[PFS2] GM Steinkrug's Unforgiving Fire (Quest #2) (Inactive)

Game Master steinkrug

"That is a most useful trick," Kazikli rumbles. He would express interest in learning from Lusinel, but is nowhere near nimble enough. Less inclined to chase after the 'Master' upon seeing the statue, he scans it further.

Trying to Read Aura on the statue.

"Hey Lusinel, can you do anything about this one?" Barb asks as she indicates the rune she found. "I don't have any skill in these kinds of things and it's not something my ancestors can guide me on."

Lusinel obliges by disarming the second trap.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Thievery(T): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Unless prevented She then moves up to the alcove, opens the trunk and starts handing out its contents to the others. Item list in GM's spoiler above.

Somewhat assured, Kazikli hefts one end of the statue. "Barb, if you would take the left side? I could do it myself, but we might as well ease the process. There is no need to slam it against more gongs."

Feldspar moves forward. "I know I'm not the strongest among us, but I can take a side if Barb would rather keep her axe free."

Feldspar looks at Barb for confirmation. If she would rather stay ready, he'll help carry, otherwise he'll trail along waiting for trouble.

Barb looks at Kazikli and then Feldspar. She mutters something which sounds suspiciously like "That's rude Shri! Please be nice."

She then upends her backpack, takes the statue from Kazikli and shoves it in, before starting to gather her scattered belongings. The smaller items go into her near-empty bandolier, the crowbar is uncomfortably tucked through her belt and the rope slung across her body in a relatively secure fashion.

"Can you lot manage the rest of that stuff?" she asks with a hint of mirth in her voice.

At 8 bulk, 9 would be encumbered.

Lusinel grins and skips towards the door, leaving the scepter, liquid-filled bladders, journal and papers taken from the trunk to the two magic-users.

Feldspar looks at Kazikli. "Try to identify it here or stow it for later? Some people seem to be getting a little hasty."

He pulls his backpack off and rousts his familiar out of it. A rather shabby looking young cat that would seem at home hunting rats outside a down-market tavern moves grumpily to his side. "You're walking for a bit, Nugget," Feldspar says softly to the cat.

He turns back to Kazikli. "I'm not sticking the burning thing in my backpack. You want it?"

I can carry about three more bulk without becoming encumbered, two of it in my backpack.

For speed, time permitting I will attempt an arcana check on the scepter. If the group doesn't pause for that, ignore the roll, but to speed things up...

arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Lusinel alternates between watching the door(s) to see if anyone is coming, and making funny faces at Nugget.

Scepter would be 1 bulk if it's the size of a staff and L if it's the size of a wand. Bladders are probably L apiece, papers and journal L at best. Grumpy kitty can still ride.

Kazikli accepts the scepter with interest. "I'll take it. We are at a crossroads between haste and accuracy, I feel. These three don't seem prepared enough to leave behind a curse in any of this. We can afford to leave its nature uncovered for now."

Lusinel, I'm taking from your position on the map that you're peering around that corner at the doors, rather than standing by them.

Lusinel, you see Sanvara and her disciples walk into the central room and position themselves in such a way as to block the exit.

With her freshly loaded backpack, Barb moves toward the exit after offering her hand for Nugget to sniff.

If Lusinel passes on her observations...
"There look to be several exits from this room, do we want to all use the main exit or should some of us try the others and approach from multiple sides?"

Lusinel says quietly, "Well, we know there was a door leading in this direction from the room with the pillars, and that was rusted shut, so we can't go out the northern way. But we could use that southern exit. We'd have to be quiet about getting into position, otherwise they might attack early and some of the party will be too far away to help. I'm willing to give it a go."

She thinks for a moment. "On the other hand, spellcasters tend to get tetchy when party members get in the way of their area-effect spells, so there's also a compelling argument for not approaching from multiple directions into a fairly small room." She raises an interrogative eyebrow at Feldspar and Kazikli.

If the party decides to set up the pincer movement, Lusinel quietly moves to the southern door and unlocks it (assuming the same key unlocks that door). She'll sneak around the southern way along with whoever else wants to go. If the party decides to stay together, she's fine with that also.

The key will work for the southern door as well.

"I trust you to play to your strengths, as I will mine," Kazikli murmurs. With the mask, it's quite difficult to hear. "The wind will put out their frail fires either way. And inept as they may seem, one can never count on their assuming such a convenient formation."

"Most of us could emerge from the expected point, while you and anyone else feeling themselves capable could rush them from the side."

