GM Tyranius (PF2) Dark Archive Case Files (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Some of the more common plans you can attempt would be:

Leveled toad already… was T in diplo. If we have a day I can get Expert via Tome for another for +2. level 3 + 4 cha + 2 training = 9

Diplomacy (T): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Toad, still thinking this is all a dream they were sent to by the "Parsley Man", wanders around the town telling people the truth about the "Lying Dandelion" (his misrepresentation of "Rumored Deaodon"). He also makes sure to show them the pictures he drew of it in his coloring book. See this is what it looked like. It's scared of mirrors. Don't forget.

It's so confusing that it might just work.

"Uh...aye," Tenpot says, trying quickly to come up with something people would tell stories about, but that would not be so deadly. "It's scared of mirrors, and don't like to be seen. They say it likes to sneak up behind the unwary and steal they're shoelaces right off they're boots!"

Diplo (T): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Society: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Vesperscale joins their allies in changing the local story.

Seeing this transformation in progress makes altering the story much easier. As you say the tale and envision it in your minds you see the mate change to match the new tale, becoming a bit more docile as any sort of reflectio seems to make it wary. Slowly it rises from its nest and begins sniffing at your bootlaces in interest.

With the Birchfrost Beast slain and its aggressive future removed you head back up the cliffside to retrieve the cole and frozen twins. Tola upholds her end of the promise and gives them her finest pelt, a splendid beaver skin worth 20 gp. She wraps thicker pelts around the two girls, "Let's get you in near the fire."

People begin to gather around you. "Did you see the Beast? What was it like?" They ask in interest.

Go ahead and update the Macros link with your level 5 information.

As you explain the beast and what it is really trying to do now the people begin to share your new tale in hopes that it will be passed down to the next generation and the next keeping the Birchfrost Beast docile and dormant for a long time to come.

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Shaking the Helping Hand

Spending the next couple of months in the Inn you help the trappers gather several more furs as some of the locals are certainly willing to put you up for being heroes while you wait for a supply caravan to show up for a way back home.

While sitting at dinner you have the strange Dark Archive Folio out that sent you here in the first place. Giving a bit of light reading Tenpot found something strange. A casefile marked as Shaking the Helping Hand. It has a similar note left behind by the unknown author that called you all together.

Even the Dark Archive can’t keep tabs on every single club or society, which is why it’s so vital to cultivate connections with those who can. Vir Zhees has long helped us keep tabs on the various societies in Absalom high society, her shrewd interpersonal skills, social position, and long elven lifespan making her uniquely suited for the task. Yet, we should always be wary, for those who deal in secrets know how to keep them, even from us.

— K.H.W.

As the note is read you immediately grow quite tired as your heads thump into the hard wood table one by one. Aegis struggles the most as he bolts upright from his chair but only manages to make it a step or two before collapsing to the floor.

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You are unaware on how much time has passed but fid yourselves waking up in a side alley in the Petals District of Absalom. All you know is according to the letter it may be a good idea to find Vir Zhees to figure out what is happening.

Diplomacy to gather information, Society, or Absalom, Mercantile, or Underwold to locate Vir Zhees.

Toad can't read but he also falls asleep when everyone else does. He's very happy to be finally leaving what he thinks is a really long dream.

Finally awake. Toad stretches and yawns, and looks around at the fancy backstreet. This is the nicest alley I ever waked up in. I guess we need to find this bighsot Vurr Seize.

Toad consults his coloring book to see if he drew any "Vurr's" or "Seizes" lately.

Esoteric Lore using Diverse Lore to RK on any topic, Coloring Book Tome (E): 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 2 + 1 = 14 Dubious Knowledge

Vesperscale blinks confusedly and thinks about what she knows.

Society: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Tenpot cautiously asks around.

Vesperscale knows that Vir Zhees is an elven merchant whose pride and joy is her collection of curios. Her negotiation skills combined with her lack of political ambition make her a sought-after mediator in disputes.

She is easily able to locate Vir Zhees’s manor house in the Petal District.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

As you arrive to the Manor a large and imposing guard answers the door. "What is it?" He asks, looming down over you as you stand on the steps.

Picture in the maps.

