[PFS] GM Skipper's #5–20 The Sealed Gate (Inactive)

Game Master SkipperD

Survival 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fahd examines the room for any signs of other creatures, and does not find any.

"Most impressive, Master Mavarion. I have occasional encounters with others of similar abilities, but you certainly seemed to have mastered the control of your telekinetic gifts."

Bambang gives a cursory glance around the room but does not find much of interest.

He can't pass that DC.

Nor can he.

"Always more masterin' to be done," Mav chuckles. "Easier done on the job than in me free time, mind."

His vaguely roving eyes don't pick anything up either.

Nope no way.
"What shall we do now?The paladin asks to the others.

Im Not sure which passage we came in, but let’s start checking all of them with the one on our left first, then the one on our next left, until we cover everything.

Not finding anything with his mortal eyes, Bambang summons the spirit in his headband to grant him magical sight.

Cast detect magic and use aura signt ability.

Was my last shot even necessary? Pebbles may be free, but arrows aren't!

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

@Zeno: You can keep the last arrow.

While you're all a loss concerning how to proceed, Bambang senses a magical aura around the northeast wall of the cave.

knowledge(arcana), take 10: 10 + 13 = 23

"Ah ha! That section of the cave wall is emanating a magical aura. An illusion it seems. Likely hiding a possible exit from here."

Bambang moves to where the illusion is, and carefully examines the area.

perception, heightened awareness, 4 negative levels: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 - 4 = 30

Alerted by Bambang, Mavarion also swoops in to investigate.

(If necessary) Will, Hardy, Alerted: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 5 + 4 = 18

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Will, Bambang (4 negative levels): 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 4 = 24

With the knowledge of the fake wall in hand, Bambang and Mavarion can both manage to see through the illusion. In the small cave beyond it, they can see The Hao Jin Tapestry, though it has seen better days and has a cluster of dried blood around one of its woven sigils. In a neat pile beside the tapestry lies a small pile of fist-sized crystals. Alongside the crystals lies a handwritten note in the telltale cramped style you recognize as belonging to Aram Zey.

You can all gain acces to the tapestry, either by trail-and-error'ing your way through the illusion (the DC is 16) or by moving it out into the larger cave.

The DC for the knowledge check is 20...

Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Zeno has no trouble recognizing the illusion once Bambang points it out. His jaw drops ever so slightly when he sees what's on other side.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

He points to the blood-etched glyph.

"The Demon Lord Angazhan. Now we know our enemy. Perhaps."

Fahd gritted his teeth at hearing the group might be facing a demon lord. He shook his head, waiting on more information from the others about their erstwhile foe.

Know Rel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
"Get it down please!" the Paladin adds, with a look at the slim ledge and knowing his own limitations.

A bit confused, Mavarion finally manages to see through the illusion, but seems less worried about the demon lord's mark. "I've fought insanity-inducin' spawns of outsiders determined to eat reality more'n you got...heads, I guess, only did it twice. Ain't fussed, though, if we see him we'll just throw mountains at him 'til he dies."

"Well," The seer chuckles very softly and dryly. "I doubt we need worry about a personal confrontation."

Will anyone have a look a the note?

Fahd wondered what the others were waiting for, and grabbed the note when it was pointed out to him.

”One of you mages need to look at this. It’s instructions for that tapestry, I think.”. He couldn’t puzzle any more out of it.

Ok, my work is returning to some level of normalcy...

"I would surmise that the rest of the Pathfinders had retreated through the tapestry. And Aram Zey left these instructions here for whomever seeking them, like us, to follow. But let me be certain."

Bambang moves forward carefully and lays his hand on the tapestry, calling forth the remnant psychic impressions left behind to open to him, trying especially to determine who, or what, had last made use of the magic portal.

Bambang experiences a vision of a male halfling in slightly mud and blood spattered clothing activating the tapestry at the simian rune. He seems to be overcome by love and devotion.

"Hmm, interesting. Anyone knows if a male halfling was part of the delegation? I see one, slightly mud and blood spattered, activating the tapestry at the simian rune. Strangely, he seems to be overcome by love and devotion. I worry he might have been under some enchantment." Bambang considers things briefly, then sighs. "Guess we have no other choice but to follow."

Any objections?

If there are no objections:

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

Zeno pores over Zey's note, and finally puts it down with a soft sigh.

"These are instructions on properly using the Tapestry. I must say, Master Zey's style of instruction leaves a great deal to be desired...but I think I can do this without risk to ourselves or the Tapestry. Hopefully."

”Let’s do it, then. Get in, finish the mission and then get back out. Hopefully.”

Bambang merely nods in reply. Although still feeling weak, he holds up his greatsword, keeping himself ready.

"Time ta get this done with!" Mavarion grins.

You arrive in Hao Jin’s demiplane instantaneously upon uttering the command word while touching the tapestry, your destination a hot and muggy jungle. A 2-foot-diameter sphere of pulsing blue light forms nearby each of you, and the sphere is both stationary and visible only to yourself.

