GM Yogadragon Race for the Runecarved Key Tier 1-2 (Inactive)

Game Master yogadragon

Kenza gives the Venture-Captain Heidmarch a thorough and accurate recounting of their Rinks mission.

---

Upon hearing of their new mission, Kenza places a hand on her chin and thinks....

"Deception is not within my skill set," she eventually admits. "I trust the planning to those with the talents to see it done well." Kenza inclines her head respectfully to the others. Noticeably, she does not bow her head to Kalangkang. Clearly, Kenza is still offended she was falsely accused of insubordination.

Kahwen wrote:

"I have an idea, Companions. If Friend Kalangkang or Friend Merrill can cast a small illusion on my hand I can pretend that it was withered or twisted or posed by touching the key," Kahwen says when it is time to plan their next mission.

I can do that only if it is possible with Prestidigitation. But I can cast Haunted Fey Aspect.

That'll wprk, especially if you have Bluff.

"Friend Kalangkang will cast his spell and we'll all pretend that it is because he came into contact with the key and it cursed him. Great fun, Companions!" Kahwen declares, already headed for the cabin.

"A wonderful idea. And while he's distracted, I'll try that little trick I used to fool the guards back at Lady Kaddren's quarters. Let's make it look like the place is haunted because of the 'key's curse'." He claps his hand in amusement at the group's plan. "Let's get going then, heroes!"

Very smart. Let's go make it happen.

"Sounds good! Let's go!"

Kalakang casts his spell on himself, assuming the visage of a deformed, horrid fey creature. You set off to Haruka House, which is quite nearby. The party knocks on the door, and a jovial Falrig Sneeve answers.

Ah hello! A group of Pathfinders I take it? Sheila has allowed me to stay on her estate. It is quite a nice place to stay! What brings you to visit me?

Kahwen seems quite amused by their plan and what he thinks the results will be. When they get outside Haruka House, he waits for Kalangkang to cast his spell then bursts in.

"Oh, woe! Woe upon my friend! We were examining the cursed key and he made the mistake of touching it! And it truly was cursed! All those runes lit up and now just look at my friend! Now that the misfortune has been awoken, surely it will spread to anyone else who comes into it's presence! Oh woe!" Kahwen gestures toward Kalangkang then hid3s his ey3s as though on the verge of tears.

Bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"We need water!" Kenza exclaims as she drags Kahwen into the room and lays him on the couch.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 10

To her companions she orders, "Fetch a medic!"

"Damned curses!" she growls.

We've been visiting all the bidders but our friend just collapsed. Please head the warning! Jeskit does his best to put the focus on Kahwen.

bluff aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"ನಾನು ನಿನ್ನ ಆತ್ಮವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇನೆ!"Kalangkang is constantly talking some stupidity. "ನಾನು ನಿನ್ನ ಆತ್ಮವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇನೆ!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Taizen starts to speak in a mix of druidic and sylvan.

He makes gestures over his fellow Tengu.

"This curse is strong indeed."

Aid Another (Bluff): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

"The key is indeed a beauty to behold, but such a shame to find out that it hides unpleasant mysteries."

Bluff, Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

While his comrades distract Sneeve, Merrill goes off to the side and takes out a lump of wax from his component pouch. He tosses it aside and chants the words of the spell that he used earlier.

Casting Ghost Sound

A cry of agony can be heard from a nearby room around 8 humans loud and Merrill once again helps out in trying to convince Sneeve that the key is indeed cursed.

"Oh my, it seems that the curse is spreading in this household!"

Bluff, Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Not me, Companions! Friend Kalangkang!" Kahwen hisses in a whisper as he is surrounded by the other Pathfinders.

Fortunately, the magic users spell and acting abilities seem strong enough that Sneeve might not notice the miscommunication.

doh! i read that wrong

will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Falrig looks kind of confused. Kahwen bursts in with Kalakang and begins weaving a harrowing tale of curses. Everyone tries to jump in and tell the story all at once, somewhat diminishing the effect. Falrig looks very confused, and fairly annoyed. He seems to look into the distance, as if hearing something, but he shakes it off and turns back to the show in front of him. He appears to be trying to decipher what the group is saying, before turning to see Kalakang speaking in some horrid language. At that, he gives a shriek.

What is this now? Who are you, and what is this about the key? Please, one at a time.... eeeeeeekkkkk! What is that horrid thing, and why have you brought it here!?

Kenza says nothing, letting the others lie in her stead.

"ನಾನು ಊಟಕ್ಕೆ ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತೇನೆ!"

Kahwen pushes his way away from his confused friends, realizing that he hadn't told them about the adjusted plan since Kalangkang's spell would only work on himself.

"My apologies for the confusion! We're all just so shocked that we're not even sure who's in danger or what to do."

