[PFS] 6-10 The Wounded Wisp - table 3 (Inactive)

Game Master Scott Young

Fargrim nods.

Approaching the groundskeeper she asks.

"We would like to go and pay our respects at that tomb" she gestures to it.

"Would you know how we can get in?"

takes ten on diplomacy for 17

Lyoto nods to Niles, then call Fargrim over and tells her Niles' suggestion.

Could See if that guy knows anything about this tomb? Maybe he'll give us a map or something.

Henry followed Fargrim and added

Yes it will be very helpful to us if you can help us in this case.

Diplomacy (aid DC10): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Having not much to offer to the conversation, and afraid of the damage he may do if he opens his mouth, Niles flashes a winning grin and nods at Henry and Fargrim's request.

Aid: Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Knowing full well that he is honor-bound to tell only the truth, and knowing also that in this instance honesty is perhaps not the best policy, Silas says nothing.

The man ambles over, and as he approaches you can see that beneath his coveralls and garden tools he wears the robes of a cleric of Abadar. "Usually, respects are paid from outside," he says slowly, looking over the group. "However, if there is a reason you must go inside, I will hear it. You seem like decent folk." He leans on his shovel and gazes at you expectantly.

Seeing the symbol, Henry bow to the cleric.

Father, as a follower of Abadar, I'm happy to see these tombs tended by you.
Our quest is honorable Father. We are members of the Pathfinder Society, and one of our own, break her promess to report what she find during her missions for the Society.
She asked, one of her friend, the late Arkath, to be buried with some of the clues where she hide her discoveries. We only want to check if this is true and if it is, what are these clues.
If you want to supervize our research I will be honored.

Diplomacy (take 10): 10 + 6 = 16

Fargrim nods in encouragement.

diplomacy-aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"And while there, we really can pay our respects to Arkath, as a fellow who aided the society during his time."

And, I dunno what we can really offer, but maybe there's something we can do to return the favor if you help us out.

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

The priest considers your words for a long time - long enough that you wonder if he has nodded off or something. Finally he speaks. "Pathfinders... Yes, I have heard of the group. Often referred to as tomb robbers, I believe. Yet, as in any group, there may be those with different outlooks. I will allow you to investigate your mystery, under the understanding that you will do nothing to desecrate the sanctity of the tomb. "

He moves over to the tomb's door, and pulls out a crowbar from his bag of tools. "Please stand back." With a grunt he levers open the massive door, which opens easily once it has cleared the jam. He then stands aside and waits for you to enter.

Map updated. Well done on convincing him to let you in - in two other groups, it has resorted to combat...

That's a shame. But, with a Paladin in our group, the stake were high to not went in a fight.

Thank you Father. said Henry with a certain relief, after the cleric agreed to let them do their job, before following the man in front of the tomb.

He entered, and began to look for anything unusual.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"Tomb robbers? Well I can't speak for the whole Society, but you have my word on the Inheritor's sword we won't take anything with us. Act 8, line 72 is very clear: The dead must have peace, and whatever disturbs that peace is vile."

Lol yea I'd have had a real problem with that outcome.

Perception (once inside): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

I'm glad we pulled that off as well. I've been hearing pathfinders are referred to as murderhobos and I'm happy to shake that stereotype. It's one thing to react to ambush, but if we can avoid a fight, we might as well do that.

Lyoto bows his head with respect to the priest and walks into the tomb. He also looks for anything unusual.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

P.S. I still have that continual flame thing on my belt, so we're not walking in total darkness.

The tomb is of common pattern, with a carved stone coffin on a small platform in the center of the room. Two statues of a master mason in the pursuit of his trade stand watch over the sarcophagus. A tiny barred vent is visible in the ceiling at either end. The tomb itself is marked with a simple legend: "Arkath. Master Mason. Gone but not forgotten." Nothing else is visible in the tomb.

