PbP GameDay 3: PFS #6-06 Hall of the Flesh Eaters (1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Wilmannator

The old man requests a shovel, pickaxe, and 4 days worth of rations from the Pixie's quartermaster, strapping each to the outside of his backpack. As Ibid prepares his gear and stands while adjusting the straps of the backpack, he realizes it has been quite some time since he delved a tomb.

Tipping the brim of his hat slightly, a wry smile spreads across his face, A good old fashioned tomb robbing... this will be fun.

Gunari will take his shovel, pickaxe, and rations. He will also requisition a Healer's Kit with his credit, thinking he might be able to save some charges or spells.

He considers upgrading some of his gear, but decides he needs to wait until he can afford his MW Full Plate.

[b"So, we ready to go? Shall we all toast the Drunken Hero as we head to our certain doom?"[/b] Gunari gives a little wink at that.

If you haven't posted, you have 24 hours to let me know if you want to retro any equipment...

Freshly equipped, the group sets off towards the tomb of Sevenfingers.

None of the Pathfinders can seem to manage to shake the feeling of unease as they navigate the waters around the Gloomspires. The enormous and straight rectangular Gloomspires sit ominously in the distance, occasionally seeming to approach the boat when viewed from the corner of one's eye. Looking directly at the structure causes it to resume its regular distance, though perhaps it was always there. Staring for too long results in blurred vision and a sense of vertigo. At 500 feet high, they are exactly straight and rectangular, everything is at a 90º angle. Yet, the summit is larger than the base - 180 feet up top as opposed to 120 feet below. Needless to say, thinking about it for too long brings on headaches and more blurred vision.

Fog is your constant companion. The veil of mist is perhaps a welcome shield from the strangeness beyond. Eventually, the folding boat arrives at the base of Sevenfinger's spire. The adventurers say the command word and it once again folds up into a small rectangular box.

It takes nearly two hours to climb the narrow, winding steps to the summit of the great stone column containing Sevenfingers’s tomb. Although the swirling chaos of the Eye of Abendego lies only a hundred miles away to the east, the violent storms it constantly hurls across the seas seem to have forgotten this eerily quiet place. Surrounding the monolith are dozens of nearly identical columns, their ominous outlines stretching down into the mist. And here, atop Sevenfingers’s tomb, is a small clearing surrounded by a thick and utterly silent veil of tropical trees, hanging vines, and thick undergrowth, all shrouded in fog.

Despite the lush vegetation, beyond the occasional insect, there is almost no life on the summit of the Gloomspire - conspicuously so. The winding stairs have led you to a small clearing on the south eastern edge of the Gloomspire. A lush canopy of tropical trees, flowering vines, and thick undergrowth forms a dark green wall around this small clearing. A broad trail cuts through the foliage and vanishes into the mists to the northwest. To the south and east is the edge of the column, and a sheer five hundred-foot drop. The ground here is a soggy carpet of thick green moss and black soil.

Map here!

There has been recent humanoid activity in the area, and Ibid has noticed that the nearby trees all seem to have been stripped of their fruit and seeds. The tracks lead up a thin path (marked on the map) to the north.

Can I get a marching order please? Post it in discussion.

Amaranti clambers out of the boat, and helps others to land as well. Seeing Finarin struggle with his added load, he takes the digging tools off the elf's backpack.
"Don't worry, friend elf! I can carry your shovels, good exercise for me"

Once they reach the summit, Amaranti summons Kaisharga, and uses a magic wand to enhance the eidolons' defences.

Use a charge from wand of Mage Armor on Kaisharga

"Amaranti, you are a true ... friend. Many thanks for your assistance. I feel all to soon you and I will once again ... team up. I do not like this place at all. It guess I still feel ... unwell from the Gloom spires." Finarin glance to and fro, anticipating trouble.

Miro contemplates their surroundings with a bit of awe and trepidation. It was funny how everything looked really strange when you looked at it head-on, and the top-heavy monuments continued to amaze him. What kind of crazy architect had built these things?

