DM Carbide's Core Emerald Spire

Game Master John Woodford

A halfling with a blue robe with white stars and quarter moons decorating it and a matching pointed hat stands at the gates of Fort Inevitable. Seeing the Hellknight near by he shouts and waves
a wrinkled map.

"Excuse me Mr. Hellknight...I seem to be lost. I'm supposed to meeting a bunch of Pathfinders at a place near here..but it's not marked on this map I bought...see this old half orc sold it to me..."

He rambles on and on...

The Hellknight sick of the prattle shouts..."Do you swear to obey the laws of the town?"

"Oh...you interrupted me. But of course?'

"Inside!"

"Thank you sir...You're awfully kind. You know someone in Andoran said Hellknights were rude and mean, but you're awfully nice. Do you know where I can get something to eat. I..."

"INSIDE HALFLING"

The halfling rushes inside waving the map while holding onto his hat.

Viridian takes note of the halfling.

By the Green, this halfling is going to get himself put in shackles if he continues with the Hellknights in that way..,

He stands and motions Blitz to stay put under the table.

” You there. New fellow, what is your name and from whence do you travel? “

A tall man carrying a furry something under his cloak approaches the same hellknight.
"Hello there. I ... ah ... overheard your conversation with the diminutive fellow. I am ... ah looking for the same group of pathfinders. I have only this missive that says to join them here, at Fort Inevitable."
The bundle in his arms wiggles, a furry clawed paw darts out hitting the man in the chin. "Soon, breakfast." He whispers to the bundle.
HE turns his attention back to the hellknight. "Is there a place adventures gather? Or did you hear any mention of a place that halfing was headed?

The hellknight growls, "Do you swear to obey the laws of the town?"

"Yes, thank you." He hurries through the now open gate.
"Ah, about the place? Ah, nevermind, I will figure it out."
The man hurries further into the fort.

Meanwhile, back at the office.

*grumble, eeerg, ack*

Just like that druid to go galivanting outside the town while I'm stuck doing all the paperwork. Just because I'm a native and a librarian does not mean I actually LIKE doing this.

By contrast Salvio, the sage who's been working with the party, seems to dote on the paperwork. He breaks the seal on a note from the Grand Lodge, skims over it, and grins. "It looks like the Society is taking even more of an interest in your explorations! They're sending out...hmmm...looks like a wizard and a priest of Erastil. What's the date on this? Oh, dear. This was delayed in transit. You'd better get to the gates...I'll finish up here."

Pausing for introductions. I've updated the map and added the new faces, along with one for Lybram's companion (though you may want a better one). Can one of you show me how to turn Alton's icon into a circle so he matches the rest of you?

Viridian bows briefly to the two new agents. And speaks softly...

Welcome. I am Viridian of the Green, and this is Blitz, my wolf companion.
It is good our reports have garnered additional attention of the Society. There is much more involved in the Spire than was expected. Resistance to our investigation has escalated and almost overcame our small group.

He pauses and looks around.

We should find a place away from untrusted ears as we suspect there are informants within the Fort or surrounding areas working with the denizens of the Spire.

Lybram Tendras, a cleric of Erastal, at your service. And this is Li'le Fella. Lead on, Viridian." Lybram pulls Li'le Fella out and places him on the ground. "Heel, Li'le Fella."

As the ground moves away from the gate and away from others, Lybram, smiling, "It is 'the Spire' now?" "I have only heard reports of a large bunker like green mound of some kind." "I would be interested in why a green building has spys." "Is there some kind of sentient intellect controlling the dungeon and its denizens?"

That's an interesting theory. I kind of hope it isn't true, anyway.

With a short reverence, the half elf woman introduces herself

Im Corbrae Illynel, a bard, and founding member of this small band of explorers. We already have cleaned the first few levels, but we don't know how many are left, so we wisely called in for some reinforcements. Glad to meet you.

"Well, what sorts of beasts and monsters have you encountered? I have a little money. I would like to buy some useful scrolls and possibly a magic shield. Are you seeing poisonous stuff, undead, or what?"

A medium height Half elf with a bow nods.

"I'm Joseph. We saw some Knolls. They were nice."

