5-08 Confirmation (Inactive)

Game Master Gilthanis

game on

"Good day. I am Avarus."

The wild eyed half orc strolls into the area with Greataxe in hand.

You arrive in the bustling town of Lopul in Qadira. The sun beats down on your bodies, and even with the hot-weather outfits, you still sweat heavy and it drips from your foreheads and pores. You see plenty of activity in the town square, but not in the market sense, but panicked frenzy.

You see a well dressed man, standing on top of a makeshift stage, speaking to a large crowed in front of him.

Everyone, everyone settle down. We will continue searching for them. Hope is not lost, our children are still safe. Do not give up. We leave now to scour the sands and find..., his eyes scan the anxious crowd, and lands on the four of you as you make you way though the crowd to get a better idea of what is going on.

He speak a few Kelish words, and 5 heavily armed guards surround you, and ask you to come with them...peacefully. You do as your told. You, the well dressed man, and a total of 6 well armed guards enter a very large room.

Sorry for being so...unwelcoming, but there is a minor crisis in the town and I cannot be to careful. My adviser will cast a spell of truth on you, you will willingly submit, or else things will happen, After doing so, he asks you all the same question, Do you have any knowledge or involvement in the disappearances of 3 missing children from the village?

"This is outrageous... corralled like animals! How dare you accuse me or my companions! and for what missing children?"

The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.

The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.

Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat! With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder.

Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four-hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born. But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix, he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach.

She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.

Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen. Master Shaine hops to his feet.

Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well. With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.

You can continue to make introductions of yourself...or make Knowledge history/geography checks if you got them.

Knowledge Geography

Knowledge History

Knowledge(geography): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Kyras, a lanky half-elf sits down in the seat offered to him. After listening to the explanation, he says "Thank you for having me Master Shaine. I, at least shall make you proud. I just have a question or two I hope one of you two can answer. How are we going to make it to the isle of Kortos? And where is this cave supposed to be, close to the bottom of the Mounts or up high? Other than that, I know that we should probably expect run-ins with centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs, since they are constantly vying for territory up and around the Mounts." He turns to the rest of the party and says confidentially "The answer to this is important since harpies are the most common at higher altitudes with centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills."

A big, hulking bear of a man, with shaggy orange hair, clothed in thick (but immaculately kept!) snow-white furs despite the heat, and with an enormous sword tied across his back, stands up, towering over most of the party members.

"I am glad to hear that he would like us to try to come back alive," he notes dryly. "That is vastly preferred, compared to the alternative... but where are my manners!"

Clicking his heels together, he bows, his movements surprisingly dextrous.

"Greetings, my name Hans Olafsson, and I am from the Land of the Linnorn Kings. I am afraid that I am still fairly new to this city - most of my training was abroad - but if we come across any problems that require blunt force to solve, I can be of great assistance. I should also note that alchemy is something of a passion of mine, so if we run into anything... interesting in that regard, I may be of assistance in identifying it. I also have some skill at wilderness lore, so if you need to find food, or track something, I can probably help."

Lumbering into the hall an eye-wandering tall muscular man appears. He pays no attention to the people at first but seems to be getting a handle on his surroundings.

He carries a greatax on his back and wears a light fur over his well made breastplate.

"So this is where it all started. Seems so... plain."

He walks closer to the small gathering and introduces himself. "Good day Society Masters. I am Avarus of beyond the Tusk Mountains. I represent my clan and after a few minor introductions to show my worth to the society I am here today to commit my blade, my horse, and my skill to the Pathfinder Society and its missions."

He walks closer to Janira and responds, "So you are our guide... well met Janira."

Avarus then turns to a position to see the party and Janira. As I understand it we are to hunt these gillman and are expected to record their exploits, the caves they dwell within and report back.

Finally Avarus then looks toward Master Shaine, " Well Master Shaine, I have a few quick questions before we get started.

What do we know of these gillman and the trip to these caves? How far away is it? Will the society supply any gear for the expedition? and finally are these gillman known to be hostile?"

A large, robed, demonic figure in the corner raises from his table and bows to the others speaking with Master Shaine.

"Greetings adventurers, Noz will join you in this expedition. Master Shaine, Noz will keep an eye out for trouble and record any fine details the others might miss. Noz wouldn't expect the Low Azlanti to pose any real threat, so this mission should be simple..."

Know History: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

A man in black, loose flowing robes stands a bit apart from the others. His hair is long, stringy and black, his face pale and angular. He spends the briefing looking down and scowling, but when he speaks any trace of unfriendliness dissipates and is replaced with a grin and no small bit of excitement.

