Fiona Nic Cathár |
Although my original post was a couple of minutes too late, I'll keep it here anyway.
Fiona looks around warily, expecting other enemies since she can hardly believe the battle was over so soon. She raises an eyebrow at Tereze helping the fallen enemies, but says nothing. As Nessian appears defiant, she approaches him - still grappled by Gwen - and touches his arm, whispering a few words.
Charm Hex on Nessian, DC 14 vs. Will.
Still suspecting a ruse of some sort, Fiona stays put and does not go upstairs in search of the codebook, preferring to remain with the others.
Tereze Amnell |
Tereze looks up from where she is ministering to the fallen guards.
What happened here is simple. Your boss was playing with magic he did not fully understand, and almost got us all killed. He is going to leave with his nephew over zere and make reparations for his actions.
Your fellow members are still alive only because we choose not to kill them, however zey did try to stop us, so zey will need a priests attention for a bit after we leave. If you wish for everyone to contine living, I strongly suggest you drop your weapons and find a new line of work. I believe your buddy She nods at Ery. may have some advice on a new job having to do with serving tea.
She stands up slipping one of the downed guards spiked gauntlet onto her hand.
Of course it's your choice, but I would make it soon before stone face she points at Urbar decides you are a zreat.
With that she turns her back on him and walks upstairs appearing to be unconcerned by his decision.
Upstairs out of sight she lets out a big sigh and grabs the code book.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
Looking to the Tea-Servitor, the elf shrugs with a smirk on his lips.
"Family stuff. He's got some explaining to do."
Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
He was past giving the lie his all, but he felt he had done well. He motions the servitor to scamper off.
"Oh no, he's not my type Tereze."
Ery glides near Tereze up the stairs, looking the book over.
"My dear, if you don't mind... We know whats needs to be done here."
The elf motions to the book, suggesting the need to copy it...
To hasten things along...
Eryzule finishes his journal entry as per Society regulations...and self humor. Once complete, he sends off a courier to mail the copy of the codex's ritual and the skull to the Dark Archives head mistress. There after, the loveable elf heads off to temple of Calisteria where he then practices his art of Escort. Woo!
Urbar Anden |
Urbar grins at Nessian as he grabs the shirt off of the man he just killed and starts cleaning his blade. Otherwise he stays quiet through the talking.
Gwendallyn |
Gwen takes the rope and quickly ties up Nessian. She leaves him with Urbar while joins the others in searching for the codex. She gives him a light slap on the cheek before leaving. "If you aren't put to death for treason, remember this the next you think to hit a woman."
StephNyan |
The codebook contains two items of particular note: (1) an indecipherable diagram on the final page (the location of an ancient Taldan wand cache—the clue for the Taldor faction members to recover); and (2) the abort code Yargos is so desperately seeking to end the Silent Tide.
"Give me a moment," Yargos says as he runs through the abort code. He then uses several of the lamps found on the siege tower's upper floor to signal the abort code. Nothing at all seems to happen, but as hours and eventually a day passes by it's clear the threat Silent Tide posed is gone.
Though few will be aware of their bravery, by stopping the Silent Tide, you have saved Absalom from a potentially devastating attack. Yargos, and later his friends as well, thank you and they ensure that your reputation within the Puddle District is deservedly enhanced. If you ever return there, Yargos will prove to be a friend and ally that you can rely upon in the future. Finally, by helping him with his safes, Grandmaster Torch may prove to be a valuable future business contact.
