Saga of the Sages

Game Master Nathanael Love

The ceiling of this natural cavern sparkles with thousands of tiny crystals, while the center of the cave is split by a chasm that wends deeper underground. A stone bridge stretches over the gap. At the center of the bridge rises a black granite obelisk, covered with gems and hieroglyphics. The obelisk is a masterpiece of sculpture, with flawless lines and beautifully rendered images of the past. Large double doors provide an exit to the north while an open archway to the south is covered with wall carvings and leads to a hallway.

Please place yourselves as you explore this room

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Dario steps into the cavern and focuses on the obelisk. "Marvelous." He goes up to it to inspect the script and gems.

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

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"Hey, what's that shiny thing? i think it's a wayfinder!"

She starts tying a rope around herself, and then around something that will anchor it. If she can get a secure hold, she will jump off the bridge. casting feather fall as she drops.

As Dario moves forward notices the jeweled eyes turning to look at him, just before you all see visions of the dead rising up from
ancient tombs, armies of divs marching forth from a massive structure of black stone.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 A single spirit launches from the obelisk and swings at Dario, but misses and fades away.

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"A spirit lies here, unable to rest."

Readied Action to Channel positive energy vs the haunt
Channel Possitive Energy DC 13: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Flagbearer bonus in effect. +1 to all the things.

Kenji is truly saddened to see Asha Sandwalker‘s corpse and is clearly disturbed when the group finds another Wayfinder.

“A haunt?! I really think this is a place of great tragedy! And again the initials A L ... what does this all mean?!“

"A ghost!" Dario tries to avoid it, while considering what might put the spirit to rest.

Knowledge, Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Skai continues to work her way to the wayfinder. Maybe it has an inscription too?

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Skai manages to skillfully climb down to the bottom where the body lies.

Rosario's body is bearing her broken, scarab-embossed wayfinder, a wand of protection from evil (10 charges), and a gem of brightness (12 charges). She appears to be wearing a ring of maniacal devices.

"Hey Fiata, you want to hold onto that wand in case of possession? I figure you're most likely to keep your head if ghosts are around."

"Yes, of course." She slides the wand into her belt.

Skai ties the rope around the body's torso so we can pull her up. Then she climbs back up using the rope.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Better pull her up and send the rope back down to pull me up too!"

You take the time for Skai to climb up with rope.

Let me know if there's anything else you want in this room and whose leading the way into the next

The Haunt doesn't seem to be active anymore?

Dario carefully moves closer to the obelisk again to inspect it.

I forgot about the haunt. I wonder if it was caused by Rosario, or if it caused her to fall?

The obelisk seems strictly ordinary when examining it now- if it resets and activates again it seem not to be capable of doing so this soon after its malevolent Magic activated before.

As you begin looking at the hallway to the next room. . .

The arch around the north entrance to this hallway is covered with detailed carvings depicting the life and accomplishments of a female pharaoh. A charred corpse covered in flecks of glass is visible just inside the hallway.

kn history: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"No idea what this pharaoh is about! I really need to spend more time studying! The Scarab Sages value knowledge! Irori values knowledge! I am ignorant! Agghhh .... " Kenji says and grits his teeth.

Suddenly, he sees the corpse and immediately moves to it to inspect it.

"Oh no ... another Pathfinder?!"

Knowledge, History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The Professor hardly notices the corpse. "Some wonderful reliefs here! This is the Song Pharaoh, whose death began the slow decline of the Ancient Osirion dynasties." He begins to go on about some random historical fact, but then stops. "Wait, this doesn't seem right. The carvings show her defeated by the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues, whom she famously overthrew, and her being born in Shiman-Sekh, when she is known to have founded that city. This contradicts current records."

Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 5 = 28

"Be careful, there's a trap! It's linked to how close someone gets to it. Our long fallen colleague must have accidentally triggered it. It may have re-armed itself."

"Hmm.. do you suppose this is lying? Have scholars used divinations to confirm the details of the Song Pharaoh's life?"

perception : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

“A trap? Really Fiata? Where?!? Obviously I see nothing and know nothing... my companions... I am unworthy of your tutoring Professor ... “ Kenji says and let’s his head hang down.

The Professor looks to where Fiata is pointing out the trap. He carefully nudges a rock near it while he slips a tool around the edge.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

"Hey, try this ring on... it might help with that."

Skai hands Dario the ring of maniacal devices.

Assuming, I haven't triggered the trap already...

Dario nods and takes the ring. He slips it on to try again.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 5 = 30

Dario manages to disable to trap! But for some reason, that ring didn't actually seem to help. . .

The fallen seeker's corpse (Thanien) holds notes in his pack, including a letter with the Decemvirate's seal, as well as a broken scarab embossed wayfinder and a scroll of remove curse.

Letter on slide 6

Moving into B12 . . .

