GM Erich's #3-18 Dacilane Academy's Delightful Disaster for Gameday XIV (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Remaining mostly silent here. You are all on the right track, just need you to figure out where to get the focus items and how to "activate" the students.

Bustral suggests, "Perhaps we should see if we could either bring the students in here or bring the paperwork to them. If they are able to read them and manipulate the items needed, it would go a long way in their progress into becoming Pathfinder Agents. "

Modra nods in response to Bustral's suggestion about having the students read the documents that the group has just located. "Tha's good thinkin', tha' is," he says. "Best if we en't the only ones knowin' how to fix this business. Though, might be we ought to check the rest o' the rooms 'round here 'fore we get 'em involved again."

Did I understand correctly based on our entry to the lodge that we can walk through closed doors in this plane? So we don't need the students to open up anything for us and we can search for the other items as we like. If this is mistaken, I guess we'll need a more complicated solution than finding the items first ourselves.

Dawnfriend nods in agreement with Modra. "Yes, maybe we'll find the things. And then we can find this lodestone upstairs."

@Modra, yes you can walk through doors, but you also can't pick up or move anything too substanstial (like water or shields). And the students can't act with anything in your "reality", like your equipment.

Getting the students to read the letters (or do anything else) will take a bit of clever "communication" in the other room (with the requisite rolls as before). Note that you have already searched all the rooms on this floor just before you got to the library, so take that for what you will.

Yata goes to find the students, and tries dropping a book on spells and have it landing on the spell Shield, and then on the spell Friendfetch. She hopes they will understand her meaning.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Let's get started trying to instruct the students. Maybe they can help us find the lodestone.

Voron returns to where they are hanging out and tries to explain where to find the document explaining the focus ritual.

Communicate from beyond (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Hopefully this enhances Yata's efforts. Can we add the words together we get from each result to form a fuller message?

The students continue their conversations as a book falls in the room. Geltra goes to pick it up and notices the word "shield". "Everyone, I think the Pathfinders are trying to talk to us again. Shield?"

"I thought we were done with lessons today." Alec remarks, feet firmly planted on the table again.

Hari perks up and immediately notices the ash rearranging in the fireplace. "No, something else is going on. They want us to read the notes in the conference room."

The group of student leaders (sans Alec), gathers and rushes over to the conference room.

Hari sits and sorts through the notes quickly, the other peering over her shoulder. "Failsafe... focuses... A.J.?"

Geltra points to the word shield. "There. Shield! They are trying to tell us we need to gather the components to the ritual! There was water in the kitchen. Not sure how pure it was, though."

"A.J. is Armeline Jirneau, the Venture-Captain I wanted to meet today! But where is her chamber?" Vim adds, excitedly.

"I didn't see a shield in the sparring space... where'd you think we would find that?" Tels wonders.

Dawnfriend says aside to Yata, "I am beginning to suspect that nufriend Alec Gracekin is not committed to his studies." He sighs and resumes using prestidigitation to fix smudges on the table.

Listening to the latest thoughts of the assembled students, Modra once again comes away with a "kids these days" grumble. "En't they gonna figure out anythin' for themselves? No' sure how they say it where ye all came from, but back in me home we'd say ye can lead a dwarf into th' mine but ye can't make 'im swing the pick."

The dwarf lets out a breath of frustration, blowing his mustaches as the air escapes. "Might be we'll have to find the items ourselves an' then get these young'uns to understand where they are. Chambers got to be upstairs where we en't been yet, surely?"

The group of students, seemingly hearing the disgruntled dwarf (not really), head to the kitchen to fetch a pail of water.

"Maybe we should look around for a shield." Tels remarks as they pour.

"It could be in a room we haven't been in." Vim adds.

"Although, I'm not sure we should be snooping around. It feels all wrong." Geltra's voice shakes a bit as she speaks.

