PFS1e 10-17 - On Sevenfinger's Sails (KS) (Inactive)

Game Master phaeton_nz

please ninja dot here

Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry smiles broadly and speaks in a
voice accustomed to being obeyed. “Right, now let’s get down to
brass tacks. As you can see ...” she gestures to the newly installed wooden platform upon which everyone currently stands. “We’re
making things a bit more comfortable here for our new friend,
Hrethnar. It’s the least we can do since he’s trapped here for ...
well, eternity. But that’s not why I brought you here, my friends.”
The half-orc’s eyes narrow and grow deadly serious. “I asked the
Decemvirate to send me their best. They surpassed my expectations.

“It says a lot for your bravery that you were willing to come back to
this place after your experiences here last time. Never let anyone
call you a coward. You’ve earned my respect; that’s for damn sure.

“You lot come highly recommended, and your expertise at
dungeon-delving and getting things done has earned you the
right to partake in a mission of critical importance to the Society
and of even more importance to me, personally. I’m sure you’ve
heard whisperings of this place and my obsession with uncovering
its secrets alike. Maybe I’ve let this place hook me too much, but
it’s the sort of place that never really leaves you. Every time I think
we’ve gotten to the bottom of the spire, it offers a glimmer of
another exciting secret.” Benarry’s eyes twinkle.

Hrethnar mutters a venomous curse in Skald and spits on the
floor. “I do not share your enthusiasm, captain,” he says with an
archaic Ulfen accent. “This place is full of ghosts—both literal and
those from my past. I despise this place. And now that it is to be
my permanent home, I despise it even more.”

Benarry nods. “That’s to be expected, Hrethnar. And you have
my sympathies,” she says before she turns to face the Pathfinders.
“Since we rescued him, Hrethnar has been an invaluable resource.
He’s answered many questions about the Gloomspires and Old
Sevenfingers, and he’s promised to help us with one final task. And
that’s where you come in. You’re going to explore Sevenfingers’s
final resting place. You get to sack Sevenfingers’s tomb!”

Benarry allows her words to sink in before continuing. “I bet
you’re both excited and terrified of this opportunity. And you’d be
right to be afraid. Many folks—and not a few Pathfinders—have
met a grisly end here. And it’s quite possible that you will too,
if you don’t keep your wits about you,” she adds with a vaguely
menacing grin. Benarry then gestures to Hrethnar and waves her
hand at the man’s chest. Partially hidden by his shirt are dozens of
tattooed symbols and runes, all glowing softly. “Hrethnar himself
is the key to opening Sevenfingers’s final resting place. The sigils
and runes inked on his flesh form the only key to Sevenfingers’s
tomb in existence. And it can only be opened one day each year,
the date on which Hrethnar mounted his failed mutiny against
his old master. And it just so happens that day is...today. Bet you
didn’t see that coming.”

Benarry chuckles before continuing. “Once Hrethnar opens the
way to the tomb, you’ll enter and explore the place. I want a
full investigation. I want maps. And I want you to grab anything
valuable that isn’t nailed down. The stories of Sevenfingers’s
treasure are famous. Find it and bring it back!”

Benarry asks Hrethnar to step outside the room while she
confers with the team. After he departs, her face bears a sour look.
“Unfortunately, I’m not joining you. I’ll remain behind to keep an
eye on our friend,” she says. “Hrethnar is the key to entering the tomb, but I want to keep an eye on him and make sure you have a
way to get back here. Hrethnar says he’ll only be able to keep the
portal open from dawn until dusk, so that gives you twelve hours.
If you run out of time and get trapped in there, we won’t be able
to get to you until this time next year. So don’t be late!”

“OK,” she says. “Dawn is about a half hour away. Any questions?"

.

"Why do I keep ending up here?" Kahwen asks no one in particular as they begin the briefing.

He looks at Hrethnar with a mixture of sympathy and fear. The poor soul is trapped here forever, but is also a powerful undead creature. That seems true of many things in this place.

The tengu bows, right hand over his chest, left arm held put perpendicular to his body, torso lowered parallel to the ground as Benarry compliments them.

