Almir Estate;
Your further investigations are cut short by a loud voice from behind you.
"What you doing, little man?", shouts Bumbo, his face presed tight against the fencing. "Why you want to go in there? Just books. Lots of silly books! And Dreyxor won't even let you touch them!"
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"Admiring the architecture of course, that's what I do..."
"You don't like books?" he asks rhetorically and thinks...no of course you wouldn't...lout
"I love books..."
And drawn like a moth to the flame, Pae heads to the front door to inquire about books...seemingly forgetting what he was doing prior to that...
Andrea;
"I'm willing to bet that if the Undead are involved in any capacity, the church knows of it. In the worst case scenario, they are the ones creating the monsters. We should scout out the temple now. But which way..." Rose trails off.
Carefully inspecting every building along the way, Rose heads back toward the tavern, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. She stops and motions to Andrea only when they come across what is visibly a temple. Or perhaps, was.
A tall, angular building of white marble stands atop this lonely spot of ground. A steeple topped by a timeworn statue is the makeshift aerie for more than a dozen pigeons, their droppings covering the face and shoulders of an effigy that has obviously faded out of importance for the people of Piren’s Bluff. Wood and brass doors under the shadows of the steeple stand open, revealing a clean but empty nave.
"That statue...it's....Aroden! And it's covered in bird filth. This place is sad." Rose simply shakes her head, and looks at Andrea for a suggestion.
"Books, eh?" Jon can appreciate their worth, but books have never exercised the fascination over him that they do over scholars like Paellat. He notices the halfling's dreamy eyes and distracted tone. "This could take a while a while, 'Gak. Maybe we should wait outside."
Ka twists his head to the side and rumbles 'hurrrrrh'
heads over toward Jon
"Ahh. Ka -- nice do- err, jackal" Jon is a little flummoxed. He likes dogs, but somehow a game of fetch, a wrestling match, or even a nice quiet snuggle don't seem right or even advisable. "Pae, what do I do with him?"
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"Ahh. Ka -- nice do- err, jackal" Jon is a little flummoxed. He likes dogs, but somehow a game of fetch, a wrestling match, or even a nice quiet snuggle don't seem right or even advisable. "Pae, what do I do with him?"Ka twists his head to the side and rumbles 'hurrrrrh'
heads over toward Jon
"Just make sure no guards thinks he's a stray!" While I'm in here.
Guligak nods. "I will look after your dog. I am good with animals."
Andrea casts a leery eye over the begrimed statue..
"I wonder what did happen to Aroden...I mean if one of the other gods had killed him..or one of the Demon Lords even..they would surely have trumpeted it across the Multiverse...ah well..thats not our concern today.At times like this it's sometimes best to be brazen."
She walks up to the door and pushes it open
Almir Estate;
Paellet's knocking does not seem to stir anyone immediately beyond the door. No footsteps, no creaking floorboards, nothing. You almost decide to give up the knocking when a woman comes from around the other side of the house.
Her face warm and inviting, she wipes her hands on her apron, and bows to you. "Begging your pardon, little sir, but what business do you have with Lord Almir? He doesn't usually receive many guests, and he's quite a busy man. Is there something I can do for you, perhaps?"
The First Light;
The door to this temple of Aroden is quite rusted; the hinge requires a solid push to get into. No candles light the interior of this grim place; it is light solely by the overhead sun peering through substantial cracks in the ceiling.
A flock of birds have obviously claimed this as their home, as feathers and dung litter the floor of this place.
A flash of movement blurs across your vision. A man shaped figure darts out from behind a statue for only a second, and leaves your vision as quickly as it appeared.
The First Light;
"I didn't see what that was. It's too damn dark in here. What kind of place of worship is this?"
Broken bits of masonry lay scattered about the floor. Rose picks them up one by one, and casts a spell on each, causing them to glow brightly. She scatters them around the large space, illuminating the temple. The crashing and clacking as they hit the stone floor echo in this empty chamber.
Corner of Keep Road and Dusk Lane;
Bumbo finally succeeds in leaving the gated area, and comes to join you in the street, skipping and jumping as he comes toward you.
"Pretty doggy! Can I pet him?" Bumbo asks, indicating Ka.
"Why does your friend want to go in there anyway? Dreyxor is a grumpy old man."
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"Ah" Paellat has a start as he is broken from his reverie, then bows deeply to the lady.
