[PFS] Murder on the Silken Caravan (Tier 1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Chyrone

Jula...who is Min-Katheer, you've mentioned in your earlier post?

Hokama is thinking, but shakes his head as he comes to a conclusion.
"There are no signs of the other members of the caravan. I dare only to make an estimated guess, as to where we might run into them."

He points into a direction, as he looks at his own shadow.
"That way is a general direction many caravans pass. If they picked up a heading, chances are good we might meet up with them, if we travel further."

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Later that evening, just before nightfall (and setting up camp) you come across a fresh corpse half buried in the sand.
The desert jackals have been at it, unfortunately.

Selethe replies, "No, I didn't do anything this time except get hit over and over. Jula there was the real hero!"

When they find the corpse, Selethe stops to examine it.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Yanda will aid Selete in here heal roll

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

The jackal's work makes identifying the immediate remains hard, but removing more sand, you notice fancy Katheer cloth.

It is one of the three men you saw earlier before departure, with a dagger in the back.

Hokama: "That is the partner of the armored knight. This man was a weapon merchant."

"Poor fellow. Who would have done this?" Erlathan examines the dagger and area for anything magical. Detect Magic

The dagger is not magical in nature, but it sure is sharp.
"I recall his name, Mahmoud. The knight was called Gaspar du Mer.
It's odd, i recall such a type of dagger as one that the two carried among the items to be sold."
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Going forward, as nothing else remains today.
Sweet night rest.
Everyone recovers HP = their lvl.
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Your night was, and contrary to the previous day, very much relaxing.
The temperature outside is already climbing to moderate warmth, before you break up camp and resume your journey.

Can i get a DC 15 fort roll vs the heat please, vs 1d4 ⇒ 2 nonlethal.
+2 for warm weather outfit, -4 for those wearing armor.

After the wounds she sustained the previous day, Selethe decides to wear her armor today despite the heat.

fort+outfit-armor: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 - 4 = 15

Fort ST: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17

Dang. I'm having quite the run of luck here.

"Wait, what armored knight?"

I searched the thread and did not find anything. Can anyone give me a keyword to search for or a post time?

Fort save, hot weather outfit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

"Hot.. hot.. hot.." Erlathan complains as he does so well, his "hot weather" outfit barely helping him deal with the desert sun.

As always, prepare burning hands, grease, color spray. And I also could not find that name, Yanda.

Ajaline travels through the rest of the day stoically keeping to himself. Through a sheer act of will he withstands the heat.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Gj. Now to see what Jula makes of it.

And so, later...

The canyon you follow through the mountains opens onto a wider vale, and should connect to the main route of the Silken Way not many miles ahead. However, your attention is arrested by a breathtaking sight: one wall of the mountain valley is occupied by a massive monument.

A natural prominence in the red- and brown-veined strata of the rock walls ahead has been sculpted on a grand scale into a gargantuan idol depicting a man seated in the lotus position with a tall, pointed crown on his head.

Though the years have worn the features of this sculpture into a nearly smooth finish with cave openings where mouth and eyes should be, there are enough details of face and clothing remaining to recognize the distinctive Eastern features and garb that the statue once bore.
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The monument has a small cave shrine at its base and a series of narrow ledges that can be followed (DC 10 Climb) to reach the cave at the statue's mouth. The ledges themselves are only a foot wide and will require balancing (DC 10 Acrobatics) to move full speed.

Of course you could also just opt to move half speed.
I assume you'll explore the bottom cave first, seeing as it's the easiest one to reach.

The cave is twenty feet deep and holds a few flaking paintings that depict the path to physical purity, as well as a small stone block altar that now holds an old bird's nest.
Discarded in the corner are the granite bowls and cups that served as the shrine's sacred vessels.

Jula is grateful for healing magic from Yanda's wand.

"We've got to find the caravan," she repeats. "The body of Min-Katheer, late Pathfinder Venture-Captain, is our sole charge....and we've lost him!"

This distressing turn of events occupies Jula's thoughts for the rest of the day and into the night.

Only on the morrow does she seem ready to, perhaps, move on. But her face remains dark with barely-concealed frustration.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Yanda, mention of knight.

Erlathan focuses and scans the area for anything magical in nature, then has a closer look at the paintings and bowls.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

@Hokama
"Tell us more about the others that joined in the caravan. Why would the guy be dead - simple robbery - or more?"

and later when they see the temple...
"Have you ever run across this temple before or heard of it, or is it to far off the beaten path? In any case we should investigate in case our charge is being stowed in there."

I'm having connection issues. Please bit me if needed.

