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Aakif checks his shining wayfinder for the nearest source of evil (within 60 feet, I believe). He will also cast detect magic, but does not have spellcraft or arcana. Assuming nothing immediately hostile attacks, Aakif says: "I agree, this room looks dangerous. If we need to, I can summon a creature in the room to give us support in case we are attacked."
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An ominous phrase springs from Luisila’s mouth. “Got an off the wall idea, guys!”
Without waiting for a reaction, she ploughs ahead. “It seems Brother Tarik is dead-dead, or as Schultz would say, ‘tötally töt-töt’ What say we create a fine mist of water to dampen down the dust and while we’re waiting for it to settle, we make sure the rest of the house is free of hostiles. Once it’s secure, we come back and check the body?”
Death was made certain only because Stabilize failed and he's not breathing. Knowing his ability to act, he could (in theory) be reenacting a Tony Montana-esque sleeping scene. There are no ghoul-esque elements in play here. Correct on the weeks thing, though.
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Aakif casts create water in the room, hoping to remove the dust from the air. If the first casting works, he repeats the spell several times to clear the room of dust.
Just to test out the ability, Aakif will use his Secret Caster ability to disguise his casting. I have to make two checks: bluff vs sense motive (because the spell has a verbal component) and sleight of hand vs perception (because the spell has a somatic component).
Modifiers: -10 (spell has a range longer than touch) and -0 (2x spell level - spell has an observable effect).
Anyone who observes or hears Aakif can make these rolls.
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Luisila holds her head at a slight angle as she crosses her arms to watch the Dawnflower Dissident’s Mad Skillz.
“Cool ability, A. I only wish the Savored Sting offered something similar.” Her tone might be a little dry.
Luisila turns around, raises her eyebrows and silently mouths so that only Bray, Cleaver and Ryster can see.
The archer-cleric yo-yo’s her longbow back into her left hand on its weapon cord and asks seriously, “Do we want to check the rest of the house or the body first? I’m good with either.”
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"A-HA! I bet you didn't expect water to just..... You saw that, didn't you? Well, that ability doesn't work as well on ranged spells. Great for buffing during a villainous monologue though! I don't know what that dust is, but it doesn't look like we're going to get rid of it. Let's check the body first, then look for the artifact. I'm willing to go in first, unless someone else wants to."
If no one else volunteers, Aakif will enter the room and inspect the body.
The dead body is a dead body, once surrounded by ceramic jar chunks (like, hand-sized at the smallest) and dust.
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Even covering his eyes to block out any possible dust Brachus still notes Aakif casting a spell to create some water..but is polite enough not to mention as he nods at Luislia and winks
Tarik died of suffocation less than an hour ago. Other than the fact that he is dead, Tarik appears to have been in good health and shows no signs of a struggle or injury.""
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“Less than an hour ago, Bray?!? The assassin may still be here then.”
Luisila kneels to examine the fine mud coating the marble floor, that a few minutes ago was dust. “I really don’t like the look of this stuff. I think we should SPREAD OUT once we find the Shadow Lodge agent. Bray, how many times can you use that ‘see through walls’ ability?”
Luisila thinks some more. “I saw signs of something round-bottomed near the doorway before the water washed the dust away … perhaps that was the dust container/bomb? If Bray can’t see through all the doors first, I’m wondering if we should look through the windows of the house from outside to do our reconnaissance and then break a window to get entry to the right room?”
Nothing but the dead body, the ceramic chunks, and a lot of dusty water pooled up in puddles are to be found inside this room. Were one to attempt reassembling them, it would probably be either a vase or a bigger-than-a-breadbox ceramic jar.
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"Speak with dead, augury.... it just feels like we're missing something here."
Aakif will search the walk-in cupboards. Take 10 perception = 30.
"Hmmm... suffocation... isn't there a magical dust that does that? Maybe that was the cursed item?"
Does that shattered vase happen to look Osirion in nature? Aakif will carefully gather as much "dust" as possible into a container (another urn?). If no container is readily available, Aakif will empty his waterskin and collect the dust in that, scooping it up with a cloth and trying to avoid touching the dust... you know, just in case. He'll also gather the pieces of the vase and wrap them in a cloth (or his cloak) for transport back to the VC.