Lyoto looks through the barred vents, wondering why a tomb would need need ventilation.

assuming the rest of the party is relatively nearby.

Um hello! Is anyone up there? Lyoto calls to no one in particular.

Fargrim kneels next to the coffin and offers up thanks for the assistance he gave pathfinders in life. She also asks that the assistance continues as she casts detect magic.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Fargrim detects a magical aura theough the stone of the sarcophagus. After concentration, there is a faint tansmutation aura in a small area near the "head" end of the sarcophagus, and inside it.

"Good father. Our mystery sits within the coffin. Would you be so kind as to bless our opening of it?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Of course, once if it is something belonging to him, we will return it once our mission finished. You have my word Father.

Diplomacy (aid DD10): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

As the other pathfinder negotiate with the priest. Lyoto examines the tomb for traps, though he is careful not to touch or disturb anything.

Perception looking for traps: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Lyoto sees nothing unusual.

Ouch, nat 1. He's not even totally sure he's awake.

Intrigued by your quest, the priest motions you to continue. The lid lifts with the application of suitable strength, revealing the desiccated bones of Arkath. A glint of metal near his head seems to be the source of the magic: a small silver coin lies just underneath the skull.

I think we have found what we're looking for ! said Henry seeing the small silver coin.

He turned to those trained in magic

Can you determine what it does ?

I'm a little unfamiliar with the religious practices here. Is it commonplace for a coin to buried with a body? Lyoto asks the priest.

"It's not unheard of, but it's not something the faithful of Abadar do," the priest replies, frowning. Throwing good money away like this! Shocking!

Was common in greek + roman times but I'm not sure my character knows that :/

Vasilios frowns, looking at the coin and resisting the urge to poke it with his sword. "It could be some sort of trick or code", he mutters slightly, still not altogether certain the bones won't spring to life and attack them all.

Usually it was coins on the eyes, I think - this oen actually looks like it was in his mouth and then dropped down underneath as the flesh decayed.

I'm fairly certain that I read Charon's obol as mentioned in an ancient roman play, so its likely that a coin in the mouth was still a fairly common practise among romans, if not greeks.

"Oh, look. It's a pathfinder coin" says Fargrim
Takes ten for 14

Lifting it up she places it on top of her wayfinder.

As Fargrim reaches into the coffin and retrieves the coin, before she can place it on her wayfinder Silas grabs her wrist firmly. "What are you doing?" he hisses softly. "We swore not to take anything. Does that mean nothing to you?"

Grapple (if you want me to roll it): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Hold up guys! Lyoto shouts. Let's just ask the priest for permission. If he gives his blessing, will you stand down Silas? A tomb is no place for a fight.

Lyoto turns to the priest.

Father, the coin appears to have magical properties. May we take it for inspection? We can replace it with a gold piece if required. We mean no offense and do not intend any harm.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Feeling his words may not have resonated well, Lyoto tries again.

Perhaps we can contribute five gold pieces and volunteer ourselves for a week of tending the grounds? Again, we just want to continue our mission, we don't want to offend you or desecrate this tomb

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Fargrim looks at Silas's hand on her arm and just waits for a moment before meeting his eyes.

"I do believe the good father said that burying a coin with a body is not something that the faithful of Abadar do. And we will return it to the body in a moment should he wish it to be reinterred."

I feel like this interaction is showing me the best aspect of PBP. It's fun to see two religious zealots going at it. This doesn't happen at table games.

Vasilios doesn't really see what all the fuss is about, but notes the tension immediately. "I don't care which one of you starts something, I'll finish it", he growls.

Silas ignores Vasilios's threat, his eyes not leaving Fargrim's. "He doesn't know that, and I don't--" In the second it takes him to form the thought, point six of his ten-point code flashes into his mind. I will guard the honor of my fellows, both in thought and deed, and I will have faith in them... I will have faith in them... He relaxes his grip, but doesn't let go. "He doesn't know that. Well, he didn't, anyway," Silas adds, glancing at Lyoto. He waits to see what the priest's response will be.

