burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
★★★OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT★★★ @Table GMs: If you haven't already, please run "Beginning Part 1" on page 7 of the scenario, and then wait for the next announcement before continuing. @Players: Please have fun, and remember to explore, report and cooperate at all times.
The fourth and final day of training has come to a close at the Grand Lodge of Absalom, heralding the end of this year's Torchbearing. Pathfinders the world over attend this annual symposium to share their knowledge, teach each other new skills, and reinforce their connections across the Inner Sea and beyond. To celebrate the end of festivities, the lodge has hosted a grand banquet in the visiting agents' honor. A refreshing winter breeze blows through an open window, flickering torches and sending papers scattering. The smell of freshly baked desserts fills the air while initiates clear away the remnants of the first course.
During the annual Torchbearing, the Three Masters, along with other notable Pathfinders, taught a variety of seminars and panel discussions, from Golarion’s history to spellcasting techniques, and ran obstacle courses and a triathlon. Rumor has it, Janira Gavix offered an unauthorized but popular filking class for aspiring bards and other social misfits under 30--inches, not years. You also heard some salacious gossip about an exclusive, late-night VIP experience Zarta Dralneen arranged for some her favorites. According to one hungover Pathfinder who claimed to have been there, a disgruntled Drandle Dreg was turned away at the door.
Speaking of the imp, ever the social butterfly and self-appointed mentor-to-the-masses, the halfling bard Janira Gavix approaches your small group. “Hi, friends. It’s been awhile since last we met. Have you enjoyed the Torchbearing? I volunteered to organize all the classes again this year. Kreighton Shaine always said I should have been a teacher. Did you learn anything useful?”
Each of you should choose one skill. For the duration of this adventure, you will either treat it as a class skill or gain a +1 bonus on checks with that skill if it was already a class skill.
Janira looks over her shoulder as she catches sight of another group of Pathfinders refilling their tankards at the grog bowl. “Oh, those are some more students of mine!” She bounces on her toes as she waves at the group and they wave back. “Excuse me? I’ll need to check in with them too!” Pleased that you appreciated her pedagogical efforts, she excuses herself with a smile and moves on.
You learn all of the information whose DC is equal to or less than the result of your Diplomacy (gather information) or Knowledge (local) check.
DC 15+:
The Three Masters use the event to keep an eye out for particularly talented agents that embody the Pathfinder Society ideals: Explore, Report, and Cooperate.
DC 20+:
At the end of the Torchbearing, the most exemplary agents are publicly recognized and given special wayfinders.
DC 25+:
Sometimes Pathfinder agents disappear for hours during the course of events. Rumors suggest they are brought before The Decemvirate, but no one can agree on why.
As the Pathfinders conclude the dessert course, a small origami swan flutters through the room and lands on the center of the table. In moments, it unfolds itself into a crisp and crease-less piece of paper.
You know all of the information about the Blakros family whose DC is equal to or less than the result of your Knowledge (nobility) check.
DC 10+:
The Blakros are one of the wealthiest and most well-known merchant families from Taldor. They own a variety of businesses with interests all over the Inner Sea.
DC 15+:
For years, the Pathfinder Society and the Blakros family have been allies, even if only at arm’s length. Occasionally the family invites notable Pathfinders to one of its high-society affairs.
DC 20+:
The Blakros family has been involved with some shady organizations during its rise to power, including the Onyx Alliance and House Thrune.
You know all of the information about the Blakros museum whose DC is equal to or less than the result of your Knowledge (local) check.
DC 10+:
The Blakros Museum is located in the Wise District, owned by the Blakros family, and curated by Nigel Aldain (a former Pathfinder). It is open to the public when an exhibit is on display. Though the exterior of the building is ugly and squat, patrons marvel at how much bigger it is on the inside.
DC 15+:
The museum has been closed for the past several months, ramping up for a huge exhibit, “Legacy of the Shining Crusade,” opening next week.
DC 20+:
Rumors suggest that shadow magic makes the inside of the museum larger. A few years ago the inside changed drastically, which drew the curiosity of many in Absalom.
