The next morning (fully healed), with visions of luxury staterooms and bottomless beverages still dancing through Gobo’s head, you gather once more to attend another faction leader. After a quiet word from a fellow agent, you make sure to have a hearty breakfast before heading out (“best not to meet with Benarry on an empty stomach” was the advice), then setting out to find her at a nearby ruin in the swamp.
A striking figure, Calisro Benarry leans casually against one of the ancient columns that juts from the surrounding swamp. She is a half-orc, dressed like a fashionable sea captain, complete with tricorn hat. ”Isn’t it exciting?” she asks, her rough voice deep and full of command. ”New agents and already exploring Azlanti ruins? I once thought the high seas were the only place for ture adventure, but the Pathfinders have shown me otherwise!” She pauses, deeply inhales the pungent swamp air, and then takes a swig from a leather-bound flask before offering it around.
”I’m Calisro Benarry, leader of the Horizon Hunters, and I’m sure you’re aware. We get most excited by exploration. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of knowing you’re somewhere no one else has been in a thousand years! Or even better, finding a place no one has ever seen before!” She takes another swig from her flask before returning its stopper and stowing it in a convenient pocket. ”Now, admittedly, we sometimes get a little overeager to be the first, but that’s all part of the true joy of discovery.
”Since you are a bit new to the Pathfinder Society,” she says, her hand wandering toward the pocket with the flask once again, ”I want to give you your first taste of that same thrill. Through that tunnel,” she says, removing the cork as she nods toward a dark hole leading into the hillside, ”is an Azlanti ruin where no Pathfinder has ever explored. I have to admit, I’m more than a little jealous!”
She punctuates her comment with a quick nip from her flak, then continues. ”Your job is to explore the area and report your findings to me. Questions?”
This is your chance to ask any questions, as well as to make any preparations or changes to your exploration mode before venturing inside.
Calisro offers a toast to your adventure, then sends you off down the stairs and into the ruins below. Clearly this facility was once grand and beautifully constructed, with tall vaulted ceilings rising from 12 feet in the hallways to a full 20 feet high in the chambers. Now, however, only a shadow of that glory remains. The marble walls and floors are chipped and stained with mildew from centuries of exposure to the swamp. The wall sconces still radiate magical light, but it is dim and flickering as the magic degrades (dim light throughout, boosted by whatever light sources you have).
The first chamber you find has only the shattered remains of now-unrecognizable sculpture lying in an otherwise empty room. Continuing down the hall, you come to a wide but short arched passageway that opens into a low-ceilinged room to the north. Carved niches in walls each glow with a gentle lavender luminescence, although the shelves within appear empty. Before anyone can venture too far into the room to investigate, however, Alladin's keen kobold senses spot a hidden hinge in the floor, which would cause it to fall away beneath anyone that stepped carelessly! Hidden pit trap in marked squares. You can disable with a Thievery check, or just avoid those squares. Despite the feint glow of lingering magic, whatever it was once meant to illuminate is long since gone, and the shelves are empty.
Pausing here until I have more time to post later. Feel free to make any changes to exploration or marching order in the meantime, if you'd like.
Finding side passages that contain only broken, crumbling statues and hallways blocked by cave-ins, you continue forward. Your path takes you through a large chamber with a line of cracked and crumbling columns down the center. To the West is a large statue, worn and crumbled beyond recognition by the millennia. At the northern end, another staircase that once led up has completely collapsed, the way up entirely blocked by rubble. Another passage leading to the east takes you past the remnants of a half-rotted door that hangs mostly off its hinges and into a room full of long, human-sized niches cut into the walls. Oval glass protrusions stick out from the walls in a few places and emit a cold, white light, although many of them flicker occasionally.
As you enter this room, a trio of disgusting creatures, seemingly an unnatural combination of rodent, plant, and fungus, emerge from several of the lower niches. One of them opens its disgusting maw, presenting you with it's entire sickening visage! Everyone, please attempt a DC 17 Will save, applying the results in the spoiler below.
Sickening Display DC 17 Will save results (everyone):
Critical Success:
Spoiler:
You are unaffected.
Success:
Spoiler:
You are flat-footed until your next turn.
Failure:
Spoiler:
You are sickened 1, and are flat-footed for as long as you are sickened.
Critical Failure:
Spoiler:
You are sickened 2 and are flat-footed for as long as you are sickened.
