[Outpost IV] PFS 1e - 9-22: Grotto of the Deluged God (Inactive)

Game Master MauveAvengr

Let me know if you're done with the Tempest Monarch. You are welcome to ask it more questions. You can also continue examining the room and/or the anomaly, as well as identify the longsword, potion, and silken rope.

The Tempest Monarch nods to the Pathfinders. "Take this bag of gold and some scales. Use it to recruit new followers." The dragon sheds some scales for you to use. "And bring back that scroll!"

You now must now exit the cave the same way you entered! With some rowing checks. Please roll a DC 15 Strength or Dexterity check or a DC 18 Profession (sailor) check to move forward safely. If you fail, you will randomly be swept in 20 feet in a random direction. If you succeed, you will move forward 30 feet. You will need to move at least 60 feet to exit the cave (so two successful checks)!

As with before, only one person can do the main check and everyone else can aid. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves to see who will do the main check and who will aid.

Òxọ́lé can't identify and won't be much help with the boat, but can try to aid on Strength (+3) or Dexterity (+1) checks.

Back on the boat, Òxọ́lé quietly asks his companions, "We might not be the right team to deal with the dragon, but we're certainly not doing their shopping for them, right?"

Cynan is a mirror of Oxole: +1 strength and +3 dexterity.

Cynan also lowers his voice, "We, my friend, are getting the heck out of Caliphas."

"I'll take 'Ability Pairs Whose Bonus Adds Up To 4,' Alex; what is... Strength and Dexterity?"

Vari is a +0 Str and +4 Dex; she doesn't have Profession (sailor). Currently, that looks like a Vari-led, Dexterity-based expediction, but let's see what the others have.

"Hey, it's a dragon, and we're walking--well, sailing--away alive! I'm entering the Absalom lottery when I get back!"

Jyrrar has a DEX of +3 so I think it is a wash here. Still he will assist Vari here.

DEX check, aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"I see no reason to honor the dragon's wishes here."

Dexterity, aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Vari takes the rudder as they start trying to navigate their way out of the ocean cave, grateful to have quick hands standing by to help guide her.

She watches the current and walls, readying a spell for the right moment. When it looks critical, she quickly casts burst of adreneline to help her navigate the tight spot.

Dexterity, burst of adrenaline: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 4 = 18 plus associated aid bonuses

She slumps slightly on the rudder afterwards, but is back to her normal self in just a few moments. 1 round of fatigue as a result of the spell.

After Vari recovers, Cynan tries to help with the second half of the journey.
dex aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Hopefully I won't embarrass myself this time.

Dexterity, Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Well.

Once Vari slumps back in her seat, Jyrrar takes over here...

Dex check DC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Dex aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Mejinago joined the others as they tried to maneuver the boat.

Vari throws everything she has into continuing to guide the boat, lending her tired but helping hand to Jyrrar on the rudder.

Dexterity (aid) DC 10, fatigued: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 2 = 6

Vari starts out rowing the boat hard. With the help of a little spell, she feels her blood fill with adrenaline as the swan boat steams ahead. The others help, pointing out rocks or outcrops the wayang needs to avoid. Full steam ahead!

But nearing the exit, Vari slumps over, exhausted. Jyrrar takes over for her and continues steering the boat out. They barely make it out, scratching the hull of the ship on some hidden rocks.

Now they've made it out! They travel back towards the Grinning Pixie. A pinpoint on the horizon resolves into the sight of another small boat - not the Grinning Pixie as they'd hoped. As it nears, it brings with it the fragrent scents and bright colors of garlands of flowers. In the boat are several masked figures, unarmed and wearing ceremonial regalia. They seem shocked to see a vessel emerging from the cave, and stare openly. "What was your business in the sacred grotto of our god?" one of them calls. "No one, not even we, may enter!"

"Oooh, looks like the Cult of the Eye; I've heard about them before..."

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Vari is in The Concordance; she opened the spoiler for free. This is to see if she knows anything more about the Cult of the Eye (because Vari's player doesn't know anything about them.

"We were investigating the disappearance of some Pathfinders," she answers. "But don't worry; we were very respectful of everything in there! We didn't desecrate your space, but it's good that you don't enter yourselves, as it's a bit dangerous!"

Diplomacy, The Concordance: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 5 = 13

"Tell us about what rituals you observe here; I'd love to learn more."

k-rel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Mejinago quickly remembered hearing about the Cult of the Eye, trying to defuse the incident by trying to come up with a reasonable response as to why they were there.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Òxọ́lé whispers, "Maybe we can get them to fight the dragon?"

Diplomacy, Concordance, Aid: 1d20 - 3 + 5 ⇒ (4) - 3 + 5 = 6

Can't save rerolls for later.

