GM Nowruz's module 'Master of the Fallen Fortress' (Tier 1) - REPEATABLE EVERGREEN (Inactive)

Game Master noral

A wide field of shattered weapons, barrow mounds, and mass graves surrounds t he city of Absalom, a vast plain known as the Cairnlands. Rising from t he war-torn earth like the grasping arms of the dead are countless siege castles, towers, and fortresses constructed over the millennia by would-be warlords who tried to take the great city and inevitably failed. Like forgotten monuments to failed conquerors, the siege castles of Absalom beckon the brave, the fearless, and the foolish with the promise of adventure and untold treasures, ever ready to create heroes or to entomb the fallen.

You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World, and you’ve always longed to explore one of the countless ruins of failed conquerors that litter the plains outside the city’s walls.

You’ve heard rumors that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the “Fallen Fortress.”

What better way to start a life of excitement and adventure than by exploring its long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures?

You do not know if it was luck or destiny but a wealthy collector is hiring able men and women to collect any historical or valuable artifacts that might still be within the Fallen Fortress.

You have applied and have been chosen to be part of the group that will examine the ruined tower. Now, you are standing in a meeting room with all the other adventurers that showed their worth and will join you on this adventure.

You are still waiting for your patron to give you the final briefing before you travel to the Fallen Fortress.

Dot

An oread with dark grey, stone-like skin shot through with black granite, crystalline growths over her face and body sits in quiet contemplation while waiting for the final briefly. Her eyes have no visible pupils and look like two moonstone gems that have an opalescent shimmer to them depending upon how the ambient light strikes them. Her thick, black hair has a tendency to naturally clump together in tendril-like strands and appears to have small white streaks here and there. She wears simple leather armor and carries very few weapons, only a sling and quarterstaff that leans against the wall nearby are visible. A well-made backpack rests upon the floor next to the quarterstaff.

She offers a confident, simple smile as her gaze takes in the other three members of the group. "My name is Beshana, it is a pleasure to meet you all. You may call me, 'B' for short if you prefer. I am originally come from Magnimar, but have traveled much before making my way to Absalom. Might I ask your names?"

Just so everyone is aware, Beshana has the Stoic Dignity trait which provides the following... As long as you are conscious, you and all allies within 10 feet gain a +1 bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects you are not already suffering from. This is a trait bonus for you and a morale bonus for your allies.

@Beshana: Nice, thanks!

Standing along the wall to the side is a young human woman with light medium brown skin, a hooked nose, and dark, braided hair. Her expression seems to simultaneously convey both confidence and doubt. Dressed in practical leathers and hide armor, she rubs an old warhammer like a worry stone. At her feet, a wolverine scratches behind an ear with its back leg.

"Beshana. I'm Kala." She gestures at the wolverine. "He's Stinky. We're from the Realm of the Mammoth Lords."

Stinky pads over to Beshana and sniffs her knee. He then sneezes a little, then shuffles over to plop down at Kala's feet, rolling over for belly scratches. Kala obliges with her boot, which he grabs with his front paws and playfully gnaws with a satisfied growl.

A hunched-over tengu in a thick cloak enters the briefing room. He seems only recognizable as such by the claws and several feathers protruding from his sleeves, or the long beak poking out from under his hood. It doesn't look like he's trying to hide his identity, though. Like Beshana, he carries little; at his belt lie a sling and a simple wooden token bearing the Master's Rebus.

"It is good to make your acquaintances," he croaks. "I am Davor, originally of the Sodden Lands. But Jalmeray and Absalom are much more to my taste." Davor raises his hood, revealing beady yet kindly eyes and a shaved head. "I look forward to travelling with you all."

Despite his short stature, another tengu stands to the side, back straight, and posture suggesting a readiness. His simple clothing hung loose on his small frame. A few weapons say at his side, though he seemed to ignore them for the most part.

"And I am Skarit Medtower," he says in very crisp tones. "Though I was born in the River Kingdoms, I have traveled much and can say that Absolam is my home as much as any other place. It is a pleasure to meet you all."

Just a heads up, I’ll be helping my in-laws move my sister-in-law today and will likely will able to post today.

Clumsily scrambling to his feet, Stinky shakes his pelt and pads over to Davor and Skarit, sniffing each in turn. He's unsure what to make of these enormous birds, and his body language shows wariness and confusion.

Kala, too, is surprised by the tengus, never having seen one before. But since they can talk, they clearly aren't prey or monsters, and it seems they know how to take care of themselves.

"Easy Stinky. They're all right. They're allies. Be good, Stinky."

If Stinky doesn't seem to mind, Davor gives him a quick pet. Otherwise, he simply stands his ground and allows himself to be sniffed.

"Quite the creature," he says, eyes crinkling into a smile. "You two seem to understand each other very well."

Your host enters the room and for a couple of seconds silently observes you.
“Welcome initiates,“ he says in a friendly, laid-back manner.

