GM Chadius presents 8-02: Ward Asunder (Table B) (Inactive)

Game Master 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

Venture-Captain Amara Li sent you a letter requesting your presence in the far off land known as Dtang Ma:

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?

Doodle has not played Tapestry’s Toil.

I have not played Tapestry’s Toil either.

The young, fiery-haired woman thanks the messenger as he hands her the letter. She opens and reads it, still standing in the center of the Grand Lodge’s training yards. As she begins to understand the letter is her new assignment, she lifts the greatsword she has been holding beside her, slings the massive blade over her shoulder, and makes her way to her spare quarters in the barracks to get her things packed. Dtang Ma...where in Golarion is that? Oh well. Wherever it is, it will be good to get away from the politics of Avistan.

The blue haired gnome was barely home from her last mission when she received yet another missive. She expected to be one of the more senior members of the group, as the VC was quite impressed with her performance so far, and wanted to reward her with more of a supervisory role.

She didn’t carry much in the way of weaponry or armor, but did have a couple wands, poking out of her pouch. She didn’t know anything about Dtang Ma, but she was excited to learn about the place.

Oh! I thought you said 'Tapestry's Coil'. Sorry, no.

Putting her Tian in 99 Easy Lessons textbook atop her Dtang Ma on 6 Silver a Day travel guide in her backpack Gwendolyn breathe a huge sigh and says: "You know, ever since I told Dean Shaine what I really thought about the Society's Rose Garden Time Machine last year, it's like the Master of Scrolls has it in for me."

"Whoo?"

"Me, you overly-erudite feather duster. I mean look at all the places they send me too. Irrisen, the Mordant Spire, an asteroid--I mean come on--a freaking asteroid!? It's like they're trying to get rid of me."

"Whoo?"

Ignoring the bird perched on the staff in her hand Gwen continues storming across the Pathfinder Society Grand Lodge Campus.

"And you know what's worse? I'll be on the same side of the globe as Polly is again. I just know I'm going to run into her." But instead of her dorm-mate Apollyanna she runs into a Inghinn MacBruthe.

"OW! Sorry. My bad. I was just in a hurry to catch another boat for a months-long voyage to the middle of nowhere." The sentence gets less and less enthusiastic the longer it goes on. "Oh hey, that's a coincidence my dorm-mate has a cold iron longsword just like that. You're not a paladin are you? Oh I'm Gwen, and the feather duster is Hera."

Inghinn nearly bowls over a sorceress as she turns the corner out of the barracks. "Oh! I'm sorry. Wasn't paying attention. Did--did you say you were catching a boat for a long voyage? You wouldn't be headed to Dtang Ma, would you? I'm Inghinn, by the way."

As Gwen looks upon the young woman, her gear seems to magically change somehow from that of a paladin to Inghinn's own somewhat dingy attire. The only real exception to Inghinn's second-hand looking equipment is a gleaming greatsword strapped to her back.

Sorry about the confusion! I just copied over my character template from another character and hadn't fully updated it. Still have to update a couple things.

Wait, you're not a 41-year-old male Chelaxian paladin!?

"Sorry, I was having a flashback back to my campus room after running into your tower shiel-IS THAT A SWORD!?"

Haha! Nope! 20-year-old Galtan fighter here, fresh from her family's exile from nobility.

Inghinn smiles at Gwen's wonder. "Aye, it's a sword, and it's served me well, though I have to admit some of the killin' has begun to leave a foul taste in my mouth." Her gaze falls to the ground as her voice trails off. The weight of what she has experienced since becoming a Pathfinder obviously weighs heavily upon her.

Also no Tapestry's Toil.

"Dtang Ma? Can't say I've ever been there. Do they do much trade with Absalom?"
A broad-shouldered dwarf stands nearby. He wears fullplate, and carries a large runecarved axe on his back. He bears a flagon of ale in his hand.
"Name's Kavor Doan. Wizard, warrior, merchant, diplomat, and faithful devotee of Cayden Cailean."
He raises his flagon and takes a drink.