Yet as he straightens everything she says after that causes his feathers to rise more and more until he looks more like a toy stuffed version of a tengu than a real one.

"Into the tomb?"

"Only twelve hours or trapped for a year?"

"You're not coming with us?"

He looks around at his companions and visibly straightens up taller and smooths his feathers.

"Don't worry companions. I've been here many times. I know this place like the back of my hand....not this particular part we're going into but the rest. I'm sure we'll be fine!" he declares.

Fidgeting and twitching like a child on a sugar buzz, a gnome with bright peach skin and short-cropped fiery orange hair waves uncertainly at Hrethnar: "Uh, did you say ghosts? And was that figurative or literal? As in, how much of what's in there is undead? And what kinds of undead?" Pleeease let there not be any ghasts! Pai tries very hard to avoid the flashback to an earlier mission in which she spent *way* too much time in one-on-one combat with a ghast, and how close she came to becoming one herself.

Before he can even answer, she flips a glance to VC Benarry and chirps: "Oh, and can we grab some stuff before we head in there? I only have, like, 4 days of food in my handy little haversack here, and who knows what else we might need and all." She tilts her head to the side and squints calculatingly: "How much holy water do you have on hand?"

"Oooh, I's been to the Gloomspires before. So 'as Kernuffle."

The speaker is a voluptuous green-skinned woman, reclining in the embrace of a massive ape. The ape is clad in spiked leather and has hooves in place of feet. As it happens, so too does his mistress.

"It makes boys not want to make babies" shudders the woman. The ape growls and nods. "So if any of you wants to do that, we needs to do it now."

"I is called Nana Grilka. I helps the babies come. I is also a pirate! That is why I is here today. I is going to get Sevenfingers' treasure!" Nana has a broad grin and a glint in her eye.

"I remembers you, Hrethnar. Does you know about Sevenfingers? What is he now? A ghostie? Is any more of 'is crew in 'is tomb?"

I am tweaking Nana's spell selection for the Gloomspires, and have a bit of gold to spend. I'll make some suggestions in Discussion.

A Taldan man casually saunters in the room, his gleaming blade bouncing off his hip as he moves. Hi weapon shows him to be a practitioner of the Rondelero sword style. He tosses his pack to the corner and moves to the inner part. His eyes light up when he sees one of the others gathered.

Kahwen! My brother! God to see you yet again...are you ready to finish this and be done with the Gloomspires once and for all? I sure am... he says exuberantly as he races over and hugs the tengu. he then sees the others gathered.

Sorry...got a little excited. Kahwen and I go back a ways. I am Mykel, of the Cassomir Therinors. Delighted to meet you all... he says as he introduces himself with a slight bow.

noted a couple purchases in discussion..might add a couple more...

Pai jumps off her seat and hovers in the air at Mykel's eye level. "Aww! I love reunions! Hug it up, guys! Just not while we're walking, or you might trip--oh. Right. Focus. Sorry!" She shoots a quick glance at VC Benarry and ducks her head into her shoulders in partially sincere sheepishness. Sinking back down into her chair with a wink at Mykel and Kahwen, she gushes: "I'm Pai, by the way."

Thin and lean dwarven statue covered with Ancient Osirion runes, forehead bound with dark-stone scarab. Stands unmovable as a monolith rock all the briefing.

The Monolith is covered with gold-and-white calistocrate mantle. Somehow mantle moves where lower back of this statue should be, and air around becomes a bit unpleasant in a dozen seconds.

Only when Kahwen starts his speech and other Pathfinders bring more questions at the table - Monolith's eyes become alive.

So, our mission is to get this Sevenfingers to Anubis and help him rejoin The Cycle. Low income, high risks hmmm. Contemplation for a year in a tomb again sounds not so bad though...

Khmmmmmmmmmkhkhk , the Monolith finally starts moving after Mykel entered...

