After Tianna‘s initial idea to write Fimbrik's magical word on the board, you proceed and this dispels the illusion concealing the door and causes the stone portal to open.
-
E3. Cavern
The cavern beyond the secret door is made of stone. Although the cavern has the aesthetic of a natural cave.
You recognize the walls are not natural; rather, someone cleared this area using the stone shape spells.
This cavern is dark but there is some illumination coming from further ahead.
E4. Repository
Several desks are arranged along the northern and eastern edges of this small stone alcove. Whereas the stonework leading to this chamber is rough, the walls in the alcove are polished. A single gem rests among the neatly filed papers on the desk, emitting a soft magical luminescence that brightens the small room.
The gem on the desk is a cut alexandrite worth 550 gp.
You all start searching and looking around.
There is paperwork on the desk.
The paperwork is a priceless collection of Pathfinder Society lore and information describing dozens of unexplored sites. Most are written in an Azlanti dialect further encrypted using an old cipher employed by the Society centuries ago.
Although it is clear to you that this collection is very important, you have a hard time understanding the documents as they are mostly encrypted.
You would assume that the discovery requires several weeks of careful study by researchers at the Grand Lodge.
Although it is clear to you that this collection is very important, you have a hard time understanding the documents as they are mostly encrypted.
Again, you are discussing and standing in a silent room that looks like it was not touched for ages.
* *
Perception
Initiative
* *
Suddenly, Sharimus, Keiko and Sophia hear footsteps that are approaching fast.
* *
Surprise round - only move or standard action!
Sharimus
Keiko
Sophia
--
Round 1
Tianna
Human greatclub
Male elven archer
Sharimus
Keiko
Sophia
Female dwarf with shortsword
Ouita
BOLD may act!
|
Psychosomatic Surge: Psychic magic soothes the subject, alleviating her wounds temporarily. The mesmerist can trigger this trick when the subject takes damage. The subject gains a number of temporary hit points equal to 1d8 + 1/2 the mesmerist’s level. If the damage from the triggering attack would have reduced the subject to 0 hit points or fewer, this trick grants an additional 1d8 temporary hit points. These temporary hit points last for 1 hour or until discharged.
|
She tosses her torch behind her (free action to drop away from books) and uses her free hand to put the papers away in her pack before the "enemies" appear. (If she won't have time to do all the papers with one hand she will drop her bow too)
She whispers in a hiss "How did they find the password? Or the name to look for? Or anything? Did the door not close behind us or something? Too late now." she shakes her head in frustration.
When you hear a scream you are momentarily startled and see a human with rage in his eyes and a large greatclub in his hands making a move towards Tianna! He hits the ground hard with the greatclub.
* * *
The Elven archer moves forward and sees Sharimus with hate in his eyes!
He shoots an arrow that pierces Sharimus' shoulder!
* *
Round 1
Human greatclub
Male elven archer
Sharimus
Keiko
Sophia
Female dwarf with shortsword
Ouita
-
Round 2
Tianna
BOLD may act!
The brute is suddenly dazed!
After the first hit by Shamus the Brute already has a deep piercing wound!
Suddenly the barbarian freezes because of Sophia's spell.
And when an arrow hits the barbarian in the throat, you see him hit the floor!
The dwarf walks forward.
* *
Round 1
Human greatclub, disabled
Male elven archer
Sharimus
Keiko
Sophia
Female dwarf with shortsword
Ouita
-
Round 2
Tianna
BOLD may act!
The Elven archer shoots at Sharimus again but misses!
"Your blasphemies will not spread you heretics!" he shouts.
* *
Round 2
Male elven archer
Sharimus
Keiko
Sophia
Female dwarf with shortsword
Ouita
-
Round 3
Tianna
BOLD may act!
The dwarf is dazed.
|
|
"We didn't spread any blasphemies, you're mistaken! Back off!"
This time Keiko notices the daze and directs her arrows towards the other archer, taking the time to focus and aim true
After the hit by Shamus the elf has a deep piercing wound and then the arrow takes him out.
Keiko’s second arrow faces cover but still hits the dwarf and she is almost done!
The dwarf is knocked out immediately and is now on the floor.
You bind and gag the elf and dwarf and notice that the human is dead.
During the examination you find two symbols that all of the attackers were carrying with them.
The first symbol is the holy symbol of Norgorber. He is the only evil god amongst the Ascended. He is known as a Taldan deity of thievery and assassination, as well as a keeper of secrets. He is called the 'Reaper of Reputation' by some, but has more insidious titles among his other worshipers. He remains an enigma to most, and his true motives are unknown. Many of his own followers remain ignorant of his plans and designs.
The symbol belongs to an organization called the Harbingers, which was founded around the Book of One Thousand Whispers and that are dedicated to bringing about the promised Age of Glory by making the prophecies from the ancient Book of 1,000 Whispers come true.
The Book of 1,000 Whispers is a book of prophecy used as a guidebook by the Harbingers of Fate in Absalom. This book predicts events happening between the years of 4604 AR and 4714 AR. Unfortunately for the Harbingers, many of the remaining prophecies make no sense.
Additionally, the elf had a written note that unfortunately is written in a strange code.
The note details that the Harbingers want to attempt to make the recorded prophecies within The Book of 1,000 Whispers come true so as to set the world right after the death of the god Aroden. The group has come to the Shrine of the Failed in search of unattended items that fulfill more of the book’s strange conditions, but they have heard of the investigation of the Pathfinders and as their mission is in direct violation of the Harbingers’ mission they are to attack the Pathfindes and try to kill them to ensure the Pathfinders don’t interfere with the foretold omens.
