Sior's PFS Destiny of the Sands Part II : Race to Seeker's Folly (Low-tier) (Inactive)

Game Master Sior

I was hoping they might.

Together, we try again.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Aid?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Teric decides to try to help too. He leans on the door with his weight.

Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Str check, Aid Darvik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Prothero agrees that working together makes more sense, but his feet slip in the sand and he's more of an obstacle than a help. So he shoves everyone out of the way, grumbling, "Let me do it!"

Str check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Together, Darvik and Teric push the doors inward, letting the sand flow freely down the passageway. Indeed it seems that Darvik could have done the task himself that time, but help is always appreciated.

Unveiled by the doors' opening, the party sees a short passageway leading to an obscured courtyard. The archway’s ceiling contains a recessed inscription in Ancient Orisiani that has avoided the worst of millennia of erosion. Linguistics?

Within the courtyard, winds gust around violently, whipping sand and fine grit through the air. Creates concealment for anything beyond 10 ft. Within the cloud, you can make out piles of objects and ramshackle tents barely standing after countless ages.

Damn dirt. Darvik says as he tries to push onward. Any of you magey types feel anything mystical or something?

Borax examines the the inscriptions but does not read them aloud.

Linguistics T10=19 (GM rolls inspiration)

Prothero is about to stride forward into the wind-blown courtyard when he sees Borax pause to study the inscriptions on the ceiling. "Hmm, good thinking," he says, "maybe it'll warn us of some danger that we can't see in the sandstorm ahead."

He waits to see what the carved symbols say.

1d6 ⇒ 4

The text is in Ancient Osiriani, roughly translates to a welcome to travelers and an offer of safety from the winds. Which is rather odd considering the dust storm happening just inside the compound.

Borax attempts to determine if there is some arcane magic at work right before their eyes.

Knowledge Arcana to Identify a spell effect in place: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 + 1d6 ⇒ 1

"I could be wrong, but the inscription suggests safe harbor from the winds. I recommend someone attempts to detect magic again.."

Borax also takes a minute to scan the are for clues he may have missed.

Perception T20

"Perhaps it's trying to be ironic." Teric chuckles and casts his spell. His eyes flash blue momentarily again.

Detect Magic

Perhaps there's something we must do to demonstrate that we are honest travellers seeking shelter and the winds will stop?

How about just tellin' it to stop being so windy so we can rest? Darvik suggests. He will move forward if the party gives him the green light to do so.

The inscriptions are not magical, nor is the sandstorm in full gale within the courtyard. Lemme know when you would like to proceed into the courtyard.

Prothero nudges Darvik, and proceeds behind him into the courtyard.

Two going in, then? Shiny.

Order:
Darvik
Defah
#2&4 (Knowledge (religion))
Prothero
Teric
#1&3
Borax

At the first step towards the courtyard, you can see several piles of what appear to be bodies rising through the sands. A form rises from each, the remnants sloughing off its exposed form. Whatever they are, they mean to harm you. Perhaps that offer of refuge has expired?

Darvik and Defah are up!

Map is linked at top of page.

Bonus points for the Firefly reference! Now I'll wait my turn.

Concealment, but not Total Concealment, yes? As in I can still see them to know that there's a threat and to identify them?

Know (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Browncoat for life. And to Defah, just concealment.

Even through the dust, Defah recognizes them as plague zombies! One question.

What's special about plague zombies as opposed to just plain zombies?

Defah shouts Plague Zombies! as he steps past the others, getting closer to the undead menace. Holding his holy symbol aloft, he shouts Nethys demands your destruction, undead filth! Channel Positive Energy to harm undead: 1d6 ⇒ 2 DC 8 Will for half. Sensing that that will not be sufficient to dissuade these horrors, Defah returns his grip to his spear, and waits for the monsters to approach. No readied action; just hoping to get an AoO when they close in.

Erm... they're plagued. As in if they hit you, you might be, too.

1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
4: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

They easily hold their own against Defah's smiting (Really? DC 8?) and exhale a hiss which seems eerily akin to laughter.

I'm a dwarf who embraced his Charisma penalty by dumping it further, what can I say? Besides, Channel isn't exactly a strong offensive option even with a good Charisma, so I didn't think I was giving much up.

Don't let 'em touch you! They're contagious!

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 + 1d6 ⇒ 6

Borax calls out, "antiplague will offer you some protection."

Three questions, Borax. And please PLEASE let one be 'what is its favourite colour?'. =P

Special defenses, special vulnerabilities (besides positive energy), Special attacks? Mainly can they move and attack or are they limited to a standard action each round?

Darvik steps to #4 and attempts to slice into it!

Scimitar vs FFAC I hope: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Darvik slices into the zombie with his sword. The impact causes the entire carcass to burst into a cloud of ash. It is quickly dissipated by the wind, but not before it gets all over Darvik and in his mouth, nose, and eyes. (Ew...) Fortitude save vs disease, please, Darvik.

The zombie's buddy storms in through the cloud and tries to slam into Darvik!

Slam: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 damage plus Fortitude save against disease

'Tries' being the operative word.

