[PFS] GM Lithrac's The Traitor's Lodge (#5-09) (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Kawrock looks at the shadowy figure. "Hello, have you been down here long?"

Fissa throws Hiko a confused look. Who's he talking to?

The figure comes out of the shadows, its hideousness now fully visible. "Are you Pathfinders as well?" it asks, "Gods be praised, help at last. I am VALAIS DURANT, VENTURE-CAPTAIN OF THIS LODGE. BOW TO ME, PUNY ONES! I have travelled from Numeria to Mendev on a mission for Ambrus Valsin, I was part of the team that aimed at finding out Thurl's deepest, darkest secrets - ones you don't dare whisper in the open, lest it reaches a nosy ear, the irony!"

She stops for a moment, smiling in a horrible, yet honest and gentle fashion, at you. What is most disturbing with this woman is that she doesn't have one voice, but three different ones. A human one (written in normal characters), a booming, overly proud one (in capital letters), and a soft, hissing, almost nefarious one (in italics).

"“The traitor Thurl built a hidden workplace past this room, and that’s where he performed his most vile experiments. If the Society is to understand just how FOOLISH he is, someone must uncover his terrible schemes. That’s where you come in, Pathfinders. There is a hidden door against that wall.” She waves a crimson claw toward the reading table. “Beyond you shall find his lair. ANY QUESTIONS?”

SM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Kawrock looks rather perplexed."Are you all right? How long have you been down here?"

Will all your money
Buy you forgiveness
Keep you from sickness
Or keep you from cold?
When you're down in the hole...

Sense Motive (Versatile:Sing): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Fissa approaches Valais in a combination of shock and curiosity, and tries to sample the true meaning behind her words.

Was it Thurl... Thurl that did this to you?

What horrors await us down there?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Taken aback the the abomination, Shazzara gasps. What did Thurl do to you, you poor creature? Whatever it is, we will put a stop to him. He's obviously a twisted man who's been corrupted beyond redemption by the Worldwound.

The creature smiles again, its twisted mouth convulsing to give you an answer. “Thurl turned on me when he realized the Decemvirate had me investigating his operation. When one of his PATHETIC MINIONS turned me in, he surprised me and knocked me unconscious. I awoke in one of the chambers below, and made my way here. And here I wait, in the shadows…”

Then responding to Shazzara's implied accusation on the former Venture-Captain: “Thurl is working with demons, and is trying to harness their powers in strange ways below. How exactly, I was not able to figure out, but it was clear that he had no moral boundaries in his research.”

Taking 10 on SM, if possible, for 19.
Hiko shudders a little at the thought of the pain and torture she must have gone through, "Do you have any idea of what might be awaiting us below? "

"You have sacrificed much for the society, I would like to make sure that it will not go to waste. Can we escort you to the Starsipre so you can recover and make a full report?"

Jory opens the door after making sure it is untrapped.

Jory gets +10 to perception with the potion for one hour

After he hears about Thurl:
"This Thurl is a disgrace to all dwarves. Make sure I get to put an arrow in him."

So you know your way around the chambers below? What awaits us there?

"Beyond this door is a large area that Thurl used as some kind of dumping ground. A small shrine conceals a secret passage to a second level below, but that shouldn’t be a problem to get past with me around." she suggests. “YOU WILL LEARN TO FEAR THE POWER CONTAINED BELOW! Sadly, I don’t know much of what was happening in the lower levels, as I escaped just after I woke up. I’ve waited here since, expecting the Decemvirate to send me some fresh minions.”

With those words, her twisted mouth returns to rest, and her graceful blue eyes peer at you with incredible compassion. She seems quite keen on following you inside.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"You seem to have endured a rather traumatic experience and may not be ready for a trip back down at this time. Also you have learned much and if something were to happen to you while down there that knowledge would be lost. Then there is the issue with the three voices, you are aware you are speaking with different voices right?"

Valais looks surprised, even puzzled. "What do you mean? I AM FULL WELL. First, it is not your choice as I AM YOUR COMMANDING OFFICER. Then, I would be a great asset to you in understanding this place, where I was born from the deepest shadows."

Jory bows:
"Lead on commander."
He respects rank in the pathfinders. He did not remember if being dead stripped you of your rank.

"This Thurl is a disgrace to all dwarves. Make sure I get to put an arrow in him."

Something tells me that had better be one with a tip of cold iron.

Fissa is ready to follow Jory through the door.

Past the hidden door found by Jory, the passage grows dark until you reach the next room worthy of attention. This chamber stretches ahead and to either side as far as the eye can see. Wall segments stretch from floor to ceiling, as much resembling overgrown stalactites as architectural features, and chunks of shattered masonry and other rubble litter the otherwise even floor. Long since expired torches rest in sconces affixed intermittently to the walls.

Time for me to ask: what light sources do you have?

Jory prefers no light sources with excellent darkvision.

Cautioning his new friends to keep light from getting to close to him. Jory steps into the dark.

He moves not so quietly--anxiously looking back to see if the ghost lady is mad at him and stepping a little loudly.
stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Take 10 for 34 perception

Time for me to ask: what light sources do you have?

Shazzara has darksight. Perfect vision even in supernatural darkness, no range limit.

Kilgharrah has darkvision.

Hiko picks up a book at random and casts light on it. She then draws and loads her crossbow and picks up the shining book.

Kawrock draws his cold iron nodachi and stays back while Jory scouts out ahead.

Fissa makes sure to keep the 'Venture-Captain' in view as the group moves along. He is somewhat comforted by her intentions, but those looks aren't something to get over easily.

