Quest: The Silverhex Chronicles

Game Master Diaz Ex Machina

A half-elven woman suddenly appears and she is running in your direction with a warm smile.

"Ahhh, I am too late! Sorry! Sorry!! I really have to admit ... I was absolutely lost and the Venture Captain also informed me really late ... !!!" she says with genuine regret.

She walks with determined steps and it is obvious that this gracile and beautiful woman knows her worth.

"Greetings to you all." she says and waves her hand.

She is wearing a chain shirt armor and fashionable clothing that still serves as functional adventure gear. She also carries a backpack.

“Mina Asal is my name. And I have never been here before. Ehhh ... are we digging here or what is going on??“ she asks.

A proud Taldan man strolls in after Mina but doesn't seem upset, harried, or even ruffled. It seems at least some of the rumors about Taldans are true...He's well dressed under his studded leather armor carrying a bow.

"Greetings all, Gaius Marius, Inquisitor of Hathor here. Apparently your request for extra assistance finally made it to the Venture Captain so any tardiness can be attributed to...someone else. Nice to see you again Lady Mina. Since we were called at the last moment there wasn't time for a proper briefing so you'll have to provide us with the details of our mission."

I placed Mina's token, does she have her eidolon summoned?

Eldorn nods to both of them.

"Greetings, I am Eldorn. We are looking for Ulisha, who left a note regarding an artifact called Silverhex. We just recently arrived here, after trying to find her at her house."

"Ulisha, who left a note regarding an artifact called Silverhex, okay. So did the note instruct the reader to come here? Not the worst place to hide oneself of something of value."

Gaius will cast Light if needed.

Gaius scans the area for any odd sights or sounds.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Wow a herd of elephants could get missed by that roll!

We didn't just find a simple note. We found her journal that gave hints about six possible locations. This is the first we tried. Then we were accosted by this noble who wants us to find her chalice. Also, I'm Stavarg. Well met. He gestures vaguely at the Sarvio girl as he speaks.

“Well met everyone!“ Mina says.

She asks for the journal and reads through it.

She stays silent and concentrates when a flesh of bright light startles her and appears right next to the beautiful half-elf.

A rune of fine pure light that looks like a draconic head appears on Mina’s forehead!

The light reveals a large portal which lets you look into a silvery-grey void!!

Out of this void steps a 6 ft large serpentine dragon with deep green scales and sharp teeth!

Unlike other dragons, the serpentine dragon's body resembles that of a snake and has no wings! The dragon’s scales are very smooth and fine which might reveal that it really is quite young.

The serpentine dragon also bears a glowing draconic rune on its chest that is identical to the rune that appeared on Mina’s forehead when the dragon appeared.

The dragon is wearing a fine bracelet around its tail that it almost shows off. The dragon looks directly at Mina and starts speaking with a fast pace.

”Oh Mina baby you won’t believe it! I was on this party with my cousin in the Astral Plane, it was right at the center between the Inner Sphere and the Outer Sphere. There were sooo many cool people… I mean they were mostly dead people! You know … souls of dead mortals on their way to their final judgement before Pharasma so some were partying like there was no tomorrow!!“ the dragon says.

A serious looking dwarf trudges towards the gathered agents. His gleaming axe hangs over his shoulder. He nods his head in salute, puffing on a cigar as he does.

I'm late...summons got waylaid...of the messenger was drunk...even odds of either. I'm Dorgan Ironhelm. I heard you need a strong arm and a sharp axe....if so, I'm yer guy. So...what's the skinny here...and who do I have to hit...

So, more of your friends? asks the young woman to Khon'Ur, I've never seen their faces, so they must be outsiders as well.

Anyway, will you help me with finding my family's chalice or not? she sounds and looks impatient, I don't have the whole day, if you're in just say it, otherwise I'll have to figure something myself and you'd best be on your way, whatever that way is.

Time passes and the sun lowers, the shadows are becoming longer by the minute.

A serious looking dwarf trudges towards the gathered agents. His gleaming axe hangs over his shoulder. He nods his head in salute, puffing on a cigar as he does.

I'm late...summons got waylaid...of the messenger was drunk...even odds of either. I'm Dorgan Ironhelm. I heard you need a strong arm and a sharp axe....if so, I'm yer guy. So...what's the skinny here...and who do I have to hit...

Gaius has a bemused look watching the antics of Mina and her 'companion', then he turns to address the dwarf:

Molg, visibly upset by the stagnancy of the situation, lets out a few curses to the bust, bids you all farewell, and leaves the cemetery, kicking a pebble on his way out.

mrkrrtft is out of the game.

