GM MattMorris Doom of Cassomir (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

Doryg hangs back in the alleyways, keeping an eye on the comings and goings. If he gets the chance, he makes unintrusive conversations with passers-by, attempting to surreptitiously suss out if people overhear conversations between cultists.

They're clearly building up materiel for something, but why the attacks? It doesn't seem like they're robbing people to add to their stockpiles.
Or have they been robbing people? I should have taken notes...

stakeout Perception: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21
passers-by Society: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Doryg notices many of the same things that Ink did about the behavior of the cultists. The passers by that he talks to do seem to have any useful information about the Guiding Light or its inhabitants.

The time advertised for the meeting is drawing close, and you notice more people heading into the old temple.

What would you like to do?

"We should go in and see what this Ahksiva has to say," Pyrexius suggests. He glances at the cultists to see if they're wearing anything unusual, or just doing the strange bowing.

”My poker face is abysmal, so I’m probably more help keeping watch somewhere. One of you more theatrical folks should see what you can learn from among the faithful.”
My Deception is +1 D:

An incredibly muddy kobold strides up next to the group. They wipe greenish-brown muck away from their face to reveal Izkazk. "Well, Ahksiva is a ghost who doesn't make tracks in the mud. I've looked. Best to go listen to the crazies."

Ink glances around at the others. "I am willing to take lead and aid in securing our entrance. I could present some or all of you as potential converts under my guidance...?" The gloomy gnome shifts uneasily. "Or enter on my own and learn what I can."

Sounds like an infiltration. Ink, Izakazk, and Pyrexius going inside, Doryg waiting outside. Mirza, where would you like to go?

Pryexius nods, willing to go along with that plan.

As you approach the entrance to the Guiding Light, intent on infiltrating the cult, Pyrexius sees something strange, an eyeball tucked away into the corner of a building, the eye gazing fixedly upon the entrance to Guiding Light. A thin, spidery strip of muscle holds the eyeball to the ceiling.

Let me know if you want to do something about that eyeball. It is definitely "alive" in some way.

You have seen over a dozen people enter the Guiding Light just before sundown. Some members travel alone but most travel in small groups. The cultists present their flyer to the guard and are then let inside.

You can talk your way past the guards. Using the gesture you noticed earlier will grant you a bonus. Depending on your strategy, attempt a Deception or Religion check to present your flyer and talk your way in.

Ink takes a deep breath, just finishing touching up her makeup. Time to play the game, just like back home. Though at least here they wouldn't... she forces the thoughts back down. The gnome looks at the others and tilts her head in a 'let's go' gesture, her thick twintails swishing.

As Ink approaches, parasol angled to keep the setting sun from her face and cast her in shadow, she daintily pulls the flyer from its place in her notebook. The gloomy gnome holds it out to the guard, then cups her hands and bows as she has seen others do.

"Majet, a traveler from lands to the south, who has heard tell of this place and the revelations it holds," Ink offers by way of explanation. She gestures over her shoulder to the kobolds. "These are fellow pilgrims who have graciously offered to guide and protect me on my journey, in exchange for a chance to witness the coming end for themselves. Please, let them accompany me."

"What is that?" Pyrexius quietly asks his companions, gesturing toward the eye creature. I doubt I have the proper skills to identify it, but maybe someone can before we go in?

Later? I feel like I want to ID the eye before going in.
Pyrexius nods, making the cupping gesture as well, though he grits his teeth while he does it.

"Yes, we wish to know what is coming and how we can prepare," he says.

Deception (untrained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Now that you've seen it, an Occultism check will identify the eye. I will say, the guards seem receptive to letting you in, so we can go forward with that after you decide what to do about the eye.

Ink peers at the eye creature out of the corner of her eye, trying not to be too obvious.

You're not sure what the eyeball is, but it looks gross and sinister.

If you decide you want to do anything with the eyeball, retroactively, let me know.

You hand off your brochure and enter Guiding Light without bringin undue attention on to yourselves. The atmosphere inside is gloomy and almost stifling, as if a malevolent presence somehow weighs on the space.

Everyone attempt a Will save, please.

Once inside, several cultists and recruits approach you to make idle conversation. "What is your history with Groetus? Have you had the pleasure of meeting Ahksiva, his prophet?"

You get the feeling that most of the cultists are regular people looking for answers but the most devout are brutes looking for an opportunity to direct their anger.

