GM Kyshkumen's PFS 5-11: Library of the Lion Alpha (Inactive)

Game Master Kyshkumen

Great job, Tuich. Those locks fell like leaves from a tree

Sung softly under her breath, she adds

...On this, your opening night,
On this, your opening night.

Quickly checking if there is anything odd she missed, Miko leaves the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

So, the study room, or the room with the desk? Or shall me and Vincent go talk to the caretaker?

New clues are posted, sorry got dragged down to the garage to clean the storage room.

Hah! A silver horn, and an 'ironclad' prophesy attached to it. Wouldn't hurt to know more on that topic...

Spin the right words, phrase with sufficient generality that it may apply anywhere, but with enough specificity to that people may identify it with certain events and... boom... ironclad prophesy. Anyone can do it, really, so anyone can be a prophet.

How much time does it take to clean the storage room with six adventurers? ;-)

"Hmm. Given, then, the known unreliability of the prophesies of the priests of Aroden regarding events and conditions the occur after the point of Aroden's supposed 'death' - indeed, beginning foremost with the god's unprophesied death - then the prophesy about the uselessness of reforging the silver horn may, too, not be valid."

"We may wish to leave the bookcases unlocked for now, in case we have time to search further, but it will be imperative to re-lock them prior our final egress from the secret archives."

Next room? Someone else's choice.
Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15
Well, my luck couldn't last forever. We could potentially use, however, some of the helping clues.

Easternmost room? Least chance of disturbing the caretaker?

Miko helps searching the room, careful not to disturb the arrangement of items on the large desk.

K(History): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

I'm good with Miko's choice. And I also think we leave the cases unlocked for now as well.

"Opening night? Is that a euphemism?"

Vyk's musical training only deals with bawdy tavern songs.

K. Planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"There's a few million Iomedaens who would be more than happy to assure you that Aroden is indeed dead, Garedon. And prophecy along with him."

Tuich walks with Vyk and Miko as they head towards the room she'd checked. "There are two potions or similar in the desk, but I don't have the learning to identify them. Also, there's an inscription on what Garedon says is a portrait of the Prince; it might be another clue. I didn't move anything -- didn't search the room in any depth really, wanting to promptly bring that clue back to Garedon. So I'll pitch in now."

Perception (for search/aid another at -2): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9

Like I said, I shouldn't be taking up space in a room that someone with better rolls could use. :o(

"So," she comments as they're searching, "If that horn helped in the last war, and the prophesy says it won't work right if reassembled, and the prophesies are usually wrong, then maybe some teams need to be sent out to find the location of the pieces so it can be reassembled for the war effort."

"And what about the General's journals, surely those would be helpful."

GM, how much material is there in those logs? Would we be able to copy their contents in the time remaining?

After searching as best she can, a thoughtful Tuich asks where the logbooks were found and then goes to look at them, a plan forming in her mind.

"Watch for a 'suitable vessel' for the lion entity," she reminds the others as she leaves.

Give me a performance check, Miko you can take a +2 since you were studying the book of Taldan music. Tuich part of searching and finding the texts includes copying down relevant information.

The search of the room comes up with two ciphers and you feel that you have gone through all the clues in this room. You can still search the desk and the rest of the room as Tuich has pointed out there are potions.

Hint regarding the ciphers, the correct one does not fully translate correctly, it has been one of the main complaints about this scenario.

So take it as read that the logbook's contents have been copied? That's good, I was concerned we'd have to steal it...

Perform(Sing): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 = 17

"Hmm," Garedon frowns thoughtfully. "The first cypher found (reading every third letter backwards through the cryptogram) would yield, by my calculations, "QFFMOEWK", which would be of uncertain significance - perhaps a word of power or a Kellid surname."

"The second is more promising, turning the Taldane alphabet -
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYZ - into
YEFGCIJKGMNOPQMSTUVWSYZABC (treating Y as a consonant to avoid having two letters convert to 'W')."

