Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris Shannon 719

"Atol, mind filling up our waterskins first? Thanks."

Toffitt preps an extract to keep Glimmil warm in the cool desert night, and uses a boro bead to replicate it once the gnome consumes it. While he berws, he whistles a little ditty that he's heard Glimmil sing. "How does that line go, Glim? I'll gladly ride a goat, but I'd rather a maid. Is that it?"

Dyrant and the others arrive in Cauldron safely.

Dyrant looks around surprised that it worked.

Holy poop! It worked!!!

"I knew it would work. Have faith in the angels, my friends." Dyrant looks around the home quickly to make sure things are fine.

1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 2 = 25 Perception

"Come along. Let us get to Jenya."

Dyrant will lead the party through the streets to the Church, asking Aralynn to fly above to scout for trouble.

"Atol, mind filling up our waterskins first? Thanks."

Already done (link)

Atol, with Finneas' help, makes his way to the church of St. Cuthbert as quickly as he can carrying Alek.

Glimmil gives Toffitt a long look, trying to process his song.

"A maid? You couldn't ride a maid. At least, not into battle. I mean, she'd have advantages since you could just get her regular armor, and you wouldn't need to buy barding. But -- a maid? If I was humming a song like that, it was probably about riding a dog, or a badger, or something like that!"

Glimmil gives Toffitt a long innocent look.

A maid! Sometimes the doctor is totally silly! It's probably from cutting open that demon-devil thing.

Once the others disappear, he sighs as he continues to prepare camp, content in another day of heroic do-goodery now complete.

"I hope they're okay in Cauldron and that all that stuff about not going back was just another trick by a fake archon. We're going to have to be careful that do-badders don't try to take advantage of us again in trying to pretend to be do-gooders!"

"Ah, so I've been fooling you all this time, then? Stop looking at me like that. I'm kidding! Hey, Cog, want to play fetch the demon bone?"

"Of course Atol. Which parts would you like me to carry?"

Finneas eyes the ring.

"What does this do Dyrant? Here Glimmil, you take the ring that makes it so you don't have to eat."

Atol's brother stands watch at the church and runs up to him as soon as they come into sight. He gives him a quick hug and then rushes them inside.

"Jenya has had me out here all day and night looking for you. Captain Skellerang is planning to march on Redgorge in the morning."

Jenya welcomes you into her office while Atol's brother, whose name I can never remember, fetches hot food and drink.

"I hope you bring good news or at least information that will halt Skellerang."

Finneas wastes no time assuaging Jenya's fears and dumps most of Alek on her desk.

"Dyrant can give you the whole story but a demon popped up before we could bring him back and snipped his head off. Atol has that in his pack somewhere. This should stop the war right?"

Atol greets his brother Alexander warmly, but agrees with his haste and rushes Alek's body inside to Jenya.

"The people of Redgorge are standing down! They don't want this fight - and Alek is dead and so cannot be their challenger. Further he's been imprisoned for some time. It may be that an faker has been pretending to be him in some of this. We fought hags who were very good at pretending to be Archons!"

Dyrant *facepalms* the body gets tossed town on the desk rather than on the altar or the table or any other place.

"Atol, the head..." Dyrant says in an exasperated tone.

Dyrant will explain to Jenya everything that had happened since they left for Redgorge, even producing the plate for her to examine and capping off the talk with pulling Alakast out of his haversack.

"And we think this is Alakast, but it might not be. It's been magic'd so it looks common. Or it might just be common and not Alakast. Or Alakast might just be nothing more than a common staff. Either way, here it is. And you see Alek, don't you? Uh yeah...that's for you to decide."

Cog leaps up excitedly, detecting the tone in Toffitt's voice, but looks worriedly back at Glimmil for permission.

"Demon bone? Are you sure it won't be bad luck? That big guy's making an awful smell since you cut him open..."

Glimmil moves further away from the glabrezu corpse, and gazes upward to the night's stars.

"So, you were looking up earlier. We're still on Oerth, right? Maybe we somehow were teleported to the Sea of Dust? Garl had some grand adventures out here and in the Hellfurnaces fighting giants. We still need to go back and pay that big evil giant in the forge a visit. He was building cages! That can't be right."

