DM Fflash's Shattered Star Campaign

Game Master DM Fflash

"You are wise to proceed with trepidation, Braelex. This is a powerful artifact that hasn't been seen in millenia, and as with all artifacts, power used inappropriately or without complete understanding is dangerous. The Sihedron, though, doesn't show up in any legends or history as having been used by anyone other than Xin. Somehow it was shattered, and that may or may not have been a key moment in Xin's betrayal by his Runelords. The shards were divided up amongst them and their use of sin magic likely tainted the shards themselves. The ioun stones should take care of that. Now, I don't believe the shards will just click back together like that stone did. I believe we'll have to research whatever powerful arcane ritual Xin used to bring them together in the first place. I'm not entirely sure where to start with that research, but there are some noteable Pathfinders who may be willing to assist with that portion."

She ponders for a moment before she adds, "That said, I would distribute the shards out amongt you as you find them the best you can. The less Thassilonian power in one person's hands, the less chance of arcane dissonance or some other such flux. And now that you know they're cursed, you can prepare yourself for securing the following shards in advance. I'll try and build a list while you're in the Crow of my suggested ioun stone associations with the other shards."

Turning to Fulmen, "I don't know any more about the details of the combined Sihedron's abilities, but suffice to say the Runelords were petrified of it, and given that we've seen them stirring recently, it would be wise to get it in our hands. All I know of skymetals is limited to that book. See what our good friend, Gozan the Sharp, has to say about them."

Each time you spend two hours with the book and follow up with a successful Knowledge Arcane DC20 check will get you game stats for 1 of the skymetals

Responding to the druid's last request, she smiles, "I don't believe anyone is beating down the door of the Crow to hunt for the shard, so I think you've got plenty of time. Take what rest and preparation you need. Oh, and be sure to see my husband before you depart. He has a request of you."

Anything else for Sheila, each other, or any preparation you wish to do besides rest?

A chill runs down Braelex's back. "You say this Sihedron was used by the Runelords? They weren't exactly known for their good nature... Thassilonian artifacts have a nasty reputation for a reason. We've already seen how one shard twisted Natalya's mind. What kind of trouble will we stir up if we bring two or more together?"

Tarric turns to Braelix, "I wouldn't be that apprehensive. From my readings, Xin, while immensely powerful was regarded as relatively benevolent. Especially in regards to those who succeeded him." he pontificates before returning to his perusal of the skymetal book.

"Unless theres a reason to think the Tower Girls might attack again. I think we should take the night to rest up and recover." Relan grins and stretches a bit, "Then this shard really got my blood pumping, maybe I'll go find some evening entertainment, before bed. Anyone care to join me?"

Just colorful overnight stuff, im all for resting a bit and letting the research happen.

With a yawn, Fulmen looks Sheila and says, "Well I think I have had enough excitement for one day. I'm going to go feed Susan and pick up some more rope for our next adventure."

"Bath time."

"I'm gonna go transcribe my notes for a report and then get some rest. Meet here in the morning to head out?"

You've got all afternoon and evening to move about town, shop, rest, research etc.

Let us know what your plans are, and any purchases or changes to memorized spells etc. If anyone intends to stay in the library and do any research, throw out the topic and a roll. The library gives you a +2 to all Knowledge Checks (with the exception of the specific sky metal checks above in Sheila's last post) and takes 2 hours per check

"A moment. If you should happen to find and kill Ayala Jaleski for me, I'd be eternally grateful. She's the driving problem behind the Tower Girls problems and if she's defeated, I think they'd return to their roots. Be advised, though ... she's a wererat and has infected some of the others. Bring silver," she advises.

Are you returning her gear or no?

Any other loot distributions should be handled by Braelex in Discussion

Yes, I believe we should give Nat her gear back.

"A were-rat huh, looks like im going shopping for some silver." Relan pauses a moment as something occurs to him. "That reminds me, Nat, we have your gear from the sewage house. How about I help you get your stuff squared away?"

"Yeah, i wouldn't mind that."

Braelex frowns at the mention of giving Vancaskerkin her gear back, but remains silent for now.

We risk our lives to save her from that shard and we get nothing? Weak gratitude.

***

After taking a bath and cleaning/burning her clothes, Braelex returns to the library to do some studying.

Research wererats and lycanthropes to hopefully learn about their strengths and weaknesses. Using the library, can I make the check untrained? If not, disregard.

Knowledge (local - untrained): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 = 29

Tarric stands around for about a minute after everyone departs the library, wondering if anyone is going to toss him out or tell him to do anything. Then, after nothing happens, and while in the presence of so many beautiful books, not especially caring how much he smells, Tarric gets down to business.

Skymetal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Skymetal: 1d20 + 6d6d1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + (20, 9, 6, 15, 12, 6, 19, 1, 4, 12, 19, 11, 6, 9, 18, 14, 19, 17, 2, 6, 12, 16, 18, 18, 13) + 6 = 312

Six hours later...

Seeing the tiefling return to the library, Tarric nods at her in a professional manner before returning to his own studies.

