|
A halfling dressed entirely in black, with a holy symbol of Pharasma, enters the Archive, and looks around curiously.
"Hello. My name is Julian Lightfoot, inquisitor of Pharasma. While the Lady of Graves has commanded me to travel the world, destroying undead, I am also very curious about the various magical secrets that Pathfinders frequently uncover. I'm told they're stored, catalogued, and examined here. I'd like to sign up to help with that whenever I'm back in Absalom between Pathfinder missions."
"And while I always hope we stay safe as Pathfinders, we all know that the missions we go on can be dangerous. If anyone here has anything they'd like to confess, any secrets you'd like to get off your chest, just in case you go on to meet Pharasma before returning from your next mission, just let me know. I'm always available to hear such confessions."
There's something weird about the way Julian talks about his religion. He seems a bit too excited when talking about learning about the Darkive's magical secrets, or the secrets of any Pathfinder in confession. You're sure there's something he's not telling you, and fairly certain he's lying in some of what he did say.
|
|
A young typical Chelaxian woman looks up from a rather large black tome from a nearby table. She mutters something while scowling when she noticed the halfling introducing himself. "Oh... Nethy's scorched buttocks... A Pharasmin slip that is poking his nose into things he shouldn't." She takes a deep breath before closing the tome and standing up from the table.
She smiles with a veneer of civility to the halfling "Well, greetings little creature. As my... Compatriot said, this place is a location of many artifacts of... A darker sort. So please be careful. And also, I must say... I did not expect a Pharasmin s-" She covers her mouth with her free hand and lets out a slight cough before continuing. "Sorry. A Pharasmin follower would want to peer into such things. Even if it is to combat undead." She looks around a bit before looking back at him. "Anyway, you are welcome here Mr Lightfoot. Please do not disrespect anything within here. Be it a person, or their property." She turns to walk away but stops. "Also, don't disrespect anything on the shelves either. Some of them can... Bite."
|
|
Julian politely and quietly listens to what the others tell him.
"Of course, of course. I would never dream of being disrespectful to anyone or anything here. I'm just very curious about all the magic here, and am looking forward to helping you all study the items in the archive, and uncover their secrets."
"In fact, if you do need help with any research, I can offer some divine help in remembering long forgotten details related to whatever you're studying. Pharasma grants me the ability to help others recall things, so just let me know, and I'll be glad to help."
|
|
She lets out a huff when Mr Lightfoot replies. "Fine then. But do not intervene. Many here practice... The essence of necromancy, and do not bother anyone." She ponders a bit before speaking. "Maybe you can figure out just how long it takes to remove a patch from a robe of many items, or its similar item, the robe of bones. I have never found an answer to that yet. It is a subject I am very interested in."
She nods in approval and puts a hand on her hip. "Yes, that will do fine. Report your findings with a robe borrowed from ... Well, since you want to fight undead, there are many Robes of Bones in the Necromancy section to utilize. And report your findings to the lead scribe of the area. I, Selena Malicdor, will be greatly pleased for the information." Selena grins and turns to leave the room to go conduct her own experiments.
|
|
Not having studied the arcane arts, Julian doesn't know what a Robe of Bones is.
On the other hand, he has studied humanoid behavior.
He finds Selena interesting. More interesting, in fact, than any experiment she wants him to conduct. He'll duck behind a chair or desk for cover and try to stealthily follow her around the archives for a while.
|
|
Julian's armor clangs a little, and he gives up on the stealth attempt, realizing he'll be seen.
"This was so much easier before I started wearing armor everywhere", he thinks to himself.
He wanders off towards the necromancy section that Selena indicated. But instead of looking for robes, he looks for books to find out what a Robe of Bones is before doing anything else.
|
|
Selena walks calmly towards the necromancy section. While walking, she feels that something is watching her...
