Fatespinner's Darkness Rising
Game Master Fatespinner

Knowledge checks for stuff mentioned in the letter:
Arcana 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
History 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Planes 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Ah, equally dangerous Albrekt, though in very different ways"

Ventar receives the scroll and reads it

"Collecting artifacts you say... Most interesting..."

Ventar reads the scroll out to the others, then starts pacing the room with his hands clasped behind his back, brow furrowed.

"Any takers as to which organization would gain to stop this Milo from continuing his work? I don't seem to recall anything special about the caravan he was chasing..."

Solace will look over the scroll as well.

"Well, considering that he was collecting artifacts to prevent the Whispering Way from opening Gallowspire to release Tar-Baphon, I would put them at the head of the list of which organization would be interested in stopping our friend the corpse here. Followed of course by anyone else who may have an interest in opening it for themselves."

Anyone going through the man's pouches and other possessions? I suspect that's likely what Albrekt has been up to while everyone else is thinking and talking. :)

Kamau glances up at Haruk as he speaks, then smiles a little. "I wasn't asking your opinion about the fact. I was informing you - a true assassin takes care with his art, and is willing to wear the stain of his mark as the prize of battle."

He doesn't demand it or shove anyone out of the way, but when the scroll comes his way at last, Kamau reads it as well.

Knowledge (local), if applicable.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Agents of the Whispering way seems a natural first choice. Does anyone want to venture a guess as to who this one was working for then? Perhaps he was only meeting up with the designated courier to deliver this scroll to its intended recipient. Ah, good idea Albrekt, let's see if there are any further clues to be found in his possessions."

Ventar helps Albrekt to search the body unless he has already completed the task.

Indeed he will have

Albrekt not only check the man over, but also roughly cut his finery from him, as well as checking the mouth for good measure;

"Leave nei stein unturned..."

Perception (if necessary): 1d20 ⇒ 19

The brute stops short of opening him up, having plucked the arrows from the corpse's chest, but looks expectantly at Venter and Solace, seeking their approval to continue...

If it looks like Albrekt is thinking of actually opening up the corpse, Solace will glance at him disapprovingly. "You should ask first before you make a mess in someone else's home. Haruk may not want entrails strewn about his living area."

"Though if you do wish to search something else, surely our deceased friend was staying somewhere in town? Perhaps he left something of interest there? Assuming of course his assassin hasn't already tossed the room first."

Albrekt's search of the body reveals a wealth of valuables and curiosities. Everyone may read these spoilers, they are simply presented this way for organizational ease.

Well, I'm sure all us casters are going to take a turn at the stuff, so here's my spellcraft roles. :)
A pair of magic rings. (Spellcraft DC 21 to identify the first one, DC 26 for the other.) Spellcraft ring 1 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 and ring 2 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 Fail both
A gilded compass that shimmers with a faint magical aura. (Spellcraft DC 20 or Kn: Local DC 16.) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 fail
A long dagger that appears to be made of glass but carries a razor-sharp edge. (Spellcraft DC 24.) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 fail
A finely-crafted rapier with large garnets set into the basket hilt. (Spellcraft DC 25.) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 success
Masterfully crafted red leather boots with heavy black threading along the sole. (Spellcraft DC 18.) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 success
Red and gold robes embroidered with thorny vines. (Spellcraft DC 20.) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 fail
A fine suit of mithril chainmail, punctured by the arrows. (Spellcraft DC 18.) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 success
A small leather bundle carrying four potion vials, still full. (Spellcraft or Craft-Alchemy DC 18.) Alchemy check 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21 success
Solace will also cast read magic to ID the scroll and read the journal, she does speak Elven

A finely-crafted rapier with large garnets set into the basket hilt.

Masterfully crafted red leather boots with heavy black threading along the sole.

A fine suit of mithril chainmail, punctured by the arrows.

A small leather bundle carrying four potion vials, still full.

Solace will also cast read magic to ID the scroll and read the journal, she does speak Elven

Solace waves her hand at the stuff she has managed to identify while she's looking over the journal and shares what she has figured out about it. Being more interested in knowledge than material goods, Solace's attention is currently dominated by the book.

knowledge history check to see if Solace has ever heard of the elven explorer mentioned in the book before 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

knowledge history check to see if Solace has ever heard of the elven explorer mentioned in the book before 1d20+14

The name, as far as you can tell, has no particular historical significance. It is an elf named Adonei Lysender.

Looking disgruntled Albrekt rises from the stripped corpse;

"Feh. Nicht for me on this dead wurm..."

The monstrous warrior stoops for a second and examines the dead man's hands;

"... save his fingern... he hat pretty fingern."

While examining the map of the city, Kamau raises his eyes to look at the hulking man.

"Perhaps it is best to save the casual mutilation of the corpse until we have left this house, Albrekt."

Kn (local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Kn (local) to ID the compass-thingie: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"Ah, yes, Albrekt, it is not courteous to make a mess without the hosts blessing. Besides, I would imagine the church of Asmodeus has its own rites on how to dispose of the dead and that they do not include dissection."

