I'm going to respond to everyone in an order that helps the flow of the story, rather than the order in which they were posted.
Kidron Quintus wrote:
The paladin draws his sword and gives the group who engaged in the seance an I told you so look.
Kidron draws his sword, at the ready for glorious battle, but alas, there is nothing to fight right now.
This is a mystery scenario, and while there will be combats, unlike other scenarios, you will not be railroaded into them.
The Carnelian Signet wrote:
She tries to get a good look at the wizard before he disappears. Any insignia? Is his clothing modern? A family crest, perhaps? This must be the same murderer Kellvan mentioned.
The man bears a resemblence to Annavinia. A family member, perhaps?
Hancock the Angry wrote:
The mention of a devil draws his attention to the only member from the devil worshiping country of Cheliax, Annavinia and he observes her for a reaction.
Fingo Canvas wrote:
He instinctively moves to Annavinia's side. Remembering his act, he asks with feigned nonchalance
Well, that's not my devil, I'm afraid. Do you think it could be yours or you ancestor's, my Lady?
Annavinia's air of confidence collapses, and she appears to be genuinely terrified of the haunting. Annavinia excuses herself, and leaves the room.
You may stop her or follow her, or let her go.
Settie wrote:
"A devil among us! We never should've come here!" Settie squeals from atop Corona's shoulder before pointing at Dehliana. "Your fault! You woke it up!"
"I did no such thing!" Dehliana protests. "I didn't even ... I don't know where that came from! The spirits I talk to aren't malevolent!" She nurses her hand.
Corona isn't sure why, but she is sure that Dehliana was about to say, "I didn't even have anything to do with the spirits!" Perhaps it was some sort of subconscious perception at work, that the seance was too understandable, but she gets the distinct impression that Dehliana is telling the truth about not having anything to do with the spirits - because she had nothing to do with any spirits.
Callistos wrote:
"I don't suppose anyone is going to come clean so this goes more quickly? Otherwise, I think we're going to have to do some digging into the past and present of everyone here."
Selik seems to think digging into everyone's past and present is a great idea, and suggests sticking together so that everyone can keep an eye on everyone, and searching everyone's room to see what they've been hiding.
The group can also find Kellvan, whose investigative capabilities would be really useful.
---
Summary: (1) Hancock and Fingo need to decide what to do about Annavinia. (2) The group needs to decide how to search the house. Rooms are labeled on the first floor, and if you decide to go upstairs, I'll open up Slide 6.
Alter Ego | Spell DC 19 | Spells -/2/1 | Curse: Minor| ♥️ 38 | AC 19 | Saves 7/9/7 | Perception +5 | PFS ID: 133608-2005 | CG Female Human Oracle of Flames 3 | Focus Points 2/2 | ☘️ 0 | ◆◇◈↺ |
"Annavinia, did you notice how similar he seemed to you?" The Carnelian Signet turns around to notice her panic. "Well, that was interesting!"
Whether the woman stays in the room or retreats to her room, the Carnelian Signet would love to learn her story. And search her room. Maybe if she stays put the Carnelian Signet could ask for directions.
But if she can't... "Shall we look in the kitchen first? I'm famished!"
”Fingo Canvas” | Male NG Human Cleric 4 | HP 44/44 | AC 20 | F +9 R +6 W +10 | Perc +8 | Default Exploration (Detect Magic) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
Fingo puts a hand on Annavinia's arm, speaking calmly.
No one should be alone now, my lady. It's too risky. You should stay with us.
"I think she's telling the truth, New Friends" Corona nods, in reference to Dehliana. "She doesn't seem to have anything to do with this spirit...and maybe nothing to do with spirits at all. But that's okay because there's bigger fish to fry right now," she smiles.
"The kitchen sounds okay with me, New Friend, but maybe we should go get Kellvan too? Or at least make sure he's okay."
I see three votes for finding Kellvan, so I'm moving the party.
