GM Tyranius (PF2E) Quest #6 Archeology in Aspenthar (Tier 1-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Dot in here

A young half-elf sticks her head in the door and looks around nervously, then turns her head and whispers.

"I don't think there's anyone here, Silence. We'll come back later. "

She quietly closes the door and tiptoes away.

"Greetings"

Max Titan flexes his muscles in front of others. Oh, hello

Dressed in loose clothing of blues and greens with a Horizon Hunters brooch clasping his cloak at his neck, Roahn (pronounced Row-ehn) takes a couple steps towards Max, using his staff as a walking stick. His greenish yellow eyes scans the mighty half-orc up and down and he raises a hand that sparks with tiny motes of energy in greeting.
"Well met, Max. I am Roahn, a protector of nature and harnesser of storms. I sure am glad to have a fellow of your size and strength on my side. Looks like we are just waiting on two others that will be joining us on this expedition." Trying to create small-talk after a bit of awkward silence, he continues. "So tell me. What brought you to join the Society?"

Awkward silence personified enters the room after Roahn speaks, almost as though he had summoned the stoic dwarf. With what appears to be a perpetual scowl on his face, his wrinkled permanently from the expression, he takes up a spot out of the way and nods subtly to the two of them in greeting.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he settles in, looking as still and immovable as the mountains from which his people call home.

Roahn watches the dwarf cross the room and then sees him sit in complete silence. With an uneasy smile, he nods in return to the dwarf and mutters a quiet "Well met, friend."

Iniquity's armor clanks as he enters the meeting place, breaking whatever silent reverie this particular collection of woodsman has created. An artfully designed glaive rests over his shoulder, which he plants and casually leans against once he joins the others.

"Good day!" he says with a handsome smile. "I am Iniquity Pen, champion of the Eternal Maiden and once travelling stage actor." He pauses, looking askance to his left and then to his right and adding in a mock whisper, "During the time of my youthful indiscretions."

Judging by his face, that time probably was not all that long ago.

There is a soft knock on the door as it opens a crack. A blonde head peeks inside.

"Oh. There are people in here now. Come on inside Silence.

She opens the door fully and enters, followed by a snowy owl that flies in and lands atop a nearby credenza. She gives everyone a quick wave.

"I hope this is the right place. I'm Meadow...well technically Odette I suppose...but no please call me Meadow. That other name is far too new for me. Anyway I'm here for my first mission as a Pathfinder. Isn't that exciting?

Oh that's Silence over there. He's my friend."

She gestures towards the owl.

"Most things can be exciting with a positive outlook," Iniquity says with a grin and a good-natured wave to the snowy owl. "I'm Iniquity. Welcome. Join us."

"Greetings, Meadow. Good day to you as well, Iniquity." Roahn nods and gives a polite smile in greeting to the newcomers. "I do believe you are in the correct place, Meadow. I am looking forward to another successful mission and you all seem like capable Pathfinders."

"And an owl. How marvelous! Such wonderous creatures." Roahn turns to the owl. "Hello there, Silence."

Ulfgar barely moves, though his narrowed eyes go over each person as they enter the room. The newcomers, including the owl, each get the same almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgment and...well..."welcome" seems a bit too generous, at least acceptance.

Your days all began well enough, that is until you each received a letter from Ambrus Valsin in the morning. Also found in the Tactical Maps Link at the top of the page.

Please only open your own spoiler below.

The streets of Aspenthar showcase the trappings of wealth and militarization in equal measure. The main road cutting through the heart of the city is patterned with brilliant mosaic stonework, and to each side are seemingly endless rows of proud and opulent structures.

The neatly ordered streets give way to the city’s chaotic and bustling docks, where a Garundi woman waits wearing subtle but expensive-looking clothing. She extends her hands in a grand welcoming gesture.

“Welcome, Pathfinders. I am Gol Amri. I greet you as a representative of the great Prince Zinlo. Let us conduct our business! I am sure you are eager to search for hidden treasures, and I wish you no delay.”

