Feral's School of Spirits (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

"It wasn't intentional... I meant only to get him to back off... are you sure he's dead? He might just be wounded... Do we have a healer among us?"

Seren walks up and tries to pat Junia on the shoulder. "Welcome to the rough parts of Absalom, where everyone wants to rob you, kill you, or kidnap you. In a variety of orders!" She throws up her hand to accentuate the point and then pulls out a wand. "If he isn't head, I can try to heal him, but I'm not always great at getting this thing to work. Anyone else better at it?"

"Not me, not my kind of magic, and I've no skill with making such things work."

Geez, actually dead? He would have to have <10 Con and already be hurt. I'm guessing that was just flavor on the GM's part.

"Let me see!" Aspen pushes his way forward to take a look at the man. He takes out a wand and pokes at the man.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Aspen's poke seals up the sailor's wound and returns the man to the land of the living. "Ugh... I give up. Please don't cut me again..."

"No, but I hope you learned your lesson not to go looking for fights, least of all with Pathfinders. Now apologize to the girl and get out of here."

The shaken sailor weakly climbs to his feet. "S-sorry", he stammers before taking off.

Despite the danger passing, J looks more and more nervous. At the same time the debris in the alley begins to visibly shake in rhythm with the young woman's anxious breathes.

She notices the party observing the strange phenomenon and sighs.

“I guess I should tell you, considering who you are and where we are going. I’ve been keeping him a secret for far too long in any case.”

“Grishan, can you come out, please. These people would like to meet you.”

A green-tinted apparition that resembles an emaciated 14-year-old boy with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes steps out of J's body. He's clad in a school uniform consisting of a blouse covered by a vest. His legs end just below the knees, trailing off into nothingness as he floats above the ground.

"Hello", the spirit says in a soft voice. "I'm Grishan. J and I are friends."

Seren watches the man retreat with a smug look and crossed arms. Ignore the fact she did absolutely nothing. The strange happenings draw her eyes and she mutters under her breath. "Zela, you better not be playing around...

Junia's words catch her attention and her eyes go wide. Then wider. It's quite possible that if she wasn't trying to impress the other pathfinders she might have dined to squeal in delight. Instead she rushes over to the boy and tries to pinch his cheeks.

"Oh my gosh, it's a ghost! And he can APPEAR! None of mine do that! Hello Grishan! Can we be friends, too?

"I... don't know. Maybe", the spirit says quietly.

"I was the one pushing J to sneak out of her home to visit the Precipice Quarter. I think... that there is something in the Drownyard that J needs to see or experience in order to understand both herself and our connection."

J nods in agreement. "Grishan protected me when it all happened. He stayed with me to protect me even after his body died. We need to do this."

"Maybe isn't bad, I'll take it!"She seems quite pleased with the idea of a new ghost friend and tires to muss Grishan's not-all-there hair.

She shows the pair one of the holy symbols from her belt. "I worship Ashava, so I'm suppose to help lost souls find their way anyways. This is right up my alley. If you need to go there, then I'll help no question!" She wasn't sure about all this before, but the woman is practically bouncing on her heels in building excitement over the prospects.

"I bet everyone else will help, too. If he protected you like that, then we just have to help in return. Wynn agrees."

Laureglyn breathes a sigh of relief when the marine recovers somewhat and staggers away. He expresses surprise at the appearance of the spirit. "Well, it seems we are escorting two to the Precipice Quarter..." He sheathes his sword after cleaning the blade, and nods at Seren's words. "Aye, I'd be honored to help with whatever you need."

"You will survive to come home safely to your mother, my lady," says Carax.

With the party's commitment to help J, Grishan merges with J once again and the young woman resumes leading the way.

Half an hour later, the party approaches the gate to the tri-tower yard. Grishan suddenly emerges from J once again. "I remember", the spirit says with relief. "My brother convinced me to spy on my friends and their families. I hid my findings in the Arboretum but disaster struck and I died before I could give it to him. I think... I need to see that task finished before I can rest."

J's eyes fill with compassion at hearing Grishan's plea. "Please help him."

"Spying on friends and families doesn't sound like a particularly good thing to be doing... but I understand family obligations can be strong. But after so long, what would be the use of such information? Or is this some sort of compulsion to the living that you are under? Understand, I am not averse to helping you... I'm just curious. Please guide us to the Arboretum if you would."

Aspen only shrugs and looks completely unsurprised when the boy's spirit emerges from Junia, as if he has seen far stranger things quite often.

At the Tri-Tower Yard, he just nods at Grishan's request. "We can do that. Who was your family though? Your brother making you spy on people doesn't sound like the best family relation. But I'd like to see the Arboreteum anyways..."

Seren frowns thoughtfully at Grishan's comments. "Do you know if your brother was here when the disaster happened? Is he a ghost or someone living we need to visit?" She says this as he moves up to the gate into the Tri-tower Yard and pulls out the gate key to attempt to use on the front entrance. "I mean the others have a point about your brother taking advantage of you a bit, but brother do that sort of thing.

If this is what we need to do, we will!"

"I didn't want to do it but my big brother Cole said it was important. I don't remember why..."

