RD's Citadel of Flame (Inactive)

Game Master Rene Duquesnoy

Sense Motive 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Dex may be on to something. Deception might be afoot, which will undoubtedly not please Octavius.

I am moving you inside the room

Vulcus appears to be real and sincere in him working there.

Since Dex is talking to the dwarf, I'm rolling his diplomacy

Vulcus looks over to Dex. I work ere alone yah. No one can work da anvil like Vulcus. He smiles proudly.

Fine-looking weaponry there, my good sir! Why, I'll bet you could sell those for Appraise (untrained)1d20 ⇒ 3 twenty gold pieces apiece easily!

Vulcus looks like he was about to say something, then shuts his mouth and takes a few swings with his hammer on the anvil.

If you are going to chat with him, please roll diplomacy checks as you do

Well, fine. :-P

Fine-looking weaponry there, my good sir! Why, I'll bet you could sell those for Appraise (untrained)1d20 ⇒ 3 twenty gold pieces apiece easily!

Diplomacy 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Vulcus cracks a smile at Orryn. Ahh be thankin ya. Fraid dat would be gettin me in trouble though.

This is so peculiar, what is this dwarf doing here...

Orryn whispers to Opal: You are much better at talking to people than I am, my lady; what does he mean, selling his work would get him into trouble? With whom?

When Opal speaks with the dwarf again, Orryn will try to assist her Diplomacy check. 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Can't assist since you have attempted diplomacy already on Vulcus.

To Orryn, I don’t think he likes me. And I suspect he means with whoever is in charge around here.

So master dwarf, who is in charge around here?

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Dat be Hafshi. I guess ya could say I be workin fer him

Orryn looks at his companions quizzically. Quietly: Anyone recognize that name?

Knowledge (Local)

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Octavius recognizes the name as a prophet of Moloch.

Master Dwarf, please help me understand how you are working for a prophet of Moloch

Diplomacy 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

Vulcus tilts his head slightly, then responds. Well, its a long story lad. I grew up as a slave in Qadira, and Vulcus purchased m' freedom so I would be workin' for him. So, not a slave now, although I gets paid probably less dan a stone in a rock quarry.

Orryn scratches his head for a second. But, if Hafshi purchased you, you're not exactly free, are you? I believe this person still considers you to be a slave -- just to a different master. Looking at your craftsmanship, you're better than that, and as an independent being, surely deserve better.

Diplomacy1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

EDIT: Yikes! Ooh, hoping there's a circumstance modifier here! O_o

You cannot use Diplomacy to influence a given creature’s attitude more than once in a 24 hour period.

Vulcus looks to Orryn. Hafshi purchaced m freedom, not me. He pays me, I get a holiday once a year, an even a 104Kesh. 'course, I get barely nuthin, and no beatins, so dat's good

For those looking at the diplomacy scale, Vulcus appears friendly.

Well, Master Dwarf, we are looking to settle a disagreement with this prophet. Is there anything you can tell us about the building above?

Dex whispers to the others "If this citadel is supposed to have been buried for ages how long has he been here? This is very odd."

Directing his question to the dwarf, "How long have you been here, when was the last time you left and went into the desert?"

Vulcus thinks for a moment. Been here for about a year I reckon. Don't really get out much unless I be needin supplies for the anvil. I ain't really supposed to be talkin bout this stuff

Vulcus turns to Opal after being in a somewhat hypnotic state (oops). Well there be a few floors above. I live up there in one of the residence towers. There is also a long windy passage. The top floor is where Hafshi lives. I can tell ya are probably gonna want to go up there, but I ain't supposed to let anyone pass.

When you are ready to move on, you get a new diplomacy check from one person to try and get him to let you pass.

"I'm not much for words, perhaps someone else might be able to try."

No worries, my friend -- no one will know we have spoken with you. Please resume your marvelous handiwork, good sir Vulcus.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Vulcus winks to Orryn, turns around and begins hammering loudly on an arrow head. It seems the hammering is extra loud, and he my not be able to hear anything. He is also humming an off key tune to himself.

Opal starts up the winding passage.

Move to sheet 2 for the rest of the map

Opal begins climbing the winding ramp. The elevation is steep, and it is decorated with mosaics of a female pilgrims journey. At point A, there is a vent and pile of black sand.

Kn: Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

The mosaic shows a devotee of moloch abandoning her family to begin a pilgrimage to the Citadel, as well as her journey through the Qadiran desert. Sandstorms, refusals of water, and a heat-induced vision of Moloch are depicted on the mosaic. there is also a depiction of a ritual of the woman scouring her face with the black sand in front of an open vent.

Well, that doesn’t look pleasant. I think I’ll pass. I’ve had enough experience with self maiming rites. Opal fingers her left hand where a finger is supposed to be.

I shall assume that everyone else joins Opal on the second floor.

Yes, Dex follows her up, staying about 10' behind her and has his bow drawn and at the ready. He keeps a vigilent eye open for any surprises.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Nice roll!

Dex notices a little bit of steam coming from the vent, as it could still be active.

Thanks!

"Look, steam appears to be coming from the vent - something must be creating it. Do we have any volunteers?" He says jokingly.

Zefeni climbs the ramp alongside Opal, scimitar and shield drawn and ready. He pauses with the rest of the group to examine the vent: "Self-maiming? Steam? That sounds about as pleasant keeping your eyes open in a sandstorm."

Llathander looks at Opal when she points out her finger What happened there?

I was fooled by a sadistic Gnome who was pretending to be a devout follower of enlightenment. I’d rather not talk about it.

Hmm, a pile of black sand...

Knowledge (nature), maybe? 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Not sure that pile of sand makes any sense to me...what do you make of it, friend Octavius? Something other-worldly, perhaps?

Let me think about it for a second...

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

The sand is black sand.

I suspect it’s here for anyone who is a pilgrim to this place to perform. As none of you are worshipers of Molech, I think we can move on.
Opal continues up the passage.

As Opal passes the vent, hot steam jets out, but not far. Opal definitely notices it, but she is unharmed.

Opal studies the continued mural along the walls. It depicts many hoodoos of increasing size. The pilgrim in the mural prostrates herself to them and is allowed to pass. The center of the south passage (B) is an obsidian statue of a towering bull-headed man.

Opal casts Detect Magic.

The statue gives off faint traces of divine magic.

This isn't documented in the scenario, so bear with me

As long as you don't insert a stone golem or caryatid column or something, I'm fine with a little flourish of exposition. :-)

Orryn, riding Stellah as her talons move along the steep ramp, continues alongside Opal.

Who is depicted on that statue? he whispers to the aasimar. I really must become more familiar with these human deities.

It’s obviously an idol to Moloch, though I suspect not the one we are looking for. Weren’t you paying attention during the mission briefing?