Zalmora seems particularly unnerved, as the creature's movements seem to invade her mind! Zalmora, please attempt a second DC 17 Will save with the following results.
Spell DC 17 Will save results (Zalmora only):
Critical Success:
Spoiler:
You are unaffected.
Success:
Spoiler:
For the next round, you believe everyone you see is a potential threat. You become unfriendly to all creatures to which you weren't already hostile, even those that were previously allies. You treat no one as an ally. The spell ends after 1 round.
Failure:
Spoiler:
For the next minute, you believe everyone you see is a potential threat. You become unfriendly to all creatures to which you weren't already hostile, even those that were previously allies. You treat no one as an ally. The spell ends after 1 minute.
Critical Failure:
Spoiler:
For the next minute, you believe everyone you see is a mortal enemy. You become unfriendly to all creatures to which you weren't already hostile, even those that were previously allies. You treat no one as an ally. You must use reactions and free actions against everyone, regardless of whether they were previously your allies, but can otherwise choose your own targets. The spell ends after 1 minute.
---------
Initiative!
#1
ZalmoraTwo DC 17 Will saves needed.
IngmarDC 17 Will save.
?
Dewin DC 17 Will save.
Ennillee DC 17 Will save.
Alladin DC 17 Will save.
Gobo DC 17 Will save.
?
Zalmora (two Will saves needed) and Ingmar (one Will save needed) may act.
NG female human (undine) perfection seeker monk 3 | HP 44/44 | AC 21/22 | F +8 R +11 W +7 | Perc +5 | Stealth +9 | Speed: 35 ft (Swim 10 feet) | Active Conditions: ---
LG Male (he/him) dwarf Alkenstar tinker stone druid 2 | HP 22/28 | AC 18 (20 w/ shield raised) | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +10 [+2 circumstance vs spells or efects to be shoved/tripped/knocked prone] | Perc: +8 | Speed 20ft| Hero Points 1*/3; Bullets 22/25 | Exploration Mode: Search | Active conditions:
fort dc17:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 "Oh, that ain't right!"
He then attempts to wretch. He stomach rebels, though and he still feels queasy.
fort DC17:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
"Well fine."
He casts Ray of Frost against #1, but the burps as he casts, throwing off the spell.
spell attack (soft cover applies) vs #1:1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 1 = 7
Zalmora glances nearvously around at the rest of you, as if she's worried about what you might do. Shaking off her fear, she takes aim and buries an arrow in the rearmost creature. It seems to have a slight bit of trouble penetrating the creature's strange fungal flesh, but still does significant damage. It seems to have some resistance to the damage.
The creature responds by flying forward in an awkward, disconcerting, but surprisingly speedy fashion, getting right up into Zalmora's face (tiny creature in her square). Once there, it tries to bite the ranger, once with its rodent-like teeth and once with its plant-like jaws.
Bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Piercing:1d10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Chaotic:1d4 ⇒ 4No effect on a chaotic target. If damaged, please attempt a DC 17 Fortitude save.
Bite, 2nd:1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 5 = 15 Piercing:1d10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Chaotic:1d4 ⇒ 4No effect on a chaotic target. If damaged, please attempt a DC 17 Fortitude save.
She's able to deflect both of the blows, however, fending the creature off with the curve of her bow.
-------
Initiative!
#1
Zalmora Paranoid.
Ingmar Sickened 1, flat-footed.
#3 7 damage, hunted by Zalmora
DewinSickened 2, flat-footed.
EnnilleeFlat-footed until her turn.
AlladinDC 17 Will save needed.
GoboFlat-footed until his turn.
#2
Dewin, Ennillee, Alladin, and Gobo may act. Alladin still needs to attempt the Will save vs. Sickening Display.
NG female human (undine) perfection seeker monk 3 | HP 44/44 | AC 21/22 | F +8 R +11 W +7 | Perc +5 | Stealth +9 | Speed: 35 ft (Swim 10 feet) | Active Conditions: ---
Ennillee enters her usual fighting stance, takes a guarded step into a flank, and swings twice.
Ennillee tries to use Baxter's positioning to gain an advantage on the creature attacking Zalmora, but is unable to connect. Gobo's spell is similarly unsuccessful. Dewin, meanwhile, moves back as he deals with the ramifications of the creature's disgusting appearance.
------
Initiative!
#1
Zalmora Paranoid.
