GM Bret's Core Faithless & Forgotten (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

Korgaar grabs the pearl.

The white haired sorceress casts a minor spell on the leshy, unsure if it will work

Cast Daze, Will DC save 14, says humanoids of 4 HD or less

The Reverend is happy to let everyone else play in the bushes and continues around the side.

Colleen begins searching the side rooms (like she said she was). She takes her time seemingly oblivious to the clashing of weapons, and cries of battle next door.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Look." she says to Mr. Reverend, pointing to a bit of natty debris on a dilapidated table. "They had doilies."

Desynthia finds that plants are immune to all mind-affecting effects.

Red Reverend continues on his way out.

Colleen searches the room she is in. Although there are no doilies to be found, she does find a cast iron cauldron, half-buried in dirt and tangled in vines. There are also a lot of broken pottery shards in the northeast alcove.

Realizing it really isn’t able to hide any more, the leshy steps out onto the clear ground and tries to strike Keynala once since she is in the way.
Slam: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16 Miss even without total defense
damage: 1d3 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

Round 2:

White marks are where the treasure is.

Yellow plant
Keynala

Round 3:

Korgaar 3 damage
Red Reverend
Theron
Colleen
Desynthia

We can call it here if Korgaar is just going to grab the last item and everyone is leaving the garden.

I'm good with leaving.

"But doilies."

"Take all the doilies you want, let's just get out of here."

Korgaar grabs (all) the goods snd makes off.

Theron backs away as Korgaar grabs the trinkets.

The group retreats from the melon patch. Your group spends a little time searching the other areas. You do not find anything else of note.

The items that Korgaar found consist of a dark-haired doll wearing a tiara worth 50 gp, a silver locket with the portrait of a young Arenzo Davian worth 100 gp, a pearl of power (1st-level spell).

You return to Corentyn, make your report, and turn over the items you have found.

You are told that Zefiro Balinger is researching what you can expect to find at the next sanctioned site of archaeological interest — across the straight to Garland and the province of Kharijite.

Meanwhile the Chelish holiday of Loyalty Day draws nearer and already officials are declaring that Queen Abrogail II, in her wisdom, directed state-sanctioned scholars to unearth the lowly and treasonous Davian legacy. News of Arenzo’s fate features heavily in these stories.

Nala tries to have a frank discussion with her allies as they travel back to the ship, "Listen, that wasn't cool. I held my tongue in the moment but Colleen obviously didn't. Regardless, I agree with her. We can't be attacking everything that moves. FORCE, lethal or non, is only to be used defensively. That doesn't even mention the point that we obviously were invading those plant creature's home. Regardless of their sentience or legal standing, they still have a justified position to defend it."

She pauses for a moment, "The encounter with the ghoul was a bit different obviously. We had strong evidence it was in the process of eating that troll and it most definitely tried to kill and eat us."

I apologise for acting stupidly, and rashly. I didn't tried enough to communicate with the leshy, to find a peaceful resolution. I hope to learn from my mistakes from now on.

Desynthia is visibly ashamed and repentant

"Don't beat yourself up over it, Des" Korgaar rumbles, rubbing his bruises. "Even if you hadn't shot first, none of us understood the monsters and we had to pass to carry out our mission. It would have gone the same way unless we decided not to follow our orders. Besides, I found a useful magic pearl that I wouldn't have found if we'd just turtled.

And it serves the blasted melon-monsters right, in my book."

The Reverend muses silently, If they think I was sent here to negotiate, I'm not sure how much I can help, and seeks out a fruit salad for his next meal.

Think of it as a lesson learned, Des...as long as we came back with the same number of fingers and toes... Theron says as he double checks to make sure ll his fingers are attached and smiles..all is good... as he starts to chuckle.

good to go..levelled upo...no purchases to mention...not that i can think of anyways...

Nala resumes her normal half-frown, "Well alright then. Just think before acting, that's all I ask. We are not in friendly territory and any possible allies are incredibly valuable."

"And remember I'll run you through with my rapier should it happen again." Colleen says with a wink. She tips her tricorn and spits out a watermelon seed.

Earlier, a courier sent by Ianareth Alazario—the new Chelish liaison to the Grand Lodge—informed you that a package provided by Athenaeum archaeologists awaits you at the Museum of History and to contact Zefiro Balinger.

Motes of dust float in the air as the midday sun shines through the skylights of the museum roof. Several scholars and students move about the bookshelves and display cases on the main floor and the balconies above, while some are hunched over tables piled with heavy tomes.

Zefiro is in discussion with a colleague when he notices the your group. “Ah, you have returned. Welcome.” He shakes hands with everyone. “Right, we have that package for you.”

Zefiro beckons to a student at a nearby table. “Run up and fetch the Athenaeum materials from my office.” He turns back from the student, though he occasionally glances nervously at the people going about their work around him. “The ruin you're about to investigate is certainly a major discovery, and it's sure to earn great prestige for my colleagues at Egorian's Athenaeum. A lost colony of ancient Taldor right within the Kharijite province would certainly give our beloved empire a strong claim to the region.”

