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Mykel notices a hidden compartment attached to the bottom of the totem. Within the compartment is a sketch of a man wearing a triple-flanged helm without eyeholes a black ring, and a scrawled note that says simply, Helven took the base of this totem for some purpose I cannot ascertain. Perhaps he has taken it to Absalom?
The papers consist of field reports and notes collected by Montlarion.
You look for clues in the Pathfinder Chronicles, compare the written words with the artifacts, tapestries and other things connected to the Shoanti history. Finally you come to the following conclusion(s).
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.
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.
You further find more background information about the Pathfinder Helven in the Chronicles and Montlarion Jeggare's notes:
Helven Leroung was a chelish noblewoman who sought acclaim as a Pathfinder. As the Everwar closed, she joined other Pathfinders in Varisia, exploiting archeological sites made accessible by Cheliax’s advancing armies. Yet, Helven sought a quicker path to prestige. Traveling out ahead of the advancing army, Helven ingratiated herself with a Shoanti tribe by warning them of an impending Chelish attack. She then secretly began transcribing the Shoanti’s oral tales of the region’s history, sites, and wildlife. He also encouraged the tribe to amass items of significance as “protection” from Chelish “invaders.”
Ultimately, Helven betrayed the tribe. She gave up the tribe’s location to Chelish forces, which garnered favor with many inhabitants of the recently-established Fort Korvosa, including Montlarion Jeggare. With the Shoanti put to the sword, Helven appropriated their tales and artifacts for herself. Laden with ill-gotten treasures, she left many relics in Montlarion’s care before departing on one of the first cargo ships to sail from the settlement.
Returning to Absalom, Helven recast the Shoanti tales as her own first-hand accounts, which were published in the Pathfinder Chronicles. Following a bloody internal struggle in the year 4411 AR, she then parlayed these accounts to secure a place among the first Decemvirate.
However, Helven’s stolen successes could not stand unchallenged forever. Helven returned to Korvosa, where the now Lord Magistrate Montlarion had begun to suspect Helven’s betrayal of the Shoanti, and the source of his supposed heroics. Montlarion questioned Helven and presented her with eyewitness testimony of a Chelish woman providing wartime aid to the Shoanti. The Korvosans demanded Helven’s ill-gotten treasures be confiscated pending further investigation.
Helven was furious and a fight erupted. Weakened, Helven fled to Absalom, while Montlarion died soon thereafter. Once divination magic confirmed all witnesses of his crimes had perished, Helven believed his secrets safe.
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The gnome looks uncharacteristically surprised by the conclusions drawn here. This has all been sitting here for some time, and it hasn't been put together before this point? I suppose when it comes to the Pathfinder chronicles all you have are the agents' notes. Still, I would think a verification and cross-checking process may benefit the society in light of this...
He nods at Mhazruk. Yes, Kreighton will definitely want to hear about all of this. I wonder if this will match his expectations for sending us out here.
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Is it just me or does that narrative keep confusingly switching genders on the pronouns when referring to Helven?
Pai examines the painted fans and other pieces on the table with Tien items, nodding along with her teammates as they discover things. "Yup, this info sure is interesting. Anything else while we're here? I guess we should send word for them to look for the base in Absalom, if we need to keep looking into things around here." I really wish I had time to just browse. Sigh. Oh, well. The painting on these fans is so exquisite!
Glancing over at what Mykel pulls out of the hidden compartment, Pai exclaims: "Oh, hey! Why is that guy wearing a helmet with no eye holes? Weird. Is that symbolism? Or maybe there's another artifact around here that it references?"
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You have all clues you need and return back to Absalom to meet VC Kreighton Shane. He listens carefully and thanks you for the successful investigation, but uncharacteristically says little more. He suggests you get some rest after your long journey back from Korvosa, as future assignments await you.
The next morning you meet him again. "I asked the archivists to look for the missing part of the totem. That might take some days, but in the meantime I have something else to investigate about. There were two more hints in Eylysia's notes about two other Decemvirate members. Here are the assigments, you decide where to go first. I'll await you here when you've finished both of them. Good luck. Excuse me, I do have another appointment." Kreighton says and provides two letters.
