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After walking around the futuristic chamber, Dennis looks back at the teleportation circle. "Golly! That was my first time teleporting." He excitedly asks, "That was fun -- can we do it again?"
Glancing at the books, Dennis announces proudly, "I speak draconic! They made me study a language in Pathfinder training. Who wouldn't wanna speak to dragons?" He frowns. "This isn't draconic." After a short pause, he brightens, "I also speak Orcish!" Nonetheless, when Mimi explains how the stylized hand works, Dennis plays with that for a while, turning random pages of the strange writing.
Upon hearing footsteps in the next room, Dennis notices Tiger urging him to barge in. And he'd very much enjoy doing just that! But with Mimi already opening the door, Dennis chooses to move next to the swashbuckler, unarmed for now, and follow her lead.
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“I do not know this language.” Iltag’s posture is stiffer than usual as he straightens up from reading one of the scrolls, as if compensating for a lack of skill with adherence to protocol. Slowly he relaxes when his colleagues turn their attention to the source of sound in the hallway, collects his whip from his belt, and moves into formation behind the front rank.
Cautiously opening the closed door, they find that the air of serenity pervades the space in this next room. Hundreds of smooth azurite and lapis lazuli pebbles decorate the chamber’s floor. The blue gems harmonize in wavy patterns that catch the light streaming in from above and reflect it into the room, giving the air a misty quality. The walls rise up 60 feet, tapering to a narrow iris. Cabochons strung together on wires sway due to the breezy downdraft, deflecting off one another with a sound akin to lithographic windchimes. Closed doors lead to other parts of the building.
Two large devices catch the eye as the doors open. To the north is a raised platform whose boundary is inlaid with diamonds, its inner rings wrought from pure gold. Several magical foci float above, directing some kind of energy into a glowing globe at its center. The second is a cylindrical apparatus standing nearly 30 feet in height that seems to be channeling sunlight through it. At its base is a large diamond that has been shaped into a prism.
Turning to face the door from in front of the structure is a humanoid figure very clearly not made of living material. His body appears to have been carved from a single block of weathered jasper, bearing dark gray, red, and brown stripes and splotches, with two titanium-tinted sapphires for eyes. A single Celestial rune has been carved into his forehead. He wears long, flowing robes and holds a large silver rod with a clenched fist on the end. Despite all this, it’s clear at a glance that this figure’s crafting was incomplete; he has no ears. He only looks at you but remains on guard.
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In awe of the beautiful diamonds and lapis lazuli pebbles surrounding the two magical devices, Dennis just stares and says, "Golly! I've never seen anything so fantastic!" To be fair, Dennis doesn't get out much.
Eventually seeing the humanoid figure, Dennis calls out, "Hey Mister! Your house is amazing. Can we come in?"
The humanoid figure does not move but keeps staring at your group. He does not reply to Dennis who does not recognize what kind of being he is, either he does not understand his language, or something else. Zykyryz has no reaction to this figure, unfortunately, other than "I recognize those sapphires, I think I once purchased them from Olorthu." referring to the titanium-tinted sapphire on the eyes of the humanoid figure.
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Mimi's jaw drops open as she surveys the riches of the next chamber. She ogles all the beauty until her eyes fall on the stone humanoid figure. She stiffens and prepares herself for trouble but when he doesn't make any effort to attack, she relaxes. Perhaps she'll get the chance to to talk her way out of fighting this block of ambulatory stone; she guessed such a conflict would be no cakewalk.
When Zykyryz mentions having purchased the sapphires, Mimi says, "Ah, so perhaps all of dees ees your doing den. Eet does seem like a fitteeng environnement for une arclord of Nex. Zaza, vhy don't you 'old up our old friend so dat our noo friend can 'ave a look at 'er."
Turning to the figure, she watches his reaction to Dennis's advances. Given the esoteric languages of the texts in the other room, she suspects that the stone being likely doesn't speak any language they know, which was going to make talking her way out of this rather more difficult, if not impossible. She takes a shot at it anyway. "'Ello dere. You may be vondereeng vhat ve are doing 'ere, but let me assurer you dat ve mean no 'arm." She gestures to the skull. "Ve are 'ere at de bequest of Zykyryz, vhich dough not much to look at deez days, I beleeve may 'ave created dees plece, and perhaps you as vell. Unfortunatelee, she appears to 'ave lost 'er recollection of such events and I vas vondereeng if eet vould be okay to 'ave a look around to see if anytheeng rafraîches 'er memoree." She watches the creature intently to gauge it's reaction to her words.
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When the strange creature doesn't immediately respond, Dennis is confused. He's simply not used to being ignored. But he knows just what to do! If Mimi is right and the humanoid doesn't understand him, he'll just speak more slowly ... and use his outside voice.
