GM Auke's #10-00: The Hao Jin Cataclysm. PbP Gameday VIII (Inactive)

Game Master Auke Teeninga

Narayan does so, the slightest bit of trepidation showing in his scaly features.

Narayan does so, the slightest bit of trepidation showing in his scaly features.

Narayan touches the rune, but instead of fading it radiance increases for a moment.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21

Narayan is sickened as he is struck by (another) curse!

Knowledge(local/nature)
Boros Know Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Sparky Fantastico: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (14) + 23 = 37
Nugats: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Tree: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
Keriassa: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 28

Sparky, Nugats and Keriassa recall that serpentfolk are masters of disguise, even using rituals to permanently alter their appearance.

I thought Barkskin actually made your skin look course and barklike.

"I like people to know who I am."

You guys have been busy! I love it. So sorry for the short radio silence, my wife had me working hard yesterday stripping paint off the front porch.

Boros chides himself repeatedly as he simply struggles to think of the historical tidbits that have been unlocking the clues for each of the runes. [i]My mother would have been so disappointing in me for not paying enough attention during lessons about the serpentfolk."[/b]

Boros takes a deep breath, happy to see that he has been assigned with some exceptionally competent agents.

"Nugats, you say they use rituals? Maybe not all of their disguise is magical. Maybe we only need to try to appear as someone else."

Boros looks through his belongings, trying to figure out what could help him. He has an idea, and runs back to the dead cursed king. Boros grabs some of the mummy style wrappings and carefully wraps up his ankles and wrists, pulling his hood low over his face.

Disguise, untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Butt is puckered!

I'd happily take a Remove Curse, if you're willing Boros

You guys have been busy! I love it. So sorry for the short radio silence, my wife had me working hard yesterday stripping paint off the front porch.

Boros chides himself repeatedly as he simply struggles to think of the historical tidbits that have been unlocking the clues for each of the runes. [i]My mother would have been so disappointing in me for not paying enough attention during lessons about the serpentfolk."[/b]

Boros takes a deep breath, happy to see that he has been assigned with some exceptionally competent agents.

"Nugats, you say they use rituals? Maybe not all of their disguise is magical. Maybe we only need to try to appear as someone else."

Boros looks through his belongings, trying to figure out what could help him. He has an idea, and runs back to the dead cursed king. Boros grabs some of the mummy style wrappings and carefully wraps up his ankles and wrists, pulling his hood low over his face.
Butt is puckered!

Disguised Boros walks to the runes and touches them. They flare up!

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Boros is also sickened!

Boros' stomach churns as the rune flares up and the dizzy feeling doesn't relent.

"Oops.." is all he manages to say as the dizziness washes over him in waves, making it difficult to focus.

"I've got something that can help you Narayan." Boros reaches in his handy haversack and a scroll of remove curse is willed to the top.

I was snooping around your profile Narayan and noticed you have a chronicle boon that gives me a +4 bonus to my caster level check to remove your curse. I'll add that into my roll. Also, we might be in a little bit of luck. Nothing on the sickened condition says it affects caster level checks...

Muttering the divine words on the scroll, Boros wills the magic into Narayan, grasping the curses on his soul like a gardener grasps a weed. "Excutio!" Boros pulls at the weeds.

Remove Curse Caster Level check with Narayan's ch. boon bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 4 = 30

Looks like this scroll will remove all the curses on Narayan... kinda glad I waited!

Boros' stomach churns as the rune flares up and the dizzy feeling doesn't relent.

"Oops.." is all he manages to say as the dizziness washes over him in waves, making it difficult to focus.

"I've got something that can help you Narayan." Boros reaches in his handy haversack and a scroll of remove curse is willed to the top.

I was snooping around your profile Narayan and noticed you have a chronicle boon that gives me a +4 bonus to my caster level check to remove your curse. I'll add that into my roll. Also, we might be in a little bit of luck. Nothing on the sickened condition says it affects caster level checks...

Muttering the divine words on the scroll, Boros wills the magic into Narayan, grasping the curses on his soul like a gardener grasps a weed. "Excutio!" Boros pulls at the weeds.

Remove Curse Caster Level check with Narayan's ch. boon bonus 1d20+10+4

Looks like this scroll will remove all the curses on Narayan... kinda glad I waited!

I read Remove Curse as needing a caster level check against each curse. Also when casting from a scroll you use the scroll's caster level not your own (unless I'm missing something). Also is 4 te number of goals he completed or is it halved already? Actually I don't think the boon's bonus applies to the CL of a scroll.

Anyway: the Cursed King's Bestial Curse is removed with the own +5 modifier of the scroll, but I'll make another roll for the Blood Curse.

2n CL check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Narayan is still sickened.

