Zinou's Hall of the Flesh Eaters (Inactive)

Game Master Zinou

Robyyn was happy to assist with the search and discovery of the door, though a little saddened that he couldn't do anything to open it. I'm basically a liability at this point, any little thing I can do helps, I guess.

Robyyn also refreshes his mage armor if needed.

He joins Findlefarb at the door, ready to proceed.

"With that door, Pathfinders are sure to return. We must destroy this thing before leaving!" But noting that most of the party wish to move on, Lord Braggett concedes "However, we can clear the rest of this place of undead things first. We will have to return to this room anyway, to excavate that." He points to the collapsed corridor "As per Captain Benarry's request." He heads on over to the door, ready to burst through once everyone is ready.

Thank you Zinou, 'twould have been a shame to miss out on a PP because of a low perception roll :)

Yes, thank you!

"Yes," Iqaal says, "Hopefully we will not stay here much longer. I am not feeling well."

He takes his place with the others at the door.

-Posted with Wayfinder

No probs, let's roll with the final room!

Through the door is a large chamber with a relatively low ceiling. The far southwest wall is set at an angle, and against the center of the wall sits a heap of bones and skulls resembling a large makeshift throne. To the left of the throne sits an oak and brass sea chest, carved with images of sea serpents chasing their own tails.

On the throne itself sits another undead creature, much like the ghouls you have encountered in the halls, but dressed in the rotted garb of a pirate captain. A pair of festrogs kneel before him.

"Avast mateys and parley!" The thing calls to you. "I can only assume ye've defeated my rotten crew, but ye won't prevail so easily against m'self. Captain Rajhan-Vol I am. Present yer names and state yer business in this gods-forsaken place, and maybe I won't conscript ye." he says with a large grin.

Agis is definitely NOT the talking type. He eyes his friends, and at the FIRST sign of this going south...

Knowledge (religion), untrained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Robyyn studies the creature, recognizing its greater power than a normal ghoul, but is unable to discern anything more. Knowing his words rarely improve a situation, he remains silent, hoping someone else will speak up.

With the final defeat of the undead things Indra breathed a sight of relief. She kept watch while the others were healed and then fell in as they began to explore further. The fleshy...thing, was the most disturbing thing she thought they would run into, or so she thought. As they found the door they couldn't begin to open she knew that it would be important to report it back to the Society for future study.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
As they found the undead thing on the throne the psychic woman realized just how unpleasant this was going to become. As she noticed her companions clamming up she took the initiative and stepped forward to speak, "Captain Rajhan-Vol," Indra gave a slight curtsy of respect before continuing, "We've come here in search of the Orb of the Stars, that is all we came after and we have no desire to fight with you or your crew if we don't have to." She focused hard, her mind questing for a means to convince the captain to bargain with them instead of fight. Inspiration struck her as she decided to hit on his greed and smiled as she asked, "If you know of it's whereabouts maybe we could come to some kind of accommodation."

I cast Burst of Insight before the role (instantaneous spell for +8 enhancement bonus to charisma (+4 to roll) for this one roll, then I am dazed for one round afterwards.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 4 = 28

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Findlefarb does a silent count of the number of fingers on the captain's hands.

"Captain, you do me the honor of letting me introduce myself. My name is Fenwick Findlefarb Tippletree Woogodoo Nanoquick Balnibarbi Kruknik Whoopsalittleovertotheleftnexttime Nashizzar, the Fourth, of late the Grand High and Most Inimically Holy and Extremely Esteemed Jester of the Joyful Court of Count Razimov, and more recently under consideration of Squire for Lord Braggett Fizzlebotham IV. Count Razimov is from the far east of Avistan, so you may not have heard of him, but I can assure you that you and he would find plenty in common. I suppose, however, you would be more amused continuing to speak with my lovely traveling companion, the Lady Gahanartakee, so I'll shut up now."

Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Iqaal knows that this creature, a ghast, can paralyze even elves with its claws and bite. A dangerous creature, to be sure. He stays as still as he can while going over the arcane formula in his head.

Ready action to cast Shadow Trap on Captain Rajhan-Vol. DC16 Will save or entangled and cannot move more than 5 ft from its shadow.

Unable to bring himself around to parlay with the abomination, Lord Braggett gives the captain the 'ol stink eye instead. The only thing holding him back from tearing into the menace is his respect for Lady Indra Gahanartakee.

