Gunthorn Dursten |
"I'm not certain myself." Says the dwarf who is dressed in simple monks robes of blue and yellow. Although his face is covered in burn scars, he offers a smile and simple bow. "Gunthorn Dursten. Peace and blessings of Irori on you."
PaperDrake |
All of you are currently resting between missions on the premises of the Grand Lodge in Absalom itself.
Days go by without much excitement and you have plenty of time to sightsee the landmarks, visit the shops and any other assorted businesses of the City in the Center of The World. The early spring weather is lovely on the Cortos Island.
Until one night, the messenger usually working for Venture Captain Drandle Dreng goes around the Lodge and invites you all one by one to meet the Captain in his chambers later that evening.
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox |
Apologies. The Campaigns tab was not updating.
A lithe young woman in a jaunty hat arrives with a flourish.
Good day, everyone. Fear not, for The Crimson Fox is at your disposal. Success and mixed drinks will surely follow.
She doffs her hat with a flourish and a grin.
But my friends call me "Jinny".
Gunthorn Dursten |
A welcoming smile crosses Gunthorn's face at the young woman's entrance and mention of drinks. "A pleasure to meet you Jinny." He says offering a simple bow. "Gunthorn Dursten at your service, blessings upon you, and I hope your prediction of hardy drinks is true and swift."
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox |
And upon you, good sir Gunthorn. I think we will get along just fine. Any idea what the Venture Captain wants of us for this mission?
Hessavi Bebas |
A towering nagaji strides into the room, fierce golden eyes glittering. She wears simple peasant clothing, and smells a bit like she has been summoned from the nearest tavern.
"Venture-Captain," she says cheerfully, "and fellow Pathfinders," as she nods to the others assembled there. "What urgent business do you need us for?"
PaperDrake |
Your summons found you late in the evening, and though none of you did dawdle, it is long past the time to go to sleep for any sensible person when you all manage to join the Venture-Captain in his chambers.
Drandle Drang looks tired. “I’m sorry to call you in on such short notice and on such a dark night, but a friend of the Society needs your help immediately.”
From an adjoining chamber, an elegantly dressed woman of middle age with olive skin and long, straight black hair and piercing eyes steps into the room.
“Allow me to introduce to you Hamaria Blakros, of the esteemed Blakros family, whose name I’m sure you all know.”
Hamaria sits at Dreng’s side, smooths her satin dress over her knees, and speaks in a clear though pained voice. “I’m afraid my forebears made a terrible mistake, and I need you to help remedy the situation. When the Blakroses were first gaining a financial and social foothold centuries ago, my ancestors made a pact called the Penumbral Accords with a strange organization on the Shadow Plane called the Onyx Alliance, which granted us trade routes through its dark realm to avoid unpleasant searches, tariffs, and questions among the many parties with whom we traded. At the time, this was an invaluable service, but as our wealth and influence grew, the benefits became less pronounced. Now, almost five centuries later, we no longer want to pay the ongoing price of this agreement. Since that time, we’ve been providing a steady stream of slaves to the Onyx Alliance... including the eldest of our daughters each generation. This year we have two eldest daughters—my twins Eleanir and Michellia—and I refuse to let them be taken!" Her gaze hardens.
“But we can’t actively break the Penumbral Accords ourselves. We don’t know all the details other than our end of the bargain, which requires us to deliver slaves to our very own Blakros Museum on the night of each new moon—and to deliver the eldest Blackros daughter of each generation on the new moon after her twenty-first birthday. We are told to stay away until dawn, and have honored this command thus far. In every instance for generations, we’ve returned to find no sign of the slaves or our own heirs left in the building. They’ve got some device that lets them take our daughters to their plane, something that only functions one night a month, and only until dawn. That night is tonight, and my Eleanir and Michellia are already there! I need you to get in before the sun rises and deactivate or destroy whatever allows them to keep stealing our people. If that prevents them from ever threatening us and holding the Penumbral Accords over our heads again, even better.”
Dreng leans forward. “You understand, I’m sure, how valuable our relationship with the Blakros family is to the Decemvirate. Their assets at the museum are immense, and assisting the Lady Hamaria tonight will go along way to ensuring that both her family and our organization can form a long-lasting alliance that will benefit all parties.”
