GM Paladin's The Penumbral Accords [PFS CORE] (Inactive)

Game Master Paladin of Baha-who?

Between the attacks of Tim, Bertha, Splittooth and Shade, Uthil Mak goes down in a spray of dark-colored blood.

With the threat dealt with, you are free to examine the pyramid atop the dias in more detail, as well as the Blakros daughters. Unfortunately, the two women are still in a trance, unresponsive to anything you do to them.

The 10-foot-tall black stone pyramid exudes an eerie black essence from its apex, which seeps into the air and slightly dims the illumination of the room. Surrounding the relic’s apex are a dozen bloodstones set into the rock face, that emit a strong magical aura if scanned with detect magic.

Searching the body of the fallen foe reveals:

a potion
a ceremonial dagger inscribed with runes
embroidered bracers on his arms
a cloak of fine black silk

Wisdom Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Spellcraft, Potion: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
Spellcraft, Bracers: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Spellcraft, Cloak: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Bertha scratches her head as her brow furls. "I don't know what any of this is. What if we just remove or destroy those gems?"

Intelligence check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

"Perhaps..." Kastarr absently agrees with Bertha. "I was expecting this fellow to have the key to those prisoner's chains." Kastarr rubs a hand through his hair. "We must be missing something here."
The ranger begins a closer examination of the chamber, starting with the pyramid and moving outward.

Perception: Take 20 for a 28.

Sorry, yes. He has a key that looks like it would fit the manacles.

knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
intelligence check : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
spellcraft, bracers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
spellcraft, cloak: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
spellcraft, potion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

After studying the dead fetchling's belongings:

"The only one I'm sure of with this lot is that the potion is one of Cure Moderate Wounds."

A little slow posting this.
My server went down just as I was trying to post this last night.
At least I got one good roll out of that lot.

"I think I know what to do. The bloodstones. If we remove or destroy them, I think we'll end this. Hopefully for good." Tim helps to pry them out of the dais.
Intelligence check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Defying the stereotype. Yeah baby!

Kastarr searches around diligently, and discovers an ancient, yellowed sheaf of parchments in an unlocked chest. It is in two languages, one unfamiliar, but the other is Taldane (Common), albeit with archaic spelling, word usage, and grammar. A brief perusal reveals that this is a copy of the Penumbral Accords, which Lady Blakros requested that you find and bring to her if possible.

Does anyone have Disable Device? If not, you can simply smash them.

Club already enchanted for bashing stuff here. :)

I don't think we have any DD. Smash it is!

"Here's the contract we needed!" Kastarr waves the document excitedly before stowing it in his pack.

Taking twenty takes a while so I guess the rest you can work on the stones. Gemstones. Sure would be a shame to smash them if we didn't have to. :)

It doesn't change what you get as rewards.

The team works together to smash the bloodstones into fragments. As they do, the shadowy mist hanging over the room shudders like a living thing, and slowly fades, leaving only the objects of the room that belong on the Prime Material Plane -- including the young scions of the Blackros family. Uthil Mak's body vanishes, but everything you have taken from his body and the other foes you have vanquished this night remain in your possession.

The two blink slowly, coming to their senses as the influence of the Shadow Plane ebbs.

"Who... who are you? What happened?"

Fatham's perpetual scowl doesn't change, but he says "Your family was about to give you up to a life of torture and slavery to these shadow fiends. Your mother changed her mind at the last minute, and sent us. You're safe now. But my guess is there will be repercussions," he adds.

"He's probably right. I'm sure the fiends will be back. But for tonight, you're free. Let's get you out of here!" Tim will help lead the way out where we can hopefully reunite with the rest of the saved captives outside the museum.

"We have not been able to negotiate a change in the arrangement, but maybe if we close this gateway, it can avoid direct repercussions?"

"In the meantime, let's get these young ladies back home, safe." Kastarr gives the girls a rakish smile.

Then he adds: "I hope those slaves we set free are still close. I want to set them on their way with a grubstake."

"It certainly was interesting!"

Beronûsh, check the discussion thread. I need your PFS# and other info.

The freed slaves are indeed waiting for you just outside the entrance to the museum, and they give a cheer as you emerge with the young ladies.

Returning to the Grand Lodge, you are met by Drang and Hamaria, who thank you profusely for your success. Hamaria says that you can keep anything you took from the museum tonight, as thanks for the rescue, and assures you that your service to the Blakros family in freeing them from the burden of the Penumbral Accords will not be forgotten.

The freed slaves are overjoyed at being allowed not only to rejoin the world of their birth, but also to be released from their bonds. Kastarr and Tim are able to arrange passage for them to Andoran, where they will be certain to keep their freedom. This act will surely be remembered by the other members of Liberty's Edge.

Stormy brings the copy of the Umbral Leaves and the Alchemist's formula book to the Dark Archive, where they will be duly cataloged and studied to learn if the worship of Zon Kuthon or the practice of Alchemy is noticeably different on the Shadow Plane.

@ GM Paladin: done!