[Gameday XIV] GM Chadius 4-06: Signal from the Electric Laboratory

Game Master chadius

You begin in the countryside in the outskirts of Ardis, the former capital of Ustalav. Zarta Dralneen instructed you to carry an ornate box to the Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss.

Please introduce yourselves to your teammates.

A goblin, wearing wizard's robes, and a pointed wizard's hat, carries an oversized spellbook. When he is reading his spellbook, you might notice that there are no spells inside, but, pictures written in crayon.

"Hello, I'm the mighty wizard, BakBat. All who oppose me tremble in fear!"

Here is a picture of BakBat while he's wearing his Demon Mask

Anri casts Zarta a condescending stare as the latter hands over the box and explains it's destination, but dutifully tucks it away in a satchel that also contains some of her spell components.

"Accursed Land" she leaves her judgement the only accompaniment to the otherwise pregnant pause "Never-the-less, consider it done"

Scowling as she makes her way to Zongnoss, our mercurial hero prefers to walk. Bedecked like an unarmored warrior of unknown ceremony, the aiuvarin has unusually broad shoulders that undergird her characteristic elven grace, enhancing it. A darkly metal hand-and-a-half sword is strapped to her back which she shoulders with ease, matched in color and alloy by an intentional arrangements of other metal jeweleries - including a handsome nose-ring that attaches by chain to an equally ornate earring - altogether giving a motif of almost obsidian-sharp contrast with alternating opposing features: soft and hard, light and dark, loose and secured.

She soon arrives at Vodavani Lodge...

Leaning heavily on a rather thick cane, a dromaar witch of late-middle years limps toward the group. She's dressed in practical, well-worn explorer's clothing with very few accouterments visible on her person. The most notable thing about her is her prodigious, ever-present scowl. Finally arriving, she nods once at the Pathfinder she recognizes. "Hmp. Bakbat." It's as warm a greeting as she typically gives, the sounds dragging out of her throat like a boulder grinding across coarse gravel.

Turning to Anri, she introduces herself. "Hmp. I'm Itka."

Itka's image

A ruddy cheeked halfling with a muttonchop beard scampers up. "Hi all!" His sleeves hang heavy and open. "I'm Argoni!"

He's certainly excitable, but he looks around the dark woods of Ustalav warily. "This place gives me the heebie jeebies."

A tall man with blond hair walks in. He's lean but obviously fit. You note the dueling pistol on his belt as well as hatchet.

"Isaku Beru. I'm lead investigator for a detective agency in the Grand Bazaar."

And the Itka image looks horrifying, especially with that fang sticking out! :)

A dromaar walks along, wearing robes from southern lands that indicate he is most certainly not a local. The various alchemical potions and bombs strapped to his body clearly mark him as an alchemist. He adjusts his goggles. "Doctor Grime Percival Bloodshanks, at your service. Please let me know if you have any ongoing maladies that I should be aware of."

Doc Bloodshanks image link

As he surveys the group, he says, "Well, let's get this out of the way." He points at an iridescent purple frog on his shoulder. "This is Sludge." He points at a set of 8 vials a bit below sludge, strapped to his bandolier, with two of the vials a bit larger than the others. "Should I fall, please use these potions to bring me back around. I do not consent to any divine mumbo-jumbo to bring me back. Certainly don't waste any time after the fact on foolish resurrection attempts. If I still have these elixirs, use them. Primal or occult healings are fine, and certainly the alchemical arts, but no divine healing potions. It throws off the natural healing processes of the body. I can't believe selling that junk is still legal, but my letters to various legislative and regulatory bodies continue to go unanswered. If any of you are utilizing any divine healing magics, just know that it will diminish my ability to properly serve your healing needs."

As you walk, he notes Itka's use of the cane, and says, "You shows signs of some arthritis, perhaps. I could fabricate some liniment for you that would greatly help with joint pain. It is applied topically, directly on the skin. I also have a certification in chiropractic and orthopedic care. If the pain is severe, we could discuss support options, perhaps a sturdy leg and back brace to help a bit with your posture. Get you lined right up!"

