GM Tyranius (PF2) Blakros Deception (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Dot in here

A handsome and brash halfling fellow comes rushing up, huffing and puffing. "Sorry to be late - I had some, uh, difficulties back in Absalom that needed... resolving." He glances over his shoulder as he says this, then hurriedly slings his lute on his back, checks his purse to see if it's still empty - it is - and grins at the others. "Oskar I am, and it won't be long before all Golarion is humming one of my ditties. Just gotta write it first. Hope this adventure provides some inspiration, otherwise what's it good for? Less'n ye got rent t' pay, which I does, in which case I'll take inspiration, or at least a nice pay day, mehopes. I don't suppose there's any possibility of getting paid in advance...?" he trails off not very hopefully.

Grand Lodge of Absalom, where Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin has summoned you to meet with him. As you arrive in Ambrus’s office, the venture-captain brusquely gestures toward some seats.

Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin stands behind an oak desk and addresses the agents with a dour look on his face. “The Pathfinder Society has allies in many parts of Golarion,” he begins, “and we do our best to honor our alliances. Today we need reliable agents who can do our allies justice. The Blakros family has helped us immensely over the years. Without their aid, we likely would have lost many Taldoran relics during the Grand Campaign. Recently, they’ve had issues with one of their major holdings, the Blakros Museum here in Absalom.”

He opens a drawer and shuffles through some papers inside. “Between thefts, disappearances, and worse, the museum has suffered numerous setbacks these past few years. Now its stakeholders want a neutral party to investigate the curator, Nigel Aldain, for incompetence. Of course, nothing is ever easy. Nigel and his wife Dhrami Blakros are longtime friends of the Society as well. With two valuable allies at odds with each other, we need to ensure we make the right judgment.”

Ambrus produces a letter bearing a red wax seal from the desk drawer. “The Blakros family has provided us with an official missive, giving me the right to appoint you as investigators in this matter. First, stop at Dhrami’s townhouse in Westgate, where you can interview her and review her records. Compare what you find there with a search of the Blakros Museum. Tour the museum with Nigel, check his records, and make sure everything that should be in the museum’s vault is still present. Then return to me with your recommendation.”

Ambrus clears his throat before handing over the letter. “Dhrami and Nigel don’t know you’re coming, and they’ll be understandably tense about finding themselves under investigation. If you put them at ease and show your objectivity, you might learn more details from them as their trust grows. In the end, be objective, be fair, and be honest. Understood?”

Please let me know if you have played Scenario #2-05 Balancing the Scales on this PC.

A pale-skinned goblin enters and takes a seat. "Name's Jiki. I look forward to working with all of you," he says cheerfully as he slides a flute out of his vest and plays a soft but uplifting tune while waiting for the briefing to start. Once it does, he pockets his instrument and listens quietly to Venture-Captain Valsin.

Once he finishes, Jiki answers, "I've meant to visit the Museum for a long time, but never got the chance. And I guess these aren't ideal conditions for sightseeing. Anything we need to know about Dhrami or Nigel before we go?"

No 2-05 for me.

A gnoll with robes bearing an obvious symbol of Shelyn follows Jiki into the room and wait silently as the other discuss the mission. He has heard enough rumors about the things that happen when Pathfinders visit the Blakros Museum that he expects his skills at fixing things will be needed frequently.

"I am known as the 79th Magi," he says during a lull in the conversation. "I have, in fact, been to the museum before, and will be happy to point out a few of my favorite exhibits, as time permits."

Zallarra enters the room quietly, nods and smiles at everyone. She is a short gnome, very attractive with bright blue hair and green eyes. She wears no armor, just traveling clothes. She carries a spear, a dagger or two and a hand crossbow along with a backpacks and a few other small packs and bags.

After Ambrus finishes her clear voice rings out, "I have never been to the museum but the older Pathfinders tell many tales about it's dangers and mysteries. Are there any significant incidents that led to this investigation? We will, of course, be courteous and fair in the investigation and I assume we will make that clear to both of them from the start..."

Anjo nods as the venture-captain finishes the briefing. Anjo was a dark-skinned Garundi human with a bow on his back..
"Perhaps Nigel is not himself."

