THE REFUGE OF TIME Core (Inactive)

Game Master Helikon

The letter that arrives bears Venture-Captain Heidmarch's seal, and seems to contain an enclosure.
"Greetings, Pathfinders! I have new information for you about our agents' discoveries regarding the cult of Lissala. When the Ten learned of the cult's active existence, they sent a team to infiltrate a cell in the industrial town of Pali n's Cove. During that mission we learned that the cult intends to bring back the ancient Thassilonian Runelord Krune to rule Varisia. Pathfinder agents next encountered Lissaians here in the City of Strangers and discovered that the cultists aim to return the runelord by using refuge tokens that he created for his followers to reach his hidden location. Our Pathfinders also uncovered the location of an ancient Lissalan shrine, documented to hold a cache of these refuge tokens. The enclosed map shows the location where the shrine is said to be-the fastest way thereis from Kaer Maga west into the Wyvern Mountains.
Find the shrine and recover the refuge tokens so that we may use them to access krune's lair, thus preventing the Lissalans from raising their runelord. Don't attempt to use the tokens yet-we also need to uncover the proper command words. And hurry, please! A group bearing the Sihedron-Lissala's holy rune-was seen leaving the city two days ago. They must seek the shrine as well. "Should you have additional questions about your mission, seek out a trusted informant in the Downmarket District, a textile merchant named Allira Vandane. She will aid you as much as she can. May Desna smile upon you, Pathfinders."

"Looks like we have several who can handle the rune translation. Leaves me free to knock some heads together in this rival group."

"Are you interested in us bringing any back alive?"

From this ancient Lissalan shrine and the supposed tokens. Do we have a description of their appearance so we will recognize them?

Lasaraleen asks as she bows to Bramble and the others assembled.

The map shows where the location of the shrine from Kaer Maga west into the Wyvern Mountains. I am not familar with that area. Are there any guides? Or would Allira Vandan know?

A holy looking female wearing attire showing she is an adherent of Desna props her head up from a dusty tome and raises her voice during the briefing.
"This sounds like a long trip- how long will it take us approximately?" she asks. It is easy to see she is not one that is used to physical activity.

The young woman with long blonde hair in a braid and with many tattoos enters the room.
Runes? Those might be fun to decipher. she says.

Gather information or knowledge Local 10 to find Allira.

Lasaraleen smiles as her sisters in arms assembled

"Oh this is going to be splendid. We can all go for brunch after we deal with this dreadful problem . First to see we can locate this Allira ."

Gather info : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

You do find Allira. She is ready to answer your questions.
"Allira, you searched. Allira, you have found. What do you want to know?"

I do hope that we don't find anything that sucks our souls. she said. That is not fun at all

Greetings, Allira. A total pleasure to meet you. I wish we had more time to chat, but we are in a bit of a rush.

She pauses with a smile for the woman.

We, four sisters-in-arms, are in search of a shrine in the Wyvern Mountains. We have a have map showing where the shrine from Kaer Maga but were told you were the expert of the area. If you were us, what would you want to know, knowing what you know? Or can you offer any other assistance, assuming you know what we seek?

Allira looks at Lasaraleen and shrugs.
"I have heard a few rumors. Make haste, maybe you are faster than them. The shrine is maybe 100 miles from here."

You can make knowledge history about Thassilon´s past, Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy (gather information) for rumors on the street that may provide useful information and knowledge (religion) for information about Lissala.

Who is this Lissala?
kn:rel: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Lasaraleen tries to recall any training she had in the temples of the Dawnflower.

She shares what she remembers.

Just dreadful!

Lasaraleen will remember the following:
Lissala is not a deity commonly worshiped among today's faithful.
She was a lawful evil Thassilonian deity of runes, fate, obedience, and the reward of service.
Lissala is worshiped by Thassilonians as the goddess of magic. Her holy symbol is the Sihedron Rune, and her favored weapon is the whip. Her cult was known for its flagellations and mortifications of the flesh.

I'm still here; I just don't have any of the skills to contribute.

Well, that is about all I know. Not a very nice deity for sure!

