Female Human Arcanist (occultist) 12 | HP: 72/72 | AC 16, T 15, FF 11 | F +8, R +12, W +13 | Reservoir 3/15 | Staff 4/10 | Consume Spells 2/5 | Consume Magic Items 0/5
By the rules of PFS my previous experiences with creatures don't carry over unless I identify them again.
"I've dealt with your kind before, efreet," Luna frowns. "Deceivers, the lot of you, but my experience is that there's a grain of honor in there." She turns to the others. "I believe, if we offer the fair exchange of his freedom for his three wishes, he won't try to pull one over on us. Just in case, though, we should carefully consider the wording of whatever it is we ask for."
Female Halfling (Taldan) Herald 14 | hp 114/114 | Init +10 | AC 29, T 17, FF 23 | CMB +8, CMD 21 | F +13 R +16 W +16 | Prcptn +14, SM +8. Song 0/21 tactics 0/2 Brd 9/Cavr 3/Ora1/BatHrld1 {p} | Large Rusty 73/73 AC26+Ride+1 {p}
Dora nods in agreement with Luna.
Yes, I am no expert, but I would think we would need some kind of contract or something.
It would be easier to just leave you safely locked in here.
Unless, of course, if you have some additional information about this dragon or your so called captors.
Ayrzul and Ymeri. What do you know of their defenses and guards?
"Information is what makes me valuable, Miss...? I didn't catch your names, even though I gave you mine. Let me see if I can get this straight. You're infiltrating a powerful fortress belonging to two godlike Elemental Lords and you don't know who they are? I find that hard to believe. You must be formidable or you wouldn't have survived to be standing here."
"Furthermore, they have a dragon guarding this forge. If you got in without facing him, you must be very stealthy or know a way I do not. Vorvirex is a powerful umbral dragon and usually reclines on or near the great pyramid."
He holds the bridge of his nose as though you were giving him a headache. "Look, this is pointless. I want out of this place rather badly and I was placed here by those who must be your enemies. Release me because I will grant you three wishes, if that is your price, but know also that should you liberate me, I would count you as an ally. I am a good person to have as an ally. Worse, though, as an enemy.”
”Just so I’m clear, to the best you know, there’s no way to get you out of here without facing the dragon out there? Because that’s going to be really difficul...”
Alie gathers the others and whispers. ”What do we do? I’d like to let him out and see if he can be trusted to restore my sight. But how are we going to beat a dragon to get the key to let him out?”
Male Dwarf Fighter (two-handed fighter) 14 | HP 170/177, THP 0/11 | AC 24, T 15, FF 20 | Fort +18, Ref +15, Will +13 | CMD 34 (vs. Bull Rush 38, Disarm 38, Sunder 42, Trip 38) | Perc +21 (Darkvision 60 ft) | Init +10 | Active Conditions:
"What do you mean how are we going to beat a dragon. We'll do it the same way everyone does, by pummeling it until it gives up." Ruso whispers back with a bit of a sarcasm and humor in his voice. "Besides, if we manage that then perhaps we can truly leverage our position with the guy in the bubble."
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
"She might be referring to the fact we aren't at full power," Valrar chimes in quietly, but with a sly grin. He points to his eyes, then to Rurik's. The gesture is wasted on Alie, though the words probably aren't. "Well, let us see if he knows a way to brute-force or finesse the cage before we go slay the dragon."
Some dragons are spawned between worlds, beings half of the mortal plane and another. Umbral dragons are one such draconic breed—wyrms torn between two existences. Umbral dragons have a strong connection to the Plane of Shadow and share many characteristics of the mysterious, haunted creatures of that realm. Sinister and starved in appearance, these dragons’ dark scales and backward-sweeping horns cause many to mistakenly identify them as feral black dragons, but the soulwrenching scream of their devastating breath—a wave of black oblivion that draws power from the lifelessness of the Plane of Shadow—prevents such errors from being long regretted.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
"Shouldn't be as big a problem as the elementals," Valrar says, continuing to harp on. "Unless it doesn't have weak points, it sounds like a weird kind...look, we'll be back shortly."
