GM Debug's PbP: PFS-RPG 06-16 Scions of the Sky Key pt. III: The Golden Guardian (Inactive)

Game Master DebugAMP

Farith is speaking in draconic with them, seeing as he knows it might be easier for them and will translate to the others

Ajaline listens to the kobold conversation as it moves back and forth between common and draconic. He only catches the parts in common. He looks at the giant guardian and tries to speak to it again.

"We are friends here. I am asking, are you the guardian of this hall?"

The statue continues to watch the discussion between you and the kobolds, but stands silent, scrutinizing Ajaline but refusing to answer him.

Thermidor and Barl, I'll get to your knowledge checks in a bit... but for now...

Are we still waiting for this? Or might the knowledge come in handy now? Or did I miss it somewhere?

Once the immediate threat of the kobolds is resolved I'll move on to that.

Barl, seeing the kobolds most chatty when using Draconic, asks Farith to translate: "Why were you awakening the Golden Guardian when we arrived? What do you fear that makes Ashkurhall need protecting? Is it the other Pathfinder? Or something more dangerous?"

Farith translates it for the kobolds

Wasn't sharrowsmith a dwarf? I am not 100% sure atm

He was human.

Kuriq mimics the action of the guardian, and stays quiet to observe the encounter.

Ajaline finds little interest in the conversation with the kobolds and the guardian seems to be ignoring him. So he begins to walk around the room looking for doors or secret entrances to the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

"From you! Thieves and murderers. The other one with the fancy sword took our stuff and killed our friends! And you, less than a week ago killed many of our brothers up above. And he awakens to protect us!"

The Guardian stoically sits upon his pedestal, watching the discussion unfold as Ajaline begins to walk about. The kobolds begin to panic and one of them quickly raises it's bow as if to fire!

Round 1:
Farith
Red and Green Kobolds
Barl
Yellow and Blue Kobolds
Kuriq
Thermidor
Ajaline
Dunia

Shaking his head at the actions of the kobolds he speaks up once more in Draconic. "We aren't thieves and murderers! There is no need for any of this violence!"

Last Ditch Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

The kobolds are preparing to loose arrows in a panic, but Farith's words and the Kobold's actions seem to have an effect on the Guardian as it slowly moves, eyeing the kobolds disapprovingly.

It looks as though it's ready to intervene, but not in time to spare the party a barrage of attacks. The first two that react quickly hurl stones with slings at the offender as their sniper seems to be a little slower on the draw.

Red sling at Ajaline: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 16
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Green sling at Ajaline: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 12
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Round 1:
Farith
Red and Green Kobolds
Barl
Yellow and Blue Kobolds
Kuriq
Thermidor
Ajaline
Dunia
Golden Guardian

If Barl can see that the Guardian looks likely to intercede then he will just hold his action and not antagonize the kobolds further.

"Please, we mean you no harm. Drop your slings and talk with us."

diplomacy aid another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

The last two kobolds yell incoherantly at Farith and Barl, one hurling a stone and the other loosing an arrow from his crossbow.

Crossbow at Farith: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Miss

Sling at Barl: 1d2 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Miss

The Golden Guardian begins to bellow "DO NOT KILL EACH OTHER!"

Kuriq, Thermidor, Ajaline, and Dunia, you may act. You do not yet know if the kobolds will choose to yield, but angering the Golden Guardian seems as though it may be a bit... suicidal.

Dunia keeps a wary eye on the kobolds and the Guardian while she gives Ajaline a tap of her wand.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Thermidor will ready to cast ill-omen on the first kobold to do something hostile. DC 16 Will or will have to roll its next d20 twice and take worst

I don't think Ill Omen allows a save

You're right. I guess was thinking of witch Misfortune

The Golden Guardian extends its wings and bellows again. "DO NOT KILL EACH OTHER!"

The kobolds, incredibly frightened, lower their weapons and begin chattering.

The blind leader of them finally speaks again. "...OK... So you're a friend of Ashkurhall and can stay." He beckons to the remaining kobolds who fall in and descend the stairway leading down from the guardian. Before going back into the main room he calls out to his compatriot. "I will go check on Stinkeye. If these humans need aid, sell them our potions at a fair price."

