qwerty71 |
Crypt of the Everflame
Almost 200 years ago, when the land that was to become Nirmathas was still a vassal of the empire of Cheliax, the northern reaches of the Fangwood were a wild and untamed place. The crusades that laid low the Whispering Tyrant to the north were a distant memory, and those who remained were intent upon keeping the orcs of Belkzen and the remaining undead from Ustalav in check. As a result, the great forest was full of danger, from marauding orcs to deadly predators, making it unsafe for merchants hoping to trade with the growing community of Skelt in the foothills of the Mindspin Mountains to the west.
Ekat Kassen was a crusader and fortune seeker who came to serve Lastwall in the year 4515 ar. While he fought with distinction, he soon realized that he wanted more from life and left the Lastwall military to find his fortune elsewhere. His travels took him all over the region around Lake Encarthan, and he decided to settle down in 4522 after a very profitable adventure. Using a sizable portion of his fortune, he set out to tame a small area of the Fangwood on the banks of the Tourondel River, making it a natural stopover for those traveling up and down the river to Skelt. For the next 10 years, the town, which was then known as Kassen’s Hold, grew and prospered.
All that changed when Asar Vergas came to Kassen’s Hold with a host of mercenaries under his command. Asar was an old companion of Ekat, and the two had traveled together for some time before splitting up just after Ekat’s last adventure. Over the years, Asar became sure that Ekat had cheated him after that adventure. Promising great wealth to his mercenaries, Asar raided the town relentlessly for 2 months. Finally, the townsfolk managed to locate Asar’s camp in an ancient crypt deep in the forest, and Ekat himself went out to deal with his old companion. The battle was terribly bloody, with only a few townsfolk coming back to tell the tale. In the end, Asar was slain and his mercenaries scattered, but Ekat suffered a mortal wound. He died 2 days later, on the 11th day of Neth, 4535. In honor of their beloved founder, the townsfolk buried Kassen in the ancient crypt, interring his bones in a place of honor, above the simple sarcophagi used to inter Asar, his mercenaries, and the townsfolk that lost their lives in the bitter struggle. They placed an eternal flame above Kassen’s final resting place, so that all who visited might find warmth in the wilderness.
Over the years, the Crypt of the Everflame has become an important part of the history of the town, now simply called Kassen. The townsfolk view the crypt as a memorial to those difficult first years of the town’s history. Every autumn, a few of the townsfolk make a pilgrimage to the crypt to light a lantern from the flame and bring it back to town, where it is preserved all winter, a symbol of the town’s resilience. Most years, the town mayor and a group of dignitaries perform this quest. Every few years, however, a handful of younger townsfolk are given the honor of lighting the lantern. Many see this as a passage into adulthood, a taste of adventure before settling down to work and marriage. The quest starts out as a solemn ceremony in town, where the townsfolk gather to wish the adventurers luck, just as it was when Kassen himself left to fight the mercenaries. When the adventurers return a few days later, the town holds a great celebration in their honor. This also marks the final harvest celebration before the long winter.
This is the year for journey and adventure. Tomorrow is when a new group will set forth to claim the Everflame, prove their worth, and earn the praise of the town. Night has fallen upon Kassen but the warm glow of firelight washes out of the Seven Silvers. Inside the tavern our young adventurers find themselves guests to a hearty meal cooked by Trelvar Silvers himself. Several of the townsfolk are relaxing at nearby tables enjoying a final drink. There has been much talk among the elders, anecdotes of their own tales through the crypt. Though the line between what is made up and what is truth is blurred by the amber glasses of time and drink.
Six chairs sit at the central table. The pathfinders deemed this an important mission to assist this town in once again reclaiming their lost glory. You have assigned the task of completing the ceremony for the town to further the interests of the Pathfinders in the area.
Wanderlei Silva |
Dotting in.
I'm a maneuver master, so I have flurry of maneuvers instead of flurry of blows. From what I understand it functions the same as flurry of blows except one of the attacks is substituted for a combat maneuver. such as Overrun, Grapple, or whatever. Just something to be aware of.
