Tholgrin, you can remember one more useful thing about soulslivers. You are correct about the covered surfaces. Given what you know of the tapestry, it would be beyond your power--at the moment--to help these kobolds escape.
“Tholgrin Stonebeard” | Male LG Medium Dwarf Figher 1/Investigator (Psychic Detective) 6 | HP 82+16/82 | AC 26 / 12 T / 25FF | CMD +10 CMD 22 | F +9, R +8, W +6 | Init +9 | Perc +5 (+8 traps) SM +3 |Speed 50 ft | Spells 1st: 2/5, 2nd: 4/4; Phrenic Pool 3/3; Inspiration 5/6; Mythic 5/9| Active Conditions: Expeditious Retreat, shield, reroll used
Given their unusual nature, Tholgrin would likely remember a detail details about their special abilities
Soulslivers are susceptible to mind-affecting effects. Their special abilities are as follows:
Death Throes (Su) When a soulsliver is killed, its body explodes into jagged glass shards that deal 2d6 points of piercing and slashing damage to creatures within a 20-foot-radius burst (Reflex DC 12 half). The save DC is Constitution-based.
Mirror Travel (Su) At will as a standard action, a soulsliver can crawl into any mirror as if it were a door or window, instantly transporting itself to another mirror within 500 feet as if using dimension door (caster level 7th). It can remain within that mirror indefinitely, or on its next turn crawl out or use this ability again. Its compression ability allows it to enter or exit Diminutive or larger mirrors. It can only exit a mirror if it is using change shape to take a specific creature’s form.
You approach the library without incident. Pasing through the main entrance, you enter a hallway. Mirrors along the walls of this hallway are smeared with soot and paint, many shattered into a spiderweb of cracks. The south end of the corridor opens into a large and well-lit room.
You notice that your reflections in the cracked mirrors look like Tian scholars rather than yourselves. The reflections quickly shift to reflect your figures.
Unless otherwise noted, the ceiling inside of the library is 40 feet high from the floor of the entry hall, though several of the sections are on elevated platforms. The interior of the building is dimly lit by a combination of chandeliers, dangling glowing glass orbs.
Dwarf Ftr1/Inq 7, HP:69/69, AC:27, Touch:11, Flat Footed:26, F:+12, R:+5, W:+9 (+2 vs. psn, spells, and spl abilities; +2 res vs. evil), Init:+3, Perc:+13
Although he is obviously disgusted by the need, Morrolan covers all the shiny surfaces of his equipment with soot before leaving.
.
.
.
Morrolan carefully looks around before moving forward. Trying to discern the trigger for the trap the friendly Kobolds marked on their map.
perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 (+2 for unusual stonework) sigh
Male Dwarf Druid 8 (menhir savant) | HP 62/62 | AC 23/10/22 | F+9 R+4 W+12 | CMD 23 | Init +1 | Perc +17| Active Conditions: Resist Acid 10, Barkskin, GMF, Heightened Awareness, Wild Shape (DR 5/evil)
Grel stands at the entrance to the corridor and does a bit of preparation before walking into the structure.
Charge from Longstrider Wand. Charge from Mage Armor Wand. Each last an hour. Cast Barkskin for 80 minutes with Place Magic. The Mage Armor is in case I Wild Shape.
As he progresses, he stays hyper-vigilant for traps and uses Spirit Sense to keep feelers out for the outsiders.
Perception:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Spirit Sense wrote:
At 1st level, a menhir savant can detect the presence of undead; fey; outsiders; and astral, ethereal, or incorporeal creatures. This ability functions like detect undead, and the druid detects all of these creatures rather than trying to detect one kind.
Not-Trixie takes a moment to cast a few spells before entering the library as well. ”Why would soulslivers want to live here?” she asks, stowing her rod and cranking her wand back into its wrist sheath. ”And perhaps we can take a page from the kobold’s book.” Pulling out a stick of charcoal, she deftly writes the word “Real” across her forehead. Grinning at her companions, she brandishes the writing utensil and explains, ”They said the creatures looked like you, but in reverse, right? So if one of the tries to impersonate one of us, the writing will be backwards as well. Then we know quickly if someone’s a real or fake.” She quickly writes the same word on anyone’s forehead who’s willing.