Already halved down to the 4. I can't see why a bonus that applies when he or anyone else makes caster level checks wouldn't apply though, since a caster level check is still being made? (Not that it would change this outcome) I'll see if Remove Sickness provides any relief, or if this one is also incurable when we get back to a quartermaster.

Narayan grins broadly at Boros. "Thank you, ssooon thiss horror's cursse will be fully removed." Restoration again

"I fear without sskills we do not possesss, or sspells yet uncasst, thiss ward will remain." Happy to do the Aid though

Aid Another (if that path is chosen): 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 = 11

Already halved down to the 4. I can't see why a bonus that applies when he or anyone else makes caster level checks wouldn't apply though, since a caster level check is still being made? (Not that it would change this outcome) I'll see if Remove Sickness provides any relief, or if this one is also incurable when we get back to a quartermaster.

Remove Sickness will suppress the sickened condition for the duration of the spell

Narayan grins broadly at Boros. "Thank you, ssooon thiss horror's cursse will be fully removed." Restoration again

This time Narayan successfully removes the effects of the Cursed King's Curse.

Lending my aid to whomever makes a disguise attempt

Disguise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
barely
"oy, ya missed a bit o makeup right there."

Disguise, Aid Another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

"Though it pains me to say it, you might look better in this than me." Nugats peels off his muticolored overalls, and offers it to -.

Standing naked he watches with trepidation as they approach the last rune.

"I'm not sure with my own failure that I am much of an expert here, but I can at least try to offer some help. I can at least tell you where the disguise is obviously flawed."

Disguise aid another: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Edit: Ok, we've at least got a +6 aid bonus to whoever ends up trying. If everyone has it untrained, then it should be someone with a high charisma. I'll work on figuring out how to remove sickness.

Keriassa draws the short straw.

Sparky covers Keriassa's face in some greenish powder.

"This might help."

aid disguise: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

"Now is as good a time as any."

Keri concentrates and draws on her arcane ability to mimic other spellcasters and forms herself into a tall, though slightly green, Taldan sophisticate.

Keri Take 10 Disguise untrained (plus heroism) but with spell bonus and 4 aids: 10 + 5 + 10 + 8 = 33

Burning a 1st level spell slot to emulate Disguise Self with Spell Kenning

"Now is as good a time as any."

Keri concentrates and draws on her arcane ability to mimic other spellcasters and forms herself into a tall, though slightly green, Taldan sophisticate.

Keri Take 10 Disguise untrained (plus heroism) but with spell bonus and 4 aids

Burning a 1st level spell slot to emulate Disguise Self with Spell Kenning

After making a lot of time and effort on trying to disguise Keri, she approaches the runes. The green runes fade and you can open the door. It opens onto a chamber containing ancient tomes of magical knowledge.

You return these to the lizardfolk settlement. Oosthic thanks you and tells you that these will bring balance back and she shares some of the tomes with the Pathfinder Society.

This unlocks the special boost option for the Provide Spellcasting Aid Token. (Might come in handy the next time one of you gets a major curse :-P )

Oosthic retreats to a temple and performs a ritual to partially restore the tapestry. These repairs allow you to travel in about 10 minutes to any of the other 5 sites.

You decide(d earlier) to travel to Lake Taikaga also known as the Eternal Lake to find out why no water is flowing from it.

You arrive at a small lake bed devoid of water nestled in the center of a serene woodland valley. To the north, a ravine leads to a small temple on a rocky hilltop.

At the center of the dried out lake bed, a dozen humanoid turtles lie on their backs, alive but unable to move. They call out to you as they notice you.

"Please help us! We’re not trying to trick you!"

Knowledge (nature)
Boros: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Sparky Fantastico: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31
Nugats: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Tree: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34
Keriassa: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 25

The party easily recognizes these creatures as Kappa (see slide 8)

Keri quick steps over to the endangered creatures and tries to aid them in standing up, if they are able. "What has happened here?"

Keri quick steps over to the endangered creatures and tries to aid them in standing up, if they are able. "What has happened here?"

"We need water! Please refill our head bowls! The mean, stupid dragon tipped us over and left us here to die!"

The snarling pose in the art doesn't do them any favors. Not seeing ant create water spells in the party,

Sparky helps flip them back over while looking around.
perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

"Tell us about this dragon."

The snarling pose in the art doesn't do them any favors.

Neither does their wikipage. :-)

Sparky helps flip them back over while looking around.

"Tell us about this dragon."

"That evil dragon arrived here just a few days ago. It has taken up residence in the temple and disabled the fountain. We tried to talk with it, but it attacked us!"

Tree begins rummaging around in his haversack...waaay at the bottom...