He listens as Ibid notes the lack of fruit and the trail, then looks to the others. If there was someone else here, they likely needed to know who it was before continuing into Sevenfinger's tomb with a potential enemy at their back.

Cyrus, following up with the group in front of them, constantly turns around to scan the surroundings behind them. He shares Finarin's trepidation, and feels his anxiety level rise up a notch. The pressure of making sure the party is not surprised from behind was greater than he originally thought, and his diligence in searching reflected the pressure he felt.

His bag is laden with the heavy digging equipment, and as such the young ninja has rigged the strap to detach with a simple flick of his wrist, should the need to suddenly shed weight arise. His sickle rests comfortably in his hand as he sweeps the rugged landscape.

Gunari takes a look at the odd... architecture? ... and just shrugs. He sees odd things every day. Now, granted, many of them are alcohol induced, but it isn't that big of a deal to him. Yet. He does offer a round to the entire team, as they are looking a little uneasy.

The party moves forward through the cool but humid jungle. At the front of the column, Kaisharga whispers out a warning from the front.

The group turns to see a group of strangely tattooed barbarians heading their way. They have sharpened teeth and are slavering like animals. Their ribs are showing clearly through pale, loose skin. As the approach, the mists part and the companions realize that the tattoos are actually war paint, made from human blood (probably their own).

Hungry Barbarian

At the back of the pack is a near comatose barbarian woman with similar markings to the men lies nearly comatose on the ground. She writhes around and seems somewhat oblivious to what is going on.

The barbarians move to attack. However, Kaisharga's timely warning means that all but Amaranti manage to get the jump on their ambushers instead.

You can move through any square that has trees in it. Those squares grant partial cover to anyone in them and count as difficult terain.

Next up: Kaisharga, Miro, Cyrus, Gunari, Ibid, Finarin.

Miro gratefully accepts a drink from Gunari. "Thanks! This ought to bolster our spirits!"

Miro spies the barbarians, noting their hostile intent. He starts to sing a robust song, pulling out his sword as he starts belting it out.

Inspire Courage +1

The old man moves around behind the group in order to see between the small opening of trees at the cannibals poised before them. While moving, Ibid draws his longbow and drops his pack in order to keep from hindering himself while shooting, ending his movement beside Kaisharga.

attack @ Ron(longbow, point blank, inspire courage): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage(+2 str, +1 point blank, +1 inspire courage): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

I can't update Ibid's token position to be one square north of Kaisharga, but can once I'm out of work.

Ibid's arrow flies straight and fast. Ron the Barbarian barely notices through his hunger, however, when the point of it pierces the front his shoulder and erupts out the back of it. Blood spatters the ground as he continues to shamble forwards.

Ibid: Moved you just north of Kaisharga.

Next up: Kaisharga, Cyrus, Gunari, Finarin.

Any metal weapons or armor? Sad if they are just skin and bones. If we don't kill them we should feed them something different from their friends, maybe introduce them to a pescatarian diet ....

As the barbarians scream and move to attack, Gunari springs to action. As a swift action, he uses his fervor to cast Divine Favor on himself (+2 to hit, +2 damage). He then moves up to follow Ibid's bow show to finish Ron the Barbarian will use a charge action if needed

(Reminder, Greater Weapon of the Chosen allows him to roll twice when he makes only one attack)
Rapier Attack (Inspire, Divine Favor) (#1): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 20Rapier Attack (Inspire, Divine Favor) (#2): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 10 for: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 11

Any metal weapons or armor? Sad if they are just skin and bones. If we don't kill them we should feed them something different from their friends, maybe introduce them to a pescatarian diet ....

Only wood, bone and hides for these guys. No metal at all! As for their diet...

