GM Batpony PFS Tyranny of Winds (Inactive)

Game Master Batpony

I presume I can take 10 to climb up the rope.

Fung climbs up the rope rather sheepishly. Being quietly confident of his sure-footedness, he is clearly embarrassed about being caught by the unexpected gust of wind, even if it was of supernatural origin. He tries to hide the pain from the bruises of the fall once he reaches the rest of the party.

When Fung arrives though, all that is pushed out his mind as he stares in fascination at the creatures of air. What is my mastery of the winds compared to them who are of the winds themselves? He remains silent, staring in awe.

Yup, taking 10 is fine.

"Theotherelementsofcourse! He speaks so fast in his excitement that he becomes barely audible. “You seek the janni who fled through these dunes,” says the elemental. “Jamila al-Shafah. She passed through not long ago, though only the leader of my tribe knows where she was bound. She rightly fears the power of the prophets, while we respect it. My leader can tell you where this Jamila has gone, provided that you are the ones we seek. Will you prove yourselves to us?”

"We do. As for the other parties we know the Ainsi and the Goanron Triumvirate are at war, but we don't understand why. Could you help with that?"
She pauses.

"How would you have us prove ourselves as the people you claim us to be?"

Nodding Felicitas speaks again."Please bring us to your leaders!"

Your knowledge is vastly superior than mine Belinda.

The elemental is pleased with Kraak's answer, but does his best to answer Belinda anyway. "The conflict has been long before my presence in the material plane land-walker. Sacred ground lies near here, known as the Sandflow Source. Those who pass through must show a mastery of the elements and an appreciation of our people. If you meet the challenges within, you will prove yourselves to all who may not see your true value. Only then may I bring you to our leader.”

"It seems as if this is the way we must go. Lead on then."

"Yes, we will follow."

Maps link should be active at the top of the thread soon! Please update your perception and initiative in there for my ease. :) Refer to the map while we're in the sacred grounds.

The joureney continues for a couple more hours under the painful heat. The Elementals lead you through a dizzying maze of trenches, dunes, and escarpments, eventually bringing them to the holy site known as the Sandflow Source. However with adequate protection, none of you feel the effects of the heat.

You stop at the top of a plateau, as the emissary pauses and gazes meaningfully towards it. “From the Sandflow Source many of us came, and to the Source we periodically return,” says the elemental. “If you pass through this holy site, you too will be welcomed into our tribe, and you too shall earn the secrets you seek. To complete the first trial, you must get inside and make your way to solid ground.”

You hear roaring, bubbling noises from below that sounds like water rapids, but is in actuality a constantly shifting stream of sand. The river, approximately 15 feet wide, tosses and heaves with waves of fine yellow-brown sand. The rapid flow ends at a ledge, where it crashes downward just like a waterfall.

He points towards the sand river, and the bank that lies below, implying where you need to head next, as he floats above you.

From the map, it looks like you can just go to the edge and climb down to the solid ground, but in reality there is no other means to get there except through the river.

You can still talk to the elemental, When you are ready, you can jump into the flowing river, and I'd require a swim check!

Map sharing permissions are still closed.

Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Nemis looks about, not liking this one bit. He takes a moment to focus his mind and summons forth some psychic Mage Armor before taking the plunge.

Swim: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5 That's NOT an auspicious start. Using reroll
Swim: 1d20 - 1 + 5 ⇒ (14) - 1 + 5 = 18

Updated map sharing permissions.

Updated map sharing permissions.

Still "View Only"

Swim: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"That will scrub my scales!" Toctep dives in.

Asked for write permission on the presentation, it is set to read only

Along the way, Fung draws one of his wand and sheepishly asks Khalib or Kraak to use it on him. "Really sorry to trouble you..."

Assuming you agree wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

When the group finally reaches the top of the plateau, Fung can only gaze upon the phenomena with awe. That there are such marvellous sights in the world...