Dehliana, Annavinia, Nordvick, and Selik ask to accompany the Pathfinders. They readily agree to stay in the room or return to their quarters if the party objects. I'm going to say all four are with the party unless there's agreement they're not.
Bruce has seen the staircase up, and if the NPCs are with the party, they readily narrate the rooms behind the doors.
Opening up Slide 6, the upstairs.
The upstairs corridor is a shadowy corridor that winds its way throughout the trading post’s upper level. Framed paintings on the walls and worn marble statues transform the hallway into an art gallery, though the area is shrouded in darkness, making it difficult to view the eclectic collection. Wooden doors line the hallway, leading to private quarters (labeled). Around the bend, to the south, the hallway ends in a set of double doors left ominously ajar.
As the area is dark, please describe how your characters are seeing.
Okay, I'll move on, since additional light sources won't matter until someone moves 20' from the group. Cal, Corona, and Fingo, please continue to declare whether your characters are holding additional light sources.
To the south, the hallway ends in a set of double doors left ominously ajar. "Kellvan's staying in a room by the lounge," Nordvick explains. But as the group rounds the corner, two of the statues that line the wall begin moving, and two of the brooms that were lying on the ground jerk upright threateningly, blocking the passage.
Hancock, Kidron, and Cal see them animate, and are able to act first. Weapons are not drawn, and those without low-light or darkvision please remember to make DC 5 flat checks for concealment when appropriate.
--Round 1
Hancock (70/70, darkvision)
Kidron (60/60, low light vision)
Cal (52/52, normal vision)
GM
Corona (38/38, normal vision)
Fingo (44/44, normal vision)
The Carnelian Signet (38/38, light source)
GM
”Fingo Canvas” | Male NG Human Cleric 4 | HP 44/44 | AC 20 | F +9 R +6 W +10 | Perc +8 | Default Exploration (Detect Magic) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
When not sneaking and in low-light/darkness, Fingo usually has his Wayfinder turned on.
LG Paladin of Ragathiel, Zeal Domain 60HP AC: 22 Fort +10;Ref +6; Will +10 1 FP
He has low light vision since he is a half elf.
He draws his bastard sword and moves up to slash at the broom in front of him I am not sure if he is able to see what is in front of the broom on the map or if he needs to attack them
Without his weapon drawn, Hancock is unable to attack yet, so he just pulls his weapon and engages.
*Rage
*Grab weapon
*Move
He only has 20' movement without rage so he was just a teensie bit short of being able to get in an attack without rage, and with rage he fell one action short.
Kidron smashes the armor with a mighty blow, but the hardness of the armor deflects most of the damage that would have been inflicted. Constructs have hardness, so even soft hits that land won't be effective.
Hancock angrily grabs a weapon and moves up.
Cal draws a weapon and protects himself.
Out of the darkness, a ghostly figure emerges. Unfortunately, only Hancock can see it, but its mouth pulls unnaturally wide as it silently screams at everyone in a 30' radius. Kidron can't see into the darkness and everyone else is more than 30' away. Hancock, please make a DC 21 Will save.
Success:
No effect, and you're immune to further attempts.
Failure:
You are frightened 2.
Critical Failure:
You are frightened 2 and fleeing as long as you are frightened.
Unsatisfied with the level of havoc it has wreaked, it flings bits of debris - wood splinters, broken glass - up at Kidron. Kidron is flat-footed because the ghost is unobserved to Kidron.
--Round 1
Corona (38/38, normal vision)
Fingo (44/44, normal vision) [CLARIFY ICON]
The Carnelian Signet (38/38, light source)
Yellow Broom (-0 hp, Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
Green Broom (-0 hp, Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
Blue Armor (-13 hp, +hardness(x1), Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
Purple Armor (-0 hp, Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
--Round 2
Hancock (70/70, darkvision) Will save
Kidron (46/60, low light vision) [CLARIFY ICON]
Cal (52/52, light source) [CLARIFY ICON]
Red Ghost (-0 hp, observed to Hancock, unobserved to rest)
Kidron, Cal, and Fingo - I need the three of you to clarify your icons on Slide 2. Kidron, at the seance, when I asked you to move your icon, you moved the one labeled "full body icon with sword", but this time, you moved the one labele "headshot without border". Fingo and Cal, you two also have non-Paizo icons, which I can't readily identify.
