The Devil We Know Series (Part IV: The Rules of the Swift) (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

Survival Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Tippy helps whomever seems best equipped to navigate the wilderness.

As the spiders flee from the fire wielding pathfinders Iaodal lets out a sigh of relief. "अच्छा छुटकारा... I positively detest vermin. "
Survival aid: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1 He looks about and quickly give up on finding the route.

"Was anyone injured? I can at least be of some assistance then."

"I took a few...hundred...bites, but I don't feel like they were poisonous,"Tippy says.

I too despise vermin, they are of such low repute that a true hero shouldst not even recognize them as foes only flora and fauna, however sir Iaodal thine "spark" was of assistance and a credit unto the light.

Then Eldlen looks around to find a trail

survival: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 = 17

I thank thee for thy assistance Sir Tippy, I believe with thy keen insight we have found an acceptable path

before we left the scene of the spider fight, Eldlen retrieved his torches, he is naïve not stupid ;)

Iaodol retrieves a long slender wand from his bag and begins to tend the halfling's wounds. "If we had more time I would use more mundane means but this should suffice for now."
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Thanks. Glad to see you pulled that stick out of your pack, since you used it on me."

Eldlen is able to find a path between the bushes and trees. The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”

As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!”

As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group. Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.

Eldlen, torn between helping and doing as instructed waits until Janira darts off, deciding to honor her instructions he slips into the cave

Mistress Gavix Hast taken it upon herself to distract the Minotaur let us not waste her sac... the opportunity.

he says over his shoulder. once in the cave he takes a quick look around

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Iso squashes another spider in his beard. While the swarm may have dispursed, a distressing number have taken up residence if various parts of his body and equipment.

At the appearance of the minotaur Iso pulls himself up to his full height and unlimbers his axe.

"A foe worthy of Iso Soturi. Let us do battle, and not leave little Janira in peril!"

"Iso! Following orders is part of Society life. She's small. She can lose it."

Tippy dashes into the cave.

She would not have allowed it to chase her if she wasn't confident in her abilities to get rid of it, let us not waste time.

Tzaron runs into the cave after Tippy.

"Brute, I'm certain there are more things within you can test you axe on. Let's not delay."

Iaodal tries to keep to the middle of the group.

With a good natured sigh, Iso calls out

"Good luck little Janira!" and then follows the others into the cave.

"The name is Iso Soturi, not Brute."

The cave system stretches deep below the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, though most of it is accessible only through a narrow keyhole tunnel. All of the tunnels in this area are between 3 and 10 feet wide and vary equally in height, though most are a comfortable 7 or more feet wide in each dimension. Water dripping from stalactites and the distant rushing of Underground streams creates an eerie backdrop as the PCs explore. The caves’ walls are patterned with blue-green luminescent fungi that provide dim light.

The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet before slowly opening to a wider passage. A large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path. At the bottom of the pit lies a small bundle of cloth.

The caves are damp, which increases the DC of all Acrobatics checks by 2.

The tunnel here is 10 feet wide and 10 feet tall with a ceiling mostly devoid of stalactites. In your way you see a 10 square pit, 10 ft deep.

did anyone pick up the pack that Janira tossed in

Elden stops at the edge of the pit, he will carefully study the pit and look toward the other side to see what may assist or delay them.

Elden will take twenty on perception for any traps or items of interest that he can see in the pit or beyond the pit

Pray tell fellow initiate's shall we check mistress' Gavix pack to see if she hadst anything to assist us

While I don't know what she carried, I do have some rope and a hook as well. Iaodal will begin tying knots in his rope to make any climb easier.

"Wouldn't it just be easier, and safer, to use your hook to snag the bundle and pull it up?" Tippy asks.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 to look for traps, etc. from the edge of the pit.

"You would be welcomed to try it." He offers him the rope after finishing the knots.

Tippy can't see any traps around or in the pit.

Iso grins at the pit.

