[PFS1] 10-16 What the Helms Hide (GM Watery Soup) (Inactive)

Game Master Watery Soup

The goblins’ lair is littered with the broken stone from shattered statues and alters, though a few stone tablets remain. They are defaced with paint, each bearing a drawing of a round goblin head with knives for teeth, but they are otherwise undamaged.

"Tsk, tsk. No respect for true art," Vangral comments, his lips pursed in distaste as he sees the way the statues have been covered in grafiti.

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

He looks over the remaining tablets. "Dah dah...Jorgar Ironbellows...dah dah...ambition...oh, this is interesting...murdered his father for his inheritance..hahaha! That's pretty good...murdered in turn by his own son. What do you think? Irony, fellows?"

History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"A tale of Droskar's ilk, from what is known of them. Let us see how this pertains to the hammer? Do you feel better, friend Vangral?"

Aurk pulls out his wand and taps himself to heal his wounds.

Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

He then puts away his wand since he doesn't see any of the others injured.

"The goblins really hated the artwork. Good they are gone but maybe more around."

As soon as you touch the tablets, you receive a brief vision of an elderly gnome woman who says “If only this song had been sung in the halls of Absalom’s lodge, perhaps these lessons would have saved a few lives and reputations. Sing it once more for me the next time you’re there, would you?”

This is the end of part 3.

Kreighton Shaine requests that you meet him at the Grand Lodge. Upon your arrival, he informs you that you have acquired all the pieces necessary to unlock Eylysia’s last message, left at the site of her final confrontation before her disappearance. He then leads you to one of the research libraries at the Grand Lodge, where Eylysia and her companions had their final confrontation.

You may want to look back at the three items to see what to do.

"I'll admit I'm not entirely certain what to do. I'm sure that we should sing the song from the tablets, though I don't know if 'sing' is literal or if we just need to tell the story. And we should do it while wearing a cowl like at the lumber mill. But I don't know about the totem we found at the museum, do any of you?" Vangral says, framing out what he believes is necessary to fulfill their quests.

Taicho nods, as he looks over the totem. "I, too, am not certain of what must be done. I am not a gifted singer, nor fluent in Dwarven, so I do not know if I can help sing the ballad if that is what is needed."

Pondering the three task that need to be done, "I can recite the ballad in my people's language."

After some silence, you can almost imagine some steam escaping from Aurk's ears as he thinks. "Perhaps recite the ballad while wearing the cowl and that ring we got."

"This course of action sounds silly," Phytus says. "Not that that makes it wrong. We can try it either way. Perhaps the totem is but a container?"

"Ah, yes...the ring. I think that's our best bet. If it doesn't work, perhaps we can try something else, after reviewing our notes," Vangral says.

He is obviously a bit disappointed to be removing the ring and takes a few seconds to admire it before pulling it off his slender finger and handing it over to Aurk.

Remember the notes. You were sent to investigate a "false rider" in the first episode, the Autumn's Cowl in the second, and a song in the third. I'll give it a bit because of the holidays.

You are all gathered at the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom when a letter arrives from Kreighton Shaine.

Pathfinders,

I have recently uncovered a series of notes that I believe hold critical truths about the origins of the Pathfinder Society and the founding of the Decemvirate. A gnome Pathfinder by the name of Eylysia was well-known at that time and was held in high esteem until an assassination attempt on members of the Decemvirate organized by Eylysia led to her ejection from the Society. These notes I have found indicate there may be quite a bit more to Eylysia’s story than we previously realized.

The most legible of Eylysia’s notes reference a “speaking artifact” purportedly lying beneath a “false rider.” Descriptions drawn from recent visions suggest the “speaking artifact” originated in Varisia. I suspect it is related to the Shoanti, a people well-known both for their oral traditions and horsemanship.

It seems Eylysia suspected that the noted explorer, Montlarion Jeggare, had glimpsed this “speaking artifact”. Head to the Jeggare Museum in Korvosa, where Montlarion’s ancestor, Mercival Jeggare, serves as curator. Once there, see if you can locate this “speaking artifact”. I await your findings.

Sincerely,

Kreighton Shaine

Mercival rises from the ground, cradling his head in his hands. He thanks you all profusely, and shows you around the room. The totem of the man in riding leathers is of particular interest.

