GM Bret's PbP Gameday IX: Library of the Lion (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

Igor uses his impressive memory to restore the area to its original setting.

(Take 10 on Perception is 30)

By Grelthe's count, a little less than an hour should have elapsed by now, and I believe they said the performance was 2 hours long, right?

Ela leads her group next door to continue searching for clues. B9

Here's hoping this room is without traps!

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Elris nods as they head towards the next room, "I do worry about finding this vessel for the guardian even it it isn't our primary mission. May our minds find focus so that we achieve both.", he finishes with some noble words blessing the two of them.

Blessing of Nobility to give +2 to skill checks. It lasts 1 minute so it is likely not going to work for the research part but worth a shot and will help with perception at least. 2/4 Blessings Remaining.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 9

Igor and Iocopo believe they have left the study room as they found it.

B11

Cabinets with two tall drawers each line the east and west walls of this room. A relief carving of a lion's head dominates the south wall, hanging imperiously over a low stone step. Six  freestanding statuettes of lions in various poses stand atop the furniture.

Once Grelthe is done checking the Classroom (B3) she will check in with the folks that were in B10 and, noticing the wall is open, will be very curious about the new area uncovered... but will stick with a group to maximize searching effectiveness.

Two groups of 3 would be most effective at searching. It looks like Ela & Elris want to go to B9 then they only need 1 more to join them, and but I am personally most interested in B11. 2 people want to join me there?

Toral joins Grelthe to investigate the room she chooses.

profession merchant B11: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

Perception B11: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

I'm going to use the "Hand-written Notes" clue found in B3 (if that's ok with everyone - we are running out of rooms to use clues in, and a secret room seems like a good place to start to me) to give me +3
Kn. Nobility: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 3 = 7
Boo what a waste.

Hmm. I may choose to use my Messenger bag reroll on my perception, it depends how everyone else rolls. Is that allowed? To see how they roll before deciding?

Hmm. I may choose to use my Messenger bag reroll on my perception, it depends how everyone else rolls. Is that allowed? To see how they roll before deciding?

You can wait on the reroll if you wish. Please just don’t wait too long.

Okay with you using the clue.

Iacopo looks into the Hidden room with Groelthe. Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

knowledge nobility: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

I think we should use our card catalog to look see how many clues and texts in B10 and b11?

Igor looks for clues in B10.

(Take 10 on Perception is 30).

He then uses one of his cards to aid in the search.

History,Roll Twice take better: 2d20 + 10 ⇒ (7, 18) + 10 = 35

His K-History is 28.

Also is there a way to use my mnemonic cache to get a bonus on these?

Mnemonic Cache (Su): You can memorize a piece of information and later recall it perfectly. Your mnemonic cache can hold roughly 10 pages of written information, including images and maps, or 30 minutes’ worth of speech or music. (Memorizing music doesn’t confer the ability to perform it properly.) The amount you can store increases by 5 pages and 5 minutes at 2nd level, and at every psychic level thereafter. You can hold only one piece of information in your mnemonic cache at a time. The information doesn’t go away when you recall it, but when you put a new piece of information in the cache, the old piece becomes as imperfect any other memory. Memorizing magical writing (such as a scroll or a page from a spellbook) doesn’t confer the ability to borrow, duplicate, or retain any of the magic in the writing. You could reproduce the spell in writing to allow someone who prepares spells from a spellbook to prepare it, though this functions as using a borrowed spellbook for anyone other than you. If you’re in telepathic contact with another creature (through telepathic bond, for example), you can transfer the information directly into its mind as a free action. For this creature, the information functions like a normal memory, not one with perfect clarity.

I figure it's worth a bonus on transcribing stuff down because I can perfectly store 20 pages worth of written pages at a time.

Igor, are you searching B10 by yourself? Everyone else is in B11 or B9? Also Toral don't forget your perception check for B11 (Mr. +14!)

Greithe, one Wizard has to be worth at least two Paladins in a library. :)

Greithe, one Wizard has to be worth at least two Paladins in a library. :)

Each room takes a number of person minutes to search. With two people there, it is completed in half the time that one person could do it.

Two paladins would find two clues (assuming failed skill checks) in the time that one wizard would need to research alone.

While we await results of the last round of rolls...

Ela checks the card catalog to see how many clues they should expect nearby.

Using card catalog to know how many clues exist in B9 and B11

@Iocopo: In the future, please put rules questions like this in Discussion. I have given my reply there.

@Igor: Are you sure you want to split the group into 3 different parties? Since you would be searching alone it would take you 30 minutes to do B10. and cause Ela and Elris to take 15 minutes while the rest take only 10 minutes.

After taking the effort to get people synchronized, you would cause there to be three different time values.

Card Catalog results.

According to the Card Catalogue there are four books of interest in B9 and two in B11.

B9, amended

Bookcases cover nearly every inch of the walls in this room, which is only faintly illuminated by small lights set into the ceiling. A glass-paned door seals each panel of shelves, keeping the ancient tomes stored within free of dust.

