PFS 1e - # 8-12 Tyranny of Winds, Part 3: Caught in the Eclipse (Inactive)

Game Master MauveAvengr

Ride Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Swim: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Swim check to avoid nonlethal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Willard takes a tumble over the fall, and injures himself before swimming out of the sandy pond. He watches nervously as his companions navigate the same hazard themselves.

Using the rope that Maud is holding on one end and Kamishah is holding on the other, Yulau is able to shimmy her way up to the otherside, but barely. Similarly Liora makes her way up the rope as well (a little more confidently), joining the others.

Been reading up on swimming with mounts the last hour or two. No rules exist really for it, so just going with the flow. I'll say that Cevrik is able to hold on tight, but gives Mr. Dumplington a penalty to his Swim check (though Mr. Dumplington is amazing and has been rolling very well). Cevrik will still needs to do the Acrobatics/Swim check when he falls over the sandfall (falling 10 ft hurts!).

Cevrik nobly rides his mount through the sandriver and over the sandfall. Mr. Dumplington easily guides him through the sand pool to the other side.

Only Maud is left. She holds on to the rope tight as she eventually swims to join the others and Elsharon.

Elsharon looks at the Pathfinders with a smile. "Congratuations on completing that! Of course I wouldn't let you drown." She looks at Yulau. "But I had to make sure you all passed the test. And you did! This is such a rare opportunity for you all now. Humanoids very rarely visit this area. So consider yourself blessed."

Looking around the area you are in, the Pathfinders see that the natural slope of the trench combines with several artifical elements. The curved southern wall bears a slight polish and reddish in color. An opening to the north gives way to a sandy-floored corridor. A wide frieze carved with numerous hieroglyphics flanks each side of the northern exit.

"Familiarize yourself with this area. It's a decent place to rest and a chance to learn more about the history that has led to you being chosen as prophets."

Another post incoming!

The script alternates between different elemental tongues accompanied by hieroglyphics.

History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 (not including additional +2 for unusual stonework)
Between Maud's history lessons, readings on elemental planes, and keen observative nature, she quickly makes sense of the writings (with the assistance of the other elemental speakers) and translates out loud.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Accompanying Maud, Kamishah scowls at the markings. "Do you see this as well?" He points to the difference in the sections of the wall. "The weather would not focus so much on one area."

Munnin glares at Willard for not being the first to translate the working, but remains silent as the Ulfen aids Maud in translating what they find.

Willard furiously scribbles notes on a loose piece of paper, trying to capture what they are discovering as they go. But wait, this has been altered you are saying Kamishah? So there was some trepidation about this hidden city, even as they tried to restore it to its original sacred shape. Any idea what part is altered? he muses out loud.

"Nothing personal but I don't feel very blessed right now," Liora remarks as she rubs at her bruises and does what she can to get the sand and mud out of her hair and off of her clothes. "Please tell me there's no more sand-wading, sand-swimming, sand-whatever, after this!"

Perception (DC 20): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"Takes some doing to alter stone," the sylph remarks after staring hard at the wall and the writings for a few moments. "Or some powerful magic, if I remember right. I wonder what's been changed? Maybe all of it? Because from what Maud's saying, the writings already read like they're of two different minds."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Cevrik is about to comment on the stonework, but Liora gets there first, so he simply nods in agreement.

Elsharon watches the Pathfinders decipher the hieroglyphics. "Ini-Kherit was one of our wisest leaders...". She stops and ponders for a moment.

"Up ahead, there will be several challenges you will face.". She points ahead to the next room. "Ahead, you will face pitiful creatures that have not accepted the worth of stone.". She describes the creatures as a whirling cloud of fine desert sand that piles up upon itself, forming into a shape of a humanoid figure. She also suggest wielding a bludgeoning weapon as blades are not as effective.

"Further on, just as you passed through the sandflow, you must complete a dangerous challenge where you must exert an amazing force of will to move forward."

"And lastly, there is a wayward daughter." She eyes Maud cautiously. "I hope that you can convince her to leave this holy place peacefully. It's tragic that she doesn't realize she's already a child of earth.". She does not go into further detail about this 'wayward daughter'.

Are any of you members of the Scarab Sages faction?

Maud asks Elsharon directly why the story has been edited over the years - when she adds the past tense to Ini-Kherit, Maud asks "Have you had many leaders since Ini-Kherit, who might have changed the story here?

Kn.Planes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
She knows the description sounds familiar, but she can't quite place it.

