GM Euan's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

Izomandakus blushes for a second "Oh, well, no visits allowed to the Golemworks. Rules"

As he goes out to sell the stuff in the market he adds "I can show you where that's done though"

"Oh, well, no visits allowed to the Golemworks. Rules"

That doesn't answer the question. Kast looks at the staff and golems about, wondering.

”Oh good heavens.” Lord Master Bhrecher harumphs. But he takes it in stride, ”You’ll never find a magical merchant open this late. Not without paying double for the damn thing! And I’d not bother a wizard this late either - they’re like as not deep in their drinks, and who knows where you’ll end up.”

He thinks a moment, and suggests, ”You might try ol’ Marty. He’ll make you pay for it, but I bet he’s got a scroll of teleportation in his shop, and this time of day he’s always drinking at the Horses Tail on Beecher street.”

If Rastaf has it memorized, and I expect he does, you’re only some 60 miles from Sandpoint. You could be there in an hour with the Wind Walk spell.

You are escorted from the Golemworks and into the streets of Magnimar. It’s just after 8pm.

I forgot how close it was. Yeah, I can do it.

Rastaf offers to use Wind Wall to get everyone back.
Not as quick as teleportation, but it's free. Kinda fun, too.

If everyone's amenable, he'll cast the spell.

Chuckling at Val's question, Seamus steps off of the man's bed. As Kast mentioned the idea of riding horses, Seamus turned towards the others as Rastaf and Izomandakus started talking about love and money. He loved his mother but really didn't want to visit. His stepfather would infer that Seamus should give them some money. Pausing he turned towards Kast 'Where all the kissing happened?' Shaking his head, thinking Kast should really visit the 'kitten' and get whatever he was dealing with out of his system. Ready to head to Sandpoint and figure out what was going on, he chimed in with Rastaf. "Yeah, flying was sort of fun. Let's get out of here and back home."

Kast joins Rastaf for the flying cloud magics, eager to get back home in case people are in danger.

”C’mon. Let’s go.”

"And safer apparently. Sorry Valena, it is first time this happened to me, so not regular" the boy touches his lips "I wonder where was my head on"

"Thanks Lord Master Bhrecher" Izomandakus recognizes his old tutor "You would not believe it but I found a real clockwork from ancient Thassilion. Perhaps on a lesser pressed moment I can talk about it with you!"

And once they are out and he receives the spell, he does not hesitate to become mist and fly as fast as the wind towards Sandpoint.

Rushing ahead, you take to the air, and fly - faster than the wind! - as you leave Magnimar behind. Rather than follow the long and winding road, you follow the sloping coast. It’s a bit shorter, and much easier to spot in the half-moon light which shines on your flight. It takes you about 50 minutes to fly home and it’s cold but your winter gear keeps you warm enough for the journey.

Just as an aside, I love that someone tracked the phases of the moon to Golarion’s calendar.

You fly over the dark and sullen Foxglove Manor as you get closer. Then across the Sog’s bay, around the Hag’s Plummet, and The Pyre, until you reach Sandpoint itself! The usual lights are lit in most homes, as you might imagine at this time of night (around 9pm). The sinkhole too, is easy to spot, with lanterns around the ring of it so the guards can see if anything tries to sneak out. You see three members of the watch keeping an eye on the hole.

The sinkhole is about 30’ across. It collapsed the north part of the Garrison (building 10 on the map), and takes up all of that section of Tower street as well.

Do you go to the church? Investigate the sinkhole? Something else? Remember, it takes a few rounds to return to solid form and you are currently as wispy as cloud. And it is about 9pm. But you are back in Sandpoint at least.

Kast heads directly to the sinkhole, transforming so he can check in with the watch. He assumes he will recognize some of them, and hopes that they might know him. He will make his usual hellos, then get to business as the Sihedron Soldier.

”We’ve come as fast as we could. What is the status here?” Kast asks, airwalking slightly above the pit and looking therein. ”Has Brodert seen this? Has he had anything to say?”

Izomandakus and Pachemu arrive just behind Kast and land with an eerie transformation to flesh and bone people "Hi there!"

The boy waits while Kast delivers his report, while looking for the guard with the lesser rank and newer to arrive "Could you please inform Father Zantus we are here? We don't want him to think we have not answered yet his plea"
K. nobility: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

While the guards report back to their Sihedron counterpart, Izomandakus and Pachemu look down the sinkhole for clues, using detect magic too.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
Pachemu: Survival (scent): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Rastaf follows suit.
We'll keep watch here until you return.

