GM Erich's 5-23 Cairn of Shadows (Tier 5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Looks like stone about 18 inches thick. Your elemental could pass through it easy enough but moving up it would be noticeable.

Zzorn sighs inwardly at Igor's lack of audible response to `Ggorn's` question. The mage had different ideas when it came to the ways of intrigue, and he would have to take another approach with him, lest the entire party be detected for their real purpose here...

"Very well, Master. I shall secure rooms for us, and bring your belongings upstairs while you have supper," answers 'Ggorn,' pretending to reply to Igor's whisperings as if they had been instructions to his manservant, `Ggorn's` response being loud enough for the patrons nearby to hear. He then heads towards the front desk to arrange lodgings for everyone.

While doing that, 'Ggorn' turns back towards the door where Malik is waiting, saying, "Dalik, good man, would you please start bringing the masters' belongings to the second floor while I pay the innkeep? thank you!" `Ggorn's` tone has a finality to it, as if the question was not really a request, in order to make the slave role of 'Dalik' more believable...

After the rooms are secured, 'Ggorn' catches up with 'Dalik' upstairs.

Notos nods at Igor and approaches the woman, searching her mind mind for an diplomatic approach.

Greetings. You appear to be celebrating something but the room seems to lack excitement. Perhaps I can provide an appropriate audience for your story?

No real lies here, so I think Diplomacy is appropriate

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Paxal steps closer to the woman and clears his throat loudly to get her attention.
Ahem! I beg your pardon, but, I overheard something about you claiming a bounty...

Interesting.
He says softly as he strokes his black goatee.

Giving the woman a charmingly devilish grin and squinting his dark red eyes,
Sooo... What type of prey do you hunt?
He asks in a way that could be taken as being flirtatious.

The half orc moves over to Zzorn, still feinting a leg injury. "Coming...", he stops by the Ulfen. "Which rooms?", he asks, as he tightens the belts on the backpacks.

bluff and aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 151d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

The woman is startled that Notos has taken an interest and only passively notices the two "porters" heading upstairs.

"I wouldn't mind that, no sense in drinking alone."

She is further taken aback as Paxal moves in, but her eyes twinkle as he recognizes her acumen.

"Yes, well have a seat then. My name is Renatus, Alya Renatus. I hunt zealots of the faith. Just telling anyone who'd listen that I caught a big old butterfly chaser last night."

Notos and Paxal's distraction was just enough for Zzorn and Malik's ruse to succeed. Nice job.

------------------------------

Would Notos have ever heard of Alya Renatus? I would assume it would be Knowledge (local) to know.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Probably not, but I will try to keep her engaged, although a bragging bully usually just needs an audience.

"Malik! do you have a way to get in there fast?" asks Zzorn, inspecting the door.

How strong do these doors appear to be?

"I assume you mean quietly...", Malik whispers and looks around. "Probably not. We can try to bust the door open, but let's see what we can find. Try looking under the rug?", he shrugs as he looks for anything useful.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Are the doors reinforced? Is there a key in a nearby flowerpot, by chance? Any damage on the door that could be taken advantage of? That kind of stuff.

@Noros She is not quite famous enough to be known, but she is likely a local bounty hunter pursuing Desnans for the Umbral Court (Nidal's government that rules with an iron fist) based on her tale so far.

@Makik/Zzorn Unfortunately no hidden key. It’s a good wooden door with a run of the mill lock, but certainly breakable. That would, of course, make a lot of noise.

"Hm..., Malik scoffs at the hallway. "Nothing of use here. Maybe check the other rooms? There might be windows on the exterior wall..."

Did we axtually get legitimate access to one of the rooms? I'm not sure if there was an interaction with the staff at all.

I'm assuming you did, as the other rooms are available and Zzorn said he would. So you would have a key to the one to the left. There are windows, but it is still a bit of a climb to transfer to the room in question. And still raining.

"Great idea Malik!" answers Zzorn, opening the lock for the adjacent room. Once inside, he grabs a blanket from his backpack, throws it over his shoulder, opens the window, and climbs to the other room, opening the window from the outside.

Climb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Igor stays with Notos and Paxal. He listens passively with Tiny Pebble at his side. He keeps an eye and ear out for trouble and he motions to his familiar in their shared language to keep a lookout for the rest of the party.

