[OSP] GM PaleDim's PFS# 06-16 Scions of the Sky Key, Part 3 (Inactive)

Game Master PaleDim

When last we left off…

Recently, Venture-Captain Nieford Sharrowsmith disappeared on an expedition to explore dwarven ruins in the Bandu Hills. Several months later, when it became clear that the venture-captain had vanished without a trace, Sharrowsmith’s business partner Aya Allahe dispatched a group of Pathfinders to look for the missing venture- captain. The agents followed his trail from Nantambu up to Fort Bandu, where they found out not only that the Aspis Consortium was very influential in the region, but also that the local miners were blaming Sharrowsmith and the Society for recent kobold attacks. After dealing with the kobolds and restoring some of the miners’ trust in the Society, the Pathfinders discovered that Sharrowsmith had indeed found the dwarven ruins. They also learned that a deadly creature known as the Golden Guardian was protecting the place and that the only weapon that could defeat it, a dwarven talisman, was currently in the possession of the Krihirik, a grippli tribe. The Pathfinders tracked down the Krihirik and curbed the Aspis Consortium’s devious plan to acquire the talisman. Thankful for the help and convinced that the Pathfinders could defeat the Golden Guardian, the gripplis gave them the talisman.

Armed with the talisman, the PCs prepare to face the Golden Guardian and locate the missing venture- captain.

The instructions of the Krihirik were simple: break open the talisman in the presence of the Golden Guardian.

Upon your return to Fort Bandu, you receive a letter from Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin (Player Handout #1).

Before you leave Fort Bandu, you may ask around for rumors about the Aspis Consortium, the Golden Guardian, and the kobolds.

Each of you may make one skill check roll per information category. Open all spoilers with a DC at or below your result, and then share the info recovered with your teammates in-character. I will also record whatever you recall on the campaign details page for quick reference.

You may ask the locals about the Aspis Consortium’s latest movements Diplomacy (gather information) or Knowledge (nobility):

You may ask around Fort Bandu for rumors about the Golden Guardian Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (local), or Knowledge (religion):

You may ask the local miners about the kobolds of Mount Nakyuk Diplomacy (gather information), Knowledge (history), or Knowledge (local):

Gaskar, feeling worn out from his last adventure, sits back and waits for the others to report in. He rolls his eyes at Valsin's letter. 'More Aspis? Great. Those people are just lovely.'. With his new weapon, he's ready to take them on.

No Diplomacy. Only knowledge is Dungeoneering.

Meux shuffles around Fort Bandu, offering his healing services. Tending to those with injuries, both minor and greater, he tries to garner information about the Golden Guardian.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Seemingly distracted, he constantly looks nervously about as he does so, making sure there are no unconscious panthers lying around. As such, though everyone knows about the legend, no one he pays close mind to has any substantial information about it.

Walking away feeling a bit sour for his lack of progress, he pulls out a red-and-gold scarf from his pack. Meux then blindfolds himself, tries to locate the sun in the sky, and utters a small prayer to Sarenrae to help him be a better representative.

The Golden Guardian. Sounds like a title for a golem. I wonder if there are any rumors about it Ki Chin thinks to himself as he wanders around the fort trying to get a better feel of the place and asking around about the Golden Guardian.
Knowledge(Religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Spying Gaskar polishing his weapon the magus approaches and takes a seat, Mei following behind him. "It seems this Golden Guardian is either immortal or a golem. I have asked around and there are plenty of stories about this so called guardian. Some of the stories are centuries old. Would you happen to have anything that might work on constructs Gaskar-san?"

Diplomacy wGuidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18
K. Local wGuidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17
Diplomacy wGuidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20

Diplomacy (Aspis): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Diplomacy (Kobolds): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Most likely still shaken from his near death experience, Meux cannot seem to utter any sort of agreeable discourse to offer any help on the pressing matters at hand.

Ari spends some time asking around town and then meets up with the group.

"The local merchants seem to believe a contingent of Aspis agents have entered the Bandu Hills by way of Bloodcove."