”I dont want you all to have to worry about me in a fight. Should I cast all the protective magicks I can on the group and then hide somewhere? Or can one of you direct me on how to be effective against the dragon?”
Female Halfling (Taldan) Herald 14 | hp 114/114 | Init +10 | AC 29, T 17, FF 23 | CMB +8, CMD 21 | F +13 R +16 W +16 | Prcptn +14, SM +8. Song 0/21 tactics 0/2 Brd 9/Cavr 3/Ora1/BatHrld1 {p} | Large Rusty 73/73 AC26+Ride+1 {p}
Sounds reasonable. How far away is the dragon pyramid?
Like are we going to be traveling for hours or days? I am not sure how long our planar adaptation will last, but we do not have another, right?
Dora ponders the words of the efreeti as the group departs, presumably closer to the dragon lair.
Male Dwarf Fighter (two-handed fighter) 14 | HP 170/177, THP 0/11 | AC 24, T 15, FF 20 | Fort +18, Ref +15, Will +13 | CMD 34 (vs. Bull Rush 38, Disarm 38, Sunder 42, Trip 38) | Perc +21 (Darkvision 60 ft) | Init +10 | Active Conditions:
Rurik turns towards the efreet in the cage. "Alright, you want out and you want our help to do it, then we need to know where the dragon is and the quickest way there. If we survive that encounter then we'll decide what to do about you."
Female Halfling (Taldan) Herald 14 | hp 114/114 | Init +10 | AC 29, T 17, FF 23 | CMB +8, CMD 21 | F +13 R +16 W +16 | Prcptn +14, SM +8. Song 0/21 tactics 0/2 Brd 9/Cavr 3/Ora1/BatHrld1 {p} | Large Rusty 73/73 AC26+Ride+1 {p}
Well if this pesky dragon is right above us, as you say. Then that should be easy to find. Ok, thanks for your help. Stay put, and we will be back in a jiffy.
Dora gives a small wave and a weak smile, not sure how the exchange with the dragon will go.
Female Halfling (Taldan) Herald 14 | hp 114/114 | Init +10 | AC 29, T 17, FF 23 | CMB +8, CMD 21 | F +13 R +16 W +16 | Prcptn +14, SM +8. Song 0/21 tactics 0/2 Brd 9/Cavr 3/Ora1/BatHrld1 {p} | Large Rusty 73/73 AC26+Ride+1 {p}
Well, it seems we just need to find the stairs or lift or teleporter or door or something to the surface, and hope the pyramid with the dragon is somewhere near the exit.
Dora will suggest and start looking down the other hallways to the south and west.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
"I'm up, I'm up," Valrar grouses. "If you wanted me to ramble while you hashed out something reasonable, asking would've been sufficient." Still, he grins as he takes his place in the formation.
Wynn will move forward, exploring the first room he comes to. He will detect magic and look around the room. If nothing catches his attention, he will move on to the next hallway.
The first room Wynn finds is abandoned. But the second contains another strange machine!
An elaborate cylindrical device fashioned from interlocking coppery gears, rods, and pistons runs from the floor to the ceiling in this chamber. Bands of illusory Ignan writing encircle the device in free-floating rings.
It radiates an overwhelming aura of transmutation magic.
Knowledge (Engineering) DC 20 to know what this device does:
The Eldritch Calculus: This device assesses dangerous fluctuations in trueflame flares, shielding the forge’s machinery and using transmutation magic to help direct the fires.
Only if someone succeeded on the previous check:
This device can be recalibrated on a DC 30 Knowledge (Arcana) check or a DC 37 Craft (clockwork), Disable Device,Knowledge (engineering), Knowledge (planes), Profession (engineer), or Use Magic Device.
