[Outpost I] GM Abraham's Ancients' Anguish (Inactive)

Game Master Abraham Z.

set, usually I will be bearish front since I only move be 20’

Shel will examine the carvings with the Mage, not trusting her to be on her own and not trip some sort of trap.

Perception 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19 +4 v traps.
Appraise 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Shel looks at the carvings as well, once she was sure some sort of godawful trap would be sprung.

If someone would move me up there with Enora that would be great. Thanks.

Ali waits for Shel's go ahead to proceed before proceeding and moving up the stairs.

Two of the party move in to the stairwell to study the carvings there. As previously noted, they display huddled groups of humans cowering and looking up to the sky with expressions of despair. While Shel is unable to make much sense of what these carvings might mean, Enora is more scholastically trained and determines that this must be a depiction of the Age of Darkness, when Earthfall caused ash in the atmosphere to block the sun for a thousand years. She also observes that the style of the carvings suggests they were made before the Osirion’s founding.

Enora does an admirable job of gathering important scholarly information from and about the carvings. She senses that she has advanced the Pathfinder Society's mission to gather knowledge of ancient sites. However, she also senses that a lingering presence has tainted the wall carvings with a curse of despair.

I need Will saves from both Enora and Shel; this is a fear and curse affect in case it matters. You are a bit out of range of Ali's aura of courage unless he has some sort of shenanigans. (Ali's aura of courage is why I was being so particular about where you were all standing - I'm sorry if I've bogged things down over it - in a FTF game that would have just taken 2 seconds for the GM to ask everyone if they were happy with their positions, but I'll have to think if there's a better way to handle something like this in PbP).

I do have extend auras as a spell that I sometimes prep but I just wasn't thinking about it

will save with +2 due to fear: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Will save 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Shel fights off the cursed taint of the carvings, but Enora is not so fortunate. She sees the images in the carvings animate and can hear the humans' wails of anguish. Enora, you are cursed and have a -2 on Will saves henceforth.

As Enora completes her task of studying and noting the cursed carvings, Ali notices that the seeker stone is shaking uncontrollably, and soon after, something in the northwestern part of the complex begins humming loudly. Cracks begin to appear on all stone surfaces, and dust and small bits of rock begin falling from the ceiling.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

"The temple is crumbling, we must move, quickly!"

Seeker Stone? Like my Sage Jewel or....

Ali holds the stone out to Shel Can you...can you make it stop?

The seeker stone was given to you back at the mission briefing - it's the beacon that you used to find your way to this site.

She auto succeeds on her perception check.

”I don’t rightly know if I can stop it. I think we have about an hour so this puts us on a timer. We need to get moving, that’s for sure...”. Shel warns the others off from the carving.

She will lead the group into the room and investigate the large statue first.

Perception 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31 + 4 v traps.

I was just wondering if it could be Use Magic Deviced or Disable Deviced

Ali accompanies her to the Statue, Gamin drawn the light shedding from his mithral form. Time was short. Must find the sage.

I've gone ahead and moved your icons into the room. Please move them if you don't like where I've put you.

Shel leads the group into what appears to be a large assembly hall. This long hallway opens into three large rooms on the west side of the temple. On the east side, there are two staircases, one leading up, the other down (the one you've just come up). Many cracks mar the stone surfaces in this part of the temple. As you look around, you spot a few ancient arrowheads. You also see something glittering in the vases that stand in the northeast and southeast corners of the hall.

Ahead of you, at the heart of this vaulted hall stands a twenty-foot-tall stone statue that depicts a beautiful woman wearing a tunic and wielding a khopesh of polished bronze. The statue wears an ouroboros torc, a round piece of twisted bronze and gold that resembles a snake chasing its own tail, on its left index finger. Ornate columns bulge from the walls bearing carvings of wheat stalks and snakes eating their own tails. Set on the walls between the columns, there are six bronze mirrors.

59:00

I was just wondering if it could be Use Magic Deviced or Disable Deviced

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean, can you use UMD or DD to stop the seeker stone's shaking? You can try...

Yes exactly, though I lack the skills

Knowledge Religion (Archimedes: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Ali notes that This is a fertility goddess of some kind... pity about how. The ouroboros bit is sort of odd as are all the mirrors. This isn't any particular goddess however.

