"My lady... what is in the scroll may I ask? You dont seem to comfortable handing it over - is it really because we might endanger someone's cover? I prefer to know all the facts before getting into the mess."
Lady Morilla attempts to calm her face. Taking a deep breath, she offers a level response to the dwarf- though apparently still flustered at having been read so easily.
"It is as simple as that. These are powerful allies, playing a dangerous game. I would be disheartened to lose such a unique opportunity for collaboration..." She pauses for a moment, as if considering her next words. "But still, loss of the scroll would still be preferable to losing an entire team of up and coming pathfinders."
"So... we are sneaking around a library eh? Sneaking is not really my forte....
"Ah yes. The sneaking part. I suppose that is a detail that I should have included earlier. Tomorrow is the Prince's Birthday, and he Kitharodian Academy will host an extravagant orchestral performance in celebration. Such an event should last several hours, and if rumors are to be believed, the Kitharodian’s finest intend to play a complex medley of Taldor’s greatest songs. Several of these are rather dramatic at times, and the sound should drown out any noise you make. With any luck, the performance will also draw away most of the guards.”
The Venture-Captain taps his pockets a couple time, almost appearing to be looking for something. Suddenly, he produces a small stack of cards from one of the inner pockets of his jacket. "This" he says, tapping the stack, “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.".
He waits patiently for additional questions, but hearing none continues on with his directions.
"The pathfinder's have an arrangement with an Inn just down the street. You are welcome to take up residency there for the evening while you await for the proper timing tomorrow afternoon. Feel free to enjoy all the shops, sights, and activites of Oppara in the meantime!"
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"Brilliant!" Lovissa exclaims at news of the illusory cards. "Fare the well, my friends."
Lovissa gives the Muesello and Morilla a respectful nod farewell, then heads back out into the streets of Oppara with a grin.
Turning to her companions she says, "Let us make our preparations and check into the inn."
After preparations are made, Lovissa heads out into the city to listen to the bards and lorekeepers found on street corners and in bars, gaining insight into the culture and history of Oppara from the mouths of balladeers. She drinks, makes friends, and has a rousing good time. She even shares a few tales of her own, beginning with the Battle of Arnisant Museum -- a Taldan cultural treasure that she recently defended. She returns to the inn happy, and slightly inebriated.
She's up early the next morning, chronicling the tales she recalls from the night before in her journal while feasting on a very hearty breakfast in the common room.
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Rorrim spends the night enjoying the nightlife alongside Lovissa, swapping tales of their homelands."I have never been that far north before, hopefully my path leads me there someday," Rorrim says between topics"Has anyone in your family ever faced one of these titanic Llinorms? Learning to fight them could further my cause greatly," When time comes to tuck in for the night he opts to avoid the Inn. Instead choosing to rest in one of Oppara's open air parks alongside his wolf Justus . The trees and bushes are well manicured and Rorrim enjoys the artistic take on nature's beauty.
When morning comes Rorrim joins the others at the Inn, stowing his traveling pack in the room that was intended for him. He changes his body wrappings and dons more formal clothes. This set is less dirty, so as not to harm the library's holdings, but is slightly musky from misuse.
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Memorize page?
"Well, this certainly seems exciting doesn't it?" says Solemnia putting on brave face.
"I got one of these just in case, you know." says the stick-thin elf revealing the lamellar cuirass beneath her scholar's robes.
As the night progresses, each of the Pathfinder's has an opportunity to better examine the scroll provided by VC Muesello. It doesn't take much asking around to determine that the seal on the scroll is that of Princess Eutropia — Grand Prince Stavian III’s only child, who has been maneuvering to take the throne upon his death, despite the nation’s tradition of crowning a male heir.
Upon returning to the tavern, each of you find a folded piece of parchment sitting in the pillow of your bed. Opening it, it is a scrawled message from VC Muesello:
“Ambrus Valsin has provided me with this encoded message- one which the society has yet to crack. All evidence supports that it was translated by an ancient Taldan cipher. Keep an eye out for any Taldan texts we could use to reverse translate this text.
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While out and about in Oparra:
THE KITHARODIAN ACADEMY
Colloquially called “the Kith,” this bard college is the largest in the city, and ranks among the largest on Golarion.
Although the grand KITHARODIAN ACADEMY allows all souls that wish 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.
While the above is publicly known, the true secret of the academy is known to very few. Many of the faculty are members of the Lion Blades. The academy itself serves as a recruiting ground for the nation’s clandestine spies, and those who leave the school for this purpose feign having washed out as performers so that they can better fade from the public eye. From there, these recruits continue their instruction in secret training facilities. In addition to its role as a hidden archive, the Library of the Lion serves as a Lion Blades training ground.
