Shonne |
"...." Shonne looks westward.
GM chadius |
West it is, then!
This room is a madman’s abattoir. Near the center of the room stands a polished metal table with manacles bolted to each of its corners and a bloodstained hacksaw embedded in its side. A wooden workshop bench rests against the east wall, covered with tools of varying sizes, a spool of barbed wire, a stack of large metal staples, and a stack of notes, and even more grisly tools hang from hooks on the wall like pots and pans in a well-stocked kitchen. Reddish-brown splotches cover the floor.
On the table, a partially clothed male elf with a distended belly is sprawled on his back as he quietly moans in agony, his arms bound by the table’s manacles.
There are notes on the workbench. They note all sorts of grisly experiments Thurl had performed.
(Succeeding at this check earns 1 Evidence Point)
As you get close to the elf to investigate...
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
Knowledge, Planes: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (1) = 17 That's unfortunate.
"This place is disgusting. At least he could keep a clean workspace."
Nijena Tajar |
Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Kn. planes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Nijena covers her mouth and nose with a hand. "You are right, Fuzzfoot." the Paladin mumbles. "There are notes, but I don't understand anything."
K'Kei Hikaru |
heal dc 20: 1d20 ⇒ 12
"I don't know what Thurl did to him, but he looks... pregnant... This place is terrible.. .I'd like to burn it all."
Bernard Zeppel |
Bernard scratches his head "Well..I'm a farmer not a doctor. Gozreh blessed me with the power to heal but not the knowledge of how it works...but shucks maybe with a little blessing from her now I can make something happen."
He casts a blessing on Nijena and then helps her here and there, casting guidance on himself first.
Heal + Guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12
Shonne |
heal v notes (aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
"Hmm."
heal v elf (aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
"...."
GM chadius |
Nijena gets close, with the party (sans Fuzzfoot) coming to help her. They make observations and put their skills to determine that the elf died long ago. Something is writhing inside of him, waiting for people to get close...
With all of you standing around the body, the elf's chest expands violently and suddenly bursts open, revealing some kind of giant worm. A cloud of negative energy, spores and viscera burst forth as a dozen arm-length tentacles reach out.
Everyone except Fuzzfoot:
You take 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 negative energy damage.
You must make a DC 16 Fort Save or be diseased.
Well, at least you get a good look at the worm before you kill it.
K'Kei Hikaru |
fort save dc 16: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
sucked
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
"Oh! That's not good!"
While I love being lucky, if everyone else gathered around the body, Fuzzfoot would have as well.
Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Knowledge, Planes: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 8 + (5) = 32
"Demon spawn! That parasite is Abyssal, and incubates quickly. Better kill it and be on our toes, we may be close to our quarry."
Shonne |
fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
"Unpleasant." Shonne makes a face.
GM chadius |
I'll roll Nijena's Fort Save to keep things moving.
Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
After washing the gore off of them, most of the party seems to be alright. K'Kei feels something, but isn't completely sure of what it could be.
In the room to the west, clawed limbs, scaly torsos, and other large body parts hang from large hooks connected to the ceiling by thick chains. Along the walls, large canisters and jars hold dozens of smaller body parts suspended in clear liquid.
The temperature in this room is barely above freezing.
Make one Knowledge(Planes) check
You find a wand in the room.
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
Knowledge, planes: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 8 + (5) = 24
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + (3) = 12
"Must be cold storage to keep these demon body parts from rotting. Wow! Here's a claw from a hezrou! Most these others are pretty minor demons, but that one... oh, my! Here's a whole torso from a glabrezu! And parts from a nabasu! We better not run into any live ones... we could be in trouble!"
K'Kei Hikaru |
"I don't know what those are, but they sound nasty. and I don't feel so good."
Shonne |
spellcraft (elf ID bonus): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
"...." But angry, all in caps, and bold.
GM chadius |
After investigating the room full of demon body parts, you move east past the stairwell from the maze. A short hallway south splits the path to an east and west branch. The western branch leads to a door, while the eastern path descends into a pool about 8 feet deep. There's a door on the far side of the pool.
East or West? Make perception checks once you choose your direction.
Nijena Tajar |
Nijena caughs when the wave of negative energy hits her.
She looks at the wand, trying to identify it. "This is a wand of sleet storm"
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
"I'd say west, don't ask me why."
Shonne |
Shonne moves west down the hall, spear in hand.
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Shonne can use the wand if no one else can.
GM chadius |
Pressing westward, the walls of this room are lined with steel bookshelves bolted into the polished stone. Books rest comfortably against each other, each given ample room to be removed without risk of damaging the contents within. Two black leather chairs next to the western wall are positioned around an ostentatious wooden table supporting a single glass tumbler. There are two identical, reinforced wooden doors along the western wall.
