GM Badblood's Scions of the Sky Key - Part III - The Golden Guardian (Inactive)

Game Master Lance K

"Any battle I don't have to fight is a win in my opinion!"

"Let's keep an eye out in case they come back."

With the Krenshar's unsettling howls fading in the distance, the bridge appears safe to cross.

Once Bask has made it across, Guy asks “Shall we send Salim across now, or would it be better for another of us to come over first?”

Guy is willing to cross at any point.

Whew! "I quite agree, Guy. Their retreat is our victory." Laafdahni continues holding the rope and will use it to cross the bridge when it's her turn, then tuck it back onto her chain belt. Once she's across, she'll inspect the other statue.

"Send Salim over last, he can guard you on that side in case there are any more of these Krenshaws."

Bask gives him the guard instruction until everyone is across, then tells him to "come". He'll then give him one of his favourite dried meat snacks as a reward and continue trying to follow the tracks through the jungle, keeping an eye out for any jungle predators.

The bridge is stable, but as Bask reaches the end, a loose stone gives way and he hears a loud snap. A carefully hidden weight falls into the gorge, pulling a noose that snaps around the hunter's ankles and yanks him 10 feet into the air, where he finds himself hanging upside down. If the krenshar's were still here, the half-orc would make for a conveniently vulnerable snack.

CMB: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

This snare trap didn't deal any damage, although if Bask cuts himself down, he would be subject to 1d6 falling damage due to the height.

Can we catch him? Bocke will offer to link arms with someone.

“Oh! Good thing we didn’t hit that while those creatures were here!”

Guy goes across and checks the trap, steadying Bosk so he doesn’t swing. “Should be able to lower you slowly by pulling on the rope. Let’s try that!”

He then moves to where the rope goes over the edge and tries to pull it up slowly so as to lower Bosk.

"Glad to have Salim watching my back. Don't have to worry about him getting handsy, hah." Sinaryn says as she crosses with the others.

She glances over to Laafdahni, wondering if she found something of interest. The spear was nice but not her style.

With assistance, the party easily cuts the rope holding up Bask and lowers him down safely.

Anything else the party wants to do while on this map?

I believe that Laafdahni was checking out the statue that radiated magic. We expect there is an item there.

There appears to be a small stone hammer in the statues hand that is the source of the magical aura.

After examining the hammer-holding statue, Laafdahni straightens, briskly brushing off her hands and brightly commenting: "Hmm... It looks like a magical hammer. If no one wants it, I guess we could move on. Where does the trail lead, Bask?"

“Can you tell if it is a weapon or a tool? Might as well take it in any case.”

Guy grabs it, then casts Detect Magic in an attempt to figure out what it does. “I can’t figure it out.”
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Bask made a lot of noise when he was hoisted up in the trap, growling and threatening the nameless engineers with a painful death. He's evidently embarrassed about it now.

"I think I see a path up ahead. That seems a nice hammer, could I take a look? The scimitar is blessed to followers of Sarenrae, and wielding one is its own kind of worship, but sometimes you fight skeletons"

He can also examine the hammer with detect magic and spellcraft, though his training is very basic.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

After handing over the hammer, Guy says “Keep it with you if you think you will use it. It is unlikely I would.”

"We wouldn't be Pathfinders if we didn't drag back anything magical that isn't tied down!" Sinaryn jokes as she assists with identifying it.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Okay, so the noose trap was not the only trap on this map.

Bask 1, Salim 2, Guy 3, Sinaryn 4, Bocke 5, Laafdahni: 1d6 ⇒ 3

As the party approaches the statue, the ground gives out under Guy's foot.
His leg is trapped in the ground up to his thigh and he feels an excruciating pain shoot up through his leg as bamboo spikes slice through it.

Bamboo spikes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Piercing Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

The party is able to assist Guy out of the hole. (If the noose doesn't get you, the krenshar's try to lead you into one of these and its an Escape Artist DC 20 or STR DC 24 to escape)

The hammer is easily extracted from the statue. It is a light throwing hammer with a stone head carved with lightning shaped runes. A couple of the Pathfinders try to identify the item, but besides detecting an evocation aura, they are unable to figure out what properties the magic hammer has.

