[PFS PbP] DM Elanmorin's - #04-12 The Refuge of Time (tier 7-8) (Inactive)

Game Master Rogar Valertis

The letter that arrives bears Venture-Captain Heidmarch’s seal, and seems to contain an enclosure. “Greetings, Pathfinders! I have new information for you about our agents’ discoveries regarding the cult of Lissala. When the Ten learned of the cult’s active existence, they sent a team to infiltrate a cell in the industrial town of Palin’s Cove. During that mission we learned that the cult intends to bring back the ancient Thassilonian Runelord Krune to rule Varisia. Pathfinder agents next encountered Lissalans here in the City of Strangers and discovered that the cultists aim to return the runelord by using refuge tokens that he created for his followers to reach his hidden location. Our Pathfinders also uncovered the location of an ancient Lissalan shrine, documented to hold a cache of these refuge tokens. The enclosed map shows the location where the shrine is said to be—the fastest way there is from Kaer Maga west into the Wyvern Mountains”.
“Find the shrine and recover the refuge tokens so that we may use them to access Krune’s lair, thus preventing the Lissalans from raising their runelord. Don’t attempt to use the tokens yet—we also need to uncover the proper command words. And hurry, please! A group bearing the Sihedron—Lissala’s holy rune—was seen leaving the city two days ago. They must seek the shrine as well. Should you have additional questions about your mission, seek out a trusted informant in the Downmarket District, a textile merchant named Allira Vandane. She will aid you as much as she can. May Desna smile upon you, Pathfinders.”

For now just post here once and then delete it please.

As you finish reading Venture-Captain Heidmarch's missive you consider tracking down this Allira Vandane and ask here a few additional questions about the mission...

Finding Allira Vandane requires a DC10 Diplomacy or Knowledge(local) check. You can also try to remember what you know about the fallen empire of Thassilion, and/or the current mission's circumstances and/or Lissala and her cult

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Mutahir returns, his cloak wrapped about him and a stern look in his eyes.

I found some people willing to talk... here is what I found out...
Sharing information found under appropriate spoilers

Warpac is a typical dwarf, gruff, stout, and warlike. He carries a Dwarven double waraxe and travels in plate armor. Unusual for dwarf, he also proudly sports the holy symbol of Desna.

Kn Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"Nasty customers, those Lissalan's. I look forward to removing their scourge from the earth. No need for a second Thassilonian empire in my mind, or even a resurrected lord or lady. Though the former would probably follow the latter. No good, no good, no good," he says as his shaggy head shakes back and forth. "Desna would not be happy."

A thin wiry half orc with good posture and sharp features speaks with commanding voice,

"Good day, I am Tak and this is my spirit guardian. It's name was Nail though since it's transformation into a Paracletus I don't know if it has a name."

"Be warned it may, as we travel, beam images of the past, present, or future directly into your mind. Don't be afraid it is how the species communicates. I assure you will adjust, and the information it provides can be useful."

Quietly Tak prays, "May the golden eye of heaven bless us. Then starts going through their notes."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

Nail:
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Images of the actual even as seen by aeons throughout the ages are beamed directly into each of your heads.

"Sorry, I know that can be overwhelming."

Question, is Nail's ability divine in origins? AKA does it have close connection to a god or goddess? If so, Mutahir's abilities would trigger and I may not be able to communicate with it. :(

In spite of the general nervousness orcs provoke, Warpac has worked with enough Half-orcs to repress his racial bias and give the shaman a fair hearing. The history lesson tips him over the edge from grudging acceptance to open friendliness.

"I'll bet he makes a great teacher though. Nothing like practically experiencing something compared to reading about it. Or should I say she or it?"

"What can it tell me about dwarven lore and history? I don't study it much, but I love to hear about it. Experiencing it would be extravagant."

Nail's ability is racical it has nothing to do with any gods.

"I don't believe Nail has a sex anymore. Nail was a he before. He or they would be fine."

Through out the adventure Nail will beam sights of great battles past and future, Dwarven rivelries, events important to the 5 kings mountains including the emotions that go with them. Nail will keep the doses small as it can take some adjustment.

I take you don't want to go searching for Allira Vandane? If so we can move on with the chase. Be careful though, you can make your purchases while in Magnimar but you won't be able to do that anymore once you enter the wild areas surrounding the Wyvern Mountains. Let me know what you want to do, please

Tak and Nail know where he is and they stop by while preparing to leave.

Does he know anything about angles or binding rituals?

What other defenses can we expected?

What type of curse can we expect?

Do they know of any magic that will aid us?

"It seems to me we do not have too much time. It's best to get to the Lissalan shrine as soon as possible"

Anyone who looks at Barm will see a half-naked strong man. His face is dyed in color. He carry his large Bastard sword. "Sorry! I did not introduce myself. My name is Barm!"

