GM Tyranius First Steps Part 1: In Service To Lore (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Torriki will first check them all traps perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

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Omar sniffs the glass Jar and does not smell water. Instead he smells the hint of something acidic.

The steel chest's lid itself seems to be trapped from what Torriki can tell. There looks to be a small tube that will spray a liquid if the mechanism is opened.

None of the other chests themselves look to be trapped.

"This liquid does not smell like water. I would not put your hand in it."

"Test? I don't really like these tests..."

Qillion smells and listens to the basket.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Listening to the wicker basket Qillian is unable to hear much as everyone around him talks.

Sorry guys I'm at gen con running myself blind. Will post this weekend

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Perception (on the basket): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Omar will step back and cast mage-hand to try and lift the key out of the liquid.

"Hope this will work."

Listening to the basket SHonne is able to hear a very faint hiss coming from the basket.

Using an easy incantation Omar is able to effortlessly lift the key from the glass jar and drop it on the floor.

The jeweled key on the floor looks to fit each box’s lock.

•A Copper Chest

•A red-laquered Chest

•A steel chest

•A Glass Jar

•Wicker Basket

Io frowns as he looks at the jeweled key on the floor. He picks it up and begins trying chests with it.

Copper, red, and steel chests, in that order

GM Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Io tries the key in the copper chest though it doesn't seem to be able to unlock it.

Moving on to the red-lacquered chest he places the key in the slot. This smooth, red lacquered chest looks devious. The solid metal plate surrounding the gaping keyhole pulses with glowing amber runes. Placing the key in the slot he spins it but it just spins freely in the lock.

Having no such luck Io places the key in the steel chest. With a twist he turns the key. The key snaps in half and instantly turns to a fine dust in his hands.

"Well, that was disappointing... Let's see what is in the basket..."

Rudolph then pulls out a 10' pole, and, from the other side of the room, gingerly flips the wicker basket over.

Shonne guessed that there was some logical connection between the containers, their contents and the other objects present; that by careful, logical consideration--Stupid f@#$%*g dwarves and humans.

It sounds much better in elven.

"There's a reptile inside."

sorry guys, I got whacked with some Real Life stuff while at Gen Con. Will be back 24-48 hours.

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Omar readies his greatsword to strike if the hissing creature from the basket tries to attack.

"This test is becoming interesting, you have to give them that much."

Grabbing the pole Rudolph tips over the wicker basket. Out of the basket rolls a key and a small but deadly venomous snake. Quickly the frightened snake slithers off into a dark corner where it squeezes through a tiny hole.

The runes on this key match those surrounding the keyhole of the red lacquered chest.

Shonne retrieves the key and tries it in the red lacquered chest.

Shonne places the key into the red lacquered chest. As she opens the chest she finds a key forged into the end of a jeweled scepter.

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 "Look."

Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Appraise: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11.

"Huh?"

Rudolph looks around frantically for a moment, before realising what Shonne is pointing out. He then drags the table over to the wall, and jumps up on it, using his 10' pole to retrieve the key.

Rudolph is able to retrieve the key with his 10 foot pole! After a couple of swings he is able to knock the key loose fro the string causing it to clatter to the floor with a clang.

•A Copper Chest

•A red-laquered Chest

•A steel chest

•A Glass Jar

•Wicker Basket

Muttering under his breath about 'silly goose chases,' Io retrieves the key on the floor and tries the steel chest. and then the copper chest if that doesn't work.

grasping the gold key Io uses it on the steel chest. The lock resounds with a satisfying click as it unlocks. Upon opening the clasp though a mist erupts out of the chest's lid straight at Io. As the mist clears the group realizes that the dwarves skin is now blue!

Inside the chest is the map of the Salhar Burial Vaults beneath Sothis and a wand of knock (CL 3rd, 11 charges)

The key at the end of the ceremonial staff looks as if it might fit the exit itself and not one of the chests.

"Smurf it!" Io growls as he's covered in blue.

"Let's get on ta the next task..."

Hahaha

"Ha! Well, at least it wasn't acid! Hey, don't be so blue, we are almost done!"

Omar refrains from laughing (mostly) at the blue dwarf's mishap.

