GM Tektite's PFS #03-15 The Haunting of Hinojai (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

Dora will follow along with whatever Jarvis intends as she is sold on the idea of helping the masses (aligns with her Silver Crusades motto).

Inspire Competence +2

followed up with her beautiful singing voice...

Bardic Performance: Fascinate (2 targets) (DC 17) (Su) One or more creatures becomes fascinated with Dora.

If that works, try the suggestion...

Bardic Performance: Suggestion (DC 17) (Sp) Make a Suggestion to one Fascinated creature.

Dora with a wink and a grin to Jarvis on the way to the crowd.

"You do realize, Sir Jarvis, that if this works, you will owe me a favor and have to help me carry my large tomes of notes back from the library or archives, should we ever live to find it in this place."

"Whether it works or not, I will be honored to assist you. If need be, I'll even purchase an Ant Haul scroll to complete the task. Of course, I doubt they are written on stone."

Jarvis gives a few flexes of his bicep in jest.

I was hoping for a role-playing bonus . . .

I know, and I gave you one, though I just knocked it off the DC. The roll I made for you was pretty poor, if you'd like to roll your own...go ahead. I'm easy when it comes to PP.

Edit: With Dora's +2, you made it. Congrats. Save you performance Dora, you might need it later.

The tax collector begins to noticeably shake when confronted by Jarvis, backed by the crowd. When the paladin begins to sing, whether from fear and distaste of the music, the man runs in grabs his belongings and dashes for the outskirts of the village, harried by the crowd the whole way.

Jarvis congratulates the crowd at their first steps towards freedom. After the commotion has calmed down, he kneels and prays to the gods above for granting this victory.

"Liberating people from their shackles, and slaying evil undead. This turned out to be a righteous mission after all. I am ready to proceed when you all are."

Clapping and cheering with the rest of the crowd, Dora smiles in delight as if she was seeing a kings treasure-room. "Bravo Champion Jarvis, liberator of the oppressed. I will need to compose a lyric and write a song to praise your deeds today!"

Dora and Boots are ready to move on when the others are...

YOu guys ready to head to the mansion?

Weiman is as ready as he ever will be.

Ready.

Roger, roger

The party finishes their business in the village and head out toward the mansion. About a quarter mile from the destination, the interpreter stops, telling you he will go no further. The mansion is haunted and evil. He then turn and high tails back to the village, his sandals flapping wildly as he runs.

As the party approaches, you see meandering stone steps, overgrown with vegetation in places, climb the slope of a hill underneath sheltering trees. On the final landing before the mansion itself is a freestanding moongate—a circular stone gate that opens between the trees. The surface of the landing itself is stone and decorated with a sundial fashioned from colored tiles. The sundial’s blade rises two feet from the landing like a shark fin pointed toward the moon gate. Beyond the gate, a final set of stairs ascends to the house.

Edit: Almost forgot! MAP!

Weiman's ears perk, almost like that of a dogs. In a moment, his cheerful demeanor turns to a serious one. "There's someone in there!" Weiman moves forward, casting Acute Senses on himself. If we're not in actions (that'd be a move and a standard,) he'll also look around, trying to find the plea's source. Perception: 1d20 + 22 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 22 + 10 = 38

As Weiman steps forward, listening, suddenly, six ghostly figures appear on the landing. Apparitions of a woman and two small children huddle together, flanked by spectral armored figures with drawn blades. A robed and hooded woman stands apart from the others pointing down the stairs. The children sob as their mother pleads to some unseen person to hurry. The hooded figure calls out sharply, “You’re too late. It is sundown. Their lives are forfeit!”

Weiman has one surprise action, then..

Initiative:
Jarvis
Dora
Apparitions
Rosham
Weiman

MAP

Are there 6 figures or 4?
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

There are six figures in the apparition, the four on the map are just the representation.

On her turn, unless Dora sees Jarvis is able to hurt these apparitions with weapons (in which case she will inspire courage +2/+2) she will dig out her brand new haunt siphon and see if it actually works on these things.