"I can probably jump that without too much difficulty..." offers the big barbarian.

Backing up he takes a short run and easily leaps the pit.
takes 10 for 17

"If any of you can't jump it, I can hold a rope for you to climb up."

Elden stops at the edge of the pit, he will carefully study the pit and look toward the other side to see what may assist or delay them.

Elden will take twenty on perception for any traps or items of interest that he can see in the pit or beyond the pit

did he see anything beyond the pit?

be thou patient fellow initiatives, I shall return shortly with Mistress' Gavix pack

with that he hustles back to get the pack, when he returns to the pit, he will check it for gear

Nothing what he can see from this side of the pit. Only a bundle of cloth at the bottom.

Janira's backpack contains a potion of barkskin, two potions of cure light wounds, a potion of feather step, a potion of vanish, a scroll of entangle, a scroll of gust of wind, a scroll of identify, a scroll of mage armor (CL 6), a scroll of obscuring mist, a wand of burning hands (CL 3rd, 4 charges), a wand of cure light wounds (CL 3rd, 8 charges), acid, two alchemist’s fire, holy water, a smokestick, a tanglefoot bag, an antitoxin and two sunrods.

thanks

setting down the pack and looking across the pit

Sir Iso, what pray tell doest thou see?

then turning to the adventurers on this side

Fellow Initiatives mightiest we disperse these sundries unto he who can use them best? I desire not to carry all, especially if we must hurdle this pit from this slippery purchase

nodding to the damp stone floor, with that Eldlen removes a potion of cure light wounds, an alchemist's fire and a sunrod from the pack and waits for any information from Iso.

@ party, did we decide if we are getting the pile from the bottom of the pit, we could always lower the hobbit on a rope :-)

Tippy takes the rope and gently lowers the hook to nudge the bundle of cloth. Assuming no reaction, he bumps it gently to see if something is wrapped in it and if not, snags the cloth on the hook and pulls it up.

The cloth turns out to be a cloak of resistance +1.

"Who just leaves a magic cloak sitting in the bottom of a pit in the middle of the cave??" Tippy asks incredulously.

Taking 10, Tippy easily clears the pit with a running start.

Tzaron looks through his pack to see what he is lacking before asking

Does anyone object to my taking a vial of alchemist's fire and a tanglefoot bag?

Eldlen looking toward Tzaron

please sir Tzaron takest what thou needest or desires, I presumed even the wands would be within thy realm of expertice

looking at Iaodal

Also, sir Iaodal blessed of the light, takest what thy heart desires

and with that, bolstered by the halflings jump, leaving Janira's backpack, Eldlen takes a running jump taking 10 and clears the pit. When Ildlen gets to the other side, bow in hand, he immediately looks around

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Around the corner Eldlen finds a plank which is long enough to cross the pit.

Tzaron also crosses the pit with ease taking 10, looking around the area for clues as what to do next.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Tzaron also crosses the pit with ease taking 10, looking around the area for clues as what to do next.

[dice=Perception]1d20 + 5

My bad, I forgot to use my avatar, sorry about that.

"Hmm, well perhaps the may be another way for me to get across, I fear I an no good at leaping. "

Eldlen lays the plank he finds across the pit, for easy access, returns to the other side and says to Iaodal

fortune has favored us, Sir Iaodal, and fear not "leaping" is not a prerequisite to being an might hero

Eldlen picks up Janira's backpack, returning to the far side of the pit and setting it in front of Iso and asks

doest thou desire anything from yon pack? then in general to the group yon plank confirms these cave are occupied, at least on occasion, we should continue with caution

Iso is willing to shoulder the pack as well as his own. He grabs a flash of alchemists fire to replace the one he used.

