Emerald Spire

Game Master Awenydd83

Please dot in and delete!!

As travelers emerge from the Echo Wood underbrush, they find themselves staring up at a ruined keep guarding a broken central tower, all made of smooth, green glass. It’s obvious that a grand battle took place here many years ago, and the clearing around the ruin lies barren, with sickly weeds struggling to rise from the magic-blasted earth. Melted chunks of twisted glass pepper the ground, lending a green hue to the clearing’s light. Despite the damage, however, the glass of the keep itself seems to have avoided the ravages of time, with those pieces that survived the initial cataclysm unmarred by pitting or cracking, clean of moss and other clinging debris.

The stone staircase that led up to the tower’s door is now nothing more than a rubble-strewn cliff. It may be possible to climb, but it would be difficult. However, on the tower’s south side, a dirt path winds up the steep embankment to a pitch-black doorway.

Maps link is active. Please fill in the appropriate info in the text boxes on the first slide and choose a marching order.

A fairly well armored, rugged looking Half-Orc stands tall and confident among the front ranks of the group. A large greatsword sheathed on his back along with the rest of his travelling gear. He bears tattoos and scars all over his body, likely testimony to the trials and tribulations that has lead him to where he is today. He keeps a stern face all times, but enjoys the casual chat from time to time.

"Might I suggest the dirth path?" He proposes after glancing at the rubbles in front of him.

Kardas stands studying the broken structure silently in awe, muttering a prayer to Father of Creation. However marred the tower is now, it takes little imagination to see in the mind's eye its past glory. The rather unusually lean dwarf takes it the view for a few peaceful moments. Dressed in chain mail, he carries little with him. What is noteworthy is the clumps of rock and earth which constantly orbit close to him.

He glances at his companions, still somewhat apprehensive of these near-complete strangers. He is especially uneasy looking at the half-orc. In the short time he has spent with the Society, he has encountered half-orcs who, contrary to the admonishing of his elders, actually seemed to carry themselves with honor. But decades of inculcation is hard to set aside, and he remains uneasy in Galonor's company.

"Might I suggest the dirth path?" He proposes after glancing at the rubbles in front of him.

Kardas starts visibly with Galonor speaks. He coughs awkwardly, before responding, "Um, yes, that is probably for the best."

Gadrielle hefts the haft of her weapon over her shoulder, looking at the structure thoughtfully, suspiciously even. "Pretty humid here" she comments, trying to ignore how itchy her scars have become. "I'm not sure I like going in through the front door. But I'm not sure I like this place at all either." Of all the places a Venture-Captain could have sent me... It had to be in the ass-end of nowhere.

She looks at her other companions, people she's had some opportunity to get familiar with along the trip upriver and through the River Kingdoms. "You tell me how we're doing this."

Zifan the Graceful brings up the rear of the line of agents. She's wearing armor but has a light robe over the top. Her voice is quiet and bell like as she speaks. "Sometimes going to the front door is not the best course of action. We could be expected. Should we look for an alternate entrance?"

She studies the others she has been assigned with. This is the group I am trusting with this life? Let's hope they are not new agents, and can handle themselves.

"Sometimes going to the front door is not the best course of action. We could be expected."

Before she can finish, Zifan is interrupted as an intense-eyed dwarf, of comparatively lean build in flowing red and purple garb and wildly brandishing a fearsome silver flail and an iron icon shaped like a serpent's head, stumbles out of the brush.

"NOBODY EXPECTS THE HERETIC'S INQUISITION! We must use surprise as our chief weapon! Which, in this case, ought to mean we use the FRONT entrance. No doubt we are being expected to expect to be expected, hence they made the back entrance the easy way...."

Gadrielle lets the dwarf ramble on, an eyebrow raised skeptically before turning to the others, her battered chainmail clinking as she does.. "Right. So we're looking for a backdoor right?"

Zifan gives the very loud dwarf a look of amazement at all the noise coming out of a dwarf, "Yes I believe so." She responds to Gadrielle as she glances toward the entrance of the spire in case something comes pouring out to see what all the noise is about.

Likewise, Galonor maintains a silence towards Mikhail's musings. In response to Gadrielle, he responds with a casual suggestion"Perhaps I could attempt to scale the walls and lower rope?"

As most of the team begins to move around the side of the tower towards the gradual path, Galonor heads straight for the crumbled remains of the main entrance. He starts up the slippery and crumbling incline of rubble, but slips and falls back to the base after a few yards.