End of Silent Tide
StephNyan |
0-05 Mists of Mwangi
One week after you beat Nessian, still in Absalom:
The Blakros Museum rises into the night sky, its single black spire severing the full moon in twain. The black iron gates surrounding the exhibition hall grind in protest against the wind. Beyond, the museum’s large oaken doors stand wide open, a silver-gray mist belching forth from the cavernous darkness within. You wonder how you ended up here, standing at the precipice of unknown terrors, and instantly Venture-Captain Adril Hestram’s wide looming face is conjured into your minds’ eye. His booming words ring out from memory as clearly as he spoke them only one hour ago:
"The Blakros Museum is cursed. Some darkness has descended upon the place and those who enter are blasted with evil and left raving through its halls, more beast than men. The curator, Nigel Aldain, is an old associate of the Society, though he chose to leave our organization some years back after a disagreement." Adril looked sheepish then, as if remembering some distasteful incident from his youth. "Nigel has long denied the Society access to the Blakros Museum’s considerable collection of relics and scrolls, using his extensive contacts to nab several excellent finds right out from under us... he always had a nose for the hunt. Whatever is past between Nigel and the Society, he needs our help now. Perhaps if we can come to his aid, he may think on rejoining the Pathfinder Society, or at least offering to share his discoveries with us."
"Apparently the trouble at Blakros Museum began this morning, shortly after a wayward Pathfinder named Lugizar Trantos returned to Absalom after months spent in the Mwangi Expanse. Supposedly, instead of coming straight to the Lodge to report in, he went to Blakros, sold his finds to Nigel, and then disappeared with a hefty sum of gold. The few who glimpsed Lugizar claimed he was much changed by his time in the Mwangi... gaunt, his eyes yellowed and unfocused, a strange rasping cough that seemed to wrack his now wasted frame. Whatever he brought back with him, we believe it is the cause of the Blakros Museum’s ills. Root it out."
The horrific crisis befalling the Blakros Museum occurs right before you're made aware of the situation and little time remains for them to research or investigate the incident before they are thrust into the misty interior of its idol-cursed exhibits. Adril does give you a map of the museum and suggests they head to the offices first to find Nigel as he may have some insight into whatever foul curse vexes the place. (See the map for the map Adril gave you.)
Knowledge (history)
Roll once and read all spoilers that equal your result and everything below it.
Knowledge (local) or Gather Information
Roll once and read all spoilers that equal your result and everything below it.
You've, of course, had plenty of time to purchase stuff in the past in-game week.
Vicard Inck |
Vicard stares at the imposing building, running over the map in his mind. He had always enjoyed maps...clean straight lines. Life was rarely so organized.
He went back in his mind, looking for information on the Blakros Museum.
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Free Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Knowledge History: 1d20 ⇒ 11 Free Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Vicard grunted. If it wasn't undead it was demons. He said out loud, "Trantos went deep into the dark heart of the Expanse. He wrote letters but they got fewer and fewer. Gods knows what was left by the time he crawled out of the jungle. All I recall was that he said he found three wooden idols, dark in the shape of monkeys."
He mildly cursed the entire Expanse and everyone in it.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
Eryzule had been spending his week selling his premium ability to pose as an arm accent piece to those that could afford him. Conveniently enough, seems a few of the common people rounded up some money over the week and bought the elf for the weekend. He played his part well...
...Standing before the massive structure, the elf tilted his head, looking about. Trying to recall information he may have learned over his perusing of the societies archives...
Gather Info: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
...Sadly, he was so distracted seducing the young women over the weekend, he heard nothing via word of mouth.
Historical Rhetoric: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
...It was then, after a moment of delving in to the recesses of his own mind, that he came across some potentially useful information.
"Alright, so we have some stuff to consider.First! The ape king Angazhan, his ancient text describes and foul demon thing that, seemingly, spouted prophecy to the ape king's followers. Charming I know. Fear not. If it has breasts, I can seduce it."
Ery smirked as he continued to ponder, beginning to pace as he did so. Somewhere, some how, a cup of tea was in his hand, he sipped it casually. off to the side, his tea set was opened carefully to be set up right. When, how, why? Does it matter? At any rate, he continued...
"Secondly, if this is linked from the mwangi's ape king, Ti-Kan. We may encounter enraged, monkey spirits that rend ones mind into...well... what ever Fiona is. Or at least was. Y'know... asunder. So. If we see some little wooden monkey idols that look like it could house tormented souls...This may be an issue."
The elf sipped his tea as he spun on his heel, looking up and down the building's door as if sizing up Gwen's bicep's for the first time.
