[PF2/Farol] #2-09 Seven Secrets of Dacilane Academy (Inactive)

Game Master Farol

Please post something and delete it

Each one of you gets a message to meet J Dacilane at the gates of
Dacilane Academy in the early afternoon. The Absalom is full of life, the streets are filled with people rushing to tend to their business. Markets are full of products brought by ships from all of the Golarion and Pathfinder agents can be seen heading to their new missions or returning from them.

Given a few more hours you decided to meet with your fellow agents near the food stalls not that far from the academy.

Let us get some initial RP going, please describe what do you do in Absalom. How did you get there, is it your first time there, were you born and raised in Absalom?

A happy-go-lucky gnome whistles a tune as he approaches the food stalls near the academy. His eyes are bright as he surveys the busy street around him. He carries a walking staff in one hand.

Seeing folks gathered around the stalls, he walks up to them and starts speaking in a somewhat rapid pace.

"Greetings, fellow travelers! Are you here to meet J Dacilane? I am Gnimishmeijinomu but you may simply call me Gnimish. I came in from Otari just the other day. Absalom is such a different place. This place never sleeps...."

Gnimish stops to take a breath and notices that the other agents are just staring at him...

Dead Odo waved good-bye to the Goblin-King of Absalom and, speaking in Goblin, addressed the chieftain:
"I will look into that part you wrote for me, your Majesty, and learn my lines better this time, oh Zusgut the Great!"
Dead Odo left the old playhouse near the Puddles’ western edge, smiling to some of the other Goblins who lived here.
He remembered the long trek from Lastwall, when, his body torn to shreds, his soul slipping away to the Boneyard, Zusgut and his Goblin tribe saved him, while also helping many paladins and knights to safety.

Moving through Absalom, a place he now felt relatively comfortable in, after all these months training as a member of the Vigilant Seal.
Though he still lingered for the mountains of Lastwall, his homeland, and for all his family and friends killed by the undead.
By those @#%#@ undead!
Odo stopped... and took a deep breath.
Cool down. You have a job to do!
He was actually quite excited: this would be his first task as a Pathfinder!

The smell of the grilled meat, the pickled beetroots... all the fine fragrance from the food stalls seemed great to Odo.
But, before looking into what was for sale, he glanced around for the agents he was supposed to meet.

Okay, there's one of the kid-students-- oh, no, wait, they have a beard?!
Odo looked at the staff-wielding gnome:
"Hey, you!"
Then Odo shows his wayfinder.

A ruddy-haired halfling with mutton chops ducks out from behind a pie cart. He turns and steps quickly in front of a several groups of taller humans and elves before he pulls out a half-moon shortcrust pastry. He licks his lips and takes a bite as he joins the other Pathfinders.

With his mouth full of chicken pie, he tries to introduce himself. "Hry, I'rm Rrori." He swallows and wipes his mouth on his sleeve. "Oh, that's hot, but it's good...I'm Argoni. I guess you all got the message too? I wonder what the Academy needs us for." A satchel at his side clinks as bit as he shifts and takes another bite. "I'm a bit of chemist of sorts. But I've got a good eye for a lot of different things. Just been hanging out here in Absolom since a big foray into the Mwangi Expanse. Trying to stay out of trouble as they say..."

He takes another big bite of the chicken pie, fitting nearly half of it in his mouth. He gives a closed mouth grin to the others.

A teal-haired gnome with amethyst eyes and golden oak skin is busking on a corner near the food stalls. As she performs her amusing ditties, rousing ballads, and mournful tragedies, her mind wanders over the path that brought her here. What a delightful change of course! When she left her manipulative mother to build her own life as a full-time busker in Novoboro (the nearest big city to the small town where she grew up), she had no idea the Pathfinder Society even existed. It was only chance that she overheard a conversation describing what they do, but once she did, she knew she had to be a part of it. Besides, she can busk in her free time!

Before she knows it, the set is over. She bows and waves to the scattered onlookers. "Thank you everyone! Keep your eyes and ears peeled for me! I'll be back!" She packs up her things and meanders over to a group of folks who look like they're meeting for a similar reason to hers. Maybe they're her team!