Feldspar moves up to stand beside the western entry. "I'm not going to tell anyone how to fight their battles; this is my first. I will note that having several of us in a group might let us intimidate our way past them. They did lose our last contest, after all."

He pauses and helps his familiar hide in the backpack again, room permitting."Careful with your paws, little one." He looks back at Lusinel. "For future reference, I mostly prefer precision to widespread damage. Widespread damage is for drinking law students."

"Good point Feldspar," Barb lowers her voice as she responds. "Sounds like we should just head straight at them but ready and prepared."

Barb's actions follow her words as she positions herself ready to storm the door with Lusinel.

Lusinel nods, then draws her rapier and exits with Barb.

I've positioned everyone in the small hallways between the two rooms.

The party returns to the central chamber to find, as Lusinel has already observed, Sanvara and her two disciples waiting. Sanvara's expression is void of any pretense of friendliness.

“Did you really think I was going to just let you walk out of here with the heirlooms of my ancestors? That I don’t know why you arrived at my temple in the first place? The Monastery of Ignorance and its Pathfinder lackeys will never take anything that rightfully belongs to my family ever again. They’ve already stolen too much!”

The language is strong, however Sanvara's confidence seems slightly shaken. Nonetheless, she shifts into an attack posture.

Initiative
Round One
Lusinel
Feldspar
Sanvara
Barb
Disciple (M)
Disciple (F)
Kazikli

Lusinel and Feldspar are up!

Lusinel points her rapier at each of the opponents in turn. She speaks calmly, but her words carry through the air between the groups.

"Life teaches us lessons each day, if we are wise enough to learn them. We defeated you in all the challenges, and yet you stand against us. You are young, as humans go, and have many years left with which to strive towards perfection. Do you wish to leave this plane of existence so soon?"

Intimidate vs. Meleeka: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Intimidate vs. male Disciple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Intimidate vs female Disciple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

3 actions to Demoralize vs. Will DC of each opponent.

Feldspar will delay until he sees if the others back down; he will come back into initiative at the first aggressive act from any of the three.

Sanvara's disciples start whispering to each other after Lusinel's words until a sharp hiss from their master. She herself seems shaken as well, however, and there's a slight tremor in her voice as she says, "I cannot allow you to take what little I have left."

Sanvara raises her hands and curls her fingers so that they resemble talons. She moves her arms with quick, flicking gestures that remind you of dancing flames. And then she rushes at Lusinel, strikes out with one of her hands and, after a painful impact, grabs a hold of the elf. (5 damage, 3 of which is fire damage in case you have a resistance I'm missing, and grabbed)

Initiative
Round One
Lusinel (-5, grabbed)
Sanvara (f1)
Feldspar
Barb
Disciple (M) (f1)
Disciple (F) (f1)
Kazikli

Feldspar and Barb are up. Feldspar has 2 actions remaining (delay costing 1).

Feldspar has 2 actions remaining (delay costing 1).

Delay is a free action.

GM Steinkrug wrote:

Feldspar has 2 actions remaining (delay costing 1).

Delay is a free action.

Whoops! Yup, sorry. That's what I thought and then I looked it up real quick and misread the icon.

Barb, whose eyes had held a slightly glazed look as she listened to internal dialogue, now looks directly at Sanvara, "You are foolish and have yet to learn the power of negotiation. I fear it may be too late."

Her words become harsh as she adds, "I suggest you let go and surrender." The rage she feels in now apparent to all, almost palpable to those who stand close. Barb's last words, almost a growl, a swiftly followed by two swings of her greataxe.

Greataxe attack, raging: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 potential slashing damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Greataxe (2nd) attack, raging: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 potential slashing damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Leaving Sanvara to the mercy - such as it is - of Barb's axe, Feldspar targets the male Mudclaw with three rounds of Magic Missile.

Magic Missile Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 3 = 13

Well. Those sure are some dice rolls. You had me checking to see if I calculated the Challenge Points properly.

Barb brutally attacks Sanvara. The "Master"'s body collapses with a wet sound and unless you're fascinated with blood and gore you avert your eyes.

Meanwhile, Feldspar's missiles strike unerringly, slamming into the male disciple's body—one, two, three—and he too, falls dead, though his corpse is not as horrifying to behold.

The female disciple starts stammering, eyes darting to and then away from that which used to be Sanvara. She fires her hand crossbow at Barb, misses, and then runs up the stairs.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 1d6 ⇒ 1

Well, that was easy. I could have left the other disciple around for you to destroy as well, but I just can't see her sticking around to get murdered after what she just witnessed.