Dennis smiles as he looks around to the group proudly. He's very confident in his second attempt.
Mimi and Loong find that the humanoid figure might be deaf, confirmed by the fact that it has no ears. They need to find another solution to be heard. Zykyryz, on the other hand, is oblivious as to who the figure is. Iltag believes the humanoid figure might be a construct, more like a golem but unique among what he knows of.
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Iltag's hands flash a few signed words to verify that the golem does not understand sign language before pulling out a bottle and several packets of different-colored powders from his belt pouch. "It will require clear thinking to communicate with this construct. If you require enhancements to do so, my resources are available."
Once everyone who requires a draft has been given one, the hobgoblin prepares one more and swallows it in one gulp without ever changing his very neutral, slightly scowling expression. He then pulls out a piece of chalk from his belt pouch and begins drawing arcane sigils on the wall beside him, pausing occasionally to see if the golem's eyes are still turned in his direction before continuing.
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Dennis is probably the last to realize why the creature's not responding. The fighter stops his unnecessary shouting and admits, "Ahh...well yes, the lack of ears. That could be a problem." Then turning to Zykyryz, "Wait! You don't have ears either, yet..." Dennis resigns himself to being confused.
When Iltag generously offers up some mutagens, Dennis considers what he could offer. He excitedly says, "I have a repair kit. It's better than normal kit. It's superb." He unpacks it and starts thinking about fashioning some ears for the humanoid.
"Rah rah, cheer!
Craft him up an ear.
Rah rah, class!
Craft him up an ...-nother ear."
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Mimi receives no reaction to her earlier entreaty. "De créature must be deaf not to 'ave been moved by my attempt to cajole eet into friendliness. Dere can be no other explanation. I vill now attempt to use mime to convey my message." Mimi then proceeds to mime the fact that they mean no harm and are merely here to refresh the memory of their friend, the skull, which is quite likely all that remains of the creator of this magical floating bulding if not the creature himself.
"Vhy, I do beleeve dat de grande Marcel Marceux 'imself could not 'ave don better."
Zaza and Iltag work together to communicate with the figure using artistic arcane. They are able to convey their message of diplomacy, and with the help of Mimi's miming, their message is clearer to him. He stands down and nods at them as a gesture of understanding. Even the animated statues nearby depart, returning with “friends” from other parts of the structure in the form of animate chairs and benches for them to sit on, including a fancy pedestal for Zykyryz. One or two of these animated objects play some games by pretending to be squeaky or otherwise unbalanced beneath a character for a minute or two.
In a slow and measured cadence, the humanoid figure introduces himself. "I am Vrisk and welcome." as if nothing happened. "The arclord is intent with her goals in furthering her skill to master the interplay between magic and life. Her earliest studies taught her the connection between magic and music. Since then she learned ancient techniques that allowed arcane-forged constructs to house living souls. These “protogolems” were the oldest example of their kind, originally crafted for protection and study. Over time the creation process had been corrupted through experimentation into the golems known to Golarion today." he explains without waiting for them to explain their visit. He seems to know already what it is.
"After years of trials, she succeeded in creating an apparatus that allowed a living soul, freshly forged in the Positive Energy Plane, to enter a host body she prepared, marked with a Celestial rune on its forehead. After many days of telepathic conversation (as the initial creation had neither ears nor mouth), I chose a name and gender for myself, and began to study alongside her. The arclord herself believed to be male in her youth, but always felt that she was meant to be something different — something more, aided by conversations with me about life, magic, and souls that helped her reach an epiphany. In the same place where she helped bring a new soul to the surface of Golarion, she transitioned into her true self, with me as her closest confidant."
Vrisk then studies Zykyryz intently before breaking into a stony smile, "No matter what form my friend takes, I would always recognize her. Somehow, this skull contains the mind and spirit of Arclord Alyreha Tzonnek."
Zykyryz retorts, “You may be head over heels for this person, but that’s not...” the talking skull suddenly recognizes herself as Alyreha and forgets the Zykyryz persona. "Oh. And yes, I am indeed Arclord Alyreha Tzonnek. I am now thinking that Zykyryz might be all in my head, though I can’t quite make up my mind whether or not I have the social skills to stop the puns." She quips while Vrisk nods after hearing her words and thoughts telepathically. "You have a tale to tell me soon, my friend." Vrisk gives them a +1 striking low-grade silver morningstar. "I give this to the Pathfinder Society as a tool for both defense and study."
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"Oh. And yes, I am indeed Arclord Alyreha Tzonnek. I am now thinking that Zykyryz might be all in my head, though I can’t quite make up my mind whether or not I have the social skills to stop the puns."