"This gives "HVS THE BELL OF OBEIDENCE". One possibility is that the first 'Y' in the cryptogram should be a (similar-appearing) 'X', which would make the first word the sensical 'HAS'."

"A second possibility could be of two forms: either the final word could be 'Obeisance', or, perhaps more emphatically, a transposition could result in the word 'Obedience'."

"A third range of possibilities - highly unlikely, although within the state space enclosed by the description of non-zero probabilities - is that I have made an error."

"That's very clever, Garedon! I'd never have figured that out. I wonder... if you don't make that double-letter change, does it make the result any clearer?"

"Though with both readings referring to deference and submission, the meaning seems clear. I can guess at what a bell of obedience might do, but... who or what do you suppose has it?"

Wow, this thread advanced quite a bit in the last day. I found myself quite busy yesterday, but I'm back now.

Vincent finds the mention of the horn especially interesting and makes sure to copy down the notes on it into his own notes. Although it wouldn't be wise to take any of the books, there is certainly paper and ink around for him to use that they wouldn't miss.

Although, while I'm on that train of thought...

Vincent frowns as he looks over the new discoveries. "Well, we've found some information in these books. Are we to copy it all down? These logbooks are quite extensive, and we have limited time. We can't very well take the books out of here, right? I'm unsure if a summary will suffice."

"Anything that compels obedience sounds like something that I don't want to be found. Does it compel anything? Or just devils? What about tieflings?"

Vyk shivered.

"But I suppose better the Pathfinders than Cheliax."

The bell of obedience is from another scenario in an earlier season. So does anyone else want to look for some non-clue goodies or take the ones Tuich found? Miko knows another fanfare is about to happen in about a minute.

Tuich looks down the hall. "I doubt that spiral staircase goes anywhere we want to be, but I'll check it just to be safe."

Tuich will head to the end of the hall and climb the stairs -- carefully, checking for traps and what not.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

And trying to stay stealthy in case she's about to poke her head into the Lion Blade's break room.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

So how about you guys search that last room, while I go search the rooms for other noteworthy things?

I might be able to peacefully take 20 for a couple of rooms

Miko does a cursory search of the current room before hearing the answer.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Taking a little extra time Miko finds a secret door behind the desk and a lever to open it hidden beneath the desk.Will add it to the map as soon as I can. Does not look like I will get off work until 2 AM.

As she heads for the staircase Tuich asks over her shoulder, "But isn't that where you think the Caretaker is? Weren't we going to try not to disturb her?"

Tuich makes her way up the staircase and finds a closed secret door similar to the one they came down. She does not see any clear way of seeing what is on the other side.

Map has been updated and will post what I can today but will be busy till later this evening.

The door where Miko thought she heard something is the left-most door. Did we search the room left of the one with the green rectangle (i.e. the animated books)?

Curious, Miko moves down the corridor to see where it leads, humming along with the tune that is building up

Oh, my field.
Wide and spacious field
There, in the distance
Heroes riding!
Heroes of the Taldan army!

Tuich closes her eyes, asks for Ashava's grace (casting Guidance) and then tries listening at the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Yeah, that did a lot of good...

She slips quietly down the staircase and rejoins the others. "There's a door at the top of the stairs. Looks to be the back side of a hidden door, like the one we came through. I didn't hear anything, but felt it best not to go any farther."

Sorry Miko, I misunderstood. By "that last room" I thought you meant the one remaining that hasn't yet been opened.

Tuich tries listening at the door, while Miko sings along with the loud fanfare

HEROES OF THE TALDAN ARMY!!

So which direction do we proceed first? Up the stairs or down the corridor?

"Presumably, the most secret, most important materials would lie within the secret room in the secret library, so let us follow this corridor next."

Garedon goes down the corridor, looking for traps and then inspecting and listening at the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

He is consistently distracted as he does so.

As Miko steps into the secret corridor she feels a tug on her shins.

