First Steps, part I: In Service to Lore (Inactive)

Game Master Dinuci

Yes, lets talk to Mr Salhar. Mollok says making his way to the wise quarter.

Jeffrey's eyebrows go up, down, up, and down again while he looks at Ollysta. He then waves her goodbye, and leaves her office while continuing to smile widely.

"Sure, let's go there," Jeffrey says to his fellow Pathfinders, having no real preference for the order in which they do their tasks.

"Salhar it is," Saarai agrees.

You make your way to the rich estate of Grand Councilmember Dremdhet Salhar, and are greeted by a guard who is expecting you as you reach the tall, wrought-iron gate. Once you are inside, a servant tells you Salhar is not present, called away on important Council business, but his most trusted advisor is available to negotiate any business you require. The servant explains this while leading you down well decorated hallways, past expansive rooms. After a few minutes, you arrives at a simple study near the end of a long hallway. Inside Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, a tan-skinned old man sits behind a desk flipping through pages in a large tome. Scraps of paper jut from the book marking over two dozen different places. As you approache the open door, the wise sage silently gestures you into the study with one thin hand, while closing the tome with the other after finishing what he was reading. Once you are all inside the study, he addresses you.

“Good day to you, Pathfinders. I am Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, advisor to Master Salhar. I understand you were sent here to discuss archaeological permissions. Knowing this was coming, I spoke with Master Salhar at length on the subject and have this to say.

“Master Salhar remains impressed by the Pathfinder Society, orating in their favor a handful of times in front of Absalom’s Grand Council, in fact. Due to previous relationships between him and the Society, Master Salhar has agreed to grant permission to the Pathfinder Society to explore his family’s vaults below Sothis. The only thing he requires is that you retrieve the map of the vaults from his own vault here. The servant will lead you to the basement and show you the room.”

The Sapphire Sage’s eyes twinkle as he smirks knowingly, then he turns back to reading his book as though he had never been disturbed.

After leaving Amenopheus’ study, the servant brings you back through the spacious estate, leading you down sturdy stone steps into the cool basement. Down a hallway, after a couple turns, you end up at a plain wooden door. The servant opens the door, gesturing to the room with a bow, and waits silently for you to enter.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

”get so etching from his own basement? What an odd request." Maqan shrugs, and heads down the stairs to look into the vault. (Darkvision)

sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Seems straightforward enough," Saarai says. "Let's grab it and get out of here," she agrees as she moves down the stairs with Maqan.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Jeffrey shrugs and follows the others inside the vault.

We'll see what happens.

SM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
I think we are still being followed. Mollok remarks while still on the street.

At the study the tiefling bows deeply to the Sapphire Sage and follows the servant to the basement.

The servant beckons you inside, once you are all in he closes the door behind you. After the door is closed you hear a key turning in the lock. You hear the servant call out before you hear steps fading away in the corridor.
"You have half an hour."
On the inside of the door is written:
“Within these cases lies your quest and your way out.”

A plain stone room contains three chests: a copper-banded chest of smooth, dark wood; a red lacquered chest; and what looks to be a cube of solid steel. Behind the chests sits a low table holding a clear glass jar half full of liquid and a covered wicker basket.

Good luck on the third quest :) I personally really liked this part!

"Hmm..." Maqan goes over to inspect the red lacquered chest.

Saarai examines the room closely as Maqan moves to the chest, but gets distracted.

I don't like being trapped in here.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Mollok inspects the jar and the basket.
Perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Jeffrey walks over to the iron chest and inspects it.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

"It's an iron bench," Jeffrey concludes, and for a moment sits down on the iron chest.

He takes a look around him, stands up again, and inspects the other objects.

Perception, Copper-banded chest: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Perception, Red lacquered chest: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Perception, Basket: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Perception, Jar: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

"The liquid in this jar look drinkable... What do you guys think?"

Whoops
Perception on Red Chest: 1d20 ⇒ 1

This you find after a closer inspection of the chamber.

• The wicker basket seems an ordinary basket.
• The gallon-sized clear glass jar is about half full with clear liquid. At the bottom of the vessel sits a jeweled brass key
• The copper-banded chest has a keyhole in it.
• The smooth, red lacquered chest looks devious. The solid metal plate surrounding the gaping keyhole pulses with glowing amber runes.
• The steel cube has only the faintest crack where its lid meets the base, and is completely featureless save for its narrow keyhole.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Saarai looks around the room.

"I suppose this is a puzzle of some sort," she says. She moves toward the clear glass jar, removes a fishing hook and some string from her pack, and tries to fish out the key.

Although the content of the jar seems water you are able to distinguish that it is not so. After a closer inspection you see that this is a acid jar trap.

After a few tries and some patience you manage to pull the key out of the jar. You now have the jeweled key. The key does not seem to match any of the chests in any way.

Not much else to see with perception here :)

"Never go skinny dipping in strange water," Saarai mutters almost inaudibly. "Learn some things the hard way."

She looks at the chests. "Not sure where this key fits in...should we start opening chests?"

Jeffrey hears Saarai mention skinny dipping, and has a hard time not saying something he shouldn't say to the female tiefling.

"Sure," Jeffrey replies to Saarai. "Which one first? I like the red one."

"I think maybe two of these chests also hold keys. Or maybe just one of them."

Maqan utters a word of power, and studies the red chest for half a minute with eyes that now glow a dull red.

Casing detect magic. Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12.

You find that the chest is just a normal chest.

