[PFS] GM Lithrac's Thornkeep, part I - The Accursed Halls (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

"Look at it this way Rellen: with what I learned maybe we can avoid a fight and spare some bloodshed on both sides."

He huffs as he struggles to keep up.

"The goblin chief, calling himself Graalsk, and his tribe found a way into the halls. They sent some of their best warriors to recover artifacts from something they called the 'Kingdom of Zog' - some sort of mythical goblin kingdom. Of course, the story might be a fabrication by their chief to fire up their warriors, or a mis-interpretation of an older myth. I'm not one for the history books myself, so I can't really comment. It might be an angle to pursue, if other avenues don't pan out."

"By the way, I have skill in the healing arts, but lack some of the basic bandages and salves, or the money to buy them. Does anybody have a healer's kit? If not, I'll improvise as I can."

Totally spaced on a healers kit. If nobody has anything, I'll try to buy and sterilize cloth, thread, a small knife, catheter, clamps, something to extract arrows, some vinegar for sterilization, maybe some willow or opium for pain - availability and cost permitting. I only have about 5 gp left - I guess I'm looking for some sort of improvised kit.

"Here, friend, we will divide my kit up in half, so that we are more prepared as a group," Knorrin says to Choamski, retrieving the kit from his belt and laying out the contents for division.

"And here, in case I am incapacitated or worse, this is the word of command, done like so, for my wand of healing ... " continues Knorrin, unasked, demonstrating the particular operation of his wand, the contents of three vials (all clearly labeled "Antitoxin", "Antiplague", and "Smelling Salts"), and the contents of his scroll box, "This is a scroll of reading magical inscriptions, and this one of understanding spoken and written languages. This one here, which yet needs a label, is only common ink, so don't drink it..."

Rellen grunts ambiguously,

"And we don't want that? I suppose we don't."

Choamski notes the ink.

"A being of letters and kindness is indeed a being I am happy to call friend. To this, I can add a scroll containing curative healing energies of the first circle of magic"

"Rellen, if the goblin crimes are no more nefarious then grave-robbing, I hardly think bloodshed is warranted. If you start thinking that way, you better take a good look at your current line of work."

"Think what you like, to me goblins are vicious little bastards that would steal and eat babies if they thought they could get away with it. If half of what I've heard about the little gits is accurate the world would be a better place without them. That said, I am not planning on murdering anyone or anything without cause, and I'm willing enough to be proved wrong - but pretty sure I won't be," Rellen replies, sneering down at the gnome, though this seems to be more or less the ranger's habitual expression.

"Well, you've got more then a few good points there. Still, I'll let every gnome, man, elf or goblin be judged by their own actions alone"

Knorrin relates to the group, "For what it is worth, there is a rumor that a son of a "Lord Silvercrown" of Mivon went missing treasure hunting in the Accursed Halls, and there is a reward if we "can find out what happened to him" - presumably dead or alive, then. I have no knowledge of this person, but we should be on the lookout for him - or for something regal that indicates his remains.”

To Choamski and Rellen, Knorrin empathizes with both, "As a servant of the Dawnflower, I share your hope for redemption of any creature, Choamsky, and it is a noble sentiment, especially coming from one whose people have suffered much at the hands of goblins; and I equally share your wariness, Rellen, about those propects."

"I think we all agree we see baby eating we set to killing, for everything else we'll just have to wing it. I'll leave redemption to you though Knorrin, I don't want a goblin following me about even if it is Iomedae reborn. Sounds like there's barely going to be room to move down in these halls, wizards, goblins, lordlings, a regular soiree."

At this point, I'll ask for checks in Knowledge History and Knowledge Local, provided you are trained in them.

Caradeum meets people on his own and hears yet another strange rumor:
“If I had to pinpoint the source of Thornkeep’s corruption, I’d say those Brambleclaw goblins are behind all the dastardliness
around these parts. From their lair in the Briarwarren, they control an entire operation built on drugs, slaves, and murder!”

Gah! I hate it when my campaign tab doesn't update.. Sorry guys.. No need in backtracking on the rp now.. I hate that..

Apparently stuck in a stupor from the long travel Wizzy finally breaks out of it..

Know Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

On the subject of room and board.. "On don't worry about the Inn.. I'll pay for us.. There usually good places to gather info.. That is if yall haven't found out what we need yet.."

Know History, Bard Know: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

lol well hopefully the 28 will get us what we need..

I would think that you should also be able to attempt a K(history), poor as that might be, given that you possess bardic knowledge.

After a while, the group meets again at the town square. What's your next move?

I'm a little confused I guess, do we actually know the location of the Halls at this point? Or just lots of talk about their existence?

