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Venture-Captain Drandle Drang looks tired as he calls an emergency meeting in the middle of night at his chambers in the Grand Lodge. "I’m sorry to call you in on such short notice and on such a dark night, but a friend of the Society needs your help immediately".
From an adjoining chamber, an elegantly dressed woman of middle age with olive skin and long, straight black hair and piercing eyes steps into the room, "Allow me to introduce to you to Hamaria Blakros, of the esteemed Blakros family, whose name I’m sure you all know".
Hamaria sits at Dreng’s side, smooths her satin dress over her knees, and speaks in a clear though pained voice. "I’m afraid my forebears made a terrible mistake, and I need you to help remedy the situation. When the Blakroses were first gaining a financial and social foothold centuries ago, my ancestors made a pact called the Penumbral Accords with a strange organization on the Shadow Plane called the Onyx Alliance, which granted us trade routes through its dark realm to avoid unpleasant searches, tariffs, and questions among the many parties with whom we traded. At the time, this was an invaluable service, but as our wealth and influence grew, the benefits became less pronounced. Now, almost five centuries later, we no longer want to pay the ongoing price of this agreement. Since that time, we’ve been providing a steady stream of slaves to the Onyx Alliance... including the eldest of our daughters each generation. This year we have two eldest daughters—my twins Eleanir and Michellia—and I refuse to let them be taken!"
"But we can’t actively break the Penumbral Accords ourselves. We don’t know all the details other than our end of the bargain, which requires us to deliver slaves to our very own Blakros Museum on the night of each new moon—and to deliver the eldest Blackros daughter of each generation on the new moon
after her 21st birthday. We are told to stay away until dawn, and have honored this command thus far. In every instance for generations, we’ve returned to find no sign of the slaves or our own heirs left in the building. They’ve got some device that lets them take our daughters to their plane, something that only functions one night a month, and only until dawn. That night is tonight, and my Eleanir and Michellia are already there! I need you to get in before the sun rises and deactivate or destroy whatever allows them to keep stealing our people. If that prevents them from ever threatening us and holding the Penumbral Accords over our heads again, even better."
Dreng leans forward, “You understand, I’m sure, how valuable our relationship with the Blakros family is to the Decemvirate. Their assets at the museum are immense, and assisting the Lady Hamaria tonight will go along way to ensuring that both her family and our organization can form a long-lasting alliance that will benefit all parties.” He glances at Hamaria, who nods once in agreement. “Hurry to Blakros Museum, friends. There isn’t much time!”
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In recent years, the Blakros Museum has been the site of a number of strange occurrences, many of which were handled quietly in the dead of night by agents of the Pathfnder Society.
In the early days of Absalom, the Blakros Museum was originally the stronghold of an eccentric wizard. Abandoned for centuries, it was later bought by House Blakros, who turned it into a museum for their impressive collection of curiosities from across Golarion.
The mad astrologer Ralzeros the Overwatched built what is now the Blakros Museum thousands of years ago as an observatory to study distant worlds and even other planes of existence (and some say, to be studied by them). He later disappeared following a mage-duel with another of Absalom’s early wizards.
The wealthy and prominent House Blakros is a large, extended clan of eccentrics with trade contacts rivaling those of the Aspis Consortium, who made most of their money selling valuable antiquities across the border between Taldor and Qadira. Their daughters are known far and wide for their beauty, and marrying a Blakros woman is a sure path to power and riches.
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Have I been there before...or am I just remembering stories...
"So many things seem to happen at that place. Some good, but a lot bad. Not really looking forward to going back though." Hannah says, finishing her statement with a yawn. "But, if it is for the society, I guess I'll have to suck it up."
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Xavier cracks his knuckles. "Sneaking in? Saving would-be slaves? Defying legal documents? Sounds like my kind of party!" He smiles. "If that isn't enough, though, I wonder if we can find some loophole in the contract that we can exploit." He pauses for a second. "I don't suppose you have a copy of the contract that we could look at?"
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Hamaria looks down, "Unfortunately, since the contract was more verbal and sealed with magic, there isn't an exact written document at our disposal, however, I can give you the best information I have on it." she says as she conjures a scroll and unfurls it.
This alliance, outlined in a pact known as the Penumbral Accords, allowed them to safely transport goods and personnel through the Shadow Plane while a war waged around them on the Material. But this agreement came at a terrible price: in addition to providing a continuing, steady stream of slaves for Shadow Absalom, the eldest Blakros daughter of each generation for a thousand years would be given over to the members of the shadowy Onyx Alliance on her 21st birthday to be taken to the Shadow Plane. The conditions of the Penumbral Accords are precise, and the penalty for failing to uphold their end of the bargain is the killing of all Blakros daughters of the offending generation.
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A lithe elf wearing ceremonial armor dyed black with deep purple accents and a silver mask quietly slides into the briefing but some may hear an exasperated sigh at the sight of Drandle Drang. He listens intently as the lady speaks.
"I know the phenomenal collection...and difficulties of the Blakros family well. However this sounds far more interesting than apes and vikings. Before we head off into that madhouse I want as much information as possible. If you know nothing more of the Accord do you at least know where in the museum they go to wait?" Malvic speaks up after
Creatures of shadow to test our might, let us go quickly?! We will not go blindly into that museum. Fine ask your questions elf!
The whip at his side begins to wriggle intensely as the elf checks his spellbook and gear while awaiting the answers to the questions.
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Drendle looks over to Hamaria, "Do you know that information? If you do and tell my agents, it will allow them to move more quickly."
Hamaria looks to Malvic, "I'm not entirely sure, but I would guess the North Exhibit Hall. It is currently exhibiting "Biological Oddities", but it is one of the largest and most open areas in the museum so I'd wager a guess that it's likely the best place for things to happen."
