[PaizoCon 2022]B12 - Somewhere Below (Inactive)

Game Master UncleFroggy

Please dot (add a post) in here and then delete your post to add yourself to this campaign.

1) I am based in Southeast Asia (UTC +8) so my posting hours may be unusual (especially for those in North America). I usually update at least one or twice per day. Just to keep the game moving, please post at least once every day and at least once during the weekend. If you disappear for more than 24 hours, especially during combat, I will simply place your character on infinite delay just to keep things moving.

2) Please label all three of your actions. Even if you think what you are doing is obvious.

3) If I am unavailable for longer than 24 hours, I will let you know in the Discussion Tab. Out of respect for your fellow players and myself, I ask that you do the same. Real life happens, and real life will always take priority over the game, but out of fairness for your fellow players, please let us know if you will be unavailable for an extended period of time.

4) Please complete the Macros and the Slides linked at the top of the page.

5) Questions, concerns? Feel free to share them in the Discussion tab.

6) Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.

While traveling on the Flood Road near Urgir an unexpected storm—a rainstorm causes you to seek shelter in a nearby cave. Inside, you find the remains of a campfire that is 2 days old, as well as some simple traveling gear such as a bedroll and cooking pot. A small note is stuck into a crevice in the cave wall, where it stands out against the dark stone. The crevice is near a narrow tunnel that leads deeper into the caves. The note is written in Common and Orcish, and is dated 2 days before.

If you find this, I am caught somewhere below. I am Lorekeeper Unzgrin, and I’ve gone below to explore what I believe are the ruins of an ancient dwarven outpost. I trust that there is no danger, but if you find this note, and more than a day has passed, then I am likely in trouble. I offer a reward in gold for any assistance in exploring the caves — and for my immediate rescue, should I be in danger.
—Lorekeeper Unzgrin of Urgir

Please introduce yourselves here

An overly large and strange looking tengu waits by the cave. Normally the overly large tengu wouldn't be an oddity but this one looks to be very young for its size. Another such oddity is this hatchling seems to be wearing its thick, protective eggshell it was born from as broken pieces of armor all laced together with strands of rope. He waits for the others to join as he looks over the campsite.

A kobold with silvery scales and a bow that seems too large for his frame reads the note. "Yes! Pathfinders go rescue Urgir of Unzgrin! And his money!"

He flicks a razor open and closed inattentively as he continues, "I am Tieri. I will care for your medical and grooming needs on this trip." He lowers his voice slightly, "...and maybe dentistry? If it comes up. Just need to ask."

"Any port in a storm," mutters a figure as he enters the cave and pulls back his well-soaked hood to reveal the face of a Varisian man covered in tattoos.

Spotting the tengu and the kobold, curiosity overcomes the man.

Was that kobold actually reading?

At the mention of money, the Varsian snatches the note from the kobold's clawed hand. "Let me see that!" he exclaims as he reads over the letter.

"My name is Costolian--Costolian Milotti," he declares by way of introduction, "And I am not in need of healing or grooming--at least at the moment." He glances over to the tengu. "The feathered one looks as those he could use some attention."

"As for this reward, it would seem that a prompt rescue is in order."

A tall woman in soaked clerical robes charges into the cave in a mad dash to escape the sudden downpour. She crashes into Baby Huey, sending both tumbling to the floor. She picks herself up and apologizes profusely to the large creature.

"My apologies! The storm took me off guard and I'm thoroughly soaked!"

She glances around, wondering what everyone's looking at. Her eyes widen slightly at the odd gathering.

"Well met, friends. I am Kyra, priestess of Saranrae. What has happened here?"

Jaariko cranes his head at an odd angle. "Dentistry? SQWAUK!" He head and body twitch with the word as more and more come in from the storm.

Jaariko leans down and easily scoops Kyra up and plops her hard down onto her feet. "You okay!?" He leans in to inspect her for injuries. "My flock calls me Jaariko but most people in town call me Baby Huey." He opens his beak in a strange smile. He uses a wing to wipe the rainwater from Kyra's face in a none too gentle manner, though he means well.

"Someone lost." He points down into the darkness.

"Someone's lost, you say? Well then, let's go find them. I can cast a light spell on my sword. How are the rest of you doing for light? At least we'll be dry in there!"

Tieri please post your token

A passage ranging from 3 to 10 feet wide leads into the caverns below. The cave walls are a mix of natural stone and clay. The ceilings range from 10 feet high in the narrow tunnels to 20 feet high in the largest caverns.

