|
Unfortunately, only expertise in architecture and foundations for building <Know Engineering> would really help here, and without that understanding, you are simply not sure.
This large chamber has a relatively low ceiling. The far southwest wall is set at an angle, and against the center of the wall sits a heap of bones and skulls resembling a large makeshift throne. To the left of the throne sits an oak and brass sea chest, carved with images of sea serpents chasing their own tails. Sitting atop the throne, flanked by two of the faster, more animalistic undead, sits what seems to be a an ancient unloving pirate king. Or rather, one who seems to see themselves as some sort of pirate-king.
"Ah, this is interesting. Have you come back to deal? What offerings do yo bring this time?. . . Or are you the offerings. . ."
ROUND 1
Ghast ()
Ptolomeo ()
Henrikuaxian ()
Emma ()
Kitajo ()
Festrog 2 ()
Kaleena ()
Festrog 1 ()
Jarek ()
Narayan ()
|
|
As Ptolomeo makes a mad rush at the nearest enemy, he is first assaulted by a nasty stench that seems to do more than simply turn his stomach. It hits him hard, just as the undead prince steps closer intercept the rushing Oread, both stopping him in his tracks and managing to
ROUND 1
Ghast ()
Ptolomeo (-7, Sickened)
Henrikuaxian ()
Emma ()
Kitajo ()
Festrog 2 ()
Kaleena ()
Festrog 1 ()
Jarek ()
Narayan ()
|
Henrik slips around the corner, and positions himself well out of range of the smelly things. He then casts a spell, aiming behind the group of undead. With a gesture, what appears to be a summoned monster appears behind one of the festrogs (1) and next to the other festrog (2). A large, snarling wolf appears in that location, with a faint white glow, and growls threateningly at the undead near it.
|
|
After being himself surprisingly assaulted, Ptolomeo, in a surprisingly unnatural bit of rage and unrestrained savagery,. . ., cuts down the Ghast with in a single swipe of his massive blade. Master mage Hen steps in closer, calling on um, um, aid in the form of an ally summoned from one of the heavenly Planes, appearing quickly behind the remaining undead.
Emma calls on her own "magic", forming a psychic bolt to launch as one of the undead while Kitajo ninjitsu's it to oblivion with a pair of shurikens, one catching the Festrog in the chest, and the second in the head, embedding itself in deep, and cause the Festrog to fall to the ground motionless.
The remaining Festrog, attacks the ghostly wolf, to absolutely no effect.
ROUND 1
Ptolomeo (-7, Sickened)
Henrikuaxian ()
Emma ()
Kitajo ()
Festrog 2 ()
Kaleena ()
Jarek ()
Narayan ()
|
|
As the last Festrog drops from Kaleen'as mighty musket and superior aim, you are left with a few moments to catch your breath.
The sea chest next to the throne bears a coarse inscription that reads “I leave you this as wages for your loyal service from now to eternity, my ambitious traitor—S.E.” Within are 10,000 silver pieces, a tiny fraction of Sevenfingers’s wealth.
With this out of the way, you are left with three tasks yet, though there is no true hurry at this point, as you have the remainder or today, and 2 full days to complete them.
Excavating the collapsed passageway takes a few hours of work, though you find tools throughout the complex that aids the task. Inside, you are surprised by a single ghoul, one who appears to have been sealed in and starved for countless years. It attacks in a crazed madness, but falls quickly, undecided if it should attack you or flee, free for the first time in decades. As it rushes past you, you easily cut it down, and with it's destruction, the last of the threats for the site falls.
Within that last chamber, it reeks of filth and rotten meat. A heap of coins and other valuables lies piled in the middle of the room. The largest item in the pile is a gem-studded copper sphere. Though completely motionless, the light on the sphere seems to flicker and fade like a desert mirage.
From what you can gather, there had once been a small assortment of leather packs left here, containing the various scattered treasures. In his madness, the Ghoul, a pirate named Thrennt had been sealed in here accidentally, and as he died, the proximity to the Necrotic Tumor caused him to rise as a Ghoul. It's unclear how long the Ghoul remained here, but with no source of food, it began to feed upon the leather backpacks, eating everything save for the small metal parts, scattering the treasure around the floor. When those ran out, the Ghoul went mad in starvation.
After that is complete, you have the option to destroy the Necrotic tumor, and with time, it is not so difficult.
The last task is to attempt to create an accurate map, and details of the location and perils you have encountered.
From each person individually, can I get the following things.
1.) a relatively short, journal-style entry about what you have all encountered or done here, approx. 1-2 paragraphs each.
2.) a single Knowledge (engineering), or Craft/Profession (related to map making) check.
|
Kitajo's Journal
Upon arriving on the island we found several clearly mad wuth hunger humanoid creatures, they seemed to be guarding an injured member of their group, but were quickly defeated. Future expeditiins should not expect to encounter these creatures in significant enough numbers to be a threat.
When entering the underground chambers care shoukd be taken in the room with yhe large stone face. It seemed to have an effect on at least one member of our party. A hunger perhaps. A giant leech was found, but again should not be a faxtor for future expiditions.
Two things of particular note are a large "mass" which seemed very strange. Location is jarked on my attached map. Also marked on the map is a secredt door which leads to a door with an incredibly complex lock. Future expiditons may have the skill to open this door, but ours did not.
|
Subject: Field Report as Witnessed by Jarek Thrace, Hellknight in Service of the Godclaw.
