Outpost II - [CORE] Lost at Bitter End (Inactive)

Game Master eddv

Fredreka draws a wand and waits for the familiar tingle of magic returning so she may Bless the party.

Readying

The cat's tricks exposed, Shimmer and Jaoyro are able to pierce the cats tough boney body and breaks the creature apart - and interestingly it does not disappear, implying it was somehow native, rather than summoned.

As the beast falls Anwar steps up to Shimmer and strokes her neck, talking quietly and calmly to her to make sure she doesnt get too excited by all of the blood. He removes a small treat from his pack and feeds it to her.

Is everyone all right?

As things subside he makes a quick circuit of the area, checking there are no tracks of more of these beasts and for signs of any sort of lair.

Survival: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37
Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37

"This damaged land certainly keeps one on their toes." Jayori responds with a flash of white teeth.

"My wounds are light." He adds. "I shall attend to Miss Wearyroad, while you make sure there are not more of these creatures lurking about."

Hmm... was a two day journey to Rijana's campsight, right?... am assuming we're still on day one, so won't be there 'til tomorrow. (pondering resources)

Jayori goes over to Fredreka, and gently lays one hand on her shoulder, bowing his head slightly in a silent prayer to Irori. A wave of healing energy washes over her.

Lay on Hands on Fredreka: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

He then pulls out a wand, and uses it a few times on himself.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

That's right - you'll camp tonight before you get t here the next day

Anwar tracks the tracks and realizes - as was evident in the fight how disadvantageous this terrain was for this creature, deprived of the magic the makes up its primary defenses.

No nearby terrain is suitable for a cat's lair and you find its tracks mostly come from the direction of the town.

"This land is infuriating. Let us press on until nightfall."

"It certainly makes things interesting." Jayori responds, with a ring. "But yes, onward. Hopefully we've seen the last of the kitties."

Doodle nods in agreement and falls into line with the others, freaked out by the awful landscape and unease of what’s to come.

Agreed says Anwar shouldering his pack and whistling for Shimmer to join him.

Fredreka pays close attention to the coming and going of her Longstrider's speed enhancement. Perhaps, the group can try to puzzle out some rhyme or reason to the magical shifting?

The maddening journey finally comes to an end a couple of days later as the party arrives at an Oasis as described in the journal. There is a long tube with writing all over - a stele which seems to have been heavily investigated.

There is a one person tent set up and some tools and personal effects seem to have been left behind.

Perhaps most delightfully - the area immediately around the stele does not suffer from fluctuating magic! It functions continuously in here!

The two journals are Translations of the Mana Wastes Stele and Flora, Fauna, and Hazards of the Mana Wastes. The first is a half-finished book containing page after page of drawings and translations of the stele. The last written page contains an incantation in common and instructions that describe exactly how to activate the stele. A notation below the incantation reads, “Making my first attempt tomorrow” and is dated several months ago with no following notations. The page immediately preceding that one has this notation: “Worried that if I activate the stele and don’t like the results, may not be able to deactivate it. Pretty sure the incantation I’ve copied on the next page, when read backwards, will return this stele to normal if performed backwards. Will test later.”

The second journal is a detailed account of the monsters, plants, and normal animals that call the Mana Wastes home.

Anwar examines the stele to see if any of the writing can be translated.

He speaks Ancient Osiriani, Aquan, Auran, Common, Druidic, Giant, Ignan, Osiriani, Sylvan, Terran, Thassilonian

He also looks over the two journals and in particular at the incantation which is supposed to activate it.

Well, thats a few more of these books we need to recover.

”Oh my, what sort of trouble has she gotten herself into? Did she activate the steps and now it’s got her trapped elsewhere? Do we need to try and activate it, do you think?”

"Desna loves travel, but that includes the obstacles along the path. I'll let those of you with bigger brains figure out how safe this thing is."

"Given that she is already dead," Jayori replies solemnly to Doodlevain. "I can only guess a fair bit."

[ooc]Doodle, hers was the body we found back in Geb's Rest.[/b]

"It would seem she was here, and ended up in Geb's Rest, dead. He adds, with a frown. "That certainly doesn't bode well for this ritual."

"Though the only way to find out what happened, might be to activate it as well... Though it would probably be wise to take the ritual book with us if we do."

You are already at full resources, so dont let a need for rest delay you

"Do we know if this thing will teleport us? Or open a portal? Should we prepare our protective and beneficial spells before we activate it? We risk wasting them if nothing happens immediately. There's no way of knowing if we'll meet opposition when we enter."

