GM Netherpongo's 6-98 Serpent's Rise (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Goodrich

Marnarius shakes his head at Joliryn's dramatics. "I don't give a shit how he dies as long as he does. You want to strike the killing blow? Be my guest."

He strolls back down the stairs and towards the glass case that seemingly holds the Sky Key, although he stops a few feet shy of the rope barrier. If I were the Master of Spells guarding a very powerful artifact, I'd have warded the hell out of it. So...what traps are here and how can we disable them?

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

And with that roll, he'll probably never know.

Damn pathfinders, always thinking they have the upper hand.

Rataji pulls out a potion, then goes over to look at the dragon.
Heal check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

If Gazwyr is still technically alive, he will administer the potion to the dragon, otherwise he will drink the potion himself.

CSW Potion: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 2, 1) + 5 = 14

After quaffing or administering, he will look up at what Marnarius is going on about, and cast a Detect Magic and inspect it.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Gazwyr is not alive. I haven't had time to write up a proper post, but after looking at the year 10 guide, I think either we'll be able to declare that Gazwyr has sufficient treasure to pay for his raise dead (despite the lack of any such thing on his character sheet) or that the party can chip in by selling some of their own pregen gear. It'd be cleaner if someone says 'I pick up Gazwyr's roasted corpse on the way out.'

We should be able to move to chronicles shortly (and in time!) If you haven't done so yet, please pm me an email and check to make sure I have your paizo number/character number type info in discussion or recruitment.

Also, I've been talking to my local VC and he says that this fight TPKs about half the time. Good job (mostly) surviving it!

Sounds good, GM! PM sent.

The unnamed elf snags the lantern by the handle, flies back into the room, and lands next to Aram Zey's body, shouting,

"他死了吗？ 我及时做到了吗?"

We will carry Gazwyr's body out with us.

Joliryn's blade is held ready over Aram Zey's throat. "Just say the word and he's dead," she says as she meets the elf's otherworldly gaze. "Or just nod. No need to drag his corpse out with us."

She calls over her shoulder to her other Agents, "Any luck finding that Sky Key we came here for, Shohiraj? Marnarius, grab that smoking corpse. A dragon that owes us its life would be a fine favor to call in someday."

Seeing the group work together towards the end goal makes Shohiraj happy, even if she doesn't show it. She responds directly to Joliryn "On it. I'm not 100% sure what that key will look like but I can at least make sure its safe to pick up once we do find it." She heads over and takes a long look at what's behind the velvet rope.

Perception, +2 vs traps: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Disable Device if needed: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30
Reflex if needed.. evasion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

I swear she's better at her job than her rolls have led you all to believe in this mission!

Gripping the lantern tightly, the elf nods at the halfling, and finds her voice again. (Seems like we're out of initiative.)

"Do it."

As Joliryn does unmentionable things with Aram Zey's fingers, his soul visibly tears away from his body and spirals into the lantern carried by 322. The lantern, dark until now, begins glowing with a faint light.

After a failed stabilization check Aram Zey had 1 hp left, and that only because he was protected from the falling damage by Stoneskin. Close!

Shohiraj does not find any traps on the Sky Key as the Aspis agents recover the item. All of the wards are meant to protect the Society from the artifact rather than the other way around. As the group removes the glass case, time begins to warp around them, causing them to speed up or slow down in unpredictable ways.

Even carrying the Sky Key is a chore, but it does not present any real difficulties.

The passages of Skyreach at this level of the building are all but empty now, as any remaining guards have gone to help with the fighting elsewhere. As you escape, a second team of Aspis agents show you a silver Aspis badge as they approach.

"Nicely done. I figured we'd be late to the party, but its still five fingers till Oathday."

The party can meet up with Zurnzal again to give our Gazwyr player some opportunities for final roleplay.

This rod is nice. I think that will be sufficient payment for now, and I will collect the remainder from our superiors.
He looks at all of you individually as though assessing the likelihood that you will take a portion of the loot without reporting it, then nods and heads out of the room with the Sky Key, rod tucked into his belt.
This is the team that will take the Sky Key out of Absalom.
We give them the Sky Key and continue out of the lodge, heading for the streets of Absalom and away from any possible observers.
Too bad about the dragon, but hey, 5 way split! Oh, Zurnzal - you're back. Sorry folks, it's six ways again.
I do wonder how effective our subterfuge with Janira will be. I don't think it's worth going back in to solidify it. Perhaps she was killed in the ensuing melee. One can always hope.
It's been a fun little excursion. We'll have to do this again in the future, for the right price.
With that, Rataji brushes the worst of the blood and viscera from his clothing, wraps his cloak around himself and strides off into the night.

