Jatori's page

Allow me to introduce Cape Town's new Venture Captain: Leon Venter.

Leon has supported the Cape Town scene for about as long as there's been a scene, including assisting with game day organisation, convention administration, and GMing. He's the ideal candidate to take Cape Town PFS into the future. Both Herc and I have stepped down from our VO roles, though you'll still see us at the table debating the merits of tengu.

Welcome aboard, Leon!

"It has been four weeks since the Night of Ashes, the night of my parents' disappearance. Laria tells me that they're most probably dead at best. Or currently locked away in one of the Lord Mayor's illegal dungeons at worst. I still maintain hope though. Hope that they're simply laying low. My mother knew enough to store the lockbox with Laria. Surely, she must have known about the Night of Ashes...

Going through the notes we discovered beneath the Livery, it's clear that somebody in the past Ravens kept a record of things. I see it as my duty to do the same for this generation. I promise to write more in the future, but now it's time for our weekly planning meeting."

Bonus supporters gained from the Devil's Nursery: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Supporter attrition: Loyalty: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11; 1d6 ⇒ 1

New supporter total: 28

Notoriety != maximum

Treasury >= minimum

Rebellion increases in rank to rank 4. PCs receive the title of Guardian and receive a bonus feat from the following list: Alertness, Deceitful, Persuasive, or Stealthy!

Feel free to discuss your rebellion actions for the week. You may take 3 actions this week (2 base + 1 from strategist), though I suggest you use one action to appoint Philipe to an officer role (e.g. Sentinel).

"... and with that, I hereby officially reinstate the old goblin bounty. The town of Sandpoint will pay 10 gp for every relatively fresh goblin ear delivered to the town hall — with an additional reward of 300 gp for the group that can bring in the head of the Licktoads’ leader, Chief Gutwad.

As he finishes his speech, Sheriff Belor Hemlock looks to the Rusty Dragon's gathered patrons, you included, for volunteers. The Licktoad goblin tribe has grown unusually aggressive recently. Reports suggest that the tribe managed to secure a cache of explosives and, with that, an inflated sense of ego which has made them dangerously brave. Several merchant caravans and travelers have been attack and according to the victims, the damage caused by horses panicking at the sight and sound of exploding pyrotechnics is almost as destructive as the goblin attacks themselves.

Since the goblins don't directly threaten Magnimar, the city has not sent any assistance. The Sandpoint watch, understaffed at the best of times, is already stretched thin protecting the Lost Coast Road. Thus, dealing with the goblin threat has fallen to (would-be) adventurers such as yourselves.

"Any questions?" Belor asks the crowd.

If you want to ask multiple questions in one post, feel free to do so. I'll build your questions and Belor's responses into the narrative.

Though most of the conversation gets directed towards Belor, the crowd does chatter among themselves:

Discussion thread open.

Character generation:

1. All PFS legal options are available. Non-PFS legal options are open for discussion.

2. Use the board's [ dice ] function to roll attributes as follows:

• Roll 4d6 seven times, dropping the lowest d6 each time
  
• Drop the lowest set
  
• Arrange attributes as you like

3. Maximum hit points at level 1; half maximum +1 hp for each level thereafter.

4. Maximum starting gold.

5. Each character must have one campaign trait taken from the JR player's guide.

"I still cannot believe you signed us up with this name," Constance, your group's fixer, sighs as she makes her way back to your group, lottery tokens in hand. One token represents your group, the the Mummy Mimi Modo Adventuring Company, while the other token represents the building that you're allowed to explore as part of the opening of the Wati necropolis. Despite protests from the Pharasmin church, the Ruby Prince's economic policy - the legalizing of tomb robbing (well, that's how Constance explains it) - has been pushed through and implemented in Wati. Still, the priests of the Grand Mausoleum could at least influence when, how and who got to explore the necropolis. Sites were assigned to groups of explorers through a lottery - through fate and chance, befitting the Lady of the Graves.

"We've been assigned to the Tomb of Akhentepi. Apparently, it's an actual tomb which predates the Plague of Madness. Here, the tokens came with directions and a map of the necropolis. The tomb is in Wati's original graveyard, in the eastern section of the necropolis." Constance says as she hands over the lottery tokens and maps. Then, with the embarrassment of the group's name seemingly behind her, the dark-haired Chelish fixer continues: "The gates only open tomorrow morning, so we have the night to ready ourselves. I have organized accommodation at the Tooth & Hookah. Come on, let's go."

CHAPTER 1: I Hope Mummy Senpai Notices Me - The Half-Dead City

The Pharasmins of the Grand Mausoleum, though perhaps a little politically weak are at least punctual, opening the necropolis gates at sunrise. As the first adventuring parties begin to enter, the high priestess, Sebti the Crocodile proclaims: "The way is open, but, pay heed and let these rules guide you in your endeavors in this holy place: remember how this came to pass, every slave’s hut is a memorial, and honor the departed. May you go with the Lady’s blessing.”

