Rappan Athuk set in Nirmathas, Golarion

Game Master baldwin the merciful

RTA: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14acid damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7"Just die already! Your god is as big a fool as you ...and I don't know who I insult more there."

Kalim and others:

Malcolm puts the plank down so now you can cross the second (middle) trench.

The cleric is out of sight, there is the paralyzed enlarged orc and the other cleric guard within range and line of sight.

The guard drops his weapon and raises his hands over his head...yelling something in orcish. karnog's comprehend language is still effective for him so he understands "I surrender...surrender."

The big one then, if possible.

Kalim's ray smashes into the paralyzed orc.

"The guard surrenders. No idea where the boss orc went..perhaps we regroup briefly and track him down?"

Karnog moves back the center of the group.

"Anyone still hurt? I have some magic remaining, but not much."

Unless you are going to kill the surrendered guard and the paralyzed orc, this combat is over. What are you going to do, there is a lot of carnage in your wake.

DMPC Des:

The rogue will spend a bit of time tracking the cleric and he can reliably state he fled the complex, back through the front entrance. Desmond chose not to follow once the orc crossed the killing field and into the woods.

"That was a lot of orcs. Its too bad their spellcaster got away, but I think the big fellow Grungsdi took down was their leader. Good work, everyone!"

Karnog begins the process of sorting out th party's wounds and battle damage, mending material and cataloguing injuries for treatment.

"A communal bonfire is probably for the best, as regards removal of these bodies."

Malcolm approaches Karnog, and he is visbly bleeding from multiple wounds.

I could certainly use some blessings, Karnog, and a rest would also be required. I need to contemplate in meditation with Abadar.

FYI: the spellcaster was nearly tapped out of offensive spells. I played the spellcaster and the barbarian leader pretty much as written. Although I did modify tactics of where and how the last stand would occur by using the terrain against you. I did add layers of more difficult fodder to wear the group's resources down. Rather than usually simple common orcs that would never have been able to hit you, I used a variety of orcs from Raging Swans: "Orcs" and "Orogs". The book also had the fodder as bugbears but I made them orcs."

There is more to see and explore in this complex but the two big baddies are dispensed right now.

"I agree, Malcolm. Let us secure our area and dispose of these bodies, then rest and regroup."

Dwarven: "Grungsdi, you are quite the warrior. Your appearance truly turned the tide of this battle. A good fight!"

Karnog offers his hand in greeting, genuinely pleased to have such a formidable dwarf as an ally.

aye a good scrape! I cut this one out of a frog, and thought ibwoildnshare this chest o treasure w ye if I could tag along! Seeing as my companions have gone with me memories!

Grung pulls out the chest.

might be a magic lock on it or a trap.

As Grung is setting the chest down the group hears some high pitched voices and squeaks. On investigation you see there 31 orc females and 16 orc children huddled together in two rooms. For the most part the women are mistreated and malnourished but a few hold sticks and daggers to protect themselves. The children are all younger than 9 years of age, some look strong while others look like runts.

There are a couple doors that are locked and there is a secret passage that has been propped ajar.

Updated Map

*Remember you have three prisoners that you've taken. The enlarged orc who will be shrink back to his original size, the cleric guard and the one that surrendered in the caven.

Here is an overview of the entire map so far. I have taken the fog of war out between most of the cavern walls.

Overview of Map

If you're not hostile towards the women and children they will be no problem to you. If permitted several will walk over to Daarnog and kick him. A few others will do the same to some of the dead orcs. The group will gladly vacate if ordered to but prefer to stay put. They gather their tattered belongs and the few coppers they have.

They will point to the two rooms and one speaks broken common. "Rooms fer bosses. 'Ware his chest...nasty trap." She points towards Daarnog room.

"Hiden passage leads t'waste area and hidden ladder to surface.

Updated map

even orcs don't like orcs. Ha! . Grung makes no move to stop them not does he insist that they leave.

They don't like abusive orcs. Besides they follow the strong. If you want a harem they will submit to you.

They are just as likely to follow the three living guards that you have captured, if you release everyone.