You've gained some insights that will grant you a bonus later.

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Ink feels quite at home in the gloom and oppressive atmosphere. Still affecting her cover, the gnome answers the questions simply enough. "I am but a pilgrim, intrigued by the promise of the end. I have not yet met the prophet, only her disciples. But I hope to soon... I wish to know what part I might play in the end of days."

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Izkazk shakes a bit more mud off their leathers, giving a token attempt not to splatter worshippers. They stand behind Ink, keeping still with obvious effort. Knowing the lying is not their skill, they let the gnome speak but are prepared to defend her if things go wrong.

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Yeah, I'll Hero Point that, thank you very much!
Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 If this is a fear effect: When you roll a success on a saving throw against a fear effect, you get a critical success instead. When you roll a failure against a fear effect, you get a critical failure instead.

"Like any dragon, I have brought doom to many!" Pyrexius boasts. "And like my friend, I have come to meet the prophet, who has not yet had the pleasure of meeting me."

Deception (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Diplomacy is the same bonus.

((eek, sorry! Let me catch up here...))

Mirza frowns, hesitant when the group decides to split. Though he is concerned for Doryg's safety alone, he ultimately decides to stick with Ink and the kobolds, as they're more likely to face danger within the temple and need the backup. He slips a pair of gloves on as they make their way toward the temple, concealing his hand tattoos.

He looks up at the eyeball when Pyrexius points it out, frowning again; though he can't ascertain what it is (no occultism), he reasons that a living eyeball is probably magical in some way. Mirza breaks off from the others, turning so his back is to the assembling congregation, and casts a Read Aura spell as discreetly as he's able to investigate the eyeball.

After one minute of casting, Mirza waves Doryg over to the eye, then rejoins Ink, Izkazk, and Prexius entering the temple.

((Belated deception check while entering the temple...))

Mirza cups his hands bows silently, happy for Ink to take the lead on their story to the cultists.

Deception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Mirza looks around the temple with some interest as they enter it, unsettled but curious.

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"The pleasure of the prophet's presence has yet to be mine, though I look forward to it," he answers. "Groetus' history with all of us is a shared and undeniable one."

((jeez, those roles; knowledge religion was really the lynchpin to this post I needed e_e))

All of the worships seem very impressed with your committment to doom.

Several minutes after sundown, a gray-hooded man walks in. He is a handsome man of 35 years, with wavy brown hair and a commanding presence. He wears long blue and gray robes and carries a pleasant expression upon his face. Around his neck he wears a silver religious symbol of his own design, the grim skull of Groetus gripping the Eye of Aroden between its teeth.

When the man enters the grand hall, all parishioners cease their chatter. Several of the more dedicated members of the cult breakout into full applause when they spot the cleric.

The man hushes the crowd and takes his place behind dirty altar. He speaks with compassion and empathy, but his words are violent.

“Good people of Admiral’s Fen, it is an honor to be among you tonight! I grew up in this neighborhood, raised in this very temple by clerics who clung to the hope that Aroden would return and save us all from this nightmare. But as Ahksiva has taught me and will teach you all, Aroden is not coming back."

"The clerics? They will not tell you this. The rulers? They don’t want you to know. They would all rather you live and die in ignorance and fear rather than learn the truth. The truth is that this world is ending. There’s not much time left."

"But rejoice, for Aroden has not truly died, he has joined with Groetus! Aroden saw our world’s end, but in his wisdom, he understood the only way out was through. Groetus is not the end, but the beginning! After the apocalypse, Groetus will create a new world. A perfect paradise where the mistakes made in this world can be amended. Those who assisted in creating Groetus’s new world will be elevated to the position of gods and will rule alongside Aroden over paradise."
"This future is within our grasp, but we can’t idly wait for it to happen! Every day, Blackwood Swamp drowns Admiral’s Fen so that the swamp may be whole again. We must be as the swamp and drown out the world so that something new may grow in its place. When we are made gods, none can judge us.”

There are many shouts of "here, here" from the congregation, and after the speaker wraps up, he makes his way through the crowd, chatting with some of his admirers. He soon makes his way over to you.

"Ah, newcomers. I felt an immediate connection with you when we locked eyes during my sermon. I am Reast Mycer, herald of Greotus and Aroden, acolyte of Ahksiva. What brings you to our gathering?"

Deception or Religion to get interesting information out of Reast. You are getting bonuses from your successful infiltration of the cult.