ACT 1: The Tomb of Akhentepi

The sturdy stone buildings of Wati’s necropolis were once part of the living city, and even now could still be mistaken for apartments, estates, shops, or tenements if not for the faded paint and desert sand piling up in the streets. Separated from the rest of the city by high stone walls inscribed with prayers and blessings, the necropolis has an outward appearance of peace and repose. The dusty streets are mostly empty of life and it does not take you long to locate your assigned site.

A rectangular stone mausoleum sits alone in what appears to have once been an actual cemetery. The trunks of a few dead trees poke out of the sand around the tomb, and a hot breeze whistles through their desiccated branches. A set of massive stone double doors is affixed to the northern side of the structure, beneath a facade bearing the likeness of an Osirian man. Windblown sand is heaped around the crypt, partially burying the doors that lead within.

Discussion Thread. Character creation and game play rules are on the campaign information page.

I thought I'd take a minute to welcome Lenus-Nel Bronkhorst, the new Pretoria VC. By all accounts, Lenus is a major driving force behind PFS growth in Pretoria and I wish him the best of luck within the role of VC. His region covers the Gauteng province.

I'd also like to thank Shaun Murdoch, who now retires as Pretoria VC, for his work to date. Shaun will continue to support the Gauteng scene and Lenus as VL.

It has been months since M-Day, the day the Scarlet Witch tried to use her mutant powers to alter reality, stripping nearly all mutants of their powers in the process. In response, the United States government formed the superhuman monitoring Office of National Emergency (O*N*E) and relocated the remaining 198 known 'powered' mutants to the Xavier Institute. Today, human-piloted Sentinels constantly monitor the Institute, which has essentially become a refugee camp.

M-Day, and similar events, such as the Hulk's rampage through Las Vegas, which left 26 dead, and Latveria's attack on Manhattan, launched in response to Nick Fury's Secret War, has resulted in an increase in public pressure for superhuman accountability. Similar to the Mutant Registration Act, the proposed Superhuman Registration Act (SHRA) would require the mandatory registration of any person based in the United States with super powers. Congress is scheduled to vote on the Act soon.

You have been offered the opportunity to speak before Congress, either for or against the SHRA. Big decisions happen within these HALLOWED HALLS. Though the rooms of Congress are often CROWDED and full of NOSY JOURNALISTS, and STUBBORN and OPPORTUNISTIC POLITICIANS, you find yourselves in a small, quiet room furnished with two simple tables, a podium, and a few chairs for an audience. Five congressmen sit behind the tables, while a sixth, Senator Dickerson, currently holds the podium.

Dickerson, a tall, thin man, with greying blonde hair, begins the proceedings, addressing the X-Men delegates: "We are honoured to have you here today, in your roles as activists, educators, and as known and publicly recognised mutants. The implementation of the Mutant Registration Act had its... challenges. This is why we have invited you here today - to discuss those challenges and how we can bring the lessons learned into the Superhuman Registration Act discussion."

The Doom Pool stands at 2d6.

Thread started.

Though we'll be following the basic Civil War structure, there is space to deviate from the canon (such as your Captain America choosing to support the SHRA, instead of opposing it). We'll see where the story takes us.

We'll be using the troupe play rules introduced in the Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Civil War source book. Each player will start with one of the characters listed below. As play progresses, you'll have the opportunity to 'unlock' additional characters for your troupe. On the other hand, some characters may become unplayable later, based on individual and group decisions.

Just something I cooked up (looking for feedback, of course).

Thinblood Sorcerer (Archetype)

The strength of a sorcerous bloodline does not necessarily run true and, often, a particular line of descendants may find it increasingly difficult to sire a true sorcerer. In societies where magical prowess indicates a sign of prestige, these so-called thinblood families have developed rituals, which often rely on the imbibing of drugs or other alchemical substances to enhance the spellcasting ability of any family member that shows even the smallest sign of magical power.

Addict: A thinblood has lantent magical power, but cannot access this power without chemical intervention. Each thinblood family perfects a drug, which enables its members to access their power. A drug will only enhance the spellcasting of an individual belonging to the family that created the drug. At 1st level, a thinblood sorcerer chooses the drug’s type (ingested, inhaled or injury) and damage (1d2 points of attribute damage to any non-Charisma attribute). Once this choice has been made, it cannot change. Regardless, of the choice, all of these spellcasting enhancement drugs share the following properties:

Type: As chosen above.
Addiction: minor, Fortitude 12
Price: 10 gp
Effect: 4 hours; +2 alchemical bonus to Charisma. This effect only works for members of the thinblood family that created the drug.
Damage: As chosen above.

A thinblood can cast spells and use the supernatural and spell-like abilities provided by her bloodline normally while benefiting from the effect of the drug or suffering from damage caused by the drug. A thinblood loses access to her supernatural and spell-like bloodline abilities and may only cast cantrips when not benefiting from the effect of the drug or suffering from damage caused by the drug A thinblood sorcerer may create her own supply of the drug, which has a Craft (alchemy) DC of 12. This ability replaces Eschew Materials.

Cross-posted at my blog.

Isgeri Blood and Orphans’ Tears

Introduction

An urban, investigative adventure designed for four 4th level characters, Isgeri Blood and Orphans’ Tears takes place in the Isgeri town of Logas. Using the fast XP advancement track, the characters should reach 5th level by the end of the adventure.

