PFS PbP Gameday: GM Beman's Mists of Mwangi (Inactive)

Game Master Deane Beman

The Blakros Museum rises into the night sky, its single black spire severing the full moon in twain. The black iron gates surrounding the exhibition hall grind in protest against the wind. Beyond, the museum’s large oaken doors stand wide open, a silver-gray mist belching forth from the cavernous darkness within. You wonder how you ended up here, standing at the precipice of unknown terrors, and instantly Venture- Captain Adril Hestram’s wide looming face is conjured into your minds’ eye. His booming words ring out from memory as clearly as he spoke them only one hour ago:

“The Blakros Museum is cursed. Some darkness has descended upon the place and those who enter are blasted with evil and left raving through its halls, more beast than men. The curator, Nigel Aldain, is an old associate of the Society, though he chose to leave our organization some years back after a disagreement.” Adril looked sheepish then, as if remembering some distasteful incident from his youth.

“Nigel has long denied the Society access to the Blakros Museum’s considerable collection of relics and scrolls, using his extensive contacts to nab several excellent finds right out from under us... he always had a nose for the hunt. Whatever is past between Nigel and the Society, he needs our help now. Perhaps if we can come to his aid, he may think on rejoining the Pathfinder Society, or at least offering to share his discoveries with us.”

“Apparently the trouble at Blakros Museum began this morning, shortly after a wayward Pathfinder named Lugizar Trantos returned to Absalom after months spent in the Mwangi Expanse. Supposedly, instead of coming straight to the Lodge to report in, he went to Blakros, sold his finds to Nigel, and then disappeared with a hefty sum of gold. The few who glimpsed Lugizar claimed he was much changed by his time in the Mwangi... gaunt, his eyes yellowed and unfocused, a strange rasping cough that seemed to wrack his now wasted frame. Whatever he brought back with him, we believe it is the cause of the Blakros Museum’s ills. Root it out.”

"And one more thing...try to rescue as many members of the museum staff as you can. Although that should go without saying..."

Archibald recalls the scene in the VC's office...

*cue shimmering fade out*

Nodding patiently along with Hestram's words, Archibald speaks up at the end. Gaunt with yellow eyes and a rasping cough!? Surely the poor man wasn't afflicted with some ghoulish fever? Dreadful stuff that.

Also, any chance Nigel could give us a map of the grounds, or at least a rough outline of where we'll be headed in the museum?

Anyone have any idea why my bold tags aren't working properly??

Ijo dot

A massive half-orc sits in a corner, absently petting the hide of what appears to be his pet: a small (by its standards anyway) rhinoceros. He wears simple studded leather armor, and at his side is coiled up a massive spiked chain. He listens intently to the Venture-Captain, then picks something out from between one of his large tusks that give him and underbite and one of his teeth, and says, "I am Eldak. This is Spike," he gestures towards the beast. "What item did this Tyrannosaurus guy sell? What do we know of it?"

A crazy haired dwarf with a wild beard stands near the door. The stench of his breath is smelled even with his mouth closed. A long flowing gray robe surrounds the dwarf. Goggles sit upon his brow. "Sounds like you need us Pathfinders to check out to see what's going on," says Thanar with a raspy voice. "Well I'm here to go there and get some relics." Thanar listens to an explanation that we are to help not take. "Oh I mean help with the museum, yeah that's what I said."

A dusky-skinned Mwangi stands quietly, listening to the venture captain intently, his burly frame still and his face absent its accustomed smile as he concentrates on the mission. His bow is polite, his voice is lilting, and his words are pronounced precisely. "I am Dasiji Lekaya of the Desperation Bay Lekayas. Shimye-Megalla willing, we will end the danger and save the people."

Dasiji's words are pious, but he wears a small arsenal of functional weapons -- greatsword, guisarme, club, spiked guantlet, even a sap for some reason -- and to anyone who knows weapons, his finely-crafted darkwood longbow is clearly a prized possession. His well-made backpack fairly bulges with other equipment and supplies. Clearly, he expects to take care of himself.

