Wherever you are in Golarion (unless it happens to be Corvosa, in which case they walk up to you), during the lunch hour one day a person in court dress teleports into your vicinity, bows and hands you are rolled parchment.
"Greetings, I am a courier sent by Headmaster Toff Ornelos of the Academy of magic in Corvosa. You have been invited to participate in this year's Breaching Festival. Your great renown has no doubt led to this invite.
I am equipped to take us back to Corvosa using some magics if you are willing."
Breaching Festival
This is a yearly event at the Academy of Magic in Corvosa. It consists of participants of some renown in the area being invited to try and break into the vaults of the Academy testing their skills and abilities against the best wards and traps the Academies mages can devise. It is known to be extremely difficult and deadly, with only one successful participant in its history spanning over a century. Usually participants are not invited from beyond the city or at best Varisia, though sometimes it does occur. The rewards is known to be quite substantial, well over a hundred thousand GP.
Mi'al had been sitting crosslegged, periliously perched on the top of the archway, that served as entrance to the city of riddleport, surveying the harbor.
"I, ah" she paused, momentarily disoriented. Her armor clinced as she got up from her cross-legged position on the rock. "Hello. Not much sneaks up on me these days." She smiled disarmingly at the mage. "I'm afraid I don't really follow. What's this breaching festival affair?"
"Mmm-hmph." The blonde gnome takes the scroll and reads through it. "Well timed my dear man; were this not lunchtime, you'd have either broken a cover or a defence would have broken you. Well timed." She waves away a few guards rushing through the door to the tavern room, then smiles and gestures to the man. "Do sit down, I'm sure your master will not miss you for a few minutes. Eat if you'd like while I ready myself. Anything you want will be brought." Standing up, Irra adjusts her doublet before leaving for a particularly discrete back room with adoining secret hideout. She returns clad for war in bright chainmail with an Andoran sigil, a cloak shifting and distorting her form, and the occasional missed step revealing a flight spell.
"Forward, sensechel; leave has been arranged and affairs tended to. Let us waste no more time."
Mi'al had been sitting crosslegged, periliously perched on the top of the archway, that served as entrance to the city of riddleport, surveying the harbor.
"I, ah" she paused, momentarily disoriented. Her armor clinced as she got up from her cross-legged position on the rock. "Hello. Not much sneaks up on me these days." She smiled disarmingly at the mage. "I'm afraid I don't really follow. What's this breaching festival affair?"
"I would have thought you'd have heard of it being in Varisia. The Academy of Magic in Corvosa has been running it for over a century. It is a trial in which select competitors are invited to try their skills and abilities against the wards of the Academy's vaults. It occurs once a year, and in all the time it has run, there has been but a single victor. The reward is quite large, though the headmaster would be best to give you details. I am but a courier. "
"Forward, sensechel; leave has been arranged and affairs tended to. Let us waste no more time."
The courier declines any refreshments, and when instructed, pulls out a scroll and reads it. Suddenly you feel the familiar magic of teleportation and you stand in the courtyard of what is probably the Academy of Magic in Corvosa.
"That's a lot of money..." She almost looked disappointed. "I don't normally do things like this for money - are you sure there aren't anyone in danger you need me to save?"
Mi'al almost sat down again to continue her meditation, but there was a nagging feeling she couldn't let go of that she ought to follow this man. "I suppose it's all right. I'll go with you."
"Shoot, I almost forgot!" She picked up her spear where she'd left it on the ground, focused, mumbled something, and her spear flared with a soft golden glow as she picked it up. "All right! Do I need to take your hand, or something? For the trip, I mean."
"A festival! Of course, of course, of course! But much as I want to, I'll need to consult my partner." He will reach into his bag and pull out Stravolo. "So, my friend, are you up for vising Korvosa? I hear they have the most excellent oysters in the world. So what do you think?"
Stravolo answered by licking his lips.
"Well, that's settled. I guess we're going to Korvosa. Being the travelling sort, I'm all prepared to move on."
He knew nothing of this festival, but then again what could happen?
"Well, that's settled. I guess we're going to Korvosa. Being the travelling sort, I'm all prepared to move on."
"Certainly sir. " and he pulls out a scroll reads it, and you find yourself in another place. Likely the courtyard of the Academy.
