[Gameday XII] PFS1e #9-09: Beyond the Halflight Path (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master roll4initiative

Dot in here after you have been chosen.

In the library / observatory on the top floor of Starhall* in the Grand Lodge:

"Iovo, can you explain something to me?" Damiar waves to get the attention of her twin, who was as usual exploring the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the observatory's library. "Sooo... The curators here had their pick of wonderful Castrovel locations. The capital city of El, rival to anything here on Golarian. The hive colonies of the Formians. The amazing jungles of Ukalam and the star temples there. And how did they choose to represent our home world?" Damiar points to the life-sized mannequin. "With a half-naked lashunta woman riding a giant lizard! Have any of them even been to Castrovel?"

"Though... I have to admit she looks a little badass," Damiar cocks her head as she looks at the mannequin and shrugs. "At least they're finally going to be sending us off on a mission together. What do you think it will be?"

Damiar stretches her long legs. "I hope we get to go someplace different, with an interesting culture to explore. I'm really sick of cataloguing dangerous magical items in the vaults for Zarta."

____
* Starhall: Part museum and part observatory, this Azlanti-style keep is dedicated to the Pathfinder Society’s knowledge of astronomy, astrology, and other studies that look to the skies. It also houses relics from other planets (both confirmed and ostensible). Pictures on Slide 4.

A tall, heavily built man arrives at the lodge several hours early. His ginder hair and colorful clothes are a contrast to the gray, predawn, morning. He works his way to the library and with some discussion with the curate finds the spellbook he needs. He casts a cantrip and begins deciphering the spell. An hour later, he dc18 to understands fireball: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19, he has the hang of it. Excitedly, he pulls out a ink and quill and begins copying the spell into his own patheticly thin spellbook. Three hours and three pages later and he has completed his work. Thanking the curate, he returns the material and walks slowly out and down the hall to report to his tasking. He thinks, "At least now I will have the signature wizard spell should it be needed. Others always expect it and now I can deliver it."
spent 90 gold on ink for copying 'fireball'

Iovo slides down the ladder and comes over to look at the illustration her sister is looking at. With a giggle, she says “Doubtful.”

“Hope they don’t send us to Cheliax. While you were here in the vaults, I had to deal with Hellknights. Only good part was the jail break. Remind me sometime to introduce you to Tamran.”

"Ooh, a jailbreak sounds like fun!" In her excitement, Damiar backs straight into the serious-looking red-headed man coming down the hallway. "Oops. I didn't see you behind me. Um, are you alright? My name's Damiar, and this is my sister, Iovo." Damiar offers her hand to the man. "We're going out on a mission today, and I got over excited."

A bald unarmored dwarf enters the library, I've been to Tamran, really enjoyed the city there. My name's Markus, greetings! he says, putting down a walking stick and pack.

"Oh hello, Markus. I'm Damiar and this is my sister, Iovo." Iovo smiles warmly at the dwarf and asks, "What's Tamran like? I've never been."

“Eh?” Iovo looks surprised. “That halfling has a town named after him? Tamran Credance didn’t seem the type for that sort of thing.”

Recovering, she then says “Pleased to meet you, Marcus.”

The man smiles. "I am very happy to meet you and your sister, Damiar and Lovo. I take it you are here for a tasking?" He takes the offered hand and shakes it. "I am Farlen, a jeweler, but sometimes I do magic."
He smiles at Marcus too, turning to address him as well. "Well met, Marcus, who has been to Tamran." "You look familiar, have we worked together before?" "I am Farlen and I have not been to Tamran." He extends his hand to shake.

Absently tapping his fingers against his side, a slender, bearded human male in robes enters the library. "'Scuse me, don't mean to disturb." He walks around the circular platform holding the brass telescope, apparently counting shelves, before stopping in front of one of the towering bookcases and grinning. "Ha! There it is!" The target of his gaze is a bundle of scrolls on the top shelf. He starts to reach towards it and his grin turns a little shamefaced. "Knew I forgot something." It takes him a moment to corral one of the rolling ladders, but with it in position he makes short work of retrieving the scroll. He's about to sit down at one of the tables when he glances up at the rest of the people here and starts. "Oh! I'm sorry! Was I interrupting something? I'll be quiet, I promise."

"I am Farlen, a jeweler, but sometimes I do magic."

Iovo extends her hand as well as she asks “What sort of magic?”

He's about to sit down at one of the tables when he glances up at the rest of the people here and starts. "Oh! I'm sorry! Was I interrupting something? I'll be quiet, I promise."

