So complicated I have no idea, lol. There seems to have been quite a bit of suspicion regarding Amenopheus in Seasons 1-2, and I don't know how/if that was resolved before Tahonikepsu took over and then the faction retired.
"Was that... Amenopheus?" Not-Trixie's words pause for a moment as if she were considering whether to speak them aloud. "And that stone - was he trying to infuse a Sage Jewel or something?" She shakes her head. "Regardless, we need to return these spirits to their bodies as well. Narayan, could you try to bend a hole in these bars? I can teleport us past if need be, but it might be best to save magic just in case..."
If no other options present themselves, Not-Trixie can use dimension door to get the PC's (but not Sithiss unfortunately) there and back again. Feel free to bot/assume that if needed @GM.
Not-Trixie breathes a sigh of relief, then follows after Bo. “Those are probably the bodies of the women we aided,” she explains gently. “We should return them to the lodge.”
From the description, it sounds like there are iron bars blocking easy passage into the room - is that accurate?
Not-Trixie likewise holds the wand aloft as she flies into the room, stopping between Bo and Selter. “Akilia, lend us your aid and we shall give you vengeance!” she intones. Her hair rises for a moment as pale light surrounds her, fading slowly to sparkles that cover her and her close companions.
Moving, then Standard to activate Akilia’s possession boon (choosing to remember haste in case it gets dispelled or she needs another battering blast).
Akilia wrote:
The sorcery of Akila’s spirit grants the PC she possesses the ability to immediately recall one spell of 3rd level or lower that they just cast once per day as if using mnemonic enhancer. In addition, she grants a protective ward to all PCs within a 10-foot radius centered on the possessed PC which grants a +3 deflection bonus to AC and a +3 resistance bonus on all saving throws for 5 rounds.
Not-Trixie motions for Bo to come closer as she breaks off a piece of licorice root and begins sketching her familiar circles-within-circles in the air.
Readying to cast haste on the group once Bo is within 30 ft of Selter and Narayan (just north of Vendalfek).
Also, is there some what to recognize what these things are? Not-Trixie can't see much of the room yet, but she might know something useful regarding Yellow.
“That doesn’t sound promising for future negotiations,” Not-Trixie remarks, drawing a circular disk in the air that pops into existence like a bubble and hangs by her side as she floats into the secret passageway. “Vendalfek, you stay here.”
Casting shield and moving. Hopefully Narayan moves in front of her. XD
Not-Trixie breathes a sigh of relief. “Vendalfek, hurry - the mummies are gone and Selter needs healing.” Waiting for the faerie dragon to arrive, she prepares to move the two of them down the hall as fast as her magical flight will allow.
Don't worry Selter! Once Bo and Narayan clear out the remaining mummies, we'll get you back on your feet. In the worst case, we can airlift you to the mobile hospital (aka Vendalfek).
Not-Trixie shudders, finally able to move again. Oh, that was terrible. Quickly sizing up the situation, she sketches a trio of arrow-like lines that burst into flame. The wizard deftly plucks each from the air in raid succession and fires them as if from a bow at the mummies surrounding the fallen Selter.
Did Narayan and Bo switch spots? I'm a little confused that our monk was able to punch someone from that far away and that Bo would want to get that close to the people he's shooting... XD
Not-Trixie hurries around the corners, feet scraping the ground in her rush. As she peers around the final corner and past Sithis's strangely still form, her eyes widen in fear.
Uncertain how many of these need to be rolled, so rolling them all!
Mind racing, the wizard tries to remember something useful about the swarming undead.
Knowledge (religion):1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
If she's paralyzed, Not-Trixie will relay information via Vendalfek to the rest of the party. Otherwise she'll cast grease (Reflex 19) under two mummies on the other side of Selter (Blue and Green, dashed cyan spread).
Not-Trixie silently floats down the passage, continuing to survey the area for arcane auras. Once she verified the coast is clear, she gives Bo the ‘all-clear’ signal to proceed to the next door.
“No, it seems to be typical Osirioni burial practices. But Bo found a secret door, and there doesn’t seem to be any magical wards on it, so let’s hurry.”
One of those “I’m ready to move on, but I also don’t want to be the first one in line” situations, lol.
"Alright, clear to proceed. Narayan, would you do the honors?" The wizard hangs back before following after her companions, waiting for more strangers to jump out of the walls or something similar.
My hunch would be some sort of mummy (given the location and strong undead vibes). Does Selter have ways to reduce the likelihood of someone catching a disease?
Not certain if Ancient Osirioni is the same here as modern-day Osirioni, so rolling Linguistics just in case.
Linguistics vs DC 20:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33
"The hieroglyphs would suggest we are in the right place - Sahib ul-Makam al-Rafi Khalfani Zuberi. The honorific Sahib ul-Makam al-Rafi means something similar to 'Holder of the Eminent Position', though it doesn't specify what that position is other than eminent. Most likely royalty." Not-Trixie shrugs and applies some of her own defensive magics before investigating the doorways and floors for signs of magic. We've certainly seen enough runic surprises already today...
Casting mage armor from wand, then detect magic on the entrance.
"Then let us make haste. You said your bodies were to the south, yes? Perhaps you can use this wand to point the way?" Not-Trixie lets Akila's wand rest atop her open hand, spinning it slowly with the other as a demonstration. "Or did you have something else in mind? Either way, we should hurry!"
If we need to pick particular spirits, Not-Trixie's fine with hosting Akila. Someone with a wand probably uses magic of some kind (I hope).
The wizard inhales, then exhales. "By your leave, Sekhmanu, I would help these spirits find peace and travel to receive Pharasma's judgement." She waits for a moment to give the sphinx a chance to disagree, then steps forward.
"Akila, I will give your spirit a home until this task is completed and the merchant prince Zuberi is defeated."
“Ah, um, maybe they can communicate? A moment, please.” Not-Trixie clears her throat and tries to remember the proper conjugations for a ruler’s close associates. “ تبریک به شما. صدای مرا می شنوی؟ میتونی صحبت کنی؟”
Ancient Osirioni:
“Greetings to you. Can you hear me? Can you speak?”
“What we know of these items’ previous owners is that they were concubines of an ancient ruler of Osirion,” Not-Trixie explains quickly. “The tragedy I spoke of is that someone wishes to use the rings sealed to their corpses in a dark ritual of some kind, and we need your help locating those bodies before the ritual can finish. Do you mean that these are ghosts? Or more like reflections of the past?”
“درود بر شخص قدرتمند,” Not-Trixie answers with a low bow. “We are Pathfinders, friends of Balentiir, and we humbly seek your counsel regarding the location of these items’ previous owners to prevent a tragedy already in motion. My name is Not-Trixie, and this is my companion Vendalfek.”
Knowledge (history) vs DC 15+:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
“Alright, treat Sekhmanu with great respect,” Not-Trixie advises as the group makes their way to the temple of Pharasma. “If you have any good riddles, she might enjoy those - or if you can talk about far-away places and peoples in enough detail to entertain her. She’s been doing this for a while, so it’s not a terribly out-of-the-ordinary request we’re making.”
Diplomacy to Gather Info vs DC 15:1d20 + 27 ⇒ (1) + 27 = 28
“I heard stories about dark shapes moving through the halls of the temple, but it’s a Pharasman temple. Nobody thinks they’re undead.” The wizard frowns, remembering a recent encounter with dark shapes just a few hours ago. “Let’s be polite, but cautious.”
Not-Trixie shakes her head sadly. “I don’t believe many of them did. We found their bodies in the stairwell, sealed between two walls of stone. Did these cultists let slip what their goal was in this… massacre?”
"Bait?" Not-Trixie frowns in thought. "You're right Selter - why did these invaders kill everyone except them?" Carefully she scans the area for magical auras that could indicate another unpleasant surprise. Oil to catch on fire? Seems a bit dramatic and would have taken time to set up...
Casting detect magic. If nothing is found, Not-Trixie will attempt to remove the bound person's hood with her Ranged Legerdemain.
I'm honored that you think Not-Trixie is so altruistic GM, but those rolls were for herself. XD (I think Narayan knocked some folks out with nonlethal damage, so they'd be easier to bring around if we wanted to talk. Who knows - some of them are still probably shaken even!)
Not-Trixie nods and studies the door for traces of magical wards before attempting to convince the lock to allow them access.
Disable Device:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (5) + 25 = 30
Feel free to use her Take 10 on locks/traps if you feel the need to streamline things GM!
Not-Trixie shudders as the last of the negative energy washes over her. “An activated effect,” she says, letting her professional persona slide into place. “If that’s the case, it’s probable they bypassed the vault door downstairs entirely and came in through the walls to get whatever they wanted. Let’s see if we can get more information about what they’re up to from any survivors.” She pulls out a wand and starts carefully drawing forth its healing magic, pausing every so often to concentrate.
UMD and CLW checks:
Just putting these in here to keep the thread uncluttered. UMD vs DC 20:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Knowledge (arcana):1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32- how are they stepping through walls?
“Well, that would explain all the bodies in the stairwell,” Not-Trixie mutters as she floats back out of the attacker’s reach. “But is it an active or passive effect?” Each hand inscribes the familiar circular sigils, but the wizard pauses for a moment to study the man before releasing them.
Ranged Touch, Haste vs Green FF T AC:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25 Empowered Force damage, Sneak Attack:5d6 + 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 6, 6) + (6, 3, 6) = 3646 total
Ranged Touch, Haste vs Green T AC:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20 Empowered Force damage:5d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 1, 4) = 1725 total
Use the higher result for the Bullrush for spheres that hit: Bullrush, Multiple spheres:1d20 + 18 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 18 + 10 = 35 Bullrush, Multiple spheres:1d20 + 18 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 18 + 10 = 32
If the Bullrush is successful, Green needs to make a DC 22 Reflex save or fall prone.
5 ft step, then using Improptu Sneak Attack to make Green flat-footed and casting empowered battering blast (converting emergency force sphere and using 4th lvl slot due to Magical Lineage), then move action to draw wand of invisibility.
Will vs Negative Energy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Not-Trixie takes a trembling breath and nods gratefully to Bo before slipping further down the entryway past the inner door. She reaches into her pouch and draws a much-shortened root, breaking off a piece and using it to sketch a simple repetitive rune in the air that spins faster and faster the more iterations she adds.
How are they stepping through the walls like that? she wonders, finishing off the spell and sending its energies flying to herself, Bo, Narayan, and Sithiss.
“More likely a spell - well, several spells - paired with at least one casting of contingency that was triggered to activate if someone performed a specific action. My guess would be someone entering the stairwell, though it’s a working hypothesis and I don’t think it explains everything we’ve seen so far. There were no lingering auras of whatever triggered the spells that created the walls, so it must have happened more than a few minutes ago. To that end, I don’t see anything else to be gleaned from investigating here at this time and those passwalls won’t last forever.” Not-Trixie lets a small frown cross her face. “I propose returning to the ground floor at once and investigating the rest of the rooms there.”
“A possible security measure?” Not-Trixie’s voice continues to be clinical as she inspects the vault door. “Though that wouldn’t explain all the bodies in the stairwell unless there were two separate triggers and someone understood them well enough to use them intentionally for that purpose. Regardless, the attacker who got away from us upstairs has most certainly informed any of his compatriots that are also present in the building of our presence at this time, and our current location will be easy to deduce given the lingering spell effects.” She looks back towards the stairs. “Our answers may be found upstairs, probably in the main room past the double doors.”
It will (after overland flight, but she also hasn't used them during the last three adventures so it's fine to use them here. Her other options at this level are telekinesis and echolocation, and I think we could survive without either of those if push came to shove. But in-character, she is asking for input from her teammates before using that powerful of magic.
Hoping to get one more opinion on the options before casting the spell, but currently Not-Trixie is leaning towards passwall since in the worst-case scenario she could pop everyone back above ground with dimension door. If nobody else speaks up by tomorrow, she'll move forward with that plan.
Not-Trixie scowls at the second wall. “Drat. I can make another tunnel, but then I won’t be able to make any more today. I could also just pop us to the other side, but we have no idea what we could be stepping into. Or I suppose someone could just try to break it down, but that’ll be noisy and could take a while.” She shrugs, face a polished mask as she calculates the risks and benefits of each method. “What do you think?”
“Is there more to the cellar?” Not-Trixie’s voice is crisp and professional, as if she were in a merchant’s office discussing stock rather than a staircase full of dead colleagues. You can mourn them later, but only if you stay alive long enough.
Not-Trixie flies over and looks at the wall with an appraising eye.
Knowledge (arcana) vs DC 23:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35
"Hmm, a wall of stone." The wizard pulls out her spellbook and starts flipping through the pages quickly. "You can't dispel it, you know - the magic's all done and the stone itself isn't magical anymore. But!" Snapping the book shut, the wizard begins tracing circles within circles on the barrier. Slowly they begin to glow and spin, faster and faster until the movement almost seems to create the illusion of a tunnel through the stone. Seconds later, the other side becomes visible.
"But almost anything can be bypassed with the proper tools." Not-Trixie nods in satisfaction and motions for the others to proceed.
Using a reservoir point to activate Quick Study as a full-round action (converting telekinesis to passwall), then casting. The tunnel is 5 ft wide by 8 ft tall and 10 ft deep, so Sithiss might still have to squeeze, but it's good for 10 hours.
Take all the time you need, and let us know if you want to step back from this scenario. We can find a replacement GM or one of us can step up if need be. Your wellbeing is more important than the game. *Hugs*
Not-Trixie motions to the floating archer. "We've a better chance of finding the one who ran away if we split up, but that's dangerous if he's not the only one here. Speaking of which - no servants, no other Pathfinders here. Only the corpses in the garden outside. They could be hiding for their lives somewhere, so check twice before shooting." She motions towards the double doors ahead. "Let's sweep the ground floor before heading upstairs."
Drifting forward, Not-Trixie flies a bit lower and rubs butter between her thumb and pointer finger. Quickly she sketches a shapeless blob in the air and wreathes it with simple signups before releasing the magic at the ground in the doorway.
Casting grease (Reflex 19) under Green (cyan spread).
Wincing, Not-Trixie rises above the canopy and slowly moves towards the building on the other side. Vendalfek, stay back for the moment. We don’t know how many of them there are.
“Archers!” Not-Trixie quickly sketches a swirling rune in the air before flicking towards the assailants. It explodes in a burst of golden sparkles, lighting up the end of the garden.
Casting glitterdust on the archers (Will 20 to avoid blindness).
