Normal light functions just like bright light, but characters with light sensitivity and light blindness do not take penalties. Areas of normal light include underneath a forest canopy during the day, within 20 feet of a torch, and inside the area of a light spell.
In an area of dim light, a character can see somewhat. Creatures within this area have concealment (20% miss chance in combat) from those without darkvision or the ability to see in darkness. A creature within an area of dim light can make a Stealth check to conceal itself. Areas of dim light include outside at night with a moon in the sky, bright starlight, and the area between 20 and 40 feet from a torch.
In areas of darkness, creatures without darkvision are effectively blinded. In addition to the obvious effects, a blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have total concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and takes a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight and most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks. Areas of darkness include an unlit dungeon chamber, most caverns, and outside on a cloudy, moonless night.
Characters with low-light vision (elves, gnomes, and half-elves) can see objects twice as far away as the given radius. Double the effective radius of bright light, normal light, and dim light for such characters.
Characters with darkvision (dwarves and half-orcs) can see lit areas normally as well as dark areas within 60 feet. A creature can't hide within 60 feet of a character with darkvision unless it is invisible or has cover.
The minotaur strikes Imrahil with his axe. He strikes again and then tries to gore Reckum, but both attacks miss.
The Minotaur will fall unconscious with 25 more points of damage or flee with 15 more
Initiative
Janira - still alive?
Reckum <= up
Imrahil <= up, 11 points of damage this round
Zu + Fuzzy <= Up
Ninnic <= Up
Khari <= Up
Minotaur
Folwin <= Up
Despite the poor lighting Imrahil deals the Minotaur a grievous blow. As it feels in pain, Reckum strikes it in the chest with a sickening CRACK-SQUISH and it falls to the ground unconscious.
Khari lies against a tree, stable, as her friends will discover soon enough.
Janira lies a few feet away, unmoving and bleeding profusely..
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"Yes! Good work you guys," Zu calls out from his lofty perch. He hurries back down and across the stream - taking the log - as quickly as he can but it takes him several seconds due to his short legs. "Quick, weren't there some healing potions in Janira's bag??? Use those!"
As you get close to Janira you quickly realize she is past the point of being helped by potions, wands, or other forms of healing.
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Khari sputters awake. "I'm not sleeping, just resting my eyes..." She coughs again. "Did we win?" She stands up.
"Janira?" She frowns. "It's... too late, isn't it?" She sighs. "This is what being a Pathfinder is all about, right? She sacrificed herself so we could live. We should at least bring her body back with us." Khari prepares to wrap the body- along if she needs to.
Janira's life ended that day. But her inspiration burned brighter than ever. It is a burden we must all carry, as Pathfinders.
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Imrahil returns to his normal size and places Janira's bag next to her.
"I don't know how high-ranking of an agent she was, so we shouldn't get our hopes up." His hopes look up, but maybe it's a front against the alternative. "Could she have the funds to return? There are always new Pathfinders to teach, maybe her shard need not be laid to rest yet."
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"Well, we won't find out standing here moping," Reckum points out, the eternal hope of gnomekind on his face as he hoists Janira over his shoulder. "Perhaps she made arrangements to sell some o' her gear if she don't have close enough friends to do the magic healy things." He bravely sets out into the bushes with his load.
Is this the right direction? Eh, we're on an island - can't get too lost!
The party grieves the loss of their mentor and prepares to head back.
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As it becomes apparent that their help arrived too late Zu seems to almost visibly deflate, his vines and leaves drooping.
"Oh..."
He stares down at the ground for a long time, silent. As Reckum hefts Janira's body over his shoulder and moves to set out, the leshy looks up.
"What happens to her spirit if someone can't put it back in her body? Will it be okay?"
There's a sadness in Zu's voice as he speaks, as well as a desperation for reassurance, all in sharp contrast to the cheery expression etched into his pumpkin head.
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The party makes their way back to the Grand Lodge in Absalom, where they are greeted by Kreighton Shaine. His excitement about your findings is dampened by the news of Janira's death and the sight of her body. "This won't do." He says sadly. "We'll see to it that she is taken care of properly. She was one of my most promising students..." He breathes in and back out again. After hearing how she died, he nods slowly. "She behaved as she believed a Pathfinder should; she is an inspiration to all of us."
It is an unusually subdued Kreighton Shaine that asks about what you found in the caves.
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"Janira died at the hands of a minotaur. She kept its attention while we explored the cave. If it could have followed us in, we must be thankful she wore it down; another tier of disaster could have struck otherwise. Perhaps it was only that which let us defeat it."
Imrahil's voice is hollow following the first explanation, but he continues. "The caves were held as sacred by a tribe of gillmen, one of whom we met. He corroborated with our other findings, confirming it was also a shrine of Aroden. We recorded what information was available." He leaves further explanations to others, and for once omits the finer details of the cave.
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"Uori...his name is Uori," Zu adds, his tone still somewhat subdued. "He told us a little about some of the carvings we found on the cavern walls and about the stone diorama of Absalom that sits in the central part of the caves."
The leshy pauses for a moment, trying to think of anything else that might bear mention.
"Nice guy. Oh and we cleared out some critters while we were in the caves, too. Kobolds and skeletons."
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"I interviewed Uori, and swam in the sacred waters for a bit. It was very refreshing. Calmed me down for a bit. We also found a dead dhampir who tried to raise an undead army. Failed. Maybe we need to find his master at some point." She shrugs, still deflated.
"Janira saved us all by tiring the minotaur. No way would we have been able to stop it by ourselves. She told us to run and investigate, and I fled. Maybe if I stood with her..." she shudders. "Who am I kidding, I'm not a fighter."
Khari wipes away some of her tears.
Kreighton Shaine nods solemnly along at your summary, his mind apparently still absorbing the news of Janira's death. "Being a Pathfinder is dangerous work." He says, but the ghost of a smile appears on his face as he says "You have done well; Janira clearly taught you well. I will watch for your careers in the Chronicles."
With that, you are dismissed. Within a few days, the Master of your order (Scrolls, Shields, or Swords, as appropriate to your Pathfinder training) presents you with a wayfinder bearing your name.
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New Pathfinders discover the Power of Sacrifice
The humble Pig's Paunch Tavern holds sentimental value fo the Pathfinder Society. Here is where the greatest Seekers and the lowly Initiates gather to recall their adventures, assign newcomers, and mourn the loss of good friends. Today I bring you a tale of a lost civilization, the birth of a new one, and my first adventure as a Pathfinder...
----
Khari keeps a copy of her article and makes sure the portrait of Janira is just perfect. Khari smiles and alters the part about swimming through the sacred waters. She totally had permission to do so, of course.
She writes back to the other Pathfinders, wishing them the best of luck.