Mission Success. Orders received from the Pirate Venture Captain. As ordered, did not attempt to redeem her. Orders simple; find an artifact related to Society goals (see attachment: Orb of Stars) and categorize findings. Hostiles encountered on island, a barbarous group of humanoids overcome by a cannibalistic fever assumed to come from a tumor found later (see attachement: Necrotic Tumor). Hostiles did not pose much threat, and group made way into the tomb of a pirate of history (see attachement: Sevenfingers). Inside, magical trap caused one of the members of the party to attack and bite an ally, suspected to be related to the tumor as well. Undead were present in an alarming number, future expeditions would be wise to prepare for the same. One locked door was not bypassed, no platoon members possessed the skills or tools necessary. Recommend further exploration. A ghast controlled the undead in the tomb, and was dispatched. Unknown if the Ghast was related tot he tumor. Orb was secured and transferred to the Venture Captain. End Report.
I, Jarek Thrace, Hellknight of the Order of the Godclaw, verify that this report is accurate on my personal honor.
|
The Dark Hungers of Sevenfingers:
Gloomspires is well named. The terrain is lush. Shadows lie thick within the mist. The mist is everywhere. Tainted men live there. They hunger, not only from an absence of food, but a disease of the soul. An evil spirit, once Sevenfingers, afflicts them. They may be redeemed, but are a danger until then.
Within the explored tomb are traps of the body and mind. All have been bypassed, some may renew themselves. The gluttony and avarice of Sevenfingers has corrupted this place. Undead of gaping maws and endless hungers dwelled here. We have destroyed a nexus of their evil. They may not return. They may.
Within the unexplored tomb there is a door that hides secrets, itself hidden and impassable. Behind this door is the void that gnaws at its minions. Greater heroes must be sent.
The Orb of Stars is found. It may be used for constructive trickery. Hopefully this will help us cleanse the Gloomspires, and save the tormented ones who dwell there. Living and Dead.
|
|
You managed to secure the Orb of Stars and leave the Gloomspires within 3 days, they can safely reach the Grinning Pixie and report to Calisro Benarry. Before ordering the Pixie to return to Drenchport, she addresses you once more “Pathfinders, you have done a great service for me and the Society. The recovery of the Orb of Stars paves the way for future expeditions. Soon, perhaps, we’ll learn more about the Gloomspires’ mysterious creators, unravel their arcane secrets, and perhaps even delve deeper into old Sevenfingers’s tomb to liberate his ill-gotten wealth. Considering what you’ve seen, you’re all now among the foremost authorities on the Gloomspires. I hope that I may call upon all of you again should the Society decide to fund another expedition.”
She immediately begins to pour through your notes, and it seems pretty clear she is already beginning to plan another expedition into the dark place, almost as afflicted with a certain madness of obsession. However, should you be called once again to brave the darkness and mists, you can be assured of a few days, possibly even weeks of rest, training, and recuperation before that call for your services comes.
|
journal entry
We discovered the cave leading to the Orb of Stars was guarded by cannibals who desired to kill and eat us, even though some were sickly. As we desended into the depths of the earth, one of member, a weak willed one at that, was overcome by a malicious spirit.
We came upon a chamber with a necrotic tumor, guarded by undead, pirates in their previous lives, ghouls and ghasts. We were able to put them out of our misery and clear out the area.
E
|
|
Kaleena ponders for a moment before recording in her journal on what transpired.
TASK-
Collect the Orb of Stars, from the Gloomspires and Sevenfingers' tomb, or something like that… also survive and try and make friends. I hardly ever make friends. Although some of these folks are weird… weirder that others. Also get paid.
SUMMARY
What I know of the Orb of Stars
The Orb of Stars is a solid sphere made of a dull copper-colored metal inlaid with dozens of star-shaped moonstones, rubies, and blue sapphires that mimic the stars of the Cosmic Caravan, sounds about right. Tis pretty as a bauble if you like to wear jewelry… I wonder if it could be smelted down to make ammo…?
What I know of the Gloomspires
The Gloomspires are an ancient field of massive stone columns that rise from the Arcadian Ocean. Most sages say they were already old when the Ghol-Gan Empire was young. The Gloomspires are hollow and contain many chambers and passages, and from what I know is a pain in the arse… bring extra ammo.
I did not like this area one bit. Not a lot of area for a horse, nor room to ride, or for grazing.
The rascal Sempet Sevenfingers
Sempet Sevenfingers was a legendary pirate who was active in the region 300 years ago. He used to be known as Sempet Eightfingers, but alas lost another finger playing a game of knives: he won, but not without cost. Sounds like a guy to party with… although he is not a nice person from what we found out.
The Gloomspires and Sevenfingers' tomb:
Lets see, my gun jammed when we fought some hunger madness barbarians, we won though. I got bite by a teammate. Hurt like hell too. I sort of got hungry but managed to press on. We fought some undead, some creatures, some ghouls or something like that. There was the smell of rotting flesh around us. I was scared of my companions if they would succumb to hunger madness too.
All in all the group was OK. Emma was a bit needy but had some cool magic… I think it was magic. Of all the monks I liked Ptolomeo the best. He was rock solid in a fight. He bit me though… I think…Jarek was brooding and reserved, but that could be because he picked the wrong deity to worship and may have found that out during the adventure. Dunno though. He just might be a jerk or shy. We had a few wee folk with us. They were good, sometimes funny. I liked being taller than them though. Made them look up to me. OK, enough of this. I need to make more ammo before I am sent out again. I hate writing these journals…