[PFS] 1-39: Citidel of Flame (Roving Dachshund) (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

You shall be sent back to the Abyss you foul beast! Naseem Bellows.

He quickly drops his sword and swaps to his crossbow. He loads it and prepares to fire.

Free action Drop Sword, move action pull out Xbow, move action to load the thing.

As he does so he encourages Quon to let go of his fear and grasp the foul beast.

I know it looks evil, but you have to actually touch it to zap him!

Just gotta roll a 10 or better lol, I believe in you!

The arrow hits the devil, causing it to cry in pain.

Gaav Will save: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

Cork's color spray catch the devil while sickened by the pain if the holy arrow.

The Gaav falls prone on the bridge stunned a and blind for rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Have at a prone and stunned devil

Seeing the creature crash to the ground, Kenya glances across the bridge. Deciding the shot is too difficult now, she trusts in her athleticism. She runs and leaps across the gap, hoping to land on the other side.

Acrobatics to Jump: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Kenza continues her move past Quon and to the far side of the devil, then kicks it in the back of the head.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Eager to send the vile creature back to the depths, Korum runs up behind Cork and reaches across the gap with his weapon.

Glaive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Glaive Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Quon stands right next to the devil, his one hand sparking with electricity while his companions deal with it. He sheathes the rapier with his other hand. "I am sorry, I just could not do it. It seemed so vile and I did not know what would happen if I touched it. I will just contain the electricity, there might be something else that sees us as an enemy later."

Although somewhat resistant to damage, Kenza and Korum succeed in ending its existence. The paladin's glave decapitating the small but vile devil.

With the immediate threat gone, you are able to get ever one else across the gap in short order and make your way to the tower.

You do any thing else if you want before the next part

"Nice job guys." Cork makes his way across the gap then kicks the devil corpse off the bridge. "Let's push through." He heads towards the double doors at the end of the bridge.

Naseem sheathes his crossbow then grabs his greatsword to pick it up.

He then ties some rope his waist and rather sheepishly tosses some of the leftover rope across to the other side to Kenza and Cork.

I'm going to need you guys to pull me across, jumping isn't really my strong suit. He says with a low grumbling voice. We also probably should've checked its body Cork, but I guess we can just move on once I get across.

15 ft move speed + armor penalty means Naseem has a -8 to jumping with acrobatics! He's tough as a rock and just as nimble!

Kenya wraps the rope around her self and hangs on to it tightly in her clenched fists.

"Ready." she assures Naseem.

A quick assement of the environment, it is easy enough to be lowered down then climb back up the slope.

The double doors are warm to the touch but not damaging.

The door easily open.

The red glow of lava dimly lights this vast room. Rivulets of molten rock thread the hall’s floor, fed by streams of lava flowing down the walls. Four enormous forges are spaced evenly around the room, with large hammers, bellows, anvils, and tanks of water dripping on the lava below. A circular ramp rises gently near the center of the room, looping above the lava channels before disappearing into the gloom above.

A Male dwarf stands at the southern anvil hammering on what looks to be spear head. Currently he seems unaware do to the noise of his hammering and the hissing of the laval channels.

The dwarf does not notice you. Between his hammering and the hissing of the lava you have quite a bit of distraction

He could be a prisoner, let's find out

Quon circles around, carefully stepping over the streams of lava. Once he is close to the dwarf he speaks up

"Hello"

If neccesary stealth take 10 for 22

Phew, I'm glad it was sloped enough to get me over. I'll let Quon and better speakers take the lead here. I will assist if neccessary

Kenza, who was about to sneak up and punch the man in the back of the head, looks completely shocked at Quon greeting the enemy.

Wide eyed and confused, Kenza places herself between the dwarf and the rest of her companions, ready to protect them if necessary.

Naseem, since you crawled down, did you check the body then?

Cork enters the room cautiously. At Quon's greeting he looks quizzically from the grippli to the others. He catches Kenza's look of surprise and cocks and eyebrow at her. "What is he doing?" he says softly to her.

"Joining a cult," she replies dryly, clearly unimpressed with the grippli.

What in the Hells is he...?

Jinny is also confused by the grippli's actions, but waits cautiously for the interaction to play out.

