GM Aarvid PbP PFS First Steps1: In Service to Lore (new players welcome) (Inactive)

Game Master GM Aarvid

I will try to grab the snake. (cross fingers)

Combat Maneuver: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Archmoon successful grabs the pesky green snake below its head before it can try to strike him. As he holds it up, Thosar targets the wriggling snake with an acid dart that hits and causes the small creature to hiss in pain.

Back to the top of the round.

Round 5

+-------+
+ MAP +
+-------+

(19) Dahriakt
(19-) Green snake - Grappled by Archmoon
(14) Thessel ???
(9) Eli ???
(7) Elindriel - concentrating on auras
(5+) Archmoon - Grappling snake
(5-) Thosar ???

GM, did Dahr passed the Fort save? Is he poisoned or should be concerned of maybe being poisoned?

And Dahr will take a look at the snake bite.

"Thanks Archmoon... the pesky creature is more sneaky than i could had anticipated!

Elindriel doesn't have Knowledge (Arcana) - whoops.

Realizing that identifying the auras is a bit beyond her, and realizing that the key hanging above might be significant, she again casts mage hand and retrieves the key.

Hey I found a jeweled scepter key

Eli searches the inside of the chest to enssure there are no traps inside.

find traps inside chest1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Dahriakt is fine so far (no poison effects noticed) -you are free to act

Ellie no need to keep concentrating then...

Eli, no traps. You now have the scepter key.

While still struggling with the snake in his hands, Archmoon quickly addresses Dahr: "Don't thank me yet human, quickly help me kill this viper!"

Dahr looks apologizing at the elf and moving closer says to Archmoon:[b] "Hold it steady"

then proceeds to place the border of his shield besides the elf hand and the snake head and with his kurki on top of the head of the snake, with the intention to severe the head.

dont know if i have to roll, i suppose the snake is motionless while being grappled, but here it goes just in case

Roll attack on viper: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Eli moves to the solid steel chest and looks at it intently.

check for traps1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Dahriakt severs the head of the snake just as it was going to try and wiggle loose and bite Archmoon. The viper goes limp.

Thessel?

Eli checks for traps on the steel chest

Elindriel?

Eli pulls out a small pack of tools

disable trap1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Already stated - casting mage hand and retrieving the key hanging above

Thessel continued to pout in the corner, wondering how long it would take the hair on his feet to grow back.

(14) Thessel pouts. Feet still a bit singed

(9) Eli attemps to disable something in the steel chest...

(7) Elindriel uses another mage hand to retrieve the golden key dangling high above the ceiling.

(5+) Archmoon ??? (holding half a snake)
(5-) Thosar ???

Round 6
(19) Dahriakt
(14) Thessel
(9) Eli
(7) Elindriel
(5+) Archmoon
(5-) Thosar

Dahriakt moves back to where he rested his trident, taking it in his right hand while holding his shield on his left, standing next to the door while asking to no one in particular:

"Do we have all the keys for the rest of the chests now? You think the map will be in one of the other chests?"

Hoo boy, it better be.

Eli holds up the jeweled scepter key and exclaims
May the keg flow freely tonight!!

Eli lowers the scepter key quickly and uses it to try and open the steel chest.

looking over to Elindriel as she brings down the fourth key from the ceiling Eli says
I'll try the keys I have on this chest and then you can try yours here. I want to take a gander at the last chest by you M'Lady before we try openin it

Eli tries the scepter key but to no avail. It fits but will not turn the lock to the steel chest.

(Can take actions in any order at this point...)

Archmoon tosses the dying (or dead) snake to the floor "I would never imagine a snake that could give so much trouble."

He proceeds to grab his longbow and addresses the group "Who needs my assistance?"

Eli mumbles something under his breath as the key does not work. he than tryies the jeweled key.

Not looking up to Archmoons question he says.
How's your eyes there Moonie? Can you find traps? Ifn ya can ya might look at the last chest to see if it has any

"I did tell you about the snake..."

...and it could have saved us quite a bit of trouble if anyone had actually listened to me.

Elindriel will hand her key to Eli if his key doesn't open the steel chest.

Once again Archmoon chooses to ignore Elindrel's ramblings, and addresses Eli: "I will lend you my eyes, rogue. But I might not have your trap finding skills, thieves and bandits are the experts for that."

Archmoon moves right next to Eli and attempts to find any traps in the steel chest.

Attempt to find traps:: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Dahr tries to remain stoic standing by the door after his embarrasing display of skill (or lack thereof!) against a single snake.