She stops, noticing that the Pharasmin slip is sneaking behind her. She sighs and continues walking. He is heading towards the same section of the Archives as I am? Then why is he sneaking. I really do not like being followed. She tries to calm herself down not to get agitated by him.
|
|
As the two reach the necromancy section, they find an older human male in white robes with red trim bearing a glowing holy symbol of Saranrae searching through a tome entitled How to unmake undead: A practical guide
"Oh, hello! My name is Zhevlzhenjay. I am wondering if perhaps you have seen brother of mine? Name is Smrt. I thought he would be here, but he has been doing the eluding of me. He is . . . in need of spell that I must give to him.
|
|
"Hello. Julian Lightfoot, at your service", the halfling bows.
"You're the first human man I've met here, so I don't think I've seen your brother. Unless the spell you're researching has to do with gender changing, of course", he smirks.
"I don't suppose you know where I can find books about magical items? The lady here has me doing research into an item called a Robe of Bones."
|
|
"Hello. Julian Lightfoot, at your service", the halfling bows.
"You're the first human man I've met here, so I don't think I've seen your brother. Unless the spell you're researching has to do with gender changing, of course", he smirks.
"I don't suppose you know where I can find books about magical items? The lady here has me doing research into an item called a Robe of Bones."
"Ugh, robe of bones? Why would you want such dreadful item. Is robe that has many undead stored in it. Robe has patches, you see. Pull off patch makes undead. Ugh, is awful. Minor subject of debate on how long it takes to remove patch, but I am not liking of the necromancy too much, unlike brother of mine.
|
|
Selena lets out a huff as she is greeted along with the halfling. But she takes a breath and nods towards Zhevlzhenjay. "Greetings Sarenite Zhevlzhenjay..." She looks perplexed after she finishes speaking the Sarenite's name. She shakes her head and continues. "No, I have not seen your... Brother."
She shoots a quick glare towards Julian when she hears him allude to such changes. She attempts to regain composure before continuing to speak.
She lets out a sigh before speaking of the Robe of Bones subject. "It is less dirty than a necromancer defiling a corpse. When making one, it doesn't require any "Undead" in its construction. Anyway. Julian there is a Pharasmin that wants to combat undead. So I just pointed him to a suitable means to practice his craft." She walks towards where such robes are being stored and looks for one with only weaker undead patches on it. She finds one and pulls it out for inspection. "But I'll have you know that the school of Necromancy is not raising undead, it deals with a broader subject. And I personally find such poor informed comments offensive." She lays the robe down gently to go over it to make sure it isn't damaged in any way. While doing this she looks up. "...With anything here, can't be too careful." She smirks and continues with what she is doing.
|
|
The man in white turns to the woman.
"Appologies. I mean not to offend, but robe of bones does require animate dead spell, yes? Ah, but is no matter. You are quite correct, there exists necromancy spells like disrupt undead and undeath to death. I appologize. My brother's. . . How you say 'perchant' for creating and controlling undead in way that is, how you say, super creepy. . . This has soured the school for me. Is why I need to find him, to give him spell that might fix his mind."
|
|
Selena stops for a moment to ponder on what the man in white said. "Hm... Well, certain afflictions can do that. Be it a curse, or some sort of disease. And you say he creating, and controlling undead in a... "Super Creepy" way. Might need multiple spells for that... Maybe from the schools of abjuration or even conjuration. Since both of those schools can remove such things, Necromancy is the opposite." She runs a hand over the robe. "Are you researching on the spell that made him like he is now?" She looks up to the man in white, she looks genuinely interested in the discussion now.
|
|
The man somberly shakes his head.
"No, well, yes, maybe. . . I do not know. My brother he, well, both of us grew up on the outskirts of Geb. He is older though, never had friends. I was lucky, there were children my age when I grew up, but Smrt, he just had mother and father. And, I think maybe he sees undead in position of power in Geb, and he thinks this is how to get ahead in life, this is how to get friends. Now he summons, controls, or creates them, and wants the things to be friends. He . . . Hugs them and such, even though they clearly want to kill him but for his necromantic control of them. He does not know any other way. I fear his insanity is mundanely based. Heal spell has had no effect on him. Luckily I have procured this."
