Crypt of the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

As Qina walked along with the rest of the group, her thoughts wandered. What would they find in the crypt? Was it dangerous? What if they lost the lantern? What if they failed? Would her family still be proud? As they walked, she tried to focus on her surroundings. She kept her eyes and ears open as they traveled. The last thing she wanted was to embarrass herself. She could just hear her sister now. "Only an idiot like you would fall down and break your leg just after leaving town."

I like Brezik's marching order although I do anticipate Gad as a forward scout and Qina wandering aimlessly, so the surrounding formation will help to keep her on track.

Lol, yeah the wandering mob of youths would make the most sense. Looks like Gad will return with the Everflame before us slow hoarders even reach the Crypt ;)

Vivian tries to inspire order in their march.

Profession(Soldier): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Watch out, Finkle is cracking down!

"Chins up and pick up your feet. Be on guard, I've seen Molthune raiders in these woods before! Gad, you're speed is a huge asset to us. If you wouldn't mind being our scout, we would profit immensely from the eyes ahead. Now let's get this map together, then move out. Keep Qina protected! 2,1,2!"

Vivian doesn't mean to spew out orders like a tyrant, though her level of novice with people is apparent. Luckily for her, her knowledge from being trained as a soldier shows brightly as well. Once the map is together and they're underway again, she tries not to feel that daydreams and conversation will likely dissolve any formation she is able to configure.

Within minutes of setting out on the path to the crypt, Allister is distracted and breaks formation. "Hey, wow, a squirrel! Hi there little guy. He reaches his hand out pretending to have a morsel of food, but the squirrel scampers up into a tall tree and chirps down at him in warning. When the squirrel is out of reach and out of sight, Allister turns his attention back to the group.

"Hey, Qina? I really like your crow. My mom was afraid of birds, but I'm not. Say, where is he?" Allister begins to scan the sky for Raven, or crow; he doesn't know its name.

Standing seriously at attention, Gad'larr salutes Vivian.

"Got it Captain Ferris! Here's my part of the map. I will stay just in sight and voice of the group.
Alert me if you need me, or just send Crow to get my attention if you need to do so surreptitiously."

Gad throws Qina a broad wink and a smile, then jogs easily ahead looking for any trouble that might
interfere with the group's journey. Gad'larr was glad to have a Captain again. With a silly smile plastered on his face
while he jogged, Gad realized he missed being a sailor more than he remembered.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Qina almost jumps as Allister calls her name. Her mind races back to the present and she responds casually. "Oh, Crow? He's right here" she says matter-of-factly. She slips her left shoulder out of the top of her shirt revealing a somewhat large and intricately detailed depiction of a raven. She balls her hand into a fist and begins to rap on the tattoo. "Hey Crow, wake up. Time to play and I need your eyes." Within a few seconds the tattoo begins to twitch. The neck cranes and the eyes blink. The wings begin to flap and the bird climbs out of the halfling's skin as if emerging from an egg. Once free, it climbed up her shoulder on it's own feet and perched there, shaking the ruffles out. It cawed once and looked around. "Ah, out of the village again. We are we headed" it asked. "We're off on an adventure. Allister, the knight, wanted to see you again, and I was hoping you would fly up and keep an eye on us, maybe watch the path ahead and warn us of any danger." The bird cawed again and fluttered over to land on Allister's shoulder. "Greetings."

With eyes wide and his mouth hanging open in astonishment, Allister watches as the bird pulls itself from Qina's shoulder. He cannot comprehend what he sees, but is excited to see the bird again.

It takes Allister some time before he can gather his senses and respond to Qina and Crow. "Hi, uh, hi Crow." A smile breaks across his face and wonder fill his eyes again. Crow, does it hurt when you...Qina, does it hurt? Where do you get tattoos like that?" Allister fishes through his backpack and removes a small portion of a trail ration and breaks off a piece for Crow to eat, and only after the crow is pecking at it does he ask "Hey, Qina, can I give him some food?"

Crow takes off from Allister's shoulder, which causes him to blink. "Bye, Crow!" He laughs as his new friend leaves. Allister always found it easier to be friends with animals than people, but he had never met a talking animal before. The wonder does not fade, and he whispers "wow" under his breath.

"Hey, Brezik, did you see that? I think he likes me."

"No, it doesn't hurt at all. He just likes to hide there. He doesn't want too many people to know he can talk. People tend to get a little crazy when they see things that spook them. That's what Crow says anyway, he sometimes likes to hide on me. Oh sure, Crow loves to eat. He's always trying new things. He also likes to collect shiny things. Sometimes he brings shiny things home and hides them in my room. Sometimes he takes Pressi's stuff and then she gets mad at me. Pressi's my sister, but its okay. She gets mad at me for everything." Crow gobbled down the chunk of hard bread before taking flight. It soared higher until it was hard to see, and then she lost sight of it. Keep safe Crow.

