DM Brainiac's Age of Ashes (Inactive)

Game Master Brainiac

Current Date: 17 Neth, 4719 AR

Map of Breachill
Battle Maps on Google Slides


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Game Concluded

"Dang it!" Pril mutters to herself. "What is it with elves getting all pissy around me lately?" She shakes her head and steps away.

Whelp, looks like it's up to someone else. :/


Pril:


Pril, Take II:

A soft cough alerts Pril to the fact she is not alone. Clad in dark colours, Allandír conceals easily. "It is certainly true that, ah, I and my people do not always, let us say, appreciate the direct approach. But - to be fair - are you so very different? When we first met, you were very clear that there were things you weren't ready to discuss. It was many months before you were ready to tell me about your Halflà lover."

He looks at her. "Which is fine. But... others might also want that same space. What on Golarion possessed you to ask about Nketiah's arm without taking the time to get to know her? Or to talk to Akosa as though you'd known him for years instead of hours?"

He looks away from her. "I am not saying that my, ah, cautious reserve is always a good thing. I admire your open and spontaneous approach to life. I have much to learn from you, if... you are still willing. But I hope you are willing to accept the idea that if you've had a bad reaction from several different people, then maybe you're the one that got it wrong?"


Game Concluded

Allandír:
Pril looks up with a start when Allandír makes his presence known. Her eyes quickly seek out something distant in the trees to rest her gaze upon. She listens as he speaks.

"Or," she says when he finishes, continuing to look off in the distance. "You elves are entirely too stuck on yourselves. You're right; I wouldn't have wanted to talk about Hena - and you can say her name, she deserves to be remembered. But if someone had asked about her, I would have simply said I'd rather not talk about it. I wouldn't have acted like someone just had just peed on my best tunic," her hand waves in the air, "... committed some unpardonable sin."

"And to be honest, I don't really care if she thinks that about me, but ..." she pauses.

"I couldn't stand constantly having to worry about whether if I say tomato versus tomahto, y-... someone I care about is going to look at me like ... like ... " her voice trails off and her voice breaks. "I can't live like that. I won't live like that."

She finally turns to Allandír and she wipes at her eyes. She sniffles a bit, but squares her shoulders up.

"This is who I am, Allandír. I'm a student of the world. I'm curious and I ask questions. I will never stop asking questions. And I'm not going to let myself feel bad about that. If that's what you want me to do then I'm going to be nothing but a big disappointment. And there's no room in my life for someone who thinks I'm a disappointment."


Pril:
A slight smile threatens to tug at the corners of the tall elf's mouth. "Not a disappointment. Exasperating, yes. Confounding, yes again in equal measure. But if I made you think that, then I am sorry. I was concerned that you had potentially alienated someone who had the power to refuse us entry to this place - leaving us alone and with no option but to trek through the hostile jungle, back to the aiduara. Fortunately that didn't happen, but the prospect of it was, ah, unwelcome. Hence my glare."

He pauses, trying to find some sort of compromise, a way forward. "Is the joy in the asking of questions, or in getting answers? Because I would suggest that if you can discipline your curiosity into asking the right questions at the right time, you will find you get more answers than you have so far."

His lips twitch again. "You're a monk, after all. Discipline shouldn't be too foreign a concept."


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Game Concluded

Allandír:
Tears begin to flow down the gnome's cheeks and she reaches up to wipe them away, smiling in the process. Allandír walking away was clearly in the realm of possibility in her mind and the relief that he didn't is evident on her face.

"Master Wickt said once that 'A prudent question is one-half of wisdom'*," she says and then laughs and rolls her eyes. "Part of learning and growing is figuring out what questions to ask and when, but how can we learn that without trying? And I'll never stop trying."

She steps a little closer to the elf and looks up at him. "And, yes, I know all about discipline. Have you ever stood in Advancing Dragon position for two days? In the bloody rain?"

Her face reddens slightly.

"And I know what 'Discipline' is as well, if you're trying to make a colorful innuendo. Hena was all about ... variety, and I had the marks on my butt to prove it."

* Actually, Francis Bacon.