"The night sky looks like that of Oerth. I have no idea where though."

He sniffs the air. "I suppose it is getting smelly in there. Nice to have some fresh desert air."

"Unfortunately, we can't get back to the giant from here. I agree, though, he's definitely a, um, do-badder."

Jenya takes it in stride as the headless body of Alek is plopped on her desk.

"I'll need you to pick him up again. There is little time."

"Actually, we just need the head. His condition is rather convenient. In any case, please lay it on the floor before we go and Alexander will see to it."

Jenya starts to walk out of her office as she says once again, "Don't forget the head."

Jenya never breaks into a run, but keeps a pace that has at least Atol and Dyrant sweating profusely by the time they reach the half-orc encampment outside the city. During the half hour or so of walking, Jenya explains that Captain Skellerang won't accept anything he can't see with his own eyes.

Upon arrival, the party easily gains access to Captain Skellerang given their past actions and the presence of Jenya. It's almost midnight, but the captain is still awake and brooding over a map of Redgorge.

Jenya has someone pull out the head. "Captain. You can put away your map. You won't find Alek in Redgorge and I don't think you'll find any enemies of Cauldron there either."

"These people can explain best, but I will cast speak with dead so we might also hear the words from Alek's own mouth. I will let them explain what has occurred and ask the questions."

Captain Skellerang is quite taken aback by the turn of events shaking his world. He consents to hearing out the party and Alek.

Finneas quietly approves of Jenya's grim disposition towards the corpse of her former childhood friend. As she leaves the room with Atol and Dyrant in town he casually picks up the body and puts it on the floor as she requested.

Should I...
Female: No!

Following the others towards the half-orc encampment he takes the time to enjoy the stroll while the priests huff and puff behind him.

"Interesting that the Captain is marching on Redgorge with the half-orcs..."

Male: Must not plan on keeping any alive.
Fifth: That's why it's interesting.

"huff, huff, huff. The high priestess is right. There are no enemies of Cauldron in Redforge - we've been there. We believe Alek was duped by forces greater than he could control. At the very least I'm sure he never intended to take it this far."

Atol catches his breath and points to Alek's head.

"Even if he meant to challenge you, clearly he can no longer. This army of yours is not needed. Stand down, ask your questions, visit Redforge yourself, but not at the head of an army, but as the leader of a people."

Diplomacy if you want it 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Dyrant listens to Finn and Atol's words and waits to see what happens next.

He is a coward, that one. Skellerang the dishonored.

Not hearing any questions from those present, Skellerang asks the head, "Do you withdraw your challenge?"

Alek answers, "Yes."

Thinking himself a bit wiser than usual, "Will you challenge me again if you are brought back to life?"

Alek answers, "No."

The captain turns to the party. "I had to be sure. Hrmph. Well, this doesn't mean the Chisel isn't still a threat."

Dyrant listens to Skellerang's words, his suspicions confirmed.

"Captain, why would you not honor the lawful challenge from him?" Dyrant asks, knowing the answer.

"Who said I wouldn't? Did he ever come to town to make it? No. People talk big when they're miles away."

The obviously practiced lines come out almost smoothly. He's repeated them enough he beleives them.

Nice @ GM_Chris

Dyrant seems much more relieved by that answer, however, still has questions.

"So, if he were to come back tomorrow and issue challenge, you'd receive it? We can make that happen," Dyrant offers.

"Still not convinced why you raised the army, Skellerang, if you were so willing to accept the challenge, why did you need it? And if you had evidence of evil plans by Chisel, why wouldn't you continue your assault? Surely you're not accusing Alek, a Servant of St. Cuthbert, of wrongdoing, are you?"

Toffitt examines the exterior of the current structure, and uses his slippers to climb as high as possible. Low light vision if the sky has moonlight, etc.

"Did I say I wasn't continuing onto Redgorge? I think you misheard me. By the way..." He turns to Alek.

"Where do the Chisel stay in Redgorge?"

Alek answers, "The Hall of Carvings."

Skellerang looks a bit flustered at the answer.

"And who leads the Chisel?"

And Alek answers, "The Foreman."

The captain gnashes his teeth as he tries to think how to ask the questions properly.

