Everyone bar Toshizo begins to scramble up the loose rubble but Keolin on his sturdy Dwarven legs is the only one who makes much progress. Just as he reaches the door he hears the clatter of loose rocks from the top of the cliff face. Looking up Toshizo, Keolin, and Galia spot the crouched figure of a woman on top of the cliff. She jumps down form the cliff near to Keolin. She looks closely at Keolin cocking her head, dull bulbous eyes look out from her pale gaunt face. " How long will it take you all to cure, I wonder? You seem so full of life, and I am oh so hungry. "
Knowledge Religion DC15:
This woman is a recently turned Ghoul.
Keolin:
Your close enough to notice the grand lodge ensignia stitched into the woman's ragged sleeve.
Don't feel forced into combat but...
Surprise round Init:
Galia
Keolin
???
Toshizo
Keolin pulls out his axe, and then says, "That's no way to greet a fellow Pathfinder! If you're that hungry, you could just ask." With his other hand he pulls out a bit of food and tosses it to her.
Galia 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Tosh 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (18) - 3 = 15
Seemingly spurred on by her own hunger Galia charges up the pile of rumble.
Keolin pulls out his axe, and then says, "That's no way to greet a fellow Pathfinder! If you're that hungry, you could just ask." With his other hand he pulls out a bit of food and tosses it to her.
The woman cocks her head and straightens up somehow looking more human. " You are also pathfinders? I too am a pathfinder, Maurit was... Is my name. Perhaps, perhaps I could help you, yes? Even in this damed form... But but so so hungry... " she looks to the food that Keolin threw then looks back to Keolin and licks her lips as she crouches back down degenerating and becoming beast like again. She edges closer like a hungry dog that knows its probably overmatched.
Toshizo also makes good progress up the rocky pile spear at the ready.
Initiative:
Kristof <-----------------------
Galia
Hekra
Keolin
Azeban
Maurit
Toshizo
Maurit is 20ft away from the party proper (up the rock pile (DC10 climb))
Toshizo and Galia are hallway up the rock pile (10ft from Maurit, Tosh could hit her with his spear)
Keolin is next to Maurit at the top near the iron bound door.
Sense Motive DC20:
Maurit is serious about both her hunger and her desire to help fellow Pathfinders.
M Human Gunslinger 2 HP: 10/10 | AC 17| 13 | 14 | CMD 16 | Fort +2| Ref +5| Will +2| Init +5| Perc +6| Sense Motive +2
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
With a quick flick of his wrist, Kristof holsters the pistol resuming his climb. "Tell us Maurit, what ill has befallen you in this place? Were you sent by that cad Maldris? You wish to help us, but it seems as though you are the one in need of aid?"
Climb: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Kristof keeps his calm even though he cannot seem to climb a pile of rocks...
Maurit crouches and picks up some of the food, ripping into it with animal abandon. She favours any meat present and spits out anything else.
Kristof wrote:
" Tell us Maurit, what ill has befallen you in this place? Were you sent by that cad Maldris? You wish to help us, but it seems as though you are the one in need of aid?"
" Maldris? No. I can help you though, Did Maldris send you? Are you going in here? I've been in there... That's... That's where we were attacked. They left me for dead, I suppose they had to run... I know lots about in there. I can help. "
Toshizo wrote:
" What ails you pathfinder? "
" I'm infected, bitten but my head is clear now. I think it was a ghoul. "
Kn Religion DC18:
She is showing all the signs of being a recently turned ghoul, if that's the case it's irreversible and she will eventually turn completely.
[ HP 23/23 | AC 13/12/11 (MA:16/12/14), CMD 13, Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4 | Init +2; Perception +6 ]
Climb:1d20 ⇒ 5
Azeban continues his futile attempts to climb the rock pile. It seems he's not at his physical best today.
He notices the woman but is unable to tell much about her from where he is, but seeing no fighting he assumes she's friendly. He concentrates on climbing up for the moment.
Init + 2/AC16/Touch12/Flatfoot14/CMD 14||HP 20/[20]| Fort:+5 ;Ref:+5 ;Wil+1|Percept +5/Sense Motive +9 CMB +4 (+4 bonus on saves made vs bard perform, sonic, and lang - dependent effects) +2 Saves vs Divination Magic. Perform 7/[9] Male Angel Blooded Scion of Humanity Aasimar / Tien Background Bard 2 (Favoured)
Knowledge Religion 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Well... it may be your sickness can be cured. Not sure on effect it has on you apart from seeming to make your need to eat more. Should I give you a blessing of healing?
Always amazes me that Wizards are so much better at Knowledge Religion than the bloody actual clergy. Its all to do with Int not being a stat we priests can afford to invest in
M Human Gunslinger 2 HP: 10/10 | AC 17| 13 | 14 | CMD 16 | Fort +2| Ref +5| Will +2| Init +5| Perc +6| Sense Motive +2
Kristof expresses his concern for Maurit. "Perhaps we should take her to the Temple of the Shining Star in the Ascendant Court? Ghoul fever is nothing to take lightly."