It's early in the journey so Brezik still has plenty of snacks and seems to be enjoying the antics of his friends. As an iron smith he had learned self discipline and how to stay set on a task. For now his task was just to enjoy the journey.

Hey, Brezik, did you see that? I think he likes me."

Brezik looks up from a sealed tin that he had been working to open.

Brezik laughs loudly at his own joke. And then laughs some more when his tin opens and salted meat goes everywhere. He grabs a piece off the ground and pops it into his mouth and gathers the other pieces chuckling to himself.

Da always said Dwarfs are all stone and fire inside so ain't no bit a dirt gonna hurt. If anyone wants some feel free.

Brezik continues laughing enjoying the sunshine, good company, an good food.

Vivian was marching along with pride until Allister flakes off. Then she sees Crow fly up into the air an her smile returns, "Great thinking Qina!"

"Hop to it now! We only have three days!"

You make your way out of town and after about hour of travel Vivian notices 3 large creatures blocking the path ahead. She's pretty sure they're orcs.

Up to you guys if you engage them or try to go around or what ever

Vivian holds up he fist, signaling everyone to stop, then as the group piles up on her heals she starts to speak, "Whoa whoa, we have company up here. Looks like, three orcs?" she squints. "Let's proceed cautiously, but I'm not giving up the trail to a few punks."

EDIT: If no one complains about her head on approach, Vivian will lead the group forward and see what the Orcs want, if anything.

"they may know something of the path ahead, we should see what they are about, but spilling blood for the sake of the beaten track seems wasteful. I am happy to go around "

Though I don't suppose they'll give us the chance.

Belathorian will draw his scythe and hold it in his left hand, leaving his right free, and approach with the group, hood up.

Before we continue to move forward, if everyone is pulling their gear out, Viv will equip her shield and morningstar.

Coming back from scouting ahead, Gad asks an obvious question or two.

"We have options: I could go talk to them? I can approach them unarmed, and see what's up before they get hostile?
Or as an alternative I could try to sneak up and listen in on their conversation? There could be more nearby in hiding."

Good idea Gad lets do that. Qina and I can both scout with you... And depending on how things go you can go start a conversation with the two of us ready to back you up and the others a little further away. Allister would you mind holding my backpack?

Brezik's backpack weighs 78 lbs. Allister will be at the very top of his medium weight limit and Brezik would no longer be encumbered at all. Also Qina and Brezik both have slightly better stealth than Gad... Must be all that hide and go seek the village kids play.

Hey guys just a heads up I don't run with encumbrance. Just don't take advantage of this generous ruling. Oh and I posted in the discussion thread so go ahead and check that out when you get a sec.

"If we can see them, can't they see us? We're not exactly the hide and seek champions. Maybe they're friendly. Maybe Gad should talk to...wait, you think there are more? Like, maybe we're surrounded? Oh dear." Qina tried to put on a brave face, but the start of their adventure was already encountering obstacles, and she was beginning to sweat. She rested her spear against her shoulder as she slipped one hand into a small pouch on her belt and grasped a piece of cured leather. With her other hand, she traced a tiny set of armor across the small of Gad's back as she quietly whispered an incantation.

Casting mage armor on Gad, +4 armor bonus, lasts 2 hours.

"Orcs evil. Okay to speak with them, but Allister does not sneak past evil. Too close to town." He draws his greatsword and rests the blade flat on his shoulder plate with his right hand. "If good, they can live."

The thought of a battle quickens Allister's heart and sharpens his nerves. "Three of them, six of us. We have more." He smiles, thinking his comment insightful. "Gad, I will come with you if you want. Alone is dangerous."

Gad'larr feels the tingle of sympathetic magic cover him. Looking adown at Qina, Gad'larr winks again.

"Thank you little Mouse. Don't forget to protect yourself too."

Turning to Brezik, he comments.

"Yes Brezik you and Qina are stealthier at the moment, but slower too if you have to run. Also, can you speak Orc?"

Turning to Allister, Gad throws a thumb the orcs direction.

"Too many people up close, especially with a sword that big, might just spook them to a fight anyway. Orcs are usually pretty xenophobic,
and bad tempered in general. I have at least a slight chance to talk to them because I can speak the language and have some orc blood. They
also may try to kill me where I stand just because they think I am looking at them funny."

Gad looks around at the suddenly silent group and shrugs.

"What? They are ORCS. We are lucky they have not charged US yet. That in itself is a big deal."

Gad turns to Vivian.

"What is it to be? Whatever happens we should prepare for a fight, but talking or even stealth could gain us more information to better prepare."