Landing with the others, Seamus wanders towards the 'Old Light House' as he begins to return to normal form. Once fully himself he approaches Kast and asks. "Do you think it's a coincident that it's so close to the Old Tower?"

Does a guard go tell the priest were here?

Val tosses her hair back over her shoulder. ”Does Sandpoint have any city plans, you think? Some documentation as to what was here before the garrison might be illuminating.” A cat smile appears on her face. ”Maybe we should just jump on down?” She conjures some dancing lights and sends them flying down the sinkhole to try to get an estimate of how deep it is.

”We’ve come as fast as we could. What is the status here?” Kast asks, airwalking slightly above the pit and looking therein. ”Has Brodert seen this? Has he had anything to say?”

The guards look on amazed as you solidify. Surprise would normally lead to a calling for arms but you’re recognized in a few seconds, and solid a few seconds after that so no hue and cry is rallied.

”I, uh, sir? We’re guarding a hold in the ground sir! I couldn’t say about Mr. Quink sir. Maybe you should talk to the Sheriff. He’s at…”

"Hi there!"

The boy waits while Kast delivers his report, while looking for the guard with the lesser rank and newer to arrive "Could you please inform Father Zantus we are here? We don't want him to think we have not answered yet his plea"

”Yes, I, er, as I was about to say, the Sheriff is meeting with Father Zantus now. They been together with the Mayor for close to two hours or so I guess. They’re at the church sir. I, ah, can’t leave my post.”

We'll keep watch here until you return.

”Er, no, sorry, I have my orders. I can’t just give up my post unless it’s an emergency or something.”

Valena sends a light down into the darkness. The group can see portions of the cells partially collapsed under the garrison - for they did sit along the north wall. The rubble from the structure makes something of a climbable path (DC 10 climb vs DC 15 for the rest of the sinkhole). It’s about 20’ deep, and you can see a narrow opening along the northwest side at the deepest point. It seems to be a tunnel heading underground.

'Huh, I guess we'll have to tell them ourselves.' Hearing that the guards would not leave their posts and that all the important people are at the church, Seamus waives. "I'll go get them."

Whistling as he walks towards the church, Seamus muses how much things felt like they had changed since all this started. As Seamus pushed the doors open to the church it dawned on him that maybe it was he who had changed. Refocusing, he called out, "Hey Father Zantus, we're back. Everyone else is at the sinkhole, would you like to go talk to them?"

”I heard some people died. How did they die? Does this hole seem stable?” Kast asks the guard, while pondering what to do. He is relieved there doesn’t seem to be any monsters or foes streaming out of the hole and attacking the town, which was his earlier fear.

”Izo? Maybe we’ll check in with the Sheriff and Mr. Quint, and head down in the morning?” Kast asks.

Where is the Sheriff? Kast would have listened to the answer.

”Yes, I, er, as I was about to say, the Sheriff is meeting with Father Zantus now. They been together with the Mayor for close to two hours or so I guess. They’re at the church sir. I, ah, can’t leave my post.”

" Let's meet with them at the Cathedral then" Izomandakus will follow Seamus to the large structure "It is too much guessing for me to tell what magic could have caused this, I need more info, but Pachemu says the whole town has been here. It still reeks to them here"

”I heard some people died. How did they die? Does this hole seem stable?”

”We’re to keep people well back. Two, Walter and Matt, went in that tunnel and never came out. Every so often, we can hear baying. Like as with hounds. Only it gets right down your spine it does.”

Whistling as he walks towards the church, Seamus muses how much things felt like they had changed since all this started. As Seamus pushed the doors open to the church it dawned on him that maybe it was he who had changed. Refocusing, he called out, "Hey Father Zantus, we're back. Everyone else is at the sinkhole, would you like to go talk to them?"

Seamus walks the sweet streets of Sandpoint, a pleasant, if cold, evening. A good early winter night with the half moon rising high in the sky.

You enter the cathedral to find Mayor Deverin with Father Zantus and Sheriff Hemlock. It looks like they’re winding up whatever meeting they had been having when Father Zantus summoned you just an hour ago.

”My heavens!” begins the good padre, ”That was mighty fast. I thought you were above the ridge on the Storval Plateau? This simplifies things greatly.” he adds, and indeed all three figures look somewhat relieved that you’re back.

