Serinbaal the Lands of Torment ("Dark Sun" Homebrew Pathfinder 1e)

Game Master Sebecloki

I am indeed flying over the wall.

The tarek camp was certainly the product of powerful geomantic sorceries. Its impervious walls are at least one hundred paces thick, and rise to at least an equal height, if not greater, as the barrier is not of equal elevation in all areas. It appears to be made of a type of stone that is not native to the Kalidnay region. The top of the immense sheet of stone is a crenelation of large bolders, each of which seems to be of at least a ton in weight, and of size equal to the tareks who defend its battlements.

The interior of the stone wall is a inner space coated with blood red sand. The center of this area is consumed with an immense holocaust of the caravan's victims. Around this huge blaze stand a dozen tareks, two large beasts, and a massive giant. The outer perimeter of this area is broken by about a half dozen gaping holes, which appear to lead into tunnels.

The strange wand flies out of Arsinoe's hand. The scion of House Nicephorus casts about feverishly with her piercing gray eyes, before alighting on Cae.

When she speaks, her tone is a chilling timbre,

"What is the meaning of this?"

Cae looks even more confused as Arsione's wand goes flying directly towards the one who introduced herself as Gotak the Grim. He clearly does not know why that happened.

Arsione of House Nicephorus wrote:

The strange wand flies out of Arsinoe's hand. The scion of House Nicephorus casts about feverishly with her piercing gray eyes, before alighting on Cae.

When she speaks, her tone is a chilling timbre,

"What is the meaning of this?"

Cae looks even more confused as Arsione's wand goes flying directly towards the one who introduced herself as Gotak the Grim. He clearly does not know why that happened.

I overlooked the note about it going to Gotak. Assume she's asking him because she thinks he knows something about the party generally rather than that she's accusing him of doing it (i.e., that she assumes he knows what Gotak's doing, not that he has Vyse do it).

Fair enough; I think the reaction holds up.

Does it appear they're doing anything with the corpses other than burning them?

Does it appear they're doing anything with the corpses other than burning them?

Presumably they may chow down at some point, though it seems like they're still cooking for now.

How many intact undead do I think I can raise from the remains?

Give me a link to the ability or spell you're using and I'll tell you. There were about 36 members of the caravan.

Having been watching, Gotak looks surprised and alarmed as Arsione's cage-topped staff bursts out of the woman's hand and flies at her; a slap of her hand sends the thing to one side, banging against the rough surface of the tareks' tall defensive wall before clattering to the ground. Turning to eye it with suspicion and annoyance, her jaw works thoughtfully before she goes to pick it up, then starts to walk out towards the Lady of House Nicephorus.

Having been watching, Gotak looks surprised and alarmed as Arsione's cage-topped staff bursts out of the woman's hand and flies at her; a slap of her hand sends the thing to one side, banging against the rough surface of the tareks' tall defensive wall before clattering to the ground. Turning to eye it with suspicion and annoyance, her jaw works thoughtfully before she goes to pick it up, then starts to walk out towards the Lady of House Nicephorus.

Arsione instantly levitates high above the plaza, encased in a shimmering sphere of incandescent, scintillating lights tinted in all the varied hues of the rainbow.

"Careful, now, I had thought we were negotiating a potential trade alliance, but, be assured I'm still perfectly willing to fight."

Her minions aim their weapons, as do the lumbering automatons.

Cae pleads with Arsione:

"No matter how the power be beguiling,
You don't want a tool of defiling?"

Meanwhile as Gotak slaps the staff out of the air, the lantern-like head begins to fold in on itself. It bounces up and twirls through the air behind Gotak so that she is between it and Arsione.

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Vyse is using Telekinetic Crush on it.
Crush: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1) = 8

I am using the Warlock Invocation The Dead Walk, which copies Animate Dead, but If I don't use a 25gp/hd Onyz, they only animate for 1 min/level.

Seb: Is Rokan still more or less at the edge of the crowd, out of the primary focus of most individuals' attention?

Amunet-Ra watches what she hopes is Caes personal rebellion against slavery by the defiler mistress with excitement.

