GM Pathmaker's "Service to Lore" (Inactive)

Game Master Pathmaker

Walking under an overcast afternoon sky, it's a little difficult to tell the time, but you believe it's around midday when you enter the Wise Quarter and arrive at the rich estate of Grand Councilmember Dremdhet Salhar. However, an eerie feeling that you were being watched was tugging at your perception.

You are greeted by a guard who is apparently expecting your group as you reach a tall, wrought-iron gate that serves as an entrance to the grounds. Inside a servant leads you down well decorated hallways, and past expansive rooms.

"I'm am sorry to inform you that Salhar is not present." He says, then explains. "He was called away on important Council business. His most trusted adviser is available to negotiate any business you may require." He brings you to a simple study near the end of a long hallway. Inside a tan-skinned old man sits behind a desk flipping through pages in a large tome. Some of you recognize him as Amenopheus, called the Sapphire Sage. He is a mysterious figure in the Society, and it is well known that he currently serves Dremdhet Salhar.

PCs up!

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Ito leaves Goliath outside, ponies generally do not get a warm welcome inside city dwellings. Upon entering the study Ito does not recognize the man, but treats him with the reverence that those of duly appointed authority.

Well met sir. We come to formalize an agreement that the Grand Council Member had verbally made with the Pathfinder Society. We seek the proper documentation to allow us access to the vault under Sothis.

Endor nods slightly.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

As you approach the open door, the wise sage silently gestures you into the study with one thin hand, while closing the tome with the other. Once inside, he addresses your group.

“Good day to you, Pathfinders. I am Amenopheus,, the Sapphire Sage, advisor to Master Salhar. I understand you were sent here to discuss archaeological permissions. Knowing this was coming, I spoke with Master Salhar at length on the subject and have this to say.

“Master Salhar remains impressed by the Pathfinder Society, orating in their favor a handful of times in front of Absalom’s Grand Council, in fact. Due to previous relationships between him and the Society, Master Salhar has agreed to grant permission to the Pathfinder Society to explore his family’s vaults below Sothis. The only thing he requires is that you retrieve the map of the vaults from his own vault here. The servant will lead you to the basement and show you the room.” The Sapphire Sage’s eyes twinkle as he smirks knowingly, then he turns back to reading his book as though he had never been disturbed.

Before you can form a question, a cleared throat announces the sudden return of the servant (or perhaps he never left). "This way, if you please."

The servant brings your group back through the spacious estate, leading you down sturdy stone steps into the cool basement. Through a hallway, after a couple turns, you end up at a plain wooden door, which the servant opens and, with a bow, gestures within.

PCs up!

Ito peers inside the room that has just been opened. Is it lit?

The room is well lit by wall sconces. You can see two shelves on the far wall, each shelf draped by a sheet of cloth, covering unknown items beneath.

Ito steps inside the room and waits for his companions to join him.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"A hooded figure is across the street there... watching us," Maru points out as they travel.

Maru steps in as well, looking around. Is there a map? I can't see a link.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

” oh now this is getting exciting! Let me cast detect magic! “

Taarik starts to look around.

Patros nods to Maru in acknowledgement if her observation. He then motions his hands and conjures up a small orb of light. He touches his shield and it stays there.

Might as well have as much light as possible. Shadows are excellent hiding spots...

Endor whispers, "if we deal with him now, we may avoid a worse confrontation in the future. Turn down a side street and catch him as he turns the corner."

”What? Someone is following us? Then we should definitely go to this person and ask why this person is following us and what his orders were! After all, everybody is following orders!“

Despite a thorough search of the streets for the hooded figure, no one could be identified as the one watching you.

***

The servant patiently waits as each of you enter the plain stone room. The cloth is removed revealing three chests: a copper-banded chest of smooth, dark wood; a red lacquered chest; and what looks to be a cube of solid steel. On the shelf above: clear glass jar half full of liquid and a closed wicker basket.

THUNK! Click!

You turn around to find the door closed and locked by the servant. Written on the back of it is a message:

“Within these cases lies your quest and your way out.”

See link 'The Vault'

After a few moments of concentration, Taariik sees that the copper chest and the wicker basket faintly emanate magical auras.

Ito looks at all 5 of the containers. He assumes that the basket and the jar do not have locks, but do the other 3 have locks? If they do then he will take the jar and look at it. What colour is the liquid and is there anything inside it other than the liquid?

The red chest, copper chest and steel box, have keyholes in them. The liquid is clear, appears to be water, there is a brass key within.

Ito will unscrew the lid on the jar, reach in and grab the key.

"Can anyone cast mage hand to grab the key? Maru?' Endor says this while tapping Ito on the shoulder to try and slow him down slightly.

"Taariik can you tell anything about the type of magic auras we are looking at?" How are you at knowledge arcana and spellcraft

At Endor's tap Ito stops reaching in and turns to the oracle. What? Do you think this might be dangerous? Ito examines the fluid within the jar.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

It looks and smells like water to me.

