SG S3 (Inactive)

Game Master nightdeath

The growing light of predawn filters in through a window of the two-story building that Amenopheus has rented in Eto, and the aging Garundi man takes a seat on one of the cushions set out for this meeting. He produces a sealed letter from his robe, placing it in the middle of the floor before speaking.

“Good morning, Pathfinders. As you know, we have had our share of setbacks recently. Not only have the emerald and topaz gems sacred to my order slipped through our fingers, but we also faced the frustration of finding nothing but fragments of the once great ruby. Thankfully, its power is not lost entirely, and through the Ruby Sage’s blessing, it lives on in you. I am thankful that you have agreed to act on her behalf and see this through to the end.

“As we speak, the scoundrels who seized the two gems cross the Pillars of the Sun to meet their employer, the cryptic Diamond Sage.” He sighs heavily.
“What she intends to do with the gems is a mystery, but the sage jewels are too important for me to take risks with. If the power that you wield is representative of a shattered jewel’s potential, imagine what one might accomplish with three undamaged stones! Until we know what her plans are, it is paramount that we get to the jewels first.

“Kafar and Nefti have a rudimentary map of the Pillars of the Sun, and last night I found a bartender who spotted them poring over it between drinks. She recalled little of the map, and she could not make sense of the marks or annotations; however, the right spells have allowed me to probe her mind and determine Kafar and Nefti’s entry point into the mountains. We will follow them from there.” With a somewhat chagrined smile, Amenopheus adds, “It may be that they will lead us to the Sanctum of the Sages, a hidden complex I have long suspected might be in this area.” He stands and announces, “Prepare yourselves quickly. We shall leave momentarily.”

Kazumi stands and stretches at Amenopheus's words. She starts doing a quick inventory check of her gear ending the familiar pre-mission check by sliding 4 slim wands into their holders at her hip. When she finishes with that, she opens her belt pouch and retrieves a half dozen stones which she tosses into the air. One by one, the stones begin their orbit around her head. Nodding in satisfaction, she pulls a stone mask from her backpack and dons it before saying in an oddly straight bland voice. "What else can you tell us of the place we are going? The pair that we seek and the nature of their employer?"

Knowledge:Local if it helps get more information

Amenopheus stretched as he looks pensive.
“The Pillars of the Sun are a mountain range south of Eto inhabited by many terrible creatures. It is a dangerous area of harsh desert and barren, rocky terrain, full of cliffs and chasms.” Here he pauses as if gathering his thoughts.

“I could not scry on Kafar and Nefti, and teleporting to an arbitrary point in the Pillars of the Sun would be a fool’s errand. Our best chance is to enter the mountains close to their starting point, and then follow their tracks.” spreading out his hands as if in resignation.

“The Diamond Sage is the current bearer of her respective sage jewel, but I have only recently learned of her existence. All I know for sure is that she resides near Eto. It would not be surprising if she actually resides in the Sanctum of the Sages itself; if so, she must be extremely resourceful.”

Shrewd eyes take note of your confusion as he continues.
“The Jeweled Sages were an order of scholars who took an oath to preserve the culture and arts of the golden age of Osirion. Their venture proved controversial, for the rulers that followed the Song Pharaoh were offended by the sages’ pretensions and deemed the order subversive. To escape persecution and safeguard the lore of our land, the sages built their headquarters in a hidden location. It makes sense that they should choose an isolated place like the Pillars of the Sun as grounds for their refuge.The conquest of Osirion by Kelishite forces during Osirion’s Second Age resulted in the death of most if not all of the sages.”

Relentis checks his pack to and mutters to himself as he numbers off the items. "Ok, good to go!" "A job needs to be done! And I am the man in need of the job." As though as an after thought he draws his odd looking weapon, a long sword with seven shorter prongs extending along its length; he checks its sharpness and nods. "Yup, good to go."

Aedit nods in acknowledgement of Amenopheus' instructions. Your wish is my command, sahib. Let us be off presently- We have no time to waste. Should we acquire mounts?" As he speaks, the papers and curtains around him rustle without any draft in the room, an unnatural disturbance as if hidden invisible hands were at work. Otherwise, Aedit stands stiffly at attention, a prim and proper figure, almost military in bearing.

He calls upon the Guidance of Nature as he searches his memory for anything that could help them...

Dip: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Know Local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Know Geo: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"Mounts would indeed be wise if you can get them. I for one will try my considerable magics to put as near as possible towards your quarry as soon as you are ready to depart."

"Given that we are traveling to the mountains, would conventional mounts be of any use? If your magic can put us in close proximity, perhaps we can dispense with the mounts and catch up to them with further magical power expenditure on your part. I'm ready to go in any case once we are done."

Kazumi strings her bow and adjusts her quiver so the arrows are within easy reach. She moves to stand closer to Amenopheus to be within reach for his spell casting.

