GM Ladile & the Pathfinder Society Present: The Night March of Kalkamedes (Table A) (Inactive)

Game Master Lady Ladile

"Hey dare shiny lady! I'm Luurg! Hungry? I gut sum apples in here.. 1 sec..." He digs around produces apples for everyone and a slightly bruised pear for himself.

"Sounds like a neat story dare. So how you gunna shut up dat gnome guy wid da funny name? And well, be gud if dis Kalkamedes guy would wake up, make da trip home much easier me tinks." He says as pear juice dribbles down his chin.

"Luurg's right," Marcel adds. "You sound like you came here with a plan to stop Koth'Vaul. How were you going to do it? And can you end the call to Kalkamedes so he won't sleepwalk anymore?"

Malusha listens to the story and realizes that they will need to fight and destroy the evil creature. He unslings his crossbow and loads a bolt. Then he locates his wand of magic weapon and prepares to cast it on the crossbow.

"Before we start to attack this creature I've got some spells I can cast on some of us. I've got a protection from evil spell that will help someone. I can also transform anyone's weapon to become a magical weapon."

"We will aid you. What can we do? I saw you casting that spell, and it is far above what we are capable of, what would you have us do?"

Sulianna quickly raises her hands. "No no, you can't fight Koth'Vaul directly, he's much too powerful for even your combined might! But thankfully I'm not completely spent yet. What I can do is grant one of you the ability to cast a spell of Banishment on Koth'Vaul," she explains. "It's not as good as destroying him here on this plane, which would destroy him forever, but at least it'll spare this realm from the horrors that a free Koth'Vaul would inflict."

"Once Koth'Vaul is banished, then I will certainly undo the imprints that the pair of us left on Kalkamedes' mind," Sulianna adds. "And I will explain myself to him, for he deserves to know the meaning of this most of all."

Then, she pauses to stare at the apple that Luurg offers to her. With a look of wonderment, she reaches out to accept it and then takes a bite. The crunch is satisfying and Sulianna grins after swallowing the first bite.

"Thank you! It's amazing just how much you miss the simple things after having been trapped underground in a summoning circle for a month."

"Forgive me for asking, but why can't you cast this spell on Koth'Vaul?"

"Banishment...that's one of those divine spells, right? Malusha, I think it's up to you."

Luurg smiles at the woman as she takes his apple "Gud eh? I bet I cud et a peck a day! Mebe more!" As the talk turns to casting magical spells and the like, Luurg takes a step back, then, all of a sudden he shrinks back down to normal Luurg size. "Woah, dat make yer 'ead spin some..." He mumbles, holding his shoulder melon between his fat palms.

"Well, if you needs me to help do sumting, sumting NOT magic spells sumting... we shud do it quick while my special fruits still workin!"

Serge listens to Sulianna closely, nodding at her instructions. He pauses to glance at Koth'Vaul, then walks over to him. "Be put out of your misery and your evil at once, fiend. Whether bound here by a Thrallkeeper or here of your own accord, you have caused years of unnecessary suffering. Ragathiel, deliver swift vengeance to this demon." You're certain you see tiny flames flicker in his eyes as Serge turns to nod firmly at Malusha, as if to say That's your cue.

"Yes, I would be happy to try to do the banishment. I've certainly heard of this magic but it is well beyond my skill level. But if you, Sulianna, can help me, I can try. Yarricki does have a good question. Why can't you do it yourself?"

"Malusha should be the one to cast the spell," Marcel says. "Maybe Sulianna just doesn't want to take a chance of messing up the spell. We've managed to get her on her feet, but she may still be weak. Malusha, on the other hand, hasn't been hurt at all.

"Yes, I'm still weak even though my wounds have healed," Sulianna explains. "And it also seems appropriate that you be the ones to send Koth'Vaul back to the Abyss, since it's thanks to you that I stand here now."

With everyone now ready, Sulianna closes her eyes for a moment and reaches out to touch Malusha's hand. Malusha himself feels a great humming, tingling sensation as the mysterious woman bestows him with a fraction of her power, power that would normally be well outside the priest's own capability. Sulianna then steps back and gives the follower of Sarenrae a nod.

Taking a deep breath, Malusha begins to weave the spell of banishment as the rest of you look on. Koth'Vaul's form shimmers and the illusion that had covered him drops away, revealing a massive horned creature, easily standing 18 feet tall with one set of humanoid arms and another set of larger, thicker arms that end with massive pincher-like claws. He roars in anger and claws furiously at the barrier holding him in place, all to no avail. A large, swirling vortex opens in the air behind the demon and with an angry, echoing cry, Koth'Vaul is sucked inside. With a *pop* the vortex closes and the cavern is silent.

"And that, as they say, is that," Sulianna says with an audible sigh of relief. "Now, let me see to Kalkamedes and then I suggest we get out of this place!"
_______

Breaking this into two parts for ease of reading; next part will be up shortly!

