PFS Daughter's Due (Inactive)

Game Master Pirate Rob

Knowledge Arcana, Heroism, Heightened Awareness: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 2 + 2 = 36

After Chambren returns with that new story, El says "Yeah... wouldn't be the first time I've read 'bout a sentient wax golem... now here's hoping we can find the missin' bugger before it makes a mess o' things..."

Still here "Did the golem leave flakes behind in particular places? Was it looking for someone?"

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

"Yes, sentience is not unheard of with wax golems. There is a book called Constructs: How to Build One and Other Considerations which I read at the Grand Lodge. I recall a footnote that mentioned this rare occurrence. Fascinating stuff."

To Nemis he says, "It's likely that the golem left the museum if it is sentient. But yes, investigating where it might have frequented in the museum might give us a clue."

"We just keep finding them. The janitors say it haunts the place and keeps leaving new flakes, I think they just haven't cleaned them all yet. I got a big one stuck to my shoe last week and it took forever to get it off."

"Welp, if'n it's walkin' 'round, perhaps we c'n follow th'critter." Gorf hops down from his perch and examines the floor in the area for signs of waxy ambulation.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

It appears the RNG does not want Gorf to contribute to this investigation in any meaningful way :P

Gorf finds surprisingly little wax despite the reports to the contrary.

Daisley takes a look around, too, seeking wax flakes.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

No luck for Daisley either.

both perception and survival to track will work here, feel free to roll both.

Nemis shakes his head. Pursuits of such mundane features often test his patience, but he never shirks off work. He joins Daisley, using his mind to prestidigitation clutter out of his way. Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

With Daisley and Gorf having eliminated several possible avenues for wax Nemis is able to find flakes scattered about the museum with a distinct trail leading to a sealed vault. As you approach a nearby curator scurries over in your direction

"Excuse me, that room is restricted. Nobody enters without Hamaria Blackros's permission. It contains a dangerous artifact, the Shadow Obelisk that can open a portal to the Shadow Plane."

Said curator then scurries away, leaving you alone.

Nemis taps his temple with a finger while he cogitates, entering his mind palace Skill to identify the Shadow Obelisk? Additionally, I think this is enough to stick it straight up Nigel's you-know-what.

It's an artifact that among other unknown powers can provide transit to the plane of shadows.

Daisey and Gorf recall from the Silver Mount Collection that Nigel used the Shadow Obelisk to rearrange the interior of the museum into it's current formation just prior to that scenario.

"Were Nigel's report a research paper, I'd have given him an F. I think at this point we can make a solid case for this, yes? Shall we turn in our own work now?"

Daisley taps her chin thoughtfully. "It certainly looks suspicious for Nigel right now. There are several loose threads, though. I'd like to at least look up some of this at the Grand Lodge before we make our final report. Unless we want to gain access to the golem now? It sounds like we'll have to speak to Hamaria for that."

"Now ya wanna go ta th'libary? Ah gotta talk ta ol' Ambrus 'bout gettin' mah mission profile updated..."

Back to the Grand Lodge first sounds fine to me.

After finishing up your investigations at the Blakros Museum and travelling back to the Grand Lodge you notice about 2 hours have passed. Looking up Kaliba Damazi is tedious but not troublesome.

After about 2 hours of delving through Pathfinder archives you are able to uncover Kaliba Damazi's records.

Her description matches the staff's description. She was last seen fighting during the Onyx Alliance raid of the Grand Lodge in 4712 A.R. No one saw or heard from her again after that so she was presumed to have been among the battle's numerous casualties, and after magical attempts to contact her failed she was officially declared dead 7 years ago. She had not made provisions to be raised from the dead and with no other leads her files was closed.

Gorf also manages to get ahold of something quite interesting...
See slides

Anything else you want to investigate while here?

That's amazing.

"Well dayum. That raht there 'splains the mixup, donnit?"

"Do we think the Lodge has any leads on the golem, the sword, or the painting? Perhaps an historian?"

"I cannot help but feel that a more direct approach is due. I suggest we speak with Hamaria, secure her permission, and investigate the room with the artifact."

"True. I suppose we don't know how long the golem will remain in one place."

Heading back to Hamaria, she meets you once again in a small office with a large heavy wooden desk.

"Welcome back Pathfinders, please present your findings."

Chambren bows low to Hamaria. "Greetings, Lady Blakros. I am Chambren, replacing the good Baron in this investigation. Unfortunately he was called away do to family emergency."

"As to our findings, I admit that we have not completed all our work yet. However I can tell you that the conclusions drawn by Mr Aldain are... perhaps not as thorough as is normal for the good curator? For example, there is a catalog of a missing Mendevian sword, though sketches of said sword depict obvious Taldan craftsmanship," he holds out the sketch, but quickly continues. "More pressing though is that there appears to be a wax golem that is unaccounted for. Staff continue to find flakes, and the amount of waste suggests that one survived the 'fireball'. We suspect that it may be in the same room as the Shadow Obelisk. Given that the room is off limits, I humbly request your permission to enter that area so that we might continue our work."

