The Faceless GM's Golarion Apocalypse (Inactive)

Game Master kamenhero25


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Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Triel gasps and recoils from the bloodied rag, holding her head in her hands.

"...damn it all."

She takes a moment to catch her breath before she begins relating what she saw. "The demon Lord Gyr fought--it wasn't a mere babau. It looked quite close to one, though: it was some strange demon drenched in ever-flowing blood. Its master commanded it to 'kill him already'..." She hesitates, the vision still shaking her. "...and the demon, or the room exploded with blood. The demon's master went for the kill with a jagged, curved, black dagger."

"And said master had dark skin." She looks down at her hand.

I should have burned those damned books.


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

A babau's skin is always covered in blood, so this thing looked quite close, but not quite identical. Image


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Yep, that's why Triel said it wasn't a mere babau.

Edited my previous post for clarity.


"I take it, then, that you know who ordered his assassination?" Jonathan watches with interest as Triel examines the blade with her own unique magical abilities, not knowing much about psychic magic other than its existence. He then watches her speak with dismay, looking down at her own hand. "I... imagine, given your circumstances, it is your family? You mentioned a sister; does this assailant match her description, or someone else in your family?"


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Triel is silent for a while, her other hand rubbing her chest. The phantom pain from the dagger that slew Lord Gyr is slow to fade.

"...the demon's master was cloaked, but I believe I know who it... she... was." She closes her eyes and tries to recall the details of the vision...

Did Triel recognize who it was?


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

Despite her best efforts, it seems that the assailant was very well hidden. It was impossible to even tell their gender, much less identify them.


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Triel shakes her head. "...no. All I recognize was that the demon's master had dark skin. And apparently, had a talent for psychic magic."

...I'm not sure whether I should be relieved or even more worried.


Retired to SUMITHA

”The dust is for disappearance, she’s right that will explain a lot.” After Elek hands the rag to Triel, he returns to the area of the footprint, listening as the ambassador explains about the dust and Triel examined the blood and blade more closely.

”Our friend from Galt knows about Triel’s Family, I didn’t realize that they had talked previously,” shrugging his shoulders, as if to himself, he asks ”So a wizard with dark skin and some psychic talent. That certainly narrows the search but is not definitive. The wizard would have used the powder to sneak in and then called the demons. If we can learn how the wizard entered the room we may be able to track them or at least gather more information.”

Turning to the guard he asks ”I assume the stairway is the only access to this room and to his study?” He then begins to look around the footprint and the wall near it.

looking to see if we can follow the footprints or if there is a hidden door near the prints.
track/survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

One footprint isn't enough to track without magic or truly exceptional skill, Elek is more than capable of searching the wall from top to bottom. He finds nothing that seems anything like a secret passage or emergency exit. "Yes, the tower has only one entrance and exit," the guard says. "It's more secure that way. If an emergency exit is needed, Lord Gyr can be teleported out."


"Wait a moment... Lord Gyr may be teleported from his chambers?" Joanthan turns abruptly, spinning as the guard kick-starts his mind yet again. "Of course... the goal is to keep people out, not in. And once you have completed your mission--" Jonathan casts a look down at the corpse of the Primarch "--there is no reason to bother with any sort of conventional escape method. There was a trace of conjuration magic present, correct? I originally believed perhaps multiple demons had been summoned, but perhaps... perhaps that was the remnants of their escape."


Retired to SUMITHA

"It's more secure that way. If an emergency exit is needed, Lord Gyr can be teleported out." Can be teleported out or can teleport out? There is a huge difference there." Shaking his head as he walks away from the bare wall back toward the door, unconsciously rubbing the the burn scars on his ear. Commenting half heartedly on Jonathan's observation. "I assumed the conjuration magic was how the wizard got in and they just teleported out."

Then turning to the guard he asks "You said "If an emergency exit is needed, Lord Gyr can be teleported out" did you mean he could teleport himself out or that there is some system in existence that if something went wrong that he would be transported out? Because this certainly would fit the description of an Emergency."


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"Er, either one actually. There are several magic users in the guard, but while Lord Gyr was considered a bit odd for choosing the title of Spell Lord for himself, he proved to be an accomplished mage along with a skilled duelist." Suddenly the guard's eyes widen. "I don't believe he usually prepared teleport on his own, but he kept a scroll in his desk!" The guard rushes over to the desk and pulls open the top drawer. "A scroll that's missing!"