Since we're talking about Janira, I'll mention that Rataji's Suggestion earlier told that sorcerer to go to Southgrove, where Janira presumably still was. Assume that has no impact on your success conditions, but I was amused.

Since we're talking about Janira, I'll mention that Rataji's Suggestion earlier told that sorcerer to go to Southgrove, where Janira presumably still was. Assume that has no impact on your success conditions, but I was amused.

I hadn't thought of that. It was just the only part of the lodge whose name I came up with quickly.

Marnarius bristles at Joliryn's order but does grab Gazwyr's corpse. "I'll take him to Wolona; I'm sure someone in her group can manage a raise dead spell." As they continue through the halls of Skyreach and successfully hand over the Sky Key, he finally relaxes.

"Rataji, Shohiraj, Zurnzal, I'd say it's been fun, but it really hasn't. Still, it was nice to work with professionals for a change. Elf," he turns to 322, "I still think you're creepy as f#+*, but thanks for keeping us all alive. I'll buy you a drink if we ever happen to run into each other again."

"As for you Joliryn, you're a damn good fighter, but your little barbs aren't cute. If this mission had been any less important I would have slit your f#~@ing throat the first time you insulted me. So here's a word of advice, slip. Learn when to shut your mouth, or eventually someone will shut it for you."

Demoralize, DC16: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Confident that the message has been received, Marnarius turns to head back the way they came. "Now that our mission's over, I'm going to go back and help out Wolona. We did leave her a man down after all, and she still owes me a drink. Maybe two, for finally getting her out of there." He offers one last wave and vanishes down the corridor.

Normally I wouldn't use intimidate against a party member, but it seemed appropriate under the circumstances.

Marnarius doesn’t even finish the word “slip” before he suddenly finds a very sharp, very hot, very sparky blade next to a rather sensitive part of his anatomy that happens to be shoulder-high for a halfling. ”If I want advice on how to run around crying like a Taldan noble before lying down on the job, I know who to ask,” she says coldly, eyes on the man’s face instead of the blade hovering a hair-span away from the spot where his legs meet. ”I took down the Master of Scrolls. Without me, your corpse would be joining Gazwyr’s. Go play with the other children and don’t waste my time trying to appear tough.” The blade disappears as swiftly as it appeared as the halfling walks away, but the heat lingers as Marnarius’s breeches now sport an unfortunately-placed dark spot.

Intimidate, Heroism: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 = 23

Thoigh she did deal the most damage, Joliryn just got suuuuuuper lucky with the crits and the fact that energy damage bypassed the foo lizard’s hardness. She’s also just as done with Marnarius as he is with her - but her pride won’t let him have the last word.

Marnarius shrugs as he walks off. "As I recall it, I fired the shot that took down the Master of Scrolls. Without help from our 'fearless leader' who you've spent this entire mission belittling, you wouldn't have been able to touch him. But fine, have it your way. Don't say I didn't warn you."

FYI, Marnarius is going to kill her for that. He has his pride too and he literally just said he would. For the sake of not abusing our poor GM by initiating PVP, I'll say that particular epic showdown happens offscreen later :)

Shohiraj moves behind the group silently, doing her best to scrub the scene of their passing, besides of course the dead wizard. With a pinch of dust she cleans the scene then follows the others doing her best to remove signs of their passing.

As they get near the lizards she repeats this process with the dust to remove traces of their passing and any spots of blood or broken arrows that could be used to find them magically. Dust of tracelessness x2

As the two argue over who's got the largest between their legs she remains silent on the outside but grimaces beneath the surface Its a wonder the Consortium gets anything done at all. These people are great in a fight but are such loose cannons!

She nods at Rataji and scoops up the headband, stows it out of sight and removes her disguise before heading off into the chaos... alone.

"Rataji, Shohiraj, Zurnzal, I'd say it's been fun, but it really hasn't. Still, it was nice to work with professionals for a change. Elf," he turns to 322, "I still think you're creepy as f#&%, but thanks for keeping us all alive. I'll buy you a drink if we ever happen to run into each other again."

"Yes, I am. Creepy as f@*!. I think it is time for me to make the most of that."

She slips the ring of spell storing around her finger and examines it with satisfaction in the light of the lantern. Once they hand over the Sky Key and emerge from the gate onto the city streets, she raises the lantern into the air and activates her Wings of Darkness. The lantern's spectral glow casts her face into shadow, so it is difficult for the Aspis agents to see her expression as she gives them a brusque nod and launches herself into the night air.

As everyone strides off, Zurnzal eyes the charred corpse of the dragon.

Well. Better it than me. I wonder what our next mission will be?