GM Top's Dungeon Delver's (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

Aye...that's a fair question... Ander says as he ponders the Pharasman's question.

to be brutally honest, I'd have to say I'd follow Gorum...but also I hold some of Torag's teachings to heart. It might sound weird, but it works for me. Two sides of a coin...I'm a warrior...but without the creation and work of the forge, I'd have no weapon...ah! It sounds crazy when i say it...

Pulled back from the theological discussion she eyes the dwarf who wants to open the crypt, then releases a long breath, ”Ok. You may look. But you have to put everything back just like it was. And I’d say some prayers too, never hurts. The dead usually don’t mind but...”

"You may not jump out of the tomb and scare her."

:(

Gorum be my patron and lord as well m'lady Dran adds. Ain't nothin like a battle ta encourage prayer says I.

Grunigon wanders by the group looking at the various markers, listening but not approaching. As they mention various deities he turns aside. He decides that adding Magdh to the list wouldn't help....

She eyes the dwarves wandering around her, "So will any of you actually open the crypt to look for this thing you have noticed?"

Magi considers the ethical implications of pilfering through the tomb. But, it IS for the greater good...right?

Step aside...I'll do it...Ander ssys with a puff on his somehow still lit cigar.

Halali watches from the sidelines.

How many spirits haunt this place? In the middle of the City at the Centre of the World, surely they are at peace. Yet I have read of attacks by the restless dead, even here in Absalom.

Musing on the inhabitants of the graveyard, and having no desire to converse with a Pharasmin priestess, Halali does not yet venture forth.

Katz assists the others in lifting the lid and carefully slides it to the side, taking care to not crack or break any part of the stonework.

Kaztor and Ander muscle the lid up. And there it is, a single magical coin resting in the dwarf's rotting palm. It is definitely placed with the expectation someone someday might want to come get it.

For what purpose? Who knows!

Detect Magic (or Identify) plus a Spellcraft Check to ID the coin

Bilos examines the coin magically.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Yep...definitely a coin. Could likely buy a decent cigar with that... Ander says as he knocks the ashes from his cigar onto the pathway, careful to not drop them on a grave.

I might have the best manners, but I ain't disrespectful...well, not usually...and mostly unintentional...ha!

Bilos just barely recalls something about this being a pathfinder's coin. When used in conjunction with a wayfinder, it will reveal a single message, if one is stored on it.

But does anyone have a wayfinder? That is the question.

Those of us who are freshly minted cannot possibly have a wayfinder unless we took a trait that grants one or the wealth to buy one. We cannot afford one, even if that was all we purchased and have no prestige to get one.

Not a problem Dran. We have lots of friends with wayfinders, including the folks we met at the Wounded Wisp earlier. All we have to do is get the coin to them ;)

Both of you are completely correct, unless The Magi has one already. If not, you all will need to get the coin out to use one of those NPC options. The scenario allows a Bluff (assuming everyone is okay with lying) or Diplomacy check to convince the priest to let you take the coin (with a promise to return it later). Or obviously sleight of hand to just yoink it straight up (assuming everyone is ok with theft). Other skills may apply, or may not! Or just leave it and maybe you won't need the info.

No Wayfinder here! Sounds like we need to enact 'Plan B'.

Dran does not want to lie and we as a party are not so good at Diplomacy. Not sure we are any better at Bluff.

Diplomacy, Assist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

M'lady, do ya see this coin. It's a way we Pathfinders pass messages 'tween each other. I believe there be a message here I do and we need ta borrow it fer a bit ta decode the message. he explains looking to his party to help with his less than perfect argument. I'd leave you my sword as part of my promise to return it later this very day. he adds.

Draken has +7 Bluff, but it may be too late and/or hard to convince her with the phantom.

An Aid or two on Dran's diplo roll might be enough though.

I'm trying not to make this complicated, so here is what I'll do. Everyone roll either a diplomacy OR a bluff, tack on RP if you wish. I'll compile all the diplo rolls together and all the bluff rolls together. If one side succeeds, you get to take the coin with you. So get your roll on!

The masked dwarf silently nods in support of their effort to use a Wayfinder.

Social (aid): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

"I recognize this one! His great-great-grandfather served with me in the war! I bet his last living heir would love to get a look at it..."

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Hmm...this might sound like a weird request, ma'am...but hear me out. If we were to borrow the coin...for a short while, mind you...and returned it...would that be acceptable? There might be an important message on that coin...Bolis..explain it to her... he says between puffs.

diplo aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8trying to parlay my "charms" into a win...lol

Halali ambles over, listening in on the conversation.

Pharasma - lady of fate. I wonder if Her worshippers are treated any differently when their skeins are cut?

"'Twas Fate that drew us here today. And who are we to argue with Fate?"

