PFS1e - 7-16: Faithless and Forgotten, Part 2 - Lost Colony of Taldor (low tier) (Inactive)

Game Master MauveAvengr

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Yuzu observes the lions.

Yup, those are lions!

Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
I found something else strange, these statues are maybe less than a century old... Do you think this whole thing could be made up? The dagger which doesn't match, the incorrect ages of things? What's up with the lions, anyone know? The elf turns from the statues and approaches the group, running his hand through his hair.

Appraise, DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Well, that's peculiar," Gareleth says, prying at a bit of the surface of the lion with a fingernail. "Look at that. Not gold, not old, just done up to look that way. Kaseem's honorable cousin would be outraged!" Gareleth says, having no idea if said cousin is trustworthy or not, but taking Kaseem's word for it.

[dice=Appraise, DC 15]1d20+2

"Well, that's peculiar," Gareleth says, prying at a bit of the surface of the lion with a fingernail. "Look at that. Not gold, not old, just done up to look that way. Kaseem's honorable cousin would be outraged!" Gareleth says, having no idea if said cousin is trustworthy or not, but taking Kaseem's word for it.

Kaseem joins the others at the lion statues.

"Indeed he would be outraged at such forgeries! Such frauds give honest dealers like him a bad name. You mentioned "cool gifts" earlier for Hallin, perhaps some Osirian cotton veils? The best cotton anywhere!"

"Since that isn't real gold, what's actually under there?"

Kaseem draws his morningstar and proceeds to strike at the lion statues.

Do you think the Athenaeum is running a scam? How much do you think they are getting paid for this expedition. Too bad we're here to investigate, looks like they could have made a lot of money off this... Andrelis muses while watching the others make short work of the 'golden' lion statues.

”The devil-cursed Chelaxians - slaves of Asmodeus - are peddling lies. They create the history they want, not reality.”

She spits on the ground, ”And we, the Pathfinders, are here to provide a veil of authenticity for their lies.”

As the lions get smashed Tuck decides to quickly but quietly make sure the statue of a god isn't disrespected in the same way. He's not overly religious and definitely not a follower of Abadar (Tall stories are the best kind, If you're not exaggerating just a little why tell it at all?) but a statue of a deity should probably be looked after.

He checks to see if he can work out how old the statue is and looks to see if there is an out-of-the way corner he can put it (if its not too heavy to lift) until everyone calms down a little...

The genuine Jikstan artefact might be a part of the ruse. I still vividly recall an episode of Time Team (a UK archaeology programme) where a ‘confusing’ site included a sword that was 400 years older than an object ten inches below it. They eventually confronted the owner of the site and it turned out that he was trying to drum up some tourist interest and (they suspected) feel smug about outsmarting the professionals.

As the lions get smashed Tuck decides to quickly but quietly make sure the statue of a god isn't disrespected in the same way. He's not overly religious and definitely not a follower of Abadar (Tall stories are the best kind, If you're not exaggerating just a little why tell it at all?) but a statue of a deity should probably be looked after.

He checks to see if he can work out how old the statue is and looks to see if there is an out-of-the way corner he can put it (if its not too heavy to lift) until everyone calms down a little...

Just a note: Kaseem has neither the strength nor the desire to "smash" or "make short work of" the lion statues; he's merely trying to knock through the top coat of 'gold' to see what's underneath.

Do you think the Athenaeum is running a scam? How much do you think they are getting paid for this expedition. Too bad we're here to investigate, looks like they could have made a lot of money off this... Andrelis muses while watching the others make short work of the 'golden' lion statues.

"Perhaps that is the case. I am not versed with the politics of Cheliax so I do not know what they would gain with this type of ruse."

”Legitimacy: they are Avistani, they took this place by force. If they can pretend that Taldan’s settled here before the Kingdom of Man then that might changes all kinds of laws. You know how they love to pervert and corrupt laws as much as they do people.”

Going deep on the lore here both because Parrameleh is Garundi and because I can’t contribute much else.

”That is why they threw this dagger down the well. It’s the most significant thing here. Proof, and a reminder, that this land has been settled by Garundi since Earthfall.”

