"Magical puzzle box GREW a magical trap after solving the puzzle! Very nice effect. But it IS a magical trap. Anyone want to study it for a moment and share what you discover? Then you are all going to want to step away."
He examines the situation further while waiting input.
"Estel it's your from here on friend."
"Endril mentioned abjuration and conjuration magic upon the box before. Abjuration would protect it, but conjuration could do a number of things - many of them not good. Be careful!"
As good as Tiarsus' eyes were, he didn't have the skill at disarming such delicate devices. Estel almost seemed to relish the task though. I wonder where one practices such arts...
"Teleportation, calling, summoning, healing or creation. I put my money on it not being a magical healing trap."
"Magical puzzle box GREW a magical trap after solving the puzzle! Very nice effect. But it IS a magical trap. Anyone want to study it for a moment and share what you discover? Then you are all going to want to step away."
He examines the situation further while waiting input.
As you examine the lid and the lower seal you see can that there is a moderate conjuration power around the seal. The abjuration powers are infused in the entire box but the conjuration powers are inlaid in the seal. To disable the magical trap will take a good deal of skill...but it seems that like the manipulation of runes on the lid there is a chance to manipulate the runes on the seal.
"It could also be protection from scrying, or perhaps to prevent teleportation. There are a number of interesting magical applications of those schools, though that would be for a wizard to say more than I." Edril follows up with, as he is happy to be noticed and heard.
"Good thought on abjuration. Hopefully, we won't have to deal with the fallout of the trap. Can any one pray over Estel to help him."
As almost an afterthought, he recalls a blessing that Findeladlara gives him to share, and places a hand on Estel's shoulder briefly.
Estel hunkers down over the box, examining the trap's runes which seem to also be manipulable (If I read the above correctly) to see if they provide him any opportunities . . ..
If not, he'll have to rely on a combination of skill and luck.
Estel hunkers down over the box, examining the trap's runes which seem to also be manipulable (If I read the above correctly) to see if they provide him any opportunities . . ..
If not, he'll have to rely on a combination of skill and luck.
[dice=Disable Device, Magical Trap w/ Trapfindng & MW Tools]1d20+8+1+2
You place your fingers initially on the smaller runes around the lip and try to manipulate them in a manner similar to the lid. As you do the runes glow reddish in color and then purple and then a SNAP!!! You pull your fingers back and drop into a stance but nothing happens. The lid doesn't move. The tips of your fingers are tingling...
A few more moments go by but nothing happens.
"Okay. No harm, no foul?" He looks at his hands and torso, looking to ensure he's not been subjected to some enchantment or another. If there's no sign of magic, then he will try again . . ..
Noting the glow of the runes, concern passed-over Tiarsus' face. "You're sure?" he asked of the rogue after the suggestion to try a second time. "Just make sure you keep all your fingers."
This time Estel attempts to manipulate the smaller runes and as he attempts to move the smaller runes there is a reddish/purple glow and then a SNAP!!!. Estel pulls his fingers away and this time his entire hand is tingling. The lid has not moved and the glow fades into nothing.
It has been just under an hour of time.
"Hmmm," sounded Tiarsus, "Maybe you need to change the runes again while holing the lid?"
The priest hadn't encountered this sort of problem before, and he was no lockpick. This didn't mean he was frustrated though - quite the contrary; he enjoyed getting to see the others' personalities shine a bit. Estel won't be easily deterred, and the plainclothes man is willing to work as a team.
"I'll keep an eye on the magics which may be at play here as you work; maybe it's not just the appearance of the box changing."
Estel can't help himself, as his jaw clenches and the corners of his mouth turn down, but almost as quickly as the frustration becomes clear, he stops, steps back, stands up, and "shakes it out." Then he turns his back to the box and breathes in deeply, letting it out slowly. He does this three times before turning around and moving back to the box.
"Okay, so it isn't that . . .. Maybe if I . . .."
"GAH!!"
Okay, so it will take 5 attempts before he can meat/beat the DC. I figured I should stop dragging this out over the weekend . . ..
Calming himself again, Estel fails, again. It takes hims a couple of minutes to regain his focus before he tries yet again.
