GM Endless Forms' PFS From Shore to Sea (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

You head back to the Armillary Tower and remember that it will prove a significant challenge: the lenses were supposed to be stored in the top layer but now nothing remains of the tower but crumbling, broken walls; its upper levels were long ago destroyed. However, a dark shadow passes overhead as the tumbling top fo the ruined steeple floats in its perpetual orbit above the island, narrowly missing the tower's ruined foundations.

It orbits every 10 minutes. Inside the base is a staircase that climbs 70 feet to the top of the broken tower. You can use magical means to reach the orbiting top or you can use more mundane means such as grappling hooks or jumping. At its closest point, the spire passes within 10 feet of the crumbling stairs you are standing on.

Also, who has the fancy armillary amulet you found earlier? I assume Pai since it gives a bonus on the Spellcraft check to figure out the orrery?

I think it's safe to assume that I'd have the Spellcraft bonus thingie, DM. Here's a question, could I use a scroll of Dimension Door to 'pop' at least some of us to the zenith up there to within 10'? If not, I could memorize Fly tomorrow, since it looks like we aren't getting off this rock today.

D-door works fine.

Pai will pull out her scroll and get the group up to the zenith, so they can get a better glance at that lens. "We need to figure a way to get that safely down, I think."

We can definitely get it down. Safely might be a far bigger issue though. Ready when you are Pai.

"Yes, we are ready for zhe descent. Just say zhe word"

Roland will have bow ready if any foes appear while they are waiting.

Pai uses the scroll and Dimension Doors the group safely to the top of the stairs.

Kilian keeps his hands free, in case he needs to steady himself or keep someone from going over the edge. "I don't trust our footing once we're up there."

As the orbiting spire-top comes near Pai transports everyone directly on it. It is an odd sensation flying through the air in this tower room above the island but you quickly get used to the sensation, like riding in a boat. There is a large case, presumably containing the lenses you seek.

Looking over the box quickly Tyraneus opens it to inspect the contents.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Tyraneus notes that this container is rigged with an electrical trap. The etchings on the container, however, match those of the amulet Pai is wearing.

Pai wasn't sure about this, but she grabbed a hold of the amulet around her neck as she tried to open the container, trusting the magic of the amulet to protect her somehow.

The amulet indeed seems to protect Pai and she is able to open the container and grab the lenses you need!

Make another Spellcraft check to work on the orrery now that you have more knowledge and the appropriate lenses.

Spellcraft 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 4 = 22 not counting bonuses for lenses or for necklace as I'm not sure what they are.

Screw it. Tee shirt reroll please. 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 4 = 34

Do zhey look zhey will work, Pai?

Roland offers a hand opening or carrying the box or lenses.

With the reroll and many, many bonuses:

Pai spends several hours realigning the lenses and working on the orrery, but eventually she starts to wrap her mind around the complicated machinery. The lenses hover in place and collect starlight
in an increasingly tight-focused beam. A single, glowing glyph rises to meet the beam, pulses briefly, then descends slowly to rest, now dark.

"Did anyone else see that glyph? Did anyone recognize it? Could that glyph point to a way down to find that Mage?"

Kilian shakes his head.

"I am not sure what I saw. Zhere was some spinning and light. But zhat is all I can say.
Did it provide you zhe clues we sought? Maybe it unlocked zhe way or will guide us?
If only it would lift zhe curse entirely!"

Just to clarify because I think I may have confused things or made it unclear earlier: the orrery and the tower where you retrieved the lenses are B7/B8. The big central building where you didn't find anything the first time around but which you discovered the villagers were digging beneath is B9 on the map. The enslaved villagers are at B6 and in the trench leading up to B9.

The glyph certainly had an effect, although it might not be immediately apparent. I suggest either checking on the villagers or checking back at B9.

"Well, this might sound dumb, but I am pretty sure something happened. But I don't know what. This is one of those times that backtracking might be useful. Let's go back and look where the villagers were. Hopefully the glyph might have freed them from their confusion."/

"Let's be careful, though--I don't want them coming after us again."

By the time you arrive at the excavation site after deactivating the domination-enhancing glyph, an unusual standoff has occurred between the villagers and eight skum guards. The villagers are no longer dominated, but they now face a harsh reality—their grotesque captors are their ancestors who underwent the change from gillmen to skum. The villagers are shocked at this realization and the implications of their ancient traditions and are unsure what to do.

The skum croak appeals to their relatives: “Kindred, free the Master and you can return to peaceful lives!” and “Now is the time to repay the sea’s debts!”

Separate check:

Untrained Sense Motive check DC 20: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Untrained Sense Motive check DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Yeah, Kilian's clueless here.

Sense Motive One1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Sense Motive Two 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Perceptive little Pai notices a couple strange things about the conversation she was eavesdropping on. "Hmmmm, the villagers are no longer charmed, but they are scared and confused—and seem to be considering the skum’s offer. But, the skum guards seem sincere and disturbingly kind in their requests. I don't think freeing this Master is a good idea, though!"

Any reactions to the skum or villagers? Or going back to the central building and letting them sort it out?

Tyraneus steps forward. He holds forth his symbol of Sarenrae. If you will all listen but a moment. He holds his hands open palm forth as he bellows out to the crowd.

