Serpent's Rise

[Qwerty's Pregen]

Marnarius returns to brief his companions. "Over by the animal pens there is a worker with the keys dangling on his belt. that would be a nice addition to our distraction if somehow some of the animals were to break free...if only we had a sneak who could lift those keys..."
looking at the wayfinders, Marnarius picks one up, "Celfwyn... I have heard of him. I thought he was out on a mission for some rich girl. I guess I was wrong."

[DrParty06]

Unfortunately, when Marnarius returns to the statue to retrieve help from Shohiraj, she if off gathering the wayfinders, and it does not seem like she will return soon enough to also help with the keys. Time is running short. It seems Marnarius will be on his own in releasing the animals unless he can convince 322, Rataji, or Zurnzal to help. Though, I suspect Zurnzal has some things he would like to finish quickly, perhaps with some help?, in the short amount of time remaining before the speech.

Shohiraj has already completed 2 actions and cannot aid anyone else at this point. Someone else could swipe the keys (Sleight of Hand and Stealth) or sneakily try to disable the locks (Stealth and Disable Device), either way you will need to prevent the animals from escaping now (Handle Animal). Roll 3 of each of the option you choose.

We should also try to get through this section by the end of the weekend, if not sooner.

[Qwerty's Pregen]

Seeing that the little sneak is out, Marnarius will go back to where he was, make sure no one is looking intently at him, and try to disable the locks and let the animals escape when the time is right...

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12...Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22...Disable w MW tools: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 1 = 14...Handle Animal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

[DrParty06]

Marnarius:

You attempt to open the lock, but find yourself more concerned about not being detected. The animal in the cage becomes slightly agitated, but as you look up from the lock, you hear the ram-headed sphinx speak out to you, "The future holds great things for those that listen to the wise words of the sphinx Parwaxis." You sense that he is passing a secret message offering to help you.

If you acknowledge:

"A time comes when the shackled shall walk among men, voicing their grievances with a hundred horns. These children—who strain at false laws—know not that the time is not today, but no man can chide them, for he knows not their tongue. Their castle of chains shall fall away, and only a lion or sheep shall be their herald, calling out to let them know that their time in the sun has arrived.” You can roll Sense Motive, if you didn't catch the message.

Either way you can try to stealthily pick a lock again.

[Qwerty's Pregen]

For GM...no peeking:

He will acknowledge...and still roll...SM: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Regardless he will try to pick the lock again...Disable w MW tools: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 = 18

[DrParty06]

Marnarius:

You get the sense that he will keep the animals calm and coordinate their escape to occur at an opportune time for your mission should his be one of the cages that you unlock. Assuming you agree, he waits a moment and moves off before beginning to make a series of strange animal-like noises, seemingly attracting the attention of animals in other cages. As if on command, a number of animals on the opposite side of the menagerie begin dancing around and growling drawing away the attention of the spectators. The occupants of those cages closest to you, the most dangerous looking beasts, back off into the corners of their cages to pose no threat to you.

Your attempt on presumably the sphinx's lock proves unsuccessful, but you hear him say to you,"To focus on the task at hand is to become free."

You think you can take 10 on the Stealth and Disable Device checks to be successful

[Qwerty's Pregen]

GM:

"Ok bud, you scratch mine, I will scratch yours"
Marnarius will take the 10 and use the sphynx's help with the animals.

[Choon's Pregen]

Zurnzal will wander the event trying to pick up whatever he can.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
diplo:gather info: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

[DrParty06]

Zurnzal is unable to discover any more as the Pathfinders are beginning to gather in the grassy clearing behind Skyreach.

[DrParty06]

The festivities appear to be moving toward the time for Marcos Farrabellus's speech. Your time to act is nigh.

If anyone has anything else they would like to do before we move into the next phase of the scenario, please post it by 14:00 UTC tomorrow.

[DrParty06]

Ushers begin informing Pathfinders to gather on the north lawn behind Skyreach for the imminent speech by the Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus. You easily slip away in the push for prime standing room on the lawn. You can quickly regroup and share any exploits that you may have conducted before slipping unnoticed through the front door into Skyreach. Your instructions first direct you to the vaults deep within Skyreach. It seems fairly quiet within, but you have been warned that there are patrols lurking in wait suspicious of possible attacks. It would be to your advantage to avoid their detection.