Sure enough, one of them pulls out a wayfinder to show the other. She pops her head in close and exclaims: "Oooh! Nice Wayfinder! I totally gotta get one of those one of these days. Hey! Are you both here to meet with J Dacilane too? I'm Salaish. Pleased to meet you! --OH! Dang!" Just then, the fiddle she'd been holding disappears from her hands. "Ah, well. I was done busking for now, anyway. I used to have a real viola, but I was constantly worried it'd get damaged during my missions, you know? One wrong whack and it's just kindling. So sad! So I sold it and learned a spell to conjure instruments instead. It was hard, you know? Parting with my viola. I saved up for it for so long and got in so much trouble for buying it. (My mom was a piece of work!) But anyway, onward and upward, as they say! Oops! I'm totally monopolizing the conversation! So sorry! I'll stop now." Her amiable chattering stops abruptly as she looks to the others, waiting for someone else to say something.

A bouncing chef's hat with feet paces back and forth behind the table of a stall selling thinly sliced pieces of meat that appears to be closing down for the day. "Okay... okay... so I think the papers said that the Paffinder Society started at the Pig's Paunch? Or was that the Wounded Wisp? Uh... I hope there isn't a test... I dun wanna get fired again. Ooh ooh... Wayfinders? Are you Paffinders?"

A good look at the ambulatory headpiece reveals that there is in fact a green head and pudgy belly between the rather large pastry hat and feet. He quickly tucks a knife and meat tenderizer into loop on his thick leather apron, shovels the rest of his belongings into a backpack, and changes the prices from silver to copper.

"I'm Gizzard! So uh... first mission, I read all of the papers that the recruiter left at the restaurant. I think he left it on accident... but I'm here! This is Absalom! Wow! So much easier to-"

A minor scuffle occurs as it is quickly revealed that he was using another merchant's table to sell nearly raw meat.

"Erm... sorry 'bout that... I only read 'bout the Paffinders, not much 'bout the city. So uh... I'm from probably from Bloodcove. Used ta work at a restaurant there. Anyone hungry?"

He holds out a piece of raw meat to Argoni.

Dead Odo nods his head to Argoni Slate:
"Hello, Rrori."

Then a curt nod to Salaish Talenduth:
"Hello, Dang-- ...oh, sorry: hello, Salaish!"
Odo Looks down at his wayfinder:
"Mine was bequeathed to me by a Pathfinder. Name of Lilic..."

Odo looks at Gizzard Stu, smiling:
"Greetings, oh Gizzard!"
Switching to Goblin he, respectuflly, asks:
"Err... are you one of the food vendors, here? Or a Pathfinder yourself?"

As you begin to gather a street vendor approaches

"Are you kids with your parent here? Would you fancy a freshly squeed orange juice or maybe a non-alcoholic ginger beer?" asks a chubby little man quickly realizing that little folks are gnomes, hobbit and a goblin and a tall figure looks nothing like their parent

"Pardon my mistakes, good sirs, I also have strawberry wine, dark Goldenoak ale and I can get you some coffee if you would like." says smiling.

Argoni takes the raw meat tentatively from the goblin, sniffing it. "Ah, carpaccio, yes? It would go well with a good strong cheese.... Be right back!" He turns and heads for the food carts again. A minutes later, he returns, tugging on his restrictive studded leather armor. He holds out a few hunks of a smoked cheese for everyone. The rest of the chicken pie is nowhere to be seen.

"I like to pair a heady smoked cheese with the carpaccio!" He wraps the raw meat around the cheese and then take a bite. "Oh, good flavor!" He nods to Gizzard.

The halfling looks up at the taller Dead Odo. "Hey mate, it's Argoni. Or Ari if you like. You got a skin condition there? I might be able to mix up a tonic or a cream for that." He offers the longshanks some cheese and then to Gnimish and Salaish too.

Gnimish accepts the cheese from Ari and, in turn, buys some beverages from the food vendor for his new friends.

"Good sir, nothing like some coffee to start the day; and please give some to my new friends as well."

Gnimish hands the food vendor some money. Then proceeds to rattle off questions seemingly without having to take a breath between questions.

"Wonder what we're needed for? Has anyone heard of this academy? Have any of you been to Otari? Quiet seaside village west of here. Nothing like this..."

Gnimish catches himself. "Oh, sorry, I'm rambling again."

"I do not have much skin left for any condition-- thanks, Argoni, for the cheese", says Odo to Argoni Slate.

Looking at the vendor, he asks:
"What kind of beer do you have? I know there's some type I like. Thunderbrew or something like that?"

As you begin to gather a street vendor approaches

"Are you kids with your parent here? Would you fancy a freshly squeed orange juice or maybe a non-alcoholic ginger beer?" asks a chubby little man quickly realizing that little folks are gnomes, hobbit and a goblin and a tall figure looks nothing like their parent

"Pardon my mistakes, good sirs, I also have strawberry wine, dark Goldenoak ale and I can get you some coffee if you would like." says smiling.

