"I remember now. I asked for assistance from Abraxas’s followers in the past, but I hesitated upon receiving a request to retrieve a significant secret for the library’s keepers; after I refused the request, I found myself unable to recall what had been asked of me." Zykyryz contemplates. Now, as then, she changes her mind as to the destination, instead seeking research aid at Nethys’s Twin Temple.
Dennis' inquiry is answered by the librarian (who happens to be a dwarf priest of Nethys) despite the books she is carrying. "You mean, Abraxas? This is Nethys's. You might be looking at the other library. I heard his followers love to steal secrets and learn forbidden magic. But not here in the Twin Temple. Having said that though, I support most forms of magical experimentation but understand that it can be dangerous, even to the most powerful spellcasters. I believe it’s important for everyone who pushes the frontiers of knowledge to be ready to accept the consequences if their studies take an unfortunate turn. I am Greora by the name. You are allowed to study in this library." she tells Dennis, despite the fact that he does not like libraries and reading.
"Curious," Greora tells them when she sees Zykyryz. "I can tell that you are not undead. And probably not a mimic."
"Yes, and thank you for having us here. You don't remember me, I suppose?" in which Greora answers with a shaking of her head. "So I think we can go to our final destination."
Your next destination, Warlock’s Walk, is the most popular park in Quantium and its primary parade ground. It is open to the public at all times and boasts a massive marble fountain, the Vizier’s Fountain, whose living waters dance to the delight of spectators and children. Once they arrive at this location, Zykyryz asks to be
put down on the ground near the fountain. "Would you mind putting me down over there, on that ground near the fountain?" she tells whoever is holding her at the moment.
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Mimi is not at all happy to be in the sewers and even less happy to learn that the whole thing was an unnecessary waste of time. When Zaza inquires about a bag, Mimi replies, "I do not 'ave a bag availebel, but I do 'ave some rope. Perhaps ve can streeng eet tru de eye sockets and drag 'er around behind us."
Reaching the temple of Nethys, Mimi goes in search of a bathroom to freshen up and try to get as much muck off her boots as possible. Rejoining the rest of the group, they head off to the Warlock's Walk. When Zykyryz asks to be put down near the fountain, Mimi mumbles something dripping with irony. "Be careful dat she doesn't accidentlee fall in. Dat vould be terreebel."
Immediately after Zaza brings down Zykyryz, the magical waters lift the skull up in the air, leading them in a short and splashy chase. “Head’s up, I’m making a narrow escape! You’re not getting out of this one bone dry!”
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When Zykyryz starts the water fight, Dennis joins in. His full plate protects him from some of the splashing as he tries to give as good as he gets.
But after 30 minutes, the soaked fighter says, "Okay, okay ... we've head enough fun." He then whispers to Zykyryz, "Don't forget: we're on important Pathfinder business!" Dennis tries to be the mature voice of reason, as he stands there dripping.
In contrast to his mistress, Rufus is delighted by the skull's antics and has a wonderful time chasing her through the fountain. Once she settles down he gives her some big slobbery doggie kisses.
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Mimi is less than pleased to be running around chasing skulls through fountains. She manages to get pretty thoroughly soaked, with the only beneficial side-effect being that her sewer stained clothing, though wet, is at least cleaner than it was.
Eventually, she stops, and pulling out her rope and grappling hook, starts twirling it menacingly. "If you do not return immédiatelee I vill be obligéd to consider alternate means of 'eadeeng off your escape."
Dennis and Zykyryz are having fun chasing and running. With Zaza's chastisement, Zykyryz is somewhat ashamed of what she just did, reasoning she just wants to enjoy the view. "I just actually remembered coming here often for midday meals on the nearby benches while enjoying watching children at play. Just a little enjoyment being tossed around as a skull that's why I did it, you know. But seriously, it relives my desire to use my arcane talents to better the lives of others whenever I see children here, now that I remember it." She turns the mood back into being serious about the mission, after being threatened by Mimi about what she might do to her. "Fine, fine. Pull me out of this fountain now and continue our mission." she concedes.