The Goblinblood Wars left many Isgeri children orphaned. In the years since the war ended, unchecked banditry and the growing presence of undead throughout the land have done nothing, but add to the ever-growing number of homeless youths. Only the church of Asmodeus responded to the crisis; establishing monasteries across Isger, offering food and shelter to the orphaned children. Those taken into these orphanages found themselves indoctrinated into the faith. Many of them aspire to join the priesthood, the Hellknights, if male, or the Sisters of the Golden Erinyes, if female.

Agents of the Asmodean faith have little trouble gathering up the homeless children and orphans that find their way to the city of Logas. The offer of a warm meal and bed are often enough to lure a hungry child to the monastery orphanages. However; the children of Logas have recently begun to avoid the church and its clergy. There has even been an increase in the number of cases of children attempting to escape from the local monastery and return to their lives on the streets. The orphaned children of the street now sing a strange rhyme referring to The Lady, the orphans’ protector, and Kasteron, who punishes those that would harm the orphans. Since the rhyme was first heard, a priest of Asmodeus, directly involved with the orphans, has been found murdered.

Isger is a country filled with opportunity for adventure. The PCs may be visiting the country, and find themselves stopping in Logas, for any number of reasons, including:

• Isger's economy relies on the trade routes that run through the country, connecting the wealthy markets surrounding Lake Encarthan to those based around the Inner Sea. PCs may find themselves crossing Isger as part of a mercantile endeavor, as caravan guards, couriers or as entrepreneurs.
  
• The Sisters of the Golden Erinyes, an all-female Asmodean monastic order, base themselves in Isger. The sisters practice their own unique martial art known as Hamatulatsu. PCs, especially monks, looking to learn more about the style may attempt to visit one of their monasteries.
  
• Undead infestations threaten areas of Isger. The Isgeri government is offering rewards for any meaningful assistance. Logas provides an ideal opportunity to resupply before heading north to wight-infested Finder's Gulch or south to the quarantined zombie-filled village of Gillamoor.

Part 1: Arrival at Logas

The Goblinblood Wars may be over, but the goblinoid threat still lingers, within and below the Chitterwood. While en route to Logas, the PCs encounter Kalvik and Dalith, merchants from Druma. The merchants are happy for the company, since it has been a number of hours since they last saw any of the highway patrol. While traveling with the merchants, the PCs get the impression that something watches from the woods. The watchers are in fact goblinoid scouts, acting as spotters for a group of hobgoblins some distance further down the road. The hobgoblin raiders have set an ambush for travelers. The raiders begin their attack by igniting a line of prepared flammable material across the road, in an attempt to separate the group. This combat will involve defending innocents while facing a tactically minded foe with superior numbers, attacking from multiple directions. To make matters worse, the merchants’ horses, not trained for combat, are prone to panic and bolt.
If either Kalvik or Dalith survive the encounter, they promise to reward the PCs once they reach Logas. If both die, it does not take long before the PCs encounter the Isgeri highway patrol. The patrol offers to help with the dead merchants and transporting their cart, so that it reaches Kalvik or Dalith’s estates.

The City of Logas (LN large town; population 4300)

Isger is located dangerously close to the Chitterwood. Rows of fresh goblinoid corpses hang from pikes along the town’s walls. Every now and then, seemingly at random, a trebuchet hurls a large rock, from behind the walls, into the forest.

Isger is a large town, bustling with activity, but there hangs a constant sense of unease and nervousness about it. The frequent firings of the trebuchets are a grim reminder of the dangers that lurk just beyond the town’s walls. As the PCs move through the town, they will have opportunity to learn the following with a Diplomacy (gather information) or Knowledge (local) check:

• There have been three brutal murders recently baffling the local guard. A baker, a child-catcher from the orphanage and, most recently an Asmodean priest are among the victims.
  
• There has been a recent increase in goblinoid ambushes along the Chitterwood’s borders.
  
• The orphaned children of Logas can be heard singing a new rhyme as part of a game that only they seem to understand. At this point of the adventure, the PCs have the chance to hear the first part of the rhyme:

Lady keep me safe this night
Far away from goblin sight
Lady keep me safe in bed
Hidden quiet, warm and fed

While the PCs explore Logas, a boy bumps into and attempts to pick the pockets of one of the PCs. If the theft is spotted, the boy will attempt to run and a chase through Logas will ensue. If the PCs fail to notice the theft, once they do learn of the theft, possibly much later, a successful Diplomacy (gather information) check can tell them who the likely culprit may be. The PCs can then track the boy down, whom, when confronted, will attempt to run.

Chase through Logas: Chasing the boy takes the PCs through Logas’ small market area, a poorer neighborhood, between lines of laundry, until he reaches one of the his many hiding holes.

