GM Tyranius (PF2) Gameday XII Seven Secrets of Dacaline Academy (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Dot in here

A Kobold in brand new armor enters the room. "Greetings all I am Zornesk I am new to the Society." He nods. "I hope I am able to contribute!"

He has a sword at his waist and a new backpack on his back.

A Tien man comes in wearing a wooden breastplate. The intricate designs etched into the breastplate are of flowers and what appears to be long grasses. An unusual chain weapon is casually wrapped around his right shoulder. As he moves, the black hair moves away from one of his ears and you can see that he is not human, but likely of half-elven ancestry.

He bows formally from the waist as he comes in, as he speaks, you realize that he has a pronounced accent, likely not from this side of the world. "I am Oda Koji. I would prefer you call me Koji. I come from a family of merchants that have worked with the Lantern Lodge for many years...so I grew up hearing about this 'Pathfinder Society'. You can say that my family used some of the Pathfinder Chronicles as my night time stories to tell me as a kid. I came here recently, and have been on a few missions so far. I hope that my skills in combat, and my knowledge will be of assistance as we venture forth on this next adventure."

Besides the chain weapon, a dagger is tucked into his right boot, and a pair of round metal disks are on the left side of his belt. A small, but somewhat full travel backpack is casually slung over his left shoulder.

A wild-eyed old man waddles into the room, gnarled staff in hand, his graying hair matted and splayed in nearly every direction. He has his knapsack held out in front of him, and appears to be arguing with it.

"Well, ye can tell 'im I ain't got no time to go runnin' off ta frickin' Jalmeray! Ya got any idear how far that is?? I ain't exactly a spring chicken!" He pauses, as if realizing for the first time he's around other people. "Any o' you lot got any chicken? Now I've said it, I got a powerful cravin'. An' potatoes. No?" He sighs, letting the knapsack drop to his side again. "Drats."

A small whiskered head pops out of the bag and squeaks inquisitively. The old man scowls at the rat and pushes its head back down into the bag. "I said 'drats,' not 'rats.' Clean yer ears, ya varmint."

He looks up again, blinking in mild surprise, and mumbles, "What I come in here for, again...?" He looks around, bewildered, before slapping his forehead with the heel of his palm. "Right! Pathfinders. Mission. Ayuh." He settles into the nearest chair with a long groan that is equal parts complaint and relief.

"Name's Ned."

"Greetings Ned and Oda! I am Zornesk. I would be glad to aid you on our journey!" He bows.

A dark-skinned elf with silvery-white hair tied in a neat ponytail behind his head says in a low raspy voice "Hello. I'm Nyx Kirath. What task do you have for us today?" He faces his companions and says "Well-met everyone" and bows.

He's covered in a dark cloak, with a hint of leather armor visible only from the front. He clutches a shortbow with beaver tail fur tied to two points of the string as silencers. He has a quiver full of fluflu-fletched arrows at his back.

At the word "Drats", Nyx's attention is caught. He asks {b]"Where are the rats? Are you fond of them as well?"[/b]

Ned squints at Nyx. "Fond? Of rats? Course not! Dang vermin! I only keep this one 'round coz He says I gotta." The way Ned says 'He,' there's clearly an implied capitalization. The old man stares at the floor for a moment looking haunted, before turning back to Nyx, blinking and looking as if nothing's happened. "You got hooch? I could go fer a nip o' Grampaw's cough syrup."

Realizing too late that Nedri kept a rat a familiar, Nyx tries to salvage the situation by saying "Uh... I prefer squirrels from the forest. They taste better... But, I will have that hootch with you after we work. Let's take care of business first."

Ned looks a bit crestfallen, but sticks his bearded chin out defiantly and nods. "I like you. You got a good head on yer shoulders. Right you are, business first. Lubrication second."

Elissa pushes the door open and enters hesitantly. She is a pretty and petite young Taldane woman, wearing a formal and intricately decorated white noblewoman's dress. Gloves and a veil over her hair complete the look, with only a bit of her bright red hair peeking out from under the veil. Her deep blue eyes glance curiously at unfamiliar surroundings in wide-eyed wonder.

