“There’s trouble at the Blakros Museum again,” Venture-Captain Adril Hestram growled when you first entered the meeting room in the Grand Lodge earlier this afternoon. “The museum’s curator, Nigel Aldain, came to me this morning asking for help. Apparently, a wayward daughter of his illustrious patrons, the powerful Blakros family, has disappeared, along with a few of the museum’s watchmen who went looking for her. The Society has helped him in the past, and he wants us to find her, before he loses his job, or worse. Now Nigel’s an old friend, and a former Pathfinder, but this kind of missing person case isn’t really our bailiwick. Normally I’d tell him to find the district guard and leave the Society out of it.
“But then he made me an offer that was too good to pass up. Not only will he allow the Society access to the Blakros Museum’s extensive and very private library, but apparently this same missing daughter just returned to Absalom with a pack full of ancient relics collected throughout Osirion and northern Garund. And Nigel promised the Society first pick of any of those pieces that catch our fancy. I don’t need to tell you what those kinds of things might be worth, so it looks like you’re heading to the Blakros Museum tonight.
“The missing daughter is named Imrizade Blakros—half-Osirian herself and a pretty successful adventurer and fortune- hunter by all accounts. She just arrived in Absalom out of the blue a few days ago, after a couple of years’ worth of tomb-raiding in the Osirian deserts, and carrying an odd metal cylinder covered in hieroglyphs, like nothing Nigel has ever seen before. Nigel says she went straight to the basement of the museum to do some research in the family’s library, muttering something about ‘whispers in the dark’ and ‘old tapestries,’ or something. He didn’t hear from her for a couple of days, which isn’t unusual when someone is deep into their research in the archives, but he got worried when strange noises started coming from the basement. He sent a watchman down there to investigate, and when he didn’t return, Nigel sent a few more. That was last night, and they haven’t come back up either.
“Go to the museum and find out what happened to Imrizade Blakros and the watchmen. Nigel would prefer them alive, of course, especially the Blakros woman, but the Society is more interested in what she brought back with her. I’ve got a hunch it wasn’t just grave goods and pretty jewelry. Whatever she found, the Society wants it, or at the very least some information about it.”
Now would be a fitting time to roll Knowledge (history), Knowledge (local), and/or Diplomacy (gather information) to assess the task before you.
Brave girl studying artifacts of my homeland alone... I am Abd-Allah Asim Sadar. You can call me Asim my fellow pathfinders. Asim
I am Warpriest of Gorum, May his spirit of battle bolster all of you as we dive into this mission. Do any of you know anything that may help us on our mission?
I have K. Religion and Spell Craft only
Asim will attempt to aid if anyone tries to gather info. Diplomacy Aid:1d20 - 3 ⇒ (18) - 3 = 15
Male Human Arcanist 1 - HP 6/8,- AC 12/T: 12/FF: 10 - Perception +2 - F: +1/ R: +2/ W: +3 - CMB: -2 - CMD: 10, Speed: 30, Init. +2
"Well met Asim, and our other comrades, as well. My name is Caern Esriellen, and I can hardly believe that I've been called upon to investigate this strange museum once again. It seems to have a penchant for troubling incidents, I'm afraid. I cannot decide if I am excited or terrified to discover it has in store for us this evening."
"I am Brother Felinros, Blessed by Ragatheil. I have not been to this musuem before, but I am sure we can handle whatever is threatening the books and stuff."
so the new playtest should be out today maybe tomorrow. JB just locked all the threads for discussion saying the new release was coming so Asim may or may not be a warpriest. I realy liked it the way it was so lets see what they do.
Asim and Caern manage to collect the following information:
The wealthy and prominent Blakros family is a large, extended clan of eccentrics with trade contacts rivaling those of the Aspis Consortium who make most of their money selling valuable antiquities across the Taldor-Qadira border. Their daughters are known far and wide for their beauty, and marrying a Blakros woman is a sure path to power and riches.
