GM Cwethan's Wounded Wisp (Inactive)

Game Master Cwethan

"Which one of the three was an Aspirant? Is there a monument near the Starstone Cathedral or did we already get this info??" Skivven starts fussing in a pile of paper notes he's been keeping throughout the day...

Intelligence check to jog player's memory? :P Intelligence Check to r'member'things...: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

[Searching through the thread... :P]

"Let us go back to the Wounded Wisp and ask Yargos about them keepers of the Shrine of Failed Aspirants. Let us ask what kind of people they are, and where the Shrine is located. Yes, yes? I have the feeling that we must either go back to the Wall of Names and speak the Wiffle password over Caskmail's nameplate or located the Shrine, see if his name is there, and speak that word over his tomb..."

Unfortunately, the section of the wall with Caskmail's name engraved on it doesn't respond to the word Wiffle. Perhaps Yargos will have more information...

Back to the Wisp this evening unless I hear another plan

"I guess we head back tot he bar for another round... or something like that...?"

Skivven bristles excitedly, thinking of fermented goat milk...

"Let us go back to the Wounded Wisp and ask Yargos about them keepers of the Shrine of Failed Aspirants. Let us ask what kind of people they are, and where the Shrine is located.

It's last call back at the Wounded Wisp, and Heryn is gently nudging Yargos along despite his only wanting to finish one more chapter.

Given the chance he's happy to explain more about the Shrine of the Failed and its keepers and Aspirants. The Shrine is near the Starstone Cathedral in the Ascendant Court district of Absalom, and is dedicated to those who have failed the test of the Starstone. It is sacred to no living gods, and no claims are made by those who keep it of any miracles or signs.

I'd say you should just ask them yourself, but they're likely standing vigil near the Cathedral until Sir Reinhard has ascended or.. erm... not. Luckily for them they don't keep anything of value there, so they've no need to lock up or leave anyone behind when someone makes an attempt.

Drinking his past due-date goat milk, Skivven hiccups once or twice, before stabilizing and managing to ask, "Master Yargos... when exactly will Reinhard try for the Starstone? is this... happening now? would you come with us to witness this? we could sure use your expert knowledge and would absolutely love your commentary of the event as it unfolds... perhaps even some of our party's best orators could amplify your speech with their own, on a soapbox! this could be history in the making!"

Skivven takes one more swig, then under his breath, adds, "Then again.... this could be the goat milk talking..."

He's supposed to make his attempt in a few hours at dawn, but the Keepers should already be standing vigil outside the Starstone Cathedral.

With a smile over her cup of Warm Cider, Usagi looks at Skivven excitedly.

"That sounds exhilarating! Maybe we can see his success after we finish our Scavenger hunt!"

"Thank you Yargos. I'm off to go see the Keepers then. Anyone else coming?" says Skivven, eyeing Usagi and Leona, hefting his backpack over his shoulder and somehow really excited to head towards the Starstone Cathedral. Under his breath, he adds, "I hope someone's coming with me... seeing that the fermented goat milk has me in a brave mood... I don't want to pull a Cayden tonight... at least I'm not planning to... hehehe"

Omniel looks a bit concerned and says, "Looks like we'll need to head over there fairly quickly." He joins Skivven in leaving the Wounded Wisp.

"Hey wait for me!"
Usagi sprints for the door, mug in hand, before a loud mreooooooow makes her turn around. "Oh right, this isn't mine... uh..." Tipping back her mug, Usagi closes her eyes and quickly drinks the rest of the cider before tossing the mug to the Boartusk Twins.
Usagi quickly blurts out, "Could-you-two-take-care-of-this-I'm-kinda-in-a-hurry-thanks-a-bunch-I-owe- you-one!" before scooping up Luna, and rushing out the door after Skivven

Leona smiles and follows after the group.

I guess I should come along too!

has a day passed since the tomb?

The adventure's been running from Dusk til not-quite-dawn. Are you going to try to speak with the Keepers at their vigil, or sneak into the Shrine while they're away?

I vote for doing it while they're away.

Shrine first, then if we have time, join them before the end of their vigil! :)

Eraith drains his mug of ale and follows the group in leaving the Wounded Wisp

"Let's go while the keeprs are still away. Easier if there are less questions and people involved"

You can see a crowd gathering around the Cathedral of the Starstone as a knight trots around on his horse, his platemail gleaming in the first rays of the dawn as he speaks with friends, well-wishers and the curious.