You may use Appraise to find books here.
All characters receive a +2 bonus to find clues here.

Sorry, I had missed the parts about using Appraise and the bonus when originally posting about this room.

Can we use her previous roll then, since it was for the wrong skill? The roll was 15 + 5 + 2 => 22

Oooh yay, Appraise is untrained! I will take that lower DC for myself and switch from Knowledge (Religion)

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 = 24

"Some of these books are certainly bound in higher quality material, now let us see if the contents match."

@GM Bret - I do not mean to be a bother. You can move my character to B9 or B11 as needed so as not to interrupt the schedule. :)

@Igor Thanks. It is likely that it will become apparent soon why splitting the party three ways would be a bad idea.

B9: Ela, Elris, Igor

Each cabinet has a simple lock on it, but you think it would be easy to break the glass-paned doors.

Igor and Elris notice that loose pages in one case seem to flutter slightly, almost as though a draft were blowing over them.

You need to open the cabinets to find clues here. How do you want to do it and what (if anything) do you want to do with the cabinet with the fluttering pages?

B11: Grelthe, Toral, Iocopo

Toral Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

The large lion carving in this room is stylistically similar to the Guardian. Looking at it with interest, Toral realizes it conceals an unlocked secret door. Fortunately he also realizes that the step in front of it is the trigger for some sort of trap.

Taking a closer look, it is clear that the step is some sort of combination lock. The stone step has four shallow, cylindrical recesses that are the same size as the base on each of the six freestanding statuettes scattered about the room.

Each miniature lion is portrayed in a different way to symbolize a particular virtue. One crouches as if preparing to ambush its prey. The second is roaring as it leaps at prey. The third wears a yoke that is chained to a large block that the lion strains to pull. The fourth wears a tiny pair of spectacles and reads from an ornate scroll. The fifth is draped in the flag of Taldor. The sixth sits erect and wears a crown.

I am going to allow the groups to react to this information before I give research results. To be clear, B9 you must either open the locks or break the glass to do the research. B11 you can do the research without disturbing the lions.

Grelthe is okay doing research before solving the lion mystery, but she will be fiercely thinking about it.
"I don't know what all the lions represent, but the hallway said 'Our Monarch's virtues are our own' and we've been seeing some plaques under the portraits of the King..."

The brass plaque on the frame of the portrait reads "To serve Taldor, I must first learn the history of Taldor."

The brass plaque on the frame reads "Persevere, Persevere, Persevere"

The brass plaque on the frame reads "A cunning lie is never told twice."

"...but that is only 3, and there are 4 recesses." She looks puzzled, shrugs for now, and continues searching the room for books.

Igor takes out his tools but has a quick look to make sure that there are no traps first.

(Take 10 on Perception is 30 and Detect Magic for magical traps and to determine if the breeze moving the pages is magical)

"These tend to come in handy."

(Take 10 on Disable Device to open the locks is 20. If that is not enough then I can start rolling)

Once the locks are dealt with he will open the doors gently with his Mage Hand spell from 15 feet away.

Igor is able to open the locks on all the cabinets easily enough.

When he opens the cabinet where he saw movement, there is a sudden flurry as papers come flying out of the cabinet!

Enter combat!

By my calculations, it is a DC 0 check for people in B11 to hear the combat in B9. Since you can't fail, I see no reason to have you roll it. You may act accordingly after the first round. Basically the combat takes you by surprise and you had no way to see it coming. I am assuming that you have not been closing the doors in the library since you are the only ones here.

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.

Bolded may act.

Round 1:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris
Paper Cuts
Grelthe
Ela
Toral

Igor tries to identify the paper monster. He thinks for a moment remembering an ancient alchemical proverb that while paper beats rock fire burns paper.

K-Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

I will post my actions once you tell me what I know about the monster.

Move: Draw Shield
Standard: Shield-Bash

Masterwork Light Steel Shield Bash: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Didn't expect the books to fight us. I will try to be quiet while I...how do you defeat a cloud of paper?" he says while using his shield to push away the pages.

Igor blasts the books with a wave of fire before retreating from the room.

Burning Hands, Save Reflex DC 17: 3d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) + 1 = 7

*facepalm* Hopefully you were able to angle that 15 FOOT CONE OF FIRE away from the real books, at least...? Hopefully?

Considering the swarm is made up of real books, not really.

Elris hits the books with his shield, causing many pages to become crinkled!
Igor attempts to ignite them! The covers briefly slam shut to protect their contents, but you can see the pages burn quite well!
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The books surround Ela and Elris!
slashing damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10 Plus 1d6 bleed on the next turn.

Their movement would provoke
Ela and Elris, you both need to make a DC 14 Fortitude save or become nauseated for one round.

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.
Bolded may act.

Round 1:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -10 Bleeding
Paper Cuts
Grelthe
Ela -10 Bleeding Need DC 14 Fort save vs Distraction
Toral

Round 2:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -10 Bleeding Need DC 14 Fort save vs Distraction
Paper Cuts

Elris turns to scold the wizard but is quickly overcome by the wave of painful papercuts, instead he rushes into the hallway.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

My character is saving the party with his fire spells and you are complaining about a little incidental property damage? :)

Igor smirks as he throws a quickly concocted fiery vial at the floor near the swarm of books.

