PFS #2-01 and #2-03 with DM Deevor (Inactive)

Game Master Deevor

Noticing the cleric's holy symbol he adds I worship Apsu, though not in the manner of a cleric or an oracle. My connection to him, I believe, is through blood

"Apsu! Hmmm..." raises his left eyebrow. "Not every day you see a non-dragon worshipping Apsu, unless of course you are a dragon in disguise."

The half elf replies, As I said, I have a connection to Apsu by blood as he manifests a little ball of fire in his hand and his golden eyes shine

A slender woman with short blond hair enters the circle of light, a carefree smile on her face and a bounce in her step. She's dressed in leathers, a short sword on her hip with a bow and a quiver of arrows across her back.

"Shayla Quickfingers, at your service," she says cheerfully, "I was sent over here after answering an ad someone put out for an adventure."

She gratefully accepts some of the tea. "Brrr.. it's chilly tonight. So whatcha all done lately? I was in Magnimar a few weeks ago and had to clean out a wizard's home of oozes. That was disgusting." Shayla wrinkles her nose at the memory.

B07 - Cleanup Duty

"Hellos, new peoples," waves a small female goblin with skin the color of an old bruise. "I's named Pooka Palooka. We's been nosing around these olds cyclops ruins, takings notes and things. But it's not beens easy - lots of nasty things lurkings in some of these buildings and things."

Rangi spends the week recovering from his wounds. He cared for his wounds and made sure that there is one more scar to commemorate the fight, he lost count already which one was it but it was a memory worth keeping. After taking care of himself he worked on the armor, the hide needed some stitching and his shield working.

After a week he came back to meet the others he nodded to Jak and patted Pooka on her shoulder

He looked at the Elf and Human. A tall scarred individual with a mask covering his face is about 7 ft tall, a bent posture and plenty of wrinkles indicate that this one is old. In his youth he most likely was strong and might have been a mighty warrior, now you can see him limping and leaning on his club as he would be using a walking stick.

"I am Rangi" he takes a seat and stretches one of his legs.

I too have experienced a ritual which summoned forth a cyclops, not a fun experience he tells the goblin.

As the darkness comes to blanket the camp and night beckons, a Pathfinder enters the dining tent, seeks you out and presents you with an envelope.

The half elf reads the note and will save it.

Curious, Shayla slides the note into an inside pocket of her vest. For now, she just enjoys the company of the adventuring group she just joined.

Reads the note handed to him, then folds it up before placing it in his pocket. He then goes back to nursing his tea.

You wake the next morning anxious to know more about this important mission for which you have been chosen.

As the day begins, the patrols guarding the camp, continue dour faced as they trudge their weary way around the camp, where security has tightened since first Istanus, Jak Tooley, Pooka Palooka, Rangi and Webny first arrived at the camp many days ago. It was after their first mission that things changed, the appearance of a strange demonic figure kidnapping a member of the Decemvirate, leaving only their magical helm behind, had changed all that.

Shayla Quickfingers looks excitedly around at the camp, rising from it's slumbers.

Now walking through the ordered rows of tents everything was sombre and workmanlike, with men and women like ants milling around, each with their tasks set out. There are all races in the camp, humans from several parts of Golarion, dressed in different styles of clothing, half-orcs of various shades of green. Elves walk silently and haughty through the other races, gnomes busy making useful and useless implements, whilst halflings make and eat many breakfasts throughout the day. The camp is alive and preparing for a new day, as six Pathfinders walk with determined steps towards one of the larger tents, the tent of the Vigilant Seal faction leader Eando Kline. All the talk was of how he has now taken charge of the investigation into the appearance of the strange demonic figure and the exploration into Min-Khadaim.

Passing you by a cold, finger blowing Pathfinder suddenly stops, turns his face rude and healthy in the morning, "Ahhh, you'll be off soon then? Good luck, remember to pass by Quartermaster Aram bin-Kaleel if you need to get any new equipment." he smiles. The sound of an experienced Pathfinder's voice encouraging you, provides you with cheer for the forthcoming adventure.

As the company of Pathfinders reach Eando Kline's tent for the briefing, two armoured and experienced warriors of the Vigilant Seal, stop your progress. As each of you show your invitation, they let the flaps of the tent be opened so you may enter.

Eando Kline stands in his pavilion tent, rubbing his beard and looking at a sketched map of the cyclopean city of Min-Khadaim pinned to a table. Wooden markers indicate digs in progress, sites of interest, and potential threats. He looks up, his brow furrowed in thought.