Ink bows low, cupping her hands in the increasingly familiar gesture of the cult. "Ah... the herald himself, come to speak with lowly pilgrims such as we. We come to hear your words; to find out how we may serve; to herald a world's end in preparation for rule over that which is to come after."

The gnome toys idly with the tip of a twintail, as if contemplating the end, then tilts her head far back to look up at Mycer. "What shall we do, Master? How shall we serve? What is the command of our prophet?"

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Doryg does things to keep the ball rolling before Andrew passes out! Better post to come tomorrow.

Occultism for the eye: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Religion for blending in with the crowd: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18
Religion to suss our Reast: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

"Plus, we wish to become like gods," Pyrexius says. "Do we get to choose our own sphere of power in this new world? And our worshipers? How do we make the swamp whole again so I can answer prayers for all, instead of just one at a time?"

Deception (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Reast is quite taken with Ink's enthusiasm. He give some advice about pursuing Groetus's aims:

"The current world must be cleared away, of course. The violence and blood pave the way for the our lord. Those souls we send to the Boneyard will be the first that he consumes when he descends to create the new order."

Reast looks over the motley crew and nods, as he seems to make a decision. "You are the most promising recruits I have seen in weeks." He gestures to one of the other cult members that is leaning against a pillar nearby. "Frodrick, I have a job for you. These new recruits must meet Ahksiva so she can judge if they are worthy to join the Chosen."

The acolyte steps crisply forward. "I am ready to lead them."

Reast seems like a creap-o, but you don't get the sense that he's attempting to betray or threaten you.

Mirza watches Reast carefully when he approaches their group.

"Thank you, herald," he says smoothly. "We are eager to take our places ushering in the tides of change."

((I guess I'll roll religion again))

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Pyrexius nods. "Yes, we will be the most worthy," he declares.

Doryg is still out there ...

"We have one more too, who didn't think he was worthy and did not want to come inside," he adds, making his decision. "He amuses me, though. I can see if he still wishes to join us, if you want."

Want to give Doryg a chance to join us.

Looking at Mirza, Reast nods. "If you will vouch for him, then I'm sure he is worthy."

The acolyte accompanies you out of the temple and you are able to pick up Doryg.

By the way, combat is an option in this adventure--you've done great work of investigating and talking your way to the answers.

Speaking of which: Hero Point for Ink.

Frodrick, your cultist guide, leads you out of the city and into Blackwood Swamp. He navigates the quagmires and faint trails of the mire with ease; you get the impression he has traveled this way many times before.

A sinking manor looms over the surrounding trees. The building’s walls sag and bend, small animals have clearly penetrated its upper reaches. The swamp itself appears to be strangling the waterlogged structure.

Map

"Ahksiva has a lovely home," Pyrexius observes, looking around. He wonders if there are anymore eye things here but is more distracted by the decrepit home's nature. It's barely fit for a tatzlwyrm!

Perception (expert): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Ink and I are both perfectly happy talking our way through events. ^_^

Ink allows the cultist to lead the way, trusting in his guidance and her intuition. As they approach the structure, Ink looks it over, more out of curiosity than suspicion.

Perception (expert): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"A fitting home for a herald of the end," the gnome murmurs gloomily. Ink looks up at their guide. "Shall we enter ourselves, or will you lead us? Or are we to wait here for the prophet to reveal themself?"

If the guide indicates that they should head in themselves, Ink will climb the steps and open the door; otherwise she will follow his lead.

Mirza is alert for trouble while they move through the swamp, ready to defend the group from anything that might emerge from the swamp, or from the herald should the situation turn.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

The acolyte gestures for you to go first.

The doors into the building were broken off long ago. The two sets of stairs ascend from muck to a covered porch. Thick globs of green slime cover the stairs and adjacent areas.

As Ink is about to ascend the stairs, Mirza gives a curt warning: The green slime on the stairs and surrounding areas of the porch looks hazardous.

Thievery DC 17 (trained) to carefully push the slime away without causing it to grow, DC 17 Crafting (one action) to neutralize it with alchemical reagents, or dispel magic (2nd level; counteract DC 15 [DC 18 in Subtier 3–4]) to counteract the magic animating it. Casting a 1st-level or higher spell with the water trait washes away the slime.

Pyrexius turns, shocked, on their guide.

