Library of the Lion takes place in Oppara, the ornate capital city of Taldor, a former empire that has maintained the high culture of its imperial days despite it gradual decline in regional influence. The grand prince keeps control of his shrinking lands with the help of the Lion Blades, an elite and secretive organization of spies famed as masters of disguise. Oppara is well known for its cultural institutions such as its opera houses, lavish parties, and universities.
Kyra stood before the Opparan Pathfinder lodge. Her time in Taldor has been pleasant, even if the locals gave her dirty looks on occasion.
Kyra entered the Lodge house and greeted the local Pathfinders, some familiar agents are foreigners like herself.
"Sarenrae's blessing be with you Friends, I am seeking Venture-Captain Muesello," Said Kyra
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A strong looking woman with thick brown hair held back by an ancient, red bead headband strides up into the room. She has a fierce smile upon her face and is dressed in a fine chain shirt and a lush, white fur cloak. Around her waist is an elaborate leather belt, tooled in the Ulfen style to display stylized linnorms. A well-made longsword is sheathed at her side, alongside a wand, while her belt pouches clink with the sounds of vials and potions contained within. Her backpack looks quite full.
She offers everyone a smile and an outstretched hand.
"Hail and well met! I am Lovissa, of the line of Halenbane. Daughter of Mergerice, and Granddaughter of Abrenica and Ferdinand! Famous Pathfinders, all!" She shakes hands firmly, and with enthusiasm before continuing. "I am a wanderer at heart, and explorer! A discoverer of history, both epic and small! My deeds are many and my legend is great! You may have heard the songs they sing of me in Absalom's bars. I am the saviour of Janira Gavix and Balenor Forsend, Slayer of the Minotaur of the Kortos Caverns, Hero of Diobel, Investigator for the city of Ridonport, as well as it's Hero and Saviour, Victor of the Battle of Arnisant House, and Honoured Patron of Arnisant House Museum! I am chronicler of the Battle of Dehu Inu, imprisoner of the shadow demon Camazotz, and Honourary Sister of the Ekujae!"
With sparkling eyes she asks, "Tell me! Who have I the honour of meeting this day? Don't be shy! I would hear YOUR legend!"
Located in the Taldan Capitol city of Oppara, Venture-Captain Muesello’s lodge hides behind the facade of a simple bait and tackle shop, which Muesello dutifully maintains to provide Pathfinders a local base of operations that doesn’t invite much scrutiny. All the better to help avoid the "upstart" label often attached to pathfinder's here in the city and Taldor in general
A bell rings as you open the door, and you find yourself surrounded by the smells of soil, fish, and water. Looking around, you see a quaint store front with somewhat bare shelves. You can see a back office door, with Muesello on a placard next to it. No light appears to be coming from under the door and the handle is locked. Posted on the door is a sign that says "Out Fishing".
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Lovissa grins at Solemnia. "Of course!" she exclaims before spelling it out. "And you? Tell me the tale of Solemnia of the line of Orikrana!"
As the group enters the building Lovissa approaches the office door. She lets out a laugh. "It's always 'out fishing' with this guy." she explains. She knocks on the door. "It's Lovissa." she calls out.
Then she waits to see if anyone's in at the moment.
"Last time I had to wait twenty minutes." she tells her fellow Pathfinders.
Kyra's face brightens as she greets Amarsia.
" You come from Sandpoint? I am fond of this place. Whenever I am in Magnimar I try to make the trip just for the Avertin families' sweet rolls. They are just like the ones my mother used to make,".A shadow falls over kyra's face as she returns to her former stoic expression.
I never realised that's why I love those baked goods so much, I should savor them more next time in honor of her.
"Honored to meet you, I'm Kyra, Priestess of Sarenrae"
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"Glad to meet you. I am not familiar with Sarenrae, are they good? Sorry if that's too forward of a question. I don't really worship anyone myself but my family worships Gozreh. To be fair, Gozreh has blessed one of my sisters. She is too afraid though to leave town and adventure and is sticking with the family business of fishing. I on the other hand, found that Sandpoint didn't have anything left for me." She smiles with a sense of pride. You can tell she is nervous but outgoing.
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The bait shop door swung open gently as another traveler entered. A tall half-elven man with light messy hair.His body is mostly concealed by loose fitting earth stained robes and fresh skintight wrappings concealing scar tissue on his face,neck, and arms.
"Rest in the shade my friend, no one will bother you," said Rorrim, addressing someone outside.
Rorrim drew further into the shop,studying the curios and picking up some fishing line and a hook. The wrappings criss-crossed around his face shift showing a cheerful grin as well as surrounding scar tissue.
"I'm assuming I'm in the right place, unless those swords are for fishing," said Rorrim.
