Beginners Arc Table C

[Black Sun]

A lot of people just kind of assume the knowledge is summarily shared as part of succeeding on the check.

[Jundu]

Jundu does some etching per the assignment but otherwise he is unfamiliar with any of the events depicted and is somewhat disinterested.

[Ajax Ironhelm]

Ajax takes a journal out of his backpack and starts taking notes about the carving as he does he shares the details about what he's figured out.

"All of these carvings are from passages from the main holy book of Aroden, History and Future of Humanity, although they seem a little different from what I remember."

Pointing at the three he figured out, "These are about the Beggar, the Artist, and the Craftsman and talk about their role in Humanity's development and place in society."

He then shares the details of what he read.

Sorry I thought my earlier post made it clear Ajax was reading out loud as he figured things out.

[Cyclic]

Its more fun to RP the discoveries anyway

[Argor Zadok]

"That is interesting. Aroden was a complex god in his day." Argor jots down his own notes after drawing some parchment out of his pack.

[GM DevilDoc]

New map is up, please place your tokens as you wish. Also, could you please give me a marching order on the first slide of the maps?
The team takes notes and discusses the carvings before moving into the next part of the cave. The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber’s southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead, matched by a number of stalagmites reaching upwards for their counterparts. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west. The chambers ceiling is almost lost in shadow 20 feet above your heads.

Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawn off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey. Strikingly accurate and beautiful, the diorama has the air of a long used but even longer forgotten shrine and alter, and it is obvious from the trinkets that many have paid homage at this site.

Within the pool of water, a person sits with his back to you. The person does not react in any way to your entrance to the cavern.

DC 10 Knowledge (engineering, geography, history, local, or religion):

You are able to identify the diorama as an intricately detailed model of Absalom, easily identifiable by its Starstone Cathedral.

[Cyclic]

What is the man doing? Is he playing with the city, or just sitting or standing and meditating?

[GM DevilDoc]

He is sitting in the water, only the tops of his shoulders and up are visible. He is sitting some distance away from the diorama, and his back is to you. You can see nothing else from your vantage without a perception roll.

[Argor Zadok]

History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"This is a model of Absalom, right there is the Starstone Cathedral. But why?"

[Jundu]

Jundu allows the others to examine the diorama. He approaches the sitting man. "Hello, friend! This is a lovely cave. Is it your home?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

[Ajax Ironhelm]

Ajax looks at the room and the model of Absalom. "The room with the carvings was not a place of worship, devotion of a sort maybe but not worship. This place, this, is a place of worship. You can the remains of people's offerings even after what be a great passage of time."

[Black Sun]

Black Sun gives the diorama a strange look, then breaks out her calligraphy kit, and draws a bizarre stylized pattern on one of the diorama's walls.

Craft (Calligraphy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

[Aerian]

Aerian takes a few notes in his journal, including a very briefly done sketch of the model of absalom, the stalagmite/altar, and the man in the water... then he also approaches and gently taps the man on the shoulder. "Hello there? I am Aerian... my friends and I are Pathfinders from Absalom. Who are you and what is this place?"

[GM DevilDoc]

The man in the water completely ignores the party, despite Jundu's attempt to parlay. Ajax explains to the companions that the diorama is a shrine, and Black sun breaks out her calligraphy kit and begins to paint on one of the walls. As she finishes, a sense of wholesome well being settles over the group, and your feel your eyes become sharper somehow!
As a party, you all now have +1 to Perception to notice creatures.

As Black Sun finishes, Aerian walks over to the figure in the water. As soon as his foott touches the water, and before he can get close enough to touch the man, the figure swiftly stands and turns to the group with wide eyes. Upon closer inspection, the man is actually a Gillman.. as evidenced by the three gills running along each side of his neck. He quickly settles himself before stating "Leave me be. Worship if you like" he gestures to Black Sun with her kit still spread out before her. "But I commune with these waters." He is just about to turn his back and resume his position, when his eyes light upon Cyclic. He stares at her a moment, but says nothing.

[Cyclic]

Cyclic smiles reassuringly at him - well as reassuringly as she can with her ravaged face. "How old is this place? Remarkably well preserved if it is as old as I think it is."

[GM DevilDoc]

As Cyclic is talking to the man, his eyes drop.. still looking directly at her, but not in the eye.. someplace lower. He pauses for a moment, then says "These caves are very very old. My people come here to commune with the waters. We do not care about the Aroden shrine, but we do not prohibit those that do. Leave me in peace now."

