Citadel of Flame T2 (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

Hamshanks ignored all pretense of pleasantries as he pounded into the meeting room in the Grand Lodge in Absalom. "Never time to do it right, is there? Gorum see us through this, then." He grunted loudly and leveled his glare at the entire room.

"Ever been to Qadira? Religion is almost a fad down there, with new cults springing up like weeds and getting crushed just as quickly. It has been that way for centuries. But some make a mark — on Qadira or in the Chronicles. Three centuries ago, the archdevil Moloch, preaching surrender to the desert heat, suddenly became the rage. Qadirans walked into the desert just to die just as if the heat was their paradise. The most devout sought out the hidden Citadel of Flame, where a fearsome bull-headed idol of Moloch judged them and sent the worthy to Malebolge, the sixth layer of Hell. No surprise that Sarenrae’s priests launched a mighty crusade to demolish the citadel. After two weeks, a great sandstorm swallowed the expedition — and, it seemed, the citadel and its idol. Nothing more was heard from either. Until ten days ago, that is. Sandstorms regularly scour the Qadiran highlands, and this time they emptied an entire valley of dunes. Poking out of that valley, visible only to those soaring above — such as a flying Pathfinder wizard — was the lofty spire of a fortress: the Citadel of Flame, presumably. Hopefully we are the first to learn about its reappearance and we need to act fast. The Decemvirate doesn’t expect any trouble, so they’re sending you. But I do expect trouble — who knows what’s infesting that citadel? Get in there fast and find that idol — it could be the key to the entire cult. It’s likely statue-sized, maybe as big as me, and should have a bull’s head on it. And for Gorum’s sake be careful."

Hamshanks waits and looks at you. Waiting for questions.

Checking in! Thanks for running the show! :)

Kavaki raises his head as if ending a meditative state.

"When you say, 'Get that idol.' Are we being tasked to bring it back here? Destroy it? Or something else?"

Kaviki few garments "appear" to be of fine quality, and definatly invoke the look of a monk. A large tattoo of an open palm on his chest, shows through his relaxed fitting sleeveless tunic. The tattoo well detailed likeness for the symbol or Irori. A well maintained pack sits beside him, and seems to be the only gear and equipment he has.

Sen looks at those gathered here from his chair, "Well that does sounds interesting. I suppose we will be finishing what my bretheren couldnt. What sorts of things should we expect fron this temple? And does the idol need to be in one piece?"

If there is time i will pick up 2 potions of Endure Elements. Just in case.

Farg a large tiefling with an attitude and an ego to overshadow mountains leans leisurely against the wall listening to the venture captains story with apparently little interest.

Well if it's as big as him...we're prolly not gonna stick it in any haversacks are we?

The Tiefling chuckles.

@Evenstar, could you please check in to the discussion thread? Your opinion is needed :)

"Yes, please bring the idol back to the Grand Lodge. If possible in one piece. The chroniclers and sages will study its planar powers and the heritage of the archdevil Moloch." Hamshanks answers. "We know that this citadel was built for Moloch, archdevil of Malebolge and so-called God of Fires. I'm afraid you have to fear all kinds of fiery creatures. Fire elementals, devils, burning traps and whatever guards the citadel."

"If intact is your request, do you have a means for which to transport it? Or will that logistic be up to us to figure out? Also, would the lodge be able to supply us with a magical protection from the heat?"

Kavaki is asking if something like endure elements will be covered by the lodge, or if we would need to handle that ourselves

"The Society can lend you some cloths for hot weather and chill-cream, but we do not have magic potions to protect you. The transport is up to you, it might also be that the idol is a small statue like something somebody would put on a mantleshelf. Nobody has seen this idol in a long time and we don't find anything in the Chronicles about it's size. But I'm sure you are creative. Farg at least looks strong enough to carry a big piece of stone." Hamshanks answers and laughs.

In this scenario the Society really doesn't offer anything, I'm sorry. Not even a good map to find the place.

Farg shoots the venture captain an evil glare.

Well then thank you for your support... Venture Captain the Tieflin replies dryly.

An athletic female, dressed in battered scale armor with bits of fur and bone strung here and there, has remained quiet to this point.

She is comely, with penetrating dark eyes, yet she seems cold and distant. She does not seem to care one whit about the proprieties or etiquette of society.

Her trappings make her look more accustomed to a cold climate, and the talk of the heat put her at unease.

"I can carry the statue myself...we will bring it back," she says, perhaps a bit too loudly. "Oh, I'm Evenstar, by the way."

