Shifty PFS Group Alpha (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Grimaldus puts an end to the snakes existence with a well timed blow with a rather large axe. The acid continues to slowly disintegrate the basket and the blanket, their threads slowly degrading and wearing through.

Mandrak holds the key in his hand triumphantly.

"Well done! Phase one complete - objectives achieved. Shall we try the stone key in the now trap-free steel chest? Or perhaps the door to the room we occupy? Any thoughts on getting the other key out of the acid - specifically, should we attempt to save or use the acid or just dump it on the remains of the snake and wicker basket?"

Grimaldus will hold on to the axe - in case there is no other way to open the chests, or the doors out of the room!

There is still acid left in the jar, you suspect you could continue to tip it out onto what remains of the basket and likely retrieve the key without further incident.

Ill reach into the basket be ready with the acid....

"Nice reflexes, Mandrak!" Kishara said with a grin as she finished with the steel chest. She nods as Grimaldus speaks and interjects "Well, let's have a look at these keys, yes? Maybe we can match them up..."
Can we tell anything about which key to use with which chest?

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"Hold on, let me check the boxes,"

Do I need to roll individually for each box if I want to identify a spell effect in place using knowledge arcana?

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 - Copper
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 - Red
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 - Steel

The birdman and the tiefling manage to coordinate tiping out the excess acid into the basket whilst retrieving the second key safely. Nothing else untoward happens.

The key from the jar is jewel encrusted and looks like it could easily fit any of the locks, the key from the basket is of a blue stone, looking closely Kishara notes that there are faint runes on the key that seem to match those surrounding the keyhole of the red box.

Yhen maintains a magical reading of the boxes...

The Copper-Banded Chest

Radiates Magic, of the illusion school, it seems to be covering the whole chest. You suspect it to be either an illusory chest or something hidden beneath an outer illusory layer.

The Red Lacquered Chest

Radiates the Universal school of magic, most likely the amber runes, you aren't sure of anything else.

The Steel Chest

No longer radiates magic, it's enchantment was the trap, which has now been defeated. It is now locked, but clearly requires a special sort of key or trigger.

"My hunch tells me that we should try the runed key into the red chest, and the blue stone into he copper banded chest."

Clarity: Blue 'basket' Key + Red Box, other key is jewelled and seems generic.

"Hmmm... Yes, the blue key has runes that seem to match the red lacquered chest. Maybe try the jeweled key in the copper chest, no?"

"Kishara - can you check the lock on the room door first? Is it trapped? Does the brass, jewel-encrusted key look like it will fit the door? Pending the information from Kishara, I concur with Yhen - blue stone key from basket with the runes in the red box with matching runes. Brass, jewel-encrusted key in the copper-banded chest."

I stand back to give the experts room to work, but am prepared to swing my one-handed battleaxe if the illusion-covered chest turns out to be something nasty...

"Sure thing!" Kishara quickly gathers her tools and moves to inspect the door, she seems somewhat relieved to moving away from the chests as they are about to be opened.

Kishara examines the main door and its lock against teh jewelled key, she can tell that it wouldn't be the correct key due to the sheer differences in size and manufacture; it may well fit the copper banded chest however.

Assuming you now start opening boxes, who is using the keys?

"If there are no objections, I'll open the chests. I seem to be the best choice since I probably have the best constitution, can still fight with only one hand, and would rely on you all to heal me anyways."

If the party concurs, I pick up the brass, jewel-encrusted key in my left hand, keeping the battleaxe in my right, and head to the copper-banded chest. I squat down, insert the key, and gently turn it clockwise.

Pending any passionate pleas from anyone else, or I assume Grimmy is the victim-to-be

"Thank you for being a gentleman," says Yhen as she gives space for the fighter to open the chests, ready for whatever will come out.

"Manners have nothing to do with sound tactics; however, you are welcome."

Grimaldus thinks back to his childhood in the academy and his master who filled his head and heart with bits of wisdom such as this. Then he grimaces as he remembers other lessons taught by other masters, and braces himself for whatever may come next.

First to fight. Vires vincit. he mutters...

Ill stair on as he opens the chest deciding better him than me...

Can I try and disbelieve the illusion on the chest?

Be my guest, I'll be ready to back you up if something nasty comes out

Grimaldus and Aegon throw me will saves please :)

Grimaldus dutifully takes the key, inserts it in the lock and...

It would be Will...grumblegrumblegrumble
1d20 ⇒ 9

Grimaldus tries the key in the lock, yet the key doesn't seem to fit properly.

Which key didn't work?

"Hunh. The key doesn't fit. Maybe it goes to the steel chest."

Grimaldus walks over to the steel chest with the same key and tries it.

The brass, jewel-encrusted key did not seem to fit in the copper-banded chest...

Perplexed, Grimaldus tries the same key in the steel chest’s keyhole, the key breaks, falling into dust as it’s twisted in the lock.

The blue key with sigils that appear to match the red chest remains.

