Destiny of the Sands High-Tier (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

"Let's start with the book, though I would like to thumb through it if you don't mind."

"Fine by me, but let's not waste any more time."

Haemish raises an eyebrow at the half-orc. "Oh, why you are so eager to leave my beautiful, arid homeland?"

Cressyk glares at Haemish. "We are here on a mission, not to admire your homeland's....beauty. I should not have to justify my desire for speed to you."

"Yes, yes, yes, the mission is all well and good. But remember to look around every once in while. You might see something interesting."

Cressyk grunts and turns to the others. "Are the rest of you ready to proceed, or should we all take a moment and admire our surroundings?" It's evident that he, at least, doesn't wish to delay any longer.

"Let's on with it, then," grumbles Wit.

This land does have its interesting features—I've spend many a year here. But the half-orc is right, we have business to be about.

"I am ready to continue. I, however, can appreciate the beauty of the land."

She winks at Haemish.

"At least it's not Qadira," Ober responds with a laugh and continues with the crew.

Any The Exchange faction members in this group?

You travel to the location Torch told you to 'deliver' the prayer book.

More than a dozen camels are tethered outside a large pavilion tent while a score of porters pack supplies for what looks to be a grand archeological expedition. Crates of tools, coils of rope, and sacks of dried food lie in piles waiting to divided up among the beasts of burden. Within the sumptuously appointed pavilion, and handstacks of scrolls -drawn maps lie strewn across a canopied bed. A tall, dark haired northerner with a thick eastern accent and persistent scowl supervises the storm of activity while checking over an inventory scrawled in a well-worn ledger. “Where are those amphorae of water? This expedition won’t last a week in the Pillars of the Sun without water!”

Nope, not here. Haemish will try to distract Ionacu.

Haemish gets off Lady and tells her to sit patiently. He smoothes his clothing and beard and walks over the to man giving the commands. "Hello sir, I know you are terribly busy, but I am looking for Ionacu Lozar. You wouldn't happen to know where I could find him. My name is Haemish and I am a barber of some repute trying to offer my useful wares to the people of Eto. Would you, or any of your company be interested in a free haircut?"

Haemish actually is a barber, so I'm not technically lying. If you'll allow me to make a Diplomacy roll, it would be: Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Wit is rather adept at Stealth, so if all are agreed, he can try to sneak in and place the book.

Waiting for his moment, Wit tries to remain as unnoticed as possible, slipping between the camels and crates, looking for the best place to hide the book.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Stealth: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32

Sounds like a great plan to me. Wow, that's a serious Stealth roll LOL.

"You find Lozar near the crates over there, but I don't think he's looking for a new hair cut. He's busy finding suppliers for water and other things." the commander says pointing at the crates where Wit tries to sneak around.

Wit is able to hide between the crates and camels. He spots an open box with other books inside but Lozar stands directly next to it and does not move away.

If you want to hide the book in this box, please do a Sleigh of Hand check.

Wit waits patiently, hoping for a better opportunity.

They need to draw him away a bit, and then this will be easy.

Stealth to remain hidden: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31

gm did Ober learn anything from skimming the book, perhaps about its contents and why Torch would want it snuck into the possession of this archaeologist?

Ober moves quickly toward Lozar.

"Excuse me," he calls loudly toward Lozar. "Iwas told I could find Ionacu Lozar here. I presume you are Mssr . Lozar?"

Cressyk stands by, not trusting himself to keep up any sort of charade.

Haemish meanwhile gets out his scissors and absentmindedly starts giving his wolf, Lady, a light trim. "Don't want you overheating, dear," he mumbles shuffling after Ober.

Ober can see that the book is a prayer book. There are no hidden messages in the book.

"Yes, I'm Lozar. Are you here to deliver the water supplies? Quick, we are already waiting!" Lozar answers.

"Mssr. Lozar, a pleasure to meet you. Unfortunately, no, I'm not here to deliver the water supplies. I'm here on behalf of my elder brother, Liam L'Outre, a venture captain in the Pathfinder Society, but one currently without a Lodge. With the opening of Osirion to archeological digs and investigation, I thought perhaps you might be interested in hearing from my brother about founding a lodge near the Pillars of the Sun, to aid in your research. A mutually beneficial relationship for both you and the society. Do you have a moment?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Haemish keeps an eye out for anyone who might also watch us while doing our sneaky things.

Cressyk steps forward, unsure of the others' tactics' effectiveness. "Who is supposed to deliver your water, and from where? Perhaps we could aid in some way?"

Kiyomi stays outside the tent, watching for trouble.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Stepping between teh crates where Wit has hidden himself and the expedition leader, Herman waits until Lozar is disracted by Ober's introduction and explanation, then grabs the book from wit and quickly shuffles it into the nearby box, stooping to tie his bootlace as cover.

"Eto, we don't want to go to Eto, right? I thought this caravan was going to Katapesh. I guess we have the wrong caravan. Please excuse us."

Herman bluffs an exit for the rest of the group, once the book is in place.

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Not sure if that's what we're looking for here, but feel free to play off it if we need to complete some task for Lozar as well, while we're here. Also, not sure if any Aid Another is availble on the S-o-H since Ober is covering, and Wit is assisting.