A young lady wearing crimson robes with saffron trim files into the room just as the briefing was started. She has straight, dark hair that falls to her shoulders.

"I was prepared for a day working in the Arcanamirium library when I was called. Luckily, my earlier preparations should suffice. Captain Valsin, do you happen to know what are the current exhibits?"

"I guess we should introduce ourselves. I am Marta Sanz, student-librarian at the Arcanamirium, amateur archeologist, Thassilonologist and delver of secured secrets."

Anything we need to know about Dhrami or Nigel before we go?"

“Dhrami is a very competent woman. She’s excellent at creating replicas of some of the museum’s most dangerous artifacts, and she helps Nigel keep the records in order. As a daughter of the Blakros family, she has a stake in the museum, but she’s also loyal to Nigel, so I can only imagine that this situation leaves her in a difficult spot.”

“As for Nigel, well he used to belong to the Society, and I think he’s a good man. But... well, everybody has their limits. Running the Blakros museum is different from working in the field. I can’t deny that he seems less organized than he used to be. Working as a curator can overwhelm many people.”

Are there any significant incidents that led to this investigation?

“Disasters, plain and simple. Pieces have gone missing, employees have lost their lives, and certain relics have proven more troublesome than they’re worth. Every incident has an explanation, but the sheer number of problems over the years have raised suspicions.”

Captain Valsin, do you happen to know what are the current exhibits?"

"I am afraid I don't. The exhibits change so frequently and I have not been to the Museum myself in several years."

While many of you know that the Blakroses are a prominent family whose lineage dates back centuries. Marta recalls a bit more in her studies while being a student-librarian at the Arcanamirium. The matrilineal Blakros family earned most of their fortune during the Grand Campaign, a 524-year-long conflict between Qadira and Taldor. Blakros merchants somehow managed to smuggle many goods and relics past Taldor’s closed borders when nobody else could. The eldest daughter from each Blakros generation over the past several centuries either died young or disappeared mysteriously.

Every Pathfinder knows that the Blakros Museum, located in Absalom’s Wise Quarter, displays notable relics from across Golarion. Jiki and Anjo have heard tell of a bit more in their travels. As a former Pathfinder, Curator Nigel Aldain has arranged open access to the Blakros Museum’s sizeable collection for the Society. The museum recently acquired a powerful but dangerous artifact known as the deck of many things, and the Blakros family has offered a reward to those willing to draw a card from the deck.

You each begin the game with 1 Hero Point. If anyone has any Glyphs then please pass them around now. This is also a good time for any last minute purchases before you head off to Dhrami’s townhouse.

Khunbish the elven druid stands quietly in one corner of the room, just as silent as the cougar resting at his side. Khunbish is tall as most elves are, but unlike most, rather than being slight of build, he is rather brawny. His long black hair falls down his back, and he is dressed quite simply, as one who spends most of his time outdoors then in cities. Although ageless in appearance as most elves, you can tell from his eyes that he has seen the passing of many years. He looks at the rest of the short-lived humanoids, not with disdain, but certainly with some distance.

He frowns when he realises this mission would likely require them to spend much of the time not just in the city, but in a museum. But he continues to stay silent, bearing all things stoicaly.

He does find an opportune time to introduce himself, somewhat belated. "I'm Khunbish," he speaks in his low soft voice. Gesturing to the cougar lounging at this feet, he adds, "And this is Irves." And says nothing more.

"Greetings all! My name is Zallarra. I've adventured with some of you. Good to see some familiar faces!"

Anjo nods a greeting as the others introduce themselves.

Turning back to the venture captain when Marta shares here knowledge,

"Really? The family's eldest daughter goes missing from every generation and people do not know how they smuggled goods out of Taldos?

Leaving the Grand Lodge you find that citizens and travelers from across Golarion crowd the streets of Absalom. The air dances with smells ranging from freshly caught fish to spices imported from half a world away as you make your way towards Dhrami’s townhouse.

Halfway through the crowds Anjo, Jiki, and Marta begin to notice a a female dwarf tailing you through the crowd. Subtle observation reveals that she sticks close to crowds for cover, avoids putting her hands in her pockets, and has her fingers extended and at the ready—all signs of a potential pickpocket.

