Sanctum of the Sages (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

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.”

In addition to Amenopheus' briefing, you recieve the following letter:

'Loyal Pathfinders,
The Sapphire Sage has requested our help once more as his hunt for the lost order of the Jeweled Sages and their iconic gemstones continues. Amenopheus tells us that Kafar and his pupil Nefti have snatched two of the gems: an emerald and a yellow topaz. It goes without saying that the Aspis Consortium’s involvement in this matter troubles me deeply; I will not have them outwit us as they did my colleague, Hestia. It saddens me that such a pair of brilliant operatives may die before your mission is over, but I would sleep better knowing that they were no longer a threat to the Society. Were that they had chosen to become Pathfinders rather than pawns of the Aspis Consortium!
I hereby deputize the Sapphire Sage Amenopheus to lead this expedition, and you shall assist him in his quest. Remember our tenets: explore, report, and cooperate. I look forward to receiving word of your success.
Godspeed,
Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir'

"Well, let us carry on. I haven't been in the mountains in quite some time!" Sir Quinton says, shrugging his shoulders as he adjusts to his newly purchased armor.

Quentin, how much does a +1 breastplate cost? I think I need to purchase one for Hagrym as well.

"Back to the gems? Well, it'd be nice to actually find those undamaged stones. And any chance to screw with the Apsis is a good day for me. Just no werewolves, I hope!"

Rekgar bows to the sapphire Sage.
"It'll be an honor to aid you in this."

A new wand tucked into his belt, a ring and a braid wrapped around his neck.

I Have Mythic Adventures. Do I get to build or would you prefer we just use the CS from Part 2 as it is.

[Dot]

As long as it follows the rules presented on the chronicle sheet, you may build as you wish!

Any questions or preparations before Amenopheus teleports you to the starting point?

Hagrym is ready!

One quick question: With the mythic, assuming we survive part III, do we lose it again? I'm just wondering how I want to do it all on my character sheet...

Yes, except for a possible small bump. You'll definitely want two character sheets: original and extra crispy.

OK, thanks. I'll try to mythicize Sir Quinton in the next 24 hours.

I'm confused about the Mythic discussion. Is there something that happened in the 2nd scenario I have forgotten?

At the end of the session you got a 3 page chronicle sheet. The Ghostly Sage gave you some of her power, making you mythic. And making me able to throw really nasty monsters at you without guilt. Check the chronicle for info how to be Mythic for this game.

My sheet doesn't say any of that, DM. Could you check and see about the one I received. Let me check again! That sounds awesome.

I mentioned it at the end of last round, but didn't get an answer. :) And, yeah, I'm really excited that PFS is using mythic.

I'm a doofus and never noticed there was more than one page in my sheet! I need to work on it for a bit, then. My bad.

Hagrym Chronicle Sheet

Quinton Chronicle Sheet

Quinton, wait what did you mention at the end of last round? I'm confused.

Okay, I have added the mythic stuff to the bottom of my profile. I will adjust my initiative in the header that posts with my message. Other than that, I should be able to take care of adding the bonuses. I took Rally and Surprise Strike as Exceptional Deeds.

Sorry, not round. At the end of the previous scenario, here. (Note that since I never got that reply, I never followed through on that purchase until at the end of the next scenario.

Oh okay. Sure you can purchase that prior to this adventure if you wish!

Yup. Did that and enchanted armor. Thanks.

I hadn't noticed either. I'm going to go look now. BTW, guys, I'm going to become a father for the second time sometime in the next 5 days or so, so if I suddenly run silent, feel free to bot me until I come back. I should be safe through the weekend, though.

Congrats, in advance!

Here we go!

Amenopheus gathers you together and speaks the words of a teleportation spell. You appear in the mountains south of Eto, the Pillars of the Sun. Amenopheus points out the way the pair you are following has gone and off you walk.

After three hours of walking in the hot and dry mountains, the tracks you are following suddenly split, with one set heading down one fork and the other down the other fork. Amenopheus studies them for a moment, then announces he will head down the left fork and you lot should head down the right fork. Splitting up reluctantly, you follow his instructions.

I need a Survival check from you lot, as well as 2 Fort saves vs heat from each of you! DC 15, then DC 16. A character in very hot conditions (above 90° F) must make a Fortitude saving throw each hour (DC 15, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d4 points of nonlethal damage. Characters wearing heavy clothing or armor of any sort take a –4 penalty on their saves. A character with the Survival skill may receive a bonus on this saving throw and might be able to apply this bonus to other characters as well (see the skill description). Characters reduced to unconsciousness begin taking lethal damage (1d4 points per hour). If you take nonlethal damage, then you are suffering from heatstroke and are fatigued!