Casting darkvision and see invisibility - using lesser extend rod to double duration (10 hours for former, 100 minutes for later) - and using charge from wand of mage armor.
“Tholgrin Stonebeard” | Male LG Medium Dwarf Figher 1/Investigator (Psychic Detective) 6 | HP 82+16/82 | AC 26 / 12 T / 25FF | CMD +10 CMD 22 | F +9, R +8, W +6 | Init +9 | Perc +5 (+8 traps) SM +3 |Speed 50 ft | Spells 1st: 2/5, 2nd: 4/4; Phrenic Pool 3/3; Inspiration 5/6; Mythic 5/9| Active Conditions: Expeditious Retreat, shield, reroll used
"Good idea Not-Trixie"
Tholgrin submits to having something written on his helmet. What does it say? He also rubs mud all over his full plate, and he grumbles while doing it. "Stupid spirits, ruining good armour, living inside mirrors like a treacherous demon, oblivion is too good for them"etc...
Grel, I'd say Spirit Sense doesn't detect anything, but you're pretty sure that something is up with the mirrors.
Grel, you spot the trap that the kobolds labeled on the map just in front of you. It looks like it is a pressure plate connected to something inside the room. I've labeled it on the map.
Male Dwarf Druid 8 (menhir savant) | HP 62/62 | AC 23/10/22 | F+9 R+4 W+12 | CMD 23 | Init +1 | Perc +17| Active Conditions: Resist Acid 10, Barkskin, GMF, Heightened Awareness, Wild Shape (DR 5/evil)
Careful, crew. There's a trap right here. Those pressure plates. The kobold map was right, at least for this. Styfis, can you disable it? Grel keeps everyone else back from the plates.
“Tholgrin Stonebeard” | Male LG Medium Dwarf Figher 1/Investigator (Psychic Detective) 6 | HP 82+16/82 | AC 26 / 12 T / 25FF | CMD +10 CMD 22 | F +9, R +8, W +6 | Init +9 | Perc +5 (+8 traps) SM +3 |Speed 50 ft | Spells 1st: 2/5, 2nd: 4/4; Phrenic Pool 3/3; Inspiration 5/6; Mythic 5/9| Active Conditions: Expeditious Retreat, shield, reroll used
"I can help Grel. My Gauntlets get in the way of my doing any fine work, but I know the principles well enough and can lend an extra pair of eyes"
He gets his tools out and looks to Styfis to take the lead.
Male Dwarf Druid 8 (menhir savant) | HP 62/62 | AC 23/10/22 | F+9 R+4 W+12 | CMD 23 | Init +1 | Perc +17| Active Conditions: Resist Acid 10, Barkskin, GMF, Heightened Awareness, Wild Shape (DR 5/evil)
Grel motions to Styfis, I just saw a mocking reflection of you in that panel over there. Perhaps we should all mark ourselves. Grel will take a piece of steel from his bag and gouge "Grel" in common so most can read it. He will advance carefully, hugging the right wall.
Grel, when you enter the main room, a statue at the top of the steps to your east speaks out in a loud voice:
“圖書館關閉，直至另行通知”
Tien:
“The library is closed until further notice”
The statue is unusual, in that it appears to be holding its head in its hands, down as waist level.
Perception DC 20:
The statue is actually a construct.
Knowledge (arcana) DC 25
Spoiler:
The statue is some sort of variant cephalophore, a type of construct. These construct guardians appear to be looming statues of decapitated humanoids, their severed heads held aloft in a gruesome warning or cradled in their hands like a precious prize. To benign passersby, these marble constructs remain inert, their stone gazes producing only an unnerving sense of watchfulness. However, those who attempt to raid or desecrate a cephalophore’s holy site quickly find that the seemingly immovable statue is anything but. Consequently, many adventurers and tomb raiders have come to see cephalophores as good omens, for when one finds a cephalophore, a dangerous and treasure-filled ruin—hopefully still unlooted—is surely not far away.
