Pirate GD VII - Wonder's in the Weave p2 (5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Pirate Rob

That's definitely mummy rot.

eww, this scenario is not playing around...

Ah, mummy rot. It sucks in so many different ways...

When Amukk can move again, he is aghast at his inaction. I let you all down! I apologize, everyone, for my paralysis. I shall try not to allow such a tragedy to happen again.

He looks over Arnold, tsk-tsking repeatedly. Nasty. It's a curse, mummy rot is; and the curse must be broken before the disease can be addressed. I have something that may help. The ganzi rummages about in his haversack for a bit before extracting a scroll. Ah! Here we are!

CL 11 break enchantment scroll. Need a DC 12 CL check to activate it.
DC 12 caster level check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 ooh, gonna Quibble that.
DC 12 caster level check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 better!

That's better. Now, about that disease...
Amukk has no way to remove the disease, though, and is unlikely to be able to make a CL 20 check. Anyone else have something for that?

"I'm afraid I don't have anything to help with disease. I'm sorry. I was very unprepared."

”How about you quaff an antidote, I have one here that you can use. I am afraid my wand won’t be of much use to help you with your wounds. You’d best hang back.”

"Ugh," Arnold continues to gripe. "Thanks for that, Amukk. I'll drink one of these-" he draws a vial like the one Kerastes offered, choking a bit more as it goes down. "-Like liquid chalk. Well, it should help."

He also shoulders his lance once more and brings a bow to bear. "This won't be nearly as effective, but I suppose it has to do."

@Amukk: Ooh, that was something of a high-roller item. Thanks aplenty!

@Kerastes: No worries, I've got two antiplagues. I'll use one now.

@GM: Having taken the antiplague, should I make a second save now? I've always found that part confusing; I assumed such saves would have to happen at the same time.

I think you take the antiplague and if you're making your daily save in the next hour you get the 2 rolls. Since there's plenty of time to realize how horrible the rot is and get your enchantment broken before that 1 minute onset we'll count that as your second save vs the disease from the anti plague... Meaning not only are you cured but you don't take the con/cha damage.

Also, mummies are no joke.

A pair of doors on the far east wall provide the only obvious means of egress.

Narika waits for one of the big strong ones to lead the way. She has her rolling blue ball of fire follow her until it wears off.

Whew!

Arnold suddenly finds himself feeling but a ghost of the sickness. Chalking it up to him overblowing the seriousness of his condition in his panic, he switches weapons once again. After Amukk fixes him up further with the wand, the wayang gently pushes a door open.

With the multitude of wanding and other healing that Arnold needs the sphere will have worn off by the time the next door opens.

OPening the far door reveals a chamber was once the equal to the fake treasure chamber but in true grandeur, but the marshy environment has done its work well—the tops of the treasure shelves are mere islands in the stagnant water.

Most of the shelves are empty, with only a few treasures remaining. The grand, rune-covered sarcophagus of the Dog Pharaoh lies open on its dais.

Lyselsa and Kerastes notice several sets of eyes just barely peeking out of the water... they seem to be watching you.

"Errr, hello?"

Amukk is surprised by Kerastes saying hello to water, but following his line of sight he sees the eyes. He opts not to appear aggressive by training his crossbow, but does take careful note of the layout of the chamber. No other exits to be seen, he thinks to himself.

"There's something in the water. That's who he's talking to." she has a dagger ready to throw just in case.

Narika watches calmly, ready to help if the eyes belong to something hostile.

There is an impatient sigh from the tiefling, Are we really waiting to parley here?

A pair of scaled humanoids rise up from squatting positions. They are armed with morningstars and javelins.

One of them points at you and snarls.

Also, picture added to most recent slide.

Izlin responds in Draconic before translating to the party. "Well, we aren't here to kill you, if that is what you mean."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

Kerastes nods while Izlin takes the lead on the conversation "Thank you Izlin, let's try to find out what they are doing here"

I updated your picture with one without the black background

Narika does not know Draconic, but some GMs still allow diplomacy aid if someone is willing to translate...

dipl. aid if permitted: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"Please, tell use who you are and why you are here!"

Know Local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

"They are lizard folk." Lys murmurs. "I don't understand what they are saying though.

Things go alright, although not especially well.

"The Aspis consortium! They are here? We know them to be ruthless grave robbers, not like us at all. We are with the Pathfinder Society and preserve ancient relics to study them and safeguard them so they are not used for evil!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

I don't speak Draconic

"Can we help you to get your eggs back safely?"

at this point, I'm assuming someone is translating both ways...