"Alright, so things here are fakes and we have evidence to back that up," Gareleth says, summarizing the group's collective ideas, "so what shall we do about it? Head out to expose them now, or delve deeper to find more evidence?"

Remember, the Zefiro told you that the Chelish government is trying to use this site as a claim for the region (here).

As Kaseem goes to destroy the 'fake' lions', he realizes that underneath is a different creature altogether.

You haven't really investigated the statue of the god (just looked at it) nor the slab of stone in the back.

Thanks GM for reminding us!

Looking at whatever is underneath the lions, Andrelis remarks, Well, those don't look like lions, but I have no idea what they are.. Maybe we should make a sketch of them to show to the more bookish people in the society?

Andrelis crosses to the statue, peering at it closely, Huh, I wonder if they did something to this too? as he examines it without touching the statue

Parrameleh takes a good look at the slab of stone.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

We are not rushing. Once we think the site is secure, our best perception character could take 20 and we could all aid. On every item and place.

Oops, DC 13 Knowledge (planes) for the 'lions'

Parrameleh looks at the slab of stone in the northwest corner. She sees bone shards near the slab - perhaps it smooshed a person!

DC 14 Strength check to lift the slab and maybe recover the body/skeleton that's underneath.

Strength to Aid Another: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Anyone have Knowledge (Planes)?

strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

”Raaarrr!”

Knowledge Planes, DC 13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Watching the plaster being pulled away and a new creature being revealed, Gareleth says, "Those are...well...I don't like to say the word. They're hounds of...not heaven." He then awkwardly makes air quotes as he says, "Heck hounds."

”Chelaxians will have plenty of spares of those, but only since they sold out to hell. My guess is that Ancient Taldans would not have had hell hound statues at all.”

Yuzu’s jaw drops, and she covers Andy’s ears and glares at Gary indignantly.

[dice=strength]1d20+3

”Raaarrr!”

"Good thing I was here to assist you!"

Parrameleh lifts with all her might. The corpses of a human in Chelish garb is underneath the collapsed roof/slab. The skeleton wears a platinum ring adorned with the head of a hound.

Kaseem will cast Detect Magic on the corpse and give it a search.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Kaseem looks at the corpse. The ring pings as magical. He also gets a sense of another magical aura coming from the south - the statue of Abadar is very magical!

If it's fair to assume Kaseem would share that the statue pings as magical, which seems in-character from what I've seen of him so far, Gareleth would also look at the statue.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

After looking at the statue for a moment, Gareleth reaches out and puts his arm through it before turning to the rest of the party and saying, "An illusion." He then gets an ornery look on his face and starts stepping into and out of the statue which, of course, isn't really there.

Will also happily spellcraft the ring, but I'm assuming Kaseem wants to look it over first?

Andrelis looks at Gareleth's antics with the statue and laughs. Well, looks like this isn't a shrine to Abadar after all... I do wonder if the 'hound' statues are original? If they are we should be really careful moving forward in here. To emphasize his point, the elf draws his cold iron shortsword, loosening his wrist by spinning it around.

No spellcraft on the ring

You know there it is illusion magic, but still have to make a DC 17 Will save to disbelieve the illusion!

Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 11

nope...
Well, it sure looks real enough...

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"Ha! This statue is as fake as a three humped camel! By my grandfather's beard this site is one fraud after another."

If it's fair to assume Kaseem would share that the statue pings as magical, which seems in-character from what I've seen of him so far, Gareleth would also look at the statue.

[dice=Knowledge Arcana]1d20+6

After looking at the statue for a moment, Gareleth reaches out and puts his arm through it before turning to the rest of the party and saying, "An illusion." He then gets an ornery look on his face and starts stepping into and out of the statue which, of course, isn't really there.

Will also happily spellcraft the ring, but I'm assuming Kaseem wants to look it over first?

Kaseem suffers from the 'no skill point cleric' syndrome, feel free to Spellcraft the ring.

There isn't a spellcraft check for the ring, but you can do a Knowledge (arcana) check with Detect Magic to determine the school of magic.

There isn't a spellcraft check for the ring, but you can do a Knowledge (arcana) check with Detect Magic to determine the school of magic.

