Museum of Imperial History

Overview

The Museum of Imperial History, also known simply as the Throne City Museum, is located in Throne City, which was once the capital of the Empire of the Seven Pointed Star. The museum has 7 exhibits, each with several locked cases containing artifacts. When you first enter the door there is a tour desk where you may TAKE TOUR and receive a guided tour through the museum.

The museum itself was created by GameMaster Rigby, as well as the stand-alone stealing system used by Thieves to burglarize the museum (see below). Other than changes in skill and experience for lockpicking, disarming, and stealing from the exhibit cases, no other changes have been made to the museum since its creation.

Exhibits and Artifacts

Theories on Pre-Empire Life Exhibit

• Cases in Room: Exhibition Case, Display Case, Oak Case, Mahogany Case
• Alchemy Items
  • a dull red clay jar. LOOK: The clay jar displays small chipped engravings of two men engaged in a boxing match, their red hair flowing in long trails behind them.
  • a blue-flecked clay jar. LOOK: Much of the blue paint on the clay jar has long since faded, but enough remains to reveal a partial scene of several men playing some sort of game with a ball.
  • a greenish clay jar. LOOK: Though faded from time, the paint on the clay jar depicts a series of green dolphins leaping out of an ocean.
  • a dull clay pestle
  • a cracked sandstone mortar
  • a chipped clay mortar
• Juggling Items
  • some clay pottery fragments (5 stones)
  • some sandstone pottery fragments (juggling)
• Miscellaneous
  • a simple stone spoon [RUB, TAP, CLEAN]
  • a weathered sandstone tablet. LOOK: This tablet is shaped more or less like a wedge. The only thing indicating it was ever anything more than a random rock is the barely detectable pattern of cows and piglets bordering its thickest edge. [RUB, TAP, CLEAN]
  • an obsidian arrowhead
  • a rusted shovel blade. LOOK: The entire blade is covered by red-brown rust. [Rub, Tap, Clean]
  • a ceramic centaur figurine. LOOK: Fine cracks run down the length of the tiny centaur's front, though these are not easy to see with the stylized spirals that cover the figurine completely.
• Bottomless Case (Mahogany Case)
  • assorted pottery fragments (2 stone juggling tiles)

The Young Empire Exhibit

• Cases in Room: Display Case, Red Case, Steel Case
• a crude cambrinth amulet [Neck-worn cambrinth - 32 mana]
• a dull bronze ring inset with a small jade chip. LOOK: Engraved in the center of the ring is a simple design which looks superficially similar to the crest of the Warrior Mage guild. [RUB, TAP, CLEAN]
• a chipped ceramic seal. LOOK: In a circle on the ceramic seal are enigmatic and perhaps random assortments of letters. Some are upside down, while others are stylized to look like various animals.
• a lion-headed bronze situla. LOOK: Though normally used to hold beverages, this particular situla was likely designed for use as a makeshift quiver, and bears a single arrowhead emblem set squarely in its lion's head. [Shoulder-worn container]
• a delicate gold chain fastened with silver rosettes
• a jade scorpion ring
• an ivory bracelet shaped like a curled sleeping cat. The tail of the cat is yellowed from age, but this only adds to the realism. Along one side is engraved a small, stylized rosette.
• a broken wax seal. LOOK: The seal has small specks of gold suspended in its semi-transparent surface. Partial words trail along the circular edge, ending abruptly after, "Irodio Vene."
• a gold-on-iron helm crest. LOOK: Whatever feathers or hair had been in the helm crest are now long gone, leaving only the twisted and bent wires which would have held them in place. [NOT wearable. Rub, Tap, Clean]
• a walnut table leg. LOOK: Carved into the wooden leg are elegant designs incorporating diamonds, triangles, hooks, and rosettes. [MB - no/no/heavy/poorly/reasonably]
• a limestone rabbit statuette. LOOK: In a choice of color that only the original artist could fathom as reasonable, the rabbit statuette is a painted in faded shades of green and purple. [Rub, Tap, Clean]
• a stone stela fragment. LOOK: Of the small carvings remaining on the fragment, one is a stained blue owl-headed figure sending lightning bolts at a simplified citadel. [Rub, Tap, Clean]
• a flat iron spear-tip
• some rusted chain lengths [Juggling]

