GM Endless Forms' PFS 04-10 Feast of Sigils (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Desmond reaches back into his haversack and removes a handful of gold coins, holding them out for the dwarf to see. "Well, I hope this shows you I'm serious 'bout the girls. Lemme see the recent talent. Is there a room for that, or do you trot them out here?"

Arnthoth stays quiet, clearly out of his element and let's the more "experienced" pary members talk to the dwarf.

With the gold in his hand, Desmond does his best to charm the dwarf.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 Hopefully the gold adds something to the roll. I'll say there's 20 gp in my hand.

Edit: Well, I don't think any amount of gold would help that!

Not sure if Maximo can save that roll, but he'll try.

"Yes, my associates are interested in ladies. Many, and most beautiful." Maximo smiles. To rescue! "Price is no object!" Though if you are holding them dwarf, you will be paying it!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Tolgarov added Yes ! and skinny ladies !

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

The dwarf gives Desmond a disgusted look but says, "Surely! Surely!" He then orders his girls to be brought out for display for the party. Although there are a variety of women available, including one who looks as though she is undead, none of them look like Miss Feathers' missing girls.

Looking at the undead girl Tolgarov said not that skinny !

Desmond looks the girls over, letting his disappointment be known. "These are no good. Oh well..." He waves his hand as if dismissing the girls from his sight.

Desmond steps up to the dwarf, looking down. "Why don't you take us on a tour of your establishment. Perhaps something else might strike my fancy."

"Certainly, certainly!" He waddles around the lethe house, grunting and complaining quietly to himself as if he were burdened greatly by the effort. "The Lobby you've seen of course, not much more to show you hear, but I'll show you around back if you'd like."

Drollis leads you through the door to the back room.

Several shelves filled with books and small containers line the north and east walls of this room. The floor is covered with a lush red rug, and the walls are decorated with oaken and cherrywood panels inlaid runes with at regular intervals. Black and burgundy satin curtains block the room’s small windows high on the north and east walls. An oaken veneer covers each of the three doors heading east, west, and south out of the room.

The centerpiece of the room is a large, seven-sided table with an ornate, seven-pointed star inlaid into the surface. Between the points of the star, seven blackened runes are also set in the oak. Seven chairs with filigree backs surround the table; each chair back exhibits a rune that corresponds with a rune on the table.

"Well, there it is. And that door back there's my office, of course. Not much to say about the alley behind us either."

Oh lord EF, my Thassilonian senses are tingling. What checks can we make on these items, and also, detecting magic on this room as well.

"Well this has..." Disturbing decorations? Ominous symbols? "..lovely curtains. Is this the room for special entertainment then?"

Seeing the carved table Tolgarov's smile broaden.

Oh! Are you a seeker of Thassilonian Artefacts ? I am myself well versed in the History of this great Empire !

Tolgarov showed his numerous tattoos depleting holy symbol of Lissala and other esoteric thassilonian runes and his Sihedron medallion.

Then he came closer to the dwarf and whispered at his ears

and I'm a dedicated servant of you know who...

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 2 = 22

Desmond follows the dwarf around, not too interested in anything until teaching the back room. His eyes dart around: the table, the runes, the various artifacts.

This don't seem good, He thinks to himself.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Drollis smiles at Tolgarov. "Ah! Good, good! Yes, myself and a small number of worshipers of Lissala use the lethe house for a feast celebrating the goddess. Since you seem so interested, maybe you'd like to come back later in the evening to participate in or observe the Feast of Sigils? I must ask that animals and otherworldly creatures wait in the lobby during the ceremony but otherwise you are all welcome. It's nice to see some people interested."

Is it possible ! Oh! I love to ! said a joyfull Tolgarov who turned to his compagnions.

This good dwarf invite us to participate to an old Thassilonian Feast ! How gracefull to him. I suggest you come and enjoy such a party !

Zhal nods to Tolgarov, though his mind seems to be elsewhere. He watches the room carefully, trying to memorize as much of its layout as he can, as well as the table and the runes.