"What in the world are they, Weiman? I have heard of ghosts and ring-wraiths in childhood stories back home. But I always thought those were just tales to scare the young halflings at bedtime."

Move up the stairs, drawing Shortsword as part of the move and activating Luck as a swift. KnR: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"I don't know, but I'm gonna help them if I can!"

Holding on Jarvis' action before reconciling Dora's

"They are restless spirits that haunt this place. They must be put to rest."

Jarvis makes his way upon the bridge. He proudly displays his holy symbol of Iomedae while proclaiming, "The Power of Iomedae Compels You! The Power of Iomedae Compels You!"

Channel Positive Energy vs haunt: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) = 7

Jarvis strides forward, presenting his holy symbol, and channels the positive energy of his goddess. The haunt wavers, but persists.

Dora follows Jarvis' example and moving forward, unscrews the lid of her haunt siphon.

Siphonator 4000: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 4) = 11

The haunt wavers more violently and begins to swirl into a whirlwind before being sucked up into the vial, as Dora replaces the cap. The vial begins to glow a putrid, swirling green.

Out of Combat!

Congratulations Dora, you are now the proud owner of a negative energy bomb!

Where would you guys like to go now?

On my phone so I can't move the tokens right now.

However, Rosham will suggest the two halflings take the lead with the humans behind, giving a clear line of effect to anything in front over their heads, along with plans to move up when circumstances dictate. This precludes charging until Dora and/or Weiman act, but does allow all four party members actions as needed.

Weiman sheathes his sword. "Welp, looks like this place isn't haunted anymore, guys. Good job, everyone!" Weiman chuckles to himself as he moves to the door. Unless his Trapspotter talent says anything to him, he'll open it and continue the quips. "I'd say ladies first, but, heh, that would just be mean."

"Wow, that was amazing!! Did you guys see that? How come there were 4 ghosts? Are all four in this jar? That is better than catching fireflies. Now what do I do with this thing? I did not get that far on the instructions. That is usually the case with me. I lose the instruction more often than not. What, me lead? Sure, I can do that...in fact many times I take lead and then the party goes the other direction. But I usually find them...after awhile. You should see how disappointed they look when I find them. Some people take lead way too seriously. But I still have this glowing green jar, so I can stay in the back too. I did not think it would really work...but schlooopp. In they went. Why are you all looking at me like that? Oh yeah...my quiet voice...got it. Ok I am ready."

"May I suggest that we walk around the building? I would like to know what we are getting ourselves into before actually getting into it."

[ooc]SO in the front door or search the perimeter?[/oo]c

Weiman, not minding the dialogue barrage, shrugs and responds to Jarvis when Dora is done speaking. "Eh, sure. Whatevs."

The party scurries around the perimeter of the mansion. On the west side they see an atrium. Following the perimeter around the northwest corner the party sees the back of the house with a cliff side patio jutting from the northeast corner of the house. The ground falls off very quickly on this corner. Going back around the south side and coming up around the east, the party sees the walkway dead ends into a corner of the house.

The atrium can be walked into, as well as the numerous windows/doors visible on the map.

Rosham considers the dead end.

Perhaps we should check here for secret doors. And by "we" I mean Weiman.

"I just hope that it's not my dead end! Ha!" Weiman moves towards the dead end, chuckling to himself. Just lemme know when 6 minutes is up, because then I lose Acute Senses. Perception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (11) + 32 = 43

Weiman cups his hands around something and speaks/shouts towards Rosham, depending on the appropriate volume is for their current distance apart. "Hey, guys. Guess what I found?"

"What is it? Can I see it? "

Dora urges Boots up so they can both see what Weimann discovered...watching for more ghosts.

( incidentally, she stows the green glowing jar and wields her lance.)

Weiman waits for Rosham to answer, obviously holding back great anticipation.

If you reach behind yourself with both hands, perhaps your backside... Rosham mutters aloud as he approaches. What?

After Weiman's spoiler...

Rosham stares at the halfling for a long moment, a dozen juicy retorts running through his head. Abandoning all of them, he turns back to Jarvis and says, I blame YOU for having us walk around outside, brusquely as he strides past, making for the atrium. Let's try this way.