DC 25+:
Ralzeros the Overwatched was a powerful wizard who owned the building before the Blakros Family. Evidence suggests he cursed the building on his death. The number of accidents and strange events that occur there would seem to support that rumor.
You know all of the information about Nigel Aldain whose DC is equal to or less than the result of your Knowledge (local) check.
DC 10+:
Though the relationship between the Society and Nigel is often strained, they remain steadfast allies. Nigel often collaborates with the Society, loaning artifacts and trading information. He has obsessively researched the Shining Crusade for the past several months.
DC 15+:
Nigel is a former Pathfinder who resigned after marrying Dhrami Blakros; the position of curator was part of his marriage contract.
DC 20+:
Nigel’s museum has suffered many mishaps since he became curator, which the Society has regularly helped clean up. Nigel still tries to distance himself from the Society and act independently, but when trouble befalls the museum, he often turns to the Society for help.
DC 25+:
Recently, Nigel has spent a fortune in security for the museum, particularly in magical protections from the Arcanamirium and Golemworks in Magnimar.
A lithe woman of Tien decent looks around the gathering. Her rapier hangs loose on her hip as she maneuvers casually through the crowd. She finds her assigned group and introduces herself. "I am Gōsutoha, but those around The Society have taken to calling me Wraith. It is nice to make your acquaintance."
HP 20/20 Speed 30ft Init +5 AC 17 (T: 11, FF: 16) Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 0 CMB +6 CMD 17 BAB 2
Will take my +1 to Intimidate Gather Info:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4 K. Local Untrained: Museum:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 K. Local Untrained: Nigel:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
"What's so special about that ugly building anyway?" Xugra grunts as he puts down his pint. He'd been explaining to Janira a lecture he'd attended that gave some pointers on defusing dangerous situations through feats of strength or an imposing stance. "People say it's nicer on the inside but, I don't know, how nice could it be?"
He shifts in his seat as the origami bird flutters to their table and opens it, to read what it says, the sword on his back clacks against the back of his seat as he moves.
"Xugra, by the way. Just Xugra, no fun nicknames." He grunts while reading.
The front doors of Skyreach burst open with a loud crack. Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin strides to the edge of the platform, with a slender elf dressed in practical but expensive clothing trailing meekly behind. The red-faced venture-captain addresses the crowd in a booming voice.
“Pathfinders, I regret interrupting the festivities, but we have something of a situation. Approximately twenty minutes ago, unknown forces invaded the Blakros Museum. Fortunately for everyone involved, the Torchbearing is about cooperation and helping our colleagues, so let’s think of this less as an inconvenience and more as an opportunity to practice what we preach.”
The elf, Nigel, exhales sharply, then speaks, “Now, Ambrus, I’ve spent a king’s ransom fortifying the museum from all sorts of invaders: sentinels from the Golemworks, magical wards from the Arcanamirium, and even contracts for guard beasts, both magical and mundane—spared no expense. I didn’t want to come here, but I’ve got no choice.”
Valsin’s forced smile cracks slightly, showing his annoyance. “Out with it, Nigel. Get to the point.”
“Someone broke into my museum and set off the magical protections! I was preserving priceless Shining Crusade pieces for our new exhibit when the first alarm activated. I sent for district guards and went to investigate, but by the time I arrived, the thieves had already locked themselves in my study. They somehow caused the Shining Crusade relics to fly around the museum and attack my sentinels. Everything is going haywire! The magical traps started to target me, the sentinels are not responding to my commands, and—”
Valsin holds out a hand to steady the increasingly agitated elf. “The last you knew, the thieves were still in your study?” Nigel nods. “Very well. Pathfinders: the Seekers should prepare to teleport directly into the Blakros study—“
“That won’t work,” Nigel interrupts, “The study is magically sealed. After that dreadful Numerian exhibit, I turned it into a magical safe room. The robbers must have figured out how to activate it; no one can get in or out while the wards hold. I can work on breaking the wards, but meanwhile my sentinels are smashing up the collection. Some of those priceless relics are on loan from your own Society lodges, so helping me is really helping yourselves.”
