GM Otha's The Ghol-Gan Heresy (Inactive)

Game Master Otha

The adventure begins near the port city of Eleder, capital of Sargava, as each of you responds to Trade Prince Aaqir al’Hakam’s request to meet with Pathfinder field agent Fola Barun outside the city walls for a new assignment...

Message from Trade Prince Aaqir al’Hakam

As you approach the designated rendezvous point outside the city, Fola Barun has not yet arrived...

Feel free to introduce yourselves to each other...

A young Taldon man in blue and white robes bows to the gathered team. He has an impressively large hornbow* not often seen in the hall of the Grand Lodge. "I am Bo. This sounds dangerous. However, The Path often leads us through difficulty to reveal our strength or temper our weakness."

*=Although the Orc Hornbow is not normally legal for Society play, it was found on a chronicle sheet. It was available to be purchased and the chronicle sheet also came with special rules to gain proficiency with this weapon for 2 PP.

Modified Zen Archer. Point Blank Master allows me to fire without provoking, so I can be mixed up in the melee.

I am also fairly reliant on the Snake Style feat. While using the Snake Style feat, when an opponent targets you with a melee or ranged attack, you can spend an immediate action to make a Sense Motive check. You can use the result as your AC or touch AC against that attack. You must be aware of the attack and not flat-footed. Snake style is a choice. I can use it as an immediate action, but I don't have to. In most cases, I would use it in response to being hit the first time in a round. It's not perfect, but more often than not, it gives me a better AC.

No worries Bo; I GM'ed another PC a while back that had the same chronicle sheet for the Orc Hornbow. Point Blank Master is awesome too (my -1 has it)…

"As long as yer 'Path' leads back home at th' end o' th' day, I'm all fer it." A woodsman in muddy armor leans against a tree, not bothering to make himself more presentable. "Heard you might need someone 'ho knows 'is way around th' woods. Better 'n standing 'round at some fancy party."

Rudzik's also got several archer tricks, including Improved Precise Shot (ignore cover and concealment less than total) and Snap Shot (make AoO's with a bow).

"Bwoof!" A wolf the size of a draft horse bounds out of the woods with an uprooted sapling held in his mouth like a stick. His tail wags vigorously as he tries to get the ranger to play with him. Almost hidden beneath the thick fur is a saddle and light chain barding over a quilted pad.

Yeah, love Improved Precise Shot as well...been wanting to grab Snap Shot as well, but some other feat usually entices me just a little bit more...

"Ze Trade Prince ist maddeningly vague, I must say. Zhis Fola Barun vill hopefully shed ze light on vhat it ist zhat we must do." Pale Chelaxian features return to a stillness almost unnatural in the jungle setting. Dressed in sensible travel clothes save for the tailored waistcoat, the man seems nearly statuesque when not speaking animatedly, bearing a walking cane he hardly leans on.

"Professor Trey Hurtubize, at your service. Mine expertise ist within ze domains of ze mechanical und magical. Most expecially ze vorkings of ze restless dead und constructs. It vill be goode to explore and cooperate vith you all, so ve may report back successfully." Part of his unsettling appearance is obviously extraplanar, given that his pupils shine with red pinpoints of light.

Trey will be able to handle most any trap we come across as a Crypt-Breaker. His primary offense is Tanglefoot Bombs for crowd control, as the acid damage is less important than the entanglement. If the party is largely good aligned, he can switch to Holy Bombs against Evil foes. He has See In Darkness from tiefling feats but it rarely comes up. He also has immunity to a number of things from his Mummification discovery.

A towering half orc warrior approaches, accompanied by a large hippopotamus clad in studded leather barding. The warrior has bleached dreadlocks stuffed under a shapeless hat, a gleaming mithral breastplate, and multiple weapons.

"Kiboko greets you." He nods towards the assembled group.

"Kiboko and Mvumbu have come home to the Expanse. It feels good to be here, after so long amongst the insufferable corruption of so-called civilisation." He lets out a long sigh, and strokes the hippo behind her ear.

He stares at Rudzik for longer than is polite. "You are not Mwangi. The Expanse is not a pleasant northern woodland." Kiboko's Mwangi heritage is obvious from the dark skin and stylised tattoos.

