[PbP Gameday IX] PFS1 #8-03 Captives of Toil (5-9) T2 (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

Are you guys going to be able to see?

I have my light stone...ioun torch

Las nods. "Well then, it would seem we might be capable of taking the Long Walk. If we so decide, let us hope the advantages are worth the risk. The remaining issue, however, is whether we might detect as good under such a spell?"

"I will show strongly as good (and chaotic). Might be the same for Father U..."

I assume that Grunjar knows this because he is a cleric (so he knows about his class features) and he can cast these spells (so he knows about the features of them, too).

Grunjar murmurs a few words and makes a small gesture, then tilts his head and tries to recollect what he knows about warpriests and their auras.

Take 10 on Knowledge(religion)+Guidance = 10+9+1=20

Luurg is ready to go, whichever route you guys would prefer. He can be the guide in the tunnels or he can rely on you 'gud talkers' if you want to take the most direct path. No purchases for Luurg.

Luurg keeps munching on fruit as the others discuss the ins and outs of their auras. "Luurg been told many times his aura real strong. Smelly strong." He sniffs his arm pits and nods approvingly.

Which ever way you guys want to go...I'm fine with either. Quicker might be better...

forgot one last purchase...selling my short bow and getting a masterwork long bow

If nothing else I can start concealing my aura tomorrow. Although I guess that depends on how long it takes to catch up to the duergar.

Still waiting for the results of my K. check on the Long Walk.

Las, GM Baerlie already posted the only results available from such a check on September 1. I think you already took 10 on that check on September 2, but if those were checks for something different, go ahead and use what is posted there based on your result.

I'm not sure I see a consensus yet as to if you are using the side tunnels or the main road. This is a really important decision, so we can't go on until there is a clear answer.

Okay, I thought there might be more specifics, but it seems like that provides enough info.

After recalling the mission briefing, Las continues to pontificate, "Is anyone here skilled at avoiding hazards and navigating without a map?

@Team - I suspect the Side Tunnels will require severl Survival checks.

[ooCc] got a whopping +5 there[/ooc]

"Luurg real gud guide. Take us where we need ta go ok? Ok."
+12 Survival, additional +2 with wayfinder. Also has access to the blood hound extract if scent would help.

"Luurg can sniff out tings. Mebe dat help?" He leans over and sniffs at Grunjar a bit to test his smell. "Half mang not have same strong aura as Luurg. Kinda smell like hairy soap."

Hey...i'll trust your nose...

"I can continously check the rock floor for instabilities. If there are any dangerous surfaces or traps involving stone I should be able to spot them."

"Direction-wise I would follow Luuuuuuurg - even if his aura is a bit... how shall I put it... strong."

I think we are prepared enough for the Side Tunnels. Grunjar has survival +6 (and also a wayfinder).

As Luurg smells him, Grunjar raises an eyebrow. But he is wise enough not to smell back at Luurg.

"Hairy soap? That's really... interesting."

I can keep an eye out and the dark won't bother me.

+3 Survival from wisdom, but +14 perception and darkvision.

Las could can make extracts of Darkvision, but it will only last for 6 hours, if he's also going to stock a See Inviso as well.

Grunjar got darkvision, too.

"Seems to me it is decided - to the Side Tunnels we go!"

@GM Redelia: I think we can proceed.

OK, I need everyone to roll either survival or knowledge dungeoneering. This scenario is odd, it tells me to take the highest roll and treat the others as aid another, even if they use a different skill. I'll total up the rolls and then tell the story based on the rolls.

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Boom! Clearly an expert navigator...lol

Las will enter the tunnels with False Life.

Las will Take 10 n K. Dugeoneering and use Guidance from his jade wayfinder along with Inspiration. Las also has a wand of Heightened Awareness ihe can use for another +2 if allowed.

K. Dungeon (T10): 1d6 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

Survival + Guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14 (please add another +2 for my Wayfinder, if applicable)

@Father Urzaia Conflict: You also can use guidance, right?

doh! forgot my wayfinder...

I can, but that only brings it up to 9. More importantly Urzaia has Know Direction as a constant ability. I don't know how useful it is, but it seems relevant.

