Pirate Post IV Q9 (Inactive)

Game Master Pirate Rob

Game goes here.

Prologue: Please introduce yourselves as you board the ship of Venture-Captain Muesello, the Kingfisher, from whatever port you hail.

Once we've collected all our Pathfinders we'll begin several weeks later off the shores of the island of Burozi in the Steaming Sea.

I've added the Where on Golarion sidebar to the slides linked above. Also please add your character name, level and perception there if you have not already done so. We can cover exploration activities once they become relevant.

A stout dwarf clambers up the gangplank, wearing a breastplate made from a hammered-out feed trough and a large fencepost tied across his back. He glances nervously at the water as he does, his expression only slightly improved when he reaches the deck of the ship. Wherever he goes, the feint whiff of cow seems to follow. "Howdy. Name's Tarbh."

Boarding the Kingfisher, a middle-aged elf makes his way to the upper deck. Smartly dressed in fine studded leather armor, he carries a brandy snifter in one hand with a bag of books slung over the other shoulder.

With an air of superiority, he approaches the group, "Yes, yes. Greetings. I'm Dr. Thurston Lazarus, the Third. You may call me Lazarus or simply Doctor." After a sip of brandy, he adds, "This is a much nicer vessel than the last ship I was on, The Minnow."

Dr. Lazarus pauses momentarily before continuing. "I'm a renowned forensics professor at the University of Osirion. You may have heard of me." After getting blank stares, he continues, "Well, no matter. While somewhat skilled at healing..." he pats his healer's toolkit on his bandolier, "... I joined the Pathfinders to hone my investigative skills. That's how I make my living, you see. Relying on my books, uncovering clues, solving mysteries."

When he steps forward, those nearby can see an elven curve blade sheathed over his back, with a hammer strapped at his waist. The well-built scholar adds, "I can handle myself in battle if needed."

Zandu boards the Kingfisher when it makes its way to Korvosa. He nimbly walks the gangplank as if it were a simple set of stairs, hopping onto the deck with a grin.

When he goes to meet the others aboard, they see older Varisian man with silver creeping into his otherwise black hair. Dressed in simple leather armor and armed with a shortsword and hand crossbow, it's easy to mistake him for a lot of things: an armed traveler, a merchant, or a bandit. Perhaps this is on purpose.

"Greetings," the rogue says, putting out and hand to shake. "I'm Zandu Dmitrescu. Seems we'll be ship-bound for a bit. Want to play cards?"

Don't play cards with Zandu, if you value your coin, a bald, bronzed half-elf says with a grin of his own as he boards the ship. He bears a pair of twinned shortswords, assorted other weaponry about his belt, and a bow slung across his back.

Despite his words, he greets Zandu warmly. To the rest, he bows low. Greetings and salutations! I am Hampton Candlewood, Pathfinder and special envoy to the Society from the Risen Guard of the Ruby Prince.

Hampton is glad to talk with the Doctor about the University of Osirion, and whether Dr. Evelyn Carnarvon remains in attendance as visiting tenured Osirionolgist.

Zandu smiles warmly at the sight of Hampton. "You? On another boat? Any bets we're headed somewhere cold again?"

That looks like 4 here so far, don't forget about the slides link if you haven't already filled your info out there. Also it's quite possible we have players without power or otherwise in emergency situations due to weather so going to be relaxed about getting started on time.

"Candela, come on! It's safe on deck; I promise you won't have to go underwater again. Ugh, fine. Stay there." A half-elf woman with dark hair argues with a leopard who is, against all laws of both physical and biological sciences, perpetually on fire.

She joins the group. "Sure, deal me in. I'm Cariad; I joined the Pathfinder Society to help Pathfinders stop getting themselves killed in the wilderness. "

Thel/Hazaug (our 6th) seems to be a no-show and hasn't fully filled the sheet so we're going to go without. Assuming I can math we appear to be 12CP (low tier)

Quite some time after having picked you all up the Kingfisher eventually arrives at its destination off the shores of the island of
Burozi. There Venture-Captain Muesello has called you on deck where he is in the midst of assembling a strange clockwork contraption.

