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Lady Morilla gathers you together in the same tea house as before. She greets you enthusiastically, retrieves her silver raven figurine of wondrous power, and shares her vision of her faction’s future…
“I’m appalled and disappointed that the same nobles who once opposed us now seek to steal our glory by claiming that creating the army was their idea. While I thank you for today’s efforts to rebuke them, I fear they’ll simply continue to perpetrate this fraud back in Taldor. Worse, should they succeed, it will only reinforce the ‘do nothing’ nobility and be another nail in Taldor’s coffin. And if it’s a coffin they’re building, I refuse to be buried with them.”
There is a quiet knock on the door followed by a woman saying, “My lady sends her thanks.” A sealed missive then slides under the door.
Lady Morilla retrieves the note, quickly stows it in her ample bosom, retakes her seat, and continues without missing a beat…
“This is not unique to Taldor, yet in other lands I have met nobles who have their people’s needs in mind and greater vision of how to accomplish their goals. Rarely are these members of royal families, but many have their respective monarchs’ ears. Rather than recreate the Taldan empire of old, we shall promote an enlightened aristocracy that promotes the virtues of strong, wise governance. I do not expect a response now, but I invite you to join me in this endeavor.”
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Having just a little time to dally after meeting with Lady Morilla, you primp and prep as you have the Preinaugural Feast to attend soon. Unfortunaely, Grazyra is called away on urgent faction business and will be unable to attend with you...
This event takes place at a great hall in the Wise Quarter from late afternoon through the evening. It is semi-casual and heavily attended. Many members of Absalom’s Low Council attend, though the High Council is not present but nontheless, it's another chance to mingle with nobles and other VIPs whose patronage could benefit the Society...
You enter the feast with little fanfare, and begin to mingle. In addition to casual conversation, there is much conjecture and speculation concerning who shall become Grayrain’s successor. As you look about, Professor Molvil and Hellebore both notice their faction head, Zarta Dralneen, talking with a niceless dressed middle-aged woman; her eyes ever alert, she waves you come over and join her and her acquaintance...
As you join them, Zarta greets you with a sultry look and a curtsy that borders on seductive. "Ah, Molvil and Hellebore, you both look mahvelous! So glad to see a couple of my dahling agents out and about; and so very nice to meet your friends and fellow Pathfinder agents, very handsome. Let me introduce you to Lady Darchana of House Madinani, a renowned wizard and a member of the Low Council..."
Lady Darchana smiles and gives a much more formal and reserved curtsy. "A pleasure to meet you. I was just telling Zarta how much I appreciate your society taking the initiative in the Mendevian Crusade...and I would very much like to hear of your recent accomplishments..."
Zarta smirks as she nods in agreement. "Yes, dahling, a wonderful idea...but let's make this fun. Each of you share a particularly bold or embarrassing story about your adventuring career...and don't spare us the sordid details..."
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Though Professor Masaendri agrees with the goals of her faction head, she's far too tight-laced to approve of Zarta Dralneen's...blatant seductiveness. The curtsy she returns is prim and proper. "Head Archivist Dralneen, how good to see you. Lady Darchana, how do you do?"
The Professor inclines her head in an only-slightly-patronizing manner as Zarta demands 'sordid details'. Really! How immature.
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Gnagnatsu doesn't need any more invitation to cuddle up to Zarta, though her ideas about how to be seductive. She pulls out her paintbrush, whose handle now swirls with shades of pink, and says enthusiastically, "Oooh, I know just the thing. let me tell you how I got this...
"You should let me do a portrait sometime. My work has caused quite a stir recently!" The ninja giggles. "Maybe with that corset a tad looser, y'know?"
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Hellebore smiles, recognizing the location of Gnagnatsu's story and the Professor's seems vaguely familiar as well.
"This one is a recent trip for me...
We were traveling to Rahadoum to...rescue a shard of the Shield of Aroden. Being Rahadoum, that was more complicated than it needed to be. We ended up rescuing some people from being burned alive, bought quite a few religious artifacts, found the cause of a fatal disease, and tracked down an undead cadre to their lair and dispatched them. All in a normal week for a Pathfinder, of course."
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Zarta smirks as she nods in agreement. "Yes, dahling, a wonderful idea...but let's make this fun. Each of you share a particularly bold or embarrassing story about your adventuring career...
Piotr chimes in, "Yes, I was there as well." He motions to Professor Molvil Masaendri after her story.
"My name is displayed as a patron of the General Museum and Historical Residence in Taldor."He straightens slightly, his voice carrying a note of pride. "I also had the honor of performing a significant service for the Sovereign Court and, by extension, for Princess Eutropia herself. In recognition of my efforts, she granted me the title of baronet. However, I have since risen to the rank of baron, overseeing a small but prosperous parcel of land."