Hallo, friends! - the dwarf burps... -Egrm! Apolagize. My stomach is bad after hundreds years entombed. Happy to say in a current life, thanks to Pathfinders, I am a merchant! "Deal with us or go to Anubis!" - my mark slogan! Huh! My name is K'Anubis. - the dwarf farts, apologizes once more and adds:
-Not really glad to visit the Gloomspires, but I see great company around!

The dwarf smells unleasent, but looks good and sounds enthusiastic.

Charisma 5. I will be a bit nasty dwarf ^(

Kahwen spotted Mykel a moment before the other man spotted him. He was mid bow when the exuberant Therinor caught him up, lifting his feet a few inches off the floor with his embrace.

"Friend Mykel! I'm so pleased to see you!" he replies with as much exuberance but he is quickly somber again.

"It seems like we will never be done with this place. Each time we explore a layer another opens up. It's like an onion only instead of making you cry it makes you bleed," he says.

He bows to both Pai and Grilka and Kernuffle just in case. The tricorner hat he sweeps off his head as he does so suggests he might be in a nautical profession as well.

"A pleasure to meet you both," he says, before shaking Mykel's hand redundantly and giving him a pat on the back.

Each time K'Anubis farts, Pai's eyes twinkle merrily. She winks and activates her Air Shroud around herself. "No need to apologize to me, K'Anubis. Pleased to meet you!" She chirps. "Sorry I can't share my Air Shroud with the rest of you, though. It takes a bit outta me to do that just for something like this. But if we end up fighting a weaponized super-stench, I'll getcha for sure!"

K'Anubis looks after Pai magic manipulations with peaceful understanding.
-My experience suggests people must not like each other to do business, although preferable. It is also suggests to be aware. I've never been to Gloom-Spires. So maybe miss Benarry or respected Hrethnar add something useful about this tomb? ,- K'Anubis adds with short bow to Venture captain

-My Code generally forbids to rob a tomb. Chose your words wisely., - the dwarf scratches his short beard with some food wastes upon and eates immediately what appeared to be a piece of onion.

Pai cocks an eyebrow at K'Anubis's Code. Ooh, that's gonna be rough. No robbing a tomb on a tomb robbing job? Guess I'll have to do my best "Hey! Look over there (while I grab stuff)!" thing.

"We is not robbing a tomb, silly! We is recoverin' stolen goods! Sevenfingers was a pirate, so anythin' there isn't really his to keep. Besides, he's a cursed undead."

Nana scratches her head a moment and squints at K'Anubis. "Is you an undead? You says you been entombed for 'undreds of years."

Well, I'm ready to head out... the swordsman says as he fishes out a scroll and hands it to Nana.

Should I fall..or anyone else, use this. It can bring the dead back...but must be used quickly. scroll of breath of life...

He looks over at Kahwen.

[b]Ready to finish this, my friend? And forget the blasted Gloomspires even exist?]b]

-You see, I used to be a tomb guardian and even Sphinx servant for a while. But accidently I failed to answer really awkward question and falled to catatonia during the next meditation. Alas! You probably heard about Sky Key expedition to the past? Well, I was one of excavated artifacts. My musculs became a mess and I recovered only thanks to magic and our Society! Now I am happy to be a simple merchant. Feel reealy alive, if you wonder, Nana.

K'Anubis also interested if someone able to use Mage Armor or/ and Barkskin from wand or a scroll... He will gladly delegate his magic gear.

"I am ready Friend Mykel. I plan to drink enough to embarrass a Caydenite when we come back," Kahwen says.

He hands Nana a wand with the familiar Pathfinder Logo and a red plus sign.

"Use this as much as is needed, Friend Nana, on whoever needs it," he says.

Then, he draws his sword, which is almost as long as he is tall, and faces the place where he thinks the portal will form.

"Ooo! Cool sword! Guess I'd better do this." Pai scrunches up her face like she's pooping. Tiny little arcs of electricity begin flickering around her, followed shortly by a disc of water that floats in the air before her. "There! Ready to go!" She fidgets and jiggles back and forth, antsy to get moving.

She's activating two abilities: Enveloping Winds (25% miss chance on ranged weapon attacks) and Shroud of Water (taking 1 point of Burn to increase it to a +5 shield bonus to AC).

