GM Badblood's Snarl of Koboldious Wisdom (Inactive)

Game Master Lance K

"Find the lost palace and the jade scroll case inside," Skyxa repeats aloud, as though committing this instruction to memory. "Simpler than borrowing from schools or fighting in public."

She smiles toothily.

"Looking forward to it."

"Easy! We find quickly, is no problem," Skithryx assures Mai Chun. "But we travel so very long and have such hunger, maybe first we have lunch?" he asks innocently. A bowl and spoon appear in his hands, his eyes go wide, and he tries his hardest to pout just a little.

"Yes, it should be simple. You have the directions and my notes. Now that we know where the Summer Palace is, it should be straight forward."

"Oh no. I didn't make you anything. I've been too busy with all these documents. You're just going to have to eat something on the road. But when you get back, I promise, I'll have a proper feast prepared for you. But now the sun is high in heavens and the sky will be dark soon. Your journey will be long, but one foot in front of the other is how it always begins."

Mai Chun shoos the kobolds out of her house and towards the gates of town.

"Good luck, noble Pathfinders! May you your journey be safe and swift!"

Several days later, the Pathfinders cross the Gossamer Mountains where the notes indicated and find the Summer Palace nestled in a secluded wooded valley, on the edge of a small mountain lake. The building is majestic despite its obvious abandonment, with terraces and sloping roofs forming a multi-tiered affair that seems to grow from the surrounding mountains.

Many of the rooms are buried under landslides or overgrown with vegetation. The rooms are eerily peaceful and there is no sign of any people around, but the group finds many mysterious puddles of discarded clothing or armor, sometimes filled with a handful of ashes.

The last room to explore is the throne room.

Midnight pokes her head into the ballroom. She is puzzled that it looks like the palace was so suddenly abandoned...

"Someone tends the shrine but none of the other rooms? Maybe person is lurking around here..." Krall muses when they see a lit candle.

In the study he grabs the magical looking treatises and puts them in his bag before catching up with Midnight.

"Vanished like smoke on the wind?" Skyxa remarks, also puzzled by the state of the ballroom. "Nothing disturbed here. If they left fast, things would be knocked over or spilled."

She's also puzzled by the freshly lit candle at the shrine and her hand more than once strays towards her bow as the group slowly noses about. "Krall is right. Someone or something has been here. Might still be here. We should be careful."

"We should take precautions for traps then. I mean, that's what any sane being would do if they were here alone."

Kaidynn mentally reaches for the blue mind crystal egg again, and it once more glows with a bright indigo hue.

Detect Magic via Medium psychic magic in every room

Kaidynn's eyes begin to glow with a faint indigo hue; he prepares his bow, just in case...

At the mention of "traps," Skithryx drops onto all fours and begins crawling around. "If they are here, I will find them!" he promises before inspecting the way to the throne room.
________
24 perception vs traps as we move to the throne room!

Skithryx scans every doorway and floor tile for signs of sabotage but the Summer Palace is remarkably trap free. Nor does Kaidynn find any signs of lingering magical auras.

Eventually the kobolds reach the throne room, cautiously stepping through the huge lacquered yellow doors. The room is a large circle, with passages leading away from it like the rays of the sun and a golden throne on a raised platform in the middle of the room. The room has been untouched by the erosion of nature and radiates a sense of calm that dampens the group's natural feelings of paranoia and excitability.

On one of the cushions around the throne there is a young woman kneeling. She is dressed in an elaborate silk dress that is white with a pattern of blue flowers. As the kobolds approach, they can see that she is faintly translucent.

The woman stands up and greets the Pathfinders in eloquent, but heavily accented Common. "Greetings visitors! I can see from your garb that you are from the Inner Sea. You have certainly traveled a long distance to reach the Summer Palace. We have not had guests in quite some time and I'm regret that I cannot offer you any refreshments. Oh excuse me, but its been awhile since I've talked with a living person! I am the late Song Rui, daughter of the Eternal Sun Emperor and Royal Princess of the Lung Wa Empire, long live the current Emperor, whoever they may be and may our rule last for a hundred centuries. May I ask who I am speaking with?"

Midnight is puzzled by this person. She says she is dead, but is not trying to hurt them.

"Oh, I am Krall Visker!" Krall answers not sure what do do in the presence of the ghostly princess.

"I'm Gynnezz Bugtalker, a trueblood of the Sewer Dragon Snarl in Absalom. Noscale Empire you from no more,I think? Noscales dumb and fight with each other, instead of being together like truebloods." the druid explains gently.