Meeting up with the others.. "I was marginally successful in finding out information on The Kingdom of Zog.. Apparently it really existed and was founded upon some old Azlanti ruins.. So my bet would be that these halls are just that.. An ancient Azlanti ruin.. We're any of yall successful in finding any information?"

After listening to the others.. "So, to the Goldenfire Order's Tower?"

Cutter shares with the group what he's learned. "It would seem that a junior member of the Order has made an interesting discovery about something called the Door of Seven Stars. Maybe we can speak directly with this Jharun at the tower for more information. Also, Caradeum, there is a gnome book merchant here in town who is very friendly had seems to have pretty high quality paper if you need those kinds of things."

Thank you for the information Cutter. I will have to see him before we finish our mission here. I learned that many here suspect the Brambleclaw goblins as the source of corruption in the "Halls"

Rellen nods, and heads over to the Wizard's Guild rapping upon the door, unsure if they ought to simply waltz in or not.

You haven't heard of the exact location of the Accursed Halls yet, but Brokenhelm hill is the hill dominating most of Thornkeep, where the Baron has built his castle (at the middle of the map).

The group bands together once again and wanders towards the Goldenfire tower (34.), located to the northeast of Brokenhelm hill. Goldenfire Tower is a small round tower four floors tall, adjacent to a comfortable and well-built stone house by the shore of the millpond.

As you enter the tower - one of the highest building of the small settlement - you are greeted by a young human wearing golden silk robes. He welcomes you with a warm smile.
Welcome to the Goldenfire order, good sirs! What business brings you here, do you wish to meet Lady Iliara Starcloak? What is it about?

You're more than welcome to try your social skills here.

GM Lithrac, Just a suggestion, but perhaps you could add a link to the post where you listed the numbers that correspond to the map image?

Knorrin looks to Caradeum, the most connected, it seems, to things arcane, and to Choamski, not wanting to step on his small toes, as it were, with oafish boots.

But, Knorrin also can't resist a warm smile, and perhaps a few words, "We are visitors to your city, members of the Pathfinder Society, and would wish to speak to whomever may be in the know about the Accursed Halls and about a possible discovery relating to the Door of the Seven Stars."

I forgot a likely Diplomacy roll.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

The Goldenfire initiate quickly removes himself from sight, bowing out to summon the master wizardess of the order, a dark-haired elven maiden of high authority. The latter introduces herself to you.
I am the mistress of the Goldenfire Order, Iliara Starcloak. I've been told by my apprentice Timbor that you wished to speak about the Accursed Halls and the Door of Seven Stars? To tell you the truth, we're at a loss here. One of our apprentices, the conjurer Jharun, went to explore the cleft discovered by two local drunkards about two months ago. He returned with a detailed sketch of a large stone door which he named the Door of Seven Stars, that would apparently lead to levels below the Halls. However despite his efforts it remained closed. Jharun returned and trusted us with his scroll before heading out in the Echo woods, but he disappeared. We've sent a rescue team, but I'm afraid they haven't returned yet.

After much convincing from the sweet-tongued Knorrin, Iliara accepts to show you the aforementioned scroll, displaying the door. You are able to deceipher a scribbled note next to the highest circle that reads "Red star?" The mistress of the order also shows you on her map where the cleft leading to the Accursed Halls lies (38. on the map).

Knorrin, smiles warmly and bows, "Thank Iliara, for your kindness and assistance regarding the Door and the cleft, and thank Timbor, as well, for us."

"We saw no signs of either your Jharun or the rescue party on our way here, though our time in the Woods was brief and direct, coming to here from the direction of Mosswater. We may have a rescue mission as it is, as rumor has it that a son of one Lord Silvercrown of Mivon is missing in the Accursed Halls. But, when done, I, at least, would be glad to aid in the search for Jharun."

"Ah, do you know what he was looking for in the woods, and how long ago he disappeared?"

Cutter scratches Nightrunner behind the ears, "Perhaps Nightrunner can pick up his scent from his belongings and we could search the woods for Jharun?"

"Perhaps we should give Miss Starcloak's search party a chance to do their job and we can go check out this halls.. It possible he returned there is it not? So we could search there for him and the other missing fellow and upon our return if the search party still isnt back then we can go have a look.. Thoughts?"

"If nobody can open this door then we could do with clearing out the place, I'd feel a damn fool to trek off to some woods and find some goblin had managed to pry the door open - not that I find that likely. More importantly we are here, we can deal with these halls now and think about trying to retrieve Master Jharum if its needful. Like... Floggentop says we would hopefully be surplus to requirements if the search party does its job. My thanks for your candour Lady," Rellen says, bowing his head to Iliara.