Trade alliances are always welcome. In the face of imminent annihilation though they loose out somewhat. No trade good is good once you're gone. I reckon you think to know some way to mitigate that or think it will only strike your enemies, but with that you only follow the foolishness of the sorcerer kings and the others who brought down our world since the blue age.

:::Well, well, clever little imp, aren't you? Found me out? I'll warn you I'm tougher than those silly little nails, so don't try anything funny, alright? I took the time you were rummaging around like a drunk ogre to fully prepare myself for any dirty tricks you might be contemplating. But there's no reason we have to start out on the wrong foot, anyway, since I have no wish to harm you. I'm merely interested in getting out of this unpleasant predicament and being on my merry way to the the city-state of Raam, and then to Tyr and Yaramuke. I don't suppose we might strike a mutually equitable deal of some sort so that you might assist me in extracting myself from the midst of the savages that attacked my convoy?:::

Hamza's hands flash quickly in reply to the hidden pterran. :::"Set your mind at ease friend. I am a part of a group sent by Lady Almah to discover what happened to caravan you were a part of. Are you the only survivor, or are there others?":::

Turning to watch the staff as it continues to float, its bars starting to creak under some mysterious -- though obviously not magical, psionic, or supernatural -- power, Gotak edges warily away from the thing. If it drifts along with her, her expression will tighten, and she will move further, back towards the tarek leader. "Dr'thsaug of the Clan Skcaarnth'rl, oathsworn of the Seekers of the Blood," she says gravely to him, keeping an eye (or seeming to try to) on not only the staff, but the now-flying Defiler Mage on one hand and her hypnotist-slave on the other, "might I have a few words with you? In there?" And here she gestures towards the tunnel outside of which he stands; if the staff remains with her between it and all the action, it'd be forced into the tunnel and soon vanish from view of anyone outside of it ...

Secret Message wrote:

:::Well, well, clever little imp, aren't you? Found me out? I'll warn you I'm tougher than those silly little nails, so don't try anything funny, alright? I took the time you were rummaging around like a drunk ogre to fully prepare myself for any dirty tricks you might be contemplating. But there's no reason we have to start out on the wrong foot, anyway, since I have no wish to harm you. I'm merely interested in getting out of this unpleasant predicament and being on my merry way to the the city-state of Raam, and then to Tyr and Yaramuke. I don't suppose we might strike a mutually equitable deal of some sort so that you might assist me in extracting myself from the midst of the savages that attacked my convoy?:::

Hamza's hands flash quickly in reply to the hidden pterran. :::"Set your mind at ease friend. I am a part of a group sent by Lady Almah to discover what happened to caravan you were a part of. Are you the only survivor, or are there others?":::

:::As far as I know, I am the only survivor, the tarek party assaulted us in a devastating ambush, and quickly overwhelmed the others. The only possible other survivor is one of my people who was a powerful user of illusions, named Brighttalon. If she survived, she is likely also in hiding. Is this patron of yours the Lady Almah of Clan Astarte-Athiratu of House Vordon? My people have had previous dealings with this Merchant House during our visits to the Free City of Tyr.::::

Seb: Is Rokan still more or less at the edge of the crowd, out of the primary focus of most individuals' attention?

** spoiler omitted **

That will work.

The tarek camp was certainly the product of powerful geomantic sorceries. Its impervious walls are at least one hundred paces thick, and rise to at least an equal height, if not greater, as the barrier is not of equal elevation in all areas. It appears to be made of a type of stone that is not native to the Kalidnay region. The top of the immense sheet of stone is a crenelation of large bolders, each of which seems to be of at least a ton in weight, and of size equal to the tareks who defend its battlements.

The interior of the stone wall is a inner space coated with blood red sand. The center of this area is consumed with an immense holocaust of the caravan's victims. Around this huge blaze stand a dozen tareks, two large beasts, and a massive giant. The outer perimeter of this area is broken by about a half dozen gaping holes, which appear to lead into tunnels.

I am using the Warlock Invocation The Dead Walk, which copies Animate Dead, but If I don't use a 25gp/hd Onyz, they only animate for 1 min/level.

