DM Fflash's Shattered Star Campaign

Game Master DM Fflash

Vuloo shakes his head, "Nay, I need no help from these librarians other than a place to recover. Sarenrae's blessings will do just fine for healing. Where may we find space to sleep?"

The same place you woke up from like 30 minutes ago? You will need to spend a full 24 hours here if you intend to rest again

I don't think we'll need a full 24 hours, we could always pay some healers for a few castings of restoration. Though it's up to the party if we want to save money and spell slots or take break now and return later.

Ugh, this is just one of those silly aspects of the system. It doesn't make sense to spend hundreds or thousands of gold on healing when waiting a day will do. Unless we're in a hurry, we could just hand-wave the day with more downtime research and/or rest.

True, far as we're aware another day won't help those adventures. Far as we know (if we're genre savy and a tad meta) they're already horribly dead or worse already.

The man fumbles at Nalar's request wanting to overcome his insult earlier but unable to express himself well. He finishes lamely with, "It's not up to me. I don't have any resources, I just do as I'm told."

Anything you wish to do over this 24 hours?

Nothing I can think of.

The party hangs around the library for a day, persuingt the Thassilonian section and finding several useable translated titles like The Magic of Emotion: A Primer on Rune Magic, How Virtue Becomes Sin:an Editorial on Thassilonian Politics, The People of Xin-Shalast, and Landmarks of Thassilon, from the Irespan to Hollow Mountain to Guiltspur.

The library offers you to take a pair of translations of your choice as long as you return them.

Rested the next morning you proceed back to the Assistant who welcomes Braelex in her pleasant voice again,

Missed this opportunity on your first trek through:

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Vuloo will cast lessor restoration on Andel, Nalar and himself.

str damage restored: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Andel
str damage restored: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Andel

str damage restored: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Nalar
str damage restored: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Nalar

str damage restored: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Vuloo
str damage restored: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Vuloo

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Andel translates for the group and then looks expectantly at Braelex.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

I am not sure how I missed this before. These marks on the floor and the fresh bloodstains suggest there was a scuffle here somewhat recently.

Nalar Str 9/10 It'll do. Thyrl heals it up with rest
Looking over the signs of conflict Nalar turns to face the assistant.

As Nalar presents the book, the blob grows and grows, becoming blindingly bright. The party squints their eyes against the light and when the light dies back down to it's original size, the 2 books are gone.

The eerie female voice rings out clearly in Common

"Yes, another group came through without the pass phrase or a Runelord and triggered the defense mechanism. They went mad, ripping into each other and then bolting off through that door over there."

And where does that door lead?

"I dont know. One could surmise that it goes deeper into Runelord Karzoug's laboratory."

Braelex makes an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Good, good. Well done, Nalar." She addresses the assistant. "Tell us about this other group. And what else can you tell us of this place... its purpose, history and current status?"

"Here is 9ne of many workshops where Karzoug performed experiments on living creatures of all types, acquisitions from around the lands, aliens from other planets, conjured creatures from other dimensions or even his own creations. He made some incredible spawn in his time. The current status us unknown to me as I have not received an update from my lord in over 10,000 years."

Well, that sounds bright and cheery. Relan says with no little sarcasm.

Braelex nods, "What is your protocol now? Wait until Karzoug or another runelord appears? What if your creator has been terminated?"

"I will remain here as research assistance to any Runelord"

"Very well... I seek a shard of the Sihedron, one that I understand is within this facility. Are you aware of its location?"

"Karzouog had two shards of the Sihedron, the shard of greed, entrusted to him by Xin and the shard of gluttony which he acquired from Runelord Zutha. Which shard are you referring to?"

"We are seeking the Shard of Gluttony, are you familiar with it?"

"I am ... I am sorry. Further information is restricted to the Runelord of Greed." The light pulses a strange color and a slightly mechanical voice finishes the sentence.

Braelex makes an exaggerated sigh and frowns, "Karzoug is dead. I possess the Shard of Greed now." She gestures to Relan to show the evidence. "Tell me what you know."