"Kaidynn."

Demm, not certain if this girl is a threat, hedges a bit before answering. "We are Pathfinders"

"Skithryx, I have a question," he announces. "What is it fleshies do again for Princesses? Bow-wow?" He drops to his knees and bows several times.

"Did I do it right?" he asks, standing up. "I notice you are clear, but also here. Why is that?"

The apparation smiles and bows as the Kobolds introduce themselves. "Pathfinders? I have never heard of your organization.". Turning to Skithrix she says, "I believe that I mentioned that I am dead. I suppose that I'm some sort of phantom or spirit. All I know is that I'm bound to this place and have no way to leave."

The spirit grows alarmed when Gynezz mentioned that the Lung Was Empire is no more. "You...you must be joking. How could the Lung Wa empire just be gone. Please do not mock me just because I have been away from the world so long. I would be very interested in any real news you have of the outside world though."

"I do not know noscale scale-comparings. Do know that there are 'Successor States' that all claim to be 'Lung Wa'. All very selfish. One keeps all shiny to self, not share for good of all noscales. Another makes chieftain hatchlings go to 'school', but chieftain hatchlings no wanna go school but go 'adventure'. Different one has everyone learn how to beat people up, and encourages fighting everywhere at drop of helmet. Maybe you leave if someone take your things somewhere? Or if someone say you okay to follow them? Gynnezz rambles then looks to the rest of the party -- she talks to bugs and she's pretty sure that the princess wants to hear how Skinny Long-legs dessicated their last dinner.

Song Rui seems to be very interested in what Gynnezz has to say and asks her numerous questions. She seems to be particularly interested in the current political situation of the Successor States.

"I have not had a visitor since my sudden demise. I've done what I can to maintain the place, but unfortunately I am just one ghost. I know that my death was the result of some kind of spell that my mother was working on, but my memories are...incomplete," she says with a pause, a disturbed frown on her face.

"Magic. Makes sense," Skyxa finally speaks up. "The Palace is empty but with things set out for meals and other living activities. It's like everyone vanished without a trace. Very strange. But magic makes sense."

She pauses and then considers very carefully how to proceed.

"We came here to find a scroll case. Jade. Very pretty. Do you remember where it might be, please?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Sent to find pretty scroll case by nice old woman who wants to make lives of common people better."

diplomacy assist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"Well, the lady that hired us is quite nice and now that we know where this place is...maybe she will visit you and clean this place up. Especially, if we bring the case back."

Song Rui responds to Skyxa, "Yes, my mother was always researching powerful magic. I'm sure whatever happened to me and the other people here was her doing."

Song Rui seems to be pleased by Midnight's comment about how the kingdom of Shokuro is working to make the lives of their peasant class better. "As much as it saddens me to know that my dynasty has died out, the old Empire was arrogant and was more concerned about maintaining its prestige over the welfare of its common people. If only I was alive to see what these new 'Successor States' have done. You do now how happy I am to have finally received some news after all these centuries all alone."

"Ahh, the Jade Scroll? My room was buried under the initial earthquake, but luckily I had removed the scroll before the incident happened. It is here, behind the throne. You may take it to this Mai Chun you have spoken of. And please let her know that she may come and visit me anytime she would like. I would greatly enjoy speaking to such a learned scholar."

Song Rui present the Pathfinders with a jade scroll case. "You can have it, as long as you don't open it around me. I have no interest in learning about whatever prophecies are written on that scroll regarding my doomed Empire."

As the party ascends out of the valley of the Summer Palace, they find four familiar faces meeting them. the student Jianghong of Lingshen and his bodyguard Zheng, the bureaucrat Yue Xin of Po Li, and the martial artist Jiang Fei of Quain.

Jianghong starts off greeting the Pathfinders. "Noble Pathfinders, we're here to get what rightfully belongs to us. I have a powerful magic item that found its way into my possession. If you come with me and Zheng to Lingshen, you can have this item and more." Jianghong pulls out a beautiful, rainbow colored case of marvelous pigments and holds it up so that the kobolds can see it. "Come on, guys, don't you want to be rich?"

Zheng, dressed in gray and sporting a two week old beard grunts and swings his glaive in a practiced arc before bringing the end of the shaft down into the dirt.

Yue Xin says "Lice will live on any head they land on, but gold coins will fall out of the pocket of the fool, " picking up a stick off the ground and looking at it intently. "Oh, I can give you one piece of paper for another. My piece of paper is a writ of possession for the Star of Changdo. Its a diamond about the size a baby's fist." Yue Xin nibbles on the end of the stick, then carefully puts it into an empty sword sheath hanging from his belt. "But one should not expect that the blind will hear words of wisdom or that the deaf will see the light."

