Kazmoro's simple strike, seems to break the magical seal protecting the compartment, and once more, it opens to reveal another parchment. Updated in Handouts.
M Human Ranger (Falconer)2 | HP 18/18 | AC 18 T 14 FF 14 | CMB +2, CMD 16 | F: +3, R: +7, W: +2 | Init: +6 | Perc: +8, SM: +2 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: None.
"This is all nice and neat, and great job Kazmoro for figuring them out. Now, what do the pieces of parchment actually mean? These are clues within clues. Or, do they have no meaning yet for us until we put them in context with something else? I don't know. A few circles and lines are rather vague."
"I like the triangulation idea that was posed earlier. This newest rune looks a lot like the harbor watch. It looks like there are a few city blocks here in the middle of these three clues" Edmund says as he points to the center of the map."Does anyone know if there is a fountain in that area?"
I took the liberty of adding some circles and lines on the map
Male Human Bard 2 | HP 17/17 | AC 17 Tch 13 FF n/a | CMD 15 | F+1 R+6 W+3 | Init +5 | Perc +6 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | Archaeologist's Luck: 6/6 Spells 1st: 3/3 | Active conditions: none
Nadric winces as Kazmoro wails away at the wall, saying "That doesn't hurt your hand?" But he looks eagerly at the parchment along with the rest of them. "I think you're probably right, Edmund. Let's go fountain-hunting over there." He mutters something about right where we started in the first place but looks relatively cheery at all the progress they are making.
Male Human M Human Sorcerer (Infernal Bloodline) 2 [HP 17/17, AC 13 /ff 11 /t 12, Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +3, Init +3, Per 0, Spd 30'
Razka nods sagely when Kazmoro successfully punches open the secret compartment.
"Just what I would have done," he says.
"I am certain that what we are seeking in centered in the middle of these three landmarks. Let us go there and see if there is another statue or a building marked with an 'I'."
You travel towards the triangulated section. There lies an opulent manor with a seemingly solid brick foundation wall. There seems to be no fountain. However, you are sure that the clues fit this very location!
Perception DC15:
There is the letter "I" carved into the foundation wall. Make another Perception DC20 or Disable Device DC15 to open the next spoiler.
Spoiler:
There is a loose brick near the "I" that can be pressed.
Male Human M Human Sorcerer (Infernal Bloodline) 2 [HP 17/17, AC 13 /ff 11 /t 12, Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +3, Init +3, Per 0, Spd 30'
As they arrive at the location that the clues seem to point to, Razka looks around carefully.
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
"Hmmm...looks like another dead end. What should we do now? Maybe Queck knows more than she's telling. Or maybe we can get some answers from one of those orcs. We didn't kill them both did we?" he asks.
"Razka, you are right in a way. This isn't a fountain like in the legends- but there is very clearly an 'I' on the wall right here. I think this might be a little bit like the doorway we used to get here, opening a secret passage or the like."
This has got to be it . Moving closer, Edmund takes another look at the wall- and notices a loose brick in the side. H mumbles a few quick word, and glances at any magical aura in the area of the brick or wall.
Detect Magic
"I think this may be the trigger- the brick will move... I am just not sure what to expect next. Someone else want to confirm this isn't a trap before I push it?"
Perception, Trap:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
After waiting for the rest of the team to examine the wall and brick, Edmund gently approaches to place. Here goes nothing... as he presses the brick.
Male Human M Human Sorcerer (Infernal Bloodline) 2 [HP 17/17, AC 13 /ff 11 /t 12, Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +3, Init +3, Per 0, Spd 30'
"Ah yes, of course, there it is. I knew we were on the right track. But, hold a moment. There is no need to do something so foolhardy as touch that brick," Razka says.
He stands about 25' away and slightly to the side. Once everyone else is clear he gestures and speaks some arcane words and a ghostly version of his hand, slightly twisted and talon like appears on the hidden switch. When everyone is ready, he opens it.
