[PFS] Yogadragon's Library of the Lion (Inactive)

Game Master yogadragon

Well done Syl'las and hurrys towards the next room.

Flyn nods in appreciation of Syl'las bold move. "Very nice...we should hurry and check the next room quickly..."

Flyn checks the hourglass...to make sure he keeps up with it, he ties it firmly to his belt, upright so the sands will continue to flow...and then proceeds towards the next room...

@GM: Are we on the 3rd map now? Which room was the librarian's? B7? (it has a bed)

B7 is indeed the librarian's room

"We must come back for the Librarian. If her master blinded her for reading a book, what will he do to her if he learns that she has lost the library keys?"

"We will return the keys. We can't leave anything out of place. While you don't what to leave her here, maybe there's a more... subtle way to do it. Rumors of blindfolded prisoners won't bode well for the Lions and will make it hard to trace it back to us."

"Now then, what's in these rooms?" Charis heads toward B8, checking the door for traps before trying to open the room.

Add +1 against traps
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Disable Device: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Having obtained the keys, the group continues their exploration of the library.

Room B8: Five broad desks line the walls of this study room. Each work surface is covered with stacked volumes brimming with page markers as well as numerous open books.

Room B9: Bookcases cover nearly every inch of the walls in this room, which is only faintly illuminated by small lights set into the ceiling. A glass-paned door seals each panel of shelves, keeping the ancient tomes stored within free of dust. The cases are locked.

The keys unlock the doors to both rooms. Let me know how you're splitting up to search the rooms. Due to the size of the room, you can't have more than four people search in the small rooms (B8).

Having obtained the keys, the group continues their exploration of the library.

Room B8: Five broad desks line the walls of this study room. Each work surface is covered with stacked volumes brimming with page markers as well as numerous open books.

Room B9: Bookcases cover nearly every inch of the walls in this room, which is only faintly illuminated by small lights set into the ceiling. A glass-paned door seals each panel of shelves, keeping the ancient tomes stored within free of dust. The cases are locked.

** spoiler omitted **

The keys unlock the doors to both rooms. Let me know how you're splitting up to search the rooms. Due to the size of the room, you can't have more than four people search in the small rooms (B8).

Also, no traps on either door.

I will head into B8 as let's sort this one out first.

perception, HA: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

"That... may be a good idea Maiden. But we should still ask the Librarian to come with us." Kiboko calms down somewhat. "Kiboko will help Flyn in the next room."

And Kiboko enters room B9 with Flyn. Kiboko activates Light from his wayfinder, as this will help Flyn.

GM, are we using the same skills as before in these rooms?

In B9: perception, HA: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24

The Maiden keeps her eyes open as she looks through B8. One of the books is written by a Prolific Author about the history of theft and the concept of ownership. Charis is drawn to it like a moth on a flame...

Bardick Knowledge, Prolific Author: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 3 = 17

Since my modifiers are generally poor, I'll let everyone else use the clues instead.

Oret is confused as to how the doors opened up without speaking to the librarian, but pressed on time, he helps the group search the shelves as he ponders about it.

I will go to whichever room I can use Kn. Religion to search

kn. religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Why have we left the librarian? Why are these doors open?"

luck maybe

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Syl'las looking over the locked cases, fiddles with them a moment. First using the keys, then going to her natural talents if they fail.

disable device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

She begins to peruse the bookshelves.

linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

same skills as before - no special ones in either of these two rooms

Syl'las walks down the row of cases unlocking them so that the party may search them. She unlocks the third case, and hears a loud fluttering of wind after she throws the doors open. The books on this shelf animate in a whirlwind and attack!

On its surprise round, the books start flying around Syl'las. Anyone in the room who makes the DC20 perception check can act in the surprise round

Charis, Oret, Syl'las
Books
Kiboko, Artus, Flynn

swarm damage for Syl'las on her turn: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Syl'las, you are also now bleeding. You take 1 damage every turn until you receive a heal check or at least 1 point of magical healing. You also need to make a DC11 fortitude save or be nauseated.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Flyn will fire a blunt arrow at the swarm...

Longbow: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

perception, HA: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19

Kiboko burns the Heightened Awareness to get +5 to his initiative check, but that still doesn't put him before the swarm. No actions possible yet.

"What's all that racquet! I hope you're not making a mess!" An annoyed Oread makes his way to the source of the noise, only to be startled by the flying books. "What on Golaria..?"

Double move.

heal, first aid to stop bleed, DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
fort: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Syl'las moves out of the swarm and the room. Once outside she attempt to stop the bleeding, but with no luck.

I'm in the next room, do I hear the sounds of combat? Can I move during the surprise round?? Assuming I do...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Hmm? You hear that?" The Maiden looks up from her reading. "These guys don't know the meaning of subtlety..."