Jiang Fei sighs and says, "Noble Pathfinders! I respect your martial prowess and the wisdom that you showed. Please consider my offer. I do not have diamonds or magic paints to offer you but I can help further your training. And you may also have this humble heirloom, passed on to me from my grandfather, the legendary sensei Jiang Fong." Jiang Fei holds a black and white strip of cloth with a gold device in the center above her head. It appears to be a headband.

"So, none of you fleshies brought food?" Demm turns to the team, "It's like they never met us!"

He addresses the foursome again. "So, you all want to just give us things? Okay, fine." He points at the failed thief. "You first. Everyone else get in line behind him. You can all give us your things one at a time. Very organized. Then we go eat."

Zheng says, "See, young master? I told you they'd be too stupid to accept a deal.".

Jianghong snaps back, "Shut up, Zheng. Let me handle the negotiations.". Addressing Demm he says, [b]"Pardon our Taldan if we weren't clear but we're offering a trade for that Jade Scroll you have. The Shokuros won't be able to match any of our offers, but I'd suggest you go with us, since our offer is clearly superior."

The Xin has pulled a book out of his backpack and looks up from the book. "A baby's fist. You could retire off that," he says going back to reading his book.

Jiang Fei says, "Please give the Jade Scroll to me. It will be an incredible treasure to bring back to the Jade Ogre Style Dojo."

Lol Demm.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Skyxa sighs and slowly shakes her head.

"We made a promise to bring this to Mai Chun. Promises aren't supposed to be broken. It would dishonor us all. You all understand about honor, right?"

She looks most pointedly at Jiang Fei and then at Jianghong and Zheng. Yue Xin she's much more uncertain about; the man is an enigma if ever there was one.

"You should keep your treasures and find other ways to work for the glory and honor of your homes."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"You fleshies had us do things for you. How about you guys do something for us? Too hard to pick one fleshie over another. Really, you all look alike to us. Why don't you fight each other. Then we talk about a deal with the winner." He looks toward the martial arts master, "Fleshie-sensi, I think this would be a better test for your ogre style school. My bet is on you."

Midnight shakes her head, disappointed that the silly humans are acting like this.

"Krall isn't a liar and Skyxa is right, this scroll is for the our grandma." Krall says huffing up.

As his anger builds he calls out to some of the humans.

"Yet, Zheng must be stupid if he stills follows Ji-whatever...he doesn't learn his lesson. We already tried to teach him and this time it will be a lot worse! Drop your stolen stuff and leave." Krall roars.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"And even if I am confused I know Yoo Zin is throwing insults. Stop acting smarter than us with your riddles!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Jiang Fei sighs and says, "I'm sorry but I can't return home empty handed," as she forms the Jade Ogre pose.

Yue Jin tosses his book aside and says, "It takes an empty hand to receive a gift and an empty mind to learn new knowledge. And I'm ready to make you all much wiser."

Zheng grunts and levels his polearm. "Get back Jianghong. Let the grownups take care of this."

Unfortunately, if you don't want to make a deal with either of these NPCs, combat is unavoidable.

Round 1!!! Fight!!!
Krall
Kaidynn
Demm
Yue Xin
Skyxa
Midnight
Jiang Fei
Gynnezz
Skithryx
Zheng

Bold is up!

Well, I wanted them to think we would make a deal with the winner. Not that we would have. Stupid flechies.

"Let's stay together. We have what they want. No need to go to them. Range the fleshies until they get here." Demm then asks for Apsu blessing in the upcoming combat.

Casting Bless and activating Judgement of Sacred Justice {+1 to Attack}

And just for Gynnezz, I will consider all bugs in 50' as allies so they can benefit from Bless. I know it has no effect, but still, bugs are part of team kobold.

"Do we have to?" Krall pouts but stays digging out a sling.

"Range the fleshies. Got it."

Shortbow on first one that advances on us, bless, vs Flat-footed: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Shoulder to Shoulder: AC 20

Demm calls upon the blessing of Apsu and even the mosquitos begin to buzz a little more fiercely. Yue Xin advances forward and Krall and Kaidynn unleash their missiles at him. Kaidynn's shot lands short but Krall manages to hit him in the knee.

The bureaucrat raises his arms to the heavens and a chunk of meteorite falls from the sky and strikes the ground between Krall, Kaidynn and Skithryx.