Zefiro steps a little closer and lowers his voice. “I would be very interested to discuss your findings when you return, with a bit more privacy. Come see me here in the evening and we can have a talk in my office.”

Zefiro takes a step back as the student returns with the package. He hands it over to the PCs, “If there's nothing else, I must get back to my duties.”

The Athenaeum package contains several items: an official document that authorizes its bearer to inspect the archaeological site, a map of the Kharijite province that has a route to Ibhir marked on it, and an archaeological report that details the discoveries made at the site.

This is a report of the notable archaeological items discovered in the lost colony of Taldor—estimated to have been established shortly after the founding of Corentyn in 1520 ar—uncovered by the Athenaeum in Kharijite.
Item 1: Ancient broken Taldan clay pots.
Item 2: A ruined building manufactured in ancient Taldan style.
Item 3: Four Taldan statues depicting the founders of the colony.
Item 4: Two golden lion statues.
Item 5: A large statue of the god Abadar.

"More ruins," the Reverend says dryly. "I meet most of my favorite people there. Present company excluded, of course." He looks over the list. "So, go to the site, make notes on these historical treasures, and don't kill anyone even if they look delicious and attack first."

I can never remember IC dates. Is that a thousand years or more ago?

I can never remember IC dates. Is that a thousand years or more ago?

The Red Reverend has no problems finding some basic information about the Jistka Imperium in the museum.

–4120 ar Founding of the Jistka Imperium.

–3470 ar Founding of Ancient Osirion.

-3250 ar Founding of the Tekritanin League.

–2764 ar Osirion and the Tekritanin League ally to overthrow the weakened Jistka Imperium.

He could spend some time asking around to get more details. Although Zefiro is busy, there are plenty of other people working in the museum that could at very least point him in the correct direction.

The current date is around 4700 ar

I'm a bit confused about something and apparently Zefiro has run off already, which is cool. He's a Jerk. :P

Anyway, does he want us to go investigate the ruins and when we get back then meet up with him at night to discuss our findings or does he want us to sneak back in TONIGHT to have a more detailed chat? My guess is the former, but I don't want to misinterpret things.

____________________

Nala raises her usual eyebrow and releases a blast of air from her nostrils, "Well. Okay then. Bye and stuff. Have a great life I guess."

She whispers to Des once Zefiro leaves, "I don't like his mustache. It's weird. Why doesn't he just grow hair everywhere on his face?"

The half-elf glances at the reverend, "Considering I have my suspicions as to what you consider delicious, please don't kill anyone based upon their possible flavor."

She did remember to NOT wear her wayfinder in an obvious location. It is currently tucked into her pack.

Zefiro is certainly in a hurry to be elsewhere, but would answer a question or two.
He is nervous (some might call it paranoid) and has been every time you’ve encountered him.

He wants to discuss your findings after you return from the site, but wants that discussion to be private.

"So - where exactly are we going?" Korgaar asks the departing scholar. "Khari-what? Who's that?"

Bloody politician seems to just assume all this makes sense. Maybe it does to him. Blasted Chelaxians! Or Chelish, or whatever the Hell they're called!

“Khari is just across the channel. The lost colony lies under a ruined Rahadoumi village called Ibhir, which is located a couple of days' ride southwest from the city of Khari. There is supposed to be a map for you in the package I just gave you.”

"That's a map is it? In with all the legalese stuff? Alright then. Just one more question - is Khari in Chelish jurisdiction or Rahadoumi?"

Korgaar checks the straps on his new armour and gathers his gear, handing a bunch of scrolls to the Reverend. "You can use those to patch me up if I get injured - or to save any of our lives if needed." CLW scrolls, 6 castings.

“Rahadoum.”

In case people didn’t notice, slide 1 changed and includes an indication of where Khari is.

What troubles can we expect there, or on the road?

"First off, there's no road between here and Rahadoum." says Colleen. "Second-"

knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

No roads isn't a huge problem...minor at worst...

If you look at slide 1, you would see that you need a ship to get there…unless you want me to figure out how long a swim it is. I expect it would be longer than swimming the English Channel.

“I suspect your greatest impediment will be bureaucrats. After that, whatever the desert and ruins has for you. I suspect your training has prepared you for the latter hazards.”

“I must get back to my work now.”

Saying that, Zefiro moves away.

Colleen knows that after crossing the channel between Cheliax and Rahadoum they will need to cross some desert terrain to get to the site shown on the map. The map gives a route that doesn’t look too difficult.

"So pack some extra water."

If she knows that much about Rahadoum, does Colleen know that Red might want to "tone it down" while there.

Khari and some of the land around it are under Cheliaxian rule.
Also, Red Reverend would know about the Laws of Mortality.

Pay no attention to the big dumb fighter.

hey...he has a 10 INT i'll have you know...lol

Extra water would be the wisest idea...I believe there is also a spell that can be cast to fight off the elements...let's you endure the conditions more...will get a wand of endure elements with 2 PP...you guys can use some charges if you want..

I meant that Red is a big dumb fighter without his unholy symbol.

"Right then, we've got a ship to catch. I assume that somewhere in this bundle of papers there are details of our crossing?"

Korgaar roots through the paperwork expecting to find that passage has been booked for the party.

