GM.Kashka's PFS Crypt of the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Torgerud

Game by invite only.

Pathfinder Module: The young heroes of the town of Kassen are ready for their coming-of-age ceremony, an old tradition in which they retrieve a piece of the eternal flame burning in the tomb of the town's founder.

Yet when they arrive there, they find only the corpses of their fellow townsfolk, dead bandits, and mysterious animated skeletons. The novice heroes must brave the traps and perils of the Crypt of the Everflame, discover the source of the corruption that has awakened an ancient evil, and defeat a menace that seeks vengeance against Kassen and its people.

Tomorrow is the 4th of Neth, just as the winter winds are beginning to blow. This is the day, in the year 4535, when Ekat Kassen and his men set out from town to find Asar’s camp and deal with the mercenary.

The Pathfinder Society has been invited to send a group of adventurers to participate in this annual tradition - to reclaim the fire from Kassen’s crypt.

You are on the road into Nirmathas. Your destination is the town of Kassan near Fangwood. You have been traveling for several days and may now introduce yourselves at any point in that journey.

A non traditional elf gives his empty wine skin a disappointed glance as it is shook and then returned to his person. He has a bald head that is marked with tattoos of runes, received during drunken nights spent in foreign ports, and a tightly bound beard that extends down to his mid chest. Not only is the elven beard odd in and of itself, it is also dyed a bright blue and bound by colorful yellow, orange, and red cords.

"Festival season!! One o'da first o'v da year, I hear," he exclaims to traveler next to him while delivering a friendly slap on the back, his speech drawls in the common way of seamen. "Yu, eh, know what Nirmathi wine is like?"

By now you all know this eclectic specimen as 'Rafael Sebjorn', an elf raised at sea by traders and merchants. During the recent travels he has attempted to drink and play dice with each and every one of you, repeatedly. His stories have been entertaining ramblings of moderate nonsense, him often speaking of how he misses Riding the Lightning or about Gozreh as if the deity was a personal buddy. He wears leathers and from what can be gathered he is not in any way familiar with colder weather.

Everybody knows at this point that the strangely attractive, hooded, half elf lurking towards the back of the party is Vladimuss Voultéss
"Where issss that blassted ssnake?" He wonders aloud to no one in particular.
Vlad removes his hood to scratch the weird mark that is located high on his bald forehead.
"Reffffael," he asked turning those ever so charming eyes yet intimidating, untrustworthy eyes towards the usually drunken elf, "you haven't seen Haric anywhere, have you?"
The enigmatic Vlad has had his animal companion, Haric, run off a few times during the trip, always to return with a belly full vermin. It strikes people as odd that Vlad, a serpentine bloodline sorcerer, would make his intentions so ironically obvious by spending the last few months forming a bond with nature seeming just to have a pet snake.

"Yo, babies!" says the ratfolk as he joins the group. "It's festival time? Den I guess you needs some of what Rat Tony here has to offer. Pharmaceuticals and pleasurous concoctions are what Rat Tony does best!"

Antonius Vizzini, "Rat Tony" to his friends (which are many), is a ratfolk businessman... for certain definitions of business. He crafts alchemical concoctions and weapons, and is the brother of "Luscious" Lucius Vizinni.

While adventuring, he will throw either bombs or alchemical weapons (which he carries a reasonably large arsenal of), and typically will have alchemical answers to many adventuring problems.

Okzat is a strong and solidly built stout man with skin the shade and sheen of polished black onyx. Atop his head, in lieu of hair, are numerous sapphire crystals.

He's an Oread - think ~4 and a half feet ~200 pound nearly literal hunk of rock

He rides atop his (quite large) trusted black horse, Ragnarok, and is often seen affectionately caring for his unruly companion.

Though quiet, reserved, and contemplative at first, he opens up easily and seems genuinely interested in learning more about those he will be adventuring with.

Okzat looks up at hearing Rafael mention sailing.
"Not likely, but..."
"Rafael, have you happened to encounter someone by the name of Naerta on your travels? She is a seasoned dwarf Monk Pirate and talks affectionately of her ship and her journeys. Perhaps you've encountered her at some point?

She was a heavy influence on my decision to join the Pathfinder Society after she helped some of my comrades in the Crystal Caverns on the plane of earth some time ago."

