[PFS/DMK] 6-10 The Wounded Wisp - Table I (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

Taelbin reaches for his blade, but as he starts to draw the weapon he looks back up to see all the enemies dead at his allies' feet.

Well that was .... efficient.

Asterion follows Amelia quickly, just in case there is more danger in the house.

Amelia steps into the room with the gnome, but find him completely unreactive to anything she does. He just completely ignores her, and reads his newspaper. On the table in southwest corner is a neatly written not (See handout), on the back of which a name is written:

Hollis "Evil Grin" Thorne

"Well, that explains the rudeness..."Amelia says after reading the note. "So. To the Grand Lodge, then?" she says as she turns to the rest of the group.

Kesuraman nods at Amelia's suggestion and replies, "I was thinking perhaps we should look around here a bit, but if Hollis' other 'illusions' are as nasty as those fire beetles, I'm not sure I want to find them. Let's head to the lodge."

Laetshi smiles at the gnome's cleverness.

Leaving the other illusions in the house undisturbed, the party returns to the Grand Lodge to pay a visit to the wall of names.

Created in 4330 ar, the Wall of Names resides on the grounds of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. The monument is a curving wall of black glass that stands atop a small hill at the western edge of the lodge’s grounds. Trees surround the hill, providing ample shade and privacy for those visiting the wall to remember fallen comrades. Carved into the wall are the name and date of death of every Pathfinder killed in the course of duty since the wall’s construction, and most entries also include a sentence or two summarizing either the agent’s greatest accomplishments or how she died.

Vigfus Otkilson
Tracked his enemies, but found one too many.

Malena Antonescu
Framed for murder in Mendev.

Otiophon
Fought the Teppish, but turned his back too soon

The three names in Adolphus' notes are also here (See handout)

DMK - I'm a little confused about the names. Adolphus' note lists three names, one of which (Hollis Thorne) was also written on the back of Fimbrik's note. But where do the three names in your most recent post come from? We haven't heard or seen them before - though their epitaphs are pretty clever.

Asterion studies the names to try and remember them.

Amelia examines all six names with great care. She takes 20 for a total of 24 Prodding, pushing, and checking everything that she can think of, she also checks each name with the password "wiffle" by saying it with different intensities, connotations, distances, and volumes.

Api, the three names from the handout are the ones that Foster's Apprentice, Adolphus, had found were added to the wall of names. None of those three names are "true" pathfinders according to him.

Also DMK, are the words "rot", "blade", and "silence and serenity" in the three people's wall entry underlined like they are in the handout, or is it a trick of the printing?

Well he is a tricky little devil isn't he.

Taelbin sighs as he heads back with the others to the wall of names. Standing in reverence before the wall he scans over the names, finding those they are looking for.

So what does wiffle have to do with anything?

Api, the three names from the handout are the ones that Foster's Apprentice, Adolphus, had found were added to the wall of names. None of those three names are "true" pathfinders according to him.

I understood about the three names from the handout. I was asking about the three names that appear in the body of DMK's last post: Vigfus, Malena, and Otiophon. I couldn't find them anywhere in a search of the gameplay thread.

I believe those names are just for flavor.

Oh whoops, sorry about that. Yeah probably just flavor.

Fimbriks note says he's attached the name of a pathfinder we'll want to investigate at the wall of names, I don't think i've seen that name yet

On the table in southwest corner is a neatly written not (See handout), on the back of which a name is written:

Hollis "Evil Grin" Thorne

That name is in the handout that is Fimbrik's note and the handout for the suspicious names on the wall.

Ahh thanks..

"I think the underlining is intentional, but what is so special about Hollis Thorne that he made special mention of him?"

The extra name are fluff only: Vigfus Otkilson is a deceased PC from one of the players of the other group, Malena Antonescu and Otiophon were PCs from good players that were very active, but who are unfortunately no longer active on the boards.

"Bah, a puzzle," Zlata comments disgustedly. "I prefer when the solution is punching."

Got it - thanks for the explanation, DMK, and sorry for the digression, y'all. Since this scenario is something of a name hunt, I wanted to be sure I knew what names we were hunting.

Kesuraman ponders the wall before them, paying particular attention to the three names given them by Adolphus.

Take 10 on Knowledge (religion) for a 15.