Barely an adolescent, the boy, named Warrim, is one of Isger’s many orphans. Almost any of the chase witnesses can tell the PCs that the boy belongs in the Asmodean orphanage. If the PCs require additional motivation, a Logas local can suggest that there may be a reward for returning Warrim to the orphanage. If the PCs fail to catch him, the local guard captures Warrim when he attempts to fence his stolen goods. Once informed of his capture, the PCs may collect their property from the Logas Asmodean temple. If the PCs capture Warrim and then let him go after retrieving their property, they are later called to the Asmodean temple since they are now considered friends of the orphans. If the PCs do not manage to meet any of the above criteria, news of their earlier battle against the hobgoblins will eventually reach the temple, who will then seek them out based on this news.

Part 2: The Devil You Know

Brother Aleric (cleric of Asmodeus 5), currently the most senior member of the Asmodean clergy in Logas, oversees the running of both the temple and the attached orphanage. He thanks the PCs for returning Warrim safely, if applicable, and invites the PCs to listen to a proposal.

Aleric informs the PCs of the strange behavior recently displayed by the orphans, both those in the orphanage and those unfortunate enough to remain homeless. The orphans now believe that life on the street is better than the life offered by the Asmodean faith. There must be some truth to it, since hunger normally brings the children willingly to the temple. Under different circumstances, this would not have concerned Aleric, but the recent behavior of the street children and Essana’s death are definite cause for worry.

Aleric asks the PCs to investigate the matter, citing that they stand more chance, than the Asmodean clergy or Logas guard, at successfully engaging the orphans in conversation. Warrim is a known bully and not popular with most street children; his recapture by the PCs does little to harm their investigation.

Though Aleric acts as if the children are his only concern, he remains a cleric of Asmodeus. The recent events in Logas threaten his standing and reputation within the church, and perhaps his own life, should he be targeted to share Essana’s fate. If needed, he will not hesitate trying to manipulate the PCs, using whatever information he has on hand.

Part 3: Investigation

The adventure now becomes an investigation, with the PCs gathering the clues necessary to track down the source of the orphans’ strange behavior and potentially Essana’s killer. This part of the adventure allows the PCs to learn more of the orphans’ mysterious protector and avenger, told from their point of view.

Speak with dead:If the PCs think to ask, or require additional direction, Aleric can cast speak with dead (CL 5) on Essana’s corpse, allowing the PCs to ask the corpse two questions. Essana worked directly with the orphans and played a large role in their education. Known as a strict and cruel taskmaster, few of her students, if any, liked the woman. If questioned about her death, Essana explains that the murder took place in one of her classrooms. Essana’s description of the murderer paints a disturbing picture – a faceless man, with badly burnt forearms, hands, lower legs and feet.

A successful Heal check reveals that she was bludgeoned to death with a heated object, as evidenced by several burns.

The orphans: The PCs cannot hide their relationship with the Asmodean temple for long. The investigation may become more difficult as it progresses, unless the PCs take steps to distance themselves from Aleric and his clergy. For every orphan the PCs return to Aleric, excluding Warrim, decrease the starting attitude of all other orphans by one level.

During this part of the investigation, PCs will have opportunity to interact with multiple NPCs, each requiring a different approach. If successful, the PCs will begin to piece together the unique folklore that the street children have created for themselves:

• The orphans believe that a kind, benevolent, motherly spirit looks after them and leads them to sources of food and safe hiding places. They refer to this spirit as The Lady. The Lady makes none of the demands that the Asmodean church enforces on those in its care. She only wishes for the children to grow up into kind, loving people. If you know The Lady’s real name, you can call for her and she will fly to you, wherever you may be. However, only a select few of the older children know her real name.
  
• The orphans also talk of a protector that makes the adults listen and behave as they should. The protector is called through singing the rhyme, which allows him to read the minds of the singer and identify the bad adults.

Warrim: Warrim does not really understand the songs and games of the younger street children, but he can be convinced to tell the PCs where they can begin looking. Warrim is also very vocal about his dislike of the Asmodean orphanage, freely listing many reasons.

Carmin: Carmin, only seven, believes that she caused the baker’s death. The baker, Mister Olvus, was known for giving day-old bread to any orphan that came looking. Carmin remembers accidentally thinking of a tasty biscuit, which Mister Olvus gave her as treat once, while singing the rhyme the day before he died.

Pontius Rat: Pontius believes that his current financial situation is little more than a minor setback. His great-aunt should be coming down from Elidir, any day now, to return him to the life he deserves. The boy tries to give the impression of class and dignity, but the local slang keeps finding its way into his speech. Pontius witnessed the murder of Varx, the child-catcher – the man once responsible for rounding up the street children. Pontius does not volunteer the information easily, but, when he does eventually speak, his account matches the description given by Essana’s corpse.

Freia: Many consider Freia as one of the informal leaders of the Logas street children. Given her standing, she is not easily contacted. She only makes herself available at a later stage, once the PCs have proven themselves as friends of the children or to negotiate a truce, if the PCs are known to drag captured orphans back to the orphanage. As one of the older orphans, now nearly an adult, she originally thought of the concept of the two protectors. On a particularly harsh winter night, she concocted the tale in order to comfort the younger orphans. Freia based the motherly spirit’s character on a woman that looked after her when she first arrived, parentless, in Logas. The woman, Cataline, died while helping Freia and other orphans escape a fire that tore through parts of Logas towards the end of the war.