Piotr’s expression softens as he speaks of his people. "I take great care of those who live under my protection. I have no need to tax them and even share a portion of my earnings from adventuring to improve their lives. Thanks to this, they enjoy comfortable homes, flourishing gardens, and bountiful fields of vegetables—not to mention ample livestock to sustain them. It brings me great satisfaction to see them thrive."
"I hope to export the wine and cheese from my land that the folks there have made. It is quite divine."
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As your stories are being told, Zarta leans over slightly and whispers softly into the Professor’s ear.
Zarta leaves before all your stories are finished; you get the sense that she was disappointed there were no sordid details. However, some of you note she gives a subtle wink to the Professor as she departs…
On the other hand, as you tell you tell your stories, Lady Darchana is delighted, asking questions, making complimentary comments; afterwards she thanks you for your time and leaves thoroughly impressed…
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As your stories are being told, Zarta leans over slightly and whispers softly into the Professor’s ear.
** spoiler omitted **
Ah, excellent. It's so satisfying when one's seniority is acknowledged. The Professor nods subtly in acknowledgement when Zarta pulls away to go about her business.
Once the group is left to themselves, Professor Masaendri announces: "Well, I for one would like a drink." She makes eye contact with each party member, arching an eyebrow meaningfully. "I do believe there is a pub across the street. Shall we?" Leading the way, she looks back to ensure that they're following her like ducks in a row, leading them directly to the private room at the back of the pub that Zarta indicated.
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You stay just at the Preinaugural Feast only as long as civilities require, then make your way over the The Learned Pig for the meeting. As you arrive, the barkeep smiles and points to a room in the back. You enter to find Zarta sitting at a table adorned with delicate hors d’oeuvres. She invites you to sit and partake of the food before voicing her request.
“Welcome, my dear Pathfinders. I hope it’s not too untoward if I spare you the sweet nothings that the political elite are relentlessly exhaling. As you may know, the Society and I have maintained a somewhat distant relationship based on… mutual respect. On occasion, we offer each other support, but it’s always an exchange of favors. Recently, I have offered to assist the Society in a more permanent capacity. Needless to say, the leaders were both intrigued and skeptical. Their responses speak to their wisdom.
“I trust you are familiar with the Vaults, yes? There must be dozens of them scattered throughout the Grand Lodge. Being constant collectors, the Society occasionally recovers an artifact that possesses powers that they believe too dangerous or destructive for mortals. For such items, they have designed a special section within the Vaults that they inspect only infrequently. But as I have informed them, some evils only become more dangerous if left to decay in the dark. As this collection of forgotten treasures grows, it poses an ever-increasing risk that requires increased… supervision.
“It appears the Decemvirate has come to understand these truths as I do, and I have a standing offer to catalogue and maintain these dangerous relics so long as I and several of my agents can complete several tests to the Ten’s satisfaction. I am about to check in on one of my assignments, and I would appreciate your handling this other task.
“It seems that something has gotten loose in one of the vaults, specifically the vault containing artifacts recovered from the castle of the lovely Erya Bastorieth. The Society sealed off the vault to prevent whatever it is from escaping, but that’s hardly a permanent solution. I have permission to send a small team to rectify the situation and determine what went wrong. I trust you’re up for the challenge.”
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"“The Society periodically sends groups of Pathfinders into their Vaults to ensure that nothing is amiss. Apparently one of the agents ran into trouble, as evidenced by breaking glass and screams. Her companions tried to save her but only succeeded in sealing off that section of the Vault.”
"Oh, dear! How long ago was that?" The Professor asks, wondering if there will be a side of either rescue or recovery to this mission. "Will we be given a means of communication with the outside while we're in the vault? I assume the door will be sealed behind us after we enter."
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Zarta flashes her trademark sultry smile. ”Hard to say how long it has been loose, my ducklings…and yes you will be sealed in while you investigate. My servant will take you there, seal you in, and await for your knock on said door when you are finished; then he will let you out,,,that knock on the door will be the only way you can communicate. As for Eryn being a weeping vampire, that was only a rumor that was spread about her…no one knows if it is true or not, my handsome boy…
“So, if we are at an accord, I’ll summon my servant…what say you, my dahlings?”
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Once you have agreed to handle the task, Zarta thanks you, calls in an aging dwarf whose bleary eyes attest either to his sleep deprivation, inability to forget terrible memories, or both. He introduces himself as Hasjald, an employee of the Grand Lodge who works as a groundskeeper and part-time custodian of the Vaults. He volunteers to guide you to the sealed vault.
As he leads you into the wooded area near the Wall of Names, he explains that there are multiple Vaults that riddle the Grand Lodge, but until you have permanent clearance to enter them, it’s important that you be blindfolded until you get to the rooms in question. So long as you agree—the mission stalls if you don’t—Hasjald faithfully leads you below ground through a hidden entrance, past several locked doorways, and down several winding tunnels. You themselves in a dank, dimly lit stone hallway without any visible windows. The door to the east bears a plaque reading “The Vault of Erya Bastorieth.”