However, after an hour of following switchbacks and steep trails, the track you're following suddenly ends at a sheer mountain cliff! Ten minutes of searching finally reveals a trap door, cleverly hidden at the base of the cliff, that leads into a narrow tunnel going inward and slightly down...

After an hour of creeping through narrow dark tunnels, your path opens into a larger room. 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.

In the darkness, you hear the sounds of claws on stone, as well as the rattle of bones!

Initiatives:

Rekgar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Hagrym: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Karos: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Quinton: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Gaius: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
baddies: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Round 1:
28 Hagrym
26 Baddies
21 Karos
19 Quinton
16 Rekgar
11 Gaius

Rising from the shadows are a motley blend of hound-things and skeletons. Four humanoid skeletons rise, while two blue hounds with wicked teeth and tentacles stalk forward. At the front, clearly in charge, is a gaunt, long-limbed quadruped with huge, soulless eyes and a toothy maw. The lean creature moves with a predatory grace.

Hagrym is up! I need a fort save from his first off, in addition to his actions!

Survival 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Hagrym will aid the whole party on the Fort saves.

Fort 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Fort 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The dwarf casts Divine Favor, regaining the strength he has lost from the heat, and waits for the opponents to come to him. He will move back 10' if that would prevent any full attacks. Cant access the map right now.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

As Hagrym moves back, he catches the gaze of the lean hound-thing. Suddenly his body is wracked with horrible pain as a thousand slices cut into him, dealing 5d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 1, 3) = 11 damage to him!

The snarling beast lunges and attacks Gaius! Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 He hits, dealing 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 3) + 2 = 17 damage! The blue hounds attack as well, the southernmost one charging Karos, the northernmost one attacking Quinton!

Bite Vs Karos: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 and Bite vs Quinton: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Karos takes 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 and needs a Fort save!

The skeletons lurch forward, attacking Rekgar and Hagrym! Claw vs Hagrym: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 and Claw vs Rekgar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 and Claw vs Rekgar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Karos, Quinton, Rekgar and Gaius are up!

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 4 + 2 = 14
Fort save: 1d20 + 6 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 4 + 2 = 10
2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Sweating and feeling ill from the heat, Sir Quinton gives an exaggerated sigh as he enters the cool chambers.

"That was hotter than the time I got a little too close to an efreet army. Nearly took over Katapesh, they did!"

His eyes widen as he takes in the blue creatures and he whips his sword from its sheath, slamming it down on the creature in one quick sinuous motion as it seems to surge with power all on its own.

"Down, dog!"

+1 Greatsword (power attack/furious focus): 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 = 27
damage: 2d6 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 15
crit?: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 1 = 21 plus Legendary surge: 1d6 ⇒ 2
damage: 2d6 + 9 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 + 1 - 1 = 14

Any idea what these things are?
Knowledge (arcana), I'm guessing, for blue dog: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Knowledge (arcana), I'm guessing, for lead dog, if it's different: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

First use of sword's legendary power. 1/6

DM, it might not matter, but Hagrym would have an additional two on his fort save. In the previous post, I'd taken into account the minus four, plus two from his Survival skill check. Also, if the dogs attack was a spell or spell like ability, Hagrym would have an additional +5 to the save, for a possible total of plus Seven. Might not matter, but I wanted you to be clear.

Fort Save (DC 15): 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 - 4 = 15
Fort Save (DC 16): 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 - 4 = 17

Karos backs up and fires his musket at the blue dog from point-blank range.

+1 musket & PBS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 271d12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12

Okay, Gaius is out so let's continue.

Gaius suddenly fades away, and you find yourself unable to remember if he was here or not...

Karos steps back and fires at the blue hound, wounding it grievously! Quinton likewise raises his sword and feels the power surge through him! With a SNIKT, the hound's head goes flying as Quinton recogbnizes these blue creatures as Akata, hounds from outer space! Rekgar delays!

Fort Save for Karos: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Quinton Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Rekgar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Catching the gaze of the middle dog-thing, Karos and Quinton feel wounds appear on their bodies! They take Ripping Gaze: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 3, 3) = 16 damage!

Round 2:
28 Hagrym
26 Baddies
21 Karos
19 Quinton
16 Rekgar

Hagrym is up!

No luck on the middle dog-thing? Special weaknesses for the akata? DR? Special attacks?

No luck on the middle dog-thing. No DR. Their bite carries disease. Their head tentacles can attack as well. And they're blue.

Hagrym moves forward, brandishing his magical Greatsword, and swings at the boss dog!