There is no light in the caverns. I know Tieri has darkvision but other than Kyra's light spell, there won't be any light.

Limited by human sight, Costolian stays close to the cleric.
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

"Which way?" he inquires.

I've played this bounty before. Costolian will second whatever is suggested.

Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"Ooh, bootprints over here," Tieri says, pointing northeast. "Let's try this way."

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

"Squawk!" Jaariko clicks his beak which sounds fearsome and menacing in the dark cave as the sound echoes from the walls. " There are footprints. Good find!" He claps Tieri on the shoulder as he follows along beside him.

You follow the tracks to a large mushroom with what appears to be an air sac. You recognize it as a Shrieker.

Survival to carefully approach the shrieker and cut its air sac. If you've played the 1st Icewind Dale video game, you'll probably recognize it :)

"Allow me," suggests Costolian. He quietly approaches the fungi.
+6 Stealth if secret check needed.

He then attempts to quietly release the air from it.
Survival to Disable Shrieker: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Costolian sneaks up to the shrieker and slits its air sac. The jumble of footprints appears to head south to a large chamber with a pool of water with what appears to be an island in the middle of it.

The pool in this damp chamber is only a few inches deep. The sound of dripping water echoes throughout the cave. Thick webbing covers a large boulder protruding from the floor at the center of the pool. The desiccated husks of dozens of insects and arachnids, and the bones of a few small mammals, lie in the water. One recently dead spider with an intricate pattern on its abdomen lies near the boulder, a dagger embedded deep in its thorax.

On top of the boulder trapped in webbing is the still form of a humanoid, likely the author of the note you found above.

"Webs mean bad news. Too many teeth, even for me!" Pulling out his razor, Tieri looks around for whatever trapped the victim here.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Apart from the dead spider, there's nothing here other than the person trapped in the web.

Apart from the dead spider, there's nothing here other than the person trapped in the web.

"Where there are bodies, there may be treasure," notes Costolian. He casts detect magic and concentrates on the body in the web to try and pinpoint where to start his acquiring.

Jaariko rushes in towards the webs and begins cutting through them with his beak. He checks to see if the author is still breathing.

Medicine: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

I do not have Healer's Tools yet so unable to treat wounds. Made the common mistake during character building of not buying them yet. :P

Kyra runs up to the group and elbows Baby Huey aside.

"Stay back. I'll handle this.

Kyra Medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Kyra attempts to treat the person but her hand accidentally slips and opens a deep wound. Flustered, Kyra calls on Saranrae to help.

Healing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

The woman's eyes flutter open as Kyra works Saranrae's magic.

"What... what happened? Who are you?" she asks as she rubs the back of her head, and then moves her hand to look at the blood that is caked in her hair. "Oh... The last I remember is heading into a cavern system, looking for signs of ancient ruins. I found a cave... there was a loud shriek... and a spider... Do any of you have water, by any chance?"

Jaariko holds out his canteen and begins pouring water into her mouth, perhaps way too much at once as she sputters here and there but he helps nonetheless. "Better?"

"My thanks. I am Unzgrin, member of the Urgir Society of History. I was
exploring the caves to find signs of the dwarves who fled here thousands
of years ago after the fall of Koldukar. I know that the bodies are probably gone but I'm hoping to find historic relics they left behind. I believes I'm on the verge of a major breakthrough in understanding the history of the dwarves of Koldukar. Unfortunately," she says somewhat sheepishly, "I got a bit reckless. My backpack..." her voice trails off as she glances about herself, alarmed. "My backpack! You didn't happen to run into it, did you? It's got all my notes. I've got some healing potions in it as well. I can give those to you as an added reward! Will you help me find it?"

"Of course we find the backpack!"

"My thanks. Why, this reminds me of the time when I..."

Unzgrin begins telling her story when she hears skittering sounds approaching. Her eyes widen with fright as two rather large spiders round the corner and attack.

Kyra intones the words of a spell and the power of Saranrae infuses Kyra and Baby Huey (Bless). Turning to the large tengu, Kyra touches him gently, saying "Saranrae guide your hand"

◆◆ Bless ◆ Guidance on Baby Huey

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Bless
------------------
Those with ** may go

Kyra AC 16, 16/16
**Tieri AC 18, 16/16
**Costolian AC 16 (17 w/cape), 16/16
**Jaariko AC 18, 15/15 (Guidance)
Blue
Green

Jaariko stand up as his head jerks around to the sound of the spiders. He quickly draws a dragon mouth pistol from inside his remnants of his thick shell as the tip of the pistol glows with magic.

