DM PeteZero's PbP GameDay 2: PFS From Shore to Sea (Inactive)

Game Master Pete who?

The villagers shrug, they seem to have no idea. The only thing which Flinders remembers, iis, that it must be some colossal aberation below the sea - and he shudders at the thought of it.

A strangely hunched man with a lopsided gait, the lighthouse keper - introducing himself as Gervus Barhandin. Gervus carries the distinctive look of the villagers of Blackcove: his skin is pallid and waxy, his dark, thin hair recedes into a sharp widow’s peak, and his brow furrows deeply, showing only the faintest wisps of eyebrows. The man might have been uniquely handsome once, with a wide, toothy grin and large eyes, but the harsh environment has taken its toll.
“There have been attacks by strange, “licentious” beasts from the “debts” of the sea and that all who remain in the village fear for their lives and have “congealed” themselves in the lighthouse,” he explains to you.”so, will you help us to free us from this infestation and travel to Nal-Kashel?”

Magnus is puzzled by the man's choice of words. Why the odd words of 'licentious', 'debts', and 'congealed'. He isn't sure what 'licentious' would be referring to... maybe the tentacles have been doing things to villagers more inappropriate than the grabbing and squeezing? Debts... that was probably supposed to be depths... and congealed was supposed to be concealed.

Unless this tentacled beast was trying to collect on some pornographic service it had rendered for these people. Abadar understands collecting on debts, but not so much the rest. Magnus prefers to leave such thinking to the worshipers of Calistria.

"Sir, I am puzzled by your choice of words. Did you really mean to say 'licentious'? Have the beast been forcing themselves upon the villagers in ways other than we just experienced? I assume you meant 'depths' when you said, 'debts', and 'concealed' when you said 'congealed', but I am rather confused by what you were trying to say. I am not well versed in the Chelaxian accents, so perhaps I just misheard?"
diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 in case Magnus actually phrases this better than I did ;)
Kn: Nobility: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 To make sure Magnus follows proper social protocol

This investigation stuff is all a bit beyond Valeros. He just stands back and watches.

“Aye, these waters are ‘infatuated’ with sharks, the ‘apprehensible’ beasts. And the sharp rocks can be ‘lecherous.’” he responds.

'Ok, something is really wrong with this guy. I don't think he knows what he is saying.'

"Sir, would heading out tomorrow morning be a better idea than risking a night-time voyage to Nal-Kashel? Is there a boat that we might use to get there?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Trying to determine if this person is being affected by an enchantment or compulsion effect

OMG! How many times can he roll so poorly!

Ezren grumpily squeezes some seawater out of a corner of his coat. He nods his thanks at Kyra's healing as his aching ribs ease. Paying little attention to the chatter for the moment, he stares out at the sea and considers what the beast might have been.

knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
knowledge nature: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
knowledge the planes: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

A fisherman steps out of the crowd, introducing himself as Estian. "I can bring you over tomorrow. But I only have 5 spaces in my boat unfortunately."

ooc: Ezren just recons it must be colossal, an aberration, and as good as it attacked, has tremorsense, and a lot of reach

"Estian, sir, how long is the trip? Would it be possible to take two trips? Maybe 4 of us the first trip, and two on the second?"

To the group, he says, "Perhaps Kyra could ask for Air Walk as a spell tomorrow. Then, one of us, hopefully someone who is not heavily burdened by armor, could use that. Or perhaps a Fly spell, assuming one of us could cross over in the short time that Ezren could give us. Or water walk might also be good option."

Magnus looks exhausted from all that thinking.

Valeros offers "or we could just take two boats."

Kyra nods, "I'll pray to Sarenae for new spells tomorrow her grace be willing."

How far away is the island?

"About 2 miles," he replies.

A petite young woman steps forward, "I can offer to cast water breathing on you, to cross the sea," she tells you. She is displaying the distinct heritage of her people, and she her discerning gazes before her eyes suddenly wanders away nervously.

"My people know the dangers of tides and storms but have never found reason to stay ashore. I know a group of coastal nixie sisters owes me favors, and I can call upon the nixies to cast water breathing you and provide you guidance to the wedding rock cove, after casting hide from animals on all." she adds.

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 does Magnus believe she can produce the water breathing and guides?

[b]"Miss, that seems to be a quite generous offer. How do you know these nixies won't double cross us, or are beholden to the very powers that are besieging your town?"{/b]

"The sea nurtures, but it is a jealous mother not to be refused when the debt comes due." she answers.

Magnus thinks she is absolutely trustworthy

"That is a rather generous offer." Kyra puts forward being unsure of this offer.
"Why would you offer this?"
Sense Motive 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Let me know when you decide to trust the lass. I'm for a nap. Ezren gathers his cloak around his aching bones. (Damn sea weather causing the arthritis to flare up) and settles into a empty corner to rest.

"My people know the dangers - and I am grateful for your aid." she replies.

Let me know how you want to cross - boat, with one breathing water, all breathing water, or two times back and forth?

Kyra votes boat, with one breathing water, I'll have the spells prepared

Agreed. I don't think two trips on the boat would be safe; never split the party!

Boat plus one breath underwater. No split party.

Looks like boat plus water breathing - who goes in the water? And do you do it by yourself or do you take the offer?

Turning to the fishy woman, Valeros says "Yeah, ok. What do these nixies sisters look like?" The Taldan swordsman rarely turns down new experiences.

Valeros will take the underwater route, and the offered help.

you can all go underwater if you want, that's her offer, or only one, if you wish

"I think that we should all go underwater, thus not splitting the party at all."

