CORE The Confirmation T1 (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

At a short distance, Nemork followed the other in the tunnel.

You follow the tunnel and after a minute it widens again into a large cave. The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches. 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. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west.

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.

In front of the pool sits a creature, facing the pool. He does not move.

Hadanka mutters quietly to the others, You talk. I watch. Then he moves off to the side looking for shadows to hide in or stalagmite to hide behind.
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stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Nemrok agreed with Hádanka.
Before talking to the creature, by caution, he cast mage armor on himself then moved to the creature facing the pool, weapon in hand but not in a threatening manner.

Hello Sir, I'm Nemrok Blacktusk, from the Pathfinder Society.
My friends and I are here to explore these caves and know more about the reasons for gillmen to cross the wilderness and go here at a full moon.
Could you help us ?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

@GM can I re-roll this check with my shirt ?

Sure, but before you do that please put your token to the place where you want to be when you talk to the creature and tell me if you touch it or not.

Before talking, Nemrok try to get the attention of the creature without touching it.

I'm on my phone right now, so I could'nt move my token. But I will put it on the right square above the creature

The creature does not answer and still does not move.

I put your token to the right position I think

@GM Perfect !

Nemrok was intrigued by the creature's lack of reaction. Is it dead ?

He tried to know if the creature was dead or something else...

Heal: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Sword in hand, Tessara gets nearer to Nemrok, in case of danger.

I also cannot move my token but I am just near Nemrok.

Nemrok can see that the creature is breathing, but has it's eyes closed. It's kneeling in shallow water, it's hands in the water.

Auri also moves up to the creature.

Sword away but glowing torch in hand, she circles around it so she can see its face.

"Hello!" she offers. I wonder if this is one of the gillemn?

"I am Auriferous."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

The creature opens it's eyes. You can see gills on the side of his neck. His eyes are glowing blue and as he takes out his hands of the water you can see the webbing between his fingers.

"Oh, hello! I didn't hear you coming, I'm sorry. I'm deaf. Are you also here for meditation? There is enough space for you, come closer and listen to the water."
Although he's deaf he can talk to you and he can read your lips.

Hadanka looks around to be sure he is not acting as a distraction for someone/something else.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
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If he see nothing suspicious, he will move up and join the Gillman where he can be seen in the water. I have not listened to the water enough in my life. Where you aware that some people do not find the water relaxing? {he glances at the dwarf} But it is peaceful. My preference is a slowly babbling brook. But a deep still pool is also pleasant.

Hádanka does not see anyone around. She only hears the dripping of the stalactites so he moves closer to the water.

"Come closer my friend and listen. The water in this cave is the cleanest water in this area, it is coming directly from the mountains and was cleaned by thousands feet of stone." the gilman answers.

At a closer look his cloak looks the same as the one you found at the bottom of the pit.

"Look at this, monk." the gilman says and points at the city in the middle of the pool. "This model of Absalom was created by Aroden himself."

Seeing the same cloak as the one found in the pit, Nemrok moved to be able to be seen by the gillmen and said

Hi, I'm Nemrok. Is the reason for which gillmen come here is the purity of the water in here ?
Aroden you said ? Is this model of Absalom tied to the reliefs in the other room ? I found that the reliefs was a representation of the "History and Future of Humanity" written by Aroden.
Oh and by the way, we found a cloak identical as yours. May be is it yours ?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Our tales tell that Aroden himself created the reliefs in the other room. But the god was already gone before the first gillman entered the caves. But his magic still exists in this cave." the gillman answers and looks at the cloak. "No, this is not my cloak, I still have mine." he asks while he unfolds the bundle. "Oh my, this one belongs to Hobart, a member of our oracle circle. He came to this cave about a year ago but never returned. Where did you find it?"

Nemrok responded to the GillmanWe found it at the bottom of a pit not far from the entrance of the cave.
We found nothing else in it, I'm sorry for your loss.
You can keep it of course.

Dorgrym studies the water carefully, and find that it as pure as the gillman indicates I assume. "Aye! You speak truly about this water. He settles into the water nearby and mimics the gillman's posture, and attempts to enter a meditative state and tune into the water as suggested while Nemrok continues his conversation with the devout gillman.

"Do you know if there is anything else in these caves and where these two tunnels lead to?" Tessara asks the gillman in her usual direct tone.

