[PFS] GM Mjolbeard's 'The Wounded Wisp'(#6-10) (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

"Like my friend here said, we're just checking out the mausoleum. Definitely not looking for any kind of trouble."

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

"Yeah, you tell him." Denair squeaks up.
Diplomacy (Aid): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5
"Because people find me weird and foreign and they never listen to me but Meredith always listens because she's nice."

Thanks for the correction on that Know religion DC, Alice. I got lazy and just made it up. It's corrected now.

"Well well, aren't you a cheeky lot? You're lucky your lovely little friend 'ere 'as some sense in 'er, Tusky, or we might 'ave a problem. Learn some respect, orc, or you might find ye-self in a spot o' trouble someday." Despite his big talk, the priest flicks his robe back to cover his mace again, and the sneer he had directed at Zavubak is once again replaced by his snide grin.

"Durward's the appellatory," he says as he swaggers closer. He takes a few quick steps and suddenly stands right at Alice's side, his arm gently wrapped around her shoulders. His hand is missing its little finger and forefinger. "I'm one o' those chosen by Asmodeus 'imself and gifted wif great powers t' carry out 'is will. That's why I was chosen to guard the necropolis 'ere. No one else could be trusted with such an illustrillious job 'cept me." He begins to lead Alice toward the mausoleum door, his arm still wrapped around her shoulders. "Now, I usually don't take kindly t' strangers wandering' round me necropolis, but this lovely young thing has softened me ol' cockles. I s'pose I could let ye in t' see ol' Arkath 'ere. Just make sure ya don't do nothin' I wouldn't do." He laughs loudly and pulls a key on a chain from one of the pockets on his robe. He inserts the key and gives it a quick twist. The door opens smoothly a cool burst of air moves past you.

Thankfully i'm wearing clothes and he's not touching my skin. :)

Alice isn't protesting, she does so in thought though.

"Asmodeus, the prince of laws and order. Indeed, the dead deserve their peace, and a guardian is no unneeded service to keep them such.
I take it your physical scars are from its line of duty?"

She points at his hand.

I'm unsure if he leaves us now, or will watch us while we look for the item. The following is afterwards, assuming we get out unscathed.

After he tells us all he has to tell:

As a gesture of thanks on a whim, she takes his hand.
"I appreciate you sparing some of your time, mister Durward. May i give you a small token of thanks."

Cast guidance on the man. As a fellow divine caster, i'm sure he will recognize the spell.

Meredith wipes the sweat off her brow, but she doesn't like how personal the cleric is. Too close for my comfort...

She takes the opportunity to cast Guidance upon herself before she enters.

"Asmodeus, the prince of laws and order. Indeed, the dead deserve their peace, and a guardian is no unneeded service to keep them such.

I take it your physical scars are from its line of duty?"
She points at his hand.
I'm unsure if he leaves us now, or will watch us while we look for the item. The following is afterwards, assuming we get out unscathed.

Durward looks down at his lovely new companion with a lecherous eye, "Right you are, love. The dead need their rest and there's only a few 'oo's worthy t' look after 'em." As Alice points toward the missing digits, "Alas, I cannot claim the honor t' 'ave made such a sacrifice to the Prince. Nah, these are from me old life, back when I was smaller'n you, though I was a man grown. I was weak then, but now...well. Now I've got the Prince on me side." He leads the six of you through the open door of the mausoleum and presses a sigil on the wall that activates a light spell to activate on matching sigil on the ceiling. The room is empty except for a large stone sarcophagus in the center of the room. "Well, there 'e is, in all 'is glory. Heheheh. I'm not sure what records you was thinkin' of. This 'ere's about all there is."

He'll stick with you, but doesn't seem to have any interest in causing any further trouble. You seem to know who's boss of the necropolis now, and that makes him happy enough.

"Eh, thank you kindly." Meredith enters the room. "Well, I guess the answer lies in there."

