|
Please let me know whether you’re taking 10 or 20.
Petrok decides to briefly check the room instead of thoroughly. When he notices the trap door he cast detect magic and finds that there's a conjuration aura attached with the magic on it. Be careful Chak Yuen, If you don't open that door correctly, it's likely to summon someone or something.[ Petrok states flatly, while moving back a couple steps, to let Chak work.
Chak successfully disables the magical trap and can similarly unlock the brass padlock with a few casual twists and turns of his lock picks . This leaves the trapdoor ready to open.
Blindfolded, gagged, and tied to a wooden chair in the middle of the wine cellar is a large bearded Garundi man, clad in a fine silk kimono of a decidedly feminine cut, patterned with chrysanthemums.
As the trapdoor opens, he bucks around on the chair like he’s riding a burning bronco in some Mana Wastes rodeo. Casual inspection shows that he is naked but for the kimono.
There are also a large number of wine bottles on racks, meticulously categorized by age and land of origin.
|
Seren didn't have the sense to step back while Chak worked on the trap. So she's one of the first to peer down into the basement full of wine. Her eyes go wide, she snorts, and then tries to close the trap door back up. "There's a guy wearin' girl's clothes downstairs... doing weird stuff. I don't understand... I kinda don't want to. I think we should just all walk away." She turns aside and her eyes go a bit wider as she watches events no one else can see. "I think Wynn just threw up, too. It makes me want to gag as well."
Despite the face value of her words, she's clearly fighting back some laughter while the others take in the scene. "Could be the guy we gotta find, though? That Betsy? Cause if not, we shouldn't go near someone that weird. It'll spread." She nods to herself, then looks to the others.
The worthy below sounds unimpressed with Seren’s opinion.
The kimono-klad cellar dweller nods his head so rapidly, you think there is a danger it will fly off his shoulders!
The bearded man is visibly angry at either the situation or the ribbing he received from Seren, as General Chak unleashes him upon his unsuspecting party.
"Grrrr, I suppose I owe you some thanks ..." the man concedes.
Paying no heed to the due, he responds aggressively to Petrok’s question.
Are you Dr Harmid Bestah?
“OF COURSE I AM! Who else would be locked in that bastard Passad’s wine cellar? An Aspis plant?”
The man shakes his head. “Nethys, it’s hard.”
He points up at Lathlo. “You, Chuckles. Find me some pants, or at least a robe.”
“I'm not sure what’s more demeaning. This... washcloth the Kalistradian pervert's put me in, or Vomit Girl's obnoxious comments.”
“That accursed picture book for goons has got to be somewhere in the building. I don’t suppose you’ve found it yet?”
Only now, the man seems to notice something isn't on his hand and flurries a few curses in multiple languages. “Bastard's taken my ring! Probably pawned it off to buy his whore another cheap skirt.”
“Oh and is one of you capable of telling me where I am? I'm sure the greatest danger I’m in here is you lot getting ridiculously drunk on Passad's tab and forgetting the mission.”
|
"Well, Doctor Bestah, first allow me to say You're WELCOME. As for pants, you're welcome to wear these," Lathlo says, as he draws out his cold weather outfit from his handy extradimensional space. Sure, his warm weather gear might be more appropriate to this climate, but it wouldn't be as amusing... "I imagine your irritable disposition is what landed you in such a ridiculous position in the first place, so might I suggest you lose the attitude and thank your would-be rescuers? If not, we could just take your silly kimono and my good friend Chak here could re-set the trap and we could leave you here for safekeeping until we find 'that accursed book'."
"And while we're discussing the book, what makes you think the book 'has got to be' here somewhere in this building, especially since you don't even seem to know where you are?"
Bestah seems to garner more irritability as Lathlo scolds him.
“Are you aware of the Pathfinder’s creed? Explore, CO-OPERATE, Report. How about a little CO-op-ER-a-SHUN here, Chuckles.”
The scholar snatches the fleecy outfit out of Lathlo’s hands and begins putting it on.