In place of a skill check, a PC can instead attempt a DC 21 Dexterity, Intelligence, or Wisdom check. A PC who has one or more Fire Affinity boons (earned from several Season 8 Pathfinder Society scenarios) gains a +3 insight bonus on these checks for each such boon she possesses. A
PC who can read Ignan gains a +2 bonus on these checks. If a PC succeeded at the DC 35 Knowledge check to recall information during this scenario’s briefing, she gains a +2 bonus on the check. If a PC has an especially suitable class ability or spell for this task, tell the GM.
Male Human (Taldan/Ulfen) Swashbuckler 15 | HP 102/157 | AC 40/26/25 (currently 41/27/25) | F +15, R +22, W +14 | CMB +12, CMD 30 | Init +11 | Perc +1 | Fortification 25% | Panache 3/8 | Charmed Life (+5) 3/6 | Imp. Iron Will 0/1 |
Active Conditions:
Planar Infusion II (+1 Fort, +2 Demoralize, +2 Crit Confirm, Curse Terrain 1/day), Freedom of Movement, Fly, Stoneskin, Heroism, Haste
Knowledge (arcana):1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29
The aeon floats forward and attempts to divine meaning, but is likewise unable to work the machine.
Male Dwarf Fighter (two-handed fighter) 14 | HP 170/177, THP 0/11 | AC 24, T 15, FF 20 | Fort +18, Ref +15, Will +13 | CMD 34 (vs. Bull Rush 38, Disarm 38, Sunder 42, Trip 38) | Perc +21 (Darkvision 60 ft) | Init +10 | Active Conditions:
Hearing calls of something having been located Rurik hustles off in that direction. "So what is this gizmo you found? It looks rather complicated." Rurik walks around the device with his hand stroking his beard. He hymns and haws as he tilts his head back and forth while looking over the device.
"I wonder..." He says while reaching out to manipulate the device.
Female Human Arcanist (occultist) 12 | HP: 72/72 | AC 16, T 15, FF 11 | F +8, R +12, W +13 | Reservoir 3/15 | Staff 4/10 | Consume Spells 2/5 | Consume Magic Items 0/5
With the bonus from reading Ignan, the bonus from the briefing knowledge check and the aid of either Alie or my familiar I have a +29 (+31 with both aids) to the Arcana check, so I can't fail.
With Alie's assistance, Luna is able to casually and effortlessly recalibrate the device.
There is in fact some effort involved and recalibration requires about twenty minutes of delicate setting and checking. But Luna and Rurik and the Ambassador are all experts and soon have the ancient machine humming along beautifully.
Wynn discovers another machine similar to but different from the others. It also radiates an overwhelming aura of transmutation magic.
Knowledge (Engineering) DC 20 to know what this device does::
The Distillation Capacitor: This device stores and processes the bursts of trueflame to provide a more steady stream of fire at the forge.
Only if someone succeeded on the previous check:
This device can be recalibrated on a DC 30 Craft (Alchemy) check or a DC 37 Craft (clockwork), Disable Device, Knowledge (Arcana) Knowledge (engineering), Knowledge (planes), Profession (engineer), or Use Magic Device.
In place of a skill check, a PC can instead attempt a DC 21 Dexterity, Intelligence, or Wisdom check. A PC who has one or more Fire Affinity boons (earned from several Season 8 Pathfinder Society scenarios) gains a +3 insight bonus on these checks for each such boon she possesses. A
PC who can read Ignan gains a +2 bonus on these checks. If a PC succeeded at the DC 35 Knowledge check to recall information during this scenario’s briefing, she gains a +2 bonus on the check. If a PC has an especially suitable class ability or spell for this task, tell the GM.
Female Human Arcanist (occultist) 12 | HP: 72/72 | AC 16, T 15, FF 11 | F +8, R +12, W +13 | Reservoir 3/15 | Staff 4/10 | Consume Spells 2/5 | Consume Magic Items 0/5
Reticulus reemerges from Luna's satchel and hovers over the Distillation Capatitor, assisting Luna as she fiddles with its workings.
"We're doing fine, Alie," Luna calls back to the blind girl. "Just another repair job."
Once more, due to the bonuses from reading Ignan, making the knowledge check and an aid another, this time from Reticulus, I make the Alchemy DC on a natural 1.
