[PFS] GM Skipper's Echoes of the Everwar series (Inactive)

Game Master SkipperD

When given the all clear, Shel moves forward and checks the VC to be sure there were no more traps before freeing him.

Perception 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

Assuming when sees nothing, she frees the man. "Venture Captain, what happened here? Are the intruders Apsis?"

"And where are the rest of the people working in the lodge? Do you have any idea?"

Balentiir wipes of as much oil as he can manage.

"No, not this time, agent Whispertounge. They call themselves The Followers of Almaut, and they claimed I must be an ally of Khalfani Zuberi, some Osirian merchant they believe poses an extreme danger to the entire region of the Inner Sea. They said he would use the rings from the concubine bodies you retrieved to undo some kind of curse and restore himself to power."

Turning to Eolowyn his tone grows more somber.

"I had sent most of the servants away in preparation for our meeting, but I fear that the remaining ones ran afoul of the cultists, judging by the screams I heard."

Who is or was this Zuberi? Why do these cultists seem so obsessed with him? Who ate they and what are their goals? What did you do with the rings and the remains we recovered?

Know Religion on the cultists if relevant: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Torvald paces the room as he talks, rolling a small pearl in one hand as he does so.

Use a pearl of power to recover shield of faith

Vladek wanders back over to one of the cultists's corpses.

"They sound sincere enough - not that that's always a good thing - I could always just ask...."

So he does.

Will DC 21, in case it matters.

"What do you know about Khalfani Zuberi?"

"Why is he such a threat?"

"Who are the Followers of Almaut?"

"What do you know of the rings we recovered that we might not?"

"We are not allies of Zuberi, at least not as far as we know. Assuming he is the danger you say, what precautions should we take to avoid the rings falling into his hands?"

Balentiir responds to Torvald's torrent of questions with unflinching professionalism.

"Before the cultists mentioned him, I had never heard of the man before, and I am unfortunately unaware of the Followers of Almaut's overall goals. What I do know, is that the three bodies were interred in the Necropolis if the Faithful, and that they have recently been removed; perhaps by this Zuberi person."

What's Vladek's alignment

Chaotic Good

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

The dead cultist starts to speak with a wet gurgle.

"Khalfani Zuberi sought to prolong his life unnaturally, denying his soul's entry to Pharasma's Boneyard, and disrupting the the natural cycle of life. We, the Followers of Almaut, exist to prevent such blasphemies, and have done so since the Age of Destiny. The rings were given by Zuberi to his most cherished concubines, allowing him to keep track of them as they did his bidding in Avistan. Our last assault on Zuberi three centuries ago disrupted his foul doings, but bound rings were seemingly effected as well."

At the last question, the corpse hesitates before continuing.

"If what you say is true, then you must stop Zuberi from being reunited with the rings and reinstating himself as blasphemous, undying being."

Torvald looks on with a sense of disquiet, disturbing the rest of the dead is never a comfortable experience.

Can this Zuberi still be alive? If he is then where is he and what is he up to?

Vladek rises and shakes his head as the cultist's corpse once again goes fully still. He doesn't care for knee-jerk, fanatical judgment of the undead and those who might seek it, but he certainly recognizes that many Humans would be a great danger if unfettered of their pathetic lifespans - greedy merchants, worst of all!

"Apparently, this Zuberi knows where the rings are at all times - at least if they're attached to his concubines," He tells Balentiir. We should try our best to get them off their fingers, and whether we can or not, they should be placed under the best security we can possibly muster."

Balentiir chimes in at this point.

"About that... The bodies have already gone missing, that was why I had summoned you here in the first place. But fear not, I have a plan! Do you remember those items you found when you recovered the bodies, right? There’s a sphinx who watches over the Necropolis of the Faithful named Sekhmanu. I will give you the items and you should take them to her. She can divine the location of their previous owners—even if they’re dead. She’s often helped us research such historical artifacts to find the burial places of those who made or carried things we’ve unearthed. But be careful. Sekhmanu’s a little eccentric sometimes. She’ll want to play a bit before she agrees to aid you.”

