TOZ's Orders From The Gate [NostalgiaCon 2021] (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

Trajan will assist the Hellknights with wounded limbs and bring them closer to Kyra so she can channel the power of Sarenrae to heal everyone's wounds.

"I understand what you're saying but time is of the essence. We don't know what's being lost with every passing minute."

Aiden picks himself up and goes to retrieve his nets, folding them back up and stowing them. "That thing was controlling them. What's left of the orc will probably melt away." He goes to look for the invisible bodies of the orcs who were tending to the ritual.

"Damn, I didn't remember about that mask until know. I should have worn it."

Fort save: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 4 = 18 I assume Heal check succeeded

"Decimus, you saved us all today. My weapons couldn't harm that beast at all. I don't see orc hordes being a threat anymore so we're heading to the Temple now if everyone is able to continue."

"Take the time you need to deal with the poison. We will move out once everyone is treated." Karva listens to the reports from the rest of the Hellknights, Kyra's healing power restoring the bruises and sprains but not Rutilia's broken arm. As Kyra works to treat Aiden's poison, they secure the injury with a makeshift splint.

Kyra

Aiden (1 Dex Damage, Poisoned 3/6 rounds) My mistake, Aiden was not repoisoned and cure was one save.
Jaakko
Decimus (5 Wis Damage)
Shardra

If we need another vial of antitoxin, Trajan does have one. I didn't even think to look in my Alchemical items. I'm going to use one of his Scrolls of Lesser Restoration on himself.

Lesser Restoration Scroll: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Nevermind on the 2nd, I forgot it's a 3 round casting time and we don't have that much time. 1 point it is!

Mounting up again, it takes over an hour to get to the base of the Temple of the Sky, a naturally carved structure nestled at the top of a rocky mountaintop some four hundred feet or so above where you now stand. Once there, Signifier Karva swiftly organizes her Hellknights. "We will make camp here, as I suspect we are all tired, if not exhausted by our efforts. I and some of my Hellknights will guard the approach from any intruders. Your temple is still standing, thus we can only hope for the best. Manius, Rulla, you will accompany the Pathfinders. Should you find any tattooed orcs, terminate them."

The journey upward is mercifully short, but the effects of hours without proper sleep is taking it's toll on all of you. The path becomes a passageway within the mountain, separated from the outside by a few inches of granite. As you arrive to the temple proper, the stone changes to white. Dark clouds kiss the edge of the platform, with one side hanging over a deep ravine you went around earlier to get to the mountain's base. Chill winds blow fiercely, seeming at times to carry angry whispers. The spirits of this temple are angry. And with good reason. Twenty or so pillars lie toppled and broken. Many orcs lie crushed or burnt by electrical energy. Only the altar seems to have emerged intact.

The orcs have taken their toll.

"Pathfinders?" Manius almost shouts to be heard over the furiously blowing wind. "I don't think whatever is left up here is very happy with anyone. I think we should retreat!" You cannot help but agree, deep down inside. There is nothing left here for the Society at the moment. Upon returning to camp, Signifier Karva listens to the report. And she does not seem very pleased by the news. "I will mention the depth of your loss in my report Pathfinders. Without your aid, we would have suffered heavy losses, perhaps even enough that this mission failed and a great force of chaos would have been unleashed. You have my gratitude."

At the sight of the now-ruined Temple, Trajan sighs. He turns to his fellow Pathfinders and says, "I apologize, my friends, for rushing us to face the qlippoth but I am thrice bound to this land. My duties as a Hellknight, my devotion to Iomedae to protect the innocent, and defending my homeland. Without our help the qlippoth might have succeeded in summoning more of its kind here, unleashing their evil not just on Cheliax but the entire Inner Sea. Hopefully it will help when I accept full responsibility for the failure to secure the Temple of the Sky to Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch. I will request any punishment be given to me and to spare the rest of you any consequences."

Trajan responds to Signifier Karva, "We are glad to have assisted in stopping the qlippoth. Who knows how far its evil would've spread had they been able to finish the summoning ritual and brought more of their kind into our world. I've served on a Wardstone Patrol and know firsthand what kind of destruction chaotic fiends can unleash. Know that our efforts protected not only Cheliax but the rest of the Inner Sea."
He clasps Karva's forearm tightly, "Strength and honor."

Kyra fusses over Rutilia's arm, making sure it is set right.

