[PFS] GM Skipper's The Heresy of Man series (Inactive)

Game Master SkipperD

"New friends.... I no not of history, but I do speak Jistka if that comes up. Now good Captain Obo, where exactly is this location... Wadi-al-Hesr? How do we get in?" the wild looking elf with alchemical gear strapped around her waist says when the group is gathered for their mission brief.

Aid someone on Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"That could be helpful. I am Deaglan" the dwarf in plate-mail replies.

Zinkyudo greets the new member of the team with a measured nod and an evaluating look. The servant of Abadar is a somewhat peculiar figure. A slender young man of average height, he has a smallish set of wings sprouting from his back, covered in feathers of a dusty brown, and a beautifully crafted bow hangs over one shoulder. He holds his head completely still as he considers Xarkyn, then moves it quickly, like a bird of prey scanning for a meal. This predatory aspect is reinforced by his hooked nose, like the beak of a desert hawk. The fierce aspect of an avian hunter, however, is undone when he speaks to the ventrure-captain in an almost squawk-like voice, "You believe you can trust us, after what we've gone through in pursuit of this map?"

His tone is slightly miffed, but he spends a quiet moment in thought before continuing more calmly, "I share your fear about such a powerful item falling into the wrong hands, particularly when the Society would derive great value from its acquisition. Whether the cost of several lives so far will prove to be too great a price is another question, however."

After a moment considering the cost/benefit curve this conversation has called up in his mind, he turns back to Obo and asks, "What can you tell us of the place this map leads? What dangers might we meet there, or along the way?"

Obo realizes his dereliction of his duty and brings Xarkyn up to speed.

"Ah, Wadi-al-Hesr is the village closest to the Karzha Necropolis, under which these fine agents," he gestures to Lysaer, Rogar, Zinkyudo and Deaglan, "recovered the puzzle map. It has since been thoroughly examined and will be shipped off to the Grand Lodge for safekeeping. The research is of course at your disposal."

He traces a finger along one of the maps's edges before continuing.

"The Citadel of the Weary Sky lies a week's travel south of Manaket (where you are now), and is accessible through something called 'the Bleak Portal'. The notes cover the details."

In response to Zinkyudo's query, he strokes his beard thoughtfully.

"The journey there can pose all the dangers a desert trek always does; raiders, hostile beasts and not least the desert it self. In the citadel proper, things are more up in the air, no pun intended. The Jitskans were renowned for their skill at binding planar beings, but their empire fell seven millennia ago, so I can't say what's there now."

"Well met, friend!" says Rogar, nodding at the newcomer elf "My Name is Rogar a scion of the noble and ancient House Valertis, pleased to meet you... Miss?

Then the Taldan fighter turns towards the venture captain:"So... I guess will have to see this through... after all Agosa gave his life for the Society to have a chence to open the Nleak Portal and we should not disrespect his sacrifice!" he proclaims, sounding resolute.

"My name is Xarkyn Wildmoon... friend Roger... you look wounded... do you have a wound upon your head and is that eye black?"

"Is anyone capable of casting these spells that are mentioned in the research? I can not cast any of these"

"I cannot, Deaglan," Zinkyudo replies, "they are the spells of a wizard, I believe. And we've precious few of those."

Turning his large, amber eyes to Obo, he says, "Do you have some way we can cast these spells to gain entry to the Citadel of the Weary Sky?"

"Don't look at me for spells people. Maybe we should ask for a Pathfinder well versed in the arcane arts to join us?" comments Rogar while ignoring Xarkyn's questions about his appearance...

"Neither do I. This poses a problem." Xarkyn responds to the dwarf and gives the Taldan a cold shoulder after he ignored her concern for his well being based on his shoddy grooming.

Standing at the back of the room, so still that you would be forgiven for believing him to be merely a suit of dark armour with a hellish visage, Lysaer steps forwards. Keeping his helm on, as has been his practice since acquiring the honoured armour of his order, the Hellknight looks at the details before them and shakes their head slowly.

"Alas no, these spells are not of my forte. To think, we may have needed that twit Sparky after all." he says dryly as eh thinks to himself. "Yes, are there any relics that can be used to simulate these spells?"

Obo retrieves a ring from a drawer.

"You can hire a wizard to casts the spells into this. I'll expect it back when you return, of course."

