The Sonians

"Hey Da... What’s that huge building up on the hill?"
"That’s the museum run by the Sonians."
"What they do?"
"Well, the Sonians are an archeological group that seeks out various artifacts in order to donate and display them in local city museums for all to learn about. They built a couple of museums in different cities, but the original and largest museum stands right here in the city of Memoria, where the Sonians were first established."
"Can we go see?"
"It will take a day or two to see everything inside. Let’s finish up our list and we can go early tomorrow."

— Son's first trip into the city

Structure

The Sonian family members run the day to day operations, oversee the staff, plan excursions, and hire explorers. The “Three Brothers” are seldom seen but continue to run the finances, plan construction projects, buy and sell acquisitions, and outfit the missions.
Over the years the number of Sonian family members at the museums has greatly increased and a natural hierarchy has developed where the eldest generation of Sonians administers all the tasks to the younger generations as they see fit.
No nonSonian or nonbrother can hold any position of authority or decision making inside of the organization.

Public Agenda

The Sonians goals are two fold, to locate and acquire forgotten knowledge and artifacts, and to display, share, and preserve the knowledge and artifacts for future generations.

Assets

Little is known of the organizations finances as they have always been a closely guarded secret, but most agree that the true wealth is in the information, knowledge, and artifacts that the Sonians possess. Additionally they own three museums located in the cities of Memoria, Novus Tiro, and Sailwater. The museums were constructed at great cost, made of the finest stone and wood available. It is believed that each building consumed most of the available cash and is only now recuperating the funds through exploratory finds and fees for close up study of the artifacts.

History

The Beginning:

The Sonians began as a successful family of adventurers and explorers over 200 years ago. Although their adventures brought them a modest income, their main love was for the forgotten relics and unusual items that they rediscovered. As a way to share their discoveries with the populace, the Sonian family would donate the items to local establishments for display in their shops and windows. The people and shop owners greatly enjoyed seeing the artifacts and hearing of their stories, because of this the Sonians were openly welcomed into many towns and cities throughout the lands.

The Middle:

As time went on and the Sonians revisited the cities and shops where their finds were shown, they noticed that very few of their discoveries remained on display, as most of them had been sold off. Disheartened the Sonians longed for a way to create some permanent and free exhibition for all to see. Years had passed and their dwindling funds would not be enough for such an endeavor to occur on their own. They sought donations and investors, but none would partner with them, until one fateful day when a courier brought a message from a mysterious trio of brothers offering the much needed help.
The brothers greatly appreciated what the Sonians wanted to accomplish and offered to be their silent partners and financial backers. A deal was struck in which the brothers would purchase the land and construct the buildings as well as fund any future endeavors and the Sonians would run the day to day operations, maintenance, and determine where to explore and what items to search for. After some careful consideration the two groups agreed upon setting up an exhibition in a large, stable, and centrally located city where a great many people could view the once forgotten artifacts. The museum, as it became known, was established in the city of Memoria in 545 A.S. where it continues to operate to this day. Entrance to the museum is free for all to enjoy, guided tours are available for a small fee, and anyone interested in extensive close up studies may do so at an additional fee. As word of the museum spread, a great many scholars, historians, sages, and magic users sought out its rediscovered knowledge.
After many years of great success, the brothers convinced the descendants of the Sonians to construct another museum far to the northwest in order to expand their acquisitions and spread knowledge of the forgotten histories. A new museum was established in the ancient city of Novus Tiro in the year 645 A.S. on the 100th anniversary of the museum in Memoria. It was decided that all local discoveries would stay in the Novus Tiro museum and the more exotic finds would be sent to Memoria. All operations would be run the same as those in Memoria in order to keep to a consistent and successful plan.
Fifty years later a third museum was established in the great port city of Sailwater in the year 695 A.S. far to the southeast of Memoria. A similar plan was followed regarding local discoveries and operations.

The Recent:

Although both museums in Novus Tiro and Sailwater are quite the sight to see, containing many magnificent wonders, they pale in comparison to the original museum in Memoria. Despite members of the Sonian family coming and going throughout the years, the three brothers have remained constant although rarely seen. Most consider the current brothers to be descendants of the original three.

The Three Brothers:

Little is known of the three brothers other than a few small excerpts written by some of the descendants of the original Sonians.