Finally shaking the fog from his mind, Aegis looks up at the man, "We're looking for Vir Zhees. We've received something of an... invitation."

The man looks down at Aegis, taking his measure of each of you before opening the door just a little wider. Bahvan leads the way into a lavish dining room where a finely dressed elf woman stands, lost in thought. Her eyes are fixed on a glove that rests at the center of the table. It’s hewed of black velvet, rimmed with dried blood at its opening—the empty hand a stark focal point against the white marble of the large surface. The man approaches the elven woman and leans down whispering in her ear. Her eyes never seem to leave you. After a few moments the guards stands back upright.

“Please, have a seat. I am Vir Zhees, and I understand you are here to meet with me? We can discuss business later, but for the time being, there are more pressing matters at hand. My guard Bahvan assures me you are the type of people who might be able to help?” Vir continues, her voice grave. “This is the third time in recent memory that someone has been meddling with my affairs and those of my associates, and the first that someone has been caught at my estate. I think I’m being watched. Bahvan managed to claim a hand before the miscreant got away with a scroll. The glove bears a strange mark: look close.” She gets up from her chair and slides the glove toward the edge of the table for inspection.

Observing the mark it looks like an infinity symbol turned vertical, crossed with an X at its middle and pointed on its top arc.

After showing you the glove, Vir continues. “I’d hoped this was just a few scattered thieves looking for a chance to loot my considerable treasures, easily countered. But Bahvan caught this intruder snooping through my documents, specifically the ones about a meeting I’ll be conducting at the Fullbloom Opera House tomorrow. If my documents were merely trade manifests, that would certainly be concerning, but as a public servant, I hold information of a more sensitive nature. Absalom has many factions, and it has been my honor and pleasure over these past few decades to apply the skills I’ve learned as a merchant to help government officials find common ground. Tomorrow’s opera-house meeting is a mediation of a trade dispute between members of Absalom’s Low Council, as represented by their proxies.” Vir taps the symbol on the glove. “I fear that whatever organization uses that symbol plans to disrupt the mediation, but I don’t know what their ultimate aims are."

“And so we come to my request: please accompany me to the opera. Keep a watchful eye out for people with that symbol or others who might seek to disturb the mediation. If you do come across such dangerous individuals, do what you can to capture them for official questioning and trial.”

society: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Cult Lore?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Vesperscale ponders.

Toad is so excited about going to the opera. "Can I go back to the Crookedtoes Opera house and get a chimney hat and and smooth-brain looking tubes?

King Zusgut will be so jealous. I better take good notes."

Smooth-brain tubes? Tenpot shakes his head as he decides to ignore the goblin's rambling. "I suppose we can do that."

"When is the show? Do we have time to conduct any research before we go?"

How long do elixir's last? I don't see a duration on them on AoN.

Depends on the elixir as they are all a bit different in their text. Which elixir are you looking at?

Vir runs her finger along her chin in thought. "The Opera is this evening so I am afraid you will have to research it out once we get there. I can provide ample lodging and...appropriate opera clothing." She looks each of you over. "Though the occasion doesn't exactly play well with being armed." She motions to Tenpot's pistol. "As a registered and recognized guard of a member of the city elite, Bahvan is best equipped to bring your arms and armor into the venue without stirring up a scene."

Bahvan speaks up. "I will find a lavatory to stash your equipment in and let you know where it is."

NVM I had to click the main link. Eagle Eye Elixir lasts 1 hour.

"My mind is my sharpest weapon. I am fine with everything you just said."

I can bring my book with me right?

"I see no reason why a bit of light reading material should be confiscated." She looks over at Toadclobber's oversized coloring book.

Will give Victoria a moment to post in as well.

Vesperscale nods and prepares appropriately.

The Fullbloom Opera House in the Petal District lives up to its name this evening. Attendees stroll through the gated grounds of the opera house and up to the building itself, the outside of it looking like a lavish cross between a domed temple and an unfurled golden rose. A tastefully verdigris ironwork fence outlines the wide perimeter of the venue and its surrounding garden. The central gate is open, welcoming in the players to walk the paths that spiral through the garden, as well as the main avenue that leads to the triple flight of wide marble stairs at the facade of the building itself. The who’s who of the Petal District mingle, indulging in delectable appetizers. Members of the operatic orchestra play gentle songs to accompany the sociable chatter in the garden.

