Shifty PFS group Charlie (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Agraic keeps watch as this goes on, weapon at the ready.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

C'mon, folks, we don't have a lot of time for this. We really don't. Well, unless it's another Wayfinder...

Adeah peers down the gorge. "Hmmm... I don't cherish the thought of risking a fall like that, but if we were to leave something like that unexplored, it'd make us pretty bad Pathfinders. I'll go down if no one else will."

Did we resolve the belt before? Who was wearing it?

You all nervously start recovering the body, one eye io the pillar. Minutes seem like hours as the recovery takes place, but nothing untowards happens.

At the bottom of the chamber you discover a womans body, her broken, scarab-embossed wayfinder.

She also has:
a wand of protection from evil (10 charges)
a magical gem
a magical ring

Agraic is wearing the belt, we had the discussion in the OOC channel, no one voiced a complaint? Just for the remainder of the scenario, that is?

All good...

Whilst you wait around, Agraic feels a little lethargic... there is something very wrong with the belt...

The polearm-weilding half-elf yawns a bit and leans against the polearm as the expedition to get the fallen Pathfinder's remains goes on, catching himself snoring a bit every so often.

"...huh... snkkk... sorry. Must be a long day or something..."

He might not realize right off that it's the belt, after all.

Oh, that was the guy who "drowned in the desert" or whatever. Not good. I'll pitch in for Remove Curse at the end of the scenario, Agraic, if it is indeed cursed. :-/

Well done! Magrim says, patting Adeah on the back. Maybe we can try to recreate some of these symbols in a safer place. Let's press on.

2d20 ⇒ (18, 10) = 28

You push forward, but the dwarves in the party immediately notice something out of place with the stonework ahead...there is the clear markings of a trap.

The arch around the north entrance to this hallway is covered with detailed carvings depicting the life and accomplishments of a female pharaoh. A charred corpse covered in flecks of glass is visible just inside the hallway.

You drag his body out from the hallway with reach weapons without stepping inside. His pack holds notes about the ruins and correspondence from the Pathfinder Society leadership, though if subjected to the trap, the pack and its contents are destroyed. His notes record his suspicions about a trap in the hallway and that he had located a switch to bypass it.

Thanien’s pack holds a broken scarab-embossed wayfinder and a scroll of remove curse.

In addition, there is a letter bearing the seal of the Decemvirate. See handouts

With two dwarves and ths situational bonuses, the trap is able to be switched off

***

Past the archway, you can see the room beyond.

This large columned chamber shows signs of past comforts, but an ancient battle scorched the walls and ceiling, and cracked and smashed the floor and columns. The remnants of furniture are scattered against the walls, and piles of bodies are stacked in the sleeping alcoves along the south and west walls. A dais crowned with a great, round table rises from the floor in the south part of the room. Three corpses sit around the table as if in conference, each dressed in fine silk robes. A slight breeze whistles through with a sound like a distant, murmuring voice, but there is no sense or meaning in it. An open hallway to the north leads to a natural cavern. Stairs lead downward in the northeast corner of the room, but were buried in stone when the wall collapsed.

On the table you can see the sparkle of broken ruby fragments

Moving in cautiously, noting stirs...

You suspect this is the clue Amenophus was looking for, and can contact him via the sending stone

"Look alive, Sleepy," Adeah says to Agraic as she goes through the dead Pathfinder's gear. "Anyone know what this wand is?"

She knows the ring and gem are at least worth keeping, but can't detect any magic.

"Wha? Huh? Done already? Okay, good. Oh, hey... glad I... wow. Yeah. Let's finish this up so we can get some rest then?"

Agraic's dragging a bit, yes.

Henrick, an expert on the undead, is suspicious that nothing is moving in this mass of the dead, so he inspects more closely (and cautiously).

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Think we should be calling Amenophus now?"

If nothing jumps out at him, he will approach the table to see what can be done with the ruby bits.

"Yeah, let's do that. Th' call Amenophous thing. Yeah. Good id..

Agraic drifts off again...

Kel gives Agraic a pensive look.
Mate, are you ok? You seem a bit... off.

You use the sending stone to contact Amenopheus and let him know you have discovered the remnants of one of the jewels, he immediately begins scrying on Henrick to study the location for accurate teleportation. He responds with a short message that he will arrive in one hour.

***

You hear movement back the way you came... footsteps, several of them...!