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

Lucius takes up the mission that Pril has... passed on, engaging Akosa in gentle conversation. "Apologies for my friend. She has a good heart but a rather blunt manner. Now, please forgive me if I overstep, but you and Jahsi clearly have a connection. Is there a reason you haven't acted on it? I am no Shelynite, but love is precious. No matter how long we may live we should always take it where we can find it."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
This WILL work! Reroll Reroll: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31


Pril:

This time, Allandír really does smile. "No, I think I'll keep that in reserve for as and when you really do piss off someone we need." His green eyes sparkle. "Anyway, two days in the rain is nothing. I once spent most of a week in the mud at the side of the road, waiting for a goblin patrol to come by. Do you know how difficult it is to keep a bowstring dry in a week of nothing but rain?"

He holds out a hand to her. "Now, shall we go and find out what these tree-dwellers use for beds? That's something I'm curious about."


Akosa seems brusque at first, but eventually sighs and lets his guard slip some. ”I remember the way he treated Hiruth. He doted upon her, and the way he looked at her... Jahsi does not look at me the same way. Does he not feel for me as he did for her? I have been through a lot of suffering in the past few years. Even if Jahsi did share my feelings, I do not know if I would even be ready to be happy again.”

Lucius talks to him for several more minutes, and Akosa catches the way Jahsi is looking at him across the plaza. The hunter is thoughtful. ”Hmm... Perhaps the time is right after all. Thank you for your counsel. I will speak to Jahsi.”

Both elves speak quietly to one another for some time. Though you can’t hear what they are saying, Akosa reaches out and takes Jahsi’s hands. They smile at one another. It’s a start.

Nketiah grins and gives you a thumbs up.

Akosa is now friendly. Jahsi and Nketiah are now helpful!

Once everyone has had plenty of time to eat, drink, socialize, and listen to music, Nketiah interrupts the festivities by striking her staff against the floor. ”Come, children of the Leopard Clan!” Nketiah’s voice calls out, clear and strong above the sounds of the festivities. “Dusk has fallen! Let us call a moth to tell us a story!” As one, the Ekujae stand and hold their hands cupped in front of them, each conjuring a ball of light into their palms.

“I have caught a little moth!” Nketiah says, dramatically clutching the air in front of her. “It has a story to tell. It is a story of a Great Darkness.”

“We will listen,” the others reply.

“There was once a time of anguish. A time of destruction. A time of night so dark that even moths refused to fly. From a hole in this night came a Great Darkness, who saw the world suffer, and thought only that it wanted to see more suffering. The Darkness sought to burn all that remained, until there was nothing left but ashes.

“The first people that the Darkness found were a brave people, who stood before the Darkness with their weapons and did not run. The Darkness sought to destroy them, saying, ‘You shall fall before me, for I am Death and I am Fire.’ But the people were not afraid, and replied, ‘You shall not break us, for we are the guardians of this land, who stayed to defend it when all others fled.’

“Oh, what a terrible battle it was! The people shattered their spears against the Darkness again and again, but no living being could pierce its hide. At last, the greatest among the people, the kindest, the most righteous, gave their lives to forge their souls into weapons for the people to wield. Oh, how their souls burned, like bright coals in the night! The people took up the souls of those they had most loved, and in wrath split the skin of the Darkness. They spilled the blood of the Darkness across the whole of their lands. They broke the horn and teeth from the Darkness and flung them into the sea. Yet still the Darkness would not die!

“The people forced the Darkness back into the place from whence it had emerged. The people trapped it in the space between spaces. The people swore they would stand guard so that the Darkness could never escape to threaten the land again.

“Could the people imprison the Darkness forever, when even the best among them could not defeat it? Was it foolish to expect them to try?” Nketiah pauses, then says, “That is the story that we have been given.”

“We will remember,” the other Ekujae reply.

Nketiah nods and turns to you expectantly. ”Now, perhaps our guests know a story they wish to tell?”


Game Concluded

Allandír:
Allandír wrote:
He holds out a hand to her. "Now, shall we go and find out what these tree-dwellers use for beds? That's something I'm curious about."

Pril's demeanor relaxes heavily when Allandír begins bantering over who has suffered more in the name of discipline and is preparing to counter when he brings up the subject of finding a bed. Her large eyes widen even further and her mouth drops open a little as a red flush washes over her face.

"Um ... uh ... could I ... uh ..." she begins stammering out and her eyes seek out something, anything else to look at. "I would like to ... uh ... to have a ... a bath before we ... I mean we've been running around in the jungle and I ... I mean ... I'm not ..."