As you pass the totem around, almost every one of you notices a hidden compartment attached to the bottom of the totem. Within the compartment is a sketch of a man wearing a triple-flanged helm without eyeholes (a depiction of Helven drawn by Montlarion following their last confrontation), a black ring, and a scrawled note that says simply, “Helven took the base of this totem for some purpose I cannot ascertain. Perhaps he has taken it to Absalom?”

The next morning, you all awaken with a note slipped under your doors.

"Pathfinders,

Zaul Blystone was one of the more famous early Pathfinders operating around the time of the Decemvirates founding. Tales of his deeds and exploits gave him a kind of folk-hero status during that time. He purportedly recovered many magnificent relics for the Society, each tied to a grand tale, but the items themselves were occasionally less ‘magnificent’ then the stories seemed to indicate.

According to her notes, Eylysia distrusted Blystone; she suspected many of his treasures were forgeries. She further postulates that he may have kept the genuine items for himself. She was particularly interested in Autumn’s Cowl, a headpiece allegedly discovered in the Arthfell Forest. Shortly before she disappeared, Eylysia traveled to Arthfell Forest to investigate Zaul’s claims.

Eylysia’s only remaining note about her time in Arthfell is simply ‘A wayfinder will provide the path.’ As such, I have included a wayfinder with this letter in the event that such is necessary to find whatever clues she may have left behind. I entrust you with the task of determing the truth behind the relic known as Autumn’s Cowl. In addition, keep your eyes wide open for any further clues Eylysia may have concealed within the Arthfell Forest. Tread with care Pathfinders.

Sincerely,

Kreighton Shaine"

The Crocus Knight beckons Phytus to view the inscription at the base of the statue.

"Like the Lord of Seasons, our hoods illuminate truth, while their masks shelter deceit. Let this be the sign of our covenant. -E"

DC 10 Sense Motive: E stands for Eylysia, and the message is a sign to raise the hood on the Cowl as a sign of support or alliance.

Pathfinders, Eylysia's notes refer to a cavern and an 'old noble's tale.' We would have sent Pathfinders to investigate earlier, but not more than an hour ago we received word from some dwarven allies. Near the ancient settlement of Highhelm is an outpost called the Rising Spire. Some of the dwarven guards there discovered a cavern matching the descriptions in Eylysia's notes. We believe the answer to Eylysia's riddle is inside this cavern, and we need to get there before anyone else does.

As soon as you touch the tablets, you receive a brief vision of an elderly gnome woman who says “If only this song had been sung in the halls of Absalom’s lodge, perhaps these lessons would have saved a few lives and reputations. Sing it once more for me the next time you’re there, would you?”

"Hmmm...perhaps we don't have everything we need," Vangral says. "Now that I think about it, it wasn't the ring that was important but the base of the totem. I'll bet that's the actual artifact. But we only know that it's here in Absalom and that Helven had it. I wonder if he left any belongings behind."

Kreighton Shane brings you to the basement of the Grand Lodge, where thousands of uncategorized artifacts are kept. You locate the base.

Vangral casts Detect Magic and studies the base, trying to determine exactly what it does.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Assuming it doesn't do anything dangerous...or dangerous to him, to be more accurate, he puts the cowl over his head, holds the base in his hands in front of him and looks around at his new, but trusted friends as he tells the tale of Jorgar Ironbellows and his kinsmen.

Vangral determines that the base is part of an illusion spell. It's not physically dangerous, but it's always difficult to tell the psychological dangers with these things. Unconcerned with matters of psychological health, Vangral connects the totem with the base. Small whispers of a small gnomish voice can be heard, although it's still difficult to make out what's being said.

Vangral then raises a hood over his head, and the whispers are louder. A wispy image of a small-sized woman can be seen pacing back and forth around the library. "Where are my friends? They should be here already. I don't want to face the Decemvirate alone," she says, barely audible.

Finally, Vangral starts singing.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale
a tale of a fateful fight,
that started in this cave,
a tale as dark as night.

His throne he thought was safe
but his son played too the game,
When Jorgar looked the other way
his own son did the same,
his own son did the same.

