Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
Deep breath.
survival (aid):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Upon seeing the footprints Bullwhip says: "BLUBBLUBBLUBBLUB."
"I can help you out there!" Caerwynn says cheerfully. "Those there are barefoot dwarf tracks." She points.
She points at another set of tracks. "Those look like humanoid tracks, but they're a little off. And those are claw marks. Ooh! And see the scratches on the walls. A group of somethings squeezed through here not too long ago!"
Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
Caerwynn wrote:
"I can help you out there!" Caerwynn says cheerfully. "Those there are barefoot dwarf tracks." She points.
She points at another set of tracks. "Those look like humanoid tracks, but they're a little off. And those are claw marks. Ooh! And see the scratches on the walls. A group of somethings squeezed through here not too long ago!"
"That's waaat Oi 'av been tryin' ter say!" Sputters the dwarf breaking the surface and then putting his boots back on. "Canny yer understan' de Common tongue?"
When he gets to the room with all the books, he shakes himself out like a half-drowned English sheepdog in a confined space. "Waaat?"
The walls here are polished and smooth, unlike the stone block construction elsewhere. The floor bears a strange symbol of concentric circles and compasslike stars, and the entire carving glows with a steady, red light. Writing covers much of the walls, some of it in dark blue charcoal and the rest in deep red paint. A shallow tray along the north wall holds several sticks of steel-gray chalk.
Spellcraft or Knowledge(Arcana) DC 15:
Yup, this is a summoning circle. Nothing is trapped in there right now.
The writing on the walls is in Abyssal.
Knows Abyssal +10 minutes, or DC 25 Linguistics and +30 minutes:
This is a written conversation between Thurl and a night hag by the name of Aslynn. They seem to mostly haggle over the price of goods.
One section of the written conversation in particular seems different from the others. It is also written in Abyssal.
If you made the above check:
You translate the writing on the wall and notice there are two distinct handwritings.
One is written in a dark blue chalk, while the other is written in blood-red ink.
The contact I told you about warned me that dark days are coming for Nerosyan. He has advised me to leave in all haste.
And you believe him?
I have little choice. I have much to gain by acting on this knowledge and everything to lose if it’s true.
You are so quick to trust someone you have only known for a matter of months— especially one such as he.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say you sound jealous. Heh.
My sisters would take offense at your calling me jealous, and even I believe you are taking liberties. I value our relationship, rune- carved one, so I tell you this free of charge. Even if you follow his advice, guard yourself well. You are preparing to abandon your cover, and your so-called friends are known to dislike being duped.
Trust me. I know. I heard what happened in Varisia. Look, I know what I’m doing, and I think I can trust this one. He doesn’t lie all of the time, you know.
Exactly. He tells the truth often enough to make you believe his other lies.
And if he is lying, I’ll lock him up for another ten thousand years. Just remember our bargain. If I don’t find those reagents waiting for me in the usual place, we’ll have words.
Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
"Ah." Bullwhip says authoritatively. "'Tis a time-oyt room for de kids. Me folks 'ad wan."
AC18(T12,FF16) CMD16| HP 61/70| F +9 R +5 W +14 | Init +1, Perc +7, Sense Motive +15 | Haste
Know. Arcana:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Knowing Abyssal, Jair translates for her comrades.
This she shows the rune circle is a magic circle to invoke creatures from the planes. It's currently empty, I think.
But what is most interesting is these notes, discussion between this Aslynn we've heard before and Thurl.
The part most valuable is thissee above spoiler
The Pathfinders spend 10 minutes transcribing the conversation, realizing Thurl was quite involved in terrible dealings.
I'll assume you guys are moving on, please tell me otherwise.
Glass cases, each a three-foot cube, line the walls of this L-shaped five-foot-wide stone hallway. Each sealed alcove contains the slowly wriggling form of what appears to be an oversized insect larva that has a vaguely humanoid head wrinkled in pain.
Knowledge(Planes) DC 15:
Killing a larva would release its essence to the Positive Energy Plane. This may or may not be the same as destroying its soul. It's heavily debated, though.