"What's the weather like there? Do I need to learn to speak their language? The Society does send us to all sorts of places."

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.

No Tapestry's Toil done.

A dark-haired elven woman, dressed in white with rainbow-coloured accessories, is examining the masks with keen interest. Her whole outfit, even the assortment of weapons she carries on her back, is meticulously arranged to please the eye.

"Such careful craftsmanship, some of them seem almost alive", she whispers as she moves from one mask to another. She jumps when the mask starts to speak, and backs up, falling less gracefully sitting on a chair.

"T-tea, yes", she stutters trying to regain her calm. She listens to the mask and their host explaining their mission, her expression relaxing bit by bit.

When Pak pauses on the explanation, the elven woman concentrates, takes a deep breath, and talks in calm, refined voice. "Your suggestion sounds perfectly reasonable. The remaining half of the temple has to be examined for possible remaining artifacts, to prevent them falling to less enlightened hands. You mentioned you know little of this place of worship, but anything could be helpful. Or perhaps esteemed Tanbaru would have more knowledge, having habited the premises for extensive periods of time?"

She stops, then suddenly continues. "My deepest apologies, I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Miriel Magol, servant of Shelyn and member of the Pathfinder society."

”I’ve never been to that part of the world, I don’t think. What can you tell us about the temperatures there? Do I need to dress warm, or is it fairly cool? Do we know if there are more oni running around there? Any other known threats?”

"Well, the temple has been abandoned for quite some time. There's no telling exactly what is out there." Old Pak pours out some tea.

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.

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.”

As Pak reaches for the kits, he notices Inghinn's armor and taps a finger on it. ”So bulky...if you’re going to wear that, you’d better watch your step.”

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.

Miriel sips some tea with careful movements, stopping to admire the colour of the liquid.

"I am certain we will be successful in our attempt to reach the temple. By preparing with the right equipment we can achieve our goal, even with the unfortunately necessary encubrance of our combat gear."

Later, Miriel goes to examine the city. She returns with new clothes, a mirror and a potion.

"The mountain weather is hazardous and unpredictable, but this beautiful fur will keep me warm," she says and shows her purchase. "But in this case cold might not be a problem, more like the opposite. The merchant mentioned that the mountains are volcanic, and thus it is possible we face challenges from the earth itself. There are not many ways to escape from earthquakes or eruptions, but an old pathfinder happened to overhear my conversation with the merchant. She gave me this potion to fly away from such events."

Miriel tries on some of her new clothing, checking how the colours and structure fit her outfit by looking at herself in her new mirror.

Bought cold-weather outfit (8g), steel mirror (10g) and potion of fly (2 PP)

"Fascinating!" remarks Kavor Doan upon seeing the flying, talking, mask.

He drinks his tea - knowing enough Diplomacy to be polite even though it isn't his favorite beverage.

Kavor Doan has furs, cleats, and snowshoes from "From Under Ice", as well as the spell Endure Elements. If he takes one of the climber's kits, he'll have a +4 Climb check even in fullplate, and he has Feather Fall in case he really botches an important roll.

The warrior-wizard takes his time asking questions about the mountain. He does not speak any of the languages, and so has some difficulty gathering information.

He does perceive that something is bothering the flying mask.
"Tanbaru, is there something else you wish to add? Or a problem we can help you with on this journey?"

"No, I am... fine." Tanbaru betrays his emotions. "I have not been to the monastery for some time. My memories are very hazy there." Tanbaru decides to switch topics. "What is your favorite spell, Kavor? Is it arcane or divine? Can you show it to me?"

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!

"My favorite spell? That's an easy one. True Strike!"
Kavor Doan demonstrates his exceptional aim.

Over the next week, he casts Endure Elements every morning before donning his armor.