The Lion Blades do not officially exist, which avoids criticism and oversight. Its members serve Taldor from the shadows without moral considerations. In regards to domestic enemies, one of their tasks is to keep a rein on corruption. Another is to keep any one faction of the imperial court from becoming a threat to Grand Prince Stavian III. Unlike the assassins of Qadira, the Lion Blades prefer crowded urban areas because they are masters of motion within the crowd. They are also quick, agile, knowledgeable, and masters of disguise. Lion Blades are usually recruited out of the famous bardic colleges of Oppara. They are trained at the Shadow Schools for at least a year before taking on missions.Although most Lion Blades work for the government, some hire themselves out to nongovernmental organizations, work for themselves, or even become turncoats and serve Taldor's enemies. Of those who defect to another nation, most work for Cheliax, the nation most eager to accept such traitors.
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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.
You have no difficulty pushing your way into the increasingly crowded building, stepping inside the building just as music begins to play from the vast plaza outside.
The library is nearly empty thanks to the imminent performance, but a young Taldan man named Tobias greets you, introduces himself as the librarian on duty, and asks you how he can be of assistance. You show him your invitations and he quickly reads over it before you are accompanied by Tobias through two doors to a restricted section of the library.
Tobias looks at all of you with a stern look "Please do not make any noise as the current performance is not allowed to be disturbed! All visitors must leave the library once the performance concludes in about two hours."
Tobias then leaves you in the restricted area of the library.
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.
Tobias leaves and closes the doors behind him once you 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. Despite their academic value, the texts here are of little use in completing the Pathfinders’ mission.
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Etna will go outside and begin to question some of the locals about the academy.
"A college with a code of self conduct? Sounds like a boring school to me. Let alone bards! I always assumed they were the ones who partied the craziest." She will mumble to no one in particular.
Once inside of the building she will make sure they are all alone before she begins to wander around the place for any hints to the real juicy stuff they are looking for.
Justus sniffs around the small room staying close by Rorrim's side. Justus' ears perk up as the performers outside begin to play and pick up volume.
Everyone searching the room:
The both of the statues hold blunt styluses—sometimes used to help read old, fragile texts—that point to their books, but only the western statue’s book actually any words: a column of words that reads “Innovation, respect, knowledge, courage, integrity, honor, excellence, glory” in that order.
You notice that a section of the west wall is hinged to swing outward, and that the mechanism for opening it must be nearby. It is currently marked as a black square (hidden) on the map. Please make another perception check!
Woof Woof Woof!
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"Here are the words we were told to look behind." Lovissa says, pointing out the book with the words on it.
Lovissa tries touching the words that Lady Morilla told them, in the order she said them. Starting with honour, then courage, then glory.
...If that doesn't seem to do anything, she looks behind the statue, curious if it slides or swings or otherwise moves.
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A strange figure garbed in a harlequin's motley quietly exits one of the upper floor windows and leaps to the roof of the next building over.
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"Here are the words we were told to look behind." Lovissa says, pointing out the book with the words on it.
Lovissa tries touching the words that Lady Morilla told them, in the order she said them. Starting with honour, then courage, then glory.
...If that doesn't seem to do anything, she looks behind the statue, curious if it slides or swings or otherwise moves.
"Maybe we just need to look at it." suggests Solemnia in a whisper, remembering Lady Morilla's words.
Lady Morilla shifts in her seat before getting up. She slowly makes her way to bag, and pulls out two scrolls.
Handing the first scroll over to Rorrim she explains. ”This is a formal invite from Arch-Exarch Gregorius to access the Academy’s ‘rare books collection’. The entrance to the secret library can be found there; by studying Honor, Courage, and Glory.”
She looks around to see if there are any other clues.
Despite the attention to the statue, it is a few moments of contemplation and confusion. Pressing the scroll itself seems ineffective, and the act of looking and studying yields no additional action either.
Etna steps out of the restricted section and finds a quaint and comfortable library scene, with several small tables, comfortable chairs, and a large couch in front of a fire. The walls, where not covered in books, are a rich wood panel that is clearly expensive. Despite the comfort of the space, it is clear to you that this room is seldom used based on the condition of the carpet and furniture.
You notice the arm of the statue, holding the stylus, appears to be jointed in some way. You get the impression that you might be able to physically move the arm of the statue.
Your additional searching turned up blank. Sorry!
