|AC 22, T 12, FF 20|HP: 60/60|F +7, R +5, W +1 (+6 vs fear, +2 vs other emotions/death)|Init +2, Perc -2|CMB +13 CMD 25|3/3 Challenge, 2/2 Tactician 2/2 Sovereign Court Contacts
At Little Lya’s suggestion, the Maker becomes defensive, each of her arms reaching up to grasp at the engram where it is implanted at the base of her neck. ”Wait, what? I… don’t understand…”
F Half-orc Cleric9 HP 66/66 AC:17/TC:10/FF:17 Perc +5 F +12 R +7 W +15 CMB +9 CMD 19 Spd 30ft Init +8 Channels 6/6 Active Buffs: None
"Please understand, we need the memories contained within that engram to learn how to stave off a planar collapse. Is it possible for you to give or even just share what is stored within it with us?" Grisaia suggests as the Maker reacts.
Auto-succeed on the aid as well or Grisaia can roll as well.
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
"Its perfectly simply and logical. If we do not receive those memories from that engram and bring it back to the person who can decipher them, many will die. Please understand, it must be done to save more lives than we can afford to lose willingly." Nicholas pleads with the Maker.
if diplomacy continues to clearly not advance our cause...
Lya is dismayed at the Maker's lack of sympathy at the tapestry's plight "As my colleagues have elaborated, Hao Jin's demiplane is unraveling and the thousands of inhabitants are at risk. Do you really want their deaths on your conscience? Even with offering to return it when our mission is complete, if able, you sit there hesitant dumbfounded while we are trying to restore natural order. Have you nothing more to say rather than stammer?"
Intimidate!:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Trying something new for Lya
Also if diplomacy doesn't work
Looking at the Maker, Faustus says, calmly, "Are you hesitating because you have overstepped your bounds and integrated the engram with your person for more permanently than was advisable?"
If the answer to this is positive
Faustus continues."Believe me that we have the capability to undo that setback, though there is definitely an 'easy way' and a 'hard way' in this process. The choice of how difficult this process will be is up to you."
When you take the engram you receive a brief vision. In the vision, you see Hao Jin, hair a deep red and appearing younger than when you met her in person as she quietly watches a young man working at a loom. As the man’s hands flicker over the threads and slowly weave a tapestry into being, a smile creases Hao Jin’s face and her own fingers begin to mimic the young man’s movements while trailing glimmering lines of eldritch energy. Hao Jin watches carefully, her fingers moving in measured cadences. As the light dims, Hao Jin leaves, but she returns again, and again. You experience months of Hao Jin’s careful study of the tapestry weaver, and feel the mental weight of innumerable calculations as Hao Jin plans her own magnificent tapestry.
"So, perhaps Hao Jin wasn't always as we saw here. She was once enamored with weaving. I wonder how many deaths it was before." muses Faustus.
"Regardless, we should go track down the final engram, and see if they will enable us to hold the Tapestry together long enough to get people out of there."
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Thanks for your patience and I apologize again for the delay. Life got hectic as it sometimes does.
The Pathfinders are able to easily Identify Acolyte Yakomo’s abode following Eleven-Sun-Truth’s directions. The reinforced stone door to Acolyte Yakomo’s humble abode is shut and locked.
perception DC 18:
you hear the muffled sounds of someone struggling and trying to call out from within the building.
my profile sheet was missing a few skills... including prof merchant
perception:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
"Guaril predicted this might happen someday when he was guest lecturing... I can't believe he was right. Let me try the lock... I haven't tried this in years though... 'a trapped victim behind a locked door' he said..."
Using Exchange Faction boon to use Profession Merchant in place of disable device
disable device, faction pin:1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15oh comon dice gods! disable device, faction pin, gm star reroll:1d20 + 5 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 + 4 = 22looking around for any possible help... uhh... can i at least get some guidance? +1 more!
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
Inside the dwelling, the Pathfinders discover Acolyte Yakomo tied up, gagged, and shoved into a corner of the room. When Yakomo is released he calmly rises to his feet and addresses the Pathfinders.
“You must be agents of the Pathfinder Society, I assume? Someone is looking for you.”
