You all travelled to Caliphas in Ustalav and have received the follwoing letter of summons from Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss.
A harried gnome clad in a blue turban and matching robedecorated with golden crescent moons and butterflies scurries through the crowded Vodavani Lodge, delegating tasks to various Pathfinders. When she spots the newcomers, she issues a warm smile. “Ah, thank you for coming. Gather around over here, please.”
Evni motions over to a nearby table upon which rests a parchment map stuck with miniature flag partly obscuring the label “Lastwall.” “Apologies for the out-of-date cartography, but it’s the best we can do at this time.
The re-emergence of Tar-Baphon dealt a devastating blow to the Society, so we’ve been scrambling to consolidate resources. The Society is focusing on missions into the Gravelands for two reasons: to track down the whereabouts of Pathfinder agents who went missing when the undead hordes struck, and to recover the fragments of history and culture that yet survive. I believe you all should have received a letter from me containing your assigned destination.”
Evni points to a flag in the southeast portion of Lastwall. “Goldenflame was an idyllic place surrounding a college sponsored and supported by the church of Iomedae. Fortunately, most of the town was able to evacuate swiftly, but we know that some residents stayed behind out of a sense of civic duty to defend their home against evil.
“Goldenflame College is known for its documentation of the history of both southeastern Lastwall and the activities of the church of Iomedae in the region, as well as its collection of invaluable local curiosities accrued over time. Those relics and stories—if they can be recovered, then Lastwall can live on.”
Evni excuses herself and shortly returns with a bundle of paper. “These dossiers contain information on all known Pathfinder agents in the region surrounding Goldenflame. Although we must hold out hope, I cannot truthfully say I am optimistic. Nevertheless, closure is important, and we can properly mourn for their loss and celebrate their lives if we know their fates. Perhaps these documents could be of some use to you in this quest. I’ve also completed and signed travel documentation stating your reasons for being in the Gravelands. Present this document to the border crossing, and you can then be on your way.”
Evni walks over to a nearby bench to a relatively massive pack, where she begins sorting through its contents. She pulls out a bundle of sacks. “Here. These are for you to transport any items or—” she bows her head “—remains you might find.
I know it is a sad and gruesome task, but retrieving those fallen Pathfinders would bring closure to their loved ones.” Evni then closes the pack and shoulders it. “I’m also heading into the Gravelands myself. May Desna guide us all on our journeys. Hopefully we can find what we seek.”
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Johann bows stiffly. "We will investigate the college post-haste. Recovering knowledge is of paramount importance." He then takes a cursory look at the dossiers. "It is to be seen what we can do about the missing persons. Finding single bodies in such a large area may be problematic." He gives another nod to Evni. "Godspeed on your own efforts." Finally, he turns to his companions. "I have already completed my preparations in expectation of combat. I am ready to leave immediately."
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An elf glides into the room, her closely fitting black leather top and bottoms, with lines of yellow gold studs(not real), is a fashion accessory not than it seems armour. She is haughty and with a certain arrogance, "So this is it. Hornietelle is here as summoned, though it is rather overcrowded here." She glances at those jostled by Evni into a corner. Seeing the human and smiles seductively, "Seems we shall work together, I hope we can make it enjoyable." She watches the organised chaos of the Lodge, before listening to Venture Captains briefing.
She stands silently, waiting to see what other pathfinders have been able to respond to the summons.
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A grey-haired gnome heaves out a breath at the end of Evni's briefing, as if he didn't think himself capable of being quiet for so long. He wears heavy armor and carries a gladiator's helm under one arm. His every movement presents a hazard, as two of his weapons, a maul and a long blade of Tian-Min make, are almost as tall as he is! Nor are they his only ones, but the others are normally sized.
"Sounds straightforward enough, although not a fun task," he says, completely failing to read the room. "So, we're to look for any traces of these Pathfinders and recover what we can of them and the town."
"But do you expect any of those undead to have stuck around? I assume so, that's why I'd be sent for!" Keemul suddenly assumes an active pose, his hammer coming inches from annihilating a nearby table. "I can't see any corpse grown too big for its boots besting a Ruby Pheonix contender!"