”I don’t think we should be having this meeting in the streets. The public will only worry.” begins the Sheriff.

”Yes, yes, I agree.” agrees Father Zantus amiably as the Mayor nods. Father Zantus turns back to Seamus and any who joined him, ”Take me to the rest, and let’s meet in the church. Come, let’s go.”

The party is eventually collected in the church (in case you don't all join Seamus).

The civic, spiritual, and military leaders of Sandpoint greet you warmly, and thank you for returning so swiftly. Before getting to the matter at hand, they want to know what you’ve done since departing. They want to hear your stories of Jorgenfist! You’ve only been gone a few days but much can happen in that time especially when you seem to travel faster than the wind.

You are escorted into a sanctuary with plenty of chairs around for all to relax a bit and plied with questions.

”We’re to keep people well back. Two, Walter and Matt, went in that tunnel and never came out. Every so often, we can hear baying. Like as with hounds. Only it gets right down your spine it does.”

"Ah, dammit. I guess...I guess we'll try to retrieve them in the morning," Kast winces. "We can get them a proper burial so they can reach Pharasma's realm quickly." Kast limps away, thinking about the lost men.

* * *

"Has Brodert Quint been around? Has he opined about the hole or what is beneath? We have some things to discuss with him as well? Should he be here?" Kast asks, looking around at the various Sandpoint royalty. If he can be fetched to hear the recent adventures so the party doesn't have to do it twice, he will suggest a slight delay. Otherwise, he will explain what the party has been up to, starting with the Dragon's Lair, the avoided harpies, and Conna and Mokmurian.

Finding no chair for her, Pachemu sits on the ground. Izomandakus coughs a bit and succinctly explains "We have rooted out the bad leadership of the giants and installed a new friendly government. The Giants War is over. Varisia's lowlands are safe once more."

"Only thing we found out during the process Karzoug, Runelord of Shalast, was the responsible under the raise of the previous giant government. He is waking up and that is a more concerning new than a war with giants." the boy looks at Abadar's statue and adds "Are... are Aneka and mom ok?"

Seeing the three city leaders all in one place Seamus us happy to tell them his message. Nodding as the three elders point out the meeting should be private Seamus turns to fetch the others but realizes they had followed him to the temple. Smiling, "Good you guys came along it saves me from fetching you."

Hearing Kast ask about Brodert Quint, Seamus pauses, not remember seeing the old fellow. While Izomandakus begins to explain some of that they had been through, Seamus leans over to Kast and asks, "Do you want me to fetch Brodert Quint?" Realizing Izaomandakus had asked about his family he add, "I can swing by the bakery and make sure there all right." He was going to add he could check on the Pottersmoots but decided to just leave it alone.

Val makes colorful commentary along with the explanation of their exploits. She prefers dry witticism to talking herself up, and she trusts the Thassilon experts to capture the salient points better than her. ”I can also just sending to Brody and save some time, if you all prefer.”

At the sinkhole.

"Ah, dammit. I guess...I guess we'll try to retrieve them in the morning," Kast winces. "We can get them a proper burial so they can reach Pharasma's realm quickly." Kast limps away, thinking about the lost men.

The guard nods. You’d expect a country guard to be more uneasy on such a duty as this - but the man is stalwart. Kast especially knows how hard the Sheriff drills his guards, and how hard he works to instill in them something greater than some hick watchman in some hick town.

There’s pride here, and so the guard staffs his post, and watches for the horrors that walk in the night.

In the church.

"Has Brodert Quint been around? Has he opined about the hole or what is beneath? We have some things to discuss with him as well? Should he be here?" Kast asks, looking around at the various Sandpoint royalty. If he can be fetched to hear the recent adventures so the party doesn't have to do it twice, he will suggest a slight delay. Otherwise, he will explain what the party has been up to, starting with the Dragon's Lair, the avoided harpies, and Conna and Mokmurian.

The three are impressed, each in their own way, with your report. The Sheriff nods, almost smiling, before congratulating you on saving the communities of the plains below the Storval Rise. He says it almost flippantly, but you feel the sincerity behind the words. The Priest and Mayor are, of course, more gushing in their praise. You feel like the Mayor is being less sincere - but only by degree. She is after all, a politician, and they’re hard to read.

