DM Carbide's PFS#8-07: From the Tome of Righteous Repose (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

Chaul looks at the two wands.

"I can use either of both of these, but I do not need the wands to help me do that. If anyone else can use them, it would be wise to spread them around."

He nods his head in thanks to Besnik. "We will do that, and we will return with knowledge and perhaps, just perhaps, put an unrestfully sleeping knight into the hands of his goddess."

"Sounds like a good plan, Chaul... Let's gather our gear and head out"

Jeb will thank the man and pocket the holy bullet, holding it up and whistling at it. "Much obliged, sir. I'll put it to good use killing something that needs killing."

"A holy bolt! I haven't seen one of these since the Elbistan uprising of 4699! Back then it was lodged in my left buttock. I understand I was mistaken for a possessed creature. A common occurrence, I'm afraid. But you, homeless man? Are you one of those Alkenstarii people? That would explain your disheveled appearance. I've seen the cost of your ammunition and Lords of Order am I glad I do not have to deal with that sort of nonsense. In the meantime, let us carry on. Onwards, to Glory!"

Jeb looks at the odd man with the crossbow. "I'm sorry, are you referring to me as 'homeless man'? My name's Jeb Shakes, which you'd know if you bothered to show up on time to briefings, mate. As for people shooting you in the buttocks, the day is young and my powder is dry..."

Chaul clears this throat.

"And I'm sure it was a mistake. Sure. Positive. Friendly fire never happens to the Phalanx, right? Anyway.. by the sounds of it there maybe some undead whose rotting buttocks would be the best place for your bullets and crossbow bolts."

Kel chuckles at the antics of the two pathfinders.
Best save your witty dueling and ammunition for the enemy, mates. Why don't you two settle your disagreement at The Laughing Lizard back in Absalom? First round is always on the house for Pathfinders.

Jeb grins. "No worries. I've yet to see one of his barbs or his bolts hit their target. I'm sure we'll tell in battle whose buttocks is most deserving of wounds."

"I'm sure I know a priestess of Calistria that can spank ye both if you misbehave, and you'll enjoy it too.. and only slight buttocks wounds will ensue... and afterwards you can bond over the opportunity to both revel in and commiserate over the experience. At least you'll end up friends."

Alektara just shakes her head as the other pathfinders gab about instead of preparing to face danger.

"...Men..." she says to no one.

"Ahh, yes, the joys of fraternal bonding!" exclaims Aldebert, seemingly impervious to the threats or retorts issued by Jeb, for better or for worse. "Of course friendly fire doesn't happen in the Phalanx agent Drammarson! And if it does it is completely justified and thus not friendly fire but retribution from on high. Agent Shakes is it now? Well then, now that I am reassured that your disheveled appearance is not due to a lack of effort, let us make our way to this crypt rather than discuss how dry your powder is. A quick question though, for all assembled here. When we have determined the nature of our opposition, should we take the opportunity to arm ourselves appropriately? Or should we make necessary preparations here and now, and then let Pharasma sort it out?" he continues on unperturbed.

"It sounds like the options for our opposition are either the orcs of the area, or unquiet spirits who have taken up residence. That and traps and wards left behind to deter grave robbers. Speaking of which, is anyone skilled in their removal?"

Jeb throws his hands up at the man's complete lack of perception. "'Fraid not. I'm skilled in springing them, but it generally involves the dread word 'Oops'.

I will be traveling tomorrow and on holiday through next Wednesday. My internet access may be spotty. If I'm not around (and I'm a player in your game) feel free to NPC me as needed!

"If found I can attempt to neutralize the trap but as long as it is not magical in nature."

Kel leans back in his chair.
I'll take care of the traps. Don't worry about those. And between all of us, I don't think any enemies will stand much of a chance, mates.

"Excellent then. Onwards!"

It takes the party only a couple of days' march to reach the presumed location of ancient Mordesha. As recalled, the road detours around the place, and the penultimate half-mile or so is through dense forest entirely lacking in such niceties as paths. As you struggle through, you see a vague lightening ahead, as though the woods were finally coming to an end, and it is with a sense of deep relief that you emerge from the forest.