He nods in response to Argoni. "Indeed, I too have the heebie jeebies, as your people call them. A normal psychological response to the biological stress hormones, triggered by the physical cues to fear this land. It is how our body keeps us alert to danger. So long as the heebie jeebies are not pathological, they serve us well, my little friend." His throwing hand frequently moves toward his various bombs, as if to reassure himself of their presence.

Late again.

Or so it would seem.

Early in the morning, well before the sun is up and the sky is slowly shifting it's shade of black to yellow-blue, the ground is muddy and the smell of rain lingers - aftermath of last night's stormy weather - but nevertheless Gunda "Jakoby" Kolkind rises from her makeshift hut, and whistles into the trees for her eagle companion - "Ro" - to join her for her morning routine.

Having collected and cured different herbs across the frozen tundras of the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, she minces the collected buds with her fingers, and licking a dried bruorsivi pine leaf, twists the stack into a finely blended skinny roll "I'd enough to share if'n you could peck at it" teasing her onlooking feathered friend and life companion, as he watches with his typical sideways rotated neck, and makes a gentle screeching sound of affection, to which the elder Ulfen woman responds by curling her nose into a playful smile "We head to the big city soon" and, striking a spark with her flint and steel, Jakoby intakes a long draw, and is soon lost in thought, which after a few moments, she seems to interrupt herself from "Some archivist's mysterious box needs transport - and something about a magic key" briefing her companion once again, adding "Still got half a mind to just retire here" she looks at Ro who squaks in agreement, and reaches her hand back to clutch the familiar grip of her longbow, and smiles again "Me too. Far too old to retire!"

Hiking down from the wilderness, the duo swiftly begin their descent into the metropolis below "Never liked confined spaces - let's see where our journey takes us?" the only trace left of their passage through the wilds a trail of sweet smelling smoke...

As you walk, he notes Itka's use of the cane, and says, "You shows signs of some arthritis, perhaps. I could fabricate some liniment for you that would greatly help with joint pain. It is applied topically, directly on the skin. I also have a certification in chiropractic and orthopedic care. If the pain is severe, we could discuss support options, perhaps a sturdy leg and back brace to help a bit with your posture. Get you lined right up!"

Scowling more deeply, Itka gives Doc Bloodshanks a curt nod. "Hmp. The old hip hasn't been the same since my youngest was born. It was more a blessing than a curse at the time, but it has outlived its usefulness." She replies cryptically, a dark look passing briefly over her eyes. "Hmp. After this mission. You'll have ample time for observation in the meantime."

Portrait of Argoni

Argoni leaps up from his seat when he realizes they have a real Doctor in the group. "Hey Doc! So good to meet you! I can help out if you want. I met Kassi Aziril and she showed me some cool tricks! Look, I got a scalpel right here and sometimes I been able to help clean out a wound and stitch it back up!" The halfling waves around a very sharp scalpel in the air with little regard for where others are standing. "Just let me know what you need! I even have my own mix of reagents and everything. Sometimes mine smell a bit off, but I keep trying to add some honey or strawberries to see if that makes them taste better."

He spots Jakoby and hands her the Backfire Mantle from his back. "Hey, you know just in case I spill a little. Wouldn't want you to get any of it on you."

Portrait of Argoni

Argoni leaps up from his seat when he realizes they have a real Doctor in the group. "Hey Doc! So good to meet you! I can help out if you want. I met Kassi Aziril and she showed me some cool tricks! Look, I got a scalpel right here and sometimes I been able to help clean out a wound and stitch it back up!" The halfling waves around a very sharp scalpel in the air with little regard for where others are standing. "Just let me know what you need! I even have my own mix of reagents and everything. Sometimes mine smell a bit off, but I keep trying to add some honey or strawberries to see if that makes them taste better."

He spots Jakoby and hands her the Backfire Mantle from his back. "Hey, you know just in case I spill a little. Wouldn't want you to get any of it on you."

