The fourth and final day of training has come to a close at the Grand Lodge of Absalom, heralding the end of this year's Torchbearing. Pathfinders the world over attend this annual symposium to share their knowledge, teach each other new skills, and reinforce their connections across the Inner Sea and beyond. To celebrate the end of festivities, the lodge has hosted a grand banquet in the visiting agents' honor. A refreshing winter breeze blows through an open window, flickering torches and sending papers scattering. The smell of freshly baked desserts fills the air while initiates clear away the remnants of the first course.
During the annual Torchbearing, the Three Masters, along with other notable Pathfinders, taught a variety of seminars and panel discussions, from Golarion’s history to spellcasting techniques, and ran obstacle courses and a triathlon. Rumor has it, Janira Gavix offered an unauthorized but popular filking class for aspiring bards and other social misfits under 30--inches, not years. You also heard some salacious gossip about an exclusive, late-night VIP experience Zarta Dralneen arranged for some her favorites. According to one hungover Pathfinder who claimed to have been there, a disgruntled Drandle Dreng was turned away at the door.
Speaking of the imp, ever the social butterfly and self-appointed mentor-to-the-masses, the halfling bard Janira Gavix approaches your small group. “Hi, friends. It’s been awhile since last we met. Have you enjoyed the Torchbearing? I volunteered to organize all the classes again this year. Kreighton Shaine always said I should have been a teacher. Did you learn anything useful?”
Janira looks over her shoulder as she catches sight of another group of Pathfinders refilling their tankards at the grog bowl. “Oh, those are some more students of mine!” She bounces on her toes as she waves at the group and they wave back. “Excuse me? I’ll need to check in with them too!” Pleased that you appreciated her pedagogical efforts, she excuses herself with a smile and moves on.
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A small Gnome shuffles in. When he learns that he is not allowed into the Restful Pathfinder's Lodge he folds his arms, obviously miffed. Too preoccupied with the slight to his inherent feeling of importance, he has nothing to offer by way of any useful information.
He squeakily drags a chair to the table and steps upon it,
"I am Meux Feux-the baddest Meux Feux you will ever kneux-Theologian of Yamatsumi, the Mountain Lord himself! I have come here to chew alchemical gum and kick ass. But, because alchemical gum is too dang expensive, and I am really not as strong as the average Jeux, I will settle for charring my foes and healing my allies. I like my enemies...well done."
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Sek stands still and quiet. Sometimes he sees and overhears things. Today is one of those days. Some days he stands quietly and listens to wizard because there is little formal magical training amoung skinwalkers. That is how he has learned about magic.
Sek nods at the gnome and pulls his hood further down towards his eyes.
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A towering Mwangi man looms large among the gathered Pathfinders. Wild hair is tied back with leather strips into a semblance of order, but unkempt snarls have escaped here and there. A hard-eyed stare greets Meux's speech. [b]"Call me Kamishah."[b] The response is a short growls from his unfriendly mien, no further explanation forthcoming. His equipment suggests a martial bent, with armor and shield along with axe and flail, but the pouches at his waist hint at some spellcasting ability.
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A young human around 20 is standing in the room. Only wearing a loose cloak and very light leather armor, it is clear that he is not a fighter.
The dirty backpack on his back, the worn boots and the ready crossbow at his belt on the other hand also show that he is prepared for the road.
His goddess Chaldira is smiling lately which has given Kioshi some luck when interacting with his surroundings.
Kioshi looks like a Chelexian but there is something else mixed in.
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The front doors of Skyreach burst open with a loud crack. Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin strides to the edge of the platform, with a slender elf dressed in practical but expensive clothing trailing meekly behind. The red-faced venture-captain addresses the crowd in a booming voice.
“Pathfinders, I regret interrupting the festivities, but we have something of a situation. Approximately twenty minutes ago, unknown forces invaded the Blakros Museum. Fortunately for everyone involved, the Torchbearing is about cooperation and helping our colleagues, so let’s think of this less as an inconvenience and more as an opportunity to practice what we preach.”
