PFS 5–13: Destiny of the Sands—Part 2: Race to Seeker's Folly (Inactive)

Game Master Arthur Severance

Assuming you all go in
A dark pool fills the center of this vast chamber spilling out of its cracked basin. The trickle of water flows west through a short tunnel of rough-hewn stone and pools at the bottom of a collapsed well. Alcoves set in the walls give the illusion of staring at the flared hood of a cobra. Two altars face each other across the pool in the chamber’s northwest and southeast corners. A statue of a robed human male stands in the northeast corner, and what must have been its twin lies toppled in the southwest corner.

The area is shadowy, and even your light source cannot penetrate it – 20% miss chance unless you have darkvision

Initiatives:
Husarq 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Kintampo 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Lecate 1d20 ⇒ 2
Maherpa 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Mareck 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Motaz 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Oronia 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Snakes1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The snakes moved in - group is up.

Oriona begins to tell the group a tell of bravery, "Master Shaine once told me of a great warrior who spent much of his time in bars, but whenever it was needed...."

Everyone gains +1 morale to hit and on saves.

Cool... yes. Maherpa took 10 and came down. His climb is +1 even in armour. Is there a map link that I am missing?

Map link is on top

FACEPALM! I even used it earlier.

"Begone foul creature!"

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Miss 1-20: 1d100 ⇒ 38

Kintampo takes his staff in two hands and plants it solidly atop the snake's head as if he was a chamberlain announcing guests at a party.

"Well, don't just stand their, laggard! Attack!" says Mareq to his efreeti thrall.

Husarq pulls his greatsword from his back and approaches the snake Kintampo is attacking.

Moved Husarq on the map, already.

Motaz steps back from the snake adjacent to him and hurls a sphere of magic ice at the snake that Kintampo attacked.

Snowball: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 (ranged touch, point-blank range)
Damage: 5d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 5, 3) + 1 = 20 cold
No miss chance, because Motaz has darkvision. The snake must make a DC 16 Fort save or be staggered for 1 round.

Motaz freezes one snake to death. The other barely holds on, rest of the group stil to go.

Not sure if I will be able to post my next turn later today, so... assuming the snake Husarq is adjacent to after his first turn is still alive...

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 15

And Husarq kills the last snake - End of combat!

Motaz calls upon the powers he is told have been passed on to him by his agathion mother to dismiss the darkness in the room. He then commences to carefully search the snakes, the pool, the statue, the altars, and the rest of the room for the items he and his companions are seeking, any traps, and anything else of interest.

Motaz casts daylight as a spell-like ability.

Perception (taking 20) 20+16=36 (37 vs. traps)

"Oronia, can you identify the snakes? Do you know whether we should we be taking them with us for their hides, venom, or meat or to sell as curiosities?"

"Nasty creatures, now let's see if we can locate this package"

Kintampo looks around in wonder at the cave, trying to make sense of it while searching for the package.
Perception take 20: 20 + 1 = 21

Motaz dispels the darkness and finds a secret compartment in the intact statues base. The compartment contains several items, including a burial mask carved from lapis lazuli worth 500 gp, three clay tablets describing funerary practices, and a rod of the viper carved from a single piece of petrified wood to look like a fanged serpent. The third clay tablet is a scroll with the spells deathwatch and false life.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

"Simple snakes from best I can tell. Sorry." She looks upon the items and realizes something pretty unfortunate, then she speaks a word as she opens her pouch and begins pulling stuff up and setting it aside, it is clear that it holds a lot more than the pouch should. "Let me repack a few things, but I think I can get some or all of those items into my pouch and hide them from Mahu when we go through customs. Otherwise some of these items may be taken from us and Torch wouldn't want that...now would he." She says so with a snide tone at the very end before she starts putting a few tools and books in her pack. When she throws it back on she seems to be struggling, but capable.

As you return to Eto and come closer to the gates, Mahu comes over to you, "I need to check your bags." he announces.

"Oronia, I have a Pathfinder Pouch, much like your bag, with a secret compartment in it that only can be found when a command word is spoken. Let us hide the items in there instead."

