EndlessForms |
You are waiting for the mission briefing with your fellow agents.
Please introduce yourselves!
Jaysin Deckert |
A Taldan man with a bit of a scowl on his face arrives for the briefing. As soon as you survive one mission they send you out for another chance to die. Hopefully this lot has enough skill and experience among them that they don't get me killed.. again.
Seeing he is the first to arrive, he turns around. Perhaps I have time for a little shopping. Who knows what might save my life this time around.
Druthane |
A somewhat supercilious elf walks into the lodge. His attire instantly paints a picture both cliche, and imposing. The boots, cloak, gloves, and chain are all of exquisite and classic (if outdated) elven make. His pale face and dark eyes survey the room in judgement. His posture is ramrod straight. He bears the faints smell of a wizard, that melange of spices, preservatives, and ingredients foul. Indeed, he looks like something out of a storybook more than a Pathfinder Lodge.
The only exception is his blade. It is not of elven make, but of far off Goka. The sharkskin tsuka and silken ropes mark it as a masterly crafted sword.
"Good morning." It's is spoke as habit, devoid of warmth. "I am Druthane, swordsman and magician. I've been away on sabbatical for some time. I spent much of last year in the crusades, only to lock myself in study these past few months. I think it's time to change that."
Need to update profile to match current his current level of 7. I'll get on that tonight.
Jaysin Deckert |
Of course, an elf. Always seems to be at least one of them on these things.
I do hope you paid attention to your studies. I don't want to have to keep everyone alive by myself. Jaysin eyes the elf and notices the sword. Strange choice for a weapon. Why that blade and not one made by your own kind?
Druthane |
"Studying is what I've been focused on. During my youth I was preparing to learn the ways of the Curved Blade, but a couple years ago I went on a mission to Tian Xia. There I learned not only the ways of the katana, but also the style of the Kirin. My sabbatical was an opportunity to delve into my studies. While I prefer all things elven, there is something alluring and undeniable about this blade."
Jaysin Deckert |
Huh. Whatever suits your fancy. Jaysin looks to see if anyone else has arrived.
Adishrii |
A few time later, a young woman of mixed heritage, certainly mwangi and chelaxian, clad in an old scale mail armor appears.
Despite the scowl on her face, she bows to the two man with some elegance, as a woman use to the Court. She seems to be à la dernière mode even in armor.
At her side two strange sabers, sheet in red scabbard, and around her necks a strange red figure representing some sort of insect.
It's an honor to meet you gentlemen. I am Adishrii, agent of the God, at your service.
Druthane |
The elf's other eyebrow raises up before both coming down demonstratively, "I did not see that coming. That must make for some interesting trips with other agents. I have little use for the gods myself."
EndlessForms |
You are in the cabin of the Grinning Pixie while a storm knocks the boat around. There is a knock on the door and an invitation to come outside to speak with the Venture-Captain.
On the Grinning Pixie’s deck, Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry
stands defiantly amid the howling wind and driving rain. The powerfully built half-orc’s voice carries over the storm. “There!” she yells, pointing to the northwest. “We’ve reached the Gloomspires.” As if on cue, numerous impossibly narrow fingers of black rock suddenly appear in the distance. The unnatural structures exude a sensation of unnatural and profound dread. Benarry laughs deeply as the sensation descends.
If any of you played in Hall of the Flesh Eaters you have been here before.
She leans in closer. “Let’s review some of the details of your mission.” Her eyebrows furrow. “Two months ago, I sent another team of Pathfinders to Old Sevenfingers’s tomb aboard a Thuvian caravel called the Pride of Aspenthar. The Pride and the Pathfinders never returned to Drenchport. Divinations confirmed that the ship was lost. It apparently sank after transporting the Pathfinders to the tomb, but no Pathfinders were on board. I sent the team into the second level of the tomb—a place called the Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts. I put a veteran explorer named Jaohd Ilzinian in charge of the team. He’s a paladin of Shelyn known for his skill at fighting against things that should be dead.
