Maaarv Bergavsten |
Maaarv checking in. Currently Level 4 Alchemist, but will be level 5 by the time we start.
I'll try to keep the fun clean for our paladin. ;)
Elen Kozan |
Elen checking in. Currently still level 1, but will hit level 2 between scenarios. Aasimar Mysterious Stranger heading for an early entry Eldritch Knight. Elen's a hero, but he's no Paladin. (NG, personality loosely based on Harry Dresden.)
Maaarv Bergavsten |
I hope you guys don't mind that Maaarv will be level 5. Since we'll still be in low tier, I can focus on using my rapier and crossbow - breaking out the alchemist bombs if we find ourselves in a tight spot.
Tristan Zanderholm |
Tristan played in local, live PFS game today and advanced to 3rd level. Does that matter for our tier purposes? If Maarv is level 5, I assume you don't have issues with playing out-of-tier?
If I need to step aside, I understand.
DM Feral |
The Pathfinder Society has turned its attention to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament—a world-renowned fighting competition, held once every ten years in the city of Goka on the eastern continent of Tian Xia. More specifically, the Decemvirate is interested in the incredible prizes available to the tournament’s winner — a choice of treasure from the legendary vaults of Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix herself. As part of the preparations for the tournament, Pathfinder Society agents have been deployed across the Inner Sea and beyond to seek out forgotten lore, allies, and magical items to be used by the Society’s tournament representatives.
Venture-Captain Amara Li, leader of the Lantern Lodge and Goka native, has uncovered information about one such item hidden amid the reaches of the Wall of Heaven — an Iroran relic known as the Braid of a Hundred Masters. Organizing the search from her base in the Dragon Empires, she intends to send a group of Pathfinders to the high mountain range in search of the braid’s ancient home: the Clouded Path Monastery.
The two-week-long journey to the mountains began in the cosmopolitan city of Goka, passed through the surrounding villages and farmlands, and led thousands of feet up into the tallest mountain range on Golarion; all that remains is the final day’s journey up from the base camp.
This scenario begins in media res but you guys can do knowledge checks to get some retroactive info. I'm looking for geography and local/diplomacy.
Elen Kozan |
(Untrained) Knowledge (Geography): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 (max 10)
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Tyraneus |
Did you want my lvl 2 cleric of Sarenrae or do you mind if I play a lvl 1 divine hunter?
DM Feral |
Nobody has seen the monks of the Clouded Path Monastery in years. In the past, the monastery often sent a small group of them to the mountain’s base camp to trade for the goods the monks could not produce for themselves in the harsh mountain environment.
A demon of ice and snow made flesh, called Shang Xu by locals, prowls the mountains. Since the monks disappeared, it has come down to raid the farms and villages on several occasions.
Tristan Zanderholm |
Tristan asks the locals what they might know of the Clouded Path Monastery or what to expect on the climb up to that exalted place. His fresh good looks, honest approach, and righteous manner allow him to interact well with most folks in the Inner Sea, but here in Goka, he is a bit of a fish out of water, and his Iomedaen references fall mainly on deaf ears.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Ragnar Trollbiter |
Ragnar wipes his nose and belches up something from last nights mead.
"This last mountain path seems formidable..."
Know Nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Know Geography: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Know Local: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Turning to the makeshift tent/tavern's barkeep,
"Know anything about that stretch up to the monastery?"
Diplo: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Elen Kozan |
Not much for long hikes, but it's certainly an impressive view up here. Not sure if I want to find the Shang Xu or not - it'd be good to get rid of a dangerous predator, but if we get killed we can't do the job.
Elen will have shared what little he knows during the trip so far.
The Wall of Heaven — the tallest and longest mountain range on Golarion — creates a formidable barrier, separating Tian Xia from the west, save for a natural gap located near the city of Goka.
Nobody has seen the monks of the Clouded Path Monastery in years. In the past, the monastery often sent a small group of them to the mountain’s base camp to trade for the goods the monks could not produce for themselves in the harsh mountain environment.
A demon of ice and snow made flesh, called Shang Xu by locals, prowls the mountains. Since the monks disappeared, it has come down to raid the farms and villages on several occasions.
Tyraneus |
I am here would you like my lvl 2 cleric of Sarenrae or would you mind if I play my lvl 1 divine hunter?
Kalendir |
Kalendir reaches the mountain pass and finally Goka where he begins to assist some of the local residents with minor tasks to make their lives a little more easier to handle. While assisting he starts small conversations with each one asking about what to expect on their journey.
diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
This is Tyraneus
Kalendir |
Sounds good to me Ragnar Kalendir states grabbing his pack and longbow.
DM Feral |
It’s not much longer before the party reaches their destination.
The base camp site, only a few hundred feet above the forest line that covers the lower reaches of the Wall of Heaven, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding farmlands, far below. The half-flooded terraced
farmlands appear silver and mirrored in the late afternoon light. The camp itself is little more than a trio of unmaintained wooden shacks surrounding the remnants of a large firepit and a fallen wooden corral fence to the east.