Aramus stands after the thrust and gives a winning smile to the gathered students. "So you see, employing the Dramboli Defense as you move into an attack sequence can be difficult at best. Quick thinking and a quick hand are required." He winks at one of the older female students. "Of course, if you're sure of yourself, it's fully possible to accomplish the unthinkable."
A moment later, a look in several students' eyes alerts Aramus to someone behind him, and he turns to see the courier. "One moment," he says, sliding his rapier into its scabbard and turning to the actual professor present. "My thanks again for inviting me to lecture." The professor, an older gentleman, only shakes his head and waves the younger fencer off.
Aramus motions for the courier to walk with him a short ways into another courtyard at Lepidstadt University, and he listens attentively as the messenger explains the invitation. After he finishes, Aramus stretches, smiles, and nods his head. "Thank the gods, I was wondering how I'd get out of giving another speech and demonstration. No problem teaching the younger generation, you know, but I need the test, the action. It was this or go to Absalom to follow Cayden's footsteps, and I didn't look forward to doing that just yet. Someday, maybe." He grins and pats his hilt.
"As for now, though?" He pulls a flask from his coat pocket and unscrews the top, inhales deeply, then gives a sheepish look and takes a long sip. After finishing, he smacks his lips and slides the flask away. "Let me grab my bag and get out of here. I need a challenge, a fight! Something. Anything."
He looks around, feeling that buzz of excitement in the air that means something interesting is going to happen. He looks around to see a similarly dressed courier near an interestingly dressed gnome lady. He'll step on over, bowing deeply with a sweep of his hat. "Arvaldo the Puppetteer at your service. You have the look of somebody just arrived. Are you also here for the festival?"
Rogard is seated at a table in a small yard with his wife, with an empty plate in front of him and feeding raw meat to the hawk sitting at his shoulder. Once the courier makes their intentions clear, he measures themfrom head to toe falling silent for a while. "I thought the academy doesn't usually invite non locals to the event."
Rogard contemplates on the money available and decides that it would go a long way to make sure that his descendants are set for quite some time. His eyes then move to her wife who gives a slight nod. "I accept, let me gather my belongings and say my farewells."
With that the man moves inside of the house returning with a backpack few minutes later. Rogard then gives a kiss to his wifes cheek before adressing the courier once more. "Shall we then?"
OK, I'll just move along since Gale did post in discussion.
Once everyone is present in the courtyard they are escorted immediately to the headmaster’s offices in Ornelos Hall once they present their personalized invitations to the campus guards. Toff’s office is an austere, well-organized chamber with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a large oaken desk. The wizened headmaster stands to welcome his guests, his long beard wagging slightly as he moves to shake their hands. Once the PCs’ escorts have left the room and the characters are seated comfortably, Toff speaks.
“Welcome, and thank you for answering my invitation. As I’m sure you well know, the Breaching Festival is a longstanding Acadamae tradition, with prizes both material and magical. You might also know that entry in the contest is traditionally reserved for only the best and bravest of our students and a select few representatives of other Korvosan institutions. This year, though, we’re changing tradition and expanding the invitations further than ever—we want the most powerful, qualified individuals to compete, in other words. It has been a century and a half since the last—the only—winner of the Breaching Festival won the prize! One of you surely must bring glory to yourself and the Acadamae by enduring the traps and tricks in the Hall of Wards. I’m even willing to bend the rules to allow a team of allied competitors like yourselves to cooperate as a single unit—whatever it takes to get a winner tomorrow.”
"Do you have any questions?"
As headmaster speaks and the nature of the festival is revealed, Confusion spreads over Arvaldo's face. Followed closely by Dawning Revelation, a very quick moment of Disappointment and Embarrassment, and then settles into Eager Excitement.
Rogard listens politely before speaking, even if he isn't too fond of the adverticement styled speech of the headmaster. "You mentioned rules, what do those entail, if there are limits placed for me or the obstacles for that matter I would like to know them now?"
Aramus nods at the dwarf's comment, but it's clear he's as excited as Arvaldo. "Of course I'll enter your contest, I'm happy to venture forth for gold and glory, but it would be good to know what's allowed and what isn't. I'm guessing there's no rules against debonaire wit, but I'd hate to get disqualified for anything else." He flashes a smile and shifts his weight.
