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Tresca grins at Tanselle's coment. She remembered Kurse's "Blue Man Group" fondly, though she was somewhat curious as to the sort of insane conversation that would arise if Kurse, Slipss and this cultist were allowed to share the same room.
Tresca's eyes flash quickly between the supposed coin handoff, the cultist's rags and his short chain with curiosity. Lots of room for improvement for this man's conditons, that was for sure. Was he blowing all of his money on canvas and paint?
With a kind smile, the half elf attempts to talk to the distracted man. "Will you tell us about your master? I'd like to learn more about him and your friends. I hear he has great plans for this city." she asked, with all the eager curiosity of a young schoolgirl.
She hoped that with her sweet, earnest tone, she could get the cultist talking about his god and his cult. Maybe he would let something important slip by doing so.
The painter straightens from his work and squints through the dim lighting to see the speakers. "You wish to know my master, friend?" He shuffles toward the bars dragging the heavy chain behind him, his staggered steps halting as the chain pulls taut against his shackled ankle, stopping him short a full foot back from the bars. His eyes held a terrible awareness as he ran his gaze over his many visitors before he locked his gaze again on Tresca, now with an eager manner. "Yes! Of course, he has sent you to me... His patience knows no bounds. He beholds us all under his watchful gaze until the last life falls. Praised be He who ends the days! Do you seek my secret, friend? Soon enough — but in return I ask something from you. The vision is not yet revealed and I need it to complete my collection." He points to two paintings hung in a shadowy corner of his cell. A third canvas hangs next to them but is blank.
“Outside this very prison, you’ll find a statue covered in gold. You may have already seen her! Describe this statue to me as best you can - do not spare any detail - and I will be able to complete the vision. Only then can I tell you all I know.”
The statue sits just outside of the prison’s gates, its golden form shining brightly in the sun. It stands just over 7 feet tall and rests atop a 3-foot-tall stone base. The statue depicts a curvy Taldan female with short hair and wearing flowing robes open at the neck. Her face is beautiful to behold but she regards you with a blank, uncaring expression. One gilded hand lifts a blindfold from her eyes while the other extends toward you with an open palm, demanding to be filled. Faint moons decorate her flowing robes, and she crushes a set of scales beneath her left foot.
Tanselle notices a small detail that most might miss. The sculptor apparently left his mark on this work of art — a small letter “I” embossed into her left foot.
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Tresca joins Tanselle to look at the statue. The prison was just plain creepy to be inside, and she much preferred the chance to get out for a few minutes.
It didn't take keen eyes to see the obvious symbolism in the statue. The lifted blindfold, the crushed scales, and the palm expectant of a bribe? "Subtle" the half-elf remarks sarcastically, "I think they're actually proud of their skewed idea of justice here."
The alchemist commits the statue's main features to memory, then remarks to her companion. "Ready to go back? I think I've got all the art appreciation I'm going to get" With that, she returns to the prison. "Miss anything interesting?" she asks Grim.
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Grim smirks at Tresca when she returns. "I think a drunken monkey could paint more interesting pieces than this fool. However, I have little appreciation for this kind of impressionist art form. What was the statue like? Any connections you can make so far?"
Grimaldus really tried to make any sense out of the swirling colors and random swipes, but all he can see is a mess of colors that could have been accomplished by merely dropping several cups of paint from 20 feet onto an angled canvas. Heck - that would probably be more pleasing to look at!
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Tanselle wrinkles her nose at the notion that such garishness could even be called art.
"I think I've seen enough to appease the maestro," she says, scribbling down a final note in her chronicle.
Once back among Grim and the others, Tanselle describes the statue in explicit detail, paying special notice to the artist's mark on its left foot.
"Is that sufficient to complete your vision?" she says to the raving cultist, venom dripping from every word. "Now, tell us this secret you keep."
As he hears the description of the statue, a strangely placid look comes over the painter's face. His eyes roll back in his head showing only yellow-whites orbs in the sunken sockets. His body shakes and for a moment, his eyes seem lit from within by a pale, bleak light. "Yes, I see it now." is all he says before rounding on the blank canvas on the wall. He attacks with brush and fingers in artistic frenzy, splashing paint wildly about his cell. A few minutes pass as the image unfolds rapidly before the stunned Pathfinder's eyes. Once he is finished, he stumbles to his bunk, exhausted and panting, the strange light now gone.