The Golden Guardian motions to the group to come up to his altar. "Now that a truce has been reached, come before me and prove that you are worthy of the amulet you carry. Tell me the history of this place and I, the Golden Guardian of Ashkurhall, shall consider you friends."

Now for all of those knowledge and perception checks that you guys rolled earlier...

From the top of the hammer-shaped altar, the murals can be plainly seen depicting a story.

The first mural depicts a dwarf in a cave gazing up and shielding her eyes with a hand.

Thermidor recognizes that it depicts the ancient dwarven migration to the surface known as the Quest for Sky. According to legend, Torag gave the dwarves a prophecy that prompted them to leave their original homes in the Darklands realm of Nar-Voth.

The second mural depicts a fireball with long, trailing streaks descending from the sky.

Barl recognizes that it depicts a historical event called the Rain of Stars. Before recorded history, a fireball fell from the heavens and crashed into the land now called Numeria. Modern scholars believe the fireball was a vessel of some sort.

The third mural depicts two dwarves locked in battle. One of them has long, braided hair while the other is bald.

Barl also recognizes that the bald dwarf in the mural is a duergar. According to legend, an outcast god turned their heads bald and their skin ashen gray. They are infamous slavers who believe that the surface dwarves are traitors of their race and that other creatures are fit only for service and torment.

The fourth mural depicts four complex symbols arranged on the four points of a compass rose slanted slightly to the right.

Ajaline recognizes that the symbol set on the south point of the compass rose is a stylized version of the symbol engraved on the piece of metal that the PCs found inside the dwarven talisman.

The fifth mural depicts rolling hills with dark gray, rocky soil, punctuated with veins of gold. A vine covered in lavender flowers crushes a giant lizard like a constricting serpent.

Knowledge (Geography or Nature) can discern the location depicted.

The sixth mural depicts a map with many rooms, some crude, others skillfully carved and rich in detail.

Knowledge (Engineering) or Survival can discern the details of the structure depicted.

The seventh mural depicts a dwarf with his eyes cast to the ground and his hand held against his chest.

Heal or Sense Motive can discern the intent behind the dwarf's posture.

The eighth mural depicts a demonlike creature with horns and wings.

Knowledge (Engineering or Nature) can identify the depicted creature.

The ninth mural depicts a humanoid with bulbous eyes and bowed legs.

All of you (or at least all of you who completed Part 2 of this trilogy on these characters) recognize that the picture depicts the Grippli race.

The tenth mural depicts a dwarf whose weapons and armor are made of wood and stone rather than metal. His skin bears numerous simple tattoos, and several bright feathers adorn his beard.

Knowledge (Geography or Local) can identify the clan depicted in the mural.

Anyone attempting the checks, make one roll per mural you're attempting to decipher and indicate which one you're looking at. Multiple people can attempt each check.

Dunia's eyes shine as she looks on a fantastic example of the kind of history she joined the Pathfinders to uncover.
Sixth Mural: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Seventh Mural: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Tenth Mural: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Dunia recognizes the sixth mural as depicting a stylized version of Ashkurhall, the dwarven settlement whose ruins the PCs are exploring. The map quite accurately shows how the parts that were built later are architecturally more impressive.

In the seventh mural she also notes that the dwarf looks worried and has lost much weight. It is likely that the dwarf depicted has a terminal disease.

The meaning of the tenth mural eludes her however.

Fifth, eighth, and tenth murals are still unknown.

I don't have any of the above. Everyone still has rerolls available from me. This might be a good time to use them.

Oh yeah, forgot about those. Not sure if it's kosher, but I would definitely reroll that 3.

Potential tenth mural reroll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

I don't have any skills that can help the remaining checks.

Kuriq was ready to take a snipe at the Kobolds in his short fiery temper, however did not react fast enough before the guardian intercepted.

He listens intently to what his pathfinder allies share about the mural but knows nothing of it and stands quietly, bow in arms, ready to retaliate if any hostility takes place again.

The dwarf in the tenth mural is a Taralu. These jungle dwarves practice a version of ancestor worship alongside the worship of totems based on local creatures, particularly dragons and wyverns. These dwarves have a small but notable presence within the city of Kibwe.

"So tell me of the history of this place..."