Finarin ponders the possibility of feeding these cannibals something other than themselves, like fish. He goes to dismiss the thought, but then remembers that from what he has seen, given how hungry they are, these barbarians would most likely happily eat fish. All the trees were stripped of any edible fruit and even seeds. He does get the impression from their teeth (filed to points as they are) that they do have a slight preference for meat though.

Gunari strides in and with a quick rapier thrust, ends the charge of the barbarian called Ron. He slides to the ground, still breathing, but certainly not moving.

Next up: Kaisharga, Cyrus, Finarin.

Come on Miro - this is your role

"STOP THIS INSTANT!" The elf yells, before throwing a trail ration in front of them.

Finarin: Move action to retrieve trail ration, standard action to throw it in the right square. Don't be picking on Miro! +1 for everything combat related is nothing to sneeze at. ;-)

Finarin throws a tasty treat towards Lon the barbarian. He sniffs at the air and looks as though he will likely pick it up and eat it at the first chance he gets. The other barbarians, however, are not so moved and continue forwards - stomachs at the ready.

Next up: Kaisharga, Cyrus.

@ GM I am not picking on Mrio at all, just showing him how he has worn off on Finarin, make peace before kill kill kill. Though he would like that. Maybe it only applies to despicable sailors, and not savage cannibals though.

Kaisharga slithers forwards, sniffs at the bait-ration, and leaves it be. Instead, he gives Jon the Barbarian a quick bite.

Bite, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8

Apparently, the thought of skinny barbarian doesn't feel tempting to the eidolon.

Finarin: Did you miss the sly wink? ;-) In any case, your strategy seems to be working!

Finarin's bait is doing its trick, but unfortunately Kaisharga narrowly misses poor Jon, who just wants a bite to eat. The barbarian is so distracted by the tantalizing rations before him, he doesn't even seem to notice.

Next up: Cyrus.

Cyrus is the last to post?!?! Has the world gone mad? We may have to go back to calling it "ninja'd". I hope you're okay, Steve. **EDIT** I just looked back, combat started under 4 hours ago. I have such strange expectations of this group. No stress. You've got 20 hours to post, buddy!

Que Office Space "Somebody's got a case of the Mooooondays"

That would be me. I hate mondays. At work. Other than work, Mondays are just fine in my book. Work mondays can suck an egg.

Cyrus realized the only hope he is going to have of making it to the cannablistic humanoids is to cut through the trees. He bends, ducks and deftly slips his way through the branches, emerging in front of Bon, and slashes out with his Sickle.

Attack, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18 for Damage w/Sneak (for flat footed): 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 + 1 = 5

Lets hope those are just some awful rolls that need to be gotten out of the way... :)

Mondays are indeed no good for the general population. I have no kids and no wife during the days on Mondays, but housework to do. Mixed bag. ;-)

Lon runs in and attempts to eat Gunari.

Lon bite vs Gunari: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

The warpriest gets his arm up in time, however, and Lon breaks off one sharpened tooth on the man's armor.

Con comes to the defense of his friend, Bon (or is he just trying to get to the food first?) and has a tentative munch in Cyrus' direction.

Con bite vs Cyrus: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

The deft ninja easily moves out of the way.

Jon is about to leap forwards and start munching on Finarin's trail rations, when the adventurers are then forced to cover their ears as the prone Anne screams a scream that can also almost be "heard" in their minds: "Yeeeeeooooooaaaaarrrrrrggghhh!!!!"

Three of the attacking barbarians seem to grow more savage, and their attacks become more cooridinated. Lon seems unchanged as he continues to gnaw ineffectually at Gunari's arm.

Jon leaps on Gunari with his friend Lon, kicking the suddenly forgotten trail rations out of the way. Gone, too, seems to be his hunger as he actually uses the club that he has in hand as well as his teeth. (5 ft step, then full attack).

Club, Gunari: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Bite, Gunari: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The well trained and well armored Gunari is too hard to hit, however, and Lon is unable to make the priest his victim.

Bon retaliates for the glancing wound dealt to him.

