[PFS] PbP Gameday3: 5-11 Library of the Lion (Inactive)

Game Master Tiaburn

If no further research can be done in her current room, Tatiana will make sure the room is left undisturbed.

Tatiana, Aramil and Odmar are researching the Administrator's room.
Onyo, Hork & Flash finished researching Study room.
So, your research is not unfinished yet.

[ooc]Excellent. So can I attempt to aid Tatiana, Aramil, and Odmar then, even though they're midway through?[/occ]

Making his way down the hall, Onyo enters the last room to see his three colleagues fast at work poring over the adminstaor's room. He raises an eyebrow as his gaze lands on the cocky visage of the Taldan prince. He certainly thinks highly of himself for his skill at being born to proper bloodlines...

Moving to an unoccupied corner of the room, Onyo begins to slip a select few volums from the shelves. "Has this section been searched by you yet?"

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Nope, pull up a chair and help yourself." replies Aramil over his shoulder as he continues his own work.

After Onyo joined others in Administrator's room, things moved quicker. First of all, Tatiana discovered another piece about Taldan Cipher's and then Aramil found several interesting cross-references in other books. Onyo immediately checked nearby tomes for anything useful as well, but wasn't able to find anything of interest. To Odmar's disappointment other table drawers contained mundane things of private meaning and nothing useful.

As they finished, Tatiana recognised the tune and announced that there will be pretty loudly section of several drum parts coming, enough to conceal door breaking or fight sounds. It will last somewhere between 7 and 12 minutes, if they are not changing much from last year performance. After her words, Odmar recognised the rhythm as well and said, that he had dance experience, where it was around 5 minutes or so.

Research in this room is finished. No more clues could be found here.
Discuss your next action.

"We found this "Silver horn" book in our possession, but didn't really study it! May be we should check it out? The bookkeeper said, it could contain some valuable information.!"

"We should inspect and document the book, but leave it behind." Tatiana begins cleaning up the room.

Really? You couldn't just accept that I had a secret mission and leave it be? Lol, jk. This is actually going to be kind of funny.
Hearing the conversation at hand, Aramil instinctivly draws the book closer to him as he looks over his shoulder and says "Eh, I don't believe that will be necessary. While the book is valuable, it's not relative to the mission at hand." He then moves on, trying to pretend the conversation never happened as he explores down the last hallway.

"Hmmph" Onyo lets out a fristrated sigh, pouting at his lack of success in this last room. As the others seem to be cleaning up after themselves, he gives a mock bow to the Prince's portrait on the far wall. "Many thanks for your generosity, good sir."

Straightening, he hears Odmar and Aramil discussing the balsted book that had triggered the odd trap earlier. While they're distracted, Onyo scuttles over towards Tatiana and flashes the bit of cypher to her. "Quick word. Captain Musello provided this, asked if we could translate using any techniques discovered here. MAde attempt myself," he says showing her the Taldan cypher notes they've previously discovered, "but best could come up with is 'has the bell of obecence' Seems off still. Would, appreciate, additional pair of eyes."

Just as quickly as he approached Tatiana, Onyo turns back to the others. "Silver Horn may be useful; it was only place with additional security. It and that room could hold more to find. Spots deemed trapping are doen so for a reason."

The content of the book is definitely has some interest to both Aramil and party.
It corresponds to major investigation of the group: Shining Crusades, but as text contains no location of horn burial place, probably this is not the solution of Aramil's problem.

Anyone who like a specific hint about mission statement, read the following spoiler.
But it's a bit out of game and if you try to play your character as is, probably you should not.

As Aramil rushes past the antiquities room and down the hall between it and the study room, Onyo follows him part of the way, stopping to listen carefully at the door to the older book collection to attempt to hear if the animated books are still flapping about.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Well, have received a few works regarding military campaigns in Crusades. Should provide some assistance to Society, as it is. Still unsure of why this 'patron' assisting wanted from this however." He whispers as his ears strain through the wood.

"I asked earlier if anyone wanted to contend with the animated books, and then finish our research in that room. Only Aramil responded. I am willing to help if we decide to head back to the animated book room and see what other information might come out it. Keep in mind that we will need to attack the books with blunt weapons or splash area spells."

Tatiana takes the cypher that Onyo presented. "At best, that is also what I conclude. It doesn't make much sense to me, but I don't know all the context around the hidden message."

Aramil's only found a toilet corner with jug of clean water, some soap and fresh towels behind the corner. as well as DMs mistake, who should always verify sources, before doing game prep :)

Onyo listened carefully, but it seems that books behind the door find their peace. Might be the arcane source powered them left or they sneak, prepared for new adventurers coming into room.

"Hmmph" Onyo says as he hoists out a small staff. "Have bludgeoning instrument. Not especially skilled in martial matters however. Also..." He hesitates for a long moment, then continues through gritted teeth.

"Also have several flammable spread concoctions. But to be used IF NEEDED in this case. Even if trapped, would prefer to burn knowledge only as last resort."