(Take 10 on Perception is 32)

Tiny Pebble uses his elemental senses to detect any movement of people within the rooms or the structure and to monitor the progress of the party members upstairs.

(Tremor Sense 60')

Zzorn shimmies across the exposed belly band, careful to watch his handholds in the driving rain, but finally enters the desired room.

A man sits hogtied at the foot of the bed, gagged and getting increasingly excited as the Ulfen enters.

"Arff you herff to fry meh?" he struggles to say through the thick cotton.

------------------

In the tavern below, Tiny Pebble mutters to Igor in their shared language "...windows."

Paxal pulls out a dry cigar and lights it up. The thick, earthy-scented smoke mingles about him and wafts upward to the ceiling.
Offered a seat by Alya, he grabs his ale and joins her.
A butterfly chaser? What's that?
He asks with a puzzled look.

"Ah, you know... Dirty Desna worshippers. Or maybe you aren't from around here. You do look like a strange band, sure enough. Rich enough to hire a couple of load-bearers, though. Are you merchants?" She asks, lowering her mask long enough to take a slow deliberate drink from her glass.

Merchants? Heh. I guess you could say that.
He pulls the cigar out of his mouth and smirks.
I prefer the term "treasure hunter". Some may call us "tomb raiders" or "murder-hobos", but, "merchant"?
Well, we do end up selling the artefacts we find for coin. So, YES!
He slaps the table loudly.
Yes! We are merchants then... In a sense. Ha!

Zzorn hurries up to untie the man. "We're the Pathfinders sent to meet you. The bounty hunter downstairs is bragging that she bagged you, but some of us are keeping her busy... do you have a safe house somewhere she doesn't know? Is this door trapped here or did she put an alarm on it? Can we switch room through the hallway and get you out by rope through our window?"

Upstairs

An unmistakable relief overwhelms the man as you free him.

"Ah, to think the Pathfinders I was sent to meet, ended up rescuing me from that bounty-huntress instead. Ha. Desna would be laughing at that turn of fate."

Wringing his sore wrists, he stands up.

"Yes, I have an escape route all set up already. We can get out of the city by slipping out of the city through the nearby Leper’s Gate. I should be able to secure some horses, as well. I am Golbrier, by the way."

Peering out the window, he muses.

"I don't know if she did anything to the door. I suppose we can climb down here with some bedsheets, doesn't look too far. Better tell your friends its time to go, though, before anyone's the wiser."

----------------------

Downstairs

"Ooh. So you are adventurers, then? So exciting. I've always wondered if I was up for such a life." She engages with the tiefling as the escape unfolds above her.

Adventurers? Nah...
Paxal waves a hand dismissively at her comment.
Adventurers are all about slaying dragons and rescuing the fair maiden, or swashbuckling dandies and their daring escapades upon the high seas.

We're nuthin' of the sort.
He says in all seriousness as he shifts his cigar to one corner of his mouth and takes a swig of ale with the other corner.

Zzorn ties one of the bedsheets to one leg of the bed while Golbrier ties the other ones together. He hands Golbrier his 'luggage' and they return to their normal buckler and faction appearances. When the sheets are tied up, he gives him the loose end. "There: hold on to this tight and I'll lower you down to the street. I'm Zzorn by the way but I'm under disguise... call me 'Ggorn' for now. Keep my weapons safe and hide in the alley over there; we'll be out in a few minutes..."

Zzorn lowers the man down and then rejoins Malik in the other room.

Climb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"Malik: Golbrier is now waiting for us in an alley; let's go back down! You inform our masters that their 'luggage has been unpacked and that they are ready for them when we return from our meeting later this evening' or some other excuse to bring them out of the tavern... I'll pretend to get their horses ready..."

Malik assists Zzorn with a rope when possible, and waits for the man to get back. "Suggestion. Why don't you just climb down thorugh the window to keep Golbier company, and I will try to sneak downstairs and tell the others we're ready?"

After that is all done, Malik pulls back the rope, locks the doors, and heads downstairs. He tries to wait for an opportune moment, when the bounty hunter is preoccupied with discussion, and not looking in his general direction.

Once downstairs, he approaches whoever is not directly interacting with the woman. "Masters, your belongings are unpacked upstairs in our room. You also wanted me to remind you of the meeting we had. We should probably head out if we want to make it on time."

