PbP GameDay 2: PFS 5-08 The Confirmation (1-2) Table B (Inactive)

Game Master Deane Beman

Just to confirm, the tunnel continues on the other side of the pit? We just need to cross the pit somehow?

"Kaisharga can climb, it have no problem. It can take rope other side too." Amaranti suggests, his seprent companion slithering beside him.
While Sebastian and Seinto look for traps, Amaranti ties a rope around Kaisharga.

With some impressive teamwork the group removes the bundle from the water. A cloak of resistance +1. While watching Kaisharga bring the rope to the other side of the pit, Amaranti spies a long, 3 foot wide blank leaning up against the wall on the other side; it proves easier and safer passage to other side.

The tunnels continue on, leading deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts until they eventually open into a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions have since weathered heavily, their features dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted. A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway’s walls.

K: Religion, History, Appraise or Perception checks to interpret the reliefs and inscriptions. I assume along the way you'll chat about who gets to wear the cloak. 8-)

Sebastian attempts to puzzle out the reliefs.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Fascinating. Simply Fascinating!" He murmurs to himself as he rubs his chin.

"Pretty cloak! Can I wear it?" Amaranti booms upon seeing the loot from the pit. "Or anyone need?"

He glances the inscriptions and decides others can deal with them.

Khori waves a hand at Amaranti. [b]"Yes, yes. You can wear it, if you'd like. Probably smells horrible, anyway. Upon entering the relief cavern, Khori pauses to take it in. Slowly meandering around the edges, he tries to gather some details about the relief, or add some information to Sebastian's impressive intellect.

'Perception Aid Another': 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Sebastian and Khori are able to puzzle out that the inscriptions tell parables from the History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of Aroden that refers to "12 Guises of Aroden" meant to illustrate his hopes for humanity: the artist, beggar, craftsman, farmer, fisherman, hunter, merchant, scholar, shepherd, soldier, tailor, and thief. Most of the carvings here are weathered beyond recognition, but you are able to decipher four of the parables, and in doing so realize something more - the parables depicted here are slightly different than those that appear in the known version of the History and Future of Humanity, suggesting that these might represent an earlier version of the work.

The Beggar is depicted kneeling with an alms bowl raised high, representing Aroden espousing humility in all, lest they forget their shared humanity.

The Farmer is depicted plowing four lines in a field, retelling Aroden’s prophecy that humankind would prepare the rocky earth for planting and over generations wear the pebbles down into fertile soil.

The Hunter is depicted slaying a giant serpentine creature and then parading a trophy through the city streets—a sign to all humanity that the wilds are safe to inhabit once the monsters are slain.

The Merchant is depicted weighing and trading coins of different sizes, a reference to the holy text’s proverb that peace brings trade and prosperity to all people.

for some reason I didn't see the last day or two of posts. Apologies

inTerEstInG, is M'gruls only comment

"Huh", is Khori's initial assessment of the discovery. After a few more moments of staring at the depictions, he merely shakes his head and muses out loud - the intoxicated slur of his speech all of sudden forgotten. "Why would Aroden be drawn in these caves? And old drawings, I dare say. Well, let us press onwards - perhaps a clue lies deeper in these caverns."

Nathan makes note of the imagery, and what is depicted. "Although servants of Iomade, i'm sure my brethren will find this interesting, i'll have to ask a master artist to come here and re-create these for documentation.

"I'm more interested in why gillmen would come to a cave dedicated to Aroden. I'm not aware of any connection between the two." Sebastian murmurs as takes some time burning the images into his memory.

After a couple of minutes he pulls himself away from the reliefs, "Ah, very good. Yes, let's move forward. I'm sure there are other clues to be found to this mystery!"

After studying the walls and taking notes, your group heads further into the cave.

The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber’s southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west.

Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawn off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey.

Kneeling in the water is a lone gillman, his back to the party.

M'grul waits for others more suitable to approach the figure.

I will be in a world of crap at work for the next 24 hours. Posting will be sporadic for the next day or so

Khori raises an eyebrow as he sees the gillmen kneeling in the water. Glancing at the others for support, he then turns and walks forward, clearing his throat. "Uh...hello, my good man. Er...gillman. I don't mean to intrude, but perhaps you could answer a few questions?"

The gillman is startled by Khori's approach, turning to face the human as he finishes is sentence. The gillman simply points to his own ears and shrugs.

Since diplomacy isn't his strong suit, Sebastian lets other members of the party do the talking as he takes a look at the miniature city by the pool.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Seinto looks at the gillman "I think he speaks not our language..."

He takes a step forward. "Hello friend, we mean no harm", says showing peacefully the hands, "do you understand my words?"

Let's try a diplomacy check... Maybe anyone with some languages or linguistics can try to help with the communication.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

The gillman nods and smiles at Seinto's words...although it is clear to see that he is reading lips as opposed to hearing. He points to himself and slowly mouths "ooo-or-ee" It soon becomes evident that Uori is deaf and that communicating with him further will be challenging but not impossible.

Though strained at times, Uori is able to tell the Pathfinders that they have entered a site sacred to the gillmen. It was once sacred to Aroden, the dead god of humanity, as well, but over the past century, the carvings in the nearby room have weathered and melted, and he speculates that soon Aroden’s influence will have faded completely.

"Ask him why a site sacred to Aroden is sacred to gillmen. Also why is there a city here?" Sebastian suggests as he continues to examine the city.

M'grul also examines the detailed city in miniature.

Uori explains that it is the pure waters of the spring that draws the gillman to this site and that in time Aroden's influence will be washed away.

M'grul continues to marvel at the model city...such intricate detail is uncanny!

Nathan eyes M'Grul hestantly still not feeling very trusting of his companion. Well, the Society wouldn't let him in if he was a concern, he supposed.