Ingmar Sickened 1, flat-footed.
#3 7 damage, hunted by Zalmora
DewinSickened 1, flat-footed, one action remaining.
Ennillee
AlladinDC 17 Will save needed.
Gobo
#2
Alladin may act, and Dewin has one action remaining.
DC 17 Fort to retch:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5No improvement.
--------
Botting Alladin:
Alladin encourages his allies to quickly dispatch these foul creatures, then sends a piece of loose rubble at the one in Zalmora's square. ◆Cast inspire courage, ◆◆Cast telekinetic projectile.
Alladin inspires his allies and then magically splatters the nearest enemy. Meanwhile, the slow enemy on the left skitters forward into Ennillee's face and attacks!
Bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 Piercing:1d10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Chaotic:1d4 ⇒ 4No effect if not lawful. If damaged, please attempt a DC 17 Fortitude save.
Bite, 2nd:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 Piercing:1d10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Chaotic:1d4 ⇒ 2No effect if not lawful. If damaged, please attempt a DC 17 Fortitude save.
It connects with her twice, badly wounding the monk! The remaining creature skitters forward a bit, and stares at Alladin in a most unnerving way!
Mental damage:2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4Plus potentially persistent damage, pending a DC 17 Will save.
Will save results:
Critical Success:
Spoiler:
You are unaffected.
Success:
Spoiler:
You take full initial damage but no persistent damage.
Failure:
Spoiler:
You take full initial damage and 1d4 persistent mental damage, and are sickened 1. The mental damage ends if you recover from being sickened.
Critical Failure:
Spoiler:
You take full initial damage and 1d4 persistent mental damage, and are sickened 2. The mental damage ends if you recover from being sickened.
------
Initiative!
#1
ZalmoraParanoid.
IngmarSickened 1, flat-footed.
DewinSickened 1, flat-footed.
Ennillee1/19 hp, two DC 17 Fort saves needed.
AlladinSickened 1, flat-footed, DC 17 Fort save needed.
LG Male (he/him) dwarf Alkenstar tinker stone druid 2 | HP 22/28 | AC 18 (20 w/ shield raised) | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +10 [+2 circumstance vs spells or efects to be shoved/tripped/knocked prone] | Perc: +8 | Speed 20ft| Hero Points 1*/3; Bullets 22/25 | Exploration Mode: Search | Active conditions:
Igmar wretches once again, but still cannot throw the vile feeling the creatures cause.
fort DC17:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
So, he just casts electric arc to hopefully cause them to go away.
electricity DC16, IC:1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7
Dewin takes a deep breath and tries to get rid of the sick feeling in his stomach...
DC 17 Fort to retch:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 to no avail, then sends an arc of electricity dancing between 1 and 2.
NG female human (undine) perfection seeker monk 3 | HP 44/44 | AC 21/22 | F +8 R +11 W +7 | Perc +5 | Stealth +9 | Speed: 35 ft (Swim 10 feet) | Active Conditions: ---
Ennillee carefully steps out of the square, looking pale. She strikes out with whatever energy she has left.
CG Female (she/her) Human Ranger 1 | HP 20/20 | 1/3 Hero Point | Perc +7; Speed 25 ft. | AC 18| Fort +6 ; Ref +9; Will +5 | Focus 1/1 | Default Exploration: Search | Active conditions: none || Baxter | HP 17/20 | AC 16
Zalmora draws her shortsword, ready to mix it up in melee. Interact
She studies the creature next to her, noting its movements.
Hunt Prey on 2
Tendrils of foul plant matter erupt from Ennillee's bite wounds, wrapping themselves around her limbs and making it increasingly difficult to move over the course of the next minute before the tendrils seem to wither and die away, freeing her. No lasting effect, but would have made further combat difficult.
LG Male (he/him) dwarf Alkenstar tinker stone druid 2 | HP 22/28 | AC 18 (20 w/ shield raised) | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +10 [+2 circumstance vs spells or efects to be shoved/tripped/knocked prone] | Perc: +8 | Speed 20ft| Hero Points 1*/3; Bullets 22/25 | Exploration Mode: Search | Active conditions:
NG female human (undine) perfection seeker monk 3 | HP 44/44 | AC 21/22 | F +8 R +11 W +7 | Perc +5 | Stealth +9 | Speed: 35 ft (Swim 10 feet) | Active Conditions: ---
Ennillee stares in horror at the plants growing out of her wounds.