She finally looks back up at the elf. "Would that be ok?" she asks in a soft, shy voice completely different than her normal boisterousness.


Pril:
Allandír gives a gentle smile: "Whatever helps you feel most comfortable."


Game Concluded

Pril seems to be greatly distracted as the celebration continues on, she's constantly glancing in Allandír's direction and blushing. When Nketiah calls for stories from the group, Pril looks caught off guard.

"Uh, what? A story? Um ... I'm sorry, but the only story I know enough to tell is my own," she says. "And with the exception of a few parts," she blushes further, "it's not really exciting enough to warrant telling anyone else. The only other stories I know are about my aunt. I could tell you about the time when she agreed to join a elvish couple for their anniversary."

She looks over at Allandír to check to see if she should continue or whether she's going to piss someone off again.


Allandír raises an eyebrow, but doesn't stop the gnome. It's not as if he has any better stories to tell.


”Feel free to tell any kind of story you would like,” Nketiah says with an encouraging smile.


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Game Concluded

With Allandír's approval, Pril barrels on describing the inn that she and her aunt stayed at one long weekend and the older elvish couple they met there. Her story is full of digressions and backtracking and after about a third of the way through, she realizes that this might not be the best story to tell in a group consisting of mixed ages. Attempting to cover her tracks in that regard, she transforms the scheduled event to now become an evening of singing, which removes any sanity from the story.

She can see the confusion on her audiences faces, but clarifying the situation would probably earn her angry responses from the parents of small children listening to her babble on.

"So, uh, when the couple discovered my aunt passed out with a half-empty bottle of dwarvish rum in her hand, they decided to ask me if I'd like to ... uh ... sing with them. Since life's all about new experiences, I agreed and we ... um ... spent the rest of the evening ... singing. Which was very enjoyable," she concludes lamely. She smiles at the blank expressions around her.

"The end."

She bows at those assembled and returns to Allandír's side.

"Just kill me right now and release me from my humiliation," she whispers to him.

Performance: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8


There are a few scattered chuckles among the audience as Nketiah finishes translating Pril's story. The half-elf steps forward and raps her staff against the floor. "This is the story we have been given," she says, with a shrug in her voice.

"We will remember," the other Ekujae reply.

Soon thereafter, the festivities come to a close, and the Ekujae begin to depart. Nketiah beckons you over. "Thank you for indulging in our clan's traditions. Let us speak freely now. First, allow me to apologize for my harsh reaction to your question when we first met, Pril Piddwiemog. There have been many who have taken my injury lightly or told me that it makes me less of a person. We had only just met, and I did not know your character yet. But I know now that you merely asking out of curiosity and did not have an ulterior motive. So... I am sorry for being curt with you."

She lowers her eyes briefly before looking up at you again. “Now then, you are trying to track down the cultists who invaded your lands, yes? They’ve tormented us as well, and if you can find them and defeat them, we will all prosper. I think I can give you a place to start. Shortly after we drove the cultists away from the temple of Ketephys, we sent scouts east to track them as they fled. Yet these scouts swiftly came to a spot in the forest they could not enter without being struck blind. They said it was as if the air had turned to embers and ashes, and they could not breathe or see—as if they were somehow caught in that terrible battle our people fought against the Darkness, thousands of years ago.

“When I studied the broken pillar that the Cinderclaws left behind in the temple after we drove them off, I could tell that some of it was meant to channel power against my people in particular. The Darkness has a grudge against us, and I think the Cinderclaws are using the power of that grudge to keep the Ekujae from striking back against them where it matters most: at the seat of their power. So, what would you say if I asked you to investigate the jungle to the east? If I am wrong and you end up blind, I promise to heal you—free of charge!”


Pril Piddwiemog wrote:

She bows at those assembled and returns to Allandír's side.

"Just kill me right now and release me from my humiliation," she whispers to him.

Allandír gives the gnome's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Not to worry. They say that humility is good for the soul, and humiliation is, ah, close to humility, isn't it?"

He pauses for a moment in thought. "Or is that only in the dictionary?"

When Nketiah spends what is really an awful lot of words to ask for their help, he nods. "Do you have any maps of the region? We are strangers here so whatever help you can give is appreciated."


Nketiah nods. "One thing that seems certain is that the Cinderclaws' base of operations lies somewhere to the southeast—I can sketch out the area we believe they’ve claimed, for this region roughly corresponds to the portion of the jungle my people cannot enter.”