She looks around to see if any of the others knew anything about the local history.

I dreaded history lessons, so I am no help there. But I may be able to ask around for any other information of use to our mission.

diplomacy Gather: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Oh joy. I can tell this is going to be one of 'those' games where the dicebot loves the skill rolls and then will be giving me a lot of ones during combats and saves when they really count. :(

Lasaraleen will also learn the following:
The Wyvern Mountains are home to fearsome aerial predators, such as wyverns and giants. Few expeditions travel there, so any site could have gone undiscovered.
A fellow Acadamae graduate recognized his former classmate Naroth Balam as the head Lissalan cultist leaving Kaer Maga 2 days ago. Back in Korvosa, Naroth focused so narrowly on conjuration magic that he completely forsook evocation and illusion spells-he was incapable of even using a wand or scroll of one of those schools.
The Lissalans abducted several travelers outside the city, including a dwarven merchant from Janderhoff and a Taldan noble.

If someone has any more questions or skillrolls I will add them in spoilers.

Your voyage is uneventful until you arrive at the valley entrance. Runoff has carried sediment from the recent excavation into a nearby stream, providing a visible path directly to the entrance for any within sight.
In the mountain valley, sparse trees sprout from cracks in the steep cliffs, bending in the direction of the constant, howling wind. Piles of scree litter the ground at the base of the cliffs. In a hollow with a muddied brook, a hole in the mountainside opens up. It was clearly excavated recently-piles of soil and rock flank the opening. A perfectly square tunnel the height of an ogre cuts through worked stone, leading to a chamber beyond. Light from within reveals muddy tracks in the dust that coats the floor of the tunnel.
Suddenly you hear an angelic voice shout in common.
" Halt, tomb robbers! You shall not enter this sacred site. One more step and you will be destroyed."
Please add your token to the map!

Know Planes 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

With only a voice the sorcerer has no idea.

apologies- got called in over the holiday weekend to do 4 days of double shifts

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

After being mostly quiet on the travel here due to contemplating Wynnith snaps back into action at the loud voice that called them robbers...

"We are not robbers... at least I am not... are any of you robbers..? I am a scholar... I like to read... But anyway to you over there... We are not robbers... we come in peace!" she stammers out leaving her mystic haze of reflection.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

oh the dice gods hate us right now

Now is a VERY Good time to let your charm play!

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Aid Diplomacy
We are not grave robbers. Nope. No siree she says,.

"Like my good friend said... we are not bad people. We are good people. Who are you by the way. Let us be friends."

Diplomacy and hoping for a better roll: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

The angelic voice is to be heard again.
"You are allowed to come closer, but leave all magical items behind! And I will cast a dweomer to ensure that you speak the truth. Accept the binding and we can talk!"

Stepping forward a bit with a bow.

"Indeed. I am Lasaraleen and no robber. We are scholars and explorers. You are asking much of us without so much as offering the name or face of who we speak."

will auto assist on diplomacy if relevant .

I'd have my bow out, for the overland journey, after the warning about wyverns.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"I am afraid if I were to drop all magic items, I would be naked as a babe.
You are free to scan me with arcane eyes, it's not that I'm prudish, I actually think I've got a very good body. Worked hard to get these muscles, earned a flat stomach you can bounce sling bullets off.
It's just that it would take forever to put everything back on. There's all sorts of knots and buckles and you have to know what you're doing..."

Do you keep your magic items on, or do you put them on a pile behind you.

"How about I step forward sans magic items to speak with you politely. My friends can stay back with their items until we have concluded our conversation after I convince you that we are not threat and are on the side of good. Is that agreeable?" Wynnith asks and begins putting her magic items in a pile in front of the others.

Lasaraleen will add her items with Wynneths while the other two guard the pile. She keeps only her priestess outfit and holy symbol for the exchange.

Since you have not disclosed your name or motives, I will likewise join my friend for the conversation, but you will forgive us if we do not all approach without more assurance on your part.

lasaraleen is willing to hang back and guard the pile of either of the others wanted to advance instead

"The world is a dangerous place. A true peacemaker would know not to ask others to disarm, without having done so themselves, as a proof of intent."