Glory Days of the Empire Exhibit

• Cases in Room: Exhibition, Marble, Rosewood, Display, Jewelry
• Paintings and Mosaics
  • a large oil painting depicting a stern-looking Elf sitting in a red velvet chair Look: The Elf's eyes are narrowed and his lips betray no humor or emotion, though the subject does manage to exude the air of aristocracy. A small copper plaque on the walnut frame says simply, "Emperor Arcadius -- Est. 485 BL."
  • an oval willow-framed painting Look: Prominently centered on the canvas, the Throne City Palace is displayed in a showy and creative use of color. Even though the painting is not large enough to contain much detail, the building appears in much better condition than it does today, restorations aside. A small copper plaque on the oval frame denotes the estimated date as 640 BL.
  • a deobar-framed map. Look: The years have not been kind to the faded writing on the map. It is still possible to see where the map indicates areas of conquest marked in a dull brownish-red ink, though the provincial borders do not match the modern day locations. A small copper plaque on the deobar frame reads, "Emperor Hermothius' battle plans for HighHold, ~497 BL."
  • a small oak-framed portrait. Look: An unidentified Dwarf is featured in the portrait, his gaze cheerful and his smile pleasant despite the deep scars running across his forehead and left cheek. A small copper plaque on the oak frame is labeled, "Unknown Subject -- Est. 554 BL."
  • a colorful tile mosaic depicting a pod of leaping dolphins Look: Chips of blue and green make up the body of each dolphin, contrasting with the creamy white tiles of the splashing surf. Unnatural yet pleasant smiles curl the faces of the dolphins.
  • an alabaster tile mosaic [RUB: You get a vision of a dove launching itself at a giant] Look: Most of the tiles are cracked, but the depiction of a charging stallion is still clear.
• Clothing
  • a small gold brooch. LOOK: At the center of the brooch is a single crown-cut ruby, surrounded by an engraved spiral pattern.
  • a blue-grey tasseled tunic bearing a distinctive seven-pointed star. Look: A small tag on the tunic notes that this is a reproduction of typical Imperial era clothing.
  • a red checkered tunic stitched with a repeated prancing stallion motif. LOOK: A small tag on the tunic notes that this is a reproduction of typical Imperial era clothing.
  • a gold lapel pin shaped like a seven-pointed star
• Drinks
  • a flask of Imperial-age brandy. LOOK: Though not labeled, the contents are easily visible through the flask's mostly clear glass.
  • a bottle of Imperial-age wine. LOOK: There is only the faded and torn remnant of a label still attached to the bottle that indicates it ever was wine at all.
  • a blue-green glass bottle. Look: The bottle is stoppered with a large cork.
• Juggling Items (2 stones each)
  • some blue/red/green/gold-hued/orange mosaic tiles
• Bottomless Case (Jewelry Case)
  • assorted gems

