Edge of Heaven (Inactive)

Game Master Akinra

This particular adventure begins in the middle of the mountains, far from home. Feel free to make purchases based on the following. Once everyone is ready, and finalized in the Discussion thread:
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The Pathfinder Society has turned its attention to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament—a world-renowned fighting competition, held once every ten years in the city of Goka on the eastern continent of Tian Xia. More specifically, the Decemvirate is interested in the incredible prizes available to the tournament’s winner—a choice of treasure from the legendary vaults of Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix herself. As part of the preparations for the tournament, Pathfinder Society agents have been deployed across the Inner Sea and beyond to seek out forgotten lore, allies, and magical items to be used by the Society’s tournament representatives.

Venture-Captain Amara Li, leader of the Lantern Lodge and Goka native, has uncovered information about one such item hidden amid the reaches of the Wall of Heaven—an Iroran relic known as the Braid of a Hundred Masters. Organizing the search from her base in the Dragon Empires, she intends to send a group of Pathfinders to the high mountain range in search of the braid’s ancient home: the Clouded Path Monastery. The two-week-long journey to the mountains began in the cosmopolitan city of Goka, passed through the surrounding villages and farmlands, and led thousands of feet up into the tallest mountain range on Golarion; all that remains is the final day’s journey up from the base camp.

If you wish to investigate briefly before beginning the ascent, feel free!

Ah, another mission for Venture Captain Amara, and near the wall of heaven, no less. Whilst I am, as always, at the disposal of the Society, it is always most heartening to know that my efforts and those of my group will directly honour the lantern lodge.

Now if I can just remember what my studies told me about that task mistress Amara wanted me to do...

Akinra, I made some knowledge checks in the discussion thread, would like to know if any preparations are needed for the task before before we ascend.

Interesting...Gentlemen, ladies and Exiel, before we depart, in my extensive studies I have come across some journals of explorers who had visited this region. There are some things you should know.

Nobody has seen the monks of the Clouded Path Monastery in years. In the past, the monastery often sent a small group of monks to the mountain’s base camp to trade for the goods the monks could not produce for themselves in the harsh mountain environment.
A demon of ice and snow made flesh, called Shang Xu by locals, prowls the mountains. Since the monks disappeared, it has come down to raid the farms and villages on several occasions.

The “demon” is not a demon at all, but rather a raving yeti that has established its territory well below the icy altitudes in which its kind normally hunt. With increasing regularity, the beast has attacked travelers in the low mountains and even settlements high in the foothills of Clouded Path Monastery’s peak.

I believe it's a knowledge nature for yeti? What do I know about yetis?

Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Strengths/weaknesses? And how much truth is there to the 'ice and snow made flesh' part? Ralph has worked with Exiel before and is well aware that fire is something of a forte of his, which may make him particularly useful against a creature of ice.

To the party:

I am also informed that there are certain wards housed in shrines located on the path to the temple itself. These wards were made to protect pilgrims and travelers, a category we ourselves fall into now. However, they have fallen into disrepair. It is my intention to restore those wards, in order that we may ourselves benefit from their protection. I trust I will have your cooperation?

The yeti that terrorises the mountains in the area is indeed a creature of ice and frost, so prepare against icy attacks as best you can. He is also known to have a gaze that causes fear in the heart of men, and strength enough to rip a man apart. Exercise extreme caution when approaching in close combat, and try to avert your eyes from its gaze.

Exiel, the creature may have a susceptibility to fire, or at least is unlikely to be resistant to it. Your fire spells may be of particular use against him, BUT watch where you direct those flames. We're not here to burn the ward-shrines or the temple or ANY other permanent fixture on the mountain to the ground!

Satisfied with the information he has gathered, Ralph steels himself for the journey.

I see Ralph has begun. XD Ralph, if you're not short on funds, might want to get the knowledge local book instead of knowledge arcana for this adventure? As you point out, I do have the arcana book.

Exiel stifles a yawn as Ralph gives his lecture. Fix a shrine, burn a yitti, find a braid...of hair? Ewww...if a hundred different kung fu masters contributed their hairs to the braid, Exiel wasn't sure he wanted to touch it. Not without a glove of some sort anyway.

Still, it was good to be so close to home again. It occurrs to Exiel that he has not been this close to the Hall of the Wind God in almost 10 years, and it was refreshing to put his somewhat rusty Tien to practice whilst mingling in Goka. He wonders whether he'd be able to get some time off to visit before returning to Absalom. He almost wishes he hadn't arranged to purchase that trading caravan upon returning from his latest mission.