"Nah," Alec's voice cuts in, as he suddenly rejoins the group from the other room. "A real Pathfinder wouldn't hesitate to explore, it's right there in the motto, for gods sake. And that includes places where we don't belong!"

The group reluctantly follows Alec and starts to head to the back of the lodge to search.

"I mean, look! His heart is in the right place. And school is overrated in my opinion!" Yata follows after.

Alec leads the group into the back hallway and searches both the sparring ground and the armory - before settling on a steel shield emblazoned with the Pathfinder Glyph of the Open Road. He straps it on and waves it around wildly, testing both it's heft and his own arm's strength.

"Seems appropo, no?" he concludes.

Hari just shakes her head. "Now we have to find Armeline's chamber. It's obviously upstairs. But like Geltra said, I'm not sure we should just go snooping around. Do we even know what is up there, waiting for us?"

"I'm ready for anything!" Alec exclaims in an affected noble voice, banging on the shield.

"Has anyone noticed any more messages from the chaperones?" Tels adds. "Maybe they have some advice..."

"I mean, look! His heart is in the right place. And school is overrated in my opinion!" Yata follows after.

Morthos seems a little shook at the utterance of "overrated."

Kids today...

Perhaps it's time to venture upstairs, fine the chamber and hopefully find the lodestone. Why don't we tell the students to relax here until we make sure nothing dangerous is afoot up there?

Communicate from beyond: Let us check on upstairs first (Occultism): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Before Morthos can even finish his suggestion, Modra springs into action, hoisting his shield and moving to stand by the chamber exit. "Aye, now we're gettin' somewhere. If these young'uns get the hint, we can head up withou' 'em while they stay here an' we go lookin' for this lodestone, an' if they don't get the hint, we can follow after 'em." He rocks impatiently and anxiously as he watches for their reaction.

Not sure what one word they will get out of Morthos's message so I don't want to create a jumble by doing a check and adding something potentially contradictory. Modra hopes they stay put and stay together.

Maybe the word could simply be "Wait"?

"Wait" is fine if the result is too low for multiple words.

Geltra perks up. "Guys... look at the smudges on the shield...it says..." she struggles to read the squiggly letters "...wait"

"Wait?" Hari asks. "Maybe they want us to wait here."

Alec smirks "Or maybe the evil wizard who has trapped them in a planar prison wants us to not do anything to save them."

Vim's eyes widen. "AHHH! I liked them. How do we know we aren't being sent on a wild-goose chase?"

Occultism check to communicate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Two words: Wrong, Alec.

Dawnfriend whispers to those nearby, "I hope the comma comes through, so they don't interpret that as 'Wrong Alec' meaning he's an evil shadow doppleganger impersonating Alec."

"That would be pretty funny, though. Come to think of it, though, he was by himself for a while...." Alessandra can't quite manage a straight face when she finishes.

Yata gasps at Dawnfriend and takes out some paper and quickly scribbles it. "Dawnfriend, you're BRILLIANT! That would make such an incredible story. I gotta write that!"

Alessandra's message quickly appears on the shield as well.

Vim laughs. "Seems like you are WRONG, Alec!"

Alec peers over the edge, trying to read it upside down. "Whatever."

"Okay, we wait right here, until we get a clear signal to move." Tels takes charge.

"Maybe, we should wait in the main hall with the other students. In case something does happen." Hari reminds him.

"Yes, better plan." Tels concedes.

The students are back in the main hall with shield and pitcher of water. What next, Pathfinders?

"Alright everyone! Let's go up!" Yata begins moving to the second floor.

As a precaution, Bustral casts a spell. A golden globe of bright light appears in front of him and attaches to the top of his staff.

"Would anyone also like a light to travel with them? I can keep up to 4 going."
;

Modra joins with the group as everyone heads towards the upstairs level of the lodge, shield readied in case any challenges present themselves. To Bustral's question, he replies, "En't any need on me account," with a gesture to his eyes. "Mountain folk like me can see in any natural darkness. Unnatural, though... already seen enough o' that today. 'tis good yer prepared."