Hadanka will spend some time examining the model.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
knowledge nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
knowledge dungeoneering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
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The dice god still hates me. =(

Auriferous also admires the model, and sits in the water, respectful of the Oracles religion.

"Did Aroden himself visit here? We saw some early writings that appeared similar to his teachings, but slightly different from modern interpretations."

She pauses.

"Would it be respectful to his memory to emulate the traditions, do you think?"

Assuming no negative answer from anyone

She takes the everburning torches and walks it through the city street, just as the solider did in the writings of the previous room.

"Thank you very much! I will take this cloak back to his family." Uori says to Nemrok before he turns to Tessara. "I'm not sure, nobody I know ever explored the caves further. We only come here to this pond and leave after our meditations."

Hadanka examines the model closer. He's sure that it's carved from a big stalagmite. It's still white and sparkles a bit in the blue light of the ever burning torches. Unfortunately he can't say anything about the age of the model.

"We don't know for sure, the Last Azlanti left long before the first gilman entered the caves. All we know is that these carvings are several thousands of years old." Uori answers. "Celebrating old rituals is always respectful, my friend." he continues before moving aside so Auriferous can get to the model of Absalom.

Auriferous takes one of the everburning torches and walks it through the city like the soldier depicted in the carvings. Suddenly you feel warm energy running through your body.
Completing this ritual grants each PC a +1 insight bonus to AC

Remembering their mission before the intrusion of the bull creature. Nemrok took his note book and began to record what the gillmen said and the consequences of Auriferous' action.

Interesting, these cave are thousand years old as well as these carving who still have powers ! The master of scrolls will be please to heard of that !

Then he tried to other things depicted in the reliefs.

First, he tried to kill one of the numerous centipede around the pound and then parade with it around the city and its streets.
Second, he tried to catch a fish and put it in the city.
Third he do what Auriferous did.

...

Auriferous takes one of the everburning torches and walks it through the city like the soldier depicted in the carvings. Suddenly you feel warm energy running through your body.
Completing this ritual grants each PC a +1 insight bonus to AC

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"Well, well. Aroden is dead, but his power lives on." murmurs Auri, scrbbling down notes in her book.

"Thank you Uori." she looks down the two passages, and examines the entrances with the torch, looking for any signs of traffic.

survivial: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Tessara has little interest in religious and mystical things but, seeing that Auriferous' strange ritual seems to produce some benefits, she will do the same thing.

The result of the rituals always affect the whole group, but doing the rituals for each profession more than once does not stack the effect

Nemrok continues with the rituals and you feel the magic again, this time it grants you a +2 insight bonus on a single combat maneuver check made over the next 24 hours and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against charge attacks.

Hádanka also tries to do the ritual, but this time she does not feel anything. Also Tessara's try does not do anything.

"I can feel the magic in these caves, but I did not know anything about the rituals." Uori answers.

Auriferous finds foot steps in the mud leading to the tunnel to the east. They were left by webbed feet and boots.

Dolgrym pats Auriferous on the back. "Ooho! Well done, elf of virtue! Perhaps we will find this Hobart yet!" He squints into the darkness, looking for any other signs before moving to follow the tracks.

[ooc]In case you need a roll or two.[/dice]

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Auriferous follows the dwarven druid. Her metal shod feet echoing as she marches down the passage behind the tracker.

"Fascinating. Webbed feet, still in the mud. Does that make these fresh tracks? I thought he vanished a while ago..."

Hadanka goes to look down the east and the west cave exits.
perception east: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
perception west: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Thank you Uori for these informations.

Nesterok finished writing his observations after the rituals he made.

He said to his comrade I think our mission is complete. We know why Gillmen went to this caves, but If you want to explore more, I'm Ok

I don't want to meet this bull creature again

"Well, we are expected to report, to cooperate and... to explore, aren't we?" The elf says while heading to the east tunnel.

Dolgrym confirms the foot prints in the mud and Hádanka checks the exits. They are dark and lead further into the mountain.

Tessara leads the way to the east, following the foot prints. After some time you reach a small cave which is connected to another chamber via a 15-ft-long tunnel.

Before going further, Nemrok used the scroll of mage armor the halfling gave them on him.