“Besides, the Ten (heard of them?) have decreed Pathfinders will not lay hands on other Pathfinders without the other’s express prior consent. Consent I most certainly do NOT give.”
“What makes you think the book 'has got to be' here somewhere in this building?”
Dr Bestah calms down a little at this question. “Because Passad rubbed the damn thing in my face just before the blindfold went on.”
“Assuming I’m in Kerse, it’s probably still here.”
He stops to think for a bit. “Unless he transported it somewhere else in the meantime …”
Noticing Gajutai’s stare, Bestah *snaps* “What are you looking at? Never seen an educated human being before?”
*Looks around* “Maybe he hasn’t …”
Lathlo and Gajutai both conclude the man is a total ass. However, Dr Bestah has said and done nothing to make them think he is anyone other than who he claims to be.
Petrok finds nothing particularly interesting in the wine cellar. Apart from some exquisitely rare bottles of wine – including the Chelish vintage, Mammon's Mark merlot, circa 4693.
“Are you finished down there, Snoopy?” Bestah calls to Petrok.
“How about we get on with the mission. Which way are we going?”
|
|
I found some rare wines...that's all. On a hunch Petrok cast detect magic while down in the cellar.
I'm coming good doctor! You're very impatient and impertinent to those who just rescued you. I should think a little gratitude is in order.
*eye roll*
“Does someone want to fetch Snoopy out of his little den? Does anyone mind if we GO FIND THE BOOK then??”
|
|
Seren has been standing quietly in the kitchen while the others collect the doctor, absently poking at pieces of food while resisting the urge to snatch any. "We better leave Betsy's kimono down there, since it belongs to the house, yeah?" She finally bounces up as people are leaving the cellar and meanders over to give Bestah a critical eye, the other rather forcefully held closed. "See, bein' nice goes both ways. And yer mouth has already pissed off the tippity tops and forced us to come help ya. So... Welcome. We know you meant thanks for comin' to fix my mess and not all those rude statements."
She starts wandering back towards the rolly polly fish heads room, with hopefully someone following suit to keep an eye on her as she heads for the door on the opposite side of the room. "He should probably stop callin' people rude names, like the wife of the guy who tied him up. Prolly gonna get tied up again. Katsu already wants to pop him in the nose. But I told'em nope, cause I'm nice." Even if no one is there to listen, she continues to talk as if having a full conversation with herself.
"I'm gonna stuff his socks with ivy... and gag'em. I gots special permission to do that as I want."
|
|
Petrok arrives back in the kitchen and pointedly brushes up against the doctor without excusing himself as he passes. He walks up to Gajutai and Whispers, Perhaps it would be better if we left the good Doctor in the Drawing room while we searched the rest of the house? Our host has a strange sense of sport but, my intuition tells me, now that we've recovered the Doctor..our host will make no move to recover him while we press on with the "remainder of the game" as it were. What say you Gajutai? Do think you could prevail upon the good doctor to sit still for a few minutes while we complete our search?
Petrok pointedly brushes up against the doctor without excusing himself as he passes.
“Oh, don’t mind me!”
Dr Bestah stands bristling through Seren’s speech, but doesn’t respond when she’s finished.
The more perceptive of the party get the impression he might actually feel uncomfortable at the medium’s words.
While Petrok and Gajutai converse, he follows her silently past the impassive rollie-pollie fish heads into the entry-side room mirroring the kitchen.
☯ ☯ ☯
The walls of this storage room are lined with shelving that holds bedding and table linens, a few spare high backed chairs, cleaning agents and other standby items.
A pair of shredded curtains hang on the west wall, which Chak discerns no longer hide a single locked door.
The tengu slayer also hears someone beyond the locked door making a poor attempt at being quiet.
Chak finds the simple lock a snap to open.
Inside the adjoining room is a familiar female face! Having been engrossed in some kind of paperwork, Rhyna jumps in surprise and *whomps* closed a large leather-bound tome, attempting to cover it with the front of her apron.