I'd actually forgotten that Argoni was part of my (only) run of 06-03 (Godsrain in a Godless Land)... while I wouldn't mind playing it, I don't think I'm gonna run that again. It was pretty depressing...

Which reminds me -- Isaku got the Chronicle for that one

"I knew you seemed familiar! Argoni Slate! Yes, meeting Kassi Aziril was an enormous privilege! Even though forensic medicine isn't my forte, I was able to pass some of the knowledge on to the other detectives at my agency." He winks at Argoni. "My two other colleagues, Zhamie and Purrlock, who are trained in Forensic Medicine, were mighty put out with me!"

You begin in the countryside in the outskirts of Ardis, the former capital of Ustalav. Zarta Dralneen instructed you to carry an ornate box to the Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss.

Argoni comes over to give Isaku a high-five (low five to him) in greeting. "Yes, I tried to tell the story to that square of a half-orc medic that's hired to stitch up people, but for some reason he got up and left when I asked him if he could score me any pharmaceuticals on the side. I mean, I can just make them myself, but I was thinking we could do a little business, you know?"

Jakoby nods to Argoni "Fits a little heavy, no?" she puffs heartily and trails smoke from her nostrils "Doncha thinkin' it'd spare me from the effects of that Key, eh?" she indicates the box - volunteers not to be it's direct courier - instead "We'll help get it to where it is to go" she whistles and her faithful avian companion SCREEES ahead, keeping a lookout from on high.

Ninja'ed by the GM

Argoni shrugs at Jakoby. "Worse, it doesn't breathe. Unfortunately that's how it keeps anything spilled on it away from you. But better than having acid eat through your shirt?"

The halfling hefts the ornate box. He had decided that it would be unwise to put it into any extradimensional space, so mostly he was just carrying it. "They've got to have snacks when we get to the Inn, right? Does anyone know what Evni looks like? I hope she knows what to do. This things just showing up in the vaults is weird."

"Hmp. 'Confounding thoughts of an alien mind'? ... And it's made of materials not from Golarion..." Itka's mind churns with possibilities, her jaw working like a cow chewing cud. "Hmp. Let's get to Venture-Captain Zongnoss promptly. There are questions this letter cannot answer. But first, we should ensure that the box is safe for travel."

She leans down to Argoni's level to get a better look at the box, creating a creepy-looking tableau in the process. First she inspects the box itself.

Arcana +14, Occultism +16: Are there any informative markings on the ornate box? Or is it simply a standard containment box?

Just to be certain, she casts Read Aura to determine whether or not the box is leaking whatever magics the key possesses. "... Hmp." Once satisfied, she's ready to go.

When Doc receives the letter, Doc considers whether he knows anything about the Ardis Scholars, doing any research at the local library if he is able before setting out on the mission.

Occultism +14 & Society +13

He helps taking turns carrying the box as needed during the journey.

When Doc receives the letter, Doc considers whether he knows anything about the Ardis Scholars, doing any research at the local library if he is able before setting out on the mission.

Occultism +14 & Society +13

He helps taking turns carrying the box as needed during the journey.

When Doc receives the letter, Doc considers whether he knows anything about the Ardis Scholars, doing any research at the local library if he is able before setting out on the mission.

Occultism +14 & Society +13

He is curious about the physical nature of the box, of course, but is not going to mess with any possible biomedical hazard protections to perform a thorough analysis.

He helps taking turns carrying the box as needed during the journey.

Isaku joins in looking the box over, trying to decipher any markings.

Arcana +15, Society/Occultism +17

Itka notes the box is sealed tightly. Nothing's leaking out. It looks like it's made of wood, but it's much too heavy. It looks like an ordinary jewelry box from the outside.