Shel suspected this Zuberi was probably undead after hearing his long history. That wasn't great news, since she was much more effective against living humans. No matter, she was resigned to stopping the evil doer. "Looks like we have our mission. Let's get to this sphinx immeidately."

"Yes, to the sphinx! I am sure Naur and Bauble are able to solve those riddles they are so fond of!"

Certainly, let us speak with this Sphinx. So, Captain, just where is this Necropolis?

"Bauble loves riddlering. But Bauble not like Sphinx. Sphinx eat Bauble. Pathfinders help if riddle answer bad?"

"Yes, to the sphinx! I am sure Naur and Bauble are able to solve those riddles they are so fond of!"

Vladek and Qadathra turns their heads toward Eolowyn as one, as if wondering why they've been excluded.

"Sorry, most esteemed Qadathra and also Vladek, I did not know you liked riddles."

Balentiir sketches a rough match on a piece of papyrus

"It's on the western bank of the Crimson Canal here in Sothis. It's a site of great importance for the Pharasmins, so do stay on their good side."

While en route:

Just before they head out Torvald will turn back to the captain. Tell us Captain, how long is the trip to the Necropolis?

He will then recover Ka from the stable, saddle up and take off, shadowing the group.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

On my phone, so please read the first three diplomacy entries.

"Looks like there might be trouble. Late night shadowy figures sound quite ominous. What purpose could that serve?"

With a +9 Diplomacy bonus, Qadathra automatically aids Shel's roll.

Impressed by the sight of a faerie dragon, an odd individual opens up a bit more, mentioning that on iths visit to the necropolis last evening, ith saw heavily armed, black-garbed priests approach the southern entrance. None wore the markings of a Pharasmin.

"Sorry, most esteemed Qadathra and also Vladek, I did not know you liked riddles."

"I'm a local. Sphinxes and I have something of a history," Vladek chuckles.

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (15) + 27 = 42

Vladek tells the party everything they could possibly want to know about Sekhmanu the sphinx.

"So she might owe the Society a favor, huh? That's a card we might need to use if things start getting bumpy in there..."

@Torvald: It's about an hour on foot, much less when flying.

A steep climb from the Crimson Canal into the sun-drenched cliffs above Sothis finally reveals the High Temple of Pharasma and the Necropolis of the Faithful. Time-worn monuments and obelisks rise from within like silent sentinels marking the tombs and vaults of ancient Osirion. A challenging roar soon interrupts their quiet vigil, however, as mighty wings lift a creature of frightening ferocity into view. With the body of a lion and the head and torso of an Osirian queen, it perches upon the weathered base of a toppled statue with its claws extended.

“Who dares trespass here?” it demands with a guttural snarl. “Speak now! Answer Sekhmanu or test your fate!”

"Ah, the legends are true! You are glorious, mighty Sekhmanu! It is an honor to be in your presence. We come seeking information and to request you use your magnificent divining abilities. We are representatives of the Pathfinder Society," Shel says, introducing herself and all of the others.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

Torvald will land nearby and dismount.

Indeed, as my comrade says, we are representatives of the Pathfinder Society and we come seeking your wisdom and knowledge to prevent the rise of a great evil. May we approach and discuss the situation?

Diplomacy using linguistics: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41

Bauble is about to open his mouth when

Black Lord: Not one word, Bauble. Not one word. I'll bet you were going to tell it how icky goblins taste, weren't you?"

Bauble: Bauble NOT taste good."

I think you have the DC 24 Diplomacy check well in hand :P

Sekhmanu's demeanor softens dramatically, and she slinks down to ground level.

"Ah, Pathfinders! My favorite kind of tomb robbers. What wisdom is it you seek from the great Sekhmanu?"

We thank you for your patience and wisdom. We have three artefacts here which we seek knowledge about. An ancient threat may be stirring here, an ancient withered man named Zuberi, who had three concubines. Each bore a ring and now their bodies have gone missing. The Cult of Alamut have sworn to stop him and thought we were in league with him. They are gone now and so it falls to use to stop him...

