A little knowledge is a dangerous thing:
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring...
- Alexander Pope
Magnimar. The City of Monuments stretches before you as you step off the docks, a shimmering two-stepped vista of white stone walls and marble columns. Around you is the working-class Shore Quarter, filled with shops, merchant’s homes, and all the necessities of daily life in any large city. Above the Shore and behind it, atop the sharp cliff called the Seacleft that divides the city in two, lies the Summit, home to the city’s governmental officials, nobles, and richest traders. Just to the north of you looms the massive Irespan, the crumbling remnants of the bridge once large enough to hold an army of giants now casting a sharp shadow on the shoreline beneath it. You have heard stories of some breed of hidden monster that lives within the Irespan’s ruins, but it is just one of the many mysteries that Magnimar – and all of Varisia – is said to hold.
Your party of newly-minted Pathfinders, equipment (and smallish dinosaur) in tow, make your way to the dock street, only to be confronted by a half-elf man in livery – marked by a rearing stag surrounded by rose vines – carrying a sign that lists your names. Despite his formal uniform, the longsword on the man’s hip shows signs of frequent use, and his build is that of a warrior. He eyes your group warily, noting your equipment and unusual companions, then bows. “You must be the ones I’ve been sent to meet,” he says, speaking only loud enough to carry over the din of the busy street. “My name is Ebrylis, and I’ve been sent to escort you to Heidmarch Manor.”
Therin bows his head to the man in greeting, smiling in a friendly way. "A pleasure to meet you, Ebrylis. Is there anything we need to do before we arrive at the manor or are we jumping right into things?" He glances up towards the Irespan a bit wistfully. "Will our path there take us past some of the local sites? The city is well known for its own mysteries."
Smiling at Mozzel's apparent reluctance at having notice drawn to herself, which she is sure must be feined given the halfling's propensity to draw attention to her flamboyant red scarf, Kaeryta keeps her steps carefully paced to not outstrip any of her companions. Besides, there was no rush and plenty of interesting things to see. "Thank you for the warm welcome, Ebrylis."
Slowly pacing behind Therin, Ar'dreth looks up at the Irespan. "The best way to see the sites is to explore them. Hopefully that is one of the reasons we are here."
"Well met Ebrylis, lets make haste to the manor. We wouldn't want to keep the Lord or Lady waiting."
Therin grins back at Ar'dreth and nods his head. "Indeed, it would be quite a wonder to be the first to see just where the Irespan may have once gone or uncover any of its other secrets."
He raises his brow a bit, reaching out and touching a strand of Mozzel's hair lightly. "Careful now, or the citizens are likely to mistake you for a gnome and some noble's gardener will kidnap you to chatter away his gophers!"
Ebrylis stiffens slightly at the halfling's words, but his tone remains polite as he leads the party through Magnimar's crowded streets. "Lord and Lady Heidmarch are known for their frequent guests from unusual quarters," the half-elf says. He tosses a look over his shoulder, one laden with meaning. "The specific nature of their guests is not common knowledge," he adds, in a quieter tone.
The half-elf leads you down several broad avenues, following the curve of the bay. Though strangers are seemingly not unusual here, your particular party draws stares, but most passersby quickly turn back to their own affairs rather than meet your eyes. The looming gray mass of the Irespan grows steadily larger ahead of you, until you reach the base of a broad staircase carved directly into the slate of the Seacleft. The wide flagstones have been worn smooth by generations of climbers, but traffic seems much lighter here. The lack of travelers is likely due to the city guards that flank the bottom of the stairs; the rare commoners who attempt the climb are firmly, even aggressively, turned back. Ebyrlis' livery seems to justify his presence - and yours - as you climb, however.
As you reach the top nearly half a mile later, you see another of Magnimar's famed monuments ahead of you, the slender spire of the Arvensoar, a 400-foot-high tower stretching up from the base of the Seacleft to more than 100 feet higher than the cliff's edge. Ebyrlis turns north, though, away from the Arvensoar and the Irespan both, entering an upscale, well-to-do portion of the city, where smaller streets wind between large, walled estates. At every gate stand household guards, liveried much like Ebyrlis, wearing the colors and insignia of their patrons. At last you arrive before a set of wrought-iron gates, into which the stag and roses emblem has been worked. "Hiedmarch Manor," says Ebyrlis, and leads you inside.
Walking through the city, Rufus has kept mostly silent, taking in the grandeur and strangeness of the sites. The city is so different from the woods he has lived in most of his life and the noises, sights and particularly smells almost overpower him.
When they reach the top of the cliff, he has regained some of his composure, though he still keeps an eye out for signs of trouble.
