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Nicodemus and Kargoth worm their way trough the mirror maze and are able to quell some of the flames. The twig spins and sends an array of sharpened needles out the front door before sliding into the dwarf's shadow.
The twig man mimics the cleric's movements into the room, but (contrary to self-preservation) seems unwilling to fight the fires, which grow in intensity, including one next to Achurius!
The scarecrow does radiate an aura of magical influence, but the exact type is beyond Achurius' grasp. The leprechaun flushes a bit more orange. "I will, of course, suggest that we stay along the safe path if it can be helped." He motions to the water bucket above the front door. "That is a concussion hazard, by the way. And not one of ours. Good luck!" With another wide smile, the leprechaun turns invisible and leaves you to your previous task. ------------------------------------ No sooner does Pappy disappear than a crash emanates from the library. The doors swing open and several students come screaming out of the library just as smoke begins to waft out the door and along the hallway ceilings. "AHH! FIRE! HELP US!" Duaro screams as they rush to your side. A trio of sprites pile out and huddle in the library door, screaming for whatever is inside to stop. Rushing to the door, you find several small fires in places around the various shelves. Thick smoke has risen to the ceiling. The intricate mirror prank reflects the growing blazes and fills the room with a hungry red glow. A tiny twig-like fey stands directly in front of you, its arms up in a pugilistic stance. Initiative!:
Alessandra knowledge check:
Leprechauns are mostly jovial tricksters who prefer mischief over conflict. Leprechauns do not attack on sight. Rather, they engage in conversation and try to charm, cajole, or trick those they meet into doing favors for them or freely giving over a treasured item, usually in return for illusory wealth or false promises of wealth and success. They are well-versed in illusory magic. Pappy presents the scarecrow with a flourish of his stubby arm. "This was commandeered from one of the student's pranks, some of the other fey gussied it up to be a fright though. I was but the invisible puppet master. Good thing it broke you quickly, it is heavier than it looks!" He considers Gwen's words carefully before adding. Per J’s rules, me and my people have the same rights as the students to prank until 12 bells, so that is what we will do. And they are not really my caravan, I am leader in name only. They frankly do as they wish."
The jolt of fear to several of you is not punctuated by a further assault, but rather an irritating laugh. The scarecrow leans and tilts to the side before coming to rest - leaning against the hallway wall. The uproarious laughing continues until its source apparates before you, next to the now inert scarecrow. "Well that was certainly easy. You mortals." The leprechaun doffs his hat and curtseys with a wry smile. "Pappy Draighean is the name, I must thank you for welcoming our caravan to these..." he giggles again "...esteemed halls."
As the group moves forward to allow Mrs. Crinkle to answer nature's call, the halls suddenly become unnaturally quiet, although the din of the caravan's continued presence can be heard in distant rooms. From around the corner, a hideous scarecrow ambles forward - unnaturally, even for a possessed scarecrow. It steps ever closer, with flaming eyes, gnashing teeth and eerie noises that emanate from its gaping maw. The scarecrow’s eyes flicker with an unnerving glow.
Nicodemus and Kargoth skillfully arrange the students in a receiving line (at the appropriate non-threatening distance), and despite the bard's weak snarl, the mysterious barking from the shed is enough to propel the opossums to the intended window. The last few crawl up and over the sill to take their places for Geltra and Tel's reveal. A quick peek into Ms. Laforent's classroom reveals a large amount of glowing novelty ink has been spilled across the desks here. A pet tortoise, painted a jaunty pearlescent blue, sleepily munches on a head of lettuce in a small terrarium on a stool in the center of the room, with a dunce cap placed on top of the terrarium. The opossums find a comfortable place amongst the cluttered desks and settle in. "Cool, huh?" Tels summarizes wisely, as he closes the window tight.
-------------------------------------------- The opposum prank complete, you return to the entry to search for others to aid when the sky directly above the school opens up with a rainbow of over-bright rays. Jaunty music heralds the first few fey to arrive. Nixies flow out first and into the entrance then zip through classrooms scattering shredded paper in the halls, a satyr troop appears and cavorts down the main halls playing raucous music, and a lone faerie dragon chases a cloud of gleefully screaming sprites along the top of the walls outside. The school is completely consumed in fey mayhem. J appears in the cross-corridor (leading some nearby students out of the area) and he calls out to you. "I guess this is the vicious fey you told me about!?! Seems harmless. But you never know, I guess. Best to be careful to start. Send anyone else you can find to regroup in the lunchroom. We will figure out what to do next there!" Cass Farsight nods. "I'll go with him so I'm not a burden." She peers at her doorway prank woefully. "Try not to set it off..." She breaks for J and follows him to the lunchroom.
