[PFS_Aerondor] 05-11: The Library of the Lion PbP GameDay 3 (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

"We are here on a mission to find...well, a number of things, really. Specifically, we need texts relating to the Shining Crusade. You know, that little incident with the Whispering Tyrant a thousand years or so ago? Well, there's a new threat on the same scale, and we need the best information available - we heard it was here, and figured you would be the one to talk to. Can you help us?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

She turns her head from voice to voice.

"Yes, but _who_ are you? This is the Library of the Lion. Are you Lionblades? And if not, how did you get down here?"

Grimbli looks briefly at his companions, then decides to tell the truth, rather than to be caught in a lie. "I am not. However, I am here by request, and serve the interests of Taldor in this. I assure you, I have treated this library with the utmost respect and care." Well, I never said that I would tell the whole truth...

As it becomes obvious they intend to begin speaking, Malaika uses inspiring word on Kath and Gimbli (+2 to a skill check).
.
I am not quite yet within the esteemed ranks of the Lion Blades. Though I am on that path. Taldor will be unable to remain distant from this conflict. So we must learn from what went before so Taldor can once again be an example of glory to the world.

diplomacy assistance: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Very well..." she says reluctantly.

"I can open the door for you..."

She leads the group up to the last room and unlocks it for you.

Bookcases cover nearly every inch of the walls in this 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.

Back to full activity again!

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

As the group starts to search Iliyana mentions "I was instructed not to touch the books in the center shelf on the east wall, but that command dates back to when I could still read."

She thinks for a moment. "The books there might be particularly
special or noteworthy..."

"You have my thanks Mylady. There are dark times ahead, and we hope with the wisdom of the ancients to bring light into the darkness!"

You advice is welcome. I assure you we will give all due consideration.
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Since they were pointed out, Malaika starts examining the center shelf on the east wall. Touching nothing as yet.
.
Detect Magic
perception looking for traps or alarms with inspiring word: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 = 23
If nothing is found...
perception research with inspiring word and Bibliographic References : 1d20 + 11 - 5 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 5 + 2 + 5 = 23

Kath will of course assist with the search but lacks any noteworthy skills in this matter besides his eyes.

Each of the shelves is locked off with a glass window on a hinge.

The book shelves do radiate magic, of a number of schools. Primarily trasnformation.

Without searching the specified shelves, the room itself turns up a number of interesting texts including :
fate: 1d4 ⇒ 2
A general's logbook
These journals 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.

The 'forbidden' shelves look to also have a number of interesting texts but you have a hard time reading their names through the tinted glass.

You will need a disable device DC20 to get to the General's logbook, or open the magical case. Let me know which you are trying it on. Glass could easily be broken if you prefer a more direct approach.

Madam, please unlock this particular book and this shelving unit. I assure you, I've no desire to inadvertently damage or remove anything.

If she seems unable or unwilling to unlock them I will try with the skeleton key since she can't see my key anyway.
disable device - General's Logbook: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
disable device - glass case: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

BOOYAH!

Illyana says "My keys will not open the cases... I'm not allowed into them."

Still, Malaika manages to open the cases with his key.

The General's logbook is removed without problems but when the second cabinet is opened, the books pour out over him...

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

They books flap and batter at him and anyone else close by.

"What is happening?" calls out Illyana.

Status Bold may post
Malaika 6 damage - bleeding
Rest of the party
Books

Would throwing a bomb be a very bad thing.

You asking me or the other players? There are a book or two around, that said, this is mechanically a swarm of books, so a bomb would do extra damage to them.

Its more, will throwing a bomb destroy the books we want to read/take, or otherwise piss off the guardian / draw attention to where we are etc

It'll make some sound, and burn some books. Then again, those books are attacking you at the moment, and something has to be done about them. It won't harm the books you have already recovered, and some of you may have magic that can be used to make (mundane) repairs to books...

As for whether it will attract the ire of the guardian... who knows?

Hmm, can anyone fix the books, and is anyone in the splash radius?

"Who attacks the loyal servants of ... Taldor. By my vows as a Paladin, maam let me shield you with my body. Maam´hold on my shoulder." Periel moves between the swarm and the blind housekeeper, knowing just too well he has little chance against the swarm.

HP: 3 of 9 and bleeding
I was afraid of something like that. Everyone thinks the rogue abilities are not worth while. But when you need them, you really need them.
Excuse us maam, slight situation we need to deal with. Malaika says while moving across the room.
.
He then uses a small amount Abadar's power to heal himself.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 (converted murderous command)
HP: 6 of 9
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I don't have mending, but I don't see we have much choice unless we want to just flee and lock the door. I also have an alchemist fire and vial of acid.

Cathetel mutters a mild oath as the swarm of books descends upon them, hurling a makeshift alchemists bomb at the target, hoping to dent its numbers.

Bomb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

You need to do your damage too..