Diplomacy, Concordance, Aid, Reroll: 1d20 - 3 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) - 3 + 5 + 2 = 23

"Friends, we did not mean to intrude on your sacred cavern. The currents here were simply too strong for us and we were washed inside. As an apology, we can tell you that we are not the only ones who have entered. There is a creature within who is claiming it as their own!"

No skill to know if the Tempest Monarch is their god, so this is a shot in the dark.

"I believe they would just begin to worship the dragon, as an emmissary of their God..."

Not wishing to enrage the newcomers further Jyrrar keeps silent here, only nodding in agreement with Òxọ́lé here.

”Sacred, eh? Somebody should put a sign up.”

diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Papa Òxọ́lé knows something about the Cult of the Eye.

"We come bearing gifts for the currents, may they carry them inward.". One gasps when Papa Òxọ́lé claims there is a creature inside. "Prove it! Why should we believ you."

The cutlists are carrying a feather token (fan), a wand of alter winds (CL 4th, 6 charges, and a carved marble idol in the shape of a hurricane. You've improved their deposition to indifferent, but can improve it more with proof of whats in. You can also try to convince the cultists to give you the items (Bluff or Diplomacy), otherwise they'll give these gifts to the currents/grotto.

Vari reaches for the bag the dragon gave them. "The dragon gave us some of its scales to use to recruit new followers!" She pulls a pair of the shiny scales out, holding them aloft in her hand so they can be well seen by all.

One of the cultists nods. "A dragon! How interesting. It'll surely like these gifts."

The followers start putting their gifts on little rafts and pushing them towards the grotto (unless anyone stops them).

(You might be also to convince them to ally with the Pathfinder Society and the Concordance of Elements with a DC 18 Diplomacy check. )

"Hey, those are pretty valuable items you're about to float in there; I'm pretty sure they can be put to better use. That dragon tried to kill us, and now only let us leave because we convinced it that we'd worship it. Serious personality issues; I'm not kidding."

She grabs an oar and blocks the little rafts from floating further. "Listen, we're from the Pathfinder Society, and I work with them for the Concordance of the Elements. We could use the help of devoted folks like yourselves. Would you consider putting your efforts towards our practical work here on Golarion and through the larger multiverse instead? We'd love to have you! I'll be your sponsor," she concludes with enthusiasm, adding a small magical boost to her words.

Diplomacy, burst of insight: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 4 = 23

Whatever the answer, Vari stares at them somewhat absent-mindedly as they reply, her attention momentarily elsewhere. Similar to adrenaline's fatigued condition, Vari is dazed for 1 round after casting burst of insight.

Diplomacy, Aid, Concordance: 1d20 - 3 + 5 ⇒ (5) - 3 + 5 = 7

"Yeah, our bosses love... anomalies. Like your god."

Cynan nods, "Yeah, anything weird, they're into it."

aid diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

The lead cultist, a red-headed woman with dark green eyes, nods at Vari. "You are chosen servants of the Eye." She walks rows over to the swan boat. "Take these gifts and spread the word of the Eye. We will come back later bearing other gifts."

She rows back to the others. "We will consider joining with the Pathfinders and this Concordance of Elements. We'll have to take this proposal back to our leaders. But no firm promises."

Any more roleplay or ready to head back to the Grinning Pixie?

Cynan grins, "That all seems about right. Good to meet you all."

After they have rowed off, Òxọ́lé says, "I guess it counts for something that we're denying resources to the dragon."

"Yes, a wise course of action I agree," Jyrrar nods, "I say we return to our vessel and inform Captain Benarry of our discoveries."

The Pathfinders return to the Grinning Pixie and find Calisro Benarry waiting, with a few exhausted sailors. These are the survivors of the shipwreck, whom Benarry found in Driftport. "What did you find? Did you find out what happened to the Pride of Aspenthar? What about the source of the currents?"

"Yeah, it's a dragon!" Vari blurts out, dramatically. "Well, it's not a dragon doing it--he might actually be trapped there himself--it's really a planar anomaly that's creating the winds and currents, but the dragon is there beside it, and we should really get hazard pay. It tried to kill us, and only relented when we pretended to be its subjects. Sort of pretended; it didn't really probe our bluff, really."

"Additionally, the Cult of the Eye considers the cave to be sacred ground. Whether that is because of the dragon or the anomaly, they have been sending items in as tribute.

Òxọ́lé opens the bag where the group had placed the scales, gold and tribute.

"We convinced both dragon and cult to present us with goods, ostensibly to help build their organizations. Of course, they will remain with ours."

Cynan purses his lips in disappointment, ”We found our guy. He’s dead.”

"We believe he was a victim of mutiny," Jyrrar adds, "but we were able to recover his log book."