Turning to Ebyrlis, he asks "Who built this mighty bridge yonder?"
"Oh, I'd like to learn to talk to animals, they must have such interesting stories to tell. Could you teach me to talk to pretty, Corath?"
For a moment, Corath doesn't respond. He is trying to sooth Prettykill, who did not like the ship ride over here.
"I think we might be able to get at least an understanding between her and you, as well as any others of thsi group who would like at least to learn the most basic form of communication. Magic is usually easier to use though."
The trip through the city does not go well for the pair. Prettykill has never seen so many people, and Corath finds that he doesn't particulary like cities. More than once he is forced to scare curious hands away from Prettykill, lest she become panicked and bite off the offending hand.
"The mysteries of Magnimar are some of the more enticing reasons I joined the Pathfinders." Ar'dreth adds excitedly with a slight grin emerging from his lips.
Moving next to Mozzel. "I hear there is an exceptional arcane college here in Magnimar. Maybe we should go sometime, seeing as we are the arcane "artists" of the group."
"It looks like we have arrived."
Knowledge Nobility check to see if I know anything about the Heidmarchs
Therin winks a bit towards Mozzel before he looks over towards the dinosaur. "It may not quite be a verbal communication, but it isn't always too hard to develop an understanding." He dips a hand into his pack and pulls out his last chunk of salted meat(got rid of my ration), tossing it over towards Prettykill so his hands can stay well clear. "Isn't that right, big girl?"
Knowledge Local
Therin winks a bit towards Mozzel before he looks over towards the dinosaur. "It may not quite be a verbal communication, but it isn't always too hard to develop an understanding." He dips a hand into his pack and pulls out his last chunk of salted meat(got rid of my ration), tossing it over towards Prettykill so his hands can stay well clear. "Isn't that right, big girl?"
Prettykill snaps the meat up just before it hit's the ground. Corath claps good-naturedly Therin on the shoulder.
"Keep it up Therin, and I'll be raising a two-legged brach* instead of a rex!"
Turning to Ebyrlis, he asks "Who built this mighty bridge yonder?"
"It is from the Thassalonian Empire," Ebyrlis says with a slight shrug, "but that is all I know. There is a library at the manor, however, that might be able to tell you more."
:
Over the years since Magnimar’s founding, a great deal of construction material has been taken from the collapsed sections of the ruin; a substantial fraction of the city’s larger buildings have foundations built from the gray slate of the Irespan. Some years ago, one of the city’s mayors attempted to establish a directed demolition and reclamation program. It did not end well. The work revealed that the Irespan is hollow, but the discovery was followed by what can only be described as an invasion, as human-sized spiderlike creatures poured out of the bridge’s interior and attacked the population, killing hundreds before they were driven back and sealed inside once more. It is now illegal to directly tamper with or attempt to enter the Irespan, on pain of decades’ hard labor.
As for treating the nobles with respect, you honestly haven’t a clue beyond the general rules of etiquette. Hopefully that will be enough…
:
Ebyrlis pushes open the wrought iron gates and ushers you through, securing them firmly behind you. A small guardhouse stands discreetly to one side, and Ebyrlis turns toward it. “Here is my post, sirs and madams, and so I must leave you.” He gestures up a graveled path that leads deeper into the estate. “Your cottages await you; turn left there and follow the path around the pond. You will be staying in Bakrahan and Haruka Houses, three in each; the cottages have plaques to mark them out.” He points toward two structures several hundred yards away, one to the southeast and the other to the southwest. “That building is the manor house proper; Lord and Lady Hiedmarch will receive you there tonight for dinner to welcome you and discuss your first assignment. That one is the Meeting House, where you will do most of your work while you are here – it includes a library and laboratory, among other amenities. If you have any questions, speak with the caretaker, Wumbrout Brios. Welcome to Hiedmarch Manor, gentlefolk.” With a final bow, Ebyrlis steps into the guardhouse, leaving you to fend for yourselves.
It is clear that the estate covers several acres, with the Meeting House and manor houses forming the anchors of a large compound that is centered on two large ponds. The cottages Ebyrlis spoke of are scattered around the ponds along the east side, giving the manor house a respectful distance, and trees and hedges growing just inside the estate’s walls provide privacy from the outside world. In the middle distance, what appears to be a large hedge maze is visible as well.
"I will accompany you ladies. I doubt I will be at the cottage much anyway, seeing as there is a readily available library and lab." Ar'dreth replies to Mozzel as his eyes light up with the thought of the library, and a rich family's library at that.
Ar'dreth will drop most of his belongings at the cottage, but always has his sword, spellbook and component pouch with him. He then makes his way to the library until dinner time.