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You make your way to the museum.
Great pillars of hewn black stone support the vaulted ceiling of the Blakros Museum’s grand entryway, visible through its wide, double doors. Braziers mounted on the pillars cast white radiance from balls of continual light. A fossilized dinosaur skeleton occupies the northwest corner of the room.
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On the walk over the elf speaks again.
"I am Malvic Trist of the Mordant Spire. There really is no telling what we will find in this museum...never let down your guard." Malvic says with a slight coldness in his voice as his whip curls up his arm.
Why do you never introduce me? So they don't think me mad talking about my weapon. That is a suitable point.
When they arrive he looks over the room wearily before they enter.
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"Oh, a mordant spire elf, do you happen to know the Moonsilver Clan. The youngest female, Manaria, is from the spire, she is a close friend of mine." She rattles on a bit more about the elves.
"The price seems to be steep. And if I am right, the Blakros family is purely Matriarchal. Which could have more serious ramifications." Hannah says adjusting her musket as she walks into the museum.
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Xavier turns to Malvic and offers his hand for a handshake, his hand at about the same height as his head. "I am Xavier Elington, priest of Cayden Cailean."
Xavier turns to the door, his face shifting from a smile to a nervous expression. "Something tells me I'm going to need a drink or two after this. Or during."
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"I have not met a Manaria but there are many who keep to themselves and I am not regarded highly. Too proactive in wanting to deal with the aboleths likely." he replies calmly.
Deal with the aboleths...you know you aren't ready. Malvic runs his hand through his hair as if frustrated before shaking his head to finish his reply.
"I will have to ask for her next time I visit or if she is a Pathfinder as well...maybe I will see her on a mission."
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Malvic also shakes Xavier's hand.
"A pleasure. Shall we start? Lady Hamaria suggested the North Exhibit Hall which should be straight ahead."
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Hava wanders along the street, a large, mis-shapen figure trailing along in his wake.
I am Hava and this he indicates over his shoulder is nothing to worry about
"Nothing to worry about" is a biped that strolls down the street. It looks vaguely human but has a pair of small horns that grow from its scaled forehead. Claws extend from each of its hands.
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Upon crossing the threshold, the air ripples and all visible surfaces shimmer as if they were momentarily composed of still, reflective liquid. As soon as the effect manifests, the strange sensation ends, leaving thick shadows covering all surfaces. The white light of the braziers glows an arcane shade of blue, illuminating the shadowy form of a different skeleton that overlays the more solid dinosaur from moments ago.
The intermingling planes create a unique effect as light and shadow mix. Any spellcaster wishing to cast continual flame, dancing lights, daylight, light, or any spell with the light descriptor must make a caster level check. Existing light spells being maintained and magic items that shed light must make a caster level check when first brought into Blakros Museum, with a failed check indicating that no light is generated for the next 24 hours while the item or maintained spell is within the museum.
This effect has no impact on mundane or alchemical sources of light, such as sunrods and torches. If PCs do not create or bring their own light sources, the entire building may be considered to be in shadowy illumination, the combination of the brightly lit Material Plane and the pitch-black Shadow Plane.
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Xavier lights his torch, it's light illuminating the museum. "Weird..." He turns to the other party members, a quizzical look on his face. "I don't know much about magic, but have any of you seen anything like this before? Something tells me that's not normal." Looking around, he takes a few nervous steps forward. He mutters to himself, "I doubt this is what it's like every night."
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Xavier quickly nods. "I'm going to guess that the figures are not, shall we say, friendly. Perhaps it would not be prudent to ward ourselves against them, or to prepare for combat." Xavier moves his free hand, tracing a tankard in the air, and chants to himself, "O Cayden, by the light of the Starstone, let this party be !" He then draws his rapier, still holding the torch in his other hand.
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Opening the door and stepping in behind you is a middle-aged Qadiran man with a dour look upon his face. "Damned Dreng, always calling in the middle of the night!" Seeing the situation he winces, and whispers "Sorry! My name is Samaan. This bundle of joy beside me is Rishaal. Don't mind her wailing, that's just how she is."
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The shadows on the dinosaur writhe under scrutiny from the paladin. They shift and flow, seeking to hide from her gaze, finally, they sink into the skeleton itself and are no longer visible...Then, suddenly, a shadowy version of a dinosaur runs up to Xavier and roars in his face before opening it's mouth wide and going in for the bite...
but right before the blow lands, the creature vanishes...
You look back over to the real bones of the dinosaur and they begin shaking, as through a cat waking from a long nap, before the bones take a step forward and scream into both planes at once.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Hannah, Hava, Malvic, Samman, and Sieglinde
Enemy
Xavier
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Sieglinde misses her shot, the flickering lights playing too many tricks on her eyes.
Hannah's gun sounds almost muffled in this strange environment, but her aim is true and bone fragments go flying everywhere.
Everyone else does some stuff.
The dinosaur, having another bony person to chew on, full attacks the Eidolon.
Xavier makes his weapon glow with holy power.
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Hannah, Hava, Malvic, Samman, and Sieglinde
Eidolon, -10hp
Enemy, -3hp
Xavier
Sakimoth claws twice at the skeletal dinosaur.
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Xavier walks up to the dinosaur and pokes it with his rapier. He chuckles to himself. "I'm glad we dealt with this necromansaur." Laughing, he turns to the rest of you. "Get it? Because it's a dinosaur, and it's undead, and..." He sighs. "Anyway, Hava, both you and Nothing to Worry About," he says, pointing at Sakimoth, "seem to be injured. I only have a small amount of magic at my disposal, but perhaps if someone has a wand or something, I could heal you with that."
He mutters to himself, "Although I have no clue how you did..."