Motteditor's PFS 5-11: Library of the Lion PBP (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

Groan, that was horrible.

The lion gives you a feline grin. "I will accept it, though I hardly care for your conflating majestic creatures such as myself with falsehoods." It opens its mouth, revealing a brass key.

Opening the doors, you find a long stone hallway that terminates in an ascending spiral staircase to the north. Doors line the hall on the east and west. Four doors to the east (which is toward the bottom of the map).

"It is huge down here," Fenric says, impressed. He tries one of the doors.

Assuming that they are locked...

He heads towards the ascending staircase. "We should try to be quiet. This is probably where the caretaker is."

Alessio follows Fenric to the doors. We should step it up, time is of the essence.

prec: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Hakak walk alongside Fenric toward the stairs. This truly is a place of strange wonders

The stairs lead 20 feet up to a closed door. Beyond, you find an unlit room.

Hakak can see a large oval table dominates the room, with nine chairs set around it. Double doors lead south -- to the room where the librarian left you. Your illusory doubles continue to appear as if they are occupying the room.

38 minutes elapsed. (Also, Fenric, I assume you re-donned your breastplate, which is included above. If you wanted to don hastily, we can remove another minute.)

Am i confused about the hall/room description or are we in a maze type thing?

Alessio tries one of doors to the east (towards the bottom of the map as indicated in your post above).

I'm not quite sure of the geometry here as the maps are oriented differently, so it's a little confusing -- basically, though, the spiral staircase is another way in/out of the lower section of the library and back to where you started.

The door is locked. Picked one at random for you, as I don't think you have anything to differentiate between them.

1d4 ⇒ 3

perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
just in case for traps

disable: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Alessio breaks out some tools and take a look at the lock before trying to get it open.

While Alessio works on the locked door, Katarina and Ashton follow behind. "I wish I could be more helpful with the doors," she sighs. "But at least maybe I can help look for anything dangerous or useful," she adds as she scans the area around the third door.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

"Yeah, what she said," Ashton adds, a little less concerned about speaking quietly. "Hopefully there aren't many more doors after these, though - this place is plenty big enough," he grumbles as he too looks around for anything of interest.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Alas my Orcish hands are not helpful for you but I will keep guard whilst you work your lockpicking magic

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Gaeldrung hangs out. Lookin' cool. Ya know.

I had left it off in anticipation of picking the caretaker's pocket, but it appears that the caretaker isn't here--no other way out of this room, right?--so he'd put it back on at this point.

"She must have gone into one of the lower rooms," Fenric says before creeping back down the stairs. He tries each of the doors to see if any is unlocked.

"Without the keys, this could take a while."

The second door is locked, but the third you try Assuming you started being more methodical and checked from the staircase opens as you try the handle.

Five broad desks line the walls of a study room. Each work surface is covered with stacked volumes brimming with page markers as well as numerous open books.

The room is small enough that only four of you could search it at a time (and would take about 30 minutes total, divided by the number of searchers).

"Hum...maybe it'd be best if as many of us as can fit in here search while Alessio or Fenric go ahead and work on the doors that are locked?" Kat muses as she takes in the size of the room.

"That sounds like a reasonable plan," Fenric agrees and tests the next door.

Remember we have a +2 to search texts and have a free clue when we find a clue (usable once)

Alessio nods and moves on to the next door. Let's get these things open, this is all taking longer than I expected.

Going to deal with Fenric and Alessio at first...

You open the door to find a woman turning quickly toward it, her eyebrows rising in surprise above a crimson blindfold.

"Hello," she says. "Are they not teaching Lion Blades-to-be to knock anymore?"

Behind her, the small and simple quarters are sparsely decorated with only simple furniture and a stoic portrait of Grand Prince Stavian III in a brass frame with a plaque on its lower edge. A small tray bears the remains of a meal on the desk.

Meanwhile...

Settling in to the smaller room, Katarina gets to work flipping through the various tomes...