Bringing himself back to the present as Ralph concludes his verbal tirade, he replies.

Yes, yes, I'm not eager to earn Mistress Amara's displeasure. Fix up some shrine, be careful around the Yitti and burn him quick as possible before he bites someone's head off, and then loot...I mean "search" the monastery for thingum. No problem. Let's go.

In about half an hour, I'll be going out for the next 7 hours or so, but I think I've done just about all I need for now.

In my absence, all party members are free to ask me to questions (i.e. use my knowledge skills) and in combat I will use acid darts if I can get a clear shot. Hold off using my first level spells, except infernal healing, which is reserved for the cleric or someone about to die that the cleric can't get to.

Exiel looks around as he kicks the ground impatiently.

Where are Kyra and Asher? They should be here by now... If they don't show up soon, I'm going back to that shop were they were selling those delicious steamed pork buns...

Mmm...steamed pork buns...

And that is when poor Asher arrives, the remains of steamed pork buns still on his lips and another in his off-hand. "Oh? One of these? 'Fraid I just bought the last one. Gods...why did we not visit here sooner?"

The half-elf's grin borders just on the edge of infectious, as he tosses the bun, wrapped in brown parchment, over to the sorcerer. "Sounds like we have a very interesting task in front of us. Yetis, huh? Well, fire and firearms are close enough."

With a voice so seductively powerful the Aasimar freezes into a confident posture as the gentle hand of Sarenrae strokes his ego. Be calm Brave Dragon Mage, you will not leave until all tasks have been accomplished as detailed by the Captain and besides, I have a basket of your favorite honeyed ham loaf,your flask of sweet tea and very ripe Swamp melon jerky bundle, as well as cold weather gear for all...The Wizard and I finalize a list with 3 lengths of hemp rope (one pre-knotted), and climber's kit.

Kyra sees the Dawn and gets a good feeling about her party, this day will hold glory, this mission will yeild miracles indeed.

The consecration and repair of said shrines give Kyra and immediate chance to prove herself useful in a group of powerful Arcane practicioners. She knows that a scroll to hallow the ground might garner the preferred effect. With no time to really research she taps into the recesses of her devotion. (Using her Portfolio Reroll instantly to recall that the road markers wind around a Devine Line of energy)

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Listed +4/+5 Using Guideance
Religion Reroll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Listed +4/+5 Using Guideance

And I will take 20 if possible.

If I'm playing that I remember how road shrines work the 15 is my check. If that saves my reroll Hazaaa!!If the Wizard buys the devine spells to re-energize the area, I will use these rolls for whenever we need this act done. I would "Map" and buy mapping equipment to complete my faction mission noting each area having a shrine or not.

In school we learned about Mount Everest and the Sherpas. I'm thinking breathing equipment, limited exposure and a wand of endure elements. If you guys have money I will not ask you to consider horses and the like, but pitons a grappling hook, and that Wand of Spider Climbing is literally paramount. The worst thing is becoming fatigued, not being able to run or charge, - 4 to Dex and Str, even if that is just checks. When we camp, we have only two armor dependednt characters.My plus five survival check will not really be good enough. We need to hire guides. I think its funny but let's do the fighting of the yeti on Pesh...it's only a DC 10 and we get temp hit points.- I'm just saying, the wand and the pesh maybe, but my character has 6gp and a Scroll for the spellcasters to record in their spellbooks. If deciphered it would be a Devine version of Endure elements, maybe the GM would allow one purchase of an Arcane version, than the Wizard buffs us each night until we reach the last scene. The night before arrival we rest to recover his normal spell selection then we avoid the Fort saves.

I will use the 6 gps to try to help hire a guide and obtain mapping supplies and a map of the area so we don't freeze to death and get lost.

I asked about the hemp rope becuase I have no more money, I asked about the climber's kit becuase a "wall" would kill me trying to scale it with my armor check penalty. (pitons and a grapple) Walking around the pass should we teather ourselves together or should do you all feel lucky?

Maybe a Wand of Grease or Speak with Animals and we just do a Yeti Oral Contract to bring him food on a regular basis for the braid rental? A Wand of Mount? To flood the battlefield..."Nay" you say. A wand of Calm Animal or Calm Emotions? If a yeti can not be redeemed my instict is to Alchemist Fire it averting our gaze, I just do not have the cash for this plan either.

Well, I've got 19 gold to my character's name, but I'll help in whatever area we need to use the money. I mean, we definitely don't want to die out there."