"The rules are simple. First, there can be but one winner—although the PCs are welcome to work together to help one of their team win and then split the money. (Toff notes that the winning prize, split among the PCs, would still be a significant payout.)
Second, while contestants are free to work together if they wish, they are not allowed to directly interfere with other contestants. Third, the contestant who first emerges from the front doors of the Hall of Wards is the winner. Finally, all contestants must sign forms that release the Acadamae of any liability for any misfortune suffered as a result of the contest."
Mi'al looks suitibly alarmed. Not that she's scared, but to have a hundred and fifty years without a winner... That's a lot of dead people. She was beginning to think that maybe there really was a reason for her being here. Hmm. But the contestants participated of their own free will, so it couldn't be bad, right? She'd have to investigate more.
"Are the traps really that dangerous? No-one has survived them in a hundred years?"
"Yes, only one in all that time. Back in 4551, a man named Dyson Fordyce—who is the only winner to date— managed to step into the Hall of Wards and just as quickly step back out, winning on a technicality. Since then, the Breaching Festival has required entry into the Hall of Wards by one door and exit from one on the opposite side of the building. No one else has made it out alive. "
Mi'al looked a little lost, and perhaps also a smidge embarrassed. "Erm. I'm confused. What are we supposed to do, precisely? As I understand it, we enter that hallway place, and then our job is to attempt to get out of there alive, first person out wins?"
"Yes, you enter at one end of the vault, and leave at the other. First one out wins. Trust me, there is all manner of unpleasantness in between. It won't be a walk in the park. There is also the qualifying portion beforehand, but that will be explained tomorrow right before the event. "
"Dyson sounds a clever fellow," Aramus mutters with a grin, resting a hand on his rapier's hilt. "But I have to say, this does sound risky. I'm in. Just let me know about the qualifier when I need to know, huh?"
The swordsman steps outside, where he leans against the wall and taps the arm of the first of the others to exit. "So, we're working together on this, right? Safety in numbers, teamwork gets us through, and all that?"
"Can you tell us more about this Hall of Wards? Who sets up the traps, the dangers? What is its history?"
"The Breaching Festival, which grew out of the Hall of Wards’ claim that their traps and defenses were so great that no thief could breach them, is for real—the dangers contestants face are lethal. Each year, the dean of the Hall of Wards, with the aid of a handpicked group of talented spellcasters (most of whom are final-year students or graduates of the Acadamae), crafts a new series of traps and dangers. No one else knows what these wards are until the festival is underway. "
"In previous years, all manner of magical traps, particularly those that summon monsters or use glyphs and wards, have been used."
Rogard strokes his beard in contemplation. "So if I understood correctly this means that all obstacles of this gauntlet of sorts have been prearranged and nothing will be added later? Not counting any set ups that do that themselves after being placed."
"That is correct. Noone from the Academy will interfere with the vault once the competition has started. "
Gale has been quite since arriving at the academy, she has listened to the headmaster and the other contestants.
I will go where the wind takes me, if it is here to test my skills with these brave few then so be it
Arvaldo looks around at the other contestants, examining their demeanor, their gear, the way they hold themselves. It's a very nuanced evaluation.
"hmm... I'm interested. But I'm assuming that the challenge was created with these rule changes in mind. If they planned for a group to go through, then the challenges will likely require a group's cooperation."
He pauses, looking at each one. "I suggest a pact to conquer this together. To each cover the weaknesses of the other and watch their backs. To be stronger as a unit, and to win this. This is not merely about money and fame, but about inspiration. Doing something thought impossible. So, what say you?"
Assuming there are no further questions, Toff speak up once more "Well if there is nothing else you wish to ask, I must get back to my duties. Jandar Lilswin, my assistant, will be your guide around the Academy and if you have further questions which may come up, he should be able to answer them. " as he shows you out of his office. There is a man waiting there.
He is a lanky human in robes. You'd probably guess he's a wizard.
"Well met honored competitors. I am to show you around the grounds and to your accommodations here if you wish to stay on the grounds. Otherwise you can book what accommodations suit you in the city proper. "
He begins walking you down the hall towards the stairs. "Please come this way. "
As you begin to move, you heard a loud scream and a thunderous crash from downstairs.