Giggling, Salaish responds: "Heeheehee! Oh my gosh, you just made my day! Hilarious! But some ginger beer sounds good right now, anyway. Thanks! --Oh! Cheese! Thanks, Argoni!" She happily accepts some cheese and washes it down with the ginger beer. "Ahhh! Refreshing! Anyhoo, welcome to the Pathfinder Society, Gizzard! I'm kinda new myself, but not terribly so. The missions I've been on have been kind of a mixed bag of experiences, and all over the place. I mean, my first mission was in Tian Xia! Boy, was that a learning experience! So, hang in there and you'll never get bored!" She gives the goblin a thumbs-up, then asks the rest of the group: "So, is anyone else brand new?"

"If anything actually happens this would be my first mission for the glorious Pathfinder Society, so, yes, I imagine I could be called brand new. Though I do show some wear and tear."
Odo thinks a bit:
"Are there many un-dead in Tian-Xa?"

"Carpaccio? Whass that? Imma have to look it up later..."

Odo looks at Gizzard Stu, smiling:

"Greetings, oh Gizzard!"
Switching to Goblin he, respectuflly, asks:
"Err... are you one of the food vendors, here? Or a Pathfinder yourself?"

"Erm... why not both?" He grins sheepishly before adding, "Gotta make sure I've got coin to find a place ta sleep and all. Of course if the paffinderin' thing works out then I'll be super good!"

Suddenly he snaps back to Salaish's comment. "Wait... you've been ta Tea and Shaws? Someone told me 'bout that place! Told me all about sue-she and how to make it. Old head cook kept yelling at me for burning everything so I learned to make sue-she so I don't burn it! Where is Tea and Shaws anyways? Must be a big restaurant if you had a whole mission there..."

Odo scratches his cloak, over where the top of his head must be: Why not both, indeed.
He keeps on wondering: Actually, what can I do to make sure I have coin? Maybe teach about the dangers of the un-dead?
He chuckles: Just showing my face would be a cautionary tale.

"Friends, I know discussing tea, and your friend Sue, is very nice. But I do believe we are to go meet a man for a mission.
Maybe we should not keep him waiting?"

Ah I've been late getting a post in here. I'm terrible about sitting down at a computer over the weekend.

A flaming-red haired halfling in a nice suit and tie comes rushing down the street burdened with tons of supplies. On one shoulder is an carrying case for what looks like an unstrung bow, the other has a conainter that ribbits and shakes ominously. He has a pack with various rolls of paper and supplies sticking out of it and a case in hand that reads 'sharp scapels; handle with care.' Behind him he drags what looks like a ceramic model of a human being with hinges and various places to remove skin and other things on a set of wheels, in one hand it holds a garment bag. He spots the other people that could only be other Pathfinders, the tall one has skin colors worse than most cadavers he'd seen and that was definitely a Wayfinder, and pauses perplexed for a moment.

He comes in closer, the medical mannequin squeaking behind him. "You wouldn't also be Pathfinders here for J Dacilane?" He stops and reaches back into his pack pulling out a few scrolls of various sketches of humanoid bodies and their insides as well. After a moment he pulls out the note. "Well dang! Rereading this it seems that it might not be an invitation to teach or interview for a teaching position... It's just as likely for some mission. Dangit I rushed to gather everything together as soon as I read it. Just assumed that was why I was being called to the school."

He sets down his things in his arms making sure to weigh the container shaking around down so it doesn't topple over and takes off the suit jacket and dress shirt. He reaches into the garment bag and pulls out a white long coat and then a set of studded leather armor. He puts the armor on and then the white coat before putting the suit away. Smoothing his mustache out he gives everyone a personable if professional grin. "Symeon Isafira, at your service! If you've met an Angela Isafira in the Grand Lodge ranting about some expense report or other paperwork, she's my sister. Anyways, I'm a trained and, if I may toot my own horn, excellent surgeon. I have been looking for a more permanent teaching position for the times I'm in Absalom, but it seems like that might not be happening today." The younger halfling frowns for a moment before shaking his head and looking up at everyone. "Mind if I get your names? Also, anyone have odd reactions to certain plants or substances? I'll make sure not to apply them to your wounds. "

Dead Odo grumbles: "Don't expect me to toot your horn... we have barely met!

