Amenopheus’s directions and map are clear and lead you to a run-down, partly collapsed fountain plaza.
A curious ten-foot-tall fountain stands at the center of a plaza in the Precipice Quarter. Shaped like a giant fist and built from steel that hasn’t become tarnished despite its apparent age, it looks almost as though some titan of old had punched its fist through the ground.
As the party approaches the plaze, Shukara feels the key start to gently vibrate, and glowing script in Celestial, Draconic, and Osiriani appears along the fountain’s surface:
You study the area and begin an ardent discussion of how to go about freeing Gulgamodh.
- The more knowledgeable among you can attempt to remember stories that shed light to what Gulgamodh was .
- Those familiar with the arcane arts may attempt to realign the glowing sigils and schematics .
- Those who are clever and/or observant may seek hidden buttons and mechanisms that can free Gulgamodh .
- Those with the gift of gab may try to improvise a phrase that encourages Gulgamodh to activate .
- And last but not least, those who are nimble, strong or just clever about how stuff works may try to remove parts of the fountain that aren’t part of the original construction .
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“Here lies Gulgamodh, aegis of Absalom. When the city needs Gulgamodh, open the locks and call it forth with true and honest intent.” Duath reads out from the script appearing on the statue.
"Whatever we do we must be alert and cautious. This may be the very fist of what we are about to summon forth."
The dwarven monk circles around the fountain, stroking her chin as if it had a fine beard...probably a mannerism she picked up from watching her father.
"Ah, yes, there we are... She slides her hand into a small crack below the outside of the rim of the fountain and there's a small click, and the stone slides downward, revealing a a pull lever. She gives it a tug and is surprised at the ease with which it moves. The ground shudders slightly.
- The more knowledgeable among you can attempt to remember stories that shed light to what Gulgamodh was
- Those familiar with the arcane arts may attempt to realign the glowing sigils and schematics
- Those with the gift of gab may try to improvise a phrase that encourages Gulgamodh to activate
- And last but not least, those who are nimble, strong or just clever about how stuff works may try to remove parts of the fountain that aren’t part of the original construction .
One Success: - Those who are clever and/or observant may seek hidden buttons and mechanisms that can free Gulgamodh (Appraise, Craft [sculptures or stonemasonry], Perception, or Sleight of Hand).
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“Oh magnificent! What language was that Duath? There are just too many for me to remember!” - as morka is about to cast a spell, he realises that the elf is already all over the inscription. He trusts his ally and stops.
“It seems we need to open some locks, ey? Well. Let’s see what we’ve got here...” as he casts detect magic.
Morka is going to down his potion of Heroism (I’ll track time, hopefully) and attempts the checks.
— “I remember reading about this once, I thought it was a silly story but...”
— “As we can see here, these tunes seem to indicate that...what do you think guys?”
Morka pipes up and stands proud and tall. Well, as tall as he can. “Oh great Ancient One- the Aegis of Absalom, we call to you! Abyssal and abysmal forces are on our doors, those siding with evil are here to destroy your home! Our home! Will you help us fight for it? Will you stand beside us, Gilgamodh?” — Morka says in his best speaking voice, using Duath for guaidance with the language.
—
—“did that work? Anyone know if I can help someone with this? Ahhh, this was my worst class in bard school...”
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"Two of the scripts I do not recognize but the Draconic and Celestial I could decipher. The studies are varied in Kyonin." Duath replies to Morka while looking for a way to help with the fountain further.
He starts attempting to find structural weaknesses or parts of the fountain that can be removed.
Hudor starts tinkering with the runes around the fountain, and realigns them to read "ARISE, DEFENDER OF ABSOLOM."
Meanwhile, your halfling companion starts bounding all over like an overcharged clockwork assistant, pinging from one project to the next. He nods approvingly of the work Hudor is doing, before bouncing over to Duath. "Just put your back into it...or maybe pull out these stones here...and here...oh, and that one over there. That should do it."
He then strikes a dramatic pose and entreats Gulgamodh to rise...and the ground begins to shake and shudder. The giant fist unfolds and flexes its fingers.
