Legacy of Fire

Game Master Megan Robertson

"It is my guess that he is one who would wish his deed known before his visage." Pashaj studies the statue. "Yet another has a deep hatred of the face he wears. I, too, wonder."

Jengren stands back close to Calain. Hope there is not boom, when they place the bowl there.

Raulzig casts his mind back to theology class... Vardishal was an immortal warrior, or at least was thought to be... only he met his end eventually, in a big battle near this very spot. Some 200 years ago, rumours of a goodly spirit, the ghost of a warrior who appeared to make pronouncements and speak omens, spread amongst local devotees of Sarenrae and drew pilgrims and a monastery was built.

Looking at the carvings on the walls of the shrine, it appears that they do depict Vardishal, who seems to be acting in conjunction with five genies known as the Templars of the Five Winds. There also seems to be a white mountain, the source of some great evil, in the images.

As the group wonders if the silver bowl will fit in the statue's mutilated hands, Pashaj suddenly notices some grooves in the floor at the base of the statue.

Calain waits near the door, half expecting an explosion once Raulzig places his cup...

Zahir will wander around the room and just look around. He is just curious.

"Look." Pashaj raises his a hand. "In the floor, at the foot of this paragon. There is some device, it seems."

As Pashaj looks more closely, he sees that the statue swivels to one side.

Looking at the carvings on the walls of the shrine, it appears that they do depict Vardishal, who seems to be acting in conjunction with five genies known as the Templars of the Five Winds. There also seems to be a white mountain, the source of some great evil, in the images.

Jengren would take note of the five genies, does he know or understand anything from what he is looking at, given his genie blood?

No useful knowledge's on my character sheet.

Knowledge (history) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Knowledge (planes) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Both trying to recollect any information on the Templars of the Five Winds

"Raulzig, that's your department. Once you've cleared the statue of traps, I suggest Calain and the other warriors stands ready as someone opens it from the side." Samuel puts the bowl away in his pack, takes up his crossbow once more, and waits quietly to see what the statue is hiding.

"It may take great strength to move it." Pashaj sets his spear aside. "You have my aid in this, Calain."

Raulzig checks if the strange marks at the base are part of a trap, and also tries to recall anything about the Templars of the Five Winds.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Disable Device: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Between you, those attempting to recall information on the Templars of the Five Winds come up with the following:

The Templars of the Five Winds were a group of five powerful genies from antiquity. They have not been heard from in centuries, but travellers in the northern reaches of Katapesh and the southern bounds of Osirion still sometimes attribute miracles or victories to their guidance.

Legend tells that the Templars of the Five Winds defeated a great evil hundreds of years ago near Pale Mountain in the Brazen Peaks, a pinnacle not very far from the village of Kelmarane. Each Templar was associated with a specific aspect of the wind, and each wielded a distinct, highly potent magic weapon.

The Templars of the Five Winds were said to be particular enemies of the cult of Rovagug, god of destruction, and many tales of their triumphs recount battles against the spawn of that vile religion. The templars themselves are jann, mortal genie-spirits dedicated to no particular element. For some reason, these jann cannot die, though none have been seen in centuries.

Meanwhile, those putting some effort into moving the statue find that it can be pivoted to the side. Assuming that you do so, a hidden door in the north wall opens, revealing a flight of stairs that leads down into darkness!

A small cluster of pugwampi watch in amazement.

"We didn't know that could happen," says Digweed. "Shall I fetch a lantern?"

Raulzig tries to convey the message that of course he knew that would happen all along.
"This is a metaphor, my little friends. If you are persistent in your pursuit of perfection, new venues will be opened for you. And if you don't forget to bring a lantern, they will also be illuminated. Be so kind and fetch one for our less able-sighted comrades."
Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Calain nods. Well done.

They sound like they chose a powerful enemy to have. Would be interested in knowing more about them.

Zahir is fascinated by the story and wants to see more now. He is curious about what great evil they defeated.