Holding his gloved hand out:
"Dead Odo, Vigilant Seal. Greetings, doctor Isafira.
Personally, I have adverse reactions to most, if not all, poisons."

"Wait... you've been ta Tea and Shaws? Someone told me 'bout that place! Told me all about sue-she and how to make it. Old head cook kept yelling at me for burning everything so I learned to make sue-she so I don't burn it! Where is Tea and Shaws anyways? Must be a big restaurant if you had a whole mission there..."

Eyes crinkling with amusement, Salaish gently corrects Gizzard. "Oh, no! Tian Xia is a whole continent! I'd barely even heard of it before joining the Society, so I was super excited to go on a mission there." Turning to Dead Odo, she responds: "We did encounter some spirits, but they were really helpful and kind to us, probably because we made sure to treat their forest with respect."

"Oh, welcome Symeon! I'm Salaish. Hey, maybe this will work like an introduction to the Academy. You know, get your foot in the door and impress them today so you can get a job there tomorrow." She gives him a hopeful smile.

"Anyhoo, I'm ready to go when you guys are."

"Angela Isafira? Wait, you mean the mean lady who said I didn't have the right forms? I had to go back three times before she authorized my stupid wayfinder. And she still won't authorize payment for my reagents I got in the Mwangi Expanse! I mean, how am I supposed get receipts from a guy in the jungle? Suuuure, maybe he wasn't a "Society certified source"...maybe he was a voodoo witch doctor who had terrorized a few villages....maybe I told him he could hitch a ride out of here... But that didn't happened, did it? The villagers just happened to find him. And I got some fresh java beaks and narlhim roots to make antiplague with. I didn't see any VCs complaining when I handed those out. She should be happy I got as good of a deal as I did!" He rolls his eyes and huffs.

He suddenly realizes Symeon is looking at him and he's just complained loudly about his sister. "Oh, uh, I mean...look, I hear she's really good at her job. And the doll is a smash in that red dress she wears. Just let me know if there's a way for me to get on her good side, yeah Doc? Maybe put in a good word for me? Argoni Slate. Friends call me Ari." He winks at Symeon. "Besides, I'm not a trained doctor, but I've been known to stitch people up a bit. Happy to help ya if you need, especially if you need some alchemical help or a special ingredient."

Gizzard looks completely confused by Salaish. "You mean Tye-ann Exia? I read 'bout that once! And you had spirits? I didn't know you could drink on the job... my last job they'd fire you if you were drinking on the job. Why is it called getting 'fired' if there is no actual fire anyways?"

Smiling at the newcomer, he offers one of the last few slices of raw meet. "Heya Symeon, want some Sue-she?"

Holding the tray out to the halfling, he looks back at the vendor. "So uh... what's your name?"

Gnimish is overjoyed by the abundance of short folk around him.

"Hiya Symeon. I'm Gnimish. I come from neighboring Otari. Used to work as an entertainer at the Fishery. No reactions to plants, at least, not that I know of..."

Gnimish trails off, realizing that he's rambling again. He turns to Gizzard Stu.

"Hullo! I'm Gnimish. What's Sue-she? They've got some good coffee here, don't they? We used to have this drink at the Fishery in Otari. We used to mix the coffee with this cream we call Bay-lees."

Holding his gloved hand out:

"Dead Odo, Vigilant Seal. Greetings, doctor Isafira.
Personally, I have adverse reactions to most, if not all, poisons."

Symeon takes the hand and gives it a good shake. Pleasure to meet you 'Dead' Odo. I take it the nickname is given your unusual skin condition? Also haven't met a person who has positive reactions to poisons yet. Why I tend not to carry them on myself." He gives the man a long look for a moment, as if trying to see why Odo here has such blue-white pale skin.

"Oh, welcome Symeon! I'm Salaish. Hey, maybe this will work like an introduction to the Academy. You know, get your foot in the door and impress them today so you can get a job there tomorrow." She gives him a hopeful smile.

He gives a nod at Salaish. "That's what I'm hoping to do. See if I can't build a good name for myself with the other faculty and maybe the kids as well. I'd love a chance to get something to drink, but otherwise I'm ready."

Symeon buys a drink from the vendor, getting something cooler for this early summer heat. He sips on it as he watches Argoni go on about his sister, a wry smile on his face. "That sounds like her. You should hear her go on about all the new agents and how they don't know a lick about paperwork. She's been a bit overworked lately form the sounds of it. I doubt it was personal. Taking in something as an apology might help, and even better next time just write down how much something cost you and get the other person to sign for it, it doesn't have to be anything extremely formal."

