PbP GameDay 2: PFS Library of the Lion, 1-5 (Inactive)

Game Master Curaigh

"Tobias? I did not recognize you.

I can try and help you. What book are you looking for?"

Oh! I did not expect these two to know each other. That makes things…complicated.

"I'm looking for information about—" responds not-Tobias before stopping himself. Can't be revealing what we actually want. That would leave clues. No clues.

We kill her now? asks the darker thought spectrum.
No! No killing! Uh, it would leave a body, which would be a clue!
Awww…bodies aren't hard to get rid of. You've got a lion, for gods' sake.
Er-r-r but the blood and stains!
You've got plenty of solvents that would pull the stains right out, purrs the silent slayer.
Ah, ah, ah, ah nosorrygottatalktohernow!

"Well, we can't be helping out the novices and trainees too much. I have a few newcomers with me, so perhaps you'd be so kind as to explain where each room leads for their benefit." Arvyx pulls at his collar uncomfortably as his inner voices duke it out.

Bluff…because we're definitely just Tobias and new librarians on tour: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

Tugo wipes the sweat from his brow, his nervousness at Arvyx's deception and his companions body heat do not make for a comfortable evening.

"Newcomers? The woman tilts her head, putting an ear toward the speakers as if trying to hear better.

Piper lets out the breath she unknowingly was holding, relieved the ruse worked.

Hmmmm, the Ancient Books area sounds appealing, there might be something for us in the Administrator's Office. Wait! Is this the Caretaker the stone lion spoke of? She closes her eyes as she tries to recall his words to her. Be kind to her for her sight and son are in our protection and something about her holding more keys.

Piper peeks into the room to see if she can spot the keys the lion was referring to or to see if he was just waxing poetic.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Piper lets out the breath she unknowingly was holding, relieved the ruse worked.

Hmmmm, the Ancient Books area sounds appealing, there might be something for us in the Administrator's Office. Wait! Is this the Caretaker the stone lion spoke of? She closes her eyes as she tries to recall his words to her. Be kind to her for her sight and son are in our protection and something about her holding more keys.

Piper peeks into the room to see if she can spot the keys the lion was referring to or to see if he was just waxing poetic.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11

Yes on her belt, is a ring with four keys on it.

Tugo makes eye contact with Piper as he sees her reaction to the caretaker's response. He shows his own silent excitement for the prospect of an "Ancient Books" room. Tugo hops down off Lizelotti's back, and nonchalantly enters the caretaker's quarters, and speaks to Arvyx in a most official tone, "Mr. Tobias, sir, we must see to our duty as Lion Blades to undergo the research of the Ancient Books as we were directed."

He then turns to the caretaker and asks very politely, "My lady, might we gain access to the Ancient Books? The sooner we complete our research, the sooner you can be free of us."

Disheartened and tired of all this ruse play, Feona puts her tools away and walks over to where Tugo and Arvyx are talking to the caretaker. "Hello, I am Feona. I didn't catch your name, but you remind me of my Aunt Rateeta. You have a kind face, like her."

Seeing the little halfling dart forward all of a sudden he resisted the urge to grab her by the scruff of her neck and pull her back while Arvyx was doing his "Magic" in allowing them to continue the search and gathering the much needed information. Deep down he knew the halfling's would be someday the cause of his demise, he just hoped it wouldn't be today...

For the most part Keia hung in the back looking as small and inconspicuous as possible. As a child born and raised in Tephu until the day she decided to join the Pathfinder Society, and being fairly new to the society in general, she really didn't have anything to offer to the conversation. Everyone else did, everyone had something useful to say, Keia didn't have anything. She wanted to, that was why she was here, but it didn't help that on her very first mission she was immediately confronted with how little that she had accomplished.

Even as they moved forward she felt generally useless, Feona seemed skilled in traps and finding, and the strange Arvyx man was definitely very good at something, though she hadn't entirely put her finger on what it was, and what did Keia know?

Stuff, history mostly, just stuff. Not the kind of stuff that they needed to complete this particular mission.

"Well I need a book abouuuut-" She hesitated briefly, rattling her brain for an obscure bit of Taldan history that might be in the ancient book section.

Know: History: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Piper exchanges glances with Decado, shakes her head and shrugs as if to say "What are you going to do?" She says a silent prayer to Gozreh to guide them out of this situation unscathed and hopes Arvyx can finesse his way out of this intrusion of the little ones.