All: Now is a good time to refresh everyone's memory that the Seek and Point Out actions exist. The ghostly figure is not targetable until it is Observed, and if it is Hidden (from being Pointed Out) or Concealed (from dim light), appropriate flat checks will apply.
Alter Ego | Spell DC 19 | Spells -/2/1 | Curse: Minor| ♥️ 38 | AC 19 | Saves 7/9/7 | Perception +5 | PFS ID: 133608-2005 | CG Female Human Oracle of Flames 3 | Focus Points 2/2 | ☘️ 0 | ◆◇◈↺ |
"Hmpf. What a dreadful scream! I must see for myself!" The Carnelian Signet strides around the corner. "Well, what screamed at us? I don't see it..."
She shrugs as smoke fills her vision and an incendiary aura ignites around her. Small motes of flame flicker about her. "If you have fire, feel free to roast things nearby me!"
◆ Stride 30 ft (I have the Fleet feat) ◆◆ Cast >Incendiary Aura<. Anything within 10 feet that takes fire damage also takes 2d4 persistent fire damage. ◇ The Carnelian Signet's Curse of Flame advances to Minor ◇ Minor Curse: Creatures further than 30 feet are concealed from you. You can't benefit from effects that would allow you to ignore or mitigate this concealment, as normal for effects of an oracular curse. ◇ Light radius moves with me. GM, can you move the light regions on the slides, or should I do that?
Corona moves up to where she can see around the corner, eyes widening as she spots the agitated objects that are tangling with the group. "Oh, the furniture is attacking! That's unusual..."
She tries to recall if she's ever heard of angry armor or belligerent brooms and if so, how to deal with them.
______________
As the Carnelian Signet moves up, everyone else sees the ghost. Waves of heat emanate from her body as things look like they're on the verge of combusting.
Corona knows that the brooms are pretty easy to break (hardness 2, but the armor gets broken at half HP or by a critical hit) and anyone hit by the dust must succeed at a Fortitude save or spend its next action coughing.
She knows a little less about the armor, but she knows the magic used to enchant it is more powerful, and it is far more durable. (hardness 9 (!), but as with the brooms, broken at half HP or by a critical hit)
--Round 1
Corona (38/38, normal vision)
Fingo (44/44, normal vision)
The Carnelian Signet (38/38, light source, incendiary aura 10')
Yellow Broom (-0 hp, Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
Green Broom (-0 hp, Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
Blue Armor (-4 hp, Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
Purple Armor (-0 hp, Recall: Arcana or Crafting)
--Round 2
Hancock (70/70, darkvision, immune to Frighten)
Kidron (46/60, low light vision)
Cal (52/52, light source)
Red Ghost (-0 hp, in dim light)
”Fingo Canvas” | Male NG Human Cleric 4 | HP 44/44 | AC 20 | F +9 R +6 W +10 | Perc +8 | Default Exploration (Detect Magic) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
Fingo ◆Strides behind the Carnelian Signet. Grabbing the rose pendant around his neck, he whispers a short prayer to Shelyn, ◆◆Blessing neighboring allies.
+1 to attack rolls for any ally within 5ft of Fingo
Odd or not, Hancock welcomes the chance for target dummy practice. When he returns to the lodge he fully intends to recommend using animated objects for training.