Yuan Wu removes the conical straw hat from his head, revealing the face of a Tian-Shu man. He is garbed in a simple breastplate, a buckler strapped to one arm, while a whip dangles from his belt. Tattoos of various abstract shapes adorn his lean muscular figure. His shaven head suggests some monastic background.

His naturally stern look transforms as soon as he smiles as each of you in turn, clearly pleased to make new acquaintances. He nods his head slightly, and introduces himself. "You can address me as Yuan Wu, from the eastern lands you would know of as Tian Xia. Specifically the nation of Quain, although it might be unfamiliar to you." Although at the last part, he looks hopefully at Oda Koji.

In Tien custom, the family name comes first. So would we address you as Koji? As for Yuan Wu, while technically his name is Wu, he is usually referred by Yuan Wu.

Lightly bowing to each new person, and especially bowing a bit lower to the ones that seem to be more nobly born. Likely the Taldan lady at least, maybe others. If the clothing looks noble, or at least high merchant or higher....he would consider that 'nobly'

When another from Tian walks in, Koji looks him over, and also formally bows to him. After listening to where Yuan Wu is from, Koji nods his assent to that knowledge.

"I did not mention that I am from Goka, part of Imperial Lung Wa."

Correct. His family name is Oda, and his persona name is Koji....as noticed, he is not 'full' Tian....one of his parents (the elven part) is from the Inner Sea, and explained the way that this part uses names and talks. He has become comfortable with the casualness that is expressed on this side of the world.

Elissa dips in a perfect curtsey. "Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself. I'm Elissa Eugénie Mariana Claircontlyr Estin, daughter of Aspex. Lovely to meet you all!"

Oda's courteous bow draws a smile from Elissa. She gasps a little at Yuan's statement. "Oh wow! I've never met anyone from so far out. I thought just going to Absalom was going a long way."

Ned snorts, and it's a deep, wet sound. You'd think expectoration would follow that kind of audio horror, but he doesn't spit--yet. "We talkin' where we was born, where we lived longest? Where we was jes' before joinin' up? Cause 'at's three diffr'nt answers fer me."

He finally does spit, into a small cup he's produced out of his knapsack. There are, of all things, paint chips in the spit. They look like they were originally white but have somehow arrived closer to citrine.

"I am from deep Kyonin, though it has been a long time since I have seen my homeland."

Nyx's attention is taken away, like his breath when he sees the maiden come into the room. All thought of rats flee his mind.

"...and where are you from Elissa Eugénie Mariana Claircontlyr Estin, daughter of Aspex?" he asks in a oddly formal tone.

"Also... not to be rude, but your name is quite long. What should we call you in situations where brevity is a necessity?"

"Where you were born, I suppose" Elissa responds to Nedri. She flinches when she sees him spit.

"I'm from Taldor, Krearis Prefecture to be exact. My father, Count Aspex IV, has land there." She thought about Nyx's second question for a moment. "My friends call me Elissa. Kyonin, that's not too far from Taldor, yet so mysterious."

Upon hearing Elissa's reply, Nyx says "[i]Lady Estin, what would you like us to call you? It would be presumptuous of us to use the name that you've said only friends use since we've only just met."[/b]

Ned seems not to notice the discomfort his spitting has caused. "Ah. That'd be Highhelm. M'family's been there fer roundabouts six generations, give or take. Not no more, though." He stares at the wall with another distant look. This time, though, he looks more sad than haunted.

"Oh, it's all right. I'm sure we'll all be wonderful friends" Elissa says with her characteristic naïve good nature. "Highhelm! I have a necklace from there-" she begins, but quiets down as she realizes talking about his home is likely to upset Nedri.

"Very well lady Elissa, as you wish."

He looks at Nedri and says "Perhaps we'll have wine instead of ale at the end of this mission? he says with a serious look, as if the thought of fine drinks had never crossed his mind.

He looks at the others who appear to be silent. "And what of you gentlemen? Oda, Yuan and Zornesk. Tell us a bit more about yourselves. Don't be shy now. We will work better if we know each other more."

