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

Game Master chadius

The halfling pipes up. "Kistur Radu? We're Pathfinders. We've come to ask your help with something." He gestures to Bakbat to explain the vision.

Aid Bakbat's Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

BakBat explains the vision, and, with only some elbowing from Argoni, tries not to embellish.

Kitsur's eyes narrow. "That's me. If you want to buy beef, you gotta wait in market like everyone else." BakBat begins explaining his vision and Kitsur's eyes narrow. "Yeah, that was me. Did the Entity get to you too?" He realizes no one understands him. "Hmpf. Let me explain what I've been seeing."

"A dark room lit by flashes of thunder. But it's thunder inside the building. A tall woman in her fifties speaks, she's speaking calmly, almost caring. The mesh on the ground, it's metallic and thunder is going through it, she's avoiding stepping on it."

"She's approaching The Entity, it's inside an enclosure surrounded by the metallic mesh. She says she wants to help, and offers empty glass syringe fitted with a short needle ending in a rounded tip. Poor lady, the Entity is manipulating her. I'm certain of it!"

"But it reaches out with tendrils of light ebb toward the syringe, filling it with a warm glow. Thunder discharges around the woman. She's smiling as the essence is in that syringe. And then I start seeing a manor. Gotta be the Ardis Scholar's Manor."

"The Entity was manipulating that woman. Just like it tried to manipulate me. That mansion is cursed. Someone's gotta to clean it out." He turns back to his cleaver and the grindstone. "Alright, get out of here. I'm busy."

That's all the information you can get from him. Off to the manor? It's about 2 days travel from here.

Processing the new information, Itka asks questions despite sensing that Kitsur isn't going to answer them: "Hmp. What does the Entity look like? Is the manipulation mundane or magical? *How* did it try to manipulate you? What did it want you to do?" She keeps asking questions as her teammates usher her out the door, if only so that everyone else knows what to look for too.

As Doc listens to the explanation, he glances around holds up his hand. A ring on his hand glows slightly as he casts detect magic, filtering out the magical auras of his companions.

Argoni taps his lips for a moment. "Do you recognize this woman? Have you ever seen her before? Perhaps she came in here once?" The halfling fetches the now inert key, though he holds it by a cloth. "Have you ever seen this before? Or something like it?"

"Hmpf. Maybe it got to you too..." Kitsur mumbles to himself when he realizes you haven't left yet. "I ain't seen nothin. Now get out."

Doc Bloodshanks didn't detect anything magical in the room. Either Kitsur is a legendary warrior who doesn't need weapons or he's in way over his head.

Either way, he refuses to answer anymore questions. You find some of his neighbors, although they keep their doors closed, they are willing to give you directions to the Ardis Scholar's Manor. It will take about 2 days to travel there. They mention headaches. Some of them have fragments of the same dream Kitsur saw, although his is the most complete. For the most part they don't have a precise description of the Entity besides an extremely bright creature. They've never seen the key before but its strange craftsmanship increases their anxiety.

Isaku theorizes the Entity may be the source, perhaps the key can be used to amplify its power?

Not much more you can get from this village. You're about 2 days out from the Manor. Anyone doing anything else here?

Doc shakes his head as you journey. "No evidence of what could be causing the visions within that village. Why would the people there be having visions from a manor two days away?" He glances at Jakoby. "Which way is upriver? Perhaps the manor is putting some sort of toxin within the river, and these people are consuming it."

May BakBat do a Recall Knowledge (Arcana +15) about any spells that would send visions -- sort of like the spell Nightmare (BakBat is more knowledgeable than his player).

BakBat's mind is still overwhelmed processing the vision he saw. Mental spells would be useful. Maybe telepathic communication would be useful.

"Hmp. Let's get as far as we can before nightfall. I'll have Akti consume the Telepathy scroll so I can prepare it in the morning. Then we'll have another look at that key." Itka begins limping along the road toward the manor, assuming the others will overtake her soon enough.

"We should take care that our own dreams might be troubled as we get closer." Argoni turns to Itka. "Do you need any help tonight learning that spell?"

The team's dreams are unchanged over the next 2 days, and BakBat fully recovers from his exposure to the key. Itka spends time to learn the powers of telepathy.

By the late afternoon you reach an overgrown path that winds up the hillside, leading to an imposing manor that towers over the landscape. At the path's end, two curved staircases lead to a patio, gray with age and sagging with disrepair. Underneath the patio, a patchwork of wooden posts supports the structure's weakest points, preventing it from collapsing. Most of the windows are boarded up, but cold light flickers through the heavy curtains on the top floor.

What's your marching order? What is your exploration activity?

