringing up some wine in a bit, but I've brought this up for our enjoyment. Try some! I made it myself!"
"Sweet barleybrew! I'll have to keep this recipe handy for later!" the man exclaims after trying his ale. Only then seeming to realize that he isn't familiar with everyone at the table he introduces himself. "The name is Idruzi Zarshai. Pleased to meet each of you!"
"Bulgo?" he asks. "I know a few men with that name, though none of them are halflings...and most have fewer teeth and even less sense than you'd suspect. I doubt any of them are your brother, so I can't say that I've seen him around."
As the conversation carries on, Idruzi mentions that he listened in on a lecture about trans-dimensional energies in regions of planar rifts. He doesn't go into any great detail but seems comfortable with the subject matter.
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"Excuse me, this seems to be one of the few open spots near here." A tall man with greenish brown skin sits down which at first may seem orcish, though on second look it's clear that he's human with just lots of grass and dirt rubbed into his skin.
"Oh, thanks for this ale. DANG! That's some good stuff! Oh my name? You can call me Buddy. This whole thing is so overwhelming, a bit over my head and so many people too. But hey at least I learned some new ways to set up some hunting traps"
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The tall human seated at the end of the table nods to himself at the swell of introductions. "Hello, Belinda, Idruzi, and Buddy. My name is Hamith Caid, knight of the Inheritor."
But Knight of the Decemvirate sounds better, no? the voice in his head starts to murmur. Which will it be?
For a long pause, he swirls the water in his mug and watches the specks of dust rotate around the interior and disappear beneath the surface. He shakes his head, grimacing slightly. "Forgive me, yes, I heard of a seminar that venture-captain Valsin was giving on trap-spotting and the dangers of ambushes and decided to attend that. A very practical set of lessons I must say. Good for all missions."
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Belinda tries the ale, a slow smile spreading over her face. "Hey, this is good. You could make a tidy coin selling this back home!"
She offers a nod to the knight and Buddy. "Buddy..Hamith... Ohh... I wanted to get into that trap spotting session, but the queue was right out the door. Oh well, maybe next year."
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A beautiful young lady wanders to the table. Her polished parade armor only accentuates her devotion to Shelyn as the 2 feathers wound into her hair.
"If we are reminiscing about our favorite events, Amara Li's espouse on non-combat resolutions provided excellent insight into the average Pathfinder's mind. Lya is my name, Paladin of Shelyn."
"What brought each of you to the society? I come from a family of traveling performers. Some of the most beautiful, graceful performances that can bring a tear to your eye. For you see - the family legend is our blood has been truly touched by an angel, but not just any - one that remains our muse to this day.
My Father told me that the Angel was a messenger from Shelyn herself, to inspire the love of art and to share it wherever we go."
As you chat and enjoy your meal finally desert is served and as it nears its conclusion, 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.
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"Well.. I used to be a farmer. But then Bulgo went off and joined the society. I really missed him, he's just so clever! Turns out the society doesn't need farmers, so I spent my coin in learning the fence!"
She looks at the paper.
"Ohh... I bet this is a trick. So many pathfinders and trouble at the museum. This has to be a set-up. Still, best pretend it is real, right?"
She quickly gathers her gear up. "Let's see what he wants!"
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"Interesting!" exclaims Idruzi. "I've heard much about the Blakros Museum, but I've never been myself. Well, it's a good day for an adventure, am I right? Tell me though...is the Blakros Museum really as...well, people say a lot of things I guess. We'll have to see what it's like when we get there."
He seems to consider the mugs of ale that he laid out on the table for a moment before selecting one. "This one will do!" he says before taking a swig of the remaining ale and hooking the mug to his belt. "Off to the Blakros Museum!"
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"I've heard of these Blackros. They are are one of the wealthiest and most well-known merchant families from Taldor and own a variety of businesses with interests all over the Inner Sea. For years, the Pathfinder Society and the Blakros family have been allies, even if only at arm’s length. Occasionally the family invites notable Pathfinders to one of its high-society affairs. Bulgo got invited to one of those. That said... The Blakros family has been involved with some shady organizations during its rise to power, including the Onyx Alliance and House Thrune."