Estel can't help himself, as his jaw clenches and the corners of his mouth turn down, but almost as quickly as the frustration becomes clear, he stops, steps back, stands up, and "shakes it out." Then he turns his back to the box and breathes in deeply, letting it out slowly. He does this three times before turning around and moving back to the box.
"Okay, so it isn't that . . .. Maybe if I . . .."
[dice=Disable Device, Magical Trap w/ Trapfindng & MW Tools]1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2
"GAH!!"
** spoiler omitted **
Calming himself again, Estel fails, again. It takes hims a couple of minutes to regain his focus before he tries yet again.
Estel goes in for a third try after he works the numbness in his hand. He turns and this time attempts to move the runes on one of the sides. This time as soon as he tries to move the runes it glows reddish/purple and the SNAP!!!comes after a long moment of him attempting to manipulate the runes. Tiarsus sees the conjuration glow in strength on the runes. His hand is again numb up to the wrist. The magical sensation courses through his body. Estel also saw the shimmering aura of the power around the smaller runes and the lid. He noticed something this time that he hadn't noticed. There are also smaller runes running down the edges...they are even smaller in nature but he caught the shimmer this time.
He pulls back and after a moment he tries again trying to manipulate the runes on the lower lip and the two front edges but this time the SNAP!!! comes quickly and his entire arm goes numb. It takes a few moments for it stop tingling. He notices on that try that each vertical edge has smaller runes running up to the runes of the lower lip. He also notices that each edge has runes that if touched in the right sequence would say KINDNESS. He stops and takes a breath. He then moves his fingers over the runes on each front vertical edge at the same time spelling out K.I.N.D.N.E.S.S...when that happens the vertical edges and the lower lip glow purple...under the lid glows a deep red and then it seems to fade out. The stone box goes cold.
The box sits before you on the table with the lid still unlocked and clearly ready to open.
You can hear the two women coming back down the hall.
Wincing, Estel goes to finish the task by simply lifting the lid.
Keezheekoni watches the box as Estel opens it, his eyes open wide with curiosity and anticipation.
Estel opens the box...a puff of air comes out...old, stale air. The elf peeks inside and the first thing he notices is the inside glows with magic as well. From what Tiarsus indicated it radiates powers of abjuration and conjuration but on the bottom of the box sits several items. Under those items the magic of conjuration covers the bottom. There are runes but they appear to be magical in nature.
Estel notices that the bottom of the lid is also covered in some sort of arcane runes similar to the bottom of the box.
In the box is three gems (garnets maybe?), a beautiful Thassilonian dagger (masterwork) made of silver, a beautiful ring (it appears to glow with magic but in the box it is hard to tell of what).
Alistar can't figure that spell out taking 20.
"That is some insanely high level magic. I can't decipher the runes."
The door opens as Estel is peering into the box and each of you start to draw closer to the box. The door opening causes a few of you including Estel to jump back from the box.
Sheila and Koriah walk into the room. Sheila and Koriah both can see they broke a very tense moment.
Wiping the nervous sweet from his forehead Alistar says, "Ummm take complete. Thanks to the the group with a special note regarding the skills of Estel."
As the box pops open, Arturr slaps Estel on the back. "Ha! Knew you could do it!"
After Sheila and Koriah return he nods fiercely agreement with Alistar.
Alistar can't figure that spell out taking 20.
"That is some insanely high level magic. I can't decipher the runes."
The spell script appears to be very ancient and complex in nature that is written on the top and bottom of the inside of the box. This Thassilonian magic is beyond the normal spell craft that one is trained in as modern arcane script is rudimentary in comparison. Each of you trained in spellcraft and in the language of Thassilonian can clearly see the complex differences on the box compared to want you know (modern spellcraft and arcane magics.
"Very strange it clearly has modern parallels and the script bares similarities to the Thassilonian I know but they combine in a highly intricate way."
Estel looks sheepish as they return, knowing in his heart that the timing was no accident. "Did you enjoy the show? No reason to describe the contents other than to check the box, as it were, is there?" He recovers by leaning heavily on youthful bluster.
"This box is beyond me as well, even though I could tell the magics upon it, I couldn't have imagined... how would you even do such a thing?" He admires the crafstmanship, the runework, the carving... it really is spectacular and were it not for the Elf in the room, he might be entirely distracted by it.
