[PFS] GM Mjolbeard's 'The Wounded Wisp'(#6-10) (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

Oh boy, we're Ninjaing each other.

For the record, Denair has Darkvision and Low-Light vision. Meredith has the light spell.

Meredith calls upon the rays of dawn to light up a stone. She hands it to Frankie. "Go ahead, I'm right behind you."

This kid's gonna go far. I'll give him a little independence here... Something about Frankie's impulses and wanderlust appeals to Meredith. Maybe it's the same wanderlust that brought her to the big city. Or maybe it's over exposure between him and Denair.

Ninja'ing en masse. If i didn't know any better, i'd say we've fallen into a certain posting speed, similar to some disaster mission. :)

Alice casually follows Meredith and Frank.

"Don't just let him go in there alone. What would his parents say? Even an elf would know better than that! Hah!" Zav quips as he speeds ahead towards Frankie and into the big scary door.

Frankie grabs the glowing stone and motors down the hall Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 eyes flying around the room, taking in all the new sights. "What's taking you all so long back there!"

Saritirnen as usual steps last into the corridor. Ever reluctant he knows for certain the child's enthusiasm will get them into some sort of discord. Moving with the aid of his spear he follows along coubtung each step and bracing himself for what is to follow.

All together, you make your way into the darkness of the secret tunnels, the path illuminated by the glowing stone Meredith hands to Frankie. Seems like Frankie might have a new mother to care for him now...

The tunnels are narrow initially, forcing those of you larger than the size of, oh, I don't know, a child, to squeeze uncomfortably through. After those first few feet, however, the hidden passage opens up into a much larger cavern. As you turn the bend and begin heading north, you notice another light coming from a chamber at the opposite end of the cavern you just entered. Following the source of the light, you find yourselves in a small, but comfortably decorated alcove. Several desks are arranged along the northern and eastern edges of this small stone alcove. Whereas the stonework leading to this chamber is rough, the walls in the alcove are polished. A single gem rests among the neatly filed papers on the desk, emitting a soft luminescence that brightens the small room.

"Interesting..." Meredith looks at the papers on the desk. "We found something, that's for sure..."

Denair hoists Frankie to the gem and stares at his motions, intently.

Frankie races along, trying like hell to be the first to see all the new and cool things in this hidden cave. His little legs working overtime to keep up or stay ahead of the others. He smiles a bit when the tunnel gets low and narrow, slowing the others down. On occasion if he starts to lose the race he blocks some of the light to hopefully catch up.

"Wowzors! Look at this place! Its like a secret fort! Where's all the blankets and old coats though? Whats that glowy gem thing? I can touch it right?" He reaches out to grab it when Denair picks him up. "Umm, Mr Elf guy with the limp, I forget your name, but you seem pretty smart about stuff... you know what this is?" As he holds the gem out to Saritirnen to examine.

Zavubak leaves Frankie to his antics and carefully examines the desks for any paperwork similar to what he'd seen below the Wisp. "Perhaps the shiny gem is a distraction? I'll leave it to Frankie and the elf to figure it out."

"Distraction from what? All that homework? HA! The real prize is right here in this cool glowy gem!" He then shoos Zav back over to his homework table.

"A distraction from the spirit within, trying to tear out your soul. Good chance in it, i've heard of soul gems before."

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2
"Soul gems? Are those dangerous?" Meredith is quite concerned.

Denair's Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 15
"No, it's fine as long as you're a good boy. And you are a good boy, right Frankie?" Denair laughs.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"Soul gems, those sound cool! Maybe I could have an extra soul, think of all the souls! Maybe MORE than two!" He looks at Denair and nods, and cackles softly, pulling the gem close. His eyes dart around the room suspiciously.

"Soul gems, you say?" Zav cocks his head at Alice. "I have heard of magic that captures the very essence of a creature upon its death, storing it in these gems."

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Denair's Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 19
"I-I don't think you want two souls, Frankie..." Meredith seems concerned.
Denair on the other hand is quite curious. "If one person had two souls, could they trade at a whim?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Denair's Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Meredith smirks. "You don't sound so sure about that, Zavubak."
Denair nods. "Weapons are meant to smash, not think!" Meredith frowns and Denair sticks her leafy tongue out in response.

Saritirnen looks as the child runs off with the gem barely giving the elf the time to take hold of the gem for examination. "The gem if you would please child?"

when Frankie gives the gem to Saritirnen he casts detect magic. concentrating for 3 rounds if necessary. Are there any knowledge skills that might be helpful? Also will have a look at the papers to see if they have any significance following the examination of the gem with detect magic.

sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Aw shoo..the half pint passes the sense motive :P

SM Zav: 1d20 ⇒ 12

(Shrugs)

"Listen to the tall green leafy lady, those are some odd but true words."

Ya he got a lucky roll but odds are he'd only be more curious than afraid. Frankie's bluff game is tight, but its a game he's happy to play with anyone!

