GM Bold Strider's PFS 01-34 Encounter at the Drowning Stones (Subtier 10-11) (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

It does not stand as Monty and Lunchmeat make mince of the beast. A poof of smoke is seen in the woods by Avelina as she dispels the Dominate from Hawkwren.

"You have won! Yaaaaaay!" yells your new companion. "Time for the Stones now?"

He starts trying to encourage everyone to go to the Drowning Stones by chanting softly. "To The Stones! To The Stones! To The Stones!"

Hawkwren shakes his head as if clearing it, then notices his is aiming his bow at Amontillado. His brow creasing in confusion, he quickly lowers his bow, looking around the field. "Wha...what just happened?"

Avelina pats Hawkwren on the shoulder, just a few dainty taps.

"Where once you were lost to the enticements of demonic powers, you have been found by the Grace of the Inheritor! In her magnanimity, she empowered her Favored Soul--myself, of course--to free you from the corruption that had taken ahold of your mind."

She curtsies, a proud smile on her face.

"If would like to express your endless gratitude by Praising Her--as well as her Divine Instrument--you may go on ahead."

Avelina finally remembers her own wounds, and then begins the process of healing herself back to full health.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Does anyone else require healing? I can use your wands if you like."

Monty hands back Hawkren his arrow "No hard feelings" he adds with a wink and a smile.

Monty once more gets his own wand used a couple of times out of sight of Avelina, no use causing a fuss.

He looks long and hard at the strange man and his even stranger activity.

That strange fellow will be well and truly asleep when we get to the stones if Monty has his way. Monty will be looking to club him unconscious and keep him bound outside - a sap and a nap is clearly on the cards

We had won? The last time a demon puff away from me it comes back in a few moments to continue fighting. Artian keeps his nodachi in his hands and ready to defend himself.

A low-rolling fog creeps from a clearance in the jungle ahead. A small, mist-filled gorge splits the landscape. Shallow waterfalls spill over the steep palisades, fed by runoff from brooks and other trickling waters that snake through the humid jungles. From out of the ravine below climb twin stone megaliths carved into vaguely humanoid shapes. Their eroded faces turn upward so their gaping mouths fill with water. Badly weathered, the craftsmanship and culture is beyond recognition. About fifty feet below, amid dried, broken branches and other detritus, hundreds of cracked bones litter the misty ravine floor.

The Drowning Stones rise about 40 feet from the ravine floor, just below the cliff edge on the north side (the side opposite of you). The gorge is relatively narrow, approximately 100 feet across. The ravine walls and the megaliths are deceptively slippery, and require a successful DC 15 Climb check to scale. A pale slime coats many of the lower rocks

At the base of the first megalith, the group easily sees an overgrown alcove covered in hundreds of runes, their origins and meaning lost to time.

Within the alcove at the base of the first megalith lies a hollow tube made of stone and lead. Locked for centuries it contains a handy haversack holding a bottle of air and a set of ancient maps showing nearby areas marked for territorial expansion. The maps bear dozens of handwritten notes and scribbling concerning the locations of various troops, allies, and points of interest.

At the base of the second megalith is a hollow passage to the temple below. Inside the hollow, a 15-foot-wide shaft descends 60 feet down a steep slope—it is completely dark inside. The shaft walls are slimy and smooth, and without climbing gear or magic require a DC 30 Climb check to descend safely.

How long did it take to get there?

It doesn't say...

1d4 ⇒ 2

One hour.

"Oh, for Goddess's sake. We have to climb?"

Arms akimbo, tapping her foot on the ground, Avelina looks to her more rugged companions.

"I certainly hope we have some rope or something."

"Surely if you jumped, the gentle and guiding hand of Iomedae would reach from the heavens and gently lower you to the ground, though the Inheritor has already seen fit to simply send you a man with plenty of rope and a grappling hook ahead of time to aid your descent, and eventual ascent..." Monty jests as he gets out his rope.

Time for our friend to also take a nap

Avelina smiles, though at the "recognition" of her status with Iomedae rather than at the jest.