"I was hoping to see the lord's collection of books, perhaps you could let him know a member of the Pathfinder Society is inquiring about his collection, one Paellat Silvertongue, archaeologist and historian"
"I would also like to inquire about his estate, I can tell it's the oldest building in the city, and would like to know more of it's history."
Almir Estate;
"His books?" she asks, taken aback. It would apparently never have occurred to her that someone else could be interested in books.
"Now, I'm under strict rules to not let him be disturbed. You sound mighty important, but I don't think I can interrupt the Lord. What is the Pathfinder Society anyway, some kind of charity?"
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"Ah m'dear, you've never heard of the Pathfinder Society? Charity, not exactly, we're adventurers, we do however do some charity at times by eradicating certain monsters and threats to the people."
"As I said, I'm mostly interested in this estate, due to it's age and ornate architecture."
pull 5gp from my pouch and hand it to her
Almir Estate;
"Adventurers? What kind of adventure are you anticipating to go on in Lord Almir's library?" The woman is obviously naive, and quite stubborn about it too.
The handful of coins helps change her tone, however. "Though I've never heard of such a thing as the Pathfinder Society, it doesn't mean you're not telling the truth. I'll go upstairs and ask Lord Almir about it. You just wait right here."
She moves to the door that Paellet was knocking on, and finds a ring of keys which she uses to unlock the front door, and lock again behind her as soon as she is inside.
A few moments of silence pass before Paellet sees her re-appear again. Opening the door slightly she says; "Follow me."
The estate is quite large, and she leads you through a series of doors and hallways, unlocking and locking again each one as she moves through the house.
You eventually happen across a large study. Rows and rows of bookshelves filled neatly with all manner of books line the walls here. Comfortable chairs and lounges dot the space, and the smells of cigar-smoke and brandy swirl around the room.
"He'll be with you in a moment, he said." With a bow, she begins to exit the room, leaving you by yourself.
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"Thank you, m'dear...and you are known as?"
waits patiently without actually touching any of the books while I peruse the titles and visually search for secret doors.perception:1d20+6=14
Almir Estate;
"Mrs. Hartleby. We tend to Lord Almir's needs." she answers with a curtsy, leaving the room. "Good day to you."
No secret doors are visible to you from where you are standing. You continue to wait. Five minutes pass.
Corner of Keep Road and Dusk Lane;
Bumbo finally succeeds in leaving the gated area, and comes to join you in the street, skipping and jumping as he comes toward you.
"Pretty doggy! Can I pet him?" Bumbo asks, indicating Ka.
"Why does your friend want to go in there anyway? Dreyxor is a grumpy old man."
Jon turns at the man's greeting. "Well you can try. But Ka's a jackal. His jaws can crush bones as easily as egg-shells. He really belongs to our friend there. " ~waving toward the front door.~
"Pae likes books. He really really likes books. And old buildings."
Andrea looks around the forlorn temple..
"I don't think anyone has worshipped here in years...you'd have thought the Iomedeans would have moved in. They did with all the churches of Aroden I have ever seen..maybe what we saw was a vagrant"
Dreyxor is a grumpy old man."
"Who is Dreyxor? Some rich guy? Does he know the Baron?" Guligak doubts that he can get much info from this bozo, but he gamely tries anyways.
Corner of Keep Road and Dusk Lane;
Bumbo shies away from the jackal when Jon talks about Ka's strong jaws. He may not know what a jackal is, but Bumbo knows that he doesn't want his hand crushed.
Instead, he puts his hands in his pockets and turns to answer Guligak. "Dreyxor is the richest guy! He owns the mines, or something. I don't know, really. I don't think he likes my uncle very much, but they get along enough."
As you're talking to Bumbo, you both get a strange feeling about him. Though it doesn't strike you right away, when he mentions his uncle as a response to the baron, through the dirt and the grime you notice the facial features and body structure of a noble. It's as if a noble body is trapped there, with the mind of an idiot.
"Come on lets see if we can find that person..they might know something"
Andrea casts light and walks into the nave of the temple
"Hello..is anyone there..we mean you no harm"
Almir Estate;
You spend some time studying the spines of Almir's collection, which span a great deal of topics. One particularly ornate shelf seems to cover a variety of Arcane topics, and it's only when you start to analyze those books do you hear a voice from behind you.
"Thank you so much for your patience, and your manners. In our day and age, people can't seem to keep their hands to themselves as often as they should."
