[GD13] PF2e - 04-07: A Most Wondrous Exchange (P2)

Game Master UncleFroggy

Tesyovensku is slightly startled by Hornbori's proclamation, maybe also because the dwarf went nose-to-nose with them. "Aah, well, seeing that you put it that way, I guess I will have to tell the Gladiator that the abysium is not available then. Let me get the paperwork and we will conclude the sale. "

About half an hour later, you walk out of their shop with the abysium and head back to the Grand Bazaar. Tesyovensku also happened to throw in a pair of arrows of Spellstrike Ammunition II as a parting gift.

Biglock is impressed with your first accomplishment. "Well done! Now that you're all warmed up, let's see if you're up to the next task."

Biglock gestures to Mr Glovely, who presents you with a small, lap-sized hand loom, setting it on the table before you. A handwritten note is affixed to its frame, reading, "Only a master storyteller may hear my tale."

"Now, this one’s a real beauty," Biglock says, as Mr. Glovely gestures over the darkwood loom to show it off. "You don’t see these around too often anymore. It’s called a taleweaver! They’re ancient storytelling devices once popular in the Mwangi Expanse, especially among followers of Grandmother Spider. They’ve mostly fallen out of use, and knowledge of them is obscure nowadays. I was tempted to play around with it myself when I was in that vault, but none my forms have fingers, and Mr. Glovely wasn’t willing to experiment!"

The gloves make an impatient motion, and Biglock chuckles. "Each individual taleweaver holds a story," he continues, "which plays out as an illusion around the weaver The neat thing is, the weaver doesn’t need to know the story in advance; the threads move of their own accord. When the story ends, the threads unwind and coil back into the frame, ready for the next retelling. Now, this loom is old. The Society’s analysis indicates it dates back to the time of Old- Mage Jatembe, so they’re curious about its story. Fortunately, there’s a storytelling expert in the Grand Bazaar. Zarta wants you to head to Relics & Remembrance to see if its proprietor can figure this loom out."

"I recommend you seek out Khisa of the Relics & Remembrance, as she specializes in collecting stories. This item may help you." Zarta says, handing you a Greater Persona Mask.

The interior of this stucco-and-wood building is crammed with bookshelves, creating a veritable maze through the shop’s rooms. The high ceiling would feel cavernous, were it not for the shelves stretching almost tall enough to brush it. Each shelf is full of leather-bound books interspersed with items of all sorts; beneath each item is a scroll telling of its origin and significance. To the right of the front door, several tables and comfortable chairs are arranged to form a small tea nook, and the scent of jasmine and rooibos wafts through the shop.

Khisa welcomes you to her shop when they enter; she’s a warm and friendly person with a passion for the art of storytelling.

"Well met! How may I assist you today?"

"We.." starts Khaul.

The shield jerks impatiently up and down on his arm, urging the dwarf to silence.

"We.." she takes up again. "Heard that you were a magnificent teller of tales. And we have with us an ancient tale telling device. And we, were hoping that you might be able to use it to reveal its tale."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

The ifrit prefers to wait for the answer of the tales-teller stroking his fiery leopard during this time.

Nal chuckles as she holds up the Greater Persona Mask. "The shield tells it like it is. It would be an honor if you would agree to help us. We were given this magical item to help with the story telling."

Diplomacy, messenger's ring: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31

Oops. Forgot to post this before you arrived to the shop. That's what happens when I post at 1 am...

Khisa's eyes widen in fascination at the sight of the taleweaver. "A taleweaver!" she breathes, "I haven't seen one of those in ages! But where are my manners? Have a seat! Tea and biscuits? These I get from a small town in Tian Xia. Every month or so a colleague brings me these delightful treats when he visits. The tea is also from there. It's a soothing brew." She smiles impishly at you. "You know I love a good story as well. How about you each tell me a brief tale before we get down to business."

To tell Khisa a story:
DC 20 Diplomacy/Performance
DC 17 Lore (Make it fit)
+1 bonus if you tell a tale appealing to Khisa’s strong sense of justice, or about protecting objects from being stolen from your homelands

oh, btw, I would assume Zarta would get the magic items back after you come back from your task. Since you do get items for each mission... You probably don't have the messenger's ring anymore... :)

Taken out of context, 'the shield tells it like it is' sounds really strange! :)

Seemingly having relegated Khaul to mere shield arm, Myrsa is more than happy to tell her sad tale.

