GM MattMorris Fragments of Antiquity (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

Sorry folks. So far other than a decent perception score, Morrolan hasn't been much use here. One of those few scenarios where a real trap spotter would be excellent to have along.

Everyone can take care of their healing needs as we go into the next section.

A huge clockwork orrery occupies the center of the building’s main floor, which a plaque also declares the philosophy section. Broken glass is scattered around the base of the device, and a large mirror frame hangs on the wall near it, empty save for a single jagged triangle of amber glass.

A Tian librarian is gazing intently at the clockwork wonder.

Sorry folks. So far other than a decent perception score, Morrolan hasn't been much use here. One of those few scenarios where a real trap spotter would be excellent to have along.

No worries, it happens to the best of characters. You never know what you'll come across.

Grel looks out onto the floor and gives it a scan before moving on. Detect Magic and Spirit Sense

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

The mirror functions as a teleporter. It must be that transloca-whatsis that we were looking for.

”Stop,” Not-Trixie says calmly, but with surprising force. ”The orrery is rigged to throw bear traps at anyone who gets too close. Styfis, we don’t know for certain what the trigger is or if one of the soulslivers can initiate it remotely - do you feel comfortable disarming it? I can assist if need be.” She keeps her eyes and ears peeled for any signs of a soulsliver trying to be sneaky.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

Tholgrin accepts Tsura's offer but insists she uses his wand to heal him.

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 8) + 3 = 17

If no-one else claimed it he takes the scythe and adds it to his collection of weapons strapped to his back.

Is the librarian in a position that should have triggered the trap? Does she look like the one we've seen already in reflections and visions?

Tholgrin, noticing your attention, the librarian beacons you closer to the orrery.

He is dressed the same as the other librarian but appears to be an elderly Tian man. He is quite close to the orrery, so he should probably be setting it off, unless it has a specific trigger.

To the others, The soul slivers are here in the reflections.

To the 'librarian,' It is difficult to believe that you are what you appear. How have you survived with the locals not noticing you, not killed by the traps, not a victim of the malicious spirits, nor even starving to death?

Detect Evil spell like ability. If it speaks then Discern Lies spell like ability.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

It's the frame where we have to assemble the amber shards. We don't have all for now. We must find the others.

Then the elf listens carefully to what Not-Trixie says about a trap found in this section.

I will disable it but you can help me.

Guidance on Styfis for the disable device.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 1 = 28

The elf tries to disarm the trap.

Styfis manages to disable the trap. When he finishes, the orrery begins slowly spinning, the planets orbiting is a steady progression.

Seeing the elf's success, the librarian scowls, makes a rude gesture, and vanishes.

In this section, you can find the most valuable books using Diplomacy or Knowledge (local).

So... I guess we're sweet-talking the books?

Knowledge (local) to Aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Not-Trixie takes the lead, quickly scanning bookshelves for relevant titles. "Styfis, Tholgrin, these might be a good place to start," she says as she sets a pile of books stacked higher than her face down on a table. "Morrolan, can you help me carry those?" She gestures with her head back towards several large piles at the base of the shelves.

Attempts to aid with Diplomacy 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Let's see what we can find related to our needs...
diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Tholgrin starts flicking through the books Not-Trixie has selected, sparing occasional suspicious glances at the broken mirror.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 7 + (6) = 26

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

The elf tries to find the interesting books in this section.

Working together, you are able to gather a selection of texts that you are sure will be valuable to the Pathfinder Society. Tholgrin and Morrolan, you even come across The Application of Justice in a Well-Ordered Society, one of the books on Hao Jin’s list! When you examine that book, however, fire bursts out of the tome and engulfs the two of you.

To Tholgrin, it feels only like a warm breeze, but Morrolan is scorched by it. Morrolan Reflex Save, please.

Luckily, the flames don't have any effect on the books surrounding you. While gathering the books, you also find another shard of the mirror on the ground, half-hidden by the bookshelf it had fallen beneath.