Suddenly, the sound of one person's loud clapping rings across the plaza, and a woman'ss voice calls out: "Well done, Pathfinders. We'll take it from here. Just toss me the key..."
You see three humans in leather armor: the two men in front are carrying longswords. The woman in back, who addressed you, is carrying a dagger.
"There is no time for these games. You are much too inexperienced to handle this creature. Pass me the key and go help defend the gates...or face my wrath."
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From behind the tall elf, Morka exclaims, “Wh-who are you? We were here first, and we are on an important mission! You better present some fortification first, before we let you through to the sword! We don’t want any trouble, let’s jsut talk this out like civilised people!”
— to try and cool then down
As soon as Shukara begins to move forward without holding the key out, steel is bared and they move to attack.
D
Morka's Arrow strikes home, and the yellow thug let's out a cry of pain. The woman shakes her head at you all in a most disappointed fashion (she must've been a strict schoolmarm in an earlier life), then she strolls forward and unleashes a fiery CONE OF DOOM on Morka and Duath.
The two thugs are obviously experienced as they stay out of reach of Shukara, moving forward to protect their mistress.
The blue one moves up and engages Shukara without a word, while the yellow one sneers at Morka, "I'll teach you to shoot arrows at your betters, ya little runt."
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Approaching the man she brings down her sword to clash against his. She then brings her left fist up in an uppercut aimed squarely at his chin!
for bludgeoning dmg and Fort DC 14 or stunned for 1 round (until just before Shukara's next turn).
She then attempts to sweep his legs with a kick!
for bludgeoning dmg.
Alas, her shoe gets caught in the cobblestones...
Shukara deals a solid blow right to the face of her foe, stunning him into a stupor. Amazed at the effectiveness of her first blow, her followup is....less effective.
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Thinking this is foolish, Hudor moves around Duath to get in a position to get all three into his attack. He then smiles as he unleashes a wave of pure, freezing cold into them.
[dice=Freezing Hands (Cold Damage) on all three, Reflex DC 15 for half]3d4
Made a mistake in my positioning, corrected it. But new position only puts the Blue Goon and the Initiate in area of effect.
Duath's arrow strikes home, and the blue thug is bleeding profusely, but remains on his feet.
Hudor moves in and unleashes a blast of cold to counter the blast of fire. The yellow thug manages to dodge the majority of the damage, but the other two take it full in the face. The stunned, battered and bleeding blue thug collapses to the ground. The initiate looks none-too-happy.
Unfortunately Zeebo and Flaith's followup attacks are ineffectual.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shift and the hand of Gulgamodh begins to thrash about, as if anxious to engage the enemies of Absolom. Unfortunately, its efforts are blind and indiscriminate, and it lashes out at anyone within 10' of the hand . Both Shukara and Zeebo are struck a glancing blow by the frantic hand, but are able to remain on their feet.
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“Oh Christ! What’s the weapon doing? Ahhhh, guys, how do we stop it?” Morka frantically looks around for a solution, but continues to fire on the enemies.
Morka takes aim and looses an arrow at the caster who shot him with fire! “Get her guys, she’s dangerous’!”
-- arrow damage
//he takes a 5ft back and shoots down the line. Also, is there a knowledge heck or something I can roll to see what the weapon is doing?
The initiate snarls, "Incompetent FOOL! Now you will burn with these tools for the Decemvirate... She takes a 5' step, pulls out a scroll, and unleashes another cone of fire, which strikes Duath, Hudor, Shukara...and her downed companion.
Then she hollers at her remaining thug, "You! Get over here and protect me!"
"Coming, mistress," he says, then desultorily takes a 5' step and attacks Hudor.
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Wiping off a singed eyebrow with the back of her hand, Shukara says, "The time to pull tricks out of your bag is at an end. The time to surrender is now. The time of your death if you do not surrender is in 12 seconds."
Shukara steps up to the mage and attempts to put her in a tight headlock.
vs. Initiate's CMD.
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Before Duath can release another arrow at his enemies the wave of flames rush over him but at the last moment he ducks under the worst of the inferno. However when the flames dissipate he is still on his knee and a moment later he falls forward.
"Damn..." he utters as his consciousness fades and he begins his fight to cling to life.
