Shattered Star

Game Master Zesdead

'Shattered Star' - Part 2, 'Curse of the Lady's Light'

...in which our adventurers explore the Thassilonian Chambers beneath the Lady's Light.

Party Health
Ziomarra Callinovo 46/46HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Desna
Josephina Annabella Whitehall 31/59HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Iomedae
Halli, 54/54HP
Teldon Moore 52/52HP, 3 Hero Points, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Briana Kaddren 60/60HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Arsith D'Arabiane, 65/65HP, 3 Hero Points
Shadlah Broken-Earth, 63/63HP, 30NL, 2 Hero Points

Maps / Images
The Lady's Cape
Varisia


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Inactive

Wow, that was great!


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

Tough act to follow.

She thanks Lady Heidmarch and Sir Canayven for their hospitality and leaves with the others. "I think we should start at dawn. Don't want to do it too early, though. I mean, if this place is as dangerous as that old knight said it is, we'll need a good night's rest behind us."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"The tide falls every 13 hours... we could just as easily head out at 7:30 pm as 6:30 am... " Teldon says looking up from his research, "and that way not only can we all get a good night's rest but Zee would have more than a couple of hours to track down her contact and make arrangements... plus everyone would have time to pick up any needed provisions during the day tomorrow... unless there's some reason of which Sir Canayven was unaware that demands such great haste?"


Inactive

"W...well," Briana stutters, caught off-guard by the abruptness of Joanna's departure from the manor, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to wait until tomorrow evening if we needed to, or even until the day after tomorrow...after all, Sir Canayven did say that a few extra days wouldn't make a difference." She looks toward the front hall, a worried expression on her face. "And something seems to be bothering Joanna. It might not be a good idea to go out if any of us are unable to focus on the task at hand. But hopefully she just needs a good night's sleep..."


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

She crinkles her nose as though smelling something foul. "That early? Yeesh. We'd better find beds ourselves then."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Well, it sounds as though Nalathi is voting for an evening departure..." Teldon says in response to her comment. "Perhaps we could all meet at Zee's tent tomorrow evening around 6pm? That would give us about an hour and a half to organize ourselves and get to the boat before the low tide..."


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Zee suggests that early morning would be better-- fewer people would be watching.


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

I think the morning would be better too, Nalathi just isn't a morning person. In the interest of keeping things moving, let's agree to meet the following morning.

After finalizing their plans, Nalathi yawns and stretches. "Well I'm finding the closest soft bed that will have me, and going to sleep." She rents a room at the next inn she comes to, asks the innkeeper to wake her early the next morning, crawls out of her arms and armor, and collapses onto the bed.

Tap, tap, tap. "Wake-up call, miss."

Groggily, Nalathi stirs. But I only just got to sleep. She rubs her eyes and opens them. Pre-dawn sunlight can be seen in the sky outside her window. Is it really morning already? Feeling a weight on her stomach, she puts a hand to it and realizes the shard had stayed around her neck overnight. Must've forgotten to take it off. She sits up and rubs her eyes again. Her chain shirt and other possessions lie at the foot of the bed where she'd left them the previous night. Not looking forward to the prospect of leaving the bed to put them on, she reaches a hand sleepily toward her sword belt, wishing it to simply come to her so she wouldn't have to retrieve it.

The belt leaves the floor and zooms toward her outstretched hand. It takes her so completely by surprise that she nearly forgets to catch it, narrowly avoiding getting smacked in the face. Suddenly wide awake, she stares at the sword belt in her hand. Nothing about it appears the least bit different; it's quite the same as it had always been, down to the last pockmark. Dropping it on the bed, she reaches toward her trident. The trident stands up on its end and flies handle-first toward her hand. She drops it on the bed as well and reaches for her chain shirt. It struggles upward for a second, then flops back down onto the floor. She tries again, with no better results. Maybe it's too heavy. With the same gestured command her pocketed scarf, and the worked dagger she'd inadvertently taken the previous day but which she now assumes had always been hers, come to her as well.