I will put up a map of the area a bit later today.


Game Concluded
Allandír Dinúvriel wrote:

Allandír gives the gnome's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Not to worry. They say that humility is good for the soul, and humiliation is, ah, close to humility, isn't it?"

He pauses for a moment in thought. "Or is that only in the dictionary?"

"Just be glad that I'm not blaming you for that travasty," Pril says, the embarrassment still visible on her face. There's a twinkle in her eyes, though, that wasn't there before. "You could have stopped me, you know."

~~~~

DM Brainiac wrote:
"But I know now that you merely asking out of curiosity and did not have an ulterior motive. So... I am sorry for being curt with you."

Pril glances up at her companion before looking at Nketiah. "I've been told that some questions are inappropriate. And while I still haven't completely accepted that. I had no desire to make you uncomfortable. So if I've done that then I apologize as well."


Pril Piddwiemog wrote:
"You could have stopped me, you know."

"True," Allandír acknowledges with a smile. "But it was more fun this way."

Pril Piddwiemog wrote:
Pril glances up at her companion before looking at Nketiah. "I've been told that some questions are inappropriate."

Allandír shakes his head. "Say rather, ah, inappropriately timed than inappropriate full stop. But I am glad we have all moved beyond our initial interactions."


Game Concluded

"Moving on, though," Pril says with a raised eyebrow at her companion, "I think I speak for everyone when I say that we would be happy to help and we will set out first thing in the morning."

She looks around with an almost forced casualness.

"In the meantime, would there be ... um ... somewhere that one could ... uh ... take a bath or ... or something like that?" she asks, failing utterly to hide the flush filling her cheeks.


"Of course!" Nketiah says. "We have prepared a small domicile for you to rest and refresh yourselves. There is a tub with clean water if you wish to bathe. We have also gathered some gifts for you to aid in your exploration of the jungle."

The Leopard Clan can provide you with the following equipment: Two pup tents, five full waterskins, 4 weeks’ worth of rations, mosquito netting, healer’s tools, 12 vials of lesser antiplague, 3 lesser elixirs of life, 4 lesser healing potions, 10 vine arrows, and a pair of boots of elvenkind.

In addition, Nketiah provides you with several magic items: a staff of abjuration, a staff of healing, a chime of opening, a ring of energy resistance (fire), and a red, white and black spellguard shield. She also removes a pendant from her neck and hands it to you. "This is a dragon's eye charm. It was given to me years ago by a friend when I faced a dangerous mission. Just as my friend wished me good fortune, I wish you, my newest friends, the same good luck."

Dragon's Eye Charm:
DRAGON’S EYE CHARM ITEM 7 UNCOMMON DIVINATION MAGICAL
Price 360 gp
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L

This charm, a dragon-shaped pendant worn like a necklace or set into armor or clothing as a decoration, is warm and smooth to the touch. It must be held in one hand to be used (pressing the palm of one’s hand to the charm also works, provided that your hand is otherwise empty). It has four distinct powers.

Activate [one-action] Interact; Frequency once per day; Effect The dragon’s eye charm manifests fire for you to wield against your foe. You cast a 5th-level produce flame spell with a spell attack roll of +13.

Activate [one-action] Interact; Frequency once per day; Effect The charm’s pupil becomes plainly visible. You can look through the charm to gain darkvision for as long as you Sustain the Activation, to a maximum of 10 minutes.

Activate [one-action] Interact; Frequency once per day; Effect The dragon’s eye charm shrouds you in a faintly glowing layer of golden energy. You gain fire resistance 5 for 10 minutes.

Activate [one-action] Interact; Frequency once per day; Effect You can speak and understand Draconic as long as you Sustain the Activation, to a maximum of 10 minutes.

Everybody has gained enough XP to reach level 6!


Game Concluded

Pril eyes the well-made boots, but doesn't say anything.

~~~~~

Once the group has begun to settle themselves in to the quarters provided for them ...

"So, uh, I'm going to take a bath because it's been a few days and ... uh ... I think I need ... um ... a bath," Pril says. She refuses to look at Allandír as her face pinks up a little bit. "So if you men can manage to restrain yourself and give me a little privacy in the other room. I won't take long and it'll be available for anyone that needs it." Again, she pointedly doesn't look at Allandír.