The man pulls a very complex scroll from his backpack.
"Is newly developed spell called 'psychic surgery.' Is my last hope to cure dear brother. Zarta gets for me. It is said it can cure insanities that even heal spell cannot fix. Is tricky though, spell is designed for psychic spellcasting, hopefully I can muddle my way through spell, is very complex."
|
|
"That is creepy." As Selena blurts out. Seeing her mistake, she covers her mouth and bows her head slightly towards the man in white. "Sorry. Anyway, I must say I have not heard of such a spell. And if it is related to those so called "Occult" abilities, I really doubt I will." With a shrug, Selena picks up the robe and puts it on. "Hm, well, now I just need to find a few scrolls of 'Command Undead' before I even consider removing a patch."
She looks around and sees the magic scroll library. "Now lets see... Ah, here we go. With this in-house, it will be free of charge." A few scrolls are plucked off the shelf and placed on a nearby table. Selena then unrolls on and reviews the scroll and smiles. She nods and looks towards Julian the Halfling. "So, Pharasminite, care to practice your zealotry against a couple? Though, it looks like I grabbed one that still has those plague ogre zombies on it. But with these scrolls, they should prove to be of no consequence. If you wish... " She looks towards the man in white and then frowns. "I am sorry, Zhen... Zven... Jay. I heard you speak it earlier, but I must say it is hard to speak it. Anyway, if you like, you can face some of the creatures as well."
|
|
Julian listens intently to the conversation, making mental notes of all the secrets revealed to him by the loose lips of his new associates.
When Selena suggests using the Robe of Bones, he gets a look of disgust on his face.
"I certainly don't want you to create any undead."
"And that could be dangerous in here. I don't know if we're powerful enough to defeat something like that. Even if we are, we may damage some of the books or other objects in the archives during our combat."
"Besides, I need to conserve my resources for now. I've been told that I'll be leaving later today for my Confirmation mission to become a field agent. I'll need to conserve all of my available spells for the day to use on that."
|
|
"Aw... That won't do. Oh well." She looks a bit disappointed. But she then shrugs, dismissing the thought. "It will be interesting going on your own Confirmation. But... Well..." She looks a bit thoughtful before sighing. "Be careful. My sister went on her own confirmation. What came back was a slimy, slight crushed mess. What was left over was sent home. I know I surpassed her in that regards." She smirks slightly.
"So... Enjoy the field trip. Should be easy enough unless you do something stupid. But go ahead, try different things." She says, while checking the robe.
|
|
"Good luck Mr Lightfoot. I have never actually been doing the confirmations myself. I tracked my brother to the Pathfinders, and when I am telling Ambrus Valsin about the curing of my brother, he gives me the field commission on the spot. I am interesting to see how goes. I wish you the well, and hope to hear what the conformations are like.
And miss, em. . . I do not think I catch name. Anyway, do not be so sure. I hear occult spells have been the showing up in many adventures lately. Perhaps is more likely than you think.
|
|
"That's too bad about your sister. May Pharasma have mercy on her soul."
As he says this, he clasps his holy symbol of Pharasma and waves it in a standard Pharasmin sign of respect for the dead.
"Anyway, it was nice meeting you, but I really should be going. I have instructions from Venture-Captain Valsin to go to some pub, which seems odd."
|
|
Selena raises an eyebrow towards Julian when he does his gesture. "Oh... Thanks. But you don't have to worry. She was dumb not to see a slime mold and got swallowed by it. I surpassed her in knowledge and magical power." She giggles slightly when she finished her statement. She waves when the halfling leaves and mutters something as he does. "Farewell. May you achieve what my homeland considers you of."