The Lodestar must have once been a popular and well-appointed establishment, but it's lost most of its splendor in the decades following the move of Ustalav's capital from Ardis to Caliphas. The tables and chairs are made of sturdy oak, but bear the scuffs and stains of many years of heavy use. Once-vibrant tapestries hang on the walls, their hues muted by decades of lamp smoke, and the dusty shelves are laden with silver teapots, statuettes of unusual beasts, and other knickknacks. A small figure wearing flowing robes that glimmer like the night sky sips a large cup of tea as she chats with a slender half-orc in traveling gear and an older dwarf whose long red hair is streaked with gray.

>Evni smiles widely.< As she speaks up, her voice fills the somber room with brightness. "You've arrived, and not a moment too soon! The situation might be getting out of hand, so I fear we don't have much time. Oh, by the way, this is Ziri, a Horizon Hunter, and Kamenya of the Radiant Oath. They helped narrow down the signal's origin point."

Ziri gives a nod before speaking. "It's somewhere near the village of Ilev. It should take you about a day if you take the Old Crown Road, unless you're adamant about taking a carriage down every old and overgrown path."

"Hey, a carriage is an excellent base of operations! Although I admit, I don't mind having a permanent base from time to time." protests Evni, folding her arms as Ziri chuckles before continuing.

"The village itself is abandoned, but there are still a few homesteads and farms nearby. The Ardis Scholars chose their headquarters well; folks around these parts know better than to go looking into anything unusual. I certainly hope we can find them. If Zarta's suspicions are true, it's possible they traveled farther than most! Can you imagine traveling to an entirely new planet?"

Kamenya pipes in, her voice smooth and level. "Ziri doesn't hesitate to walk the path least traveled. From the little we know about the Ardis Scholars, they share a similar outlook, and also act with compassion. Their motto is 'to learn, to understand, to embrace,' which doesn't fall far from the Radiant Oath's philosophy. I hope we can find these elusive scholars and welcome them as allies."

The battle-hardened dwarf sighs. "But most people fear what they don't understand, and I can tell you the people around Ilev are terrified. They started to suffer from frequent and debilitating headaches. Some have even reported finding themselves in places without recollection of how they got there. No one has been injured so far, but they're realizing something isn't right."

"And when they realize an alien or mysterious organization may be causing all of this, they won't hesitate to use torches and pitchforks to solve their problems." concludes Evni. "But luckily, we have you! And the key in that box, of course. Zarta mentioned it should help us pinpoint the location of the source. What do you say, shall we take a look?"

Before Evni opens the box, you can interrupt her and ask her more questions.

Take your Pathfinder Provisions as well as Hero Points and make any purchases you need to now.

You can make a Society or Lore check to Recall Knowledge about Ardis.

Doc Bloodshanks doesn't remember much about the Ardis Scholars.

Society, RK: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Society: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

BakBat knows Ardis was the traditional capital of Ustalav and the birthplace of Soividia Ustav, the Varisian hero that founded the kingdom and ushered in a golden age that lasted until the rise of the Whispering Tyrant. Prince Valislav Ordranti’s decision to move the capital to Caliphas in 4674 AR is still felt bitterly by the people of Ardis.

Isaku draws a blank.

With knowledge that they are dealing with something that has mind-altering properties, Doc decides to invest in the formula for a serene mutagen ... and modifies his daily preparations to include a couple of those, just be on the safe side.

When Evni is about to open the box, he does nothing to stop her, but does quaff one of the moderate serene mutagens right before she does, to be prepared against a mental attack.

Jakoby tucks her breath of life scroll into her belt.

Another planet.

Go deep enough into the woods, and it seems to be another planet. Feeling like she'll never live long enough to finish exploring this one, our ranger finds empathy with the Ardis Scholars mission difficult to attune herself to.

Society (T): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

She puffs in the back, reddening her eyes, listening to the debrief, and petting her bird.

Pathfinder Provision: 4th rank scroll of fly

Society (Ardis Scholars): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Hmp. Ardis, former capitol of Ustalav. Ardis Scholars. Alien mind. Another planet. ... The mysterious nature of this mission excites Itka. She cranes her neck to see what happens when the box is opened. She has so many questions that she can't even put them into words yet. Perhaps seeing the key will help.