The next section, focused on Religion, takes up the northeastern corner of the library, including one of the raised balconies on this side of the building. Statues and paintings depicting divine heralds, miracles, and ghosts decorate this section. Many of the books here look especially old or ornate. The bookcases in this section are covered by leaded glass doors, though many of them show signs of the kobolds’ attempts to obscure them with paint or...other substances.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

"Styfis, you see that too, right?" Not-Trixie murmurs as she scans the room for magic. "Evocation, right over there. Most of the kobold traps here have been mechanical - the bucket, the orrery, the badger - so this might not be their work. We should still be cautious though." She peers through her glasses at the spot, trying to make out what could be creating the aura.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

The elf tries to find out a trap in the direction given by Not-Trixie.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21 +2 for Heightened Awareness

If he notices a trap, he tries to disable it.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

Tsura tries to aid them by casting detect magic and doing a sweep of the area.

reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 +2 vs spells and spell like abilities.
nope, 8 fire damage

wand CLW 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
wand CLW 2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Grel is now well practiced at dousing his compatriots when they become exposed to fire. Don't worry, I'll put you out!

Other than creating water for folks, he just plods along as other investigate the books.

Tholgrin looks over the books inside the glass for anything that looks rare or useful, particularly if there's anything about the soulslivers, or religions he hasn't heard of, or Abadar.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (1) = 10

"Shout if you need any help Styfis and Not-Trixie, I have a knack for magic traps, I can even take my armour off if necessary"

followed by, in a quieter voice "Though no-one wants to see that!

You don't find any traps to speak of. Let me know if you're going to further investigate the magic aura.

In this section, Knowledge (religion) or Appraise can help you to find the most valuable books.

One wonders if this library is extensive enough to have new information on Ragathiel?

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Tholgrin, yes please. I'm sure of something this way but I can't find the trap. Once noticed I will disable it. But we need to locate it before. There is a magic aura overs there.

The elf shows the dwarf the location Not-Trixie told him before.

"Slow and steady does it," Not-Trixie says as she walks slowly towards the aura, trying to catch a glimpse of what might be creating it. "Evocation could quite literally blow up in our faces if we're not careful."

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Yes, I know. That's why I'm cautious.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 = 18

Tholgrin will go over to help investigate the aura, approaching slowly as Not-Trixie advised.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

+3 if it's a trap

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 7 + (6) = 30

He tries to make sense of what he sees.

Appraise
1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Unfortunately, no one was quite perceptive enough.

Not-Trixie cautiously approaches the wall where the magic was detected. With her focus on that area, she almost misses the tell-tale *click* of a pressure plate being depressed. Before she knows it, a stream of arrows flies out of a launcher hidden in the wall, targeting those that were looking for the trap!

Attack (Not-Trixie): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 for Piercing: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6, 3, 3, 1) = 21

Attack (Tholgrin): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 for Piercing: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 6, 4, 5, 5) = 28

Attack (Styfis): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 for Piercing: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 4, 5, 2) = 25

The arrows burst into a sulfurous fire on contact!
If you are hit: Reflex save

------------After the trap----------------------------

Now that the arrow launcher has been revealed, you can see that the magical aura was emanating from a bundle of ammunition stacked behind the launcher. There are 12 arrows in the bundle.

Tsura and Morrolan gather the most valuable documents from this area and place them in the bag of holding. They also find a shard of the mirror and a rare edition of The Manual of City-Building, one of the books on Hao Jin’s list, in this section. The book is padlocked to the bookshelf on a heavy chain.

Tsura takes 10 on Spellcraft

"Styfis, those arrows might interest you. They blast steam in a 15' cone from the point of impact, inflicting damage and possibly sickening anyone in it."

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Ouch.

Not-Trixie falls to the ground as the arrows burst into flame. Unconscious, but can survive at least another 5 rounds. That should give Tsura or Morrolan time to tap her with her healing wand to stabilize her, then heal her up over (many) rounds. GM, are you alright if we assume that happens?