True to her word, Sulianna approaches Kalkamedes and gently takes his head in both hands, softly brushing her lips across his forehead. As she releases him and steps back, Kalkamedes' eyelids flutter briefly and then open. The sleepy, dream-like expression is replaced by one of utter confusion and wonder.

"I...where am I?" he asks as he looks around at everyone and then at the cavern he now finds himself standing in. He gives his head a good shake to clear it. "Um, okay. Wow. You folks must be with the Pathfinder Society, right? Guess ol' Sheila came through for me after all. Looks like you've got quite a story to share with me, but first - is it over? Did I accomplish whatever I'd been trying to do?"
_______

I'll give you guys a little time to RP here and then I'll wrap things up later on today after I get home from work and get a little sleep :)

”Yes, it is over and you did what you came to do. Thanks to you we were able to banish an ancient evil from Golarion. “ Yarricki answers.

"You came here to rescue her." Meredith points at Sulianna. "And banish a great evil. All in all another day for the Pathfinder Society."

"And take care of Gamin here. I'd hate to carry Denair around if she were broken."

With the demon banished, Serge breathes a sigh of relief, sheathing his sword. It had been a close call against Ilvaster, closer than it had been in years, and he still felt shaken from the feeling of its teeth sinking into his skin.

Serge turns and pulls Gamin out of the holster. "Kalkamedes, even in your stupor, you managed to lead us to where you were destined to be, and to that, I say well done!" He raises Gamin up proudly. "Let us not forget Gamin here and his assistance in our travels. You have our thanks, you... spoony dwarf." He laughs playfully.

Luurg looks around as the crazy demon looking gnome is sent packing "Well dare he go, poof! You people n yer magics. Wonder why he wanted to look like a half-man when he gut dem real big claws! Guess dey are kinda skary right?" He gives a chuckle and hauls out an orange and starts peeling it, squirting the tangy juice in his eye. "Fiesty tings! Always fightin back!"

He gives Kalkamedes a friendly swat on his shoulder "Guess I can take dat leash off ya now right? No more tryin ya walk off cliffs and inta ponds er through sharp bushes right?" He gives a little tug on the rope leash and laughs. CMB: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Marcel glances over at the circle where Koth'Vaul was once imprisoned. "Well," he says, taking a deep breath. "We did say we'd get him out of there and we kept our word. It just wasn't in the way he wanted to be free."

"You're a hero," he says to Kalkamedes. "When you were out mapping this area and got close, Sulianna sent out a magical call for help. You weren't close enough to notice, it got into your mind and it caused you to sleepwalk in order to get here to help her. And you did. You saved her and kept a dangerous demon from getting loose and wreaking havoc."

Marcel looks around at the rest of his party members, sizing them up with admiration for the team effort they put forth in this mission. "I don't know about all of you, but I'm ready head back and tell Captain Heidmarch of our adventure. And we also have some bandits to collect and escort to jail. After all of that, to just get some sleep. Without dreamwalking," he adds, throwing a knowing wink at Kalkamedes.

Mr. Green "If you want to know who killed Mr. Boddy, I did. In the hallway. With the revolver. And now, I'm going to go home and sleep with my wife."

After the demon is banished Malusha releases his breath that he didn't know he was holding. "That was, well, invigorating. I've never dealt with that much magical power."

He watches as Sulianna releases Kalkamedes then joins the others in congratulating him.

"I...whew," Kalkamedes goggles as you catch him up on the night's adventures. "That's a heck of a thing to take in-oof!" he begins, interrupted by Luurg's playful tug on the leash. Luckily, Kalkamedes seems to be a good sport and just laughs it off before quickly untying himself. "Yeah, as I was saying, that's a lot to take in but I figure you can all tell me more about it on the way back. You said it was nearing dawn when we came down here, right? The sun should be coming up by now so at least we'll have some light for the walk back."

"Kalk, me friend, it's good ta have ye back an' have all this sleep-walkin' business at an end," Gamin remarks as you all head back up the tunnel towards the elevator. "If I had a body I think all tha worryin' I've done over ye wou' have given me heart palpitations by now! What do ye say we take a...a...vacation or somethin', after all this?"

"Hah! Maybe, old friend, but let's focus on getting back home first," Kalkamedes laughs as you begin to head for the surface and the light of day at last.
_______

Thankfully, after the night everyone's had, the return trip back to Kalkamedes' cabin goes without incident. You all stop to collect the bandits that you'd left tied up in the forest, planning to drop them off at the nearest town after seeing Kalkamedes home and reporting back to Venture-Captain Heidmarch. The bandits give you no trouble, though they do listen to you discuss the previous night's exploits with disbelief.

