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"If you’re on a mission for one of the power brokers here in town, of course we will help. We don’t want to take sides in their squabbles and prefer to help everyone. Hmm, from what you've described, it certainly sounds like one of the vaults beyond the Halflight Path. I have a list here of some of the vaults where we’ve noticed disturbances or unusual levels of activity. Maybe that will help narrow it down." She hands you a parchment. "Which do you think it is?"
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Based on the information we’ve gathered so far, the following vaults seem most likely to be the source of the problems.
Blighted Well: Spiral stairway cut into rock leading to unknown depth.
Burrower’s Delve: Tunnels carved by unknown creature. Passages very smooth.
Frall’s Wake: Crypt-like. Perpetual low moaning throughout. Source unknown.
Scintillating Halls: Greenish-gray glow to the water. Large crystalline structures.
Scrivener’s Despair: Words written down disappear from pages and reappear on walls.
Shallow Dive: Partially submerged. Waters very clear.
Shining Deep: Numerous luminescent crystals throughout. Several cave-ins.
Sparklegrim Passage: Probable connection to the Darklands. Many disappearances nearby.
Torturer’s Pain: Prone to collapse in places. Unidentified metal devices on walls.
Vexing Grove: Fully-grown maple trees with unusual growths on leaves.
”Hmmm ... could also be shining deep!!?“ Enora asks.
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Pooka looks over each of the listed areas, nodding along with the others. He struggles to contain a growing feeling of how fun it might be to explore them all. Luna wags her tail in agreement, sensing her master's excitement.
"Shining deep then? Seems the most likely place to start." he adds his vote to the mix.
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"Hmm, impressive, I believe you're right. Sounds like the Shining Deep. Are you ready? The least I could do is lead you to the entrance."
Talbren waits for the Pathfinders to get ready before guiding them to through the Halflight Path to the entrance of the Shining Deep. During the journey, which takes several hours, Talbren insists that you remain silent to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from lurking monsters. As you arrive at the entrance to the vault, Talbren raises a hand and stops abruptly.
Reaching in to her uniform pocket, she withdraws a handful of glowing crystals on leather cords. She whispers, "These crystals are called Halflight charms. Each of you should carry one with you. They provide a bit of light, but that is not their primary function. If you find yourself in dire straits, clutch the amulet and call for help. The nearest Duskwardens will learn your location and come to assist." The Duskwarden leans closer. "Do not call for us lightly. The disturbance in this vault provides me and my fellow Duskwardens with an opportunity to see the mettle of the Pathfinder Society for ourselves. However, if your life is truly in danger, don’t let pride get in the way of good sense. Activate the charm and flee."
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Before she bids you farewell, Talbren shares that from the little that the duskwardens have explored, for some reason, the caulborn constructed this series of caverns rather hastily and many parts are unstable. She bids you to take care before taking her leave, reminding you again to activate the charms if needed.
The walls of the first chamber you enter are smooth in the southern end except for where part of the ceiling has collapsed, creating a rubble pile that reaches towards the center of the room. Just to the north of this pile, a natural chimney’s low whistling hints at fresh air entering the cavern from somewhere below. Looking down, it see that it narrows quickly into a crack and extends subsequently for hundreds of feet. A shallow pool southeast of this hole is slowly refreshed by a steady drip of water from above. Crystals embedded in the walls, ceilings, and floors provide dim light to the rooms. Echoing through the caverns, you can hear the sound of roaring water, leading you suspect the existence of an underground river somewhere.
The Pathfinders choose the path north, ascending a short flight of natural stairs before coming to the t-junction. Keeping to the same direction, the tunnels ascends further to another chamber, this one approximately 15ft above the one you started in. Piles of rubble encroach upon the middle of this room. Glowing gems glitter to the northwest, their light reflecting off a small pool of water and casting rainbow patterns on the ceiling.
Just then, Severin very quietly returns from the chamber to the east. It reports a long cavern, covered with glittering gems. More importantly, three large humanoids are lazing about in the chamber, ocassionally munching on the gems. It describes these bulky creature having beady eyes, and rocky skins studded with small crystals. Their jutting underbite holds large, crystalline teeth. Quietly, the Pathfinders prepare for battle!
”Oh look what fine crystals! Let me try to get them out!“
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Immunities, special defense
Enora casts HASTE on the whole party.
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"More trolls? These ones don't look friendly."
Kiboko casts Feather Step on Luna.
"Don't let them surround you Pooka. Kiboko and Mvumbu will advance."
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Koboko cast a spell on me? Smells like a spell. I think I got his name right too. Dangerous thing though, thinking. Reminder for myself to not do that too often. I think it's ok this time though.