Yakomo then explains to you all that he was attacked and tied up by a gloomy elven woman shortly after the time you first arrived in Axis. “She seemed… troubled, more than malicious,” Yakomo says, “as though she carried the weight of far more hardship than even an elf ’s long life could justify. While I am not pleased that I appear to have been drawn into a conflict between you and this woman…” Yakomo pauses for just a moment. “Perhaps all is happening as it should. I find that is often the case in this city. Regardless, the woman seemed to know you would arrive. She bade me tell you that you should seek me out in the Serene Circle. Given what I saw of her magic, I expect she was being quite literal and waits there in my guise even now.”
Lya smiles at her unexpected success... "i did it!"
to Yakomo
Lya bids a small prayer to Shelyn as she helps him to his feet.
lay on hands:5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3, 5, 5) = 19plus curing fatigue, disease or extra hpmercy?:1d6 ⇒ 3 "did you get a good look at her? I wonder how she knew we would be coming for the engram... oh - did she take it?"
Yakomo thanks Lya for the magical healing. ”Yes, she did indeed take the engram.” Yakomo then looks at Faustus. ”Um, medium length black hair, very fair skin...slender even for an elf. Tien facial features. Dressed in all black, armed with lots of daggers.”
Sense motive tells you Yakomo might have more info if you can be more persuasive.
|AC 22, T 12, FF 20|HP: 60/60|F +7, R +5, W +1 (+6 vs fear, +2 vs other emotions/death)|Init +2, Perc -2|CMB +13 CMD 25|3/3 Challenge, 2/2 Tactician 2/2 Sovereign Court Contacts
GM Picatrix wrote:
”Um, medium length black hair, very fair skin...slender even for an elf. Tien facial features. Dressed in all black, armed with lots of daggers.”
"'Cor! Art thou headfast and circumspect in thy telling? Prithee not give us nod 'twas none other than meticulously-Chronicled Pathfinder dirkwight and tinkerwoman Merisiel?!?"
Diplomacy:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25+3 if he's both Human and a noble/politician/courtier sort
Faustus looks at the Taldan like he was insane... then looks bsck to Yakomo. "I know you can do better than this, my friend." he says with a calm voice. Eerily calm. "Though you may not know it, the lives of thousands of sentients count on you telling me everything you know about this thief, this elf. Trust me that every detail is necessary, and that I am willing to use every means necessary to recover this engram in a timely manner.
"Please, you do not want to be responsible for the death of the inhabitants of an entire demiplane, now do you?"
Yakomo looks at Spenser with a confused expression.
Faustus’ threat is able to draw more details out of Yakomo, including the fact that Yakomo overheard the elf muttering to herself about someone named “Aslynn” who she apparently believes has been manipulating and taking advantage of her.
In the interest of moving things along I’ll let you know that’s all Yakomo knows. What’s next?
|AC 22, T 12, FF 20|HP: 60/60|F +7, R +5, W +1 (+6 vs fear, +2 vs other emotions/death)|Init +2, Perc -2|CMB +13 CMD 25|3/3 Challenge, 2/2 Tactician 2/2 Sovereign Court Contacts
Spenser nods softly, and stares off into the distance in puzzlement. "'Twere it a celestine lion, or somewhich...?"
The Pathfinders make their way to the Serene Circle.
The Serene Circle is an open-air plaza where Irori’s followers meditate, learn, and discuss the intricacies of the multiverse with one another. Miles across, it is covered in light-colored sand and dotted with tranquil fountains, reflecting pools, and carefully managed gardens. Countless remade petitioners dressed in loose, white robes stroll about engaging in quiet contemplation or are in conversation with others of their kind. Others sit and meditate quietly in the shade of blossoming fruit trees. The entire area is suffused with a deep sense of tranquility and peace.
The Serene Circle is so serene that I need DC 19 WILL saves from everyone. PCs who fail their save are unable to take violent actions or do anything destructive for 24 hours unless they leave the Circle; leaving and reentering the circle does not grant an additional WILL save.
Tracking down the elf (in Yakomo’s guise) requires a Diplomacy (gather info) check.
