"We're up here now. Let's search and make sure nothing more from up here an ambush us, then work our way into the cellar. I bet that's where it gets interesting."
Liet-Gar does his checks of the nearby door and Dimple scans for magic. No magic found and no traps appear ready to be sprung so the group does the usual procedure and the brave half-elf jumps in ready to battle!
The large windows of this bedroom offer a magnificent view of the hills to the northeast.
No obvious threats, any searching done? If so, perception checks please.
Stepping into the room, weapon in hand, he scans the area. Feeling safe as nothing immediately attacks and no bugs can be seen...the half-elf lowers the blade and begins to search the room.
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Calling back to the others, he confidently advises "There's a bed and a desk in here, but little else."
Liet-Gar, Dimple and Kasvot search through the room carefully. Kasvot notices a glint outside the window and takes a closer look. On top of the gazebo he can clearly see a metal key.
It would require going back downstairs and outside and climbing the gazebo to recover, if anyone wishes to do that.
Dimple, looks a bit lower and notices something odd under the bed. Having Mr. Glistening Skin help by moving the bed, she eventually breaks out of her watching the half-elf flexing sinuous muscles to look at what appear to be gouges in the floor. The gouges are old and look to be an attempt at writing that reads in common, 'help me'.
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
"Does no one have Mage hand to save ourselves a trip outside"
"...says the wizard. You're the one with the book full of spells for any eventuality." Kasvot casually casts prestidigitation and cleans the dust bunnies from his clothing. "I only know one or two of the most important spells."
Elf, Wizard (Diviner) 6, HP 32, AC:13, FF:13, Th:10, F+5/R+5/W+5(+1 vs fear +2 vs ench), Perc +14, Init +4
It would take longer to alter my prepared spells then it would to walk out and get it.
Since there are so many arcane casters in the group, we probably should have made an effort to coordinate our spells. But I didn't think of it in time.
With a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head, "Oh Pish! I'll go!" Retracing her steps THROUGH AREAS WE HAVE CLEARED!!, the bard heads to the gazebo and retrieves the key.
Dimple manages to easily finds her way downstairs past the dead bug, the dead frog and the invisible supermonster hiding waiting for a tasty halfling but really bad at knowing what their footsteps sound like.
She slowly and carefully climbs up on top the gazebo, collecting the key. It looks quite nice for a key.
Vie doesn't quite notice anything additionally in the room, but when he leaves and looks back down into the prior room his eyes narrow suspiciously. A rug seems to be oddly placed under the piano in the corner and he swears he sees a thin little wire dropping down from under the instrument. You can see the piano best on maps page 2.
The doors are carefully checked over, with no signs of traps or magic. Niza pushes one side open and Fromagalli does the other, showing a clear view of the room inside.
A large, red four-poster bed sits in the northeast corner of this grand bedroom. Many pieces of dusty jewelry lie on a round table beside a fireplace on the west wall. A large glass double door leads to a balcony with a view over hills and valleys to the south.
Vie notices that several items of jewelry on the table appear to have significant value.
GM Screen:
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
But he also easily recognizes the snake-shaped silver necklace on the round table is actually an iron cobra.
Vie:
The Iron Cobra is a Neutral Small Construct. The iron cobra is a simple construct that resembles a hooded cobra made out of metal. The iron cobra is typically used as a bodyguard or guardian of treasure and has a reservoir that can be filled with any liquid poison that the construct then administers with a bite attack. It has Damage Resistance 5/--, Construct Traits & Spell Resistance 13.
Construct Traits
Spoiler:
Low-light vision.
Darkvision 60 feet.
Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
Immunity to bleed, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
Cannot heal damage on its own, but often can be repaired via exposure to a certain kind of effect (see the creature’s description for details) or through the use of the Craft Construct feat. Constructs can also be healed through spells such as make whole. A construct with the fast healing special quality still benefits from that quality.
Not subject to ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, or nonlethal damage.
Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
Not at risk of death from massive damage. Immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points or less.
Elf, Wizard (Diviner) 6, HP 32, AC:13, FF:13, Th:10, F+5/R+5/W+5(+1 vs fear +2 vs ench), Perc +14, Init +4
Careful folks. That 'snake' is a guardian for the jewelry or possibly the whole room. It is harder to damage than you might expect and it is probably poisonous.