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

The Cardinal nods and moves his chair nearer the door, clearly willing to act as chaperone.


Game Concluded

Pril spends longer in the bath than what would be expected of a woman of her small stature. But whether the delay was due to attention to detail or an internal moral quandary, eventually she comes out.

Wearing just a towel wrapped around her diminutive form, she seems much more relaxed and sure of herself as she leaves the room where the tub resides.

"I washed my clothes as well. They needed it," she says. "I feel so much better clean." She walks over to the doorway of one of the sleeping rooms. Interestingly enough, it's the room with the largest sleeping hammock. "I'm taking this room. I hope no one minds. The bath is available in case someone else wanted to clean up as well." Her gaze finally falls on Allandír and an oversized eyebrow quirks up just slightly in a question.

"Goodnight, gentleman," she says before turn her back on the room and moving through the curtained archway into the sleeping room. Just before her figure vanishes, her towel drops down to reveal her back and the shimmering gold form of a dragon upon it.

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

"I will take advantage of that." The Cardinal says, wincing as he stretches. "But I can wait if anyone has more urgent need." He looks quizzically at Allandir with a slight smile.


Male Medium Human Wizard 7 | HP: 63/63 | AC: 23/23 | F: +12, R: +14, W: +12| Lore +13, Per +10, Init +12, Nature/Society +13 | Speed 25ft | Focus 1/1 | Active Conditions:

It goes without saying that Ervan takes the staff of abjuration. Did the elves know he was coming? Or is it, as a religious man might think, a manifestation of divine providence?

"Nketiah, this is too much. I realize that the gift indicates that our mission is a dangerous one, but the material wealth your gift represents is ... beyond any a person from Cheliax or Isger would willingly part with. Thank you, we won't let you down."


"You are welcome. I trust you will put it to good use against the Cinderclaws. We are counting on you to protect our people!" Nketiah says with a smile.


Allandír can take a hint, especially when it's dropped with the subtlety of an anvil. He bathes, before joining Pril in her quarters.


Game Concluded

Allandír:
Pril looks up with a startled expression as Allandír enters the room. It quickly turns to a wide grin that she attempts to conceal but fails. She's resting in the large hammock that the Ekujae use for beds. This room was clearly intended for the life-bonded couple of the home owing to its size of the hammock - large enough for two.

"I was worried that I might have been too subtle for you," she says with a slight smirk. The smirk then fades and the smile dims a little as well. "Or that you had decided that this w-wasn't something you wanted," she adds, reaching down and pulling the thin blanket up closer to cover her naked form.

"I-is it?" she asks. "Something you want, I mean?"


Pril:

Allandír raises an eyebrow. "I have always found words to be, ah, overrated. Put your trust in actions. I am here. Let that be your answer."


The next morning, the Ekujae gather to bid you safe travels. An unusual visitor waits among them--Harriet the lion. She nuzzles against Pril's hand and growls, indicating that she wants to accompany the monk into the jungle! It seems Pril has formed a fast bond with the big cat!

The strange spider-woman, Renali, waits for you as well, ready to help guide you through the jungle.

See the maps link for a hex map of the region. Nketiah outlines a large region of mostly trackless jungle to the east and south. Nketiah indicates the position of Akrivel (area A1), the temple of Ketyphys (and thus Huntergate, area A2), the river’s path through the area, and the location of the village of the Elephant People (area A4). Nketiah warns the PCs that the humans in this small settlement are very quick to anger, similar to the elephants they idolize, but that if the PCs can approach their village in a nonthreatening manner, the Elephant People may be able to tell the PCs more about the Cinderclaws. She gravely warns the PCs that the jungle is quite dangerous.

Most of the travel through the jungle takes place in exploration mode—see pages 479–480 of the Pathfinder Core Rulebook for more information. Each hex on the map is 10 miles across, but the dense jungle is difficult terrain, halving the characters’ travel speed. If the party does nothing but travel, or use exploration activities that place no limit on their travel Speed, they can move through 2 hexes in a day, but they will not come across any encounters in the hexes they pass through unless the encounter specifically indicates in its description that it cannot be missed. If the party chooses to utilize an exploration tactic that limits their Speed (like Avoid Notice, Defend, or Investigate), they can move through 1 hex in a day. As long as at least one PC uses Investigate, Scout, or Search, the party automatically discovers a specific encounter in the hex.