Some time later -
At Tony mentioning someone by the name of Lucius..
"It couldn't be..."

"Tony.... Your brother... does he happen to know Naerta as well?... Okzat mentions with some reservation, having heard maaaaaany stories of a particularly flamboyant Lucius from Naerta...

Ragnarock rears wildly if anyone other than Okzat gets too close. With Okzat at his side though, he appears amicable enough.

You get the sense that their connection was an unlikely friendship, earned with difficulty and over many years.

Rafael looks back to Vlad as the group walks, "Nada sign ov it, still kinda creeps me out though.. the way it slithered across that crick a bit back.. yeesh!" The elf visibly shivers. "Tony, do ya've any more morning wine?"

Rafael blushes when Okzat mentions Naerta, "Ha, oh uh, you're in with da Lady ov Ropes, eh? Some ov my best memories have been in da bowels ov that ship. A bloody work o'art it is. One ov'da world's finest treasures, da way reality melts away in there, da things she hides below decks..." He seems to be lost in reverie for sometime after that.

Antonius gives Okzat a wink. "Yeah, baby, what of it? Lucius knows a lot of people, and a lot of people know Lucius. Know what I mean. Comes from bein' a bidness-man. And we Vizinnis is bidness-men."

"Naerta, she the honey of a dwarf he always talks about? Dat could be. I heard she kicks ass and takes names later, if you know what I mean. Yeah, I hear she gits along just fine with Lucius and his bodyguards. You know, the Ulfen with the chicken, and dat ugly half-orc what like to break everthing. I heard of 'em, sure."

"Well! We all seem to be roe n'a belly, eh? Celebrate wit'a bit ov morning wine? 'A little sweet white to start the day right'?" Rafael lets the question linger out there with a jingle, then it dawns on him, "Hey, anyone know how much further we've ta go till Kassen? A bit useless here without a sextant n'a lot less trees.."

"Yo!" says the ratfolk apothecary to the elven sailor, "whatchoo talking. I don't think you talk to good, has all that swayin' around in them boats hurt your mind?

"I just don' know about you, but if yer talkin' wine, maybe Rat Tony over here got a little sumpin sumpin to make it a little more interesting, like. So, whatcha say?"

Okzat flashes a knowing smile at Rafael's reverie, simply nodding in agreement as they continue for a while lost in thought.

"I don't know about wine, but I could use some ale."

"We should be getting close, no?"

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

With a belly full of varmints and vermin, a small viper appears and slithers up Vlad's robes and rests it's self around Vlad's neck.

"Ssssstop wandering off now, we are close to town," Vlad pets the snake around his neck.
"I'vvve nevvvver been to Kassssssen, what ssssort of folkssss can I expect to find in thissss hell hole? I do love fesstivvvalsss though. Usssually the are crowded with feeble minds that I can easssily manipulate, all for the good of the Pathfinder ssssocccity of course."

waiting on one more - please fill out discussion thread and slide one

The half-elf man that has been accompanying you for the journey, head buried in a book, or scribbling furiously in a journal and on various scraps of paper, all the while constantly humming or giggling to himself; quickly looks up!

"Drinks y'say?! I've got more than enough mead to meet your desires! And enough desire to meet your... Wait! You're all...? Aw. Oh well! M'name's Kelnea! Half-brother o' mine got me into the Society. But he's a big-time thing now. So guess I'm adventuring with you!

Oh, and don't take my jokes to personal-like! It's all in good fun and camaraderie! So, as long as you've got some thick skin... Well, you should be fine!" he finishes winking at Okzat.

stats in profile are still from level one. Character is leveled up on Hero Lab at home, just need to transfer it over.

Also, sorry all for my delay. :(

"Mead, well if I must, but I don't want ta'be hearing no complaints from downwind." The elf starts stroking his bright blue beard as he walks. "I haven't heard much about it, Vlad, 'cept dat it's some 'coming ov age' thing. There'll prolly be some maids for ye Kelnea. Heh, can ya picture it boys, we're about to become real men in the eyes of these humans. Finally at that, been long century dat ive been building up ta dis."

The party arrives in Kassen a day late... probably due to the heavy celebrations of the last few nights...

You all arrive in town and find it deserted.... as your confusion gives way to curiosity....