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Etna will kick the door open with a hum following her. The eye would need to drift low to fully take in the halfling. Her fiery red hair was pulled into two messy munches on her head by some black string. She wore a multi colored chain shirt over dark slacks and a shirt. Attached to her left arm was a buckler and at her right side a rapier. Green eyes shot from person to person as she moved to introduce herself.
"Fishing is for the birds. I'll take a damp dungeon over a placid lake any day."
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Looking at the little halfling Lovissa asks, "For the birds? Fishing is an epic trial of ones fortitude and perseverance! Back home we fish on the roiling waves in the open ocean! We hunt whales with harpoons on water cold enough to kill. One slip is death! Are the customs different here?" She thinks for a moment. "I suppose life in Taldor does seem... tame in comparison. At least in terms of fishing. I've yet to grow accustomed to it"
As the pathfinders mingle about in the isles of the bait shop- clearly not interested in the fishing- a short, pockmarked face human enters the shop hurriedly, followed closely by tall woman dressed in noble's robes and jewels. He glances around the room and blinks twice at the surprising crows assembled in his shop before a moment of recognition flashes across his face.
"Ah yes, I knew I was forgetting something. Come! Come! Into my office now before we draw any more attention!"
With that, he shuffles you into his office and heads back to the main entrance- shooing out the last customer before locking the door.
"Ah yes. Introductions. I, of course, am Venture-Captain Muesello- and this is my Pathfinder lodge. We are honored today to be joined by Lady Glorianna Morilla, friend of the society." She takes a seat near the fireplace, at the far side of the room- every bit a noble in posture and pose.
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Lady Gloriana Morilla is a member of Taldor's thriving noble hierarchy, but she's somewhat less concerned with looking good and throwing a good party than she is with restoring Taldor to its long-lost glory.
Lady Gloriana Morilla knows that the longer the nation rests on its imaginary laurels, the more its influence and gods-decreed dominance slip away from the Grand Prince and his loyal subjects.
Venture-Captain Muesello is an old but talented mage-machinist working in the Pathfinder Society's Oppara Lodge.
Venture-Captain Muesello crafts extraordinary wayfinders for the members of the Society.
“The Pathfinder Society does not have a sterling reputation in Taldor, despite my and others’ efforts to impress the local moves and shakers. As a result, the most prestigious universities and colleges often deny our agents access to the best libraries in Oppara, thinking we are meddling good-for-nothings. As one of the oldest intact civilizations near the Inner Sea, these libraries no doubt house some very precious volumes."
He pauses a moment and looks at you with a serious expression.
"Recently we received a most wonderful opportunity—an invitation, really, from a very powerful patron,” he adds as he withdraws a scroll tube with a broken wax seal from his apron.
“This patron will secure us a couple hours in the rare books collection at the Kitharodian Academy, during which we may peruse for whatever we wish so long as we also retrieve several documents of interest for our friend. That,” he punctuates by tapping the scroll tube on the table, “is where things get interesting. Apparently there is an even more precious archive hidden beneath the academy’s library, and our patron believes it to contain numerous original records and undoctored historical accounts otherwise unknown to the world! Our contact knows how to get into the archive and has shared the secret with us."
Lady Gloriana Morilla and Venture-Captain Muesello look at each other as if he wants her to continue. But she stays silent so he continues.
“Two hours is little time, so you must make the most of your time. I know it will be tempting to research other interests, but it would be selfish for the Society to think of itself when the Worldwound’s borders threaten to envelop Mendev and beyond. I am sending you in with the express purpose of uncovering more information about the Shining Crusade, the sustained war against the Whispering Tyrant a millennium ago.”
Lady Gloriana Morilla listens to you all with keen interest. She then turns to Venture-captain Muesello and speaks for the first time "You have asked a fine group to participate in this delicate mission."
Lady Morilla closes her eyes and hesitates a moment. The she snaps open a fan to fend off the room’s growing warmth.
“If something of note happens on Golarion, the Kitharodian scholars tend to hear about it. Muesello and I have selected you because the librarians are unlikely to recognize you and know you as Pathfinders.”
“Historically, Taldor is the authority on massive military campaigns, but most texts have undergone extensive revision to serve some political agenda or another. Entering this hidden archive is an excellent opportunity to learn from the real mistakes of the past and apply those lessons to the Mendevian Crusade."
She pauses for a moment.
“Remember that you have permission to be in the academy’s library, but not in this secret archive, so do everything you can to avoid being noticed while exploring. In fact, the fewer clues you leave of your passage, the better. Specifically do not steal or destroy any of the library’s contents. A few slip-ups might alert the authorities that someone has been poking around, and too many with give them enough evidence to trace this act to us.”