Khon'Ur's eyes widen in surprise as he looks at the arriving pathfinders. Bloody hell. He spits with gusto on the nearest tombstone. It would seem that he should be happy at least about the appearance of another dwarf, but no (as I described earlier, Khon'Ur's grayish skin tone causes subconscious rejection in many dwarves; and the lack of a beard - only a light mustache - indicates a complete violation of traditions). Bah! Let's already go inside, kill what's there if there's something to kill, return the relic to this... *speaks unintelligibly* ...on a horse and check if Ulisha is there. Forward. He looks down at you all once more. Name's Khon'Ur. After that, without being interested in the response, he goes to the entrance of the tomb.

I like him...right to the point... Dorgan says as he moves out. He points to Khon'Ur's holy symbol as they walk.

I don't recognize your sign, friend. A foreign god or goddess? religion isn't my strong suit. I follow Gorum...but I'm not the most religious of dwarves.

Stavarg smiles as the party continues to mostly ignore the woman.

Yes, let's head on it. It will be good to work with you all.

Aye, that's right. The new Goddess. She was a Pathfinder like us. Only much more powerful. And then she became a God. I heard her voice in my head once. The voice was whisperin'! And these whispers, these visions of battles, destruction and greatness... It cannot be described. And now I'm followin' in her footsteps. I have to fight. Ideally with bare hands. Bah! Gorum is a good deity too. There is somethin' in common. But Chandrabha is closer to us. She was like us. And she needs us - followers. A profitable exchange, hah! Those who travel with a Khon'Ur these half day are probably amazed. For the first time, the dwarf speaks quite vividly (although still grumpy) and so long.

Khon'Ur approaches Tullivor's mausoleum.

This baroque marble tomb clamors for attention like a gaudy flag waving for a once noble house. Its most audacious feature is a sculpted badger that looms, gargoyle-like, above the door. The iron door is decorated not only with the Tullivor name and crest, but also with an elaborate arcane rune.

Nothing would surprise me right now. Let's see if that badger stays a statue... he muses while he waits for teammates to inspect the arcane rune presumably.

"Hopefully the Society sent someone with the ability to deal with such hazards as that arcane rune might be?"

Moved Khon'Ur's, Gaius's, and Dorgan's tokens closer to the tomb. Gaius will cast Detect Magic and see if anything (like the rune) registers as magical.

Gaius continues to examine the area for anything suspicious.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Ah...thought the name sounded vaguely familiar. Good for her... Dorgan says as he eyes the door carefully.

Yep...it's a door all right...one of you lot have a set of picks? I can always use me axe...but it's a bugger to sharpen after...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 - traps etc

The dwarf also says a few words in Abyssal and touches the symbol in the form of a snake with dragonfly wings. - Read Magic on the rune

You approach the southernmost building. This alabaster tomb evokes a past age of Galtan architecture, including a ten-foot spire atop a broad dome. Its awnings teem with sculpted white raptors. An iron gate bears the motto, “Last to Fall.”

Hey, where are you guys going? That's my family mausoleum! the girl points at the structure in front of the bust That's the Tullivor's one.

The right building is the one immediately west of the cemetery entrance.

Gaius detects magic coming from the door (faint transmutation and evocation), and can deduce that the rune is clearly some kind of trap. The rune means nothing per se, so Khon'Ur's read magic doesn't translate to anything.

Stavarg listens to the explanation about the rune, scratching his head.

So... if we just avoid reading the rune we can pass? Or must it be disarmed

Okay I'm lost.

Bloody humans. They build the same ugly boxes and you can't figure out where to go.

In the right place:

So. Which one of you knows how to disable traps? This is exactly it.

int: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Still looks like a door...

Inteligenece: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Eldorn approaches the door. "Let me see if it's trapped." He starts examining the door thoroughly.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
+1 because of Trapfinding

Int: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Now in the correct place (maybe), Gaius once again searches with his eyes and his magic.

Casting Detect Magic again to scan the area.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Intelligence: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

int : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

“Remember what the bust said: When the last sun falls upon this spot, receive my thanks. The sun is setting right now, it's almost dusk!!“ Mina says.

Oh boy, those INT checks...

Gaius scans the area with detect magic, and notices a faint illusion aura on the bust under the body of the scion of house Tullivor.

Eldorn looks closely at the mausoleum door and the rune, the latter is clearly a magical trap.

Is it clear what the illusion is masking? An alternate entrance? Or does he need to detect magic longer to understand the nature of the "thanks"?

[Dice= int ] 1d20+1 + -

“Remember what the bust said: When the last sun falls upon this spot, receive my thanks. The sun is setting right now, it's almost dusk!!“ Mina says.

"So, we wait? Or do we have to do something else?"

"There is a magical trap here. You're right, Khon'Ur." Eldorn says without taking a look away from the door. He continues while examining the trap. "I can try to disarm it..."

Time passes, soon the day will make way for the light of the stars.