Finding only a toilet, he makes his way back to the group, saying "I'm all for finishing up in that room. We can use the upcoming parts of the drum section to mask the sounds of battle."

Ouch, sneaky books! Onyo I moved your image back to the animated book room with consideration that we are preparing to deal with that room. I hope that was OK.

Tatiana looks over to Onyo then nods. "I to have a heighten level of respect for text, and the knowledge it represents. We will burn the text only as a last resort."

Tatiana glances back over her shoulder to see if anyone else is willing to help with the animated book debacle.

Remember, with Tatiana's flag out, everyone within range will receive a +1 to attack and damage.

Onyo grips his staff firmly, and gives a grim not. "Hmph. Let us proceed then. On the music?"

Tatiana nods. "On the music sounds good."

Several minutes later drum section starts a fast and loud staccato, and Tatiana nods. Aramil opens door to see burned books spread along floor. Couple of folios have are torn, but mostly pages are burned. Despite of this, contents still is readable. Looks like other part of book swarm found it's place back on opened shelf.

Before entering the room, Tatiana speaks a few words of magic in her native tongue. "Vedea aura magică." As the arcane words begin to trail off, Tatiana begins to focus intently where the animated books now rest.

Despites her expectations, Tatiana saw no magical auras of any kind in this room.

Just to be clear there is explanation why

Onyo cautiously enters the room. Moving along the wall, he tries to examine some of the volumes in other sections of the archive, taking care to avoid the cabinet Odmar and Aramil opened to provoke the books earlier.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Onyo could not make it till the end of room. As he crossed the entry arc, books from opened case rushed over him. Readied action

As wayang felt multiple hits and scratches from paper on his face. DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 6
If your initiative comes, when you are in swarm, lose hit points according to your bleed value, and roll Fort DC11 or you get nauseated condition. You bleed 1hp on your initiative count unless you leave swarm and stop bleeding.

Actions: Onyo, Flash, Tatiana, Odmar, Aramil, Hork
Hork: Init 19
Books: Init 16; hp 8/16, HD 3; AC 14, Touch 132, FF 13, CMD -; Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +1; Conditions: empty;
Onyo: Init 15; hp -6; Condition: bleed 1;
Flash: Init 11
Tatiana: Init 10
Odmar: Init 7
Aramil: Init 5

Stupid, stupid Onyo! Onyo thinks as paper begins to swarm around him. He tries to cover his head as a spine thunks against his arm. Too reckless. Unbecoming, and outside normalcy. Cannot let showing off endanger self.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Onyo attempts to wave off the assaulting books but the swirling pages around him are undeterred. Between the blood loss from sliced skin and the rapid motion of his head as the wayang tries to look back and forth at his attacker, Onyo begins to feel dizzy and unwell, and scurries to retreat towards the hall.

HP=3/10

After watching the Wayang scurry out of the room with multiple small cuts, Tatiana pulls out a wand and moves down the hall to administer some healing.

(Move action) Move next to Onyo. (Standard action) Retrieve a wand of CLW from her belt.

(Remember Tatiana's banner is still in effect, +1 to attack and Damage.)

In a soft voice she address the group. "Strike the books with a blunt weapon."

Odmar shuts the door after Onyo moves out of the room and holds it, to prevent it from opening.

"Don't have any blunts with me, so I'm useless here. Let's just skip the bloody room and proceed further"

I assume that the stairs at the end of the hall are going down?

This shouldn't be too difficult since we have an alchemist with us. He was made to fight book swarms.

Tatiana looks over at Aramil. "I agree with your comment. Onyo and Flash are both best suited to deal damage to the swarm. I have an alchemist fire if that helps, but I believe I am best suited to heal someone if they sustain damage and begin to bleed. I would wait for another musical crescendo before opening the door and throwing a bomb."

As I understood, you were planing to wait for music. If you are, than music is loud now, you barely hear one each other and it will continue for several minutes.
@Odmar, stairs at the end are going up and when you spoke to Blind Caretaker, she said that it leads to guard's room or something.
I'll keep same initiative in case you return to archive. Just open door and rounds will start again. Remember, Onyo is bleeding until healed.

I will not be able to use the CLW wand on him until round 2.

If not action from Hork or Flash before a round passes, since they've been absent for a bit...

Now free from the vortex of paper and binding, Onyo tears off a piece of his cloak as he makes a desperate effort to staunch his wounds. Over the crescendo above he faintly hears the thunk of Odmar slamming shut the door again, while his eyes spy Tatiana approaching him with a drawn rod.

Untrained Heal check: 1d20 ⇒ 5

"Well, that less effective than hoped for." He says. Realizing his voice barely carries over the music, he tries to speaker louder.