I assume we've heard of the exploits from the Rise of the Runelords heroes?

Relan shows off the shard for a moment then greedily stows it away again.

"You are not the Runelord of Greed. That information is restricted to the individual that bears that mantle."

There was a Pathfinder Society Journal about it, so sure. It is common knowledge (at the top level, at least)

Vuloo shakes his head. "We're not getting anywhere with this thing. Let's keep moving. Karzoug's workshop may have more information on the shard."

Vuloo walks over to the door and opens it.

Vuloo opens the door into a long hallway that extends to 6 separate wooden doors that look so pristine that they may have been installed yesterday.

Pending any further questions or other specific actions, I'll describe all 6 rooms as an initial glance from the hallway some time tomorrow

Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Relan peers into the hall for a moment. Well, that trail is pretty obvious. I'd say 1 human-sized, one serpentine, and 2 halfling-sized creatures traveled through the corridor and entered the second door on the right.

Vuloo nods at Relan, "Very well, after you then. Let's follow those tracks."

Vuloo and Andel follow him in.

"Whoa, whoa... hold it up a moment, guys!" Braelex holds up her hands. "That thing said the last group to come through here went mad and tore each other to pieces. I wouldn't go rushing to follow them so blindly. Let's check out the rest of the area and proceed with at least a pretense of caution..."

Braelex inspects the other doors and rooms carefully, keeping an eye for traps before we proceed inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Add +4 vs traps.

Crap, I still need to level up... include a +1 to the above rolls!

Chamber of the Serpent

Dusty, decomposing red drapes hang from this room’s ceiling, and tall iron candle holders stand in each of the chamber’s corners. Inlaid into the floor in wide, iridescent lines is a circle of runes, its center filled by a seven-pointed star. The disembodied head of a feathered serpent floats in the center of this room, weeping multicolored tears

Chamber of Chains

This chamber contains several grooved stone tables of various sizes, and the floor slopes gradually toward several large drains. The ceiling is obscured by what appears to be a woven mesh of spiked metal chains suspended eight feet overhead, while a few gray robes and cloaks still hang on the wall to the east of the door

Chamber of the Stars

The trail leads through here

Almost every "corner" in this roughly circular chamber is smooth and curved. Though its walls and 20-foot-high ceiling are flat, the flat planes all curl to meet each other—even the doors are curved, making a total lack of hard edges or corners, save for two broken sections on the western and eastern walls where long cracks have marred the perfect surface.

In the center of the room rests an elaborate clockwork construct of spheres. At its heart is a barrel-sized representation of the sun, while around it, metal struts suspend much smaller metal balls. Just north of it, a smooth four-foot-tall podium rises like a stalagmite, its top bearing a small brass wheel and a lever.

Chamber of the Moon

This ceiling of this room seems to be open to the night sky, yet one that features two moons. Alcoves along the walls appear to have been barred or glassed-in cages, but all are empty, the bars bent and glass shattered. The floor of the room is covered in a twisting carpet of vine-like plants.

Chamber of the Sun

This small, octagonal room blazes with light—each wall is seemingly made of glass that glows like noonday sun.

Locked Door

The third door on the right is secured shut. It appears to be barred from the other side.

"Whoa, whoa... hold it up a moment, guys!" Braelex holds up her hands. "That thing said the last group to come through here went mad and tore each other to pieces. I wouldn't go rushing to follow them so blindly. Let's check out the rest of the area and proceed with at least a pretense of caution..."

Braelex inspects the other doors and rooms carefully, keeping an eye for traps before we proceed inside.

[dice=Perception]1d20+17
[dice=Perception]1d20+17
[dice=Perception]1d20+17
[dice=Perception]1d20+17
[dice=Perception]1d20+17
[dice=Perception]1d20+17

Add +4 vs traps.

Crap, I still need to level up... include a +1 to the above rolls!

Right. We have already encountered a symbol of weakness. Perhaps there is a similar symbol that caused madness?