Wordlessly, Mi'al springs into action, rushing towards the nearest staircase, making for the source of the scream.
It's become a habit so ingrained it's almost an instinct. If there's screaming, she runs towards it and try to help. Quite often this means slaying things.
Yes, might as well do initiative.
bad guy init
Aramus reacts quickly as well, his eager response to Arvaldo's suggestion dying on his tongue. Without waiting a moment, he rushes to the stairs and, if time allows (and it isn't obviously too long a drop), vaults over the ledge, drawing his rapier as he dashes into the fray.
Arvaldo flings himself toward the stairs. As he goes he seems to fade away.
Irra raises an eyebrow at the headmaster, then rises off the floor and flies after the source of the noise with everyone.
She tosses a glance back at the druid. "Coming, earthman?"
Rogard tries his best to get some idea what has happened by listening. He smirks at the gnome. "One should not assume things from ones race young lady."
Considering you have all the information possible for you to obtain in your location (short of having x-ray vision), it would be pointless.
Jumping down the stairs, while dramatic, won't speed anyone up a great deal, nor is the possible drop more than 10'.
Gale follows the sound of the scream and he companions, she takes note of her surroundings looking for trouble as she draws her bow.
Sinc Mi'al posted, but didn't roll init, I'll get that.
Order is Bag guys
Aramus
Rogard
Mi'Al
Gale
Irra
Arvaldo
So Aramus reaches the classroom first, but everyone is in a fairly close group so they all see this.
Inside there is a mess on the lecture stage. Apparently there was a botched summoning. The summoner, likely a student, lies unconscious, and very scorched, but still twitching on the ground in front of a massive spider like being.
The spider creature hears you run in through the open door and a ray of heat energy lances out from one of its eyes at Aramus.
hit vs. flat footed touch AC.
PCs are up.
Map is up.
"Step away from the mage, monster!" Mi'al bellows at it, before running towards the downed student.
bah
Aramus tumbles forward, rolling over one desk and sliding under another, moving into position to strike at the spider-beast before him.
Upon reaching the creature, he stands and throws his cape back over his shoulder. "Have at you, beastie!"
Unnatural beast, go back to your plane! you do not belong here! gale shouts as she enters the room
As a swift action she will make the spider her studied target
edit: If Aramus' attack hits then gale will use her opportunist slayer talent to take an AoO
"Hrmph..."
Gliding into the room, Irra takes a breath and snaps her fingers, subtly shimmying her hips from side to side, willing knowledge to come from the power of deceit.
"Retriever! Construct, demon-made. Eye rays of fire, cold, electricity and petrification. Heals itself slowly!"
OK, it missed.
You do hit the target though. It has no DR, so it eats it all. Gale lands an AOO from opportunist.
Both Gale and Irra recognize it to be a Retriever. Doubt it will last long enough to be worth any questions.
pass
Rogard looks at the creature and decides with the student lying there this needs to be taken care of rather quickly. So the dwarf casts a modified spell giving him the ability to fly cursing the fact that he had not done so earlier. He then starts to change forms and moment later there is flying octopuss next to the spider like being.
Init +0; Senses Darkvision 60ft, low light vision Perception +26
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DEFENSE
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AC 25, touch 12 flatfooted 25 ( 10base 10 armor, 2 deflection, 1 insight, 4 natural, -1 dex -1 size)
HP 120 (13d8+52)
Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +17;
+5 against Spells and Spell like abilities
+4 bonus on saving throws against the spell-like and supernatural abilities of fey.
+4 against effects that target plants.
Immune to Poison
Improved Evasion when flying
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OFFENSE
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Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft., jet 200 ft.
Melee
bite +21 (1d8+12/20/x2 plus poison), 8 tentacles +16 (1d4+12/20/x2 plus grab)Gore +21 (1d8+12/20/x2)
PA -3 to hit +6 damage
Special Attack constrict (tentacle, 1d4+12)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.(20 with tentacle)
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STATISTICS
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Str 28 Dex 8, Con 18, Int 20, Wis 20, Cha 10
Base Atk +9; CMB +22; CMD 32
Notes: -4 to stealth size, -2 to fly size, +2 STR skills, -1 dex skills
Fly at the moment +15 60ft good
I don't show modifiers.
Do you think a retriever has a +0 will save at its CR?