PFS by PbP scenario TBD (Inactive)

Game Master Brayden Green

sorry, know knowledge history here.

"There was a name inscribedonthe book - Nhur Athemon.. Anyone know who or what that refers to?

I am enjoying myself immensely, why can't all adventuring be like this!

I start pulling books out of my bag and consulting them as I assess the situation.

Consulting relevant Chronicles for +2 to knowledge checks. If possible I will take 20 while everyone else hangs around; if not, then below are my checks.

knowledge(planes): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
knowledge(geography): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
knowledge(history): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

You REALLY didn't need that take 20...

@Kn: Planes/Geography: You realize that it's a starmap of Golarion... but while you recognize a few constellations, much of the focus is farther out and beyond what you'd expect.

@Kn: History: Nhur Athemon is the name of an ancient Azlanti wizard that travelled the cosmos. Known to be a fickle collector, he worshipped a number of demons, although one had a greater focus than the rest. Little else is known about him, save that he had a number of apprentices that joined him after he returned. It was rumored that he stationed himself outside of Azlant because he knew of, or at was at least aware, of the incoming doom of the Starfall, although the location of his lair was never discovered.

Full of excitement, I explain all I have deduced to my fellow pathfinders.

"Wizards, always messing about with powers that are best left alone. Shall we move on then?"

Shilyn spends some time examining the doors, looking for any sign of traps before carefully reaching over to test on of the doors by attempting to open it.

perception: 1d1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

"Not sure what these inscriptions say, but hey.. let's see what's behind dooor number...two!"

@Mylvwara: Oh yes... you notice on the door that there's more Azlanti script; spending a short bit to go through your notes on the language, you can tell it reads "Behold and Wonder, for Beyond Lie Enigmas!"

@Shilyn: You find nothing unusual about the door; this includes not finding any traps. Looks like all you need to do is pull the door open :)

Listening to the translation Lirianne nods. "Well all of that doesn't sound too bad. Heck, sounds downright inviting."

"Indeed, shall we go inside?" says Deaglan as he tries to open the doors.

The stone doors surprisingly open with little effort. The doorway opens to a thirty-foot-diameter room that seems something like a silo. The domed ceiling rises twenty feet above and the floor drops away into the darkness below. A ten-foot-wide stone bridge with no railings crosses the shaft to a hall and door on the opposite side, yet a one-foot-wide gap separated the bridge from either hall. Below, two additional archways lie to the east and west walls of the shaft, thirty feet below your location.

Those with darkvision can see a number of skeletons down below. Mostly, small humanoid skeletons.

However, the part that catches everyone's eye is ghostly image of a bizarre creature that bears a fanged bird head and writhing serpents for legs. It looks at the party and calls out in a strange language.

You may also try a Knowledge check to try and identify what the heck that thing is!

Map updated!

linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"I have no idea what it's saying... but it looks... well.. disturbing. When that description said enigmas lie beyond, it really meant it."

Gathering my notebooks and furiously scribbling down everything I can, I follow the group and listen in to the strange creature.

Take ten on linguistics. If I can't then roll is below but I don't seem to be in danger or under stress.

linguistics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

I have different bonuses for different knowledge skills. Add either 8, 10 or 11 to this roll: 1d20 ⇒ 16

@Mylvwara: No T10 on this. You realize that the language is Azlanti, but do not know what he said.

However, you can tell that the apparition is that of Abraxas, the demon lord of forbidden lore and magic.

As no one responds to its first inquiry, it says something else, but this time in a far more familiar language.

I bow deeply and declare, "Nhur Athemon".

The image then slowly fades away from sight.

linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

This time Varian understands the questions and nods in agreement with Mylv's answer. The quick-witted and quick-tongued wizard obviously came to the same conclusion Varian did, but much more rapidly.

know planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

He relaxes noticably as the unpleasant visage disappears from view.

"This place should have some interesting secrets to explore, but we should be very cautious lest we wake anything unpleasant."

gah.. two good rolls.. hope I haven't wasted my dicebot mojo for the scenario

So who's going to try and cross the bridge to open the door? Mwa ha ha ha ha

Trying to be helpful, I explain, "That was an image of a demon lord, Abraxas, warning us not to touch anything or we will be 'purged'."

Knowledge arcana/dungeoneering/history/planes/religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
+2 if it pertains to Dwarves or their enemies

"Shilyn, I understood you have some experience with traps and such, do you think that bridge is save?"

I produce my wand and cast mage armour on myself.

@Deaglan: You know it's a demon of some sort, but after Mylvwara's explanation, it makes more sense.

"Abraxhwo? sounds a little uncomfortable, like it might chafe." Lirianne laughs as she pulls out her pistols.

Reaching into her pack, Shilyn pulls out her length of silk rope and ties one end around her waist. Handing the other end to Deaglan she answers "Hold this.. tightly if you would. Give me about ten feet of slack and we'll find out."

Giving the dwarf a grin, she turns and jumps onto the near end of the bridge..

@Shilyn: You land safely on the bridge. It seems quite stable.

Judging the bridge to be safe, Shilyn walks over to the other side and steps off the bridge next to the opposite door.

seeing shi cross safely, varian follows, cautious of his footing. he tries at least to mimicl shi's footsteps.