She stares at her hands, amazed. But I'm sure I've tried this before. I've never been able to do magic. I don't even have any magical items, except the... She sees it from between her hands, lying on the blanket between her crossed legs. Shard. She picks it up and stares at it. Is this the reason? Can I really do magic now? She recalls their battle the previous day, when the illusory double of the lead Tower Girl had appeared. Nalathi feels certain that she was the reason the illusion had appeared... but she's no longer sure whether it was her or the shard that had summoned it. She dresses hastily and speeds out of the room and down to the common area for breakfast, hoping to find Ziomarra-- who seemed much more knowledgeable about magic-- to ask for her opinion.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

Teldon makes no effort (or completely and utterly fails) to hide his displeasure at the group's decision not to wait. "Very well." he says somewhat sharply as he turns his attention back to his papers and refuses to acknowledge anyone as they leave. He finishes the chart of monuments as quickly as possible and then hurries off to find someone who can fetch him one of the Heidmarches.

When Sir Canayven arrives back in the study, where Teldon has been asked to wait, the young adventurer is blissfully unaware of putting out his employer and host. "My companions, it seems, have decided haste is essential to our task and will not wait for preparations to be made... does the lodge here by any chance have alchemical items or scrolls which can be purchased? Or, perhaps you may have a personal cache from which I could purchase a few items which you could restock at your leisure?"
If possible I'd like to purchase 2 vials of alchemist fire and a flask of acid (50g total) and either 1 potion or 2 scrolls of touch of the sea and/or air bubble (another 50g total).

"Also, I have an errand to which I will not be able to attend tomorrow... might it be possible for you to send one of your servants in my stead? I need specific arrangements to be made at a clean inn with a liberal stance on hosting unusual individuals, and for a letter to be delivered to one such individual in Dockway." If he is willing at all... Teldon explains the needed arrangements- a clean room with its sheets and blankets laundered daily, board consisting of fresh produce and roasted meats, and a hot bath each morning for 5 days; several fresh peasant's outfits to be changed and washed daily, to be left in said room; one entertainer's outfit to be left with the inn keep and given to the guest at check out; and a letter to be delivered to Fenster in his hovel in the forgotten warehouse, before he is escorted to the inn. Looking at the charts it seems like 15g should cover all that (plus a little tip money), if you disagree let me know and i'll take off more...

letter to Fenster:
Master Fenster,
Your information proved most valuable. I cannot right now return but this servant has come in my stead to see to the removal of your ailments. Please follow her instructions exactly and enjoy the high life on me for a few days. I will check in on your recovery when I am able.
The Bargainer

For better or for worse, he concludes what business he is able to with Sir Canayven and then departs for the Golden Griffon where he spends the night. Rising early he grabs some biscuits and hard boiled eggs which he eats while walking to Zee's camp, where he arrives precisely at 6am.


Inactive

Once the group comes to a consensus, Briana bids her remaining companions good night, sighing a little at Teldon's obvious displeasure with the decision and the cold shoulder he gives them as they leave the manor.

Wonderful...something's bothering Joanna and now Teldon is upset with the rest of us. Let's hope everyone is feeling more cheerful tomorrow, otherwise it's going to be a long day...

She quickly makes her way back to the Vista district and to the Stately Crane to rent a room for the night. As she settles in for the evening, she checks her gear one last time to make sure that she has everything she'll need for tomorrow. Satisfied that everything is in order, she crawls into bed, Rowenna nestling in beside her.

"You know, things are probably going to get rougher and more dangerous from here on out...I'll carry you where I can, over places that you can't cross, but I don't think I'll be able to carry you around in your carrier all the time. It'll be too cumbersome, especially with this new armor I have...it's so much heavier than my old suit..."

'Maow...'

"You'll be fine. Doing a little more walking would be good for you anyway. And who knows, maybe you'll even enjoy it."

As she begins to drift off to sleep, her thoughts wander back to the prospect of being out on the open water...It'll be nice to get out of the city for a little bit...

*************************************************

Assuming nothing happens during the night...

The next morning, Briana rises to greet the new day feeling refreshed and more than a little excited despite the early hour. After a quick breakfast, she collects all of her gear and begins her walk to Zee's tent. She enjoys watching the city come alive as she walks; shops opening, street vendors setting up their stalls, the general hustle and bustle as countless others venture out into the cool morning air to begin their day. A rather grumpy Rowenna trailing behind her, she arrives at Zee's tent around 6 am with a friendly wave to anyone that's already there.


Teldon's study in the library reveals the location and some of the rumours surrounding the various statues and monuments dotted around the city.

