RD's Citadel of Flame (Inactive)

Game Master Rene Duquesnoy

I do know Markus, yes -- he is not the only brown-skinned fellow, but he does stand out -- though I confess, not well. His regiment assignment was different from mine, thus we did not ride together. I believe he was in line for a promotion of some kind, though I departed Lastwall more than a year hence. And I know the Wheeling Charge maneuver adequately enough; I have not yet mastered its use while riding Stellah, however. I hope to get it down with more practice and experience.

Orryn pauses to count his coins to the apothecary for two flasks of liquid ice, noting that he does not have enough for the scroll of resist elements. I'll need to stop back by the Lodge before we go, Octavius. I need to get in touch with Marcos Farabellus; he owes me a favor for a job I did a while back in Ustalav.

Orryn would like to buy two flasks of liquid ice (40 gp each) and a wand of endure elements using 2 Prestige points.

Llathander knows the same as Octavius. Additionally, he knows that Moloch wields a blood-soaked sword named Ramithaine and a horned battleaxe named Goreletch. As Moloch gets angrier, flames spray from his eyes, nostrils, and almost every other part of his body.

All purchases have been successfully purchased

The next morning, the party of young and brave Pathfinders set sail southeast towards Qadira. The journey is pretty uneventful, and you make port on the southern peninsula, in the city of Sedeq. When you disembark, you enter a huge market, with many smaller markets within. One of the smaller markets deal strictly in slaves.

Orryn's map begins at Sedeq, and it is leading northwest.

Octavius wobbles off the boat and his eye brighten as he steps onto dry land. . Oh I don't think I will ever get use to the Sea he exclaims while trying to hold down a burp.

Octavius wobbles off the boat and his eye brighten as he steps onto dry land. . Oh I don't think I will ever get use to the Sea he exclaims while trying to hold down a burp.

Orryn claps the Wizard on the back as he rides Stellah onto the gangplank. Not the same as a seat in the saddle, that's for sure! Despite his brave face, Orryn is also very glad to be off the boat. With an exhale of relief, he pulls the small, wrinkled map out of his backpack and tries to get his bearings.

Survival check 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
EDIT: Or maybe not. LOL

Dex follows Orryn and Stellah down the plank and scans the area for anything that might be of interest, he then follows up Octavius' comment, "Funny, I didn't follow the venture captain's advice last night - I figured that if I was coming to the desert, a place likely to be scarce with drink, that I should get as much down my gullet as possible. The only thing that's kept my head clear today is the sea air and the spray off the bow. Without them I'd 'ave looked as green as you do big fella'" As he pats him on the back.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Opal does not look so good during the sea voyage either.

Let's get a move on to find this cult temple before someone else does.

Zefeni, stepping off of the boat into the bustling roar of market business grins at the spectacle. "Now, this, this is more like it. Abadar himself probably glows with a glimpse of this."

Turning to his companions, namely Orryn - the map-bearer - he asks: "So, where are we headed, sah? Into the desert, isn't it? Perhaps camels are in order."

Orryn turns the map around with a befuddled look on his face, then turns the map back as it was, then turns it again. I am unfamiliar with some of the markings on this map. Would anyone else like to take a look, perhaps?

Octavius accepts the map and starts to try and figure it out I will try and decipher its markings, though I don't know if I will be any help...

Survival 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Ah, yes I see, this way Octavius turns around towards the Ocean and points to the sea oh no, that is wrong...

The map appears to begin at a local landmark called Irori's Candle. Octavius thinks that if he can get to the beginning, the path will be much more clear.

Opal steps up to a local Merchant. Excuse me sir, can you please direct me to Irori's Candle?
Diplomacy take 10: 10 + 9 = 19

The merchant smiles at you. Ahh yes. The famed Irori's Candle. It is about 3 miles northwest of the city. Perhaps you will need something for your journey? I carry only the finest jewelry and special item, and have the best prices!

Opal browses his merchandise a little.
Three miles northwest is a little vague. Is there a road that leads to it? Or other landmarks I should see along the way?

The merchant nods slightly
It isn't on one of the main trade routes. However, if you head out of the north gate, go towards Naadir's Silk Mill. It is about a mile past that, up a hill. You will need good shoes. I have many!

Dex smiles at the merchant knowingly, "You honor your people with your determined commercial skills good man.".

He then looks over at Octavius' map and back at the streets and stalls in front of him. "Hmmm ... let me see, its been a while bt I've been to this port before, I think its that way." as he points north.

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Though, you know, I'm not totally sure ..."

Thank goodness, some landmarks, I think I can remember something of this

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Yes, this all sounds very familiar I know where to go now.

Tell me good sir is there anything we should know about Irori's candle

Diplomacy to gather information 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Grand! I hate being lost. Lead on, my friend! Orryn follows Octavius.

