[PFS] GM Dennis - #6-10 The Wounded Wisp (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Muldoon

"The stonemason's tomb might have the name we are looking for. But I suppose we could go to the Wall of Names and try our luck in finding where we need to look."

"If we don't have de name we need, den maybe de mausoleum is where we should go. You might be right, Nuethro. Maybe de name is at de tomb."

Sounds like you're headed to the tomb.

You make your way to the Eastgate district, to a cemetery operated by the church of Pharasma. A tall stone and wrought-iron fence surrounds the grounds, but the gate is open and it seems like it would not be trespassing to enter and pay respects to the dead. As you peer through the open gates you see a central statue ringed by squat stone buildings, each sealed by a heavy stone door. A human woman is walking on the other side of the statue. The woman is dressed in cleric’s garb and wearing a prominent holy symbol of Pharasma. In a polite but firm tone she greets you as you enter the grounds: ”Hail, visitors. May I ask what your business is in the Gray Lady’s domain?”

"Hail, visitors. May I ask what your business is in the Gray Lady’s domain?”

Makon yawns a bit and speaks up, um so yeah do you know where the Mausoleum of Arkath is? Makon looks around as if he might spot it by himself, Cause we got a bunch of notes...well a couple anyway that say he might have been up to no good when he was alive. Makon looks at the priestess as if she understood what he was saying. You know, this stone mason guy, was hiding important Pathfinder secretes and stuff...we're here to find out what. diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 20

"My friend is correct. We are on a mission to retrieve some information that we have led to believe that are hidden in Arkath's Mausoleum and wish to investigate it. We promise to be respective in our search."

Diplomacy (Aid Other): 1d20 ⇒ 2

"Hm...regardless of his actions in life, he is now the domain of the Lady of Graves. Still, I suppose it won't hurt for you to look. I must ask you not to touch anything, however, and to comport yourselves in a respectful manner."

The priestess gently opens the door of the Arkath's tomb to reveal an interior empty save for dust and the stonemason’s long-dead skeleton.

Traianus nods. "We mean nothing but respect, I must assure you. Actually, I'm a little curious, what can you tell me about your charge, the graveyard here? I must say, I'm not as familiar with the rites of Pharasma as I would like to be."

Diplomacy to either talk at her and keep her attention while she and Traianus stay out of the tomb--and limit her scrutiny of his allies? Or if that isn't an appropriate use of Diplomacy, just to make friends with her? Traianus can shift her attitude three steps, if she has three steps left to shift.

Diplomacy to make friends and influence people: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Mar Leigh takes advantage of this opportunity to step into the tomb and begin to examine the walls, the floor, the ceiling, and then the skeleton and anything it may be resting upon.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

He is pretty sure the walls are where they are resting on the floor and supporting the ceiling over some dead guy lying there.

Makon walks in to the dead man's room and looks around perception 'take 10': 10 = 10 Um there's something in his mouth..something glinty..

Looking closer Tareal sees it too. Perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"I know you asked us to not touch anything. But we need to see if that coin has any clues it can provide. We'll put it back."

"How did dat coin get dere? Did one of you fellas put dat dere?"

Her brow furrows at the suggestion of removing the coin. "Hm. Your intentions may be good but Pharasma frowns upon disturbing the graves of those that have passed into her realm."

She will need to be talked into allowing you to take the coin. Bluff or Diplomacy are the listed skills, though I'm no opposed to creative solutions if you have another idea.

Traianus hmmms. "Well, our friend here has left a cunning trail of clues leading right to himself, and also to this coin. I must assure you, I dislike the looting of a grave as much as you do--but surely if this mason here is leaving a trail of clues straight to himself, he has invited us in, no?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

Makon nods at the rapid words coming out of Traianus's mouth confused and memorized all at once, Um..yeah...what he said.. Makon interjects softly. aid another diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 4

OK Traianus how'd u get a +18 diplomacy on a 1st level character!?

His math is listed under his character Makon.

Diplomacy to assist Traianus: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"And of course Lady Priestess, we would be happy to fill out any form your church requires, and proceed to inspect the coin while you observe the proceedings. A rubbing of the item will do, and it can be reinserted in his mouth upon completion. As a matter of fact, we would be honored if you could assist us in handling the remains respectfully. We would of course make a donation to your church for your expert services."

Basically in almost every area where Traianus had the option to improve his diplomacy or take another useful option, he opted for diplomacy. He won't even have Power Attack until level 3! He's a talky face who just so happens to be a paladin.

"My friends here are absolutely correct, and Son here has an excellent idea. I could talk at you about how we want to do this the right way, or instead, we could ask you to help us ensure that we treat our friend's mortal remains respectfully. Can you help us?"

Tareal takes out a silver eagle and puts it into the mouth of the dead man. "The coin is just a symbol for his faith. A coin for a coin."

Diplomacy? That's a skill I actually have a good number in!

Mar Leigh unslings his lute and begins to sing a song to help the situation.

"I was struck by ligh-ting, walkin' down de street
I was hit by someting last night in my sleep
It's a dead mon's party, who could ask for more?
Everybody's comin', leave your body at de door
Leave your body and soul at de door"

Diplomacy to aid Traianus: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Mar Leigh starts dancing to the beat about the tomb hamming it up with everyone to break the tension hanging in the air.