It is clear however, that all three are quite pleased. The Mayor even suggests, ”We’ll do a formal proclamation at the next town council meeting. You can take it to Magnimar and maybe get a reward out of them. Worth a try anyway!”

The Sheriff then speaks to your question, ”Well, we expect the sinkhole does lead to the caverns you found last time, and bricked up. But why would we send him in there now, when the guardsmen aren’t coming back? There’s nothing that can be seen from the edges.”

"Only thing we found out during the process Karzoug, Runelord of Shalast, was the responsible under the raise of the previous giant government. He is waking up and that is a more concerning new than a war with giants." the boy looks at Abadar's statue and adds "Are... are Aneka and mom ok?"

The Mayor frowns, ”I thought the giant threat was ended, and now you speak of a greater threat? What could be greater than the giants overrunning us all the way to Magnimar?”

While she waits for an answer, the priest whispers to Izomandakus, ”They’re fine, no one was harmed when the sinkhole appeared.”

Izomandakus breaths relieved hearing Aneka and Alma are ok "Well, the old sir that enslaved all the giants and seems to want reclaim his kingdom knows the mightiest wizardry we ever heard of, probably rivaling with gods themselves. So if he wants to enslave us now, that is concerning"

"But no worries. We are here to deal with that." the boy smiles at this point "Kast read his city is covered all in gold, so it does not matter there is no money to pay us here"

And looking out to the city "So, what's about the sinkhole?"

As Kast took the time to explain all the adventures the group had been through, Seamus pulled his lute out of the fancy backpack he had purchased in Magnimar, in what seemed like months before. Sitting down on the pew, he began to play. Matching the chords, rhythm and key with the different parts of the story.

As Kast finished the story, and Izomandakus began answering questions. Seamus paused putting the lute back away, then looked at the Mayor shrugging. "The giants were a threat. But Karzoug he's the ancient Thassilonian wizard demi-god come back to life that was using the giants as his errand boys." He then looks towards the priest. "Who apparently wants to reclaim his ancient kingdom." Seamus furrows his brow and shrugs, while he looks at the sheriff, "Or at least that's my guess based on what we've seen."

He then looks at this friends "So we going down the sinkhole or what? If not, I'm going to 'Crackjaws' and having a drink."

perform: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Kast listens to the replies, thinking.

"I'm not yet completely sure that we know what is down there. We do know it's old, very old, but was hoping Brodert could help confirm a few things. Might be that we need to head back to the libary, but it's hard to know what will be safest."

"If you want, we can try bricking over the hole. It might take some time and magic, but given a few days or weeks of work, we might be able to patch it over until the next sinkhole or quake or whatever opened up the hole," Kast offers, brainstorming.

Val folds her arms behind her head and stretches. ”I think that going down there and dealing with whatever nonsense is there will make it so there are no longer sinkholes or quakes, darling. Maybe the way opening back up for us is a sign we should not just leave it this time.”

Rastaf has been quiet, listening to all that was being said, trying to grasp the scale of the events at hand.

Yes, Valena. I agree that we can't just patch this over. The threat will only continue to grow if we don't stop it at the source.

He stifles a yawn. Let's eat and get some rest for now, and come back to it in the morning at our full strength, and pray nothing happens in the meantime. My magic is spent, and I need time to get ready for whatever's next. I'm sure Karzoug already is.

"It would be ideal to do as Kast says and find out the blueprints of a typical Hellstorm Flume" Izomandakus tries to reconcile "But I agree with Valena here that we are probably better spelunking down the sinkhole to see what we can find, the earlier the better, before things get worse"

After Rastaf, he adds then "I am fine to go now, a rest would recover me that mislead teleport but we can do without I am sure. Let's get down now before someone more gets injured"

Izomandakus breaths relieved hearing Aneka and Alma are ok "Well, the old sir that enslaved all the giants and seems to want reclaim his kingdom knows the mightiest wizardry we ever heard of, probably rivaling with gods themselves. So if he wants to enslave us now, that is concerning"

"But no worries. We are here to deal with that." the boy smiles at this point "Kast read his city is covered all in gold, so it does not matter there is no money to pay us here"

As Kast finished the story, and Izomandakus began answering questions. Seamus paused putting the lute back away, then looked at the Mayor shrugging. "The giants were a threat. But Karzoug he's the ancient Thassilonian wizard demi-god come back to life that was using the giants as his errand boys." He then looks towards the priest. "Who apparently wants to reclaim his ancient kingdom." Seamus furrows his brow and shrugs, while he looks at the sheriff, "Or at least that's my guess based on what we've seen."

