GM Nowruz's #5-11 'Library of The Lion' (Tier 1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master noral

perception aid 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Let me help as well

"Couldn't hurt to look around. Any ideas from the curator?" Lynn glanced to their blind companion before starting to search.

The GM will not post today and thus will resume posting on April 12 based on the Discussion thread.

We can look for treasure like Terrance and Philip :)

No, just no. Farting in the presence of ladies?
Ewww... :P

i once again forgot to post my roll *facepalm*
perception aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

[OOC] No, like this Lets Look for Treasure

You are all looking through the room and are quite perceptive so that you notice that the large lion carving conceals an unlocked secret door.

The stone step below the door has four shallow, cylindrical recesses that are the same size as the base on each of the six freestanding statuettes scattered about the room.

When you look at the secret door in more detail you see that the step acts as a combination lock — though rather than locking the door, it seems ready to trigger some other device should someone open the door without disarming it.

Before journeying further with the party Lynn decides to pilfer the small container of magical elixars. Surely such a case would have them labeled, but if not she'd consult with Alice to figure out their qualities.

"I'm sure they won't find themselves too harmed if we liberate these."

Perc(Lynn): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Alice identifies the potions as a potion of gaseous form and an elixir of vision.

Not sure if the GM meant we can't investigate this room because it would take too much time; however if he meant we can still quickly scan the main documents present, here are the results for B11:

Baied, Lynn, Heria, Alice, Zzorn: Medium Room B11, 60/5 = 12 min
Calculation: 17 + ESOTERIC ALPHABETIZATION 2 + four additional assists from party members 8 + 5 BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: 17 + 2 + 8 + 5 = 32 for B11
Total Time Spent by Party so far: 7.5 B3 + 15 B4 + 10 Lion RP + 15 B5 - 2.5 for Team 2's early B5 contribution + 5 Illiyana RP + 7.5 B8 + 12 B9 + 7.5 B10 + 12 B11 = 89 min

B11. The Vault of Knowledge - Medium Room - 12 min

CLUE 1. Cryptic References
This text is a mess of esoteric poetry and obscure riddles. One of these entries describes a silver horn once used by Taldor, which seems
to be hidden somewhere in southern Brevoy. Spending considerably more time analyzing the poem may reveal additional hints about this horn and its location.

CLUE 2. Enemy Analysis
This tattered, leather-bound book describes the tactical considerations that the generals of the Shining Crusade had to consider
when fighting supernatural foes. It includes many ways for the rank-and-file soldiers to mitigate the damage dealt by powerful spellcasters

We find a potion of gaseous form after talking about Terrence and Philip, oh the irony

Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Seeing that the statues are freestanding, Zzorn still carefully puts them in the four recesses in the following order, and pays close attention to what happens.

bookish lion, crouching lion, chained lion, flag lion

You placed the four lion statuettes in the proper order. The secret door opens.

sigh of relief...

Let us continue he states.

"Whoa! ladies and Criscius: this looks like a room full of chests!!"

Any 'room stats' for B12 or is this just treasure and vitamins? :P

"Nicely done Zzorn."

Alice looks over the books and shelves for anything that stands out.

Perception, guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 = 22

B12. The Hidden Vault - medium room

Chests of expert craftsmanship line the walls, and on the far side of the room stand two bookshelves burdened with yellowpaged tomes and sundry ancient trinkets.

Banners and tapestries cover nearly every inch of the walls, each representing longdead nations or depicting conflicts left not chronicled.

After some first initial research you are certain that Taldor keeps some of its most dangerous texts here, including primary, unmodified accounts of events from millennia ago, original versions of laws since replaced, records of foreign policy debacles quickly silenced in the interest of decorum, and remarkably objective (and sometime empathetic) biographies of enemies of the state.

Exploring this trove of historical wealth in detail goes beyond anything that you were tasked to do in this mission, and each of you is tantalized due to several books that would interest you immensely.

Above a shelf Crisicus, Alice and Lynn suddenly see a heavy bronze shield decorated with a lion’s head in the same style as the Guardian’s.

In relation to my faction goal, are there any special books that stand out? Named tomes/books/grimoires?

He points out the shield.
I wonder if this will be of use?

"That looks like the guardian's face. I'm thinking that may be the item we seek for it."

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Marveling at the unaltered truths exposed all over this room, Zzorn carefully searches this room with his lady friends. To Criscius, he says, "On our way out we should show this shield to the Glorymane." Turning to the spellcasting ladies, he asks, "Beloved Coven of Magic Wielding Maidens, would any among your selective club be so kind as to see if this shield is magical?"