His latest masterpiece is the first of the series, judging by it's position of the wall. The painting appears to be of Swift Prison itself, but it shows a terrifyingly skewed perspective. The once-beautiful statue stares back transformed, her visage twisted into a demonic snarl. Small, grey humanoids with large, white eyes prowl among the cells tormenting cowering prisoners in the painting’s background. In the foreground, a lone figure brandishes a radiant holy symbol as he falls before a horde of the grey creatures at the foot of the sinister statue.
The second painting depicts a stately, white stone building surrounded by three-foot-tall bas-reliefs which circle the building’s outside walls at ground
level. The same small grey creatures stand atop the halls steps and punish men bound in chains — all of whom appear to be wearing the robes of Taldan government officials. At the southwest corner of the building, the bas-relief glows a bright white where the same lone figure from the first painting attempts to sooth a group of frightened children by playing a flute — the notes of his music are actually painted above him on the canvas in striking detail.
The third painting depicts a retaining wall that shores up parts of a ruined district. It shows dozens of the angry grey humanoids smashing brightly painted urns against the retaining wall, while the same lone figure from the other paintings frantically attempts to push down an obviously barred door in the middle of the
wall, presumably to escape the rows of small menacing shadows that seems to pursue him.
With a strained voice, the man begins to speak;
"Even mighty Gods make use of tools,
my master's reside in the Crypt of Fools.
Beneath Old Cassomir, hidden away
he waits until the blessed day.
They will invade the Hall of Wonders
in search of plans that must be sundered.
But our Champion must be tested,
for in the past he has been bested.
And so, here now, on your arrival,
Dalirio begins the final trial."
Garver shifts uncomfortably, seeming unnerved by what he has seen. He clears his throat and says,
"As I mentioned the painter's works are for sale. The profits will allow him more, uh... comfortable living conditions here. The three you are looking over are 1 gold apiece and the others are all 5 silver each."
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"I'll buy the three primary works. I'd rather have them in our hands to try to interpret his imagery rather than leave them here." Odo hands Garver 3 gold coins. Then he puts his focus into trying to understand what the artist was trying to depict in the paintings.
The first one eludes him completely, but the other two offer hints of understanding...
Garver calls the guard back and settles your account so that you may leave with the three paintings, if you are done here.
The paintings are largely a mystery but Odo is certain the the lone figure shown in each scene is a representation of the deceased god, Aroden, as he has special significance in Taldan history. Often his image is used in Taldan lore to represent the spirit of heroism that may come forth in anyone as he walked the world under so many mundane guises.
I went ahead an gave Raul a deadline to post by or we will have to move on without him. He still has some time, but it's not looking good. I can try and recruit a 5th for you, but if so I will need to move fast. Let me know what you want to do.
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Grim offers to carry the paintings back to the Lodge for further study. "Let's grab lunch from the mess hall while we're there and decide what we do next. I hear they have a special this week on a seafood chowder that's awesome!"
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Tresca looks pointedly at her Andorran companions at the Cultist's mention of Dalirio. The mention of that specific name, given what they knew from their faction, lent the crazy man's words more weight.
She couldn't decide whether the letter's wording was forbidding her from sharing the information, or whether it was simply stating that the other pathfinders might not yet be aware of it. Cartainly, the success of their mission depended on the whole group being prepared for what they were facing.
Peeking over her companions' shoulders, Tresca studies the paintings closely. As she does so, she speaks to her fellow Andorrans "Grim, Odo. I think it may be prudent to share some of the information we recieved from our faction. Your thoughts?"
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"Our orders are clear. Our information is classified. We must accomplish our missions on our own and protect that which must remain unknown." Grim answers quietly. "It's out of our hands. My question for you is this: Do these paintings fall under our orders? I think they do..." He tries to talk when Tanselle is not nearby, to avoid her suspicions.
"I disagree, Grimaldus. We must keep secrets from Taldor at large, not necessarily from our fellow Pathfinders. I do not think it would be inappropriate to let Tanselle know some of the info we were given. Nor do I think the paintings need to be destroyed, at least not without seeking more information first. These scenes are detailed enough that they may depict specific places. We should try to determine that for certain. Perhaps an expert in art or Cassomir architecture."