“Fine.” Ambrus Valsin takes a deep breath and then turns to the assembled Pathfinders. “Pathfinders, go to the Blakros Museum, secure any relics you can, disable the security systems, and apprehend the looters if possible. Stay safe.”
@Table GMs: You have until October 15 to run Part A on page 10 and Part B on page 14, in whatever order you choose.
Dozens of Wise District guards surround the Blakros Museum. The sergeant nods to Ambrus Valsin as he approaches, a subtle smirk dancing across the venture-captain’s face. The museum itself is alight with swirling whorls of color and the sounds of metal and stone clashing. Occasionally, brief flashes of light burst from the front entrance, illuminating a toppled banner that says “Legacy of the Shining Crusade.”
The broad-shouldered, middle-aged Ulfen man salutes, a somewhat bemused expression on his face. “Well met, Venture-Captain Valsin. I am Svaralk of Asleifar, Sergeant of the Learned Guard. The Guard appreciates your assistance.” He points to his subordinates, “Our initial attempt to quell the animated relics within failed. I’ve ordered the Guard to withdraw and form a perimeter.”
Ambrus Valsin returns the sergeant’s salute, a gesture of mutual respect. “You once served in Grand Prince Stavian III’s Ulfen Guard, did you not?”
Svaralk nods, “That’s right. Afterwards, I retired to Absalom and have served this city for seven years. This is not the first catastrophe I’ve responded to at the Blakros Museum, though none has been quite so dramatic as this. As if anyone needed further proof of the museum’s reputation for trouble.”
The Ulfen confides to the Venture-Captain, “After Nigel Aldain harangued me for dereliction of duty in not immediately retaking the museum, I’m in no rush to sacrifice the lives under my command until the warring creatures inside wear each other down.” He holds up a hand and shakes his head, “I don’t hold Nigel Aldain’s outburst against him. I recognize the elf is rightfully concerned—albeit rather precious—about his exhibit.”
Svaralk turns to your team of Pathfinders and says, “Before you enter, I can provide you an overview of the museum’s layout and tell you that there are animated relics and guard animals on the ground level, and clockwork creatures skirmishing with each other on the floor above. We also have an especially challenging problem in the gardens at the southeast corner of the museum grounds. Some kind of magical runes displaying swarm-like behavior, more magical devices really than living creatures. They proved too complicated a challenge for me and my guards; we simply lacked the skills to disable them.”
The group will have the option to head into the museum, where the animated relics are causing issues, or head to the garden to work on the more challenging (and higher difficulty) issue.
Sigh... hopefully I'm just getting all the bad rolls out of the way now...
Deenha happily greets Wraith as an old friend. She shyly introduces herself to the others. "Hi, I'm Deenha. I'm glad to meet all of you."
After hearing about the situation, she looks at the others. "I know a little about magic, if you want to work on the magical runes in the garden. Otherwise, we can go inside first."
Ny'a is a small gnome, dressed in the simple yet formidable garb of one of Iomedae's holy warriors, but with a shock of brightly colored hair--blue this day, it seems.
She beams when Janira joins their group. "I had so much fun at your class! I know that Iomedae doesn't leave much room in her doctrine for that kind of public performance, but those kinds of dramatics will definitely help when I have to scare a crowd into shape with the fear over their eternal souls! Haha, so fun!"
She gives the halfling a big hug. "And your advice about using a small dog or wolf as a mount to get around, brilliant! I'd already arranged for one; he's at my apartment now! I didn't bring him tonight, you know, because the Three Masters obviously use this event to find exemplary agents, and you know I'd never be seen as exemplary if I had some silly canine begging everyone for treats... or doing his business in the corner! You know what I mean! I'd sure like to be one of those agents awarded at the end, Iomedae willing, of course; you know they give special wayfinders to the best agents!" She waves goodbye to the friendly halfling as Janira wanders off to greet other agents.