“Nah, me and my sister were just getting ready to go out on a mission. Seems these two are going on the same missions with us.”

Coming over to where the man is, she asks “What are you researching? Anything interesting?”

He shrugs, again a little abashed. "I think it is, but, well, whenever I talk about interesting things too much most people's eyes sort of glaze over." He sort-of chuckles. "Not that I can tell, with elv--sorry! Anyway, it's a collection of transcripts from Tephu, in Osirion. Supposedly there's a reference in it to an Osiriani expedition into Avistan, early in the Age of Destiny, that reached the Storval Rise in what's now Varisia. Always interesting to see how people from other nations and cultures view our history!"

“Does if tell anything of the Shoanti? That would have been before they were forced on to the Storval Plateau, right?”

The dwarf laughs, A Halfling named Tamran, that quite the thing. No I was talking about Nirmathas, a nice city - no walls so its hard to defend and hold, but a brisk trading port - slightly suspicious of outsiders, but once we routed out the Aspis making life difficult there, the place opened right up before us.

Bouncing over to Marcus, Iovo says “I’ve not been to Nirmathas yet. Sounds interesting. Do they use the vegetation in the area to protect the town, or is it just safe enough there that they don’t need anything?”

Markus shakes his head in the negative, No its so when Molthune takes the city it makes it hard to hold onto. I think that's happened five or six times, so the Nirmathi just fade into the forest, let the legions of Molthune march around the capital and get bored, then hit and run 'em until they set fire to the city and leave. Its an interesting defense strategy completely at odds with how I'd approach things, but we dwarves build out of stone for defense. Guess it is just a different way to live life.

Iovo is surprised by the strategy.

She thinks for a moment, then says “So the people of Nirmathas are always ready to escape into the forest? It isn’t a bad strategy, provided they have forces suitable for hit and run tactics.”

She thinks a moment more before saying “I think that is something I will want to learn more about at some point.”

"To answer your question, Lovo, the kind of magic that goes 'boom'." He smiles again. "But seriously, I dabble a little in Arcane magic, conjuration and evocation mostly." "It seems to help here and there." "I travel alot in my jewerly business, going where materials are best priced." "I use magic to make my travels safer." He also jesters around at the library, "Plus, traveling lends itself to working as a pathfinder. I can always go where I am needed."

"Osirian expeditions in Varisia, very facinating." "I am Farlen." "Are you here for a tasking too, good sir?" Farlen asks the bearded, robed man.

Farlen pulls out a simple note, a slip of parchment with a time and place. "All this talk of Tamran and Nirmathas, did you all get more in you summons?" "Mine just say to be here at noon." "Information would allow for better preparation, I tell these Captains that every time." "But things always seem last minute."

"Marcus, you do look familiar, but I am sure we have not work together before."

Salvio looks up from the scrolls, momentarily confused. "Tasking...tasking...oh! I think so. The message from the Venture-Captain was, ah, excessively terse, anditmightnothavebeenaddressedtome. I mean, I think it was, but you know, terse. Can you read Osirian? Mine is a little rusty. I'm sure there's a dictionary around here, though."

"Pssst. Farlen." Damiar steps on tip-toe to whisper into Farlen's ear. "My sister's name is Iovo or EYE-OH-VOH. We're named for the twin planets that collided and became the Diaspora. Mother said that she named us that way to remind us of what happens when sisters quarrel."

Damiar shrugs and then speaks normally. "Mom's an astronomer."

Upon Damiar's gentle correction, Farlen turns to Iovo and bows slightly.
"Sorry for that then, Iovo. I meant no offense and appologize for my mishearing of your name." "Now I get the reference and will remember forever."

He readdresses Salvio answering, "You would think all the places I have been I would have learned more dialects." "But common Taldan has seen me through until now." He looks at Salvio and makes a decision, "Yes, I have a spell that if this is pertentant to our task I could access that may help." He fingers his amulet around his neck. "I use it in a pinch. It is very small, insignificant magic though."

Upon Damiar's gentle correction, Farlen turns to Iovo and bows slightly.

"Sorry for that then, Iovo. I meant no offense and appologize for my mishearing of your name." "Now I get the reference and will remember forever."

With a wave of her hand, Iovo says “No problem, I’m certain you didn’t mean any harm by it.”

He looks at Salvio and makes a decision, "Yes, I have a spell that if this is pertentant to our task I could access that may help." He fingers his amulet around his neck. "I use it in a pinch. It is very small, insignificant magic though."

