GM Baerlie |
Behind the door you find a small sitting room with six comfortable chairs and a few bookshelves filled with the latest Pathfinder Chronicles. An old, withered man sits in one of the chairs, half-dozing when you enter. His skin is shockingly pale and his features are sharp with high cheekbones and a jutting chin. Despite his incredibly filthy visage, matted white hair, and infirmity, when he awakes and regards you he does so with a look of absolute, confident superiority.
“My loyal subjects, welcome! I know that some of you might not recognize me in my current state, but it is truly me, Gandros, the long-lost Prince of Augustana. I have been in hiding since the untimely death of my father, the Emperor, preparing for my return to glory. Unfortunately, I bear ill news. The army I have been gathering in the otherworld has been infiltrated by agents of our enemies. When last I called my forces together for inspection, dark assassins attacked me and I barely escaped with my life.” the old man says.
He takes this opportunity to roll up his sleeve and reveals a series of recently inflicted claw and tooth marks on his right forearm. He then launches into a breathless retelling of how he came to be in the Lodge, without pause or acknowledgement of interruptions.
“I fled back through the magic portal to this realm. Grievously wounded, and with the assassins in close pursuit, I leapt into the dark river. I floated past the Almsman’s Sanctuary, but couldn’t climb out of the water. I did manage to grab one of the bridges, but a plank fell in with me. I held on for dear life and continued to drift downstream. I went over a waterfall and then emerged in the lake of ships and crawled to shore. Augustana has changed since I last walked my city’s bright streets, but I managed to find this house, bearing the symbol of my father’s empire.” He holds up the wayfinder hanging from a chain around his neck. “I knew I would find help here! If you remove the threat from my kingdom below and help restore me to my rightful place as Emperor of Andoran, I will grant you any boon within my power!” he continues.
Maeron Calaerdaer |
Maeron stares at the prince, not quite sure what to make of his tale of events.
"What is this otherworld you speak of and where is the portal to such a place?"
The druid pauses, seeming to think for a moment before speaking again.
"Furthermore, who or what do you believe threatens your kingdom?"
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
Upon hearing Maeron Calaerdaer’s introduction, Jaegar extends his hand to Maeron, purple eyes bouncing on his milky white skin.
”Maeron, pleased to meet you. I am Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav, of Sarkoris and now the Pathfinder Society. Gilfroy, Vrald, Kristen and I spent some time together previously. I look forward to learning from you. Is this your first Pathfinder mission?”
As he listens to the old man, obviously there is much more to this story…
Maeron Calaerdaer |
Maeron shakes his head in response to Jaegers question.
"It is not. Before my brief venture in Razmiran I was based in the anarchic city of Kaer Maga for a number of assignments. It is an accursed place my friend, one which showcases the worst Varisia has to offer. I hope none of you ever have reason to visit such a place."
The druid looks solemn for a moment, as if remembering an upsetting memory, before readdressing the tiefling inquisitor.
"And what of you? Have you long served the society?"
Kristen Mensbane |
Kristen gives the "lost Prince" her widest and most beautiful smile. "It is in honor to meet you, my prince. Can you tell us... when EXACTLY did you return from the portal? The date, perhaps? It will be helpful to us in our task of returning you to your rightful place as... Emperor of Andoran."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
Jaegar acknowledges the discomfort Maeron expresses with Kaer Maga. "I read a chronicle once, summarizing the anarchic nature in Kaer Maga as a true balance of power, with all entities working to limit the others. It does sound like a dangerous, and mysterious, circle of stone."
Jaegar continues, "However, this is only my second Pathfinder mission. My first was scouring an insidious infestation in the Blakros museum. Our three compatriots now are the reasons I am alive to tell of it."
@ Stemboy - Do you have a reference for your scenario numbers? I'm assuming you have the same boon I do. Thanks for playing along!
How much insanity are we detecting from this "Prince"?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
Jaegar waits patiently for his compatriots to ask their questions of Prince Gandros. When polite, he slinks next to the crazed prince and asks, ”May I examine your wounds? If you could describe the creatures that attacked you we may have more luck investigating your portal. Furthermore, may we peruse your Wayfinder? It’s make and origin may provide vital clues in our assistance.”
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Knowledge: Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Constructs/Dragons/Magical Beasts
Knowledge: Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Aberrations/Oozes
Knowledge: Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Animals/Fey/Monstrous Humanoids/Plants/Vermin
Knowledge: Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Outsiders
Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Undead
”Fellow Pathfinders, our task as I understand it includes:
* Validate this story and obtain facts. So far we’re asking...
