GM Kyshkumen's PFS 5-11: Library of the Lion Beta (Inactive)

Game Master Kyshkumen

Tal sighs and gives up on being sneaky. He walks up to the doors to the library, still looking for traps as he goes.

Lucia quietly follows the others down the stairs

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Kyrie looks around the secret part of the library. "So... Does anyone have any idea what we should be looking for?" she asks.

Closest relevant skill she has is Perception at +2

Tal goes up to the doors which the stairs led to. "Our assignment is relatively vague. I don't think we'll know if we've found something until we find it."

With that, Tal opens the door, peering into the secret library.

Taalaako sees a long stone hallway stretching from north to south with several sets of doors along it's east and west walls. The south wall bears a 10-foot-square field of carved divots that create no particular pattern. An inscription above the carving reads "The keenest eyes cannot see everything. Always remember to see the big picture."

Reading the text, Vassago bears a puzzled look on his face. "Huh, interesting location for good advice, but lousy sense of modern art. I give it an C+.", as he slowly makes his way down the hallway.

GM - What's your take on stacking multiple aid another actions? Barham will aid Talaako in a Perception check, with Guidance on both.

Aid another (Perception): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"No good at riddles, no use at all," Barham laments. He turns to his tengu ally.

"Big picture, it says--like a bird's eye view?"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Tal takes a moment to study the hallway as he walks down it toward the inscription.

"Four rooms to choose from... should we split up to cover more ground?" he asks the party.

Given my high Linguistics checks, I'd say just one character coming along with me will probably be sufficient, hopefully to assist me in the event of a low roll. The others should work together on one room at a time to make the searching happen more quickly. That's my take on it, anyway.

Normally I allow multiple success for aid another to stack if it is called out before the roll. It's a little harder in PbP to do that so I have gone with it as long as it doesn't look like a clear abuse of the system.

Even with Barham's assistance you are unable to make any sense of the dots on the wall.

"Not sure what those dots mean." Tal points at the dots, hoping someone else can make sense of them.

He then tries the handle on the first door of the right, not seeing any traps nearby. Is it locked?

The door you are standing in front of is not locked.

Tal opens the door. "Let's get searching!

Checks for beginning my search of this room:
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Linguistics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

We'll just skip the double doors for the sake of time.

Thousands of books line the dozens of shelves in this high-ceilinged library. Several tables and chairs near the center of the room provide a place to read quietly, and five rows of pew like benches nearby face an immense lion's head carved from the eastern wall.

This is a large room so the whole party may join in the search. In this room only given the vast amount of books any knowledge check can be used without penalty

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"¡Aye carumba!", exclaims Vassago, in shock of the sheer number of books within the library.

"Well, our work is cut out for us!", as the bard immediately starts pouring through tomes for something useful.]

Kn: Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"Ugh, more riddles," Kyrie gripes under her breath as she starts browsing through the stacks.

No K-skills whatsoever, unfortunately. Straight Per?

Perception is fine but with a -2 penalty. So far the leading roll is a 27 with 2 assists bringing it up to 31. Remember that for every 5 that you exceed the DC you will possibly get another clue. Logic would dictate that a large room like this should have a lot of clues.

"Oh my... I didn't think we'd gone down far enough for it to be this large of a room... Well, best get started. Anyone see a card catolog?" He begins scouring the enormous room, his heart not really in it.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d6 ⇒ 2 All knowledges are the same. Total 18. Important note, ; not , for additional dice rolls... my first attempt gave me 1d20 + 81d6... Oops

lol 81d6, must have been a nice roll. Robert brings the total up to 33 with another success.

Guidance on whoever wants it.

Barham begins leafing through the towering bookstacks, gaining a boost from his eidolon when he needs to reach a higher shelf.

Barham Know (the planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Scrumpy Know (the planes): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

As theu meanders about the room, they stop to examine the bestial visage carved into the eastern wall.

