EbonFist's #5-11 Library of the Lion (Inactive)

Game Master EbonFist

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Before Stiggur moves the arm, it is pointed at the top word in the list "Innovation."

Other than Stiggur and Gaius, everyone else has set up their illusory doubles, ready to activate them when they find and activate the secret door and leave the room.

What is it pointing to now? Also, Stiggur will setup his illusionary double as well before moving on. Stiggur will systematically move the stylus from word to word.

What is it pointing to now? Also, Stiggur will setup his illusionary double as well before moving on. Stiggur will systematically move the stylus from word to word.

The GM said it isn't pointing to anything; the statue reached out and hit Stiggur with the stylus! Ouch!

Radiarch will aid the search for the secret passage as well as he can.

1d20+4: 1d6 ⇒ 6 (fail formatting, see the one below please)
Perception Aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 (still no good to the aid, but correct)

Everyone prepares their illusory doubles then most of the group sets about searching for the secret door.

Midnight's keen eyes are the one that spots it as she realizes they're using a classic double switch back in retrograde method to hide it. It's obvious when you know what you're looking for.

Stiggur methodically moves the stylus to each word but even pointing it at each one does not open the door. It becomes clear that some combination of the words is necessary and that it will take quite some time to get through all possible combinations unless someone has a guess.

Everyone prepares their illusory doubles then most of the group sets about searching for the secret door.

Midnight's keen eyes are the one that spots it as she realizes they're using a classic double switch back in retrograde method to hide it. It's obvious when you know what you're looking for.

Stiggur methodically moves the stylus to each word but even pointing it at each one does not open the door. It becomes clear that some combination of the words is necessary and that it will take quite some time to get through all possible combinations unless someone has a guess.

@GM: Any Knowledge checks to assist in the guessing?

"Wasn't there something about honor, courage, and glory?"

Stiggur tries the combination.

Stiggur remembers something from the scroll and gives it a try.

The secret door gives a satisfying click and springs open an inch. It is easy enough to open it up from there.

Gaius will activate his illusory double and checks the inside of the secret door/passage for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

If the door and passage are clear, Gaius will enter the area.

@GM: What's the lighting level in the passage?

Egavreis will activate his card and go in, checking for traps as they go.

Midnight follows the others carefully.

Radiarch enters as well.

Cillian makes certain the library is empty and the illusions are activated before joining the others.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Stiggur peeks behind the secret door to ensure there is no one else there before entering.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Stiggur peeks behind the secret door to ensure there is no one else there before entering.

[dice=perception]1d20+6

Gaius peeks around the door at Stiggur, "Boo." and snickers.

The secret door opens up directly on a spiral staircase. The stairs are unlit, proving treacherous in the dark to anyone who needs light. 20' down, the pathfinders find themselves in a small room with a pair of doors to the north.

Is there anything else in the small room besides the doors and the staircase leading back up?

Midnight offers to go up front, since she has darkvision.

Speaking to Midnight, "If you wish or, since most of us need light anyway, I can cast a Light spell and then proceed. I prefer to use my bow but I can lead if Stiggur is a bit nervous."
Gaius grins mischievously at Stiggur.

@GM: Are we on one of the maps yet?

No, there is nothing else in the room with you...except...what's all that breathing and quiet movement? There's definitely something else in here! And it's alive! And trying not to be detected! Danger! Oh...wait...that's just the other members of your team...no, there's nothing else in the room with you.

We are, indeed now on the map on slide 3. You're in the room in the bottom lefthand corner with the spiral staircase.

"There's nothing to be gained staring at this door."

Egavreis checks for traps, locks and other impediments to getting this done.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 +1 in dim light or darkness
Disable Device, if needed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Egavreis finds the door unlocked and untrapped and can't hear anyone on the other side.

Opening it up, the group find themselves facing a long hallway with
several sets of doors along its east and west walls. The north wall bears a 10-foot-square field of carved divots that create no particular pattern. An inscription above the carving reads “The keenest eyes cannot see everything. Always remember to see the big picture.”