Even a quick glance at the titles indicates a dedication to obscene Abyssal rituals. Several anatomy books describe how to perform surgeries on a variety of creatures. You even catch decades of tables that resemble shopkeeper's ledgers.
To make sense of these books, you must spend half an hour reading the contents. Then you get to make two skill checks. If you make DC 18 on either on them, great! Read the spoiler below. Even if you fail it's still worth a shot.
Thurl has experimented for years in the creation of Abyssal hybrids.
His usual method involves dissecting demon corpses, sewing pieces back together, soldering and animating them with essence derived from Abyssal larvae, and often discarding imperfect creations.
Annotations and notes scattered across a dozen volumes reference how he has:
"devised a technique to rival the creative power of Lamashtu’s womb,"
"gone beyond the limited theories he purchased from Asylnn"
"discovered how to harness the power of the marilith"
The ledgers obtained track the price of Abyssal larvae and the souls of those condemned to the Abyss. These are valuable goods on the planar market. It's clear Thurl actively participated in the larvae trade.
Valais seems to be very quiet, focusing on herself and in deep contemplation.
Several drawers in the bottom of the southern bookshelf contain 20 bottles of fine liquor as well as several potions for emergency use:
Make Perception or Spellcraft checks to identify the items.
Shonne |
Skittles! Shonne tastes the rainbow.
spellcraft v yellow (ID bonus): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 "This is an oil of magic fang."
spellcraft v black (ID bonus): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 "These two are oil of magic weapon."
spellcraft v red (ID bonus): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 "I am uncertain what this is."
spellcraft v blue (ID bonus): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 "This is an potion of foxes cunning."
spellcraft v green (ID bonus): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 "This is an potion of cure moderate wounds."
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
"Let me see that red one..."
Alchemy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
"Ah, yes - this one gives the imbiber the grace of a cat! Quite handy."
Fuzzfoot starts looking over the notebooks. Becoming engrossed in the texts, he sits in one of the chairs and continues to read. Then he jumps up, looks for another specific book, and pages through that. He continues to research, completely ignoring the rest of what is going on around him. Clearly, he couldn't be happier!
Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + (6) = 15
Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 8 + (5) = 25
When he finishes, he starts to speak, slowly at first. "Thurl has experimented for years in the creation of Abyssal hybrids.
His usual method involves dissecting demon corpses, sewing pieces back together, soldering and animating them with essence derived from Abyssal larvae, and often discarding imperfect creations. Clearly, this is what we saw in that last room."
"He claims to have devised a technique to rival the creative power of Lamashtu’s womb, gone beyond the limited theories he purchased from Asylnn and discovered how to harness the power of the marilith!"
"These ledgers track the price of Abyssal larvae and the souls of those condemned to the Abyss.... Actually, I'll bet these could fetch fair coin on the planar market. It's clear Thurl actively participated in the larvae trade."
"This really may be enough evidence already. But should we continue to see what the dwarf has been up to?"
K'Kei Hikaru |
"I'll take one of those black oils... it might come in handy... Shall we move on or do you need to read more to learn more?"
GM chadius |
Fuzzfoot's investigation reveals a lot of information about Thurl and his dabblings in the arcane. Valais shudders at the mention of his experiments.
Congratulations, you have earned 2 evidence points.
The party sees exits to the Northwest and Southwest, as well as the Eastern exit to the murky water.
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
Once they are done in here, Fuzzfoot checks the northwest door.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
If he thinks it is clear of traps, he will open it.
GM chadius |
Fuzzzfoot searches the northwest door for traps. Finding none, he opens it to take a closer look.
The walls here are polished and smooth, unlike the stone block construction elsewhere. The floor bears a strange symbol of concentric circles and compasslike stars, and the entire carving glows with a steady, red light. Writing covers much of the walls, some of it in dark blue charcoal and the rest in deep red paint. A shallow tray along the north wall holds several sticks of steel-gray chalk.
The writing on the walls is in Abyssal.
One section of the written conversation in particular seems different from the others. It is also written in Abyssal.
One is written in a dark blue chalk, while the other is written in blood-red ink.
The contact I told you about warned me that dark days are coming for Nerosyan. He has advised me to leave in all haste.
And you believe him?
I have little choice. I have much to gain by acting on this knowledge and everything to lose if it’s true.
You are so quick to trust someone you have only known for a matter of months— especially one such as he.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say you sound jealous. Heh.