There is actually very little dust; the smallest chunk is about the size of one's hand. Putting it back together might be possible, be it by magic or knowing how pottery works.
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While it’s only been a few minutes, it seems to Luisila that she’s spent all day racking her brain trying to think up a creative way to help put humpty dumpty back together again.
I’ve got it! Sovereign glue! What a shame we haven’t got any …
Hmm … If the vase is cursed, maybe I could recite the verbal components to break enchantment backwards and *cast* repair enchantment!
*Sigh* I've got nuthin.
Then Brachus comes to the rescue!
“Wow, Bray! I’m impressed. Before you cut up that tanglefoot bag, I would have thought the possibility of successfully putting this pottery back together would be approximately 3,720:1”
T10 is acceptable as a lead (though never as a T10) and the tanglefoot bag does a decent job as a glue, though you're pretty sure you're not supposed to have "bonus pieces" leftover after you finish.
Coincidentally, a very familiar Sgt romps his way into ze room, looking as concerned as always. He salutes (which one could guess is even his casual greeting,) "Pazfinders, a conzerning occurrance arises. Ve have capturred a suzpicious up eendividual. Said zhou vere at zis scene und hour ago, vich I am avare iz a lie. Ve have detained him at ze gates, but he refuzes to answer our kwvestions und insists upon crying in ze stead of telling us ze truth."
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With a wry grin, “I’m so proud of you, Cleaver! Those elocution and deportment lessons have really paid off.”
Luisila looks pleased to see the Kopesh-Sergeant. “My all mean, Schultzy! Let’s go see what he has to say. Schultzy’s men can probably watch the vase, Aakif. It’ll give ‘em something to talk about anyway.”
She takes the Chelaxian’s arm on the way, “I’m always happy meeting new people and seeing new things. Are there any sights to see in Sothis itself? Would one have to overnight somewhere to visit the Pyramids?”
A guard is posted to watch the house and "Goose statue." "I just don't get modern art nowadays..." he notes as the group is led to a station house not five minutes away. Shultz proves mediocre at small talk (though still quite alert) as he tries to keep his All Business demeanor while still answer the queries. "Zere are many places eeven vissin dome to see, but know notzing of any pyramids."
Inside are a pair of guards (each at an entrance) that appear to feel very awkward for detaining a boy no older than 12 who is (metaphorically) crying his eyes out. Shultz gestures towards the boy, "Zat vould be him. Sez zat 'strange people vere breaking into ze residence about an hour ago' but has since turned to begging to not go to jail und refusing to describe zese o-zer culprits." The boy confirms this by sliding his way against a wall to keep a maximum distance between him and the Sgt.
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Aakif tries to look as non-threatening as possible, makes sure his holy symbol of Sarenrae is visible, and kneels down next to the boy. "Young man, we are not going to hurt you, but we would like you to answer some questions for us. First, are you hungry or thirsty?". Aakif will provide rations or water if the boy requests them. "Did you actually see someone enter this building, or did someone else want you to lie about this? These men here are guards, so it is important that you tell the truth. If there are people causing trouble in this city, we need to help catch them before they hurt someone else. Tell us what happened."
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Luisila looks aghast. “It’s just a little boy! What have you done that he is so frightened of you?”
Luisila walks over to the boy and gives him a hug. “There-there, Sweet Heart. Now you tell Tante Luisila, Oom Aakif and Oom Brachus what you saw.”
“Hij said ZHOU vere at zis scene und hour ago …”
“Hij sez zat 'strange people vere breaking into ze residence about an hour ago'”
Luisila looks up sharply from the embrace and her eyes narrow as she focuses on the Kopesh-Sergeant. “Schultzy … are you calling us strange?”
“SCHULTZY!” Luisila looks aghast. “It’s just a little boy!”
"Ja, und he has broken ze law by obstructing justice vis lies! He haz merely been adequately detained und haz been verry compliant physically to zis point; I hav had no reazon to restrain him ozerwize."
“Schultzy … are you calling us strange?”
Shultz remains as serious as ever, "It wood not be me, I am qvoting ze one jou are hugging at ze moment."