“Ah, Pathfinders. How good of you to come on such short notice. We are in need of your expertise. Please, sit down.” He gestures to two benches on either side of the table. “It is good to see you. Our mission into Iobaria has recently changed. While we’ve had expeditions into these lands before, with the Society back to strength it is now time to explore this frontier once more. At least, we thought it was, but no sooner had we begun than one of the Decemvirate was abducted by a demonic figure. We need to do further research to understand what may have caused this—we need to uncover the history of Koloran, the nation that once thrived here, far from the Ghol-Gan empire in Garun[b]d. Vigilant Seal members have been going around the city, inventorying sites of interest. We have begun excavating the entrance to an underground complex, led by fire iconography at surface ruins.”

Eando points to the location on the map. “A team has been making good progress widening the entrance here for easy access, but they discovered a number of bones in the neighboring room, some quite fresh. These ruins are clearly not as abandoned as they first appeared to be. I need you to go to the site, thoroughly explore the ruins, and report back with anything you discover. Cyclops is a fairly obscure language, and it has changed somewhat since the days of Koloran, so I’ll be sending you with translation assistance.”

He pulls a small book, handing it over with a satisfied nod. “Any questions?”

To Recall knowledge, make the roll in a spoiler and don't look.
If you want to recall knowledge about Cyclops, use either Society or Cyclops Lore
If you want to recall knowledge about Iobaria, use either Nature (if your character has a cert for Scenario 1-15 Blooming Catastrophe let me know).

I do not have any of those skills :(

"Um...what kinds of bones?" Pooka asks, looking uneasy. "Likes...just animals bones or people bones? I's likes to know what sorts of critters are running arounds, you knows?"

Rangi read his note and put it into his backpack. He nodded politely to Eando Kline and listened to the briefing. His face showed no emotions, he felt better after the mission, patched and healed. Some time ago he recovered faster, but you have to be realistic about these things.@Pooka ;) The last time I quoted Logen we all survived, so let us keep to this good tradition

Eando watches as the group's eyes collectively glaze as they think on the road ahead. Pooka pipes up, Eando shrugs and replies, "Bones hmmm .. The site of interest is nothing more than a few walls and rubble, but has a staircase leading down into a much wider room. The staircase was partially blocked, so when one of the team finally got a good look inside using a lantern, they saw bones. Both old and new. We don’t know what is down there; hence, we’re pulling back the archaeologists and sending you in until we’re certain the site is secure. Just be ready, could be a few rats have gnawed on some ancient bones... maybe the bones of some foxes or something that. Unless there is some sort of necromantic energy within the bones that might stir them into action. I doubt it's anything to worry about for Pathfinders of your experience with that cyclops wight."

He stands briefly waiting for one of the party to take the book.... "Anything else, or are you ready to go?"

Sorry I’m so late!!

Webny thinks quietly, a bit uncharacteristically awed by the whole situation. The head of the Vigilant Seal, right here in this room with her. She’s a little starstruck, for sure.

"Um...I can't thinks of anythings," Pooka finally shrugs. "Guess if we find anythings really strange ors dangerous, we handles it as we sees fit?"

Pooka eyeballs the book in Kline's hands for a moment before gingerly reaching out to take it...and then immediately turns and shoves it into Jak's hands.

"You's a priest! Priests like to reads! Holds this, okays? Uh, unless someones else wants to, I means..."

The half elf shakes his head, no, to the question if there are other questions.

As Pooka punches the book into Jak's midriff, Eando coughs "Aherrm! Please be careful that book contains a record of the words and phrases we’ve translated so far in this site. It should be helpful in piecing together the meaning of any text you encounter"

He sighs and shrugs his shoulders .... "OK, get yourselves ready and make your way to the excavation site."

Everyone gets 1 Hero Point and 1 item from their Society school to add to your character sheet for this scenario.

Buying anything you need before you go? The quartermaster will probably have them in stock.

Jak takes the book so roughly given to him and sighs. "Alright. Lets go."

"Sounds goods," Pooka nods as she hops up and dusts herself off. "Gots to go sees the quartermaster firsts, though. I's need some things..."

Pooka will take the minor healing potion for her school item as well.

Shayla skips over to the tent flap, eager to get started.

