Granta's Evergreen Arc #5 (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

Please make sure to delete your dot-post, so that they don't clutter up the thread.

The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: "Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig's Paunch one hour before dawn."

Unsure whether breakfast will be served or how much time you will have after the briefing, everyone decides to meet a little early at an all night kitchen. Despite the hour--too late for last night's drunks, but too early for this morning's workers--the kitchen is still relatively busy.

Seeing your large group get in line, a halfling tries to cut in front of you.

"Pardon me we were here first. Please get in line behind us." a human looking woman dressed in Osirian style clothing says to the hafling. "We have an appointment soon, and would like to get a warm meal first."

"Cutting in line doesn't make you friends. It only makes you enemies, which no one wants" says a small gnome with brightly colored clothes who seems mysteriously friendly " We also have important matters to get to soon so I would appreciate if you would get back to your spot in line"

The armored half-elf hair white from long years, stands tall for his 5 and 3/4 foot almost as if he is actively setting an example for others around him. He has an assortment of weapons attached to his person and the look of a magic caster about him.

Looking dubious, Delric wrinkles his nose from some disagreeable smell ”Delightful establishment, are we actually going to eat here?”

In response to the line cutter and others "Tis tis Kim, let him stay, that way we have the free services of a food taster, and if he lives then we can give him lashes for not deferring to his betters."

Part way down the line stands a tall male with a face showing strong hints of his links to the elemental plane of air even under the winding tattoos.

"I do not mind one so small being in front of me. Surely one of such height will not be able eat all the food before it is my turn to be served. I do wish to know however, what is your reason for cutting in a such a well organised line?" says Lyran, a Sylph who seems enjoy using many more words than entirely necessary.

The halfling stands up on his toes and stares Kim in the eyes, "That's a threat! Touch me and I'll have you arrested!" but then he sees the heavily armed half-elf and decides to be gracious, "Of course, halflings are well known as the best hosts of all the races, so I should let you go first, even though some of you were RUDE about it."

Several minutes later, trays in hand, you reach the cashier. Only then do you notice the absence of Kim's purse and the halfling.

A slightly armored man with just a short sword and bow strapped to him watches as those in line get there food and then chuckles when he sees one of them gets robbed.

"Old trick. Cut in line and then pilfer a purse."

The half-elf shakes his head speaking to the gnome "Ha, see there is a reason the family sent me to keep an eye on you Kim! If I was not there to scare him off there is no telling what else he would have pilfered. I suppose, I'll have to pay for your meal. It's only right for family."

the gnome responds " when we are done i will report that halfling to the authorities, but thank you Delric you always were a great friend and family"

Tera tucks her coin purse a little further down into her belt pouch. "The big city certainly does have it's dangers."

Lyran looks around and tries to spot the halfling but doesn't see them nearby.

"That little sneak thief! Here i was being polite when they deserved nothing more than the harsh words that the rest of you used."

Lyran almost looks ready to go to the watch straight away, but then remembers his food.

"We should certainly report the cut-purse to the authorities at the soonest convenience."

"We could try to go after the pickpocket, they probably haven't gotten that far yet?"

Felli peaks out the door, and finds several city guardsman in the middle of the street, with a familiar halfling dangling by his collar several feet off the ground.

Felli informs the others of the culprit being caught, "If you want your purse returned, I suggest we head out and talk to the guardsman out here. He seems to have caught our little purse-snatcher."

Felli walks out onto the street toward the guardsman and the Halfling, "Ah... officer. It seems we are in luck. This rapscallion just stole the purse of a companion of mine."

Delric accompanies he good friend to help recover the stolen purse, "Your in luck Kim, the city guardsman have actually done there job today!"

"Yes officer I can attest to seeing this halfling steal my friends purse, after attempting to break in line in front of us!"

kim exclaims "The city guards are very efficient it seems and the halfling will get his due punishment." kim proceeds to thank the guards for apprehending the halfling and asks for his purse back.

Tera follows the others outside to watch what happens.

Once Kim confirms the amount of coin in the purse, the captain gladly returns it. "Don't you worry, Absalom is safe on our watch, and this rascal has been caught before, so it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up on the slave block this time."

After watching from near the doorway, Lyran steps forward to speak to the watch captain.

"Whatever the punishment is i hope it will be fair and just. I thank you and your men for your attentiveness, Captain." he says with a polite nod.

After a quick meal, you head over to The Pig’s Paunch, a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.

“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.

“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”

Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”

Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.

Knowledge (History) Untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Felli takes a seat and listens to them, after they finish he pipes up. "Gillmen huh. Sneaking into a cave. That is intriguing. If it is for nefarious reasons, we'll have to put a stop to it." He chuckles to himself, "Maybe the lone gillman is just looking for some alone time for 'personal' reasons. Would be funny to barge in him during the act. Either way, sounds fun. We sneak in, spy on what is going on, then get out. My type of mission."

Tera takes a seat at the table. "Gillmen? That sounds interesting. How far away are the caves? Is there anything we need to be worried about on the way there?" She looks a amazed that Kreighton Shane was the one who invited the group.