"You are more versed in magic than I Sir M'Grul, I don't suppose this city has some sort of magical nature?"

The creature cocks his head, thinking, then a garbled rasping incantation bubbles forth from his fanged mouth.

Detect magic

Khori walks up next to M'Grul, pausing to give him a quick glance. However, Khori's attention returns to the city before them. Licking his lips, Khori reaches forward to pluck one of the semi-precious stones and hold it before his eye. "Well, ah don't think Aroden will be needin' these, eh? Society could be puttin' 'em to good use, though!"

The city does have an aura of magic.

THe sCUlPtuRe is MaGicAL oR hAS a mAgICal aURa At lEasT.

You know it's a shrine to Aroden, it's magical, and you happen to have learned about some rituals to Aroden in the previous room...

"Sir Sebastian, did any of the wall markings in the previous room reference a city? Maybe we walked past some instructions on the way here. You seemed to take better notes of the actual content than I. "

"No, there was nothing indicating a city per se, let me see if there are any identifying characteristics of this diorama that would allow me to place it."

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
+Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 1= 23

The city is a perfect and detailed replica of Absalom...easily identifiable by its Starstone Cathedral.

"Ah yes, I don't know why I didn't see it before. This is a nearly perfect replica of Absalom. Aroden does have some spiritual significance for the city. I leave it in the hands of the more mystical to figure out any ritual significance in this case."

M'grul watches then indicates that he is ready to move on.

Uori politely waits as you inspect the city and surrounding area; and after a while he begs off to return to his meditation; but not before warning you that the inhabitants of the caves to the east and west are not as peaceful as you.

"Pretty city. We move on now?", Amaranti asks, obviously having no patience for such investigations.

I'll just nudge us along...

The caves damp air becomes increasingly stale as you continue through the tunnel. The stench of decay grows increasingly evident. The passage turns to the east adn opens into a small cavern littered with bits of broken glass, rotting pieces of paper, and other unusable detritus. The body of a dhampir lies face down toward the back of the cavern while four skeletons dance about menacingly.

Round 1 (map updated)

Skeleton 4
Nathan Castle
Skeleton 3
M'grul
Sebastian Mapplethorpe
Skeleton 1
Khori
Skeleton 2
Amaranti

Seinto

Skeleton # 4 swings his rusty weapon at Nathan...the paladin's armor easily deflects the blow.

For the sake of efficiency, after Nathan acts Skeleton 3 will attack him. Both rolls are in spoilers below, and luckily for Nathan both missed.

Sooo...Nathan, M'Grul & Sebastian are up!

Love the icons

"I'll clear this foul presence, the dead should not be reanimated so! My blade may not be perfectly suited to this task, but it can cleave bones just as well as flesh"

Nathan sets himself for battle, swinging with full force at skeleton 4

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Attack Roll 2 for cleave if #1 hits: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Damage 2 for cleave if #1 hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

If the cleave hits, I take -2 AC, not sure if that will affect Skeleton 3's roll, or if I kill both in one swing...

"These accursed narrow tunnels...Clear up some room in the front gentlemen!"

Delaying action.

I am due to fly o/seas on short notice for a project - I will have delayed posting for the next 3 days. I hope this does not equal 'No posting' and will try to put something up.

M'grul holds - waiting for a better opportunity.

Nathan is not able to take connect with a skeleton, and the party is unable to get around Nathan. Skeleton 1 tries to take a slice out of Nathan but like his undead brethren he is unable to penetrate the paladin's armor.

Skeleton 2 will move when his turn comes up...already indicated on the map. Everyone but Nathan still to act this ground; lets break up that group hug!

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 1, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Push forwards! Cannot help you here!" Amaranti shouts.

Delay until there is room to move

Seinto looks to the skeletons, unable to reach them to join the fight.

"Friends, move backwards! If the skeletons follow ye, we can encircle them!" shouts to his comrades.

"Brother Seinto speaks wisdom! Let us draw them to us!" Heeding the man's words, Khori moves back and to the north, taking up a waiting position against the side of the cavern. He also pulls out his scabbard and readies a strike should a skeleton come in range.

If needed, 'Readied Combat Scabbard Attack': 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
'Scabbard Damage': 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Sebastian retreats further back in the cave to make more room for the potential skeleton bashing circle.

Mgrul moves off to the side and out of the way, covering the doorway from the side with the reach of his long spear.

The others fall back, leaving Nathan alone with a pack of undead. The lead skeleton lashes out at him...once again to no avail.

Go Nathan go!

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 5, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Round 2

Skeleton 4
Nathan Castle
Skeleton 3
M'grul
Sebastian Mapplethorpe
Skeleton 1
Khori
Skeleton 2
Amaranti
Seinto

Cant get to maps etc atm but Mgruls action will be to attack any enemy entering a threatened space of his long spear

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 and 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Amaranti moves into the formation, dropping his lance to free his hands for a morningstar.

"Mmm, better for smashing bones" the Garundi says and smiles.

Coming out from delay, move and draw a weapon a std action. Added Kaisharga the eidolon to the mapp

Go down you foul beasts!

Nathan swings again at sekelton 4, hoping to pull through the neighboring 3 again

attack Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

attack Roll 2 if cleave hits: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Damage 2 if cleave: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

will take 5 foot step forward if Skeleton 4 dies

Nathan's attack once again misses its target, as does the skeleton. Does Nathan maybe want to take a 5 foot step to the south in light of these results?

M'grul & Sebastian...you're up!

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 15, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"Brother Seinto, perhaps you could move up behind Mr. Castle and damage them with your holy powers?" Sebastian advises, remaining stationary as he waits for the bottleneck to clear up one way or another.

Delay Action