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Your task begins when Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin personally delivers a letter to each of you, wherever that may be. Valsin doesn’t know the contents of the letter, only that it comes from one of the Decemvirate.
Valued Agents,
Know that your actions have not gone unnoticed, and because of this I task you with this most important mission.
Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng has undertaken a long-term extraplanar visit to Shadow Absalom. If you’re not aware, Shadow Absalom is the version of Absalom that exists within the Shadow Plane and is a sort of dark mirrored version of our own city. Drandle’s spent his time within the city investigating an organization known as the Onyx Alliance. He’s been operating undercover, keeping his affiliation with the Pathfinder Society hidden from all but a trusted few.
Over the past several years, the Onyx Alliance has taken bold moves against our organization, particularly striking our longstanding allies, the Blakros Family. Venture-Captain Dreng’s report indicates an upturn in recruitment and smuggling following what we thought was a long period of inactivity from the Alliance. Dreng’s since indicated he’ll be staying near the Glaresight Inn within Shadow Absalom and continuing his surveillance.
Meanwhile, the Blakros family matriarch, Hamaria Blakros, has requested the aid of skilled Pathfinder Society agents. Together, the timing on Dreng’s report and this request from the Blakros family suggest that the Onyx Alliance may be stepping up their activities against us.
For now, go to the Blakros Museum and meet with Hamaria. Assist the Blakros matriarch in whatever way you and your fellow Pathfinders can. If it’s clear that the Onyx Alliance is involved and you must travel to Shadow Absalom, then seek out Drandle Dreng at the Glaresight Inn for further guidance.
My trust is with you,
One of the Ten
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As you share any previous experiences in dealing with the Blakros Museum with your fellow Pathfinders, or otherwise bide your time before your meeting there in the morning, you reflect upon the letter, pondering on what you might recall concerning the Onyx Alliance…
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A lean and agile man with red hair walks forward.
”Hey everyone, I am Suussmaar! I see that you are already chatting! Did I miss anything?
He has a bastard sword at his hip and a longbow on his back.
He wears a mithral chainshirt that looks like it has not seen much battle.
Resting on top of his chest is an amulet showing the holy symbol of Ragathiel which looks like a bastard sword crossed with a crimson wing.
“Only a letter? Hmm ... I know a little about the background: Over the past four years, the Onyx Alliance has undergone a drastic shift in its policies and leadership. No one knows the full scope of the coup that took place. However, it’s clear that things have changed. The Alliance is even thought to be sending envoys of peace to their longtime enemies, the Light Weavers’ Guild!“
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Grunjar is sitting in a bar in Absalom (relaxing after a long, cold adventure in the land of the linnorm kings) when Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin walks in and delivers the letter.
How did he know where to find me?
Grunjar thanks the obviously annoyed VC, opens the letter right after he left and reads it.
He then thinks about any bits and pieces of information he may have come across regarding the Onyx Alliance, enhancing his thought process with divine magic and more dwarven ale.
Maybe it was a little too much dwarven ale - he cannot recall anything about the Onyx Alliance...
A dwarf, taller than average, in a masterfully forged heavy armor walks through the doors of the Blakros Museum and starts to look around.
He is wearing a wooden necklace in the shape of a butterfly, and a starknife on his hip.
"Lady Luck's blessing, fellow Pathfinders. I am Grunjar, humble cleric of Desna. Pleased to meet you!"
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Bedisa scratches her chin. "What're the Blakros's up to this time? I feel like I keep getting them out of messes. Don't get me started with their wedding..."
Bedisa is a rather large half-orc adorned in various rings. She hands each other person on her mission one. "Take these rings. The Warrior's Ring, Falayna would bless you. Each are hand made with love.". Some of the rings are bone or ivory or wood - not worth anything but Bedisa looks sincerely happy with her work.
A small bird lands on her shoulder. "And this is Swaine, my familiar."
Listening in to Suussmaar, Bedisa nods at his description of the Onyx Alliance. "I've heard that the Onyx Alliance has a new storehouse - the Wightir House. It was once used as an experimentation lab, but the Alliance’s new leadership has since repurposed it. Rumors suggest that the Wightir House is now a storage site containing various relics for Onyx Alliance use."
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Elenial greets her fellow pathfinders quietly with a nod when each of them arrives. Next to her sits a wolf. "I am Elenial Windwalker and this is Barry."
