SO Destiny of the Sands 1 (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master ScorchedOne

No worries Stormy!

"Yes...stay!" ...and be destroyed!

The gnoll attempts to flee! Withdraw action, you may put it down if you can meet its speedx3, which the cat can with a charge/pounce, or ranged weapons.

When kitty grows up it can pounce. Not yet. It can charge though.

bite: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Theld watches as feline chases down the last gnoll. YES! This animal serves as a vessel for Rovagug. "Magnificent"

After the 'vessel' returns to Stormy, Theld eagerly offers up healing energy from his wand.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Gnoll fall down go gurgle gurgle.

Untouched, Akhenethys brushes dust from his robe and goes over to examine the sand beast. Knowledge(arcana, dungeoneering, or Nature?): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 23 for dungeoneering since it's one lower.

Stormy calls back her cat and rewards him with praise and dried meat. Such a good boy. She then begins to search for more threats as she secures the oasis, including looking for tracks to see how many gnolls traveled here and from what direction. Last she will drag the gnoll bodies away from the water to search and bury them in a shallow sandy grave.

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

The creature beneath the sands was a "Dust Digger" in case anyone cares.

The party finds the break refreshing. The one at the oasis, not the one with the fighting part. They are able to pick up and resume once they decide to do so, figuring their travels are needing to continue, but being able to pass the hottest part of the day in this oasis seems extremely comfortable and convenient.

Any loot? Any signs from where the gnolls came from?

During the respite, Farzinel scans the horizon looking for any sign of the other "party" mentioned by Torch.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"You and your cat were quite the asset in that battle." The wizard says to Stormy. "You two are clearly more in-tune with the land than the others. I trust we are still on the fastest route. Between your experience and the cat's strong nose, can you tell whether another group has recently passed this way?"

Gnoll loot is a number of spears, but nearby you find a cache containing a number of mostly worthless items. In addition to a silver cup worth 60 gp and a hodgepodge of coins, their ill-gotten gains include alchemical supplies from Thuvia that consist of an alchemy crafting kit (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Equipment 76), a vial of antitoxin, and two flasks of alchemist’s fire. There are also two flasks of liquid ice (Ultimate Equipment 108), a potion of blur, and a potion of haste.

During the respite, Farzinel scans the horizon looking for any sign of the other "party" mentioned by Torch.

[dice=Perception]1d20+2

"You and your cat were quite the asset in that battle." The wizard says to Stormy. "You two are clearly more in-tune with the land than the others. I trust we are still on the fastest route. Between your experience and the cat's strong nose, can you tell whether another group has recently passed this way?"

I am attempting to discern that now. the druid replies.

You can not determine if another group has been through here. Shifting sands leave little clue, and they probably used the map whereas you chose a different path.

"Well", quips Iago as he cleans his blade [b]"that was fun, right?" He looks on as Stormy begins to dig graves for the creatures, sighs, and goes to aid her. "You know" he states, using his hands to dig into the sand "they would have eaten us and left us to finish rotting without a grave. But I suppose we can't just leave them here, unless we want the entire desert's predators to come see what's cooking."

"Hopefully" he continues "they owned something to make up for the trouble of ending them. When do you think we can get moving again?"

Think of this as protecting the resource of the oasis. It could poison the water if one of these bodies ended up in it. And the did have some spoils. I found a cache where there hiding what they likely looted off of previous victims. Lets go see what all it contains.

Digging through the items Stormy notes Much of this can be sold for gold, but we can actually use a few of these items. Iago you should take this potion of Haste. I marvel at the damage you can deal out with a single swing of that great sword of your and with this, well, you might be unstopable. Lets give the potion of blur to Farzinel. Might keep him alive. Stormy recommends. Who wants to carry the rest?

Nitre pipes up in support of Stormy. "Yeah, we want to protect the oasis. It's a shame there's nothing we can do about others using it as a similar target though. It's always going to be an appealing trap for this like."

She digs in and helps dispose of the bodies as best as she can.

"I'll take some of those things, Stormy. I've definitely got room in my pack, and I could make use of some of the alchemical weapons. I haven't bought a bow or anything like that yet; it might be good to have something I can use at range."

Take what you need. The druid encourages.

Theld joins the others in digging a grave for the gnolls. If prompted, he performs some perfunctory 'last-rites', but does not initiate it of his own accord.

A bump was presented in OOC. Any other activity, or are we moving onward?

Lets move on!

Farzinel nods gratefully to stormy as he tucks the offered potion into his bag. He also accepts a flask of alchemists fire. "If there is no sign of another group, then I decision to take the direct route appears to have been the best one," notes the elf. "Lead on, Stormy."

Ready to go.

Akhenethys looks around for any sign the gnolls were connected to their competition, or anything else notable. Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

After his search, he rejoins the others as they say they are ready to continue. "I agree. Let us away."

Stormy leads the group onward.

