PFS2e 4-01: Year of Boundless Wonders (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

The adventure begins in the Vaults of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Grand Archivist Zarta Dralneen asked Rain in Cloudy Day to assemble a group of Pathfinders in a vault filled with newly acquired treasures, which Rain calls the “Vault of Boundless Wonder!” — a phrase he exclaims while excitedly waving his hands. Rain has a bright green body and a purple mushroom “cap” atop his head, and he wears a white scarf and brown vest emblazoned with the Glyph of the Open Road. Zarta has long dark hair and black nail polish and is wearing a vibrant blue dress.

Nilaglade has to keep his wolf in check. "Stop sniffing him, boy."

The sprite rides on the wolf's back, wearing a collection of leaves and wolf fur. A small longbow is strapped to his back. "Sorry, you're a giant mushroom. It's one of the few snacks I let Deroff eat."

Rain in Cloudy Day laughs nevously before regaining his exuberance, waving to indicate the piles of treasure in the vaulted chamber.

“Wow! Just look at all these magic items! And enchanted weapons! And a skull that always looks at me funny! Big magic books about even bigger magic books! Well, I’m not sure about that last one. I haven’t read them. Cataloging all this treasure is bound to be exciting! It sure beats sorting the mail.”

Zarta runs her fingertips along the table, lifts a strange hourglass, and inspects it with dubious curiosity. “Exciting, yes, and possibly quite dangerous.”

Rain frowns. “Well, yes, but… at least we’re in the safety of the Lodge? Can’t be that bad! You said these items are harmless.”

He picks up a skull from the table. Its eyes glow with pink fire, and it speaks, “Unhand me, you hideous rotten mushroom! Harmless?! How dare you!”

Rain replaces the skull and covers it with a cloth, muffling the voice. “Well… mostly harmless?”

Zarta fails to stifle a grin. She tilts the hourglass this way and that, shrugs, and sets it back on the table.

“Yes, mostly harmless. We believe these items present no major threat to us, and we’ve secured those we believe to be cursed. The true danger comes from an old enemy of the Pathfinder Society, the night hag Aslynn. She nearly claimed these treasures for herself before they were entrusted to us. We don’t know why she needs the items, or which ones are most central to her wicked plans.”

“I’m off to a meeting to discuss the situation with Eliza, Ambrus, and the faction leaders. You’ll stay here with Rain and continue cataloging these objects. We need to learn where the items come from and understand what they do. Then we can decide what to do with them. Any questions?”

Ysoldt arrives with her usual confident smirk, but seems interested in what the table contents have to offer.

"Isn't this my favourite sprite and his dog? Hello, you two!"

She lets out a brief giggle when the talking skull scolds Rain, but keeps her curious eyes on the skull.

Zarta offers some insight, and Ysoldt raises her hand. "Uh yes. Who's this Aslynn lady? Don't think I've had the pleasure."

She listens in as she comes closer to the skull and leans over to look the meatless face in the eyes. Well, eye sockets.

Deroff almost bucks Nilaglade off his back as he approaches Ysoldt, ready to lick her and say hello.

"Calm down, boy." Nilaglade regains his balance. "Good to see you too Ysoldt. I hope you had fun, I was up to my eyeballs in potato skins."

He sighs once he hear the mission. "Looks like I'm back to cataloguing. At least no one's mad at me. Not yet, anyway."

"Any warning signs we should look out for? Besides talking skulls, maybe?"

You hear the sound of pipes and predictably, a green goblin walks into the Vault, playing a happy tune. Her beady red eyes widen in glee as she sees you.

"Ysoldt! Nilaglade! Yous here! We's gonna help Rain? Has Eldon and elf-man arrived yet? Honzak join us?" Reaching into her ever present pickle jar, she pulls out a large green pickle and starts eating. Seeing Deroff, she reaches in and pulls out another and holds it out to him.

Deroff almost bucks Nilaglade again as he gobbles up the pickle and then licks the goblin in appreciation.

"Don't spoil him. Tian Xia spoiled him bad while I finished my chores..."

Zarta answers, “Aslynn caused trouble for the Society a few years back, even tried to capture and sell the soul of our former Master of Spells. We thought we’d seen the last of her after we helped stop her from raiding a magical demiplane known as the Hao Jin Tapestry. Apparently, she’s still hunting for treasures, and she has something horrible planned for the Pathfinder Society.”

“I would be prepared for just about anything. If you can think of any useful supplies, please go ahead and take the time to acquire them.”