Hey everyone, did you know Thuvia was under the sole control of the Osirian Empire going back thousands of years? Well guess you do now, history is interesting.

Meadow furrows her brow.

"I'm not sure that's entirely right. Thuvia was controlled by the the Osirian Empire true, but also other powers including the Jistka Imperium. It's centrally located you see so it has tended to change hands throughout the years. I'm a bit more concerned that Prince Zinlo has a reputation of an ambitious man with little concern for scholarly intrests. I hope this isn't a plot to use the Society in unsavory ways."

Roahn steps forward with staff in hand, plants the end in the ground, and bows his head in greeting. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Amri. Your city is quite remarkable. I am Roahn Duskmire of the Pathfinder Society and these are my companions." He names each one of you in turn. "I believe you are to provide us with a guide to the site for which we have a license to investigate."

”Very eager! Especially to find shade,” he says while wiping the sweat from his brow. ”Hopefully this is mutually beneficial for Prince Zinlo and our society.”

He wipes his brow again as the Thuvian heat slowly cools him. ”Always so hot on Garund.”

Ulfgar reads the letter they got again. He grunts when he gets to one particular section.

"Zinlo may be ambitious, but he's honest," he says, contradicting what Valsin said.

And that's about half the words the dwarf says through the whole trip, the remaining of his communications being performed largely through nods, shakes of his head or surprisingly eloquent and varied scowls and spitting.

”I’m not sure I’d go that far,” the warrior says.

A couple minutes later, a servant lets in a little green-haired gnome and a well-groomed dog. The gnome bows to everyone. "Your pardon, Excellency Gol Amri, for being late. Fortunately, your staff is quite efficient. Please thank them for helping me catch up with my companions." She grins and hands out business cards to the other Pathfinders and to Gol Amri. "Hello, I'm Pip from the Envoy's Alliance Legal Defense Team! I will be serving as your legal counsel during this mission, and helping you with anything you might need on the way." She holds up a letter similar to yours from Ambrus Valsin. "The Venture Captain asked me to join you in Aspenthar."

She turns back to their hostess. "The Pathfinder Society is honored to work again with Prince Zinlo in this joint archaeology venture. Can you convey our regards to him?"

Bailiff, the well-groomed dog wags his tail, and looks hopefully to see if anyone will pet him.

Maybe they'll give me treats! I'm such a good dog!

Bailiff is a purchased riding dog. Not a combat creature, but he carries things for Pip!

"Well, aren't you beautiful," Iniquity says and then promptly reaches down to pet Bailiff. "Yes, you are. A good dog, too, I'm sure."

Perched atop a nearby harbor crane Silence obverses the new four-legged addition to the party intently.

With a stunned look on his face, Roahn turns his attention to Ulfgar.
"Hmph. So, the dwarf does speak. That's good to know that Zinlo is an honest person. Hopefully, that knowledge will make our job easier.

Seeing the gnome and her dog entering, Roahn nods and cracks a small smile in greeting.
"Good day, Pip... And to you as well, Bailiff." Roahn reaches down and gives the dog a rub behind his ear.
"What breed is he?" He asks.

"Oh, he's a Westgate Windhound!" Pip says, proudly. "It's a breed of riding dog native to Absalom, trained to work well with Badgers."

They're petting me! I'm such a good dog!

Bailiff wags his tail some more, and greets the owl. "Wooof!"

Are you working, too?

"The Pathfinder Society is honored to work again with Prince Zinlo in this joint archaeology venture. Can you convey our regards to him?"

Gol forces a smile as she looks down at the chipper gnome and her companion. "Will do."

"I believe you are to provide us with a guide to the site for which we have a license to investigate."

She begins to look extremely impatient and uncomfortable as he foot taps on the ground. Just then a dark skinned dwarf with vibrantly colored hair rounds the corner as she cuts short and gives another forced charming smile. He speaks with a thickened Mwangi accent. "There ye are. Names Sefu Moyo! I'll be yer guide." Picture in the maps as well. He looks around. "Ye ready to go?" He reaches down and begins scratching Bailiff under his chin and around his ears.