"Sing out if you want any of this stuff. Iso big and strong enough to easily carry bag, but will leave it if someone else can. Even Iso Soturi need two hand for axe."

thou art a kind a generous soul Sir Iso smiling he continues

Come Sir Iaodal our destiny awaits with that he grasps his bow and heads up the cave

In his best imitation of Eldlen, Tippy follows the elf, copying every movement as best he can, pausing a moment to tie the magic cloak around his neck.

After all of you got to the other side, you continue farther into the cave. The tunnels continue on, leading deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts until they eventually open into a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions have since weathered heavily, their features dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted. A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway’s walls.

The blue-burning torches are everburning torches. You can all make a Knowledge Religion or history check, or an appraise or perception check with a -2 Penalty and I will tell you something about the inscriptions.

@ Tippy LOL, does anyone else hear Areosmiths "walk this way" playing

Eldlen admires the carved reliefs and inscriptions...

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

checking for tracks or traps as he goes...

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 for traps
survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 for tracks

and then goes to the cavern on the far side watching for anything unusual.

he will take 20 on perception for the exit into the passageway, will the torches come out of there sconces?

Tzaron stares at the reliefs, his sharp eyes attempting to determine what they show.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Iaodal scoffs at the primitive looking reliefs. Without a word he straps his heavy shield to his arm.

Iso looks at the carvings.
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 <- includes -2 penalty.

"I can do better than these."

He takes out a knife and considers how he might add his own name to the wall.

Scattered throughout the cave are inscriptions from the History and Future of Humanity, the principle holy text of Aroden, and images that depict these passages. The carvings focus on parables that feature Aroden’s 12 guises, meant to illustrate his hopes for humanity: the artist, beggar, craftsman, farmer, fisherman, hunter, merchant, scholar, shepherd, soldier, tailor, and thief.

You are able to decipher four of the inscriptions:

The Farmer is depicted plowing four lines in a field, retelling Aroden’s prophecy that humankind would prepare the rocky earth for planting and over Generations wear the pebbles down into fertile soil.

The Fisherman is depicted hauling in an enormous catch of small fish to take back to Absalom, illustrating Aroden’s declaration that a great host of creatures could accomplish a great task, whether that be taming the wilds or feeding a nation.

The Hunter is depicted slaying a giant Serpentine creature and then parading a trophy through the city streets — a sign to all humanity that the wilds are safe to inhabit once the monsters are slain.

The Shepherd is depicted herding animals out of a crowded city to the pastures beyond, just as Aroden blessed leaders with the foresight to direct people to the tasks and places that best suit them.

Map updated

After adding his name to a bare bit of wall, Iso listens with interest to the tales.

"Sounds like a god of the Common Folk. Good. I like Common Folk."

Iso nods his approval as he goes to examine the blue flames.

"Odd, not see blue flames often. Must be someone around or they would have burned down by now."

Putting his hand close he looks surprised.

"No heat!"

He pulls one from the wall and uses it to examine more carvings.

Eldlen, pondering the four depictions, goes to the south part of the cave and goes a little ways down the corridor carefully looking as he goes for tracks or anything interesting.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 anything interesting

survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 tracks

can we take the torches out of there sconces?

pray thee gentlemen art thou prepared to continue?

Iso adds the torch to the backpack and nods to Eldlen.

"Yes!"

Bumping his head on a low bit of ceiling, Iso scowls at the cave.

"Maybe Iso should have brought a padded helmet after all!"

He stalks down the passageway.

After hearing what the inscriptions are Iaodal take a moment to collect some rubbings and notes on them. "Yes, now we should move on. "

Tzaron follows Iso down the passageway.

Tippy continues to follow Eldlen, though he keeps his eyes open for anything dangerous.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Tippy and Eldlen can't see any danger, but there are strange foot steps on the floor.

The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber’s southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west. Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawn off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey.

Here the cavern’s ceiling stretches 20 feet overhead and is crowded by dozens of stalactites, some measuring 10 feet long from base to tip. Despite the impressive geology, the cave’s focus is the sloping, 15-foot-deep pool and its tiny city.