The Forgotten God (Table 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Hadran nods and cast detect magic as he attempt to identify the statue, maybe not the who but the what.

K ?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

As you scan the statue for magic, it's clear that magic possesses it... but the aura is old and fading. Circling around, you see the rear side of the statue has been caved in by some sort of heavy blow, apparently damaging it beyond the limits of its ability to continue functioning. What was once a golem of some kind is no longer a threat.

"... that's frankly worse news," remarks Burkhardt as they round the construct. "Keep an eye out, and let's continue towards the dig site."

Burkhardt Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Erstehund Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Perhaps, if this thing was a defender of some sorts, but then what warrants such protection at such a place? Yes lets continue there are many questions."

Soon after you pass by the broken golem, natural vegetation gives way to a large clearing dominated by a massive pit in the earth — one of the Deepmar mines. A wooden sign near the start of the path that winds its way down the sides of the gaping hole reads simply “Caina.” A nearby wooden shack surrounded by mining carts appears to serve as the foreman’s office. Looking down, this mine seems like it hasn't been collapsed, and a few tools and carts are strewn about the place.

"Looks as this one was being worked. Could be promising. Be cautious but let's advance."

Hadran leads the group down the mine.

Burkhardt notes the foreman's shack as something that may warrant investigation later, and follows Hadran down.

Heading into the depths, you soon discover a tunnel partially concealed by a large crystal column at the bottom of the mine. Just behind the column, a series of crystals have been manually placed into the ceiling and covered in what looks like poison - a trap, clearly, but one guarding the passage down.

Hadran looks for a moment.

"Burkhardt are you able to disable this? They are or were trying to protect something here."

"I'll certainly give it my best... the set up seems simple enough anyway." He took out his tools and gave it a go, but not before hyping up his own skills, a trace of divine breath escaping his lips. "ʎʇıןıqɐ ʇɟǝp ɟo sɹǝbuıɟ sɐɥ sʇɔɐd ɟo pɹoן ǝɥʇ."

Trailing Lesser Stimulate Body (Take 10) vs DC 16: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
I gain +2 to Dex for 1 minute
Going to break the Law of Finite Malleability to keep my DC the same. I lose access to 1st level recitations for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 rounds.

Disable Device (+ lesser stimulate body): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12 annnnnd I think I just poisoned myself. >.>

Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Damage: 1d8 - 5 ⇒ (1) - 5 = -4

As Burkhardt worked to disable the trap, his hand slipped and skid alongwise one of the poison crystals - though he was tough enough to resist the scraping and the poison didn't quite manage to sink into his system.

Midfoviing, watching, twitched her tail a bit. "...Maybe we should just smash it?" she inquired, clearly possessing all the subtlety of a cavalry charge.

"No reason not too now. Smashing has worked for other things so lets do it." Hadran draws his blade and starts to smash the crystals at the edge and work his way in.

"Ssssst~," exhaled Burkhardt. He started bringing his hand up to his face before thinking better of sucking the wound. Standing back, he let Midfoviing and Hadran work at their plan instead.

Sometimes, people liked to stick to their strengths - and smashing was definitely among your strengths. (You did, however, eventually use a bit of magic to sweep all the little crystal shards out of the way, leaving the tunnel free for you to head down.)

Heading in, chunks of crystal jut from the walls and hang from the ceiling of this tall cave, reflecting light in a dazzling display of rainbow-hued colors. A series of narrow ledges marks the southern entrance to the chamber—a passage some forty feet above the cavern floor. Two narrow passages lead out of the area to the north and west.

West is left and we always go left :)

"Lets check this passage to the west first. Follow me."

Hadran advances leading the others down the west passage.

Burkhardt whistled to Erstehund and followed behind.

Hey, it's as good a strategy as any other. XD

Heading west, you were immediately presented with another choice of routes as the tunnel turned - north and south. To your senses, the northern side seemed a bit moister, while the southern path had a faint blue glow coming from it.

"Let's examine this blue glow first."

IF there are no objections Hadran continues on the southern passage.

Burkhardt nodded, preparing for what's ahead.

New map. You're in B6.

This large, oddly shaped cavern is illuminated by a soft blue glow emanating from patches of fuzzy fungal growths along the ground, walls, and ceiling. Numerous tunnels lead off in all directions.

"Let's see..." Burkhardt began, as he thought on the fungi.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering or Nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 | +7 if Arcana or Planes would be more appropriate

"Lets start here and work ourselves around one by one."

