GMF's Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

"Your personality shifted when you grabbed the first shard, and we don't know if holding two shards would amplify those effects.
So I'm thinking about your mental health, and the health of the group."

"Do we know what this shard's sin is?
If we know we should put it in the hands of the one who's personality is the most opposite of it so the shift may be negated."

"Otherwise we need another volunteer, or we do a vote."

Spasi, without touching the shard, casts Identify and examines it (casting Detect Magic).

"Lemme see here...out of the way, Bibic. You already got yours. You know these things are dangerous, but might be worth the risk..."

1d20 + 13 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 10 = 42 Spellcraft

Super awesome roll. Still totally not going to tell you the curse. Too much of a fun RP opportunity to pass up, but you determine its properties.

Rhesus shrugs and wipes ichor off his face.

"That got 'em, aye Clem?"

Rhesus frowns at his friend.

"What're you doing back there Clem? All the good stuff is happening up here. How'd you get hurt from back there bud? Jeeze Clem, I'm going to have to watch out for you better."

********

"What's the fuss then? Eh, don't seem like a big deal, Bibic's still Bibic ain't he? Lemme see that."

Rhesus picks up the crystal.

"I... can't control Valani's blessings of health, it would've healed everyone in the area."

Seeing that the creature has since perished, Clement invokes the healing of Magnimar's empyreal lords again.

Channel: 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4, 5) + 1 = 11

"Wait, I think I can avoid one of our enemies. Maybe even two or three of them."

Clement gives the shard a long look.

"I agree we should split these up for now. Perhaps it is best that Noya carries it, as her virtue would surely shield her from any... adverse effects."

Since Rhesus grabbed the shard
"Looks like Rhesus has Volunteered for the holding this shard."

on Clement's words about Noya
"If you feel that way, I'll hold onto the next shard we find."

Spasi gives a good look around for more loot before making ready to return to the Pathfinder Lodge.

"Big spiders like this have just got to have some good treasure lying aroud...right? Not just the dumb shard?"

If nothing is found, Spasi returns 'home' while keeping an eye on Rhesus for any ill effects.

Bibic shrugs as the shard goes to someone not him. He seems to get over it though as he crowds around Rhesus as they begin the long walk out of the complex.

"What's it do? What's it do? How do you feel?"

"Let's hope the shard does not turn Rhesus' personality into being the same as Mr Gaten's."

I will give the floor to Rhesus for a touch of RP and then we will be off.

Rhesus straightens as he picks up the shard, staring into it's depths. His eyes glaze over for a bit and then he begins to sweat as his skin goes pale.

"Well, that's it. Yeah, that's it. Tell ya what, why don't you hand over the bags of loot and I'll carry them up, wouldn't want to be late for our meeting with the Pathfinders, right? Yeah, that's real good, just hand 'em over. Hey Clem, ya think I need a new hat? I think I could do with a cunning hat. Figure we keep having to go underground for these things and I'm going to need a nice hat. Yeah, let's go get me a nice hat, mebbe some other stuff to adventure with in style."

"Huh, I feel fine Bibic, nothing wrong at all. Yeah, nothing a nice hat couldn't fix, ya know?"

The tall Shoanti will take as much of the loot as he can, swinging it over his shoulder easily then walking quickly out of the room.

"Seems he's become materialistic."

Clement gives Noya a look and shakes his head.

"No, Reese is anything but. He's the one who saved me! My life, that is!"

Clement advances to his Shoanti friend and puts an arm around his shoulder.

"No doubt Reese here fought off whatever compulsions this shard inflicted upon him. He has the stamina of an atol and the will of a badger."

Nodding, Clement sizes up the bald pate of his companion.

"And I've been telling him for weeks he needs a hat. If anything, the shard's finally made him agreeable to common sense."

Clement holds his hands up and closes an eye. Squinting, he imagines several different hats atop Rhesus's head.

"I think something with feathers would be Shoanti-ish... Shoantish? Shoantific? Bright ones, of course."

"See, right as rain, just ask Clem! Best bud a guy could ever have. Ain't that right Clem? Feathers, yeah I could do feathers. Hate to get them chopped off though, I suppose if I kept 'em at a jaunty angle it'd be fine."

Rhesus nods and stands up, careful not to dislocate Clem's arm as he does.

"Let's get movin'!"

Spasi nods at Rhesus, pretty darn sure nothing was wrong...especially not with Clem looking after him.

"Alight then, 2 shards. We're probably done now, right? We report back...get our findings, get paid, then go get lai--" Spasi cuts off, keeping the rest of his thoughts to himself.