Liriann doesn't hurry across the bridge but rather saunters up behind the others, pistols at the ready.

"Well, maybe this place ain't so friendly after all."

Are you insane! Just that one person crossed safely does not mean we all will! Deaglan shouts.

He then continues in a more normal tone "Shilyn, untie yourself and let me pull the rope back, then the next person can cross while being secured."

With deft fingers, Shilyn quickly unties the knot and tosses the end toward the bridge before turning her attention to the door.

perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Seeing that there is not enough space for everyone to gather on the other side of the bridge Deaglan stays at this side.

@Shilyn: The next door is also safe. Just need to push it open as you see there are no door handles to pull.

"No time like the present," she says softly with a quick shrug of her shoulders. Pushing a stray bit of hair from her eyes, Shilyn reaches out to push on the door in front of her.

I stand next to Deaglan, watching Shi do her thing.
"Don't worry, she's good at this stuff."

Sorry for the delay!

The half-elf easily pushes the door open, revealing a large cavern bisected by a 30-foot-deep chasm. A ratty looking rope bridge crosses the eastern ledge to a western one, which winds down to a hallway 20 feet lower.

At the edge of the cavern on your side are a pair of bizarre skeletons. They appear as man-sized dinosaurs of old with a pair of short, clawed arms and legs touting vicious looking talons. What makes them unusual is that both skeletons bear a pair of heads, filled with ancient teeth that still look as sharp now as they did when the things were alive.

At the sound of new noise and the first living things these skeletons have seen in who knows how many years, they move to strike!

Init Order (black = up!)
S1
Deaglan
Shilyn
S2
Lirianne
Amnur
Mylvwara
Orion
Varian

Moving at rapid speed, the two-headed skeleton launches itself at Shilyn and lashes out with a taloned leg.

S1 talon @ FF Shilyn: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The enlarged claw rips into Shilyn's leg, warm blood covering the skeleton as well as the floor.

Init Order (black = up!)
S1
Deaglan
Shilyn
S2
Lirianne
Amnur
Mylvwara
Orion
Varian

With a yelp, Shilyn takes a step back as she feels the strange power well up inside her. Words becoming more familiar fly from her lips as a dark bolt of energy is released toward one of the skeletons.

fail chance: 1d100 ⇒ 19

ranged attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Deaglan does not hesitate and steps up to the skeleton abomination. With a twohanded strike he cuts deep into one of the heads.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage, twohanded: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

To make this work so Deaglan could attack safely and Shilyn could make room for him, I'm delaying the dwarf down to be AFTER Shilyn.

@Shilyn: Stepping back, the half-elf proves she's getting more adept at using her newfound powers as the grey beam visibly weakens the skeleton.

@Deaglan: With a might smash, the skeleton is nearly brought down from your powerful blow.

The other skeleton rounds the corner, and much like the one on Shilyn, darts forward, this time looking to engage the aasimar!

S2 talon @ FF Varian: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The oracle, at least half-expecting an attack, only takes a graze across his arm.

Map updated!

Init Order (black = up!)
S1
Shilyn
Deaglan
S2
Lirianne
Amnur
Mylvwara
Orion
Varian

I'll bot Amnur and Orion if they do not post by tomorrow morning.

As a swift action, Varian creates an Earthbreaker and smashes it toward the closest skeleton.

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
dmg if hits: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 = 10

hoping there's only one left by the time my init rolls around, but since the skeletons are both right there, if they are both still up, he'll aim at the wounded one

Sounds good; and if both happened to be destroyed at that point, then I'll save your weapon creation :)

thanks, sounds great!

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

That's weird, these skeletons do not seem to have the normal skeleton resistance to slashing weapons. I am glad of that, there is not much room to wield the longhammer in these halls.

Umm... actually, you be right, I sort of assumed a warhammer for you, not the waraxe <_< My bad Deaglan. Unfortunately, they still bear the DR 5/bludgeoning. I appreciate your honesty!

These skeletons are similar to others; beyond the strange initial anatomy of their original forms, they don't seem to bear any strange powers or abilities other than great combat potential if it can attack with everything it has.

Was afraid of that ;-(. I did the waraxe because of the limited space, a reach weapon is not that much use in a dungeon corridor and I was not thinking straight, should have realized that they have DR before I posted. Deaglan might just hurry out and get a warhammer if there are more skeleton baddies. Or switch to his wand of CLW ;-)

"Yee-haww"!

Lirianne fires her pistol into the critter on the left.

1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 4 = 22 toucharoo buckaroos!
1d8 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 1 - 5 = 4 after DR

Her bullet smashes into a skull, luckily, instead of passing through a ribcage.

@Lirianne: Firearms actually deal Bludgeoning AND Piercing damage, so no DR!

With a loud "BOOM!", the bullet shatters not only the skull, but the spinal cord connection between both heads and the undead monstrosity falls apart.

[ooc]S1 destroyed!

Init Order (black = up!)
S1
Shilyn
Deaglan
S2
Lirianne
Amnur
Mylvwara
Orion
Varian

"I say, well done!"

I look around for anything interesting.
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23