[PFS] Crypt of the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master Chyrone

The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion:
"Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn."

The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
"Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!"
With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. "Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least.
Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born. But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix," he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach.
She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, "Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation."

Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, "Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my confirmation stretched on.
A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen."

Master Shaine hops to his feet. "Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there.
Oh, and you need to come back alive as well."
With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.

Here's the time to get aquainted and ask questions before you head off.

Asterion stands to address the others

"Well it seems simple to me, goto the caves and find what the gillmen are doing?" says the lithe half-elf with a hood and porcelain mask over his face.

A tall, muscular man enters the Pig's Paunch, his head held high and his posture impeccable. His bright, whitish blonde hair is cleanly cut and offers quite a contrast to his dark brown eyes. A long blue cape embossed with the symbol of the Silver Crusade adorns the back of his scale mail.

Accosted by the awful scents lingering in the building, Brayden quickly walks through to where Master Shaine is speaking. "Well met, Master Shaine. And to you, Janira." He smiles at her suggestively.

Noticing a half-elf appear behind him, Brayden turns and warmly greets Asterion. "Let us seek honor together, my friend. Perhaps there is someone here who has knowledge of the Kortos Mounts foothills and can offer insight as to what our travel to it will entail?"

This is DM Red's character. This is my first PbP, please let me know if I am doing anything wrong.

As half the team is lvl 2, APL 1.5, you can as a group decide on either tier 1 or 2 for play.
@ Brayden: don't worry. We all started at some point.

I recommend Brayden gets a second weapon as a reach weapon cannot be used against an opponent 1 square away and i'm good with either tier

Thanks for noticing that, Asterion. I went ahead and bought a longsword, assuming this is okay with the GM since we are just starting? I'm also okay with either tier.

Of course, np.

A tall and strong half-orc examines his companions. He wears a long armored coat, with mace and heavy shield. All things gives the impression of a fresh purchase, inducing the idea that he was thoroughly prepared for this test and takes it seriously.

Greetings! My name is Maladash, and I am the Chosen One Paladin of Chaos. I'm glad to be here with you and help you to fulfill this mission.

His dark brown hair hangs to his shoulders, his eyes looking at you sternly, and almost fiercely. The fire in his eyes contrasted slightly with restrained gestures and a calm deep voice. However, he does not look relaxed. Rather, he just habitually holds back his emotions.

Frankly, I surprised myself that a Higher Power brought me to the Pathfinder Society. But so be it. My weapon and my unholy strength that I receive from my Blessing and my Curse - at your service!

On the backs of his hands, neck and sometimes even on the face you can see intricate tattoos. They look like strange letters in an incomprehensible language, writhing in the form of different geometric shapes. The strangeness of the tatoos attaches the fact that you can't see any consistency in how the written words of the language - from left to right, from right to left, top to bottom or something else, but you immediately feel that the one who inflicted these pictures, knew their meaning.

I'm ready, assembled, and can move in any time! Once everyone in our group finished with the preparations - let us move forward into the caves.

2 DM - My vote for tier 2. More fun!

Asterion moves up closer to Maladash.. "Interesting Runes, they look like some form of Elvish"

2 votes for tier 2. With a late 5th on the way, we come to APL 1.4, which unless a 3rd votes for tier 2, means we're playing tier 1.
Uness we're all crazy enough to say 'let's do tier 2!!'

(Dotting in but won't be able to post IC until tomorrow. Tier 2 works for me.)

Maladash attentively but quite friendly looks at the elf in the mask. However, fury still burning in his eyes, as if this fire is impossible to extinguish. Probably, it lives with him always and he trying to control it every minute.

Comrade, these runes are much more ancient than the first elf. I'm trying to decrypt it, but it turns out very slowly.

His gaze softened for a moment when he throws it at the elf, but then becomes as strict as it was.

What's your name, mystery elf?

Chyrone, my vote is still for tier 2. Let's be honest - a lot of PFS modules a too easy in a combat part (at least for tier 1-4), and our party is clearly very martial. Let's take some challenge! .)