Koji has been listening to all this with interest.

"Oh...me. As said, I come from a merchant family in Goka. My family is in business in making and then selling perfume and other exotic scents and spices. My mother came to the shop while she was on business for the Society, and as my father says...it was love at first sight."

"Not much else to tell about me...I was decent with the selling of items, but not very good at mixing and preparing all the scents or the spices. I did learn how to fight from my grandmother. She never said where she learned all the weapons of the samurai...or ninja. Things like that is often not something you ask of your respected elders."

Yuan Wu looks around, and decides it is appropriate to come.

"As for me, I was raised in a small but well-respected monastery in Quain. If you know anything about us, it is that we have hundreds of schools of pugilistic traditions." He pauses here with a self-depreciating grin.

"So anyway, it seemed that I had some talent in the traditional arts used in my monastery, and have been assisting my master Ke Huan whenever he gets called out to hunt down malicious spirits plaguing the nearby villagers. It was during one of these expeditions where the ever-so-enthusiastic me got caught in a -- now what you call it here -- a haunt, yes! As far as we could figure out later, it would have torn me to another plane but my master must have countered at least part of it. So it transported me somewhere just as exotic - Avistan!"

"As you can imagine, it was an extremely disorienting journey. And destination, too." Again, the grin. "Eventually, I got word back to my master, and after some convincing, he gave me permission to stay and learn more of your lands. So here I am."

Ned seems to tune most of the conversations out, though it appears he's simply drifted rather than willfully ignoring people. At the mention of haunts, however, he perks up.

"Eh? Spooky stuff? I know a lil' 'bout spooky stuff. I got spooky stuff in my brain!" He taps his temple for emphasis. "Like a, uh, whatchamacallit--a parasite! Ayuh." He nods somberly.

"A bit of wine would be nice after the mission. Not too much; then I act silly."
Elissa nods at Koji. "Naturally, one must respect one's elders."

"Wow, what a journey! If I got transported that way, goodness, I don't know what I'd do. I'd be dreadfully lost." she says to Yuan. "I hope you are enjoying your time here."

She looks wide-eyed at Nedri when he says he has a parasite in his brain. "Aren't you worried? That could be dangerous."

Yuan Wu glances at Nedri briefly, unsure how to respond, wondering if some thing is lost in translation or if indeed he is not quite ... sound of mind. He decides the most polite thing he can do is just smile warmly and pretend he doesn't understand due to language barrier.

Instead, he turns to the rather elegant lady, and nods, "Indeed, it has been quite exciting," as he chortles. "My master would be most disappointed in me, but he is thousands of miles away."

"Don't worry Elissa." says Zornesk. He pats the pommel of his sword. "I can protect us"

You find yourselves approaching the gates of Dacilane Academy in the late afternoon. J Dacilane, a man in his early twenties with a military bearing, gazes wistfully past the gate at the building, where students bustle about. As you approach he snaps to attention. The iron gates of Dacilane Academy shut the school away from the bustle of Absalom’s Foreign Quarter. J Dacilane stands with the military posture of an Eagle Knight by the gate, checking the time and fiddling with a key on a red ribbon.

“Welcome,” J says with a warm smile. “I appreciate that you took the time out of your schedule to meet me. This may seem like a strange request for field-trained agents, but I need you to investigate the school. There’s a rumor that Dacilane Academy is haunted.” He winces as he adds, “Or cursed."

“The pupils assembled a list of legends about the school for you. Apparently, there are seven secrets of Dacilane Academy. Honestly, most sound like urban legends that the students have picked up from their parents. But, when someone says that they’re in danger, it should be investigated. And a more formal report from the Society would be a great opportunity for the students to see Pathfinder skills in action!"

"These hauntings began long before the supposed cursed, so I’m sure they’re mostly mundane occurrences. You’ll probably find the foundation settling, old drafts, and the like. If there’s something more to it, try to excise any spirits or other beasts that stalk the halls. In addition to the transcribed legends, the pupils provided a ghost-hunting kit for your investigation.” J shakes his head as he hands over a leather bag and a thin folder.

