Unsettled Stone (Inactive)

Game Master Mowque


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Grit 3/4 | HP 33/33 | init +7(+2/4) | AC 21/T16/F17 | F+6 R+10 W+2 | cold/elec resis 5 | perc+8 SM+2

Zolzi kept yelping for a moment, trying to rub life back into her arm. She had never experienced such a horrible cold before, and was certain her arm was about to crack into pieces.

Finally the sensation lessened, and she quieted. Drawing her musket, she aimed it at the alter and said, "Answer her damned question already!"


Fimdi braces herself, squares her shoulders, then presses both of her hands on the altar again, shouting her question. It feels as if she is trying to hug a sizzling griddle, and the pain seems even more intense as both of her hands become afire with burning pain.

Meanwhile Zolzi grabs her musket and points it at the glowing altar.

When the voice speaks, it is not cool or amused but angry.

"You threaten me? You dare speak that way to Arcanotheign, avatar of Nethys himself?"

The open door slams shut with a bang loud enough to make Zolzi's and Fimdi's ear's ring. The floor quakes even harder, shaking grit and pebbles from the stone ceiling, while the air seems to crackle with energy. On the edge of sight, as if seen in a dream, a glowing ball of energy appears in the center of the room, shifting from black to white and back again.

A long moment passes and then tremors subside and the voice, now clearly coming from the divine ball of power and sounded calmer, "Can neither of you read? Both of you must place a hand on the later and ask your separate questions, at the same time. 'Always two'. Is it really so hard to understand?"

A short pause and then, "Although at this point, I am not sure you deserve an answer."


Female Gnome Unicorn Sorcerer/5 | HP 37 | Init +2 | AC17/F14/T15 | Mage armor AC21 | F+3 R+4 W+6 | Perc +4 SM +2 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor | Spells per day: 1st 4/8; 2nd 5/5

Upon hearing the name Arcanotheign, Fimdi falls to the ground prostrate. "Forgive me, Arcanotheign. I am just a humble and naive worshipper of Nethys. My friend meant no disrespect. She was just concerned for my well-being. I should have known better knowing about the glorious duality of Nethys. I thank you for showing us the way and for still being willing to answer our questions for we have been tasked with finding that which was stolen from the temple of Nethys."

Hoping that her sincerity had been seen and understood, she slowly gets to her feet. Looking at Zolzi she says, "Do you want to ask about where the cleric is and I'll ask where the rods are? Or should I keep my question the same and you ask something else?"


Grit 3/4 | HP 33/33 | init +7(+2/4) | AC 21/T16/F17 | F+6 R+10 W+2 | cold/elec resis 5 | perc+8 SM+2

Zolzi was surprised by the appearance of the glowing ball, but even more so by Fimdi's reaction to it's words. She stared, aghast, as her friend prostrated herself and grovelled for forgiveness. Slowly she put her musket away - if this was truly Nethys's avatar, it probably wouldn't do much good anyhow.

"I reckon your question is fine. I'll ask a different one. Ready?" she asked. Oh, there were a few questions she wanted to ask. Why be a jerk to your followers? or What's the point of having a riddle, only to answer it before it's figured out? But she supposed there was no point in pissing off the ball anymore than it already was.

When Fimdi was ready, she slapped her hand on the alter and said, "What's the best way to get into the Maw and survive it?"


The ball seems to be soothed by Fimdi's worshipful words, and the pulsing slows. However, it bobs somewhat when Zozli speaks and adds, voice clear, "You, the pale one. You are impertinent, in your thoughts. How curious. Do you not know the danger in which you place yourself?"

The two adventurers place their hands on the altar and are once again pierced with twin pans, one hot the other freezing cold.

Then, with a final pulse the ball rises from the floor higher and brightens. The light grows in intensity, sending out beams of brilliance brighter then the noonday sun. All shadows vanish before the sudden onslaught and the dark stones seem to glow with reflected radiance.

The pain of the altar fades as the avatar of a God speaks.

"Fimdi Mountainfury. The Nine Rods are being carried into the depths of the world. Even now the theif has passed through the great pit and finds herself in the strange world of the Underdark. They are moving quickly."

A short pause and then, "Zoldrun Carach-De'Sala. The Maw is dangerous and your question well asked. The gnolls throw many prisoners screaming into the pit yearly and few survive such a plunge. And yet, there is a way. The first one hundred feet of the Maw's walls are smooth, worn by wind and rain. Below this however, you will find a winding stair that leads down into the abyss. Dangerous but solid."

