Gurkagh |
Gurkagh seemed a bit dazed and confused after being knocked unconscious during the demon fight. But after a good night's rest, he's back to his usual jovial self. "Gurkagh say, demons bad, friends good!"
GM Badblood |
Oops, there actually was a treasure hoard that the gibrileth had. Anyone who searched for it was also exposed to demon plague. Since there are multiple people who can cure disease we won't worry about it.
With the help of his allies' divine powers, Andor and his familiar are healed of the demonic plague.
The rest of the journey back is uneventful and they a greeted warmly by the Red Winter tribe when they return. Thanok Sundered Bear appears genuinely surprised and glad to see the Pathfinders, especially when they roll out the skin of the slain gibrileth.
With Bloodspeaker Velka translating, Thanok says "I truly thought that I was sending you to your death. No Kellid has ever slain a filth demon. You have earned our respect and may build your campsite where ever you would like."
There are two more sites to survey, each about two days away. The giant' camp and a natural spring.
Andor Katsu |
Andor beams.
”Thank you very much! We all hope that our joint alliance will lead to victories for you and for us!“ he says with a bow.
GM Badblood |
Thanok Sundered Bear replies, "Yes, we will look forward to trading with you and fighting by your side to clean the land of corruption!"
After two days of travel, the party reaches the old cave network. There is several hundred feet of relatively gentle climbing up to reach the network of caves.
Although nowhere near as high as the Tusk Mountains’ snowcapped peaks, the location provides a commanding view. The Thunder Steppes and Sarkorian Steppe are both visible to the east. To the west, a canyon of red rock forms an ugly scar across the grays, browns, and greens of the mountains.
by others, evidenced by the remains of fires and litter. Some of the tracks left in the dust, though old, are large enough to belong to humanoids that could be at least 15 feet tall. (Can make an additional Knowledge (Local) check)
Andor Katsu |
Kn geography, free inspiration : 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 9 + (6) = 32
“Hey! Look there. The red rock formation is the Red Rune Canyon, a corrupted place that some hypothesize is connected to the Worldwound and drives any animals brave enough to enter it mad. Let’s check it out! The demon cannot be far away!“ Andor says.
survival, spending 1 inspiration : 1d20 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 1 + (6) = 21
“Well, here my assessment: The cave network is dry, sheltered, and spacious, but provides little else. The space can easily accommodate a few dozen Pathfinder agents, a handful of large animals, and the supplies necessary to support them! But that is not the whole story! The cave network sees frequent use as a campsite by others, evidenced by the remains of fires and litter. Some of the tracks left in the dust, though old, are large enough to belong to humanoids that could be at least 15 feet tall. What could that be?“ Andor thinks.
kn local, free inspiration : 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 9 + (5) = 25
GM Badblood |
The tracks appear to belong to frost giants. It is unclear when they were last here, but it has been over a month ago at least.
Andor Katsu |
perception : 1d20 + 25 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 25 + 2 = 46
Andor searches the area properly to be sure they did not miss anything.
“Team, The tracks appear to belong to frost giants. It is unclear when they were last here, but it has been over a month ago at least. Let’s check out the last site and kill the other demon! Then we can decide which site we report to the Society!“ Andor says.
Meylara Raven |
Let me take a look at these things. Some of them might be useful.
I can take 10 on Spellcraft to get the boots and the soapstone, but will need to roll on the rest.
Spellcraft on shield: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Spellcraft on book: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Spellcraft on sword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
I believe that only succeeds on the book.
It's a couple of days travel back to the camp, right? so we should be rested with a normal spell loadout by the time we are back.
GM Badblood |
Yeah, there multiple days of traveling without encounters.
The party reaches the old giant camp and explores it thoroughly. The next campsite is also about two days travel away and the journey is relatively uneventful.
Nestled among the foothills along the base of the Tusk Mountains, a large steaming pool of bubbling water warms the nearby area, providing a welcome break from the chill winds that blow across the Thunder Steppes.