"Actually," she tells them as if there is something that just flashed into her mind. "Let's go there," Zykyryz faces in the direction of a relatively nondescript building north of the Bandeshar, with a lovely view of the massive palace as well as several towers that float suspended above the city.
The agents follow the talking skull's lead. Inside they find a private academy called the Starry-Eyed Conservatorium, teaching magical theory and music in equal measure, along with the connection many cultures have between the two. After asking around, the Pathfinders discover the academy is largely funded by a member of the Arclords of Nex. This includes an endowment for impoverished children with magical potential as well as youths of ancestries considered “monstrous” by most societies on Golarion, so they and their families can live at the Starry-Eyed Conservatorium while enrolled. Strangely, none of the students nor staff seem to remember who this arclord is, and no written materials bear their name.
"It reminds me," Zykyryz tells them as she stares at a nearby advertisement for Scorpia’s Grotto, a bar one of the Conservatorium’s graduates opened near the docks, "it is important we should go to that grotto. I remember ordering a chill‑witch there. We might get more information if we go there. I have more locations that we need to go other than those on the list and I hope you can trust me if I say that we go here and there." she tells them with honestly and awaits for their response before she can lead them the way to their next destination.
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At the mention of Scorpia's Grotto, Dennis brightens, "A bar? Cool. I like being a Pathfinder." He continues excitedly, "This will be my second time! My daddy says I'm not old enough for bars. He doesn't understand my important business. At Port Peril, they know me. I always order the usual, a sarsaparilla." He's been there once.
Turning to Zykyryz, "I don't know what a chill witch is. But did you remember liking sarsaparilla? It's only the most delicious drink in Golarion." Dennis confidently leads the way, as if a teenager leading a group of grown adventurers into a bar wouldn't the weirdest thing the bar patrons have seen today.
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The trip to the Starry-Eyed Conservatorium had the beneficial effect of allowing Mimi to dry off. She had little curiosity and less even less ability when it came to magic, and her performative abilities were more physical than aural. Also, she wasn't a big fan of young children in general, finding them to be rather too needy for her tastes and that their interests rarely coincided with hers. She was therefore quite overjoyed to hear that they would be leaving it behind to head to a bar by the docks. "I do not know about any cheell-vitch. Eet sounds a leetel too much like a frou-frou beverage to me. I 'ope deir bière sélection ees a good von dough. I am parched."
"It's an imported Irriseni liquor. You might want to order it once we arrive there." she tells them and they head on to the grotto.
They arrive to find a female girtablilu troubadour named Gabranaya onstage, playing a lute in a rustic, strumming style using her own pincers as castanets. Her song is about the love of nature found beneath moonlight, primarily staying in a major key throughout the piece. The bartender and servers mostly consist of pechs and gnomes, obviously enjoying the music as they work.
"Welcome to Scorpia's Grotto," tells the bartender. "If anyone wants admittance to seating by the stage, all you need to do is just purchase a drink. We have ale, we also have tea. We also offer a bottle of Nexian wine."
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Dennis considers ordering a chill-witch. But not for very long. He walks up to the bar, barely tall enough to see over it. Spying the bartender, he says confidently, "I'll have your finest sarsaparilla, Mister." He quickly adds, "And make it a double!"
If they don't have that, Dennis sighs dramatically. "Then may I have some tea? With enough sugar to mask the taste, please."
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Mimi's mood lifts perceptively when she enters Scorpia's Grotto. "Now dat ees more like eet." She marches up to the bar and after hearing the drink menu, orders. "Veree vell. I vill start vith your finest bière and vork down from dere." She looks over at Zykyryz and turns back to the bartender. "And if you 'ave any cheell-vitch availebel, I vill take von of dose too. Eet ees un old favorite of my boney friend over dere."
Drinks in hand, she takes a deep swig of her ale ("Aaaah") and turns to enjoy the troubadour on stage, clapping appreciatively at the end of each piece. Once the edge is off her thirst, she gives the Chill Witch a taste .
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"Welcome to Scorpia's Grotto," tells the bartender. "If anyone wants admittance to seating by the stage, all you need to do is just purchase a drink. We have ale, we also have tea. We also offer a bottle of Nexian wine."