Belathorian looks uncomfortable

Would that my training had been lead more by Karakt.

"Pharasma guide me in this..."

Casting guidance on himself

Vivian studies the orcs, to see if the party has be made out yet.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

I think we should at least investigate to see what they are doing out here. You guys stay as a large group and let Gad and your numbers do most of the talking. I'll swing around and give em a surprise if need be. Qina could you have Crow keep an eye on me in case I run into something out in the woods. If they're bandits who want to pray on those who live in the vicinity of the village than we deal with them... If they're just peaceful soap merchants than we let them go on their way...

Brezik elbows Allister in the side and quietly chuckles at the joke.

Get it? Soap Merchants!... Whelp tell me how the talk goes... I need to go find a tree and make some water...

Brezik chuckles a little more as he walks towards the underbrush lining the side of the road. He drops low pulling a light hammer in his main hand and his warhammer in his off hand.

Ducks out of sight, stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17, might be good enough if they are busy watching the party on the road.
Keeping an eye out for more orcs in the forest, perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6, lol or maybe just trying to keep the forest out of his eye.

Xeno...xeno-what? Allister is stuck on the word and does not hear much that Gad'larr says after it. "Okay, makes sense. You go, Allister will have your back. Them too. Keep your eyes wide."

Orc soap merchants! The concept is wildly funny to Allister, causing him to momentarily lose focus on the situation at hand and laugh too loud. "I bet Orc soap smells very bad!"

Still an improvement for Brezik. I should buy him some Orc soap. How much would it cost?

"Sounds good, Brezik flanks while we walk in. Keep Qina safe guys, let's move up 2x3. Gad and I up front with Bel and Alli on the wings, and Qina in the middle."

"Roger...I mean: No problem Captain Ferris."

Gad'larr moves to keep pace with the armored swords-woman, but tries his best to maintain himself between the three orcs' view and the halfing
behind him. This will probably put him closer to Vivian than she expects, but Gad'larr is afraid the Orcs might attack at range what they would
perceive as the 'weakest threat' first, or if they have any knowledge of her abilities for whatever reason, try to remove her as a dangerous
caster of arcane magic.

At first I thought Gad'larr was evil because he was Half-Orc, but I was wrong. Maybe these Orcs are friendly, too.

As the group nears the three Orcs in the path, Allister yells out to them and waves with his left hand (his right still holding the sword). "Good afternoon!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

While they walk he attempts to Detect Evil on the largest of the three Orcs. (class ability)

Gad'larr smiles at the Dawnguard warrior's genuine offer of pleasant greetings.

Out of the mouth of babes...

Clearing his throat in preparation to speak the harsh language he has not spoken in a long time.
Gad tries to call out the words loud enough for the orcs to hear and still be clear.

Before he spoke Gad'larr remembered an old saying from a long time ago: Never offer empty hands to an orc.
They may taken them from you just because you offered them.

"Gaf'rrak todarro menses! Meka duo-na Hekk?"*

*Translation from the book, A Pathfinder's General Vernacular of Belkzen Native Tongues, Absolom Prsess, 45th printing:
"We greet you with respect and swords! Do you quarrel or parley?"

Qina can't help but snicker at the exchange between Brezik and Allister about orc soap merchants. The image conjured into her mind, orcs with bubbles and a luffa, was enough to make her laugh out loud. The brief escape from the situation served well to put her at ease. She followed along with the armored retinue and kept her long spear at the ready. She whistled as loud as she could, hoping to call Crow back to her side. She would send the bird with Brezik, and have it return if he got into trouble. She could also write a note to her parents to warm the people of Kassen to be on their guard. Allister was right, these orcs were too close to town, if they proved aggressive.

As they approach, Vivian holds her shield arm tight against her body, but lets her mace hang in a relaxed fashion by her side.

Her stony face scans for the orcs intentions.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The orcs had not noticed you yet and jump a little as Gad calls out. "Depends on what you want to talk about" they call back in common. "You are using our road, we are here to collect a toll."

"HA-HA-HA-HA" Allister bellows with laughter at their claim. "A toll? For whom? Did you build this road? I thought you were going to try and sell us soap!"

I wish Brezik was here, he would have laughed.

Allister looks to his left and right for signs of other Orcs.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

He tries again to Detect Evil on the largest Orc. (Class Skill)

No other orcs are in sight and the orcs detect as Evil. The orcs do not look amused "We found this road and we say you need to pay us for its use, now either cough up the dough or we can take it from you" one of the orcs says as he draws his greataxe.

No other orcs are in sight and the orcs detect as Evil. The orcs do not look amused "We found this road and we say you need to pay us for its use, now either cough up the dough or we can take it from you" one of the orcs says as he draws his greataxe.