"What is this?! Treachery? Do you seek to clear us away?!" his hand hovers by his sword hilt.

Ink places a hand on the golden kobold's shoulder. "Please, Pyrexius. I have no doubt it is a mistake... or perhaps a test." Taking a piece of wood, the gnome attempts to carefully clear the path.

Thievery (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

With the path cleared, Ink daintily clears her throat and gestures for the others to follow as she ascends.

((back in time to RP the warning))

Mirza reaches out his hand in warning, resting it on Ink's shoulder if she's close enough.

"Hold on, now. I'm no slime expert, but that green stuff the Prophet has growing here in the swamp looks like it might be pretty dangerous to you."

Ink's dexterity is sufficient to clear away the hazard, though the sizzling on the wood tells you all that Mirza's warning was a wise one.

You can easily see into the hall of the manor house through the front door frame, which is open to the elements.

Only a few decades old, the wide hall already leans substantially. The corners are crocked and covered in thick patches of dark mold. Several globs of slime coat the floor and mildew spreads over the walls. The room reeks of fouled water.

Several muddy nests lined with bones and plants line the sides of the hall. In places where the slime has managed to dry, it’s grown crusted and flaky. A putrid, and sickly sweet stench fills the air. Strung up around the room are dozens of hideous effigies created from sticks and what appears to be sinew. The waterlogged floorboards squeak and squeal
when stepped on.

Hung on the wall near the door, a large silver religious symbol of Groetus grins over the room.

Near a ruined staircase in the back of the room, a woman in a green dress reads from a large, moldering book. When she sees you at the door, she dogears the page she is reading and closes the tome.

“Hmm, I don't recognize you." She gives you a quick once-over. "But, you have the air of adventurers about you. Yes, it is I, the great prophet Ahksiva. Well done. I’d been expecting someone like you for a while now.” She reaches for a chalice and takes a large gulp of black, syrupy wine. She pushes a small spider back into her mouth as it attempts to escape.
“Are you here to help or to hinder me? I’ve given the people of Admiral's Fen hope, a belief they can hold onto. Would you take that away from those poor people? I see a better future than that. A future where Admiral’s Fen is a memory, Cassomir is a ruin, and Taldor is plunged into chaos. The people here want to worship Groetus, let them! The God of the End Times has some excellent ideas about pain and destruction.”

She sets aside her book and wine glass and awaits your reply.

Mirza stands with forced neutrality, waiting while the woman gives her speech. His response to her question is simply to step in front of Ink and draw his sword.

"I am afraid we are going to have to hinder you, o prophet," Ink says sadly, looking out from behind Mirza's legs. "It's a shame, really. You have some very interesting teachings... I look forward to learning more after your defeat. But we can't allow you to spread pain and destruction."

Pyrexius' jaw drops. Destruction is all too common in life, but ... to embrace it? Maybe the Admiral's Fen needs to be cleaned up, but that doesn't mean the entire country should be plunged into chaos again. Eutropia just took the throne recently, and she wants another Galt?

He joins Mirza, stepping foward and drawing his sword.

"That doesn't seem like a good future!" he declares. "It may not be perfect now, but at least the people don't have to eat spiders!"

He spits the final words, like they're cutting insults.

"I was afraid you would say that. You will be destroyed before you can interfere with my plans."

She points at you and shouts, "Get them, Little Zura!" A big frog-like creature with tusks hops out next to her in a threatening fashion.

Bold May Act
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Mira
Doryg
Cultist
Izkazk
Pyrexius
Ahksiva
Little Zura
Ink

Battlefield Conditions: Green squares are uneven ground due to the slime that is in them. Acrobatics DC 17 to Balance across them. (Success=Move as if they are difficult terrain, Failure=No progress, Critical Failure=You fall and your turn ends.)
Map

Mirza Strides (1-action) further into the room and casts magic weapon (2-actions), enchanting his rapier. (map updated)

I'll delay Andrew. He can rejoin us when he can.

Surprising, probably no one, the cultist who was accompanying you betrays you. Pulling his dagger, he attacks Pyrexius!

dagger: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 for piercing: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
dagger: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 4 = 20 for piercing: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

He manages to knick the kobold twice!

