World's Most Interesting Overflow Archives (003) [PFS Standard 6-15] (Inactive)

Game Master Great Green God

"So, it looks like the mischief-maker got away. Have we got the whole poem, do you think?"

Fentar gets Kolris to read the poem to him again. "So, is Virml here the loser-"

"HEYB!" protests Virml.

Fentar Palomine wrote:

"So, is Virml here the loser-"

"HEYB!" protests Virml.

"Hey your 'hey' there, buddy. Take a look at yourself." Kolris interrupts the interruption. Turning back to Fentar, he shares his thoughts. "No, I don't think Virml can be in the poem. This is something from the First World. Ever been to the First World, Virml? Make such an impression somebody wrote you into a poem?" Kolris shakes his head. "No, what I do think is that everything we encountered here came out of this poem somehow:"

"The owl and the albatross are our friends there. The sleeper is Mistress Koi."

"Gormandelle and her daughters took Derkhan and my teeth."

"hmmm... but no crocodile; where's the crocodile?..."

"The worm and bird were those nasties in the big library."

"And no wyrm..." He examines the scrap containing this passage. "Nor judge nor sons." He turns the scrap over, examining it from all angles, then gives it a shake or two. "Maybe they're still inside?"

Rectitude sways back and forth in the water, It is clear we are missing poem pieces. We should span and search quickly.

Pair off and do another search?

Rectitude sways back and forth in the water, It is clear we are missing poem pieces. We should span and search quickly.

Pair off and do another search?

"I think we should find Shaine, first; this false Virml being loose somewhere in the Grand Lodge is a far greater threat to the Society than anything this flooding could do. Let's at least get him alerted to that, then we can continue our search."

Kolris heads to the stairs, those being the only place they hadn't visited yet.

NEVER SPLIT THE PARTY

Rectitude nods and follows Kolris, the most learned of our group.

Tofang also follows!

“I just hope we get this flooding under control soon! Maybe we have to kill the fish after all!“

Fentar nods, "I like the idea of watching the Master of Scrolls learn that he's been gulled. This could be interesting."

He follows Kolris up the stairs.

Tofang also follows!

“I just hope we get this flooding under control soon! Maybe we have to kill the fish after all!“

They say as tens of gallons of water flow over the edge of the mezzanine.

Resolutely the party winds its way up the stairs and to the door of the scriptorium.

Map Updated

Note, as usual, stairs are difficult terrain.

Bump.

Fentar pushes open the door.

Kolris follows, hoping to find both Shaine and Virml there.

Zarta would be even better.

Fentar shoves open the door causing a stack of precariously stacked clay jars along the opposite wall to wobble, and then fall like oranges at a fruit market. As they clatter to the floor one after another they break showering the entryway in a rainbow of vivid inks, that dapple the nagaji.

"Come in. It's... open...." says the Master of Scrolls standing over a desk at the far side of the room. He doesn't look up.

As if on cue a second ink avalanche sends the few remaining stacked ink pots to the floor in front of the doorway.

"Mind the broken crockery." says the Dean after the last pot falls.

This large chamber is crammed with desks and lecterns designed for copying scrolls and manuscripts. Along the north wall, a tall, broad shelf sags with sheaves of parchment, while near the exit to the south, where a stack of ceramic ink jugs once stood near wall-mounted racks of quills. Two bays of windows on the west wall offer an impressive nighttime view of the Lodge’s greatest landmark, Skyreach Tower, while the eastern windows overlook the library’s main stacks. Overhead is a beautiful mural of Desna reaching out with one finger to probe a young gnome's ear.

A 8-foot-long albino alligator looks up at Fentar and now Kolris from the floor with reptilian interest.

Map updated

Shaine pinches the bridge of his nose and finally looks up from the mess of papers, and books spread out upon the desk before him.

"I take it you are here to make your report. So what have you learned about our little 'plumbing problem'?"

Fentar walks over to Shaine, "It's a real mess boss. There was a fey with all the wrong teeth who tried to kill us all, and this giant fish. Eurgh, it was grim."

Once he is standing next to the master of scrolls, Fentar grabs hold of the man.
CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
"We're dealing with an excellent mimic so, tell me, when did we first meet, Kreighton Shaine?"

Kolris follows Fentar into the room, and is immediately shocked when the nagaji grabs their Venture-Captain by the shoulders. He's not... no... the lack of care about the inks; I mean, that's soooo Shaine! But his own words of just a moment ago echo back.

"hmmm... but no crocodile; where's the crocodile?..."