A lady takes a low bow while taking off her tri-corn hat, revealing long locks of blue. As she raises up, you notice a beautiful mocha complexion. She draws a silver Rapier and points it toward's the window. "Aye, We will get yur cursed item back from that Museum. I will lead this rag tag bunch gladly. Sarenrae will light our way."

Dasiji turns away to hide a grin at the bard's dramatic declaration of leadership, before looking back with a serious mien. "It is good to see you again, Kassandra. You were always most encouraging in battle."

The half-elf woman stands with her hands on her hips, looking up at the museum for a moment, then nods her head. “I’m Leil,” she says, moving towards the open gates. “Let’s stop wasting time and get this done.”

The half-elf woman stands with her hands on her hips, looking up at the museum for a moment, then nods her head. “I’m Leil,” she says, moving towards the open gates. “Let’s stop wasting time and get this done.”

A brave soul...I like it! I'll put you in the museum now...but if anyone wants to make any last minute Knowledge or Gather Info checks we can retcon those before I make my next update...which should be sometime after 12:00pm US eastern time.

1. Entrance and Atrium

An unnatural cold permeates this chamber and the tendrils of silver-gray mist flowing out the front archway into the courtyard beyond seem to effortlessly pierce the flesh and gently caress the bone in a cold embrace. The grand entranceway’s vaulted ceiling is supported by six great
pillars of hewn black stone. Braziers mounted on the pillars cast white radiance from balls of continual light. The light glimmers eerily in the silvery haze that fills the atrium, giving the impression of something alien watching from the glowing fog.

Map of the Blakros Museum

I'll do a gather information check

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Eldak nods to Spike, and the two of them take up a position in the front of the party.

[ooc]I just want to say, I injured my back at work last night. It hurts like hell, and makes getting around a little tough. I may be a bit spotty on posting for a couple days.

No worries Eldak...take care of yourself!

Kassandra discovers that Lugizar Trantos spent the better part of a year in the Mwangi Expanse. At first he wrote letters to his brother and wife, but after a few months these stopped coming and most gave him up for dead. His letters spoke of a lucrative find at one point, three idols of dark wood carved in the shape of bearded monkeys.

Archibald steps in with the others and slips off to the left behind a pillar. Moving forward he slips through the mist from pillar to pillar.

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Kassandra follows suit with Eldak. Drawing her Mithrial Rapier while starting a rythic hum

Dasiji watches Archibald slip into the mist and considers for a few moments. Then he reaches into a pocket, pulls out a little stone that glows like the braziers in the entryway, and sets it to floating around his head. The Mwangi silently joins the others without any attempt at stealth, and his hands are empty, though one wears a spiked gauntlet.

Thanar watches the rest of the party head into the building, then looks around and shrugs to nobody and, seeing the others attempting to be quiet heading into the museum, attempts to do so as well.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Once Thanar enters the structure, he sees the others hiding behind pillars and does the same at the first pillar he comes to.

Everyone feels a twinge as they breathe in the mist; but most are unaffected. Thanar and Leil, however appear to be taking on the features of an ape.

As Archibald looks left and right, he suddenly notices two ape-like creatures creeping along with them.

"I say! What transformation is this! By the Inheritor you've turned... uglier!

"I've got a bad feeling about this...."

"Avast! What hoodoo magic is this!"

Leil runs her hairy fingers over the back of her head, scratches her belly, and looks at the party. She slowly bares her teeth, and lets out a growl.

After a few quick steps she leaps towards a pillar and tries to climb it.
climb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

After a moment of confusion, Archibald shrugs and gestures forward.

"Well chaps, if you're both alright to continue on we should do that. The sooner we're in the sooner we're out.

Moving quietly down the hall with his staff out, Archibald peaks into the
left hand doorway.

