Lucius does the same. After all, he has done worse than this in his quest for power. Things the ladies around him might balk at, or worse, slay him for. The ancient ways come at a cost... One he freely paid.
"Just be careful, Pip, you want to take mine in moderation. Too much might blow out your tiny body!"
"I made no such claim. And I have never heard of one of these creatures - to assume every creature is evil would lead to Narcissism and distrust. Such a state cannot foster a healthy soul, let alone allow your own Inner Beauty to shine through.
We have an intelligent wizard who seems to have some knowledge of this creature and remains civil with it. Should I not trust my fellow pathfinder's judgement?
And our friend Zarva here appears a talented chemist. Would she not tell us if a few drops of blood could be used in an evil endeavor? Would she not refuse herself to comply?" Lya will stop a moment to look directly at Wendice.
"You seem to question my moral compass my dear - but I am not offended. It is always a fine line to walk between living up to the impossible, ye desirable state of perfect Inner Beauty. And the sometimes questionable actions required of Pathfinders. Perhaps we can continue this discussion in a more leisurely setting." She will conclude her lecture and continue to follow Kirin into the building.
Knowledge (Arcana) tells you nothing of this creature. If you really want to know more about it's strength's weaknesses, it's Knowledge (Nature).
As you all come in, Pip gently extracts a bit of blood from each of you that offers your hand.
More than half the party has decided to move on, you're all moving on. If you're going through, take one point of damage. You're welcome to stay in the foyer if you wish not to give blood. If you do so please just move your icon back.
J. winces a bit as the blood is drawn. After everybody has provided pip leads you through the door into the next room. A collapsed sign near the door lists the exhibit that was on display in this gallery at the time of the earthquake: "Flowering Shrubs of Eastern Taldor". Plants once grew in the large, ceramic planters that still hug the southern wall. Dozens of branches clinging to decaying leaves emerge from the wooden door to the north. To the east, a room with healthy trees and shrubs is visible through a glass door set in a wrought iron frame.
Pip opens the door to the side. Dozens of healthy plants with vibrant and colorful leaves, fruit, and flowers emerge from the decay in this small greenhouse, spilling out of the pots and berths that once contained them. Pip points to the room and speaks, "This is our gallery, please feel free to partake on any that are here. They all have special properties. For example..." he provides descriptions to everything in the room.
2 Walnuts - "A divine shield of protection."
1 Ivy - "The ability to climb walls."
2 Heads of Lettuce - "Those can make your head BIG!"
1 Tree Leaf - "I'm not sure what that does"
2 Cherries - "These make you small, like me!"
1 Tree Bark - "This makes you hard, like me!"
1 Blackberry - "Oh those make things dark."
2 Watermelons - "These make you big, as if you're not big enough already."
1 Carrot - "Carrots let you see better!"
Dozens of other plants he can't identify.
After providing you the details of the plants in the room he points to the one remaining door, "The mistress is that way, but I'd be cautious in trusting her. I am not allowed inside, so I will wait out in the foyer."
N Female Human - Sorcereress 3 | HP: 6/20 | AC: [16]12 (12 Tch, 10 Fl) | CMB: 0, CMD: 12 | Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4 | | Speed 30ft | Electricity Ray: 7/7 | Spells: 1st 4/6| Reroll: 1/1 | Active conditions: mage armor
Kirin will offer her arm to Pip. "Thank you kindly for being so patient, awaiting our decision". Kirin's demeanor once again amiable and professional. Excited even.
Excited for the tour, Kirin will ask of Pip as he starts to show them around a bit "I do so love gardens. We had one at the palace where I grew up. A beautiful fountain decorated the yard, surrounded by the most amazing flowers. Are there any fountains within?"
I was actually asking if I was aware of uses for blood in magic. Specifically things that a Druid (presumably evil) would be able to use our blood for. I figured knowledge arcana or Spellcraft make the most sense.
"Ohh! I am hungry.", states Zavra as she grabs a cherry and pops it in her mouth.
She turns to J, "So where do you think these papers are at?"
You all see Echo looking around intently at the plants.
For Echo:
You can tell the following:
Walnuts = Shield of Faith
Ivy = Spider Climb
Lettuce = Prestidigitation
Tree Leaf = No idea
Cherry = Reduce Person
Tree Bark = Prestidigitation
Blackberry = Prestidigitation
Watermelon = Enlarge Person
Carrot = Prestidigitation
Everything else = Prestidigitation
Magical aura in the air that seems to be everywhere = no clue
Zavra's eyes go wide in glee, "This is amazing! It even tastes like a cherry! My extracts kinda taste like tree bark., she wrinkles her nose a bit and shrugs as Echo grabs the tree bark.
"How do you make it? Can we take some with us?", the tiny 1/4 Orc girl starts raddeling off questions with halfling like curiosity.