"Well, I guess it depends on how much we want the loot, then, huh? I'm never of a mind to leave wealth behind, and the Sarini's sure don't need it now."
Logically speaking, it probably isn't guarding the room since Vie is inside and hasn't been attacked. As to its purpose, trigger or anything else, there isn't a way to know without being the owner of the snake that gave it the commands. But you have it mostly sussed out already as these constructs are often given commands to guard things/locations or sometimes assassinate specific targets. Maybe it's just inactive? I mean... that's totally a thing that a seasoned pathfinder would expect, right? :P
Oh, the last one is most definitely an option. Enough votes to support ignoring the snake for now so we'll move along. Can come back if you all want later.
Liet-Gar searches for traps, Dimple scans with her magics and all seems totally safe!
Niza rips the door open and the brave pathfinders up front can see dozens of once-fashionable outfits hang in three large closets set against the north wall. Two red folding screens covered in dark stains partially hide a lavish bathtub of gilded porcelain.
No obvious threats looking in from the hallway, what next?
Taking the time to search the worthless washroom proves to be quite valuable as Vie discovers the middle wardrobe has been treated with an alchemical substance to preserve the contents inside from bugs and rot.
Four noble's outfits of varying sizes fill up most of the wardrobe and a thick fur cloak the remaining space. When the items are removed to be looked over, behind are two small objects wrapped in red silk. Opening them up you discover a cold iron morningstar and cold iron dagger.
Dimple quickly scans the group of items, discovering an aura of magic on the cloak. She relays this information to everyone.
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
Dimple drags a chair from the other room, setting it near Liet-Gar. She then takes the cloak. Standing face to face with the half-elf, the gnome wraps the azure garment upon the warrior's broad shoulders. She looks at him. "Wow! Such beautiful eyes... er..I mean, this really brings out your eyes." She stares just a moment longer before getting back to work. Dimple seems a bit flustered as she takes a moment to afix the clasp. "Have to be careful so it doesn't fall off. These older ones tend to be a bit finicky." She pats each shoulder simultaneously. "All done!" She hops off the chair, "Why is this house so warm all of a sudden?"
Just guessing about the cloak, but I believe LGZ has the worst saves.
It's a fair guess, but this is a pretty evil place. Maybe it is cursed? I'll go ahead and bot Niza on her spellcraft roll to see if we can resolve this and move along."
The group moves up, checks the next door and Niza pulls it open.
This dormitory-style bedroom looks tidier than other rooms in the building. A hunched figure wearing a maid’s uniform is sitting on a small bed in the northwest corner of the room. Its head tilts with a clicking sound towards the doorway, but doesn't seem to be looking directly at anything. It asks, "I don't know you, why are you here?" It has a pair of sharp scissors in her hand.
If you enter the room:
You may make a Knowledge: Nature check to identify the figure.
Kasvot moves through the hallway, squeezing around people until he comes up to the doorway so he can see in. Stepping inside to make room, he holds his hands out towards the figure in a non-threatening gesture, keeping the table between him and the creature. "My friend is right; we're investigators. Did you know the Sarinis? Can you tell us what has happened here?"
You aren't quite sure, but it isn't a human. Maybe some sort of fey creature?
The creature's blank looking eyes turn towards Kasvot as he enters, regarding him carefully. It seems indifferent but very intrigued by the visitors, "Oh you know who lived here? I just came recently. Tell me about them!"
The 'maid' squeezes the scissors in its hand a couple times.
*Snip*
*Snip*
You can attempt to recall information about the Sarini family with K: History or Nobility. Or you can make shiz up with Bluff or Perform Oratory. Any of the checks get a +3 bonus from earlier research efforts, but please only one check or one aid attempt per person.
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
know nobility:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
"I knew that but did you know..."
Vie and Fromagalli will share the intiial exposition but will essentially end in a draw unless some one else can come up with the better knowledge roll
"What did the mayor say about them? I'm sure she told us something..." Kasvot reaches for some memory of the family they were investigating, but can't come up with anything. No ranks in either!
The creature (I may have said she once, but it's quite androgynous and so far only Kasvot has gotten a decent look at it) listens raptly as you share many details about the Sarini family, including some quite horrific information. When done it replies happily, "They sound fun!"
It seems to look around a bit, very light clicking and clacking noises being made as the body shifts. It turns back towards the group, "Have you seen my baby? Is she safe?"
