The Artist, Part 2 (Sarenith (VI) 18th, 4709 AR)

Grand Foyer. The ledger on the table has numerous names written on its pages, but no one of consequence other than couriers delivering various goods. Imron had trapped it. The spell was triggered when Aranthor read the ledger. Some of the text transformed into a large sepia serpent that struck him. It then dissipated in a flash of brown light accompanied by a puff of dun-colored smoke and a loud noise. Aranthor was engulfed in a shimmering amber field of force and immobilized until Zemurin dispelled the trap.

Great Room. A massive chandelier hung from a beam in the ceiling, each of its dozens of small candles burning with a small flame that combined to brightly illuminate the oil paintings in gilded frames, colorful tapestries, and antique weapons and shields hanging from the walls. Three armor stands held exotic suits of armor, apparently from distant cultures, while a fourth is empty. Thick curtains frame tall stained-glass windows spaced around the room. To the north, a wide archway exits the room.

The heroes noticed that two of the weapons hanging from the walls are missing: one of them was the antique masterwork rapier lmron was armed with.

Imron hid behind a curtain at the northwest side of the room. He was a scoundrel – daring, debonair, agile, and stealthy. He held the end of the rope rising to a pair of pulleys that raised and lowered the chandelier. He waited for the perfect moment to drop it on Zemurin and sprung out to attack.

Imron attempted to attack flat-footed heroes. When he was severely injured, he surrendered.

Imron told the heroes he was an avid traveler with a great fondness for painting. After years of travelling he retired to Absalom in a comfortable manor on Sandalwood Lane in the Ivy District, where he hoped to spend his days painting and enjoying the peace and quiet that he earned after years of dangerous travels. His neighbors knew nothing of his past, only that he was a wealthy eccentric from a foreign land.

After several months, he tired of painting for his own amusement. He began entering his paintings in contests and showing them in various exhibits around the city. He also experimented with combining magic with his artistry to enhance the viewing experience which in turn gave him an edge over his competition.

Much to the chagrin of other, more established painters, his paintings quickly became popular and sought-after. His subject matter was innovative and refreshing, if a little shocking. He candidly showed to the people of Absalom sights from other worlds and exotic creatures beyond their wildest imagination.

Although he had his share of poor reviews from those who preferred traditional subjects and styles, he did quite well as a purveyor of popular art. But he still lacked the one thing he desired most: the respect of Absalom's most esteemed critics and artists.

The novelty of his work soon faded as other painters flooded the markets and galleries with similar themes – some of them better, most of them worse. One painter in particular caught his attention: a local celebrity named Endrik Archerus. When Imron visited one of Archerus' galleries he made a shocking discovery: Archerus' paintings duplicated scenes from Imron's travels, things Archerus could not possibly have known about unless he spied on Imron's works in progress. Somehow, Endrik Archerus had stolen Imron's ideas and changed them just enough to pass them off as his own. Imron didn't know how Archerus accomplished it, but he was determined to find out.

It didn't take long for Imron to learn that his servant Tharivol had snuck into his studio and made charcoal sketches of his works to sell to Endrik. Angered at the treachery and audacity of his servant, Imron trapped Tharivol within a particularly gruesome painting. This spawned a horrible plan for revenge, and before long an ensorcelled painting was ready to trap and kill Endrik Archerus. As an afterthought, Imron crafted another deadly painting for each of his most vitriolic critics as well.

Zemurin was not quick enough to scramble out of the way when Imron released the rope and was crushed under the heavy weight of the chandelier and cut by the shards of broken glass as it shattered against the flagstones.

Imron collected the paintings and tapestries in this room from various places across the world during his travelling days. The antiques mounted on the walls include two masterwork heavy steel shields, a masterwork rapier (hung as if another rapier crossed in front of it), and a masterwork halberd. The suits of armor include bugbear hide with tribal brands marking it as that of a chieftain (masterwork hide armor), cord armor (equivalent of masterwork leather armor), and armor made from pieces of bulette carapace (equivalent to masterwork breastplate). These items are worth a combined total of 9,375 gp.

Dining Room. A long, polished mahogany table and ten matching high-backed chairs carved to resemble sinuous dragons dominate the center of the room and sit upon a thick rug with a spiral pattern in shades of red, orange, and brown. A small figurine of a featureless humanoid chiseled from some green crystal rests on the center of the table. The north and west walls each have stained glass windows depicting exotic scenes of a feast. Each window is framed by dark drapes.

Kitchen. This large kitchen was immaculately clean and fastidiously ordered. Pots in perfect rows, from largest to smallest, hung from a rack suspended from the ceiling over a large preparation table. Knives hanging on the wall were exactly perpendicular to the cutting table beneath them. Plates and other crockery were stacked neatly in open cupboards. A large oven and stove dominate the north wall.

A heavy wood and iron door in the north wall appears to be the manor's rear entrance. Simpler doors in the southwest corner and the eastern portion of the south wall lead into the manor. A curtain in the east wall covers the opening to the larder. lmron kept only high-quality cooking implements, crockery, and silverware here (worth a total of 625 gp).

Four painted servants guarded the kitchen. They attacked the heroes when they entered the room. These painted servants were identical to the ones in the grand foyer, with the addition of kitchen aprons.

The painted servants tried to slam the heroes. They fought until destroyed.