Not sure you all's opinions on doing a forced march to make up extra time instead of the normal 8hr 'day' in game. Luurg has endurance and a good fort save so he's always game for walking until you guys ask him to stop. He'll also start off with an 8hr false life, in addition to the 16hr ant haul he keeps up when awake. He'll also prepare and use blood hound, giving him scent for 8hrs if that helps sniff out false tunnels. It would add +4 when used for survival checks to follow tracks.

False Life, CL8: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Survival, Wayfinder: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 = 20

"You guys ready? Lez go get 'um!" Luurg starts off in the lead, his Leafy spear in hand as a walking stick while an enormous axe lay strapped across his back. Funny thing, folded up under that axe seems like two oversized butterfly wings.

Being able to see in the dark gives him a leg up trying to scout in front of the party a bit before light sources give the group away.

The one skill check is representing many decisions, but not constantly, so you can use wayfinders or cantrips, but not limited use abilities or spells, unless they last all day.

You manage to find your way, avoiding almost all the checkpoints. You find that you have to pay only 100 gold in tolls (which means nothing, since you were given money for tolls) and were only delayed slightly.

I'm not sure who is expected to act next...

Did we arrive somewhere near the duergar stronghold of Fellstrok (the interception area mentioned by Sandrican)?
If yes - are there any mongrelmen in the area?
We are supposed to secure allies against the duergar - and the mongrelmen make top of the (very short) list...

Or did I miss important information?

Sorry, I should have been more clear with a group not familiar with my habits as GM. I paused to allo0w a chance for you to react. I'll move us on a bit further.

You have reached the place in your journey where your path leads you away from the Long Walk. You look into a large cavern. This large cavern arches to a height of forty feet at its center. It extends about sixty feet from east to west and one hundred feet from north to south. The floor consists of tightly packed dirt and gravel, and strange furrows in the earth crisscross the room. Patches of luminescent fungi cling to the floor, walls, and ceilings, and the sound of water dripping into several shallow pools echoes through the chamber. A ten-foot-wide tunnel leads off to the south, and broad, roughly hewn steps lead to a similar passage heading to the northeast.

Please give me a knowledge: arcana check if you are trained in it (or have an ability that lets you make such checks untrained)

@GM Redelia: Thanks for explaining! No harm done. ;-)

"Great job everybody! It seems we made good progress on our way. And we did not spend too much on tolls either!"

After reaching the cavern:

Grunjar tilts his head slightly to the left and studies the place for a bit.

Knowledge (arcana) + guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13

"What do you guys think of this cavern? These furrows seem a little strange..."

Only if @GM Redelia allows it:
@Las Lajas: If you decided not to take 10 I could give you a Bit of Luck for the Knowledge (arcana) check. Your call. ;-)

Las accepts Grunjar's luck and examines the cavern

K. Arcana w/Guidance + Insp: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 12 + (3) = 20

K. Arcana w/Guidance + Insp: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 12 + (1) = 29

Well, might need a light here... Mykel says as he gets out his ioun torch. He looks at the others in the group with magical abilities.

Anything you can sense or no?

Looks like everything else down here to me.

Luurg looks around and rubs his belly in thought as he tries to come up with something natural that could have made the furrows in the ground, sniffing to see if it could have left a scent behind.
K Nature... Whut dis ting?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

"Huh." He rubs some more then takes out a pear to help him concentrate. Its pretty obvious Luurg uses fruit to try overcoming any obstacle. You've never seen him eat anything else actually.

"Dat Elf wid da dark skin seemed nice." He comments on the last group of toll keepers they bribed to get past. "Kinda skinny doh, really like dem spiky whips too... who need 4 whips?"

Survival, Wayfinder: Which way now?: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 32

You realize this cavern is home to bulettes. You think you can find an alternate route (using knowledge(dungeoneering) or survival), but it will make your trip take several days longer to try. Do you try to find a way around, or move through the bulette cavern?

Las tries to recall what he can on bulettes

K. Arcana (T10) wGuidance+Insp: 1d6 + 22 ⇒ (1) + 22 = 23

I think we're better off pushing through. We want to keep ahead of the deurgar.

Aye...I think my blade can pierce a bullette's hide...should it ckme to that...

"I agree, time is of importance here. If you are open to the idea of bypassing the bulettes instead of fighting them, I know how to get the other side of the cavern without starting a battle. My fly spell lasts for 6 minutes - that should do the trick."

