GM Tektite's PFS #06-12 Scions of the Sky Key- On Sharrowsmith's Trail (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

Chochok is more of one to read out rights before taking a man down. Subterfuge is not his strong suit.

Sifvery begins talking, and bluffs the socks off all in attendance!

Visibly frustrated, Valacosti appeals one last time to Sylien. “Praetor. I implore you, send these Pathfinders back from where they came from. This is neither the place nor the time for their presence. For the sake of the people of Fort Bandu, do not let them worsen this situation.”

With reluctance, the praetor acknowledges the Pathfinders with a slow nod. Then, after a brief glance to Valacosti, he appears ready to make his decision.

And here is where Antonella's Diplomacy roll comes into play.

Antonella speaks eloquently, making the case for your party, with closing agruments that finally convince the praetor!

With a reserved sigh, the praetor relents. “As the Pathfinders are responsible for getting us into this mess, I see it fitting that we give them the chance to remedy the situation. I’m putting my faith in you, and the lives of the people in Fort Bandu. I pray that you don’t betray that trust, for the consequences could be quite dire for all who call this home.”

“Most unfortunate,” Valacosti observes with disappointment that gives way to menacing resolve. “I believe you are making a grave mistake by placing any faith in these glorified tomb robbers, praetor. Once they fail, remember that the Aspis Consortium has extended a generous offer of aid in this troubling time. One can only hope that this Pathfinder experiment does not exacerbate the situation further and necessitate our renegotiating the terms.”

Valacosti dismisses himself from the room and quickly exits the room, in a huff. Watching the Apsis go, Praetor Sylien sighs, then provides the party with the information of Sharrowsmith’s last known location. "We last heard of him at a Gold Crown mining operation approximately 20 miles away and I know a rough estimate of his travel route."

Nodding, he says. "You can stay in Fort Bandu while you make preparations."

You can ask around town for more information on Sharrowsmith, but it will take time. What do you do?"

Antonella speaks eloquently, making the case for your party, with closing agruments that finally convince the praetor!

Antonella’s tone is calm and persuasive. “The Iro-shu teaches ‘To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence. Supreme excellence involves subduing the enemy's troops without fighting.’”

“High Priestess Ysia Ironpalm was once addressed by a novice as ‘Great Warrior.’ To which she replied, ‘Wars do not make one great.’”

The priestess gestures at Chochok, Grim and Hagrym. “Warriors employ arms to make reputations.”

She bows low with her palms clasped. “Diplomats employ words to make history!”

✑☮✑☮

“So brothers and sister, do we rush in or take some time to gather information?”

She smiles. “Is anyone familiar with Irori’s ‘6P’ principles?”

Its later in the day yea?

"I think it would be wise to make preparations and ask around. If yall wish to get on the way though I'm ready.."

"My blade's as sharp now as it will be later. But i can always us a drink while you ask around for rumors."

“As the Pathfinders are responsible for getting us into this mess, I see it fitting that we give them the chance to remedy the situation."

Isn't that what I suggested? This is taking entirely too long.

If you need to prepare, do so immediately. We have a job to do.

"Nivik, has anyone told you that you bear more than a passing resemblance to Master of Scrolls, Kreighton Shaine? I am off to do a little charitable work for the locals. Feel free to join me, everyone."

Antonella searches around the local area for lodgings where camp followers, spouses and dependants of soldiers tend to live in garrison towns like Fort Bandu. She offers a free clinic for women and children, healing and offering advice to any that seek it, while finding out more about the recent troubles in town supposedly caused by Nieford Sharrowsmith’s meddling.

Diplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

For some reason, she returns from her labor in a foul mood. Muttering something far from charitable about the local populace. "Ungrateful wretches."

No. Nivik then leaves the group to their tasks.

Grim is ready to go..

Sifvery spends her time trying to entertain with tricks of prestidigitation, making snow flurries and such for the children, and making small talk with the adults that are interested.

Diplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Hagrym does as he advised, and heads to the closest inn/tavern, and enjoys a couple cooling mugs of ale.