A light goes off behind his eyes. Brilliant deduction, Fentar. Why didn't I see it sooner? He studies Shaine's reaction with deep interest as he begins moving along the wall opposite the albino gator, his hand tickling the guard of his rapier.

Sense Motive, whispers of evil: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 1 = 19

Rectitude's hands go to the bullets in his bag as tensions rise.

"Ooh, that's exciting!"

Derkhan will detect evil on Kreighton Shane.

Jezu gets ready to unleash some kinetic blasts.

Fentar walks over to Shaine, "It's a real mess boss. There was a fey with all the wrong teeth who tried to kill us all, and this giant fish. Eurgh, it was grim."

Once he is standing next to the master of scrolls, Fentar grabs hold of the man.
"We're dealing with an excellent mimic so, tell me, when did we first meet, Kreighton Shaine?"

Shaine looks down at Fentar's hand grasping his robes and then back up into the Nagaji's eyes. "Um, downstairs in the lobby?"

"Ooh, that's exciting!"

Derkhan will detect evil on Kreighton Shane.

Kolris follows Fentar into the room, and is immediately shocked when the nagaji grabs their Venture-Captain by the shoulders. He's not... no... the lack of care about the inks; I mean, that's soooo Shaine! But his own words of just a moment ago echo back.

Kolris Isimlothe wrote:

"hmmm... but no crocodile; where's the crocodile?..."

A light goes off behind his eyes. Brilliant deduction, Fentar. Why didn't I see it sooner? He studies Shaine's reaction with deep interest as he begins moving along the wall opposite the albino gator, his hand tickling the guard of his rapier.

Quick Note: Sense motive (like Diplomacy) can take time.

With Shaine's response, Kolris' eyes naturally flow to Fentar, but it's Shaine's reaction to Fentar's response he's interested in; his eyes flick back to and stay on Shaine.

Let me know the result of the check when you feel like enough time has passed. That's what Kolris is doing unless and until combat breaks out.

With detect evil running and the fact that you might be about start a fight with a high-level lore master wizard, I'm going to put us into rounds.

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Jezu
__ Rectitude
__ Derkhan
__ Dean Kreighton Shaine
__ Kolris
__ Tofang
__ Albino Crocodile
__ Fentar
__ Virml

Map updated.

As no one has moved in a while, I will randomly distribute the party in and around the shark tank. ;)

Fentar slowly shakes his head, [b]"Nice try. Maybe you're getting a bit old for all this? Or maybe you're not Kreighton Shaine.

At the risk of spoilers for a well-traveled scenario...

Rectitude poses to Shaine, If you were the real Kreighton Shaine, you would recall what happened to our guide at my Confirmation.

"Not evil." Derkhan mutters before turning his gaze to the crocodile.

Move action paladin detect evil on the Aligator. If evil, he'll draw his gladius +1. If not, he'll total defense and wait to see what happens.

"Listen, I am a very busy lore master here, and can't be expected to know the backstory of every ambulatory, unpotted plant, and troglodyte enrolled in this institution. If you have nothing to report, I would ask you to be good enough to stop posing a distraction to me, and get back to work."

assuming the things infront of jezu are short....
Jezu lets loose a blast of kinetic energy at the croc!
kinetic blast,point-blank shot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

TWMIGM: was that spell-casting? Do observers get a chance to identify it?

save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

This seems significant, lets use that t-shirt re-roll.

will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Eurgh, again... I guess Fentar's next feat is iron will.

Fentar relaxes his grip and listens, "Hmm, fascinating."

TWMIGM: was that spell-casting? Do observers get a chance to identify it?

Supernatural ability. It's activation just requires the user to talk, and have body language.

"That it, let's all calm down now, and try to get to the bottom of this together. Okay?" Shaine takes a steps before continuing. "Now what have your investigations uncovered? For instance, this mysterious, rag-tag parchment full of riddles--what does it mean?"

assuming the things infront of jezu are short....

Do you mean philosophically or topographically? They're not, either way; Jezu is gnome and like most of Absolom the furniture here is human-size, and the things on Fentar's side of the room have grown complicated, so now what?

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Jezu (restating or...?)
__ Rectitude
__ Derkhan
__ Dean Kreighton Shaine
__ Kolris
__ Tofang
__ Albino Crocodile
__ Fentar fascinated
__ Virml

Map updated.

Continuing to keep his focus on trying to get a read on Shaine, Kolris offers what he thinks is a very reasonable diversion.

"We're not really focused on the riddle at the moment, Dean Shaine. While we certainly have bandied about some ideas, our concern is the fact that we found the real Virml stuffed into a cage downstairs. He would have died had the water level risen above a certain level." He raises an eyebrow. "It certainly concerns me that you're not concerned about a mimic roaming the halls of the Grand Lodge."