The fragrant smoke swirls around the room some more, before suddenly, a man appears, standing in front of you. He's wearing a bright blue robe, covered with icons of a crescent moon and nine-pointed star.
"Mrs. Hartleby tells me that you're a Pathfinder. To what, exactly, do I attribute your presence? I don't think I have done much so as to attract the attention of the Society. I lead a quiet life, as I prefer."
The First Light;
As you call out, you can see the figure scurrying closer to you, using the pillars in the middle for cover. When you cast the Light spell however, it clearly illuminates a dirty elf. He's got a bucket of water, and advances closer to you.
"Aroden! Aroden's light! It's returned! It's returned! Do it again!"
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Almir Estate;
You spend some time studying the spines of Almir's collection, which span a great deal of topics. One particularly ornate shelf seems to cover a variety of Arcane topics, and it's only when you start to analyze those books do you hear a voice from behind you.
"Thank you so much for your patience, and your manners. In our day and age, people can't seem to keep their hands to themselves as often as they should."
The fragrant smoke swirls around the room some more, before suddenly, a man appears, standing in front of you. He's wearing a bright blue robe, covered with icons of a crescent moon and nine-pointed star.
"Mrs. Hartleby tells me that you're a Pathfinder. To what, exactly, do I attribute your presence? I don't think I have done much so as to attract the attention of the Society. I lead a quiet life, as I prefer."
bows deeply
"I'm not visiting you in any official capacity of the society oh wise one, and please forgive any intrusion you might feel at my presense."
"I would not have deigned to touch your collection without your leave"
"Bumbo, the dog lover, mentioned you had a collection of books, and I as an explorer and lore seeker wished to see the collection. I also heard rumors of passages below the city, and seeing as this is obviously the oldest building in the town, I wished to inquire about them, as I am as I said an explorer. I spent much of my youth in the grand library in Sothis."
Almir Estate;
Dreyxor studies you while he listen to what you have to say. "Bumbo told you about my books? What would that fool know about my books, or any books for that matter?" While one hand holds a large pipe, the other strokes his mustache, twirling the ends as you both speak. "He is correct, of course; I do indeed have a great number of books about a great number of things. In addition, I have quite a number of charts, maps, and records of surveying of the area. There are some ruins in the outlying areas, to be sure, but I'm not convinced that there are any tunnels leading from here to there. What makes you think so?"
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"Oh no no, I doubt there would be any leading from the city to Azlant ruins, or rather I would hope not, or there would be grave danger merely being in the city."
"I had heard tavern rumors of catacombs or passages below the city, and as this magnificent structure is the oldest in the town, I was wondering if there might be access to them, I am by my very nature an explorer."
"Am I to assume you don't like Bumbo?"
"How long have you lived here wise one? Since before Piren's Bluff?"
Andrea tries to hide her shock at finding an elf looking so..unkempt
She casts light again this time on a pillar(duration 50 mins)
"Not Arodens light I am afraid...just a trick of magic...I am Andrea this is Rose...if I may enquire as to your name Eldest?"
Corner of Keep Road and Dusk Lane;
Instead, he puts his hands in his pockets and turns to answer Guligak. "Dreyxor is the richest guy! He owns the mines, or something. I don't know, really. I don't think he likes my uncle very much, but they get along enough."As you're talking to Bumbo, you both get a strange feeling about him. Though it doesn't strike you right away, when he mentions his uncle as a response to the baron, through the dirt and the grime you notice the facial features and body structure of a noble. It's as if a noble body is trapped there, with the mind of an idiot.
Thinking that the kennels would make a good exit for a secret tunnel because the dogs would provide good, but unnoticeable security. Jon seeks to learn more about Bumbo and the kennels. "So you like dogs, Bumbo? I'm Jon. How's your master, Shenk?"
Guligak grunts. "So your uncle is a baron, huh? I wish I was a baron. Then I could have fifty wives giving me strong sons -- like you, Bumbo -- and if anyone from Cheliax or Andoran tried to tell me what to do, I'd chop him up and stick his head on a pike!"
Almir Estate;
Dreyxor listens to Paellet with interest, but is obviously evaluating every thing he says.
"Dear Pathfinder, I will be blunt with you, for that is the kind of man I am. A business man. Frankly, I'm not entirely sure what your business with this town and it's history may be. Surely someone who has travelled the lengths and the breadths of the land could not be so enamoured by this...armpit of a town. There's something more, and I pray you spit it out truthfully, here and now."