“I am pleased you could come so soon. I am Adril Hestram, and I have a task for you. Recently an earthquake struck the city, costing countless gold in damages as you can imagine. But it also caused a sealed siege tower from one of Absalom’s many, past, would-be-conquerors, to crack open like an egg. Word on the street is that no one has yet searched ‘the Fallen Fortress’, as the locals are calling it. However, against my commands, a young Pathfinder , named Balenar Forsend, set off to explore the ruins alone. Now he is missing." he says shaking his head.

“While I applaud Balenar’s intentions, by going off against my words, he has violated the Pathfinder Oath, to explore, cooperate, and report. Hopefully he is still alive to full fill the last part of that oath.”

He clears his throat and stands, handing over a map of the Cairnlands marked with the location of this ‘Fallen Fortress’.

hope this is the correct thread. If not You'll have to 'unseat' me GM

Llorva arrives late brushing off the dust from her skirts. She stumbles in to the room, just as the senior Pathfinder begins his briefing. Shying away from the eyes suddenly turned on to her from, the commotion she caused, Llorva finds a place in the back and listens quietly to the briefing. When she's sure the senior Pathfinder is through speaking, Llorva softly replies, We will do the best we can to retrieve our wayward brethren Adril Hestram.

PS I'll set up a header bar for Llorva later tonight. In the meantime her stats are fully listed on her profile page.

Wrong thread. ;-) HERE

"We'll track him down. It's one of the things Stinky and I do best."

Skarit steps forward to examine the map. "Yes, of course. I am sure it is nothing, but we will go and make sure he can return and report."

Earlier

Beshana allows the creature to sniff her and smiles at its antics. "Nice to meet you all; Kala, Skarit, and Davor." Her speech pattern is a bit on the slower side, but deliberate as if she is in no rush to get through her speech. She looks at each of you in turn, although you find it very difficult to determine if she is looking at you due to the lack of pupils in her eyes, giving you a knowing smile. "Kala, you have the look about of you of one acquainted with the wilds. I think you and I will find much to speak about."

'Two that are young and untested. Jaidz, you start my journey off so soon?' She slowly smiles to herself.

Beshana nods absently to herself as she listens to the briefing. "Sir, if he is alive we will ensure his safe return. Would you like us to provide him with a measure of your displeasure?"

Once the briefing has concluded, Beshana looks at the others. "Since I am likely to slowest of all of us and you all seem to have much keener eyes than mine own, perhaps I should take the lead in guiding us through the wild lands to the Tower. You all can keep your eyes to the horizon to ensure none come upon us unawares?"

Earlier

Beshana nods absently to herself as she listens to the briefing. "Sir, if he is alive we will ensure his safe return. Would you like us to provide him with a measure of your displeasure?"

"I do not know what exactly that means Beshana but I require you to treat him fairly ... I hope that is a treatment that any other fellow adventurer in distress would also receive, right?"

Beshana turns her attention to their patron as there is a slight darkening to her cheeks, if one could imagine an oread blushing this would likely be that. "I merely meant a stern discourse on his decision to violate the Pathfinder code, sir, nothing more. If alive, he shall be returned in better condition than what we find him in." She offers respectfully with a slight bow of her head. "Would you happen to know of any possible dangers we may encounter on the journey out?"

"Yeah, and do you know if there'll be any undead? Stinky's kinda useless against them, so it'd be great if I could plan for that." Not that knowing'll make much difference, but still...

"Leave it to us; this place will be explored. Should we find Balenar, he's coming out safe. I can personally inform him of better paths to go forward on."

"You all can keep your eyes to the horizon to ensure none come upon us unawares?"

"Of course," the tengu nods. "It pays to be on the lookout. Gods willing, we are in for a peaceful journey. If they aren't, we'll prove ourselves worthy of the obstacles they deem fitting."

"Unfortunately, I cannot tell you more about the dangers you could face. Please prepare yourself before departing. Are you ready to leave?"

Skarit nods to Beshana, "I will stay vigilant." He turns back to Adril, "Yes, I am ready." Skarit bows to the man and gestures to the others, eyes raised in question, "Shall we?"

After the group agrees that it is time to leave, the Venture-Captain wishes you all the best and you prepare yourself for the journey. After a few stops to gather supplies you leave Absolom for the Cairnlands. The wide fields of shattered weapons, barrow mounds, and mass graves are a reality that is hard to ignore when you travel through this barren land.

When you arrive at the ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress you see it rise out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air.

Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.

Skarit stares up at the Fallen Fortress with eyes wide as they approach. After a moment or two, he begins to approach, examining the tower and the entrance for any dangers.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Skarit stares up at the Fallen Fortress with eyes wide as they approach. After a moment or two, he begins to approach, examining the tower and the entrance for any dangers.

[dice=Perception]25

The tower stands 80 feet tall and its exterior walls are amazingly smooth. Skarit knows that these are considered superior masonry walls, requiring gear and extensive training to ascend.

