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Marcival returns with a bunch of museum apprentices, and they begin to work together using gusts of wind and similar spells to remove the swarms but not damage the artifacts.
With the artifacts safe and secure, you can now get a chance to look over the Pathfinder Chronicles and possibly learn something in regards to your mission.
The staff starts to work at restoring the glass ceiling and the rest of the museum.
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Kelleran learns an interesting discovery, but before the party can get too in-depth with these notes, Marcival returns.
"Now then, since things are under order, shall I take you all to the totem?"
He takes you to a more private room where some relics are stored away. Two work tables occupy this room. One holds a variety of Tian objects, including a wooden washboard, some bamboo flutes, and a pair of intricately-painted fans. The other is arrayed with aged curiosities, including a totem of a Shoanti man dressed in riding leathers as well as stacks of yellowing papers. Crates and sturdy racks, holding bits of fragile-looking sculpture and pottery, press against otherwise bare walls. There are doors along the northwest and southwest walls, and the latter is padlocked.
Suddenly random objects start flinging out of the room. A frantic looking spirit is manifesting from the totem. "It must be panicking from the swarms! Do not hurt it, try to calm the spirit down!"
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Yakari goes fearlessly near the totem rising his arms in sign of peace, showing that he holds no weapon. He tries to make himself bigger and speaks with a clear voice. Yakari quickly tries to remember some words he heard on the day he became a warrior...
"O great rider! You are the soul of my soul! Blood of my blood! Once you were like me, foolish like the seed too soon sprung, scared like the foal hearing thunder for the first time. But you are an accomplished Shoanti! Pride among the tribe! Rider among the tribe! Scout among the tribe! Now don't fear the thunder and don't break your shell! You are worth much more!"
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"If you can settle down for a moment, I will explain why the relics are important. You see, in your current agitated state, you are doing more harm than good right now." The mage goes into details of some of the relics more interesting highlights.
"Perhaps you would like to explain to us what has you feeling so anxious."
"Was it the swarms? Do not worry about those mindless bugs. They have been dealt with. Did you feel helpless to stop them? Because I know I did. That must have been very frustrating for you. To see all of these insects flying around with no way to protect the things that are important to you. Have no more fear about that. There is no more crisis and the danger of the swarm has been averted."
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You'd be better off pulling up all this junk to distract the swarm, right now your the easiest target
"All this little stuff won't hurt a swarm. If your gonna fight it use those big fans to blow it away."
As Forscare approaches the relic he murmurs to himself"There got to be a way to turn this off, probably pushing the brightest glowing spot."
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Yakari gulps down his saliva and tries once more, whistling to call Grand Aigle at his side, showing a few tricks the beast knows.
"What was your mount, rider? I have this mighty beast, a companionship forged in blood and tears!"
After the little tricks, Yakari tries his best to help guide the spirit, explaining how the swarms are an unlikely threat to it.
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The spirit stops throwing things, and calms down. You now have a chance to observe the totem.
A hidden compartment attached to the bottom contains a sketch of a man wearing a triple-flanged helm without eyeholes, a black ring, and a scrawled note that says;
"Helven took the base of this totem for some purpose I cannot ascertain. Perhaps he has taken it to Absalom?"
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Having the note, and the ring, is a rather interesting discovery indeed.
Piecing this information together, from studying the chronicles, saving the relics, and finding this note, you may be able to piece it all together.
• Details of certain sites described in Helven Leroung’s published accounts differ from recent maps and surveys, suggesting she was never at those locations.
• The word choice and syntax in Helven’s accounts are atypical of Chelish authorship, though suggestive of tales arising from oral traditions.
• Depictions on some Shoanti reliefs predating the arrival of Chelish settlers bear striking parallels and similarities to Helven’s accounts.
• Helven provided intelligence to Chelish forces regarding the location of a Shoanti tribe known to be plundering sites around the region.
But perhaps there is more to it.
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• Witnesses told Montlarion of a Chelish woman aiding a Shoanti tribe during the war before those Shoanti were slain.
