Umberto Ricci |
Noble of you to protect here like this, Grishan. You will be rewarded when you meet your final rest one day. As for your apparent connection to Liberty's Edge, I have to imagine there's some guiding hand at work here. Too much of a coincidence. Umberto rubs his chin contemplating the relationship between all the players.
GM Gustavef |
So you are left with two placed to go. First the Tri-tower yards for J. And the Arboretum Arcanis. At this point first site that gets three votes will be it. And we will pick up on Monday
Enora - Arcanist Iconic |
”Well, I would suggest to go to the Arboretum Arcanis next!“
Ivan the Alchemist. |
"Let us finish up this Arboretum first, I am interested to see what kind of herbs and plants have survived..." Ivan says.
Theres are 3 votes, looking forward to monday.
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Willem nods in agreement. "If Lady Junia is not opposed to her spirit's suggestion, then we will go to the Arboretum first and then to Tri-Towers."
GM Gustavef |
ARBORETUM ARCANIS
The Arboretum Arcanis was once a haven of exotic trees, bushes, and flowers from all over Golarion. The enigmatic wizard Beldrin built the Arboretum in ages past, covering it with a crystal dome that let through light while keeping everything inside safe. Inside the dome, each greenhouse had its own magical temperature and moisture controls, and was watered by artificial clouds that rained only at night. The earthquake of 4698 ar cracked the crystal dome, disrupting and twisting its magic. The magical rain turned dark and acidic, causing the plants to melt away or transform into horrid mockeries of their former selves. Other plants came to unnatural life and strangled their former caretakers, feeding on their pale corpses for lack of other nutrition. Now, even the aggressive undead that plague the Precipice Quarter at night avoid the Arboretum Arcanis.
Most of the Arboretum now lies in ruins and is inaccessible. The crystal dome is cracked, with a large central portion missing at its apex. Vines have grown through the cracks in the dome, so thick that the interior of the dome is shrouded in perpetual dim light, even on bright, sunny days. Large skylights in the Arboretum’s greenhouses open the interior to the corrupting rains. These days, the artificial clouds crackle with soundless, purple lightning and emit a slow drizzle of acidic water from time to time. This liquid eventually corrupts all living things it touches, but the corruption takes days to take hold.
Standing before the Arboretum, Grishan has a sudden flash of memory. He tells the party that he is sure that the packet is inside, and that he now remembers that he placed it in a red lion statue that was part of a fountain. He doesn’t remember the location of the fountain.
---
Entering the Arboretum
The foyer of the Arboretum Arcanis is in shambles. Debris and dead or dying plant matter cover the mosaic-tiled floor. A gnarled black thorn tree still clings to life in a giant masonry planter. Two massive skylights in the ceiling afford a view of low-hanging, purple and black clouds above; the crystal dome is completely obscured. Piles of rubble obscure most of what once may have been doorways, but a door to the west is free from debris.
As you enter a small bulbous growth detaches itself from one of the trees, it takes the form of a somewhat woody looking gnome and makes a low bow. “Welcome, friends. I am Pip. The caretaker of this place. How may I be of assistance?”
Ivan the Alchemist. |
"Cayden's Vrew!!! Vat in zee Hells is zat!!!" Ivan says as he recoils while pointing directly at 'Pip' and pulling out a vial of green liquid.
Arrius Vext |
Arrius places a hand on Ivan's shoulder, and says "Stay thy hand, good Ivan--enemies multiply when rash violence emanates from fearful inclination." And then, speaking to Pip, Arrius continues. "Arrius Vext, Emissary of Outsea, greets you. At my side are fellow seekers of truth and things lost. Given your generous disposition, a question to you I would posit: know ye of a fountain surrounded by lions fixed from stone and splashed crimson?"
GM Gustavef |
The small plant creature moves forward. "Yes, I think I know what you seek. But as you can see this place takes much to keep going. I would only ask for a small fee. Say a drop of blood from each of you and and I can show you the way."
Umberto Ricci |
What the... blood? See here now, perhaps a bit of coin. We can help clean this place up if you like. Blood is a steep price. Umberto likes the blood to stay on the inside of his body.