Kazikli hefts his axe, taking a second to determine his target...and sees there are none left. He heaves a whistling sigh and calls on his magic to patch up Lusinel.

Heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

He tries the same for Sanvara, but is likely thwarted by Barb's prowess. "We have what we came here for. What shall we do with these sorry ones?"

Assuming Sanvara can't be stabilized.

"I don't see that there is anything we can do, other than leave their mortal shells for the last acolyte of the Unforgiving Fire" -- she gestures at the stairs -- "to honor, as she will."

Lusinel wipes a splatter of gore off her face, sheathes her rapier and bows to Kazikli in thanks for the healing.

Sorry, overemphasized a bit with Barb’s take down of her in two swings. Party can attempt healing or Medicine of Sanvara if that’s what you’d like to do.

Barb looks down, the rage sliding off her into the puddle of gore at her feet. Her shoulders slump as she sighs. "Sorry about that. People should not mess with my friends," and she gives Lusinel a wry smile.

"Really, I don't know why every parent and school in Golarion doesn't teach don't anger the barbarian, right along with don't bunch up in front of the dragon and other useful survival tips."

As she cleans her weapon and wipes off what she can from herself, her voice becomes wistful, "I would have like to have convinced her to come back with us and engage in a more lawful method of reclaiming her family's property. She seemed to have potential and with the right guidance may have gone far." Barb looks around hopefully at the others, "Any of you powerful enough to bring her back?"

Feldspar moves to check his victim to see if he can be stabilized. "Sorry, but I really don't like having crossbows pointed at me."

Medicine: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"There doesn't seem to be anything I can do here."

Lusinel smiles back at Barb, and watching Kazikli cast again, says, "Well, there may be a little life in her yet, as bad as it looks."

Kazikli's attempted Heal will bring Sanvara back up.

Right. Wasn't thinking of the full 3-action Heal. Was a bit distracted yesterday. My apologies for the mistakes.

Kazikli sends out a pulse of positive energy. Lusinel's injuries are healed and, after a moment, there is movement from the bodies on the "temple" floor. Sanvara and the male disciple open their eyes, look at each other, look at all of you standing above them. Sanvara sits up with a groan and then sags back against the nearest wall. She puts her head in her hands. A moment passes.

When she raises her head, there are tears on her cheeks. She takes off her handwraps and throws them at Lusinel. "I don't deserve these! Take them! Take the statue! Take all the secrets of my family! 'Master.' Ha! I'm not a master of anything!" She tries to shout, but her voice is strained from her injuries. After her outburst, she hides her face once more.

Meanwhile, after his eyes seem to search for the other disciple and not find her, the disciple sits as if frozen, seemingly overwhelmed by these events.

Going with GM's description, gonna assume Kazikli moved up a bit after his first 2-action heal and then cast a 3-action heal, which would allow the male bandit to fit in the 30ft radius and come up as well.

Lusinel reflexively catches the blood-splattered handwraps, grimaces, and sighs. "Children..." She makes eye contact with the rest of the party. This one's all yours.

Leaving the others to deal with Sanvara's outburst, she walks over to the male disciple, squats down beside him, and says softly, "She's alright. She ran, but won't have gone far. She'll probably want to know you're alive."

Barb looks at the distraught monk. "You can quit or you can admit you need support. Come back with us and speak with our Venture-Captain. If these items rightfully belong in your family then perhaps the Pathfinder Society can help with negotiations. Even if not successful, if you were to choose to join and were accepted into the Society, there is a better possibility of having an influence on what happens to them and also the possibility of helping to study them. You obviously have a passion to further your studies and improve the mastery of your martial arts. This could be a path for you if you wish."

She then bends forward, dropping her voice so that her next words are shared only with Sanvara, "I know what it is to have ancestors you both revere and find infuriating. It sounds like you may have reasons for mixed feelings regarding some of yours too. Don't let the frustration dominate. Find the good and draw strength from it."

Make a Diplomacy check, if you don't mind Barb. Anyone else that would like to attempt to Make an Impression on Sanvara is welcome to as well. Or one could attempt to Aid Barb.

Feldspar looks down at Sanvara. "Barb has a point." He mutters a bit more quietly toward his familiar. "and an edge.".

Addressing Sanvara again, he continues... "Mastery is a path, not a state. Perhaps being a Pathfinder is what you were meant for."

influence(diplomacy): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

He looks over his shoulder at Nugget and whispers "I don't think she's going to listen to me either."

Lusinel stands up in the corner where she was talking to the male bandit, turns, and says to Sanvara, "My comrades are giving you kinder advice than I would have. I have no stake in the matter and no particular interest in your affairs, but you would do well to put aside the shame and self-pity that afflicts you now, and heed their words."

