(PFS2) Bounty / Quest Rotation (B4, B5, B7, B8, Q1) @ "The Sandstone Secret" (Inactive)

Game Master rainzax

A caravan is set to depart from the small town of Grayce, but it needs some capable guards. It's up to the PCs to step in and ensure the caravan, and its passengers, reach their destination.


Scaling @ 5 PCs
Maps > Maps / Slides
GM Mike Hallet's Skills / Exploration Activities Chart > LINK
Bounty / Quest Rotation > B4 / B5 / B7 / B8 / Q1 @ rainzax / Hmm / Mike Hallet / Quentin Coldwater (x2)
Action Symbols > Single (◆), Double (◆◆), Triple (◆◆◆), Free (◇), Reaction (↺)
Status Symbols > ♥️ hit points, ☘️ hero points, ✋ held items, ⚕ status conditions


51 to 100 of 486 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | next > last >>
Grand Archive

Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

Oops, should've specified, DC is 17. Dusty is fine.

Horizon Hunters

1 person marked this as a favorite.
CG Male Human (Versatile Heritage) Fighter 1| HP 22/22 | AC 18 | F +8 R +6 W +4 | Perc +6 | Stealth +1 | speed 25| Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: ---

Everyone okay? The world is still a bit blurry but I feel fine. What were those things? Ron rubs his eyes trying to clear his vision to no avail.

staying with the same exploration. Would like to wait the 1 minute for dazzled to go away we are ready to go.

Horizon Hunters

"It all comes down to logic" | 820-2003 | Male Feytouched Gnome Dandy Investigator 6 HP 68/68 | AC 23 | F +11 R +12 W +11 | Perc +10 | 25 Speed | Hero Points 2/3 | Campaign Coins 1/1 | Active Conditions: Resistance Negative Energy 1 -- | Cases: ---

Zendel does not shoot at the fleeing dusty creature. It would be bad form to attack it after offering it the opportunity to flee.

He does shout, "Очень мудрое решение! Надеюсь, мы больше никогда не встретимся!"

Terran:
"Very wise decision! I hope we never meet again!"

"I am fine, thank you." Zendel furrows his brow at Ron's question. "I have no idea what they were, other than very rude. I shall have to look them up when I find a good library." He turns to the others. "The day will only get hotter. Let's continue investigating, and see what we might find." He looks around for tracks or any sign of the bandit camp.

Zendel is continuing to Investigate, still actively pursuing the lead on his Puzzlebox.

Vigilant Seal

LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

"Very well, let's continue," Ignatius concurs. However it is hard to ignore that there is something otherworldly, and not in a good way, about his voice.

He resumes his patrolling.

Continue to scout


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

Through the Mirage (Part One)

It is here that just through the mirage over the pool of water (which, incidentally, has tracks leading to it...) you see a large "creature" looming in the vicinity...

...

Players may make a single Perception (Visual) check, opening any met spoilers below. If you move to within 20 feet of the "creature", you automatically improve your outcome by one step!

Less than 15:

You peer though the hazy mirage!

The creature - you are unsure if it is real of illusory - looks like an oversized lion with wings!

DC 15:

As above, but it also has the face of a man, and seems to be fiddling with something in it's paws.

If you are Trained in Arcana or Nature, you can attempt to Identify the creature (see below)!

DC 20:

As above, and it sits with it's hind legs partially submerged in the water, and, is that a... camel it has opened with it's claws, leaving a bloody mess upon the sand?

If you are Trained in Arcana or Nature, you can attempt to Identify the creature (see below), and gain a +2 circumstance bonus to the check!

DC 25:

As above, and it does not look to be holding a hostile posture towards your group - in fact, it actually seems disinterested!...

...

If prompted to Identify (from spoilers above):

DC less than 15:

You have no idea what you are looking at, but it has very large claws...

DC 15:

As above, but you do know this is some sort of intelligent Beast, and furthermore you recognize this to be a very powerful creature, easily capable of killing the whole party without breaking a sweat, if it felt so inclined.