Enora - Arcanist Iconic |
Knowledge all +8, what does Enora know about the creature? : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Lord Willem admires the scenery and mourns the loss of what must have been a beautiful Arboretum at some point. When he hears the price of the entrance fee, his ears perk up and his hand instinctively goes to his sword. "That's a very specific price, friend Pip. Mayhaps you tell us why you need blood rather than simple coin."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
GM Gustavef |
Enora can recognize Pip as some type of plant creature, but otherwise not much more than that.
Pip turns to Ser Willem. "It helps me feed the plants. I could show you, but you still will need to pay. " The creature is quite open about it, even if a bit macabre.
Umberto Ricci |
Let me guess. You're going to be stubborn about this. Umberto throws a hand up and takes a swig of ale with his other. He seems resigned to the fact that he's going to have to give up a drop of blood.
Arrius Vext |
"More than a mere drop have I shed since joining the Society of Pathfinders, oft in pursuit of goals much less worthy than this. Take what thy will--we remain steadfast." Arrius holds out his hand to Pip.
Ivan the Alchemist. |
"vould you be villing to vait? I can go to zee market and get you some blood." Ivan says apprehensively,"or is this some evil trick and you want our blood? Ivan asks as he tries to think of any plant life that might be sustained by blood.
alchemy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Ivan the Alchemist. |
Ivan watches Umberto extend the hand with horrible interest, then looks at Umberto to see if he is serious, then back to Pip as his expression changes to a horrified smile of excitement.
GM Gustavef |
Pip approaches Umberto and transforms one of his fingers into a thin, translucent, syringe-like tube with a needle-sharp tip and withdraws a small amount of blood, dealing 1 hit point of damage. The blood flows through the needle and via a long, translucent vein to one of the nodules on his back.
Take on 1 HP of damage
The creature looks up at everyone else "Who is next?"
Enora - Arcanist Iconic |
Enora is quite disturbed by this sceney but steps forward.
”Do it quickly please!“
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Willem looks at the creature as it goes about its strange business. "I'd rather not give these plants a desire to take more of my blood, but if it will allow us to help the lad and lady, I will offer it." He extends his shield arm, palm up.
Ivan the Alchemist. |
Ivan crosses his arms as he sees 3 of his companions so easily offer up their blood,"Surely zat will be enough yes? You don't live in Irrisen as long as I did and not learn to not share your blood with strangers..."
if we can move on without Ivan giving blood he would prefer it...
Arrius Vext |
Arrius looks perplexed and mildly offended that, although he was the first to offer his hand, Pip has taken the others' blood first. He withdraws to the rear of the group to await what happens next.
GM Gustavef |
Pip goes around and takes his "payment" from everyone. He seems to grow a little bit. "That will help me with the plants. Now let me show you around."
The creature heads to the western hall. You realize that the eastern hall is collapsed. Decaying vines carpet the walls and ceiling of this room. The floor is riddled with narrow cracks and fissures, extending several feet below. The vines spanning this room were once covered with fragrant flowers. Now, the only odor in this room is the earthen smell of decay.
Around the corner Pip takes you to a side garden.
A collapsed sign near the door lists the exhibit that was on display in this gallery at the time of the earthquake: “Flowering Shrubs of Eastern Taldor”. Plants once grew in the large, ceramic planters that still hug the southern wall. Dozens of branches clinging to decaying leaves emerge from the wooden door to the north. To the east, a room with healthy trees and shrubs
Inside the room, Dozens of healthy plants with vibrant and colorful leaves, fruit, and flowers emerge from the decay in this small greenhouse, spilling out of the pots and berths that once contained them.
"We grow these fruits here. I do not need them, but you are welcome to take what you want. They have power. These, " holding up a pair of walnuts, "make you tough to hit. This Ivy allows you to climb the walls." He then turns to some watermelons and cherries. "One fruit makes you larger, and one fruit makes you small."
Each fruit acts a potion and take one standard action to use.
Pair of Walnuts -- shield of faith
Tough length of Ivy -- spider climb
Two cherries -- reduce person
Two watermelons -- enlarge person
Yes you can eat a whole watermelon in under 6 seconds
Pip allows you to explore the room and pick up what you would like.
Enora - Arcanist Iconic |
”This is an astounding magical effect you are describing... fruits gaining the effects of potions?! How many fruits can we take? I would like to take some with me for further research!!“ Enora says astonished.
Umberto Ricci |
Some of these are rather interesting. My concern is that we are increasingly beholden to this place, having our blood and consuming its gifts. Umberto will take a watermelon, just in case.