After making the appropriate checks, and believing their actions to be relatively safe. Razka cast a mage hand to press to loose brick. A small section of the stone wall opens slowly revealing a set of stone stairs the descend beneath the streets of Old Cassomir. An extremely cold breeze is felt radiating from the absolute darkness below.
Those without darkvision must have a source of light, please do inform me what your light source is as you descend. I'm looking at you humans. Make any other preparations you must before descending.
At the base of the stairs, after what you assume is around 20ft deep underground, an ancient fountain decorates this open tunnel intersection. Many chipped sculptures provide spouts which drizzles water splash into the basin below. The fountain’s cold concrete edges have carved symbols that adorn its sides in three distinct bands. A set of stairs leading down from above empties into the room from the south, while two 5-foot-wide tunnels exit the room to the east and west.
Everybody must make the perception check below before we continue.
Perception DC12:
You hear some shuffling noises coming from the left tunnel as you approach the fountain, and possibly some chatter. It's definitely coming towards this direction. You may take one standard or move action only (as if a surprise round). If you want that is, feel free not to do anything.
Map is updated, please place yourselves in the red marked area in whichever order you please.
M Human Ranger (Falconer)2 | HP 18/18 | AC 18 T 14 FF 14 | CMB +2, CMD 16 | F: +3, R: +7, W: +2 | Init: +6 | Perc: +8, SM: +2 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: None.
"Its pretty dark down there. Zarzuket, or another caster who can, can you Light my bow or armor or something for me, please?"
Celas waits until one of them does before continuing down. Surprisingly, he and Edmund are the only two casters that have it prepared...
GM: Can Edmund release his bowstring/arrow as a free action? I am not really wanting to attack/aim- so much as "send" the lighted arrow somewhere toward the left of the fountain. Would doing so prevent a move action? If so, can I still take a 5ft step?
Male Human M Human Sorcerer (Infernal Bloodline) 2 [HP 17/17, AC 13 /ff 11 /t 12, Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +3, Init +3, Per 0, Spd 30'
Razka peered into the darkness then fishes around in his clothes and pulls out a sunrise. He activates it then shakes it a few times before following the rest down the stairs.
Perception:1d20 ⇒ 13
He nods. "Definitely someone coming probably someone who doesn't want us in this secret place," he says.
He readies himself, his hands in the opening position of a spell.
Readied action to cast Acid Splash on anyone who seems to be a cultist and/or hostile.
Male Human Bard 2 | HP 17/17 | AC 17 Tch 13 FF n/a | CMD 15 | F+1 R+6 W+3 | Init +5 | Perc +6 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | Archaeologist's Luck: 6/6 Spells 1st: 3/3 | Active conditions: none
Seeing they are about to descend into darkness, Nadric casts Dancing Lights to summon two white orbs that glow like lanterns while hovering slightly above his head.
I assume I can continue to re-cast the spell once per minute to keep it active; let me know if that ever becomes a problem.
He draws his bow as well, keeping an eye out as they go down the stairs for any cultists lurking in shadowy corners.
Perception:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Nadric picks up on some sounds just as a couple of the others comment on them, and he draws an arrow to nock it loosely to the bowstring. He holds his breath for a moment, waiting to see what emerges from the tunnel.
Edmund, I would still treat releasing the arrow as a standard action, as the movement involved is similar. Aiming at the floor is AC 5. You may take a free action to 5 ft step.
Edmund releases his "light" arrow toward the hallway where the noise is coming from- hoping to illuminate the general area on the left side of the fountain. He draws and knocks another arrow, stepping just inside the door so others can easily follow him into the room.
Map updated, including intended landing area of the arrow
Kazmoro leads the way down the stairs. He does not need a source of light, but the numerous sources pulled out by his companions quickly makes his darkvision unnecessary.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
I have placed Kazmoro inside the red path. Can he move from here, or getting to this point was his move or standard action? A bit confused by the instructions.
