The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21
At first, the woman resists, holding her head in her furry palms and wildly shaking it as Sirettis pokes into her mind. But soon, she relaxes, and breathes steadily.

As she's speaking, she points behind Sirettis and the rest of the party, and starts half-flying, half-walking out of the tunnel. Back at the branch in the tunnels, she starts walking south towards the shaft you entered from, and beckons for you to follow.

Will you follow her, or will Sirettis command her to stay with you and continue exploring the mines?

Kai looks to each of his new teammates and merely nods, indicating his willingness to follow. With her constant mumbling, there is little chance for stealth, but he still does what he can to stay silent. Raising his longspear, he follows along.

She turns to the party. "Sonarisa is... is under my control. She wishes to bring us to 'where this all began.' " She frowns. "Whatever happened to her, it is much stronger than the woman we found yesterday. We will need a powerful priest or wizard to help her, using the power of the gods. Or death..." She shakes her head.

<Don't feel too bad. It was either this, or kill her.> It tries to console her, for maybe the first time they have ever met.

"Is it far from here? I do not speak that language, please translate." And it is rubbing me wrong that I don't.

He is well versed in mind control magic, Sirettis has a strong hold on this woman for a long time to come. It'll be interesting how she chooses to use it.

"If it is a long journey then I'd rather we explored the rest of this place first before going. There is likely many important clues here as to what IS going on."

"Oh! I can help with that, Peppers!" Gallix digs in his bag a moment, until he pulls out a scroll case. He pops the cap off and pulls out a scroll which he offers to the elf. "Here ya go!"

Scroll of Comprehend Languages if you want it, Peps. You could probably benefit more from being able to understand Sonarisa than Gallix.

"May fortune favor our effort, and we remain untainted by this affliction."

D. takes out his combat mask, wipes the teeniest specks of dust off it before donning it.

Mr Peppers smiles and refuses the generous offer "I appreciate your generosity Gallix, I do have access to the spell in my spellbook, I'm just conserving resources. We don't know how taxing the rest of this day will be and I don't want to use it if it isn't absolutely necessary. Miss Sirettis is an excellent negotiator and translator."

While all that conversation is taking place, Kai quietly pulls out a wand and activates it on himself.

UMD wand of comprehend languages, heroism: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 2 = 23

It might not grant him the speech, but he thought it best that more than one person understand the cursed ... woman?

Whether the rest of the party notices, he offers it to Mr Peppers.

Feel free to use it! Still got 46 charges.

Mr Peppers smiles and accepts the wand "Now a wand I don't mind splurging on the use!" He graces himself, and whoever else asks (on Kai's approval) to a charge.

Comprehend languages is a personal spell, so would only work on whoever wields the wand. Glad to pass it around though if you can use or UMD it.

Under Sirettis' control, Sonarisa stretches her wings to begin ascending up the mineshaft, but Mr. Peppers stops the party to suggest exploring the rest of the mines might be wise, especially not knowing how far the half-mutant wants to take you. You turn back, and Sonarisa follows slowly behind you, her eyes in a hazy trance.

To the east, where the cultists had come from, the tunnel widens into a cave with an exit leading out the opposite wall. A five-foot-wide pit fills the eastern side of the cave, and just beyond the pit, a three-foot-tall wall of jagged stones has been erected to form a low barricade.

Sonarisa hangs back, scratching her neck and mumbling the occasional word in Aklo.

Current Map

Sounds like Peps wanted to stay, and given you aren't quite sure how far Sonarisa might take you if you leave, it might make more sense to finish up the mines first... but let me know if you have any objections here!

Sirettis turns back to the party.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

"I asked her to stay put and alert us if she senses any danger." She turns to Mister Peppers and her allies. "Let us go Northeast first."

To C5!

"Yes. Let's." He moves along behind his meat shield wall and keeps a keen eye out for traps and magic.

Perpception, buffs: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 4 = 37

I should learn this new language... meh, its not nearly Arcane enough to bother.

Sirettis is about to step towards the northeast, but Mr. Peppers' sharp eyes notice something off about the floor ahead. The ten-foot-square is actually a false floor, counterweighted to tip forward at a steep slope if anyone steps on it.

DC 25 Disable Device to disable it

Current Map

"Gallix or perhaps Kai if you deal with such things.." Mr Peppers stops the crew and points out the issue with the floor ahead. "Many of us could fly over it but not all. There must be an easy way to secure it?"

