Rise of the Runelords - GM Pablo (Inactive)

Game Master Stetrix

Something is afoot in Varisia. There have been a series of odd murders in a small town on the west coast called Sand Point and more recently the capital Magnimar, where even the lord-mayor was a target. A cult of serial murderers called the Skinsaw Men was uncovered and stopped. We have also received reports of more activity along the border.

I would like you to go see the lord-mayor of Magnimar. Assure him the Pathfinder society will do what we can to help him. Investigate these goings on and see if there is a common thread to all this unrest. We have a lot of interests in Varisia and would like to maintain the good graces of the government. I doubt the lord mayor will have you sitting around for long. It is a big place and inevitably something will need attention.

So how does that sound? A mission without a precise goal and with no guarantee of coin. Ha! Are you up for it?

Character Sheets.

Travel Map.

Treasure and Experience.

Magnimar.

Varisia Map.

Area Map.


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Something is afoot in Varisia. There have been a series of odd murders in a small town on the west coast called Sand Point and more recently the capital Magnimar, where even the lord-mayor was a target. A cult of serial murderers called the Skinsaw Men was uncovered and stopped. We have also received reports of more activity along the border.

We have several archaeological sites in the border area investigating the Thassilonian Empire’s ruins, in addition to the more well known monuments; The Cyphergate of Riddleport, the Irespan of Magnimar, the Grand Mastaba of Korvosa, and the Lady's Light in the Mushfens. In the past few hundred years, the magic protecting these structures has finally begun to fail, and have slowly been suffering from the normal effects of erosion. This has also made them more vulnerable to explorers and treasure seekers, who search for the lost treasures of their ancient owners. the Society naturally is involved lest some tomb raider release something horrible on all of Golarion.

In addition to the ruins, there are major caravan routes which crisscross the region and connect most of its major cities. Varisia has no real central government. It is a collection of independent city-states that each holds sway over a small collection of towns and villages, while the wilds on the edges of their territory (including most of the area on top of the Storval Plateau) is claimed by the Shoanti.” He nods at Anaba, “Perhaps you can stop by and visit your friends and family. Varisian politics is dominated by the competing aims of criminal Riddleport, ambitious Magnimar, and traditionalist Korvosa. The neutral Kaer Maga is often discounted altogether, and its inhabitants seem to prefer it that way.

I would like you to go see the lord-mayor of Magnimar. Assure him the Pathfinder society will do what we can to help him. Investigate these goings on and see if there is a common thread to all this unrest. We have a lot of interests in Varisia and would like to maintain the good graces of the government. I doubt the lord mayor will have you sitting around for long. It is a big place and inevitably something will need attention.

So how does that sound? A mission without a precise goal and with no guarantee of coin. Ha! Are you up for it?


Excellent I am glad to hear you will make the journey. Make of it what you can and send weekly reports back to me through Venture-captain Lady Sheila Heidmarch in the Pathfinder lodge in Magnimar. Stop by for a visit when you're in town to make your presence known as well.

Adril reaches into his jacket and produces six bags which should not fit in there. He passes out the full pouches to each of you and you can feel the heft of the coins. “To help you on your way, some traveling money and it should cover the expenses while in Varisia.”

Fernleaf takes a quick peek and it looks like 300gp each in platinum, gold and a few silver.

There is a ship leaving tomorrow at the first high tide - Dock 54, The Quaist’s Fortune. He winks “They are expecting you. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone check on your place from time to time while you are out. We don’t want another stray Deckland turning up do we.”

That evening you finish packing and making last minute arrangements with the couple who are managing the home affairs for you. In the morning you make your way to the docks and find a well appointed passenger ship “The Quaist”. You are shown to your cabins and the large ship is soon underway. There are stops every few days at various ports to load or unload passengers, supplies and cargo. The trip is enjoyable and uneventful and even affords time to disembark and do a little sight seeing. Sixteen days later and 40gp each lighter you arrive in Magnimar.