Freia never intended that the rhyme be anything more than a comfort for her fellow orphans. Many of the works attributed to The Lady are actually the result of Freia’s hard work. Since hearing about Kasteron and the murders, she has cried herself to sleep every night while calling for Cataline, The Lady’s true name, to come rescue her. Unlike Kasteron, Cataline never arrives. Freia will point the PCs towards Cataline’s house (see part 4).

The second verse: During their investigations, the PCs will have the opportunity to hear more of the children’s rhyme:

He hurt me, she hurt me
Kasteron hurt them back
Take them away
Kasteron hurt them back

A debt repaid: If Kalvik or Dalith survived the hobgoblin ambush, they seek the PCs out and pay them the promised reward. They are a useful source of grown-up gossip, which may or may not help put the conversations with the orphans into a proper context.

The monster beneath your bed: At some point during the PCs’ investigations, Kasteron, the Chitterwood Bogeyman attacks the PC that has most relied on threats when dealing with the orphans or, if no PC fits that description, he attacks the PC that has otherwise had the most interaction with the orphans. The Bogeyman will attack at night when the PC is most likely to be asleep. The Bogeyman’s unique physiology allows it to squeeze into the smallest of spaces, which in turn allows it to lie in wait beneath the victim’s bed or inside a cupboard. At this point, Kasteron does not push the attack for too long before escaping, preferring to use hit and run tactics against well-armed PCs.

New Monster - The Chitterwood Bogeyman (NE medium fey): Born within the dark reaches of the Chitterwood and given form by the nightmares of countless Isgeri orphans, Kasteron has adopted the children of Logas as its own. Summoned by song and rhyme, Kasteron hunts down those that threaten its new foster family.

Kasteron appears as a genderless, featureless humanoid with badly burnt and charred extremities. The joints of its long limbs bend at impossible angles, lending its movements an alien and frightening quality. The ability to discorporate into ash, burning or not, grants Kasteron access to secured rooms and a means of escape, if necessary.

Part 4: The House that Cataline Built

Several ruined houses, long ago gutted by fire, stand clustered together near the town’s southern wall. Many of the buildings show signs of occupation, either by stray animals or the undesirable element of Logas’ citizenry. One building, however, shows no signs of such activity and stands eerily empty.

Haunt: Cataline’s ghost still haunts the ruins of her old house. The ghost still believes that there are children that need rescuing from the fire that consumed her house. Her presence has turned the building into a haunt, which manifests as a ghostly fire. To destroy the haunt, and put Cataline’s ghost rest, the PCs must locate one of the fire’s lost victims, a child’s skeletal remains, and remove it from the building.

In the basement of the building, a collapsed wall allows access to a series of tunnels, once planned for goblin sappers during the Goblinblood Wars. Luckily, for the citizens of Logas, these tunnels were poorly constructed and a series of mistimed explosions and cave-ins cut off the goblins before they could bring down the town’s walls. Kasteron now lairs within the remaining tunnels and the PCs must venture through them if they hope to put an end to him.

Burning Skeletons: The remains of victims caught within the tunnels stalk the twisted passages. Animated by the same force responsible for Isger’s many other undead infestations, these skeletons also embody the fires that consumed the building above and part of the Chitterwood.

The Final Verse: During the exploration of the tunnels, the PCs will encounter a message carved into the walls of the tunnel:

Before you turn off your light
Better lock your cupboards tight, tight, tight
Kasteron's here
When you look under your bed
Scream in fear as you are dead, dead, dead
Kasteron's here

Kasteron: Kasteron relies on hit and run tactics, harrying the PCs throughout the tunnels, attempting to lead them towards the burning skeletons and other hazards of the tunnels. Defending its lair, Kasteron fights on until destroyed.

Treasure: Kasteron has a small horde of knick-knacks, taken from the citizens of Logas, including pieces of clothing, tools and a selection of children’s toys. Though most of the items are completely mundane, one child’s toy has been warped by Kasteron’s constant handling. The toy grants its carrier a small piece of the bogeyman’s power.

Conclusion:

With Kasteron defeated, the murders come to an end. Aleric is rightly pleased at the outcome and rewards the PCs appropriately. Some days later, children are heard singing a new rhyme, which, based on the PCs’ actions throughout the adventure, paints them either as the new Lady or Kasteron.

The Old Cassomir Dollhouse
==========
Hours after his father's death, Varstrius petitioned Cassomir's churches to resurrect his dead sister. As the only heir to his father's fortune, he could afford the expensive ritual and necessary components. Sadly, he never considered that Sulliana's soul would not want to return to him. Angry and bitter, Varstrius now seeks to bring Sulliana back through other means.

Varstrius’ family home is a large, three-storied manor located within the Old Cassomir district. Varstrius has recently repurposed the basement level of the old house, connecting it with the maze of sewers, tunnels, and forgotten vaults found beneath Cassomir. He now uses those wide tunnels as a base of operations for the slavery operation which has grown up around him, and his obsession with his deceased sister.

Varstrius has eleven mercenaries in his employ, but at any given time, 1d4 of them are not present in the basement. Treat the mercenaries as Turnkeys (GameMastery Guide 271) for tier 7-8 and as Sellswords (GameMastery Guide 283) for tier 10-11. In addition, there are currently 1d4 halfling or gnome prisoners held in the basement.