You have a few rounds before they arrive

Henrick scoops up the fragments and puts them in his sack. Then he looks for a place to hide. He also uses his undead adaptation to naturally aid his protection. (+2 natural armor for 10 minutes)

Agraic, come here, Magrim says hastily, casting a spell before the enemies arrive.

Enlarge Person on Agraic. I'll also use Animal Focus (Bull) on myself and Tiger on Lagertha.

Adeah ducks behind a corner, giving herself a hiding spot. She carefully sets her musket pointed toward the doorway.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Readied action (musket shot, touch): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Damage: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Kel takes up a position near the door, ready to sneak attack the first person that comes through.

"Just a bit tired is all. Probably just all the things we've done today."

He stifles a yawn and then moves over by Magrim and blinks as he gets a bit larger, but he is kind of uncertain about positioning. While he'll be a great roadblock, at the same time he'll also be blocking the rest of the party.

He'll wait for everyone to get into position before moving, and take advice as to where to go. Feel free to move him around within reason

When folks do get within reach he'll engage the rage and death vagrant as only a Pathfinder can...

A group of people marches in to view on the bridge. A band of Northmen with shields and axes move cautiously towards your position. A woman seems to be whispering advice quietly to a bearded brute holding a greatsword - perhaps she is some soothsayer.

Seeing Agraic so boldly in front, the bearded man yells, incensed and enraged "WHO ARE YOU? WHO DARES DENY ME THE WEAPON WITH WHICH TO DEFEAT THE GREAT LINNORM!?"

See map, inset picture is the leader

Someone else want to field this one? Agraic's just about to go frothy, he wouldn't be a very good diplomat for this... Still, let's just put this out there...

Intimidate: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

"NO WEAPON here!" Spittle begins to spray from the larger half-elf. "Weapon on statue!!"

Of course, looking all shades of frothy and incensed and enraged about the same thing that the Northman leader is angry about might actually be a good thing.

No one had moved Agraic, so I moved him up a bit to be able to theoretically keep folks 'on the bridge'...

Weapon to defeat the Great Linnorm? What in the nine hells is he talking about?

Guess I should've specified a trigger condition. Readying an action for the first person to attack Agraic or any of us. Although since that'll probably happen outside her field of vision I guess it won't matter.

Henrick moves up behind Agraic, and whispers "Bring them to us, friend. We have more room in here, and can pick our positions."

With that, he readies his urgrosh to attack any foe that comes within reach.

"And who are you?" he shouts.

Barely containing his rage, Agraic pulls back some at Henrick's suggestion. The symmetry between the Pathfinder team and the northmen goes completely missed.

"I am Yjalk of the Land of the mighty Linnorm Kings! You are robbers and thieves trying to steal the weapon I was prophesied to defeat the great Linnorm with! I know you have it, and it isn't the sword in the well!" he looks all wild eyed, but his fellow northmen look pretty smart and are not advancing, simply maintaining readiness (and tightly locked shields). The woman with him keeps whispering into Yalks ear, almost as though trying to calm him.

"'m Agraic. Mercenary. Sword's the only weapon HERE!" Agraic's surprised he's been able to not completely flip out and start tossing folks into the ravine...

The only thing in here is the remnants of a ruby, and it doesn't belong to any Ulfen. It is the property of the Jeweled Sages of Osirion, who sent us to retrieve it. You are mistaken. Leave in peace, or suffer the consequences.

"That must be the weapon then, the ruby! Yes! The ruby! That makes sense! Hand it over! Your minor threats and posturing means little to us... give me the mighty ruby!"

The man seems rather unhinged, and you have a deep suspicion he doesn't actually know what the weapon is

"Well, this one is in pieces, and I am pretty sure it would be useless to you. However, if you stand down, we would be willing to help you find the weapon you do seek."

Scratching his head, he then asks "How do you know it isn't the sword in the well? Were you able to examine it?"

There is a bit of quiet conversation again, then the man yells back "Who would place a weapon with which to kill a Linnorm in a well!? Clearly it would be there where you are in the hall of power!"

Anyone want to try bluff him to mislead, or diplomacise with him and convince him something else could be used in a brave battle with a Linnorm?

Kel shouts back.
Mate, isn't there more glory in defeating such a mighty for with your own weapon, so that it may become legend along with you? I would think trying to find a magic weapon in another land to accomplish such a feat would be a lesser way out! Tell me, don't your people value their own strength over that of a magic weapon?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Yep. Folio Reroll That One: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Magrim nods approvingly.