Valais stares at the larvae, deep in thought. "These things...this is what happened to me? I am made of these larvae." she whispers. "Do I have elven blood anymore? Am I...still a Pathfinder?"
AC18(T12,FF16) CMD16| HP 61/70| F +9 R +5 W +14 | Init +1, Perc +7, Sense Motive +15 | Haste
Know. Planes:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Looking at the glass case and the creatures inside Jair says.
These are Larvae. Killing those things would release their soul to the Positive Energy Plane, but savant are not sure this will destroy the soul or simply release them in the care of Pharasma.
She turns to Valais and says Don't worry Valais. What made you a Pathfinder is not blood nor flesh, but spirit.
I can tell you that you have the spirit of a Pathfinder.
Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
"Sure! Luk, yer 'av dat wee bit av oi lef." Bullwhip starts out cheery but looses the mood near the end.
"Er, right--Oi say if 'tis tainted--present company excluded av course--we kill it an' git on wi' it." He lifts his waraxe.
Valais nods and grins, thankful the party is there to lift her spirits.
Bullwhip opens one of the containers and notices the rush of air from the tank as it depressurizes. The larva suddenly swells up to about three times its size, squealing loudly as it bursts at the streams. Within ten seconds the larva is dead.
"Was that normal? As much as it pains me to say so, should we leave some of them intact, so the Society can try to work out exactly what has been done to these creatures?"
"Yuck!" Caerwynn exclaims, wiping larva goo off her tunic. "Yeah, let's leave the rest of them alone... still, I don't like how they stare at you. Bleh."
Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
Bullwhip looks down at his splattered beard. He had stored reserves of spilled soup, and trail ration crumbs in there that he was saving for later. "Waaat a waste." he says sulkily.
He wanders through and opens the rest of the lot, moving back out of the way before they explode.
AC18(T12,FF16) CMD16| HP 61/70| F +9 R +5 W +14 | Init +1, Perc +7, Sense Motive +15 | Haste
can we understand what's happened ?
let's people with better understanding take care of these. Is there something else we could use to understand better the process, or incriminating Thurl ?
Jair takes a look around and realizes the larvae are stored in highly pressurized tanks. The larvae are about 1/3 of the size thanks to the intense pressure. Thurl probably had a method to slowly and carefully depressurize the tanks so the larvae don't rapidly burst.
With nothing else of importance, the party moves on.
The popping and fizzing of bubbling liquid echoes throughout this rectangular chamber. To the west, a platform towers fifteen feet over the rest of the room. A steel grate extends from this platform like a bridge to a large metal cauldron suspended by rusty chains above the floor. Steep steps descend around support pillars to the level below and a pair of iron doors to the east.
The cauldron is 15 feet high.
"This is. This is where I woke up. Thurl said, 'It seemed like you wanted to learn what I was up to, Pathfinder. Think of this as the first step in teaching you. Ah, but your growth is not yet done.' He then threw me in one of those vats."
Giovanni And anyone else with a DC 30 perception check scans the room and notices two tiny noses sticking out of the cauldron. One of them pops out, revealing a tiny mass of stitched demonic body parts. It bares its claws and fangs and squeals.
Round 1
Valais
Jair Whisper Giovanni di Pietro di Bernadone Gadget Bullwhip Caerwynn
Enemy
The party gains initiative ahead of the eidolons. Meanwhile, Valais stays back.
K Arcana DC 15:
These creatures are a combination of demonic eidolons. They seem immune to fire damage, and their wings can fly. They are vulnerable to any magic that affects humanoids or demons, but they get some resistance.
Wisdom Check DC 11:
If two of the chains are broken, the cauldron's scalding hot liquid will spill over the ground level.
Gnome Fighter 5/Transmuter 1 (CORE) | HP 56/56 | AC 19* | T 15 (19 incorporeal)* | FF 15* | CMD 20 | F +9 | R +7 | W +6 | Resist: acid 1, cold 1, elec 3 | +1 vs fear effects, +2 vs. illusions; +2 vs. death effects | Init +6 | Perc +2 (Low-Light Vision) | Sense Motive +0 | Telekinetic Fist 5/5 | Arcane Bond 1/1 | Reroll 0/1 | Active Spells:Mage Armor(*)
Knowledge (Arcana):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
"I'm not sure what these are either. I'll attack them while you cut chains."