Intelligence? No wizards here!: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Opened spoiler tag after I recovered from passing out.

"After listening to what Mina said, you can see that the shadow on the bust is getting longer by the minute. It seems that the Sarvio mausoleum is blocking the sunlight on the bust."

I'm still lost. What are we supposed to do, sunder the other mausoleum into pieces? Whatever the group decides to do I'm fine with it.

I'm still lost. What are we supposed to do, sunder the other mausoleum into pieces? Whatever the group decides to do I'm fine with it.

Same, I asked about it in discussion.

So that spire up there? Surely we can't take the mausoleum down. Let's see what removing the part on top does...

Stavarg deliberately plans both feet in the ground, telegraphing a sign for all others to clear the way as he gathers electrical power and sends bolts of it at the spire.

electric blast (ranged touch) vs. spire (AC 5, presumably)

electric blast, E damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
electric blast, E damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
electric blast, E damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 61d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
electric blast, E damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Stavarg's electric bolts aren't really effective against the stone pinnacle.

Hey you, what the Hell are you doing to my family mausoleum! shouts the young woman, mounting his horse and approaching her family's tomb, If you're trying to get on my nerves, you're really making it easy she say, and loads her crossbow.

Just a reminder: you have roughly 4 hours left before you fail at the riddle.

Just a reminder: you have roughly 4 hours left before you fail at the riddle.

We can't help it our best sunder option hasn't posted since last week.

Stavarg's electric bolts aren't really effective against the stone pinnacle.

Hey you, what the Hell are you doing to my family mausoleum! shouts the young woman, mounting his horse and approaching her family's tomb, If you're trying to get on my nerves, you're really making it easy she say, and loads her crossbow.

She isn't also carrying a short sword by chance?

Stay your hands...or I'm gonna start swinging..we can figure this out...now shuddup and let me think... Dorgan says as he approaches the statue. He examines it, not sure what he's looking for.

perception, stonecunning: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 2 = 16

Hmm...yep...just as I thought...it's stone all right... he says as he grabs his axe and tries to cleave it in twain with one swing.

attack, 2 handed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The dwarf takes out a small mirror from his backpack and directs the sunbeams around the mausoleum blocking the path of the sun. Bah! If ye tell anyone about this, I will gouge out your eyes with my bloody hands.

She isn't also carrying a short sword by chance?

The young girl is indeed carrying a finely crafted short sword on her side.

Dorgan says as he approaches the statue.

The only statue near your location is the bust in front of the Tullivor mausoleum. You hit it with your axe and manage to chip its face, but nothing happens.

The dwarf takes out a small mirror from his backpack and directs the sunbeams around the mausoleum blocking the path of the sun.

You manage to shine some of the last light of the day on the now ruined bust of the Tullivor deceased patriarch, but nothing happens.

While you're all intent in trying to solve the riddle, the sun finally sets in the west, and now the cemetery is dark. Those still at the entrance Stavarg and Mina can see a group of four guards approaching the gates, lit torches in hand.

Seeing the futility of their efforts, Stavarg sighs and rolls his eyes. He then yells out to the group.

We've got company! He steps forward to join them in front of the mausoleum.

Now they will drive us away. I suggest we bury their bodies right here. Very convenient by the way.

Mina raises her hands.

“No resistance from my side officers!“ the half-elf says.

Hey, you there! What are you doing?[bigger][/bigger] shouts one of the guards as they cross the cemetery gates. Two of them stay there, watching Mina and her eidolon if present suspiciously, while the other two approach the rest of the group.

As soon as they notice the body the two guards run toward it, one of them moves it to look at its face By the Inheritor, this is Northis Tullivor, the heir of House Tullivor! What have you done to him?

The girl on the horse approaches the scene again, her crossbow still loaded in her hand, Good evening guardsmen, I am Rihannon Sarvio. I was praying at my family's mausoleum, when I heard a commotion coming from the entrance. I hid behind the family tomb, fearing something awful was going on, and when I came out I saw these three men she points at Stavarg, Eldorn, and Khon'Ur moving the body of poor Northis on the bust of his late father.

The two guards make a bow when the girl finishes her speak, Lady Sarvio, I'm sorry we didn't noticed your presence here. Have you witnessed what happened here? Who delivered the lethal blow to young Tullivor?

I do not know who killed him, I'm afraid, but these men—and their recently arrived friends—have acted very strange. One of them shot some kind of lightning bolts at my family's mausoleum she indicates Stavarg, and that man tried to behead late Laban's bust with an axe she points her finger toward Dorgan.

You all says one of the guards to the group, you are all under arrest! The other guard whistles to the ones at the gate and gesture them to approach with Mina the two guards will bring Mina together with the group, they don't restrain or brute force her unless she becomes hostile toward them.

Khon'Ur looks at the guards and chuckles.