Ugh, could have sworn I did that as well, my error.

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Periel moves to protect the housekeeper, while Malaika retreats and heals himself. Iliyana flees the room.

Cathetel adopts an offensive stance and tosses a bomb into the books, baldy burning several of them.

Status Bold may post
Kath
Eissen
Grimbli
Books 9 damage
Periel
Malaika 3 damage
Cathetel

Characters up will be NPCed tomorrow if they don't post by then.

Not sure if swarms can be affected by this, but...

Grimbli steps to the side and casts a quick spell; a small blob of acid flies forth into the swarm of books.

Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map
Move action: Draw acid flask
Standard action: Cast acid splash
Concentration (if needed): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Attack (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage (Acid Flask): 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Critical Confirm (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Critical Damage (Acid Flask): 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The books are tiny, but can be attacked. Half damage from piercing and slashing weapons though. Acid is fine.

Acid splashes out over the books further damaging them.

Status Bold may post
Kath
Eissen
Books 12 damage
Periel
Malaika 3 damage
Cathetel
Grimbli

I'll NPC Kath and Eissen this evening if they don't post. As it is New Years in many parts of the world, its only fair to be a little relaxed.

Kath and Eissen retreat out of the room, covering Iliyana's withdrawl.

The books surge forward, enveloping Periel and Cathetel - the books fly all around them knocking them this way and that.

Cathetel damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Periel damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Periel and Cathetel need to make fortitude saves to avoid being distracted by the books.

Status Bold may post
Kath
Eissen
Periel 3 damage, bleeding [DC11 fort or nausiated for the round]
Malaika 3 damage
Cathetel 6 damage, bleeding [DC11 fort or nausiated for the round]
Grimbli
Books 12 damage

Is it a Fortitude save to avoid being nauseated PLUS a Fortitude save to avoid the Distraction, or is the Nauseated = Distraction?

Cathetel HP 9 ----> 3

Nausiated == distraction. I guess Pathfinder does this because (RP wise) you are distracted, but (mechanics wise) the effect is the is the same as being nausiated.

Ah, thanks for that, got confused =]

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Cathetel backs away from the swarm of books, before hurling a second bomb at them, while backing away defensively.

Bomb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The swarm of books breaks up, and slowly flutter back to the shelves.

One of the burned books looks interesting though "The silver horn" but it is currently too badly manged to be of any use.

Two of you are still bleeding.. but you are out of combat now

Status
Kath
Eissen
Periel 3 damage, bleeding* [DC11 fort or nausiated for the round]
Malaika 3 damage
Cathetel 7 damage, bleeding
Grimbli

If someone could heal us that would be nice

Happy New Year everyone

I have a wand of healing that can he if some has the capability.

Abadar can help with this minor issue.
channel energy once: 1d6 ⇒ 2
channel energy twice: 1d6 ⇒ 3
channel energy thrice: 1d6 ⇒ 5
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I don't think any of us has Mending. I'd even be willing to chip in for a casting of Make Whole. But that would mean we have to take the book with us.

Picking up the book Periel nods to the others. "I am sure the danger is over. Anyone badly hurt?" picking his wand but stashing it again. "With some spells the damage could be reversed I guess. I think we have all information his . I mean our "patron" could ask for."

So - heading back now?

Yes I guess

Did we achieve everything?

Leaving a bit of a mess behind the pathfinders head back up to the "public" area of the library.

Final actions?

Can anyone mend the book? If not we should pay someone to do so!

We should really at least attempt to clean it up, I think we were meant to leave as little of a trace as possible.

As much as Grimbli might want to find the correct codebook for the Grand Lodge mission, he doesn't want to run out of time, either. It would be good to do some quick cleanup.

As the books' ashes float down to the floor, Grimbli casts a quick cantrip to clean up the debris.

Cast prestidigitation to clean up.

I'm assuming token tidyup is performed by the team, but really, it is going to be obvious that something happened in that study.

Once back in the main library are there any particular actions the PF team is taking?

Kath makes sure to take the cards with him as they leave. It wouldn't be good to leave behind illusionary doubles!

Closing the secret door and removing the cards, the somewhat battered group of Pathfinders is just in time to hear the ending of the concert. Tobias comes and lets you out of the library and you return with your findings to the venture captain.

Venture-Captain Muesello excitedly welcomes the you back and inquires what you were able to learn. the various books about the the Shining Crusade excite him to no end, he heartily congratulates you on a
job well done.

Sorry for the rushed ending, but this frees you all up for another game. Chronciles will be linked above shortly.

Thanks so much for running this GM Aerondor, apologies for the time we took, but it was still a very fun scenario!

Thanks a lot. Was a lot! of fun!

Thank you for running this. Can't say it was my favorite scenario but I think you did great, especially putting up with us players given the delay during the holidays :).

A kinda interesting scenario.
Thanks Muchly!