The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Cup happily loads her books on Oolong. "Oh, new Pathfinder Chronicles to read! I cannot wait!" She looks up at Tall, Dark and Discerning. "If you want to read any of these, let me know. I know you like books. So, boots next? Then the archive?"

Sirettis fits the bracers on her arms. She doesn't own much, but it does feel nice to own something.

With so much time on her hands, it only felt appropriate to visit the library and read about the history of the town. She promises Isa will keep quiet.

Uesugi looks up his mind trying to decide what they might find at the estate. "Our apologies Priest. We had hoped to see how many vials of your blessed water you have. We do not know what we might find but the water will likely affect it." As the two girls offer their assistance Uesugi nods. "The map will be helpful, but once you have brought us to estate I would ask you on your honour to return back to the temple. As capable as you are you must still regain your strength through rest."

Mr Peppers nods in thanks as he collects his package "These guys work fast!" As he pulls out a new in the wrapper wand that looks and smells a lot like a bunch of garlic still on the stalk, a scroll tube with a couple of scrolls, and a couple of vials packed tightly in what can best be described as bird's nest material. "Oh good stuff! Oh ya, boots are fine now. As far as the books, yes I'd love to have a read, maybe not today, I expect my eyeballs to be burnt out after our visit to the archives."

He heads off after tucking his new wares into his pack and pouches.

"You expect the walking dead, Uesugi-san?"

Cup looks up. "Oh, Sirettis! Are you coming with us? This will be great!" Then she sniffs the air. "Wait. Mr. Peppers, why does your wand smell like garlic? I didn't know that wands could smell like things!"

She unwraps her wand of feather step and sniffs. "Rats. I was hoping mine would smell like a down pillow, but I can't smell anything beyond the straw it was wrapped in. But wait... I have more wands. We can try this out as I walk!"

Gallix looks up at the young women standing before him, his eyes full of concern, then turns to Uesugi and D. "From what we found out from Mezodarath's journal and what Nixa heard, sounds like this Wormgnash might have some kind of infernal connections. He was supposed to be the one providing the Bile. Holy water might be a good way to fight against a demon." He then turns to Father Ildris, "You help dealing with any spells we might need to keep us in good condition is a huge help already, Father. Depending on what we find at the Sarini's, though, maybe we'll have to revisit the idea of reward." He laughs good-naturedly at these last words, but the glint in his eye shows that he's not entirely joking.

Uesugi, Gallix, and D

"That's the plan," Nixa says in agreement with Uesugi's request. "I'll accompany you as far as there, but then I'll come right back to sis."

Father Ildris listens closely as Gallix speaks of the infernal and Mezodarath's history, then nods and silently walks to the back of the temple. When he returns, he has a bag full of vials of holy water. "This ought to help you if what you say is true. For a small donation, I can offer you water blessed with the spirit of Erastil, sure to burn even the most evil of demons."

Also known as holy water. ;) At a 10% discount!

Cup, Peppers, and Sirettis
The cute shoe shop is as it was the last time you visited; shelves lined perfectly with all manner of boots, heels, and sandals in a vast array of colours and designs. The only difference is Pavolus buzzing around the store as he collects buttons, twine, and leather and drops them in front of Drummady as she fashions a new pair of pink ballet shoes.

"Oh, hello! It's three of the six who rescued my kids!" She greets you with a bright smile as she puts down the shoes and leans over the counter. "I take it you're here to collect your boots? I just finished them yesterday. They're really quite something! Maybe even my best work!"

My renegade Shep in mass effect would say something along the lines of:
We sorted out the mess of the goblins and your missing apprentices, risking our lives. You want us to pay for 2 flasks now? Why don't you stick them where the sun don't shine.

Mr Peppers takes a quick glance over at the boots before declining "I believe the ladies are here for their boots, my work here isn't yet done so I don't feel right taking them yet. That and I've got no idea what sort of things we'll be dealing with and I don't want to ruin some fancy shoes stepping in something disgusting! They look quite nice though, thank you."

"They look wonderful, I mean that." Sirettis speaks, and she already feels the warm wind blowing. Through a force of will she diverts it away from the shopkeep.

Cup tries on the elegant green boots she admired so much in the shop window. They fit perfectly. Her feet feel light, and she bounces in them. "Sturdy and stylish! I love them!"

Father Ildris hands the holy water to Gallix, and, together with Nixa, the trio makes one more stop at Saringallow Sundries to sell of their loot and pick up a few more potions. The three join Cup, Mr. Peppers, and Sirettis just outside the town hall archives.

The archives contain a series of wooden shelves, all equal in size and stacked around the walls of the room. Each shelf contains stacks of papers and books, and all of it appears to be meticulously labeled and indexed, with colorful numbered papers peeking out of each stack.