Magnus asks the townsfolk, "Do any of you have tridents or spears that we could borrow while underwater, just in case? Swords do not tend to do well in such circumstances. Magnus is wiling to buy the weapons if necessary.

After long discussion you decide to take Lira's offer, and ask her nixie friends to cast water breathing on you. The next morning after a good night's rest, you head out and walk underwater to the island, without any problems.

Imposing cliffs rise above the frothy sea, collapsing at a rocky beach of dark sand. Graceful spires and golden domes pierce the island’s thick foliage high above, and the remains of a ruined road of white slate crumble down the cliffs onto the beach. Overhead, a half dozen broken towers float in slow elliptical orbits around the island. A large rock covered in graffiti juts from the sand in the middle of the beach.

Moving this fast forward with the only non-combat solution

[b]"Huh, figures. Fascinating old ruin and ... lets paint on it." Ezren moves to examine the graffiti.

linguistics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Flinders watches the floating chucks of tower with interest. "Quite extraordinary! I wonder what keeps them floating.." He then looks around the beach.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

As you look around:

The cliffs that surround the cove are sheer, reaching heights averaging 100 feet and seem difficult to scale and there are sharp rocks at the bottom, and climbers who fall also risk drowning in the churning sea. The jumbled remains of the ancient road, however, provide enough handholds and seems easier to climb and to navigate, also it is sloped, which would reduce any falling damage.

Flinders cocks his head listening. "Do you perceive a hum coming from the rock? It's most disturbing."

Will update spells in the morning.

Peception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Kyra cast detect magic on learning about the hum and faces the rock.

"Blergh... don't try to read the graffiti...." Ezren proceeds to lose his breakfast.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 nope: Nothing. Who's surprised that the paladin didn't hear anything?!

Magnus thinks about checking out the graffiti for a moment, and then heeds Ezren's words. He looks up, fascinated by the floating towers.

"Hey, guys, should we try and get up there?" he says, straining to look straight up while in full plate.

About how high above us are the floating towers?
perception, if necessary: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Valeros happily follows the others.

Whatever route you are taking, I need climb checks

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Bart keeps a quiet lookout as he follows the others along.

Trying to get up the road, Barthomolew just slides back, making no progress at all.

Flinders gets out a climbing kit and tries to scrambles up.

Climb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

And Flinders gets up, taking the ancient road. With effort and time you get up the cliff, which takes you roughly an hour.

The streets of the city wrap around the ruined structures of the island in sweeping curves like the shell of some enormous mollusk. Massive slabs of a white, chitinous material grow layer upon layer in a once-contiguous piece, long ago broken into jagged formations. Along the streets, urchin-like spines stab ten feet upward, some with illuminated, glass globes drifting slowly in silent orbit around their points. Densely overgrown, vine-choked buildings alternate between fantastic domed structures and symmetrical, orderly city blocks, following the arcs of the queerly curving streets.

Flinders 1d6 ⇒ 3
Valeros 1d6 ⇒ 5
Ezren 1d6 ⇒ 4
Kyra 1d6 ⇒ 2
Bartholomew 1d6 ⇒ 3
Magnus 1d6 ⇒ 6

Sorry, the boards did not let me post better.

The floaing towers are about 60-100ft above you, might be a place from the city where you might be able to reach them?

Magnus stops for a moment, takes off his gauntlets, and rubs his hands together. He seems puzzled by something, as he keeps looking at his hands. After a short while, he puts his gauntlets back on, pulls out his falchion, and goes through a few exercises.

Satisfied that whatever was bothering him did not affect his swordplay, he says, "Perhaps we should head towards the 'wedding rock'? That's one thing we already know about"
[ooc]Where are we on the map?[/ooc[

My apologies thought it was clear - you re at B1 - the wedding rock (which hums) and now ventured up and are basically at the end of the road

Thanks! I guess that was the intent, but it helps knowing that's where we ended up.

"So," says Magnus, "I am guessing that the road is not going to be the most effective means of travel, given that the island is so fractured. Perhaps we should go cross-country, towards the two structures near the cliff wall, to the north of us. Assuming, of course, the terrain isn't to rough to cross."

As always, Magnus suggests the straight line towards the objective. Going around the periphery, scouting and such, is not actually in his nature. The buildings are likely where anything is, so that's where he suggests going!

"It seems that some form of foul magics are in the air, It's best that we tread carefully now." Kyra trudges along, her head aching somewhat.

Updated Spells.

As the party walks along, Bart looks down at his hands and down at his bare halfling feet, noticing that they are growing extra skin flaps between them. "Huh. Well, that's new. It doesn't seem so foul yet," he says, holding his hand up to eye-level. "It'd probably help with swimming, after all."

Ezren stops and hacks for a moment. "I'm for heading toward the buildings also, probably aim for whatever is in the center of this ." He gestures out toward the city and coughs. "And we should probably be quick about it, somethings up with this area.

Valeros, losing the fight against nausea, holds up a thumb in a gesture of approval while vomiting behind some rubble. He hasn't felt this bad since he drank three skins of Ulfen moonshine.

FLinders examines his hands and legs thoughtfully. "Indeed, it appears we are effected in some way. Very queer....which way now? North toward the structures? That sounds as good a direction as any."

A sheet of muddy water flowing up from the floor forms the door to this domed, shell-like structure. The liquid moves in a continuous loop, flowing from a large central pool across the floor and up the walls in a thin sheet, then falling from the domed crystal ceiling in a cylinder of water. A large bubble of murky water floats in the air above the pool. Detailed mosaics of fantastic sea creatures and undersea motifs adorn the coral-colored walls.