"Mounts..." mumbles Nihilin beneath his breath as he makes sure his equipment is in good order for the wrip.

"Are we there yet?"

Waving his hands as everyone gathers, Amenopheus speaks a single word of power and suddenly in between nowhere, you find yourself in an entirely different place. The northern edge of the Pillars of the Sun. There, just as the sun is peaking over the horizon, he and all of you are able to find the path Kafar and Nefti used to enter the mountains.

Clem9 Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Nihilin Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Kazumi Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Aedit Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

The resulting tracks make it appear that Kafar and Nefti split up and traveled in separate directions. Without knowing which of the two agents has the sage jewels or whether they too have been split up, Amenopheus decides that the best choice is to split up. Assuring you that he will remain in contact with you, he sends all of you down the path and he travels in the other direction

Finding the crevice despite several false trails, The party finds a trail after spiliting from Amenopheus.

Clem9 Survival Aid Another 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Nihilin Survival 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Travel is quick as Magic casted by Aedit makes the trip cooler.
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Descending down a roughly hewn tunnel, all of you reach a long underground gallery.

Enigmatic hieroglyphs cover just about every surface of this chamber excavated into the mountain. Bas-relief engravings stretch along the walls all the way from the lofty, tapered ceiling down to floor level, their eerie pictography suggesting an unnerving story. Toppled columns, crumbling shreds of cloth, and potsherds scattered throughout the chamber attest to the place’s abandonment and antiquity. Small holes in the vaulted ceiling let in thin beams of sunlight but do little to illuminate the chamber.

[ooc]Following Checks needed:
DC 17 Linguistics
DC 16 Knowledge (dungeoneering)
DC 15 Knowledge (engineering) check or DC 20 Perception

Aid perception

Aedit studies the heiroglyphics...

Linguistics (take 10) + Guidance =23
Know Dung (take 10) + Guidance =20
Know Eng (take 10) + Guidance =20

The pictograms tell the story of two monsters fallen from the stars in the aftermath of Earthfall. Aedit identifies the creatures mentioned in the glyphs as akatas—bizarre two-tailed, lion-sized quadrupeds with tentacled manes encircling their necks.

Tremors and time have weakened the columns in this area, leaving them sturdy enough to climb, yet poorly anchored and easily toppled. Easily noted by one as skillled as Aedit. He also notice these properties and judge that, so long as several columns were to remain standing, the room would not collapse.

Nihilin stands and beholds the scene before him, admiring the intricacies of the hieroglyphs, and the craftsmanship of the room. He smiles as he observes the toppled columns and wasted cloth, as they are a testament to his belief that in the end, everything will end.

Nihilin takes 20 on perception = 29

Kazumi studies the chamber, keeping her bow ready while she looks at the odd runes and architecture.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

If there's a surprise round coming up, I can act in it due to the Diviner's Forewarned ability

Kazumi also checks the floor to ensure that the tracks they had been following lead into this chamber and beyond. Moving a bit further into the room.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Aedit mistrust the looks of this forsaken place. He calls upon the arcane energies of the weave and stitches a cloak of magic around himself...
Cast Mage Armor

Seeing everyone so edgy, Rylentis draws his sword and rests it on his shoulder.

Nihilin's roving eyes reveals the presense of several shapes as the rest of the party start to feel uneasy and prepares.

Thanks to Nihilin's warning, the beasts are taken off guard.
Init Order Surprise Round
Party
Akata 1 AC 13 HP 15
Akata 2 AC 13 HP 15
Lesser Hound of Tindalos AC 18 HP 52

On the surprise round, free action rage and spends a mythic surge for Titan's Rage; Rylentis partial charges the hound.
Seven branch sword chop att: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Dmg: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (6, 1) + 19 = 26

On normal init, continue rage. Full attack and spend 1 ki for extra attack
Att1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Dmg1: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (3, 2) + 19 = 24
Att2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Dmg2: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (3, 1) + 19 = 23
Holding swift action to see if hound dies

A spray of glittery dust bursts from Aedit's hand...
Glitterdust, DC18

Swift action: fleet charge(spend mythic surge)
att: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Dmg: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (2, 6) + 19 = 27

Her diviner's instincts alerting her to the danger, Kazumi fires an arrow at one of the strange creatures with tentacled manes.

Arrow shot: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 181d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Seeing the creature is not dead yet, she steadies herself and fires another 3 arrows at the same creature.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Arrow 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Arrow 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 61d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Using Mythic Rapid Sot to fire one extra shot

Cursing as 2 of the arrows fly wild, Kazumi calls upon an inner reserve of strength and moves to fire another arrow.

Swift Action:Fleet Charge (Burn Mythic Surge 1pt)

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 301d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Clem9's frenzied movements powered by the Ruby Sage's blessings decimates the hound and an akata before they have had a chance to attack as yet another is sprayed by Aedit's magic, and is unable to resist it.
Will Save vs DC 18 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

The akata is summarily dispatched and the area cleared once more.