-- What is the otherworld?
-- Who or what is the threat?
-- What are the foul creatures? [Daemons?]
-- Where is the portal? [Skytower Emporium?]
-- When did Prince Gandros leave Andoran?
-- What does he believe to be the current date?
* Return to Venture-Captain Caudron Wallace
* Probably investigate the portal and the otherworldly army
* Obtain appropriate weaponry based on our investigation
-- Silver Weapons or Blanches (5 gp)
-- Cold Iron Weapons or Blanches (20 gp)
-- Ghost Salt for potential ethereal creatures (200 gp)
Does that about sum it up?”
GM Baerlie |
Jaegar can see that the bite marks are caused by bites of dretches. The wayfinder is authentic, made from silver and etched with gold accents inside. The initials engraved are RS.
It seems that Gandros does not know what year it is. He left to the other world when he was a child. He tells you that on the other side of the portal is a world where faerie folk ready their armies to return him to his lost glory, but enemies got into this other world and attacked with daemons. He was able to escape.
Vrald Sehir |
Vrald nods to Jaegar.
"I have cold iron and silver weapons available to me. After my first venture into an infernal vault, I realised the value in such special materials."
Turning to the prince he asks.
"Prince, have you any allies we should ask for, or enquire about - if we manage to make it through this portal?"
Do we know where the Skytower Emporium is?
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
"One final pair of questions for me, before we depart. From where did you obtain your Wayfinder? Do you know whom the RS initials represent? Thank you for your time."
With those questions answered, Jaegar turns to revisit the venture captain and seek out the Skytower Emporium.
"It seems we are headed to the first world. I will stock up on arrows."
What can Jaegar ascertain about the Dretches we plan to encounter?
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Kristen Mensbane |
Kristen will pick up 5 vials of cold iron weapon blanch (250gp) at the nearest accessible shop.
Vrald Sehir |
Vrald looks at the beggar. We waits for Gilfroy's question to be answsered before also asking his own followup.
"Your majestry. I don't know where the Skytower Emporium is. Could you show me it on a map maybe? Also, who is the Almsman?"
GM Baerlie |
The old man looks confused "What is a map? The Almsman is a man with a mask, he gives us food and heals our wounds. I don't know who he really is, we just call him Almsman. Begin your search where darkness begins and you will find the Skytower Emporium."
You can also question the Venture-Captain
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
Jaegar is ready to address the issue with Venture Captain Caudron Wallace. Things he intends to determine:
1) How to find the Almsman
2) How to find the Skytower Emporium
3) Where the Wayfinder came from
4) Are other Pathfinders lost on this quest?
"Assuming no one would like to question Prince Gandros further, I recommend we return to Venture Captain Wallace."
Under his breath Jaegar mutters, "Maybe we can get some real answers..."
Kristen Mensbane |
"Agreed, let's go speak to the Venture Captain. Prince Gandros, thank you for your help, and I believe we are up to the task."
GM Baerlie |
You return to the main hall to meet the Venture Captain again.
“My diviners say that there is some truth to his story. There has never been a Prince of Augustana, nor an Emperor in Andoran, but the old fellow has a surprising amount of knowledge of the pre-revolution noble families of the city. He may be the lost scion of some noble line. If so, he’s fallen far. From the filth and stink on him when we found him, we’re fairly certain he’s been living in or near a sewer. The wayfinder is also a mystery, but for now, it makes him one of ours. However, I’m more interested in his supposed gate to the otherworld. If it exists, I want to know about it. Implausible as it may seem, I’m certain that his injuries were caused by otherworldly beings. We must take the possibility of a portal seriously. I don’t want to dirty my hands with this, but you don’t have that choice. Retrace the old man’s path through the sewers. The Almsman, whom he repeatedly mentions, is rumored to be an eccentric priest who runs some sort of hidden beggar’s sanctuary in the sewers. He may know where our prince’s portal is, if you can find him. But be warned; a local gang calling themselves the Steel Wyverns claims the sewers near the Almsman’s Sanctuary as their own territory.” the Venture-Captain informs you.
Venture-Captain Wallace shows you the spot on the map of the likely sewer outlet from which Gandros came. It’s near the north end of the crowded Augustana harbor, near where the north harbor wall hits land.
Kristen Mensbane |
"The sewers. Of course. Being a Pathfinder is so glamorous, isn't it?"