Hancock starts swatting at the broom. If at any time it goes down he will step forward and, if actions permit, continue his assault on the blue suit of armor instead.
to hit Maul, bless:1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 = 19
damage Maul; bludgeoning damage:2d12 + 4 ⇒ (11, 1) + 4 = 16
4 additional damage with electrical, arcane, and evocation traits on a hit
-
CG Wintertouched Human Fighter 4 | AC 22 | HP 52/52 | P +8 F +9 R +9 W +8| Def. Expl.: ?| Hero Points: 1/3 | Active conditions: none | ◆ | ◇ ◈ | ↺ |
Cal ◆ ◆ moves into the gap and takes a ◆ Snagging Strike:1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 1 = 312d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 5) + 4 = 16 at Purple as he does a slash-and-grab.
Purple will be off-guard until Cal's next turn if it hits and whilst the armour is within his reach.
”Fingo Canvas” | Male NG Human Cleric 4 | HP 44/44 | AC 20 | F +9 R +6 W +10 | Perc +8 | Default Exploration (Detect Magic) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
Fingo's bless only covers the Carnelian Signet at the moment
Cal strides up. As he approaches the ghost though, suddenly, it flings a rock at him.
↺ Telekinetic Object:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 vs Cal, not off-guard because it's still visible at this point.
Bludgeoning:2d12 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Cal critically snags the suit of armor. It crumbles to the ground, smashed to bits. Purple down.
At the beginning of its turn, the ghost suddenly winks out of view. It is invisible by default, it's only visible after it Frightens. I am marking its last known position with a dashed red box on the map.
I've opened up Slide 7, which contains templates for Seeking (15' burst or 30' cone). Please post your Perception modifier along with describing the location you're Seeking, and I'll make a secret roll. Remember that the ghost will still be Hidden (DC 11 flat check to target) if successfully sought - and that other party members will need it Pointed Out to benefit.
A sudden storm rises - tiny objects on the ground: silverware and dinner plates set outside the guest rooms, rocks and bits of wood - and begin zipping about, as invisible forces moves them around the room, striking everyone. Including Settie, sorry Corona.
Telekinetic Storm, no MAP:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 vs Corona off-guard
1 Bludgeoning, 2 Piercing, 3 Slashing:1d3 ⇒ 3 Damage:2d12 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7 Miss
Telekinetic Storm, no MAP:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 vs Settie off-guard
1 Bludgeoning, 2 Piercing, 3 Slashing:1d3 ⇒ 1 Damage:2d12 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9 Hit
Everyone is up, but given the nature of Seek on PbP, please help speed things up by including a set of actions if the ghost is observed, and a set of actions if the ghost is unobserved. I will generally resolve things in posting order, but if your character would only Seek as a last resort, please mention that you'd Delay to see if anyone else finds it first.
--Round 2
Corona (38/38, normal vision) / Settie (6/15)
Fingo (20/44, normal vision, bless 5')
The Carnelian Signet (22/38, light source, incendiary aura 10') Yellow Broom (-14 hp) Green Broom (-28 hp) Blue Armor (-23 hp) Purple Armor (-23 hp)
--Round 3
Hancock (60/70, darkvision, immune to Frighten)
Kidron (39/60, low light vision)
Cal (52/52, light source)
Red Ghost (-0 hp, unobserved to all)
”Fingo Canvas” | Male NG Human Cleric 4 | HP 44/44 | AC 20 | F +9 R +6 W +10 | Perc +8 | Default Exploration (Detect Magic) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
Fingo grabs the rose pendant at his neck.
Shelyn, bring this poor soul peace, and my friends some relief.
A burst of positive energy then spreads from the young man.
◆◆◆ Heal 2nd level; Healing for all allies, DC18 Fort save for ghost if in 30ft burst
Hancock, I will re-roll your Perception. Seek has to be a secret check - it is intentional that the players don't know whether they're searching in the wrong area, or whether they rolled low.
GM Screen:
Hancock Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Hancock doesn't spot any signs of the ghost.
Carnelian Signet, I will Delay until others have acted, to maximize the chances you get to use your Observed actions.