Then the light dims, and the ball sinks back to the floor. It hesitates there for a moment, as if considering the unlikely pair in front of itself. What does an avatar of Nethys himself make of a gnome sorcerer and a fecthling gunslinger? Whatever it decides, it keeps ti itself.

"Good luck." Is all it says, before adding, "Know that you are favored by the All-Seeing Eye."

With that the ball vanishes, plunging them into perfect darkness so deep, both of them are utterly blind. Then, after a heart stopping moment, they hear the grinding of the door. Dim light pours in as the passage back into the rest of the cave system reveals itself.


Female Gnome Unicorn Sorcerer/5 | HP 37 | Init +2 | AC17/F14/T15 | Mage armor AC21 | F+3 R+4 W+6 | Perc +4 SM +2 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor | Spells per day: 1st 4/8; 2nd 5/5

Fimdi is forced to close her eyes against the brilliance of light that engulfs them. Even with her eyes closed, she ducks her head downwards to try to shield her face from the light.

Her heart sinks as it is revealed that the Nine Rods they sought are already far from their grasp. They would have to work harder and be more clever if they hoped to catch up. She puzzles over the revelation of them being in the Underdark. Did that mean that the Maw was an entrance to the Underdark?

Has Fimdi heard about the Underdark before? What kind of knowledge roll would she need to find out more?

The gnome's face beams at the avatar's parting words. She looks up at Zolzi just as everything goes black. Her voice penetrates the darkness, "Did you hear that Zolzi? We are favored by Nethys! That is the highest honor I could have received."

She turns her face towards the dim light when the darkness lifts. "I wonder if we've been gone as long as it feels like we've been gone? I guess we should get back."


Grit 3/4 | HP 33/33 | init +7(+2/4) | AC 21/T16/F17 | F+6 R+10 W+2 | cold/elec resis 5 | perc+8 SM+2

"Impertinent! Y'all know what's impertinent? Reading folks minds without permission!" But the ball was gone, and it's probably just as well. Turns out this whole worshipper thing was harder than she'd imagined.

"That's swell!" she replied to Fimdi, unable to keep all the sarcasm out of her voice. But actually, it was pretty cool. Even if Nethys's avatar was a bit of a dink, she'd never even been noticed by a deity before.

As she followed the gnome back into the tunnels, she said, "Sounds like we got a chance, if we can us lowered down, instead'a just chucked in. Hopefully that geezer out there will cooperate."

Ready to head back


Zolzi is sassy

Just going back up to meet Ryhuac? Or exploring the tunnels some more?

For the Underdark check...Know. Geography, Arcana. Ah, I forgot you had stonemasonry. Have to use that going forward!


Female Gnome Unicorn Sorcerer/5 | HP 37 | Init +2 | AC17/F14/T15 | Mage armor AC21 | F+3 R+4 W+6 | Perc +4 SM +2 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor | Spells per day: 1st 4/8; 2nd 5/5

Can we tell how long we've been gone? If it hasn't been that long then Fimdi would be up for exploring more. If we've been gone for awhile then probably best to go back to Ryhuac.

k.arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
k.geography: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

I had forgotten about her stonemasonry as well. I'll have to look that up to see how it will help us


Any input Zolzi? Or shall we move along?


Grit 3/4 | HP 33/33 | init +7(+2/4) | AC 21/T16/F17 | F+6 R+10 W+2 | cold/elec resis 5 | perc+8 SM+2

Sorry! I vote that we head back to Ryhuac, rather than get caught up in more exploring. Let's get down that Maw!


It is hard to tell the passage of time as the pair step back out into the rough tunnels of 'Ryhuac's' cave. It doesn't feel like too long has taken place but....both gunslinger and sorcerer are tired. More tired then they should be. Both decide to go back, and Fimdi thinks to herslef about the Underdark as they walk.

She isn't an expect of course, but you hear things and read things. The gnome knows it is a vast underground network of tunnels and caves that create a parallel world underneath the crust of Golarion. While little true facts reach the light of the surface world, it is known entire kingdoms and races dwell down there in the dark, as well as savage beasts.

I'd say you have a general understanding of the place. Anything in particular you are wondering about?

When they reach the cave mouth both are surprised to see the dim sky. Dusk is coming on fast, the heat waves of midday long gone and replaced by a chill air.

Ryhuac is in a corner, fast asleep, surrounded by piles of gear, most of it moth-eaten and useless.