Korgaar finds that Ianareth has arranged passage to Khari aboard one of the ships that the Chelish navy uses to patrol the Hespereth Strait.

Sounds like everyone is ready to move on.

The sail to Khari is quite uneventful. You notice the crew members are none too pleased about having to transport civilians aboard a military vessel.

The Chelish frigate cuts through the waves by the Arch of Aroden as sunrise paints the harbor of Khari red. Vessels from all around the Inner Sea are moored at the docks, waiting for their cargo to be unloaded or for new goods to be brought aboard. The city spreads around the bay, with sandstone buildings and twisting minarets marking its Rahadoumi origin now emblazoned with red-and-white banners of Cheliax.

Most of the inhabitants dress in a Garundi fashion of colorful robes and billowing blouses, but occasionally a regiment of Chelish soldiers or a Hellknight parts the crowd. Several open-air markets fill the city with clamor as merchants and patrons haggle loudly under many-colored stalls.

At one of the stalls, an exasperated man with an Osirian accent complains loudly, “It would be bad enough if it was just the damned dockworkers who take their time unloading my goods, but now I have to wait for those infernal bureaucrats to grant me a travel permit to even leave the city. I swear I'm about to lose my mind with the incompetence of these people!”

The Pathfinder Society has provided basic archaeological equipment (picks, shovels, brushes, sacks, parchment tags, and notebooks) along with sufficient funds to cover essential expenses and purchase mounts.

It seems you will need to acquire a travel permit before you will be allowed to leave the city.

You may attempt diplomacy checks to Gather Information
A knowledge geography or local check might tell you more about the Kharijite region.
A knowledge history check might tell you more about the history of the Kharijite province.

Nala frowns, "Well, bureaucrat trouble is no different than here most likely. And the ruins should be fine. I'm not a fan of the desert though, but I do have plenty of water."

She heads out with the group to get supplies and information.

Diplomacy to Aid Gather Info: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
Knowledge: Geography t: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Mainly just supplies apparently.

If I remember the law correctly, the Reverend needs to either smuggle his holy symbol into the city or buy one on the black market. Red would appreciate help with either, since he has no relevant skills.

The restriction was on Holy symbols and holy texts dedicated to chaotic gods.
Urgathoa is NE.
Although it probably isn’t the best idea to have it prominently displayed, Khari has its own laws and isn’t outlawing such things, nor are they restricting weapons.

Gotcha. Must have been another scenario I played in the before times where you were not allowed anything religious.

Nothing religious is allowed in Rahadoum. This area is under Cheliaxian rule.

I was confused by it as well.

"Any idea where we get one of those permit-thingummajigs? Seems odd, letting people in then not letting them out again." Korgaar muses.

"Must be politics."

gather info (diplomacy), aid someone?: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Yeah, aid someone by walking in the opposite direction :o

"I hope the Society sends us somewhere that we don't have to buy licenses next."

Diplo: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Having no particular knowledge of the place, Desynthia isn't afraid to politely ask around

A gruff barkeep tells Desynthia of the tight grip Cheliax keeps on the city. “Recently they've been cracking down on any shady business, so everyone needs a travel permit to leave the city. I hear the inspections of coming and going cargo are pretty thorough as well. Good luck at the magistrate's office—the lines are bound to be as long as the Arch.”

A bored caravan guard chimes in with what he knows about the archaeological expedition. “They had plenty of scholars and soldiers as well. The number of tools and supplies they were willing to lug across the desert surprised me. Our caravan shared the road with them for a while, but they kept mostly to themselves.”

Hours spent gathering the information: 1d4 ⇒ 4

The sail to Khari is quite uneventful. You notice the crew members are none too pleased about having to transport civilians aboard a military vessel.

Actually she's Andoren privateer, but who's to know. ;)

You may attempt diplomacy checks to Gather Information

A knowledge geography or local check might tell you more about the Kharijite region.
A knowledge history check might tell you more about the history of the Kharijite province.

diplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 hours spent: 1d4 ⇒ 1

knowledge (geography, regional knowledge): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

knowledge (history, unskilled, MAX 10 result): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"I don't really know anyone in these parts."

After finding out about the long lines.

"It looks like we may need a distraction."

GM, Is there a map of the settlement, with the government building we need and any really flammable places in town marked in red? ;)

Colleen knows the following:

The people of Khari see themselves more as Chelish citizens than as Rahadoumi despite their ancestry. Lord-mayor Marsiol Giovenci, a steadfast ally of the Thrune regime, rules Khari. Giovenci takes a harsh stance against anyone who would engage in smuggling and black-market deals.

This time of the year, fierce sandstorms tend to plague the area around Ibhir, and it's bound to get even worse in the following weeks before the storms subside. It's a good idea to make the journey there and back as soon as possible.

Cheliax forcibly annexed the Kharijite province from Rahadoum during the Everwar, and Rahadoumi diplomats have been demanding that Cheliax return the region to its rightful owner ever since.

There is no map provided of the settlement. If arson is your first plan in a settlement with hellknights, this isn’t going to go well.

Are any of you going to check with the office and try to get a permit?