You think it would be possible to appease it.

DC 24:

As above, but you know this creature to be a "Sphinx". You also recall their culture is known to regard riddles as a form of "sacred trust"...

DC 34:

As above, but you can ask the GM an additional question about it's capabilities!

...

Map is Updated!

The Party is Up!

Horizon Hunters

CG Male Human (Versatile Heritage) Fighter 1| HP 22/22 | AC 18 | F +8 R +6 W +4 | Perc +6 | Stealth +1 | speed 25| Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: ---

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

well, this would be more useful if Ron had some brains.

Quite, there is a strange creature up ahead. I can say I have never seen something like it before. A lion with wings and the head of a human. It looks like it killed a camel recently... I was expecting bandits. Ron whispers to the group, trying to stay out of the notice of the thing. Any of you know anything about it? Should we go in with hot metal or is it intelligent and can be talked with?

Horizon Hunters

"It all comes down to logic" | 820-2003 | Male Feytouched Gnome Dandy Investigator 6 HP 68/68 | AC 23 | F +11 R +12 W +11 | Perc +10 | 25 Speed | Hero Points 2/3 | Campaign Coins 1/1 | Active Conditions: Resistance Negative Energy 1 -- | Cases: ---

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Zendel's monocle had gotten dust on it, and he was still polishing it when Ron described the creature to him.

Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"Put your weapons away. They're no use against that powerful of a creature. But with a human head, it likely has a human mind and can be reasoned with and appeased."

Envoy's Alliance

Male human bard 1 | HP 17 | Perception +7 | AC 15; Fort +4; Ref +3; Will +7

Perception (Visual): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Unfortunately I'm not the "living lorebook" kind of bard, so no identification for me.

Matei inspects the creature from afar, trying to assess if it's dangerous.

It doesn't seem interested in what we're doing, at least for the moment. Maybe we should leave it be and go on with our expedition?


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

It suddenly dawns on everyone that the creature can hear them!

"'It' can be appeased, yes 'It' can" the creature's voice is low and carries far "Not that 'it' cares much about another group of marauders..."

Matei:

There is something else it seems to be fiddling with in it's paws... something shiny...

Vigilant Seal

1 person marked this as a favorite.
LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Nature: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25

Ignatius sees the creature and grips his halberd even tighter though he makes no move towards it.

"This beast is a sphinx," the aspiring Hellknight alerts the party, practically spitting out the word beast between gritted teeth as if it were some sort of pejorative.

Bit of background: Ignatius is going to join the Order of the Nail and part of their charge is to stop wild animals and beasts that threaten civilization, so he has already developed a disliking of beasts in general. He assumes they are just as wild and lawless but more intelligent thus more dangerous.

"And you? Have you devoured anyone that failed to solve your riddles? Have you marauded any caravans? Did that camel belong to anyone? What is it you have got in your paws?"

Clearly Ignatius didn't believe this creature was some preserver of the law and it sounded like he was interrogating the sphinx.

Horizon Hunters

CG Male Human (Versatile Heritage) Fighter 1| HP 22/22 | AC 18 | F +8 R +6 W +4 | Perc +6 | Stealth +1 | speed 25| Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: ---

When the creature begins to speak, Ron clams up. Not prepared to talk and accidentally further insult it. He drops his hand away from his sword on his hilt, but keeps his shield in hand.

His mouth falls open at Ignatius's questioning as he looks to the others in the group to see if anyone else feels things suddenly got more hostile.

Grand Archive

Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

Heh, looks like our posts crossed each other, things got a little mixed up.

As Dusty flies away, there's a blur in the air and it seems to Vanvathar that he changes shape - could that be a mirage, or the aftereffects of that dust? But no time to look into it, as a new problem pops up.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Arcana: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20

Vanvathar takes a few steps back as realisation dawns that the beast could kill the group without much effort, and then it speaks back.