This neatly appointed bedchamber contains a comfortable but modest four-poster bed. A large oak dresser and worn Katapeshi carpet decorate this otherwise austere room. In one corner, a thick velvet curtain partially hides an ornate bathtub.
|
|
"Nothing to be alarmed about, darlin'," Lathlo says, casually moving forward in the hopes of getting a better look at the tome without seeming to. "Glad to see you've also recovered from that tea. If you'll pardon the personal question, are ya safe in this house? If you're in need of assistance, you couldn't ask for a more worthy ally than the Pathfinder Society."
Despite having yelped loudly, Mrs Po places an index finger to her lips. "Ssshhh, not so loud. Gam's hearing is still pretty good, despite his age. Just... Just get your search done."
“Are ya safe in this house? If you're in need of assistance, you couldn't ask for a more worthy ally than the Pathfinder Society.”
“Thank-you, ser. Sorry, I don’t know your name.”
She whispers, “I’ve managed to avoid those other creeps running the Gauntlet. Desna knows where they are. Once the contest is over and things return to normal I’ll be fine.”
Rhyna continues the farce of trying to hide the book she was reading, suggesting Lathlo’s attempt at subtlety hasn’t worked.
|
|
Gajutai considers Petrok's proposition to do something with the Doctor for far too long, and they both miss him following behind Chak and Lathlo.
Catching up, the skald finds the Pathfinders conversing with the caretaker's wife, one of innumerable Zarta's old flames, once again.
"Ah-sss, sweet madame Po. I must thank you for the best sleep I have had in years. I am not that keen on poisons, though, if you know where I'm heading..."
He approaches a little closer and leans towards her lowering his voice.
"Also, are you aware of the fact you have an infestation of illusory locathas in the diner out there? I wonder what is that all about?"
“I am not that keen on poisons, though …”
“Me either.”
For a moment Rhyna looks quite fierce. “Hopefully Gam thinks twice before pulling another stunt like that again!”
Rhyna wilts under Gajutai’s penetrating gaze. She uncovers the book and slides it across the table for the Pathfinders to examine.
“I’m a sympathizer for an anti-slavery league that operates in Katapesh.”
“This book is a ledger detailing the household accounts. I’ve been … re-directing some of the Manor’s funding to that cause. The budget’s so obscenely large, I'm sure nobody will notice.”
She *shrugs* “Gam wouldn’t approve of course. We'd ‘have words’ if he found out and I’d rather avoid that.”
“Also, are you aware of the fact you have an infestation of illusory locathas in the diner out there?”
“Oh yes, ser. It’s a self-defense mechanism the Master had installed in preparation for the Gauntlet. If one discovers the trick – as it seems you Pathfinders did – it’s easy enough to get around.”
“Anyway, I’m sure you’ll want to conduct a search – even though there’s nothing here to find. I’d be grateful if you could do it quickly and quietly.”
“Oh, not at all, ser.”
Rhyna smiles at Petrok. “I’m just glad you’re being so civilized about it.”
Petrok confirms that in general, nothing in the Po’s bedchamber holds a magical aura.
With respect to Mrs Po’s ledger, specifically:
It doesn’t contain pictures, let alone diagrams of exotic wrestling.
You conclude someone’s been spending more than the market rate on household items.
The vendors listed in the ledger are all tied to a local organization known for organizing demonstrations and lobbying the Pactmasters against slavery.
|
|
Seren stays out of the way of the others while they pester Rhyna over her book, but once they know it's not the one they came for she loses interest in the finer details of accounting and starts poking at various odds and ends in the room. She never takes anything, but seems more to just be distracting herself. "Mal, I don't care... I know cookin' books is all sorta bad to Abadar, but yer dead so ya can't fix it... and they ain't our books anyways."
Books, books, books, that reminds her of something and she spins around. "Hey Tea Po, which way to the Library? Cause the sooner we get that book the sooner things'll be calm for ya." Seren does her best to look sweet and innocent as she asks.
“Have you not passed beyond the double-doors in the Banquet Hall yet, Milady?”
Rhyna sounds surprised – and then embarrassed by her undisciplined outburst.
