GM Kyshkumen's The Dragons Demand

Game Master Kyshkumen

He looks around at the four strange men who forced themselves into his room. "Well I guess if Hunclay is dead and the kobolds are taken care of, I'll be on my way."

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Sorry - totally missed yesterday's post.

"- 'spicions are better than nothin.' Why do you think he toppled it?" With the wizard dead, we have to follow whatever leads we might have.

"Where couldn't ya go?" Forbidden rooms would be a good place to look for more information. "Oh. Do ya' know of any other servants? Or traps?"

Mathezic looks around as if he were making sure no one was watching before whispering. "I think he was talking to creatures that live out in the black abyss between the stars." He straightens up and returns to his normal voice, "You shouldn't have to much trouble down here on the ground floor, all the other servants fled so you should have the place to yourselves. Now there was a room up stairs, across from his bed chamber we were never allowed into. As well as the observatory at the top of the stairs. Then there were two doors at the ends of the long hallway down in the basement. No idea what might be behind those."

That may very well have been for your own safety, Eugene remarks, as any injury caused by defensive contraptions would have made your master liable.

Taking your comments in mind, these forbidden areas are prime targets for our investigation. It seems your master employed an active discouragement policy on entering certain areas based on two pillars: interdiction, and injury.

While I appreciate the desire of your master to restructure this tower, I am of the impression that his actions were in breach of policy and regulations. Can you further elaborate on the process that was followed?

Mathezic looks at Eugene before turning to the other three adventures for help. "Uuuuhhhhh.....yes?"

"...black abyss between the stars...across from his bed chamber...two doors at the ends of the long hallway down in the basement."

"Abyss? Oh great!" This wizard was into things far beyond my training and reading. "Room 'cross from his, an' two doors downstairs. Got it."

"I am of the impression that his actions were in breach of policy and regulations."

The mage brings evil and danger to the entire village, and this one is concerned with 'breach of regulations'? The half-elf shakes his head, looking to Davros, to see if the easterner.

"Do ya' know anything of why or how he tower toppled?"

Mathezic thinks for a moment. "I think the tower was causing problems with his observatory up stairs. Not really sure as we were never allowed up there. As to how he toppled the tower all I know is he used the kobolds to do it."

Zilch gives Davros a good long look to make sure he at least acknowledges that he was, in fact, Scalebane, slayer of kobolds of which there was at least 10, if not more.

I've waited long enough for him to post. Apologies for the delay.

Zilch refocuses on the current discussion after feeling assured that the historical scribe has corrected his (mental) notes.

"I'm sorry, I did not know what to do when that scaley creature tried to break in through the front door and master Hunclay did not return."

Zilchus' ears perk up at the mention of a scalykind nearby.

"Can you describe the scaly creature?" Zilch asks, having most of the information he wanted to know asked by Aodan.

"It was short, scaley and last I saw it was on fire."

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"Guess it 'xploded when it tried to get in." Meaning the kobolds may have wanted something from him, beyond toppling the tower. Why else try to force your way into a wizard's manor?

The half-elf remembers the areas identified. Across from Hunclay's chambers and the two doors below. "Ya' got any more keys or know of any more locks or traps traps?" If not, perhaps it's time to dismiss this low one and move through ourselves.

"Oh. And ya can't take anythin'. Even if Hunkly was a traitor, Lady said his stuff goes to his heir - it ain't escheated to the Lord for his villainity." At least I believe that's what the contract implied. Father would have certainly seized all of his worldly possessions, heir or not. The Old Man was certainly proud of some of the prizes he claimed to be "escheated" to him as Lord a time or two.

"More manor to explore." And move on from this one of little insight.

Sorry work and a mini-con took up a bunch of my time.

Davros shakes his head, "Alright, alright, you are the Scaled-brain. All hail his mightiness, Zeelchus. Back to this scalykind before you leave - did it speak while inside? Did eet say anything aloud that you could understand? Perhaps?"