"I hope Tereze can handle this. This is going to hurt... Conveniently, there was a tribe of mwanginates...Mwaginies? Mawgwai? Whatever, a tribe of savage folk who forged some interesting knives to dispatch these vile monkey spirits. So, if you see Obsidian weapons with bone handles, grab em. Especially Urbar. Give that man two. Hell, why don't we just have some obsidian weapons made? No? To late? Alright then."
Finally...Eryzule finished talking, sipping loudly his tea to signal his completion. He strolled over to his tea set, using prestidigitation to clean his cup then hoisted the set, in its oaken chest, over his shoulder. Latching it with care.
Tereze Amnell |
Tereze shakes her head worriedly as she listens to the two of them talk. We have Insane Monkey Spirits, 3 Cursed Monkey Idols that contain lost souls, madmen who's minds are possessed by animal spirits and maybe a demon zing that Ery wants to bed.
I'm not sure how much of zat I will be handling. Mwagni is a little out of my realm of experience. I like open roads and cities, not trackless wilderness with crazed savages.
She looks around at the rest of the group.
Does anyone else know anything about zis place?
If not, how do we want to approach zis evil looking mist? Do we have ze ability to scout ze entry hall or do we just go in and meet the danger as a group?
What is the Gather info skill in Pathfinder? It used to be its own skill in 3.5 but I remember it got folded into something else here
Vicard Inck |
Vicard rubs his chin as Tereze speaks, "I can sneak pretty well. I can get close and look in a window? Might be too dark, but it is worth a try?" He stops and looks at Urbar with a ghost of a smile. "No charing alone, Urbar. Alright?"
Gwendallyn |
Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Gwen does not know much about the errant Pathfinder, save that he spent nearly a year in the strange lands of the Mwangi Expanse. Last she had heard, the man had been given up for dead. Though she had never heard about any attempted rescue operations, which was odd... She had listened intently to the Venture Captain's briefing and was left wanting more information about what they may be going into. Unfortunately, this was one of the occasions where intelligence was low and that's why they were being sent in to investigate.
As they approached the Blakros, Gwen stared up at the massive spire with trepidation. She had joined the Pathfinders to explore the world and get rich. Not to remain in Absalom and investigate undead invasions and deal with demons from a strange and savage land half-the-world-away. She did not like the sound of what Ery was saying, not one bit. Gwen did not want to die, but death held no sway over her; it was a fact of life, something that every Trunau native accepted the moment they received their Hopeknife... But this horrible madness that was described... that terrified the young woman. She spots the mists pouring forth from the gates and stays clear of the fog.
"Fog... Why does it always have to be fog...?" She murmurs quietly to herself. She unconsciously checks her wrist-sheathes to ensure her Hopeknife is handy and that her dan bong is readily at hand. Vicard's voice finally cuts through her inner musings. "Yes, I think that is a good idea..." There is a fear evident in Gwen's eyes and the slightest quiver in her voice.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
Raising a brow to the others, motioning to the fog with a nod the elf wrapped his cloak up around his nose and mouth, loose enough to breath, tight enough to prevent toxins of the airborne variety from getting to him.
"I don't know about you, but I hate fogs...all fogs...especially mind alter fo- Well...no. I just don't enjoy THIS mind altering fog."
the elf smirked behind his makeshift inhalation protection.
"Wrap your faces!"
Gwendallyn |
Gwen sighs at Ery's pronouncement that the fog can also make someone go crazy. She drops her backpack to the ground and gathers a scarf out of her backpack, which she then wraps around her head to cover her nose and mouth. To most it would look like a standard multi-hued scarf, but Tereze would recognize it as a Varisian kapenia. "Is this going to be enough?"
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"I'm an escort, not a scientist."
The elf shrugs with a chuckle.
"When you go crazy, kill the others. Just remember: You instinctually love me. So I should be last on your kill list."