He glances at Hamaria, who nods once in agreement. “Hurry to Blakros Museum, friends. There isn’t much time!”
PaperDrake |
The sudden nature of Dreng’s assignment leaves you little time to investigate if you are to arrive at Blakros Museum in time to save Eleanir and Michellia.
However, some of you might know something about Blakros Museum, the Blakros family, and the Shadow Plane. You should probably share that information with the rest of your team as you race to rescue the fair Blakros maidens.
Please specify your marching order for the exploration of the museum at night. The party will probably alternate between single-file and double-file column depending on the width of the passage. Any quick preparations you'd like to make before you rush to the museum? You are going to rush straight there and will probably have no more than five minutes for your needs, and that is already pushing your deadline closer.
Angritt |
Angritt sized up the group and suggests an order:
Single File
Jinhong
Kaleless
Rath
Angritt
Hessavi
Gunthorn
Double
Jinhong - Rath
Kaleless - Angritt
Hessavi - Gunthorn
We're mostly melee, so there isn't really an ideal order.
Hessavi Bebas |
Slavers they have been all this time, Hessavi thinks, and knows that she will never see the museum the same way again.
Hessavi grabs her sword and armor from her room as they leave the building.
Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
"This could explain much," she says as they hurry to the museum. "The Blakros Museum was once the observatory and stronghold of the wizard Ralzeros the Overwatched, until he vanished after a duel with another wizard. He studied other planes as well as astronomy. And there are rumors that the Pathfinder Society has been called in to deal with strange occurrences there before. The incidents have always been handled quietly-- if that place has a tie to the Shadow Plane, it's no wonder."
The marching order is all right by me.
Gunthorn Dursten |
Gunthorn maintains a stoic look throughout the briefing, but struggles to keep his disgust concealed as the woman speaks so casually of the slave trade and only expresses regret because her own daughters are threatened.
Gathering his few possessions, the dwarf nods at hearing Hessavi's insights. "Aye, sounds like a real funhouse of wizards mistakes and powers gone awry."
"I hope these two daughters of slavers are worth the effort." He mutters quietly.
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Marching order is fine with me as well.
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox |
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Jinny is vaguely aware of the Blakros Museum and is glad to hear some of the history from Hessavi.
Marching order looks good to me.
Angritt |
"Making deals with strange creatures from other planes hasn't always worked out well for me either. That's why I got off that rock and joined you. Let me just get my friend and we'll be off."
His friend it turns out is a young tyrannosaurus.
"Hopefully there will be something to eat along the way. Otherwise Rath here might lose enough meat off his bones to become museum hide and seek champion."
Rath o vvv o |
*drool* *grumble*
PaperDrake |
Blakros Museum is a large and well-furnished gothic building that rises out of the night like a great looming shadow. The ones of you who knew anything about the building or been here, know that within there are three exhibit halls showcasing the Blakros family’s impressive collection of relics and oddities.
Pushing the unlocked doors of the museum open, you see great pillars of hewn black stone support the vaulted ceiling of the Blakros Museum’s grand entryway, visible through its wide, double doors. Braziers mounted on the pillars cast white radiance from balls of continual light. A fossilized dinosaur skeleton occupies the northwest corner of the room.
Upon crossing the threshold, the air ripples and all visible surfaces shimmer as if they were momentarily composed of still, reflective liquid. As soon as the effect manifests, the strange sensation ends, leaving thick shadows covering all surfaces. The white light of the braziers glows an arcane shade of blue, illuminating the shadowy form of a different skeleton that overlays the more solid dinosaur from moments ago.
There seems to be a building that is identical in construction and layout to the Museum on the Shadow Plane. What happens here now is generally called the conjunction of the planes - elements of both planes are present in the same space and interact with one another. While within the conjunction, you may interact with both planes, as if completely on the relevant one, even though elements native to the Shadow Plane appear dark and insubstantial. The intermingling creates a unique effect as light and shadow mix. Shadowy illumination in here is the combination of the brightly lit Museum on the Material Plane and the pitch-black Shadow Plane.