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
Pathfinders,
From what I can gather, your next clue lies within an old cavern, not terribly far from a dwarven
outpost called the Rising Spire, which lies near the ancient settlement of Highhelm. I have little to go
on as Eylysia’s notes provide hardly anything more than a location and an odd reference to ‘an old noble’s
tale’. I have already made arrangements for your travel to the Spire and for an escort to the cavern. This
should be a relatively simple and straightforward task if you can solve this riddle Eylysia has left us with.
Sincerely,
Kreighton Shaine
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Arin reads each of the letters in turn.
So, I now gather that Kreigton did approximately expect the conclusion we arrived at, and further trusts us to uncover more early-Decemvirate scandal. It seems the society was founded on more than one of the originals craving personal glory above all else.
He passes the letters around to the next member of the party to read.
My gut says we should continue on the trail of Eylysia, and follow up on letter #1. Maybe the clues for the second letter will be less ambiguous and vague by then.
He looks around to see how the group is feeling about their next step.
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"Aye, the Decemvirate seem like a bunch of snakes but the Pathfinders are far from a lawful bunch. Good for business. The caravan and escort won't be happy if they have to wait on us but this should be short work. I have my own wayfinder so does someone else want to hold on to this?" he holds out the one provided by Shane.
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Pai accepts the wayfinder and tucks it into her handy haversack. She gives a chipper shrug and chirps: "First one's fine with me! Honestly, if we had a schedule to keep with the caravan, VC Shane wouldn't mentioned it." Boy, I feel kinda dirty, digging up all this dirt on the founders of the Pathfinder Society. It's almost like they weren't all that much different than the Apsis back then.
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** spoiler omitted **
Rook addresses Arin in another tongue while prodding him with a laugh.
The gnome gets a slightly sheepish look before replying, in kind.
He shrugs with slight resignation, as if to say, and I hope it keeps going that way
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You safely 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.
Near the wall you see somebody. A person with long teal hair covered orange feathers. You'd say it's an Aasimar druid making repairs on the wall.
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.
"Stop! Who are you? This is no place for travelers!" the Aasimar asks.
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"Be careful as this place is home to many fey and if you haven't interacted with any in the past...they are annoying at best and sadistic at worst." Rook warns including the other pieces of information as well.
---
As the approach the wall and the Aasimar calls out to them Mhazruk halts and replies.
"I am Mhazruk Kruhl, a merchant and these are my traveling companions but our purpose is not for travel alone. We have business here uncovering information about the past. May we have your name as well? Are you one of the druids that dwell here alongside the fey?" he asks.
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"My name is Adelyn Rhinon from the Greenfire Circle. We protect the woods from what lies behind this wall. Strange mists and blight cause plants to wither and travelers to become lost. There are no beds or food behind this wall, only death. Do you have anything with you that guides you through the foul grounds?" the Aasimar asks.
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"I see you are prepared. Good luck, Pathfinders." Adelyn says before he parts the thorns, revealing a foreboding woodland that fills the space beyond. Tall, naked trees are interspersed with the occasional needle-covered fir, and the ground is barren with no signs of fauna. The thicket is riddled with wards of illusion and enchantment designed to disorient travelers. Flying above the tree line is further befuddling as the trees appear to extend endlessly. Once you entered this area you see that the wayfinder's needle points to a different direction than before.
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Pai whips the wayfinder out of her handy haversack and consults it. "Hmm... Directions never were my strength. Dad always took care of that; I was just along for the ride."
She fumbles with it for a bit, then holds it out to anyone else. Sheepishly, she admits: "Umm, so I've never actually used one of these before. I was just carrying it. Anyone else want to give it a whirl?"
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You follow the direction on the wayfinder and it takes you about two hours to reach the center of the area. in that time a dense fog rolls in and obscures your sight.
You notice what appears to be a robed figure protruding from a tree.
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 should reach 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.
In the distant, near the mill, you spot three plants that move.