You can continue to try to make the last few checks. Alternatively, whoever is telling that part of the story can attempt a bluff or perform (oratory) check to skirt your way around it.

I've got no modifiers to charisma but don't mind making the bluff check if you guys want.

Kuriq hesitates to speak, but seeing his allies not be able to tell the depiction of some of the murals, he starts to twitch, thinking if he should try to cover for the group.

I can assist for the bluff check if someone is going for it, will make the roll

Bluff(assist): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

He regarded the murals silently and frowned when he realized some where out of his range of knowledge. If someone would step up he would try to assist him or her with the needed gaps in the story to hopefully get a compelling story

I am an ignorant elf. I don't have any of those knowledges.

Ajaline glowers at the kobolds when their sling bullet connect and he is just about to retaliate when Dunia heals him. That puts him in a slightly better mood. "Thanks," he says to Dunia.

--

After the guardian's speech Ajaline looks at the murals. They are impressive and interesting but unfortunately he knows nothing about them. Dunia starts to explain some of the murals.

Not sure what we need to do here. I have +3 to my bluff so I could roll that but I don't have any knowledge. Or would it be better for me to assist?

After conferring with the others about what they know, Thermidor will take the lead, making a few educated guesses to fill in blanks.

"After coming to the surface during the Quest for Sky, the dwarves of Jormudun came to Numeria, and found the artifact we know as the Sky Key during the Reign of Stars. A conflict with the duergar led them to come here, founding Ashkurhall. A disease ravaged the community. They left some of their artifacts with the Grippli, whom my comrades assisted. The descendants of Ashkurhall now live on as the Taralu of Kibwe. Is it them we should speak with?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Before assists from Farith and anyone else.

Hurray for Charisma possessing characters!

Thermidor glosses over a few of the murals, but the Guardian appears pleased and nods approvingly. “You truly are the worthy bearers of the talisman, so I shall tell you a story that Sigrin of Ashkurhall, the founder of this place, once told me."

“But dark times soon followed, for their cousins from the underworld fell upon the dwarven citadel. Caught unprepared, the dwarves knew they could not hold off against the siege. The king ordered all but his most trusted guards to leave, and stayed behind to buy his people timed to escape. Before Sigrin and her three siblings left to lead the dwarves to safety, the king gave each of them a piece of the Sky Key, and kept one for himself. The dwarves traveled far and wide, but the dangerous journey across the unknown land caused rifts in their clan. One by one, the king’s children went their separate ways, each taking a piece of the key and a part of the clan. Sigrin’s dwarves made their way to this continent, and though they found it quite inhospitable, they pressed on. After much searching, they found gold and started building this place. Their prosperity grew with each passing decade.”

Grinning, the Guardian continues, “That’s when I entered the picture. We didn’t get along at first, but I came to realize they were decent people, who appreciated stone and gold as much as I did. Their luck did not last, however. A sickness came over the dwarves, and the survivors were too few in number to continue their lineage. Rather than slowly die out here, they chose to leave. However, they wanted someone to watch over this place. They chose me. Sigrin went to her grippli allies and gave them her piece of the key. Where the dwarves were going, they couldn’t hold onto their memories and traditions. I think Sigrin made up a monstrous story about me—I probably deserved it,” the Guardian says with a grin, “but the story was to protect this place and the piece of the key.”

The Guardian stares at the last mural for a long time. “The dwarves left to join their cousins who lived in the jungle to the east. They never came back."

Kuriq listens intently in interest, and turns to the Guardian to ask a few questions. "That is some history, but what of the Kobolds? How did they come into the picture?"

"The kobolds moved in many years after the abandonment of Ashkurall and showed the temple great reverence. For that I allowed them to st-"
Suddenly, a kobold comes running back into the room screaming. "More intruders! They attacked us!"

The golden guardian's smile turns to a scowl and he leaps off of his platform and flies out of the temple into the adjoining room. "Protect the temple! I'll defend the rest of Ashkurhall."

Round 1:
Thermador
Dunia
Ajaline
Farith
Barl
Kuriq
???

Heaaring the sounds of attackers in coming the Inquisitor draws his shield and morningstar and takes a defensive posture and waits to see what the rest of the companions do seeing as there are no clear attackers.