The decanter is high-quality and probably belongs somewhere else at the school. ---------------------------- Geltra glances over and signals for silence. After a careful pause, she grimaces and then relaxes and steps over to the group. "Drat. We are running out of time. I was trying to lure some of the opossums into Ms. Laforent's classroom." A look over at Tels at the open window is highlighted by his exagerated pointing. "Do any of you have a helpful hint? I'm not so good with varmits." she sighs. "Yeah, and we started by poking them with a stick, so they are kinda miffed now. Sorry." One of the other students adds. Peeking into the shed, the students have clearly startled the opossums, who are now hiding in the clutter of the shed hissing and baring their teeth.
J is noticeably surprised by Mrs. Crinkle's warning, not quite sure of its veracity. But no stranger to strangeness on the grounds, he nods. "Vicious fey, you say? Well, I'm glad you are all here to keep an eye out for that eventuality. Keep the students safe." ----------------------------- Opening the door to the classroom across the hall from the lunchroom, Nicodemus sees what appears to be a prank awaiting judgement. Every level surface in this room, from the teacher’s desk to the stacked reference books to the floor, is covered in mismatched glasses full of water. DC 19 Perception check:
You notice a decanter floating in a bowl on the teacher’s desk ----------------------------- Cass Farsight waves to you as you pass through the entrance hall again. "Be careful! Don't set off my booby-trap just yet, I want J to see it. I've augmented it with cushions from the faculty lounge for an extra little punch!" Eventually (and carefully) moving outside, the group finds Geltra (the kobold student), watched by a sizable flock of younger students trying to lure something out of the shed. Tels Olsen stands nonchalantly by an open window of one of the classrooms.
Tracing your steps back to the previous room, you find J Dacilane still there, cleaning the last remnants of the pie assault from his pressed clothes. "It seems the pies have let up, I suspect I have you all to thank for that. But alas, there are likely still some students who need help before the judging can commence. You have helped a few, don't ignore any pleas in the spirit of fariness." He gives you a glance like - why haven't you left?
The din has decreased since you have entered the buidling earlier. It seems most of the students have settled in to put the final touches on their pranks or are just waiting around to be "judged". You do see out of the lunchroom window that a kobold student is wriggling and hopping near the open shed door outside.
The leader gets more animated as he cycles through all the questions. "Mr. Clanglyfeets? Oh, yeah. You'll meet him soon. Can't say we know him well. He just joined the caravan. Not even sure if that is his real name, we just call him that cause of the iron boots he wears." DC 20 Nature or a DC 15 Fey Lore check to Recall Knowledge about the boots:
You recognize that few fey wear metal footwear, so they are likely discussing a redcap, sadistic and capricious fey who thrill in bloodletting and murder. "Matter of fact, the rest of the caravan will all be coming soon. We were but the quickest to get our clothes on! Surely, they will be better prepared for the festivities! We are just here to have some fun with you all... I don't really know why there were nails in some of the pies, we didn't make them! She did!" He points to the dwarf cook, still cowering under the table. The dwarven cook finally emerges and leans into your group with a whisper. "I was doing my best to keep all the students out of here. I let one of the students have one pie to throw at that headmaster, in the spirit of the day, mind you. Then this lot showed up and just took over. It was all I could do to find refuge while they wrecked my day's work. The pies were meant to celebrate the winner today. And I assure you nails were not a part of the recipe." She slides a long grey carving knife from her belt "Here, take this, they weren't scared when I was brandishing it, but maybe they will be if you do."