"Speak common?"

What are you all going to do with the women, children, and prisoners? Are you permitting them to live there or are you having them leave? You were going to burn the bodies is that your intent? I know you will rest for a night to get your health and spells back, are you going to do anything else?

waiting for someone else to chime in. Grung is not a monster he will not bother the women and children.. Then yes burn bodies, get that chest safely open and reat

"Hey, orcs! How much common do you understand? I know your language, but cannot speak it."

Karnog pantomimes while he talks, keeping his hands away from weapons and gestures non-threatening.

Dwarven: "I'd say let them live here. Now that their war-boss has been eliminated, they are rather unlikely to begin assaulting travelers and creating a nuisance like they were. There is no reason to victimize these females and younglings any more than they have already."

Common: "In fact, allow me to show you something..." Karnog slowly removes his weapons and leaves them with the group, taking out some water and food from his pack before leaving that as well. Once near the orc non-combatants, he points to the containers and tries to convey an instruction to gather up their buckets/cups/vessels.

Once they comply, he casts create water a few times, filling up their containers with clean, potable water. After that, he channels to heal, hopefully catching all of them in the 30' radius. 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1) = 6 HP healed (2 remaining today)

Malcolm will have a similar approach as Karnog.

Well done, Karnog, they should be fine on their own now.

One lady steps forward, "Eye und'sstand common guud." Karnog her speech is broken, but she appears to understand simple common well enough. The orc directs other to gather buckets and vessels. they are cautious but comply.

Their eyes widen with the creation of clean water several are suspicious but a few drink it and smile. The healing channel takes them all by surprise; at first, they don't know why their wound are toughing, and knitting back together, but then several begin to bow down to Karnog.

"Great sha'man," the orc reverently bestows upon Karnog. The orcs begin praying to Karnog.

"No, please do not pray to me. If you must direct worship, I can speak to you of the Great Father, Torag. He Who Made the World. I am not him, and my blessings stem from his might."

Karnog assists the females and younglings clean up and then asks their help.

"Would you please assist us in removing the bodies of these warriors? Corpses breed disease and sickness, so they cannot stay here if you plan on remaining."

Boy, oh boy, Karnog. You sure caught your foot between the anvil this time. What are you going to do with a tribe of orcs that wants to worship ye? I better bone up on my theology and preaching!"

Karnog, I thought you'd like that!

The orcs begin to form work parties, they makes sure every useful piece of cloth are stripped from the bodies, and they carry the corpses outside where directed. Piling the dead. There are a few tears but the orcs adjust quickly to their new leaders commands. They regard Karnog with awe, but respect the might of Karnog's followers.

Des works the lock on the chest that Grung was hulling around, he slowly opens the lid: there are two wands stored orderly on the lid; the bottom on chest has neat slots holding 2 oils and 6 potions, each of which are different. There is a small leather coin pouch, and finally, a spectacular looking silver throwing axe is wrapped in a finely oiled cloth. Everything radiates magic.

The box itself is weathered, it is made of iron now that you have it removed. It weighs at least 150 lbs and measures 3 by 2, it had strange etching on the lid.

Mind if I claim the axe? Grung almost salivates over a shiny ax

I figured I'd make you all a nice survival chest.

watch the ax be cursed lol

watch the ax be cursed lol

The dwarf you replaced was wearing a cursed diadem that attracted undead and he could not remove it. The benefit was it acted like an early warning device and detected undead nearby. As a side note, I once played in a campaign with rogue who had necklace that did the exact same thing. As a player, I embraced it for over 2 years of RL gaming. All the players at the table would laugh becasue it was cursed but my character convinced himself it was his good luck peice by warning him when undead were near.

...As the sun sets...

Karnog finishes up his short service over the fallen orcs, standing off to the side of the funeral pyres. Several orc females stand with lit torches, ready to set the bodies ablaze. "Let us remember these fallen warriors. They were strong, but inflexible. Tough, but unwilling to acknowledge others possessed an even greater power. So it is with all of us. One may seem mighty, but there is always another stronger, faster, more cunning. It is with this knowledge that I turn to the All Father, Torag, the Great Creator; with humility and adoration. I strive to be strong, brave, and good. I work to bring forth your Word into this world, just as you brought forth my people, these orcs, and the rest of the world from your forge."

