GM Aerondor
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Gatherings of Pathfinders always bring great excitement and great anticipation. They also usually take place in more interesting places than a mildly muddy field outside of Absalom.
Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shane observes the Pathfinder agents arriving into the field and calls out "Yes, Pathfinders. A lot of you, certainly. Lovely! Well, find your places in an orderly fashion. We’ve got some truly exciting news today and I can’t wait to get started!”
The sun beats down across this muddy plain, a scant five miles from the walls of Absalom. Fellow Pathfinders gather on all sides, including well-traveled field agents and more permanent staff from the Grand Lodge itself. In the center of the field stands a wooden platform, raised some ten feet off the ground. The excited chatter drowns out the buzz of summer insects as the gathered adventurers speculate on what’s to come.
Something has been abuzz around the Grand Lodge the past several weeks, keeping many Society scholars and casters busy and away from the public eye. This follows a recent conflict at the Grand Lodge that the Society kept from spilling into the rest of the city.
Supposedly the Society has reassembled the Sky Key, a dwarven relic it started piecing back together a year ago. The Society has been “secretly” buying up large quantities of sky metal whenever it appears in the market. The Pathfinders have also been recruiting dozens of arcane spellcasters, especially evokers.
The Grand Lodge has been importing all kinds of experts on Dwarven artifice, which seems reasonable—but also experts on Numerian science, conjurers, mathematicians, and even historians who specialize in Absalom’s earliest history.
Apparently today is about a “big test,” and it sounds like the Decemvirate needs a large number of assistants to handle whatever happens next.
The field has been marked out with a series of circles, which are unusual for social gatherings but standard for arcane rituals.
The assemblage of circles suggests a conjuration ritual, but there are enough variations that even this seems unlikely.
The markings across the field don’t align correctly for any sort of magical ritual. It seems to be something completely new.
Locals call this field the Bloodwatered Meadow. Many of the invading armies that tried to conquer Absalom assembled here before being defeated.
One of the most famous conflicts here did not even involve Absalom’s army. The Linnorm King Yardvun Skolson clashed with the Thuvian warlord Attagesha hundreds of years ago as both attempted to besiege the city at the same time but refused to share the glory with each. They crippled each other’s forces and were forced to retreat without ever attacking Absalom.
One of the most famous conflicts here did not even involve Absalom’s army. The Linnorm King Yardvun Skolson clashed with the Thuvian warlord Attagesha hundreds of years ago as both attempted to besiege the city at the same time but refused to share the glory with each. They crippled each other’s forces and were forced to retreat without ever attacking Absalom.
Archybald
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A tall, neatly turned out man with the dark skin and high brows of a Keleshite surveys the field, looking slightly lost. He leans on his quarterstaff, dressed in mage's robes that are about 20 years out of fashion.
"Damned if I know what's going on here" he mutters, half to himself.
Tere di Montefeltro
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Untrained Diplomacy (GI): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
A slender, pale-haired elf in leather armor mumbles an assent to the fashion-impaired wizard. "I'm with you."
Raven Carlysle
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Diplomacy (untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Raven is a pretty dark-haired girl clearly acclimated to colder climates. She is currently dressed in pieces of a much hardier outfit of leather and furs. She wears a pair of magical bracers, and a waterskin at her belt. No weapons of any kind are visible, except for a single field-dressing knife (dagger).
"They say the Society has reassembled the Sky Key. Those circles are for a conjuration ritual of some kind, but it doesn't look like any I've seen before."
Tere di Montefeltro
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Tere nods once, then goes back to looking around. Wonder why we're all out here, then. If this goes bad, it's not like I'm going to be of any use.
Archybald
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"Well, whatever it is, it's enough to drag the Master of Scrolls out of his library. But all this seems a little - I don't know - open for the Society. If they wanted to test this artifact they've acquired, you'd think they'd do a small test first - not assemble every agent and employee between here and Jalmeray."
Liminy Spickett
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A older and weathered human Wizard has a dew words with other Pathfinders as he moves through the group.
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11
As he approaches you you notice he has a rat on one shoulder and a frog on the other and is muttering "Bunch of stuck up... then notices your group and approaches.
Knowledge Arcane: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
I believe a spell is planned. Since Bloodmedow is known mostly for the time The Linnorm King Yardvun Skolson clashed with the Thuvian warlord Attagesha to a virtual draw we may be in for quite a show.
GM Mars
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Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls and de facto Master of Spells in the wake of Aram Zey’s untimely assassination, steps forward. A broad smile graces his youthful, elven features, and his golden hair shines in the sunlight.
You can find the rest of this message at the overseer thread.
Tere di Montefeltro
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Tere gives a half-smile, still clearly uncomfortable in the assembly. "'Long as it's not the kind where they ask for someone from the audience."
ETA: As the process completes and the great cube of earth and stone appears, the elf looks slightly aghast. "I guess it is. Wonderful." He loosens the long sword across his back in its sheath, then wipes his hands on his trousers and looks expectantly around at the others in the small band, obviously not wanting to be first in line.
Kildrek Autumnwind
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Hey Hali! Hali! What do ya think of that? Kildrek simply stands in awe of the spectacle, not understand a word of how it works.
Archybald
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"Sending hundreds of meddling Pathfinders back to the same moment in the past? I hope they've thought this through... Anyone else coming to mess with history?" Archybald starts to walk towards the bubble.
Liminy Spickett
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Liminy shouts to the crowd of Pathfinders.
"Do not forget the lesson of the rose! We must be careful to not change history! I don't want to have to learn a new one, Especially not one where Pathfinders no longer exist!"