"My beloved and grew up in the far north..." she starts. It turns out that even though she was a shieldmaiden and a strong women in her own right, her father thought her choice of spouse was beneath her. "So we took Quest to slay a mighty Linnorm to prove his worth and our love for each other." she continues.

"Eventually we came upon the foul beast, resting after devouring an entire village of my people. Stealthily we crept upon it. Our threefold aim to make it pay for its rampage, to protect the other villages in the area, and to prove to my father that my beloved was worthy of me."

Steam from the tea-pot condenses on the shield, for surely there is no other explanation for the sudden dampness upon her face. "While the wyrm fell - thought mighty was the battle, for even taken asleep they are powerful and fell creatures. But its dying curse rift us both of our lives."

The shield seems to shrug "Eventually I awoke again, not in my own body but bound to this shield. So here I remain, Myrsa Evershield, watchful and vigilant."

linnorm lore? Justice?: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12

Henri shares his experience with cataloging items inside the Society Vaults.

"We did not expect to find an animated chest and glove there. We even made friends with them after we encountered a certain hag that was trying to find an item among the ones we were cataloging. Those mimics helped us how to defeat it." he tells her, making sure the details are not scary, but also not too boring.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Myrsa, do you want to Hero Point that Nat 1?

Ahh yes, my rolling has not improved.

The shield glows with holy light for a moment, emphasizing the justice of her last mission.

lin lor, justice.: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20

Retcon:

On the way, Nal shares that Khisa of Relics & Remembrance is always on the lookout for relics stolen from their homelands in southern Garund, as she wishes to return them to their rightful homes.

And now back to our regular programming:

Who wants to wear the Greater Persona Mask for this one?

Nal grows somberly pensive. "There once was a little girl who didn't know better. She picked pockets, sneaked into homes, stole things, and was generally a suspicious character. Her mother, try as she might, never managed to control her. The little girl grew and became notorious. People clutched their valuables whenever they saw her, and hid them in secret places in their homes so she wouldn't find them. She became adept at finding those secret places, and nothing was safe."

"One day, a trap was laid for her. The high-ranking official who owned the house she was burgling caught her in the act and had security officers ready to grab her. They taunted her: 'You'll never taste freedom again!' She writhed, slipping from their grasp, and fled the territory."

"After some time of being a transient thief on the road, and finding herself on the receiving end of such treatment more than once, she finally began to question whether this was the best path for her. A chance meeting with someone who knew of an organization that could use someone with her skills, but with very different goals, piqued her interest. To explore with trustworthy allies and share that information with the world? The idea grew on her as she traveled, and eventually she found herself at the front steps of a Grand Lodge. It was a new beginning, and she was truly happy."

Diplomacy DC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Khisa listens intently, grinning at Henri's description of finding a mimic in the Society's Vaults. Her eyes betray her excitement as Myrsa describes how she came to be. She nods knowingly at Nal's tale, recognizing it as her life's story.

"Wonderful!" she breathes, smiling. "You certainly made this time well spent. Now, to business." Khisa takes up the taleweaver and begins examining it. She frowns, "Hmm. Its aura is unusual, but I know not why. We better step outside to see the illusions’ full effects without the background of my shop’s clutter."

Once outside, Khisa begins to weave, her fingers flying over the loom as the shimmering image of a tall Mwangi man in scholarly robes appears behind her. "Long ago," she says, her voice echoing strangely, "there lived a mage of the Magaambya, Awani of the Tempest." The illusionary man points a staff to the sky, and storm clouds gather over his head. "Awani was talented; it seemed that every month, he created a new spell or relic. He built the first taleweaver, which held a power that none has since: the power to make illusion into reality. But as his power to hold the strings of others’ fates grew, Awani became arrogant and selfish."

"Awani began to use his power for selfish ends, hindering or even eliminating his academic rivals and those who offended him by using his taleweaver to craft terrible fates for them." The illusions created by the taleweaver reenact them around her. "Eventually, the taleweaver itself became corrupted from the mage’s greed, and when Awani next tried to call forth creatures to do his bidding, he lost control of the summons and they turned on him instead."