"Mooooaaarrgghh!! Haarrr!!! Haaarrr!!!" the great she-hippo, Mvumbu the Wise and Beautiful, honks and nods her head in approval of Kiboko's words.

Our GM is familiar with Kiboko's shenanigans. Kiboko and Mvumbu are a pack flanking melee double-team - and wait till you meet Kramac ;) Their favourite trick is using Share Shape and Ferocious Beast to be two large raging hippos.

Zaarah is a scrawny girl with auburn hair and amber eyes. She is standing with eyes wide open.

Her features seem Chelaxian but also have something else mixed in.

She is wearing light mithral armor and carries a black pulsing Scimitar at her hip that is attached to her wrist with a very fine chain.

Zaarah seems to be talking with someone! She suddenly draws her Scimitar that is so black that it almost absorbs light.

"Mesh! You are really cute! I think that your more humble attitude is more suitable!” she says with an uncertain expression.

She seems to listen to something and looks at her black magical sword with a curious look on her face!

5 seconds of silence

Tears are visible in her eyes.

She then realizes that she is among others and looks at the rest of the Pathfinders.

"Ehh sorry for the argument with my scimitar ... well ... I always say this to new people I meet so ... sometimes what I say might sound crazy but I promise it will be logical!"

Suddenly, she starts smiling.

”I do not think that I have ever adventured with any of you people! So what do you guys do?! What’s your specialty?!“

"Kiboko and Mvumbu the Wise and Beautiful are hippos" says the half orc, straight-faced.

"Mine speciality? So gud off you to ask!" A wide smile breaks out across his face, almost too wide for his cheeks. "I haff perfected a vunderful acid zhat breaks down the bonds of un-livink matter, such as that off ze undead and constructs we oft find in our journeys. As vell, I haff extracted ze essence off ze celestial planes into un explosive substance zhat devastates such creatures opposed to ze heavens. If exposed to pious individuals, no harm, no side-effects! It ist most vunderful in sussing out impostors!"

The monk considers the question a moment. "Are we not all special? Each unique in our own way? "No specialty. I know only that to find such answers within myself, I must discover such enlightenment from beyond what has come before."

Not long after you've gathered and introduced yourselves, a tall half-elf woman with short but tangled hair and deep green eyes beckons to a shaded area that offers some respite from the oppressive Sargavan heat. Two small, froglike humanoids stand next to her, each observing their surroundings with sharp, bulging eyes. One seems unarmed save for a sling at her belt, while the other sports a bright, feathered headdress and has sagging skin that marks her advanced age. These three are clearly prepared for a small gathering, with simple wooden benches lined up in the clearing and a small table holding a selection of figs and dates, as well as jugs of both water and wine. Fola, the half-elf, speaks first.

“The Pathfinder Society has given me the honor of telling you about something that concerns my native land on many levels,” she says. “This stretch of the Mwangi Expanse is home to many ruins left behind by the fallen cyclops empire known as Ghol-Gan. The relics they left behind have long served as bait for treasure-seekers, but a recent expedition by the Aspis Consortium threatens to do more than simply destroy a piece of history. The Consortium recently experienced a setback when Senghor’s leadership chose to support the Pathfinder Society in opposing them. In their desperation, the Aspis have joined with the Vanji Prospector’s Guild and launched a new operation intent on tearing what valuables they can out of an ancient Ghol-Gan temple. The gripplis protecting the temple tried to warn them that it houses something terrible left behind by lost Ghol-Gan, but they would not listen, and now the ancient fiend Parveen is on the verge of finally escaping her ancient prison.”

Fola pauses and nods to her grippli companions. With a weary croak, the older and larger of the amphibian people steps forward to continue the briefing.

“Fola has it right,” says the elderly grippli. “Your Society has worked with many groups in the region, including our own grippli tribes. I am Mother Bogwynne, lorekeeper and elder of the Krihirik tribe. I know much that has been forgotten, including the history of the ruins the Consortium defiles. Those ruins contain more than cyclops treasures—they also serve as the prison to a terrible fiend known as Parveen. This creature is an asura, a being that knows nothing but destruction and seeks to destroy all that the gods created. We gripplis have guarded against Parveen’s escape for generations, but as the Consortium breaks down the wards, we can feel the monster’s influence spreading beyond its prison.”

