"I think the order discussed is right FIllia." Samildanach replies as Aldaran begins to place the Statues in order. "Loyalty, perseverance and all that seem like the characteristics of the hot wind filled Tadans I know, never heard them say they were hunters."
After some discussion, Aldran begins placing the statues. He fits the lion with spectacles and scroll in the first recess, the crouching lion in the second position, and the lion straining against a chain in the third position. With the lion draped in Taldor's flag in hand, Fillia stops him.
Aldran, after waiting for Fillia to withdraw her objection, places the fourth statue in the last recess. Nothing obvious occurs in response, so Fillia and Ēoswulf work on opening the door.
Chests of expert craftsmanship line the walls, and on the far side of the room stand two bookshelves burdened with yellow-paged tomes and sundry ancient trinkets. Banners and tapestries cover nearly every inch of the walls, each representing long-dead nations or depicting conflicts never chronicled.
Map updated. This is a medium room that would take a single person 60 minutes to search alone; up to five PCs can search together to reduce that time. The text-based skills shown on the slides are the only skills that may be used to find clues in this room without penalty. Remember that you have clues that can provide bonuses on these skill checks, and any skill may be used with a discretionary penalty if you roleplay your reasoning.
"Well, no news is good news I suppose." Samildanach says with a shrug, entering the chamber underneath the Lion headed statue. Eyeing the chests they give a low whistle. "I wonder if there might be something in one o' them suitable for the Guardian's vessel?" they muse aloud before beginning their search for more information requested by the Society.
Seeing how they had been having luck so far with healing tomes - the privateer continues their search for more knowledge this time looking for preventative methods for the conditions likely suffered at the worldwound.
'Hmm...trying to see where one might hide something didn't do me any good...what if...'
Recalling all the object's he'd previously used to cast magical spells, both divine and arcane, he quickly casts Detect Magic and begins perusing the room.
Grabbing random objects, he tries to blindly activate any magic within.
Taldor keeps some of its most dangerous texts here, including primary, unmodified accounts of events from millennia ago, original versions of laws since replaced, records of foreign policy debacles quickly silenced in the interest of decorum, and remarkably objective (and sometime empathetic) biographies of enemies
of the state. Exploring this trove of historical wealth in detail would take weeks, not hours, so you focus on the task at hand and uncover a couple more important texts that you think the Society can use.
Aldran, Hudor, and Vraxam find the clues Grave Consequences and Lines of Succession, which can now be seen in the slides.
Vraxam:
You find a thin journal that explores the origins of Tar-Baphon, studies the circumstance of his lichdom, and analyzes what the author knew of his necromantic techniques from the perspective of a scholar searching for a weak spot in the Whispering Tyrant’s defenses. You realize this would be very valuable to the Dark Archive.
DC 15 Intelligence, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (religion), or Spellcraft:
Spoiler:
You determine that by carefully reading between the lines, one might be able to use the author’s notes to recreate several of the Whispering Tyrant’s techniques; these include novel ways to command undead, methods for empowering necromancy spells, and even a few details about how to become a lich. You realize that recording a few notes isn’t enough to capture these details; the entire journal would be necessary. You think that smuggling the journal out of the library and delivering it to Zarta Dralneen would definitely earn you favor.
Much of the relics and historical artifacts here are valuable by nature of their origins and age, not their condition or material. While searching for texts, Ēoswulf runs across a heavy bronze shield decorated with a lion’s head in the same style as The Guardian’s.
You can continue searching in this room (for ½ the time of the original search) or move on.
”Hmm, well it seems sturdy enough and the boss matches their carving so we can but ask right?” Samildanach replies, grabbing the shield and tucking it under an arm. ”Hopefully they won’t miss it, being in a secret chamber after all.”
Unsure exactly what time remains, Samildanach will start heading out of the room and towards the main chamber and the Lion Guardian. ”We need to tell the caretaker to lock up after us right?”
As they start leaving, Samildanach spots the sneaky Halfling living up to racial stereotypes and rolls their eyes before turning on them. "Hey, i'm all for a little plunder, but going against captain's orders is sure to bring unwanted notice, even after the fact. I doubt whatever you've found is worth our reputation." They say sternly, a disappointed frown upon their face.
That's a question that I'm just not allowed to answer directly. The initial notes for each room contain enough information to calculate this, though; make sure you add a little buffer of time to your calculation for general moving about, and the conversations you had with The Guardian and Iliyana.
It sounds like you're preparing to leave, perhaps with a stop by The Guardian to see if he likes the shield? If anyone wants to challenge Vraxam's subterfuge, we can play that in parallel while you work on your exit, if you like. Just let me know where you're heading next and I'll move us along.
"Huh? Oh, if caught I promise I'll think of something to say." replies the halfling with a smile. "You won't be the ones blamed though. You have my word."