Upon looking around to catalogue possible escapes if needed she sees that one of the small ones has kept back. She seems out of sorts and shy and unlike her fellow halflings she isn't as rambunctious, that is a value she admires. As Keia speaks, Piper tries to catch her eye. She then winks, smiling her most radiant, friendly smile hoping to ease any discomfort the small historian may feel.

Keia relays the specific area of Trajan history the party has been sent to research and not only drops the name of the topic's most famous author but two of his proteges but also the woman who mentored him. The blindfolded lady turns her head to the halfling and nods appreciatively. This the second librarian in a secret library the historian has impressed.

Diplomacy rolls please, with as many aids as speakers would like to add.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

As she spoke Keia's confidence grew slightly, going over the bits of history that she knew, and even more importantly giving details on the known historians of the time and where their own knowledge had originated. She may not be Taldan herself but she had a respect for history of all kinds. It didn't hurt any that the Caretaker seemed a little bit impressed by her knowledge, it was probably good that the woman was blind because Keia was blushing a little bit.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Everyone's so friendly! How curious!
They're only playing along because they want something. Think about all of those crooks and hooligans who've committed those crimes. Didn't they act friendly too?
Aw, that's true… admits the less cynical of Arvyx's inner voices.
HEY! None of that! How about some candy? Don't these people remind you of your uncle Havikorax? HUH?!? silently screams a new voice.
Wha? Who let a gnome in here?
ME! I did!
Oh, how touching. Don't mind me, then, responds the pessimist over the sound of sharpening of knives that begins ringing in Arvyx's head.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Ilyana introduces herself to Tobias' charges and unlocks the next two doors. "Is there anything else I can help you with?" she asks.

verrry nice rolls all & nice RP to deserve the rolls too. Ilyana is now helpful. :)

Piper is fearful to speak as she might upset the balance that has been forged here. But instead peers into the first room that the Caretaker has unlocked.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Bowing gratefully, Tugo brings enters the first room on the right to assist Piper's search. If that's what room she's looking in.

Aide Another Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Keia grinned at the woman, even if that didn't mean anything because she was blind and all, but still. It was just kind of habit for the little woman. "Well, I know the author and his mentor but I don't actually know much about her and where her information came from, where could I find books on that timeline?" She inquired, nails tapping against her front teeth as she considered the exact information that they had been sent to recover.

"One of these two or the main library," Ilyana says answering Keia's question. She indicates the main room as the one the pathfinders recently left. "The Ancient Books maybe? Though it is a common research topic and someone may have pulled the books already."

The room Piper and Tugo look in has five broad desks lining the walls of this study room. Each work surface is covered with stacked volumes brimming with page markers as well as numerous open books.

Piper notices each desk has a fair amount of personal items as well as all the research books and equipment. The room is much smaller, and only four people will be able to 'research' at one time.

Upon looking into the room, Piper deducts that with the personal items that are on the desks, this must be the Study Room. She steps over to the other door the Caretaker unlocked and peeks in squinting a bit against the contrast of light, hoping to find the Ancient Books.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Ah, these industrious young recruits," Arvyx murmurs to the blindfolded woman, "They're always so inquisitive."

Letting the others steer

Tugo realizes this is another job for the brain trust, and returns to the hall and mounts Lotti, letting everyone know which rooms are which.

I'm on my phone, so if someone could move me...

Moved :)

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 dark conditions and sealed cases help to keep the paper in good condition," Ilyana adds.

This room is not as small as the study, but not as large as the main library. Only 5 people can 'research' this room at a given time. Due to the rarity of these books Appraise can be used as well as the normal Knowledge (history) or Linguistics to conduct research.

Feona enters the room and begins looking around for anything that might offer suggestions on how to interpret ancient runes.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"Thank you!" Keia chirped happily at Ilyana, staring in awe at the room and all the books within. A single glance could tell her this was nothing like she had ever seen in any other library, this was something particularly special indeed. "So beautiful..." She murmured to herself, stepping into the room and and running her fingers delicately over the books in total fascination.

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Know: History: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Keira is going into a room to research. This takes more than minutes or rounds. I assume (since she gave me an appraise) this is the ancient books room but I am unsure. The books are all in cases which are locked.