Female Gnome Unicorn Sorcerer/5 | HP 37 | Init +2 | AC17/F14/T15 | Mage armor AC21 | F+3 R+4 W+6 | Perc +4 SM +2 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor | Spells per day: 1st 4/8; 2nd 5/5

As they walk back to where they left Ryhuac, Fimdi feels like someone has tied weights to each of her muscles. Each step she takes is an effort because of how weary she is - body, soul, and mind.

She would be wondering about entrances to the Underdark and the kind of races that dwell there - friendly and unfriendly. I'm assuming that they've put two and two together to determine that the Maw is an entrance to the Underdark? But how would someone normally get into the Underdark?

The gnome watches Ryhuac sleeping in the corner and contemplates waking him. Obviously he was ready to go at some point because he is surrounded by his gear, or what a gnoll may consider to be gear. Lowering her voice a little, but not whispering, she looks over at Zolzi, "I don't know about you but I feel like I could sleep for days after that encounter. Should we also sleep? Or do we wake him?"

Uncertainty shows on her face, "I'm not sure if it's better to try to go now and hope there aren't a lot of gnolls around so we can get into the Maw easier without witnesses...or we wait and go tomorrow."


Grit 3/4 | HP 33/33 | init +7(+2/4) | AC 21/T16/F17 | F+6 R+10 W+2 | cold/elec resis 5 | perc+8 SM+2

Zolzi yawned. "I'm knackered too, but ain't we supposed to be walkin' now, when it's cool?" Belying her comment, she sat on the ground. "Well, maybe just a small nap. I reckon that heading out bushed ain't helpful. Let's sleep til past midnight, then go. Sound good?"

Not waiting for an answer, she told herself firmly to wake up at midnight, then curled up to sleep.


Well, that solves that! Fimdi, do you go to sleep? It is just sunset now, which is fairly early at this latitude.

Also, on terms. Underdark is the DnD name for basically the same concepts. In Pathfinder it is Darklands and we shall be using that going forward. Correct me if I use the other name (I just think Underdark is cooler).

[ooc] As for the Darklands, there isn't lots of things commonly known.
There is generally three layers, Nar-Voth, Sekamina and Orv.

Everyone knows the upper levels (Nar-Voth) are full of rather feral and wild species, namely the derro, troglogytes and mongrelmen. The only really organized realms int his area are the brutal slave owners of the duregar. There are lots of physical dangers here, rockslides, poisoned water, that sort of thing.

Things get weirded as you go down but no one knows much of anything about the lower levels unless they are a student of the subject.

As for entrances, they are little known. Katapesh is the home to some of the worlds greatest merchants so, more then most places, Fimdi might know of a few merchants who trade in rare items only available from the Darklands, but they would jealously guard their trade routes.


Fimdi's fears about not leaving a guard aren't enough to hold up her eyelids and she is soon asleep, along with Zolzi. Both sleep deep, the cool air of the cave quite a change from the harsh chill of the open desert of the previous night. Their dreams are strange, full of shifting images and swirling clouds of lightning. They both seem to be falling toward something, something vast beyond imaging, with an open mouth-

The rattle of chains startles both of them awake.

Ryhuac is standing in the cave mouth, a splotch of black against the deeper velvet of the night sky. The starry heavens spill out across the quiet desert sands.

"Midnight." he says roughly, looking out. "We should go."


Female Gnome Unicorn Sorcerer/5 | HP 37 | Init +2 | AC17/F14/T15 | Mage armor AC21 | F+3 R+4 W+6 | Perc +4 SM +2 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor | Spells per day: 1st 4/8; 2nd 5/5

So much for Zolzi's internal clock :)

Fimdi sits bolt upright at the sound of rattling chains, fully expecting them to be wrapped around her hands which was a truly disturbing thought. The thought of any hindrance to her ability to exercise magic sends chills up her spine causing her to shiver. This did not help her current mood which is already on edge because of the dream she had been having.

She slowly gets to her feet and stretches. "You know best, Ryhuac." She grabs her backpack, "Ready."

The gnome pauses, "So are we all in agreement to what the plan is?"


Grit 3/4 | HP 33/33 | init +7(+2/4) | AC 21/T16/F17 | F+6 R+10 W+2 | cold/elec resis 5 | perc+8 SM+2

Zolzi rubbed her eyes and sat up. She felt bad for having fallen straight to sleep, without offering to set up watch. But they both needed the sleep, and so far, so good.

"I'll get in the chains. Fimdi, you change yer face to be Ryhuac's grandson or whatnot. We go real gentle-like into the maw, and Ryhuac gets welcomed back with open-paws. Deal?"

She glared at the gnoll, not fully trusting him.

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