"Good eye, Mr Peppers. That's a false floor.Let me see now..." Kai floats gently over set up, looking for a way to disable the counterweight.

disable device: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

Sirettis's hair stands on edge for a moment before she spins back to Sonarisa. "You were supposed to tell me- never mind, you would always fly over it."

And she is my thrall. She is under enough burden already.

Kai tinkers with the mechanism, and easily disables the counterweight, allowing the party safe passage.

Ahead, the temperature drops suddenly as a clammy breeze wafts up from the branching tunnels around the chamber. Inside this room are the corpses of two men, both showing signs of mutations. Both have horrific wounds and gashes lining their bodies, and it's clear their deaths were torturous.

Just as you look up from examining the corpses, two translucent, ghostly figures fade into view from the air, their faces distorted by wrath into a hideous mask...

Combat Map

_______
Round 1
D., Mr. Peppers, Kai, Gallix, Uesugi
Cyan
Sirettis
Red

Kn (Religion) DC 17 for lore!

I agree the provided map makes it really difficult to have fluid combat, so I plucked another off Google images. This one should to be a little easier to tell where you are.

knowledge(religion), inspiration, heroism): 1d20 + 15 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + (5) + 2 = 30
Kai quickly studies the two ghostly figures and calls out what he knows to the rest of the team...

Actions pending results of lore check. Would like to know all their defensive abilities, i.e. DR, resistances, SR, incorporeal, etc

"Please tell me how they would react to positive energy." Sirettis looks up and studies them. Perhaps for too long...

Mr Peppers takes in the view of the ghostly figures, hoping they weren't in over their heads. "Good to hear you are well studied on these things Kai. I tend to avoid wasting much time on religious pursuits, but I do know a thing or two about their special attacks and magical abilities."

K Religion, buffs: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 4 = 22

Same as Kai. We need to know the best way to blast these foos!

Kai and Mr. Peppers study the creatures, and know that they are incorporeal, and have channel resistance +2. They do not have any spell resistance or damage reduction otherwise.

Combat Map

_______
Round 1
D., Mr. Peppers, Kai, Gallix, Uesugi
Cyan
Sirettis
Red

D. fires off a sand bullet at the teal specter thing.

Sand bullet, PBS, overflow, burn bonus, from invis: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 32 Dmg, PBS, overflow, burn bonus: 5d6 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3, 5, 1, 1) + 5 + 5 + 1 + 6 = 29

After which the elemental attacks it.
Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Bump: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Kai frowns, not liking having to deal with such ghostly creatures one bit. He fears whatever life draining attacks they might have. But there is little to be done about that now. He floats up behind the elemental and stabs his spear into same creature, quickly studying it for opening, hoping to take one down as quickly as possible.

vs cyan: Mutagen, Heroism, Studied Combat, Power Attack
+1 inspired longspear: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 = 35 dmg: 1d8 + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 = 25
iterative: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 = 21 dmg: 1d8 + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 = 27
If any hits, target is also sickened for 1 round.

"I see. Prepare yourselves against them!" Mr Peppers retreats backwards and fires off a round of magical ghost slaying missiles at the same target as the others.

Casting Magic Missile: Caster Check/Damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 365d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 4, 2) + 5 = 16

Ueusgi finds one of his many vials and quaffs it quickly. Protection from Evil He moves up to defend the others against the ghostly figures.

"Let's dance, ghosty!" Gallix steps up next to Uesugi and throws punch after punch as he bobs and weaves around the samurai's blade and Kai's spear.

5ft step; Brawler's Flurry, Mutagen, Outslug Style, Lunge, Combat Expertise all in effect.
AC30 (Touch AC 19) from Natural Armor/Outslug/Combat Expertise this turn.

Flurry +1 AdCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 2 - 3 = 21 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug; Shock: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 141d6 ⇒ 2
Flurry +1 MCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 - 3 = 22 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 15
Flurry +1 AdCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 - 3 = 19 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug; Shock: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 171d6 ⇒ 1
Flurry +1 MCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 - 3 = 27 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 18
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 - 3 = 15 Crit Damage?: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 18

D gathers the latent dust and sand coating the cavern, and blasts it forth through the ghost, the creature wailing in pain. Kai and Mr. Peppers double team it, and the last magic missile to hit the spectre causes it to rise up in a plume of smoke and vanish.

Gallix redirects his blows to the remaining foe, delivering five solid strikes that seem to partially pass through the creature, but damage it nonetheless.