Anjo, Jiki, and Marta have to act quickly to try and evade the thief. You three can each do one of the following below:

I have +12 in all of those, so I guess it doesn't matter which.

Jiki circles around and approaches the dwarf from the side and puts on his best Aspis glare. "I think you need to find a different mark, if you value that beard of yours."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Being smaller does not help scare the thief, though.

Marta twists a ring on her finger. From behind the dwarf, Marta's voice calls out loudly trying to bewilder the dwarf with an unseen presence.

"Excuse me! What do you think you are you doing?"

Using my ring of ventriloquism (Will DC 19).

Deception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 Fishing for a bonus?

With his new boots, Anjo was feeling particulary agile and decides to slip through the crrowd.

Acro: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Sorry, I mean to put a [ b ], not a [ s ], when introducing Irves. :)

Separately, in case it matters, Khunbish would have gotten a +1 to his perception if this is sight-based from goggles of night.

@Khunbish- That +1 will just get you the DC you need to be able to act. Please go ahead and post one of the actions above.

Barely from the corner of his eye, Khunbish spots the rather suspicious looking dwarf. Just to be cautious, he surreptitiously shifts his gold pouch under into one of the folds of his cloak.

stealth (E): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

The dwarf doesn't quite notice Jiki as Anjo tries to quietly slip away through the crowd. Marta's projected voice startles the pickpocket as she jumps in the air a bit. Khunbish grabs his gold pouch and the missive and stuffs them further into his pouch as the group successfully evades the lone pickpocket, watching her rush the opposite direction against the crowd.

Dhrami’s townhouse sits at the end of a trail set off from a main thoroughfare of Westgate. Plum saplings line the path, which leads to an estate with a walled courtyard. The stone walls surrounding the courtyard stand 10 feet high.

This courtyard contains a lengthy stable, several immaculately trimmed hedges, and a clear pond stocked with large koi of various colors. Two granite gargoyles stare menacingly at the front gate. The double doors at the center of the building, like the entrance to the courtyard, stand ajar.

"Anyone else think those doors shouldn't be open like that?"

Bump, what is the plan? What are you all doing?

"Well, I suppose it's time to talk to Madame Blakros. And I will interpret those doors as an invitation."

Jiki heads for the house, wary for any surprises.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Heading inside you find well-upholstered sofas and finely crafted rugs show off the luxury that this room normally possesses. However, much of the rest of the area appears in a state of upheaval. Pieces of furniture are overturned, papers lie scattered haphazardly across the floor, and the spilled dirt of a potted fern covers the eastern wall. An unconscious woman slumps on one of the sofas, her hands and feet bound and a bright purple bruise on her left temple.

Marta does not rush to anyone's aid in case this is a trap. Keeping her eyes open, she silently detects magic around the room.

Zallarra does rush to the downed person, giving her a quick check before pulling out a potion a 'freebie', lesser healing at this level? and forcing it into her mouth...
When (if) she regains consciousness: "Don't be afraid, we're pathfinders. I'll cut you free. What happened?"

I haven't played 2-05.

Earlier, during the briefing...

Oskar listens to the mission details with a furrowed brow. Now how in the world am I going to turn this into my next opera? I can't even begin to think of catchy lyrics, to say nothing of a worthy set design! And if this next one isn't a hit, well, I hate to think what my creditors will have to say... He sighs a bit and then mutters, "a museum, eh? Alright. Hopefully something interesting will happen, though it's hard to imagine much stirring amidst all that dust..."

At present...

Seeing the unconscious woman, Oskar's heart leaps with delight. Well that's more like it! The audience will be on the edge of their seats! He rushes forward to see what is wrong with her and also to try to find out whether she can carry a tune.

Medicine to determine what is wrong with her and what the significance of the purple bruise may be: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

"Agreed."

Anjo scan the area for recent tracks.

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Zallara and Oskar rush to the womans aid as she feeds her a healing potion. Looking at the wound Oskar comes to the conclusion that it looks as if she took received some blunt force trauma to her head.

Looking around Anjo sees the telltale signs of a scuffle just as the woman awakens she looks about the room confused. "What happened." Looking over three of you notice a couple of the couches move as they are bumped into. Someone is in the room still.

