GMAndrewW's Passing the Torch Parts 1 and 2 (Inactive)

Game Master andreww

@Shump, Tortuga Wynn, feel free to roll your healing.

Alie and Valrar make their way back inside. Alie is able to burn another mass of undead away to create a clearer line of sight. Battling through to the third pylon Valrar disables it the old fashioned way. It again explodea but, protected by death ward, neither of you suffer any damage. The undead do however manage to claw and tear at both of you.

Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 6, 4) = 27

Alie, cross off a level 4 spell slot for dragons breath please

With the destruction of the third pylon the undead stop respawning and you quickly cut your way outside. A few remains, well scattered, but posing little threat. It is likely that they will be easily dealt with by Eliza#s agents once the Lodge is secured.

Meanwhile, outside, the rest of the group encounter a strange sight. Flickering to life nearby is an image of a tall woman wearing a rune inlaid ivory mask adorned with peacock feathers and silver rings. Any venture captains amongst you will recognise her as a membe of the Decemvirate called Shemis.

Pathfinders, pathfinders, can you hear me? Please respond, we must speak urgently, there is great danger.

The image is clearly illusory but it does appear to be Shemis.

Gaius bows politely.

"Yes? We are listening..."

The figure turns at the sound of Gaius speaking.

Ahh, there you are, excellent. It appears that a member of the Decemvirate has gone rogue. I have been monitoring the situation here and also at Gallowspirre. I cannot locate the Decemvirate member as the Helm blocks much of what I can do but his actions strongly suggest that something is amiss. The Grand Lodge is in danger but I cannot afford to call back any agents from Gallowspire, the situation there is simply too critical. You must stop whatever is happening here before it is too late. I cannot help you directly, however you can find a secure cache of equipment here in the grounds. Look for the crooked oak near to the Mausoleum. Beneath its roots is a hidden extra dimensional space. You can access it with the command word, "Bo-than". Hurry Pathfinders, you are our only hope!

With that the illusory image flickers and vanishes.

Alie has the others use her CLW wand to top off her healing.

CLW 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12

”I think we need to stop all those people that seem to be stealing before we go further in! One of you diplomats, think you can talk them down? I’d hate to have to dragon’s breath them like I did the undead!”

CSW: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4, 8) + 5 = 18
CSW: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 5 = 18
CSW: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4, 7) + 5 = 17

3 Charges that should get me up to 118 and then my wand of infernal healing should get me topped off in a couple of rounds.

9 CLWs: 9d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 2, 1, 3, 5, 4, 4, 3, 8) + 9 = 46

142/146

"If there are any interlopers, we'll see to them. We could use those supplies. As could other Pathfinders. But for others still, we could always threaten with the breath. The space sounds secure to me, though."

OK, where to next? You can go and locate the supplies or try to deal with one of the three different groups of interlopers. One group is removing artefacts from the Water Gardens, one is removing documents from Skkyreach and one is lurking about the outbuildings trying to keep a low profile.

Alie votes to take on the ones at the Water Gardens. ”Those artifacts are priceless!”

"Agreed, and then to Skyreach. We don't need to waste our time with the straggling cowards outside until they make a move."

Shump channels to heal himself.

4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 5) = 16

and borrows the wand from Alie.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Shump heals the group with a channel and continues with a wand.

Shump still has some daamge, Tortuga has a lot on him, I am going to move you to the next section but feel free to roll out your healing if you want to do more.

Heading to the Water Gardens the group quickly comes across the group who are very clearly looting valuable artefacts from the building. As you approach they begin to scatter, clearly having no stomach for a fight against experienced Pathfinders.

You each have one rounds worth of actions to try and neutralise the group. Assume you do largely subdue them, this is a chance for you to show off. You start about 30' away. They will not be stopped by mundane skill use but incapacatating spells may well work.

Gaius tosses out a Blessing of Fervor (a.k.a. Cleric Haste) on the party, then a Quickened Divine Favor upon Sir Ambrose, before letting him pounce into their midst!