At this point Pip has taken leave. He never said you couldn't take anything with you, and it would appear that picking the ripe fruit/vegetables would not in any way ruin the garden growing here.
Lucius will also look through the various plants, and will pocket a walnut and a sprig of ivy. If he figures anything else out, he will pass it on to the group.
kn:arcana or spellcraft:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
"Let us find our quarry? Pip! Is there a lion statue around here somewhere?"
"What a useless guide it is. Oh, and you missed one there, Echo. This is a snapleaf... a powerful magical effect. I will take care of it... it can both make you go invisible and fall very slowly. Echo, you should grab one of the walnuts... this Ivy might be good to get either Kirin or myself out of danger.
"So, Wendice, honey... why don't you sample some of that luscious cantaloupe over there. Looks quite tasty!"
He then turns to his bird, "Σαπφώ, γρήγορα αναζητήσουν γύρω αλλά μην αφήνετε τον εαυτό σας να δει. Ψάχνετε για ένα άγαλμα του λιονταριού."
Thassalonian:
Sappho, quickly scout around but do not let yourself be seen. You are looking for a statue of a lion.
Sappho doesn't get far due to closed doors along the way. Echo checks the door, finds no traps and moves along a twisting corodor of hallways. Side passages are often blocked with plants and other debris, and you find yourself following a twisted route through the tangled foliage. It begins to rain slightly, purple storm clouds swirling overhead under the canopy of the artificial jungle. You emerge from the hallway into a large greenhouse.
Unlike the dead and warped growth in most of the Arboretum, the plants growing in this greenhouse seem to be relatively young and healthy. Several raised beds of earth host strange-looking plants with long sinuous vines, and a small gently flowing fountain with a red lion statue at its center sits near the middle of the chamber. Against the wall stands a worktable and chair covered in gardening tools.
An anthropomorphic plant creature is tending to the plant beds (Kn: Nature). She shouts in common as you enter the hallway, "Stay back! You gardeners from Quantium will not harvest me and my young. No further!"
Sense Motive, and either Kn: Nature or Kn: Arcana are also appropriate rolls at this time.
Echo (and anybody else with at least a DC 15 Arcana or Nature):
You're pretty sure there's something not up with this rain. As you watch it fall, you can tell that it corrupts any plants that it touches. This plant seems less corrupted and more vibrant than most you have encountered, but it certainly seems to be changing.
She shouts again, "Leave this place gardeners. I will defend my friends until you are dead. Leave now!"
"I do not believe any of us are gardeners. We are only here to retrieve this young lady's possession, not harm any creatures... let alone exotic beautiful plants such as these. Pip gave us entrance to look around. Might we have the courtesy of your name miss?"
"We are not here to harvest anything... just to retrieve something lost a while back. Please, we mean you and yours no harm. We are peaceful explorers... the most that we would want to do is to chronicle your lovely gardens, smell the flowers, and the like. Oh, and visit what we have been told is a lovely lion statue." diplomacy:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 Aid another would be appropriate
Zavra grabs another cherry, a blackberry, and a head of lettuce, amused by the thought of looking like a balloon headed goblin. She scurries along after the group, growing back in size just a minute after eating the cherry.
You can tell by her speech patterns that something is affecting her mind.
She listens to the questions thrown about at her. "My garden, it is my life. You are not here to take it? You are just looking? But no! You cannot enter my garden. My plants...my friends..."
She points at Kirin, "You, only you. And if you touch my flowers, I will destroy you and the gardeners you've brought with. You may look at the statue if that's all you want."
It appears that as long as you stay away from the flower beds (on the map) she will not be aggressive.
Zavra stays quiet as so many others work to ease the concerns of the plant woman. She finds a convenient pouch to tuck away the fruit and drops her heavy backpack, loaded with rope, spare clothing, and lettuce, to the ground as she watches Kirin cautiously move into the room.
Zavra keeps watching Kirin and the Druid, weary of any sudden moves that indicate something more exciting is happening. She starts to idolly reach out for various reagents, just in case.
Kirin moves over to the statue and recovers a small package wrapped in many layers of wax paper from within the statue. The entire way the plant being watches her carefully, but makes no threatening actions as Kirin recovers the package and returns back to the hall. The plant then yells, "You have what you want, begone!"
You should all look in the tactical handouts to see the documents themselves.
I also need Appraise checks to anybody reviewing it.
Assume everything you discuss happens after you leave unless any of you specifically want to do something here.
Zavra reads over the notes with a puzzled look, [b]"Who did you say you were gathering these notes for Grishan? I recognize a few names, but this information is so old. Has the society learned any of this information from other sources, or is some of it new?"[b] she directs the second question to Kirin and the other more experienced agents.
