You are all directed to meet with Venture-Captain Muesello at his lodge in the Taldan capital city of Oppara. The lodge hides behind the facade of a simple bait and tackle shop.
His pockmarked face breaks into a smile as the bell on the door jingles, and he motions for everyone to gather in the building's back room before locking up the shop and propping a sign in the window that reads “Gone fishing.” Lady Glorianna Morilla sits at a table by a small fireplace and Muesello introduces her with the full formalities as a guest of the Society.
Venture-Captain Muesello quietly closes the door behind him before speaking. “The Pathfinder Society does not have a sterling reputation in Taldor, despite my and others' efforts to impress the local movers and shakers. As a result, the most prestigious universities and colleges often deny our agents access to the best libraries in Oppara, thinking we are meddling good-for-nothings. As one of the oldest intact civilizations near the Inner Sea, these libraries no doubt house some very precious volumes.”
“Recently we received a most wonderful opportunity—an invitation, really, from a very powerful patron.” he adds as he withdraws a scroll tube with a broken wax seal from his apron. “This patron will secure us a couple hours in the rare books collection at the Kitharodian Academy, during which we may peruse for whatever we wish so long as we also retrieve several documents of interest for our friend. That,” he punctuates by tapping the scroll tube on the table, “is where things get interesting.”
Letting his hands fall to his side, he says “Apparently there is an even more precious archive hidden beneath the academy's library, and our patron believes it to contain numerous original records and undoctored historical accounts otherwise unknown to the world! Our contact knows how to get into the archive and has shared the secret with us.”
Gesturing to a clock on the wall, he says “Two hours is little time, so you must make the most of your time. I know it will be tempting to research other interests, but it would be selfish for the Society to think of itself when the Worldwound's borders threaten to envelop Mendev and beyond. I am sending you in with the express purpose of uncovering more information about the Shining Crusade, the sustained war against the Whispering Tyrant a millennium ago.”
Lady Morilla snaps open a fan to fend off the room's growing warmth, adding, “Historically, Taldor is the authority on massive military campaigns, but most texts have undergone extensive revision to serve some political agenda or another. Entering this hidden archive is an excellent opportunity to learn from the real mistakes of the past and apply those lessons to the Mendevian Crusade.”
Muesello cautions you “Remember that you have permission to be in the academy's library, but not in this secret archive, so do everything you can to avoid being noticed while exploring. In fact, the fewer clues you leave of your passage, the better.”
“Specifically do not steal or destroy any of the library's contents. A few slip-ups might alert the authorities that someone has been poking around, and too many with give them enough evidence to trace this act to us.”
Muesello opens a drawer in the table and begins pulling out a couple small parcels wrapped in cloth. “Any questions?”
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Toral is a young Dwarf from a Kelish merchant family. He always felt the pull of the heavens and stars.
Toral embraces the lessons of the past as the heavens have watched over this world since the beginning of time.
He is a stoic negotiator but has an empathic approach. He is very perceptive and understands people's motives which is very important as a merchant.
He typically walks around in his full plate and during battle tries not to attack but use spells and hexes instead.
Toral's family has deep roots in the Exchange faction of the Pathfinder Society.
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"We are to do this secret mission together with this not very stealthy group then Venture Captain?! Hmm ... first I thought this is again one of these missions! I thought that the Exchange again forgot that I have a business to run! A business! The only reason for dragging my body to these Pathfinder events is the good pay ... and obviously the contacts and relationships ... but a possibility to gain influence for the society is worth it I think!" he says with a stern look on his face.
"This means we need to act! Trust is the basis of my business relationships and I don't want anybody to catch us! Such a shadow would be hanging over me and my brothers!" he says with determination in his voice.
"Well, I should complain less and work harder to get back to my enterprise ASAP!"
He looks at the other Pathfinders.
"Let us find out how we can aid the crusade!"
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Grelthe is a towering but incredibly affable half-orc with a shock of firey red hair, and facial features that lean more toward her human side. She's clad in scratched & dented scale armor, wearing a simple but stout gold chain around her throat.
Grelthe chose this mission because of her interest in military histories, religious crusades, and her new burgeoning interest in books. White Estrid made sure to see to her education once she caught her attention.
"So if I understand correctly, we are not to take anything in the rare books library we are allowed/supposed to be in, but we ARE to take whatever books we find that refer to the Shining Crusade from the SECRET archive, yes? Is it also important to keep everything else in the secret archive looking untouched?" Also she eyes the scroll tube. "Are we allowed to know who this powerful patron is? If we do end up getting caught where we were not supposed to be, can they offer us any official support?"