With that said and done, she turns to the man in white. "Oh, sorry. My name is Selene Malicdor. ..." She seems slightly embarrassed when she finished pronouncing her family's pride. "Ah... Sorry, I do get carried away when people ask me of my name." She pats down the robe she is wearing and smooths it out. "About those spells you said, I have heard that too. Maybe I will find something to improve my knowledge of the school of magic I study. If I do come across any when on a mission."
|
|
"Pardon?" Selene looks towards the masked man floating towards them.
Recognizing the mask, she scoffs towards him. "Oh, a Grey Elf has arrived. And of course a non-human would have trouble understanding such a simple subject. Let alone one that most likely never really got out much." She then sits on a nearby table, continuing to face him.
Selena leans to her side a bit, resting on an extended arm. She then ponders a bit, and then speaks in a calm tone. "Ignorant as you are, I guess I have to teach you a bit about where I am from. Only that will clear up such... Useless thoughts. Anyway!" She sits upright and looks around for something suitable to help demonstrate, but then shrugs. "Oh well, maybe such things are not needed, so please keep up. So... Speaking of Glorious Cheliax. One nation with stability and clear forethought into the future for bettering herself and its populace. It has many intelligent and wise people who follow order and that .... ...... .... .. ...." As she goes on and on of the "perfection" of what is the nation of Cheliax and the Chelaxian people.
|
|
"And with her Infernal Majestrix, she has, and will lead the nation of Cheliax for many years to come!.... Er.." Selena looks around in a bit of a daze. Clearly feeling a bit embarrassed, she slips off the table and bows her head somewhat. "Ah. Sorry. My father drilled such knowledge into my head with... Passion, when I was younger. But I have to say it seemed more like fear to me." She shrugs and tilts her head slightly.
|
|
Zhevlzhenjay shakes his head and mutters to himself.
He clears his throat and switches back to Common
"I apologize, but it appears my brother is not being here. I will look for him elsewhere.
He turns and takes a step that looks like it will make him collide with a bookcase, but strangely, instead he disappears and re-appears 80 feet down the corridor near where this branch of the archive starts. He then continues his stride as if nothing had happened.
The ability of a humanoid spellcaster (knowledge local) of a rare ability, that requires at least 1 HD (DC 15+1=16)
He starts angrily ranting to himself as he leaves the area
|
|
"My dear my people stood and the Ancient Azlanti fell, but on more important matter do you think that wizard more then slightly mad? I hope that he has not purloined a scroll of Occult Might past his experience or breadth of knowledge. Psychic Magic is not something one should dabble into. Oh and he most petulantly called us racist, Egotistical and Petulant" the elf drolls on behind the mask as he smile an unseen grin. "To think that we do not speak Osiriani, as if we are not learned Pathfinders, but you should learn from the good Para-countess's example and divorce yourself from petty nationalism, it will only weaken your abilities with the Mystic"
|
|
"True. It was my father that was a... "Follower" in a sense of not wanting to draw attention. I feel pure knowledge is better, and that is why I follow Nethys. I just happen to have more favor towards my homeland. It works after all." Selena shrugs. "And I find devils, while easier to work with, a bit tedious. Mindless undead on the other hand. You give them a command, and they do it. Stand there. They do it. Attack that, and they do it. And they made a useful robe just for that!" She gestures to the robe she is wearing.
Selena sighs while admiring the robes she is wearing. "I am going to buy one, one day. It is a bit simple to buy this robe instead trying to raise the dead for your bidding. Less messy too."
|
|
A lean, fit man of obvious Chelish ancestry enters into the Archive. He's been seen here before quite often, but not so much of late. He's armed with some sort of polearm but wears no armor. He looks around and gives a respectful bow to the elf, Imoganth.
,
It's obvious he knows the forms, but his execution leaves something to be desired.
"Hello, I'm Marcellus." Marcellus is a member of the Archive, but has spent much time as an instructor for the Swords. He seems a bit ... embarrassed by something Selena has said.
"I was told there may be some ... testing to be done, and I often get to stand by as support. I can't do too much of the magical protection, other than figuring things out, but I am somewhat skilled at controlling wayward ... constructions, summons or other issues. Is this the right room here?"