GM Jhaeman's PFS Module: "Masks of the Living God" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

"Keep an eye out."

Anibal pulls out his tools and starts working the lock.

1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

The chest springs open to reveal some clothes, a pouch containing 52 gold pieces, a pair of silver dice, and a blue divine scroll. Perhaps best of all, Mallycorn's holy symbol is there!

Anibal picks up the Pharasman Spiral, but leaves everything else inside the box. "Mallycorn... Yours?", he holds the symbol by its chain at eye-level, looking at Malycorn.

Relgar takes the rest of the contents of the chest and places it into the bag of holding. He quickly determines the nature of the divine scroll (with Read Magic).

Indeed. Thank you, my friend. I guess it would be best if it stays unseen until we get out of this den of treachery

Mallycorn hides his symbol in his clothes

Relgar examines the scroll with magical vision, while Mallycorn retrieves his holy symbol.

Ok, the basement is clear! The ground floor has also been surveyed apart from the stables. You do know there are stairs from the ground floor up to a second floor, but you also know the second floor is strictly off-limits to acolytes. What would you like to do next?

"Right. That's done. Let me grab this fellow.", with the help of the harness Anibal takes Evlar on his back again, and starts heading for the stables. He stops at the door, and turns around.

"Relgar, unless you want to make the fact that the only dog in the temple dug out the hole and obviously reveal yourself in the process, I will head for the stables wallwalk now. So what will it be?"

Relgar passes the scroll to Mallycorn.

"It is a scroll of Prayer. You might be able to put it to some good use. I hope."

The gnome turns to Anibal.

"It is going to be pretty clear to anyone that we are responsible for all of this mess when they find us missing in the morning. So this cloak and dagger routine is really unnecessary."

"That being said we can go over the wall instead of under it once we examine the room off the stables if you like."

As Anibal mentioned in the discussion thread we still have that area to explore. :)

"Woah, the wall behind me moved! Either I'm finally serfin' or mebbe there's some kinda secret port- port- door here!"

Anibal nods towards Drukpa. "Yeah let's take a look? Want to go first? Or me?"

While the group decides, he looks at Relgar. "What do you mean 'missing in the morning'? We're meeting Reginar, discussing further plans, then getting back. I'm not holding the talisman in my hands, I'm not leaving."

"Was that not the plan?"

Relgar is taken back by Anibal's words.

"And you think we can stick around after what has happened?"

The gnome shakes his head.

"Why don't we see what happens next before deciding anything."

As Relgar and Anibal discuss what to do next, Drukpa announces the discovery of a secret door! Pushing a section of the wall open reveals a long, dark tunnel stretching as far as darkvision and torchlight can see. The tunnel is about five feet wide and covered in filthy puddles.

The secret door is next to Drukpa's token on the map. The tunnel continues on much further than the map indicates.

Alecto looks curiously into the tunnel. Secret passages in the ground lead to the riches of the subsoil - she speaks thoughtfully and prepares to go second after Anibal or Drukpa.

Ok, so the plan is to head down the tunnel? If so, could you please arrange your tokens in whatever marching order you would like.

The order in the hallway seems like a fine marching order for me but others can rearrange I guess if they like. :)

Drukpa leads the way down the corridor, bardiche in hand, looking for any sign of traps or ocean waves.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

I haven't adjusted Drukpa's position on the map but he'll keep moving forward until finding anything of note.

The Pathfinders begin working their way down the dark, damp tunnel. It's easily a hundred feet long. But just as a door comes into view at the far end, an uncomfortable feeling of dozens of tiny legs crawling on your flesh sends shivers down your spine . . . SPIDERS!

A spider swarm has descended on the first four characters in line, as depicted in the stunningly beautiful hand-crafted map that is now Slide # 2.

Anibal and Mallycorn made the Perception check and can act in the Surprise Round.

Initiative (Surprise Round)

Mallycorn
Anibal
Creepy Crawlies

Bold should go!

As a free action on your turn, you can attempt to identify the spider swarm with a Knowledge (nature) check.

"Welp, time to get scarce.", Anibal decides to get the hell out of dodge before Relgar feels like incinerating the entire room again.