Noya knows what Mr Gaten was going to finish with
"I can almost swear that all the blood in your body never reaches your brain, just your codpiece."

"I agree, let us return, report, and get paid. I like the sound of that."

Bibic follows Rhesus and Clement out the door.

@Bibic: I just realized that the ioun stones still function in the shards. As such you should have a +2 bonus to INT and that +1 bonus to history checks should be per level

After making some notes on the shrine, you gather up everything that looks useful or valuable and collecting the freed prisoners, you look to make your way back to the surface. Following the tunnel that you explored earlier, you find your way into the Magnimar sewer system and from there it is a fairly simple task of finding a ladder to take you to the surface. The freed citizens thank you profusely and go along with Officer Kasadei to give statements to the city watch. (A few days later a letter arrives at the chapter house from the office of the Lord-Mayor, thanking you profusely for your service to the city and awarding you a reward of 2000gp for saving the captured citizens.)

Tired, wounded and somewhat fragrant from your travails, you make your weary way back to Heidmarch Manor. Sheila Heidmarch sees you as soon as word of your triumphant return reaches her ears. Her research uncovered which ioun stone would be needed to remove the curse from the shard of greed and she presents Rhesus with a Pale Blue Rhomboid (+2 STR). Seeing your exhaustion, she suggests that you take the rest of the day to rest and recuperate and then give your report in the morning. I can't imagine that there would be any objection to this.

Fed, clean and refreshed, you give a rousing report to Lord and Lady Heidmarch from the comforts of the overstuffed chairs of the library. Both listen in rapt attention as you detail the wonders and horrors you've discovered. Sir Canayven is especially excited to hear about the inter planar device you deactivated and the shrine that contained the shard of greed. Sheila makes special note of the aquatic sinspawn variants that you discovered and mutters about "Needing to put together another expedition...". You successes couldn't have made them happier. Your discoveries have definately put this nascent chapter house on the map.To show their appreciation they reward you with 1000gp and give each of you a wayfinder of your very own.

That being settled, they move onto the business at hand. "From Rhesus' description, the next shard should be found in or around the great lighthouse monument known as the Lady's Light. Fortunately for us, it isn't that far away, about 50 miles, as the crow flies. Unfortunately, those 50 miles are through some of the wettest swamps in the region. It might be possible for us to find a ship to get you closer, but the reefs in the area make the sailing quite treacherous. From my research, the shard of greed should be harmonizing with the shard of lust, but I still haven't manages to determine what the corresponding ioun stone is for it. Hopefully, we should have the answers soon, but for now, it might be best to stay at your ease, until we know for certain and procure the appropriate stone. You'll be a little bit more isolated this time around and who knows what the effects of the curse will be."

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. Basically, there is no time frame for moving on, so the PCs have time to craft of shop or whatever.

Thanks GM Fanguar for the Ioun Stone update. :)

Is the 2,000gp reward from the city per person?

"Lady Heidmarch, thank you for your generosity in these endeavors. I'm sure we'd all love to gather that next shard just as soon as we can. Nice Wayfinders."

He turns to the others, "Swamps huh? Maybe we could buy a small boat, a skiff, to guide us through. Our curing wand is still more than 3/5ths full, thanks to Clement here, so we don't need to invest any community resources there as yet."

"Did we have anything to sell? Any loot gathered?" he looks at Rhesus.

Spasi returns from his night with the Calistrians feeling relaxed and released of all the tensions from yesterday, eager to give his report.

"Oh Rhesus, you should come with next time. They have one of them half-ogresses...I forget what they are called...uhm...anyway, she ain't too bad looking if you squint a lot. And she looks like she would be perfect for you...really work out those knots you have...big gal too...so you can really..."

* * *

Spasi looks over the wayfinder, holding it up and down.

"You know, Clem, working for Dr. Toffitt...I never thought I'd see one of these," Spasi says, eventually looping the device around his belt. "It can point direction and make light. That's got to count for something, right?"

* * *

Spasi shows the mechanical man to Sheila, showing her how it works.

"Did you want this guy? I don't think he's going to travel to the swamp very well with us, but might brighten up the place around here a bit. You just gotta turn the key and this guy comes to life. It's pretty neat...lemme show you..."

More later...waiting for this to be digested first...and see what others post.

Clement wastes no time assisting his friend in the purchase of a handsome new hat before getting down to business again at Heidmarch manor.

"Swamps is it? I never knew Varisia had swamps... they sound hazardous, but it's nothing we can't handle."

Clement experiments with the wayfinder, seeing that it always points its way north, he closes it and gives a nod to Spasi.

