The Horn of Aroden (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

Maeron Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Tenderstump Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Maerons improved senses allow him to see the water coming, and he avoids the flood of water. Tenderstump fares less well, ended up somewhat over watered. Realising his companions fate, the druid instructs him to retreat before loosing an arrow.

+1 Longbow w/Point Blank Shot and Aspect of the Falcon: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 171d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Does the water extend into the passage with the ghast? In either case, I'm assuming Tenderstump either 5' steps up or comes back so Vrlad can move in.

With measured strides Vrald advances on the undead beast.

"Your eternal rest awaits. Return to your grave or I will send you there."
attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13 <-+2 if Hubert provides flanking now.
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

He doesn't...until next level.

Tenderstump withdrew so you could get in.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Reflex Ghast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Maeron instructs his companion to retreat and looses an arrow at the ghast. The arrow hits the still flat-footed ghast. Vrald takes over Tenderstump's palce and attacks the ghast in meelee. He swings wide and misses the target.

Round 1
Maeron
Tenderstump
Vrald
Jaegar
Ghast -10HP
Gilfroy + Hubert
Kristen blinded

Jaegar fails to block his eyes with his cloaked bow arm while training his focus on the ghast. The water spray soaks his clothing, and he loses sight of the target.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

He seeks the blessing of Erastil for this round, and casts Divine Favor.

Jaegar gets blinded by the salt water and casts a spell. The ghast swings it's claws at 1d2 ⇒ 2 Vrald but is distracted by Hubert behind it and misses.
Claws: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Round 1
Maeron
Tenderstump
Vrald
Jaegar
Ghast -10HP
Gilfroy + Hubert
Kristen blinded

Hubert continues to flail about, adding to the distraction.

Gilfroy attempts another shot past Vrald.
Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 4 = 14
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Kristen has literally nothing she can do while blinded, so she'll cower and rub her eyes for a round.

+1 Longbow w/Point Blank Shot and Aspect of the Falcon: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 181d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Maeron looses another arrow, the shot is good, but again lacks power.

What is with my minimum damage dice rolls?

Gilfroy casts another disrupt spell at the ghast and it's already becoming weaker. Kristen stumbles through the ankle deep water, trying to clear the water out of her eyes. Maeron nocks another arrow and shoots it at the ghast. It hits only the shoulder, but the damage is high enough that the ghast goes down.

More waves are rolling into the chamber. But I think you are able to cover your eyes in time to avoid the splash.

combat over

Maeron steps into the chamber, quickly checking the ghast for the ring they seek.

"We should complete our business here and leave. Whatever foulness taints this place should be reported to the Society before it seeps further into Absalom."

Despite his words, the druid moves to check the girl for the ring and looking to determine her cause of death.

Heal: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"That went well! Hopefully no more combatants reveal themselves as we open these sarcophagi" Jaegar stammers while looking directly at the ghast remnants.

Jaegar searches the room and casts Detect Magic to hopefully locate our missing ring.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Kristen clears the water out of her eyes and also uses detect magic to look around.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 12

In the sarcophagus lies Junia, the daughter of Lady Dacilane. Junia is wearing the ruby ring of the salamander. Maeron finds out, that Junia is still alive. The ring has a faint magic aura.

"Well.. that is an unexpectidely happy ending. Though what this will do to our poor guide I don't know. It may give him hope that his daughter too lives."

Vrald shakes his head.

"I can see no point in opening these other coffins, unless other children with similar enchantments are hiding within. But surely not - their lids are undisturbed and the children would not be strong enough to shift them."

He tries to gently wake up Junia, and failing that will shealth his sword, sling her over his shoulder and start to carry her out.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Maeron examines the ring, sensing the magic within.

"Agreed. I believe this is both the ring we were searching for, and the reason for the girls good fortune. I believe this ring kept her alive while the power of this placed halted her aging? Were it not for it's darker nature, this could be a place of great import."

With the girl and the ring acquired, Maeron departs.

"Amazing... it seems as if someone stashed her down here for safe-keeping, and then forgotten or left intentionally. I do hope that she can be easily revived from her sleeping state."