“You’ll have this evening to do as you please. The school grounds are in use until sunset for extracurricular activities. I don’t want to incite more rumors or scare any of our more promising pupils with armored agents in the halls."

“Oh, and one final thing—please try to limit any damage to the facilities. Be careful.”

Elissa smiles gratefully at Zornesk.

She curtsies formally to J Dacilane. "It's my pleasure sir. We're glad to help protect the students." She seems a little nervous when she realizes they will be hunting ghosts during nighttime. "May we speak to any of the students about what they have seen?"

Nyx pours over the "ghost-hunting" kit, expecting to see oddities and esoterica.

What's in here?

He looks at his companions, expecting someone to read the list of legends.

On hearing the words "haunted" and "cursed", Yuan Wu's interest immediately piques. As politely as he can, he takes over the list of legends and pores over them, trying to suss out what might indeed be of the unexplained nature.

Esoteric Lore +7

Koji finds hearing about the school--and it being 'cursed' intriguing. He looks over to Yuan Wu...wondering if the monk might have some omamori on him...those might help.

Then realizing that Tian culture....spirits and such are looked on differently than in this civilization....

"The list of the legends...do you have this list from the children? If so, may we see it. And Elissa question is valid, after we read them, can we speak to the students?"

J’s face contorts into a grimace. “Yes, there’s a rumor that the school is cursed. I’ve lived through some hard times and rumors get around. When the academy was renamed in honor of my family, some people said that the name itself was cursed.” He sighs. “I would be much obliged if you could clear my family’s otherwise pristine name.”

"I am afraid you won't be able to speak to any of the students today. You will have this night for your investigation. I don’t want to incite more rumors or scare any of our more of the students."

J hands you a rumpled paper. "This is the list of legends compiled and the Master Key." Folded into the list is a key attached to a red ribbon. "Also, in this sack is a ghost hunting kit assembled by the students. Headmaster Rosedell confiscated it after she found them wandering after hours." Holy Water, Oil of Potency, and a handmade protective amulet with no monetary value, made from air-dry clay with a sigil painted on in gloppy ink (likely produced in the school’s art class).

Nyx and Koji know that The Pathfinder Society purchased the mansion that serves as the school campus several decades ago. During the purchase, the sellers stated that the building was not haunted, a standard disclosure in Absalom real estate transactions.

Elissa feels like she knows a bit more. Decades of students have shared stories and spread rumors about the mysteries of Dacilane Academy, all of which predate the school’s recent renaming. The oldest rumor says that the ghost of a halfling stalks the halls, wearing all white and trapping students who remain in the school after hours.

Nyx is surprised by the contents of the ghost-hunting kit. "This is serious stuff!" He shares the contents with everyone.

does Nyx or anyone know who the former sellers are?

Ned waves a dismissive hand at Elissa's question. "Naw, ent dangerous, leastways not to me." It's hard to say for sure, but it seems like maybe he's... disappointed by that?

----

After listening to the Eagle Knight, Ned purses his lips. "Spooks, eh? I know a bit about spooks, sure." He ignores the 'ghost hunting kit' and looks at the list of legends.

"This halfling ghost. Any staff seen it? I reckon kids'll scare themselves silly with any ol' thing they see in the dark, but if grownups is seein' it too, that lends more credence."

It does not say who the previous seller was.

The list is in the tactical maps btw.

Elissa nods. "We'll do all we can. One's family name is the most important thing they can possess, I can't let it be sullied." She giggles gently when Dacilane mentions the students were wandering around ghost hunting.

She explains about the halfling ghost. "It sounds like it's been around for a while, since before the school. There must be a story there."

Koji listens politely to the ones that probably know more about the supernatural....he knows he has little knowledge of these matters.

Though he does go through the items that are in the bag. His mercantile mind adds up the gold needed for these items.

"These kids have at least some knowledge of items that might help..and have the means to get them."