It is at this point, of course, that it starts to rain. Heavily. In the intermittent glare of lightning, you see slender pillars of stone like skeletal fingers clawing at the sky. Near the base of one is what seems to be the remains of a stone foundation with an opening leading downwards.

Any preparations you want to make before your descent?

"Pah, paths" exclaims Aldebert to the narrator loudly. "In the Phalanx we often had to do without paths. And sometimes without proper boots as well! I distinctly remember having to carve a set of sandals from a gnarly Qadiran tree. Ahh, the good old days."

I just realized; is there such a thing as blunt bolts? If so I'd like to have purchased some along the way.

Chaul gathers all around and leads the group in a prayer, ending in.
"...and please protect our boots."

During the trip, Chaul will check who has a light source. If anyone is missing one, he is willing to cast continual flame for anyone who wishes for such a blessing. You do need to pay for the 50gp gem, but you get to keep the light source afterward. This is half the price of an everburning torch, cheaper than an ioun torch, and you can pick what you want your light source to be.

During the prayers he will cast magic vestment on his shield.

Jeb loads his pistol with normal bullets, and loosens his greatsword in its sheath. Satisfied, he nods to the others.

Kel will take a casting of Continual Flame, on a dull gray ioun stone that he will purchase before we set off. Please remind me to notate this GM

Kel whistles merrily as the party traipses through the trees.
Well mates, last time I had to do this, I was chasing down a small army of undead, so we best count our blessings, eh?

Jeb will take that flame trick and will spend the 50 gold.

"It is always a pleasure to take the light of Saeraen and spread it through the world. When you see this light, think of her."

One of these days I'll take heighten spell just for use with continual flame. Get rid of those pesky deeper darknesses.

I do have an Ioun torch.

"Why Chaul... that is a rather nice trick you do with the light... I would appreciate if you could set that up for me as well... does it ever run out?" Alektara asks the cleric having never seen that spell used before. And then she begins looking for something to use to hold the light.

Celidrian will ask Chaul to cast his on the inside of a small, soft leather bag... which can be turned inside out when light is needed, and right side out when unnecessary.

"Thank you for this, I will make good use of it"

"Agent Drammarson is the personification of the exemplary Pathfinder Agent. Ready to aid, thoughtful and resourceful. A shame we didn't have an Abadarian version of him in the Phalanx back in the day. Sarenrae might be a Qadiran deity but at least she never skimped out on her good graces, unlike some Bankers I used to know" compliments Aldebert in his contorted manner. "A shame they had that "accident" he adds with a sadistic grin before muttering to himself: "Maybe THAT is covered in your gods-damned contracts. Bwehehehehehe."

Delighted to have been able to combine ecclesiastical duties with his pathfinder ones, Chaul stands ready to enter the darkness of the tomb.

"It is my pleasure to bring shred of her light to the world for all to enjoy. Think of it as being redeemed of darkness."

Aldebert, AFAICT blunted crossbow bolts aren't available items. If this were my own game I'd houserule that they are, but since this is PFS I'm stuck with RAW.

The description of the ritual is now behind a spoiler in the header.

A muddy stairway leads down into what had previously been darkness, but is now lit by multiple continual flame effects on various items carried by the party. Picking your way carefully down the ancient steps, you come to a cavernous chamber reaching east and west, with several smaller corridors branching outward from it. Dust and neglect mark this chamber, and the corners lie in shadow until you come near. To the east lies a single stone sarcophagus. A long passage of text is carved into the wall behind the sarcophagus.

"I says Chaul. "have been studying the ritual. It will take some time, and if I open the gates of heaven, it will provide extra strength to the ritual. But it is likely to require assistance of you all to complete successfully."

He advances on the sarcophagus in order to look at the writing, then pauses and checks the room for any signs of magic.

Casts detect magic, if nothing is magical, will go and read the writing.

"We should check out this place and make sure we won't be disturbed during the ritual."