>Ardis Manor, First Floor<

Perception(M): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Isaac notices, for the first time, that everyone in his group has feet...

Search for EA. He has Trap Finder. If it's related to his investigation +1 to the Perception check IIRC
He has a throwing knife out in case something unfriendly jumps out at them.

Doc pulls his crossbow. It is an awkward contraption, with a strange metal bracket ... into which he places a moderate bottled lightning. The tip of the bomb rests against the crossbow bolt near the front.

He advances a few paces behind the ranger, looking around and taking note of the building's state of disrepair and trying to identify any danger spots before they cause problems. "I'll admit, this is definitely not what I was expecting to encounter ..."

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Exploration Activity: Investigate (Crafting +19)

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Exploration Activity: Detect Magic
BakBat will be in the middle of the party

Perception (M) vs DC 26: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35

"Careful - these doors can shock you with electricity if triggered" puff "Isaku - let me know if you see anything" puff "The rest of you stay behind me" puff "Ro - Afore!"

Jakoby & Ro out front, katana in hands

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

"Wait, what?" Argoni looks back and forth between Jakoby and Isaku.

Investigate. Argoni will tend to stay towards the back.

He will also have used his Wand of Tailwind this morning.

"Ah, a trap is it? Perhaps I should see if I can disarm it... I do have a recipe for an energy mutagen, which would help whoever attempts the disarm, in case it goes ... awry."

Magical trap or is this something that can be disarmed with Crafting or Thievery?

It doesn't look like the rods are charged, currently. So there's nothing to disable.

The team gets into formation, although they are curious at what Itka will do. Eventually, the team enters the Great Hall.

Most of the floor tiles have been painstakingly repaired and waxed in an attempt to recapture the great hall's lost splendor, although not its function. A few chairs neatly stacked in a corner next to a shattered blackboard covered in complex scripts and a portable lectern speak to the great hall having a more academic purpose.

Elegant marble columns support the ceiling, each fitted with six thin metal rods running through their entire height, and a massive spiral staircase leads to the upper floor.

You may inspect the shattered blackboard.

Looking closer at the pylons...

BakBat begins looking at the blackboard. "Here. Someone else look here. There is writing. I still have a soul. You don't. You can read it."

Crafting: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Arcana: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Occultism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Crafting: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

"Uh, hang on..." Argoni takes out a notebook and goes to each of the blackboards with complex formulas and scripts. He jots down a few notes and them moves on to the next, then again and again. "Um, someone might want to double-check me, but I think this says a weakening between the Netherworld (formerly the Shadow Plane) and this Universe surrounding the manor. The phenomenon lasted for about 2 weeks."

Marching order: at the back
Exploration activity: Detect Magic

Occultism DC 28: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Itka comes to the same conclusion as Argoni. "Hmp. You're right. I wonder when exactly it began and ended. ... Hmp." Her jaw works side to side as she ponders the possibilities.

While mulling occult mysteries, her eyes drift over to the pylons...

Crafting DC 26: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

...and notice nothing in particular.

Crafting(M): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21
Occultism(E): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Isaku ponders on what is on the blackboard.

Crafting: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

Doc investigates the pylons and strokes his chin. "Intriguing. These are a power transfer system, intended to conduct electricity throughout the building. No current flows now, though ..." He glances around. "I wonder if there is a coupling that has been disconnected or something. But where would this power come from?" He taps the bottled lightning bomb mounted in his crossbow's bracket. "I can of course create electricity alchemically, but the amount required to fuel a facility of this size would be immense ..."

Isaku raises an eyebrow at Doc's discovery. "Is that what those are? Interesting." When Doc mentions the possibility of disconnecting them, Isaku muses "Maybe we can disconnect them without destroying them?"

Doc nods, pulling out his repair toolkit. "Keep an eye open for anything ... I'll try not to be too loud, but there may be some banging ..."

Crafting: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

The doctor performs some electrical circuitry, jury-rigging some easy switches into a few key locations. He shows everyone how they work. "This is on, so the current would flow through to the door ... This is off, if we need to get out." He leaves it in the off position.

The team takes another look near the entrance as Doc Bloodshanks adds another override.

The tapestry and upholstery are new and well made, filling the entrance with unexpectedly vibrant reds. An empty glass decanter sits on an elegant entry table nestled between the two south-facing windows. Three portraits painted by expert hands adorn the walls, each mounted below a plaque bearing a fragment of the Ardis Scholars' motto: "to learn, to understand, to embrace". The large door leading farther into the manor is sturdy and unblemished by the ravages of time.

The paintings have no names, dates or titles.