LG Male (he/him) dwarf Alkenstar tinker stone druid 2 | HP 22/28 | AC 18 (20 w/ shield raised) | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +10 [+2 circumstance vs spells or efects to be shoved/tripped/knocked prone] | Perc: +8 | Speed 20ft| Hero Points 1*/3; Bullets 22/25 | Exploration Mode: Search | Active conditions:
"Ah, that's a wee bit frightful there, lass! Lemme take care of it!"
Medicine to Treat Wounds DC15:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 healing:2d8 ⇒ (8, 3) = 11
CG Female (she/her) Human Ranger 1 | HP 20/20 | 1/3 Hero Point | Perc +7; Speed 25 ft. | AC 18| Fort +6 ; Ref +9; Will +5 | Focus 1/1 | Default Exploration: Search | Active conditions: none || Baxter | HP 17/20 | AC 16
Zalmora sheathes her sword, moving up to the hallway entrance while Ingmar tends to the wounded. Baxter pads along behind her, nose sniffing the air.
"When we're ready, I'll lead us further inward. There can't be that much left to this place."
LG Male (he/him) dwarf Alkenstar tinker stone druid 2 | HP 22/28 | AC 18 (20 w/ shield raised) | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +10 [+2 circumstance vs spells or efects to be shoved/tripped/knocked prone] | Perc: +8 | Speed 20ft| Hero Points 1*/3; Bullets 22/25 | Exploration Mode: Search | Active conditions:
"Sounds good t' me, lass."
Ingmar checks his pistol to make sure the load is good.
There's an everburning torch behind a broken glass orb that you can take with you.
Mostly healed, Ennillee nods her readiness and follows Zalmora forward. After winding through a narrow hallway, you come upon a long chamber. A few large tables stand throughout the room, their polished surfaces gleaming. The walls are unadorned and clean, as if scoured regularly. A giant-sized smiling face of a human man with a receding hairline is carved into the northern wall. Beneath this image is a metal plate that has several levers and buttons.
NG female human (undine) perfection seeker monk 3 | HP 44/44 | AC 21/22 | F +8 R +11 W +7 | Perc +5 | Stealth +9 | Speed: 35 ft (Swim 10 feet) | Active Conditions: ---
Ennillee looks, confused, at the face. "Does anyone know what this is?"
LG Male (he/him) dwarf Alkenstar tinker stone druid 2 | HP 22/28 | AC 18 (20 w/ shield raised) | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +10 [+2 circumstance vs spells or efects to be shoved/tripped/knocked prone] | Perc: +8 | Speed 20ft| Hero Points 1*/3; Bullets 22/25 | Exploration Mode: Search | Active conditions:
Ingmar moves up to take a look at the levers and buttons. "Seems something that should be right up my alley..."
Crafting +4,+5 when crafting Alchemy and Blacksmithing items.
The face is imposing as its carved visage glowers at you. The buttons and levers are unlabeled, and without any context it is impossible to tell what effect, if any after all this time, they might have simply by looking at them.
CG Female (she/her) Human Ranger 1 | HP 20/20 | 1/3 Hero Point | Perc +7; Speed 25 ft. | AC 18| Fort +6 ; Ref +9; Will +5 | Focus 1/1 | Default Exploration: Search | Active conditions: none || Baxter | HP 17/20 | AC 16
Gobo drops his glaive, accidentally bracing his hand against one of the buttons as he bends down to pick it up. As he does, he hears the sound of pressure building and a few drops of liquid smelling strongly of solvent drip from hidden apertures around the room! Oh no, a trap! Who could have imagined? I moved everyone who said they were looking at/messing with things into the room.
Initiative!
Zalmora
Hazard
Ingmar
Alladin
Dewin
Ennillee
Gobo
Zalmora may act. You can disable the mechanism with Athletics or Acrobatics to plug the spouts, or Engineering Lore (trained) or Thievery (trained) to disable the mechanism. Each attempt requires two actions from anywhere in the room, and you suspect this will take multiple successes to completely disable.
CG Female (she/her) Human Ranger 1 | HP 20/20 | 1/3 Hero Point | Perc +7; Speed 25 ft. | AC 18| Fort +6 ; Ref +9; Will +5 | Focus 1/1 | Default Exploration: Search | Active conditions: none || Baxter | HP 17/20 | AC 16
Zalmora springs into action, trying her best to plug the spouts!