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1

You know you have truly arrived when they give you per diem up front!

Silver Crusade

Male Half-Orc Transmuter 2

You missed the part where the nice man said he's not paying us, right? Then again, they never pay us. They just let us steal everything that's not nailed down.


Carpe per diem!

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1
Sekkimm wrote:
You missed the part where the nice man said he's not paying us, right? Then again, they never pay us. They just let us steal everything that's not nailed down.

At least the 300gp and the opportunity to perish were guaranteed! Finances and all. I had better account for every last copper. (260gp left in travel money) Did we ever find a spell for reducing items in size? The "everything that's not nailed down" option keeps getting more feasible!

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1
Rolande Deerborne wrote:
Carpe per diem!

Words to live by, indeed!

Scarab Sages

Male Gnome Wizard Illusionist Specialist Lv 12th

shrink item 3rd level wizard spell. Should pay for itself!
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/shrinkItem.htm

-Posted with Wayfinder

Scarab Sages

Male Gnome Wizard Illusionist Specialist Lv 12th

Fresh off the ship. You have a hew recommendations for inns close to the Lord Mayor or stop by the Pathfinder lodge?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1

I vote Lodge first. There might be new info we don't have.


Lets go by the Pathfinder Lodge.

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1
Stetrix wrote:

shrink item 3rd level wizard spell. Should pay for itself!

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/shrinkItem.htm

-Posted with Wayfinder

Might we be able to find this spell on scroll with some help from the Society? Sounds like a great spell to have in a wand!


Magnimar is a Metropolis - you can find just about anything you want here - standard prices.


You Find your way to the Pathfinder Lodge.
You are greeted by a servant and wait in the parlor until Sheila Heidmarch arrives. She stands tall and straight and has a sense of elegance and heir of nobility. "Welcome to Varisia, Magnimar, and my home Pathfinders. Adril Hestram told me to expect you and I have made arrangements in a couple of the lodges on the grounds; Shalast house, and Haruka house." She looks to the servant, "Brimmel, please show them to their lodges and after you are settled we can meet back here for a tour of the lodge, a meal and discuss your mission."

Lady Heidmarch leaves you and you are shown to small lodges adjacent to each other that are on the estate. The lodges all have two bedrooms (two beds in each room). They are clean and seem quite comfortable. You are given keys to the doors. A little later you are given a tour of the property which includes a nice garden in addition to the four lodges.

The servant Brimmel gives you a tour.

Heidmarch Manor is home of the noted Pathfinders Canayven Heidmarch and Lady Sheila Heidmarch. Heidmarch Manor is the first Pathfinder lodge in all Varisia, serving as the Pathfinder Society's base of operations into the rest of Varisia. Heidmarch Manor is located in within the prosperous Alabaster District of the city's wealthy Summit area; the manor lies just north of the Triodea in the neighboring Naos District. The manor contains all the usual amenities of a Pathfinder lodge—including some with a Varisian twist.

As the lodge is also the residence of Canayven and Sheila Heidmarch, it contains their personal residence decorated with mementos of their earlier adventures, ranging from Taldan suits of armor to the stuffed remains of fearsome monsters. The lodge has individual cottages for visiting Pathfinders, each named after one of the ancient Thassilonian realms that once ruled over the land: Eurythnia house, Bakrakhan house, Shalast house, and Haruka house. The actual lodge is known as the meeting house and features a meeting room, a lecture hall, a library with a large collection of Pathfinder Chronicles and essays on Varisian history, and a showroom lined with ancient Thassilonian artifacts. Currently, along with the owners, the lodge serves as the home for two other Pathfinders, Almya Gorangal and Joadric Heimurl, both of whom are planning expeditions into different areas in central Varisia.

A bit later lunch is served by several servants, Canayven Heidmarch and Lady Sheila Heidmarch are present as well as Almya Gorangal and Joadric Heimurl. Sheila starts out "I hope your journey was pleasant." With winter full on, there can be some nasty storms, but March is the worst."