To hit grid intersection,AC 5: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

7 points of fire splash damage to the swarm or 3 with a DC 16 Reflex save.

I did not want to miss and possibly splash Ela by accident. That would not be good.

"Ela. Get out of there."

Heading his own advice Igor moves away from the swarm.

Elris, did you want your attack of opportunity before failing that save?

Igor once again attempts to ignite the flurry of books. Yet again the covers manage to take most of the fire damage.
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.
Bolded may act.

Round 1:
Igor
Iacopo
Elris -10 Bleeding
Paper Cuts 15
Grelthe
Ela -10 Bleeding Need DC 14 Fort save vs Distraction
Toral

Round 2:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -10 Bleeding Nauseated until his next turn
Paper Cuts

Oh yeah, sorry. I overlooked it!

Masterwork Light Steel Shield Bash: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

As the swarm came in, Elris tries to get his shield in place but misses.

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.
Bolded may act.

Round 1:
Igor
Iacopo
Elris -10 Bleeding
Paper Cuts 15
Grelthe
Ela -10 Bleeding Need DC 14 Fort save vs Distraction
Toral

Round 2:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -10 Bleeding Nauseated until his next turn
Paper Cuts

Fortitude, DC14: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Single move action it is!

Ela is surprised and overwhelmed by the literal papercuts. She looks about at her arms and legs, seeing the lines of blood that are turning to splotches in her clothing.

She covers her face and rushes from the room.

[move] 30'

A thousand of these is as terrifying as the Tarrasque! I don't feel so well... loosing a lot of blood.

The bleed damage will knock her out next round.

"My word, do you hear something? Sounds like a fire!" Iacopo gets up and starts moving. He draws his wand of Mage Armor, just in case, like a security blanket in case those shouts weren't just from a fire.

Iacopo was absolutely sitting down while doing this so, move action to stand up, move action to get to where is now on the map.

The books follow you out of the room. They sort of flap back and forth for a moment, then pursue Igor.

Bleed damage happens at the start of your turn. A successful Heal check or any amount of healing will stop it,

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.
Bolded may act.
Bleed damage this round: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Round 2:

Paper Cuts 15
Grelthe
Ela -10 Bleeding
Toral

Round 3:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -10 Bleeding
Paper Cuts

Standard: Fervor Heal on Ela
Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Swift: Fervor Heal on Self
Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Fervor 1/3

With the books heading after the wizard, Elris takes the moment to heal himself and Ela.

"Stay with me Ela, the trouble may be just beginning with the noise this is making."

Did you want me to go ahead and post Round 3 actions? Saw I was bolded.

Elris provides some necessary healing to himself and Ela.

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.
Bolded may act.

Round 2:

Grelthe
Ela -6
Toral

Round 3:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -9
Paper Cuts

Igor begins to smack talk the swarm to draw it away from the two wounded party-members.

"Yo! Book-swarm. You are a few books short of a library and those books are going to be lit on fire."

He then throws another fiery vial at the floor not exactly trusting his aim. He dashes to the end of the hallway not wishing to be chewed up.

To hit AC 5, range penalty -2 included: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 16

7 points of fire splash damage to the swarm or 3 with a DC 16 Reflex save.

You can only run in a straight line, right?

Hearing the commotion, Grelthe will move as fast as she is able back through the secret hallway and B10... which isn't very far.

Yes, unfortunately running is straight line.

The books do not appear to have any understanding of what Igor is saying.

This time, the covers are still open when the alchemical fire hits them. The fire burns up a few pages, but the swarm is still in good shape.
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Grelthe runs in the direction of the considerable noise.

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.
Bolded may act.

Round 2:

Grelthe
Ela -6
Toral

Round 3:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -9
Paper Cuts 25 damage

Thank you, Elris. Stopping the bleeding is quite helpful. Now to avoid additional cuts...

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Time to burn some more books.

[move] 25'
[standard] cast burning hands

FIRE damage, DC16 reflex half: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) = 10

She then winces, that she might have caught the swarm's attention.

The books are only slightly too slow in closing their covers this time. The insides of several of the books ignite. In spite of that, there are still badly charred books flying in the hallway and Ela is much too close to them.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Kn: Arcana once you can see it to identify it.
Bolded may act.

Round 2:

Grelthe
Ela -6
Toral

Round 3:

Igor
Iacopo
Elris -9
Paper Cuts 40 damage

"It doesn't sound like just a fire," Baronet Liacenza says as he gets closer. He takes his wand and cast mage armor. "To better protect myself."

Ela has a couple of realizations about the book swarm and yells out to the party.

We already know fire is effective, but it may contain some of the books we need! Further the damage from fire is going to be readily noticeable if we're found out down there. We might want to switch to bludgeoning tools... or force, or sonic damage.