Move Action
Gadget moves forward to the edge of the grate.
Standard Action
She shoots at one of the eidolons. If she can't see them yet, she'll ready an action until she can instead. Longbow Attack (Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot):1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 + 1 = 24 Longbow Damage (Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot):1d6 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 8 Cold Iron Arrow
Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
Wisdom:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
"If you say so! RRRAAA!!"
Though I have the feeling that bit of the chain is probably about 15 feet over your head.
Bullwhip charges forward sending his axe blade to the least damaged chain on the platform-side of the cauldron.
One of Gadget's arrows sticks into the yellow-skinned creature and it shrieks in pain.
Giovanni and Bullwhip work together to cut the chains. Giovanni slices right through, while Bullwhip's chop leaves it almost completely torn apart. The cauldron wobbles, and it's obvious the cauldron will fall over if Bullwhip finishes slicing away.
Bullwhip is correct, the chains are high up. I'll move Giovanni to the other available spot and add an X to show where he cut through.
These creatures are a combination of demonic eidolons. I think they are immune to fire, and they can fly. They are vulnerable to any magic that affects humanoids or demons, but they get some resistance.
That's all I know !
"Ack!" Caerwynn cries. "Blood bats! Bat things! Demon bats!" She hefts her hardened walking stick and points it at the further creature, sending sparks flying all around the room.
Jair Whisper calls upon her gods to aid the party. Caerwynn's bolts of energy whiz overhead as the creatures come foward to bite and slash at Giovanni and Bullwhip.
Yellow vs Giovanni Bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 Damage and Fire Damage:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d6 ⇒ 1
Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
"NOT DE BEARD!" He swings his axe wildly in front of him trying to fend off the attack.
I don't think that the chain is above Bullwhip's head. As the monsters aren't reaching down to scratch the top of his head (at least not until it touches the wall). This map is really begging for a side view.
Tell me about it. I'm running this with another group and they are also confused by this map.
This room has 2 floors, and you entered on the top floor. The creatures you're fighting are right now on the top floor, near Bullwhip's feet. They are hovering right over the top cauldron. The lower level is 15 feet down and you could run down the stairs or leap down if you wanted to.
The scenario doesn't make it clear how the chains are holding the cauldron up. I'm going to say they start at the lip of the cauldron and end on the ceiling in the corners of the room. Attacking from the platform would be the best way to break them from melee.
Giovanni's blade cuts into the critter while Bullwhip defends his most treasured item from assault.
Male Dwarf Fighter 4 | hp 42/45 | AC 23, T 11, FF 21 | CMD 19 (bull rush 25, trip 23) | F +7, R +3, W +2 | Spd 20' | Init +2 | KnDun +5, KnEng +6, Perc +1, SnsM +6 | backscratcher of clw 42/50 |
Oh, you were aiming for the chain? Did not pay attention.
Bullwhip's second swing snaps the second chain. The cauldron falls over, spilling hot liquid all over the floor. It solidifies almost instantly into a bright red mud.
The floor is now difficult terrain. You need a DC 15 Acrobatics check to run or charge across it. Falling prone deals 1d6 damage.
"Excellent!" Caerwynn chirps. She jaunts down the stairs and is surprised to find the demon-things crawling out of the muck. She frowns and bolts one of 'em.
With Jair's blessing, Caerwynn is able to zap the yellow-skinned creature. It flies up about 20 feet from the lower level floor and chomps into Giovanni.
Even is Bullwhip:1d2 ⇒ 1 Bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 Damage and Fire Damage:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 ⇒ 5
The blue dotted creature remains in place thanks to Jair's command.
Round 3 - Bless
Valais
Jair Whisper Giovanni di Pietro di Bernadone (9 damage)
Gadget Bullwhip (4 damage)
Caerwynn
Enemy (Yellow Solid 12 damage, 20 ft above lower level)