"Emperor's balls! Well, should I try the other key in the other chest - or shall another try it? Or do we find out what's in the wood chests the hard way..." Grimaldus raises the battle axe and looks questioningly at the party.

"Try the other key in the red chest first." Tikrit says.

I'm using one of my adaptable luck uses on this
Will save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Aegon - thought 'I' tossed that save...wow! Good to know I didn't screw anything up on my own ;-)

Aegon - thought 'I' tossed that save...wow! Good to know I didn't screw anything up on my own ;-)

I don't feel like a real Paladin without Divine Grace Xo. Though it doesn't much help a roll like that...

Kishara rushes to check the steel chest. "Oh Gods... has it jammed the lock? Is the rune active again?"

Say, do I need to be hiding my dice rolls? I noticed not everyone does. Do you have a preference, Shifty?

Ill stand back an sorta giggle as this has been the best show he's seen in a while

"Why don't you try and pierce the illusion then if you are feeling clever Sir Tiefling?"

Kish, either is fine, personal preferences and all that :) I am happy either way. I tend to spoiler some stuff as I find the numbers can sometimes ruin the immersion in narrative I may be providing, but thats 'to taste'

There are many comments from the sideline about which way to go about things, however Grimaldus clicks the blue key into the red chest, which seems to open it with immediate effect.

Kish notes that no damage has been done to the steel chest, and although everone seems transfixed on the newly opened red chest and its contents, Kishara notes a faint click from the ceiling above.

The red lacquered chest holds a key forged into the end of a jeweled scepter.

A small golden key now dangles 6 inches down from a slit in the 15-foot-high ceiling.

Kishara breaks the silence with an abrupt bark of a laugh as she glances up at ceiling and then turns toward her companions and says "I think perhaps the Sapphire Sage fancies himself a fisherman, no?" as she points out the dangling key to the group.

"Anyone have any ideas? I might have one, but it will take some time to prep." Kishara unshoulders her pack and begins rooting through it's contents.

I suspect someone probably has an easier method, but I can try to hook it with a grappling arrow... but I'll hold off trying that unless we don't have a better way. Spell, maybe?

ill head to the chest and give a good kick then act as thought it hurts....

will save

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Only the confidence instilled in him by Yhens assertion of illusion is enough for Sir Mandrak to overcome the magic, he now notes that the Copper bound chest is entirely illusory.

"Unless you have some suggestions," she turns to her compy, "You don't mind being thrown do you?" the compy seems to agree with the idea of being tossed to grab the key.

What skill check do I need for that? Can someone help me catch my poor little dinosaur?

We could spread out a blanket or if no one is carrying one of those we could try taking off a travelling cloak and use that. It won't catch us with it's claws instead thought, right? I had that happen with my cat when I was little... >_<

I might be able to cut the key free with a thrown starknife, or we could stack the chests and stand on them.

The small dinosaur blinks its lidded eyes in wonder of what it might be to fly, without wings.

Umm DC10 ranged attack to get it up there, followed by a DC10 attack by the dinosaur to nab the key? No chance of injury assuming the cloak is held. The chests aren't going to stack that high, would still need some fancy acrobatics, taking a shot with a star knife might also work

Assuming that somebody has a cloak, if not I have a bedroll. I don't think we are in any danger as of now so I have time to take it out of my witch's kit.

"Somebody help me with the catching," Yhen closes her eyes and recites a few incantations as she casts guidance on her and her compy.

"Here it goes,"

Would I be able to take 10 this one? If not then,

Skillcheck Ranged: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Skillcheck Dino: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Not really, take 10 assumes no 'risk' and so I am presuming you are being a little cautious about where and how you are tossing your Familiar... especially as a friend might be considering throwing a star knofe into the mix, making this undoubtably the first time the problem has been solved in First Steps by way of a death defying juggling act involving a rotating blade of death and a tiny dinosaur. You saw it here first folks :)

Yhen tosses the compy into the air but it fell short, luckily the bedroll catches it safely.

"Oh well, it was a worth a try, you were very brave my friend," as she pets the compy that's standing beside her.

Have another shot? Anoyne else have a good aim?

The 7-foot tall human looks at the rest of them as if they are a bit funny...

"Pardon me for stating the obvious, but why doesn't Kishara stand on my shoulders? Or perhaps Yhen? I bet I could even lift you over my head...If you reach above you with one hand you could probably reach the key. Does anyone have a staff they could hold for Kish or Yhen to provide a little extra balance? I don't think anyone wants to be holding the business end of my sword..."

What time zone are you people in? And are you up late or up early? :-) It's 0500 at my house!

7:30pm here! Though I am going out before long so posting a tad early.

Undertaking what can only be described as the second circus act of the afternoon, a small human pyramid is constructed atop Grimaldus. With Yhen and her dinosaur providing the final piece of the puzzle, the key is eventually nabbed and retrieved.

"Oh well, that's not at as exciting as I thought, at least we still managed to get the key,"

I work graveyard PST so yea lol