Jhaeman, the map is beautiful in its simplicity. Truly, you are the Da Vinci of our time. No really, it gets the point across. You know what they say about art. It's not finished when there's nothing left to add, but when there's nothing left to remove. I think this fits the bill.

Those you can burn, Relgar! Enjoy yourselves!

Mallycorn steps back, and out of Relgar literal line of fire.

Mallycorn and Anibal jump back to escape as spiders swarm over the others!

@Relgar: You automatically take 6 damage, need to make a DC 11 Fort save vs poison or take 1 Strength damage, and need to make a separate DC 11 Fort save or become nauseated for 1 round.

@Drukpa: You automatically take 5 damage, need to make a DC 11 Fort save vs poison or take 2 Strength damage, and need to make a separate DC 11 Fort save or become nauseated for 1 round.

@Alecto: You automatically take 5 damage, need to make a DC 11 Fort save vs poison or take 2 Strength damage, and need to make a separate DC 11 Fort save or become nauseated for 1 round.

@Mallycorn: I've moved your token as indicated in your description to take you out of the area of the swarm.

Initiative (Round 1)

Relgar (needs two saves)
Alecto (needs two saves)
Drukpa (needs two saves)
Mallycorn
Anibal
Creepy Crawlies

Bold should go!

Spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a caster level check of DC 20+spell level. Using skills that involve patience or concentration requires a DC 20 Will save.

If you would like to identify the swarm, it's a Knowledge (nature) check.

DC 11 Fort vs Poison, Nagaji racial resistance: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 Bah humbug - use tshirt to reroll that!
DC 11 Fort vs Poison, Nagaji racial resistance, GM stars: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 19

DC 11 Fort vs nausea: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Drukpa hurries out of the swarm, wanting to create room for Relgar's hot hands, and drawing an alchemist's fire as he does so.

Drukpa rushes out of the area of the swarm, seemingly unaffected by the spiders' venom!

@Drukpa: Please don't forget to update your tagline for the damage taken and the use of your reroll (good use though!).

Everyone except Drukpa is up.

I am just waiting for Alecto to post. 15' cones are very unforgiving in tight corners so she will either need to move behind Drukpa or at least leave enough room on the east side of the swarm for my character to burn out these spiders. :)

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Indeed, the gnome's time to burn is obvious to everyone. Alecto retreats with all possible haste.

Alecto also rushes out of danger!

Could I please get people to adjust their taglines with damage taken: 6 for Relgar, 5 for Drukpa, and 5 for Alecto.

Relgar, Anibal, and Mallycorn are up.

Fort vs Strength Loss: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Fort vs Nauseate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Relgar's robust form resists the adverse effects of the spiders' attack and yet the attack does leave him somewhat damaged.

The gnome moves just outside of the swarm's reach and lets go with a wave of arcane fire.

Burning Hands, Reflex DC 16 for half damage: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 4, 3) + 5 = 21

The gnomish master of fire conjures another conflagration, incinerating the spiders instantly!

Further investigation shows the tunnel culminates with a trapdoor in the ceiling.

Even if it made the save, that would be enough to destroy the swarm.

We are off Initiative.

Alecto uses an infernal healing wand, which is very suitable for the atmosphere of the place, taking into account the flying ashes and the smell of burning - a little smell of sulfur no longer attracts attention. If the allies don't mind, she will use this wand on Drukpa and Relgar. After that, she will re-cast a magic armor on herself from another wand, since she no longer remembers when she conjured the previous one.

Investigation shows no traps on the trap-door, though it seems to be covered by something heavy. Still, a little force eases the way through, and the Pathfinders find themselves in a storeroom! The room contains crates full of the things one want might want in a restaurant or tavern: flour for bread, spare ale casks, empty bottles, and the like. A door, barred from the inside, presumably leads outside, while another door leads deeper into the building.

Just moving us along a bit.

@Drukpa & Relgar: Let Alecto know if you want to use up charges from her (evil!) wand to heal yourselves.