Dart trap: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Followed by a sharp pain in her arm. Looking down she notices a large dart protruding from her arm and starts to feel a little light headed.
DC 18 Fort save or you take dex damage.

Dex damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Garedon then looks down the hallway for additional traps and finds nothing and hears nothing from the other side of the door.

Vyk follows Garedon, all the while humming Miko's song.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Nina'd :P

Garedon looks at the dart in Miko's leg with grave concern, and then states, "Lacking the capability to reset the trap with the dart, the difficult question is as to whether we should take the dart with us or not. I suggest not, and attempt to make it look like the dart misfired, first cleaning it of blood with a small prestidigitation and then striking the wall with it where it would have impacted had not Miko's leg so unfortunately gotten in the way."

Ai! Miko lets out a scream as she is hit in the leg with the dart. Her eyes flare up in fury, breaking for a moment that cheerful aura and turning her mood a bit fouler

Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Reset your own trap, Garedon she snaps, whatever way you want to carry this dart, I'm removing it from my leg. With visibly trembling fingers she pulls the dart from her leg.

Well-played reaction, Garedon :-)

Stupid underground s**thole. she mutters, as she uses her wand to heal the wound

Use magic device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Use magic device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Her initial failure to fire up the wand only infuriates her further flying, cursing, miserable son of a.., and then it works

CLW: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5 +2 from Fey foundling feat

The pain relieved, she calms down, and looks up guiltily at the party members, letting out a short sigh.

Have your stupid dart, Garedon

And a bit of Miko is revealed. Poor thing, she struggles with anger as I do with sorrow.

No words spoken, Tuich places a hand on Miko's arm and gives her a knowing and sympathetic look as she slips past her and onward down the previously hidden hallway.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Mostly checking for traps. (Yes, I know Garedon has already done so. Call her paranoid.)

Moving to the end of the hallway, she cautiously listens at the door.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20 Whoa.

Vincent suppresses a chuckle at Miko's misfortune. "I'd have expected a bigger trap than just a dart. It's possible it was poisoned."

Will she need to keep making saves? 2 Dex damage isn't too bad, but more could be an issue.

Yes Miko is still poisoned so if anyone would like to make heal checks to try and help they can add +4 if they beat the poison DC of 18.

Tuich does another sweep of the passage and finds no additional traps, and putting her ear to the door is fairly certain there is nothing waiting for them on the other side.

Don't have a healer's kit, but here you go.

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Vincent leans down to inspect Miko's wound. "Yeah, that's probably poisoned. Here, sit down and hold still a moment... And stay relaxed. Being upset makes the poison spread faster." He grimaces, realizing he doesn't have a proper healer's kit with him, and tears a couple strips of cloth from his own shirt. He fills his mug with a quick Create Water spell and soaks the cloths, trying to clean out the wound of any poison that didn't make it into her blood yet.
"Someone help me out here."

So close. I'd have been better off casting Guidance or something.... nevermind. Checked my stat block, and I don't know Guidance. *makes a mental note to buy a healer's kit*

And yeah, I know I can't by the rules cast Create Water AND do a heal check... but it makes sense to me that the heal check involves doing stuff. You can ignore that part if you want. Rules-wise, I just go up to her and use the Heal skill.

Edit: Can Vyk's roll count as assisting Vincent? That would give me an 18 :D

I do not mind the rule bending if it is just for flavor and adds no mechanical benefit. We'll see if anyone else can aid though.

Thanks, Miko. You too. :)

"Drink this - hurry! It's antitoxin."
I should have done this right away, but the first reaction was funnier (and I forgot I had antitoxin).

Heal (Aid Another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

"Hmm. Poison coursing through the veins... Although I do not have any specialized knowledge of healing, basic anatomy would suggest applying pressure here." Garedon does his best to apply pressure to the right areas, aiding Vincent's efforts.

Overhearing the conversation, Tuich hurries back down the hallway to Miko. She looks at Vincent worriedly. "Poison? That's not good; how sure are you?" She squats near Miko. "How are you feeling?"

