Samuel Sledge |
"Sounds good to me."
Darius Ral'algul |
I assumed you had something for us to go to the Theatre, we werent there yet. If there was a Door or anything Darius would have just walked in.
Sundakan |
Ah, thought I'd posted soemthing like that. Transition then, though that unfortunately leads us back to the same spot.
The door to the theater is closed and locked. It is apparently only opened to the public on days the players are performing, keeping rehearsals tightly under wraps except to select members of society...most of them likely Order officials.
There is a bell to ring to summon someone to the door, however.
But, to move this SLIGHTLY ahead without Jones, I'm assuming he rings the doorbell.
A little while later, a slot in the door opens and a man peeks out.
"State your business!"
I've been waiting on Jones especially since a high DC Diplomacy check is required to gain entrance. Free info, since you might not think of it: Mentioning your connection with Daramid gives a +5.
Darius Ral'algul |
Sweet
Darius tried to come off as accommodating as possible while still having an aura of authority as he is often to put forth.
" We are here on business that could benefit the innocents of this city and its current plight. There is also particular interest in some other matters of note, Daramid might have mentioned a group of individuals who were working for the good side so to speak. We are that group. Kindly let us in so we may speak more. "
There was clear effort to speak kindly though the persons attitude was a bit aggressive.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Jones Shei'lac |
Be patient guys, I've been limited to posting with my phone since Sunday.
"What my companion says is true. Give us the assistance we ask for, and we can help your group in return."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1d6 + 25 ⇒ (14) + (2) + 25 = 41
Darius Ral'algul |
" Wonderful, that will be quite an honor a few days from now but we have another matter which requires a bit more urgency I'm afraid to note. One of Undead nature. "
The usual sarcasm that would be oooooozing from Darius' voice was held back, but only by a sliver.
Darius Ral'algul |
A sideways glance goes to Zin before moving back to the man and giving a slight bow. " Excellent. We appreciate your forwardness in this matter. The information should accelerate our journey one way or another. In any case let us leave you. Do stay wary of the streets at night there seems to be vampires... and vampire hunters. "
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28
Darius gave an eye at the man before leaving for this Cathedral
Jones Shei'lac |
Jones does his own analysis.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (16) + (4) + 17 = 37
Darius Ral'algul |
Darius gave the man a nod and left certain that this individual was trustworthy.
" Seems we are off to the Cathedral. "
Is it well known or do we have to look around for it?
Darius Ral'algul |
Darius greets the acolytes as best he can in his usual way. With a smirk and an air of superiority somewhat stemmed by the situation.
He beckons one of them relatively closer to hear what he must say.
" I see you are a capable sort. We have recently taken on the task of investigating the disturbance that has been happening. We also are doing work for.. the Order. It is possible our work in one may very well have connections to the other and as such may need use of The Vault. I am sure you might be able to help in that, yes? "
Jones Shei'lac |
Jones says the same thing, but nicer-sounding.
Diplomancy: 1d20 + 1d6 + 25 ⇒ (16) + (4) + 25 = 45
Sundakan |
Changing some things here because some of this stuff is contradictory. It says the Vaults are in the Caliphas Cathedral, and then says they're below the theater...we're going with the cathedral even though that tosses a few things off.
You go to Pharasma's cathedral, known as Maiden's Choir. It is an ennormous domed church, and a stunning example of gothic architecture. It also has a dark reputation, rumors swirling around it that a grim remnant of the Tyrant's rule lays trapped below.
The acolyte thinks for a moment when you greet her, and nods.
"I'll see you to Master Chalest."
SShould you follow her, she leads you to a rotund man, and the acolyte explains your presence.
If this AP weren't such a grinder, you'd recognize him as one of the attendees of Lorrimor's funeral.
He greets you warmly.
"Welcome! Welcome! I am Abraun Chalest, Caliphas' premier Osirionologist...how may I be of service?" he asks and waves the acolyte away.
On closing and locking the door, he gestures that you speak freely.
"What need have you for the Vault, exactly?"
Darius Ral'algul |
" Depends. You are an avid man of Pharasma, yes? And one of the Order? Then I assume you know of Daramid. We are working to inhibit the Whispering Way and the current trail leads here. A Headless Horseman along the way being a flag to indicate such. So with the current situation and the string of vampire bodies showing up we need what we can to complete this in some manner. I rather not sit on my hands and wait either. "
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23
Jones Shei'lac |
I'm betting the AP will end with the ghost of Lorrimor showing up to give one final goodbye to his dear friends, and being like "Wait, who the hell are you guys?"
Darius Ral'algul |
To be fair its actually possible not to have everyone dead but.. you all have terrible luck. Darius had died but both times had not been from things that were his fault. Or really even the creatures. So it's possible.
Sundakan |
"Yes, that's very well, and I'm glad to help, but what I'm getting at is what do you need SPECIFICALLY? The Vaults are large, and we can't spare much time in them...Modd wouldn't be happy if he found out I'd let you in. Current events are unlikely to be found there, for obvious reasons, but perhaps some books on vampiric lineage in the area? Whispering Way boltholes and artifacts? Something else? I need something to go on."
Darius Ral'algul |
Darius nodded, gave a slight glance towards Zin and then back to the portly man.
" You must have my apology, I did not know your meaning. Yes, let us focus on those things. Vampiric Lineage in Caliphas and its surrounding area; Whispering Way Artifacts and areas of Import; Curses and Rituals to remove said Curses. That last portion if possible I would like to be relegated to particularly powerful Curses, such as those perhaps created by something of Deific power. "
Zin'Retatarianna Mor |
Z smirks when she hears Darius' request and looks at the man hopefully.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Sundakan |
Abraun nods, and leads you into the Vaults, a towering arched tunnel that goes on and branches off seemingly forever. In addition to the expected books, large amounts of pottery, artwork, and magical scrolls litter displays and desks through the Vaults, creating an immense clutter.