Winter is coming!

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1

After lunch I will be sure to have a look in the library for any info that might help us with our mission. I also guess we'll need to do some shopping for warmer cloths! I believe I might switch out my snake skin boots for muck-lucks if the weather is as bad as Lady Sheila says.


You meet for drinks in the parlor later and discuss with Sheila the recent happenings in Magnimar and Sandpoint. She comes with a stack of leather bound journals which she puts on the table. She then pulls out a medallion and sets it next to the books. After drinks are served, she starts.

"A few months back, the people of Sandpoint eagerly anticipated the coming festival to commemorate the consecration of a new temple. Rumors of goblin armies and wrathful monsters in forgotten ruins had set the populace on edge, so they were eagerly anticipating celebrating some good news. At the height of the ceremony, disaster struck. A band of goblins assaulted Sandpoint. In the days that followed, a mysterious malady left its victims monstrously deformed and dangerously insane, which spread through the town. A group of adventurers was enlisted and a Shrine to Lamashtu with a runewell was found under the local glassworks which summoned sinspawn and its waters caused insanity.

The trail led to a nearby island called Thistletop where more Lamashtu followers were found led by a deranged Female aasimar named Nualia. In her quarters the group uncovered Nualia’s notes and several journals which are here on the table."

Sorting through these notes takes several hours, but reveals the entirity of Nualia’s story. A foundling raised by Sandpoint’s previous religious leader, a man named Ezakien Tobyn, Nualia’s childhood was lonely and sad. Her unearthly beauty made the other children either jealous or shy, and many of them took to playing cruel jokes on her. The adults in town weren’t much better—many of the superstitious Varisians viewed Nualia as blessed by Desna, a sort of “reverse deformity.” Rumors that her touch or proximity could cure warts and rashes, that locks of her hair brewed into tea could increase fertility, and that her voice could drive out evil spirits led to endless awkward and humiliating requests over the years. Poor Nualia felt more like a freak than a young girl by the time she came of age, so when Delek Viskanta, a local Varisian youth, began to court her, she practically fell into his arms in gratitdue. Knowing that her father wouldn’t approve of a relationship with a Varisian (he wanted her to remain pure so that she could join one of the prestigious Windsong Abbey convents), they kept the aff air secret. They met many times in hidden places, a favorite being an abandoned smuggler’s tunnel under town that Delek had discovered as a child. Before long, Nualia realized she was pregnant. When she told Delek, he revealed his true colors and, after calling her a slut and a harlot, fled Sandpoint rather than face her father’s wrath. Nualia’s shock quickly turned to rage, yet she had nowhere to vent her anger. She bottled it up, and when her father discovered her delicate condition, his reaction to her indiscretions only furthered her shame and anger. He forbade
her to leave the church, lectured her nightly, and made her pray to Desna for forgiveness. In so doing, he unknowingly nurtured her growing hate.

When the runewell in the Catacombs of Wrath flared to life, Nualia’s own anger was a magnet to its magic. Seven months pregnant, the wrathful energies suffused her mind and she flew into a frenzy. She miscarried her child later that night, a child whose monstrously deformed shape she only glimpsed before blanching midwives stole it away to burn it in secret. As the child had been conceived in the smuggler’s tunnels below town, in close proximity to a hidden shrine to Lamashtu (the goddess of monstrous births), the child itself was deformed and horrific. The double shock of losing a child and the realization she had been carrying a fiend in her belly for seven months was too much. Nualia fell into a coma.

As Nualia slept, she dreamed unhealthy dreams. Fueled by the wrath from below and the taint of Lamashtu, Nualia became further obsessed with the cruel demon goddess and the conviction that her wretched life was inflicted on her by those around her. She came to see her angelic heritage as a curse, and the demon-sent dreams showed her how to expunge this taint from her body and soul, replacing it with chaos and cruelty. When she finally woke, Nualia was someone new, someone who didn't flinch at what Lamashtu asked of her. She jammed her father’s door shut as he slept, lit the church on fire, and fled Sandpoint.