The party’s guides, a pair of middle-aged tian assigned by the Lantern Lodge, begin diligently preparing for the evening meal when suddenly a hostile animal growl fills the chilly mountain air.
Elen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Kalendir: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Ragnar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Tristan: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Emerging from one of the poorly maintained shacks is a lean muscular feline. It growls as it advances on the intruders within its domain.
Before the party can muster a defense, the big cat bounds across the snowy earth and pounces on Elen.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Bite: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Rake: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Rake: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Confirming Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12
Extra Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Confirming Rake: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 = 20
Extra Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
In a flurry of claws and fangs, the aasimar is overwhelmed and crumbles to the snow in a bloody heap. Looks like 18 damage total.
I'll get a map up in a bit. The party is up.
Ragnar Trollbiter |
Seeing his comrade being torn to shreds Ragnar quickly draws his blade and attacks the kitty.
Pwr attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 1 = 19Dmg: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8
Elen Kozan |
Nice kitty. Nice... ouch! OW! OW! DAMMIT! AAAGKKC... gurgle... spurt
Stabilize roll: 1d20 + 1 - 7 ⇒ (16) + 1 - 7 = 10
Kalendir |
Kaledir knocks an arrow in his longbow aimed directly at the large cat and lets the arrow fly
Precise shot and Point blank shot
Ranged attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Tristan Zanderholm |
Tristan charges the man-eating feline shouting his battle cry "For Iomedae!" as he rushes forward.
Charge 15' to Y19 diagonally. Attack with Charge bonus and -2 to AC after. AC will be 19 for next round.
Tristan Longsword, Charge: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 21
Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ragnar Trollbiter |
Grunting, Ragnar moves the beast off Elen,
"Don't feed the animals."
Without wiping his blade, Ragnar begins lumbering to the shack the beast emerged from.
Carefully walking...at least as carefully as he can...
Perc: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Then peaking inside.
Tristan Zanderholm |
Exhaling loudly, Tristan wipes the lifeblood of the beast off onto it's fur, and kneels down beside the fallen aasimar. "It appears the blood of angels couldn't protect you, fair Elen. Let us see if Iomedae finds favor with you."
He prays devoutly to The Inheritor, invoking her will to aid the stricken man who would help dispense justice.
Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Kalendir |
By the gods Elen! Are you alright?Kalendir states as he wipes the sweat from his brow.
Tristan Zanderholm |
Seeing that his wounds are more greivous than anticipated, Tristan takes out his cure wand, and taps the fallen man a few more times, trying still to revive him.
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Sorry, I didn't realize you'd fallen so far. No true healer in the group, so I'll be using my trusty wand as I can.
Kalendir |
this is first scenario with this character so no wand yet. After this one I will have one though
Elen Kozan |
Thank you my friend. Hopefully there will be no more hungry cats; I thought I was kibble for certain. Still, it might be wiser if I start walking a bit further back with my weapon ready.
That said, Elen unholsters his gun and keeps it ready when the group approaches the buildings.
Kalendir |
Kalendir takes the wand from Ragnar.Thanks my friend I shall put this to good use. Myself and Elen shall hold up the rear with my bow and his gun you will have nothing to fear.
DM Feral |
Inside the shack, Ragnar finds signs that the cat had been denning in there for a while (spoor, leftover bones, etc) but no other creatures.
Seeing the short but fierce battle between the party and the big cat, the guides are visibly spooked. They shout at one another in their native tongue before settling on something and speaking to the party in broken common. It seems the attack was seen as an ill omen and they believe the mountain doesn't want to see the party go any further. The guides refuse to take you any further but they will provide you with maps and directions so you can get yourselves the rest of the way.
Kalendir |
Are you sure that you will not be able to guide us the rest of the way?
diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
If not I understand.Kalenir states as he reaches a hand out to take the roughly drawn maps that the guides have provided. Is there anything that you will be able to tell us about the route ahead?
Kalendir |
Well I shall leave my fate to Erostil's willKaldir states and thanks the guides for leading us this far and the maps.
Elen Kozan |
I'm sure that there have been worse beginnings to great expeditions.
Probably.
Somewhere.
Elen takes a look at the maps the guides left behind.
I can probably get us there using these maps, but do we press on, or stay here for the night? The shelter and fire could make the difference between staying alive or not if the weather turns.
Ragnar Trollbiter |
Ragnar pulls out a knife and begins skinning the lion.
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Looking up and growling angrily at the deserters,
"We can get to and fro...now who's going to cook this meat?"
Kalendir |
I would agree to staying overnight. There is no need to travel this mountain pass in the darkness with very little light. It would bewiser to wait until the first light.
DM Feral |
The party makes camp and the night passes uneventfully. The following morning, the group picks up and resumes the trek.
After hiking for roughly an hour through a low crevasse, the valley ends in a high rock wall. A large crack, forty feet up the wall, looks large enough to allow an adult human through. Several small cracks and holes dot the entire surface of the rock wall. A rock overhang, ten feet above the gash, acts as a natural roof, sheltering the immediate area from the elements.
The guide's map indicates that the path forward is about forty feet up the cliff.