"Ignatius, are you sure you want to antagonise this being further? Looks like they can kill us without breaking a sweat - and considering the environment, that's impressive."

Out of character, no harm done. Just some roleplay. :)


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

Twitching his tail as Ignatius sasses him, he answers the questions with questions “Are you here to attack me, too?” the sphinx asks sulkily. He walks right up to the Hellknight slowly, smiling mischievously, as if daring him to strike "This oasis's previous inhabitants had that idea too - at least at first - Are you any different?"

Having gotten up, you can see he has left behind an intricately carved puzzle box on the sand...

Horizon Hunters

"It all comes down to logic" | 820-2003 | Male Feytouched Gnome Dandy Investigator 6 HP 68/68 | AC 23 | F +11 R +12 W +11 | Perc +10 | 25 Speed | Hero Points 2/3 | Campaign Coins 1/1 | Active Conditions: Resistance Negative Energy 1 -- | Cases: ---

Zendel suddenly wishes that he had the height to gag Ignatius, but too late now. He comes forward and bows, "Clearly, there is a difference of perspective here. Please, allow me to..." He pauses, his mind racing. ...offer myself as a snack? By Abadar, I hope not. "...mediate between these perspectives. I am Zendel, an investigator and a scholar. I am seeking a puzzlebox that was stolen by the bandits who lived in this camp, Have you perhaps seen it? My brash and opinionated colleague in the armor is Ignatius. Then we have Ron here, a genial if unexperienced young fellow who wishes to become a Pathfinder and travel the world. Matei is a doctor, and has an inspiring presence. And Vanvathar here has a sick gecko with a problematic magical affliction and is seeking aid for it -- though he is currently assisting me first in the search for the stolen puzzlebox."

Zendel pulls out the bounty poster and shows it to the sphinx. "If you let us search this area for it, we can then take our leave of you, and allow you to finish your camel meal."

Diplomacy, Pursue a Case: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

As the sphinx drops the puzzlebox, Zendel makes no sudden move to retrieve it -- yet.

Vigilant Seal

1 person marked this as a favorite.
LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

"I am here to uphold the law. Where did you get that puzzle box? Our patron has hired us to retrieve one that was stolen by bandits around here."

Horizon Hunters

"It all comes down to logic" | 820-2003 | Male Feytouched Gnome Dandy Investigator 6 HP 68/68 | AC 23 | F +11 R +12 W +11 | Perc +10 | 25 Speed | Hero Points 2/3 | Campaign Coins 1/1 | Active Conditions: Resistance Negative Energy 1 -- | Cases: ---

"And being lawful, we would not think of attacking an honorable sphinx without full evidence that they did anything wrong." Zendel takes a deep breath and glances up at Ignatius. "I am as lawful as you, Ignatius, but we don't know what happened here yet."

"Honorable sphinx, what shall we call you? Can you tell us your story and how you came upon this camp and the puzzlebox?"


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

"Puzzle box?" he points to the still-locked box casually with a full rake of sharp claws "Yes it is there - I have bored with it..." he raises an eyebrow here, knowing now that the discarded treasure can act like a bargaining chip in this negotiation - even one borne out of sheer boredom!

"You may call me Handsome Zandyk the Gre-" he seems to rethink the last word here "... no, not Great, hmm, perhaps Merciful?" as he says this word, his eyes hungrily scan the group of five below him "Perhaps, perhaps..." talking to himself now, he returns to coherence "Well, let's see how you can call me. Tell me: Does this one dance?" pointing to Ignatius here, then quickly shifting attention to Vanvathar "Cursed you say? I once dreamed of studying at the Magaambya to learn of your curses, magic and history, but now I am close to abandoning my dreams and returning home to my mountain" he looks at 1d5 ⇒ 5 Matei here "Maybe with a snack? That camel meat is tough..."

He walks in a circle in place here, and slumping down, raises a single paw as if to lick it, but instead, inspects his claws and says "Very well: Appease me!"