He fires a pair of shots off at the spiders. Each one bursting with a small ball of flames burning everything around it as he tries to understand what he is dealing with. "How many?

Dragon Mouth Pistol vs Blue; Bless; Guidance: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25
Damage; Concussive (Piercing)(1 fire damage): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7 Everything within 5 ft takes 1 Piercing Splash damage.

Dragon Mouth Pistol vs Green; Bless; Guidance: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 16
Damage; Concussive (Piercing)(1 fire damage): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8 Everything within 5 ft takes 1 Piercing Splash damage.

◈ Energy Shot (When Initiative is Rolled draw weapon and first three strikes deal 1 Fire damage)
◆ Strike
◆ Thoughtful reload (Recall Knowledge)
◆ Strike

Following the small burst of flames from Huey's pistol, Costolian draws his rapier and moves in close to Kyra.
Manipulate, Stride

He then lunges at the large arachnid before him!.
Melee, rapier (disarm, deadly d8, finesse) v green: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Damage P: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Tieri draws a bow, takes his shooting stance and fires on Blue.

◆ Interact (draw a weapon)

◆ Enter Point Blank Shot stance

◆ Strike

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Costolian Rapier Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Baby Huey's weapon spits fire and drops Blue before it could even set itself. The weapon also catches Green with some splash damage. Costolian runs up and plunges his rapier through the spider's eyes and into its brain (Critical hit).

COMBAT OVER

That was quick...

Unzgrin approaches your group. "Will you help me search for my backpack now before anything else finds us?" she asks, a bit apprehensively.

Tieri looks somewhat disappointed as his nocked arrow needn't fly. "Yes, backpack. Let's get that..."

You explore the cavern further and close to the southern exit you notice another of the shrieker mushrooms. Right beneath the air sac is a blue backpack.

Survival to quietly approach and cut the air sac

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Jaariko cautiously approaches teh air sac as his head jerks and bobbles forwards as if hunting prey. It finally snaps around the air sac to try and cut it off.

Baby Huey approaches the shrieker and manages to cut the air sac. Unfortunately, this is not before the shrieker detects his presence and emits an ear-splitting scream which hits Costolian and Tieri as well

Sonic Damage, DC 16 Fort save for half: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Fort Saves pending from: Costolian, Tieri and Baby Huey

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Ack, no, friend, I get you the numbing gel!"

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"That was unpleasant. Let us hope that it didn't attract anything worse," concludes Costolian.

Fort Save DC 16: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"SQWUAK!!!!" Jaariko screeches loudly caught off guard by the loud shrieking as he flaps his wings frantically grabbing the pack and scuttling backwards.

Baby Huey returns with a backpack and hands it to Unzgrin. She opens it and is relieved to find that her notes are intact. She also retrieves two healing potions and hands them to Baby Huey and Tieri.

"I'm about to head back to Belkzen for supplies. I think this cave is a bust as far as dwarven ruins are concerned. Let's get out of here."

Unless you all have other plans (like maybe barbecuing the spiders), I'm going to move us to the exit

As you near the cave entrance, a pile of dust and bone meal, several inches deep and 10 feet across on each side, blocks the tunnel to the surface. It is suffused with the despair of the slowly dying.

"That's weird, Unzgrin says thoughtfully, "That wasn't there before."

Spectral hands grab at you from the ground.

Negative Damage, DC 17 Will Save for Half: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Damage: CS: 0, S: 2, F: 4, CF: 8 + slowed 1, 1 rd

Three crawling hands also suddenly materialize and attack.

Another post incoming

Red scampers up to 1-Costolian 2-Tieri: 1d2 ⇒ 1 and tries to grab his throat.

Red vs Costolian AC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Red vs Costolian AC 16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Each attempt to disable the haunt requires 2 actions
------------------
Those with ** may go

Red
**Jaariko AC 18, 12/15 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Hands of Slow Death (Haunt)
White
Costolian AC 16 (17 w/cape), 15/16 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Tieri AC 18, 13/16 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Kyra AC 16, 16/16 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Blue

***

DC 17 Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Hero Point: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Jaariko stops short of the undead. "That wasn't here when we came through either!" He draws his pistol and snaps a shot of fire out into the undead hands.