"My feelings toward that simpleton are neither here nor there in this matter. Suffice to say, the less I see of him, the more peaceful I am."
The First Light;
"Do you think there's something affecting his mind? A spell perhaps?" Rose casts Detect Magic and studies him for any lingering spell effects. Furrowing her brows, she admits: "Nay, I think he is just mad."
The First Light;
The manic elf takes great delight in watching Andrea cast the Light spell, his lips and hands mimicking her own movements. Though he follows them accurately, and intones the correct words, he cannot duplicate it.
"No! All gone! It's all gone! Everyone's gone! They're stuck in the papers. You know. You were there too, right? When...when I was a little girl, I stole everyone's mind and put them inside the papers. Silver and black lace to tie them up. Now I am Tulrin."
Corner of Keep Road and Dusk Lane;
"Dogs're okay, I guess. I don't like cleaning up their poop. Shenk only makes me do that if I done somethin' wrong. But he's a pretty good guy. He used to spend a lot of time in the woods, I think. He's good with animals, so I guess that's why he has so many. Sometimes I think he wants all the people to disappear, so there will just be him and the animals."
Bumbo laughs at what Guligak has to say, and puffs up his chest at the mention of him being strong, but he obviously misses the bulk of the comment. "Che-lee-ax? What's that? Somethin' you chop wood with, right? Or is it just for choppin' heads?"
"I like you guys! We're best friends!" Bumbo leans in to hug the both of you, squeezing you with his thin arms. "Where did you come from, anyway?"
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"Oh please, please, first tell me more of what the situation is in Piren's Bluff, the reception for travelers was a bit...tense, and even the townsfolk seem to be afraid, with the obvious muscle outside their very doors, or even in their very establishments."
"Would you mind if I smoke? I brought some interesting blends, even one from Darkwood veil..." Pae says as he pulls out his ornate ivory and oak longpipe a sachet of Darkwood tobacco and one of his tindertwigs.
"Unless of course you prefer me to not smoke good sir"
"I like you guys! We're best friends!" Bumbo leans in to hug the both of you, squeezing you with his thin arms. "Where did you come from, anyway?"
"I come from the land of ice and snow, where men are men! But now I am exiled down here with my wives and my 5 sons until I can raise an army. Then I can return and smash my enemies."
"Hmmm...do you think your uncle the baron could help me? He must have a powerful army. I could make you my general! Have you ever used a sword?"
Guligak offers Bumbo the use of his sword and points to a nearby stump. "Try chopping that stump over there. Let's see how you handle a real man's weapon!"
Almir Estate;
Dreyxor raises an eyebrow when you ask him permission to light your pipe, using his free hand to gesture to the swirling smoke already filling the room. "Smoke away, Pathfinder. I have but one request, and that is that you be seated while you smoke. Standing, rushing, or otherwise hasty approaches do an injustice to the art of pipesmoking. Come, sit."
There are a number of lounges and chairs in the room; all of them look comfortable. Dreyxor sits with you, drawing smoke from his own pipe, and sending it swirling around the room.
"I'm sorry that you were not politely received in this town, but understand that there are a number of forces at work. My family, and this estate, the House of the Crescent Star have been here since before the town itself existed as it does now. From just a pair of buildings to house our servants, the town sprang up around us as we began carving up the surrounding mountains in numerous mining ventures. Several generations of Almirs have occupied the House of the Crescent Star, each one carrying on the tradition of mining-based commerce, so suffice to say that we have seen a whole spectrum of changes and shifts from our vantage point. And I anticipate more. The Baron has maintained a strict neutrality and independence throughout very tempestuous political changes in somewhat recent history. That, of course, would be fine as a general rule, except that he has more recently come under severe pressures from both Andoren and Chelaxian fronts. Both are trying to influence him to side with them. Tell me, Pathfinder...What happens when you exert tremendous pressure onto something from two sides? Say, a grape, or an egg? How about an apple....or a skull? Or, imagine two children, fighting over a doll, a limp arm in each dirty hand, pulling and pulling in separate directions...?"
Drexyor takes a long haul from his pipe.
Corner of Keep Road and Dusk Lane;
"I think you are very strong, Goo-lee-gak. You should go fight the army that's out there! I bet you could take them all on! Do you want to meet my uncle?"
