"Well, the rest of us were thrown down here because we had a senator aide badge each. Do you happen to have one?" she tilts her head to the side before continuing. "I can't imagine a 'humble servant' would be given one, so did you acquire one through less than honorable means?"
Imistos produces a genuine senate aide badge to show you. ”Oh this? This is what brought me down here? I found it on the floor of the gallery. I had intended to search for its owner but I didn’t get a chance before the massacre began. I assure you that I am an honorable man. I wasn’t going to keep it.”
Did any of the other servants have costume weapons like this one?
"Although, perhaps they can wait until I've found a way to protect them in transit."
Imistos says, ”I can carry it for you. Those glasses look fragile. If you need to fight again, you could break them. But I’m not a fighter. I can keep them safe.”
Once the matter of loot is resolved, Henrika unlocks the next door and opens it.
Pristine glass display cases stand along the walls and in the center of this immense rectangular display room. The area is more than sixty feet wide and forty feet long, with the outer walls covered in glass displays of armor, save near the two northern doors and along the southern wall. Two rusted and decayed suits of armor stand separate, protected in glass cases. Tarnished and discolored weaponry fills the cases in the center of the room. Circles of various sizes have been scratched into the glass and drawn on the walls with chalk and paint.
Not seeing any immediate threats in the room, the nobles become interested in the items on display and start looking around. The weapons and armor stored here hail from a dozen different historical eras, and have been labeled with faded and crumbling tags tied to each with twine.
Most of the armor and weaponry here is rusted and neglected. Using detect magic you detect a magical handaxe and heavy steel shield under two separate glass cases. In another case, you see an alchemical lab. The display claims it belonged to a famed natural philosopher Dumos Fatomax. A handful of potions in the same case radiate magic, indicating that they may still have some potency.
Sir Plastion points to one obvious case that holds a finely crafted light crossbow whose brass fittings still glint like new. A simple brass plaque inside the case labels it. ”Look at this. The plaque here says this crossbow is Dignity’s Barb. But I thought that artifact was on display in the Arcade of Triumphs.”
Lord Botoles says, ”You fool. Everyone knows that thing is a fake.” He walks over to where Sir Plastion is and looks closer into the case. ”Could it be that this is the real thing?”
The crossbow radiates strong divination magic.
When first meeting the various nobles and survivors, Xallis does his best to be polite and cordial. "Xallis of House Livara, and it will be an honor seeing you all to safety." Better to give them some some polite familiarity to settle the nerves. That, and associate his house's name with their rescue as soon as possible.
Navia smiles when she sees Malphene Trant again, but the expression dulls when she sees the defeated state of her former opponent. This is a terrible time to exchange playful barbs, much to the eidolon's disappointment, so she shifts her focus back to exploration for the time being.
Later, when examining the multiple glass cases in the display room, Xallis takes a particular interest in the symbols drawn in scratches and paint. He'll give them a closer examination, following the lines and seeing if it reminds him of anything from his studies at home or abroad wit the Pathfinder Society.
Meanwhile, Navia busies herself with one of the doors leading deeper into the underground complex, listening for signs of movement or panicked survivors. She also sniffs the are around the doors, trying to pick up the scent of any unfamiliar creatures or familiar aromas from the party.
With a +9 to Diplomacy, Xallis couldn't fail the Aid if he tried. He'll offer some gentle words of comfort to fill any pauses in that dialogue.
Later, when examining the multiple glass cases in the display room, Xallis takes a particular interest in the symbols drawn in scratches and paint. He'll give them a closer examination, following the lines and seeing if it reminds him of anything from his studies at home or abroad wit the Pathfinder Society.
Knowledge Arcana (or Spellcraft?): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Meanwhile, Navia busies herself with one of the doors leading deeper into the underground complex, listening for signs of movement or panicked survivors. She also sniffs the are around the doors, trying to pick up the scent of any unfamiliar creatures or familiar aromas from the party.
Navia's Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Tychus takes an obvious interest in Dignity's Barb. The rest of the room seem to fade into nothingness as he intently observes the magic weapon.
Tychus picks up the weapon. Unlike most magic items, the relic immediately imparts Tychus with the knowledge of its abilities.