"So Mrs Heidmarch, are we official Pathfinders now or something? Is this a field commendation? I thought we'd need to pick some sort of faction if we were Pathfinders... Lee Berty's Razor or Drake Hive or something like that...?"

"Lady's Light.
I've heard of it before, but don't know much about it.
Given that the shard is in a place called Lady's Light, the place sound distinctly feminine.
I'm guessing the Shard will be a more feminine sin, like Vanity.
In which case I should hold that shard, unless the guys want to act in a feminine manner."

I have RP ideas for this shard, ones that will put Noya through tough times.

Rhesus does not give up the shard without a fight, although once the ioun stone is in place he seems to relax some.

"Eh, sure, that's better I suppose."

*********************

"Sure Spasi, mebbe I will some time. Me and Clem usually like to unwind together though, how're them Calistrians with that?"

*********************

Rhesus listens as Noya spins her tale.

"Sure seems like a stretch to me. Besides, ain't no sin specific to nobody. Hell, you should see Bibic get prettied up in the morning. Ain't never seen somebody spend that long on their hair. Shave it off I say. Course, then your head gets cold. That's why I need that hat. Now that we're paid of course. We are paid, ain't we? Clem, you got the money?"

The giant man shrugs.

"Tell ya what Noya, why don't we worry about gettin' there first, then we can worry about your swampy lady shards."

"Sure seems like a stretch to me. Besides, ain't no sin specific to nobody. Hell, you should see Bibic get prettied up in the morning. Ain't never seen somebody spend that long on their hair. Shave it off I say. Course, then your head gets cold. That's why I need that hat. Now that we're paid of course. We are paid, ain't we? Clem, you got the money?"

Bibic pushes his hair back in place with his hand and smiles.

"When you have long hair my friend, you must do something with it! Besides, I cannot shave my hair. You'd see there are hidden tattoos put there by my family when I was very young. Very private those tattoos are, very private indeed. It would be something of a sacrilege to my people to shave my head and show them before I'm a doddering old man."

"Very bad indeed..."

May I never go bald!!

Noya - please don't share OOC knowledge. Ever. Part of my fun in a campaign is discovery - discovering the module as we go through it. It's quite jarring to me when you reveal information gathered by reading ahead. Please keep it to yourself so you don't ruin the campaign for me, and others.

"You have tattoos on head under your hair...."

"If you say so Bibic. Still seems like a lot of time spent. Why, if I didn't have Clem here to braid my back hair and oil my pecs while I was getting my armor and weapons ready, I'd probably never get out the door."

Whew, glad I don't have that problem!

"You have tattoos on head under your hair...."

Bibic settles comfortably into the conversation, "Yep. It's part of the right of passage when we're very young. To be a man, you more or less just have to not cry too much as they dry-shave you and tattoo your scalp."

"It's really quite cruel, but it could be worse I suppose. Rhesus, what is the passage into manhood like in your culture? Rough I bet!"

Clement gives a reluctant nod as Rhesus reveals the more sordid deatils of their morning rituals.

Sighing, he withdrew his newest hat, a less garish version of Rhesus's newest purchase and set it upon his head, angling it just right.

"I'll tell you one thing about these new hats. The Calistrians were whistling and offering to work for us. Is that normal, Spasi?"

Clement glanced down at a puddle formed by the damp morning air of the Magnimarian docks.

Vanity she says, eh? If anything, I am even more charismatic with a hat that matches Reese's.

Rhesus nods.

"It's different for every quah, but for the Moon Clan, it's The Black Walk. On a moonless night, the ya find the entrance to a cave. Then ya gotta get out the other side. Takes a few days for the ones that make it. Most of us see visions of our future totem when we're in there. Then we get our manhood tattoos. No Spasi, not like that."

"It must be a tough couple of days, given the need to food and water."

"And I agree, not what your thinking Mr Gaten."

"Sure Spasi, mebbe I will some time. Me and Clem usually like to unwind together though, how're them Calistrians with that?"

Spasi nods, trying not to stare through Bibic's hair to what might be underneath.

"Oh yeah, they got all types in the Church, Rhesus. Big, small, old, young, male, female...you name it. It's a pretty good scene if you don't mind squinting...everyone seems pretty."

Spasi smiles, remembering when he got his manhood.

"I didn't get a tattoo when I got my manhood...or anywhere near my manhood, so to speak. My dad just gave me some coin, pointed me towards the Calistrian temple, and told me to pick wisely. I guess I did because it was mostly fun. Excepting for the crying afterwards."