Upon seeing the signs, he asks, "Tanbaru, can you read the signs that are not in Common?"

He regrets not having a scroll of Comprehend Languages. Kavor Doan was a jock in wizard school, more interested in hitting things with an axe, drinking ale, and socializing. This has left him very well-rounded but lacking in some skills.

Doodle scratched her chin as she looked at the sign. ”Well, I don’t understand any of that. I’m not good with languages. If no one else speaks those tongues, I guess we will have to try to reason out what it means.”

Wow. Spirit Oni only speak Common...

"Oh, your aim is quite exceptional." Tanbaru grins in appreciation as Kavor casts some magic. "That will come quite in handy, I'm certain."

As they reach the signs, Tanbaru frowns. "Sadly, only the common language makes sense to me. When I was at the height of my power, when I was a kami...The young mortal Pak has tried to teach me Dtang again, but it has been slow..."

Interestingly, "Common" varies by region, so in Avistan it is Taldan, but in Tian Xia it is Tien. Of course, that would mean Tanbaru couldn't speak to any of us... so better to stick with Tanbaru speaking Taldan?
In any event, I see Gwendolyn has a couple of scrolls of Comprehend Languages.

Inghinn gratefully accepts the offer of tea. When the mask flies from the wall and begins speaking, she instinctively reaches for her sword, but seeing Pak's calm demeanor at the event, she soon settles down. After hearing about the Tapestry and how Hao Jin had only been successful in transporting part of the temple, she muses to herself, If she could not do the whole job, why start it? Now the temple in both worlds must be fractured and ruined.

As Pak points out that her armor might cause a problem, Inghinn brushes aside his hand and assures the old man, "I'm quite aware of the challenges of wearing heavier armor, but I've trained hard to know how to compensate for it. I'll take your advice, though, as I suppose it'd be foolish to reject the words of the wise. Tell me, where can I find a good armor smith nearby?"

Inghinn will spend 25gp to purchase a studded leather armor. Armor Training will negate the armor penalty, so she'll have a climb of +7 with the leather armor on.

Arriving at the pillars, Inghinn pauses to examine them. "Sorry. I'm not much for languages either, at least not for this part of the world." She turns to Kavor and speaks to him in his own language,

She smiles kindly at the warrior, then turns her attention back to the site.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

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 15 Acrobatics check.

2) You could instead try to clear the rubble. If you wish to, make 5 Strength checks, DC 12. If you fail them, make a DC 12 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 13 Climb check. The first person climbing up needs a DC 14 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 18 Knowledge(Geography) or Survival Check.

5) Maybe some kind of magic can help you bypass the obstacle altogether...

Inghinn nearly bowls over a sorceress as she turns the corner out of the barracks. "Oh! I'm sorry. Wasn't paying attention. Did--did you say you were catching a boat for a long voyage? You wouldn't be headed to Dtang Ma, would you? I'm Inghinn, by the way."

Inghinn smiles at Gwen's wonder. "Aye, it's a sword, and it's served me well, though I have to admit some of the killin' has begun to leave a foul taste in my mouth." Her gaze falls to the ground as her voice trails off. The weight of what she has experienced since becoming a Pathfinder obviously weighs heavily upon her.

"Sorry I didn't mean to upset. For a moment you reminded me of my sometimes annoying roommate Apollyanna, she's this sort of really weird initiate paladin in service to Shelyn. It's not that I don't like her it's just I don't want to share a small cabin trapped on boat with her for months on end if you know what I mean."

Somewhere along the long boat ride to the other side of the world

"Yep. They are trying to get rid of me. I don't even speak any of the languages over there." Well, I best see who my other new roommates are. "Howdy there stranger, I'm Gwendolyn and this is-." Oh no.

A dark-haired elven woman, dressed in white with rainbow-coloured accessories, is examining the masks with keen interest. Her whole outfit, even the assortment of weapons she carries on her back, is meticulously arranged to please the eye.

