GM Zinou's Blood under Absalom, PBP multi-table special (Inactive)

Game Master Zinou

The Ioun Stone hovering around his head begins to glow as he nears the darkened area, heading into the tunnels below that arena, offering a soft light to those that may need it.

"It might spare us some trouble, and possibly save the lives of others if any extra vases we find simply do not make it back to the surface. . ."

"Hmmph, why wait? Let's go, into the shadows."

Ooo, yeah Fimbir says to Archon. He snaps his fingers as his fox vanishes and a dancing bit of flame appears hovering above his fingers.

But wait, shouldn't we get some extra vases for other Pathfinders too? In case they're not as formidable as us?

Also ready to rush headlong into the darkness.

The trapdoor under the ground opens and you discover that it's a 20 foot drop unless you guys have some other way down.

Nemis raises an eyebrow at the drop. "I'll jump if need be, but I am sorry to say that I didn't bring rope."

Fimbir fishes out a silen rope from his pack. Got that covered!

Is there a place to tie it off? If so, I'll do that and descend. Otherwise, guess I'll jump

Not really, as there's only arena sand around. However, you can give it to a "strong" (wo)man to tie it around the hips but will have to jump afterwards.

"I have a rope as well, and if need be, I can help lower you down. Let us be quick."

Tying the rope around himself as he kicks one end down the whole, "Who is first?. . ."

My Acrobatics for when I drop: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Is it okay to Take 10 to Aid everyone else climbing down, and or on the Str check to hold the rope?

Nemis volunteers to go 2nd or 3rd, but then climbs down.

Van will drop 3rd providing any cover to the first 2 people down and then covering from the rest from the bottom.

take 10 to go down

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Fimbir will head down first eagerly, his fire illuminating the floor he lands on.

The gnome is a tactical master to the end!

[Take 10 for 10 on Climb, but if needed will just jump Acro: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Varuna clambers down the rope, after the others. He peers into the darkness, looking for any signs of others or vases.

Aiden climbs down the rope. Once down, he activates his wayfinder to provide some light.

You all easily climb down and, after that, Archon jumps gracefully, displaying his outstanding outsiderish grace.

The first of you who have made it down the trap note a hole in the floor a few feet off, with a crude rope and pulley system going down. It's pretty old, and the rusty pulley, threaded with a worn rope, connects to a shaky wooden platform. When you pull on the pulley, it does not move. Still, there's nothing much else here.

Do you continue down? I suppose you do. And with no trouble in taking 10...

Next slide: Please place yourselves coming in from the top square. I'd also like a standard marching order and to know who carries some light.

You make it past the rickety old structure into a subterranean passage. A slight dampness hangs in the air, as do faint unpleasant odors from garbage and human waste, familiar to anyone who has ever had to travel in or near a sewer system.

Where to? :)

NEmis will always seek to stand in the middle. Map updated with Nemis

Archon would prefer either front or middle row so as to utilize his reach weapon the best.

I also do have a Continual Flame up on an Ioun Stone, and am placed on the map.

Van will be middle utilizing someone elses light source

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I don't mind being in front if nobody else wants to. Varuna also has darkvision so he can scout effectively.

Once they climb down into the passage, Varuna takes a small alchemy kit out of his haversack and quickly mixes a few vials together. He then takes another off his bandolier and chugs it down. "Hmmph, best to prepare. Who knows what awaits. Shadows are comforting though. Feels like home."

Drank extract of Heightened Awareness which will last 30 min, and took 1 min to prepare another extract of Expeditious Retreat using his last extract slot.

Fimbir moves near the front of the back, advancing bravely (or recklessly? You decide!) down the tunnel.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

What's at the fork?

As the party moves forward, Varuna slinks ahead into the darkness to scout ahead. He quickly is lost in the shadows and peers down both hallways at the next intersection.

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 Another +1 for traps, and 60 feet of darkvision.

Aiden brings up the rear, watching for anything behind them. His wayfinder shines with light, hanging from his belt.

Since several want to be in the middle, Aiden can be last.

West of him, Varuna discovers appears to be a pump shaft. It's a vertical tube of metal that vibrates, and has all sorts of levers, a gauge, a rotating camshaft above and at least one bright red button. You hear some sounds coming from that machine repeating.

Whirr.
Thump-thump.
Slosh-chug.

Anyone tries to use the levers and buttons?

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 "I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking at here, and I'm no slouch when it comes to this stuff. Do any of you?"

Know Eng (cap@10): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Yes!

Fimbir'll obviously pause for a moment cleverly analyzing the machine to let the others have a chance to explain it, but if no one else objects, this gnome is yanking down a lever.

I do not, but am not against Fimber giving it a try.

What is a fantasy world in which gnomes don't activate levers and clutches they actually don't have a clue of what they do? xD

Fimbir slowly grins and approaches his index from the big bright red button.

Waiting on the others to see if they can make the roll

Fun story: in a campaign one of our party was killed and reincarnated into a gnome. Literally the next room (after fortifying and bringing him back) the new gnome pressed the first button he saw. Then the Pit Fiend got loose

So I'm sure this will be fine ;)

Kn Engineering: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 + (1) = 24

Varuna holds out his hand as the gnome approaches the mechanism, getting a sense at what he's about to do. "Hmmph, gnomes. See buttons, want to press them. Don't even study it." He walks around the pipe a few times, studying the handles and gauges. "Like this, hmmph." as he motions to Fimbir how it works.

