GM Ietsuna's 10-13 Fragments of Antiquity

Game Master Ietsuna

A huge clockwork orrery occupies the center of the building’s main floor. 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. This broken mirror is referred to as a mirror of translocation in the librarian’s notes in the catalog section.

Oh, this is going to be fun. I just need to move you back a little Rallas since you triggered something. It could be argued that Pooka lagged behind a little so I have shifted him back 10 feet also.

As Rallas approaches the orrery begins to spin rapidly. Hopnest to goodness bear traps shoot out at Rallas and Pooka.

Vs Rallas: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21 Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 5) = 13

Vs Pooka: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30 Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 2) = 7

The traps snap at Rallas and Pooka, grasping them in their metal teeth.

I am thinking that Rallas is flat footed against this since he wasn't aware of the trap.

Both Rallas and Pooka have the entangled condition now also. You may attempt to escape with a DC 20 Disable Device check, DC 22 Escape Artist check, or a DC 26 Strength check.

We are not in initiative, but I am going to track rounds because of this trap.

Round 1 - Bold May Act

Pooka (Entangled)
Rallas (Entangled)
Kenath
Nugats

Rallas has Uncanny Dodge

Ok, well Rallas is not hit or entangled.

Round 1 - Bold May Act

Pooka (Entangled)
Rallas
Kenath
Nugats

Rallas tries to free Pooka from the trap.

disable device: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23

"Holy Balls!" Pooka exclaims, his senses about a half second behind in reacting to the flying bear trap. Thankfully, his plate armor seems to deflect most of the nasty trap's bite, but the rusty metal still pins his arm to his side.

Pooka grabs one side of the jaws with a free hand and uses the seams in his armor to create leverage as he tries to break free.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 I don't have enough escape artist or strength to beat either of those DCs... Good thing my friend Rallas is here to save the day!

After sweating for a moment and not getting anywhere in opening the jaws, Rallas comes by and deftly pops out one of the pins in the hinge. With minimal effort, the trap seems to let go.

"Thank you Rallas." he says, rubbing the bruised spot on his arm. "I think I was too busy looking at the ceiling. Completely missed that one." he chuckles. "Hey wait, was that trap on the kobold's map? Something almost as odd as mirror reflections that want to kill us is going on here."

With a clink, clink, clink the traps begin to wind back in to the orrery on their chains.

Hmm...seems the kobolds missed this one... Rallas says, taking out his pen and ink and making a notation on the map. He looks at Pooka.You all right? I'll have to study that trap in case there are more like it here... he says examining the trap.

"I'm fine, merely a scratch." he grins. "Wow, it resets itself... fascinating! Uhh... Maybe we should get out of the way before we set it off again? " Pooka says, keeping most of the nervousness out of his voice.

The trap continues to CLINK as the traps wind back in.

Indeed, lets quickly get out of the way! Kenath agrees as they scurry to the other side. Before doing so, Kenath quickly looks for more traps that may befall them.

take 10 perception for a 35

Kenath sees no other traps in the area aside from the whirling bear trap trap.

Aye...I don't want to tempt fate by messing with this one...let's carry on...this way... Rallas says as he leads them to the room to the upper left.moved token to show which room...chacking for traps.

perc: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 = 26

That is where you came in from at the beginning. Did you want to change the move?

oops...my bad...thought there was a wall where there wasn't..failed my personal Perception check...lol///will go back through the room where we met the swarms and along the right side of the map...

Rallas moves into an area of the library. There are no books here, but there does appear to be an amber shard.

A fine addition to our collection...

Rallas looks around as he lets the magic types use their training to examine the room.

will move after they use Detect Magic...i trust nothing here...will move token to next area

Pooka nudges Luna on as the pair shadow Rallas, weapons at the ready.

Nugats takes a look around. "It can't be this easy - can it?" before approaching the amber.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Nothing jumps out at you as you approach the amber shard.

Nugats grabs another amber shard [ooc]I would have taken the one in the last room after the ants too[/oo]c.

Looking into the bag he thinks that they have enough amber to rebuild the mirror.

"I thought that I saw the mirror frame in the last room. Should we have one last look around before trying to rebuild this mirror?"

[b[Sounds like a fair plan to me...one moment...[/b] the elf says, checking the group's progress against the map the kobold's provided.

As Rallas moves into the final area unexplored within the library he sees another amber shard

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 which have a reflective surface though many of them show signs of the kobold’s attempts to obscure them.

[dice=DC 20 Perception]You think you see a Librarian in a reflective pane on a bookcase, but as soon as you notice it it notices you and flees. [/ooc]

I assume it is an oversight, but offering you the benefit of teh doubt. Rallas, you did not check for traps as you moved into this area. Did you want to or not?

yep...i made an edit to fix my firmat goof and put the dice in...might have timed out....interwebs been wonky here....

perc: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 2 = 32

Sorry for the delay all. I got distracted by a shiny thing.

Rallas sees that there is a trap here. There is a pressure plate ahead which seems to connect to the northern wall... where a number of arrow sized holes are situated.

Rallas holds his hand up and points to the trap.

Don't move...

is there ample room to get by the pressure plate? if so, i'll mark it..if not, i'll try to disable it..rolling to save time

disable: 1d20 + 17 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 5 = 30

You cannot get around it easily. I will mark the plate on the map just to show where it was.

