(Ship of Fools) Further Adventures In Puzzle Solving
With the crew now in possession of the Dandelion's riddle, the search for the artefact truly begins.
Having figured out that their best course of action is to find the lenses to attune to the beacons, the crew venture to the capital of Vola in order to find a lensmaker known for making them. Upon arrival in Seriana the crew very easily find Artima's Lensworks, the shop in question, and leave the shop having purchased the necessary tools to attune - but having left in haste, they fail to ask for instructions from the proprietor.
They next go to the library of Seriana, and learn from their research there that Dandelion built numerous structures across Damir during the time of King Ramyas. The closest one they've not yet visited is called the The Trident Throne, also known as the Tower of Gold, a monument to Ramyas.
They arrive at the massive golden trident at nighttime, and find themselves having to scramble in the dark searching for clues. Thankfully, all the non-humans in the party have darkvision of some kind and discover a mechanism that allows them access to the base of the monument, where they see a mechanism driven by dials and lights - a puzzle of some kind. They are then accosted by shadows, which the group successfully fend off. As the other members rest and get their bearings, Simple goes to the controls, and turns them so much the machine deactivates for a few hours, forcing the party to camp and rest until daylight. Once the sun rises, the machine again reactivates and the crew work out the correct code to enter the machine, after which the monument itself seems to come alive with a dull hum. Morg and Sydris work out the process of attunement for their lenses and see a beam invisible to normal vision broadcasting in a straight line towards parts unknown. The crew figure out that by activating the other beacon, the key to Dandelion's riddle lies in where the two beams will converge. Returning to Seriana and furthering their research reveals that Dandelion built two structures in Mirand, the Starcrest College of Magic and the Tower of Silver (also known later on as the Mirror of Agaletia). While in Seriana and resupplying, Morg and B3 notice that there is a contingent of the Furdan Navy watching them, and after informing Sydris and Trym, realise that their benefactors are watching their progress.
Setting off to Mirand, the crew discover that the Emirate of Furda has sent one of their vessels after the AAN Punyal, tailing it within firing distance on the port side. This pursuit continues until they arrive at the outer reaches of Mirandian airspace, after which the ship breaks off and allows the Punyal to dock in Feoh, Mirand's capital.
While in Mirand, the party split up - Morg and B3 go to the library to conduct some research while Sydris, Trym and Simple check out the markets (which never close due to Mirand's peculiar all-day cycle). Simple starts to cause some havoc with a Spider Climb effect that is active on him, and creates a ruckus such that the guards arrest him and hold him for the 8 hours. With no recourse the remaining crew decide to continue their research into Dandelion's buildings, hoping to find some clue. They decide to head to the Starcrest College (which has been abandoned) to get some information, but find the grounds under guard as many students from other colleges are there for study. Not seeing a way in, B3 asserts himself and - thinking he's a nobleman - let the party in.
Sydris is very excited to be in a magical college and having made his way to a courtyard he comes across an elven mage who is in the middle of casting a ritual. He interrupts her to ask about the environment, but she rebuffs his question and instead takes an interest in B3, who is surprised as she can clearly see through his power. She advises the party that this is not the building they were looking for, and directs them to the tower on the western edge of Mirand.
As they depart, she mentions something to B3, and hands him a card with two fishes encircling each other. With the information they need, the crew head to the ruins of the Mirror of Agaletia.
A short airship trip later, the crew arrive at the tower, which has been at a state of ruin for some time. The crew (save for B3) attempt to close the gap between the remains of the staircase and the second level of the tower. B3, meanwhile, has taken interest in a painting called The Mirror Of Agaletia, as well as a set of scupltures, one of which looks identical to the tower's current state. He inspects the tower sculpture a bit further and rotates it, causing the painting to rise and reveal a mechanism similar to the one in the Trident Throne. At the same time, the tower's guardians are activated, and a flurry of living swords strike at B3. Simple realises that the bear is in trouble and rushes to his rescue; the rest of the crew, having made it to the observatory on the second level, are alarmed as Simple cuts the tightrope in order to dive to the scene. Eventually Trym, Sydris and Morg figure out a way down, and assist a wounded B3 in removing the threat.
With the swords defeated, the crew attempt to solve the puzzle but again cause the mechanism to deactivate, forcing them to wait out the activation window, while they ponder about where exactly this next step in the riddle will lead them.
Plot type
Chapter: Riddles and Reckoning
Parent Plot
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