"Do you need any assistance...?" Alektara asks Chaul as she watches him over his shoulder.

Jeb sticks close to Chaul, near his back with his gem in one hand and his pistol in the other.

Celedrian moves closer to read what he can as well...

"Let us explore this place first. Once started, I would prefer not to be disturbed."

He looks down the various passage entrances, circling the room as he does so.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Quite. I have you covered Agent Drammarson" says Aldebert, his crossbow armed and ready, a spiraling ioun torch orbiting around his head.

There is a plaque on the sarcophagus, inscribed with the winged eye of Aroden and the name, "General Dame Vheist."

The text on the wall describes a mighty battle, in which the general and her heavy cavalry unit charged into a valley full of undead.

Chaul detects a faint magical aura under the sarcophagus, and spots a well-disguised sliding panel.

One other point about the ritual, Chaul--it needs to be cast on a specific item or phenomenon, and must be cast from within sight of its target.

"Look at that.." says Chaul as he points out the panel.

"Can one of you check it for traps, and maybe work out a way to open it? There is something magical beyond."

With a bit of work, Kel figures out that it's unlikely to be trapped and opens it. In the small niche revealed is a pendant, which you're able to identify as a gravewatch pendant.

"Interesting, an item designed to repel the undead. It may be used by any. While I would be more than happy to wear it, one of you may need it more than me."

He continues to look for other exits from the room.

Kel keeps an eye on the entrance to the room while the others look through the sarcophagus.
Keep your eyes open mates. I'd rather not have to use that pendant...

His hand idly goes to his belt, where his fingers trace the pommel of his rapier.

Celedrian nods to Chaul and says with a smile, "I'm sure it would be put to good use in your hands, Chaul... I know I am probably not the best person to wear it, as I'd rather not get close enough to any undead in the first place."

know history: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + (3) = 24

"Interesting... this seems to be the burial place of General Vheist.. She's best known as the hero of Crumblespine Ridge, a great battleplace in 3825. She and her heavy cavalry charged the undead, turning the tide of the battle, though in the end she fell to the undead there."

Kel shuffles uncomfortably at the history lesson.
Why do I always get sent on missions with undead? It's almost like the Decimverate know how much I hate them...

He takes a peek out of the room and shrugs.
Ah well. We should probably go ahead and get the ritual over with. I'll keep watch while you do the honors Chaul.

"We need to find the source of the disruption to use the ritual on. This place seems too... calm." notes the priest.

He peers down the largest passage. "Let as bring our light into the dark corners of this tomb."

If nobody else wants it, Chaul will wear the pendant

Kel shuffles uncomfortably at the history lesson.

Why do I always get sent on missions with undead? It's almost like the Decimverate know how much I hate them...

There's one chance in three that this will be an undead-focused adventure. Luck of the draw.

Chaul looks down the hall, and in the light of the continual flame sees that the walls are filled with niches. Some of the niches contain sealed boxes, while others have been opened. Fragments of bone litter the floor.

Kel takes point, and moves silently.
Anyone sensing any magic?

"This way is as good as any."

Chaul waits for the rest of the group to form up near him and then starts carefully down the hallway. He alternates checking for magic and checking for the more mundane, knowing that absolutely anything could be hiding down here.

Chaul takes a moment to bless the area as he passes the opened boxes, and pushes the unopened ones back to prevent their accidental falling.

"I'm guessing these are the bones of those who fell at Crumblespine Ridge"

If you all could move your self up on the map, Chaul is happy to take the lead here, or a trap monkey could alternatively take point. If Chaul is in the lead, assume he is taking ten for 21 on trap perception.

There is nothing more of interest in the room. There is a passage to the north and another to the west.

Alektara can go anywhere in the party formation. She does have disable devices to help, stealth, good knowledge's and +10 perception- so wherever you want her to go in line

Lets may get Alekatara in front, with Chaul behind her checking for magic. I'll move everyone into a formation, sing out if you don't like it!

Chaul waits while everyone gets into a good formation, and then the group heads off down the bone strewn corridor.