NG Half Elf Redeemer Champion of Milani 7 | AC 28 (29 w Shield) | HP 92/92 | P +10 F +13 R +9 W +12 | Def. Expl.:? | ◆ | ◇ ◈ | ↺ | | Hero Points: 1/3 | Focus Points: 1/1 |
"To be honest, Khaul, I only recently learned of the existence of leshies, so I think confusion is entirely understandable." Bastian shrugs, still looking at the contents of the room.
Woo! It's a risk to try to Aid at lvl 1 and 2 due to DC 20, but y'all did it!
Lakitai's gentle words seem to make an effect as the wolverine's hackles slowly lower. And the offering of food seems to be just the trick - as Khaul and Zekki carefully lay out a trail of rations, Lakitai calmly encourages the beast to follow her to the main Pathfinder base and through the portal back into the Maze of the Open Road.
Back in the library, the Pathfinders get to work. The carvings seem to fall into two groups - centerpieces depicting a large archway, and smaller surrounding carvings of various scenes. One such scene depicts sleeping - or perhaps dead - bodies being placed into a deep trench, with the lowest levels of these bodies shown as skeletons. Another shows a dragon rising from a coffin-like structure, while a third shows a group of strange humanoids wearing odd clothes and carrying weird miniature crossbows being led by a slender four-armed figure with an elongated cranium. A fourth shows an underground hedge maze connecting with a larger structure. A fifth depicts what looks like a dwarf, two humans, a ratfolk, a leshy, and an elf fighting off strange doglike creatures. A sixth shows a crowd of humanoid figures bowing before the central archway, much like those seen in the blue temporal pool.
Arcana, Occultism, or Society DC 16:
There are subtle differences in the carved figures before and after they "pass" through the archway. Perhaps this indicates that the journey changes the traveler, or that the traveler's spirit or mind moves through the archway while the body is left behind.
As for the writings in the library, the Pathfinders find them in a sorry state. Time, cold temperatures, and animals have all taken their toll on the books and parchments decorating the walls.
Society DC 15; Arcana, Nature, or Religion DC 17; or Perception DC 19:
Piecing what scraps remain together, you think this library mostly was about rituals and artifacts dealing with the manipulation of time.
NG Half Elf Redeemer Champion of Milani 7 | AC 28 (29 w Shield) | HP 92/92 | P +10 F +13 R +9 W +12 | Def. Expl.:? | ◆ | ◇ ◈ | ↺ | | Hero Points: 1/3 | Focus Points: 1/1 |
Bastian eagerly sets about his task.
Arcana (E):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
"Do you see the subtle differences in the carved figures before and after they "pass" through the archway. Perhaps this indicates that the journey changes the traveller, or that the traveller's spirit or mind moves through the archway while the body is left behind. This may be of use to us. Although I'm not sure how at the moment."
Arcana (E):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
"I think the library was mostly was about rituals and artefacts dealing with the manipulation of time. I wish we had come here sooner." He pauses for a moment. "I had not intended that play on words. Taldane is still quite new to me."
"This place is a wonder...." His voice tails of as he looks around in awe.
A moment later, "We should record everything we can."
NG M Dwarf Champion-8; HP 130/130; Focus 1/1; HeroP 0/3; Potion moderate healing 2/2; AC 31(with shield); Fort +16; Ref +10; Will +15; slash resist/3; poison resist/4; cold resistance/2; mental resistance/2;Perc +12; +1 to saves vs disease,; +7 healing from first aid; battle medicine 1/hour Active conditions: Shield (hardness 13, hp120/120). Default exploration: Defend;Action Symbols: (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺); sheet
religion DC18:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Khaul nots to Bastian. "[]bAye laddie. I think yer have tha gist of it there. I didne notice those figures afore, but now you mention it there do be a difference.[/b]"
He shakes his head. "Rituals to do with time, and those portals that look through time. I had heard the maze could take you to all different places throughout the world, but never that it could be travelin through time."
He takes out some paper and starts to try to sketch the figures.
"Some of them carvin's give me the right willies." he admits.
N Female Elf Druid 2 | HP 24/24 | AC 17 | F+5 R+6 W+10 | Perc+8 | Stealth +2 Speed 30 ft. | Senses: Low-Light Vision | Focus Points: 1/1 | Exploration: Scout
Looking at the carvings and the books, Lakitai ponders about the signification of the contents.
Arcana:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Nature:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
And she ponders a long time, until she hears more knowledgeable analysis.