"But nothing that would, say, automatically detect danger? He would have to do this of his own volition, or someone else would?" Jonathan scowls visibly as the scroll is found to be missing, his teeth bared beneath his mask. "Why steal the scroll? Did they not have an escape plan... or were they aware that he kept the scroll in his desk?" Jonathan moves to the guards, uncomfortably close. "How many people knew of this scroll, and any other security measure in place here in the tower? It is not as though we could follow them, scroll or no; I would suspect it was used if the scroll was taken at all."


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

The guard has to think for a minute, and he uses that moment to edge away from the cloaked man. "There are alarm spells on the tower, but they never went off, along with a number of warding spells to keep out danger. Pretty much anyone in the First Guard would know about the scroll. It's part of our security procedures, so they're informed so they know what to do in the event of an emergency. The exact security on the tower is only known to officers and the guards of the tower itself."


Retired to SUMITHA
The Faceless GM wrote:
...He opens the door on a room that looks more like a slaughterhouse than a bedroom. The bed is almost entirely red, and blood is splattered across the floor, walls, and even the ceiling around the bed. Lord Gyr's body still lays in the middle of the mess, his chest obviously torn open.

I knew there was a bed in the room and assumed there was other furniture, but as we were searching I assumed that since the other furniture was not mentioned that it wasn't relevant, so the desk is in the bedroom not the study? I'm assuming when we leave here we will check out the study.

Elek, nods his head, accompanying the guard to the desk and continues to look through the desk as he asks. "So is there anything else missing? Also, if there were magic users in the guard why didn't they teleport him out?"

Edit: It's beginning to sound like it is an inside job, at least someone from the guard has been telling secrets ;)


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

The bedroom has a bed, small bedside table, wardrobe, dresser, and a small desk.

"We didn't see anything obviously missing, but we haven't had time to check yet. The tower was quiet all night so we saw no reason to intrude on Lord Gyr's privacy. We didn't go up to check until we noticed him having seemingly overslept. The guards are at the bottom of the tower and on the stairs, but none in the room. They're the Primarch's private chambers after all."

Spellcraft or Knowledge Arcana DC 17 (Triel Only):
As you think of the vision you were shown, you realize that the unnatural silence could have been more than simply the object not holding on to the words. The silence spell is an illusion spell.


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Triel blinks in surprise. "Wait... everything was quiet, you said? I'm starting to think that the silence I felt in the vision wasn't natural--it'd have been easy enough to cast a silence spell before the confrontation took place."


Female Human

Zalika frowns slightly in concentration. "If we can confirm that someone on the inside was involved, then we should probably be making discreet inquiries among those that knew this little known information, and attempt to pick up a trail that way."


Retired to SUMITHA

”having a traitor on the inside would explain a lot, and would fit the demon hoards methodology; there was a traitor at Kenebras.” Nodding his head in agreement with the Osirion ambassador, Elek stops fidgeting with his face and turns to the guard smiling slightly ”Betrayal is a favorite tool of demons, is there anything else here in the bedroom or in the study that “Pretty much anyone in the First Guard would know about…” that would be useful to the enemy that we can verify is or isn’t missing?”


"Elek is right; to bypass the guards so easily it is impossible we can rule out an accomplice. I would suspect they must have stolen the scroll to prevent his escape, then... does Lord Gyr have any means, secret or otherwise, of contacting the guard in case of an emergency? Checking that for sabotage would be prudent."


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"The fastest way to contact us would just be to shout for help, but that obviously didn't do any good. He also could use message to call for someone I guess. I know he could cast it, but he could cast a lot of spells. Lord Gyr was a brilliant man."

You can hear someone on the stairs as you continue to investigate the room and a moment later there's a knock on the door. "Pardon me," one of the other guards says as he opens the door. "But the priest has arrived. Should I ask him to wait, or bring him up now? And would you like to observe?"


"Bring him in... I do not speak for the others, but I will remain to observe; I suspect our efforts will be futile, but I wish to confirm this for myself." Jonathan turns back to the guard he was speaking to previously, assuming his answer will satisfy the man at the door. "Is there anyone in particular whom he might have contacted? A guard captain, or someone particularly close to him?"