The locals assumed Nualia had burned in the fire, a tragedy made all the worse by the death of Father Tobyn as well. Yet Nualia lived. She fled to Magnimar, where she enlisted the aid of a group of killers known as the Skinsaw Men. With their aid, she tracked down Delek and murdered him. Yet his death did not fill her need for revenge. Sandpoint and its hated citizens still lived. Seeing a kindred spirit in the tortured woman, the mysterious leader of the Skinsaw Men gave Nualia a medallion bearing a carving of a seven-pointed star called a “Sihedron medallion.” Nualia learned that she had a larger role to play, and that her dreams were a map to her destiny. Taking the advice to heart, Nualia returned to Sandpoint, and found herself drawn to the brick wall in the smuggler’s tunnels where she and Delek had conceived her deformed child. Nualia bashed down the wall, and in so doing, discovered the Catacombs of Wrath and the quasit Erylium, also a follower of Lamashtu. For many months, Nualia studied under Erylium’s tutelage. During this time, Nualia received another vision from Lamashtu—a vision of a monstrous goblin wolf imprisoned in a tiny room. In Nualia’s dreams, she learned that this creature, a barghest named Malfeshnekor, was also one of Lamashtu’s chosen. If she could find him and free him, he would not only help her achieve her vengeance against the town of Sandpoint, but he would be the key in cleansing her body of what she had come to see as her “celestial taint.” Nualia wanted to be one of Lamashtu’s children now. She wanted to become a monster herself.

After you finish going over the journals she says "The local heroes fought with Nualia and her minions, but only one of the group survived. She trailed the skinsaw men to Magnimar and continued the quest and with some local pathfinders I enlisted. The group delt with the serial murderers, the Skinsaw men, and their nefarious plot. Luckily, the hero of Sandpoint, Shalelu Andosana, is still here in Magnimar. She is changed I'm sure from the experience, but quite competent. She is part bounty hunter, survivalist, and mercenary. I acquired the Sihedron medallion from Shalelu. Studying this ancient Thassilon relic, we found several magical properties. While worn, a Sihedron medallion grants its wearer a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws. Once per day, it may be commanded to bestow the effects of false life on the wearer—activating this function is a free action. Placed on the neck of a dead body, the Sihedron medallion preserves the body indefinitely via a gentle
repose effect. You may use this during your mission, but please return the artifact when you are done. Tomorrow you should go visit her, then see the Lord Mayor."


Who among us shall bear this item for the journey?


I will if you like as your healer...


Very appropriate! Cela shall carry the artifact. Let's get a good nights rest to prepare for our meetings with Shalelu and Lord Mayor.


The next day after breakfast in the mainhouse of hot bread, butter, honey and blackberry preserves, a rasher of bacon with a soft-boiled egg, a wedge of cheese, and pot of mint tea you follow the directions provided by Lady Heidmarch. A short time later you arrive at the address in the well maintained Nao district not too far from the lodge where you are staying. There is a quiet inn near the gate to the Lost Coast Road which leads to Sandpoint.

You find Shalelu, an elven warrior sitting in the mainroom of the inn having just finished her meal. As you approach she seems wary, moving her hand toward her blade as your group approaches. (see her picture in the Magnimar Link)

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1

Hello Shalelu! My name is Buchart. We've been sent to speak with you by Lady Heidmarch. It seems this business with the Lamashtu and the Sihedron medallion you recovered (gesture to Cela) has pathfinders from as far away as Absolom interested. What can you tell us that might help us stem this tide of mayhem?

Silver Crusade

So who are our known surviving foes?