Before Tychus gets the chance to fully appreciate the item, the two rusted suits of armor suddenly animate and smash out of the glass cases they were displayed in. The obviously hollow suits of full plate turn in Tychus' direction. Armed with longswords, their intent is obvious. At the sight of the monsters' appearance, the nobles all scream in panic and rush for the shadows in the corners to hide. Except of Dame Trant, who draws her longsword to assist you.
Round 1
Initiative
21 - Liraela
18 - Phantom Armor (Red)
18 - Phantom Armor (Blue)
16 - Trevor
14 - Henrika
14 - Malphene Trant
08 - Icabhod (18/19 hp)
06 - Tychus
05 - Xallis
05 - Navia (Mage Armor [150 min])
•A guardian phantom armor’s type is undead.
•Created from blood-spattered armor infused with the souls of betrayed knights or fallen soldiers, phantom armors appear as suits of damaged but animate armor that move with deadly purpose and lethal precision.
•Guardian phantom armors understand Common but can’t speak.
•Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
•Immunity to bleed, death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
•Not subject to nonlethal damage, ability drain, or energy drain. Immune to damage to its physical ability scores (Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength), as well as to exhaustion and fatigue effects.
•Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless).
Liraela goes first.
As the armor breaks forth from the glass cases, Trevor's formal religious educations comes to the fore.
"Those look like Guardian Phantoms! Suits of armor haunted by their last owners!"
”Aw come on, you can’t leave the case unlocked and then leave guardians. At least make it obvious it’s guarded, that’s just not fair!” Lir calls out before taking a step towards the closest and taking a swing with her dagger.
Lir is distracted by her good humor, and misses the stationary target.
Should be flat-footed so added sneak attack if they’re vulnerable to it. I am on mobile, so can’t move her token, but she takes a five foot step towards Blue and attacks.
The armor does not even take notice of Liraela since her weapon completely misses.
The phantom armor wordlessly steps towards Tychus. The creaking of its rusty joints is the only sound it makes. Then it raises its longsword high and slashes it downward, shattering through the fragile glass display and cutting into Tychus.
The second armor, also seems intent of moving towards Tychus but too many other opponents stand in its way. As such, it steps forward and attacks the closest threat, which happens to be Icabhod. But the rusted joint in its arm locks and its attack stops mid-swing.
Round 1
Initiative
21 - Liraela
18 - Phantom Armor (Red)
18 - Phantom Armor (Blue)
16 - Trevor
14 - Henrika
14 - Malphene Trant
08 - Icabhod (18/19 hp)
06 - Tychus (13/19 hp)
05 - Xallis
05 - Navia (Mage Armor [150 min])
Round 2
Initiative
21 - Liraela
Everyone is up.
Round 1
"Alright boys! Stopping getting grabby with the ladies!" Trevor barks as he holds his holy symbol aloft.
+ FCB = 4
Henrika steps around the northernmost guardian and swings her sword.
She hefts the sword a bit distractedly, weighing it in her hand and nodding with satisfaction as if pleased she gave this antique weapon a try.
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 3 + FCB = 4
Cayden Cailean's energy floods the room. The (blue) armor takes the brunt of the energy and begins to fall to pieces; its helmet and gauntlet clang to the ground. The other armor (red) shudders but resists some of the effect.
Henrika cleaves through the (red) armor. The suit of armor explodes into a dozen pieces.
Malphene Trant circles around the outside of the room to get closer to the remaining armor.
Round 1
Initiative
21 - Liraela
18 - Phantom Armor (Blue) (4 damage)
16 - Trevor
14 - Henrika
14 - Malphene Trant
08 – Icabhod (18/19 hp)
06 – Tychus (13/19 hp)
05 – Xallis
05 – Navia (Mage Armor [150 min])
Round 2
Initiative
21 – Liraela
Icabhod, Tychus, Xallis, and Liraela’s turns.
With a growl of pain, Tychus whips around and does a little hop away from the new foe, blood dripping from the fresh wound. He glares at the armour and reaches for his crossbow before stopping mid way. He was already holding one, Dignity's Barb.