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Huh oh sheesh sounds like trouble. Better go and check.

The perception check was to notice some pages fluttering in a bookshelf. I don't think there is a reasonable way for you to notice that, so no surprise round for you Charis.

With Syl'las gone, the book continues it's rampage! Having been hurt by Flynn it seems retribution!

damage for Flynn: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Flynn,you also need a dc11 fort save or be nauseated next round, and you also will have bleed 1. On my tablet, so not going to type out the iniative. But the entire party goes before I am up again, so have at it guys.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Nauseated and bleeding, Flyn leaves the swarm and the room, moving 30'...

Flyn's arrow seemed to have some effect, so Kiboko steps up and attacks, allowing his rage at the Librarian's cruel punishment to power his blows.

Draw greatsword, 5' step, attack

slash! rage, power attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 11
damage: 2d6 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 9 + 3 = 22

Such evil trickery! Kiboko will destroy!

Through his bout of nausea, Flyn tries to gasp out "Blunt" to his companions...

5 foot, swift action to channel smite, move action draw Morningstar, and standard action to attack.

"What magic sorcery is this? Books do not fly!" The Oread moves in and attempts to control the chaotic mess through use of brutal force. His Morningstar glows a blackish aura as it swings through the air.

Morningstar, Blunt: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + (5) = 18 inclusive Negative Energy Damage (1d6) DC12 Will for half N. Energy

Oret steps into the room, raises his morning star and lets forth a mighty blow at the unnatural swarm of books. His blow sweeps through the middle of the tornado of paper, and the books all fall to the ground. He killed it. Combat over

Having defeated the books, the party surveys the scene. Broken books with shattered spines and ripped pages now litter the floor of this room.

Oret quietly starts to pick up the mess he created. He cast mending on all the broken books, and arranges them back on the shelve in alphabetical order. Chaos! This is absurd...

As I arrive to see the mess plus a Flyn gagging, late of course.

what on golaria happened here!!?

Continuing to bleed, Flyn pulls out his wand to heal himself and stop the bleeding...

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

He then quickly walks over to Syl'las and uses the wand on her as well...

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Flyn checks the hourglass for time and then heads back into the room (B9)...

"Good job finishing it, Oret...and nice spell...

We took care of it quickly. Glad there's a concert...any noise from our brief fight was hopefully covered by the music..."

To Artus, he says, "Attacked by flying books...that's a new one to me...managed to get an arrow off and next thing I know, books all around beating the stuffing out of me...did you find anything in the other room?"

Flyn continues searching the room, including the books that attacked them (after Oret has completed his mending spell)...

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Flyn's magic use quickly staunches the bleeding and knits up the laceration.

Well that certainly was unexpected. What type of person would have such a thing in a Library Syl'las huffs and head back into the library and back to researching.

linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

EditThanks Flyn

"The kind of person who expects interlopers to not know about the trapped shelves." Charis shrugs as she finishes her research in B8. The lesson in economics was too tempting to pass up.

@Syl'las: I healed you (8hp) with my wand of Cure Light Wounds in the post above yours...your hp should be fully restored...

The party returns to their task, having defeated the vile and viscous book swarm. Surprisingly the ruckus does not seem to have alerted the librarian. The Artus and Charis set to searching the study room. After about 15 minutes, they feel confident they have learned all they can from this rook. You discover the following:

Ruined Book: This book is a testament to why libraries should
prohibit food and drink; someone spilled a beverage on it and sheepishly put it back on the shelf, where it has sat for several months at least.

Encarthan Maps: These maps depict Lake Encarthan, the Isle of Terror, and the nations that surround it. Of particular interest are
the hundreds of hand-drawn notes and lines showing troop
movements, preserving the changing plans of the brilliant generals who orchestrated the Shining Crusade.

I need a perception (dc 18) or intelligence (dc 13) check from each of you

Meanwhile, in the Ancient Books Room, Kiboko, Syl'las, Flynn and Oret set about searching. Oret busies himself with the task of repairing and cleaning up the books that were destroyed in the fight, while the other three search. At about the same time that Charis and Artus finish up, the rest of the party completes their search. You find:

General's Logbook: These journals record the perspectives of Taldan generals that led various phases of the Shining Crusade. Collectively, they provide valuable insight into challenges the
Crusaders had to overcome.

Silver Horn: This text describes in detail an enchanted silver horn capable of granting courage in times of need, which Taldor used for the fifth Army of Exploration and much later during the Shining Crusade, when it was shattered into several pieces. A priest of Aroden prophesied that even if re-forged, the instrument would never sound again, and it was given a hero’s burial. The text
mentioned nothing of the horn’s present location.

Taldan Cipher 1: This text describes a cipher in which one must read the message backward, reading only every third letter; all
other letters are ignored. The example the book provides is “RMNEB SISWD IILPL OTRSES,” which means “soldier.

