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You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World, and you’ve always longed to explore one of the countless ruins of failed conquerors that litter the plains outside the city’s walls.
You’ve heard rumors that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the “Fallen Fortress.” What better way to start a life of excitement and adventure than by exploring its long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures?
Even better, you have managed to acquire a patron - a crusty old scholar by the name of Drandle Dreng, who has hired you to explore the tower, and offered to pay good coin for any items of historical or religious interest that you manage to recover.
Dreng nods in satisfaction when the last of the party straggles in.
"Excellent. You are finally all here. Now, as I was saying, I would like you to explore the ruined siege tower known as the 'Fallen Fortress', which was recently cracked open by a minor earthquake. I would be willing to pay good coin for any items of historical of religious significance; feel free to keep anything else, as I am sure that the previous owners will be long dead by now. Try to keep a record of what you encounter, as well. I like to collect adventuring stories; it reminds me of my younger days..."
He sighs, and looks at his claw-like hands, and white beard, through rheumy eyes.
"However, those days are now long-gone; it is time for others to take the lead in the story-making. Now, be off with you! It is time to create your own..."
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Gray ius is a tall half-elf, with a grim face and black hairs.
He wore an simple metal armor, a pig backpack and a symbol of Asmodeus around his neck.
His weapon is a massive Glaive and at his side, a morningstar and a dagger.
Joining the other he said
Good morning. I'm Gratius, from the Egorian Academy of Magic, reporting for duty.
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"Wait a minute. Before we start could we analyse what ressource we have? I mean i know a lot of things and i am a good musician. I have also a lot of ressources in case of danger."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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A thin white haired elf white a long spear resting against his shoulder tries to rub some dirt from fingers on his pants.
He looks up at Yable's question
"Resources? I have a spear. It's a rather nice spear." I also have this shiny new club thing with some spikes..the person who sold it to me said it was called a morning star..I had to pick it up when I found out a spear doesn't do much against certain types of undead. Oh..and I have this stick that can heal people if you use it in a certain order. I got it from the Pathfinder Society after that run in with those undead I just mentioned"
"My apologies ..I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself"
the elf says as he wipes some hair out of his eyes
"My name is Caelben"
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Heading out of the city, the journey through the Cairnlands is uneventful, and after only a few hours, you arrive at your destination.
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
As you get closer, you hear frenzied barking rapidly closing in on your position, as three starving dogs run around the siege tower, and make a bee-line straight for the party!
Gratius:
Caelben:
Guybord:
D:
Round 1: Guybord, D, Kailun, Gratius, Caelben
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Guybord grants Caelben a bit of luck.
The dogs surge forward to attack!
Two of the dogs latch onto Caelben, dealing some serious damage, whilst the third narrowly misses out on ripping into Gratius' throat, instead biting down on his arm.
Round 1: Guybord, D, Kailun, Gratius(-2), Caelben(-10)
Round 2: Guybord, D, Kailun, Gratius(-2), Caelben(-10)
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"ARRGGHHHHHHHH, this hurts! These are some viscious dogs."
..I'd better stay here and protect the others, they wear less armor then I do...these dogs would tear through them like.....
Caelben shudders as he has a bad mental image
Caelben then lets go of his spear and draws his morning star with his now free hands -as his spear drops to the ground - getting a good grip on it with both hands and takes a swing at the middle dog..trying to swing it in just from below and to the side to smash the dogs jaw up and away from his legs.
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Kailun searches around the exterior of the tower.
The tower appears to have originally been quatrefoil in plan, with sheer, smooth walls (no doors). However, part of one wing has collapsed, revealing some of the internal rooms, although there is a significant amount of rubble (difficult terrain, but out of combat, it should not pose any problems).
At ground level, two internal doors (as per the map) are visible; one is thoroughly blocked by masonry debris, whilst the other is partially choked with webbing.
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Coming up from outside, a Dwarf wearing simple robes huffs into view. Upon seeing the group, he halts to catch his breath.
"By Irori's Serene Baldness, you lot don't waste much time." he says. "A late night drink...meditating and I'm sprinting to catch up with you. Name's Fellstone. Drendle Dreng sent me."
Noticing some activity going on, he stands up a little straighter. "Oy. What's going on?
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Guybord struggles mightily against the webbing, but remains stuck like a fly in a web.
Kailun fires an arrow which lances into the spider's side, causing it to hiss in pain.
Caelben then steps in and spears the spider, delivering a vicious stab to its thorax.
Gratius moves in, and attempts to slash at the spider, but it dodges out of the way of his blow.
Fellstone then hustles forward, reaching the edge of the ruins.
The spider, considering Caelben to be the biggest threat, attempts to bite the elf...
...but is unable to pierce his armor.
Round 2: Guybord, Caelben, Kailun, Gratius, GS(-13), Fellstone
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Quickly glancing into the other rooms reveals that the room to the south is completely filled with rubble, whilst the room to the west has partially collapsed; a doorway opens onto what was once probably a central staircase, now choked with rubble.
If any further progress is to be made, it will likely requiring climbing up to the next level via the broken exterior...
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Gratius pulls out a rope, and hands it to Fellstone.
The doughty Dwarven monk then sets out to climb the wall...
...taking his time, he carefully ascends the wall, reaching the next landing.
Upon reaching the next level, the party is able to recognize that what is left of this chamber is completely bare, but two doors exit it to the NW and NE.
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"I don't suppose one of you lads is one of those people who can find and disarm traps which might be on something.."
Caelben pauzes and indicates both doors
"..like that?.
"Otherwise we have little choice but to pick one, hope it doesn't blow up in our faces and pray that what ever behind the door isn't hungry and capable of eating us for lunch."