Rallas takes his tools and disables the trap.

Looking at the bookcases here requires a Knowledge (religion) or Appraise check

knowledge(religion),heroism: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 18 + 2 = 40

That is a collector's edition of The Manual of city Building, over there pad-locked. Perhaps you could do something about that Rallas

Damn I'm glad we brought a rogue...

I guess I have to do everything.... the elf says with a sigh and a grin. He examines the lock first, not taking anything for granted.

perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

disable: 1d20 + 15 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 5 = 36unsure if the lock counts as a trap...

Rallas unlocks the padlock and takes the book.

Well, one more for the scholars back in Absolom. Now, give me a minute and we can move on... he says, triple checking his map and marking out the trap.

This way...mind your step, gentlemen... he says as he heads off to the next area, eyes scanning for traps and alarms.

perc: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 = 23

move token to next area

You have been through the entire library. You have some books, 5 fragments of amber glass and some other bits and pieces you managed to pick up. On that I forgot to say that there were 24 steam mephit-headed arrows in that last arrow-hole trap if anyone wants to take them.

ooh yes...i'll take them. If Pooka wants some if he uses a bow, that's cool. So, we're done with this map then? time to boogie?

There is just one other thing I would draw your attention back to. There was a frame in the middle (where that bear trap throwing trap was) that had some amber glass bits in it.

ok...will head back there to grab it...can you move my token to that room? i forgot which one it is...will make any rolls if needed

You know there is a trap there. You can make a roll to Disable it if you like, or just try to dodge the flying bear traps.

Rallas cracks his knuckles inside his new gloves and sets about trying to render thetrap inoperative.

disable: 1d20 + 17 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 5 + 1 = 32+1 from masterwork tools...if i can't use with the gloves, disregard

Rallas takes a few moments and disables the bear trap throwing trap.

Reposting room description.

A huge clockwork orrery occupies the center of the building’s main floor. 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.

know local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

knowledge (local): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21

erm... I feel like I’m forgetting something

Kn Local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

"Ah, it seems that there is another of the books here that appeared on Hao Jin's list. Such an eclectic mix. So we know these all relate to Adabar and city building. I assume he took these to create a city somewhere.

"But what are we to do, reassemble the mirror and fight whatever denizen appears?" the gnome muses out loud.

The arrows are all yours Rallas! Thanks to Luna, I am the only arrow I need... ha! :)

Pooka purses his lips as Nugats puts some of the pieces of the puzzle together. "The connection I still can't seem to make is what these foul spirits here want with it, or the books. Maybe there is no connection, but I doubt that. The mirror must have been broken to keep whatever is on the other side from getting to this knowledge, right? Or am I way off the mark?" Pooka wonders out loud.

"Either way, it seems the easiest way to find out for sure is to reassemble the mirror. I don't fear what might be on the other side, especially since we are able to face this together."

I think I already used one of my danger wards, but like a chump I didn't document it properly. (pretty sure it was the will save one) I'll go back and figure out which one it is, but I want to use the other ones when we reassemble the mirror, just in case.

We may never know what they want, Pooka. I daresay they aren't likely to tell us if we ask them...let's leave it for the scholars and sages to figure it out. Now, this piece looks like it goes together with this one... he says, looking at the shards.

As the last piece of amber glass slots in to place the surface shimmers and changes. Through the "mirror" you can see a room, at the center of it are two staircases.

Well, that was unexpected....shall we sally forth and see what we can find out? Perhaps this is what Hao Jin was looking for...

Indeed. It would make sense to keep powerful arcane texts in reserve rather than out in the open.

Well, let's get going then. Pooka, do you have your little pig sticker ready? Oh and first round of drinks are on me when we get back to the lodge. I'm going to need something with a tad more kick than wine, I think... Rallas says as he grabs his wand and activates it/

umd shield wand: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

AC is now 27/21/20

Casting shield on himself, Nugats follows Rallas lead into the mirror.

"I head tale of this in Varisia, where Kenath and I did our studies. Seems a peasant lass saw her house backwards through her looking glass. What an adventure she had.

"I pray ours is just as exciting."

GM - is there any check I could make to discern where we are going to?

Heyo! Might as well use a couple of expendables... :) Can I get someone to cast one of my scroll of bull's strength on me? Only get half the effect due to my belt, but I've had them for a while now, might as well use them. I will also quaff a potion of shield of faith.

Pooka hefts his lance as Luna shifts underneath him. "We are ready, aren't we girl?" The halfling carefully guides his dog closer to the mirror once they begin to pass through. "Easy girl. Just like a pool of water, just walk right in..."

What is this crazy halfling trying to make me do now? Yea yea, scratch that spot. Ok, I'll do anything. Hey Pooka, you know there is a big orange thing in our way right? I can just go around... ok not around. Got it. I'll sniff it for you. Smells like Rallas and Nugats. Yea, they were holding the pieces, that makes sense.

You want me to walk into it? I'm going to knock it over! Ooookayy... wait, just like pool of water? I LIKE WATER! OK, JUMPING IN!!!

Nugats gladly uses the scroll for Pooka's benefit.