"Interesting, both her and that boy - who we should also take" have not aged at all. I wonder what would happen to us if we stayed here..[/b]"

He looks at the dead ghoul. "Or maybe it is better that we don't."

"I, for one, am content to naturally arrive at a ripe old age someday," Gilfroy says.

Junia does not wake up, also after you slip the ring from her finger she keeps sleeping.

Vrald slings the girl over her shoulder and moves out of the room.

What do you want to do? Return to Lady Dacilane? Take the dead boy with you? What do you want to do with Mralinchen?

Return, and take the dead boy too. We should double check he really is dead, and see if we can tell what he died of. As for Mralinchen, we should try and encourage him to leave, otherwise he may end up also haunting this place with his daughter...

You head back to the room where you left Marlinchen. He is still there trying to convince his daughter to leave. The children are still sitting in the middle of the room telling silent stories.

"My friend Marlinchen... you need to see the truth. That figment of your daughter is just that... a remnant of her spirit held here by the fell magics of this place. She cannot hear you, let alone be convinced to come with you. We have here a child who IS alive, and we need to return her to her mother. Please, come with us?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

With tears in his eyes Marlinchen answers "Maybe you are right. She won't come with me now, maybe later if I come back to find and retrieve her body. She can be alive just like the girl you are carrying."

"Well done Kristen" murmurs Vrald.

"And we'll be happy to spend a day helping you look. Judging from some of the other creatures here, the dead have not rested easily."
he adds in a louder voice to Marlinchen.

Marlinchen does not answer, he silently follows you out of the necropolis. Once outside he sits down on a stone next to the empty pool.

What are you going to do now?

Along with the others, Maeron returns the girl to her mother, ensuring they keep the ring. Upon returning to the Grand Lodge, return the ring to the Venture Captain and advise them of the deceased boys similar appearance to one of the Societies own.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Lady Dacilane is overwhelmed with joy and sends for the best clerics of Asmodeus to see to her daughter's recovery. Lady Dacilane promises to assist you in the future if you ever have any need of information about the aristocrats of Absalom. The other parents, upon hearing that ther was a miraculous survivor after all thes years, mob the Tri-Towers Yard in an attempt to gain access to the necrobolis. Absalom’s city watch is called in to quiet the disturbance and sends in a team to search for additional survivors. Of course, there are none.

A message is sent to Venture-Captain Colson Maldris. He immediately gets to the Grand Lodge to confirm that the boy you found is his younger brother.

You return the ruby ring of the salamander to the Pathfinder Society, they are naturally pleased at acquiring such an important artifact and Venture-Captain Drenge personally thanks you for your service to the Society.

"Thank you very much, Pathfinders. This artifact is an important item for the Society." he says and hands you a small puch with 550 GP.

Jaegar nods to Venture-Captain Drenge, and adds a question. "A ring with the same known properties an inexpensive investment for the Society."

Guaging the room, he presses on. "What else is there to this story? Does the Ruby Salamander ring hold some historical significance with which we are not familiar?"

"In ancient times, a wealthy merchant cut a ruby salamander ring from the hand of young cat burglar named Horastian. Horastian later became a renowned information broker and art collector. The Pathfinder Society hopes to magically locate the long-dead thief and his fabled hoard by using the ring as a divination focus."

Nice! You created an alias just for that question? Very, very cool!

"Venture-Captain, I don't mean to be rude, but I think that information may have been useful up front. I don't know about the others, but I certainly was expecting more artifacts based on the risks involved. While I am not one to question authority, such a minor trinket was a bit disheartening."

Attempting to show deference and respect, he continues, "Would it be appropriate to ask for motives on future missions? The 'why' is often the most valuable aspect of our adventures. The 'what' and the 'how' are superficial when it comes to the intent of our Society."

Thank you again Beatrice! Next time I am in Vienna I hope to thank you personally...

Not just for that question, but Drandle Dreng is a common VC in the scenarios so I created an alias for him. In my opinion it looks nicer to see a face to an answer ;)

"This trinket alone seems to minor, but it might lead to bigger treasures, my friend. And it is alway appropriate to ask for motives. And every Venture-Captain will answer your questions if he or she is able to."