Pashaj murmurs a prayer, and again brings light to Calain's armor. Retrieving his spear, he makes ready to descend the stairs.

Light spell on Calain's breastplate. Pashaj will refresh it as needed.

All right let's go

Calain strides back in, satisfied that, for the moment they were not going to blow up.
His blade drawn he moves off to search.

Digweed scampers off and comes back with a lantern that is almost as big as he is.

The monastery’s undercrypt is a series of ten-foot-wide rough-hewn passages. Lit by a combination of Digweed's lantern and Calain's glowing breastplate, the passage stretches ahead due south, with two side passages to either side. An eerie silence pervades this cool subterranean funerary network.

Where would you like to go?

Jengren follows the group down the under-crypt. He would be second to last in the group. His sleeves pushed up to mid forearm. Focusing his inner energy.

Calain shrugs at the intersection and points left, a questioning look on his face.

In the middle of the group, Samuel waits patiently. "Perhaps we should have a couple of people go down aways on the side aisles just to insure that there isn't any undead or anything we need to be concerned about."

Can Samuel see the ends of the side halls with his low light vision? or if anyone has darkvision, can they see an end to them?

As you investigate the first left-side passage, you see that it contains the bodies of scores — if not hundreds — of honoured worshippers of Sarenrae in shallow niches carved into the walls. Many of these skeletal remains have been roughly tossed from their niches, and countless bones and skulls line the floor.

Peering down it, you can make out a corpse of a man in yellowing leather armour — clearly not a member of the monastic community — lying at the end of this passage.

Zahir is curious about the body. He will move towards it after waiting to see if anyone wishes to go with him. Zahir wants a better look to see if can tell where the corpse is from.

"An adventurer who has discovered this crypt before? But what caused his demise?"
Raulzig sneaks forward, observing the environment with his darkvision.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Detect Magic

Stepped right when should have stepped left? Tombs carry traps, don't they.

"And/or undead. Either way, best to be careful." Samuel will follow about 20 feet behind Raulzig, providing cover with his crossbow.

Pashaj follows cautiously, his longspear poised.

Jengren continues to follow along. He remains second to last in the marching order.

Calain will continue to lead towards the body in leather, allowing Raulzig to move forward to inspect for traps if he wishes.

All remains quiet and still as you advance cautiously on the corpse. But it was not always so. Even a casual look at the remains littering the floor shows signs of a struggle. Some skeletons lie jumbled up against a wall where they fell, their skulls crushed by the blow of a weapon. Many wear the faded orange robes of monastery clerics, often with signs of crippling injuries suffered at the hands of their attackers.

The corpse that has attracted attention, though, is not that of a monk. He's wearing rather nice leather armour which looks as if it would clean up nicely although it's showing the signs of age, and was armed with a dagger. Whilst most of the remains here are mere skeletons, this corpse is an actualy dead body, perhaps more recent, perhaps just better preserved.

"Or maybe a bandit who assaulted the disciples of this monastery. Anyway, I'm guessing he won't need that nice dagger anymore."
Raulzig reaches for the magical dagger and snatches it, then backs away slightly, making sure that the dead are not angered at his 'loot from the looters' policy.
"And the armor must be of top quality to have survived all these years. Perhaps it could still serve us after we clean it properly."

Zahir nods.

Perhaps we should do what we can to return the disturbed bodies to their proper resting spots?

He moves to where he would be able to assist with this while waiting on someone more knowledgeable about it to show what needs to be done.

"Later, perhaps, but for now, we have to finish our primary task, and get the princess settled in."

Pashaj turns to Zahir. "You will have my assistance in this, but as Samuel says, it must wait."

Digweed, still holding his lantern and watching wide-eyed, chips in
"We didn't know this was down here... but once it's cleaned up a bit, it will make fine quarters for us if you want the upstairs... always was a bit - open - for pugwampi tastes."

There is no untoward reaction as Raulzig helped himself to the dagger.