Baied, Lynn, Heria, Alice, Zzorn: Medium Room B12, 60/5 = 12 min
Calculation: 17 + ESOTERIC ALPHABETIZATION 2 + four additional assists from party members 8: 17 + 2 + 8 = 27 for B12 + bonus for any clue remaining
Total Time Spent by Party so far: 7.5 B3 + 15 B4 + 10 Lion RP + 15 B5 - 2.5 for Team 2's early B5 contribution + 5 Illiyana RP + 7.5 B8 + 12 B9 + 7.5 B10 + 12 B11 +12 B12 = 101 min

Heria, casts detect magic on the shield.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Lynn, Heria: my calcs for B12 use 10 as a base but I think we still have 'EXCITING READ' and 'MAGICAL ASSISTANCE' meaning each of you could roll your skill check twice instead of taking 10. It's up to you.

Heria, casts detect magic on the shield.

[Dice=Spellcraft]d20+7

The shield is not magical.

In relation to my faction goal, are there any special books that stand out? Named tomes/books/grimoires?

What is your faction goal? ;-)

If Heria uses 'EXCITING READ'
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

If Lynn uses 'MAGICAL ASSISTANCE'
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Therefore, final results would use 25 as a base for B12, as follows:
Calculation: 25 + 2 + 8 = 35 final score for B2

What is your faction goal? ;-)

Recover a named text (typically listed in italics or quotes) found during the course of an adventure.

I'd also like to sign off on the following Sovereign Court Season 9 Faction goal: "Participate in an adventure that takes place in Taldor or that involves a prominent organization based in Taldor, such as the Lion Blades or the Ulfen Guard."

If it were possible to get the poor woman out safely, i'd even try recruiting her too. :P

Wow... IMO she's a perfect candidate actually...

I agree. :)

B12. The Hidden Vault - medium room - 12 minutes

CLUE 1. Grave Consequences
This is a thin journal that explores the origins of Tar-Baphon, studies the circumstance of his lichdom, and analyzes what the author knew of his necromantic techniques from the
perspective of a scholar searching for a weak spot in the Whispering Tyrant’s defenses.

CLUE 2. Lines of Succession
This long scroll details the rules of succession throughout the history of Taldor. It also highlights times when the nation chose an heir in a way that was an exception to the rules.

GM wrote:

What is your faction goal? ;-)

Recover a named text (typically listed in italics or quotes) found during the course of an adventure.

Alice is the one who finds the thin journal that explores the origins of Tar-Baphon.

You uncover this text and by carefully reading between the lines can determine that, one might be able to use the author’s notes to recreate several of the Whispering Tyrant’s techniques; these include novel ways to command undead, methods for empowering necromancy spells, and even a few details about how to become a lich.

But you know that you have to take the journal with you as recording a few notes isn’t enough; you would have to smuggle the journal out of the
library.

If it were possible to get the poor woman out safely, i'd even try recruiting her too. :P

** spoiler omitted **

You can only get credit for one faction mission per scenario. See above and choose which path you would like to take. :-)

I'd also like to sign off on the following Sovereign Court Season 9 Faction goal: "Participate in an adventure that takes place in Taldor or that involves a prominent organization based in Taldor, such as the Lion Blades or the Ulfen Guard."

Of course!!

I wasn't yet aware of the 1 goal limit, but i will forego my potion identification for the journal.

Oh, i could get credit for this.

Alice takes the journal, and puts it under her blouse, which she wears underneath a leather shirt, folded open so there would be less of a shape. It would be considered indecent and offensive to frisk a lady near those parts.

Not leather armor, but akin to a vest waiters wear.

To fill the space, she replaces it with her own journal, taking out the few pages she had written on.

"Interesting contents. Would we have enough notes that could be of use?"

If needed...
Soh, guidance: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18

Her scorpion scurries in front of her.

The scorpion climbs up her outfit, poking a pincer where it thinks repositioning may help.
Familiar aid other: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Edit:
Prior to it, she asks if Foxy can turn its cover pink with flowers, if she has prestidigitation.

@Alice: From the faction Journal Cards: "... even if you fulfill multiple objectives, you can check only one box per adventure unless otherwise stated."

Alice's does not have slight of hand (trained only) but I set the DC at 15 to perceive Alice hiding the journal and replacing it as the others are also distracted searching the library.

Alice's actions to steal the journal are visible to Crisicus, Heria and Lynn.