After wiping his hands with a rag he turns to address you.

“I’m sure you’ve guessed this isn’t just a fishing trip. I would have filled you in sooner, but I was asked to keep everything confidential until we arrived. An expedition of Pathfinder initiates recently discovered this uncharted island, Burozi. The recruits found some Azlanti ruins, and we have a special assignment for your team.”

Muesello turns to the shore just five hundred feet from the moored ship, the peak of the island barely visible against the orange glow of the morning sun behind it. He clicks open an intricate compass, and its needle snaps to the direction of the island.

“Open your wayfinder, and you’ll see the same thing. This close to Burozi, all wayfinders point toward the island. As for the one in my hand here, this was found on Burozi—I’ve never seen one quite like it. The expedition team found it near a sealed hatch made out of reinforced skymetal. They couldn’t get in, which might have been for the best. The recruits were inexperienced, and Azlanti devices can be incredibly dangerous!"

Muesello continues "But you’ve got more experience under your belts, so I need you to find a way through that sealed door and investigate whatever is on the other side.”

With a reassuring nod, Muesello returns to his work, meticulously checking each bolt as crew members emerge from below and begin preparing a sailboat for passage to the island. He does glance up to see if you have any questions though.

Sipping his brandy, Dr. Lazarus occasionally sets down his snifter to take briefing notes in his writing pad. He looks around, "I don't suppose anyone knows Azlanti?" He continues to sip his brandy, "I've begun studying the language, but don't know it well enough. Yet."

The Doctor then pulls out his Wayfinder from beneath his leather armor and opens it up. Seeing that it points to the island, he whistles in surprise, "Fascinating." Turning to Muesello, "You say your Wayfinder was discovered near a sealed hatch?" Lazarus takes detailed notes on the skymetal reinforced hatch.

Dr. Lazarus Pursues a Lead with the subject being the hatch.

I admit to not being particularly knowledgeable about investigator mechanics. With pursuing a lead does anything happen other than "Whenever you attempt a Perception or skill check to investigate a designated subject, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to the check."?

"I don't like that. Compasses not pointing north. It feels like people messing around with Nature, again. What do you think is in there?"

When Hampton mentions Dr. Carnarvon at the University, Dr. Lazarus brightens. "Always a pleasure to chat with those appreciating the value of higher institutions of learning. Please call me 'Lazarus'." The Doctor continues, "Yes, yes, my dear boy, I met Dr. Carnarvon on several occasions. She seems quite capable and serious about her craft."

Regarding Pursue a Lead (full link below): Right. Basically +1 to relevant checks. The other major benefit is that the Investigator can use his Devise a Stratagem for the attack roll as a free action, IF he's pursuing that subject. Which probably won't apply to a hatch. :)

Pursue a Lead

"'M sure we c'n git that hatch tore open, one way or th'other."

Thanks

Venture Captain Muesello responds to Cariad's question "Best for you all to go in clean, without any preconceptions of what you might find. That said there's no actionable intelligence regarding any dangers that would help you prepare. Let’s just say the Decemvirate are very interested in this site.”

Hampton observes his wayfinder and has a similar reaction as Cariad. Quite agree, quite agree. Also, it's likely to have dire consequences for unsuspecting passing ships. Depending on how far out the influence stretches, of course.

Hampton asks the Venture-Captain, I'm not familiar enough with starmetal to know: are we aware of any that have the property of affecting magnetic devices, like this?

Muesello shakes his head "Not compasses in general, just Wayfinders, and it doesn't stretch much more than a mile away from the island. Starmetal in general doesn't cause this sort of problem."

When Hampton mentions starmetal, Dr. Lazarus' elven ears perk up. He looks to the Venture-Captain and interrupts. "Wait. Was it skymetal or starmetal?" After noting his answer in his writing pad, he asks, "You said you'd never seen a Wayfinder quite like the one from the island. What exactly makes it unique?"

One other thing with Pursue a Lead: the Investigator can Clue-In an ally by providing a similar +1 circumstance bonus to any relevant check. This can be done once/10mins.

