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

Game Master SkipperD

Will, Hakak: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Reaching out to grab the gnome, Hakak's hands go right through him and he becomes slightly transparent. The "gnome" is completely unfazed by the events and smiles at the half-orc before refocusing on his book.

Anaias starts searching the various cabinets, desks, drawers in the building.

Ignoring the odd tableau, Anaias turns up a few items of interest. Firstly, a neatly penned letter (handout added, slide 2). Underneath the letter is a hastily scrawled note in similar handwriting, which contains a name: Doulgonlir Caskmail.
Secondly, two long forgotten potion vials sit on the windowsill.

Anaias attempts to use Detect Magic.

Perception 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Perception 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Hmm.. Almonds... This one's a curing potion CMW or Cyanide!

Now, can anyone think of any appropriate place to say Wiffle? Maybe we should go to the Wall of Names and look for Doulgonlir. If that's not appropriate enough we can always go back to the Tomb and say Wiffle there.

Upon hearing Canias' call, Takumi leaves Hakak to the ghostly gnome and goes over. Reading quickly the note, he exclaims, "It's all illusions, both the gnomes. Doulgonlir Caskmail, hmmm. We need to investigate his name at the Wall of Names. I presume that is where we should head next."

Wiffle. This day just gets more interesting. I vote we head back to the lodge and ask around. Hakak says, stooping under the doorframe to join Takumi

The Wall of Names is a curving wall of black glass that stands atop a small hill at the western edge of the Grand Lodge’s grounds. Trees surround the hill, providing ample shade and privacy for those visiting the wall to remember fallen comrades. Carved into the wall are the name and date of death of every Pathfinder killed in the course of duty since the wall’s construction, and most entries also include a sentence or two summarizing either the agent’s greatest accomplishments or how she died.

Finding Doulgonlir Caskmail's epitaph is simply a matter of patience. See slide #1.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Ah ha! Caskmail was an aspirant for the Starstone. I bet we might find Arkath's work in their memorial as well.

The monk is happy to follow the group.

Walking to the Ascendant Court, you have a bit of luck; a Mendevian crusader is attempting the Test of the Starstone, so a throng of people surround the Starstone Cathedral, including the Shrine's caretakers. Most of the Shrine has been securely locked, but the basement annex is still accessible.

Ha! Lady Luck does it again!

Penthesilea sets one of her earrings alight and heads down into the Shrine.

religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"Hmm, close but I think that's quite accurate. I've read of the failed Aspirants in my studies. Those who attempted the Test of the Starstone in a bid to achieve godhood but failed in their attempts. Sixteen Poses? Must be one of the portfolios-to-be of one of these Aspirants. Looks like the clues point us to the Shrine of the Aspirants."

---

Takumi glances over at Penthesilea and smiles admiringly. "That is quite a useful piece of jewelry. Don't think it would look too good on me, however." Turning serious, he adds, "Come, let's see what secrets is locked up here," as he descends to the basement with the party.

Another basement. Something else for me to bang my head on thinks Hakak as he follows Penthesilia and the others under the shrine

This monumental chamber stretches eighty feet from end to end, with a ceiling suspended thirty feet from the floor by great pillars. Seven arched passages lead to humble rooms, each of which contains a polished stone altar dedicated to one of the failed aspirants who attempted the Test of the Starstone. Each altar stands upon a raised dais and bears a small brass nameplate identifying the aspirant and the would-be-god’s areas of interest.

Map updated.

Ha! The earring's just a shiny bit of copper, I'm the useful one!
Penthesilea walks along the altars scanning for Doulgonlir's name.

Hakak does the same but starting on the other side So many fallen... he whispers out loud to no one in particular

If it were easy to become a god everyone would do it! The real sorrow is that so many are convinced this is the only path to godhood instead of learning their own.

Perhaps humans were never meant to become divine. he remarks.

I dunno, Cayden Cailean, Kurgess, and Kelksiomedes do it pretty well; even Iomedae and Psomeira do a fine job of it if you don't take them too seriously.

The name "Doulgonlir Caskmail" is nowhere to be found, but one of the shrines is dedicated to Oggo of the Sixteen Poses. Noted on the map.

So, what's the plan?

Well, Doulgonlir died when he failed to maintain the Sixteen Poses, maybe Oggo has something to do with him.

Penthesilea closely vaguely examines Oggo's alcove. Detect Magic
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

While her mundane search turns up nothing, Penthesilea detects two auras in the alcove.

Hey, I'm not sure what kind, but it looks like there's something magic to the nameplate... and the wall too.

