You all gather in Oppara at the clandestine lodge of Venture-Captain Muesello, who maintains his operation in the back rooms of a bait and tackle shop. His pockmarked face creases with concern as he nods to you in greeting, checks outside, closes the door, and posts a “Gone Fishing” sign out front.
From there, he ushers you into a concealed room where Lady Gloriana Morilla waits in a chair near the fireplace.
“I appreciate your answering my call,” Venture-Captain Muesello says with a subdued smile as he closes the room’s curtains and
clears away an unfinished wayfinder to make space. “Some of you may already know Lady Gloriana Morilla, and I shall explain
why she’s joined us momentarily. First, let us remember that General Arnisant, hero of the Shining Crusade, is one of the most
highly regarded figures in Taldor’s history. Arnisant’s hometown of Ridonport has always been especially proud of him, and nearly
nine centuries since his death, his home’s still preserved as a museum. The Society regularly submits requests to the museum
to examine the historical artifacts there. Usually we get a polite and curt ‘no.’ Most recently, though?”
Muesello tilts his head from side to side as if considering his words.
“This time the curator, Cincia Reviamo, wrote that she cannot help because the local lord, Earl Calhadion Vernisant, has been
taking undue liberties with the museum and its collection—apparently taking whatever he wants from it, claiming he has the right because he’s a direct descendant of General Arnisant. Taking
priceless relics is one thing, but there’s another angle that Lady Morilla can explain better.”
Gloriana Morilla picks up where Muesello left off.
“Taldor has many great legacies, but there are some traditions better left in the past. The practice of primogeniture
dictates that Taldor’s crown only passes to male heirs, yet the laws have been amended over time to allow women to inherit land and
titles in some circumstances.
“Even so, the Lion,” Morilla states, motioning that the animal has special significance, “has no male heir and seems
utterly against his young Lioness leading the pride. It’s a stubborn stance that could condemn Taldor to civil war. I have spoken to
many senators who also believe it’s time to update the empire’s inheritance laws. The Lion and his loyalists view this growing
equality movement as a personal attack, even a coup. Among these is the Earl Vernisant, who would readily vote against reform
just to become part of the Lion’s inner circle."
“Count Orlundo Zespire, however, is an undecided senator. Exports from his lands travel through Vernisant’s region, yet along
the way many of the goods go missing as a result of canal piracy. Zespire suspects his colleague is at least negligent in allowing
these crimes to transpire in his town—and possibly worse. It seems this isn’t the first misunderstanding between the two,
and the count has informed me that he would be in the Lioness’s debt were she able to arrange someone to resolve the matter. If
that also involves finding evidence that ties Vernisant to criminal elements, making that evidence public would cause the earl
considerable distress and bring the count considerable joy. Just keep in mind that no matter what evidence you find, you’ll need
to convince Ridonport’s citizens to trust you before they’ll take your word over that of General Arnisant’s descendant.”
Muesello clears his throat before adding, “Just to be clear, the Society’s interest is in stopping Vernisant’s relic-pilferingand getting in the curator’s good graces. It so happens that Lady Morilla’s and the Society’s aims overlap nicely. Visit the museum, talk to the curator, figure out how to protect the collection, and
investigate the earl’s alleged misdeeds. Any questions?”
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"A lion!?" says a blue-haired gnome excitedly, "and a lioness? Oh, they must be such magnificent creatures! I hope I can observe them in their natural habitat long enough to take some good notes - and maybe a quick sketch! Do you think they might possibly be celestial lions? Or foo lions?" He rubs his hands together excitedly.
After learning that the lions in question are not, in fact, actual lions, his face falls. "Oh," he says as he scuffs the floor with one foot. "Well, maybe we'll find some real lions along the way!" The thought seems to cheer him up.
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"And what of the relics?" the weather worn halfling asks, a little too eagerly "are any of especial significance? Those pilfered, that is. If we were to find any, should they be returned to the curator?" his voice quietens, muttering to himself "I wonder if there are any exhibits still worth seeing in this museum?"
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An undine cocks his head and listens to the briefing. His lithe muscles are clearly visible, as he's dressed in little more than a loincloth, armbands, and a hooded cloak. When Venture-Captain Muesello's explanation is finished, the blue-skinned humanoid stands up and begins to speak in an almost absent-minded way.
"A curious business this, yet an opportunity of unmatched significance. What treasures must lie in said museum, unexamined for innumerable ages? I am Arrius Vext, Emissary of Outsea, and I offer my full assistance in untangling the complex weaves of history and mystery that enshroud this repository."
The Ladylooks at Bethamy.[b]"All of them are of significance. Some of higher, some of lower. But they are a treat. For those interested in such things. But you have to see for yourself.
You can make Diplomacy or gather information checks to know more about Ridonport
Saw, Taldor’s rocky coastline that runs from Oppara to
Cassomir. Those two large cities attract most of the ship traffic,
leaving Ridonport to serve as a place to restock the navy
Another one tells you that Tandak Prefecture’s economy relies heavily on logging in the Verduran Forest, and generations of intensive farming have left the land largely unsuitable for most crops. Even so, the extensive canal system makes transporting goods to and from the coast fairly easy—or it would, if many of the secondary routes hadn’t fallen into disrepair.