Clue-In

I think Skymetal is the appropriate term in Pathfinder, but Starmetal is the appropriate term in D&D for the various metals such as adamantine.

Musello corrects himself "Skymetal's the more proper term, but Starmetal sees a fair amount of use as well, if you get one of those picky editors back home for your chronicle you can likely impress them with the right term, but I wouldn't lose sleep over it."

He then calls you close as he unfolds the cover from his strange wayfinder.

“See for yourself. After a week tinkering with this thing, I still can’t get it to do more than this.” Muesello speaks the command word and the wayfinder emits a small red light. “Feel free to take it with you to the island, there's some chance you might need it.”

"Wayfinders are all about finding, so maybe that red light will change when we get near something. Meanwhile, our wayfinders may point us to the centre of whatever is messing with them. But first, the door. And I'll tell you this: doors are my jamb."

And I'll tell you this: doors are my jamb."[/b]

That pun is so terrible, I wish I'd thought of it first.

Hampton collects the ancient wayfinder and carefully tucks it away. We should get to it, then. We'll not learn any more about it without inspecting it first-hand.

Once the questions are done, Hampton is ready to go.

At Zandu's comment about doors and jambs, Lazarus rolls his eyes and thinks, humans. He finishes sipping his drink, safely stores his brandy snifter, and tucks his notepad into his belt pouch. He nods to Hampton, "Indeed. We won't learn anything else here. And the hatch won't open itself. Let's investigate this mystery."

"But first, the door. And I'll tell you this: doors are my jamb."

"Ah don' git it."

Muesello provides you a skiff, that easily takes you to the island.

Feel free to revise your exploration activities

There you don't encounter any wildlife or other dangers of note. Doubly so with the aid of any Wayfinders its no trouble to find the excavated ruins of a tower that rise from halfway up the island’s sloping peak.

All that remains of the tower is a semi-circle of white wall holding back centuries of dirt and debris. The skymetal hatch lies dead center in the tower’s foundation. The 5-foot-wide hatch is decorated in thin silver filigree resembling gears in the shape of an eye.

At the center of the eye is a socket that is obviously the same size and shape as the strange wayfinder you received from Muesello. You're currently just outside the ~40ft diameter tower foundation.

To Recall Knowledge regarding the hatch go ahead and post your crafting and religion bonuses (if you want to know more). Also everybody please post your languages.

Crafting +5(T), Common and Dwarven.

Approaching the shattered tower, Dr. Lazarus rummages through his bag and tries to find some reference books that might be appropriate. "The eye on the hatch is most peculiar." He studies it as best he can from a distance and cross-references with his books.

Recall Knowledge - Crafting: +14 (+12, +1 circ bonus from Pursue a Lead, +1 item bonus from Crafter's Eyepiece)
Recall Knowledge - Religion: +11 (+10, +1 circ bonus from Persue a Lead)

Known Languages: Common, Elf, Draconic, Celestial, Cyclops, Osiriani

Crafting +5, Common and Elven

No Crafting or Religion, alas. Common, Elven, Osiriani, and one more common language I evidently forgot to pick. That choice would not be Azlanti, though, even if I can finally find the list somewhere. He'd have no reason to learn it before this quest.

I mostly use the GMdice spoiler to keep my posts organized. Feel free to peek if desired or keep it closed. That said dice rolls there are frequently not fully labeled etc.

The silver filigree eye matches the holy symbol of Amaznen, the Azlanti god of magic.

The hatch does appear to be made of skymetal although you'll need to get closer to investigate further.

Also to correct myself from earlier, the tower foundation is more like 100ft across.

Dr. Lazarus rubs his chin as he considers the holy symbol of Amaznen. "The Azlanti god of magic, hmm? Just in case ...." The Doctor casts Detect Magic and approaches the hatch, scanning periodically for anything radiating as magic.

Exploration Mode: Detect Magic

There is magic present. As you get closer the socket glows mildly and the Wayfinder glows brighter and a feminine voice emits from the direction of the hatch.