Is there a link to the map?

You have not revealed who or what you are. We would be foolish to leave ourselves open to a trap or another type of attack. she syas,

A monaic Deva reveals itself.
Map link at the top of the page

"Well aren't you beautiful. As I said before my name is Wynnith and I am a scholar of sorts. And who might you be?" Wynnith says after seeing the body behind the voice.

I am a humble servant of Sarenrae, the Dawnflower. with a deep bow of respet.

May we ask who you serve and your purpose here in this desolate place? We came seeking knowledge, as we have said.

The Angel replies "I am Glory of the morning. I am tasked to guard this entrance. May I ask why you seek to enter this building?"

Lasaraleen replied

"We seek to enter the shrine and recover something within so we may use it to prevent evil Lissalans from raising their runelord. A group bearing the deplorable Sihedron-Lissala's holy rune-was seen leaving the city two days ago. Perhaps you have seen them? ."

The deva replies quickly.
"Do you have any proof that what you think is true is true?"

<whisper>"Should we show it the Captain's letter?</whisper>

"Dont you have some means to check if we are lying? I have read that some angelic beings can detect lies or the evil aura that some people exude." Wynnith asks the being. "If not then you would have to take our word for it since we have not lead you astray or lied to you as of yet. We came to you in open arms and in peace. Is not that proof enough?"

We have no reason to lie. The Dawnflower will definitely not want to let the Lissalans succeed at their dreadful plot, and I am assuming that you would not either.
So either you can aid us or just let us pass. Otherwise, you are aiding the Lissalans.
And you would find them like totally less trustworthy than any of us, that is for sure.

The deva replies."I know that you think what you say is true. If it is the truth, is another matter. Someone is not telling the full story. But why do you say Lissalans. What do the despicable followers of this vile godess want?"
It just needs a good diplo roll!

Diplomacy 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

[b] My my, I have never seen an angelic being before. Such a nice looking creture. Anyway, we are here to stop what ever evil is set to come. Please, let us do this. [/b[ she states.

Lasaraleen nods and responds directly to the question.

It is our understanding, and we both believe it to be true, and have no reason to doubt, the Lissalans want nothing less than to bring back the ancient Thassilonian Runelord Krune to rule all of Varisia! Certainly, you cannot support that!

diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 (+2 or +4 if can count COREICPC's check and Wynnith as assists)

"We have a letter, from our Captain, explaining the urgency.
It confirms us as Pathfinders, if you have had previous dealings with that organisation, you may know that they work hard to keep out dishonest members.
And it explains why we believe what we do."

I'll lower the bow, and reach for the letter, offering it to the deva.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 12 (plus any applicable modifier for the letter)

The deva smiles at Lasaraleen and hands her a pouch full of platinum coins. "You may enter!"

She accepts the sack with a deep bow at the waist

"You have our thanks. May the Dawn smile upon you and your service to all good."

She waves to the ladies to bring the gear forward and she equips herself.

"I just hope it is not too late to stop those dreadful cultists ."

Turning again to the Deva if it still stands near.

So are we the first visitors here in the past few days, or were there others?

***

Once she has finished reconnecting her gear, she will take out a rod and cast an extended Protection from Evil circle upon herself.

Stay close girlfriends. No telling what we may find within.

Wynnith smiles at Lasaraleen and then retrieves her gear. She casts Mage Armor and Longstrider upon herself before entering.

The impossibly large blocks of the shrine's walls are in such good condition that they seem to have been laid only decades ago. Carved into the stone, spiky script is clearly visible throughout the room. Stone double doors stand in the east and west walls.
Each is decorated with a seven-pointed star, and each blade of a star displays a spiky rune. One rune per star glows with an amber light that illuminates the room. Also in the western wall, a short square tunnel leads back outside, with a score of muddy footprints showing the way. A passageway to the south leads to another lit room. The air inside the shrine is cool and fresh.

Did the Deva say anything about other/prior visitors when asked?

No, it won´t tell you anything about them.