Wall sconces that hold glass spheres enchanted with continual flame provide plenty of light for those who can't see in the dark.

We're in exploration mode here, so see the first post in the discussion thread regarding how searching is done. Feel free to place yourself in whichever room you want to investigate (and post any actions you take before entering said room.)

@GM: How far down the north wall is the square field?

Gaius searches until he reaches the first door and then searches it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

If he finds anything he will notify Egavreis.

Gaius will try the door to see if it opens.

Cillian moves down to the doors on the left, checking it for any traps or alarms.

Perception (Trapfinding): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 1 = 27
Disable?: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28

Opening the door, he begins searching through tomes.
Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 8 + (1) = 29

@Gaius, the North Wall is the one all the way at the top (the map is oriented so North is up and south is down.

Gaius and Cillian quickly move to doors and search them. Neither finds anything of interest with the doors themselves and Cillian moves into the room to begin searching.

Thousands of books line the dozens of shelves in the high-ceilinged library Gaius sees. Several tables and chairs near the center of the room provide a place to read quietly, and five rows of pew-like benches nearby face an immense lion’s head carved from the eastern wall

All of you could easily fit in this space to search and the topics are so diverse that, in addition to the skills valid when searching in general, any Knowledge skill could be used in here.

Cillian finds himself in a well-lit room that holds many chairs aligned towards two giant chalkboards that hang on the north wall. Along the opposite wall, several shelves hold books on sundry topics. Simple but colorful tapestries hang along the north wall, giving the room a bright appearance despite the lack of sunlight and the dour portrait of Grand Prince Stavian III affixed to the south wall. A 15 minute hourglass sits on the desk, no doubt used to time tests.

The space is relatively small, but up to 3 more of you could get into the room to search as well to help and speed up his search.

One thing you all notice as you continue your search is that the place is immaculately clean and well kept. Leaving dusty footprints or moving a rug ajar might tip off the usual occupants of the place that someone uninvited has been there.

Using magic, class abilities, or some other means to remove or avoid leaving tracks would help hide your presence in the place.

Egavreis has prestidigitation as an at-will spell-like ability, so can cast it to clean on a regular basis.

Egavreis joins the search.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

For whichever room the PCs decide to search, I'll make a check now to keep things moving.

Profession (Librarian): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Cillian, Egavreis and Gaius make quick work of the first room and easily find the useful texts available there.

Egavreis uses prestidigitation to clean up after themselves but it's clear the task could use a little help to be perfect if anyone else has an ability that could help them hide their tracks or signs of their presence after they leave.

I've revealed a couple of cards on slide 4. These are clues that can help you in your research. Let me know if you want to use one and when you do, I'll X them off.

Everyone let me know what you want to do/where you want to go. Stiggur, Radiarch and Midnight, feel free to let me know what you want to do while the other 3 are searching the first room.

Cillian, Egavreis and Gaius make quick work of the first room and easily find the useful texts available there.

Egavreis uses prestidigitation to clean up after themselves but it's clear the task could use a little help to be perfect if anyone else has an ability that could help them hide their tracks or signs of their presence after they leave.

Magical or mundane means? With his Profession (Library), Gaius should be able to make sure all the books, chairs, etc. are back in order where they were found.

Midnight checks the door to another room and enters and searches if it looks safe.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

kn. arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Radiarch follows Midnight inside. He takes note of the enormity of the space, but doesn't waste time finding a shelf and getting to work. Assuming nothing stops him, he'll begin looking in that room's library, focusing his search and parsing his own knowledge of noble houses, heraldry, and historical clues that would help grasp the origins of the Shining Crusade.

Nobility: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

No abilities that would help hide or conceal. Maybe Stealth?

The investigator moves into the main stacks to search.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 10 + (5) = 34
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Gaius joins the party in the large room and begins searching for relevant texts.