Well c&@p! Can't just leave him alone. Korum walks up to be near Quon. "Yeah..greetings and all. Love your forge, it seems real...hot." Holding out his wine flask. "Thirsty?"

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 Well, at least he's alone.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

because of you the society has the name of being made up of murderhobos!

The dwarf looks up, half surprised, but half expecting strangers. He is missing an eye and his glare at you is slightly disconcerting. He nods and smiles obliquely and comments to Kenza, "Nope...Joining a spear." He hold up the spearhead he was just working on.

He looks over the party. "An amphibian, a rock, two orcs, and a fox." He quietly chuckles to himself. "Hafshi must be getting desperate to rebuild her cult."

The dwarf places the hot spear point in a bucket of water to quench. As the steam comes off the bucket the dwarf heads up to Korums offered wine and takes a swig. "Mighty obliged. Names Vulcus. Smith to Hafshi and her Great Cult of Moloch" You can easily tell that he isn't your typical fanatic. The dwarf seems somewhat resigned to his current position. "What can old Vulcus do you all?"

The Dwarf is only wearing a leather apron, and still has his forge hammer in his hand. But is not threatening with it.

”Well met Vulcus, I am Quon. We discovered this place and decided to investigate. Zo far the people we met did not want to talk, I am glad you do. I assume you have been here for quitte some time. Can you tell us about this Hafsni and her cult?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Naseem quietly thanks Kenza for her help and then looks at Quon and Korum quizzically as they approach the dwarf with kindness.

I was expecting to deal with nothing but cultists and fanatics... I was looking forward to a fight against something that wasn't flying or blocked off. Shame.

While the others take the time to chat, Naseem looks around the room carefully for anything of interest, (this includes anything trying to kill us.)

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

LOL Quon. To be fair, murderhoboing has a long and proud tradition in the society! We aren't all gentlemen archaeologists.

Kenza nods at Naseem, then follows his lead, looking around for dangers and objects of interest.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

If you're here against your will, we may be able to help.

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

The Dwarf takes another swig of the wine.

"Well I am not really one of their kind. It was a matter of convenience. Hasfhi bought out my previous contract and I promised to help her cause. However, lets just say the promise of actual pay has yet to really manifest. But I should hold up my end of the bargain while she still runs this place."

Valcus takes the wine skin and head back to his Anvil. "But these spears won't make themselves. I have my reputation as a smith to keep. Don't want to be late on a delivery. Can't be bothered by every suplicant that comes though." He winks with is good eye as he turns back to his anvil to work.

After a few strikes, he reaches up and adjusts a leaver over the hood. Talking to no one in particular. "These blasted vents. Always blowing steam up to Hasfhi's chamber. I should fix it so they vent properly and not disturb her or interfere with other people's activities up there."

Above each forge, you now notice, a stone chimney captures the steam generated by water used to cool the forged metal. The steam travels upward along stone channels to the Lava Temple above. A quick look, after Vulcus point it out, reveals that the accumulated pressure must open a vent above (and out of sight) every round.

Jinny tips her hat to the industrious dwarf and says,

It looks like we have a way into the temple relatively unseen. I shall be glad to take the point, unless anyone disagrees?

Wishing I hadn't used my Oil of Holy Weapon already. Oh, well.

You can have Kenza's oil of bless weapon, Jinhong.

What's he offering? That we can take the ramp into the temple and he'll have the vents make steam in there so its hard to see us?

Kenya follows behind Jinhong, ready to move on. She casts one final look back at the dwarf as she leaves the room, suspicious of an ambush or trap...

He is implying that the vents are currently "broken" and he does not have time to fix them. In their current state they may cause problems for you later on.

Failed my Intelligence roll, then. I thought he was saying the vents could be crawled through to sneak into the temple. And thanks, Kenza.

"Would you mind if I take a quick look at those vents?"

Disable Device take 20 if allowed: 20 + 9 = 29

Quon spends some time and easily adjusts the vents to the suggestion by Vulcus.

You see the dwarf smile and happily hammers away. Leaving you to go along your merry way.

Heading up the stairwell...

