GM Silbeg's: 2-09: The Seven Secrets of Dacilane Academy (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1-4.

Dacilane Academy, located near the Grand Lodge, is a storied institution that sees to the education of many children of Pathfinders. However, the academy’s benefactor, J Dacilane, has recently heard rumors from his students of seven strange phenomena manifesting on campus. Despite his doubts that these are simply the imaginings of students raised on Pathfinder tales, J has called in a favor with the Pathfinder Society to investigate—both to put his students’ minds at ease and for the good learning opportunity a Society report about the school would provide. But are there more to these urban legends than meets the eye?

Written by: Rigby Bendele

Short, shaggy, and leaning on a staff is a Shoony named Domwurd. A dedicated Pathfinder who has shown a knack for transmutation magic, Domwurd is a notable character in that he's diligent about following the rules and doing the right thing. That said, some agents have noted that his book smarts doesn't always translate into street smarts.

At the moment he's holding a dog-eared tome in his other hand, studying the arcane syllables that glow dimly on its pages. Should anyone interrupt him he's quick the snap the book closed and introduce himself.

A tall thin man, black of hair and gray of eye enters the waiting area. Black robes with indigo and deep purple accents sway as he moves. A staff is slung across his back while a book similar to Domwurd's is visible in a satchel. A silvery whorl hangs on a similar colored chain around his neck indicating his station in the Church of Pharasma.

Pathfinders joke that Bela almost always meets his god on every mission. If this bothers him, the jokes or near death experiences, it does not show. Bela's outlook on life is like his god's: all things in balance and harmony.

Brash, impertinent, and full of wit, "Two-Eye" (e'ryone calls me "Two-Eye") is a bit of a popinjay, but is nevertheless a loyal companion to those he trusts. He speaks with an ever-present twinkle in his eye.

Unlike those around him at this time, he bears no books of any kind; but his form does bristle with a variety of blades, a narrow club, and a harnessed small crossbow.

Casey Montgomery has seen some stuff. She's been on the street, she's been out in the cold. She is looking for her place in the world. Pathfinder Society is a place to do some good while she figures out who she is.

When the shoony mage leaves, it's a big, hulking iruxi man wearing half-plate that arrives. With a shield strapped to an arm and a trident slung over shoulder, everything about Uthkosh suggests that he is a warrior.

A strong but quiet sort, Uthkosh is a warrior from the sable tip tribe. He is simple but dedicated living in defence of others.

The creature before you is possibly something out of a nightmare. Barely 3' tall, with a bulbous umbrella like head. It looks like a walking mushroom, if such a thing were possible... Yet there it stands. The head contains numerous lidless, dead-like eyes and a mouth full of sharp, pointy, teeth... Both hands end in claws, one covered with a metal gauntlet, while the other appears to have some sort of metal claws extending outward from the end of its clawed hand. There is a slight odor of rot emanating from the creature. Nothing about this creature seems normal...

A typical gnome in appearance, she's a bit aloof to start. Her has bright orange hair with black ends. Piercing orange eyes fix you intently, in a nearly started appearance. She has no visible weapons, but you may notice extra fingers on each hand. If she spots you looking at her hands, she puts them in her pockets.

Bela considers casting disrupt undead at the leshy. It would be the prudent thing to do…

The iron gates of Dacilane Academy shut the school away from the bustle of Absalom’s Foreign Quarter. 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.

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

J waits for any questions you might have.

What form do these supposed hauntings take?

Do you have any history of possible deaths/murders which may have taken place which might have cause a haunting?

And I assume the folder has the information about what they think are hauntings? May we peruse them?

J’s face contorts into a grimace. “Yes, 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.”

"As for any history of deaths or murders, I cannot rightly say. I don't know of any." replies J. "And, yes, there is information for you in the folder. As soon as you are done with questions, I'll give it to you!"

Two-Eye ponders a moment as J responds to Casey's questions. After, the pirate asks, Lotsa talk about rumors, but to heck with that. I never believe anything I don't see with my own two eyes. Ha! Two-Eye talking about his own two eyes! He laughs uproariously at his own joke before returning to his question. An'body actually see any o' these so-called "hauntings"?

Uthkosh watches the others talk, listening to the answers they get. He then moves his shield and says, "If there is danger, I will protect you. That is my place. Ghosts, mischief makers, or creaking floorboards. Nothing will stop me."

"I certainly haven't, but I would call them 'mysteries' more than haunts. At least in the technical term, that is. Well, that's the whole point of you being here... to investigate and clear up this once and for all.

"Here, I'll give you the notebook, but do you have any other questions about the academy and its history? Or about me?"

Handout on slide #4

Uthkosh blinks, finding the idea of asking personal questions to a person he just met a bit off-putting. Instead he follows the conversational breadcrumbs and asks, "Can you tell us more about the academy, and it's history?"

is there a society or lore check I can do about the Dacilane family or adjacent peeps? Also, an occult check for the school to see if I dredge up any info?

Bela accepts the ghost hunting kit and inspects the bags contents.

"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."