Diplomacy(T): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Sanvara considers Barb's words. She flinches slightly at Lusinel's mention of "shame and self-pity," but slowly rises, using the wall for support.

"I will accompany you back to Niswan." She looks at Feldspar. "Yes, I think it is clear that I am no 'Master.' Success seems to elude me and I find it difficult to see other than more failure ahead. But I also do not see any other path."

You make your way back to the docks where Scarscale and the Obsidian Owl await. Somewhere on the way, the male disciple slips away from the group. "Master Sanvara!" Scarscale greets her and she winces. He does not ask any questions about her presence, however.

Back in Niswan, you return to the Lodge where Mlipdra awaits. "You're back! With the statue, I hope?" She then notices that you have an additional person with you. "Meleeka Sanvara?" she asks in surprise. Sanvara nods but does not say anything.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 6
While she tries hard and is well-meaning, I imagine that Sanvara is more focused on the axe and bloodstains then what Barb is saying.
Sorry, I thought this had posted yesterday immediately after the request for it but found it sitting as a preview. :-(

"Venture-Captain Melipdra," Barb begins with a slight nod of her head and deep respect in her voice, "While we have returned with the missing property, there has been some question as to the statue's rightful owner. Sanvara has come to both plead her case and petition for entry into the Pathfinder Society."

Barb then pulls out the statue and turns it over to the Venture-Captain, waiting quietly for a response.

Huh, wasn't seeing any new posts.

Kazikli isn't certain he wants the likes of Sanvara in the Society. He doesn't warm her up to the prospect, but nor does he try to scare her off, instead folding his arms crossly. He may also be influenced by being beaten to the punch.

He bows alongside his fellow half-orc in the Venture-Captain's presence. "These concessions are few, and seemed acceptable for now. If I may ask, do you know each other?"

"Know her? Well, no, but..." Mlipdra begins.

"I'm sure she recognizes me from the recent Challenge," Sanvara offers.

Mlipdra nods. "Yes, that's right. So... you are... But, why?"

Sanvara explains: "As you know, I lost badly. What you do not know is that before the tournament, I discovered scrolls in the archives of the Monastery of Unblinking Flame that described ancient techniques of my ancestors. I was forbidden to use them in the tournament."

"And the statue?" Mlipdra asks.

"Used by my ancestors in their training techniques."

"I see," says Mlipdra. "Well, I think I can put together the rest or enough to make sense of all this." She turns her attention to the rest of you. "Thank you for your efforts in retrieving the statue and your forward thinking in bringing Meleeka back with you. I'm sure her talents can be of use to the Society if she remains willing. I myself found a new home here nearly thirty years ago when I was defeated in the Challenge." She looks at Sanvara. "It might not be an easy transition, but I'm willing to work with you."

Mlipdra then retrieves four small bags from a nearby table and hands one to each of member of the party. "Your payment for a job well done. Retrieving the statue should go a long way toward preserving our agreement with the monastery." The bags contain rough cut garnets.

The iron scepter you retrieved is an everburning torch and the Sanvara's handwraps are +1 handwraps of mighty blows. These you can purchase on the Chronicle. The scrolls are those referred to above and from them you will learn the Rain of Ember Stance which will be on the Chronicle as well, a monk stance you will now have access to for other characters.

That pretty much wraps up the Quest, but feel free to converse further if you have any outstanding concerns, etc.

Kazikli starts to look a tad more sympathetic as Sanvara is cast as a wayward fighter with little else to her name. "Take this as an opportunity to improve," he rumbles, fiddling with the iron scepter. "Failure is natural, and preferable to success through ill-advised means - for others sake."

As they leave the Venture-Captain's office, Barb turns to the rest of her team. "It has been a pleasure working with you again," she says addressing Kazikli and Lusinel. "And a pleasure to meet and work with you, Felspar."

As the group wanders into town she adds, "Perhaps I will have the chance to join one or more of you in another mission soon. Until then, take care, my friends."

Departing the group, Barb can be heard thanking Shakkah for their guidance and asking Shri how many years or centuries it will take before they learn that sometimes compassion will defeat more enemies than violence.

Feldspar nods to Barb on her way out. "It has been my pleasure. I hope to journey with you all again. He turns back to Sanvara before leaving.

"Should you meet your former disciples, please pass on to them that the Society is generous with second chances. Third chances, however, are much more rare. They would be advised to stay far from their former profession."

With that he turns, nods one last time to the Venture-Captain, and leaves.