He then does a quick scan of the back room, looking for any other signs of auras or possible spells that might be active in the room maintaining his detect magic spell.

He leans in whispering to Maximo. "If this is what it would appear to be, we will need time to prepare. I will need time to prepare."

He nods to the door, nudging Maximo gently as he bows respectfully before heading out the main door.

knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24
spellcraft: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38

if needed

Desmond eyes the door to Drollis's office, but says nothing. Can't think of a plausible reason he would let us check back there, but I'm sure there's... something back there.

The ranger shrugs his shoulders, "I guess we could come see it. What exactly is this feast? I mean - what happens?"

"It's a feast to honor our Goddess of Runes. Come by tonight, I'm glad to see some enthusiasm. You can experience it firsthand, many often come just to seek and try it out. Come back as the moon rises and we will begin."

Assuming you come back that night:

Drollis, his guards, and several others are at the lethe house to greet you. They lead you all back into the chapel area and Drollis invites you to sit around the table with him, which now has an elaborate chalice sitting upon it. Drollis' small stand draped in cloth has also been moved into this room to act as an altar.

You can choose to sit at the table and participate or stand to the side and observe.

Curious, and exited Tolgarov sit at the table.

He was truly interested by the ancient Empire of Thassilion and all his rituals. Power came to a price, but as a merchant and an arcanist Tolgarov was ready to pay it.

"You sure about that, cousin? I dunno...I just don't think I can go through with this feast. I'm just gonna stand by and watch."

Desmond leans up against a wall, eyes darting around the room at the cultists participating in the ritual.

Arnthoth looks to Tolgarov with a questioning look, then takes a seat next to the robust man.

Zhal comes in, adorned as would be a monk, carrying just his pack, using his sleeves of many garments to shift his clothing to simple robe, and carrying his staff. He would either take a seat against the wall, or else lean against the wall.

"Forgive me, my order would not permit me to observe the ritual, but I am here to show my support and observance of the Feast."

After the party leaves the lethe house...

"Well that was a strange place." Maximo states the obvious. "You know I think one of those girls was dressed up as a zombie. Shelyn believes in love, but I'm not sure she would approve of such a thing. Still, none of them fit the descriptions given by the lovely lady Feathers, and this ritual will be an excellent excuse to investigate further."

Later, back at the lethe house...

Maximo stands away from the table, clearly uninterested in partaking of the ceremony, and frowns when Tolgarov takes a seat. As Arnthoth moves to sit, he steps forward and whispers in his ear. "Our large friend seems trained in the mystical, and I assume he knows what he is doing. I think it would be prudent for those of us without such to observe, hmm?"

It doesn't seem like we have a plan here... though Maximo is quite unaware of that.

Tolgarov and Arnoth take their seats next to Drollis' thugs and the two other patrons there, whom you recognize as users who were in the lethe house earlier.

Drollis begins with a few short words and prayers to Lissala, explaining that in the Chalice are what will become sigil wafers. The creation of these items is a sacred event for Lissalan worshipers; the participants' blood and souls are imparted on the wafers, which are then eaten to restore the participants' souls.

Drollis goes on to explain that eating the wafer and restoring your soul is meant to bless you for the coming year. This is a common ritual among Lissalans and will only take a few minutes, he assures you.

Drollis passes the Chalice of Signs around to each person. Participants read a brief prayer to Lissala from a slip of parchment and cut their arms to bleed into the chalice. One of Drollis' men starts, followed by one of the lethe users, before the Chalice is passed to Tolgarov, Arnoth, and then the rest of the participants. Assuming you go through with it.

At this point, participants feel drained as the magic of the chalice also pulls a small portion of each one’s soul to power the magic. Anyone whose soul fragment gets bound into a wafer takes 2 points of ability drain divided as he chooses between one or two of his ability scores.

Drollis then mixes a small amount of ink with the blood in the chalice and intones a final prayer. The chalice glows briefly, then Drollis pulls out seven wafers and dips a small brush into the blood and uses it to paint a small, unique sigil on each, which he passes to one of his thugs to distribute.