Lowering his hands and speaking more quietly, "Remember, you always have a choice. To do Good, to Create, Protect, and Defend your community; or to allow Evil deeds to guide your hands. The All Father does not force your actions, he sits and observes, providing guidance to those who ask and deserve, and assisting Our Lady of Graves with her judgement when necessary. I implore you all: turn from the wicked path. Choose the road of Good and Community, to build a strong, honorable place here in this world. In the name of the All Father, let us send these souls to their destination."

He signals to the torch-bearers, who drop their brands onto the pyres. The bodies burn bright, firelight gleaming on more than a few orcish tears.

Karnog turns and heads back into the compound, well aware of the amount of work still remaining ahead. He whispers a nearly silent prayer of his own in Dwarven: "Oh Father, please let this be the proper path. I could not slay or drive off these females and younglings. I know they are orcs, but it is said the ember of goodness may lodge in even the darkest place, so long as the tinder is set correctly. I ask for wisdom and patience, to bring these souls to Goodness. In your Name, I ask of this. Amen."

Boy, oh boy, Karnog. You sure caught your foot between the anvil this time. What are you going to do with a tribe of orcs that wants to worship ye? I better bone up on my theology and preaching!"

Desmond watches the mercy with approval, but nearly falls over with laughter as the orcs begin praying to Karnog. He tries to make a joke, but can't breath for laughing.

He sobers himself up for the funeral pyre, keeping his gaze down. He doesn't come in with an Amen at the end, walking off to find Kalim and ask him about the magical things in the chest he opened.

Kalim you can make a 4 spellcraft checks for me to ID the items in the chest.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

kalim you have no idea what the oils are but you have determined the nature of the potions.

potion of eagle splendor
potion of remove curse
potion of remove disease
potion of remove fear
potion of remove paralysis
potion of water breathing

The axe is magical+2 but you don't can't determine any special properties.

The wands are the following:
Wand of cure moderate wounds (25 charges)
Wand of lesser restoration (7 charges)

Kalim make one more spellcraft

Meanwhile the group locates the chest the female orc mentions. The lock is broken.

Des knows its trapped from what the orc stated.

I'll let Desmond roll to disable the trap.

Karnog does comment that there is magic on the lid.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

1d10 ⇒ 10. Hp finally a good roll

Grung hefts the throwing ax. Does something special you say? Maybe it will burst ibto flame!. Grung launches it at a chair or crate and the retrieves it and he will try it again and see if he can figure it out

I figure if it is shocking or flaming that should be apparent

Kalim you don't know anything about the ring other than it's magical.

Kalim knew the axe was magical, but he did not suspect it to have any special abilities.

When Grung toss the axe it crashes in to the crate, the dwarf smiles at his aim, just as he is about to walk towards the crate to retrieve it the axe flies back to his hand.

It's a +2 throwing axe, returning

oooo that is useful! Not what I expected

Everyone hears the chest is magically trapped, and they seem to abandon Desmond to his own devices.

"I think that chest is trapped."
*Entire party steps back and looks at the rogue.*

Desmond begins going to work on the chest.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Niiiiice...Welcome Back, Des!

The beads of sweat drip from Desmond but he manages to get the small chest's lid off without incident.

Although the lock was broken the chest itself reveals expert craftsmanship. Inside the box is 642 gold pieces, 12,692 silver coins, a ring carved of beatened gold holding an aquamarine gem, a gold dragon comb that is missing only two teeth, and an anklet of 12 tiny gold plates linked together with gilded wire and fastened with an eye-hook.

Everyone can make 2 Appraise checks.

2d20 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Grung is far too busy throwing his ax at various things to really pay attention.

I took blind fighting, I was debating between that and the step up chain. Any thoughts?

Blind fighting can be useful in the dungeon.

Grung made his two Appraise checks but I'm missing the other players rolls.