"Gnolls, ah? Well maybe just the magic shield and a few potions to harden the skin, you know barkskins. Where could a fella get such gear? Provided we have time of course. Is there anything requiring us to hurry back to the spire?"
Lybram pulls out some dried strips of meat and drops them for Li'le Fella.
"Li'le Fella is still in training. Owed him rewards for being good through the gate."

”Supplies can mostly be purchased here in the Fort. We have retained some items from those attackers within the tower. The only sense of urgency is the vacant levels we created will be repopulated by more of the same goblinoid ilk.“

<GM hastily reviews scenario> Gnolls? Last level was troglodytes.

I'll try to get an introduction to the next level up after work.

Lol - I thought ihe was giving a cheeky answer that we saw some small hills (knolls). So I read that differently/wrong

I just figured the character forgot what they were called. Happens in real life all the time.

I just figured the character forgot what they were called. Happens in real life all the time.

This.

After making some preliminary purchases, the party descends from the ground level. Lybram realizes as the more experienced Pathfinders lead the way that the tower ruins conceal a pillar of glowing green crystal. Level after level, the pillar--what they've been calling the Spire core--continues into the rock below the ruins. Through stone halls and rooms, along stairs and ladders, the route may diverge from the Spire core for a time, but always returns to it. After a pause to rest above what the others call the godbox level, you press on. When the troglodyte stench becomes plain, Lybram and Alton realize why no one else in the group ate anything during the rest. One quick donation of scrap metal later, you pass through a trap door in the floor of the godbox level and descend. Once the door has closed behind you and the air has cleared a bit, you have a bit to eat before continuing down the stairs. Eventually they end at a gently sloping tunnel. It goes about half a mile horizontally, and descends perhaps 100 feet in that span before ending at yet another stairway leading down. Everyone in the party can see the green glow of the Spire core somewhere down the stairs, but the light has a peculiar shifting quality to it. There's a pronounced fishy sort of smell in the air as well, and when everyone is quiet Viridian thinks he can hear the lapping of water.

What do you do?

"Well, it may be that our explorations are at an end if the rest of this place is under water. Unless someone has some water breathing spells?"

I don't have that kind of spell. I don't even know how to swim properly. Maybe we should have bought a small boat or something like that? Maybe we can construct a raft with items found in the spire? I wonder if that can be doable...

Know Engineering: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18

"Well, no use speculating when we can just descend and take a look, Let's move."

Lybram wonders at the groups conversation about water spells. "Yea, those type spells are beyond me as well. Probably could purchase something in a pinch, but very expensive." "But let us see what is ahead first before we worry."

Lybram gets his shield and mace ready as the group heads into the unknown. "Heel, Li'le Fella."

Viridian pipes up after pointing out the water sound.

If we determine it is worthwhile, I am able to take the form of a swimming creature to check the pool. However, my ability to communicate with you will be limited.

perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27 trying to pinpoint the source of the sounds or any other movement.

Viridian, give me a Spellcraft check.

Assuming North is the top of the map, we are heading North down the stairs to the North? Just getting oriented. To stay on the slide we would have to go that direction. Do we have a standard marching order?

Lybram stays quiet to try to hear the water.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Lybram takes in the eire surrounding painted with the soft green glow of the spire core.
Thinking: I'm not in Isgar anymore. Beautiful but weird and dangerous.
Finally after a decent pause, "Are we going down?" he whispers.

Lybram, give me a Spellcraft check. Also, you're not on the map yet.

Viridian listening…

”Lybram, we probably will…just checking before we do.“

spellcraft : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Lybram does not have spellcraft. So that won't work. I can see a map for core emerald Spire level 5 and see characters in a jagged line. I placed Lybram and a new picture for Li'le Fella on the map a while ago in the bottom left hand corner between Viridian and Mrs. Book. I also put Alton there as well. Is there a setting or sharing thing i need to adjust? I am worried no one can see my changes.

Lybram, at the peculiar since he perceives, just shrugs as he is no expert on magics and their subtleties.

Could someone verify I am not on the map? I do not see Corbrae or Joseph on the map either.

There are 3 icons off the map and the rest are on it. Lybram is on it.

Map is updated. No one should be in the room yet; you're all still a little ways up the stairs.

Lybram and Viridian think they hear a voice muttering to itself (or perhaps two or more people who sound identical and don't talk over each other). Viridian, at one point it sounds like the casting of a spell (casting time one standard action), but the source is too far away to distinguish what spell it is by sound alone.