Chochok sticks with Hagrym until the rest of the party is ready to move out. He keeps his amphibious ears open, so to speak, as they sit in the tavern.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Spending the day, most of the party finds the fort uninviting and closed mouth, but Hagrym and Chochock are able to loosen some tongues, finding out more details about Sharrowsmiths last known location.

It is now evening. You can either, leave at night to avoid the high temperatures, but risk becoming lost, or leave in the morning, but deal with the heat.

"I'd wager I can keep us from getting lost, if we want to head out tonight. If we wait until tomorrow, I'll probably stay here with the frog for most of the evening. Your call."

"I myself am quite adept at makin' my way through the wilderness, ayup. I think we should head out tonight and avoid the heat."

Chochok has +13 Survival and +11 KN (geography). I think between Chochok and Hagrym we should be ok navigating through the dark if the leader takes 10 and the other aids.

"OK, if you think it best, I am game for travelling at night."

"I agree. Lets head out this evening,and get a start on things. I'm not a big fan of heat, so marching in the cool dark will be much better. Between the frog and I, we'll get us to where we are going. We've been talking and he's a right good tracker!"

Nivik nods and agrees with the thought of avoiding the heat.

Clad in armor made from rusty hexagonal plates and bearing a slightly warped plain wooden shield, Antonella hefts her pack onto her shoulders and nods her readiness to depart.

“Thank-you for your companionship this afternoon, Sifvery. All of the kids enjoyed your magic tricks.”

She smiles. “Especially that big kid wearing the holy symbol of Irori.”

"I suspect none of those children had ever seen snow."

Chochok leads the way through the dark!

Taking 10 (if I can) gives a 23 Survival. That's 25 assuming Hagrym is auto-aiding. If we need Geography, it's a 21.

Leaving Fort Bandu as the twilight creeps over the jungle, the delves into the thick tangle of vegetation. Being a new moon, no light aids the party, but Chochok and Hagrym are able to easily lead the party through the jungle.

After travelling through the cool night, following a well-worn trail into arid and rocky hills.The party arrives at the camp just as the sky is beginning to lighten and the birds are starting to sing, greeting the day. The mining camp is located in an isolated gorge in the shadow of sheer basalt cliffs.

Grim whispers.. "Yall smell that? Something has died here recently.. Be on your guard.." He pulls his large sword and move forward..

"Yep, that's the stink of death, right there. Be awares...there's probably a predator near."

"Stink of death? Maybe it's undead. Been seein' a lot of them recently on my other missions."

Proceeding with wariness, you see hexagonal basalt columns scarred by mining tools line the walls of the gorge. The floor of the gorge is a patchwork of scrub grass and leafless vegetation flattened by frequent traffic. Wooden scaffolding, mining equipment, and trampled tents lie abandoned across the camp. Corpses of laborers rent limb from limb lay amidst the camp’s wreckage, and dried blood darkens the rocks. Several banners depicting a golden crown adorn the scaffolding.

Hunched over and feeding on the corpses are hideously malformed, hairless, pustule-covered figures, snarling like dogs, as they tears shreds of carrion from the corpses. Looking up, one snarls at the party, getting the attention of the others!

Initiative:
Sifvery
Nivik
Beasties!
Chochok
Hagrym
Antonella
Grim

Sifvery and Nivik are up!

Map

And there's your smell, and the cause.

Nivik sends a Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 at the nearest enemy, not wishing to move in front of the party.

If possible, Sifvery would have cast Mage Armor on herself as they were warily approaching the situation. If not, though, she will still continue with her action.

Sifvery is disgusted by the sight in front of her, and immediately knocks an arrow to shoot the closest abomination (yellow).

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

MAge Armor is fine.

Nivik pelts an undead with a missile of force!

Sifervy nocks and arrows and fires, hitting the same undead! The creature still stands!

The undead scamper over the camp on all fours, charging the party!

Attack vs Antonella FF: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Attack vs Hagrym FF: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Attack vs Grim FF: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The undead swarm the party, but only one lands a strike, biting Hagrym. It tears his flesh and begins nomming it!

Party up!

Antonella manages to deflect the creature’s maw with her shield before responding with a head-butt of her own!

Improved Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

She then takes a 5’ step to the south.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Don't think I've ever heard of these things before.

