Motteditor's 2-19 Enter the Pallid Peak PBP [Gameday X] (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

"No point in letting in evil altar stand. You'll just get more problems."

Rixette starts breaking it down.

Capricio chips in to help destroy the altar too.

"Just as Desna fights the Rough Beast."

You are easily able to dismantle the altar, which ends the strange feeling of being watched. Heading east, you discover a river of lava glowing sullenly as it cuts through a ruined chamber, looking like a portal to the Abyss. The air shimmers above the melted stone as waves of heat pour off it. Crumbling mortar fills gaps and cracks on the broken basalt walls, and a granite bridge connects the shattered eastern and western halves of the room.

Capricio wipes the sweat from his face.

"Truly this is the abyss."

But he feels less anxious having smashed the altar.

"Let's keep going!"
arch lore (U): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Boy, this is the hottest yet!"

Rixette wipes her brow.

crafting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Dr Ripfang notes "This bridge is much newer, much much newer that all the rest of the action here."

Corssing the first of the bridges, you discover a chamber to the south. A plinth in the center of this room holds sheets of hammered metal etched with writing and illustrations of bridges, though scratches obscure much of the work. Steel sheets covered in Dwarven writing hang on the walls, reinforcing the damaged surfaces.

All of the writing in here is in Dwarven, meaning none of you can read it.

"Stupid dwarves and all their stupid writing!"

society DC17: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"Hey! They used that brown mold to cool the lava when t' build the bridges! How cool is that?"

engineering lore: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Ripfang nods to Screech. "Pretty cool, wonder what that note says"

Dr. Ripfang will mix his last free elixir into a comprehension elixir

and reads the notes.

Only good for 1 minute, also I just realized I also have a backup set of 4 of these if needed, that I crafted like 18 IRL months ago.

The note in Dwarven on the plans reads, “Rebuild Kazhlik for the good of Tar Khadurrm—King Garbold,” though the final four words are scratched out and replaced with “Droskar.” “Any Road to Glory” is written large in Dwarven at the top of the four plates on the walls, while smaller letters give a series of a dozen commands, such as “serve” and “toil,” and elaborations in poetic terms.

religion: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19 OMG has Screech gotten lucky at these!

"Me remember that! It be Droskari aphorism and the other is their scripture from Book of Chains! Them not good peoples... damned grey dwarves!"

Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Yes, you're right, the Book of Chains. I hope this will this help us with our puzzle."

With nothing else apparently to be gleaned in this room, you head back out. A bridge leads you to the other side of the shattered room, but as Rixette steps off it, she seems to kick some dust in the air, and the lava suddenly churns! Rixette feels a strange sudden coolness before her feet, and a moment later a spatter of lava comes flying toward her!

Fortunately, the half-orc is able to avoid the molten rock, and she quickly realizes the area is covered with more of the brown mold. She thinks she could probably clear the area around her with a little work. This is a hazard; you can clear the squares you're in and that are adjacent to you with a DC 14 Nature or Survival or DC 17 Thievery check to Disable.

Unfortunately, before you can do anything, three winged monstrosities rise out of the lava. One of them hisses at you and then breathes molten rock all over Screech, Ripfang and Capricio! 2 fire damage to everyone, with a DC 17 basic Reflex save; on a failure, you also take 1d4 persistent fire damage

Everyone in the party can act.

reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Dr. Ripfang is completely untouched by the fire as he ducks under the magma breath. He retaliates with a bottle full of lightning at the closest monstrosity.

lightning mutagen vs Red: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23
electricity damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9
2 splash | flat-footed until the start of my next turn on a hit

Dr Ripfang then uses his cloak to try and smother any ongoing fire on an adjacent ally.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Rixette dodges the fire entirely.

She then gets to work on the mold.

Thievery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

But unfortunately can't make progress.

reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"Ow!" yells Screech.
"Stupid citters made of fire,
Why you want to burn my lyre?
Ice and cold to make you dead,
then you not bother Screech's head!
Friends of mine not wanna burn,
even things you never learn!"

lingering performance DC18: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Almost a crit, but 3 rounds

He then chucks a rock at red... with his words!
telekinetic projectile: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 = 19 B, IC: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 + 1 = 12

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Ouch!" Capricio manages to dodge most of the magma.

He throws a diving lance at the red monster.

Divine Lance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Good Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Dont forget the inspire courage!

Capricio's lance hits the creature -- but doesn't seem to hurt it! Whatever it is, it's not evil. Rocks, however, appear to be more effective, as it screeches at Screech's assault. The noise -- the creature's, not the goblin's -- abruptly cuts off as Ripfang's vial hits it and it dies.

The lava spatters again as Rixette tries to clear the mold 6 fire damage; plus need a DC 17 Reflex save (it acted on its turn, not because of the Disable check)

The two remaining creatures fly closer -- too far to attack you -- but still keep some distance, though one does move over solid terrain.

Yay, it's so rare I get to use the spatter.

The goblin's noise almost never goes away :P

Screech again chucks a rock at a critter, this time orange!
telekinetic projectile, IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 = 17 bludgeoning ROCK: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 + 1 = 8

He then moves back to try and get around.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Rixette easily avoids the fire and gets back to work clearing the mold.