Raoul keeps an eyebrow raised as he carefully watches Valais out of the corner of his sight. I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with her joining us, but it seems I'm not the only one...

With a few incantations, Raoul taps his simple signet ring casting light on it. The ring glows and provides light to those around him.

GM, Raoul has the 'Forwarned' special ability as part of the Divination Wizard School. It allows him to act in the surprise round, even if he doesn't succeed on a perception check. I know not every combat will have a surprise round, but just thought I'd let you know.

Thanks for letting me know, Raoul!

An eerie light emanates from Raoul's signet ring, shedding a strange light on this place of immense proportions. What seems to be distressing is that this room has no visible end, it stretches as far as your eyes can see.

As you make your way through this room, you soon notice that Valais steers clear of the rubble, and has a hard time accepting to cross over it. She walks instead in the middle of these corridors between pilings of rubble. "Something is wrong here, I can feel it. In the shadows, whispers are more distinct, make your deepest fears surface."

Kawrock will cast a spell and take a look around."This Thrul person seems a nasty sort perhaps he will need more then one arrow.

detect magic

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Raoul follows the others. Seeing Kawrock making the motions for detecting magic, Raoul decides to do the same - covering space that the tengu doesn't.

"Indeed, Kawrock. A Venture Captain gone off the rails? I cannot readily imagine a more formidable foe."

"Let's just hope he is our only foe and he hasn't brought, or created, more 'friends.'"
Hiko then takes her book over to one of the piles of rubble and looks at it closely.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Kawrock looks at Hiko and whispers,"我們必須小心，這家合資公司的船長。誰知道她的心思可能會在什麼狀態"

Hiko, while still examining the rubble pile, whispers back, "はい、そうだけど、カッブタンさんがたくさん知ってるから一緒に来たほうがいいと思います。そして、これから行かないともしそんな事したら危ないんです。何す るダメから気お付けてだけ出来ます。"

It's all flavor to me, I only know enough to tell the difference in writing.

Well then if it's fine with GM Lithrac, there should be no problem. I have a feeling I just stated something extremely obvious...

At the mentions of whispers, Fissa tries to hear if anyone is talking

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

I don't mind Japanese at all, on the contrary! I've always found weird that all Tian Xia would have the same language anyway. I know it's another common language, but I prefer diversity. の日本語を語らせる

Near the center of the maze stands a raised altar made of ivoryinlaid wood, its virtually pristine condition a sharp contrast to the shattered walls around it. At the center of the altar rests a statue of two figures locked in combat: a brass bull and an iron dwarf that gripes the animal by a horn from over its shoulder while holding a warhammer aloft. Delicately incised words encircle the statue’s base, reading, “In my name is the strength of my history, my tradition, and my people. Speak your name into my ear, and I shall judge your worth.”

Knowledge (Religion), Knowledge (Arcana) and Perception checks can be made. Those who reach 25 on their Perception checks can also make another Knowledge (Religion) check.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

"Anyone know a reason why I should not talk to the statue?"

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Not at all Kawrock, feel free to tell it your name.

Wow three skills she actually has ranks in. perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 dang rng hates me seeing things...
Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
I think only one knowledge check is probably needed. Unless Arcana tells you something else...
"It's probably best if we don't mess with the statue, unless someone knows what it is. However, if you really want to, I won't stop you Kawrock, I'll just stand way over here."

K(Rel): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
K(Arc): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Prc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Looks like some kind of dwarf in a bull fight. I wonder what whispering names has anything to do with it, unless it's some kind of stage announcement - but that's hardly whispering, is it?

Jory takes the request literally and speaks the two words: "Your name" into her ear.

At the dwarf's foolishness, Hiko releases a snort of laughter and quickly turns around, shaking with muffled mirth.
That made my day Jory, thanks

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Perception): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

"As it is a statue of a dwarf wrestling a bull - then perhaps dwarven should be spoken to it?" Raoul wonders aloud.

Apparently, neither Jory's jest nor Kawrock's indirectly uttered name have any consequence, save for Hiko's mirth.

Fissa starts singing to introduce himself to the statue, treating the god Torag to his personal introduction song in a painful bout of conceitedness:

To whoever wants to hear
Be you far or be you near
I'll cry it out and say it clear
Fissa Fuihlah is here!

There is a faint click after a few seconds that seem to be an eternity., then the statue shifts to open a dark passage going deep into the earth, a staircase leading the way.

This passage finally reaches a room. A cage-like spiral staircase of rusting wrought iron descends along one wall of this room. Dim but vibrant green light pulses from two large glass vats that stand from floor to ceiling in the far corners. Powdery rust coats much of the floor, though several lines of footprints crisscross the room. Metal doors lead to the east and west.

Thurl's Laboratory Map

Raoul looks around the room. "What do you suppose is in those vats?" He holds his hands out in front of himself in an effort to detect any magic that may be emanating from the vats.

He notes the footprints in the rusty dust. "Well, which way shall we go?"

We should go through the western door.

Jory nods and leads the way after examining the western door.
Perception =34 on door after taking 10

stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 Still anxious about their 'commander' Jory continues to be somewhat noisier than normal as he anxiously looks back.

"At least they know who I am now. Fissa has entered the building!"

prc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Fissa tries to get a better view of what is in the vats, then asks "captain? Have you seen these before?"

is this some kind of intricate trap?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Remembering he almost dies last adventure when the rest of party looked at things he turns his attention to the vats too.
perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 40

Are the vats filled with liquid or empty?

With his weapon still drawn, Kawrock keeps a nervous eye on Valais.