"To my mind we should head "for the Halls now. Soonest started soonest finished and if this Lordling is still alive time may be of the essence - don't imagine his father will pay as much for a corpse."

The elven wizard smiles faintly at your offer, but declines. You are a good-hearted person, Master Halfling, as often with those of your race. Your kindness honors you, but there's no need to bother with the search. Jharun has done that before, disappearing for days only to turn up with an amazing discovery. That being said, my resources are stretched at the moment and sadly I can't afford any other help than this scroll for you at the moment. However, could you do me a kindness in return and report to me the results of your exploration in the Accursed Halls, please? I would gladly pay you for your trouble, depending on how valuable the information you find actually is. This could be a mutually beneficial collaboration. What say you?

She seems to be a trustworthy person to you, you don't sense any deceit in her words.

Knorrin nods in favor of going first to the cleft and the Accursed Halls, if not the emphasis on rewards and payments. "We should be happy, I believe, to share any information we find with you, in proper return for your help towards obtaining it. I do not believe anything in our role as Pathfinders prevents the mutually beneficial arrangement you describe. Then, if your apprentice has not returned, we shall attempt to find him, too." As he speaks, Knorrin looks around the gathered company, judging if there is general consent.

Are we off to the cleft, or should we gather more information around town?

Nodding, Cutter thanks Iliara Starcloak. "You have been most helpful, my lady. We will gladly share what we find in our investigation." Turning to his fellow Pathfinders, "Nightrunner and I stand ready to enter the Halls."

"As you will. Seems like we best get leave from this "Baron" to go chasing through the halls beneath his keep, unless we plan on doing so in a particularly stealthy manner."

"Also, it seems like we've only talked to one of the power groups in this town. We might stand to talk to others, once we figure out what they are. On the other hand, if lives are at risk we'd be wise not to squander the time. The young Lord Silvercrown might be alive and imperiled"

"Alright well lets get this going.. If yall think we should go speak to this Baron fine, but otherwise i say we head to the halls.."

Iliara nods in agreement, the deal is struck. You wander off the Goldenfire tower, deciding against postponing the inevitable-exploring the Halls. A narrow, overgrown trail across the road from Firla Parr’s farm leads through a thick copse to a stepping-stone crossing of the Echo Stream. On the far side of the stream, under the beetling bluffs of Brokenhelm Hill, a wide crevice leads into the hillside and reveals a pair of enormous stone columns built into the rocky wall. This is the path to Thornkeep’s notorious Halls Under the Hill, or the Accursed Halls as they are better known.

Once inside, you penetrate into what seems to be the entry hall. This large hall is held up by a number of carved columns. Directly ahead, a doorway is sealed with stone blocks. In the center of the floor, the flagstones have been pulled up, revealing a staircase leading downward. The stench of rotting meat hangs in the air, but there is no living soul in the room.

The map is up. You can move your own pawn on it freely, but please don't alter the rest of the map.

The Accursed Halls, level I map

"Looks like we're heading downstairs.." He moves to the stairs an has a look down them, pulling his crossbow as he goes..

Perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Caradeum readies his longbow, following somewhere in the middle.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Choamski invokes Irez, summoning a simple light orision. Then he slowly moves up with the others, a keen eye peeled for ancient azlanti defenses, magical or otherwise.

All three of you distinctively hear a thousand clicking sounds echoing on the stone floors. You estimate one creature with thousands of legs to be down there.

Choamski runs through his years of monster lore training.

He pulls and loads his crossbow.

"Careful now, some sort of critter ahead... centipede maybe?"

From the sound of it, it could indeed well be a giant centipede.

Wizzy looks around.. "Who's taking point?"

"I am," Rellen declares simply, pushing past the others, "keep a light close behind me... Please," and stalking down the stairs moving with a vague nod to stealth, but little more.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Hope you don't mind folks, Knorrin has a slightly higher AC, but being in front makes using my sheath throw attack a lot easier and Rellen's likely to be acting first in the majority of cases.

Do I know anything pertinent about giant centipedes from that knowledge check (assuming that is in fact what we're dealing with?) Defenses, Special Attacks?

Knorrin's a support cleric, so somewhere in the middle or towards the back, I would think.

You know they are immune to mind-affecting effects and their bite is poisonous.
Giving a chance for slower posters to buff before moving on.

"Try not to get bit Rellen. If it is a giant centipede they've got a nasty poison."

Rellen nods, that's pretty much my motto.

Rellen moves to the next room, fully aware of the danger. However, he pales as he perceives not one but two giant centipedes waiting for him.
Combat starts

The Accursed Halls, level I map
The Accursed Halls, level II map

Choamski moves just to the top of the stairs and fires, cursing the cover.