Each cephalophore was constructed to stand guard over a single location, typically a tomb or temple. The ravages of time do little to diminish the single-minded dedication of these creatures, but the sacred edifices to which they are bound seldom stand so firmly against the ages. Thus, cephalophores are often found amid ruins or deep in the wilderness, standing vigilant guard over a site long forgotten by mortal society. Many cephalophores lie buried beneath sandy dunes, overgrown by unchecked jungle foliage, or entombed within collapsed caverns.
“Tholgrin Stonebeard” | Male LG Medium Dwarf Figher 1/Investigator (Psychic Detective) 6 | HP 82+16/82 | AC 26 / 12 T / 25FF | CMD +10 CMD 22 | F +9, R +8, W +6 | Init +9 | Perc +5 (+8 traps) SM +3 |Speed 50 ft | Spells 1st: 2/5, 2nd: 4/4; Phrenic Pool 3/3; Inspiration 5/6; Mythic 5/9| Active Conditions: Expeditious Retreat, shield, reroll used
Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
"A Construct you say?" Tholgrin draws Ros knowing that being made of adamantine, she's well suited to damaging objects. "It may be programmed to attack intruders, we should be prepared to defend ourselves"
”Oh, it’s a construct!” Not-Trixie says with delight. ”I’m not sure what kind though. But if it can speak, perhaps it can understand? It says the library is closed.” She clears her throat. ”你好？ 你还等什么打开图书馆?”
Tien:
”Hello? What are you waiting for to open the library?”
The statue pauses for a moment, takes half a step off of its plinth, and then speaks again:
"圖書館是開放的嗎？"
Tien:
"Is the library open?" If you speak Tien and would like to convince the statue that the library is open, you can attempt a Disguise or Bluff check to imitate a librarian.
Remembering the garb of the librarians in the reflections when they entered, Not-Trixie steps back into the hallway for a moment and adjusts her sleeves of many garments. Putting her somewhat-oversized glasses on her face and frizzing her hair slightly, she steps back out to confront the statue.
Disguise:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
”是的，是的，图书馆是公开的。 对不起，我们忘了告诉你亲爱的 - 谢谢你做了如此出色的工作，保证一切安全,” she says with a bow to the construct.
Tien:
”Yes, yes, the library’s open. I’m sorry we forgot to tell you dear - thank you for doing such a wonderful job keeping everything safe.”
While the statue seems unresponsive to Styfis, at Not-Trixie's assurances the construct returns to its stand and freezes, inert. You get the feeling it will allow you to pass.
So, the interior of the library is divided into 6 sections (labeled on the map). In each section, you can perform skill checks, based on the topic of the section, to find the most interesting books in the section. Searching the section in this way takes 10 minutes. You will need to be next to a bookshelf in the section to perform your checks. If you didn't speak Tien, you would be taking a -10 on each of these checks--thankfully those of your who didn't speak it already accepted that share language from Bridge-and-Logs, and he shared his knowledge of Tien with you.
Of course, you already saw some of the dangers of this place, so you should keep your eyes open as you go through the library.
Due to your treasure stitching plan, you will have 30(!) re-rolls to find the appropriate books, though each one will take another 10 minutes, so we'll keep track of time for buffs.
The interior of the building is dimly lit by a combination of chandeliers, dangling glowing glass orbs, and wall sconces with magically illuminated lanterns backed by shining brass mirrors. The railings around the edge of raised platforms are vertical polished glass panels topped by handrails. Virtually all of these surfaces have been smeared with soot, ash, or paint to diminish their reflectivity, and those reflective surfaces at ground level which haven’t been marred or covered have been smashed.
Active: Elf Occultist 9 / HP 66/66, CMD 24, Init +10, Perc +15 (+2 magic traps), AC 25/15/20, Fort +9 Ref +12 Will +9 (+2 vs ench.) / Spells 1st 6/6, 2d 5/5, 3d 4/4 / Implements: Transmutation 6/6, Evocation 9/9;
Good job Not-Trixie.
We have to find the desk. I think we can there know which books he used. SO we can find them then in the library. It's better than to try to pic them without knowing what to search for. And the letter A seems to me the desk one.
