Six weeks ago, you were roused from your quarters in the Sothis Pathfinder Lodge in Osirion and ordered to travel far to the north into the decidedly unfriendly Hold of Belkzen.
Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir gave you two missions: first, to uncover the whereabouts of a Pathfinder delver named Heralt who was last seen working out of a hidden Chelish fort called Skull Hill, and second, to investigate claims in a long-ago published volume of the Pathfinder Chronicles that a lost tomb rests beneath the fort’s timber tower—a tomb that holds the body of Akila, a legendary Osirian sorceress and her magic ring that was said to have brought death to Skull Hill the day Akila was laid to rest.
After weeks aboard a smelly Katapeshi galley crossing the Inner Sea, winding up the Sellen River, bravely traversing stormy Lake Encarthan, slipping up The Path, and finally docking in Vigil, you and your companions then crossed the Belkzen frontier into a region the orcs call the Skittering Mounds, carefully avoiding orcish patrols. Now you stand atop a ridge overlooking a low river valley and stare down at the fort called Skull Hill.
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"Hey-o, everybody!" Desmond announces his presence to his fellow ship-mates. When not looking for excuses to show off his Ruby Phoenix Tournament commemorative tattoo to everyone, the ranger takes his wolf for a walk around the various stops along the way to Skull Hill.
Though not the most sociable of creatures, he plays as nicely as possible to help find out what can be found out about Heralt and Skull Hill.
"C'mon Sahrek - let's find bar."
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You have been traveling with an upright Garundi wearing splendidly polished armor featuring an engraved scarab across the breast-the famous symbol of the country of Osirion.
Indeed, you learn that he serves as a guard in the palace of the Ruby Prince, although he once hailed from Rahadoum and is equally a stout defender of both the Ruby Prince and the Laws of Man.
"Atum Nakhti the Constant, defender of the Ruby Prince, enforcer of the Laws of Man, blessed by the Spinxes, and Lieutenant-Commander of Fangwood Keep," he announces with neither bow nor acknowledgement of his other companions.
While discussing the mission ahead, Atum shares what he knows. "When I moved to Osirion I learned some of its history, as was my duty as a guard of the Prince. Akila, being a famous Osirion expatriot, was mentioned in these studies. Akila was the mistress of Skull Hill during the Everwar and used the fort to build a mercenary army that she sold to whoever paid the most—she was not loyal to Cheliax and spoke often of her patron in Sothis. One day she dropped dead of seemingly nothing and as she was laid to rest, the magic ring she always wore on her left hand emitted a horrifying necromantic energy that nearly killed everyone in the fort. In my opinion, her disloyalty was the cause and root of her downfall."
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Terrill listens to the Venture-Captain's briefing, then says, "Well, it's been too long since I went into an awful place and rescued a wayward Pathfinder." With a wry grin, he adds, "I just hope the Society will do the same for me should it come to it."
Terrill's a touch on the short side for a half-elf, but his arms and shoulders are corded with muscle. He wears a beautifully crafted breastplate of blackened steel, and a graceful curving blade runs across his back, its haft rising above his right shoulder, while a stout, black bow can be seen over his left. He greets Atum and Flinders with a grin, "Nice to see you guys. Looks like we'll be shipmates again, for a longer trip this time."
As they prepare for their travels, Terrill makes a few discreet inquiries, doing the same once they arrive in Vigil. He shares what he's learned with his new companions.
"Heralt's a Pathfinder delver, known for his many explorations of places with no love for the Society — like the Hold of Belkzen, Druma, and the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. Last anyone saw him was in Vigil, preparing to travel to the incredibly dangerous region of Belkzen called the Skittering Mounds, where we're about to go."
"And Skull Hill was a strategic Chelish fort in modern day Belkzen that the nation of Cheliax used for mercenary recruitment and weapons trading during the Everwar. It was destroyed when Cheliax ceded those lands to Belkzen."
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"Aye, and headed to the Skull Hill fort too," adds the elf. "Like as not, we'll find him there--or his remains."
