GM MattMorris Fragments of Antiquity (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

After creating her spectacular museum demiplane, the legendary sorcerer Hao Jin departed without a forwarding address. However, the Pathfinder Society has recently discovered her last known whereabouts on the Material Plane: a Tian Shu library that she later transported to her demiplane to spare it local dangers. Not only could this site shed light on Hao Jin's last accomplishments, but the building's vast contents are a snapshot of a continent's history. The sequestered library holds far more secrets than that, though, and it is now home to the proud Scalebreaker kobolds and a powerful spirit that they dare not anger.

Grel spends some time out camping on the plains, communing with the earth. After some time he is ready to meet up with his Pathfinder contact and get back to work.

.

"Hello there!" a short lady says with a wide grin. "Is this the group headed for the Tapestry? Master Kije sends his regards and condolences that he is unable to join you, but he asked me personally if I could fill his place - so here I am!" Seemingly uncertain of where to put her hands, she stuffs them into her pockets as she looks around one of the Grand Lodge's many meeting rooms expectantly.

Greetings, there. Send Kije my regards, I am Grel Veldgott. Please have a seat. A few of us have been adventuring together of late, as I'm sure you know. They should be along shortly. Grel sits across from the short lady and does his best to not make things awkward.

Tholgrin approaches the group, covered in soot and sweat from the forge. He's cradling something wrapped in cloth, which he uncovers with a dramatic flourish.

"There she is, not a bad piece of work if I do say so myself"

It's a greataxe with a haft covered in intricate dwarven runes, and with a head made of a curious matte metal. Colour is worked into the metal much like the other blades, red and black with streaks of yellow, and when the light hits it right you can see etchings in the metal. Three bearded dwarves on one side, and two humans and an archer elf on the other.

"Roslar's Justice I named her, or Ros for short. Beryl is still my first love of course, but there's likely not a door this side of Arcadia she couldn't cut down"

He looks deeply proud, before he notices the newcomer and resumes his usual awkward self.

"Oh I'm sorry m'aam, I didn't notice you there. Tholgrin Stonebeard pleased to meet you"

He extends his hand for shaking, before realising it's covered in soot and sawdust and hastily wipes it on himself before attempting a bow instead

Quite the piece, Tholgrin. I may need a product of your services one day. Grel admires the greataxe.

Not-Trixie grasps Tholgrin's hand before he can withdraw it. "The pleasure is mine," she says cheerfully. "You can call me anything as long as it's Not-Trixie." She smiles at the joke as a wisp of magic passes over her hands, and as Tholgrin releases the handshake he finds his own hand free of grime.

"Now this is obviously the work of a master smith! Could you tell me how you got those colors worked into the metal? Or did you coax them out during the forging? And what sort of tool did you use for the etching - I've heard of chisels and pens tipped with diamond dust, but these are much more detailed and clear than any markings I've seen on a blade before."

"Nice seeing you all again. Anyone up for a harrow reading before we begin?"

Tholgrin immediately warms to Not-Trixie with talk of blade craft. He preens when she compliments the etching. "Yes Adamantine is notoriously hard to cut. I had to do the etching while the blade was still hot, using an Adamantine chisel. I didn't think it would work, but even red hot Adamantine is harder than steel and the engravings kept their form after cooling. Took me a lot of tries mind, and it's not cheap!"

"The colour is, ah, my own special recipe. My old friend and mentor Paufery Thunderiron used to say "Mind over Matter Tholgrin". We'd play games in his shop in one of the deep tunnels in Highhelm after I'd finished my guard duties, and he'd tell me how much potential I had. I didn't believe him at first, but eventually I found I had the knack for a bit of psychic magic."

His single minded enthusiasm for smithing evaporates a little.

"He's gone now, but when I'm alone at the forge I think back to our games and to his words, and I visualise how I want to metal to look. If I see it with enough clarity, with enough belief, well." He spins Ros in his hands. "Mind over Matter"

"Oh look at me blathering on, I'm usually not so talkative. How do you know Kije? Do you command fire like he does?"

He nods at Tsura. "Good to see you again Tsura! I'm not much of one for portents and such, what would a Harrow reading entail?"

"Only an open mind, Tholgrin. The cards reveal you to yourself, if you are willing to look."

”Ooo! Do you mind if I watch, ma’am?” Not-Trixie asks eagerly. ”I read a lot about the Harrow and its role in Varisian society, but it would be an honor to witness one in person.”

Looking uncomfortable at being on the spot, Tholgrin nods in reply. "Keep an open mind is another thing Paufery used to say. I know he'd be willing, so I shall be too"

The sun is shining when the archer arrives to join the group.