“Ilzinian’s team carried the Orb of Stars with them. It’s a powerful magic item that freezes the Gloomspires in place so they can be explored safely. As you can see,” she says, gesturing to the spires, “the orb isn’t working. In the last few minutes, those columns have shifted twice. Without the orb, the spires only stand still on the solstice.”
Benarry allows her words to sink in before continuing. “The solstice begins in a few hours, so you’ll be able to make your way to the tomb just fine. I need you to climb up to Sevenfingers’s tomb, find out what happened to the Pathfinders, and recover the Orb of Stars. Also, I let Jaohd borrow Old Flotsam, my folding boat. She’s precious to me, and I’d really like her back.”
A sudden flash of lighting and the roar of distant thunder punctuate the captain’s words, and she smirks. ”Sounds simple enough, don’t it? The spires will stay in place for three days. If you find the orb, you’ll get two weeks. If you stay longer than that, you lubbers might run into trouble sailing back out. I’ll circle the Pixie around the spires for three weeks just in case. Any questions before you jump in the rowboat?”
You might already know about the Gloomspires.
You might already know about Sempet Sevenfingers.
Jaysin Deckert |
History: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
History: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Jaysin seems to have heard a little of Sempet Sevenfingers. Seems to me that he was a legendary pirate who was active in the region 300 years ago. From his dreaded flagship, the Voracious, Sevenfingers commanded a small fleet of pirate ships. His practice of using kuru cannibals to augment his boarding parties inspired fear and hatred across the Shackles.
Sündr-dögünn |
Among the arranged company is a blond woman of Ulfen complexion with short-cropped blond hair. A gleaming breastplate girds her front and a polished greataxe is slung across her back. As Benarry speaks, raw excitement never leaves her eyes, though it rarely does.
Knowledge (Arcana/History): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 mod is same
Knowledge (Arcana/History/Local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 mod is same
"Even as a girl, I heard tale of these Gloomspires once or twice before in the 'halls! Let's see, how did it go?"
"From tall ocean waves off Lirgen's shore,
Ghol-gan might ascends in lore,
Black towers, ever moving,
Strange without and stranger within,
A dreaded prize worth braving."
"I think I read somewhere that the Gloomspires are believed to older than the Ghol-gani, but that was the song, anyway." The woman smirks a ready smile. "Any legends worth knowing about the Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts?"
Druthane |
Druthane spends some time in thought Oft Lectured boon:
Knowledge Arcana Gloomspires: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 3 = 33
Knowledge Arcana Sevenfingers: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 3 = 20
"To add to Sundr's memory, Since the time of the Ghol-Gan Empire, many of the Gloomspires have been explored, and some have even been claimed and repurposed by other beings. Of these, Sevenfingers’s tomb is the most well known. The Gloomspires are inundated with strange, reality-warping effects. The columns occasionally shift their positions, and many explorers report feeling a sense of wrongness and foreboding just from being in the area. This bizarre magic also makes teleportation and plane-traveling magic very difficult, though summoning spells tend to function normally."
Druthane looks to Adishrii before continuing, "You may not find the same place you remember if the stories are true then."
He returns to the group, "A humanoid race of powerful sorcerers called the Makers constructed the Gloomspires during the Age of Serpents. The Makers are believed to have escaped enslavement in a nightmarish realm and fled to Golarion. I know less about this Sevenfingers character just that he's a pirate from 3 centuries ago. From his dreaded flagship, the Voracious, Sevenfingers commanded a small fleet of pirate ships. His practice of using kuru cannibals to augment his boarding parties inspired fear and hatred across the Shackles."
I don't have my Azlanti Wonders boon with me at school, not sure if I want to use it or not. Definitely if we're at the higher tier...
EndlessForms |
"Any legends worth knowing about the Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts?"