I'll give Braelex a little leeway with the arcana check and the library allowing her to know the difference between true and afflicted lycanthropes, basic abilities: resistance to non-silver weapons, ability to shape change, increased physical attributes when changed

@Tarric... I think your dice rolls got jacked. Pick three skymetals (I'm assuming for 6 hours and it looks like you tried 3 d20 rolls in there) for the rolls. If you're gonna go for 14 hours and short change rest (leaves you with about 4 hours of sleep), you can roll for all 7 skymetals. Still need them id'd for each roll

Braelex nods back at Tarric, giving him a small smile. She keeps to herself and doesn't bother the librarian during their adjacent research.

***

After finishing her studies, Braelex goes to find Lady Heidmarch. "Ma'am... Now that I am officially in the Pathfinder Society and have completed my first mission, I would like to acquire a Wayfinder..

"You've certainly earned the badge, Braelex. Hold for a moment, let me get one from the vault," Sheila disappears and returns a few moments later with a worn, bronze device. She thumbs it for a moment and then looks up at you, wistfully, with a slight smile.

"This belonged to a fellow Pathfinder of mine, back when I used to spend a lot of time in the field. He gave his life for me and Canayven in the Mwangi expanse, shortly before we met Mandela. It should bring you good fortune."

She hands the wayfinder to the tiefling.

Deduct 1 prestige point

"Don't forget to see Sir Canayven before you depart for the Crow in the morning," she reminds Braelex.

I'll give Braelex a little leeway with the arcana check and the library allowing her to know the difference between true and afflicted lycanthropes, basic abilities: resistance to non-silver weapons, ability to shape change, increased physical attributes when changed

@Tarric... I think your dice rolls got jacked. Pick three skymetals (I'm assuming for 6 hours and it looks like you tried 3 d20 rolls in there) for the rolls. If you're gonna go for 14 hours and short change rest (leaves you with about 4 hours of sleep), you can roll for all 7 skymetals. Still need them id'd for each roll

Odd, when I had done the preview it worked fine. Only made one roll though. So another 4 hours...

Know, Arcane for Skymetal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Know, Arcane for Skymetal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Know, Arcane for Skymetal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Know, Arcane for Skymetal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Apparently Tarric was distracted. So he now has researched noqual.

I'm gonna throw you a bone, and between the initial roll and considering the rest of these as a loose interpretation of "aid other" ...

Tarric spends 10 hours (2 hours/check) reading through the dense book. The science of metallurgy is all very technical and he finds himself rereading passages several times to get the gist of it, taking notes as he goes. Rereading those notes, a few things start to illuminate for him ...

Anything else from anyone before the morning?

Somewhat surprised by Sheila's personal connection to the wayfinder, Braelex only nods in thanks before leaving.

Just one more thing

After studying, cleaning up, resting, and returning Natalya her gear, the party reconvenes at Heidmarch manor the next morning where they are met by Sir Canayven Heidmarch who is very excited. "Ho, friends, I hear you are about to explore new chambers in the Crow! Alas, other responsibilities prevent me from joining you or mounting my own expedition, but if you find any significant new information about the ancient empire of Thassilon while you're exploring the Crow, I'll pay you a tidy sum. While you are there primarily for the artifact, do not forget that you are still Pathfinders, and the rooms you'll be walking through have likely been untouched by sentient creatures for millenia."

He smiles, "Sheila has left directions to Outcast Cove in the Dockway where a couple men have a boat ready for you. Proceed there whenever you are ready, they'll be there all day."

Anything else for Sir Canayven or that you wish to do before setting off?

The Crow

The Crow itself is located just under half a mile from the Dockway. The ruined piling itself is most easily reached by boat—Sheila has provided a large rowboat that can carry four people. 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). The Crow extends 220 feet above sea level, and extends another 50 feet underwater to the harbor floor.

Just One More Thing

"Sir Heidmarch, we will keep an eye out for information you might be interested in.Do you have something in particular we should be looking for? If the ruins are so close by I'm surprised they have not been explorered before now. I just hope someone hasn't beat us to it." Fulmen bows his head in respect the knight and prepares to head out.

The Crow

Fulmen has been rubbing his chin off and on while the group journeyed to the dockway staying rather silent. Finally, hHe turns to Tarric, "So I've been wondering about the door Ms. Vancaskerkin describes. Mr Abol, in your time in the library did you come across anything that will aid us in getting passed this door made of skymetal?"

The Crow

Braelex takes in the sight silently, mentally recording the details. She has seen the edifice before, but never so close.

What's Fulmen doing with Susan?

Just One More Thing

"Fulmen, I think that I can answer that." Tarric says, with a scholarly air, somewhat spoilt by his unkempt appearance. "The simple answer is that there was a concerted exploration of the Irespan many years ago. Unfortunately during that exploration there was an accident of some sort and a whole bunch of things were released into the city. There was the typical madness, death, pandemonium and the like. After that, the city decided that there would be no more exploration. So anything that has been explored has done so covertly. I don't honestly believe much actual exploration has taken place though."

"But think of it....untrammeled history!" and there is a very excited glint in Tarric's eyes.