Knowledge Plane: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Also that's a Shaitan Genie, which I guess maybe explains all the stone shaping?

Recognizing that he probably won't be of any more help working on the statue, he goes over to the library looking area.

In the southern room, Ali finds seven long bookshelves, each cut out of the rock, and full of stone tablets. Most of the tablets lie scattered in ugly piles. It's a mess.

Realizing he doesn't really have time to mess around with the mess, Ali then quickly cross the room again, to go look at the weird altar looking thing.

”Can anyone cast Detect magic on the statue? Last thing we need is it coming to life and ambushing us from behind....”

know (planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 Using Season 8 faction goal Planar Sage for 3 + goals completed (7)
sense motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
know (planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 Using Season 8 faction goal Planar Sage for 3 + goals completed (7)

"Hrm. Statue of a shaitan genie. Mean buggers, and no friends of the efreeti, that's for sure."

Sard casts detect magic on the statue, concentrating if he sees anything, then sweeps the rest of the room if not interrupted.

Sard finds that the statue radiates transmutation magic. The mirrors in the room radiate illusion magic.

In the northern room, a cylinder of perfectly smooth volcanic glass stands in the center of an eye-shaped symbol in this room. Unnatural shadows radiate from within the cylinder, darkening its immediate surroundings as indistinct shapes swim in the inky blackness. One-inch-thick copper wires embedded in the floor extend from the base of the cylinder, connecting it to three stone tables on the west side of the room. Beyond this structure, there stand 3 tables, but from where Ali stands he cannot make out anything particular about them. The cylinder is obviously the source of the loud humming (that began at the same time as the seeker stone began to throb and pulsate and the entire site began to shake). In addition, you notice that dark energy has begun to visibly seep through the copper wiring and the tables, in a way that doesn't look right; the cylinder has clearly become unstable.

58:00

Spellcraft on statue: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Spellcraft on mirror 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Spellcraft on mirror 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Spellcraft on mirror 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Spellcraft on mirror 4: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Spellcraft on mirror 5: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Spellcraft on mirror 6: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Sard is not able to discern anything further about the magic in the statue or the mirrors, but as he looks into the mirrors, he is surprised by how handsome he seems. In fact, he's not sure he has ever looked so good! His hair seems to be blazing, his cheeks have never sparkled as much, and his eyes seem to positively smolder! Moreover, the effect seems more pronounced as he looks in the mirrors closer to the statue. By the time he looks at himself in the mirrors closest to the statue, he cannot help but wonder if perhaps he should give up being a Pathfinder and instead pursue a career as a fashion model... Meanwhile, while looking at himself in the mirrors, in the background Sard also catches glimpses of amazing religious revels unfolding, with various humans handling live snakes, using hallucinogens, and performing "fertility rituals." When he looks over his shoulder, however, he sees none of these things - they are only visible in the mirror.

Sard, I need a Will save from you. This is a curse affect.

57:00

If the others were ready, Shel would lead them to the next unexplored section/area of the building. She checked their pathway as they progressed.

Perception 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24 + 4 v traps.

Ali will call over Shel Mistress Whispertongue - I think I found the source of the problems! Can you come over here and inspect?

Ali will then bolt over to try to help her in any way he can by going to the tables.

Will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
shirt reroll, 4 GM stars: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 4 = 21

The fiery Ifrit sorcerer does not avoid the curse of vanity carried by the mirrors. Sard, henceforth you have a -2 on initiative and Perception. Sorry, that's tough, especially when you burned your reroll - the DC is higher in high tier.

The brave paladin Ali, standing by himself in the northern room, is able to discern more now that he has moved closer to the tables. He sees that the first table has a rectangular space carved into it. In addition, the word "rebirth" is carved into the table in 20 different languages (including Common).

The second table has a body-shaped indentation carved into it, surrounded by arcane sigils.

The third table is carved with a circular groove that looks like a snake biting its tail.

57:00

Sajan follows around various members of his current party, trying to feel helpful in some way as a potential bodyguard.

"When posed with a challenge, answer it with what your good at."

I've gone ahead and moved your icons into the room. Please move them if you don't like where I've put you.