I was in between thinking Kiboko was great, and just ok, but probably leaning more towards great. This spell zooms him right to the front of great. Mvumbu is pretty great too. Thanks Kiboko!
The hushed speaking tones and the sensation that battle is about to be joined is the only thing that keeps Luna's tail from wagging.
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Nicolas focuses his concentration and says, ”I choose you, ooze mephit!” When the small humanoid creature with thin, leathery wings, small horns, and a mischievous smile appears flying at ceiling height behind the group, Nicolas says, ”Mephit! Put a Stinking Cloud in the middle of that cavern!”
The mephit abides.
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IV Mephit, Ooze CR 3
XP 800
Male ooze mephit (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 203)
N Small outsider (water)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +3 natural, +1 size)
hp 25 (3d10+9); fast healing 2
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +3
DR 5/magic
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (average), swim 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +7 (1d3+3)
Special Attacks breath weapon
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +8)
. . 1/hour—acid arrow
. . 1/day—stinking cloud, summon (level 2, 1 mephit of the same type 25%)
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Statistics
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Str 17, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 11, Cha 14
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 18
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative
Skills Bluff +8, Fly +10, Perception +6, Stealth +12, Swim +11
Languages Aquan, Common
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Ecology
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Environment any (elemental planes)
Organization solitary, pair, gang (3-6), mob (7-12)
Treasure standard
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Special Abilities
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Acid Arrow (1/hour) (Sp) As the spell. Caster level 6th.
Breath Weapon (DC 15) (Su) Each type of mephit can unleash a particular breath weapon every 4 rounds as a standard action. The DC is Constitution-based and includes a +1 racial bonus.
A cone of slime that deals 1d4 acid damage. The slime also causes living creatures to
Damage Reduction (5/magic) You have Damage Reduction against all except Magic attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Fast Healing (if in wet or muddy environments) 2 (Ex) Heal damage every round unless you are killed.
Fly (40 feet, Average) You can fly!
Stinking Cloud (1/day) (Sp) As the spell. DC 14, caster level 6th.
Summon (level 2, 1 mephit of the same type 25%, 1/day) (Sp) Summon other creatures as though casting a summon monster spell with a limited chance of success.
Swim (30 feet) You have a Swim speed.
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Although she does not have the proper equipment, Enora manages to dig out a few gems with her dagger from the wall. They glow with the radiance of candlelight although the glow fades very gradually.
Enora and Traber take careful peeks into the room and quickly share with the team. Other than the natural regeneration to damage (other than acid or sound), the rock trolls have no other special defences, resistances or immunities.
Enora quickly opens up by enchanting her teammates with magic that hastens their actions. Kiboko, Traber and Pooka stand their ground, waiting for the trolls to come to them. Ingrge opens combat by firing at the rock troll in front, but her arrow bounces off its rocky skin. Nicholas pulls forth a mephit which then quickly tosses a cloud of rotting gas into the room. The rock trolls finally notice something wrong with the sudden stench. Neither of the two seem affected, however. They turn to the Pathfinders and roar in anger for disturbing their meal!
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Ingrege fires three arrows in rapid succession, her bow so powerful that one of them punches through the stony skin of the troll. However, almost immediately, its wounds start to close.
The three of them close in while roaring away. The ceiling and walls of the chamber you are in shake alarmingly as they come charging in. The one lagging behind runs through the cloud of poison without any ill-effect, but fails to find a spot to reach the Pathfinders. Only the two in front can find space to fit the narrow entrance. One of them bites down on the large hippo but Mvumbu's hide is tough and its massive canines fail to find purchase.
Enora uses her staff of embers and sends a fireball into the midst of the trolls affecting all of them.
”This fire will surely be felt!“
Traber casts Hold Person DC 17 on the closest troll. He then backs away.
"Haaarrrgghhh??"
Mvumbu stomps her feet, but calms a little as Kiboko moves ahead to protect her. She hopes her friend will be safe, and gnashes her mighty teeth in anticipation of a foe coming in her reach.
Ingrege continues to fire arrows at the leading troll, this time landing two arrows despite having to fire through a whole horde of her allies in front. However, the stubborn troll manages to resist Traber's spell. It's fortune end, however, together with the other two trolls when they are slammed by a powerful fireball from Enora, and they are too slow-witted to duck out of the way. Kiboko rushes in past his animal companion. The two trolls in front recover quickly from the fireball and claw at him, one of them landing a lucky strike, tearing a gash across the half-orc's shoulder. That does not save the leading troll, however. Kiboko slams his greatsword on the monster, cleaving a deep wound across it side. Taken too much punishment, the troll falls unconscious at his feet...