New map. Although the windows are shuttered on the upper floor, lanterns with continual flames illuminate the area, as on the lower floor.

Alighting to the upper level from the main hall stairway, the group finds themselves in a decidedly more chaotic environment, with shifting patterns in the carpet that change color and odd noises of all types ringing through the air. You even catch a strange smell: that of the ocean (or maybe a swamp). These were wholly imperceptible from downstairs.

Whatever force is causing these fluctuations, it seems to be strongest in the far corner of the building (in red).

Morthos eyes the source of the fluctuations warily.

Perhaps we clear some of these other rooms first, and then check it out? he suggests.

He picks into the Northeastern bedroom.

1d7 ⇒ 5

As Morthos tries to poke his head into the bedroom, he disappears. In a flash, he reappears further up the hall.

”Morthos?! Where did you go?!”

Upon seeing Morthos disappear and reappear in a moment, Modra lets out a wordless sound of shock. He gathers himself and checks to the front and back of the hallway, because every other time strange things have happened there have been strange creatures coming after them.

Seeing no movement other than the constantly-shifting carpet, he dials back down to a more normal level of alert. He ventures, "Erm, ye all saw that too, aye? Went in one door an' came out another?"

Alessandra frowns. "It puts me in mind of a few farcical plays I've seen. If you happen to hear sprightly music, watch for flying pies."

Can Alessandra use Bardic Lore to Recall Knowledge about the effects here?

It would appear the forces in this place want us to head in one direction... he states, frowning.

I suppose I could at least verify that all of the bedroom doors do this?

One by one he tries the doors in the North hallway. If they all do the same, he tries the bedroom in the Southeast.

Morthos continues to search for a room to enter, but each time, he is rebuked by the magicks at play and shunted off at random. Even the "final" room is unreachable. Without hands in the material world, none of these doors can be breached.

@Alessandra It seems that the stronger "forces" up here are preventing your ability to pass through thin walls (doors) from happening.

"Okay so...I guess we call in the students, right? For whatever reason, we can't do this ourselves...strange

Once everyone is ready, Yata will go to the students and leave a message "upstairs", perhaps.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Geltra notices the smudge on the shield first.

"Upstairs?" she remarks lightly, then once again louder so that everyone hears.

Everyone gathers at attention and confirms the simple message.

"This is it, they need us." Tels concludes and leads the senior students up the staircase.

They all stop at the top to marvel at the strange, sights and sounds (and smells).

"Ugh. It smells like the changing room after one of your ruk matches, Tels." Alec smirks.

"Can you tell where they are?" Vim asks.

Hari squints. "Whatever this is, it seems strongest over there." She points to the powerful surge of power in the corner.

"Then that's where we go." Tels braces for the worst, and the students head to the door.

"How do we know they are here? Should we open the door ourselves?" Vim asks excitedly.

Geltra gathers her breath and doublechecks the water hasn't spilled out of the pitcher in her now slightly shaking hands. Alec hides behind the raised shield.

-----------------------------

Feel free to position yourself as you would. You can occupy the same squares as any of the students as you are still in different phases of reality.

As much as Modra has grumbled about the students through the course of this strange excursion, he watches them with admiration and respect as they show their courage in heading towards danger and the unknown. "En't so bad now, after all..."

The dwarf warily moves to take up a defensive position in front of the door, along side of Tels, and tries really hard not to think about what it's like to inhabit the same exact space in different planes as someone who you can see.

Lidya crowds in, expecting to need to defend the children. Morthos is just behind her.

"Sorry about that Geltra...though I guess she doesn't feel it...woah. Being inside someone is so weird."

Playing a slow tune to help herself concentrate, Alessandra tries to communicate to the students: Open door. Then stand back.

Occultism check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

But not like that. Anyone else want to have a go?

Yata tries conveying the same message.

persuasion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Not sure they understand. Let me try."