For your future information and use, I have added all of the information to the Campaign Info tab

If Sir Canayven Heidmarch is annoyed by Teldon's continued presence, he doesn't show it. "My personal supplies, depleted as they are due to recent travels, do still have such things...Alchemical Fire, Acid Flasks and a potion of Water Breathing...Sharika will fetch them for you"

At the suggestion that a servant could aid Fenster's recovery, Sir Canayven responds sharply, "We have no servants here but, on the morrow when Jacanne returns, he will see to this matter", relaxing slightly, "You are an honourable man to deliver on your promise to this man...for that, please consider the supplies that I have for you as a gift"

Offering a hand of friendship, Sir Camayven wishes Teldon a good night and good fortune on the morrow.

Will wait a short while to see if Ziomarra puts in a post for hiring / borrowing a boat...otherwise, I will push things along to your boat journey across the harbour


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Sorry for general lack of updates-- both personal life and work life got extremely busy this week. I hope to post Ziomarra's acquisition of a boat in a few hours... If I'm not able to get to it, please feel free to move things along.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

* * *
Zee nods in appreciation of her hostess' recommendation against involving others in a journey to The Crow. "Ah. I see. Well, then, I'll see if I can convince her to let me borrow one of her boats."

As everyone finishes their last cups of coffee, Ziomarra thanks her hosts profusely both for the lovely evening and for the prestigeous assignment. On her way out, she lingers briefly on the veranda to ask what everyone was planning to do for the rest of the evening.

"I'm going to head back to Dockway, and I have a couple of errands to run on the way there. If no one objects, I plan to purchase a few items of magical healing for tomorrow's expedition using our group expense account. I also need to speak with a woman about a boat."

She walks along with anyone who is headed back to the Shore. As others leave the group Zee gives each a traditional Varisian parting among friends (a bear hug and "air kiss" on both cheeks). "So, let us meet at my tent just after dawn. We should be able to head out to our destination by 6, or shortly thereafter."

* * *

In Dockway, Zee stops at Crystal Potions, a small shop selling magicians' supplies as it was just closing for the night. There, she purchases two scrolls of cure light wounds and a potion of cure light wounds for tomorrow, using party funds. Also using party funds, she stops at a wine merchant and buys a bottle of Elven spiced brandy. I figure that's worth 10 gp

She then heads over to Carent's Camp and the tent of Gianya Imoroa, a small-time Sczarni smuggler (mostly an importer of tax-free goods of Elven manufacture, via Riddleport). She finds Gianya sitting on a bench in front of a small campfire.

Ziomarra greets Gianya in a friendly manner, asking to join her. Zee then offers to share some of the brandy... a typical Varisian opening to discuss business. The Sczarni is at first skeptical of Zee's request to rent a skiff tomorrow moring that's large enough to seat six, especially when Zee admits she doesn't have much experience handling a boat. However, after some haggling, she agrees to let Zee rent a boat for 2 gp per day, if she were to leave a 25 gp deposit. An agreement reached, they seal the deal with another drink, and Zee leaves her the rest of the bottle. (Again, according to Varisian tradition.)

Zee then heads over to her own tent for a good night's rest.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Sorry, been busy. I'll have Joanna updated tonight and post as well.


Inactive

D'oh! Forgot to put this in my last post but Briana's spells for the day are Create Water, Daze, Guidance, Stabilize for orisons and Bless, Produce Flame, Sleep for 1st level.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Ziomarra wakes up about an hour before dawn, feeling refreshed and ready for the next adventure. She notes that the acid burns she received yesterday have mostly healed. Healed 2 hp overnight, now hp down.

Stoking the fire in her stove, she puts on a kettle for some tea and cuts herself a slice of bread for breakfast. After her meal, she sits down at her Harrow table and performs her daily reading.

Summarizing a full reading with a single card, as per her Harrowed feat.

The Marriage:
Suit: 1d6 ⇒ 6 ...Crowns (Cha)
Ethic: 1d3 ⇒ 1 ...Lawful
Moral: 1d3 ⇒ 2 ...Neutral

Hmmm... That card represents the union of disparate or opposing ideas. I think that means our little group may finally truly mesh!

In the pre-dawn light, she makes her way to a food vendor and buys some bread, cheese, cured sausages, and dried fruit for the day's meals. She also buys a waterskin and a flask of brandy.

After that, she returns to her tent to meet her friends.


The sun is making the merest hint of rising when everyone gathers at Ziomarra's tent...the bustle of the city completely absent as people slumber for another precious hour or so. The occasional campfire still smoulders gently in Carent's Camp, empty bottles dotted around telling of the frivolities of the night before.