Checking the bag Matu finds nothing, and you can reenter the twon without any further problems.

What next?

"Effendi, I humbly suggest we try the academic next, if Oronia is finished examining the prayer book. We do not know when his expedition is leaving for the Pillars of the Sun, and we do not want to miss him."

As you have to do all, movin you on to the next place

More than a dozen camels are tethered outside a large pavilion tent while a score of porters pack supplies for what looks to be a grand archeological expedition. Crates of tools, coils of rope, and sacks of dried food lie in piles waiting to divided up among the beasts of burden. Within the sumptuously appointed pavilion, stacks of scrolls and hand-drawn maps lie strewn across a canopied bed. A tall, dark haired northerner with a thick eastern accent and persistent scowl supervises the storm of activity while checking over an inventory scrawled in a well-worn ledger. “Where are those amphorae of water? This expedition won’t last a week in the Pillars of the Sun without water!”

"Good thinking Motaz, just stop being so humble. We are all pathfinders and none of us is better then another"

"This bag is also a Pathfinder Pouch, good sir," she says with a smile.

Her smile is just as bright when Mahu checks her bag and continues about their way.

Take 10 on Religion for a 16 unless others can assist

Motaz bows with a wide grin. "I apologize. I should have known that a Murshid as wise as you would have one herself! You are a teacher like my aunt, and it was she who advised me to obtain mine. I am glad that you were assigned to this mission."

Motaz glances around at the items being packed looking for anything that might be the academic's personal effects while the others speak to the Northerner.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

Lecate walks around looking at the hustle and bustle trying to see if he can locate the target, Ionacu Lozar. He thinks, maybe it's the tall northerner. But is not sure from the description he got from Torch's agent

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Motaz makes out, that it is the northerner. And the place is brimming with activity.

What would you have me do, the desert man hisses.

Whispering back, with a nod to Maherpa, "This might be best suited for me!"

With those words, the scholarly woman walks up to Ionacu and bows, "Good sir, I am to understand you are a brilliant historian, is that correct? A one, Ionacu Lozar?"

DM did my knowledge Religion check discern anything about the book on hand?

"Yes, but I am busy, have to get the caravan underway."

ooc: diplomacy check!

Kintampo has decided that the best place for him is right behind Oronia. He tries to look menacing to others and protectfull of her at the same time, hoping that the northern man will therefore focus all his attention to Oronia.

Aid Oronia Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Take 10 for a 23 with the aid

"Perhaps I can assist, lady. Clearly the man is busy, but he will no doubt wish to spare a moment for this excellent opportunity," says Mareq with his most diplomatic manner.

Diplomacy AID ANOTHER: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Maherpa stands guard against interruptions.

The man turns to Oronia, now giving her full attention, "yes, sorry, what can I do for you?"

While the man is distracted talking to Oronia, Marek, and Kintampo, Motaz will look for a place to secrete the prayer book.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Oronia definitely wishes they had discussed the plan before going in, but she continues talking to the man, "Well sir, I am a bit of a Osirionologist myself and I was hoping we might have a chance to talk about findings, as well as theories...if you could spare the time?" She pulls out a book with all of her notes about the temple they had just visited as well as several notes about a few previous adventures. "I have taken down some images of a few altars I have come across that I am not familiar with and thought you might could help, given your reputation!" There is sincerity in this, she doesn't know something and this man might, so it is in full truth that she asks these things.

Looking around, you see a possibility - if you sneak in from a certain angle, you might get a chance to stash into a sag or bag, which is part of the caravan.

The man nods friendly towards Oronia - another diplomacy

Motaz attempts to unobtrusively sidle up to a likely looking bag and then to slip the book into it while the academic is busy speaking to Oronia.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Smiling as she holds out the book.

Taking 10 for a 21 again

Smiling as she holds out the book.

Taking 10 for a 21 again

"Ah, my dear, what a smart woman you are, seeking the aid of such an august scientist as this one," says Mareq.

"Naturally, I would not wish to delay your inquiries, but in my travels, I too have need of such scholar."