"This place is most remarkable!" exclaims Selethe. She looks around in wonder.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

I forgot to mention whom the idol represents.

@ Yanda.
Hokama: "The two were years long partners in the trade of arms. The knight only let slip he was a veteran soldier. The dead man here was called Mahmoud, he was the contact for sales. That is about what i know, from seeing them and asking our charming caravan master."

Selethe finds the cave to be adequately maintained, as far as would be possible down here.

As you go outside again...

Willsave time guys, DC 16.

Kn Rel untrained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Looks like Irori - you know that god that likes monks. Meditation and all that. A rather austere fellow.

Will ST: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

That's more like it. I knew the dice couldn't keep rolling 15+. What's the damage?

Patience, young one. You'll see.

Ajaline looks around the cave at the bottom of the statue with mild interest. "This is an interesting diversion but I'm concerned that we are getting distracted from our main mission. We must find the caravan. Personally, I have a reputation to uphold with the Society. I don't want a black mark on my record due to a failure." Ajaline frowns a little at others in the group as if he is implying that they are the ones causing the delay.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Knowledge(religion), untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Kn rel: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"Yes, as Yanda says, this is Irori," Erlathan steps back outside. "And what reputation is that that you have, Ajaline? The only thing the Society knows me for is my... My face..." He frowns as his tentacle chin droops low.

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Close one!

I'm just glad at least one of us made the save. Bad things happen when all the PCs fail a will save.

Well i reckon either Jula or Selethe will pass their save, if not both.

"It is quite simple. I never fail. The Society knows that when I'm on a mission, it will succeed." Ajaline adopts an air of self-importance. He is on the verge of mentioning that if it wasn't for him, the battle in the sandstorm would have ended in disaster but in a rare display of self restraint he keeps the thought to himself.

Jula follows along with the others, trying to remain alert and vigilant. But her thoughts are plagued with concern over the missing caravan. Like Ajaline, she has little interest in sightseeing when her charge - already dead though he may be - is gone missing.

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Selethe grudgingly follows along with the others. She was not thrilled about this assignment to begin with and it just keeps getting worse.

will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Well i reckon either Jula or Selethe will pass their save, if not both.

See. We probably all pass out except Erlathan. Hey, Erlathan, if we are victim to a sleep spell you have my permission to blast me and anyone else you can catch with a 1 die burning hands to wake us up. Serve us right, particularly Ajaline.

Grats Erlathan, you're the only to pass the save.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed here. :/

When you are back out, you find Hokama, his servant boy Atma, and the drover slowly walking from where they were waiting towards the idol's base.

An eerie, forlorn song floats on the breeze that brings to mind a sense of bonegnawing loneliness.

Erlathan notices the three staring blankly upwards.
Moreover, on a second glance he notices that all his friends have the same expression on their faces.

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Oh sh*t....
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You all begin to move forward and, involuntarily, begin to climb the great stone monument.
Except for Erlathan...who seems to have the strongest will of the party. ;)

3 climb checks DC 10 please. Pass means you ascend 1 square.
Ledges you can stand upon between climbs, are indicated as an orange line.
The ledges themselves are only a foot wide and require DC 10 acrobatics check to move faster than half speed. Likewise, you are considered flat footed, unless you had 5 ranks in acrobatics.

Erlathan, what will you do in 3 rounds worth?

This will be interesting with a -7 Climb ...

Climb: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (16) - 7 = 9
Climb: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (8) - 7 = 1
Climb: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (9) - 7 = 2

Ajaline walks in a trance towards the base of the statue and then begins to climb.

I don't know if he ever gets high enough to fall...

1d20 ⇒ 1
1d20 ⇒ 17
1d20 ⇒ 5

Note: She has feather fall once per day, but I don't know that she would have the presence of mind to use it.

"Oh dear, what are you guys doing? It's just a song. Snap out of it!"

GM, your thoughts on letting me grease the first ledge so as to apply a penalty to their climb checks?

As the sounds of strange singing wash over her, Jula's mind goes blank, and she begins to move toward the statue, intent upon ascending its stony surface.

Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Erlathan, the 1st ledge is 90 feet up.
Grease's range is but range 25 ft +5 per 2 lvl.
It's my understanding you'd need to see the area you want to affect.
If you're talking about the lower wall, i see no problem. A slippery surface increases a climb check's DC by +5.
There is no set route to climb, everyone can climb from their lower positions. So you'll have to choose whose way you'll may harder.

Erathan, you have a protection from evil scroll. That should give a character a second saving throw.

Protection from evil would have to be in effect already, for it to work.