A shadowy plaque on the southeast column declares the building to be “Wightir House, Experimental Laboratory of Onyx Alliance, Authorized by Order of Argrinyxia, the Shifting Lady of Ebony Scales.”
I will ask you to tell me what type of vision each one of you has. And you'll need to whip out those light sources of yours if you need any - it's constant shifting shadows in here.
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox |
Jinny's eyes adjust to the partial darkness, and those with keen perception may notice that they shine back any light source, much like a cat or a dog. Or a fox. Low light vision
Initially I thought you were asking for a daydream-type vision, but then I realized you just wanted our visual acuity.
She moves forward cautiously for a better view down the hallway. Checking for traps, also.
Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Gunthorn Dursten |
Darkvision 60'
Gunthorn cautiously follows Jinny and the others further into the museum, watching the darkness for any sign of ambush.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Angritt |
Angritt's eyes functioned perfectly well in the dark (darkvision 60')
He took a look to get his bearings:
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Rath o vvv o |
Rath's eyes needed some light (low-light), but he could sniff things out as well (scent)
Rath sniffs the air looking for food:
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
PaperDrake |
The group of Pathfinders approaches the arch leading into the long hallway with three doors in it, two of them to the West and East of the hallway, the third one far in the end.
A large placard above the entryway to the eastern hall reads “The Evolution of Dragonkind” in bright, elaborate script while a shadowy sign next to the door describes the room as “Pain Laboratory — Tests in Progress.”
A sign over the western door bearing bright lettering reads “Treasures of Distant Goka,” while a shadowy sign occupying the same space reads in dark, block letters “Cold Storage — Perishable Specimens Only.”
As soon as Jinhing Yeou sets foot into the long hallway, the shadow plane skeleton, that remained absolutely still until that instant, flinches. While the fossilized dinosaur skeleton on the Material Plane is just that, its shadow looks to be some kind of a guardian.
The shadow is an undead skeletal guardian. It is easy to recognize that the skeleton is that of a deinonychus.
Exceeding the DC by 5, you can each time request information on any one of the following items:
Hessavi Bebas : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Kaleless: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Angritt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Rath: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Gunthorn Dursten: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Jinhong Yeou : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Dino Skeleton: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox |
Look out!
Jinny spies the shadow and springs into action, moving into range and sliding past it.
Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Emboldened by her apparent success (I hope), she doubles down, trying to get into a good flanking position.
Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 + Derring-Do: 1d6 ⇒ 4 = 18
Panache 3/4
You looked a lot better when I couldn't see you, you oversized shady patch!
Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Well, hopefully I can provide a flanking bonus for someone.
Gunthorn Dursten |
Gunthorn steps near the shadow, opposite of Jinny and sends his quarterstaff spinning and whipping toward the creature.
Flurry of Blows Attack 1 (Flanking): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 - 2 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Flurry of Blows Attack 2 (Flanking): 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
PaperDrake |
Noticing the barest glint of motion in the corner of her eye, Jinny somersaults behind the dinosaur skeleton and tries to prick it with both her wit and her blade. Neither does seem hurting the fossilized remains only now coming into motion.
Ready for the attack from behind, Gunthorn joins in with the quick pair of blows, but his strikes are rushed and only the second one does seem to hit the sensitive part of the walking skeleton, fist barely glancing off the shadowy rib-cage.
PaperDrake |
Kaleless swings and hits the guardian's skull.
The skeleton swivels in place and attacks the nearest target, the girl who was the first across the threshold. It's tongueless mouth opens in the shriek without sound and its form pounces at Jinhong Yeou in a flurry of tooth and talons.
Bite attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Bite damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
First Talon attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
First Talon damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Second Talon attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Second Talon damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Foreclaws attack: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Foreclaws damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bite attack confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Bite second damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
But it seems that its first bite is the only attack that hit.
Jinny, looks like bite crits for 10 damage, others are misses.
The fight is on. Bold may act.
Jinhong Yeou
Gunthorn Dursten
Kaleless
---
Dino Skeleton -9
---
Hessavi Bebas
Angritt
Rath
Angritt |
No flesh, on this one, but might be good to keep those chompers in shape. Still, you might need some help chewing through that.
