GM TOP #3-06: Song of the Sea Witch (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

As you may have guessed, this is where the magic happens! Anything here prior to our official start date of January 4th is literally just character intro, chatter and prep. If some of you can't go on the 4th, you are still welcome to participate here until then. Enjoy!

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You receive urgent summons for your next mission to meet at the Absalom Lantern Lodge for your briefing.

Upon arrival (it is early morning) at the very heavily Tian Xia influenced facility, a friendly host asks, "Yōkoso, anata wa koko ni tabemono ka nani ka hoka no monodesu ka?"

If you give a blank look of misunderstanding, she repeats herself with the same cheery smile, "Welcome, are you here food or something else?"

An elderly man, dressed in the gown of a scholar makes his way into the Lantern lodge. His movements, while not as graceful as perhaps they were in his youth, still speak to a degree of energy in his elderly frame.

He offers a low to the host, returning the greeting.

"Watashi wa shōkan ni ōjite koko ni imasu. Osoraku sore wa, Tian Xia e no watashi no saishin no benchā ni tsuite kuronikuru no tame ni kaita kiji to kankei ga arimasu ka?"

A short, stout suit of full plate moves away from the wall "Eh... " He stammers a bit before flipping up his visor. A wrinkled old Dwarf with a frizzy beard appear behind the metal visor. "Care ta translate fer us foot soldiers?" Regardless, he removes his gauntlet and offers up a hearty handshake all around.

"Name's Ironshanks Magee." He announces, giving Khellek a second look, recognizing the face from a while back. "Hey now, I remember that mug.. didn't we work together up in the frozen north a while back?" He pulls his fingers through his graying beard as he tries to remember the specifics.

After a few moments he shifts his gaze back to the hostess "Er, food is good... and something else?" Seems like everyone that works fer these Pathfinders are on a need ta know basis.. an' I guess no one ever needs ta know!

"Oh, food, yes please! I'm Yabatha by the way - it is very nice to meet you all!" A cheerfull halfling is wearing a dull organe tunic, trapped together by a blue bandolier holding all her equipment together. She is small, but well built for a female gnome her age. Her striking orange hair stands out like a sore thumnb, and she smiles and introduces herself to the group.

"I'd love some food! Everything smells so delicious, and I don't think I've ever seen noodles so long!" Then Damiar blinks, and runs up to hug the crusty looking dwarf in full plate. "Iovo, look! I found Ironshanks!"

Then she turns back to theif former dwarven comrade. "We're new here. Can you introduce us around?"

“I wasn’t aware he was missing!” Another red-headed elf comes in, smiling broadly.

“Have you fought any other furniture lately? I was glad you had your axe for that battle!”

To the others, she says “Hello! I’m Iovo and this is my sister Damiar. Nice to meet you!”

Like her sister, Iovo has a bow slung across her back. She has a mithral spiked gauntlet whereas her sister has one made of cold iron. They both carry the expected rapier, along with a few other weapons and wands. One difference is that Iovo isn’t wearing any armor. Iovo has a butterfly clasp on her cloak.

Khellek peers over his glasses, looking around and then down at Ironshanks. "Ahh.. Mr Magee? Yes... that was the expedition that Bessie and I nailed the bear was it not. Don't worry, I've never let a bear eat any of my students while on a field trip. I'm sure this expedition won't be any different."

He then happily translates the Tien into Taldane and elvish for the others present.

As the effervescent elves he sighs slightly. They remind me very much of Apollyanna.. Still, he extends his hand "Khellek, historian."

"Iovo, mischief maker and backup singer to my sister!"

"Hello Khellek!" the halfling bounces up to the bard, smiling from ear to ear. "Oh my -- and a pair of elven sisters! This is going to be a wonderful, absolutely wonderful adventure, i can just tell!" She waves at the two beautiful elves, happy to see more friendly faces enter the room. "How delightfully brilliant! I can feel the essence of Nethys flow through all of you, I feel good tidings are to come. Knowledge is power, I am grateful to be among such learned folk."