"That's quite a decoration for a library, quite a fixture, wouldn't you say Scrump?" the halfling muses.

Check out the lion carving, if that can be done independently of the main search.

B Perception aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
S Perception aided: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Per, -2: 1d20 ⇒ 9 ... yeah,didn't expect that to help much.

Scrumpy aids bringing the total to 35. So you were able to find 5 clues, details will be listed in the campaign info.

Distracted by the lion carving, Barham is of little use in unearthing clues.

"But take a look at this fellow over here, he's rather an odd sort," he motions to his companions. "What are you doing here, I wonder."

"Have we found anything about the Crusade? Or jumbled letter codes, perhaps?"

"I found a particularly exciting book involving the numerous illicit romances of a Taldan queen whose passion was... how you say... el fuego.", answering the halfling's call. "It is part of a large series of hierarchical affairs, too, so finding more of those books elsewhere will help rule out or secure additional information more efficiently, I believe."

Kyrie shakes her head. "Looks like they kept meticulous records, though," she replies. "Probably a good thing overall, but it does mean we're likely to be sorting through volume after volume on exports before we get to the useful stuff..."

Sorry, work got kind of hectic.

"A start, an excellent start," the halfling pips. "I'm afraid I haven't found anything myself just yet."

Cast detect magic and sweep the full room.

"Well, I guess we should get digging then!" Lucia says, picking more books from the shelves.

I'm pretty sure since I already succeeded in this room that there's nothing left to find here. EDIT: I was incorrect, we could search this room again to possibly find one more clue, but probably isn't worth the time at the moment.

"I think we've got all we're going to get from this room. I've found two volumes with talk about cyphers, which could help us determine what this..." Tal holds up the strip of paper with "K-Y-V-W-K-C-E-C-O-O-M-I-M-E-C-F-G-C-Q-F-C" on it, "might say. I say we move on to another room."

Tal heads toward the door in the back to the right of the lion's head.

As Barham scans the room only the Lion head detects as magical.

"This is no mundane sculpture, no simple adornment," Barham gasps. "Our friend here is infused with magic--not scrying, I hope."

The summoner takes a moment to compose himself, then renews his concentration, attempting to parse the nature of the lion head's aura.

Guidance, then recast detect magic and hold for three rounds.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Keeping an eye on his watch, Robert raises an eyebrow at the halfing's comment about a magical sculpture. "A magical what?" he says as he heads over to see what the halfing is talking about.

While I know that WE know we'd only get one more clue, how do our characters know that it'd be a waste of time? Also, how long did it take to search the room?

I will let you know when a room has been exhausted of clues, this one has not yet been exhausted. Other then that I will not give specific numbers as to how many are left and if it would be a waste of time to search again as people with no prior knowledge to his scenario would have no way of knowing either. Edit: Since you do have a pocket watch it has been 22 minutes since you placed the illusion cards.

Barham furrows his brow. He glances to his eidolon, who snorts lazily.

"You're no help, no help at all."

He turns to Robert.

"Magical construct of some sort. Divination--perhaps it is a scrying device, but I hope we're not being scryed upon. Whatever the case, there seems to be a sort of..." he pauses, and shrugs, "...an intelligence about it."

"Perhaps it's some sort of library assistant? A record keeper, like our friend Thomas?" the summoner continues, thinking aloud. "If it were security, if it were some intrusion defense, well, it's already seen us, so we may as well give it a test." Barham turns back to the face of the stone beast.

"Hello, Mister Lion? Do you know anything about the Shining Crusade?"

The lion gives up it's ruse and looks Barham in the eyes. "Why yes, yes I do, but please come closer all of you. I would like to see who you are and ask what you are doing here." He then looks around the room at the other party members.

Something of note during your search of this room. The concert had a dramatic fanfare during your search which would have covered any "extra noises" you may have been making. Also the lion head seems to be casting a spell if you wish to spellcraft it.