You return to the main library and stop by The Guardian. "Back so soon? Was The Guardian's advice helpful? Did you find what you needed? Did you find something for me?"
Nodding to the Guardian, Samildanach nods and lifts the heavy Bronze Shield. "Aye, ye were most helpful Guardian. We've discovered much, how useful is for other minds. But for now we have found this for ye. Hope it suits."
The Guardian's eyes light up. "Well done! This shield once held an enchantment similar to my own! It's not there any longer, but I can see the bones of it!" The Guardian looks thoughtful. "Are you willing to take me with you in this thing? To help me see the world?"
The Guardian's face leans out from the wall, distending a bit in places as it gingerly grasps the shield in its mouth. Its eyes close as it concentrates; you can see the shield's patina recede as a bright shiny luster begins rolling out from where the mouth grips the shield.
Suddenly, the shield clatters to the ground. The face of The Guardian remains on the wall, but it is stony and solid, and stares absently forward. "Excellent!" the shield exclaims from the floor. "Ahhh, I can't wait to be free! Who is going to carry me out? I'll aid you in all of your endeavors!"
Whoever picks up The Guardian:
You note an inscription inside the shield that wasn't there before: Glorymane
M Dwarf (core) Fighter / 1 Cleric / 1 HP 21 /21 AC 19 ( Touch 11 Flat 18) / Fort +7 | Ref +2 | Will +4 / CMB +4 | CMD 15 / Init +1/ Perception +1(+3 vs, stone work)
"Someone still might recognize the shield when we try and leave. Me thinks that it could be better to disguise it as a more normal looking shield, ye know less regal look to it." Aldran advises.
"At the very least we could cover it with a cloak or something."
Considering the predicament as he looks at the stone statue and back at the shield, Vraxam shrugs.
Leaning down, he grabs the shield and casts a spell on himself. A glammer, starting at the top of his head and sliding down to his toes changes everything about the man to look just as he had moments ago...though the shield looks like a tattered backpack.
Sliding his own pack off, he puts Glory-Pack on. "There, hows that? I can maintain this look for about half a candle."
Cast Disguise Self - Will DC 15 if interacted with - lasts 30min
"We should have like enough time to get back and maybe like we can also leave early if so." She says after slowly counting the time back since they entered.
Can we even leave before the performance has ended?
Fillia is the first to hear another coming crescendo in the music above; Hudor and Vraxam confirm her thoughts almost immediately. You time your return through the secret door to this peak in the music, and you're sure that you're not heard.
Your illusory doubles sit at the table, flipping pages as they studiously research.
Nothing you were told indicates that you would be required to stay for the whole 2 hours.
Moving out of the secret entrance, Samildanach makes sure to close it after them before moving to retrieve the card from beneath the chair as long as they are not observed. "Right, best we sit for a few moments more and look like we've been here and put our books back." they speak softly to the group before taking their own advice and sitting down. He realises the book he pulled off was thoroughly unhelpful and uninteresting to boot and groans.
Fillia upon seeing that Samidanach takes care of covering their tracks, turns to her position and removes her card as well. Her book concerning Jungles of Mwangi or something close was at least a little interesting.
"I think like best if we leave early too. "
Good to hear that. The earlier we make our move the less we have to risk.
M Dwarf (core) Fighter / 1 Cleric / 1 HP 21 /21 AC 19 ( Touch 11 Flat 18) / Fort +7 | Ref +2 | Will +4 / CMB +4 | CMD 15 / Init +1/ Perception +1(+3 vs, stone work)
After getting his card, Aldran gathers up the books the "He was reading the whole time". And places them back on the book cases.
He nods to the others and heads for the door.
Vraxam takes a seat, and slides the card out from under the chair. Spending a few more minutes reading the book about the glorious devil's of his ancestors, he replaces the tome.
With a nod towards Aldran, he pretends to look at the titles of a few more. 'We came in together, we should probably leave together'
You gather and return the books that you've been "researching," and everyone grabs their card of illusion from beneath their chair. Heading to the front desk, Tobias catches sight of you and looks up with a little surprise. "Done already?" He checks the clock and smiles. "That's the beauty of the Kith. Best library in Taldor, I've always said, and probably anywhere else but maybe Absalom." Pride shines clearly on his face. "Here, I'll walk you out!"
He escorts you back, the way you originally came, holding the Academy's front doors open for you as you exit, the sounds of the performance louder here outside the Music Hall than they have been anywhere else in your exploration.
You return to Venture-Captain Muesello's bait-and-tackle shop. Both the Venture-Captain and Lady Morilla await you. "You're done early; I hope that means good news?" he asks, shutting the door behind you. "Did you find what we need?"
Lady Morilla interrupts the Venture-Captain. "Do you still have the Princess' letter?"
Aldran Ironfoot
Hudor Nero
Samildanach The Dread
Vraxam Uldar
Sethran
Shen Hawaah