Take 10 on stealth for a 15, can only see 30ft max.

Dasiji looks at his two ape-like comrades, remembers their briefing, and curses himself mentally for failing to anticipate something like this. He pulls out a potion from his backpack and offers it to them, speaking in soothing tones as if to wild animals. "This is protection from evil. Do you remember that? Do you want it?" One simian in studded leather armor is climbing a pillar, but another in gray robes is still on the ground. "I don't know if it will help, but it can't hurt." He mimes pulling out the cork and drinking. "Just like that." He holds out the vial.

Take 10 on Diplomacy for Wild Empathy, which doesn't apply anyway, but he doesn't know that yet.

Eldak and Spike both move to get in front of Archibald, trying to be as sneaky as two such massive creatures can be. Spike even tries to walk on his tippy toes to be quieter.

E Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
S Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
E Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Darkvision 60 feet
S Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Scent

West Exhibit Hall
Map of the West Exhibit Hall

A placard above this hall reads “The Honored Dead” in blood-red calligraphy.

The mists here congeal into a thick and silvery fog that cools the lungs. Arranged throughout this large hall are exhibits on the funerary traditions of several civilizations, along with preserved corpses arrayed in grim stillness. A giant warrior looms from the haze, his arms crossed at his chest, his helm solemn and still. Beyond lie sarcophagi of varied designs, and a few glass cases wherein withered dead are held upright by rods and string; grim exhibits of long-dead citizens whose fallen empires were erased an age past.

As you enter the room you are greeted by the sight of several corpses rising from their undead slumber. One is a withered, mummified creature bearing a jeweled scarab on its chest among its spiced wrappings. Another is a hulking skeleton who wields a greatclub fashioned from a mammoth’s ivory tusk. The third is a shrunken, emaciated corpse wrapped in rotten silks holding a silvered scimitar in its bony fists. Finally there is an armored warrior clad in heavy discolored bronze plates and helm.

The PCs get a surprise round action (either a move action or a standard action.) Kassandra may also take her round 1 action at this time. If either Thanar or Leil want to drink Dasiji's potion we can retcon that if need be.

Surprise Round
PCs may act in any order

Round 1
Kassandra
Legionaire Skeleton
Archibald
Ghoul
Greatclub Skeleton
Thanar
Scimitar Skeleton
Leil
Eldak
Dasiji

Archibald murmurs to himself as the dead begin to rise. "Ah Inheritor, bless this staff so I may smite down these abominations

Archibald casts Shillelagh on his staff.

Leil sees the creatures rising and lets out a harsh roar, then immediately runs at the closest one.

I found a pic to represent Spike... but I can't figure out how to put it on the map lol

Eldak sees the dead rising. "Spike, undead are trapped in the greatest form of slavery. Let us free them!" Eldak charges the next one in line from the one the ape charged!

Spiked Chain: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10
AC is now 14

Dasiji's hands move in a blur and suddenly he's holding his massive two-handed sword. He glides a couple of yards toward the nearest undead, moving with surprising grace for someone his size, and swings his sword down in a diagonal arc with incredible force, using his forward momentum and putting his waist and hips into it. His trainer in the Sargavan Guard would be proud.

FA: Draw greatsword (Quick Draw)
NA: 5' step NW
SA: Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 = 19
...for 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 + 3 = 19 damage.

Forgot Spike's action...

Spike also charges the same one that Eldak did.

Gore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Kassandra begins to sing a Loud hymn to Sarenrae, increasing everyone's competency in battle and moves to flank.

Everyone get a +1 Competency bonus to attack, damage rolls, and fear effects. She then moves 30 feet.