Hi, good to see you again. Are you ready for a new mission?

He spokes before noticing the other lady a part from Tsura.

Sorry. My name's Styfis. We never met until now.

Are you heroes ready to set forth again? I will support and protect you as best I can.

Motioning to Not-Trixie, You travel with an impressive complement of dwarf here, m'lady. These two cut down a gruesome monster with no more than 2 swipes of their weapons.

Grel sits on a stool, amused with himself. He grabs a wad of clay from a bag and begins moulding a figurine, not sure what exactly yet, but he has memories of the griffon he summoned in that great battle.

"Tholgrin, your first card is the Four of Swords. This card depicts a knight reclining in a sepulchre. This card in this position indicates a need for rest before taking on your next challenge."

"Your second card is the Chariot. It tells me that you are a warrior of great willpower (which of course, I already knew). It also tells me that you have discovered how to take action that aligns with your true values. So, if you were thinking of changing factions, I'd say hang onto that prestige! You're in the right place."

"Lastly, the Four of Cups suggests you are reluctant to accept help. Together with the sphinxes which appear on the Chariot, this could mean you don't want to see anymore griffons being summoned. What have you got against griffons?"

The dwarves will remain the dwarves, thinks the elf with a smile. If we heard Grel, the three dwarves have killed the red reaver alone. Without any elven's arrows or ifrit's fireballs or witch's trickery.

But it was good to fight with and not against them.

;) Grel is a homer.

lol

Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin strides into the conference room of the Grand Lodge where you have been waiting for him.

"Greetings Pathfinders. You're all quite experienced, so I'll cut right to the chase: I’m asking you to enter the Hao Jin Tapestry. I’m sure you understand both the risk and potential rewards implied in such a mission. Our planar experts have reviewed Aram Zey’s notes and the tapestry’s recent behavior. We’ve concluded that each new expedition into the tapestry weakens its fabric, bringing it closer to unraveling. The Society must balance our desire to salvage as much of Hao Jin’s collection as possible with limiting our intrusions into the demiplane. With that in mind, we’ve been doing some research into Tian historical documents, in search of significant locations that Hao Jin may have transported into her tapestry. We think we’ve found an important one: the Shen Province Imperial Archive. An ancient letter sent by one of the librarians mentions that Hao Jin was visiting to study their collection. Shortly after that letter was sent, the Shu Empire began to collapse, plunging the provinces into war. The library disappeared entirely, and visitors found only a round hole where its grounds used to be. These reports are consistent with other locations that Hao Jin transported into her tapestry.

Remember as you go that the tapestry is far from stable. Our experts agree the magic that it uses to repair itself is reacting poorly to our intrusions. It will be important to get in and out again as quickly as possible, so try not to stay more than 24 hours. If you have to leave before you’ve finished searching the library, we may not be able to get you back in for a second try.”

The Venture-Captin looks up from his files on this mission, prepared to field any questions that you might have.

I'm familiar with planar travel but this will be my first foray into the Tapestry. We will be quick. Grel is fairly confident with this group in tow.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

"Oh, I was just reading about Hao Jin and ancient Tian Xia!" Trixie says delightedly as she puts away her notepad and pencil. "She was a powerful sorcerer from Goka who died and came back to life many times before vanishing completely." She frowns as she continues, "Didn't the Shen Provincial Imperial Archive have an expert-in-residence on the Great Beyond? One of the journals mentions visiting a hidden department to view their collection on the Planes. Might not be reputable, but could be worth investigating if we have time. But why would Hao Jin save this particular library?" She pulls out a different notepad and studies it intently.

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

The archer is hearing Not-Trixie during his own reflexion. Then he asks:

I'm also wondering how we can do the selection of the books we will take with us? What is of interest and what not? Do you give us keywords that for? And then do you know if we will meet somebody there?

Tholgrin was just in the process of being dumbfounded by Tsura's accurate reading when the Venture Captain entered. "Thank you Tsura, that's given me much to think on. Though it looks like the rest will have to wait...

He listens intently to the briefing before chiming in.

"I've been into the tapestry just once, to root out a nest of Aspis vipers. Any reports on what we might expect in the library? Any residents nearby?"

He thinks for a moment.

"I was a lore-keeper in Highhelm, and have more than a passing interest in history, but I'm not that familiar with Tian Xia history." He echoes Styfis' question. "How should we choose which texts to save?"

He looks to the others. "Does anyone speak Tien?"

The elf replied to Tholgrin: I speak Tien.

