[PFS Core] GM Shady's The Early Society (Inactive)

Game Master shady18

No biggie. How many more parts to the scenario do we have?

This is the last act of 3 - can we pls in future though take these meta discussions to the Discussion thread - that's why it's there.

Ok, no more questions from me,

Tsakolk rises early the next morning and quietly slip out for a morning stroll. Almost at once the aches and pains of the day before resurface. He spots a temple in the distance and heads that way.

"Good morning, I have a few injuries I would have healed, is there anyone here that could call upon the gods to help me? I will, of course, see that your donations box rings with gold..."

Looking for a casting or two of CLW, caster level 1 should be 10g a piece, enough to bring me to within a couple of pips of full health

I was hoping not to delay (even) further with an RP interlude. Could you pls just process the purchases and die rolls and we will move on.

A number of priests emerge, happy to take the adventurer's money.

Ilandro awakes and looks around at the additional priests, shaking his head at them as he goes off to pray.

If you're looking for healing Tsakolk, I can do a channel before we head into the portal. Ilandro can still benefit from it, being at 9 hp out of 11.

No drama shady. Ilandro, save your spells/channels for combat, if last time is anything to go by we'll need it!

Buying ClW@10g Heals: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Back to full now

Re-kicking us off, finally ...

The night passes uneventfully. In the morning, however, and while Tsakolk is out seeking healing, Xaaven feels a twinge return of the condition he received from the beacon.

Per the previous day, a Fortitude save each hour (DC 15, +1 per previous check, which is one so far so next is DC 16) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. Note you will only take damage of this kind once per day, so long as the lantern isn't shining on you. More on this in the discussion page.

After Tsakolk returns, the party is ready to make the journey through the portal. Tyros once again shines the beacon on the tapestry, creating a portal through which the party can travel.

===

As the party steps through the portal, they find themselves in a strange ice-cave. Sunlight filters through the walls and ceiling, and three braziers give some warmth to this otherwise chilly space. Directly ahead, a tunnel leads through the ice, sloping steeply downward. Behind, a shimmering portal hangs on what appears to be a main mast embedded in the ice. Following the mast downward, one can barely make out the blurry outline of a ship’s deck below.

Interesting. the half-elf says.

What is the light conditions?

Per the previous post, light coming through the ice walls of the cave and three fires.

long shot but...

Tsakolk drops to one knee and inspects the ground for signsof passage.

Tracking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

are we in a dead end tunnel or does it continue behind the portal?

You're in chamber within a large layer of ice, about 20ft above the ship's deck. The tunnel looks like it leads down to the deck itself. Behind you is indeed a dead end, apart from the portal (which leads back to the manor basement). There's no sign of recent movement, but it's fairly obvious where anyone would go (there are only two choices, forward or back to the manor).

"Xaaven, shall we take a look?"

Whispers Tsakolk, then begins to creep down the tunnel

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

I'll wait for two more people to move. EDIT make that one, keep forgetting we have 2 NPCs on board.

Ilandro plants his feet wide on the ice, trying not to slip over, as he waits for the two stealthier members of the group to move forward.

Aerith looks around, cautiously. "Any ideas what this is? It's beginning to occur to me we didn't get the whole story from Tyros."

He unsheathes and readies the giant sword, and moves into position.

Kathil nods, silently, and gestures in the direction of the tunnel.

The sloped tunnel is slippery, but after a long curve it suddenly opens into another cave at the rear deck of a ship. More braziers keep the worst of the cold at bay, but a wall of solid ice blocks access to the foredeck. A large drum stands on the deck, and behind it is a trapdoor leading into the hold.

The half elf follows, morning star in hand.

Tsakolk walks cautiously over to the drum (container or instrument?) and takes a closer look. (the trapdoor is closed?)

Fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Xaaven wakes feeling the cold again. Wrapping himself in a blanket, he waits to enter the portal.

Following the group to the ship, he searches the drum and then the trapdoor, hoping to find a cure to his malady.

Perception (drum): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Perception (trapdoor): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 [ooc]+2 for traps[/dice]

Fort save failed so 1d6 nonlethal damage.
1d6 ⇒ 6
I'll give you a chance to roll but if not, the above will stand.

The drum is an instrument, a large kettle-type drum set into the back of the ship, the drum skin made of stretched animal hide. A couple of large drumsticks rest nearby. There's nothing unusual about it, in a magical sense (for example).

The trapdoor isn't trapped; it's closed and can be opened easily.

Oops, forgot about that part. might as well roll.

non-lethal damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Xaaven waits for the fighters to approach the trapdoor. When they are ready, he opens it and peers inside before letting them enter.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Xaaven opens the trapdoor.

The smell of death and rot fills the lower deck, despite the coldness of the air. It is darker there without the sunlight filtering through the ice, and no braziers burn. Shadowy movements are visible in the darkness, accompanied by an eerie creaking noise as though someone were still working the oars.

Can Tsakolk see any more with his dark vision?

It was Xaaven peering inside!

Ilandro fidgets nervously at the back of the group with Kathil and Aerith, waiting for Tsakolk and Xaaven to say it is time to descend into the frozen ship.