"Food and water? What'cha want them for? Anything in there would just smell it, before or after."

****

"Crying huh? What'd the priestess think of you bawling after?"

"The food, I could agree on having a scent for predators. I don't think water has a scent, unless it's mixed with something."

going back to the thoughts on the next place
"You said the wettest swamp in the area, I am curious as to how bad the area is?
Like what is the flora and fauna in that swamp?
What are the routes we could take through the swamp.
And which shard was Rhesus's Shard resonating with again?"

"Crying huh? What'd the priestess think of you bawling after?"

Spasi looks abashed.

"Oh, the usual crying...I was confused about that goes where and what hole to use and all that. But we got it straightened out...get it? Straightened out! Hahaha!" Spasi says, trying to joke over his embarrassment.

"Maybe we should sell the stuff we're not going to use now? That clockword thingy...that will fetch a good price, I bet. I might get into the Diamond Club at the Temple...the one reserved for rich prayerants and the hottest most holy priestesses."

Spasi goes to market.

Eventually Spasi will get around to making his knowledge rolls, I promise.

Noya facepalms herself in a combination of embarrassment, disappointment, and some frustration.
"I can't believe the discussion quickly went the way it did."

Spasi walks out of the weapons store, having sold the final ranseur. He hands sacks of cash to everyone.

"So where are we going again? The swamps to find some Lady?" Spasi asks, just now focusing on the important things.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Know (Geography) - anything about the swamps/reefs?
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Know (History) - Lady's Light?

"I think I'll do some shopping in preparation...maybe a fancy stone for my wayfinder, I dunno. And some new scrolls. Definitely a new wand...we don't know how long we're going to be out there. We need to bring food, too, huh?" Spasi scratches his barely-there beard.

"Oh, them swamps are going to be hot, too. Maybe we buy one of them wands so you don't care about heat? That might be helpful. The shard might be underwater, we should be prepared for that...."

Spasi goes shopping. Not sure if we want to pool some money for some group expenses or just purchase solo and wing it as we go. Spasi ain't much of a planner but can be talked into things.

I'll have a shopping list up tonight.

I hope your not overlooking my last OOC post on purpose, Spasi.
The ranseur is in a questioned state of ownership.

"So which shard is the one that Rhesus's Shard is pointing to again?"

1d20+10 Know (Geography) - anything about the swamps/reefs?

1d20+10 Know (History) - Lady's Light?

Spasi buys some stuff, and then more stuff. Then a bit of food.

"I think I could leave tomorrow...unless you guys wanted to wait a week. There is this one half-elf who gives a discount if you visit all week and pay in advance," Spasi says.

"Or I could tell the VC that we're ready to go and chart the boat."

Bibic lights up, "Oh, I'd rather wait a week I think. I'm not keen on the swamps and we've just come from a dungeon. If there's no rush, let's not rush."

Bibic spends the week in relaxation, enjoying himself, and indulging a little more than he should, but it's oh so enjoyable...

In the end he takes an extra couple hours, to recover, so he's fresh and ready for his mates and whatever lies ahead. A little bleary eyed he shows up at the rendezvous 'ready' to go.

"Of course I'm ready, I have my bow don't I?"

Rhesus will do some shopping during the week, picking up rations for himself and Clem as well as a cunning hat for the sawmp.

"Ready when you are."

Clement spends some of his time lounging, and other bits of his time looking at himself in the mirror fawning over all the wounds he shared with Rhesus.

He swings by the Calistrian temple, hoping to ask Spasi for some advice, but instead ends up coaxed upstairs into a curious predicament involving a pair of gnomish acrobats and a centaur. He speaks noting of the event, but the sounds from the quarters are curious enough that word reaches Spasi about what transpired that night.

Catching up with Rhesus, Clement sizes up his companion's defenses with a quick magical scan.

"Well I see an aura on the earthbreaker, but nothing on the chain shirt! Reese, come on! You're killing me!"

Clement blinks for a moment.

"Literally!"

Clement makes a detour later that afternoon and picks up an enchanted chain shirt while he picks up his own enchanted armor.

The chain shirt bears several hastily imparted embellishments, namely a highly reflective stripe across the chest that bears the name R H E S U S.

Clement dons his own breastplate as well, with a matching stripe presenting his own name.

As Clement hands the armor to his friend, he gives him a knowing nod.

"So the monsters know who's kicking their arses..."

Already had a masterwork one, just take that and have it embroidered or whatever. ;)

"Gee Clem, that's...that's really great. Thanks. It's...kinda shiney though ain't it?"

Clement nods his head as he basks in Rhesus's praise.