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Damage 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 6) + 7 = 15

He uses his surge power, adding the higher 1d6+1 result to his attack roll.

Surge one 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Surge two 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Be careful of their bite," Sir Quinton yells. "They're diseased!"

Rekgar takes up a defensive position and waits it out.
Sorry RL called, I'll update as soon as I can.

Hagrym slashes at the boss-dog-thing and it snarls as he slashes a line across its side.

Hagrym Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 This time Hagrym is steeled as he catches the eye of the thing and feels no pain! However as he moves forward, the two skeletons slash at him! Skeleton: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 and 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 One skeletal slash lands, dealing 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 damage!

The boss dog snarls in an odd screeching tone and attacks Hagrym! Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21, dealing 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6, then claws at him twice! Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 and Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29, dealing another 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 damage! Then it's suddenly gone, reappearing across the room!

The injured hound steps to the side and attacks Quinton, seeing its mate perish at his hand! Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13, tentacle: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (20) - 3 = 17 and tentacle: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (13) - 3 = 10! Possible crit: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (9) - 3 = 6. One tentacle lands, dealing 1d3 ⇒ 2 damage!

One skeleton steps five feet to slash at Quinton! claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 and claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 One claw hits, dealing 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 damage!

Another steps behind Karos and claws at him! claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The final two attack Rekgar! claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 and claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 and claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 and claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Claws fly, but few land!

Karos, Quinton and Rekgar are up!

Ducking around the corpse of the nearest akata and away from the skeleton, Sir Quinton moves with seemingly impossible speed -- powered by the ruby gem -- behind the fleeing blinking dog, sword arcing toward it.

"Stay, you stupid mongrel! Sit!" he commands the critter.

Five foot step to northeast, then move 50' thanks to Impossible Speed
+1 Greatsword (power attack/furious focus): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
damage: 2d6 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 9 + 1 = 15

Quinton moves like a blur, but his swing misses the hound-thing by inches!

Karos and Rekgar!

Regkar answers with his own flurry of blows!!
Defensive Flurry 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 4 = 121d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Defensive Flurry 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 = 161d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Rekgar's second flurry catches the skeleton in the ribs and shatters its fragile spine, sending it flying in pieces!

Karos!

Karos steps back and reloads, but does draw an attack from the skeleton! AoO: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7, but it doesn't land!

Round 3:
28 Hagrym
26 Baddies
21 Karos
19 Quinton
16 Rekgar

Hagrym is up!

Hagrym attacks the boss again.

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Damage 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10

Hagrym, you're not near the boss-dog, but you are adjacent to one of the blue akatas. And you'll kill it, if you want to move toward the boss-dog afterwards!

Hagrym's greatsword sweeps out and slashes deep enough into the akata to kill it!

The lead-dog, now the only dog, turns and attacks Quinton, putting a great deal of strength into his bite! Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 and dealing 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5, 6, 3) + 2 = 21 damage! Once again he disappears, reappearing to the north between two columns!

Two skeletons attack Hagrym! Claw 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 and claw 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 and Claw 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 and claw 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15! Possible crit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15, but only one claw lands, dealing 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 damage!

One skeleton attacks Rekgar! Claw 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 and claw 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 One claw lands dealing 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 damage!

Rekgar, Quinton and Karos are up! Three skeletons and one hound-thing remain!

Quinton staggers a bit as the dog bites into him.

"Bloody hound ..." he mutters, and then his eyes roll up into the back of his head, as he falls unconscious.

Exactly 0 hp, but also 4 non-lethal; don't think I need to make a stabilization check -- and I guess hard to kill means I definitely don't.

Rekgar grimaces...That hurts!!
He returns the blows given to him.
Defensive flurry 1 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 4 = 8 for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Defensive flurry 1 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 = 14 for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Rekgar, have you added the mythic abilities we gained to yourself? I know Quentin and I did, but it don't remember you saying you had done so.

Quinton falls unconscious as Rekgar fumbles, but fails to land a blow on the skeletons! Karos fires at the skeleton! Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 12, hitting and dealing 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 damage! The skeleton explodes!

Round 4:
28 Hagrym
26 Baddies
21 Karos
19 Quinton
16 Rekgar

Hagrym is up!

Hagrym keeps attacking the closest enemy, knowing one more blow landed, and he's at least unconscious, if not totally dead. "For Gorum!"

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Damage 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11

One of the skeletons near Hagrym explodes as he smashes it!

The remaining skeleton attacks Hagrym! Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 and 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11, but neither can connect. The Hound thing disappears and reappears next to Rekgar, biting at him! Bite!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18. If it hits, it deals 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 3) + 2 = 15 damage!

Karos and Rekgar are up!