Climbing the ragged remains of the east wing’s walls is much easier although you see that you cannot reach the tower’s fifth floor by this method.

The ceilings within the Fallen Fortress are 15 feet high, and doors are of strong wooden construction. With the exception of the areas now exposed to the outside, all rooms in the tower are dark.

Look at the map.

When you look at the tower, it is soon apparent that the collapse of the eastern wing has caved in much of tower’s first level as well. But it would be possible to enter from the east.

Sorry for my slow response, my Gameplay thread did not show all the new posts!

Beshana looks up at the darkened hole in the side of the tower. "Perhaps I should go first, I do not believe any of you can see in darkness. I can though." With her slow and methodical pace, Beshana will begin to make her way towards the base of the tower and see if she can spot a place to climb the wall.

Please all place your icons where you want to be.

I've got Beshana's icon placed.

Kala casts light on her warhammer and picks her way through the rubble beside Beshana. She swings her makeshift lantern too and fro, looking for signs of Balenar, any threats, or any items that may be of interest to the Pathfinder Society.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Stinky ranges along near Kala, sniffing and exploring, digging a little here and there.

With Kala's light now shining the opening, Skarit scrambles up the slopes to stand in the opening next to the others.

You are just about to enter the fortress when you see three wild dogs stepping out from behind the rubble. These small dogs have rough coats and hungry looks in their dark brown eyes.

None of you are surprised when the dogs run out as you hear the barks and are ready to react.

Round 1
1. Davor: You are up!
1. Dogs:
2. Beshana, Skarit, Kala, Stinky:

Davor sighs, but extends his hands. "We would all rather you didn't do something you will regret," he says, not expecting the dogs to understand.

The dogs run towards you and you see their teeth are longing to bite your flesh but all attacks on Davor, Stinky and Skarit fail to hit.

Davor tries to counterattack the dog in front of him but misses.

Round 1
1. Davor
2. Dogs
3. Beshana, Skarit, Kala, Stinky: You are up.

Skarit looks down with pity at the dogs as he dodges around their gnashing teeth. Skarit kicks out twice in a quick succession, hoping to either knock the poor creature out, or scare it off.

Skarits merciful martial arts techniques overwhelm the dog that attacked him and it falls to the ground unconscious.

As a swift action, Kala uses her Animal Focus ability to cast Aspect of the Bull on herself and Stinky, giving them each a +2 strength bonus.

"Stinky, flank!" Kala takes steps in towards the dog that targeted Stinky and swings her glowing warhammer down in an arc toward the dog's head. The light careens wildly about them in the shadow of the tower.

warhammer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 121d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

"Don't you mess with Stinky!"

Stinky uses Acrobatics to scoot around behind the dog that attacked him, using Kala for a flank. He then growls as he swipes at the dog with both front paws.

Acrobatics to move through enemy squares: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
1 claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 171d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
1 claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Wow. He got 1s on both damage rolls. I'm impressed.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Claw 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
S/P Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Beshana spots the feral dogs just before they come up in a rush and then lets out a sigh of relief as her companions prove far more nimble than the animals. She lets out a low growl, sounding very much like a tiger to those acquainted with such things as long, crystal-like claws start growing from her fingers! She then moves in her slow, methodical way to slash her claws at the dog.

Actions: Swift - Activate Shifter Claws. Move - Move into position. Standard - Attack.

Kalas warhammer misses the dog in front of her but she pushes Stinky that hits the dog two times in its face.

Also Beshana hits with a claw attack and slashes the dog's belly.

Seeing that the enemies are obviously too strong the dogs flee in terror.

After you have handled the dogs you look into tower from the rubble on the east side. It is soon apparent that the collapse of the eastern wing has caved in much of tower’s first level as well.

The southern wing is entirely filled with rubble, leaving only the northern wing (and part of the western wing) accessible.

Beshana keeps her claws out at the ready even after the dogs flee in terror. Once she is sure they are gone for good, she turns her attention to the nearby doorway leading to the northern chamber. She stops near the door and peers into the room, looking around cautiously...

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

The northern wing of the tower seems to have escaped the worst effects of the collapse, but rubble still litters the floor and everything is covered in a thick layer of stone dust.

Thick cobwebs cloak the ceiling and hang down the walls like gossamer tapestries.

A single archway stands open in the southwest wall.

Knowledge: Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Beshana looks over at the cobwebs and tries to determine if they are very old and just how big the spider might be that could have made the webs... "Cobwebs here."

Beshana looks at the cobwebs from some distance but she would say that only a giant spider could produce them.

Beshana takes a step back as she looks over her shoulder to her companions. "These could only have been made by a giant spider. Perhaps we should try to burn away the cobwebs first, just in case."

"Good call. I have flint and steel, but no torch. Anyone else? Or I could light an arrow to shoot in there. May not work though."

"I have those tools as well," Davor replies, getting ready to scrape them together. "They will suffice, but might they alert the spider if it is near? Were that the case, I suppose we must expect a scrap regardless."