Toffitt examines the exterior of the current structure, and uses his slippers to climb as high as possible. Low light vision if the sky has moonlight, etc.

The room was a vault many centuries ago, but has been looted numerous times. No treasure remains and even most of the artwork has either been removed or destroyed in someone's attempts to remove it.

Atol is surprised.

"You are planning your invasion anyway? After all we've said and shown you? Why ever would you do that?"

Female: Quickly!
Fifth: I agree.

Finneas turns to the head of Alek.

"How long were you trapped in the desert? Why did you issue the challenge? How did you get so strong? Why didn't you fight back against the demon?"

"I wasn't trapped in a desert. I was trapped in mirrors and then in a room. Days, weeks, months, years. I don't know."

"The archons thought it would be best."

"The elixir."

"I did." He swung his sword twice before being decapitated.

Yeah I was just trying to burn through questions before Skellerang gets more out of him. ;)

Glimmil gets in some sleep while Toffitt covers the first watch and does some exploring. He occasionally mumbles something in his sleep about the perfect spoon and not sure how to dance on Moondays.

Sensing some player apathy about dealing with Skellerang.

Jenya pops in with one question after Finneas, "Do you want to be resurrected?"

"No."

Dyrant, Atol and Jenya continue to point out the obvious lack of evidence to Skellerang who stutters his way through vague explanations. His suboordinate officers, citizens of Cauldron themselves, begin to nod their heads as the party speaks. Before long, Skellerang has conceded that it would be best to stand down for now. He calls off the operation and orders the members of the guard at the camp to return to Cauldron.

The party returns to Cauldron where Jenya takes possession of Alek's head. "We'll see it properly buried."

It's almost two in the morning. It will be at least 10 am before they can be fully rested and ready for another day.

The night passes uneventfully in the desert. It's cold. The demon begins to stink. Time passes slowly. The sun rises and the heat of the day begins. Lunch approaches and there is no sign of Dyrant.

Before departing ways, Jenya mentions to Atol, "Stop by now or later, but your phylactery has arrived. Our church in Sasserine had one they were willing to part with when I told them of the good work you were doing here."

Technically the 10% off is at Skie's and the 20% off is for potions/scrolls at the church, but I'm going to give the 10% off here since it was more roleplay that led Atol to seek it here.

Toffitt wakes and prepares his extracts. He offers Glimmil something to stave off the heat, and renews it for himself with a boro bead. "We may as well spend time outside away from the stink"

Before departing ways, Jenya mentions to Atol, "Stop by now or later, but your phylactery has arrived. Our church in Sasserine had one they were willing to part with when I told them of the good work you were doing here."

Technically the 10% off is at Skie's and the 20% off is for potions/scrolls at the church, but I'm going to give the 10% off here since it was more roleplay that led Atol to seek it here.

Atol's heart leaps for joy at the thought of his new Phylactery. However he must wait a little while first. "I will come tomorrow I think. Dyrant may need me in the morning to aid in his retrieval of the rest of our group and I should be ready. Thank you oh so much for procuring the Phylactery! I will use it well I assure you - it is much needed."

Atol grimaces at the thought of how much damage Finneas takes.

He rushes to catch up with Dyrant. "Is there anything you'd like me to prepare for tomorrow? Can I help in any way?"

Presuming not, he prepares the following.

- - -

The next morning after prayer he goes to the room Dyrant used to bring them to last night and prepares it. "It should look nice for their return from the desert." When Dyrant leaves, he casts Create Food and Water and makes the place look pretty for their return.

They might be hungry.

A Phylactery of Positive Channelling is 11,000gp, so with the discount, I'm down 9,900gp

Dyrant yawns.

"I don't think we're done talking yet, Jenya. There is much to discuss, but it is late and the buffoons have finally seen truth. I'll begin work on getting the rest of the Cauldron 5.2 back to Cauldron. Good day," Dyrant says to Jenya as we walks back to the house.

* * *
Dyrant will go to bed and when arisen the next morning, will commune with Aralynn in the way of his people. He will pack his haversack with food and water (just in case Cog needs a snack).

When finished, he will pull out his sketchbook of the cavern and area, recommitting the image to memory. He will beg Aralynn for the gift of flight.