Shel leads the group into what appears to be a large assembly hall. This long hallway opens into three large rooms on the west side of the temple [...] Many cracks mar the stone surfaces in this part of the temple. As you look around, you spot a few ancient arrowheads. You also see something glittering in the vases that stand in the northeast and southeast corners of the hall.

I have only now had the opportunity to read everything as I am on a short holiday. I think we forgot to check the above description, right? Especially the glittering part! ;-)

As soon as Enora enters the the large hall she starts to check everything out.

Shel folllws Ali’s voice and moves to stand beside him. Once she sees the contraption, she moves closer, wanting to see if her keen eyes reveals anything else.

Perception 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 +4 v traps.

Any knowledge skills that would help with this machine?

I have only now had the opportunity to read everything as I am on a short holiday. I think we forgot to check the above description, right? Especially the glittering part! ;-)

Yes, there are a number of things that have been mentioned that the group has not yet investigated, including the glittering stuff.

Edit: added: Shel moves into the northern room with Ali. I've moved your token. She does not perceive anything particularly noteworthy, beyond what has already been mentioned, but she feels confident that it is the cylinder that is humming so loudly, and she notes that the humming began at precisely the same moment that the building started to shake and tremble so intensely.

None of you have ever seen anything like the cylinder and are unsure what branch of knowledge might tell you more about it, though Ali, as a bearer of a sage-jewel in the making, wonders if it might somehow have something to do with the Amethyst Sage.

GM Nowruz wrote:

I have only now had the opportunity to read everything as I am on a short holiday. I think we forgot to check the above description, right? Especially the glittering part! ;-)

Yes, there are a number of things that have been mentioned that the group has not yet investigated, including the glittering stuff.

Enora will start to investigate the large hall that we entered.

GM Abraham wrote:

GM Nowruz wrote:

I have only now had the opportunity to read everything as I am on a short holiday. I think we forgot to check the above description, right? Especially the glittering part! ;-)

Yes, there are a number of things that have been mentioned that the group has not yet investigated, including the glittering stuff.

Enora will start to investigate the large hall that we entered.

There doesn't seem to be anything there besides what has already been described: an enormous statue, 6 mirrors, and ornate columns.

I've gone ahead and moved your icons into the room. Please move them if you don't like where I've put you.

Shel leads the group into what appears to be a large assembly hall. This long hallway opens into three large rooms on the west side of the temple [...] Many cracks mar the stone surfaces in this part of the temple. As you look around, you spot a few ancient arrowheads. You also see something glittering in the vases that stand in the northeast and southeast corners of the hall.

Oh ok, I thought we jumped over the part above with the glittering vases and the other descriptions?

Ah, I misunderstood you - I thought you were asking about the hall with the large statue. In the hallway leading up to the statue area (the one with 4 large columns in the middle of the room, holding up the ceiling, at least for now...), there are vases at both the north and south ends of the hall. When Enora investigates, she finds that the vases to the north and south are filled to the brim with gold items (!!!). There are 13 vases in total and you estimate that each of them probably weighs about 60 pounds.

So, just to summarize the situation: you've come here because the seeker stone has indicated that this is where you may find the Amethyst Sage jewel, or perhaps even the Amethyst Sage himself; the temple itself appears to be in danger of collapsing soon; the impending collapse seems related in some way to the dark cylinder in the northern room, which seems to be noticeably becoming more and more unstable with each passing moment. The cylinder has three peculiar tables by it (that may bear further investigation). You also have found two other rooms, one of them containing an enormous statue (that may bear further investigation), and the other what appears to be a library of stone tablets (that may bear further investigation), but which are in such disarray that you could not attempt to use it without putting some work into organizing it first.

57:00

Good lord. So many options!

Shel takes the opportunity to look at the three tables, since she is already in the vicinity. She starts with the table furthest from her and moves back until all three are explored.

Perception 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 +4 v traps.

kn history: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

”Oh my god, we are rich! Really filthy rich!!! These vases are filled with gold!! Enora says grinning.

Ali notes the table with the ouroboros and remembers the torc that the statue is wearing. He runs back to the statue to see if the torc can be removed somehow and brought to the table.