"PROCEED WHERE? UNLESS YOU THREE DISCOVERED SOMETHING IN THE OTHER ROOM, UNSURE OF WHERE ELSE TO INVESTIGATE. SECURITY MEASURES WOULD INDICATE PRESCENCE OF HIDDEN VALUE. NETHYS FORGIVE ME, BUT MAY NEED TO ELIMINATE GUARDIAN BY ANY MEANS, UNLESS YOU HAVE ALTERNATE IDEA"

You can use your wand

Round:1
Initiative:5
Aramil will draw forth another vial of alchemist's fire and wait for the alchemist and gunslinger to make thier move.

Tatiana invokes the power of her wand, and then releases its power into Onyo.

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Onyo's flailing is halted as he feels a wave of positive energy coursing through him.

"MUCH OBLIGED!!" he shouts to Tatiana.

Tatiana smiles at the Wayang. "My pleasure."

@Aramil, I think you can post your throwing of Alchemical fire inside, if there is no answer from others during today

Tatiana pulls out a flask of alchemist fire then stands ready to throw it at the animated books. "I will open the door and try to strike the books when everyone is ready."

(Assuming the music is still loud enough, Tatiana will wait for Armil to ready his alchemist's fire, and Onyo to ready what ever he may think will help. As soon as everyone is ready she will open the door, look for the swarm and attempt to hit it with her alchemist's fire.)

(Attack) Alchemist's fire: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23 Touch attack.
(Primary Damage) Alchemist's fire: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
(Secondary damage) Alchemist's fire: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Sigh....fine. Will do what must be done." Onyo says, gritting his teeth and hastily mixing up a small explosive in one of his vials, stopping just before the liquid is catalyzed. Readying his arm to throw, he sidles over next to Tatiana and braces himself.

[occ]Similarly, Onyo will wait for Tatiana to open the door once more and, assuming he can see the still-active swarm, throw in a bomb[/ooc]

Bomb throw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Bomb damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

EDIT: +1 attack (and damage, unsure if works with bombs) from Tatiana's banner I forgot about until ~10 seconds after clicking 'submit post'

As soon as the door opens, Aramil also lobs his bottle of alchemists' fire at the creature.
Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

As door opens, 3 flask are broken and high-temperature splashes immediately spread over the flying books swarm. Catched fire books circle, attack one each other, hit walls and then burn and 'die', unheard by anyone, because of the loud music. Thorn bindings, charred paper, single pages and burnings are marks of agent's victory.

I have your rolls, no new rolls needed if you'd like to continue research

(I don't think Tatiana was searching this area when the swarm attacked, so I will role just in case you need hers.)

Tatiana makes her way past the smoke and small remnants of fire left behind by the alchemical damage. Doing her best to assist the research she begins thumbing through books.

Knowledge history: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

(Once the research has been completed in this room, Tatiana will begin cleaning and restoring what she can.)

After taking the time to properly clean the room, Tatiana begins searching the area.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Onyo stares transfixed as charred scraps and thin ash rains down. "And now such knowledge lost to time. May our task be proven worth such sacrifice." he mutters.

He enters the room and solemnly begins poring over its remaining contents.

Research roll up above. Also, should we actually grabe Flash and Hork to have them help us search in here first then?

Perception, if needed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Sorry, my change in schedule means I have very little time to check the PbP boards. Just go ahead and assume Hork is assisting Onyo in whatever research he is doing, for time's sake.

OK, I will count Hork as doing same research as Onyo, unless Onyo say otherwise. His roll: Research: 1d20 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 3 = 12
Flash is doing verify in Main Chamber meanwhile

Researching this room was very successful. As one of agent said, it is heavy guarded since it contains lots of useful books. Looking through multiple folios, Aramil found General's Logbook. Onyo as well found several works, written by one prolific author. Same time, Tatiana found a book, that was ruined. Basically, this wasn't something new - there were lots of ruined books spread along floor of Ancient Archive.

Music changed from loud part, while friends were looking for useful information.

With the creature destroyed and the room searched, Aramil will try to sweep up the burned novels and hide them to make it look like the group was never here.

"It looks like there is a hallway to the south of this room. I wonder where that leads."

"I'm not sure that it leads anywhere. However, I still feel like we're missing something." With that, he proceeds to return to one of the rooms they had just visited and searches it.
Moved my marker to the appropriate room that I'm searching.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Happy with thier finds, but uncertain of his next move, Onyo follows Aramil, giving the room he only partially spent time in an extra perusal.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

If you are willing to confirm that you find everything in room already researched, you don't need to do any rolls; Just designate researchers there and after some time they do a conclusion or auto discover something missed.

After another search session, Aramil & Onyo came up with same results. Several interesting notes has been found, but not to many to speak as great discovery. Except those, Onyo found a strange book Tatiana warned, one connected to some type of trap. Aramil looked over the table drawers, discovering two potions, Odmar was speaking about.

Prince Stavian III portrait was looking at them disapprovingly.

Any actions from other. while Aramil and Onyo are searching?
Flash & Hork: researching main room;
Onyo & Aramil: researching Adm.quarters;
Odmar, Tatiana: researching or something else?