(Hal of course took the lengthy time to introduce himself all the way back in Sothis--he wouldn't want anyone not to know who they were talking to. He made sure to include all of his many titles: Pasha Halbarad, the Trade Prince of Arbor, Slayer of Aralantryx, Captor of the Spider, Savior of Azlant Ridge, Defender of Nesting Swallow, and Bane of Tyruwat. When he remembered to, he also introduced his axe beak mount Th'reiwa-don.)
"Say, Terrill, would you mind holding on to this for me? For use in an emergency." Hal holds out a scroll of remove paralysis to the stocky half-elf as he gazes down at the fort from atop his bird. He adjusts himself in the saddle uneasily, looking for any sign of habitation or movement.
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A tall man with sharp, Chelaxian features, but wearing clothes after the Magnimarian fashion, strides into the room. Spotting Terrill, he smiles. "Ah, Terrill my friend! It seems our path cross again."
Nodding at the information given by the party, he says. "All true. I think I can add, but a little. In truth, Skull Hill still exists, thought the Chelaxian government has kept it secret for years. They use the fort to keep tabs on the orc tribes. It is one of a network that diabolic government utilizes to spy on Belkzen, Varisia, Lastwall, Nidal, and Nirmathas."
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A massive, yet not towering mass of stone and earth walks into the lounge where the Venture-Captain has the Pathfinders waiting - an uncommon sight indeed! Its body seems made of granite, and while it appears to be chipped in many places, the whole of it appears invulnerable, unbreakable, formidable. A beard of orange and red crystal even make it look like a dwarf of sorts.
The creature - for lack of a better word yet - is wearing a finely crafted, solid-looking mithal full plate armor, adorned with veils and shades not unlike those worn in northern Garund among the desert folk. Numerous weapons are his arsenal, ranging from sharp falchions in various metals to a massive spiked hammer. The no-nonsense attitude the creature has makes him look as if he was ready to enter the Worldwound itself, among the first lines of warriors.
"Name's Basalte. I'm Pahmet, from Osirion, but also Oread. Earth folk." he simply rumbles, is voice as low as the deep echoing voice of the earth. He addresses a bow to Atum, regarding him with the utmost reverence. "Honored to work with you, Atum the Constant. The Osirion desert winds whisper your name in awe, and you are inspiration." concludes the oread as he proudly shows a finely-wrought scarab embedded in him.
At the mention of the information his companions found out, Basalte simply nods in agreement, but adds nothing.
From atop the ridge, they can see the entirety of the fort, a motte and bailey resting on the shores of a small, shallow waterway called the Skittering River. The front gates to both the motte and the bailey appear smashed in, there are scorch marks all along the palisade, and there are three craters—two in the bailey and one at the base of the timber tower atop the motte. There appears to be no sign of movement from the ridge, though you can see a thin wisp of smoke rising from the timber tower’s chimney.
Skull Hill’s double gate lies open, one half broken off its hinges. A small watchtower sits above the gate, forming a short ten foot tunnel as one enters the bailey—scorch marks mar the gate and the tower. The drawbridge is down and appears to be in good condition. As you approach the drawbridge, you see a discarded battering ram, essentially a giant log, with long scorch marks down the side. Peering into the moat, you see what could be a few skeletons.
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Humans. Always in a hurry.
Hal holds up a hand to Atum. "Hold up there, friend. I am happy to have you smash your way around, but let's at least be strategic about. I say we go outbuilding by outbuilding, and slowly make our way to the heart at that tower." Hal glances up at the plume of smoke rising from the tower. "And let's try to quiet until the time comes, too. No need to get the whole of Belkzen down on us too early. Boldness and prudence need not be strange bedfellows."
With that in mind, Hal and Th'reiwa-don will make an effort to remain under tree cover and shadows whenever possible on the approach.
Hal also keeps an eye out for footprints of any kind.
EDIT:
Atum's bold approach leaves little to be desired for a stealthy entrance, however there doesn't seem to be a response, either Chelish or otherwise.