Nana accepts Kahwen's wand and then Mykel's scroll, which she glances at with Read Magic if needed. "Oooh, I knows this spell." She rolls the scroll up and fits it into a newly acquired spring-loaded wrist sheath.

Nana stands up and lays a spell on Kernuffle's armour Magic Vestment then adjusts the hoofed ape's jewelry. We'll have the Dire Collar as the active necklace initially.

"We is ready."

Kanubis, it looks like Nana is the only caster in this party. Neither mage armour nor barkskin is on Nana's spell list, but she can use your healing and lesser restoration wands. Nana can attempt a UMD check up to twice per adventure via a boon (as if trained, bonus will be around +6) and Pai is trained in UMD.

Yup. UMD +7.

- Understood. Than take these. Everything marked. ,- K'Anubis provides wands of Mage Armor to Pai and Infernal Healing, lesser Restoration and Cure light wounds to Nana. All 4 battered, Restoration wand probably was used for ears cleaning or scratching. Kanubis mutters activation words in dwarven so that colleagues k ow how to use em

The Monolith keeps one wand with a wink.

Kanubis makes 1 step way if other Pathfinders demonstrate their weapon showing a bit tension.

Generally we are ready;

A drink before we step off...cheers! Mykel says as he grabs a flask of some liquid and downs half of it.

Got to remember to get more of that stuff when I'm back home...it's a Taldan whiskey...reminds me of home and the trouble we got in to as kids...

good to go

- Understood. Than take these. Everything marked. ,- K'Anubis provides wands of Mage Armor to Pai and Infernal Healing...

Pai accepts the wands with an eager gleam in her eyes. "Okay! Oooo, I feel all wizardy or something! But for reals, I may not get 'em on the first try, so factor in some extra time when you want me to us 'em."

"Oooh, afore I forgets, I's got another beyootiful friend I is bringing. His name is Kevin. If any of you's needs to fly, I will get Kevin out."

Nana has a somewhat unique Figurine of Wondrous Power from a chronicle sheet. The Viridium Moonbeast mechanically resembles a Bronze Griffin, with a couple of differences. Since it counts as a 'combat pet' Nana can only use it as a flying mount but if she lends it to someone they can use its combat abilities (not super impressive at this tier but a flying pouncing mount can be handy).

Hrethnar moves both of his hands in a complicated pattern and wordlessly mouths a series of silent incantations. A moment later, his shimmering tattoos begin to glow red. Drops of blood trickle from his nostrils and weep from his eyes. The bloody droplets stream from his face and form levitating rivulets that merge into a hovering scarlet pool a few feet off the floor.

Several heartbeats later with Hrethnar and the room forming a sickening bloody scene, the pool of blood forms a perfect mirror-like rectangle, roughly three feet wide and eight feet high.

Benarry’s voice suddenly booms.
“Now’s your chance,” she yells.
“Step through the portal and into the history books!"

Map is linked at the top

Kahwen's feathers ruffle up at the ritual. They only lower a bit at Benarry's words. He looks back at the rest of the group as though for reassurance then gives a shrug and leaps through the pool.

"Oh, well, that's only a little bit disgusting. Wait--we're going through that? Ohhhkaaaaay." Pai's eyes are wide and mistrusting as she flies through the portal, thinking to herself: We'd better not all be covered in sticky undead blood on the other side, dangit!--Eeew, that's so gross.

Once on the other side, she immediately glances around to asses the immediate danger level before checking how clean or bloody she is.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Low-light vision. Additional +2 for hidden objects in Gloomspire

Last one in pays for drinks after... Mykel says as he races forward and hops through the portal after giving Benarry and Hrethnar a salute.

when he lands, he draws his blade and looks around.

perc: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

K'Anubis drinks goat milk with obvious pleasure. Watching how Mykel drinks fire-water (alco) he burps emotionally, but made no comments otherwise.

Feel free to practice, dear Pai. No need to rush until we are late to get to toilet... Oh, and I believe I should not take my cart with good, so recent purchase of Bag of Holding would be convenient and wise.

