GM CariMac's 10-12 Breath of the Dragonskull (Inactive)

Game Master CariMac

100 Feet to the monolith. I circled it in red on the map.

Leyton destroys the dragon skull leaving everyone else the opportunity to move forward if they wish to. For the moment there are no flaming creatures on the battlefield.

Everyone but Leyton can retcon their actions if they wish.

Awesome! In that case, she'll use a full round to move.

Laafdahni gingerly steps forward, making sure to keep her footing in the slick ash as she approaches the monolith.

Osten moves along side the sorceress.

Lekki will double move closer to Osten and Laafdahni, "What do we reckon all these skeletons are?"

Leyten approaches the monolith. "They may have been placed here by earlier residents, for ceremonial or spiritual reasons, Lekki," he says. "Unfortunately."

He tries to inspect the writing on the stone, nervously aware that at any moment the monolith could spit fire again.

Perception roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The monolith is more brittle than it initially appears. You could hit it with weapons. You also think that a Use Magic Device check might work to deactivate it.

Well, in that case...

Once Laafdahni reaches the monolith and sees what they're dealing with, she sets to work, attempting to deactivate it. "Hmm... This seems doable. I just need to figure out how it works."

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
(Cue sad trombone music.) Is there any reason she can't try again?

Lekki smirks, "Ohhhh young lady. How about you try doing that again, but better!" he casts guidance and touch of law if she wishes to use it.

A momentary flash of irritation flows across Laafdahni's features, but is swiftly replaced with smooth neutrality. Is he truly smirking at me? Oh, never mind. I did fail. Let the old bird feel superior for a short while. Giving Lekki a warm smile (that is only slightly forced), she squares her bare, soot-stained shoulders and tries again.

Use Magic Device: 11 + 8 + 1 = 20
Includes Touch of Law and Guidance

Leyten examines the monolith and offers some observations. "See these runes over here? Their pattern is nearly the mirror image of those runes on this side."

Leyten will try to give Laafdahni a +2 Aid bonus.
Use Magic Device check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Impatient, Osten looks around. He half expects trouble to burst out from the monolith as the team works on it.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

With her team's help Laafdahni manages to disable the monolith. The runes go dark. She's sure that no more fire elementals will emerge.

Osten looks at the edge of the monolith and is fairly sure that he might be able to lift the stone off of the ground.

Strength Check

As Osten tries to lift the monolith, Leyten again stretches out his hands. "I may be able to help. It IS a big rock." A faint purplish glow surrounds his fingers.

Leyten uses Basic Chaokinesis to alter gravity. Osten's carrying capacity increases by 50%.

The barbarian strains to lift the stone off of the ground.

STR {fatigue}: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 1 = 23

Surprisingly Osten, with Leyton's help, manages to pick up the monolith easily. It only weighs 60 pounds and thrums with the cyclops magic bound within it. You notice that it's just a shard of a monolith, and not part of a larger structure.

While you are examining the monolith Dragbog scrambles into a pile of ash and emerges a few seconds later, presenting you with a shortsword and an emerald-studded that radiates magic. "Here you take. You saved my village. You gonna take the big rock with you? We don't want it. It makes things burn."

Laafdahni's eyes go wide at the suggestion of taking the rock with them. Sure, Osten is strong, and Leyton's powers make lifting it much easier, but surely carrying it all the way back would be too much to expect of them. And what if it activates and sets the village on fire once they get it back there? "Perhaps there is a lake nearby into which we can put it?" She asks hopefully.

Laafdahni solemnly accepts the gifts. She itches to cast Detect Magic on them, but figures it would be rude to do so in front of Dragbog. Instead she holds them reverently and bows her head to the goblin. "We are grateful for your guidance and wisdom, Dragbog." She gives him one of her warm smiles, the kind that make most people's hearts melt with joy.

@GM CariMac: What is the emerald-studded item? It looks like the post above is missing a word. Also, how sure is Laafdahni that the monolith is not going to turn back on at some point?

That's an excellent point. Our group certainly wouldn't bring it back to a populated area unless we felt confident that it wouldn't turn itself back "on." Would we be able to deface or neutralize the runes, even temporarily?

You are certain that you've deactivated well enough that it won't be reactivating accidentally. The item is a ring.

Leyten maintains his concentration while Osten carries the stone. "Yes, thanks, Dragbog." He turns to his companions. "Let's bring this back to Mishkar. We can drop it off with Nelket and the big bear god-fellow."

Says the guy not lifting. "Hey, can we make a pallet of something for this rock?"