Grisaia asks around and is able to locate “acolyte Yakomo”. He currently meditates before a fountain shaped like an open lotus blossom, located about three-quarters of a mile from the edge of the Serene Circle. While gathering information the Pathfinders also discover that any loud noises or fighting in the Serene Circle are prohibited and will result in the axial monitors being summoned.
Once the Pathfinders are within 50 feet of “acolyte Yakomo”, she reverts to her true form to begin negotiations. What would you like to do/say?
During negotiations…
DC 17 Sense Motive:
You get the feeling that the elf is upset about something that has nothing to do with this encounter.
If you have the “Acquainted with 322” boon from #7-23 Abducted in Aether:
You receive a +4 bonus on the check and know that 322 has been looking to break free from outside control for some time.
|AC 22, T 12, FF 20|HP: 60/60|F +7, R +5, W +1 (+6 vs fear, +2 vs other emotions/death)|Init +2, Perc -2|CMB +13 CMD 25|3/3 Challenge, 2/2 Tactician 2/2 Sovereign Court Contacts
Will Save:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4+2 if it counts as an 'emotion' effect
Faustus save:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24No one takes Faustus's ability to do violence away! sense motive:1d20 + 26 ⇒ (17) + 26 = 43Hee hee
"So, you've got us here. What is it that you wants us here for?" asks the Inquisitor. "I assume you need us to do something for you. Perhaps in return for that engram you have.
"And please be quick about it. We do not have all day."
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Will Save:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Sense Motive:1d20 ⇒ 12
Father Nicholas shrugs off the sensation of the zone, but does not catch on to what everyone else is talking about.
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
Will Save:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Sense Motive:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
@Spenser/Faustus: The elf’s face takes on an uncharacteristic softness. “Hm, good question. Maybe it’s time for me to be my own boss and stop being everyone’s lackey.”
@ Grisaia/Faustus “I just want a trade. One of you gets me into Skyreach at the Grand Lodge and I’ll give you the engram when we return. It’s that simple.”
Follow up questions, just to keep things moving (especially since I’ve delayed us)...
You want to transport one of us to Absalom right now?“Good, you understand me, that’s exactly what I want. You get me through the door, I do a little business at Skyreach and then I’ll bring us back.”
What are you plan on doing in Skyreach?“Just a bit of snooping. Shouldn’t take more than five minutes. Then I’ll bring us both back and we’ll finish our transaction.”
With the extra info you got from Yakomo, along with your sense motive check for this particular negotiation, you get the following: You can try and convince 322 to abandon whatever she has planned for Skyreach. If one of you succeeds at a DC 27 Diplomacy check you convince 322 that she is better off without Aslynn.
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
"Listen friend, it is not too late to turn away from the life you have now. What would these forces of evil do for you that would make worth to create so many enemies? Reconsider this action, and become your own individual. There is still time."
”I would be greatly abandoning my duties to let you in for that reason, especially once you have actually told me your plan. ” says Faustus. ”I agree with the gnome here... you should turn away from your oppressor and become your own person. While Order and Law are important, crucial even, you must enter into a contract without coercion. A contract of such type would be flawed, and likely null and void. Break free, and be your own person.”
Diplomacy to aid another :1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
322 offers the memory engram to the Pathfinders as a show of good faith. ”If the time comes where I need protection from Aslynn’s wrath, I expect you to answer my call for aid.” After this exchange 322 quickly takes out a scroll, reads it, and disappears.
spellcraft DC 21:
word of recall
whoever first touches the memory engram:
You receive another vision from Hao Jin’s past, this time of her as a child of perhaps ten, her hair glossy black without a hint of the sorcerer’s signature ruby locks. Hao Jin dances and sings as she explores the wonders of a magnificent museum. She climbs about the displays, enacting mock battles with taxidermied drakes or old suits of armor. As the young Hao Jin climbs atop a suit of ancient Minkaian armor, her foot slips and she grabs at a hanging lantern to steady herself. Suddenly everything is pain and fire, chaos, and then… silence and empty darkness. The silence and empty darkness end suddenly with a burst of pain and a strange pulsating that wracks her entire body. The final scene you see is a young Hao Jin, her hair now a brilliant shade of red, her small face crumbling into tears as she learns that not only is the glorious museum gone, burned to ash, but her family has spent almost their entire fortune returning the young girl to life. As the scene ends, you are left with a strong, lingering sense of Hao Jin’s regret, as well as her resolve to master the strange new magic burning inside her along with her emotions, so that she is never the source of such a tragedy again.
