[PFS] Crypt of the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master StephNyan

Kendra's perks up at the mention of the undead.

"I want you to enter the crypt and clear it of all dangers it now holds," the mayor responds. "The crypt should be a monument all of the townsfolk can visit whenever they feel like it, as it's part of our heritage. It should also be a safe haven for travelers, instead of a death trap."

"None of the townsfolk have gone missing in recent times. The records aren't clear on how many people were entombed in the crypt, sorry."

"I should let you know that the pranksters had already visited the crypt about a week ago, to make a head start with the installation of fake traps. They didn't notice anything strange going on back then, only when they returned a few days ago. They didn't enter the crypt after discovering the corpses, but you may want to avoid triggering any of the traps they'd already installed in the first half of the crypt. The traps aren't harmful, but some make noise when triggered and that may alert whatever lurks inside..."

The mayor smiles wryly. "I have one more request, and it may sound a bit silly. I hope you don't mind though. You see, it's not often that we have Pathfinders visiting our town, and the discovery of the corpses has shaken the townsfolk quite a bit. Would you be willing to head off to the crypt in the same fashion we have our local 'adventurers' do so every year? You're real adventurers after all, and I think it'll raise the people's spirits when they can see you off and later see you return with the flame from the crypt."

Giri holds up his hand, looking a bit scared.
"Noooo tsk srrrrending off."
He shifts away from everyone on his chair, showing he feel really uncomfortable.

Kendra listens to the mayor then see' Giri protest before she speaks.

"All due respect Mr Mayor, but we aren't really in it to put on a spectacle for the townsfolk. I know very well how small towns think and I don't think they'd be as open minded to my friend Giri here. Maybe it's more something the Sarenraean and our other companion would be more suited for."

Giri nods, glad that someone backs him up. He relaxes a bit.
"Wrrrres."

Kyra smiles. "I would gladly led this procession for your people to bolster their spirits. The Dawnflower would expect nothing less of her devoted followers. I support my companions that wish not to be involved; however, I will be involved. What say you, Lady Rime?"

Crystal looks over at her two companions: Of course they want to ruin our chance for fame and glory, I wouldn't want to be the focus of attention if I looked like them either.

But she simply smiles and says:
I say let the people see us off. If seeing real adventures raise their spirits, why should we not be on display? After all it would provide much conversation and excitement for the town and raise the prestige of the whole society when we succeed.

And as for our two companions, Mayor, I suggest you simply put out that some of the Pathfinders are rather exotic before we have this ritual. That way the people know to expect something amazing and when Giri shows up he is a source of excitement and not fear.

"I'd hate for you to feel uncomfortable about this," mayor Uptal says to Giri, sympathetic to the grippli's feelings. "Perhaps we can play into this sense of mystery Lady Rime mentioned and give you a hooded robe, so people don't actually see you? Does that sound better?"

"It's not a terribly long affair. You'll just head onto the town square, I'll give a brief speech and wish you luck, then one of you could perhaps say something encouraging to the good people, and you'll be off."

Giri glares angrily at lady Rime, his opinion on human nobles dropping to rock bottom. He doesn't object to the plan however. He thinks he needs to get used to humans, strange though they are...

Kendra nudges Giri with her elbow and gives him a thumbs up acknowledging it'll be alright.

"Anything happens I've got your back. And so does Lady Rime, ain't that right." Kendra states giving a stern look at Crystal.

This ceremony is intended to give hope to all people. That includes you Giri.

Mayor Uptal, other then one of us given a brief speech and being the focus of attention, is there anything else that this ceremony will require of us? I'm sure you want all your Pathfinders to be at their best, so we don't want to start inauspiciously by pushing our shy companion too far so he is distracted when we get to your true problem.

The mayor shakes his head. "Nothing else. Just look the part and the townsfolk will be impressed."

Mayor Uptal gets out of his chair and walks over to the door. "I'll arrange your rooms for tonight. All single rooms, I presume? Oh, and may I invite you for dinner at my home this evening?"

"Sounds good to me. I could eat a linnorm." Kendra says as she exits.

Going to push this part forward, if you don't mind.

You leave the town hall and follow the mayor to comfortable looking two-story inn and tavern named the Seven Silvers. There the mayor arranges for each of you to get a private room. That evening you join mayor Uptal and his wife for dinner. In between the small talk he's obviously sizing you up.

Later that evening you head to your rooms at the Seven Silvers, and go to bed. The next morning you wake up by knocks on your doors.

"Are you coming, adventurers?" the mayor's voice asks from outside your rooms. "One hour till the moment we'll see you off."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Crystal gets up early and makes sure that her dress is spotless (via Prestidigitation), hair is well done, her makeup is light and her overall look is perfect even before the mayor knocks. Except for her practical clothing, You would think she was going to a dance rather then exploring some dusty crypt.
We must maintain our proper station before the unwashed bumpkins, after all.

She finishes well before the Mayor arrives, but amuses herself by freezing the water in her washbasin and then carving a simple picture into the top with her dagger.

I really should have learned ice carving when I had a chance. Maybe someday when I have free time...