We are going to go by turn here, kind of a pseudo initiative.. I have placed your tokens on the map representative of your posts.

"Bold May Post"
Galonor
Kardas
Gadrielle
Zifan
Petromyscus
Mikhail

"Vicar Mikhail Ximenez, atyourservice, how do you do?" He mutters, as if suddenly remembering something.

He doffs his armored coat, stows it in his pack, and makes his way up the slope....

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

I'll let you tell me how far I make it. First thing I do once I reach the top is take my coat back out and put it back on (a move action).

Mikhail introduces himself to Galonor before he removes his coat and digs in, succeeding where Galonor failed. Reaching to top of the rubble pile, he calmly retrieves his long coats and puts it back on.
30 ft climb, easily do both in one turn with two move actions.

"Bold May Post"
Galonor
Kardas
Gadrielle
Zifan
Petromyscus
Mikhail

Galonor sighs as he disappoints himself on a feeble first attempt. This time, he calms himself and takes time to charter his path up the rubble. He follows closely the steps Mikhail takes.

Will attempt take ten for both move actions if possible, resulting in roll of climb 15.

As the group initial formed, a gnome dressed in worn clothes that look to have been fashionable many years ago eagerly shakes each and every other person's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, yes it is. Why I am sure you are just as happy to have met me! Well, well, well - an adventure this is, is it not? Why the Pathfinder leadership insisted that I join you, I do not know, but I suspect they simply see my great value on such an expedition. What? Of course! How rude of me! My name is Petromyscus Spalaxchi! My friends just call me Chinchi, and I am sure we will be fast friends, so you should call me that too."

---------------

Watching the others climb, Chinchi just shakes his head. "That doesn't look like a great approach. I think I'll just take this nice path that they laid out for us."

DAMMIT. Between my trip and jet-lag, I just realized I didn't purchase anything beyond a weapon and armor. Let me know if I can amend my gear, but otherwise I am so sorry folks.

Gadrielle shifts tensely. "Agent Chinchi. Maybe we should take a walk around this building before going along the nice path with the traps. Right? Follow me."
And without further ado, the arms-woman motions for the others to follow her as she goes towards her left, motioning for those atop the hill-face to follow in the same direction.
Also, looks like I cannot edit the map.

Zifan shakes Chinchi's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Then she silently follows Gadrielle as she shifts to the left.

Gadrielle I moved your token to the character left 20 feet and followed with mine.

Aha, that's real silly of me, I misunderstood the group and the map, I had assume the dirt path is heading to the front door!

As the rest of the group moves around towards the side of the ruins, Galonor gets off the wall and calls out to the Inquisitor. "It looks like we're going around."

Kardas looks on uneasily as some of his teammates elect to climb straight up the slope. But he can't deny the possibly of a trap on the rather convenient mountain path. "Gadrielle, that sounds like a good idea," he comments as he follows along in skirting around the building.

Chinchi pulls out his pipes and plays a tune as the group heads up the path.

Map edit abilities fixed. Sorry about that!

Gadrielle: Go ahead and outfit yourself. Its not like starting gold can give you too much of an edge here.

Mikhail: Since I don't fancy leaving you to fend for yourself, I will drag you along with the others.. sorry mate.

As you move down the side path as a group, Chinchi pulls out a set of pipes that send echoes wailing throughout the forlorn destruction of the tower ruins. The footpath climbs up to a jagged hole in the side of the green glass tower. The light outside the tower does not penetrate into the building more than a few feet. Beyond that, it’s pitch black.

A rattle of stone is all the warning you receive as an arrow flies in from above! Obviously someone is not a fan of the music!
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 26
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

An arrow sprouts from Galenor's bicep, tracing a line of fire down his arm but really, 'tis but a flesh wound.

Another arrow flashes in from above, this time striking a more solid blow on the large half orc leading the party. Peering above, you are just able to catch sight of floppy green ears disappearing behind the ledge above you.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 26
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

"Bold May Post"
?? 1
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
?? 2
Petromyscus

"Arghh!" Galonor yells as he takes injury. Nonetheless he keeps a steady mind, and attempts to decipher the next best move." we should make a dash for cover!" he tells as he makes a dash towards the entrance of the ruins.

Double Move, following the path.

Gadrielle hustles behind the half-orc, glaring daggers at Chinchi as they begin to come under fire.

Double Move!