Combat Map

_______
Round 1
D., Mr. Peppers, Kai, Gallix, Uesugi
Sirettis
Red (-42)

Sirettis calmly walks up and applies her healing hex to the specter.

Melee Touch: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 1 = 8
Positive Energy: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 4) + 10 = 19
Will Save DC 22 to halve the damage.

"Please, be at peace."
At least I keep the charge.

Sirettis fumbles at the last moment, and misses the spectre.

With her being closest, the creature reaches out with its ethereal palm, Sirettis' life force sucked into it.
Incorporeal Touch: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 221d8 ⇒ 7
Sirettis gains 2 negative levels. She only gets the DC 16 Fort save after 24 hours as per this.

Combat Map

_______
Round 2
D., Mr. Peppers, Kai, Gallix, Uesugi
Sirettis (-2 levels, -7 hp)
Red (-42)

The elemental flies forward to attack the ghost.

Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Bump: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

D. then fires off another sand bullet.

Sand bullet, PBS, overflow, burn bonus: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 1 + 3 = 33 Dmg, overflow, PBS, burn bonus: 5d6 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 5, 1) + 5 + 5 + 1 + 6 = 32

"How careless of me."

Melee Touch: 1d20 + 5 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 - 2 = 19
Positive Energy: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 1) + 10 = 17
Will Save DC 22 to halve the damage.

She redoubles her efforts.

Not wasting any time, Mr Peppers fires off another round of ghost slaying missiles, hoping these things drain as little of their resources as possible. "You're playing with fire Sirettis, stay back!" As a barrage of missiles streak around her, shearing off a few stray strands of hair.

Casting Magic Missile: Caster Check/Damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 215d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 4, 1) + 5 = 20

"What're you doing, Sis?! Get outta there!" Gallix rushes forward, leaping past Uesugi to get into a flanking position against the ghost with D's elemental. At this close range, he can feel the cold emanating off of the ghost, but he knows he has to give this thing all he's got before Sirettis gets hurt any more.

10ft step; Brawler's Flurry, Mutagen, Outslug Style, Combat Expertise all in effect.
AC30 (Touch AC 19) from Natural Armor/Outslug/Combat Expertise this turn.

Flurry AdCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 - 3 = 13 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug; Shock: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 141d6 ⇒ 4
Flurry MCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 13 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 - 3 = 22 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 19
Flurry AdCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 - 3 = 17 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug; Shock: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 181d6 ⇒ 2
Flurry MCestus, Mutagen: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 - 3 = 10 Damage, Mutagen, Outslug: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 19

Kai similarly steps forward, pleased that his teammates have kept a space for him. With his longspear, he keeps up his successive attacks on this ethereal creature.

vs red: Mutagen, Heroism, Studied Combat, Power Attack
+1 inspired longspear: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 = 22 dmg: 1d8 + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 = 25
iterative: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 5 - 2 = 24 dmg: 1d8 + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 3 + 5 + 6 = 25
If any hits, target is also sickened for 1 round.

Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Sirettis lays a glowing palm on the ghost, and a scream echoes through the entire mineshaft as the positive energy works to extinguish it from this plane.

Out of Combat

The two corpses lying nearby have hideous mutations and wounds - they were clearly tortured, and perhaps the spectres were the result of a treacherous death.

As the angry spirits die down, D. dismisses the elemental briefly.

"Restless dead. That raises the question though, how long before they are back."

"Be at peace. We can at least grant you proper burial." Sirettis turns to her allies. "My apologies for acting so rash. Had I aimed more carefully, it would have been banished without doing further harm to anyone."

Perception: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 14 - 2 = 27

"I do not see anything of importance. Let us move on." She flies back into the main tunnel. "Sonarisa. Do you remember why this tunnel caved in? Is there anything important behind it?"

perception, heroism, inspiration: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 18 + 2 + (6) = 33
Kai’s past experiences working with low life of Absalom guided him almost immediately to the heel of the shoe. He quietly retrieved the gem and shows it to the rest of the team.

Before he proceeds though, he turns to Sirettis with concern. ”Sirettis, you look badly wounded from that attack. Is there anything we can do?”

Perception, buffs: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 4 = 27 Mr Peppers sees nothing unusual.

"Cave in? There should be more cultists up ahead." He points up ahead.

"I'm afraid my magic can't help reverse your affliction. We'll need a priestess for that I believe. The dead's touch destroys the body and spirit both."