Your stalwart Elven archer crumples under the fiery onslaught, slumping to the ground unconscious, the smell of roasted elf filling the plaza is both sickening and eerily pleasant.
While Hudor's ray goes whizzing past the head of the remaining thug, Shukara seizes upon the distraction and grabs the initiate, putting her in a headlock. She huffs with indignation and glares at the yellow thug. "It's so difficult to find good help these days--gah" Her words are cut off by Shukara.
Zeebo takes a 5' step over to his fallen companion, pulls out a potion of healing and begins to carefully pour the potion down his throat.
Morka, Hudor and Zeebo keep a sharp eye on the hand as it flails around, managing to avoid getting caught up by its struggles to get free.
The Initiate begins to grope Shukara in a seemingly inappropriate fashion, but Shukara wisely surmises that the Initiate is digging around to try and find the key. Shukara shifts her weight and turns her body, forcing the woman against the wall. The remaining thug makes a weak attempt to attack Shukara, unsure if he should risk striking his boss.
The Initiate shrieks in frustration at her goon, Realizing the futility of her situation, her body relaxes in Shukara's grip. "Fine, fine. We give up. Stupid pathfinders. You suck..."
Zeebor finishes administering to Duath, who's fully healed.
the Initiate then gives out a small shriek as Gulgamodh finally frees himself, the ground bucking and heaving as the Gargantuan Construct emerges. His metallic voice rings out across the square, causing the very stones to vibrate.
He then stands there immobile, while you secure the prisoners and drag them off to the nearest jail.
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Duath begins coughing and sitting up after the potion works its way through his body.
"T-thank you, Zeebo. The flame had taken more of a toll than I expected." he says getting to his feet.
As the statue comes to life he steps back in awe.
"That should prove useful indeed. Let's get these criminals locked up and head to the Grand Lodge!"
Appropriately enough, you find the head of the Grand Lodge Faction, Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin, near the gates of the Grand Lodge, receiving reports and dispatching teams. He offers a curt nod in greeting before saying, “We have received some troubling news from the Puddles. The Muckruckers—a volunteer force of guards watching over the district—have reported that Fort Tempest has suddenly fallen silent, and a strange black flag is flying over the fort. Despite the Muckruckers’ concerns and observations, nobody has stepped up to investigate what’s happened. I suspect that while most of Absalom has been watching the Cairnlands to the north, an enemy force has silently taken over the secondary fort that oversees the Puddles district. Whatever has happened in the fort, the First Guard can’t spare forces to look into it.
“Your job is to lead the Muckruckers into the fort, find out what’s happened, and provide aid as necessary. They look up to you as heroes; don’t let them down.” He dismisses you with a wave of his hand, as he turns to greet several messengers who bring dispatches from elsewhere in Absolom.
As you work your way to the Puddles section of Absolom, you overhear several members of the Muckrakers chattering about how Fort Tempest has a rather poor reputation, a place where the incompetent and recalcitrant were sent as punishment.
Nothing looks out of place as the fort first comes into view... except for a tattered black flag waving over the fort. However, as you approach—with the Muckruckers in tow--Black Echelon operatives appear on the parapets and open fire, using crossbows to deter any attempts to retake the fort.
SURPRISE VOLLEY: As you approach the seemingly empty Fort, dozens of hidden enemies within the fort suddenly appear on the parapets and open fire on your entire group!
RUN FOR COVER: Arrows and bolts come raining down on your and the muckruckers but you have no choice: you must lead your allies clear of this killing field.
SAFE ROUTE You must pick a route that doesn't leave you exposed to focused fire.
COORDINATED MOVEMENT Running from cover to cover, you must coordinate the Muckruckers so they don’t just rush to their death.
OBSTACLES: Broken wagons and other barriers block your way to the fort.
OVER THE WALLThe gates are closed, so climbing the wall is the only option!
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“Hahah’ take that bad guys! Now tell us who you work for or we will...we will...ahhh, throw you into jail! I mean, we’re going to do that anyway, but still! Tell us everything!”
...doesn’t work too well...
Morka is going to take our his wand of cute light and tap himself while they walk.
— using his wand
//morka votes for sovereign court