Galonor and Gadrielle double time it up the incline!

"Bold May Post"
?? 1
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
?? 2
Petromyscus

Posting now to keep the action moving - just resolve when Chinchi's turn.

Chinchi spies the floppy ears and tries to determine what creatures are attacking. (Assuming it's goblins, but might as well check).

Knowledge: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The lively tune turns into something more, a quick war-tune that inspires he friends and allies!

Starting a bardic performance to inspire courage.

Party: You get a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

"BAH! WHAT DID I TELL YOUUUUU!!!"

Double-move.

Thanks, Chinchi. Will do.

Mikhail takes off at a run while admonishing the others!

"Bold May Post"
?? 1
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
?? 2
Petromyscus

Sorry for the late reply. Got a bad cold over the last few days. Finally getting better.

"Go, go! I'll cover you!" Kardas takes one step forward, pulls out his crossbow and gets ready to fire should the next creature reveals itself.

Ready action to fire at the next enemy to reveal itself
crossbow, inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23 dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Hope you feel better soon, Kuey!!

Kardas steps forward, pulling out his crossbow and getting ready to turn.. something.. into a pin cushion should it show its face again.

Zifan charges ahead with the rest of the team.

As Galonor crests the hill and begins moving to the entrance, a terrifying sight bolts from within the blackness within. It looks like a horribly mangy and underfed dog, but its red glowing eyes say its not quite your average pooch.

It barrels towards Galonor, foaming mouth snapping with razor sharp teeth! Luckily, the teeth come nowhere near the hulking half orc!
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Chinchi doesn't get a good look at the creature from where she stands below, so she strikes up a rousing tune of destruction and mayhem to kindle the fires in her companions hearts!

A green skinned little monstrosity follows the dog out from the tower, leveling a crudely made bow towards Galonor! Luckily, the arrow goes wide as well.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 4 = 9

"Bold May Post"
Goblin
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
Doggy
Petromyscus

Active effects:
Bardic Performance: +1/+1

Zifan gives an evil eye to the dog like creature. "What is that thing? I hope it has a mind." She moves just a little closer.

I think I'm within 30 feet as the crow flies. DC 14 Will Save or -2 to Attack Rolls for 7 Rounds. Otherwise 1 round

Gadrielle keeps on running, the jagged nature of the terrain hampering her. "Right behind you agent Galonor."

Double... MOOOOOOOOVE!!!!!

Unsure what to make of the monstrosity that stands before him, Galonor does what any sane warrior would. He heaves his oversized sword, and swings it as hard as he can, grunting loudly as he goes along. "Gruhhhh." However, taken aback by how ugly the beast is, Galonor loses his nerves as his swing likely goes wide.

Greatsword,PA: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 1 = 10S: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 6 + 3 = 21

Move to draw weapon, standard to attack.

That's a lot of 6s.

"YOU THERE! Feel Geryon's venom!"

acid splash, courage, acid flask as power focus vs goblin: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
acid damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Zifan: You were within 30', but had no line of sight due to the terrain. Since you still had a move action, I went ahead and moved you up to the switchback where you could look up the trail and use your hex.

WS: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Zifan moves up the trail and around the corner, where the horrid dog like creature comes into view. She glowers at it with a very potent stink eye!

Gadrielle keeps moving up the slope, While Galonor tries to swat the ugly thing before him. The beast unnerves the half orc, though, and the swing goes wide.

Mikhail calls out the goblin above him, sending a splash of acid over the top of the cliff. The mans aim is off though, and the acid sizzles against the stone.

"Bold May Post Round 2"
Goblin-
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
Doggy- Hex: -2 Atk x7
Petromyscus

Active effects:
Bardic Performance: +1/+1

Did Kardas' crossbow attack trigger when the goblin or dog appear?

Seeing his comrades engaged in close combat, Kardas stows his crossbow and moves towards the entrance, cursing the difficult terrain as he moves forward.

Kardas: It does not trigger due to line of sight and elevation from your position.

Kardas keeps moving forward towards the fight.

The dog continues his attack against Galonor. It gets a mouthful of dirt as it lunges at the half orc, missing.
Bite: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 2 = 2

"Bold May Post Round 2"
Goblin-
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
Doggy- Hex: -2 Atk x7
Petromyscus

Active effects:
Bardic Performance: +1/+1

Chinchi's bagpipe music continues to linger in the air, as he struggles to catchup.