Female LG Gnome Paladin of Iomedae 5 | HP: 44/44 | AC: 24 23 (13 12 Tch, 22 Fl) | CMD: 18 17 (16 Fl) | F: +12 +11, R: +9 +7, W: +10 +9 | Init: +2 +1 | Perc: +1, SM +4 | Speed 15ft | Active conditions: cloak of resistance +2, belt of incredible dexterity +2, nexus crystal, protection from evil
The gnome stands quick and proudly when their orders are give out. "Ready to report!" she exclaims, to nobody in particular. "I just need to stop by my apartment and pick up a few things; it's on the way!"
She quickly greets the group that she seems to have been paired with. "Ny'a, good to meet you! Wraith, Deenha, Xugra, yes. Good to meet you. Looking forward to the work. Explore, Report, Cooperate! Yay!" Shaking hands with both urgency and enthusiasm, she excuses herself before most of the others can respond. "Gotta pick up my dog. These legs are short and I'll never keep up with you without him! Apartment's close; I'll meet you at the museum!" And she's off, out the front doors as quick as she can.
True to her word, she meets you, astride a somewhat raggedy riding dog with a blue merle pattern--probably some kind of shepherd breed.
"I don't know much about magic; I'm probably best when I can charge with my lance or swing my sword! But I'll help wherever I can!"
HP 20/20 Speed 30ft Init +5 AC 17 (T: 11, FF: 16) Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 0 CMB +6 CMD 17 BAB 2
"Well, I don't know anything about magical runes, but I can swing this sword at animals and constructs as long as you want. What about you Wraith, any good with magic? Maybe Ny'a and I can cover you while you handle the runes." Xugra says as they prepare to enter the museum.
He eyes the gnome on her dog a little suspiciously but is otherwise ready to go.
I agree that we should pick up a 5th and/or 6th if we can to make things easier, though I'm sure the scenario has rules to account for parties of 4, most do.
Sounds like it's into the museum. Hopefully site cooperates better today. It was down 3 of 4 times I tried to log in yesterday. I'm waiting to hear back from 2 players that I contacted to fill gaps.
Under a sign that reads “The Shining Armory,” priceless Shining Crusade artifacts displayed on pedestals creak and move by some unseen force. Eerie light seems to dart between the objects while the din of a raging battle echoes throughout the chamber. The central feature is a low, artificial hill atop which stand two stuffed owlbears surrounded by shattered undead foes. Each of the beasts wears chainmail barding and an orange-and-black caparison depicting a stylized owlbear. A dead man dressed in furs lies on the floor before a suit of full-plate armor.
-----
Knowledge (arcana) DC 13:
SHINING CRUSADE BANNER
You know for sure that a normal banner cannot move by himself. Even less when it is trying to attack you. One thing for sure, this animated object move like it was haunted. Like it is a part of the will of the Shining Crusade.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
Female LG Gnome Paladin of Iomedae 5 | HP: 44/44 | AC: 24 23 (13 12 Tch, 22 Fl) | CMD: 18 17 (16 Fl) | F: +12 +11, R: +9 +7, W: +10 +9 | Init: +2 +1 | Perc: +1, SM +4 | Speed 15ft | Active conditions: cloak of resistance +2, belt of incredible dexterity +2, nexus crystal, protection from evil
Ny'a uses her knees to direct her riding dog over to the dead man on the ground. She keeps them both oriented with her lance pointed towards the haunted--and somewhat menacing--banner. "If someone wants to investigate this body here, I've got you covered."
As you step into the museum, you seem many pathfinders engaged with other "creatures" inside the museum. One group fights armor and weapons and armor that have come to life. Another fights a large stuffed bear that has animated. You are almost immediately set upon by a banner, which begins flying in your direction.
Banner Weakness: The banner is haunted by spirits. Although it is an object (construct) it can be affected by positive energy and detected as undead.