Feona also went into a room, but again I need clarification.

Where is everyone else going? The ancient books room can only hold 5 researchers, while the study room can only hold 4. Once I know where, please make Kn (hist), Linguistics or an Appraise (ancient books only) checks.

If you do not wish to go into either room, please let me know where you are going.

Decado makes his way towards Piper and shakes his head for a moment while the rest all goes to research. Once more this was out of his league of expertise and it did put a smile on his lips. "Let's hope they can find something, I am unsure on how much time we have left to find what we need..."

Back from holiday!

Welcome back! You only need a 10 to aid, and the more people looking the faster the research goes, even if they do not all succeed.

in that case, to assist

Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Ofc I roll a 20! shows me I can do an appraise :P

NAT 20! *fist bump* :)

Tugo thinks about entering the ancient text room as well, and assisting with the research...

Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

... But one glance at the books and he knows he's out of his depth. So he returns to sentinel the hallway.

Piper sighs wishing she knew more about books and history. The only thing she is knowledgable about is Nature, this is overwhelming! But, oh, how beautiful this room is. She may not know a lot but maybe she can assist the historian.

Appraise assist: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Before she steps into the room with the Ancient Books, she looks to Tugo & Arvyx, "Tobias, Tugo, did you see something in the other room of any interest?"

Tugo shakes his head no at the druid's question.

Looking around in the Ancient Books room, Feona tries to open the cases to where the books are stored.

Open Lock: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Open Lock: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Open Lock: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Open Lock: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Open Lock: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Open Lock: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Don't know how many cases there are...

Keia paused her browsing at a noise behind her, brow wrinkled as she turned to glance around the room, where she caught Feona fiddling with one of the cases. The little historian couldn't entirely suppress a gasp at what she saw, crossing quickly to Feona to hiss quietly at her. "Hey, stop that! This is a library! You can't just-" She cut herself off to wave a hand at Feona's work. Ilyana was blind but she wasn't deaf, Keia didn't want to jeopardize things now that the woman seemed to trust them.

The ancient books room can hold up to five researchers, leaving Arvyx out. Tugo also stepped out, but since he made an appraise check he is the fifth. Tugo, I'll assume you are helping in the room unless you would rather not. This will take some time so what would Arvyx (and maybe Tugo) be doing in the meantime?
Arvyx has knowledge of the scenario, so it would be better if others in the party gave him a direction...

The locks open easily under Feona's light touch and the group delves into the books behind the glass.

EDIT: Do you want to use the bonus from the clue found in the previous room or save it for a later check? (Cross Reference clue on the maps page :)

I'd rather not

Tugo is rummaging through the desks in the other room. Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11 or however much I can "take" since it's such a long time

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Decado in his brutish way would go over the books as well in search of what was needed.

Feona looks up at Piper and pulls the note from her shirt with all of the strange letters on it. "Think the library spirits are trying to tell us something?"

With a strangled noise of frustration at her teammates rudeness Keia threw her hands up in exasperation and returned to her own search. While it might have been marginally more easy now that the cases were open, she wasn't going to be the one to admit that, thank you very much.

Should I roll a new set to search or are my last rolls still standing?

nope your good, I was waiting for a few more posts is all. I will make a few bumps and we shall proceed. :)
Tugo, I will have Arvyx and Ilyana join you while 'taking' time. Please make a KN: history or linguistics check. Arvyx should also.

Tugo hasn't been trained in history or linguistics. I could make a flat intelligence roll...

Music continues playing energetically above while the pathfinders continue researching secretly below.

Research roll is like a day job, you can use KN (history), but it is not a KN (history) check. The flat int check works. It also allows me to take the highest roll and add the other successes as aids. (Normally you declare a primary roller and an aid before the rolls are known).
To move things along I need to know if the clue is being used (and by whom) and

Intelligence: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

I'm not sure what the rolls are for, tbh.
Piper notices the pages move on their own and raises an eyebrow at Feona. She attempts to Detect Magic on the case to see what may be causing the flutter.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 3 = 20

"A little crowded in there," admits Arvyx as he joins Tugo in the other room.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Like Piper, I'm not sure which clue you mean...I've went back through the pages and I'm obviously missing something...which means I'm...ahem...clueless. :)

history check: 1d20 ⇒ 13