With Sir Reinhard as a distraction, it is simplicity to sneak into the Shrine of the Failed.

It's dark in the chamber, but once someone provides a little illumination, you can see the monumental chamber, though the corners and the high-vaulted ceiling remains shrouded in shadows.

Seven arched passages lead to humble rooms, each of which contains a polished stone altar dedicated to one of the failed aspirants who attempted the Test of the Starstone.

"So this is what this place looks like...weird..." Brynnith casually comments as the group makes their way through the area as quietly as possible..."What are we looking for again?" she asks displaying her lack of attention to detail.

Skivven tries to locate Caskmail's altar ASAP!

There are several small stone altars in the small chambers. Each stands upon a raised dais and bears a small brass nameplate with the name and intended portfolio of the Aspirant.

The different Aspirants with altars here are:
Plokkis - Intended God of Spoiled Food and Wastefulness
Oggo - Intended God of the Sixteen Poses
Silmar - Intended God of Blades
The Muted God - Intended God of Silence and Serenity
Spuchasta - Intended God of Hallucinatory Incense and Herbs
Yepyari - Intended God of Clouds and Tornados
Zimpar - Intended God of Screaming Fear

But none here to anyone named Caskmail...

Since I don't see any Light spells in the party, I'd like people to indicate next time they post if they are carrying a torch or or other light source.

Skivven has darkvision

Skivven goes to the Muted God altar and says 'Wiffle' behind the nameplate.

Eraith has lowlight vision. Does that help? If not safely assume he is carrying a torch in dark areas.

Leona has low light vision as well if that does things. If not, she casts spark to light any available torches if that's okay.

"Hmm.. Didn't the name plates mention "wastefulness, hallucinations and serenity?"

Leona approaches the alter of Plokkis, The Muted god and Spuchasta and casts detect magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Saying 'Wiffle' at the altar of the Muted God has no effect. Can you describe what you mean by saying it behind the nameplate? The nameplate is set into the altar, which is itself against the wall

Leona discovers a faint magical aura near the altar of the Muted God, but it doesn't emanate from the altar itself, but the wall to the west of it!

Bynnith relies on the generosity of others to see in the dark or carry a torch in her off hand

"Does anyone know what this means?"

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Leona feels some weirdness with the West wall. She closes her eyes and concentrates. She pauses and lets out a laugh.

"Hah! I found a hidden door. This is some tricky illusion magic.." She looks very proud of herself for a second.

Her nose wrinkles. "So friends, I'm not really sure how to open it."

"Fimbrick wrote that the password is Wiffle!!! say Wiffle! my ratfolk high pitched voice doesn't seem to trigger the opening of the door! see! I'm right here, saying 'Wiffle' constantly, and nothing is happening! say Wiffle everyone!!!"

Eraith sighs irritably at Skivven's high pitch cries "It could be that the password is not meant to be spoken, or it could even be a false trail. The fact that there is illusion magic here means we are on the right track though, but now how do we dispel it...curious that its not on the altar...perhaps there is a key here somewhere..."

Eraith searches the altar thoroughly while musing out loud, running his hands over every part of stone altar and brass nameplate

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The Brass nameplate comes loose.

In a small nook behind it is a chalkboard and a thin piece of chalk.

Skivven writes 'Wiffle' on the back of the nameplate. :)

You hear a quiet grinding as the door Leona found slides open, revealing a tunnel into a natural-looking cave. Creeping farther forward you can see a faint illumination coming from the north.

In a surprisingly regularly shaped room in the north of the cave, several desks are arranged along the northern and eastern edges. Whereas the stonework leading to this chamber is rough, the walls in the alcove are polished. A single gem rests among the neatly filed papers on the desk, emitting a soft luminescence that brightens the small room.

"Well, I guess this is the rest of the paperwork we're supposed to bring back to the Society." Omniel moves up to start piling up the paperwork for the group to take back, making sure to track their order on the desk.

The papers are hard to decipher, it's like they're written in some other crazy language!