[I]
Conditions
None
Initiative (bold may post. In interest of timing, I'll generally try to get everyone's posts at all times, and will resolve things in init order)
Female LG Gnome Paladin of Iomedae 5 | HP: 44/44 | AC: 24 23 (13 12 Tch, 22 Fl) | CMD: 18 17 (16 Fl) | F: +12 +11, R: +9 +7, W: +10 +9 | Init: +2 +1 | Perc: +1, SM +4 | Speed 15ft | Active conditions: cloak of resistance +2, belt of incredible dexterity +2, nexus crystal, protection from evil
When the animated banner starts floating down to attack, Ny'a shows a little bit of internal conflict. The Shining Crusade... Iomedae fought there when she was still but a mortal! These banners could have flown--simply must have flown--over the same battlefields where she found her glory! How can I... but I must. There's no choice; they are attacking!
With a light kick of her heel, she urges the dog forward, charging towards the banner.
Ny'a and Xugra attack the banner, quickly tearing it to shreds. However, even in it's torn up state, it fights on, with it's tatters attempting to engulf the gnome to knock or pull her from her dog. She is able to fend off the banner, keeping her seat on the dog, preparing to counterattack the animated object.
HP 20/20 Speed 30ft Init +5 AC 17 (T: 11, FF: 16) Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 0 CMB +6 CMD 17 BAB 2
Xugra strikes again hoping to actually fell the banner this time and he feels the satisfying crunch as his sword cuts through the construct and leaves shreds on the floor.
Feeling suddenly inspired, Xugra completely destroys what is left of the banner, leaving little left to recover for the exhibits.
Success reported
Seeing the main exhibit hall pretty well under control, you are able to take note of what is around you. One of the side exhibits sounds like there is some kind of commotion coming from that direction. The stairs lead to the second floor and another set of exhibits. Many pathfinders are heading that way looking for the source of the problem. The garden outside still has teams of wizards working on controlling the wards of the museum. I'll take the first direction with two votes.
HP 20/20 Speed 30ft Init +5 AC 17 (T: 11, FF: 16) Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 0 CMB +6 CMD 17 BAB 2
"Looks like they got things handled upstairs, let's see what's going on in that exhibit over there." Xugra says, pointing toward the commotion at the side exhibit.
Long shadows cast by ruined displays and broken furniture litter the floor. A humanoid-shaped figure made of shattered clockwork lies slumped over a bench. Above, an elaborately painted sign reads “Crusader’s Chronicles.”
-----
Knowledge (nature) DC 10:
DOGS
They are more confused and afraid from the chaos around them. Nonetheless, they are aggressive.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
Knowledge (nature) DC 11:
ALPHA DOG
That is a big dog. Perfect for a halfling to ride on it. Now, it is just trying guard the place.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
Ny'a investigates the shattered clockwork man, staying cautious. After the attack by the banner, she didn't trust that anything might not animate somehow.
They look like normal, although trained, dogs. No resistances, no weaknesses, no special attacks. One is just bigger than the others. The dogs seem to have taken down the clockwork thing, which is no longer working, and is partially in pieces. Three dogs are still on their feet, with a 4th one that looks to have been a casualty of the clockwork construct before they took it down.
HP 20/20 Speed 30ft Init +5 AC 17 (T: 11, FF: 16) Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 0 CMB +6 CMD 17 BAB 2
"Are these dogs our enemy?" Xugra says with an eyebrow raised. "They seem confused, but they've killed one of those clockwork things. Seems like we're on the same side, right?"
His sword is out, but he's unsure what to do with it so he waits for his fellow Pathfinders.
Female LG Gnome Paladin of Iomedae 5 | HP: 44/44 | AC: 24 23 (13 12 Tch, 22 Fl) | CMD: 18 17 (16 Fl) | F: +12 +11, R: +9 +7, W: +10 +9 | Init: +2 +1 | Perc: +1, SM +4 | Speed 15ft | Active conditions: cloak of resistance +2, belt of incredible dexterity +2, nexus crystal, protection from evil
I'm just confused, because when we entered the room there was only this clockwork construct, and now suddenly there are dogs. I missed something, somewhere, I guess. But Ny'a might actually be able to do something here, it's a long shot....
Ny'a takes a good look at the dogs, and focuses her attention on the larger dog. Thinking it is likely to be a pack leader, she attempts to get the animal to stand down, in hopes that the rest of the pack will follow its lead.