Hadran motions to the larger opening. (Top left looking at the map)

As you moved towards the northwest, you rounded a boulder... and a faint smell suddenly grew much stronger. Lying on the ground were the bodies of several small, pale creatures, as well as what looked like a large, lizard-like mount. All appeared to have suffered rather violent deaths, going by the places on their body where fist-sized chunks seemed to have been torn out.

"That is an awful smell. I will never get used to that smell. At least we are headed in the right direction, or toward somethings lair. Midfoviing watch the girl, keep her safe as you have been."

With that being said Hadran continues. He will follow the trail of gore if there is one.

"You're right about that. Suppose those were girallon fists?" Burkhardt asked of... no one in particular. He tries to identify the dead creatures as he followed Hadran.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering or Nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 | +1 if Local, +7 if Arcana or Planes

Looking closely at the creatures, they appear to be Derro - small humanoids known to dwell deep underground. They're also infamously paranoid about letting others know about their presence or existence, and few mortals are at all aware when the little creatures come to call.

The bits missing from their bodies are much too small to be from Girallon fists - they seem human-sized, but that's not really enough to tell if it was actually a human(oid) that did it.

The blood trail moves on for a short ways, and you follow the caverns west, bypassing paths to the north and south. The trail stops a short way before another chamber. Here, a heavy iron grate blocks the opening into a large cavern lit by patches of glowing blue fungus. Several shallow craters near the center of the cavern appear to contain clusters of luminescent pale blue pods. Unlike the previous area, this room is unmarred by violence, and you see a derro-sized figure moving around inside.

"I think the understand dwarven."

Hadran holds a hand up and calls out to the creature in dwarven.

"Hello friend. We are not enemies."

Burkhardt motioned to the others to keep a quiet distance so they don't spook the poor thing.

There was no sign that the creature understood you - but it definitely heard you, and immediately rushed towards a large, worm-like creature whose top she (for it seemed to be a female derro) rapidly hopped on to.

"That didn't seem to work."

Hadran says a few divine words giving himself the ability to communicate and understand.

Casting Tongues

"Please wait. We are not enemies. Will you speak with us?"

Burkhardt tugged at spiritual ties to Ozen, and prepared to summon a pit to block off an escape route or, if not enough to cover the gap, to drop the two within.

Readied action to use Summon Inheritance between derro & mount and any exit they head for.

<"I have nothing to say to outsiders!"> the derro woman snapped, fixing a weapon to her mount in clear preparation to charge at your group.

"Not all outsiders are bad. Do not charge us. I will not kill you but I will defend if you charge. We want to know what happened to your people we saw dead back in the cavern and also what happened to the people from town. Talk to us, take us to your leaders if you don't want to talk."

Left out of the conversation, Burkhardt is no fool and readied to open a pit below the derro should it charge. He addressed the rest of their group, "Give us some space; she doesn't seem friendly."

The Derro paused for a moment as it looked at Hadran's well-muscled frame. As a smaller breed of creature, it was aware of the differences in pure strength between your kinds. It would have been rather hard not to be when looking at someone twice your height.

<"You must've been the ones who- no, no, I can't trust you, but I'll play along."> the derro muttered suspiciously. "Have you not come across it yet? The beast that lives in the dark?">

"No. No beast. Is that what killed your people? What of the people that mined down her like the girl there, do you know what happened to them? Such a beast may have someone controlling it. Let us help you before it gets to you or others of your kind. We only seek to know what happened here."

Hadran looks to Burkhardt

"The girls is cautious. She mentioned a beast."

What a trip! I'm back

"A beast? I believe that, but it's not so specific." Burkhardt tugged at his facial hair thoughtfully while Hadran continued to converse with the woman.

Welcome back. ^^

<"Hah! Hahahahahah! You know nothing of what lurks in the shadows if you think that can be controlled so easily. Leave - or you will find your answers, but take them to your grave.">

"Stop being so close minded. I am offering help. You have stories and history of surface dwellers not helping or doing terrible things. Look at me and hear what I'm saying. Do you not hear the truth in my words. Do you not have the courage to be the one that is different, the one that makes a difference, the one that truly helps your people this day? Tell me what you know, or show us this beast and I will put an end to it. I don't wish to control it but someone may. I will end it either way."

Seems a display of charisma is called for here

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (15) + 37 = 52

Question, I noticed I didn't pick domains are we limited to the alignment domains to start as the ability says? So I get Law and Good? Just double checking as those would be part of his full god portfolio as would Glory, Protection, Knowledge.

Burkhardt felt Hadran's divine power crash against his own in waves. He slyly scanned his eyes across the room, judging who (or what) else might have felt it.