“⌇⟒☊⎍⍀⟟⏁⊬ ⌇⊬⌇⏁⟒⋔ ⋔⏃⌰⎎⎍⋏☊⏁⟟⍜⋏ ⎅⟒⏁⟒☊⏁⟒⎅. ⟟⋏⌇⟒⍀⏁ ⏚⏃⎅☌⟒ ⏃⋏⎅ ⍀⟒⌇⏁⍜⍀⟒ ⏃☊⏁⎍⏃⏁⍜⍀⌇ ⏁⍜ ⍙⍜⍀☍⟟⋏☌ ⍜⍀⎅⟒⍀ ⏁⍜ ⏃⎐⍜⟟⎅ ⎎⎍⍀⏁⊑⟒⍀ ⌇⟒☊⎍⍀⟟⏁⊬ ⌿⍀⍜⏁⍜☊⍜⌰⌇"

Projecting into the air above the hatch in regular intervals is a series of changing symbols as the voice repeats, seemingly with the same message

⊗⌀
⊖⏕
⊖⏔
⊖⏓
⊖⏒

Dr. Thurston Lazarus, II who is trained in scribing lore recognizes the symbols as Azlani numbering... It takes a couple seconds to start putting it together but he's pretty sure the final 2 symbols are 27 and 26.

The symbols continue...

⊖⏑
⊖⚏

25... 24...

Regretting that he doesn't have a better of understanding of Azlanti, Dr. Lazarus studies the symbols. He turns to the group. "These numbers ... could they be a countdown?" He pauses and then urgently says, "If so, we have 20 seconds to figure it out!"

He scans the area and stops when he sees the half-elf. "Hampton! The ancient Wayfinder you're holding! It's glowing. Like the hatch."

Unless Hampton has some sudden epiphany about how to use the wayfinder to stop the countdown, Zandu will rush forward to try and figure out how to disable whatever device might trigger.
Thievery (E) to Disable a Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Note that Zandu has Trap Finder, giving him an opportunity to find a trap as if he were Searching. His Perception is +8, with an extra +1 from Trap Finder

"That seems like a bad thing. Candela, stay here."

Cariad leaves Candela behind while she investigates the hatch.

Hampton will bring the ancient wayfinder close to the hatch while Zandu works, hoping something non-negative will happen.

⊖⚎
⊖⚍
⊖⚌
⊖

Zandu isn't able to even figure out where to start with the hatch. Meanwhile Hampton brings the wayfinder close, the glowing increases and it snaps into place.

You can all breath a sigh of relief as the projection stops as the red light flows from the hatch along a bit of silver filigree in each of the four cardinal directions. At the edges of the tower each red light reaches some sort of panel.

There are some unintelligible sounds that vaguely resemble a fizzled lightning bolt as a few sparks explode from various panels and the symbols resume

⊕⏕
⊕⏔
⊕⏓
⊕⏒

We're going to transition into Encounter Mode here. You're welcome to act in whatever order you choose, Each round you can make a check on one of the panels and have a spare action for whatever other stuff you might want to do. Instead of making a check one could take 3 actions instead.

The Wayfinder seems to have worked as a key but there's something wrong with the panels, maybe something you can do something about!

North Panel: The magical energy flowing off this panel seems to be traveling in the wrong direction. Arcana or Occultism checks to reroute the energy.

South Panel: Access to this panel is blocked. Acrobatics checks to squeeze through narrow gaps in the rubble or Athletics checks to clear it and reach the panel.

East Panel: A small glass tube with wiring in it is broken. Crafting checks or easy Azlant Lore/Engineering Lore checks to repair the tube.

West Panel: The glass tubes in this panel have become dislodged, and putting them back in place is a delicate operation. Easy Azlant Lore/Engineering Lore checks to put the tubes back in the proper place.

To make resolution easier, The DC of all skill checks is 18 (or 16 for 'easy checks'. A critical success is worth a second success and a critical failure takes away a success.

Round 1:
All PCs to Act
N(0/3)
S(0/3)
E(0/2)
W(0/2)

South
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 I VOLUNTEER THIS HERO POINT AS TRIBUTE
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 OMFG...well, at least it's not a crit fail...?