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/a/animate-dead/ "Targets one or more corpses touched"

Doesn't that mean you have to go down and touch them?

Turning to watch the staff as it continues to float, its bars starting to creak under some mysterious -- though obviously not magical, psionic, or supernatural -- power, Gotak edges warily away from the thing. If it drifts along with her, her expression will tighten, and she will move further, back towards the tarek leader. "Dr'thsaug of the Clan Skcaarnth'rl, oathsworn of the Seekers of the Blood," she says gravely to him, keeping an eye (or seeming to try to) on not only the staff, but the now-flying Defiler Mage on one hand and her hypnotist-slave on the other, "might I have a few words with you? In there?" And here she gestures towards the tunnel outside of which he stands; if the staff remains with her between it and all the action, it'd be forced into the tunnel and soon vanish from view of anyone outside of it ...

"Indeed," the tarek gestures at the tunnel entrance.

Rokan, still not letting down his guard, ethereal form, or stealth looks around the area for Hamza...

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22

Rokan, still not letting down his guard, ethereal form, or stealth looks around the area for Hamza...

[dice=Perception]1d20+21

Rokan picks one of the tunnels at the edge of the blood red interior, and floats into it slowly and carefully to see if he can determine Hamza's outcome.

Stealth (skill god): 20 + 32 = 52

Rokan picks one of the tunnels at the edge of the blood red interior, and floats into it slowly and carefully to see if he can determine Hamza's outcome.

[dice=Stealth (skill god)]20+32

Is he still incorporeal?

Yes, it's not quite "invisible" so I'm not clear what the bonus to stealth for that is.

It does indeed. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything else you needed first.

Narzor descended down behind the walls and out of sight of those still visually tracking him. Landing near some of the "fresher" bodies, he began reaching out and touching them. As soon as he touched them, they started to rise, until a mental command stilled them again.

I can control 48 HD of undead, so let me know how many I raise. Also, I am not spending money on them, so they'll only be around for 12 minutes. Raising Skeletons not Zombies.

Yes, it's not quite "invisible" so I'm not clear what the bonus to stealth for that is.

It does indeed. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything else you needed first.

Narzor descended down behind the walls and out of sight of those still visually tracking him. Landing near some of the "fresher" bodies, he began reaching out and touching them. As soon as he touched them, they started to rise, until a mental command stilled them again.

I can control 48 HD of undead, so let me know how many I raise. Also, I am not spending money on them, so they'll only be around for 12 minutes. Raising Skeletons not Zombies.

Remind me again if you're currently invisible and/or incorporeal.

:::"Yes, that's who tasked us with investigating what happened to this caravan. Any suggestions on how to find Brighttalon??":::

IF it appears the tunnel heads towards the caravan and past the Tareks...

Rokan manifests a power of sight (Heightened Vision) and begins gliding through the tunnel to verify if it exits into the ruined caravan.

You increase your visual acuity, gaining the ability to see 60 feet even in total darkness. Your increased vision is black and white only but otherwise like normal sight.

:::"Yes, that's who tasked us with investigating what happened to this caravan. Any suggestions on how to find Brighttalon??":::

:::I'm not sure she's alive, I'm just saying that IF someone else had survived, I would assume that it would be Brighttalon. I wonder, in fact, if she's observing us right now, trying to decide whether or not to reveal herself.::::

Gotak moves with the tarek to, and then into, the nearby tunnel, keeping a weather eye on the still-floating magic-draining staff.

Do need to know what happens with the staff, Cae.

Gotak moves with the tarek to, and then into, the nearby tunnel, keeping a weather eye on the still-floating magic-draining staff.

Do need to know what happens with the staff, Cae.

IF it appears the tunnel heads towards the caravan and past the Tareks...

Rokan manifests a power of sight (Heightened Vision) and begins gliding through the tunnel to verify if it exits into the ruined caravan.

Heightened Vision wrote:

You increase your visual acuity, gaining the ability to see 60 feet even in total darkness. Your increased vision is black and white only but otherwise like normal sight.