The three leaders look a little befuddled, but comforted in knowing you are on the case. They seem to get the sense there is little they can do anyway. At least at this stage.

And looking out to the city "So, what's about the sinkhole?"

The Sheriff begins for the group, ”Yesterday morning,” (At the same time you killed Mokmurian) ”…we had a tumbler. As you know we do get them from time to time, but not usually this bad. Still, not as bad as all that, for aside from a bit of broken crockery here and there through the town, and the need to rebuild the cells and north wall of the garrison, it all seemed OK.”

”So we roped it off, made sure to keep people well back from the edge so no-one’d fall in, and checked the garrison to make sure it wouldn’t collapse in the hole. It’s solid enough as we learned, but while doing that someone noticed a passage leading deeper in.”

”Figuring it was just those same ruins you cleared out a bit ago, so we left it be for the moment. While we were discussing how best to fill in the hole, repair the garrison, and replace the street - the howling started.”

”They’re like no dogs I’ve heard before. Also we heard some screaming, but most of the townsfolk were away for that bit so we didn’t spread it around. Still, it was time to investigate, so I sent two down to do just that. That was this afternoon, and while there hasn’t been any screaming since, and we’ve checked that no one is missing, the howling has continued from time to time, and the men didn’t come back.”

”So we called you.” adds the helpful clergyman.

”So we called you,” continues the Sheriff unabated. ”Exactly right. And the city is prepared to pay you a little extra, as usual. Two thousand gold is about all we can afford right now. All these emergencies are really tapping our reserve funds. And as you say, more is on the horizon.”

”I doubt we can get much leverage from Magnimar on this,” interjects the Mayor, ”But the giant thing should get you some pay from them, and with our help… maybe a little more? We know it’s not much to offer compared with what you are used to, and worth! But we hope you’ll help us once again. Our local heroes.”

He then looks at this friends "So we going down the sinkhole or what? If not, I'm going to 'Crackjaws' and having a drink."

You can go down now of course. It’ll be dark you expect, ‘cause it is underground, so it really doesn’t matter when you go. And two guards are missing - the hours ticking away. Your battles with the giants, and other abominations, were yesterday, so you should be fairly fresh on spells excepting the wind walk (though it is still going) and the teleport.

"If you want, we can try bricking over the hole. It might take some time and magic, but given a few days or weeks of work, we might be able to patch it over until the next sinkhole or quake or whatever opened up the hole," Kast offers, brainstorming.

”What about the hounds and the screaming?” The Sheriff begins slowly, ”We talked over that option, and would rather pay you the 2,000gp to go down and investigate. We don’t want whatever it is to fester as Valena and Rastaf suggest.”

Do you go in the hole tonight? Tomorrow? Or discuss other options further (such as bricking it over)?

'He's right, it's not a lot, but it's a lot for Sandpoint.' Raising an eyebrow at the quantity of gold the sheriff was promising, Seamus stood shouldering his pack. Looking towards his friends and repeated. "So tonight, Sinkhole or take the night off and go in the morning?"

Shrugging, "I'd just as soon not go drinking until we can answer a few questions, cause you know everyone who's ever seen us will think we'll have the answers." He smiles a little. "We may as well get a few of those answers so we can calm their nerves and then relax a little." His smile widens, "Besides, if we go fix it now, everyone will want to buy us drinks."

"Howling and screaming?" Pachemu stands up in alert as much as her friend, the boy hears about the money and grasps his staff ready to action "Then we should not let another night pass"

"Let's have them buy us those drinks tomorrow"

Kast ponders. Obviously, he would do the job regardless of the 2000 gp. He would do it for free, but has no right to ask others to do the same. At the same time, he’s pleased that the town had offered and made the gesture.

”Then we should not let another night pass.”

”Or we should be more careful in our preparations. It’s already late, and we still haven’t figured out what we need from the last raid. Might be that it can wait a day so we can prepare ourselves. We don’t know what’s down there. Could be a slew of lost goblin dawgs, goblin snakes, or whatever, but it could also be much worse, much more ancient.”

Kast thinks a bit more.

”And again, I’d like to check in with Brodert. He might know something that we’ve missed.”

