Maximo Interresante |
Maximo does not expose the evil in the man's heart. Yet. He smiles and passes his gaze over the woman. "Strange response. We have wined and dined you, and likely saved your lives, and now you think us enemies?"
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
"We have been beset upon by many enemies in this demi-plane. Considering we have only been in two rooms since entering the vault it is worse here. We are starving and tired. My apologies if we seem a little jumpy," says Ascular. "Please take us out of here?" he repeats.
"It would have been nice to have a bit of warning is all." Haelvora adds as she stretches her legs and steps upward into the air.
1d20 ⇒ 2
Haris notes an interesting ivory statuette among the many treasures that line these walls.
Rysalius Starnon |
Perception : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
-Posted with Wayfinder
Maximo Interresante |
"We will rescue you from this place, but we must first conduct the business we came here on. I imagine it will be dangerous, but we are prepared. Wait here and eat your fill. We shall return anon." Maximo turns to Grimdoc. "My good dwarf, lead on!"
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
** spoiler omitted **
For some reason moving on to the door sounds like a terrible idea to the paladin. He is convinced that getting these people out is the best course of action. "Your business? Beyond the door?" asks the man. "Perhaps our plans to escape can be delayed. We shall accompany you and offer what aid we may." Maximo is still convinced getting them out is the best plan.
Grimdoc notices another interesting item in among the shelves. Noticing the pattern the others look around and Rysalius quickly finds another item.
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
The Abysium Codex contains a great deal of what looks like superfluous content—hundreds of unsettling mathematical formulas, dozens of randomly placed arcane symbols, and a bewildering number of nonsensical poems, prayers, and riddles. In addition to finding the necessary ritual in a short time, the pathfinders find some additional clues.
The Baron discovers that an ivory powder can be crushed and used as a material component during the ritual. The ivory must come from a statuette of the lich Takaral, a divine servant of Nethys. Pai finds records that such statuette is among Hao Jin's collection.
Brother Grimdoc finds a passage about a divine focus listed in the focus. The focus is of set of onyx merchant's scales, a symbol of Abadar.
The great golden wall that encircles the Eternal City of Axis is made of bricks. Inscribed upon one such brick is a magical incantation in the form of a prayer from The Order of Numbers, the holy book of Abadar. Maximo discovers this incantation can be recited to aid in the ritual.
Aram Zey, of course, is concerned with the Aspis Consortium performing the ritual themselves and locking the Pathfinders out of the Hao Jin Tapestry. Amari Li says their involvement is only speculation at this point and that there is no evidence they have found the Codex or the vault.
Maximo Interresante |
"On second thought..." Maximo suddenly reconsiders. "Trail rations are only slightly better then buttered rocks, and that wine was a little past its prime. Let me escort you from this place and you can get a proper meal in Goka. I know this place that has excellent fish, perhaps a tad undercooked, but truely excellent. Served with a plume wine that feels like an elixir of love on the palate!"
Pai Kromnite PFS |
"So we are getting rid of them before we do anything else," Pai whispers to the others, slightly confused by the proceedings. "If they are bad, should we just be letting them run free?"
Brother Grimdoc |
At Pai's comment, Grimdoc moves to intercept and performs his own detect evil.
"I like to enjoy a nice ale or three as much as the next guy, but we've got a mission to finish first. Least that is what people always tell me. Where are you heading? Something smells of fish here, and I don't mean tuna. Harrr! . "
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Yes both detect as evil.
The 'exit' is the glowing blue light behind you. All you would need to do is grab their hands and 'step' back into it. Zey did warn you about returning without the book however. Without it you would be unable to return to the vault.
Also, I am not sure how to run this, I gave them the benefit of the doubt when you were 'casting' detect evil, but would you say Grimdoc's spell begins combat if these folks were so inclined anyway? Originally they just wanted out, but if this party has the means to get through the door...
Rysalius Starnon |
"There's no way we'll have them exit first. As Grimdoc says, we'll finish our mission first, then leave all together."