The runes on her armor glow brightly, as she creates magical white lights which dance and flow between the members of the group. The lights seem to be a little confused when they float around Ironshanks, but dance around never the less as they sense some peculiarities around the dwarf.

"It should be interesting, I agree."

Looking to Yabatha, she says "I don't seek power. I much prefer new experiences."

The scholar also offers a formal varisian half bow to Yabatha. "And I hope it is to be my pleasure to meet you also."

He casts a worried glance at Iovo Mischief maker... and she admits to it. That one will need watching for sure.

"Knowledge is indeed power. But it is also valuable for its own sake. To seek out old mysteries. To understand the working of the world itself. People, places, objects and elements... they all intermix with history, creating it and created from it."

With a wry smile, Iovo says "I disagree."

"If knowledge were power there would be no need for two separate words. The concepts are linked, but that doesn't make them the same."

"Knowledge is a form of power, and in fact, gives form to power. Take a warrior - strong of arm but without the knowledge of the forge. He has power, but without the knowledge cannot use that power to create wonders of steel. "

"Nice dodge. I still maintain that the concepts are not the same. Knowledge can bring you power, but it isn't by definition power."

She seems to be enjoying the discussion of semantics.

"We can also use your example. If knowledge were power, then the craftsman who creates the weapons and armaments used by the warrior would be considered powerful. Yet there are those who use threats of violence to force the craftsmen to do their bidding."

"If we are to use a craftsman as an example of power, are you arguing that a basket weaver has power?"

The very cheery host replies to Kellek, "Sore wa ōkina meiyodesu, kuronisuta."

She switches to common and adds on to the rest of the group as they all pile in together, "It seems at least some of you are here for a summons... I'm assuming that means you are all pathfinders? If so, follow me. If not, stay here and I'll be back to get you seated shortly."

Leading the way to a table for eight she smiles, "one moment." A busser quickly comes out and removes two of the place settings, giving all ample space for sitting and setting gear aside.

"Can I get any drink orders in for you?"

Iovo nods when asked if she is a Pathfinder and follows the host to their table.

When asked for drink orders, Iovo says "Could I please get a Firefly Lemonade?"

Reluctantly, Ironshanks finally waves to the twins, his cover blown Best just made due I guess. How come more Dwarves don't become Pathfinders? His eyes linger on the inane back and forth between Iovo and Khellek for a moment Ah yes, THAT's why!

With a loud throat clear he quickly introduces those he's met before amongst themselves before looking at Yabatha, doing his best to figure out if she's a halfling or a gnome. I dunno.. best to not ask.

"Ya, bears, I remember something about bears too." He mumbles as he seats himself at the dining table, pulling off his steel gauntlets and letting them crash to the floor under his chair. "Best make it two stouts n one snifter of whiskey, hold the water." That should be a good starter to dull the background noise.

"So, whatcha been up to lately girls?" He asks the Elves, quickly narrowing down the question "For official Pathfinder business that is." He stretches his shoulders back and his head forward, a series of audible pops ring out of his spine. I'm a glutton fer punishment.. where's those drinks at?

“Not much, just a little trip into Katapesh. Did you know they have multiple lodges there?”

"Of course the basket weaver has power. The same as that of the smith. But the knowledge alone is not enough. The expression 'knowledge is power' is as you noted, not ipso facto true. Power in this sense comes from knowledge combined with action. " he pauses for a moment.

"And before you start, by action, I don't necessarily mean a physical action. Speech is action. Look at how wizards wield their power for example. Rather the expression, as I use it, reflects that as I stated earlier, knowledge gives form to power, and I find it hard to imagine a conscious expression of power that was not guided by knowledge."

Adopting a lecturing tone he continues "Thus to distinguish the difference between the power of a king, and that of the tide. Which most obviously is not conscious. Many natural philosophers will discuss the power of tide, wind and waterfall - which are unconscious.
To be useful to people, that raw power can be combined with knowledge to - for example become the driving force for a mill."