Nope, Concordance here

Maud will also pull out a scroll and wand of Cure Light Wounds to ask for healing before they move on. She looks to Elsharon "Assuming that's allowed as part of the challenge."
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 leaving me at 17/21 which I think is fine for now

Yulau didn’t recognize the description of the creature, and stayed quiet, worried about what might be awaiting the group.

"So...stone creatures, probably another sand-swim, and one of your cousins is squatting or something," Liora recounts with a resigned smile. "Got it. Well, I guess if it isn't challenging then it wouldn't be fun, would it?"

As Maud requests a bit of healing with one of her healing implements, Liora happily obliges her. "There you go! Looking better already," she smiles.

"Guess I'd better take care of myself, too," she adds as she produces a wand of her own and gives herself a tap with it.

CLW Wand (Self): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Charges remaining (44).

And all of her scrapes and bruises from earlier vanish.

"Alrighty, ready as I'll ever be!"

Elsharon nods. "Take as long as you need to rest and feel free to come back here any time."

As Maud asks more about the history, she remains somewhat silent. "You'll find the answers you seek ahead."

Let me know if you're all ready. Will put out an update tonight.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Sounds like a Sandman- clubs and maces would be best against it. And it can put you to sleep if it touches you. We should be careful. Seeing Liora heal herself, Willard produces a similar wand, Liora, would you mind terribly?

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 449/50 charges remaining

Willard looks at the others, and prepares to move ahead to face the Sandman...

Tapping himself with a wand to protect himself from its reach...

Mage armor wand 7/10 remaining

"Hrm...at least I've got my sling," Liora remarks as Willard gives them a little idea of what they're probably actually dealing with. "And yes, absolutely!"

The sylph is happy to activate healing wands for anyone in the group.

Maud frowns, looking at her fist. "...or if you touch it, I assume?" she sighs heavily and digs through her pack to get her sling and starts rummaging through the canyon to find small smooth round rocks to use with it, while grumbling to herself. Occasionally she finds a 'special' rock that she gets excited about, and puts in a different bag with her rock collection.

As she does so, she ponders the 'amazing force of will' challenge. A thought creases her brow. She speaks her idea hesitantly to her companions. "I know we are in a hurry to catch Jamila, however it might be worth considering resting at some point if any of you can switch out some spells to help us in these specific challenges?"

Liora looks thoughtful. "Maybe...once we have a better idea of what some of the challenges actually are."

"Would that be allowed? Or do we have to press on all the way through once we head inside?" she asks of Elsharon.

Elsharon pushes the group on without answering any further questions.

In the next room, the stone floor gives way to a track of soft sand that runs from east to west and curves northward in both directions. Thin green vines and bright violet flowers protrude from the sand in various spots. The flowers give off a strong fragrance that leaves the air thick with their pleasant perfume. A skeletal human form, partially obscured by sand, lies to the west, while the roar of violently swirling winds echoes just past a sheer drop to the north.

(North is to the right of the map. Had to rotate the map to fit on the slide).

Elsharon (and other minor earth elementals not shown) stand off to the side to watch, but agree to help if anything goes wrong.

One humanoid figure made of whirling sand stands in the western part of the room near a bunch of orchids. It spots you and mumbles something only Maud can understand (or anyone who speaks Terran).

(@Maud, you should be at full hp now - nonlethal damage isn't subtracted from your current hp as it's not 'real' damage.)

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[u]Round 1[/u]

Liora (16/16 hp)

Sandman

Cevrik (12/12 hp)
Mr. Dumplington (21/21 hp)
Willard (10/10 hp)
Yulau (12/12 hp, 3 nonlethal)
Maud (21/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)

Liora is up!

Knowledge (planes) to ID this creature

"Rude..." Liora grumbles as Elsharon ignores the rest of her and her companions' questions. When the group pushes forward into the next room she's quick to give Maud a quick tap on the shoulder, granting the oread a bit of guidance for the battle ahead, and then steps out of the way of the others.
______________

Cast Guidance on Maud & then move to current map position~

~*Before*~
Seeing Willard use his Mage Armor wand, Maud will ask for him to tap her with her wand as well. (9/10 charges after)

~*Now*~
Maud will dutifully translate each word she can make out, since she will require assistance with any attempt at diplomacy.

"...it's not making much sense. Something about... 'pharaohs,' 'bindings', and 'my precious flowers'?" she looks in confusion at her companions, as she tries to recall any of her training or readings...
Kn.Planes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
...but alas, she cannot think of anything matching this description. She looks to Willard and asks quietly if it could be one of those Sandman... Sandmen? he mentioned earlier.

Liora guides Maud into action - the oread feels slightly more ready for the fight!