You save your attackers' lives and later learn that they were Harbingers that wanted to kill you because some of the Harbinders' crude prophecies could have been invalidated by Eylysia’s cache.
After surviving the ambush, you are able to leave the Shrine of the Failed after some explanations to the city guard who take the Harbingers into custody.
* * *
The crowd gathered around the Starstone Cathedral has disbanded, and many of the locals are still horrified following Sir Reinhart’s attempt to vault the chasm on horseback, which ended with a fall into oblivion.
You deliver Eylysia’s cache to the Grand Lodge. Drandle Dreng personally thanks you for your successful investigation, indicating his interest in your future careers as Pathfinders.
He speaks with each one of you and should you not have completed your confirmation, the venture-captain promises to speak with Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine to have the process expedited.
Dreng promises that those who have already completed their Confirmation will receive further assignments soon.
In the next weeks you receive a lot of attention as the news about your discovery spreads!
Several Venture-Captains from near and far send you their regards.
* * *
The Wounded Wisp staff is still flabbergasted about your discovery and has received some funding from the society with which they intend to repair the disgrace in their cellar.
You now also enjoy Heryn's gratitude which means that the first drink is always on the house! You can take cooking lessons in the Wisp whenever you want.
And of course you can be sure that several agents in the Wounded Wisp will never forget you and the events of that night.
After about a month you receive a summons to gather in the Grand Lodge as Dreng wants to give you a thorough debrief on this mission.
When you arrive in the meeting room you are all together again but Dreng is not there, yet.
* * *
A little female gnome comes in again and says with a sigh "So sorry, but Dreng is not able to join you again! But Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin will be here shortly! You guys have become popular?! Hee?" she says with a little bit of jealousy in her voice.
She leaves again slamming the door.
|
|
Keiko takes advantage of, and very much enjoys her cooking lessons with Heryn, but in general is very uncomfortable with all this attention and shows up to the Grand Lodge in a...
...very bad disguise (red wig made of yarn), which she immediately removes once within the building. Have to trust someone, sometime. The Pathfinder Society doesn't seem like the sort the let one of their members get kidnapped.
She will serve tea to whoever wants some while they wait, but anyone with a decent perception or sense motive can tell she's on edge from the lack of grace in her serving hands today.
|
Tianna accepts a cup of tea from Keiko. She nods in thanks and returns to reading the spellbook she has been studying in her downtime between jobs. After a moment, though, she looks up from her tome and addresses the woman.
"It is hard to be the center of attention, but believe me, it could be very much worse." Tianna unties the scarf she normally keeps wound around her head, then stands and lifts the back of her loose tunic. Beneath her scarf, there are patches of deep black feathers growing within her black hair; and from Tianna's upper back beneath the tunic sprouts a set of small black-feathered wings.
"I spent the first half my life as the center of worship for a cult devoted to devils, specifically Eyrines. They found me in an orphanage and decided I was some kind of sign of the Furies' or Hell's favor." The Tiefling lowers her tunic again as she continues. "Then I was kidnapped by a rival Iomedaean cult in order to be 'redeemed' and trained to be a weapon in their rivalry against the first cult."
Tianna sighs, this probably is the most talking anyone has ever seen her do. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that my life truly began when I escaped the negative, undiserved attention of both groups that just wanted to use me. And chose for myself who and what causes I would champion. I ended up here, with the Pathfinders, and I haven't regretted it yet."
Her piece spoken, Tianna sits back down, seeming somewhat embarrassed to have revealed so much (physically and emotionally).
|
|
Keiko freezes for a moment with her tea halfway up to her lips. Tianna is Oni-kin? Wait, no they have a different name here.... Tiefling. Right.
Keiko gets over her shock quickly. "Indeed, that does sound much worse. With that history it does not surprise me you chose to hide your true nature. I am glad you escaped to live your own life." She pats Tianna's hand, then pauses for a moment, unsure whether to continue. Trust begets trust. Determination steels in her eyes as she continues "Unlike you, I was fairly happy in my old life as a Samurai Lieutenant for the Daimyo Dukat Kazuyuki... until I discovered the tasks my liege had me perform all had ulterior motives. I was an unwilling tool of evil for far too long, so I left." Well. Surprisingly willing, but also surprisingly ignorant. "Unfortunately, I fear He will not allow me to permanently escape with all the knowledge of his affairs I have gained. That is why I am constantly looking over my shoulder. And why I can probably never go back. He has much power there." She sighs and drinks deeply of her beloved tea, looking into far-off space.
"Perhaps, if these Pathfinders are as good as promised, someday they can help me get Him out of power. If their reach extends that far." Hope blossoms in her eyes.
|
|
Tianna gives Keiko a half smile. "We may be more alike than you think. I thought I was fairly happy too. I had a purpose, and was fulfilling it. It wasn't until much later I realised I was just a pawn in a religious rivalry." She turns to a later page in her book, re-reading something written there, then goes back to her original page.
"The Pathfinders are a mostly politically neutral group. They can't afford to anger people or organizations they might need to be able to work with in the future. But what they are very good at is giving you access to knowledge, training, and contacts that could help you with your own goals."
Tianna raises a hand and focuses her gaze on it intently. As she closes her fist, glowing geometric shapes spark into existence and begin to rotate in the air around her hand. She nods in understated satisfaction as she releases her fist, dispelling the effect.