Thanar was confused with his new body. He seemed stronger and faster than he normally was, but also he knew he used to shoot acid out of his hands, but didn't understand how to do that now. Thanar sees a person he knows is a friend pulling a vial out and offering it to him. That funny haired man takes a drink of it. Oh he was faking taking a drink. Thanar reaches out to the man and takes the vial. Thanar drinks the vial. Nothing comes out. Thanar is confused. He looks at it more. Oh there's something that moves that can come out of the bottle. Thanar removes the stopper then takes a swig of the drink. It cools his insides and make him feel warm inside at the same time.

Pure instinct combined with exquisite training cause the Pathfinders to work as a well oiled machine in the face of the undead assault. As Archibald and Kassandra cast spells the mighty Leil faces off against the Scimitar Skeleton. Dasiji steals her would be glory by cutting the skeleton to pieces with his deft swordwork.

Eldak and spike tear into the Legionaire and reduces it to a pile of bones as the Ghoul lumbers toward him and gnashes at the half orc with its rotted teeth. It manages to find flesh but Eldak is able to fight off the normally devastating effects of a Ghoul's bite. The greatclub skeleton joins the Ghoul and menaces Eldak and Kassandra.

Map of the West Exhibit Hall

Round 1

Kassandra
Archibald
Ghoul
Greatclub Skeleton
Thanar
Leil
Eldak
Dasiji

I went a little bit out of order to help things run a bit more smoothly...everyone else may take their first round actions now. I also created a token for Spike.

Dasiji is so surprised by executing the move perfectly (and ending the opponent immediately) that he blinks once and pauses briefly. Scanning the exhibit hall for other dangers, the Sargavan ex-guard trots over to a hulking skeleton holding a mammoth tusk and again swings his greatsword with all of his might.

MA: Move 15' NE.
SA: Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 1 = 24 Critical threat
...for 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 + 3 = 15 damage.
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 1 = 12 ?
...for 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 + 3 = 12 additional damage.

Dasiji just took the skeleton down. Focus fire on the ghoul.

Leil steps forward and stabs at the ghoul with the pointy metal stick she is carrying.

Rapier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Archibald slips forward gracefully and takes a mighty swipe at the nearest undead creature.

attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14

I forgot to include the bonuses from Kassandra's inspiring song. Don't be like me.

Eldak moves to the side of the mummy, and Spike follows of him, both of them attacking the undead monstrosity. Eldak swings his spiked chain around his head before bringing it down on his foe, while Spike rams at the thing with his... spike.

Eldak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 = 7
Spike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Dmage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

You just did it too. It's like terminal bonus aversion or something. :p

Spike cannot attack the undead monstrosity unless you have invested 2 tricks in attack

Whoops! I forgot the +1/+1 bonus as well! :)

The group begins a relentless assault with Archibald and Eldak landing simultaneous blows that send the ghoul back to his undeath.

Combat over

Making a thorough search of the room you discover another corpse; a Mwangi warrior, his body preserved in hot mud, stands against the wall of the exhibit hall. In his hands he clutches a bone-handled kukri with a jade carved blade. (Treat as as Masterwork Kurki.)

The ghoul wears a scarab that acts as a feather token (bird), meant to deliver his last will and testament to his ancestors. One of the skeletons carries a masterwork greatclub, the other an masterwork alchemical silver scimitar.

While examining and dividing up the spoils of your victory, you hear hoarse screams for help coming from the next room. (Area 3)

Leil sniffs the various slain enemies, and picks up the scarab. She holds it up, intrigued by the pretty colors.

Various knowledges to see if she intuits anything about it: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 (add 1 for arcana and local, 2 for dungeoneering)

Upon hearing the screams, she turns and looks that direction and growls.

Feeling that their primary mission here was to preserve the life of any museum staff, Archibald rushes forward towards the door and throws it open.

Spike cannot attack the undead monstrosity unless you have invested 2 tricks in attack

I did not realize this, thank you. Actually it would be a DC20 Handle Animal check until I put the other trick into it.

Eldak is not very interested in any of the loot, he prefers his chain. He hears the scream. "Come on, Spike! Someone is in trouble!" They both go running after the noise.