Seeing Kai retrieve the gem Mr Pepper's eyes light up as he looks for magic "Expensive gems can sometimes hold magical secrets..."

Take 10 on appraise for 22

Sirettis pulls out a wand. "I can deal with the immediate injuries."

CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

"The long term injury, as Mister Peppers indicated, require someone with a divine connection. I will have to simply endure, for now."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 18 - 2 = 21
"What an odd gem."

Another glance at both the corpses and the cavern doesn't make it seem like it had caved in. Mr. Peppers figures the sapphire is worth 3,500 gold pieces, but doesn't seem magical at all.

Sonarisa mumbles and shrugs at Sirettis' question. She doesn't seem to understand it.

Turning back south, the cavern narrows to a point small enough that you have to squeeze to reach the other side. The walls of the breathtaking cavern past it glitter with clear crystals. To the north are a few small tables stacked with supplies, while a field cot sits to the southeast. Additional folded bedrolls lie nearby, and a large chair next to a small writing desk rests before the wall opposite where you entered from.

Inside the room is another robed man not unlike the four you had fought, but with him is a woman whose long, silvery hair flows out of a sparkly black cloak.

She watches you enter, smiling sweetly. "Ah! Welcome, travelers, to the Nesher Mines. What brings you here?"

"Curiouser and curiouser..." Sirettis looks about. "Sonarisa speaks of the stars and planets here. Do you know of it? She has taken aspects of a bat, and it seems like very powerful magic is needed to help her."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 2 = 21
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 2 = 17

The ghost's touch still gnaws away at her thoughts. But how dangerous is this woman? What is her intent? With the ghosts and insane cultists about, a battle seems inevitable.

"Indeed. We do not wish to fight if there is no need to. But there are people we wish to help, and if you can provide assistance, that would be much appreciated."

diplomacy, expanded inspiration: 1d20 + 18 + 1d8 ⇒ (13) + 18 + (8) = 39

"Yes. Let's not fight. In fact, we can work together," the woman says, looking back at Sonarisa. "Ah, so you've brought Sonarisa. It is horrible what has happened to her."

Sirettis doesn't sense dishonesty in Abtaroh's words. "I have a feeling the stars may be the answer, and I wanted to investigate the crash site not far from here. There is an artifact that interest me. Yet any time I brought my men and I, the monstrous guardians would stop us."

Sonarisa wanders around, mumbling more nonsensical Aklo. "Yes. The stars will answer. The stars beckon."

The robed woman sighs. "My name is Abtaroh. Let me propose a deal. I know where the object from the sky landed, and I know it's a ship. I'll show you where the site is, and you clear the site of its guardians, and leave the artifact there for me. I'll pay you for your help with platinum, and even throw in my magical belt. Perhaps we may even find a cure for Sonarisa's.. ailment there." She smiles. "What do you think?"

D. switches to general tien,

"I have a feeling the stars may be the answer, and I wanted to investigate the crash site not far from here. There is an artifact that interest me. Yet any time I brought my men and I, the monstrous guardians would stop us."

Because your men are incompetent boobs just slightly more useful than a gnomish housekeeper?

Mr Peppers keeps quiet for once, awed by the smooth talking Kai No need for me to help sway the woman, Kai here knows just what to say. I think I can see Gallix drooling as they speak! He gives the brawler a subtle elbow in the ribs to keep him on point.

"Greetings Abtaroh. My name is Lord Peppers, arcane master of the Pathfinder Society. Where have you and your men come from to this small mining town, offering up mercenary work and mutating or torturing those who you come across?" His tone is more than a little unfriendly after what he's seen from them so far. "From what we've seen so far you aren't exactly worthy of our aid or trust."

Sirettis uses her tongues hex and listens carefully to Sir D. She nods and replies: "All of your words seem true. We need to investigate the crash site, anyway. The more allies, the better."

Sirettis looks to her friends. "Do you agree?"

She turns back to Abtaroh. "Can you describe these guardians? Any information you can give would better prepare us."

With his mutagen still flowing in his veins, Gallix is agog at his friends just standing around and talking to this lady who obviously sent those cultists after them. Just as he's about to pipe up, though, he receives a needle sharp elbow from Peppers right in the ribs, and he quiets down for a minute to collect his thoughts and to try to figure out whether this lady can be trusted.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"The guardians at the site are giant, corpse-eating birds. I've not been further in than that, as you might guess."