Mother Bogwynne gestures toward the other grippli. “Purpurrup is a fiend-keeper whose tribe lives near the ruined city of Kaddodi. She and I seek to unite the grippli tribes to stop Parveen’s escape, but time fights against us. With the wards weakening, the asura may escape before the other tribes’ fiend-keepers arrive to aid us. Thus, we need you—not only to stop recklessness and greed, but to prevent greater disaster as well.”

After Mother Bogwynne speaks, Fola then looks to each of you and nods. "Are there any questions?"

These are some common questions that you might ask, with the one who'll answer it in parentheses...but they are by no means the only questions you may ask...

Kiboko smiles down at the tiny grippli, his prominent tusks gleaming as he absent-mindedly gnaws on a bone.

"Purpurrup! Kiboko is glad to see you again. Kiboko hopes that Kaddodi is safe now. Will we be returning there? Have you any advice in case Parveen is freed?"

Kiboko wracks his brains thinking about whether he faced asura before in Kaddodi...

Kiboko played the two-part Champion's Chalice adventure.

Accepting a cup of water, the young Taldan man listens as the story unfolds. For the moment, he is content to sit in silence.

Purpurrup's eyes grow big and the grippli appears to smile. "Friend Kiboko! And Mvumbu...you be looking as wise and beautiful as ever...

"And if Parveen is freed, my only advice would be to...RUN!"

"So it sounds like we got a buncha city fools 'n evil demons." Rudzik spits into the surrounding shrubbery. "Whelp, nothin' we 'aven't put down before." He pauses, sighs, and makes a few quick signs with his hands at the wolf. "I ain't blamin' you if'n yer hippo decides she's 'ad enough o' 'is sniffin' 'er backside an' takes a nip," he comments to Kiboko. "Might teach 'im somethin'."

"Haaaarrrrrr!!!" says Mvumbu.

"Ha! Mvumbu agrees with you, though a 'nip' from Mvumbu is sufficient to remove a large portion of your friend!"

Kiboko claps the woodsman on the shoulder. "You have the same feeling as Kiboko towards city-dwellers. This is good."

Bo watches the friends reunite. He seems fascinated by Kiboko's relationship with Mvumbu.

Zaarah listens carefully and asks a couple of questions. She is surprised by some of the answers.

“I actually was in Senghor and together with other companions defeated a disciple, Shinri Wells, who revered this fiend Parveen that tried to use powerful tablets which could link her to the fiend! We were able to defeat the disciple and Parveen’s Asura lackeys. Additionally, we threw the Aspis out of Senghor. But I did not know that Parveen is so close to escape!“

She looks at the Gripplis with a smile.

“You have achieved a lot in these last centuries and the power you wield seems to be incredible! Have you ever thought about teaching the ability you have to suck power out of a fiend? I would be interested in harnessing such evil strengths ... ehh ... for the greater good of course!“ she says with an inappropriately lustful expression on her face. Suddenly, her black scimitar pulses which Zaarah seems to ignore.

Any knowledge checks we can make? See my below for modifiers please depending on check : 1d20 ⇒ 17

Zaarah, you can apply your roll to either of the checks in the posts below...and then roll again for the other, if you wish...

Based on your knowledge of history, you might might know more about the Ghol-Gan empire...

Based on your knowledge of other planes of existence, you might know more about asuras, and Parveen in particular...

Okay, then 36 for kn planes. @Everybody: Please open the spoilers for kn planes.

kn history: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Open first spoiler.

"Wow, many Asuras have the ability to regenerate, though good-aligned weapons and spells can temporarily halt the regenerative process. Does anybody have the possibility to make weapons good-aligned?"

Rudzik pulls out a small bottle from his pack. ”Ain’t as good as them holy arrows I got from them crusaders, but it’ll do the trick.”

He’s got an oil of align weapon, though it might not be a bad idea to pick up another.

