GM BPC TK2's Excellent PFS Adventure

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

"I dunno! I'm so confused! I want my mommy! She's the boss!", pointing to the severely wounded, but stable woman nearby. "There's someone else, further down, too, don't know much about him other than we're supposed ta keep a safe distance from him and his metal thingamajiggs!"

I am in favor of questioning the boss. I'd like to learn more about this "someone else" and whatever else is beyond this point.

Nilfyr sniffs. "Metal things? Constructs? How much further below this floor are these?" He looks to his comrades to confirm whether they have any other questions to ask; once they are done, he taps the leader with his wand.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Nilfyr heals her... but it's not enough she was really close to death! I'll assume Nilfyr will do another CLW or two as necessary, so I'll post as if she's conscious.

The woman stirs awake; she glances around, trying to reach for her necklace unholy symbol. Not finding it, she sighs. "I see you have bested me; what is it you want? Money? Our demise? Slaves? Information?"

"Information!"

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Nilfyr stands by and lets Thunderstealer interrogate the priestess.

Artemus stays ready with his spell.

Thunderstealer is not intelligent and not charismatic, so probably the worst person to do the questioning...

But most humorous!

"Alright there, big boy, what is it you want? Figure out our scouting routes? My correct revision of Norgorber's texts? That must be it... you believe the heresy in the original works, don't you?"

"Yes Heresy! Burn it!"

Thunderstealer tries not to lose focus

"Oh, Who is boss down below?"

"Oh, you're interested in that damned Numerian, Klarkosh? I do not know much about him but he resides a few floors deeper."

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Then what do you know about other than the worship of greed, murder, poisons, and secrets? For a start I would know your full name, from whence you came, and what your mission is in this cellar.

Would the worship of Norgorber be illegal here?

While some governments will have small sects of Norgorberites as spies, but mostly it is illegal, especially with Hellknights 'claiming' the area.

Also, Artemus, I'll save your roll results for a later room, but in general, you have the gist of it.

"Tarrin Dars, I traveled from Daggermar several years ago, and I was to use the Splinters to further my study and perfection of Norgorber's true faith."

Any other questions for your captive bandit leader? REALLY curious what Faeros has in store.

I am glad you are being cooperative Tarrin. It does complicate what we might do with you though. Keep it up and I suppose we might have to let you live. Can you tell me what other threats exist on this level and how we might go down a level deeper?

Sorry, it's been hard to get time to post today.

Faeros will make sure that the rest of his party has collected they wish from Tarrin, as they may not get a chance after his conversation.

Where do the splinters operate, and who are their most common targets?

Third, you must accept the brand of the thief, a mark of shame and mistrust that you have rightfully earned.

Faeros knocks an arrow into his bow as he speaks. He intentionally tries to make his demands somewhat ridiculous, hoping that the Norgorberite will opt for his preferred method of dealing with such situations. After all, Faeros hates Norgorberites.

"Threats? I assumed you have wiped out my Splinters if you get in here... and using the knock, too. Nothing else I imagine if you took out Jaris, our chemist, too. Down below... there is an odor from that floor, something that smells. I do not know anything else; part of our 'arrangement' with Klarkosh is to guard the entrance near the moon spider stairs and not travel any deeper."

We actually spared them, as they took our generous deals. I've given you a similar opportunity if you choose to take it. Now tell me, why are they called "Moon Spider" stairs?

Thunderstealer answers Faeros' question.

"Moonspiders up there, we slew them before you in group!"

"Hmmm a capable buncha murderers, you all, and strangely merciful. Norgorber would make your steps creek for such folly.", she laments.

@Faeros: I missed your statement ala ninja'ing as I was updating some PbP... so to answer your stuff!

"But I would rather die in his cause than spew false beliefs to save my life. Skinsaw will see to it that I will return as the steel that slits your throat when you least expect!", Tarrin raising her chin to brandish her neck towards Faeros. "If you offered my men such an agreement, then their faith was lacking and Norgorber will see to their punishment!"

Nilfyr, not wishing to kill in cold blood, but also unwilling to interfere, remains silent as Faeros continues his interrogation.

To the party:
I believe this one to be beyond redemption, and doing anything other than killing her here would be a terrible crime against all her future victims. Additionally, I believe the law to be on my side in this matter.

In this case, I have no qualms with Faeros executing her. Unless anyone wishes to intervene anyway :P

Hooray!

Faeros draws his spear...
Any objections?

You gave her a reasonable offer. I believe she is too devoted to her deity to accept. He turns his back to the woman and continues to look around the room.

Nilfyr shakes his head and leaves the inquisitor to his work.

Thunderstealer yawns

Faeros studies the prisoner and says
May the rest be less stubborn than this one.
CDG: 3d8 + 15 ⇒ (7, 5, 3) + 15 = 30

Then kneels and mutters a quick prayer to Abadar.

Shall we proceed, then?