I now have 3 characters in PFS games at the same time, all in the sewers. LOL
Vrald Sehir |
"Retrace the path? Got it! Ahh, Captain... Where does the path start? That is, there are a lot of sewers... any idea which one he crawled out of?"
Kristen Mensbane |
Diplomacy (GI): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Unfortunately, Kristen is unable to find anyone willing to help out... :(
Vrald Sehir |
Vrald makes his excuses and goes to buy some less respectable clothes to change in to.
"While having never been in the sewers myself, I'm not about to ruin my respectable clothes in there. "
He eyes up his armour, then sighs. "Not that I can really do anything about the armour. I'll be cleaning it out for days."
Once the various wardrobe issues are handled, he leads the way to the sewer entrance.
"Everyone ready?"
Gilfroy Fezziwig PFS |
Gilfroy gets himself a doctor's mask (50 gp, Adventurer's Armory, +1 circumstance bonus to Fortitude saves vs air-borne toxins and scent-based effects).
He also buys a large bundle of mint leaves from a local vendor and will stick a few inside the mask at a time. While he's at that vendor, he also picks up some pipe weed. No idea how much either of these cost.
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
Before departing from Venture Captain Caudron Wallace's office, he wants to clarify one point: "Apparently we are going into the sewers without a clear mission. Other than 'learn more about the portal' do we have any quantifiable task?"
Assuming no changes are made to the mandate, he resigns. "I suppose I'm ready..."
Jaegar grabs some items:
- Air Crystals [Allows to breathe while underwater for 1 min] (50gp)
- Antiplague (50gp)
- Antitoxin (50gp)
- 20 Silver Arrows (41gp)
GM Baerlie |
"If the portal this man is talking about is real and there are devilish creatures coming out of it, we have to close it before it's too late. So I think this is a clear mission, and an important one as well! If you want something quantifiable: check the portal and bring back yourself and your four colleagues alive and report what you found out. That's all I can tell you. Good luck!" Wallace says to Jaegar before you leave the office.
GM Baerlie |
You can buy whatever you want before entering the sewers. You don't have time pressure.
The sewer tunnels under Augustana are divided into two types, major passages and minor passages. Both types have a single walkway running along one wall (the west wall of a north-south tunnel, or the north wall of an east-west tunnel). The ceilings are generally about 6 feet above the walkways. Minor tunnels have a channel 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep through which effluvium flows. The channels in major tunnels are 10 feet wide and 5 feet deep. Where passages meet, there are usually planks laid across the channels to allow pedestrians to cross from one walkway to the other. The water in the channel is revoltingly filthy. The effluvium is difficult terrain to move through, and the current is fairly swift. Anyone or anything swimming or floating in the channel drifts downstream 20 feet per round.
The smell of waste and rot is strong in this large chamber where filthy water flows in a series of cascades between tiered stone tanks. A raised platform along the east wall is connected to the passage’s walkways by several thick wooden planks creating a makeshift bridge. On that platform is what looks to be a makeshift alchemy lab on a rough-hewn table — beakers, glass vials, dirty bottles, and moldy buckets cover the entire surface of the table.
There are a total of three members of the Steel Wyvern gang here: two thugs sit bored on the south side of the wooden bridge, fiddling with their spike chains and quietly bragging about past crimes to one another. A third, nicknamed Firedrake, stands at the makeshift alchemy lab, bent over several beakers as he slowly pours two mixtures together. The Thugs attack as soon as they spot you.
Map updated, @Maeron: did Tenderstump follow you?
Initiative Firedrake: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Initiative Thug red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Initiative Thug blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Initiative Gilfroy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
Initiative Jaegar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Initiative Kristen: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Initiative Maeron: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Initiative Vrald: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Initiative Tenderstump: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Round 1
Jaegar
Kristen
Gilfroy
Tenderstump
Maeron
Thug blue
Vrald
Firedrake
Thug red
Kristen Mensbane |
Kristen will use a point from her arcane reservoir to summon a Celestial dire rat as a Standard action (she can essentially do this the same way a Summoner can, thanks to her new Occultist archetype), figuring it will be more at home in the sewer than most other creatures she can summon.
Dire Rat <- Kristen does not have Augment Summoning, so the standard stats will be used.
The rat will appear right in the midst of the bad-guys, and will attack the blue thug with a bite.
Bite: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 plus disease (DC 11 Fort save)
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
Jaegar bids farewell to the Venture Captain, "Thank you for clarifying our task, and I appreciate your explanation. We shall do our best to meet your expectations."