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Meanwhile the boy (on whom no illusions are detected) does not accept the offer of food and drink, but does calm down a little. The Osirioni boy tells his story through the still-prevalent sobs. "Th-there a l-lady with a big cloak an-and a sp-spear. Couldn't s-see her, b-but sh-she brought me in-into th-the dome a-and gave me a g-g-gold piece t-to t-tell the g-g-guard wh-wh-when people w-w-with those s-s-stone t-tablets w-with the-the axes on th-them show up. B-but th-them the sc-scary guuuy threw m-me in here!"
To put it mechanically, chances are use of the Intimidate skill was used to get the boy to stay. While hardened veterans of combat like yourselves might find the guards antics laughable, a kid'll be compliant for his 1d6 minutes, then say stuff like "threw him in here."
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Luisila releases the boy and gives him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, before walking over to the acting-Watch commander.
" ... I am qvoting ze one jou are hugging at ze moment."
She crosses her arms and looks the Chelaxian in the eye. “Not suffering a gaze attack from the green-eyed monster are we, sergeant?” She smiles but doesn’t take her eye off the man.
“Any idea what these ‘stone tablets with axes on them’ are? He doesn’t mean the 'glyph of the open road', does he?’”
Schultz momentarily looks around for a literal monster before realizing the hidden meaning. His eyes go wide as he realized what his silence might have agreed to. "Zat is naht ze case! I am just a dutiful servhant of ze public!"
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"Thank you. Please tell us more about this lady with a spear. What color hair did she have? Did she have anything that made her stand out, like maybe a big nose? What exactly do you mean that you couldn't see her?"
Aakif then turns to Sgt Shultz. "Sergeant, it appears that this lady with the spear tricked this child into breaking the law. If there is a fine for his punishment, I will pay it."
"Nein, zere is much papervork to fill before ah verdict may be given. Iz how ze rrules go, ja?"
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The kid has little in means of an answer to the question of description. He describes that it was only a very brief meeting with the woman (presumably, judging by voice) telling the kid to follow her, to put on a nicer set of clothes she happened to have, and then to alert the guard when any individuals enter the house and to specifically mention the glyph. As he did, Shultz put him in this room and informed him of his legal rights.
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Wow. Good thing we got the cooperation of the guard. This could be awkward.
"This lady will be difficult to locate. Sergeant, if we encounter this woman, could we bring her in to your custody? This would be another opportunity for us to help each other. Our opponents seem to know the locations that we were sent to investigate, and I do not like this. If we are ready to move to the next location, we should be watchful for anyone taking an interest in our group."
"Ja, vould be our job, no? Do naht fhorget your Cursed Goose Statue at ze house. Our mages ahre too svamped wiz vork to handle zees sings."
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"Of course, but we would be honored to assist you with this, especially since someone seems intent upon framing Pathfinders for things they did not do."
If the group agrees, we will take the "cursed goose statue" back to the Pathfinders and head to the next location. Can anyone think of anything else we need to do here?
Back at the house, the guard inside is a little panic-y, as the vase has fallen apart, resting mostly in ine puddle. When *whoever is first through the door* comes through, he tries to get their attention. "Whoa, uh, *Sir/Ma'am*, your, uh, cursed thing... fell apart. You know, though, I've been looking into going into the Mage business and am taking a few classes at the Uni, so I was curious: do you take something like this to a magic potter, or does any potsmith do?"
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Luisila is nearly finished questioning the boy. “Where were you when you got recruited? Did you see where the cloaked lady went after she’d finished briefing you? Did she mention she might have more work for you in the future and how to get in touch with her?”
“I've been looking into going into the Mage business …”
Clearly unimpressed with the guard’s ability to, well … GUARD THE STATUE!! Luisila responds, “Want my advice? Don’t quit your Day Job.”
She *sighs* “Asking one of the city’s clerics of Abadar to *cast* make whole will cost us 60gp.” She *shrugs* “Maybe one of VC Balentiir’s people will do it for free? It’ll only set us back 12gp each in any event.”
She turns a cold eye on Schultz’s man. “Hey! You can make it up to us by telling us what all the chatter amongst the ranks was about before. If you answer honestly, Schultzy never need find out what you’ve done.”
