[PFS_Aerondor] 01-54 Eyes of the Ten part 2. The Maze of the Open Road (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Eliza Petulengro welcomes you to Woodsedge Lodge’s meeting room, still undergoing repairs after the Red Raven’s assault. She motions for you to have a seat. The red-haired woman mutters an arcane incantation under her breath and gestures deliberately at the doors and windows, then sighs heavily, nods to herself, and looks up at you.

Wynn take a sit at the table, taking in the damage caused by a fight he took part in. "Look at it this way, at least the holes in the ground were conjured and not real."

"I will help fix this up once this is over." Kalendir mutters from behind his mask.

"I do apologize about the mess that was caused. At least you are alive, as well as Osprey. So, do we talk about what happened with our search, or what? Normally I send in reports, but being in front of you, I'm not sure what to do."

"Firstly, Wynnreyell, Kalendir and Morrin. Without your stout efforts we would have lost much more than we did. And the treachery of Adril would possibly be still as yet uncovered. You have my thanks, and that I am sure, of the Decemvirate."

She turns to the still quiet other pathfinders "Tortuga, Alie and Fletch. Without your skills with martial and magic the damage done would have been far greater. I'll make what resources I can available to you."

“As you know, the very fabric of the Pathfinder Society is under attack. Though your efforts were instrumental in protecting this lodge and a member of the Decemvirate, our task is far from done. You are already intimately involved in this affair, so it falls to you to see it through. Secrecy is of the upmost importance in this regard, so rather than involve more people in this embarrassing debacle, we trust you to take care of everything. These are among the most momentous events in our organization’s long history, and our very survival depends on your success."

“What I ask of you now is even more dangerous than your previous involvement, but I trust that you will not let the Society down. I need you to return to the Maze of the Open Road and discover what you can about Adril’s use of the portals within to further his devious plans. Find Condria, the Maze’s medusa guardian, and gather from her any information you can on Hestram’s recent comings and goings in the Maze. While we have a general idea of who his targets are, we don’t yet know how or when he plans to assassinate them. "

“Should you discover any hints as to the identity or location of his next target, do not delay in travelling there and ensuring his or her safety. May the gods be with you; if they don’t favor your efforts, the Pathfinder Society is doomed.”

"The Society is still one of the best means in the world to spread justice and end repression," says Fletch. "We won't stop until this matter is ended, Venture Captain."

"Of course we will help and keep it as discreetly as possible." Kalendir grabs his bow once again. "Is Condria going to be a bit more friendly? Last we met with her she turned Fletch here to stone."

"I wonder about that as well. Any token she might recognize that means we come in peace, or the like? I hate to have to come back to town to buy more scrolls..:"

"From some of the notes I have read, it would seem she doesn't generally attack people who have defeated her once already. " says Eliza.

Osprey joins in with a helpful. "lthough we have no way to know that for sure. If she did, we probably would't hear about it.."

Eliza gives the Seeker a Hard Look(tm). "Didn't you locate a mask that would perhaps help Fletch avoid such a predicament a second time?"

"Sure, we do have the mask. But ''tis only one mask, and I'm worried about all of us, to be honest. Hopefully she remembers we can stand up to her."

Now is the time for any additional prep, questions or purchases, then we can head back into the maze...

Kalendir is ready to go.

Kalendir hands a wand over to Alie. "I haven't had to use this in a while but this wand will cover the area in an obscuring mist. If we get into dire need Don't be afraid to use it and I will cover out escape. I can see through the mist as easily as the air itself."

Alie takes the wand with a nod. "You might have to remind me I have it if things get crazy..."

I'm honestly none to worried about the snake lady. If she tries anything I guess I'll just have to pluck her eyes out.

"The mist does help quite a bit. As for that mask, it could help out a bit. I am ready to go, unless someone has any suggestions as if I should get any more items. Though, if the pretty lady isn't going to harm us, maybe we could chat her up and get some information."

Morrin grins while crossing his arms.

Are you all ready to head back into the maze?

Ready!

Ready on my end!

I'm ready too.

Ready as I can be

The team sets off over the manicured garden and cautiously approaches the hedge maze once again. This time you have little trouble traversing the Maze of the Open Road; the high hedge’s twists and turns are familiar to you after your previous foray into its passages.

Fletch quickly picks up the tracks of Condria and follows them to a dilapidated stone tower with rickety stone stairs leading up to it.

"So you have returned!" calls out a sultry voice. "But for what? An arm that you missed last time?"

"Is this condria? Yes, we are back but we've found out quite a bit of information that should make this meeting different than the last. We need to know about the travels of Hestrel's comings and goings in the maze recently. We are here to ask you, the great guardian of the maze for help."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 20 = 39

Cough, splutter. Got any demons you want to charm with that result?

She emerges unarmed, and with her face turned away from the group. She laughs at the compliment.

"I think it may be more the other way around. But if you want to know about Adril, I can help you. That bear of a man isn’t easily forgotten. He’s been quite active in the Maze. In each case, when I confronted him, it always ended badly for me. In fact, I can’t recall more agonizing deaths than those he granted me in all my centuries in the Maze. While he travels often through the Absalom, Galt, and Mwangi Expanse gates, his most recent movements centered around the Chelish portal, taking place under the cover of night.”

"Where in Cheliax does the portal open to exactly?" Kalendir slides his fingers around. "Any of those names from Cheliax?" He finally asks the group before turning back to Condria. "Did Adril happen to say anything during his passings?"