A Shoanti man with broad shoulders and tribal tattoos stands motionless in the room and listens to you reading the letter.

When he starts speaking with a thick accent and deep voice the satisfaction to be able to compete is clearly evident.

"A test of blood and sweat to get rid of this cult that is plaguing my homelands ... I will enjoys this mission. My name is Crowe! And you should be happy to have me with you - the gods blessed me with primal energies of air that no one can stop ... especially not such a deprived cult! Let us immediately depart to find this Allira Vandane."

Tak is fine leaving without his questions answered if that is what the group wants.

"I prefer slow and cautious. I think we should contact this Vandane before we set off!"

Mutahir can autosucceed the required diplomacy roll so...

Mutahir proves he can be diplomatic and charming if he wishes to. In no time he finds the place where Allira Vandane's shop is located. After showing her the venture captain's letter the woman nods and accepts to answer your questions, starting with Tak's.

Other questions?

"What can you tell us about Naroth Balam and the people he travels with? Can you tell us anything about the people he abducted or how it all happened?"

Crowe looks into Allira’s eyes.

”Why do you know all these things!!! Have you been spying on the Lissalans? Or were you part of their cult? How can we trust you?!“ Crowe asks flexing his muscles.

Warpac looks at the barbarian, Crowe, curiously.

"What are you talking about, Crowe? He knew nothing about the rituals, nothing about the defenses, nothing about the curse, and nothing about the magic. What exactly are you talking about him knowing? He's just a merchant and those were the wrong questions. He probably knows more about who went where and bought or sold things."

Allira scoffs at Crowe "unconventional approach":"Would some of you mind keeping your Shoanti brute here on a shorter leash? I listen to whispers, sort out good the rumors from the bad ones. Above all I use my brain... which admittedly may come as a novel concept to you, baldie"

Have you got other questions or shall we move on?

Tak is ready to move on.

"Thank you for your time."

I'm gonna have to keep my posts short until I'm back home on Monday.

Hi all! Sorry we are late. I believe we're both ready to go, right Vybus?

Vybus nods and casts a spell on himself.

Ready when you are.

false life, potent magic: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

In the mountain valley, sparse trees sprout from cracks in the steep cliffs, bending in the direction of the constant, howling wind. Piles of scree litter the ground at the base of the cliffs. In a hollow with a muddied brook, a hole in the mountainside opens up. It was clearly excavated recently-piles of soil and rock flank the opening. A perfectly square tunnel the height of an ogre cuts through worked stone, leading to a chamber beyond. Light from within reveals muddy tracks in the dust that coats the floor of the tunnel.
In front of the entrance a shining being armored in gold stands guard. As he notices you approaching, he raises his morningstar and shouts a warning:"Halt, tomb robbers! You shall not enter this sacred site. One more step and you will be destroyed."

DC25 Knowledge(planes) to identify. You can try to deal with him by diplomacy (in that case you've better heed his warning). Or you may want to try a more "direct" approach. Either way you need to deal with him if you want to gain entrance to the shrine.

Tak is going to try diplomacy first.

Knowldge Planes Nail: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 231d4 ⇒ 2 2 round of paging though pathfinder chronicles while Tak talks.

Knowldge Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"There are people that are coming to this place to bring great evil upon this world and we have been tasked with preventing that outcome. If you will let us pass we can secure the most dangerous of the items. We will respect them and venerate them accordingly. Are you an angle? Have you been bound to service? Would your like to go free?"

What does this creature look like?

May I ask to whom the site is sacred to?"

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Diplomacy: 10 + 17 = 27

We are here to help!

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Tak tries to explain the group's reasons but the angel stands unmoved:"You shall not pass. Nothing you said convinced me of your good intentions!"

DC34 diplomacy check to convince the Deva, conflict may be avoided, those 2 failures don't bode well though. The map is up with your tokens in place

Mutahir steps forward.

Godslave! Look at my cloak and know my name, I am Mutahir Hashem, of the Pure Legion. Your kind know my people, the Rahadoumi, and you know my station. I swear to you by the laws of man that we are not here on missions of ill intent, but to protect and preserve.

diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

At least I aided.... Tak, don't forgive to have nail (Or the other way around, i forget which) aid. With some lucky rolling, throwing in help from Max, we can still make it!

"You are acting bound by evil. Let me free you and send you home. You should not be a slave here."

Nail has his own profile now

Is the being ignoring Warpac's question?

"You are a protector! We are protectors too! We are Pathfinders trying to stop an evil that is trying to spread." Crowe says with respect in his voice.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

@Warpac: yes, the angel will only listen to you after you convince him violence can be avoided. In order to do so you need to pass a DC34 diplomacy check. I'm sorry but this is how the encounter is run by the book. You are at 31 need 3 more to beat the DC. You may possibly want to reroll one your aid checks that failed

Vybus tries to appease the Deva:"We are not tombrobbers and you were deceived... the one who summoned you is the real desecrator!"