Lastely you hear that Tandak Prefecture has suffered political turmoil ever since the previous grand duke Forath Bozbeyli was stripped of his title for having fabricated a heroic past. He was later torn to pieces by the refecture’s common people for having deceived them. Even though 7 years have passed since then, nobles in the area hope that this one violent incident was an exception, not a sign of future retaliation. The commoners tend to remember the incident with a mix of pride and chagrin, both embarrassed by the destruction they caused yet pleased at having overthrown a pompous buffoon.
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The Ulfen man is tall and fairly lean. He is bearded and wears Taldan clothes, with a fur cloak of a traditional Ulfen style.
"Taldan political intrigue and missing relics. My sympathies lie with the Lioness, though I know from my own tribe how hard it is to let go of old traditions whose time has passed."
He asks around about Ridonport.
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A tall Ulfen man enters followed by a bear.
He says in a thick accent. "Greetings...I am Tormond Trollbiter from the Land of the Linnworm Kings. I would be glad to lend my axe to this investigation and find out the misdeeds of this earl. Let justice be done to his common folk. But my ear is not so great as those of the skalds of my land"
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Drelluandast happily trots along with the group. "That nice lady was telling me about how the region overthrew the previous grand duke seven years ago," he says as they travel. "Apparently he didn't actually have the heroic background he told everyone he did, and the folks tore him down when they found out. And her wife told me that the local economy relies on logging in the Verduran forest and that they can't farm the land nearby anymore because they farmed it too hard too long, or something, and that a lot of the secondary river routes don't work anymore because they haven't been maintained - but those would make transporting things out to the coast and back much easier!"
He beams happily. "I left them a lovely picture of a eagle to show our appreciation."
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"What a curious place. A fellow told me it's the main port used to restock the navy... surely it would be in the navy's best interest to open up more of the river routes, so as to better supply their vessels?" he thinks a moment, rubbing his nose "If we can figure out what closed the secondary routes and how to reopen them, that would give us some cachet with the people of Ridonport." he stuffs his hands in his pockets, looking quite pleased "This promises to be an interesting trip!"
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"I'm an archaeologist and scholar. I'm..." he looks down at his feet "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer in a fight, but I've picked up an array of skills in my studies." looking back up and at Remy "Most recently I was forced to learn quickly about disabling traps, a particularly troublesome expedition that one. I've studied history, languages and the arcane - even picked up some magical knacks over the years." he smiles with a pride "Tell us, what are your skills sir?"
The journey by ship along the Jagged Saw and into Ridonport passes uneventfully. The museum is a short walk from the
docks, where it stands surrounded by numerous old homes and within view of the 200-foot-tall statue of General Arnisant
in the city’s main square. The museum is a spacious, singlestory stone house that has undergone dozens of renovations
over the years. Even so, some parts look overdue for repairs.
The entrance opens to a large sitting room. The furnishings are aging, albeit clean and free of dust. The walls are crowded
with portraits, framed letters, and genealogical charts. Severalglass cases protect more fragile items.
On the wall just to the right of the front doors hangs a 4-by-6-foot painting of Earl Calhadion Vernisant looking
dramatically into the distance with the crown-and-lion standard of Taldor waving behind him. Make a perception check
@Bethamy
you notice that in the picture the flag is moving and the person looks at you and smiles.
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Hearing his halfling companion's exclamation, Arrius turns towards the painting. "Fascinating . . . I wonder . . . A mere glamer--the artifice of a magician--or could a spirit truly be trapped within? Once, at the Sincomakti School of Sciences in Ustalav, I encountered three souls inhabiting the same book!" Arrius closes his eyes, begins to breathe deeply, and reaches out with his mind to examine the painting.
@Arrius, you find out that the painting is sentient.
@ Drelluandast please make a sense motive check.
"Of course can I hear you! Do you think I am deaf?"
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"Oh my goodness!" Drelluandast says as he beckons the rest of the Pathfinders over. "Well, um, who are you? Why are you in that painting? What are you doing? Is that a battle? Did you just win the war? Maybe you saw some celestial lions?" He turns to his companions. "This is so cool! Does anyone else have questions?"
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Bethamy, after a few moments of staring dumbfounded at the painting, clears his throat "Ahem... well met sir!" quieter and to Drelluandast "Excellent questions" drawing himself up he addresses the figure in the painting "My name is Bethamy. My companions and I are Pathfinders. We seek an audience with Cincia Reviamo, the curator of this establishment. We're here to investigate some misappropriated museum property... would you happen to know anything about that?
The building smiles and replies:"“I am Earl Calhadion Vernisant,
a member of the Taldan Senate, and a direct descendant of the famous General Arnisant, Hero of the Shining Crusade. He sacrificed himself to defeat the Whispering Tyrant. Arnisant’s blood flows through my
veins, and like him I guard our Taldan heritage and traditions with pride.”
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"Many questions have I, a fulsome array indeed, sufficient to task the patience of even the hardiest soul! But given that our task at hand is a matter of no small urgency, please permit me to defer those queries to a future occasion, and instead at the present pursue a separate line of inquiry: have you witnessed, or perhaps even participated in, the removal of items of historical value from this museum?"
Working together you think this is an sentient animated object. You only find conjuration and transmutation magic. Transmutation for the animated and conjuration for the sentient. You think without divination this object can only reply what the person it is imprinted on will think.