Gwendallyn |
Gwen blows Ery a kiss through her scarf, thankful for his ever present optimism. "Ery, dear, I love you so much that you'll be the first one I seek out! I cannot imagine suffering an eternity of madness without your ghost haunting me to make it complete!" Though her voice is muffled due to the scarf, it sounds sturdier than before.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"Huh."
Tereze Amnell |
Tereze smiles and says Think about it Ery, you could spend the rest of your days entertaining one woman. That's either your perfect ending or your own personal hell. She gets pensive for a second then quietly says Although with the right man that that could be a whole lot of fun...
The moment passes and she turns serious
Vicard go. See if you can lean anything before we all tramp in.
But stay safe. We need you back more then any intelligence. Just to be safe, leave us a signal and we can come running when we get it.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"I see what your saying...but I think the queen of leathers, vengeance and poisoned lips would likely repurpose me."
Ery gave a shrug, not entirely being serious. However, his own questioning mind was side tracked by the sudden body language shift in Tereze.
Sensing Hunch of Tereze's inner thinkings.: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
"Did you heart go a pitter-patter with the thought of spending your life time with me? Granted, I'd out live you under normal circumstances, but you would be the single most satisfied wife in creation. The envy of the city in which we'd live. Of course, many would get a sample, as my work demands, but you...I would reserve only the finest quality time for you."
The elf slid over to Tereze, placing his hand in hers as he takes a knee. He look sup to her with a smirk. However, he remains silent.
Tereze Amnell |
Ery sees Tereze's eyes widen in shock as he drops to one knee.
What?...You and I..... Zat is not what...
She closes she eyes and takes a couple deep breaths.
When she opens them again the shock is gone and she says: While I am sure zat would make some women very happy, I do not believe you are the one zat I am ment to be with. I will not be the cause of my partners pain by marring someone that that will outlive me by so much.
Plus the clan would never accept a match that has not been through the year and a day betrothal period. So I must decline your... offer.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"I cant help but to think you thought I was proposing. But since you mentioned a betrothal period, how about a test year?"
The elf took to his feet, dusting his knees off as he looked to the others. Looking back to Tereze, he smiled.
"It could even be an extended test period."
Things will continue to get more complex... FIONA! URBAR! Where are you!?
Urbar Anden |
Knowledge local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
"I know no more than you guys do."
Urbar answers from the back of the group as he casually strolls from the darkness to the front of the museum with the others.
"No charging today... Rather have my memory intact this time."
He answers to Vicards remark with a very dark look. He wraps a small scarf tied around his neck over his mouth. Leaving only his eyes visible from under his cloak.
"Ready to go."
He says at last, ignoring the whole love affair going on next to him.
Sorry! Was moving yesterday :D
Tereze Amnell |
Ery, you should know I do not have a choice in zat. My father and ze clan Matchmaker will make those arrangements for me. So you will need to convince them if you really wish to persue a betrothal. But know zat my star is not bright in the clan right now, so you would have to really impress them to get them to agree.
Oh, and I don't suggest you try your mind tricks on my father. He is a powerful summoner and not some ape of a guard....
Diplomacy as Gather information: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
She trails off and stares off into the distance for a moment mumbling Apes, Apes where have I heard....
Then suddenly she stiffens.
Zat is it. Ze keeper from ze Absalom menagerie was in the house of healing I was helping at yesterday. I heard a couple nights ago ze Apes and monkeys attacked him during a feeding and escaped into ze city. Does anyone want to wager zat we will see some of zem here?
sorry for the late diplomacy roll, I didn't realize that gather info had been rolled into that skill
Fiona Nic Cathár |
sorry for the late post - I'll be traveling throughout Europe for most of the next couple of months, and although I should have internet once a day I can't be sure, so please play Fiona/move on if I'm not responding for a while. Thanks!