After the mayor knocks, she gives a suitable few minutes before sweeping down into the common room to eat a light breakfast and let herself be seen by the common folk as she waits for her companions.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

In the morning Giri prepares himself by doing his morning exercise routine. Afterwards he throws a cloak over his normal attire, a loincloth and chainmail. He exits the room and follows the mayor to the other rooms.

Kendra hears the knocking and calls of the mayor and groans, lifting her head from the bed.

"Yeah yeah I'm coming." she thinks to herself.

Getting out of bed she stretches out a bit, then washes up and don's her leathers and gear before taking up her dark bladed axe.

Moving to the center of the room she goes through s series of swings with her axe, designed to loosen up her muscles for the day.

lastly she slings her back over her shoulder and heads out the door and down the corridor.

I'm giving Abdi/Kyra one more day to react to everything that's happened so far before we'll move forward.

Hey guys, I'm very sorry. Had serious issues with my phone/internet service getting completely screwed the past few days. All is sorted now.

Kyra rises with the dawn and completes her daily devotions to Sarerae, beseeching to the goddess for her specific blessings for the day. As such, she is already prepared for the knock upon her door. "Coming, good sir. I am ready, let us proceed."

When you arrive at the town square, you find it empty. After a while the bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful. It's quite evident the townsfolk are troubled by what's recently transpired. After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with backpacks and supplies.

Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk. "Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter?"

At this point the mayor pauses to let you come forth, to announce yourselves and accept your mission.

Kendra steps from the crowd, pulling her cloak aside and subtly casting a spell to create a wind to dramatically cause her cloak to billow she announces "I am Kendra Ventari, and I will take up this cause for you and the people, as many other brave souls and free spirits have before me."

"I think that was significantly imprerssive." she thinks and a smirk forms on her lips.

Ahhh. She took the glory. Teach me to be slow... but the game is not won...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
And her companions shall support her!
People of Kassel, you need not fear the wolves in the wood, the snake in the grass, nor the rumor of dark things that lurk hiding in the tomb. We Pathfinders have come to light the dark places and make safe what is this town's by right. We will make sure what happened to the stranger happens to no one else.

Make no mistake, we will return with the light, as those before us have done and your children shall do next year. This I Lady Rime, and my companions do swear.

There that can keep the frog from having to croak and ruining the moment...

Giri tries to stand tall, as to aid the other pathfinders. He remains under his cloak and hidden.

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Kendra taps Giri on his cloaked shoulder for reassurance.

There are curious whispers when Kendra announces herself. The people have no idea who exactly you are, but they're intrigued. Crystal's announcement of you being Pathfinders sends a wave of awe through the crowd, and the whispers grow to a murmur. Some curious eyes look at the mysterious cloaked figure that is Giri, who easily gets away with just being mysterious. Kyra's the last to speak up, and sends another wave of awe through the gathered crowd when she speaks of her devotion to Sarenrae and her determination to see the mission finished successfully.

The crowd quiets down when mayor Uptal takes the lantern and raises it. "That leaves me a single question, Pathfinders. Who is to have the honor of carrying the lantern?"

Kyra steps forward to take the offering. "As I am a servant of the Goddess of Light, I will carry the torch and bear it proudly in the name of your ancestors' sacrifice. Sarenrae will not allow us to fail in the darkness when She can banish it with her mere presence." With that, Kyra will cast Light upon the torch to empower her statement. "We will restore your place of honor."

Giri follows the procession out of town, trying to keep as far away from hands that could pull back his cloak.

The mayor hands the lantern to Kyra. "Then take this lantern, Kyra. May the Dawnflower help you preserve the light of the Everflame!"

He then hands each of you a backpack that contains 5 days’ worth of rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, a full waterskin, and a piece of the Trail Map that leads from Kassen to the Crypt of the Everflame. In addition, the mayor gives you some more items that may be of use: 50 feet of hempen rope, a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs, a labeled potion of cure light wounds, three torches, a grappling hook, and a small bottle of local brandy.

Make it known if you carry one of the additional items. You can't pull a tindertwig from your backpack during combat if you don't carry it. The items no one takes will be randomly given to people, using dice rolls.

I've added a picture of your Trial Map to the map for this game. Click 'Pick-a-game run' below my name to access the map.

Crystal picks up a backpack and looks at the rest of the random items.
I'll carry the two bottles to make sure they don't break.

She points and motions with her fingers and the bottle of whiskey and healing potion float over and go into her pack by themselves. Then she puts the pack on her back and waits for the others.

Giri stares wide-eyed at Crystal as she hovers the items over to her. After regaining his composure he looks over the items and picks up some trial rations, leaving everything else in the bag. He takes a good look at the map and nods to himself, ready to go.

Seeing that she is likely the strongest of the group, Kyra offers to take the extra items into her backpack (the torches, tinder/tindertwigs, grappling hook, etc). "Thank you Mayor! We shall return victorious. Have faith in the power of the Light!" With that, she turns to hear companions with a nod. "Let us be off."

The mayor once again speaks to the townsfolk. "I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire."