After confirming the priest is satisfied and won't bother them, Meredith casts guidance upon herself, Zavubak and Denair. "This will make a lot of noise. Good thing he's not bothering us anymore."

Denair and Meredith will assist Zavubak in pushing the lid open (or only Denair if only one can assist.)

Denair's Strength, Guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
Meredith's Strength, Guidance: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 1 = 19

Zav grumbles to himself. "He threatened us first, you know." He enters with the others and moves over to the sarcophagus, wedging his hands underneath the lid. "Frankie, you may not like seeing this. Maybe Denair can cover his eyes," he says with a grin on his face, then pushes up with all of his might.

Strength, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Unfortunately, his orcish digits are too wide and stubby to fit underneath the lid, and he's unable to push it very far, much to his annoyance.

I hope that I am not going against the party's wishes when I intimidate NPCs. It's just what Zavubak would do, and so that's what I do to stay in character. I'm fine with Alice acting with diplomacy before myself, and kudos to the GM for still adjusting the NPC's attitude towards me for threatening him.

Sorry had a long day of fishing! And many more to come over the weekend!

Frankie happily rides on top of Denair on the way to the graveyard, swinging his axe and zorting passerbys that dare get in their way.

"Hey graveyard guy! I'm Frankie! Did something eat off your finger? A big fish or something?"

He shoos off any attempt to hide his eyes from the opening of the tomb "Hey now! I wanna see the dead guy too! I wonder if he's all bones? Or maybe he's a shriveled old guy ready to eat your face!" Frankie hops down from his perch and looks around the room and the tomb for anything that catches his eye. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"Hey graveyard guy! I'm Frankie! Did something eat off your finger? A big fish or something?"

"Heheh, 'fraid not, me lad. Actually, it were one o' the bosses o' the city. 'E didn't much like me rippin' off 'is goons, so 'e 'ad one o' his bigguns rip off a few o' me fingers. Not a pretty scene, me lad. Not pretty at all."

In the tomb

Despite a bit of fumbling by Zavubak and Denair, Meredith is able to slide open the lid of the sarcophagus. As Arkath's remains come into view, Frankie's eyes go wide with excitement. He looks eagerly at the skeleton and around the room, but his gaze is inevitably drawn back to the dead man. He sees a glimmer of light shining on metal from within the mouth of the skelton.

I'll give Frankie a chance to point it out before he heads out of town. Otherwise, if someone else rolls a similarly good Perception check, one of you can move us along.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Denair's Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"Frankie, don't gawk at it. That's why I didn't want you in here. Respect the dead. You too, Denair!"

Denair turns around, her hands inches away from Arkath's skull. "Alas poor Yorick, I knew him well..."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Zavubak looks at the remains carefully. "Well, that must be it," he says as he looks in the mouth of the skeleton. Without a word, he puts his hands in an attempt to get a better look at the shining metal piece.

"I've seen and touched worse than this, so please don't look at me like that."

"Hmpf. Why does he get all the fun?"

That'll work. :D

Zavubak reaches into the skeletons mouth and finds a small silver coin. The coin appears to be some sort of ancient currency, though a cursory glance doesn't make it immediately apparent where it might have come from.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Saritirnen looks about noting that the voices are quiet their eyes observing the mausoleum with great interest and even greater sorrow. He is grateful for the peace it brings if even for a moment.

He follows along letting the others lead on. He wonders if these spirits were able to find the rest that he so felt he would deserve one day.

When he sees the orc reaching into the mouth of the skeleton he almost says something about desecrating the dead when he sees the orc pull forth a coin of some sorts.

"Maybe the coin marks safe passage through the halls of the deceased?"

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Determining if this is customary amongst followers of Asmodeus.

As he searches back through his centuries of experience, Saritirnen recalls all he knows of Asmodean funerary rites, and determines that this is not among them. The coin must be here for some other reason.

"Wha-why is there a coin in his mouth?" Meredith ponders. She recalls the notes they found beneath the Wounded Wisp. "Oh. What about the uh...what his name... Fimbrik fellow? Maybe there's another clue in there?"