"I think you were the first to open it. I don't think many people, even our highly skilled hosts, are that talented with Thassilionian magic."
The nearly smirking young elf seems to ignore his peers and waits for the review of the interview test.
Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch
The venture-captian raises an eyebrow at the elf's comment but smiles as does the woman beside her.
"I assure you neither of us opened the box or knew the contents. But we suspected that the box was not lethal but would prove to be problematic. The box had some sort of summoning magic placed on it but the magic was not strong enough to call on anything that this group would not have been able to easily handle. I was more concerned with the contents of the library, to be frank. Thus it proved to be a good test for you. You are welcome to keep the contents in the box. I will retain the paradox box to study."
She scans the entire group and smiles.
“First, allow me to apologize for any unpleasantness regarding
the box but it does provide an excellent object lesson. The life of an adventurer is not one for the weak-hearted. That you not only took care to solve the problem of the Paradox box but also got the box open in the first place is all the confirmation I need that my gut was right—you’re the perfect group for the job I have in mind."
She turns to each of you and looks each of you in the eye and nods in approvement.
“You see—I’ve recently had trouble with one of my informants here in Magnimar, Natalya Vancaskerkin. She’s a half-Varisian who recently approached the Pathfinder Society with an offer to serve as a street informant. She runs with the Sczarni—I’m not sure with which group. A week ago, Natalya sent me a cryptic hint that her gang was on the verge of uncovering an item that would be of great interest to the Society. Since the Sczarnis’ methods of uncovering something often involves an armed robbery or breaking into somebody’s personal chambers, we thought it prudent not to press for further details and instead wait to see what it would produce. Suffice it to say, she hinted strongly that it pertained to Thassilon, and promised to meet with me to discuss this find three days ago." There is a distinct look of concern on her face.
“She never kept that promise—instead, she seems to have simply vanished. Initially, I assumed that the acquisition of this item was simply taking longer than expected, but now I’m hearing rumors that the Sczarni are looking for her as well." Koriah nods in agreement.
“It seems likely that Natalya has absconded with this item she’s discovered. And this is where you enter, my friends. I want to know what it was that Natalya and the Sczarni found. In fact, I’m more interested in that than in what happened to Natalya herself. For now, I’d like to keep all of this quiet—if you can find out what happened to Natalya without letting a lot of people know she was also working for me as an informant, that would be preferable—that’s a big part of why I’m coming to you, as new members of the Pathfinder Society, with this task.
You don’t yet have a reputation in Magnimar, and as such, the lowlifes and criminals you are likely to encounter may be more likely to talk." She again looks at each of you.
So... go out there and look for Natalya. Find out what happened to her, and to this item she and her gang discovered. If you can secure the item, all the better—bring it back to me and I’ll have a reward of 500 gold pieces for you. And if you can bring Natalya back alive for me to speak to, I’ll double that!”
"Does this Natalya have any contact or confidantes in the city? Any places she tends to frequent? What about the Sczarni where can they be found."
The revelation of the box's contents wound up being somewhat disappointing to Keezheekoni, after all the build up, but his interest is peeked once more when Lady Heidmarch discusses the true nature of their invitation.
"The reputation of the Sczarni are known even to my people, though they rarely dare to make contact with anything less than good intentions. If they hunt down this associate of yours, then I will do what I can to keep her and her treasure safe." He turns his attentions to the others in the room, whom he only met today, "I do not know my way through the wilderness of this city, so I will rely on you all to help me to survive here." He finishes with one of his big grins that spread from ear to ear.
"We'll need a description of the girl, which part of town she tended to hang out in, maybe identify a signature item or two to help with identification. Has she been taught any recognition code words? I don't expect so, but never refuse the opportunity . . .."
Once the initial information is provided, and the questions start flowing, Estel turns his attention back to the box (yes, even while he is asking questions), removing the 3 stones, dagger, and ring. Seeing the ring has an aura, he sets it in front of Alistar, tapping it with a raised eyebrow.
Alistar whispers, "Until I can afford a decerning wayfinder I can only identify potions I'm afraid. Maybe one of the holy men can help."