Bold May Act
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Mira (magic weapon)
Doryg
Cultist
Izkazk
Pyrexius (-6)
Ahksiva
Little Zura
Ink

Battlefield Conditions: Green squares are uneven ground due to the slime that is in them. Acrobatics DC 17 to Balance across them. (Success=Move as if they are difficult terrain, Failure=No progress, Critical Failure=You fall and your turn ends.)
Map

Izkazk, not too surprised that the longshanks stopped being friendly, draws their shortbow 1-action, marks the cultist as their hunted prey 1-action, then takes a shot Shortbow Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d6 ⇒ 5

"Ah!" Pyrexius can't help crying out as he's not quite ready enough for the attacks. "You think to challenge the dragon? You will pay for that!"

He roars as he pulls his sword, slashing back at him with a killing thrust.

Intimidation (trained); +1 if he's my level or lower: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 15 or 16 vs. Will DC; if succeed, I gain Panache

Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Additional precision damage if I have Panache and this is a confident finisher: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Action 1: Demoralize
Action 2: Interact to draw weapon
Action 3: Strike (or Confident Finisher if I have panache)

Doryg snorts in bemusement. "Grandiosity and ego. How disappointingly ordinary; I thought your unique theology might make for a different kind of demagogue."

Startled by the cultist's attack, he turns around to aid Pyrexius with a sword drawn hastily from his cane, but he can't get a good angle on the attacker.
He simultaneously racks his brains for information on tusked creatures.

Action 1: Interact to draw weapon
Action 2: Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

The combined strikes from the kobolds take down the frightened foe!

Doryg realizes that Little Zura is a slurk, a tusked frog-like creature. You know that they can excrete slime that can entangle creatures.

Ahksiva taunts you, "Do you think that you can stop me?" and disappears.

You can't see her, but I'm going to leave her last position here.

Little Zura hops up into a better position.

Bold May Act
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Mira (magic weapon)
Doryg
Cultist
Izkazk
Pyrexius (-6)
Ahksiva
Little Zura
Ink

~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Mira
Doryg
Izlazk
Pyrexius

Battlefield Conditions: Green squares are uneven ground due to the slime that is in them. Acrobatics DC 17 to Balance across them. (Success=Move as if they are difficult terrain, Failure=No progress, Critical Failure=You fall and your turn ends.)
Map

Acting almost on reflex, Ink sings a brief tune. Around her the shadows deepen, phantom armored shapes rising to defend the gloomy gnome. Then Ink intones the initial line of one of her poems. "Through the gloom with lantern lit..." The grim poetry carries with it a bit of magic that raises her friends' spirits and strengthens their resolve. Ink then shifts position to just inside the doorway, trying to keep an eye on all her allies as she continues reciting.

Ink casts shield and inspire courage, then Steps. Not sure if an emanation like inspire courage can go around walls, so better safe than sorry.

Reactions: If an enemy uses a harmful auditory or visual effect on Ink or her allies, she casts counter performance (Performance +7). If Ink is attacked for 10 or more damage or if she is targeted by multiple magic missiles, she uses Shield Block to prevent 5 damage.

Effects: Ink's AC is presently 17. Ink and all allies within 60 feet gain a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects.

"Little Zura there's the one that doused this place in slime - be careful."

At Ink's incantation, the shadows shift and Doryg's pulse steadies. He scuttles past her, nodding in thanks, as he climbs the stairs and taks up a position in the hallway opposite Mirza.

"Admiral's Fen needs hope, not nihilism. Show yourself, demagogue, and maybe we can end this without your making an early appointment with Groetus!" He pushes Little Zura's grumbling and slurping aside, his eyebrows and ears twitching as he strains his senses for the unseen Ahksiva. Seeking in a 30 ft. cone; the direction's marked with an orange arrow on the map.

Actions 1 & 2: Stride

Doryg hears the tell-tale sound if rustling fabric and shuffling boots.

You detected her. I updated her position on the map.

"Mirza! Just to your left, there beyond the slime!" Doryg's eyes, and the tip of his sword, snap toward the prophet's location.

Pyrexius struts into the room, calling out a threat as he looks for the so-called prophet: "If you love Groetus, we will send you to look closely at him from the Boneyard!"

He lifts his sword, ready to defend himself.

Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Demoralize
Action 3: Dueling Parry (+2 to AC)

Intimidation (trained) to Demoralize; +1 vs. creatures my level or lower: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Going to Hero Point that
Intimidation (trained) to Demoralize; +1 vs. creatures my level or lower: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Gain panache if that's a success, but I'm guessing it's not