Retired to SUMITHA

"Lord Gyr was a brilliant man" This is part of the problem, they don't realize that the enemy will use our arrogance against us. Every commander I have seen fall was "Brilliant" Elek bows his head slightly, leaving his left hand on his 'walking stick' and gently closing his eyes he pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger of his right hand.

Breathing a heavy sigh he drops his right hand back to the 'walking stick' and looking to the second guard replies "I will stay also." Turning back toward the first guard, he waits for him to respond to Jonathan's question, before he repeats his own.


Female Human

Zalika considers the options before smiling slightly. "I'll stick around and observe as well, but afterwards, I'd probably want to start chatting to people that would have had exclusive access to this teleport scroll, a decent list to be sure, but something I could probably try and work towards.


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

"I might as well observe it too, since everyone else is."


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"Very well," the guard says. He disappears for a moment before returning with a second man. He is a bit on the short side, and clearly older with graying hair and wrinkles forming on his face. A long black robe shifts around him as he walks, only broken up by a hint of silver on the holy symbol hanging from his neck. His face seems permanently fixed in a solemn little frown. "Good morning," he says, bowing his head to the party. "If you'll give me some room, I'll get to work." He picks his way through the blood like he's done this before and begins to arrange some incense and pulls out a bag from inside his robes. He gently, almost reverently, pulls a diamond nearly the size of his fist out and sets it on Lord Gyr's chest. He bows his head and begins to chant in another language.

Celestial:
"Lady of Graves, bless this soul taken before it's time. Forestall his judgment so he might return to walk among us again. Let his soul fly free and return from your Boneyard to its home before us."

His chanting and praying continues for a full minute, a grimace forming on his face as he goes further and further. Finally, he stops, yet nothing seems to have changed. "It... it's as if his soul isn't there to contact. Either his soul has been taken somehow or even perhaps... destroyed."


"Unfortunately, that is as I expected." Jonathan watches the ceremony with interest, despite his belief it will be for nothing. "It would, after all, be foolish to kill a man such as Lord Gyr without taking precautions to ensure he could not return to the living... unless there is a wielder of more potent magics here in Absalom, I do not believe Lord Gyr shall breathe again." He turns his attention back the two guards who had been aiding in the investigation thus far. "I will repeat my earlier question; is there anyone in particular whom he might have contacted, provided he was in trouble? They should be spoken to, immediately."


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"Oh right," the first guard says. "Got distracted by the priest's arrival. He probably would have contacted one of the officers. Me, the other sergeant, or Captain Rothos. Me and Sergeant Alvis didn't get any messages, but I haven't seen Captain Rothos today."


Retired to SUMITHA

"I think we all got a little distracted, but I am not surprised either, the enemy tends to be thorough... the Captain hasn't been seen yet today? That seems odd." Waiting patiently as the cleric says his prayers and attempts the resurrection. Elek nods as The masked man repeats his question, then raising his own "The Captain isn't in yet today, isn't that a little unusual?"


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

The priest sighs and gets to his feet. "I'll prepare last rights for him, but it's rather pointless if something has happened to his soul. He hardly needs someone to usher his soul to the Boneyard if they did something to dismiss it." He leaves the incense lit and begins to work on Lord Gyr's body, softly praying the whole time.

The sergeant shrugs. "Well, I haven't seen him yet, but he's probably around somewhere. We've been busy the last few days, so he might be downstairs managing the people in the central vault or organizing the guard to secure the keep and the city."


"These last rights... how long would it be until Lord Gyr is buried? If someone has dismissed or otherwise prevented his soul from returning to his body, is it not possible it could be retrieved?" Jonathan watches the priest as he prays, but his posture is tense and rigid. "As for this Captain, if neither of you have heard from him, I will need to speak with him immediately." He listens closely to their words, relying on his training to pick up on any falsehoods or half-truths. "If he is not any of these places, and you are unable to bring him here, where would I find him?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"Quite a while. The funeral of a Primarch is not exactly a small event. And with the conference on, it will be delayed even further. I'll preserve his body with a gentle repose and he'll be moved to the Church of Pharasma once the investigation is done. He won't be buried until after the conference. If you can find out a way to free his soul before then, I can try the resurrection again."