Fashionably late to the party, a short but powerfully build half-orc stalks through the door, decked out in gleaming full plate, with an odd looking sword at his side. Around his neck is a silver medallion of a flexed arm, recognizable to anyone who knows anything about religion as a holy symbol of Kurgess, the Strong Man, god of sport, competition and fair play.

Kiboko! It has been too long! Kramac hears they are sending us to the MWangi to battle the evil Aspis! Those poor wicked fools don't know the doom that awaits them! And Zaarah! Good to see you too! And how's you're sword?

From outside, you hear a sudden screeching. Kramac turns and shouts out the door,

No! Stay outside! You are too big! I don't care if the Mvumbu is in here, she is much better behaved than you!

Caaa-caaaawwwwww!!

I'll be refering to my companion by a different name than beak (beak died last mod to a banshee), but I don't want to make a new profile every time my animal companion dies.

Zaarah jumps into the air when she sees Kramac.

"Kramac! Good to see you and again! Is this your new companion? I still have the image of this gargantuan centipede in front of my eyes that fell right on my head - I would be dead if not for Flyn, Beak and you decimating the thing within seconds!" she says beaming.

Suddenly she looks at her Scimitar.

"My sword is ok. I wish Mesh would be as amiable as Beak. Hmmm ... but let me tell you what we are up against ... " and she briefs Kramac on everything they know so far.

"Brother Kramac! It is good to see you too, friend. Yes, we are back in the Expanse. Kiboko and Mvumbu are most glad to be able to breathe the clean air, and be free of the festering cities that the Society usually send us to." Kiboko seems oblivious to the fact that he is in a major port city right now. It must be the thought of getting back to the wild.

"Have you met Purrupup and Mother Bogwynne? We are going to their home, Kaddodi, a former cyclops stronghold."

History: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Planes: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

The monk merely shrugs at all of the references to the history and nature of the beasts.

All will be revealed when The Path wills it to be so.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"It ist so gud to have old friends reunite! Und we appear to be properly prepared for zhis expedition, yes?" Trey taps his walking stick to the jungle ground. "Time ist off ze essence, it was said. Do ve haff any means off speeding on our way?"

Zaarah nods.

"Yes, yes Mr. Hurtubize! Let us go!"

After you have asked all your questions, Mother Bogwynne provides you with one more piece of advice before you begin your journey.

“You must prepare for more than the dangers of the jungle,” urges Mother Bogwynne. “While Parveen remains imprisoned for the time being, we know that she has called asura servants to her aid before in an attempt to break free. Speed is important, but you must be prepared as well. Many asuras can recover from even deadly wounds unless they are struck by holy energy or a weapon blessed with righteousness. Prepare yourself as well as you can, for I fear that Parveen feels the same sense of urgency that we do.”

After the briefing, Mother Bogwynne and Purpurrup leave to gather the grippli tribes. They depart with a promise to meet you at the ruined temple as soon as they can. Fola encourages you to purchase any supplies you need in Eleder and then make haste in your journey...

If you have any purchases you'd like to make, now's a good time to do so (Zaarah, I noticed your purchase in the Discussion tab). I'll give you a bit of time to do so and then move us forward this evening.

Rudzik also grabs a few more flasks of oil of align weapon and a talisman of freedom before the menagerie heads out. (1000 gp total)

"Ya know, if'n we try 'n sneak up on 'em, that'd give us some time t' prepare. 'Course, some folks can't avoid drivin' off all th' wildlife in a ten mile radius. Amazin' they're still alive."

"If you are not used to the heat, it is best to protect yourself with magic. Kiboko is protected by the blessing of the Ekujae."

Speaking of which, the Ejukae care package arrives: courtesy of the Kaghaze Redeemed boon, Kiboko receives an antiplague, 1 x +1 animal bane arrow, and a healing potion (cure serious wounds).

Kiboko nods at Rudzik's advice. "Kiboko and Mvumbu can go quietly as a jungle cat."

If there are any other purchases to be made, you can note it in your next post...

With purchases and preparations complete, you begin your journey into the jungle that is the Mwangi Expanse...

