These are Morlocks. Degenerate humans long lost from the world of light, morlocks have regressed through years of subterranean dwelling into ravenous, barely thinking beasts of the endless night. They no longer remember the civilized lives their ancestors led, although many morlock tribes still dwell in the shattered ruins of their ancient homes. Ironically, in many cases morlocks worship the statues left behind by these ancestors as their gods. They are used to fighting in, and taking advantage of, combined spaces.
Yanos spears one of the creatures and Alie's magic injures it further, but they persist in their attacks, pursuing Alie and knocking her unconscious. 6 damage
The beetles close distance on Yanos, clicking their mandibles in agitation. Yanos spins his weapon and runs both through.
GM ROLLS:
Random - 1 Alie, 2 Peri, 3 Rowanna:1d3 ⇒ 1
Club Attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 hit
Damage:2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6 Club Attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 miss
F Human (Chelaxian) Witch 8 - HP 50/50 [7 Temp] - AC 19*/T: 14/FF: 17* - Perception +8 - Fort: +7, Ref: +8, Will +9 (+1 vs. Curses, +1 vs. Acid or Earth) - CMB +4, CMD 17 (+1 vs. Grapple) - Speed 30 - Init. +9
Appearing a little shocked at the quick manner Alie was dispatched by the creatures, Rowanna moves back 5 feet and hexes the undamaged humanoid. "I curse you, you disgusting little Morlock."
Evil Eye Hex on the unhurt Morlock. DC 14 Will save. It takes -2 to attack rolls for one round if it makes its save, if it fails its save the effect lasts for 7 rounds.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Kilian moves into position and takes a chop at one of the odd humanoids.
Haris steps in with sword and dagger, but cannot find an opening, but then Leonel arrives, sending his greatsword cleaving through the creatures, killing one and gravely wounding the other. Peri's magic missile takes it in the face, but it still stands. The beetles were dead before she cast her spell, so I redirected.
Only one enemy left. Waiting on Yanos and Alie to act.
Returning to normal size, I'll move to Alie, I'll sacrifice a spell (Shield of Faith) to heal her. "Come on dear. This is no time to take nap. Get back up and how us how it's done, luv."
Alie stirs, hearing Yanos's voice guiding her back to the conscious. "What were those things? I hope we never see them again, that's for sure," she adds, still groggy. She stands up, making sure she doesn't pitch over again.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Kilian takes advantage of the creature's focus on Yanos to land a blow on it.
Kilian and Yanos bring their weapons to bear on the wounded creature, stabbing and hacking it to the ground.
Combat Over.
Animal carcasses and insect carapaces litter the area. Many having been slaughtered within the past month. According to Torch's directions the gates ahead lead into the deepest part of the maze complex that makes up the bulk of Delirium’s Tangle.
A wealth of small bone and basalt idols, 50 to be exact, crowd the floor around the doors. Though crude, they are nonetheless worth 45 gp each to an academic or collector. Also found are a masterwork rapier and dagger set made from alchemical silver and a magical wand that Alie is able to identify as containing 2 charges of a spell of water breathing.
Rowanna, Alie, and Yanos:
You are able to verify that some of the remains are humanoid.
Alie pulls out a gleaming new wand, clearly never having been used before, and hands it to Yanos. "Woukd you mind using the wand on me, Yanos? I don't want you to have to use all your spells."
HP 20/22. Used two charges from CLW wand. 48 charges remaining.
"If no one objects, I'll hold onto this wand. It might be handy as I can use it to allow two of the group to breathe water, if necessary. Very handy for something unexpected, I think.. Alie goes back to trying to map the maze to the best of her abilities.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Kilian pauses to clean his guisarme, looking around the room. "Are any of those bodies human? I was asked to look for people who might have disappeared from the Ivy District."
"A strong showing everyone! And an excellent display of courage in danger, Alie. Glad you're still with us." Leonel offers his reassurances as he helps gather the idols.
"Does anyone else need this dagger?" he holds it up as an offer before taking it himself.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Kilian pokes around the bodies a bit with the butt of his guisarme, frowning. "Any of you know much about Absalom? I can't tell anything from what these poor sods were wearing."
F Human (Chelaxian) Witch 8 - HP 50/50 [7 Temp] - AC 19*/T: 14/FF: 17* - Perception +8 - Fort: +7, Ref: +8, Will +9 (+1 vs. Curses, +1 vs. Acid or Earth) - CMB +4, CMD 17 (+1 vs. Grapple) - Speed 30 - Init. +9
”Absolutely no clue.” Rowanna answers Kilian's question with a shrug of her small shoulders, ”I tell you, next time they assign me to one of these things, I'm going to demand they send a bard with us. One well versed in random information.”
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
László has Knowledge (local), but he's not here at the moment.
Alie, for some reason I had you listed under the wrong faction mission. See the spoiler for your actual missions. Note - you and Haris have the same missions.
Taldor Faction Mission:
Looks like the Sczarni acquired another private letter from Taldor. It's up to Haris to complete the tasks they set forth for some secret purpose only the guildmasters are privy to.