If a lone mercenary encounters the PCs, he will attempt to flee and alert the rest of the basement to their presence. If multiple mercenaries encounter the PCs at once, one will attempt to flee and alert the rest of the basement, while the remainder will engage the PCs in combat.

Unless otherwise noted, the walls of the basement are superior masonry walls and the doors are good wooden doors. Normally, only the cell doors (area 2) and the door to the tea room (area 5) are locked.

1. Stores: This chamber serves as the manor’s stores, pantry and wine cellar. A DC 20 Perception check reveals a secret door, which connects the area to the rest of the basement.
2. Cells (CR 3 or 7): This area, which is constantly guarded by one mercenary, holds Varstrius’ halfling and gnome prisoners. The corpse of a young male halfling lies in a puddle of filth in one of the cells. A DC 15 Heal check reveals that he was strangled to death. Searching the corpse (DC 20 Perception) reveals a small blue bellflower embroidered on the inside of his shirt’s collar.
3. Sewer Entrance (CR 5 or 9): There are always two mercenaries guarding this area. Varstrius increased the guard presence here, after his men encountered a roving band of strange, blue-skinned humanoids in the tunnels. Several halfling and gnome bodies have been temporarily discarded a short distance down this tunnel. A DC 15 Heal check reveals that these corpses have had parts surgically removed.
4. Barracks: This room acts as the living space for Varstrius’ mercenaries.
5. Tea Room: Varstrius has decorated this area to match his sister’s bedroom, which remained untouched since her death, in the manor above. This is where he keeps the prisoners which most resemble Sulliana, often dressing them up to look like her and indulging in sessions of forcefully role-played tea parties.
6. Study: A large oak desk dominates the finely decorated space. Two paintings adorn the walls of the room: one depicts Varstrius' father and the other, a family portrait of Varstrius, his father and Sulliana. His father's image has been defaced in the family portrait. A ledger, found in the room, details slave shipments to Andoran. The most recent entry indicates that Varstrius’ daughter, Sarrisia, has just left Cassomir with another shipment.
7. Stairwell: This stairwell leads to a secret door (DC 20 Perception) which opens into the master bedroom on the top floor of the manor.
8.1 Dev’s Room: This untidy area serves as the living space for Polald’s apprentice, Dev. The floor is barely visible under the piles of dog-eared books and stacks of paper thereby creating difficult terrain.
8.2 Polald’s Room: Polald Tibarat was hired by Varstrius to assist in the process of returning Sulliana to life. This area acts as Polald’s private bedroom for the occasional night when he works late. However, he spends most of his time at his home nearby, leaving a homunculus to keep an eye on Dev. There is enough paperwork in this room to confirm Polald’s identity and involvement with a DC 20 Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (local) check.

Sulliana’s Rebirth (CR 10 or 13)
==========
9. Laboratory: A grotesque mannequin, stitched together from the limbs and organs of several donors, rests upon a metallic slab in the center of the room. As you enter, a young man, wearing blood-spattered robes, having just completed the last steps of casting a spell, blasts the gruesome construct with electric energy. The mass of dead meat begins to move, pulling itself upright, accompanied by the sickening sound of damp flesh peeling off from the cold metal.

Varstrius commissioned Polald to construct a flesh golem, built in Sulliana’s image. This chamber serves as Polald’s laboratory. Halfling and gnome prisoners, unlucky enough to share a feature with Varstrius’ idealized memories of Sulliana, have been used for parts in the golem’s construction. The golem has even been dressed in clothing similar to the outfit worn by Sulliana in the portrait found in area 6. Despite its size, the golem is made more horrifying by several delicate features, such as its childlike hands and soft-featured face.

Varstrius will make his stand here, relying on any remaining mercenaries, Dev, and the animated mockery of Sulliana to help bring down any foes.

9A: Alchemist’s Lab: This lab holds all the necessary alchemical reagents required during the construction of a flesh golem. Characters may hurl the alchemical equipment as improvised grenade-like weapons. To determine the effect of a hurled item, roll 1d4 and consult the table below:

• 1. Treat the item as a flask of acid
  
• 2. Treat the item as a flask of alchemist’s fire
  
• 3. Treat the item as a smokestick
  
• 4. Treat the item as a tanglefoot bag.

Creatures: Clearly crazed, Varstrius rejoices loudly at the successful animation of the golem. To him, Sulliana’s new body is not a horrid amalgamation of flesh, staples and wire - it is a chance to recapture a life, which his father had once stolen, with his sister at his side. The only obstacles remaining are the PCs. Varstrius will follow his normal combat tactics, commanding Sulliana to assist. Dev will attempt to use his electricity spells to simultaneously damage foes and heal Sulliana. Polald’s homunculus will assist by lobbing grenades from the alchemist’s lab. The mercenaries aim to provide flanking bonuses for Varstrius and Sulliana and try to intercept dangerous melee combatants before they can get close to Dev.