Thosar remains in the corner, enjoying a brief moment of peace and quiet. He knew nothing of the traps, and his magic was not adequate to deal with these kind of challenges. He was a bit confused when Elindriel stopped her casting, but he decided not to push the matter further. It was quite obvious that his comrades were man and woman of action and did not appreciate his contemplations on various subjects. So he tried to remain out of the way, studying his surrounding in detail.

Perception Take 20. I guess I can not try Detect Magic/knowledge:arcane again?

Eli disappointedly pulls the scepter key out of the steel chest. He tries the jeweled key, which fits nicely into the lock. Unfortunately, inserting into the steel chest’s keyhole, the key breaks, falling into dust as Eli turns it in the lock.

Archmoon checks the steel chest for traps and finds the same one that Eli found. They both think or hope it has been successfully bypassed when the chest is eventually opened.

Elindriel brings the gold key over to Eli to try in the steel chest.

Dahr, Thessel and Thosar stand back...watching the keys at work.

Eli's eyes burn with furry. His hands shake violently with anger. Eli notices that his emotions are showing through and stands straight up becoming calm and stone once again.

He smiles a slick velvet smile at Elindriel and says,

Lil' miss Firesong Huh... I think your name suits your demeanor quite well. A little spitfire I think. Yes

Bowing slightly Eli takes the bright golden from her hand and flips it in the air with his right hand and catches it with his left hand. He than slips the key into the chest and turns the key.

With the gold key in hand, Eli inserts it easily into the lock of the steel chest. With a satisfying click heard by all, the chest is finally unlocked.

After carefully lifting open the lid of the chest...waiting for the boom that never happens, Eli and Archmoon peer inside, and see what looks to be a dusty, old scroll and a wand of some sort in the bottom of the chest.

Elindriel peers at Eli, then steps back while he turns the key.

I'm going out of town to a funeral - I'll have my computer, but don't know about connectivity. I'll also have my phone, but don't know how much time I'll have to check in. Feel free to DMPC me, as needed.

Eli picks up the scroll and the wand over his head. As he holds the wand up shaking it back and forth he says

... a stick... a twig... why would they hide it in such a hard to get through box?

Eli tosses the wand towards Thosar giving the Elf a little wink.

Master Elf what can we possibly do with this branch

Eli opens the scroll and looks to see what it shows

Archmoon turns his eyes to the scroll and asks Eli:"What is written in the scroll rogue?"

Quite surprised, Thosar fumbles with the wand thrown at him, almost dropping it. He manages somehow to keep it in his hands, and casting a mix of surprised and irritated look towards the rogue, he grasps the wand firmer, inspecting it, first physically, and then magically.

Detect magic - Knowledge/arcane check
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Eli and Archmoon look at the scroll and it appears to be some sort of map to burial vaults.
Seems to say Sothis and some other notes in Osirian

Thosar checks the wand with spellcraft

Upon identifying the notes written in osirian he turns his head to the garundian fighter: "Dahriakt do you speak osirian? I'm sure you do since you are a garundi. Come here and help us decipher this notes."

He was about to ask the same thing to Thosar, Archmoon suspected he knew osirian due to his allegiance to the Osirion faction, but since the Wizard was occupied with his new found wand, he decided not to bother him.

well now looks as if we have the map it is time to get out of here a little too tight for my comfort

Eli walks to the door to open it and exit the vault

Dahriakt nods and moves next to Archmoon:

"Yes I do." grabs the scroll he proceeds to read it in silence before communicating a summary of what he read in the scroll to the party members.

Dahriakt reads the scroll with the map....

Eli moves to the door but it appears to be locked. With the only remaining key..the scepter key, he is able to insert easily into the lock and it unlocks the door.

The servant looks surprised as he opens the door to see how the party performed.

"Ah, here you all are, safe and mostly sound. With all the yelling I feared I would need to call for a healer. And you seem to have found what you came for."

Looking from Dahr to Thosar then to Eli...

"You of course have the map to the crypts...and you may keep the wand...but I would like any keys back as I may need them for next group. Excellent, then if you will all follow me, I will show you out...Pathfinders."

He motions for the group to follow him to the exit....

Oh right on a wand. That makes all the acid and snakes worth it. Thanks pal.

Eli hands the keys to thee servant and slowly walks behind him. looking to the. others he says.
well that was fun now where to. I am following the smart guys and lady.

Smiling he looks at the halfling giving him a little wink. what say you half pint where to now.

Eli flips into the air doing a sommersault. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Landing on his feet he struts behind the servant giving a wry little chuckle.

Good question, where next? 1 down, 3 to go on the list.