The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful. After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with backpacks and supplies.

Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk. “Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter?”

Rafael gets a mischievous grin on his face. Leaning over to the comedian, he nudges Kelnea in the side and whispers, "This is you, kid."

The elf then casts ghost sounds, creating a cacophony of eight trumpeters that begin belting out a triumphant entrance chorus behind the five Pathfinders standing to the side of the square.
Will to disbelief DC 13 if necessary.

"Heroes? Ain't no heroes here." says Rat Tony. "Heroes are people that die for a cause. I aim to make some others heroes, long before I ever become one."

Okzat takes a look around town, getting a feel for the place.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Okzat steps forward.

"I don't know if I would go so far as to call us heroes, but we are here to help."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Okzat says, trying to get a feel for how to hold himself appropriately in what appears to be a human burial ceremony? Obviously unfamiliar with local customs...

"Aye! Just as my friend with the chiseled physique says, 'tis true! We ain't like t'be heroes! But adventurers we have a'plenty! Perhaps we can be of some assistance, if you were to tell us a little more about what's going on?"

Diplomacy (not to aid, new check): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

knowledge rolls (now, or to their responses)? Arcana: +6, history/local/religion: +5, all others: +1

Vlad, still at the rear of the group takes in the many details of the crowd and surroundings.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Vlad steps to the front of the group "There is a Archon by the name of Zzzzepha that may beg to differ with our, well at leassst my, ssstatusss of hero. If it's sssafety you need you mussstn't look any further than Vladimuss Voultress. What ssshould I know about thisss flame?"

Knowledge roll? Arcana:+7, Nature:+8, engineering and geography:+6
Diplomacy:+11 (+13 against evil outsiders)

Rafael is very please with the trumpets. They seem to cover the gloom that is looming over the square, but alas they finish their short introductory tune. "Aye, in short we be da souls you look'n for." He then puts on a dashing grin.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

In the same tone, the mayor nods and continues "who will bear the lantern?"

5 followers step forward with a backpack each.

"Now, mind you," says the ratfolk man, "while I may be the downright trustworthy sort of fella, I ain't the one you want carrying that thing. Mostly 'cause it looks heavy, and I am just a little person. Should go to Okzat here, I should thing. Salt of the earth kinda fella, you know? He'll handle it just right, I imagine.

"So, what should we expect in this tomb of yours?"

"TONY!!! You rat-bastard! you can't just volunteer sumin' else like 'dat! I think ye just volunteered yerself!"

"Sssstop thissss bloody bickering. I'm probably the leassst phhhhysically ssstrong out of all of ussss, but I think I can carry a Ydersiussss damn lantern"
Vlad takes a step forward "I'll carry it if no one elsssse will"

"TONY!!! You rat-bastard! you can't just volunteer sumin' else like 'dat! I think ye just volunteered yerself!"

”Kelnea, you got dat half-right.” says Rat Tony with a twinkle in his eye. ”While I am a ratfolk, I definitely was born in wedlock. And, the name’s Antonius, but I will allow you to call me ‘Rat Tony’. I ain’t no just ‘Tony’ , though.

“Plus, I don’t volunteer, I delegate!”

Rafael leans forward a little and squints at the lantern. "Nearly the size ov'n anchor! Can't be too heavy from da way yer holdin it though. These, uh, packs for us? I was hopin' ta fill up on wine before we got shoved down da trail as well.." the elf gives a sheepish smile and rubs the back of his neck.

'The whole freaking town is out here, just a staring sad lot. I doubt they have more than three drops between all them..' His smile fades into a more obviously force version of itself as he scans the villagers in the square.

rafael's tagline and profile look good. need Vlad's done

The mayor hands the lantern to Vlad and once again speaks to the townsfolk. “I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire.” With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb. The townsfolk begin waving goodbye with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.

Each of you are handed a backpack and guided to the town exit.

Okzat shakes his head in embarrassment at the group's bickering, though recovers quickly and takes the lantern himself. "Thing is nearly the size of the rat... He thinks to himself as he finds a way to either carry it in a hand or attach it to the outside of his backpack.

"Well. That was quite the pep speech." Okzat interjects, with bold sarcasm. "I for one can say that I very much DO intend to return."