At a desk sits a pretty young woman wearing a red velvety cloak. Her auburn hair is tied back with two hairsticks. As you enter, she gracefully stands up from her chair and looks upon you with her icy blue eyes.

"Oh, you must be the group Ms. Trinelli told me about. I'm Lupia, master of these archives, if I may say so. I heard you're investigating the Sarini Estate," she says with a shred of excitement in her voice. "That place has been walled up for years, but its past and all of our town's humble history is all contained in here. All I need is a word and I can find whatever you're looking for!"

All she needs is a keyword or keywords and she'll look it up. Another mechanic for this part of the adventure is spending 1d4 hours asking about rumors around town. Nixa will also provide you with a rumor as part of your boons. Remember that these are rumors, and some may not be completely true. Some of you can do this while others search the archive, or you can all do it together afterwards.

Lupia

Werewolf?!

NPC name wrote:

Lupia

Werewolf?!

There wolf!

Gallix walks into the archives, his head hanging a bit. I had hoped they'd be done with this by the time we finished up at the temple. Oh well. He leans against Lupia's desk and crosses his arms. "Well, obviously we'd like any information we could get about the estate. We have a rough map, but it might be good to see any others you have for comparison. Also," he pauses and looks at the others for a moment, "If you have any information about a creature called "Wormgnash," that would be very helpful."

"Ah, the Estate itself," Lupia scurries over to a shelf and flips through a few papers, before stopping on one. She pulls it from the pile and hands it to Gallix. The paper describes the estate as being two main stories and a basement, but there doesn't appear to be a map with it. It was built in an isolated location about ten miles from town.

An invoice for construction materials reveals that the construction of the main estate building began in 4426 AR, and a later bill indicates that a wall was built around the grounds in 4600 AR.

Another individual document indicates that the last legal owners of the Sarini Estate were the Baron Marcius Sarini and Baroness Sadira Sarini, who acquired joint ownership of the property in 4593 AR.

"Wormgnash, you say?" Lupia flips through a few books and papers in the W section of the corner shelf, but comes up with nothing. "Sorry, but I don't see anything here in our archives about that. I've never heard the name before either," she says with defeat in her voice.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Sigh
Isa's Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Huh, I'm not sure if Isa can react to that. GM?

Sirettis reads the notes. "Thank you for your help, Lupia. Do you have anything about the history of the Sarini Family? Maybe we can find some clues, there."

This is the sort of thing that Cup lives for. "Oh-I-am-so-pleased-to-meet-you!" She gushes, not even taking a breath. "You-can-call-me-Cup!" She is bouncing around with excitement.

Summoning her unseen servant and pulling out her green and white wand of Kreighton's Perusal, she gets ready to help with the research. She hauls out one of her Pathfinder Chronicle Volumes to consult with, then studies the plans again.

Knowledge Engineering+Pathfinder Chronicle+Nixa bonus: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 14
Linguistics+Nixa Bonus: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 = 32

"That is interesting. They ordered far more construction material than this plan warrants. I wonder if there's a basement." She frowns. "Someone tried to tamper with the document, too. Let me see if I can decipher what's been done to it."

"History would be good." She nods approval to Sirettis. "I am also interested in their dabblings with diabolism and creatures of the abyss."

Mr Peppers smiles as Gallix's mood drops considerably at the prospect of 'homework'. "This is important work Gallix! Lupia provides an invaluable service to this town, they are very lucky to have such an asset." He gives her a friendly smile as he pulls out his journal to record notes. Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Do you happen to have any information on any magic down here? Spells that were cast or seen at the Estate or its owners? It could be quite helpful in our defense."

Alright bookworms, here's some history.

Unfortunately, the Sarini Estate document is far too obscured for Cup to decipher anything else on it.

Lupia smiles at Cup, happy to see someone as excited as she is about books and research. "That shelf there has details about the Sarinis. Feel free to have a look." She points Cup and Sirettis towards it.

In one brown folder is a deployment letter dated 4585 AR that indicates that Marcius Sarini volunteered to serve in the Chelish army and trained to lead a special engineering unit.

A letter from a servant dated after Marcius' return also indicates that the rising baron brought a young ward by the name of Luca back to his family's estate in Saringallow.

Also in the folder is a death certificate with the name Luca Sarini that says the following: Adolescent ward of half-Mwangi descent. Died of an accidental poisoning at the Sarini Estate in 4599 AR.

A smaller, torn paper details Baroness Sadira Sarini. They indicate she was originally from Remesiana in Cheliax.

"As for diabolism and magic..." Lupia frowns, "There are no documents that even mention that word or any outward indicators of the subject. You know how we feel about that sort of thing here. However, an archivist has her duties, and I take them seriously. Give me one moment." Lupia holds a finger over the shelf as she glosses over the records, then bends down at and pulls a folder from underneath a stack of books. The papers inside have nearly melded together. "Here. I dug these up a while ago."