"Kind of shiny? I'd go so far as to call it sparkly like the night stars!"

Clement's eyes twinkle for a moment, as he is afterall - a stargazer.

"There's a couple constellations I patterned it after, if you study your name closely."

Clement takes a few steps forward and gestures at the stylized 'R'.

"Here, you can see the star pattern for The Rooster. And here, in your 'H', you can see the star pattern for The Horse."

Clement gestures to the remaining letters.

"I'll let you figure out which star patterns are hidden in the rest on your own. It'll be a great way to pass our time in the swamps."

Clement hesitates for a moment, noticing that one of the stars in the Rooster pattern is missing. He quickly blames the artist who worked with the smith and makes a mental note to resolve the error at the next opportunity.

He gives Spasi a sideways glance, hoping either the arcanist doesn't notice, or just doesn't care to stare closely at Rhesus's chest for any duration.

After Bibic repair's Noya's Armour and Longsword
"Thank you Bibic for repairing, my armour and sword.
As these were gifts from my teachers when I announced I was leaving to become a Pathfinder."

//**************************************************

Noya takes the week to relax, train, giving a helping hand to local kirks, and shopping for prices on Mithral armour.

When she meets up with the others and sees Clement giving Rhesus a gift of named armour,
Noya has a split second thought of a BL romance that causes her to blush some.
She quickly purges that thought, though a slight blush remains.

"Good day, Gentleman.
I hope the week off has help us recover from the injures of those ruins.
As well as a good time to go shopping, and helping kirks with minor tasks."

At the end of a week, Spasi speaks to the VC about arranging a boat to the swamp and finding the next shard.

"Yeah, I'm going to miss that half-elf."

After a week of rest and relaxation (or ale and debauchery) you settle into the now familiarly comfortable confines of the chapter house library. Venture Captain Heidmarch enters to give you your marching orders, as it were.

"I hope everyone has recuperated from you ordeals. I'll have you know that we have teams in the pilling as we speak, continuing the work that you have so diligently begun. Now onto the business at hand." She pull out a glittering stone and hands it to you, it is a pink and green sphere ioun stone. "This assignment is turning out to be extremely expensive, but if we are successful in reforging the Shattered Star, this might become the most famous chapter house in all the world. We put out some feelers to the local ship's captains and we've found one that is willing to put you ashore reasonably close to the Lady's Light. The reefs are notoriously treacherous around there, so you can put ashore too close, but it should save you many days of mucking through the swamps. As per usual, please make note of anything that may be os historical importance."

She pauses for moment, thinking something over. "I'm not sure what to make of this, so I will put it in your hands. Our inquiries regarding the swamp has drawn the attention of the Magnimar merchant's league. They have asked us to keep a look out for any locals to set up trading with. There has apparently been quite an up surge in demand for certain herbs found in the swamps, so they would like to secure a steady supply. It would be nice to solidify our relationship with the merchants, but I wouldn't make this a priority. I'm not sure anyone actually lives in that swamp."

"Anyways, the ship you are booked on is the Wanton Ways. We have her booked for the next two weeks. If your investigations last longer than that, I'm afraid you'll have to walk out. Any qyestions?

Spasi rubs his barely-existant beard, hardly a symbol of his manly virility. "Two weeks, huh? Well, I got food for two weeks, that's for sure..." Spasi pats his haversack. "Of course, that's just for me...because I'm smart, I'm prepared, like Dr. Toffitt told us to be a Pathfinder."

"No questions from me...we need to find the shard and find merchants. Can't be as hard as the last one. Pretty easy sailing, I'd say," Zilch says with confidence.

"So we have to do the job in 2 weeks or we walk home.
And true that their might not be anyone person in the swamp,
I'm more concerned about anything alive in there."

"Two weeks huh. Yeah, I'll need to stop and supply a bit better than I have. Shouldn't take long though and I'll be ready. Shall we leave mid-afternoon? Or is it better to leave tomorrow morning?"

Bibic is fine with whatever, as long as he has a chance to grab some grub, and maybe a few more arrows too.

After the meeting, Bibic rushes down to the shops and picks up two weeks of rations (7gp), a nice bottle of wine (5gp) and two more bundles of cold iron arrows (40 arrows, 4gp). He returns to the group with two packs, one more or less full of food and arrows, and the other, his usual pack with odds and ends.

"I'm ready to go!" he shifts his gear around a little.

"Sounds like I might need to stock up a bit more."

Is a Week 7 or 10 Days?

Edit: never mind, a week is 7 days in Golarion,
I've been in campaigns where a week was 10 days.