...her first mission was over. Somehow, she felt better and worse at the same time. Solving the mystery and dealing with Nessian was enjoyable, but also stressful - and Fiona had more than enough stress for herself already. Immediately after Yargos aborted the undead tide, she managed to bail with some half-thought of excuse, returning to her run-down shack in one of the worse neighborhoods in Absalom. Word of her return spread, and a trickle of visitors showed up at her door, requiring her services, ranging from healing, to lifting real or imaginary curses and up to brewing love potions or helping women get pregnant. The pay was decent, but a group of thugs ended up taking most of it as protection money. Fiona knew better than to try and resist or aruge against them, so she stoically accepted. Things seemed to return to normal - whatever that meant - and the only thing that reminded her of her previous adventure was a young half-elf who came to her place and asked for some treatment after a pleasant encounter with an elf at the temple of Calisteria that sounded very much like Eryzule. Fiona treated her, and ended up ruminating about the group of pathfinders who worked with her on that past mission for the rest of the day, while dreaming about everything again that night. When the summons to another mission came the next day, she still felt ambivalent, but decided to accept it. She nodded appreciatively at the others when she realized that they were all reuniting for another mission. It almost feels like what a family should be, she thought to herself upon hearing some of the flirting going on. This could be a place, a group a belong to. The mission details - again - were unimportant and much of what was said during the briefing and subsequent discussion went over her head. What mattered was that for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"Wait, everyone just hold on a second..."
The elf holds up his hands, his gaze hovering to Tereze.
"So what your saying, is that if I impress your people...namely your father... I get you for a year?"
Tereze Amnell |
She looks a bit stunned like Ery is asking something that should be obvious.
I guess it could be only a year if you are planning to dissolve the marriage contract between our families before the year and a day is up and we consummate the marriage.
She looks around at the group for a moment then says:
However I do not see how zis is relevant right now. We have slightly more pressing concerns.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"Right. More important then us."
His words dripped with sarcasm.
"So, who wants to open the door and say 'hello?"
The elf turned, facing the door, looking it up and down with a shift of his eyes.
Suddenly, both his eyes widened. His skin, albeit fair already, seemed to pale even further. His head turned at the neck slowly toward Tereze. His eyes glanced from her eyes to her hip region then returned to her eyes, a brow raised in question.
Urbar Anden |
Urbar looks at Ery and points at the open doors.
"You nervous? Or halucinating? Let's go."
As he finishes Urbar slowly makes his way for the doors, his right hand resting on his sword.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Vicard Inck |
Vicard places a hand on Urbar's shoulder. "Wait a moment.". Quickly, the investigator flanks the building looking into the windows of the first, entryway room.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
StephNyan |
Vicard makes quite a noise as he 'sneaks' up to the nearest window. Through the window he sees the grand entranceway's vaulted ceiling, which is supported by six great pillars of hewn black stone. Braziers mounted on the pillars cast white radiance from balls of continual light. The light glimmers eerily in the silvery haze that fills the atrium, giving the impression of something alien watching from the glowing fog.
After a moment one of you opens the building's front doors, revealing the same room Vicard saw through to window. An unnatural cold permeates this chamber and the tendrils of silver-gray mist flowing out the front archway into the courtyard beyond seem to effortlessly pierce the flesh and gently caress the bone in a cold embrace.
Tereze Amnell |
Tereze pops her head around the corner and motions Vicard over.
When he comes near she whispers, You might as well look zrough ze other windows as well. Better to know what is ahead zen to stumble in blindly. Also look for an open window. I do not like zis mist. Just yell if you need us. then she moves back to the group near the front door.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"Urbar, Gwen...I say we head in."
Vicard Inck |
Nodding at Tereze's advice, and trying to not step on as many brittle branches and dry leaves, the investigator makes his way to another set of windows, deeper along the building.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
This time Vicard is little more then a dark shadow, gliding along the building, and he peeps in the window, carefully.
Gwendallyn |
Gwen looks at the mists pouring through the open door dubiously. She gestures forward at Ery's suggestion. "Feel free to be the first one to test out the possible mind-unraveling fog." She pauses for a moment. "Though I wonder if it makes someone who is already insane, sane..." She glances over her shoulder at Fiona while they wait for Vicard's return.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"Huh."
the elf placed a hand to his chin. in thought. He strolled into the mist.