He thrusts a finger at Kalangkang. "That is our friend. No more than an hour ago, he looked just like you or me...well...you, anyway. Then, he touched one of the runes on the key and...Well...just look! And now it is spreading in his mere presence! I for one, would never want to touch that key or have it in my possession!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

After Kahwen speaks, Kenza forces Kalangkang to lay down on the couch. "Lay down!" she orders him. "You need rest so we can continue on to the healer."

Turning to the scholar, Kenza apologizes. "My apologies, sir. He could make it no further. If I might fetch him water and let him rest a moment, he might regain his strength enough to get him to a healer at the main Lodge."

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Water, sir. Quickly! Our friend is in agony from his encounter with they KEY!!!!

bluff aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

After Falrig's bewildering stare causes the group to pause and regroup, there is a brief silence, quickly ended once again by the entire group talking at once. Kenza, at first believing that he companions could handle it better than she, sees them foundering and losing their audience. She speaks in a calm, authoritative voice that punctuates the conversation, and capture's Falrig's attention.

What's this about a healer? What's wrong with him? Something about a curse you said?

"Our companion had an unfortunate encounter with the key at the auction. We warned him not to touch it, but he insisted and this is what happened to him. We believe that the key bears a curse." He tries to look at Kalangkang pitifully, hoping that he is able to aid in convincing Sneeve to believe their story.

Aid, Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

With Falrig's attention on Kenza, the party quiets down and lets her speak. After she finishes, and Falrig asks his follow up, Merill joins in informing him of the source of the curse. His eyes go wide and dart back and forth from Kalangkang to Merill and back again. What!? The key did that!? To him!? Oh this is bad... this is real bad... I was near it... I might be cursed to... why does this keep happening to me?! Gotta go see the cleric... nip this in the bud...

He begins hurriedly gathering his things to rush off to visit a Cleric. You are quite confident that he has been dissuaded from bidding on the key.

"I think that is best, sir," Kahwen says to Rinks. He then helps rush Kalangkang out and up to the manor house, supporting him as though he is injured.

There is an expression of joy on his face when they get inside.

"Not quite how it was meant to go, Companions, but it worked! Let us go find our next mission. I think we should face down the Apsis Consortium."

Jeskit is about to dogpile the conversation when he thinks better of it. Not the orator, he opts to not make more messes when he's made plenty.

He does his best to stay out of Falrig's way when he leaves the room.

Jeskit nods to Kahwen's suggestion for moving to the next mission.

GM: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Sheila is once again delighted to hear of your success, and hurries you on to collect your next task from her agent.

Prior to the founding of our lodge, the Pathfinder Society had few contacts and fewer resources here in Magnimar. One of our best was an alchemist and a sage name Darga Cranstone. Cranstone kept a small lab in Ordellia, performing specialized research using rare herbs that grow wild in the Mushfens. Yesterday, word from Absalom arrived that several years ago, our organization paid the alchemist an advance of over a three thousand crowns for some research. Several months later, Cranstone had only turned over half her findings, and eventually failed to complete the commission. Then for a short while, the Society lost all contact with her. Just days before the Decemvirate sent a debt collector to hunt down Darga, her apprentice suddenly sent word that his mistress was still working on the project. This kept on for several seasons, with the apprentice’s notes becoming more infrequent, until they simply petered off. While the sum was fairly significant, other matters put recouping the lost sum on hold, and after a few years, it was eventually forgotten. Now that we have again been reminded of this debt, I need you to go to Cranstone’s tower and collect the fee she owes us, with interest.

Assuming everyone is ready, the party sets off for the Alchemist's tower. The Pathfinders arrive at Cranstone’s rundown tower to find it long abandoned. The doors and windows have been boarded up and dozens of old, faded notices plastered on the door warn trespassers to keep out and that the property has been seized by the lord mayor’s office. Still, it appears like a long time has passed since anyone from the government has paid the premises a visit. The boards pry off easily, allowing access to the ground floor. Long looted of all valuables, it contains nothing but rubbish and rats. A rickety wooden staircase curls about the exterior wall leading a good 60 feet upward to a second floor.

Please place yourself in the room with the staircase on slide 11.

placed

Looooks like no one's home. Eyes out for squatters and vermin. Jeskit unslings his segmented staff and drapes it over his traps as he walks up the stairs.

Kenza leads the way into the room, one hand empty, and one hand holding a sai. She listens carefully for any sounds in the tower, then looks around the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Kahwen is not going to get burned again. He's already had to cobble together tools to pick locks twice this mission and an abandoned alchemist's tower seems like just the place that would have a locked door.

"One stop on the way if you don't mind, Companions," he says as they exit the Manor. He stops off at the appropriate kind of shop (i.e. a shady one) and picks up not just a set of thieves tools but the best set of thieves tools available.

Buying a Masterwork set of Thieves Tools along the way.

He actually seems disappointed when they get to the tower and there is nothing there but some boards barring their way. He tucks the tools back away, which he had taken out when they approached the tower, obviously disappointed he was not going to get to use his new possessions.