“Beg pardon, Miss. It’s just that … well … I did indicate the library’s direction while we were chatting in the Drawing Room.”
|
|
"That is indeed a noble pursuit, milady, and we wouldn't think of mentioning it to your husband, nor your employer. Indeed, many Pathfinders are involved in similar activities, as you probably are aware. If there's anything we can do to help, let us know."
After confirming the book is not the Manual and learning from Petrok it's not under some magical dweomer to misrepresent or hide its contents, Lathlo offers a bow to the lady and makes ready to move on.
Rhyna curtseys to the party in return. “Good luck then, Pathfinders. For safety I am going to lock and barricade myself in here once you are on your way.”
As you head out of this wing of the Manor in pursuit of the Mutani Manual, you hear the groan of heavy furniture being dragged along a wooden floor from the direction of the Po’s bedchamber.
"See, this is how we be nice. Don't worry, I'm gonna teach ya."
“I’ll have you know I am constantly on the lookout for ways to improve myself, Young Lady.”
Perhaps the party’s influence is causing Dr Bestah to turn over a new leaf?
“Now where did that bubble-head say the library was? Wasn’t it though the double-doors past the paintings of that cretin Passad and his trollop?”
Light dances on the water of the reflecting pool in this large atrium, the open ceiling above the pool open to the desert sky. A decorative coral formation sits at the pool’s center, its rocky branches reaching out in all directions, moving slowly to create a mesmerizing animated abstract sculpture.
On the western wall, three painted statues stand as vigilant guards, each holding two broad blades. Two warrior motifs are untouched, though the central one shows signs of vandalism about its head.
In addition to the double doors to the east, eight sturdy doors of oak open into the sky-lit chamber from rooms along the north and south walls of the atrium. The marble walkway around the shallow pool features a meandering pattern created by inlaid multi-colored stone chips.
*Updated* Overview Map for reference
Those to north and south have an oval-cut blue sapphire in their foreheads. The gemstones look real and very valuable.
The central statue is absent its sapphire. However, there are gouge marks on its forehead, and small pieces of broken stone lie scattered at its feet.
|
|
Petrok gathers in yet another beautifully decorated chamber within in the manor. He studies his surroundings carefully and ask the spirits for guidance Petrok taps his chin in consideration and finally speaks up.
The statues are Osirain in design..most likely warrior sentinels like those found in the ancient tombs of that land. I've no idea why the gemstone is missing from the center statue..but, I'd exercise cation upon investigating. Petrok raises his eyebrow acknowledging the others..even the good Dr.
|
|
Seren shushes the air loudly behind Petrok. "He wasn't askin' for YOUR help. He's got his own I think. Stop makin' faces at his back." She bounces after the others on light feet, swords in hand and looking more ready to break out into dance at any moment then prepared for an attack.
"Mmm, Tahoni is gonna be so mad about that statue." She offers offhandedly from behind Gajutai's shoulder.
Petrok’s banter distracts Seren from the real danger in the room. Not the statue warriors, but the shimmering coral display in the ornamental pond!
As the shaman gazes over the young woman's shoulder, long tentacles shake free from the disguised critter's multi-eyed, gape-mawed torso. It roars its frustration at the watchful party and springs to attack!
Petrok
Seren
Lathlo
---
Wigglebad
---
Gajutai
Chak
Petrok + Lathlo move or standard! Then the tentacled thing goes …
Gajutai + Chak round out the Surprise phase.
|
|
Lacking the necessary knowledge skills to identify this thing--whether it be a bizarre animated object or a thinking beast--Lathlo applies an old-fashioned test: see if it can be demoralized via intimidate!
As a swift action, Lathlo waves his blue scarf in a threatening manner (adding 5' to reach for 1 minute). He then takes a 5' step toward the creature and as a standard action, attempts to demoralize it.
