D9: The Star Cupboard

A small room behind a locked door, this room's door is tightly fit so that no light enters. Additionally, despite the exterior-facing wall there are no arrow slits or grates; this room is entirely dark.

Except the walls have been set with clear glass beads which appear to emit a faint light themselves. A Religion, Nature, or Survival check (DC 18, trained) by any character who enters and shuts the door will recognize the beads are placed on the walls and ceilings to form constellations which are visible on the night sky; a critical success will note that they are in the position they would be on a precise night (once I dig out my book about Golarion's calendar, I'll fix this), exactly at midnight. Further study from this may reveal that the constellations are slightly out of position, and there is a large star which is not visible in the night sky.

Note for DMs only, I guess: the beads used to move through the room, providing a precise orrery. There were massive gems which gave light off representing the sun and moon, too. The orrery ceased its movement the moment the tower and its defenders died; an astrologer could use this to assess the exact moment this happened. It probably is an especially propitious moment, or at least ancient serpent-folk astrologers belived it was. The large star which is not in the modern sky is now known as the Starstone.

A small waist-high table stands in the middle of the room; centered on it sits a fist-size carved jade amulet of some kind. In the SW corner there is a pile of sacks and other rubbish.

Encounter (Moderate 1)

A pair of serpents live above the false ceiling in this room, mostly living on rodents drawn by the lights. One drops on a PC who approaches the table; the other will drop on the second PC to enter the room.

Treasure

The carved jade serves as a standard astrolabe. But because it is based on stars thousands of years ago, it will always give a wrong answer, unless someone knows the secret and spends an hour making appropriate corrections. Once the corrections are made, the astrolabe functions normally for anyone who knows these offsets.

The pile of rubbish is bandit leavings. Anyone who scrounges through it can assemble 5 days worth of rations, as well as a Marking and a Static snare.

Rob's notes

Another case where existing material was critical inspiration: on my random treasure for level 1, I'd rolled up an astrolabe. I didn't have any better treasure I wanted to put in this room (a dead end, a reward for players who make sure to grab and try the key, or for picking the lock), so in figuring out what room would make sense to find this kind of odd treasure, I came up with the story here. Again, a reminder for me that inspiration isn't something I turn on, but rather something I can find by looking laterally.

I'm starting as a player in a new PF2 campaign tonight, I hope it goes well! I might mention how it's going tomorrow if I have a chance. I'm also starting my new class I'm TAing at school, so it might be a busy day.

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