The elf, Nigel, exhales sharply, then speaks, “Now, Ambrus, I’ve spent a king’s ransom fortifying the museum from all sorts of invaders: sentinels from the Golemworks, magical wards from the Arcanamirium, and even contracts for guard beasts, both magical and mundane—spared no expense. I didn’t want to come here, but I’ve got no choice.”
Valsin’s forced smile cracks slightly, showing his annoyance. “Out with it, Nigel. Get to the point.”
“Someone broke into my museum and set off the magical protections! I was preserving priceless Shining Crusade pieces for our new exhibit when the first alarm activated. I sent for district guards and went to investigate, but by the time I arrived, the thieves had already locked themselves in my study. They somehow caused the Shining Crusade relics to fly around the museum and attack my sentinels. Everything is going haywire! The magical traps started to target me, the sentinels are not responding to my commands, and—”
Valsin holds out a hand to steady the increasingly agitated elf. “The last you knew, the thieves were still in your study?” Nigel nods. “Very well. Pathfinders: the Seekers should prepare to teleport directly into the Blakros study—“
“That won’t work,” Nigel interrupts, “The study is magically sealed. After that dreadful Numerian exhibit, I turned it into a magical safe room. The robbers must have figured out how to activate it; no one can get in or out while the wards hold. I can work on breaking the wards, but meanwhile my sentinels are smashing up the collection. Some of those priceless relics are on loan from your own Society lodges, so helping me is really helping yourselves.”
“Fine.” Ambrus Valsin takes a deep breath and then turns to the assembled Pathfinders. “Pathfinders, go to the Blakros Museum, secure any relics you can, disable the security systems, and apprehend the looters if possible. Stay safe.”
As dessert is finally served, a variation upon the chelish Struedel, a small origami swan flutters through the room and lands on the center of your table. In moments, it unfolds itself into a crisp and creaseless piece of paper.
My apologies for interrupting your feast, but Nigel Aldain has just informed me that there is trouble at the Blakros Museum. Once your bitter laughter has subsided, let us continue. Nigel says it can’t wait until morning. We don’t want to jeopardize our relationship with the Blakros Family, so [u]we will do what we can to aid him[/u]. Please gather your gear and meet in the main hall within Skyreach. I will give more instructions then.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
Based on the contents of the missive, your subconscious brains already begin processing the information and unbidden to you, knowledge of the case at hand comes to you.
-----APPROACHING THE MUSEUM-----
Dozens of Wise District guards surround the Blakros Museum. The sergeant nods to Ambrus Valsin as he approaches, a subtle smirk dancing across the venture-captain’s face. The museum itself is alight with swirling whorls of color and the sounds of metal and stone clashing. Occasionally, brief flashes of light burst from the front entrance, illuminating a toppled banner that says “Legacy of the Shining Crusade.”
The broad-shouldered, middle-aged Ulfen man salutes, a somewhat bemused expression on his face. “Well met, Venture-Captain Valsin. I am Svaralk of Asleifar, Sergeant of the Learned Guard. The Guard appreciates your assistance.” He points to his subordinates, “Our initial attempt to quell the animated relics within failed. I’ve ordered the Guard to withdraw and form a perimeter.”
Ambrus Valsin returns the sergeant’s salute, a gesture of mutual respect. “You once served in Grand Prince Stavian III’s Ulfen Guard, did you not?”
Svaralk nods, “That’s right. Afterwards, I retired to Absalom and have served this city for seven years. This is not the first catastrophe I’ve responded to at the Blakros Museum, though none has been quite so dramatic as this. As if anyone needed further proof of the museum’s reputation for trouble.”
The Ulfen confides to the Venture-Captain, “After Nigel Aldain harangued me for dereliction of duty in not immediately retaking the museum, I’m in no rush to sacrifice the lives under my command until the warring creatures inside wear each other down.” He holds up a hand and shakes his head, “I don’t hold Nigel Aldain’s outburst against him. I recognize the elf is rightfully concerned—albeit rather precious—about his exhibit.”