Ready action to attack anything that comes within range.

Strictly speaking, we can't ready actions when we're not in initiative. They'd go off when our initiative count came up.

Good to know :)

Agis is right. No 'ready' is allowed outside of initiative :)
@Indra: Nice rolls!

The ghast grins at Indra. "Let me tell you. Was the bosun on ol' sevenfingers' crew, but made the unfortunate mistake of bein' on the wrong side of a mutiny. Had me chained up to the yardarm for weeks, starvin to death. Then he left me here to die and become this thing you see now."

Looking at Findlefarb, he says "Never heard of tha' mate."

He returns to Indra when she mentions the Orb of the Stars. "Mmm. Very interesting this one. Have 'eard of it. Never saw it, tough. By the way, do ye have any fresh meat? Or an inured mate in yer crew I could 'take care of' for ye?"

Indra shook off her daze as she listened to the ghast speak to them and said, "Well, we don't have any injured we could, or would, feed to you, but we did kill a giant leech on our way down, and we could probably send down the bodies of those barbarians from the surface on our way out." While her face wrinkled slightly in disgust at the idea of bartering corpses for information she wasn't completely against it either. Their souls had already departed, what was left was little more than meat, if it could be used in such a way it might be acceptable to do so this one time.

Lord Braggett prickles at the suggestion of feeding one of his comrades to the no-good traitorous undead pirate. He starts to grind his teeth, his face turning a dark crimson as he barely holds himself back from knocking the smug head off of that unholy creature. Giving Rajhan-Vol a look that could sour milk, Lord Braggett remains silent.

The ghoul's grin goes wide as he hears Indra. He seems to ignore Braggett's reaction. "That may be a start..." he says, his long tongue hissing.

Findlefarb's eyes gleam. "Why, I've got just the thing! How about a nice, juicy, tender chicken? Still living, so you know it's fresh, and you can feast without worry!"

He pulls the harried bird out to present it.

Pulling out a light juggling club, he adds, "I've used the chicken in my juggling act. But it's always a comfort to travel with an extra meal, isn't that so?"

Encouragingly, he finishes, "Would you like it?"

He carefully studies what may be in the captain's possession.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Robyyn sees Lord Braggett's metaphorical hackles begin to rise, and hopes the enthusiastic cavalier can let Indra's diplomacy play out to its natural end. He doesn't interrupt, but remains paying attention to the whole proceeding.

The ghast looks at Findlefarb's chicken with envy and gluttony. "Yes... yes... That may be good 'nough. If ya lot give me the chicken, I'll give you informations about what you seek."

Findlefarb looks at the ghast more closely but sees nothing but old clothes ripped on many parts. He however spots a sea chest next to the throne that bears a coarse inscription : “I leave you this as wages for your loyal service from now to eternity, my ambitious traitor — S.E.”

Iqaal waits for Findlefarb to hand over the animal. It seems the game had a purpose after all, he thinks.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Lord Braggett calms down a little when chicken is accepted as a substitute for Pathfinder "Information and safe passage! If I am going to let you unlive, I must have your word that you will leave us, or any Pathfinders for that matter, unmolested while in your... kingdom." He says every word through gritted teeth, but thinking of the creature as some kind of sovereign softens the blow to his ego "We, or our colleagues will return one day to explore more of this place. If you agree to keep the path clear for them, we will supply you with more chicken... One for every Pathfinder!" Although he hates every moment, Lord Braggett feels that it is his knightly duty to assist Lady Indra, even if she insists on diplomacy with an abomination.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

With careful step, Findlefarb cautiously approaches the ghast, fully aware he might have a greater hankering for gnome instead of chicken.

The ghast begins to drool. "Ye mean... more livin' flesh? Oh... oh..." he seems to struggle in an inner fight but quickly makes up his mind.

"FINE! No harms shall befall on any o' ye nor to anyone else claimin' he's a 'pathfindarrr'!" he swears, closing his unliving eyes.

He then catches the chicken and devour it quickly in a shower of feathers and blood. Your part of the contract fulfilled, he licks his lips and rest his attention on you. "Now, now. I have allowed one o' me mates, Baelen, to guard the Orb of stars. It is in an alcove blocked by stone rubble. Ye take of it and Baelen will give ye the orb."