Looking over the images, Tresca identifies the second painting as being a government building, specifically Cassomir’s Imperial Hall of Records. In fact, she remembers having passed right by it on the way to Swift Prison.
She also determines the third locale to be the ruins of Quickfall Abbey, a site holy to worshipers of the dead god Aroden, now in ruins and rumored to be haunted.
Garver accompanies the Pathfinders back to the Lodge where they find a pair of new faces awaiting them.
Cestis explains, "Ever since news of our recent kidnappings got out, some of the boats have been hesitant to put into our ports. These two had to, uh... encourage their vessel to put in long enough to drop them off. I wish we could offer you time to rest from your journey, but Venture Captain Themis insists all available Pathfinders be redirected to this mission. Oh, mustn't forget these..."
Cestis hands the new arrivals their missives from their factions;
Chelaxian Faction Mission, should you choose to accept it.
Osirion Faction Mission, should you choose to accept it. (Alternate for Grand Lodge)
"I'm sure you'll get along famously. Remember, Explore. Report. Cooperate!"
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He nods to the man. "Thank you, Cestis, but we're alright. We have no time to lose, so rest will take place later. I'm pretty sure we will cooperate with each other, for the greater good." He takes the letter and puts it into a pocket, to read later. Then he turns to the other Pathfinders, aside from the man by his side.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm called Ka, and I've been given the same mission as you, although we were late because of the mentioned circumstances, so I hope you forgive that." Ka is a humanoid of average height, and his silver eyes, hair and skin denounce that he's no human, although he certainly is no exquisite. Wearing a lightly notched Breastplate over light blue robes, and not many weapons, you get the impression he's not much of a melee fighter, and there's a Holy Symbol of Desna hanging from a leather tong on his neck.
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A dark-clothed human reclines against the wall. "Thank you my good sir. Maedhros Nargothrond, of Korvosa, recently a graduate of the Acadamae."
He comes forward, nodding politely, if curtly, to the others. The symbol of House Thrune is prominent on his jacket, and a small wooden holy symbol of Asmodeus is affixed to a black ribbon choker around his neck.
"I've only heard a bit about what you've done so far. A mad painter, I'm given to understand? A cult of Groetus?"
If Odo should turn his divine sight upon Maedhros, he will see a soul that is stained with a few dark deeds, but not wholly evil.
"I'm a bit of an art aficionado myself. Do we have examples of this madman's work?"
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"Good to have others in our party," Tanselle says, greeting the new additions. "If our past dealings with this cult are any indication, we'll have much use for you."
The gunslinger will explain what the group has learned so far, including that Odo has purchased the paintings. She will suggest they make haste to the closest of the locations depicted.
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"Welcome, fellow Pathfinders," Odo says with perhaps a bit more formality than he had be using before with his other compatriots.
"The paintings depict Swift Prison, the Imperial Hall of Records, and Quickfall Abbey. The latter would seem like our most fruitful place to go to search for a dangerous cult. The other two would seem more unlikely considering they are still in operation. That said, if the Imperial Hall of Records is close, I can see checking that out first."
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"Welcome, fellow Pathfinders," Odo says with perhaps a bit more formality than he had be using before with his other compatriots.
"The paintings depict Swift Prison, the Imperial Hall of Records, and Quickfall Abbey. The latter would seem like our most fruitful place to go to search for a dangerous cult. The other two would seem more unlikely considering they are still in operation. That said, if the Imperial Hall of Records is close, I can see checking that out first."
"Very well. To the hall of Taldan Records then."
Maedhros immediately recognizes the grey creatures as the Derro. He also notes that the moon iconography on the statue's robes appears to be some homage to Groetus by the sculptor.
He also confirms the second painting as being a government building, specifically Cassomir’s Imperial Hall of Records.
He agrees as well that the third locale is the ruins of Quickfall Abbey, a site holy to worshipers of the dead god Aroden, now in ruins and rumored to be haunted. He is certain the the lone figure shown in each scene is a representation of Aroden himself, as he has special significance in Taldan history. Often, his image is used in Taldan lore to represent the spirit of heroism that may come forth in anyone as he walked the world under so many mundane guises.
Garver leads the Pathfinders through the streets of Old Cassomir, to the Imperial Hall of Records. "Did you want to speak with one of the clerks? We might be too late to catch anyone still working. You know those government chaps don't stay a moment longer than necessary."