Club, Cyrus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Bite, Cyrus: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Damage, Cyrus: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Bon's club slams heavily into Cyrus's ribs, cracking several.

Next up: Amaranti (Round 1), Kaisharga, Miro, Cyrus, Gunari, Ibid, Finarin.

The priest of the Drunken Hero sees the situation getting out of hand, and decides to take matters into his own hands. In a brash, daring move (probably his trademark) he starts by using a Fervor to cast Shield of Faith, and then his Charm blessing on himself (I am pretty sure that you always count as your own ally, otherwise I will change this move. As it is Su, it does not provoke. It is, effectively, Sanctuary, though if he attacks, only breaks for the opponent he attacks. Opponents must make a DC14 Will save, or they cannot attack him)

He then gets up in Anne's grill. "Call off your attack dogs, lady. I'd hate to have to put them down!"

Standard, Swift, and move completed

Recap: AC22
DC14 to attack him. (note, they attempt to attack, then make the save. I am honestly hoping to blow some AOOs for Cyrus to bug out).

You do indeed count as an ally of yourself (unless under the effect of a terrible remorse spell, I guess).

Gunari runs forward to the howling barbarian woman, trusting in his armor and Cayden's blessing to protect him.

As Gunari strides past Jon, he is shocked to find that the barbarian seems completely unaffected by his amazingly charmingly good looks.

Jon bite attack vs Gunari: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Bite damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Jon sucks up some of blood and slurps down a chunk of his skin. This seems to embolden the barbarian, whose own skin seems to sit a little less loosely over him as he visibly gains weight.

Lon also appears unperturbed by Gunari's charm.

Lon bite attack vs Gunari: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Bite damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Lon is perhaps a little less vicious than his brother, but strength still flows into him as he consumes a portion of the warpriest.

Pretty sure you need to go past Con (over the corpse of Ron) to get to where you are from where you were.

Con has a club at the ready, and gives it an experimental swing at Gunari as he runs past.

Con club attack vs Gunari: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Bite damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Gunari is nearly knocked into the woods with the force of the blow, but at last he arrives at the prone female of the group. She ignores Gunari completely. Her eyes are rolled back as if to get a better view of the interior of her skull and froth flies from her mouth as she makes as though she is gnashing her teeth. In the background, Bon mimics her movements exactly. Eerily exactly. Without looking.

I would normally rule that you could retcon your movement (that attracted further AoOs) if your spell failed, but your spell didn't fail and you can't tell the difference between mind-effect immunity and extraordinary luck with saves. Sorry mate! Sorry also for the "roll good".

Next up: Amaranti (Round 1), Kaisharga, Miro, Cyrus, Ibid, Finarin.

Trying to talk people eaters out of eating people didn't seem like it would provide much fruit. :P

Miro winces as Gunari takes a beating in getting to the woman, halting his blustery singing to cast a spell. Jon and Lon suddenly find themselves precariously perched on a patch of slickened space, the area to their right greased as well.

Cast Grease, Reflex DC 15 or fall prone. Inspire will continue until my next turn.

Reflex save, Jon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Reflex save, Lon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Jon manages to keep his footing, but Lon falls flat on his back.

Cyrus yelps as the club crushes him in the side, nearly doubling over in pain. He watches Gunari's foolhardy charge through the midst of the barbarians, and attempts to take advantage of their lack of attention to him. Hoping to eliminate one of the threats, for fear Gunari might be overwhelmed, he takes a quick swipe with his sickle at Bon.

Attack, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18 for Damage, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

After attacking, he attempts to roll out of the reach of Bon without presenting an opening for attack, and ducks back into the trees.

Acrobatics to Avoid AoO from Bon, if he still lives: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Only moved 1 square due to only being able to move half movement for the acrobatics check, and difficult terrain. BTW, did my attack from last round hit?

Sorry, Cyrus, I had the damage in the tracker but forgot the description! Definitely a hit last round. You hit this round, too.