She listens to Suussmaar's and Bedisa's information about the Onyx Alliance carefully. She never heard about them before, so this information can really be helpful in this mission.
When Bedisa hands her a ring she puts it on her finger and says "Thank you. They look really beautiful. I wish I had the skills to create things like these."
"I think there's one more missing. Let's wait before we leave."
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A jovial monk comes hurrying in. "So sorry to keep you waiting! Bon Jon Bovi's the name - I'm most please to meet you all. Now, where are we off to this time? Oh, the Blackros Museum? Well, that should be fun - nice of the society to send us on a sightseeing excursion for a change! I can't imagine anything could possibly go wrong there..."
Arriving at the stately and infamous Blakros Museum, a young human clerk appears and welcomes you. At Jon’s comment, she rolls her eyes, but you can tell she doesn’t disagree with his sentiment. She quickly directs you to a private office where Hamaria Blakros and Nigel Aldain await.
Hamaria Blakros, matriarch and head of the Blakros family, gently rests the tips of her fingers on the wooden desk in front of her, the sound like the firing of a crossbow bolt in the silence. “Ah good, you’ve finally arrived. I see the Pathfinder Society remains eager to continue our ongoing association, and while I dearly wish this were a matter of import, I’m afraid this request borders on the... pedantic.”
Nigel Aldain, the elven curator standing at Hamaria’s side, twinges at the matriarch’s comment. He gives a weak smile and a brief nod before seeing himself out of the office. Hamaria motions for your clerk/guide to close the private office door as Nigel leaves.
“Pedantic, but important,” she smoothly picks up where she left off. ”You see, over the past few years, it has come to my attention that several important items have gone missing from our exhibits. Nigel believes that most of these disappearances are the result of Pathfinders, specifically the destructive means agents like yourselves tend to employ when working within the museum. While Nigel has cited recent actions involving Ralzeros or, as he puts it, the ‘so-called defense of our Shining Crusade exhibits from the northerners,’ I find it hard to believe that a conjured fireball could destroy magical relics that have withstood centuries or millennia of much worse battering. I’ve also heard rumors that these objects may have found their way into the hands of enemies.”
Hamaria gingerly walks her fingers toward a slip of parchment on the desk, pinning it in place with her forefinger before sliding it across the table. “This is a list of items that Nigel recently cataloged as missing. I’d like for you to investigate these items and see what you can find within our records here. Our clerks can help you in whatever way you need, as should Nigel, though you may find it difficult to convince him.”
A weapon used in the defense of Nerosyan during the commencement of the Fifth Mendevian Crusade. The crusading blade saw use during the siege when a family member attempted to retrieve the blade and perished from asphyxiation. A Pathfinder secured it shortly after and used the weapon in the battle against the demonic attackers.
Missing. I can’t prove the Pathfinders burned this one, so it’s not listed as destroyed. Instead, I have strong suspicions that this weapon “disappeared” during the recent Ralzeros incident.
A wax recreation of Linnorm King Elgar Fahrstad produced by the Golemworks in Magnimar. Left inanimate as part of a display piece showcasing Fahrstad’s saga of slaying the only known sea linnorm prior to reaching Valenhall. Activated only as a security measure in defense of the museum.
Destroyed. Fire this time. You may think I’m repeating myself, but the Pathfinders really do enjoy employing fireballs in confined spaces. This time they melted four of our golems, and I need not remind you that our gold reserves aren’t limitless.
Headdress retrieved from an ancient Osiriani tomb complex. Believed to have once been in the possession of the Cerulean Pharaoh, though it was entombed with one of the Pharaoh’s trusted servants upon that servant’s death. The Pharaoh remarked in hieroglyphic writing that “Even death should not allow this valued servant from travelling the world as this headpiece has let me.”
Destroyed. This is a shame. A junior Pathfinder agent attempted to don and use the headdress during a simple cataloguing mission. They didn’t realize it was magical, and it created a backlash that turned both her and the headdress to dust. We really need to stop letting the untrained examine our relics!
A painting made by the renowned spiritual historian, Yamada Osa. This painting depicts an aerial view of a Tian Xia village positioned between a sprawling forest and a rising fog-shrouded mountain. Rain permeates the image and it has been reported that those who stare too long at the image note the smearing style of art may in fact be visible rain.
Destroyed by inattentive Pathfinders during the Shining Crusade defense. Melt marks from an acidic ray around portrait stall 12 are still visible and have yet to be properly cleaned.
