CORE The Confirmation T1 (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

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.

Here ?! I've heard otherwise... That the society was founded in the Wounded Wisp.

Being an applicant, and excited to be confirmed, Nemrok decided to not contredict the Master of Scrolls about the creation of the Pathfinder Society.

---

Nemrok is an hulking half-orc, but dispite his appearance, and the greataxe he carries on his back, his eyes sparkle with intelligence, he seems to be more a scholar than a warrior.

---

Greetings you all ! I am Nemrok Blacktusk, student of the Arcanes.
I'm very happy to meet you all and excited about this mission.

Stupid new owners always have to go changing the name of a successful business.
.
Hádanka, scout and survival away from civilization are my strengths. Though I can also handle myself in combat will enough.

"Yo ha ha ha!" Dolgrym bursts out laughing at Master Shaine's joke about coming back alive. "Ha ha...ahhh. Elves are so weirdly funny." Realizing he is sitting across an elf companion trying to say something, Dolgrym coughs to cover his social blumder and collect himself.

"Ahem, glad to hear ya can guide us this journey, Hadanka. And well met Nemrok. I'm Dolgrym, seeker of enlightenment with the wild. A druid, if ya will. I can do a little bit of this. A little bit of that. Call on nature to fight with us, if necessary. Swing this scimitar here, if necessary. Why, my companion Gogar here can fight with us as well, if necessary. Ah..."

Realizing his introduction is droning on, Dolgrym opens his mouth one last time to try to tie it all together, and then shuts it when he realizes he's not sure what to say that can do it. Instead, he coughs to indicate he's done, and takes a swig of the ale as his roc companion looks up from beside him and wraps it all up on his behalf. "Squaw."

The stern looking half elf takes a seat.

"What can you tell us of these Gillmen? Are they evil?"

She strokes the large sword on her back as she says this.

A tall, mercenary-like elf woman, clad in armor and carrying a longsword and a shield listens silently to the Master of Scrolls, pondering the different pieces of information given. She gives the dwarf a cold glare when he speaks of elves being "weirdly funny". Perhaps because she doesn't precisely seems to be someone funny at first glance.

She turns to the halfling woman, speaking with a direct and no-nonsense tone. "How big is the cave system ? Did you find anything special ? Any creatures or traps ?"

Hmm... what do I remember about this?
.
knowledge nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
knowledge dungeoneering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Know. Local (max 10): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

How far are these Mont Kortos from Absalom ? If it's far, how do we get there ?

asked Nemrok

Just noticed I haven't purchased any food or water for Hadanka. So assuming we have to trek there and back, I suppose I should buy some trail rations and water skins with my last couple of gold.
I could probably hunt to support myself, but I don't want to slow down the group.

dot

"Nice to meet you all. You already heard, I'm Janira Gavix. I'm 24 years old and I grew up in Eastgate. I'm a bard and I joined the Society to learn more about Golarion and fill some Chronicles with my adventures." she introduces herself. After listening to your questions she answers.

"I did not get far into the cave. I passed the entrance and a pit, after a tunnel is a big chamber with a lake. From there two passages lead further inside, but I turned around and headed back to the entrance." Janira says. "Gillmen are usualy not evil, but I never talked to one of them." she answers to Auriferous' question. "It is about one and a half day of walking to the cave. We have to hurry, the next full moon is in two days. We have to leave as soon as possible to reach the cave in time."

"Well, unless you have more information about gillmen, I'm ready to go."

Dolgrym, you remember anything about gillmen? I haven't studied them yet.

"Oho! Let me see now..." The dwarf scratches his surprisingly well groomed beard as he attempts to recall the teachings of his mentor.

The only one I'm trained in. Any others, if DC10 or less(untrained) I can Take 10 and auto-succeed.

Know(Nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Dolgrym is ready. Listed spells on profile (CLW, Goodberries, Create Water, Guidance and Light). Made some final purchases - holly and mistletoe, clubs x3, spell component pouch, acid, alchemist fire, potion of CLW.

The stern looking half elf raises an eyebrow at the full moon.

"Why the concern about the moon? And how are we to pass this pit?"

She thinks. "I will acquire an axe, there must be trees around that one can cut to make a bridge over it."

Dolgrym knows that Gillmen are the remnants of a race of surface-dwelling humanoids whose homeland was drowned in a great cataclysm at the hands of the aboleth. The aboleths rescued a few survivors, warping them into an amphibious race to serve as emissaries to the surface world. They are usually not evil.

"The gillmen I saw entering the cave all entered during full moon. I'm afraid we will miss the gillmen if we are too late." Janira answers to Auriferous question. "Well, as far as I remember it's not very deep or broad. Just be creative! And there are a lot of trees, don't worry." she says with a smile.

Auriferous nods. "This sounds like an excellent expedition." she looks around at the group. "Don't worry, my sword will protect you from anything that may go awry."

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Nemrok tried to remember something in history about Gillmen.

Don't we need horses to go on site ? It will be faster than going on foot.

my character is ready :)

"The area we’re heading to is controlled by a large centaur tribe. If we cross paths with any of them, they’ll see the horses as an affront and might become dangerously unfriendly. Our mission is to explore the caves and investigate the gillmen activity, not fight the local populace." Janira answers to Nemrok's suggestion.

Oh yes, you're right Janira. No horses then.

Know. Geography (max 10): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

@GM Can we take 10 for Knowledge when not in combat ?

Sure

Since it appears time is of the essence, we had better get started now. Hopefully there won't be any substantial delays on the way there.
.
If no one objects, I will take point for the journey.

"Uhu! We have a guide! Thanks for taking lead, Hadanka. My bird friend here can keep an eye out from the air as well." Dolgrym begins gathering his belongings, to follow Hadanka and Janira on this epic journey to the caves of...something or another.