Cyrus strikes expertly once more with his sickle, repaying the club wound with a gut-wound of his own. The barbarian's cuts run deep, and he sways a little before collapsing into unconsciousness. Cyrus gets the impression that his cuts were not severe enough to down Bon, but the poor man's state of starvation has caused him to pass out.

Next up: Amaranti (Round 1), Kaisharga, Ibid, Finarin.

Last to act, Amaranti jogs next to his eidolon, and without hesitation thrusts the lance at Jon.
+1 Lance, IC, PA: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 13
Damage, IC, AS, PA: 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 16

Kaisharga, feeling the presence of his master, presses the attack on Jon.
Bite, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15
Damage, IC: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8
If bite hits -> trip
Trip, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Tail slap, IC: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 0 + 1 = 16
Damage, IC: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Seeing the priest wade through the gauntlet of clubs, knowing it has come to battle, Finarin quickly springs into action. Weaving through difficult terrain, he emerges alongside the downed cannibal. Careful to avoid the slippery surface, he draws his scimitar and whispering arcane words, the blade temporarily becomes sharper, a bit more balanced.

"I am sorry it has come to ... this. Fare thee well in your next ... life, Lon."

Scimitar Attack W/ Arcane Pool Point & IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 13
Scimitar Damage w/ Arcane Pool Point & IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

6-square move action (2 difficult terrain squares = 4 squares) drawing my scimitar, swift to spend Arcane Pool Point, and Standard to attack Lon, who has fallen and hopefully cannot get up

Gunari (and to a lesser extent Cyrus), I have an apology to make. Because of the way the Kuru stat block is split up (splices the "base" states right up the middle... and the base stats are included in their tactics section of all places), I didn't realize that they had already included the beefy rage-type thing on their profile. They seemed harder to deal with than I thought they should be, so I went over it with a fine-toothed comb this morning and... I found out that there were the base stats listed along with buff stats listed as well as a listing of how the buff works on Anne's profile (I've never seen this kind of duplication before). It's a 1 minute duration so it cannot have been on before combat began.

Also, the "mind-affecting immunity" is listed in their regular stats, but it is also part of the buff. Since they have base and buff stats mixed in, even though this is part of the base stats, I see no reason why they would have immunity prior to the buff. As such, I'm going to remove it from Lon. I'll do my best to unravel the events. The attack rolls stand, however, the rest may change. Oh, and I've just noticed that they have also miscalculated their base profile hit points. Sigh.

Actually, perhaps the author owes you the apology instead...

Jon still hits, but does 2 less damage.

Lon must save to be able to attack Gunari (the AoO is still wasted).

Will save DC 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

So that's 7 less damage as his bite doesn't hit, and he doesn't gain the temporary hit point.

Con's attack roll is reduced to a 20, and he misses. 8 Less damage for Gunari. 17 hit points to replace puts Gunari on -7 by my count.

Cyrus, in similar fashion, you also "gain" 2 hp, putting you on a total of -8 instead.

Phew.

Ibid carefully steps five feet forward to position himself beside Amaranti, drawing an arrow and knocking it as he moves. Once stopped, Ibid pulls back on the bowstring, looking for closest threat to his friends. A moment later, the old man releases the string, loosing an arrow.

I can't move Ibid's token 5-feet south from his current location, while at work. But will once I'm home later. From this position Ibid can shoot all the way to Con while still being able to use Point Blank Shot. I would like Ibid to fire at the closet standing foe. Side note: Ibid can fire into melee without takin the -4 to attack.

attack @ Closest standing foe(longbow, point blank, inspire courage): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
damage(+2 str, +1 point blank, +1 inspire courage): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Amaranti skewers Jon. His eyes linger over Finarin's dropped rations a while before he falls to the ground in a heap.