"Suggestion. Why don't you just climb down thorugh the window to keep Golbier company, and I will try to sneak downstairs and tell the others we're ready?"

"Ah, my dear Malik! I will answer this crucial question of yours with another question: what would the bounty hunter think when she sees only one of us come back downstairs, and then later finds her fugitive missing?"

"Fair point. Let's go."

See post above for continuation

Zzorn nods, and empties several folded nobles' outfits, undergarments, socks, toiletry items and some jewelry from his backpack, carefully placing them in the desk drawers of their room, before following Malik downstairs.

"Had I not chosen the adventuring life, I would have spent my days hitting orcs from other tribes with a large club so we could have a bit more land. I think this fits me better."

Notos would have made sure Alya's glass stayed full while they talked. A couple of drinks might get her impaired enough to assist our escape (or impair her in combat if it comes to that.)

Notos gestures toward Paxel, I am inclined to agree with my companion. We don't seek adventure. We just travel from place to place, trying to find things left behind over the years. We would like to avoid problems if we can. Your life sounds much more like adventuring to me, looking for people who don't want to be found.

Unfortunately, we have a meeting we must attend to, so we must make our farewells.

With that, she will start to gather her things to leave.

Igor and Tiny Pebble wait for Notos to leave. All of this cloak and dagger activity including the need to socialise with the underbelly of society he finds degrading and not at all in line with any of his strengths.

@Zzorn and Malik - Well done. :)

Completely oblivious to what his companions are doing upstairs, Paxal is rather enjoying his time chatting, drinking, and relaxing.

Unfortunately, we have a meeting we must attend to, so we must make our farewells.

So soon, Notos? I was just getting to know this fine young lady here.

Alya is halfway through her first purchased drink when Malik returns and the group gathers to leave for their meeting. "Ah, well I enjoyed the company. Thanks for the drink. After I get paid for my quarry tomorrow, I'll be sure to return the favor!"

She turns back to the bar as you exit, a satisfied smile on her face.

--------------------------

Catching up with Golbrier in the alley, he leads you to the safehouse of a Desnan sympathizer, who prepares horses for your travels out of the city.

Golbrier fill you in on developments while you wait. "Thank you all again for the rescue. That could have really put a fork into the soup. Anyways, my most recent information from the Whispered Song is about the leader of the Onyx Alliance expedition, a man named Lord Maravan. My sources say Maravan is a spellcaster of some power, having trained in the Arcanamirium in your Absalom, but also an accomplished duelist who studied under a Tian Xia weaponmaster. Whispered Song spies have heard him claim he was planning on recovering a minor artifact known as an obsidian obelisk. Now, Maravan seems to know the location of an ancient barrow known as the Cairn of Shadows, which lies within the Barrowmoor. They believed it was the burial mound of a horselord chieftain named Telendrak, an ancient foe of the Midnight Lord who the Desnans hold in high esteem."

He takes a peek out the window to see the progress of the mounts.

"I'm quite happy to have fearsome allies willing to explore the site, though I'm not interested in entering the barrow myself. You know... I’m a lover... and a singer... and a bit of a dancer, but not a fighter.”

He blushes as he jigs to the last few thoughts, then moves to his baggage. "Here, the Whispered Song thought you could use these, and I suppose they might do for a reward for my rescue as well."

He hands over two cloaks of elvenkind for your use.

The house owner returns and announces the horses are ready.

"Well, it's about two hundred miles to Barrowmoor, should take us a week. Better stock up on food and water. We must hurry, before they realize I'm gone from the inn." Golbrier exhales.

Are there food stores ready to take here in the safe house or must we head into town to buy additional supplies?

Zzorn nods and agrees with the plan, adding "Dear Golbrier, do you have anything to change your appearance? if we leave town now and you're spotted departing, that bounty hunter and whoever was paying for your bounty will put 2 and 2 together and know our group did this. As things stand, that bounty hunter seems to have been thoroughly charmed by Paxal's cigar magic, and I'd like for things to stay that way."

Igor replies to Zzorn.

"We should assume that the bounty hunter will figure it out. I doubt that she will tell anyone as she has no proof but still we need to be on our guard if we come back this way and even on our travels."