Which way now?

I suppose we should check the other tunnel then?

Calain moves back up to the junction.

Jengren will follow behind Calain.

Zahir will continue with the group to the other tunnel.

The passage to the east presents a similar appearance, scattered bones giving mute evidence of a desperate struggle in the darkness. A pile of skeletons bearing terrible broken bones lies at the terminus of this passage. A mace is still clutched in the bony grip of one of the skeletons here.

"I've got a strong sense of deja vu, excuse my Galtan."

Raulzig proceeds to repeat the sequence of actions from the previous corridor.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Detect Magic

Raulzig tries to identify the properties of both the mace and the dagger.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Who wants the magical mace? Pashaj? Zahir? I can barely lift it, so can find little use of it."

Jengren casts detect magic and looks at the dagger and mace to try to determine the properties.

mace spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
dagger spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Samuel will also examine the items found by his fellow pathfinder.

Spellcraft (dagger) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Spellcraft (mace) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Thank you for the offer but I much prefer the weapons I have at the moment. I would be able to lift the mace but it would not feel balanced for me.

Zahir is looking around and trying to see if any clues as to what this place was used for.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Jengren shakes his head at Raulzig's question, "I wouldn't know how to use that thing."

The cleric can have it if he wishes. I prefer my Nodachi, but I'll take it for a backup if nobody wants it.

Calain is beginning to look bored. Are we done in here? If so, then let's return and welcome the caravan. The sooner we can Start killing Gnolls the sooner I can find Haleen.

"I will wield it in honor of the goddess who now allows us in her halls, but when the devoted of Sarenrae once again take their rightful place here, I will relinquish it to them." Pashaj bows and reaches out with an open hand to take the weapon.

The place is quite clearly a catacomb... alcoves along the walls contain the mortal remaims of many individuals, mostly skeletons.

Both dagger and mace are +1, but nobody can discern any other properties about them.

Raulzig hands over the mace to Pashaj.
Well, are we exploring the place further in hope to find a magical Nodachi somewhere, or going back up?

who in the party has encountered gnolls before for a future reference

who in the party has encountered gnolls before for a future reference

I have not.

Raulzig has seen very scary illustrations :) He has also read stories of heroic single-handed victories over gnoll hordes :)

Calain has killed one of the dogmen in the arena. He was not impressed

Hyena men to be specific

Pashaj has seen gnolls in the cities of Quantium and Katapesh. He has never fought or spoken to them.

Samuel probably would have seen one or two in travels.

forgot to include that Karina described her brother and told you his name: Tobias tall man mid 20s scar across face.

I have. Only a few times since the 'Great Escape' if you will, mostly at a distance until recently with Thurrin's last client.

** spoiler omitted **

Done

If anyone's ever gonna be gone for long periods of time plz tell so I can autopilot you if needed

If anyone's ever gonna be gone for long periods of time plz tell so I can autopilot you if needed

I work from 1 to fairly late in the night sun-weds, and with the holidays coming up it could get a bit ugly. I normally at least try to get a peek and post during lunch, but I forgot my tablet today. I don't foresee going longer than twelve hours w/o a post in the near future though.

Just thoght I'd mention whenever you post during combat please include Initaitive hp and current hp and Ac letting you in on that before any combat begins

Just to give you guys a head's up, I am on a lovely vacation this week, and though I will not be going anywhere, my posting time is going to be sporadic as I get caught up on sleep and apartment cleaning before embarking on life on a new job situation next week or so.

All please keep track of their own expendable items ammo foodstuffs reagents etc

anyone know of a simple mapmaker i can use and link to for battle maps

The simplest maps I've seen use the Googledocs spreadsheet. They seem to work well enough.

I like Google spreadsheets for the games I run. They are simple and fast to prepare/alter/share. Here is an example of one that I put together for my Jade Regent game.