Bennary shrugs. "The Gloomspires I can tell you about. The Labyrinth you're supposed to tell me about when you get back. But I almost forgot." Benarry gives you two pouches of grave salt and a wand of ghostbane dirge wrapped in a shroud. She explains, “That ratty scrap of cloth is connected to Seven ngers himself. A mystic old sea dog performed a ritual to connect it to the wand. He said it should make the magic item more e ective in the Gloomspires, as long as you don’t unwrap it. You let me know if he was trying to pull something on me, and I’ll go get my coin back.”
Sündr-dögünn |
"I'll certainly give it a test," Sündr winks to the VC and takes the bundle. She turns to her elven companion with a playful smile. "You seem better read than me on the topic. I'd do well to listen. Say, is it Seven Fingers out of ten, or out of five?"
Ready as I'll be. Any word on Bold Strider?
EndlessForms |
Ready as I'll be. Any word on Bold Strider?
I asked him the other night and he said he was still interested so I'm not going to push into the action until he's checked in. I'll message him again to get things moving.
Sickly Sam Smith |
Sorry for the delay! I forgot to dot!
At the briefing a sickly man with a stout set of armor and a pickaxe is thrust into the room.
" *cough* I am Sam... *cough* I hope to be of *cough* assistance." remarks the man.
Druthane |
"Nethys's nuts man are you okay? You don't have pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis do you?" Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Jaysin Deckert |
Jaysin takes a visibly annoyed step back as Sam makes his presence known. Are you fit for travel? We don't need to die of whatever it is you have before we even get started! Jaysin looks at the rest of the group. Can't one of you cast a spell or something to heal the sod?
EndlessForms |
Despite the weather and Sickly Sam Smith's health (or lack thereof), you make it across the water in your rowboat and eventually climb the narrow, winding steps to the top of Sevenfinger's tomb, which takes about two hours. A lush canopy of tropical trees, flowering vines, and thick undergrowth greets you at the top, forming a dark green wall around the small clearing. Behind you is a sheer 500-foot drop to the sea.
EndlessForms |
You are not alone up here, though. As soon as you take in your surroundings, you also notice a weathered halfling woman and three bedraggled sailors. "Boys, let's get 'em! We can cut off that paladin's toes later if they don't have a boat we can steal! Hop to it!"
The halfling woman then does something quite surprising: she turns herself into a huge triceratops. The men move in front of her and draw their blades.
at: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Adishrii: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Druthane: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Sundr: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Jaysin: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Sickly Sam: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Initiative:
1. Atanda and sailors
2. Sickly Sam, Jaysin, Adishrii, Druthane, and Sundr
You guys are up! Lol, welcome to the high tier!
Druthane |
"Didn't expect this." Druthane's tone is slow and steady. He moves a bit to the side, taking Nashinto from her scabbard while he swiftly enchants her blade. With a flick of his wrist and some words, a riotous cloud of glitter explodes in the midst of the enemy Glitterdust, DC 16
Adishrii |
What the hell !
With one fluid move, Adishrii draw her longbow and an arrow and began shooting at the men. vs green
May our path be paint in blood
masterwork longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 +2 vs human
damages: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 +2 vs human
then she moves in the woods to protect herself.
Jaysin Deckert |
Paint in blood? It better be theirs! Jaysin predictably looses a number of arrows at the dinosaur, then takes a 5' step back. Which might put me off the map but I'm moving back anyway.
Bow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 for Arrow: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 with Manyshot: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Bow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 for Arrow: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Bow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 for Arrow: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Sickly Sam Smith |
Sam draws his shield and pick, stepping in front of the ranged fighters after they loose their attacks. "I will pro... *COUGH* protect you." he tries to reassure the other Pathfinders.
Heavy Pick-Ready to First in Range: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage | PA/FF: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8
EndlessForms |
@Jaysin: Better not step off the map, there's a cliff behind you!
Will: 4d20 ⇒ (6, 20, 8, 19) = 53
Druthane's glitter only blinds one of the sailors but manages to make the ferocious triceratops a bit more festive. Adishrii, perhaps shocked by the halfling-turned-dinosaur, only sends an arrow flying into a nearby tree. Jaysin's aim is better and despite its thick hide, he gets two of his arrows to stick in the dinosaur. Sam then readies his pick against the sailors who wish to steal your boat.