Vuloo nods at Braelex. "Yes, we must be cautious. I believe the assistant drove the other group mad, not the rooms."

He then proceed to explore the rooms.

Chamber of the Serpent

Vuloo will address the serpent from the edge of the circle. "Who are you? Why are you here? How can we help you?"

Chamber of the Stars

Vuloo will study the construct.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Chamber of the Stars

Andel will also study the construct.

Knowledge, Arcana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

He then smiles as he recognizes the orbs. "This is a model of Golarion's solar system. Fascinating!"

Chamber of the Moon

Andel marvels at the room's ceiling and vine covered floors. "I do believe that the stars depict the view from the green planet Castrovel. Perhaps this room is intended to model or study Castrovel somehow?"

Knowledge, Geography: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Chamber of the stars
Arcana: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31
Nalar examines the orrery, noting the position of the planets. "Fascinating, the celestial spheres are aligned to the correct position in the heavens. A handy tool for astrology for sure." He muses out-loud, examining the device with Detect Magic.

Chamber of the Serpent
Not entering the room Nalar tries to identify the creature and the markings on the floor.
Planes: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

Chamber of Stars

Chamber of the Serpent

As Vuloo enters the room, the serpent looks at him and whispers, "I'm so sorry, my friend"

It then appears fully in the room, a winged feathered serpent ... rays of fire bursting from its eyes and striking Vuloo square in the chest.

Ray vs Vuloo: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Ray vs Vuloo: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
Total Fire Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 2, 5, 4, 2, 5) = 25

All other rooms on pause, party is slightly scattered as per the map. Roll initiative and post an action if it is before the creature's. The ray attack was a surprise round action.

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Hearing Vuloo's cry of pain, Braelex runs down the corridor. She holds up at the bend, drinking an extract.

Cat's grace

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Couatl, I recognize you. Stand down. We would be friends and like you oppose evil. He uses his newly gained Warrior Spirit ability to make his weapon merciful as he moves in to attack. He also uses Combat Expertise to boost his AC by 3.

Power Attack, +1 keen merciful guisarme: 1d20 + 20 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 20 - 3 = 332d4 + 10 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 + 9 + 2 = 23

Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Vuloo backs out of the room and heals himself.

CMW: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 1) + 8 = 10

Andel attempts to identify the creature. "The creature is a couatl. It must be magically compelled to attack us. We must try to help it!"

Knowledge, Planes: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Forgot init.

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Init: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
"I don't know if I can overcome the magic binding it but I will try." Nalar says to Andel as he ducks behind a corner for cover, tracing signs infront of him before popping out and casting his spell.
Dispel check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Trapped Like a Snake Round 1

Init: Coatl, Braelex, Nalar, Andel, Vuloo, Relan

The serpent begins to sway an undulate, catching Vuloo's gaze before he turns to flee and the halfling begins to think about it as his best friend. [ooc](Will Save DC17 or be charmed ... change your action accordingly)

If Vuloo saves and flees on his turn ...

The couatl strikes out as the halfing departs with a quick and vicious bite, constricting the halfling into its coils.

AoO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Grab: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26
Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (3, 2) + 14 = 19+ grappled + make a DC16 Fort Save vs poison or take 1d4 ⇒ 2 Str damage

Bralex sets up in the hallway and Nalar tries to dispel the circle, but the millenias old Runelord magic is as strong as the day it was cast, and his spell washes over it with nary an effect.

At Andel and others (see Vuloo possibilities above)

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Vuloo turns and smiles at the couatl. "What pretty wings you have! May we be best friends forever?"

The serpent smiles broadly, "Get behind me little friend, the assailants are on the other side of the door. We wouldn't want you hurt. Heal me if I get wounded."

Still at Andel and everyone else

Still waiting for my turn to be resolved.

Sorry about that, just now realized I didnt write that up.

Relan moves in and strikes the couatl hard but although his weapon is bladed it leaves behind bruised scales instead of a gaping wound.

The serpent continues to weep looking at Relan, whispering telepathically in a different language to everyone except Vuloo.