Zavubak nods. "I don't get it either. We could check that wizard's guild, but I recall bumping into someone at the Wisp who may know about old coins... The guy with the Curiosity Shop."

"Yeah! Curiosity!" Denair hops back and forth, excitedly.

Saritirnen nods and looks at the coin. "Are there no recognizable markings on the coin? Let me determine if an enchantment has been placed on it." he opens his hand waiting for the coin to be passed.

Zav flips the coin into the elf's hand. "See anything strange?"

Catching the coin Saritirnen begins to incant several syllables. "Let us see if it hides something which we cannot see."

Cast detect magic.

"Be careful it doesn't hex you....hehe."

"What is another hex." he says under his breath.

Saritirnen continues to concentrate...

Frankie's eyes go wide as the caretaker talks about losing his fingers "Eww! That sounds really bad! Is that why you are here? Hidin' out from the bad men in town? You want to borrow my sweet axe in case they come back? I can show you my moves if it'll help!" He draws out his axe and starts swinging it around the group as they go to investigate the coin, perhaps to distract the man from the scene... Bluff (Distraction): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 "Maybe if I had a bit more space I could really show you something! Lets go outside before Meredith yells at me."

You hear Meredith sigh as Frankie distracts the priest.

Bored, Denair follows Frankie and pretends to be chopped down. Also, she observes the grass. No one minds when she observes the grass.

What is another hex." he says under his breath.

"Something witches do. It's like magic, but different."

Despite Alice's teasing, Saritirnen almost immediately detects a magical aura emanating from the coin. A few moments of concentration gives him a chance to identify the exact nature of the coin's magic.

Meanwhile, Durward remains just outside the tomb, laughing loudly at Frankie and Denair as they pantomime a mighty warrior single-handedly facing an enormous treant.

"The coin does have an enchantment on it. Let me concentrate further."

SC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Saritirnen continues to concentrate on the coin and as he does so the voices of the ever present dead warriors begin buzzing in his mind. Grinding his teeth he does his best to keep focused on the coin. Soon the voices quiet down.

"The coin..is..a Pathfinder's Coin." turning the coin over several times in his hand he continues, "Yes the coin is used to record simple messages. We will need a wayfinder and must be mindful the coin will only replay the message once and then be lost."

He opens his eyes and flips the coin back to the orc.

Zav snatches the coin in mid-air. "Not bad, elf, not bad. Do any of you have a wayfinder? We may have to ask someone in the Wisp if we can use theirs."

To the Wisp, then? I'll move things along in that direction in another hour or so if I don't hear otherwise. You guys are doing great, btw. It took my group forever to figure out the coin.

"Heh...yeah, let's head to the Wisp. Maybe that Janira lady will be kind enough to let us borrow hers." Meredith takes one last look at the skeleton. Something feels wrong about all this...

Denair admits defeat against Frankie, savior of the woods. "Alas, the woodsman was too strong! Aiiee!"

Frankie is ready to go whenever. He's just having a good time chopping down trees and trying to stay out of the way. He will duck back inside the tomb when we head out though to make sure they grabbed the coin.. and anything else that looks particularly 'cool'.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Frankie sneaks back into the mausoleum and roots around for a few moments as the others begin to take their leave of Durward. The pilferer-turned-priest is far too distracted trying to get Alice to agree to a date to notice Frankie. Unfortunately, the coin was the only thing of note for the investigation, though a spooky mausoleum, complete with a rotting skeleton, is plenty to capture the curiosity of a small boy. Nevertheless, the party eventually departs the graveyard and makes the trek across the city from the Eastgate district back to the Foreign Quarter and the Wounded Wisp itself.

Luckily, Janira Gavix is just getting ready to depart the tavern and return to the Grand Lodge when the party arrives. She immediately recognizes Meredith and Denair from their excellent story-telling earlier in the day. "Oh hello there! Back to share more stories with the other agents inside? I can tell that some of them really liked your story, especially the way your friend helped bring it to life! So, what have you been up to today? Anything exciting?"

