Retrocon 2019: GM ZD Core 6:00 Legacy of the Stonelords (Inactive)

Game Master Z...D...

Yangrit moves closer and begins to chant with the others. Soon after she begins, the others abruptly stop.

They drop their hoods, revealing scarred faces. The worst of it being the eyes being completely gouged out, they are covered over with scar tissue.

Two draw out jawless skulls with tightly rolled scrolls stuffed into their eye sockets. As the seers speak—a process that is more like chanting than conversational speech—they pass the skulls back and forth as if using them as the focus for some supernatural sense. One seer challenges the PCs to explain themselves by intoning, “Some say the future is unwritten. I say it is written right here. Should others be enlightened?”

In his best dwarven, which sounds like very broken common, but at least he is able to picture it in his minds eye as he tries his best form of improv.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Tis strange that in a land so strong
The King sitting on his iron throne,
Has heard our voice to thus prolong,
And the noises of our Pathfinder's wondrous song.

I care for nothing, good nor bad,
Out hopes are gone, our pleasures fled,
You are but sifting sand, the king once said:
Protect your legacy, let the mighty citadel stand!"

He smiles, awkwardly, not knowing how he went.

Translation - King Gutheran sent us to help preserve this place, its knowledge and save some dwarves. We are Pahtfinders. Please help us preserve your history.

You know, I have a bad feeling about this..

Sarvijna takes a seat next to Yangrit and closes his eyes in prayer to Irori , his wounds aching. I say the future is what we make of it. A wise monk once told me that it is wrong to say that we live only once. For the truth is, that we die only once, but we live every day

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

The seers pass the skulls around once more. One of them pulls a scroll from an eye socket of the skull and hands it to the PC's to take. "Very well take this, so it can be preserved"

If you want to get the second scroll, you can attempt to sleight of hand check. But, you already got the standard success.

Seer's district complete. Now you can choose from the monument, temple or armorers districts

Monumnet Discrict is my vote!

Monumnet sounds good to me

The ravages of time erased, this grand hall sweeps open before you. A gigantic archway is formed by the arms of enormous twin statues, each proudly holding a hammer aloft. Other smaller statues stand at attention, firm and resolute, painted in lifelike detail. A pool of cool water fills the center of the chamber, lit by mirror-reflected sunlight cast through skylights cleverly carved into the ceiling.

On the eastern statue are some writings.

Doing her best to capture the differences between the grand hall as it is now vs. how it was before (in the future). Spying the writing on the eastern statue, she approaches it cautiously to examine it.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Morka, learning his lessons will cast detect magic to look around.

Yangrit, with her dwarven eyes,notice that these statues are more than decoration. If you step to close to the one entering the hall, their hammers are to drop on who ever is below.

I am not sure anyone has disable device, I may be wrong though. It is DC 20 Disable device

Aldran takes a closer look at one of the smaller statues workmenship.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8
Dice + skill + Stonecunning

Yangrit warns the others: "Stay back from the statues. If you get too close, they'll drop their hammers on you. Classic dwarven trap. Beautiful." That last sentence is spoken with proud admiration for her race's accomplishments.

She then resumes mentally cataloging the remaining differences in the room, and keeping an eye peeled for that jeweled statue mentioned by the Venture Captain.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

For some reason I forgot to post this.

The legs of the western statue are covered with an archaic form of Dwarven runes.

I need a Knowledge (history), Linguistics, or relevant Craft or Profession check either to translate the runes or record them accurately. Those of you who speak dwarven gain a +5 circumstance bonus on this check

Yangrit begins to record the runes from the legs of the western statue, attempting to translate them as she goes.

Profession (clerk): 1d20 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 5 = 19
includes +5 for speaking Dwarven

If Profession (clerk) doesn't work for this, Yangrit has a +4 to Knowledge (history). Just subtract 3 from the above dice roll if needed.

Morka casts Comprehend Lanague. Ah, finally this is so much better! I can read everything! Hahaha- this is great! Find anything cool guys? Ya-Grit? smiling solidly!

He proceeds to carefully examine the runes and sletchings. This time, everything making much more sense.
Ling: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 5 = 17

Either way it is a success, good job and that is another success. We are blowing through these parts.

This torch-lit chamber is decorated with extravagant carvings, canine statues and polished pillars. A grotesque statue on the western platform stares toward the eastern door with sparkling gems for eyes and a bronze axe planted firmly in its head.

Sarvijna eyes the statue carefully. Whilst those gems might be appealing, we should be wary of the axe he mutters to no one in particular.

Aldran take a look a with out touching, the gems and axe to see the value of them.
Appraise: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 2 = 15

Hearing Sarvijna's muttering, Yangrit grunts: "Mmg. Good idea." She then carefully examines the statue for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

No traps are percieved. Make sure you read the handout labeled monument district for your orders from Shaine

Not seeing any traps, Yangrit draws her dagger and holds it up to one of the statue's eyes, then pauses. "Are we ready?"

If no one objects, she will attempt to pry the jewels out of the statue's eye sockets with her dagger.

Desynthia puts a bolt in her crossbow

I'm ready...I think

How long since I last cast "Mage Armor"? Is it still working? (10th February post, just before the fight around the portal)

Heck, whats the worst that can happen. Go for it!

"Hold on lass, let me pop the other one out at the same time."

Aldran gets ready to remove the other eye when Yangrit says go.

@Desynthis, yes, this is all happening fairly quickly.

It only takes a moment for Aldran and Yangrit to pop the opals from their spots. Just as the they finish climbing back down statue and prepare to leave, members of the Jormurdun city guard arrive with weapons drawn.