Looking towards Toral, Lady Morilla replies “If something of note happens on Golarion, the Kitharodian scholars tend to hear about it. Muesello and I have selected you” she gestures to include the whole group “because the librarians are unlikely to recognize you and know you as Pathfinders.”
Looking to the whole group, Lady Morilla then says “Tomorrow evening, the Kitharodian Academy will host an extravagant orchestral performance in celebration of the Grand Prince's birthday. Such an event should last several hours, and if rumors are to be believed, the Kitharodian's finest intend to play a complex medley of Taldor's greatest songs.”
“Several of these are rather dramatic at times, and the sound should drown out any noise you make. With any luck, the performance will also draw away most of the guards.”
Muesello then slides the cloth-wrapped parcels toward the group of you.
“This one,” he says, tapping the first parcel, “contains a deck of illusions that I am in the process of modifying; instead of each card creating a random creature, each one creates a copy of one of you. The illusions won't interact with anyone, but they can pretend to be reading and deceive the casual observer. Each only lasts for two hours, though. Stick a card to the bottom of a chair to create the illusion, and don't forget to remove the card when you're done.”
He pauses to let his instructions sink in.
“The other package contains several potions in case of emergency.”
Muesello then rummages through a desk and collects a stack of writing materials which he sets out for your group. “I trust you know how to take notes. Use these to copy the most critical information. It is possible you could slip one or two scrolls or even a book out without notice, but the less you take the less likely the infiltration is to be noticed.”
“Use your best judgement here.”
Looking in the second package, Toral finds two labeled potions, Invisibility and Pass Without Trace.
Muesello tells the group “I labeled them and they are both fairly common potions. One turns you invisible and mutes any sounds you make while moving, while the other prevents you from leaving any tracks or scent behind. There are only the two potions, so choose wisely who uses them when.”
He will explain in detail each potion functions if someone needs it.
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A nobly dressed man of mostly Taldan descent raises his hand. "Now, of course, I am the Baronet Liacenza by grace of Princess Eutropia, so I have little to fear," he says pompously, "But the rabble among us, is there any sort of punishment that they might be exposed to?" Those particularly acute to accents may note that his voice still has a slight twang to it common to the River Kingdoms. He's not a native citizen of Taldor.
"I do have an idea for our benefit, if we can acquire the required magical provisions. I will rely on m'lady's contacts for help." He nods towards Lady Morilla.
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Elris is a rugged man of Ulfen heritage and his voice is like stepping through coarse gravel to match. However, his crimson scale armor, bastard sword, and shield are immaculately maintained. He bears a crest of a sword crossed with a red wing on his shield.
"Having more knowledge on the past crusades is something I can get behind. Ragathiel bless me, for research and subtlety are not my normal means of service. Yet, there are boons I can call upon." Elris says as he listens to the briefing conclude.
He thinks for a moment, "Not that I expect to or want to get into any altercations within the library but will we be able to take our gear, just in case?"
Muesello frowns at Baronet Liacenza’s statement.
He hesitates for a moment before answering. “I have little doubt that we're performing some small piece of a larger political plan, even if we benefit from the service. That said, I would hate to lose an entire team of promising Pathfinders. If you must, use this as a bargaining chip…” he says as he hands the scroll case over to Grelthe.
“Nearly anyone you meet will look at you more favorably if you surrender it, but doing so would certainly risk our friend's cover. I'm giving it to you because I trust your discretion in the matter.”
You notice that Lady Morilla betrays a moment's discomfort at Muesello's notion of exchanging the scroll tube for freedom, but she quickly suppresses her dismay.
He then answers Elris, saying “Yes, certainly! Please do bring any gear you might need.”
“I agree that if the archive is truly secret, then it's unlikely that you will encounter many people. I imagine there might be traps, so be careful and resourceful.”
"As Muesello mentioned, giving up the scroll would carry political consequences." She gives an encouraging smile and says "Please do your best to avoid us incurring those consequences. It would hurt both the Society and our benefactor."
You notice that there is a broken seal on the scroll tube. With a Kn: Nobility check you might be able to tell who’s seal it is.
Muesello gives a quick nod of assent. “There are instructions in there for your group. I wasn’t going to use up the limited time we have during this meeting, but you will most certainly want to study it before tomorrow night.”
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The young elf's face lights up at the description of the hidden archive.
Wow, and ancient secret library. I wonder what engineering marvels they employed at war, during the shining crusade. I could get my hands on some designs from those archives...
Clearly Ela has a particular bent in exploring the archives. If she gets the sense that others are giving her funny looks over the particular interest, she exclaims What? You never know, an invention back then could have turned the tides in a battle, or the crusade in general!