It seems that there was a large retinue of men approaching the fort and the battering ram and discarded trappings of travel indicate that it was likely a neighboring orcish tribe that descended on the fort less than two weeks prior.
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Atum nods to Halbarad. "A good suggestion. Systematic bashing is generally preferred to wanton bashing, yes." Atum then slings his bec-de-corbin onto his back and hefts the battering ram up onto his shoulder.
The Living Monolith then marches to the first building on the right and uses the battering ram to smash the door open!
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Atum boldly strides up to the moat, wades out a few feet before hefting the 500 lb. log onto his shoulder. Orcish war paint, not marred by the flames, can still be seen in a few places, though most has washed off.
Atum, smiling as he boldly moves through the gates, doesn't seem to notice the shoddy worksmanship of the stones, the damaged sections of the walls or the well-placed floor traps. The weight of Atum and the battering ram on one of the trap panels causes the entire watchtower to fall down around his ears and Ka Stone.
As the entirety of the 50' watchtower plummets down, Atum merely looks to the sky and watches it. He takes a deft move to the left as a giant boulder smashes down to his left and right. They lean precariously before toppling against each other a few feet above his head. As the dust settles, Atum stands proudly in the middle of the chaos, seemingly in the only place where the hewn stone has avoided. The two largest pieces of stone seemingly forming a new gate for Atum, albeit much smaller than the last.
Atum moves to smash down the door to the building on his right, however the door has already been caved in and shattered to small pieces. A giant blood smear shows that someone or something was dragged from this building bleeding. Several of the beds and tables in this building have been smashed or used to barricade most of the broken windows.
The building across the dirt path seems to be in a bit better shapes, however that is only because the door remains on its hinges.
Atum rushes over as he sees a door standing on the other building opposite the empty barracks and slams his Ka Stone into the wood.
The Living Monolith steps back after connecting with the door. Looking closely at the wood fibers, it seems that they are vibrating. After a few seconds, the door explodes inwards with a spray of sawdust and splinters. It appears that this was also used as a Barracks judging from the similarity of smashed up furniture, blood stains and barricades.
As Atum is 'checking out' the other building, Hal is analyzing the blood stain leading from the first building. It seems to trail off towards the small castle in the distance and is definitely dried. It is probably at least a week old, if not older.
A small, two-story inn sits beside the main road that runs north-south through the bailey. All of the windows on the second floor are broken, their tattered curtains blowing through the openings. The windows on the first floor are intact, but it appears that someone nailed boards over the inside of those windows. The front door appears to have once been smashed off its hinges and then shoddily replaced. There are scorch marks and blood smears on the front porch of the inn. A sign swings on one broken chain in the wind—on it is an enormous human smile full of cartoonish teeth. Beneath the teeth it reads, “The Grinning Inn.”
As Hal moves up to check the door, the party hears scraping of wood on wood inside the inn.
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Terrill can't help but be impressed by his companions' efficiency and Atum's customary boldness. He's profoundly impressed with the man's technique with the gate. If we go visiting palaces or anything, perhaps we should let someone else knock on the door. Though palaces will be thin on the ground here in Belkzen, I'd wager.
As Hal calls out that someone is inside the inn they've found, Terrill draws his blade and lays a hand along it, causing it to shimmer briefly.
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You're late. A tall cheliaxian man stands at the corner of the one of building. He wearing finely crafted black plate male emblazoned with the symbol of Asmodeus in blood red. I am Signifer Dragorin Baradin. I was dispatched from Citadel Demain to assist you with this mission. The man removes his helmet revealing an aged face topped with grey hair, which seems to contradict his youthful sounding voice. His eyes and posture are that of a young man and at odds with his creased and potted face.
I assume you are also Pathfinders. I do not know of anyone one else who would be so bold, and loud, while investigating.
(+4 Urban, +2 Underground)
Halbarad whispers loudly about the potential for danger inside the inn as he draws his wand and casts Gravity Bow.