"Gillmen, Low Azlanti! Their empire was destroyed long ago by the Starstone. No one knows how their people survived. Lots of mysteries surround them. This could be an unprecedented opportunity. Assuming it's not just a Gillmen honeymoon spot."

He looks around at his would-be companions for the first time.

"My my, should have no problems with monsters."

Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!

Janira introduces herself to you all, within weeks after turning 20 years old, I enlisted with the Pathfinder Society, and although I initially joined to see the world and sample all of the fine food it had to offer, I quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge. I now aspire to have my work published in one of the Pathfinder Chronicles, suspecting that would qualify her to train as a Pathfinder Chronicler.

She pauses for a moment to let everything sink in, then addresses each of you in turn, So, what brings you to the Society? What goals do you wish to accomplish should you become a full-fledged member?

On a side note, I had to remove Chief Avarus from the table. I don't think he was aware if PFS rule of only one character per table, and he had the same peep on multiple tables. No worries though, we still have a 4 peep legal table so the game goes on :)

@GM Stylz: I know Avarus wasn't doing this, but technically, provided you are playing a level 1 PC (who can be freely rebuilt in between games), you *can* use the same build (attached to different PFS numbers, of course) for multiple games at the same time. Having the same character number playing multiple games at the same time is what is *not* allowed.

@GM Stylz: I know Avarus wasn't doing this, but technically, provided you are playing a level 1 PC (who can be freely rebuilt in between games), you *can* use the same build (attached to different PFS numbers, of course) for multiple games at the same time. Having the same character number playing multiple games at the same time is what is *not* allowed.

correct :). From what I could interpret though, it was the same character #. I PM them and told them to stay in the other game, I feel the other GM is better and Aravus will have a better experience :)

Noz smiles at the Halfling, but it looks more like a sneer.

Noz joined the society for about the same reason as Janira. See the world and sample various deadly beasts and monsters. Noz believes Janira to possibly be a good friend!

The thin, pale man pulls a journal and a wooden box of writing utensils from his satchel and begins writing.

"Luciano Greathouse and, despite what my name might imply, I am a shadowcaster, as well as a linguist and... scholar, I suppose. Researcher. Librarian. I joined the society to find and preserve knowledge, to learn the hidden history of the world. I must admit I was getting quite bored in the libraries and universities of the cities and the promise of adventure and exploration was as compelling a reason as any. I don't have much experience climbing mountains or in wilderness survival but I'm fairly confidant I can come with a solution to most problems."

"Personally, I'm searching for my elven mother. I found out who she was from a drow elf that I fought last year. He told me who she was but not where she is," he said sadly. "So I wish to become a full-fledged member to find her and prevent other families to be separated due to monsters." he says with a fierce determination. "And if the faction that I join can help me with that, I'll do what I can to help them."

Luciano stops writing for a moment.

"Well that's depressing. Drow ruin everything. Perhaps I could help you with your research some time."

Hans pauses, thinking for a few moments, before responding to Janira's questions.

"I came to the attention of the Society a few years back, when I helped guide a rather unusual party through the icy wastes up north - believe it or not, they were escorting Goblins, although to be honest, I never found out why." He then shrugs. "Still, I did a good enough job that I was sponsored at the Kalsgard Lodge, and after doing some initial training there, I was shipped off to Absalom for 'polishing'..."

"What do I want? Basically, to see the world, and face challenges worthy of a saga or two!"

On to the details of the mission at hand, Janira says with an eager grin. After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.

The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.

Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out.

From a distance you can hear someone yelling

"W A I T .... please wait for me!"

The sounds come to a halt just as a young man bursts into the area. Panting and buckled over the man sighs multiple times before speaking. {b] I made it. [/b]

Just then he stood upright with hands on his hips and introduced himself. "Good day and well met all. Excuse my sorry appearance for I was such a long way from the hall and I had no way to get here faster. I am Dolgo... Dolgo Pinkerton. I am pleased to meet you all and very excited to begin our journey. Now could anyone remind me what it is?"

Dolgo looks around at the group with complete attention as he awaits an answer. He is an odd looking fellow wearing artisans clothing similar to a cook with a fluffy blue hat atop his stringy hair. He is tall and thin yet wears a chain shirt and a belt filled with daggers.

Dolgo finishes with one last word "OK OK I know I am late I will pick it up along the way. Where might we be going as I might be able to tell you something of the area as I dabble in the local legends, and history."