Mistress, what or who were you trading information with? Is this book something you should even have? The Beings that Live Between the Stars aren't something to be trifling with and it may have proved Hunclay's downfall.

Now, I might not have seen the most recent version of the report, Eugene says but I need you to once more summarise me the local real estate situation. I understand there to be the current manor, including its rooftop observatory. Then there is the matter of the tower, which is now a tower ruin.

I did not find a mention of a tower being toppled, can you fill me in on that? Eugene asks Mathezic as much as his companions. Was Hunclay the proper major stakeholder of the tower? Which stakeholders prevented him from restructuring the tower?

In other words: I'm a bit confused on the background here. There's two structures, right? What does the party already know?

"So Yoo-geen, eet seems as though Meester Hunclay was working with the trap-dragons. He was killed when his tower collapsed. His tower and his home were different. Work place and a home place - clear now, no? We have already, eh, investigated the tower, no the Lady wants thees place investigated. Did you no hear the collapse of the tower?" says Davros patiently.

Didn't you hear Zilchus breaking wind like an uncouth animal a thousand times? Didn't you hear Zilchus brag about the story all the way here?

"But back to the matter of the escaping kobold, are you sure you no hear nothing? Eet is quite important that we have all the facts before continuing on and eet seems as though you are the only witness to everything that happened here, no?"

Ah, a separation of legal liability, so that the accountability for his death falls on the company, not on himself. Even though the tower did.

Unless the servant provides information following Davros' query, Eugene is ready to move on.

Just a reminder since it has been a while there is still a charred kobold corpse outside the front door.

The servant nods as Davros starts to explain, but soon starts to shake his head. "Let me clear up a few things about the tower. First the tower was not Hunclays, but actually the property of the local Baroness. Hence the legal dispute on tearing it down. Second the tower is in fact a second structure and the only remains of the keep buildt by the towns founder. Also if I recall the Baroness' late husband disappeared exploring the ruins below the tower and wished it to stay standing as a memorial."

The adventure kicked of with the collapse of the tower. The group was then hired to investigate the ruins beneath and possibly locate the Wizard Hunclay. In the depths of the ruins they found Hunclay was caught in the collapse and the digging was being done by local kobolds. The Baroness then hired the group to deal with the kobolds and Eugene joined up on thier return.

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"Yeah, Hunkly wanted the old tower toppled, but da Lady said no. Claimed it blocked da view from his 'servatory." He shrugs. "Thought it was 'diculous at the time, but now this servant guy here says Hunky was watching the stars for some evil out there, well, so I guess Hunky had a reason to knock it down. Maybe an evil reason, but a reason to topple the old guard tower."

"Like Davros said, that bastard mage worked with kobolds to knock down the town's relly-relly old tower. We found stuff from the relly-relly old traitor Lord and his imp, down there 'neath the tower in the dungeons and stuff. Oh yeah, and then Scalebrain led the defeat o'er da 'bolds who were helpin' him."

He looks to Davros and Zilchus, hoping his tripping tongue filled in enough of any remaining blanks for Eugene.

A money-grubber, a slave, and a glory hound, and I'm the one who sounds like a foolish jester. And not a very good one at that. Why can't I be curled up with my book instead, or at least stalking through the woods with my bow ready, and instead let some silver tongued valet explain the intricacies of this convoluted situation?

Zilch nods along with Aodan's storyline.

"Ayep, that's what I've been thinking the entire time," Zilch nods in agreement. "That's pretty much right, uh huh."

Zilch itches his 'down-there' itches and thinks if there is anything else he wants to ask. Finding nothing else, he's ready to let the man leave and move on.

"I thunk we saw a door this way. Maybe we check that out next? This way," Zilch says as he moves to the next door.

"You good to go, Eugene? You have a way with words, my friend. Can't wait to see you fight...I mean, really fight. I just wonder if you're a bona fide Scalebane like me," Zilch thumb-points to himself. "You gotta pull your weight if you're going to follow me, you do."