The party's willingness to help seems to please the spirit. "Thank you. The Aboreteum is that way", he explains before merging with J's body once again.

After opening the gate, the party enters the Tri-Towers yard. The party reaches the Arboretum without incident.

Most of the Arboretum now lies in ruins and is inaccessible. The structure is dominated by an enormous crystal dome which is cracked now, with a large central portion missing at its apex. Vines have grown through the cracks in the dome, so thick that it's unlikely much sunlight makes inside the interior of the dome. Artificial clouds float above the structure, crackling with soundless purple lightning and emit a slow drizzle of gray water from time to time.

Grishan emerges again as the party approaches the Arboretum's doors. "I remember! I hid the information I gathered in a red lion statue that was part of a fountain. I don't remember where it is exactly but I know it's in here."

"We'll find it," says Carax, tersely. He dismounts, patting his mount Goliath on the muzzle and whispering a few words of encouragement. He thn takes a moment to unfurl a banner wrapped until now about the haft of his spear. Emblazoned on it is the Sigil of the Open Road, the symbol of the Pathfinder Society. With the banner in his left hand and his longsword in his right, he heads for the Arboretum's doors.

"Stay close, my lady, and no harm will come to you."

Note to the GM: Carax has the flagbearer feat. It should give the party a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, and saving throws against fear and charm effects.

Assuming you guys are moving inside.

The foyer of the Arboretum Arcanis is in shambles. Debris and dead or dying plant matter cover the mosaic-tiled floor. A gnarled black thorn tree still clings to life in a giant masonry planter. Two massive skylights in the ceiling afford a view of low-hanging, purple and black clouds above; the crystal dome is completely obscured. Piles of rubble obscure most of what once may have been doorways, but a door to the west is free from debris.

As the party enters a creature detaches itself from the tree - a short, gnarled, gnome-like figure with a beard of green mold, an oversized, misshapen and bulbous head, and long, branched fingers. On his back he has numerous small sack-like growths about the size of a child’s fist.

"Welcome visitors", the creature offers cheerfully. "What brings you to our gardens?"

Aspen bows his head low to the tree creature, clearly having much respect for its kind. "Excuse us. We are here to help this child discover a bit about her past, to put some of her thoughts to rest, and to find some notes left behind."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Ah, well that garden is open to visitors at the cost of a small donation - a sample of your blood for use in our ongoing projects. In addition, I'd be happy to introduce you to the Master Gardener. She is your best chance for finding any lost items."

"We would be forever grateful," Aspen responds. "And to a kind spirit such as yourself, I would gladly offer a small amount of blood. What is this project though, and why does it require blood?"

Seren follows the group inside, alternating between looking at their surroundings and trying to peek at where Junia is hiding Grishan. "Remember Drendle also said to find the storage shed before we explore too much, it has some supplies and..."

She trails off when strange tree-gnomes start popping up. She not so casually slides up behind Carax, just for safety. "But, isn't blood a way for people to cast all kinds of nasty magic on you that you can't get away from?"

"We would be forever grateful," Aspen responds. "And to a kind spirit such as yourself, I would gladly offer a small amount of blood. What is this project though, and why does it require blood?"

"Oh you know how these things are. Research and such."

Seren will give the creature a long, hard stare, attempting to gauge just how trustworthy it is and whether she should be trusting it with any of her blood. "How large do you define a sample as?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Just a few drops. Enough to fill one of these", the creature explains revealing a small fibrous bulb.

Despite the cheery demeanor, Seren senses a very sinister tone in the creature's voice.

Still inclined to trust the tree creature, Aspen shrugs and offers his own blood for the creature's research. "Fine. And then you can show us around, right? Help find these notes that were left behind and anything else the girl wants to see? It's a small price to pay, really."

Pleased by Aspen's cooperation, the plant-creature sticks him in the arm with the spiky bulb. It slowly fills with blood at which point he removes the bulb and attaches it to his back.

"Thank you! One down four to go."

"Oh you expect ALL of us to donate?" Laureglyn looks doubtful about doing so... but finally will acquiesce and allow it thought he looks very unhappy about the whole thing... "Dangerous foolish thing to do... blood is a part of you and can be used against you, just like your true name." hey it may not be true in game mechanics, but it's a logical cultural thing for him.

"Noooo... I don't think I'm going to do it. He's lying about something, I can tell. And Dorin thinks he's probably evil." Seren takes several steps back when the creature approaches Aspen, making sure it couldn't make a surprise strike at her for her blood.

"I think if he gets our blood, something bad will happen." She blanches when she sees the bloody bulb.

"Of course, if you all want entrance to the gardens."

Poke.

What's the plan guys?

I didn't want to keep posting since no one else has, so I'm waiting I guess.

"I don't like the idea, but I won't let my companions go unprotected... if they donate, so will I, just to protect them... " He looks to the others to see if any more are going to enter.

We're currently stalling here. As I always say, democracy is for suckers. I need a second and then I'll assume everyone is going along with it, otherwise I'm going to assume that Aspen is going in alone.