Can I get some diplomacy rolls if you wish to have further conversation, and perhaps some sense motive rolls? Also, any more interaction with the shrine?

[Jundu]

"Your communion is of course very important. We shall not bother you any longer than needed. Do you know how this shrine came to be here?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

[Aerian]

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Aerian watches the interplay between Cyclic and the gillman intently, and offers a few comments into the conversation when it lapses into silence.

"We mean this place no disrespect, just so you understand that. We come to learn all we can, not only of this shrine, but of you and your people, as well. We are researchers and mean you and yours no harm and I AM sorry we disturbed your meditations. Will you allow us to go deeper in the caverns if we promise not to bring any harm to your people?"

[Argor Zadok]

"Yes, we are here for knowledge. It is what we do as pathfinders. We mean you no harm."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 2

[GM DevilDoc]

Jundu and Aerian:

By watching the man closely, you can guess that he is probably deaf due to the fact that instead of responding to the words spoken to him, he seems to be reading lips and then responding. When he is not reading lips, however, he is eyeing the cloak from the bottom of the pit that Cyclic is wearing with great interest and familiarity.

The man, after a moment, acknowledges Jundu and Aerian with a bow, but ignores the uncouth Argor. He then begins to turn back around and resume his meditations, obviously starting to become annoyed.

Long ways to go, and sorry, but that 2 really did not help things! This is a remarkably high diplomacy DC for a lvl 1 scenario..

[Cyclic]

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Before she can say anything to aid, he turns back and she gives up the attempt mid-word. Instead she approaches the model of the city and begins to compare it to the current city layout. How old is the model?

[Ajax Ironhelm]

diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (1) - 3 = -2

"You smell of fish, not that's bad, plenty of people smell of fish, while I remember having a nice grilled salmon or was it tuna bought from a chap who said he got it from the swamp near my uncle's castle's, that fellow smelled of fish so much you could smell him a mile away." Ajax stops and looks suspiciously at the gilman and then shuffles a little nervously back toward the way pathfinder's entered. "You uh don't have any relatives that umm live near my uncle's swamp castle, you know ones that are looking to get married because I'm umm I'm married to work. That's it I'm married to my work. You know what you have a nice day I'll just leave you to talk to the rest of these fine folk and walk right over there."

Ajax backs slowly always from the gilman muttering under his breath "Everywhere I go people always talking about marriage, enough to give a fellow a complex it is."

[GM DevilDoc]

I know Aerian is out for a bit.. but I would like to give Jundu a chance to comment on the spoiler as that could be enough to turn this around for yall..

Cyclic: you are unsure how old it may be exactly, but it is easily as old as the friezes from the last room. Several centuries old or older.. but you are unsure exactly.

[Jundu]

Jundu peers keenly at the old man, finally understanding. Covering his mouth as if to cough, he says, "I believe the old gillman is deaf."

Then he turns to look squarely at the old man. "Does that cloak belong to you? We found it on the way in and thought it was abandoned. It is yours if you will allow us passage through your sacred cave. We swear to be respectful."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

[GM DevilDoc]

I'll take that second diplomacy roll based on the fact that you are offering the cloak as well. Put together, thats enough to get you over the top!

Jundu offers up the cloak the gillman has been eyeing, receiving a grateful smile in return. The man bows, accepting this gift before speaking. "It did not belong to me, but to another pilgrim to these waters who has since disappeared with no trace. We, the last of the Azlanti, come here to commune with the holy waters that spring from this fount. This cave has been the site of holy worship for many centuries.. first by worshipers of Aroden performing rites at that shrine there, and now by us. I have not heard of Arodens followers visiting for a great many years, and suspect that the shrine will soon lose whatever powers it may still have, faded away like the carvings you passed coming in. However, evil is encroaching and I fear that these caves may not be holy for much longer. You may go as you wish.. and I will remain here. Thank you for returning this.. it will be given to his family in honor. Have you any more questions?"

[Black Sun]

Black Sun continues to tinker with the diorama, seemingly oblivious to the exchange with the gillman. She picks up a soft rock, and using barely a fraction of her power, attempts to blast it into the rough shape of a bowl.

untrained Craft (Pottery): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

In fact, she does an astonishingly good job forming a nice, round, deep bowl out of the stone, which she colors a nice shade of dark blue with some pigment rocks, then takes to the water's edge to fill up, and places it on the diorama for all the little frogs to drink from.