Bite: 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 4 + 2 = 45, for 1d8 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 4 = 24 damage, +2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 Holy.
Bite: 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 4 + 2 = 29, for 1d8 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 4 = 28 damage, +2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 Holy.
Claw: 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 20 + 4 + 2 = 40, for 1d6 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 4 = 28 damage, +2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7 Holy.
Claw: 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 20 + 4 + 2 = 41, for 1d6 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 4 = 25 damage, +2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8 Holy.
Rake: 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 4 + 2 = 31, for 1d6 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 4 = 28 damage, +2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6 Holy.
Rake: 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 20 + 4 + 2 = 44, for 1d6 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 4 = 26 damage, +2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8 Holy.

Alie casts Deep Slumber on a portion of the group. ”Remember, we need to keep some of them for questioning!”

DC 24 Will or sleep on up to 10HD of creatures.

Valrar leaps into the fray, doing precious little compared to the others but still sowing fear all around.

Attack: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (4) + 28 = 32
Damage: 1d4 + 27 ⇒ (3) + 27 = 30

Intimidate: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

Shump borrows the wand again.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

I will give people until the end of play tomorrow to post their actions to subdue the thieves and looters

Remember try not to damage the items either.

He says as he opens up a pit under a group of the.

Using create pit. 10x10x30 deep

I am going to bot Tortuga and Shump

Tortuga leaps across the gap between you and the enemy's in the blink of an eye while Sir Ambrose pounces into their midst. Wynn doesn't manage to catch anyone in his pit. Slower than the rest, Shump crashes into those that remain while one looter who tries to get away finds himself too tired to continue and falls asleep.

Between you the group of looters is quickly subdued and you also have a couple of captives you may quiz if you wish.

Alie slaps the sleepy thief in the face. ”Who sent you here? Why are you stealing from us? Whose side are you on, the Graveknight’s or Torch’s?!”

The groggy man rouses himself, Who, what, where, what's going on, who are you? Oh, you must be Pathfinders. Well, I work for Torch and you can be sure I am a damned sight more frightened of him than you! But, if you want to find him then your best chance is to look for one of his lieutenants. Zurnzal took a team to the Repository, supposed to be some important super secret stuff there. Torch fought with one of your Decemvirate members but he fled off into the Mausoleum. Looks like you might have been there already he says with a grin. I'v no idea where either of them might be now but Zurnzal might know.

Alie turns to the others. ”I say we go find this Zurnzal before we go looking for the other two. There’s no telling what he might be able to fill us in on. Torch’s troops seem to share their information willy nilly, so I’ll bet he will say something to help us, despite himself.”

Anyone want to deal with the other groups of looters, or are we ready to head further in?

"Zurnzal sounds less incompetent than this lot, so we may have to work to get them talking. Who are they?" Valrar asks the captive, pressing for specifics.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (14) + 22 = 36

Where inside is the Repository? I wouldn't mind stopping the document thieves in Skyreach, but this might be a better place to go if we know roughly where Zurnzal is.

The man glowers back at Valrar, sullen and defiant. I dont know, some big shots, Zurnzal's supposed to be some hardened killer but I aint never heard of him.

The repository is a featureless stone building at the top end of the Lodge. Its entrance is known only to venture captains who are aware that it used to house dangerous magical secrets. VC's also know that there is a scroll of true resurrection hidden there for use in emergencies.

I'm happy to finish subduing the looters.

OK, what about everyone else?

I'd say we should recover the scroll. It may come in handy later.

Shump rubs his chin. "Maybe the scroll?"

OK, moving you on and heading to the Repository.

Heading to the small building in the northern end of the Grand Lodge you quickly make your way inside the building. Heading down to the secure storage level you come down a long stair to find an unusual sight. Coiling blue mist moves around this chamber in thick wall-like sheets that rise up to the ceiling some eighty-feet above. The floor and walls of the chamber are stone, but the outer walls remain partly obscured by the bluish fog. Items of all sorts can be seen through the mist, including a variety of statues, exhibits, arcane apparatuses, bookshelves, and even a distant meditation area briefly visible through a temporary break in the fog. Stone plinths burn with colored fire, each illuminating part of the immense repository chamber.

The fog blocks your vision of the rest of the room however any Venture Captains are familiar with the layout of the chamber.

What do you do?