It's a Major Ring of Spell Storing. The spellcasting services cost:
Gust of Wind: 60 gp
Knock: 60 gp
Arcane Sight: 150 gp

"Thank you, that will be a great help"

I assume we will divide the costs: 45 gp each

After finding a wizard Deaglan asks the other "Are you all ready? Let's head out to this Jitskan stronghold"

"Well, that seems like an investment Abadar would approve of," Zinkyudo reflects. He offers to be the banker, collecting funds from each of his fellow Pathfinders and arranging for the spells to be cast into the ring. He then nods along with Deaglan's suggestion, saying, "Indeed, let's get this endeavor started."

"Here's my 54 gold pieces then..." says Rogar handing the money to Deaglan

We are 5 now. Unless I'm mistaken we lost Auric and Sparky and only got Xarkyn as new player

Deaglan shrugs and hands the money to Zinkyudo "I have never been that good at calculating things, Zinkyudo should be better at that, as a priest of Abadar"

Xarkyn hands her portion over to the angel kin as well. She then checks her gear and proclaims she is ready to leave.

The journey across the desert to the Citadel of the Weary Sky is harsh and taxing but uneventful. Eventually, you arrive at the location where the puzzle-map says the citadel once stood. The crater lies like a pockmark on the blinding white of the desert floor. The sand in the depression is charred brittle-black, and strange, glassy smudges spread throughout the basin. A hot breeze slithers across the sand, doing nothing to relieve the intense heat. Through the windswept dust, the shape of a gaping underground passage stands in jarring contrast to the monotonous desert landscape.

Zinkyudo studies the gaping entrance to the underground complex they're about to enter, and can't help but wonder how his career has taken him to another such place. It seems I spend most of my adventuring time in unpleasant places underground, sewers and crypts and such. With a longish detour a while back to sail around with pirates. Abadar, I seek only to bring some measure of civilization to these lawless places, though they often seem little interested.

Drawing a wand from his belt, he asks around to see who can activate it. To his surprise, Rogar gets it to work after just a couple of tries! He calls on his monastic training to further protect him, draws his bow, and says, "Shall we see what wonders await us below?"

Mage armor and barkskin are up, both will last an hour.

Rogar UMD: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Rogar UMD: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Rogar nods at Zinkyudo smiling:"Ah! We are in luck! I usually can't get those to work whatever I do!"

Then he points at the cavern in ahead:"Let's go people! Once again we've got to play at being heroes... and I might even start to like it!"

Sensing the others had worked together before Xarkyn stays to the back with her bow and allows the others to dictate team tactics.

DEaglan again casts magic circle vs evil [b]"Remember, stay close to me or you will leave the protective aura"[b]. He waits for the others to check for traps and then moves in.

Who uses the ring to cast the spells?

"I'll face whatever hides down there but don't ask ME to cast spells!" Rogar shakes his head negatively as he advances on the cave.

Zinkyudo raises high the hand with the ring on it, then uses it to cast its various spells to sweep back the sand, find the entrance and open the portal.

Perception, Zinkyudo: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29

As Zinkyudo moves into position, his keen eyes notice several massive creatures hiding in the sand.

Map updated.

"Folks," Zinkyudo says quietly, his hand still raised as if casting a spell while he delays a moment, "there's some big beasties hiding in the sand ahead. My money is on them wanting to eat us, but if any of you can tell what they are, that would help in my appraisal."

Any Knowledge checks we can make to identify them, once they're pointed out?

Upon hearing words of possible violence Xarkyn gets her bow ready.

"Well... let's feather them then! I don't plan to be eaten is I can avoid it..." Rogar suggests

@Zinkyudo: Knowledge (dungeoneering) if the others can make a DC 18 Perception.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Where? I do not see anything" Deaglan responds, but he knows that his eyes are not the best.

straining her eyes Xarkyn peers into the designated area...Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 and does not see the hazard...

Zinkyudo rolls his eyes, muttering, "If you want something done right..." He slips his bow off his shoulder, nocks an arrow, and says more clearly, "Try to take a closer look, there's three of them, all around the doorway. If you can't spot any of them, I'll start putting arrows in them."

"Lysaer, you've got sharp eyes, do you see them? And Rogar, um, well, I hope you're enjoying your day. We'll tell you when to swing your sword."

No offense intended, Rogar - you've just been consistently getting the worst rolls on Perception in this series! ;)

"Whoever is inside, come out without any weapons and show your hands."

Deaglan's defiant shout prompts whatever's hiding in the sand to start moving, revealing barbed tentacles and fanged maws.

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
___________________________________
Lysaer, Zinkyudo
Totally not sarlaccs
Deaglan, Rogar, Xarkyn

"I think the smart money is on moving back with you all, rather than have these things surround me," Zinkyudo observes before letting a single arrow fly and rejoining his companions.