"Well, all's well now it seems. We will behave and make things right here. Glad to see you are feeling better, miss. Ta Ta!" One by one the little fey start to clean up the tremendous mess that has been made. Others start to prepare a fresh batch of celebratory pies. ---------------------------------
Despite Gwen's expected reaction, the fey are calmed enough to talk (or at least made curious) by the contemplative . Their leader continues, eyes rising to meet you... "We meant no harm. Truly! You see, we were just part of the caravan, visiting your realm from the first world, see? Rumors spread amongst us that there was to be a prank war. PRANK WAR! Needless to say we were more than excited to be a part of that!" He glances at Gwen once again and shakes his head. lowering his gaze once more. "No, no, no, we would never harm anyone like that. We are not like that. We are servants in this realm, not warriors. We are no Mr. Clanglyfeets." Gwen's wounds are non-beauty threatening and are quickly resolved by the various healing regimens.
Despite Mrs. Crinkle's outburst, it is only when Kargoth's spell takes effect that the pies finally simmer down. One by one, a dozen spirits snap out of invisibility. Most have somber looks on their faces (as they spot the downed sorcerer) but a few still huff and puff from the prank's physical toll. One even picks another pie up to toss until he recieves a dissaproving head-shake from one of the others. One of the taller ones steps forward sheepishly. "We're sorry..."
Pies fly reflexively at Gwen and Achurius. As Gwen receives hers, you notice it is particulalry violent as it is stuffed with both cream filling and nails and she slumps down to the ground, bleeding from the face! Two of the remaining floating pies lower to the table and Nicodemus is able to coax another off onto the floor.
Alessandra begins a tune and notices hurried motion next to the tables. It seems as if the spirits jiggling the pies are invisible. Four of the creampies suddenly levitate and turn slightly, as if they are "re-arming".
The group seems mystified by the strange goings-on but a quite transformed Mrs. Crinkle takes it upon herself to unmask the hidden threat. With a flourish, the table-cloth reveals a huddled dwarf in an apron, her finger up to her mouth as a sign to not give her location away.
A pie lifts off of the nearest table under Nicodemus' eye. Gwen and Achurius deem the area magical for sure. As Achurius delves into it further, Mrs. Crinkle and Gwen enter to investigate. The elder barbarian is almost immediately met with a creampie flung from the table. The rest of the pies begin to vibrate in anticipaton.
Initiative!:
With an action on your turn you may roll a DC 20 Arcana, Nature, Religion or Occultism check to understand the situation better: Spirits appear to be inhabiting these pies and can be quelled (many successes needed). A DC 23 Diplomacy, Deception, or Intimidate check (2 actions in the room) can be used to convince the house spirits to undo their spells, a DC 21 Arcana or Occultism check (2 actions in the room) to unravel a pie’s enchantments, or a dispel magic spell can be used. The numerous pies on the tables can just be smashed as well, but that will harm (anger, disappoint?) the spirits.
Despite the lacking aesthetic improvements, you at least manage to successfully rig the scarecrow to “fly” around the schoolyard on the provided ropes and pulleys, suggestively thrusting to the beats of the uneven track and screeching wildly at every corner. Vim nods and grins at the final product, while Hari just stands still - mouth agape.
----------------------------------------- As the "ghost" makes another gyrating circuit, Cass Farsight emerges from the building and runs up to you. "Uh, I have an urgent missive from J. Follow me!" The student leads you to J, who is alone in one of the classrooms (Ms. Hirasara’s room from the plaque by the door) except for a pan of pie splattered upon the floor. As you stand in the doorway and watch, the pie reassembles itself and flies off the ground to hit J squarely in the face. He sighs audibly and wipes the pie from his face. “I truly detest meringue.” J says wearily. The topping flits off Dacilane’s face in flakes and drops, reconstituting into the pie pan and quickly reforming into an intact pie again. “As talented as I believe our students to be, I would think such weapons of mischief to be beyond their practical capabilities. Can you see about…” With a sudden splat, he’s struck again by the ambushing regenerating pie. “Can you see about undoing this particular prank? It was funny the first few times, but it’s hard to supervise the students when—” J gestures toward the pie, which is already on a collision course with his face once again. "Given the nature of the weapons used perhaps you should start the investigation in the lunchroom down the hall and see if Grenda, our cooking teacher and school chef, knows anything about the matter." He helpfully suggests through the mess on his face and then finally ducks a toss, before lifting his head square into the path of a return strike. --------------------------------------------------------- Quickly reaching the lunchroom, you find it empty of students (or adults). Deserted - except for a series of long tables arranged in neat rows and graced with sturdy floor-length tablecloths. Upon the tables are a dozen or so pies, similar in consistency to those tormenting poor J. Storage cabinets sit below the window overlooking the grounds.