With three votes that's cool with me :)

Perform (Stringed Instruments): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

The ambient music in the tavern somehow becomes most noticeable when it suddenly stops. It was a rather beautiful, even a bit haunting, violin solo, and seems distinctly unfit for a place like the Pig's Paunch - as does the man playing it. Unnaturally tall and attractive, and far too well-groomed and well-dressed, he seems to snap out of a trance upon finishing, putting his instrument away and striding toward the group.

"Ah, about time the rest of you arrived. I was getting bored!" He says in a rich voice. As he gets closer, his appearance becomes clearer through the tavern haze - his hair and skin are alarmingly pale, but secondary in remarkability to his gleaming golden eyes, almost like newly-minted coins. "I am Mercutio Menschjaeger - yes, yes, that House Menschjaeger, do not bother to ask about the family, I did not come all this way for that; suffice to say, we weather the ages, BUT! Most importantly," He strikes a dramatic pose, as he hefts a shield and military pick that may have once been fine items of their kind if not what look like roughly a century of wear. "Tonig-er, today we look toward the future, and a new...dawn for all, built on the bones of giants! Yes?"

Brayden turns to the pale-looking violinist, and applauds his performance. He extends his hand and offers a greeting, yet does so in such a way that his bulging biceps peek out from beneath his sleeves. "If you fight as well as you play, I look forward to victory together amongst the scourge of these caves. I'm Brayden. The pleasure is mine."

"Likewise, half-orc..." Brayden turns to Maladash, and recalls the slaughtering of his best friend by orc barbarians years ago. It was only the visions and blessing of Iomedae that allowed him to mend his mind and learn that not all orcs and half-orcs are uncivilized, and Brayden saw the murder as a kind of message to follow the teachings of Iomedae, albeit a life-shattering one.

Brayden curiously studies the runes. "Well met, fellow warrior." He bows with a sort of renewed respect for warriors of all kinds. "How did you come to get those tattoos?"

I had incorrectly started Brayden at level 2... That's been fixed.

Mercutio laughs as he takes Brayden's hand; it is alarmingly chilly. His grip is nearly as strong as Brayden's but not quite - but something makes it seem as though he is holding a great deal back.

"I am Menschjaeger! We have always been fighters - but we have a saying: Qui Non Saltastis Lamentavimus Et Non Dare Gladium - Never Give A Sword to One Who Cannot Dance! The explicit need for dancing, or a sword, all being somewhat figurative, of course."

"Does everybody have their mundane gear? Rations, lights, ropes?
Something against quantities of vermin or snakes?"
Janira bobs up a transluscent vial with an acidic icon on it.
"Such as these for example, you never know, right?"
-------------------------------

As there's been no other questions, we take to the road.

While walking, the landscape varies during your trek. Forest and rough ground eventually blend together. The sky is blue and clear, giving off a nice radiance.

Janira: "I'd like to hear what you guys know of Kortos. Anyone?"

untrained Knowledge (Geography): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"Ah, but you will have to forgive me; I've come a long way. I know little of this island."

untrained Knowledge (Geography): 1d20 ⇒ 19

"I know that At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island. Other than that my education about this place is sadly lacking"

untrained Knowledge (Geography): 1d20 ⇒ 3

"Sadly, my knowledge of these lands is about as extensive as my knowledge of, well, arcane magic!"

Janira: "Oh boy.... XD. I do my people credit then, being curious enough to learn as much as i can."

Janira smiles as you walk.

Brayden scoffs at the remark, but manages an empty grin. Failing to impress Janira with his mind, he decides his combat prowess will have to be enough. He stretches his arms out in front of him and looks into the distance. "Janira, considering your endless pool of knowledge," Brayden says with a laugh, "do you know if we can expect to arrive at the caves before nightfall?"

"No, the trek takes a few days. We can make it in three if we don't get delayed by anything."
"On to the details of the mission at hand," Janira says with an eager grin.
"After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again.
We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there. The caves we’ll be traveling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts.
We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness.
With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently.
Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too."