"Hmm. I can swim but I don't like the sound or smell of this place."

Joseph contemplates the ineffectiveness of bows and clubs underwater.

Viridian will point and raise 2 fingers and send Blitz down and follow behind.

please move him back up stairs if too far down on map yet

Lybram will motion for Joseph to follow after Viridian. He and Li'le Fella then will start down there after. Unless the 2 fingers is a prearranged signal that Viridian wants to scout just with himself and the wolf.

Assuming we want to march in an order like druid, rogue/fight, cleric, bard, wizard, sorcerer or something like that.

"Do we need light? I know it would help me but might hurt others." He whispers to the group.

"I can cast a light spell if we need it?"

” Light is appreciated. If we suspect there will be trouble, I am happy to have Blitz take point. But if there are traps or the like, Joseph is our expert to handle those.“

Mrs. Book cracks a sunrod when light is mentioned and hangs it around her neck.

Note that currently north is to the left on the map; I'll update that when I can.

Blitz pads down the stairs, followed by Viridian. As it happens, light is not a problem in the chamber--the familiar glow of the Spire core illuminates the low-ceilinged room with cold green radiance. The air is humid and dank. To the east, a broad stairway leads down a dark passage, the source of the sound of lapping water. A small, closed door stands in the south wall. Several toad-sized crabs skitter about the floor.

A blue-skinned, blue-haired humanoid clad in silvery mail is peering intently at the Spire core as Blitz and Viridian enter the room. He (for the figure is apparently male) is guarded by a hideous, four-legged orange crustacean that's roughly Blitz' size. A small, blue, winged creature perches on the crustacean's back. As the party comes into view, the humanoid starts, turning to look at Blitz and Viridian with an expression of extreme annoyance. He snarls something in a language none of the party understands.

"Can't see what's going on down there, but it does not sound friendly."

Alton casts comprehend languages "I'm sorry can you say that again. We don't mean to intrude."

knowledge to ID?

Viridian and Blitz halt and watch for any hostile action at the request

Assuming the creatures may not understand the request but hostile actions towards us we will understand :)

When Alton casts the spell the humanoid gets more annoyed, if that's possible, and speaks in Common. "You are disturbing important research! Get out of here, and take your interfering magic with you! You just cost me days of observations, you fools! Now go!"

"Quite different from those nice troglodytes, I must say. Rude! No need to be rude, ever, I say."

”We did not know there was any research in this place. We are seekers of knowledge and may be able to help.“

"Greetings. We did not mean to offend. Perhaps if we introduce ourselves. I am Lybram, and we are pathfinders here to explore and report about this place. May I ask your name and where are you from?"

Alton holds both of his hands out palms forward.

"Can we just check the door?" He points to the way forward.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

i would like to add a diplomacy check onto Lybram's speach above.
diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
"we just need to pass through and we will not use magic in this area again. We apprologize for your lost work."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

May I have your attention please? Firstly, we ask for your forgiveness, as there were no sign to warn us that you were doing important research, and we would hate if you had to reschedule your work, because it truly seem important for you. Would you be so kind to educate us about the nature of your studies, without revealing too much if you choose so? You seem really interested in the Spire's core, and maybe we could exchange informations. More knowledge can always be helpful. I do have some other arguments but I'd like to hear about your thoughts right now.

As soon as the party hesitates and doesn't immediately retreat, the humanoid and the crab creature move to attack!

Note that most of you are still on the stairs; Viridian and Blitz are the only ones close to being in the room. I have Joseph behind Viridian and Blitz, and everyone else in single file off the map in reverse order (so Lybram-bear-Corbrae-Mrs. Book-Alton).

Round 1:

Initiative order
Joseph
Alton
Mrs. Book
Humanoid
Crab
Lybram
Blue Creature
Corbrae
Viridian

Joseph, Mrs. Book, and Alton can act!

Humanoid: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Crab: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Blue Creature: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0

"I would advise we back away from the water," Mrs. Book suggests, though without much hope.

Alton casts [/i]magic missile[/ooc] at the main creature.

damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9

Alton, in your current position you don't have line of sight on any of the enemies. Keep the roll for when you get closer, though.