Tier 7-8 (CR 10):

Varstrius CR 7
XP 3200
hp 76 (RPG Superstar 2011 R3)

Dev, Battle Mage CR 5
XP 1600
hp 33 (GameMastery Guide 256)
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 6th, concentration +9)
3rd—dispel magic, fly, haste, lightning bolt (2) (DC 17)
2nd—resist energy, glitterdust (DC 15), mirror image, scorching ray (2)
1st—burning hands (DC 15), color spray (DC 14), mage armor, shocking grasp (2)
0 (at will)—dancing lights, detect magic, light, message

Turnkey (2) CR 3
XP 800 each
hp 37 each (GameMastery Guide 271)

Homunculus CR 1
XP 400
hp 11 (Bestiary 176)

Sulliana, Young Flesh Golem CR 6
XP 2400
hp 69 (Bestiary 160)

9B. Trap: The metallic slab, and the devices beneath it, retains some of the electrical energy used to animate Sulliana. Treat the metal slab as a burning hands trap (CR 1, Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 420) with a trigger of touch, dealing electricity damage instead of fire damage.

Tier 10-11 (CR 13):

Varstrius CR 7
XP 3200
hp 76 (RPG Superstar 2011 R3)
Additional Gear Sulliana’s guardian amulet

Dev, Battle Mage CR 5
XP 1600
hp 33 (GameMastery Guide 256)
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 6th, concentration +9)
3rd—dispel magic, fly, haste, lightning bolt (2) (DC 17)
2nd—resist energy, glitterdust (DC 15), mirror image, scorching ray (2)
1st—burning hands (DC 15), color spray (DC 14), mage armor, shocking grasp (2)
0 (at will)—dancing lights, detect magic, light, message

Sellsword (4) CR 7
XP 3200 each
hp 80 each (GameMastery Guide 283)

Homunculus CR 1
XP 400
hp 11 (Bestiary 176)

Sulliana, Flesh Golem Shield Guardian CR 9
XP 6400
hp 79, fast healing 5 (Bestiary 160)
SQ berserk, controlled, find master, guard, immunity to magic, shield other, spell storing (none)

9B. Trap: The metallic slab, and the devices beneath it, retains some of the electrical energy used to animate Sulliana. Treat the metal slab as an electricity arc trap (CR 4, Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 420).

Development: Any surviving mercenaries within the basement respond to the sound of battle, joining the battle within 2d4 rounds. Even if the PCs are victorious, the matter of dealing with the rogue wizard, Polald, and the slaver, Sarrisia, remains.

Tarvin Haddon, Agent of the Grim Harvestman
Portrait: Portrait 25

Description: Before you stands a gruff-looking labourer. Yet, despite his simple attire and manner, there is a hint of scheming intelligence behind his eyes.

Motivations/Goals: Tarvin wholeheartedly believes in the teachings of his religion: every accidental and tragic death, even those engineered by his own hand, adds to the strength of the godling Zyphus. He hopes to see Zyphus, the Grim Harvestman, become powerful enough to one day strike down Pharasma, rival god over the domain of death.

Schemes/Plots/Adventure Hooks:
Tarvin has perfected the art of looking and acting the part of a simple, menial labourer, granting him access to sites where he can apply his knowledge of engineering, tools and traps to deadly effect. Posing as a miner, he has infiltrated a mining site and orchestrated numerous fatal accidents. Others now fear that the mine is haunted.

There are growing concerns about a possible death cult meeting in the local cemetery. Recently, an investigating inquisitor was found crushed beneath a statue of the Lady of Graves.

Tarvin CR 5
Male human expert 2/rogue (trapsmith, APG 135) 4
NE Medium humanoid
Init +3; Senses Perception +8 (+10 to find traps)
===== Defense =====
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14; (armor +4, Dex +3)
hp 32 (6d8+4)
Fort 1, Ref 7, Will 3
Defensive Abilities careful disarm, evasion, trap sense +1
===== Offense =====
Spd 30 ft.
Melee mwk dagger +6 (1d4+1/19-20)
Ranged dart +7 (1d4+1/X2) or mwk dagger +8 (1d4+1/19-20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +2d6
===== Tactics =====
Before Combat Tarvin would rather avoid direct combat, preferring to dispatch foes using engineered accidents. If combat is inevitable, he does his best to define the battlefield beforehand, setting traps and sabotaging the environment.
During Combat Tarvin is an expert at using the environment against his foes, luring them from one trap to another, using his wands to create diversions when needed. Tarvin is a cautious opponent and even if an opportunity to deliver a sneak attack presents itself, he will only attack if he considers it safe to do so. In addition to any traps and obstacles set before combat, Tarvin can set the traps listed under his combat gear using his quick trapsmith rogue talent.
Morale Tarvin will attempt to flee if caught unprepared for battle or if his foes manage to best his gauntlet of traps. He will use his wands and potions to aid in his escape.
===== Statistics =====
Str 13, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 8 , Cha 12
Base Atk +4; CMB +5; CMD 18
Feats Deft Hands, Extra Rogue Talent, Quick Draw, Skill Focus (Use Magic Device).
Skills Acrobatics (Dex) +10, Bluff (Cha) +10, Climb (Str) +10, Craft (Traps) (Int) +12, Disable Device (Dex) +16, Disguise (Cha) +10, Knowledge (engineering) (Int) +12, Knowledge (local) (Int) +8, Knowledge (Religion) (Int) +7, Perception (Wis) +8 (+10 to find traps), Profession (Builder) (Wis) +5, Sleight of Hand (Dex) +12, Stealth (Dex) +12, Use Magic Device (Cha) +13
Languages Common, Halfling, Kelish, Osiriani
SQ rogue talent (cunning trigger, quick disable, quick trapsmith), trapfinding +2
Combat Gear oil of arcane lock, potion of cure light wounds, potion of invisibility, wand of grease (3 charges), wand of ghost sound (8 charges), wand of obscuring mist (2 charges), arrow trap (CR 1), poison dart trap (CR 1, including greenblood oil (1 dose)), caltrops, smokesticks (2), tanglefoot bag (2); Other Gear +1 studded leather armor, masterwork dagger, 5 arrows, 4 darts, disguise kit, masterwork thieves’ tools, masterwork trap-making tools, masterwork backpack, unholy symbol of Zyphus