"Well, naturally! However, such a spectacle would be quite showy, and--as I am certain you have noticed by now--I am not a show-off. I take great pride in being free of vanity."

The words are completely devoid of irony or sarcasm.

Thorgan grumbles a bit at the climb, but insists on being the first one down as Monty passes the rope.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31

As he descends into the ravine, he echoes his companion's sentiment once out of Avelina's earshot, lest he engage in further conversation with the daft lass.

"**grumble*... surprised tha' Inheritor dinnae 'ave us all sprout wings t' carry the wee miss down..."

Setting foot safely amongst the drowning stones, he rubs his eyes and gives them a closer look.

"Ahl's safe, get yer butts down 'ere!"

Know Nature DC10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Know Religion DC20: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

He shares his observations as his companions join him.

"Bat droppings and Sifkesh..."

He then juts a stubby thumb at the slippery shaft.

"Tha' one looks a wee bit harder..."

What's the DC of that one with a rope? Something less than 30... 10?

Monty lashes his rope to a nearby rock outcropping, letting the rest drop 45' into the dark pit. Thorgan climbs down is able to stand on the heavily tilted, smooth tunnel after dropping 5' from the end of the rope to the top of the slanted tunnel.

DC 20 with Rope. Take 20 not possible due to threat of failure.

Torgan peers down the tunnel and sees that it suddenly drops again after another 50' of tunnel.

"WHAT'S DOWN THERE, DWARF?!" the man yells down after Thorgan.

Avelina will wait until the others climb down, then follow after reading her Scroll of Movement Unfettered by Heights or Depths Monkey Fish and following.

Because it's from a scroll, it only lasts a minute, so she's gonna wait until she can climb down the whole way at once.

Between the +8 from having a climb speed and her +3 morale bonus, she has a +11. Having a climb speed allows her to take 10, even in combat, for 21

Hawk peers down the pit, trying to see the bottom. "I have a flying potion as well as one of invisibility, two each, actually. Would you like to me to fly down under the cover of invisibility and scout ahead?"

Thorgan presses his palm to his face as "Torgan" calls down.

"Ach, well they know we're 'ere now..."

He waves off the man's calls like a elderly man who can't be bothered by the time of day and listens at the darkness for signs of something stirring that may swoop up to their position at the stones.

Always wary of danger, he implores Angradd to give him insight and a keen edge in the face of potential danger.

Cast perceive cues (again) and keen edge.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39

Assuming he hears no dangers below, he begins the final descent.

Climb: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Ach, usin' all me good rolls for skill checks!

Sry been really busy last few days..

Darius follows the dwarf to the bottom..

Climb: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Once down.. "That tunnel down looks slippery.. Any suggestions? I can give myself a flight but im not sure about everyone else.."

"WHAT'S DOWN THERE, DWARF?!" the man yells down after Thorgan.

"Think you might want to head on down there and take a look" Monty suggests, jovially...

I have a climbing kit if anyone needs it. But it´s too slippery for my, so I´ll go down with my magic

After borrowing the kit, and rope, if anyone needs it, Artian will cast levitate and go down, pushing him against the slope when simply going down is not enough.

Once down with Thorgan and Darius. I also can make me fly, but I prefer to not use it because we could need it to go up in a hurry.

I can go down hovering to check what´s down. Just be prepared to shot if something appears to attack me

At Amontillado's suggestion, the man nods and deftly climbs down the rope, clearly experienced at maneuvering in tight spaces while clinging to a life line.

If you stopped where Thorgan is, then you are at the tip of the blue arrow. As you can see, you have a lot farther to go. If you are going to keep using rope, then you will need a lot more of it.

Monty watches the man move down.

Wow! How far down is that!?

50 feet down, 50 feet over and 200 more feet down.

Thorgan calls out to his companions the details of the shaft he has descended into, relating that the second drop goes beyond the range of his sight.

"Lads, we also 'ave the problem o' gettin' back up once we get down there."

Stretching his muscles, he wonders aloud.

"Now 'ave been on a few missions, and sometimes th' priests can make th' whole lot o' us airwalk - that is, if they 'ave th' favor o' their deities n' all tha'."