Rumored to be originally Taldan by blood, the Blakros have since intermingled with bloodlines from all over Golarion, by marrying daughters to a succession of Qadiran trade princes, Vudran rajahs, and even the occasional Tian noble and Mwangi chief. Gifts from these foreign potentates (and the sale of illicitly gained secrets) provide the foundation for the Blakros fortune and their famous collections.
Indeed, it is the many daughters who bear the Blakros name that are responsible for the family’s wealth. Although beautiful and amazingly fertile, wedding a Blakros daughter has significant conditions—the daughters always keep their maiden name, all children must be raised as Blakroses, and the husband’s family must offer a considerable dowry for the privilege of marriage. Once married, the Blakros daughters join an unparalleled spy network that keeps the family well supplied in secrets and priceless artifacts.
Felinros, unfortunately, does not recall any pertinent information about the Blakroses or their museum.
I'll give everyone a bit more time to do any ACG rebuilds or make last minute purchases, then move on to the museum sometime tomorrow.
yay gout attack up all night, Asim updated ready to go, ended up Aasimar instead of Tiefling. Will be NG and following Iomedea with War, and Good Blessings if Good counts as Holy damage for DR purposes. It seems to as it doesn't stack with the holy weapon enhancement but its listed as untyped damage.
yay gout attack up all night, Asim updated ready to go, ended up Aasimar instead of Tiefling. Will be NG and following Iomedea with War, and Good Blessings if Good counts as Holy damage for DR purposes. It seems to as it doesn't stack with the holy weapon enhancement but its listed as untyped damage.
Great, character sheet looks good. The Good minor blessing doesn't say anything about aligned damage, though, so the extra damage doesn't bypass any DR the weapon wouldn't bypass otherwise. (Compare to the wording of the bloodrager's 1st level Celestial bloodline power.)
Alkenstar provides the group with the following information, well-versed as he is in Absalom's obscure past:
In the early days of Absalom, the Blakros Museum was originally the stronghold of an eccentric wizard known as Ralzeros the Overwatched. This mad astrologer built what is now the Blakros Museum thousands of years ago, as an observatory to study distant worlds (and some say, to be studied by them). He later disappeared following a mage-duel with another of Absalom’s early wizards.
Abandoned for centuries, the structure was later purchased by the Blakros family, who turned it into a museum for their impressive collection of curiosities from across Golarion.
Preparations complete and with little time to spare, the intrepid Pathfinder proceed to the museum. In the foyer, the party is received by the museum's elven curator, Nigel Aldain.
"Oh, thank the Gods they've sent a capable party," he breaths with relief. "I'm pleased you've chosen to help us again," he nods gratefully to Caern and any other individuals Nigel would recognize from a previous scenario.
Nigel ushers the party down the dimly lit central corridor into the Grand Exhibit Hall, in the center of which stands a 20-foot-high replica Mwangi ziggurat. The curator leads the party around to the eastern side and presses against one of the many nondescript bricks composing the monument's facade. A moment later, several of the stone tiers slide into the ground, revealing a ramp that descends down into the unlit basement.
Caern and Alkenstar can see only darkness after a few steps, while Felinros and Asim can perceive a ramp descending down at approximately a 30 degrees angle. After 50 feet, the ramp terminates at a flat wall flanked by two doors, one leading north, the other south.
"I know not what awaits you below," Nigel cautions, "but please, bring Imrizade back safely."
Human (Chelaxian) Archaeologist 1 / Mysterious Stranger 1
"Nigel, does the museum have lanterns or something of the sort for when staff go into this basement?"
If he hasn't got any light source I can borrow, I guess I'll run off long enough to obtain a couple of torches. In either case, I'll be leaving my backpack w/ my rations, canteen, and shaving kit up here to keep my encumbrance down as the light source will put me into a medium load.
Nigel, which way did the girl and the guards go? Sorry Alkenstar and Caern I do not pray for the power to make light, but maybe Caern or Brother Felinros has that power.
Sorry, I wrote up a reply on the light situation on Wednesday, but now notice the forums seem to have eaten it.