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
The tension grows as the party decides what to do. "you have been most kind in feeding us. We shoudn't put you out of your way any further." says the man.* "Let us help you in the areas beyond, then you can take us home."
*Sorry I keep forgetting his name.
Brother Grimdoc |
Grimdoc looks a bit uncomfortable, almost guilty with shame with Maximo's last comment about gluttony.
"Um, yes... right. We best press on with the mission. Tomorrow I will start my next diet, honest. But today, we explore and report and cooperate, right? Haaahhhrrrrr!"
Grimdoc heads back towards the door.
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Got a little RPGSS sidetracked, apologies for the delay.
Grimdoc pulls the book from his bag, and touches it to the doors. They slide open easily and quietly. The two are shocked at the ease of it all. They had been working on it for a week. Many statues—each depicting a soldier from a different culture and era—line the walls of this vaulted chamber. It is not as wide as the previous chamber, but does have two double doors made of iron.
Pai Kromnite PFS |
Pai will Detect Magic, focusing on Maximo, before checking the rest of the area.
If she detects something, she will try a spell craft check.
Spellcraft 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Brother Grimdoc |
"Hey, looky here. I was able to open it like opening...well...something easy to open. Hahahah!"
He turns back to who was there to hear his joke....seeing no one.
"Are you all coming along soon? I do not wanna slay the dragon or fight the demon prince all by myself you know!"
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Ascalar offers to help as well. 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22.
"Sir Maximo has a lot of gear, and there are almost a dozen auras on him alone."
Are you (ooc) looking for something specific? The rules only go so far as too tell you how many and how strong.
Rysalius Starnon |
Rysalius also helps to the best of his ability.
Knowledge (arcana), assist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Maximo describes what he felt that aroused his suspicions: the force of another mind touching his, but it does not quite get a hold. It has happened twice.
OK to keep things moving, I think I know how to work this. At the table I could gauge everyone's reaction and play it up until some players' attention starts to wane. I can't tell who is interested in pursuing this bit of inquiry. Since PbP lends to waning attention anyway the short of it is with knowledge arcane/spellcraft you can know:
If there are obvious physical effects to a spell everyone notices. When a target successfully resists a spell that has no obvious physical effects he notices a spell was attempted. If he doesn't succeed the effects take place and no one notices.
In short, the fact that Maximo noticed the spell meant it didn't work on him (twice). If you would like to keep pursuing this we can. Like dispel magic I will start at the highest level effect and work our way down. Three rounds lets one identify the aura/sources. (You can take a look at Maximo's profile see what magic he is wearing). Provided you ignore his gear as soon as it is identified, you then have to spend x rounds to work on the next aura etc.. How long do you eager explorers of the esoteric wish to keep searching?
EDIT: Haris ninjad my post.
Maximo Interresante |
"Bah!" Maximo waves off further examination and follows Haris. "It must be some sort of magic meant to delay our quest. I do not think it could grasp my superior mind. Let us ignore it for now and accompany Grimdoc and Haris."
Rysalius Starnon |
Only too happy to see things move along...
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
The next chamber has many statues—each depicting a soldier from a different culture. These line the walls and the roof is vaulted high overhead. The two statues flanking the iron doors look like half man half horse beings. They many gears visible inside the body cavity and their joints look like hinges. A pair of wings sprout from the horse-half's back.
One steps forward blocking passage to the next door. "Why do you seek the Abysium Heart?" it asks.
Maximo Interresante |
"Yes, yes. We are here to re-attune the portal. Preferably before villains arrive and attempt to redirect it for their villainous needs. Is there a password to continue? Or perhaps a..." Looking at the gears of the creatures. "Some form of combination puzzle?"
Diplomacy if needed): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
The creature tilts its head. "Re-attune? We are here to protect the vault. What purpose to re-attune?"
23-4-4+4
Rysalius Starnon |
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
The baron can recall this clockwork creature is a living machine whose sole purpose is to seek out and destroy agents of chaos wherever they can. Collectively they are called Inevitables, and this particular one is a Zelekhuts, a bounty hunter and executioner all rolled into one.
from the spoiler above. What response have you to its question?