Discretely picking your way through the crowded tents and pavilions that make up the encampment, you make it through the camp, the adjoining bazaar and down to the quayside without being noticed by anyone. With the tide at it's lowest ebb, it appears that none of the dockside folk are in a particular rush to start the day's work either...the docks are almost completely empty...an occasional disinterested guard at watch on some of the larger boats and one or two folk asleep in the doorways of the warehouses.

Sure enough, it seems that Ziomarra's contact was true to Varisian traditions and has honoured the bargain that was made...not too far from the Puffy Pelican, nestled between two seemingly abandoned skiffs, you find an unassuming rowboat. With a look over your shoulders to check that no one is watching, you cast off and move out into the harbour. The sea is almost glassy smooth as the tide gently turns...rowing past several Nidalese galleons, you make slow progress towards the Irespan.

The Crow is a massive stone monument that rises from the waters of Magnimar’s harbor. It was once a support for the Irespan, but with that monument’s collapse, the Crow is nothing more than an immense freestanding piling. As with every one of the Irespan’s columns, the Crow is intricately carved and embossed with ancient statuary and bas-reliefs featuring the motif of a specific animal or monster—in this case, hundreds of crowlike gargoyles and carvings and decorations. Like all of the surviving pilings, the Crow is 200 feet wide along its midsection widening to over 250 feet at the upper section where the piling once supported the Irespan above.

Approaching from the west as the sun starts to move into the sky, there are no obvious windows, doors or other entrances into the immense structure...


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

This is the same place I saw in my vision! Looking about in wonder, she realizes the odd lack of a doorway or entrance of any kind. She closes her eyes. The shard showed me this place once. Can it show me where to go from here? She concentrates on it, running her fingers along its edges.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

"Perhaps if we circle it, we'll find an entrance on the far side," suggests Ziomarra.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

Teldon does his best to search the pillar for an obscured entrance as they circle, while racking his brain for any common characteristics of the other pillars' entrances...

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
knowledge... Local or geography?: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + (3) = 17 another +1 if history would be better?


Shards of Sin - 'In the Crow's Nest'

Tracing her fingers around the shard, Nalathi gets a warm feeling... almost like the feeling of coming home. This time though, there is no vision...nothing to give a clue as to how to enter the 'Crow'. Teldon, deep in thought, cannot think of anything relevant either...it seems that there are no common features on the pilings that give a clue as to how you may enter.

You gently drift into the early morning shadow of the piling...water lapping softly against the hull of your boat.

Perception DC20:
Every so often, a small collection of bubbles rise up from beneath the surface at the south west of the piling

Slightly dejected, you allow the boat to drift around the piling...and discover that, contrary to what you have been told, there is a large arch in the eastern wall of the piling. The tall lancet arch at water level leads into a chamber at sea level within the side of the Crow. Inside is what was once a small, stepped terrace, now filled with sea water to the level of its top step. Two rowboats are tied off to heavy stones placed on this step. High above you, the ceiling rises almost all the way up to the top of the monument — nearly two hundred feet above you, an opening leads off this shaft to the west. At the west end of this room lies a small alcove whose floor shows the stains of countless campfires — the back wall of this alcove has broken through, revealing a passageway beyond.

Everything is quiet as your boat drifts into the 'harbour', tying the boat against a statue of a crow like humanoid, you step off into the piling itself. Rubble from the collapsed wall to the west has been pushed out into the chamber. Traces of recent habitation, bits of trash and rubbish and the odd piece of clothing or equipment are scattered here and there, though the room now appears to be unused.

Survival DC15:
Based on the unpleasant evidence, this chamber has, within the last month or so, 'accommodated' as many as a dozen or more inhabitants.

To the south of the revealed chamber, the smell and suspicious stains on the floor reveal a small chamber that has been used as a privy within the last few weeks. Huddled in one corner are the rotten remains of a small dog.

To the north, a curving stairwell leads to a small landing. Three stone boxes, their lids raised, stand lined up against the east wall; a fine yellow powder surrounds them on the floor. Further stairs lead upwards...

GM Only:
Sacha Vidaxus, Stealth Check:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

I have added a Map to the Campaign Header - note that the scale is 1 square : 10 feet


Inactive

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Well, that part was easy," Briana whispers as the group begins filing out of the boat and into the piling. "I was expecting some sort of magic might be necessary, but sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one!" she chuckles. "But it looks like we aren't the only ones who've found it easy to gain access to this place."