The skull stammers for a moment as Ysoldt gazes at it, “What? Is there something in my teeth? No? How about a game? First one to blink loses.”

Lokaloka giggles at the wolf's attention. Slipping her hand back into the jar she hands him another small pickle, before whispering into his ear.

"Yous be good and I's gives yous pickles!"

With a final pat and a scratch behind the ears, Lokaloka heads over to Ysoldt and greets her.

"Ysoldt want pickle too?" she holds out the pickle she'd been eating.

I'll bring Rose again. She should be level three (and I have her information in Google Drive updated, but trying to update it here gives me an error message. Fixed, forgot that I can only use a right hand emoji and not a left one...

A woman in sensible leather armor rushes into the room. "Apologies for being tardy! I found out last minute that I had to fill a vacancy here."

She pauses to settle her breathing, adjusting the strap of the jezail strung across her back, and moving the green scarf she wears to accent her bright pink hair to cool off some.

"Right I recognize a few of you from before, but for those who haven't met me, or forgot my name, I'm Rose Thesar... and I guess we're examining all these supplies?"

Nilaglade rides over. "Greetings Rose. Good to see you." He peers at the strange tool on her back. "What... is that thing? Where is your weapon?"

Rose turns to show her rapier on her hip, "Well, I have a back up weapon here, and a few hidden daggers, but for the most part, this little beauty is my weapon of choice... Think of him as a loud crossbow that shoots little metal balls instead of bolts. If I can aim him right, he is very good at punching through just about anything,"

She looks down at Nilaglade and Deroff, her face breaking into a smile at the dog. " Oh and who might this lovable Fluff ball be? Does he want a treat? I think I have some jerky in my pack!"

The skull stammers for a moment as Ysoldt gazes at it, “What? Is there something in my teeth? No? How about a game? First one to blink loses.”

A smirk appears on Ysoldt's face. She smiles at the talking skull. "Feisty. I like you, old man." she looks at Zarta when she is done talking about the hag. "Can we keep this one?"

"Yous be good and I's gives yous pickles!"

With a final pat and a scratch behind the ears, Lokaloka heads over to Ysoldt and greets her.

"Ysoldt want pickle too?" she holds out the pickle she'd been eating.

She looks at Loka and the offered pickle. "Oh hello again!" Her brow wrinkles as she looks at the offered pickle. "Hm - maybe another one? I'll let you finish this one in particular. Sounds like a deal?"

You are escorted to the vault where Rain in Cloudy day hands you a list.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

To-Do List for My Amazing Pathfinder Friends!

1. Talking skull. Please talk to the skull. It doesn’t seem to like me. Maybe one of you will have better luck?
(Skill Check: Arcana, Diplomacy, Occultism, or Religion)

2. Pile of treasure. We probably shouldn’t leave everything in a pile like that, but we’ve been short-staffed. See what’s in there!
(Skill Check: Arcana, Crafting, or Perception)

3. Assorted items. There’s all kinds of stuff up in the raised storage areas on the west wall and in the northeast corner. Did we find any magic potions in the vault? Alchemical items? Talismans? You bet we did! I know a healing potion when I see one, but some of this stuff is beyond my experience. See what you can find!
(Skill Check: Arcana, Crafting, or Perception)

4. Pile of empty chests. I already looked through these. If you find more empty chests, just pile them in the southwest corner of the vault.

5. Danger! These shelves are way up high and piled high with dangerous poisons and possibly cursed items. I think Zarta felt it would be safer if they were out of reach, but we should make sure there’s nothing too dangerous up there.
(Skill Check: Acrobatics, Athletics, Medicine, Thievery, or Underworld Lore)

6. Weapons. There are lots of magic weapons lying around. See if you can find the most powerful ones. Our field agents sure could use them!
(Skill Check: Arcana, Crafting, Gladiatorial Lore, or Warfare Lore)

7. Scrolls and such. We sure did find lots of scrolls! Thought I saw some wands in there, too. Might be something useful for the Society’s spellcasters in there.
(Skill Check: Arcana, Nature, Occultism, or Religion)

Thanks for your help!
—Rain in Cloudy Day

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Vault Map

Deroff accepts all of Rose's affections, while Nilaglade's mind races to understand Rose's strange metal ball crossbow. Where is the winch? There's no strap to sling bullets from it. Maybe she throws the balls?

Well, no time to think. They are escorted into the vault. Reading the list, he points at a few items.