School of magic? Kaseem is a cleric he don't need no skool!!! ;)

Paging Gareleth, one Knowledge (Arcana) check needed in aisle 1.

GM Mauve wrote:

There isn't a spellcraft check for the ring, but you can do a Knowledge (arcana) check with Detect Magic to determine the school of magic.

School of magic? Kaseem is a cleric he don't need no skool!!! ;)

Paging Gareleth, one Knowledge (Arcana) check needed in aisle 1.

Gareleth happily takes the ring from his fellow Half-Orc and detects magic to figure out the arcane school associated with it and then tries to sort out what it does...or is...

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Yeah, probably not, but Gareleth will make something up based on the school of magic as he'd hate to let a friend down by not actually having an answer.

Parrameleh’s eyes narrow, ”Is there anything beneath or behind the illusion?”

Kaseem sees through the illusion. Behind the 'Statue of Abadar' stands a double door made of metal with a serpent head etched upon its surface. It is locked with a chain and padlock.

Everyone but Kaseem must make a DC 17 Will save to disbelieve the illusion. Everyone gains a +4 bonus since Kaseem tells them it's an illusion.

It is possible to break the chain (by attacking it or ripping it off) or open the padlock (DC 25 Disable Device). Only those who disbelieve the illusion can make these checks.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 4 = 26
Strength Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Tuck tilts his head to the side as he examines the 'statue' then carefuly and deliberately leans forward and puts his hand through its midsection.

"Well then..."

Stepping through the illusion he grasps the chain and gives a solid pull.

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Thanks for pointing that out Kaseem, never would have realized it on my own... Oh Tuck, can I try a more gentle hand on that padlock?

Examining it Andrelis withdraws a set of lockpicks from his belt, and slowly begins working on the lock. This may take some time...

is it possible to take 20? that would give me a 28

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Yuzu hmphs and nods at the statue as she starts to see its outline more clearly than its fill.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"Best if I check that for traps first, brother," Gareleth says, stepping up to the lock and feeling confident that he is quite the expert at trap finding.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Kaseem sees through the illusion. Behind the 'Statue of Abadar' stands a double door made of metal with a serpent head etched upon its surface. It is locked with a chain and padlock.

Everyone but Kaseem must make a DC 17 Will save to disbelieve the illusion. Everyone gains a +4 bonus since Kaseem tells them it's an illusion.

It is possible to break the chain (by attacking it or ripping it off) or open the padlock (DC 25 Disable Device). Only those who disbelieve the illusion can make these checks.

Is there a Knowledge check for the serpent head on the doors?

Hmmm... no listed DC for the serpent head. Let's say Knowledge (religion)

Everyone seems to see through the illusion of the statue of Abadar and see the serpent head etched upon double doors.

Gareleth takes a quick glance - no traps. The illusion of Abadar must've been the trap, but now you are past that! Tuck moves up to the lock and attempts to break it open with sheer strength. But it will not budge.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Hah not with a natural 1!

will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

st: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Andrelis sets to work again on the lock, taking his time...

[ooc]Take 20 for a 28[/dice]

Andrelis sets into motion on the lock. It takes some time, but he eventually hears a *click* as it pops open.

The doors swing open. Shadows cast by a blazing brazier behind a metal lattice to the south flitter across the wall paintings here, granting the images the illusion of haunted animation. A seven-foot-tall statue of a hunched, robed figure with three eyes and a mouth ringed with tentacles stand before the lattice.

The wall paintings portray a battle between troops. Both sides have troops that are not humanoid.

The lattice wall in the south is rusted and no longer properly anchored. It requires a DC 8 Strength check.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Gareleth looks at the statue for a moment and says, "Well, this appears to be Barbatos. He's the current ruler of Avernus. You know, Avernus It's the first layer of...well...you know. The bad place. Where the hounds are from. H-E-double quarterstaffs?"

Andrelis takes in the sights, looking at the statue intently, Well, he seems like a lovely chap, reminds me of something I saw on my bootheel once...

Scanning the other painting, Anyone know what these things are?

"This does not appear to be Taldan - shocking."