-Posted with Wayfinder


With Buchart's words and mention of Lady Heidmarch she relaxes. "Well met Pathfinders." Realizing her initial apprehension, "One must be careful these days and it seems I have made a few enemies along the way.". She gets up and greets you and invites you to a larger table in the back where you can speak without being overheard.

"It seems you are well informed on the events that transpired over the last few months. I have been requested by Lady Heidmarch and the Justice Council to remain in Magnimar while all of this is sorted out. Frankly, the city life and all these politics do not really appeal to me and I would rather be on the road. I can fill in a bit more about the group of killers who called themselves the Brother of Seven or the Skinsaw Men. They adopted an ancient magic involving the seven deadly sins. The victims had the Sihedron Rune carved in them which linked Nualia. A ghast, formerly, Aldern Foxglove, was the Skinsaw Man who was leading the group in Sandpoint and turned many of the followers into ghouls. I followed his trail to Magnimar and Lady Heidmarch offered help, which was welcome and needed. The trail led to a cult holed up in a lumber mill and a member of Magnimar’s Justice Council , Justice Ironbriar was one on their leaders under the influence of a Lamia matriarch. They had a long list of targets including Lord-Mayor Haldmeer Grobaras. With the aid of the Pathfinders we were able to end this cult. My concern however, is who, if anyone, was directing the Lamia and is all the activity reported on the border regions related or a coincidence? Sekkimm I am unaware of any foes that we can target at the moment."

Picture of the Skinsaw Man.


Hile Shalelu!
Raising my fist to my forehead.

Dark Archive

Male Halfling Rogue L2

Well met, fair elf. It is true we have read all the notes and been fully briefed. Will you be attending to this mess with us?

Dark Archive

"I've spent the last few weeks looking for a lead, but there is nothing to be found here. I hope to be allowed to leave the city and seek my fortunes further down the road."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Silver Crusade

Female Half-Elf Paladin - lvl 1

Then may we be of assistance to you.

Scarab Sages

Male Gnome Wizard Illusionist Specialist Lv 12th

Sorry Ravenclaw we have a full party

-Posted with Wayfinder

Silver Crusade

Justice Ironbriar was willing or controlled?

Sekkim may wield mystical power, but I... I wield the power of the force directed graph! Behold! (Javascript required for any and all beholding. You can drag points about to clarify links.)

Relationships in Rise of the Runelords

Silver Crusade

Ok, let's brainstorm, everyone.

Do I have the relationships right?

Is Nualia deceased?

Did anyone survive the battle on Thistletop Isle? Can we question them?

Do you see any benefit in returning to Thistletop Isle?

Do you see any benefit in returning to The Catacombs of Wrath? Do you know if the Skinsaw Men have any interest in that place?

Do the Skinsaw Men have any known Modus Operendi beyond stabby murder? Are they down with Lamashtu?

Scarab Sages

Male Gnome Wizard Illusionist Specialist Lv 12th

Most impressive. The Java Force is strong with you. Justice Ironbriar was an evil man, but the Lamia used her many charms and assets to control him through his lust for her.

Nualia is dead any any other evil agents.
Shealu has said she and the Pathfinders went back through their liars and found nothing. Indeed a common thread seems to be Lamashtu and the rune.

You realize the time grows short today and you should see the Lord Mayor.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Silver Crusade

One of our big challenges here is going to be finding an organization that doesn't want to be found. If we can pool up a thousand gold, I could work up one of these in a few days:

Shining Wayfinder

It might help sort out friend from foe, and find foes.

Silver Crusade

Anyone else on the chart deceased or otherwise not at large?

Silver Crusade

Is a Lamia a title, first name, term of endearment, or type of monster?

Dark Archive

You were able to research at the lodge

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/monsters/lamia.html

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/additionalMonsters/lamiaMatriarch.html

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dark Archive

Male Halfling Rogue L2

let's go see the Mayor!


We're off to see the Mayor, the wonderful Mayor of....