“Ok, guys.” Luisila turns to her companions. “Is it time to secure the mansion?”
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“I’m OK with *ahem* chipping in to repair the pottery.”
Luisila tilts her head back slightly as she reminisces. “As a rookie Pathfinder I was always broke. Luisila-in-the-past would be amazed at how off-hand I am now about trivial sums like 12gp.”
“Ooh!” The priestess suddenly becomes excited with a new thought. “Do you know what would be cool? A Pathfinder assignment where Zey or VC Shaine send us back in time to meet our younger selves!”
A moment or two later she returns to the present. “Do you mean you want to get the goose mended NOW, Aakif? Or on our way back to Sandswept Hall and VC Balentiir after we’ve finished clearing the mansion?”
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Luisila laughs at Varg’s comment before saying quite seriously. “To be honest, that is kinda hard to believe, Aakif. You’re a case study of Sarenrae’s redemptive power, huh?”
“But wouldn’t it be fun to find out what we were all like? You know, all the little quirks and secrets that we’ve … long … outgrown …”
Luisila looks like she’s in pain. “Let’s just forget I said anything.”
@Lu re: Sense Motive: The guard (#9 for reference) seems as honest as he is incompetent. #7 was the only guard from the previous exchange, but being the one that was disgusted enough with the dialogue to only have one line, he's more than happy to recall the discussion. "Long and the short it is that the 'men' who were discussing things behind your back are actually giant seven-year-olds that couldn't court bees if they were honey and Baadru and Akil isn't bright enough to pick up Taldane, so they can only insult each other in Osirioni."
2: "I think the sword is broken somehow. Magic didn't quite take or something. Cursed, or whatever. Might explode if someone gets hit by it or something. One of us is getting tied up by the broad after grabbing the sword. Or something like that."
4: "What? Where's that lucky fella going? Back to her place?"
2: "You volunteering or something?"
3: "I don't think I'd mind a few bruises if there's sword-grabbing involved, if you catch my meaning. Besides, you old farts are all married."
7: "Happily married."
5: "By Anubis' barren regions, the only way she'd touch you is if you get all cursed, too."
2: "Well, there's your chance Buddy!" *gestures at the sword*
Khapiri: "Shut it! Have some respect or all of you are on night patrol until you forget what the sun looks like!"
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The mansion is double-checked and bears nothing incriminating nor intimidating. The statue is collected and the kid's legal status is placed on "under investigation; pending paperwork." Exiting the dome quickly proves just as difficult as it was entering, and it's over half-an-hour later when the party makes it back to the lodge (since finding an Abadaran of sufficient power to cast Make Whole is pretty easy to guesstimate when every Pathfinder in the city is supposed to be in one place.
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Luisila laughs at Varg’s comment before saying quite seriously. “To be honest, that is kinda hard to believe, Aakif. You’re a case study of Sarenrae’s redemptive power, huh?”
Luisila looks like she’s in pain. “Let’s just forget I said anything.”
"Indeed. That is why I offer my opponents a second chance.... But if the Venture Captain does have a time machine, I could go back and warn myself not to raid all those caravans..... Except that if I did that, I might not be so devoted to Sarenrae today. Hmm... Maybe I could go back and return everything I've stolen in the past without my younger self finding out about it. THAT would be a worthy quest. Then we could go back and help out your younger self Luisila. We could even have Varg leave a note to his younger self so he will be... Um... Refined sooner?"
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"Then we could go back and help out your younger self Luisila ..."
Luisila looks doubtful. “Have you had much to do with tweenage half-elven girls, Aakif?”
The priestess listens to the first few sentences of guard #9’s recitation before holding up her palm. “I appreciate your candor, Number Nine. So nothing particularly pertinent to the mission was said, huh?”
“OK, so it’s time to move onto the last person on the list: Zahur, a Thuvian air sorcerer recently returned from the Mwangi Expanse according to VC Balentiir.”
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The group takes the directions to Zahur's apartment, an affair very similar to the previous apartment. Luckily, there aren't guard checkpoints and it doesn't take almost-an-hour to get there.