Drollis' men sitting at the table each receive a sigil wafer. Tolgarov and Arnoth also receive a sigil wafer. The two lethe users, noticeably, do not receive one. Tolgarov and Arnoth are given the choice to eat their own wafer or to eat another's wafer (you could trade and each other's). Drollis explains that eating your own wafer will restore you to normal but eating another's wafer is sometimes preferred, as it empowers the person who eats it.

Tolgarov listen carrefully to what Drollis said.

After giving his blood and using magic to stop the bleeding as he was very sensitive to blood draining, he prayed with the other and do what he must to follow the ritual.

Drain 2 to Dexterity

After the first part of the ritual he feels even less agile than usual and when asking to eat his own sigil he asked Arnoth

Do you want to trade mine against yours ? I'm curious to know what it realy do !

Bleeding into a cup? That's some baaaad juju there. I hope Arnthoth and Tolgarov know what they're doing.

Desmond crosses his arms across his chest as he thinks to himself. He does nothing to hide his look of disgust for the ceremony being performed, though he says nothing out loud.

Arnthoth follows the ceremony as best he can, dripping his blood into the chalice. At Tolgarov's suggestions, the Kellid shrigs and trades sigils with the bloatmage.

Drain 2 INT

Without thinking, he begins munching on the surplus sigils as if they are a bowl of crisps in the tavern.

Arnoth and Tolgarov feel a strange power surging through their veins as they eat each other's wafers.

For Tolgarov and Arnoth:
If instead someone other than the person whose soul is inside the wafer consumes it, she gains a +2 profane bonus to an ability score of her choice for 1 year. A character can benefit from only one bonus from a sigil wafer at a given time. The person whose soul fragment was in that wafer loses that part of his soul permanently, so consuming a wafer in this way is an evil act. The one consuming the wafer shifts her alignment one step toward evil. Players who do so should be given the opportunity to atone for such actions before the scenario’s conclusion if such an alignment shift would result in their removal from the Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign.

Tolgarov choose Charisma for his ability score

Eating Arnthoth's wafer Tolgarov sensed a strange power invading him. Despite being less agile he felt as if his presence was bigger.
Unfortunately, this sensation came with something bitter as if his view of the world shift to the dark side.
Power and knowledge are everything, life meaningless.

May be it was not a so good idea to do that... or was it ?

Eating Tolgarov's wafer, Arnthoth is surprised by how bloated the single wafer made him, even as he feels his strength imcreasing.

Take the bonus to STR

Desmond let's out a groan, upset at what is happneing. I'm not some goody-two shoes, but this just ain't right, he thinks to himself.

He does his best to try and turn the groan into a yawn - afraid to draw suspicion to himself and his fellow Pathfinders.

Bluff to hide feelings?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Desmond certainly isn't a paragon of goodness, but he's not a fan of this little blood-letting and then consuming ceremony.

"Is there a problem?" the dwarf turns to Desmond.

I'll point out again for Desmond and Maximo's sake, since it seems they would be most put off by it: the lethe addicts did not receive their wafers back even though they added their blood/soul in.

"Yeah, I guess - just a point of confusion on my part," Desmond offers a nervous smile. "Those guys there - the ones hopped up on lethe - how come they don't get any wafers?"

Desmond's arms unfold, he places one on his hip and uses the other to gesture at the chalice. "I mean, they gave some of their blood too. Stupid idea as it is to do - but shouldn't they get a wafer? Seems only fair, is all I'm sayin'..."

His voice grows more exasperated. "This whole thing... it just don't sit right with me."

I've tried to keep Desmond dead-center Neutral, but I feel justified in him getting upset about this whole ceremony as him seeing it as some sort of fanatical cult act (which maybe it is). Of course, he usually ends up leaning towards good despite giving in to some of his carnal tendencies.

At Desmond's admission of unease, Zhal's mind and eyes tense a bit. He grips his staff just a little bit more closely, and readies his mind and body to quickly draw on his magical power, watching the others just to make sure that nothing untoward may happen.