Gwendallyn |
Hidden from view, beneath her scarf, Gwen grinned at Ery's lack of response. 'Twice in the matter of a few minutes. Either I'm getting better as this, or Ery's off his game.' She watches him closely as he strolled into the mists.
Urbar Anden |
Urbar waits for Vicard to return, to see if he finds anything of interest.
"Wait a moment for him. Might as well go in together, we'll lose each other otherwise."
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
"Hm? Im sorry I couldn't hear you over Gwen's paralyzing fear. Huh, it's not so bad in here."
Ery shouts from the mists.
StephNyan |
Vicard takes a look through the next window. A giant warrior looms from the haze, his arms crossed at his chest, his helm solemn and still. Beyond lie sarcophagi of varied designs, and a few glass cases wherein withered dead are held upright by rods and string, grim exhibits of long-dead citizens whose fallen empires were erased an age past.
Eryzule moves into the first room, his pulled-up cloak preventing him from breathing in the fog. An unnatural cold permeates this chamber, but nothing happens to Eryzule.
Vicard Inck |
Nodding to himself, Vicard doubles back, to the first room and opens a window and climb inside, ignoring the fog and coldness. His mind ponders the intense quiet that hovers over the building however.
"Coast seems clear ahead, Ery."
Take 10 On Disable Device +6= 16. That should open the window.
Fiona Nic Cathár |
Fiona stands outside the door, feeling the cold emnating from inside the room while peering into the fog without really seeing much. After both Gwen and Eryzule report from inside, she ties a piece of cloth around her mouth and hesitantly walks inside. A part of her feels like pulling the scarf off once she is inside, but instead she only touches it, her hand brushing against her cheek.
Tereze Amnell |
As she waits for Vicard to return Tereze pulls a white, blue and violet scarf from her pack and ties it over her mouth and nose. As she does so she whispers to Gwen in Varisian:
As she whispers she looks at the Kepenia to see if she can tell anything about Gwens Clan and if they might be distantly related.
Eryzule, Lord of Tea |
Continuing his stroll, Ery slides up against the wall ahead of them, peering around the corner down the hall.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Urbar Anden |
Hearing the coast is clear Urbar follows Ery inside. He moves up behind him and draws both his swords.
"Ready when you are."
He whispers into the mist.
I put a scarf around my mouth, just after Ery did that :)
Vicard Inck |
The air inside the room is cold, frigid. Like a breeze coming off an ice flow. It seeps into his lungs like shards of ice, chilling him from the inside out. Vicard pauses and leans against the windowsill, catching his breath.
Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Inspiration to Will Save: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Tracking Inspiration: 4 Left, 2 Luck Left
StephNyan |
Vicard feels the mist fill his lungs. For a split second he feels the primal urge to fling his feces at the ladies waiting outside, but he resists it.
Eryzule takes a look into the corridor east of the room he's in. There are three doorways in the corridor. The door in the north wall has a placard above it, which reads "The Honored Dead" in blood red calligraphy. The door in the south wall was once a pane of expensive frosted glass, which now lies in broken shards on the floor. At the end of the corridor, stairs ascend to the grand hall you were able to see on the map.
Vicard Inck |
"Which way?" Vicard asks, looking through the broken doors. "The Honored Dead Room looked clear when I look in through the window. Might be safer, but I have a nasty feeling about this whole place."
Vicard votes for the north door
Tereze Amnell |
Tereze's speech is muffled though her scarf.
Keep your eyes looking all around you, including up. If zere are apes in here zey may be hanging from ze roof or zese pillars.
Perception to look for threats above her in the entry room: 1d20 ⇒ 3
She attempts to look around for threats but is so distracted by the icy mist that she can barely focus on anything for long.
In a soft shaky voice she continues after looking down the hall:
I agree with Vicard, search the room of the dead first as it seems more untouched. While you all do zat, I'll try to watch ze door and hall to make sure nothing sneaks up on us or cuts off our escape.