Fingo casts a spell, and a wave of positive energy washes over the group.
Fortitude:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 vs DC 18
--Round 2
Corona (38/38, normal vision) / Settie (6/15)
Fingo (26/44, normal vision, bless 5')
The Carnelian Signet (28/38, light source, incendiary aura 10') actions set Yellow Broom (-14 hp)
Green Broom (-28 hp)
Blue Armor (-23 hp)
Purple Armor (-23 hp)
--Round 3
Hancock (70/70, temp 0/7, darkvision, immune to Frighten) 2 actions Kidron (45/60, low light vision)
Cal (52/52, light source)
Red Ghost (-6 hp, unobserved to all)
Hancock, what are your actions if nobody can spot it?
Everyone, just as a friendly hint from the GM, its a naturally invisible creature and its Stealth DC is very high, so there's a very real possibility nobody spots it at all, much less on their first try. Please post conditional actions on what to do if your Seek fails, or what happens if nobody else can find it.
--Round 2
Corona (38/38, normal vision) / Settie (6/15)
Fingo (26/44, normal vision, bless 5')
The Carnelian Signet (28/38, light source, incendiary aura 10') actions set Yellow Broom (-14 hp)
Green Broom (-28 hp)
Blue Armor (-23 hp)
Purple Armor (-23 hp)
--Round 3
Hancock (70/70, temp 0/7, darkvision, immune to Frighten) actions set Kidron (45/60, low light vision)
Cal (52/52, light source) 2 actions
Red Ghost (-6 hp, unobserved to all)
”Fingo Canvas” | Male NG Human Cleric 4 | HP 44/44 | AC 20 | F +9 R +6 W +10 | Perc +8 | Default Exploration (Detect Magic) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
Retcon...
Fingo ◆Extends his Bless aura and ◆Cast Shield. He then swears under his breath, remembering that scroll he put away in his coat's back pocket two months ago. He sheepishly ◆Draws the scroll.
Neither Hancock nor Kidron spot the invisible creature.
Okay, I'm botting a third Seek for Hancock and a second for Kidron, both in the same places as their first check (presumably the place they thought it most likely to be).
Hancock and Kidron still don't see the creature. Kidron moves 10' north, now covering the entire party with his champion's reaction, even though it is unlikely to be triggered, Seeking a third time with nobody to act behind him is pointless.
The Carnelian Signet unleashes a wave of positive energy. Going to use the Fortitude save from Fingo's casting, above. This means I only have to add a hit point to a few PCs instead of having to redo the whole tracker.
The massive swirl of objects continues to swirl! Not going to roll for damage type since I don't think it matters.
Alter Ego | Spell DC 19 | Spells -/2/1 | Curse: Minor| ♥️ 38 | AC 19 | Saves 7/9/7 | Perception +5 | PFS ID: 133608-2005 | CG Female Human Oracle of Flames 3 | Focus Points 2/2 | ☘️ 0 | ◆◇◈↺ |
"Thank you, Fingo. Corona, do take care of your friend, there." She can barely see Settie, torn up and battered.
Corona conjures a ball of flame in her hands and hurls it in the ghost's direction.
DC 11 Flat check:1d20 ⇒ 14 Produce Flame, Spell Attack:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
"Are you certain it's there?" The Carnelian Signet shrugs. "Well, in that case:" The Carnelian Signet does a flourish, snapping her whip to and fro while spinning in place before she simply glares at the thing.
DC 11 Flat check:1d20 ⇒ 7
...or she would glare at it if she could see it.
◆◆ Cast Produce Flame, miss the ghost's AC ◆ Intimidating Glare, miss due to Flat Check ◇ Incendiary Aura, 10 ft
Has Fingo pointed it out yet? Last I remember he just pulled his scroll. Or are you just anticipating he spots the creature? Or is it now visible? A bit confused about whether Hancock can attack or not.