Kaisharga returns all the cannibalism in kind by tearing a chunk of loose flesh from Lon's torso (can't trip Lon because he's prone from the grease). Spitting the foul-tasting grease from its mouth, Kaisharga elects to slap the barbarian with its tail next, sending the hapless brute to oblivion. He falls back with a wet *smack* upon the greasy ground.

Seeing the barbarians fall as they do, Finarin changes targets and instead draws a mighty scratch upon the exposed arm of Con.

Next up: Ibid.

Ooh, Cyrus'd!

Ibid draws a bead upon Con and puts an arrow through his chest. The barbarian falls to the ground.

All that can be heard throughout the clearing is the wailing and writhing of the insensible woman on the ground. She makes no moves to attack, but similarly does not stop her insane writhing. No amount of talking can bring her around. It is as though she has no thoughts of her own.

Okay, let me know what you want to do with the unconscious and bleeding barbarians, and also with Anne! She doesn't attack no matter what you do, so... combat over! Nice work guys. Another sub 24 hr combat round. ;-)

Miro approaches the woman, eyeing her shrewdly, looking for whatever is causing the woman to act this way.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Would knowledge arcana work on her? Ans since everyone is down can I retcon the Arcane Pool Point?

halting his blustery singing to cast a spell.

FYI - you don't have to stop your Performance to cast. Maintaining is just a free action.

Wouldn't I have to continue to sing, though? I always thought that the singing was the free action, since my performance depends on it.

Gunari, barely getting missed by the brutes, and only actually affecting one of them by the charm effect, wonders if his "great idea" was so great after all. He is totally unconcerned about the cannibals, and instead turns his attention to the woman writhing on the ground. He first prods her with his drawn rapier, and then tries to determine if she is ill (Heal check), followed by using Detect Magic to see if the is under the affect of a spell or something.

heal check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Finarin: since you technically "acted" after Ibid in the initiative, you get it.

Gunari detects faint enchantment magic upon Anne. The prodding does not provoke a response other than her regular writhing and frothing. The heal check reveals that she is definitely starving (like her companions) but nothing more.

Ibid and Kaisharga can both tell that the woman is under some kind of mental control.

"Huh. She seems to be controlled by something. Something isn't right here."

Gunari doesn't have Kn: Arcana to determine the nature of the spell-effect in place. It is DC20+spell level

Of course, he also does not currently know Stabilize, either, but will go around trying to stabilize the downed barbarians at this time by taking 10 on the heal checks for a 17.

With the battle complete, Cyrus walks past Ibid, perhaps overemphasizing the cold shoulder as he passes by. He approaches the writhing barbarian woman, and calmly hands his wand of cure light wounds to Gunari indicating wordlessly towards the priests wounds, then his own.

”Thanks.” he manages to get out, hoping the drunken priest realizes that his bold move was recognized, and appreciated.

CLW, Gunari: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

CLW, Cyrus: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Edit: (extra cast to get me to full) CLW, Cyrus: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

After inspecting the downed men and the writhing woman, a quiet Cyrus finally offers his opinion. ”We should just finish them off. We cannot afford to leave a threat behind us. Whoever is controlling this woman already knows we are here, and obviously does not care for her condition, else she would not be starving so much. They should all be put out of their misery.”

His intentions were not nearly as cold as his words. He feels a pang of guilt, but quickly pushes it away in his mind, and leans down to strike the coup de grace. He pauses for a moment, in case someone objects, though he does not expect an objection to come.

Gunari sighs. "I suspect that you are correct. We also knew that this area was inhabited by flesh eaters, and that must mean these cannibals." He stops trying to stabilize the cannibals, and helps Cyrus with the grizzly duty.

Indicating the woman, "But what to about her? We could finish her off as well, or try and free her from the compulsion on her. But, I suspect that she is not better than they are."

Gunari will then go back to the woman, determining what items she has, removing them. He'll also try to see if any of her gear is magical, or if there is a locus on her body for the magical enchantment magic.

We're pooling charges again, right? GM Damo is keeping track?