Hmm...can we? {Survival}: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Aid rolls gladly accepted!'

Glancing about, Laafdahni searches the area for anything that could be used to make a sledge for the really heavy rock. Hopefully something that isn't burnt to the point of weakness.

Survival Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Survival roll to aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

You are able to find enough debris, rib bones of animals etc to make a sledge for the rock. The party begins to head back to to Mishkar. They
encounter a handful of druids on your second day out including Cenenviel.

"My friends. I'm glad to see you alive. You've clearly stopped the source of the flames. We've been working on putting out the flames in the forest. It will take some time, but we will restore order."

"Yes, we were able to disable the monolith; however, we are still unsure exactly how it was activated. ...and why.

on your second day out including Cenenviel

Does this mean we made camp and rested, or is this still the same day? Asking for a fatigued friend.

"Perhaps we can talk to the goblins, hmph, those silly creature could maybe tell us more about what they think started all of this?"

"Cenenviel, are there similar monoliths in the region?"

Yep second day. You are no longer fatigued.

"I haven't seen any other monoliths than this one. Once we get the rest of the fires put out. This task will take a while. The goblins may know something yes."

After a few days you arrive back at the Mishkar area, they find that the fires have burned out. However, the tensions between the centaurs, goblins, and people of Mishkar remain high.

The centaurs have begun to gather their strength now that their energy is not sapped from fighting the wildfire, and they demand that the people of Mishkar turn the goblins over for justice.

"Hmm... Perhaps we could form a delegation to the centaurs to discuss their grievances. First, however, we should talk to Nelket, as it was she who requested our assistance."

You make your way to speak to Nelket. "I am so glad you are back, but we have a problem. The centaurs are still blaming the goblins, and we need to diffuse the situation if possible. Tell me what happened in the village."

Leyten says, "The monolith was spewing out arcane fire. It seemed random, but maybe it wasn't -- the flames briefly animated the dragon skeletons nearby, which explains the 'monster' rumors. Laafdahni here was able to turn it off. She has magical fingers! But what started it? That, we don't know yet."

Nelket looks at the stone on the sledge. "That's the monolith? That's what started the fires? It does seem random. I'm positive the goblins didn't start this. Would you be willing to talk to the centaurs and try to convince them the goblins didn't start this, and they should leave them alone?" She points to the stone. "Showing them that should help."

"Any chance we can bring them here? This stone ain't exactly light."

"Of course we would be willing to talk to the centaurs. Perhaps they will remember that we attempted to calm them the last time we spoke to them." For all the good it did...

"I can ask if they will join us in the village." Nelket sends someone to ask the centaur leadership to join them.

After a few minutes a centaur that haven't met before arrives. Kaana Korag is the camps leader and a strong warrior. "Have you called me to talk about the goblins leaving the area. This fire is clearly their fault. They have an affinity for fire as you know." she gives the chief a glare.

"Did not start the fire. The rock did it." Dragbog mutters, and hides behind Osten.

"As much as this may surprise you, I gotta agree with the goblin. Little flame creatures were jumping out of this oblestone here. That's what caused yer forest to burn." Not that yer boys were much help.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

Gently laying her hand on Osten's arm, Laafdahni steps forward. "Greetings, Kaana Korag. I am Laafdahni Riverrun, and these are my fellow Pathfinders: Osten, Leyton, and Lekki. Nelket requested our assistance in dealing with this situation. We have investigated the source of the fires. Dragbog lead us to the site of his village, where we encountered this monolith. For a reason we could not ascertain, it was shooting spurts of flame, which caused fire elementals to bond with the dragon skeletons there. We have managed to deactivate this monolith, which Osten carried with some help from Leyton, as proof that we have stopped the source of the fires. We would be happy to answer any questions you have."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The centaur moves up and studies the monolith that sits on the sledge. "This started the fires? Hmm. I can feel the power in it." She steps back. Very well. We will go. I trust that Mishkar will keep an eye on this rock, and warn us if it shows signs for coming back to life." The centaurs leave and return to their village.

Dolok Darkfur addresses the Dragonskulls. "Dragonskulls I offer you my continued protection if you wish to make the journey to Sarkoris."

Many of the goblins join the Farheaven’s caravan, where they can more readily enjoy the god’s protection. The goblins hold a joyful celebration before leaving Mishkar, enjoying the prospect of life without threats from humans or centaurs for the first time in any of their memories.

Several of these goblins choose a different path, instead expressing interest in joining the Pathfinder Society.

The End