"Lemme guess...."

Then after a long and no doubt aesthetically pleasing voyage (during which she knocks on the hull and prays there isn't a murder like that one time on the Throaty Mermaid and more--that she is not the culprit).

Who arranges their socks like that on a drying line? They look like their were ironed before being put up. Polly, where are you?

"Tea. Civilization at last. You have no idea what it is like to have an empathic link with a bird that likes snacking on ship rats. I just can't get the crunching sound out of my head." Gwen says accepting her first tea in a while.

sense motive v Tanbaru: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

diplomacy (w wand of comprehend languages if that helps): 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 5 = 8

"Does anyone speak Osiriani?"

Later, on the trail.

knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

She of course comprehends and explains the signs for those wanting look at the foreign language spoilers.

Hera flies aerial recon.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Miriel walks the trail admiring the scenery. "This is wonderful! The essence of nature surrounds us, here you can experience the world as our creators meant!" She almost passes the pillars without noticing them, but stops when Gwendolyn translates the instructions. "That should be self-evident, nature is to be always respected with such love and care."

When they see the birds, Miriel slows down and waves to her companions to do the same. "Please, now, carefully. I know these delicate birds, although they are only met in these mountains. There are extensive libraries of all creatures of the wild in Kyonin. They are martins, and they startle easily, leaving their offspring. We must respect them, and try to advance quietly", she instructs in a low voice.

She continues for a moment until she notices the landslide. She stops and stares at it, puzzled. "Oh, this is unfortunate. Moving quietly is going to be a challenge"

"Aha, a chance for a wizard to show his worth!"
Kavor Doan flexes his arms.
"Shall I move these boulders aside?"
Since he is not being threatened or distracted, can he Take 10?

I think you need to roll for these Str checks

Okay. Waiting for anyone else to agree that's the tactic we want to use.

Miriel walks the trail admiring the scenery. "This is wonderful! The essence of nature surrounds us, here you can experience the world as our creators meant!" She almost passes the pillars without noticing them, but stops when Gwendolyn translates the instructions. "That should be self-evident, nature is to be always respected with such love and care."

When they see the birds, Miriel slows down and waves to her companions to do the same. "Please, now, carefully. I know these delicate birds, although they are only met in these mountains. There are extensive libraries of all creatures of the wild in Kyonin. They are martins, and they startle easily, leaving their offspring. We must respect them, and try to advance quietly", she instructs in a low voice.

She continues for a moment until she notices the landslide. She stops and stares at it, puzzled. "Oh, this is unfortunate. Moving quietly is going to be a challenge"

"So they leave their offspring. Do they come back? Could we simply stupefy them in their nests with magic?"

Not knowing exactly how many or how densely packed the nests are would a liberal use of 2 scrolls of sleep and/or a lot of color spray be of any use in the situation?

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"If we walk on the rocks, there's a good chance we'll just dislodge them again and may start another landslide. I'll see if I can move some of these our of the way, shall I?"

Fort save vs. Fatigued: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

”Great job, Inghinn! Sorry for my slow reflexes...I should have helped you. But you did a really nice job of clearing a path. Hopefully we didn’t frighten the birds too much!”

The dwarf shrugs.
"Or you can just go ahead and do it, I guess."

Inghinn needs one more Str check to finish clearing the rubble.

Str, Fatigued: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 1 = 20

Better I use this here than on an enemy attack, eh?

Inghinn tires halfway through clearing the trail, but she pushes through and removes the boulders in the path.

"Excellent. Now other pilgrims can use the path." Tanbaru notes. "Inghinn, what is your fighting style? Could you smash that log right now? What's the most dangerous monster you've killed?"

---

The next few hours of travel are relatively 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

"Interesting. I am not familiar with the local religions but this does seem to be a ceremonial site. I imagine there is a proper way to strike the gong, but I do not know what it is."
Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
No luck.