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Stormy guides the group masterfully to their destination, and you arrive in what you think is an amazing amount of time, especially given that you were able to rest and have that little encounter at the Oasis. You feel that buying horses and travelling quickly this way will reflect itself in bonuses in the amount of time you can devote to studying the ruins.

The remainder of the journey through the desert proceeds uneventfully, with only the rise and fall of the dunes to break the monotony. A low, uneven hill of granite appears on the horizon to the northwest, presenting the only shelter for miles around. Although the crag appears solid from a distance, on closer examination there is a wide fissure in the rock sealed by a heavily weathered stone wall fitted with a large iron door.

Well, this is at least curious. What is an iron door doing way out here? Shall we try to gain entry?

Any tracks leading in or out?

"This may just be our destination, illustrious sage of the sands," Akhenethys says to Stormy, complimenting her for guiding them so well.

"Such a construct is clearly not natural." Farzinel notes. The elven wizard casts detect magic and peers at the door.

Theld sits atop his horse with disinterest as the others contemplate the door. We are either here or we are not. What does the material of the door matter?

Nitre happily draws her horse to a stop and dismounts to help investigate. "This has to be what we're looking for. Stormy did such a good job keeping us on the right track."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Thank you Akhenethys and Nitre. I am pleased my skills were useful. The druid comes close to a blush. Of course we are outside traveling the wilds. What type of druid would I be if I could not guide you well?

Farzinel finds no magic on the door. The archway’s ceiling contains a recessed inscription in Ancient Orisiani that has avoided the worst of millennia of erosion. You may translate this if you speak Ancient Osiriani or with a Linguistics Check.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Pretty sure this is a language of some sort...

Farzinel smiles as he recognizes the language of the recessed inscription. "The use of Ancient Osirani is a fair indicator that we have reached our destination, or at least some other place of antiquity worthy of further investigation."

Upon reading it, he notes, "It is a message welcoming travelers and offering them safety from the winds." Turning toward the party, he adds, [b]"An offer of hospitality across the eons, it would seem."

"Your fine druid skills led us here, Stormy. Even if they do not suggest an approaching wind storm, I say we accept the invitation, don't you?"

Akhenethys nods. "Let us be cautious, however. Once-hospitable environs may have fell to hostile entities over the eons."

Stormy looks over the door for traps and the like. If I wanted to deter entry I might inscribe such a message on the door and the put a pit trap on the doorstep. she notes. And if someone is home I'd rather not announce ourselves immediately.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Theld waits for the party to enter...or not. He seems content to stare at the back of his mount's head.

Why do horses have manes anyway? What is the point? If a horse has no mane, but has fur, is it bald?

You notice nothing else. There is an iron gate in front of you. It appears stuck but not locked. There are no footprints or any other signs of traffic.

The door is stick. Iago, give me a hand. Anyone have a crow bar?

Strength Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Theld dismounts and approaches Stormy and Iago. He murrmurs a brief prayer before touching them both. "Strength."

Casting Guidance to give them +1 on their strength check.

If Iago manages an aid, you'll be there. And yes, I will allow him to take 10. :P

The wind gusts about this small courtyard, filling the air with fine grit. Corpses litter the area, little more than bone and desiccated, leathery skin. A dry well occupies the center, surrounded by the remnants of an outdoor market, though even the best tent is tattered and leans precariously. To the east, a set of low steps rise to a set of stone doors surrounded by symmetrical wall carvings of pharaohs. Stairs to the south ascend to the outer wall.

Our own little caravansary. Stormy says in mock delight. Looks long deserted.

Iago, looking up at the scene as he brushed his hands from opening the ancient door stops, holds a hand up and draws his sword. "Better. Now, can someone explain why this ancient place with the welcome inscription has a bunch of super old dead bodies in the courtyard? Is there a trap here? Was there a trap? How about we be careful and double check what we are doing? Unless of course anyone wants to meet their end today."

Caaaaaaarefully looking around..

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Stormy looks about with care as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Iago notices that... some of those bones are not as bleached and immobile as he thought they were! Stormy notices similar things, because it took me too long to type up this post.

Theld
Stormy
Nitre
Akhenethys
Farzinel Bold May Act
IT
ZAMBIES
Iago

Unsure about the map. Can we advance under that section of map between us and the "zambies"?

Theld calls out a brief prayer to his patron.

Casting Bless. +1 to hit & saves vs fear.

Akhenethys steps forward to get a better look at the creatures. Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

What would he know about them? Special abilities, elemental/damage resistance, and special attacks would be his main focus.

Is this the same day as the oasis encounter or the next?

Is this the same day as the oasis encounter or the next?

This is the same day as the Oasis encounter, just later in the day. It took most of a day of travel to get here. You may pass underneath the gate, yes.

Akhenethys knows that these are Plague Zombies, a type of undead that carry disease and upon their final death tend to explode in a cloud that contains their disease. Their attacks also tend to pass along disease. No damage resistance or immunities. You feel like you could learn more about IT if you knew more about matters arcane.