"By Abadar's Coinpurse, this gift will not go unheeded."
He cranks open the new crossbow, confidently slams in a bolt and takes a shot at the ominous armour.
Tychus takes a step back and with a single shot, blows a hole in the breastplate. The armor wobbles then collapses in a heap.
Lady Urbaen screams, "This whole place is haunted! We're not going to make it out of here, are we?"
With the threat neutralized, you can resume searching the room.
The alchemical lab you found is a portable alchemist's lab. The five potions left with it are labeled albeit faded with age. There are four potions of cure light wounds, and a potion of bull's strength.
Of the two magic items, you identify the handaxe as a +1 handaxe. The shield you'll need to identify again later.
The armor and swords of the phanton armors are too badly damaged to be used.
There are two doors exiting the room to the north. Navia had already listened at them. After the fight, they are still silent.
You look rather bloody Tychus, have one of the healing potions.
Lady Urbaen screams, "This whole place is haunted! We're not going to make it out of here, are we?"
Trevor approaches the stricken noblewoman, unhooking his silver tankard from his belt. The cleric cast the caydenite create water in his tankard, then offers it to the lady of court.
"Lady Urbaen. Please. Drink this. For Courage." Trevor says in a soothing manner.
You look rather bloody Tychus, have one of the healing potions.
"Lady Urbaen. Please. Drink this. For Courage." Trevor says in a soothing manner. Diplomacy (Charming): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Lady Urbaen accepts Trevor's offering and drinks it hastily. "My thanks. You are a gentleman." She calms slightly but is still fearful.
You look rather bloody Tychus, have one of the healing potions.
Nursing his new wound, he accepts Icabhod's offer with a grateful grunt. As blood starts to drip onto the floor, Tychus unstoppers the potion with his teeth and downs the liquid.
"Many thanks, friend. The wound still smarts a bit, but I'll see the day through."
Now that things have quieted down a bit, Tychus takes more time looking over his new find.
"I might be so bold as to say, Abadar has surely put this in my path for a reason. It's of excellent make, and I feel some sort of hidden power lies within it."
He cranks open the crossbow as far as he can, seemingly testing it's tensile strength. He imitates aiming at several objects in the room before appearing satisfied with the new find.
"This. I like this!" he says out loud to no one in particular. "It'll certainly do once I've had time to make a few choice modifications."
"Guess the guardians weren't as impressive as they thought, huh?" Lir says, dropping her hand down to her side but not sheathing the dagger.
She doesn't give any attention to the group of nobles following them, instead moving towards the western wall.
"Which way then? I'm not great at picking doors, so I'm down for whichever one we decide on."
Xallis and Navia pivot their heads to see the suits of armor come to life. Navia drops into a feral crouch and Xallis raises his crossbow, and...
And they watch as their opponents fall into a rusted heap after a flurry of violence tears them down.
"Well then."
"Which way then? I'm not great at picking doors, so I'm down for whichever one we decide on."
Navia goes back to the door she was examining, pushing the door open. "Ohhh. I've been working on that. Maybe I should grow longer fingers. Or keener eyes. Or extra eyes. Or extra hands?"
"Ohhh. I've been working on that. Maybe I should grow longer fingers. Or keener eyes. Or extra eyes. Or extra hands?"
Liraela looks over at the eidolon with surprise and newfound admiration.
”You can do all of that? Where did you find such an interesting lady, Xallis?” she says playfully, laughing. Maybe the panicking nobles would appreciate a bit of humor every now and then.
Navia opens the right-side door.
Lines of shelves run from north to south in this square room. Glass windows—some with handles and others bearing locks—cover the front of the shelves. Dozens of objects line the shelves, resting on satin pillows behind the protective glass covers. A door exits from each of the four walls.
The survivors learned their lesson from the last room and don't enter unless you give an all clear.
You estimate that there is about 400 to 600 gp worth of valuables in this room.
Only a single item radiates magic, a silver raven figurine. It gives off an aura of faint transmutation.
The cleric watches the items in the cases for movement. Trevor doesn't want to be surprised by haunted items again, cursing himself with no way to detect undead.