Ari-Ani nods to Magus, "Yes, i have heard the same thing. However, the kobolds have somehow managed to remain undetected, until recently. Putting 1 and 1 together, I am of the opinion that our dear friends from the Consortium may have agitated the kobolds. Why the miners believe Sharrowsmith is responsible, is something I do not understand."

The Pathfinders get a good start on their information gathering. The Golden Guardian still seems somewhat of a mystical figure. It seems the Aspis Consortium can't leave well enough alone, and promise to agitate on this mission , despite their previous failures against you.

Four bits of info left to claim. Soleil and (hopefully) Talethia still to make a go at it. I'll give through tomorrow before we move on and venture into the wild.

Save for torrential rain alternating with scorching heat, the journey from Fort Bandu to Mount Nakyuk progresses smoothly. Ancient, crumbling stone buildings choked with vines and adorned with bone fetishes emerge from a patch of thick jungle underbrush. A scattering of bones and discarded tools hints that this location was recently inhabited. A gaping stairwell yawns behind a blood-spattered altar, descending to the mysterious depths where the Golden Guardian makes its home.

This blood-spattered alter is where you rescued a group of miners from an impending kobold sacrifice only days ago*. Although you didn’t venture into the place last time, you recollect that it seemed dark, and that you’ll need to take stock of light sources as you enter.

*See Scions of the Sky Key, Part 1.

Is there anything you’d like to do before descending? What light sources will be utilized aside from natural darkvision?

NOTE The skill checks above are still open when Soleil and Talethia join.

Soleil and Magmara do some asking around town to see if they can learn anything more.

Soleil's Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Magmara's Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

And the Kobolds...

Soleil's Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Magmara's Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"From what we have learned," Magmara begins, "their group is led by a man of some renown, an aristocrat some say, who is called Zaril Namoth. He is skilled in the ways of hunting and trapping."

"And we learned that these pastries are delicious!" Soleil adds, referring to the large collection of baked goods she's carrying.

Magmara simply smiles and nods as Soleil offers various pastries to her party members.

Is there anything you’d like to do before descending? What light sources will be utilized aside from natural darkvision?

Now that Talethia is back, she gets a shot at the final bit of info in each category, and then fast-forward to the party at the entrance to the temple with the above to discuss.

You may ask the locals about the Aspis Consortium’s latest movements:

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

You may ask around Fort Bandu for rumors about the Golden Guardian:

Know(Local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

You may ask the local miners about the kobolds of Mount Nakyuk:

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

---

At the temple:
For light, Talethia will cast Light on a rock that she will hand to Tiny to carry. He is on his perch on her backpack, at her shoulder.

After his trying day of failure, Meux happily accepts a pastry from Soleil. He bows.

"Thank you Miss Soleil. Maybe a sweet will bring future success!"

With the earlier post, I believe Meux has satisfied the conditions of his deific obedience, and will have a +2 sacred bonus on Perception checks...?

Gaskar looks around the entrance to the depths below. 'This place looks familiar... ah right.'. The half-orc wanders around the entrance and will start tiptoeing down. He'll put up his ear to see if he hears anything coming from within.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Lighting one of his torches Ki Chin looks to his familiar. "Last time we were here the kobolds almost summoned a dragon I think? What do you think little sister? Up for some dragon?"

Mei licks her lips, looking forward to the challenge of fighting a dragon.

After his trying day of failure, Meux happily accepts a pastry from Soleil. He bows.

"Thank you Miss Soleil. Maybe a sweet will bring future success!"

With the earlier post, I believe Meux has satisfied the conditions of his deific obedience, and will have a +2 sacred bonus on Perception checks...?

Yes, that works.

You descend into the musty depths of the mysterious ruins, where your exploration begins in a maze of half-collapsed rooms and corridors (Map updated).

The air is pleasantly cool in the lightless halls of Ashkurhall. The ceiling is 10 feet high in the entry chamber.