Initiative:
1. Atanda and sailors
2. Sickly Sam, Jaysin, Adishrii, Druthane, and Sundr
blue: blinded (DC 16)
dino: 35 dmg
Sundr is up! Sam has a readied attack.
Sündr-dögünn |
"A fight! Already!" The glint in the woman's eye matches the eagerness in her tone, signaling that she (perhaps unwisely) considers this more a game than a deathmatch. Unslinging her massive axe, she circles the battlefield and begins a stirring song in her native tongue.
Providing Inspired Rage to anyone who wants it. Sam, you get to use your own Rage modifiers instead of mine but do not expend your rounds of rage and are not fatigued when I stop singing. Everyone else, check out the stats below and decide whether you want it on a round-by-round basis!
+2 to Str
+2 to Con (+1 hp/lvl)
+2 to Will saves
-1 to AC
No Dex, Int, or Cha skills except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride
Can't do stuff that requires patience or concentration
No fatigue during or after
CHOOSE whether to use this each round at the beginning of your turn!
Jaysin Deckert |
Ah, didn't realize it was that close. I'll step to a different part of the map then.
Sickly Sam Smith |
@EF: +2 to hit and damage in the readied attack from the rage.
-Posted with Wayfinder
EndlessForms |
Sundr urges her companions to fight more fiercely as the two sailors who still have their sight leap forward to hack at Sam and Sundr! As the red-clad man slashes at Sam, the sickly fighter responds with his own pick to the man's side!
mwk scimitar at Sam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
mwk scimitar at Sundr: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Will for blue: 1d20 ⇒ 20
The blue-clad sailor stumbles to the side and clears his eyes of the glitter. Meanwhile the triceratops captain lumbers forward and throws her horn at Sam!
gore: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
damage: 2d10 + 11 ⇒ (3, 9) + 11 = 23
Initiative:
1. Atanda and sailors
2. Sickly Sam, Jaysin, Adishrii, Druthane, and Sundr
red: 10 dmg
blue:
green:
dino: 35 dmg
->inspired rage is up!
You guys are up!
Adishrii |
Adishrii drops her bow, and in a fluid action draws her two sawtooth saber.
She then, under the raging song, tries to cut in two the man in front of her.
Sawtooth Saber: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
damages: 1d8 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15
Sawtooth Saber: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19
damages: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6
Jaysin Deckert |
OK folks, just keep them off me and we'll be just fine. Jaysin continues to target the large beast!
Bow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 for Arrow: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 with Manyshot: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Bow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 for Arrow: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Bow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 for Arrow: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Confirm?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 for Arrow: 2d8 + 24 ⇒ (7, 6) + 24 = 37
Druthane |
"primitive magic. Behold!" Druthane steps forward and charges his blade with electricity. 5' step, shocking grasp, even talk strike.
Naishinto: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 = 30 Katana dmg: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6 fire damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 and shocking grasp damage: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 3, 1) = 17
-Posted with Wayfinder
Confirm: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 = 22 for DMG: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Sündr-dögünn |
The sailor's scimitar scrapes across her breastplate, a thin scratch to mar the fresh polish. Sündr grins and winks at Druthane on the other side. "My turn," she sings.
Greataxe Power Attack, Reckless Abandon, Flanking @ Green: 1d20 + 9 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 3 = 19
Sickly Sam Smith |
Sam coughs as he swings his pick. "*cough* You should have backed..." he starts as Sundr's song empowers him with rage. "You will be destroyed!" he bellows, his tell-tale cough vanishing.
"RAAAAAAAWR!" he screams as he wildly swings his bloodied pickaxe once more at the injured man.