Rangi says "When I was recovering from the last fight, on the next bed was a scholar ... Homoranibus was his name, I think. He told me that the best-known cyclops civilization is the Ghol-Gan empire. And that the scholars divide its history into four distinct eras: prehistoric, pre-classical, classical, and postclassical. The empire reached its height during the classical era, which saw the advent of writing and a long period of peace."

He leaves the tent to gather his belongings.

”Wow, Rangi! That’s pretty neat,” Webny remarks, obviously very intrigued.

She, too, gathers up her pack to prepare to go back out. If she’s being honest, she was getting a little bored at camp.

Shayla hefts her pack, snugging it on her back and following Webny, apparently intrigued with the gnome.

The half elf gathers his belongings and follows the group.

Wandering by the quartermaster, Pooka hands over a shopping list and 30 gold pieces, "My word...." Aram bin-Kaleel says his eyes open wide "Am I supplying a one man army. Ha ha ha!" he laughs before he disappears and brings Pooka's items.

Given directions to the ancient building, Istanus, Jak, Pooka, Rangi, Shayla and Webny start off to your next adventure for the Society. Passing through paved and unmade pathsways cleared of the ever encroaching forest you make your way into the remnants of the city.
,
The ruins of Min-Khadaim are bustling with activity. Pathfinders clear debris from streets, shore up walls, and cart rubble out. Down one of the smaller streets is a cordoned-off area, containing a nondescript building. Two figures are busy loading dirt into a cart. You approach as they wipe their palms on their trousers and shake hands with the each of you. "You must be the exploration party, I'm Danna and this is Jaci." The young woman with the blonde hair and grimy face says as she introduces the young man in dirty dungarees next to her. Both are covered with the earth of their labours, as they excavate the site. Their eyes shine, their smiles wide as they offer to take you around the base of the ruined building where they are clearing the vegetation. "We can take you in the entrance if you like? Tell you what we found?"

Light sources required? Default Exploration activities decided.

With a nod the party follow Jaci and Danna as they talk of their experiences in the building. Jaci, his voice giving him away as just a youth, "Well I didn't see them, Daana did. But we have found something, haven't we Danna." he seeks the reassurance and defers to Danna's experience in archaeology, though his eyes are wide wide excitement.

Daana smiles and nods to Jaci, before turning towards Rangi the eldest of the party, "Well, yes there were bones, but I didn't stay to check them, some were still white, so recent. We're not adventurers, just archaeologists." She opens her arms to take you all in the direction of the entrance to the building.

In the entrance is a hallway, Daana muses, "This hallway is interesting, although it seems reasonable to us, it is small for a cyclopean entrance." She continues, "We have been carefully clearing rubble and dirt from the area and around the building, hoping that when you have dealt with whatever lies beneath, we can continue the excavation inside. Once you go through that area there, you'll find stairs that go down. That's where we saw the bones." she says trying to be helpful, before she cannot contain herself further and beams, "There, see." The light from the door illuminates some coloured tiles on the floor in the larger room. "A mosaic, or at least only the part we have uncovered. This visible portion of the mosaic amidst the rubble is what initially drew the team to this building. While the building exterior is nothing special, these type of mosaics are an expensive and time consuming art form." Daana explains. She holds her hand next to some of the tiny tiles for comparison. “Imagine a cyclops with such big hands laying these tiny tiles? Either they put in a lot of work, or smaller creatures were the ones to lay them!”

The uncovered part of the mosaic depicts curling flames. "Now you see why we're so excited by the find and want to explore further, but the dangers are too great!" Jaci nods in agreement, "Yes, we're waiting for you to say it's safe and we can continue." he smiles at you all.

Beyond there is a stairway that leads down into the darkness.

Rangi takes his shield into his hand and keeps going with it raised high.
Default exploration: Defend ;)

He listens to Daana and Jaci "At some point at least we know that Cyclops used prisoners, maybe they did the work. They could have also hired someone. Assuming that they were developed they might have some contact with other races."

The orcs look down the stairs and wonder. "All of us have pieces of chalk, we will leave marks the corridors every 50 steps. If you start working and do not see the next mark after taking 50 steps from the previous one, run." he looks deep into human's eyes making them feel uncomfortable

Darkvision here, so no need for light, torch, and such. 10 pieces of chalk will go to use here :D

Shayla will prefer to stay in the shadows, so obviously carrying a torch defeats the purpose. Stealth +7

Jak cast Light on his holy symbol around his neck to shine illumination before him.

