More than 400 years have transpired since the Pathfinder Society began in a humble tavern that has quietly weathered the centuries without incident. When a routine errand there uncovers a clue left behind by one of the founding Pathfinders, it’s up to the PCs to solve a puzzle whose pieces are scattered across Absalom—and whose prize dates back to the Society’s darkest years.
You enter the main hallway and begin your search, Fargrim taknig the right side and Lyoto, Henry and Niles takign the left, with Silas still above ground guarding the door and Vasilios remaining by the entrance.
The main chamber is truly monumental, stretching eighty feet from end to end, with a ceiling suspended thirty feet from the floor by great pillars. Seven arched passages lead to humble rooms, each of which contains a polished stone altar dedicated to one of the failed aspirants who attempted the Test of the Starstone.
Each of the side chambers contains a small stone altar to one of the failed aspirants. Each altar stands upon a raised dais and bears a small brass nameplate identifying the aspirant and the would-be-god’s areas of interest. Several of the rooms have small offerings of food, coins, or other items left by previous visitors. The shrine devoted to Doulgonlir Caskmail is the second on the left, discovered by Lyoto, Henry and Niles.
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
Fargrim, (presumably) hearing of the discovery, leaves off the shrines she was looking at to join the others at the shrine of Doulgonlir Caskmail.
Lyoto discovers that the brass nameplate swivels on a loose screw. Beneath it, a small piece of black slate is set into the altar, with a small wooden shelf along its bottom edge. Sitting on the wooden shelf is a slender piece of chalk.
As Lyoto inscribes the last character upon the slate, there is a loud "click" from the western wall, followed by a grinding sound, although you can see nothing. A moment later, the western wall fades away, revealing an open secret door leading into a dark passage.
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
Fargrim looks aprehensively at the secret door.
"The last couple of times I have been through one of theses, something has knocked me out. "
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
Lyoto puts his sword grabs a tindertwig and a torch from his sack, lights the torch and proceeds to head in after he draws his sword and drops the chalk and tindertwig.
"I'll go first since I found the passageway!" Lyoto says as he beams with pride. "Allow me to light the way!"
he checks for traps before entering the room though. He doesn't want to get jumped by bugs again.
You head down the passage, which opens into a rough natural cavern. The cavern is dark, but from somewhere up ahead you can detect a very faint source of light. It is not in your direct line of sight, but perhaps around a corner or something.
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
Fargrim joins the group moving into the inner cave.
"A light in the darkness.." she murmurs, slipping as quietly as she can towards it.
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
What happened to 'Gentlemen first' Fargrim? he whispers to the inquisitor cracking a wry grin.
I have two ideas. we could either take a peak around the corner and try to see what we can or I can toss my torch against the wall and see if anything reacts. If we go with plan B, make sure the party is nearby. I'll do whichever you think is best. he whispers.
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
"I can see in the dark..." she offers.
But Fargrim does stop and heads back to the rest of the group.
"But point well taken. Sometimes I trip over things and get myself into trouble." she adds with a wry grin.
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
So I just learned the way to find out what's in a potion or flask is to make a perception check. I grabbed those two bottles from Fimbrik's place. I'm going roll perception checks after I sheath my weapons and take them out if that's alright.
Before moving forward, Lyoto decides to try to discern what is in those flasks he grabbed from Fimbrik's house
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
He goes back to the party draws his temple sword and, after relaying what he saw says to the party:
I'll take point, you guys stick close ok? Do you guys wanna tread lightly or charge in and see what we find? Oh yea, should we let Silas know what we've found?
The cavern splits into two sections, but although it was made to look natural, you can tell that it was shaped with a purpose. As you round the corner, you see a small stone room with a dim glow emanating from ti. Several desks are arranged along the northern and eastern edges of this small stone alcove. Whereas the stonework leading to this chamber is rough, the walls in the alcove are polished. A single gem rests among the neatly filed papers on the desk, emitting a soft luminescence that brightens the small room.
No creatures are present, and so you examine the papers and discover that you have found the hidden trove of Eylysia the Pathfinder. Most of the documents are written in Azlanti, and many are also in cipher, but you can tell from the few cleat-text passages that they describe dozens of unknown sites across Golarion.
Silas:
You can hear the crowd noises increase as Sir Reinhardt apparently addresses his followers before taking the Test of the Starstone. Apparently his plan is to ride his horse across the chasm.
You find several papers which refer to dwarf ruins, in particular the Sky Citadels, the fortresses the dwarves built when they first reached the surface long ago.
Silas only:
You see a man's head peeking around the corner from the lane to your north. He sees that you see him, and he ducks back around the corner.
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
My character's int may be low, but he's spotting all sorts of things! Although, I REALLY want to know what Silas sees.
Lyoto grabs the papers that refer to the Sky Citadels and shows them to the rest of the party.
I found a bunch of papers talking about dwarves and Sky Citadels. I don't know if they're important, but since they're the only thing written that I can understand they gotta be important right? By the way, anyone know what that glowing stone is?
He hands the papers to Fargrim, then proceeds to search inside the desks and the room in general for valuables or weapons.
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
Fargrim looks through the various papers
profession(librarian):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 <- hey, its worth a shot!
"I think we should get these back to the Lodge. The Society will want to see these. Interesting ciphers, I have come across a couple in my time with the Society, but none in Azlanti."
She secures as many papers as she can inside her robes to protect them from the weather.
"Anyone know how we close that door? Just rub off the wibble?"
AC20 T15 FF15 CMD18| HP 26/26| F +2 R +7 W +0* | Init +4, Perc +5 |
I spoke Azlanti.completly forgot about that !
Said Henry with a proud smile before looking for the papers and books.
I agree, we will need to go the the lodge, but may be there is still something in Arkath's tomb, the key to decypher Eylysia's writings may be ?