Kyrie tilts her head as she meets the lion's gaze.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

I'd say more, but how she responds is going to depend heavily on what spell the lion seems to be casting

Tal warily moves toward the lion head carving, trying to determine if it's friend or foe.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Lucia looks on nervously, "Talking statues, why does it always have to be talking statues." she whispers.

Surprised at the sculpture speaking, Robert eyes it warily. Oh crap, its going to be able to alert others that we were here, hope everyone plays it cool...

He clears his throat and approaches calmly and bows at the Lion.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 8 + (2) = 19

He gets a little huffy at Lucia's comment. "What is wrong with a talking statue? I do not know of any others personally but I pride myself on being polite and agreeable to any new recruits that come into the library."

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"There is nothing wrong with a talking statue, sir lion. Might we enquire as to your name? I am Robert Smythe. We were in fact recently recruited to visit this library. As this helpful little halfling mentioned, we're researching the Shining Crusade. Any help you could offer us would be much appreciated."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Nothing wrong at all! I've just met some unsavory statues in the past."

"Si, señor leon,....
if you have military information categorical
or point us in the direction to the fights historical,
in short, we need to do some research and we need to do it fast,
so be our magical lion with great knowledge of the past!"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Recognizing and overpowering the enchantment, Barham quickly glances about to see how his companions reacted to the magical effect. He decides that alerting his companions would only risk antagonizing their new observer.

Bowing at Robert's mention of him, the summoner waits to speak until Vassago has finished his soliloquy.

"Ahem, yes," the summoner clears his throat. "It is just as Robert says, sir, and may I add that I have never meet any statues, nor any lions, who were anything less than the image of dignity."

Aid Robert, Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Kyrie nods at the Lion. "My companions speak truly, Ser Lion. The demon hordes are threatening to break through the wardstones sealing the Worldwound, and the world once again needs heroes and feats of courage and genius that led the Shining Crusade to victory. We came here to learn about the military exploits of the Shining Crusade in the hopes of finding something, anything that will be able to save the world once more."

The lion head addresses Robert, "I am the guardian of the library and it is nice to meet you Robert Smythe. As new recruits I am pleased to welcome you as new members of the lion blade's. I do not believe there is much in this section of the library on the shinning crusade, but you may find some in the rare book sections in the rooms behind me. Mind the blind care taker though, she will not recognized your voices since you are new recruits." Looking at Vassago, "you have an interesting way of speaking. Do you often rhyme in your everyday speak, I find it quite amusing." Finally he looks at Kyrie, "So the wardstones are failing, that is most troubling news. What other news from the outside can you tell me. I get so little outside information as some of the senior lion blades do not find me as impressive your group does."

Your diplomacy was successful, nice touch on twisting the truth Robert.

Smiling beneath his balaclava, "Our thanks Guardian. We will try not to disturb the care taker too much. We will be sure to follow your directions, good sir. We are slightly pressed for time, so we won't be taking too much more of your time. Perhaps we'll be able to converse at a later date if the opportunity arises." He turns to the others and says, "Shall we adjourn to the rare books sections? I feel our research would go better there."

Thanks, I love twisting the truth. Truth is like wishes, its more entertaining when you twist them. ;)

Still have Pirates of Penzance in my head too much.

"Only when the music moves me, el Guardian."

Upon Robert's call to press on, Vassago nods. "Yes, let us, how you say... press on!"

When you try to open the doors on either side of the lion head they are locked. The lion then speaks, "Oh you'll probably need the key to get through, I could let you borrow one. Of course you'll have to give me some entertainment first. I do like riddles, especially ones about me."

"I'm not good at puzzles," Barham mentions for the third time today, "but riddles? Entirely different! Now let's see..."

He pauses, one hand on his opposite elbow, and the other twirling his scruffy goatee. After a moment, he chuckles to himself.

"Aha, how about this one, Mr. Glorymane: Why is it hard for people to believe you outside of a zone of truth?"

Perform (comedy)?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23