You start in the red box. You take your action after you've placed yourself in the box. Hope that clears it! Probably should have put the red box instructions first! My bad..
Sorry for the long time to see the messages. Zarzuket would have cast light on one of the arrows on Cilas's quiver, so it both iluminates for him and he could get rid of it easily...
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
"Are you sure? I only hear you guys steps... It's probably just the echo of you lot..."
AS an action, even though he doesn't notice any enemies, since he knows how squishy he is he'll just enter the total defense action...
Unsure of what the muffles are, the Pathfinders prepare themselves for the worst, and illuminate the room with an arrow flung to the corner, near western tunnel.
From out of the very tunnel, appears two squat humanoid figures armed with a dagger each in one hand. They seem to be nearly all head—an unfortunate circumstance, considering how ugly its puffy blue face is. It has a necklace made out of chains.
Kn. Nature DC10 to identify, as usual, every +5 to the DC gets you one question.
Behind them, follows a pale blue humanoid with bulging white eyes, wild hair, four-fingered hands, and a large hooked club.
Kn. Local DC12 to tdentify.
They seem to be aware of your presence, probably due to light on the floor, and the Pathfinders who now stand in the intersection. They don't look too kindly towards you. You notice behind them are a few chain humans.
Combat Round 1 Conditions:?
Edmund, Nadric All the baddies
Celas, Zazuket, Kazmoro, Razka
Untrained knowledge checks only get you a maximum of 10, so you would not have been able to meet the minimum DC to identify!
Edmund reacts quickly while the enemies are flat on their feet. He releases an cold-iron arrow which finds the creature directly into his chest. He creature falls unconsciously screaming in excruciating pain.
Male Human Bard 2 | HP 17/17 | AC 17 Tch 13 FF n/a | CMD 15 | F+1 R+6 W+3 | Init +5 | Perc +6 SM +0 | Speed 30ft | Archaeologist's Luck: 6/6 Spells 1st: 3/3 | Active conditions: none
Nadric moves into the room behind Edmund just in time to see one sink to the ground. He stares intently through the dim light in the room to see if they look familiar.
Knowledge nature:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Knowledge local:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
"Nope, no idea," he mutters, "but it looks like they have prisoners." He draws an arrow to aim at the second giant head thing. (Regular arrows)
Celas recognizes the two creatures as mites, dwellers of the underground.
Nadric boldly moves forward and fires another arrow into combat, although the strike hits, it does not take out the Mite. However, he does look seriously wounded.
The standing mite steps over his friend and throws a dart right at Kazmoro. However, with the initial shock, he finds his aim very far off target.
The larger creature, moves out from the tunnels screaming wildly while throwing his alkys, a hooked club, towards Kazmoro as well. The weapon grazes Kazmoro's arm, and causes him to suffer a bruise.
There's quite a lot of debates on whether you are flat footed or not after you've acted in a surprise round. RAW suggest you are flat footed until you've acted on your first on your first round. Since we are playing PFS, I try to be impartial and follow RAW.
CRB wrote:
Flat-Footed: At the start of a battle, before you have had a chance to act (specifically, before your first regular turn in the initiative order), you are flat-footed.... A flat-footed character can't make attacks of opportunity, unless he has the Combat Reflexes feat.
Also, the earlier action was not considered a surprise round, since you did not really know for sure if it was a threat, all you heard was noises. With that in mind, consider this a clear case of flat footed until acted in combat.
Thanks for asking! Feel free to continue asking if it helps clarify!
Celas shot would have taken out blue cold. Only black remains.
Kazmoro isn't down, but he did take half of his HP in damage in the first go around. I would hate for him to take another full round of attacks from the baddie. Second battle in a row he took a really big hit in round #1
I thought when the dm said he was at -6 it was his current hp... Although using my action to draw the potion is not the worst in case something happens... Specially because I don't think I can make a line without hitting one friendly...
