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Sweeper smiles as Kimmo holds up the treasures he's found. She leads you into what could only be called an "office" in the middle of the hall.
While the usual peeling paint and musty smell of the dollhouse is still present in this room, it is more meticulously cared for. Cabinets with stacks of neatly filed papers line the walls. In the center sits a spartan desk currently occupied by a cloth poppet dressed in simple, yet well groomed, merchants' clothes.
"Well met. I am Seamless, the administrator of this facility. What are you all doing here? Are you friends of Sweeper's?"
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Jeeves offers a short bow to Seamless.
"We are new arrivals, somewhat surprised to find ourselves here, Master Seamless." admits the butler.
He glances over at Sweeper before nodding. "We have recently had the honor of becoming so. However we are but recent acquaintances."
He hesitates a moment before asking. "What is your role here?"
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"What is my role? I am the administrator of this fine facility. To answer your questions:
a. Why keep prisoners - that is for the Warden to decide. I am her right hand, so I do what she tells me.
b. How you get out of here - why do you want to get out of here? If you're new prisoners then you will need to be put in your cells."
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"Ahh, the 'Butler' so to speak. Right hand to those in charge, and thus in charge of the 'staff'" notes Jeeves.
"I know the role well. But I can assure you we are not prisoners. For surely you would have been notified if we were, and expecting our arrivals. No, I am afraid that something has gone serious wrong. The master must be informed. For repairs are needed. Now it is not the job of the Master (or misstresS) to keep charge of the mundane workings of the house. That is your responsibility! However luckily we are here to help."
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hmm this warden seems to be quite the tyrant...but soon we shall know for sure Ofeus thinks to himself...
He then snaps out of his train of thought, and joins the conversation.
Adminstrator Seamless, do you realize that there are many celebrated libraries in the outside world? Many of these libraries devote entire rooms to the topic of Administration in general. The wealth of knowledge that you could obtain in libraries out there could make you the best administrator in the multiverse!
Seamless, never pass up a good thing when it presents itself. We must all leave here to achieve our true potential.
Ofeus tries a deft smile on for the benefit of Seamless...hoping to make some kind of connection.
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Seamless looks ashamed of himself as Jeeves lectures him on service. Ofeus points out many opportunities on the outside for an administrator. Finally, Ami and Ambius convince him that the magic of the dollhouse is fading and must be fixed from the outside.
Seamless' shoulders slump and he acknowledges your point. "Sigh.. You are correct. But you must convince the Warden. I will aid you however I can but she will not give up easily."
Sweeper then leads you to a large room. Miniaturized statues of dinosaurs, winter wolves, dire bears, and other large predators from the land of Irrisen are displayed here. They are each in menacing poses, fierce snarls of teeth and claws protruding at any visitors. What might have once been an impressive display is now rundown and pitiful. A century of dust and cobwebs has matted fur and clogged open maws. Painted eyes have dulled and peeled to make them look comical and lifeless. This once grand display room is now indicative of the failing of this former prison.
Sweeper's eyes look sad. "I used to hate cleaning this room because all the statues were so terrifying. Now they're just run down and pathetic."
Seamless, following the group, points to the staircase. "Up those stairs is the Warden's office. I can't be sure but I think it's magicked shut."
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Ofeus listens to Wizel's assessment of the door. His throat a little dry from all of the talking he had done since arriving here.
He wets his throat with natural spring waters from his canteen while he considers this door for a moment.
hmm, a shield spell is quite handy in these situations. I am familiar with this type of magical defense, but lacked the foresight to prepare it. A good plan B if my attempt does not work.
The wizard from the River Kingdoms takes pause a few moments before continuing...
Ofeus closes his eyes and attempts to counteract whatever enchantment is upon the door.
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Jeeves knocks but receives no answer. Ofeus attempts to counteract the magic but is unable to.
Apart from what Wizel knows, the enchantment on the door is beyond your capability to counteract. The dollhouse was enchanted by the wizards of Irrisen after all. Seeing that it was meant to be a prison, it's not likely that you'll be able to disarm the wards at your level.
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This enchantment is beyond my skill. Ofeus replies dryly.
The wizards of Irrisen are not ordinary, yet with all their knowledge they still apply it for all the wrong reasons...Denying a person their freedom?
Ofeus shakes his head in disdain.
He lifts his head as he fully processes such a waste of raw talent that could bring so much good into the world.
Mundane means are what remains.
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Jeeves runs at the door, trips on the rug and bounces off the door. A loud BANG! is heard and Jeeves reels back from a magical discharge.
Seeing Jeeves take magical damage, the poppets rush forward and straighten the rug, allowing Kimmo to get a good firm footing. Kimmo braces himself and kicks the door. Another BANG is heard as the magic discharges but the door flies open.
Following behind Kimmo, you pile into the room. In contrast to the rest of the dollhouse, this room is well taken care of. The paint is fresh and bright, plush velvet cushions line the sofas and chairs, and the opulent carpets are clean and free of dust. Sitting in the nicest overstuffed chair is a doll wearing a fine silk dress and a coronet of ice. She scowls as soon as the door to her room is breached.
"What chaos have you brought to my beautiful house? Why do you intrude here, turning my staff against me on your half-baked mission? And you, Sweeper, is this some scheme of yours? You never did know your place. Explain yourselves and do it quickly before I have you replace our missing prisoners."
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At Wizel's words, the Warden collapses in a heap of tears, overcome with how futile her time has become. "GO!" she says, through her tears, "I will lower the wall. Leave me, all of you!" she sobs. At her words you hear a crashing noise, as if something just shattered. Hurrying downstairs, you notice that the invisible wall has vanished and you may leave at your leisure.
When you and the poppet residents of the dollhouse step out, the curse is broken, and you are returned to normal size. For many of the poppets, this may be a bit unsettling as it is their first time ever out of the dollhouse. It takes a few minutes for them to collect themselves, but they are hopeful and you to meet Eando Kline.
Eando is incredibly surprised to see you accompanied by your new allies, and over the coming days, he speaks to each of the poppets. Now free and truly awake, the poppets eventually seek new purpose, perhaps with a little prompting from you; they remember the conversations of places to go and jobs to be had in the wide world of Golarion. One by one, they leave to find their way, or they join the Society and find roles there.
The last one to leave is Sweeper. She doesn't wish to continue being a janitor. What's more, she's found that, between her strange awakening within the vaults and her presence at the shattering of the old wards, she has an understanding of how to spread this to other dollhouse prisons. She wants to help in a more meaningful manner after Eando Kline informs her of the other dollhouses that Queen Anastasia has in her possession. Sweeper perks up and offers to go help free any other poppets who are still imprisoned, or otherwise help to take care of the dollhouses. She accepts a field commission as a Pathfinder agent and liaison to Irrisen. There are sure to be more poppets joining the Society's ranks if Sweeper has anything to say on the matter.
Thanks for playing all!