Hari's face lengthens to each of Mrs. Crinkle's suggestions. Shaking her head vigourously to clear her thoughts, she nods to Archuris. "Exactly my thoughts. No bang at all. I'd intended this as an homage to Student #19, but it's just coming off uninspired." As if prompted, a few of students prop up a hastily stuffed scarecrow that just looks... sad. "Not at all scary!" Vim interjects and stands up "#19 was a rebel! A brave, little ghost who filled our heads with weal and woe! Not some stuffed potato lounging in a cart on a track. This isn't going to surprise or frighten anyone. Can you help punch it up?"
Progressing to the courtyard, a small, chalk-marked track runs around most of this open yard. Statues on opposite sides of the track stand posed in unnatural stances, the better to display the garish paint splashed across their edifices. A magnificent maple tree sits in the corner of the schoolyard, bedecked in thrown spools of ribbon. A goblin and half-elf student that some of you may recognize (Vim Moneymaker and Hari) sit cross-legged some distance apart as a group of older students tidy up the artwork. The shouts have died down as you approach, but their unserious scowls betray the fact that they were the cause of them.
Nicodemus and Achurius combine for the most success and within minutes the mirrors are placed with maximum efficiency. Duaro leans back against the desk and eyes the handiwork. "Cool. If you want to sign the ledger, I'll make sure to credit you to all the unfortunate flies in our little web. I mean, once their eyes return to normal..."
The tiefling turns to the voices and pauses a bit at their first encounter with a contemplative. "Uh, not so much the lifting, but more the angling and configuration of the trap-pulses. If you are willing to help, we can include your names in the center-zone as contributers. I'm Duaro, pleased to meet you." She bows excessively.
Scores of books and the smell of paper fills this inviting library, which is furnished with a round table and chairs and a plush carpet. Rolling stools provide a step up for those too short to reach the top shelves. Within it, a tiefling student is hastily directing a crew of students in hanging a shocking number of one-way mirrors and casting light spells around the library to make a cunningly difficult mirror maze.
From the corner of their vision, they raise a hand to halt you from entering. "We are not quite ready here, and rapidly falling behind schedule. If you mind giving us a bit more time, you can be the first vict-... visitors to the Maze of the Open Book!" A sudden crash in the back and subsequent shattering sound indicates that they might be further behind than even that.
The group is quite persuasive in their guidance. But when Mrs. Crinkle puts her own personal touch on the attempts, Cass wriggles her head awkwardly around in her arm until their faces meet. The young Eagle Knight's gaze is suprisingly cold and unflinching. Mrs. Crinkle senses not only the ire of the young student, but the weight of the entire Andoran nation upon her.
Once that dust clears, Cass regains her footing and exhales. "Perhaps I was a bit foolish. Or not foolish enough, I guess." She picks up the bucket and rope and steps to the doorway, nodding a bit sheepishly to the bard's similar height. "Well, if teamwork is so important, let's do this. I assume you are all trained in how to make a humanoid pyramid. That's why they send you out in groups of six all the time, right?"
A voice shouts directions from the library and further screams and shouts come from the open door leading outside to the southern courtyard.
"Someone suggested I put it up over the transom. Aren't you lucky I didn't or you'd be all wet right now." She shakes her head. "But really, I mean of all the things we could be using our talents for, especially a handful of able Pathfinder agents. And I am Cass Farsight, the proud daughter of a long line of Eagle Knights. What's the point of all this...frivolity?
Entering the courtyard, a tidy lawn surrounds this stately single-story brick building beyond the academy’s iron gates. Three stone steps and two ramps ascend to the front entrance. The doors stand ajar, revealing the main hallway. Walking around the building leads to the grounds at the south side. As Achurius and Gwen lead the way, you are immediately met on the inside by a halfling in full Eagle Knight regalia. She seems quite displeased, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. A bucket of water and neatly coiled length of rope lie at her feet. Her glare cuts though your party. "I expected a little bit more from the Society, don't you have better things to do? Isn't Tar-Baphon still traipsing about?"