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

While the group takes stock of their surroundings, Briana regards the trash and other objects strewn about curiously. She approaches the small southern chamber...then stops and takes a step or two back, a look of distaste on her face. Pinching her nose, she carefully walks forward enough to be able to see into the room before heading back towards the main chamber.

As she walks, she begins to hear the sound of whispering, almost as if it were coming from all around her. Her vision dims slightly, her companions seem to fade from view...and as she watches, what seem to be warm, pulsating entities coalesce into being. They rapidly flit back and forth through all three of the chambers, and as they do, she also watches the rapid-fire passage of day and night, the tide rising and falling...and as quickly as it began, the vision fades and Briana finds herself back in the here and now, her companions examining the area just as they were before.

Stronger...that was stronger than all the ones before. Is it because *I've* gotten stronger?

"As if the boats over there weren't enough evidence. Judging by the state of this chamber and yon makeshift privy, several someones have been here recently, likely within the last month," she says with a small shake of her head, trying to clear the lingering cobwebby feeling. "But they seem to have left their dog behind, for whatever reason. Poor thing," she adds, sadly.


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

She waves a hand in front of her nose. "Eugh. And I had hoped we were done with sewage for awhile." She looks around. "Well we search the old-fashioned way from here on. The shard isn't telling me anything, aside from that this is the right place."


A second glance at the rotten 'dog' reveals that it isn't canine at all...in fact it seems to be quite rat like.

Knowledge (Nature) DC10:
The carcass is the rotten remains of a Donkey Rat, a sizeable rodent native to the Magnimar region...it is notable for it's long legs and a bushy tail


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"It's not a dog, it's a donkey rat." Teldon states. "Somebody has gone to quite a bit of trouble to hide the existence of such a plain entrance... I wonder what they're using it for... and where they went without their boats..."

He looks around for any signs of the boats owners or any other overlooked details...
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Lowering his voice he adds, "When the tower was built this entryway only would have been accessible by flight... Nalathi, do you have any sense of whether we need to head up or down?"


Apologies if text is confusing...there is only one set of stairs...leading up to a landing (with the stone boxes) and then, past the landing up and curving around beyond your sight


Inactive

"Oh, okay. I was wondering why someone would've brought their dog out here; I suppose that makes more sense."

Briana begins digging into her pack and pulls out a small bound book and a piece of charcoal. "Time to get to work," she says as she begins to sketch a rough map.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Ziomarra looks around the entrance bay to The Crow with a mix of awe and trepidation. Noting the other boats docked, she remarks, "We're not the only ones here. My guess is that whomever has taken up residence here will not take kindly to intruders."

Inside the structure, Zee looks around...

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Noticing the yellow powder near the boxes, she draws Teldon's attention to it. "Teldon, you know a thing or two about alchemy. What do you make of that?"

Zed, what's the level of illumination in here? If it's lit, what is the source?


With the sun still low in the eastern sky, the first rooms in the piling are well lit by the sun shining through the large archway. Up the stairs though, the illumination provided by the sun dims…and beyond the first landing, all is darkness.

Looking around in the first few rooms, there is nothing to hint at who the current occupants of the piling may be… in fact, beyond the presence of the boats, there is nothing to suggest that anyone else is currently in the structure at all. The boats themselves are painted completely black and, other than a couple of rain cloaks slung across the seats, are empty.

Examining the Yellow Powder on the Landing, Craft (Alchemy) DC15:
The Yellow Powder, which looks quite mould-like, is in fact Ungol Dust and has quite obviously been sprayed from the opened Chests. Ungol Dust is quite a corrosive material when sufficient quantities come into contact with skin…it is also highly dangerous when inhaled. There is insufficient dust here to cause any hazard.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Ziomarra casts a spell. From the Harrow deck she holds in her hand, four ghostly cards float into the air and circle above her head, each glowing with an eerie bluish light. With a gesture, the glowing cards fly up the stairs, providing illumination as torches.

Dancing lights. The spell lasts 1 minute, and Zee re-casts the spell as needed.


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

Ziomarra's magic reminds Nalathi of what she had meant to ask, but until now had quite forgotten. "Zee..." She falters, not entirely sure how to ask her question. "I, um... I can do this now." She reaches out a hand. A loose stone on the floor rises up and, at a gesture, circles the young wayang's body once before returning to its spot on the dark ground. "I've never been able to do magic before. Can these shards do that?"