Koriah
The pathfinder turns to Sheila and says something in her ear. Sheila nods and the half-elf steps back as she does. "Good fortune on your first venture...may it not be your last!" She turns and walks to out the door.
Sheila
She turns to Koriah. "Remember! And be watchful!"
As the experienced pathfinder makes her way out of the library she turns her attention back to the group and to their many questions. She walks around to her desk and sits down. Taking her hands and lifting the back of her dress as she sits down.
"So to your many questions." She taps her nails on the desk.
"Does this Natalya have any contact or confidantes in the city? Any places she tends to frequent? What about the Sczarni where can they be found."
Sheila
She turns to Alistar.
"Unfortunately, I didn't know much about Natalya,
other than that the woman approached the Pathfinders and
offered to be a sort of double agent among the Sczarni. I didn't have a lot of time to vet her or do any real inquiring into her background or what she told me." She looks over the party quickly as if organizing her thoughts.
"The Pathfinders have recently forged alliances with the Sczarni in many cities throughout the Inner Sea region, I knew that having a member of a Sczarni gang as a double agent could be useful—the Sczarni have yet to fully earn the trust of the Society, after all. Unfortunately, one of Natalya’s conditions for entering this alliance with the Pathfinders was that she wanted to retain a good amount of anonymity and autonomy, so she’d be free to handle things as she saw fit. I now realize that agreeing to these terms may have been a mistake—but until I know more,
I am not willing to write off Natalya as a traitor."
The revelation of the box's contents wound up being somewhat disappointing to Keezheekoni, after all the build up, but his interest is peeked once more when Lady Heidmarch discusses the true nature of their invitation.
"The reputation of the Sczarni are known even to my people, though they rarely dare to make contact with anything less than good intentions. If they hunt down this associate of yours, then I will do what I can to keep her and her treasure safe." He turns his attentions to the others in the room, whom he only met today, "I do not know my way through the wilderness of this city, so I will rely on you all to help me to survive here." He finishes with one of his big grins that spread from ear to ear.
Sheila
She listens to Keezheekoni and seem to nod at times.
"The Sczarni have been a part of Magnimar from the start—they’re
not the most dangerous or powerful of the city’s criminal organizations, but they are the most visible. The Sczarni generally, don’t involve themselves in particularly violent crimes, and in many cases in Magnimar, they actually help to protect and police less fortunate neighborhoods, and assuch are often well regarded by the lower-class."
She again appears to collect her thoughts.
"There are six major Sczarni gangs in the city: the Creepers, Doolun’s Lads, the Gallowed, the Tower Girls, the Washside Wringers,
and the Wreckwash Blades, with the Gallowed being the most powerful Sczarni family in the city."
"We'll need a description of the girl, which part of town she tended to hang out in, maybe identify a signature item or two to help with identification. Has she been taught any recognition code words? I don't expect so, but never refuse the opportunity . . .."
Once the initial information is provided, and the questions start flowing, Estel turns his attention back to the box (yes, even while he is asking questions), removing the 3 stones, dagger, and ring. Seeing the ring has an aura, he sets it in front of Alistar, tapping it with a raised eyebrow.
Sheila
The venture-captain turns to Estel. "Astute questions Estel. Ones that you will need to ask going forward. She is Half-Varisian, and a beautiful women with black curly hair and green eyes. She will be easy to recognize. She carries herself with an air of confidence and bravado. He full name is Natalya Vancaskerkin."
Riddleport’s most notorious figures—Saul Vancaskerkin. You remember he had a daughter from a Varisian harrower...a beautiful women. The mother was murderered if you recall.
"When Natalya initially approached me with the offer of serving the Pathfinders as an informant, she engaged the aid of a man known as the Amazing Zograthy, a Varisian who keeps a permanent tent and fortune-telling business in Washers’ Row in Dockway"
Specifically, at the end of a narrow alley that serves as a permanent street fair in Washer's Row in Dockway.
You that the Amazing Zograthy often works as a sort of middle-man between Sczarni and outsiders, but he expects gold in payment for his services.
