GM Fuzzfoot's S01-41 The Devil We Know, Part III - Crypt of Fools (Standard PFS) Tier 1-7/Subtier 1-2 (Inactive)

Game Master PJP

I think I got it...

...He points to two paintings hung in a shadowy corner of his cell. A third canvas hangs next to them but is blank...

What was painted at the "two paintings hung in a shadowy corner"?

Sounds like we may need to return there to find out.

Indeed! I think the first thing is to go back to the prison and speak to the crazed painter plus inspect the said paintings.

OK, I still haven't seen anyone actually state that they are doing anything, but in the interest of moving forward, it sounds like the consensus is to return and look at the paintings (good move!).

You hike back to the prison, and are quickly lead back to the painter. Along the way, the guard leading you says "You did know you can buy the man's paintings, right? Since you seem to like them... I don't judge other's taste in art, no I do not!"

You look at the three paintings again.

The painting created while you were there before shows a twisted perspective of the statue out front. The once-beautiful statue stares back transformed, her visage twisted into a demonic snarl. Short humanoids with large, black eyes (derro) torment cowering prisoners in the painting’s background. Brandishing a radiant holy symbol, a lone figure, Aroden, fails to fight them off. The moon iconography seems to represent Groetus.

The second painting depicts a stately, white stone building, which you now recognize as Cassomir’s Imperial Hall of Records. Three-foot-tall bas-reliefs circle the building’s outside walls at ground level, though they are warped and twisted in the crazed painter’s art. Derros stand atop the hall’s steps and seem to punish criminals—all of whom are wearing the robes of Taldan government officials. At the southwest corner of the building, the bas-relief glows a bright white. The same lone figure from the other paintings attempts to sooth a group of frightened children by playing a flute, represented by notes drifting above him.

The third painting depicts a retaining wall that shores up parts of the ruined Quickfall Abbey. It shows dozens of angry derros smashing brightly-painted urns against the retaining wall, while the same lone figure from the other paintings frantically attempts to push down an obviously barred door in the middle of the wall, presumably to escape another group of menacing derros that seems to pursue him.

The paintings are for sale for one piece of gold each. There are also some smaller abstract paintings for purchase at the price of five silver each.

wrong thread :D

If it makes you feel any better, I am running a second group at level 3-4 right now, and they are having the same issue.

The problem with this scenario is that it is a puzzle, and if you don't have any traction, it can grind to a halt. Masa is dropping some hints in character, and I think that is perfectly fine to keep us moving forward. As an aside, part of our slowdown here is that I am dealing with end of school year schedules, and will actually be travelling May 27 (Friday) - Jun 8 (Wed), and I expect days without access, so I expect we will slow down even more. I will try to keep us moving, though.

I too will be traveling from Friday to about Tuesday. I should be able to post regularly, though.

That's always the trouble with these puzzles. Either you understand what the writer was thinking, or you stumble in the dark for a while.

I'll be off from may 26th to may 29th due to vacations. I'll return in may 30th, bot me if necessary. :)

My apologies on my prolonged absence. I've been swamped at work to the point of being unable to even check on these boards briefly up until today, and my computer has issues at home. I'm finally at a point where I can catch back up on stuff, so this is my mea culpa.

Just letting know that I'll be AFK until Satursday evening. Bot Alaneo if needed, his [dices] are on his character sheet.

Just a head's up to say that my post rate will be spotty next week, as I'm in youth camp. Bot me if you need to :)

America's Independence Day is on Monday, July 4th. I should be around, but bot me if you need to.

I found a good use for Laughing Touch! Preventing allies from hurting themselves for 1 turn is quite useful, especially when the only useful spell I have right now is Disrupt Undead.

I think the GM would be busy for a few days, so we'll just be in slow mo for a bit, wondering if Masa will chop this thing in half, or how long Nikolai will run scared. At least I slowed him down for a round.

Yes, still on the road, and tomorrow will be a long drive, but back to normal posting on Sunday.

@GM Fuzzfoot, I think Bernard's gold is wrong. Hes is out of subtier (level 3).
And here it is my day job check: Profession (Merchant): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Sheela will stay on board for part 4. She's a lot of fun to play.

Sheela's day job check:
Perform(sing): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Ah! And Bernard will be in part 4 too, for sure. :)

New chronicles for Bernard and Sheela are online.

Link here.

I will put up a new thread soon for those continuing to part 4.

I'm in, but I'll need a moment or two to level to 3! :)

Masa is in for the finale.

Masa is in for the finale.

Masa is now level 2?

Alaneo is ready for part 4!

Bernard's purchasing:
weapon blanch [adamantine] 100 gp
weapon blanch [ghost salt] 20 gp
crossbow bolts (cold iron) (20) 4 gp
holy water 25 gp

Now I'm ready. :)

Bernard's purchasing:

weapon blanch [adamantine] 100 gp
weapon blanch [ghost salt] 20 gp
crossbow bolts (cold iron) (20) 4 gp
holy water 25 gp

Now I'm ready. :)

And a wand of CLW for 2pp! How could I forget that? :o

What is everyone's level now? I just want to check what APL is...

I'm still level 3.

Just hit 3 myself. I suspect we'll be hitting the mid-level band this time around.

Sheela drags her feet at level 2...

still level 2 :)

I think Masa will still be level 2 as well, which should put you below 2.5 APL, so I think still Tier 1-2.

Having played this on Tier 3-4, I think 1-2 may be a better plan anyway. 3-4 was rough for my group - and we didn't succeed. I'll tell you more after you get to the end...

+1 for Subtier 1-2... >.>

Also, Masa is level 2.

1-2

I'm totally good with 1-2 if we qualify for it. :)

Yah, you are definitely 1-2. No worries.

I will be at GenCon starting tonight, and will be more or less unavailable until next Monday, 8/8. Please feel free to bot Nikolai as necessary during this time.

I will be at the GardenCon in Geneva from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th August, with little time to post. Four days of PFS, yay!
I'll try to check my games on the morning but please bot Alaneo if needed!

Just a little head's up to let you know that the next days (until Monday evening) will be hectic for me.
I'll try to post at least once a day but I'm not sure to make it. Please bot Alaneo if you need to.

We are actually probably going to be wrapped by then, but thanks for letting me know!

Oh, nice!

Oops, I forgot to roll for my day job.

Perform(sing): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

10 gold, not too bad.

Chronicle updated.

@GM Fuzzfoot, I think Bernard's gold was recorded wrong on the chronicle sheet, because he is out of subtier...

EDIT: and here is my dayjob: Profession (Merchant): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Nik is out of subtier too, right? Anyone else?

Oh yeah, I probably am. 1-2, right?

Yep - both new chronicles are uploaded.