"If Darga is still here, I don't think she has the money she owes us," he says as he looks at the state of the tower. He looks for threats, whether living, intended or simply dangers caused by the decrepit nature of the tower.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"She seems to have flown. Luck may not be with us tonight..." he says before seeing the staircase Jeskit is walking up.

"Do be careful! Getting stabbed again is not good for your health." he caws while trying to keep up with his Nagaji companion.

Cast Guidance (1 Min) on Jeskit
The creature gets a +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. It must choose to use the bonus before making the roll to which it applies.

Thank you, friend. Here's hoping we don't run into any ugly business in here. Jeskit approaches more carefully based on the advice.

perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Kalangkang looks around to see something unusual.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

The party enters the upper levels of the tower. Like the exterior, and lower levels these levels have fallen into disrepair. There are boards over the windows, and cobwebs everywhere. The party sets forth searching the room, but before they get too far, the skin on their arms collectively begins to stand, and a chill enters the room. All of a sudden objects begin flying towards the pathfinders!

A Chair, a book, and on old, empty lamp lift off the ground and go flying towards Kenza!

TK: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

TK: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

TK: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
TK Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

She is pelted by the items and takes 4 points of damage (1 per item, 2 for the crit)!

Merrill Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Jeskit Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Kenza Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Kalangkang Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Kahwen Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Taizen Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Poltergeist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Bold may act!

There are no apparent attackers, though objects are flying around the room slamming in to people.

Taizen
Jeskit
Merill
Poltergeist
Kenza
Kalakang
Kahwen

Merrill takes out his rapier and brandishes it to inspire other members of the party.

"Fear not heroes! This is just a minor obstacle. We've faced greater challenges than this."

Inspire courage to grant +1 competence bonus to attack and damage rolls as well as +1 morale bonus to saving throws vs fear.

Status: Performance 12/13

Kenza knocks the book off course, but the other objects smash into her one after the other. She has deflect arrows and can deflect the first object, taking three damage from the other two.

With narrowed eyes, Kenza looks around the room...

"There is no wind for books to be flying like this! Watch out." Taizen says with frustration. He starts to scan the room for magic.

Cast Detect Magic

As the party begins to rally to combat the unseen foe, you all see a skeletal humanoid materialize in the air in front of you, filling you with terror. I need a DC14 will save vs fear (don't forget the +1 from merill!) or you flee for flee: 1d4 ⇒ 1. After briefly materializing, it disappears again.

Pathfinders are up again!

Taizen
Jeskit
Merill
Poltergeist
Kenza
Kalakang
Kahwen

will: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16

Kalangkang takes out from pocket a chalk and grinds it with fingers and then trows dust of chalk all over the room. Hoping to see where the ghost is.

"Watch carefully!"

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Startled by the sudden skeleton Taizen almost flees but holds on to make sure the others stay safe.

Unsure what to do he awaits the others actions.

Delay

Kalakang throws his chalk power into the square the poltergeist was in. It is briefly outlined and you know that it is currently in that square.

Taizen did detect a magical aura in the room. If he wanted, he could keep concentrating to pinpoint it.

Will: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Merrill was not prepared and was shocked to see the phantom's appearance. He turns and shakes the image off as he tries to further encourage his comrades.

Not sure if I can maintain my performance. And does the flee happen this round or next?

will, +2 to mind effecting, +1 from merrill: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Jeskit is startled by the apparition and backpedals to the stairs.

Taizen catching a hint of magical emanations in the room he continues to focus on it.

"One moment." he muses.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20

No stranger to ghosts and undead, Kenza draws her holy water and splashes it all over the spectral being outlined in chalk.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Holy Water Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Ouch! Critically missing, so it only takes 1 splash damage.

Holy water sizzles over the creature, and more objects go spinning about the room, this time at Kalakang.

TK1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
TK2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
TK3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

A book goes flying into his temple, dealing one point of damage.

Taizen concentrates and the hazy auras begin to sharpen, but not enough to pinpoint a square yet.

If you spend one more round concentrating, you'll be able to consistently point out the square he is in and direct the party to his location. I'm going to assume you do so, and say the rest of the party may continue to make attacks on the creature this round without having to guess a square

Pathfinders are up again!

Taizen
Jeskit
Merill
Kenza -3
Kalakang -1
Kahwen
Poltergeist -1

Kenza draws another holy water and pours it on the creature.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
Holy Water Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Or 1 splash damage if I missed again.

Will Save plus Courage: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 1 = 11

"Aah, Companions! G-g-g-g-ghost!" Kahwen exclaims as the creepiness of the situation overwhelms him.

He rushes down the stairs, twisting and angling to move past his other companions that have also been affected by the fearsome presence of the ghost.

Kalangkang starts to wave with his hands and one missile fly out from his hands directly to Poltergeist.

damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Jeskit regains his wits and turns back to the room, sectioned staff tilted for a power attack.

move, move back to the room

Yeah, let's finish pinpointing Casper

"He cannot hide forever." Taizen says while continuing his focus almost able to pull his position out.