If we are activating this thing then yes, I will be making some preparations, especially as magic seems stable here. Does anyone know what this thing says or understand how the stele works? I am not really familiar with ths sort of magic

”I think the point is that none of us are familiar with this kind of magic. But I’m afraid that doesn’t matter. Activating it might have some sort of beneficial effect, or give us some clue, so I think we have to do it.”

Doodle and Fredreka can spend some more time studying it.

It's clear from her notes that the Pathfinder thought that activating the stele would restore magic to the region.

It is clear now that that is not the case so it truly is a mystery what happened here.

Reviewing the evidence -

You found her body charred seemingly by magic back in Gebs Rest/Bitter End.

Despite that all of her belongings seem to be out here by the stele.

There have been undead and extraolanar creatures in the region - the undead are not so strange given that its Geb but the fact that a hellcat was residing in the Mana Wastes where its natural defenses do not function is an oddity.

Anwar studies the stele some more, hoping that inspiration might strike. It doesn't.

Well, I think we are back to activating the thing and seeing what happens. We might want some fire protection given what happened to our predecessor, if anyone has any?. Anyone got any idea how long this ritual will take?

Depending on how long the ritual will take Anwar casts extended greater maguc fang on Shimmer, extended Barkskin on both of them, longstrider on both

He also hands Doodle a wand, Can you use this on Shimmer please, feel free to use it on yourself as well, its a simple mage armour spell.

Shimmer prowls around the stele thing excitedly, as if wanting to be off.

Doodle is happy to use the wands a srequested.

Back to studying the ritual, trying to activate it when the others agree.

Fredreka tries to aid Doodle.

Spellcraft DC 10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Spellcraft 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 plus Fredreka’s aid, if Spellcraft is the key to activate it.

The ritual is fairly simple. It is a long recitation - it will take roughly an hour to perform but is basically idiot proof.

In which case Anwar will wait until it completes before buffing up

While Doodle and Frederika deal with the stele Anwar paces around the site, making sure nothing tries to sneak up on them and ambush the group. Shimmer keeps pace with him, sniffing the air.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38
Shimmer assist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Shimmer has scent

Fredreka casts Longstrider, before beginning the ritual.

As the ritual completes, you are able to complete it with no problems.

A moment later the cloud turns like....blue? Like a light blue. A dull blue. No longer the bright sunblasted scene.

The water around you crackles as the stele itself is no longer there.

You have but a moment to collect yourselves. They find footprints going south and more importantly....their connection to magic restored.

I thought the magic connection was already on?

Jayori stands ready as Doodlevain performs the ritual, not knowing what to expect.

Of course, as the sky changes color, and their surroundings change around them, he is not sure what is going on.

"That was not at all what I expected." He says, looking around cautiously. "Have we moved?"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Anwar also takes a look around, Err, what happened?

He scans the ground for signs of life, or tracks.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33
Survival: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21

Doodle points at the footprints. ”There’s our clue, I think,” shesays excitedly. Doodle casts Mage Armor on herself.

Well perhaps the first thing you notice is that the locale has NOT changed.

It is exactly the same.

Just bluish. With no stele.

You follow the footprints south back through the deep canyon that made up a portion of your journey but this time rather than it being empty, the canyon dry and almost glowing purplish hue as the blue aura reflects off the red sand.

Ahead of you stands row upon row of men dressed as soldiers in identical uniforms, Black Armor and Spears clutched to their chest. As you look closer, each soldier has a hue of bluish magic radiating from them visibly.

All told there must be over 10,000 soldiers here.

Jayori eyes the field of soldiers with some trepidation.

"So much the same, yet with such astounding differences." He says, trying to smile.

He moves up to the nearest soldier, to examine them more closely.

He will attempt to detect evil... first the soldier, than the field of soldiers in general.

Otherwise, just random knowledge checks to try to figure out who these soldiers are, or what has happened to them. No clue what those'd be... so the GM can roll as appropriate =)

Detect Evil does detect evil coming from each and every one of the soldiers, its unlike anything Jayori has ever seen to this point!

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

He also notes that all of these soldiers are under the effect of a stasis spell - one that is currently beginning to end.

”Um, what are we going to do about all of these soldiers?, should we run away right now?”

Anwar gives a long, low, whistle. My, my, that is a veritable army. Can you tell if this stasis field is collapsing for all of them? I wonder who they are and why they are here...