Atum's quickness let's him leap into action, being near enough to have heard the sound as well. And he chucks the orcish battering ram at the door, busting through the door with ease, almost as if the residents of the inn were considering the same plan of attack... minus the battering ram of course.
Terrill is able to get off a spell, but is unable to draw his sword or move before two angry orcs come leaping out of the doorway, ready to slash and murder, screaming in Orcish.
--End of Surprise Round--
Initiative:
1st: Halbarad @ 52/72 HP; Atum @ 86/104 HP; Terrill @ 69/69 HP
2nd: Orcs (#1-Red; #2-Blue)
3rd: Desmond; Dragorin; Flinders
Terrill strikes out at the raving lunatic of an orc that slashes Atum, cutting a major artery in the barbarian's leg. A splash of blood sprays across the small lawn of the inn.
Atum, taking offense at this attack, takes a mighty swing, severing the orc's sword and cutting in to the flesh of the attacker.
Halbarad sends a flurry of arrows at one of the orcs as Threiwa'don retreats, however the jostling of his axe beak causes his aim to only hit the dilapidated wall of the inn.
The still armed orc leaps forward and slashes at the Living Monolith with the bec-de-corbin while the other takes a step back, draws a javelin and launches it at Terrill, hoping to skewer the half-elf.
The orc's rage overflows as their blind hatred gets in the way of their swings.
Initiative:
1st: Halbarad @ 49/72 HP; Atum @ 68/104 HP; Terrill @ 69/69 HP
2nd: Orcs (#1-Red @ 8 damage; #2-Blue @ 69 damage)
3rd: Desmond; Dragorin; Flinders
The injured orc rages as the negative energy washes over him screaming out, not doing as much damage as the other orc seems to suffer as feels the fires of Hell burn his flesh.
Atum steps back and tries to destroy the other orc's Falchion, but this devastating blow misses.
Initiative:
1st: Atum @ 68/104 HP; Halbarad @ 49/72 HP; Terrill @ 69/69 HP
2nd: Orcs (#1-Red @ 43 damage; #2-Blue @ 86 damage)
3rd: Dragorin; Desmond; Flinders
Atum steps back and tries to destroy the other orc's Falchion, but this devastating blow misses.
Halbarad pushes his knees into Th'reiwa-don's wings to get him to back up 5', however the orc surprises the archer and closes the gap with the mounted man.
Initiative:
1st: Atum @ 72/104 HP; Halbarad @ 49/72 HP; Terrill @ 69/69 HP
2nd: Orcs (#1-Red @ 43 damage; #2-Blue @ 86 damage)
3rd: Dragorin; Desmond; Flinders
Hal fires off all of his arrows, however they clatter about uselessly, as the orc takes a swing at the archer, but he seems to have the same luck as the elf.
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At such close quarters, Desmond forgoes his bow, quick drawing his falchion and stepping forward to helping out Terrill with his orc problem.
He then looks up and over at Sahrek, shouting to the wolf.
"Go around and bite that one!"
Sahrek takes a snap at the orc, and also tries to bring the orc prone to the ground.
Terrill makes a wicked slash against the disarmed orc, clearly intended to knock the beast out but his ferocity keeps him standing.
Standing, however, is not what Flinders wants as he tries to trip the raging lunatic, however the orc's mass keeps him from falling.
Desmond, on the other hand, is able to end the orc's life with a slash from his Falchion. Blood splatters against the cobblestone walkway to the inn and over Desmond's armor. His pet wolf, Sahrek isn't as lucky and merely thrashes at the other threat to no avail.
The remaining orc gives out a battlecry before unleashing hell on Atum.
Two brutal slashes hit the Living Monolith, nearly felling the man in a single flurry of blows.
Initiative:
1st: Atum @ 40/104 HP; Halbarad @ 49/72 HP; Terrill @ 69/69 HP
2nd: Orcs (#1-Red @ 43 damage)
3rd: Dragorin; Desmond; Flinders