Aid Another: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (3) - 3 = 0 Well, we're surly dwarves, aren't we :o

Diplomacy 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Kaz did not intend on being dishonest. He’d tell the crypt keeper the truth and surely she’d believe him.

The priestess mostly ignores the gruff dwarves and definitely ignores the spirit, but the paladin and warpriest sway her heart, ”Well, you do seem like honest folk. And haven’t tried anything sneaky at all. On your god’s honor then, return the coin here when your task has been completed and I will help you re-inter it. Besides, this seems like a last wish of the dead situation, honestly. So please complete your mission well.”

She allows you to take the coin. Where too next?

"Venture-Captain Dreng probably would not welcome another interruption. Surely we can find someone at the Grand Lodge to assist us."

Yer a good woman...we'll bring it back... Ander promises.

Maybe we can head back to the tavern...more likely than not an agent or three there...and a pint or two for refreshments...what? we earned it... he chuckles

"I'm with you, Shooter" Halali grins. "My round. Didn't the barkeep say we had free drinks?" she winks.

The group checks their map and the wounded wisp is definitely closer than the grand lodge, so they head there first. Gravedigging is thirsty work.

Halali is disappointed to find out that the bartender who promised free drinks is off shift and has left. The current tapmaster requires payment. Such a short memory these places have!

But there are at least two possible options to help with the coin. Janira and Aram bin Kaleel both have wayfinders visible.

Kaz points at the halfling. ”Didnt I see one of you making small talk with her earlier? I forget which one, because apparently we all resemble each other,” Kaz says with a laugh.

Free drinks are the best drinks! Ander says with a grin as the group heads back to the Wisp. He grumbles slightly when they find out they actually have to pay for their drinks now.

Gonna leave a nasty review about this place.... he mumbles as he gets an order of ale for himself and Halali. He pockets a few extra snacks from the top of the bar. "Free drinks!"...my fat behind...

Janira waves the group over excitedly, "OH MY GOSH YOU ALL ARE BACK! Did you finish your task? Was it fun? Did you research some really cool artifact or dig into the library to find something obscure? Did you go into the sewers and fight a monster? Tell me tell me tell me!"

Grunigon smiles at Janira's enthusiasm as he approaches. "Are you a bard, seeking new material for song? Well yes, we're back. But no, we're barely begun with our task. And we haven't researched anything, yet. But we're back needing to see someone with a Wayfinder. You wouldn't happen to have one would you?" His grin at the question clearly indicates that he isn't serious about the question.

”We couldn’t help but notice that you had a nice looking wayfinder. That might lead us to our next clue, if you’d be so kind as to let us borrow it for a moment….”

She slides it across the table. Her smile is very big. The table bounces as her leg twitches with excitement to see what you all will do.

They be an excitable race, be they not? Dran comments.

Kaz takes the coin and the wayfinder and tries to place the former in the latter. ”Uh, allakazaam,” he says, trying to activate the thing.

The Toragian warrior, without any fear, looks for a slot in the wayfinder for the coin. As he does, the coin flips out of his hand and begins magically hovering over the top of the pathfinder device.

It starts spitting out its message, hopefully someone has paper and pen ready. The voice of a long-dead dwarf is heard once more.

The path and chamber are complete, hidden behind the nameplate of the requested aspirant and guarded by the word you requested. Fimbrik will add more.

Eye-brows furrow in confusion behind his mask. Who or what is a Fimbrik?

Any rolls for some insight?

Kaz cackles at his teammate. ”You didn’t read that note close enough! That is the name of the random gnome that we haven’t spoken with yet! What a tangled web we’re seeing! This is great fun!”

"Well, we won't get anything more out of this," Bilos says, pointing to the coin. "Let's bring it back to the crypt and then visit this Fimbrik."

Janira claps in glee, "OH MY! An ancient message leading to an ancient puzzle. What fun! Hurry hurry, but please come back and let me know what you find after you finish up. I'm so excited to hear if anything is uncovered!"

The group drops the coin off with the priestess and hurries to Fimbrik's address.

A brick step leads to Fimbrik’s front entrance, the front door locked, though the lock is a bit rusty. Numerous stacks of newspapers are piled around the door and crammed into a thin slot at its base. Each rounded corner of the building has a large window, allowing vision inside without difficulty (if you don't go in the front first). The windows also look easily breakable, like most windows are.

Map is up!

Katz steps forward and knocks on the door. ”Weve got business with Fembrik the gnome!”

There is no response.

I'm no trained investigator....but if there's a pile of stuff here...maybe he ain't home? Just a thought. But don't let me stop you from banging on the door again. the rifledwarf says as he fishes out a handful of the snacks he pilfered from the bar.

Anybody want some? he asks the others as he holds his pocket open.

The Magi takes a knee at the knob, gives is a perfunctory jiggle to check, then gets to work on the lock.