Open door and wait.

Communicate from beyond (Occultism): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

NOTE: Light spell still active.

Question: Does the party qualify for a possible Hero Point award(s). Not trying to be annoying, just trying to help with the details.

Communicate from beyond: open door (occultism): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The shape of a door appears on the super-smudged shield and Alec notices.

"Let's do this folks. I think they are ready." He braces once again.

Tels opens the door onto the chaotic scene. A large bed covered in fine linens is the centerpiece of this well-furnished room, and a sturdy table surrounded by three chairs sits in its northeast corner. Several eye-catching curios rest on top of the room’s chest of draws, including a mirror with a gilded frame, a mother-of-pearl box holding talcum powder, and a polished lodestone more than a foot in diameter. Two lamps in wall sconces light the room and a thick carpet woven with a wayfinder pattern lays on the floor.

Looking at the room for long is disorienting: Shimmering images of the bed dance across the floor, loose papers float through the air in slow processions, and the walls ripple like a pond’s surface each time someone in the room takes a step. The pile of the carpet grows six inches deep in the course of a second, and then subsides back to normal.

Thandmere Krelsun lies on the bed, likely unconscious or dead. A ghostly, serpentine creature is wrapped tightly around his body. Disturbingly, the creature’s head appears plunged into Krelsun’s temple. The creature’s long tail hangs down over the side of the bed and shimmers in a way that it appears to be the only part of its anatomy in your reality.

"Professor!" Hari exclaims.

"What is that thing around him?" Geltra adds.

"WHAT DO WE DO?" screams Vim.

Round 1 - Bold can act
Dawnfriend
Morthos
Modra
Alessandra
Pink creature's tail
Yata
Bustral
Students

Let me know your religion bonus if you would like to recall knowledge on your turn about the creature.

Reminder that Communicating with the Students is a two action activity.

◆ Recall Knowledge: Religion +6 (or, on the off chance it applies, Sarenrae Lore +4)

Am going to hold my other two actions until I know what I discover

@Dawnfriend You are not sure what the creature is, but are suspicious that it might be quite powerful.

Dawnfriend holds out his six hands in front of him, a glowing light forming between them, radiating a divine heat. "By the Dawnflower, leave him alone!" He releases the light as a bolt that flies toward the creature.

◆◆ Cast a Spell: divine lance
divine lance attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
divine lance damage (spirit/holy): 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

In person, I'd delay to see if Alessandra uses courageous anthem and go after her turn. Saving back-and-forth in this format by just posting now. If the anthem is activated, please apply the +1 hit/damage bonus as appropriate.

"No' today, ye beastie!" With this shout, Modra steps into the room. Floating papers softly bump against his shield and the walls pulse as his boots hit the floor of the room thanks to the odd magic at play.

The dwarf tries to put all the occult distractions out of his mind, swinging his warhammer at the creature's tail. There is an extra flash of phosphorescence as he activates a potency crystal. He readies his shield for the worst it might throw at him afterwards.

Warhammer Strike (potency crystal): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11
If hit, damage: 2d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10, 3) + 4 + 1 = 18 holy/bludgeoning

Cashing the hero point to try again...

Warhammer Strike (potency crystal): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22

Action 1: Step
Action 2: Strike (potency crystal and hero point used)
Action 3: Raise Shield
Last edit: I forgot I could move my token myself and have put it where I meant to be.

Occultism check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Alessandra grimaces as she takes in the chaotic scene. "We're going to have to go in."

RK using Bardic Lore, +8.

After pondering the strange creature, the bard plays an inspiring tune, adding a flourish to keep it going.

Performance check, including feat: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 = 26

If that's a success, the courageous anthem will last for three rounds; if it's a critical success it'll last for four rounds.

Then she enters the room.

Recall Knowledge*
Lingering Composition ○
Courageous Anthem*
Stride*

Just to get it out of the way.

Occultism (T): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27