Simply wonderful character design. I love it!
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Solemnia makes like she is leaning on the arm to get get a better view and moves it.
Solemnia tries to get a better look at what the statue is writing, and leans heavily upon its other arm. There's a soft snap.
"Oops! Is it broken?"
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While everyone else is looking at the statue she will try to examine the oddly unused room. It seemed a comfortable spot to relax as you read. Maybe there was a reason it was untouched.
If there is nothing fishy she will at least make it seem like she had at some point sat in there, just to help their story they were here all along.
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Amarsia gets excited at the sight of dust. She peers into the unused room to see if anything stands out to her. She does not step in.
She looses interest in the room and sits down near the group and statue. She pulls out the card that causes an illusion of herself. She thinks to herself 'This is pretty cool. I should get more for the future.'
Etna continues her look about the larger room, attempting to understand more about this outer space. While all the furniture and carpets look relatively untouched, you also don't notice any evidence of dust or neglect. It would be a reasonable assumption that the room sees limited use due to its location near the restricted parts of the library.
Rorrim takes her time looking at the wall, noticing a slightly exposed crack. Despite spending some time examining the presumed door- she is unable to find any hinges or other opening mechanisms.
Solemnia leans against the arm of the statue, and she hears a slight grinding of stone on stone. The stylus, which was originally pointing at "innovation" is now pointing at "integrity"
Amarsia takes a few moments to examine her deck of illusion card.
Between the assistance of Solemnia, Amarisa and Alrik you are able to manipulate the arm of the statue to the words Honor, Courage, and Glory. You hear a slight click, and the sealed door pops open just a few inches.
With very little effort, Rorrim is able to swing the door open and peer inside:
He notices a simple, smooth polished, stone hallway that goes back about 10 feet before disappearing down a spiral staircase. On the inside of the door is a latch that allows it to be easily open, closed, and locked from the interior.
Finding general agreement that this is the passage you are looking for, each of you finds a space in the library to place your deck of illusions card and then prepares to head off into the secret passage.
Then, you walk down the spiral staircase and are in a hallway of the underground library. The walls are carved from the same solid cliffs upon which the Kitharodian Academy was built. The walls are mostly smoothed stone, and the floor is carved into intricate patterns that also provide better footing than a polished floor might. Most of the rooms have strong wooden doors and wall sconces that hold glass spheres enchanted with continual flame. There are several dozen narrow ducts that allow for ventilation.
This long stone hallway stretches from north to south with several sets of doors along its east and west walls.
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Etna will give a little jump of excitement as the door opens up. "I can take the lead if you like. My skills are best utilized up front."
After her team had made sure there were no traps she will move to the first door on the right.
"Let me know when you guys are ready and I'll poke my head in. I suppose if we have any spells to cast we should do it now too".
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"Well done!" Lovissa exclaims as the secret room is revealed. She takes out the card meant to create an illusion of herself and places it on the underside of a chair, as she was instructed to do. As the illusory Lovissa springs to life, the real Lovissa pulls a few books off the shelf and places them on the table. Then she follows the others into the secret hall and down the spiral staircase.
"Hmm. Impressive." she remarks, though she doesn't explain why she says so.
Lovissa follows Etna down the hallway and, when Rorrim says it's trap free, heads inside the first room on the right and looks around.
Hallway is clear!
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After opening the passage, Alrik ensures that the illusions are all activated and looking as lively as possible. He copies the idea from the others and adds some books to the scene to make it more realistic.
Then he follows everyone into the secret passage and, after ensuring it can be opened from the inside, closes it behind him.
Despite being an atypical Paladin and something of a guru on the more estoriec knowledges, the kinds of things the team is looking for are not really covered by his previous studies. Still, he enters the first room with the rest of the team and, using his enhanced vision, wanders the room looking for relevant texts.
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As you glance down the long, well-worn, hallway you notice that the far wall bears a 10-foot-square field of carved divots that create no particular pattern. An inscription above the carving reads “The keenest eyes cannot see everything. Always remember to see the big picture.”
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Etna slips open the door an peers into the room. Glancing around briefly before determining that the room itself is currently unoccupied. Opening the door the rest of the way, Etna steps into the room with Rorrim, Lovissa, and Alrick following closely behind.
Thousands of books line the dozens of shelves in this high- ceilinged library. Several tables and chairs near the center of the room provide a place to read quietly, and five rows of pew- like benches nearby face an immense lion’s head carved from the eastern wall.
The size of the space is overwhelming. You estimate that it would take a single person nearly two hours to examine this room alone.
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