Survival 1d20 ⇒ 15

Doodle liked the look of the statues, but she didn't take any special interest, or see any secret meaning behind the subjects. She wanted to swing at the gong with all her might, but she thought twice, wanting to see what the others said.

When I played this in classic, I was running my very knowledgeable inquisitor and I crushed all these checks! Doodle doesn't even get to try, lol...

survival (aid Doodlevain): 1d20 ⇒ 12

"Hey look at this."

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.

"Hey, we're the one's who are carrying you, remember?"

By the way, does this place count as 'a ruin, archaeological site, or other structure that predates Earthfall (approx 10,000 years ago)'?

knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Not that it matters much....

"Well obviously someone needs to ring the gong, and the woman statue here is probably expected to come to life and cook something up for her man statue."

Miriel runs her fingers on the statues. "Such dedication from people of the ancient times, all slowly crumbling and forgotten. Still, we should not let it affect our efforts in bringing our visions for people to see, even for a moment."

Miriel stops at the monk with the bowl. "I am not so familiar with the customs of the area, but I believe this might hint that pilgirms leave something here, possibly for the spirits."

"That fire ring hasn't been used in at least two months. That means there haven't. Been many traveler's on this road recently, from what I can tell."

Any shenanigans with the statues, or are you moving on?

Doodle didn't know what the statues meant, so she left a silver coin in the offering bowl. To be on the safe side, she also poured some water in the bowl. "Maybe the spirits could use the coin, and those birds could drink the water."

I have a fair idea what to do OOC, but not IC, so Kavor Doan would move on without messing with the statues.

"So we made him a bowl of weak, silver broth? That doesn't seem right. Maybe it's not a bowl, and really a hat, or maybe a broken gong? All I know is we are not leaving here until someone whacks that gong."

Is the bowl removable?

Meanwhile, standing at the dock next to the one the party debarked upon weeks ago, still holding his sign that says "Pathfinders Welcome" is the group's Tien guide, and interpreter... waiting... and sometimes looking at his wrist sundial.

Hera alights upon the edge of the bird bath, and takes a drink. She begins preening.

The bowl is part of the statue, so you can't remove it.

Doodle fills the bowl with water and places a coin inside.

I'll give Inghinn MacBruthe a bit of time to make her move.

Inghinn tires halfway through clearing the trail, but she pushes through and removes the boulders in the path.

"Excellent. Now other pilgrims can use the path." Tanbaru notes. "Inghinn, what is your fighting style? Could you smash that log right now? What's the most dangerous monster you've killed?"

"Thank you, Tanbaru. I'm glad to have helped clear the way for future pilgrims as well as ourselves. As for the most dangerous beast I have fought...I almost fear too much to speak of it. I was traveling in the Mwangi Expanse, looking for some researchers the Society and dispatched there for research, and we came to a site where an ancient evil had been sealed away. After fighting our way through the site, we found ourselves up against a dangerous creature called a xacarba--a towering, three-tailed, six-eyed beast that seemed like three rune-backed serpents partially melded together into one hideous monstrosity! If it were not locked in combat with a powerful golem that had been set as the site's protector, it surely would have destroyed us all. I was lucky enough to land one blow on the creature, though it didn't do much compared to the golem's work." Inghinn's voice trails off, a look of pain and fear in her eyes as she recalls the terrifying experience.

---
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Inghinn brings up the rear of the group as they come to the fire ring and the statues, still somewhat tired from moving the boulders. From the way the ashes of the fire ring have scattered, Inghinn agrees with Doodle's assessment that the fire ring hasn't been used in months.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

She approaches the monk with the bowl and bows, then reaches into her own pack and places some of her trail rations in the bowl. "Protectors of this land, please accept this humble gift as thanks for your service. Please grant us safe passage as we travel on." Standing and turning to the others, she smiles and laughs. "Well, I'm certainly not going to be the one to ring the gong. I've no musical talent whatsoever!"