“Tholgrin Stonebeard” | Male LG Medium Dwarf Figher 1/Investigator (Psychic Detective) 6 | HP 82+16/82 | AC 26 / 12 T / 25FF | CMD +10 CMD 22 | F +9, R +8, W +6 | Init +9 | Perc +5 (+8 traps) SM +3 |Speed 50 ft | Spells 1st: 2/5, 2nd: 4/4; Phrenic Pool 3/3; Inspiration 5/6; Mythic 5/9| Active Conditions: Expeditious Retreat, shield, reroll used
"Aye A seems the wisest choice as it's closest and we don't want to walk around setting off traps if we can help it"
He straps Ros back to his back and gives an approving nod to Not-Trixie for avoiding a confrontation
Right, A it is. Can we have a standard operating procedure for the sections? I was thinking of just making a Perception check for everyone when you arrive in the section, then describing it and telling you all what skill checks you can use. Does that sound okay? Then, if you want to take any other particular actions or use any abilities, you can note it when you make your skill check.
Dwarf Ftr1/Inq 7, HP:69/69, AC:27, Touch:11, Flat Footed:26, F:+12, R:+5, W:+9 (+2 vs. psn, spells, and spl abilities; +2 res vs. evil), Init:+3, Perc:+13
I should use the Sift spell with my first perception checks. That is at a -5, but I can check out the area before I walk in to it. Then I can look around more carefully, without the spell, after entering.
Sounds good here! Not-Trixie doesn't have Trapfinding, so it's just her regular Perception against anything we might find. She does have Aram Zey's focus prepared, but that's more for if we discover and need to disable a magical trap (rather than looking for one) as the duration is only 5 minutes.
Walking up the stairs to the section, you don't see any traps--which is a bit odd considering the map the kobolds provided for you.
Due to its nature, this section will not require a skill check to explore, just the time to search through it.
This section of the library is a large index to the collection. Unfortunately, most of the catalog seem to have been badly damaged by one or more small explosions.
There is a cleared spot on one bookshelf. It appears as if something roughly the size of a bucket had rested there until recently, then removed. A half-scorched sign written in Tien hangs next to the bookshelf: “Please allow our librarians to help you reflect upon the lessons of antiquity.” The sign bears paintings of several Tian-Shu humans, along with names and titles. Half are completely illegible, but you can still make out the following:
Warfare: Ming Lien
Poetry: Zhang Kato
Planar Cosmology: Jan Huo
On the table, scattered papers include a list of books labeled "Hao Jin" It appears to be a record of titles the sorceress had checked out. Along with the list are some notes labeled "Destination?", but it seems whoever was compiling the notes purposefully spoiled their own work. “Don’t try to find her!” is written large over everything else. The books included on the list of Hao Jin's checkouts are:
• The Manual of City-Building
• The Application of Justice in a Well-Ordered Society
• The Eagle’s Twin Hearts
• Walls and Ditches in Siegecraft
• Administering to Public Health in Large Cities
Judging by the notations in the record, Hao Jin was here; according to the library’s guest records, she took out books from the Philosophy, Religion, and Warfare sections before moving on to the Outer Planes collection.
Knowledge (religion) DC 15:
All of these books have a common connection to the teachings of Abadar, who is sometimes called the God of Walls and Ditches for his love of city planning, or the Two-Headed Eagle for his ability to clearly see both sides of an issue.
Despite the scribbled warning on the paper, you can still make out some of the scribe's notes on it:
• “When Hao Jin didn’t return, we pored over her research notes and tried to find her with the library’s scrying mirror. It didn’t work, and we saw some kind of monsters instead. They pulled Jing through the mirror, then came crawling out wearing his shape and attacked us. We fled back to the main floor and broke the mirror of translocation to stop them from following.”
• “Breaking the mirror wasn’t enough; somehow the monsters can still squeeze through each of the six shards. If they hadn’t taken Jing, he would probably know how to banish them. It seems breaking the mirror didn’t destroy its magic. If I were fool enough to challenge the monsters in their lair, I could probably just fit the pieces back into the frame.”
• “This place isn’t safe anymore. We’re packing what we can and heading out into the tapestry to try to find a way out, or at least somewhere we can live.”
Perception DC 19:
In the the glass railing of the section, you see the reflection of a Tien librarian. When the she notices your gaze, she maintains eye contact and slowly draws one finger across her throat in a threatening gesture.