Zaza strides confidently to the bar. "I'll have a chill-witch." She looks down at the skull in her hands and sighs. "Better make that a double"
Drink in hand, she heads to a seat near the stage.
"Nice choice of drink, young man," the bartender tells Dennis. "But your drink is the best here." she tells Mimi and Zaza with a smile. The bartender gives Dennis's order first before turning to others."Our house specialty," the bartender tells them as they pull out glasses, and the imported Irriseni liquor is poured on the glass over shards of ice "harvested from the elemental of water" the bartender proudly tells as they present the drink as they topped their drinks off with tiny magical umbrellas. "It is on the house." the bartender tells them with a wink, as if by repeated habit. The bartender blinks for a while, realizing what they have just done. "Hmm, weird." On the other hand, everyone who drinks the chill-witch will notice that the tiny magical umbrella closes whenever their lips come close to the rim of the glass.
"I would ask for a sip except I'm afraid it would go right through me, ha!" Zykyryz quips, eliciting laughter from nearby drinkers who have clearly seen stranger things than a talking skull before.
Meanwhile, Gabranaya has just finished singing and approaches them. "I hope you are enjoying your stay here at Scorpia's Grotto. But before they can even ask some questions to her, a group of gang members and their gang leader storms inside. The gang leader calls out to Gabranaya, [b]"Hey, you! If your bar can’t offer satisfactory protection money, you’re going to pay in broken furniture and bones!"
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Dennis is enjoying his sarsaparilla and the music, almost as much he enjoys sitting at a real bar. On official Pathfinder business, of course.
When the ruffians enter, Dennis pops up with his drink in hand. "Oohh! Are you guys a gang? I mean, a real gang?" He looks at all of them and continues without taking a breath. "I like causing mischief. Can I join your gang?" He quickly clarifies, "Well, I mean, not now. I'm on official business. But maybe later?" He puffs out his chest importantly.
To be clear, Dennis has no intention of joining a gang. He just wants them to stop their nonsense, so he can continue enjoying his experience ... at a bar.
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Mimi turns as the ruffians enter and watches with interest as they try to shake down Gabranaya for protection money. It's not her fight, but Gabranaya's music had been enjoyable and the woman had a certain je ne sais quoi about her that Mimi found rather intriguing. Perhaps if she defused the situation, Gabranaya would be in her debt and thus more amenable to an approach. She shrugs. "Nothing ventured; nothing gained."
With a loud chair scrape to catch their attention, Mimi stands and faces the ruffians. She gives them an icy glare and placing her hand menacingly on the hilt of her rapier, she says, "Gentlemen, gentlemen! Vhat ees dees? Ees eet not crystal clear dat mademoiselle Gabranaya alreadee 'as all de protection she requires? Vhy don't you fellows run along now and ve vill all pretend dat you vere never 'ere? I reallee beleeve dees vould be de best outcome for you at dees point."
"Yes, we are a gang. We bring horror and mischief to places we want to go. You wanna join? I think you can be qualified, though you look too young." the leader answers Dennis.
The leader then stands in front of Mimi, sizing her up from head to toe before the leader goes back to where she is. "Huh, you look tough." she tells her but rolls her eyes at Zaza's attempt to look scary. "Stop that crap. You sound like a baby." she mocks the half-orc sorcerer.
"Why don't we just make this easy for all of us? Each of you pays us 1 gp on behalf of her," she points at Gabranaya, " and we will leave. How about that for her protection?" she tells them while she holds the hilt of her weapon and fake smiles at Loong as she notices what he is hiding to do.
"You just don't have the guts to get served by my companions here." Zykyryz goads the gang into trouble. The leader gives her a stare and a rebuttal. "Look who's talking without guts." Zykyryz is astonished.
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“You are trying to bully someone in Nex without using magic. Will you also have no magic to use in avoiding law enforcement when a report of your actions here is filed?” Iltag doesn’t uncross his arms or move from his position near the doorway. “A small fish survives until it draws attention to itself.”