Lost on Spirit Road (Maps) | Action Symbols ➤ (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺) | Spell Templates | Hero Points @ Brendar (☑□), Natalu (☑☑☑), Zisiro (□□□) | Status Symbols: ♥️ hit points, ☘️ hero points, ✋ held items, ⚕ status condition | Contact Sheet

Appeasement Tracker:

Ignatius @ Talk Philosophy (Hell Lore) @ 23+ Critical Success
Matei @ ??
Ron @ ??
Vanvathar @ ??
Zendel @ Introducing Everyone Ingratiatingly (Diplomacy) @ 14 Failure

...

The Party is Up!

Vigilant Seal

LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

"Appease you, Ignatius scoffs almost indignantly, before pondering his next words. "Very well, let me tell you of the powers behind the thrice-damned House of Thrune and you will maybe understand why we fear no man or beast."

Ignatius begins to lecture him on the hierarchy of Hell, cruel bargains and the baleful power that flows from it.

Hell Lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Trying a hero point.

Hell Lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

"That is the Question, isn't it? To Fear Man? Or to Fear Beast?" he muses as Ignatius - to his surprise! - tickles the philosopher in him. "Tell me armored one: To what difference does one's own position skew perception? For example, If you were to look upon me as a Man, and I were to look upon you as a Beast - well - what then?"

Zandyk rolls onto his side here, tucking his wing to do so, cradling himself in the sand, and claws at the air playfully, an expression of joy at getting someone to play along with him!

Envoy's Alliance

Male human bard 1 | HP 17 | Perception +7 | AC 15; Fort +4; Ref +3; Will +7

Matei feels a bit nervous when he's being considered a snack by such a fearsome creature. Maybe he should have stayed at the tavern, working on his notes...

V-Very well he stutters, then he recompose himself and asks politely How can I appease you, Zandyk? Would you like to hear stories and tales from my homeland, Ustalav, a region that you may have already heard of? Or maybe I can tell you about distant Tian Xia, where my father was born. I know many stories, and I would be glad to share them with you.

He goes on enunciating various tales of Ustalavic and Tian folklore, trying his best to keep the sphinx interested in his storytelling.

Performance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Vigilant Seal

LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

"Does the prisoner thank the jailer for the bread and water set before them? The time, place, and persons when, where and to whom we are born are fixed. Therefor we can not ever have complete freedom of our circumstances. We are prisoners of fate. My kindred are the rightful rulers of Cheliax yet I would wish us free of the hellish chains that bind us in our infernal pact. Yet, I cannot. That path was chosen for me and is in my blood. So while your circumstances may skew your perception differently, it cannot be helped. Thus it is a waste to dwell on such things."

Horizon Hunters

CG Male Human (Versatile Heritage) Fighter 1| HP 22/22 | AC 18 | F +8 R +6 W +4 | Perc +6 | Stealth +1 | speed 25| Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: ---

Zandyk the merciful, what sort of things do you enjoy? I don't have any grand stories or philosophical debates... but I can make you a small gift out of some supplies but I don't believe I can make something worthy of you. Would a feat of strength appease you?

I am not sure how you would rule crafting as an option here as it takes 4 days to make things. I also do not know if I have the necessary things to craft something (I was thinking carving something out of wood). I do have a repair kit.

Assuming the creature doesn't try to stop Ron, he drops down in the hot sand and in his armor and begins doing push ups.

athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
hero point: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

well that is a bad use of a hero point...

Ron begins doing push-ups, expecting that it would be easy and even expecting to ask Zendel to stand on his back but the sand makes for a surface that is different to keep steady. What was meant to make him look strong ended up making him look clumsy.

sorry guys. Dice wanted Ron to look like a fool haha


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

Zandyk listens intently to the doctor's tales.

"Interesting..." at their conclusion.

He watches Ron exercise on the sand.

"Remarkable!" with clear sarcasm.