"It’s quite odd that despite the time of year, the elusive brothers always seem to have shiny sun bronzed skin. And when acquiring new items for the museum, a wide, toothed smile can be momentarily spotted."

"Where they go, what they do, even how old they are remains an unknown for our mysterious benefactors."

“Though they are always pleasant, very informative, and unusually knowledgeable about the relics brought into the museum. Perhaps they’re greatest and sometimes annoying trait is their great patience and never seem to be in a hurry for anything. As if they had all the time in the world.”

The Museum

The Building

Although composed of the best stone and finest woods, and having a strong foundation and soaring ceilings, it’s what is inside that most people are interested in. The internal structure of the museum is broken into many categories and areas of study. The rooms contain both modern and ancient items. Some of the most visited showrooms contain both alive and preserved plant and animal species, rock and mineral samples, gems and currency, art and jewelry, weapons and armor, magical items, ancient civilizations, religious and cultural artifacts, and even a small section of books and scrolls in a library display.

The search for the forgotten begins with a question.

Maps

• 

  Greve Vasco's Map Of The Sumi Tal-Sha'ba

  The only known map of The Sumi Tal-Sha'ba was acquired from the fugitive Greve Vasco during his trial for grave robbing and smuggling. Despite it's questionable veracity, the The Sonians thought highly enough of it to pay for his fines and release.

Founding Date

545 A.S.

Type

Educational, Society

Related Items

• The Blood Bowls Of Verespia
• The Darkhollow Mirror
• The Eye Of Morkoth

Employment: Job opportunities abound for anyone who shares the beliefs and goals of the Sonians. Only the most trusted are employed and work alongside several members of the Sonian family. One can find employment transporting items to and from jobsites or if they have certain talents, may be asked to explore forgotten locals and acquire rare items for the museum.

Notable Sonian acquisitions of interest include:

Plants:

• Live specimens of the Ghost Orchid.

• Live specimens of the Flame Lily.

• Titano Arbor tree seeds.

Animals:

• A preserved Rock Bat from Guan Din.

• A mounted full skeleton of an Argen Tavis.

• A werewolf pelt.

• A vampire skull.

• A Fire Giant skeleton.

• The beating heart of Eron Duur.

Jewelry:

• The Eye Of Morkoth.

• The Pearl Necklace of Sphyrna Carcharias.

• The Chalice of Lizbet Robathy.

Artwork:

• Awakening Stream painted by Nefistra Silvertree.

• Soaring Mountain painted by Maboristra Silvertree.

• Resting Glade painted by Lemoristra Silvertree.

• The Golden Grove tapestry from Lithas Castle.

Military:

• The war banner of Arclor Windstrike.

• The plate mail armor of Sir Romin Sunbreaker.

• The war helm of Mingo the Breaker.

• The Sun Sword of Apella Golder.

Magic Items:

• A Staff Of Power (Spell staff)

• A Staff Of Power (School staff) (Transmutations)

• A Penjara Permata (Ruby)

• The Prism of Sharli Shim Shredder.

• The Blood Bowls Of Verespia

Cultural Artifacts:

• The Golden Gorilla Idol of The Graueri.

• The Ebony Scarab of Abu Hamun.

• The Omari Scorpion.

• The golden sarcophagus of Nassur Tankepsut.

• The coffin of Simon Mandrake.

• The Silver Mirror from Darkhollow Keep.

• The anvil of Hemmax Stoneblood.

• The Jeweled Egg Of Leelardanna.

• A piece of the meteor from the city of Fallenstar.

Library Displays:

• A copy of The Book Of Bones.

• A copy of the Spiritual Fortifications prayer book.

• A copy of the book, The Cartea Ursilor by Darcram Regnis.

• A copy of the book, The Cartea Canis by Darcram Regnis.

• A copy of the book, The Cartea Felis by Darcram Regnis.

• The original book, The Cartea Avis by Darcram Regnis.

• The original unfinished Temthus Temptations.

• A first edition of Hooffing It: Meals On The Move by Hesta Bucatar.

• The Blue Scrolls Of Talanis.

• Greve Vasco’s hand drawn map of The Sumi Tal-Sha'ba.

• Adal Faerwald’s map of the Haggard Coast.