Prothero and Teric!

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Not wanting to risk a long shot in the blinding sand, Prothero takes a quick step towards one of the zombies and puts two arrows into it.

Five-foot step and flurry at #1

Flurry with Longbow, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Flurry with Longbow, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Okay, Darvik. We'll have some fun later regarding what you just caught ;-) 1d4 ⇒ 4 game days from now.

Prothero shoots two arrows into the zombie, causing it too to explode into a cloud of ash!

Teric moves into the room, but then skirts around behind Darvic towards the corner. When he gets there, he raises his hands and shouts arcane words into the wind. Blazing fire shoots out of his hands, envelops the zombies, and rushed right by Darvic's face.

Burning Hands: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Should get both zombies from there. Reflex save DC 15 for half.

First filth, now fire. Can't wait to see what's next.

2: 1d20 ⇒ 11
3: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Both zombies are unable to avoid the flame, however weak their burn.

The far zombie takes a step in to slam into Darvik!

Slam!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Very close, but alas 'tis a miss!

Borax, Darvik, and Defah!

Seeing that the zombies were too smart to trigger any attack of opportunity, Defah decides to be more direct and circles around behind them, before attempting to stab #2.

longspear, flanking: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22
piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Assuming that kills #2, Darvik will slide in front of Teric and attack the remaining villain!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 for Slash Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Shield: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 for Blunt Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Not too smart. Too hungry. Gauged Darvik was closer.

Defah steps around and stabs into the zombie, his lance punching a hole straight through it causing it to burst like its brethren! But Darvik is already affected so he does not need another save.

Borax, Darvik, Teric, and Prothero are up!

Although he'd rather keep as much distance as possible from the exploding zombies, Prothero wants to be sure of his shot. He takes a step forward and again looses two arrows at the remaining zombie.

5-foot step and flurry at #3

Flurry with Longbow, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Flurry with Longbow, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Prothero's aim wavers with the first arrow, but the second strikes home, putting the zombie down in a burst of putrescence.

Out of combat

Though the sands still rage throughout the courtyard, you are able to look around at your leisure.

To the north and northwest, you can make out two doors leading out from the storm.

To the east, two massive doors are set into the mountainside, surrounded by symmetrical wall carvings of pharaohs..

To the south, a stairway leads up to the sentry post above the gate.

Borax, grateful that Darvik stood between them and Borax, offers the fighter his vial of anti-plague.

"If you think you may have been infected, take this."

Borax examines the man, to give the impression he has skill in the healing arts

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Borax then begins examining the area for signs of treasure or traps.

Take 20= 25

"Good thinking, Borax," says Prothero, "I don't know what that zombie dust does, but I doubt it's good for you."

He glances at the stairs heading up to the sentry post, then says, "How about we take a quick look up there before heading inside? If we need to make a run for it, I want to be sure our exit doesn't have someone guarding it."

"Perhaps someone can provide our intrepid fighter with some divine or arcane resistance to the disease before he drinks the medicine?"

I believe the anti-plague gives you another saving throw and if someone casts Guidance/Resistance on you Darvik first, he'll get +1

Unfortunately, I cannot provide such assistance today Borax.

Teric looks at Darvik, trying to see if he can see any sign of sickness in the man. He shrugs. "If you cannot fight it off yourself..." He touches Darvik and adds his magical blessing to the man.

Guidance

Darvik tries to brush off, cough up or even blow the dust out of his nostrils before trying the antitoxin. Yeah, that was a fine experience. I recommend it to all of you. Darvik wipes his nose with the back of his hand and drinks.

Antitoxin Fort: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8 Wonderful, LOL.

Prothero studies Darvik a moment, but can't tell if the antitoxin has done him any good or not. He gestures with his free hand toward the stairs and says, "Darvik, would you mind? I'll be right behind you."

You may want to hold onto that antiplague rather than use it now. The way those work is as a preventative measure (+5 to your Fort save to keep from being diseased) or to aid your next save against it that day. You won't be making a new save for near a week, so... Granted there's no way Darvik could know this.

Looking around the courtyard, it is clear that whatever was of value has long since been taken. Here, the most valuable item is one of the more regal tents, but even that is bent, broken, and in all other ways disheveled.

Ah, well if that is how the thing works I see no reason to use it now.

Yeah, sure. What else could happen? Darvik will lead the party onward. Bunch of junk, that's all that's left here. Darvik heads toward the double doors up the stairs, then waits for the rogue-type to do his thing. No more surprises if we can help it, eh?

Yeah, I'm sure we would have read the instructions on the tin before dosing him, right?

Also, I think the description Sior gave was of the courtyard after the fight. We have not yet gone up the stairs, so we aren't at the double doors off the courtyard yet? Is that correct, Sior?

There are steps leading to the double doors. Those are a non-issue. There are stairs leading up to the sentry post above the gate. Either way is a direction to go.

Right, I had just posted earlier suggesting we try the stairs up to the sentry post first. If it's all right, can you presume Darvik led the way up those stairs, with Prothero close behind, so we can keep on goin'?