He then turns to Ignatius "And yet, dwell we do! Though I agree that we are, to an extent, prisoners of fate, I was hoping you and your kind (Presumably he means "humans" here) would yet find the very chains of that imprisonment to yield - if not to the passage of time for serving a sentence, then to break at the fostering of one's own will - indeed, are not prisoners in your hellish castles known time and again to escape?" he looks around to see if anyone else would like to join in the debate "And for these escapees, was such dwelling a waste?" he answers his own rhetorical question "I think not!" and now the other paw drops as Zandyk circles around to his question "And so I will describe your chains, as indeed, I am your jailor, and do hope that you would thank me for the bread and water set before you: Whenever I try to gift humanoids a riddle, they attack me like beasts!” casting one more glance around the group, he pauses over-dramatically...

Finally: “But are you any different?”

...

Players are encouraged to make a free Trained or Untrained check:

Nature or Occultism DC 12:

Sphinxes typically view riddles as a sacred contract between the riddler and recipient!

Vigilant Seal

LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"You will have to understand why I am suspicious and perhaps others were too. Your kind see riddles as a form of contract, and if there is anything that a Thrune has learned, it is to always read the fine print. So what are your terms?"


Lost on Spirit Road (Maps) | Action Symbols ➤ (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺) | Spell Templates | Hero Points @ Brendar (☑□), Natalu (☑☑☑), Zisiro (□□□) | Status Symbols: ♥️ hit points, ☘️ hero points, ✋ held items, ⚕ status condition | Contact Sheet

Appeasement Tracker:

Ignatius @ Talk Philosophy (Hell Lore) / Hero Point @ 23+ Critical Success
Matei @ Telling Stories (Performance) @ 20 Success
Ron @ Showboating Prowess (Athletics) / Hero Point @ 14 Failure
Vanvathar @ ??
Zendel @ Introducing Everyone Ingratiatingly (Diplomacy) @ 14 Failure

...

Vanvathar!

Grand Archive

Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

Occultism DC12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"As you say, our kind tends to strike before we think, but we are here for a more intellectual pursuit. As my friend Zendel said, I'm here to eventually cure my sick friend, and by extension, myself."

Vanvathar fishes in his robes to find Iggy, who resists being used as a live example. "Come on, Iggy, after all I've done for you, where are you? Don't be such a-"

Eventually, he finds Iggy and holds him out for Zandyk to observe.

"I can explain my findings so far, and all the methods I've tried to cure him, but so far, no luck. Of course, my first attempt was using worryroot combined with sheep's bile and letting that crystallise, but that's more of a folk's tale. Then again, you have to use the old folk's tales first..."

Vanvathar goes into a whole spiel and hopes to engage Zandyk's intellectual side, using all of his knowledge of alchemy and strange magics. All of them are at +7, so flavourfully it's a combination of all of them.

Occultism/Crafting/Herbalism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
No, going to use my Hero Point on that.
Occultism/Crafting/Herbalism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

Zandyk listens intently to the witch's explanation.

"Fascinating" he says at the end.

He turns again to Ignatius "My terms are simple: I have what you want, and if you can guess my riddle, you can take it!" he looks towards the still-locked puzzle box lying on the sand near the water.

To which, he knows, as do they that he does, that the party has really no choice but to make this final appeasement. He pauses here over-dramatically once more, enjoying the tension of holding them down, as if five mice had their tails caught in his single paw. He shares his riddle thus:

"Upon a Dead Throne I leer,
Fatal to mortals below,
My enemies aghast at a Mirror,
I fell with Singular Blow...
What am I?"

...

The Party is Up!


Lost on Spirit Road (Maps) | Action Symbols ➤ (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺) | Spell Templates | Hero Points @ Brendar (☑□), Natalu (☑☑☑), Zisiro (□□□) | Status Symbols: ♥️ hit points, ☘️ hero points, ✋ held items, ⚕ status condition | Contact Sheet

Zandyk's Riddle

Players have 48 Earth Hours to make your single, one-word guess (one per character). You are encouraged to refrain from using the clues below, or, if you like, and your character is Trained in one or more of the skills, to roll the appropriate skill check, and if meeting the DC, to obtain the clue therein!