You also have found two other rooms, one of them [...] appears to be a library of stone tablets (that may bear further investigation), but which are in such disarray that you could not attempt to use it without putting some work into organizing it first.

57:00

"Well, we should probably organize our work! Also, did I tell you that I found arrow-heads of worshippers of Sarenrae in the large hall."

Enora takes a look at the library and would like to understand how to bring order to this mess.

A rather vain man at the best of times, the vision in the mirror has thoroughly captivated Sard's attention. He manages to tear himself away from the lovely vision to help his allies look around, but he's distracted, taking every opportunity to sneak a glance back to the mirror.

Shel examines the tables more carefully. The first table has two noteworthy features: first, it has a rectangular space carved into it, about the same size and shape as the stone tablets in the library. Second, the word "rebirth" has been carved, in 20 different languages, all over the table.

The second table also has two noteworthy features: first, it also has a space carved into it, but unlike the first table, this indentation is the size and shape of a body. Second, the indentation is surrounded by arcane sigils.

The third table has also been carved, this time with a circular groove that resembles a snake biting its tail. It does appear as if it is the right size and shape to fit the ouroboros torc from the statue.

Ali moves to the statue to see if he can remove the torc. I'll need a Climb check.

Meanwhile, Enora, having found what appears to be a vast fortune, decides to head over to the library and see what can be learned there. Will provide further info in my next post.

Sard spends his time admiring himself, while Chasik Bash and Sajan are seemingly lost in thought. All the while, the stones of the ancient site groan and creak ominously. It does not appear that you have unlimited time...

The library is where I’m standing? I will stay clear of the mirrors if at all possible

Chasik tried his best to help organize the vast amount of stone tablets.

aid tablet organizing: 1d20 ⇒ 13

The southern room is clearly a library, with the stone tablets as the texts. However it is a disorganized mess and it's clear that you'll need to complete a number of tasks to have any hope of making use of the materials found therein. Specifically, to use the materials on any given shelf, you'll need to first Move the tablets, second Catalogue the tablets, and third Study them. See Player Handout #1 in the slides

In order to keep things from getting too confusing, we'll do this in 5-minute phases. In each phase you can work on a single shelf (Ali's familiar can also contribute, at least on those skills where it could reasonably participate) by making a skill check. If two or more of you are working on the same shelf, I'll take the highest check and use any other results of 10+ as an "aid another" result on the highest check (if any of you have shenanigans that give you more than +2 on aid another, please let me know). The results of your skill check determine how much progress you make on the task, as follows:
15+ = 25%
20+ = 50%
25+ = 75%
30+ = 100%
These results are cumulative (so if you get 25% in phase 1 and 75% in phase 2, you have completed that task) and any results in excess of 100%
are wasted.

Many of the tablets are broken, stuck between other tablets, or lie under collapsed shelves. You must move them by making STR checks. Moving: After rolling your STR check, you can decide to push yourself even further and add +5 to your result; however doing so requires that you make a DC 15 FORT save, or become fatigued (or exhausted if already fatigued). Be sure to note that you can wait to see the result of your initial STR check before you decide whether or not you wish to try to push yourself with the Fort save.

Most lessons span several tablets, and before it is possible to study the inscriptions in a meaningful way, you must catalogue them. The texts are written in a combination of Terran and a language that predates Ancient Osiriani but shares many common root words. Cataloguing: You can use Perception, Profession (Librarian), or either of 2 skills (listed below) that relate to the specific shelf you are working on. If you read neither Terran or Ancient Osiriani, you have a -5 penalty on your check; if you read both you have a +5 bonus; if you read one but not the other you have neither a bonus nor a penalty; Please apply these bonuses or penalties yourself when making your check

Studying: You can decipher the tablets through logic (Linguistics), intuition (Sense Motive) or by using either of 2 skills (listed below) that relate to the specific shelf you are working on. As with Cataloguing, if you read neither Terran or Ancient Osiriani, you have a -5 penalty on your check; if you read both you have a +5 bonus; if you read one but not the other you have neither a bonus nor a penalty; Please apply these bonuses or penalties yourself when making your check

You cannot move on to Cataloguing a shelf until you have completed Moving it; and you cannot move on to Studying a shelf until you have completed Cataloguing it. Because the phases are 5 minutes long, you can also cast spells or activate other abilities that may help you. Also, note that, per the guidance of the scenario author, no taking 10 on these skill checks.