Therin raises a brow slightly at Ar'dreth, jesting with the serious man and clapping him on the shoulder. "Bunking with the ladies, eh? They do say much of elven virility." He chuckles and glances towards Corath and Rufus as well as their companions. "Seems I'll be sleeping in the barn. Come, fellows, lets go make sure the hay is comfortable."
Therin will unpack and take the time to try and clean up and get himself looking presentable. He expects the dinner to be held with fellow adventurers, so he does wear his chain shirt, though he does polish it to the best of his ability. He keeps his rapier on his hip, his cold iron dagger in his boot, and his thieves tools hidden on his person, but otherwise leaves his gear in the room.
Therin raises a brow slightly at Ar'dreth, jesting with the serious man and clapping him on the shoulder. "Bunking with the ladies, eh? They do say much of elven virility." He chuckles and glances towards Corath and Rufus as well as their companions. "Seems I'll be sleeping in the barn. Come, fellows, lets go make sure the hay is comfortable."
"Very funny Therin, but I meant no such thing. I offer them more privacy because my Elven heritage does not require much sleep." At that Ar'dreth moves toward the cottage observing his surroundings.
Still grinning, Therin quips back"And certainly your elven eyes will give you a better view in the dark for such sleepless hours."
He glances to the girls, smiling genuinely and giving a small nod of his head. "No offense is meant with my jesting, ladies. I am sure you will be in good hands with Ar'dreth nearby."
Still grinning, Therin quips back"And certainly your elven eyes will give you a better view in the dark for such sleepless hours."
He glances to the girls, smiling genuinely and giving a small nod of his head. "No offense is meant with my jesting, ladies. I am sure you will be in good hands with Ar'dreth nearby."
"I am surprised you are so educated in Elven abilities." Ar'dreth replies without turning around. "Hopefully the hay is not to itchy."
Getting Prettykill to settle in the barn isn't as easy as one might think. She is very stubborn and seems determined to stay with Corath.
"You need to stay her, okay? I'll come back as soon as I can. Don't eat the other animals okay? Someone hurts you, scream and run."
While he knows she can't understand him, he hopes he gets the point across.
Handle Animal(Push to 'Stay'):23
"I think I will get ready for dinner and have a look around this place," Rufus says, before dropping of his gear at the appointed hut. He will walk the estate for a while, before looking for a place to wash himself. Despite prefering to be near his bow, he'll leave it and only take his dagger with him. Brune lies down to rest in front of his gear.
As it nears dinner time, Ar'dreth puts everything back as found in the library and heads to the cottage. At the cottage he cleans up as much as possible and sits reading his spellbook until requested.
Getting Prettykill to settle in the barn isn't as easy as one might think. She is very stubborn and seems determined to stay with Corath.
"You need to stay her, okay? I'll come back as soon as I can. Don't eat the other animals okay? Someone hurts you, scream and run."
While he knows she can't understand him, he hopes he gets the point across.
Handle Animal(Push to 'Stay'):23
Prettykill takes some time to settle down, but Corath is eventually able to get her calm enough that he is pretty sure she'll leave the cabin intact while he's gone.
As evening approaches, the group gathers at the manor house in their chosen meal attire. The servants who greet you show no signs of either approval or disapproval as you are escorted up the stairs of the well-appointed residence, past exotic artifacts and sculptures from foreign lands. Everything you see looks to have some thrilling story behind it, and you cannot tell if this is the cream of the crop, or if more similar items are to be found elsewhere in the Hiedmarch's estate.
The servant leading you approaches a set of richly carved wooden doors, which openly smoothly to reveal a comfortable, if surprisingly small, dining room. A single long table has been set for the six of you, with two additional places; the plates and cups are of Tian porcelain, and the tableware is dark polished ebony.
Standing next to the door is a couple you can only assume are your hosts. Sir Canayven is a tall, somewhat thin human man in his late middle years, his tanned skin stretched taut over ridged tendons and wiry muscles. A set of floppy mustaches, peppered black and grey, droops over his lips, and his eyes are a sharp, rich blue. His wife Sheila is slightly younger, with an aquiline nose, long black hair and olive skin. She is more striking than pretty, but her gaze carries an intensity that is hard to look away from. Both are dressed in simple tunics and breeches, with matching jackets and leather boots, but the fabric is high-quality silk rather than wool.
Sir Canayven smiles broadly, stepping forward slightly and offering a slight bow. "Ah, our newest arrivals," he says in a resonant voice, one almost better suited to the stage than the dining hall. "Please, please, come in and make yourselves welcome. I am Canayven Hiedmarch, and I am honored indeed to call this lovely creature my wife, Sheila. We hope you will join us tonight, to tell tales of your adventures and break bread with us, before we discuss where you might next turn your attentions." Sheila smiles slightly, but her expression remains somewhat reserved as she and her husband gesture you toward your seats and take their places at the foot and head of the table respectively.