The Fall of the Empire Exhibit

• Cases in Room: Wooden, Display, Exhibition, Pine
  • Miscellaneous
  • a well-crafted elaborate gold telescope with small dents along its casing. LOOK: A small copper plaque notes that this particular kind of telescope is believed to be typical of those owned by members of the Phelim Club.
  • a hematite serpent charm
  • a rusted iron bell. Look: A small goose-like icon is engraved into the bell, barely visible beneath the rust. [Tap/Ring]
  • a fragment of a sandstone amulet. LOOK: The upper bust of some unidentifiable Emperor remains just above the amulet's fracture, though enough of his hair is intact to determine that he was either Human or Elven.
  • a thin yellowed parchment Look: Faded by time, the parchment is littered with odd symbols and esoteric characters. The only recognizable one is a circular ophidian, devouring its own tail.
  • a copper shark-tooth charm. Look: The edges of the copper charm are trimmed with an oval of real shark teeth, slightly browned by age. [Wearable. Rub, Tap, Clean]
  • a half-torn papyrus parchment. LOOK: The language is an archaic variation of gamgweth and the ink is faded by time, but what is still readable implies that this was an Imperial ship's registry.
  • a faded grey ribbon stained with dots of dusky maroon. Look: Although some of the stitching is missing, the remainder indicates the shape of an Admiral's hat atop a crest of faint blue waves.
  • a tattered flag remnant. Look: The lower corner of a field of faded red is still visible, though the design is otherwise undeciperable.
  • some ruined Tokka cards
  • a handful of rusted nails [Juggle]
• Medals
  • a platinum medal affixed with a bright red tassel. LOOK: The medal is engraved with the image of a mangonel. From outside the display case, though, you can't do anything but admire the medal. [RUB, TAP, CLEAN]
  • a gold medal affixed with a bright blue tassel. Look: The etching of the all-capitalized word "FEAS" floats above a Captain's hat in the center of the medal. [Rub, Tap, Clean]
  • a brass medal affixed with a red tassel. LOOK: The etching of a small frigate cutting through ocean waves is centered on the medal. [RUB, TAP, CLEAN]
  • a gold-on-iron medal affixed with a faded yellow tassel. Look: A mighty dragon, wings outstretched, arches over a frigate in the miniature engraving on the medal. [Rub, Tap, Clean]
• Bottomless Case (Pine Case)
  • sets of jewelry: chains, necklaces, bracelets, tailbands, etc.

Floorplan

There are 3 levels to the musuem:

• The ground floor where one enters
• The top floor
• The roof, accessible only by Thieves at night.

Burglary

Skylight

Only members of the Thief Guild with the Passages ability may enter the museum at night to commit burglary. The Thief passage leads to the roof of the museum where three skylights are located. The skylights may be entered by using a rope. The northernmost and southernmost skylights lead to the top floor of the museum while the center skylight leads to the ground floor.

Guards

Once inside the Thief must avoid two guards, one on each floor. The guards move in a predictable pattern and as long as the Thief stays hidden and silent the guards will not notice. However, the guards' perception is good so Thieves with under 100 ranks in Stalking skill should avoid sneaking into and out of rooms with guards present. The guards will arrest anyone who is not in hiding. If anyone speaks in the museum the guards will take a step forward along their predetermined path.

Cases

The cases and the donation box are each trapped with magical wards. In order to disarm the case the Thief must have Seer's Sense cast, must be under the influence of a similar Lunar Aura Device, or must be particularly skilled in Disarm Traps skill (300 ranks as a start) to bypass the traps. Once disarmed the case must also be picked. Though the cases vary in difficulty, a good estimate is that it takes approximately 200 ranks in Lockpicking skill and Disarm Traps skill (with Seer's Sense or LAD) to open most museum cases.

Stealing

The stealing system in the museum is different than all other stealing in DragonRealms.

• In the museum if one catastrophically fails a stealing attempt they are not automatically charged with a crime. Instead they are simply pulled out of hiding for a period of time, at which point if a guard enters the Thief will be arrested (but remember the guards are on a predictable pattern, so arrest can easily be avoided by proper planning).
• Another significant difference is that in the museum Stealing skill behaves more like mana pool or fatigue pool. The larger the pool, the more you can steal. Each time an item is stolen the pool is reduced by an amount equal to the difficulty of the item stolen. The pool gradually refills over time. If the pool is completely depleted it will take approximately 1 hour to refill completely.

Arrest

If arrested, the Thief is taken aboard a prison barge back to Riverhaven to be placed in jail. However, sometimes the prison barge is raided by men loyal to Fade. The Thief is dragged before Fade within the Throne City colosseum and severely beaten before being released. Fade is not pleased by the attention you've drawn from your criminal behavior. The dangerous part is that Alley Thugs lurk throughout the colosseum and can fire crossbows instantly from ranged distance.

Map

Throne City

Credits

All information on this page was compiled by Kraelyst The Hand.