GMG's PbP: Shackles adventures (Inactive)

Game Master Magabeus

You examine the rooms adjoining the entry, these were once sleeping quarters and contain nothing of value. Moving further into the monastery, the bedrock beneath much of the next chamber has collapsed and slid down the cliff into the sea below, leaving the fractured remains of the chapel’s northern half open to the elements.

One of the double doors that once secured the entranceway to the south lies on the floor nearby; the other spans a short gap at the edge of the cliff. On either side of the entrance are shallow alcoves, each containing a large open stone coffin. To the north, the narrow remains of a flight of stairs wind precariously to a rough-hewn stone altar atop a column of natural rock that juts out over the sheer drop.

From the two coffins two giant skeletons of large snakes with humanoid heads with a snake’s jaws appear. They see your amulet and retreat back into their coffins.

You cross over the 'bridge' spanning the gap in the rock and try to open the door at the end of the bridge. Unfortunately it is locked!

From the two coffins two giant skeletons of large snakes with humanoid heads with a snake’s jaws appear. They see your amulet and retreat back into their coffins.

Xasay's jaw drops at the sight, however brief.

"Did you see that?!?!?"

While it's quite difficult for people of the dayborn races to read the curvature of the Wayang jaw (let alone the Wayang thought process), one would almost think his shock is of the "good surprise" rather than "bad surprise" variety.

Knowledge (Religion) to identify undead: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Despite its sinister appearance, the snake-like necrophidius is not an undead creature. Rather, it is a magical construct built from the skeleton of a giant snake and then mounted with the skull of a humanoid creature. Fangs are cemented into the jaws of the skull, after which the entire creation can be brought to life by a series of obscure and expensive rituals—these rituals are traditionally well guarded by those who discover them. These were larger and stronger than most of their kind.

necrophidius plus giant and advanced templates

"Let us be glad that they have not degraded from the passage of time and still recognize the symbols of safe passage." Grisaia replies to Xasay's shock.

"Here, let me have a look at that lock."

Emmett approaches the door and starts sticking picks into the lock, trying to open it.
Disable Device (Take 10): 10 + 16 = 26

"Yeah, those snake skeletons look nasty, I'm glad we avoided them." Tori says with some relief as she awaits Emmett's lock-picking.

The Scratcher silently awaits Emmett's efforts, trying not to be bored.

Sorry, my campaign tab didn't update

Emmett manages to disable the lock and opens the door. Carvings of wind and waves line the walls of this small office. The room contains the remnants of a desk and chair as well as a large stack of stone tablets stacked in one corner. The ceiling is long since gone, leaving the contents open to the sky. At the back hovers a large squid, it's tentacles two feet from the ground. It's eyes turn towards you...

"Do you think it wants to talk?" Tori asks half-serious as she prepares her bow.

A melodic sound comes from the squid

"ਅਸਮਾਨ ਪਿਤਾ ਦੇ ਸਵਾਰ ਬੱਚੇ"

"If it does, I don't know how."

"It's beautiful...."

Linguistics to parse out?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Knowledge (Planes) to identify: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"Beats me. But at least it's talking."

Sorry Xasay: linguistics checks are for written documents only. Comprehend languages anyone?

Xasay recognizes the creature as a divine guardian air elemental, a creature summoned to protect the temple. The divine guardian is likely assigned to guard this specific site sacred to Gozreh and that is why it is shaped like a squid.

You know one specific piece of information, anything in particular you want to know?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"Well, it sounds defensive, so don't make it think we're a threat." Grisaia recommends from the back.

Mental faculties?

"Blimey... wot should we do ta get on itz good side?"

Sadly, no way I can communicate with it.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"I wonder if this is just some kind of trap..." Tori ponders aloud, unable to read the squid's intentions.

Uncertain what to do you look around you and only now notice the altar that sits precariously on an outcropping that was once part of the temple.

see arrow on the map, forgot to mention it earlier.

Xasay: it is immune to mind-affecting abilities, is not that smart, can dimension door at will within the temple and has some other utility spell-like abilities.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"It is simply a guardian, servant to Gozreh and bound to this place."

Xasay gives the entity a small bow in the Tian fashion, then makes a 'shall we proceed?' sort of gesture to his companions.