Ready an attack if the attackers come in close

Kuriq heeds the warnings, and makes his way to the corner of the stage where he has a good view of the entrance. He draws his bow ready for any attack and as a preparation cast divine favour on himself.

Move action and Std action to cast divine favour.

Barl listens to the Guardian's story in amazement. He wonders if his own clan is somehow descended from one of these groups which split off.

Barl clutches his crossbow, waiting for the other intruders to appear.

I will also ready an attack for when they appear.

Ajaline draws his bow and readies it. "I'm going to stay up here on this platform and shoot anything that comes through that door." He moves to a corner of the platform that gives him the most visibility of the doorway.

Dunia starts hustling across the bridge, trying to get closer to the door before the intruders arrive. Double Move

Thermidor begins pondering the strands of fate, preparing to adjust them in favor of the defenders.

Ill Omen on first enemy in range to attack (us, kobolds, or golden guardian). My reroll ability is still available to everyone. I'll use it when enemies if they roll 18 or higher on attack rolls or saving throws. Kobolds, the Guardian, and any other allies can use it on an attack roll or saving throw of 10 or less, assuming it hasn't been used by a party member or on an enemy.

A small group of Aspis Consortium agents come barging in through the door, with a small trained hyena accompanying them.

Ajaline's Crossbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Barl's Crossbow - Cover: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 1 - 4 = 13
None in range for Thermidor or Farith's readied actions

The kobold excitedly banters as he runs up the steps to join the party. "One o'em stepped in the wall trap in the front gate and another in the spikey trap! I think stinkeye got one o'em too!"

Round 2:
Thermador
Dunia
Ajaline
Farith
Barl
Kuriq
Kamekta
Red Brigand
Yellow Brigand
Hyena

Bold can go? Or did Ajaline's and Barl's actions already account for our actions this round?

Farith will move up to stand next to Kuriq to prepare for the uncomming Aspis scum to ensure that they will pay for their transgression.

ready action once more when they come into range to take a swing at them

Readied actions place you immediately before the triggering creature. You can act.

Ajaline takes careful aim with his shortbow and fires off another shot at the Aspis agents. "Hold steady, you vermin. You have no right to be in this place."

shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Dunia advances as if in a trance, preparing to draw up the spirits of fear and despair that lurk in ruins such as this.
Readying a Cause Fear for the first enemy in range (25'), Will DC 14

As soon as Kuriq notices the Aspis, he decides that those who identify themselves as Aspis must be put to swift justice! He then readies himself for the oncoming attack.

Swift action to cast justice judgment (+1). Ready action to attack any Aspis that comes within clear sight.

Thermidor rushes forward to get a better look, swearing under his breath in multiple dead languages as the enemies turn out to be Aspis.

Double Move, getting into better range for later effects.

Farith is using morningstar + shield atm, no creatures in range atm, but if there is going to be one in range, I will post the attack down below

Repeating Barl's action from last turn.

The aspis agents move forward and one of them finds itself promptly facing an arrow from Kuriq.

Barl's Crossbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Barl's crossbow shot clatters off of the floor at the agent's feet, and the two agents return fire, attempting to take down the rival archer.

Longbows at Kuriq: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 231d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

A hyena comes bounding out of the hallway and makes a bee-line towards Dunia.

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 2

As it begins to bound up the stairs, it begins to whimper and makes an about face, fleeing.

It's keeper runs out, cursing. "Cowardly mongrel... I'll handle this!"

It throws caution to the wind and begins to bound up the staircase, positioning himself between Dunia and Thermidor. Double move, provokes from Dunia.

The kobold runs up to get out of the way of the combat.

Round 3:
Thermador
Ajaline
Farith
Barl
Kuriq (-4)
Red Brigand (-8)
Yellow Brigand
Dunia (Will splice action in as appropriate)
Hyena (Frightened for 1 more round)
Kamekta

Thermidor puts his full range of Jistkan profanities to use as he repeatedly fails to cast a spell. He will step to the side, retrieving his battered and rusty gladius, to provide assistance to Dunia. Trying to provide flank

Concentration DC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Misfortune: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Was attempting to cast Inflict Light Wounds defensively. Can't give anyone else a reroll this round