"The Aspis. I suppose that shouldn't be much of a shock, but how did they get in here?"

Historical note (everybody may already know this): this is the first scenario after the Ruby Phoenix Tournament Module where the Society won and picked out the Tapestry. As far as anybody knew this was the only way in and the Pathfinder Society was going to have this whole demiplane to explore on their own. At the time finding the Aspis in here was very shocking.

With some translation back and forth the Lizardfolk take you up on your offer to help

"Here, take the last treasure batch, we'll tell them you overpowered us if things go wrong. Go down through the passage here, just a short swim, and then it's an hour walk through the jungle to the Aspis camp."

How long have we been here? Wondering if fly is still up...

Actually just thought about that timeline, GM.

Aspis snakes! Amukk grimaces. How did they get here?!?

We'll say fly is down by now. That said swimming through the underground passage is short and non-challenging so nothing to worry about there.

Narika follows the big ones down the passage, whenever they are ready to go.

Izlin dutifully translates between the two parties.

"Well, this is rather unsettling news. I wonder if The Society can get their entrance fee back as the prize is not exactly what it was supposed to be. Well, perhaps that is for those in nicer offices with softer chairs. Who's ready to wipe out a nest of Snakes?"

The lizardfolk leads you through the brief underwater tunnel in the chamber's eastern wall.

The dark and claustrophobic passage through the foundations of the tomb quickly opens into the overcast swamp.

The back of the tomb is much like the front, with gnarled swamp trees fighting for space on the dryer bits of ground and reeds, grass, and open stagnant water claiming the rest.

To the east the ground raises slightly. Between two bone and leather fetishes lies a path that has seen recent use, the grass and marsh weeds broken down into a matted mush.

Awaiting you on dry ground is a thin, goateed Garundi man with piercing blue eyes, dressed in muddy studded leather armor along with a small squad of lizardfolk.

He seems startled to see you but quickly recovers as he sizes you up "Welcome... Pathfinder. I can tell. We're just about done here, so don't let us get in your way."

See map for pictures etc. The water squares are all shallow bog, meaning difficult terrain and acrobatics DC increased by 2.

”Not so quick Aspis! You have enslaved these lizardfolk and will answer for that crime!”

Kerastes slowly but steadily moves forward

"Try not to hurt any lizardfolk he has compelled to defend him! They are not responsible for what he makes them do."

"I could punch or grab them, but that would take a while. Seems prudent to focus on the fake snake," Arnold mutters, hardly registering surprise. Having seen a fight brewing, his mind now is entirely bent on strategy.

Moved Kerastes back

Kerastes calls out the Aspis villian who's hand quickly reaches for the shortsword at his waist as he growls a curse at the meddling pathfinders/ "Piddlespot."

Initaitive:
Narika
Aspis Guy
Lyselsa
Amukk
Izlin
Kerastes
Arnold
Lizardfolk

Narika is up!
please remember the difficult bog terrain.

Narika points at the Aspis goon, who she assumes is a slaver. He feels an almost uncontrollable urge to roll around on the ground laughing.

casting Hideous Laughter. DC 19 will save or laughs uncontrollably for 8 rounds.

The Aspis agent doesn't find Narika particularly funny and instead motions for his lizardfollk allies to attack.

Forgoing his short sword for now the Aspis agent pulls a shortbow from his back as he steps forward and fires a snapshot at Izlin.

The arrow sinks deep into Izlin's elbow joint, causing a nearly unbelievable amount of pain as blood splatters everywhere.

Hits FF AC 24 for 13 damage

initaitive:
Narika
Aspis Guy
Lyselsa
Amukk
Izlin (35/48)
Kerastes
Arnold
Lizardfolk

Lyselsa, Amukk, Izlin, Kerastes and Arnold are up!

Both Arnold and the Friz assume a Jade Ogre pose, the better to slosh through the water. With the wallaby's great bounds, there is plenty of momentum with which to stab the Aspis agent.

Lance, Charge: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 2 = 33
Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 3, 6) + 15 = 30

Entering Dragon Style to charge through difficult terrain.

The Wayang and the Wallaby come slamming into the Aspis agent, nearly knocking him off his feet.

He seems more annoyed that a lizardfolk didn't step in front of him than at Arnold for charging.

Lys lets a dagger fly at the snake. "That's not very nice."

Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Kerastes casts expeditious retreat and offers a short prayer before moving quickly towards the aspis agent

Cast Expeditious retreat, activate protection judgement (+2 AC) and move

Bodyguard for +4 AC: DC 10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Just the one attempt thanks to Dex drain

Amukk prophesied this coming, but is powerless to do anything about it! Still, while his legs stubbornly refuse to move, he manages to get his sluggish arm muscles to react enough to cast a spell.

Can't manipulate the map right now, but I looks like I should be able to get Aspis guy along with Red and Green in a glitterdust. DC 16 Will save.

"Ow!" Well of all the...What did I do?

The rather indignant magus sloshes forward as best as he can before placing another 'rimed' spell on his dagger.

Dagger w/Rime Snowball {PBS/ range increment}: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 for damage: 1d4 + 1 + 5d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (6, 6, 5, 6, 1) = 26 If he takes any cold damage, he is entangled.

aspissave: 1d20 ⇒ 3
red: 1d20 ⇒ 20
green: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Lyselsa lets a dagger fly, but it does not connect.

Amukk lets forth some fablousu blinding glitter. The red lizardfolk manages to shield his eyes but the other two targets are blinded.

Izlin's powerful snowball slams into the Aspid agent, knocking him cold out.

Kerastes advances and the remaining lizardfolk flee into the swamp.

Combat over.

Among Lanier’s equipment are several treasures from the Dog Pharaoh’s Tomb that the agent excavated himself and planned to keep for personal use.

Most notable among them are the Canid Carcanet, a bronze-and-onyx amulet in the shape of a jackal’s head; an ankh carved from a single, giant pearl that functions as a pearl of power (1st level).

Chronicle sheet has abbreviated text, full text here.

A thorough search of the Aspis agent reveals an unsigned letter addressed to Gerban Lanier instructing him to loot the Dog Pharaoh’s Tomb before the “reptiles revolt against our influence” and a map to the tomb from what appears to be a cave network several miles to the north labeled “Muckmouth.”

Your lizardfolk "friends from before will stick their heads out the water and cheer in your victory.

They'll lead you two hundred yards east to a series of flat-bottomed skiffs loaded with sacks of gold, gems, and art objects, all taken from the Dog Pharaoh’s Tomb, ready to be pushed or otherwise moved back to the Aspis Consortium base at the Muckmouth.

---

With the tomb explored and the Aspis Consortium presence discovered, the Pathfinders find themselves in a precarious position, presenting them with a number of options.

Some may wish to follow the lizardfolk back to the Muckmouth to find out more about the Aspis Consortium’s operations within the Hao Jin Tapestry, or to liberate the captive lizardfolk eggs from the Consortium’s grasp.

These Pathfinders have a chance to do so in this scenario’s sequel, Pathfinder Society Scenario #3–14: Wonders in the Weave, Part II: Snakes in the Fold, which details just such a mission.

Characters playing the Wonders in the Weave series consecutively and in order have the chance to receive a special boon upon the completion of Part II.

“We have to get rid of the aspis, this is our tapestry! But first we need to get back to Absalom to report. I also have to pay a visit to one of our priests to get rid of this slugginess that has taken a hold on me. Who is with me when we go the muckmouth?”

Narika nods, ready to keep her promise to help recover the eggs.

"I agree. We need to report that Aspis are here, and then we can clean out the nest we know about." Lys helps gather up the items, and will be ready to head back to Absalom.

""In any case, it sounds as if we have our work cut out for us."

Part 2 Starts here.

The Decemvirate is not interested in sharing its new prize with the Aspis Consortium, and wishes to drive it out and discover how the organization gained access to Hao Jin’s demiplane.

The only lead so far is the Aspis base in the lizardfolk tribe’s ancestral breeding grounds within a cave called the Muckmouth, from which the tribe derives its name.

Were agents able to infiltrate the caves and dispatch the Aspis agents there, perhaps the lizardfolk would even provide assistance to the Society in its efforts to explore the new realm.

Regardless of this possibility, the primary goal is investigating how the Aspis Consortium gained access to the demiplane and determining the extent of their operations here.

---

Muckmouth, now lies two hundred yards to the north—a twenty-foot wide cave mired with mud and swamp water. Inside are the Muckmouth tribe’s eggs and the Aspis agents holding them hostage—the only lead to a greater plot from the Society’s greatest rival.

As always, some indeterminate amount of time has passed between scenarios. Even though you're now all fresh I think it makes the most narrative sense to be pressing forward relatively quickly.