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A ranger, dirty from days in the wilds, approaches the Venture-Captain and pulls back his hood. His features are sharp but even his grey-streaked brown hair is unkempt. In stark contrast, his longbow and shortswords are expertly maintained shining in the low lights of the lodge.
"Venture-Captain, a pleasure. A brief look at the dossier shows hearty people who know how to survive and even another agent from Kyonin. Recovering them will be my top priority but I will carry out the entire mission." he says still looking over the dossier, fingers smudging the paper.
He stows his copies in his rucksack before turning to the group. As if once more civilized, he starts to regain his social graces. He pulls out a towel to wipe away the grime from his hands and face before introductions.
"Eovar of House Cerin, Agent from Kyonin. I originally joined the Society to track down my errant brother but there is always a mission or two keeping us apart. Are we ready to head out? If any have survived time may still be against us."
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A Goblin dressed in a form fitting suit cut in the latest style in Absalom and carrying a briefcase enters. He nods to the gathered Pathfinders and says "Greetings longshanks. Me am Tokinoshi'Toxxinorrr, but Longshanks no speak too good, so you call me Tok'Tok. Me am Bar-e-stoor. Me handle lee-gal mattours."
Evni nods and adds: “Be on the lookout for any religious texts and historical records—hopefully the troops of Tar-Baphon have overlooked them. You might also find items of cultural or religious significance: things that Goldenflame could be remembered by."
Evni gives tyou detailed instructions on the roads you should follow to reach Goldenflame.
"Any other concerns or questions?"
ooc: if you haven't slot your boons and make any purchases
Johann recalls that Goldenflame’s chapel functioned as a religious institution and the town hall, so historical records concerning its citizens and events were stored there.
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Clearly starting to grow impatient, Johann chimes in once more: "If there is nothing else, I suggest we head out immediately. There is no saying what valuable knowledge might be lost if we continue to dawdle. The history of an entire settlement is at stake! If not for the information alone," - Johann shakes his head at this, as if the whole notion was unthinkable to him - "do you not think we owe it to the lost to keep them in written memory?"
Into the Gravelands
You depart Caliphas, passing through a heavily fortified Ustalavic border crossing staffed by Knights of Lastwall, one of whom examines your documentation and then waves you through. The day is clear and bright, but the landscape is desolate and quiet, the gently rolling hills devoid of
life. Goldenflame is a few hours’ travel southwest of Caliphas by foot. As you travel, you encounter three obstacles.
This is basically a skill challenge -
Each obstacle has four components, each presented in its own entry. These entries are described below.
Setup Check: To prepare for a given obstacle, a single PC (referred to as the setup PC) can attempt a special setup check in place of their check to overcome the obstacle. This check is harder than the checks to simply overcome the obstacle, but by succeeding on this check, the PC not only grants all other PCs a +2 circumstance bonus to their own checks against the obstacle, but it also counts as a success toward overcoming the obstacle. Only one PC can attempt this check, and it must be attempted before any other PCs attempt their own checks to overcome the obstacle. Attempting the setup check is optional.
Check: Each obstacle is represented by a check described in the obstacle’s Check entry; other skills, actions, or abilities could be applicable. Each check uses the following degrees of success.
Critical Success The PCs gain two successes toward overcoming the obstacle.
Success The PCs gain one success toward overcoming the obstacle.
Critical Failure The PCs need one additional success to overcome the obstacle.
Each PC (other than the setup PC, if there was one) attempts the check once, and together, the PCs must achieve at least three total successes for a given obstacle to successfully overcome that obstacle. How well the PCs do overall determines how quickly they reach Goldenflame.
Hustle: If they cannot or don't wish to attempt a relevant skill check, a PC can bypass an obstacle by using the Hustle exploration activity to simply take the long way around. This grants the PC an automatic success toward overcoming the obstacle, but they must attempt a DC 18 Fortitude save (DC 21 in Subtier 3–4); on a failure, they become fatigued and can’t use the Hustle activity again for any subsequent obstacles. Each time a PC Hustles after the first time, the Fortitude save DC increases by 2. If a PC can’t or doesn’t want to Hustle but refuses to attempt the obstacle’s check, they travel at normal speed and gain an automatic critical failure.
Failure: Uh oh, you will see.
1. Obstacle = Hill
A large, steep rise blocks the most direct path through the area, and the road diverts around it.