Oskar, Anjo and Khunbish all notice the six invisible forms in the room so they are hidden to them. The six figures are currently undetected by everyone else.

★★★
Battle Royale! Round 5

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD: GO!:
──────────
➤ Oskar (61/61 HP)
➤ Khunbish (78/78 HP)
⠀⠀➤ (Khunbish) Irves (52/52 HP)
➤ Anjo (68/68 HP)
➤ Jiki (66/66 HP)
➤ Zallarra (56/56 HP)
Hidden Foe (Red) (-0 HP) │ (Hidden to Oskar, Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Yellow) (-0 HP) │ (Hidden to Oskar, Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Green) (-0 HP) │ (Hidden to Oskar, Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Pink) (-0 HP) │ (Hidden to Oskar, Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Blue) (-0 HP) │ (Hidden to Oskar, Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Orange) (-0 HP) │ (Hidden to Oskar, Khunbish, and Anjo)
Marta (56/56 HP)

◇ Cast Lingering Composition

Performance DC 22: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

◆ Cast Inspire Courage

All allies in the area gain a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects for 3 rounds.

◆ Seek

Perception +9

Final action depends on how the Seek goes.

Alarmed, Oskar advises Zallara, "Sometimes the true sign of courage is knowing when to withdraw! We are surrounded by invisible enemies - we should pull back to the rest of the group so that they can't trap us here!"

◆ Stride

◆◆ Cast a Spell - See Invisibility

@Oskar- Pointing out a single enemy is actually an action now. Point Out Action (Link)

If Anjo's survival allowed him to find tracks, can he start the round with one of them designated as prey?

@Oskar- Pointing out a single enemy is actually an action now. Point Out Action (Link)

Interesting - I didn't know that - well, I don't have enough actions remaining to do so for this round but will try next round.

Sure thing Anjo.

Would a separate perception check be needed for Irves to see if they are hidden or undetected to him, or can Khunbish just command him to attack whatever's in a space? Sorry but Khunbish's actions depend on this, e.g. whether to Point Out.

Irves has Scent (Imprecise) so no need. What this does is you sense the creatures automatically. (Go from undetected to hidden so would need the DC 11 Flat check on each hit.

@Jiki- Can you please mark on the map where you are seeking. And is it in a 30 foot cone or a 15 foot burst from a chosen spot?

Jiki begins to inspire the group as Oskar quickly and tactically retreats. The halflings eyes flare red with magic as he spots six invisible figures hidden behind the sofas. They are now concealed to Oskar.

★★★
Burglars! Round 1

Party Conditions: Inspire Courage (3 rounds)
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD: GO!:
──────────
Oskar (61/61 HP)
➤ Khunbish (78/78 HP)
⠀⠀➤ (Khunbish) Irves (52/52 HP)
➤ Anjo (68/68 HP)
Jiki (66/66 HP)
➤ Zallarra (56/56 HP)
Hidden Foe (Red) (-0 HP) │ (Concealed to Oskar, Hidden to Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Yellow) (-0 HP) │ (Concealed to Oskar, Hidden to Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Green) (-0 HP) │ (Concealed to Oskar, Hidden to Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Pink) (-0 HP) │ (Concealed to Oskar, Hidden to Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Blue) (-0 HP) │ (Concealed to Oskar, Hidden to Khunbish, and Anjo)
Hidden Foe (Orange) (-0 HP) │ (Concealed to Oskar, Hidden to Khunbish, and Anjo)
Marta (56/56 HP)

Jiki would check a 30 foot cone in front of him (outlined badly in purple).

Jiki does not notice what all of the sudden commotion is about as he looks around for a threat.

Oh yes, forgot about the scent.

Khunbish starts chanting under his breath, drawing forth primal energy from the energy around him, energising his movement. Cast Haste on himself.

On quickened feet, he rushes in to the room towards where he sensed the nearest invisible creature is, circling around it. Haste action to stride. Would provoke AoO if it has.

He notices that Irves has similarly caught the scent of the invisible creatures, and he calls out to him to attack the same foe. Command AC.

The cougar doesn't need further prompting dashing in after its master, before pouncing at the creature it can smell but can see.

hidden flat check, DC11: 1d20 ⇒ 19

jaws, flatfooted: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 piercing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11

[b]"Agreed!" Zallarra moves back and looks for signs of movement.. basically straight into the room where she is...
perception +10

Jiki will use his last action to Step into the room.

