The Great (Pathfinder) Society...in Magnimar! (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

Yamyra returns to the fountain room and, carefully stepping over the rubble which blocks the north door, listens intently. However, despite the appearance of the door being blocked to keep someone trapped inside, she hears nothing.

She then moves to the other door, but it too is quiet on the other side.

Carmina gives the portcullis a mean look before returning to the previous room and opening the southern door.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

(Enlarge Person/other Mods: present AC: 17/present CMD: 18, present Reach: 15', present Slam damage: 2d6 + 6 Bludgeoning.)

As Carmina turns about, Fancy squeezes past Horven & Ganer to precede her back down the hallway, placing herself so as to defend either Carmina or Yamyra should there prove dangers beyond the open doorway.
Moved to spaces AG 57 & 58, AH 57 & 58
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Stymied by the portcullis, the party turns back and heads to the fountain room. Carmina grasps the handle of the south door and pulls it open. A low table sits in the center of this room. Two low benches sit on either side of the table, and a wooden stringed instrument of archaic design leans against one of them.

Also in here is what you all agree is an abomination. Hovering at the far end of room, barely standing 2 feet tall, is a childlike blasphemy conjoining the features of a plump human infant and a gigantic, gore-fattened fly. Also hovering on the other side is an imp, likely the one you saw earlier. As you take in this scene, a voice echoes in your minds: "So, you have made it this far! I am Lord Baz, the ruler of this complex! I hereby demand you perform a service for me. Should you do so, I shall reward you!"

Round 1: Devils (readied actions), Everyone.

MAP

I suppose talking is better than attacking...

"What service would one such as yourself have need of such as we?" Yamyra replies, her features a study in blank calm.

Ganer shrugged at Yamyra's accusation, and then followed along without another word.

Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Ganer recognized the sort of creature this was immediately, and scowled at the sight of it, and then at Yamyra, for entertaining its offer. He leaned toward her, and then whispered, "Need I remind you of the common consequence for dealing with devils? The temples of the Ascendant Court overflowed with cautionary tales of such things, I remember enough of them that I could keep us entertained for days."

Ganer watched the room, not making a move, but not hiding the fact that weapon and shield were in hand.

Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Carmina stifles a laugh. "Seriously? You would rule this complex?" she says dismissively. "The only thing that you devils are capable of ruling is Hell, and even then only because no-one else wants it. Now scram, we have exploring to do."

Insulting a devil probably isn't very smart, but it's probably still smarter than dealing with them. :P

They...
My friends are idiots.
I love them, but they're idiots...

Yamyra winces slightly as, once more, her companions make a hash of her attempts to resolve a situation without violence.

If you re-read Yamyra's previous post, at no time did she agree to dealing with the devil. She simply wanted to know what the deal was...

If you re-read Yamyra's previous post, at no time did she agree to dealing with the devil. She simply wanted to know what the deal was...

That's what they all say at first... If we had stayed quiet it would only have been a matter of time before Yamyra starts sacrificing goats or something like that.

To be fair, Ganer said it quietly, hopefully quietly enough that it wasn't heard.

Ready an action with a silver blanched arrow to shoot the creature using perfect strike should it use any spell like abilities or start casting a spell.
Knowledge check1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Gared sucked in his breath and trained an arrow on the devils as he saw them, moving past Carmina to stand in the room and keeping his bow trained one he didn't recognize. The dwarf gnashed his teeth and growled a response to it. "What sort of service be ye talking about and why shouldn't we wipe yer taint from our plane, devil?"

The party enters the room and while Carmina's words cause the accuser devil's face to darken momentarily, the other responses seem to have placated it (at least for the moment).