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Dragon Mouth Pistol vs Blue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage; Concussive (Piercing)(1 fire damage): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6 Everything within 5 ft takes 1 Piercing Splash damage.

◈ Energy Shot (When Initiative is Rolled draw weapon and first three strikes deal 1 Fire damage)
◆◆ Disable Haunt
◆ Strike

Baby Huey fires at Blue and almost destroys it. It's still "alive" but only just. He tries to disable the haunt but the souls of the dwarves don't listen.

More spectral hands grasp at you as the spirits try to keep you from leaving.

Negative Damage, DC 17 Will Save: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Damage - CS: 0, S: 1, F: 2, CF: 4 + slowed 1, 1 rd

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Each attempt to disable the haunt requires 2 actions
------------------
Those with ** may go

Red
Jaariko AC 18, 10/15 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Hands of Slow Death (Haunt)
White (-1)
**Costolian AC 16 (17 w/cape), 15/16 (2x DC 17 Will Save pending)
**Tieri AC 18, 13/16 (2x DC 17 Will Save pending)
**Kyra AC 16, 16/16 (2x DC 17 Will Save pending)
Blue (-7)

***

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Owowow. Bad ghosties. I have to take the teeth from this pile now."

Tieri draws his bow and fires twice at Blue.

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 5 = 11
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Saranrae's fire cleanse you all!" Kyra screams as she unleashes a wave of healing that covers the entire alcove.

Heal, 3 actions: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Kyra unleashes a healing burst and causes Blue to crumble to ash, along with healing her companions. Tieri's arrow pins White to the ground and kills it.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Each attempt to disable the haunt requires 2 actions
------------------
Those with ** may go

Red (-2)
Jaariko AC 18, 10/15 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Hands of Slow Death (Haunt)
**Costolian AC 16 (17 w/cape), 15/16 (2x DC 17 Will Save pending)
Tieri AC 18, 9/16
Kyra AC 16, 16/16 (2x DC 17 Will Save pending)

***

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"That is enough!" Costolian calls out to the spirits.

Kyra Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Kyra Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Costolian roars and the frightens away some of the spirits. The haunt appears to weaken.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Each attempt to disable the haunt requires 2 actions
Successes needed to disable: 1
------------------
Those with ** may go

Red (-2)
Jaariko AC 18, 12/15 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Hands of Slow Death (Haunt)
**Costolian AC 16 (17 w/cape), 13/16 (1 action)
Tieri AC 18, 9/16
Kyra AC 16, 15/16

Will DC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Costolian punches the hand trying to grab his throat.

Fist vs Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Fist Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Red tries to grab Costolian around the throat again.

Red vs Costolian AC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Piercing Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Each attempt to disable the haunt requires 2 actions
------------------
Those with ** may go

Red (-5; Grabbing Costolian, FF)
**Jaariko AC 18, 12/15 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Hands of Slow Death (Haunt)
Costolian AC 16 (17 w/cape), 11/16 (Grabbed by Red; Verbal actions require 2 actions while grabbed)
Tieri AC 18, 9/16
Kyra AC 16, 15/16

Jaariko tries to pecka nd ter the hand free from Costolian's throat, without puncturing and ter the ma's throat out with his own bek. "Stand still!" He wraps his wings all the way around the man and lifts him into the air like a big snuggly hug.

Beak: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

◆ Strike
◆◆ Disable Haunt

Baby Huey gives Costolian a big hug, though Costolian's eyes go wide with fright as he's lifted into the air by the large tengu. His beak flashes forward and stabs the hand, causing it to drop free and fall.

More hands reach out at all of you from the ground.

Negative Damage, DC 17 Will for half: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Save Results:
CS - no damage
S - 1 damage
F - 1 damage
CF - 2 damage

Kyra steps forward. "Saranrae, return these spirits to their rest"

Kyra Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Sheesh!

Kyra Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

"Saranrae aid you in your time of need" she intones, pointing at Costolian, who has had success earlier (Cast Guidance).

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Each attempt to disable the haunt requires 2 actions
------------------
Those with ** may go

Jaariko AC 18, 12/15 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Hands of Slow Death (Haunt)
**Costolian AC 16 (17 w/cape), 11/16 (DC 17 Will Save pending; Guidance)
**Tieri AC 18, 9/16 (DC 17 Will Save pending)
Kyra AC 16, 14/16

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

With nothing better to do, Tieri will try to yell at the haunt.

"Bad ghosties. No touch. Back to where you came from!"

Intimidation (U): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11