--------------------------
That said, the first part of the trek is quite uneventful, until....
--------------------------

The trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road.
"I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well."
She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, "We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead."

Not shortly as she had spoken those words, a rising buzzing emerges, as you notice
What's up 1st?: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Oh boy..well you guys did call for tier 2. Bring out those vials and flasks, it's coming at you.

Bugs, round 1

Blue swarm & Giant Flea
The left swarm buzzes forward, entering and swarming over Astorian & Janira. Swarm dmg + poison & distraction: 1d6 ⇒ 4Bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fort vs poison & distraction: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
1 fort vs distraction DC 11, 1 fort vs poison DC 11.
The giant flea fwooshes at Brayden, as it makes a gigantic leap at him.
Charging leap vs big guy: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 = 17Nibble + disease: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Fort DC 11 vs disease.
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Asterion 2 fort rolls please. & Nevisial
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Green swarm
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Brayden, Maladash & Mercutio

Combat map link is under my name. You can move your own tokens.

In the Tavern

Brayden curiously studies the runes. "Well met, fellow warrior." He bows with a sort of renewed respect for warriors of all kinds. "How did you come to get those tattoos?"

These tattoos I did myself. Or rather, it was my hand, but in fact it was not me. It happened that day, when the Pure Chaos and Absolute Darkness (you call this power the 'Abyss', I think) first began to speak to me and through me - with you. I don't remember how it happened, but when I regained consciousness I was covered in blood... my blood. In my hand was a needle and some ink. I know that in these writings is my destiny. The more I understand them, the stronger I become... And the clearer my path becomes. My curse lies in the fact that I usually understand these symbols and the hidden hints at the very moment when it is already beginning to come true... So, 'I can anticipate but can't predict' - if you can understand what I mean.

During the travel

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

I think I heard something about this place... But alas, forgot. So much yet to learn.

In Fight

When the battle begins, Maladash eyes fill with rage. He grabs his shield and mace*, and pronounce fierce words... in absolutely not a familiar language. It's not like he somehow lost control of himself - but, at the same time, it's not quite the same Maladash with whom you have just chatted on the way.

*Alas, while BAB is 0 it is a 2 move action, right? One for shield and one for mace. If so, that's all for this turn.

fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Asterion feeling nauseated takes a withdraw action

Can't move myself on the map, i want to move around and away from the other swarm

By the way, I can't move myself on the map too .)

Weird, i set editable in the shared option.
Should be fixed now.
Asterion, i moved you past the fallen tree, seeing your sheet you auto-pass DC 5 climb for it. That ok with you?

The elven woman Navisiel, who had hardly spoken to the others except to give her name and mention that she was from Kyonin, moves quickly to the left and readies a flask. Once she clears Janira and has a clear line of sight on the insect swarm, she throws the acid into it.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Uh...given that it's a flask and not a dice tumbler, it's not going to make its own rolls....

Bugs, round 1

Blue swarm & Giant Flea
The left swarm buzzes forward, entering and swarming over Astorian & Janira.
The giant flea fwooshes at Brayden, as it makes a gigantic leap at him.
Fort DC 11 vs disease.
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Asterion moves back, while Nevisial wants to cross the tree.
You would also auto pass.
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Green swarm flies forward, entering Maladash's square.
Swarm dmg + disease: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 1
2 fort DC 11 please. 1st distraction 2nd disease.
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Brayden, Maladash & Mercutio

There is, of course, no honor lost in retreat.
Live to fight another day, remember?

Fort Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Now diseased, Brayden grabs his arm, bloody and oozing with pus, and grimaces in pain. "Foul creature..." He readies his longsword and slashes at the giant flea's head. "Now, you will know suffering!"

Longsword (Power Attack): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Brayden slices the flea clean in 2.
Maladash & Mercutio

Nevisial, go ahead and make that attack roll.