"Well, that's deceiving."

Maqan pokes at one of the runes surrounding the keyhole to see if it changes when interacted with.

Nothing happens. It's just a normal chest with some fancy decoration.

This chest really reminds me of this. :P

Mollok casts detect magic and inspects the three chests and the basket for auras.

Saarai checks to see if the key she found in the acid opens any of the chests.

"Quite the puzzle," she says.

If the order in which we try to open the chests matters I suggest Saarai first tries the red chest, because that one was the only one suggested by someone?

Jeffrey watches Saarai try the key on the first chest, curious to see if anything will happen.

"With a bit of luck that chest holds the map we need."

Saarai tries the red chest first, then copper, then steel.

Take 20 perception on each for 24.

From the wicker basket you seem to feel a faint aura of transmutation.

The chests:
When you place and turn the key in the red chest nothing happens, it keeps turning in the lock meeting no resistance.

Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 10
When you place the key in the copper-banded chest nothing happens either, although you get some resistance from the lock.

As you place the key in the steel chest and turn it, it breaks and falls into dust. You have lost the key!

Next:
You now only have one option left, the wicker basket. When you lift the lid of the basket you see a blue stone key, the object giving off the aura, atop a pile of crumpled linens. The runes on the key seem to match those surrounding the keyhole of the red lacquered chest.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Saarai looks into the basket carefully. Was still hoping to take 20 on this, which would give a 24, if possible.

No magic auras from the chests?

Perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Carefull. I see a snake hidden inside the basket. Take a step back guys, I have an idea. Mollok waits for his companions to clear the area, picks up the jar of acid and pours it inside the basket from as much distance as he can.

Jeffrey takes his shield and sword. He stands ready to attack the snake if the acid doesn't kill it, and the snake decides to attack someone.

Readied attack: attack the snake if it, or just a part of it like the head, comes out of the basket.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Confirm crit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

@Mollok, I did exactly the same thing! And no, the only magic aura is from the key :)

Acid Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Reflex save snake: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
The snake lives after the acid but is immediately beheaded by Jeffrey. Mollok was a bit careless with the jar and both Jeffrey and Mollok receive 1 acid damage, assuming everyone else is out of range.

Everyone within 5 feet of the jar takes 1 dmg, I assumed Jeffrey was also in reach to attack.

Mollok grabs the dry spots of the basket and shakes it contents free on the ground. The key bounces on the ground and is safe to grab.

"Good eye, Mollok," Saarai says. She moves to take the new key in the red chest, then the copper chest, then the steel chest.

Mollok do a small bow to Saarai and thanks Jeffrey for the assistence.
Thank you Mr Warren.

Sorry, team, a busy couple of work days.

Maqan jumps back when the snake shows it's head, and jumps back further when the acid splashes around. She watches carefully while Saarai puts key to lock on the red chest.

Jeffrey gives Mollok a quick nod. "You're welcome, no problem."

No problem, as long as it keeps going :)

As you try the key on the red chest it opens without needing the key to be turned. inside you find a key forget into the end of a jeweled ceptre.

The key on the copper banded chest.
Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 16

The steel chest still doesn't move if tried with the key.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Maqan watches Saarai to see what she pulls out of the chest, then turns to think about the steel chest some more.

"Ha! This copper chest is an illusion!" says Saarai.

"We're eliminating choices, though. It's certain to be in the last chest."

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Look up, we unlock some mechanism. Got ourselfs a new key, do you guys see it? Mollok says pointing at the golden key.

Read the spoiler guys.

"Would you look at that! Huh. Well, none of us are tall enough to reach it. Do any of you think you can knock it down with a dagger or something?"

Jeffrey takes a look at the key Mollok points out to the others.

"I got an idea," Jeffrey says, and throws his bastard sword at the rope the key's hanging from.

Throw Bastard Sword, -4 Improvised Throw Weapon: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 19 Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Jeffrey picks up his bastard sword when it hits the floor. If the key's come down he'll sheath the sword, and picks up the key. He'll then use the key on the remaining chest.

Why throw a dagger if you can throw something bigger? :P

Damage wasn't really needed, but ah well... I'm pretty sure Jeffrey just killed that rope :)

Ropeslayer

The book said to let the players come up with creative solutions... This is definitely one. But maybe ask everyone to stand back next time :P
Jeffrey throws the sword and it cuts the rope, the sword bounces off the ceiling and falls dangerously close to you guys. The key falls to the floor. You are now in posession of the small golden key and the jeweled sceptre key.

"That was an interesting solution," Saarai says to Jeffrey. "Well thrown."

Saarai tries both keys on the remaining non-illusion chests after carefully searching them for traps.

Take 20 on perception for 24 on each chest before opening.

I think one of them is already open. One key should open the other and maybe the second key will open the exit door?

Jeffrey shrugs as Saarai snatches the key from his hand, just when he was about to open the remaining chest. He puts his shield on his back again, closes the now empty red chest, and sits down on top of it. From there he watches Saarai open the iron chest.

Quoting Dinuci: "As you place the key in the steel chest and turn it, it breaks and falls into dust. You have lost the key!"

1 chest is fake, 1 is now empty, and the iron chest remains. We only have 1 key, which is the golden key.

Also said: "You are now in posession of the small golden key and the jeweled sceptre key."

Yea, I too think we have two keys. Not sure if the order you try them on the iron chest matters.

Maqan watches curiously.

Sorry, was at the beach until today. Getting back online.