GM chadius |
Think of this post like a movie trailer.
The sound of a mallet bangs into a chisel. Shards of stone scatter as a piece falls out. ”Yes! It is perfect!” The male humanoid cheers and quickly climbs down a set of stone stairs. Two more hooded humanoids join him, presumably looking at the sculpture. The camera pans up the stairs and reveals the face of a scaly, haggard woman. A forked tongue hangs from her mouth. ”For Hsamira!” Their hoods fall off, revealing their scaled, serpentine faces. They fall to their knees and bow in reverence.
Why should I even bother? A female voice whispers. None of the serpent people react. I am a failure... so lonely. Where are you, Tanbaru?
Cut to black. Cut straight to a closeup of a grotesque mask, hanging off a wall. ”We are going to Ramparassad?” The mask’s mouth moves and a male voice echoes from it. ”Can you feel the wind? Fate brings me back... to my greatest failure.”
8-02: Ward Asunder
GM chadius |
Venture-Captain Amara Li sent you a letter requesting your presence in the far off land known as Dtang Ma:
Pathfinders,
Very few Pathfinders have found their way to Dtang Ma, and there remain countless ruins and mysteries within the Sikhyeu Rainforest and along the wintry slopes of the Kullan Dei mountains. The resident expert and long-time Pathfinder is known endearingly as Old Pak. In collaboration with another friend of the Society, he has uncovered a very promising lead regarding a temple of Yamatsumi in the nearby Kullan Dei range that’s sure to interest your boundless curiosity. I’ve arranged for you to meet him in Dtang Ma’s capitol Ramparassad.
May your travels bring you fortune, Venture-Captain Amara Li
You can make purchases here or in Dtang Ma.
After an uneventful trip across the seas, you enter the capital city known as Ramparassad.
Have any PCs completed 6-21: Tapestry’s Toil? Did you get the Tanbaru’s Respect boon? Did anyone choose Tanbaru as a familiar?
Anwar Ibn Jad |
I have not played Tapestry's Toil on this character
A tall, dark haired and heavily built half elf makes his way into the city. Clad in shimmering blue scale armour he makes for an unusual figure. He pulls his blue and green robes tighter around himself, Why does everywhere always feel so chilly. I wish the society would send me back to the desert for once. Oh well, wishing doesn't do any good...
Behind him a large snake slithers along the ground, poking its nose into shopkeepers baskets and giving the locals a fright. She seems to be looking for something.
Enough Mirage, keep up, you have had quite enough chickens for a whole month you greedy thing, hurrying the snake along Anwar shoots an apologetic look at the local shopkeeper. He drops a few coppers into the mans hand as way of an apology. We have an appointment to keep and I cannot stop every time you smell something vaguely interesting he says, chiding the snake as if she can understand him.
Doubtful |
Although have played (and GM'd) Tapestry's Toil.. none of that was in core.
Doubtful, the dwarf, is dour, even for one of his kind. The entire trip from Avistan was spent trying to decide what sort of catastrophe they were sailing into at any particular moment... usually deciding that 'all of them' was the safest answer. His mood not in the least bit lightened when none of it came to pass, and they arrived safely.
With no armor of any sort, just sturdy dwarven work clothes and thick metal shod boots, he doesn't look much like your typical adventurer. Though muscles, thick from a career in the mines, and showing unusual quickness, he obviously is not without some skills... beyond pessimism.
"This place looks worse than Goka." He mutters, disconsolately, apparently having been to Tian Xia at least once before. He looks gloomily at the volcano dominating the skyline. "I'm sure that's going to bury the whole place soon enough."
"The Kullan Dei range is probably right at the base of that." He adds resignedly.
Rogar Cordan |
No Tapestry’s Toil on this character.
Rogar is similar to Doubtful in shape, size, and ugliness but not demeanor.
"So my training was delayed to dig through ruins. Oh well, Anything for the lodge."
Rogar begins doing pull-ups using a nearby door frame.
"This is a nice place. It smells good and people don't run away when I ask where places are."
Kalas Undiel |
No TT on this character.
An unkempt half-elf rides up on a well kept warhorse, which stamps its hooves forcefully as it nears Mirage, but gives no other sign that it has noticed the serpent.
"Have any of you worked for this Amara Li before? Is she going to try and get us killed like the rest of the captains do?"
Tomren Tellius |
I've actually never played or GM'ed #6-21 at all.