Eleven-Sun-Truth intercepts the Pathfinders once they’ve recovered the memory engrams and are on their way back to the Empty Court. Excitedly, the arbiter explains that after making their report about the Pathfinders and Hao Jin’s decision, its superiors scheduled a tribunal to reopen Hao Jin’s case, set for tomorrow. Not only does the speed with which this is happening suggest a momentous development, but Eleven-Sun-Truth interpreted its superiors’ remarks to suggest that there would be very influential judges presiding over the trial. Because the Pathfinders operated as Hao Jin’s advocates, the arbiter hopes that they might attend.
Faustus reaches out to take the engram into his protection.
"Oh, I see..." says Faustus. "Her pain is deep seated. Her need to collect, to archive. She destroyed, by accident, her family's fortune and museum in a childhood slip of the foot. She has been compensating ever since!"
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Father Nicholas turns to the rest of the team.
"If we stand to help her, she could provide a huge benefit to the society. Is anyone else interested in seeing how court in the Plan of Law plays out?"
CG Human Male wizard 10 | hp 63/65 | AC 19 (T11, FF 18 ) | CMD 10 | Initiative +6 (+10 w/ Heightened Awareness) | Perception +13 | Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +10
Consumables:
Arcane Bond 1/1 | L. Silent MM Rod 3/3; L. Extend MM Rod 3/3, L. Reach MM Rod 3/3; Reach MM Rod 3/3 | Four-Leaf Clover 3/3 | Shift 1/11 | Dimensional Steps 300/300 |
"I can." Anen grumbles. "Still, we must represent the societies interests as best we can."
You've all got the better part of a day to speak with Hao Jin and ask her any questions you might have about the memories you received from the engrams, or anything else you'd like to do, before the tribunal tomorrow. Hao Jin needs this time with the engrams to devise and transcribe her promised ritual anyway. Would you like to do anything before tomorrow's trial?
Although a relative unknown when she arrived centuries ago, Hao Jin’s reputation ensures that as word of her trial spreads through several districts, there’s an immense yet orderly crowd of curious inevitables, glimmering axiomites, petitioners, and off-world visitors gathered around the sprawling courthouse on the day of her trial. Eleven-Sun-Truth escorts the Pathfinders through the crowd, which parts smoothly and politely to make way. Once the Pathfinders are inside, they can explore the courthouse’s expansive, three-story entry hall where a host of barristers, bureaucrats, scribes, and more are discussing a combination of legal theory and the upcoming trials for the day. Eleven-Sun-Truth requests that the Pathfinders remain in the general area while it checks in with its superiors, mentioning that the trial’s set to begin in about 2 hours.
This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the trial and the yet-unannounced judges, which can grant you an edge in the upcoming trial. Each PC can attempt one Diplomacy check to gather information, Knowledge (planes) check, Knowledge (religion) check, Profession (barrister) check, or Sense Motive check to learn more. If a PC has a special ability that would allow them to gather information more quickly, let that PC attempt two checks.
Male LG Gnome Paladin 8| HP76 | AC27 T13 FF26| CMD 19 | Fort 15 Ref 9 Will 10 | Speed 20ft | Initiative +1| Bestow Hope: 3 DR /-, 8/Day| Channel Energy 4d6, Lay on Hands 7d6+5 / 13 per Day | Power of Faith: 30ft Radius +1 to Atk/Dmg/AC/Saves VS Fear, 1/Day Allies can recover 1d4 Ability Damage |
Father Nicholas has only a kind face to go on, and some would disagree because he is a gnome. He will attempt to learn something about these judges by talking nicely to strangers.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Then he tries his best to see if someone is holding information away.
Sense Motive:1d20 ⇒ 6
He is, however, oblivious to any deception once they present frosted cookies.