After some thought, he says, "If I'm recalling correctly, which I believe I am, the underlined portions of each inscribed epitaph refer to aspirants that failed the test of the Starstone. Rather than belonging on this wall, the fallen aspirants are remembered in the Shrine of the Failed, a shrine next to the cathedral of the Starstone, in the center of the city."

He turns his thoughtful gaze to the others, surprised at having spoken so much, and says, "Unless there's more to uncover here, I believe we should visit the Shrine of the Failed."

depending on the results of my perception checks, I concur.

-Posted with Wayfinder

At the centre of the Ascendant Court, the Starstone cathedral looms over the city. Next to it, the Shrine of the failed. As the party arrives, the place is completely empty, and it soon becomes clear why: Sir Reinhart has mae it clear he will attempt the test of the Starstone. As the valiant— and utterly doomed—knight prepares to charge his steed across the chasm outside Starstone Cathedral, everybody has moved into position to look - giving the party free reign of the Shrine of the Failed.

Past the entry, a monumental chamber stretches eighty feet from end to end, with a ceiling suspended thirty feet from the floor by great pillars. Seven arched passages lead to humble rooms, each of which contains a polished stone altar dedicated to one of the failed aspirants who attempted the Test of the Starstone.

Each of the niches contains a small stone altar to one of the failed aspirants. Each altar stands upon a raised dais and bears a small brass nameplate identifying the aspirant and the would-be-god’s areas of interest.

There's Demuren, who would be the god of sacrifice, Gobru, who aspired to be the god of fish and bountiful sea, Mellag, acolyte of rot, Oggo of the sixteen poses, Plokkis of spoiled food and wastefulness, Silmor, of blades, and Spuchasta, who aspired to be the god of Hallucinatory incense and herbs. (E2a-g)

Amelia will take her time examining each niche and nameplate here as well. 24 perception

Amelia takes a quarter of an hour searching every alcove thoroughly.

That's quite a bit of time, so let's see what the other party members are doing in the meantime

Kesuraman takes a quick look at each of the alcoves, asking aloud, "Who in their right mind aspires to be the god of spoiled food and wastefulness? Next we'll need a god of missing socks and hats set askew..." Thinking about the underlined words on the Wall of Names, he says, "So it's pretty clear we need to pay attention to Mellag - she's rot. And Silmor for blades. Which one is 'silence and serenity,' I wonder? It's not the fish one, or sacrifice - or the rotten food. So that leaves the god of sixteen poses or the god of drugs that you smoke."

Glancing at his fellow Pathfinders, he asks, "Any guesses?" As they consider the possibilities, he searches the alcoves of Silmor and Mellag.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Silmor
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Mellag

Kn Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Asterion has gone along with what the party has found and said, now in the shrine of the failed he examines the areas for Mellag, acolyte of rot and Silmor, of blades.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"I think i've found two names matching the clues.. but not Silence and Serenity"

While Amelia is searching the other alcoves, Asterion focuses on those of Mellag and Silmor. In Silmor's niche, he finds that the nameplate on the shrine can be moved away, revealing a little compartment. Inside is a chalkboard, and some chalk.

And Kesuraman's search of the same alcove doesn't even get a mention...poor, unloved little Wayang. ;p

Kesuraman notices the same hidden compartment as Asterion, and is stumped by it. "I wonder what one is supposed to write? Asterion, got any ideas? Anyone?"

DMK - Which alcove is the hidden compartment in?

Since the others make no sense, perhaps the silence and serenity is attributed to the incense and herbs.

Taelbin makes his way over to Spuchasta's niche and begins to search through it, paying more attention to the nameplate after the hidden compartment is found in Asterion's niche.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Thinking for a moment on Kesuraman's question, Taelbin pokes his head up from his search.

Try wiffle.

"Oh, right, good thinking!" Kesuraman picks up a piece of chalk and writes 'wiffle' on the blackboard.

Hearing the others talk of the discovery, Amelia comes of liver to see what's going on

-Posted with Wayfinder

I didn't see your post so I have a feeling the forum did something interesting which also got the DM and yes wiffle seems correct

Entering the shrine, Zlata shakes her head sadly. "Such a waste of lives. How can someone turn their backs on everyone they know and care about like this, just for a miniscule chance to become Goddess of Things That Get Stuck in Drawers?"

As the others search, she stands guard, alert for signs of danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

@Kesuraman: of course, Kesuraman found the same thing. I just need to put my glasses on straight.

Kesuraman writes 'wiffle' on the nameplate that he and Asterion found in the Shrine of Silmor.