The sandman burrows deep underground, popping right up in front of Maud and Cevrik. Maud hears it mumble more about pharaohs and Osirion and such.

As it pops up, everyone feels a bit sleepy as the sandman is almost hypnotizing in it's movements.

Everyone must make a DC 14 Will save or be confused for 1 round. On a success, you can't be affected for 24 hours. On a fail, you have to make a new save the following round or be confused

It uses one of its arms to slam down on (1=Cevrik, 2=Mr. Dumplington: 1d2 ⇒ 1) Cevrik, feeling a kinship with the oread.

slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Cevrik now must make a DC 14 Will save or fall asleep per the sleep spell.

The attack hits hard, almost knocking the halfling off the saddle!

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[u]Round 1/2[/u]

Liora (16/16 hp)

Sandman

Cevrik (5/12 hp) (sleepy)
Mr. Dumplington (21/21 hp)
Willard (10/10 hp)
Yulau (12/12 hp, 3 nonlethal)
Maud (21/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)

Everyone is up! Remember, everyone must make a DC 14 Will save or be confused for 1 round.

Knowledge (planes) to ID this creature

Will (DC 14): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 57

"Wait, what? Uh..." Liora stammers, suddenly looking puzzled. She glances down at her arm...and sees a big bug!

"Aieeee!"

Frantically she starts striking a sling bullet against her arm, trying to squish a bug that only she can see.

Damage (Self): 1d8 ⇒ 1

Knowledge, Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Willard thinks for a moment about Sandmen, and shares his insight loudly with the group. Shaking off the confusing miasma in the area, he recalculates his offensive arsenal before unleashing a mighty roar at the creature.

Ear Piercing Scream, Arcane reservoir +1 DC. Fortitude save DC 18 for the creature, or it is Dazed for one round and takes damage below. Success negates Dazed and 1/2 damage.
EPS Damage DC 18: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Seeing no room in the narrow passage, Kamishah pauses for Maud to make a move.

Hopefully Maud doesn't fail the save!

Will 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Confusion 1d100 ⇒ 84

Yulau’s mind was clouded so she attacked her closest compatriot, Liora.

1 Kamishah or 2 Liora. 1d2 ⇒ 2

Attack 1d20 ⇒ 11
Damage 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Sorry I had typesd this up all yesterday and thhought I posted it - but it was just sitting on preview on my computer - D'OH. Also Kamishah, you can move through Allies' spaces - they don't block movement.

Will Save (mind-affecting): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 28

Maud is so surprised and confused by the sandman's attack she just stands there and babbles incoherently for a few seconds.

Yes, but I can't end my movement in your space, which is where I would need to be to attack. Double moving.

Gritting his teeth, Kamishah moves clear of his debilitated allies and tries to dodge past the elemental foe, drawing his flail along the way.

Three of the Pathfinders are completely confused! Maud starts babbling in Terran, Liora cuts herself, then Yulau manages to slice up Liora even more!

Willard, on the other hand, manages to easily focus. The roar echoes throughout the room.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The man of sand looks at the Pathfinders and just wobbles in place, dazed and confused.

Willard knows that this creature is known as a sandman. They normally have an aura that puts everyone nearby to sleep, but this one seems a tad different - it confuses nearby creatures. He also knows that it's attacks can also put enemies to sleep (as evident by the sleepy Cevrik). The sandman is amorphous, has DR/bludgeoning, and has elemental traits. (Immune to crits, precision damage, flanking, bleed, paralysis, sleep, and stunning effects.)

Kamishah dashes around the sandman. It's too dazed to hit the man though and the Pathfinder manages to flank the creature!

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[u]Round 1/2[/u]

Liora (12/16 hp) (confused)

Sandman (-1 hp, dazed)

Cevrik (5/12 hp) (sleepy)
Mr. Dumplington (21/21 hp)
Willard (10/10 hp)
Yulau (12/12 hp, 3 nonlethal) (confused)
Maud (21/21 hp) (confused)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)

Cevrik is up!

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The tiny Halfling gets a dopey smile on his face and mutters, "Hey, Carlin's here..." as he drifts off into sleep.

He's in a riding saddle, so he might stay on despite being asleep, so I guess that would be a ride check?

Ride check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Being given no prompting, but seeing someone attack his group, the bear dog rushes forward to bite the threat.

Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Cevrik starts to feel drowsy as he falls asleep in the saddle

While Mr. Dumplington manages to get a mouthful of sand as the dog bites down hard on the sandman.

And the sandman snaps out of it's daze, preparing for any incoming attack!