MapTools is great too, but I don't know how to use it, I'm afraid.

eg. map Link tell me if it works just trying it out :)

Good enough for me.

Looks fine to me.

Yeah looks nice!

good i'll be using that for all the maps ty Pahaj:)

making a change to hp per lvl roll minimum 1/2 HD no re rolls best of both worlds:)

making a change to hp per lvl roll minimum 1/2 HD no re rolls best of both worlds:)

I am confused.

e.g d10 if under 5 is rounded up to five

e.g d10 if under 5 is rounded up to five

I like this.

It's past midnight and it may happen that the combat is resolved without me. If so, here is my tactic:

Assuming 1 square=5 feet, I'd like to be 1 square further from the front line. If the group advances as a whole, I follow behind and shoot the crossbow. If the group splits, I stick with Samuel. If attacked in melee, I drop the crossbow and fight with the short sword. For each round I attack, I get a +1 from Luck to AB, AC and Damage (swift action). I have 6 rounds left.

If at any point I see at least 2 enemies together, I cast Grease on them unless I'm threatened.

I'll try to make the next post in 6-7 hours' time.

1 square=10ft says at bottom of page sry if you didn't see

Hello everyone am now starting another Campaign on this web if any interested you can join that one too Her Dark Majesty Recruitment thread Am still continuing with this one just to let you know hope you all join :)

I'd love to join, unfortunately I am in 4online pbp at the moment and with 3 kids that's about all I can handle. Sorry.

I'm still here and watching the scene, but Samuel doesn't really have much to add right now, and I have a lot of stuff demanding my attention, so actual posts will be fairly sparse until something changes.

Opening recruitment for yet another pbp please check out if your intrested Pool of Radiance Recruitment

Going to be at work for at least the next eleven hours or so, so for combat, I'll be trying to get into flanking positions for other party members in melee. AC: 14, D. Waraxe+3(1d10+2/x3)

Sundays it is not easy for me to get online since I normally have an in person game to attend to, but I will try to get at least one post in so as not to hold everyone up.

Happy Thanksgiving, all you crazy Americans.

I just skim read the regular section. From what I understand the Carrion King wanted that really powerful scroll we found, and the combat is over. Is that correct?

Yeah, currently we're burying the bodies and then we'll attach the caravan to the camels. I wonder if we'd be able to take turns driving the camels and sleep within the caravan, to move all day round?

Yeah, currently we're burying the bodies and then we'll attach the caravan to the camels. I wonder if we'd be able to take turns driving the camels and sleep within the caravan, to move all day round?

Even if we are not tired because we get to rest the animals still need to rest so I don't think bypassing the 8 hour workday will be possible.

Spoken like a true Druid! :)
Well I'm a city person, as is my character, so it didn't occur to me :)

As far as rest goes, I know myself and Calain had both expressed willingness to go without so that the divine and arcanely inclined among us would be at full capacity for the next day. I'm still willing to keep an all night watch, but would suggest Calain get some Z's; fatigue is not a barbarian's friend, and a DC 15 check to avoid it is pretty chancy at lvl 1.

On days that spells are not used the casters can stand watch. I don't think I used any today as an example. My character would be willing to do it anyway.

Where is everyone lately :(

@Wareagle Sorry if I've been quiet; work sun-weds keeps me away from any comps except in the morning and the late night. I plan on making up for it over the next few days, I assure you!

As a side note, one day, one dark and terrible day, Urdaan will fail terribly on a perception check. But apparently, not today.

Edit: Apparently, that day has passed. All 10+ die roll from here on!*

*

Where is everyone lately :(

Have they been kidnapped by the Jarl campaign?

I'm here, just still trying to adjust to a new work schedule. I'm also seeing Samuel as a very business like individual, not one to partake in a lot of small talk or be a big socializer.

Hey everybody am opening ANOTHER pbp if your interested you can find the recruitment thread here

I never thought a GM could run more games than I could play in, but it seems to be happening. I will check it out anyway though. :)