The party decides to head in tomorrow, perhaps after breakfast, perhaps after consultations. The Sheriff is displeased, wanting his men found sooner than later, but he mostly keeps it off his face, and says nothing. The Mayor is very understanding, ”Learn what you need to learn and let us know what you find down there.”

”Need more wands? I’ve been making a few just for you.” the good padre offers, in case there’s an immediate need. You can buy the wands now off the group funds as usual. We'll do the divvy later when there's time. Just sort out what/how many clerical wands you want and they're yours.

You have a late supper, since you’ve missed yours - it’s been a busy day. Presumably you take it at the ‘Dragon. It’s open, the food is hot and good, and they won’t complain that it’s late.

No one bothers you overmuch while you’re there. After all, you’re Rusty regulars, just like them. Still, you get a few kindly nods and waives of thanks from the others in the pub. For while they don’t know about the impending giant invasion you have just overcome, the goblin raid and dragon raid are still very fresh in their minds. You are still, very much, the Heroes of Sandpoint.

You sleep uneasily, each of you suffering, a bit, with sleeplessness. When you do sleep, the dreams are unpleasant - the stuff of Lamashtu and her ilk. Horrible. At one point each of you remember a giant unholy hound, wreathed in fire from the sinkhole (image) climbing out to attack the town.

Fort DC 12 or your nightmares got the better of you and you awaken fatigued.

You collect yourselves again at the Rusty Dragon for breakfast. From the looks of the other folk breaking their fasts, no one slept well.

It’s 8am on Kuthana the second, a Toilday.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Fort

Kast wakes up tired and cranky (which is unusual for him) and probably blames Seamus and his lute in combination with the hound-mares for his inability to sleep.

Thankfully, he will either take a hit off the wand of lesser restoration (do we have one, Val?) or cast it himself so he's not completely sleeping and tripping over his own feet (more than usual).

Kast would be in favor of prepping more, getting more and better magics from Magnimar and also seeing about the Adamantine scroll tube.

If you're planning on doing some shopping, remember you have an item that, it was suggested, you sell in Korvosa (link).

Of course two teleports takes care of that, though teleporting into Korvosa might be a little rough. Flying there via Wind Walk is all day from here, even at speed. Let me know if you want to pursue that now or just hold off.

Meanwhile, please check the treasure sheet for anything in the To Sell that you might want to keep. There are one or two nice bits in there and Magnimar is only a couple hours round trip by air.

Don't forget to sort out what group wands/gear you might want to buy!

Hearing that the hole was going to wait until the morning, Seamus sighed. "I guess that means I'll keep working on this Adamantium tube puzzle. Shouldering his pack, he heads to 'Cracktooths.' Walking in the door he smiles and waives, dropping his pack behind the bar like he used to. Instead of drawing his lute out of the fancy new bag, he drew out the tube puzzle.

Sitting down at the bar, he waves at his friend. [b]"Cracktooth, can I have a small ale, I've got a puzzle to solve, and I don't want to get drunk." The hours pass, after the first mug of ale, Seamus stops to eat a cold sandwich, then starts with the puzzle again. After the third hour Cracktooth brews a pot of coffee and sets it beside Seamus and lets him work. When Cracktooth begins to close Seamus points at the Lantern, "Just leave the lamp, I'll lock up when I'm done."

Around dawn Seamus finally feels the last tumbler fall in place, breathing a sigh of relief, he opens it, but doesn't touch the scroll inside. Blowing out the lantern, he leaves it on the bar, picking up his pack, he locks the door on his way out to the 'Dragon.'

Reaching the 'Dragon' he heads to their old table in the corner. Dropping his pack he takes off his cap and rests it on the table, laying the open scroll tube on top. Waiving at the waitress he asks for another cup of coffee. As the others come down, it's obvious that the young half elf had stayed up all night. But he was smiling holding up the open tube.

Blinking his eyes he adds, "I got it open, but I'm whipped." Looking from Rastaf to Val, he asks, "Anyone got anything better than coffee and donuts for fatigue?"

The scroll tube contains a plethora of powerful magics and more! The non-artifact scrolls are brittle with age, though the magics hold them together more or less. Still, mending or make whole spells can do wonders to ensure they don’t fall apart when read (DC 20 slight of hand or they crumble to dust in their current condition). I’ll assume the proper spells are cast over the course of time, and you can use the scrolls after a couple hours. Assuming someone has mending today?