Wanderlei Silva |
A short but extremely thick looking dwarf approaches the table. He is unarmored, save for barbed vest over his monk's outfit. A battleaxe and a sawback temple sword dangle from his belt. he has some vermin repellent in his pocket and a flask of alchemists fire in his backpack. Pinned to the sash of his monk's outfit is the Wayfinder he earned during his confirmation.
It should be found under my sessions completed listing. I can also email you a photo of the chronicle sheet for "The Confirmation" if needed.
He carries a backpack filled with 200 feet of silk rope, and another 50 feet of hope loosely tied to his belt for quick access. Also inside the backpack are a grappling hook, six iron pitons, a hammer, some caltrops and 529 pieces of unspent gold.
The Dwarf approaches the table and silently sits down, waiting for his fellow pathfinders to arrive.
Chella Heireen |
An halfling young girl, with both a kind and determined look on her face, enters the tavern and gives the innkeeper and the patrons a small friendly nod before sitting at the table. She is clad in a studded leather armor and carries a buckler, a longsword and a light crossbow. A silver medal showing a longsword wreathed in a burst of light hangs from her neck, a holy symbol of Iomedae for those who recognize it.
"My name is Chella" she says to the dwarf while starting her meal. "I guess we have to wait for the other pathfinders to come before going to that crypt."
Necress Nyx |
Nearby stands a fellow Pathfinder, a beautiful lithe female with long black hair and pale skin. She wears scale armor and carries a large wooden shield, in addition to a club made from the femur of some large humanoid creature.
Despite her attractive appearance, something seems...off. There is an eerie feel about her. A villager falls and drops a load of apples behind her, but she does not react. It is suddenly clear that the woman is deaf.
She observes the other Pathfinders, then turns and looks at no one in particular, scowls, and rolls her eyes.
"Shut up," she whispers to no one.
Wanderlei Silva |
Wanderlei, having grown tired of waiting around for the others, has already began to fill his stomach with the food and drink presented at the feast.
He pauses and gives a brief, wordless acknowledgment of the others arrival by nodding at each of them before returning to his food.
About time these guys showed up. I hope they're better at fighting than at being punctual.
Tametomo Buruzuai |
A young man who smells of eastern perfume bows at each introductions, showing yet no expression on his face. He's dressed in hide armor, showing the picture of a black horse, and wears a greatsword and a longbow on his back. His long and black hair are tied together so as not to disturb him when he fights.
"Tametomo. Greetings." he says with a slight accent.
Wanderlei Silva |
Name's Wanderlei Silva. The dwarf says in a gruff voice in between bites of food and sips of ale.
He turns to the small halfling girl, who's cheerfulness stands out among the awful gruff and sullen group.
Chella? can you find out any rumors from the locals here? I think they might find you more... lets say approachable.
Chella Heireen |
"It's a good idea, master dwarf" the halfelin answers. "It is wise indeed to gather information before delving into unknown territory."
Once she finish eating, she closes her eyes a few seconds as if she is praying and, suddenly, a light, golden halo surrounds her right hand. She touches her forehead with it and, as the light gradually fades away, gets up from the table and approaches a few townfolks. "Good evening, good sirs. As you certainly know, me and my companions are sent by the honorable Pathfinder Society to assist the town of Kassen in performing the Crypt of the Everflame's quest. We would be very interested to hear any useful anecdodes or tales you could tell us about the crypt itself and its surrounding area. Please accept our invitation to have a drink at our table."
If needed, I take 10 on the Diplomacy check for a total of 18 (including Touch of Glory bonus).
Rye |
A half-orc with dark hair wearing scale mail and a great sword strung across his back introduces himself as he takes one of the 6 seats at the central table.
"Greeting, I am Rye."
(He clearly isn't a man of many words)
Irelia Surtova |
A woman with proud bearing and beautifully cut clothing joins the others at the table. She does not look armed and her beauty is both stunning and icy cold.
"Greetings." She says shortly and moves to an open seat at the table. She sits back in her chair and looks at the others intensely before sighing audibly.
"My name is Irelia. I dapple in arcane spellcasting. I expect that the burlier of you can keep any monsters and beasts away from me while I support you with spells."
Jolly's arcanist, will fill up her stats tomorrow
qwerty71 |
The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday 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. 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 let 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? Where are our Pathfinder guests?”
Wanderlei Silva |
We are here. We shall retrieve the flame. Wanderlei says in a gruff voice.