The weather is swelteringly hot, as one would expect of a real jungle on Golarion. (ie you'll to take precautions, Fort saves or both)

A single path leads away from the clearing, taking would-be travelers deeper into the unknown. Five sets of booted humanoid footprints and an unnerving set of spiky tracks lead down the path.

"This the right place?" Mavarion asks, visible for a few moments before vanishing once more. "Too hot for my tastes. But it must be worse for a delicate elf. This'll help ya deal, and maybe quiet your bellyachin'."

Zeno, you have the lowest Fort save, so have some Basic Aerokinesis. +2 on saves versus heat, plus breath weapons and gases.

Ah, this character doesn't have a wand of endure elements.

Bambang's heavy armor weighs down on him, especially so when he is still feeling weakened by the demonic attack earlier. He does his best to soldier on, however.
fort, 4 neg lvls: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 12 - 4 = 16

He squats by the trail, using his limited tracking ability to study it.
survival, aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Fort save 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Fahd tries his best to stave off the oppressive heat.

Fortitude save vs heat: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Zeno examines the trail from the long view while Bambang helps him track details.

Survival, aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Fort: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Periel arrives in the blistering heat and smiles. Finally in the Hao jin tapestry.

Fort, Mavarion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Fort, Kenji: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

You make your way up hill, following the tracks. Kenji suffers the full brunt of the oppressive heat and volunteers to secure the party's escape route instead of continuing onward.

Roughly on and a half miles into the jungle you start to hear what sounds like someone praising the location of a new lodge mixed in with a few complaints about the weather. Moving closer, you see a half-elf bedecked in Sarenite symbols, a rough-and-tumble gnome and a halfling Bambang recognizes from his vision.

The hlaf-elf turns to you and greets you with a warm smile.

“Friends! Welcome! I was wondering if they’d send agents to find us. I’m glad to see they wasted no expense in sending some of the very best. Rest assured that all is well and your services are no longer needed. The crew and I will be settling here within the Expanse to open a new lodge. Isn’t that wonderful?
“Please, consider your mission a success and report this great news back to the Grand Lodge. Thank you for your services.”

Zeno stands near the back of the party, staring in silent bewilderment.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Sense Motive 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Fahd considers the words of the man, not sure if it would be that easy or not.

Taken by surprise by the reaction of the supposed Pathfinders, Bambang takes a step back and calls on his supernatural ability to discern the auras of the people.

activate aura sight

While Zeno is baffled by this development, he nonetheless trusts the Venture-Captain. Fahd, however, feels that something is amiss. The half-elf is not lying, but he seems to be under some sort of influence.

Not sensing anything strange from their auras, Bambang changes tactics and this time, summons the ability to see magical auras.

Cast detect magic

”Something is influencing him. I’m not sure if it is magic or just so,etching with power over him,” Fahd whispers.

Bambang senses auras on the three Pathfinders.

knowledge(arcana), 4 neg levels, HA: 1d20 + 13 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 13 - 4 + 2 = 18

Despite failing to decipher the type of magic that is affecting the three Pathfinders, together with Fahd's warning, he fears that they are not acting as they normally would.

Hoping not to alarm the Pathfinders, he replies in a measured tone. "Indeed, that is good to know." However, he is psychically summoning the warding spirit residing in his armor to came forth and dispel whatever magic might be infecting the half-elf.

dispel magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Not sure if negative levels affect caster level checks

The half-elf's eyes go blank for a moment, but he regains his cheery disposition quickly.

"That's strange... It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders... Nevertheless, either you can report my grand succes back to the Ten, or you can help us build the lodge. Which will it be?"

Fahd still wasn’t convinced, so he offered to stay and keep an eye on the men. ”Sure, we can help build the Lodge, right everyone? And you can tell us a little more
Anoutnwhats been going on here.”

"Buildin' the Lodge, of course," Mavarion says, dropping his cloak. "The Ten don't like me too much, and while I prefer destruction on th' same scale, I'm quite good at creation too. Got any five-ton blocks ye need lifted?"

While the conversation continues, Bambang discreetly psychically summons his ability to see magical aura and examines the half-elf to see if a magical aura still persists around him.

cast detect magic

Zeno remains silent for the moment, still puzzled.

I forget; was building a new Lodge here a known goal? Do we have any idea who these people are? Were we expecting them?

The half-elf claps his hands together and beams.

"Splendid! Your help will get things moving along much more hastily, I'm sure! The Decemvirate's descision to give me free reign in establishing a permanent lodge here in the Mwangi Expanse is surely the best move they've made in years."

Bambang senses that the aura on the half-elf is gone, though the ones on the halfling and gnome persist.

"Where are Master Zey and Captain Li?" Zeno inquires slowly. "We were of the understanding that they were here with you."