"Greetings to you young halfling lass, I am Lyran Dorval. Is there anything else you can tell us about the area we will be exploring? As one who has spent time there i'm sure you will have insights that we do not."

k(geo): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
k(hist): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Delric glances around the Pig’s Paunch, and comments dryly "Such a delightful place, It's a wonder the society survived its birth."

Listing to Janira Gavix, Delric lets out a low whistle of respect "Kortos Mounts? The Isle of Kortos is a dangerous place or so I was told by one of my fathers companion knights over ale. He said there were entire tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs constantly vie for territory up and around the Mounts, with harpies being the most common at higher altitudes and centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills."

Continuing after a moment of though "What would gillmen want with the caves, they are more at home in the water being an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people. Or so some old man at one the many parties explained in dull detail. He was one of those people who just keep talking about anything making it difficult to get away from until hope that someone just kills you so you don't have to listen to his endless prattle. You know what I mean?"

The gnome walks up and greets the halfing than says "Will we come in to conflict with monster tribes or packs? if the gillman proves aggressive are we to kill or capture him?" he then proceeds to check that he still has his purse going even to count the number of coins in it

Janira listens patiently to each would-be-Pathfinder in turn before answering. "Tera, the caves are about a day and a half away by foot. I cannot tell you much about the area or its dangers though.

"Nice to meet you, Kim. Hopefully we won't have to fight anything or anyone. It'll be like a campout, only better! We'll make all sorts of discoveries!"

Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!

“Now, tell me all about all of yourselves!”

"You have already heard my name, young miss, but that is not all there is to me. I am a keen student of the arcane arts. My teacher is still going over the finer points of writing my own spellbook and memorizing spells, but before long I will be a great and powerful mage! Until then I fight with my bow and the natural speed of my kind."

Lyran takes a slight pause to make sure everyone is paying him the attention he feels he deserves.

"One day I will learn to combine bow and spell seamlessly like the Elven masters I have read about in my teacher's library back in Sothis. Learning the arcane arts is not a cheap endeavor, so I joined the Pathfinders to help earn some coin. It also helps to have an environment where i can apply my skills and learning in a more... practical manner."

With his rather long-winded story finished he takes a moment to check on his pack, his bow, and his arrows to make sure they're secured for the coming trek while paying barely enough attention to the rest of the speakers to not seem rude.

"My name is Tera Fosham. I've recently arrived from the city of Wati in Osirion. I was blessed by the gods a few years ago, and given the blessing of life. It's not been the easiest blessing to have, but I endure." She smiles politely, and straightens the robes she wears over her armor. "I don't see all that well at a distance, but I can see in the dark. That is my curse, and my blessing."

The lightly armored and muscular half elf stands as he recites his bio, "I am Delric Proudmane, first born son to the Family Proudmane, my father is called 'Tib the Highborn' a Knight that services a higher noble count who’s name I shall not mention at this time. I have two younger sisters and my recently adopted brother Kim." Delric claps the gnome Kim Reth on the back.

Standing tall as he relates, "I always knew I would be trained in the sword to follow my fathers’ footsteps just as he followed his father and so on. It was not until the first time I held a true magic weapon and felt the thrum of arcane energy within, that I knew my calling was to join magic and melee. Since that moment, magic weaponry for me has become symbolic of the most potent syntheses of magus power."

looking into the distance Delric, recalls "After spending many long years at the family estate, it was decided by the family I would accompany Kim the newest member of our family, to see the world, meet the local peasants, show the world what it means to be a Proudmane! What better way than to make a name for myself as a renowned Pathfinder."

" Greetings nice to meet you my name is Kim. I am a psychic mage focused on enchanting and confusing my opponents. I wish to learn how to control the enemy and save my friends. I joined the pathfinders to have fun and learn" He than checks to see if his purse is still in his pocket

"I am Felli Tokor. I'm your friendly neighborhood rogue. I can handle traps and I am very good at talking my way out of trouble and getting information. I hope to become a master spy for Pathfinder Society one day."

“Well, I can see we won't have any trouble dealing with trouble if it gets in our way! Now, on to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.

“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”

"Sounds like a good plan. We should get going if daylight is important. Is there anything we need to prepare? Do we need a large journal to complete this task?" Tera asks with interest.

Delric looks dismayed "It's unfortunate we were not called earlier, we could have made the trip and rested up before entering the caves. It sounds like the gillman may very well beat us to the caves, and we would be facing them after travailing all day."

" The gillman may be the least of our problems if we are attacked by a tribe of monsters on the journey, but if the gillman is a problem we should be able to handle it" Kim says confidently

Janira draws a sheaf of parchment and several inkpens from her pack, "Here you go, Tera. Master Shaine said to give you this!

“Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out. Come on now, don't be shy. Everybody just dump your packs out on the table and let's take inventory!”

Lyran goes through his pack and places items on the table in front of him.

