Daellum looks shocked. By the gods! And to think I nearly brought then back! I will happily accept your notes, Chu'ko, and any song or tome wish to compose will have my full backing. I inky pray that you leave the sword to me. I have a vault designed for is storage ready and waiting. As for the document, that most not fall into the wrong hands. It could destabilize the entire region! Do youall know who could keep such a thing?
Knowledge of Stavian I's birth, definately. Knowledge of my family could be as long as you are within Taldor. I would suggest keeping that close to your chest until you arrive somewhere more... neutral. Like the Pathfinder Great Lodge in Absolom. I'm sure they would love to have those records.
Now, I must be off. Thankyou again for everything. The result was... surprising, but I am nothing if not flexible.
He brings out a box and opens it. You immidiately feel all the magic on your person and within the room die. He withdraws a white glove and puts it on before holding his hand out for the sword.
If I may?
Salrann instantly returns to her nagaji form, and looks upset about this, but says nothing. She now prefers to think of her naga form as her true form, and reminders that it is only temporary upset her.
"By all means; it is yours by birthright and all that," says Eden.
Daellum takes the sword and nods his farewell. He is then gone, and his magic-suppressing glove with him.
"Any particular destinations in mind? I can get us just about anywhere in the Inner Sea," offers Eden.
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"I think we should find this Markus Aventeri of Taldor. I'm sure he would like to know what we have found."
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"I believe that we are already in Taldor, Mr. Chu'ko," says Eden with a giggle. "I suppose our next objective is to find Markus Aventeri."
You are technically in Taldor, but a rather long way from any royal household holdings.
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"It seems to be the case. I had thought this remote location perhaps has been in dispute, but let's head towards the seat of power, though I am thinking this book of notes should be sent out of Taldor, perhaps we can hire a courier of some sort....Unless Ms. Kenway has some place...[perhaps that great fortress of yours where I might store it."
"I had also hoped to store some back-up gear there as well, masterwork swords, armor, and potions and oils perhaps?"
"Exssssssscellent idea, my friend Chu'ko. We should travel to the capital at once and equip ourselves as necessary."
Eden casts the spell and you Greek a squeeze and a pop. Suddenly, you are standing in the market of the Capitol. Apparently teleporting into the palace is not an option and all teleport spells are being routed here. or that's what a nearby mage is yelling as more people pop into existence around you.
"I actually dropped by the capital earlier to pick up our supplies," Eden explains as everyone gets their footing. "I will admit that I was not expecting to return so soon. Any suggestions for how we proceed?"
It takes far longer than exepcted. In fact, in spite of all your powers and influence, it takes three days to track him down as "Markus Aventeri" faked his own death after a scandal some years ago involving the Master of Coin's daughter. You eventually track him, now Silis Fuller, to a small royal estate serving one of the lesser branches of the family. He meets you in a modest but comfortable sitting room. Soft light from the setting sun filters through the windows as motes of dust dance in the spotlight. A tray of fresh fruit and warm bread sits before you.
He is a slight man with a nervous stare and a silent step. Graying hair caps his head and falls to his shoulders. His clothes are immaculate.
My lords, ladies. How may I serve? I was surprised to be contacted by adventurers of your caliber.
Salrann reluctantly returns to her nagaji form as the group is teleported into the market, as both her size and her visage in naga form could cause issues.
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"We have some information for you ssssir. You may find it quite intriguing."
Information. He nods, clearly intrigued. Very well, what have you?
His eye turn suspicious, but excited. I may know a place. What brand of evil are we talking about? Hiding from imps and hiding from Ice Devils are two very different things...
Markus looks at you and laughs at first. The laughter dies as youall don't join in.
You're Serious!
He teeters over to a chair and sits slowly. You're serious... he whispers. Gods above... Is there somewhere we can talk.
He looks pointedly at Eden.
"For whatever reason, simply destroying the documents does not seem to be a viable option," Eden adds. She figures that she could probably keep them safe herself (at least from Taldor) if she was a diviner, but sadly, any hiding abilities that transmutation offers tend to focus on destroying the original form of matter.
"Yes... hiding thissss from a deity may be difficult, but we were sent to you as an expert. Let'sssss find a good place to discusssss this."
Yes, but we must speak more only if we are secure from prying eyes. Is that within your power?
"It would be within my power, but I would need to prepare. Is there a magic shop nearby where I could procure a ssssscroll or two?"
Your best bet is the main market. I'll meet you after dinner then.
Obtaining the scroll proves to be relatively easy as you are still in the Capitol. All it takes is a bit of asking around.