She thinks a bit more "The Blakros Museum is located in the Wise District and curated by Nigel Aldain , who used to be one of us. It is open to the public when an exhibit is on display. Though the exterior of the building is ugly and squat, Bulgo told me that inside it feels much larger. It has been closed for the past several months, ramping up for a huge exhibit, “Legacy of the Shining Crusade,” opening next week."
"Though the relationship between the Society and Nigel is often strained, they remain steadfast allies. Nigel often help out the Society, loaning us artifacts and trading information. He has been researching the Shining Crusade for the past several months."
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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.”
Travelling to the museum is no problem, but upon arriving you are confronted by quite a scene.
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.”
Heading in with a few buffs up and a brief overview of the Museum layout the Pathfinders enter the infamous Blackros museum...
The opening chamber lies in disarray, blood stains the nice rugs, chunks are missing from the pillars and the floor is covered in scratches and scrapes from both large claws and metal.
An ominous statue, seemingly unharmed looms motionless at the far side of the room. Several doors, currently shut lead deeper into the museum.
Sounds of battle echo from deeper into the museum although the immediate quiet is somewhat unsettling.
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 next to 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. The one with a redder tint looks up at you as the door opens. Additionally a dead man dressed in furs lies on the floor before a suit of full-plate armor.
Initiative:
Hamith
Lya
Belinda
Red Statue
Idruzi
Buddy
Hamilith, Lya and Belinda are up!
A faint swirling of evil infuses the air, as if some sort of ghostly presence was infusing the objects with power, Nothing solid enough to be targetable though.
Little Lya also knows that it's got hardness 5.
Hamilith and Lya move up as the red tinted owlbear menaces its claws at them.
Initiative:
Hamith
Lya
Belinda
Red Statue
Myrd
Idruzi
Buddy
Belinda is up!
The red tinted Owlbear trundles forward and takes takes a bite out of Hamith from reach.
Initiative:
Hamith
Lya
Belinda
Red Statue
Myrd
Idruzi
Buddy
Everybody is up!
Belind stabs twice at the animated owlbear and both blows land, but some damage is lost to hardness.
Initiative:
Hamith
Lya
Belinda
Red Owlbear Statue -28
Myrd
Idruzi
Buddy
Everybody except Belinda is up!
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Idruzi casts Shield of Faith on himself and moves forward toward the owlbear.
Spells Remaining:
3rd--Fly (d), Prayer
2nd--
1st--Bless,
Spells Active
Hamith: Enlarge Person & Shield of Faith ~5 minutes
Idruzi: Shield of Faith ~5 minutes
Buddy: Bull's Strength ~5 minutes
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"So be it, creature."
Hamith places a hand to his breastplate and a warm light blooms out and onto the metal, into his muscles as they start to knit themselves back together. He then hefts his giant sword and attempts an overhand chop, smashing it down onto the statue, but, not used to being this large, his grip slips a little and the sword crashes down next to Belinda instead.
Lay on Hands (self)
Attack Red!
Idruzi Zarshai moves up while Hamith heals his own wounds, his powerful and furious slash only serves to rustle the feathers of the owlbear however.
Buddy however manages to sink a couple arrows into the hardened Owlbear statue.
Hamith
Lya
Belinda
Red Owlbear Statue -45
Myrd
Idruzi
Buddy
Lya and Myrd are still up!
Little Lya moves up to support her allies, Myrd does as well, using their jade wayfinder to cast guidance on Hamith.
The Owlbear flails wildly at the biggest threat, this time attack Hamith with both tooth and claw.
The pair of claws both tear at Hamith's armor but the steel holds firm. Hamith is thrown a little off guard by the swiftness of the creature's bite and takes a bloodly wound to the shoulder that was almost frighteningly deep.
Initiative:
Hamith (34/47)
Lya
Belinda
Red Owlbear Statue -45
Myrd
Idruzi
Buddy