The party has successfully begun uncovering the information they are after - knowledge of the Silver Crusade and how they conducted their wars against the demons. Venture Captain Muesello is sure to be pleased with what you have found. However, you have still yet to recover the piece of information that the Princess hired the Pathfinders to recover - long lost histories of a time before the Taldan tradition of crowning a male heir King.

Another riveting argument about the ideas of ownership. Even a druid weighed in on the argument and claimed Gozreh owned everything. Charis put the book down when she notices milk rot on the last third of the tome. Did someone bring liquids into the library?

At least Artus was able to find some maps.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"Uh...hmmm. Well, these are maps, right?"

Flyn checks the hourglass... @GM: What's our time looking like?

"Finally...these are what the Society is looking for...let's gather these and move on to the next room..."

Flyn moves to the next room (B10), unlocking the door (if locked), and begins to search there...

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Syl'las will follow Flynn into the room and help him look around.

linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The door is locked, but the librarian's keys open it right up. As you enter the next room, two rows of tall bookshelves flank the imposing yet beautiful wooden desk that presides over this room. Over the door hangs a portrait of Grand Prince Stavian III, portrayed wearing an especially smug grin. A brass plaque on the frame of the portrait reads, “A cunning lie is never told twice.”

"What the heck does that mean?"

"A cunning lie is never told twice...idtvsliu? No, that doesn't work..."

The Maiden continues to search through the room.

Bardic Knowledge: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

But she is completely obsessed with that painting. If only she could smuggle it out of here...

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

After finishing here I will head after the others.

Did you need a perception or intelligence check from everyone GM?

"We are not to steal anything remember. Take notes of these important books and maps, but put everything back as it was."

Kiboko does as he advises, making copious notes in his journal. Then he moves to B10 to assist there.

"These messages on the portraits must mean something...." he muses aloud.

Only from those in B8, but I will use that one in B10.

After some tedious work, Oret returns to the original task. "Well, did we find everything we need yet? If not, why don't we chat with the librarian?"

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Looking thru the books in B10

You have used a little over an hour as of the beginning of this post. Between 65 and 70 minutes

As Artus and Charis finish up in the study room, they do their best to arrange the papers to their original positions on the desk.

Our intrepid party continues their search of the library. They enter what appears to be an office of some sort, and set forth on their search. Artus leads the search, deftly picking out relevant tomes and relaying instructions to his compatriots on which relevant passages should be copied down.

As Kiboko inspects the room, he discovers several things of note. First is that there is a hidden door on the western wall of this office. Second, there appears to be a lever under the desk. Kiboko reaches to pull it, but stops, deciding to take a second look. Upon closer inspection, Kiboko notices a small hole opposite the lever. It appears to be some sort of dart trap. He also discovers two potions in one of the drawers of the desk

Taldan Cipher 3: This text contains an example of an encoded message that uses a common substitution cipher (in which each letter
represents a different letter). It claims that “DQFIZ KPIED WZYWS QIVKO ZKXFW ZIMVT DQFXW CFPAF PDFZ VFTJF” translates to “The orcs of
Tar-Baphon circle around the lake’s western edge.

Cross Reference: A book references another promising text. If only you could find where that other text is…
Clue: You may use this clue to gain a +3 bonus on a single skill check made to find texts.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Hmmm. No idea this is. Anyone else have a clue.

"Oret, we still need to find the information that the princess is seeking. We still have time for both..."

Flyn attempts to disable the trap Kiboko found.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Thinking he's disarmed it, Flyn pulls the lever...

Kiboko studies the potions.

perception, take 10, HA: 10 + 6 + 2 = 18
spellcraft, Guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21

"Curious. The first potion renders the drinker gaseous for a time. The second is an elixir that will vastly amplify the drinkers powers of perception for an hour. One of us should consume the elixir immediately."

Kiboko is glad of his studies with the Master of Spells.

If Kiboko drinks that first potion, Flyn will take care to stay upwind from him... ;)

"I agree Kiboko, that would be most helpful...but perhaps we should refill the vial with water after someone drinks it, and place it back in the desk where we found it. Might allay suspicions a bit as opposed to someone finding it missing later on..."

"Steal nothing... but we can decant these potions into our own vials and waterskins, and fill these with ordinary water. Kiboko can conjure water. Flyn is cunning."

"I'll definitely take a drink of that second potion, if you don't mind." Charis takes a swig and loses her vision for a moment. Once that time passes, she opens her eyes and every sound and detail comes into view. "Incredible..." She stares at her hand. "Pfft, I need to work on my disguises."

"Where to next? Was there another staircase, or should we talk to the librarian? We need to return the keys anyway."

"I think we need to try the secret door that Kiboko found first, before speaking with the librarian...Kiboko, will it open now that I've pulled the lever?"