Spray of Stars, Reflex DC 13 for half damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Krall, Kaidynn and Skithryx can make Reflex saves.

Also, they are choosing to attack the party outside during the day, so most of you will have the dazzled condition (-1 to attack rolls)

Round 1!!! Fight!!!
Krall
Kaidynn
Demm
Yue Xin -3
Skyxa
Midnight
Jiang Fei
Gynnezz
Skithryx
Zhen

Bold up!!!

Area effects? where's the map showing our positions vs. bad guys'?

Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Slide #4. ORANGE is 55' from you as the crow flies, but 65' with the turn in the road.

Skyxa sighs and draws out her longbow.

"So be it. We warned you!"

She squints in the bright light and moves forward onto a nearby ridge, clearly intending to take the high ground against the group of humans.
______________

Move to draw weapon, move to current map position~

Skyxa, you can draw your bow while moving. That means you could make an attack or get an extra move action.

Skyxa moves to higher ground, squinting in the blazing sun.

I'm going to treat that ridge as a steep slope, which only has a DC of 0 to climb. The good thing is that climbing is 1/4 speed and requires two hands so its still a pretty good tactical position.

Midnight is up!

Whoops! So used to playing classes that *don't* have a +1 BAB at 1st level :)

Once she's in position Skyxa takes aim at Yue Xin with her bow...

Attack vs. Yue Xin (Longbow; Dazzled): 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 1 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

"Fancy magic, annoying riddler. That means you are extra squishy!"

Reflex (Evasion), DC 13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 -_- Rerolling on the principle of the matter.
Reroll (2 Stars): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18

Midnight begins to sing, reminding her companions of all the heroic things they have done on their journey together (inspire courage +1)

The kobolds' hearts begin to fill with courage as Midnight reminds them of how they defeated the deadly panda bear together.

Jiang Fei darts forward and quickly climbs up the slope, ending up next to Skyxa.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 5 = 8
Double moving, and Climbing with a -5 penalty to move at double speed.

Round 1!!! Fight!!!
Krall-3
Kaidynn-3
Demm
Yue Xin -3
Skyxa
Midnight
Jiang Fei
Gynnezz
Skithryx
Zhen

Gynnezz adjusts her nifty smoked glasses that help deal with the horrible burning ball of brightness. She has had Smoked Goggles since Kobold Kompact Sure, it makes it harder for her to see things, but it also brings a level measure of relief and it doesn't feel like her eyes are about to boil -- she can only imagine what her fellow truebloods are feeling right now.

She then makes some reaching motions, almost as if digging deep into the earth in front of her and pulling *up*, raising her hands upwards towards that horrible burning ball of brightness.

Casting Entangle, I *think* I've got the crosssection lined out right for a 40' *radius* effect. Gynnezz will be trying to avoid getting Skyxa in the effect but catching the other two. Please adjust and place a marker as would be appropriate.

"You can give up now. We no tell foolishness of noscales you leave." she offers.

"Good plan, good plan!" Skithryx says as he draws his crossbow and fires a shot past Skyxa. "They come to us with holes!"
________
Crossbow (IC, Melee) vs Green: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 121d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I made a circle for the area effect. How does that placement work for you?

Reflex Zheng: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Reflex Yue Xin: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

The ground underneath the two humans begins to wildly twist around their feet, suddenly coming to life. Zheng finds the grass wrapping around his legs while Yue Xin manages to avoid getting entangled.

Zheng manages to pull himself free through sheer strength and begins to push his way out of the brambles towards the ridge.

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Round 2!!! Fight!!!
Krall-3
Kaidynn-3
Demm
Yue Xin -3
Skyxa
Midnight
Jiang Fei
Gynnezz
Skithryx
Zheng

Now engaged, Demm falls quiet. He moves to get a clear shot at one of the men trapped in the vines. Wordlessly, he draws, knocks an arrow, and sends down range.

Longbow vs ORANGE {Bless/Judge}: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

It does not look like Inspire Courage is up and running, so I did not add it in. If I missed it, 23 to hit for 5 damage.

Inspire courage is up!

Round 2!!! Fight!!!
Krall-3
Kaidynn-3
Demm
Yue Xin -8
Skyxa
Midnight
Jiang Fei
Gynnezz
Skithryx
Zheng

Yue Xin takes an arrow to the other knee. He looks like he is having an exceptionally bad day.

"Range the fleshies...."

Shortbow on orange, bless, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 23
dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Shoulder to Shoulder: AC 20