Please feel free to place your Arcane Mark here. Use the discussion thread to prep and plan. I'll start as soon as we can!
“Rachikan has been discovered!” exclaims Venture-Captain Adril Hestram as he peers up from a collection of ragged maps, dusty tomes, and tarnished coins from behind a massive desk within the Grand Lodge in the heart of Absalom. His excitement quickly fades and Adril gestures toward an elderly man sitting by the hearth. “May I introduce a former Pathfinder and respected friend, Benton Grone. This gentleman has suffered a great loss to bring a grand discovery to us and he has agreed to trade all rights to his claim of locating lost Rachikan in return for locating his missing nephew. Go with him and make haste; he has agreed to guide you to the Pillars of Anferita in Cheliax.”
Seven days at sea end at a view of the Pillars of Anferita bursting from the Chelaxian coastline, waves crashing against their rocky flanks. The central pillar’s curves, flora, and shape are perfectly represented on the discolored Jistka coins Adril sent along with the expedition. As sailors from the hired vessel row toward the central column, a second rowboat in tow, Benton Grone breaks his silence. “It’s got to be here; the coin says so. Look at the picture on the back: A temple-foundry high atop this pillar awaits to be discovered. If old Rachikan of the Jistka Imperium is inside, then my nephew must reside there as well. Please hurry—find my poor Eldis.”
As the sailors row away from the pillars, taking Benton Grone with them but leaving behind a rowboat to return to the waiting ship, the waves slowly begin to push higher up the rocky harbor, signaling the beginnings of high tide. An unguarded, well-maintained rope stretches up the cliff, beckoning to the plateau high above.
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During the seven day voyage, Omrax introduces himself to his teammates.
Omrax appears as a tall, fair haired knight of with obvious elven heritage.
Under his red cloak, he wears a new suit of platemail along with a shield bearing the crest of Iomedae.
His longsword is well kept and shows signs of recent battles.
"By my honor and the guidance of the Inheritor, we will find and return thy missing nephew. "
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Galdur XXI is a dwarf's dwarf. His neatly braided beard shines atop fashionable clothing. He runs the braid through his hand often, but this is more to flash the emeralds and sapphires adorning his rings. He spends the journey calling dolphins to play in the sea. "Hah! I don't get much of a chance to do that. The first time I did, was on another mission for the Decemvirate. Despicable ship that Throaty Mermaid, but an exciting voyage all the same."
He surveys the rope. "Are we to climb that thing? Insanity!"
Venture Captain, "I assure you Galdur, these cliffs are quite insane. If any of you can fly, I suggest that mode of transport. Yes, you are our best hope at finding him, and atop this pillar is your start."
The venture captain is just going to drop you off, but the boatsman, being the enterprising sort, has a few supplies for sale at the normal rate, if you wanted to do any last minute shopping now that you've seen your mission.
Background Knowledge:
Historians suggest a stern society called the Jistka Imperium helped advance Golarion during the Age of Anguish. At their height, they spanned parts of Cheliax,Rahadoum, and Thuvia. Remnants from this once great empire include a numbering system still used today.
Jistka was known for their golemworks artificers who created many mathematical wonders.
Occult whispers hint at the forged pacts between the Jistka artificers and fiends from the lower planes to grant unsurpassed skill at the forge.
Evidence indicates the Jistka Imperium was filled with secret, diabolist societies and that these societies worked hand-in-hand with the golemworks artificers to create frightening fiendish constructs.
A member of the Pathfinder society spent several ancient coins from the Jistka Imperium recently in a town called Macini in southwestern Cheliax along the Inner Sea coast. He claimed to have found lost treasure and has since disappeared.
Recently, large purchases of mining equipment have been shipped from several cities in Cheliax to the Pillars of Anferita.
A beautiful woman made a large purchase of slaves from a desert slaver near the Arch of Aroden—she indicated they were heading to a dig site in the Pillars of Anferita.
A feared and respected man named Haliduris Karn is the man behind the recent slave and mining equipment purchases and it’s rumored that the Aspis Consortium funds his every move.
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Among the voyage is an entourage of people. A man dressed in fine Osirion robes, a ratfolk whose head is constantly on a swivel his paws on his fine kukris and a shortbow strapped to his back. A woman and child of Tien desent and a man of mixed human ethnic background.
The mixed human seems to be leading the group. He is slender and plain brown robes cover most of his form. His hair is shoulder length and rather unkept. You can see multiple tattooes adorning his skin forming a crude lattice work of scars.
On the trip the mutt of a human and his Osirion companion will share the knowledge they possess. Over the course of the trip, you will learn that Alan is a man in possession of a multitude of talents and has a great resume working for the society including taking down the Runelord of Sloth.