Standing out from the assembled strongmen and foresters, Tomren looks much like you'd expect an adventuring wizard would. His tall, wiry frame is swaddled in a well-worn but practical scholar's robe and his face is framed with a neatly trimmed beard. Several pouches and satchels are strapped to his person, their contents intricately sorted after their uses.
"Not to worry, Doubtful," he says with a crooked smile. "This end of the range has been mostly dormant for decades. I'm sure nothing will explode under us while we're out exploring."
Kalas' entrance doesn't faze him, and he looks up at the half-elf.
"I can't say that I have, but I've only heard good things about her."
GM chadius |
We're waiting for one more PC, but I'll get things started for you while they catch up.
Bells tinkle and chime as the door to “Pak’s Tobacco and Spice” opens. Shelves on the walls are full of jars and pouches, and a collection of masks adorns the wall opposite to the entrance. An old Tian-Dtang man sitting behind the counter wakes up mid-snore, rubs his eyes, and exclaims in a raspy but exuberant voice. “Yes, come in, come in! Ah, you must be the Pathfinders Ms. Amara sent! Where are my manners! I am Pak! Tea, anyone?” Before anyone can answer, Pak flicks one end of his metal smoking pipe, snags a teakettle, and plants it atop a small brazier with smoldering coals.
Old Pak seems to be absorbed in the world of serving tea and smoking his vanilla-flavored tobacco. One of the masks on the walls comes to life. Its black hair seems to blow through an unseen wind. The mask flies to each of you and speaks:
“Long ago, I was a kami who lived near a temple of Yamatsumi in the Kullan Dei mountains. But centuries ago, the temple and I were magically transported into an extraplanar place called the Hao Jin Tapestry. For hundreds of years, I languished in a broken temple surrounded by tyrannical conquerors who encouraged my cruelest habits, and I turned into what I am now—an oni. It wasn’t until a group of Pathfinders found me and showed me mercy that I was able to see past my own selfishness and spite. I have been working for the Pathfinder Society ever since, both in Absalom and in Tian Xia.”
Pak finishes serving you tea while the mask talks, and then runs his hand across his shaved head. ”Yes, Tanbaru. One moment while I explain why they were sent here.”
“I’ll get straight to the point. I would appreciate your to traveling to the Kullan Dei mountains in southern Dtang Ma and exploring what is left of the temple of Yamatsumi near which Tanbaru once lived. You see, the ancient sorceress Hao Jin was able to transport only the lower, front half of the original temple into her tapestry. I know little about the broken temple other than its haunted reputation, but Tanbaru here says that the temple’s secluded location high up in the mountains may well have kept its historical secrets and hidden treasures safe from vandals and looters, relics that should be valuable to the Pathfinder Society.”
“I want Tanbaru to accompany you. Although his transformation into an oni made his memories somewhat frayed, he still instinctively knows the way there. You should know that when Tanbaru was a kami, the Pilgrim’s Path—the trail that leads up to the temple—was his sacred ward. His presence may have unpredictable consequences, so please keep him safe.”
Pausing, because this is already a lot of text.
Tomren Tellius |
Tomren listens eagerly to Tanbaru's story.
"Fascinating! I don't have any hands-on experience with the Tian spirit world, but I'm sure I brought some notes with me..."
Are there any Knowledge checks we can make?
GM chadius |
Tanbaru speaks up: ”I will help you all as much as I can. If you do not mind being so close, you may wear me. I’ll try not to get in the way.”
Wearing Tanbaru gives a +2 insight bonus to Perception.
Tanbaru seems hesitant and a bit apprehensive about what he’s told you. Something is bothering him.
Old Pak gives you two large backpacks of rice and a camping cooker. ”The terrain is rough enough I would suggest against bringing pack animals. Oh! I have two climber’s kits you can borrow.”
Feel free to make purchases and ask Old Pak questions before you begin the trip.
During the day, you decide to gather information and recall facts about the nearby area. Most of the people here don’t speak the common tongue well, so it is difficult to learn everything you want to.
You can roll Knowledge(Geography) or Knowledge(Nature) checks to learn more. You can try Diplomacy(Gather Information) at a -5 penalty unless you speak Tien, Dtang, or Nagaji.
Anwar Ibn Jad |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
Anwar looks a little askance at Old Pak, an Oni, really, I know little about such creatures..., turning to Tandaru, something is troubling you, better to get everything out in the open before we leave, we are relying on each other after all
Old Pak, can you tell us anything more about this monastery or Yamatsumi?
Later, after thinking about where they are going...
Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
The peak we are seeking is nearby, I cannot imagine it will take us all that long to get there.
Doubtful |
Doubtful just shakes his head with a frown, at the offer of tea.
"Who's this Yamatsumi?" he asks, knowing he won't like the answer.
"Death god? Diseases? Worse?" His inflection on the last word seems to indicate he suspects the last.
The strange animated mask seems to really trouble him, and he keeps one wary eye on it the entire time.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
He is comforted to know his suspicions seem grounded.
Rogar Cordan |
What slot would the mask take up? Assuming the gather information check is after this conversation.
Aiding Amelie in Gather info.
"Hey! You! Tell the pretty lady things about the mountains."
Diplomacy to aid: 1d20 - 3 - 5 ⇒ (7) - 3 - 5 = -1
"Hey come back here! We are nice people!"
Rogar frowns.
"Why do so many people run away when I ask them questions?"
Kalas Undiel |
"Tomren mislead you, Doubtful. The range is still active, and we should prepare not just for lava, but for earthquakes and landslides as well. Dragons, ogres and being like this Tanbaru are common threats in the area.
"But most importantly, there are many species of birds and snakes in this region that have formed a bond with the land. We must preserve the land and its beasts at all costs."
Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
GM chadius |
"I am quite fine, thank you." Tanbaru betrays his emotions. "My memories of the mountain are... hazy at best."
Doubtful the Dwarf has many questions, and Old Pak tries to answer as many as he can. “Yamatsumi is the Mountain Lord, a mighty but inscrutable god whose faith has spread from Minkai to many countries in Tian Xia. It is he who makes volcanoes rain fire upon living things, but from the ashes, new life grows. It is his frozen breath that brings the winter, but when the ice thaws, rivers flow wild again. That is Yamatsumi!”
"Long ago there were many pilgrimages to the monastery, but that was quite some time ago. You should prepare for a... ah rugged journey up there. Drink some tea, it will warm you up!" He pours out a cup for everyone, including Doubtful.
We'll get ready to move out tomorrow.
Tomren Tellius |
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Satisfied with Kalas and Anwar's knowledge concerning the local area, Tomren happily accepts a cup of tea. He gives Doubtful an apologizing look over the cup's rim as he sips the hot beverage.
GM chadius |
With preparations complete, you travel from the capital along with Tanbaru, who remains still while you are in town but then comes to life and follows you on his own. The weather is sweltering hot for the first few miles. It isn’t until you pass the rice fields and hike through a bamboo forest that the weather begins to cool down. The air in the Kullan Dei range is thin, but you acclimate quickly.
After a week of hiking, you arrive at a set of stone pillars with inscriptions that read “The Pilgrim’s Path” in several languages. You see a mist-shrouded outline of a broken temple about five miles away.
One of the pillars has a set of instructions on them. The basics are written in Common, but the more elaborate explanation is written in Dtang, Tien and Nagaji.
Do not obstruct paths!
Leave no trace!
Stay on the marked trail!
"They call you Doubtful..." Tanbaru turns to face the grumpy dwarf. "You do not wear much armor, and I notice the scars upon your fists. What is your fighting style and why do you choose it?" He looks at a nearby log. "Could you show me how you would destroy that log over there?"
Tomren Tellius |
Tomren eagerly chats with Tanbaru on the journey into the mountains learning what he can from the former kami and plugging whatever holes it might have in its understanding of current affairs.
Once at the pillars, he studies them with practiced care. And he also speaks Tien, which is nice.
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
"This is indeed the start of the path of pilgrimage. We'd better follow the rules:
Don’t pitch your tent or leave your equipment on the trail. Be courteous and mindful of others using the trail.
Take your trash with you. Don’t make fires outside designated areas. Don’t leave any other trace of your passage.
Nature is sacred and fragile; do not tread on it. Don’t harm animals unless you must defend yourself."
Rogar Cordan |
"How long does that last?"
Rogar was actually wondering about Endure Elements. I don't remember if we used it or not when I played. I do remember we were weak on knowledges and no one spoke Tien so we are off to a good start.
Doubtful |
Doubtful eyes the pillars with his usual skepticism... with only a vague idea on what it all means, he's pretty sure it all boils down to some version of 'your screwed if you go this way'.
When the flying mask starts talking to him, he glowers back at it.
"Fighting style?" He responds, not entirely understanding. "Kick it in the privates, and maybe it'll leave you alone."
He ponders the mask's lack of anatomy for a moment. "Or punch it in the face, I guess."