In fact, if he never was into the tapestry, he was once in Tian Xia, to help the alliance with the Way of the Kirin. And Yasuka, who is coming from Tian Xia, told him about this language. The linguist could help so to learn it.

"Oh, I also speak Tien," Not-Trixie says meekly. I need to remember that everyone else has so much more experience than I do, she scolds herself internally.

Valsin answers Styfis regarding the book selection: “I understand that you’re very active field agents, but just trust your instincts. I’m sure you have a wide range of skills that can help you identify documents our researchers will be interested in. But in addition to that, be sure to retrieve anything that might indicate what Hao Jin was researching during her stay there.”

"If you need to purchase anything, please do so. Meet me in the tapestry chamber at that time, and I'll answer any other questions you may have."

After you have taken care of anything...

Valsin meets you in the chamber where the tapestry is laid out on a low, square table.

Grel approaches the chamber. Ready when you are. The others may require some preparation.

Tholgrin will run off and grab a scroll case and 3 scrolls of comprehend languages just so he can be useful, for a little while at least. He returns red faced and puffing from the exertion, but otherwise ready to go

Tsura upgrades some basic Pathfinder kit, but ready to go.

When everyone indicates their readiness to go, you touch the target area near a corner of the tapestry and speak the command word, and are transported into the demiplane. Small glowing spheres mark the planar eddies caused by their entry into the tapestry.

A bright galaxy stretches across the night sky above a small valley. The library building is visible less than a mile ahead, but a wooden bridge crossing a small river stands in the way.

The archer moves and looks at the bridge cautiously.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

He's ready to act in case of attack from the other side of the bridge.

Tsura pings herself with a wand of mage armor and moves to follow Styfis.

Tholgrin concentrates, mustering the right emotions as he was taught, and gives himself a little extra vitality.

False Life: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Catching up with the group, he looks over the bridge. "I don't know if engineering as they teach it in Highhelm applies to an unravelling demi-plane, but let's have a look at this structure before we step on it"

Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + (2) = 15

Grel performs rites of speed and sight to aid him in their quest.

Cast Longstrider from wand. Cast Heightened Awareness from spell list.

If need be, Tholgrin, I can transform into a bird and scout ahead. However I can be of assistance. Grel puts his things away and waits for a prognosis on the bridge.

Grel, don't forget I can fly. I think you can transform only a few times per day.

But the first thing was to be sure about the bridge: real good or fake?

By all means, Styfis. Grel gives him space for takeoff.

Sorry I was absent for the weekend. Relatives. I have purchased a set of pathfinder chronicles. Otherwise I am saving to upgrade my cloak. Unless of course I hear a kool suggestion.

I am no expert on magic. However, I seem to remember that there should be some spell that could helps us temporarily transport more of the contents back with us.

Masterwork backpacks, and large sacks, with a scroll of mass ant haul. But it seems like the were was something to create a temporary semi-bag of holding with a chest. Am I remembering incorrectly or was there something else that may be useful? I am willing to buy a scroll or two if might help.

I have a haversack and can cast Freedom of Movement for an hour or so. Put that on a flying Styfis and he can carry the whole lot back to the exit. :)

I'm not sure what spell you're thinking of, Morrolan. (Unless it's Arcane Pocket, which is a neat spell.). Grel, you'll see why that probably won't be possible when you get to the library, I think.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary to you so far (at least for the Tapestry).

Secret Chest, is what I was think. But it is more expensive than I remembered. But what about Shrink Item on a large chest full of books?

If you folks come up with a creative solution, I'm all about it. There are mechanics delineated for bringing back more books based on the additional weight of books you are able to return with.

Shrink item on a large chest is a great idea! I'm happy to share the cost of a scroll of it, and carry the chest there if necessary. That said the chest will hold 6 cubic feet which isn't much compared to the 150 of the bag of holding, but it's super cool so I'm game :) I thought about a wagon and two scrolls but it would be too big for the spell sadly

I'll chip in on a scroll as well

Plans for treasure stitching seem to be worked out.

So, there is a bridge.

I think we were waiting for Styfis to fly over it, but there were other options for flying a recon mission, as well. If needs be, Tsura will activate her Fly hex and go scout things across the way.

Grel waits patiently for the recon to complete.

So Styfis uses one point of mental focus to fly on the other side of the bridge and ties a rope on both side. So perhaps the others can pass on the other side with this security.

"Aye, very prudent Styfis. I don't much fancy taking a dip in my full plate, and I fancy taking a dip in strange extra dimensional water even less."

Eyeing the river suspiciously Tholgrin makes sure all of his scroll cases have their tops screwed on tight, affixes the rope to something on this side and trundles across, keeping hold of the rope just in case