[Argor Zadok]

Argor decides to bring light to his companions as well as everyone else by casting light on the diorama.

[Jundu]

"Thank you kindly! Please, could you tell me what powers the shrine has possessed? And what evil is encroaching upon it? Is there danger in this cave?"

[GM DevilDoc]

Black Sun creates a small bowl, and sets it within the model of the city. As she withdraws her hand, another wave of wholesome and fulfilling energy flows over the party, with a second wave coming as Argor illuminates the city.

Blessings last for 24 hours. So far you have:
Artist: +1 Perception vs hidden creatures
Craftsman: +1 Perception vs hidden doors and concealed objects
Soldier: +1 AC if you have taken damage in the last turn.

The gillman says to Jundu "The worshipers of Aroden are not gillmen. I only know that the shrine was once sacred to them. Your friends over there seem to know a great deal.. they have completed several of the rituals I have heard of. Some worshipers have also been said to perform acts of humility.. telling tales of shortcomings and other such things. As for the evil.. it is all over than lands, is it not? That is why we rarely surface. However, I fear that evil has encroached on our sacred areas recently as well. A number of our pilgrims have gone missing while meditating here in the waters. The very air in both of the side tunnels reeks of evil and malice and I fear that even this room will not be safe soon. Here. If you can use it, perhaps this will assist you in your explorations."

Just looking over the characters I don't think that there is, but are any of you able to cast spells from the Cleric list? The wand is a wand of Shield of Faith.

[Argor Zadok]

Cyclic can since she's an Oracle.

"Thank you for the gift."

[Jundu]

"Thank you sir, that is most generous. We shall rid your cave of the evil encroaching upon it!"

When finished chatting with the old gillman, Jundu finally examines the diorama himself. Taking the gillman's advice, he begins loudly telling the tale of how he was forced to escape to Absalom when his dance crew in Tian Xia was broken up. He fingers the docks on the diorama, indicating where he disembarked in shame.

[Cyclic]

Once identified, Cyclic will claim the wand of shield of faith.

"Could come in handy."

[GM DevilDoc]

The gillman bows to the party, and concludes "My people have worshiped here for many centuries. If you could return the safety of this place, we would be in your debt." he then returns to his position in the water, kneeling down so only his head is above the surface.

Jundu returns to the model city, and tells his story. Once he is finished, one final wave of holy goodness rolls over the party and lightens the load of shameful burdens.

From here, we have two exits; one in each southern corner of the map. Where are we going from here?

Blessings last for 24 hours. You have:
Artist: +1 Perception vs hidden creatures
Craftsman: +1 Perception vs hidden doors and concealed objects
Soldier: +1 AC if you have taken damage in the last turn
Beggar: +1 Luck bonus to AC during a surprise round and while flatfooted

[Cyclic]

"Well, one way's as good as another I guess. How about we go that way." she points to the southeast.

[GM DevilDoc]

Ok.. We will move on with Cyclic's choice. Although I do not require the entire table to contribute to choices, I do normally need at least a couple of people to form a general consensus of opinion. Two or three individuals usually suffice.

The cave’s damp air becomes increasingly stale as the PCs continue down through this tunnel, and the stench of decay grows increasingly evident. The passage turns to the east and opens into a small cavern littered with bits of broken glass, rotting pieces of paper, and other unusable detritus. The body of a male dhampir lies facedown toward the back of the cavern.

1d6 ⇒ 6
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
1d20 ⇒ 8

Perception:

Argor Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Ajax Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Aerian Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Black Sun Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Cyclic Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Jundu Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Initiative:

Argor Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Ajax Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Aerian Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Black Sun Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Cyclic Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Jundu Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Skeletons Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Zombies Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 17

As the party moves into the chamber, Cyclic, Jundu, and Ajax are alerted to slight sounds of shuffling from the next cave. Suddenly, two skeletons shamble out from the darkness beyond, reaching grasping finger bones out at the party and waving broken swords!

Cyclic may post standard or move action for surprise round.
"Surprise round"
Skeletons
Cyclic
Zombies
Jundu
Ajax

"Bold May Post"
Skeletons
~Red
~Blue
Cyclic
Zombies
~Green
~Yellow
Black Sun
Argor
Jundu
Aerian
Ajax

[Cyclic]

Cyclic will tap herself with the wand of shield of faith. Note: she keeps hold of the wand which means she is unable to use her longspear for now.