"Indeed!" J agrees. "The Medal of Foolery awaits!" ------------------------- As you finish your preparations, the sound of Ten Bells ring through the city as if summoned by your excitement to begin. The front gates to the Academy remain swung open as a few students loiter outside the grounds. Having been here before you remember the layout well. Although there are a few sounds - slamming doors, fits of laughter... that greet you on this day.
Hari answers the message almost immediately. "Of course I do, a spreadsheet of outcomes and contigencies even. Do you know what the word "nostalgia" is? It's ancient Taldan meaning"homecoming pain". She giggles knowingly. ------------------------------------- To the cleric's query, he stretches his arms wide. "Yes, well I'm not sure how to answer that, as this will be the very first Prank War. You see, for weeks now, our students have been escalating ever‑more ingenious pranks culminating in the defacement of the soon-to-open Dacilane Academy auditorium we stand before. So, I wanted to formalize it a tad and let the students have some repreive from all the rigors of study this semester. A chance to take the lid off the pot, so to speak. So I guess we will find out what a Prank War is... together. But fear not, it isn't like I expect you to be mere observers (or even targets). Pathfinders should have some fun too. Right?" He moves in a little closer to ensure the students can't hear the next words. "The students often have grand ideas but may need help to make them appropriate for one another. Just remember you’re here to assist, not do the tasks for them — please provide them with your expertise and wisdom with the expresed goal that you should help them focus on tactics, diplomacy, but most importantly... not taking themselves too seriously! Be mentors, fun mentors, but allow them to engage with the experience themselves. Much like you did in the lodge up in Galt." He nods to those in the know.
A reminder that Alessandra will get a level bump during this adventure. Not sure if we have any mentor boons available as well? Level Bump: Increase every DC the PC has by 1. Increase the attack modifiers, attack damage, spell damage, saving throw modifiers, skill modifiers, Perception modifiers, and AC of the PC by 1. Increase the total hit points of the PC by 10 or by 10%, whichever is higher.
Alessandra, Mrs. Crinkle and Gwen remember:
Pathfinder agents initially investigated an alleged haunting inside the Academy a few years back and determined that the uncanny events in question were caused by an akizendri — a chaotic extraplanar being of the sort known as proteans. Then, a more powerful pelagastr protean made a deal with a teacher that culminated in a magical mishap during a field trip to Woodsedge Lodge that temporarily shunted the Pathfinder chaperones to a different plane of existence. Then, a more powerful pelagastr protean made a deal with a teacher that culminated in a magical mishap during a field trip to Woodsedge Lodge that temporarily shunted the Pathfinder chaperones to a different plane of existence. Achurius, Alessandra, Mrs. Crinkle, Nicodemus and Gwen know:
The Pathfinder Society purchased the manor housing the Academy decades ago. In recent years, J Dacilane has donated substantial resources and efforts to guaranteeing a high-quality education for the students. Kargoth has read somewhere:
The Dacilane Academy has been thoroughly infested with chaotic magic because of a hidden portal to the Maelstrom in the hidden depths under the school.
The agents start to gather and introduce themselves to one another, their efforts interrupted by the clearly excited student body. Those in the know will be occasionally distracted by an excited wave from Vim Moneymaker and Geltra or a subtle head nod from Hari. Tels Olsen, captain of the Academy's ruk team breaks the silence by greeting those of you he has journeyed with before. "Looks to be an exciting day, didn't think you could stomach any more of our shenanigans, but here we are..." Before he can continue, a human figure bearing a remarkable resemblance to the catfolk graffiti finally steps atop a crate and claps to get the assembled students’ attention. J Dacilane stands in front of the students with a stern look, though there is a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Students, someone has taken it upon themselves to attack the very name of this school, an act so serious that I can only consider it to be a declaration of war: the Dacilane Academy’s very first prank war.” He holds up a hand to quiet the outburst of excitement from the gathered students. “Classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the day, as conflict is a powerful teacher. You will have until 10 bells to organize yourselves, make your plans, and prepare for battle, and until 12 bells to prank with impunity." More cheers erupt. "There will be no teams; you must make your own alliances and be on the lookout for betrayals. These Pathfinders will serve as impartial observers, mentors, and judges. For those of you who need competitive motivation, a winner will be selected by our judges to win the Dandy-Lion Medal of Foolery for the team that embodies the spirit of the competition the best, but the satisfaction of besting your opponents will be your truest reward. Keep your wits about you. War is chaos; enemies can unite against a greater foe; neutral parties might get involved — take nothing for granted. And remember — whatever mess you make, you will be responsible for cleaning up tomorrow morning, including this.” He points to the leonine painting behind him. “Go prepare. Good luck and have fun.” As the gaggle of students race back across the cobbled street to the Academy in whispering knots and clumps, J fights against the surge and bee-lines to you all. "Well, eveyone is certainly quite spirited today. Thank you for answering the call on behalf of the Society once again. As always, I am happy to answer any questions you might have about what exactly is going on today..."