Smiling, Iovo says "Sorcery."

Yabatha continues to mingle politely with the group. Her preference of refreshments is gin, if it is available, then going for any local wine they might have on offer.

Hey team, doing a day trip with my partner to go down the coast. Will have post an update when I'm back tomorrow.

An armored dwarf with a large wooden shield lumbers through the front doors. Glancing around a moment, he seems a bit confused. His eyes a bit closer together than one would thing proper and a large blue hand glaring outward from the side of his face.

The man squints a bit and his eyes fall on Ironshanks. Beaming broadly, he waves.

"Здравствуйте, мой добрый сэр. Как у тебя дела в этот прекрасный день?"

"Мне приятно видеть вас снова так скоро после нашей первой встречи."

Turning to the host, he frowns a bit. "Name Durvak o da Stoutheart's. Me is sum...summa... I 'as letta ter com 'ere."

“Greetings, Durvak! I’m Iovo and this is my sister Damiar.” she gestures to Damiar. “Pleased to meet you.”

She takes another sip from her glowing drink.

The drinks arrive, some floofy and some definitely not; but all are correctly made. The elvish bartender must have at least studied dwarven customs at some point in their long life.

The host rattles off the available foods for breakfast, with detailed descriptions for each for those that don't have experience with the various Tien Xia cuisines.

The final pathfinder shows and is ushered to the table without a question.

Definitely we will be delaying the official start of this scenario until Kellek is back on the 14th. If that provides enough time for the elf sisters to wrap up or be very close to wrapping up their scenario, then we will continue with these six. If they aren't close at that point we will recruit for a couple days and proceed with the session. Thanks all for your patience, I hope this group can stick together!

Ironshanks looks up and sees his savior enter the room, another Dwarf, thank the Gods.

He motions to a nearby chair for the holy man with enough sense to carry a shield. "Best double that drink order Ms Hostess, looks like we're gonna be a bit." Then he gestures towards Durvak to see if he's interesting in anything for himself.

And we are off! Don't forget to check in on slide one and two, filling out any necessary information for me. Good luck all!

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Once drinks and breakfast have been finished and the elves have annoyed the dwarves enough for tensions to be high the hostess comes by and announces, "Venture Captain Amari Li has arrived and is prepared to see you. Right this way."

A short trip down a back hallway and...

The drifting steam of freshly made tea shimmers through the air in front of Venture-Captain Amara Li. The stoic Tian woman places an ornate tea tray on the edge of her desk, inviting all those present to partake of the drink. Li’s neatly organized office is the site of various tapestries and artifacts imported from the distant land of Tian Xia.

“I would like to thank you all for coming here despite the lack of explanation. Circumstances have forced me to be discreet in this assignment. There are many who would put the information I am about to share with you to more unsavory ends.” Amara begins to take an initial sip from her teacup before she continues.

“Several months ago I arranged the successful sale of a pair of tomes from my homeland of Tian Xia to a versed historian here in Absalom. Of these books, the Infernal Incantation was the more highly sought after, as it is said to contain the secrets of binding the legions of Hell.”

Amara takes another sip of her tea and then places the cup on her desk, her expression turning cold. “The historian-one Yargos Gill-has spent the past several weeks studying the book from within his Absalom villa. To make matters more complicated, Yargos decided to try performing one of the rituals held within the Infernal Incantation late last night. From the breathless ramblings of his assistant who arrived at my door only a handful of hours ago, it would appear that something went horribly wrong with the ritual Yargos enacted.”

“From what I was told, the ritual revealed to Yargos and his aides that the Infernal Incantation was not a guide on imprisoning fiendish forces, but instead the book itself was a prison for the armies of Hell. Within the confines of those ancient pages reside hundreds-perhaps even thousands-of devils eager to escape their long imprisonment. If Yargos’s bumbling has caused some sort of disturbance within the tome, then we need to ensure it is fixed as quickly and as discreetly as possible. It would not do the populace any good to realize that a full-on infernal invasion could appear in the middle of the city!”