Again its voice echoes in your mind, "Well I am glad to see you are amendable to reason here. This is your task: I wish for you to find the one who calls himself the Suzerain of Little Erebus and slay him. He fancies himself Lord of this place and vexes me to no end! He looks much like my subject here..." one of his pudgy hands points to the imp who still hovers in place, "and he lairs west of here. I am sure you can find it. Do not forget to bring proof of his death to me! Once you complete this task for me, I shall reward you! You certainly have some noble purpose for wandering these halls, perhaps I may be of assistance in your quest."

Yamyra takes advantage of their 'dismissal' to back away down the corridor to the chamber the two Imps were directing the 'Nuperibos' to combat each other, nodding her head in encouragement to the others as she does so.

Fancy follows along with Yamyra.

Gared slowly began to back towards the door way, keeping his arrow trained on this hated creature. "How is it yer foe and yerself came to be here? Any information ye can share might help us defeat yer foe."5 foot step back towards the door and keeping the same readied action.

The accuser devil waves off Gared's question with a wave of its hand. "Come now, should you wish more information from I you first need to complete my task!"

As you exit the room and head towards the fountain room Horven speaks up,"I didn't want to say anything while in earshot of that foul thing, but I think he was more scared of us than we are of it! Maybe killing those devils earlier unnerved that so-called 'Lord ' Baz." The halfling pauses at the fountain and takes a long drink of the cool refreshing water. "Still, I think it was telling the truth about that other imp, who he called the Suzerain."

The farthest West we have been on this level was the corner chamber with the Magic Circle in it, yes?

"We kennen ten minste een van hen kan onzichtbaar worden. We kennen ten minste een daarvan communiceert mentaal. We weten niet dat ze zijn ons niet nu. Omzichtigheid is onze bondgenoot. " Yamyra whispers in reply to Horven's words.
Once everyone has removed themselves from the presence of the two devils, Yamyra faces the others. "Horven's words have merit, but they were obviously more prepared for us than we were for them & I see no reason to risk any of us in a conflict that may be avoided until we are better prepared. Ganer, as you obviously know more on this subject than I, probably more than any of the rest of us present, please share what you know & how you feel we would best continue with regards to this...
wrinkle."

"Devils are consummate liars, and masters of contracts. From what I've read, the best way to deal with them is to either send them back to Hell, or to escape if you cannot. Make no mistake, a deal with a devil will serve the devil's interests to the degree that it can, and serve the interest of the mortal to the degree that it must."

He cast a look over his shoulder, ensuring that the door was closed behind him, before adding, "We should not return there unless we wish to slay them."

Gared didn't lose focus on the devils as he backed out of the door ensuring that they didn't blink invisible or make any moves to follow or the threaten the group.

Gared didn't lose focus on the devils as he backed out of the door ensuring that they didn't blink invisible or make any moves to follow or the threaten the group. "Bah, ik niet zijn gading vinden het idee van het verlaten van hen daar te ontsnappen in de rest o' deze plaats of laat ons lastig."

.

Carmina listens as the rest of the group speaks among themselves, the use of languages that she doesn't herself speak making the discussion a bit difficult to follow for her.

"Well, I don't care that much where we go next. But I sure will not take orders from a devil; Imagine if someone would find out! I would have to flee the city in shame! Hide in the woods! Retire from the civilization and grow a beard!"

To further emphasize her last point, she grabs a handful of her own hair and holds it to her chin, making it look a bit like she had a beard of her own. "See? I would look just like Gared!" Realizing that what she said might come off a bit insulting, she quickly adds: "But not as ruggedly handsome, of course."

You all return to the room with the balcony without further molestation by the devils. All is quiet as you discuss your next move.

Where to now guys?

Gared sputtered in disbelief for a moment at Carmina's antics, then turned a ruddy red color and ran his hand through his beard. The dwarf open and closed his mouth a few times, then let out an exasperated sigh gestured helplessly to the west, before moving to head out in that direction.

Hiding her expression behind her collar, Yamyra follows Gared, Fancy moving along with them.

Carmina follows the rest of the group out from the room.