When they arrive the Pathfinders wonder at the accurate, yet demented, image the painter put to canvas. Twisted scenes are the subject of the bas-relief carvings in the painter's visions, but they are but a darkened mirror of the reality before you, for the exact number and position of the monuments is incredibly precise down to the figures in the carvings, though the attitude of the true scenes is more solemn and official looking.
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Tresca introduces herself to her new companions briefly before they continue on to the hall of records. "Welcome aboard Ka, Maedhros" she tells them with a bit of a warmer demeanor than Odo. "You've ended up with a good crew - there's nobody I'd rather have watching by back than these three."
Once at the hall of records, the alchemist is at a bit of a loss for what to do. For the moment, she decides to head to the southwest corner where the painting depicts the figure playing the flute to the child. She didn't think the paintings were meant to be taken literally, so perhaps there was something important at this corner?
Tresca, Grimaldus and Tanselle fan out, taking advantage of the afternoon sun to search the area. They find no signs of any recent disturbances or secret passageways. Tresca focused on the bas-relief that seems indicated by the painting and notices another letter "I" in the center of the carving much like the one Tanselle found on the statue at Swift Prison.
The second painting depicts a stately, white stone building surrounded by three-foot-tall bas-reliefs which circle the building’s outside walls at ground level. The same small grey creatures stand atop the halls steps and punish men bound in chains — all of whom appear to be wearing the robes of Taldan government officials. At the southwest corner of the building, the bas-relief glows a bright white where the same lone figure from the first painting attempts to sooth a group of frightened children by playing a flute — the notes of his music are actually painted above him on the canvas in striking detail.
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Ka crosses his arms, thinking. "Indeed the music might play a part in this. Sorry, but I don't play anything. But I can't help but to get the feeling we're missing something. Who exactly is the woman depicted in the statue in front of the Swift Prison? She has a totally different appearance in the picture. Does that mean they will take over the prison, or that the wicked treatment serves as a praise for some other demi-god? And who's the lonely figure in the paintings? And what god does it follow? If we don't seek those answers we might be simply looking at the guy who made those sculptures... And he probably will not be who we're looking for..."
"Has anyone heard of the Crypt of Fools before?"
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"The lone figure is probably a representation of Aroden, the deceased god. The Taldans view him, or rather used to view him, as a patron deity of their empire. In that capacity, he could represent the corruption or overthrowal of Cassomir and Taldor in general. At least, that's what my studies of religion suggest to me - gods often stand in for other concepts in art, and vice versa."
Odo sighs. "I can try my best to sing these notes, but I appreciate it if nobody would play the part of critic."
He positions himself about at the point where the lone figure and the music appear in the painting.
Odo hums a few bars of the somewhat familiar tune until he feels he has a grasp of the harmony and rhythm and then sings out the lilting melody with a clear, resonating voice. Some unseen mechanism within the bas-relief responds to the tune and a lion-headed staff in the grasp of one of the carved statesmen *clicks* and the head swivels open to reveal a recessed map case. Inside is an aged, but well preserved parchment with a series of circles printed on it. The parchment bears a watermark of the letter "I" in the lower right corner.
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Tresca gives a polite round of applause as the mechanism swings open. "We might have to start calling you 'Odo the Maestro'. Good thinking on that one!" The alchemist waits for her turn to examine the parchment, trying to make heads or tails of it. "Do you suppose the children in the picture mean anything? Or are they just a reasonable excuse for sticking notes into the painting?"
At a loss, the alchemist tries turning the parchment around. "I feel like we're missing a piece. Suppose there's a second parchment somewhere, these circles might highlight words in a letter, or locations on a map. Perhaps we might find another such clue at the Abbey?" The alchemist gives up on the cloth and passes it to the next person who wishes to try their luck with it.
"Has anyone heard of the Crypt of Fools before?"
Once the excitement of Odo's find has died down, Garver clears his throat.
"I have heard of the Crypt of Fools, Master Ka. It is an ancient tomb somewhere among the old catacombs under the city. It's not been used in long years past, and it's said the location was a secret even then. The Crypt of Fools is where they placed the remains of traitors and their shamed families. The painter mentioned it and the Hall of Wonders too. Maybe someone from the Engineering Guild at the Hall of Wonders will know what to make of your parchment. They have the best maps of the city there too."