A pity I was not closer to the front line or I could have cast it on one of them. I'll have to suggest a change to the marching order considering the acquisition.

[GM DevilDoc]

Cyclic grants herself a shield of faith from the wand, while the Zombies rush forth at the group as well.

"Surprise round"
Skeletons
Cyclic
Zombies
Jundu
Ajax

"Bold May Post"
Skeletons
~Red
~Blue
Cyclic
Zombies
~Green
~Yellow
Black Sun
Argor
Jundu
Aerian
Ajax

[Ajax Ironhelm]

Ajax steps forward and slams his axe into the zombie.

waraxe w/power attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 for Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Posting from my tablet and can't move icon, after 5 foot step Ajax should be directly to the south of Argor.

[GM DevilDoc]

Ajax steps in and quickly dispatches one of the zombies!

"Surprise round"
Jundu
Ajax

"Bold May Post"
Skeletons
~Red
~Blue
Cyclic
Zombies
~Green
Black Sun
Argor
Jundu
Aerian
Ajax

[Jundu]

Jundu moves up behind Argor and Ajax where he can see what's happening.

[GM DevilDoc]

The skeletons continue to claw their way relentlessly forward, bony fingers and shattered weapons reaching out for your lifes blood!
B vs Ajax: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
B vs Ajax: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

1d20 ⇒ 1

The first skeleton approaches Ajax and almost manages to swipe his unnaturally sharp finger bones across the dwarfs neck while the other one misses completely! The second has no luck waving his broken scimitar in Argors face.

"Bold May Post"
Skeletons
~Red
~Blue
Cyclic
Zombies
~Green
Black Sun
Argor
Jundu
Aerian
Ajax- 3 dmg

[Cyclic]

Cyclic draws an AoO from red because of the hard corner as she repositions herself and then casts shield of faith on Argor (8 charges left).

[GM DevilDoc]

Cyclic: Eh.. thank you for taking the high road, but thats really a debatable point. I will err on your side though, and say theres enough room for you to move through the partial square without provoking.

The remaining Zombie stumbles forward, his way blocked by the skeletons.

"Bold May Post"
Skeletons
~Red
~Blue
Cyclic
Zombies
~Green
Black Sun
Argor
Jundu
Aerian
Ajax- 3 dmg

[Black Sun]

I can't tell whether or not I can get a clear shot if I step back as shown. If I can't get a clear shot at red from where I am now, move me 5 feet up (where I originally was) and I'll accept the attack of opportunity.

Black Sun convulses with a wave of invisible power!

gravity blast, melee penalty vs red: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

[Argor Zadok]

Argor attempts to smash the skeleton's face with his staff.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

[Jundu]

Jundu feels the rhythm and starts dancing in place. He quickly works up a sweat, which he directs towards the group of undead.

Casting grease on the 10' square which would include all 3 of them. DC 15 Reflex save or fall prone.

[Ajax Ironhelm]

Ajax swings his ax at a skeleton or takes a 5 foot step and swings at a zombie if no skeleton is still moving.

Ax w/power attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 for damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

[Aerian]

Aerian tries to target the zombie with an arrow, knowing his bow will have little affect on a skeleton.

to hit zombie: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -1
dmg if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Unfortunately, the arrow skitters into the wall instead.

recoverable? 1-50 is bad: 1d100 ⇒ 62 Surprisingly the arrow doesn't shatter.

[GM DevilDoc]

Sorry Black Sun, but with that outcropping of rock there, I am going to have to call a no go on casting from the farther square.

Black Sun begins to cast a spell, and the closest skeleton swipes at her while she is distracted. Or rather, swipes in her general direction.
AOO: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Jundu begins a weird dance before flinging some furry sweat towards the skeletons. This sweat coats the ground in slippery liquid, dropping the Zombie, but not the skeleton!
Reflex Skele: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Reflex Zombie: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Ajax tries to smack the skeleton, but his aim is a bit off as he takes a chunk out of the stone wall.

Aerian's bow misfires, sending the arrow skittering across the floor to be retrieved later.

The skeleton keeps up its mindless attack on the dwarf. One attack misses, but the other manages to get the unlucky dwarf across the neck!
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Dmg: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

"Bold May Post"
Skeletons
~Blue
Cyclic
Zombies
~Green- Prone
Black Sun
Argor
Jundu
Aerian
Ajax- 13 dmg

[Ajax Ironhelm]

I think you added the damage up on Ajax wrong. He was down 3, took another 7, so he should be down 10.