Several of the walls here have deep cracks resulting from tectonic activity or purposeful destruction. A crack in the wall provides cover against creatures on the other side, though creatures in either of the two squares adjacent to a crack can make attacks through it without impediment. Small creatures treat the crack as difficult terrain, whereas a Medium creature must take a move action and succeed at a DC 15 Escape Artist check to pass through. You may also enlarge a crack with a strength check or with damage.

All of the doors in the area are stuck and won't open without sufficient force (breaking via strength or damage).

Two granite statues of dwarves in full armor stand guard in this entrance hall, flanking the entrance to a corridor to the south. Antelope skull patterns painted in red ochre cover each statue’s face. In the wall to the south are two rust-stained iron doors.

How do the intrepid heroes proceed (carefully)?

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Ki Chin proceeds unaware, holding his torch up above his head to see better. The magus keeps a hand on his katan, ready to draw at a moment's notice.

Mei sniffs around, eager to find her next prey.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Ari-Ani Takes 10 on Perception = 18

Examining the eastern door, "It looks like someone was already here. The Consortium is my best guess"

Ari-Ani attempts to enchant herself with her longstrider wand.

UMD+Guidance-: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Perception (+2 Sacred): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Meux descends into the depths with his friends. Though in his element, favored terrain for his Fey Magic trait-(Underground caves/dungeons) his lack of attention to scholastics is brought to the fore-as he has no knowledge of this specific structure to offer anything pertinent. He will have to attend to that in the future. He concurs with Ari Ani on the assessment of the door.

"Yes, yes. No doubt previously pried open by a crowbar-like tool!"

Talethia surveys the stonework of the hall.

Know(History): 1d20 ⇒ 18

"Wow, this place is pretty old, near 3,000 years, I suspect. And really rough for Dwarven work. It looks like they built it in a hurry."

She looks at the door:
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"Yeah, this sure looks like it was pried open."

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Soleil listens as others comment about the usage of a crowbar on a statue, and in having the scrapes pointed out to her, simply begins happily singing, "Statue scratch you statue scratch you."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Magmara smiles briefly as her "sister" starts singing then lightly taps her arm to silence her. She then adjusts her grip on her hammer as if to indicate that they may need to use their weapons soon. Soleil responds with a wicked smile.

Magmara then begins inspecting the ground to see if she can get some idea of the size of the group that came through ahead of them.

Survival: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1

Soleil, seeing Magmara's action, begins trying to also search for tracks.

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

Meux opens his mouth to correct Soleil that the marks were on the doors and not the statues, but gets drawn in by her little alliterative sing-song and finds himself bobbing his head to her beat. He then turns to the Half-Orc, feeling that they should get down to business.

"Gaskar, do you think it prudent to inspect the doors before we make our way through? I believe you would the most qualified to do so. If we are to advance our constructive effort, it may be Business Time!"

Gaskar groans at the mention of the Aspis. He'll nod at Meux's suggestion and slowly walk up to the door that was pried open. 'Hmm' he thinks as he strokes his chin.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

He looks at the door and examines it thoroughly - or so he thinks. The half-orc slowly opens up the door to peer inside.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Ari-Ani examines the door Take 10 on perception for a 28

"It looks as if we are not the only ones who have come this way. It is a safe bet the Consortium is already here."

Ari attempt to enchant herself with her longstrider wand.

UMD+Guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16

UMD+Guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 23

Ari then attempt to use her Heightened Awreness wand.

UMD+Guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
UMD+Guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28

Ari-Ani also attempts to move stealthily Take 10 + Guidance = 22

"It looks as if we are not the only ones who have come this way. It is a safe bet the Consortium is already here."

Remember who you're searching for too. He has almost certainly been here already, and the kobolds had taken up residence here (and aren't necessarily entirely out). You don't yet have evidence the consortium has been here (yet?).

The adventurers notice the tampering with the Eastern door. Gaskar and Ari Ani make a point to move quietly. Meanwhile Ari Ani successfully activates two wands.