Kn. History (?): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
______

This is assuming that nothing happens to interrupt this, otherwise ignore it and Kat will respond accordingly to whatever happens when it happens :)

My mistake, ma'am. Is everything alright? Can I take that tray away for you?

Fenric tries to move quietly while Alessio provides an audible distraction and credible reason for the door to have opened.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

searching with Prof: priest: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 -1 if kn:religion is better

not really sure how to help here with no lock picking or knowledge skills....

"I'm sorry, who are you again, and why are you here?"

Thanks for doing your search rolls, guys. That'll save time when I get back to that room.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Shirt Re-Roll, 1 Star

Fenric tries to slip the keys off of the caretaker's person without her noticing, then slips quietly back into the hall.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

I was sent to collect some books on Taldorian military history. I must have gotten turned around. A thousand apologies for the intrusion. Could you point me in the right direction?

Fenric manages to snag the keys, but unfortunately, Alessio's attempt to pass off their intrusion doesn't seem to allay the blind woman's concerns.

"You don't sound like anyone I recognize," she says. "Perhaps I should call for the guards to help?"

Alessio Bluff/Diplomacy (since he's technically not lying...): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Perception vs. Fenric: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Sense Motive vs. Alessio (in case you take it more as a Bluff than Diplomacy): 1d20 ⇒ 17

Fenric, I'm going to say you're still at the door at this point, and this within hearing/acting distance of all this.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Fenric stands torn at the doorway. He stares at the keys in his hand and then looks back to the alchemist. Do I sacrifice one for the success of the mission?

He shakes his head and slips the keys into his pouch as he creeps away from the caretaker's room. Just as it seems to Alessio that he has been abandoned, Fenric turns on his heel and steps back towards the room with loud footfalls and calls out, "Alec? Where have you wandered off to?"

Reaching the doorway, he continues the ruse, "Apologies, mistress. I sent my squire to fetch books on military history, but I also told him that the books I wanted were on the lion's side of the archives."

He pauses for a moment before adding with a wry tone, "Knowing the lion, I would not put it past him to have tricked my squire into coming back here just to vex me. But I digress. I most sincerely apologize for the interruption--I hope you at least knocked--and we will leave you to your duties."

"Come along, Alec," he commands Alessio imperiously.

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

my bacon. It is saved

yes, sir. Right away, sir Alessio scurries out of the room relived to have the scrutiny removed.

As the others two deal with the caretaker, Katarina and her companions search the small room, discovering some of the bookshelves bear a minor enchantment that aids researchers this would give you a reroll in your search checks, but you don't need it.... With its help, Katarina discovers maps depicting Lake Encarthan, the Isle of Terror, and the nations that surround it. Of particular interest are the hundreds of hand-drawn notes and lines showing troop movements, preserving the changing plans of the brilliant generals who orchestrated the Shining Crusade.

During that time, Fenric and Alessio can use the keys to glance in the other two rooms.

In the first, bookcases cover nearly every inch of the walls of the room, which is only faintly illuminated by small lights set into the ceiling. A glass-paned door seals each panel of shelves, keeping the ancient tomes stored within free of dust.

Two rows of tall bookshelves flank the imposing yet beautiful wooden desk that presides over the second room. Over the door hangs a portrait of Grand Prince Stavian III, portrayed wearing an especially smug grin.

1d13 ⇒ 8
45 minutes elapsed.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Perfect. The books are back where they were. Noone will even know we were here.

Each PC that searched must attempt that check (as each of you were moving books independently of each other). Sorry, should probably have been more clear about that.

perception: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Hakak, the spines go on the outside. :P

Int (DC 13): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"Now this might prove useful - see all of these maps?" Kat smiles as they wind up with a small pile of things in the center of a nearby table. "Some of them have notes and show troop movements - it's like a moment frozen in time!"

So happy is she with their continued discoveries and relatively good luck thus far, she doesn't even realize that she's got two books switched out of order on a nearby shelf.

Don't forget your phantom, Katarina. I'm assuming he was helping you search too since ghosts are good in libraries.