The head quirks again towards the doorway, "Alone? Oh no, she's just resting in the nursery next door. I just figured maybe you checked on her. IS SHE SAFE?"
Snapping out of his daze...having been fingering the cloak and considering his eyes. The half-elf nods slowly.
"Scream if you need us" he whispers to the fellow half-elf.
Moving down the hall, he tugs his trusty weapon out slowly and points to the door. "I know it's supposed to be a nursery, but hard telling what that thing considers a child"
Dimple and Liet-gar step over to the next room, check the door for traps and magic. Finding none they turn the knob and push the door open to see inside.
The creaking sound of a rocking cradle echoes in the room. Dolls, wooden figurines, and clockwork toys lie abandoned on a table.
NG Gnome Wizard 5 & Rogue 2 | Perc: +14 (+1 vs. traps), Low-Light, SM: +2 | HP: 72 (-0) (+X Temp HP) | AC/Tch/FF 20/15/17 (+4 Dodge vs. Giants) | F/R/W +7/+8/+6 (Evasion, +4 vs. illusions) | CMD 17 | Init: +2 Active conditions: False Life? | Speed 20ft | Spells in Profile, Telekinetic Fist 6/6, Shirt ReRoll 1/1
Niza, curious about what kind of 'baby' the creature would have, decides to follow Dimple and LGZ. "Hey, what do you guys see?" she asks. Albis's wings flutter at the sound of the rocking cradle.
Sorry for my absence, everyone. It's been a crazy month. Hopefully things have settled down now.
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
Player: jeff Cook
Character Name: Fromagalli
Character Level: 2
PFS #: 9251-28
Faction: sovereign Court
Day Job (roll or take 10):
Progression (Standard): (gm Hmm has suggested you go slow for second part of Gallows if you start at level 2 but I could be persuaded to go slow for first part)
Player: Zin Z'arin (Rob Riemersma)
Character Name: Kasvot Vaxt
Character Level: 1
PFS #: 192785-19
Faction: The Concordance
Day Job (roll or take 10): n/a
Progression (Slow/Standard): Standard
NG Gnome Wizard 5 & Rogue 2 | Perc: +14 (+1 vs. traps), Low-Light, SM: +2 | HP: 72 (-0) (+X Temp HP) | AC/Tch/FF 20/15/17 (+4 Dodge vs. Giants) | F/R/W +7/+8/+6 (Evasion, +4 vs. illusions) | CMD 17 | Init: +2 Active conditions: False Life? | Speed 20ft | Spells in Profile, Telekinetic Fist 6/6, Shirt ReRoll 1/1
Player: Crystal
Character Name: Niza & Albis
Character Level: 1
PFS #: 191888-2 (Core)
Faction: Dark Archives
Day Job (roll or take 10):Profession (Librarian):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Progression (Slow/Standard): Standard
Fromagalli, it depends on your current XP actually. If you are at 5 then you will have to go slow on part 1 AND 2. If you are at 3-4, I don't have an issue with you choosing to go slow on part 1 OR 2.
Essentially, you get 1.5 XP for going slow and 3 for standard so if you were at 5 XP, went slow and standard that would put you at 9.5, which is lvl 4 and outside the range of part 3.
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
3xp (hence the indecision on his actual build) his spell book consists of the four core spells without somantic componets plus endure elements and mount whose durations mean casting and then putting armour leaves plenty of spell duration. His MW longsword is his arcane bond
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
updated my initial post to make an untrained know local check
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
As we have yet to actually do anything, I made a change to Dimple. I swapped a trait & faction, loosing access to the longbow and picking up Disable Device. If that's not okay, I can do that during a 'downtime' before leveling.
Ok, I want to make sure I didn’t miss this and looking back I still can’t tell. When the three of you went to the tavern, were you intending to investigate that missing apprentice or just have some food/booze/good times?
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
GM TOP wrote:
“Youngsters today are so amiable and carefree with everyone. They aren’t cautious, like we were back in our day. If any of them have done anything other than run off of their own accord, it’s probably because they were too trusting of the wrong person.”
With that little tidbit, they keep asking around. Finally, the two run across a group of peddlers wandering through town selling trinkets. Interrupting their sales pitch, Kasvot shoves the Mayor's letter in their face and they respond with this about the apprentices.
“They seem like they’re all friends. In fact, it’s almost like they run in a pack. One or two of them probably convinced the others to all skip work at once, the lazy kids.”