@Khunbish- You have too many actions. You cast haste on yourself but you don't get that extra action until the start of your next turn. The quickened condition is You gain 1 additional action at the start of your turn each round. Would you like to not stride this turn and still send Irves in?

Zallara has similar difficulty noticing anything out of the ordinary in the room.

Anjo is up.

We'll say that yellow is Anjo's prey.

Anjo casts gravity weapon and fires on his prey.

Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Hunted Shot 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Damage: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 8) + 5 = 21 Deadly (if crit): 1d10 ⇒ 6
Hunted Shot 2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 Damage: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 1 = 7 Deadly (if crit): 1d10 ⇒ 10

Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Strike 3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 Damage: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 7) + 1 = 11

Ah, apologies. Assumed it worked like haste in 1E. Have moved Khunbish back to his starting position, i.e. no stride.

All good, Haste and Slow are kind of weird that way. If you cast it on yourself or someone who has already gone in Initiative then it won't affect them until next turn. BUt if you cast it on someone who has not had their turn yet then they would get the action as you gain / lose actions at the start of your turn. Definitely a little bit different.

Khunbish speeds himself up as Irves bounds into the room and bites deep into one of the men's legs. "GWaahhh! Get it off of me!" You hear a scream from the room.

Anjo sets his sights on another prey in the room as twin arrows stick into the air followed by a deep painful grunt. Small red droplets begin to form in the air as they dribble down onto the floor.

Red Sap vs Irves FF AC 21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Damage (nonlethal): 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Crit for 30.

Red Sap vs Irves AC 23: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 4 = 11

Yellow Sap vs Irves FF AC 21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Damage (nonlethal): 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Yellow Sap vs Irves AC 23: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 4 = 14

Green Sap vs Oskar FF AC 21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Damage (nonlethal): 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Green Sap vs Oskar AC 23: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 4 = 27
Damage (nonlethal): 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Pink Sap vs Oskar FF AC 21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Pink Sap vs Oskar AC 23: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 14 - 4 = 29
Damage (nonlethal): 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Blue Sap vs Oskar FF AC 21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Damage (nonlethal): 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Orange Sap vs Irves FF AC 21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

The invisible foes all seem to reappear one after the other as they close in on the doorway. Saps in hand Irves and Oskar both feel the painful blunt blows as they strike their body. They are all visible now.

Even though lethal force has been taken by your side Oskar and Khunbish notice that these thugs seem to be holding back and have a bit of reluctance in using lethal force themselves.

★★★
Burglars! Round 1 / 2

Party Conditions: Inspire Courage (2 rounds)
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD: GO!:
──────────
➤ Oskar (7/61 HP)
➤ Khunbish (78/78 HP)
⠀⠀➤ (Khunbish) Irves (7/52 HP)
➤ Anjo (68/68 HP)
➤ Jiki (66/66 HP)
➤ Zallarra (56/56 HP)
Hidden Foe (Red) (-11 HP)
Hidden Foe (Yellow) (-28 HP)
Hidden Foe (Green) (-0 HP)
Hidden Foe (Pink) (-0 HP)
Hidden Foe (Blue) (-0 HP)
Hidden Foe (Orange) (-0 HP)
➤ Marta (56/56 HP)

Stepping into view, a sudden wave of fear grips most of the attackers.

◆ Step
◆◆ Cast a Spell (Fear III) - All enemies except red need to make DC 22 Will saves.

Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target is frightened 1.
Failure The target is frightened 2.
Critical Failure The target is frightened 3 and fleeing for 1 round.

Pounded by the enemies' saps, Oskar moves back from the fray to try to protect his aching head.

Seeing how badly they also beat up poor Irves, he quickly sends a soothing melody in the direction of the poor cat.

◆ Stride (movement will provoke AoO if they have them)

◆◆ Cast a Spell - Soothe (signature spell) heightened to 3rd level on Irves.
Healing on Irves: 3d10 + 12 ⇒ (2, 10, 4) + 12 = 28 Irves also gets +2 status vs mental effects for 1 minute