Ok, with your good idea and successful rolls, you can take time to excavate the alcove 'B5' and take everything there unharmed. However, Captain Rajhan-Vol will NOT give you the sea chest Findlefarb spotted beside him. If three or more agree, I'll narrate the end of the scenario and you'll just miss the chest.

I'm okay if the party is okay.

With the threat gone, Agis will work to make sure everything is mapped out, with notes in the margins.

I'm also away for the weekend, so feel free to wrap up without me. Thanks as always for the game Zinou!

I'm willing to leave the chest behind as well.

Joining back with the party, he heads out of the room towards the rubble. "Aha... see? I've never been steered wrong by the advice to always travel with a chicken. Chicken! What a fine, civilized thing to eat..."

It is clear he's one step from running from the entire place screaming.

Indra was saddened by the chicken's fate but she agreed with Findlefarb about the usefulness of having one around. She nodded to the Ghast and said, "We have a bargain, thank you." She quickly withdrew from the room, not wanting to tempt fate by staying here any longer than necessary. When she caught up to Findlefarb, and they were clear of the ghast's chambers, she knelt and tried to put her arms around him. "Thank you Findlefarb, your chicken's sacrifice has made sure we will leave here alive with what we came for. Did your companion have a name? I would like to add him into my prayers so that he may be reincarnated into a higher form in his next life."

I'm willing to sacrifice that treasure chest as well. There maybe some good stuff in it but I don't think I want to tangle with a ghast and minions at this point.

It actually worked?! I was expecting a trap to be sprung at any second :)

Lord Braggett withdraws from the makeshift throne room with conflicted, but ultimately triumphant feelings. When safely away from potential danger, he joins in with thanking Findlefarb for his foresight and sacrifice "Yet another mark of an excellent squire: they always have the supplies needed for a grand adventure! Why I have met squires who hadn't even packed so much as an egg, yet you bring the chicken. Kudos!"

I'm also fine without the chest. Like Indra said, after such a tense fight in the previous room, I was a bit worried about this one.

Robyyn watches in amazement as the Pathfinders negotiate the exchange of a priceless artifact for a chicken. He withdraws from the room with the others and assists as he can in the clearing of the rubble.

I actually hate leaving stuff behind, but this witch is clearly not the PC to try to overrule the party and force a fight, haha.

If I had spells of more use against undead that would change things a great deal. Sadly all of my 1st level spells are either not for combat or useless against creatures immune to mind effecting things like the undead are.

Haha, yeah some scenarios (and GMs ^^) reward creativity :)

You take some time to excavate the rubble to access a chamber where a ghoul waits for you. When it tries to attack you, you hear a shriek and it quickly stiffens and runs away towards its master.

Within the excavated chamber is a handsome pile of treasure, including the Orb of Stars, a horn of fog in the shape of a curled linnorm, and piles of gold, silver, and copper coins dating back to the Age of Enthronement!

You take notes about the Halls of the Flesh Eaters and, while the magical lock on the door is still a bit of a mystery, you know enough to mark out a safe route around it.

Gathering the treasures you found, you leave the Gloomspires with time to spare, safely reach the Grinning Pixie, and report to Calisro Benarry.

"Pathfinders, you have done a great service for me and the Society." Calisro says, looking over the item you recovered.

"Securing the Orb of Stars paves the way for future expeditions. Soon, perhaps, we’ll learn more about the Gloomspires’ mysterious creators, unravel their arcane secrets, and perhaps even delve deeper into old Sevenfingers’ tomb to liberate his ill-gotten wealth. Considering what you’ve seen, you’re all now among the foremost authorities on the Gloomspires. I hope that I may call upon all of you again should the Society decide to fund another expedition." she says.

And that wraps up the scenario! Congrats, folks! That was not an easy one, especially with no real frontliner. ;)

Yes, I'm also at my best against beings that have minds that can be affected. Also, I originally bought the chicken because I wanted something to use with my Swap power, and just felt a chicken would be the funniest solution. But yes. Findlefarb always travels with a chicken, and it regularly proves to be useful in very unexpected ways.

"Hmm? M'lady? Oh, no, Indra, the chicken didn't really have a name. I make a point of not naming something I might eat later if necessary. Butusuallynotbytearingintoitsfleshwhilealivelikethat..."