NG F Ysoki Investigator 3 | HP 33/33 | AC 20 | Fort +6; Ref +10; Will +9 | Perc +9 (low-light, scent 30') | Hero Pts: 1/3 | Default exploration: Investigate | Action Symbols: (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺)
Arcana:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Zekki looks thoughtfully at the carvings, but doesn't make the same connections. She points at the 5th panel. "Don't you think that this is us? There must be some sort of time shift because no one would have had time to carve us doing what we're doing now." Pointing at the 4th panel, "This one looks like the Maze of the Open Road. Fascinating!"
Arcana:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
As she takes in the state of the library now, Zekki's whiskers droop slightly. "Just think of all the knowledge that has been lost because no one was here to keep it." She wanders around the library, looking sadly at the ruin.
NG M Dwarf Champion-8; HP 130/130; Focus 1/1; HeroP 0/3; Potion moderate healing 2/2; AC 31(with shield); Fort +16; Ref +10; Will +15; slash resist/3; poison resist/4; cold resistance/2; mental resistance/2;Perc +12; +1 to saves vs disease,; +7 healing from first aid; battle medicine 1/hour Active conditions: Shield (hardness 13, hp120/120). Default exploration: Defend;Action Symbols: (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺); sheet
Khaul peers into the interesting panel. "Me beard ain't quite right if it really is me.." he mutters. And then points to the dog-like creatures. "And what be they then? Gnolls?"
With the lower levels of the ruins secure, Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau calls the Pathfinders together once again. “Excellent work, Pathfinders! The area’s secure and the path to the upper levels is now clear. What’s more, we have news.” she says, gesturing at the glowing arch. “We’ve discovered that this potent artifact is called the Eternity Arch. It’s resonating with some sort of magical focus nearby, and this resonance is what’s causing the Maze of the Open Road to malfunction. Using this connection, we determined that the focus is somewhere above us, higher in the ruins. We must find the focus and sever its connection to the arch.”
“It’s cold in the upper levels. We’re distributing warm clothing now. Remember, we don’t know what the focus is, so leave no stone unturned. Be safe and stay in touch. Let’s move, Pathfinders!”
Eando Kline, leader of the Vigilant Seal faction, paces back and forth with worry. "We dispatched scouts to the east, but we haven't heard from them yet. Go check it out, see if they need help!"
The upper part of the ruins seem to be in worse shape than the lower - several times the Pathfinders find partially-collapsed walls that reveal ice tunnels winding off into the distance. But as the hallway opens into a large circular room, they spot something much worse - a pair of gaunt figures with long teeth and nails eating humanoid figures that wear similar furs as Armeline Jirneau distributed not long ago. Behind them, past a collapsed wall, a third creature picks pieces off a pile of corpses.
NG M Dwarf Champion-8; HP 130/130; Focus 1/1; HeroP 0/3; Potion moderate healing 2/2; AC 31(with shield); Fort +16; Ref +10; Will +15; slash resist/3; poison resist/4; cold resistance/2; mental resistance/2;Perc +12; +1 to saves vs disease,; +7 healing from first aid; battle medicine 1/hour Active conditions: Shield (hardness 13, hp120/120). Default exploration: Defend;Action Symbols: (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺); sheet
Realisisng that his compaions had been taken by surprise, Khaul raises his shield.
"Action stations Pathfinders! he calls out. Loose in his hand, his hammer starts to swing, readying a blow against the first of the horrid undead to come his way.
These are ghouls, ravenous undead consumed by their hunger for the flesh of the recently-deceased. Like many undead creatures, they are healed by negative energy and damaged by positive.
As Lakitai takes up her position, the creatures shake off their surprised stupor and move to meet her. The closest one snaps at her with its jaws before swiping with a clawed hand!
Creature 1 Jaws vs Lakitai AC 19:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Piercing damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2(@Lakitai - do you want to Shield Block this?)
Both attacks land, though the druid pulls away to minimize the damage inflicted. From the south, another creature scrabbles through the rubble to flank the elf before biting savagely at her face!
Creature 2 Jaws vs Lakitai AC 19:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 Piercing damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3(This one's in range for Glimpse of Redemption!)
Khaul is ready though, and the creature shies away from the strange thoughts of mercy and shame that flood its mind (deals no damage). The third creature leaps from the pile of corpses like a strange toad, then leaps again to clear the rubble of the broken wall before running up to the elf and licking its lips eagerly.