My sisters would take offense at your calling me jealous, and even I believe you are taking liberties. I value our relationship, rune- carved one, so I tell you this free of charge. Even if you follow his advice, guard yourself well. You are preparing to abandon your cover, and your so-called friends are known to dislike being duped.
Trust me. I know. I heard what happened in Varisia. Look, I know what I’m doing, and I think I can trust this one. He doesn’t lie all of the time, you know.
Exactly. He tells the truth often enough to make you believe his other lies.
And if he is lying, I’ll lock him up for another ten thousand years. Just remember our bargain. If I don’t find those reagents waiting for me in the usual place, we’ll have words.
But of course, Thurl. You know how to contact me.
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
This scenario seems custom made for Fuzzfoot...
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (4) = 20
"Summoning circle. Big surprise."
Fuzzfoot looks at the writings on the wall.
Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 8 + (5) = 28
"Abyssal - I studied Infernal, not Abyssal... but maybe, just maybe, I can decipher enough of this."
I can, but if anyone can speak the language, you will do it much faster!
Ryskovich |
Ryskovich, looks at the various books, but figures that reading them would be pointless. Ryskovich studied his blade, not texts.
Look, I wouldn't be able to help you sorry. Unless you need me to slice the paper from the book, I ain't gonna be no help to you.
He keeps a look out, just in case things get risky.
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
Seeing as no one else seems to speak the language, Fuzzfoot will translate the above spoilers for everyone.
"So, the plot gets thicker, eh?"
Shonne |
"Summoning circle. Big surprise."
Fuzzfoot looks at the writings on the wall.
"Abyssal - I studied Infernal, not Abyssal... but maybe, just maybe, I can decipher enough of this."
spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Yep, it's round alright. ;)
"I can." Shonne refocuses upon her arcane bond to comprehend languages.
She takes a moment and reads it once to herself to make sure she grasps it, and then repeats it to the party. Why would they write this here? Why transcribe idle conversation?
K'Kei Hikaru |
"What Fuzzy here says sounds more likely... and I was thinking that myself, maybe their meetings aren't actually done with the physical presence of both of them, but I wouldn't know much about that sort of thing myself... just a guess."
Shonne |
"What Fuzzy here says sounds more likely... and I was thinking that myself, maybe their meetings aren't actually done with the physical presence of both of them, but I wouldn't know much about that sort of thing myself... just a guess."
Shonne gives a single nod and grunt of acknowledgement.
She takes the chalk as evidence.
GM chadius |
Haven't heard anything, so I guess you're done here. Southwest?
Glass cases, each a three-foot cube, line the walls of this L-shaped five-foot-wide stone hallway. Each sealed alcove contains the slowly wriggling form of what appears to be an oversized insect larva that has a vaguely humanoid head wrinkled in pain.
Valais stares at the larvae, deep in thought. "These things...this is what happened to me? I am made of these larvae." she whispers. "Do I have elven blood anymore? Am I...still a Pathfinder?"
Shonne |
"There are many without elven blood who are Pathfinders." Shonne says matter of factly.
Bernard Zeppel |
Bernard picks his nose as the group invesigates. This wasn't really his forte.
But when he saw the oversized human larvae he sort of recoiled and looked at her. And then he looked over at K'kei and shrugged. " I am pretty sure all you have to do is Explore Report and Cooperate. Says nuthin' about needing to be humanoid. 'course can you even walk in that form?"
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
Knowledge, planes: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + (1) = 15
"Well, we should kill these larvae, I think, and release their souls. In any case, we don't want to see them used like on poor Valais here."
K'Kei Hikaru |
"Best way to kill them would be... what?"
Shonne |
"Messy."
Fuzzfoot Hogan |
"Easy, though. Should we continue? Anyone know of any reason not to?"
Just making sure I didn't miss anything - there wasn't anything in the books about these?
GM chadius |
No reason to stick around. Onward!
After dealing with the larva, the party moves to the next room.
The popping and fizzing of bubbling liquid echoes throughout this rectangular chamber. To the west, a platform towers fifteen feet over the rest of the room. A steel grate extends from this platform like a bridge to a large metal cauldron suspended by rusty chains above the floor. Steep steps descend around support pillars to the level below and a pair of iron doors to the east.
"This is. This is where I woke up. Thurl said, 'It seemed like you wanted to learn what I was up to, Pathfinder. Think of this as the first step in teaching you. Ah, but your growth is not yet done.' He then threw me in one of those vats." She shudders.
1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 10 = 9
1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 10 = 10
K'Kei Hikaru |
perc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
"Someone... or something.. is in the big pot." Hikaru points to the nose... walks over and 'beeps' it like you beep a baby's nose "Hello, you in the big pot! Come out!"