Nemrok is on mage armor for 6 hours

Auri stands and waits for the team to join up, then follows the tracker down the passageway.

Unless Galton insists on leading, Hadanka was planning to lead the group by about 20' trying to be sneaky and observant.
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stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Go ahead and lead on. Galton will not be far behind.

Ok Galton, I moved you back on the map and took your place in the front.
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GM, I'm assuming because you moved the block I can at least see the red skeleton. Is it lying on the floor or up and possibly moving around? I had a lousy stealth roll, but does it appear to be reacting to my presence?
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Hádanka moves through the tunnel and peers into the next room. He can see a skeleton moving in the room. The skeleton spots Hadanka and moves in his direction. Hadanka immediately shoots a bullet with his sling, but misses.

Perception red: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

the skeletons are moving

Round 1
Hadanka
Galton
Dolgrym
Nemrok
Skelly blue
Skelly red
Skelly pink
Skelly green
Auriferous
Tessara

Ooh, do you mean everyone is moving at once (all bold)? It's a bruhaha free for all! :)

At the sound of trouble, Dolgrym hesitates a moment before calling out. "Is there room up there for a brawl, or should we take them back here?"

If anyone moves past Dolgrym into the caves, Dolgrym will follow suit. Otherwise, Dolgrym delays to bash a any skeleton that comes to him. Will post later today based on what some of the others do.

I can't see the map at work. But iirc, I can back up 1 or 2 squares. Then Galton can stand next to me and it will (hopefully) be 2 on 1 as they come at us out of the cave.
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Hadanka backs up a couple of steps, Galton, let's hold the rush here! Free action - drop sling. Move action - move back and ready greatclub. Standard action - ready an action to attack any skeleton that comes in reach (not using power attack).
readied greatclub attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19, if hits greatclub damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Nemrok moved to see what was in the cavern.

Know. Religion (max 10): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Skeletons ! said Nemrok seeing the creatures Use bludgeoning weapons.

Having only a greataxe as a weapon he fall back.

Galton moves up ahead of Hadanka, and readies an action to attack the first skeleton that gets within strikng distance.

Unarmed strike and damage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Holding off posting until the skellies act

I can't see the map at work. But iirc, I can back up 1 or 2 squares. Then Galton can stand next to me and it will (hopefully) be 2 on 1 as they come at us out of the cave.

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Hadanka backs up a couple of steps, Galton, let's hold the rush here! Free action - drop sling. Move action - move back and ready greatclub. Standard action - ready an action to attack any skeleton that comes in reach (not using power attack)....

.

Galton moves up ahead of Hadanka, and readies an action to attack the first skeleton that gets within strikng distance.

...

Galton, I won't stop you. But that puts you up fighting the skeletons by yourself at a spot where 3 or 4 can all attack you at once.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, everybody in bold can still act this round, but I usually do it in bunches, means Hadanka, Galton, Dolgrym and Nembrok, then the skeletons and then Auriferous and Tessara. I made a horizontal line for better understanding

Since Galton did not redo his action I'll take it as is

While Hadanka, Dolgrym and Galton ready their weapons Nemrok checks the creatures. He correctly mentions that bludgeoning weapons are best against skeletons. Galton moves to the front and the skeletons start to attack him with their claws. Before that Galton swings his fists at the first one in reach and decapitates it.

Red vs. Galton: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Pink vs. Galton: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Green vs. Galton: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 - 4 = 12 Galton behind cover (cave's wall)

None of the skeletons hits.

Round 1
Hadanka readied action
Galton
Dolgrym readied action
Nemrok
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Skelly blue defeated
Skelly red
Skelly pink
Skelly green
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Auriferous
Tessara

Tessara moves closer to the skeletons and stops not far behind, waiting for an opening to attack.

Galton, unless I am mistaken, as you wear a scale mail with which you are not proficient, you should have a malus on your attack rolls (and probably causing the skeleton not to be killed).

Tessara -- You are absolutely right. The AC penalty (-4) probably makes it so that it didn't hit.

"Move aside! Make space."
calls out a frustrated Auriferous as she moves up and is halted by the bottlednecked monk.

Move action, moves and draws morningstar. Standard: readies an action to strike a skeleton if one comes in range for some reason.
readied attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
readied attack, blunt: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

That second roll is the damage..