@Toshizo: Agreed. Thats definitely that could be fixed...
Kristof climbs to the top of the scree slope with Keolin and is giving directions to Azeban. Though it's helpful Azeban is still struggling to make progress.
Toshizo wrote:
" Well... it may be your sickness can be cured. Not sure on effect it has on you apart from seeming to make your need to eat more. Should I give you a blessing of healing? "
" No! Are you a cleric? Some good and kindly God? Please no! I think that stuff would hurt me now. " she licks her grey lips with a long pointed tongue. " Let me help and then on your return you can take me with you to your temple... What do you seek here? Some treasure? Some ancient weapon? I... I could draw you a map."
As the group is no longer under immediate threat let's not worry about the climb rolls any longer
M Human Gunslinger 2 HP: 10/10 | AC 17| 13 | 14 | CMD 16 | Fort +2| Ref +5| Will +2| Init +5| Perc +6| Sense Motive +2
Kristof moves closer to the woman, "Yes, we would certainly appreciate your help and in return see that the priests of Sarenrae get you the...help you require. Please, if you could, draw me a map and tell me what you encountered within."
Turning to look at his fellow Pathfinders, "Perchance one of you has something she could write on?"
[ HP 23/23 | AC 13/12/11 (MA:16/12/14), CMD 13, Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4 | Init +2; Perception +6 ]
What nonsense is this? I have ink and a journal but no inkpen? Madness! I wonder if a feather will be enough of a substitute.
Azeban finally reaches the top of the rocks after some more guidance and help. "Phew." He wipes his face with a sleeve.
"I have a journal I bring with me. She could write on that." He peers at the woman, not having been able to take a closer look earlier. "What's wrong with her?"
M Human Gunslinger 2 HP: 10/10 | AC 17| 13 | 14 | CMD 16 | Fort +2| Ref +5| Will +2| Init +5| Perc +6| Sense Motive +2
Kristof whispers to Hekra:
"She offered to let us take her to the temple after she helped us. Let her draw the map and then she's helped us. I'm trying to get her out of here before I have to do something...less pleasant to resolve the situation." — Kristof's eyes flash to his pistol — "She looks like a biter."
Maurit takes the book and ink from Azeban and without waiting for him to fish around in his bag for a feather or pen she crouches down near the door. " Yes, better in a book than on the ground, here, here is the front door and it opens up into thiss room, yes. " She says dipping a claw like fingernail into the ink and scratching in the journal. " yes, and this room is attatched to a cave see I can lead you in that way if you want, maybe it's better... "
She ignores the others as she draws but once she's done she will answer any questions about the rooms.
[ HP 23/23 | AC 13/12/11 (MA:16/12/14), CMD 13, Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4 | Init +2; Perception +6 ]
GM Kip: That'd be great! Retro buying an inkpen now.
"Quite good," Azeban agrees, peering at the map. "You would not happen to know where the storage area or library is? Perhaps somewhere they would keep agreements and the like? And an armory, or a display where they would keep a ceremonial katana. We search for those things, Maurit."
" Agreements? Written ones? There are shelves full of scrolls and things here! " Maurit says pointing at the room with the rounded alcoves. Area 10 " I don't know about an Armoury but I do know that the funny creature that leads the kobolds has a katana. I don't know if it's a ceremonial one but it does look kind of fancy with green and gold and jade stones. That creature is tricky and it can change colours. I'm not sure what it is. The kobolds have set up a home in these chambers. " she answers, pointing at two rooms on the eastern side. Areas 13-14
She looks about at the group ready for any other questions?
Maurit hisses and looks upset at the memory, " Inside, ugh, inside but the ghoul chased the rest of my party. I haven't seen it again since I came to. Or any of my friends. They left me, left me to rot! " she says angrily throwing the journal down at Azebans feet and crouching down low " Hisss, Hungry! " her tongue slips out licking her teeth but she doesn't attack and after a second she smiles, though it may look more off putting than the tongue. " Anything else you want to know? "
Yes she's definitely giving of an undead vibe. From her story your almost certain she's been infected by the ghoul but maybe her body or mind is fighting it off... She seems to have gotten a lot better during this encounter. Perhaps being able to help is good for her.
Keolin wrote:
"Did you see any traps inside?"
" No, no traps. I'm good at finding traps and I've never seen any in there."
Hekra wrote:
" Did you see any magic things inside that may help us or hurt us? "
Maurit shakes her head at this question, " Magic things? No, I don't think so, it I don't know much about magic things. "
Kristof wrote:
"Thank you very much Maurit, that was very helpful indeed! Now, please in return allow us to take you to the Temple. There they will feed you. "
" No, no, let me, maybe I can help more show you the secret way in? Please? "
" Here. " She says crouching and pointing at the large room in the north west area of the ruined keep. Area 5 " The caves join the ruin here. Nice and quiet in that room, nothing lives there. I can't draw the cave that leads there, to many turns and branches. Let me show you, yes! "
What's the group consensus? Taking her back to the temple? Letting her show you in through the caves? Something else?