"Well, I have hear enough history. Gentlemen, shall we go towards our future? Let Zeelchus lead the way..." says Davros gesturing with as flourish as Scalebane exits the room and then adds when Zilchus is out of earshot "and find all the traps for us... with his tongue."

Then the young easterner begins to follow Zilchus into the foyer.

I'd kill for a drink right now. Lager, ale, stout, red wine... anything rather than the prattling of Scalebrain.

Opening the door the group finds a short hallway with a door to the north and a door to the south.

Zilch kicks open the door and looks disappointed that there are not lots of either kobolds to kill nor maidens for him to save.

He moves to the next door and waits for someone else to open the next.

Davros sees Zilch pause in the hallway and moves passed him to the south facing door.

"You do me an honor? Why thank you, Zeelchus. It is good of you to let me have some of the glory."

"Everyone ready?" he says to the adventurers in the hallway as he opens the door.

Davros opens the door to what appears to be the dinning room. A long oak table stretch across the middle of the room. Around the table are several ornately carved oak chairs. Davros feels a little home sick as the walls all have pictures of desert landscapes.

Antique furniture, decorations... very tasteful, this is sure to increase the value of this compound.

Eugene takes note of the 'assets' in the room, and scan around for item out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

It's a very thematic room. It looks Garundi, or Kelish. One of the more arid areas of Golarion. Do you recognise it, Davros?

Eugene finds nothing else in the room.

Just a note, everything in the manor will be going up for auction later. If you would like to estimate values feel free to roll appraise checks.

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Aodan will follow the rest towards the other side of the complex, wary of traps but interested in anything that would increase his understanding of the arcane ways explained in his book.

Once Davros checks the dining room, he realizes a one with Hunclay's talens could hide valuable items anywhere. He strokes his bow and chants softly, before holding up the weapon and peering through its "sight" as if he were aiming an arrow.

Arcane Armor Fail: 1d100 ⇒ 94 (10%, low is bad)

Casts Detect magic and scans the dining room for any auras.

Aodan finds no sources of magic in this room.

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Zilch pokes around for a bit in the room, taking a looksee at things.

GM Kysh, I think I missed or forgot something...is there a reason we'd want to appraise everything?

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Perception

If there is nothing to see, Zilch is ready to go to the next room.

I do not wish to get to meta, but there will be an auction for all of Hunclay's posessions. Knowing the value of things might be an advantage. I'll let your characters put the rest together.

There is in fact nothing else to see here. There is still the door to the north as well as the spiral stair case that goes up and down.

Zilch waits by the north door for someone to open it.

It's a very thematic room. It looks Garundi, or Kelish. One of the more arid areas of Golarion. Do you recognise it, Davros?

*sigh* "Yes. It seems that this room is decorated with the landscapes of the Padishah's Satrapy. Odd to find something like this in a dining room of a Taldan, no?" Davros says as he faces away from Aodan.

After everyone peruses the room Davros heads to the northern door.

"Well it seems as though I will be the, eh, valet? Here, let me get the door for you Meester Zeelchus." And with that Davros flings the door open.

In the northeast corner of this parlor is a huge globe of Golarion cradled in a polished mahogany stand. Sextants, astrolabes, and paintings of unearthly landscapes are hung on the walls.

Zilchus enters and looks around, chagrinned.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Perception

"Ain't no kobolds even here. Ain't nothing here but baubles and stuff," Zilch observes.

"A'ight," Zilch says leaving the room. "Let's go down, huh? Didn't that dude say there was stuff below?"

Zilch waits at the stairwell to go down (or up if people want, just push along).

Eugene stares at the globe of Golarion, looking to recognise several place. In the grander scheme of things, an individual is but a small speck.

He looks at Irrisen, traces the Sellen river to Lake encarthan, through Druma to Highhelm, then into Taldor, and softly mutters Where are you?

I've been looking for her everywhere, but still no sign.

As Zilchus speaks, Eugene looks up. Yes! Apologies... our mission, let's go down

Down or up? The Wizard's study and lab are probably up, no? Still, if there is danger, it is more likely to be down.

"Yeah. Down."