"As to why... cause everything tries to kill you eventually... and by the time you figure that out, its too late to be pulling out hardware."
"And hitting random trees is just a good way to wake up angry wasp nests." He adds, eying the creature suspiciously.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
That seems counter to the signs instructions doesn't it?
GM chadius |
Oh, sorry, misinterpreted the Sense Motive check.
Doubtful guesses that Tanbaru was interested in seeing how he fights, and perhaps a display of strength. Or maybe he was trying to engage in some conversation with the man who was hard to please.
Eventually Tanbaru grows bored and Kalas wears him like a mask. While the mask's mouth moves as Kalas speaks, it can take no other actions. For the half-elf, the world is a bit clearer...
GM chadius |
The narrow trail winds along the base of a steep ridge, and large, jagged rocks have fallen from the cliff face here, blocking the path. At least a score of dark birds with white throats reside here, sitting atop nests built into the cliff face.
On the cliff face above the trail, you see several bird nests.
You can see the tell tale signs of a recent landslide. Large rocks block the path forward. You’ll have to get some creative way around it.
1) You could balance yourself on the rocks to make it across. If you wish to, make a DC 18 Acrobatics check.
2) You could instead try to clear the rubble. If you wish to, make 5 Strength checks, DC 13. If you fail them, make a DC 14 Fortitude check to resist becoming Fatigued. If you are already Fatigued you become Exhausted and cannot clear any more rubble.
3) You can climb the cliff face above the trail. Make a DC 16 Climb check. The first person climbing up needs a DC 17 Handle Animal check (or Wild Empathy) to calm the birds down.
4) You can try to find a detour off the main route. Make a DC 21 Knowledge(Geography) or Survival Check.
5) Maybe some kind of magic can help you bypass the obstacle altogether...
Rogar Cordan |
DC 16 Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
"The birds are scardy birds. If we spook them they will abandon the nests."
Rogar can balance, climb, or clear rocks. Can assist on survival maybe. Can't help with animal empathy.
Tomren Tellius |
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
"Indeed they are, Rogar. We should strive to not disturb them, honoring the third rule."
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
"They are an auspicious sign though... If we were to disturb them, a few handfuls of rice should calm them down again."
Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
At the landslide, Tomren holds out a hand to stop Rogar.
"Be careful! The rocks probably haven't settled entirely yet, so walking on them could cause the whole thing to tumble down, us with it..."
I can do a Knowledge (geography) with a +12 bonus if we take the detour, but i suspect one of the druids might be better suited for that option.
GM chadius |
You'll need at least 5 Str checks to clear the rubble, DC 13. If you fail any of them, you'll need to make a Fort Save to avoid getting Fatigued. If you are Fatigued and you try again, you risk becoming Exhausted. At that point, you cannot try again.
The book doesn't state a width. I'm sure you monk types could handle it without trouble, but what about your less athletic friends?
Doubtful |
Seems like everyone has to cross on their own anyway... unless we clear the path!
Any chance having Profession (miner) might help here =)
Doubtful looks at the rubble with a frown.
"So nature can break the rules then?" He says.
"Will probably blame us for this." He adds, with a scowl.
"Might as well be back in the mines." He mutters with a resigned sigh, as he starts clearing away rubble like it something he's done many times before.
We're not supposed to block the path right? So perhaps will be good to clear it too? Make things easier on everyone, anyway.
Strength checks:
Strength Check 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Strength Check 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Strength Check 3: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Strength Check 4: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Strength Check 5: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
GM chadius |
Another day, another rubble to clear. Doubtful uses his knowledge of the old days to roll the rocks out of the way with minimal fuss.
"Excellent. Now other pilgrims may cross this area safely." The half-elf hears Tanbaru's voice in his mind. "I've always wanted to ask you Kalas. what is your favorite spell? Do you rely on the arcane arts, or do you draw from the divine world?"
---
The next few hours of travel are uneventful. A shallow cave in the mountainside bears a carving that depicts an erupting, snow-capped volcano. Two timeworn stone statues flank the entrance to the cave. Near the cave, there is a stone fire ring with a long, semicircular stone bench around it.
Tanbaru looks closely at the two statues. ”Ah, this shrine. These statues feel familiar, but… I don’t remember why. This is my burden...”
One of the statues resembles a female monk, holding an old, pitted bronze gong in her hands. A small mallet hangs on a chain from the statue.
If someone makes the above check, you may try a Perform (percussion skill) DC 15
The male statue depicts a monk with an empty bowl in his hands.