Zaza looks surprised and cautiously looks left and right for the ambush that she is sure that will happen. "Oh...Well that was easy enough, and of course Zykyrkz is all in your head. You're nothing head." As smirk crosses her face and her voice drops to a whisper. "And frequently a butt-head as well."
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Dennis smirks at Zaza's mention of butt-head. He then looks back and forth from Vrisk to Zykyryz, taking it all in.
He finally turns to the skull and says, "Wait! So would that make you the head Arclord? More importantly, can I still call you Zykyryz?" He quickly explains, "I mean, Alyreha is a nice enough name, but your reasons for Zykyryz are still valid. Do we get to vote?" Dennis immediately puts his hand up in favor.
When Vrisk hands the group the +1 morningstar, Dennis holds it in his hand, testing its balance. "A fine weapon, but I prefer my trusty halberd. Who wants morningstar?" He looks around and will stow it in his pack, if there are no takers.
Dennis starts exploring the room, seeing if he can get into any trouble. He starts climbing up the stairs of the tall contraption.
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Mimi listens to the golem's exposition and nods in approval when the arclord regains her memories. "Dees ees all excellente. Eet seems dat our mission ees at a successful end. Perhaps you could find your vay to returneeng us to Quantium so dat ve can report back to Nexus 'Ouse." She mimes this for Vrisk if necessary.
Some animated chairs begin to follow Dennis when he tries to climb up the stairs to cushion his fall when he happens to be in that situation.
Vrisk tilts his head, trying to grasp what Mimi tries to convey. When he understands that they want a way back to Quantium on the ground, he nods. "Yes, sure. I will just need to activate the portal you just entered to get through here. Follow me," he tells them and proceeds to the portal and activates it. Entering it causes them to emerge from a cramped janitor’s closet in the Starry-Eyed Conservatorium. From here, they can go back to Nexus House and report on the progress of their mission.
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The vash-vatom greets them upon their return. She listens intently to their report. "Even though Alyreha has been revived," she says, " the mystery of what caused her mind to be sent into a skull other than her own still remains. I think I know where we can research more on that. Follow me," she instructs them to follow her.
Sebnet leads the way to an underground library, each room boasting concave mirrors that reflect and diffuse the light emanating from a massive central orrery, providing illumination to the whole space. “Pathfinders, this is the Library of Reflection. All the tomes and scrolls here are extremely fragile, so any form of sunlight or flames is forbidden. Somehow, thanks to you restoring her, I remember Alyreha, and that she used to spend long hours here researching... something. Thanks to this wondrous bit of magical resonance you’ve discovered, I sense we may have a limited window of time to track down what secrets she was seeking to uncover!”
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Dennis has fun with animated chairs, pretending to fall and landing safely in them. It's actually not clear if he's pretending. When Vrisk offers to send them back, Dennis turns to Alyreha, and whispers, "When you get your body back, the first thing you should do is get your friend some ears." It doesn't occur to him that he doesn't need to whisper.
Back at the Nexus House, Dennis says sarcastically, "Oh fun. Another library." He rolls his eyes and follows along ... slowly.
Wearing his tricorn pirate hat with the gang badge, Dennis offers to use his knowledge of the Pathfinder Society to determine how Alyreha's research affected the Society, specifically if there were any issues regarding our allies. He gladly accepts help from any cousins who wish to help.
But all the research gets boring after a while, and he helps Tiger with distributing books.
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Iltag takes a moment to study the library. To study Alyreha. To consider the resonance the venture-captain spoke of, and to eliminate improbable avenues of research.
His mind organized, he begins his work. Arcane writings - or elf-magic, as other Oprak citizens referred to it - were argued about endlessly by scholarly people with nothing better to do, so that required a standard - if convoluted - organizational and archival system.
Next he turns to the occult, the forbidden, the strange. A different approach is required here - a reactive rather than predictive search model to handle surprise discoveries and dead ends.
Unsatisfied with his work so far, he continues. A tome of madman’s ramblings gets a second look, a chart of planetary movements overlaid with harmonic frequencies of quartz is reviewed, a thick leather book inscribed with the word “Don’t Open” in multiple languages is opened (and turns out to be just a teenage nobleman’s diary).
Loong earns 3 Library Points for moving books and heavy tomes from shelves to tables and vice versa
Dennis earns 2 Library Points for sharing knowledge about the Society that might help the research despite the fact that he does not like libraries. The heavy tomes he tries to carry and return to their places are too heavy for him though.
Mimi earns 2 Library Points for helping out the others in opening and closing the books and tomes that are needed to be read and understood.