Frankie slowly hands the gem back to Saritirnen, but stays close at hand as he works his magic... watching the gem closely. He nods in the affirmative to Meredith, slowly. "Two souls sound ok by me! You'd always have a friend at hand to talk to and play with." He continues watching the Elf work. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

As you rifle through the papers and examine the nook, you come to recognize the significance of what you've found here. The papers consist of a priceless collection of Pathfinder Society lore and information describing dozens of unexplored sites. Most are written in an unfamiliar language further encrypted using an old cipher. Although it is clear to you that this collection is very important, understanding the true scope of the discovery will require several weeks of careful study by researchers at the Grand Lodge. Congrats! You found Eylysia's trove!

Despite the boy's initial excitement, Saritirnen is eventually able to retrieve the glowing gem from Frankie and study its magic. The gem is indeed imbued with some kind of magic, though Saritirnen cannot determine the exact nature of the effects in place. The careful examination of the gem reveals that it is an alexandrite gem, which would be valuable even without the enchantment.

Saritirnen, your spell craft check failed to identify the exact spell used on the stone, but you can still give me a Knowledge (arcana) check to identify the school of magic. Everyone can also give me an Appraise check to determine the exact value of the alexandrite.
Aside from the checks, what will you do next?

Meredith casts Guidance to help Saritirnen identify the school of magic.

"These papers are incredible..." Meredith mumbles. "I can't make a lick of sense of it, but I do see Eylysia's name on it." Meredith starts to pack up the notes. "Let's get this and the gem back to the Venture Captain as soon as possible."

Without taking his eyes off the gem Frankie pipes up "So you found what you needed? So we can go see that guy on the horse and eat some waffles? We should take this great shiny glowy soul gem with me..."

"See? Told you the gem was a distraction. The gnome's cache is all here. Now that we've got what we came for, can we beat something up? I'm dying to claw at something. And perhaps try these waffles after we work up an appetite."

Seems like you guys are pretty well set to head back to the Grand Lodge, yeah? Sounds good. Go ahead and place yourselves in your marching order in the red box I've placed on the map. No reason. I just want a nice pose for that slide.

Saritirnen looks at the gem and hands it to Meredith. "Understanding that gem is beyond my current knowledge hopefully your superiors will know more about this." he trails in the back using his spear as support.

"Maybe i can give it a shot."

Take 10 for 18, success?

More like that homework pile distracted you all from this awesome gem! Oh, did he say time to get waffles? Frankie snatches the gem as soon as Saritirnen goes to hand it back to Meredith Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 or nearly does, that old Elf is just too damn tall!

"Oh man, let me carry it! Come on now, I'll be careful I promise!"

"Thanks Saritirnen." Meredith renews the spell on a stone, then puts the gem in her backpack. "Let's get out of here."

Denair isn't too far away. "Why would she put her notes where no one can find it?"

Alice takes her time to examine the gem and discovers a distinct evocation aura emanating from it. A bit more investigation and she and Saritirnen put their heads together to find that a continual flame spell was cast on it, though it seems somehow more powerful than the basic level of the spell.

With that mystery finally solved, you begin to make your way back to the entrance of the tunnel.
Just need Alice and Saritirnen to place themselves in the red box, please.

Done on my part.

I suppose Saritirnen specified that he'd be bringing up the rear. I'm gonna go ahead and place him and move us along to...THIS!

You emerge from the tunnels, your faces flush with the excitement of your discovery. A whole trove of heretofore undiscovered reports from an illustrious Pathfinder! Who knows what kinds of secrets her cryptic notes and recordings contain?

Your jubilation is cut short as you begin to make your way from Demuren’s shrine toward the exit, however, as the doors of the Shrine of the Fallen suddenly burst open. A group of men and women, with bronze badges bearing the image of a coiled serpent pinned on each of their cloaks, enters through the large doors. As they descend the steps, the woman standing in front throws her head back and laughs loudly as those standing around her perform some strange sort of hand gesture. ”Pathfinders,” shouts the woman who appears to be in charge, ”You must truly be fools to believe you will leave this place with Eylysia’s discoveries. Surrender now, and perhaps we will not have to kill you!” Seemingly ignoring whether or not you acquiesce to her threats, the woman draws a weapon from her belt and raises her hand as if to cast a spell. ”Get them!”

The woman closes her hand into fist and shouts out in a strange, harsh tongue.

"Whoa..." Meredith turns to see four people march into the temple and make demands.

"Denair, we've got trouble." Meredith runs behind a pillar and calls upon the strength of vines. Dozens of vines burst along her arms, changing her musculature. "I guess diplomacy has failed, huh?"

Seeing that these strangers mean to spill blood Saritirnen moves ahead taking cover behind the pillar.

'Blood shall be spilt.'
'Arm yourself and engage them! Do not cower.'
'Look how he hides. Letting others do for him.'
'He is not strong enough yet. His time will come.'

Shaking off the voices of The Many in his head he looks to the others quietly saying "Let them come to us they think we are no match for them or they would not have traveled down here after us and then announce themselves."

"Guys, we'd better be on our toes here, i doubt any of us feels like dying today."