He will then cast Teleport and hope to return to the cave.

1d100 ⇒ 13 Mishap

Glimmil wakes and takes his turn at watch with Cog, opening a book he's carried with him for quite some time and reading humorous and witty tales of Garl Glittergold by the fire.

Some day, maybe some brave gnome will read tables about me!

Glimmil sighs and almost dozes off near the warm heat, before leaping to his feet and beginning to pace about to keep himself awake. He twists the magic ring on his finger and considers what the others told him about it.

I don't know, I feel even hungrier than usual...

Despite his internal banter, Glimmil soldiers through the rest of the night into morning, and accepts Toffitt's extract to guard against the coming heat. As lunch arrives, he begins to get worried if Dyrant or the others will return for them.

"Maybe something happened to Cauldron? Dyrant's not the type to sleep in this late..."

Dyrant arrives back in the desert and finds everyone well.

"Ah, Dyrant. So good to see your face. I trust all is well in Cauldron?" Toffitt gathers his few things together.

Dyrant's arm immediately goes to his nose to cover the stank of the demon as he pops into reality in the cave.

"Ah wow...the smell has gotten worse! I didn't think it was possible to do so without Finneas around. Anyway, are you guys ready to return? I've gotten a handle on this Angel's Transit," Dyrant says calmly to Dr. Toffitt, Glim, and, most importantly, Cog.

"Come now, we have much to do. Get your stuff together and circle around me, please."

When the Doctor and Glim are ready, Dyrant will cast Teleport again, returning to the house.

1d100 ⇒ 95 Mishap

Just as Dyrant completes the spell, a robed figure walks into the room and waves at him.

Once again the party is all together again. A few seconds later, there is one more of you as the same robed figure pops into the party's room.

"Good morning. I've been sent by the power of the Smoking Eye to guide you to the outer plane of Occipitus. If you can pass the Test of the Smoking Eye, you can cleanse Occipitus of evil and win a great victory for the forces of good."

Araylnn drops to the ground and stops moving.

1d100 ⇒ 75

Aralynn!

"Er, uh. Good Morning." Atol swallows the last bite of scone - hard. "Scone?" he offers a bit of breakfast to the stranger.

"What did you do to Aralynn? My name is Atol. Who are you?"

I have so many questions?! What happened to Aralynn?

Atol, casually but purposefully, reaches back to Angel's hiding place in his cloak and checks that Angel is, in fact, OK.

What is the Smoking Eye?!

The robed figure accepts the scone and nods his staff towards Aralynn.

"She should be okay soon. I'm afraid my fiendish ancestary has that affect on those such as her. I'm Kaurophon."

Aralynn does indeed begin to jingle a bit as he speaks. She slowly rises and does some shaky loopdeloos and whirlyzoos.

Dyrant stares at the intruder with a look of distain, eying the dipsydoodling and loopdelooping archon from the corner of his eye.

"If you value our help, you will stand back, Kaurophon. We have no reason to trust you. Nor do we know how you were able to follow us home. Explain yourself."

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 Know (Planes)

Toffitt drinks an extract as Kaurophon begins to explain himself, boosting his senses. As the visitor speaks, he gauges his veracity.

Sense motive 1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 5 = 38

Kaurophon takes his scone and goes to the table to grab a drink. He pours himself some juice and begins to answer Dyrant's questions.

"It is most disconcerting to find someone in your home is it not.You should ward it against such intrusions and prying eyes. I apologize. I should have teleported outside and knocked."

He takes a nibble of scone and sip of juice.

"I must admit that I have been watching you for some time. Your exploits have been quite fantastic and you have done much to vanquish evil in this area. I thought you would be interested in a bigger challenge."

"And, it turns out we have a common enemy. Just as I'm trying to purify my own soul, so too am I trying to end the battle between good and evil on Occipitus. In any event, the evil that taints my soul is a a pale shadow to those who have risen against you in Cauldron."

Toffitt finds his words to be true.

He's been watching us? ALL the time? What about when I'm sleeping? What about when I'm thinking of Coryston!

"So who is against us here in Cauldron? There has been some confusion as to who our enemies truly are."

Atol hands him some jam to take the edge off the scone.

"And why have you been watching us?"