Alan looks up the rope turns to his entourage, winks and smiles, and says coyly This is where we part ways. I will meet you back at the estate. Safe travels my friends. He then traces the outline of the dragon on his jade wayfinder and grabs the rope climbing without regards to safety.
Feel free to keep the rolls, but lets sum up how everyone is getting up to the top... map with lines every 10'.
Alan: Fast climb
Omrax: Potion of Fly
Galdur: Unknown
...Is that it? uh-oh.
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As the Group readies their ascent Galdur strokes his beard and watches the daylight reflect through his ring. The emerald light on the stone is please to him.
"From what I recall of the Jitskan people, they helped advance Golarion during the Age of Anguish. Historians consider them 'stern folk'," They dwarf almost puts this in air-quotes, but just chuckles instead. "The Jistka Imperium spanned parts of Cheliax, Rahadoum, and Thuvia."
Galdur ticks something off in his fingers (making sure the emeralds get a chance to play in the light). "They were known for their golemworks and many mathematical wonders. Occult whispers hint at pacts forged between the Jistka artificers and fiends from the lower planes for their unsurpassed skill at the forge." The dwarf's eyebrows furrow at this dark thought, and all the dark forges his own people have suffered. Then something bright replaces that and he remembers something more light hearted. "Hah! Their numbering system is still used today!" he chuckles.
He pulls on the rope with his full might, just to check it for stability. "I wonder how long this rope has been here? Did Agent Grone say he put it here?
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Wreck climbs up, even with the armor he has on, he manages to scale the rope. Till he finally reaches the top
"Wreck climb cliff. Ha! Wreck getting better now at climbing. Not like first mission... Wreck not talk about that"
The Half-orc, if he isn't in his tribal painted full plate, with the symbol of Gorum etched into it, you would see, just like his plate, he is covered in tattoos. He has a very fine cloak on, and a very thick belt too, also his axe looks a bit as if it is translucent. He now also sports a very nice looking scarab pendant.
He has a few scars on his body, also, carrying a greataxe that seems to be translucent at times. Also a Comp Longbow he carries around.
At a glance he looks mean and scary, but once you get to know him...
He's a friendly guy, a bit slow maybe. But he has a good heart and is always there to protect. A true defender
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"Uhm. Wreck has two magic sticks. Wreck cant use them..." he holds up 2 wands
"Can someone help Wreck when Wreck needs them?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Wreck says thank you. Gorum help Wreck fight. So Wreck no scared of fight, Wreck would fight with no armor if Gorum wants, but if Wreck can and may fight in armor... well, Wreck would like that" he chuckles
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Galdur chuckles and nods at the paint. "Well it is a good thing Gorum likes Wreck in armor then. That is impressive tribal work." He holds up a emerald ring "My clan is with me all the time as well." The ring shimmers for a moment as Galdur XXI asks his ancestors to aid the climbers. An emerald hue passes over to Alan and another to Wreck.
Galdur then stows his hammer and chants a short jig. Four wings of pure energy ripple from his back and he lifts into the air.
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"Wreck armor get tatoos like Wrecks skin. Mother make tatoos for Wreck skin. Mother be shaman of villiage"
He watches as he flies off. Fly seems so odd to him
-Posted with Wayfinder
The base of the central pillar is a haven for gulls, seals, and other wildlife that chirp and bark in the distance. Salty air assaults the senses, burning the nostrils on each deep inhalation. The wet surface of the pillar offers many nooks and crannies creating a dimpled appearance suitable for climbing up the pillar’s edge. High above, the top of the pillar can be seen cresting to what must be a great plateau. Somewhere up above, a rope, in excellent condition, is anchored and runs down the cliff to the rocks below. The party begins their ascent in various ways....
During the ascent, Wreck and Alan catch a glimpse of a humanoid figure at the top of the pillar. They manage to react a split second before she settles in to a volley of arrows. This, Pathfinders, is not the place to get stuck in an ambush.
The figure at the top goes for the most pressing threat, the flying Pathfinder. A flaming arrow streaks across the sky towards Galdur and it connects. Droplets of blood fall to the sea. damage. Wreck and Alan take a standard action.
Surprise Round:
Enemy: Arrow hit on Galdur
Wreck
Alan
Round 1:
Enemy
Omrax
Wreck
Alan
Galdur
Enemy:
Alan Baird a'Lorien:
Galdur XXI:
Omrax the Bold:
Wreck:
Alan to close the surprise round.
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Spending 2 ki to be able to add +20 to my jump
that should be either 50 ft. horizontally or 12 vertically.
if needed here is a climb check to advance 35' up the wall before further action is needed.
EDIT: Saw this was a surprise round, I guess I will just move up the wall more. If able to next round I will do above post or move 70'
Wreck continues to haul it up the side of the cliff. Alan dashes up the side another 70'.