Angritt casts a spell on his companion and then moves into position around the skeleton. Rath's teeth start to drip with drool that hits the floor with a small sizzle.
Cast acid maw on Rath.
Move
Command Rath to attack as a free action. Rath has attack all.
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 4 + 2 = 10
Rath o vvv o |
Rath moves forward. Nearly distracted for a moment, he obeys the order and bites at the skeleton.
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Damage: 1d8 + 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + (1) + 3 = 5 1d4 is acid
Hessavi Bebas |
Hessavi pulls out her sword and brandishes it as she launches into a song about fighting the armies of evil to preserve Golarion.
Raging song: 12/13 rounds left
Quick refresher for anyone who hasn't encountered inspired rage for a while: You can choose round by round whether or not to be affected by the song. You will not be fatigued afterward.
Effects at 1st level are:
- +2 Strength
- +2 Constitution
- +1 to Will saves
- -1 AC
While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
Gunthorn Dursten |
Under Effect of Raging Song - AC13
Flurry of Blows Attack 1 (Flanking): 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Flurry of Blows Attack 2 (Flanking): 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 - 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
"Bloody dumb beast, you forgot you've already died once. Guess you need a bit of a reminder to stay dead." Gunthorn says as he continues to press the advantage. The power of Hessavi's song flows into his mind and body adding its influence to the ferocity of his spinning quarterstaff as at least one strike lands with a satisfying crack of hard wood against old bone.
PaperDrake |
Kaleless and Gunthorn keep clobbering at the animate bones, but brought fully to its unlife, it dodges the incoming attacks with ease, never taking its empty eyesockets off of Jinny.
There is a rule I forgot, by the way. In the dim light, creatures have concealment (20% miss chance) from the ones of you who doesn't have darkvision. Should have rolled that for Kaleless's attack that was a hit, but the miss chance is low enough for me to just assume it hits. I will keep track of that going forward, though.
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox |
Jinny does not choose to accept the Raging Song.
Shadow? More like sha-don't!
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 41 Low always meets the criteria for me, so 1-20 would have missed for 20% chance. If GM wants to use their own method, I'll abide.
Rapier, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Jinny attempts to parry...
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 62
Opportune Parry, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24
...and riposte!
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 54
Riposte, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Panache 2/4
HP 8/18
PaperDrake |
Jinny's attack skewers the skeletal figure through, almost poking Gunthorn on the other side. It does not seem to phase the creature.
Being of a singular mind, the guardian keeps lashing out at Jinny.
Bite attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Bite damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
It outstretches its neck to bite her, but she slaps the head to the side with the rapier and pushes it between the neck-bones in one motion.
First Talon attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Bite damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Second Talon attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Bite damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
I assume Jinny goes down on this one.
Foreclaws attack: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Foreclaws damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Round 2. Bold may act.
- Jinhong Yeou -21
- Gunthorn Dursten
- Kaleless
---
Dino Skeleton -12
---
Hessavi Bebas
Angritt
Rath
Angritt |
Angritt does not accept the raging song, so that he can maintain control of Rath. He does pull out his club and step into a flanking position with his companion. He swings.
Club: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Confirm: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14
Extra Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Rath o vvv o |
Rath, does give into the raging song however and tries to bite.
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 4
But has trouble finding its way in the darkness.
Gunthorn Dursten |
As the creature collapses Gunthorn moves to check on Jinny. Seeing her bleeding wounds, he quickly uses some spare cloth to bandage the gashes and get her stabilized.
"A little healing needed here if we can." He calls to the others.
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Jinhong Yeou, the Crimson Fox |
Jinny's eyes flutter open as she stabilizes, and she feebly reaches for a wand in her belt.
HP 3/18
Thank you, Kaleless. Angritt, would you be so kind?
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
HP 11/18, wand charges 49/50
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
HP 16/18, wand charges 48/50
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
HP 18/18, wand charges 47/50
Kaleless, please accept a potion in recompense for your kind deed.
She offers him one of her CLW potions.
Right. All part of the job, right? Let's move on, and I'll try not to antagonize any more shadow dinosaurs with big nasty teeth.