Profession (Librarian): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Egavreis aids in searching the large room.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The rule for keeping the place tidy and neat says a class ability, or some other means of hiding tracks. Normally, I would say that would be things like pass without trace or one of the many class abilities that let you avoid leaving tracks but Profession (Librarian) is so precise and perfect for this I'll allow it.

The Pathfinders pile into the central archives, perhaps standing for a moment in wonder at the sheer volume of knowledge stored here before scattering.

Midnight finds no locks or threats and sets to work.

Radiarch finds that his knowledge of nobility is just fine when researching in this room and, indeed finds a shelf with that specific subject.

Cillian, Gaius and Egavreis join in, with the latter two pausing periodically to ensure that nothing is out of place.

I'm going to assume that Stiggur comes in, too. I'll need him and Cillian to make their search checks. Valid options in this room are any Knowledge, Linguistics or text-based Craft or Profession check (such as Profession [librarian] or Craft [bookbinding])

Egavreis steps toward Midnight and whispers, "I think our visit here is no longer a secret." He then tries to subtly gesture toward the lion.

Midnight nods and moves towards the statue. She then bows in greeting.

Gaius watches Midnight and asks, "I'm not that familiar with kobolds but is this something you do, bow to wall fixtures?"

"This is not just a statue. It is appropriate to greet someone who is watching you."

"This is not just a statue. It is appropriate to greet someone who is watching you."

Gaius looks incredulous, "What?!?! Is there a way to disable it so it doesn't tell someone else we're down here?"

With it's deception pierced, the massive carving gives up it's ruse.

It becomes fully animated, looking around at the gathered group.

"And why wouldn't you want me telling someone else you're down here, little Lionblade initiates? Unless you aren't Lionblades at all?" it rumbles in a majestic voice.

"Oh great one, we are not Lionblades, but we are here with permission to find out more. Please believe me that we are here from motives of goodness and kindness and will not harm anyone by our research here, and will treat all the books here, and the history they contain with the greatest respect. Perhaps you could help us find what we are looking for?"

Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 8 + (5) = 29

Sorry. Posted a Perception instead of Linguistics.

Radiarch will use focus on the carving's response to Midnight and manner to determine it's true nature before trying his own diplomatic angle.

Detect Evil

"Well, if we're just talking to the statues spying on us, let's make it quick." Egavreis moves toward the obvious problem.

"Little woman, you speak to the Guardian! I know every book that has been added to this glorious collection! Of course I could help you. Were I so inclined," the lion's head says to Midnight.

"You should learn from your companion and be more respectful young man," the Guardian says to Egavreis. "It is my duty to oversee and guard this library. I would hardly call it 'spying' when I am doing that duty, though I could easily call what you are doing 'sneaking' and 'stealing."

"Were I so inclined."

"However, I will reserve judgement for now, but only for now. Come closer, all of you so that we may truly speak. For one of my other duties is to impart knowledge of history to new Lionblades yet history is made of of the present passing and I would hear what you know of current events."

"Perhaps, if you prove interesting, honorable and respectful" he looks cuttingly at Egavreis "I will not raise the alarm and may even aid you."

Cillian makes certain his medallion showing his recent elevation as a Knight of Taldor hangs visibly on his chest before approaching. He bows his head to the Guardian. "Please allow us the benefit of your years and wisdom. I concede to your superior knowledge and hope to be proven worthy enough to learn from your words." The elf then waits for judgment, and hopefully some long hidden insight.

Cillian is being honest and forthright in this interaction.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Gaius approaches the Guardian, truly in marvel at such a creation, "One of my grandfathers was a Lion Blade and while he told me numerous stories, he never told me about such a wondrous creation. It seems almost unfair that you are hidden away and removed from the appreciation of the citizens of the Empire."

Attempting to assit Cillian's Diplomacy check. While Gaius is being honest it's also transparent that he's trying to butter up the Guardian - like he would anyone in power in Taldor. ;)

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

"My apologies, honored one. In my line of work, one tends to be cautious of the eyes upon them. But I see now that you are no mere spy."

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14