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Hamaria concludes your meeting with ”I would prefer not to answer questions at the moment. You should conduct your own investigation on these missing items and not rely on my input or opinions before you submit your findings to me.” It’s clear from her tone that you’ve been dismissed to your task.
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You wisely decide to investigate the missing items in the order they are listed on the inventory; the first item up is the Crusader's Blade. The archivists inform you that this blade has been missing for more than a year; however, they show you several archival sketches of the blade so you can get a sense of its appearance…
You discern that the missing blade had nothing to do with the Mendevian Crusades and was likely just an old family heirloom. Specifically, its style is more consistent with Taldan smithing conventions than Mendevian.
You also canvas the museum staff for any information they might be able to shed on the missing blade…
One of the staff members recalls that the last person to look at the blade was an interested Pathfinder agent, about a year ago. She took the blade off its pedestal, looked at it for a while, and then returned it. The blade disappeared a few weeks later. This agent was a tall, golden-skinned woman with curly black hair, brown eyes, and a habit of humming to herself.
You match the Pathfinder’s description with an agent named Kaliba Damazi. Kaliba was last seen fighting during the Onyx Alliance’s raid on the Grand Lodge in 4712 AR. No one saw or heard from her again after that, so she was presumed to have been among the battle’s numerous casualties, and after magical attempts to contact her failed, she was officially declared dead 7 years ago. As she had not made provisions to be raised it would appear that she was dead long before the blade disappeared.
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"I'll talk to the staff!"
He canvases the museum staff for any information they might be able to shed on the missing blade…
"Hey team, listen: One of the staff members recalls that the last person to look at the blade was an interested Pathfinder agent, about a year ago. She took the blade off its pedestal, looked at it for a while, and then returned it. The blade disappeared a few weeks later. This agent was a tall, golden-skinned woman with curly black hair, brown eyes, and a habit of humming to herself. That is not the story that Nigel wrote down! We need to find the agent!"
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You return to the Grand Lodge, seeking more information about the missing agent. A helpful gnome in the Personnel Records Department leads you to a room marked Missing In Action.
Among the stacks of files, you are able to match the Pathfinder’s description with an agent named Kaliba Damazi. Kaliba was last seen fighting during the Onyx Alliance’s raid on the Grand Lodge in 4712 AR. No one saw or heard from her again after that, so she was presumed to have been among the battle’s numerous casualties, and after magical attempts to contact her failed, she was officially declared dead 7 years ago. As she had not made provisions to be raised it would appear that she was dead long before the blade disappeared.
This information is certainly enough to dispute Nigel's assertion that the Society is responsible for the Blade's disappearance. Something else hinky may be going on here, but it wasn't the Society's fault for a change.
When you return to the Blakros Museum, you proceed to check out the next item, the wax golem.
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As the missing wax golem seems to be more straightforward, the museum staff direct you to a cordoned off area that they simply refer to as ‘the waste pile,’ which is the result of an overeager Pathfinder hurling a fireball spell into a group of advancing wax golems. You examine the resultant melted wax pile..
After examining the pile for 30 minutes, you discover that the pile only accounts for three destroyed golems, instead of the four that Nigel’s notes indicate.
When canvassing various staff members about the golem, they seem reluctant to speak but you press them on the matter…
You learn that various staff members remember seeing the Fahrstad golem in different poses after periods of supposed inactivity. The staff are hesitant to speak of the golem because they find it unnerving, and they sometimes tell each other scary stories about it in hushed tones. Some of them express relief that the golems have been destroyed. The staff also report finding flakes of wax around the museum in odd places, particularly in the Linnorm Kings exhibits.
You recall documented cases of wax golems sometimes obtaining a modicum of sentience.
You find flakes of wax scattered about the museum, though a distinct trail leads to a sealed vault.
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Bedisa chats with several of the staff members. They mention seeing the Fahrstad golem in various poses after supposed inactivity. "Intriguing. That is indeed unnerving. But intriguing nonetheless.". They also mention reports of seeing flakes of wax around the museum, particularly in the Linnorm Kings exhibit.
"Perhaps someone should investigate that exhibit to see what they can find."
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Bedisa canvasses the staff who readily open up to the friendly half-orc lady. Meanwhile Suussmaar picks up a distinct trail of wax flakes leading toward a mysterious sealed vault. Elenial sifts through the pile of melted debris and confirms that there were only ever three golems fused together, not the four that are missing.
