Granta's Evergreen Arc #4 (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

The gillman looks at each Pathfinder as he or she speaks, but his expression says little, and he says nothing at all.

He seems rather ‘indifferent’ to you so far, but a Diplomacy or Intimidate check could change that.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"As my companions said, we are here to explore the caves and find out what happened to some gillmen that entered earlier."

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Dominic glances at the clothing beside the gillman and nudges Anaias. He whispers to him. "I think that's a robe similar to the one you found." He nods in the direction of the clothing.

Anaias nods his head in acknowledgement and whispers back, "Thannk Dominic, that had escaped my notice."

He then turns to the gillman and pulls out the cloak the party discovered earlier. "My friend noticed that your cloak is similar to this one we found. Is there anything you can tell us about this item?"

Seeing that her companions had things well in hand, Liasna kept quiet and looked around for anything else that might be useful or interesting.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Naxian pulls a dagger from his belt.

"Be diplomatic all you want. I will be ready if he does not want to play nicely."
Naxian looks around for a more advantageous position.

"Greetings, strangers," the gillman finally responds to Anaias, "I am called Uori. You have entered a cave sacred to my people. It was once sacred to Aroden as well, but the dead god's influence has faded from this place as those carvings have weathered and melted away.

"Soon, his influence shall be gone completely. If you wish to perform any rituals to the dead god of humanity, I suggest you do so soon."

He draws a wand from his pack and offers it to Anaias, "But even though we serve different divinities here, let it not be said that we were not open and helpful with one another. Please, accept this gift. If one among you possess a connection to the divine, she may speak the words faythe sheafe for protection."

After unfolding his own cloak and donning it, the gillman answers, "It is a ceremonial cloak that pilgrims wear on a spiritual journey. It is said to provide protection from harm. How did you come by one of them?"

A wand of shield of faith (CL 6th, 10 charges) has been added to the loot list on the Campaign Info tab.

You may attempt the Arodenite rituals if desired.

"Aroden...Are there worshipers of the dead god still around? I thought they had all gone insane or killed themselves." Dominic steps away from the ritual sight with some disdain.

"We found the cloak in a pit. Perhaps it was a trap? But we found no body to go with it."

Effie looks sideways at Naxian, her blazing eyes fierce. She whispers through her teeth "He's a friend, see!" and her hand moves away from her gun.

"Mr Uori, sir, thank you for your kind gift! What kind of rituals do you do here?"

Uori has given/said all he has to offer.

Maps

Round 1
Effects none

• Anaias -
  
• Naxian - 1 damage, 1 Strength damage
  
• Effie -
  
• Red -
  
• Yellow -
  
• Green -
  
• Purple -
  
• Dominic - 3 Strength damage
  
• Liasna - 1 damage, 1 Strength damage

The damp air becomes increasingly stale, and the stench of decay grows as you travel down this tunnel. The passage turns east and opens into a small cavern littered with bits of broken glass, rotting pieces of paper and other unusable detritus. The body of a male humanoid lies facedown toward the back.

But before you can check on him or search the room, several creatures lunge out of the shadows.

Anaias, Naxian and Effie are up.

Anaias ponders out loud for a moment while staring at the creatures, "It looks as though my city training has prepared me poorly for these situations."

Anaias moves into the room and tells the rest of the party, "Should those (green, yellow) move closer to the us, I'll make them pay!" He then swings his glaive at one of the creatures (red).

"Enemies, Anaias? I'm on my way!"

If that drops the monster Effie recovers the grit she spent on focused aim.

"I told you having a dagger ready was a good thing."

Naxian, dagger in hand, lashes out at the beast.purple

Maps

Round 1
Effects none

• Red -
  
• Yellow -
  
• Purple -
  
• Dominic - 3 Strength damage
  
• Liasna - 1 damage, 1 Strength damage
  
• -----Round 2-----
  
• Anaias - 4 damage
  
• Naxian - 5 damage, 1 Strength damage
  
• Effie - 11 damage

Unlike Anaias' slow swing, Naxian's quick strike does find its target. Unfortunately, the blow doesn't carry enough force to break any of the bones. Effie instantly blasts one of the creatures back against the cavern wall though, shattering it into hundreds of bone fragments.

The skeletons' counter attack is very vicious though, particularly against Effie.

Everybody is up.

Anaias drops his glaive and switches to a morningstar. He swings (red first, purple second if red is already down).

Attack, Morningstar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Aah! Oww!" Effie's screams as the skeletal foe rends her flesh are almost as loud as her pistol.

"Dominic! Use that wand, burn these horrors away!" Why did I bother with this clunky armour?

I will take a 5' step furher into the room, as long as that doesnt mean squeezing. It's not clear to me looking at the map how big those stalagmites are, and if they present obstacles to movement.

Current AC: 21

"The wand? Oh, that wand!" Dominic retrieves it from his belt and looks between the two groups of monsters. He points it towards the group of two while yelling at Naxian and Anaias. "Help Effie!"

Burning Hands (CL3): 3d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) = 8
Hit Red and Purple. I think that's an AOO for red. Reflex save for half damage.

Liasna reacted instantly to her comrade's cry of pain. She slipped forward into the fray and called upon Sarenrae, channeling positive energy to those around her with every intent to heal them.
"I've got you," she said, keeping her voice level.
Channel Positive Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6

I don't believe it harms the skeletons unless she channels with the intent to do damage as opposed to healing, right?

Dominic, using a wand won't provoke an AoO.

Liasna, yes. When you Channel Energy, you have to pick "heal living" or "damage undead".

You're right. Even better!

"Apparently my daggers don't do anything against their bones. That is unfortunate."
Naxian tries his dagger once more."We will give it another try."

That channel heals everyone in an area?