@GM Erich - Can a humanoid shaped Earth Elemental ride a horse or will he have to be a passenger with someone else?

"Golbrier, are you sure there was no diviner involved in your capture? Anyone here can check for that sort of thing?", Malik interjects.

"I'd hate to make plans when we are... watched. Maybe then we can send them on a wild goose chase. For example, book a ship passage in your name or something similar. Or if any of your friends here could do that. Preferably as soon a possible. I can cover the expenses. Just tell me how much."

Zzorn nods to Igor, "Agreed, Mage Ivantoe. We should remain on our guard. Do you have a way to alter Golbrier's appearance or make him invisible as we ride out of the gates of Nisroch?"

Zzorn then nods to Malik upon hearing a suggestion. "Yes, a misdirection of some kind, such as the one mentioned by Malik or a note or rumor left behind may be beneficial. As long as she works trying to find you in the wrong places, it puts additional miles between us and them."

@ZZorn The safehouse being what it is, it is stocked enough for you to take what you need.

@Igor There would be a way to secure him to your horse. Otherwise you have to get him a special saddle and a cowboy hat, and it's a whole big thing...

"I can whip up a quick disguise, no problem. And yes, the the Whispered Song is well-versed in dodging attention, both on and off the road. I would be surprised if diversions and dead-ends like that haven't already been arranged. I've already contacted my partner - Mericel Thay so such things are in motion." Golbrier informs you.

While searching for supplies, the safehouse owner hands an envelope to Paxal. Check your Paizo private messages.

While the group is supplying themselves, Zzorn nods several time in appreciation at Golbrier's resoucefulness and general good organization of his safehouse. When he is done preparing his backpack, he approaches Golbrier for a brief moment, and says something to him in hushed tones.

Adding several days' worth of trail rations to this scenario's 'virtual gear', say 30 days' worth as I can carry some for those with low STR, and adding several filled waterskins and wineskins, some vermin repellent if possible, some pots and pans, salt, pepper, cheese, fruits and vegetables (the kind that won't spoil fast), nuts and dried raisins/berries, and chalk powder for solid grip if heavy lifting or climbing is required (and some talc powder to prevent chafing in the saddle, if available); if possible, he will buy a Campfire Bead via Golbrier's folks for 720gp if they can quickly arrange it. If not, he'll look for his own firewood during the journey. PS: a loyal Ulfen bodyguard follows Zzorn everywhere, keeping to himself and not saying much (mentioning him now as he will need his own horse and bring his own food for RP reasons)

PM sent

Paxal is awestruck when Zorn and Malik hurriedly tells the others of the rescue and introduce Golbrier as they make their way to the safehouse.
Well, I'll be damned. Good going, you two.

I was hoping to make a new lady friend with that Alya, but, I guess that won't be the case any longer. If she realizes it was us. Haha! Oh well.
He skulks through the alleyways and shadows with the others.

-----------------------------

At the safehouse...

Good to have you safe and sound, mister Golbrier.
Paxal nods with a friendly smile.

This Lord Maravan sounds like a magus - a master with sword and spell.
Do you know anything special about the obsidian obelisk? Perhaps what powers it contains?

At the mention of riding horses, Paxal's eyes go wide with concern.
Horses? No, no, no.
He says in disapproval.
Not for me, thank you. I'm fine jogging alongside you all. I didn't do very well in mounted combat training. Besides, you'd be surprised by how strong these legs are.
He moves the front of his cloak aside and points at one of his hooved digitigrade legs.
I'll keep Pebble company. The two of us can scout ahead and behind the group as we travel.

(I bet Tiny Pebble would look adorable in a cowboy hat.)

When he has a moment alone, Paxal reads the missive he was given.
"Hmm. Very well, then."
He says to himself with a raised eyebrow.

He glances around at his companions and realizes he may be the only member of the Dark Archive in the group.
He hastily folds it, then stuffs the missive in an inner cloak pocket and rejoins his companions.

Igor acquires the required food and beverage for the return trip and secures it to the provided horse. He secures Tiny Pebble to his mount and is ready to ride out when the party is able to.

@GM Erich - Igor will cast Endure Elements on himself, Tiny Pebble and his horse before bedding down each night with an open spell slot and two pearls of power. A couple more levels and a Rod of Extend and he will be rolling around with a ton of overnight buffs but not quite yet. Magic is great but free magic is golden. :)

Notos will pick up additional Trail Rations for the journey.