I leave the decision to you!

Clue #1 (Occultism DC 15):

"...Mirror..."

This play of words seems to signify that the source comes from the self.

Clue #2 (Medicine DC 17):

"...Singular Blow..."

This play of words seems to signify that "fell" means by contrast "to fell many" plurally.

Clue #3 (Religion DC 20):

"...Dead Throne..."

This is a reference to one of the Horsemen of Apocalypse!

Matei - you can substitute Curse Lore against either Clue #1 or Clue #2 (but only one) with a +2 circumstance bonus!

Zendel - your Pursue a Lead bonus can apply to any Clue above, and you can Clue In each of your teammates once each through the course of solving this riddle!

Vigilant Seal

LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

I'm horrible with riddles, so I'm going to try for the hints...

Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

But I will see if anyone wants to try to answer without them first.

Grand Archive

Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

Are we allowed to discuss in-character, or is it supposed to be completely silent?

Horizon Hunters

CG Male Human (Versatile Heritage) Fighter 1| HP 22/22 | AC 18 | F +8 R +6 W +4 | Perc +6 | Stealth +1 | speed 25| Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: ---

are our characters aloud to work together (ie. If one player unlocks a hint, do we all have access?). I am still working on it without the use of hints but just wanted to check in case it comes to that.

already asked and answered.

medicine dc 17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

close but Ron won't be any help in game on this one.

Grand Archive

Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

Not going to roll for clues just yet, this is interesting.

"So... A dead throne..." Vanvathar clearly enjoys the mental challenge. "So, something that used to live.. Maybe something made from wood or bone? That, combined with it being 'from above' and mortal... My first impression is a guillotine?" He looks at the rest of his party for input.

I don't know the riddle, but this was the first that came to mind.

Horizon Hunters

"It all comes down to logic" | 820-2003 | Male Feytouched Gnome Dandy Investigator 6 HP 68/68 | AC 23 | F +11 R +12 W +11 | Perc +10 | 25 Speed | Hero Points 2/3 | Campaign Coins 1/1 | Active Conditions: Resistance Negative Energy 1 -- | Cases: ---

Initial Occultism (prior to Clues): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25

"I have heard that riddles are a sacred contract between the riddler and the recipient in your culture. Very well, I will give this a lot of thought."

Zendel repeats the words to himself.

"Upon a Dead Throne I leer,
Fatal to mortals below,
My enemies aghast at a Mirror,
I fell with Singular Blow...
What am I?"

He scratches at his beard thoughtfully at Vanvathar's proposal. "That is an interesting thought... but no guillotine that I've seen has a place to sit, as indicated by throne. Unless the guillotine itself is sitting on the gallows stage? Also, what guillotine fells multiple victims with a 'Singular' blow?" Zendel's eyes twinkle at Vanvathar. "But I do think that the 'Dead' is a huge clue, as is the 'Mirror.' Mirrors turn up a lot in riddles. Sometimes they are self-reflection, sometimes a metaphor for water or... the mirage of a desert."

He paces. "So who are these 'enemies' who are 'aghast'? Are they the 'mortals below' or someone else? And is the word 'aghast' itself a pun, literally referring to a ghast or undead? I have so many questions!"

"If it weren't for the leer I'd think this had something to do with Pharasma..."

Not rolling for clues yet either, but Zendel will happily offer the +1 to his allies from his clueing you in with Pursue a Lead.

Grand Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

"Hmmm..." Vanvathar muses. "Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see, but a guillotine is fastened at the top, 'sitting' on a throne, and the blade can be polished to a mirror shine.
"But yes, a mirage would be more in theme for a Sphinx.. They certainly reflect, but indeed, the 'felling' doesn't really fit."

Vanvathar goes to sit in the shade and grabs his watersack, sipping occasionally and grabbing a small bowl for Iggy to drink out of.