Saritirnen and Meredith both move to more defensible positions and urge their allies to do the same. The walking stereotype of an elven archer, however, has no intentions of allowing the whole party to get to cover. He breaks from the rest of his group and moves past the row of columns to line up a shot at the largest target he can find, which in this case happens to be...a tree? The elf takes aim at Denair and fires off an arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

The confusion caused by the appearance of the target throws off the archer's aim, however, and the shot goes wide.

AMBUSH! - Round 1
Touched (green)
Saritirnen
Meredith
Archer (blue)
Frankie is up!
Brute2 (orange)
Denair
Zavubak
Alice
Brute1 (red)

Denair's FF AC is actually 12, not 14, so it hits. My summary is .

"Ow." Denair feels an arrow pierce her hide, right through her fur. "I guess we're under attack, huh?"

Oops! Forgot it was against FF. Thanks for being honest about it!
AMBUSH! - Round 1
Touched (green)
Saritirnen
Meredith
Archer (blue)
Frankie is up!
Brute2 (orange)
Denair (-4)
Zavubak
Alice
Brute1 (red)

"Woah a battle! Against people! Why are they attacking us... we never found the waffles."

Frankie heads over as the others are doing and takes cover behind the pillar and takes a 'don't swat me mom I swear I won't do it again' stance Total Defense! 18 AC

As Frankie takes up a defensive position, the orange-clad brute rushes forward, one hand loosely holding a large club, while his other hand draws a small stone from a pocket at his side. As he passes the column hiding Frankie, he catches sight of the boy and the others hiding further back. "'Ello there, poppits! Listen 'ere. Don't make it 'ard on yeself. 'And over the notes." Adding some force to his words, the brute approaches Frankie's pillar and gives his club a massive swing, smashing Frankie's small body into the pillar!
Greatclub: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Damage, PA: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Oh no! Sorry Frank!

AMBUSH! - Round 1
Touched (green)
Saritirnen
Meredith
Archer (blue)
Frankie (-14, unconscious)
Brute2 (orange)
Denair (-4)
Zavubak
Alice
Brute1 (red)

I take it Saritirnen will activate his misfortune. I got it next time. The brute will have to re-roll his attack.

"Now now, attacking the little ones? You big bully."

Alice hurries herself to the square west of Saritirnen.
"Nails, it's your duty to take them down."

Alice casts protection from evil on Zav.

Zavubak delays until Alice cloaks him in a protective aura, then he advances at the orange child-killer with an angry scowl on his face. "Leave the kid out of this and fight fairly, you coward!" His arms double in size as he focuses his anger, and with the claws now full extended, he swipes the orange-armored agent across the face.

Claw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Delay, move 25',begin rage and standard for a single swipe. AC 17 (including PfE)

High 5'ves Zav. ;)

"Ow ow ow ow ow!" Denair pulls the arrow out her as some kind of sap bleeds from the wound. "Now you've done it..."

She walks right in front of the archer, grins and glares at him. "Try that again. I'm watching you this time!"

Double Move. Denair has 10 foot reach. Here's an AoO roll, fighting defensively.AC is 15.

Better wait until he calls out you can take an aoo. ;)

Alice I didn't take extra revelation for my feat so I don't have misfortune. You'll need to use your ability :(

A second brutish man, looking for all the world like a twin of the orange-clad man, but wearing a jaunty little red cap, moves forward, his hand diving into his pocket and withdrawing an odd little stone. "Stay 'way from me brovva, ya monstah," the brute yells as he lobs the stone at Zavubak.

Thunderstone vs AC5: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Zav, give me a DC15 Fort save or be deafened for 1 hour.
Fort save, Orange: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

The orange-clad brute covers his ears as he sees the stone whiz past him, and he manages to avoid the worst of the thunderstone's impact.

Meanwhile, the spell caster shouts over the din,

AMBUSH! - Round 1
Touched (green)
Saritirnen
Meredith
Archer (blue)
Frankie (-14, unconscious)
Brute2 (orange) (-10)
Denair (-4)
Zavubak
Alice
Brute1 (red)

Darn..that's the strength of the dual cursed, the misfortune & fortune stuff. Sorry Frankie, since i was flat footed, i can't force his re roll.
Also...a 20 didn't hit on a tier 1-2 mook?
They're using 2 handed weapons after all. :o

Yeah, it hit. Just forgot to add the damage in the summary. Fixed that now. He's not down yet though. And yeah, these dudes are beefy as all get out!

apologies I'll remember that the next time. Don't worry Frankie I'll save ya!

"Denair!" Meredith calls out. "What are you- dammit." Meredith watches poor Frankie, clobbered against the column. "Wow...that's how you want to play it, huh?"

She pulls out her mace and runs alongside Frankie. "Don't worry kid, We'll make them pay. Beating up children like that..."

Meredith also has Long Arm right now, giving her 10 foot reach. She'll use a Swift action to use Arcane Strike on her mace, and prepare for an AoO.

Based on my last roll, I'll wait for someone to trigger an AoO before I get in there.

Fort save, PfE, raging: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Fort saves are Zav's thing. Damn, waste of a perfectly good 20!

Zavubak is completely unaffected by the exploding stone, and grins smugly at the second brute. "Throw harder next time, weakling!"