Pulling her healer's kit from a pocket, she offers it to Vincent. "This is more wishful thinking and incentive than anything; I'm not very practiced with it yet. I could try, but perhaps it will do you more good than it would me?"

Aid Another (Heal): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 Bleh.

Miko is flustered at all the attention Poison! Keep calm! Not good! How are you feeling?

I'm feeling... I'm feeling...

Miko feels light-headed, trembling. Sitting down, unsure of her footing. Not sure show much of it is real, and how much of it is due to her state of panic, lost

Then the word comes through

antitoxin

Miko takes the vial and quaffs it, then lies back and closes her eyes.

Stream. Basin. Swim. Dive. Float. Trickle. Drift. Tug. Peddle. Swim. Tow. Rushing. Sprint. Pebbles. Gushing. Current. Foam. Torrent. Air. No Air. Out. Out!
OUT!!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 5 = 25

With a gasp for air, Miko comes about. With watery eyes and dilated pupils, she sits up.

I'm here. she says, showing the first signs of calming down, here is where I am

Squatting beside her, Tuich pats Miko on the shoulder. "It's okay, just relax. Here is a good place to be. Always be where you are." She looks from teammate to teammate. "I've never seen a poisoning, is this normal?"

Her eyes flick briefly to the small hourglass, sand continuing to trickle from top to bottom, marking the passing seconds. She shakes her head briefly, pushing their schedule out of her mind. This is far more important.

"Depends on the poison and the person. A lot like alcohol really," Vyk said with a shrug. "Good to see you're doing better, Miko."

"We can probably reset the trap more or less on our way out. But let's press on for now."

Vyk peered into the hall.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

"I think that's worth a try, Vyk. If the dart was poisoned, wiping the blood off is going to remove the poison too, and we'll be hard-pressed to make it look like a misfire. I'm pretty good with gadgets; maybe I can rearm it when we leave. Probably no one will look at the dart too closely if it appears the trap is still set."

She looks down the hall. "For what it's worth, I didn't spot any more traps and I didn't hear anything on the other side of the door."

"Well, then, here goes nothing."

Vyk opened the door.

"Yes. You are here," Garedon responds flatly to Miko, but he adds, "And that is a good thing."

With the fast actions of her party the light headed feeling and the throbbing pain around the wound fade and Miko takes no further damage from the poison. Vyk then pushes forward down the hall and opens the door.

Cabinets with two tall drawers each line the east and west walls of this room. A relief carving of a lion's head dominates the south wall, hanging imperviously over a low stone step. Six freestanding statuettes of lions in various poses stand atop the furniture.

"I can't say you did an incredible job of staying calm, but you seem to be fine now. You'll probably be a bit off balance for a couple days though, and your leg might swell up where the wound was."

Vincent stands back up, his mind back on the task at hand. He gives Tuich the remainder of her healer's kit back and follows into the next room, checking for traces of magic, especially on the lions and lion head.

Nothing in this room detects as magical.

Also this is a medium sized room with no special search rules.

"Okay, spread out and look around, everyone."

Perception : 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

Garedon first inspects the lion and the statuettes, then begins a search of the room for clues.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16
Meh. We might want to start cashing in some clues.

Looking at the lion head it is very similar in appearance to the Guardian of the library. However this one is not magical and is in fact a secret door. Garedon also notices the step in front of the lion head has four shallow cylindrical recesses. Moving on to the small statues Garedon's keen skills note that the bases of these small statues are roughly the same size as the recessed on the step. Each statue depicts a lion in a different pose.

• One crouches as if preparing to ambush its prey.
• The second is roaring as it leaps at prey.
• The third wears a yoke that is chained to a large block that the lion strains to pull.
• The fourth wears a tiny pair of spectacles and reads from an ornate scroll.
• The fifth is draped in the flag of Taldor.
• The sixth sits erect and wears a crown.