Eylysia's facial features come into focus, her eyes beaming with pride. "I knew Veldrid left that tablet out of guilt knowing she had just done the same. It's about time you got here!” she exclaims. “I’m expecting Veldrid any minute! We need to confront her with what we know and convince her to turn on the others. Once their deeds are revealed, they’ll have no choice but to resign.”

The research library blurs as the relics on the shelves seem to age in reverse. Items and furniture shuffle rapidly about the room until finally the movement comes to a halt. Eylysia's facial features also reverse in age, going from elderly to, well, still elderly but clearly younger. The room is now arrayed much differently than it was before, and strange swirling clouds of blurred space wend throughout the area.

Your consciousnesses, inside this illusion, will inhabit one of Eylysia's companions. You'll retain all your character's characteristics, but gain one ability chosen from the list below (one per character).

All level-dependent effects use your level. The save DC for these effects is 14.

Avera (elf rogue): The PC deals 1d3 additional point of precision damage against flanked opponents.

Fimbrik the Illusionist (gnome wizard): The PC can cast color spray once during the encounter.

Idina Gray (half-elf barbarian): The PC gains a +2 morale bonus on attack and damage rolls for the duration of the combat.

Sera Calthial (human bard): The PC and all allies within 30 feet gain a +1 morale bonus on saving throws and 5 temporary hit points for the duration of the combat.

Jovis (dwarf monk): The PC’s unarmed strike damage increases to 1d6, they do not provoke an attack of opportunity for fighting unarmed, and their unarmed strikes can deal lethal damage. If the PC is a monk, their unarmed strike damage instead increases to 1d8 for the duration of the combat.

Myrin Goldeneye (elf cleric of Desna): The PC can cast cure light wounds once during the combat.

Aurk eyes glaze over as the illusion kicks in and when he can refocus and looks down at this hands. "Huh...Why I have elf puny hands."

Figure I'll take Myrin Goldeneye.

Phytus is unsure of what's going on, but takes it in stride. "As I live and breathe, we are in agreement."

Sera Calthial for me.

I'll take Fimbrik

"Intriguing ... this is the second time, I have encountered an illusion of this Fimbrik fellow ..."

"Why do I have dwarven sausage fingers?!" Vangral asks, clearly not as sanguine about the change as Aurk.

I'll take Jovis. This may be Vangral's only opportunity to punch someone in his whole career.

Idina Gray's body, seeing Ekanta hesitate, steps up and merges with his consciousness.

The door opens, admitting three figures wearing Decemvirate helms: one eyeless and triple-flanged, another topped with stag antlers, and the third a crystal-studded black domino mask. Eylysia blanches, but quickly covers it up with a smile. “So... I take it you aren’t willing to play nice?”

“It is the Decemvirate’s will that your investigations cease,” declares the antler-helmed figure. The figure behind the eyeless helm nods, and the domino-masked figure hesitates before also nodding.

“I wonder whether your other colleagues would agree.” Eylysia draws herself up to her full height. “I doubt they’ll agree with your perspective once they know what I know.” The figure in the eyeless mask draws his rapier, while the figure in the antler helm draws his longbow. “Then you understand why we cannot let you live.”

The spell that Eylysia used to store this interactive vision was never intended to lay dormant for so long, and much of it has eroded with age. The battlefield is covered in roiling ropes of mist, as though the memories of those areas had faded. Any creature within or on the opposite side of one of these streams of mist has concealment (20% miss chance).

As each enemy is unique, I've made separate rolls for their initiative, but I've grouped them with the middle roll for convenience.

Eylysia has not abandoned you, but she's not an active combatant.

Round 1, the bolded may act.

Aurk
Phytus
Vangral
Eyeless Mask (Black, rapier)
Antler Mask (Blue, longbow)
Domino Mask (Red, shortsword)
Taicho
Ekanta

Aurk moves south but stops shortly at the mist before stepping through.

Moved 30'

"Oh, how delightful!" Vangral declares and claps his hands together. He looks down at them in surprise as the sound that comes from them is much deeper than he's accustomed to.

He shakes his head to dismiss that observation. "I do so love some good melodrama. I almost don't want to interfere just to see how things play out."