Even so, the maps, and some of the snippets you're able to decipher suggest that this is a treasure trove of information never collected by the Society proper about scads of otherwise unexplored sites.

A great find to bring back to the lodge!

As you are on your way back out of the Shrine though, you hear the echoing sound of footsteps, and realize you're not alone.

Standing at the foot of the stairs with weapons at the ready, you can see three swordsmen (two humans and a dwarf), as well as an elven archer.

Hopes that they might be friendly are dashed when you recognize a symbol of Norgorber in the Dwarf's hand, and the badges of the Aspis Consortium on all of them!

Hello little Pathfinders, the dwarf grates, Care to share?

Bold may go
Eraith (Torch)
Skivven
Neophyte
Swordsman (Red) (Torch)
Brynnith (Torch)
Swordsman (Blue) (Torch)
Usagi
Leona (Torch)
Omniel
Archer

Both human swordsmen are carrying torches, but otherwise the only light in this room is what you guys are bringing

Eraith ignores the dwarf and moves behind the nearest pillar for cover. He drops his torch and draws both his blades, waiting for the enemy to approach.

Skivven hides around the corner in full defense.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

"ooooo... a fight..."

Hide all you want, little elfling, you can't keep these secrets from me! The Dwarf unfurls a scroll as he intones a baleful prayer directed at Eraith!

One of the thugs flanking the Norgorban priest advances, ducking behind the pillars as he goes.

Bold may go
Eraith Will Save
Skivven
Neophyte
Swordsman (Red) (Torch)
Brynnith (Torch)
Swordsman (Blue) (Torch)
Usagi
Leona (Torch)
Omniel
Archer

Brynnith double moves to behind a pillar.

The other swordsman hustles forward as well, Just give us what you found, we won't hurt you. Much.

Bold may go
Eraith Will Save
Skivven
Neophyte
Swordsman (Red) (Torch)
Brynnith (Torch)
Swordsman (Blue) (Torch)
Usagi
Leona (Torch)
Omniel
Archer

will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

A baleful prayer? What spell is that?

Leona will delay.

Unless I made an error, no one with LOS to the Dwarf had the Spellcraft to make the check.
But it was Doom.

Delaying Usagi and Omniel for now

The elven archer makes no taunts; she merely slides forward behind one of the pillars and fires a shot past Brynnith from her cover.

Longbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9

Bold may go
Eraith Will Save
Skivven
Neophyte
Swordsman (Red) (Torch)
Brynnith (Torch)
Swordsman (Blue) (Torch)
Usagi
Leona (Torch)
Omniel
Archer

Skivven double moves up to the blue swordsman and makes a stealth check against all enemies if in dim light or against elf and dwarf due to pillar cover if in bright light.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Skivven, since both swordsmen are carrying torches they'll be able to see you quite clearly, and since you're being observed you're not in a position to make a stealth check at the end of the turn, feel free to redo the turn.

Sorry, I was waiting on Usagi (didn't want to block anyone in the doorway).

Omniel moves up and drinks an extract (Targeted Bomb Admixture). Duration 2 rounds, bombs do damage to single target, no splash.

It's ok - I'm trying to setup Eraith for flank/sneak

Cool cool, just didn't want you to take a turn you didn't intend to

I'll come of 'Delay' right before Eraith. Should clean up the order a bit!
Pulling a chakram as she pops out of the hall way, Usagi looks baffled at the newcomers. "We found this fair and square! Find your own scavenger hunt! Oh, Excuse me Omniel!" Squeezing past Omniel in the narrow hallway, Usagi runs around the corner before almost bumping into Skivven. Stopping short before practically bowling over her fuzzy companion, Usagi launches her chakram at the other swordsman.

Aiming for Red
Chakram (-4 Cover): 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 4 = 20 Chakram Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Gahh! I'll gut you for that you little-
Bind my beard, manling, show some damned grit and stop whining!

Bold may go
Usagi
Eraith
Skivven
Neophyte
Swordsman (Red) (Torch) -4
Brynnith (Torch)
Swordsman (Blue) (Torch)
Leona (Torch)
Omniel
Archer

Eraith steps out from behind the pillar and viciously attacks the nearest swordsman

5-foot step, full attack on blue, flanking w skivven

attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 2

attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 2 + 2 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 5

wow my dice are trying to get me killed