Then the team decides which they will go next through: South, North, or Northeast? The other rooms don't go anywhere interesting. Once 2 people agree we'll go that way.

Out of her league, Jakoby let's the veritable party of scientists do the talking, keeping a lookout while they discuss...

Perception (Master) vs DC 24[/dice: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

...looking at the painting closely, she guesses that "Silvu Cioraru painted her name here - you can barely see it - look!" she puffs curiously as conjectures pass back and forth.

Jakoby agrees to follow the next person to choose!

"Hmp. Interesting." Itka takes note of Doc's instructions after watching his re-jiggering of the electrical system keenly.

"Silvu Cioraru painted her name here - you can barely see it - look!"

Limping over to the portraits, Itka peers closely at the corners of the paintings. "Hmp. You're right. Who's Silvu Cioraru?"

Once everyone's finished in this area, Itka gestures to the south room. "Hmp. Here next?"

Argoni exclaims, "An excellent question!" He jots it down in his notebook, and then points to the motto. "And we also know we're definitely in the right place."

He closes the notebook and nods at Itka. "South seems like a good plan."

The door from the great hall is missing, its shattered remains barely hanging from the twisted hinges while debris lies scattered everywhere. A door with deep gashes and marks lies further inside but it has no visible lock. A small brass ear horn covered in splinters but otherwise undamaged is attached to the door frame of the reinforced door, acting as a sort of listening device.

The control panel nearby is dead, lifeless. A spark of electricity could awaken it for a few moments.

Perception(M): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Isaku follows, one direction is as good as another at this stage.

He kicks the dice bot on the way though

Argoni goes up to examine the ear horn. "This would allow you to listen in on what's on the other side. You think something in trapped in there?" The halfling presses his ear to it to see what he can hear.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 +1 if his questions apply

Argoni puts his ear up to the earpiece but doesn't hear anything significant.

Argoni shrugs. "I don't hear anything. But that panel won't work the way it is. I wonder..." He studies it for a moment. "With all this stuff, it seems like electricity is needed. Would a spell do it? Or I have some bottled lightning. But maybe it needs something stronger?"

Doc considers Argoni's question and what he can tell about the set-up.

Crafting: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

"Hmp. I don't have an electric spell prepared today." Itka's rather distracted by the smashed door and debris.

Perception +12: Does the damage look new-ish or old?

Itka surmises the damage must be a few months old at this point. Doc Bloodshanks thinks with all of the electric panels and pylons this panel must rely on a lot of electricity to operate. Maybe the ear piece is some kind of communication device?

Surmising all the information they can, the team choose between checking the north room, the northeast room, or perhaps going upstairs.

"I suggest we clear this floor before heading upstairs." Isaku says.

"I can do a lot of electric damage to it."

BakBat will explain using Horizon Thunder Sphere -- it will use a second rank spell slot

"Hmp. *That* ought to effectively announce our presence, if anyone missed it. We'll have to be extremely aware to avoid ambushes and traps." Itka remarks dryly, but she doesn't stop Bakbat from casting and blasting.

Jakoby nods to Isaku.

But waits for the sparks to fly.

More knowledgeable about natural matters, she stands her place in line, keeping her eyes and ears open.

"I can do a lot of electric damage to it."

BakBat will explain using Horizon Thunder Sphere -- it will use a second rank spell slot

This reminds me of Fizban the Fabulous always wanting to cast fireball during the worst possible times...

The Mighty BakBat draws forth arcane power and casts Horizon. Thunder. SPHERE!

The panel lights up with words glowing in the Common Taldane tongue. The panel lights up. WARNING. Manual Lockdown in effect by the authority of Revecka Cioraru. Release Override to gain access.

"Hmp. Another name. Where's the Override?" Unsure how long the panel will be functional, Itka searches for a toggle or thingy with that label.

Perception +12 if needed

If she finds it, she'll look to the team for confirmation/agreement before releasing it.

Isaku's senses go on full alert as the warning appears. He joins Itka in searching for some lever or switch that might disable the contraption.

Perception +15; if related to his investigation, +2

Itka looks for a level or a button or a switch or something, and Isaku also peers around the room. They don't see anything of the like.

Eventually the panel's lights fade. Entering Low Power mode...

Society (Who's Revecka Cioraru?): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Society (Who's Silvu Cioraru?): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

As the unit enters low power mode, Itka muses about what that might mean. "Hmp. Does it need less power to do the same things? Or does that mean it's conserving energy while it's waiting for instructions?"

Society - Revecka Cioraru): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28 +1 if the answer would help with identifying Silvu Cioraru

Argoni notes the same surname at the painter. "Hmm, they must be related, yes?"