"Aha!...no wait that's an air bladder, gotta be close tho...is this??...YES! 'Ere we go, mah waterskin. Never travel in Osirion without one. No ideer why not, I've never used it. Maybe it's like a towel."

He gives it a shake, seems to slosh.

"Fresh from a mountain stream in, uhm, Irrisen! yeah that's it Irrisen."

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
(It's most likely tap water, he has no idea.)

"Anyway, you're welcome to it if'n ya want. Shall I try tah divide the contents amongst the twelve uv ya, or do ya have a leader or sumptin?"

Tree begins rummaging around in his haversack...waaay at the bottom...

"Aha!...no wait that's an air bladder, gotta be close tho...is this??...YES! 'Ere we go, mah waterskin. Never travel in Osirion without one. No ideer why not, I've never used it. Maybe it's like a towel."

He gives it a shake, seems to slosh.

"Fresh from a mountain stream in, uhm, Irrisen! yeah that's it Irrisen."

[dice=Bluff]d20+3
(It's most likely tap water, he has no idea.)

"Anyway, you're welcome to it if'n ya want. Shall I try tah divide the contents amongst the twelve uv ya, or do ya have a leader or sumptin?"

The Kappa are very happy with the water, whatever the source.

"Wow, that's amazing a magic bag, What else do you have in there? Any Cucumbers or maybe meat, preferably horse meat! We're starving as we haven't eaten in days!"

Narayan pulls out some dried rations, "Thiss is pork, will that ssuficce? Which dragon is the sstupid one you sspeak of?"

Narayan pulls out some dried rations, "Thiss is pork, will that ssuficce?"

"Regular pork or long pork?"

They gladly accept the rations and eat them.

"Which dragon is the sstupid one you sspeak of?"

"There's only one dragon. It's big, fat, stupid, evil and mean! We would have died if it wasn't for you heroes! Do you have spare weapons and armor so we can defend ourselves?"

"Do you have spare weapons and armor so we can defend ourselves?"

Tree Studies the one requesting weaponry and tries to sense if its motivations are truly defense.

SenseMot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
seems legit

Retrieving a simple 'handax' from his haversack, "This is better fo' choppin' down trees than dragons, but it might do inna pinch. Here.”

"This dragon is up that hill?" pointing towards the temple.

iff the reply is in the affirmative, Tree will shrug and start marching in that direction, but not going far w/o allies...

Retrieving a simple 'handax' from his haversack, "This is better fo' choppin' down trees than dragons, but it might do inna pinch. Here.”

”Yes, the dragon is at the temple! Gold, do you gave gold for us to buy horses? We need horses too!”

Sparky shares water and rations though he has no spare weapons or horses.

"Time is short. Let's go ask the dragon to turn the water back on."

Relieved that they have finally passed the dreaded runes, Nugats is surprised at how upset he is when hearing the Kappa's story.

"That is just awful. To spill your water like that! The nerve. I think we should just walk up that hill and give that dragon a piece of our minds!" completely distracted by his rage, Nugats doesn't realize that he seems to have rolled the kappa from its back to upright, back to its back, and upright again. At the protestations of the kappa he ceases his rolling.

"My apologies, master kappa. And what color was this terrible, no good dragon? Was it big like a house, small like a horse, or in between?" Nugats joins in aiding the kappa with food and coin.

Relieved that they have finally passed the dreaded runes, Nugats is surprised at how upset he is when hearing the Kappa's story.

"That is just awful. To spill your water like that! The nerve. I think we should just walk up that hill and give that dragon a piece of our minds!" completely distracted by his rage, Nugats doesn't realize that he seems to have rolled the kappa from its back to upright, back to its back, and upright again. At the protestations of the kappa he ceases his rolling.

"My apologies, master kappa. And what color was this terrible, no good dragon? Was it big like a house, small like a horse, or in between?" Nugats joins in aiding the kappa with food and coin.

The kappa gladly accept the food and the coin.

"It's a wingless golden wyrm with red furry hair."

"Do you have any magic items to help our village? You seem to have so many!"

You follow the ravine and approach the small temple on the rocky hilltop.

It's been more than 100 minutes since you buffed up against the undead, so (I think) all your buffs have run out.

You estimate you are about 5 minutes from the temple and that you can still cast spells without the dragon hearing the spellcasting. After casting you continue the last leg of the journey.

Please put your tokens in the box on sheet 9

A mighty rumbling roar breaks the silence.

Boros narrows his eyes as his companions set about helping these strange creatures. With a subtle wave of his hand, he uses his divine ability to discern lies.

He also uses his incredible powers of skepticism to help give him clues as to the truthfulness of these creatures.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 32

I am very skeptical, spidey sense is tingling. This is what Boros is best at though, finding out if people are telling the truth!

Sparky will use a Heroism extract just in case.