Drukpa's eyes grow wide as he sniffs at Alecto's wand. "Granpappy tole me there was suchlike in th' world but I didn't reckon Id never see none and shore not in th' hands o' another batfinder. Y'shore ye ain't gone an' really joined up with Raza- Raza- Razamataz?" He looks suspiciously at Alecto while drawing out his own wand of cure light wounds. "Don't spose anyone knows how to use this?" He hands it to Mallycorn.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Drukpa should be fully healed.

Anibal offers to use the wand. And even offers his own if anyone needs it.

Once that is done, he looks around the room with a curious glance. "Makes you wonder where we ended up. And whether they are stealing supplies from this place as well, or just using it as a secret entrance."

"I'm not really comfortable with trying to find out with our unconscious friend on my back, but it is intriguing..."

Relgar watches with fascination as the little spiders burn. He then
thankfully accepts healing from Alecto.

"That is much appreciated."

"So, where to next?"

The new Slide # 2 is a map of where you are now. The trapdoor would be under the big crate pictured on the map. Sadly, this map is not one of my hand-crafted specials, but you'll just have to make do.

The little gnome's eyes light up at the prospect of actual exploration.

"Maybe we should start with the trapdoor first?"

Sorry, to clarify, the trapdoor is the one you came up out of from the tunnel below. The trapdoor isn't actually shown on the map, but it would be under the big crate that is pictured.

@GM Jhaeman - Right. Thanks for clarifying.

"Perhaps try the door to the south then?"

Opening the door to the south reveals a kitchen containing a hearth, a few tables, barrels, and provisions. A window looks outside, and in the dim moonlight it looks like the building is adjacent to a garbage-strewn alley. Another door stands on the wall opposite the window.

Before we go farther, does anyone of you, or several, need healing?

Relgar looks around.

"I think that we are good for now except for you."

The gnome looks eagerly at the next door.

"Yeah I got myself covered, thank you. I just wasn't sure whether... Nevermind."

Anibal pulls out his wand and does a little magic.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

On himself.

"Right. Ready when you are."

He stores the wand back into his clothes.

After healing their wounds, the Pathfinders open the door from the kitchen to find the common room of a tavern. In the dim light coming through the windows, they realise it's the Ranger's Lament, the very same tavern they were drugged and kidnapped from! Having arrived in the middle of the night, the place is utterly quiet--apart from Evlar's soft snoring.

My usual reminder to anyone using consumables to mark off charges, potions, etc.

Relgar looks around at the others.

"Alright, I suggest that we drop Evlar off and report for our debriefing and then swiftly come back here to explore the unexplored area off of the stables."

"After that we can decide what to do next but we still have the element of surprise tonight and we should not squander it."

At least we found an easier way in and out of the temple.

@GM Jhaeman - I noticed a room that is unexplored area in the basement off of the Chamber of Delights. Are we aware of a door to that area?

@Relgar: Nope.

"Drop him off? Do we actually know where he lives? I don't recall that being mentioned. I would prefer we take him to the meeting instead, wake him up there, and see. Maybe we can convince him that his face was burnt off as a result of an accident."

Alecto looks at the body indifferently. We definitely need to make sure that he doesn't run to complain to the razmirans as soon as he wakes up. He didn't like it there, but how much... Not clear.

Relgar disagrees (again) with Anibal.

"I don't want to bring him to the meeting. That puts our ally in danger as well with the church as Evlar cannot be trusted ... at all."

"You are taking too much interest in a clearly evil person that has shown the capacity to do us harm."

"We should simply dump him just outside the city limits or have him tied up at our campsite until this is done or just kill him outright. Your choice."

Okay, so it sounds like there's consensus that the next step is to report to Reginar, your Pathfinder Society liaison in Tamran. The main question you're deciding is what to do with Evlar. Suggestions raised so far are: 1) find out where he lives and drop him off, 2) bring him to the meeting unconscious, 3) drop him outside the city limits, 4) tie him up and take him to the campsite, or 5) kill him.

Relgar looks around the group for some sort of consensus that will keep Evlar alive but not ruin the mission or put other people in danger.

"I say we bring him to the campsite and tie him to a tree. That should keep him safe enough and out of the way. When this all blows over we can let him go."