Yes, that's perfectly okay! Sorry about that trap!

Tsura taps Not-Trixie with a wand a few times.

3d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 5, 2) + 3 = 17

Will switch to yours when you get up or keep going with my own if you don't have one

I've got my own, so don't take any charges off yours!

Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

So I ask Morrolan to use my CLW Wand.

CLW: 6d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 7, 5, 7, 4, 6) + 6 = 40

Styfis thanks Tsura. Yes, I think I'm the only one using this kind of gear.

Then he looks at the book with the chain, trying to take this of.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

"This looks perfectly sa- Ugh"

Tholgrin looks unimpressed with the arrows that thud into him knocking the breath from his lungs, and distinctly annoyed when they explode.

He asks for help with his wand to bring him back to health, though his beard is looking patchy and one of his beard rings actually falls out.

Healing: 7d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 5, 3, 5, 7) + 7 = 40

Despite himself, he can't help but admire the trap engineering. "The kobolds are truly skilled, I hope we can find a way to get them out of this place before it unravels. And that we survive, hah!"

Styfis is easily able to disconnect the book from its chain and slip it into the bag of holding.

Fully healed from their misadventures with the adult kobold's traps, the party moves on into the next section, which is labeled "Medicine."

The medicine section overlooks most of the library from an elevated platform in the back corner of the building. The backs of the bookcases are plastered with anatomy diagrams and shadowboxes containing a wide variety of neatly labeled pressed leaves and flowers. Carefully preserved skeletons hang near some of the diagrams. The books here cover diseases, injuries, poisons, curses, and even mental afflictions, and healing them through alchemical, mundane, and magical methods.

Morrolan notices a hidden pressure plate on the floor of the section. It appears to be connected to a trough of dirt balanced on one of the bookshelves.

Heal, Knowledge (Nature), or Appraise checks to select the most valuable documents from this section.

Grel counts himself luck again for not running afoul of the traps that have battered the team quite a bit. I need to be very careful in here.

appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
knowledge nature: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11

The filing system is odd, but I think I can find ...

Tsura takes a look around

Knowledge Nature
1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Grel looks around to make sure there are no undead amongst those skeletons with his Spirit Sense.

Tholgrin looks over the books with a studied eye, being careful to avoid the pressure plate Morrolan spots

Appraise: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Not-Trixie checks the kobold’s map. ”It just says ‘Ants’ here,” she remarks. ”Very... descriptive. Styfis, do you need a hand with disabling that plate?”

Disable Device to Aid: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Disable Device: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34 +2 for the aid

Styfis tries to disable the trap. He was already sad not to have had the opportunity to disable the previous one. This one should be disabled.

Thank you for your help, Not-Trixie.

Uhmm... You know, the friendly kobolds were very proud of all the traps they had set. Should we be ... I don't know ... maybe we should reactivate them when we leave a room?

Styfis successfully disables the trap. As Not-Trixie comments, the troughs of dirt seem to be full of ants, which (no doubt) would have swarmed all over if they were disturbed.

Tsura is able to gather the most important books from this section. While searching the section, you come across the remains of several mostly-eaten kobolds have been piled in the southeast corner. Among their discarded belongings are a pair of trapspringer’s gloves, a scroll of mage armor, and two potions of cure moderate wounds. A shard of amber glass is propped up on a bookshelf.

You guys can easily identify the magic items by taking 10.

You also locate a copy of Administering to Public Health in Large Cities, one of the books on Hao Jin’s list.

Grel is continuously impressed with this group and its ability to methodically handle these encounters.

I must say, if there were any group of Pathfinders to run with, this is it. Grel leads ahead a little bit as the group rifles through the books.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

"Oh! Styfis! Tholgrin! Look at this!" Not-Trixie holds up a large tome entitled Administering to Public Health in Large Cities. "Wasn't this one of the books on Hao Jin's list?"