Hamaria places a finger on the sketch and slides it across the table towards herself as she responds "I can assure you that there is no wax golem in that room now... although that does not invalidate the rest of your narrative. Please continue your report on the sword and then tell me, what have you discovered, if anything, regarding the other two items?"

"Lessee, the paintin' weren't meltered. Weren't 'nough acid fer that, right 'Lismus? An' one a'these folk said th'headress (an' the Pathfinder wearin' it) weren't burned up, but tel'ported 'way someplace. Not that ah know much 'bout such things, y'understan'."

Hamaria taps her fingers and waits for more report.

Ellismus provides Hamaria a full debrief on his findings, going into details for each investigation, and including all hypotheses he has come up so far. He does not sugar coat anything and even shares his suspicions that some of the damage appears to have been exaggerated or made to look worse after the fact. He mentions that a sentient wax golem may still be on the loose based on the recovered remains and the presence of wax residue everywhere in the museum.

Not sure Celie can contribute much to the report, she listens while the other members of her group recap what they learned while investigating.

Daisley adds to the report. "Either there are a number of coincidences at play, or someone is going to a lot of trouble to make the Pathfinder Society look bad here."

Hamaria nods. "It is my belief as well that the Pathfinder Society did not steal these items... In fact I believe they have most likely been stolen by the Onyx Alliance. A former ally of ours from Shadow Absalom. Assuming my cooperation with the Pathfinder Society still extends this far I would like to send you to Shadow Absalom and do what you can to track down these items."

She pauses and ponders for a moment before continuing "I understand and appreciate the professionalism of your report, but on a personal note tell me about Nigel. I know his duties are more about curation and upkeep but I have to wonder... In your opinion were Nigel's errors and oversights honest mistakes, signs of incompetence or due to some ulterior motive?"

"It is impossible to tell at the current time, Madame. But we will inform you of any new information we come across, be they related to Nigel or not. We strive to maintain utmost impartiality in all of our records-keeping activities, Madame."

Hamaria looks around the rest of the table, clearly expectant of answers to her personal question regarding Nigel.

"Nigel..." Gorf hesitates for a moment, chewing his lip. "That feller seems lahk he can't get outta his own way sometime. He ain't as grumpy at the society as he used to, mind, but ah still wonder if he ain't bitin' his tongue ev'ry time ol' Valsin bosses him around. He relies on th'Society when things get hairy 'round here, but that don't mean he hafta like it. Ah ain't sayin' he faked nuthin' or nuthin', he's too inta this place ta do somethin' like that. Ah'm jus' sayin' that he might be a tad bit 'sceptable to believin' was us 'as did it. Ah suspect that kinda accusation would appeal ta him."

Ellismus bows and exits the room, oblivious to any politics at play and wishing to be no part of it anyhow. To do his job without compromising his ethics is paramount, and the quickest way for the Decimverate to send him back to his lab and leave him alone - usually... he had learned this years ago after a certain mission where he had been a tad to honest with some local Venture-Captain's wife.

...besides, there is always an endless supply of willing victims who will step forward and dangle themselves on a hook just to see what the fish looks like...

"I can't say I've approved of Nigel's handling of the museum in the past, but it would be inappropriate for me to accuse him of anything I don't have proof for. While his information was clearly inaccurate, it's possible he himself was led astray by whoever was responsible for this."

Celie nods her head, "He may have been neglectful in the past, but I can't say much about his current attitude towards responsibility. Someone would need to investigate him and his associates if it is deemed that he is doing something that the society wouldn't approve of."

"I, personally, have had fewer interactions with Nigel and your museum than my colleagues have. This is my first time visiting. But I must admit that there are a surprising number of half-researched items here. It would concern me a great deal were this my museum, as having a careful eye for detail is a prime requisite."

"I am loathe to say that there are ulterior motives, at least as far as Nigel is concerned. I simply do not have the measure of the man, and for now do not see the reason. Perhaps he would be willing submit to magical questioning? I know of magics that allow you to determine the veracity of a person's statements. But as the good grippli suggests, it is likely that we are seeing confirmation bias from Nigel, and the trouble stems from the Onyx Alliance."

Nemis, quiet until this point adds, "If peering into Nigel's psyche is part of the mission, I can make it so. I warn you though that I cannot hide my actions from him and therefore we run the risk of political fallout. Perhaps another time? It seems to me a greater need to deal with our erstwhile allies."

Hamaria nods "No, no. Just a personal question. For now come with me though."

Hamaria gets up and leads you to the vault. The clearly locked and secured vault opens with a gentle push from Hamaria.

In the vault is a case where clearly the shadow oblisk should be...

Hamaria however produces it from inside her shirt. "I will use the medallion to transport you into the streets of Shadow Absalom. Returning is relativly easy. Simply enter the light at the heart of the city known as 'The Glare.' You'll return here. Note that the vault only locks from the outside so you'll have no trouble on this end."

She pauses and snaps and a clerk hauls in a heavy iron pot.