Attack, then move action to get closer to party.

Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 2 = 18
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 4 = 13

Love the description of the beasties in the initiative tracker, DM!

Zinkyudo's arrows thunks harmlessly into the sand.

Botting Lysaer:

Lysaer bolsters himself with a spell and places himself between the group and the beasts. (Casting Divine Favour)

The tentacled beasts burrow steadily closer to your position.

Combat Round 1/2
Bold may act
___________________________________
Lysaer, Zinkyudo
Totally not sarlaccs
Deaglan, Rogar, Xarkyn

@Zinkyudo: It was all I could think about when I read the scenario :D

Xarkyn preps a readied action wither her bow in case one of the foes moves within 30 feet of the group and exposes itself...

Readied Action CLB+PBS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31…DMG: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Zinkyudo shakes his head at the poor shot, then lines up and fires three arrows at one of the approaching beasts.

Flurry at red.

Now can we make Knowledge checks? I assume everyone can see them now?

Flurry with Longbow, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 2 = 22
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 4 = 14

Flurry with Longbow, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 2 = 30
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 4 = 15

Flurry with Longbow, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 = 22
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 4 = 12

Deaglan takes out a potion and quaffs it. He quickly grows to twice his size.

Zinkyudo sinks three arrows into the nearest sand beast.

Combat Round 1/2
Bold may act
___________________________________
Lysaer, Zinkyudo
Totally not sarlaccs (red: 41 damage)
Deaglan (big), Rogar, Xarkyn (readying)

Anyone can make a Knowledge (dungeoneering) now.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Heeew... ugly!" Rogar says shooting a couple of arrows at the nearest overgrown desert bug.

Attack roll 01: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 -> Damage roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Attack roll 02: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 -> Damage roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Full attack against blue

Botting Lysaer again. I'll also send them a PM.

Deaglan recognizes the monstrosities as very big and healthy dust diggers. Giant and advanced. You have one question.

Rogar finds himself outside of his comfort zone, and his arrows fail to pierce the critter's tough hide.

Lysaer draws his own bow and lets loose an arrow.

Attack v red: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

The dust diggers storm closer, the easternmost's tentacles coming disturbingly close, but not before Xarkyn hits it with an arrow.

Combat Round 2/3
Bold may act
___________________________________
Lysaer, Zinkyudo, Xarkyn
Totally not sarlaccs (red: 48 damage; blue: 10)
Deaglan (big), Rogar

Rgar leaves his bow and advances towards the bluish desert bug slashing at it with his sword...

Attack roll: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26 -> Damage roll: 2d6 + 13 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 13 + 6 + 1 = 24

Zinkyudo unleashes another volley of arrows, glad that his companions have finally noticed the sand monsters!

Flurry at red.

Flurry with Longbow, Deadly Aim, PBS: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 2 + 1 = 31
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 4 + 1 = 16

Flurry with Longbow, Deadly Aim, PBS: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 2 + 1 = 23
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 4 + 1 = 14

Flurry with Longbow, Deadly Aim, PBS: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 + 1 = 13
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 4 + 1 = 13

Xarkyn takes a 5 ft step to her left and preps a bomb to throw... she takes aim, careful not to get the bomb close to Roger and throws it at the blue one...

Bombs+PBS vs touch AC; Excluding Rogars square: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30…DMG: 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 1) + 8 = 20

AoO v Rogar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Rogar dodges a tentacle as he advances to strike the dust digger, and Zinkyudo takes ot the one to the east with his first arrow. You can redirect your second arrow.

Xarkyn's bomb further wounds Rogar's foe.

Combat Round 2/3
Bold may act
___________________________________
Lysaer, Zinkyudo, Xarkyn
Totally not sarlaccs (blue: 54 damage)
Deaglan (big), Rogar

Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 DR If I get a question

With his God's luck flowing through him, Lysaer casts his bow into the sand and begins to rush around the Sand creatures, making use of Rogar's distraction as he flanks the beast, drawing forth the best blade for the job from it's polished scabbard. With a Roar to match the devil mimicked by his exquisitely wrought armour, Lysaer chops at the beast.

Greatsword, Luck, P.A, flank: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 32 for damage: 2d6 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 12 + 2 = 19

Cold Iron or Magic Silver as appropriate

Edited

Deaglan sees Lysaer cut down the dust digger and moves closer to the others

double move

Possible AoO (Reach 20), Power attack: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 14 - 2 = 25
Damage: 3d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 8 + 6 = 25