I am a cleric of Sarenrae and a Pathfinder. We.. He gestures to his companions ... have been sent here to see what has happened to you as your families have grown worried. It seems that this master unfortunately has unleashed a vile corruption upon this island. We need to speak with this master before it is too late for everyone. Please let us speak with him and do not do anything hastily on your own.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Roland joins on the conversation.

"We may not release zhe master other zhan from his control over both zhese peoples .".

The villagers nod in agreement with you. "The Master should not be released after all he has done. He should be caught and punished!" The skum frown at this turn of events but don't seem ready to turn to violence, being surrounded by dozens of angry villagers. One of the villagers speaks up again, "They are right! Let us not be too hasty. We will await your return. Speak some sense into the man!"

Judging that his voice would not add to the discussion, Kilian says nothing.

"Tell us how to get to theMaster. We need to find him and talk sense into him!"

"He went below the Natatorium at the center of the island. No one knows where or even how he got in there. He commanded us to dig around the foundation; he was looking for something."

"Did he do anything strange or special before he went under that Natatorium that you know of? Perhaps we are missing a clue that will let us follow him."

You haven't checked there since you realigned the orrery.

The villagers and skum respond, "He worked in the observatory on the orrery for quite a long time and has gone back there making adjustments on occasion."

Tyraneus looks to the Skum and villagers with a look of sorrow. Thank you. We shall go speak with him right away.

Tyraneus turns and begins heading towards the observatory. This master shall answer for what he has done to these villagers.

Zhat is correct. Do not do anything until we return from dealing with zhe master.

Roland follows Tyraneus to the observatory.

"Um, guys? I think we need to go to the Natatorium."

"Yeah, I think you all are confusing our buildings. We need to go to the Natatorium and check under there, like Killian suggests."

Uh, right. Zhat is where we are heading ... Zhe observnanatorium, right? (Cough)

Haha.

You return to the natatorium: tall, cracked walls surround this structure. They are punctuated by two grand arched entryways, only one of which still stands. Massive, verdigris-coated mounts for huge lenses hover lazily over the complex, their glass long ago shattered, while ruined aqueducts lead away from the structure in sweeping curves, disappearing into the island's foliage.

Inside the building is a marvel of engineering. The interior of the complex is a deep, stepped well plunging to a dry basin below. Each level consists of a narrow walkway with steep stairs in the corners that lead to the level below, creating a spiraling descent to the bottom of the pit. Half of the structure is ruined, with debris littering large portions of the walkways.

This time, however, you note a structure that was not there the last time you explored this place: a complicated, iris-like aperture at the bottom. The portal is open and reveals a 10-foot-wide vertical shaft that drops below past your vision.

"Well, we've solved part of the puzzle, haven't we? Into the breach, as it were. Let's find the Master and talk some sense into him."

Kilian removes a coil of rope from his pack. "We might need this."

You descend down below the natatorium....

A large, spherical chamber lies at the bottom of the shaft, its strangely twisted, ribbed walls seemingly grown from the organic shell of some deep-sea creature. Curving, bone-like structures support the high domed ceiling, and stagnant seawater floods the chamber to chest level. To the northeast, a large portion of this organic growth has collapsed, revealing dark bedrock. Of the three spherical passages sprouting from this room, two show similar signs of collapse.

New map up! Also, there was a moray eel in here but I think you guys would quickly kill it so we'll just bypass that in the interest of time.

Pai casts Detect Magic as she looks at the surroundings. "Looks like there's only one way out of this place, or at least one accessible way," she notes as she looks around.

He must be down here. We should hurry before we join the ranks of the Skum

Tyraneus begins to move towards the eastern opening.

Roland nods and follows.

"We can only hope we can reason with him. I fear it may be too late."

You slog through the water, which begins to become shallower, and see more bony growths supporting the circular passageway ahead. The tunnel diverges ahead, although one passageway has completely collapsed. The rocks reflect light with an oily sheen.

Everyone fails to notice the significance of that oily sheen, however, and Roland and Kilian walk right into the transparent oozes in the water!

On Kilian:
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
grab: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
constrict damage if grappled: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
acid damage with constrict: 1d6 ⇒ 1

On Roland:
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
grab: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
constrict damage if grappled: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
acid damage with constrict: 1d6 ⇒ 6

If you are grappled, also make a Ref save for your armor or it will take 1d6 ⇒ 2 acid damage

Initiative:

1. Pai, Roland, and Tyraneus
2. Oozes!
3. Kilian

Pai, Roland, and Tyraneus are up!

Running a bit low on spells Tyraneus calls forth a simple but effective one that he learned a few years back. Two missiles spring forth from his palms and slam into each of the oozes

Magic Missile 1: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
Magic Missile 2: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Knowledge (Dungeoneering) check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

EF, Kilian's CMD is 21. Is there a penalty for being flatfooted when grappled?

Know. Engineering 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

"Those are gray oozes. They are immune to cold and fire damage but do not split when hit with slashing or piercing weapons, so hit them with everything you have!"

Pai takes after Tyr and uses her wand to fire o ff two magic missles at the ooze grappling Kilian.

Damage 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7