Looking at the tile, "Maybe the cyclops had slaves and they made those tiles. Either way, lets go down those steps and clear the place out for these two."

"Yeahs...they probably used magics or smaller peoples to do this," Pooka agrees as she stares at the colorful tiles. "We's hopefully learn mores as we goes, though."
______________

Pooka will Scout unless someone else really wants to, in which case she'll Investigate instead. She also has darkvision so doesn't necessarily need light for herself.

The sorcerer will make sure that he has cast mage armor on himself at the beginning of the day. When he casts it it manifests as an ethereal set of gold dragon scales that manifest over him and then sinks in.

As the party prepare to descend into the depths of the building, Jak holds his symbol of Pharesma, saying a few words of prayer and making it shine and flare like a torch. Then the group start to make their way....

A damaged stone stairway leads downwards 20ft or so. The steps are high, clearly made for something much larger than the average human, the ceiling about 15ft high well above your heads. The room at the bottom is dark, and a musty smell hangs in the air. One section of the room contains numerous shelves and barrels, while a channel fifteen feet below the main room holds crates. The entire room is littered with pieces of clay, loose stones, and scattered bones.

The map is now available in the slides, your names are on the header page for your slides.
Inside yellow circle is normal light, inside larger green circle is dim light. So kindly remember that humans can only see clearly in the yellow circle.

Pooka takes a moment to look around the room, or at least what she can see of the room with her natural darkvision, and then something occurs to her.

"Heys! I think this used to be a wine stores!" she whispers excitedly. "I knows a bit abouts alcohol and this looks exactly likes some of the wine cellars I's seen ins Absalom!"

For perhaps the first time since coming all the way out into the wilderness to these ruins, Pooka feels a sense of kinship with the long-gone cyclops civilization that once dwelt here.

*Every* society likes alcohol. Some things never change!

The half elf will cast detect magic

"Look over there, " Point out into the darkness

"Amongst the broken pottery, bones, and debris there appear to be two shells that could be crab-like creatures hiding in the debris. They are motionless, possibly asleep or otherwise incapacitated." says Rangi looking around

"Be prepared, I will see if they are alright and if we can avoid a fight."

Rangi would try to recall knowledge about the creatures Nature +7

Rangi goes forwards keeping his shield ready. He lowers almost to all fours and begins to make ticking noises, trying to see if the animals are alive.

He tries to behave calmly and stand up, he wants to show that they are not a group that is worth attacking at the same trying to stay calm and not aggressive himself.

Wild Empathy, diplomacy untrained: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
:D untrained diplomacy, what can I do :D

Shayla pulls out her bow, strings it and nocks an arrow. She's not sure what that will do against crabs, but it's better than nothing...

As Rangi moves forward and looking intently at the things, he cannot really remember seeing anything like it before, not in his journeys or in the teachings and tales of others. Still the shell like creatures don't move.

Justanus' sharp elven ears pick something up. He brings it to the attention of the group, I could swear that I heard a soft shuffling noise coming from beyond Rangi to the west of the room.

Rangi turns around and searches in the pointed direction. Perception +6

Then he moves forwards...

Jak moves up some, just behind Shayla as he draws his weapon.

A silence falls on the wine cellar as Rangi moves forward ... nothing more is heard .... save Rangi's footsteps as they crunch a few bones under foot. Still the shells haven't moved, or did they, or was that just the shadows from Jak's light as it found its way past the white and yellowed bones, the red and broken pottery jugs and cups lying strewn across the floor.

Those with dim light vision can see the crab's shells if they have clear line of sight.

Pooka draws her shortsword and moves to follow after Rangi. As she gets a better look at the strange crab-shell things, she tries to recall what they might be.

Recall Knowledge (Nature +4).

She glances around, cautious but also curious.

"Wonder if there's any wines left...?"

The half elf continues to look around, hoping that there is nothing of trouble here.

Webny, curiosity getting the best of her, likewise approaches the weird crab thingies.

Recall Knowledge Nature +7

Pooka takes another step forward, up next to Rangi.

"There's a passage to the souths," she whispers to her companions. "Can't really sees much of it; looks like there's a chambers and maybes a hole or somethings in it though."

There's a pause and she looks again at the strange shell-things sitting in the way.

"Sos...do we try to sneaky-sneaks around or poke the shells and see if anyone's homes? Might be betters to clear any nasty critters we can, make it safes for others to come behinds us..."