PFS 3-14 Wonders in the Weave - Part II: Snakes in the Fold (Inactive)

Game Master Warped

Winning the Hao Jin Tapestry at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament was supposed to grant the Pathfinder Society exclusive access to a museum demiplane where the Tian sorceress Hao Jin stored her most valuable and dangerous acquisitions. At first, the Pathfinder Society believed that the five-by-seven foot tapestry was the only entrance into a demiplane filled with countless ruins drawn from numerous cultures and regions of the world that would be theirs alone to explore. But they soon discovered evidence to the contrary.

The Decemvirate knows now that Aspis Consortium agents have found or forced their way into the allegedly secure demiplane, and they know where the interlopers’ base is. A tribe of lizardfolk native to the plane—called the Muckmouth tribe—are being coerced into serving as guides, porters, and laborers in the Aspis’s plundering, not for any love of Consortium, but because the Consortium is holding a generation of the tribe’s eggs hostage.

The Decemvirate is not interested in sharing its new prize with the Aspis Consortium, and wishes to drive it out and discover how the organization gained access to Hao Jin’s demiplane. The only lead so far is the Aspis base in the lizardfolk tribe’s ancestral breeding grounds within a cave called the Muckmouth, from which the tribe derives its name. Were agents able to infiltrate the caves and dispatch the Aspis agents there, perhaps the lizardfolk would even provide assistance to the Society in its efforts to explore the new realm. Regardless of this possibility, the primary goal is investigating how the Aspis Consortium gained access to the demiplane and determining the extent of their operations here.

Previously obtained details provide a trail through the wide, unmapped marshland from the Society’s point of entry into the demiplane to the Muckmouth, which now lies two hundred yards to the north—a twenty-foot wide cave mired with mud and swamp water. Inside are the Muckmouth tribe’s eggs and the Aspis agents holding them hostage—the only lead to a greater plot from the Society’s greatest rival.

Shandor groans once again as he wades in th marshlands.

"Yet another bog, fantastic. Master Aram Zey must really hate us."

"you are not doing it with heavy armor!"

If you need assistance with your armor Lady Natalia, I'm your servant

Said Rodrigo with one of his famous florish bow.

After his last mission, he buy another armor, a little less flexible but more solid.
Nevertheless he was not happy to deal with another bog...

"I am fine, Master Ortega, thank you very much." Quiets her voice to a whisper as she leans in to the rogue, "Just gets on my nerves a bit when the 'squishies' complain about trudging around with no real load. I think some of them would perish if they were to carry a real warrior's load."

Then, louder once more, "I am impressed with your improved armor, Master Ortega. Hopefully that will be able to protect you well, without interfering to badly with your skills. We may have need of them on the road ahead."

Lady Natalia wonders if she should have picked up potion or scroll of Heroism while back in Absalom. The last one seemed to work rather well!

Greater False Life for the day: 2d10 + 8 ⇒ (5, 6) + 8 = 19

Sharna shrugs philosophically at the re-entrance into the sucking muck of the swamp. Her own preparations for the day are partially complete-- touching a wand to Ra's feathers and to her own skin completes things.

2 charges used of Mage Armor

"Ra, indulge me...?"

The bird shrieks once before taking to the air above the group, looking over the swamp for signs of moving prey. Mistress promised many fat rabbits.

Ra peers for signs of trouble on their way to the cave: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Shandor imitates Sharna as they wade through the swamp, using a wand to erect a minor forcefield to protect his skin.

Mage Armor wand used.

Then he tosses the wand back into his haversack and chooses to hold his magical rod instead. (the toppling metamagic one)

Natalia waits for Rodrigo to make some sort of joke about Shandor holding his rod. Would be just like him, she thinks.

The group wades it's way through the swamplands, eager to once again be in the marshes. With witty banter and much humour, the close-knit band approaches the caverns of the Muckmouth.