Setup Check: DC17 Scouting Lore or Survival check, you find an efficient path up the hill, granting the otherPCs a +2 circumstance bonus to their Athletics checks.
Check: DC 15 Athletics check you can use strength to power up and over the hill, helping your allies as necessary.
Hustle: A PC who Hustles around the hill on the road earns an automatic success.
Eovar paves the way, making it easier for all of you. (+2 to yuour rolls)
Still need an athletics or hustle check from him and a save from Tok'Tok
Hornietelle might be spotty, so will just move us along.
The group has no problems to overcome the obstacle.
Obstacle 2 = Undead Troops
A massive patrol of undead troops is approaching but seems not to have noticed you yet; it is very apparent that it would be unwise to engage this undead army.
Setup Check: DC 17 Deception check you can divert the undeads’ attention elsewhere while you pass by, granting the other PCs a +2 circumstance bonus to their Stealth checks.
Check: DC 15 Stealth and you can quietly skirt by the undead troops.
Hustle: A PC who Hustles avoids notice by simply moving quickly before the undead can scrutinize the area, earning an automatic success as described above.
Failure:.....
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MIkalea had been mostly quiet up to this point, following the others and absorbed in her own thoughts. That last mission really had done a number on her self-confidence. Maybe she needed more training or maybe...
Her thoughts were interrupted as the undead hove into view. Perhaps this was a chance to make up for her past mistakes. She grabbed a spare shirt from her backpack, wrapped it around a few rocks, and slung it sideways, knowing that a tumbling rush of sounds was usually more effective than a simple thrown stone.
Instead of making a distraction, it seems like everything goes wrong, some undead turn their heads and start to move into your direction.....
ooc: need some more stealth checks
You move along as the undead stop, and seem to have noticed you. But they do not attack, just move back. Observing the army you see a few undead moving away in the opposite direction.
Obstacle 3 Undergrowth
Heavy, prickly undergrowth and tall grasses have grown over the road.
Setup Check: DC 17 Nature or Survival check to identify areas where the undergrowth isn’t as thick, granting the PCs a +2 circumstance bonus to their attack rolls and Acrobatics checks.
Check: A PC who succeeds at a melee attack roll against AC 15 using a weapon that deals slashing damage can hack their way through; alternatively, a PC who succeeds at a DC 14 Acrobatics check can nimbly maneuver through the narrow spaces.
Hustle: A PC who Hustles can circumvent the road to avoid the brambles and vines, earning an automatic success as described above.
Failure: ….. it takes time……
Sure, with a +2
You briskly traverse the Gravelands. As you travel along Hornietelle, Keemul and Tok'tok see a figure in the distance run over the crest of a short hill.
Apart from a slight breeze, the town is still and quiet. The buildings here seem mostly intact, with only a few signs of disuse: cracked gutters, dry and decaying flower beds, weeds growing against flaking walls.
A crumbling fountain stands in the middle of the plaza, dry as a dusty bone.
You notice an erratically moving horse which seems to have noticed you, it lets out a snort and their moans breaking the silence.
Initiatives:
Eovar
Hornietelle
Johann
Keemul
Mikaela
Tok'Tok
The group can act first, Map
Order does not matter.
I need 2 perception checks from everyone
ooc: to use ditzie, move your token, hit enter, the url changes, copy paste the new url into your post to update the map
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First of all, Johann pauses a moment to try and recall some useful information about these creatures.
Preferring to stay back for the moment, he pulls out his sling and takes an unlikely shot at the closest zombie (the one on the east side), which has cover from him and is in his 2nd range increment.
The shot goes faaaar off the mark and Johann curses quietly. "I knew I should have gotten some more practice in with this thing."
You all notice the movement of faint shapes on the horizon, almost like living mountains. These Gargantuan zombie amalgams emanate an aura that strikes fear in the hearts of sapient creatures, growing as the
monstrosities thud ever closer - the zombies are headed toward the
town. It would be wise not to spend too much time in Greenflame.
gash across the zombie horse’s throat
Eovar hits the horse for 6 damage.
Zombie 1 moves forward and attacks Keemul, and the zombies shuffle forward, moaning as they move. Tok'tok notices the air getting heavy with the smell of rot and disease.....
Damage taken:
Horse: 6
Group is up