"Of all th' luck...running into a buncha Pathfinders out here in th' middle of nowhere," you hear one sigh to himself.

"Maybe it's a sign, you know...from like, the gods or something," another whispers in reply. "A warning we need to find some other means of making a living..."

To everyone's surprise, Sulianna also accompanies you on the return trip. "It's the least I can do, after all you've done for me. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to any of you on your way back!"

With Kalkamedes now able to proceed under his own power, the return trip goes much more quickly and you all find yourselves back at his cabin by early afternoon. Good thing, too, as nearly everyone is feeling the effects of the long, long night and day that you've had. For her part, Venture-Captain Heidmarch is delighted to see you all return in one piece and listens with rapt attention as each of you take turns filling her in on all that has happened since you parted ways.

"Well! That's quite a tale...and quite a find you've made in the Black Edifice," she remarks. "Now that it's been cleansed of its demonic prisoner the Society will have to send a team out for further investigation. The cloaking magics in particular are worth study, as are the bindings that held this Koth'Vaul for so long."

Heidmarch beams at each of you. "Not only have you come to the aid of one of our own, you've provided the Society with invaluable information regarding these Thrallkeepers and their activities during the days of the Runelords. Well done, Pathfinders! Please, take a rest once you return to Magnimar - you've more than earned it!"

The End

But wait...there's more...

Epilogue

After having spent a slightly cramped but otherwise restful night at Kalkamedes cabin the group rises early the next morning, making their preparations to return to civilization and, ultimately, the Magnimar Pathfinder lodge. Sulianna had departed the night before for her home on Elysium, but not before offering each of you a parting gift.

"A fraction of my power," she had explained as she gently touched her hand to each of your foreheads. "It will only work once, but if you ever find yourself in dire need, invoke my name and my power will aid you. Be well, my friends - I will never forget you and what you have done for me and for the cause of good and light."

Then, as you watched from the cabin's porch, Sulianna transformed...becoming a being of pure light and streaking up and away into the night sky.

"Beautiful," Kalkamedes had whispered. "I...I still wasn't sure if I could believe that she was really from the heavenly realms, but now..." Even in the dim light of the stars, it was clear that he had been smiling. "I'm glad to have met her."
_______

Now, as you prepare to depart, Kalkamedes clears his throat. You all notice that he holds Gamin in his hand, almost as if saluting the group. "You've done a great thing for me. I can't repay you with gold but I can spread the word among my friends that are still part of the Society, put in a good word for you and all," he explains. Then, a pause.

"And there's something else I can do. You see, Gamin and I, we've been talking it over and...I think he should leave here with one of you - if you'd be willing to take him on. We've done a lot together but I think he could do more good in the hands of someone like you folks."

"Was a hard decision ta make, but I agree with me man Kalk. Might do me some good ta see a little more of tha world an' I ken ye folks be good people, ta be trusted," Gamin chimes in. Then, of all things, the sword makes an almost hiccupy sound, like something between a laugh and a sob. "Now, I...dangit Kalk, I'll miss ye, ye ken that, right? We've made a right good team together, we have. Ye were tha first one ta look at me an' see somethin' promisin' instead of just a busted blade. An' these folks were tha second."

"And you looked at me and saw something more than just a washed up old knight, not able to hack staying completely on the straight and narrow," Kalkamedes replies with a small chuckle. "I'll never forget that."

He reaches out, offering Gamin's hilt to Serge. "To better days and sunnier skies, my friends. For all of us."

Con vs Forced March, Endurance: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 4 = 13

Even the ever energetic, unstoppable Luurg looks beat by the time they get back to the cabin "Dang, I tink I need some Zs. Dat dare was two days in one day. Where can I set up dis hammock ok?" He starts looking around the cabin, pulling on posts and spikes to find something sturdy enough for his sizeable bulk.

He finds two sturdy posts in the kitchen (convenient I know!) and rigs up his hammock across the room. In the corner a large potted plant grows happily, Luurg stabs his leafy spear down into it and gives it a bit of water. "Gnight spear, drink up!" He takes off his oversized backpack and plops it within reach of the hammock, then pulls out a couple of night time snack apples and leans back into the rope-bed gingerly, breastplate still on, hands still 'stiggy' and apples nuzzled gently between his chest and his armpit.

Within seconds the house starts to shake as a low reverberating snore starts to build, then ebb... build, then ebb.

The prisoners have to deal with a very curious Denair, who wonders why you ever resort to banditry in the first place, especially when there are so many nuts and berries around. And they were right next to a river, too. She learns a lot about greed and survival that night.

Meredith sleeps well, though. Mostly laughing at how embarrassed Koth'Vaul must be. Stuck in a circle for centuries only to be banished by the first people who entered the room.