The contents of the folder are a series of letters from Marcius Sarini to an unnamed priest of Asmodeus in Egorian. The letters contain vague and cryptic language, but they do mention the existence of gifts for a nebulous patron, and that these gifts were carefully recorded somewhere in a secure location on the estate known only to Marcius and Sadira.

Remember the +2 chronicle bonus for all of these checks.

Sirettis reads the documents, shaking her head when she reads the death certificates. Soon she looks at some of the other documents.

Knowledge(Nobility),Nixa: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19
"Baroness Sadira... Sadira... Dioso. She was a member of House Dioso, an influential Chelish family. She must have married into the Sarinis. "

Knowledge(Arcana),Nixa: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 21
"Lupia. Thank you for keeping these documents. This is exactly what the mayor was looking for. These are exhaustive descriptions of the... rituals used by the Sarinis. I am certain she will like this."

Gallix takes a glance at a few of the documents as Lupia passes them to Peppers. He doesn't know very much about nobles or the types of homes they build for themselves, but he thinks he might be able to pick a couple things out.

Disable Device, Nixa: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12 So close!
Linguistics, Nixa: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14
Linguistics, Nixa: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Something doesn't seem entirely right about the deployment letter, but Gallix is unable to pinpoint exactly what the issue is. The servant's letter and the death certificate, however, prove to be very interesting indeed. Enough so that Gallix actually grabs the papers himself. His eyes narrow as he holds the paper close. After a moment, he laughs darkly. "Huh. Well someone wasn't being very honest with themselves when they wrote these. Look, the word 'ward' in this one clearly shows some hesitation, like the writer was forcing the description. And here, in the ward's death certificate: the word 'accidental' has the subtlety of a hungry troll. Seems the poor Mwangi lad was doomed from the time he heard the name Sarini."

"Oh..." Sirettis acknowledges. "He was purchased as a sacrifice. My uniqueness meant I was never chosen for such tasks, but others were not so lucky. Humans in particular."

Cup watches Gallix struggle as he reads the deployment letter about Marcius Sarini's special engineering unit. It was clearly time to help him out with a well-placed song of encouragement!

Inspire Competence +2

♫ Let's get down to business
For it's research time
Now it's time to dig in, you can make this climb!
You're a warrior, did you forget?
But you can bet before we're through
Gallix, I'll make a scholar out of you! ♫

She shoves the letter back under his nose, pointing out key bits.

♫ Tranquil as a forest
Determined within
Once you slow down and read
You are sure to win
You've been trained so give it all you got
And here's your first clue
Somehow I'll make a scholar out of you ♫

She dances around him, spinning with a book in her hand.

♫ No time left to catch your breath
Just embrace your new me
Boy, we'll get you now in research trim!
These papers have you scared to death
But this is your new duty
Just dive in and learn to swim ♫

She smiles, and says, "Here comes the chorus! Everyone, join in!"

[Chorus:]
♫ (Be a man)
Face these papers without a quiver
(Be a man)
You'll uncover their meaning soon
(Be a man)
Come on Gallix, don't make me a liar
Together, we'll decode these papers with my tune! ♫

Lupia applauds the impromptu song and laughs in delight. "I love how a little song and dance can inspire just about anyone!" Gallix is able to decipher the deployment letter after all, and learns that Marcius Sarini's training likely involved building traps and sabotage.

"Well, I take it the rest of you don't have any further questions or research you'd like me to do?" Lupia says as she peeks at the quiet Sir D and Uesugi.

"You've been a great help, Lupia," Nixa says as she flips through the letters herself. "These details are sure to be valuable to the mayor, and even more useful when we make for the Estate itself."

As she hands the papers back to Lupia, Nixa adds her own thought. "This corroborates a rumor I've heard - that the Sarinis worshiped demons and devils, and they held unspeakable revels at their estate back in the day."

D. makes a short shake of his head.

"Not i. The others have asked what was needed.
Besides, we're observing your continents customs, as you will have noticed we two hail from elsewhere."

The archivist looks over Sir D and Uesugi and nods in agreement. "You do appear to be far from here, but to point that out would have just been insensitive," Lupia says. "Well, if I can get you anything else, just say the word. If not, make sure you're well-armed if you travel to the Estate, and stop by any time if you need my knowledge!" She smiles widely.

What would ya like to do?

Get this show on the road. To the ESTATE Robin!

"Before we go... Can you search for the key words 'ward' and 'accidental', Lupia?" Cup raises an eyebrow. "I'm just following up on a hunch, here, that maybe these words are important in some other way."

Lupia walks along the shelves as drags a finger along the books and papers, looking at the coloured tags closely. When she's finished, she comes up empty handed. "Sorry, but I don't think we have anything on those terms."

