PBP GD-X: GM Silbeg's PFS2 2-21 In Pursuit of Water (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

Looks like Reflex Save is the best modifier Sal has Barring difficulty changes for having an actual skill (Athletics at +5)...

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Well, crap.

Sal doesn't have nearly enough surface area to spread out his weight and starts to fall into the looser area.

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Khagra not so strong today.

waiting on Jaware

Drante, Sal, and Khagra all struggle in the sands!
No crit fails, though, and Jaware could still pull it off!

Counting on me... with dice? Oh boy.
Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Sigh.
Reflex save (Hero Point): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Jaware does his best, hoping that it's enough.

Jaware also struggles, and the team is forced to go the long way around. penalty on your next check.

The next day, is Jaware is able to guide them to make a full 20 miles.
another desert lore, survival, or perception check please… you think you are 30 miles, or two days, away

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Jaware once more does his best to keep his eyes and mind open.

Drante can't do much else but trust in his old eyes and vision. The bright sun doesn't really help.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Sal is extra-wary after the stupid sand trap.

He's also rather philosophical about the whole trip -- worst case the team doesn't get to wherever in time, and the cultists get eaten by whatever wants them to do whatever they've been doing.

"I'm beginning to suspect our dear venture-captain was not on par with what she was recruiting," Drante sulks, feeling more like a dead weight in the team, "my socialite skills in juridical justice don't really play a role in a desolate, remote desert patch. And I don't really think accounting is the top priority around these parts either."

"Sal, if the cultists succeed in whatever they are doing and are devoured in the process, they still have released something sinister into the world, something that could pose more dangers to the open roads."

"I think it's less that and more they 'grabbed whoever' which is a horrible way to plan out missions. An organization as large and developed as the Society could do better at this, one would think?"

"True. However, they wouldn't be continuing to release other sinister things, at least? Sal offers as a counterpoint.

After that last bit of embarrassing debacle Khagra lets others lead today.

When it becomes evident that Khagra is letting the others lead, Jaware goes to the warrior. "You were brave the other day against the cultists. And though I can only guess at the fate of your remaining days, as that knowledge belongs with Pharasma, I am certain you will leave a mark upon this world."

He hopes that encourages him enough to move beyond any perceived performance problems.

Drante and Sal, that was the same check to stay on course… I am assuming you both misunderstood this.

Jaware again leads the party with his keen eyes, and midway through the sixth day, the few sounds of insects disappear and the sun dims, though no clouds touch the sky. A faint smudge on the southern horizon grows to a mountain and then fills the whole of the world as a mile-high wall of sand and roaring winds races across the desert. From the crest of the dune, the only shelter in sight is a half-buried stone structure, a tilted column pointing out of the sand with an open door and fallen megaliths dotted around it. Then the storm descends with a furious shriek of lashing winds.

To navigate or find shelter in the sandstorm you must make an Acrobatics, Athletics, Crafting, Medicine, Nature, Survival, or appropriate Lore check

Khagra flexes as he gets to use his muscles instead, feeling better after Jaware's encouragement.

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Jaware does his best, but can quickly tell that he has spent too much time in cities of late and falls short of being useful. He vows to remedy that.

"Never had I imagined my life to turn out to this!" Drante exclaims, exhausted by the endless trek through the rolling dunes, "wonders where life and fate takes you, truly fascinating! And you see those columns there, and that plume of... is that a sandstorm? Oh goodness me, I've merely read about these in some tales, never come across one!"

Drante's extensive library back home in Corentyn boasts a wide variety of subjects, one being nature's own forces. He tries his darnest to remember, how the native people combat the strong, blowing winds of dust and sand.

Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Alas, it has been many years since he last laid eyes upon the opus.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Sal says nothing -- opening his mouth in the maelstrom would be enough to get a mouthful of sand which he truly does not want.

Khagra makes it through just fine, Jaware curses the time he has spent in cities, but makes it through ok.