Hampton gamely tries to squeeze in between one of the gaps, but inhales at the wrong time and winds up stuck on his waistcoat.

Studying the 4 panels, Dr. Lazarus is happy to leave the South one to those with more physical attributes. He clears his throat and says, "As a scholar at the University of Osirion..." He pauses and adds, "Did I mention I'm a renowned forensics professor? Yes, yes, of course...had the lovely chat with Hampton about my colleague...where was I?" He remembers his train of thought and continues, "Oh yes, as a scholar, I've studied the Arcane and can take a look at the magical energy coming from the North panel."

North Panel
Arcana (+Pursue a Lead bonus): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 1 = 15
Yikes...hero point, please...
Arcana (+Pursue a Lead bonus): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21

Actions -- 1: Blathering on about himself, 2-3: North Panel check.

@GM For the West panel (Azlant/Engineering Lore, which we may not have), can I use the following Investigator ability?
[u]Keen Recollection:[/u] "You can recall pertinent facts on topics that aren't your specialty. Your proficiency bonus to untrained skill checks to Recall Knowledge is equal to your level instead of +0."

Sure, there's no requirement to be trained to attempt any of the checks

Tarbh follows Hampton down to the Southern panel, putting his hefty shoulder into the rubble to clear a path.

SOUTH
Athletics (E): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Ugh. Hero Point.
Athletics (E): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Action 1: Guidance
Action 2-3: Acrobatics (South)

"You got this, Cariad," Zandu says, his words having a magical effect that guides her.
Cast Guidance on Cariad

He then moves to the southern panel, accustomed to tight spaces from past jobs.
Acrobatics (South): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Hero point!
Acrobatics (South): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Hampton gets stuck while Dr. Lazarus has better luck with the magical eneries.

Tarbh uses the dwarven shoulder plan and gets partway there, with progress over the top from Zandu as well.

⊕⏑
⊕⚏
⊕⚎
⊕⚍
⊕⚌

Round 1:
Cariad remains! (W/Guidance)
N(1/3)
S(2/3)
E(0/2)
W(0/2)

After Cariad y'all suspect you likely only have enough time for one more go before the timer runs out.
Just 2 rounds, yes, this is difficult.

Cariad tries to help at the South panel.

Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Cariad is able to force her way to the panel where the repair is obvious

⊕
⏕
⏔
⏓
⏒
⏑

Round 2:
PCs's up (Cariad still has Guidance)

N(1/3)
S(4/3) COMPLETE
E(0/2)
W(0/2)

Action 1: Guidance
Action 2: Guidance
Action 3: Guidance

With the one panel sorted, Zandu immediately realizes that he's out of his depth for the others. He instead says reassuring words for Hampton, Tarbh, and the good Doctor.
Cast Guidance on the rest of the party. Pretty much all of the other checks are made at +0 for me

If we only have one more turn, do we have any idea if it's better to 'Complete' a panel, or is it better to get more of them partially figured out?

Dr. Lazarus continues working on the North Panel to get it working. "Ahem, I'm adept at Crafting too. If you think I should handle the East one instead, let me know." After a short pause, "Alas, it doesn't seem like there's enough time to get to all of them. Very odd. Unless there's a way to slow down that incessant timer..."

If no one suggests he switch panels, he continues where he's at.

North Panel

Arcana +Pursue +Guidance: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 30

The Doctor gives a satisfied sigh, "I think I got it!" Turning to Zandu, he adds, "Thanks for the assist." He immediately runs over to the East one hoping there's still time to help.

As a reaction, Lazarus will Clue-in the next person who tries a check. They receive a +1 circumstance bonus which should stack with the +1 status bonus from Zandu's Guidance.

Cast Guidance on the rest of the party. Pretty much all of the other checks are made at +0 for me

Yeah, Crafting is +0 for Hampton too, and he doesn't have the requisite Lores.

GM, can Zandu and Hampton try Thievery, maybe, on the West Panel? As a sort of disabling the device?