GM Gustavef |
There is two of each fruit/effect
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Am I the only one that wants to continue the song...
Willem looks around at the offered fruit. "I agree Umberto. I would rather not owe anything more here. On the practical side, these may be needed to find what we are looking for, so I will indulge in Enora's curiosity and carry some for us."
Willem then goes to help carry as much fruit as they are allowed to take.
Ivan the Alchemist. |
Ivan is absolutely ecstatic as he is shown the fruit,"How amazing!?! these fruit act as a potion? and you only feed them the blood of visitors?? how strange..." he says as he inspects the fruit.
alchemy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
GM Gustavef |
The fruits appear to be what they claim.
"Oh no. Blood keeps me fit and well so I can continue to tend to them." Pip says as he smiles a throny grin. "Please help yourself."
Right now there are only two of each fruit/plant ready. The rest are still growing.
Ivan the Alchemist. |
i'd like to take one of the reduce persons, and maybe one of the spider climbs.
GM Gustavef |
You reach the entrance to the second intact greenhouse. A wooden plaque reads, “Plants of Eastern Garund: Please proceed with caution, as some are poisonous”
Pip opens motions for to the opening. "Your statue is in there."
Unlike the dead and warped growth in most of the Arboretum, the plants growing in this greenhouse seem to be relatively young and healthy. Several raised beds of earth host strange looking plants with long, sinuous vines, and a small, gently flowing fountain with a red lion statue at its center sits near the middle of the chamber. Against the wall stands a worktable and chair covered in gardening tools.
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Wrestling with thoughts of his last few endeavors of him rushing right in, Willem calls out to the spirit within Junia. "Well, Grishan, this appears to be the place. Shall we see if the statue still contains what we seek?"
Ivan the Alchemist. |
Ivan nods along,"yes yess, very familiar with poisons, drugs, potions, and other... fun suprises," he says as he examines the plants, looking for anything that might be too dangerous.
alchemy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Enora - Arcanist Iconic |
Enora inspects the plants from a distance as well.
"As these plants are a product of magic and nature we have combine our knowledge to receive results I imagine. So look at that color ..."
kn(arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
kn(nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
GM Gustavef |
Perception Ser Willem: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Perception Ivan: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Perception Arrius: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Perception Guntir: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Perception Umberto: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Perception Enora: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Like the other parts of this place, the plants defiantly have been altered by the residual magic of the place. Some of them larger than they normally should, but nothing specific among the jumble of flora stands out as particularly dangerous.
As you enter one of the plants in the beds speaks. It has roughly humanoid shape (toros and two “arms” and two “legs”) “Stay Back! I know you. You are from the Quantium and are here to harvest me and my companions!”
Umberto Ricci |
Umberto holds his free hand up, non-confrontationally. His other hand clutches his tankard, as per usual. No threat here, friend. Certainly not looking to harvest any of you. Just looking for a red lion statue and we'll be on our way. Help us out?
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Willem raises an eyebrow at Umberto's words, but decides not to point out the obvious. "It seems we have inadvertently left something in your domain and we wish to retrieve it, that is all. It is in the red lion statue. If you will allow us to do so, we will be on our way hastily.", he says this as he points to the statue in front of them.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
Guntir Mithralfist |
Guntir takes one of the walnuts.
glad my absence didn't slow us down!
diplomacy, aid Willem: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Guntir grunts. "We're na' here t' be harvest'n' ye nor 'ny o' yer ken." He then mumbles loudly, musing about what might happen if any harvesting were to take place.
Ivan the Alchemist. |
"yes nothing to fear, I've harvested all I need from zee previous room good plant." Ivan says trying to help.
diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18
Enora - Arcanist Iconic |
”Please be assured that we mean no harm to you!“
Diplomacy aid : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
GM Gustavef |
Perception Ser Willem: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Perception Ivan: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Perception Arrius: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Perception Guntir: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Perception Umberto: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Perception Enora: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
The Ghoran,the creature speaking to you, seems to calm down a bit. "You are here with the little blight? But you do not want my children? What do you want?"
Enora notices that the ghoran seems to have been corrupted by the twisted rains of the Arboretum. Normally these creatures are not as aggressive.
Umberto and Arrius notice that Pip has slipped away from your group.