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The leader then stands in front of Mimi, sizing her up from head to toe before the leader goes back to where she is. "Huh, you look tough." she tells her but rolls her eyes at Zaza's attempt to look scary. "Stop that crap. You sound like a baby." she mocks the half-orc sorcerer.
Zaza shrugs. "Fair enough." She sits down and takes another sip of her drink.
Loong sounds half-hearted when he says that, in which the gang leader ignores. But she gets threatened by the words of Iltag. Of course, she does not want to be imprisoned or something. She removes her hand from the hilt of her weapon and raises it to tell her members to stop what they are trying to do.
"Fine, you all got us. I just thought we could startle you but you're not a bunch of idiots." she tells them with a smirk. "I am Keryn, by the way" she introduces herself. "We have people all over the city who might be able to help with," she tells them. Keryn offers each of them a small enamel badge, ironically in the shape of a black skull with red eyes. "You are our honorary members now." she declares. "Our group is starting to become popular in Quantium, and the badges might earn you favors elsewhere."
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As the group of ruffians comes to their senses, Dennis smiles. And when Keryn offers him an actual badge, Dennis positively beams. "An official badge? Wow! Thanks!" He sets his drink down and immediately pins it to a pirate hat that he has stowed away.
Dennis proudly wears the hat and says to Keryn, "I like making new friends." Then in a whisper, "If you guys are thirsty, the sarsaparilla is really good." Wearing his pirate hat, and shiny new badge, he sits back down to finish his drink.
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When the ruffians back down and become more friendly, Mimi relaxes and removes her hand from her rapier. Taking the skull badge, she examines it. Nodding her head approvingly, she says, "Veree nice." She pins it on the left lapel of her long blue coat. Turning to Keryn, she gives the woman a good looking over. Liking what she sees, she raises her left eyebrow suggestively. "De badge vill ern us faveurs, you say? 'Ow interesteeng. Perhaps I vill put eet to de test vhen ve are don vith our own skull-related business. If you are free later dees eveneeng you might show me a leetel of vhat dees cité 'as to offer in de line of amusement."
Keryn politely declines the offer of Dennis to have a drink. "I'm good, we're good." She then motions her members to leave the place. [b]"We are going now." she waves at them, murmuring why they are even at the bar.
Gabranaya is extremely grateful to the agents for making the gang leave peacefully. "Thank you so much for what you did. Here, take this." she draws a battle lute and gives it to Dennis.
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Dennis waves goodbye to his new friend, Keryn. When Gabranaya hands him the lute, Dennis raises his mug and says, "Thanks Miss!" Setting down his drink, he grips the instrument awkwardly and strums a few notes...
... very badly, admitting, "You're way better than me." Dennis offers the lute to his allies. "Anyone wanna try? It's harder than it looks!" Turning back to Gabranaya, he asks, "So is this bar all yours? I like it. Especially the sarsaparilla. Can I have seconds?" After finishing his mug, Dennis indicates Zykyryz and says to the troubadour, "We're showing our friend around. Yes, she's a skull. A little bossy sometimes." Then in a lower voice, he adds, "She said we should order the chill-witch to get information."
"Hmmm..." she looks around the entirety of the skull. "I don't know. But I remember somebody that used to be one of my patrons that regularly ordered chill-witch, but I can't remember who that person is. I only remember a ballad song we made when somebody ordered chill-witch, though. The song actually goes like this..." She tells them and she begins singing a ballad.
The girtablilu sings for them and Zykyryz, infusing them with spiritual resonance and giving them knowledge of the Sunmist Stele’s location. "We must go to the Sunmist Stele." Zykyryz exclaims. "But we should get back to the Conservatorium, I know a shortcut."
They get back to the Conservatorium and Zykyryz guides them to the top floor of the Conservatorium, indicating an unmarked closed door.
"Let's get in there." she instructs them.
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When Gabranaya says that one of her patrons used to order the chill-witch, Dennis whispers to Zykyryz, "So you used to order the chill-witch. I mean, musta been when you had hands. And a body."
At the mention of the Sunmist Stele, Dennis asks both Gabranaya and Zykyryz, "It's my first time in Quantium ... having a fun time, by the way, great drinks ... Wait, what was I asking? Oh yeah, what is this Sunmist place?" After they explain, Dennis tells Gabranaya, "Thanks for the songs. You're really good. I hope my new friend Keryn leaves you alone."