Four hours have passed and it is now 1300. Where do you all go next? I have 2 votes for Haberdashery.
We got some information, so I just thought you fast tracked us through the investigation part. We talked about going and then you asked where too next, so I believed we covered everything. Happy to roll or role as the case may be.
Ok, I want to make sure I didn’t miss this and looking back I still can’t tell. When the three of you went to the tavern, were you intending to investigate that missing apprentice or just have some food/booze/good times?
It was only afterwards that I realized that the tavern was one of our specific locations to investigate. In character, I was just pointing out that we likely missed an opportunity to do a formal investigation there... but there's nothing stopping us from going back. We should probably head to the temple now, though, and return to the tavern to investigate the apprentice there later.
Yes, I fast tracked you all through the gather information checks that two of you completed. I also was not aware the tavern was a location of a missing apprentice until after the fact, so I did not have anything set up for that at the time. Since it appears no one was actively investigating when you all went there, that option will remain available if anyone wishes to return.
Just so no one is surprised by the length, this is a module and it is a long one at that. It doesn't follow the standard '3 encounters and done' model that a normal scenario follows.
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
Yep taking notes as I think it will be worthwile keeping my head straight on this one Sadly though anti plague is not available in core
Kasvot's bluff there is due to the mayor's warning about not alarming the village. It's possible that we could share info with the priest safely, especially if we ask him to keep it quiet, but that should probably be a group decision.
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
I vote to share info with priest
Fromagallis take is the fight is what transpired after the meeting indicated in the note. He's also guessing Morvinarr won and took the beaten person elsewhere. In which case heading to the inn to try and figure Morvinarrs favourite places seems like a plan. Showing the priest that note was also in Fromagallis plans
It appears an unfounded conclusion has been jumped to and I'll take the blame for it.
I believe I forgot to include the bolded part of this when you were at the tavern,'...Morvinarr, as the biggest and strongest of his friends, saw himself as their protector.'
Then the survival check made recently indicated that,'...the victor half-carried the loser—a very large person—away to the south.'
I'll narrow it a tiny bit for you (the framework at least).
There are two places/people in town that have information that will progress the story-line. They will do so, depending on the information you provide and the information you ask for. It may take some digging to consolidate the clues but I'll give you all another 24 hours to see if you can agree on what you want to try to do next.
Hey all, I got hit hard by a bug on Wed PM, and I'm not quite recovered yet. Thanks for any botting you've done. I'm going to share this message in all of my games first, and will then circle back to posting in-game. That may not happen quickly, however, so please keep botting me until I post again in Gameplay. Thanks!
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
GM TOP wrote:
The shopkeep is a gnome, I don't think you know the race of Gellion. The house is sized for a medium humanoid.
And another false conclusion jumped to. I'm good at this
I debated doing a surprise round or not, finally decided against it. It means that Dimple doesn't get I.C. up yet, but it also means the enemy doesn't get a free round to do something.
Status update? How is everyone doing? Super busy? I'd like to get at least 3 votes in one direction in gameplay before pushing anything along. Seems like the options are to sleep or go to the warehouse.
We don't count the bird as that would give Niza 2 votes on everything.
Thank you for confirming that Dimple still votes to sleep, I did not know if the new information may have changed her mind. I'll have a post up pretty quick now.
Sorry for being slow. On top of work taking a lot out of me, I've been fighting off something...flu I think. Slept 22hrs today and....ready to go back to bed before work tomorrow.
Chronicles are here. We will likely start the next part Monday, if all are ready by then. If you wish me to work your character's progression into the narrative, let me know about major gear purchases, skills or feats gained, etc... and I'll see what I can do!
How are we all doing? I haven't seen much chatter recently. I know LGZ is out for a few days on vacation and Niza (and I) have been busy with a teething baby. Everyone else going to be good to start part 2? We can delay or look into alternatives if necessary.
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
Should be ok just working out what lvl 1 wand I want. (also just realised there isn't a still metamagic rod in the core rulebook) feat will be arcane strike may look at getting a mithril buckler but it may be some time before main armour gets upgraded. Should be ready by Monday
Hi, my life took a bit of a messy turn last week, and I haven't applied the chronicle to Kasvot yet. I don't know that I'll catch up entirely today, it may be until tomorrow or Thursday until I get get back on track with all of my games. Sorry for the delay; thanks for your patience!