I get 3 rounds though, so could I not use it on round 1 on someone?
I'm thinking PoE scroll (rounds 1 and 2), grease spell (round 3). Since I'm the only one who can act, I am open to other suggestions from you guys too

Note: PfE's 2nd effect looks plausible to be effective on already charmed targets. I'll have to check, since thusfar i've seen it used as a pre-buff, not yet after effects had taken hold.
When i get back home, i'll roll init to see how this will play out.
Selethe is still to roll her climb checks.

climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Even with her armor on, Selethe is able to climb all three rounds.

PfE will probably give a second ST (works on charms and compulsions which I'm just guessing fits this) but it will only delay the effects for the duration of the spell - a whopping 1 minute. Still, that should be enough to finish the encounter I'm thinking.

Another confirms my thoughts. It would give those affected a 2nd save roll to break free.

1st round

Erlathan is 1st in initiative for this. Can you post your intended actions for the 3 rounds please.
After that we'll run the rounds accordingly to the climb checks, and anyone's turn should the spell successfully wake them up.
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Ajaline (entranced)
Yanda (entranced)
Jula (entranced, 2 nl)
Selethe (entranced)

Okay, sorry for the delay folks.

Round 1
Erlathan pulls out a scroll of Protection from Evil and recites the words, touching Yanda as he watches the words burn off the page. "Come on, woman, you're smarter than this!"

Round 2
Erlathan points at the wall directly ahead of Jula and covers it in slippery grease.

Round 3
Erlathan recites a second scroll of Protection from Evil, this time tapping Ajaline on the shoulder.

"Geez, always counting on ol' baldy here to make things right. Come on guys, wake the hell up!" He mutters to himself.

1st Round

Erlathan (2 nl) casts PfE on Yanda.

Ajaline tries to climb, but doesn't get a good hold.

Yanda, you get +2 AC vs evil things, and you can make a new willsave with a +2 bonus, to act this round onwards. Otherwise you will try to climb.
If you pass, post your intended actions for these 3 rounds.

Jula (2 nl) tries to climb, and has as little success as Ajaline.
Selethe climbs 10 feet upwards.

Edit:
Yanda, i hope you pass, seeing your 3rd climb roll, since climbing includes:
A Climb check that fails by 4 or less means that you make no progress, and one that fails by 5 or more means that you fall from whatever height you have already attained.
Your distance would be a mere 10 feet, but it's nasty nonetheless.

Will ST +2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Will is not her thing. You are better off casting on someone that has a hope of making the ST. Yanda needs to roll a nat 14 to succeed even with the +2.

There's no way for Erlathan to have known that, nor was there any way for him to know who failed and passed those climb checks. He basically had to choose a few and cast. Considering he's been on previous missions with Yanda, I felt it fitting, and Ajaline's an elf too. He's partial to the noble ;)

Does Ajaline get another saving throw?

Yes you do Ajaline, at round 3.

2nd round:
Erlathan casts grease above Jula.

Ajaline is not getting higher than ground floor, though Yanda manages to climb up 10 feet.
Jula is hindered by the grease from grabbing a proper handhold.
Selethe climbs 10 more feet upwards.
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3rd round:
Erlathan casts PfE on Ajaline.

Ajaline, same as Yanda on bonuses and new save.
If you pass, post your action for the round.

Yanda would slip, fall and take 1d6 ⇒ 3 falling damage.
Jula climbs 10 feet, as does Selethe.

This particular effect calls out that those under its sway move towards the source of the song, and can take no other action than defend themselves, which from reading i get the impression is getting attacked & moving at proper AC. With exception from the source of the singing.

When Ajaline has made his post, we will go to round 4, when action will properly kick in.

There's no way for Erlathan to have known that, nor was there any way for him to know who failed and passed those climb checks. He basically had to choose a few and cast. Considering he's been on previous missions with Yanda, I felt it fitting, and Ajaline's an elf too. He's partial to the noble ;)

Solid reasoning. I like that you put role-playing in front of number crunching.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Ajaline breaks out of his reverie and looks around. Nearly everyone else seems to be enchanted by something. Maybe the song?

Made the save! Now what?

Thank goodness. A second save. I think you forgot to add some bonuses though, in particular your tag line says you get a +2 vs. enchantments which I think this is.

@Cyrone
I think I made my save. After looking up the spell again, I noticed that the protection from evil gives a +2 resistance bonus vs. evil attacks and a +2 morale bonus on the resave. That gives her a +4, not a +2, and a total of exactly 16! Assuming I'm right about their being evil nasty harpies.