For now, Zhal would like to have a standing readied action to counterspell any magics that the Cultists may try to use.

"My friend has a good point. What about these two?" Maximo gestures to the addicts. "Surely you do not plan on keeping their wafers for yourself?"

Drollis smiles and says, "Why, they don't have coin to pay for lethe so they've got to pay for their addiction somehow. In doing so they empower Lissala's worshipers. But now it is time to test everyone's faith. For I do not think that all of you are genuine."

With a flourish he tears the cloth off of his small altar block, revealing a glaring symbol!

DC 23 Fort save or take 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) = 10 Str damage

Initiative:

1. Desmond and Maximo
2. Drollis and his thugs
3. Arnoth, Zhal, and Tolgarov

Desmond and Maximo are up!

Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 On the dot!

Maximo's knees tremble at the sight of the symbol, but by his faith and the grace of Shelyn, he manages to withstand the horrid magic.

Tearing away his veil, Maximo glares at Drollis. "I assure you, I am quite genuine!"

Before any of the thugs can react, the aged man has drawn his greatsword and whipped a small flask from his belt, which he holds up like a toast at a party before swiftly drinking the contents. "Just a little pick-me-up." He chuckles to himself and swiftly drinks the contents. For a brief moment the sour look of whiskey-face overcomes his handsome features, then he lurches forward, covering his face to forestall the need to vomit. Suddenly standing bolt upright, a change comes over the old man, his alchemy rapidly transforming him. His shoulders seem to widen as muscles fill out the old military coat. His thinning gray hair becomes a lustrous brown. As the process subsides he looks about twenty years younger, a strapping example of Taldan nobility in its prime.

"AHAH!" He cries as he jumps at the thugs.

Smite evil on Drollis. Move action to draw weapon. Standard action to drink mutagen (+4 str, -2 int, +2 AC)
Current AC 22.

Sorry if I ruined this for you guys.

Desmond is taken aback by the symbol on the altar block.
Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Whew! I was a little worried for that roll.

"Enough talk!" In a flash, Desmond has his falchion in his hand. He quickly steps forward, next to Maximo and takes a couple of swings at Drollis.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 14 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 3 = 28
Damage: 2d4 + 7 + 9 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 + 9 = 19

Iterative Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 3 = 10
Damage: 2d4 + 7 + 9 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 + 9 = 21

Crit Confirm? + Critical Focus: 1d20 + 14 - 3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 14 - 3 + 4 = 18
Crit Damage: 2d4 + 7 + 9 ⇒ (1, 1) + 7 + 9 = 18

Quick Draw, 5' step, Full Attack.

Ruined? Nonesense! I was hoping someone would find a reason to bash these guys. :)

It's not really spelled out in the scenario when or how you will assault them but it's somewhat implied that you will eventually find a reason to clash. And he had that symbol just waiting there for that reason.

Also: I always forget about the four-player adjustments! Removed two thugs to account for that.

Only Desmond's first hit connects with the dwarf but it leaves a nasty wound. The lethe addicts slink down into their seats and start to crawl under the table as the thugs pull out spike chains and Drollis, not even bothering to stand, tries to sweep Desmond's legs.

trip: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35

As Desmond falls, he kicks at the ranger and his thug next to him brings his spiked chain down!

+1 unarmed strike: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
electricity: 1d6 ⇒ 2
DC 18 Fort save or stunned for 1 round

=1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 = 7

The thugs then press their attack!

=1 spiked chain on Arnoth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
damage: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + (5, 3) = 18

=1 spiked chain on Tolgarov: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
damage: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + (1, 5) = 16

=1 spiked chain on Desmond: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
damage: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 + (6, 4) = 18

Initiative:

1. Desmond and Maximo
2. Drollis and his thugs
3. Arnoth, Zhal, and Tolgarov

D: 19 dmg

You guys are up!

Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 Man, a lot of 20's

With a roar of rage, Arnthoth draws his greataxe and swings at the thug to the north, while stepping to the east.