I think we may need to wait till we get to the actual shrines before we can see what's happening with them. Ralph's sporting a +11 on both knowledge arcana and knowledge religion, and a +9 in spellcraft, so it might be better for you to do a aid another whilst he makes the primary roll when we get there. =)

Exiel accepts the give of the pork bun with great delight.

Cheers, Asher! Mmmh...ish 'ood shtuff. Nom nom nom... Ushed to haff thesh all theh thime when I was lithle. Ump. *Swallow* Wonderful things, they are. And it looks like we're well sorted for food for the road! Well, then, since we're all here, let's roll out!

With that, the exuberant sorcerer puts an arm around Kyra and Asher each in turn and practically bounces out the city gate, happy to be on the road again.

(I assume Ralph will be follow behind, probably giving a sigh and muttering something about hoping the young sorcerer's impetuousness doesn't get the party into trouble.) XD

Actually, that's a good point. Did the pathfinder society provide us with any guides, or are we to look for some ourselves? Do we have a map or something to show us the way?

Endure elements should be enough. I assume there will be a road all the way to the monastery, since it was at least once a publicly accessible place. At the very least, the lantern lodge mission suggests that there will be a road all the way to the shrines. Fatigue though is only -2 to str and dex and being unable to run/charge. And if we don't have to worry about the weather/cold, we should be able to take our time walking so we don't suffer fatigue.

Maybe my Knowledge (engineering) of +4 will come of some use

We are ahead of the box text. I just had to note, that I want rope, but even with 3- 50 foot bundles, the money is better spent on Spiderclimb. The GM will give us time to buy stuff now, to stall for the other guy. We will get another departure post..."Withthatdone, the intrepid voyageers..." We are not there yet

Well, we might as well prepare the music for our "Off To See the Wizard" montage too.

In our area the table never asks questions at this point and never buys stuff, I just think we have the hints that climbing is important and my experience in Winterland games urges me to blurt out instinct. I truly think "Pesh" will help us win, but people are afraid of the benign gateway drug.LOL

Apologies, my Avatar is not set yet. Asher read the Pesh entry really quick, you only get addicted on a DC 10 Fort Save, if you could get say 10 bonus hit points what would you do? My Cleric can give you a +3 on your roll Heal check, Guideance, we would be legendary. The Pesh-Powered Pathfinders!-I know it'll never happen, but it's a logical back up plan, if I had 40gps I'd get some, I'm just sayin'.

It is best to have these long OOC conversations in the Discussion section, feel free to continue there, just waiting until the last checks in, completed, then we are going to start the ascent!

I actually think we're well behind the box text. It ends with us being at the last base-camp before the final climb. I don't think any of us can get access to spider climb - not enough prestige to purchase. Knotted rope sounds like a good idea though. I believe you already have that covered, Kyra?

As for endure elements, the most economical way I can think of to get it on all of us is for me to pay to get it scribed into my spellbook, then cast it on all of us the night before we begin at the base camp (I can cover 4 of us, but since Exiel is an Aassimar, he has cold resistance 5, which protects against more than what endure elements would.

Corwin arrives, after doing some shopping.

With scaling this mountain, brought with me some extra rope, pitons, and a grappling hook.

Any food still available? When do we leave?

I am also sporting a 6 dungeoneering and a 6 engineering knowledge checks

Sounds good, Corwin. Also, I see you are an Aasimar as well. Meaning you and Exiel are covered as far as cold-weather is concerned. Nice

Greetings, Corwin. Kyra has arranged for food on our behalf. It is good to see that you are well-prepared. I am certain those climbing equipment will come in useful. I too am ready to leave, and my ever so excitable...colleague... gesturing to Exiel appears very eager to move on. Well then, since we are all ready, shall we proceed?

Exiel, already outside the gate, jumps up and down as he waves his hands in the air.

Hey, you guys coming?

If you have not already noticed, Exiel is a bit of a rash, impetuous, but well-meaning hot-head. Think Cheetor from Beast Wars. =)

"Might as well get started. Especially with fire boy here on the clock." He smirks, good natured ribbing just natural at this point. "I swear, it's like the ground would light on fire if he didn't start moving."

Ralph gives Asher a long hard look, a twitch touching his lips.

Truer than you know, my friend. Truer than you know.

Exhaling deliberately, he turns to the gate and starts walking, the rhythmic thudding of his staff against the ground accentuating his stately, composed gait.

Weighted by cold weather gear and bulky supplies. Kyra is already having problems breathing and climbing but she hides it well. She distracts herself with the memories of days past on the shores of the Obari Ocean.