Necress Nyx |
Necress watches the mayor's lips carefully.
Like Rye, she does not speak when she stands up, but when she stands so does the hair on each townsperson's neck.
qwerty71 |
"And which of you will have the honor of carrying the flame?" he asks the group? A lantern is then brought forward by an elder man.
Wanderlei Silva |
If no one objects, I'll take it. I'm a monk, so I can still make unarmed strikes and AOO's even with both hands full. On the other hand, maybe the light source would be more useful for someone without darkvision. If you'd prefer to take it, please chime in and say why you want it.
I shall carry the lantern, unless a fellow pathfinder has any objections.
Irelia Surtova |
"No that is fine dwarf. Now shall we leave? I do have a big social gathering next week I would like to attend."
Wanderlei Silva |
Did Chella find out anything interesting from the locals? If not we're probably moving out.
Irelia Surtova |
knowledge history: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
knowledge local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
I think I know quite a lot ;).
Once the group has left the town, Irelia informs everyone of what she knows about the history of the town, Kassen's tomb and the Everflame. She does this in quite a manner of fact fashion. It clearly annoys her that she is among others as well educated as her.
qwerty71 |
The elder hands the lantern to the dwarf and tells him to use it to bring the fire back to Kassen. He then hands each character 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 following items are spread out among the PCs’ backpacks, distributed as evenly as possible: 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.
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! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. 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 with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.
Ekat Kassen was a crusader and fortune seeker who came
to serve Lastwall in the year 4515 "#. While he fought
with distinction, he soon realized that he wanted more
from life and le$ the Lastwall military to find his fortune
elsewhere. His travels took him all over the region around
Lake Encarthan, and he decided to settle down in 4522
a$er a very profitable adventure. Using a sizable portion
of his fortune, he set out to tame a small area of the
Fangwood on the banks of the Tourondel River, making
it a natural stopover for those traveling up and down the
river to Skelt. For the next 10 years, the town, which was
then known as Kassen’s Hold, grew and prospered.
All that changed when Asar Vergas came to Kassen’s
Hold with a host of mercenaries under his command. Asar
was an old companion of Ekat, and the two had traveled
together for some time before splitting up just a$er Ekat’s
last adventure. Over the years, Asar became sure that Ekat
had cheated him a$er that adventure. Promising great
wealth to his mercenaries, Asar raided the town relentlessly
for 2 months. Finally, the townsfolk managed to locate
Asar’s camp in an ancient crypt deep in the forest, and
Ekat himself went out to deal with his old companion.
The battle was terribly bloody, with only a few townsfolk
coming back to tell the tale. In the end, Asar was slain
and his mercenaries scattered, but Ekat su!ered a mortal
wound. He died 2 days later, on the 11th day of Neth, 4535.
In honor of their beloved founder, the townsfolk buried
Kassen in the ancient crypt, interring his bones in a place
of honor, above the simple sarcophagi used to inter Asar,
his mercenaries, and the townsfolk that lost their lives in
the bitter struggle. They placed an eternal flame above
Kassen’s final resting place, so that all who visited might
find warmth in the wilderness
Wanderlei Silva |
Can I drop the backpack as a free action in a combat situation? I can definitely carry all the stuff, but no way am I going have light encumbrance, which a monk desperately needs. I've already got about 250 feet of rope in my own masterwork backpack.
Let's move out. We'll make camp at the crack of dawn each day. He says to the group. Wanderlei then activates his Wayfinder so those without lowlight vision will be able to see him at night.
Necress Nyx |
After the group moves out, Necress trudges along quietly.
She finishes a snide remark to the air and turns to her fellow Pathfinders. She hasn't said much, if anything, so far on the journey.
"I should have you all know," she says, "that I am deaf."
Surprisingly, she speaks with remarkable clarity.
"I have only been deaf for a few years. I can speak, but cannot hear a word you say, or anything, for that matter."
Except for all of you! Your incessant babbling would drive the strongest mind to insanity!
"If you have anything to say to me, I can read lips...please ensure that I am looking at you if you have anything to say that I need to know."
qwerty71 |
The party travels down the path using the map as a guide. It is roughly two hours since the party left the town and the party is now accustomed to the weight of the backpacks and have engaged in witty banter. 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.