A wall constructed of logs lashed together with rope and vines and further strengthened with mud blocks off the cavern entrance. A number of the logs at its center serve as a rudimentary gate, and are attached to a post by several layers of rope that act as hinges. The gate is held fast by cunningly tied knots.

EDIT - I'm assuming the wands are CL 1 for one hour of mage armor and you're doing it at the gate instead of 200 yards south of the gate where we started.

EDIT 2 - You can also put Ra back to 21 HP, if you want. You don't have to, mind you, just thought I'd bring it up...

Zaquielle listens to the groups banter, but prefers to keep her silent council until its needed.

As the group comes near the village, Shandor becomes more silent and focuses on the mission at hand. He whispers:

"We should try and tame those pathetically gulliable souls if we can. Turning them against the Aspis would be a great boon. Are we going for the 'worship me I'm the savior your prophecies told you about' act?"

"What act? I AM the savior that your prophesies told you about!"
bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Rodrigo looked amused at Lady Natalia denial.

I agree with this plan. I could help you spoke about this prophecy and told it myself.

In a stirring memory, Shandor's vision fades. He remembers his mother tucking him into bed as a little boy, smiling at him gently, "Now, Beast, it's time to go to bed. And when you get big, maybe our true savior will come and save our peoples! The Elders say it will happen in your lifetime, my little Beast. Now go to sleep, my darling."

With a start, he snaps back to reality, realizing that social skills don't work on other party members and growls something incoherent at the swamps in general.

Meanwhile, the log door to the Muckmouth caverns stares at you, unwilling to accept your bluff.

"Intriguing, though perhaps unnecessarily complex?" Sharna says politely. "I have always favored asking sentient creatures what they need, and offering it to them. On that note... do any of us actually speak the lizard-tongue? For I myself do not."

Re: Mage armor. Yes, it's from a level 1 wand. And no, I would be casting it when I entered the tapestry. I recognize that we are not getting attacked before the village, presumably, but Sharna doesn't know that as a PC: she's entering a swamp, in a demiplane, that's filled with possible enemies, so... she casts it when she enters. So however long it takes us to walk that 200 yards, that time is burnt off from the hour's duration of the mage armor, for Sharna and Ra at least.

Rodrigo light is Wayfinder and said

I do not, but may be they speak common ? I will go first if you don't mind.

Know. Local (what language they speak): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

The woman of the sands nods at Rodrigo's words,in silent agreement. Zaquielle keeps her bow trained on the fortifications, should Rodrigo walk into trouble.

Fair enough. I didn't want you to waste the time if you didn't want to.

Natalia also has a Wayfinder. She does not know Light

Natalia looks to Rodrigo, wondering why he wants to go first. "Rodrigo, would it be better if I were to go first? I ask, because I am well trained in the diplomatic arts. I do not mean to make light of your skills, but likely quite a bit better. On the other hand, I likely do not speak the barbaric language these lizardfolk speak, so if you can, we should work together."

Kn Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"...do none of us speak Draconic?" Sharna asks with a sigh. She makes a mental note to study the language in her next downtime. "Very well. Then we will be communicating by mime, it seems. I can cast a spell to allow understanding of their tongue, but it will not give us the ability to speak it. Perhaps we ought offer some sort of gift."

Shandor chuckles. "Why should I bother learn the language of a race doomed to disappear at the sword of mere humans. There's nothing they can do to avoid their doom. That being said, you are correct we need a glittering gift to attract their attention."

"Why should you bother to learn the language of..... dragons?" Sharna counters with arched brows. "Lowly kobolds and lizardfolk speak the same tongue as some of the mightiest, and oldest, creatures of our world. I own myself remiss not to have studied it before now, but if you see only the immediate applications for lizard-men..."

She shrugs this away. "I have some food, and coins, of course-- but they may not prize such... a cooking kit. To a primitive, a well-made iron pot or a paring knife can be a treasure in its own right..."