• Montlarion had an altercation with Helven regarding Shoanti artifacts, which turned violent.
With all this research, you have sufficient information to suspect that Helven has committed some misdeeds. You return to Absalom with all this new information, and to present it to Kreighton Shane.
He listens carefully. Uncharacteristically, he says "Thank you for your successful investigation." and little more about the topic, instead recommending you get some rest.
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Some time afterwards, you all receive a letter from Kreighton Shane. Included is a Wayfinder.
Pathfinders,
Zaul Blystone was one of the more famous early Pathfinders operating around the time of the Decemvirates founding. Tales of his deeds and exploits gave him a kind of folk-hero status during that time. He purportedly recovered many magnificent relics for the Society, each tied to a grand tale, but the items themselves were occasionally less ‘magnificent’ then the stories seemed to indicate.
According to her notes, Eylysia distrusted Blystone; she suspected many of his treasures were forgeries. She further postulates that he may have kept the genuine items for himself. She was particularly interested in Autumn’s Cowl, a headpiece allegedly discovered in the Arthfell Forest. Shortly before she disappeared, Eylysia traveled to Arthfell Forest to investigate Zaul’s claims.
Eylysia’s only remaining note about her time in Arthfell is simply ‘A wayfinder will provide the path.’ As such, I have included a wayfinder with this letter in the event that such is necessary to find whatever clues she may have left behind. I entrust you with the task of determing the truth behind the relic known as Autumn’s Cowl. In addition, keep your eyes wide open for any further clues Eylysia may have concealed within the Arthfell Forest. Tread with care Pathfinders.
Sincerely,
Kreighton Shaine
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Creatures of the First World have called the Arthfell Forest home for longer than mortal memory. Conflicts between the fey range from mischievous fun to deadly serious.
The Arthfell druids historically act as peacekeepers between human communities and fey. Since a schism divided the druids, those diplomatic connections have all but dried up.
Andoren druids celebrate the changing seasons with holidays. The most important of these celebrations occur in spring, symbolizing new life, and autumn, symbolizing acceptance of death.
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Safely you all arrive in Arthfell Forest. The natural splendor of Arthfell forest falls away to a barrier of dried-out thorns that does little to obscure the lifeless trees beyond. Frigid winds whisper through branches that claw at the sky as a mist rises out from deep within the wood.
An aasimar woman approaches you, wearing very simple and natural looking garments. "I am afraid I must ask you all to turn back, as I cannot permit anyone to pass through this thicket. Beyond this wall is a hostile landscape that has grown far too dangerously for common travel."
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"I see. I will permit you entry, but please do be careful. I wish to see the thicket return to health, and I have grown tired of maintaining the thorn wall."
The Aasimar woman, who you learn is named Adelyn, parts the thorns. Beyond is a foreboding woodland that fills your entire view. Tall and naked trees are interspersed with the occasional needle-covered fir, and the ground is barren with no sign of fauna.
The party draws out the wayfinder to start making their way through.
You see what looks liked a robed figure protruding from a tree. Moving closer, this figure does not move at all. Getting even closer, you see it is an effigy.
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Thick undergrowth chokes the ground in this open thicket, and clutching ivy climbs the posts and eves of an abandoned lumber mill on the thicket’s far side. Though the light of the sun reaches all but the darkest corners of this vine-covered garden, the air still bears an oppressive quality, as though neither light nor humanoid life is truly welcome.
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Light Condition: Dim Light
Active Buffs: None
Active Penalties: All Ground not near the shrine is difficult terrain.
Roland(-0,Fine)
Kelleran(-0,Fine)
Galdur(-0,Fine)
Forescare(-0,Fine)
Yakari(-0,Fine)
William(-0,Fine)
Jack-O'-Lantern(-0,Fine)
Advanced Jack-O'-Lantern
NE Medium Plant
A carved pumpkin sits atop a writhing mass of thick ropey vines. Sinister flames dance within its leering, crudely carved face.
Yakari sees the threat, when a strange pumpkin seems to be gazing at everyone. When it is noticed, it stands up and appears to be a flaming gangling monster!