"Push" an Animal: To push an animal means to get it to perform a task or trick that it doesn't know but is physically capable of performing. This category also covers making an animal perform a forced march or forcing it to hustle for more than 1 hour between sleep cycles. If the animal is wounded or has taken any nonlethal damage or ability score damage, the DC increases by 2. If your check succeeds, the animal performs the task or trick on its next action.
Handle Animal wrote:
Down: The animal breaks off from combat or otherwise backs down. An animal that doesn't know this trick continues to fight until it must flee (due to injury, a fear effect, or the like) or its opponent is defeated.
If anyone else is trained in Handle Animal, an Aid check here might actually make this Push action succeed.
[occ]The dog were brought in to guard the museum, of course, the same could be said for the spell that animated the banner and other things in the first room. The mechanical golem was likely a museum guard too. All of these things are in the museum to keep others out of it...like you. [/ooc]
The dogs back down, taking the food and settling into a corner of the exhibit. They still seem agitated by the strange things that are going on in here, but are noticeably more docile than before feeding and calming them. Some other pathfinders look to be about to charge in and kill the dogs, until you spread the word they have been taken care of.
The threats on the first floor look to be taken care of, so you head upstairs to the second floor.
------------------------------
Gears, glass, and chunks of wax litter the polished wood floor under a sign that proclaims “Scars of the Lich.” The corpse of a Kellid warrior lies in a pool of blood, her furs soaked through. A constant ticking and whirring sound echoes in this area.
-----
Knowledge (arcana) DC 13:
WAX GOLEM
The proud crusader who is rushing toward you is not alive. He is made of wax, you see. Also, there a crenellated tower and chisel symbol encrusted on the back of both hands. This is the proof that you are against a golem made by Golemworks. Luckily for the party, it looks like Nigel didn’t add weapons on him.
Still, a slam of a one thousand pounds of wax hurts quite a lot.
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
HP 20/20 Speed 30ft Init +5 AC 17 (T: 11, FF: 16) Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 0 CMB +6 CMD 17 BAB 2
"Glad we didn't have to kill the dogs. Wouldn't have sit to well with me. The banner was doing it's job too, but, well...you know." The half-orc shrugs and hefts his sword as they party heads up stairs. With the wax golem in sight, he charges ahead, swinging toward his new foe.
Here I was waiting for additional posts, and it was on me. My previous post evidently got eaten which explains why nobody was responding to it. Was sick, so didn't check as often as normal on top of it.
gm screen:
slam:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
The wax crusader takes a heavy blow putting a huge gash in it, but it continues to function, striking back at Xugra with it's wax sword, but the blade lacks the force of a real sword and fails to penetrate his armor.
The wax soldier falls to the floor before it is able to strike again. The stairs to the third floor seems to still be clogged up by pathfinders trying to fight their way through other automations and golems. The rest of the floor looks to have been pacified.
Success reported. You can head outside to help with the wards, or you can wait for the stairs to clear out (which is waiting on an event. Your dice rolling is killing things faster than expected. The stairs will open up tomorrow which is a more substantial encounter with some RP opportunity.
A high-pitched buzz pervades the museum, rising in frequency to the point of being inaudible. A moment later, a rolling boom echoes through the museum like thunder, and the glowing wards around the museum begin to fade.
@Table GMs: The “Failing Wards” condition on page 9 is now in effect.
After a loud crack and a ripple of arcane energy, silence falls across the museum as the construct guards freeze in place and haunted relics drop to the ground. Nigel’s voice rings out, magically projected throughout the museum: “We’ve disabled the magical security measures. Since we haven’t found the thieves yet, they must be hiding in my third-story study. Please subdue them; they have much to answer for!”
The clatter of a Pathfinder toppling a clockwork defender garbles some of Nigel Aldain’s announcement, and there are still intermittent sounds of battle throughout the museum. There’s no question that the Society’s efforts have quelled the worst of the trouble, and hopefully that will reassure whoever hides on the third floor.
@Table GMs: You have until October 19 to run Part C on page 14. The “Subdued Defenses” condition on page 16 is in effect.