"Yes, I am sure that will wash off with a bit of water. No worries. We just finish up here and voila!"

"Ha! Well, at least it wasn't acid! Hey, don't be so blue, we are almost done!"

"Perhaps acid could be used to remove it? Who can use the wand upon the copper chest?"

Rudolph smiles at Io's unintentional over-use of make-up.

"Look on the bright side; at least you make-over is (probably) only temporary!"

He then turns to Shonne, and shakes his head.

"I am afraid that that is not a wand that I can use..."

My sincere apologies. I'm still here, and will be pretty much back at this point, but only about 1/day.

Torriki looks up from whatever he was currently doing (likely taking notes) and enthusiastically supports going to see the Paracountess for his next task.

"I am afraid I also am unable to use such a wand. Is anyone handy at unlocking devices? ."

"Oops, yes sorry. I wasn't paying attention... saw something shiny"

Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

GM Roll: 1d20 ⇒ 5

As far as Torikki can tell the lock on the chest is far to complex for him.

"We 'ave what we came for," Io growls, still angry at his condition. "Le's move on, then!"

"True that. But this is a test of skill as well as wit. It may require us to open the final chest using the arcane knowledge at our disposal, proving we have such. I cannot open it myself, can one of you?"

"sorry about that mate.""

again I apologize for my absence. I got lost a bit catching up. If you want Torriki to try anything, let me know.

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The last one is just an illusion. I am going to push forward as you will eventually figure it out. No need to mess with it for a week.

Using the staff key to open the door the servant is waiting on the other side. Well done. You may keep the Map and wand but please return all keys before leaving.

As you pass the servant looks at Io's blue skin as he lets out a small chuckle.

"Thank you. It was an interesting test, but glad we were successful."

Omar will nod to the aged Sage and, if given the chance, speak further with him. Otherwise, he will move to the street and the next destination.

"Right. Let's get going! Only one more task to do, and then we can call it a day..."

Th fourth task on your list is to retrieve an item on loan from the Pathfinder Vault.

Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District—one of several homes the noblewoman keeps around Absalom. The group come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the characters, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door, greeting you as if expected. How might I be of assistance?

Io continues spitting and cursing on the way to the estate of the Paracountess.

When the servant opens the door, Io says "Ye can assist by takin' us to yer boss, lad..."

Despite the blue skin and being obviously perturbed, Io manages to ask with some level of tact.

diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

"Got a room for the evening?" Qillion grins.

"Sorry, mate. Just here to pick up a package."

Omar listens for the servant's response. If half the rumors he has heard of the Paracountess are true.

"We best be on our guard here."

The man looks twice at Io. In a calm voice he says “My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters.”

Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, you finally arrive on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door.

A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.

Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen. She regards the you all with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before
standing to address the hopeful Pathfinders.

“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up.

A small crash sounds in the room to the west. Paracountess Zarta pays it little mind.

Well, maybe not you.” Zarta points at Io. “I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore,” she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. “On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits.

The sound of glass breaks and possibly a shelf falling from the wall sounds just beyond the door.

“Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.”

The “trinket” Ambrus Valsin sent the PCs to retrieve is a seven-lock iron case. Zarta tells the group about the box and its locks and seals, explaining she was trying to bypass the protections. She advises not trying to tamper with the case when bringing it back to the Grand Lodge, but never admits to what the case contains. She can tell them the box is magically warded with abjuration magic intermingled with strong evocation magic, in addition to the seven masterwork locks.

a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. “A servant is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket.” She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger (treat as a masterwork silver dagger). “You might need this to get it to submit,” she offers with a sly grin.

"it's a pleasure to meet you, and I'd love to hang around." torriki looks at others for the dagger. "that's not really thing."

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"Your ladyship. Exactly what kind of servant is in there?"

Omar has visions of vampires or werewolves or worse running through his mind.

Just a little pet of mine. Nothing big She purrs to Omar as she runs a hand lightly down his arm.

"Well...um, that is reassuring then. We should have no problem. I believe, Paracountess, we best stick to business."

Omar is a bit surprised at the overt attention from the woman and her unsubtle attention.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Sighing heavily, Shonne takes the key and strides to the room where the noise is emanating from.