She looks at Muesello and he opens a drawer in the table and begins pulling out a couple small parcels wrapped in cloth.
“Any questions?” she asks.
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At the sight of Venture Captain Muesello and Lady Marilla Lovissa smiles widely. "Hail and well met again, my friends!" she gives them both a familiar, hearty handshake. "It's been weeks! How are you?"
Lovissa takes a seat in a comfortable looking chair and settles in to listen to the briefing.
"Spectacular!" Lovissa exclaims with a wide grin. "Unlocking hidden knowledge is a passion of mine." She places her elbows on her knees, steeples her fingers, and leans forward in interest. "Does the archive have any defences that we're aware of?"
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Rorrim grinned from ear to ear. "I now understand why I was encouraged to take on this assignment. We are to find information about noble demon slayers in ancient volumes? Lovissa I can assist you greatly in locating our quarry,this is my specialty. I have studied in the Absolom archives for some years now. Pray tell Muesello will any Furred friends be allowed among the archives?"
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"I do love a good old fashion stealth mission. Should we assume we should be making copies of the important documents or just memorizing them?
Do we also know what sort of security we are looking at? I also need to know if I can bring my weapon in. I understand that it may look odd walking into a library with rapier."
[Dice=Perception]1d20+8
Rorrium gives a close look over the tube in Muesello's hand, but is distracted by the challenge of sneaking into a secret library.
Muesello takes time and care to address each pathfinder's questions and concerns in turn. Acknowledging Lovissa first, he greets the pathfinder warmly.
"It is always nice to see a familiar face! It is well here, or as well as it can be in Taldor for an old pathfinder like myself."
"In regards to defenses, I am a little unsure on what guidance to provide. If the archive is truly secret, then it’s unlikely that you will encounter many people. However, I imagine there might be traps or other more passive defenses so be careful and resourceful.”
Facing Rorrim he continues on:
"Ah! You must be Rorrim! I was told be expecting someone with a companion. Despite the urban setting, you will find a fair share of more native types here in Oppara- many with some animal or another as a traveling companion. I believe you should be just fine as long as they don't attract too much attention."
"The security you will be facing is befitting of a Library, and I will let you make of that what you will. While it is an academic institution, the Kitharodian Academy is also the home base of several adventuring minded groups and a bardic college. Weapons and such would not be an uncommon sight throughout the halls..."
She pauses for a moment to consider her pervious experiences
"Though, from my times in the academy, it is rare to see full adventuring gear among the patrons."
She unfurls the fan in her hand, and casually fans her face.
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"I do love a good old fashion stealth mission. Should we assume we should be making copies of the important documents or just memorizing them?
[b]"Etna was it? I am not fond of the idea of stealing rare knowledge from a library either. Perhaps we can find a way to make copies with some scribing implements, but Muesello did say our patron wanted something retrieved, that may be tricky,"says Rorrim, as he fidgets with his wrappings nervously.
"Lady Gloriana what exactly are we supposed to acquire in exchange for this opportunity?"|
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Etna will kick the door open with a hum following her....
"Fishing is for the birds. I'll take a damp dungeon over a placid lake any day."
"Oh, my."
"For the birds? Fishing is an epic trial of ones fortitude and perseverance! Back home we fish on the roiling waves in the open ocean! We hunt whales with harpoons on water cold enough to kill. One slip is death!"
"Oh, my."
As the pathfinders mingle about in the isles of the bait shop-
Looking at the lures Solemnia takes in one sign that reads "'Briny Wiggler'" and turns bright red.
"Unlocking hidden knowledge is a passion of mine."
"Oh, my."
"I do love a good old fashion stealth mission. Should we assume we should be making copies of the important documents or just memorizing them?"
"Lady Gloriana what exactly are we supposed to acquire in exchange for this opportunity?"
”That is the heart of it, isn’t it. I have little doubt that we’re performing some small piece of a larger political plan, even if we benefit from the service. Our benefactor is interested a series of documents that outline contingency lines of succession for the Taldoran throne. I believe their words were along the lines of ‘they will know it when they see it’
Perhaps we can find a way to make copies with some scribing implements, but Muesello did say our patron wanted something retrieved, that may be tricky
”Yes, tricky indeed. I do have some supplies for you around here somewhere” the old Pathfinder mentions while rummaging in his desk. ”Ah yes, here they are!” He pulls out a small pouch with two glass vials. ”A gift from our benefactor. One potion of invisibility and one potion of pass without trace.”
In addition to these supplies are several quills and sheets of parchment. ”These will be sufficient for most of what we anticipate you will find. However, regarding the records from the shinning crusades and our benefactors requested documents, those will need to be brought out of the library for more detailed analysis. I assure you, they deserve to be put to much better use than their current circumstance.”