Bumbo willingly takes the sword and attempts a few awkward hacks at the tree. They are clumsy, and he risks almost losing grip and sending the blade flying out.
Guligak; As you watch the young man swing the sword, something in your gut tells you that there's something more at work here. You definitely get the feeling that he's faking ineptitude with the sword.
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"I'd be delighted"
Has a seat, and while filling his pipe...
"As I have seen the results of forces upon what whould be timeless structures, I know well that when forces eat away at something, for example, sand at the great pyramids, even the stongest of structures is destroyed, either undermined from below or torn away from without."
lights the pipe
"Who is this Baron beholden to? Are his lands granted him by Cheliax or by Andoren? Nobility is linear, who is this Baron's King? I have come from a distant land so I'm not readily familiar with the lineage of this Baron."
takes a long drag on off his pipe. Offers the sachet of Darkmoon to Dreyxor.
Andrea is saddened at the sight of the old elf...an old elf..most humans will go their whole lives without seeing one.
"I wonder" she whispers to Rose "did his mind crack when it lost connection with his god..or is it just age. It's obvious he can't help us..but...this place might come in useful if we ever need a place to hide...I doubt anyone would look for us here"
Guligak grunts. "So your uncle is a baron, huh? I wish I was a baron. Then I could have fifty wives giving me strong sons -- like you, Bumbo -- and if anyone from Cheliax or Andoran tried to tell me what to do, I'd chop him up and stick his head on a pike!"
The baron is his uncle? I thought the baron was the last of his lineage. An heir changes everything. Jon reviews the conversation mentally while Guligak talks. Could be. Sharp of Guligak to catch that. I missed it. But, if he's a simpleton, he could have expressed himself badly. We've got to find out more. Jon remains quiet, watching the idiot swing the sword.
Almir Estate;
"The Baron received his Baronship from his father, and his father from his father before that. Three hundred years, House Vendkion has stood there, unmoved. Baron Vendikon is beholden to no one, good sir, save Baron Vendikon. That is the bulk of my point here. Piren's Bluff, small and unassuming as it is, has the distinct property of being in an advantageous position, on the border between Andoran and Cheliax. Piren's Bluff is, in many ways, sitting on the fence. Lately, Chelish emissaries have come to whisper sweet things in the Baron's ear, but I'm not convinced he's fully listening. What's more, we have an Andoren army at our sides, threatening to tear down the place, and build it up for themselves. Quite a predicament, you see. And I'm afraid you'll not be able to do much spelunking or adventuring or whatever it is that you have planned, while this army threatens us so."
The First Light;
"Hide? You need to hide? I know where to hide! I hide all the time!" The elf drops his bucket of soapy water, and grabs Andrea and Rose's hands, pulling them across the floor. "Come with me!"
Tulrin leads the pair across the room, and behind the main dais. Here, like some kind of nesting animal, he has piled up layers of sheets, dirty clothes, rags, and piles of food spoiled and fresh. A large cape strewn across the top of the whole affair acts as a kind of tenting. The whole place reeks.
"Here, this is where I hide. You can hide here too."
The First Light;
"Wow!" Rose says, feigning enthusiasm. "This is a great hiding space. I'm sure no one will ever find you here. And what a great assortment of food you have here." Rose takes the time to cast Purify Food and Drink on the rotten food, hopefully giving the poor elf a few more days of supplies. By the look of it, he probably would have eaten it anyway.
"I'm sorry, Tulrin, elf-friend, but we are very busy. We must go now. We'll visit you again. You should have a rest." Rose reaches out and touches Tulrin's forehead, causing him to fall unconscious immediately. Holding her hand there to continue the effect, she speaks to Andrea; "This elf is beyond our help. We should just leave now. The longer we stay, the more we torment him and ourselves. There's nothing we can do. This temple is quite condemned. Perhaps there is another one in town? After Aroden's fall, most people found new faiths to follow. Surely there's another, more sane priest to be found."
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blows some smoke rings"Interesting, and how do you feel about the Baron?" takes another draw from his pipe
"Your estate has been here since before the time of the Baron. Why aren't you the Baron? What do you think the best solution for the town would be?"
"I'd love to be able to make some copies of the charts and maps of the area for ruins, to be able to explore some azlant ruins would be incredible, up until now I've only explored Osirion ruins."