This question was actually in the list of questions the player might ask, but nobody asked as far as I remember so Drandle did not answer ;)

Maeron nods gratefully to the Venture Captain and his fellow Pathfinders.

"It has been a pleasure. I look forward to future assignments."

-Posted with Wayfinder

I remember that answer, so somebody must have asked it!

Gilfroy offers his thanks at receiving the bundle of money, Hubert stands waiting for his bag and when one isn't forthcoming, scowls and vanishes in a puff of purple smoke.

I for sure told somebody, but I could not remember which table. Nevermind, Dreng is an old man, he can't remember in any case :D

Here.

You are absolutely right :D Sorry.

Hi!

Howdy

A few weeks pass before you get an invitation to the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom.

Venture-Captain Alissa Moldreserva, a fiery red-headed woman who climbed from the depths of Galtan revolution to become one of the Society’s finest (and most well-connected) venturecaptains, stands in the great meeting hall of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. She stares down her hawkish nose and sighs. "I ask for the best and they send me you. Lucky me. The Society’s best contact in Osirion, Grand Ambassador Dremdhet Salhar, informed me this morning that his lovely Chelish wife, the Lady Anilah Salhar, was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Normally, I wouldn’t care a bulette’s eyeball about who was or was not enslaved in Absalom, but Salhar is the Society’s best avenue for acquiring all of the necessary official paperwork to make our frequent delves into the tombs of Osirion cheap and legal. This is a relationship we want to preserve and since the Ambassador made it clear that our status is in jeopardy, I’ve been instructed to send our best agents to find her and return her safely to Salhar. I guess you’ll do. Salhar hasn’t sat idle since his wife was taken — his own agents are prowling the streets and dug up one possible lead. A one-eyed Andoren, a grit junky named Fredrik, is known for selling or helping to sell nobility into foreign markets that desire house slaves. Being enormously illegal, this trade makes Fredrik a fair bit of coin that Salhar’s agents assure me all go straight into the pockets of the Second Chance, a grit den dockside in Puddles. That’s all I have to get you started. Do you have any questions?" she says.

Gudrun Cairncarver enters the room, assigned following his own recent return from Osirion. The dwarves assignment serves to replace Maeron and Tenderstump, following the pairs relocation to matters further afield.

Gudrun is gruff and stoic in his demeanour, his main area of expertise being dungeoneering and trapfinding. Nevertheless, the dwarf greets his fellow agents before responding.

"Heh, I just had the 'luxary' of visiting a few of those Osirion tombs. If you'd had the pleasure, I'm not sure you'd be so keen on retaining the opportunity. Why would someone want to kidnap the ambassadors wife?""

I still need to make a few purchases and finish updating this character.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Do we have a drawing or description of the Lady, other than lovely and Chelish?" Gilfroy asks.

Vrald steps forward.

"How did Lady Anilah Salhar get captured? And are we likely to run into trouble with the law if we find her and return her?"

Waiting for Jaegar's post to make sure everybody's ready.

Here I am (at L2).

"I agree with my comrades. If we do not know what we are looking for, or how it was taken, we are doomed from the onset." Jaegar nods at his companions, then sneezes awkwardly with a fine mist jetting through his fingers. He turns his head to examine the finer furniture pieces in the office in an attempt to hide his gaffe.

Hearing your questions she hands you a pencil drawing of Lady Salhar and says "Slavery isn’t illegal in Absalom, kidnapping nobles and selling them into slavery is. About a week ago she did not return from a walk." you can see that she gets impatient and nervous.

"You will be responsible for the Society’s losses in Osirion with your incessant questions. I’ve told you all I know — if you desire further employment beneath these hallowed pillars, you’ll think twice before asking me inane questions. Be gone! Start your investigation at The Second Chance!" she shouts.

With a diplomatic bow, Vrald backs away from VC Moldreserva.

"As you wish."

Once clear of the halls he asks "[b]Does she seem a little...close to the problem to you? Does anyone know anything more about the 'Second Chance'?[b]"

"Very, or maybe she's just high-strung. I'd hardly call getting a description of the missing woman an inane question."

"I don't know the place, but I'm sure a few discrete questions will net a bit of info."

Diplomacy (Gather Info on the lady, the junky, and the dive): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19