She muses thoughtfully on what she might offer, but is more than willing to let Natalia or Rodrigo go first.

From the silence of the swamp, Zaquielle's soft voice passes clearly through the still air. "I have a shiney silver arrow to offer, should you want it as a gift. I have others to use,should we need them."

"I can offer healing, and the blessings of Aroden. If they are indeed primitive, they will be in need of this. Let us enter."

Sorry my Lady, but I don't speak the language of Dragons and my hope is that some of them speak common...
Nevertheless if we offer to save their eggs may be we will find some way to discuss with them ?

With this last comment, Rodrigo moved in the caverns, all his senses in alert.

Perception (take 10): 10 + 11 = 21

Natalia follows the rogue into the caverns, not trying to be stealthy, but trying to be aware.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

At this time, Natalia has not cast any buff spells.

Rodrigo unties the ropes lashing the door closed, but notices just as he's about to unlash the last one that they are holding up a giant turtle shell 5' away on the other side of the door.

Rodrigo Disable Device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Hope you don't mind my rolling for you since it seems like everyone is decided on a stealthy entrance.

And of course I roll a 20...

Relashing the ropes to the wall supporting the door, Rodrigo is able to open the door and keep the shell suspended in the air.

The Muckmouth features a thick coating of mud along its walls, and its floors are particularly muddy. Walking through the mud produces a noticeable squelching sound and leaves visible footprints. It is lit (normal light) by a number of different objects with continual flame on them. These objects rest in irregularly scattered niches scattered throughout the cavern.

General skill check modifiers for terrain incoming! The sticky and slippery ground is not difficult terrain, but the DC of Acrobatics checks increases by 5. Anyone walking through the mud takes a -2 penalty on Stealth checks. Creatures relying solely on invisibility or similar sorts of magical concealment to make the Stealth check instead suffer a -10 penalty, since observes can easily locate them by way of the visible footprints that are left behind. The cavern's slick, mud-coated walls have a Climb DC of 30, unless a creature is able to clear a wall of its mud, in which case the DC is reduced to 20.

A short passageway leads to a small, relatively dry cave. Only a small rivulet with a source deeper within the cavern complex winds its way toward the cavern's gate. A small turtle shell serving as a stew pot sits beside an unused fire pit, next to a small pile of fish. On the wall hangs a garland of glittering flower blossoms. A pair of Muckmouth warriors stand next to the room's entrances, each armed with a great club.

You may make a DC 18 Stealth check at this point to gain a surprise round on them. Unlike in a normal surprise round, you can use the standard action to initiate a parley with the sentries. Feel free to alter your marching order before hand, as well.

Shandor walks at the rear of the group, still in his elderly human form.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 2 = 9

Stealth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11

Ra sits on his mistress's shoulder, silent for once at her urging as she picks her way forward trying to be quiet in the clinging mud.

At least Shandor and I are in the rear, heh...

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 = 15

Rodrigo hoped the creatures spoke common. He would prefer to come to a peacefull solution rather than a bloody one.

Stealth was not even remotely possible for Natalia... something about being encased in 50 pounds of Taldan steel.

Natalia moves forward, hands open and at her sides (trying to show clearly that she is not threatening). She does not even attempt to be stealthy.

Sorry guys, as I said above, she's really not trying to stealth, 'cause she knows it won't happen. Taldan nobility are all about being seen and heard! In any case, she's going to break in to talking before she lapses into Celestial or Infernal.

"We come in peace! We are hear to help you against those that have stolen your children. We have a common enemy in the Aspis Consortium, and only want to help you!"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 GM Kim, please apply any appropriate penalties, if any.

Zaquielle remains quiet, even as others around her tramp noisily through the passages, hoping that their words are enough to soothe the guards. She keeps her bow ready in this hostile fortress, hoping not to use it just yet.

Stealth 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 2 = 25

Since the two who would've acted in the surprise round look like they're waiting to see how diplomacy works out, I'll just assume they're not doing anything in the surprise round.

