Explore, Report, Cooperate: A Pathfinder Society Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Piling in on the creature, it is quickly overcome - but it takes the two blows and the tripping with a whip to stop it.

Silence once again descends on the tower.

Looking at the brutish reptile mans corpse you note a heavy iron key around his neck.

In the room you just finished fighting in, you take a moment to look around. A brazier of glowing coals sits in the center of this room, its acrid smoke mixing with the ever-present troglodyte stench. A few knives, pokers, and other metal implements lie atop a rusty iron box nearby.

After quickly dropping the trog with the help of his companions, V quickly rushes to Rheune's side to assess the extent of his wounds. He soon realizes his instinct can't help him here. He looks back to Esme saying, "I think he's just unconscious, but I'm not sure."

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"I don't think I want to smell them again," Esmeralda gestures at the fallen troglodytes. "The sweet and silky touch of Calistria, when I choose to gift it, is non-specific in who it heals, so we're going to need to do something with those vile corpses before I heal Reuhne."

Esmeralda makes no moves to assist in relocating the corpses.

You are able to drag away the bodies and let the stink dissipate...

None of your fellows have perished.

V picks up his rapier from the ground beside Rheune and sheathes it before enlisting the help of Blothar and Asha to loot the enemy, and then carry Rheune them as far away from the troglodytes as Esme needs so as not to heal them accidentally.

From the troglodytes you manage to assemble a loose pile of clubs and javelins.

Esmeralda bends down to touch Reuhne, and gathers the others around her before channelling.

"Savoured Sting, soothe their sores," she prays.

Channel to Heal: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Once he sees his countryman returning to health, and Viswall himself feeling much better, the rogue lets the curiosity he'd been suppressing surface. He snatches up the key they found and circles back around to the iron box with the metal implements atop it. He carefully removes the implements assessing the usefulness of each one before either stowing them or setting them aside.

Once he reaches the box, V assesses it for traps before locating its opening mechanism. If it is locked as he suspects, he will try the key they found.

Perception, Trapfinding: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 = 29

After recovering his bow and accepting Esme's healing, Asha joins V, watching as the latter thoroughly investigates the box for danger.

His caution is impressive -- many would rush to find treasures in such a place. Wonder if he's been bitten by haste in the past, or is naturally so careful? he thinks, quietly so as not to distract the rogue.

Esmeralda spends some time with Reuhne as he comes around from unconsciousness.

"Reuhne, honey. You're ok. You passed out there after being whacked hard by that big lug. Don't worry; he's out. Sweetheart, you're gonna need to take better care of yourself if we're gonna get through this with you intact. Maybe use that bow of yours instead of the sword if we're in a tussle again, ok? I've only got so much good juice from Calistria to spread around."

She rises from the elf. "Good to see your pretty eyes again." And she saunters off to the iron box that Viswall is fiddling with.

Lexel's fresh cut stitches back together with the divine grace of Calistria.

"Thank you Esme! Reuhne are you alright? You got whacked pretty hard during that last fight."

He remains in the room with Reuhne since the majority of his wounds are still visible and look rather painful.

Waking up was easy, though unwanted. The bump now sitting where a temple used to be was acceptable, but itched with a passion. Rising himself up, Reune looked hazely at the woman next to him, and thought, Huh, she's kinda pretty, before recognizing who it was he was referring to.

"Thank you! I'm good!" He said before hauling himself up. His knees were a bit wobbly, but a few seconds later, the elf found his standing ability to be sufficient. "Where's my sword?" the soldier hollered before finding it at his feet.

Sheathing it with a cumbersome grace, Reune got himself situated, picked up his bow, and blearaly followed their suggestions. Stick in the back. Shoot where possible. Don't hit an ally.

Got it.

Esmeralda waits patiently with Viswall, anxious to see what sits inside the locked box.

The key doesn't match the iron box, but Viswall satisfies himself there are no traps and proceeds to open the box with his roguish charms.

The rusty iron chest holds an assortment of equipment:

a suit of masterwork studded leather armor,
a masterwork buckler,
a masterwork rapier,
a shortbow with 15 arrows,
two scrolls,
a wayfinder,
a climber’s kit.

"Hmmm...I do like a good suit of leather...and studs, too!," Esmeralda purrs. "Regardless, I'd take that wayfinder in its place, if I may."

"This gear looks much finer then what these brutes have been wielding," remarks Asha thoughtfully. "Proof our wayward charge made it this far, perhaps? ...which means we must press on, I think, as quickly as we are able - and can expect another fight in front of us, with whatever holds him."

He assesses Rhuene's state. "You still look as wobbly as a newborn colt, my friend - Esme, do you have any ability to bolster our soldier before we advance? Or is he relegated to the back lines?"