Symeon looks at the Sue-she and pauses for a moment. "This wasn't someone actually named Sue, was it? ... And you're sure that eating it this way won't get me sick?"

The merchant set up a fire in his portable fireplace, set a cauldron with water on, and started to add coffee.

"My name is Archis. When it comes to beer no I did not heard of Thunderbrew. But I have Gale, Golden Lager, Gale with Thunder, even stronger than Gale. And Black sweet Oak, all produced by the best Goldeoak brewery."

Says Archis and begins to add finely ground coffee and cardamon.

"A cold drink for a 'teacher', and coffee." says the merchant trying to not get in the way of the conversation.

===================================

When you decided that the time has come you make your way towards the gates of Dacilane Academy. J Dacilane, a man in his early twenties with a military bearing, gazes wistfully past the gate at the building, where students bustle about.

J Dacilane stands with the military posture of an Eagle Knight by the gate, checking the time and fiddling with a key on a red ribbon.

"Welcome," J says with a warm smile.

"I appreciate that you took the time out of your schedule to meet me. This may seem like a strange request for field-trained agents, but I need you to investigate the school. There’s a rumor that Dacilane Academy is haunted." He winces as he adds, "Or cursed."

"The pupils assembled a list of legends about the school for you. Apparently, there are seven secrets of Dacilane Academy. Honestly, most sound like urban legends that the students have picked up from their parents. But, when someone says that they’re in danger, it should be investigated. And a more formal report from the Society would be a great opportunity for the students to see Pathfinder skills in action!"

"These hauntings began long before the supposed cursed, so I’m sure they’re mostly mundane occurrences. You’ll probably find the foundation settling, old drafts, and the like. If there’s something more to it, try to excise any spirits or other beasts that stalk the halls. In addition to the transcribed legends, the pupils provided a ghost-hunting kit for your investigation."

J shakes his head as he hands over a leather bag and a thin folder.
"You’ll have this evening to do as you please. The school grounds are in use until sunset for extracurricular activities. I don’t want to incite more rumors or scare any of our more promising pupils with armored agents in the halls."

J looks at each and every one of you

"Oh, and one final thing—please try to limit any damage to the facilities. Be careful."

Feel free to ask questions. J gives you:
- A list of seven secrets (Slide 3)
- A bag with the ghost-hunting kit: (a vial of holy water, oil of potency,
and a handmade protective amulet with no monetary value, made from air-dry clay with a sigil painted on in gloppy ink (likely produced in the school’s art class))

Seeing Symeon Isafira checking out his skin, Odo shrugs:
"That's Duskwalker skin. I'm called Dead because I died. But made it back from the Boneyard, before totally passing on."
He taps the only splash of color on him: a blue-enameled silver pendant around his neck, depicting a spiral - Pharasma's Holy Symbol.
______________

Odo nods to Dacilane:
"Greetings, sir. If the place is haunted we should be able to take care of the spirits."
With a sidelong glance at Salaish:
"Not friends of the undead, we are."

Looking at the list, Odo tries to see if anything there describes specific undead activity he might now.
+4 in Undead Lore

At the mention of limiting damage to the school, Argoni tries to discreetly shift his satchel around to hide the alchemical bombs inside. Still, he read through the notes of the seven secrets. "Quite interesting. We certain can take a look. Maybe spirits, maybe not. What's this about a boy dying? I would imagine the school would actually keep records about something like that. Any truth to it?"

"And what about this student #19? Do you have a roster of all the students in the school? Surely there must be an easy way to check who is #19 or if there's no name associated."

"Hrmm.... dunno 'bout bay lees. Not really up on drink making. I think most people order a sock of some sort to drink or somethin like that. Dunno... bartender always took care of that."

[b]"Ok... so the school is haunted and cursed, but you want me not use fire?"

I've played 0-06 Black Waters and 7-05: School of Spirits with another character, so I'm interested to see how J Dacilane has changed since then.

Upon hearing what they'll be doing, Salaish nods thoughtfully. Oh! I ought to switch out my spell!

"Is there time for us to talk to some of the students? Some of these mysteries sound like they could be pranks by sneaky students, just based on what's written here, but maybe some first hand accounts could help us figure out the truth of it."

When Salaish gets 10 minutes, she'll focus to switch out her Electric Arc primal cantrip for Disrupt Undead, per the Fey-Touched Gnome heritage.