Drante and Sal are bombarded with sand as sharp as arrows!

Drante Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Sal Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

With that, the party makes it into the Inspiring Wellspring!

Filthy bedding, open crates, and a smoldering campfire fill one corner of the spacious vestibule. Several bodies molder near a dusty passageway to the east. A set of stairs sits opposite the entrance. A pile of smashed pottery and broken art objects sits in the center of the chamber while recent damage mars the ancient murals and reliefs on the chamber walls.

The room is only dimly lit from the doorway, but sand is blowing in through the open door.

Crafting to repair and close

Drante—still finding sand in the places he shouldn't—might lack the experience of an artisan, but knowledge he does not. He takes on the task to fix the door to keep the sand outside the room.

Crafting: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"This place seems like it was abandoned decades, even centuries, ago," he wonders as he takes out a torch and flint and steel from his backpack, promptly lighting the torch, "so it goes without saying the locale is suitable for marauders to have as a place of operations. Remote with still some infrastructure left, and from afar looks like desolate ruins."

Drante nods to Nevantes "Surprised they didn't bother to shut the door though."

"Might not have gotten a chance. I'm still camping on the 'eaten by their summoning' ticket." Sal offers with a bit of a wry tone.

"Also, do we really desire to effectively lock ourselves in with who-knows-what nasty things are in the rotten debris?"

Alas, Sal does not have a skill that would be applicable here,

Jaware places a hand on the holy symbol that hangs from a necklace and whispers a prayer to Pharasma. Seconds later a gentle white glow emanates, adding light to the area.
Cast Light

"The shifting sands don't care about doors. The wind is just as happy to bury as it is to unearth. The Pathfinders have benefitted from the latter before. Pray that we not suffer from the former."

Drante repairs the door, reducing the swirling winds and sands, but putting everyone into the dark.

Light needed if you don't have Darkvision

Hero Points to Khagra for saving the couple, and Jaware for his navigation!

Once you have light, you think you could use survival to look for tracks, and can investigate the walls with Society, Ancient Osirion Lore, Archaeology Lore, or other appropriate Lore check. Also Perception to Seek.

Already posted that Jaware cast Light. Unless we need more?

With his light illuminating the area, Jaware turns to investigate the walls.
Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Jaware's light will cover the normal 20' bright + 20' dim. For now assume there is no light down here!

Jaware finds intact carvings and murals showing water flowing forth from the sands and creating verdant surroundings, with travelers of multiple cultures coming together in peace. The inhabitants show minor features of elemental water ancestry and evidence of architecture inspired by the styles of the Jistka Imperium.

Khagra will also provide light from his Wayfinder even though he can see in the dark.

Keeping in front of Jaware Khagra looks over his shoulder, both tridents drawn and asks "What do they mean Jaware?"

Drante was the first one to light a torch. He didn't prepare light.

"Truly extraordinary! If only I had taken more classes in archeology," Drante exclaims with a bit of remorse, settling on just looking around for anything interesting.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"So this place was a place of commerce, a vibrant oasis? Wonder what brought the draught."

Society (Expert): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 F. F. S.

"Well, it's too expensive to be easily carried away. Either the oasis dried up or it got polluted -- I'm leaning on polluted based on the moldering remains..."

Jaware shares what he's seen to the others. "Definitely signs of the Jistka Imperium. Which I suppose is good news."

Drante locates a small cedar box containing two lesser antidotes. He also finds a beautiful golden angel statuette among the destroyed relics in the room’s center, an ancient religious symbol of Sarenrae. He also recognizes this as a work of art.

Survival anyone?

survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Khagra takes a look.

Khagra is just able to make out evidence of recent traffic on the stairs. He also find footprints from the last few days and dried blood leading down the eastern corridor.

Medicine check on the bodies listed...

medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Khagra takes a look at the bodies as well after commenting "Recent traffic, bloodied too."

Khagra determines that the bodies died from severe bludgeoning damage.