"Esme, do you have any ability to bolster our soldier before we advance? Or is he relegated to the back lines?"

Esmeralda looks at Reuhne, and then Asha again, a shrewd expression colouring her comely countenance.

"I might have something for our 'soldier', as you put it, but due rewards require due payment, sweetheart. I'll take the wayfinder. If we wind up finding the person who it belongs to intact, I'll reconsider. Otherwise, Reuhne can sit in the back and use his bow."

The half-elf flashes her very best smile.

The stairs in the core of the tower still ascend to another level, or there is a heavy door off this room - let me know in due course :)

While emotionally attached to his own, V can tell the rapier in the box is considerably higher quality, so he ties his to his pack and places the new one on his hip after giving it a good "parry-lunge."

"Take your pick of the rest, but i figure I'm the only fencer in the group, so... also, if we have time, I can run the rest of this down to the pony."

Seeing as the sorcerer would have a better time with the scrolls, Reuhne kept himself hushed and focused on gathering himself up before they resumed their venture forward.

"you seem set on this...wayfinder? What is it, anyways?" Asha smiles quizzically at Esme. "At any rate, I've no objection to you claiming it. I suppose I'd best carry that buckler, since it seems my sword is more effective than my bow here."

Asha looks at the heavy door so far uninspected. "perhaps we should try this next, see what the big one was guarding?"

Esmeralda takes the wayfinder and the masterwork studded leather, exchanging her padded armor for the latter. She catches Reuhne watching her change.

"Cheeky monkey," she chides, "see something you like?"

Once situated in the somehow-form-fitting studded leather amor and the wayfinder nestled in her chest, she approaches the elf, dangling a potion between her fingertips.

"Here you go, sweetie-pie," she says, unstoppering the potion. "Tilt your head back; I'll pour it down for you."

CLW potion: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The potion is a CLW potion - Reuhne gets fully healed. I recognise that the wayfinder and studded leather are Esmeralda's to use for this scenario only. Role-playing is fun!

A thought suddenly occurred to him. This woman was going to be in his company for a hefty length of time. If she was going to act as such, he really aught to get used to it. This is normal behavior for a special woman, the mage mentally stated.

"Thank you, madam," Reuhne replied while adding a slight bow.

Looking toward the big door Asha mentioned, the mage side stepped the cleric, and paced himself toward it. Throwing his senses beyond it, the elf made an effort to hear if there was anything on the other side.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

The elf is pretty certain he can hear someone talking on the other side.

Pacing himself back to the others, Reuhne shared what he heard.

So, up or through the door? :)

"We should make friends," the half-elf suggests as she ties a perfumed cloth around her nose. "Let's see what's behind the door." Her whip flicks in anticipation as Esmeralda licks her lips and smooths down the front of her new supple leather jacket.

V checks the door for traps and locks. 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28

Viswall employs the skills passed to him by an 'amateur locksmith' he previously 'met in a tavern', but he finds no tell-tale signs of danger and the door is not locked. He does hear someone talking on the other side, it seems they are still talking, perhaps questioning.

V stops and shushes his comrades, listening intently to what's being said.

Asha follow V's command and crouches silently a few steps away from the door, sword and newfound buckler held ready to charge on the rogue's signal.

Going back to the rest of loot that wasn't gathered up, Reuhne performed as such, and quietly stated, "Once we have a moment, we'll come to a decision on the rest of it." When he gathered up the scrolls, though, he quick scanned them over to see if he could discern them.

Spellcraft1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Spellcraft2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

By the time Vis gets to checking the door, the noise has stopped. Asha places himself into position - ready to see what foes may lay beyond.

The scrolls remain a mystery to Reuhne.

Map is now linked under my name - Moff map

"Let's go, boys," Esmeralda says impatiently, awaiting the door to be opened.

The door is reefed open, with everyone poised for action.

The room beyond is a makeshift cell. Cowering is a badly beaten man, hungry looking, and firmly manacled. The stranger winces as your light catches him, as though bracing himself against another kicking, but as it dawns on him that you aren’t a reptile he immediately opens up ”Hey! Hey! Help! Please get me out of here! My name is Balenar and I'm a Pathfinder!”

His eyes (as open as he can apparently get them) note all the 'new equipment' you are wearing and his face creases in a bit of bitter realisation "A rescue by thieves and looters is still a rescue I suppose" he mutters to himself.