Everyone should roll a Disguise or Stealth check.

322:

Just before you enter Skyreach, you notice a sudden deep cold weight coming from your side. When you look to see what could be causing it, you find that a small black lantern has been slipped into your pocket.

[PDXCook]

Disguise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Rataji always felt the best course of action when you are caught where you don't belong is to act like you belong there.

[Choon's Pregen]

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Zurnzal melts into the shadows and crowds. He always felt the best course of action was to not get seen in restricted areas in the first place.

[Qwerty's Pregen]

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Marnarius blends in with the local surroundings and makes his move.

[Sior's Aspis Agent]

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Shihiraj tries to maintain composure, but with all the hustle and bustle of Pathfinders about, it's hard to maintain a low profile.

[Three Twenty-Two]

The elf keeps her dark armor up a second hour and wraps herself in whatever shadow she can find.

Taking ten if allowed for 10+10+4=24.

[DrParty06]

Rataji disguises himself as a Pathfinder fairly well putting his lifted wayfinder front and center, but as he does so accidentally exposes his Aspis badge making the disguise somewhat pointless. Luckily, the rest of you successfully lurk in the shadows and pull him back just in time before he walks around a corner where there is obviously a patrol.

You continue onward winding your way down a couple sets of stairs and spiral inward then outward down a pair of ramps. You notice that as you proceed down the ramps the walls seem to be made of fine masonry and are periodically dotted with stout looking doors of wood, iron, or stone. At the bottom of the ramp, you find a wing that is separated from the rest of the hallway labelled on the outside with a brass plaque inscribed, Antarnicus Wing. The wing ends in a strong looking wooden door with an obvious lock. You stand now at the opposite end of that hallway. Roll20 map is changed.

Shohiraj:

When you get within 10 ft. of the door, you sense that the door would cause a trap to go off if it were opened without using the key to it.

[Qwerty's Pregen]

"Rookie move Dreads. Do you want a banner stating we are here? I take it you want Sneak to go first...? What is the rest of the marching order?" Marnarius snarls at Rataji in a hushed voice.

[Joliryn "The Artist"]

Once the team breaks off from the gathering and skirts around to the entrance, Joliryn takes her opportunity to break down a couple of things. "We have connections, even here. My contact has passed on the patrol postings and patterns beneath Skyreach. Should help us avoid any awkward encounters. Aside from that he had a few interesting things to say about Aram Zey. The Master of Scrolls is typically prepared with defensive magic and raw offensive spell power. He also has a library of protective wards and glyphs on scrolls. We are warned to not attempt to enter his office unless invited, due to layers upon layers of protective spells woven into his sanctum. If we do enter his office, we must be prepared to prevent his use of a scroll designed to take out intruders. It is a particularly powerful illusion filed near one end of his office shelf. If we end up there and you see him making a move, shut it down immediately."

Stealth, Take 10 for 18
My notes will give us +2 stealth when traveling to the vaults beneath Skyreach, or to the Hao Jin Tapestry. Not clear if that applied to this stealth check or only the ones after we are under Skyreach.

[Sior's Aspis Agent]

"More than just protective spells," Shohiraj states plainly after Joliryn speaks of the possibly protections. She holds up a hand to indicate the party to stay back. She slowly approaches the door and brings out the keys she lifted earlier, looking for one that's an obvious fit.

[DrParty06]

Shohiraj can easily pick out which key should be used to open the door.

[Sior's Aspis Agent]

Then she pops the lock to deactivate the trap and, if the group is ready, opens the door.

[DrParty06]

Shohiraj:

As Shohiraj opens the door, she feels a sudden wave of unease wash over her. Roll a Will save.

When the door is opened:

All of you can see rows of low shelves laden with scrolls, books, and odd relics lining the well-lit hall. At its far end stands a small fountain that emits a small amount of steam—enough to keep this dry room’s humidity constant. Six decorative columns, each one densely carved with animal imagery and fanciful whorls, stand along the walls, and a pair of lounging lizard statues rest on a dais at the north end of the room. Roll20 updated.

[Sior's Aspis Agent]

GM:

Wrong key or just whoever's unlucky enough to roll the save? =P
Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Ew...