Jakoby has heard of the history of Ardis, and BakBat described it exactly. Itka remembers a bit more of Ardis's history.

The kingdom’s founder defeated the Kellid shaman-king Voagx of the Stormheart and brought the clan’s godstone back to the capital of Ardis, where it still sits. The stone’s top is wrapped in chains, but is said to be decorated with images of “a being made of storms and eyes” raining blessings upon its children.

---

The jewelry box is about one foot lone, six inches wide and 3 inches tall. Evni cannot wait to open it, so she pops the latch.

The box opens with a subtle click, revealing a key made of smooth crystal and blue-tinged metal. Whispers and fragments of incomprehensible visions surround the unusual key, creating a telepathic cacophony of jumbled thoughts and emotions.

Exactly one of you may grasp the key and endure the onslaught of emotions to make sense of the visions. Make a Will Save.

Society: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Arcana: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

"Hey, does everyone see those visions? I think this is a psychic link. We might be able to understand them better with telepathic abilities and spells like mind reading, telepathy, or mind probe."

The halfling tucks a scroll of fly away into his bag that he had lifted from the Pathfinder stores previously.

Occultism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Doc surveys the key, stroking his chin with one hand and lightly touching his amulet of the occult with the other. He follows up on Argoni's comment saying, "If not, I am more than happy to risk touching it myself to try to withstand the onslaught. If someone else would touch it, though, I would recommend that they drink this other serene mutagen first."

Arcana: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

"The great and mighty BakBat will not show fear like you lesser ..."

His voice trails off as he grabs the key.

Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Hero Point Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

"Oh, no, don't do tha..." But, too late. Doc mutters, "Well, we should learn something interesting from this, at least." He does step back a bit from the goblin, in case there is thrashing or wild magic released.

Argoni agrees with Itka. The kingdom’s founder defeated the Kellid shaman-king Voagx of the Stormheart and brought the clan’s godstone back to the capital of Ardis, where it still sits. The stone’s top is wrapped in chains, but is said to be decorated with images of “a being made of storms and eyes” raining blessings upon its children.

Everyone debates who will take the key, but a true Wizard like BakBat knows when it's time to... uh...

The key stops glowing afterward and falls dormant in the jewelry box.

"Well, that did you see?" Evni hops up and down at BakBat "Share all the details before you forget!"

Occultism(E): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

Isaku watches Bakbat for a reaction. He's just as curious as everyone else.

"I saw a man at a small farm. He was thin. Too thin. He was at a small farm. There were cattle. All marked with the symbol of a broken crown. He stumbled out of the enclosure. Not even closing the gate. He slowly ascended the hill. The cattle began to wander out of the enclosure."

BakBat's eyes are wide (even for a goblin). His normal boasts seem to be muted.

The team notices BakBat dealing with the psychic onslaught, but the worst of it seems to be over. BakBat's mind is stunted from parsing all of the information.

As he describes what he saw, Ziri mumbles for a moment. "Broken crown?" Before piping up. "Oh, that's Kistur Radu's brand. He's a real recluse. He only comes to town to sell meat and get supplies and stays to himself. I think his farm is about a days away from the inn."

Evni shrugs. "Sounds like that's our only lead. Make sure to stock up before you go. Who knows when you'll have another chance."

Isaku pulls out his notebook and scribbles something in it. New Investigation: What is the source of this mysterious signal

Doc steps over, holding his hands out, "If I may?" Assuming BakBat consents to being touched, Doc Bloodshanks takes his pulse and then looks into his eyes, to see if they are overly dilated. Once he is relatively convinced that BakBat is unharmed, he nods to Evni. "Excellent. Yes, this Kistur Radu seems like the best person to follow up with. Is he a thin fellow, as BakBat saw in his vision? Perhaps other details so we could determine if this was the person. Human, I assume ... but what complexion and hair color?"