Kazumi's action is not needed.

Several of the fallen cult’s tools have survived the passage of ages.

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As you resume your attempts to find your quarry's tracks.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
aid survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Ok, so my arrows and Mythic surge not used then?

After her companions dispatch the monsters easily, Kazumi examines the tracks, and surrounding area carefully.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Knowledge:Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Aedit takes 20 on Perception.
Knowledge Dungeoneering +Guidance take 10 = 20

You managed to break and find yourselves in an entire new cavern. Fresh tracks however prove that your quarry had passed by here.

You soon find yourselves elsewhere as you attempt to bridge the gap.

Two tall sandstone outcroppings rise to the north and south, channeling whistling wind and stinging sand through this pass. The carcass of a giant serpentine beast covered in dried blisters lies in a heap at the gorge’s narrowest point, the body savaged by some powerful predator.

The winds are pretty stong here.

Nihilin steps forward to examine the carcass, attempting to determine how long ago it was killed, by what, and if it poses any risk to the party.

Nihilin takes 20 on Heal (23), Survival (30), Perception (29)

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Nihilin bends to observe the carcass and notices that the blisters on it are dangerous and this creature is a death worm. It's was killed by something with very sharp teeth judging by the way it was ripped open.

He does notice the shape of something lurking in the dunes though.

Kazumi stands guard with her bow ready as her companion bends over the corpse, scanning the surrounding area. Given the likelihood of danger approaching, she uses her tail to retrieve a wand, holding it ready to be used at a moment's notice.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

A cackling whoosh is all the warning you get as a line of lightning emerges from a creature sending it down Clem9, Kazumi and Nihilin, narrowly missing Aedit.

Lightning Breath 7d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 5, 4, 2, 3) = 26 Reflex Save DC 15 for half
"intruders! Die for invading my home once more!!" screams the beast

Init Order
Behir AC 19 HP 82
Party

Slitering towards Clem9, it opens its jaws wide for a bite before clamping down tightl and holding on.
Bite with grab if hit 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 212d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6) + 7 = 181d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

ref save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Free action rage and Titan's rage
Spend a surge for amazing initiative for standard action to break grapple
opposed grapple check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Charactor folio reroll at +1
opposed grapple check reroll +1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

if fail to break grapple, then use standard to break and shift away. otherwise stay in grapple.
opposed grapple check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

if break after reroll, full attack and spend a Ki for additional attack
Att1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Dmg1: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (4, 2) + 19 = 25
Att2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Dmg2: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (3, 1) + 19 = 23

if not dead yet, then spend another surge for fleet charge.
Att3: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Dmg3: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (1, 4) + 19 = 24

Dmg taken: 13+18= 31 /49

Seeing an opening, Nihilin rushes the creature, his sickle catching the light in its curve.

Sickle charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Her senses warning her of the danger in the surprise round, Kazumi activates the wand, casting a spell of impact upon her bow, even as she tries to dodge the lightning.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Surprise round action from Forewarned ability. Cast Gravity Bow on my bow. Chris, looks like we need reflex also for the lightning breath.

Failing to dodge, but her fiendish heritage absorbing some of the energy, Kazumi curses and fires a stream of arrows at the creature.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 252d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8
Arrow 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 192d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 = 10
Arrow 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 192d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 = 14

Taken 21 electricity damage. Use mythic rapid shot for 3 shots.

Arrow 1 Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 86d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 6, 3, 2, 1, 1) + 9 = 27

I think it's dead yeah? We dealt 113 damage in total so far.

As the beast falls, Kazumi lowers her bow and swaps out another wand, healing herself and Clem9.

Use 5 charges from Infernal Healing wand, unless anyone wants to help CLW instead.

Aedit casts CLW on the party
CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Aedit casts Detect Magic to see if the behir has any loot.

The behir’s relative isolation leaves it with little treasure. You do find that It wears a crown of swords as a ring on one claw and a boro bead.
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Ignoring rest, the party continues on.

After hours of hiking, the scarps on the sides of the canyon gradually descend, until the whole of the terrain becomes a gradual slope encircled by distant mountains and deep chasms.

The open valley offers an unobstructed view of the region, and you spot a campsite on a mountain nearby; the light (if at night) of a campfire is clearly visible to the party just a few miles away. The signal soon disappears, but it is enough to confirm that the you are on the right path.

When they reach the campsite, over an hour later, the you find a recently extinguished fire, bloodied bandages, and fresh tracks.

fort save needed DC 15 else fatigued.

Aid perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Know Dungeoneering take 10 + Guidance = 20
Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Can I cast Endure Elements to avoid the fatigue? Afterall the fatigue is due to hot weather conditions

Yes you may