Niles shakes his head nearly imperceptibly at the infighting. We've a task to accomplish and I have books at home waiting to be read...

Henry turned to Silas and said

Silas my friend. You're a soldier, a soldier of your faith as well as a member of the Pathfinder Society. As a pathfinder three words define you Explore, Cooperate, Report.
As the Father said, this is unusual for a follower of Abadar to be buried with a coin. Because as follower of Abadar's God of commerce we believe in trade and don't like when money stay hidden.
As you know we are here not to steal nor to desecrate this tomb. That's why the Father is with us, and with his blessing we have open this tomb in respect for the dead.
So please stop what you are trying to do and began to cooperate with us and let us finish our mission.

Interesting scene - thanks for that!

The coin fits perfectly on the top of Fargrim's wayfinder. For a moment, nothing happens, and then the coin stands up on its edge and begins to levitate. It hovers an inch or so above the surface of the magical compass and begins to spin. Amid the faint whirring, you hear an even fainter voice reach out across the ages, delivering the message of a long-dead mason.

"The path and chamber are complete... hidden behind the nameplate of the requested aspirant... guarded by the word you requested... Fimbrik can add more."

The coin then slows and comes to rest on the wayfinder again.

Putting the pieces together, it seems that Arkath was the mason who built the secret chamber you explored, completing that part of Aylyssia's story.

The priest looks impressed. "You have found a secret that not even the keepers of this cemetery knew," he intones. "I knew I was wise to trust you. Go now with Abadar's blessings."

At this point, you have completed the entire story line... please write up your report to the V-C and take care of anything else you wish to do with each other. I will start processing Chronicles in the discussion thread.

The priest gives his permission and Silas releases Fargrim's wrist. "No action done in the service of the Lady and in pursuit of your vows is ever wrong," he was told during training. "If you are to be a peace-keeper and justiciar, your actions will be second-guessed by everyone with a mouth-- especially those who do not share your vows. But you cannot afford to second-guess yourself." Silas isn't angry; he was far less concerned with interrupting the dead man's peace than with keeping to a promise they'd only just made. And as long as the priest is satisfied that their promise is kept, well, that's good enough for him. "Go on, then. What's it for?"

* * * * * * * * * *

He bows to the priest after the message is played and their work is finished. "Thank you. And may Iomedae guard you in your work."

Yea that's what I like about this character. You don't have to be Chaotic to stir the pot haha.

Paladins are great at stirring the pot! Especially with non lawful party members!

Fargrim returns to coin to the deceased man, and then with a nod to Silas leads the team out. She pauses at the entrance to thank the priest, and also the spirit of Arkath for revealing the last secret.

Once back at the Wounded Wisp she puts pen to paper.

"It seems the Pathfinders of old were apt at keeping secrets from each other. Case in point being Eylysia, who hid a trove of documents in the shrine of the failed. She hid them behind a stone wall, crafted by one Arkath , and an illusion from her fellow gnome Fimbrik."

She pauses in writing to have a sip of wine.

"Why she hid them in not clear, but she wanted them to be found, as she left clues to the presence of the hidden door in the Wall of Rememberance. Selmius Foster and his protoge Aldophus also kept a hidden trove of documents. Part of which was dedicated to finding that of Eylysia. It is of historical interest that Selemus seems unware that he was indulging in the exact same practice that he was concerned about Eylysia."

As she writes, she looks around the room, taking in her fellow pathfinders. If Janira is still there, she talks over her report with her fellow pathfinder before submitting it.

Lyoto just listens and smiles. He isn't able to grasp all the details, but smiles. Knowing he played a key role in something larger than himself.

Henry read what Fargrim writ and agreed with her terms.

Well done comrades, we acted like soldiers, like a team. We have cooperate together, explore some forgotten places and we've report our finding to our Officer. We are true Pathfinders !