Hamaria explains "Sometimes rations can be hard to come by there, so we have chosen to gift your society with this Cauldron of Plenty. I've sent Ambrus ths historical documentation and I'm sure your scholars will great interest in studying it, but for the moment I suggest taking it with you."

With no objections Hamaria activates the Shadow Obelisk.

Without a word, Hamaria Blakros and the Blakros Museum disappear in a gale of muted black wind. Like a hurricane’s eye, black, blue, and violet motes turn at impossible speeds before suddenly slowing.

As the storm gale fades, the area beyond the pastel winds comes into focus. Buildings made of light gray stone and streets of pure obsidian materialize around you. The sky above is a gloomy collage of grays and blacks, and a pervasive dim light blankets the area. This light has no discernible source, though stronger light sources dangle from braziers attached to the sides of simple stone structures and soaring jagged towers alike.

You are in Shadow Absalom.

Where to?

"Do we think Kaliba Damazi might be here alive? If so, she should be our top priority." Daisley adds the Cauldron of Plenty to her pack.

Knowledge Planes (Chambren): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Knowledge Planes (Morton): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

"Well... It's worth noting that the Onyx Alliance has changed in the last four years. Major changes in policy, and that speaks to a coup. There are even rumors that they are making peace talks with a former enemy, the Light Weavers’ Guild."

For the first time in their presence, the earth elemental familiar speaks. Though his voice is low and gravelly, it is clear. "My elemental brothers keep me informed. They have truly stepped up recruitment, and have been making a point of equipping their agents well. And most this gear is safety stored in the nigh impenetrable Onyx Repository. But some is rumored to be in Wightir House, itself a former experimentation lab. There's a chance that various relics of theirs are stored in this place."

The familiar pauses as the group looks at it. "This is what I've been told."

"Yeah, well, ah imagine they won' be thrilled with us jus' waltzin' in like we own th'place, huh?"

"How long do we think we'll be? Ought we to consider the more potent function of the cauldron?"

In response to Morton, "Barring any more logical lead, that sounds like a good plan. Not so much like we own the place, but it's a good place to start asking questions."

Sorry for the delay here, I swear I posted Sunday night, and though I was waiting for ya'll

A somber reflection of its Material Plane counterpart, Shadow Absalom is a bustling hub of activity on the otherwise sparsely populated Shadow Plane. Although the city mirrors Absalom in many places, its dimensions bear odd quirks that challenge anyone using Absalom’s layout as a guide.

A light akin to a blazing white sun shines from the center of the city, a brilliant reflection of the Starstone Cathedral. Thousands of magically imbued lamps and conjured fires let off a sickly palette of light, dousing the walls and buildings in muted purple pastels and navy hues. Throughout the area, entire city blocks are demolished, replaced by vast termitelike mounds encrusted with glowing runes—the hives of the insectile d’ziriak.

It takes you about an hour to make it to the Wightir House.

It is an imposing, gothic-style building. Great pillars of hewn black stone support the vaulted ceiling of this building’s grand entryway, visible through its wide, double doors.

Braziers mounted on the pillars cast dull blue light from their flickering flames. Two decrepit taxidermy dinosaurs stand vigil in the northern corners of the chamber, their forms tattered and broken in several places. A ten-foot-wide hall extends past the two sentinels, with two doors near this chamber and one far at the opposite end.

There are no immediate signs of creatures.

Aware that statues are often constructs in hiding, there to defend when people are not, Chambren speaks a few arcane words and weaves a cantrip to detect magical auras. Detect Magic, then scan over the entryway and dinosaurs

There are numerous magical aura coming from inside ranging from faint to moderate.

Chambren can easily identify divination, conjuration, illusion and evocation auras filling the room. You would guess that the braziers are likely using continual flame.

The statues do not feature any particular auras not included in the room but do appear to be triceratops.

Heightened Awareness ran out in the hour it took us to get here, so Ellismus will renew it and drink an extract of it upon arrival. He will also drink an extract of Amplify Elixir (8 rounds) followed by Alchemical Allocation extract + Ablative Barrier potion + Enhance Potion discovery: total duration 16 hours. He also drinks an extract of Aram Zey's Focus and Arcane Sight. He also drinks an antitoxin and an antiplague. Finally, he downs an extract of reduce person and a dexterity-enhancing mutagen.

With his newfound trap-detection enhanced magic sight, Ellismus sweeps the room with his glowing eyes.

Arcane Sight: 120 foot reach - auto detect all magic auras
Spellcraft DC 15 + (Spell Level or Half Caster Level) to id, Heroism: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 2 = 34
Aram Zey's Focus Trapfinding like Level 4 rogue, Perception, Heroism, Heightened Awareness: 1d20 + 13 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 4 + 2 + 2 = 35

As above, no magic items, but numerous auras as listed above.

No traps, perfectly safe.

Is there a map for this dungeon or are we doing it theater of the mind?

No need for a map here. For clarity the opening chamber is approximately 40x50 feet. The 10ft wide hall at the back stretches another 75ft to the far door.