Ventar will assist Solace in identifying the items found on the body, and mutters a small prayer in between each item he studies

Casts guidance between each item he studies, he still fails on all rolls


Appraise DC18: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Magic ring 1 DC21: Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Magic ring 2 DC26: Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Compass DC20: Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Dagger DC24: Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Robes DC20: Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"Good work on discerning these items my dear Solace. I must admit that I too have not been able to disclose the secrets of the remaining items. Intelligent, beautiful and graceful. What else could a man desire?"

Ventar says, giving Solace a lewd grin and a wink.

"Now, about this fascinating map, being new in the city I don't know of any locations of interest close to these X's. Do any of you have an opinion on the matter? I must admit that I do feel my curiosity get the better of me this evening and so I am keen to pursue this further. It seems to me that the current gathering consists of competent people who could all contribute meaningfully to discovering what our dead friend here was involved in. Question is then, who here feels as I do, and wants to continue our investigation?"

Ventar looks around the room, meeting everyone's gaze in turn.

"The way I see it there are several avenues we could explore if so inclined.... Ah, where did that butler go Haruk, my compliments to the wine, it seems my glass is empty..."

Sorry, that's what I get for rewriting a post, stuff got left out I meant to leave in.

Solace informs the others what she's figured out about some of the items and expresses a bit of frustration about the ones she can't figure out, especially the rings.

She'll go back to looking over the journal while the others take their own turns at trying to identify the items and isn't surprised if they try to identify the ones that she already has told them about.

So there's 8 total items, and five have been ID'd right?

So there's 8 total items, and five have been ID'd right?

Not counting the scrolls and potions, there are 8 total. The scrolls and potions have been ID'd as well as three of the eight more significant items. Five remain unidentified. The exact value of the jewelry has also not been adequately assessed.

The butler returns a moment later with the bottle of wine, refilling the glasses of those interested before silently retreating into the adjoining hall once more.

Kamau's first wineglass, still full, sits on a hallway table beside him. He carefully studies the map, tracing streets with his finger and closing his eyes slowly, obviously visualizing the city in his mind's eye.

When he speaks again, enough time has passed that it might come as a surprise to those who busy themselves with the dead man's trinkets. He has no need for small talk, and it's easy to forget he's there.

"He appears to have been using this map to check off locations for his searches. Here," he says, indicating the first 'X' on the map. "This is the 'Maiden's Choir,' a cathedral of Pharasma. And here," his finger indicates another building near the edge of the city. "The city's asylum." Kamau tilts his chin a little toward the corpse. "Perhaps he found what he wanted in both of those places. Or perhaps neither of them contained what he seeks. The last place is here," he finishes, indicating a spot not far away from the cathedral of Pharasma. "It is a water storage system for the city's sanitation. Whatever he was looking for, it is there."

Kamau folds the map back up in one dark hand, though he holds onto it for now, folding his arms and looking from the windows back to the group.

Haruk makes an attempt to figure out what the various items do

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Spellcraft Ring 1

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Ring 2

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 Robes

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Dagger

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Compass

Ventar fills his glass when the wine becomes available, takes a good swig and seems to thoroughly enjoy the taste. Turning his attention to Kamau as he shares his insights, he applauds the effort

"Well done Kamau, you obviously know our way around this city. Well, as I was saying, we have several avenues open to those of us inclined to investigate further. We could overtake the caravan and question whoever this Milo wanted to catch up with. We could find out where the barkeep lives and pay him an after hours visit to learn what he knows. Or we could investigate these locations on the map which Kamau has identified for us. Personally, I am inclined to take a moonlight stroll to take in the scenery surrounding the water storage system. Such a nice evening for a stroll, don't you think Solace? Ah, and Haruk, what is your take on disposing of this mans wordly remains?"

Robes

Compass

"Well. Well, well, well. This compass is a Wayfinder of the Pathfinder Society. Only those who are a trusted member of their ranks possess one. This just took a rather unexpected twist." Haruk says as he sips a glass of wine himself.

Ventar quickly peruses the scroll again.

"Pathfinder Society you say... Well then, presumably this Paracontess is also a member of this society. And she has associates in Egorian in a position to help this Milo character. Judging from his equipment he was rather well off, and if he is indeed a trusted member as you say Haruk, he might have been a quite experienced fellow. Artifacts which supposedly give power over life and death. I am intrigued... What do we know about this Milo Ventiglio anyway?"

Albrekt turns his shaggy head down towards the rest of the group as they discuss the natures and implications of devices found and letters read.

He reaches for and gulps down his second glass of wine, wipes his wet beard and quizzically looms over Solace’s shoulder to gaze at the spidery handwriting within the journal.

”The Great Beast denkt ill of writing… Ich also little Hexre…”

At Kamau’s mention of the city’s asylum the North blooded brute perks up;

”Ass-sile-um. Place of der mad nei? Abrekt would visit there one day…”

Kamau narrows his eyes a little as Albrekt speaks, but nods a little at last. "...it may come to that, but he--" Kamau glances to the dead man. "...did not seem to think that what he sought was there."