[DrParty06]

Shohiraj:

Whoever is unfortunate enough to say they will open the door after rolling a 28 trap spotter to see the DC30 trap (you got a 31 on the other one). You feel a sudden revulsion at the thought and sight of the wayfinders you and your companions have and must get get away from them as per Curse of Disgust.

Your instructions direct you that you are to find notes kept by Aram Zey on how to open a rift into the Hao Jin Tapestry within this vault, though it seems like there may be some looking to do as there are quite a few other things that also seem to be stored here.

Please move yourselves into the room on Roll20 if you are looking for the notes and roll a perception check.

[PDXCook]

Rataji, taking his leadership roll seriously, steps into the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"I love the smell of this room. You can almost feel the knowledge stored here with each breath."

[Choon's Pregen]

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Zurnzal looks about, but has little idea of what this scroll looks like.

[Qwerty's Pregen]

"Stop smelling the roses Dreads and find the d@mn scroll. I have no clue what it looks like. Is this it...?" Marnarius says pointing to some papers.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

[PDXCook]

"I doubt they will will be laying out in the open. Spread out and look for anything that tells us how this room is organized. Aram Zey is the author so look stuff with his name on it. He is supposed to have an office somewhere around here. Does anyone know where it is?
Shohiraj see if you can get that door locked. Zurnzal guard it in case someone tries to get in."

Moving down the middle and look for any clue on where to find the notes

[Choon's Pregen]

Zurnzal moves to the door and starts watching for unwanted company.

[Three Twenty-Two]

Active search, so guidance

322 steps in and sees if her nigh-forgotten heritage avails her.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 = 14

[Sior's Aspis Agent]

Shohiraj seems a little uneasy and with a look of veiled panic takes Janira's wayfinder from her pocket and chucks it in the corner. "Bad idea... bad idea... easily tracked, traced back to us, our cover will be blown and the mission will fail. We have to ditch the wayfinders. We're in now, we will not need them anymore." She heartily suggests everyone ditch their wayfinder.

GM:

If they don't, I will happily relieve them of the magical compasses myself. =)

[Joliryn "The Artist"]

Joliryn chooses a shelf and begins flipping through books manuscripts and whatever else has been filed here, but quickly feels that this is going nowhere fast. She momentarily shifts her focus to scan for magical auras.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Detect Magic

[DrParty06]

Shohiraj:

If they don't get rid of them, you'll easily be able to steal them and toss them away while they are looking for the instructions. We'll say that happens in lieu of your perception check.

Joliryn:

You detect various sources of magic in the room, in particular a staff and a case containing 3 weapons detects as magical (it's probably one of the weapons, but you can't tell which one from the distance).

As everyone begins looking through the vault trying pretty fruitlessly to find the instructions from Aram Zey, the stone lizard statues spring to life surprising everyone. One of them A moves menacingly forward. Knowledge(Planes) to identify

The second (B) charges intimidatingly at Rataji biting him viciously.
Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 = 13
Roll a Will save.

Two other lizards slink off of columns just inside the door.

D charges at Shohiraj who is able to duck outside just in time.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

While C crawls onto the wall and misjudges Joliryn's height.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Initiative Rolls:

Init AB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Init CD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Init Joliryn: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Init Zurnzal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Init Rataji: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Init 322: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Init Marnarius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Init Shohiraj: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Initiative
Joliryn: Go
Marnarius: Go
322: Go
Creatures
Shohiraj
Rataji
Zurzal

[PDXCook]

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

[Qwerty's Pregen]

"Great Dreads, you led us into a trap!" Marnarius calls out as he draws his sword and advances towards D.
LSword1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31...Dmg: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
LSword2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23...Dmg: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

[Three Twenty-Two]

The oracle tries to sort out what these creatures are before weighing her options.

Kn.(Planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Ah.

Aklo:

Special quirk about working with me, Leader - you're going to need to play translator!

322 shifts away from the lizard in front of her and casts a spell, concentrating to avoid opening herself to attack in case these things can flail at her with reach.

Murderous Command. Target: D. DC 15 Will or it must spend its next turn trying to attack its nearest ally in melee.

Concentration DC 17: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

I'd like to be rolling higher, but that is sufficient.

Finally, 322 draws her masterwork dagger and spends a swift action to activate her wings of darkness ability for one minute. She very much wants to be above the fray right about now.

