The bug (blue) immediately disappear from this frosty hit!
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"Ah, dems special troublesome 'gainst good folk. Also get a peck of skill fighten off flames and cold. Aint nuttin in their brain-pan so dun bother with it." advises Bob.
Hustling into the building, he summersaults past the closest foe. Comming up on his feet, he aims the massive blunderbust at the bug and carefully squeezes the trigger. *KRAbaBOOM* echoes around the large room. "YEEEHAW! Now dis gun be a whole barrel o fun now!"
Move action w/acrobatics to avoid AoO vs Green. Shoot vs Touch AC on Green
The only beetle remaining (red) is not able to hit.
The last beetle vanishes and silence follows. It seems as if no one even heard the loud battle noises.
After destroying the very weak beetles you move in and peek into the main entry hall.
D1. Living Room
While examining the room you notice that despite the lack of dust on many surfaces, no one has been here for years. The carpet and sofa show virtually no wear.
You look to the right (D4) where the gnome was located and you still see him perusing his book collection.
Suddenly, you see a second person walking inside the room to the north-east (D2) ... and that person looks identical to the gnome you just saw reading!
And that second person is walking around and then sitting in a chair and reading a newspaper. To your surprise the gnome in the north-eastern room notices you and smiles. He gives a tip of his hat before continuing to read.
It also seems as if someone has tried to move newspapers dating to years back into the basement, but you realize that ever since the local printers changed the thickness of their publication, the newspapers are left on the doorstep. Maybe because the newspapers could not be pulled through the door slot somebody eventually settled for leaving the newer papers neatly piled beside the door?!
You of course check the room where the assumed inhabitant of the house is reading his books in the study. But the first sentences that you exchange with him reveals that this is merely an illusion.
Also the image of the same smiling gnome in the north-eastern room is only an illusion as it seems that an interaction beyond smiling is not possible.
You have the feeling that perfect condition of the room and the systematic, orderly fashion in which everything is kept, looks very much like the doing of an unseen servant spell.
The way these gnomes are reacting reminds you very much of the spell programmed image.
The set of stairs at the northern edge of the chamber leads to an unused basement filled with stacked newspapers.
The second set of stairs leads up to an unfinished second floor that is completely empty.
You only peek into the meeting room.
D2. Meeting Room
This chamber contains enough chairs, pillows, and desk to accommodate at least six visitors.
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"Why, I say, these gnomes are not here." Golthwur announces. "They are merely programmed images. By the looks of the papers and lack of proper dusting...Really, you'd think if they went through the trouble of a long-term illusion spell that they could have arranged for a permanent spell of prestidigation to keep the place clean... or summon a simple air elemental for Nethys' sake!... Er, as I was saying, there are signs that the gnome we are here to see is, indeed, not here and likely has not been for a considerable amount to time."
The wizard begins to peruse the interior of the home, beginning with the one he is currently in, casting detect magic. "Let us see what else may be here or not here."
You look through the rest of the level and during an examination of the table in the southwest corner Bob finds a hidden letter.
--
PLAYER HANDOUT #5: FIMBRIK’S NOTE
Well, you got me!
I’m not here anymore, and my house is filled with an incredible array of illusions to discourage the curious. But you just had to break in. I respect your gumption and assume you’re either a petty burglar or someone looking into Eylysia’s affairs.
I’ve left Absalom to look for my friend, for she’s been missing for some time; however, I’ve attached the name of a particular Pathfinder you’ll want to investigate at the Wall of Names at the Society Grand Lodge. I assure you, it’s quite important, but I’ll leave you to figure out why.
Oh, and the password. It’s ‘Wiffle.’ You’ll find it important, should you learn where to use it.
—The Illustrious Fimbrik
--
Underneath the letter is a hastily scrawled note in similar handwriting, which contains a name: Doulgonlir Caskmail
After a further search of the house and the other levels, you all are sure that no further information or clues can be found.
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Before even getting a chance to advance into any of the rooms, the beetles are defeated, the note is found, and Treble is left waiting for what comes next. "Indeed. Away to the wall! You know, I'm pretty sure I was an adventurer i one of my past lives. It would be curious to know if one of my past names is on this wall."
You align on the next steps and choose to visit the Wall of Names. You arrive at the Grand Lodge shortly after that.
Created in 4330 ar, the Wall of Names resides on the grounds of the Grand Lodge. The monument is a curving wall of black glass that stands atop a small hill at the western edge of the lodge’s grounds. Trees surround the hill, providing ample shade and privacy for those visiting the wall to remember fallen comrades.
Carved into the wall are the name and date of death of every Pathfinder killed in the course of duty since the wall’s construction, and most entries also include a sentence or two summarizing either the agent’s greatest accomplishments or how she died.
Umbaraki needs some time but after a while he really finds the three names!
Doulgonlir Caskmail
Deceased 4332 ar
Sought the jade idol of ten thousand faces. Now but another sacrifice to the charau-ka of the Mwangi.
* * *
Hollis 'Evil Grin' Thorne
Deceased 4331 ar
Respectfully resigned after losing a friend. Lost to a life among the fish and bountiful sea.
* * *
Karina Clamp
Deceased 4330 ar
Survived the horrors of Nemret Noktoria. Returned to rot from the inside.
You believe that portions of each inscription refer to failed aspirants.
You also know that the Shrine of the Failed could have a connection to these phrases.
The Shrine of the Failed is a hall of monuments in Absalom's Ascendant Court to those who have failed the Test of the Starstone. It was founded centuries ago, and routinely expanded since by the families of the fallen and other residents of Absalom.