Egorian is the capital of Cheliax, for those of you who don't already know that. This is common knowledge and does not require a check. :)

Just throwin it out there that half the time I have no fracking clue what Albrekt is saying.

lol - that's kinda the point... I'm peppering his limited chat with the odd German/Old Germanic term (to reflect his Northman blood) :) Just flavour as to be honest he's hardly the font of all knowledge! If its annoying to read though let me know and I can scale it back or drop it

lol - that's kinda the point... I'm peppering his limited chat with the odd German/Old Germanic term (to reflect his Northman blood) :) Just flavour as to be honest he's hardly the font of all knowledge! If its annoying to read though let me know and I can scale it back or drop it

Personally, I like it. It reflects the fact that some people have very thick accents... and just like you might have difficulty understanding a foreigner's accent in the real world, it's very possible that Haruk just cannot understand Albrekt's mush-mouthed Common.

Albrekt Wreth wrote:

lol - that's kinda the point... I'm peppering his limited chat with the odd German/Old Germanic term (to reflect his Northman blood) :) Just flavour as to be honest he's hardly the font of all knowledge! If its annoying to read though let me know and I can scale it back or drop it

Personally, I like it. It reflects the fact that some people have very thick accents... and just like you might have difficulty understanding a foreigner's accent in the real world, it's very possible that Haruk just cannot understand Albrekt's mush-mouthed Common.

Same here, I think it's great.

Ventar smiles at Albrekts comment

"Yes Albrekt, it might be that you will have to spend some time there someday, but let's work to avoid that, shall we?"

"Now, who among us has the time and will to continue to unravel this mystery?"

"I would definitely like to know more about this Asmodean, who is a Pathfinder as well as who killed him"

Kamau looks up at Ventar again. Their earlier exchange and the dissatisfaction of its resolution seems not to have wavered Kamau's attitude about the day's events. "I'm in," he says flatly.

Ventar seems oblivious to any dissatisfaction on Kamaus part...

"Right then, perhaps we should discover where the barkeep lives as he closes up for the night and invite ourselves in for a night-cap. He may have some information he is just dying to share with us... We should also investigate the crosses on the map. But first, we should decide on what to do with the Pathfinders wordly possessions, as he doesn't seem to need them anymore. "

Ventar pours himself a third glass of wine and seems to have accelerated the pace of his drinking somewhat...

Though she couldn't care less about the man's death, Solace is rather intrigued by the mention of artifacts and the lich.

"You can count me in as well. This will be a nice little diversion from the boring town life."

"We might as well divide up tween ourselves what we can use, and sell the rest. A normal burial will suffice. I will say a few words over him as he is laid to rest. I wonder, perhaps a spell to speak with his spirit could be in order?"

"We might as well divide up tween ourselves what we can use, and sell the rest. ...

Are we assuming that the entire party generally knows the facts about what's been identified, then?

"Splendid idea Haruk, though let us keep those items which we do not know the nature of, but are clearly magical. Ah, good idea about the spell, are any of you capable of such a spell?"

Ventar is not capable of casting speak with dead as it is a 3rd lvl spell...

Albrekt pulls himself away from Solace's shoulder and balefully looks down at the assorted items of enchanted and mundane nature;

"Ich nei care for any of these... Kann Albrekt have his fingern?"

Anyone who takes a look at the mithril chainmail can give me either a DC 20 Appraise check or a DC 25 Kn: History check. Those of you who speak Elven get a +2 on this. Appraise can be done untrained.

kn history 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 = 31

After glancing through the elven journal, it occurred to Solace that the man's chainmail had an elvish appearance to it. Taking a moment to put the journal down, Solace goes and bends down over the body to take a closer look at the armor it is wearing.

"Hmm, this is rather interesting. Judging from the pattern and stylings on the elven chainmail here, I would say it is at least as old as the journal that he found. I wonder perhaps if the armor also belonged to the author of the journal? I must say it is in wonderful condition considering that it is likely over 500 years old."

"Perhaps these are the remnants of some older treasure-hunter. If there are only two pieces, perhaps the third is waiting at the wells."

Kamau doesn't sound terribly convinced of this, but then, he hasn't raised his voice for much of anything so far.

"500 years old you say... Solace are you familiar with the language the journal is written in?"

Ventar quickly tries to judge how long it would take to read the whole journal based on the thickness of the journal and the density of the writing.

"I suggest we consult someone knowledgeable in the arcane arts at a later time regarding the items we have not yet identified. I'm sure we can find a use for the vials and scrolls if we are all agreed to pursue this mystery further. The items no-one sees an immediate need for we might as well sell as Haruk suggests."

Gulping down the rest of the wine in his glass Ventar turns to Kamau

"Perhaps it does at that. It may be a long shot, but I have nothing better to do tonight - Unless of course Haruk is interested in emptying his most excellent wine cellar. "

Ventar: Fortitude save, DC 13 please.

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24