"Wait, what? Like nothing, as in something but invisible or just nothing like not something? Oh Weiman, you are terrible! I like you already. Well, I liked you before, and not just because you are another Halfling, but....well not that there is anything wrong with being another Halfling.....ok, got it. Where to next long legs?"
Dora looks at Rosham with a coy smile.

In a low voice...as if trying to remember something from long ago.

"The other day upon the stair...
I saw a man that was not there...
He was not there again today...
I wish that man would go away!"

Jarvis cocks his head to the side at Rosham's remark. He then draws his longsword and follow Rosham through the atrium with a shoulder shrug.

The party circles back around to the atrium. Entering they find, the ceiling of this large spacious area extends two stories high, with staircases on the north and south walls leading to an overlooking balcony. A rock garden dominates the center of the room; a large wooden frame filled with clean sand and large stones, moss, and pruned trees. Adding to sense of luxury, paintings and woodcuts adorn the eastern wall. A balcony on the second floor overlooks the garden from the east side. On the ground floor there is no exterior western wall; rather, it opens out to a wooden porch and another outdoor garden.

Looking around this ground level. Perception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (13) + 32 = 45

Rosham will cast detect magic and scan the atrium.

Weiman finds nothing more of interest in the atrium.

Rosham find nothing emanating magical auras, other than his companion's gear.

Dora on the otherhand, notices that two of the woodcuts on the eastern wall are exquisite pieces of art that would probably fetch 365 gp apiece!

Pointing to the woodcuts as the men walk past...

"Fascinating woodcraft here....did you see the scrollwork? So full of life! Definitely will have to come back for another look at these. Masterpieces for sure or I'm a furry goblin."

Not sure how big those are, or how securely attached. Once we deal with the haunting spirits, will come back and see if they can be relocated to a museum for a price."

Weiman approaches the door closest to him on the ground floor after Dora's diagnosis of the wall and attempts to open it (relying on his Trapspotter to spot traps, if needed. Bravado, ho!)

Weiman opens the northern door of the atrium to find a L-shaped room. The eastern portion of the room has a raised floor where a finely crafted wooden chair, almost a throne, sits. A half-dozen faded woven mats litter the floor. A small low table rests tipped on its side. Scattered on the floor are the broken remains of a porcelain tea set. On the wall hang empty racks where commemorative weapons used to hang in places of honor. Weiman notices the word, LIARS, scratched into the surface of the western wall.

Map Updated. Where to now?

Are those two doors or windows to the south and east?

Dora cast detect magic and will move in, riding boots and look around for any lingering auras. She will shrug her shoulders looking at the men and point to the eastern door towards the north of the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

She also checks for tracks and the amount of dust in the room to get an idea of how long the tea set has been there.

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Unable the think of a decent joke Weiman points to the word from the distance he's at. "Hey, guys, look; Liars." He'll move into the room with Dora and also perception. Active Perception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (4) + 32 = 36 10 less if Acute Senses has worn off.

Unless anybody else says anything to stop him, Jarvis will move into the room and open the door Dora pointed to within the house.

Jarvis moves into the L-shaped room and crossing the space, open the door in the northeast. The door opens to reveal a cliffside patio. This area is open to the outside but sheltered by the roof two stories above. A simple waist-high metal railing separates this patio from the cliffside to the north. A few serviceable chairs rest near a large free-standing brass telescope aimed at the heavens. Broken statues of foo dogs and other mythological animals litter the floor along the southern walls. Standing on the patio, the Jarvis see an extremely gaunt humanoid, with pixielike stature and skin the color of deep shadow. The humanoid grins wickedly at Jarvis.

Initiative
Dora
Humanoid
Rosham
Jarvis
Weiman

Dora up!

MAP

I am assuming a full round action and not a surprise round

As a move action, Dora issues a tactical command

"Foes afoot. Ready team? Charge while we have them! Team?"

Sound the Charge: Allies apply the battle herald’s inspiring command +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. Charging allies increase their speed by 5 feet times the battle herald’s inspiring command bonus.

As her standard, she will cast glitterdust on the creature. (DC16 Will)