[dice=Intimidate check]1d20+19[/dice]
(includes 5 precise dmg)
(includes 5 precise dmg)
|
|
[ooc] only one action in the surprise round correct? GM with that high of a roll I would not have dismissed my heighten awareness spell for the initiative bonus[/i]
Petrok utters a curse and looks guilty back a Seren for having spoken such a Vulgarity, in front of the child. He then moves to position himself in the nearby corner and raises his crossbow taking aim at the creature.
The tentacled abomination gets an eyeful of Lathlo – and flees northward as fast as it can go!
Petrok also shifts tactically to the north, preparing to take a shot at the beast.
Round #0/1:
Petrok
Seren
Lathlo
---
Wigglebad
---
Gajutai
Chak
WHOLE PARTY IS UP!
Gajutai + Chak move or standard ONLY!
Petrok recognizes the creature as an Advanced Chaos Beast. A native of the Maelstrom, whose form changes without any goal or purpose.
Petrok’s quarrel *POPS* one of the orange goat-like eyes near the xaositect’s maw, causing it to emit a sound like … a laughing child as it writhes in pain.
The mystic then drops his crossbow and draws a heavy blade as he returns south, taking his place as Seren’s Eighth.
Round #0/1:
Petrok
Seren
Lathlo
---
Chaos Beast
---
Gajutai
Chak
BOLD ARE UP!
Gajutai + Chak move or standard ONLY!
|
|
"Aid granted, little man. I shall defeat this creature for you!" A deep, masculine, Tien accented man's voice rings out of Seren's mouth as she suddenly begins a a whirling dance. Her movement sends her sliding right around Petrok as if he wasn't even there, the blades in her hands missing the shaman by an inch.
The little medium skirts the edge of the fountain until she can get close enough to the chaos beast that one of spinning movements lets her last out with a sword for its fleshy bits and accompanies it with a battle cry.
A second later Seren's own voice escapes her. "Don't be so fatheaded and just hit it, ya stupid ghost!"
Spirit Aura: All allies within 30ft gain a +2 bonus on all non-spell damage rolls.
|
|
Noticing the statue animate, Gajutai spends a second looking at it to understand what that is.
He hammers his hand against the surface of the shield held up against the creature to provide the rhythm for the song he bursts in.
The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head
The thunder of the drums, dictates
The rhythm of the falls, the number of deaths
The rising of the horns, ahead...
Too frightened to take a swipe at Seren as she advances, the Planar Horror loses a tentacle to the medium’s blade. The remaining stump sprays her with a sticky, pink webbing smelling strongly of apple cider.
Chak studies the party’s opponent and ✨casts a protective spell.
Lathlo fails to intimidate the beast this time, but his blow results in a deep bruise to the creature’s side, which bursts like an overripe peach! The resulting gash opens and closes randomly, bleating like a lamb.
Gajutai begins a rousing song of war. The skald knows this creature has no particular resistance or vulnerability to any particular element.
The beast responds with battle cry of its own, as it unleashes on Seren.
It ♫WHISTLES♫ like a kettle before crying out in Rhyna Po’s voice …
“Tea’s ready, Gam. Tea’s-Tea’s ready, GAM. Gam-GAM. Tea’s. Tea’s READY …”
“CAREFUL! It’s HOT!”
Round #1/2:
Petrok
Seren (Fort save, -65 hp)
Lathlo
---
Chaos Beast
---
Gajutai
Chak
PARTY UP!
NL: Emmitt + Jeff G
|
|
She strikes too, gets covered in bizarre goo, and then while she momentarily hesitates at the sudden spray a barrage of claws shred her viciously. Seren now looks more like a bloody heap of meat than a person. "I ain't really in charge right now, and I think it might chew me up if I move!" She doesn't seem particularly aware of the pain from her injuries just yet, but there's a fearful tremble to her voice.
"Hah, do not worry. I am one of the finest samurai to ever live. Come, General Chak! We shall surround and cut the beast down." While Seren frets the Tien voice overlaps her own. She continues to twirl about like a dervish, her blades snapping out in quick counters to each of the beast's attacks.
Spirit Aura: All allies within 30ft gain a +2 bonus on all non-spell damage rolls.