After healing themselves, the Pathfinders continue following the trail deeper into the valley. The sun begins to set, turning from bright light into an orange tinged glow. As the party moves through the jungle, they begin seeing more signs of the kobolds that live in this valley. They find snares that have been tripped and even run into a few minor snares that don't cause any significant damage. A few times Bask spots a small scaly figure watching from the brush, but they scamper off as soon as they are noticed.

There are also signs of the dwarven civilization that used to be in this valley such as statues and pathway markers but most of these have been covered in odd looking fetishes or painted with yellow colored graffiti. Most of these fetishes are fashioned into what look like crude dragons and gold dragons are a common motif that has been painted on the dwarven monuments.

Soon the party can see that they are coming up to a clearing with some kind of large stone structure. They can hear voices chattering in high-pitched Draconic.

The party can make preparations before approaching. The light conditions at this point are low-light, so some people may also want to consider having light sources out.

"I can understand and speak to them, not sure they will listen but it is better than wasting more bullets on the rascals." Sinaryn whispers to her companions as they draw closer. She will listen intently to the chatter , hoping to pick out pieces.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Sinaryn can hear the voices chanting and speaking among each other. The dialect is odd, and what they're saying is rather strange.

You can give me a Sense Motive or Kn:Religion

I assume it's been at least 3 hours since the fight with the xtabays.

Laafdahni casts Mage Armor as quietly as possible, turning her back on the source of the kobolds' chanting so as to aim her voice into the relatively vacant jungle instead. While she's aiming that way, she peers into the gloom, trying to detect any possible ambush.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Laafdhani has darkvision and poor luck with dice.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Sinaryn makes out that the Kobolds are singing about some entity called the Golden Dragon. It also becomes clear that they are preparing some kind of sacrifice to this Golden Dragon. When their chanting is religious in nature, the language they're using doesn't allude to any god that Sinaryn has heard of.

Back at the bridge, Bocke will also try to Spellcraft the hammer.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Blech.

---

As we approach the kobold camp, Bocke will cast heightened awareness. He'll also cast light on a rock and keep it in his pocket for now.

CLW Wand for spike damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Ow!" Guy cries out as his foot gets caught. "Note to self, where there is one trap there are likely others." he says as others help him get free. He then uses his wand to heal himself.

---

Looking at the lightning rune on the hammer, Guy says "Evocation is usually blasting magic. I think it would be worth someone trying to throw this at an enemy. Just make sure there are no friends in the line from you out past the target!"

"Could be a real shocker!"

---

I assume it has been more than 50 minutes since the xtabay battle, so my Heroism spell has expired.

In a whisper, Guy says "I have a couple of good spells I can use on one person. One instils confidence and the other allows them to step across difficult terrain without difficulty." Looking towards Bask, he says "You seem to get into melee the most, shall I place them on you?"

Heroism and Feather Step, each lasting 50 minutes. Willing to do it on someone else if the group things there is a better person for them.

Guy does urge that the group hurry forward, he doesn't want to get there and find out it is the miners being sacrificed!

Bask will graciously accept Guy's spells unless anyone else would prefer them, and he casts one of his own to keep him nimble; longstrider. He also gives Guy a touch of glory.

That's +2 to a charisma based check once in the next hour

"It may be that we can talk these Kobolds down, and you have a way with words"

He hangs the hammer from his belt and makes sure his scimitar is accessible. "But if we need to fight then lets be ready for that too"

Bask is then ready to move in further to investigate these Kobolds.

What remains of the ruins’s heart may have once been a shrine. Demolished walls encircle an ancient dais, atop which a shattered anvil-shaped altar lies defaced with dried blood, chalk markings, and other detritus. The bones of dozens of humanoid creatures are scattered about the building, along with the larger skeletal remains of what may be wyverns or drakes that are marred with deep claw marks. Behind the altar, a large stairwell stained with the blood of countless creatures descends into some dark vault below.

Laid out on a stone altar is a human male, with his wrists and ankles bound behind his back. In the corner of the ruins are six more humans, each with a yellow wing painted on their forehead. Once the kobolds see the party they begin shouting shrilly in Draconic for assistance and begin to take up combat positions around the ruins.

Round 1
Bocke
Kobold Fighter
Laafdahni
Purple Archer
Bask
-Salim
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

Bocke is up!

Bocke will move behind the wall and draw his wand of bless, activating it.