He looks around, If they are all about to wake up then we should probably put some distance between us and tem.

Unsure on the collapsing stasis field answer.. Gm?

"That seems wise." Jayori agrees, before adding. "There is great evil here."

"Though our quarry appears to have gone through the thick of this." He adds, with a frown. [b]"So I suppose we had best hurry."

He starts making his way through the legions of soldiers.

Or can we go around? Trying to figure out how much space 10 thousand soldiers would take up

Jayori is unsure - he thinks that it might be in the process of ending unevenly - like some are out of stasis sooner rather than later.

As the group begins to make their way through the legion of frozen spearmen they sense trouble - Geb's work shall not be interruopted! they hear - though there is not an obvious source.

In addition to that voice, several of the static soldier's fields drop right before your eyes!

Anwar + Shimmer
Doodle
Jayori
---
Red
???
Orange
---
Fredreka
---
Dark Blue
Light Blue
Green
Orange
White
Pink
Purple
Black

Only the meeples with frames are moving

I think you might be referencing the wrong tier...

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"The architect of this evil, or merely another pawn?" Jayori mutters, as he spots the source of the words. "Hiding in the back, like most of your ilk."

He heads straight towards the man, calling on Irori to guide his hand.

Dunno where he is on the map... but sounds like he's in range of a double move

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Spotting the ranting man Anwar shouts out, Hey, you, what the hell is going on here.

Readying an action to cast flaming sphere at the man if he takes a hostile action. 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) = 8 fire damage with a DC19 reflex save to negate. You show Shimmer as up but she has a 13 init. If you want her to go on my init she will simply delay. Her default command is to guard me, if I am attacked she will come out of delay and attack. If the hidden man triggers my ready I will order her to the attack as part of that.

Doodle casts Mirror Image on herself, and suddenly there were 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 additional Doodle’s on the scene.

I am indeed referencing the upper subtier

The soldiers nearest the path merely ALMOST animate.

As for the man - he wears the same black robes with a boney facemask that you recall being worn by the undead back in Bitter End.

he's on the map - of note the frozen soldiers make this rough terrain and serve as cover as though they were actually there

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

The man yelps losing his cover from the rest of the party. Though curiously not at all burned by the orb - he appears to be human!

Just to note, the flaming sphere is a readied action only to be used if he attacks us.

Adjusted Jayori's position given the difficult terrain, and where the bad guy is. Still a double move.

The cleric emerges a bit and begins casting an offensive spell Thus triggering the Flaming Sphere despite getting hit squarely by the ball of fire.

He drops an unholy cross of fire over Doodle, Shimmer, Anwar, and Fredreka

You are too early! The army of Geb will conquer the Arclords! You agents of they will not succeed!

Reflex sAvE DC 19: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 5, 1, 6, 5, 5, 4, 2) = 42 Half Unholy, Half Fire.

Anwar REFLEX 42 or 21
Doodle (3 images) REFLEX 42 or 21
Jayori
---
Cleric of Geb
---
Fredreka REFLEX 42 or 21
Shimmer REFLEX 42 or 21

Reflex 19: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Singed, and a little amazed she avoided the brunt of the blast, Fredreka decides it's time for a big gun.

"I don't know who ye are, or who ye worship, but one good burn deserves another!"

FLAME STRIKE!!!

Positioning to hit blue, purple and the caster.

Fire/Holy: 5d6 + 5d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 6, 3) + (2, 2, 3, 1, 5) = 29
DC21 Reflex for half

Fredreka then steps next to Shimmer.

"Come on beastie, let's go fer a ride."

DIMENSIONAL HOP - 40 feet plus 40 feet for Shimmer.

"Go ahead boy, or girl, or whatever, eat this blowhard."

Battle of the 10d6's!

Jayori shields his eyes from the blast, as Fredreka drops her flames on the priest.

Single move through difficult terrain (10') then smite evil on the fellow and attempt to stab him

trident, smite, PA: 1d20 + 12 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 3 - 2 = 27, for 1d8 + 6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 4 + 4 = 21 damage.

This fellow isn't undead is he? Only ask due to him seemingly being on the Geb side of the conflict. If so, add 4 to the damage.
If he's not evil at all, then subtract 3 from the attack, and 4 from the damage

Reflex 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Doodle avoided most of the fire, cast Fly on herself and flew 20’ toward the evil cleric, trying to avoid the army from the air.