Kyra sees the small deserted camp and prays for Guideance with a bow. She ignites her blade, Jedi style, chanting the wisdom of Sarenaes' teachings,the Allegory of the Cave, did Socretes or Plato even exist?The journey of 1000 miles starts with but a single step...
(Flashback)
Kyra grew up near a small temple to the sun goddess Sarenrae, and when bandits attacked her village, the priestesses gave their lives defending the innocent.
(/Flashback)

And with eyes of a reflective glow...
I humbly seek... (Magical God Voice Lingering Echo)"Sight beyond Sight" Lion-o-Style

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Listed +3/+4 Using Guideance

Kyra gives special forces hand gestures and takes "Soft" point, it seems like she holds to "pose" superhero style, but then after scanning the landscape she playfully hazes Hard-Cor.

Even if the Gunslinger runs again, I'm not going to let you die today Rookie...remember your training in the brothel?...If you stay ready, you don't have to "get" ready... Next time, check for an Adam's apple for God's sake...

Depending on what she notices, Kyra is uber tense, a perfect tactician, and wants badly to fix her long beautiful hair, even when no one can see it. She sinks in snow and controls her breathing for the Dragon Mage and gives the signal to hold abuptly.

Look Mage(mimicing his exact vocal impression) "I posess a Mighty Breath Weapon"(exhaling dramatically forcing the Gunslinger to make a Relfex save)..."I have a tatoo with the wrong feats, but I am prettier than the Kelshite woman (Facetiously)..."In fact, I am ten times the woman, look at my hips, Draconic in every way...I don't ever brag, it's not in my bloodline (Sarcastically) but if a 20 Charisma doesn't matter what does?..."I resist three energies, but am I not irresistable? (Blowing kisses to imaginary peasant fans) "Kyra cast resistance on the village before I am mobbed"..." No wait, let them mob me, no wait let just those sisters mob me..." LOL

Kyra tends to joke when she is nervous. As she blows and smiles at her pig eating brothers, she reads her party in triage as if prepping a DeathWatch ritual visually, no aches,no broken bones, no changes in gait, no blood. She is puzzled why nobody else feels the shallow hypoxia, but the seven stresses of flight seem to escape her, Decreased Partial Pressure of O2, Fatigue, Noise, Vibration,Decreased Humidity (We must stay hydrated)...and...and?

The trip to the base camp in the low mountains on the edge of the Wall of Heaven takes 2 weeks from Goka. Led by two guides hired by the Lantern Lodge—Xue Ho and Hai Xuan the expedition reaches the destination without incident.

Both the young men, weather beaten and prematurely aged due to constant exposure to the harsh mountain winds help with the setting up of camp. They have been kind and helpful the entirety of the two weeks.

“We set up good. You sleep well. Tomorrow we home. Long time no family. Careful please, danger on top. Demon ice of cold. ” Xue and Hai intone at various times through out the journey. It has been a long and cold trip up to this elevation. Although the guides have proven faithful, true, and faithful to a fault, they have done their best to ensure you understand that they are not combatants. Having picked up your guides from a local farmin community far below, this was not much of a surprise.

The base camp site, only a few hundred feet above the forest line that covers the lower reaches of the Wall of Heaven, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding farmlands, far below. The half-flooded terraced farmlands appear silver and mirrored in the late afternoon light. The camp itself is little more than a trio of unmaintained wooden shacks surrounding the remnants of a large firepit and a fallen wooden corral fence to the east.

Inside make safer. Hai adds.

While the guides go about preparing the camp, Xue Ho whistles a simple melody as he checks and cleans several climbing pitons.

Anyone from Taldor daction, or a Taldan?

Your knowledge of monastic traditions is somewhat lacking, and you recall nothing of particular import, other than to expect shrines as you near the monastery.

The high mountain winds have caused your eyes to tear up, and the howling of the cold winds prevents you from noticing any sounds other than you, your guides, and your friends talking.

Hmm...sleep you say? So I don't need to be chary of my spells right now. =) Also, I have the boon from "Keep of the Huscarl King" that gives me a permanent Protection from Elements for cold weather only, AND I have cold resistance 5, so I'm pretty sure the cold does not bother me. =)

Exiel spreads his arms to take in the bracing mountain winds in his light, loose-fitting shirt. His very first mission for the Pathfinder Society had seen him inducted into the Snowmask Clan as a Snowmask Brother in an elaborate ceremony designed to protect him from the winter frost of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. Combined with his natural resistance to cold, the high mountain winds might as well have been a pleasant summer breeze to him.

Noting his shivering (except Corwin) companions, he looks around before settling his gaze on the fallen wooden corral fence.