"I could talk to the skull..." 1. Diplomacy +6
"I could search through the treasure." 2. Perception +7
"Lots of assorted stuff, too." 3. Perception +7
"High up shelves?" He feels his shoulders. "I can get up there and check for poisons." 5. Acrobatics +8, Medicine +5
"And some Scrolls. Some may be Primal in nature." 7. Nature +5

He sighs. "More organization. I hate this stuff."

I'm unsure if I can roll these simultaneously or if we all do it as a group. These are the categories he can lead or Aid in. GM, is Follow the Expert usable in this case?

Lokaloka heads over to the skull on the table.

"Heya! I's called Lokaloka. What yous called? Yous to magic as well?"

You each pick one place to investigate and make a check. Just one for now.

Rose takes a look at the list and gives a small shrug. "I can help with any of those. As long as you don't have me dealing with some kind of trap, I'd be happy to help with any of those activities. So where would you have me? "

Rose is expert with +10 in Arcana and +11 in Acrobatics, she can help with any area, I'll fill in gaps where others haven't gone yet.

Ysoldt looks at the set of shelves nearby, and let's the goblin bard try to chat up the skull for now. "You be good to Loka, mister." she winks at the talking skull and heads off to try to look at the shelves with Nilaglade. "Let me help you, pal."

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

"Thanks! Being tall has advantages." Nilaglade hops on a shelf before climbing up a bit higher, lighting himself to a dim yellow as he goes up to check on the shelves.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The skull speaks to Lokaloka: “Call me Zykyryz! No, it isn’t my name, but it’s shorter than ‘all powerful wizard.’ That’s right, I can do magic! Just wait. Keep me close, and I’ll prove it to you.”

Nilaglade finds a snarling horned, mask that is most frightening. Ysoldt finds a few spooky looking carvings but nothing magical or really valuable.

Exploring one of the areas of assorted objects, Rose finds a crude looking arrow made of natural materials. She nearly tosses it aside, but something about its craftsmanship suggests it is in some way special.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Area 1 - 1 Discovery
Area 3 - 1 Discovery
Area 5 - 1 Discovery

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

“They’re not real! They can’t be real!” The panicked voice of Rain in Cloudy Day precedes his rapid footsteps as he races back into the vault. “I can’t… I don’t… help! Please, help! They’re after me!” Rain collapses just inside the vault, clutching the sides of his head and whimpering in fear. A hideous snarl from just past the entryway causes Rain to go completely still.

You may each take a single round's worth of actions and then roll initiative.

Rose swings her Jezail around to her hands and springs into hiding behind a book shelf, hiding from the open door way, but keeping an eye on it. "What is it? Not Kobolds right, I have a rather bad disliking of kobolds."

Lokaloka hears Rain scream in fear and immediately begins playing on her pipes, hoping to make the song as memorable as possible.

Performance: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Lokaloka then picks up the skull, asking it "What can yous do?", before conjuring a shield that appears to look like pickles revolving around her.

"Hmm, seems scarier than my last girlfriend-" Nilaglade almost drops the mask as Rain in Cloudy Day screams for help.

He mounts Deroff and pulls out his longbow before approaching.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"What isn't real?" He looks around for something to shoot...

Sorry, got caught up int he week.

Ysoldt looks around as she heard Cloud clamoring down the hall. She draws her jumps down the stairs, draws her dagger, and moves closer towards Rain.

"Details, man! Details!" she looks at the hall beyond Rain.

You see this inky-black goblinoid creature enter the vault behind the collapsed Rain.

Zykyryz, "Behold! Real heroes are always using their head."

And Lokaloka feels more heroic!

Status
Inspire Courage - 4 Rounds

Rose
???
Goblinoid
Nilaglade
Ysoldt
???
Lokaloka Heroism +1

Rose is up!

Rose takes up her gun from hiding, and takes aim at the inky black goblin thing.

+1 Jezail w/ IC vs. FF: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Sneak?: 1d6 ⇒ 1

She narrows her eyes as she takes a look at the thing, quickly reloading her weapon and stepping a bit further out from cover to fire a second shot.

+1 Jezail: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Fatal?: 3d12 + 2 ⇒ (5, 8, 3) + 2 = 18 If you prefer doubling instead of rolling again for crits, that would be a 2(5+1)+8 for 20

He smile widens as she realizes that she just needed that extra range to get a perfect shot.
"Yes, right between the inky eyes!"

You don't know how it got there, but another one of the creatures was ducked down behind the stairs near Nilaglade.

It moves up attempting to grapple the sprite.

◆ Startling Grasp - Stride up to 10 and grab someone that didn't notice you.