Horizon Hunters

"It all comes down to logic" | 820-2003 | Male Feytouched Gnome Dandy Investigator 6 HP 68/68 | AC 23 | F +11 R +12 W +11 | Perc +10 | 25 Speed | Hero Points 2/3 | Campaign Coins 1/1 | Active Conditions: Resistance Negative Energy 1 -- | Cases: ---

Zendel nods. "The guillotine mostly fits, but I don't think that it leers. I suppose it's opening could have been considered a mouth, but then its action would have been described as biting, wouldn't it?" Zendel waves a hand, vaguely. "It's not a desert mirage, however appealing the image was. Mirages do not delight in killing."

He paces once again. "What do we know about it? It refers to 'Mortals', so presumably it's not one. We know that it fells many 'enemies' at once and the leer tells us that it enjoys doing so. So..." Zendel starts ticking off fingers. "It could be an abstract concept like War, but I think there would be more battle imagery. Perhaps a death deity or demigod? Hmmm... But one that revels in killing? So not Pharasma. Not her psychopomps. Not any of the other neutral or good death deities like Anubis or Dammerich..."

Okay, I need some clues!

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24
Medicine: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20
Religion: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16

And they bring me no closer!

Vigilant Seal

1 person marked this as a favorite.
LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

"There I spied seated upon the Dead Throne, the First, the one who should not be named. The spire collapsed all around and upon itself as if the house of the devoured one would devour itself. Behind him stood the black rider, the crimson one sat at his right hand, the white lay down at his left, and before him knelt the pale rider. They worshipped the one they conquered as they ate a great feast of souls."

"It's an old, Chelaxian, narrative poem about a man who travelled the River Styx while he yet lived and documented the cruel fates that were visited upon those who were disloyal to the House of Thrune. It was more of a political commentary than a theological treatise really."

"The important part is that the Dead Throne is a place where it is said the first daemon is bound, served by the ones who imprisoned him, the Four Horsemen."

Horizon Hunters

"It all comes down to logic" | 820-2003 | Male Feytouched Gnome Dandy Investigator 6 HP 68/68 | AC 23 | F +11 R +12 W +11 | Perc +10 | 25 Speed | Hero Points 2/3 | Campaign Coins 1/1 | Active Conditions: Resistance Negative Energy 1 -- | Cases: ---

Zendel hits his forehead with a resounding slap. "The four horsemen! Of course!" He pauses. "Chelaxian narratives are almost as grim as those from my parent's homeland, Ustalav." He grins. "It's saying something when I note that hobgoblins have a more cheery outlook."

Still, Ignatius's words spark some recollections on Zendel's part.

Religion: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20

"Only one of those four horsemen, survived. Charon the horseman of Death, and he certainly delights in killing mortals." Zendel turns to the others. "Do you think it might be him?"

Grand Archive

Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

Rolling for clues now.

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Medicine: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Bah, useless.

Vanvathar frowns. "Are we sure the subject of this riddle kills many at once? The riddle just says enemies fear the subject, and they are felled in a singular blow. Is that one blow apiece, or all at once? That might reduce its scope of power significantly.
"Though I agree, the first two lines do evoke a certain position of power and status. It's just, the 'mirror' throws me for a loop..."

English isn't my native language, so I might just be misinterpreting, my apologies.

Vigilant Seal

LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |
Zendel of Oprak wrote:
"Only one of those four horsemen, survived. Charon the horseman of Death, and he certainly delights in killing mortals." Zendel turns to the others. "Do you think it might be him?"

"I think it might be the concept of mortal death itself. As one ages, the specter of death looms over them. When they look in the mirror it reminds you that time draws ever nearer to the end."

Envoy's Alliance

Male human bard 1 | HP 17 | Perception +7 | AC 15; Fort +4; Ref +3; Will +7

Free Trained or Untrained Nature or Occultism DC 12 check:
Occultism: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

A riddle, eh? I hate riddles, but oh well...