Perception Lozar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Sense Motive Lozar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Herman is able to put the book into one of the crates. Lozar is distracted by the discussion about water supplies the Society. "Some of Eto's traders are late to deliver some goods. Unfortunately I don't have the time to discuss with a representative of the Society, we have to leave soon. Maybe if I come back. Hopefully I have some results I can present to the Venture-Captain."

Lozar tells you which merchants are late for delivery and you are able to track them down.

"Of course," The young War Priest says with a low bow. "As a token of good faith, I'll see to it you're supplies are promptly delivered."

Diplomacy for Water: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 That should do it.

"Looks like after finding water for one of our associates, we have to find no water for another." Ober says joking about the dry well. "Shall we continue?"

After a talk to the water supplier you are able to get the water delivered to Lozar within an hour.

"The water supplies! Thank you very much you saved my day and probably the whole expedition!" he says after the water supplies are delivered. "We are ready to set off! Move, move, move! Pack the rest of the crates and get the camels ready!" he continues shouting orders.

His attitude is friendly now

Heading back to Torch to tell him you succeeded on the first task?

Should we even report that? I would think we could just start right on the next task and just let him know when we've completed all of them. Unless he has some more information that we need to know first...?

Agreed. Let's get as much done as we can without checking back in.

"Anyone know where the Sunrise Gate is, then?" Wit says gruffly, looking around as if it would appear somewhere near them.

Survival (Take 10): 10 + 6 = 16

Cressyk points, "The sun rises in that direction; I suggest we look there." With that, he begins walking.

Herman stops a group of acolytes of Sarenrae and asks them for directions to the Sunrise Gate. As he talks with them, he strums a little tune from the church's liturgy, pleasing the young priests to no end.

Gather Info/Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

Ober assists.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Surprised at Ober's harmony vocals, Herman pats him on the back, once they get the proper directions from the priests of the sun goddess.

You are able to find the way to the dry well near the Sunrise Gate. Before Eto began taxing those who entered its gates, this low ruin was a way station for water sellers. A century ago, the water in the well fouled and all but disappeared, a phenomenon the church of Sarenrae traced to a local guide who secretly led a small cult of Apep. Church inquisitors rid Eto of the cult and sealed the well, never realizing that the shrine to the snake god existed at its bottom. After the passage of many years, the seal has crumbled, opening the way to the treasures of the dark shrine. A recent string of snakebite deaths has plagued the immediate area around the outpost, and the people of Eto avoid the area.

Wild grasses hug the low walls surrounding the wide mouth of the well. The opening is 15 feet wide at the top but narrows to a width of about 5 feet at the bottom 30 feet below. About 2 feet of sediment-laden water occupies the bottom of the well, obscuring a submerged horizontal shaft large enough for a Medium creature to crawl through.

A DC 15 Climb check is required to safely descend the well.

Climb (Take 10, ACP): 10 + 8 - 2 = 16

Cressyk grunts, "I'll go down first. Anyone wants to follow, do." He proceeds to climb down nimbly enough, without expending too much effort.

Cressyk pauses for a moment, checking for the presence of evil.

Use at will detect alignment inquisitor ability

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Kiyomi turns to a fox, then jumps on the shoulders of whoever follows Cressyk down, as she's not a great climber.

As a tiny creature, she shouldn't offer much difficulty to being carried down. :)

Wit grabs hold of the fox and heads down the well.

Climb Take 10 for a 17

Ober ties off a rope at the top of the well. Not sure if that helps or not

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11, I fail by less than 4 so I make no progress.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Success!

Ober, Wit and Kiyomi join Cressyk down the well.

Cressyk detects evil presence in the room.

Will upload a map as soon as I get the chance to.

Cressyk continues to concentrate on his spell, gathering as much information as possible.

Cressyk identifies the area as an unholy shrine to Apep, a snake god of Ancient Osirion whose portfolio included dangerous rapids, drowning, and darkness that consumes all light. The light you are carrying is dampened to half of it's light radius.

Watching the others descend, Herman shrugs and takes the plunge as well using Ober's tied off rope. Coming up in the shrine, he lets out a low whistle, taking in the interesting new sights.

"Who knew this was here, besides Torch, I mean? It's certainly is unusual. The ancient Osirian's sure had some cool gods. Does anyone spy the goods we were supposed to return?"

Herman begins looking around, in the dark corners, behind rocks etc, for anything that looks like their loot.

Climb, with rope: 1d20 - 1 + 5 ⇒ (13) - 1 + 5 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Kiyomi searches around, flitting back and forth in fox form.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

If she finds anything, she turns toward the group and barks in that way only a fox can bark... Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!

"This is a shrine to an unholy god, Apep. Be on your guard." He moves into the room, longspear drawn.

Wit slinks into the shadows, moving and searching slowly while trying to stay hidden from anything that might appear.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Stealth: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Shortly after you entered the room you hear movement and two large Amphisbaena snakes attack from behind the pool.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Round 1
Wit
Ambhisbaena red
Kiyomi
Ambhisbaena blue
Haemish
Cressyk
Herman
Ober