[Qwerty's Pregen]

"You have wings....?!"

[Three Twenty-Two]

322 understands the shock, if not the actual words.

Shouldn't your second LS attack earlier be at +8, not at +5?

[Qwerty's Pregen]

yes it should. good catch. he was swinging when you unveiled your wings and that shocked him

[DrParty06]

So when I said the lizard misjudged Joliryn's height, what I meant was: the lizard misjudged her height and bit her side instead of her shoulder where it was aiming. Was supposed to be against flatfooted, but that didn't occur to me at 1am. Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13

Rataji finds the lizard extending its neck frills as it charges to be an interesting curiosity and remains un-phased by it. He recalls that these are Foo Frilled Lizards A & B and Foo Chameleons C & D.

Facts:

The "Foo" part of their name refers to 2 characteristics: 1) when 2 or more are within 30 ft. of each other they gain the benefit of protection from evil and 2)as an immediate action they can make their skin stony to gain hardness until the end of their next turn, but it does reduce their speed.

322 mutters an incantation at the chameleon in a strange tongue, but is unsuccessful at getting it to follow her will.
Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Despite being distracted by the shadowy elf's wings, Marnarius hacks into the chameleon twice. However, he finds that his sword seems to only slightly penetrate the skin of the beast dealing less damage than he would have hoped.

Initiative
Joliryn: Go
Creatures
Shohiraj
Rataji
Zurzal
Marnarius
322

[Joliryn "The Artist"]

Joliryn jumps back whipping her kukri from its scabbard and spins it in her hand while charging it with electrical energy. She tentatively darts out at the lizard with a slash, but it still getting a feel for its speed and capabilities.

Concentration, Defensive Casting for Spellstrike: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Attack the one to the left, only one in my reach
+1 flaming kukri: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16, Damage: 1d3 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (3) = 10Shocking Grasp: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 6, 2) = 23
5'step back

If that misses, she holds the charge.

[DrParty06]

Joliryn successfully causes her sword to glow with fire and lightning spooking the lizard to harden its skin. She slices into it delivering the blow, but it seems only some of the electricity goes through.

A climbs onto the bookshelves before biting 322
Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9

B bites at Rataji who jumps back then jumps out of the way as the lizard swings its tail at him.
Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

C this time really misses out on how tall Joliryn is snapping over her head.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

D snaps at Marnarius biting into his shoulder
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 = 12

Initiative
Round 1
Shohiraj: Go
Rataji: Go
Zurzal:Go

Round 2
Joliryn
Marnarius
322
Creatures

[PDXCook]

Rataji is surprised to see the creature some to life and attack. The pain in his leg reminds him that these Foo Lizard are dangerous.

Dodging the next two attacks he screams back at the lizard.

Ear Piercing Scream Cast Defensively DC 17

Concentration Check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

The words of the spell are interrupted by the creatures next attack.

[Three Twenty-Two]

You lose the spell. You don't get AttOpped.

[PDXCook]

True. Tried everything to come up with +1 somewhere but no luck.

[Choon's Pregen]

Swift action to gain Power Attack, Charge
charge+PA+flank: 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 2 - 4 + 2 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 8 = 18

Zurnzal charges down the hall with a mighty roar and clobbers the nearest lizard across the face with his fist. Surprisingly, this doesn't seem to hurt him at all. Maybe that'll hurt later...

[DrParty06]

Rataji feels too threatened to properly focus on casting his spell.

Zurnzal charges in from the hallway spooking the lizard into hardening its skin, which he powerfully punches.

What's the damage breakdown there? I'm seeing that it should be d8+6 base + d6 sneak attack + 4 Power Attack.

Initiative
Round 1
Shohiraj: Go

Round 2
Joliryn: Go
Marnarius: Go
322: Go
Creatures
Rataji
Zurnzal

[Choon's Pregen]

Oh. I goofed that a bit. Should be d8+d6+6. I thought we were higher level than we are so I miss calculated power attack. It should be - 2/+4.
New Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + (4) + 6 + 4 = 19

[Qwerty's Pregen]

Marnarius spends a swift action to study these creatures
The bravado swings again at the one who bit him on the shoulder...
ATK+PA+ST: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 26..DMG+PA: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 16
ATK+PA+ST: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 14..DMG+PA: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 20