Mareq does not wish to be too flattering, as that can hurt rather than aid a sensitive diplomatic endeavor such as this. Truth and sincerity are best.

diplomacy AID: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

In truth they are scholars and have need of your time, for all my local talents I have not your knowledge. I am sure they would appreciate it, Maherpa says as he turns from scanning for local thieves.

Aid Another Diplomacy 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

OMG - the crap rolls keep coming in tonight. Rolling rubbish in all my PbPs

ooc: seems like things got muddled up - do you attempt to sneak it in now, or try to give it to him?

Oronia is actually showing him HER book of notes. If we had discussed it, she would be trying to get him to take the book, but we did not. As such, since they made their moves first, she is mostly acting as a complete distraction while others due what they need to do.

We're trying to sneak it to him while Oronia distracts him.

While the man is distracted talking to Oronia, Marek, and Kintampo, Motaz will look for a place to secrete the prayer book.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Motaz attempts to unobtrusively sidle up to a likely looking bag and then to slip the book into it while the academic is busy speaking to Oronia.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The plan is for Oronia to distract him (while other assist in the distraction) and Motaz will insert the book into the targets personal effects.

I will be in a world of crap at work for the next 24 hours. Posting will be sporadic for the next day or so

The man looks around 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 and notices Lecate trying to put something in. He rushes over, "what is going on here? Get away from the camels!" he shouts.

It was Motaz, not Lecate.

Motaz backs away from the camels. "A thousand pardons, effendi, I was just admiring your camels."

Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

T-shirt Reroll:
Bluff: 1d20 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 4 = 5 (including +4 for GM stars)

"No no no, servant! How many times must I tell you, that book is priceless! Are you an utter buffoon? I said put it in THE bag, not HIS bag! DON'T YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IN ANCIENT OSIRIANI BETWEEN THE and HIS?" shouts Mareq at Motaz, holding out his own bag.

"DUNG FACE! Where are you?" Mareq looks about for Husarq, who is standing quietly in the back of the group, his shoulders slumped.

"القرف وجه، تأخذه في متناول اليد، ولكن لا يضر به. انه مفيد,"says Mareq in Ignan, pointing at Motaz. "ها! روث الوجه، انظروا كيف كذب لتغطية خطئه!"

He quickly grabs the book from Motaz, carefully holding the precious tome.

"Wuxuu ahaa Midkee hore, 'effendi' iyo 'effendi' in, sida haddii uu ku jiray ardayga sax ah, laakiin si cad oo aan ahayn kiiska," says Mareq to the northerner in Ancient Osiriani. "Tani waa run ahaantii dawldada! Si taaban bacaha aad isagii sidii baa ku kasbanayaan lahaa boqol oo nabrahoodii ka ee Magaalada naxaas ah."

"Laakiin, si ganacsiga! Waxaan ku bartay ee aad kaama iyo waxaan jeclaan lahaa inay wax cunaan, oo jidka yar oo ka mid ah dheerdheer iyo, shaki, maalka, aqoon tanka doonaa Osirianology adduunka. Buuggan ah calaamada of my isku kalsooni iyo hadiyad aad u. Waxaan rumaysanahay in qaar ka mid ah qiimaha taariikhiga ah iyo waxay noqon kartaa adiga dan kuu yihiin. Waxaa laga yaabaa in aad u isticmaali karto si aad deeq waxbarasho caan ah si macno ah, sida aan ahay waan xoraynay ee naqaysid, in waxyaabaha ay u taasoo tilmaamayso. Waxaan kala hadli kartaa dambe, marka aad u soo noqon, tusmada iyo aqoonta ay, haddii aad awood u kala garan waayo macnaheeda iyo aamminsan ku dul."

Mareq is attempting a bit of diplomacy here. Flattering his scholarly reputation ("We want to shine in your glory by backing you") and suggesting subtly he might not be wise enough to decipher the book's wisdom ("If you are able to discern its meaning"). It also serves as our contribution $$ to his expedition. Note that he is speaking in the tongue of Ancient Osirion. It is always best to conduct diplomacy in the appropriate language for the interlocutors.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Husarq grabs Motaz by the ear and leads him slightly away from the group, but not so far that Motaz cannot interject if he needs to.