Seeing you follow the wax flake trail, one of the Assistants Curators hurries over to the sealed vault when she sees your interest in it.
"My apologies, but Nigel is quite busy at the moment. You cannot enter this vault without the express permission of Hamaria Blakros; a powerful artifact with ties to the Shadow Plane lies within called the shadow obelisk. This artifact is particularly dangerous because it can open a portal to the Shadow Plane."
Looking at the vault, you realize that the lock's complexity is way beyond your experience to open, and you return to examine the next item in the list.
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You deem the best course of action in investigating the missing nemes (a form of Osiriani headdress) is to learn more about the Pathfinder who died during its supposed destruction…
You recall hearing of a Chalos Visanda, a female half-elf, as something of a loud-mouthed agent who always chafed at being assigned seemingly low-importance missions. You also remember that Chalos was quite well versed in knowledge of magical items, so her sudden destruction of the artifact seems something of a freak accident.
Upon questioning and/or cajoling the museum staff, you potentially learn more about the nemes’ destruction…
You find a museum clerk who remembers the incident and convince him to speak of it; the description the staff member gives matches Nigel’s report.
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Bedisa walks up to a museum clerk. Starting with some small talk ("Nice weather we've been having, eh?"), so starts asking about the Nemes of the Cerulean Pharaoh. Apparently he remembers the incident and the description the staff member gives matches Nigel's report.
But the more Bedisa thinks about it, the more clear it becomes. 'Even death should not allow this valued servant from travelling the world as this headpiece has let me.'
"Isn't it clear? The nemes didn't disintegrate the agent. It's obviously a teleportation item!"
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Easily recognizing that the nemes wasn’t “destroyed” by a “magical backlash” as Nigel had reported, you quickly move on to the strangest and most mysterious item….
The painting, which depicted a village in Tian Xia, has yet to be replaced. The still unrepaired stall where it once was displayed bears several acid marks. You study the acid burns, hoping to find out what relevance they carry…
As with the other missing items, you once again question the staff members, who seem a bit anxious about the missing painting…
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Beidsa gets on the good side of the staff, sweet talking them. "So it was an unnerving painting. No one liked it - patrons, staff, etc. Managed to sweet talk a lovely old staffer. We're doing coffee later this week I think. Anyways, she let it slip that it disappered in the attack on the Shining Crusade exhibit, not in a Pathfinder-related incident.". Bedisa strokes her chin. "They hated it so much and didn't want it recovered and returned."
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"Hm... teleportation... something about the Pharaoh... but I can't put my finger on it... Any ideas, Elenial?"
Grunjar silently observes Bedisa's sweet talking, getting some strange vibes from the staff. When the pathfinders are alone again, he informs them about his observations:
"I've got a feeling that the staff are hiding some sort of secret. Am I right, Bedisa?"
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With the staff's confession, you know you have enough to dispute Nigel's assessment of what happened to the painting as well.
Your investigation complete, you return to Hamaria Blakros to report the results of your investigation. Nigel Aldain stands just to the side and behind her, appearing a bit anxious.
Lady Blakros rises upon your approach, eyeing each of you in turn. "Well, let's not beat around the bush. What did you find out?"
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Bedisa smiles at Lady Blakros. 'She doesn't remember me. But that's okay. She's an important lady.'
"First, the missing blade. We believe a Pathfinder named Kaliba Damazi was involved. But she was declared dead 7 years ago after an Onyx Alliance raid.". Bedisa looks down and shuffles her feat.
"We also believe there is a wax golem wandering around the museum and is conveniently located in a sealed vault. It would be prudent to investigate that as soon as possible."
Bedisa looks at her companions, letting them chime in with what else they found.
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Suussmaar looks at the group and then at Nigel.
"Mr. Aldain, I can sense that you are concerned with how you'll fare in front of your mother-in-law upon our report. I have to admit that our findings show that your reports were all wrong. While we thus have to dispute your initial reports on each item, we feel that you did not deliberately falsify any reports! You Mr. Aldain just did not dig quite deep enough when investigating and also lacked the background into Pathfinder lore that our group togther has! Here you can find our report on what really happened beyond Bedisa first statement." he says and the group presents their findings.
He then looks at Lady Blakros.
"Something is not quite right here and it seems that you are being watched and that it has something to do with the shadow plane!"