This large columned chamber shows signs of past comforts, but an ancient battle scorched the walls and ceiling, and cracked and smashed the floor and columns. The remnants of furniture are scattered against the walls, and piles of bodies are stacked in the sleeping alcoves along the south and west walls. A dais crowned with a great, round table rises from the floor in the south part of the room. Three corpses sit around the table as if in conference, each dressed in fine silk robes. A slight breeze whistles through with a sound like a distant, murmuring voice, but there is no sense or meaning in it. An open hallway to the north leads to a natural cavern. Stairs lead downward in the northeast corner of the room, but were buried in stone when the wall collapsed.

Dario cautiously approaches the seated corpses. "It's as if they simply died after settling down to have a chat." He glances around at the piled up corpses. "Though maybe they weren't the first."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"Better burn the letter, I guess. Wait, let me read it one more time... ok, whenever you're done."

Dario manages to disable to trap! But for some reason, that ring didn't actually seem to help. . .

Dario looks down at the ring, wondering why it didn't exactly help him with the trap. He tries to pull it off for a closer inspection.

And this is the point where it becomes clear to Dario that some magic has warped the ring into a cursed ring of some type as it won’t come off!

Oh! So sorry, man!

No worries! I had a bad feeling when GM said it didn't help. We'll have to see what the curse is, but Dario will find a cursed item fascinating!

The Professor tries to pull the ring off, but he realizes the ring holds some sort of curse! He looks around alarmed, but doesn't say anything. He shoves his hand into his pocket to try and ignore it, as he inspects the corpses.

"Oof. Should we get the clippers or wait and see if someone back at the lodge has a better plan?"

Fiata scans the room for anything of interest, including magic auras.

Perception with Detect Magic
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

As you move into the room looking around, you hear footsteps behind you- a man, Yjalk and his crew step into the room behind you!

"What!? Someone here, looting my loot! Signe, do you believe this!?"

Dario turns to the men coming in. "Excuse me! Who are you? This is a private expedition funded by the University of Egorian for historical research. Do you have permits to be here?" He steps forward questioning the interlopers.

Bluff with Luck: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Folio reroll!: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18

"We don't need any permits- don't try any funny business on me here, or my crew will bust yours up!"

There are 5 of them total, I'll get them on the map if it looks like its heading towards combat; Yjalk is Ulfen but does not have any markers- you don't think he's Aspis or anything like that, just an adventurer

Kenji moves forward.

"Listen, we were here first. We have lost companions here. Blood was lost. I think you understand that it is better for you to leave this place for us to explore." he says.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"No, that won't do- I am here to find a powerful weapon that should be here, one that will help me slay the Linnorm and become King."

28 is enough to bring his attitude to friendly, but he won't agree to leave the area

"Very well then- I help you explore, no?"

But just as Yjalk is inviting himself to "join" you, the brazier in the center of the room flashes and the spirit of the Sage of Plagues returns, reanimating a mass of corpses into another golem to attack you!

Round 1

Turn Order:
1. Fiata
2. Golem
3. Sage of Plagues
4. Dario
5. Kenji
6. Skai
7. Penthesilea
8. Safe of Plagues again!?!

Fiata acts before the bad guys here! It's Knowledge Religion for this creature and arcana on the carrion golem

"It looks like a lot is unfolding here, but nothing we can't handle."

Inspire Courage. Stacks with Flagbearer. Q2 to all the things. Round Three of Ten. Seven rounds remain.

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Fiata knows this is an Allip and knows one fact about Allips.

She also recognizes the carrion golems from earlier and remembers one fact about them.

Allip, Special Attack
Carrion Golem, DR?

an allip babbles constantly which causes a fascinate to everyone within 60 ft (will negates); its touch also does wisdom damage and heals it (also will negates); the golem has dr 5 bludgeoning or slashing (so not piercing)

Fiata calls out to her team. "Penthesilea, can you prepare to counter the Allip's vocal attack? Otherwise it will lock us down and pick us off. Boys, use blunt or sharp on the golem. Nothing pointy, it'll just bounce off!"

Skai listens to what Fiata is saying, and considers her options.

She backs up and starts her chanting, summoning a ball of wind and lightning, which she directs to roll into the Alsip.

Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5) = 10

Spell Reference

Round 1
Fiata begins inspire courage.

The carrion golem moves forward and swings at Fiata:
Slam: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

As the Allip begins to move, its babbling affects everyone! DC 16 will of become fascinated

The Allip moves forward, and touching Penthesilea Bestows a Curse on her!
Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 but misses!

Turn Order:
1. Fiata
2. Golem
3. Sage of Plagues
4. Dario
5. Kenji
6. Skai
7. Penthesilea
8. Sage of Plagues again!?!

Everyone can act now; the Sage acts a second time between Penthesilea and Fiata; pending will saves of course- though Penthesila if failed is broken when the ALlip attacks

Will vs DC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

will save : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12