Tell me if you are ready or if you want to purchase some equipment. I will continue if everybody is prepared.

We should stock up on endure elements and resistance effects. Anyone know what the most convenient way to purchase this kind of stuff is?

We could all chip in for some 1st-level scrolls, which I believe are 25 gp each. If there are some spells we think would prove useful, I wouldn't mind buying some. Other than that, I'm ready to go.

Endure elements is first level and lasts the hole day. Protection from energy is second level and thus far more pricey and only 10 minutes per caster level. Farg will pick up 3 Endure elements and will ask Seinaru very nicely to cast one on him before they brave the dessert.

A scroll is 25gp, a potion is 50gp. You are still in Absalom, it's easy to get it everywhere.

"Besides protection from the extreme desert heat, are there any other known challenges we should expect to encounter?"

I think anyone with a poor fort save may want endure elements...otherwise some of that stuff is getting pretty pricey. I think I'm good to head out without more purchases.

bumped up to level 5, took a 1 lvl dip in witch. picked up hex strike, so every hit will now add an evil eye penalty for at least 1 round. putting that together with a trip, enemies are -6 AC min. It also gives me the ability to use wands (i.e. CLW, mage armor, ect.) without a UMD check. With that... Kavaki is ready to embark!

purchases:

1 potion - enlarge person
2 potions - endure elements
1 wand (2PP) - wand of long arm

so every hit will now add an evil eye penalty for at least 1 round.

Hex Strike requires a swift action and thus can only be applied once per round. Still a rather nice combo you could consider adding in enforcer or Cornugon Smash for even more debuffing...

Sorry, store-game-madness-delay.

As soon as you are ready you make the long trip to Sedeq in Qadira and from there you take a path into the desert. The path descends through a maze of cliffs, opening into a slot canyon of smooth red stone surrounded by towering hoodoos. At the far side, two hoodoos carved into enormous bull-headed men leer down on the canyon, while those nearby look like stylized flames. To either side, the canyon walls rise steeply in a series of rough ledges to the clifftops above. Brass doors on a massive wall of baked gray mud can be seen through an arch at the far side of the canyon.

map updated, H are the hoodoos, pillows big enough to hide

Evenstar looks at the alien landscape with awe written on her face.

"This is all so different...the tundra seems a distant memory," she says as she looks around.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Sen looks around taking in everything he sees. "I dont think i have ever been to a place like this before. Its Eerie."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Evenstar and Seinaru see torch marks running crisscross on the floor. A second later the spot the source of the marks. Two fire elementals are hiding behind hoodoos.

Map updated

Farg looks around a bit skeptically.

So we made it ey?

The large Tiefling crams out a small pouch of powder. He has a little sniff and feels way more awesome.

Cast heroism. Duration 40 minutes for +2 to almost everything.

if either Evenstar or Seinaru point out the enemies Kavaki would pull out a wand of mage armor and use it on himself and anyone else who would like it. And if able to use a 2nd wand before initiative, would also use a wand of long arms on himself, and anyone else that wants it.

Wow! This is pretty massive. I home it's not an indication of housing a very large, angry, dangerous... resident. I'm trying to recall if the architechture or markings remind of anything..."

knowledge: arcana,history, nature, planes, or religon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

if the knowledge check reveals anything, Kavaki will relay that information to the rest of the party

Forgot about Knowledge. With Heroism up Farg has a +8 modifier on all knowledges save for Engineering, Geography and Nobility.
Knowledge 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Hmm I think I recall some stories about this place...

The hoodoos with the bull-heads seem to depict Moloch, archdevil of Malebolge and so-called God of Fires. Religion

Three hundred years ago, during one of the fiercest heat waves ever recorded on the long rolls of the Padishah Emperor, the cult of Moloch, spread honeyed words through the many markets of Sedeq and Dimayen and the small towns in between. The leaders of the cult of Moloch argued that the heat itself was holy, a landmark guiding Qadira to paradise.

Soon many Qadirans trekked alone into the dunes, giving their lives to the inimitable desert, and young Qadiran lovers immolated themselves in the hopes of reuniting in the fiery paradise beyond.

Only the bravest of these enraptured souls were urged to seek the towering spires of the Citadel of Flame, the hidden home of the cult deep in the southern Meraz.