The sergeant shrugs. "Try the barracks or his office. He'll probably be there if he's coordinating the guard. I can send one of the boys downstairs to check if you want to speak to him."


"If you would not find it unduly bothersome, I would rather you accompany me yourself, along with your compatriot." He looks around the room to his own compatriots, before locking eyes with the guard again. "As should be obvious by now, this investigation is now secret; there is a traitor amongst your ranks and as such information is not to be exchanged outside of those here. Whether the Captain is suspect remains to be seen, but until absolved of all guilt he is not privy to what has been shared here... and there is no guarantee he is the only traitor, if he is one at all."

He nods to them once, his hand again on the hilt of his rapier. "Unless any of you have any pressing issues, I suggest we move quickly."

I'm assuming I haven't noticed anything to suggest he's lying?


Female Human

Zalika itches to help the priest's work with her own religious practises but respects the fact that its unlikely she could offer anything different that might assist. Lifting her eyes from the priest she makes eye contact with the guard, shooting him a glance.

"Would it be possible for him to meet with us as soon as possible, or alternatively, if you have an idea as to where to start to find him, I could accompany you, it would be nice to just have a chat, say a few words, that sort of thing".


Retired to SUMITHA

"It appears we are going to speak with the captain, I think we should keep together." Seeing the masked man and the ambassador are ready to speak to the captain, Elek begins moving toward the door and asks, "Can we seal the tower off while we speak to the captain? I believe we all should go, there is strength in numbers. Hopefully we can return and see if anything else is missing."


Male Human Fighter (Learned Duelist) | HP 49/49 | AC 24, touch 17, FF 17; CMD 26 | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +1 | Init +5, Perception +0

Hey all, sorry it took me so long to get back here, settling back in was chaotic. Time to play a little catch-up...

Jonathan Haykes wrote:
"The only one here I trust is the brazen oaf, Aramus." Jonathan inclines his head slightly towards the other large man, but his eyes never leave Elek. "He seems too foolish to be anything but genuine.

Aramus frowns for a moment, but then grins and clasps his hands behind his head. "Well, I guess it's better than not being trusted at all." When Elek greets him, the big hotspur nods and clasps the new arrival's wrist. "That's my name, but I guess 'brazen oaf' works too. Good to have you, Elek." With that, Aramus walks alongside the others to the site of the crime, not paying much attention to Zalika and Jonathan's side conversation.

Our Friendly Neighborhood First Guard wrote:
"I warn you, it's... unpleasant."

Aramus raises his eyebrows, and then lifts them even more at his companions' responses. Surely they aren't so used to ugliness in the world? Although I suppose they would be. There's so much, these days. He shrugs and heads inside, where he promptly catches his breath and locks up.

Triel is a drow, raised in the worship of demons and all manner of foul practices. Elek was raised a warrior at the Worldwound, accustomed to battle and its aftermath. Jonathan is from Galt, where bloody revolution has held sway for decades. Even Zalika has seen her share of gore, no doubt. But Aramus was born and raised in Absalom, and the most blood he's seen is from a butcher's shop or a street brawl. The horror of the room clearly afflicts him, and the big man swallows heavily. "I, ah... I'm no good with this sort of thing. I'll wait here."

With that, he stands by the door with the guard, clearly unnerved, and only more put off by the ease with which his allies go over the room. Each squelch of the carpet brings a wince from the big man, and only when the priest comes to perform the rites does he finally unclench his jaw and fists. At the suggestion of leaving to speak with the Captain, he doesn't speak up, but the relief is clear in his eyes.


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Triel takes note of Aramus' discomfort and nods once at him.

Can't say I blame him. He should be thankful it isn't worse.


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"I doubt that Captain Rothos is a traitor, but given what just happened, it's better not to take chances. I'll have the guards downstairs seal the tower while we go to find the captain." Leaving the priest to do his job, the party leaves Lord Gyr's room and heads downstairs. The sergeant has a few words with the men at the foot of the stairs, telling them to keep everyone out before leading the party off to find the captain. The corridors of the Keep are mostly empty, save for small groups of First Guardsmen patrolling the halls and the occasional messenger running to deliver orders or fetch something. The group arrives at the barracks shortly. "Captain's office is right through the door on the other side."