Yes, I'm going for healing at the moment. :) Also, RIP, just realized I forgot to spoiler that roll. :c Sorry. >^<

Dominic burns both skeletons to a crisp with Janira's wand, and Liasna's healing light brings almost everybody back to full health.

Anaias steps up and finishes off the final monster before it can hurt anybody else.

Heal up, and let me know what/how you want to search.

While the rest of the party heals up, Anaias will search the body on the ground and then the rest of the room (one row at a time).

Perception (body): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Perception (room row 1): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Perception (room row 2): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Perception (room row 3): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Perception (room row 4): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Perception (room row 5): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Perception (room row 6): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Once the combat has concluded, Liasna moves towards Effie and with a brief, "Excuse me," she settles her hand on the girl, incanting as she cast a healing spell on the girl. "Let life resume its course in your veins."

"Oh! Thankyou Liasna, that feels so much better! Those things were horrible! Is everyone else OK? Oh, nice job there Dominic!"

Effie reloads her pistol and stows the buckler, before going to look over the body.

Dominic bows to Effie. "My pleasure, but I would have forgotten all about the wand if it wasn't for you. Excellent call." He moves over to help examine the body.

Perception, aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

"That is better. I guess I will need something to deal with skeletons."
Naxian begins to look around.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"I'm only glad I was able to help," Liasna says with a smile. With that rough business done, she begins to help the others look over the bodies to see what's there to be found.

Please remember to hide your rolls in spoilers, everybody.

On the fallen body, Anaias finds a note detailing plans to start an army of undead made from the “fish people” who have been frequenting this cave, as well as a masterfully crafted necklace and ring.

With Dominic's help, the preacher also finds a secret tunnel.

Explore the secret tunnel first or backtrack to check the one you skipped earlier?

"Oh, pretty jewellery! But shouldn't we tell Uori about this?"

"I wonder where this tunnel goes. Should we see? Or does everyone want to see if we may have missed one?".

Dominic casts a detection spell and then holds up the necklace. "Interesting. This necklace makes your skin as hard a rock. amulet of natural armor +1 It should help in a fight. I'm not certain what this ring does, however."

"I think we should return to Uori. He ought to know what this person was trying to do to his people. Then we can continue exploring."

"Oh! Um, I don't want to be selfish, but would you mind if I put that necklace on? Maybe it would stop me getting all cut up if we meet more monsters! Um, it won't make me look like I'm made of rock will it?

If nobody objects Effie will wear the necklace.

Loot added to the Campaign Info spoiler.

Uori looks annoyed at your repeated intrusions, "Yes?"

"Mr Uori, sir, we found this note on a dead man in the cave down that passageway. There were four animated skeletons there that tried to kill us too! I really hope they weren't your people. They're at rest now sir. We just wanted you to know. "

Liasna glances at the ring, but shrugs.
She knows nothing significant about it.

"Yes, it would be a terrible shame if you were taken unawares and we didn't know if perhaps you knew." Liasna added. If Uori gives any indication of knowing, she will ask, "Have you any information on what else might be deeper in that could attack us?"

"Why, thank you for thinking of my safety, and that of my people. This is important news indeed." Uori's body suddenly loses its upright, monastic posture. It's as if his whole being just exhaled--and then forgot to inhale again.

"I must investigate this cavern for myself, and leave a warning for any other pilgrims who might come here. Which passages did you take to find it?"

"We can lead you there. It's not that far. Plus, there was a secondary tunnel we meant to explore."

"Since we are back here, maybe there's time for one of those rituals. Mr Stabbity described the parables to us, so let's see... Fisherman?"

Effie looks to see if there are any fish, or similar, in the pool. If so, she tries to catch one and place it in the carved city.

Naxian anxiously waits to move on."Where to now?"

"Let us show Uori where his fellow gillmen lie. Then let us continue through the passage we found there."

@Effie: Make an attack roll with an unarmed strike, to catch a fish.

Uori follows you back to the dhampir's cavern, then stares at the skeletons for long moments before speaking, "Perhaps you should continue your exploration of these caves. I must perform certain rituals for their souls."

Secret tunnel or backtrack? So far only Dominic has spoken up, and I like to get at least two votes for a choice before acting on it.

Liasna nods in agreement with the others. "Come, let us be on our way. The sooner we show Uori where we found our foes, the sooner we can investigate further."

"I think after we've escorted Mr Uori we should check the other obvious passage before the secret one."

"I agree. Let's check the obvious before the secret. Maybe the secret tunnel will be more exciting that way."Naxian grins at the hope of some excitement.

One ritual completed. Reward added to the Campaign Info tab.

Maps

Round 1
Effects none

• Naxian - 1 Strength damage
  
• Liasna - 1 Strength damage
  
• Dominic - 3 Strength damage
  
• Effie -
  
• Red -
  
• Yellow -
  
• Green -
  
• Purple -
  
• Anaias -

The persistent glow of the bluish fungi dimly lights the way deeper below the Kortos Mounts. The tunnels broaden to reveal a shallow river that bisects an immense tunnel stretching to the north and south. To the east a small passage exits the chamber at a steep incline.

Three small, blue-skinned humanoids begin shouting at your appearance, obviously hostile.

Everybody except Anaias is up.

"Ugh! What are these little monsters? Shoo!"

"Well, they don't look friendly. Anyone know what they are? Or what they're saying?" Dominic uncurls his whip and moves up to the stream. He watches the creatures to see if they move to cross the stream.

Liasna made a face at the blatant show of aggression. I'm a bit confused - is Uori with us or have we shown him the thing and gone our separate ways?

She responds to Dominic - "I haven't the slightest clue, but if you want to ask them, I suggest you pin it down first - just in case." Then, to the others, she simply reminds them, "Sarenrae is with us," gesturing with her hands as if to encompass the group.