When the elemental gestures for them to enter the flowing river of sand, trepidation starts well up in him. Fung points somewhat uncertainly at the opposite bank below the drop-off and asks, "We need to get there? And it has to be through this ... river?"

To clarify, Fung is asking if the elemental would accept if we get to the bank without going through the river. Specifically because Fung has the air's leap ability which allows him to jump 82 feet across if he takes 10 and takes 1 burn. There would still be some falling damage which depends on how high the ledge is.

Kraak is Felicitas
Taking 10 on knowledge planes to understand the phenomen.
Taking a few seconds she sings a song of heroism.
Heroism on herself
and then sings a song of Inspire competence on herself.
Swim: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Still can't edit.

"Of course I'll do that for you." kindly replies Khalib as he strokes his goatee, then uses Xuan's wand on the kineticist. He then turns his attention to the river, and opts for a more careful approach, taking his time.
Swim, take 10: 10 + 3 = 13

Belinda looks at the flow of sands and then backs up. She takes a running jump to try and clear as much of the flow of sands as she can...

"It would seem that creatures of the air should travel through the air!" she laughs

acrobatics, take 10: 10 + 9 = 19

"And if you travel through air, you must be as worthy as we think you are!" He implies that flying or double jumping is not prohibited. And he flies off. Fung 30 ft fall dmg...

As you jump into the sand pool, immediately most of you find out that the stream is stronger than what you anticipated. Pulling you in, and causing you to fall from the waterfall. Toctep however manages to brace the sand river and make his way to the edge without falling down.
Everyone but Toctep takes 1d6 NL damage and become dazzled. Toctep you may make a acrobatics check DC15 or swim check DC15 to negate falling and becoming dazzled like the rest.

At the bottom, although the sand is not flowing roughly you feel it pulling you underneath, something like quicksand.

No taking ten here! You need to make two move actions with DC15 swim checks to be able to get across to the bank. Anything less than DC10 causes you to go "underwater" just like any swim rules, you have to hold your breath and risk drowning.

Round 1 go!
Dazzled!

Map should be editable for real now..hopefully

Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Khalib quickly moves through the water, although he doesn't make any progress after a while.

Belinda, having made what progress she can by jumping starts to flounder in the sand.

"Blurgghh"

Given this is PBP and waiting for checks from everyone is likely to slow us down, I'll roll a few checks here. Feel free to take as many as required - or ignore anything past the first round if we run into unexpected issues. Belinda will probably end up needing help to get ashore. She is a desert girl and doesn't swim.

round 1 swim move: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
round 1 swim standard: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
round 2 swim move: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
round 2 swim standard: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 - finally, progress.

NL fall damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

On second thought, Just make as much checks as you need to get to shore, 2DC1t as long as you don't get too many under 10s that could drown you! There's no other dangers here, not sure why they feel the need to dazzle you guys!

Take 10 on first check for 18. Not sure if I need to make the others, but here goes:
Swim: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Swim: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Toctep easily negates the current and swims to the bank. There he gets out of the sand.

He removes a rope from his pack and throws it over the sand to the pathfinder that is struggling the most, helping him or her out. He then repeats the process for the others.

Stooping down he takes a handful of sand and scrubs his face with it. "That is really nice, I feel al clean now.

It is for sure not graceful what the young bard does, but in the end she is on the other side.
Swim: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

I'm moving us on as the swims don't add much to the scenario, but i'd still appreciate, for flavor if you'd make at least two swim checks exceeding DC15 :) It's very improbable that anyone would fail enough DC10s to drown I believe.

Toctep is the first to arrive making the encounter look like a breeze while the rest of the group maintain varying stages of struggling, with Belinda bobbing her head up and down trying to keep afloat in the sand!

The elemental emissary waits patiently for the group, likely evaluating the skills of the prophets.

...

Once everyone has arrived, he congratulates you for not dying in filth, and suggest you rest here and make yourselves acquainted to the site as the journey ahead lies the real test.