The half elf will hold on to his morning star asking that Iomadae protect them.

"There are rows of benches maybe for oarsmen, with a path down the middle. Four people slumped over the benches, moving very slowly. Then another stood over them. Rush them?"

From where everyone below deck is would they have noticed the hatch opening. i.e. are they ignoring us or unaware?

Slumped over but moving? I wonder what they might be?

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Know Arcane

@Daereon: I don't think you have enough information to apply a knowledge roll.

@Tsakolk: You don't know.

"Could they too be victims of this biting chill? We should be careful when going to them."

Throwing caution to the wind and, having persuaded (hopefully) persuaded the others to follow him, draws his hammer and drops into the hatch, landing on the deck below.

Xaaven draws his mace and waits to hear what Tsakolk has found before entering himself.

Ilandro shifts on his feet, spear still drawn, and he speaks the words of a spell imploring the goddess of travel to bless his feet and give him quickness of speed.

Casting longstrider - speed +10 feet, duration 1 hour.

The figures rise slowly from the benches and turn to face the party. The four creatures, who had previously been sitting with the backs to the group, are, by the look of it, dead Ulfen warriors, frozen and covered in frost but somehow reanimated. Two of them bear the distinctive tattoos of Skelg's tribe; the other two wear different markings.

The fifth figure, standing in the central aisle, is a withered old human, dressed in Ulfen garb and wearing an Ulfen burial mask.

All five start to move menacingly towards the party.

I will get a new map set up on Roll20 tomorrow morning. You're in combat. Please don't roll initiative yet, I'll run that for you.

Roll20 is updated with a new map.

Initiative
Aerith: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Tsakolk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Kathil: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Daereon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Xaaven: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Ilandro: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Dead Warriors: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Masked Figure: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Initiative order = { Kathil, Xaaven, Daereon }, Masked Figure, { Aerith, Ilandro }, Dead Warriors, Tsakolk.
Anyone within a brace {} can act at the same time and I will resolve in initiative order.

Kathil leaps forward to confront one of the figures (double move).

Xaaven & Daereon are up.

Any appropriate knowledge we can roll?

Any appropriate knowledge we can roll?

Religion

I cant see anything on the map

I cant see anything on the map

Scroll down. The Paizo map has 3 decks with this one at the bottom of the pic.

Got it

The sorcerer will move up and use heavenly fire on the creature by itself on the North (it is in front of another one who is next to a man0

RTA 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

damage 1d4 ⇒ 1

Not wanting to rush into a group of undead, Xaaven waits for the fighters in front of him to move up. Delay. I can't do anything from this position so I'll wait and go last.

I've labelled the four rowers A, B, C, D in Roll20. Daereon attacks A for 1 damage (note @Daereon if you are moving please move your counter in Roll20).

The masked figure moves forward and strikes out at Kathil, biting and clawing at her ...

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Claw Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Claw Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

... but she manages to deftly avoid the attacks.

Aerith & Ilandro are up.

With a bellowing shout (rage) Aerith charges forward into the masked figure, wheeling the huge sword into a downward, scything attack ...

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 2d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 + 4 = 11

... smacking heavily into it and dealing it a grievous wound; however it still stands.

At this point:
- creature A is -1 from full hp
- the masked creature is -11 from full hp
- everyone else on both sides is at full hp
Ilandro is up and we are waiting on Xaaven's delayed turn (though Xaaven can delay further, beyond creatures A-D and Tsakolk, if he wishes).

I moved

Knowledge (religion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Ilandro, upon attempting to figure out anything about the creatures before the party, races towards the middle pillar of the deck before presenting his symbol of Desna and channeling a wave of holy energy at the dead Ulfen warriors.

Channel positive energy, targeting undead. Will DC 11 for half damage. Here's to hoping they have low Will saves :S

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5

White light pours from Ilandro, as an expanding wave around him. The four warriors and the central, masked figure wince sharply as the wave reaches them. The creature with the mask crumples to the floor.

The masked figure plus warriors A and B passed their will saves (I've been having a terrible run of throws in various campaigns, this of course would be the point where I break the run). However the reduced damage is still enough to take down the masked figure.

A and B attack Aerith, C and D Kathil

The remaining creatures move forward to form a row, attacking Aerith and Kathil. Each of them reaches out to try and grab the adventurers with a frosty hand.

Touch attacks (cold damage)
A attacks Aerith: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 miss
B attacks Aerith: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 hit
C attacks Kathil: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 miss
D attacks Kathil: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 hit

B damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
D damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

- masked figure is destroyed
- creature A is -4 from full hp
- creature B is -3
- creature C is -5
- creature D is -5
- Aerith is on 9hp
- Kathil is on 11hp
- The PCs are on full hp

Tsakolk is up. Still waiting on Xaaven's delayed action.

Tsakolk takes his hammer in both ands and advances to stand guard infront of Ilandro

need double move to make contact, might as well save it for next round might even get a charge in!

Waiting on Xaaven.

Xaaven drops his mace and draws his bow.