Horven glances behind you and points his crossbow off in the distance. "I do not see any sign of either of those devils, so if it is following us..." His voice trails off. "We should get moving. I saw another passageway branching east leading from the statue room. We can check that out if you don't want to risk that magic circle."

"I say we take the passageway you saw. I still don't trust that circle too much."

Yamyra nods agreement.

Having decided on a plan, you backtrack your steps and return to the staircase leading back to the statue room. Continuing past the staircase the corridor continues a short distance, about 30' or so, before opening up to a room.

A pillar stands at either end of this wide room. The northern pillar is carved with the image of a beautiful woman wielding a ranseur. The southern pillar depicts seven robed men and women, their features eroded with the years. Each of them holds one segment of the seven-pointed star. Strange runes are carved into the floor.

Looking past the pillars you see the corridor continuing on for a short distance before ending in a T intersection, with passages heading north and south, with the south passage being another staircase.

I will post a map when I get home this evening.

Carmina's gaze wanders across the room, moving from one pillar to another and finally to the strange runes on the floor.

Knowledge(History): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Am I correct in guessing the solitary figure is another representation of Alaznist?
Cast Detect Magic
untrained Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17, add one or two to total if pertaining to Varisia or Magnimar, respectively.
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25, looking to see if the one pillar is possibly magically enhanced, since the other is the first I recall being mentioned showing signs of weathering.
Quickly enhancing her perceptions with mystic sensitivity, Yamyra cautiously visually examines the room's adornments. "Carmina, would you look at the segments & tell me if any of them resemble the one ms. Vancaskerkin possessed?"
"Carefully." She adds, possibly a moment too late, considering her friend's impetuousness.

Carmina notes the segments held by the figures do indeed represent the Sihedron on the southern column. Yamyra casts her spell and quickly determines not only is the solitary figure that of the Runelord Alaznist but both columns radiate magic, a mixture of moderate divination and transmutation.

Also Yamyra notes the runes on the floor are in Thassilonian and say, “Does true power lie within the one or the many?”

As promised...

MAP

Let's just consider that Yamyra does share that information with everyone.
Hey Ganer, Gared, you guys alright? I don't recall a post from either of you almost all week.

"Don't touch anything!" Yamyra adds. "At least, not until we are certain the statues won't come to life & try to murder us or something similar."

Do I need to make another Spellcraft or Knowledge (Arcana) check to determine the likelihood of that?

Muttering to herself, Yamyra ruminates on what they already know. "Er zijn zeven cijfers die de zeven stukken...
Ze is Alaznist, ze zijn bijna zonder twijfel het Aantalheren...
Is ze een van hen?"

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13, to try & recall the names & genders of all the Runelords at time of Alaznist's reign.
Not with that roll...
::sigh::

Ganer wandered toward the southern pillar, he looked it over, wondering if these figures were important to the history and religion of Thassilon. That there were seven of them might be telling. From what he'd gathered from Yamyra's prattling, there had been seven Runelords, was this them? He looked back at the other pillar, fairly confidant that it was the same face he'd seen on the statue earlier. He looked back at the southern pillar, trying to place the woman among the group, but the details were too worn.

"I suppose these are the Runelords?" Ganer announced, mostly to himself. "And that she is one as well. Why is this one displayed more prominently? Did she rule here?" He added, pointing to the other pillar.

Carmina still stares at the pillars, thinking about the riddle that Yamyra translated for them.

"One or the many... Well, since this place is full of statues of the woman in that pillar..." She says and points at the northern pillar. "I'd guess that the person who built this place thinks that she's the strongest one?"

"yes, they have all been representations of Alaznist, at least, so far."
"Lord of Bakrakhan in it's final days, also called 'Runelord of Wrath', she was a potent Evoker. Magnimar lies at what was the border between Bakrakhan & Shalast, the Irespan is believed to have been the beginning of a great road which traveled all the way to the capital of Bakrakhan ." Yamyra replies in partial answer to Carmina and Ganer's queries.