In the morning, Meredith summons Denair so she can say goodbye. But Meredith is surprised she doesn't have to say goodbye to everyone. Looks like Gamin will be coming along for a bit. "Just make sure you get Gamin repaired." She can't help but grin. "Allies come and go but true friends are forever. Kalkamedes will never forget you, Gamin."

Denair keeps quiet, but if you know foxes, you know how pleased her face looks.

In the morning, Serge watches in awe as Sulianna as she bends and folds into the light itself. At this spectacle, he's both pleased that she was rescued and freed yet disappointed all the same. A Pathfinder like him often found it difficult to keep friends and maintain relationships. Journeys into ruins, dungeons, and across the land in doing work for the Society meant he'd often find himself back at the bar, alone, sipping on the same old signature mix of milk and rum, again. And again.

I... didn't even get her number.

Serge smiles at the scene all the same. "Gamin, it will be a pleasure to carry you along in my travels, but I dare say we should do something about the," he hesitates. "State of your... umm," And again. "Body?"

There had to have been a better way to say that.

"You know, you're a little rough around the edges. Broken, physically. But mentally, as strong as dwarven metal indeed. Let's see if we can find a blacksmith. But first, Luurg's going to make all of us delicious, healthy drinks. Isn't that right, Luurg? ... Oh." He watches as Luurg goes for a power nap and chuckles softly. "I suppose he can join us later. Let us celebrate! To Kalkamedes!"

The journey back to Kalkamedes's cabin seemed a blur to the blond-haired ranger. In that time, he got to know both Kalkamedes and Sulianna better, felt a sense of justice in showing mercy to the captured bandits and hoping that they had seen the light and would turn away from a life of highway robbery. After reaching the cabin and giving his report of what happened to Venture-Captain Heidmarch, he took his turn with the others in receiving Sulianna's gift.

"Thank you for the gift you have given me," he murmured to her. "I hope I never have to use it because I would like to keep it as a memento of both you and this adventure."

After watching Sulianna ascend into the dark night, fatigue hit Marcel as if a ton of basalt rock had been dropped on him. Spending his last bit of energy to lay out a bedroll and blanket, Marcel collapsed on it and quickly dropped into deep, dreamless sleep.

The next morning. Marcel began making his preparations for the journey back to Magnimar and to Absalom from there. As he prepared to say good-bye to the other Society members, he heard Kalkamedes's words to them. "You've given us a reward worth more than gold," he said, clasping the man's hand in his own. "You've given us your respect and friendship and you have certainly earned both from me."

"That goes for all of you as well," he said as he looked around at the others and then moved over to Yarricki and Thunder. "You two make quite the pair. I won't forget the way you charged after those bandits and how you didn't back down from those disembodied hands," he said, giving Thunder a couple of pats on the head. "And the way you got that mama bear calm...you are a friend of nature and a friend of mine," he adds, shaking Yarricki's hand.

"Your healing faith kept us all alive, including Serge," Marcel says to Malusha as he shakes his hand. "One day, you will be able to tell your children and grandchildren the story of how you personally banished a demon from this world and made it a little more safer."

"I'm glad you're still with us," Marcel says as he clasps Serge on the shoulder. "You exemplified bravery back there against Koth'Vaul's monster in protecting a woman in distress, just like in the songs bards sing about. But you won't need a bard now that you have Gamin," he adds, a grin forming for a moment before disappearing. "Both of you take good care of one another."

"I hope you're into friends and not dudes, Luurg," Marcel says to the half-orc before surprising him with a hug to mess with him a little. "Because friends hug. I don't know that I'll ever meet someone who is well versed in the art of getting the most out of fruit drinks to ensure mission success. But you're a great protector as well. Kalkamedes might have came out worse for wear, if at all, if it hadn't been for you."

Finally Marcel comes to Meredith and Denair. "I think I'm going to miss the two of you most of all. While Luurg made this adventure lighter with his attitude, you kept us focused with your own," he said, shaking Meredith's hand. "You have a gift in being able to do that. And you," he said to Denair, giving the eidolan a hug. "I don't know if I'll ever have a scouting partner as great as you were when it came to keeping everyone at arm's length from danger. After you, anyone else will have some big shoes to fill."

"One last round of fruit drinks sounds like a good way to part company," Marcel finishes as he looks over his brothers and sisters in Society arms, committing them and their deeds of the past two days to his memory forevermore. "I hope that our paths will one day cross again, but I want to say something if they do or do not. To each and every one of you........be good to yourselves, my friends."

Thank you all for letting me be a part of this and for helping me break my PFS PbP cherry. I won't forget you. Game on!

Yarricki stands tall, as tall as a gnome can stand, while everyone is saying their goodbyes. Thunder stands next to her, her big eyes following Lurch who is again eating a piece of fruit.

"Yes, you can go ask him for another apple" Yarricki says to Thunder. She then makes her own round of farewells.

"Until we meet again!"