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Bon Jon scratches the stubble on his head ruefully. "Seems like some shenanigans afoot around here. We know the museum's business model relies on it being a peaceful and tranquil place for a Sunday outing so don't you worry - we'll get to the bottom of it without disturbing none of your patrons. As my master always said, 'when the grasshoppers meander, laundry doesn't do itself!'"
While Nigel blushes, Hamaria sits stonily in consternation as she looks at the curator. "As I suspected, something is amiss. Nigel, please get with Zarta to improve the flaws in our security." At that, Nigel hustles from the room to begin repairing both the security and his own reputation.
As the door closes, Lady Blakros nods at your assessment. "Thank you for your honesty. Also, thank you for the impressive work sorting out the truth behind those disappearances.” She pauses as she considers her next words. ”Now though, I have another request to make of you. I would like you to track down these missing items. I believe they have fallen into the hands of the Onyx Alliance; I have long harbored suspicions about their interference, ever since our family ended the Penumbral Accords.”
She takes a small item and a scroll case from a desk drawer before leading you through the Museum. ”The missing golem isn’t in the sealed vault, I can assure you. However, it is troubling that you tracked it there. You see, that vault is keyed to a certain artifact. This artifact,” she states as she draws forth a medallion on a silver chain. ”This is a shadow obelisk. When activated inside the vault, it opens a portal to the Shadow Plane, specifically to Shadow Absalom.”
As you enter the vault, Lady Blakros stops Bedisa. ”I’m sorry I haven’t thanked you personally for everything you’ve done for me and my family over the years. Please, take these with you as a token of my appreciation.” She hands Bedisa a scroll of heroes’ feast and a spoon with a bright copper handle. ”I don’t know if you’ve ever used one of these, but I had this one custom made so the food it produces is much more palatable. Give it a try while you’re there rather than eating Shadow Plane stuff,” she says with a smile. ”Again, my thanks, Bedisa.”
Turning back to the rest of you, she continues. ”This portal will take you to the streets of Shadow Absalom. I don’t have any more control than that. Returning is actually relatively easy. You must simply enter the light at the heart of the city, known as the Glare. You will instantly return to the location that you left from. In this case it will bring you back into this vault. But don’t worry, you can freely leave the vault, as it’s only secured from the outside.” She pauses. ”Though maybe that’s something we should fix after you’ve returned.”
”Now then, if you’re all ready…..” she says as she activates the obelisk…..
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Hamaria Blakros and the Blakros Museum disappear in a gale of muted black wind. Like a hurricane’s eye, black, blue, and violet motes turn at impossible speeds before suddenly slowing. As the storm gale fades, the area beyond the pastel winds comes into focus. Buildings made of light gray stone and streets of pure obsidian materialize around you. The sky above is a gloomy collage of grays and blacks, and a pervasive dim light blankets the area. This light has no discernible source, though stronger light sources dangle from braziers attached to the sides of simple stone structures and soaring jagged towers alike. You find yourself in the middle of a desolate street, a street sign indicating this to be in the Near Glare district, which explains why it is slightly brighter than the rest of the city.
Magic on the Shadow Plane: Spells with the shadow descriptor are enhanced on the Shadow Plane. Shadow conjuration and shadow evocation spells are 30% as powerful as the conjurations and evocations they mimic (instead of 20%). Despite the gloomy nature of the Shadow Plane, spells that produce, use, or manipulate darkness are unaffected. Spells with the light descriptor or that use or generate light or fire are impeded on the Shadow Plane. Spells that produce light are less effective in general, because all light sources have their ranges halved on the Shadow Plane.
Vision on the Shadow Plane: The ambient lighting on the Shadow Plane is dim illumination, regardless of whether one is outside or indoors. The source of this dim light is never apparent and seems to shift and change. Light sources from mundane and magical sources alike can brighten this illumination but their ranges are halved. Magical darkness effects reduce illumination levels normally.
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Elenial feels a bit sick after traveling through the portal. One can get a depression here. she thinks.
"Be careful here, the magic on this plane does not behave like on the material plane. And all light sources are not as efficient as they are at home." Elenial says to the rest of the group followed by an explanation of how and why it is like this.
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For once, Bedisa is speechless as Lady Blakros gives her the scroll and the spoon. She nods briefly before carefully putting both in her pack. "Thank you" she mutters.
Once on the Shadow Plane, Bedisa feels strange. "Interesting place here. But we're on a mission. I believe we need to head to the Wightir House. Rumor has it that it is now a storage site containing various relics for Onyx Alliance use. And that's where we'll find our missing items."