Janira, looks up from her pack she is organizing, welcome, you alomst missed us. We are tasked to to the the caves, under the base of the Kortos Mountains. Please if you have any questions, ask them now, lest we be late on our journey

The DC o the associated checks are above, feel free to roll or take 10 :) Also, please check to make sure your characters have everything they need, or do some quick shopping

Janira, looks over her pack, and looks up to each of you hungry initiates, Good things to have on you at all times, presuming you have the funds to purchase such things are: rope, torches, acid flasks and alchemist fire for a pesky swarm should it arise, and most importantly...paper and a writing tool.

With that, she will pass out some sheets of paper and some writing tools, to those that don't have any. Remember folks the Pathfinder motto: Explore, Cooperate, Report. You can't very well remember everything you see and experience while on missions so taking good notes is vital, she says with a smile towards all of you.

Kyras thankfully takes some paper and a writing utensil from the halfling. "I always carry along a flask of alchemist's fire, rope, and some flint and steel. I don't have a torch but I do have a sunrod."

Let me think...

history: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

I know a little of the area you speak of. During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. The area is today is known as the Low Azlanti.
It is the home of the gillmen. They are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people whom some believe survived the cataclysmic event of Earthfall because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.

"Gillmen. Cave under a mountain on a lake. I'm going to need some waterproof bags. Might find some valuable texts, and of course my own journal needs to be protected. Pity water breathing potions are out of our financial reach."

"Noz will buy some alchemist's fire but is otherwise ready for this mountain trek."

(OOC - Purchases 2 alchemist's fire for a total of 40gp on the way to the mountain)

We can talk more on our way, Janira says with a smile.

The first phase of your Confirmation takes the PCs through Absalom, leads across the Cairnlands, along a well-worn path that leads toward Diobel, through the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts, and culminates at the cave entrance noted in Janira’s Confirmation report. The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands provides a great opportunity to discuss Master Shane’s class on the history of Absalom. Most of the journey is uneventful, but Janira might point out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey.

please set your spells if you have not done so already :)

------

As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well. She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.

map will be updated tomorrow as I work late tonight than early tomorrow morning, thanx for your patience

Luciano spends most of the journey in silence, making rough sketches and notes on anything he finds interesting.

"This is going to be the most dangerous time to do this. Could be an awful lot of gillmen in there. Might be angry gillmen."

Throughout the journey you all notice that Noz isn't wearing any armor, perhaps if there were some magical way of providing him some protection, the party may be better off.

(OOC if you could cast mage armor on Noz, that would be awesome!! Also, color spray is cool, 2 might be overkill, also, you might consider having something with greater range, maybe?)

"Noz would like to have his own way finder. Janira, who was it that discovered the gillman in the first place?"

Janira smiles as Noz asks a question, Well I first noticed the gillman, unless someone else has and has not told me. The connection of the gillman and the cave itself is a mystery. The only known permanent surface settlement of the gillmen is in Escadar, and you fine folks will help to discover what the connection truly is.

-------

After Janira get her bearings, out two wolves come out from the underbrush, low growl emerge and they look towards you as their next meal.

Init:
Ky: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
dolgo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
luc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
noz: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
pregen: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
wolves: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
janira: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Init tracker: round 1
wolves: moved
janira: inspire courage
ky: go
noz: go
dolgo: go
luc: go
pregen: go

-------

The wolves, eying you with teeth bared, and a look of hunger on their muzzles, advance forward.

Seeing the fury, mangy threats appear and stalk forward, Janira begins to speak, filling you all with the courage to fight back, and conquer the enemies vefore you.

Inspire courage: 1 round, +1 atk/damage/saves fear

Dolgo calmly releases the spring loaded daggers attached to his wrists directly to his hands, steps 5' forward and throws both daggers at the wolf directly in front of him.

Primary hand: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 1 = 14
secondary hand: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

primary damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
secondary damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Crap, it slipped! HELP!"

Kyras sees the wolves come out, draws his longsword, steps toward the closest wolf, and slashes at it.
Longsword: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 211d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7
The extra +2s are from favored enemy(animal).

There is nothing wrong with multiple Colour Sprays :-)

"Coming, Dolgo!"

With a roar, Hans steps forward, and takes a swing at the wolf not engaged with Kyras.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20, for 2d6 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 10 + 1 = 19 Slashing damage.

Init tracker: round 1
wolves: (north) dead...(west) 7 damage
janira: inspire courage
ky: atk hit
noz: go
dolgo: atk atk hit miss
luc: go
pregen: atk kill

Dolgo, releases his blades and throws both at the wolf. One manages to nick the back, only angering the wolf. Lucky for him, Hanz steps between the would be meal and nearly slices the wolf in two with his mighty swing. Blood drops from his blade as he pulls it from the corpse.