Gnimish muses

"Blank books? Wow! I'd hate for that to happen. Wonder if the two lab legends are related?"

Gnimish turns to J and asks "So far, have there been any injuries with these hauntings? Or are they just irregular?"

Turning to Salaish, Gnimish concurs.
"I agree. Some of these secrets might just be pranks. I wonder if the Haunted Shack has some sort of secret tunnel under it..."

Gnimish approaches the shack and casts detect magic.

Seeing Symeon Isafira checking out his skin, Odo shrugs:

"That's Duskwalker skin. I'm called Dead because I died. But made it back from the Boneyard, before totally passing on."
He taps the only splash of color on him: a blue-enameled silver pendant around his neck, depicting a spiral - Pharasma's Holy Symbol.

Symeon blinks for a second as he processes the information before giving a wry smile, "Wait shouldn't you be Died Odo, then?"

He looks back at Archis. "This is a good brew, mind if I get a bottle to take home?"

=======

Symeon piles all of the supplies he brought with him back onto his person and lugs it into the academy. He gives J a sheepish grin and starts setting things down outside the gates and straightens with a sigh. "I completely misinterpreted what this note was for... But if you're looking for a biology instructor or assistant, I'd love to apply, separate from this mission of course. Symeon Isafira, by the way. Also do you know if any of your students would be interested in a bull frog? I suddenly find myself in possession of one I have no need for."

He listens to the briefing with the attentiveness of someone who has the prospect of getting hired. "We should take a look at these claims. Anyone heard of stories like these before? Could they be scary tales the kids are making up based off other stories they've heard else where?"

He takes a moment to think about that himself.
GM, how do you want to handle secret checks? Symeon has a class feat that allows him to recall knowledge on topics whenever he devises a stratagem, and I have a spoiler-ready tag set up in his profile to help keep things moving, if a spoiler is acceptable.

Right now, though, he's trying to recall some of the scary stories popular in Absalom/if he's heard similar stories before. Society +10

Finally, I'd really like to take a Case here, but would the mysteries themselves be too overreaching? Would a single mystery per case be better?

Odo points to his pale, pale gray, "complexion":
"Not dyed at all!"
He shrugs:
"Did not even die, really, I guess. Or died but didn't. Off the Material Plane to the Boneyard but not to the beyond...
Anyhow, I'm dead to many things."

Ever curious, Gnimish turns to Dead Odo.

"So what was it like in the Boneyard? Was is spooky? Do you remember anything prior to getting there?"

Gnimish suddenly realizes that he might be asking personal questions, stops and turns beet red with embarrassment.

Dead Odo tries to remember anything that he might know about the undead causing all or some of the troubles found not he list.

But he recalls none.

"And what about this student #19? Do you have a roster of all the students in the school? Surely there must be an easy way to check who is #19 or if there's no name associated."

J flips the key that he holds in his hands and responds "Anyone died? No, the school had no serious accidents. With regards to student 19, I did ask and it seems that the number was not assigned. So in fact there is no student 19, the rooster is in the school and you will definitely see it."

"Ok... so the school is haunted and cursed, but you want me not use fire?"

"That is correct. We want the school to stay just like is, just without any ghosts or haunts. Don't burn, don't chop, don't wreck items inside. Try to be careful."

"Is there time for us to talk to some of the students? Some of these mysteries sound like they could be pranks by sneaky students, just based on what's written here, but maybe some first hand accounts could help us figure out the truth of it."

"We would prefer to avoid it. Verify if there are any paranormal activities happening, if some of the things could be explained by creative students that would be enough." J smiles

"So far, have there been any injuries with these hauntings? Or are they just irregular?"

"No, there were no injuries. If they were we would be treating it way more seriously."

As Gnimish goes towards the shack and begins casting magic J grabs his arm

"Don't! We don't want to disturb the students..."

Just as that happens a group of kids run out of the school and darts towards you.

"Mr. Dacilane, Mr. Dacilane are those the pathfinders that came to kill the ghost?"

"Why are they so thin .... one of them looks sicky.... My father has a bigger sword than this bunch, he always said only a moron does not carry a shield, they are a bunch of..." The students represents different ancestries, age and genders. Some of them are rather blunt and direct. Some of the kids grabs your coats, touch your swords and bags.

J tries to calm them down and leads you further down the street as the students run back to their school

"You can investigate after school hours, which wouel be in 3 hours." says looking at his clock.

He listens to the briefing with the attentiveness of someone who has the prospect of getting hired. "We should take a look at these claims. Anyone heard of stories like these before? Could they be scary tales the kids are making up based off other stories they've heard else where?