Frankie half walks and half skips along with the group, having the best day he can remember. Such a nice group of people! Well, I'm not sure about that halfling girl though... Once someone opens the door Frankie races in ahead of the group, always wanting to be the first to see the excitement of the room. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 "COMING THROUGGGGGHHHHHH!" As he dodges between and under legs, racing past the coat check kid, then stopping and coming back to drop off his axe for safe keeping.

"More cocoa please Heryn! We're back!" He then makes the rounds again through the bar to wave or say hi to the people he saw earlier and new people as well. He is especially happy to meet Janira. "Hey there! I'm Frankie! Nice to meet you, want some cocoa? Its AWESOME!" He takes a long slug from his mug, wiping his cocoa 'stache with his sleeve.

Zavubak is knocked off balance as Frankie swipes by his leg, and drops the coin on the ground. "Damn it. Be careful, kid!" He glowers in Frankie's direction, then picks up the coin and shows it to Janira. "I'm Zavubak. We found some notes in the basement of the Wisp about Selmius Foster and his adventures. One of them spoke of a gnome who would explore and cooperate, but not report." He grins as if waiting for a laugh, then clears his throat. "We've been following her tracks and came up with this coin buried with Foster. My... Colleague here determined it was magical and requires a wayfinder to be of use." He holds it out for Janira to see.

"Tadaaa!" Denair creates a spiffy light show as Frankie slides in, making a firework-like display. Meredith smiles. Well, Denair found a friend.

Meredith meanwhile talks to Janira. "Howdy Janira. Sometimes the best stories come from your history." ...right? That's how it works? Meredith shakes her head in confusion, briefly. "But yeah, like Zavubak said, we have a coin here. Saritirnen mentioned it was magical and would react to a wayfinder. We only get one shot, so we figured we would come to you. May we use yours for a bit?"

Alice deflects any attempts the filthy man makes.
The previous mentioned afterwards-post is still done.

But unknown to him, she put bad mojo on him at departure.

When the team is at a distance, she brushes off the shoulder of her cloak.

"Yuck...a revolting type.
Let's get back to that halfling girl and inquire about the coin."

While Frankie chats with Heryn and gets more cocoa, Zavubak and Meredith speak with Janira. Alice is a bit distracted as she does her best to wipe away any remnants of Durward's... presence... from her shoulder, but she is nearby as Janira accepts the coin from Zavubak. "Ah! It's a Pathfinder's Coin, right, Saritirnen? I've seen a couple of these before. Here, I'll show you how it works." She reaches to her hip and retrieves a compass-like instrument from a clip on her belt. She opens the cover and places the coin in the center, just above a small depression where it looks like a gem of some sort might fit. The coin sits still for only a moment before it begins to float an inch or so above the surface of the wayfinder, then begins to spin rapidly. As the coin begins to spin, the deep, gravelly voice of Arkath the Stonemason is heard for the first time in centuries.

"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 on in amazement at the message. "Wow! How mysterious! And you said you found this in someone's tomb? This'll make a really great story! I hope you guys can figure out the mystery! Thanks for letting me be involved." She hands back the coin smiles at all of you, ready to continue on her way back to the Grand Lodge.

Anything else you'd like to ask? Or ready to head to one of the other destinations from Foster's notes?

"No, thank you for letting us use your wayfinder. I'll be on that Confirmation trip in a few days time, honest!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Denair's Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Meredith waves Janira goodbye and turns around, only to see Denair right in front of her. "No you won't."

"I'm just bein' polite, Denair. Those wayfinders will come in real handy, though. We won't always be in Absalom." Meredith brushes Denair aside and turns to the party.

"Looks like this Fimbrik guy knows more. We still need to find out where this chamber is."