The natural slope of the trench combines with several artificial elements. The curved southern wall bears a slight polish and is reddish in color. An opening to the north gives way to a sandy floored corridor. A wide frieze carved with numerous hieroglyphics flanks each side of the northern exit.

Does anyone understand Terran or Auran? If you do let me know, after you make the above checks!

Second check: Swim: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11, Swim: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9, Swim: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5, Swim: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Nemis struggles with the swimming, being a desert dweller. I only learned because the Society demanded it. Now I see why!

No elemental languages, but I'll take 10 on the Linguistics for a 20

"I don't quite understand the writing, but I've got a solid guess. It's a tale of someone named Ini-Kherit. I can't tell if he was looking to use storms to reshape Osirion or to hide Tumen, maybe both? I'm not sure."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

KnowPlanes: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15
KnowPerc: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 18

Sorry for the late update. Was out of office the whole day.

Fung looks at the elemental flying off in envy. Perhaps one day when my power grows strong enough. Or maybe... Fung stands at the top of the cliff, at the edge of the sand river. However, instead of facing the river itself, he turns to stare across the drop-off, towards the opposite shore. Concentrating briefly, the winds around him very quickly whip up into a concentrated gale force around him. With a light spring, he leaps the distance, willing the winds to buoy him across.

acrobatics, distance: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 = 18 i.e. he can jump horizontally 36 feet, which is just enough to reach. Whew. But there's falling damage!
acrobatics, falling: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 3 = 16 So ignore first 10ft, but still take damage for remaining 20ft.

NL dmg, next 10ft: 1d6 ⇒ 1
dmg, last 10ft: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The winds he summons manages to carry him just across but was not strong enough to cushion his fall completely. He lands on the ground, bruising himself somewhat badly. He sighs in disappointment as he picks himself up, but when he looks back at the distance he covered, he feels some consolation.

After dusting himself off, he again sheepishly withdraws his wand and approaches Khalib. "Um, sorry to trouble you again..."
wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Glad to get a brief rest after that excitement, Fung looks casually around the trench he is in.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Ooo, ooo, Fung knows Auran! But with that perception roll... Sigh.

The elemental is truly impressed by Fung's feat, although not truly flight, he appreciates those who practice the art of air bending.

swims: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2
swims: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Belinda eventually makes it to shore, but not before going under a second time on the way.

She advances to the stonework to have a look at the hieroglyphs.
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"Look at the patterns. Someone has been changing the message here.."

I don't think I've established this to the group yet, but with the APL at 3.33, we'll be playing at high tier with 4 player adjustments per society guide rules.

Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Khalib keeps his wits about him and remains vigilant about the treacherous waters. Swimming further with relative ease, he reaches the other bank unharmed. He hobbles along, following his companions in the earth's bowels, glancing left and right, looking for clues.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Khalib speaks Terran.

"Who would have done that Belinda? Do you have any idea what the original text said? We should probably copy that for the people at the Grand Lodge, they are always interested in these kinds of things."

"Agreed. Let us take notes for our report." Nemis looks about while taking notes, eager to see more.

"Where to now?" Nemis is ready to advance.

Fung suddenly notices some familiar script and walks right up to the wall to examine it closely. With his eyes peeled to the writings, he speaks aloud to his party as he translates. "I can only decipher part of it. Seems to be a story of Ina ... no ... Ini-Kherit, who seems to be the leader of the ... Goanran. Some kind of villain figure. Was selfish and sought to keep the lost city of Tumen concealed. Afraid of some hidden power within?"

Fung looks up, noticing some staring at him. Scratching his head, he explains, "Oh, once my ... uh talents manifested, I thought there was some link to the air elementals. So my master sought out a mage specialising in the air planes who taught me the language to aid my research. Came up nothing though as I was not too good with books..."