Athletics (DC 17): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Success: Target is Grabbed and Frightened 1.

It then tries to punch the tiny sprite.
◆ Strike
Attack (AC14 - flat-footed, frightened 1): 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 4 = 7
Damage (bludgeoning, nonlethal): 1d4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

◆ Strike
Attack (AC14 - flat-footed, frightened 1): 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 8 = 19
Damage (bludgeoning, nonlethal): 1d4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

The one Rose hit roars and rushes towards her.

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Stride

Status
Inspire Courage - 4 Rounds

Rose
Goblinoid (blue)
Goblinoid (red) - 18 damage
Nilaglade (16/22 hp) - Grabbed, Immobilized, Flat-Footed, Frightened 1
Ysoldt
???
Lokaloka Heroism +1

Nilaglade and Ysoldt are up!

"Huh? Where did you-" the creature wraps itself around Nilaglade and punches him.

What is this thing? Recall knowledge via Nature, +5

He tries to escape its inky grip.
Escape via Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"You're not my type, let go!" He grunts a bit. "Deroff, a little help?"

Deroff bites the creature twice, as Nilaglade is still in its grip.

Jaws: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Jaws: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

◆ Recall Knowledge (Nature). This is a Secret roll, so the GM should roll it.
◆ Escape and fail
◆ Direct Animal Companion

◆ Deroff Strikes
◆ Deroff Strikes

Nilaglade quickly realizes this creature is not natural.

You don't possess the correct skill to identify the creature. You can either change your action or make the check untrained.

Ysoldt sees Nilaglade and Deroff busy with one creature, and Rose alone with the other.

"With you in a sec, guys!" she shouts towards the ranger and his dog as she runs up the stairs to Rose with a blade in hand. She tries to stab the creature in the back.

"What are these?"

Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 121d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (2) = 9

Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft, Versatile P/S

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Strike

I might provoke an AoO if they have that reaction.

"Yeah... uh... you're not a primal type of creature."

Realizing he has no idea what this is, he decides to try to escape again.

Escape, MAP: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 5 = 22

Assuming he breaks free Nilaglade squirms away. "Deroff, get us some space."

Deroff bites once AC 18 for 5 piercing damage and then Strides away.

◆ Escape, fail
◆ Escape DC 22
◆ Direct Animal Companion

◆ Deroff Strikes
◆ Deroff will Stride if Nilaglade is no longer grappled, otherwise Deroff will Strike AC 14 for 6 damage

I don't think Ysoldt can reach that spot in 2 strides. There are two ways up to the level where Rose is now marked with arrows. You could climb up the wall if you want a more direct route, but it won't be an easy climb.

Nilaglade breaks free of the grasp moments before another one hiding under the workbench emerges to try to grab Lokaloka.

◆ Startling Grasp - Stride up to 10 and grab someone that didn't notice you.

Atheltics (DC 20): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Angry that it cannot catch the goblin, it draws a spear and stabs her.

◆ Interact

◆ Strike

Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 5 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Status
Inspire Courage - 3 Rounds

Lokaloka Heroism +1
Rose
Goblinoid (blue) - 5 damage
Goblinoid (red) - 18 damage
Nilaglade (16/22 hp)/Deroff
Ysoldt
Goblinoid (purple)

Lokaloka and Rose are up.

Realizing something's beside her, Lokaloka lets out a squeak and scampers back a ways. She then focuses on an inkwell sitting on the table, picking it up with her mind and flinging it at the Goblinoid that suddenly appeared beside her.

TKP vs Purple, Heroism: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Bludgeoning?, IC: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9

◆ Stride (hoping this doesn't have an AoO
◆◆ TKP vs Purple

Sorry for the delay!

Rose takes a moment to look at the goblin shadow-thing and risks taking a hit, but lines up her long barreled gun to a prime spot to hit.

Refire! +1 Jezail, FF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Refire! Hero point: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 6

She then reloads and fires a second time taking advantage of the flanking that Ysoldt has provided.

Refire! +1 Jezail: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Sneak: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
Fatal? OH yeah!: 3d12 ⇒ (8, 8, 11) = 27

She gives a laugh as she places another right into head of the goblinoid. "Dang, I'm shooting so well today!"

Just now moved myself on the map to reflect the distance from start.

Rose, it looks like Ysoldt didn't have the movement to reach flank last round. Did you want to change your actions at all?

Also flanking doesn't help with the jezail.

A creature is flat-footed (taking a –2 circumstance penalty to AC) to melee attacks from creatures that are flanking it.