"Squaw."

Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Tessara will buy 4 rations for 2 gp before leaving.

"Lead on, Hadanka" gestures the half elf.

She takes up a position near to Janira and joins the team heading off.

"Interesting place Absalom. I think I have seen more or my kind here than anywhere else."

I'm ready.

With so much elve, Nemrok feeled a little "alone" in the group.

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 points out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey.

No encounters occur during the first day of travel, and you have an opportunity to rest and prepare new spells before entering dangerous territory.

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."

Most of the trees in this section of the forest have trunks that are too big for any creatures to share their space. Sporadic patches of light undergrowth provide areas for creatures to hide while restricting movement for those passing through. A large rock outcropping to the east rises nearly 20 feet above the forest floor, and a small sinkhole to the northwest drops off sharply, descending to the ground 10 feet below.

Suddenly you hear movement in the undergrowth around you. You see two wolves approaching showing their fangs. They attack.

The first wolf approaches from the south. double move

Round 1
Wolf red
Auriferous
Galton
Janira
Tessara
Nemrok
Hadanka
Wolf blue
Dolgrym

Map is linked above the campaign tabs

Auriferous draws her massive sword with practised ease.

Stepping forward she tries to cleave the wolf in two.
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15

If that killed the wolf, then Galton will delay.

Else, Galton will move to the space five feet north of Auriferous, and attempt to grapple the wolf.

grapple check vs CMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage from armor spikes: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Seeing Auriferous work a monstrous sword, Dolgrym chooses to step up by Janira and draw his scimitar. "Stay by me, little missus. I will protect you here, if nature should bare its fangs."

Gogar, meanwhile, casts its beady eyes against the distant wolf and voices its challenge. "Squaw!"

FA 5' North. MA Draw scimitar. SA: readied attack if wolf approaches to melee range.

Dolgrym Readied Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The roc guards/defends Dolgrym as a matter of practice. Gogar delays.

Nemrok draw his axe and wait for the wolf

With one swing Auriferous is able to knock out the first wolf. Galton waits for the second wolf to get closer before he acts. Janira takes a step back in the middle of the group. "I know you can handle it alone! There is only one beast left!" she says. Nemrok also waits for the second wolf to get closer.

The remaining wolf baring his fangs at Dolgrym who in response swings his scimitar at the wolf's head and hits.

Round 1
Wolf red defeated
Auriferous
Galton (delay)
Janira
Tessara
Nemrok (delay)
Hadanka
Wolf blue -4HP
Dolgrym

Hadanka steps over to the side to clear his field of fire. 2 squares east 3 squares north. Still shooting into melee, but no cover.
sling attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 4 = 9, if hits damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Galton will walk over to the wolf and attempt to grab it.

grapple vs CMD and damage if successful: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Tessara steps forward toward the remaining wolf and swings her sword at it.

Atk longsword/blue wolf: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Hadanka shoots a sone with her sling at the remaining wolf, but the stone gets deflected by the wolf's fur. Tessara swings her sword against the wolf and cuts a deep wound in it's chest. Galton grabs the wolf and defeats it with a might kick.

Combat over

"Good job, recruits! Is somebody injured?" Janira asks.

Not me said Nemrok

"All good here" pants Galton.

"They did not have time to wound us", Tassara says while wiping her sword clean on the wolf's pelt.

Dolgrym takes a moment to clean the blade himself, before sheathing it. "Nae, not a scratch on me. Prevailed over nature, we did this time." The druid grins broadly at the group, glad and proud they passed Nature's test unscathed.

I hate to waste nature's bounty. Can we take a short while to skin and butcher these?

"Sure, go ahead. While you do that, I'll clean the gore off of my armor spikes."

The paladin kneels at the foot of the wolf she slew and mutters a few words in prayer. Then, standing she starts to clean her blade.

"These will bother the locals no more. That is good, but sad that they attacked us. I wonder what drove them to it, we were no easy target."

She looks warily around the woods. "I feel eyes upon my back."

Janira looks at her wayfinder and then at the surrounding woods. "I have bad news. The wayfinder shows the direction to the cave, but the path is not visible any more. The underbrush is higher than expected. Any help finding the path is appreciated."

Time to get creative :) Find a solution to find the path.

Let me see what I can find. Hadanka sweeps through the area looking for an overgrown path.
survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Having no knowledge of the island geography nor hability in survival, Nemrok let the ones with this type of knowledge to try something.

Between the dwarf and the elves, this area is covered.

While searching the area with Hádanka, Tessara turns to Dolgrym. "Can you speak with your bird? If you ask him to fly above the underbrush, maybe he could be able to find the path?"

Survival (aid another): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Sadly, my friend here, as precious as he is, seems to have a will of his own. And a strong one at that. Nonetheless, as you suggested wisely, I shall try to encourage him to help us." The stout druid attempts to persuade the bird to track for a path, before helping out himself...

Push Animal Companion: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 4 = 16 DC 25

Auto succeed since Dolgrym get 10 on a 1?
Survival(Aid Another): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Gogar the roc looks at the druid defiantly as Dolgrym attempts to convey a need to find the overgrown path. After a minute of the conversation, the bird lets out a "Squaw." as it flits over to one of the carcasses and begins pecking at it.

With a shrug, the dwarf joins the trackers in seeking out the path for the group.

Auriferous looks a little lost in the woods.

"Darn, I just wandered into a briar patch!"

survivial: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

She looks up, considering whether it may be wise to climb one of the trees to get a better view, but eventually decideds that staying on the ground is safer.

It takes some time but finally you find the path continuing a few hundred feet from your position. You are able to continue your trip to the cave's entrance.