"Yes jumping man, you are right. He was a fearful fool." The elemental emissary explains, then he moves to explaining what you might face next."Beyond here, you will face degenerate earth beings, they are so stupid they longer take normal form but the form of sand. You must destroy them as they defile this holy place."

Moving to combat movement now!

Combat Round 1
Fung,Khalib,Belinda,Kraak
Sandman
Nemis,Toctep

You don't jump straight into "combat" so if you need to prepare, still ask questions and what not, feel free to do so.

Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Arcana Scarab Sages: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Nemis definitely has Mage Armor up before doing any "test"

"What lovely flowers" notes Belinda, also taking a rubbing of the writing.

"May I record your name for posterity?" she asks the emissary.

Felicitas gives her comrades some courage.
Inspire courage +1/+1

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Toctep casts phantom blood when he hears that combat is likely

lasts 40 minutes

Belinda walks into the tunnel, readying her weapon to strike at anything that might be described as a sandman that comes close.

readied attack,inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 = 31
damage,inspire: 1d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11
crit?: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 = 31
damage,inspire: 1d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11

"I met a sandman a while back, he was chained to a magical ring..."

Hearing of the upcoming battle, Fung withdraws another withdraw and after half a minute or so, manages to activate it, increasing his stride and movement.

He also draws upon his connection to the air elements, strengthening the perpetual winds around him.

Accept 1 burn, and 3 NL damage, to increase range miss chance by 5%.

Fung follows along Belinda, getting ready to throw a blast of electricity at whatever creature that appears made of sand that would appear.

Elemental Overflow, PBS, Inspire Courage
electric blast, vs touch AC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 21 dmg: 2d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11
I'm assuming it appears within 30ft for point blank shot. Otherwise, please remove 1 from to hit and damage.

Before Belinda walks in, he tells her"Of course, my name is Iyasset, I was named after Iyasset." He continues to hover and watches over you as you walk through the sandy area.

"Well, Pleased to meet you Iyasset. Why would your parents name you after a fool? That doesn't sound kind."

She continues into the area, taking the right hand branch, but not getting too far ahead of anyone else.

"Nice to know you have my back Fung."

"Most interesting, the wall tells of Ini-Kherit, the leader of the Goanron tribe, and his attempts to reshape the physical structure of the desert in conjunction with the khamsin storms, thus slowly bringing Osirion back to its original sacred shape. They paint him as a wise leader." Khalib comments as he inspects the wall scriptures.

Snapping out of it, he gets ready for combat. With a flick of the wrist, a wand appears in his hand. A chanting emerges, and a wave of bolstering morale washes over his companions.

Using my wand of bless (the morale bonus to attack stacks with inspire courage, but not the morale bonus to saves against fear).

Iyasset scratches his head pondering about what Belinda just said, before he has time to respond to it, three Sandmen appear from under the ground. One starts incoherently babbling nothing understandable to anymore. The other two start attacking each other whilst Fung blast electric energy right at one of them.

Suddenly you feel a little bit fuzzy.

I had really bad rolls!

Combat Round 1 / 2
Conditions: Bless, Inspire Courage
Fung,Khalib,Belinda,Kraak
Sandman B Y -20 R -7
Nemis,Toctep

Felicitas looks at the enemy quizzingly and tries to focus.
knowplanes: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15will: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27 Feeling nothing Felicitas stops her song lingering performanceand charges the babbling sandman. charge: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 211d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
If attacked

Kraak definitely recognises the Sandman, normally creatures that associate with sleeping aura, however something looks off about this one. As if their not themselves. Her blade strikes through, however she learns the hard way that sharp weapons are somewhat ineffective.

Kn. Planes DC13 if you got questions about the sandman.

will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Belinda throws off hte confusion and quickly advances on a sandman.

attack,inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12
damage,inspire: 1d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11

However she can't seem to make her rapier work quite right.

"Last time I met one I felt tired, not confused..." she utters.