Acrobatics:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Zalmora tries to plug some of the apertures, but the wadded chewing gum she uses pops right out! The pressure builds and a fine mist of caustic vapor fills the room, thoroughly cleaning everyone inside, several layers of skin deep!
Acid Damage to Zalmora, Ingmar, Ennillee, and Gobo:2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6DC 20 basic Fort save
-----
Initiative!
ZalmoraDC 20 basic Fort vs. 6 acid.
Hazard
IngmarDC 20 basic Fort vs. 6 acid.
Alladin
Dewin
EnnilleeDC 20 basic Fort vs. 6 acid.
GoboDC 20 basic Fort vs. 6 acid.
Whole party may act. Disable (must be in the room) with 2-action DC 21 Acrobatics or Athletics or DC 20 (must be trained) Engineering Lore or Thievery.
Dewin's eyes go wide. Oh, yes, I've dealt with something like this before. This is like one of those escape rooms that are all the rage right now in Bloodcove!
Dewin tries to pick up on the rules of the game.
Games Lore:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Male Hobgoblin Runelord 1 | 25’ | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 (Mage Armor; 16 w/shield) | Perc: +2 (T) | F: +5 R: +4 W: +4 (+1 cir. vs spell [+2 vs arcane] as reaction; +1 circ. vs fear or intimidate; +2 to will DC vs intimidate) | Exploration: Investigate | Spells Avail.: 1: 1/2 (1) Foc.: 2/2 Dr.: 1/1 | Hero Points: 0 | Status: Mage Armor
Fort:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Why must innocent scholarly random level-pulling be punished!? Clearly, this is the device of a lunatic!
Flesh and finery melting, Gobo runs out and then tries to direct Zalmora from where it's safe, using his crafting knowledge. Attempting to Aid if alloweed. If not that's fine. I can't really do anything else.
Zalmora! Gobo's keep eyes spotted an actuator there, which sprays the tormenting gas.
NG female human (undine) perfection seeker monk 3 | HP 44/44 | AC 21/22 | F +8 R +11 W +7 | Perc +5 | Stealth +9 | Speed: 35 ft (Swim 10 feet) | Active Conditions: ---
Fort save:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Ennillee, her skin stinging, moves back towards the entrance but tries to plug a spout on the way.
LG Male (he/him) dwarf Alkenstar tinker stone druid 2 | HP 22/28 | AC 18 (20 w/ shield raised) | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +10 [+2 circumstance vs spells or efects to be shoved/tripped/knocked prone] | Perc: +8 | Speed 20ft| Hero Points 1*/3; Bullets 22/25 | Exploration Mode: Search | Active conditions:
fort DC20:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 "Ow!"
Ingmar attempts to dance his way out of this trap.
acrobatics:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
CG Female (she/her) Human Ranger 1 | HP 20/20 | 1/3 Hero Point | Perc +7; Speed 25 ft. | AC 18| Fort +6 ; Ref +9; Will +5 | Focus 1/1 | Default Exploration: Search | Active conditions: none || Baxter | HP 17/20 | AC 16
Fort save, DC 20:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Zalmora avoids the worst of the acid, and shouts for Baxter to stay back.
She then continues to try and plug holes.
Acrobatics:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
But she's basically out of chewing gum.
Unable to get into the room with enough time to disable it before it triggers again, Alladin runs through the room to the far side, rapping his encouragement in case something attacks you directly.
Dewin remembers his last visit to the escape room channeling everything he's learned into solving this puzzle (I love creative uses of lores, I'll definitely accept that). Ennillee nimbly plugs a few spouts, though she gets thoroughly soaked in the process. Gobo tries to help Inigmar, but even their combined ability is not enough.
The pressure builds once more, and the spouts soak everyone in the room once again.
Acid damage to Ennillee, Zalmora, and Ingmar (DC 20 basic Fort):2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 = 11
--------
Initiative!
Zalmora17/20, DC 20 basic Fort vs. 11 acid
Hazard 2 successes
Ingmar13/19, DC 20 basic Fort vs. 11 acid
Alladin
Dewin
Ennillee13/19, DC 20 basic Fort vs. 11 acid
Gobo10/16
Whole party may act. Disable (must be in the room) with 2-action DC 21 Acrobatics or Athletics or DC 20 (must be trained) Engineering Lore or Thievery.