"They say their name is gōngzhǔ Aoitsun and they are on a sacred sword duty."

Boros narrows his eyes as his companions set about helping these strange creatures. With a subtle wave of his hand, he uses his divine ability to discern lies.

He also uses his incredible powers of skepticism to help give him clues as to the truthfulness of these creatures.

"We are Pathfinders. You blocked the water flow to the local Kappas. We seek its return."

The roar changes its tone and suddenly sounds very angry.

linguistics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

In Common.
"I don't speak the language of devils. Let's include everyone in this conversation. Do you speak Common?"

Nugats cast Shield on himself.

Any chance nugats could make a kn check based upon the dragons description and use of languages?

”Yes, we speak Taldane, but as you said yourself, it is very common. The language of peasants. We hope at least one of you understood what we said, as we really don’t like repeating ourselves.”

Nugats cast Shield on himself.

Any chance nugats could make a kn check based upon the dragons description and use of languages?

You can roll a knowledge arcana, but you’ll get minusses as you gaven’t seen it yourself yet.

"Mighty dragon, let us speak before fighting becomes foregone. We come seeking knowledge first. You must have a good reason for blocking the water. Tell us!"

Keri shouts out into the air in draconic, hoping to ease the tension.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42

"Ah! There is one amongst you with a brain! To start at the very beginning, our ancestors swore to Hao Jin that they and their descendants would help preserve balance and harmony in the tapestry.
Currently, there are major imbalances. The automated repair mechanism, known as soul stitching, that should help repair these is malfunctioning and creating unraveling negative energy creatures that can move through the fabric of the tapestry. The mechanism is powered by the demi plane's waterways, so we deactivated the eternal spring. After power has depleted and balance has been restored, we will turn it back on."

At the five minute mark, Narayan will drink his extracts of heroism and longarms, then cast Remove Sickness (from a wand just purchased), then put up Heightened Awareness.
Remove Sickness: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 2 - 2 = 34

"You may resst assured that we will put an end to any ssoul sstitching. Please give uss time to right these imbalanccess, and until then, let the waters flow."

Diplomacy Aid for Keriassa's next attempt: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 = 16

wispers to Narayan, "Psst, tha 'soul stitching' is a good thing. Err, well 'good' might be a bit of an over statement. But if we want this tapestry ta not fall apart, it's good fer us."

Tree ponders for a moment...(this is a dangerous activity for him).

"Actually, if we just kill a bunch of people in here that might release enough soul energy ta jump start tha thing."...ponders more..."Nah that's silly."

Tree will Study the dragon. (It is speaking in Common currently yes?) Tree suspects it may be speaking in half-truths.

The soul powered repair mechanism makes sense...but depleting power seems unnecessarily risky. His brow furrows and eyes narrow with skepticism:

SenseMot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"The ssoul sstitching may be intended, but that does not make it good."

"Have you considered trying to repair it instead of just turning it off?"

diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 + 2 = 5

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

Common Taldane "I agree, an uncouth language at best. If it would make you feel better we could switch to any numbers of languages: Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnome, Goblin, Infernal, Sylvan, Varisian. Really great to meet a fellow linguist.

"Sparky Fantastico has the right of it. Best to repair the sewing contraption rather than cut it off entirely. At least that is what my mum would say, and she sewed all my clothes. Even these overalls." Nugats thumbs his multicolored suspenders. "What say you, be a pal and let the waters flow."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

Boros listens to all of the bantering, but the dragon doesn't scare him.

Assuming he can stand far enough away that is.

"How do we fix the mechanism? That seems the quickest way for everyone to get what they want. Where do we find it?"

"The ssoul sstitching may be intended, but that does not make it good."

Soul Stitching probably has the [evil] descriptor, but so does Ki-Leech...

wispers to Narayan, "Psst, tha 'soul stitching' is a good thing. Err, well 'good' might be a bit of an over statement. But if we want this tapestry ta not fall apart, it's good fer us."

Tree ponders for a moment...(this is a dangerous activity for him).

"Actually, if we just kill a bunch of people in here that might release enough soul energy ta jump start tha thing."...ponders more..."Nah that's silly."

Tree will Study the dragon. (It is speaking in Common currently yes?) Tree suspects it may be speaking in half-truths.

The soul powered repair mechanism makes sense...but depleting power seems unnecessarily risky. His brow furrows and eyes narrow with skepticism

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36

The dragon notices your doubt and is clearly not amused.

"Have you considered trying to repair it instead of just turning it off?"

The dragon roars!

"The Soul Stitching has been woven through the very fabric of the tapestry and I fear its workings are beyond the comprehension of anyone but the Ruby Phoenix herself. Your suggestion to repair it is laughable and insulting!"