”You can do all of that? Where did you find such an interesting lady, Xallis?” she says playfully, laughing. Maybe the panicking nobles would appreciate a bit of humor every now and then.
"It's... a little complicated. In fact, understanding Navia's plane of origin is a mystery I'm attempting to resolve. Xallis muses while attempting to identify the item.
Navia smirks. "It's sort of like being a water elemental on the plane of water. You're made of water, everything else is made of water, and your water is swirling around all the other water, but there's still something that's you in there." The eidolon pinches her own arm, tugging at the skin. "Except it's all meat."
Seeing nothing else of immediate interest, Navia investigates the door to the south. Assuming there are no signs of immediate danger, she swings it wide open.
Other than the silver raven, is there anything else in the room that draws Trevor's attention?
Xallis muses while attempting to identify the item.
In order to identify the object, Xallis would need to handle it. As he goes to open the glass case, Liraela grabs his hand to stop him. "Wait. That case is trapped."
Liraela discovers wiring that runs from the glass case down to the floor and then up and down each of the rows. Opening the case would have triggered an electrical jolt to shock everyone in the room.
Liraela deftly snips the wire and signals to Xallis that it is clear to open the case now.
You collect the treasure in the room. Unfortunately, Xallis needs more time to identify the raven figurine.
Seeing nothing else of immediate interest, Navia investigates the door to the south. Assuming there are no signs of immediate danger, she swings it wide open.
Navia can tell that door connects to the same room as the left door from the previous room. She senses the same as before: no sound and a faint scent of wax. She opens the door.
This rectangular room appears to host a celebration frozen in time. Gaudy nobles crowd the corners of this room, all of which are dressed in ostentatious and pretentious fashions. Tremendous wigs soar toward the ceiling, each covered in thick layers of dust. A larger gaggle fills the center of the chamber, each aristocrat presenting a jovial or mocking leer as it stares out blankly. One of the figures is sprawled on the floor; overlapping circles cut into its waxen chest and face.
Your light source causes the mannequins to cast long dancing shadows along the walls.
You identify 450 gold worth of jewelry among the various wax figures. One of the less sizable wigs detects as magic (faint illusion).
Trevor notices the unique position and condition of the wax mannequin in the center.
The cleric carefully approaches to see if the butchered wax figure has any historical significance.
Unfortunately, Xallis needs more time to identify the raven figurine.
"Give it here, chief. Let me take a gander at it."
"Are you sure this is magical? Kinda looks like a piece of junk to me..."
Tychus enters the mannequin room and halts near the entrance, swiveling his head from side to side. He repeats the same motions, but this time with a hint of Detect Magic.
"Well this is... fun? Disturbing? I don't know words well enough to describe this place." He shakes his head in derision.
Tychus heads over to the wig that gave off a magical aura.
"Let's see here..."
Trevor notices the unique position and condition of the wax mannequin in the center.
The cleric carefully approaches to see if the butchered wax figure has any historical significance.
The mannequins wear a haphazard variety of fashions from varying points in the empire's history. The mannequins themselves lack any defining features to represent any specific nobles. The carved figure does not appear to have any more significance than any of the others.
Tychus inspects the magical wig but can't tell anything about it.
Tychus hands the wig over to the other two capable of identifying the item. Xallis successfully identifies the wig as a Wig of Disguise.
"What a strange display to put up in a safe house. These nobles sure were quite unique figures, I'm sure." she doesn't look at all interested in the mannequins or their dress until Xallis reveals what the wig actually is.
"Oh my, now that is an exquisite piece of equipment. Could be quite useful in...certain situations." she says, her serpentine eyes glowing with interest. "May I?"
Boy! Identifying magical items are NOT Trevor's forte. :(
Henrika gravitates to their new noble hangers-on while the others explore the new rooms (and protect them all from electrical shocks). "Do not worry," she says with a smirk and a wave. "We've got this. I'm sure we'll figure out where we are and how to get out of here soon. In the meanwhile, to pass the time, won't you tell us more about yourselves?"
She looks at Lady Urbaen, and tries to think of some bit of trivia about her family to use to get her talking.