The attendees trickle into the theater, wearing a dizzying array of finery. Having accepted Vir’s outfitting, you fit right into the crowd. As you make you way indoors Vir turns to you. "I am going to head straight to my reserved box house right after procuring sweetberry wine from the bar. Keep an eye out for any suspicious parties bearing the mark that matches the glove." She turns to leave you for the bar, leaving you all roughly 20 minutes before mandatory seating for the performance of The Cyclical Conundrum of Cynthia and Evelyn.

You are able to freely roam the Opera House at this time. Some strategies to help with your investigation are the following You can always come up with your own of course:

I totally missed that Vir is a woman. Vir is Latin for man. Anyway, Staff and Mechna would be my votes.

You can each do different areas. So I will get Aegis going on staff and Mechna.

Aegis immediately flags down one of the staff and begins speaking with him. "What would you like to drink this evening Sir?"

Toad surveys the guests with his smooth-brain tube opera glasses, but backwards so the room looks even bigger and even shinier. He walks up to Mechna, the fanciest person he can see, shoving tasty snacks into his mouth and dribbling crumbs on his tuxedo. Wow. I never had oars da vours like these. At Goblin Opera house all we get is smoke and bugs.

You seen a musical there, Mechna? We're real good at the explosions part. he pops a crème fraîche tartlet into his mouth.

"A rye Almas, easy on the vermouth." He looks about, "I've never been here before, but it seems like the place to be. Are all these people regulars?"

Speak with the Staff (Aegis)

The server moves off to retrieve Aegis' drink. Upon his return is a perfect rye Almas, easy on the vermouth as he holds it out on his tray. "As regular as any ticket buyer is." He seems to shrug off the question. "Would you like anything else."

Speak with Mechna (Toadclobber)

Mechna Vellerine is a proxy for the Ivy District’s low councilwoman, Jostlin Ferqyr. Well-dressed folk hover all around her. She looks down at the small goblin. "A musical at the Goblin Opera House!? That might just be the thing the city needs. Erat Ozell is just like Brythen Blood." She complains of the councilman for whom she is a proxy. "He has his “head in the clouds” and spends too much time on “academic frippery” and not enough time attending to “what actually needs to be done to run the city.”

Toadclobber feels that while her complaints seem to be plausabile she seems to be playing up her annoyance for the crowd. A pair of servants attend to Mechna as she complains. One fans her while the other brings her a drink from the bar.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

Esoteric Lore using Diverse Lore to RK on any topic, Coloring Book Tome (E): 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 2 + 1 = 28 Dubious Knowledge

Toad looks in his coloring book. Somehow there is a picture of a fancy lady next to a smooth-brain building. Or, perhaps scribbles of a madman; it's impossible to tell really. Ya and I know some goblins tryin' to get into the Kollege of Mysteries too. I been trying to teach them some things about the occult. Being goblins they aren't frippy. Anyway, Zusgut would put on a really exciting show if you came to visit. Toad bumbles along, perhaps accidentally spouting ideas that play into the game Mechna is at.

Vesperscale wanders about looking for the gloves.

Speak with Mechna (Toadclobber)

Mechna nods to one of her assistants, who quickly jots it down in a calendar. "I will see to paying it a visit, now then. I absolutely must begin finding my seat." He small entourage shifts like a wave in the ocean as they pass through the lobby into the Theater.

You have found out all you can with Mechna atm.

Searching for Gloves (Vesperscale)

Gloves are standard in opera attire, so there is no shortage of them. Finding gloves that bear the insignia seems to be far more difficult.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

Not sure where to go from here, Aegis simply looks about at staff members extending their hands while holding trays, pouring drinks etc. Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Not sure where else to go with this one.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Vesperscale finds many gloves but none of them with the insignia.

Tenpot lingers near the bar, feigning indecision as he tries to keep his ear tuned toward Vir.

Deception +13 or Stealth +11

Once she goes to her seat, he chats up the bartender. "You must hear all sorts of interesting snippets of conversation in a place like this, no? Aren't you ever just dying to hear more?"