With that, you gather up your belongings and Nixa accompanies you out of the town hall. You head back through town towards the northern gate and along a dirt road that soon diverges into two separate paths, one with a weather-beaten sign hanging from a stake. The sign is barely legible, but with a close enough look, the words Nobles' Folly can be made out.

"Here. This is the way," Nixa says. "It'll be a few hours travel towards the estate."

Any preparations? Will Uesugi bring his mount?

"Thank you, Lupia. Your research helped us immensely." Sirettis leads the party out of the door.

"Thank you, Nixa. Stay with Nolaria. We will do our best."
Sirettis is ready.

Uesugi bows at the assistant for her help but pauses before following the others off to estate.
'Wu jen trickery consorting with oni.' He sneered at the thought of it but the more he worked the pieces they had uncovered it made sense.

"One question. How did the lord and his consort come to die? Do your scrolls record this?"

"There are no official records of it, but rumor has it they were hanged... Ever consider where the word 'gallow' in Saringallow comes from? I am able to find, however, allusions to the town abruptly coming under control of the mayor, rather than nobles."

Anyone can retroactively make that check as if you were still in the archives.

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Chelish law is quite complicated and requires much paperwork. This would suggest there was no trial. The people of Saringallow probably rose against the lord, and the Chileax authority decided to recognize the mayor."

"Hanging....things are much less crude back in Tian-Xia."

"Plus it need not always be the executioner who does the deed."

"彼らの方法ははるかに少ない清潔ですが、より少なく清潔な死に値するいくつかの個人があります、私は"

It's been a busyish weekend, but I'll move us forward now. Nixa is staying with you right up until the actual entrance of the estate.

About two hours into your travels down Noble's Folly, some sixty feet ahead on the road, a villager is lying curled on the ground, his hands shielding his face from two ugly, blue-skinned creatures with oversized, wrinkly heads. Three centipedes as big as large men hiss menacingly at the desperate, shaking villager, their mandibles oozing with venom. The monsters are covered in a familiar greasy, purplish goo that seems to be growing from their very skin.

"N-no.. L-leave me alone.." The terrified villager forms a protective ball as the creatures hiss at him.

___
Nobles' Folly, Round 1
Uesugi and Nixa are up
Yellow centipede
Gallix, Longjing, Sir D
Red centipede
Mr. Peppers and Sirettis
Blue centipede
Cup and villager
Mites

If anyone would like to act for Nixa, here is her stat box

Nixa-bot booting up!

Nixa charges down the path, her sword and shield held ready. "Come on, Red Arms! This poor man needs our help!" She comes within striking distance of one of the centipedes and brings her blade forward in an downward chop, then sets her shield between herself and her many-legged foe.

Longsword, charge: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

AC 17 from charge

Uesugi watches as the woman charges forward he races ahead one step behind her only changing his direction at the last moment before pulling his blade out and slashing in one surprisingly fast motion at the hundred legged insect.

Katana 'Last Breath': 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 1 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 3 = 14

"GET UP!" Uesugi yells at the terrified villager

Uesugi, give me an Intimidate check.

Both Nixa and Uesugi easily dice up a centipede each. The remaining one crawls forward and tries to bite Nixa's ankle.
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Nixa fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The bite is shallow, but poison from the centipede's mouth leaks into the wound and flows into Nixa's blood.

Gallix, Longjing, Sir D, Mr. Peppers, Sirettis, and Cup are up!

"Tch...we head out, and we are pest control again?"

D. moves north, and stops just near Uesugi.

He decides to aim for the blue ugly.
That pic i used as well for Beggar's Pearl.

"Eat one, you ugly blue cretin."
Sand bullet: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26Impact: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10

Sirettis walks up, draws her mace and glares at the green-clad figure.

Slumber Hex: Will Save DC 15 or fall asleep for 3 rounds.

Get Up Now!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
There's little left of the fey mite as D blasts him to pieces. The remaining mite falls over and dozes from Sirettis' hex.

The villager peeks from between his fingers as Uesugi commands him. "Oh? T-they're gone...?!" He stands up and runs south towards the samurai.

Gallix, Longjing, Mr. Peppers, and Cup are up

Ride, Guide with Knees: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Whip, Aid Another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Seeing almost all the enemies down, Cup urges Oolong forward into a double move, using her whip to distract the caterpillar and aid Nixa.

+4 to Nixa's attack

"Nixa, will you be needing anti-toxin?"

Longjing lands on Uesugi's shoulder. "Noble Steed, what do we do now?"

Delay to move with my 'mount'.

Gallix moves forward past the villager and past his companions. He steps up beside Nixa, ready to stand beside her to help defeat the remaining centipede.

Double move :)

Any takers for Peppers Bot? :) I can otherwise delay him considering this battle is nearly over.

delay him. I don't think he needs to waste his resources in this battle

Agreed