Kyras, steps forward and leaves a nasty gash on the wolf's head, blood drips down into its mouth.

Just to be clear, I moved to engage the one that Kyras did not :-)

I doubt I'll have a chance to act but if I do...5 foot step towards the remaining wolf

Binding Darkness VS Touch AC: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 1 = 23

Luciano steps towards the remaining wolf, hand outstretched. For a moment nothing happens, then the wolfs own shadow seems to rise up around it, the wolf nearly disappearing in to a writhing mass of darkness.

What a wonderful waste of a nat 20

Smiling at his good fortune of having darkvision, Noz walks up past the wolf into a flanking position and attacks the wolf with a snap kick.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

(OOC - status shows the wolf is blind, so I figure I can safely walk into the flank. Didn't include bonuses for flank and blindness, bonus +2 to damage on first unarmed attack each round due to Dragon Style

Oh, forgot inspire courage, +1 to hit and damage)

If I understand Binding Darkness correct, anyone without dark vision would have 20% miss chance whether wolf attacked or PC attack wolf, but right now Noz will make that question moot :)

Noz, quite pleased that his heritage has extra benefits, walks up to the wolf, giving it a brutal kick; cracking a couple ribs while sending one broken run into the wolf's lung puncturing it. It collapses to the ground, taking one last struggling breath before dying at the mans feet.

COMBAT OVER

-----------

Janira, looks around to the group after their first successful battle, Job well done everyone. Keep working like this, as a team, and I am sure you reach the finish line in no time. Now, we better get moving onto the caves. I fear if we waste too much daylight, any gillman there may be gone by tomorrow. So pack your gear, get what you need, and lets us push on, she says with a hearty smile. You can tell she is thrilled to see you succeed so well.

The group continues, once their gear is gathered and ready to go. You travel through the wilderness, and the path seems to get more overgrown, and more fallen trees seem to appear the longer you travel.

survival checks please

Yeah, me and Noz are gonna be good friends, the rest may not like me as much.

survival: 1d20 ⇒ 1

The 'fight' with the wolves was over almost before Luciano noticed it had started. Strange, he was usually the first to react to trouble.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20+ 2 to find food and water
Kyras is glad that some of his training from back home is actually paying off.

"Thank you Hans. That was not what I pictured my first encounter with an enemy would be like but I will remember it in a song. The next battle will be different I am sure of it."

Dolgo looks for his misthrown daggers and then reloads one into each of his spring loaded wrist sheaths.

Dolgo begins to sing a little melody to lighten the mood. He continues for three rounds.

A detective uses performance to keep allies coordinated, alert, and ready for action. All allies within 30 feet gain a +1 bonus on Initiative checks, Perception, and Disable Device checks for 1 hour. They also gain a +1 insight bonus on Reflex saves and to AC against traps and when they are flat-footed.

Kyras knows these woods and nature as if they were his home. He expertly leads Janira and the group in navigating through the underbrush, blazing a trial straight to the caves.

The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines, Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. This is where I saw the gillmen enter.

As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us! As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group. Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag, she continues, pulling off her backpack, and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO! She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.

what do you do

Glancing in the direction of the rapidly disappearing Janira with an obviously conflicted expression on his face, Hans nonetheless reluctantly heads into the cave, scooping up the backpack, and gesturing for the others to follow him.

"Noz think we should go into the cave!"

Noz runs into the cave grabbing the backpack.

Dolgo follows the Barbarian into the cave, readying a set of daggers in his hands from his belt just before entering.

If the previous hour expired Dolgo will start a new three round burst of inspirational song to renew previous bardic performance (All allies within 30 feet gain a +1 bonus on Initiative checks, Perception, and Disable Device checks for 1 hour. They also gain a +1 insight bonus on Reflex saves and to AC against traps and when they are flat-footed)

The one hour would have expired

Once the party is fifty feet into the cave or so, Noz holds up his hand motioning for a halt and silence. He closes his eyes to listen and then opens them to view the immediate area for danger.

(OOC - take 10 on perception 16+1 from the detective)

Having mixed feelings about leaving the halfling to the wiles of the wilderness, Kyras follows the rest of the party and runs into the cave.

"That was...convenient timing on the Minotaur's part. It might be connected to the gillmen. Well, who's goin' first? Who wants light?"

"Right, Luciano. It kind of reminds me of a series of books I've read about a land called Xanth. I just hope it doesn't end the same way in the books." Kyras says worriedly.
This is where some ooc knowledge becomes ic knowledge. He is referring to the invisible giant that always herds unsuspecting folk into a seemingly empty cave that is in fact the home of the evil Com-pewter.