(I did, It's edited into the original post)

All good

After watching her acid attack do nothing more than create a small fizzle, Nevisial shouts "Mission focus demands that we not waste ourselves on this, we must outrun these swarms!"

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Wow!

Half-orc screams in pain and suffering, but bravely not retreat back! Then, once again, you hear strange brute speech instead of common:

"Damn! Er...does anyone have a torch?"

Mercutio grimaces, then pouts as he considers the situation.

"A fine strike, Brayden, but we are wasting ourselves on these vermin! Run!"

Maladash is being subject of many mosquito bites and he curses in Abyssal.
Mercutio agrees with retreat being the safest course of action.

Janira is swatting the mosquitoes around her, or at least trying.
"Ew...ew..ew..ew..ew..i'm not leaving anyone behind, but there's no sense in needless loss of life."
She motions Brayden and Maladesh the open field beyond the fallen tree. She herself makes past the log lightly SW, hoping to draw the swarm's attention, at which Nevisial chucks the acid flask, which bursts on the ground,
i'll take having targeted square at AC 5. dealing 5 dmg to the swarm.
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Bugs, round 2

Blue swarm now stings both Brayden and Maladesh.
Swarm dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2Bleed?: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Good, doesn't get worse.
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Asterion & Nevisial
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Green swarm
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Brayden, Maladesh & Mercutio

Asterion takes a 5ft step then draws and throws a flask of acid at the damaged swarm

Flask acid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d6 ⇒ 6

Nice roll.

Bugs, round 2

Blue swarm now stings both Brayden and Maladesh.
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Asterion throws a flask of acid with pinpoint accuracy, dealing a total of 12 dmg, dissipating the swarm.
Nevisial
Brayden, Maladesh & Mercutio

Nevisial draws her other acid flask and throws it into the remaining swarm.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Ow...yikes.

Nevisial tossses another acid flask into the swarm. It ends in an empty square, dealing 9 dmg to it (including splash).
It does however splash some against Brayden and Maladesh.

Maladesh is now disabled at 0 hp.
Brayden, Maladesh & Mercutio

Brayden writhes in pain after enduring many stings all over his body. He glances over at the fallen Maladash, and forms his resolve.

Brayden takes out a torch and lights it with his flint and steel. He takes a 5 foot step and flails the torch into the swarm. "I shall not flee. Die, cursed vermin!"

Improvised weapon (torch): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Damage (torch): 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack roll calculated as BAB + STR - 4 (improvised weapon penalty)

This had to be done or I'd be leaving Maladash alone with the swarm when fleeing, and that's not something Brayden would do. I can still take some damage. I think we need to keep flinging vials.

I'll take that vs a square.

While the swarm is flying and stinging around, Brayden aims for a square, dealing some fire dmg to some of the mosquitoes.

Maladesh & Mercutio

You're clear that, in the absence of the thrower having Alchemist levels, the splash damage from the acid is only 1 point, correct?

There really seems to be jack-all I can do. I move closer to Asterion and his acid supply and delay, I guess....

Yes, i'm aware. A lvl 2 grenadier would be great here.
Alas..
Delay until after Astoria?

I think I'd rather go to the Waldorf. *rimshot*

Um, yes. Sure.

QIb, jaw HIboQ!

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

DM, am I still disabled after HP is above zero? If yes, that's all. If not - I'll move to the east (right on the map). Thanks.

Brayden, nob! vay' toD SoH laH!

Nope, you're in the clear, and no longer bleeding too.

Maladesh asks for divine help, and receives it, closing his wounds, before he makes for the east.

Janira moves to Astorian.
1st aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12, but doesn't stop the bleeding.
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Bugs, round 3

Its previous prey gone, the mosquitoes head for the nearest source of precious blood.....Brayden.
Swarm dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 6Bleed?: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Worsens.
The big guy faints from the many tiny bites.
You're still bleeding from the mosquito bites until treated or magically healed, but make a con roll to avoid the normal bleed dmg from being unstable.
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Astorian & Nevisial
Brayden, Maladesh & Mercutio
Janira