Golbrier, did you mean a week total or a week each way?

She also picks up an extra Waterskin and a small tent.

After hearing the story of the rescue upstairs, she pulls out her Skeleton Key and tells Zzorn and Malik

You might want to pick up one of these for future activities.

Igor, could you use this on me each night. and she shows Igor her wand of Endure Elements

Elby is happy to carry any extra supplies that her less martially inclined allies have problems with. She seeks out a sturdy and reliable mount, plies it with some sugar, and takes up her usual position during intrigues of big-dumb-guard.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Igor smiles at the Bard. He picks up a tent as well when he sees Notos grab one.

"Don't worry Notos. I have you covered. Save your wand for when you when you really need it like the desert or the polar regions."

Igor has four pearls of power so he can cover her as well. I don't think that this casting is strictly necessary but why would characters not use magic to make themselves more comfortable especially when the magic renews itself after a good night sleep.

"I do not know much of the obelisk, only that others say it is surrounded by shadow and full of foul visions." Golbrier recounts before saying farewell to his friends at the safe house.

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Travel from Nisroch to Barrowmoor goes smoothly as Golbrier is in regular contact with Whispered Song spies, who ensure your travelling party doesn’t run afoul of patrols or Kuthite loyalists during the long journey north. See the overview map of Nidal for your travels...

Just before your arrival in Barrowmoor, a spy’s report informs Golbrier that the Onyx Alliance expedition has found the Cairn of Shadows and they’ve begun excavating the ancient tomb. The report pinpoints the cairn’s location, but can’t be sure how long the Onyx Alliance has been inside.

--------------------------------

The barrow mound holding the entrance to the Cairn of Shadows is a tall mount of rock and gray earth, some thirty feet in diameter and twenty feet high. One side has been excavated with piles of dirt and lose rocks tossed about. The excavation into the tomb is only a few yards deep, beyond which there is an archway made of black stone and the tunnel walls change from roughly dug dirt to worked black stone.

"Well it's time for you to earn your pay. I'll wait outside here." Golbrier says cheerfully, his face betraying the dread he feels for you.

Time to prepare and enter. Let me know a general party order in the ten foot wide corridors on the new battlemap.

"We're getting paid? oh! nice!" answers Zzorn upon hearing Golbrier's last bit of encouragment. He then dons one of the Cloaks of Elvenkind and rubs his ring while uttering some nonsensical word, a brief tiny flash of magic noticeable.
Using Envoy Ring to activate comprehend language; 30 min

"Remember Notos: stay behind me, and stay close!" says Zzorn, drawing a spear and holding it in both hands in a ready position. He adds something in Skald to his Ulfen bodyguard, and then drinks two concoctions from small bottles.
Drinking vials of antitoxin and antiplague.

Note: Personal Guard Boon in effect - bodyguard shares Zzorn's space; shown on map right now but will remove it if combat breaks out.

Zzorn then begins to advance slowly.
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Malik takes a few breaths to ready up. "You squishy folk get in front of me. I'll cover you from the rear."

Malik can do ranged attacks towards the frontline and melee in the back in case of an ambush. I'll stay in the back of the bunch.

Stealth if we're sneaking about: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

It may be a slightly bad idea to have the melee paladin slowed by armor in the back row. Who wants to swap with me?

@Ely - If you move your character ahead of the party then another front-liner will join you. My character should be near the front as well with his familiar body-guard to protect him. :)

@GM Erich - Just a heads up that Igor has See Invisibility up and that Tiny Pebble can automatically sense creatures with his Tremor Sense 60'. All of their current buffs are in their tag-lines and their new buffs in the spoiler below.

Igor stretches out a bit before swallowing a pill and casting a series of spells to fortify both himself and Tiny Pebble. He leaves the blade of his dagger partially unsheathed allowing the light to spill into the room. He readies his scroll cases on his belt and attaches his spring-loaded wrist sheath to his left arm.

"I think I will be near the front with my familiar. He will be able to sense any movement on the ground and my senses have been heightened by my elvish heritage and by magic to sense the invisible."

Tiny Pebble smiles at the party and gives everyone a big thumbs up. He looks extremely happy to see a huge pile of earth and stone to move around in.