Iltag earns 5 Library Points for taking the responsibility of doing the research while he is helped out by the other three that moves the books and tomes from here and there.
Zaza earns 2 Library Points as she joins Iltag in reading books and scrolling scrolls.
Alvin earns 2 Library Points for reading and understanding texts related to arcane that might reveal the purpose of the arclord in the library.
Total: 16 Library Points
As they scour the books and heavy tomes and scrolls for information on what might the arclord be looking for, they learn that the arclord was studying true names, an extremely rare form of magic that can be used to control others or to unlock one’s own inner power. They also learn that Alyreha was on the cusp of creating new rituals using true names to benefit the ritualist rather than to bind others. In addition to learning about the aims of Alyreha’s true name rituals, they also discover that if one of these new rituals were to be interrupted, it could “unmake” the ritualist’s body, only giving their mind and soul milliseconds to find a suitable receptacle nearby or else risk being lost forever. And during their lifting and transferring of books, Dennis finds a scroll of charitable urge stuck between the pages of a certain book.
After their thorough search, an assistant informs them that they can take their rest at the dormitory next to the library since it is already night, and informs them that the vash-vatom will meet them early in the morning in the meeting room that is adjacent to the repository where they currently are.
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Dennis surprises himself, and no doubt everyone else, by providing useful information. Nonetheless, it tired him out. He yawns and says, "Zyky...I mean, Alyreha's research was gonna give us street cred with our allies. Especially with our genie-loving friends in Qadira." He tries to find the page, but eventually gives up. "All this reading is torture. Remind me to be busy on the next museum day." To be clear, Dennis read one whole book. And reading is being generous. At best, he skimmed it.
As he plops down to rest, he sees a scroll has fallen onto the table. After squinting at it, he shrugs and turns to the half-orc, "Zaza, I found this. You can have it."
After a well-deserved night's sleep (exhausted from that incessant reading), Dennis dons his oversized plate mail and straps on his weapons."Did someone say breakfast?" He looks around.
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I assume Alyreha is still with Mimi?
Mimi stretches to unkink her spine from all the book wrangling she'd just done, but the discomfort had apparently been worth it. They'd discovered quite a bit about what Alyreha had been up to and how she'd ended up trapped in a skull without her memories.
She hits her cot and falls asleep almost instantly. In the morning she spends a few moments activating her rings and bracelet and feels her stomach rumble. "I beleeve eet ees time for a good breakfast to start de day. Vhere ees de refectoree in dees plece?"
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Iltag’s face shows no change as the scope of Alyreha‘s probable research becomes known. Perhaps it does not surprise him that wizards are constantly trying to break everything around them. Nor that they usually end up breaking themselves before they can do too much damage.
The morning finds the investigator standing stiffly and eating a dry, flavorless biscuit with precise, methodical bites. A slightly astringent smell hangs around him, as though something had been recently sanitized and disinfected.
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Once the team's research discovers that interrupting one of these rituals could 'unmake' the ritualist's body Zaza turns to the skull that she has placed on the table nearby.
"Does any of this bring back any memories, Zykyryz? Or would you prefer to be called Alyreha? It seems that someone interrupted your ritual and that's why you're bound to this skull. The important question is who interrupted the ritual and was it accidental or deliberate?"
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When Zaza mentions the ritual-gone-bad, Dennis looks up, as if he's hearing it for the first time. "Ritual? Is that what we learned in the library?" He shrugs, "I'll be honest. I wasn't listening. It was sooo boooring in there."
After Alyreha answers Zaza, Dennis asks the others, "Shall we head off to bed soon?" He grins at the skull.
Early in the morning, Sebnet Sanserkoht smiles as she walks past the glowing orrery in the library’s central chamber, her many bangles announcing her presence before she’s seen. She carefully balances a tray bearing a carafe of orange juice, a pot of freshly brewed coffee, and a hot plate containing sizzling bacon and steaming biscuits.
"I actually..." Alyreha is interrupted to answer Zaza when suddenly, an explosion shakes the lodge to its foundations! The orrery shatters, a concussive wave of magic knocking the vashvatom unconscious. A contingency spell stored in one of her jewelry pieces teleports Sebnet away to safety as a shadowy figure emerges from invisibility, just before the entire library is plunged into total darkness, heralded by the sound of breakfast crashing to the floor. An inky voice whispers from the dark. “Finally, we’ve found you. Get the skull!”
With her new friends’ lives in danger, the Arclord suddenly finds she can access some of her arcane powers. She casts Haste spell (7th level) to her allies!