“I need you to go to Yargos’s estate, where his aide has already informed him of your impending arrival. Once you meet with the historian, learn what you can about the book and how to reverse the meddling he has caused. Above all else, ensure that the legions of Hell are contained.”

A Trained Knowledge Arcana OR Knowledge Religion check may provide more information at this point. You are also, as always, welcome to ask any questions you see fit.

Earlier

Pulling up a seat with haste, he watches the elve's weerily as he drinks the offered ale.

Now

"So...ya tinkin 'e may 'ave bungled da jail? No es a gud ting...ya study da book yaself? Anyting ya knows 'bout fixen it be gud ta share."

With a frown, he turns to his companions. Glancing around the room, the frown deepens. "Any yall knows dem book learnens? No es sumtin I kins do. I kins makes ground go boom and da Masta o Mastas givens ma sum aid sumtimes."

Fort vs Drinks: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Ironshanks drains the last of his drinks and muffles a belch before heading off to the VCs office. His walk is as straight as the bridge of his nose.

"Armies of Hell? Thousands of Devils? Eh... don't we have somethin' like this goin' on already at the Wound?" He starts fumbling about, reading the fine print of the haunt siphons he bought after their last trip. Bollucks! These ain't fer devils n demons..

"So, which special metal works good against them again girls?" Asking the Elf twins specifically. "We tangled with some beardy bastards if I remember right..." He then goes on to mutter under his breath about brainy historians needing to keep their hands to themselves for the good of the world.

What country/city are we in again? Just trying to suss out boons that are region specific... like a bunch that apply in Absalom only.

Kn: Arcana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
I’m assuming we are in Absalom. She said the villa was in Absalom.

Iovo steps over to the desk and accepts one of the tea cups. She lightly sips from it during the briefing. She wrinkles her nose at the mention of devils.

In reply to Ironshanks, she says “Silver or Mithral works best for some, a weapon infused with good for others. Hopefully my sister can tell which it is when she sees the devils.”

Setting the tea cup aside, she turns to Amara Li and asks “Which district is his villa in? Sounds like this is something we better take care of quickly!”

"Iffen deys given Durvak a shake, I's kin mayhaps tell ya 'bout 'em. Da masta gives ma sum flash o da learnens sumtimes."

"Me no 'as dem special irons. But Durvak do best ta 'elp yall."

Venture Captain Amari Li gives a shake of her head, "I have not studied the book myself. This situation was just brought to my attention. All I know about the tome is it was discovered in Tian Xia some time ago and was held by a private collector in my home city of Goka."

Iovo recalls The Infernal Incantation is a tome from distant Tian Xia said to hold the secrets of binding the denizens of Hell.

Definitely Absalom. I'm sure the group's historian will be able to fill in quite a bit more info, but this is also giving players time to check in.

She adds, "Despite his apparently wealthy backers, Yargos resides in a small two-story villa within the Eastgate district of the city. If I were to hazard a guess, I would assume Yargos prefers to keep his research a secret and away from the prying eyes of more populous districts." She hands over a small piece of paper with an address written on it.

"Yargos! That drunken sot? I'm surprised he was able to afford the book, or pronounce any words in it. I guess he must have come across more money since the last time I met him." sighs the elderly scholar.

"Now if only you had approached me... and I had the money to afford to buy such a tome. Why.. the things we might learn about it.." he starts to ramble. Something the elderly man does a little more than he used to.

Takes ten for 37 on arcana. Extra from being in Absalom (minotaur prince) and in the grand lodge (janira) included. If the villa is not within the grand lodge, then only 36.

As he mutters, Janira wanders past, and he exchanges a few words with the friendly halfling. "Could you get me Mergeries treatise on the infernal?" he asks her. And like a good assistant with time on her hands, she quickly scurries away to do the scholar's bidding.