Mykel Therinor |
survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Hmmm...the water is fine...no sulfur, which would be expected because it's hot...a spring of some sort. No shelter from either the wildlife or the elements...not exactly an ideal spot for a base camp... Mykel says as he looks around the area.
Carina Villasani |
"Okay, so our options are: this site, which has water, and not much else going for it; the caves, which offer shelter, and little else, and is an occasional camp for frost giants; and the town, which has water and shelter, but was abandoned for unknown reasons," Carina says as she summarizes the choices, " Any opinions?"
Mykel Therinor |
Well, given what we know...and what we don't actually...I think the caves might be the way. If we knew why the town was abandoned...I would say there. If the beast we slew was the reason it was left, then I would say there. If we knew more....
Gurkagh |
Even though he doesn't quite understand the conversation, Gurkagh smiles and nods throughout.
Happy to go along with whatever the group wants.
Andor Katsu |
Well, given what we know...and what we don't actually...I think the caves might be the way. If we knew why the town was abandoned...I would say there. If the beast we slew was the reason it was left, then I would say there. If we knew more....
”I agree with Mykel, let’s go for the caves!“ Andor says.
Meylara Raven |
I'm not so sure. The town seems like the most promising spot. Can we not advise settling there with the warning to be prepared for whatever threat caused it to be abandoned? The caves offer shelter, but the Frost Giant threat is real and will be enough of a problem to make it not viable unless we maintain a large guard force. This site, with water and no shelter or natural defenses, would be the worst - it will attract large natural predators who need the water. I think the town has more advantages.
Mykel Therinor |
I agree, to a point. My reasoning is based on what we don't know...if we can't determine what ran the townspeople off, can we really recommend it? At the very least, we know the drawbacks to the other two sites. What we should do it present all our findings and let the higher ups make the choice...i know that's not how it's supposed to work...just rp'ing it...
Meylara Raven |
We know what the threats are for the other two sites and both are enough to destroy a small settlement. We don't know the threat for the town, but there is a real chance there is none, and it was abandoned for some unrelated reason.
GM Badblood |
Meylara and Mykel debate the respective merits of the giant caves versus the abandoned town. Andor sides with Mykel and Gurkagh unhelpfully sits out on the conversation. The only one not to weigh in yet is the Captain, but it seems that Meylara has convinced Mykel to reluctantly accept that despite its creepiness, the abandoned town has the best available resources for a base camp.
Aram Zay gave the party a beacon, and I believe that the party is supposed to activate at the site of their choosing. So you do have to make a choice. And it sounds like you're going with the ghost town.
During their travels, Meylara finds a peaceful clearing on a hill overlooking a small river valley. The clearing faces to the west and would make for an excellent place to watch the setting sun. The ground is rocky so there are plenty of stones to use for a burial mound and the location is unlikely to attract many predators. It is as beautiful place as any to lay the bones of Petal to rest.
Raynor Cordite |
Same
Andor Katsu |
Andor nods.
"Good, let us choose the town! Aram will surely be happy that so much infrastructure is already available and I hope that the Pathfinders that arrive will be able to face the challenges."
He thinks for a moment.
"Well, Aram is usually never happy as my sister Zaarah cannot stop point out so cut the happy part out of my last statement." Andor says.
GM Badblood |
The Pathfinders return to the ghost town and activate the teleport beacon. After a long hour of waiting, Aram Zay suddenly appears. He looks around passively before saying, "So this is the site that you think is the best? I hope you made the right choice. The world may depend on it."
Then the wizard begins to cast a spell and a foot and a half diameter orb that looks similar to shimmering water appears at about chest height for an average human.
Those who have done any missions inside the Hao Jin Tapestry would immediately recognize the portal.
"OK. You're work is done for now. You can give your full report to Valsin. He may have more work for you also. After all, there is a war coming."
And without a word he turns away from the group and begins to survey the campsite.
Gurkagh |
Gurkagh smiles broadly and looks utterly confused about what to do next.
Andor Katsu |
Andor nods and says farewell to his fellow companions.