Alie didn’t like the fog blocking her vision. She casts echolocation which would help with that for 140 minutes.

Valrar slowly leads the group towards the hidden scroll, relying on memory more than sight. "Is this fog magical? We should figure it out before walking headlong in."

Alies senses pick up three medium sized humanoid figures moving beyond the walls of fog towards the group.

What do you do?

”There are three humanoids moving towards us from that direction. Be aware!”

She casts Detect Magic and tries to figure out what the deal is with this fog, anyway.

Heroism Spellcraft 1d20 + 2 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 15 = 33

Alie examines the fog but it remains unclear what is causing it. Certainly it is magical but it does not appear to be the result of a spell.

The figures moving towards you do not react to Alie's comment. Currently they cannot be seen by the rest of you as there are fog walls blocking your view. One is approaching from the east, two from the north west.

What do the rest of you do? You can each take one round of actions at the moment. Alie has cast detect magic.

I believe my Goz Mask allows me to see them.

Wynn will raise his bow at one of the figures. "Make yourselves known."

Fool me once...

Remembering what happened with the Red Mantis, Gaius casts Invisibility Purge, just in case...

Valrar keeps his sword at the ready, but waits for the new arrivals to make a move.

Botting Shump, I assume he draws his weapon in case of hostilities

With the invisibility purge in effect Wynn can now see two half orcs lurking just beyond the mist wall (the map is in landscape, they are to your right). He does not see the third figure that Alie can detect with her blindsight but Gaius catches a glimpse of him as he emerges from the fog and bears down on Wynn.

The map is up. I have put the opposition on the map but bear in mind you cannot see through the fog and currently only Gaius can see Zurnzal. This is a surprise round, Gaius and Alie can act in it.

Surprise Round

Gaius
Valrar
Wynn
---------------------
Zurnzal
---------------------
Ambassador
Sir Ambrose
Alie
---------------------
Red Agent
Green Agent

Bold may act.

Group Effects:

”We can see you! We are here to speak with Zurnzal. We were told he knows where Torch and the evil Decimverate member have gone. We need that information to try and stop them.”

Diplomacy 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37

None of the figures reply.

Gaius frowns.

"It is always polite to acknowledge when a lady speaks to you..."

He then casts Quickened Ill Omen (next 4 d20 rolls), and Chains of Light (Reflex DC 26) upon Zurnzal.

Forewarned, can act in surprise even if unaware. Paired with sandals of quick reaction, meaning I get a move and a standard

I still can not perceive Zurnzal, so will most likely cast Gravity bow in anticipation of combat.

Shump cries out. "Answer the Lady PLEASE? We want to talk with Torch!"

Diplomacy aid if I can: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Forewarned, can act in surprise even if unaware. Paired with sandals of quick reaction, meaning I get a move and a standard

I still can not perceive Zurnzal, so will most likely cast Gravity bow in anticipation of combat.

Good point, I missed that, just as well for you...

Zurnzal freezes in place under the power of Gaius and slowly his form emerges into sight for the rest of you. The two half orcs hiding beyond the mist withdraw out of Alies blindsight range.

Zurnzal eventually throws off the spell holding him but he seems willing to talk at least. Bah, Pathfinders, you are after Torch then? Well, I know where he is, you can have the knowledge if you are willing to pay my price.

”Thank you for being reasonable. There’s no need for us to fight. What sort of price do you ask?”

Gaius nods politely.

"Let's just say that we would be interested in taking with Torch. What did you have in mind?"

"We are here for the same reasons as him. He knows the true threat and misguided as some think him to be, our chances are better as an allied force."

Zurnzal sneers, I dont care why you want Torch I just want out of this hellhole. Let me and the lads go and give us safe passage out of here. I only need a few minutes head start and you will never see me again.

”You agree to leave any Pathfinders alone on your way out, and we have a deal. Tell us what you know, don’t kill any members, and you get out of here safely. Deal?”

Gaius raises an eyebrow.

"Of course, self-defence if you are attacked on your way out would be fine; just try to avoid that becoming necessary."

"Ah, you're that sort. What the gnome said, then: be good and talk to us and we'll gladly let you get out."