"“It connects to Habermorrow. I believe to Venture- Captain Eddington Keel’s manor in Corentyn. I have never been through this or any other portal, mind you, as attempting to do so simply brings me back to the center of the Maze. I can never leave through any means.” she adds sadly.

So a prisoner in a maze be you then? Maybe that's what contributes to your stony demeanor.

So EK from Corentyn must be Eddington Keel.

"That seems like the case. Maybe we should head there to search for clues. Perhaps we will run into Adril, and hopefully stop whatever he is doing. As for your imprisonment here, is there a way we are able to help you be more comfortable? I don't know how long your kind live, but even an elf could get stir crazy if not able to leave a place without some one to talk with."

"I have lived here for years beyond counting." says Cordelia.

"Perhaps by helping you I may earn a measure of redemption. Perhaps." she shakes her head.

"Few are willing companions for one such as myself. But some books, pretty clothes, soft furnishings... All these would be gratefully received."

We will try and bring you what we can to make this life more suitable, as long as the information provided leads us somewhere worth while

Alie grasps both hands together excitedly. "Of course you'd like something like that. I would feel the same way! If we find anything at Coryenten, I'll bring you back something nice. Don't worry, we won't forget your help. I'll do my best to find you a nice dress...a girl has to look her best, you know!"

Sing out if you have any more questions, otherwise I'll advance the plot a bit

"I'll also ask about to find something for you. After what Adril did to you, I can imagine as to why you would attack us on sight, so no hard feelings!"[b]

[B]"It's a shame she's trapped here. Some comforts and entertainment should help. Maybe we could get the society to help her somehow? Have be some sort of chronicler? Oh, maybe some sort of Chelish bed, you know, with the silk sheets and whatnot? She may like those."

Fletch has hated slavery and bondage as long as he could remember and despises keeping even a creature like the medusa imprisoned forever.

"Who imprisoned you?" he asks, "And why? That's a cruel punishment indeed."

"That is a very good question. It was the Forest King, he who made this maze to begin with - centuries ago. As to why... you would be best asking him if you ever meet him." says the medusa to Fletch.

She offers a curtsy to Morrin. "Ahh, Chelish silk. That would be nice."

"I'll do that," says Fletch, quite seriously. "Can you tell me anything else about him?"

"What else do you want to know about him? We were not exactly on dining terms." she notes. "He did kill me several times."

Kalendir glowers at the rest. "Let's get to Habermorrow and find Keel before before Adril does."

He begins to stomp off in the direction of the portal.Once out of earshot he explains to the others. "Though slavery is abhorrent so is her kind. Medusa's are inherently evil and it would be best if she is left to her own devices within the maze and not wrecking havoc on the material plane."

I am not saying we should free her from the maze. I do know the creature to be evil in nature. But we could at least bring her some creature comforts, what arm could be done by bringing her fictional books.

Condria guides you through the maze, leaving you at the portal she indicates is the one that Adril took.

Stepping through the portal in the Maze of the Open Road, you feel a light tugging on your entire body, as if you are being pulled in every direction at once. Whether in limbo for only moments or an eternity you can not tell, but you step unscathed from the portal’s mate, finding yourself in the shadow of a red and black marble gazebo before the ominous shape of the portal behind you. A traditional Chelish garden surrounds the structure, and the form of a sizable manor house rises from behind a row of topiary bushes. The grounds appear to be completely enclosed by a high, granite wall.

Now would be a good time to let me know any buffs you want to pre-cast

Lake casts Mage Armor and False Life, both of which will persist for 12 hours.

False Life 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Tortuga spends a ki to activate barkskin for 2 hours.

Kalendir is not used to his body and mind twisting in suck ways. As he exits the portal his stomach heaves. Pulling the mask up he covers the ground with what little food he had left in his stomach. Wiping his mouth he pulls the mask back down to shield his pale face.

"Hopefully we won't have to do that too much more." Looking back he asks quizzically. "How do you suppose we are to get back to the maze when we are done here? Assuming this portal will stay open. Though that kind of magic is incredibly dangerous. Who knows who will wander into it."

Kalendir steps into the Gazebo and gazes at the Manor. "Suppose we should go and introduce ourselves."

No buffs here.

The gate you stepped through is the shape of a simple ebony archway covered in bloodstone carvings in the shape of thick, thorny brambles. On the left side of the portal, amid the intricate vine relief, half of the Glyph of the Open Road has been carved into the stone.

Please include a perception and know(arcana) check with your next post

Looking out of the gazebo you spy half a dozen slaves tending the gardens.

The portal opened into the Gazebo, so they have not seen you yet.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Chelish puke still utilizing slaves. If I get the chance, they will be freed

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Know. Arcana 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Not that anyone was going to fail a DC 15 perception check

Wynn is the first to notice that a corresponding carving has been hewn from the right side of the portal.

Alie identifies that prior to being disfigured, pressing both sides of the glyph would activate the portal. It is unclear what would happen now, but she doesn't think it would work.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Not trained in Arcana

"We should still be courteous. This man could very well be one of the Ten." Kalendir remarks. "You all ready to go find out what Adril wanted with him?"

"Definitely. Let's go talk to him," says Fletch. "What's this thing all about?" he says, waving to the ruined glyph.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Morrin, following the others through the portal comes out last. Steadying himself and taking a few deep breaths, he grins, flapping Kalendir on the shoulder.

"Never going to get used to that feeling, but it is quite fun to jump around like that, right? Now, let us introduce ourselves, and hope all goes well."

"Don't worry. That gate will be easy to open, I think. But Morrin's right. Let's get to know the locals and see what we can discover."