Raging Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 17 - 3 = 21
Vital Strike, Damage: 2d12 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (5, 10) + 12 + 9 = 36

Even taking into account the penalty to AC for being prone, all those attacks miss.

"Uff!" Desmond cries out as he lands with a thud. He glances up at the dwarf. Where did that come from?! He stays prone, not wanting to get tripped again. He decides to attack Drollis some more.

Attack, Prone: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 4 = 20
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 3) + 7 = 13

Iterative Atack, Prone: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 4 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 = 12

Crit Threat?, Critical Focus: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 4 + 4 = 23
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3) + 7 = 14

Fort DC23: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

His force drained out of him Tolgarov fall inconscious.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Zhal watches him unveil the rune, and before he is able to act, he also falls to the floor.

Maximo steps to the side as he imbues his greatsword with arcane power and slashes at the thug between him and Drollis.

Swift action for Arcane strike (+1 damage for 1 round), 5' step south, Full Attack on Thug.
Power Attack 1 on Thug: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (6, 1) + 14 = 21

Power Attack 2 on Thug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (3, 1) + 14 = 18
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (1, 1) + 14 = 16

Effects: Smite Evil on Drollis, Mutagen

All those = were supposed to be + by the way. Made one typo and then copy-pasted it.

Arnoth deals a devastating wound to the traitorous thug (did you really expect anything better from someone labeled a thug?) while Desmond swings from the ground, finding it hard to hit the suddenly dextrous dwarf. Tolgarov and Zhal fall to the floor but Max keeps fighting, dealing a heavy wound to one of the thugs.

The two thugs in the corner of the room team up on Arnoth but neither one is able to put him on the ground!

+1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24
damage with sneak: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 + (6, 3) = 19

+1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22
damage with sneak: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + (6, 3) = 19

+1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 = 15
damage with sneak: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 + (3, 4) = 17

+1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19
damage with sneak: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + (5, 2) = 18

Meanwhile, the thug near Max and Desmond steps to the side and swings at the balchepaladin!

+1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

+1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11

Drollis lazily moves over (standing up from prone provokes but I'm not sure if standing up from a chair does-I would argue not but I'll hear you out if you want to fight my ruling) and tries to trip Maximo!

trip: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38

As Max falls to the ground, he is met with a barrage of attacks!

+1 kick!: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
electricity: 1d6 ⇒ 1
DC 18 Fort save or stunned for 1 round

+1 spiked chain: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

Initiative:

1. Desmond and Maximo
2. Drollis and his thugs
3. Arnoth, Zhal, and Tolgarov

D: 19 dmg
#1: 36 dmg
#3: 34 dmg

You guys are up!

Desmond watches the dwarf knock Maximo down, "Holy... did you see that?" he gasps. Even though he missed, he decides to stick on the ground and swing at the dwarf from there.

Attack, Prone: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 4 = 30
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (2, 4) + 7 = 13

Iterative Attack, Prone: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 4 = 9
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10

Crit Confirm? + Critical Focus: 1d20 + 14 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 4 + 4 = 32
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 1) + 7 = 9

Dang, should've gone for a Power Attack. Oh well.

Bleeding heavily, Arnthoth continues to strike at the two men, calling on his elemental fury. That I always forget about.

Raging Power Attack vs south thug: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 17 - 3 = 18
Damage: 1d12 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 9 = 27
Elemental Rage Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Lesser Elemental Rage Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Iterative Raging Power Attack vs north thug: 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 17 - 3 = 28
Damage: 1d12 + 12 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 9 = 31
E.R. Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 2

After attacking, he steps to the west.

"Shelyn's glaive!" Maximo yells as he hits the floor. He manages to avoid the following foot, but not one of the lashing chains. With a divine prayer he bounds back to his feet with an upward slash of his sword at the dwarf. "Arnthoth, to us!"

Swift action to cast grace to avoid AoOs from movement, stand, then 1 attack on Drollis.
Smiting Power Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (6, 6) + 19 = 31

AC 22 (27 vs Drollis)
CMD 24 (29 vs Drollis)
HP 46/54