@Lakitai - if you don't use your Shield Block reaction on the first attack, please roll a Fortitude save at the start of your next post. Don't forget about your bonus from the start of the scenario!
@Khaul - already resolved your reaction (creature chose to deal no damage) in the turn tracker. But thanks for making sure we were all on the same page!
Zekki's arrow catches the creature inches away from where the jugular vein would be on a person, and it howls in pain! Bastian advances and the sound of bones cracking follows the swing of his mighty mace. Lakitai summons lighting...
Creature 1 Reflex vs DC 18:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 Creature 2 Reflex vs DC 18:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
...but they both flinch away from the worst of the storm. Trisha's graceful cut with her starknife draws no blood, but the creature screams in pain and rage nonetheless.
Bugtussle's furious flurry knocks the starving creature to the ground, and the little leshy races around Trisha and Lakitai to teach another one of their attackers a lesson.
Botting Khaul
Khaul raises his shield and advances into a flanking position with Lakitai before swinging his hammer!
@Khaul - please roll two DC 15 Fortitude saves at the beginning on your turn: one against paralysis (Incapacitation lvl 1) and the other against disease.
Male Leshy Gunslinger (Way of the Pistolero) 2 HP: 28/28 | AC: 18 | F: +8, R: +9, W: +5 | Perc: +7 | Stealth: +3 | Speed: 25 ft. | Senses: Low-Light Vision | Active Conditions:
"Haha! And there is plenty of fist to go around!" Bugtussle hoots as he turns to move into a flanking position with Khaul against another of the creatures.
Bugtussle's first swing is merely a feint, letting the little leshy catch the gaunt creature squarely in the torso with his other hand. His target snarls weakly as it falls to the ground, one hand reaching back towards the pile of corpses before freezing in place. The remaining creature dodges lightning from Lakitai...
Creature #3 Reflex vs DC 18:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
...but is unsuccessful. It is likewise unsuccessful at jumping out of the way of Bastian's flail as it sweeps its legs out from under it. Khaul moves to join his fellow champion in crushing the downed creature beneath hammer and flail. As the echoes of combat fade, icy silence fills the chamber once more.
Out of combat! Damage Report:
Khaul (-12, Shield -7)
Lakitai (-4)
A sound breaks the silence - a muffled moan, coming from the pile of corpses. The Pathfinders quickly investigate, pushing aside dead bodies to reveal a still-breathing agent of the Society. Trisha stabilizes the woman, but recommends returning her to the main camp rather than trying to treat her wounds here.
As the priest and druid apply bandages, Zekki surveys the pile of bodies. Many of them appear to be Pathfinders, but a pair of crimson-skinned humanoids dressed in warm furs stand out to her - as does a large four-armed humanoid.
Go ahead and post any restorative actions you would like to take at the start of your next post. We have enough time to Treat Wounds, Refocus, and Repair as needed before heading out again.
And! As discussed in the Discord thread, @Zekki gets a hero point for bravery and skill in the face of deadly traps!
As the group prepares to head out again, they find Calisro Benarry pacing in a chilly tunnel. She laughs with a few other senior agents, passing around a flask as they all take a short break. "Teach me to travel with these layabouts, eh?" she jokes, elbowing the halfling woman next to her with a grin. "You'll want to go on ahead, but be sure to save me the exciting path!"
After a few twists and turns, the stone corridor transitions into a massive, red stone cave. The ceiling has collapsed, revealing a starry night sky and letting snow and wind into the room below. On the far side of the chamber, a purple... rift? pulses and slowly widens. In front of it stand three figures - a modern raptor, a prehistoric raptor, and a tall woman with crimson skin.
A deep woman's voice fills the room, coming seemingly from all directions. "Felise! Where are you? I don’t know where I am! I don’t even know when I am... Felise! Can you hear me?"
Both the Pathfinders and the strange woman on the other side of the room seem confused by the voice, and the stranger points her staff at the intruders. She yells something at them, but it is in a language none of the agents understand. But her tone - and the way she whistles for her companions while pointing at the Pathfinders - make her hostile intent all too clear.
While the snow itself is merely difficult to walk through, Bastian and Lakitai spot a portion of ice between the two parties that looks particularly difficult to walk over without falling.