This upstart cult and its devil god, seducing the faithful, infuriated Sarenrae’s dervishes. With much fanfare, they launched a crusade into the Meraz, seeking to destroy the Citadel of Flame and the cult within. Weeks later, the greatest sandstorm of the century scoured the desert, and the heat finally broke. Sarenrae’s expedition never returned and the cult of Moloch fell silent. Religion

"We may want to deal with these elementals before continuing forward," Evenstar says. "We don't want them attacking us from behind," she adds.

"What elementals? Oh! Thank you for pointing that out. Elementals are not usually prone to conversation and diplomacy. I suggest we prepare for combat. I've got a few things to aid myself here, would anyone else like the benefit of mage armor or long arms? Farg... do know anything about these elementals? Weaknesses they may have?"

as posted earlier, Kavaki will buff with the 2 wands and offer the same to the rest of party.

Knowledge Arcana1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Water perhaps? Farg guesses...

Sen looks at the Elementals, "I find it odd that they haven't attacked us yet. I wonder if they want something from us."

I say we leave them in peace. If they want something from us they will tell us. If they want to kill us well.. though luck!

Farg knows that they are vulnerable to cold. The elementals are watching you, but do not attack.

Please tell me if you move to another place on the map.

Farg will approach wary of the elementals.

Sen follows Farg as he moves up.

Kavaki will join Farg as he approaches towards the citadel.

"This is somewhat un-nerving. What do you think these things are doing?"

"I'm not sure...I'd rather have a straight-up fight!" Evenstar agrees.

Finally, after some of you crossed the center of the canyon, the fire elementals get out of their hideouts and attack.

Round 1
Kavaki
Farg
Fire Elemental red
Evenstar
Seinaru
Fire Elemental orange

Long Arms has a duration of 1 min. Did the effects of the spell begin with initiative, will it end after a few rounds, or have the effects expired before we started initiative?

I would say the effect started with initiative, 10 rounds remaining

Farg activates archaelogists luck,moves and readies standard action to attack with his longspear. Movement from the southern Elemental will provoke an AoO with PA1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Damage 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 Readied attack with PA1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 Damage 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Farg bars his fangs and hoists up his spear inviting the Elemental to try him.

Kaviki will move to block Seinaru from being attacked, and ready a trip attack when red elemental gets in range of Farg's longspear.

trip: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

if trip succeeds...

vicious stomp: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 -4 AC prone

damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

if vicious stomp hits...

DC:13 Will = 4 rounds (fail), 1 round (success) -2 Attack (evil eye)

[

Farg bars his fangs and readies his longspear to pierce the fire elemental as soon as it moves. Kavaki readies to trip the fire elemental.

The fire elemental moves closer to Farg and Kavaki, but Farg's first attempt to hit it is not successful. Kavaki is not able to trip the fire elemental CMD19, but the second hit from Farg finally injures the fire elemental.

The fire elemental swings it's fiery arms at 1d2 ⇒ 2 Farg.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 + burn
Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Reflex Save DC14 or catch fire

Round 1
Kavaki
Farg
Fire Elemental red -12HP
Evenstar
Seinaru
Fire Elemental orange

Reflex save1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 20

Farg easily puts out the flames and is ready to harass the elemental.

Sen draws his long spear while he moves for a better angle on the fire elemental. Then he strikes.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

But his strike is wide.

Evenstar moves to join the combat, lashing out with her greatsword in violent fashion.

MW Greatsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 for Greatsword damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 3) + 9 = 18

Seinaru and Evenstar also strike against the fire elemental, but only Evenstar hits. The fire elemental already stumbles, but does not fall.

The fire elemental on the north side of the canyon moves closer to the group. double move

Round 2
Kavaki
Farg
Fire Elemental red -30HP
Evenstar
Seinaru
Fire Elemental orange

Lingering refrain kicks in to extend bard song bonus. Full attack

While to most it would seem folish to bite a flame Farg while witty isn't necesarily the smartest and does just that.

Claw PA 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 Damage 1d4 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Claw PA 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 Damage 1d4 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Bite PA 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 Damage 1d4 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Kavaki begins a flurry of blows, with the 1st intended to bring the elemental down from a trip attack, then follow up with an unarmed attack.

flurry: trip: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 2 = 25

if successful...

Vicious Stomp: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 -4 AC prone

damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

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flurry: 2nd attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20 -4 AC for prone

damage2: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

if AoO or 2nd Flurry hit...

Evil Eye = -2 Attack

DC:13 Will = 4 rounds (fail), 1 round (success)

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reflex: burn: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21