So even though you can flank while holding the jezail the creature you are attacking only takes the AC penalty if you make a melee attack, not a ranged attack.

Whoops forgot that was the rules for flanking. I would have acted differently but I'll have the turn stand as is, minus the sneak attack.

Remember folks, MODIFIERS MATTER!

The inspire courage increases the first shot from 17 to 18, which turns a miss into a hit.

It also adds a total of 3 to the damage which means the creatures isn't left with 1 hp, and is defeated instead.

Lokaloka covers the inky creature in even more ink.

Rose aims her Jezail grazing the creature in her face but a second blast between the eyes causes the creature to disperse.

One of the other creatures draws his spear and gives chase, stabbing at Deroff in hopes of being able to slow down the sprite.

◆ Interact (Draw Spear)
◆ Stride
◆ Strike attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Status
Inspire Courage - 3 Rounds

Lokaloka Heroism +1
Rose
Goblinoid (blue) - 5 damage
Nilaglade (16/22 hp)/Deroff
Ysoldt
Goblinoid (purple) - 9 damage

Nilaglade and Ysoldt are up.

"You're a quick one, ain't cha?" Nilaglade pats Deroff. "Come on, let's get up the stairs and meet up with our friends."

Deroff bolts up the stairs to meet Ysoldt. "Anyone know who our friends are? One of them tried to dismount me."

Staring at the Blue goblinoid, he sets his aim and pulls out a longbow.

Longbow, Hunted Shot 1: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 = 29
Longbow, Hunted Shot 2: 1d20 + 8 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 5 + 1 = 11
Piercing for first hit: 1d8 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (2) + 1 = 4
Second shot is missing, but the first includes 1d8 precision damage against my Hunted Prey. Of course I almost rolled for min damage but...

◆ Direct Animal Companion to ◆◆ Stride twice
◆ Hunt Prey: Blue
◆ Hunted Shot

Ysoldt comes around the corner as Rose obliterates one of the creatures. "Right. You're okay." she turns around to Nilaglade, and just shrugs. "No ideaaaaaa." as she jumps leaps over the railing to help Lokaloka.

I mean can I?
Stride 3x?

Since Ysoldt has Cat Fall, you won't take any damage from the 15 foot drop, so no action or roll is needed. Without Cat Fall you would have had to spend your reaction to Grab an Edge to slow down your fall.

Looks like you have just enough movement to reach your desired position with two strides.

Oh, cool! I will try to demoralise.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Nevermind, I guess.

Ysoldt stops just ahead of Loka, and pulls out her dagger menacingly. She looks the creature in the eye, and licks the blade edge.

"Ow! I cut myself!"

She spits out some blood as the creature draws closer.

The shadowy creature steps up to Ysoldt and tries to intimidate her.

◆ Step
◆ Demoralize Intimidation (DC 19): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
◆ Strike Attack (DC 20): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26Piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Ysoldt is unafraid but hurt nonetheless.

Status
Inspire Courage - 2 Rounds

Lokaloka Heroism +1
Rose
Goblinoid (blue) - 5 damage
Nilaglade (16/22 hp)/Deroff
Ysoldt (30/35 hp)
Goblinoid (purple) - 9 damage

Lokaloka and Rose are up.

Lokaloka pokes her head from behind Ysoldt and jabbers some goblinoid words at the creature. She points to it and three green pickle-like missiles spring from her finger to strike it.

◆◆◆ Magic Missile (vs Purple), IC: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) + 4 = 12

Rose takes a moment to reload her gun, as she studies these goblins for the first time. "I wonder if these aren't actually goblins, but something desguised as them? Or perhaps they are from the shadow plane?"

Rose is trained in all Recall knowledge skills, it's just which one to use I don't know.

She then raises her jezail and takes a shot at the one in purple.
Refire! +1 Jezail, IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 = 27
Damage, IC: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Sneak?: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fatal?: 3d12 ⇒ (8, 5, 6) = 19

Rose is unsure what these creatures are, but a shot disperses another one and soon the last follows.

I takes a moment to rouse Rain from his catatonic state but he appears to be OK.

"I am OK now, just frightened. Please continue with your work. I will be OK, really."

Nilaglade (16/22 hp)/Deroff
Ysoldt (30/35 hp)

What are those kinds of arrows? Nilaglade wonders about Rose's strange weapon.

"If you say you're alright, Rain..." Nilaglade pats Deroff. "Can anyone help me? That... thing bit me."

Any healing or other post-combat activities or would you like to get back to the sorting?