Right-o boss. Well, considering we got this here map with only a few hiccups I'm thinking we're ahead of schedule, and what with my good pal Dahr having a nasty scare with that snake, not to mention my own traumatic experience (which all of you were oh-so-very concerned over, I'll recall) I'd say it's about time for a lunch break. I saw a nice little tavern on the way over. The Dancign something. Coulda been Goat. Probably has some decent nosh and my poor burnt toesies are aching for some ale.

slack slack slacking slacking along diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 c'mon y'all, pancakes and beer!

Eli chuckles to himself.

A bight to eat and a quick mug to honor Cailean for our good adventure sounds good. and as foe you crispy toesies we could go to the temple next they could have a bandage for you.

Archmoon points out: "Although he is extremely noisy, I must agree with the halfling, this was indeed a pointless endeavor."

He then addresses Eli's comment "The Temple is fine with me. Although I'm starting to feel the lack of outdoors."

Looking at Thessel:"My esteemed Thessel, im sure we can get some more errands done before lunch, dont you think?"

And addressing the rest of the group: "The temple sounds as good as any place to me."

Being a bit "undecided" towards trusting the people he has just met, Thosar asks politely if they would give him the scroll for a quick review, before he returns it to whomever is holding the scroll currently. It is not that he does not trust his companions, but in his mind, even this could be a part of a test. Therefore, he would like to check the scroll himself prior to returning it to the Pathfinder Society, and then discovering that it is actually a shopping list.

"As to the wand you have discovered, it seems that it is containing almost a dozen charges (eleven actually), of a simple spell used to open locked doors and containers. We might find it useful yet, before this day have seen it's end. I am assuming that our beautiful Elindriel here, as well as dear, if a bit impetuous halfling friend here" - and here, Thosar points the wand towards Thessel - "...may use it, as well as I can. I would be so bold to suggest that I keep it, unless one of you feels that it would be better used in your capable hands"

Saying that, Thosar turns towards the rest of his group, wand extended in the "offering manner".

"And finally, Master Dromad, I would suggest that we keep our appetites in check for some more time. If I understood Venture Captain correctly, time is of the essence here, so I would really appreciate it if we could skip your second breakfast, early lunch, or whatever that meal is supposed to be. Temple sounds fine for now, at least for me"

"I don't mind you holding on to the wand - this is a test for all of us, and I doubt that any of us want to fail. As to the thought of food, I agree with Thosar. We have no idea how long these tasks will take us, and we must have them done by the end of the day - let's hold off on food, or if we must eat, see if we can't find something we can eat on the way."

Sounds like Temple it is...

Now late morning, you are able to find your way from the Wise Quarter and travel down the busy and crowded streets and alleys of Absalom to the center of the metropolis. You pass many shops and stores that range from bookstores, libraries and museums that eventually giving way to increasingly larger temples to the various religions practices within the city.

There are several interesting shops along the way, including some you may want to visit another day when you are not as pressed for time.

Finally, as you travel through the Ascendant Court to the Temple of the Shining Star, massive temple to Sarenrae, you encounter many other pilgrims and religious on their way to mid-morning services. At sight of the building adorned with the Symbol to Sarenrae, you see a long line of elderly, sick, crippled and injured approaching the broad stairs to the temple.

As you draw near, you see many pilgrims of the various religions practiced within Absalom, and easily pick out the massive temple
to Sarenrae. Many sick, elderly and injured are heading in that same direction.

A young acolyte of the Shining Star with a parchment and quill in her hands notices your group, looking you over for any obvious illness or trauma.

"Greetings and welcome to the Shining Star. What services do you seek? Prayer, Healing, Spiritual Guidance, Removal of a Curse, or just in need of food?"

Dahriakt stands straights and addresses the young acolyte in the utmost respectful fashion, bowing his head slightly: "May the Dawnflower always watch over you. We are here to see Ms Zadrian on behalf of the Pathfinder Society."

IIRC i lost 1hp with the snake incident, maybe can get some free healing here, if time permits :D

After hearing the young acolyte Archmoon remained silent, waiting for his more diplomatic inclined comrades to make the formal interactions. He was aware that he wasn't a very charismatic elf.

After noticing mustached halfling, Thosar muses for some time in his head, trying to put a name to the face. However, try as he might he could not remember seeing him before, but out of cautiousness wizard decides to share this information with his comrades.

"It would seem that there was a blonde mustached halfling with a rather large axe overlooking us, or one of us. Does this reference mean something to anyone of you? I can assure you that personally I have never come in contact with person I have just described." - Thosar casts an inquisitive look towards his companions.

Upon approaching the temple, Thosar is tempted to speak after Dahriakt, but decides against it. He have been concise, not to say anything else, but he did convey all the necessary information