I suggest that I cast my domain spell fly on Luurg with his ant-haul still in effect. He should have more than enough time (60 rounds) to fly multiple times there and back - even if:
1) he wears medium or heavy armor, or carries a medium or heavy load (reduces fly speed from 60 feet to 40 feet) and
2) he flies as close as possible to the ceiling and
3) has to carry us one by one.

Grunjar smiles at the alchemist.

"Luuuuurg? Wanna try flying without wings?"

Las knows that Grunjar's plan should work, because the bulettes use movement on the ground to sense enemies.

Luurg gives Grunjar a confused look "Wings? Luurg gut wings. Luurg fly real gud too!" Once the plan is worked out Luurg pulls out an ugly looking fruit and gnaws it into a pulp between his perfectly white teeth. Nary a puff of gingavitis or spec of plaque on those orc's teeth. Amazing really.

Almost in an instant Luurg grows into giant sized Luurg, then spreads a beautiful pair of monarch butterfly wings from his back. "ALL ABOARD AIR LUURG!"

Enlarge extract: 8mins. Wings discovery, 1min intervals, up to 8x a day. With enlarge and ant haul Luurg has a carrying capacity of
21 light: 153 lbs. or less Medium: 154-306 lbs. Heavy: 307-460 lbs. *Double value if large, Ant Haul triples… so x4 for Large and Ant Hauling.. so max load of nearly 2,000lbs. (Yes I've done this before and had the numbers written up in my sheet.) Should be able to carry everyone in one trip somewhere's between medium and heavy load.

The good priest shrugs and climbs on Luurg's back.

Las presents his ticket, and climbs aboard.

"Father Urzaia, what a pleasant coincidence to find you having booked passage on the same vessel. How long does the trip take, this is my first time?....my these seats are lumpy. Do you know if there will be beverage service?"

Well....okay then. Don't see that every day.Mykel says a bit surprised as he hops on Luurg's back.

"Oh... oh! Okay, I suppose that will work, too."

Grunjar climbs aboard.

"Lasaja..." Grunjar tries really hard to recall the name of the investigator. But after a second or two he thinks 'Close enough!' and continues his sentence.

"...I would also love to get some service, but I don't see any personnel besides the pilot. At least we won't go hungry, there is plenty of fruit available."

Grunjar points to the now also enlarged fruits dangling from Luurg's belt.

"See? But if you are really that thirsty, maybe Father Urzl the good Father can create some water for you?"

After everyone is on board:

"Luuuuuuuuurg, we are ready for take off!"

Luurg is able to easily make his way across the cavern without touching the ground.

OK, pausing to let you have fun with how the air journey ends or you disembark... :)

As Las climbs off, he begins speaking to no one in particular,

"Well, that was an uneventful flight, good marks for that. I have to say the lack of a personal restraint system was a bit unsettling. And I was disappointed at the lack of overhead storage. All in all, I would give this airship a four stars out of five. Had the journey been longer, the lack of beverage service would have been a detractor. Anyone know the way to baggage claim?"

"LUURG GUT JUICE, YOU WANTS JUICE?" The ever attending pilot/host bellows in his giant form. Like Grunjar mentioned, there are all manner of fruit dangling from Luurg. Squashing one, or accidentally knocking them off earns the offender a serious, and unsettling stare.

Fly, Enlarged: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 1 = 30

Luurg's flight is short and very smooth. He's even able to touch down more like a dove on a branch than the overloaded turkey he resembles. "OK, All OFF. WE HERE, TIMMA GET BACK ON TRAIL." He carefully folds his wings away under his cloak and pulls out Leafy his greenwood spear, making sure he's ok. I'mma sorry Leafy, dares no sun down 'ear. We find sun soon ok? Ok.

"Thanks for the ride, Lui!"

Grunjar jumps down and turns to Las Lajas.

"I don't know what you are complaining about. I am the one who was placed next to the propellers. Next time I'll be shielding myself against sound - I'm glad I did not become permanently deaf!"

Well, that was definitely interesting. Luurg, you are a man of many talents.

Quite the trip. Thanks Luurg. Let's go find some mongrelmen.

"I could not agree more, Father."

Grunjar then picks his nose and flips a big green booger back in the direction of the furrows.

Grunjar has a Charisma penalty - and sometimes it shows... o_O

"Aaaah, that's better. Having a stuffed nose is really terrible, isn't it?"

I'm ready to move on.