He waits patiently for a moment, as if expecting Lady Gloriana to interject. When she doesn’t, he turns his attention to her. ”Don’t you have something else for them, m’lady?”
Lady Morilla shifts in her seat before getting up. She slowly makes her way to bag, and pulls out two scrolls.
Handing the first scroll over to Rorrim she explains. ”This is a formal invite from Arch-Exarch Gregorius to access the Academy’s ‘rare books collection’. The entrance to the secret library can be found there; by studying Honor, Courage, and Glory.”
If you must, use this as a bargaining chip.” she says as she hands over the second (sealed) scroll to Lovissa.
“Nearly anyone you meet will look at you more favorably if you surrender this… but doing so would certainly risk our friend’s cover. I’m giving it to you because I trust your discretion in the matter.”
Lady Morilla betrays a brief moment of hesitation and discomfort before mentioning an exchange of the scroll for freedom
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Rorrim inspects the invitation and says," Well this will be fun, I'm afraid passing unnoticed and not drawing attention aren't my strong suits but surely that can be overcome. Etna you mentioned this was in your wheelhouse?".
Rorrim stuffs the Invitation scroll away in his bag.
"The rest seemed like a riddle of some sort"
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"I believe I am ready, unless any one else needs time to prepare," said Rorrim."Also before I forget, the last member of our team," Rorrim stepped to the office door and cracked it open. He makes a high pitched birdcall similar to a native songbird.
A large grey timber wolf entered the room calmly and sniffed around at the angling gear in Muesello's office.
"My friends this is Justus, I don't know how much he will be able to assist us in this mission, but he is a better hunter than me," says Rorrim, laughing and offering Justus some fresh looking game from his own pack."He'll certainly come in handy should we run into any armed resistance,"
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Perhaps we can find a way to make copies with some scribing implements, but Muesello did say our patron wanted something retrieved, that may be tricky”Yes, tricky indeed. I do have some supplies for you around here somewhere” the old Pathfinder mentions while rummaging in his desk. ”Ah yes, here they are!” He pulls out a small pouch with two glass vials. ”A gift from our benefactor. One potion of invisibility and one potion of pass without trace.”
Solemnia's hand slowly rises. "Um. Excuse me, forgive me for interrupting, but won't those make the text all dribbly?"
Venture-Captain Muesello chuckles to himself at Solemnia's observations.
"That is a reasonable observation, M'lady. I would suggest that you store the potions and supplies in separate containers. Or at least ensure the potions remain stoppered during transport."
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Earlier...
As you all enter the meeting room, you are met by an unusual sight indeed. A dwarf in heavy armor sits in the corner with an axe and shield at his side. Not so unusual some might say. However this particular dwarf's hair and armor are black as night and contain blue streaks. Embossed on the chest piece is a stylistic sword before a crescent moon. While blue, they seem to shine with an inner light and appear almost white. After blinking, another look reveals no such inner light although the design itself is quite striking. To further the rarity of such a sight - the heavily armored and armed dwarf is reading a book! He meets each newcomers eyes and offers a grunt before returning his attention to the thick bound book in his hands. His attention barely wavers from it until the Venture Captain enters.
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"So... we are sneaking around a library eh? Sneaking is not really my forte. I'm usually the one getting in the way of the sneaky ones. And usually quite loudly. But perhaps my knowledge and arms will become useful. We shall see.
Alrik narrows his eyes at Gloriana as she hands over the scroll.
"My lady... what is in the scroll may I ask? You dont seem to comfortable handing it over - is it really because we might endanger someone's cover? I prefer to know all the facts before getting into the mess."
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Earlier...
As you all enter the meeting room, you are met by an unusual sight indeed. A dwarf in heavy armor sits in the corner with an axe and shield at his side. Not so unusual some might say. However this particular dwarf's hair and armor are black as night and contain blue streaks. Embossed on the chest piece is a stylistic sword before a crescent moon. While blue, they seem to shine with an inner light and appear almost white. After blinking, another look reveals no such inner light although the design itself is quite striking. To further the rarity of such a sight - the heavily armored and armed dwarf is reading a book! He meets each newcomers eyes and offers a grunt before returning his attention to the thick bound book in his hands. His attention barely wavers from it until the Venture Captain enters.
Also earlier...but slightly later
Rorrim approaches Alrik's corner of the store, enthusiastically playing with a feathered fishing lure. Rorrim whispers to Alrik without taking his eyes off the pleasant lure," the followers of Kelinahat have done my brotherhood many favors in our fight against the All-Mother, it will be fun to fight alongside one of her flock,"