Thievery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Rixette figures out how to lift up the mold in a single sheet and tosses it into the lava.

She steps forward.

I added a box to show which squares are clear now.

Dr. Ripfang mixes up his last free bottle and chucks it.

bottled lightning: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16
electricity damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
+2 splash

Ripfang then moves off the bridge and has his organ grinder monkey feed an elixir of life to Rixette.

healing: 1d6 ⇒ 5
+1 item bonus to saving throws against diseases and poisons for 10 minutes.

Capricio pulls out his crossbow and shoots at the orange creature.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

As Rixette clears some space, Screech, Ripfang and Capricio all concentrate their attacks on the nearest monstrosity, which cries out in pain before it falls, motionless, into the lava. You killed it

The last one, unhappy, flies closer and breathes molten rock at Rixette and Ripfang. Fortunately, there's no mold to be kicked up, the lava seems to stay quiescent. 6 fire damage to everyone, with a DC 17 basic Reflex save; on a failure, you also take 1d4 persistent fire damage

Party is up.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"Ouch!"

Rixette continues working on the mold.

Thievery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

She swears in Orc: a few harsh, guttural words.

"Hey, you piece of flying coal! Why don't you come in closer and really fight?"

Intimidation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Ha ha, nope

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 So close! Is the save for everyone or just Rixette and Ripfang?

Capricio fires an arrow at yellow!

Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19
Good Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Stupid nasty! Burn US with fire! Not fair!" yells Screech.

Screech runs around, and chucks another rock!
spell attack, IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28 ROCK: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5) + 4 + 1 = 16 32 if that's a crit!

Whoops! Save was just for Ripfang and Rixette; sorry, copied and pasted the previous one so I had the DC and persistent damage right there.

Screech's rock splatters the remaining creature, letting you easily focus on clearing the mold without risking more spatters from the lava.

Since the hazard is not that hazardous without the mephits, I'm going to handwave it and say you've successfully cleared this area! Which means I think you've now explored the entire ruins.

reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Dr. Ripfang singes slightly but avoids the worst of it.

"What do you all think? Should we talk tot he dwarves on our way out?"

Capricio nods in agreement.

Yes, we should let them know what we've learned."

Isn't there a puzzle we need to complete?

You did already.

Dr Ripfang nods in agreement to Rixette.

”I like talking, but have we found everything there is to find?”

I think you've explored the entire map; which is everything there is to find until 3-10: Delve the Pallid Depths comes out.

The ifrit dwarves look up as you approach, eyes widening at some of the indications of your difficulties.

"What happened?!" Yandrada exclaims.

"We found ghosts... dwarven ghosts. And lava. Which is hot. And dead brown mold... and not dead brown mold. Which was not hot. And evil grey dwarves, who tried to kill us. So we killed them right back! And little devil-things that flew up out of the lava..." starts of Screech, detailing their encounters in no particular order.

The ifrits exchange a horrified glance, and Slayse takes an aggressive step forward.

"Duergar? There are duergar in here?!"

"Not any more I think. We killed them dead. And we broke their shrine."

Dr Ripfang nods along with Screech's explination.

"Yes, unfortunately, and we found an ominous altar in the shape of an anvil, which we smashed of course."

The ifrits exchange more long looks. "We can't stay here if there could be more duergar," Rowsh says.

Yandrada nods. "We're just going to have to find somewhere else." She heaves a sigh. "We should start getting our stuff together."

"Any interest in joining the PAthfinder Society? It's a whole lot of fun! You could even come sail on the Risen Albatross!"

"Yes, the Society offers many opportunities to travel and see the world!"

"You think they would have us?" Yandrada asks, clearly not sure she believes their good fortune. Clearly she doesn't know much about the Pathfinder Society if that's how she thinks of it ... :)

"Yes, you should totally join the Pathfinder Society. They take in everybody!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Ripfang Muk Muk continues to nod as Screech explains.

The ifrits confer briefly, and quickly decide they will come with you. If the Society is willing to take them in, well, it has to be better than their previous group, the Hot Handle.

The trip down the mountain is easy -- and blessedly cool, after being in the volcano -- and you have another pleasant night and hearty meal at the inn. Taking a boat back to Falcon's Hollow, the trip is easy -- other than Slayse getting seasick in her first time on the water. She's very happy to be back on solid land as you walk back to Olfden, where Venture Captain Luna Aldred greets you. "Well, how did it go? What did you find?" she asks.

And while we can play out your report with another post or two, you have basically finished entering the Pallid Peak! Congrats! You fulfilled both your primary and secondary objectives of exploring, and found all the treasure bundles. I'll try to get the chronicles out (via Slack) Sunday morning.

"We found ghosts... dwarven ghosts. And lava. Which is hot. And dead brown mold... and not dead brown mold. Which was not hot. And evil grey dwarves, who tried to kill us. So we killed them right back! Oh and we found our new fire-dwarf friends, and they helped us and we helped them. And a puzzle, with stodgy dwarf gods. And little devil-things that flew up out of the lava..." starts of Screech, detailing their encounters in no particular order.

perform(oratory): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29