"Yeah, some of the stories are old and probably the kids learned them from their parents. Sp those very easily could be just rumors and gossips."

J pauses for a moment and extends his hand

"I would forget, this is the master key. It opens all of the doors in the school, so there should be no reason for you to picklock and a break-in. Also, every class has magical lamps that turn on when you say 'Lights'."

Others can also do a society check, it is secret so give me a modifier and I will do the roll for you.

Gnimish performs a society check. +3 modifier.

Turning to J, he says "Oh! Sorry! It's just a minor dweomer checking for the presence of magic. Nothing intrusive. But I will abide by your wishes and limit my investigation to after class. So tell me, is the school built on top of a graveyard? Or some holy ground?"

Symeon perks up after a second as he does recall something about the school, but sadly not the local spooky stories. "I think I saw the paperwork about the sale of this place on time I visited my sister. It had the standard legal affidavit about hauntings, spirits, curses or malignant supernatural forces that comes with sale of property in Absalom. It claimed there were none. So if the place is haunted now, it has to have been after the school was established or someone lied and would be liable for any damages that the spirits have caused."

J listens to Gnimish and says:

"The school was established 4643 to educate the children of Society agents. Many agents and venture-captains were concerned about the educational prospects of children being moved between countries on a regular basis. I don’t know the history prior to that, but it's probably not anything too peculiar"

"After my grandmother passed away last year, I wanted to memorialize her. Given the Pathfinder Society’s assistance in my childhood, I opted to donate a portion of my inheritance to this school. It was renamed after my family in recognition. I hope that the funding helps provide opportunities for more students."

Then his expression changes

" Now there’s a rumor that the school is cursed. I’ve lived through some hard times and rumors get around. When the academy was renamed in honor of my family, some people said that the name itself was cursed."

He sighs. "I would be much obliged if you could clear my family’s otherwise pristine name."

"Ever since Society agents rescued me as a child, I’ve been interested in the work you do. While I did complete part of the agent training, I found my path into the Eagle Knights instead. If it weren’t for the Society rescuing me as a girl, I don’t think I’d be the man I am today. I feel great respect and gratitude to Pathfinders for what they did, now again I need your help." says J.

Gnimish wanders close to the shack, just looking for anything unusual. He doesn't cast any magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Does he see anything out of the ordinary?

Symeon gives a small huff of a sigh as Gnimi once again tries to cross into school grounds and interfere with the classes going on. He wraps an arm around the gnome and tries to lead him back to J and the rest of the group. "We can start investigating this place later this evening, but for right now, let's finish talking with Mr. Dacilane. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but you're going to get the kids riled up and lend too much credence to the rumors if we're seen looking into things now."

Arm firmly wrapped around the gnome so he doesn't try slipping away again, Symeon looks over at J and asks, " Mind telling me about the lab? That is my area of expertise and I'd hate for classes there to be bothered by some occult, spiritual or malign source."

Hope that's enough to Pursue those two mysteries as Leads.

Salaish is disappointed that they can't interview the students, but totally understands that doing so would completely undermine the rest of the school day. She stands there, listening to the back and forth between J Dacilane and the others, musing: If J hasn't seen any of this himself, we won't get much real info from him. Just gotta wait three more hours. I wonder what sort of supplies we should pick up for this? Stuff to deal with ghosty stuff. And haunts, maybe?

Looks like we'll have plenty of time to go shopping. What should we buy?

Ari nods to himself as he checks the list again. "Right, Simeon. I think I can focus on the library and the bathroom. If there is a ghost, I think I ought to get some different alchemical supplies." He pulls out a formula book and begins making a small note to himself in one of the margins. "But we ought to be prepared for it just being a wily old rat or something too."

"Hmmm.... I wonder what ghosts eat... If there's a kid haunting the baffroom and he's been there for like... a super long time, he's prolly super hungry. I wonder if you can season sushi with ectoplasm?"

Gizzard takes the case of the haunted loo. More posting later tonight

Gizzard is a fresh lvl 1 so he's flat broke.

"Well... I think I can prolly scrounge up some holy water if I'm not allowed to use fire..."

For my Generalist school consumable, I'll take a Holy Water.

"So uh... any idea who the dude who died in the loo was? I mean... that seems kinda rough to die in the loo. Did he have actual explosive d-"

The stern looks are enough to cut him off.

Can Gizzard use this time to try to find anything out about the student?