The Crow
Tarric is oddly silent, but he looks about ready to burst with excitement.

The Crow

Andel scratches his head and looks at the boat provided by the Pathfinders.

"So, how are we going to do this? Four-person boat, six of us plus Susan. Two trips required. Even though the piling is unexplored, the Tower Girls have taken up residence. They'll see us coming long before we get there. Would be terrible to be split up for an hour or so while we row back and forth and get ambushed by them with no way out."

Anything around here we could use to build something that will float that we could just tow behind the boat?

Not really, the Dockway is a fairly refuse free part of the city.

I was planning on leaving Susan behind. The Crow sounds like a lot of vertical traveling which won't be good for Susan.

"Well this is quite the predicament. Is there no other boat or canoe around here for us to use?" Fulmen looks around for other boats or canoes or anything that might float. "I agree that we should not split up the group. Who knows what we might find out there."

There are plenty of places around to purchase a large rowboat (100g) or a couple canoes (50g). You can hire one with a pilot for 5gp

How long will the hired guy wait for us for that 5gp? Otherwise we are stuck over there

He won't wait, but will return at a predetermined time for another 5g. You won't be stuck, you do own one boat.

Or we could row ourselves for free? Any skill needed or penalty for doing that?

Profession sailor to move the boat quickly or handle obstacles, can be used untrained.. Anyone can row.

What can each option hold?

Rowboat 4, canoe 2.

Let's just rent a boat and call it good. I think the biggest problems will be with getting in, rather than getting out...and the tower girls may have boats of their own hidden over there somewhere.

What would the resale value be when we return if we wanted to sell either of the options?

Half, like everything else.

Aidon ponders Fulman's question for a minute, "Have no fear Fulman, I have plenty of funds to purchase a canoe, and I will just attempt to resell it back when we return, or keep it, I don't think we have ever owned a canoe...hmmm yes...I want to own a canoe. Think of the places we could go Amiculus! Aidon points to the Crow, "Like, right over there, across the harbor. Or maybe, right over there!" Aidon starts to point at random locations around the harbor. "Yes yes, I want a canoe."

Aidon will run down to purchase a canoe.

Braelex sighs impatiently.

Each of the pilots make a Profession Sailor check and a stealth check

Caught up... im along for the ride, not much to add yet

Supressing a smile Fulmen nods to the summoner, "Thank you, Aidon. I will share the cost with you for a canoe."

Can Fulmen get a background bonus to navigating the boat having grown up on the docks and having some experience at sea?

Sailing: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Sure, I'll give you a +2 circumstance bonus ... for what it's worth. Need a stealth roll as well, unless you want to be noticed. Aidon?

Aidon happily climbs into his canoe and starts to dictate to Amiculus to "Row ye scurvy dog!" And heads off in the wrong direction

Profession Sailor - 1d20 ⇒ 18

Stealth - 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 13 - 4 = 15 (-4 Because Aidon just can't help but shout out random pirate phrases at Amiculus. Feel free to adjust that as you see fit)

Hmm, Amiculus makes 7 but Andel will squeeze in with you all.

Oh, I thought he was included, we could make him swim on the outside of the canoe like a humanoid propeller I guess :)

The Approach to the Crow

The 7 of you pile into the two water craft. Fulmen grabs the oars of the rowboat and begins pulling, but struggles almost immediately with the tidal currents, splashing in the water and cutting a wobbly zig zag pattern to the tower. Amiculus moves smoothly through the water with the lighter, faster canoe, making no noise and tucking under the waves easily. He holds his pace though to stay abreast of Fulmen and the two boats arrive at the southeast base of the Crow at about the same moment, 30 minutes later.

Boat Dock

A 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. Three rowboats are tied off to heavy stones placed on this step. 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. Above, the ceiling rises almost all the way up to the top of the monument—an opening leads off this shaft to the west near the ceiling. It is here you see the blonde woman from before, leaning out over the edge, some 150+ feet above you, watching you enter. She mimes firing a bolt with her small hand crossbow and then pops her head back into the passage.

We are about to start Dungeon Crawl mode ... does anyone need a refresher on it? There's a note early on in the Discussion tabs from me about what to expect in order to move things along quickly

Crow Overall Explorer Map: This map I'll update every so often or as requested

Crow Tactical Map: This map I'll update much more regularly as you explore individual rooms ... since it's more zoomed in, it won't have everything on it.

Image of Terisha Skiloni

Fulmen Stealth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

Aidon mimes getting shot and dramatically falls to the ground, Amiculus runs over to cradle his head in his lap "Amiculus...cough...cough. I am so proud of you, go now, live your life, go enrich someone elses life as you have mine these long, long years...cough, cough...goodbye...my friend" Aidon then pretends to die. After a brief moment he jumps up. "Taadaa!" Aidon then looks crestfallen once he sees the blonde already left

Knowlegde Local - 1d20 + 10000000 ⇒ (10) + 10000000 = 10000010 (Since you didn't put a number for the DC I figured it's was a freebie but I wanted to make sure I made it... :)