GM Endless Forms' PFS 04-19 The Night March of Kalkamedes (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Elen cuts into one bandit while Jake casts disintegrate on the other. Ran finishes off the final combatant and Swarmholio makes fun of their dead bodies.

Out of combat!

As the adrenaline wears off, Tevaga sits down next to one of the dead bandits. She takes his sap, holding it up for all to see, "'See if I don't start carrying a sap all the time.'" *whew* She then starts searching the man for any other valuables. Then she crawls on her knees to the next one, and the next until she's searched all five. Finally catching her breath, she stands and collects her weapons. "Ach. Hedra, if you have any healing to spare, I'd appreciate it. They got me early with those slings."

T10 Perception for 16 to search the bandits.

The gnome goes to the bandit he had been trying to taunt and starts removing his shoes.

If no one sops him, once he's got the man's shoes off, he will carefully line up the shot and start using his Ray of Frost spell, converted to fire, to crisp the bandit's toes . . ..

As long as he's keeping busy burning corpses, he won't get curious about the effects of burning blackpowder.

Elen quietly reloads his pistol, with his back turned to the insane gnome. Afterward, he watches as Tevaga searches the bandits, rubbing the goose egg on his forehead.

Jake wipes his sword clean and returns to the tree where he tethered Kalkamedes. He then unties the rope from the trunk and reties it to his waist.

Of course, Aroden provide me His blessing and all his children can be saved

Hedra moved near Tevaga and called for Aroden's blessing the touch the half-orc

CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

See, Aroden healed you in full. added with a smile Hedra when she saw all the wounds of Tevaga healed

"Thanks." Tevaga idly watches the gnome burn the bandit's feet while Jake and Kalkamedes catch up. Disinterestedly, she asks, "That one's already dead, right?"

wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Ran hopes so, though Ran is not sure."

"Hmmm? Maybe. Promised to crisp his toes!"

Each of the six thugs (no wait, five-Jake zapped one out of existence) carried padded armor with camouflage, sling with 10 bullets, light mace, sickle, and sap.

Kalkamedes begins to lead the way once again.

The light of the sinking moon washes the sub-alpine valley ahead in silvery light. A squat, stone bunker crafted of dark rock sits nestled among the low trees, its domed roof barely peeking out from above the leafy canopy. As a cloud passes over the moon, the entire structure seems to fade from view, leaving a momentary void before the moon’s light again illuminates it. Only a single entryway mars the smooth, windowless facade of the lone building.

Is he heading towards the entrance?

"That the place in his drawing?"

"Look! Foxy house!"

I think so. Fading in and out based on exposure to the moonlight is nifty, ain't it?

So, do we scout it out before letting Kal inside?

I wonder if he has a specific goal within the structure, or is just heading for the temple itself.

Hey, Gamin, do you recognize this place? Did Kal ever bring you here back in his Pathfinding days?

Monotone voice: "Ran doubts she will be able to scout very well inside a cave, Ran responds despondently. Ran does not have darkvision, Ran declares, so Ran will not be able to hide at all."

Yes, it looks like Kalkamedes' drawing !

Seeing the temple, Hedra tried to recall some informations about this strange temple with the guidance of Gamin.

Know. History: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 1 = 28
Know. Religion: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 1 = 14

"No, I'm afraid I've never seen this place before." Gamin responds. Hedra likewise does not recognize any familiar iconography. Kalkamedes is heading directly towards the structure, where a set of stairs descend below. A ten-foot wide stone archway, its keystone inscribed with a seven-pointed star wreathed in ancient markings, offers ingress into an unlit corridor built of cut stone blocks. Weathered script snakes its way up and down each side of the entrance. Paw prints of dried mud left by resident
animals show regular ingress and egress.

I don't suppose any of you can read that? How about you Gamin? Actually, can talking swords even read? How do you see?

Hedra known only the azlanti and tried to decipher the ancient markings.

Linguistic: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20

It says "Enter the Black Edifice, locus of the Thrallkeepers, servants of the Runelord of Sloth.”

She tried to remember what these thing were.

Know. History: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 1 = 24
Know. Religion: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 1 = 30

"Thrallkeepers!?! The Great Swarmholio will have THRALLS!!"

Ran raps her fist lightly ontop of the gnome's head. "Behave."

"What's a 'locus'? And 'sloth'... so they get him when he's sleeping because that's when he's laziest?" She shrugs. "I can see in the dark. Y'all want me to take lead?"

It's an old fashioned word that basically just means "place" Dunno who the "Runelord of Sloth" is, but this must be where his "thrallkeepers" live.

As for scouting, I'd suggest that we keep Swarmholio between the two of us since we can all see in the dark (and we really don't want him getting out of reach). If Hedra and Jake bring up the rear, Ran should be able to see well enough from whatever light they use.

Hedra remembers the following:

Krune (pronounced KROON) was the Runelord of Sloth and ruler of the realm of Haruka. While not as violent as other Thassilonian rulers (generally attributed to his laziness), Krune was not to be trifled with as he was the chief priest of the goddess Lissala. None of his enemies wanted to risk the ire of a man who had truly mastered rune magic as they did not know the limits of his power.