Laughing, Iovo says “Insignificant magic? I doubt that I would agree. Tell me, what magic is it you consider insignificant?”

"It is not any great thing at all." "Most competent casters have it and can probably do it better than me." "I can only do little magical things." Farlen reddens as if embassassed.

Markus considers Farlen's question, I'm not sure we've worked together before, but perhaps? I've worked with many teams of Pathfinders, seemingly all over the place. But never been to Cheliax myself. I'm from Five Kings originally, and was a lawman before becoming a Pathfinder. My cousin and I both joined up at the same time, I think he's in Varisia somewhere these days.

“My sister and I are from the elven homelands!”

Salvio looks affronted for a moment at Farlen's suggested use of magic, but his quick smile ruins the effect. "I know magic that would help, too, but where's the fun in that? Besides, I like to save spells for when they're really needed."

Damiar looks at Farlen, appraisingly. "You know, most of the wizards that I've met are confident that they have the magical solution to everything in their spells. But you seem a bit insecure in what you have to offer. Don't be that way. We're all Pathfinders, which means that we're all a bit bad ass." Then Damiar grins. "Though, to tell the truth, your looks fine to me."

Damiar grins. "At any rate, with magic it's not always about the raw power of your spell. It's also about choosing the best time and place to use it. Sometimes you save them, like Salvio here does. And sometimes you unleash with everything you've got." Damiar cocks her head. "You never know when you might use a small magic in a new and interesting way, and save your colleagues with it."

Looking towards Farlen and Salvio, Iovo asks “Would anyone like to compare spells, perhaps even exchange some?”

“My specialization is in divination, but I’m always eager to add new spells to my collection.”

I am willing to swap spells if people want. It saves the cost of hiring an NPC.

Salvio brightens up. "Sure! I'm more of a generalist...so many interesting spells out there, and I just couldn't decide which ones to specialize in. Say, if we ever go on a mission together, tell me what you gave up to focus on your specialty, and I'll make sure to cover it."

Salvio's spell book is on his profile. The spark cantrip isn't Core; he got it from a captured spellbook in the Hao Jin Tapestry.

After finding out what spells Salvio has to trade, Iovo expresses interest in the Expeditious Retreat, Identify and Shield spells.

Spellcraft take 10 for a 24.

I have now updated my profile with the list of spells I currently have in my spellbook.

I can’t remember if you are allowed to copy non-core spells from another player or not, but will pass on Spark.

"I have many spells that I can share. He hoists his spellbook out and lets anyone look it over.
Fireball is not updated yet.
"I guess I got up early for nothing. The message I had must have been for my jewelry wares not the society. It was not a waste though, this mistake has at least led to meeting new agents. Perhaps we will still have a tasking together." "Our divination expert could maybe check the future for us." He chuckles a little at his own joke.
Turning to Damiar, "I am not wanting to give the wrong impression, most people when they find out you can do magic, seem to expect more then my skill level can provide." "I alway like to curb expectations." "Otherwise people want you to teleport them, make their problems all disappear, and grant their every wish. Admittedly this is rare among pathfinders. But still ... I can do bad ass but when I need to and not just to show off." Farlen again turn slightly red as if embarrassed. This seems to have hit a button of his.

Once she has finished copying the spells from Salvio’s book, Iovo happily goes through Farlen’s book as well. With his permission she happily copies out Acid Arrow, Darkvision, and Invisibility.

Once again, take 10 for 24 Spellcraft
30 gp copying from Salvio, 120 gp copying from Farlen for total cost 150 gp

Salvio thumbs through Iovo's spellbook with care, thinks for a moment, then copies out detect secret doors, detect undead, floating disk, unseen servant, detect thoughts, and false life.

Taking 10 on Spellcraft checks for a 21. Total cost copying from Iovo: 120 gp.

The young wizard then reads through Farlen's spellbook with the same care in handling the tome. He copies alarm, scorching ray, and acid arrow.

Again taking 10 on Spellcraft checks; total cost copying from Farlen: 90 gp.

"Thank you both! You've really helped out one of your junior colleagues."

“We are all Pathfinders, sharing like this makes the group stronger.”

"Looks like it is copy homework day, but some of these are very useful."
Farlen will copy Unseen Servant, disguise self, endure elements,and detect secret doors from Iovo
Farlen will copy identify from Salvio.

Taking 10 on spellcraft is a 10+13=23, cost total is 50g in ink. 5 pages

"This was probably the most productive afternoon magically I have had in a while. Thank you for the collaboration."