Greater Restoration (17) (7,975gp)
Heroes’ Feast (17) (2,550gp)
Order’s Wrath (17) (1,700gp)
Regenerate (17) (2,975gp)
Resurrection (17) (12,975gp)
Scrying (17) (3,125gp)
Symbol of Stunning (17) (2,975gp)
True Resurrection (17) (28,825gp)

However, the other scrolls in the case are even more impressive if you risk it. Written on wyvern hide the ancient texts on these 9 scrolls are sewn together on one long scroll between two rods. They defy aging and look as fresh as they did when written. The ink looks wet on the supple surface!

Each time the Anathema Archive, as it is titled, is opened, the Thasselonian writing written here… changes.

If you are able to read Thasselonian, you can use the Anathema Archive to cast any spell you know (arcane). Doing so requires a Spellcraft (DC 20 + double spell level) to open to that spell. If successful, you may cast the spell from the scroll - though the scroll is not consumed!

Alternatively, you may use the text for research, granting a +10 insight bonus to the knowledge check. Generally the scroll covers evil outsiders, rune lords, Thassilon, Leng, evil religions and undead - but other options may exist - only research can tell.

However, there is a heavy cost to such powerful magics. Each time you use the Archive, your mind becomes increasingly unhinged and you must make a will save (DC 15 + twice the number of times you’ve used the Archive personally) or take 1d4 wisdom drain and become confused for 1 + the number of times you’ve used the Archive personally, rounds.

It functions once per day.

Assuming you keep the Anathema Archive, I need to know who is carrying it.

Finally, a scrap of parchment (image) falls from the tube, almost as an after thought. It too is brittle and crumbly, but reads,

”Writ of Entrance and Access
To be presented to the clockwork librarian of the Therassic Library for the securing of full access to all archives held within.
Ware the shining guardians, for they guard the library without bias, and any who would enter are counted thieves and vandals to be slaughtered.
Speak aloud the name of the Master Architect, Viosanxi, afore entry is attempted via the bronze doors, if thou wouldst avoid their blinding wrath.”

Of course, you had the key, so the shining guardian left you alone. You’re not sure why the librarian is aiding you without this slip of paper however. Should you later ask the librarian, you get no clear answer ”I help all who enter.” Perhaps Mokmurian did something to ‘reset’ the librarian.

I don’t remember having a wand of lesser resto in this game?

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Val has had more than her share of nightmares after what happened with her husband, so she is practiced at getting through them.

She smiles to herself at Seamus’s question. ”I can get rid of it with one spell or make it stop bothering you for almost two hours before it comes back. Actually have a couple spells for the latter now that I think about it.” She shrugs and her smile turns almost apologetic. ”How else does a socialite drink until the wee hours of the morning and be fresh for a function the next morning?”

That’s a long winded way to say yes, she does have lesser resto

She looks over the haul from the scrolltube and whistles. ”Quite a haul there! Good work, Sea.”

"Nice work, 'Mus! I never thought we'd get this open," Kast cheers when the tube is opened.

Kast both speaks/reads Thassolonian and has Mending as needed. He will review the scrolls and the application and probably offer it's use to either Rastaf or Izo, as his hands are usually full of angry iron quills.

I don't see a wand of lesser restoration on the group sheet, but it sounds like with all the folks who can cast it, you'll be well covered for most eventualities.

Any last minute requests from the treasure sheet? I'll do a divvy later today. Need any CLW wands or any other group purchases?

Also, are you going to Magnimar to sell/buy? I'll assume so, and assume it's by way of wind walk, unless you decide differently.

You should also report to the Magnimarian authorities, but you might want to wait a couple days until you can bring the Sandpoint Declaration to reinforce your claims for payment.

If time is available, Izomandakus will explore his recently acquired property and check with the Carpenter's guild about replacing some of the burned windows and structure while he is busy with other very transcendental for the world stuff.

Then, Izomandakus directs himself to the Savories to spend the evening with his mother and twin sister, as they have not been together for a couple of days now. The boy is happy to explain the Sihedron Heroes adventures but preserves the most gruesome details.