Silence continues to stare enigmatically at the dog.

Meant to post this moments before your post, Tyranius...

"Hm, yes. So he is a 'Windy'. A hardy and athletic breed. He's got a sleek coat. Nice teeth. Musculature is top-notch. Aye, this one looks full of vitality."
Roahn realizes he's straying from the business at hand.
"Miss Amiri, please forgive me for ignoring the matter at hand. I'm quite fond of dogs. Umm. All animals, in fact." Roahn looks downward in embarrassment but casts a wink and a grin at Pip.

Meadow scolds the owl good-naturedly.

Silence, you don't need to be worried about the dog. I'm sure he's a good boy that doesn't chase owls at all.

She scratches Bailiff on the head.

"Glad to meet you, Sefu Moyo. We may need some rope and torches," Iniquity says to Moyo. "The letter said seaside cave, didn't it? I hope I read that right because I could stand to grt out of the heat. I know I am woefully under prepared for spelunking and didn't bother to survey my companion's gear. Once we're sure of our provisions, we'll be set to go!"

"I do believe I am ready to depart." Roahn digs through his pockets checking the contents. "Holly. Mistletoe. Iron shavings. Spider silk. Yes, I am ready."

"I have a rope and grappling hook." He says to Iniquity.

"Do we have time to buy a couple of things? I have rope but I could use a proper climbing kit. Also I promised Tulip and Poppy I'd bring back presents. Can I buy some colored ribbon or scarves around here somewhere? Okay I guess that part can wait but I do need a climbing kit."

I hope I have enough money to get everyone something nice.

Meadow looks concerned as she checks her coin purse.

The newcomer dwarf gets a slightly more emphatic nod of greeting than the others did when he appears.

He studies the dog and owl but doesn't try to approach either of them.

"A climbing kit does sound like a good purchase if time allows. I'd like to get one too," Pip says. "Thank you for being our guide, Sefu Moyo."

Once they leave the palace, Pip confides a couple pieces of information to her team out of the ears of Sefu Moyo. "Part of the reason I was late was that I was poking around in Aspenthar for information on these digs. Prince Zinlo has been in such a hurry to sell dig permits that it’s highly unlikely anyone knows what is actually in any of the sites. Still, given the Jistka Imperium's long occupation of Thuvia, they're a likely bet. Jitska was known for great mechanical aptitude, clockwork creations and facility with magical constructs such as golems."

Pip sighs. "Golems are tough opponents. As prestigious as it would be find one, I hope we won't have to fight one of those."

The dwarf is slightly taken aback. "Ugh, yea I guess we have some time to do some shopping if ye want, but I have a few supplies in the cart."

You have time for purchases and slotting boons. You also each have 1 Hero Point! Go ahead and post your purchases in your next post.

Sefu spends a couple hours hunting down supplies in the city with you before heading out.

Sefu marches along the waterside edge of Aspenthar, leaving the city and continuing on for nearly an hour to a seemingly unremarkable stretch of land bordered by a cliffside overlook of the Inner Sea. The terrain grows gradually steeper, and by the time Sefu motions to stop, he stands in the biting wind as large waves crash and rumble against the cliff.

Leaning through the biting wind, Sefu points downward to a barely visible landing that juts out from the cliff face, about sixty feet down.

He grunts lightly. “It’s not exactly what I’d call a fun climb, but that’s the site down there.” Sefu pops open a crate and pulls out a 60 foot long rope ladder and a crate of metal anchors. "The exploration team needs to anchor the rope ladder to the site entrance." He looks down the cliff. "That means some of you need to climb down the hard way first."

The climb itself is difficult enough, but winds and crashing waves make the trip particularly treacherous, threatening to toss you into the water below.

It takes at least two to climb and anchor the rope. Volunteers? Those climbing need to give me 3 athletics checks when ready.