Khisa concludes the tale. Suddenly, a snarl echoes nearby as the illusions of the creatures Awani summoned become reality. Khisa yelps in fright. "Everyone! Run for cover! Go!" The creatures don't appear friendly...

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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Henri Hart - AC 22 (23 w/shield) 58/58
Green
Hornbori - AC 26 108/108
Pink
Khaul - AC 26 (28 w/shield; Myrsa: Hardness 13; 120/120) 115/115 (AC 28);
Yellow
Nal Bagura - AC 22 68/68
Drilwenas - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 78/78; Catlyn AC 20 39/39
White
Anabelle - AC 23 71/71; Galieo AC 22 66/66
Red

Henri casts Bless around him and raises shield.

◆◆ Bless (15 ft emanation of +1 to attack rolls)
◆ Shield

Green points to the party and a small bead of flame flies at you. It detonates in a roaring blast of fire.

Fireball; DC 21 Basic Reflex: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) = 21

Green then moves up.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Bless (15'; +1 to attack rolls)

Before your Turn:
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 21 Fire Damage: Everyone
------------------
Those with ** may go

Henri Hart - AC 22 (23 w/shield) 58/58 (AC 23; Bless 15')
Green
**Hornbori - AC 26 108/108
Pink
Khaul - AC 26 (28 w/shield; Myrsa: Hardness 13; 120/120) 115/115 (AC 28);
Yellow
Nal Bagura - AC 22 68/68
Drilwenas - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 78/78; Catlyn AC 20 39/39
White
Anabelle - AC 23 71/71; Galieo AC 22 66/66
Red

DC 21 Basic Reflex vs. 21 fire damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Success with Evasion = 10 damage

Reaction: Call on Ancient Blood (+1 saves vs. magic)
DC 21 Reflex: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 1 = 21 Success, and by exactly the margin needed!

"Aha! A polite enemy that comes to us! Very considerate. Now when they are dead I shall not be tired!

Combat Grab: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27
Damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 3) + 9 = 17 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1 vs. undead

Assuming that's a success, the target is automatically grabbed until the start of my next turn.

Regular Strike, 2nd: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 7) + 9 = 23 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1 vs. undead

Regular Strike, 3rd: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 3) + 9 = 19 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1 vs. undead

DC 21 basic Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 vs Fireball

Henri calmly scoots to the side to evade the fire launched toward them.

Henri casually avoids the fireball entirely while Hornbori and Nal avoid the worst of the flames. Hornbori gleefully clobbers Green while grabbing it.

Hornbori, what kind of damage are you doing?

Pink enters the fray by doing the same thing to soften you all up... before clip-clopping closer.

Fireball; DC 21 Basic Reflex: 6d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 5, 3, 6, 6) = 22

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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Bless (15'; +1 to attack rolls)

Before your Turn:
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 21 Fire Damage (Fireball from Green): Khaul, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 22 Fire Damage (Fireball from Pink): Khaul, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo, Nal, Henri
------------------
Those with ** may go

Henri Hart - AC 22 (23 w/shield) 58/58 (AC 23; Bless 15')
Green (-59; Grabbed; Immobilized; OG)
Hornbori - AC 26 98/108
Pink
**Khaul - AC 26 (28 w/shield; Myrsa: Hardness 13; 120/120) 115/115 (AC 28);
Yellow
Nal Bagura - AC 22 58/68
Drilwenas - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 78/78; Catlyn AC 20 39/39
White
Anabelle - AC 23 71/71; Galieo AC 22 66/66
Red

ref #1 vs green DC21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
ref #2 vs pink DC21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
"It's like I'm back at the Forge. Me Beard!" cries Khaul as he is engulfed in flames. But the flames seem to burn less hot after a moment, turning golden and seeming to actually heal the chamption.

Keeping Myrsa up, "Can yer see through the smoke Lassie?" he slams his warhammer into the green foe in front of him.

strike,bless: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 1 = 28
damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 1) + 4 = 12

* raise shield
* lay on hands (heal 18)
* strike

Khaul, your first roll vs Green is a crit fail. Do you want to HP that?