Oh, uh.. Wiffle!

knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

"Come, let me take a look. Hmm, there is clearly magic emanating from the nameplate and the western wall, but it much be strong. I am unable to determine much more."

Nonetheless, he turns to examine the wall more closely.

Saying the passphrase has no obvious effect, and Takumi can see nothing amiss about the western wall, apart from the unidentified aura.

perception, wall: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Disappointed, Takumi turns to examine the nameplate.

perception, nameplate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

The nameplate, however, can be slid to the side, revealing a chalkboard and a thin piece of chalk.

Hakak picks up the chalk and scrawls, in impressive handwriting for an Orc, the word 'Wiffle' on the plate

As soon as Hakak writes the word, a door opens in the western wall. Beyond it, a cavern stretches into the bedrock.

Well, no time like the present. Someone big go first.

Hakak will lead the way Follow me, but be careful.

Moving into the tunnel, it soon widens to a rough chamber. Your presence does not go unnoticed, though, and a gruesome-looking, vaguely canine beast rises to its feet and snarls threateningly.

Combat Round 1
bold may act
____________________________________
Anaias, Gray, Hakak, Penthesilea, Takumi
Dog-beast

Knowledge (arcana) to identify it.

Ha ha! A dangerous foe indeed! And guardian beasts mean plunder and secrets!

Penthesilea draws her bow as she exhorts her comrades.

Inspire Courage: +1 Competence bonus to attacks and damage, +1 Morale bonus to saves vs. Fear

Of all the times I've played and ran the Wounded Wisp, this is the first time I'm encountering this option.:)

knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"A beast to hinder us? Not today."

Takumi, somewhat foolhardily, moves forward until he can get in range, while pulling out a sheet of paper from a pouch. He quickly folds the paper into the shape of an eagle, and uttering some arcane words, tosses the paper eagle at the beast.

Along the way, the paper eagle morphs into a real one. It flaps behind the beast, and ravages into it with his beak and claws.

Spend 1 arcane reservoir to activate conjurer's focus - cast summon monster 1 as standard action, summoning a celestial eagle.

talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Additional +1 damage for each attack if it is evil

Eagle stats | AC: 14 T:13 FF:12 | HP 7/7 | Saves F:5 R:4 W:2 | CMB:+1 CMD: 13 | SR 5 | Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5

@Takumi: You can thank the almighty random number generator for this encounter :P

Bite confirm: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Penthesilea song aids Takumi's origami helper, and it rips into the creature, which Takumi recognizes as a trollhound (1 question).

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
Buffs: Inspire Courage +1
____________________________________
Anaias, Gray, Hakak, Penthesilea, Takumi
Trollhound (15 damage)

Takumi would like to know about special attacks.

Its saliva is an infectious brew of contagion, and to add insult to infected injury, it can trip creatures it bites.

The monk will move up and chuck a vial of alchemist fire at the canine
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

1d6 ⇒ 6
He will then go into fighting definsivley with crane style.

Anaias moves up behind Gray Son and readies an attack with his glaive.

Readied Attack, Reach: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

Hakak storms forward (directly north 20ft) and draws his Falchion back,readied for attack

Gray's flask set the trollhound ablaze as Hakak and Anaias move forward.

Fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

The fiery goop sputters out as the hound bites the eagle.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Crit?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The paper bird gets ripped to shreds, and the hound moves towards Gray ducking under Anaias' glaive on the way

Combat Round 2
Bold may act
Buffs: Inspire Courage +1
____________________________________
Anaias, Gray, Hakak, Penthesilea, Takumi
Trollhound (23 damage)

Penthesilea continues forward, nocks an arrow to her bow and lets it fly with a triumphant yawp!

Longbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 26
Piercing: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10
Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 23
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 + 2 = 7

The monk attacks with mw tonfa and kick
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 Acrobatics

and then gracefully does a black flip away from the creature.

Hakak moves forward another 20ft and swings at the hound with his falchion

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

Penthesilea's magnificent shot fells the foul beast.

Beyond the ill tempered guardian lies a small stone alcove with several desks arranged along the northern and eastern edges. 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.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Takumi wanders towards the tables, captivated by what he might find amongst the papers on the desk. However, something nags at him, and he vaguely thought he heard something from the direction of the carcass. Turning back casually to take a look, he suddenly notices the wounds of the creature knitting back together!

"Watch out! It's not dead! It's regenerating!"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"It looks as though the beast is continuing to heal the damage done to it. Does anyone know how to stop it?" As he says so, he hits the creature again with his weapon.

Obviously enjoyed dying so much it wants to do it twice. Any ideas? Hakak says. Let him come at me again and I'll make sure he chooses not to come back to life again!