And I agree with you Fargrim, we need to close back that door, but I have no idea how...
Male Nagaji Paladin 8 | AC: 25/11/24 (22/11/21 without shield) | HP: 86/86 | CMB: +12, CMD: 23 | F +13, R +7, W +12 | Perc +4 | Init +1
Attack:
Gamin +13/+7 (1d8+12/19-20), +4 (+8) smite evil
Hellsfire, Silas swears under his breath. Just my luck there's someone here who's not dumb enough to want to watch that apostate kill himself. He starts thinking about what to say if-- when-- he's confronted.
"I agree with Henry", Vasilios remarks, indicating his fellow pathfinder. [/b]"Returning to the lodge and relaying the information is well in good, but since we really should check the tomb regardless, we might as well do that first, before returning to the Lodge."[/b]
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
To the tomb. Lets get everything we can before we head back to the lodge! Also, I can't prove it, but I bet erasing the word will shut the door. So lets head on out.
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
Fargrim joins the exodus, carrying what documents she can.
After the group leaves the hidden chamber she makes sure to erase the word from the board and swivels the nameplate back to where it was.
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
Lyoto's heard about undead creatures though he's never seen one before. He decides to ask about the possibility of seeing them in the tomb.
So this tomb we're going to, Does anyone know anything about it? Are all the things that are dead going to stay dead? Lyoto asks his more experienced pathfinders.
If not, any suggestion for fighting the living dead. I mean, punching out an orc is no big deal, but what about a zombie!?
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
Fargrim shudders. "I met a zombie on my confirmation. I don't recommend punching them. Cutting worked much better."
She looks around the group.
"I don't think we are likely to meet undead in the middle of Absalom though. The Zombies I met were far from the city."
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
Male Nagaji Paladin 8 | AC: 25/11/24 (22/11/21 without shield) | HP: 86/86 | CMB: +12, CMD: 23 | F +13, R +7, W +12 | Perc +4 | Init +1
Attack:
Gamin +13/+7 (1d8+12/19-20), +4 (+8) smite evil
GM:
Not altogether comfortable with the newcomers' method of approach, Silas crosses his arms at the wrist and lets them hang in front of him. "You aren't watching the ceremony?"
The Shoanti glares at you silently, but the swordsman smiles and nods. "Oh, yeah, we're going to watch... Just wanted to check out where they're going to put this guy in the Shrine of the Failed!" The half-orc then points at you and mutters something under his breath, and a grey ray leaps from his outstretched finger!
ranged touch:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21Str damage:1d6 ⇒ 5
[ooc]I will assume you come off delay at this point...[/dice]
Male Nagaji Paladin 8 | AC: 25/11/24 (22/11/21 without shield) | HP: 86/86 | CMB: +12, CMD: 23 | F +13, R +7, W +12 | Perc +4 | Init +1
Attack:
Gamin +13/+7 (1d8+12/19-20), +4 (+8) smite evil
GM:
As the half-orc's magic ray catches him full in the chest, Silas feels his strength sap from his muscles. Four on one, and they attack me. His code flashes into his mind. I will give honor to worthy enemies... and contempt to the rest."Can't take me at my full strength, is that it? Even outnumbered?" He heads inside the corridor where his allies headed, draws his sword, and waits just behind the wall. He doubts he can take on all four of them by himself, especially in his weakened state, but if he calls out to the others it would give them away. Better to take them out one at a time.
Readying an action for the first one that comes around the corner.
The Shoanti curses and runs after you, pulling his greatclub off of his shoulder. As he comes down the stairs, Silas lashes out with his sword, just missing.
The Shoanti swings back with a poorly-aimed swing of his club.
greatclub:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
The swordsman follows his burly companion as well, and tries to attack Silas around the corner with his sword as well. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Silas' faith and armor protects him from the onslaught.
The human in robes moves to within sight of the others, remaining wary.
Locations:
Shoanti is 1 square south of you
Swordsman is 1 square south and 1 square east of you
Robes is 1 square south and 2 squares east of you
You can't see the half-orc from your position
Male Nagaji Paladin 8 | AC: 25/11/24 (22/11/21 without shield) | HP: 86/86 | CMB: +12, CMD: 23 | F +13, R +7, W +12 | Perc +4 | Init +1
Attack:
Gamin +13/+7 (1d8+12/19-20), +4 (+8) smite evil
GM:
Silas hisses and retreats around the corner (provoking some AoO's) where he stops and readies another attack. Glancing around the room, he notices the large pillars throughout the room. I can keep playing this game until the others find me.
By the way, with -5 Str I think that drops me to +4 on the attack and +1 damage, rather than +5/+2.
HP 45/45; Judgement 2/2; Bane 6/6; Discern lies 6/6; Reroll @+4 1/1; Assimar (archon blooded) F Assimar Inquisitor/5; AC 18(*) | T9 | FF 17| CMB |CMD 13| Fort +6*| Ref +2*| Will +9* (* +1 for each adjacent ally)| Init +4 | Perc +15|LOOKOUT FEAT(use allies surprise/init)| Speed 40; (*Snake Style, AC is 1d20+25 vs first attack)
If the strength was from a ray of enfeeblement, then PF gives a save against that that to reduce it by half these days.
Male Nagaji Flowing monk level 1: Init +3 | Perc: +7 | AC 15 | HP 11 | Str 16 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Wis 13 | Int 8 | Char 14 | CMB +3; CMD 17 (22 vs grapple for 8 hours from grease)
Lyoto finishes packing up grabs his temple sword from his belt and says
If he's in trouble lets MOVE!!
I just remembered I have a stone with continual flame cast on it tied to my belt from way back in the Wounded Wisp Cellar. So I should always be able to see, barring magic right?