Aid another check (diplomacy): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Warpac has a future glimpse from his foray into time (The Sky Key Solution boon to get a +1 to a roll), casts a lucky presence on himself, and tries again.

"Surely, as a Warpriest of Desna, I qualify as a champion for good. By the powers vested in my by the goddess of of the heavenly realms, I assure you that we mean only good."

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

So there is no need for me to reroll?

Tak smiles at the goodness and resolve of this companions.

Surprised by your non violent yet persistent approach the angel relents:"So you claim. I have my orders but I'm willing to listen to your reasons. Before doing that you'll have to prove your good faith to me though. Remove all trinkets and magical auras that may confound my judgement and submit yourselves to my stare of truth. If you speak the truth you have nothing to fear from me and I'll let you pass. But be warned! If you try to deceive me my vengeance will be righteous and implacable."

In mechanical terms the angel is asking you to remove all of your magic items, supress your magical auras, submit to his discern lies spell like ability and voluntarily fail your check against it. Will you do it?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Warpac had run into too many shape shifters and folks not what they represent themselves to be to trust this thing to cast a spell on him. Nope, not Warpac.

Warpac just grunts and grips his weapon more tightly. In fact he will touch his butterfly shaped holy symbol and call upon the blessing of his deity, Desna, to fortify his armor - just in case. (i.e. sacred armor), figuring that if it is evil that will provoke it to attack and stop this nonsense.

Crowe looks at the being and is quite at ease.

"My power comes from the elemental energies that roam this world so items are not important for me!"

Crowe puts all his magic items on the ground next to him and submits to his spell.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Pass or fail Tak removes is magical gear and fails the save.

Mutahir snorts in derision.

Your eyes will have no power over me angel, my life is devoted to fighting your kind and your fellow slaves. But my allies will confirm the truth of my words.

As a sign of good faith he'll take his sword and set it on the ground next to him before standing again with his arms crossed, waiting patiently on the angel.

Due to feats and abilities, Mutahir can't voluntarily take a divine spell, so no lowering SR or bonuses to take it. But he'll endorse the others.

Barm removes his sword, armor, belt, amulet and ring.

"Do whatever you want with me, just let us in!"

Crowe, Tak and Barm surrender themselves to the angel's scrutiny. Warpac does not and Muthair can't. Since I'm botting Vybus he accepts as well, so the majority of your group allows the Deva to cast his spell on them

The angel studies your group:"I see that most of you have no fear of facing my judgement. Very well then. Start by explaining to me why should I trust the unbeliever and the greedy dwarf. Then tell me your story again and why should I let you pass inside this holy site"

"I will submit now that I see that no harm has befallen my comrades."

Warpac sheds his armor and lays aside his ax and allows the spell to work.

"Just as you needed proof, so did I. I have been tricked before by shapeshifting evil outsiders."

"We have come to recover tokens. The tokens are part of one step of an evil cult's plan to bring back a ruinlord and bring choas to the world. We must be allowed to stop this"

After studying you with his shining eyes the angel exclaims:"It seems I was deceived. The pact was not made in good faith as the caller lied to me and therefore it can be broken. I shall guard this place no more. You may enter. I wish you success in your endeavour. Please accept this small gift as well... material wealth has little improtance in the supernal realms but I know here on the material plane it's appreciated". So saying the deva hans you a silken pouch containing 695 gold pieces, beofre disappearing in a shimmer of light.

With the deva's departure you are free to enter the Shrine of Lissala. The impossibly large blocks of the shrine's walls are in such good condition that they seem to have been laid only decades ago. Carved into the stone, spiky script is clearly visible throughout the room. Stone double doors stand in the east and west walls. Each is decorated with a seven-pointed star, and each blade of a star displays a spiky rune. One rune per star glows with an amber light that illuminates the room. Also in the western wall, a short square tunnel leads back outside, with a score of muddy footprints showing the way. A passageway to the south leads to another lit room. The air inside the shrine is cool and fresh. As you enter you are greeted by 5 living people. A trio of Shoanti wearing the traditional garb of their people, a man sporting a well groomed goatee and mustaches whose expensive clothes are stained with mud that he tries to clean with little to no success and lastly a dwarven woman, thin for her kind.

Warpac is taken aback to see the 5 standing there, leaning against the walls.

Could these be the ones the cultists captured, or the cultists themselves?

Privided they do not jump up and attack, Warpac will declare himself.

"Hail, and well met! I am Warpac. Who have I the pleasure of meeting?

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

But a dwarf is a dwarf, and in spite of all the diplomacy lessons he's taken his 'hail' sounds like a challenge, his 'well met' sounds sprinkled with suspiciousness, and if there is any pleasure in seeing them, it sure as heck isn't showing on his face.

”I greet you my fellow kinsman!“ Crowe says to the Shoanti and walks forward to greet them.