Hasjald announces that you’ve arrived and informs you that he will open the door for you, seal it behind you, and await a signal knock before opening the door again…
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Before leaving with Hasjald, Professor Masaendri takes a moment to swap out one of her prepared spells.
"What is the knock code again?"
"It is not 'Shave and a haircut', thank goodness. That cadence is ubiquitous to the point of inanity." The Professor sniffs, tapping the proper knock code onto Piotr's arm, just in case the vault's door isn't entirely soundproof. She then casts Mage Armor on herself before nodding her readiness to Hasjald.
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"Excellent." The Professor nods at Gnagnatsu♥, pleased that she is well prepared. She waits for the others to go first. Really, it makes no sense for someone without darkvision or a light source (like herself) to lead the way.
Once everyone files through the door, she retrieves one of her cold iron crossbow bolts, casts Light on it, and sticks it through the tight bun at the top of her head. Who knows how handy two light sources could be if everyone gets spread out during a fight?
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The door opens to a small, unlit foyer surrounding a plain stone stairwell. Your light sources allow you to see adequately and you make your way down the staircase…
The stairs descend into a room lined in dark lacquered wood panels. A number of macabre items stand carefully positioned about the room, including a guillotine, a gold-lined iron tub with claws shaped to resemble lion’s paws, and gruesome abstract paintings depicting tortured figures donning strange, birdlike masks and engaging in acts of ritual scarification. Another wall displays a number of exquisite white lace dresses drenched with sanguine stains set upon mannequins fashioned from human skeletons. Lastly, two crystalline display cases sit upon wooden pedestals, one holding a wickedly sharp athame with a flame-shaped blade, the other containing a simple circlet of braided silver and bronze…
A dozen mirror-like fragments of glass are scattered across the floor, and a young woman’s body lies in a congealed pool of blood at the center of the room. A pair of shadow-shrouded alcoves flanks the stairs.
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Hellebore and Lanel detect a faint magic aura from each shard of the mirror like fragments of glass lying on the floor…
Gnagnatsu and Hellebore’s eyes are drawn to the dead body of the woman, thinking something is odd about it…Maggie perches upon the corpse’s shoulder, looking at it before turning her eyes back to Lanel…
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"The mirror is or was magical. There's something strange about the woman. Aside from the fact that she's dead..."
to identify magic item properties
She shudders, before doublechecking the room in case something is hiding invisibly. "It looks like she was frozen before being sliced to pieces. Something with very large claws."
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"Very strange," Piotr remarks after hearing Hellebore’s diagnosis of the slain Pathfinder. "Perhaps a white dragon? Frost breath and vicious claws."
Suddenly, a woman’s voice—thick with an Ulfen accent—echoes down the hall.
"YOO-HOO, PIOTR! Piotr, I am HEEEERE!!!"
Piotr rolls his eyes, lets out a guttural sigh, and slumps his shoulders. "It’s Brunhilde," he mutters to his teammates, utterly unenthusiastic. "She’s my bodyguard—sworn to protect me."
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Moments later, a rotund, busty Ulfen woman appears at the top of the stairs. She wears a Viking helm adorned with large horns and hefts an enormous warhammer. With surprising speed—considering her size—Brunhilde waddles down the steps, arriving at the bottom out of breath.
"Gutentag, my friends!" she pants, beaming at the group before turning to Piotr. Her smile falters into a frown.
"Ohhh, Piotr. You are much more handzome in human form. But no matter! I am here to protect you!"
Piotr sighs but offers a small smile. "Good to see you, Brunhilde. Just… don’t get in our way."
Brunhilde nods enthusiastically, her wide grin making her rosy cheeks even redder. "I will be quiet, Piotr!" She gives him a flirtatious wink.
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There. Revealed. The corner of Professor Masaendri's mouth quirks upward. "It seems we're dealing with someone who has telepathic abilities. Apparently they think that commenting on my appearance would be unnerving." She chuckles dryly. "Of course, that attempt falls squarely under the category of 'If you're going to bluff, at least make it believable'."
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"It has been well over a century since old age put me past what anyone would call 'pretty'. That is a descriptor aligned with youth." The Professor continues, absently flicking her wrist in Lanel's direction. "Therefore, I suspect the voice that was projected into my head did not originate from a humanoid." She glances down at the body. "We will bring her body with us when we exit. If we try to bring her with us, I suspect more damage will come to her. It would be more respectful to leave her for now."
That decided, she glances around and brushes her hands together briskly, as if washing something mildly annoying off of them. "Well, we can stand here all day, but we will need to go beyond the foot of the stairs to achieve our goal. I suspect our interloper will reveal itself when it is good and ready. Which direction shall we take first, hmm?"
Before stepping down, she checks for traps.
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The Professor finds no traps as she steps down…
Hellebore informs you all that the mirror was likely used as a magical prison before it was shattered…