V looks down at the rapier in his hand, his ears turn bright red as he sheathes it and rushes to Balenar's side and begins working at the locks on his shackles. "Forgive us, we had no idea who's these were and any leg up in battle could be the difference between life and death, ya know?"

dd: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Viswall works the lock and realises the key on the reptile man is the key to these shackles... as the bindings come off, the thankful rubs his wrists "Oh, sorry I misjudged, yes I made a grave mistake coming in here alone - I just wanted a little bit of adventure, maybe be the first to explore the tower and get a mention in a Pathfinder chronicle, instead I think I was going to be invited to a dinner I would never forget in the short time left I had to remember"

He looks about "Are we getting out of here now?"

V hands the Pathfinder his sword back, and says, "We can, but now that the Trogs are dealt with, I'd personally like to see what's up those stairs..."

He takes his sword and gives it a bit of a testing grip - but is clearly still tender from his ordeal. "Well then, no time like the present eh? You can lead, mores the glory to the first to the top of the tower" he jests, then winces from the pain in his bruised ribs.

Ready to go up?

"We're thankful to find you safe," says Asha in a cool tone, offering the buckler to Balenor. "And of course you should have this back - assuming you plan to take part in any further fighting?"

"Which begs the question -- how many of these creatures have you seen? We fought two below, and a large beetle, and then this large one plus the three you see in the next room. Are there any you're aware of that you don't see here?"

don't we have another door to the north as well, besides the stairs?

Lexel stretches and pops his neck ready to meet whatever is making voices Reuhne heard behind the door.

Beetle?

Hearing the suggestion that Balenar fight with them, V suggests perhaps he should be patched up a bit first, "You look like you could use some healing before you go exploring."

Looking at the cleric, Reuhne figured it'd be best not to assume what her actions might be motivated towards, so, gathering up all of the loot he had previously put in his pack, the wizard walked forward and displayed them for him to make use of.

"My apologies for taking your supplies. I am Threuhnadalinus, soldier of the Eagle Garrison. You may call me Reuhne if you wish."

Then, he stepped back for the others to speak.

@Lexel, the voice through the door was the bard asking for help

"Thank you Threuhnadalinus, that is quite a name - Chelish?"

"Yes, there's another large one, I think it is the leader...that dead one over there is his right hand...lizard?"

***

don't we have another door to the north as well, besides the stairs?

Being an enquiring mind, you quickly check the remaining area before ascending

Cracks in the walls and ceiling of this chamber have allowed rainwater to collect here, flooding the room and giving rise to a profusion of mold and fungus along the walls and ceiling. A giant frog, almost man-sized sits in the water, contendely, its eyes moving to observe you as it stays otherwise quite still.

It's... a frog, and being fairly peaceful, I assume you move on for now?

First call made will be the one I take :P Up, or attacking a big frog?

(checks upthread) Oh. Lizard. Look, I'm not a ranger, okay? :)

Opening the door, Asha looks at the frog in surprise for a moment. Funny -- i wonder how he got in here? ...and what he eats? Thinking he might not want to find out, the halfling backpedals out of the room and closes the door again.

Having satisfied his need to ensure no further threats lurked on this level, Asha turns to V, "The stairs it is, then?"

"Well then, no time like the present eh? You can lead, mores the glory to the first to the top of the tower"

"You should stay close to me when I next have to heal these folks, sweetheart. It might ease your ribs. In the meantime, would you mind if I continued to wear your leather jacket? It's sooooooo comfortable." Esmeralda runs her hands down the front of the leather jacket, making certain to keep her eyes glued on Balenar as she does so.

Surreptitiously, Esmeralda fingers the pommel of her whip, casting her charm person spell on Balenar.

DC 13 Will

Sense motive to see what Esme's up to?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Ignoring Esme's conversation with the pathfinder, V agrees with Asha, "Onwards & upwards!"

V moves silently yup the stairs keeping his eyes peeled for traps.

stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
perc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Regardless of the charm person spell success, Esmeralda will ply Balenar with questions.

"Tell me of the Pathfinder Society, honey. I've heard so many things about them. Do you know anyone who might be able to give me a good recommendation in the Society?"

With respect to the studded leather, she smiles. "It looks so good on me, and it's so tight against my body. You wouldn't mind if I just wore it until we finished up in here, would you?"

Spellcraft 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

The man looks at Esme curiously, "You can keep wearing my jacket, consider it a reward. Not sure if that was a healing spell you just cast, but I feel no better" he shrugs his shoulders.

***

You ascend to the top of the tower, Vis looking for traps tricks and snares...

The four wings of the tower are completely open on this level, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center, where a spiral staircase drops out of sight below. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest.

Standing at the eastern archway, a single reptile man stares out into the distance, a stunted albino crocodile by his side.

The yellow line is the 'stink', remember your saves if you cross through
R1
Viswall
ENEMY

Viswall is clearly the fastest, with catlike reflexes!