Episode 151 – Adroit Redwing

Fully equipped with exceptionally expensive endgame gear, the party makes their first move in the chess match against Karzoug. That is, of course, waiting around for a couple months to give Fyn enough time to craft magical items at half-price. What’s the end of the world when you can save a few bucks, eh?

Eventually, they head back to the Therassic Library to learn more about Xin-Shalast, and what they might be walking into. The clockwork librarian is happy to have them back, and assists them in finding out slightly more detailed information about the city:

• Xin-Shalast can be located by following the mystical River Avah, a waterway said to be sacred to worshippers of Desnah. Unfortunately, the river is believed to have been destroyed during Earthfall.
• Runelord Karzoug was the ruler of Xin-Shalast in the times of the Thassilonian Empire.
• The Kodar Mountains, where the city is said to lie, are incredibly inhospitable and dangerous.

The party isn’t too pleased with this information; most of it was already known. However, it turns out the the clockwork librarian has been rebuilding the archives to include destroyed works. There is actually a letter that was checked into the library relatively recently, and then subsequently destroyed.

The letter, addressed to Brodert Quink of Sandpoint fame, includes a bit about a pair of dwarven brothers who reportedly found Xin-Shalast. The Vekkers compiled investors to start an expedition back into the city, but something went wrong and there was allegedly a single investor who survived.

Perhaps Quink knows more?

To Sandpoint, and Beyond

Curious to how this letter arrived in the Therrasic Library, the party quickly makes their way to the Old Light in Sandpoint. Brodert Quink is also excited to see his personal research team. After all, the party confirmed his half-baked theory about the Old Light being a Thassilonian war machine.

Quink can’t seem to place the location of the letter amongst his unkept study, but he confirms the information therein. Unfortunately, he doesn’t really have much left to offer on that front, and the party shifts gears towards Janderhoff.

They still have the Lost Crown of the Pallgreaves, which they found on the Storval Stairs. This, coupled with the information about the Vekker brothers hailing from Janderhoff, leads them to check out the old Sky Citadel next.

In a flash, they arrive in front of the enormous iron curtain that marks the outer boundary of Janderhoff. They follow the dwarven sentries through the winding tunnels and caverns of the dwarven city, marveling at the architecture present here.

Finally, they arrive at an opulent palace in the middle of a hollowed out section of the tunnels. After ascending several steps through multiple sets of guards, they arrive at the audience chamber of the High Oligarch of the Pallgreaves clan.

The High Oligarch curses at the Vekker name when Trace brings it up. The lone investor apparently works in the mines here, in Janderhoff, although his mind is addled from whatever happened with the Vekkers. Dwarves throughout Golarion know of the Vekker name and spit when it comes into conversation; many lost valuable sums hoping their expedition would pan out.

On a positive side, the High Oligarch marks their map with the location of the Vekker’s base camp. Hopefully that can get them the answers they seek.

In exchange for the crown, the High Oligarch gives the party 12,000 gold pieces. Internally, the group scoffs at the paltry sum for a pRiCeLeSs aRtIfAcT. The GM weeps.

What will the party learn from the survivor, Juuck? Will they be able to find Xin-Shalast? What’s Karzoug been doing for two months…twiddling his long thumbs?