Renali can provide many useful benefits. Each day she’s traveling with the PCs, they can ask her to aid them in one of the following ways. • Gather Supplies: As she is familiar with the area, Renali can automatically scavenge enough fruit and fresh water to feed and hydrate the PCs for a day. • Construct Shelter: Renali can use her skill at weaving to craft an excellent shelter for the PCs to spend the night in. Each day she uses this action, she attempts a Crafting check (her modifier is +14) to determine the effectiveness of the woven shelter when using the Camp in the Mwangi Jungle downtime activity (she still gains a +2 circumstance bonus if she uses Ekujae mosquito netting). • Scout: She can independently scout an adjacent hex to the PCs, reporting back in the evening to let them know if a site of interest lies within the area. • Encounter Support: While Renali doesn’t enjoy combat, she’ll certainly aid the PCs in battle as best she can. When providing encounter support, Renali can also serve as a translator for the PCs. If the PCs ask her to help create a camp after a day in which she’s provided encounter support, she doesn’t have time to spin silk to augment the shelter and thus uses her basic Crafting modifier of +10 to resolve the activity.


Game Concluded

Allandír:
"'You're here?'" Pril questions, frowning as she pulls the thin blanket up even closer. "You make it sound like I'm a chore on your 'To-do' list." She sits up in the hammock. "This means something to me, Allandír. I need to know that it means something to you as well, ok? I don't bounce around from bed to bed. I want there to be a connection between us. If you're just looking for a place to sheath your sword then go find one of the local elves."

~~~~~

"Oh, you big cutie," Pril gushes when she finds Harriet wanting to join the group. She leans in close and wraps her arms around the lion's neck, giving a good scratch behind her ears as well.

"If we're going to be methodical about this then we should head southwest first and then continue south until we reach the river. Needless to say, everyone needs to keep their eyes open."

I recommend we explore each hex and utilize Renali's ability to forage to save our carried supplies.


Survival: 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 3 = 251d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 3 = 341d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 3 = 21

You head southwest from Akrivel, making your way south through the Mwangi Jungle from there. The first three days pass without incident. Each night, Allandir and Pril find good places to camp, putting up the mosquito netting the Ekujae gave you to keep you protected from the disease-carrying insects. Though the nights are just as hot and humid as the days, you are able to rest and make your preparations without difficulty. Renali gathers plenty of food and water for each of you to keep you in good spirits.

On the fourth day, as you near the river, you come across a site of interest. Several huge, rotting trees lie in various states of decomposition here, vibrantly decorated with colorful mushrooms and moss. The deadfall is shaped in a rough “C”, making a fifteen-foot-wide sheltered area within. An exceptional number of insects scuttle and scurry across the dead trees and other detritus on the jungle floor below.


Game Concluded

"What do you think, girl?" Pril asks Harriet, giving the lioness a rub behind the ears. "Take caution? Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well."

The gnome slowly moves closer, hoping to get a better look at whatever is dwelling here.

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

"A trap?" The Cardinal asks, not being an expert in such matters. "Should we trigger it from a distance?"


Looking closely, Lucius spots a trap! This trap is similar to a scythe blades trap, utilizing mining picks and metal shards on a hidden branch connected to a trip wire that runs across the entrance to the deadfall. The cardinal also spots several small reptilian humanoids hiding in hollows—kobolds!

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

"Wait Pril!" Lucius says softly, but with unmistakable urgency. He drops into gnomish and then repeats the sentence in elven. "Kobolds. They have set a trap. Let me speak to them."

He raises his voice and shifts to the throaty language of dragons. "Greetings friends. We seek to pass your land in peace. There is no need for violence here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20


The kobolds perk up when Lucius speaks in Draconic. They cautiously emerge, eight in all, and watch you nervously. "You... no here to fight? Thank you... we not feeling good." The speaker's voice is raspy, and he coughs and wheezes.

Indeed, you can see that all of the kobolds appear exhausted. Portions of their skin are red and swollen, and some of them groan and clutch their stomachs.

DC 15 Crafting to Identify Alchemy or DC 17 Medicine:
The kobolds seem to be suffering from an advanced stage of arsenic poisoning.


Male Medium Human Wizard 7 | HP: 63/63 | AC: 23/23 | F: +12, R: +14, W: +12| Lore +13, Per +10, Init +12, Nature/Society +13 | Speed 25ft | Focus 1/1 | Active Conditions:

Ervan has both Endure Elements and Mage Armor active at all times. Endure Elements protects from both extreme heat and cold.

The wizard slaps his neck and wipes away what he imagines to be the remains of a mosquito. Good riddance. In reality, it's nothing but sweat. It underscores the wizard's mood as he's having real difficulties adjusting to the oppressive humidity and so, Ervan is relieved when Lucius manages to keep his cool and talks them out of trouble.

Craft DC 15: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

The state of the kobolds is pitiful. Ervan can't help but grimace as he inspects the poor dragonkin and, in turn, is greeted by the manifestation of suffering. "Lucius, these kobold people are suffering from an advanced stage of arsenic poisoning. I would assume the cause is dietary in nature. Can I talk to them?"

Switching from common to draconic, Ervan nonetheless sticks to his concise nature. "My friend," and he nudges at Lucius as he continues to talk, "is a trained healer. From what I can tell, you suffer from arsenic poisoning and my guess is that you have been eating or drinking from a polluted source. Like, say, a hot spring. Please, I think we can help you."


The kobolds chirp in irritation. "This is not a sickness from eating or drinking. It is a curse! We stole the elves' gold, and now they have hexed us in revenge!"

The others nod in agreement. "We were working in a mine somewhere... Somewhere that way, I think." The kobold gestures vaguely to the east. "A group called the Cinderclaws hired us... They are shipping the elves' gold to a group of strange foreigners in payment for helping the leader of the cult, a dragon-frog named Belmazog. When the curse hit us, we complained to Belmazog, but she ordered us back to work--at spearpoint! We decided to escape, and we ran... We ran so far away... And now we are not only sick, but very tired. We are grateful for whatever help you can give us.

"The mine is guarded... Many, many, cultists, plus giant vulture-people! And some of our people are still there, too. The leader is a kobold named Hezle. She is not bad like the others!"


Male Medium Human Wizard 7 | HP: 63/63 | AC: 23/23 | F: +12, R: +14, W: +12| Lore +13, Per +10, Init +12, Nature/Society +13 | Speed 25ft | Focus 1/1 | Active Conditions:

The wizard eyes Lucius and the others. Clearly it is to everyone's benefit if their group can reclaim the elves' gold and deal with Belmazog. "I see. How disconcerting. Well, now we know that when we get to meet Hezle that we can talk to her and avoid bloodshed. I thank you for that."

He steps back and makes room for the others to converse with the plague-struck kobolds.


Game Concluded

"You said that you stole their gold," Pril says in their same language. "Do you still have it? Could we see it?"


The kobold shakes his head. "We stole it from the mine for the Cinderclaws! Like I said, they took the gold and traded it to some foreign group."


Game Concluded

"Sorry," Pril replies with a slight tip of her head. "I misunderstood." She turns to Ervan. "Is there anything that we can do for them?" she asks in Taldan.


Game Concluded

Taking a break from the discussion, Pril wanders around the edges of the small clearing looking for certain plants that might be of aid for the diminutive dragon-kin.

Nature: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18


Just made the DC!

Pril finds several plants rich in mineral supplements that can help off-set the effects of arsenic poisoning. She brings them back to the kobolds, instructing them on their use to treat their illness.

"Thank you! The secret name of our tribe is the Thornscales. Tell it to Hezle when you find her, and she will know you are friends to be trusted."

Where to next?


Game Concluded

Pril is nothing if not a methodical gnome and after looking over their map, indicates the path she things is most efficient for continuing to search the jungle.

To the southeast one hex and then north for two then southeast again.


Survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 261d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 171d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 231d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

You spend the next four days exploring more of the jungle. You do not find anything of interest besides the local flora and fauna. On one of the nights that you set up camp, though, your netting proves insufficient to prevent some mosquitoes from slipping through and biting you while you sleep, potentially transmitting a debilitating disease.

Everybody must make a DC 19 Fortitude save or contract dysentery on the second day of explorations. The victim suffers from violent nausea and gradual dehydration, and can’t recover from the sickened condition from dysentery until the disease is cured.

Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Onset 1 day; Stage 1 sickened 1 (1 day); Stage 2 fatigued and sickened 1 (1 day).

Map updated.


Game Concluded

Fortitude Save vs DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

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