"You can count on us." He looks over his shoulders to the group, as if to convince himself of the sentiment as much as anyone else...

He looks back to the mayor one last time before heading away "You sure there's no other information you can give us? Maybe we can talk to the side for a bit before we head out? A map perhaps? Some history on what this flame is, how it works? Stories of past trips?"

"...some better-suited heroes, perhaps?" Kelnea quips at the end of Okzat's statement.

Antonius digs through the backpack he is given. "Uh, huh. Yup. Seems practical."

He pulls out the torn piece of paper, and looks at it. "What the bloody hell is this scribble?"

Rafael looks into his backpack as well and tries to slip out the flask secretly.
Sleight of Hand(untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
He feels pretty confident of himself and looks over to Rat Tony. "Huh, I got one too."[b] Then pulls out his scrap of paper. [b]"Probably for starting fires out there, gettin bloody cold."

Vlad looks into his backpack also and notices his sheet of paper.
"It appearsssss that I have one assss well" Then, pulling out the potion of cure light wounds, "What elsssse have you guyssss got?]

Okzat looks through his pack while he waits to see if the mayor will respond or seem to simply urge them on their way.

"Some rations, a tent, winter blanket. Waterskin. Rope and grappling hook. And a piece of paper. Seeing as we all seem to have a piece of torn paper maybe we should try putting them together at some point... Okzat says, looking around at the morose crowd. "When we have a moment to ourselves."

"Nothing different here. Rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, a waterskin, and this paper." Rafael says while throwing the light pack onto his back and agreeing with Okzat. "Thank you all! It's our honor to head out now on your noble quest." He then tries to judge which way they are supposed to go out of town by how the villages are looking at them.
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

After the party exits town and takes a look in the backpacks.. the torn pieces of paper appear to be... segments of a map. As the party look together, they find the tears match up to one map.

see slide two for completed map

Okzat takes a look at the completed map, eyes honing in on the bottom portion.

"What do we have for climbing supplies other than this grappling hook and rope?"

Now that they are out of the city's view, Rafael takes a moment to combine the pack he was given to the one he already owns. "Nope, but I guess we shouldn't over think this and head towards those Serpent's Hills. Walked all the way here, what will another couple days ov walking hurt?"

"Ey, dis shouldn't be too bad. One a the townsfolk ssaid all that somber junk back there is just a mummer's farce. All for show and tradition. This gig's a piece of cake!"

"Well, I guess there is no time like the present." says Antonius. "Let's get moving. Ima gonna guess dat it will take about two days or so to get there, so we should get going."

[i]'Don't think Ima gonna get a ride from any of this lot, so time to start walking!"[/b]

The party begins the trek south... following the trail for a couple hours before...

The narrow path winds through the raking claws of the trees, now berefit of their leaves, which crunch loudly underfoot. Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path. Suddenly a trio of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.

Initiative Round 1 - Bold May Act!
Vlad
Kelnea
Bad guys
Rat Tony
Okzat
Rafael

kn:local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
"It is orcs! Let's make 'em heroes, y'all!'

"Whoa! S*%& s~!$, wait, lemme just..." Rafael drops the stone he had picked up out of boredom during their walk and fumbled to start reacting to the threat after everyone else had.

no map?

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Well! Don't you fellers look strong and hearty! You have surely made a mistake, and will learn your lesson well, if you're smart enough to run... Until then!" Kelnea taunts as he draws his masterwork bastard sword while approaching the nearest orc.

"This is like to sting a li''le!"

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Damage (slashing): 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

roll to confirm!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
additional critical damage?: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Vlad pulls out his Mage armor wand and zaps himself with it "i'd like to sssssee them try hitting me now!"
AC is now 16

nah no map for this one

Kelnea steps up to the first Orc and cuts him in half - the Orc falling to the ground in pieces.

The other two Orcs approach Kelnea, flanking him and swing with their greataxes!
greataxe, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10
greataxe, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Initiative Round 1 - Bold May Act!
Vlad
Kelnea -7hp
Bad guys
Rat Tony
Okzat
Rafael

"Wha' the- What...?!

"You other twos, best be goin', 'fore ye end up like yer friend here!" Kelnea says, quickly covering a perplexed look back into his previously intimidating demeanor.