'Gallows of Madness - The Festering Blot'

Game Master Shadow Dragon

No worries things happen. :)

After searching the library for thirty minutes some members of the group manage to salvage some books still in good (and sellable) condition.

Lucinus finds a book titled The Nine Secrets, Daegon's discovery is a book titled History of Isger, while Guardian XI recovers a book titled From Rivers to Mountains.

While examining his find Lucinus makes a disturbing discovery: The book is trapped!

Who is going to do what with what? Ooo the tension!!! ;)

Cannoli yawns from her cat perch on the old sofa. No one has brought her scrolls to identify and this blanket is sorta comfy…

Who would put a trap on a book?!You’d have to hate reading a lot. Anyway, can you carefully slide it back into the shelf spot where you found it and maybe it won’t go off..?

Guardian XI Sense Motive: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (5) - 4 = 1

Guardian XI believes anyone would trap a book...

Lucinus chuckles upon discovering the trap in the book. All of those warning from his youth about being carful around dangerous books was finally paying off!

"The Nine Secrets? Now that definitely sounds interesting!"

"Looks like this book is trapped." he says pointing at the trapped tome and also passing the scrolls he had found to Cannoli.

What traps could a book have?

*1000 paper cuts
*insulting magic mouth narrator
*poisonous ink
*exploding binding
*imploding binding
*fish smelll

Guardian seeths with anticipation.

*A three-way romance where she/he/they ends up with the wrong partner
*Every bad trope
*AI writing
*Not enough smut
*A tiny needle on the lock that poisons and kills a beloved character… (I’m looking at you, Dragonlance)

Cannoli wakes with a *snrk* and scans the scrolls with read magic.

is it a magical trap? Daegon asks as he scans the book.

Daegon's mildly unsettling dark purple eyes flare once more as he scans for magical auras but finds none.

Cannoli begins calling upon the power of Gorum to read the scrolls Lucinus has found. She identifies them as the following spells:
Alarm, Charm Animal, Comprehend Languages, Disguise Self, Jump, Mount, Obscuring Mist, and Shield of Faith. She further determines they were scribed by novice casters likely as either practice or to make some gold to support their studies.

Is anyone going to attempt to disarm the trap on the book? And is anyone going to identify//examine the two non-trapped books?

While he waits to see if anyone can deal with the trap on the book he found, Lucinus takes a look at the other two books, interested to see what information they may contain.

While he waits to see if anyone can deal with the trap on the book he found, Lucinus takes a look at the other two books, interested to see what information they may contain.

Instead of tearing up the books (as one might expect from a barbarian-type) Lucinus decides to peruse the volumes and glean some knowledge. Does anyone else sense Vreekka's influence???

After strong-arming Daegon, Lucinus determines that History of Isger is useful if a bit outdated.

This tome grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (history or nobility) checks pertaining to Isger.

Lucinus then talks to Guardian XI about feelings and how Guardian XI should share to make friends and let Lucinus examine From Rivers to Mountains for a moment. Guardian XI, ever confused by feelings, hands over the book.

After reading the book Lucinus tells the others it's full of maps and travel literature. (Let's be honest: Lucinus just looked at the pictures.)

Grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (geography) checks pertaining to Isger and Survival checks to avoid getting lost or survive in the wilderness while in Isger.

Someone might want to make note of those bonuses if they come into play. Vreekka and Jakeric can work together and learn it takes 10 minutes of reading a particular volume to gain the bonus and said bonus lasts for 1 hour.

@Cannoli: Is Cannoli going to attempt to disable the trap? Vreekka automatically aids or Cannoli can auto-aid Vreekka; they both have +9 on the Disable Device.

Instead of tearing up the books (as one might expect from a barbarian-type) Lucinus decides to peruse the volumes and glean some knowledge. Does anyone else sense Vreekka's influence???

Vreekka nods approvingly.

Someone might want to make note of those bonuses if they come into play. Vreekka and Jakeric can work together and learn it takes 10 minutes of reading a particular volume to gain the bonus and said bonus lasts for 1 hour.

Will do so, but before Vreekka will read the 'normal' books, she is drawn to the challenge of the trapped book!

@Cannoli: Is Cannoli going to attempt to disable the trap? Vreekka automatically aids or Cannoli can auto-aid Vreekka; they both have +9 on the Disable Device.

"Hey 'Noli! May I borrow your disarm tools again and also get some divine guidance? Maybe you even want to help?"