Eolowyn stands at the ready, stroking Arano's feathers.

"Torvald is right. We need your Divination powers. Without your help, we have no clues to follow to prevent an evil from reawakening."

Sekhmanu sits up straight, an air of professional pride hanging about her.

"If you seek my god-granted powers of divination, then present me with possesions that belonged to the departed."

Assuming that you give her the sword, staff and ring:
Placing the the three treasures you yourselves have scoured western Avistan for in front of herself, Sekhmanu initiates a ritual with a droning chant. She stops abruptly and recoils with a flurry of her wings. Even as she withdraws, an eldritch mist seeps from the items laid before her.

“What trick is this?” the sphinx demands, “These artifacts carry faithless spirits within... godless creatures who should have journeyed to the Boneyard long ago!”

No sooner has she spoken these words than the pillars of mist coalesce into translucent images of three young women garbed in the raiment of Osirian concubines. Each one bears a distinctive ring upon her hand which glows with an angry red radiance.

Torvald steps back raising his Holy Symbol of Erastil, What trickery is this!

"Maybe these three forms can tell us about Zubari themselves. Not quite what I expected, but that would certainly work as well.". Having noticed Torvald was the better diplomat, she pauses for him to jump in, ready to aid and support him as he goes along.

Religion if relevant: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

You are the concubines of Zuberi? he asks, keeping his Holy Symbol raised. Why do your spirits persist here?

Diplomacy, using linguistics: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36

The trio of apparations are disoriented at first but eventually speak eerily in unison.

"We are Akila, Kamilah, and Meskhenet. The concubines of Khalfani Zuberi. He ensured our loyalty with these rings. Though they are fused to our bones, they cling to our spirits as well. Through them, we are linked to Zuberi. And he to us."

Torvald lets is holy symbol drop a little, I see, does he control you through them? Do you know where he is or what he is doing? Why do the followers of Alamut hate him so much?

Sense motive on their answers: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Bauble fidgets.

Bauble: Sphinx not going to eat Bauble. Maybe eat Torvald. Not like ghosty women.

Black Lord: I told you so. It seems almost friendly. I don;t think it will eat anyone.

Bauble: What about riddlering? Why sphinx not ask riddle? Not very good sphinx.

Eolowyn nocks an arrow that has been treated with ghost salt to her bow.

Shel waits for answers before jumping in. She does draw her ghost touch kukri, just in case things got crazy.

The ghostly trio continue to answer Torvald's questions.

"Zuberi's power over us has faded, but we are still bound to him. We do not know where he is, but our bodies lie not far from here. In the tombs to the south. We can guide you there if you promise to help us."

Torvald looks dubious, What would you have us do? How can we help you?

"Ghosties want us to smash rings? Black Lord good at smashing and slicing and killing and breaking."

“Zuberi must die by our hand for us to find rest. We’ll help you if you agree to let us possess your bodies and act through you when you face him.”

Torvald looks even more nervous now. You want to possess us! I for one cannot allow myself to be controlled in that way.

Vladek looks at Qadathra. "What do you think?"

aid Qadathra's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Unnerved, and under pressure from his master to boot, Qadathra stares quizzically at the specters.

Sense Motive, hindered: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Qadathra looks back at Vladek and shrugs with his wings.

"Will you accept me on my master's behalf?" The little dragon asks the three.

Getting possessed is actually a Scarab Sages Faction Objective (I'm still working on the Season 6 card), so I'm game. Would it do for Qadathra to get possessed?

"Bauble already have head friend. Bauble say YES. Any you princess?"

Bauble fondles his priceless The Goblin and the Princess paperback as he asks this.

"Mighty Sekmanhu, have you heard of something like this in your studies? Is this something we should trust, or does this sound a bit fishy to you," Shel asks, hoping the sphinx would chime in.

"I am also curious what the sphinxes opinion is on this matter."