"Kistur... hmm. Middle aged man, scruffy black hair with hints of gray. The locals told me to keep my distance from him." Ziri thinks. "He hasn't been the same since his wife passed on a decade ago. Wait, I have a drawing of him somewhere..."

Right on cue, Kamenya pulls out a >scroll and unfurls it on the table.<

"Yes! That's it." Ziri taps the scroll. "He looks just like that."

Doc Bloodshanks feels BakBat's description matches the drawing, and BakBat recognizes it immediately.

Doc raises an eyebrow. "You happened to have a drawing of a local rancher hermit? That is ... convenient." He sighs. "A day's travel, you say? Well, I suppose it would be best to set out now, then, unless anyone needs any additional supplies."

Itka had been about to volunteer to drink the mutagen and hold the key, but was too slow. She's doubly disappointed when the key dims and lies inert in the box. "Hmp." Casting Read Aura again, she attempts to determine just what magical properties it has when it's been spent. I assume that doesn't change what we're doing.

As the team prepares to leave, Itka notes: "Hmp. If I find a scroll of Telepathy, I will have my familiar consume it so I can prepare it tomorrow. Hopefully the key will be ready to share visions again." She raises an eyebrow at BakBat. Hmp. I will have to be faster on the draw than that one.

@GM chadius: Is this settlement big enough to find 4th rank scrolls for sale?

Argoni sees Isaku writing in his notebook and goes to confer with him. He nods at the man's notes. "mmm hmm. I see. Insightful." He pulls out his own notebook and looks down at the old thoughts, crossing some out and writing new ones.

Why is Gamora?
Who cut the cheese?
What is in my pocket?
Who are the Ardis Scholars and why have they come?

He snaps the notebook closed. "Well now, let's fine this Kistur Radu and see what he has to do with this thing."

Itka spends a little bit looking for Wanda and Skull's Scrolls and Wands and is able to find what she needs.

Everyone can retcon their purchases before leaving town.

The directions lead you out of Ardis towards Ilev. A half-broken sign greets you before you come across several dilapidated and abandoned homes. The few residents you can find ask you to keep your voices low as their relatives suffer from headaches and noise. They quickly give you directions to Kitsur's farm.

A simple rectangular dwelling faces a small hill to the northwest. A fenced area attached to the home keeps in a few heads of cattle, each bearing a mark of a broken crown. The sound of a grindstone grating against metal comes from a small shed on the opposite side.

What will you do from here?

Earlier: Purchasing one 4th rank scroll of Telepathy for 70 gp.

Exiting Wanda and Skull's Scrolls and Wands, Itka holds her new scroll beneath her nose and sniffs deeply. The deep frown-creases of her brow lift slightly for the briefest moment before settling back into her customary glower. She tucks the scroll into a deep pocket, saying: "Hmp. Don't eat it yet, Akti. That's for later." A quiet squeak is enough for her to give a satisfied nod and begin hobbling down the street to re-join the rest of the group.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming:

"Hmp. What're we waiting for?" Itka shoos the others ahead of her, knowing full well how her prodigious RBF can set interactions with new people off on the wrong foot.

Bloodshanks glances at BakBat. "Do you have any intuitions about where to proceed now that you're in this place?" His tone implies a bit of mistrust of the goblin's "intuition," but also that it's worth checking. "Or just go up and knock on the door?"

Still a little nonplussed from his experience, BakBat says, "BakBat always knock on door. Just before sending cleansing fire!"

As Bakbat knocks on the door to the shed, it creaks open.

A human man spins to attention, holding a butcher's cleaver, ready to strike. He blinks a few times and scans you all. "Trespassin' on my property." He puts the cleaver down on the table. "Why are you here? What do you want?" He scowls.

A Diplomacy check could be used here to get Kistur to divulge information.

Jakoby stows her weapons, and signals for Ro to heel.

She stuffs another bruosivi nug into her pipe, and stokes.

Lower Diplomacy than others, most likely

Diplomacy(T): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

"We mean no harm. We just need some information."

Somehow he's less than convincing