Check frequently for a fever...if it ripped something inside, it can get infected...and make sure the arm doesn't get jostled too much...savvy? she says with a finger wag to the others beside the wounded Hellknight.

She then turns to Karva.

Well, when two separate groups work together for a common goal, it makes things run smoothly, does it not? We might have different faiths, but enough common goals to bridge the gap between us. I just hope that this might be used as a point for further co-operation between out organizations. Stay safe, Signifier...may your path ever be in the light... she says warmly with a handshake.

Aiden nods. "The qlippoth was the greater threat, though the Paracountess may exact some payment from me for failing to secure the relics here." A small shiver goes through him. "I trust, though that the Hellknights will remember this aid in the future."

"Indeed the qlippoth made the rush worth it in my opinion. And who could disagree given the danger?" Jaakko nods to Decimus and then addresses Karva "Signifier, your leadership really changed the outcome of this mission. I've never believed I would fight alongside with Hellknights, but you gave me hope that your organization can be a force for good."

Signifer Karva gladly accepts Trajan's outstretched arm, warm relief clear in her voice. "I will make sure that the Gate remembers the help provided by the Pathfinder Society. Let us finally rest for the return and report to our superiors." The rest of the Hellknights welcome you to the camp site, offering seats close to the fire after your return from the windy mountaintop.

***A Week Later***

Back in Magnimar, Zarta Dralneen and Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch listen intently to your report. "A shame about that Temple. Who knows what power is would have provided us with." muses the Society's archivist, he eyes focused on Aiden across the table. "However..." she trails off, allowing Shiela to take over.

The venture-captain nods in agreement. "Yes, this was an excellent long-term play. Perhaps we will all benefit from this. In the meantime, your destruction of the so-named "That-Which-Peels-Flesh" certainly has put a positive spin on the Society's sometimes...undeserved reputation."

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

True...any time a beast such as that gets elikinated, it's a good day. A pearl of hope pulled from the rubble of the loss of the temple. Kyra says as her eyebrow raises as she notices the goings on, saying nothing

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Trajan rolls his eyes at the display and shakes his head. Turning to the Venture Captain he says, "The shoggti qlippoth may not be an isolated fiend. That area seemed to be a 'weak point' for such beasts to enter our world; I recommend the Society organize a team of specialists in such matters to investigate. The Temple's power, and wrath, was quite evident even after the destruction of most of the site. It may be best to leave it be; in any event I wouldn't rush back to the Temple and tempt the fury of whatever still inhabits and protects it. As much as I would like to tell you with conviction that this mission will improve relations between Cheliax and the Society, remember that to the government everyone and everything are means to an end. As for the Order of the Gate? Only they know what they're thinking."

Aiden stays quiet during the report, bowing his head to the Paracountess as she remarks about the temple's power. He looks like he might have say something, but then his mouth shuts with a click and the Chelaxian's whole body goes still. After minutes of their continued remarks about the temple and the Hellknights, he lets out a slightly ragged breath. "Our failure to secure the temple's secrets is noted, Paracountess. I shall...endeavor to make it up to you."

bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Kyra coughs, trying to choke off a laugh.

Sorry...something got caught in my throat...a fly I think... she says as she reaches for a glass of water to "wash" out the "insect"

Shardra has been somber since the resolution of the battle.

She did concur with the assessment that the spirits were far too eager to shred any mortal, without regard to background or origin.

Unlike the trip out, where she was reasonably personable, the trip back has her quiet and a bit withdrawn -- sure, the main mission failed but the Hellknights made it through to a person which had to count for something.

During the debriefing she offers her own insights but grimaces when Sheila mentions 'long term play'.

This isn't some sort of game, woman. People WILL get hurt if you try to treat it like one. I KNOW from personal experience. It's why I prefer dealing with spirits. 'long term play'.

One of her eyebrows does raise slightly at the antics of the one senior member of the society occurring but says nothing. Shardra's Perception modifier is large enough to not roll that

"Definitely think you need to keep an eye on that region for future developments. If something does come up, send me a message via the usual means. Provided there's an option, I'd be glad to help with that." the shaman finally offers diplomatically.

Perception enough for automatic success
Jaakko smiles slyly at the Paracountess as he notices what is going on and then, out of nowhere, invites her for a drink at his place.
"Important relics have been lost to history long before even our grandparents were born and accidents happen to less-than-competent Pathfinders, so we shouldn't be too hard to ourselves over this. But Zarta, would you like to toast in honor of Cayden Cailean if you know what I mean?"