"Lanterns? Yes, of course." Nigel runs off down the hall, and returns a couple minutes later carrying a hooded lantern, filled with enough oil to last for several hours.
"I'm afraid I don't know where Imrizade or the watchmen may have gone," he admits, "nor what might have delayed their return."
Human (Chelaxian) Archaeologist 1 / Mysterious Stranger 1
North sounds fine to me. Alkenstar readies the lantern, leaving one hand free to draw a weapon if need be after first leaving behind the gear he doesn't immediately need.
The doors open onto a vast hall draped in shadowy cobwebs and filled with haphazardly placed statues. The air is heavy with dust. Any noise echoes hollowly among the figures, some swathed in thick coverings like misshapen beasts, others bare and uncovered, all coated in a thick layer of dust. Leering visages loom out of the darkness, fearsome wooden and stone faces carved in grimaces and scowls.
Unlit oil lamps hang from brackets in the center of each wall. A wooden sign on a door in the southern wall reads “Scriptorium—Quiet Please.”
Human (Chelaxian) Archaeologist 1 / Mysterious Stranger 1
Bloody hell. It's been so long since I created Alkenstar that I completely forgot that he's a bard and could have just cast light.
I don't like the looks of this room. Too easy for someone or something to be hiding between all these statues. Alkentstar will search the room, using Detect Magic to help find anything suspicious.[/b]
Felinros notices another thick wooden door on the far side of the room.
Alkenstar, attuning himself to the silent ebb and flow of magical energies, detects a sorcerous aura emanating from somewhere ahead. Before the investigators can take more than a few steps inside the room, however, the apparent source of the magic makes itself known: a demon-faced statue in a corner of the room turns its carven visage toward the party, clearly fixed upon the Pathfinders with ill intent.
Male Human Arcanist 1 - HP 6/8,- AC 12/T: 12/FF: 10 - Perception +2 - F: +1/ R: +2/ W: +3 - CMB: -2 - CMD: 10, Speed: 30, Init. +2
Knowledge (arcana):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
If that Knowledge check yields any results, I'd like to ask if it has any energy resistances/immunities. Secondary questions would be aimed at hearing about special attacks or any dangerous features of note.
Not wasting any time, Caern draws his wand and fires a bolt of force at the strange opponent that has just appeared.
If it has enough cover to not be a valid target for magic missile, I will instead ready an action to fire if it draws closer.
Human (Chelaxian) Archaeologist 1 / Mysterious Stranger 1
I'll set my lantern down and ready my shortbow. If I still have a standard action after doing so, I'll activate Archaeologist's Luck (swift) and fire an arrow at the statue (standard). If it has cover from me and there's a 5' step that would eliminate that cover, I'll do that before shooting.
Brother Felinros steps up beside Asim and readies his Falcion to strike the creature if it comes within reach.
Please place Felinros directly north of Asim in hopes that the creature takes the most direct route. Redied action to hit if it entres a square he threatens. It is less "wall" but more likely the will both get initial strikes in. Angles make it rough. The others can shift behind the upfront characters if they want to second rank.
The enemy has normal cover from Caern and no cover from Alkenstar.
Caern recognizes the creature as a caryatid column, though the statue seems of smaller stature than stated than those the arcanist has read about in his mystical encyclopedia. The learned man recalls that these constructs are said to be wholly immune to most forms of magic, except certain spells which shift and manipulate mineral. Mundane arms are only slightly more effective: on top of possessing some natural resistance to all forms of physical damage, the resilient stone bodies of these creatures can damage or shatter any weapon that strikes them.
The party doesn't have to take Caern's word for it, however, being lucky enough to see the golem's defenses in action: the arcanist's missle caroms harmlessly off the creature, while Alkenstar's well-shot arrow strikes off only a small chip.
The two divine warriors prepare to stand their ground against the threatening effigy, which lumbers forward to strike.
Normally I'd roll readied attacks, but given the results of the Knowledge check, Felinros can choose now whether or not to take it, and roll it out himself if he does. (Honor system to not peek at the rest of the turn until you've made your choice.)