Okay, we have six ready to visit the Dacilane Academy once again. Mrs. Crinkle
Please proceed to the Academy for your mission briefing...
Looks like we will be high tier (Challenge Points=19), so our level 3 will be eligible for a level bump and up to two mentor boons if anyone can share those... About my GM style:
My own PbP combat style is to try and respect initiative order in resolving actions rather than just simple posting order (unless the sequence of events would benefit significantly otherwise). I'll roll initiatives at the start and some saves if I think they will affect my further actions in the turn to keep things moving. If you wish to delay on purpose, let me know, don't just wait on me. I will usually only update the combat narrative when everyone who can go has gone. Make sure you roll for your actions in the order they occur in your turn. Requested saves first... Make sure you keep your tagline updated with the current value for your Saves, Perception, Exploration Activity, and Armor Class, considering your spells cast. Treat it as your verbal response if I were to ask you what the value was in a face to face game, because that is how I'll treat it. But don't worry about common modifiers (like cover or prone), I'll handle that. I will try to keep track of everyone's ongoing buffs in the combat tracker during combats and will also show you enemy conditions (and heights, if they are flying), so we are all on the same page. Let me know if I missed something. Feel free to ask about anything in the discussion threads or if you think I've ruled incorrectly or just made a mistake. You likely know your character better than I will. I'll make corrections as necessary, but I think we all know there are still some rules that are up to the GM's discretion. I try to rule by RAW for PFS, and stick to written tactics unless they are obviously illogical as the combat progresses. Also, let me know if you need to take a short break from the game for any reason. If you have botting instructions, they are welcome. A couple more questions: Let me know how many glyphs you have earned for extra party hero points. Also, let me know if you have earned a Chronicle Sheet for #2‑09: The Seven Secrets of Dacilane Academy or #3-18: Dacilane Academy’s
The letter from J Dacilane to the Pathfinder Society didn’t specify much: “Pathfinder team requested for mentorship opportunity at Dacilane Academy tomorrow, 9 bells. Sense of humor suggested.” With scant else to go on, you all arrive in front of the newly constructed auditorium doors, festooned with a ceremonial ribbon, to find the students milling about in front of the building. The auditorium has been defaced—the sign for the Dacilane Academy Auditorium has been vandalized, with “Dacilane” changed to “Dandy-lion.” Beneath it, the doors have been painted with a picture of a catfolk wearing a foppish exaggeration of an Eagle Knight uniform. The feline freedom fighter has been hit in the face with a meringue pie by an unseen assailant and is making a comically shocked face.
Recruiting for: #4-16 Dacilane Academy's First Great Prank War A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 3rd- through 6th-level characters. Exam time has always been stressful for the students of the Dacilane Academy, so J Dacilane has come up with a plan: have a group of Pathfinders help them pull off the first ever Dacilane Academy Great Prank War! Surely nothing can go wrong! However, once a caravan of fey traveling nearby catch a whiff of the chaos, they're more than willing to come and join the prank war—with or without an invitation! It's up to the Pathfinders to calm down the friendly fey, defeat the evil fey that infiltrated the caravan, and ensure that the students have the best prank war ever! Should be easy as pie! (Quick, duck that pie!) Written by John Curtin Sign up here: RPG Chronicles We will start when we get at least four players...
Chronicles are available to download Here. Let me know if there are any issues and thanks again for playing!
Emdi's prime shot destroys the dread ghoul. The horseman spins on the newly arrived (and bloodied) foe and swipes three times.
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