Anyone trained in Spellcraft can easily recognize the effects of a mage hand spell.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"I've only had a cursory examination, but that magic appears to be originating from you, not the shard... perhaps it awakened something in you..." Teldon offers in response, "but returning to my question, in your vision you flew into the tower didn't you? Do you remember if you headed up or down from there?"

alchemy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
As he waits for an answer from Nalathi, he glances over at the yellow powder... "Its Ungol Dust, a corrosive... it was used to trap those chests, but someone has done us the courtesy of triggering them already," he informs Zee.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Zee becomes intrigued at Nalathi's question. "Let me see..." Zee holds a Harrow card over one eye and casts a spell, examining Nalathi.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

After a moment, she lowers the card. "It would appear that you cast a spell. That effect is known. My people call it 'hand of the mage.' I think you may have been born with magic in your blood, and perhaps the shard unlocked your natural abilities. Consider yourself gifted! You may discover new abilities as you explore your gift."


Inactive

"It's starting to seem as if we're all gifted in one way or another," Briana chuckles as she wanders over to the rest of the group. "Maybe that's why Lady Heidmarch chose us to search for these shards."


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

She looks down at her hands. "Natural abilities? Whoa..." If only Shawartas could see me now! Her older brother had always teased her about her lack of magic. "Well, sure, anyone can do that," he used to say when she would show him indignantly that she could disappear for a few seconds. "But only the best people can do this," and would make an object float or a box open and close itself. If I ever see him again, I'll show him I'm just as good as he is.

"I don't know where to go from here," she says to Teldon. "It showed me we're supposed to come to this place, but not any more specific."


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Pointing to the stairs, Zee says, "Well, it would seem the only way to go is up!"


GM Only:
Sacha Vidaxus Perception (DC10 to notice PC's): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Sacha Vidaxus notices PC's and runs to warn gang
Sacha Vidaxus Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

The stairs from the landing with the opened chests double back on themselves and open up into a long, pillar-lined hall. At the far end is a low rostrum, the dusty stumps of ancient votive candles lining its outer edge, two of which have been knocked over. Colourful murals of Thassilon pilgrims and giants marching over an intact Irespan cover the walls...even in the constantly moving light of Ziomarra's illumination, you can tell that the colours of the paintings are as vibrant as if they had been yesterday.

...the only obvious exit from this room are the stairs leading upwards in the northwest corner of the hall.


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

"This is fascinating!"

Ziomarra takes a few moments to examine the murals, looking for any inscriptions. She also looks around to see if there are any hidden passages in the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21


Inactive

As the group enters the large chamber, Briana's eyes light up at the sight of the many painted murals. "They're beautiful!" she gasps with delight. She approaches one and carefully reaches out a hand to touch the painted stone. "And it's as if they were finished only yesterday; the paint hasn't faded at all! I wonder if it's some sort of magical preservation effect at work?"

She proceeds to wander about the room, admiring each of the murals, obviously quite thrilled at the opportunity to study the ancient artwork up close and personal.

Perception (Murals): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Assuming no one finds anything unusual about the murals...

"So giants were part of the Thassilon empire as well as humans? That must have been something to see," she chatters away. "Hmm, do you think we have time for me to make a rough copy of these murals? I can't do them proper justice with just my paint and brushes, but Sir Canayven might appreciate an idea of the scenes they depict just the same. Or..." she pauses, weighing the options in her head. "Or, I suppose I could wait until we've explored what we can of this place and found what we're looking for," she says, somewhat reluctantly.


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

"Whoa." She stares, wide-eyed, at the murals. She'd seen big-people art before, that wasn't what surprised her. It was the sight of full-grown humans being dwarfed by someone much larger, judging by the landscape in the paintings, than Nalathi would have thought possible. "Are these things real?" She points to one of the giants. "People even bigger than you? Or are they just made up?"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Oh, yes" Teldon begins as he observes Nalathi's wonderment, "giants are quite real, and in many regions much more common than the wayang..."

Then he joins the others in scanning the room for scenes of particular interest, but especially for secret doors or clues as to how long ago those candles were disturbed...
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Walking behind Briana as they look around, he adds, "if you can wait until we are leaving to make you sketches that would allow us to make better time... which would give us more freedom to employ beneficial magicks and items... in fact, I would like very much to put some to use if everyone is willing to pause for a moment and then maintain a reasonably swift pace?" As he's finishing his sentence he is already beginning to remove his backpack...

if nobody objects/intercedes:
he draws a miner's lantern and a flask of lamp oil from his bag. After filling and lighting it, he secures it to his head. After straightening his pack and returning it to his back, he draws a small flask and downs it extract of heighten awareness. As his mind sharpens and his senses grow more alert (and with his new personal illumination), he quickly looks around once more.
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

"So these things are called giants..." She furls her brow. "What's a wayang?"