With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb. The townsfolk begin waving goodbye. Most are rather cheerful now they know the matter's being handled by Pathfinders, but some look at you with cold, solemn looks on their faces.

Just 2 hours outside of Kassen the narrow path winds through the raking claws of the trees, now bereft of their leaves, which crunch loudly underfoot. Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path. Suddenly a trio of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.

"Your mother's big boned! Bwahaha!"

"Pwahahaaa! Your nose is crooked!"

"Gharharhar! You stink like old socks!"

I've added a map to the link.

Round 1:
Crystal
Blue Orc
Kyra
Red Orc
Kendra
Giri
Green Orc

@Kendra: The others have been playing with me for some time, but below's some info you'll want to know.

You're up when your name's bold. If multiple names are bold, you don't have to wait for the player above you in the initiative order to post. We make use of initiative blocks, meaning actions will resolve in the order they've been posted when multiple names are bold. If you want your character to act after someone else's, just write that in your post.

Also, we generally use maps for combat. It'd be greatly appreciated if you'd move your token when your character moves! :)

Okay cool. Got it. :) I don't see the link for the map though.

It's under his name, the pick-a-game run link is in between season 0 and crimson throne.

Giri scratches his head, not sure what the ugly creatures are.

Ah, see it. Thanks!

Hearing the insults, the air around Crystal's clenched fists start to steam.

However her face and voice remain perfectly calm.
My nose is crooked you green skinned midget?

Crystal raises her hand and a jagged shard of ice flys at the green goblin.
Elemental Ray (touch): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Begone, and bother us with you pathetic whining no more!

The orc who insulted Crystal gets an ice shard in his face and cries out in pain: "The crooked nose witch hurt me!"

"I'll get her for you, brother!" the orc with the blue pants yells as he moves up to Crystal, his greataxe high above his head.

Greataxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

He swings his greataxe, but the weapon's blade gets stuck in a nearby branch. "Oh noes! She's using her evil sorcery on my arms!"

Round 1:
Crystal
Blue Orc
Kyra
Red Orc
Kendra
Giri
Green Orc -3HP

Since it's been over 36 hours I'll bot Kyra

With one smooth motion Kyra draws Sarenrae's blessed blade and slashes at the blue orc right next to her,

Scimatar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Foul creature of darkness, face the light of Dawnbringer!

Thank you, Crystal! My wife has been sick the past few days so I've been helping take care of her and the little man on top of all my normal stuff. So I haven't had much energy left over at the end of the day.

Kyra draws her scimitar and attacks the blue orc with it, but her attack is dodged.

Greataxe, Charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" the red orc yells as he charges toward Kyra, then slams his greataxe into the ground in front of her.

Round 1:
Crystal
Blue Orc
Kyra
Red Orc
Kendra
Giri
Green Orc -3HP

Kendra reaches back and draws her axe and takes a swing at the orc in red.
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Could someone post for Giri? He's currently unable to post. It's your game to play, so I'd rather not do it.

Giri draws two daggers and hops over to a place he can easily move into a flanking position next round.

Can someone move Giri two squares south of Crystal? He should be able to 5' step into a flanking position next round and full attack. But with needing A move action to draw weapons, I couldn't figure out s good way to attrack this round.

Kendra draws her axe and takes a far too wild swing at the red orc, missing it by several feet.

Giri draws two daggers and circles around Crystal, planning to flank the orcs.

Greataxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Tasty frog!" the green orc yells as he moves up to Giri and swings his greataxe at the grippli, but Giri steps aside and the attack misses.

Round 2:
Crystal
Blue Orc
Kyra
Red Orc
Kendra
Giri
Green Orc -3HP

Crystal steps back and quips:
Who's a witch you pig-nosed snitch?

Then she raises her palm and another shard of ice shoots out at the green orc who insulted her.
Elemental Ray (touch) - Shoot into Melee: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 4 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Then she draws a dagger.

5' step, standard: attack, move draw dagger

"Argh! The witch is speaking in riddles!" Crystal's target yells as he dodges her ray.

"She's trying to put a curse on us!" the blue orc responds, and steps up to Crystal. "Don't worry, I'll take her out!"

Greataxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

He proceeds to swing his greataxe, which again gets stuck in a branch. "Nooo! She's thwarted me agaaain!"

"No waaay! We're doooomed!"

Round 3:
Crystal
Blue Orc
Kyra
Red Orc
Kendra
Giri
Green Orc -3HP

Could someone post for Kyra?

"Disgusting brutes! Flee or face the wrath of The Dawnflower!" She slashes her scimitar at the face of one of the orcs!

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Kyra slashes her scimitar at the blue orc's face and disables it.

Greataxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

While the blue orc screams in pain, the red orc moves to attack Kyra. He swings his greataxe at her and hits her in her neck. Blood sprays into every direction as the orc pulls the axe out of the Massive wound.

Round 3:
Crystal
Blue Orc -6HP
Kyra 2/13HP
Red Orc
Kendra
Giri
Green Orc -3HP

"Get back here!" Kendra says and steps up with her axe to hit the orc that attacked Kyra.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 (What the hell!)
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

And ends up swing for the bushes instead.