You can make a Knowledge(Planes or Religion) check
Doubtful |
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Doubtful scowls at the symbol of Yamatsumi, sure that it also depicts their near future.
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
He eyes the rest of the campsight with equal displeasure, though gleans little else from what he can see, other then that the statue with the bowel is probably waiting for a rice offering of some sort.
He is loath to suggest it though, sure that it probably is a setup of some sort.
Kalas Undiel |
Kalas answers the oni, "Shillelagh is a rather simple incantation that anyone properly in touch with the divine world can cast. Yet it is incredibly effective."
The half-elf waves around his over-sized club. "It enchants this club and makes it hit very hard."
To the rest of the party, he says, "This fire ring hasn't been used in several months. Probably because of the avalanche lower down the trail."
Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Tomren Tellius |
Knowledge (religion) DC 15: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Knowledge (religion) DC 19: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Knowledge (religion) DC 17/22: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Tomren gives the gong and statues a thoughtful look.
"Do any of you fancy yourselves as percussionists? Otherwise, offering the monk statue some perfectly cooked rice could garner us some favor with the local spirits. Even more so than usual perhaps, due to the current lack of pilgrims."
GM wants a Profession(cook) or Survival check for the rice.
Anwar Ibn Jad |
Rice you say! Well, I am happy to cook!
Anwar takes 10 for 25 on survival to cook some decent rice.
GM chadius |
Anwar pulls out the portable rice cooker and does his magic. A bird flies by the bowl, scoops some of the rice with its talons, and flies off, like it’s making an offering to the spirits above.
After a tough hike up a narrow trail along the face of the mountain, the Pilgrim’s Path suddenly ends. A cylindrical portion of the mountainous landscape—one hundred and fty feet in diameter—is simply missing. An old milestone still points southwest toward the strangely symmetrical crater, but an arrow engraved in the cliff face points west toward a series of water-slicked steps carved into the unnatural cliff.
Tanabru wails quietly and shakes in disgust. ”It was here! This is the place where my ward, my path, was sundered!”
You can climb up the slippery, vertical cliff. Or you can try to traverse the narrow ledge. You guess that the pit is about 60 feet deep, so it is quite a fall.
If you are trying to climb straight up the cliff, make a DC 22 climb check.
If you decide to cross the three gaps, I need a DC 10, DC 5, and a DC 10 Acrobatics check to cross. Alternatively, you may try 3 DC 11 climb checks to climb horizontally across the gaps. If you tie each other together with a rope, followers within 20 feet of the leader may make DC 10 Climb checks to Aid the leader via Aid Another.
I need to know the party’s marching order, and how each of you will try to get to the temple.
Anwar Ibn Jad |
1st Geography: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
2nd Geography: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Anwar studies the rock face carefully. Quite amazing, this is no natural feature, only powerful magic could have created this. Hao Jin herself once stood on this spot and unleashed sorcery of incredible powr!
He scans the rocky cliff path. I'm not much for climbing nor for jumping he says rapping his knuckles on the heavy dragonhide full plate he wears. Mirage, should be able to make her own way up but I'd rather she was protected first just in case.
He digs into a pouch and pulls out a small pearl. Tomren, might I trouble you for a mage armour spell on her, this pearl will let you recover it. If you could use this wand on me as well it would be a kindness. he says pulling a slim birch wand from his belt and handing it to him.
Hmm, think I will need to transform to get up there safely. He pulls off his pack and looks over to Doubtful. Could you carry this for me? It doesn't weigh much and contains most of my tools which I cant use while shifted. Feel free to make use of them while I cannot. I can scout ahead for us in the air but I wont be able to communicate.
With that Anwar casts a couple of extra spells, activates a wand and transforms himself into the form of an eagle.
Assuming Tomren assists Anwar sets up mage armour on Mirage and himself, casts longstrider on himself from a wand, casts greater magic fang, ward of the season (fall) and barkskin on Mirage and wild shapes into an eagle, directing Mirage to begin the climb upwards. Anwars pack contains his mundane gear (except component pouch/focus, potions, scrollsand wands (except mage armour which he has given to Tormen)
Mirage, Animal Companion |
In eagle form Anwar takes to the air, flying up away from the cliff to scout out the cliff and the area above. Once the group decides how it is getting up he will shriek for Mirage to begin the ascent herself.
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Mirage simply slithers up the rocky cliff face.
Mirage takes 10 on climb for 29, she has a climb speed of 20 so can always take 10.
Anwar Ibn Jad |