Iovo doesn’t have Endure Elements, but Salvio does. Endure Elements is an abjuration spell, which is an opposition school for Iovo.

will correct on ITS. Thanks,
"I will look into obtaining a room here. It has been a long day. I think I will find a inexpensive place to sup and then turn in. It has been a real pleasure to spend the day with you all.

A woman in full plate is fighting in the training area, taking on two opponents at the same time. After a few rounds of trading some light blows to get a feeling for the styles of her training partners, she suddenly springs into fierce action. Two powerful blows with her training weapon, a dulled longsword, take out one opponent while all attacks of the other one are blocked by her heavy shield. When she turns to the second one, he retreats, dropping his weapon to the ground, shouting: "I surrender! I surrender!"

The woman salutes him, then sheathes her sword and drops down on one knee, laying a hand on the man on the ground. There is a tiny flash of light.

"Do you feel better now? Sorry that I hit you so hard, but you completely let your guard down when you attacked me. You might want to work on that."

An answer is heard in a weak voice: "Ouch... where is the boulder that hit me? Uh... I think I have enough for today..."

The woman stands back up and removes her helmet, revealing dark skin and black braided hair.

"I agree, that's enough training for today."

With that, she walks towards the exit of the training area.

Well, if there's no one left who wants to train with me, I should do some research on the undead. The other day that cleric of Desna, Grunjar, mentioned that he encountered a few of the rarer ones. Especially the story of the headless one in the land of the Linnorm Kings that was quite deadly - their scout got killed by a single blow of this abomination's enormous axe! I hope I find more information in the library. Gotta be prepared - who knows what the next mission brings...

After a quick change of clothes the woman enters the library of Starhall. (just as the wizards are about to be done with their copying)

"Greetings, fellow Pathfinders. My name is Seelah, I'm going to do some research on the undead - the rarer kind, not simple zombies, skeletons or ghouls. Would you be able to direct me to the right shelf, please?"

"Oh, hey Seelah!" Damiar gets up, glad for an excuse to stretch her long legs. "My name's Damiar. I'll be happy to show you the undead section. Are you looking for vampires, liches, mummies or something more esoteric?"

Damiar glances over at the athletic-looking woman. "You've geared up! Are you going on a mission today?"

Iovo points to a different shelf saying “Part of this shelf is for the unverified reports. If what you are looking for is extremely rare, you might find something here. Unfortunately you will likely find it mixed in with other creatures such as aberrations or even a fiend.”

Smiling brightly, she says “I’m Iovo, Damiar’s twin sister.”

"We're from the elven homelands!" Damiar says. "Where do you hail from, Seelah?"

"Well met, Damiar and Iovo."

Sheelah nods briefly at each of the sisters.

"Everything you mentioned is worth learning about, so if I ever encounter such abominations of live, I'll be prepared to fight and destroy them. May I ask: what are you currently reading about?"

Damiar shows off her well-worn copy of Written in the Stars: a guide to the Solar System. "I kind of read everything. Adventure, romances, music, and non-fiction, especially dealing books dealing with travel in other planes. I'm a bard, though. We're supposed to be well-read!"

“Lately I’ve been reading some of the astronomy texts and a book written by a famous gnome writer. Rellakarabee Fustbickle. His writing is always so grandiose it makes me smile.”

From one of the tables comes a cough. "Technically, undead aren't abominations...they're undead. Precision is important."

Due to the late hour, a librarian approaches to let you all know that it is getting late and the library will be closing its doors soon.

This is a hint that you should retire to your rooms in the Grand Lodge for the night.

From one of the tables comes a cough. "Technically, undead aren't abominations...they're undead. Precision is important."

Smiling, Iovo turns to Salvio and says “That is why they are filed as unverified reports. Agents often encounter creatures they don’t recognize. It can be challenging to figure out afterwards, especially in those circumstances.”

When the librarian comes to throw people out, Iovo gives them a little pout and points out “Telescopes work best at night.”

When the librarian comes to throw people out, Iovo gives them a little pout and points out “Telescopes work best at night.”

"Oh, dear me." the librarian says as she turns back to you.

Salvio gathers his notes, then stands up and stretches, yawning. "Enjoy the night. Nice meeting you all." He returns the sheaf of scrolls to its position on the top shelf. Just as he's about to leave, though, he stops. "Oh, yeah! Dinner! Hey, anyone want anything from the refectory? I can bring it up after I'm done."

If anyone's interested, he'll jot a note to himself and tuck it into his sleeve.