You can make any Knowledge checks you have ranks in with a whopping +6 bonus to the check while here, though each check takes 1d6 hours.
"The books you need are likely there, there, and there." Abraun gestures, pointing down specific branches of the tunnel.
"Do you require any further help?"
Darius Ral'algul |
Darius shook his head, " No that is quite good enough unless there is something you may know that we do not. You very willingness to allow us access to these Archives is more than I expected. "
He then turned to the group, " There is alot of information to gather and compile. So anyone with such skills should focus on a key area and then overlap into the others. That way we have a comprehensive well of knowledge. Also assume we don't have much time as our host can only have so much patience and leeway. "
What Knowledges are needed for which areas of expertise? I assume History applies to them all but Religion for Vampire; Arcana and Geography for the Whispering Way; Religion and Arcana for the Curses?
Samuel Sledge |
Sledge will look at the pictures.
Darius Ral'algul |
Darius points at Jones, " You are the most knowledgeable of our group only less so a handful of times and thus should assist Zin with her task. That way we ensure the best chance for that portion. I shall begin at the Vampires. If we have time we can cross-reference knowledge and overlap anything someone could have missed. She has issues with Arcane studies, start there. "
He then set to work. With copious usage of Heroism.
Know Religion Vampires: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45
Hour(s): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Know Arcana Whispering Way: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27
Hour(s): 1d6 ⇒ 2
Know Religion Whispering Way: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (5) + 25 = 30
Hour(s): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Know Arcana Curses: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
Hour(s): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Know Religion Curses: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (12) + 25 = 37
Hour(s): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Jones Shei'lac |
"Very well."
Jones begins researching subjects in the opposite order of Darius.
My Arcana and Religion bonuses are the same, so I'll just do one check for each subject.
Curses: 1d20 + 1d6 + 28 ⇒ (13) + (2) + 28 = 43
Hours: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Whispering Way: 1d20 + 1d6 + 28 ⇒ (15) + (2) + 28 = 45
Hours: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Vampires: 1d20 + 1d6 + 28 ⇒ (16) + (6) + 28 = 50
Hours: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Darius Ral'algul |
Note, Rynjin didn't put OR between the knowledges so choosing one or the other likely will get different results. That was the reason i separated Knowledges.
Zin'Retatarianna Mor |
Know Religion Curses: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33
Hours: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Know Religion Whispering Way: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Hours: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Know Vampires: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32
Hours: 1d6 ⇒ 6
-Posted with Wayfinder
Sundakan |
Whispering Way: While you learn nothing new about the organization itself, you do learn about places a Moribund Key might be useful. Something about a gargoyle lighting the way.
Coincidentally, one that matches the description lies under a pile of old tapestries in the corner of the Vaults. Abraun mentions it was taken from an ancient gravesite when the graveyard was built over years ago.
Vampires: Vampires haven't been seen publicly in Caliphas in centuries...but that doesn't mean they've left, merely gone underground. Quite literally. Reliable reports note vampires make their homes in the warrens underground to this day, and have made quite a home for themselves there. One entrance is in the Restoration Park established years ago by a druid, which Caliphas has agreed not to build over.
Curses: While your specific case has not been documented, there are reports that to a powerful enough caster a "Curse panacea" might be possible. A sufficiently powerful variant of Break Enchantment augmented by power at least on the level of a demigod or a powerful artifact SHOULD be strong enough to break any curse except those laid by malice by a true deity. As an oracle's Curse is usually a mere side effect of cosmic power, rather than a curse laid and repeatedly strengthened (much the opposite, given the power it grants) it should be removable this way.
Once 12 hours have passed, Abraun hurriedly shoos you out. It seems other Order members have arrived to use the library.
Samuel Sledge |
hey we could use that raven's head
Samuel Sledge |
hey we couldn't use raven's head
Zin'Retatarianna Mor |
Z will just have to become a Demigod, no big deal.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Jones Shei'lac |
"We should try to gain entry again later, so we can try using the Key with that gargoyle."
"In the meantime, we must learn more about these vampires. If they were content to reside underground for so long, what made them come out of hiding? I think we should make Restoration Park the next target of our investigation."
"Attaining the power needed for a Curse Panacea will be an...interesting challenge. Perhaps continuing to fight the Way will lead us to such power."
Darius Ral'algul |
" Very Well I was going to suggest a similar action. Regardless, ending this sect of the Whispering Way is on the agenda, especially after the number of areas and lives they have ruined with their meddling. "
Darius huffed, " As for the gargoyle it is possible we investigate the graveyard it came from as well. All things come in a certain order however, so on to the Park. "
Darius headed towards Restoration Park mildly annoyed at the predicament but somewhat accomplished in their information gathering skills.
" I would ask for pay from the Local authorities if not the fact they likely couldn't afford it. "
Jones Shei'lac |
Jones smirks. "As a private detective, my standard rate was fifteen gold per day. And I would usually include an overhead for the risk of dealing with supernatural elements. Multiply that for the four of us...yes, I highly doubt they could afford it."
Darius Ral'algul |
With my new and improved "Orc eyes TM" It doesnt matter for Darius but that might not be true to the rest. It doesnt help that there are vamp bodies popping up every day so likely they know something.
Zin'Retatarianna Mor |
"I wouldn't get out of bed for fifteen gold pieces."
"We should probably go investigate during the day don't you think? Vampires are asleep then right? Might as well have things on our terms."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Jones Shei'lac |
"It was quite sufficient for my needs. I was more interested in the intellectual challenge than in making a fortune."
"And I agree, there is less chance of being ambushed during the day."