Avelina is still waitingto use her scroll at the top until she hears you guys hva egotten all the way down, so she doesnt hear Thorgan, unless he's shouting for some reason :)

Hawk sighs as everyone takes the plunge, then quickly drinks his potions of flying and invisibility, then soars down the pit. He whispers a greeting as he passes his companions, then continues toward the bottom. As it bells out, he slows and peers into the chamber.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

"I have some potions that will allow the drinker to scale the wall"

Monty looks at the last bit of the drop down.

"Signal us if you see it is safe to descend"

"I have a get out a jail free card in a scroll that I can use if we end up having no other way out.."

Darius drinks and antitoxen, antiplague combo and coats his weapon in a Bladeguard before continuing.

He also casts mage armor from his wand and extended shield..

UMD: 1d20 ⇒ 15 success..

If he ends up needing to fly let me know and i can use his monstrous phy I for gargoyle form..

The gaping sink empties into a large, murky cavern. Deposits of calcite and other minerals create a forest of gleaming rock that rises from the sludge like an alien citadel. Towering and ancient, the cave formations are entirely scarred and chiseled with a variety of fishlike carvings. In the center of the cavern stands a huge stalagmite, over 5 feet in circumference, with its crown shorn off. Carved into its exterior, dozens of eels coil up the stalagmite, their fanged mouths agape. Water trickles endlessly through the cavern, transported by slender channels carved into the surrounding formations. These empty into large stone basins near the back of the cavern that rest at the base of a statue of a thin human woman with bird wings and stringy hair. Her eyes and mouth are sewn shut with wire and her wrists, ankles, hips, wings, shoulders, and neck all bear horrible gashes. Piles of smooth black stones lie around the statue.

The entire cavern is unlit, though some moss growing on the walls near the statue gives off a very faint greenish glow (dim light). Hawkwren can't really see very much as it is too dark for him to make out any actual details, just murky darkness.

Thorgan gives a nod to Hawkren before the ranger disappears and strains to listen for sounds of the man encountering any trouble in the area below.

Thorgan does have another 50ft of rope, so those who wish to climb can cover 100ft between his and Monty's. Take 10 allows him to make the DC20 as long as there's rope, although it sounds like we only have 100ft between the two of us. Then there's always taking turns with Monty's boots if someone who is flying wants to ferry them up? :)

I have another 100ft of rope I can lend to anyone who wants it.

Seeing everybody preparing for an incoming combat, Artian cast a Shield of faith and takes his antitoxine and antiplague. And cures himself from previous wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

I have about 100 ft of rope more, for anyone who prefer to go down climbing.

Also, what are we going to do with our "sage"? I really doubt he can go down by his means.

Then there's always taking turns with Monty's boots if someone who is flying wants to ferry them up? :)[/ooc]

Monty was holding out in case he needed to take the 'express elevator' down :p

Hawk will try to quietly fly down toward the bottom of the cavern as he strains to see any details.

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 20 = 40
Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38

It's really dark. How are you seeing, Hawk?

You mentioned dim light and Hawk has low light vision. Not enough light for that?

Apologies. The dim light is illustrated on the map now with everyone placed where I think there are at the moment. The inner circle is normal dim light. The outer yellow circle is with Low-Light Vision. The rest of the cave is darkvision only.

There aren't any great places to anchor the rope in the tilted tunnel, thus the only option appears to be to tie it off to the other rope. This will leave about 150' of shaft left to climb without hempen assistance.

I`m well placed

Assuming Hawkreen had come back to tell the rest of us what´s happening.

I don´t looks very safe to go down, that creature looks dangerous. But we should do it any way. So, when you all are prepared we will go down.

Avelina is positioned right. I'm guessing once Hawkwren scouts and reports back we will all head down?

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 20 = 46

Hawk quietly flies up and informs the party of what he has seen. "Shall I lead the way and surprise the creature with a few arrows?"

We're at 200ft of rope between us all, right? Which is enough to navigate 50ft of the inclined tunnel and 150 of the 200ft drop, leaving 50 to go?