Tofang is very confused.

“I believe that it is time for us to inform other Pathfinders of this situation. There has to be a solution. You please stay with him and I go fetch some guards and articulate our accusations!“

Continuing to keep his focus on trying to get a read on Shaine, Kolris offers what he thinks is a very reasonable diversion.

"We're not really focused on the riddle at the moment, Dean Shaine. While we certainly have bandied about some ideas, our concern is the fact that we found the real Virml stuffed into a cage downstairs. He would have died had the water level risen above a certain level." He raises an eyebrow. "It certainly concerns me that you're not concerned about a mimic roaming the halls of the Grand Lodge."

"A mimic you say!?" Shaine looks shocked.

Tofang is very confused.

“I believe that it is time for us to inform other Pathfinders of this situation. There has to be a solution. You please stay with him and I go fetch some guards and articulate our accusations!“

"Yes, you are right. You three-" he points to Jezu, Tofang, and Rectitude, the three Pathfinders closest to the door, "head down and find out what Zarta is up to. She's taking to long as it is."

Tofang looks back.

"No, no, I go and the others stay! Give me 5 minutes!" Tofang says and he goes out trying to find Zarta.

"He's not terribly swift is he?" Shaine comments upon the wayang's retreat from the room.

"Well, he is a wayang; his entire species moves slower than you or I, Dean Shaine." Kolris shrugs; no other apology is offered.

"But, since we have some time now, we could discuss the riddle. What do you think it means? We were quite stumped by some passages; your illustrious mind could definitely prove helpful, Dean." Kolris continues to study the man's reaction to these provocations.

Tofang looks back.

"No, no, I go and the others stay! Give me 5 minutes!" Tofang says and he goes out trying to find Zarta.

Just a quick post for now on the in-game logistics of the situation and some things the PCs might consider. The party is a few of blocks "off-campus", and then there is the matter of the size of the campus itself, and its numerous buildings, and the fact that it is close to 2 in the morning. Five minutes, I can say with a lot of certainty, is not going to happen even with boots of springing and striding. Upon a little a consideration this would be obvious to anyone with a wisdom score of 7 or more the moment they stepped outside if not sooner.

Rectitude puts his hand in front of Tofang before he sprints off, I would not stray far, friend. I believe the danger to be closer than it would seem.

To Dean Shaine, Are you sure you have not recovered any piece of this riddle or have any sense of it?

As things did not go shortly Jezubot delays for now.

"I thought that was what I assigned you all to find out." Shaine says irritably. "I have been focusing on other options, and really how could I come to a determination when you all have at least some of the pieces. I am beginning to reconsider your communal fitness for this organization. Now being the blasted scroll up here and let's have a look together, or apart, if one or more of you is going to fetch help."

He slides a piece of the scroll* out from between a pile of books and slaps in down upon the cluttered desk.

* Remember these are all written in Sylvan. No one has translated the newest one yet.

Shaine waits for the party to figure out what it is going to do because it makes initiative easier.

Fentar certainly seems less wound up and listens intently to the dean.

Round 2! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Jezu
__ Rectitude
__ Derkhan
__ Kolris
__ Tofang
__ Fentar fascinated
__ Dean Kreighton Shaine
__ Albino Crocodile
__ Virml

Map updated.

"Wow, fascinating. Do go on."

Kolris reaches for the scroll, and translates its contents for the others. He reads aloud:

"Heard you word of the sword who’s a chef for all fish?
Have you seen how his sea bream can brighten a dish?
Dare you steal of his eel, or rob roe from his pan?
Bid him send you the menu as fast as he can!
But don’t duel with the sword for his finest filet,
Or he’ll serve you up cold as tomorrow’s entree!"

"That's what it says, but what does it mean, aye? And then there are these other pieces."

"Well, all of these scraps have so far seemed to contain some kind of summoning spell for the creatures described therein. Should I start there?" He doesn't actually do anything to try to activate the spell yet; he continues to examine Shaine to try to determine the authenticity of the Dean of Scrolls.

Yes to summon or to describe one already summmoned, no? We have scoured the whole library and found no "sword". Sounds like a formidable foe potentially.

Yes to summon or to describe one already summmoned, no? We have scoured the whole library and found no "sword". Sounds like a formidable foe potentially.

Kolris turns to Rectitude to correct the plant creature. "Oh, I was thinking it was quite clearly describing a swordfish. I suppose you don't have much experience with them, with roots so recently having left the dirt. That's actually why I didn't just go ahead and summon it here; any kind of fish would just die flopping on the ground."