Don't remember if Delbina has been present in displays of divine power yet, so I'm mostly checking for her and the derro, and anyone else who might be hidden in this room.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27 | +3 against bluffs and enchantments

Yes, you must select alignment domains first. On the divine level, alignments are the core of a deity's existence, and other domains are the context in which their alignment is interpreted - which is why you must take those domains first. You can't build out from the core until you have the core. Shelyn, for example, is a goddess of good first and a goddess of art and beauty second. She won't support 'art' that involves flaying the skin off of innocents or forcefully polymorphing people to force them to conform to a specific standard of beauty. Most deities are fairly flexible - different times, species, and situations often call for a nuanced response - but there are lines deities cannot cross without fundamentally changing who and what they are. As mortal incarnates, you have more flexibility than deities in possession of their full power.

Neutral deities, of course, are increasingly free to focus on context over core as they get closer to true neutrality. XD They tend to care more about topics than the way in which those topics are applied. Nethys is a pretty good example of this - he supports magic above other things, and that's about all there is to it. What it's used for - or if there's a reason at all - is less important than the fact that it is used.

This is, incidentally, the same way I tend to run Paladins. The core (doing good) is the most important thing, followed by doing so in a lawful way (the context Paladins tend to believe is best). A Paladin can fall if they do evil things, but not if they do chaotic things in service to good (as long as they still trend lawful - one action is rarely enough to change an alignment). If you meet any as NPCs, you can expect them to behave with this thought process guiding things. ...Justicars are a bit different.

Hadran's divine force hit the Derro's will like a storm - and few mortals could even begin to stand up to what was, quite literally, divine intervention. Her eyes glazed over a little as the shock hit her system. <"I-I know it is not a matter of courage. I would love to kill it, to protect my people, but it is beyond my power. It remains only in the dark - the light hides it, the light hurts it. So long as there is light, you are safe. It took the prisoners first, now it comes for the rest of us.">

"By helping us you are doing your part to kill it. Use that courage I see in you. Lead us, show us where. We will do the rest. Waiting to die, not seeking help is cowardly and weak. You should never be ashamed at not having power. Power comes in many forms. Valor and courage are to take action in the face of danger. I know you won't run, but don't wait for it to find you. Take the fight to it through us."

Hadran extends his hand seeing his words are breaking through.

"Take it and a bond of friendship and courage will be formed. If you are scared I will be your light. Look to me and take comfort."

Burkhardt quietly watched the interaction, glad to see that woman was relaxing and things were turning around.

The derro looked at Hadran's hand for a moment. <"You still do not understand. You do not find it. It finds you."> she explained hesitantly. <"It is like the shadow made flesh. If you wish to meet it, douse your lights and walk into the dark.">

"Light? Oh right I guess Burkhardt carries a light. I have no need for it. Is here a good place then? Will it find us here? Let's move to a corner. You see that human girl. She is scared. I will need you to aid Midfoviing. She is the dragon girl there. She is a ferocious warrior tasked to keep that girl safe. If you can aid her in this I will destroy this shadow made flesh. What do you say? Are you ready to avenge your people?"

I do carry a light! For Erstehund and Delbina, currently :-P

Burkhardt simply waited until Hadran was done speaking with the girl and could share what he had learned.

"I am not afraid of shadows." Midfoviing said, scratching the ground a bit with one foot and clenching her fists. "And Hadran and Burkhardt are much stronger than you realize."

The derro, for her part, just shook a little. <"We will avenge them. Or we will die."> she said quietly. <"Death would, perhaps, be preferable to abandoning the dark of our homes.">

Hadran shares what was discussed and the plan.

"We will back into a corner where we can keep our new friend and Delbina safe. Midfoviing you are one of the bravest warriors I have known. I will need you to protect the human girl and the derro. If things should go bad you will need to fly Delbina to safety." Once in position he gives a not to Burkhardt to kill his light.

"Now we wait?"

Burkhardt blushed gently at Midfoviing's compliment. He however, raises a dispute with Hadran's plan. "We do not know the nature of this enemy. What if it is a parasite that slips past us, or a creature that jumps from shadow to shadow? We are powerful but with so little information, I don't know that we can guarantee their safety in this way.

"What if, instead, we escort them a short ways the way we came, I pass my light to Delbina, and then we return here in darkness. It may pose a greater risk for ourselves, but I believe it is safer for those four.

"Not afraid of shadows." Midfoviing said firmly as she looked at Burkhardt. "...But true that we do not know what the prey is. Darkness is ambush predator, right? Quiet movement, hard to find... usually tricky. Poison, or things to stop you from walking, like webs. Hardest to fight on their terms."