To Ito, the jar seems filled with water as it did a moment ago, no more or less harmless.

"Let me try from a distance, just to be safe."

Maru uses mage hand to telekinetically lift the key out of the water without touching it.

Ito shrugs and closes the jar once the key has been lifted out. He places the jar back on the shelf.

An invisible hand dips into the liquid, harmlessly pulling out a jeweled brass key. The shape of the key suggest that it would fit into all three of the boxes.

Taarik concentrates to read the aura of the magic items.

Kn arcana : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

"Who wants to use the key, or should I continue to move it mentally?"

"Let's see what is in the basket it may be a clue for which box to use the key on."

Endor will look in the basket.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 For traps.

Taariik cannot get a proper read on the aura of the copper box.

Can try with wicker basket.

This 2-foot-round wicker basket requires no key to open, its lid resting gently atop its wide rim. Inside, a blue stone key rests atop a pile of crumpled linens.

Detect magic on the blue stone.

The blue key is the source of the magic aura.

"Hmm. Can't pick that one up with my mind. Too magical."

Endor sticks the end of his spear in the basket and move the contents around. 10ft pole style

Taarik is again slightly annoyed and just walks forward takes the key and puts it into the red chest to open it.

”This kind of action is very inefficient and I would rather be here and take some steps forward than just stand around watching you put poles into little containers!“

Endor stops before he puts the pole in the basket and says, "don't let me delay you. I'm sure the test is to pick up a key and put it in a hole. An apt test for most pathfinders. Please retrieve the blue stone."

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Leaving the basket Endor searches the room for lock's keys and other containers, assuming this test is harder than it appears.

I wish I could help with these items...my magical training centred around religion and beliefs.

Endor gives up on the basket and searches the room, certain that there is nothing else of interest.

”-put poles into little containers!“

A flash of black shoots towards Taariik's hand as he grabs the key. A viper napping underneath the linens snaps at the disturbing digits, sinking in deep. It recoils back, ready for more fingers if challenged.

bite vs flatfooted AC11: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 131d2 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1 [No dam, effect only, Taariik make 6 save rolls]
Effect Atk +5 melee, 1d2–2 plus tiny viper poison (save Fort DC 9; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Con)

As Taariik turns dark green, you all notice that the runes on this key match the runes surrounding the keyhole of the red lacquered chest.

"We don't have time for you to be poisoned. Hand the cube to some one and let's treat you. Someone drop something in the water jar and make sure it will sink. I have a suspicion"

heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
treating poison

Patros sets about trying to stave off the effects of the toxin.

heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

”Ohhh ... ahhh ... nooo!!! This cannot ... be!!“ he says and drops to the floor from
the pain.

Fort : 1d20 ⇒ 4

Fort : 1d20 ⇒ 11

Fort : 1d20 ⇒ 1

Fort : 1d20 ⇒ 17

Fort : 1d20 ⇒ 5

Fort : 1d20 ⇒ 19

The viper poison pains Taariik for only a few moments, as Endor and Patros tourniquet and draw out the poison. The venom leaves the wayang a little dizzy.

CON damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2

{FYI sometimes I'll use curly brackets instead of ooc code, just easier on mobile. See map - you guys have two keys now - PCs up.}

"Hand the cube to some one and let's treat you. Someone drop something in the water jar and make sure it will sink. I have a suspicion"

{FYI No one has touched the cube. The key from the water jar is in Maru's mage hand}

Endor being cautious goes back to his original plan. Knocks the blue key free of the basket and towards the red chest. "Would someone like to do the honours?"

He then stands 10ft away from the jar of water, has everyone keep their distance and knocks the liquid on the floor.

"This test is more than it seems. Let's get a better idea of what we are in for."

Endor slides the glass jar off the shelf with his pole, sending the container shattering onto the stone floor, immediately exploding in a liquid mess. Splatters on clothes and fumes rising reveal the acidic nature of the liquid.

Effect 1d6 acid damage (DC 16 Reflex save for half damage): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Taarik looks at Endor in his eyes show how sorry he is.

”You ... you were right to be careful.“ he says and steps a little back from the boxes.

"I am no happier being in this room than you are, but I'm also no rush to die. Let's be swift but diligent. Are you okay? I know I got a little close when treating you."

”No, no! Patros and you saved me. I ... I do not lean on shoulders often ... ehhh ... never actually!“ he sighs.

Who has to make a save GM? Here in case Taarik needs to save:

Ref : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

{Oh sorry, the acid automatically hits everyone. Everyone roll saves.}

Being more than 10ft away from the jar does nothing for the damage?

"See I make mistakes too."

Ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Endor's right, since he pushed everyone back 10', no rolls needed. I should have drawn the room, which is 20' x 20'.

PCs up!

Thanks GM Pathmaker