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Pooka sees the bottleneck fold in just the way Kiboko predicted and wanted, and he smiles at the tactical acumen of his newest companions. Realizing the quarters are just too tight for his lance, he drops it to the ground and reaches for his flail.
The halfling looks at the massive hippo, or more specifically, the spaces where the hippo is not. "C'mon Luna, right between the wickets!" He urges, pressing his palm firmly on her neck. Luna obliges, and darts forward, running right between the hippo's legs, Pooka ducking low to avoid knocking his head on Mvumbu's belly. As they run, Pooka wraps his fingers around the handle of his flail, pulling it out and swinging it across his face all in one smooth motion. His momentum along with the swing make the weapon thud hard into the rocky shell of the troll.
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”Mephit, go out there and get ready to spew your slime on those large creatures we are fighting when another of them drops to the ground!”
The mephit flies in and lands on the unconscious troll, readying to breathe acid on it and another troll when another goes unconscious.
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IV Mephit, Ooze CR 3
XP 800
Male ooze mephit (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 203)
N Small outsider (water)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +3 natural, +1 size)
hp 25 (3d10+9); fast healing 2
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +3
DR 5/magic
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (average), swim 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +7 (1d3+3)
Special Attacks breath weapon
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +8)
. . 1/hour—acid arrow
. . 1/day—stinking cloud, summon (level 2, 1 mephit of the same type 25%)
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Statistics
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Str 17, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 11, Cha 14
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 18
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative
Skills Bluff +8, Fly +10, Perception +6, Stealth +12, Swim +11
Languages Aquan, Common
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Ecology
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Environment any (elemental planes)
Organization solitary, pair, gang (3-6), mob (7-12)
Treasure standard
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Special Abilities
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Acid Arrow (1/hour) (Sp) As the spell. Caster level 6th.
Breath Weapon (DC 15) (Su) Each type of mephit can unleash a particular breath weapon every 4 rounds as a standard action. The DC is Constitution-based and includes a +1 racial bonus.
A cone of slime that deals 1d4 acid damage. The slime also causes living creatures to
Damage Reduction (5/magic) You have Damage Reduction against all except Magic attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Fast Healing (if in wet or muddy environments) 2 (Ex) Heal damage every round unless you are killed.
Fly (40 feet, Average) You can fly!
Stinking Cloud (1/day) (Sp) As the spell. DC 14, caster level 6th.
Summon (level 2, 1 mephit of the same type 25%, 1/day) (Sp) Summon other creatures as though casting a summon monster spell with a limited chance of success.
Swim (30 feet) You have a Swim speed.
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Luna and Pooka ducks under the hippo to charge at the next nearest standing troll. The smell was overwhelming, however, filling Pooka's eyes with tears and marring his attack. Luna manages to overcome it quickly enough, and sinks her massive teeth into the troll, tearing out chunks of rocky flesh. Nicholas sends the mephit to land on the unconscious troll.
Meanwhile, the trolls continue to heal from the wounds, even the unconscious one on the floor. Urged by the one behind, the troll in front grudingly moves forward. They go after the frontliners, each managing to tear into Kiboko and Pooka with their sharp claws.
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With too many of her allies in front of her, Ingrgre can't get clear shots as all three of her arrows miss their mark or bounce off its tough hide. The raging half-orc does not have that problem, however. Kiboko manages to land two mighty chops onto the troll, knocking it unconscious as well. For good measure, he bends over and chomps onto the neck of the already unconscious troll. A good thing, too, for it looks like it was starting to stir?
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Pooka grumbles and curses the tight quarters, as well as the throbbing pain in his shoulder that feels like maybe his arm is severed. Nope, still got some grip on the flail. he thinks, oddly relieved.
"One more girl!" Pooka says, holding his mount back for a split second as the ooze mephit spews his acidic breath over the dying trolls. As soon as the breath has passed, he releases his powerful mount, allowing her to launch forward towards the last troll with the glowing orange crystals. The halfling spins his flail low, bringing it up hard in uppercut fashion, while lamenting how much harder he could hit if he could get some momentum.
for
for
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Kiboko barks and gestures towards the back of the party. His companion of many years, Mvumbu understands the gestures and moves to close proximity with Nicolas. Perhaps too close, for civilised folk not used to the smells of jungle beasts.
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As commanded, the mephit spews forth a disgusting cone of acidic goo all over the unconscious foes, narrowly avoiding hitting the nearby Pathfinders.
”Mephit! I command you to do breathe your gross breath all over those large foes as often as you can when you see them stop fighting until I tell you to stop! And don’t hit any other creatures with it!”