The tangled foliage of the Kaava Lands eventually gives way to a series of crudely constructed trails. Some of these trails lead nowhere, as though those who made them decided that even well-sharpened machetes could not hack away the thickest of the jungle’s vines. Instead, they eventually coalesce into a more easily cleared path. The rushing sound of the Oubinga River fills the air, even though the foliage sometimes makes the water itself hard to see. Humanoid footprints indicate that the main path saw travelers recently.

Oddly, the scenario has the following as a DC15 Perception check but, since everyone of you auto-pass it, I'll forego the spoiler...

You can hear the sound of a man babbling in the direction the humanoid footprints lead...while you can't see anything yet, the sound is definitely coming from what looks to be a clearing up ahead...

If you wish to sneak up to the clearing, give me a Stealth roll with your next post...the map will also be linked in my next post...

Trey cocks his head to one side, considering the cadence of the unseen speaker's word. "Zhis vould be ze time of sneakiness, yes?""

If it sounds like plausible language, Trey will slip an extract of comprehend languages to see if he can glean any information from the babbling.

Trey can make out that the man is speaking Common...but his babbling makes no sense whatsoever, more like the ravings of a mad man...

”Yep.” Rudzik holds his bow in one hand and points at the ground with the other. Reluctantly, Wilk plunks his butt down on the ground and starts whining. ”Well’n don’t sit directly on an anthill,” the ranger answers unconcernedly, moving slowly through the underbrush towards the sound.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

Buying some Align Weapon and Holy Water

Perception: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (8) + 28 = 36
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

The monk moves forward with the experienced woodsman.

Kramac will wait here. But do not worry, beak is swift. Should you get into trouble we will be there quickly

Rudzik and Wilk make their way through the underbrush, followed closely by Bo, ahead of the rest of the party...they stealthily follow the trail to the babbling sounds...

The trail to Kaddodi opens up into a small clearing. The grassy jungle bears many signs of recent use, including ruts from wagon wheels and foliage stomped flat by the passage of many feet. Massive trees surround the clearing and bear various marks from knives and chisels, likely intended to provide direction to caravans passing through the area about where to head next and what areas of the forest to avoid.

Rudzik and Bo see four men in the clearing; the babbling man, in what appears to be a blue cleric's robe, is on his knees with a mace in hand and has smashed something to pieces. The other three are unarmed but, by the way they stand, they look to the Ranger and Zen Archer that they know how to handle themselves in a fight; those same three bear a snake symbol on the left breast of their outfits, a symbol you can easily identify as that worn by agents of the Aspis Consortium...

The man in blue continues to rave madly and loudly. "NO...NORGOBER SMASH...ONLY PARVEEN...SHE COMES...DEATH...DESTROY..."

"Will you be quiet and come to your senses, man!" one Consortium agent whispers fiercely as he attempts to calm the cleric; but you can tell he's quickly losing patience. The other two stand guard, their eyes wide as they are on edge, looking to fend off whatever unwanted attention their raving companion draws their way. They are clearly distracted by their companion's madness and don't see Rudzik, Wilk, or Bo...

The rest of the party cannot yet see the Aspis agents ahead...

Jungle Clearing Map

"Hate to keep 'em waitin'," Rudzik mutters to Bo. Keeping an eye on the men in the clearing ahead, the ranger offers a quick prayer to Erastil. "Hunter, let this be a clean kill."

Casting gravity bow.

The monk nods to Rudzik.

Will also cast Gravity Bow

Both Rudzik and Bo cast gravity bow while the man keeps babbling...still no one notices you...

The ball is still in your court...are any of the party members in the back moving up or taking any actions?

Jungle Clearing Map

Zaarah activates her flight hex, and flies into the clearing from a higher altitude.

stealth : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Trey takes a moment to sip on an extract, before his waistcoat unfurls into gray mottled moth wings, allowing him to take to the air after Zaarah.

Shield is up.

Seeing Zaarah and Trey fly up above them, the three Consortium agents look up in alarm, and get in defensive positions...you note that they have no ranged weapons. The one in blue continues to babble...

One of the agents, looks scornfully down on the man, saying, "Look what your raving has brought us!" while another looks up in the sky, yelling at the two of you in flight, "Begone, whomever you may be! You'll not find us easy prey..."

Jungle Clearing Map