Enemy's turn:
The carven warrior advances on the first Pathfinder it spots, raising marble arms to swings a long blade at the aasimar.
Retcon for previous turn. Brother Felinros hears the words of the mage and grins as he begins to chant a prayer, causing his Falcion to glow with magic. He then moves north of Asim and prepares to engage the creature with his enchanted blade when it attacks.
Cast magic weapon on Falcion. I wait for my action this round so my I don't reveal anything about the spoiler.
Small Retcon Asim would instead draw longspear and Brace as I only have one nodachi and the moment and I want to keep it.[/ooc]
So the above Attack will be the AoO as I assume it approaches. It will be 2 lower so only a 13 to Hit, damage will be 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9. And then the Brace if it charges will be.
Brace Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Damage:2d8 + 14 ⇒ (2, 8) + 14 = 24 Confirmation:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Damage:2d8 + 14 ⇒ (6, 2) + 14 = 22
x3 weapon become x4 with bracee wow
So if its a mindless construct does it charge? It is not aware that I'm braces as it has no Int? If it just moves up no attack happens but the AoO
Male Human Arcanist 1 - HP 6/8,- AC 12/T: 12/FF: 10 - Perception +2 - F: +1/ R: +2/ W: +3 - CMB: -2 - CMD: 10, Speed: 30, Init. +2
Heads up to my party members: I have no means of dealing damage above what I estimate its DR to be (guessing 5 or higher). If someone has a ranged weapon I could borrow with a damage dice higher than a sling, I'd take a shot with that, otherwise, I'll try not to get in the way. Sorry.
Hate to waste a good crit, but it didn't charge. It's an unintelligent construct, but a steady advance seems more in character for a animated statue than a stampede. You do get an attack of opportunity, but with a new roll. The first would have missed anyway, since your attack bonus with the longspear is only +5.
Asim's AoO:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
The Iomedaen warrior jabs with his spear as the creature approaches, but his strike fails to land. Felinros, meanwhile, strikes a powerful blow on the construct.
Shatter Weapon:2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
The half-orc feels a vibration resonate through his blade, but the steel holds fast.
Human (Chelaxian) Archaeologist 1 / Mysterious Stranger 1
Getting attacked by statuary. Well, can't say that this Pathfinder gig is going to boring at least.
Alkenstar moves to the left, so that he can have a clear shot at the statue and fires another arrow. Archaeologist's Luck will linger for this round and the next. Hopefully I can roll max damage because that's the only way I can affect this thing at all.
Just want to verify that we are on the same page as far as rules go. Felinros's falchion is now considered a magical two-handed weapon. That means for the purposes of this combat it essentatially has a hardness of 12 and 20 hp. I would assume the extra 10 hp would be like temporary hit points that would be lost before the "real" hit points. Is this correct?
The archaeologist's second shot fails to follow his first, and the arrow wings off a less-animate statue behind his intended target.
Felinros - That seems like a reasonable way to rule it, but given that 12 hardness makes your weapon effectively immune to the 2d6 shatter anyway, the distinction is academic.
Caern - I'll assume you mean to make a Perception check?
Perception:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
The arcanist's sharp eyes dart around the room, but he doesn't see anything that looks particularly useful in resolving the party's current predicament.
Confused myself a bit with the last turn's brace/AoO stuff. Asim is still up as well.
I'm really not out to bust up y'alls crits, but you gotta meet me halfway and start making them during your actual turns. Combat Recap:
Round 1 - Caern shoots a missle, Alkenstar fires his bow, Asim braces, Felinros casts Magic Weapon. Enemy moves and attacks Asim.
Round 2 - Felinros attacks, Alkenstar fires his bow again, Caern looks around. We are here, Asim and the enemy have yet to act.
I just noticed Asim's post that he'll be out of town for the weekend. He did ask me to move him, but I'd rather leave that to the rest of the party - more organic and whatnot. Until Asim gets back, whoever wishes to take the initiative at any given time can dictate his actions (responsibly, of course).