Environmental Effects:
- Light blue areas on the map are Difficult Terrain (movement costs doubled)
- Dark blue areas on the map are Uneven Ground (will require the Balance action to move through (DC 15) and any creatures without the Steady Balance skill feat are flat-footed)
NG M Dwarf Champion-8; HP 130/130; Focus 1/1; HeroP 0/3; Potion moderate healing 2/2; AC 31(with shield); Fort +16; Ref +10; Will +15; slash resist/3; poison resist/4; cold resistance/2; mental resistance/2;Perc +12; +1 to saves vs disease,; +7 healing from first aid; battle medicine 1/hour Active conditions: Shield (hardness 13, hp120/120). Default exploration: Defend;Action Symbols: (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺); sheet
Before leaving the flame room, Khaul took advantage of the warmth to bring out his portable anvil and provide a couple of hefty bangs to his shield. Soon it is back to looking fit for a champion of Torag.
assurance crafting DC14:10 + 4 = 14
As the others treat his wounds he offers a word of thanks for both Bastian and Zekki. "Yer actions are much appreciated."
-=-=-=-=-=-
Khaul seems to not mind the cold. Maybe the heat of the forge burns within him? He looks out on the scene in wonder.
The woman's eyes track Bastian's path, and a snarl crosses her face. She points with her staff at the snow at the edge of the icy patch, and the shadow of a snowflake blooms and grows into a globe of darkness. Above it, the bird rises on lazily-flapping wings.
Rift Guardians
Round 1! Bold may act!
Lakitai
Bastian
Woman
Bird (30 ft above ground) Zekki
Bugtussle
Trisha
Khaul Raptor
Environmental Effects:
- Light blue areas on the map are Difficult Terrain (movement costs doubled)
- Dark blue areas on the map are Uneven Ground (will require the Balance action to move through (DC 15) and any creatures without the Steady Balance skill feat are flat-footed)
- Black spread is dark
You catch a glimpse of the woman's eyes - one red, and the other yellow. That's likely a sign that she's a changeling, born from a hag. While changelings are as different as any other people, one of their most common shared features is claw-like nails.
Woman has an agile claw attack.
The bird looks like an eagle. Many reports have described their swooping hunting patterns, where the bird descends from the sky and grabs their prey in a clawed talon.
Two-action ability to Fly double its fly speed in a straight line (descending at least 10 feet), then make a talon Strike.
As for the dinosaur... you're not certain.
As the Pathfinders slowly advance through the snow, the raptor paces back and forth in front of the portal as if trying to flatten the snow (and failing to do so - that's just flavor text on the action).
Rift Guardians
Round 2! Bold may act!
Lakitai
Bastian Woman
Bird (30 ft above ground)
Zekki
Bugtussle
Trisha
Khaul
Raptor
Environmental Effects:
- Light blue areas on the map are Difficult Terrain (movement costs doubled)
- Dark blue areas on the map are Uneven Ground (will require the Balance action to move through (DC 15) and any creatures without the Steady Balance skill feat are flat-footed)
- Black spread is dark
Just to clarify, there's unfortunately no places on this map that aren't difficult terrain. XD
The woman's lips split in a predatory grin as she also advances through the snow into the darkness. Above, the bird screeches harshly and dive-bombs the green form of Bugtussle!
Bird Talon vs Bugtussle AC 18:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Slashing damage:1d4 ⇒ 4
A stern look from Khaul causes the talons to stop inches from the leshy's face before the bird flaps back up into the air with another screech. (Glimpse of Redemption, Bird chooses to not deal damage.)
Rift Guardians
Round 2! Bold may act!
Lakitai
Bastian
Woman
Bird (30 ft above ground) Zekki
Bugtussle
Trisha
Khaul Raptor
Environmental Effects:
- Light blue areas on the map are Difficult Terrain (movement costs doubled)
- Dark blue areas on the map are Uneven Ground (will require the Balance action to move through (DC 15) and any creatures without the Steady Balance skill feat are flat-footed)
- Black spread is dark
NG F Ysoki Investigator 3 | HP 33/33 | AC 20 | Fort +6; Ref +10; Will +9 | Perc +9 (low-light, scent 30') | Hero Pts: 1/3 | Default exploration: Investigate | Action Symbols: (◆), (◆◆), (◆◆◆), (◇), (↺)
Zekki grumbles about white, wet stuff, then flounders forward a few steps and pulls our her crossbow. "Watch out for the lady." she shouts. "She's got claws. And the bird is good at flybys. Which I'm guessing Bugtussle just found out."
Watching the eagle fly past the leshy, she searches for a good opening to attack.