Kn Engineering: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 + (1) = 24 Varuna holds out his hand as the gnome approaches the mechanism, getting a sense at what the he's about to do. "Hmmph, gnomes. See buttons, want to press them. Don't even study it." He walks around the pipe a few times, studying the handles and gauges. "Like this, hmmph." as he motions to Fimbir how it works.

Phew!

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Nice job Varuna!

After some instants taken to study the machine, Varuna sets it on and the pump begins to work. As you go forward, you find a swampy pool of raw sewage and garbage that is draining down thanks to the machine just used. After ten minutes, the room is "clean" and you can freely go inside, as the stench of sewage is gone.

Now, you can see that the drain shaft is clearly exposed. Stone handholds in the side of the shaft allow easy descent to a bisecting stone sewer pipe 20 feet below.

Once again, I'll let you place your minis on the map on the "stairs" on the far left of the uncovered map :)

Moved.

"Well, let's hope all the levers we find drain nasty water." Aiden allows the others to go ahead to scout.

Same marching order, I assume

Fimbir huffs a bit at Varuna's remark. Well I was probably going to pull those other ones eventually, shadow gnome but quickly finds himself drawn to wathc the draining pool as the noise echos down the hall.

Looking at the handholds, he scampers down, calling back to the stragglers. Ooo, I wonder if 'll get to meet an otyugh!

Nemis takes his customary position Map updated

You stride forward and arrive in a small but elevated chamber serves that stands above the main floors. On your left, a small passage opens into a wide room with archedstone ceilings. On either end of the room, three channels allow sewage to flow into a mazelike series of channels that flow beneath stone walkways. Just south of the center of the room, a small iron cage hangs from the ceiling, suspended 8 feet above the level of the floor. Within the cage is the vase the PCs seek.

As you approach the cage, you see that it's precariously fixed to the ceiling by a five-foot length of chain. Within balances a small porcelain vase.

However, at the same time, the keen senses of Varuna tingle and he says: "Someone's coming. Up!"

You indeed see four figures striding on the sewer pipes!

SURPRISE ROUND! - The Troughs - Everybody's up! - Fight!
Van Helsing [40/40]: ?
Archon [31/31]: ?
Nemis [20/23]: ?
Aiden [22/22, 2 constitution damage]: ?
Varuna [25/33]: ?
Fimbir [43/43]: ?
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WHO'S COMING ? [Red@ ; Green@ ; Blue@ ; Yellow@]
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GM REMINDER: This only a surprise round. The foes are 10 feet above your head, standing on sewer pipes. The red square is the vase in the cage.

Nemis will try to lift the vase via mage hand.

@Nemis: you posted before I had the chance to finish my post ^^ Do you maintain your action? The vase is in the iron cage.

I apologize for the ninja post. I'm in study hall now so I'm checking my games quickly and often.

Nemis was about to will forth the psychic energy to try to lift the vase with his mind, but when he saw the foes above, that all changed.

He rapidly changes his concentration to thrust his mind into the foe directly above him (green) DMG: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 5) = 12 Will DC 16 for half.

Varuna draws his rapier and readies it for action, unsure if they are friend or foe.

How high up are they, can we reach them?

Will Parry and Riposte if attacked
Parry: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Riposte: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 231d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

They're 10 feet above your head. You can't reach them with a rapier.

Feeling a twang of uncomfort at the idea of being like a thief when he should be protecting such things from those that would take them, Archon at least ties to the reptilian creatures, knowing it is unlikely to be successful, even in the best of circumstances.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
I know it's unlikely, but at this point, no one has actually attacked, and it's something I'd at least like to try if combat can be avoided.

"Hello, friends. We are not here to fight you. We'd just like the vase," shaking his coin pouch a bit in hopes of a fair trade.

Seeing Archon try to talk to the new arrivals (and not really seeing Nemis' mental assault) Fimbir scampers along the walkway toward the hanging cage.

Aiden tries to jump up and climb up the pipe. He leaps and claws at the side of the pipe, but simply slides back down.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Van draws his bow and waits to engage

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Van Helsing prepares himself for the assault while Aiden makes a useless carp's leap as Fimbir simply goes towards the vase. Varuna readies himself as well but Nemis doesn't wait to throw a mental attack at one of them. Archon, unaware of what happens in Nemis' head, tries to calm things.

"So are we." simply answers one the thugs. You notice they have the same green and black outfit as the guys you fought the day before in the arena.

Suddenly, the green-clad one clutches his head with both hands. "AAAAAAAARGGH! Attack!"

Will save green: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

ROUND ONE - The Troughs - Fight! - Normal init - Bold can act
Van Helsing [40/40]: ?
Nemis [20/23]: ?
Fimbir [43/43]: ?
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WHO IS THIS ? [Red, AC@ ; Green, AS@12 ; Blue, AR@ ; Yellow, AF@]
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Archon [31/31]: ?
Aiden [22/22, 2 constitution damage]: ?
Varuna [25/33]: ?

They are still 10 feet above your head :)

Nemis looks about for some junk lying around. He locks his gaze upon it and then wills it forward at shocking speed, aiming for the thug with the scrambled mind. TK Projectile v. blue: 1d20 ⇒ 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Oh. Well there's only one vase here unfortunately. So I'd suggest looking somewhere else! Fimbir says as he draws heat into himself, unleashing it at the far left thug Red.

Please

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 for fire damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 5) + 7 = 18
Gathering power and then using a Burning Infusion. If Red is hit, he needs a DC 15 Reflex save or catches on fire, taking fire: 1d6 ⇒ 4 damage at the start of his turn and another 1d6 each turn until he puts himself out.

I don't have a new map

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