Release bardic performance, but Lingering performance will continue for 2 rounds. Double move.

Chinchi puts away his pipes, but the echoes of the song linger, bouncing from rock to rock through the hills.

The goblin fires it bow once more at Galonor, then darts into the yawning maw of the Spire Tower.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 4 = 14

The arrow skips off of Galonors armor, barely leaving a scratch across the metal.

"Bold May Post Round 3"
Goblin-
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
Doggy- Hex: -2 Atk x7
Petromyscus

Active effects:
Bardic Performance: +1/+1 x 2 rnds

"How about YOU, mangy cur?"

acid splash, courage, acid flask as power focus, melee penalty vs doggy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
acid damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Threat roll!: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
Critical damage?: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 +4 = 9

"It's BATHTIME for you! BAH-HA-HA-HA!"

The mighty Galonor continues to swing his arm fiercely in the sight of danger. His overwhelming strength is enough to cut the ugly looking dog in half. "Graa."

Greatsword,PA: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 = 23S: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 + 3 = 12
Greatsword,PA,Crit?: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 = 23S: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + 3 = 14

Assuming the creature goes down, Galonor will spend a move action to get closer to the door.

If the is down from Mikhail's attack, Galonor will hustle (double move) to the door instead.

Kardas pumps his stumpy legs, pushing through the rocky debris up the slope towards the battle.

double move

Zifan follows the lead fighters up the pathway. "Careful. Goblins are rarely alone."

Move action, but I won't get in front of the melee fighters.

Mikhail conjures a ball of acid, and sends it speeding along towards the goblin dog where it hits with a monumental splash and sizzle. With barely a yelp, the dog begins to dissolve and melt before your eyes!

Meanwhile, Zifan and Kardas keep moving up behind the fight, trying to support their teammates.

Galonor, you may retcon your turn due to the doggy biting the dust!

"Bold May Post Round 3"
Goblin-
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
Petromyscus

Active effects:
Bardic Performance: +1/+1 x 2 rnds

Galonor hustles forward, stepping over the ugly looking creature. "My sword and I will be very careful." He grunts as he moves.

Single move action to get to the entrance.

"I wouldn't worry about your sword" grumbles Gadrielle as she hustles along. "Help me worry about you, and your sword can worry about itself."

Double move! (TM)

Galonor carefully steps over the dissolved remains of the dog and moves forward to peer carefully into the tower. His keen orcish eyes pierce through the darkness to reveal half-melted blocks of green glass where they lie thick on the floor. A crumbling archway to the north leads into another chamber, while a door to the west leads into the round tower at the Southwest corner of the building. To the east, a barricade of rubble and wooden stakes blocks a passage leading into the tower.

Meanwhile, Gadrielle moves up and peers over the orcs shoulder. The magical darkness defeats her human eyes quite easily, revealing only about 5 ft inside the building.

"Bold May Post Round 3"
Goblin-
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
Petromyscus

Active effects:
Bardic Performance: +1/+1 x 2 rnds

Reminder: Lighting Consumption: Inside the structure, a magical effect swallows up light. Any light source, no matter how strong, illuminates only a 5-foot radius. Anything beyond the 5-foot area is darkness. Ranged combat and melee attacks with reach have a 50% miss chance unless the attacker has darkvision. Creatures without darkvision take a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight.

With his music still lingering, Chinchi moves with haste to get towards the entrance. Despite his being a gnome, his darkvision pierces the magical dimness.

"Can everyone see those two goblins inside?"

Chinchi keeps pressing onwards, trying to catch up as the echoes of his music begin to fade away.

The red cloaked goblin drops his bow and grabs a nasty and rusted relic of a horse chopper, stepping forward and slashing it at Galonor.
Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Luckily, it sweeps right past!

Ride: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Lucked out there!!
The other goblin moves up to help defend the door, swinging his horse chopper at Galonor as well. This time, the half orc doesn't even have to dodge as the mangy creature the goblin is riding on almost gets its own neck chopped as the weapon flails around.

"Bold May Post Round 4"
Goblins-
Red
Blue (Mounted)
Zifan
Mikhail
Kardas
Gadrielle
Galonor- 4 dmg
Petromyscus

Active effects:
Bardic Performance: +1/+1 x 1 rnds

Mikhail keeps up as best he is able....

Double-move.

Zifan moves quickly to keep up with the others. She gives Mikhail a grin,
"You don't move very fast either."

Double Move