Dinner is simple yet delicious. Roast rabbit, fruit, vegetables, and cinnamon bread with fresh butter.
That evening, you gather in the back garden and Salrann casts the spell. You transfer into a twilight glen surrounded by fruit and nut trees. Half-visible fae creatures come to your aid and retrieve anything you desire.
Markus is to nervous to eat anything.
You need not tell me what you have. I already know. Attempting to destroy it will prove fruitless. It is protected by the Dark Lord. There is only one place where it might be safe, but it is not a small thing to reach the vault.
I need assurances. What you are about to attempt... Well it's crazy. You won't like it. It may even go against your principles. Are you still willing to see this thing sealed away?
"Yes, we've suffered much during this adventure, our friend Alathos here more than most. We were charged with keeping this safe from Asmodeus himself. Can you help us?"
Indeed it may not, my friend bard.
He breathes and composes himself. Years seem to fall off him, like this secret was weighing him down. A sparkle of light comes to his eye.
You, my friends, are going to a place spoken of in whispers by the gods themselves. Only the First Vault exceeds this one in security. A plane apart, separated from the normal fabric of reality. A bubble in creation, if you will. It has but one key. The problem for us is that this key is in three parts. One is held by , Izmiara the Insatiable Queen. The second is held by the demon lord Kostchtchie. It was not originally his, mind you, but he recently acquired it in an unfortunate turn of events that I do not have time to describe. The third will reveal itself to you when you have those two. That part is held in trust by the forces of good, so you need not worry about that piece. The other two, however, will be a problem. Both Izmiara and Kostchtchie aren't known for their willingness to negotiate. You are probably going to have to carve your way through their minions just to get their attention.
I know this because of this final condition. What you have could tip the balance of power on Golarion, certainly, but also has been kept secret and safe by Asmodeus himself for a very long time for an unknown purpose. For that reason, no one can know what you intend to hide in this place of secrets, or even that you seek it. It must disappear from the Planes. You must travel under pretence always. You must appear to be ordinary adventurers.
He pauses.
Any questions so far.
"Sssounds like a worthy cause. Can you tell us more about this Izmiara? The demon lord Kostchtchie... that seems relatively self-explanatory, unfortunately."
Izmiara, also a demon as luck would have it, is the succubus ruler of the Moonscar. Every once in a while one of her succubus minions will abduct someone, but the flight from Golarion to the moon takes years. We have two immediate challenges with her. One, getting to the moon, and two, Obtaining her key without her knowing that you are really after her key. Or somehow leveraging her silence. The latter apples to Kostchtchie as well, but lets focus on one evil at a time.
Izmiara is. Kostchtchie... I do not know.
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"I now see why I was chosen for this task. I have been trained in deception and misdirection. I can appear evil to those that seek to detect our will, and you will not find a more silver tongue. If we can mask your intentions as well, we may just be able to slip in undetected, or better, with an invitation."
Alathos then trails off, deep in thought.
"The only problem is... Do we have any ideas on how we will reach the moonscar?"
I do. It's actually really convenient... and not.
Recently there was a volcano eruption in Nirmathas just east of the southern borders of the Fangwood. A mountain called the Grumbling Skald finally blew its top. The resulting tremors and a good mud slide have revealed Azlanti ruins, including a portal to the moonscar, or that's the rumor at least. Since then the ash has settled somewhat and people are moving in to investigate.
I trust you see what this is suspicious. He concludes with more than a little sarcasm.
"I have never been off the planet, as far as I know. How would you suggesssst we prepare for this journey to the moonscar? Is the air breathable?"
I assume so. They have been abducting a person here and there for centuries, so it stands to reason that there is an environment that supports life. I can't guarantee that it will be pleasant.
Beyond that, I am sorry, I cannot say.
"I have a wand that will protect us from cold, but little else as far as preparation for strange places. I am not sure what other preparationsssss we may want to make."
And I will accompany you. It would be best if we proceeded to the last known location of the second key immediately after your return. Unfortunately, I am but a Senchal, so I have nothing to offer you on your journey save my knowledge.
After purchasing what you need in the various shops of the capitol, you set off toward the Mistspin Mountains and the Grumbling Skald. You pass through many hamlets and villages along the way.
About a week out, you stop for the night in the village of Addeton, a village of farmers and herders that feed their herds on the rich grasses of the Mistspin Mountain's foothills. The next morning, Markus is gone without a trace!
"Of coursssse our guide would disappear. That'sss just par for the course, as they would say. Well, no matter, shall we continue on?"