Wanderlei: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Tametomo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Irelia: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Chella: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Necress: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Rye: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Orcs: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
COMBAT 1st Round
Tametomo
Wanderlei
Necress
Orcs
Rye
Chella
Irelia
pls put your icons on the map and position yourselves along the trail
Tametomo Buruzuai |
Tametomo swiftly draws his longbow and silently fires an arrow at the left humanoid. red
Longbow, PBS: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 for Arrow: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 -_-
Wanderlei Silva |
Orcs, of all the vile beasts to encounter. I thought we'd at least make it to the crypt before we had to fight Wanderlei thinks to himself.
Wordlessly he walks toward the orc that tatamoro shot at and delivers a vicious headbutt right into the orc's chest.
Improved unarmed strike: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
the +1 modifer is from my Dwarven hatred bonus. By the way, what are the orcs armed with/holding? I have a wayfinder light plus my darkvision, so I should have zero issues seeing them.
P.S. google "zidane headbutt" if you doubt a headbutt to the chest can hurt.
qwerty71 |
i saw that match it was a flop.
the orcs are armed with falchions...
Wanderlei Silva |
I watched it too. It was the Italian Soccer team so they react to basically all contact like they were shot with a sniper rifle. But I think Zidane made pretty damn good contact. Also, nice to meet another MMA fan :) Anyway Back to character.
When Wanderlei makes contact he braces head for impact. Yet, for some reason, he hardly feels a thing.
Something isn't quite right here. Orcs wouldn't just pop up from behind a log and taunt. They'd just charge at us. I can't quite explain it... This just feels off. Are there really Orcs here? Wanderlei says to the group.
Wanderlei tries to see if there's anything skulking in the forest behind them.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Rye |
I will be away most of the weekend, so since I'm not up and I don't want to slow down the game...When I'm up I will (if possible)move to one of the enemies, drawing my sword as I go and take a swing at it
Pre-rolled to hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage if hit: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 5) + 7 = 16
Irelia Surtova |
"I'll leave these guys to you. I'm sure you can handle yourself against a lame bunch of orcs." Irelia says, though she does draw her crossbow and loads it just in case.
qwerty71 |
until others pass a DC 16 WIL check they believe the orcs are real...you get +4 for the monk alerting you of the illusion possibility...
Rye: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 4 = 19
Irelia: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 4 = 13
Tametomto: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 4 = 20
Chella: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 = 16
Necress: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 4 = 24
The three orcs move to engage the dwarf with nasty looking falchions... and they all succeed in hitting the monk, however he seems to be ignoring their vicious attacks...and then the party realizes the orcs are just illusions and pose no real threat...except for Irelia who still believes the orcs are real.
if you get over that i will tell you
Wanderlei Silva |
Anyone else care to roll a perception check?
Wanderlei Silva |
If allowed.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
qwerty71 |
The party believes the orcs are not real and soon, after hitting the party for no effect, the orcs lose interest and walk into the woods and then dissipate...
Wanderlei Silva |
Silva doesn't see anyone but he has can smell something very familiar. He turns to face the party to ensure Necress can read his lips and points to smoke emanating from a bush.
A Kessan wizard named Holgast was smoking something that smelled exactly like that. He knows we're here and where we are so lets not screw around. Silva says.
Holgast! Whatever you're smoking in that pipe smells terrible! Are you gonna come out and explain the parlor trick? Or are we drag you out of that bush! Silva yells in the direction of the smoke.
I figure he technically didn't hurt us, so I'm not going to give him the Gracie killer treatment. Yet.
Irelia Surtova |
"How droll...." Irelia comments dryly.
Wanderlei Silva |
Silva glares at Irelia.
My dear lady. Perhaps you could use your brillant mind to come up with a superior plan? Silva says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Perhaps you two oughta chat and swap parlor tricks?
Irelia Surtova |
Irelia dismisses the dwarf with a wave of her hand. "Clearly he is just here to provide us with a little excitement. This lighting the flame is something the townspeople do yearly, probably something as a coming of age ritual. Odd are that Holgast is here so that we do not grow bored with the treck.
Come on let's continue. If we want to make it before dark we still have some walking to do." She says and advances forward.