Each shelf has an inscription, written in Terran, along with a carving that depicts something presumably related to the subject matter of that shelf. I'll add the inscriptions to the list below if any of you are able to read Terran - Edit: noting that both Sard and Enora can cast Comprehend Languages, and assuming that one or both of you will want to do so, I'm just including the info now.

Shelves Status
Shelf 1 Art of Cosmetics The carvings depict a woman with one hand on her cheek, the other in a jar. These tablets describe the manufacture and use of cosmetics and healing ointments. (Craft (alchemy) or Disguise): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 2 Art of Weaponry The carvings depict a man in a battle pose with a fine scimitar. These tablets describe how to make bronze weapons and wield them in combat (Craft (weapons) or Profession (soldier)): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 3 Bitter and Sweet Secrets of Wisdom The carvings depict a woman poring over a text with eyes wide open. These tablets teach writing and philosophy. (Knowledge (religion) or Linguistics): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 4 Resolving of Enchantments The carvings depict a man holding his hands up, motes of energy circling around him. These tablets teach sorcery and the use of arcane sigils. (Knowledge (arcana) or Spellcraft): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 5 Secrets of Mirrors The carvings depict a man adoring himself in a mirror. These tablets describe the manufacture and use of bronze mirrors. (Perform (any) or Sense Motive): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 6 Signs of the Clouds and the Earth The carvings depict a man looking at clouds in the sky and sowing seeds in the ground. These tablets teach agricultural methods, survival, and meteorology. (Profession (farmer) or Survival): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 7 Signs of the Sun and the Courses of the Moon The carvings depict a woman marveling at the sun and the moon. These tablets teach astronomy and astrology (Knowledge (geography) or Perception): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |

Phase 1 - the Bold May Act
Enora
Chasik
Ali/Familiar
Shel
Sard
Sajan

57:00

The library is where I’m standing? I will stay clear of the mirrors if at all possible

Chasik tried his best to help organize the vast amount of stone tablets.

[dice=aid tablet organizing]1d20

Chasik, please see the post that I just made (written while you were posting) that gives the details of how this works and then repost whatever action you would like to do for phase 1.

Shelves Status

Shelf 1 Art of Cosmetics (Craft (alchemy) or Disguise): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 2 Art of Weaponry (Craft (weapons) or Profession (soldier)): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 3 Bitter and Sweet Secrets of Wisdom (Knowledge (religion) or Linguistics): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 4 Resolving of Enchantments (Knowledge (arcana) or Spellcraft): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 5 Secrets of Mirrors (Perform (any) or Sense Motive): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 6 Signs of the Clouds and the Earth (Profession (farmer) or Survival): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |
Shelf 7 Signs of the Sun and the Courses of the Moon (Knowledge (geography) or Perception): Moved 0% | Catalogued 0% | Studied 0% |

Phase 1 - the Bold May Act
Enora
Chasik
Ali/Familiar
Shel
Sard
Sajan

Moving: After rolling your STR check, you can add +5 to your result; however doing so requires that you make a DC 15 FORT save, or become fatigued.

Cataloguing: Perception, Profession (Librarian), or either of 2 skills for that shelf. Read both Terran & Ancient Osiriani: +5; read neither: -5; read only 1: +0

Studying: Linguistics, Sense Motive, or either of 2 skills for that shelf. Read both Terran & Ancient Osiriani: +5; read neither: -5; read only 1: +0

57:00

Shel points out to the others what she found on the tables. ”One of those tablets need to be placed on the first table. That table says Rebirth in several languages on it. Any of you library folk know which tablets to begin examining?”. Shel starts cataloging on shelf 7.
Perception 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 17 - 5 = 30

Chasik, cracks his knuckles as he moves over to the tablets near Shel. He begins to strain, and his muscles bulge as he begins to move the tablets to better understand them.

Str check to push myself: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 5 = 21

fort + endurance feat?: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 14 + 4 = 26

Can we go directly to cataloging on a shelf, or do we need to move things first?