Svaralk turns to your team of Pathfinders and says, “Before you enter, I can provide you an overview of the museum’s layout and tell you that there are animated relics and guard animals on the ground level, and clockwork creatures skirmishing with each other on the floor above. We also have an especially challenging problem in the gardens at the southeast corner of the museum grounds. Some kind of magical runes displaying swarm-like behavior, more magical devices really than living creatures. They proved too complicated a challenge for me and my guards; we simply lacked the skills to disable them.”
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Kioshi thinks about the letter and starts speaking to you about his Background knowledge.
"Well, as far as I know ..."
"To be honest I do not trust the Blackroses!"
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Kioshi is obviously quite impressed by the scenery.
"To be honest I am a little frightened about going in there. But Chaldira commands to act swiftly. I would recommend to get acid and alchemical fire and deal with swarm in the gardens first. Venture-Captain, could you provide us with any support in that matter?"
Ambrose frowns at Kioshi. “Didn’t anyone teach you to always be prepared?”
With a sigh, he points out the closest Alchemist shop. “Be quick!”
The eagle flys around the building, maneuvering so it can peek into windows. It quickly returns and settles on Sek’s arm.
The two of them squawk at each other for a few moments.
Aquilo describes a cloud of flying scratches — you think they are probably describing letters — wandering around in the garden. Seem to be hunting back and forth although no idea what they stalk.
Just inside the entrance they saw a big flag — easily as big as Sek — that was waving without there being any wind!
Further inside there are four dogs. Three of them are smaller. The big one looks more scary! They seem like they have marked out their territory in the area and will defend it!
Upstairs Aquilo describes something that has the shape a normal person, only made of that stuff bees use to build their nests! It is moving around so it isn’t just a resting post. I only saw one before returning, but it doesn’t seem like it has any company.
The group comes in via a door that doesn’t appear to have any guardians near it and immediately go up the stairs.
Many of the smaller exhibits and relics are on the second floor. This is also where the museum has several offices and classrooms for holding lectures.
You know that the creature was last seen in the central area ahead, but there are walls surrounding the area with archways openings on either side.
Gears, glass, and chunks of wax litter the polished wood floor under a sign that proclaims “Scars of the Lich.” The corpse of a Kellid warrior lies in a pool of blood, her furs soaked through. A constant ticking and whirring sound echoes in this area.
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The proud crusader who is rushing toward you is not alive. He is made of wax, you see. Also, there a crenellated tower and chisel symbol encrusted on the back of both hands. This is the proof that you are against a golem made by Golemworks. Luckily for the party, it looks like Nigel didn’t add weapons on him.
Still, a slam of a one thousand pounds of wax hurts quite a lot.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
Round 1
Token available! Use it or boost it!
Bolded may act.
Kioshi
Sek
Ylania
Enemy
Edwin
Mex
Kamisha
Kioshi’s blob of acid hits the golem.
The golem cries out “Cultists! I will slay you for that and all your other foul deeds!”
Sek moves to a more advantageous location so that he can shoot the Golem if it comes near.
Round 1
Aid Token still waiting to be used or boosted!
Bolded may act.
Kioshi
Sek
Ylania
Ivan Igor -2
Edwin
Meux
Kamisha
Ylania casts her protective spell.
The wax golem has the shape of a crusader. Given the banner, it is most likely meant to be one of the crusaders that participated in the Shining Crusade.
It moves towards Kioshi saying "I will stop your evil, cultist!"
At that point it is hit by Sek's arrow!
It continues approaching and attempts to slam Kioshi with a waxen fist.
Round 1
Aid Token still waiting to be used or boosted!
Bolded may act.
Kioshi
Sek
Ylania
Ivan Igor -11
Edwin
Meux
Kamisha