Tracks are hard to come by on this hard-granite floor and none are presently found.

Which path will the adventurers take?

One of the two doors, or down the open passageway?

Ki Chin peers at the marks closely. Is it kobold height or man height? "We should attempt to be stealthy to avoid alerting the Consortium should they already be here. The doors look like they will make a great deal of noise if we pry them open.

Pulling on his knowledge of geography Ki Chin tries to remember if this place is prone tectonic activity which might worsen the cracks.
Knowledge(Geography): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Gaskar holds out his hands for Ari-Ari in an after you motion. 'Drat - forgot to get some tools while we were in town'. Gaskar shrugs and waits for the other rogue to do rogue-y things.

"Yes, how rude of me to overlook your proficiency Ari Ani! As you will."

"I do no think there i much to be gained by my sneaking ahead. We are large group and perhaps our best option is to simply be prepared. "

Ari-Ani will keep an eye out for traps.

Meux's eyes dart back and forth from Gaskar to Ari Ani and back again.
Not to be accused of sloughing off responsibility, he rolls up the sleeves on the silk shirt under his Lamellar cuirass, spits on his hands, and approaches the door to try and engage in an almost certain act of futility.

STR (previously pried open door): 1d20 ⇒ 18

East or West door? I'll assume that's where you're proceeding forward.

East-the one shows signs of previous entrance

Due to the previous tampering, Meux is able to easily break the Eastern door open and let everybody through.

The air in this room smells stale. Map updated! A pile of rocks sits on the dust-covered floor in one corner of the room. The team makes several observations as they enter the room...

Going with first success on any trivial perceptions

Ki-Chin notices that only a single human-sized creature wearing boots has visited the room recently.

Gaskar notices that the door on the south wall is bent slightly inward as a result of... something pressing against it from the other side.

Gaskar then notices something else... The pile of rocks in the corner is too orderly to be a natural feature. Curious, he approaches it and finds a satchel. Inside, he finds a journal (see Player Handout #2 and Player Handout #3).

The satchel also contains several items that resonate as magic:

What does the team do with these observations?

Gaskar moves in and high-fives Meux as he passes. He points to the door in the south and shrugs, inferring someone else might want to take a look at it.

Then something piques his interest. A pile of rocks too unnatural. He walks over and pulls out a satchel. Opening up the satchel, he starts reading a journal. He waves over some others while reading. "Hmmmm..."

When the door actually gives to his efforts, Meux stands aghast for a few moments. A victorious smile curls over his mouth and he turns around with a swole-duckface expression, nodding his head in self approval.

"Behold the might in the servants of the beloved Dawnflowah!"

When Gaskar puts up his hand, the gnome jumps to the very-high-five offered to him.

Athletics(high-five): 1d20 ⇒ 13

And then tries to retain his footing from the force of it.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Ki Chin crouches down to take a closer look at the tracks.
"Hmm. Look at the tracks here. It looks like a human sized foot print." the Tian says as he points the tracks out to the others.

"I think these are Sharrowsmith's tracks. I..." the magus starts to say before he is interrupted.

Mei pricks her ears up as she hears the scurrying of small feet. She sniffs before she starts to growl to alert her human. Prey!

Ki Chin turns to his familiar to see her growling at the door to the hallway.

"What is it Mei? Have you found something?" He asks before he cocks his head to one side, trying to see if he can hear anything. He turns to the others. "I think we might be having company. I hear something small scurrying around. Maybe on the other side of the hall from here." he says as he points at the door. "Might be the kobolds."

Gaskar smiles as the gnome jumps up for the high five. "Must protect this one.". Then Mei notices something and Gaskar pulls out his flail, ready to swing at anything that comes out.

The footsteps don't last long. It's almost as if they detect you quieting down to listen.

Anything else you want to do in this room? If not, where to next?

Ari-Ani draws her maces.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Talethia has been using Detect Magic, looking at the stuff they found, but has no idea what any of it does. She's definitely not a magic academic.