Assuming that she gets what she needs:

Vreekka starts to disable the trap...
Disable Device - ACP, MW tools, guidance: 1d20 + 9 - 0 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 0 + 2 + 1 = 24 +2 if Cannoli aids

Cannoli tosses the tools over and then gives a simple suggestion.

Disable Device - ACP Aid DC 10: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 = 23

”Don't eat yellow snow. Wait no, wrong area of expertise. A bird in the paw is better than two in the bush? Hold up, still no. Uh… don’t mess this up. Yeah, that’ll work.”

Aid yes but no guidance from her and I don’t know if anyone else has it.

Cannoli dispenses some of her vast sagacity which inspires Vreekka with equal parts confidence and confusion. No confusion about the trap just confused about Cannoli in general.

Vreekka manages to disable the trap! She learns it was a poison needle trap meant to jab anyone looking into the book who shouldn't be.

Cue Cannoli's 'Dragonlance' trauma hehe. Anyone who wishes to examine the book will need to make a Linguistics *OR* a Sense Motive check.

why are the humanoids like this (Sense Motive): 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (8) - 4 = 4

You know, there’s a secret android library where all of the sensible books reside…

”Good work Vreeks, you didn’t mess it up! Or at least I don’t think you did. Unless the trap was actually teleporting us into an alternate reality where it only appears that we didn’t mess it up. Woah.”

SM: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Also she starts handing out scrolls. Well, a few. She keeps Comprehend Languages, Obscuring Mist and Shield of Faith.

And she hands Daegon Alarm, Disguise Self, Jump and Mount.

She hands Lucinus Charm Animal and adds, ”I don’t really know what you are, but maybe you can cast this? Iono, whatevs if not.”

If someone has UMD trained, they could have Charm Animal too. Or I may have missed someone who can cast some of those. But we are a very thin on magic group.

sm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Guardian XI reveals the existence of a secret android library where humanoids are turned into more androids! I mean does anyone believe they have sensible books in there???

Cannoli distributes the scrolls to those who can use them.

Daegon squints at the The Nine Secrets and Jakeric joins him in examining the book.

Having Jakeric take 10 on a Linguistics check.

At first glance it looks like a book of sordid smut weird poetry but they discern it actually has hidden messages in code!

Once deciphered, the book grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (planes or religion) checks related to devils, diabolism, Hell, or Asmodeus.

Lucinus also takes a look at the intriguingly named book...

sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Ah, wonderful! I actually know things about the planes!

Lucinus also takes a look at the intriguingly named book...

[dice=sense motive]1d20+3

Lucinus concurs with Daegon and Jakeric about the book while Guardian XI couldn't see the secret messages but, with the help of the others, can now read them.

Linguistics t: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

[dice=Linguistics t]1d20+10

Vreekka isn't seeing what Daegon and Jakeric see until they point out the cipher to her.

Not quite high enough on the check but a 3 will do that. :( Good thing is since at least one PC succeeded on the check everyone can use the bonus.

Where will the heroes explore next?

There were other doors/rooms not yet examined.

When everyone is done gushing over the trapped book, Cannoli takes it and reads through some of the smutty poems. Her ears twitch and her tail flicks all about as she does so.

How long does she need to read to get the bonus?

Once the party are ready to move on Lucinus gathers up the books and carefully wraps them up in his waterproof bag to keep them safe.

"Shall we get back to the door game?" he suggests, inspecting the door at the far end of the library for traps...

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

When everyone is done gushing over the trapped book, Cannoli takes it and reads through some of the smutty poems. Her ears twitch and her tail flicks all about as she does so.

How long does she need to read to get the bonus?

10 minutes to read it and the bonus lasts for an hour - the same for all 3 books.

Once the party are ready to move on Lucinus gathers up the books and carefully wraps them up in his waterproof bag to keep them safe.

"Shall we get back to the door game?" he suggests, inspecting the door at the far end of the library for traps...

[dice=perception]1d20+6

Lucinus, the book-reading, trap-finding, barbarian (such a complex guy!) believes the door is free of traps.

"C'mon, ya book-readin' nerds--let's go see if there ain't anymore demon-tainted creeps around!"

Grizzlebin talks a good game, exhorting the others, but notice he doesn't actually open the door? Hmmm!

Hehehe. ;)

Once everyone is ready Lucinus opens the door.