Female Human

"Great, so why are we all standing around looking pretty?" Zalika asks curiously and rhetorically, before striding forward and knocking in an authoritative manner on the door. After pausing for a moment to grant someone a chance to answer, if none is forthcoming Angelique opens the door and glancing around the office.


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

There's no answer for several moments, and as Zalika opens the door, she finds that it is indeed empty. The room is almost meticulously clean, save for the desk which has a messy pile of papers on it that seems almost out of place.


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Triel walks into the room to examine the papers.

...strange. I thought the captain would be here.


"Sergeant!" Jonathan calls, the slightest edge of irritation in his voice. "Is Captain Rothos normally such an orderly man? Given the circumstances of the past few days, I would expect even a meticulous man to let some element of his cleanliness fall by the wayside. But nothing... aside from the papers." He nods as Triel picks them up, confident she can make sense of them without his input. "You said he may be in the barracks, correct? We should search this room quickly and make our way there; I do not trust the Captain so much as you, and every second we waste is a chance for him to disappear."


Retired to SUMITHA

As they exit the bedroom Elek nods to Aramus, "Thank you for watching the door, hotspur." following behind the group on the way to the barracks keeping a keen eye out.

did we just come through the barracks to enter the office?

"Odd, most of the room neat and the desk a mess, so is the captain a neat man and someone rifled through his papers for evidence. Or is the captain messy and someone trying to clean up evidence." Keeping a pleasant disposition with the Sergeant who is guiding them. Elek smiles and asks "Sergeant, the Captain is not here, does he sleep here in the barracks or does he have quarters off base?"


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"The captain's almost painfully neat," the sergeant says. "He always says that the First Guard are the best of Absalom, so we should look and act like it. Err, I guess there's no harm in locking, considering you're investigating this whole mess, but try not to take anything. Some of those papers might be important."

You did indeed just come through the barracks. They're completely empty. It seems the guard is out in force.

"The captain's rooms are right over there." He points to a door off the barracks on the other side of the room. "He gets a private room, but it's right here with the rest of us. Technically, he's got a fancy manor house too, since he's a noble type, but he's usually here. Being the commander of Absalom's defenses is busy work."

Examining the Papers:
Triel starts picking through the documents and they are actually very easy to interpret. All of them seem to be records of the troops and guards brought along with every delegation. They're extremely thorough, even listing where every delegate will be staying and how their guards are arranged. There are also some hand written notes on possible spies or secret agents, both from outsiders and from the delegates. Triel's name is near the bottom of the page, clearly having been added recently.


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Triel purses her lips and snorts.

I wonder if I should be offended or reassured.

"Records of the many delegations and their guards." She stacks the papers neatly on the desk. "And some notes on possible spies or secret agents in the delegates or outsiders."

"And evidently the good captain is suspicious of me." She shakes her head dismissively.


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

Triel:
"Considering our family, we do look rather suspicious. You did cozy up to Madame Ross rather fast. Not to mention Acharn... Still don't like that guy."


Retired to SUMITHA

"Just records? I wonder if anything is missing." Elek looks at Aramus and then Jonathan, rubbing the scar on his chin he turns to Triel and asks. "Triel, does it look like any of the papers are missing? They look like they were Rifled through, If something is missing wouldn't that be a lead?"

Then asking the Sargent "Can you tell if anything else is missing? Do you mind if we search his desk and then check his room?"

Faceless, obviously there is a desk, is there any other cabinets or anything that may have something of value?


Manifest: 12/12|Female Drow Spiritualist (Fractured Mind) 9|HP: 45/63|AC: 22/14/17|Saves: +7 Fort, +6 Ref, +8 Will (+10 w/Spirit, +2 vs. enchantment, +4 vs. mind-affecting w/Spirit)|Init: +3|Perc: +14

Triel starts looking through the papers again when Elek asks about them.

Perception (Any Papers Missing?): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Though without a clear picture of what papers are supposed to be in this stack, it's slow going.


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

Triel doesn't see anything obviously missing, but interestingly, there seems to be nothing about the security in the Keep itself.

Aside from the desk, there's also a against the far wall and a tall cabinet along one of the sides.


Female Human

Zalika heads over to the cabinet and searches around, reading through the relevant documentation as she does so.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

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