Fort DC 12: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Pachemu: Fort DC 12: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Seeing Pachemu placidly sleeping already when he hits the room, he works for a time on learning a couple more spells from Mokmurian.
Spellcraft (dispel magic) DC 18: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29 90 gp
Spellcraft (feather fall) DC 16: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23 10 gp

---

K. history DC 25 (Anathema Archive): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30
Izomandakus is impressed when Seamus shows his results the next day "That is the Emerald Codex of the Therassic Order! Critters! It seems like eons since last time I saw it" the boy examines the object from all sides and explains its basic usage "It is a compilation of enlightened rituals related to the worship of the Peacock Spirit, that once powerful faith of the Thassilonian empire Vraxeris is obsessed with"

"The old structure below Jorgenfist was probably devoted to that spirit, and the scribes there probably put the Anathema Archive at the hands of the Black Monk for protection" he gives it some more extra thought while also helping to identify the scrolls "Maybe even before the Earthfall. This is invaluable material."

Dipping his sixth cake donut in his third cup of coffee, Seamus smiles when Val proclaims the quality of haul, Nodding to Kast, "Thanks Kast." Chuckling that Izomandakus instantly knew what the things were inside. Still smiling, he blinks a couple of times. "I'm glad it worked out, the tube was a nightmare." He blinks his eyes a couple more times before he stuffs the rest of his sopping cake donut in his mouth.

Apparently Seamus craves sugar when he's really tired. Who'd have thunk it.

Kast definitely coos over the very nice scroll tube for a while with Izo, but also eventually realizes that they needed to plan and prepare for the hole and whatever might be within.

"Izo, I have an idea. Why do you and another, say Rastaf, go to Magnimar and liquidate our excess items and buy us some proper gear for what might be a bit of excavation. In the meantime, we'll ask 'Mus and Val to watch the hole...and yes, I'll help too, but I think I need to commune with Brodert for a bit," Kast offers a plan that he hopes will be acceptable. "I think we go in at first light in two days, probably. Depending on how tired Izo and 'staf are."

Under Rastaf’s hand, you become as a cloud. Some of you perhaps climb into the sky above Sandpoint, and fly south along the coast to nearby Magnimar. Well, nearby as the crow flies!

You descend into the city before becoming solid again, perhaps in a park. It’s winter, so the place is crowded with the bright and colorful wagons of the Varisian people. Still, you manage to find an inconspicuous place to solidify safely.

Fanning out, you sell off the goods you’ve acquired quickly!

Party Divvy
Each of you receives 25,119gp, and you buy nothing at this time.

Still lots of stuff in the loot pile to claim. C’mon folks, I can’t make all the decisions, or copy things onto your character sheets. :)

Does anyone stay behind or do you all go to Magnimar? Kast seems to be staying behind to talk to Brodert perhaps. Let me know what you're doing.

"Sure thing! Can you perhaps ask him also about the plane of Leng? I had no time to do it in the Library and this new text Seamus found has things about it. This is the only bit of information that truly worries me about what Karzoug is doing." Izomandakus puts the Anathema Archive on Kast's hands and is eager to trip back to Magnimar and deal with the coin.

There, in the City of Monuments, he goes to the market to sell the group's hoard. Coming back to the optical technician he acquires the annihilation spectacles he commissioned a while back now "Sweet! They look quite trendy, don't they Pachemu?" the pig spins her head with satisfaction as well.

He will help with any commissions the others cannot come pick themselves, and then make the way back flying as a cloud with Rastaf or whomever else wants to come.

Back at Sandpoint, he will rejoin with the others and give back the items and coin that corresponds to each one.

Val will go shopping, never one to miss a chance to do so. That she can pop in on Sapphira is a natural boon as well.

@GM Euan was she able to get the armor now or does she have to wait for it to be commissioned?

Yes, Valena may have the celestial armor now. They keep them in stock for adventuring parties - though they've sold most of their stock to the party of late. :)

Kast will offer a shopping list to Izo (tbd), and will go find Brodert to report on what he has learnt about the Thassolonian ruins, the library, and pretty much everything that the party had deciphered recently.

This is AMAZINGLY important to Kast (even more important than strutting around town in his very dapper Celestial Armor in case a certain youknowwho might see him), that Brodert record what has happened lest no one be able to continue their work if the party should fail. In addition, the findings might even be important to know for he history books, maybe even for the Pathfinder Society, or whatever.

But it's very clear to Kast that the knowledge needs to be passed on. And so he spends most of the morning making sure that Brodert sets things in ink.

"...any thoughts? What do you think, Brodert?" Kast asks, after the full download.