That fence ain't gonna keep anything out or in, but it's wood, so I reckon it burns just fine. If we gather some wood from the parts that have fallen, I'm more than happy to make us a campfire.

Ralph nods his approval of Exiel's and Hai's suggestions. He is eager to have some respite from the cold.

I assume I have been preparing 3 endure elements spells each night and casting them before we sleep for the following night. That leaves me with a school spell, being grease, and the spell from my arcane bond.

Keep in mind that this looks like the last rest before the final climb to the monastery, though, so I will revert to my normal memorisation tonight. The new castings of endure elements will be cast just before we sleep and will last till just before we next rest. Hopefully we wrap this up within that time.

Perhaps Cor and Ash, being the two more able-bodied of the group, can see to gathering firewood. The rest of us can start helping Hai and Xue prepare the camp. I reckon Kyra is eager to put her heavy packs down.

Corwin, not bothered by the cold, wants to attempt to put the fence back up if there is time to repair it. While probably not going to hold anything off, might slow something down.

Lets put the fence back up, might never know when a few seconds of slowing something down might be worthwhile, besides better to leave this place better then we left it for future travelers

Asher smirks. "I'll take an extra second or two against something during the night, thanks. But yeah, firewood sounds very nice, in comparison to freezing to death."

The gunslinger shivers momentarily. "I much prefer to know I'm being hopefully NOT dying."

Exiel shrugs.

I wasn't suggesting we burn the whole fence, just the broken timbers and fallen parts that are likely to be discarded in any repair effort anyway. Of course, it COULD also be true that I just want to burn something. Exiel bites back a smile with a twinkle in his eye.

Xue and Hai listen to your banter for a moment. "Buildings keep you warm. We get wood down hill. Back soon. Watch for demon." The duo gestures to the remaining ramshackle buildings, then start down to the forest line to gather wood.

Buildings keep you warm, huh. Well, they do when they're on fire....but I'm going to guess that's not what they meant. You know, on second thought, maybe Corwin and I should go build that fire whilst the rest of you seek some shelter in one of the shacks. We seem to be the only ones taking well to the climate here.

Exiel trots down to the fallen fence looking for pieces of broken fence and timbers worn brittle by the elements. He finds a section of the fence that appears to have been smashed right through - the timbers being still sound in quality, but obviously forcefully broken. With a raised eyebrow, he grabs a broken plank as he wonders to himself what manner of creature had the strength to do such a thing. Hopefully whatever it was, it was far away by now.

Hey Corwin-of-the-great-big-muscles, give me a hand with this chunk of wood, would ya?

As the two guides start their journey down the mountain, a loud roar erupts from one of the make shift shelters. A large cat burst forth on the goup, and charges the closest, weakest looking party member:

Exiel is gathering wood. 1=The Priest, 2=Ralph, 3=Asher, 4=Corwin
1d4 ⇒ 2

To Hit: Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
To Hit: Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
To Hit: Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Bite Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Bite Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 2 = 11
Claw Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The wizard goes down in a flurry of blood, only after its attack does the large cat seem to even notice the rest of the party.

Order: Asher, Exiel, Cat, Corwin, Priest, Ralph.

Wait, is that 'the wizard', as in me? O_O

Also, I don't see any map...

See Order OOC comment up 2 posts

Map

If the cat did infact move/charge, it shouldn't have been able to get in a full attack, correct? Just the bite (which would still unfortunately be a critical) But might make things a bit less dire.

I'm hoping it'll be safe to shoot at this nasty little beasty and not hit our nice, friendly wizard. If not, I'll reposition to wherever I need to. If I need to load first, that'll be the action then.

Shoot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 5

"Here, kitty kitty. Got a special treat for ya."

Kyra Screams
Dragon Mage... the Wizard is Dead zig-zag/run (14 squares-70 feet towards my voice) North west and use your most powerful spells or the mountain lion will kill us all!!!

I boldly go up one square then three over taking total cover behind the rock, after I channel selectively- not to include the Feline Menace.

The Priest explodes like a Beacon of Brilliant Brightness. Guiding the Dragon Mage to the gory murder scene.
If we are lucky the cat will stop to loot the body !

Please higher than a one, Please higher than a one!
Channel: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Channel = 4 Not Undead

I move north 5 feet and east 15 feet positioning south of Ralph, trying to draw its attention and fighting defensively.

attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

LOOK MY WAY YOU DAMN CAT!

Sorry, Falkos is me, posted as the wrong person. I'm afraid editing it will change the dice rolls?

You can move your own tokens on the map