Tengu Blademaster (Fighter)
All tengus train with swords from birth, but only a few truly dedicate themselves to mastering the art of swordplay. Tengu blademasters are gifted swordsmen, each combining his dangerous bite and racial affinity with swords into a unique, yet deadly fighting style. These fighting school benefits apply only to the tengu’s bite attack and sword-like weapons as defined by the tengu’s swordtrained racial trait.
Many Sword Style (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, if the tengu blademaster has a sword selected for the Weapon Focus feat, he may apply the benefit of the feat to any sword he wields. He may apply Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Focus and Greater Weapon Specialization in a similar fashion. The blademaster may only apply these benefits to a newly acquired sword after familiarizing himself with it, requiring 1 minute of practice, even if already familiar with another sword of the same type. A blademaster only need familiarize himself with any sword once. At 10th level, he only requires a full-round action to familiarize himself with a sword. This ability replaces bravery.
Blademaster’s Defense (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, when a blademaster makes a full attack including at least one sword and bite attack, he receives a +1 dodge bonus to AC against melee attacks. This bonus increases by 1 for every four levels after 3rd. This ability replaces armor training 1 and 3.
Tengu Weapon Training (Ex): At 5th level, the blademaster gains weapon training 1, but the bonuses only apply when wielding a sword or using a bite attack. At 17th level, the blademaster receives weapon training 2. This ability replaces weapon training 1 and 4.
Iron Beak (Ex): At 7th level, the blademaster reduces the penalty to attack rolls when using his bite as a secondary weapon to -2. At 15th level, he adds his full strength modifier to damage dealt by a secondary bite attack. This ability replaces armor training 2 and 4.
Beak and Blade (Ex): At 9th level, as a standard action, a blademaster can make a single melee attack with a sword. If the attack hits, he may attempt a dirty trick or steal combat maneuver with his beak, using his full base attack bonus, as a free action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. This ability replaces weapon training 2.
Powerful Beak (Ex): At 13th level, the blademaster is considered one size larger when determining the damage dealt by his bite attack and CMB when using his beak. This ability replaces weapon training 3.
Tengu Weapon Mastery (Ex): At 20th level, the blademaster gains weapon mastery as per the fighter class feature, but may only select a sword or his bite attack.

Phlebotomist’s Gloves
Aura faint necromancy; CL 3rd
Slot hands; Price 7000 gp; Weight - lbs.
Description
These red-coloured gloves only reveal their true nature when brought close to recently spilt blood. The gloves gently tug the wearer’s hands towards the fresh blood. This tugging does not impede the wearer and she can wield weapons, carry items and cast spells as normal. The wearer can concentrate on the tugging as a move action to determine the location of recently spilled blood. This grants the wearer limited blindsense for one round that allows her to detect creatures that are currently suffering from bleed damage or are dying within 30 ft. of her. Three times per day, by clenching one of her gloved hands into a fist, as a swift action, the wearer can accelerate the blood loss of those around her. Any creature within 30 ft. currently suffering from bleed damage takes its bleed damage immediately, in addition to the bleed damage it would normally take at the beginning of its turn. Any dying creature within 30 ft., not suffering from bleed damage, takes 1 hit point of damage.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, bleed, deathwatch; Cost 3500 gp

Today is boobquake day: an experiment to see if promiscuously dressed women cause earthquakes.

All in the name of science, of course.

I think that many of us have some sort of issue/gripe/problem with the monk class. Mine happens to be the relationship between the monk's weapon proficiencies, monk weapons (the flurry ones) and unarmed strikes.

At first, it was just about the difference in damage, but as my play style matured, I learned that damage output isn't all there is to a character - there is also flash and style. Weapon-based martial arts are visually stunning and weapon choice plays a big role in defining a character. Unfortunately, the monk's selection of weapons are the most mechanically boring and vanilla items in the rule book.

So, I've started looking at means for spicing up the monk's weapon selection. Either tweaking the weapon mechanics slightly or looking at new ways to use existing weapons.

You can find it over here. Let me know what you think.