You can talk as you're fiddling with your bag.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"You are. 'Wayang' is what your people are called in the common tongue..."


Female Halfling Paladin 8 | AC: | HP: | Fort +17, Ref +16, Will +15| CMB +7, CMD 22 | Init +5 | Perception +

"Oh. We just call ourselves 'people.' And you're... well... 'big people.'" Her skin darkens a little in embarrassment, not having a proper name for the big folk the way they apparently do for her. "We don't really see big people much. So we're called wayangs, then?" She repeats the word in her head a few times, committing it to memory. "What do you call yourselves?"

Edit: we can assume Briana asked her question before this.


Inactive

"Yes, I suppose that makes the most sense," Briana replies to Teldon, a small sigh escaping her. "For now, I'll just add to the map that I'm sketching of this place; that can be done quickly." She watches with interest as he prepares his miner's lantern, trying not to laugh at how odd and out of place it looks on her companion. "It looks like you've prepared for everything," she comments as she pulls out her sketchbook once more and begins to add to her map. "Have you done much of this sort of thing before?"

As talk turns to giants and wayangs, Briana looks up from her sketchbook and looks at the small woman curiously. "Nalathi, do your people have a name that they call themselves?"

D'oh! I saw my post sorta got ninja'd, went to edit it, then saw you'd edited your own in reponse to mine, so I tried to edit mine back to what it was originally.


Inactive

As her mistress and the rest of the group are examining the large room, Rowenna trails up the stairs behind them, looking about curiously and occasionally sniffing the air. Entering the chamber, she pads over to the rostrum and hops on top of it, seemingly content to sit and watch the group's activities almost as though she were an overseer of some sort and they her minions.

Perception (?): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Not sure how to handle 'passive' perception as she's not actively looking for anything but might still notice certain things (sounds, smells, etc.).


The murals are quite beautiful but they don't depict anything terribly useful...you can see the 'Crow' piling in the painting but it doesn't appear to have any unique features on it.

Rowenna, with her heightened sense of smell, becomes increasingly excitable upon entering the room...she definitely catches the fresh scent of vermin...

And then, as Teldon's light adds to Ziomarra's illuminations, you all catch something out of the corner of your eye...a shadowy shape, no larger than a dog, scurrying up the stairs away from you...


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Zee glances at Teldon with a quizzical look when he calls Nalathi a wayang. She then looks at Nalathi, and her expression turns to surprise. "Oh! You are a wayang! I had thought you were a deep gnome, but now I see it. I had never met one of your people before."

In response to Nalathi's question, Zee replies, "Most of the 'big folk' in Magnimar are of a race called 'humans,' although there are many different... um... tribes. There are other kinds of 'big people.' Elves have long pointed ears and solid-colored eyes; Orcs and their kin have green skin and tusks; dwarves are shorter and stockier. But the four of us are all human."

Catching a glimpse of movement, Zee cuts herself off. "Did you see that?"

She draws the battered deck of Harrow cards from the pocket of one of her scarves.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

Turning his light on the creature a moment too late to observe it properly, Teldon speculates, "We know there are donkey rats here... that was likely another one. Everyone should be on their guard." As he speaks, he finishes adjusting his pack and quickly readies his longspear for battle.

He nearly blinds Briana with his head lamp as he turns to her, "No... this is my first time actually exploring a place like this, but after reading reports from thousands of pathfinders I thought it important to be prepared..."


Inactive

As the shadowy shape scurries back up the stairs, Briana gets a wave of excitement from Rowenna, along with a familiar thought that echoes in her mind - "Food?"

"Judging by how Rowenna is acting, I think Teldon is right; there are probably more of those donkey rats or some other sort of vermin nearby," she says as she squints and raises one hand to shield her eyes from the bright beam of light being directed her way. "Being prepared is good. Between your light and ones Zee conjured, everyone should be able to see without much trouble. But, you might want to take point with Joanna or bring up the rear so you don't accidentally blind the rest of us."

With that, Briana draws her mace and nods toward the stairs. "It seems that the only way to go is up. Shall we?"

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