Seeing the fast approaching Alan, the creature turns to him unloads a trio of flaming arrows. (you guys are now close enough to make a Knowledge (The Planes) to identify.)
MISS
MISS
THREAT
I don't know if you have anything that lets you keep your dex when climbing. I'll go with crit unless you say otherwise.
A single arrow buries itself into the base of Alan's neck for
Summary
Surprise Round:
Enemy: Arrow hit on Galdur
Wreck: Climbs
Alan: Climbs a lot
Round 1:
Enemy: Unloads on Alan
Omrax: Current
Wreck: On deck
Alan: TBD
Galdur: TBD
Omrax's counterattack lands with the full force of his smite, causing the enemy to let lose an otherworldy (and female) scream. Wreck keeps up his work, making his way to the top. Alan manages to get to the top with his supernatural skill. From there he launches himself upwards and engulfs the winged female. Alan just barely manages to get a hold of her.
Galdur to close out round 1
Summary :
Round 1:
Enemy: Unloads on Alan
Omrax: SMITE!
Wreck: Climbs!
Alan: Grabs (Grappled)
Galdur: Current
Baddie: 26 (Grappled)
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Galdur ascends, sliding a little toward the rope. 'I was only joking about the insanity, but it seems to have grabbed at least one of us,' he thinks noting brother Alan's jump. 'What happens when that things dies?'
'What enemy is this?' he wonders.
Pulling a bit of candle from his his bandolier he twists the wax into a whirlwind. He sparks the candle from his ring and throws the ensuing flame into the air.
The emerald flame turns into three whirlwind forms which then fly up to attack of the dwarf's enemy.
[dice=medium air elemental]1d3[/dice]
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Galdur can't quite put his finger on the target, but it's a humanoid female with wings. Her skin is pale, and her lips dark. She'd be beautiful if not for her exsanguinated look. The whirlwinds begin to batter at the "woman", deftly avoiding Alan in the melee. Only one manages to hit the writhing form, and even then she shrugs the mortal hit off as if it were a child's plaything. Seeing the situation as more dangerous than she thought, she summons up an unholy power at will. (SLA don't require somatic components.) A cold greasy darkness explodes forth from her body.
All targets Neutral, Will DC 19:
Alan: PASS, Damage = 6
Elemental 1: Fail, Damage = 13
Elemental 1: Fail, Damage = 13
Elemental 1: Fail, Damage = 13
Round 2:
Enemy: Spell-like Ability
Omrax: Current
Wreck: On deck
Alan: TBD
Galdur: TBD
Baddie: 26 (Grappled)
(Not to be a pain... but how many HP do the elementals have?) I think they were destroyed. If not, one of them will hit. Let me know. Alan, you probably know the grapple rules better than I do, but I'm under the impression that as part of your maintenance of the hold you can damage OR move, but not both. If you meant the last part as fluff and next round you'll move, no problem. Either way, you hear bone crunch with your elbow shot...
Omrax and Alan both land solid hits.
Seeing that her spell ability had little effec ton the brawler, she tries a different tactic, and a wave of unnatual fear washes over Alan. = Fail. Alan is panicked.
Round 3 Go!
Baddie: 55 (Grappled)
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GM from pg 125 of the PFRPG Core Rulebook
Greater Grapple feat
You receive a +2 bonus on checks made to grapple a foe. This bonus stacks with the bonus granted by Improved Grapple. Once you have grappled a creature, maintaining the grapple is a move action. This feat allows you to make two grapple checks each round (to move, harm, or pin your opponent), but you are not required to make two checks. You only need to succeed at one of these checks to maintain the grapple.
As far as moving the creature I was kind of envisioning steering her towards the cliff. If that doesn't work for you GM I will then render her prone, 200 ft. prone and break the grapple and jump for the cliff since I am panicked.
Omrax hits her twice to devastating effect. She's clearly injured and the look on her face belies her intent to flee. Wreck almost falls, but the knots in the rope save the day. Alan, deeply affected by the fear effect decides to get the Hell out of Absalom. He's afraid, but not suicidal, so instead of diving 200 feet, releases the fiend and jumps to the top of the pillar safely and then high tails it across. Galdur's elementals score a hit before the woman uses one more ability to vanish to another plane.
Out of initiative.
Round 3 summary:
Enemy: Fear
Omrax: Two hits.
Wreck: Stuck
Alan: Flees
Galdur: TBD
The pillar is actually quite massive. Arriving atop the pillar’s plateau, a plume of thick, black smoke chokes out the horizon to the north. Sounds of clanking, banging, and chanting echo in the distance.
Take a minute to rest and recover. I'll advance when you say the party is ready.