Pickaxe @ Red: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
EndlessForms |
Adishrii cuts into the sailor once while Jaysin's arrows bring down the dinosaur boo!. Druthane kills one of the sailors and although Sundr and Sam miss, the two sailors throw down their scimitars and surrender. "Fine, fine! The b+$#% can't push her horn into our arses anymore, we'll talk!"
wooden shield, mwk scimitar, mwk sling with 20 bullets, cloak of resistance +1, headband of inspired wisdom +2, grappling hook, healer’s kit, holly and mistletoe, silk rope (50 ft.), spell component pouch
Ilzinian lies on the ground next to the campfire. He is blindfolded and his hands and ankles are bound. When he hears you coming, he begins speaking in a strange language.
Druthane |
"Fortunately I speak this tongue, though you pique my curiosity sir. Is this some oracular curse? I've heard of those who can only speak such a tongue when in the throes of combat. Can you understand Taldane though you currently cannot speak it?"
Druthane translates all of the above before adding, "There is some praeda of notes on that woman's body. We ought to use it. What is going on here?"
Jaysin Deckert |
Jaysin spends his time collecting his durable arrows, as always. He then returns back to the party. Well, these guys said they'd talk. Let's hear what they have to say before deciding their fate.
Adishrii |
Death is what they choose. But as their leader is dead and they follow orders may be sparing them is acceptable.
Says Adishrii.
I'm interested in the headband if nobody has need of it.
She listens to Druthane's words and says Strange. I remember that the first time I came here, strange things happened in the tombs. May be it is another curse of Seven Finger or the Makers ?
Sündr-dögünn |
"I could use a new cloak," Sündr smiles, taking a seat by the campfire and whetting her axe. "Though it might help with your cold, Sam!"
I will take the cloak of resistance unless Sam wants it.
"Druthane, would you mind translating?" she winks, tossing her short hair out of her face. "Ask him about his team, about his expedition. What tale can he tell?"
Sickly Sam Smith |
As Sundr's song fades, Sam's body shrinks back down a bit to his still hulking form, but it appears that his innate sickness is still a problem.
"You *cough* should use it, Sundr." Sam says.
Feeling weak after the rush of power, Sam moves to take a seat on a nearby fallen log, clearly catching his breath and ignoring the investigation.
EndlessForms |
The men relate a harrowing tale of how they came to be stranded here with a halfling-turned-dinosaur in charge. "We're the only surviving crew of the Pride of Aspenthar, the ship that Calisro Benarry hired to ferry Ilzinian’s Pathfinder team to Sevenfingers’s tomb. When Ilzinian and his team failed to return to at their appointed time, the Pride of Aspenthar’s former captain refused our pleas to flee the Gloomspires. Two days later, half of the crew mutinied and a bloody battle ensued. At some point during the melee, the Pride of Aspenthar was cast adrift, breached its hull on an outcropping of rock, and quickly sank. A few of us made it to the top of Sevenfingers’s tomb. Atanda, the Pride of Aspenthar’s first mate, led the camp. We followed her commands without question—especially after Atanda tossed one of our friends over the side of the column for questioning one of her orders. Really, don't want any more trouble now that she isn't sticking a horn to our backs. We just want off of this place alive!"
Meanwhile, Ilzinian continues to spout off in Celestial.
Those who can understand:
Jaysin Deckert |
Jaysin can relate to the want of just staying alive plea. Seems honest enough, however to be sure we can't just have you wandering about. While we continue on we'll likely need to either be restrained, left somewhere, or send on your way somewhere to fend for yourselves. I'll let these guys decide what's best.
The fighter then asks, So, did you go inside the tomb? And what's with this babbling guy over here? What else do you know?
Sündr-dögünn |
"It is my color, if I don't say so myself," Sündr agrees, putting on the cloak with a flourish. Taking a knife and cutting the paladin's restraints, she teases Druthane lightly. "What's he saying there, Books?"
Sickly Sam Smith |
Wheezing, Sam coughs loudly as he brings his kerchief to his mouth. The blue cloth comes away, stained with purple flecks.
Looking like he is gathering energy, Sam stands up and rejoins the group. "Have we found our next avenue of investigation?" he asks of the others.