"Hm, Very well. You have treated this place with respect, and have comported yourselves in an honest and open way, which I appreciate. As you say" she says, turning to Tarael, "the coin is a symbol, though I confess I know not for what. It seems more at home in an Abadaran graveyard. As far as Pharasma is concerned, one is as good as another. You may swap the coins if you wish."

Well done. With that Diplo roll, she will allow you to swap coins and do what you wish with the one from his mouth. So, what do you wish to do with it?

Makon ask, Is the coin magic? Can anyone tell?

"Perhaps it is magical." Not having the means to check, he hopes someone does.

When the song ends, Mar Leigh casts Detect Magic on the coin. He informs the others that the coin is magical in nature but that his training in Spellcrafting is somewhat lacking at the current moment.

Celeste hops onto Mar's shoulder and looks at the coin. "It's a pretty coin, at least."

"If we can't decipher the coin, maybe go back to the pub and ask Janira for help. If she is still there."

"Marvelous idea!"

You take your leave of the Pharasman and saunter back to the Wounded Wisp, where you find the same cast of characters that were previously present.

"Oh, hello there friends! How is your mission going?"

Makon grumbles..Not so good, a wizard has led us on a wild goose chase. We found a corpse with a magic coin in his mouth but, none of us knows why it's magic or what it does....the coin that is...not the corpse tehe! Makon takes out his coin purse Bartender! Round for me and my friends! Janira are you up for another pint?

"Oh, thanks Makon. Maybe just a half for me. I'm supposed to be writing, after all. Now, let's see about that coin." She takes the coin from you and examines it for a few moments. After a brief examination, she frowns, pulls out a scroll, and reads it. As she completes the incantation, the scroll crumble and her face lights up in recognition. "Just as I suspected! This is a Pathfinder's Coin. These things can hold hidden messages! Do any of you have a Wayfinder? Surely some of you have received yours after your recent confirmation, right?”

spellcraft, identify: 1d20 + 7 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 10 = 23

"Oh yeah!" says Son of Cayden, handing over his Wayfinder to Janira.

Makon hands over his Wayfinder, huh!..thought this was only good for making light...someone told me it was like a compass too...but since I never used a compass...I've never tried with that. Makon says while pointing at his Wayfinder. Um...what exactly is a compass? Makon scratches his ear.

Traianus scratches his head. "Oh, don't you usually use a compass to draw circles?"

Tareal procures her wayfinder and shrugs."You awarded this wayfinder to me, remember! Let us try it out."

[ooc]I really need to write that down online, don't I?[ooc]

Mar Leigh reaches for his wayfinder, but upon seeing so many pulled out by his companions, he instead starts to think of a song to sing.

"It's a kind of magic.
It's a kind of magic.
A kind of magic.

It's a kind of magic."

With so many offering their wayfinder, Nuethro sees no reason to offer his. "That message might be the clue that was left behind. Glad we took the coin with us."

As you place the coin on the Wayfinder, it rises and floats an inch above the device. As it begins to slowly spin, a voice rings out:

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

Janira looks puzzled, and says ”I’m afraid that doesn’t mean much to me. Maybe you all can make something of it.”

Nuethro smiles, "It does." He looks at his companions, "I guess we know where our next stop is."

"It is time to go to de Wall of Heroes!"

"Good luck! I look forward to hearing all about it when you figure out what's going on!"

You travel back to the Grand Lodge, and soon arrive at 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 countless names and dates, which you know to be the name and date of death of every Pathfinder killed in the course of duty since the wall’s construction. Most entries also include a sentence or two summarizing either the agent’s greatest accomplishments or how she died.

As the names on the wall were added chronologically, it's easy enough to find names from the time period in question. After a brief search, you find three familiar names, with inscriptions: Doulgonlir Caskmail, Hollis "Evil Grin" Thorne, and Karina Clamp (added to the slide deck).

Mar Leigh will attempt all of them since he can make Knowledge Checks untrained (which is really not a bad thing early in the character's career).

Knowledge History: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Knowledge Local: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 ⇒ 15

I pass the information on to my companions.

"De underlined portions of each inscription refer to de desired portfolios of failed aspirants to de Test of de Starstone."

"Hey! that Caskmail name is the same as the one that's on Fimbrik's note! Wiffle Wiffle Wiffle!" says Son of Cayden enthusiastically near the nameplate!

Traianus notes, "So... we're supposed to pay attention to this Caskmail fellow, eh? Something about Sacrifice?"

Makon starts giggling an imitating Son of Cayden, Yeah, *tehe* the silly gnome told us *hehe* to say Wiffle, Wiffle, ...*har*...this is almost as fun as killing Minotaurs! ...Wiffle! *Har!* Makon wipes a tear from his eye.

"I think we have almost all clues that we need. Let us finish the last part of the puzzle!"

"Caskmail huh."

Nuehthro starts searching around the plague that has Caskmail's name, and the plague itself.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Celeste says, "Oh! Good idea! Maybe the plaque itself is important!"

She'll guidance Neuthro for a +1, and then try to Aid Another.

Perception to Aid Another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Celeste starts looking about all over while perching on Neuthro's head, irritating him exactly as much as she helps.