Corax hasn't posted in five days and gave no notice. I'll be dropping him.

If democracy is for suckers then Seren will ultimately submit to avoid splitting the party, as it's 2 for 1 to allow him to take the blood.

Hurray!

The strange little plant-creature extracts a sample of Seren's blood in the same manner as Aspen's. Kyra and Laureglyn reluctantly agree as well and J quickly follows suit.

"Excellent. Please follow me", it says after stowing the last blood-filled bulb on its back.

The little plant leads the party through the doors to the west.

Decaying vines carpet the walls and ceiling of this room. The floor is riddled with narrow cracks and fissures, extending several feet below.

"The bulk of our work is performed in the next chamber. I'd be happy to give you a tour if you're interested. Unless you'd prefer I bring you straight to the Master Gardener."

Am I no longer in this game? It's no longer appearing in my campaigns.

I just removed you because you hadn't posted in five days.

can we have him back...?

I have very little patience for random days-long absences. The PBP community here will never improve if we don't start maintaining a higher standard.

Carax do you have anything to say for yourself?

"I think I'd rather just see the master gardener, but Aspen might feel differently. He seems a woody sort." Seren is making a point to keep herself between Junia and the plant creature, if she's trying to be subtle about it, she's failing spectacularly as she occasionally stumbles or hops ahead to maintain her position.

Yes. You confuse the roles of GM and dictator. This is a game, not a job, and sometimes real life prevents things from working like clockwork. Gaming is a mutual entertainment and if one is made to feel like an employee, it is no longer entertaining.

Take it from someone who's been GMing for nearly four decades now: treat your players like friends, because that is the only possible justification for spending the time we do on games.

A GM should enquire as to his player's status before simply booting him.

You were arrogant and rude to those who tried to join the game a little late (you told one guy you'd "let him off with a warning" as if you were the Gaming Sheriff) and I regret having said nothing about it then. Gaming is a pointless activity if not done with the intention to enjoy each other's company. It is not an activity that meshes well with ideas of efficiency or control.

I wish you all well in your game. Feral, I wish you might reconsider your attitude before taking on any new players. There are better venues in which to exercise a love of power.

Good-bye.

Yes, this is a game. It happens to be a game that involves four other people that all agreed to the same social commitment you did. It may not be a job but you still owe everyone involved the basic courtesy you'd show for any other similar commitment. If you were going to miss a doctor's appointment you'd call ahead. If you were running late for bringing your car into the mechanic, you'd apologize. Why is it that when it comes to play by post, people think there are no standards?

You disappeared for five days without a word. When you returned you didn't apologize for the absence. Interestingly enough, you found time to post in your other games during those five days. I may not be the gaming sheriff but I am the guardian of my players' gaming experience. People that don't respect the GM's or other players' time hurt that experience and are not welcome in my games.

Have a great day!

Ok, it sounds like everyone is joining in, even if reluctantly.

Aspen nods along as the others join him in donating their blood to the tree creature. Perhaps he is naive out on his first mission, but the little halfling just can't allow himself to trust such a being.

"Well," he says when the job is done, "we've held up our end of the bargain. Can you show us around now? Help us find these papers we need?"

"Yes, of course. Right this way", the tiny plant says. "By the way, I'm Pip, the Majordomo."

Leading the party through the doors at the end of the short hallway into a small exhibit hall.

A collapsed sign near the door lists the exhibit that was on display in this gallery at the time of the earthquake: “Flowering Shrubs of Eastern Taldor”. Plants once grew in the large, ceramic planters that still hug the southern wall. Dozens of branches clinging to decaying leaves emerge from the wooden door to the north. To the east, a room with healthy trees and shrubs is visible through a glass door set in a wrought iron frame.

Pip, continues moving to the pair of eastern doors.

Dozens of healthy plants with vibrant and colorful leaves, fruit, and flowers emerge from the decay in this small greenhouse, spilling out of the pots and berths that once contained them.

"This is where the bulk of our research is performed. The plants here are unlike anything else you'll find on Golarion", it says proudly. "Here, I'll give you some samples for the road."

Pip begins picking berries and snipping leaves from various plants. When he's done he dumps the trove into Aspen's hands.

Two walnuts that function as potions of shield of faith, a tough length of ivy that functions as a potion of spider climb when chewed, two cherries that function as potions of reduce person, and two small melons that each produce the effects of potions of enlarge person.

Seren shuffles along behind the others, still playing at keeping herself between Junia and anything else. Despite her reservations and insistence that this creature is up to no good she can't help but admire the plants, speaking softly to herself in one side of a conversation about them.

"Do.. do you feed the blood to them to make them grow this way?"

Aspen takes one of the melons for himself and starts passing out the other foods to the rest of the party as he offers his thanks. He gives the others a sideways glances as if to say See? This guy's not so bad.

"Well, Pip, this is very nice of you." Aspen comments. "Junia, do you have any questions for Pip?" he prompts, hoping to get the girl involved.

Laureglyn will with thanks take one of the small melons and leave the rest for the others, though if there is a walnut left when everyone has had one, he'll take one of those as well.

"Thank you, these are quite unique and special... "