Yuan Wu runs through the list of seven mysteries of the school. "Hmm, on one hand, I am intrigued. Some of these sound most interesting. A whisper granting you answers for your tests, albeit mostly wrong? Statues that walk on their own? On the other hand, I wonder if some of these are just more mundane in nature. Candlelight from a shack? Sounds more like the school has an unknown resident, coming out at night. Hmm..."

Would his Esoteric Lore (+7) be of any use to understand more about the mysteries?

@Yuan- Not at the moment but perhaps once you see more of these oddities it will.

As dusk falls the last of the students leave and you are able to use the Master Key to unlock the front gate. Dacilane Academy sits in the Foreign Quarter of Absalom, only a short walk from the Grand Lodge, nestled behind an ivy-draped stone wall with iron gates. The schoolhouse, a former mansion purchased by the Pathfinder Society and converted into classroom space, provides an idyllic setting for pupils to learn.

A single-story brick building sits beyond the iron gates. Brick walls and an ornately carved main door give the front entrance a stately appearance. Manicured topiaries and a well-kept lawn provide ample green space that continues between the building and the outer walls to the rear of the estate.

Three stone steps and two ramps ascend to the front entrance. The doors are currently locked, but the master key unlocks the door with a satisfying click.

Map is posted.

Nyx says to everyone, "I will go first to scout. But I will not engage anything that I see, and I won't be too far ahead. Just a short hop and skip away." He opens the doors, but doesn't take the key. He offers it to anyone else who wants it. He readies his shortbow, then moves in.

Nyx will go ahead by only 15 feet. He will constantly look backwards to make sure he's not too far.

Koji nods as Nyx wants to go a little ahead. "I will keep an eye out for possible enemies and other oddities then."

The old man waddles in behind Nyx and Koji. "With two strappin' young lads at the fore, ain't nothin' to worry about, I'm sure. Ent no reports of people bein' attacked, after all. I'd like ta start with the libraries. I got an itch ta look on them statues, but I 'spect if they's movin' about, they do it later in the evenin'. Less chance o' witnesses."

Ned's vote is to check the library first, for these "blank books." I assume the halls of the school are lit even after-hours, but if they're not, Ned will cast light on the head of his walking staff.

Nedri's magic illuminates the darkness, causing it to shrink back in fear. Pushing the doors open you enter the schools hallway. Bright lights shine in sconces on the wall. Double doors lead to the outside to the north and south, while large windows reveal the grounds of the school to the east and west. Thin wood doors provide access to interior rooms.

The doors in this hallway lead to the school’s various rooms. To the east, the hallway bends around the corner, where an addition to the school was built to support a laboratory. Signs hang in front of each door stating the name of the room in Common. The sign outside the lunchroom notice that it says “Launch Room.”

Zornesk follows closely behind.

"Hey I'm strappin' too!"

"An unknown resident would be a mystery of its own" Elissa says. "They did say the halfling could trap people, so be careful around doors."
Elissa peers this way and that, nervous to be hunting ghosts. "Starting with the books seems like a good idea. At least books are seldom dangerous."

Ned snorts. "Then yer readin' the wrong books, missy!" He chuckles to himself as he totters down the hall after the others, eager to reach the library and see what all the fuss is about.

Koji will keep Nyx in sight. Since Ned is casting light, it will allow Koji to have out his kusarigama in both his hands...ready to use it if needed.

So staying within 15 feet of Nyx, and apparently heading to the library.

Nyx takes the route going to the Library, which based on the chatter he hears behind him - is where everyone wants to go. He does pause at the sign reading "Launching Area" and points it out to everyone before proceeding.

"My father wouldn't have let me read anything that might have posed a danger" Elissa says to Nedri. She sticks close to Koji as they advance, taking her glaive in her hands as she sees him ready his own weapon. "What do you think they were launching?"

Scores of books and the smell of paper fills this inviting library, which is furnished with comfortable furniture and a plush carpet. Rolling stools provide a step up for those too short to reach the top shelves. A table is divided into workstations with chalkboard nameplates and stacked books.

The library’s collection spans a wide range of topics, though the texts tend to be introductions to various fields instead of primary research. The two currently occupied workstations are labeled “Ayen” and “Zet”.