Chochok tears the musket from his back as he takes a knee and holds the firearm up to his face to take aim against the undead. "Sure am gettin' used to these things!"

BLAM!

+1 musket deadly aim: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 4 = 24
damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Confirm!
+1 musket deadly aim: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 4 = 17
damage: 3d10 + 15 ⇒ (2, 1, 7) + 15 = 25

"Sorry 'bout the mess, Tuna!" The grippli quickly reloads an alchemical cartridge into his musket with a grin of satisfaction.

Grim swings his sword at the one in front of him..

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (6, 2) + 12 = 20

Hagrym swings his greatsword at the blue creature.

Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11

Confirm? 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

Antonella raises her shield but not in time. After all, the paladin is much slower than a bullet.

Standing at the edge of the battle with undead skin, puss and bloody bile dripping from her armor, face and Ugh! No! My hair as well!

She looks sideways at the grippli.

"Sorry 'bout the mess, Tuna!"

You will be, Toad.

Antonella punches at the undead, but misses!

Chochock fires a shot, hitting the southern undead and blowing its head off!

Grim swings, but just misses the undead!

Hagrym chops with his greatsword, cleaving the undead in two! Pustules on the creature burst, showering Hagrym in diseased filth! Need a Fort Save!

Nivik and Sifvery!

Nivik moves to the south and uses Fire Jet, DC 16 to half: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8, if they fail they take 1d6 ⇒ 5 more on their turn next round.

Fort 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 plus five if a spell or SLA, plus three versus poison.

Sifvery watches in awe. These folks are good!

Sifvery targets the undead creature and casts a ray of frost at it.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

1d20 ⇒ 15

Hagrym shrugs off the disease filth!

Nivik fires a jet of fire at the undesd, but it dodges the flame!

Sifvery fires a frosty ray, but misses!

Bite vs Grim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Claw vs Hagrym: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Claw vs Hagrym: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The undead tries to bite Grim, but misses, then tears into Hagrym with its claws!

Party up!

The dwarf shakes off the vicious wounds and swings at the remaining undead.

Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 = 14

Grim will 5' step to setup flanking if he misses.. he then swings..

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (8, 1) + 12 = 21

A save halves the damage so he take just 4. Rats.

Nimble creature...

Nivik goes back to the sure thing, using his wand of Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Nivik looks at the wand and shakes it. Damn thing never seems to be on full power...

Hagrym misses and then Grim tears into the undead, destroying it completely!

Fort Save for Grim.

Out of Combat!

Hagrym uses two of his first level castings for the day for curative magic, leaving three for the rest of the day.

Clw 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Clw 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

☤Party Medic’s Report☤ I have Hagrym down 25hp, but he healed himself of 23hp. Everyone else is at full health.

Antonella uses create water to remove the worst of the undead muck from her person.

While casting an *ahem* filthy look at Chochok, she asks the sorcerer politely, “Sifvery, do you have the ability to cast prestidigitation?”

She then lays hands on Hagrym: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Before checking Grim for any disease. Looking to help Grim with his Fort save if necessary/possible, GM Tektite.

Heal to treat disease: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Antonella will then scout around the camp for traps, loot and clues about VC Sharrowsmith.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"Thank you, Antonella. I'm feeling as good as new!"

Grim will stop her.. "Save your limited use stuff.. I have a wand."

Do you allow the average to be used on wands outside of combat?

Sifvery looks at Antonella, and says "of course!"

With that, she casts a spell to help tidy up Antonella. I am assuming this is what you meant...

Grim manages to shakes off the filth and keep it out of his nose and mouth.

Amongst the ruined mining equipment are one masterwork heavy pick, one +1 heavy pick, and a masterwork heavy wooden shield. As the party begins to look around the camp, you can hear a muffled help! coming from a supply shed.

@Sifvery, Yes it was. Thanks!

Antonella bows in thanks to the tall elf.

“Hark.” Antonella puts a hand to her shell-like. “Someone’s in trouble.”

The paladin looks serious. “By the Serene Circle’s Circumference, we must help them! Come on, this way!”

Antonella will keep an eye out for traps and threats as she heads towards the voice.

Perception roll from b4 was: 16 + 5 = 21