Agent of the Emperor,
Vidam Tsoulet, distant cousin of his majesty the Grand Prince, arrived in Absalom last week and gives me no end to headaches. Mostly recently, he lost his family signet ring to that boorish Minotaur “Prince” in a card game. The cow now wears the ring like a trophy, an embarrassing situation for the royal line. Recover that signet ring, but be sure no one realizes who took it or for what purpose.
I believe a young lady has caught Tsoulet’s eye; wooing her should keep him from further damaging the royal reputation. Retrieve some impressively grotesque trophy that Vidam can claim he slew in her honor; the head of any terrifying beast should do.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Not a good mix of characters for the first few faction missions, at least.
Peri is usually pretty good at Qadira missions,they usually tell her to intimidate so and so, or suck up to this and that. But handle animal is not really her thing.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Unless you'll let untrained characters attempt to Aid Another, since it's a DC 10 check.
Unfortunately untrained characters cannot aid. Sorry, but this is just another badly designed faction mission. There is a chance you might be able to figure out something later, but for now you are at an impasse.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
Would you let Kilian pack up some of the potentially-identifying items and bring them back up with him for identification?
... sure, why not. No reason you have to leave it down here. Might cost a little gold to get someone to pick through it though. They are basically the shredded possessions of humanoids that were torn apart and sacrificed.
Kilian bundles up some items and articles of ripped and torn clothing and the group continues on...
The curving, branching halls of this structure are lined with the same stone as the natural caverns outside, and the arched ceiling meets high overhead. Nearly every surface boasts inscribed text—some of it delicate and flowing, but surrounded by a tangle of jagged and hastily etched scribbles. The endless twisting passageways inspire a faint sense of vertigo, as if the floor were swaying underfoot.
READ THIS: Solving the Maze:
Finding the center of the Tangle requires 10 successful skill checks using the possible skill Options listed below. Every check represents 1 hour of travel while searching for clues.
For each check, one PC is chosen to be the “Leader.” Only the Leader can make the relevant skill check to guide her companions for that one-hour block. A different character may assume the Leader role for each check, but the Leader must be chosen before the skill check is made. A successful check leads the group deeper into the Tangle.
Cooperation can improve the odds. Any PC who is not the Leader can attempt the aid another action to provide the Leader with a +2 circumstance bonus to her current check. Each PC can only provide one bonus to each individual Leader roll.
There are 4 Naviagation Skill Options:
Follow the Minotaur’s Trail: Survival Check. The morlocks who captured Nuar made no effort to conceal their trail, but the stone floors and stark interior of the Tangle retain minimal evidence of their passage. The trail of dropped hairs, disarmed traps, and dribbled morlock blood leads to the Minotaur Prince without having to focus on the Tangle’s twisted structure.
Princely Perfumes: Perception Check. Nuar enjoys the finer things in life, and his unique cologne cuts through even the stink of the morlock lifestyle. Perceptive characters may be able to pick up on the smell and use it to find the Tangle’s center. Characters and creatures with the scent ability gain a +5 bonus on this check.
Solve the Maze: Knowledge (dungeoneering) Check. Clever PCs may rely on their wits over their senses and try to find their own passage through the twisting corridors. Taking the maze headon taxes the mind, but the insanity it causes also unveils fresh insight. PCs may willingly suffer 1d4 points of Wisdom damage, and in exchange receive a +5 bonus to the Knowledge (dungeoneering) check.
Understand the Maze: Knowledge (arcane) Check. The Tangle is designed as an enormous magical sigil, and those versed in the arcane arts can try to navigate it as such. A PC may willingly suffer 1d4 points of temporary Wisdom damage, and in exchange receive a +5 bonus to the Knowledge (arcane) check.
F Human (Chelaxian) Witch 8 - HP 50/50 [7 Temp] - AC 19*/T: 14/FF: 17* - Perception +8 - Fort: +7, Ref: +8, Will +9 (+1 vs. Curses, +1 vs. Acid or Earth) - CMB +4, CMD 17 (+1 vs. Grapple) - Speed 30 - Init. +9
Do the Wisdom damage options for the last two options give +5 for every check made or just one of them? Can we mix up the options to get a total of 10 or do we have to get 10 successes from the same option?
”My knowledge of the arcane arts would be useful in navigation, but I'm not going to be much help if we try it another way. Although following that rank smell of cologne might be the best idea.” Rowanna offers as the group begins to enter the maze.
Perception is probably the way to go, since everyone can help and Yanos has a +11.
I'd prefer to spread it out and share the spotlight a bit, but I can do the Perception if people want. I can also Aid on the Know Arcana and Survival (I think as it can be used Untrained). I can also cast Guidance for a +1 to someone's checks if I can not Aid Another. It also looks like the Barkskin is going to be wasted.
My only significant contribution would be Perception. That being one of the most universal skills, I recommend we go with that, and have Yanos lead. He has that big spear to boot.
Male Human Fighter/7 (mobile fighter archetype) HP 64/64 AC21/T 14/FF 19 CMD 22/24 vs. trip & sunder Fort +8/Ref +5/ Will +6 Init +2 Perc +1|Sense Motive +1