In the end there is a bedroll, blanket, a grappling arrow, a well made tool set for working wood, a coil of silk rope and a flint and steel from a belt pouch.

"Here is everything I have apart from my bow, arrows and dagger at my side. I do have some coin so could possible purchase some items if we need them desperately."

Tera picks up her pack, and goes through it.

"I have a morningstar, sling, sling bullets, flint and steel, thieves' tools, trail rations, waterskin and some gold left over to buy things."

Delric grumbles "This is highly demeaning, to insinuate that I don't know how to pack for a mission.".

The magus carefully lays out each item in very neat ordered rows cointnueing to grumble under his breath as he dose. The items are a scroll of infernal healing, vial of acid, backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, crowbar, flint and steel, hemp rope (50 ft.), ink, inkpen, magus starting spellbook, mess kit[UE], spell component pouch, trail rations (5), and a waterskin.

Continuing , "I also have my Laminar leather armor, and weapons a scimitar, chakram[APG], kukri, light hammer, sling, sling bullets (10)."

kim picks up his pack and lays it out " I have a scorpion whip, 2 potion of cure light wounds,studded leather, backpack, bedroll, flint and steel, ink, ink pen, pot, stationery, torch (10), trail rations (5), waterskin. but little gold left"he than starts putting it back

Janira runs up and wraps her arms around Delric's legs, much like getting hugged by a toddler. "I'm so sorry, Delric! I wasn't saying you were unprepared!

"I see you are all well prepared, although there is one more thing you might want to bring: alchemical goods. Sometimes they can be very helpful with groups of really small creatures or with resisting bad effects."

---------

Maps

Round 1
Effects inspire courage +1

• Red -
  
• Green -
  
• Janira - 5 damage
  
• Kim -
  
• Felli - 5 damage, -2 Strength ? (1/?), nauseated?
  
• Delric -
  
• Lyran - 2 damage, -1 Strength ? (1/?), nauseated?
  
• Tera -

As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.”

She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”

But before you can start moving again, a large tree falls to the forest floor, startling all sorts of creatures. In their fear, some start to attack your party.

Thankfully, Janira responds quickly, starting an inspiring speech. “Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within the Society.”

Everybody is up.

@Felli & Lyran: Roll Fort vs. poison, then DC 11 Fort vs. distraction.

Shifting back 5 feet, Delric exclaims "Poison Spider swarm, physical weapons will be useless, but attacks that cover an area work well. Stand back!"

The Magus pulls out his vial of acid and throws it at the red swarm after Felli and Lyran move out of the swarms.

Tera casts burning hands on the two spider swarms. "I can use this once a day. It's part of my heritage."

Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Reflex Save 15

I move away from the swarms then I target the red swarm with my hypnotic stare. I prepare to activate my painful stare ability next time it takes damage

fortitude (poison): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

fortitude (distraction): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Lyran feels some of his strength sapped from his muscles as the poison ravages his system. He backs away from the creatures as he shakes his loose clothing to try to remove the arachnids from his person.

fortitude (ongoing posion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

"Now i wish i had brought a flask of that alchemical liquid fire!" he says as he puts all his focus on putting some distance between himself and the swarming creatures.

@Kim: There are thousands of creatures here, you know the stare wouldn't work, and may retcon a different action.

Maps

Round 1
Effects inspire courage +1

• Red - 4 damage
  
• Green - 7 damage
  
• Janira - 5 damage
  
• Kim -
  
• Felli - 5 damage, -2 Strength ? (1/?), nauseated?
  
• Lyran - 2 damage, -1 Strength
  
• Delric -
  
• Tera -

Clearly injured, Lyran retreats and tries to slow his heart rate--and thus the poison coursing through his blood. Calm under pressure, Delric shouts advice to his allies while launching a vial of acid at the swarm. Tera blasts both swarms with fire

Felli is up. If he hasn't posted in 8-10 hours, somebody please bot his turn.

Fort Save (vs Poison): 1d20 ⇒ 2
Fort Save (vs Distraction): 1d20 ⇒ 9

Completely taken off guard by the sudden tree fall and stampeding animals, Felli is not able to avoid being poisoned and disorientated by the event.

Kim keeps at a distance, but Kim has nothing else to do

would a burning torch work if so kim will start to light one

@Kim: I believe a torch deals 1 point of fire damage to swarms, but Janira has you covered.

Maps

Round 2
Effects inspire courage +1

• Red - 4 damage
  
• Green - 7 damage
  
• Janira - 5 damage
  
• Kim -
  
• Felli - 9 damage, -2 (-3?) Strength (2/?), nauseated?
  
• Lyran - 2 damage, -1 Strength
  
• Delric - 6 damage, -2 Strength (1/?), nauseated?
  
• Tera -

Kim draws a torch and begins lighting it, while Felli can't manage anything more than trying to keep down his supper. Seeing Kim without something to do, Janira comes over and hands him an alchemist's fire.

Everybody is up.

@Felli & Delric: Roll Fort vs. poison, then DC 12 Fort vs. distraction.