"So..." Not-Trixie says, maintaining eye contact with a reflection in the glass railing, "Hao Jin was looking for books related to Abadar? Interesting." She doesn't look down as she jots down several quick notes and a sketch of the librarian's reflection. "And didn't the kobolds say there was supposed to be a trap here? Did they move it, or did our," she winks, "friends?" She frowns. "And why would the librarian - or whoever made this list - spoil it and tell other searches not to look for Hao Jin? Very odd."
“Tholgrin Stonebeard” | Male LG Medium Dwarf Figher 1/Investigator (Psychic Detective) 6 | HP 82+16/82 | AC 26 / 12 T / 25FF | CMD +10 CMD 22 | F +9, R +8, W +6 | Init +9 | Perc +5 (+8 traps) SM +3 |Speed 50 ft | Spells 1st: 2/5, 2nd: 4/4; Phrenic Pool 3/3; Inspiration 5/6; Mythic 5/9| Active Conditions: Expeditious Retreat, shield, reroll used
Tholgrin has trap-finding, he's just not very good at it!
"Hmm, don't know much about Abadar I'm afraid. Maybe Hao-Jin wanted his wisdom on building settlements? Or maybe she was opposing these soulslivers and Abadar has some power over them? It's beyond me."
Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Looking at the note he chuckles at the part about about being fool enough to challenge them, but is left confused. "It is very odd Not-Trixie. I'd say best we can do is continue searching for books, especially these ones we know Hao-Jin looked at. I'd also like to know about this "mirror of translocation", if she was taken like Jing, me might be able to go in and find her."
Male Dwarf Druid 8 (menhir savant) | HP 62/62 | AC 23/10/22 | F+9 R+4 W+12 | CMD 23 | Init +1 | Perc +17| Active Conditions: Resist Acid 10, Barkskin, GMF, Heightened Awareness, Wild Shape (DR 5/evil)
perception for spoiler:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Grel follows Not-Trixie's stare into the glass railing and down into her notes to see the same vision in the reflection. My concern is the immediate threats: these visions in the walls and now this mirror that summons monsters. You book-types makes sense of how to stop all that and I'll keep an eye out for traps and what not.
perception for trap indicated in the kobold map:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Active: Elf Occultist 9 / HP 66/66, CMD 24, Init +10, Perc +15 (+2 magic traps), AC 25/15/20, Fort +9 Ref +12 Will +9 (+2 vs ench.) / Spells 1st 6/6, 2d 5/5, 3d 4/4 / Implements: Transmutation 6/6, Evocation 9/9;
Well, we have to find these five books Hao-jin had looked after.
The elf is wondering if there is also signatures from the books written on the notes and if there is some indication where to find the different sections from the library.
With some information gained, but no sign of the "Acid" trap mentioned by the kobolds, you move farther into the library.
Sounds like everyone is ready to move on. Styfis, there are no signatures, nor any indication of which section of the library is which. I'll make a note that you have your eyes open for the books checked out by Hao Jin. On to Area B.
You move along the balcony level to what turns out to be the Poetry section. A great variety of book sizes and binding methods are represented in the session, with everything from sheet music, pamphlets, and scrolls up to weighty compilations. Art with poetic captions and works of calligraphy hang between the bookcases. A shard of amber glass rests against a shelf in one corner.
Grel, you spot a large jar of acid balanced precariously on one of the freestanding bookshelves, such that walking near it is enough to make it fall.
Not-Trixie, Styfis, and Grel, you spot a librarian observing you from the reflective glass of the stairway railing. Styfis and Not-Trixie, you notice that the creature is looking at you, but keeps glancing at the bucket that Grel spotted.
Male Dwarf Druid 8 (menhir savant) | HP 62/62 | AC 23/10/22 | F+9 R+4 W+12 | CMD 23 | Init +1 | Perc +17| Active Conditions: Resist Acid 10, Barkskin, GMF, Heightened Awareness, Wild Shape (DR 5/evil)
Watch yourselves, there. You'd not want that bucket of acid on your head, I tell you what. Grel takes a look at that jar of acid to see if he can knock it down without endangering the party.
Can i knock it off with an acid dart? would also accept any suggestions from the party. no applicable skills for this library portion, unfortunately.