Bocke moves behind the cover of the wall and uses his wand to cast bless on the party. The kobold near the altar fishes a potion out of his belt pouch and guzzling it down, ducking down to use the altar and the bound victim as cover. The creature shouts down the stares in Draconic,

Round 1 - bless
Bocke
Kobold Fighter - cover
Laafdahni
Purple Archer
Bask
-Salim
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

Whatever is down there, it can't be good! Determined to avoid being dead weight to this party again, Laafdahni tears around the wall to the left and positions herself in the opening on the southern wall where she can have some cover.

"Watch out for traps, everyone!"

The purple kobold moves forward and fires a bolt at the still flat-footed kitsune. The bolt wizzes past the bard'd ear.

X bow, PbS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Round 1 - bless
Bocke
Kobold Fighter - cover
Laafdahni
Purple Archer
Bask
-Salim
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

Bask runs in, drawing his scimitar as he goes, aghast at seeing someone tied to an altar.

"Salim, attack!"

He points at the purple kobold as he jogs up to the main altar to engage the kobold hiding behind the altar. "Stop this at once!" he bellows, and menaces both kobolds with his scimitar.

This would provoke from red unless the altar counts as cover, as Bask is moving the full extent of his double-move in order to threaten both kobolds over there

"ROOAARR"

Bite, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
Bite damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Salim bites one of the crossbow snipers, greatly injuring the little reptilian. Bask moves in and waves his scimitar threateningly, but doesn't have the momentum to get a good swing in yet.

The altar is cover, so no provoking.

Round 1 - bless
Bocke
Kobold Fighter - cover
Laafdahni
Purple Archer -7
Bask
-Salim
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

"They have called for more reinforcements, be careful!" Sinaryn warns, roughly translating the Draconic.

Double Move.

She then rushes into the ruins to get a good view of the fighter battling Bask, and the stairwell.

Sinaryn rushes to close with the kobolds. The second sniper puts some distance between herself and Bask. The kobold fires a bolt at the hunter, then in one fluid motion she slaps a new bolt into the weapon and cranks the string back. The missile lodges itself into Bask's shoulder, which is barely enough to slow the burly half-orc down.

Xbow, PbS, Precise S: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The miners stand around, clearly too afraid to either get involved in the fighting or to use the battle as cover for escaping.

Round 1 - bless
Bocke
Kobold Fighter - cover
Laafdahni
Purple Archer -7
Bask -7
-Salim
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

More kobolds emerge from the surrounding jungle.

Round 2 - bless
Bocke
Red Blade - cover
Laafdahni
Kobold Green
Purple Archer -7
Bask -7
-Salim
Kobold Pink
Kobold Yellow
Kobold Orange
Black Blade
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

“Looks like they want to do this the hard way....so be it!”

Guy starts up a song of battle for freedom as he moves across the platform towards what he considers a better position. He draws his bow as he moves.

Inspire Courage +2

Since he is in Kitsune form, he does threaten in melee with his bite.

Bocke moves inside the complex and brings out his bow. He enacts his deflection aura (20' radius [sorry, Sinaryn], +2 AC and +2 CMD, 3 rounds).

The red kobold steps back from Bask, drawing a rapier. With some ground between them, the little warrior breathes a gout of flame at Bask.

Fire, DC 13 for 1/2: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 3) = 12

Round 2 - bless, inspire courage, Dim Light
Bocke
Red Blade - cover
Laafdahni
Kobold Green
Purple Archer -7
Bask -19 or -13
-Salim
Kobold Pink
Kobold Yellow
Kobold Orange
Black Blade
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

Concerned for the safety of the miners, especially since reinforcements are due any moment from the stairs, Laafdahni rushes up beside Bask and fires off a Color Spray at the blue kobold.

Will save vs Color Spray: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Laafdahni sprays one of the snipers with a rainbow colored blast of light, but the kobold manages to look away in time, avoiding being blinded by the light.

The beleaguered kobold archer steps back, reloads their crossbow and fires a bolt at Salim. They shriek as the missile flies by the approaching lion.

Xbow, PbS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12
piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The green kobold moves in and tosses a sling bullet at Guy, which also misses.

Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
bludgeoning: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Round 2 - bless, inspire courage, Dim Light, deflection aura
Bocke
Red Blade - cover
Laafdahni
Kobold Green
Purple Archer -7
Bask -19 or -13
-Salim
Kobold Pink
Kobold Yellow
Kobold Orange
Black Blade
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy

Reflex, heroism: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 = 15

Somewhat burned, Bask looks angrily at the kobold that breathed fire. Without even looking at Salim he calls out for him

He glowers at the kobold, activates the final warning and becomes wreathed in flame, and then steps toward him.

"You have until he gets here to surrender"

When Salim gets into position he strikes, aiming to stun rather than main.

Scimitar, PA, heroism, outflank, song: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 25
Magical non-lethal Slashing, PA, song: 1d6 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 17

five foot step, move action to activate the final warning (this will do 1d6 fire damage to anyone who attacks him in melee for the next 3 rounds), free action to command Salim, then standard to ready an attack

Salim was enjoying his meal, but comes when called, racing around the kobold to help Bask, when he gets there he finds a new meal waiting for him.

Bite, bless, outflank, song: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 + 4 + 2 = 34
Bite damage, song: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Bite crit confirm, bless, outflank, song: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 + 4 + 2 = 34
Bite crit damage, song: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

Holy moly! So 14 damage total and that causes Bask to get an attack of opportunity...

Scimitar, PA, heroism, outflank, song: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 17
Magical non-lethal Slashing, PA, song: 1d6 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 15

Bask and Salim team up on the the tough little kobold with the fiery breath and bring him down with a nasty bite to the neck followed up with a pummel strike to the kobold blade's face.

The attack of opportunity is a big miss, but the readied attack lands.

Round 2 - bless, inspire courage, Dim Light, deflection aura
Bocke
Laafdahni
Kobold Green
Purple Archer -7
Bask -13
-Salim -2
Kobold Pink
Kobold Orange
Kobold Yellow
Black Blade
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy -2

The pink kobold moves in and launches a sling stone at Guy, which smacks him painfully in the knee.

Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Bludgeoning: 1d3 ⇒ 2

The orange and yellow kobolds move in and fire their slings at Salim. The cat nimbly steps out of the way of the first missile, but lets out a small whimper as the second stone strikes them in the paw.

Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Bludgeoning: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Bludgeoning: 1d3 ⇒ 2

The black kobold blade pulls out a flask from its belt pouch and guzzles it before advancing on Sinaryn, waving its rapier at her threateningly.

Should have mentioned this earlier, but the blades have rapiers, crossbows and breastplate armor. The snipers have shortswords, crossbows and studded leather. The kobolds have slings, spears and leather armor.

Sinaryn surprised by the kobold leaving the jungle near her, steps back while empowering her pistol again.

"They swarm like gnats!"

5 Foot Step.
Swift: Sacrifice Snowball to Mage Bullets, granting +1 Pistol the Frost special ability for 1 minute.

A layer of ice encases her weapon as she fires at the blade wielding kobold closest to her, then reloads.

Pistol +1 w/ IC, Bless & PBS: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 + 1 + (1) = 6 1d6 is Cold damage.
Move: Reload.

Sinaryn grazes the black blade kobold with her magic bullet.

The blue sniper reloads their weapon and fires a shot at Laafdahni. The bolt strikes the edge of her hip, but is only a flesh wound.

Xbon, PbS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round 2 - bless, inspire courage, Dim Light, deflection aura
Bocke
Laafdahni -2
Kobold Green
Purple Archer -7
Bask -13
-Salim -2
Kobold Pink
Kobold Orange
Kobold Yellow
Black Blade
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy -2

Kobold Spellcaster: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Another enemy is joining the fight in round 3.

Round 3 - bless, inspire courage, Dim Light, deflection aura
Bocke
Laafdahni -2
Kobold Green
Purple Archer -7
Kobold Spellcaster (red)
Bask -13
-Salim -2
Kobold Pink
Kobold Orange
Kobold Yellow
Black Blade
Sinaryn
Blue Archer
Guy -2

Guy empowers his arrow with an arcane word as he steps closer and then fires at Blue Archer. Without missing a beat, he continues his song.

+1 darkwood composite shortbow, Inspire Courage, Point Blank, Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 21
Cold Iron arrow, Piercing damage, Inspire Courage,Point Blank, Arcane Strike: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 12