Krune's weapon of rule was a dragon-tooth longspear that could move and attack on its own, freeing him from the physical rigors of combat. He also possessed a rod carved with secret runes of the priesthood of Lissala. No mention is made of his physical appearance save one, that his own flesh was tattooed with the symbols and formulas for a hundred secret spells.

picture because he's awesome

The party ventures further in.

Steep stairs descend into this room, whose only other entrance is sealed by a massive set of iron double doors that block passage to the east and rest upon a dais of glistening black stone. To the west stands a statue of an elderly, robed man carved from the same dark stone, and in his hand he brandishes a slender golden wand that points toward the door. Ancient script winds around the statue’s round base, and dried leaves, dirt, and small animal bones are scattered about the room.

Map has been updated.

"If these guys are all about being lazy, I doubt they pushed those heavy doors open all the time. See what Kalkamedes does with some slack."

Hedra shared her informations with her comrade then followed them in the black temple.

Hedra smiled to Tevaga - amused - then tried to learn what was scribed on the statue's round base.

Linguistic: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17

Sorry, I can't read what was wrote on the statue... Which way ?

Jake lets out the line to see how Kalkamedes approaches the door.

Kalkamedes walks up to the door and tries to push it open but is unable. He then just stands there staring at it.

I think we find our way.

Said Hedra seeing Kalkamedes trying to open the doors.

Jake, Tevaga ?

Ran raps her fist lightly ontop of the gnome's head. "Behave."

"Hey! You will not touch The Great Swarmholio! Bad Foxy Lady! No biscuit!"

Glancing about the room in response to everyone else wondering how to open the door, the gnome shrugs, confused. "Why not just use the wand?" pointing at the statue . . ..

UMD, maybe, Swarmholio, to activate the wand?

"Probably need to be able to read the gibberish. If you tell me that's something you know..." she rolls her eyes, "I don't know, I'll join the Sisterhood or something. Let me know if you're going to try something before I get in the way." She then remembers who she's talking to, and directs her request to the others. "Let me know if he starts messing with it, so I can get out of the way." She then moves to the door to try brute force, but has trouble keeping her grip. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

She wipes her hands on her pant legs and tries again.

Heading over to the statue, the gnome reaches up above his head, stretching to his entire (roughly 4.5') reach trying, in vain to reach the wand, which is shoulder high on a statue on an elevated base. "No. No good. Wand can't be reached . . .." and he wanders over to Kalkamedes and looks back and forth between the sleep-walker and the door. "Maybe he should sleep on the door? Gotta get him a pillow . . .."

Cute puzzle.

str assist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

“Those that would dare believe they are strong enough to oppose us shall learn that their strength is their weakness and our weaknesses are our very strengths.”

"Hmmm. Ran believes Swarmholio may be good for something other than cooking, Ran says thinking up an idea. Swarmholio, Ran requests you help me push the door open."

Anyone have detect magic for the wand?

Hedra took the wand and study it during a few second.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 1 = 30

It's a wand of Ray of Enfeeblement. May be we can use it against the door ?
If it doesn't work, may be using Swarmolio is a good idea as Ran suggested.

Hedra use the wand against the door to see if something happen

Jake steps up past Kalkamedes and throws a shoulder into the door.

STR: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

“Those that would dare believe they are strong enough to oppose us shall learn that their strength is their weakness and our weaknesses are our very strengths.”

"Great. A whole temple designed by fat spellcasters who are still bitter about getting beat up by the stronger kids when they were little. This'll be fun." Tevaga steps off the dais, and watches Hedra and Ran work on the door.

I assume our strength returns when we step off the dais?

lol. I always wanted to know what a strength 30 gnome looked like.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yes, Ran and Tevaga, you feel fine once you step down.

Hedra fires the wand at the door to no effect.

Jake pushes and grunts but is unable to get the door open.

lol. I always wanted to know what a strength 30 gnome looked like.

You should play with my gnome Dragon Disciple. I think her Str is 17 and Con is 18.

Tired of watching the others push and pull, and the sleep-walker standing in place, the gnome sits down on the edge of the step in front of the doors and leans back against them . . ..

Hey, as little IC has been done towards getting him involved, this is MEANT as a teaser!

Well, maybe if all of push together? I'm not particularly strong, but I can help I would think. Elen moves to the door intending to aid whomever is trying to force it. If no one else is trying to force it at the moment, he'll gamely try it on his own. Strength check: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Elen is unable to push the doors open.

Swarmholio Str check: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (3) - 3 = 0 lol

Swarmholio sits firmly on the dais.

"There's some trick to it, Elen. When I step on the dais, I feel weaker. Does it go the other way? 'Strength is weakness, weakness is strength' or whatever? Swarmholio! Get up and try the door! I don't think even these guys would design a door that required them to fall asleep every time they wanted to get inside."

"On the plus side, I'm guessing Kalkamedes isn't being summoned by someone, or they might have left the door open for him. He probably triggered some trap or artifact or something."

"Behave! Try the Door! Don't do anything without letting us know! What if The Great Swarmholio doesn't WANT to try the door?" As he's complaining the gnome gets up and moves to the door, which he then grabs hold of and wiggles, like you do when checking to see if a door is locked, or to taunt your little sister.