This long, winding ramp ascends gently in loops through the Citadel. This was the final passage for pilgrims seeking service—or death—with Moloch, and was of enormous ceremonial importance to the cult. The corridor’s walls are decorated with mosaics of a female pilgrim’s journey. Throughout these scenes, a small golden idol of Moloch perches on her shoulder.

The innermost loop is covered in a large mural that shows a devotee of Moloch abandoning her family to begin a pilgrimage to the Citadel, as well as her journey through the Qadiran desert, with sandstorms, steadfast refusal of water, and a heat-induced vision of Moloch. Near vent of super heated air from forge below is a depiction of the woman being blasted in the face by some small powder. Next to the vent is small plue of black sand.

The middle loop illustrates the passage through the hoodoo maze: you recognize several of the hoodoos. The pilgrim encounters increasingly large fire creatures, but in each case she prostrates herself to them and is allowed to pass. At the center of the hall, an obsidian statue of a towering bull-headed man looms over mosaics of pilgrims kneeling before it.

The outermost loop shows the final judgment of the pilgrim. The golden idol looms over the entire Lava Temple, reflected in every torch, lava pool, and smoke plum. At one point, the pilgrim immolates herself by placing her hand in a bonfire of blue flame. A much smaller brazier of blue flame stands on an ornate sconce in the passage.

At the top of the Pilgrim Passage sits an ornate spiral stair leading up. The murals here depict Malebolge, where the pilgrim has been reborn as a fiery warrior clad in black armor and standing in a paradise of water and palm trees (though hints of darker skies and fiery storms can be seen in the distance, reflecting the true nature of Malebolge). Along the walls, choirs of fire creatures sing in celebration, and a frieze on the ceiling shows the golden idol of Moloch smiling over his hordes.

The murals seem to present a ritual you can attempt before heading to the top of the citadel.

Kenya eyes the disconcerting murals with distaste.

She clearly has no intention of trying to imitate anything she sees here.

Naseem studies the rituals carefully, trying to determine if there could be some benefit to imitating the rituals of the past.

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Is that knowledge religion? I can't think of what would fit better.

Jinny reads the mural with growing distaste.

Any god that would make his follower suffer so is not worthy of worship.

The ritual is some type of supplication to Molach, but Naseem can't really determine what would happen after completion.

"No thanks Molach" Quon says as he searches the area for traps while Naseem is studying the rituals. After he has done that he decides to drink the potion he received earlier.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Naseem reacts to Jinny's statement with a slight shake of his head. He then begins to preach, at first quietly, than with rising volume.

I don't know about that Jinny, Gorum sends his followers challenges so that they might be overcome! We all suffer from the scars of battle and sometimes worse. But the suffering makes us stronger for it!

He continues.

Any gods worth worship will tests, to determine who is weak and who worthy to bask in the power! Some prefer Gods who hand them everything on a platter, just being "nice," but they shall fall when a real test of mettle comes up! It just so happens one of those tests might be right atop those. So lets find out whose, got what it takes!

He then heads up the stairs and motions for everyone to follow him

Assuming no traps, also he will give you all the chance to cast or use pre-combat stuff. Naseem is always eager for a fight, but wants to be prepared.

Jinny pauses to consider Naseem's words, thinks about responding, but decides the group has more pressing matters.

She uses the Oil of Holy Weapon thoughtfully provided by Kenza on her rapier.

Ready when you are big guy, she says with a smirk.

"I am ready!" Quon adds to the discussion while he casts shocking grasp and readies his rapier in his other hand.

The staircase opens onto a grand hall of polished obsidian and red marble. The walls are decorated with reliefs of a gleaming brass city, a massive sandstorm scouring a desert, and a horde of fire elementals descending on a city full of terrified humans. Rivers of slowly bubbling lava crisscross the floor, all streaming out of an elaborate altar at the far side of the room. Atop the altar sits a squat golden idol, 3 feet tall, of a bull-headed man, its arms raised and its hands holding a large thorned sword and a huge battleaxe. The idol’s eyes glow a deep crimson. Lava flows impossibly fast out of the bull-headed idol’s open mouth and down its torso, fanning out from there into rivers on the floor. Behind the altar, an obsidian relief of geometric forms stretches from floor to ceiling. Smoky forms flit across the relief ’s surface, their fiery eyes staring out at the room. Three steam vents in the room connect from the forge below, but are not currently active.