The merchant smiles at Llathander

In fact there is my friend! Legend says that good luck will come to those who toast to Irori at her candle. I happen to have a few bottles of her preferred vintage. How lucky for you!

Bluff check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Sense Motive 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Octavius strides up to the man selling his wears and looks him dead in the eyes Thank you for the information, but please do not lie to make coin. He then takes a silver piece out and gives it to the man. Turn from your lies and may the dawnflower bless you. He then turns around and heads for Irori's Candle

Sense Motive 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Opal thanks the merchant and follows the dark-skinned one.

The merchant sighs deeply, as he watches his customers walk out of his tent, and into the distance. It takes a short while to navigate through the city, and you come across no resistance. You are at the north gate.

Orryn uses his wand of endure elements for the party (six charges).

Thank you, Orryn.

"That is very kind of you, Orryn. But I am used to such deserts. Out in the sands and heat, you could say that I am in my element." He laughs dryly at his own joke. "You could use my allotment on your fine bird. This climate is quite a change from Lastwall, I would think."

Quite right, friend Zefini -- 'twould not do for her to get fatigued either!

Make that seven charges. ;-)

You begin your short trek up the path, past Naadir's Silk Mill, to the famed Irori's Candle. It is a 50 foot high monolith, and there are a few worshipers scattered around it.

Knowledge Religion, take 10: 10 + 6 = 16

Opal knows that Irori is a god of enlightenment and self-perfection. Irori holds enlightenment and quests for self-perfection above all, which explains the worshipers around the Candle. Opal also knows that, at dusk, the sun shines on Irori's Candle with a magical glow, illuminating all around it. This is rumored to be a blessing from Irori himself.

What time of day is it?

afternoon, around 3 PM.

Does anyone wish to pay their respects to Irori before we move on? We still have a lot of daylight left.

Almost to herself, Irori reminds me of Korada. I wonder if they are friends?

Thank you, Orryn. While I do wish to pay respects to Irori I am more interested in bidding Sarenrae a good rest while I uphold her light in the Darkness.

Almost to herself, Irori reminds me of Korada. I wonder if they are friends?

"Friends? Probably sworn comrades of 'feeling enlightened about yourselves'," Zefeni grins, then corrects himself: "No disrespect meant by that," and he awkwardly salutes Irori's Candle before preparing to continue.

Knowledge: Religion (untrained max=10)
Oh, um...yes, of course...many respects to, uh, Eye-Roh-Ree.

Orryn thinks, "might need to learn more about these human deities."

Knowledge Religion 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

What does Octavius Know about this candle?

Octavius knows that the Candle is holy place. Hundreds of years ago, one of Irori's faithful, Father Camden Brak, came to the Candle. He didn't eat or sleep for 7 days. On the morning of the eighth day, a connection was made directly to the Serene Circle. Father Camden was able to communicate with Irori himself, albeit for a short moment. People around the Candle are hoping for the same thing.

Orryn takes a look at the map in Octavius' hand, trying to note the location of Irori's Candle and where to go from here.
Kn (geography) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17, Survival 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Orryn sneaks a peak at the map, and gleans a good idea of where to go from Irori's Candle. It is actually pretty close.

(I assume you will continue on)

May I have your marching order please?

Provided our master bowman has no objection, and because Orryn will want to be airborne on Stellah should combat arise out in the open, I would like to take up the rear (directly behind Octavius to ensure his unarmored back is not exposed).

Zefeni is quite happy to take up the lead, though relying on communicating with Orryn as to directions, since the halfling not only seems to be more adept at map-reading, he's able to have a much better vantage when flying on Stellah.

Zefeni, Llathander, Dex, Opal, Octavius, Orryn, because if your name starts with 'O', you're in back!

"That suits me just fine ma'am, I rather like being at the center of things."

As they make their way Dex will be attentive to their surroundings, keeping an eye out for surprises and opportunities.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Ditto.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Orryn is unlikely to be more attentive than normal at this time; he's among companions.

Perception: take 10+4=14

Octavius is lost in theological thoughts, and only speaks during this time when spoken to

Perception, taking 10+3= 13

Zefeni leads the group through a maze of cliffs. The group comes to an opening into a canyon of smooth red stones, surrounded by towering hoodoos. At the far side, 2 hoodoos are carved into huge bull-headed men. They leer down onto the canyon, while the smaller ones resemble stylized flames. To either side, the canyon walls rise in a series of rough ledges to the cliftops above. Brass doors on a massive wall of baked gray mud can be seen through an arch at the end of the far side of the canyon.

Map

Survival checks:
Orryn 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Llathander 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Opal 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Zefendi 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Octavius 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Dex 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

Everything looks nice and normal