Lady Natalia moves forward, hands open at her sides at shouting at the lizardfolk in Taldane. The lizardfolk seem to misinterpret the situation, however, as they start yelling back in a hissing language and raise their greatclubs, readying to attack!

The party seems to be prepared for this breakdown in diplomacy, however, as everyone acts before the lizardfolk can prepare a proper defense.

Party is up, lizardfolk will go on Sunday unless everyone posts their actions before then.

Party
Shandor
Sharna
Rodrigo
Natalia
Zaquielle

Critters
Lizardfolk

Rodrigo moved, draping his red cape around his arm and drawing his sap.

Then he striked at the creature.

Vital Strike Sap: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 142d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 5 + (6, 1) = 16

Tried to not kill them, if by chance on of them speaks common we could still tried to hope for a diplomatic solution !

Shandor sighs and casts a lesser spell to coat one of the lizardmen's greatclub with grease.

Targetting the one Rodrigo didn't attack, casting grease, Ref DC 17.

Active Feats: Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot
+1 composite longbow attack 1 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 2 = 22 rapid shot Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
+1 composite longbow attack 2 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 2 = 21 rapid shot Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
+1 composite longbow attack rapid 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 2 = 16 rapid shot Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Zaquielle lets loose her arrows, once one is down, she goes for the other.

Rodrigo ran forward, waving his sap about, yelling about a diplomatic solution and swinging his sap about the lizardfolks head. Surely he diplomatic end is in sight! He misses the lizardfolks head, however, unable to resolve his pre-emptive diplomatic strike.

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Shandor sighs as he mutters something about slippery slopes and all that as a sheet of grease starts to form on the far lizardfolks greatclub. Unfortunately, the warrior notices the patch forming and shakes it off his weapon quickly before it can take a firm hold.

The second one has total cover from Zaquielle. He's on the other side of a big wall, and she cannot see him at all. Fortunately, it doesn't matter!

Zaquielle lets loose a volley of arrows, sinking two into the flesh of the far warrior who stood shaking a film off of his weapon. The third one bounces off his thick skin, and clatters against the far wall.

Group 1
Sharna
Natalia

Critters
Lizardfolk Warrior 1
Lizardfolk Warrior 2 [45/56 HP]

Group 2
Rodrigo
Shandor
Zaquielle

So much for the diplomatic solution...

Note that he'll have to re-save everytime he wants to use/pick up his greatclub.

Sharna delicately facepalms in the rear. She pets Ra, and watches the combat with her eyes burning a slow, smoldering red again.

Readied action to Misfortune the first lizardfolk within 30' that she has line of sight/effect to. Will save 20. If it doesn't trigger this round (and I don't have a chance to post tomorrow), assume that will be her action until it triggers.

@Gregor: if it save the first time he does'nt need to make another save.
"an object wielded or employed by a creature requires its bearer to make a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect"

"ბარბაროსული არსებები. თქვენ მხოლოდ გვესმის, ერთ ენაზე, რომ ბრძოლა! ისე, მოდით დავამტკიცოთ, ღირს!"

Natalia summons forth the embodiment of her faith as a protective shield, and then moves past Rodrigo while drawing four feet of Taldan steel (her nodachi). Casts shield of faith. she'll draw the AoP, with her AC of 24, and 2 squares north of Rodrigo, in case I don't get on with my laptop soon..

They're still flat-footed and no combat reflexes, so no AoO. And Rodrigo is correct in regards to the grease. If they make the initial save, the effect is avoided. He would only need to continue making the saving throw if he failed the first one and dropped it.

The one by the entrance hisses, "Vorq sva wer hofibai! Si siofmea astahii ekess ukris vur ocuir kariska! Jaka astahii laraeki vur lowd!"

The other one hisses back, motioning at the arrows in its chest, "Vur si tepoha jiil vaessi persvek sia lesla!"