Thorgan muses on Hawkwren's report, gaining his first insight into what lies in the cavern so far below.

"Ach more o' th' Sifkesh worshippin' bastard, eh?"

He shakes his head and tugs his beard.

"They don't got no wings, so ah wonder what gets 'em down there t' tha' temple? Perhaps there be another tunnel or a way t' swim in?"

Did we see any other likely places for another passage? Thorgan's earalier 39 would represent his search, and he's not the type to try again knowing he usually finds things he's looking for at first glance.

With the ropes, Thorgan would take 10 for 20+ to get down and likely just drop the remaining 50ft (which is a crazy thing to do in a non-game setting), saving his potion for getting out since it's quite limited on duration.

From my count, you have 200' between the lot of you (Artian: 100'; Monty: 50'; Thorgan 50'). 50' has been used already and needs to stay as it will be the anchor. Also, 50' of rope doesn't mean you get 50' of length. I usually rule that you get 45' of length as you take 5' to tie off one or both ends, thus reducing the length. You have ostensibly 180' of the 300' covered by your rope, thus the drop is actually 120'.

Also, you guys are talking a lot in a cave leading to bad guys. Echoes and what not. Are you even trying to be stealthy?

Last time Artian tried to be stealthi I rolled a 19. With all his weapons and armors he was discovered without any effort.

I can use my magic to make you go down, but moving both us will demand all my attention, so when problems arise I can´t help if I want both us to go down. It´s ok for you dwarf?

Or I can untie the first rope used, tie with the other three and you should face a 70ft fall

Lunchmeat simply waits around up top, ready to peck to death anyone who wanders by.

"Reckon the problem isn't getting down, it's getting back"

"I'll get down there now, see if there's a need for more caution - seems between us we can get a group down there fast if needed"

Monty clutches a sunrod between his teeth, gets to the end of the rope and then lets go, dropping himself the remaining distance...

Ah I see, I thought we could go straight across from where Thorgan was, I see now there's a wall there and not a passage...

Thorgan turns to Darius and narrows his eyes.

"Lad, yer some kind o' wizard aren't ye? Can't ye simply use yer magicks to teleport us down t' Hawkren at th' bottom?"

aka.. climb down to the bottom of the incline. Have Hawkren fire up a sunrod or something along those lines at the bottom to give Darius line-of-sight, and dimension door that final 200ft?

The tunnel doesn't have any handholds or outcroppings to attach the rope to if you disconnect the first rope unless you have pitons, an immovable rod, etc. So, as it stands, you have 120' fall at the end of the rope to reach the basin at the bottom of the shaft.

Amontillado reaches the bottom of the first section, joining the rest of the party, save Lunchmeat and Avelina, which he left on the surface.

Hawk waits to here the outcome of the dimension door plan while he begins to dig an ioun torch from his pack.

If you dont have enough to DD us all down, Monty will just jump down the last 50' of rope - the fall isn't far and wont do much to him

If you dont have enough to DD us all down, Monty will just jump down the last 50' of rope - the fall isn't far and wont do much to him

The tunnel doesn't have any handholds or outcroppings to attach the rope to if you disconnect the first rope unless you have pitons, an immovable rod, etc. So, as it stands, you have 120' fall at the end of the rope to reach the basin at the bottom of the shaft.

Thats ok, 12 damage wont be too bad :)

Sitting on a rock nearby--legs crossed--and reading through one of her holy tomes, Avelina waves to Amontillado, not looking up from her reading.

"The Protection of the Inheritor go with you. We would not want this cave to be your cask."

She flips a page in her tome absent-mindedly.

"And please remind the others to send word back up when it is time for me to make my dynamic entrance."

She continues reading, utterly relaxed, as if she was on a picnic.

Darius smiles.. "I have a way to get us back out yes.. There is a risk of error but not much of one. A scroll of shadow walk to be exact. As for getting down I can makes wings and fly everyone down.."

He casts a spell and transforms into a gargoyle looking thing and proceeds to flying everyone to the bottom.. "If you can make your own way down it would help speed things up.."

He takes the dwarf down first if there's no arguing..