At alter is woman in fine cultist robes. This would be Hafshi that Vulcus mentioned. In the room is also a lemure (devil)

I am going with Naseem in front on the top of the stairs. To simplify, consider entering the Map at the Red Diamond to take 10' of movement. Naseem you are already there and can move as normal.

Init Hafshi Al-Moloch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Init, Naseem: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Init, Korum: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Init, Cork: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Init, Kenza: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Init, Quon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Init, Jinhong: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Cork can react before Hafshi acts.

Cork climbs the stairs and takes in the room. The devil immediately draws his attention. This can't be good, he thinks to himself. With a quick gesture he casts a daze spell in the direction of the lemure.

Daze DC 14 will save

Cork would know that Daze would not work on the Devil since the 0-level version only affects Humaniods. Would you like to cast ray of frost instead?

The Lemure crosses over the lava with out flinching, and then strikes at Naseem.

Lemure Atk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

But misses with its claw.

Hafshi begins to cast a spell.

Everyone else is up again.

Didn't notice that so I'll change to ray of frost

Ray of Frost@lemure: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Cork notices Hafshi going through the motions of spell casting and quickly realizes what she's done. "She's summoning a monster! Quick, everyone, we need to distract her." Cork turns towards her, steps over one of the lava channels, and closes the distance. As soon as he's close enough he shoots another ray of frost from his hands.

Ray of Frost@Hafshi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Kenya quickly hurries into the room. Heeding Cork's advice she runs up to the priestess.

Double move, unfortunately.

Quon exits the staircase and sees the ugly lemure next to him. With his fellow pathfinders near the spellcaster he decides this lemure needs dealing with first. He finds his resolve and touches it

Shocking grasp, charge was held from before opening door
Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Electricity: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 sigh

Naseem scowls at the monster in front of him and delivers a judgement.

You shall be sent back to the hell from which you came foul beast! He bellows. I'll slice you into pieces!

Naseem draws his greatsword and attempts to carve up the the monster in front of him.

Swift action activate judgement destruction (+1 damage) , move action draw greatsword. Standard action attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 6) + 5 = 16

Cork's Ray hits the devil but it seems unphased by it.

Quon is able shock the distract the lemure and allowing Naseem to strike the foul beast. As slices though the beast its remains disappear in a bright burst and the smell of brimstone. Creature was summoned so it returns in pieces

Kenza easily take the opening and gets up to the priestess.

Cork's second ray goes wide and hits the altar.

BOTTING Korum and Jinny

Both Double move in to the room and take positions surrounding Hafshi.

The priestess completes her spell and a fire beetle behind Kenza. Then the beetle and Hafshi attack

The Beetle bites at Kenza and Hafshi swing her mace at her as well
Then with her off hand she whips at Jinny

Fire Beetle Bite Atk: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7 (flanking)
Hafshi Mace Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9 (flanking)
Hafshi Whip Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Kenza dodges out of the way but the whip strikes Jinny

Hafshi Whip Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Trip follow up: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Hitting her for 3 points of damage and then tripping her.

Everyone is up again

Based on everyone else's actions, I'm assuming the lava is NOT high enough yet to require acrobatics checks. If it is, Naseem will hang back, since his jumping ability is pathetic.

After a satisfied smirk at having defeated the devil, Naseem surveys the room. He sees the crowd of people in front him making movement difficult, but his attention is drawn to the idol spewing lava.

Can someone do anything about the lava flow? We'll be roasted alive if it's allowed to keep going unfettered!

He then switches his judgment to resistance (+2 fire resist) casts heightened awareness and moves toward the idol to inspect it.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

perception check to hopefully figure out how to stop the lava flow. If it requires a knowledge religion or planes check, just subject four from the roll.

"Ah. A whip. That sounds like a great idea!" Cork says a few arcane words and suddenly the blade of his cutlass elongates and takes on a long ropy appearance. With a swift movement of his arm the rope-like blade lashes out at Hafshi and he tries to pull her feet out from under her.

blade lash, trip@Hafshi: 1d20 + 3 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 10 = 16 this is a trip attempt