Upon settling into the sewers, Jaegar feels confident in the skills of his peers. He generally keeps quiet, listening for threats, and keeping his bow at the ready. Upon spotting the thugs and Firedrake, he assesses the alchemist as the greatest threat to the party.
Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 At Firedrake
Arrow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Vrald Sehir |
Vrald runs forward, but can't quite make contact with the thugs
(feel free to move me backwards if anyone wants to go ahead, as I move very late in the play)
Gilfroy Fezziwig PFS |
"Good idea, Kristen" Gilfroy says loudly, and casts his own spell. Ratty, the illusory dire rat, appears in the square next to Kristen's and nips at red thug's ankles, missing.
Will save DC 18 to disbelieve.
GM Baerlie |
Jaegar shoots at the alchemist on the other side of the room, the arrow hits the shoulder. Kristen's dire reat bites one thug, he cannot resist to the disease now flowing through his venes. Gilfroy's rat illusion tries to bite the other thug, the thug believes the rat is real.
Will save red Thug: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Fort save blue Thug: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Round 1
Jaegar
Kristen
Gilfroy
Tenderstump
Maeron
Thug blue
Vrald (move)
Firedrake
Thug red
Firedrake -4HP
Thug blue -3HP
Thug red
one rat was on the map already, was that Kristen's or Gillfroy's?
Jaegar Alvar Tarnshiav |
== In the discussion thread Maeron gave permission to NPC him while he's traveling across the UK (University of Kentucky?) ==
== Recommend Maeron cast Flare (Fort DC 13) on red thug.
Failure gives Dazzled condition [-1 attack rolls, -1 visual perception checks]. It's a level 0 spell, so it shouldn't impact the rest of the adventure. ==
The rat was there yesterday morning, so I'm pretty sure that's Kristins...
Jaegar will fire another arrow at Firedrake when his turn arrives:
Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Arrow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
GM Baerlie |
Ah, yes. Totally forgot about that. Sorry! And I made a white border around Gilfroy's rat.
Maeron casts flare on the red thug and Vrald moves closer to the opponents.
Fort Save DC13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
The thugs start to attack the rats in front of them.
Thug blue: 5ft step back to hit the rat with 10ft reach weapon (spiked chain)
Attack vs. Kristen's Rat: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Add. Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
Thug red: stays there, kicks Gilfroy's rat
Unarmed Attack: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 1 = 20 NL Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Firedrake throws on of his alchemist's fires at Maeron at the corner, but the vial lands in the water.
2 range increments I think, it's 10ft range
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 0 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 0 - 4 = 10 Scatter: 1d8 ⇒ 1
Round 2
Jaegar shoots another arrow at Firedrake and hits the shoulder again.
Round 2
Jaegar
Kristen
Gilfroy
Maeron
Thug blue
Vrald
Firedrake
Thug red dazzled
Firedrake -7HP
Thug blue -3HP
Thug red
Kristen Mensbane |
Kristen's poor rat friend goes down, hard, from a vicious slice of the thug's spiked chain.
"Oh! You monster!"
She then casts a spell, her mouth opening wide in what looks like a piercing scream, though no one can hear it but the thug that just killed her poor rat.
Ear-piercing scream: 1d6 ⇒ 1 sonic damage, DC 15 Fort save for half damage, if failed the target is also dazed for 1 round.
Unfortunately the thug must have had some cotton in his ears or something, because the sonic damage seems to affect him very little...
Vrald Sehir |
Having had the thug conveniently come close to him, Vrald strikes out with his trusty sword.
"Flee while you can." he warns
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
His sword tries to follow the command, but he holds on to it, just.
GM Baerlie |
Kristen screams in the blue Thug's head, his ears start to bleed, but he is still ok.
Fort Save DC15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Maeron casts flare on the same thug.
Fort Save DC15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
The blue thug steps back and attacks Vrald with his spiked chain.
Attack: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 1 = 3 Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Vrald attacks the guy in front of him, but is not able to do any damage. Firedrake throws another vial of alchemist's fire at Maeron. Also this vial lands in the water.
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 0 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 0 - 4 = 6 Scatter: 1d8 ⇒ 7
The thug with the red cape still deals with the rat.
Will DC 18: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
Round 3
Jaegar
Kristen
Gilfroy
Maeron
Thug blue dazzled
Vrald
Firedrake
Thug red dazzled
Firedrake -7HP
Thug blue -4HP
Thug red