Frankie gets to the table just in time to see the coin being put away and everyone getting ready to head out and he lets out a slow high pitched whine "AAAAHHHHHH I missed it? You guys did it without me? Do it again so I can see! Here, take my cocoa if that's what it takes, but don't let me miss it!" His disappointment is palpable.

"I don't know who this Fimbrik guy is, but I'm not letting you guys out of my sight, I'm not gonna miss a thing!" He walks backwards towards the coat check kid to get his axe, keeping a close eye on everyone, before following the group from behind... eyes peeled.

"Sorry Frankie, Janira was in a hurry." Meredith tries to explain, but Frankie really wanted to see the cool thing!

"You want to see something cool?" She squats and parts her hair. Right in the middle of her hair is a deep red rose step. "As soon as I call Denair, this rose springs right up. Withers away as soon as Denair goes home. I've tried wearing hats and hoods to hide it but then it starts glowing." Right on time, the rose glows a faint red. "Let's keep this a secret between you and me, alright?" She gives him a wink.

"I...wish I could help you more, kid. But at least today, you're part of the team. Just make sure you hide at the first sign of danger, alright? I don't know what I would tell your mother if you got hurt."

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Denair remains quiet, keeping an eye on everyone when they leave.

"Well what path lies in front of us? There are still places we can look that might make sense of this cryptic message. Where is the letter that was originally found. Read it aloud and let us determine what is best to chose."

Just as Janira hands the Pathfinder's coin back over, Frankie rushes over, his face the very image of childlike disappointment. Janira reaches over and pats the lad on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, but the message will only play once, then it's gone forever. I didn't know you were with Meredith and the others or I would have waited." She quickly excuses herself then and makes her way out of the bar back toward the Grand Lodge, leaving you all to determine your next course of action.

Frankie eyes Meredith with a little bit of suspicion, at least until she shows off her weird head thingy then he lets his guard down. "I guess..." He says as he pokes her head. "Does it hurt? It looks weird!"

He nods as Janira tries to console him but does his best to keep a strong face and act a bit more grown up. Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 But he's put on better shows in the past. "Its ok, I know its not your fault, I should keep these guys close at hand so they don't try to abandon me again, like at that other bar this morning. They snuck out while I was in the bathroom." He gives them a hurt look.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Zav looks over at Frankie. "Come on, don't be like that. We were just looking out for you, kid. We wouldn't want you to see something freaky." He draws his double axe again and twirls it around to lighten the mood. "Now cheer up and let's get going. I think Meredith said we need to find Fimbrik. Any ideas where he is? We can even have an axe battle on the way."

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
"Nah, it's doesn't hurt." Meredith tries not to wince. "Don't touch it too much." Meredith quickly stands up. Well, I tried...at least he's toughened up a bit.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Denair's Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Denair waits a little for everyone to ignore her again. "Don't worry. Meredith never lets me touch her flower. She's so testy about it!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Frankie pulls back and stops poking Meredith's flower "Sorry! You should have said don't touch it, Mom's always very, very specific on what I can and can't touch... mostly what I can't touch I guess."

He pulls up his axe and swings it at Zav as soon as he mentions an axe battle Wooden Axe/Club + Improvised Weapon: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 1 - 4 = 51d4 ⇒ 3 A smile spreads across his face as he flails it recklessly at the half orc.
"Denair you can be my human shield! Protect me from this raging beast!"

Sm vs Meredith: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Sm vs Frank: 1d20 ⇒ 8

@ Meredith:
"Are you trying to act big, honey? I know we differ in stature, but if it hurts, it hurts."

"It doesn't hurt. But any direct pressure and I can't focus." Meredith stands up. "Okay, let's go."

Denair is all too happy to play along, using her arms to stretch and grow around Frankie! "Nothing can get through the might oak!"

Zav swings his axe up and around Denair, purposely stopping just inches short of her body. "Dammit, tree lady, outta my way! Haha!"

After a few moments of foolish swinging, he lowers his axe. "We don't know where this Fimbrik is, but that one scholar... Yargos Gill? He might know something. He said to find him in the Wise District."