“What? Thieves as well? As if the hateful duergar invaders weren’t insult enough! Drop your loot and we’ll drag you gently to your cells where criminals belong!”

Hey, I've done Nothing. Its all a misunderstanding!

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"How dare you speak lies to us. We caught you companions climbing off of the statue." The dwarf seems less than pleased about the bold face lie, but still does not attack.

Assuming a non-threatening posture despite her misgivings, Yangrit addresses the guards. "We Pathfinders travel with King Gutheran’s blessing. There has been a magical disturbance, which temporarily brought us here from many thousands of years into the future. In our time, these jewels were missing. We were instructed to take them into safekeeping so the duergar would not get them in their imminent invasion."

Wanting to avoid violence to her (possible) forebears, Yangrit studies the guards' body language to determine how likely they are to initiate an attack.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

@GM Z..D..: Are the guards between us and the exit we want to use to skedaddle? (Asking just in case we choose to make a run for it.)

Yangrit, go ahead and give me diplo. You get a +5 for the checks since you mentioned the king

And yes, they are standing in the way

I will give her a small bonus to help!

That's right...ah, you should listen to this one. She is right in everything she says, and is also a dwarf! as Morka hides behind her being the perfect size to do so.

Assist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 for that +2 bonus!

"That is richt. We waant thae cristals tae stay wi' th' clan, than fur thaim tae be lost tae some fifthy Durgar. "

Diplomacy aid : 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

There's another +2

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

With the +5 and the two aids you manage to persuade the guard

The guards seem to react to the King's name and visibly relax. "If you are under King's orders to protect the jewels so be it."

Two successes, one for getting the jewels and a second for solving it non violently.

Will post the next section one I get settled in at work

Well done Yangrit! That was so cool! You know, maybe you are to become a future dwarven general! So coooool!

With a solemn half nod, half bow to the guards, Yangrit vows: "Thank you. We will protect them, on our honor."[b]

Turning to Morka, she claps him on the back, only slightly roughly. With another nod in Aldran's direction, she grunts: "Thanks for the assist. Now, we'd best hurry. The duergar and the time shift will not wait for us."[/b] With that, she tucks the gem she is holding into her backpack and begins striding on her stubby legs toward the Pathfinders' meeting place.

"Ye, time waits for no one." As he wraps the gem with some cloth and places it in his pack. Then trots of after Yangrit
She runs like a girl and I like it.

Sorry to post later than normal.A lot of paperwork tonight. Armorers or Temple district?

Temple! Heheh!

Sure. The temple works for me.

As the PCs approach one of the shrines, they encounter three terrified dwarves in soot-stained robes being threatened by demonic figures, one of the fiends waves a gilded forge hammer as if mocking the captives.

“I defecate on your Torag, little priest! I spit in his eye, I call him a smoky, coal-sucking godling of sweaty tinkerers! Take your holy things, little quaking cleric. Throw this toy in the flames of your sacred forge, break the others on your anvil, and maybe then we’ll shall wait to eat your entrails until after you’re dead!”

You see two teiflings and another dretch demon

Bold go
Yangrit
Aldran
Morka
GM
Sarvijna
Desythia
GM x2

Glowering at the evil beings, Yangrit slinks up to the closest tiefling and aims a flurry of blows at his flank.

Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Wow. Two natural 1s in a row. I'm impressed.

Oof! I think I pulled a muscle. Or two. Ouch.

Morka takes aim and looses an arrow at the tiefling!
Shortbow+Point Blanc: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7 -- arrow damage

Aldran roars a challenge to the demons as he moves up "Torag created the world at his great forge, striking it again and again with his hammer to get the shape he desired. AND NOW I WILL HAMMER YOU LOT FLAT!"

The birthmark on the side of his face has a slight glow to it then the glow winks out. Torag has taken notice of Aldran and will start to shape Aldran to Torag's will.
Next level Aldran is multi-classing as a Cleric

Aldran swings his war hammer at the teifling.

MW War hammer Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 1 = 22

Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

Morka softens up the tiefling for Aldran to finish him off in one stroke.

Blue vs Aldran: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
The tiefling in blue moves up to aldran to avenge his fallen comrade. He takes a swipe with his short sword, but it deflects harmlessly off of his armor.

Bold go
Yangrit
Aldran
Morka
GM-Blue
Sarvijna
Desythia
GM-Red

Heavenly fire vs Dretch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Holy dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Desynthia doesn't waste time, and aim quickly at the unholy creature, sending a bolt of white pure energy

"That's richt step up sae ah kin chop into yer blsphemous face hell spawn."

Desythia just misses with her heavenly fire bolt.

sarvijna acrobatics to avoid aoo: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
aoo vs Sarvijna: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
sarvijna vs blue: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 191d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Sarvijan moves into melee, narrowly avoiding the blade of the tiefling, and delivers a hard blow to the demonspawns solar plexus.

Bold go
Yangrit
Aldran
Morka
GM-Blue
Sarvijna
Desythia
GM-Red

claw vs Sarvijna: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
The dretch moves in, leaving the clerics alone, and swings a claw at the monk. He dodges it as the dretch nearly falls over.

Yangrit grumbles at her companions: "You've got this guy flanked. I'll work on that one."

Taking a five foot step towards the dretch, Yangrit unleashes a flurry of blows against it.

Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 111d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Yangrit first strike lands, but does not do much damage. The other misses.

Bold go
Yangrit
Aldran
Morka
GM-Blue
Sarvijna
Desythia
GM-Red