Clue #1
Curse Lore: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Clue #2
Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Clue #3
Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Great. Just, great...

I'm sorry friends, but riddles elude me in their very nature, I don't know how useful my help will be. For me those words are nothing but... Words! I really wish my brain wouldn't falter in front of this kind of challenges...

I have big problems with riddles irl too, but I'll try to think of something.

Horizon Hunters

1 person marked this as a favorite.
CG Male Human (Versatile Heritage) Fighter 1| HP 22/22 | AC 18 | F +8 R +6 W +4 | Perc +6 | Stealth +1 | speed 25| Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: ---

Ron sits quietly as he listens to everyone's thoughts and ideas and chews on his bottom lip in contemplation. Finally he speaks up, I think Ignatius is on to something. To me this riddle is describing some personified version of death. What I don't know is if that means the answer is some specific death God or avatar or just death in general and it is personified for the sake of the riddle... Ron goes back into deep thought.

I am struggling to role play Ron answering because personally see myself better at riddles in real life than I envision Ron being. But I love a good riddle or puzzle in an adventure.

Vigilant Seal

1 person marked this as a favorite.
LN male human oracle 3 | ◆◇↺ | ♥️ 35/35 | AC 20 | F +8 R +5 W +9 | Perc +7 | Spd 25ft. |

"Well, we can each try a different take on it."

Turning back to the sphinx Ignatius speaks again.

"My answer is..."

"death."


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

While the party discussed, Zandyk had gone back to nibble a little more at the camel and drink from the cool water - leaving the still-locked puzzle box where it lay. As Ignatius speaks, he struts back over smiling.

"Incorrect!"

He looks around between Matei, Ron, Vanvathar, and Zendel now raising his eyebrow, his chesire grin now spanning a greater cross-section of his face!

Horizon Hunters

CG Male Human (Versatile Heritage) Fighter 1| HP 22/22 | AC 18 | F +8 R +6 W +4 | Perc +6 | Stealth +1 | speed 25| Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: ---

Well if the answer isn't death, it must my best guess it needs to be something more specific. Either a deity or avatar of some form... but I don't think I have the worldly knowledge to put it together.


Lost on Spirit Road (Maps) | Action Symbols ➤ (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺) | Spell Templates | Hero Points @ Brendar (☑□), Natalu (☑☑☑), Zisiro (□□□) | Status Symbols: ♥️ hit points, ☘️ hero points, ✋ held items, ⚕ status condition | Contact Sheet

Guess Tracker:

Ignatius @ "death" @ incorrect
Matei @ ??
Ron @ ??
Vanvathar @ ??
Zendel @ ??

Grand Archive

Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

"Well, if each of us can have a guess, I'll go with my first instinct: a guillotine." Vanvathar looks at the sphinx in the hope that he's correct, but you can notice doubt creeping in his voice.


Tino (LG Tian-Shu Paladin)
Tino's Toughest:
Tino (human paladin), Takatorra (tengu swordmaster), Yabin the Just (nagaji sorcerer), Ji-Yook (kitsune ninja)

Sensing his uncertainty, the still-smiling face of the yet communicates a clear but non-verbal "no" even as he walks over to get a better look at our witch hero. He flicks open a claw and draws it across his feline neck, mimicking the guess.

"Incorrect!"

Pleased with himself at having had stumped two of the five, Zandyk pokes up an ear to hear towards the next that takes their turn to guess.

Grand Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Male N Ancient Elf | Witch 1 | HP 13/13 | AC 16 | tF +4 tR +6 eW +6 | speed 30 ft | tPerc +4 | Hero Point 1/3 | Focus: 1/1 | Spells: 1: 2/2 | Spell DC 17 | active condition: | Exploration activity: Investigate

"Oh, well, darn," Vanvathar mumbles as the sphinx towers over him. "Pleasedonteatmepleasedonteatmepleasedonteatme..."

51 to 100 of 486 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / (PFS2) (#B-04) "Cat's Cradle" All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.