Given the previous danger in the home, the half-elf will scan the stairs with his normal wariness, and double-check for enchantments before descending the spiral staircase with the others.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Detect magic on descent

Finding no trickery on the stairs the group heads down into the lower level. At the bottom of the stairs they find three interconnected rooms full of boxes and barrels. To the west is a single door.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 Perception

Zilch walks up and down the crateside, not seeing much of interest.

"The door. Go through that," Zilch gestures with his longspear.

"Well. I am confused. A pit in the front room and then nothing - not even a magically infused item in the bottom floor. Eet is... no normal. This Hunclay is a very 'interesting' man, no?"

Davos walks up to the door that Zilchus gestured at and proceeds through.

Davros dutifully opens the door on to a long hallway that stretches to the north and south before both ends turn and head west. walking down to either end reveals the following. They both end in a door leading further west and the southern branch has three doors along it's northern wall.

Zilchus follows his loyal scribe into the hall. He stops by the first door and when others are in position, opens it.

Zilchus opens the first door and finally fines something he likes. A well stocked wine cellar.

As Davros begins to walk passed Zilchus his eyes behold the wine cellar.

"بواسطة الحلمات مضيء Sarenrae's المفضل! Look at all this!"

Nope. Can't do this now. Must continue on!

"Come on Zeelchus, let us move on to next room and avoid any, eh, problems that might arise from 'searching' the wine cellar." Davros says as he moves to the next door and opens it.

Sorry - my access extra-sporadic these days

Hearing Davros' comments, Aodan chuckles. Could this be a slave who appreciates fine wines? That should reflect a noble's or a refined elf's tastes, not a peasant's and certainly not a slave. I'll never understand Qadira?

"Glittery? I would say that's why she's shunned by some here, but I think most shunners would 'preciate them glittery." I certainly would.

I certainly appreciate the collection Hunclay has procured, but the I am worried we are missing something here. Mundane items, nonmagical supplies. While my brother would treat these as healing potions... Eugene says, I'm afraid my expectations were somewhat higher moving in here. Does not a master of the arcane associate himself with arcane matters? Would we not find a trace of such effects in this premise?

Davros opens the next door to find sides of beef, pork and a few chickens that have been pluck and are ready to cook. A sheet of ice on the back wall keeps this room cool and prevents the meat from spoiling.

This is more my climate. From the desert to the frozen north, in just a single flight of stairs. That's what I call efficiency! Eugene says, looking to Davros for a reaction.

Eugene then goes to inspect the slab of ice.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Zilch looks at the bottles of booze, thinking back to the contract.

"Say Eugene, you're a man of honor much like me. That contract said we couldn't take anything out with us, but certainly we can drink and replace, right? We won't be taking the bottles out? And they aren't going to miss a bottle or two?" Zilch confirms.

Zilch looks in the meat room, then opens up the nex door in the chain.

Now that I can see the online map - yikes Davros is right! A potential haul lost...

Aodan will lift his bow and peer along its edge, siting a target... Casts Detect Magic

Aodan will scan the wine and storage cellar, making sure there are no enchantments on the various casks and containers or sundries, before heading after the others.

"Wouldn't sign that contract again." We risked our lives to save this town, bled and bent for this berg, and they are leaving this estate to some distant relative? Ahh, once again the vagaries of what the nobility considers legitimate.

If he doesn't find any auras in the storage room, he'll catch up and try peer ahead with Zilch and the others.

Aodan's gaze reveals the wall of ice at the back of the store room to be magical. As he begins to ponder what sort of spell was used Zilchus attempts to open the next door.

Zilchus grabs the latch for the next door when he suddenly lets go and covers his ears.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 Fort save.

"WOW!! This door needs some oil on them hinges!" Zilch says, covering his ears poorly at the screeching. "Or is Candi nearby?"

HP 16/22.

When he recovers his senses, he tries the handle again.

Zilchus has no trouble this time and he opens the door to find various jars and bottles of random things. Such as ash, butter and bat guano.

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