"Now I think about it, I was having a discussion with the Prince on a related manner recently..."

Turning to the older man, Durvak raises an eyebrow. "Ya es useta discussin vile 'ordes breaken outta books? Muss be mo common dan I taught..."

Stroking his beard as the idea sinks deeper into his head meat, he smiles. "So yas es useta diss typa stuffs? Hows ya tink wes gun need stops it?"

Something in Damiar's breakfast must have disagreed with her or is deathly afraid of devils. She wouldn't be the first pathfinder to have that reaction. Regardless, the elf looks very pale and requests the opportunity to bow out of the mission. The venture captain grits her teeth and nods, "I'm sure five can handle this. Go get some rest and feel better. An ill pathfinder is just a liability."

The Historian quickly recalls quite a bit of information about the tome in addition to what Iovo shares.

The Infernal Incantation has a relatively unknown sister document: the Celestial Song. The books are written in Celestial and Infernal, though not in the order one would suspect. The pages of the Infernal Incantation are written in sinister Celestial script, while the pages of the Celestial Song are penned in crisp Infernal. Rituals within the Celestial Song are said to sway the minds of those nearby, but before these powers take effect, the tome unleashes a great angelic chorus that takes hours to complete.

... which he shares with the rest of the tam.

"Well.. I suggest we go visit Yagos and see what trouble he has got us into this time. Honestly, you'd think one supernatural invasion of Absalom would be enough to teach the man discretion, but two?" he rolls his eyes.

"I've had first year students with more sense than him."

Happy to head to the estate unless others have other preparations they want to make.

Yabatha smiles warmly, "I sure am glad to have Khellek in the group, he always knows the right questions to ask." Thinking to herself, she hoes their ally Demiar will be okay, regretting not having checked for poison while we shared a meal.

"Do not worry, Duvak, i am sure we can figure it out when we get to the estate..."

The elderly scholar nods to the gnome and dwarf.

"It may be that with the book being part of a pair, there is a counter within its more sanguine counterpart. Or perhaps an army of angels that is likewise trapped that could counter the devils. "

He pauses to think.

"Although turning Absalom into some type of outer planar battleground might not be optimal."

"We should swing past the Grand Lodge, as I have a favor that Zartha owes me..." After a moment's gaze at the rest of the team he clarifies "Not *that* sort of favor. But if we are going to face fiends then some additional assistance may be handy"

Librarian, I can claim up to three magical or alchemical items worth up to 700 gold. Any requests?

Excellent, everyone has checked in. I'll give you all the day (at least) to figure out if there are some items you want to get from Khellek's boon or do any more RP and then we are off to the estate!

Oil of Bless Weapon if we expect to fight devils? Silver weapon blanche?

Concerned about her sister, Iovo checks with Damiar before she leaves.

In response to Khellik, she says “I am certain no one would like this to turn into a battle ground between celestial and infernal forces. Your description does seem strange, though.”

Second time he has gotten into trouble? I’m not sure I want to hear about the first time.

“I expect we will know more once we get to the villa.”

Those don't sound bad. I do have silversheen I'll happily allow someone else to use. It doesn't do me much good. I don't suppose a wand of banishment or dismissal could be brought under 700g :-P

With a nod to the elven lady, he agrees. "Aye no would be gud."[b]

[b]"Afta me last bit got summa dem tings ta see ghosties an whatnot betta...but gun guess no gun do us gud 'ere." announces Durvak. With a shrug, he smiles "We's gun be fine do. Ironshanks be's a gud lad."

Nodding, Iovo says “I’ve seen Ironshanks fight.”

Make sure to keep it Core, I think Weapon Blanches are not. You could even afford 1 or 2 MW alchemical silver weapons if silver is a thing you all want. Or just buy them yourselves, Absalom is a big town.

Thanks for the warning, you are right blanches aren't core.
So easy to miss that...