With a deep bow Ar'dreth addresses the couple. "I am Ar'dreth, thank you for your hospitality." Rising back up, he heads to the nearest chair and sits.
Therin will approach the two hosts to greet them personally. Seeing that Sheila seems more reserved he will try a more formal greeting, attempting to take her hands towards his lips though not quite touching the top of her hand with them. "A pleasure, Mi'lady."
Sir Canayven seems much more of a adventurous sort and being a charter captain no doubt has spent much time in the field, so when Therin turns to him he gives a small proper bow of his head and then offers out a hand. "Therin Ulric, sir. The pleasure is all mine. I know that we are greatly honored to be guests in your home and perhaps to be of some service to you and your wife."
"Thank you for your hospitality, it is greatly appreciated after our time on the ship."
Corath takes a seat, looking as out-of-place as he feels.
Being more at home in the woods, alone except for the beasts of the forest, Rufus feels a bit uncomfortable, but tries to be polite, with a moderately successful result.
Thanks for inviting us.
Sir Canayven smiles again, signaling for servants to begin bringing in the meal. "You are all very welcome," he says in reply to the groups' various offers of thanks. "Please, let us enjoy our meal and speak of your adventures so far. I'm very interested in hearing about your Confirmations in particular." The table is slowly covered with fruits and vegetables, which are replaced by several cuts of juicy meats and fine cheeses, which are replaced in turn by pies of some exotic bittersweet fruit mixed with rich chocolate, while the conversation continues.
Canayven listens intently, asking questions and seeming to hang on your words, while his wife speaks only rarely, in a quiet contralto. She seems more interested in her food than in the conversation, though her manners are such that she nevers offers any offense.
Therin grins a bit, pleased to tell his story with his own share of embellishment.
"Well for my Confirmation, I was sent to Riddleport with the task of gathering some information on boss Kroat's thieves guild. I was working for him a few weeks when things went a bit nuts in town. Turns out a bit of starmetal was uncovered on an island near there. Boss Kroat took a few of us and made his way over there to try and get whatever starmetal he could first. Seemed like as good a chance as any to get in good with the boss, and to maybe learn a bit about the starmetal too. Turns out there was a lot more to the island then we thought. Some weird creature wiped out most of the gang, there was a ghost haunted tower, and the other guilds who showed up didn't exactly get along. Still we fought our way back to the mainland, I got my story, and the boss got a bit of a profit to boot."
Bluff Check(I am assuming he isn't attracted to me, otherwise it is one higher)
For a moment Corath is silent.
"My Confirmation was not nearly as exciting as Therin's. I was given the task of finding the Moonwing, a small bird with ivory-clored feathers. It is very small, very fast, and only lives in the deepest part of whatever forest it chooses. It is actually just a small white raven. Took me three months to find it's nest though, and another two to actually capture it. When I made it back and learned the Moonwing was to be some spoiled brat's pet, I released, saying that my task was only to show proof I had caught it. The foolish child actually said since I released his pet, he should get Prettykill, then tried to put a leash on her. I believe the local healers were able to reattach his finger, and rumor has it he is better behaved now."
Ar'dreth takes a drink and clears his throat after Corath finishes his story.
"My confirmation consisted of retrieving documents from a local arms shop that proved they were participating in illegal commerce. I was told not to harm anyone and that defensive spells would be best. As night fell I approached the building from the back and could see three men through the window sitting around a table which held the documents. When the time was right I cast sleep on the men and used a scroll of knock that was provided by my contact on the back door. It was a very easy mission after that. The shop ended up being closed down and the owner sent to jail. A just mission, but I would have rather done something more intriguing."
Rufus seems a little uneasy when it becomes his time to tell of his Confirmation. He clears his throat, then starts. "I was charged with tracking down a small band of orcs, who had been ambushing caravans in the area. The weather soon turned from bad to worse, as a series of storms and showers descended on the region, so I were forced to seek shelter in a cave in the hills. But finally I managed to find the camp of orcs. They were 5 in total. Though my orders had been to only track them down, I managed to take two of them out on two consecutive days, while the others slept. I don't speak Orc, but I believe the rest feared a ghost had taken their comrades, so they decided to leave the area and travelled north. I followed them for a couple of days, when they were attacked by a band of mercenary guards, during a failed ambush on what looked like an undefended caravan." Rufus looks down in his plate when he's done, totally unused to public speaking and this kind of attention on his person.