What would you like to do now? There is the passage to the east, and the stairs down.

My suggestion would be to examine this entire level if possible before delving further. We don't have enough resources to do a full grid, so that would be the next best method."

Assume Sal is doing what is necessary to perform this task with Seek action unless the rest of the party wants to go to the next floor. In that case, he'll go with the rest of the team.

"I concur, secure this level. We don't want any surprises," Drante says, pondering about that Khagra has found. "And it's evident there's a presence of those Usij cultists, or whatever they were called. Who are these bodies, part of the same caravan from which the newly wed were?"

You have searched everything you can in this room... but you'll need to travel down that corridor to find more on 'this level'

Jaware gestures to the eastern passage. "Onwards then? Let's keep an eye out for danger."
Is there a map for this? If so, I don't see it on the Slides.
As long as someone is Searching, Jaware will Investigate

No map.
Assuming you are taking the lead

Following the ruined path leads to a recently excavated temple archway. The ceiling inside the temple is 20 feet high at its center.

A faded mural of masked birds leading spectral figures inward in a spiral to the chamber’s center adorns the cracked and broken ceiling. Statues are shattered and defaced in alcoves. A twisted corpse lies near the hallway. Old bones sit further inside, many pinioned with rusted blades.

Ancient dust stirs, the wind flowing past like an indrawn breath. Faint whispers grow in number from sources just out of sight, flickers of motion dancing at the edge of perception.

Thus begins the "Chase".

You will be going in turn order, and each character can, in turn, act against the obstacle. Each will have a set of skills to overcome it. Thanks to Jaware, you get +1 on these checks!

You will need a number of successes to pass each obstacle, and some may have repercussions if you do not pass.

Ghostly voices echo around the room.

Jaware, Drante, Kjagra, Sal is/are up!
Buffs/Adjustments: 


Round to progress 2021-10-8 1800 CDT (UTC-5)

Crafting or Intimidation to block out the noise, Performance or Religion to counter-chant

Jaware smiles at the sight of Pharasman iconography. "The masked birds are nosoi psychopomps, servants of Pharasma. The spiral is also symbolic of her," Jaware says this last bit with a gesture to his holy symbol.

His demeanor changes when the ghostly voices stir. Quickly he launches into a counter-chant to suppress their power!
Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Jaware is able to make progress in the countersong, but more is still needed.

Drante, Khagra, Sal

Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"You ARE NOT the true masters of this locale. Cease this prattling AT ONCE lest the consequences consume you whole with draconic IRE!" Sal bellows with a mixed tone of annoyance and wrath.

Khagra quickly sputters some half remembered prayers.

religion: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Sal blocks out the sound with his own bluster!

Khagra you can redo your action.

As you move past the whispers, bones stir and long-dead limbs grasp at the living.

Acrobatics or Stealth to avoid the bones, Athletics or Strike with bludgeoning damage to break them

Bones stir and long-dead limbs grasp at the living.

Round to progress 2021-10-9 1800 CDT (UTC-5)

What's up with Paizo's message timer? Does it only show some Pacific time in it or what?

"Oh boy, this is our cue to run, right?" Drante asks while already taking strides. He takes out his staff and tries to sweep the bones out of the way.

Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Khagrga strikes at a skeletal arm as he nods to Drante's suggestion "Yes."

strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Between Drante and Khagra the team is able to push their way past the skeletons.

Then, Spectral figures swirl about the room, passing through the living with a horrifying chill.

Acrobatics or Reflex save to avoid the specters, Intimidation or Performance to inspire bravery

Spectral figures swirl about the room, passing through the living with a horrifying chill.

Round to progress 2021-10-9 1800 CDT (UTC-5)

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Khagra is penitent and does a dodge roll under the ghosts.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Drante puts up his stern face, looking at the spectral visages with utter scorn. He's been to the Chelish courts and they have a lot more horrible and older hags than these sorry excuses of ghosts.