Iniquity tries to negotiate down the outrageous prices offered for spelunking gear. "It's like they know we're going to need this stuff." He purchases himself a set of climbing gear and a few torches.

"Well, let me see. If I put my foot here, no, here, no, here," he says, largely to himself as he tries to figure out how to get down the cliff. "Give me a moment. I'll figure it out." (Hopefully, they didn't alter the climb rules for this quest or my text will make no sense).

Purchase: Climbing Kit, (3) Torches / -0.53 gp

Pip picks up a climbing kit. When they arrive, she peers over the edge. Does she spot any good handholds or anything else that can help?

Pip has perception +6, nature +5 and bardic lore for climbing lore +8.

"I am not the greatest climber, but my brothers insisted that I train at it before letting me join the Pathfinder Society. I'm willing to do it with a buddy. If there is another who wishes to try it, I'm fine with that too."

Pip will happily cede to someone more athletic if they want to give it a go.

Looking down the cliff-face Pip has a hard time finding any suitable handholds. In fact some of the rocks look quite loose.

So far Iniquity and Pip. Will give through this evening to let the rest of the group chime in.

Roahn steps forward and pulls a coiled rope out of his pack.
"I'll give it a go. Hold this."
He gives the end of the rope to anyone willing to hold it.
"Hold the end tightly while I go down. Plant your feet firmly on the ground and lean back when you feel my weight... Ready? I'll call to you to lower one end of that ladder when I'm partway down."
Roahn spits into the palms of his gloved hands, tugs on the rope, and begins to rappel slowly down the face of the cliff. Small pebbles and loose bits of scrub dislodge from the cliff beneath his feet as he decends.

Meadow buys a climbing kit and also looks around for about 3 silver worth of colored ribbon.

At the cliff she peers over the edge and carefully plans a route.

"You look a bit heavy for me Roahn. How about I just use my new climbing kit to secure a piton for you? That climb looks a bit tricky but I think it's doable. Particularly with all these fun new tools. I'll race you down Silence.

She takes her time and carefully places pitons and uses her rope to climb down.

Looks like 4 of you wanting to climb down and help secure the rope ladder. Ulfgar and Max Titan are you also climbing or waiting for the rope ladder?

You all go on ahead, I'll wait for the rope ladder since you volunteered to go first.

Ulfgar takes hold of the rope Roahn gives him. The other man loses a not insignificant amount of length as the dwarf wraps it around his waist and ties it off.

In true dwarven style, he plants himself, spits in his hands then takes hold of the rope, bracing against Roahn's weight.

Alright looks like four of you climbing.

Iniquity lays down on his stomache, his feet floundering around for any type of foot hold to which he isn't able to find any.

Pip is able to make it down about 2/3's of the way, finding a little trouble about halfway down as her hand slips. recovering quickly the little gnome anchors in two spikes while Bailiff watches nervously.

Roahn starts off quite strong, pounding a pair of spikes in when a large rock gives way from the ledge nearly causing him to fall into the waters below.

Meadow slides down about 10 feet before catching herself. She catches up to Pip and helps finish anchoring in the rope ladder. Grabbing ahold of the ends the pair lets it unfurl to the bottom where everyone is able to safely climb down on their own.

Yay no crit fails!

Before you stands a large complex, some areas caved in from the eroding ground with several entrances completely covered in rocks.

Map is posted at the top of the page. Doors are a bit hard to see on this map so I have them marked in green.

"Well, do you want to scout around or try the entrance at hand?" Iniquity asks as he moves along the ledge.

Max moves next to the stairs. Uh, who wants to check it for traps, me know not what to look for.

"We should be careful. It appears there have been cave-ins in some places. I would be wary when opening any doors. We don't want anyone to be buried by a ton of rocks."

"I'll take a look"

Meadow beckons to her owl.

"Come along Silence."

She quietly and carefully ascends the stairs searching the path, walls and finally the door.