The others leave the room as Faeros eliminates a bandit in the name of Abadar. The other two bandits happily take the same offer, renouncing Norgorber and, if asked, taking the brand as the others before escaping through the cave.

Nilfyr examines the rest of the room, finding several valuable silver candlesticks. A masterwork silver dagger also rests on the altar.

Three doors remain; the one on the southwestern end of the tunnel, one to on the southeastern end of the tunnel, and one to the north. Where to Pathfinders?

I say north, so that we don't leave anything unchecked.

Nilfyr agrees

Making sure the valuables are collected Artemus says I am ready here.

The party explores the chamber to the north after doing the usual check before Thunderstealer barges in :)

The lavish personal chambers include a finely woven rug with a subtle tan and moorit patterns, a garderobe, and a large wardrobe.

The wardrobe is locked, and has an amazing lock, but Thunderstealer's brute strength is more than enough to bash it open enough to allow access. Inside is a chest that contains 450 gold crowns, 1250 silver farthings, six onyxes worth 50 gold each, and another one of the Spire transport tokens.

Nilfyr also finds a secret passage behind the garderobe wall that leads to another room. This secret room is filled, floor to ceiling, with shelves and pigeonholes. The air holds the dusty aroma of ancient parchment.

There is a black ledger here that a key from Tarrin Dar's body happens to open. Inside is a number of misdeeds, blackmails, and other embarrassments from various families in Daggermark, Fort Inevitable, and Thornkeep. Also there are a number of works of Norgorber in here, although much is scribbled out or circled. A handmade tome, titled Words Behind the Mask, appear in feminine handwriting. Faeros' knowledge of Norgorber realizes that her text is her own translation of the original texts and is borderline heretical in belief. However, the original texts could be valuable to the right buyer; same with the ledger, too.

Two doors to go!

After looking through the assorted documents, Nilfyr makes his way to the double doors in the main hallway. After listening at it and confirming his comrades are ready, he opens the door.

Perception (Take 10): 10 + 12 = 22

Art casts his customary detect magic in each room and laments the damage to the wardrobe, wondering if Mending might repair it. He also dons the holy symbol of Norgorber the woman wore, doing so without explanation or attention to the act.

Faeros gives Art a concerned look before continuing the search in the next [southeast] room.
I believe this is where Nilfyr already was listening.

@Artemus: Only magical thing is the spire token, and the wardrobe can be mended to good use if you wish.

Nilfyr opens the door at the party's readying and reveals another guardroom, one of the walls fitted with arrow slits that looks towards a large room with a distinctive green glow.

Nothing magical in here! Only thing of note is passage to the exit below next to the Spire core.

The party ready, they reach the final door to this strange hideout. An ancient stone door opens into a dusty old crypt. Five stone sepulchers sit in the chamber's northern and center portions. Each is carved with an en effigy of a masked man or woman. To the south, one large sepulcher lies, its lid secured with iron bands.

Nilfyr looks to his companions. "I am in no rush to disturb the dead, especially if they were worshipers of Norgorber, but if you feel, as above, we must do so, then let us at least rest beforehand and prepare."

Where's a detect undead when you need it? :)

@Nilfyr: Can you give me a Perception check as you inspect the sarcophagi

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

-Posted with Wayfinder

"These marks of Norgorber were most likely made by our departed priestess, sometime within the past two years. The tomb itself is quite a bit older, however. I wonder if she performed some rite to raise these corpses..."

Leaving the tombs alone as Nilfyr asked or going to see if there are any treasures! Note, detect magic doesn't find anything!

Also, please roll Day Job checks and let me know if you're going slow or normal progression :)

Hmm. Do we really want to leave the tombs uninvestigated?

Artemus steps closer to examine the 6 stone sepulchers and in particular the larger one with iron bands. Hmm. Are these bands keeping us out, or something in?

Perception on Sepulchers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

@Artemus: You can't sense anything moving inside either one, but you do know that some undead rest motionlessly until some stimuli affects them.

I just can't leave these things untouched. Lets have a loot in the smaller ones first. Artemus indicates one closest to the door and goes about seeing what is required to open it. Who knows what might be inside?

The unclamped caskets require nothing but strength to open; they contain skeletal remains in tattered, clothing.

The other, barred one will require a crowbar and a good Strength check to open.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

No Crow Bar here.

Assist: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

Nilfyr breaks open the tombstone with Artemus's surprisingly effective assistance. As the bar snaps and the first bits of light enter the sarcophagus, a force from inside raises it open as a withered corpse of a man stands up, red hate glowing from its eye sockets. "You dare unseal the resting place of a corrupt man? Your souls will be an assuming meal for disrupting the peace of Lord Kalast Tynal!"

Init Order (bold = up!)
Faeros
Artemus
Kalast Tynal
Thunderstealer/Belcher
Nilfyr

Map updated, positioning people where I thought it would make sense.