Dark Archive

Male Halfling Rogue L2

So then I state the action:

Fernleaf will ask for directions for the Mayors office and proceed to said office once the route is known.

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1

Yes! To the Mayor's office!


After discussions with Shalelu Andosana, you realize she has been investigating things for almost a month. As she leave she asks "If you are going back to Sandpoint or anywhere else I'm more than happy to go along, especially if it can release me from this purgatory."

You take the stroll over to the Office of the Lord-Mayor's office.
After relieving yourself of your weapons and magic items and waiting for about an hour with other groups vying for Lord-Mayor Grobaras’s time and attention, you are summoned into a plush office where you are introduced individually and greeted by an opulently dressed rotund man. Several guards, a cleric of Desna and wizard are close at hand. ”Welcome Pathfinder’s my thanks to Lady Heidmarch as well for arranging your visit. After all this nasty business with Justice Ironbriar and his cultists things are quite on edge.” He motions towards the guards. ”Please have a seat. I asked for the Pathfinders Society to put some fresh eyes on this group to ensure there are no more assassins prowling in the dark. I’ve had assurances from my counselors, but wanted to double check, to ensure the stability of Varisia of course. As it turns out, I could use your help with another matter which would be most helpful. There’s been no contact with Magnimar’s most distant holding, remote Fort Rannick near Hook Mountain, for quite some time. The Black Arrows, the soldiers stationed at Fort Rannick, have traditionally been isolationists, but such a long silence is uncharacteristic even for them. Magnimar’s Council of Ushers has been pressing me to send a patrol to Hook Mountain to investigate, but until now, I had no one I could spare for to talk to those foul-tempered Black Arrows. You seem like the perfect group and it should be an easy trip. You can take in some of the sights of Varisia...consider it a vacation. I’m sure Lady Heidmarch can update you on the travel options and directions to the Fort. So, how soon can you leave? ”

Dark Archive

Male Halfling Rogue L2

Shalelu might want to go with us. :)


As soon as we gather our stuff and comrades and clear it with Lady Heidmarch.

Dark Archive

Male Halfling Rogue L2

Oh Honorable Mayor, sir? May I request a boon? A simple thing, really...

If we find out what has happened to these Black Arrows, may I request a medal? A big shiny one to pin to my lapel? It's just... my family would be so proud you see...


"Yes, yes of course see Lady Heidmarch. She has been so helpful in this matter already and she will want to keep track of her Pathfinders roaming about and poking around and all."

Looking a bit perplexed at Fernleaf "Errr..., why yes, yes, I sure we can come up with something..."

After a bit of an awkward pause, he looks down at some papers on his desk. "Well, I guess that's it then, unless there is anything else, off you go and enjoy the trip."

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1

Thank you, Lord Mayor! We will make some more inquiries at the lodge about our itinerary before we leave!

Can't help thinking that there is so much more that he can tell us, but won't until we have proven ourselves trustworthy. Start conversation once out of the office.

Hmm. All this talk about ghasts, ghouls and wisdom draining lamia is making me hungry again! We might want to look into some more protections before we set out. We should actually have a hard conversation about pooling gold for restoration magic!

Dark Archive

Male Halfling Rogue L2

I will bow deeply with a flourish of my Headband and walk hastily out the door.

"Can't do somethin' for nothin', right?"

Scarab Sages

Male Human Magus L8/Brawler L1/Bloodrager L1
Fernleaf Ivy wrote:

I will bow deeply with a flourish of my Headband and walk hastily out the door.

"Can't do somethin' for nothin', right?"

Well Fernleaf, we always seem to find some way of paying ourselves for our altruism, don't we! Ha ha!

Silver Crusade

We're not going looking for the skinsaw men? Why did we get briefed on thier recent antics?

-Posted with Wayfinder


Looks as though we have two missions, Ka willing we will succeed in both. Aye Buchart! We should seek out protections against the ghastly creatures.

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