As she talks she fidgets with her pistol, over-polishing it.
Muesello asks “Anything else you would like to know or should we adjourn the meeting?”
Lady Morilla looks to Iacopo and says “I would like a short word with you after we adjourn, Baronet.”
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Toral looks at his fellow Pathfinder companions.
"You should all know that the broken seal is that of Princess Eutropia— Grand Prince Stavian III's only child. She has been maneuvering to take the throne upon his death, despite the nation's tradition of crowning a male heir." he says and looks at the VC.
"I am ready to leave."
Muesello escorts the rest of you out, leaving Iacopo and Lady Morilla alone in the back room.
He makes sure you have the scroll tube, package with the potions, plenty of writing instruments and parchment.
When you inspect the contents of the scroll tube in detail, you find an unsigned letter that describes many of the mission's details and a formal request signed by the Arch-Exarch Gregorius to admit the bearers to the Kitharodian Academy's rare books collection.
The unsigned letter mentions that you can find the hidden entrance to the archive by studying honor, courage, and glory.
The other package has the potions and deck of cards. There are enough cards for each of you plus one for Walter the Toad.
You have until tomorrow to prepare.
Lady Morilla waits until the door has closed before speaking to you.
“Most of Taldor's shortsighted nobles have not deigned to aid the Mendevian Crusade in any significant way, and as you may know, I am raising an independent army to march to the Worldwound and reignite the glory that Taldor once commanded.”
“All goes well, but the demons act more quickly than we can recruit.“
“We need something—some kind of holy relic or the like—that the noble and the brave can rally behind. This nation has led countless crusades, but the public records contain little reliable information. If you find clues about such an object, record everything that you can about it so that we might use it for the good of Avistan.”
Muesello finds you during the day and gives you a single slip of paper.
“Ambrus Valsin sent me this message. It is written in a Taldan cipher that the Society is yet to crack. If you find any notes about old codes that work for this message, report back with your findings.”
The Kitharodian Academy, colloquially called “the Kith,” this bard college is the largest in the city, and ranks among the largest on Golarion. Although this grand academy allows all souls that wishes to enroll the chance to prove themselves, students must adhere to a code of education and rigorous self discipline. Each department advisor sets forth the graduation requirements for their students.
The Kitharodian Academy sits atop the northern cliffs of Oppara and has an impressive view of the Porthmos River valley. The school boasts architecture as lovely as its music, and elegant domes, towers, and columns adorn the principle music hall. On the night of the performance, mirror-focused lanterns and dancing lights illuminate the structure, making the academy a radiant beacon of Taldor's greatness.
Your group arrives a short time before the performance outside the Kith to find crowds of commoners and nobility alike jostling to enter the music hall. You manage to push your way into the increasingly crowded building without problem.
You could try to find an usher to guide you to the library, or attempt to find it on your own.
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Ela's eyes nearly bug out at the density of the crowds. Being shorter, she latches on the back of Igor's cloak and follows tightly in his wake, presuming that he is correct about his recollection of details.
Great. I'll take your word for it. Just keep flowing through the crowd so that I can follow the parting.
Sometimes as they jostle through, other concert-goers notice the gap in the crowd and have to look down to notice she's there.
Igor is able to lead the group to the library.
The library is nearly empty thanks to the imminent performance, but a young Taldan man greets you as you enter,
“Hello, may I help you find something? You appear to be lost.”
He points back the way you came and explains “The performance is in the main auditorium. If you hurry, you will still be able to get there before the performance begins.”
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Igor is able to lead the group to the library.
The library is nearly empty thanks to the imminent performance, but a young Taldan man greets you as you enter,
“Hello, may I help you find something? You appear to be lost.”
He points back the way you came and explains “The performance is in the main auditorium. If you hurry, you will still be able to get there before the performance begins.”
Toral looks at the man with a smile.
“We have been given permission to study in the library. Here is the document you surely wish to inspect to verify that!“ he says and hands it over.
The man takes the document and reads it through.
Nodding, he looks up and says “I am Tobias, the librarian on duty tonight. If you would follow me, I will show you to the rare books collection.” As he leads you to the rare books collection he tells you “Your document appears in order. I must remind you that all visitors must leave the library once the performance concludes in about two hours.”
A large table stands at the center of this large room, whose walls are lined with rows upon rows of inset shelves. A set of double doors is the only way into the room, and two stone statues depicting bearded scholars with open books are the only other decorations.
“Call if you need any help.”
Having said that, he closes the door leaving your group alone in the rare books collection.
As he closes the door, you can hear the musicians warming up for tonight’s performance.