"One more things you should be aware of, unfortunately—there are rumors of Nidalese slavers prowling the streets of late, and if these are true, being abducted by a slaver in the middle of the night would
certainly explain Natalya’s absence. She might even have been picked up by the city guard for some reason, in which case a visit to the Arvensoar, the garrison for the city’s watch, might yield some clues. Beyond this, I can offer nothing but wishes for luck in your venture."
"Daughter of Saul Vancaskerkin? A notorious criminal."
"I know were her contact frequents. An alley that serves as a permanent street fair in Washer's Row in Dockway. His name is the Amazing Zograthy. He works as a sort of middle-man between Sczarni and outsiders, but he expects gold in payment for his services. We should be ready to negotiate."
Keezheekoni listens astutely to the Venture-Captain and absorbs as much of the information as he can, though some of the things she says don't mean as much to him as it may to the others. Despite that, he picks up enough to have a fairly clear picture of their options.
"If the girl is with the watchers of this city, then she is probably safest there, for now. Less so with the Varisian friend, but still safer than if she was kidnapped by slavers." The features on his face become sterner than those in the room have seen to date, at the mention of slavers. "I know little about these Nidalese, but I will not tolerate their kind."
Edril listens to the discussions going on with detached interest. He had viewed the box and now its contents, and was particularly curious about the ring. Given the value of the other items, it bore attention, and since it had its own glow beside the overwhelming aura of the box, it certainly needed further examination.
Removing it from the box, he placed it on a nearby table or similar flat surface to examine it, once again opening his third eye and gazing at auras.
Edril listens to the discussions going on with detached interest. He had viewed the box and now its contents, and was particularly curious about the ring. Given the value of the other items, it bore attention, and since it had its own glow beside the overwhelming aura of the box, it certainly needed further examination.
Removing it from the box, he placed it on a nearby table or similar flat surface to examine it, once again opening his third eye and gazing at auras.
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+6
The ring is gold and around it is carved a pair of wings that intertwine within each other. The ring has a minor enchantment on it...a faint transmutation on it... The ring is as old as the box...
Not completely discarding Estel's take on the situation, Tiarsus was certain there was something - or many somethings - the pair were hiding from them. Yet the test wasn't done in malice. The task did need doing. The rogue was good to be skeptical of their motives; he would lean on that skepticism later.
"We must be careful not to lower ourselves to the level of the Sczarni's worst to get what we need," said the priest with force. "I'm not willing to claim Natalya is a traitor either. We'll know better when we speak with her what the story is." When, not if. Let's hope she's alive.
He nodded to Alistar. "That's our lead then. Let's see this Amazing Zograthy and see if he can be convinced something besides gold is worth his words."
Doolun's Lads, and other lowlifes, common enough where he was from in the city, Sheila was right, some weren't half bad if you stayed out of their way and kept up on protection payments.
Slavers however, a different breed. Arturr hated bullies and was there a worse kind? "If the slavers have her, they likely will leave quickly, and wouldn't dare try to sell her or others here. That seems the least likely option but one I'd like to check off anyways." he growled a guttural sound through his fangs.
"I know where washer's row is, but I can't say I've ever been one to believe in fortune tellers, thick bellied soft heads if you ask me." he took a sip of his now refilled ale and berry mix.
"Also, going right to the Gallow's would likely bring us to people with information, but they likely may not share it. If it is a Scarzni mix up, nothing happens in this city without the Gallow's ok. Could be dangerous."
Listening to the others work through their limited info, Estel nods. "I agree we should start by looking for this Amazing Zograthy. While I understand the time constraints if slavers have taken her, we don't really know where that sort of smuggling operation is run in the city, so we will lose quite a bit of time trying to discover where to look. Besides, if the slavers find out who she is, it will be in their best interests to work a deal with her father instead of earning his enmity."
Edril nods to Estel, and places the ring in his pocket for the time being. "I'm not able to discern yet the qualities of this ring, but I am getting close. I'll hold on to it for now."
He readies also his staff, and considers the spells he has drawn on for the day in case that should be important. "I will hope that someone else can do the talking, as I'm not familiar with those sorts."
"Well, we are not short one people who like to talk. Myself I am better at lecturing on subjects than I am convincing someone of there veracity. I'm sure someone here is good at it."