Dead Odo looks at Gnimish:
"The Boneyard is mainly colorless, and filled with moaning. It is actually more organized than spooky, maybe because I was so disoriented. Did not have time for spooky.
Yes, of course, I remember all before getting there.
Mainly being dismembered and torn apart and actually eaten while still alive, by undead."

Odo is soon disoriented again, as Gnimish is replaced by another short person, this one a kid yanking Odo's cloak off his head.
Unable to discern which small one is a kid and which a Pathfinder, Odo rapidly moves down the road with J.

Odo can do a trained +4 Society check

"Master J., you could memorialize your late grandmother by building a brand new place.
We could help you burn this place down, sprinkle holy water all over and have priests of Pharasma purify it.
That way you'd start with a clean location."

Odo looks around for good places to start a controlled fire...

J looks at Symeon

"I did not have time to check the labs myself. But I am certain you will soon get a chance to check it."

Then he looks at Gizzard and Dead Odo

"Before we start burning and purifying, how about you get inside and figure out what is the problem." says a bit worried about the eagerness of agents to demolish the place.

Really not much more to say.

After few hours of preparations and waiting you come back to the school.
Dacilane Academy sits in the Foreign Quarter of Absalom, only a short walk from the Grand Lodge, nestled behind an ivy-draped stone wall with iron gates. The schoolhouse, a former mansion purchased by the Pathfinder Society and converted into classroom space, provides an idyllic setting for pupils to learn.

The empty school looks calmer and you could see how some people may consider it a bit spooky.

A single-story brick building sits beyond the iron gates. Brick walls and an ornately carved main door give the front entrance a stately appearance. Manicured topiaries and a well-kept lawn provide ample green space that continues between the building and the outer walls to the rear of the estate.

To your right you see a shack, in front of you there are the main doors to the building.

I've put your avatars on the map. please feel free to move your avatars and say where you want to go next. Openine doors require an interact action using the master key.

Symeon's eyes widen some as the rather rash option of razing it to the ground and starting over is raised. "Odo, let's save that for tomorrow in case we can't prove this is nothing more than rumors or a spirit we can't handle. Be a waste to burn the place if there's nothing wrong."

As the rest of the group gets ready to leave, Symeon makes up a quick mental list of things he needs to buy. He heads to a smithy and buys a basic weapon potency rune, before then hitting up the alchemist's and grabbing four minor elixirs of life. He then swings by the grand lodge and has someone there add the rune to his shortbow as he scrounges up a holy water as well, just in case there are some undead here.

Arriving back at the school as the sun is setting he takes a moment to look at it from the outside, and then settles in to wait for everyone else.

As they start to move onto the grounds, Symeon pipes up, "There's two mysteries would could probably check off here and now, the statues and the shed. Any preferences?"

"If we burn it down preventively, there is no need to waste time figuring out what the problem is. But, we will do as you want."

"I think J would frown on that, Odo. At the very least, the cost of building a new school would be pricey." Argoni returns from his trip to the shops with a heavier satchel filled with alchemical supplies. He is copying a formula down into his book, trying to be precise about the writing.

Once he's finished, he looks up and around the grounds. "I'd say let's check out this shed first. There can't be no one that goes in there. Probably just some groundskeeper that doesn't like being seen by the kids."

Gnimish humbly follows the other Pathfinders, still embarrassed after being chastened by Symeon.

After being led away by the halfling, Gnimish spent the remaining time to shop for additional supplies that he might need. At the same time, inwardly, Gnimish hopes that the extra spell scroll he bought wouldn't be needed.

His embarrassment soon disappears as he gazes around the grounds. His eyes dart around trying to pick up anything out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Costly, but it would give work to people..."

"Hey hey! I'm not sayin' we should burn down the school I was just asking... Mister J said no fire! So no fire! I'm not getting fired on my first mission!"

Gizzard is 'On the Case' of the Toilet Terror, so he'll get +1 circumstance to any int, wis, or cha based skill checks related to the case. Also once per 10 minutes I can give an ally a +1 circumstance bonus to an ally who does so. I can pursue 2 leads at a time, so my leads will be whatever the party has decided they are going to next, presuming we have a minute for Gizzard to consider the culinary implications, which in this case will be the shack.

"I wonder if they have snacks in the shed... someone's prolly just goin in to get their secret stash of munchies. I'd bet on it!"

Voting for the Shack mystery, and spending a minute to consider what kind of snacks could be kept in the Shack without being devoured by the local wildlife.