You all have two rooms to choose from, with descriptions above (or can split forces and put three of you in each or some other combination).

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Whoops - let's try not to make it too obvious that someone's been poking around down here," Ashton points out as he straightens some books. "And we've still got two more rooms to have a look at! We'd best get to it."

are y'all including the +2 bonus?

Not for the Int/Perception checks but Kat will use it on her next check to search a room.

With two remaining rooms (that they're aware of) left to search, Katarina decides to head into the room containing ancient tomes sealed inside glass cases. "Since there's six of us we can split up three to a room," she reasons. "Ashton, how about you go take a peek inside the room with the desk?"

Once inside the glass-shelved room, she carefully scans around for signs of any potential wards or other surprises and then begins searching through the books if all seems clear.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Kn. History (If Needed; Musical Organization): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26

"Uh, right-o," Ashton nods and flits over to the room with the large desk and smug-looking portrait. "What are you lookin' so smug about?" he muses aloud as he begins looking around.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
______

Add a +2 to that check if it applies in this room too.

Kn:religion, +1 if Prof:priest is better: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Gaeldrung also enters the room with glass shelves and begins poking around.

Fenric enters the room with the desk and begins to search the shelves, both for their main objective and for clues to famous relics.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

He also takes the time to investigate the portrait and desk.

The +2 only applies to a single room.

In the room Katarina's in, it appears each of the glass cases is locked.

In the other, Ashton and Fenric note a brass plaque on the frame of the portrait reads, “A cunning lie is never told twice.”

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Alessio and Hakak still up.

Fenric will freely give the keys to whoever requests them.

Alessio sticks with Fenric. I hope I don't have to talk my way out of situation in the future but this guy has the stuff!

perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

linguistics if applicable: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

I'll stick with Katarina. Never before have I seen such a phantom as Ashton and I am truly intrigued

Katarina, I will come with you, alas my knowledge is limited to an intimate understanding of the innards of goblins. Can you pick any of the locks on the glass case?

"Ah...no," Kat frowns. "But maybe those keys Fenric filched will work on these glass cases too. Let me go check!"

Hustling over to the other room, Kat peeks through the door. "Psst! Fenric, can I borrow those keys for a minute? These cases in here are locked too. Should've known..." she grumbles.

"Of course," Fenric says, looking away from the shelves and handing Katarina the keys.

"Thanks! I'll let you know if they work," Kat responds as she quickly hustles back to the other room to try the keys on the glass cases.

The keys do indeed seem to fit the locks and Katarina begins opening them, giving access to Gaeldrung and Hakak, as Ashton, Alessio and Fenric look through the other room.

The first 10 minutes of searching seem to go well: Ashton discovers a secret door in the second room and the lever under the desk that opens it. In the other room, Katarina discovers two texts that seem of potential interest:

Th first describes in detail an enchanted silver horn capable of granting courage in times of need, which Taldor used for the fifth Army of Exploration and much later during the Shining Crusade, when it was shattered into several pieces. A priest of Aroden prophesied that even if re-forged, the instrument would never sound again, and it was given a hero’s burial. The text mentioned nothing of the horn’s present location.

The second are a set of journals that record the perspectives of Taldan generals that led various phases of the Shining Crusade. Collectively, they provide valuable insight into challenges the crusaders had to overcome.

As you look, you can hear the music pick up in the background and it seems to lend an extra urgency to your effort, especially as you realize there may be even more to this library than you'd expected.

Unfortunately, the rush and excitement seems to distract you as well, and Katerina doesn't realize as she opens one of the glass cases that the papers seem to be fluttering and the moment the case opens, the books animate and fly out as a swarm!

Party is up. As a reminder, since I think this is our first combat, I expect each of you to post actions and then I'll resolve them in a single post. Don't worry about initiative order in terms of posting, though I will resolve items generally in that order (I may have some of you delay if it makes sense based on what you've written). I'll move your tokens on the map.