Later, upstairs in front of the unmarked door, Dennis listens closely.
If he doesn't hear anything, and when the group is ready, he tries the door.
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When Mimi hears yet another story about how the people they're meeting with have only a vague recollection of the person Zykyryz was before she was separated from her body, she turns to the skull and says, "Either you vere une extrêmelee self-effaceeng person, vhich on de fece of eet seems a laughebel proposition, or someone 'as gone to a lot of trobel to erase all memoree of your previous self, presumablee by extremelee powerful magical means. Ve should proceed vith prudence or risk beeng so erased ourselves."
Seeing Dennis preparing to try the door, she takes her rapier in hand in case something nasty is waiting for them on the other side.
"It is a small structure floating above the city of Quantium" the girtablilu answers Dennis before they get to leave for their next destination.
Dennis hears a tiny rattling when the door is pushed lightly, which might be telling that something might fall above when the door becomes fully open. He is also aware that Zykyryz is trying to stop herself from laughing as if something funny will happen when the door is opened. "Why are you looking at me? Just open the door. Hehe." she then responds to what just Mimi said. "Hmmm... Either sounds plausible, but I don't know. After all we searched about, they don't know me too."
harmlessly on the head by an ironing board that falls from the doorframe while Zykyryz laughs uproariously.
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After being the first one into the sewers earlier, Dennis has a feeling Zykyryz is up to more shenanigans. Even so, the door must be opened. Ready for anything, he quickly opens the door to hopefully gain the element of surprise.
Saddled with his plate mail, Dennis manages to dodge an ironing board that falls from the closet. "Good one, Zykyryz. Really really funny." He thinks and asks, "Do you even know what an ironing board is? It's for clothes. Remind me again what size you wear? Oh wait ... my bad. You're a skull!"
Zykyryz looks at Dennis for a while and then laughs very hard, so hard it becomes obvious that she is trying hard. "That's a good one, huh! You got me on that one." she compliments Dennis' banter.
Now with the door open and everyone entering including Zykyryz, the skull’s presence activates an otherwise hidden magical portal inside this janitorial closet that allows them to teleport directly to the Sunmist Stele. "We are going thru this portal to get into the Sunmist Stele, and no prank for this one, I assure you." They also find in this room two lesser healing potions.
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Finding the 2 healing potions, Dennis turns to the group. "I already have one. From the Society. Do you guys get them free too? Being a Pathfinder is the best!" He hands them back to whoever wants them. If there are no takers, he'll stow them on his bandolier.
When the group is ready, Dennis trusts Zykyryz (even though he has little reason to do so) and leads the way through the portal.
After they enter, they are teleported into a certain chamber. A teleportation circle occupies the center of this chamber, its runes providing gentle light to the entire space. Twelve sealed glass cases filled with nearly transparent mist surround it. Floating inside of each is an ancient scroll or tome yellowed with age and barely legible. Attached to the side of each case is a short chain connected to a thin silver rod tipped with a stylized hand, its index finger extended.
They also hear footsteps echoing against the marble floor, creating a rhythmic tapping sound with each step beyond a closed but not locked door in the room. Moments later, it comes to a stop.
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Mimi doesn't move for a few seconds as she looks about the strange chamber and takes in her new surroundings. When nothing untoward happens, she moves around the room and looks in the sealed glass cases. She picks up one of the silver rods and examines it, eventually determining that it can be used to turn the pages in the sealed tomes. She tries to read what's written on them. "Vithout doubt deez are ancient manuscripts full of fascinateeng information, but to me dey are gibbereesh." She drops the rod back in its place and loses interest.
When she hears the footsteps approaching, she quietly draws her rapier. "I seems dat our arrival may not 'ave gone unnoticed. Perhaps now ees a good time to greet our new 'ost." With her rapier hanging down by her side, she approaches the door and gently pushes it open. She then calls out through the open door. "'Ello? Ees anybodee dere? I assure you dat ve mean no 'arm."