Contemplating matter further. "All the Runelords were rather infamous for...
Megalomania,
I suppose. It could be a kind of test, 'who are you loyal to?', I suppose...
In which case, the obvious response would be to touch the statue of Alaznist..." She mutters to herself as, almost unconsciously, she does so.
Yes, Yamyra steps toward the Northern Pillar & touches it.

Carmina quickly rushes next to Yamyra, preparing to protect her friend from possibly murderous statues.

Guarded closely by Carmina, Yamyra hesitantly reaches forth to touch the statue of Alaznist. As her fingers brush the cool stone, a soft glow starts to emanate from Alaznist’s image. After a moment, the glow fades and the pillar returns to normal.

Yamyra feels a sense of approval flooding her being and also her senses seem to be more sharply attuned now. Yamyra now receives a +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks for 24 hours.

"Well!" Yamyra exclaims. "That...
went better than hoped."
"I seem to have been...
blessed, I suppose is the simplest descriptor. Though something tells me the blessing isn't going to last longer than a day, at most."
Turning back to the others, "I suppose the questions we need to ask ourselves now are," flicking her fingers as she lists them, "will this blessing effect everyone who touches the statue, does it occur more than once and if those answers are yes & no...
do the rest of you want to use it now & push as hard as we can to complete our task within the time we have...
or save it for later when we might need it more?"

Ganer watched Yamyra as though she'd taken leave of her senses. "Did you believe the statue would come to life and attack?" He asked, incredulous. As it to test her hypothesis, Ganer approached the statue and touched it himself. He couldn't help but wonder if the other statue was similarly enchanted.

"Have you made a study of the magics involved in the creation & maintenance of Constructs?!" Yamyra snaps back. "Did you grow up in a City, known for such?"
"No, as you have gone to great lengths to tell me, you grew up reviled &...
something else that fits with reviled." She winds down. "As I said earlier, the magics imbued in these...
pillars, seem to be divinatory & transformative in nature. It is not unreasonable to suspect that they might be some manner of...
autonomous defense, or such-like."

Ganer reaches out and touches the statue, and he too is imbued with s sense of approval, along with enhanced insight. Ganer now receives a +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks for 24 hours.

Not wanting to be left out from the runelord's blessings, Carmina as well touches the same statue.

"Come on folks, let's not waste time arguing," she says, then walks past the statues to the intersection. "So... Left or right?"

"Near as we are to the chamber where you got that," Yamyra replies, pointing to the ranseur Carmina continues to carry, "I would be surprised if left didn't connect back with it."
"Still, better to be certain." She concludes before turning that direction, Fancy in tow.
Taking the left way. By now, I'm sure the Enlarge Person effect has ended, yes?

Gared joins the others in touching the statue before again taking point as the group headed into unexplored territory.

After everyone finishes touching the northern statue, you all proceed out of the room and head east, turning north at the 'T'-junction. Glancing to the south you note another descending staircase which leads to the room you saw earlier where the portcullis had barred your entry. You also note a decoration on the pillar which was obscured earlier before when you saw this room.

However, before you can turn and investigate further, you see movement to the north. Just past where the corridor opens to a side passage, you see a staircase which ascends northward. At the top of the staircase you see two more of the nupperibo devils you encountered earlier. With a low cry, they raise their spears to attack!

Horven mutters, "Oh more of these things..." as he loads a silver bolt ready to fire next round.

Round 1: Yamyra, Ganer, Horven, Nupperibos, Gared, Carmina, Fancy.

MAP

Don't forget your +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.

"Are these also immune to acid? I suppose we'll find out." Yamyra asks Ganer, as she casts her only offensive spell.
Acid Splash attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22 vs. touch AC.
Acid Splash damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Acid.
Note, DM Eric, Fancy has not touched the pillar yet.

So noted Yamyra. BTW you are not in range to use that spell (outside 30'. Are you going to advance close enough to fire at it?