The west wall of the shrine suddenly vanishes, and opens to a large natural cave. It is dimly lit. The cave end in a small alcove.

Several desks are arranged along the northern and eastern edges of this small stone alcove. Whereas the stonework leading to this chamber is rough, the walls in the alcove are polished. A single gem rests among the neatly filed papers on the desk, emitting a soft luminescence that brightens the small room.

On the desk is a stack of paperwork. Even at first glance, it is clear that this is a priceless collection of Pathfinder lore. Browsing through it, much of it seems to be encrypted in coded Azlanti. It is clear that understanding the true scope of this discovery requires several weeks of careful study by researchers at the Grand Lodge.

Amelia gives a soft "oo" of exclamation as she hesitantly walks into the new room. "Do you have any idea what we have found?!" She asks. "This is amazing! All these notes and tales..! Of course they are coded, but imagine what might be here!" She exclaims as she starts looking through the papers

-Posted with Wayfinder

"We should probably carefully pack these away in someones pack"

Kesuraman's eyes widen as he nods along with Amelia's words, "This is incredible, I agree! It's very tempting to close that secret door and hole up here to study these documents myself..."

Crossing the room, he picks up the gem and wonders aloud, "And what could this be? From its glow, I'd think it's magical. Amelia, can you study it a moment and see what it might be?"

As he holds it up for the wizard to study, he muses, "So, if this is as far as we go here, where do we go next? To find the grave of Arkath the stonemason, perhaps?"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Once the DM responds to the roll, Amelia will share whatever information she has on the stone
"Well, I can put the papers in my pack, and the stonemason sounds just as good as anything else. Anyone else have any suggestions?"

The gem is a cut alexandrite, imbued with a continual flame spell.

As the adventurers emerge from the hidden cave, a dwarf and an elf are hiding behind the pillars of the shrine We are sent by the company of the Devil's Claw. Surrender what you find in there, and we'll let you go.

Just to show they're now messing around, the elf raises his bow.

---
Asterion
Kesuraman
---
Elf
Halfling
---
Amelia
Taelbin
Laetshi
Zlata
---
Dwarf
---

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"You need a lesson in math, elf," Kesuraman says bluntly, "there are six of us to two of you. Put another way, we outnumber you by a factor of three. So tell us about this Devil's Claw, and we'll let you go."

As he speaks, he slips a slender vial off his belt, pulls the cork out of it and drinks it down. His already rapid movements become almost impossibly fast, and his hands are almost a blur as he shrugs his crossbow off his shoulder and prepares to load it.

Drink mutagen for +4 Dex, -2 Wis, +2 natural armor. Stats now are Dex 21, Wis 10, AC 20. Move action to draw crossbow.

Fellow Pathfinders - Asking now so I don't forget: If we can wait for me to brew another mutagen after this fight, it'd be great. Takes one hour.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Asterion draws his curved blade and cast cure light wounds on himself.

Perception: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Seeing the Elf and Dwarf saunter into the temple, she sneers "Looks like yall are a bit late to the party. Finders keepers, chaps!" She then starts muttering and gesturing

While the party prepares for combat, the elf snipes at Laetshi, and catches the rogue unaware:
Longbow, Laetshi, Favored enemy: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 121d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Amelia weaves an enchantment. The dwarf seems to get drowsy for moment, but stays awake.
Will, Dwarf: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Elves are immune

---
Amelia
Taelbin
Laetshi
Zlata
---
Dwarf
---
Asterion
Kesuraman
---
Elf
Halfling
---

crap.. forgot about that.

Laetshi smiles at the wayang's quip. Nice to see this little adventure is loosening him up a bit.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

I hadn't acted yet, so I was flat-footed, but I don't see anything that prevent's me from using gunslinger's dodge in that situation. I'll let you make that call though because it seems like there should be something that says I have to be aware of the attack and able to react.

Laetshi does her best to avoid the elf's assault, diving for cover behind one of the pillars. "Well, that was rude," she says as she grits her teeth and attempts to return the favor.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage (w/Focused Aim): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Drawing his sword, Taelbin moves out toward the pair of intruders.

Come and fight you scavengers. You'll find us not the easiest of prey.

Drawing sword and moving up 30

"See, this is more my kind of thing," Zlata says with a sardonic smile, as she double moves toward the elf, readying her scythe as she goes.

No one rolling perception?

Oops, forgot about that.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

oh, yeah, oops...

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17