Both of them narrow their eyes, growing obviously more angry, almost as if they were entering a rage, grasp their clubs more firmly, and move in to attack these intruders!

Warrior 1 to hit Natalia with Greatclub: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Warrior 1 to hit Natalia with a bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Greatclub damage to Natalia: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Warrior 2 to hit Natalia with Greatclub: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Warrior 2 to hit Natalia with bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Group 1
Rodrigo
Shandor
Zaquielle
Sharna
Natalia [29/43 HP]

Critters
Lizardfolk Warrior 1
Lizardfolk Warrior 2 [45/56 HP]

Group 2

Natalia will five foot step N, and attack the lizardfolk warrior #2. Evidently, the time for clever banter is over, since she has learned they hit hard!
"ბარბაროსები! და ისინი სერიოზულად! Aroden გაუძღვება ჩემი დანა!"

EDIT: Added the label for which lizardfolk she's hitting, and some colorful battle cries

Shandor moves a little closer, in order to allow flames to erupt from his hands in a searing arc. "We go lethal then? So be it."

Casting burning arc on the neareast lizardman, then the other one.
Fire damage, primary target: 8d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 4, 3, 6, 3, 4, 2, 5) + 8 = 41 Ref DC 20 halves.
Fire damage, secondary target: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 6) + 4 = 19 Ref 18 halves

Natlia steps further into the room, putting herself into even more danger and slashes the lizardfolk a large gash across his chest, knocking the arrows lodged there free. Shandor moves in for a better look into the room and unleashes an arc of burn into the room, striking the nearer warrior fiercely which then leaps to the other warrior.

Group 1
Rodrigo
Zaquielle
Sharna

Critters
Lizardfolk Warrior 1 [11/56 HP]
Lizardfolk Warrior 2 [16/56 HP]

Group 2
Natalia [29/43 HP]
Shandor

'The half-orc doesn't speak an intelligible language during battle, so I'll have to just acknowledge his good work with a nod.'

Natalia nods her appreciation to Shandor as she is dancing with the lizard folk, a trail of blood arcing off her nodachi, as she prepares to take advantage of her next opening.

"Rodrigo, თქვენ გაქვთ ფლანგიდან ჩემთან თუ გნებავთ! დასრულება ერთი მათგანი!"

'It is nice to have someone who can speak intelligibly in battle... even if he is a Varisian fop! Oops, gotta watch that club!'

Natalia typically assumes it is the other person that can't understand what she's saying...not that she has a curse. After all, she has received the Blessing of Aroden, and they have not. She is not stupid, but not very wise.

Seeing that the combat has progressed both to quite, quite violent, and that she is not close enough for her hex to take effect, Sharna sighs and switches tactics.

If I have line of effect/sight to the lizard fighting Natalia, I cast Ear-Piercing Scream. If I have to move behind Rodrigo to do so, I will do so (GM, please move me if so). (But not moving into the bigger room/cave.)

4d6 sonic damage, Fort DC 16: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 1) = 12

On failed save, he is also dazed.

Zaquielle lets loose another volley.

Active Feats: Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot
+1 composite longbow attack 1 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 - 2 - 2 = 24 deadly aim, rapid shot Damage 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 10 deadly aim
+1 composite longbow attack 2 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 2 - 2 = 10 deadly aim, rapid shot Damage 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 11 deadly aim
+1 composite longbow attack rapid 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 2 - 2 = 15 deadly aim, rapid shot Damage 1d8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 4 = 8 deadly aim

Great, so far for trying to find a diplomatic solution... Paladin are not what they used to be ! Nor are ranger...

Rodrigo took a 5ft. step, drop his sap, draw his sword and strike with two hand.

Vital Strike with Power Attack and expertise: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 162d8 + 14 ⇒ (6, 6) + 14 = 26

Current AC 24

Shandor delays to see if the mayhem unleashed by his companions is enough to kill the two lizardmen, and will act just before them if they are still conscious.