"Evil..." Allister growls under his breath. A sudden seriousness washes over him that the others have not yet seen. His right hand tightens around the hilt of his greatsword. Allister prepares for battle.

Gad replies in common without drawing a weapon in a nonchalant manner, but balanced on his toes ready for anything.

"Your tribe obviously forgot to teach you to count...or learn your manners. We outnumber you simpleton."

Puffing up his chest Gad'larr speaks again in Orc (Translated):

"I am Gad-Larr of the Fireblood Clan! You will move from our path or we will force you to do so, and leave your heads behind as warning to others."

Intimidate (Untrainined): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

At Gad's words the orcs move off from the road before exploding into a barrage of soap bubbles. It becomes obvious that they were only illusions a few seconds later.

Vivian drops into a defensive crouch as the bubbles fade, "An illusion! Be on guard! Defensive formation, a square around Qina!" she says to the 4 others. 'I hope Brezik can see what is really going on!'
Profession (soldier): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Battle order effectiveness..

Her mace is out now.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

As the illusions dissipate Brezik gets ready to get up and head towards the road chuckling to himself... heh... Heh... Sell us soap... Da's gonna love that one...

His plan to return changes when he sees Vivian hold the others in formation. He starts looking for the source of the illusion.

perception (move): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

perception (standard): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

just checked... Perception checks are move actions and repeatable

With a familiar feeling of acid in his stomach trying to eat its way out, Gad'larr pushed his anger aside at the trickery.
He starts to look around for the source of the delusions...then comes to a realization that shocks him slightly.

"I'm no strategist...But could it have been a delaying tactic? Our journey has no serious time-table!
Could someone be trying to cause our quest to fail...or may be they are trying to beat us to the Flame itself?
Should we push ahead faster?"

Disappointment saddens Allister as he sheathes his blade with his head hung low. That was like my dream of many puppies, but when I wake there are none.

"Very strange, Orcs don't often become bubbles." Allister is as confused as he is sad. "Waiting here will do us no good. Keep eyes open for more bubble Orcs."

Will I become bubbles, too? Is everything bubbles?

As the orc bubbles floated away, Qina thought to herself. Well that can't be normal. She closed her eyes and began to whisper those magical words that would summon the magical sight to her. She reached up and touched her eyes. They began to glow blue for a brief second until she opened her eyes, and then the light vanished into the air. She looked around looking for anything magical. She began by focusing on the area that the orcs were standing in.

Casting Detect Magic and examining any auras, moving to within 60 feet where necessary.

Vivaian, Brezik, and Quina notice nothing in the surrounding area. Whom ever cast that spell is long gone.

Vivian stands up straight again and lets out a strong exhale. "I don't see anything, Qina if you don't detect anything I say we keep on. That's a clever thought though Gad, but what would they want at the flame? Or with Kassen in general?"

"someone is playing tricks"

Though someone rather more powerful and less spiteful than normal...

"I have little knowledge of the arcane, but are cunjourations such as these illusion orcs not normally able to fight, why disperse them early I wonder."

Belathorian moves to press on.

"Agreed good Belathorian. And I for one am already tired of it. These parts are not known for trickster fey are they?
My memory of such is vague."

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"I say we press on quickly because this just smells of something nefarious. Someone look to see if there is any sort of possible shortcut on the maps to the Crypt.
Otherwise, I say tie everything down on your person, and we push to get there as soon as is possible. I could run ahead, but I doubt I could do any good by myself and there
is no telling what I might blunder into on the way running full tilt. Captain Ferris?"

Vivian looks at the map, and selects the quickest route. She shows it to Gad, then "We all seem to be in agreement, double time! 2 1 2 on Gad!" She then stows her shield and mace securely.

Looking around to verify everyone is ready, By the might of Gorum, our armor looks good in this light! I'm not at all surprised those Orcs went the way of suds!

Ready ready over here

Allister straightens up and prepares to march, but his mind is stuck on the bubbles.

Gad'larr will set the group's speed at a steady jog for everyone:
Speed 40

We may need to do the following based on GM requirements:

1. Constitution checks made to continue running

2. Constitution checks made to avoid nonlethal damage from a forced march

Qina saluted and dismissed her active spell. She blinked several times and wiped her eyes, as if she was cleaning them out. She looked up as the others were securing their equipment and preparing to press on. "Ready when you are."

As the group move off, Belathorian muses on his reaction to the perceived threat earlier

I am disappointed, diappointed that there will be no fight, no slaying of evil... where are these thoughts coming from...

Brezik comes out of the wilderness chewing something and swallows as he approaches the party.

Well that was a surprise. No ha expected that the Orcs would be selling soap not turn into soap... Ha.. Huh... Ho.... I took a good look around out there. No sign of the caster.