Bela remembers that the Pathfinder Society purchased the mansion that serves as the school campus several decades ago. During the purchase, the sellers stated that the building was not haunted, a standard disclosure in Absalom real estate transactions.

"Anything particular happen in between the sale and the first reported sighting of hauntings, or curses, or what have you?"

Because reasons...

"What is your history with the Pathfinder Society?" asks someone.

J replies, “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!”

That for folks that may recall J from Black Waters and/or School of Spirits

To Bela, he replies, "Wasn't so much of of a sale as transfer of ownership. 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.

"But, kids will be kids. I always assumed it was just upperclassmen pulling pranks on the new students. Now, I am not so sure."

He hands the master key to the academy to Bela as well as the ghost hunting kit that the students created (and had confiscated). In it is:

- a vial of holy water
- an oil of potency
- 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).

Hero points have been handed out on Slide #3, and please do remember your starting conusmable items... which by default will be a minor healing potion or two minor healing potions for level 3 characters. For those of you with schools you can choose from school consumables -- scroll down...

Uthkosh picks up the two minor healing potions and makes ready to go.

The mushroom decides now is the time to speak.

With what might be a toothy grin and a distinctly raspy voice it says, "Seems like we are ready to go... I am not understanding the Undead... But where there is Undead it is usually dark and has rotting stuffs... That I like..."

Leaf also picks up a minor healing potion and follows the other Pathfinders.

With potions and "ghost fighting" bag in hand, the Pathfinders head to the Dacilane Academy.

Unless I hear otherwise, I am assuming that the bag of items, the notebook, and the key are with Bela.

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.

You make your way to the front gate, only to find it locked. 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.

Anyone have a burning preference among the scrolls listed?

burning hands, heal, mage armor

level 3-4 Level 2 scroll* of:
dispel magic, resist energy, restoration, water breathing

Burning Hands? Resist Energy?

Casey asks Bela to hand over the folder. While she's not the most studious, she wants to read up on the events, to know where to expect trouble.

She also takes a potion of healing (level one version).

Bela slips the amulet around his neck.

Two-Eye stifles a guffaw and tells Bela, Bling for Bela! You look great, dude!

The party stands outside the locked gate. One wonders, will they ever enter?

Not known for his patience — or his prudence — Two-Eye takes the key from Bela and unlocks the gate.

E'ryone ready? Without waiting for an answer, he moves to open the door.

Bela slaps away Two Eye's hand.
"Ahem."

Bela holds on to the clay amulet as he unlocks the door and opens it.

Bela slaps away Two Eye's hand.

"Ahem."

Two-Eye lets a single tear roll down his check. Whaja hafta go and do that for? He looks positively distraught, for just a moment.

With the key, the door opens without any trouble.

Surprisingly, nothing jumps out at you.

Two-Eye moves up to the double doors. No traps trigger as he does so, and no creepy-crawlies jump out to get him.

Two-Eye opens the door and peers inside.

Bela moves in to the courtyard and peers at the building to his right.

Casey reads the notebook. Does she glean anything of use out of the encounters, and details within?

The notebook is detailed in handout #1 on slide #3

Well, that's good news, there won't be a door to the lab. Since we're not alone.

Casey also believes that building to the right might be The Haunted Shack. We should try to see more mysteries.

Uthkosh quickly moves to the front and heads in whatever direction the group decides. He holds his shield high as he goes.

From a distance the outbuilding just looks like a large shed to Bela.

Two-Eyes opens the doors to the Academy. Bright lights shine in sconces on the wall. Double doors lead to the outside to the north and south, while large windows reveal the grounds of the school to the east and west. Thin wood doors provide access to interior rooms.

Room plates now have labels.

A wise guy once told me, "always go left."

Two-Eye turns left toward the library door.

Uthkosh moves with Two-Eye, alert to danger and ready to defend the group.

Bela walks down the hall towards Two-Eye and Uthkosh when a whiff of something rather unpleasant assaults his nostrils. I'm not standing by that door. If this place is haunted I am NOT going to be the first to experience that particular ghost.

Watching out for flying books, Casey follows the others into the library; her feet making nary a sound.

Moving Casey and Leaf's tokens... neither have been moved...

Scores of books and the smell of paper fills this inviting library, which is furnished with comfortable furniture and a plush carpet. Rolling stools provide a step up for those too short to reach the top shelves. A table is divided into workstations with chalkboard nameplates and stacked books.

Bela moves in front of the door and casts detect magic.

There is definitely magic in the room.

I look around, perusing the nameplates. Magic is not something I do.

"Me not like books, unless they are the rotting ones, but one of you learners should find the ghosts...", says the mushroom while looking at the human cleric.

Not being an academic type, Leaf stands near the entrance to the room waiting for the trap to be sprung...

The library’s collection spans a wide range of topics, though the texts tend to be introductions to various fields instead of primary research. The two currently occupied workstations are labeled “Ayen” and “Zet”. One of the books left in Zet’s workstation is completely blank

Two-Eye examines the blank book. Weird thing to have in a library, a book with nothing in it, he muses.

If he finds a book on sailing or pirates, he'll grab it off the shelf and read for a bit. Research, don't ya know.