Alice doesn't care. :)
She is, amusingly, my 1st pc to steal something.

On 2nd thought, would it be possible to do the taking and hiding it when the group leaves the room? As much away from watching eyes as possible.
<< Leaving the room last.

You can try but people might notice your intent with a Sense Motive DC 20.

Criscius and Baied notice that Alice is studying a journal and her body language indicates that she would like to keep it.

Stealing anything from this library may have some dire consequence for the Pathfinder Society. Remember the mission. Of course, I'm saying this in-character, as Zzorn has no idea what she's trying to do.

Nudging Criscius, Heria holds up the scroll of succession.

"I think we found what we need. Think you can sweet talk your way to getting this out?"

Heria isn't the wishes of people, and is likely to forget that slight detail. Someone of a better moral compass might want to let him know that it could be bad for the Society.

Lady Morilla said: “Two hours is little time, so you must make the most of your time. I know it will be tempting to research other interests, but it would be selfish for the Society to think of itself when the Worldwound’s borders threaten to envelop Mendev and beyond. I am sending you in with the express purpose of uncovering more information about the Shining Crusade, the sustained war against the Whispering Tyrant a millennium ago.”
“Remember that you have permission to be in the academy’s library, but not in this secret archive, so do everything you can to avoid being noticed while exploring. In fact, the fewer clues you leave of your passage, the better. Specifically do not steal or destroy any of the library’s contents. A few slip-ups might alert the authorities that someone has been poking around, and too many with give them enough evidence to trace this act to us.”

Basically: it's time to take notes, very quickly, before the two hours are up! it sounds like the Lion Blades would have the resources to cast Locate Object, Legend Lore, Discern Location or other powerful spells to track any thief... But first let's see what Glorymane says! Afterwards we can use the rest of the time to take as many notes as we can!

Baied keeps looking sevverely at Alice, frowning at her and never breaking eye contact.

We aren't here to keep anything. This book, every book in fact, should stay in the Library. I have given my word to Lionmane earlier that I wasn't there to steal anything here. That's why he agreed to let us pass. Whatever the price of that book, it won't be Worth the amount of troubles you would be into. Because I won't tolerate such felony.

Listening to Baied scold Alice, the wizard sets the scroll down and sighs. "If you insist.... I'll see if I can copy this though!"

"Copying and note-taking is what Pathfinders do! Hurry up though! the hourglass says we have 15min left, and I want to make sure the hourglass is back at its exact spot before we get out! so note down everything you can in the next 5min! then we need to speak to Glorymane and get out!"

Alice was pondering on something, (aka puting it somewhere 'discrete'), and only half heard Baeid's words.

Whatever the price of that book, it won't be Worth the amount of troubles you would be into. Because I won't tolerate such felony.

"Prude.." *Snicker*

Alice is as mart lass, and despite her inherent halfling thrill seeking, she doesn't tempt fate, putting back the book.

As she walks past Baeid, with a smile, an indexfinger runs playfully across the bottom of Baeid's chin.
"Your elf-blood's messing with your sense of adventure."

While curious about the text, she makes a mental note to inform her superior, perhaps she can send some more experienced people to do some 'covert confiscating'.

The 15 mins are spent differently, as she heads straight for the blinded librarian.

Diplomacy, guidance, enhanced diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 32
:D

(crack knuckles to start typing)

"Ma'am, may i have a moment in private?"
When none of the others are within hearing distance, Alice takes the woman's hand in her small halfling hands while talking.

"Within the society, i belong to a group that devotes itself to scholarly pursuits. Texts, artifacts, histories, of various sorts.
Someone with your experience and profession would be welcomed with open arms."

"What of your condition, you may ask? Donating for a healing spell is well within budget. As for what i am told about your family, the society is, from what i've heard, quite apt in rescuing people from hazardous places. I'd say it is well within their capacity to ensure the three of you get a safe home elsewhere."

"You may be wondering what guarantee you have. Well, i am but one of a group, but i can speak to our group's leader, and i can plead on behalf of your situation and value."

"Ma'am, would you do me the honor of being able to relay that i have found a friend to scholarly pursuits?"

In effect, Alice will plead with The Dark Archive's leader to ensure a relocation of the woman's family, so that she's not chained down by her worries, aiming to get the woman a place in the Dark Archive family.

Of course!!!!

Zzorn frantically notes all the exceptions in the "Lines of Succession" document!

Wait 'till Eutropia gets a load of this! thinks the third generation in Taldor Ulfen man.