Miro doesn't like it, but the situation leaves little choice but his companions' practical solution. He watches in silence as they perform the bloody business.

"Even if she is no better, perhaps she can tell us of the enchantment on her mind, at least?"

Finarin Sorry, the internet ate my post on my phone and I forgot about the Knowledge Arcana check when I reposted (after swearing a lot and calming down).

Finarin Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 —> To no avail!

All: as per our other games, I'm keeping track of communal wand uses. The last module had a free wand, so no charges needed there!

No-one is able to get the barbarian woman to speak. She doesn’t even acknowledge your presence or even seem to be able to perceive it. There are signs that she was being force fed by the other cannibals… and actually seems slightly better off than they did.

Gunari and Cyrus continue about the grisly task of mercy-killing the barbarians (no alignment infractions to worry about… just the nastiness of it all). When they realize that nothing more can be discovered from her, and that Anne will simply starve on her own if left there alone, someone quietly puts an end to her existence.

Hearts heavy from the unwelcome task they have performed, the party moves on to explore the rest of the plateau. Further on the path, the group finds an effigy that perhaps makes them feel better about what they have just done. Skewered here by a crudely carved post is a gruesome scarecrow constructed of tree branches, jungle vines, and bloodstained human bones. The skull-headed effigy accusingly points a bony arm down the trail leading north.

With no better or worse option in sight, the companions head north and shortly thereafter arrive at a small clearing. In the center of this clearing stands a large standing stone, about five feet in diameter and twelve feet tall. Carved into the dark stone are dozens of leering one-eyed humanoid faces, their mouths agape as if preparing to appease some unspeakable hunger. Several members of the party shiver in fear at the sight of this garish stone as they pass by, but suffer no lasting effects and move on.

Eventually, the group arrives at yet another clearing. A crack in the earth splits the ground here, most of it covered by thick weeds and the roots of a huge strangler fig tree. There are several gaps between the roots through which an adventurer might squeeze. Below the tangled roots is a deep shaft that descends into the gloom.

Though mostly shrouded by the strangler fig’s entangling roots, a Medium creature can easily squeeze past them as a full-round action, and a Small creature simply treats the opening as difficult terrain.

Okay, two encounter sites that were nothing but fluff. Fine for a tabletop game, but best to gloss over in PbP. You stand now at the entrance to Sevenfingers’ Tomb! Let me know how you’d like to proceed.

"Since we are fit, I say we proceed onwards... or perhaps downwards!" Gunari will use his pearl of power to recall his Shield of Faith, as he thinks that might come in handy, later. He still seems uneasy about what he had to do with the barbarians... not the sort of thing he signed up for when he joined the Society.

"But first, of course, we must have a toast the the Drunken Hero, asking The Accidental God for his blessings before we head down!" He "pours" everyone a drink, and makes sure they observe the tradition of spilling the first bit for Cayden Cailean's consumption.

Same marching order, I would assume.

When we go down, Gunari will use his Wayfinder to make light, and suggests others do the same.

Miro is happy to observe Cayden Cailean's traditions, spilling a generous portion in honor of the god before imbibing the rest. He wipes his mouth with his sleeve, nodding. "Let us proceed!"

Cyrus shrugs as the group looks at the gnarly tomb entrance.

"Don't ask me why, but I expected something different. Hey Ibid, good news for you. Seems you aren't the only one who goes around dropping tombs. Think digging this one up will jog some more memories?"

The tension is enough to make some uncomfortable as Cyrus crouches down, taking a few minutes to inspect the entrance thoroughly.

Take 20 on Perception: 20 + 4 = 24

As soon as he is convinced it looks safe, he pulls his sickle from its sheath in one hand, and the mundane pickaxe in the other, and carefully slithers his way past the roots, moving slowly and carefully into the tomb entrance to make way for his friends. Once comfortably inside, he pulls his wayfinder from its hidden place beneath his shirt, and wills it to produce light.