In a more normal voice.
"This smacks of foolish grandstanding. Using Divination spells woul be much safer then sending so many into the past."
Archybald
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"Ah buy then the Decemvirate wouldn't get to play with their toys, eh? And I'll bet they didn't choose this particular time in history at random - there'll be something else going on here. Come on - when's the last time you got to make history?"
Haliphod Kittrili
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"This is awesome, Kildrek! Do we jump in? Where can we go? We should all agree to stick together."
At Liminy's warning, Haliphod looks concerned. "Is this a glimpse in the past, or are we actually going back in time? Can we really affect the future? Surely not - they wouldn't send us in there if there was a chance of that, do you think?"
Raven Carlysle
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"It does seem reckless to send so many people into the past just to make observations. I'm not sure everyone can be trusted not to change anything. But maybe they know what they're doing." Making sure her waterskin is easily accessible, she follows the others into the past.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Archybald
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Archybald leans close to Liminy, recognizing the tell-tale signs of a fellow wizard.
"Chronomancy is a fairly obscure branch of study," he murmurs, "and I can't claim to have read much about it. You? All I can remember is that its more advanced disciples have a tendency to vanish."
Liminy Spickett
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"I have not read much on it. Master Shane has given us an excellent example of the potential pitfalls. But let us not linger. Observe. Report. Cooperate. And now we must add Don't destroy thousands of years of History."
GM Aerondor
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Please see second page of the MAP link above for a cross section of the bit of the past that has been brought into the present
The team, being unable to reach the temple at the top for the moment, heads into one of the cross sectioned areas.
The stink of animal scat and rotting meat fills this massive cavern. Shelves, passageways, and fixtures have been carved into the wall by careful hands, each stylized to resemble a serpent’s head or body.
See the page one of the map
Liminy Spickett
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I just realized 4 members of the party are not wearing armor and none of us have a wand of mage armor. Had I realized this I would have picked one up instead of the Glitterdust scroll.
"Before we go any further someone who can use my cure wand should hold it."
Liminy Spickett
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If you want I'm happy to have you swap your glitterdust for a wand of mage armor
I would love that. Thank you.
"Before we go very far we should take a few precautions."
Unless they object I'll use a charge on Haliphod Kittrili, Raven Carlysle , Archybald, and of course myself.
How exactly are we supposed to get through this when they start out by demonstrating that killing something changes the future? Some parties might be able to get by with just non lethal but I don't think we are one of them.
Tere di Montefeltro
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I thought the point of the demo was that objects from the past couldn't be taken to the present, not that the future would change when we did.
GM Aerondor
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Coming around the corner you spy a lizardman with a pair of lizards...
Tere: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Kildrek: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
Archybald: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Limney: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Haliphod: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Raven: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
critters: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
They see the team and charge forward!
Status, bold may post
Tere
Archybald
Limney
Haliphod
Raven
Kildrek
reptiles
Tere di Montefeltro
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Tere drops his javelin and draws his sword in a smooth motion, slicing down at the lizard in front of him. His accuracy suffers from his disquiet, though, and he misses rather badly.
Slash the saurian: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Raven Carlysle
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Raven flicks open the top of her waterskin and makes a pulling motion with her arm. A bubble of water follows her hand out into the open air. She throws her hand forward, and the water forms itself into an icicle and flings itself toward the creature.
I don't see a map, but I'll target the same one as Tere.
Elemental Ray (cold): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 (touch)
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Liminy Spickett
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Liminy will move up next to Tere.
"We will have to trust that our leaders know what they are doing and just defend ourselves the best we can."
I presume knowledge Nature applies here. Let me know if it is something else.
Kn Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
If it is still standing I'll Force Missile the one Raven damaged.
force dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Archybald
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Archybald steps forward to get a clear view, and then holds out his quarterstaff. The weapon flies from his grasp, and strikes at the nearest lizard creature.
HandOfTheApprentice: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Kildrek Autumnwind
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Understanding that he may need to play the role of a frontliner Kildrek attacks the creature in front of him!
Scimitar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 for Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
GM Aerondor
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Tere slashes at the close lizard, but it jumps away. Raven has a bit more luck and the closest creature, is covered in a thin layer of ice.
Liminey identifies the lizards as Compsognathus, a type of dinosaur with a poisonous bite. He fires a missile of force into the closest and it finally drops.
Archybald's staff flies at the lizardman, striking it on the nose before returning to his hand. Kildrek strides forward, striking the lizardman his his scimitar.. It bleeds, but stays standing.
Status, bold may post
Haliphod
reptiles
lizardman - blue 9 damage
lizard- green
Tere
Raven elemental rays used:1
Limney force missile used:1
Archybald
Kildrek
GM Aerondor
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The larger reptile is in combat, so you are at -4. but.... still hit
The reptile gasps in pain as acid covers him.
He tries to slam his crude morning star into the nearby Kildrek
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
The effort however is too much and he falls to the ground. The tiny lizard that accompanies him hurls itself at the cleric as well.
attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Status, bold may post
Haliphod acid darts used: 1
Tere
Raven elemental rays used:1
Limney force missile used:1
Archybald
Kildrek 6 damage; may make an AOO in addition to normal attack.
reptiles
lizard- green
Tere di Montefeltro
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Tere slides forward and cuts at the remaining reptile, his accuracy improved.
Finish the job: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Slash (ah-ah!): 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Raven Carlysle
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Waiting to see if Tere's swing really does finish the job.
Elemental ray (touch): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 (cold)