Khaul heals himself, raises Myrsa and gleefully bonks Green.

Yellow opens the battle in the same way. It hurls a third fireball and rushes into battle.

Fireball; DC 21 Basic Reflex: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 6, 4, 3) = 22

You also notice that the other two creatures are unaffected by the flames...

I didn't subtract the damage from Khaul's first reflex save yet pending his decision to HP the crit fail

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Bless (15'; +1 to attack rolls)

Before your Turn:
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 21 Fire Damage (Fireball from Green): Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 22 Fire Damage (Fireball from Pink): Hornbori, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo, Nal, Henri
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 22 Fire Damage (Fireball from Yellow): Khaul, Hornbori, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo, Nal, Henri
------------------
Those with ** may go

Henri Hart - AC 22 (23 w/shield) 58/58 (AC 23; Bless 15')
Green (-71; Grabbed; Immobilized; OG)
Hornbori - AC 26 98/108
Pink
Khaul - AC 26 (28 w/shield; Myrsa: Hardness 13; 120/120) 111/115 (AC 28);
Yellow
**Nal Bagura - AC 22 58/68
**Drilwenas - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 78/78; Catlyn AC 20 39/39
White
Anabelle - AC 23 71/71; Galieo AC 22 66/66
Red

DC 21 basic Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 vs Fireball (fr Pink) (Fail, 22 F damage)
Hero Point! DC 21 basic Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 vs Fireball (fr Pink) (Success, 11 F damage)

DC 21 basic Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 vs Fireball (fr Yellow) (Success, 11 F damage)

"They are trying to burn us to crisp!"

Yep. That's kind of the point!

Henri manages to avoid the worst of the damage...

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Bless (15'; +1 to attack rolls)

Before your Turn:
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 21 Fire Damage (Fireball from Green): Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 22 Fire Damage (Fireball from Pink): Hornbori, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo, Nal
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 22 Fire Damage (Fireball from Yellow): Khaul, Hornbori, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo, Nal
------------------
Those with ** may go

Henri Hart - AC 22 (23 w/shield) 36/58 (AC 23; Bless 15')
Green (-59; Grabbed; Immobilized; OG)
Hornbori - AC 26 98/108
Pink
Khaul - AC 26 (28 w/shield; Myrsa: Hardness 13; 120/120) 93/115 (AC 28);
Yellow
**Nal Bagura - AC 22 58/68
**Drilwenas - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 78/78; Catlyn AC 20 39/39
White
Anabelle - AC 23 71/71; Galieo AC 22 66/66
Red

HP reroll on crit fail: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
reflex vs yellow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Khaul manages to avoid the last fireball...

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Bless (15'; +1 to attack rolls)

Before your Turn:
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 21 Fire Damage (Fireball from Green): Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 22 Fire Damage (Fireball from Pink): Hornbori, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo, Nal
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs 22 Fire Damage (Fireball from Yellow): Hornbori, Drilwenas, Anabelle, Galieo, Nal
------------------
Those with ** may go

Henri Hart - AC 22 (23 w/shield) 36/58 (AC 23; Bless 15')
Green (-59; Grabbed; Immobilized; OG)
Hornbori - AC 26 98/108
Pink
Khaul - AC 26 (28 w/shield; Myrsa: Hardness 13; 120/120) 61/115 (AC 28);
Yellow
**Nal Bagura - AC 22 58/68
**Drilwenas - AC 23 (24 w/shield) 78/78; Catlyn AC 20 39/39
White
Anabelle - AC 23 71/71; Galieo AC 22 66/66
Red

Notice: Resist fire half level

Notice 2: Catlyn is immune to fire

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

DC 21 Basic Reflex vs. 22 fire damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Success for 11 damage
DC 21 Basic Reflex vs. 22 fire damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Hero Point reroll: DC 21 Basic Reflex vs. 22 fire damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Sigh. Failure for 22 damage

"Stating the obvious: Spread out!" Nal shouts as she draws her shortsword and dashes around to flank Pink with Hornbori. (Triggers reaction) Her matte black blade jabs toward Pink's back.

+1 Striking shortsword (flanked): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11
If that's a crit: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7
Precision damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

◆ Interact, ◆ Stride, ◆ Strike