What do you want to do?

Grisaia will approach the door and lay her glaive on the ground at the entryway, entering with hands together in a supplicating way. "We come seeking a relic." she starts, despite the language barrier. With a gesture, she tries to communicate the need to look at the stone tablets, gesturing to herself and to the tablets.

The squid allows you to investigate the room. The stone tablets contain prayers to Gozreh and other gospel. They also describe the history of the temple. This building was originally created as a temple to Abadar, but was rededicated as a monastery for the faithful of Gozreh after the Abadaran missionaries abandoned it. The Gozreh faithful allowed nature to take over the temple. There is no mention in this room of the relic you seek.

"Blimey, ain't there anythin' useful 'round 'ere?", Scratcher becoming somewhat board at the lack of a good lead. He quickly looks around the room, using an incantation to see if there is anything of magical note around the room.

"It may be hidden in a secret compartment. Here, elsewhere, hard to guess. Have we checked the altar out there?" Grisaia ponders as she pours over the tablets.

no, you have not checked the altar yet ;-)

Scratcher scans the area and finds no unexpected magical aura’s in the room. However the area around the altar radiates a faint magical aura

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Grisaia joins Scratcher in attempting to identify the aura. "Abjuration. What do you think? It's not hiding anything, at least."

Automatic success to aid Grisaia's Knowledge (Arcana) check.

"Well," Says Xasay as he looks at the altar from a few paces behind Grisaia and Scratcher. "It is warded with an alarm. Whether you consider that to be 'hiding', I cannot for certain say. Of course, one must wonder why anyone bothered to place such a ward upon an empty altar. There is still something, somewhere, that we do not see...."

Xasay tries poking about the area, inviting anyone else to join him.

aid someone else's Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

empty altar? Did you check to see if it can open? That nothing is placed on top does not mean nothing is placed within....

Grisaia makes sure to retrieve her weapon and prod at the base of the alter gently but firmly before moving up to the altar.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

That was pure luck.

"Find something interesting?"

Tori tries to assist Grisala as she examines the altar, but gets distracted by the giant floating squid.

Perception aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The giant squid floats through the roof of the chamber when you exit it. It observes you as you move closer to the altar.

Grisaia determines that the base of the altar is not trapped or structurally unsound.

Grisaia steps up to the altar, murmuring a prayer to Gozreh in apology, before taking the time to examine every inch for the relic the party seeks.

Take 20 on Perception for 23.

Grisaia sees that the upper stone slab that forms the altar can be removed with a proper show of strength

Take 20 to open the slab.

"I don't see what we are looking for, but we at least have a map to where it might be." Grisaia calls out, detecting magic and examining the items.

Two spellcraft checks please

Spellcraft Rod: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Spellcraft Bag: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"I've no idea what these do, but they are magic."

"Here, let's see what's in that bag."

Emmett will take it and reach inside...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"Heh, good eye, Grizzy!", cheers Scratcher as the half-orc finds loot, and perhaps the true treasure of this excursion.

The bag is a gray http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/magicItems/wondrousItems.ht ml#bag-of-tricks. It is unclear what the rod does.

Ridiculous caster level

The squid hangs quite near and observes you at it's leisure.

"So it's a bag of pets? That can be handy!"

"But not what we seek. Shall we return to the ship and let the captain know it's not here?"

"There's supposed to be a long silver tube with the final piece." Tori says, remembering what the Captain mentioned before they departed, "It's probably in here somewhere. Maybe we should spread out and look."

"Sounds good to me. Long... silver... tube..."

Emmett spends some time searching.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

"Oi, dun think that bruddah 'as it?", Scratcher thumbing over to the octopus thing.

Tori helps Emmett look around the place, but doesn't add much to the search.

Perception aid to Emmett: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The Scratcher heads over to Grisaia with an inquisitive look on his face behind the metal mask. "Whatcha got here?"

You turn over the entire place, all the time being watched by the floating octopus. After spending several hours looking you come to the conclusion that what you seek is not here.

While you are making your way back to the lagoon you have a gorgeous view out on the ocean, where you can see the Magpie Princess in the distance. She is under full sails and swiftly moving away from the island! Looking down into the lagoon you notice that the launch that you used is nowhere to be seen....