Nonetheless the moves to the side to prepare to approach their opponents and drapes himself in protective magic.

Casting Mage Armor. My stat line has been updated with the new AC.

Phytus dashes through the wreathes of mist. "If you wish to dissuade us, speak further!"

"Maybe we should ask him to join us," the man in the eyeless mask quips, pointing to Vangral. "He seems like he has the right personality."

"Nah, let's just murder them all."

Despite the further talk, Phytus is still not dissuaded.

Black double moves.

Blue moves and fires an arrow at Phytus.

Partial Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 75 1-20 = miss
Longbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Red double moves.

Round 1/2, Pathfinders are up!

Aurk
Phytus
Vangral
Eyeless Mask (Black, rapier)
Antler Mask (Blue, longbow)
Domino Mask (Red, shortsword)
Taicho
Ekanta

"It's so NICE to be appreciated. I would love to join your little cabal, especially if I got my own fancy mask, but I fear that you're just a figment of someone's imagination or echo of the past, so I'm going to have to pass," Vangral replies.

"But don't be too upset. Why don't you take a nap?"

He sings a dark lullaby and wiggles his fingers in strange ways at the woman in red.

Casting Sleep on the red rimmed opponent. DC16 Will save. Has no effect if she has more than 4HD.

Taicho advances (double move) forward, staying in the mists for concealment.

Phytus runs forward, club swinging and hoping it won't interfere with the illusion. But with their usual aim, it isn't as much of a concern.

Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 10 Miss
Club vs. Red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Not that it matters the way the dice rolled, but I believe Sleep is a 10' burst and you can get both Red and Black.

Red Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Black Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Rock-a-bye baby, on your sweet bed.
Not sure this works, for you are long dead.
This lullaby sung in Droskar's hall
Must have some connection, for you I enthrall.

Red lies down and takes a nap. A thin stream of droll escapes her lips as she dreams about pickled baby fingers.

Black fights the spell. "I'll sleep when I'm dead! But I'm already dead! How can I be asleep in someone's mind? Non, je ne regrette rien!" He spins a top to stay awake.

Aurk kisses his club and it starts to glow before he rushes into the mist right next to the black figure, though the mist still obscures both of them.

Standard: Cast Shillelagh on club (20 rounds)
Moved: 25'

Initially bemused at finding himself precisely in the gap at the intersection of two crossed lines of columns (and even a bit dazed - could the columns possibly be working as a crude binding pattern against his otherworldly blood?), Ekanta snaps out of it soon enough to start making his way toward the fray.

I double-move.

Excellent. Will post the next round later today.

Phytus swings at thin air!

The figure in the Eyeless Mask steps back and draws a scroll from his bandolier. He chants some evil-sounding words.

Aurk, please make a Fortitude save.

The figure in the Antler Mask looks at Ekanta intently, studying him. If Ekanta's return gaze were not as equally creepy, this gaze would be a bit unnerving. He launches an arrow.

Partial Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 100
Longbow, studied target: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
Piercing, studied target: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

The figure in the Domino Mask concentrates and a magical aura targets Phytus. GM note: this is a swift action.

The figure in the Domino Mask steps back and draws a scroll. Her body shimmers with magical energy as she reads it.

Round 2/3, Pathfinders are up!

Aurk
Phytus
Vangral
Eyeless Mask (Black, rapier)
Antler Mask (Blue, longbow)
Domino Mask (Red, shortsword, sleeping)
Taicho
Ekanta (-9 HP)

Did Red wake up from the Sleep spell, or not actually fall asleep?

Vangral closes the distance with the person in the Antler mask. The disconcerting gazes continue as the elf narrows one eye and crooks the other eyebrow. A dark, 8 pointed star appears around that flashes for only an instant.

Evil Eye (Su): The target takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls for 8 rounds. A DC16 Will save reduces this to just 1 round. This is a mind-affecting effect.

Red only appears to be awake because the GM is not paying attention!

Red is asleep. No will save required of Phytus.

Blue Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Blue is a little disturbed by Vangral, but only temporarily.

Bobbing in thanks to Vangral, Phytus chases down the antlered foe.

Partial Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 30
Club vs. Blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fort Save DC13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Ignoring whatever the black one cast on him, Aurk steps forward and swings his enchanted club at the enemy.

Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 61
Shillelagh vs Black: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 3 = 8

Free: 5' step
Standard: Attack

I will use my color spray from Fimbrik, aimed at the eyeless mask. (which may not be a great idea, but we'll see ...)

Taicho moves through the mists and raises his hand, a spray of rainbow color cutting through the mists from the tips of his wing.

Taicho sends a spray of flying colors at Black.

Will, DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Unconscious: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 rounds, then
Blind: 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds, then
Stunned for 1 round.

Aurk correctly locates the target, but his club bounces off his target's armor.

Phytus correctly locates the target, but his club bounces off his target's armor.

Round 2/3, Pathfinders are up!

Aurk
Phytus
Vangral
Eyeless Mask (Black, rapier)
Antler Mask (Blue, longbow, -2 attack [1 round])
Domino Mask (Red, shortsword, sleeping)
Taicho
Ekanta (-9 HP)

Botting Ekanta. He's going to charge at Blue, which is consistent with his battle tactics in the past.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Black is unconscious for 1 more round.

Blue steps back and fires at Ekanta, but was distracted by Vangral giving him the evil eye.

Longbow (PBS, studied, evil eye): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 9
Damage (PBS): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Red snores.

Round 3/4, Pathfinders are up!

Aurk
Phytus
Vangral
Eyeless Mask (Black, rapier, unconscious [1 round])
Antler Mask (Blue, longbow) (-9 HP)
Domino Mask (Red, shortsword, sleeping)
Taicho
Ekanta (-9 HP)

Vangral walks forward toward blue. He keeps a bit of distance then calls upon the fires of the abyss, fanning his fingers before him. Those flames lash out through his hands in a 15' fan which comes close to Ekanta but only engulfs the archer.

Burning Hands DC16 Refl for Half: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Blue lives!

Phytus hurries around the foe in an attempt to finish Vangral's work.

Club: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Darnit, missed it by that much; your choice was appropriate, though - but ahh, you forgot my apparition-thing-bonus to attack and damage!

Ekanta looks like he is about to advance headlong with his trusty staff again, only to instead reach for and fling out a chakram...

Chakram, shade of Idina Gray, melee penalty vs The Blue Bowyer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

...before - you can hardly believe your eyes, he now appears to be - running backward toward the gent in the domino mask!

Blue lives no longer! Ekanta's chakram slices through Blue's body, which dissipates into the mist.

I am going to call this fight. We needn't go through the motions of coup de gracing unconscious and sleeping opponents, and as intrigued as Vangral and Ekanta may be in the gory details, it's fait accompli as far as I'm concerned.

Just as Blue's body dissipates, the whole vision wavers and begins to dissipate. As the library shimmers, you see what actually happened play out: An injured Zaul (blue) fleeing the battle, abandoning the others as he disappears into the strange mist swirling around the library. Eylysia's last remaining companion, the gnome wizard Fimbrik the Illusionist, sends a crackle of spell energy at Veldrid (red) that drops the masked dwarf to the ground where she disintegrates into motes of color that the unstable magic quickly devours. A badly wounded Helven (black) points his blade at Eylysia and stalks towards the defiant gnome woman.

Eylysia smiles at the PCs, observing, “That went differently this time; I like this ending better,” before she fades from view.

As the final vision fades, you find yourselves once again fully in the present. Kreighton Shaine comments, “These secrets have remained hidden for too long—from the Decemvirate and the Society both. In doing so, the organization defamed an upstanding agent. What we have learned here grants us an opportunity to correct past crimes. Well done, Pathfinders.”

When the drama ends, Vangral claps his hands once more, the sound once more what he was expecting. "Oh that WAS entertaining. It's a shame I didn't get to punch anyone though. I always wanted to be one of those he-men. Ah well, I suppose I'll have to settle for being brilliant and rakishly handsome."

He bows to Shaine. "It was my pleasure. Everyone should be held accountable for their own actions and not subjected to rumors."

If it makes Vangral feel any better, you can pretend he unarmed-strike-coup-de-grace (what's the past tense of coup de grace?) one of the helpless opponents.

I believe it's a free crit, just roll for damage.