Lady Urbaen seems to appreciate the small talk. "Well the Urbaen's hold a small stretch of land a short ride from Zimar. We primarily raise horses and other livestock. I came to the Exaltation Gala at the invitation of High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus, which I thought was odd because I thought he disliked me. Regardless, I wasn't going to turn down the opportunity. Sir Plastion is a knight on our estate."
She whispers in Henrika's ear. "Although he is clearly a knight in name only. Lady Trant is more of a man than he is."
"Lord Botoles is my neighbor and oversees vineyards on his land."
Henrika doesn't recall much because House Urbaen must be very small and trivial. But she does seem to remember hearing that Urbaen horses are of inferior stock and not suitable for the Taldan cavalry.
Henrika thinks. "It is strange that the High Strategos left the gala before the Emperor's entrance. I had been speaking with him at the banquet and was disappointed to miss one of his angry tirades." She nods enthusiastically at the mention of her estate's exports. "I have heard tell of your horses particularly," she says, trying to hide her lip from curling slightly. She tries to think of a purpose that inferior animals would serve rather than as glue or meat. "They are performing animals, is that right?" She shrugs. "I myself am not much of a horseman. Do you ride, madam?"
"They are performing animals, is that right?" She shrugs. "I myself am not much of a horseman. Do you ride, madam?"
"For the most part, they end up as carriage horses. And I do ride. I have a white horse I ride at home called Princess."
"After we escape from this maze, you must give us a demonstration." she says warmly. "I look forward to the opportunity of seeing your seat in action." She inadvertently emphasizes the word seat and causes herself some slight embarrassment, which she tries to cover with a frown to keep from blushing.
Henrika's witticisms fail to meet Trevor's hearing; the cleric too involved in ghost watch to notice.
Rather interesting wig. I reckon it would be good for infiltrating if one was skilled at convincing others that they were someone else.
"I'm obviously not good at pretending to be others without a kit to help hide my more...exotic features, but I'm quite good with words and would likely find good use out of the wig's capabilities."
"This room is really creeping me out. Can we go somewhere else?" says Lady Urbaen.
Anyone have an issue with Lir keeping the wig for now?
Nothing seems to be attacking you, so you can continue on.
Both of the two rooms you just explored had doors exiting north. Or the wax figure room also has a door to the west. And the room with the glass cases had another door to the east.
"Oh my, now that is an exquisite piece of equipment. Could be quite useful in...certain situations." she says, her serpentine eyes glowing with interest. "May I?"
"It's all yours. I don't really have the skills to make any use of it."
Nothing seems to be attacking you, so you can continue on.
Both of the two rooms you just explored had doors exiting north. Or the wax figure room also has a door to the west. And the room with the glass cases had another door to the east.
"I wonder what's behind door number 4..."
Tychus will approach the western door, give it a quick glance to make sure it isn't trapped.
Tychus does not notice anything dangerous and opens the door.
Intricate banners hang motionless against a wooden pillar in the center of this room. Wooden racks line the south and west walls, each bearing up a unique banner of its own. Two additional banner racks lie on the floor in the northeastern corner of the room, their flags pulled away and inked with dozens of circles. Another door to the north exits this room.
Curious, Henrika looks at the banners.
Her expression dismisses them as representing lesser Houses and families without much of interest. Then, she glances at the circles and furrows her brow.
The circles are meaningless, but the notations show that the creator is talented with mathmatics.
Trevor looks through the various banners, hoping to find House Kastner represented, but to no avail.
"Clearly someone, or something, has been down here making these odd circles. I have obviously no idea what they mean. You think they are meaningless, Icabhod? Hmmm... Probably so. But whoever it is might still be down here. And they REALLY like circles."
Tychus is ultimately uninterested in the banners.
Is the ink for the circles fresh by any chance?
The ink is not fresh. It's hard to tell exactly how old. It's newer than the banners, obviously, but the circles still could have been drawn decades if not centuries ago.
Once the nobles have join the coterie in the banner room, seeing hoiw well it work with Lady Urbaen, Trevor casts his caydenite create water in his silver tankard. The cleric then passes the tankard around the frightened nobles to drink. "I can make more, Lords and Ladies. For courage. And for Cayden."