I don't want to say anything and make the situation worse, but good move Kel!

There is a bit more murmuring and some confused conversation, "So you are saying the real weapon is that sword back there, hidden in plain sight? There's no weapon in that room with you?" he still looks wild eyed, but confused...

Thats a great roll! Anyone else going to chime in?

Shifty, if you want to go with the "sword in the other room is better" route, then it would be bluff I guess, and that's two points higher than diplomacy for me if you want to sub it in.

Agraic tries to calm down, a bit confused as well since the fight has turned to talking. Hated evil talking.

Can't hose it up too much, either it assists or it doesn't...

Diplomacy (Assist Kel): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

"In Cayden's name, 'tis th' only weapon we've seen *in* this rotten hole. Share a drink with you over it, even."

Agraic will tilt his head towards his backpack on the wall. "I've got a couple kegs, I can share them around, even. Drunken Hero'd get right behind this."

Even with that roll, offering booze might help? Don't be afraid to try, folks, y'never know.

Yeah I'll run with Bluff, its not actually bluffing, at this point it all mostly guess and conjecture - for all you know you could be right :p

Agraic just adds more weight to the confusion, but neither helps nor hinders in doing so.

I'm a tracker and guide, and I've led my share of expeditions. There's no great weapon here, I promise, but if you let us conduct our business we'll show you to this sword.

Diplomacy AA: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

My other PFS characters are all great at diplomacy! ;-)

Can Henrick and Adeah weigh in on this?

Henrick thinks your all doing fine, but with a -1 bluff or diplomacy, was just trying to avoid making it worse. As we seem at the end of our options, though...

"There is no great weapon here, to be sure, but I bet that if you saw a sword in that well, that must be what you came for."

Aid, bluff or diplomacy your choice: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Hey, if it's a Bluff, we're already sitting at 29, with a 27 for Diplomacy with that aid, so it did help a lot, at least from my perspective?

Deciding that she'd be of more use helping them talk their way out than staying hidden, Adeah leaves her hiding place.

"We didn't take your stupid weapon," she says from behind the wall. "You've already passed it, so go back and get it yourselves."

Aid another (Bluff): 1d20 ⇒ 8

Unfortunately, Adeah isn't one of my Bluffier characters...

The leader of the warband looks confused - he came for battle and plunder and the disruption has clearly thrown him, some hushed debate ensures and some pointing and some questioning, he then starts backing up his men (and woman!) rearward.

Five rounds have passed

A moment after the warband steps off the bridge, the room trembles, the brazier in the center of the table ignites with emerald fire, and the spectral form of the Sage of Plagues rises from the flames!

Somethng else rises, undead, from the bodies at the table as they rip and reform into a singular mass!

R1
Kel
Henrick
ENEMY

"This can't be good..."

Henrick tries to discern any information he can regarding the new undead formation.

Knowledge, religion - undead bonus: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
In order of concern: special attacks, special defense, raison d'etre

Assuming it is hostile...

Henrick wastes no time in trying to send the undead abomination back to the underworld with a vicious chop of his urgrosh.

Attack, 2 handed, power, vs undead: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 14

Henrick is about to start swinging and he recalls this is an Allip, and the one thing he remembers is that they are incorporeal!

"Hmm. Allip. Standard weapons ain't gonna cut it here folks. If you got magic, now is the time to use it."

With that, he steps back and starts to apply oil of magic weapon on his axe blade.

Rogelio, can you cast Magic Weapon on me from that scroll we found? I think I can hit it for a lot if you do. :-)

I have Combat Reflexes, so if the mass of corpses moves through my threatened reach I'll take an AoO on them. Won't bother on the Allip, though.

AoO if possible: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11

All above noted, just waiting on Kel

Kel shakes his head.
Bloody hell mate. I hate undead!

He pulls a holy water from his bandolier and lobs it at the incorporeal one.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

The holy water burns the undead beautifully!

The Sage of Plagues (allip) moves in and tries touching Kel,
Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
but misses.

The fleshy beast steps only five feet and attacks the Trex!
Slam 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5+Fort Save.

Slam 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11+Fort Save.

R1
Rogelio
Adelah
Agraic
Magrim

R2
Kel
Henrick

Allip - 7
Golem - 0