"Get that horny tart to pass you some magic scrolls er somethin'... I think I'll stick with my axe, if it don't cut then I'm not swingin' hard 'nuff." He snorts, knowing full well he almost always swings as hard as he can.

I think I'm ok on my prep. I've got some potions and silvered arrows. At some point I should bump my bow up to +1 for those horrible situations of 'ranged combat'.

"Sadly after a.. misunderstanding.. Zarta doesn't lend out wands or long scrolls any more." sighs Khellek.

"An blessing weapons would be fine I am sure. And maybe a healing potion. I still have some silver bolts for Bessie from an earlier field trip, but if anyone else would like me to borrow a silver weapon, I could probably do that."
Assuming that silver weapons count as alchemical or magical items. It does seem within the spirit of the boon.

The group heads out, stopping off to sign out a couple adventuring items from the stock at the grand lodge on their way.

It isn't hard to find the address as Yargos Gill’s villa is a stand-alone edifice that would normally meld into the background of Absalom’s various structures were it not for the massing crowd of local citizens in front of the entrance. Up above on the second floor, lights flicker as burning orange and red embers dance within.

Several of the townsfolk turn at your arrival, "Hey look the guard is finally he... you all do NOT look like the city guard. Maybe just a group of cosplayers? Actors on their way to the theatre? They can't be real elves and dwarves, those guys HATE each other! Well I guess not all the time, but the odds of seeing two dwarves and an elf hanging out is really odd. Is the old human their pet and why do they have a child with them?"

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I'll let you pick Khellek's free items any time before you go inside the building though I'd just honestly go with three alchemists fires. I'm pretty sure devils are super vulnerable to fire damage. Don't they live in a cold place or something? :P

Iovo rushes to the door, trying it to see if it is locked and opening it if it is.

As she does so, she says to the crowd “We are Pathfinder agents, didn’t you see my wayfinder?”

Aid Dilomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Looks like a fire, so only the passive detect traps from Trap Finder, assuming she doesn’t notice anything go straight to open locks if it is locked. You can bot the roll if my take 10 isn’t enough.

Also noted that I am waiting for Khellek to post before entering the building. No reason to not open the door before he posts though. ;)

On the way over, Khellek picks up two bottles marked "oil of bless weapon" from the Dark Archives. Then, he quickly adds in one marked "cure light wounds".

Khellek sighs at the ignorance of the masses. "Or maybe I am supervising their field trip." he explains. Then using his best 'listen clearly or you will get a fail grade' voice he says.

"Stand back and let us through. Clear the way! "

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 = 34

Ironshanks flips his visor up with a clink and stares at the assembled crowd "The city guard sure would be happy to see us comin'. The less work fer that crew the better, now scram, we're gonna investigate." He flips his visor back down and heads for the front door, drawing out his Torag emblazoned darkwood shield.

"We're comin' in Yargos, best you get that pot of tea on pronto!" He bellows through the open door, waiting for the go ahead to lead the team inside. He draws out a potion of protection from evil to drink as they head inside, just in case the devils have already taken over.

The crowd isn't a bunch of suicidal idiots, they immediately split out of the way when any of the well armed and armored pathfinders indicate they are heading towards the house.

"Who are those people? Some sort of kings guard?"

"No you idiot, there is no king in absalom, they must be a mercenary group."

"But why would... oh wait they said they are 'pathfinders', anyone recognize that name?"

"I think there is a Quadiran spice shop called that on oak and fifth."

"But what would Quadiran spice traders want with this stodgy bastard?"

"Maybe he didn't pay a bill and they are looters? Hey, didn't you go get the city guard earlier?"

"No, I thought you did!"

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The door to the estate is slightly ajar and is pushed open easily. Ironshanks bellows out a warning to anyone inside, let's hope no one malicious sets up a trap!

The immediate interior visible on the first floor appears to be well cleaned and normal in every way. There are easily locatable stairs heading up.