Cannoli stands at the table, flipping through the poems and coyly grinning.

Cannoli stands at the table, flipping through the poems and coyly grinning.

At the table or on the table? I'm sensing another soliloquy by Cannoli Productions!

Once everyone is ready Lucinus opens the door.

Lucinus bravely opens the door showing a complete disregard for his personal safety and sees the following:

Instant death! Just kidding!

Once-fine furniture, now ripped and faded from neglect, adorns this chamber. Two large mirrors have been set on the north wall here, but cracks and dark stains mar their silvery surface, and many pieces are missing. A lute rests against the back of a stained red velvet sofa.
After dinner, the Sarinis and their guests would withdraw to this room and play cards, play and listen to music, or engage in other fashionable diversions.

Current room is on Slide 2. Please place your tokens in the room where you want them if you're entering. Daegon, post where you would like your token.

if someone could place me just inside the door, please and ty

Nice place...hard to fathom they believed in the dark arts and such...makes my skin crawl...

if someone could place me just inside the door, please and ty

Nice place...hard to fathom they believed in the dark arts and such...makes my skin crawl...

I moved Daegon to the spot still in the radius of the Wail of the Banshee trap that will be triggered. ;)

Vreekka steps over Lucinus' dead body through the door and instantly makes a beeline towards the lute to examine it.

Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Vreekka examines the lute for loot purposes and determines that it unfortunately it's in a state of severe disrepair but it was a finely built instrument so it still has some value.
Perhaps twenty five gold measures in Absalom?

It's a masterwork instrument but it has the broken condition. If anyone (Cannoli!) wishes to play it, it's a -2 penalty on the Perform check.

Cannoli waits for the screams of agony to subside, then checks the room. She sees the lute and realizes the screams she heard were just attempts to play it, ”Well, that’s certainly a good effort at least. Why don’t you let a professional butcher the song instead.”

Perform: Any - broken: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 2 = 9

Some of the notes are right…

She will serenade the group as they search the room.

Not quite as interested in the lute, Guardian checks the room (i.e,. the couch cushions) for any sign of the desired records.

You never know when things fall out of people's pockets while sitting down!

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

After that (if nothing turns up), he supposes the only next place to go is downstairs (?).

I'd hate to hear what that would sound like if it was in tune... Daegon mutters under his breath to the others.

Downstairs works for me...

I see a staircase going up, but no landing? Is there an upstairs?

The description of the ballroom from earlier suggests there is more to explore at the top of the grand staircase. I also think we've not yet opened the door to the room directly to the left of the main entrance on this floor.

The description of the ballroom from earlier suggests there is more to explore at the top of the grand staircase. I also think we've not yet opened the door to the room directly to the left of the main entrance on this floor.

Mike is right on both counts. :)

Guardian XI starts hiding under the couch probably to escape the noise Cannoli is torturing out of the lute.
Vreekka likely thinks she could do better.
Daegon is looking to get out of this room at all costs!
Lucinus is calm, collected, and maybe a bit tone-deaf?

Lucinus stops and his eyes narrow.

"Something appears to be trying to communicate with me telepathically, it wants to know who we are and what we are doing here."

He then turns his attention back to the voice...

"Who are you voice in my head and on what authority do you ask those questions?" he enquires, recalling the advice of his teachers to be cautious of strange voices asking questions in you mind.

Lucinus stops and his eyes narrow.

"Something appears to be trying to communicate with me telepathically, it wants to know who we are and what we are doing here."

He then turns his attention back to the voice...

"Who are you voice in my head and on what authority do you ask those questions?" he enquires, recalling the advice of his teachers to be cautious of strange voices asking questions in you mind.

That advice only applies to mind flayers; anyone else contacting you telepathically is just fine. ;)

"My new acquaintance with the harsh burping voice says they lived here many years ago." Lucinus informs the party.

"What is your name?" he asks the voice.

Cannoli puts her lute down and claps with joy, ”Your first voice in the head, Congratulations!!! Oh this is so fun. What kinda voice is it? Murder them all or give the money to the poor or go do naughty things or go hide in a tree in shame or something else?”

"B-b-be careful, Lucinus! I've heard of d-demons that try to corrupt m-mortals by whispering dark thoughts!"

Make sure you stay focused...in case it tries something...

"My new acquaintance with the harsh burping voice says they lived here many years ago." Lucinus informs the party.

"What is your name?" he asks the voice.