Diplomacy +11

@Aegis- You are here looking for suspicious people with symbols on gloves that match the one shown to you earlier.

Searching for Gloves (Vesperscale)

Vesperscale ends up spending the next 10 minutes wandering the crowd. Seems everyone decided to wear gloves of some sort this evening making it incredibly difficult.

Right, not sure within the context of asking for the help other than a Perception check.... or overtly asking, but that seems... gauche.

Eavesdrop on Vir (Tenpot)

Tenpot follows Vir as she grabs a drink and heads off towards her private seats. Vir Zhees is speaking with Erat Ozell, the woman whom Mechna was just complaining of. Erat wears a sharp suit and has the look of a librarian. Erat loudly complains. "Mechna’s insistence on doing things by the book stifles innovation and is a parody of the admirable traits that the Coucil exemplifies."

After a short conversation, Erat, Vir, and a pair of servants slip into a side room. Tenpot swiftly slips in without being noticed catching a snippet of conversation just before the door shuts. Erat whispers to Vir, "My people are ready for the deal. Vellerine's are as well. I am looking forward to continuing this conversation later..."

Speaking with the Staff (Aegis)

As Aegis is getting his drink he hears a bit of a commotion. A harried staff member named Savi trips and falls, dropping a tray full of drinks, which splash on the face, suit, and long, plaited beard of a bald man wearing a suit of pinstriped blue corduroy and white cotton gloves. Alaric looms over the fallen server. "You daft fool. I'll have you fired for soiling my bear and suit!"

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

Society: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"Now now now Alaric, is that the sort of customer experience one can expect from a weapons dealer in this city?"

Victoria moves among the high society trying to hide her discomfort. Polite smiles, nods, and little laughs punctuate her interactions. where could Bahvan have gone…

She keeps her eyes out for patterns and Bahvan.

Victoria will search for Bahvan. A reminder she has That’s Odd when she enters a room. Victoria will designate Bahvan as the target of her investigation for reasons of pursuing a lead.

Speaking with the Staff (Aegis)

Alaric turns on a dime and gets back to a more business-like tone. "Indeed friend. Apologies for this unseemly display." He picks the server back up, helping straighten the man's work uniform back out.

Searching for Bahvan (Victoria)

Victoria notices Bahvan in the crowd conversing with the servants, many of whom seem to recognize him. Tailing him Victoria notices something odd. Bahvan approaches a socialite wearing a stylish eye mask and a pair of long black gloves. She greets Bahvan with a kiss on the cheek and smilingly whispers something in his ear while rubbing her right wrist. Victoria quickly turns her back to order a drink from one of the servers to be able to hear what the Socialite is whispering. “That hurt like hell. I’ll play nice until we take her down, but don’t think we’re done here.”

You all have enough time for one more round of actions. The searching for gloves takes a perception check.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

am I able to designate the socialite for pursuing a lead? I can have up to two at a time. If yes, I will.

Sure thing.

looking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Not ready to give up yet Vesperscale continues to hunt for the gloves.

Tenpot similarly fcuses on searching for similar gloves.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

After the incident, Aegis walks around, looking.... Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Victoria Tilly's Perception (E): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Toadclobber's Perception (E): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Darkvision

You all spend the last minutes looking for similar gloves and come up empty handed.

After the attendees have mingled for some time, the doors to the Performance Hall open, welcoming in the audience. Ushers whisk Vir away, off to the left staircase. “Look for me in booth A3 on the right side if you have news for me!” she says. She dons a mask for her night at the opera.

The blue flames illuminating the hall dim once the ushers manage to seat everyone. With darkness comes anticipatory silence. Suddenly, a wistful vibrato starts the performance with a cold open. As the lush curtains rise, a beautiful song tumbles out of the orchestra and the lights of the stage bloom, pulling the image of a woman singing in a tower into the audience’s focus.

Most of the crowd has its attention on the performance, but a few stand out. Up in Vir’s box, Bahvan is fixated on one woman in the crowd. In the middle, third row from the front, She is staring back at him. Vir doesn’t notice, but you sure do.