(Those who are still confused must make a DC 14 Will save or remain confused. )

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[u]Round 2/3[/u]

Liora (12/16 hp) (confused)

Sandman (-11 hp)

Cevrik (5/12 hp) (asleep)
Mr. Dumplington (21/21 hp)
Willard (10/10 hp)
Yulau (12/12 hp, 3 nonlethal) (confused)
Maud (21/21 hp) (confused)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)

Everyone is up!

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Maud snaps back to awareness, sees the sandman get hurt and 'snap' to attention and wonders if she can reason with it or if she should end the threat before more of her companions fall asleep. She decides upon the later.

She steps five feet to her left (north) carefully while observing the sand-creature... then her fist glows and crackles with electricity as she punches the thing.
FOB Unarmed Strike attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 (Bludgeoning, Lethal or Nonlethal)
FOB unarmed strike damage (Elemental Fist): 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (2) = 11
FOB Unarmed Strike attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
FOB unarmed strike damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
But she just can't seem to hit the whirl of sand.

Flail on Sandman: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Joining Maud's assault, Kamishah brings his flail down in one strike!

Will 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The sorcerer shakes off the confusion effect and responds with a magic Missile.

Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Will (DC 14): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Yulau attacked Liora last time around, so...

Still confused, Liora loads up her sling and attempts to bounce a rock off of Yulau's noggin!

Attack vs. Yulau (Sling): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Willard, seeing his companions successfully close with the sandman, snaps a wand from his wrist, it seeimingly appearing from nowhere, and directs a bolt of pure energy into the creature.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Wand of MM 9/10 remaining

Willard blasts the sandman with a missile of pure arcane energy. Direct hit! Yulau follows suit and does the same thing.

*pow pow*

Maud moves up to the sandman and punches him! But she just gets a fist full of sand...

Kamishah has a bit more luck with his flail. The weapon hits hard! The sandman looks weary...

And Liora has trouble focusing. She sees Yulau, but thinks the kitsune is the sandman and flings a sling bullet at her! That'll leave a bruise for sure.

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[u]Round 2/3[/u]

Liora (12/16 hp) (confused)

Sandman (-24 hp)

Cevrik (5/12 hp) (asleep)
Mr. Dumplington (21/21 hp)
Willard (10/10 hp)
Yulau (11/12 hp, 3 nonlethal)
Maud (21/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)

Cevrik is up!

"Snooooore, mmm mmm yes I am a brave knight snooooore," he mutters as he dreams he's being recognized for his great valor by the villagers he just saved.

Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 201d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Claw 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 81d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Claw 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Though Cevrik snores atop his companion, the dog bear manages to completely destroy the sandman!

Elsharon looks in awe. "Nice work! But there are more dangers ahead"

If you examine the room, there is a skeleton in the northwestern bend. Looks like it was an explorer who attempt to brave the Sandflow Source, but succumbed to its dangers. His backpack is still useable with two potions inside and a 50-ft length of silk rope. He's also wearing a finely crafted chain shirt.

The orchids in this room are very purple and vibrant!

Upon hearing there was magic present, Yulau casts detect magic and looks at the vials, hoping it might help her learn to swim after her embarrassing performance earlier.

Spellcraft vial one 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Spellcraft vial two 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Yulau takes a look at both potions. Fairly standard potions of cure moderate wounds. Nothing too fancy.

Anyone taking a look at the chain shirt realizes it's not magical, but is of masterwork quality.

we should take what we can, it may be useful, but those flowers mildly scare me. the arcanist says, keeping a healthy distance.

is there a roll for the flowers?

If you are a member of the Scarab Sages, then you can make a Knowledge (arcana or planes) on the flowers. Otherwise, they are just pretty flowers.

Slumped forward and snoozing in his saddle, Cevrik begins to drool slightly.

"...Huh? What happened?"

Liora blinks as she regains her senses, looking around and surprised to see the sandman already defeated. "Okay, that was weird. But we did it! Good job, everyone."

Suddenly, Cevrik's snoring catches the sylph's attention and she reaches over to gently shake the halfling awake. "Hey! Cevrik! We can catnap later, okay?"

Maud eyes the loose pile of sand where the creature was a moment ago warily. That was odd - Why wasn't it making any sense?

After the skeleton belongings are gathered (anything unclaimed she'll stick in her bag for later), she will head to the south curve to see what lies beyond, stopping at the wall of flowers to wait for her companions before continuing.

”Well, let’s keep moving forward if everyone is ready. And a couple of you stronger types should probably take these nifty healing potions. And somehow Cevrik slept through the whole thing,” Yulau says with a grin.