Party Conditions: Quickened for 1 minute with Alyreha's level 7 Haste spell
Terrain Features: The circular chamber (in dotted Yellow) has 20-ft high ceiling. The entire library (whole map) is in total darkness.
Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD CAN ACT!
Blue (- HP) │ Unnoticed
➤ Zaza (AC19) (32/32 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
➤ Dennis (AC 22) (56/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
➤ Iltag (AC 20) (48/48 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Red (- HP) │ Concealed (with Shadow Shift)
Black (- HP) │ Unnoticed
White (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Mimi (AC 21) (56/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Yellow (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Purple (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Alvin (AC 20) (45/45 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
⠀⠀Legchair Familiar (AC 17) (32/32 HP)
Loong (AC 21) (56/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
DC 29 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 21 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
DC 26(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 18 as second check after first success:
DC 28(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 20 as second check after first success:
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“Don’t run into their ambush,” Iltag barks. “Wait.”
Iltag’s hands move before the sounds of the low voice fade, combining powdered sulfur and phosphate with water to create a sticky substance that he smears along a length of iron. He draws his creation across the tabletop, releasing a golden glow, and plucks his whip from his belt. He feels the arclord’s power flowing through him, but resisted the temptation to strike before the moment is right.
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As soon as the lights go out, Dennis says, "Ooohh! Is this like a surprise party? I love surprises!" However, when the voice threatens to get the skull, Dennis realizes it's serious, and he proudly announces, "I used to be afraid of the dark. But not any more!" As he's about to feel his way in the darkness, the fighter heeds Iltag's advice and waits for better lighting.
With the room lit up, Dennis moves toward the only enemy he can see. He then quick draws his halberd and strikes with lightning speed!
Then, setting up the enemy for a follow-up attack, Dennis feints to his left, and attacks from the right.
Iltag lights up his newly-created sunrod to light up the area around him, revealing Red in the process. Dennis takes advantage of this and punctures Red with his weapon. He fails to deceive Red with his flourish but manages to poke Red again . Zaza picks up the skull and cast Blur on herself.
Red hisses and throws the dagger they're holding at Dennis in retaliation.
piercing damage and cold damage
They then retreat into darkness by flying and Sneaks behind the orrery in the center of the circular chamber.
Black Steps behind Dennis and tries to stabby him!
piercing damage
White enters the scene, revealing themself into the light and pokes Dennis in flanking position.
piercing damage
Party Conditions: Quickened for 1 minute with Alyreha's level 7 Haste spell
Terrain Features: The circular chamber (in dotted Yellow) has 20-ft high ceiling. The entire library (whole map) is in total darkness.
Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD CAN ACT!
Blue (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Zaza (AC19) (32/32 HP) │ Quickened (1 min), Concealed (with Blur)
Dennis (AC 22) (21/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Iltag (AC 20) (48/48 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Red (-37 HP) │ Concealed (with Shadow Shift) in Dim Light and Darkness, Undetected
Black (- HP)
White (- HP)
➤ Mimi (AC 21) (56/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Yellow (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Purple (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Alvin (AC 20) (45/45 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
⠀⠀Legchair Familiar (AC 17) (32/32 HP)
Loong (AC 21) (56/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
DC 29 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 21 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
DC 26(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 18 as second check after first success:
DC 28(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 20 as second check after first success:
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When Red's dagger strikes him, Dennis cries out, "Ouch! That hurt!" But as the shadowy figure starts to fly away, Dennis shakes his head, "Not so fast..." He takes the opportunity to give a parting stab to the fleeing enemy.
He then gets treated like a pincushion by the others and cries out even more.
Unfortunately for Dennis, Red has Swift Steps in which their movement doesn’t trigger reactions. At least, he learns a thing about Red and can devise a better plan against them.
But his opportunistic attack is not for Red fleeing but sending him a dagger, sending Red into their demise!
Party Conditions: Quickened for 1 minute with Alyreha's level 7 Haste spell
Terrain Features: The circular chamber (in dotted Yellow) has 20-ft high ceiling. The entire library (whole map) is in total darkness.
Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD CAN ACT!
Blue (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Zaza (AC19) (32/32 HP) │ Quickened (1 min), Concealed (with Blur)
Dennis (AC 22) (21/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Iltag (AC 20) (48/48 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Black (- HP)
White (- HP)
➤ Mimi (AC 21) (56/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
Yellow (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Purple (- HP) │ Unnoticed
Alvin (AC 20) (45/45 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
⠀⠀Legchair Familiar (AC 17) (32/32 HP)
Loong (AC 21) (56/56 HP) │ Quickened (1 min)
DC 29 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 21 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
DC 26(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 18 as second check after first success:
DC 28(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 20 as second check after first success: