Pathfinder 1E The Haunting of Calithil Manor

[MerryMortician]

Aelspeth Noromiel, Novice Conjurer

Aelspeth gasps and sways a bit on her feet as she feels buffeted from every side by negative energy. On the verge of hysteria, she says to her companions, "This entire chamber is a place of evil. We must act quickly, either to cleanse it or flee. I am inclined to the former but will entertain the latter if it means our lives."

Darwin climbs up his mistress's back and wraps his arms around her neck from behind. The pressure and the flood of empathy across their emotional link serves to center her. She breathes several breaths to bring herself back to ground.

"Theia," Aelspeth seems to think aloud, "I recognize that incantation. You cast that cantrip to perceive magical auras. What exactly do you see? Gods know what could happen if I attempt to read the energies while warded this way."

[sblock=OOC]Theia hasn't said aloud what she saw with detect magic so I figured Aelspeth could ask and get that information out there IC. OOC I'm wondering if this could be simpler than it would first appear. Maybe we could disrupt the arcane writings somehow to end the spell without having to call on a higher magnitude of spellcasting (e.g. dispel/counterspell). FJ, feel free to propose that or any other ideas IC so we can work out a solution. Aelspeth doesn't necessarily have to be the one to say it and I don't want to unnecessarily hold things up.[/sblock]

[sblock=Aelspeth’s Mini Stats]Aelspeth Noromiel
HP: 15/18
AC: 13 (19) FF: 10 (16) T: 13 (15)
CMB: +0 CMD: 13
Fort: +3 (+5) Reflex: +5 (+7) Will: +4 (+6)
Special: Immune to magical sleep, +2 on saving throws against Enchantment
Perception: +2 S. Motive: +0
Initiative: +7
Conditions in Effect: +4 armor bonus (mage armor), +2 deflection and resistance bonuses (protection from evil)
Weapon in Hand: Longsword
Shift: 5 ft, 7/7 remaining
0 Level: Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand
1st Level: Grease, Unseen Servant, Protection from Evil, Color Spray
2nd Level: Glitterdust, Levitate, Levitate
Consumables: Wand of Mage Armor (-1 charge), Wand of Cure Light Wounds (-2 charges)[/sblock]

 

[FrancisJohn]

Theia Merryweather, Black Mage
[section]

Theia responds to the question she traces the outline on the floor, "Aelspeth, it is a combination of two spells. The first a repose spell, one designed to keep the body from decaying. The other is even more powerful.... soul trapping magic. Perhaps there is a storage vessel or container which must be destroyed. I am guessing doing any bodily harm to the already suffering would make it worse. Do you two want to look for the container while I study this book. Maybe there are alternatives." Theia takes the book from Zinnelis. "Thank you."

[/section]

[sblock=Actions]
Scan the book.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[/sblock]

[sblock=MiniStats]Character Sheet

HP: 30/30 Nonlethal: ?
Conditions: None

Initiative: +12
Perception: +8

AC: 12 Flat: 10 Touch: 12
Fort: 5 Reflex: 4 Will: 3

Right hand: Light Crossbow
Left hand:

Dagger: Melee +1, 1d4-2, 19/x2, P
Crossbow: Ranged +5 1d8, 19/x2, P, 80 ft.
Ammo: 10/10 bolts remaining

Cantrips: unlimited/day
Dancing Lights "Scintillat"
Detect Magic "Exploro"
Guidance "Rectio"
Spark "Ignis"

Level 1: 5/day
Adhesive Spittle "Salivarius"
Charm Person "Paellicio"
Enlarge Person "Amplifico"
Obscuring Mist "Obscuro"
Summon Monster I "Invoco Primum"

Level 2: 4/day
Blindness/Deafness "Exoculo"
Glitterdust "Eluceo"
Summon Monster II "Invoco Secundum"
Web "Tela"

Hexes:
Evil Eye
Fortune (Used on: Leira)
Misfortune
Slumber

[sblock=Adventure Notes]
Transactions:
Family Ring
3 Scrolls (Glitterdust, Reduce Person, Burning Hands)

Game Info:
All undead information

[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[KahlessNestor]

Zinnelis Laediril, Elven Ranger (Level 2)
Calathil Manor
Late Afternoon
Round 0


Zinnelis nodded to Theia as he handed over the book. “I will take a look around,” he said. “You know magic.” He looked to Aelspeth. “Why don’t you help Theia, if you can.”


Zinn started to move around the room, checking knickknacks and bric-a-brac and any other things that might look like a phylactery.


[sblock=OOC]Are there other rooms on this floor?[/sblock]


[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Action: Perception: 1D20+9 = [10]+9 = 19
Move:
Free:
[/sblock]


[sblock=Zinnelis Laerdiril Mini Stats]Zinnelis Laerdiril
AC: 16/13/13 CMD: 17
HP: 18/19
Arrows Available: 53; Cold Iron 60 (0/0 arrows retrieved)


Spells Prepared
None


Game Notes:
[/sblock]

 

[ealt]

Calithil Manor - Master Suite

Theia thumbs through the black-bound book looking for ways to end the spell with a curious Aelspeth peering over her should. Meanwhile, Zinnelis spies a likely candidate for a phylactery. Around the pale woman's neck is delicate silver locket, the type that might hold a portrait or small item. He delicately touches it, and quickly jerks back his hand. The locket is beyond frigid, leaving the tip of his finger tingling wildly. A very soft moan escapes the woman's mouth.

[sblock=Theia]
As Theia thumbs through the book she finds several of the symbols that are inscribed within the runic circle. She deduces that by erasing and reinscribing inverted versions of several symbols she can end the ritual. The only issue she can see is how to erase the symbols and what to use to reinscribe them. She carefully touches the edge of the circle trying to determine what it is made of.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Knowledge (Nature) (DC 10) or Heal (DC 10)]
The circle is inscribed in a mixture of human blood and ashes.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Zinnelis]
There are no other rooms on this level, the master suite represents the entire second level of the manor.
[/sblock]

 

[FrancisJohn]

Theia Merryweather, Black Mage
[section]

Theia looks on with Aelspeth over her shoulder. She points out the runes on the floor and how they connect with the symbols in the book.

"Look here on page ninety seven. I conjecture that if we remove parts of these inscriptions and replace them with these, the ones on page two hundred twelve, we can break the spell."

She walks over to the center of the room, tracing her hand on the inscription. It blackens immediately. She brings it to her face and takes a sniff.

"Ashes. Ashes and blood. To make the new marks, we can use the ashes from downstairs in the burnt room, and we are all still living."

Still squatting down, Theia takes off her backpack. She pulls out a fine razor from her shaving kit and a bottle of whiskey. She takes a generous swig and offers a sip to any who will have one.

"Old Law. This should work."

The mage gets set to work on removing the necessary pieces of the inscriptions, using the alcohol to thin the blood and scrape it away with the razor.

[/section]

[sblock=Actions]
[roll0]
[/sblock]

[sblock=MiniStats]Character Sheet

HP: 30/30 Nonlethal: ?
Conditions: None

Initiative: +12
Perception: +8

AC: 12 Flat: 10 Touch: 12
Fort: 5 Reflex: 4 Will: 3

Right hand: Light Crossbow
Left hand:

Dagger: Melee +1, 1d4-2, 19/x2, P
Crossbow: Ranged +5 1d8, 19/x2, P, 80 ft.
Ammo: 10/10 bolts remaining

Cantrips: unlimited/day
Dancing Lights "Scintillat"
Detect Magic "Exploro"
Guidance "Rectio"
Spark "Ignis"

Level 1: 5/day
Adhesive Spittle "Salivarius"
Charm Person "Paellicio"
Enlarge Person "Amplifico"
Obscuring Mist "Obscuro"
Summon Monster I "Invoco Primum"

Level 2: 4/day
Blindness/Deafness "Exoculo"
Glitterdust "Eluceo"
Summon Monster II "Invoco Secundum"
Web "Tela"

Hexes:
Evil Eye
Fortune (Used on: Leira)
Misfortune
Slumber

[sblock=Adventure Notes]
Transactions:
Family Ring
3 Scrolls (Glitterdust, Reduce Person, Burning Hands)
Used: Old Law Whiskey
Used: 1 use of shaving kit

Game Info:
All undead information

[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[MerryMortician]

Aelspeth Noromiel, Novice Conjurer

Aelspeth nods as Theia explains her interpretation of the text. It all make good sense in line with her own previous studies. Admittedly, her own studies were never of the same dark materials. Father would never have allowed it.

Aelspeth follows Theia to the center of the room and leans forward when the witch kneels. Darwin, looking over both their shoulders, is lightning quick to accept the offered nip of whiskey. His mistress smiles and holds up a hand politely, so he takes a swig for her as well before passing it back to Theia. Aelspeth rolls her eyes at the monkey and says, "I could go downstairs to ge-." She stops abruptly and turns to look at Zinnelis standing over the woman in the bed. Then she locks eyes with Theia. "Did you hear that?"

[sblock=OOC]ealt, how quickly does Aelspeth estimate she could get to the library and back? I have a feeling she'll need to make a snap decision soon about whether to run for the ashes or to the ranger's side.[/sblock]

[sblock=Aelspeth’s Mini Stats]Aelspeth Noromiel
HP: 15/18
AC: 13 (19) FF: 10 (16) T: 13 (15)
CMB: +0 CMD: 13
Fort: +3 (+5) Reflex: +5 (+7) Will: +4 (+6)
Special: Immune to magical sleep, +2 on saving throws against Enchantment
Perception: +2 S. Motive: +0
Initiative: +7
Conditions in Effect: +4 armor bonus (mage armor), +2 deflection and resistance bonuses (protection from evil)
Weapon in Hand: Longsword
Shift: 5 ft, 7/7 remaining
0 Level: Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand
1st Level: Grease, Unseen Servant, Protection from Evil, Color Spray
2nd Level: Glitterdust, Levitate, Levitate
Consumables: Wand of Mage Armor (-1 charge), Wand of Cure Light Wounds (-2 charges)[/sblock]

 

[KahlessNestor]

Zinnelis Laediril, Elven Ranger (Level 2)
Calathil Manor
Late Afternoon
Round 0


Zinnelis shook his hand a bit, his finger aching with cold. “I might have found the phylactery,” the elven ranger said.


Zinn pulled his dagger from his belt. Very carefully, not wanting to cut the woman or harm her, he slid the blade under the chain of the locket. He would try first to remove it over her head. Otherwise he would slice the chain.


[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Action:
Move:
Free:
[/sblock]


[sblock=Zinnelis Laerdiril Mini Stats]Zinnelis Laerdiril
AC: 16/13/13 CMD: 17
HP: 18/19
Arrows Available: 53; Cold Iron 60 (0/0 arrows retrieved)


Spells Prepared
None


Game Notes:
[/sblock]

 

[FrancisJohn]

[sblock=OOC]fwiw, I will be out of town until Monday. Posting would be minimal/light. Trip from New Jersey to see family in Virginia. Catch y'all on the flip side![/sblock]

 

[ealt]

Calithil Manor - Master Suite

Theia, diligently scrubbing away runes scarcely notices Zinnelis beginning to remove the locket from the woman's neck. As the locket slips over the pale woman's head, a considerably louder moan escapes her lips. Her sunken eyes snap open, revealing lenses clouded with death. A spectral hand emerges from her chest, followed by a shoulder, then a horrifying visage. The spectral face greatly resembles the sleeping woman's, but the delicate features are twisted in an expression of anguish and anger. The specter continues to manifest, pulling itself from the woman's still form.

[sblock=Merry]
It would take roughly one minute for Aelspeth to run down the stiars, grab a fistful of ashes, and return to the chamber.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Combat]
Go ahead an roll for initiative.
Lady Arianna Calithil
Initiative:[roll0]
[/sblock]

 

[FrancisJohn]

[roll0]