I think we're not on the same page which tunnel you're entering -- I thought you floated into the encampment -- the ruined caravan is at its center, and the tunnels are on the outer periphery. I thought you went into one of those. There's also a tunnel exit outside the walls, connecting the encampment to the plaza.

I was indicating the tunnels on the outer periphery (inside the walls), and looking to see if they lead under the caravan.

I was indicating the tunnels on the outer periphery (inside the walls), and looking to see if they lead under the caravan.

Rokan follows that path and begins to search for exits upward in that area, hidden or otherwise.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

Invisible.

Invisible.

OK, then we need to somehow determine who gets to go first in this action. The tareks are all alerted when you trip their alarm spell. They'll try to intervene in you raising the skeletons if they can. We need to know if they go first or you do.

Fair enough. Initiative?

:::"Well, I guess there's not much we can do about that. If she lives, hopefully she'll chose to reveal herself. Are you ready to leave? I'll get us out of here and past the tarek if you are.":::

Fair enough. Initiative?

The tarek shaman is going to expend a Hero Point to seize the initiative in that case, and that applies to the whole group of enemy combatants.

Their colossal advanced gorgons are then going to try to spot Narzor.

Perception: 1d20 + 89 ⇒ (17) + 89 = 106

Do they see Narzor?

Stealth: 1d20 + 60 ⇒ (5) + 60 = 65 They do pinpoint my square, but I'm still invisible.

[dice=Stealth]1d20+60 They do pinpoint my square, but I'm still invisible.

Then they both target their 60' cone breath weapon in your direction after moving into position, to try to petrify Narzor.

DC 147 Fortitude Save or be petrified unless you have something in your bag of tricks.

Don't worry, if you're petrified, I'm going to come up with a way for him to get unpetrified, but then potentially owe someone else for doing so, thus becoming a plot complication. I don't tend to just kill off characters.

:::"Well, I guess there's not much we can do about that. If she lives, hopefully she'll chose to reveal herself. Are you ready to leave? I'll get us out of here and past the tarek if you are.":::

:::I am indeed most ready to depart!::::

As they conclude their introductions, Hamza and Glitterscale suddenly overhear a loud commotion coming from the tark camp, including the thunderous bellows of their two great war-beasts.

Rokan follows that path and begins to search for exits upward in that area, hidden or otherwise.

[dice=Perception]1d20+21

The path soon forks sharply to the left and right.

Its walls are densely embedded with light-casting geodes of many sizes, shapes, and hues. This startling array glistens in the darkness as if it were the clear night sky displaying its millions of stars.

At the silence shattering bellow, Hamza looks around quickly, but realizes the sound is coming from the camp. :::"Definitely time to go. I hope your friend, should she live, is able to make it out of here on her own.":::

The assassin slices the air with his kama, tearing a rift into the shadow plane, and ushers Glitterscale through. Purely fluff use of his Shadow Walk ability.

Hmm, perhaps the tunnels are just a perimeter. But, I may as well check for a path to the center and up.

Rokan goes a ways to the left to verify that the tunnels follow the perimeter, and to see if there are any turns inward.

At the silence shattering bellow, Hamza looks around quickly, but realizes the sound is coming from the camp. :::"Definitely time to go. I hope your friend, should she live, is able to make it out of here on her own.":::

The assassin slices the air with his kama, tearing a rift into the shadow plane, and ushers Glitterscale through. Purely fluff use of his Shadow Walk ability.

What kind of an ability or action is Shadow Walk? I need to clarify this for something -- the tarek's probably aware the Hamza is in the vicinity since he went through their alarm spell (if I understand his form of concealment correctly, since I think an invisible creature will trigger it, but an incorporeal one will not). I'm trying to figure out if they can react before he disappears.

Hmm, perhaps the tunnels are just a perimeter. But, I may as well check for a path to the center and up.

Rokan goes a ways to the left to verify that the tunnels follow the perimeter, and to see if there are any turns inward.

They appear to curve in just this fashion.

I'm still working on the map, I'll have an update later.