The shrine consists of a series of stone rooms holding shrines that are as elaborate as the caretakers can manage, but are usually no more than a few personal items of the deceased. The shrine's caretakers wear black mourning robes, but claim no divine calling, holy texts, or philosophy.
Most visitors view it as a novelty and leave quickly, but there are occasionally devout worshippers who believe that one of the failed is a god who is merely quiescent.
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Cackling, he slaps Umbaraki on the back. "HE HE! 'Em aint no pa-findas! They's failed jumpers...ya know? Aspirants! Tried ter be gods but aint got no godly powers, ya know? HE HE!"
Wiping a tear from his eye, he adds "Well, ole Bobby thinks we's gunna be taken a look see at them shrine 'fore the morrow."
Pointing towards the undlerined parts, he smiles broadly as he reads aloud. "'Sacrifice'....'Fish and Bountiful Sea'....'Rot'..."
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Treble nods at his silent friend. "I find this to be most agreeable. But, before I can decide, Fate must lead me by her hand." Taking three divination stones from his pouch, he casts them on the ground.
He mulls over the results of the throw. Gathering them up again, he stands. "Fate does indeed feel the resting place of the dead should be our next stop. Of course, should the rest decide otherwise..." his face lights up in a genuine smile, "it would complicate things, wouldn't it?"
You decide to visit the Shrine of the Failed.
Erected centuries ago by an unknown organization, the Shrine of the Failed is a dour complex that pays homage to those who failed in their attempts to overcome the Test of the Starstone.
* * * * * * *
E1. Antechamber
This monumental chamber stretches eighty feet from end to end, with a ceiling suspended thirty feet from the floor by great pillars.
Seven arched passages lead to humble rooms, each of which contains a polished stone altar dedicated to one of the failed aspirants who attempted the Test of the Starstone.
The columns here provide cover to creatures hiding behind them.
E2a–E2g. Altars of Failed Supplicants
Each of these chambers contains a small stone altar to one of the failed aspirants. Each altar stands upon a raised dais and bears a small brass nameplate identifying the aspirant and the would-be-god’s areas of interest.
* * * * * * *
As you enter the Antechamber you notice that it is quite empty. Three acolytes that are walking by are talking with great urgency.
"Oh dear, I had already heard about Sir Reinhart when I was in the Wounded Wisp, but as I entered the Shrine earlier today I saw Sir Reinhart, a Mendevian crusader, preparing himself. I tell you ... he is intent on becoming a god, and wants to attempt the Test of the Starstone."
The other acolyte looks flabbergasted "Oh dear, I can already imagine the story being told tomorrow 'As the valiant — and utterly doomed—knight prepared to charge his steed across the chasm outside Starstone Cathedral, the inevitable happened ...'"
You do not know what will happen but this occurrence has obviously led to you having almost unrestricted access to the Shrine of the Failed. The city guard and what few caretakers the shrine has have left to watch Sir Reinhart’s potentially ill-fated attempt.
Treble looks at all the names but he does not find anything.
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Glancing nonchalant at the shrines, he blisfully enjoys meandering aimlessly about the local. "It be a fancible place. Mayhaps I kin be corpsified in a place like this." he states idly, beginning to whistle.
As Umbaraki's frustrations begin to boil over, Bob looks towards the man. "Huh? Oh! Yeah, we's here lookin for them pretties. Them purple bellies dun corpsified ahead of us."
With renewed purpose, he peruses the plackards in an attempt to identify any of the circled names.
As he views the placards, he calls back, "So...how's a horse run 'cross open air? Me thinks he's bout ta have em a bad day..."
You check the names and after 15 minutes Bob sees that the area E2f holds several shrines, among them those of Doulgonlir Caskmail, Hollis 'Evil Grin' Thorne, and Karina Clamp.
Bob sees that something is off with the name plate of Doulgonlir Caskmail.
You look at the name plate again and see that it can be slid aside.
Behind the name plate you all see a miniature chalkboard and a thin piece of chalk.
After Umbaraki's idea to write Fimbrik's magical word on the board you proceed and this dispels an illusion concealing a secret door and that also causes a stone portal to open.
E3. Cavern
The cavern beyond the secret door is made of stone. Although the cavern has the aesthetic of a natural cave.
You recognize the walls are not natural; rather, someone cleared this area using the stone shape spells.
This cavern is dark but there is some illumination coming from further ahead.
E4. Repository
Several desks are arranged along the northern and eastern edges of this small stone alcove. Whereas the stonework leading to this chamber is rough, the walls in the alcove are polished. A single gem rests among the neatly filed papers on the desk, emitting a soft magical luminescence that brightens the small room.
The gem on the desk is a cut alexandrite worth 550 gp.
You all start searching and looking around.
The paperwork on the desk is a priceless collection of Pathfinder Society lore and information describing dozens of unexplored sites. Most are written in an Azlanti dialect further encrypted using an old cipher employed by the Society centuries ago.
Although it is clear to you that this collection is very important, you have a hard time understanding the documents as they are mostly encrypted.
[spoiler=DC 15 Linguistics]
You would assume that the discovery requires several weeks of careful study by researchers at the Grand Lodge.
Again, you are discussing and standing in a silent room that looks like it was not touched for ages.
Perception
(+6 to determine if surprised, +7 to notice unusual stonework
Initiative
Male Human with greatclub:
Male elven archer:
Female Dwarf with shortsword:
Suddenly, Umbaraki and Treble hear footsteps that are approaching fast.