I spent some money to wands and other magic consumables. Now Pai recieve Mage Armor (41/50) wand while Nana lends:
Infernal Healing (29/50)
Lesser Restoration (7/8 charges)
Cure light Wounds (33/50)
Cure Moderate Wonds (5/5 charges)

K'Anubis obviously impressed by a way portal was opened. He steps in later rather than quick, after some brething or maybe hesitations.

***

For GM! While we moveing and searching, K'Anubis have some options to be keen.
1. Remember about Stonecunning please.
2. Constant Deathwatch
3. I have Scent but regarding only gems and coins.

When team get out from portal, Monolith takes a long look around.
Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36
He sniffs air and after suggest Pai to try the Mage Armor wand -Activation word is kamnezhop, remember?

Pai whips out the wand, ready and raring to do fancy magic. "Alright! Ready? Klamnezhop!"

UMD DC 20: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"Nope. Not quite right. Kamneshop!"

UMD DC 20: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Nope. Again. Kamnezhop!"

UMD DC 20: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"There! Got it! Yeah! I feel all awesome now. Okay! So what've we got here?" Pai tucks the wand back into her haversack and jauntily glances around at the group and the immediate area with her hands on her hips.

Uh, I just realized Pai has no way to deal with total darkness, which I assume will be a consistent theme here. That's...actually on point for her. Does anyone have a light spell or something? Maybe one of these days she'll think ahead.

Nana has Darkvision, Kernuffle has Scent and Blind-fight. Nana has a Continual Flame cast on a pebble that she mounts on a mundane clasp worn around her neck. She also has a Daylight spell prepared if necessary.

Nana and Kernuffle step through the bloody portal.

"Alright then, let's find Sevenfingers and his stolen treasures!"

Looking around there is the portal and a stair way that leads 20ft down to the next area.

A shallow basin filled with colorful coral and exotic fish forms the floor of this large hall. A few inches above the waterline, a narrow stone walkway spans the basin and leads to a stone door on the opposite side of the hall. The hall appears to be open to the sky—a night sky filled with
twinkling stars and a full moon that bathes everything in a pale yellow glow. A chilly sea breeze flows gently through the hall.

the ceiling 30ft above is displaying the night sky while the light from the moon and stars provide a very dim lighting for the chamber, the basin is three feet deep, filled with warm sea water, and stocked with exotic corals, fish, and other small marine fauna.

the walkway is 2ft wide and appears very slippery, and wobbly

Pai peers out into the next room. "Oh, well that's a trap. I mean, how could it not be?" Despite this declaration, she begins slowly flying into the room, about 15' above the walkway. Her head swivels every which way as she scans every surface she can for traps or ambushes.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
+2 more for hidden objects

K'Anubis self slapping couple times to check Pai finds control over the wand. After making sure Mage Armor is here, the Monolith moves forward covering group.

The dwarf is not a person who likes being wet, so at the start he tries not to fall to the water stepping forward at walkway...
He activates strange magic boots made grey-wite as if being made from spider web.
Spider Climb helps here? I will use hands to move if necessary.

Kanubis nods something about obvious place for trap. He wears on his ancient dwarven boulder helmet in a form of Jackal (or Anubis) head.
- Do not become crowd. Move slowly. We probably may just go straight.

Kahwen, what do your keen eyes see? That is either a trap or about to collapse... Mykel says as he eyes the construction.

Kahwen actually relaxes for a moment after stepping through the portal. The Gloomspires are appropriately named, after all, so a beautiful starlit pool is a welcome surprise when he was expecting decor more in keeping with an ancient crypt or layer of Hell.

He was about to run his fingers in the water when Mykel reminded him of where they are.

"Tricky, tricky," he says, accusingly to no one in particular before examining the walkway and pool and neutralizing any threats he finds.

Perception Gloomspire Explorer Boon: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 = 37

Disable Device (MW Thieves Tools): 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 2 = 23

"We doesn't need to walk over there, you sillies. I's can make us all fly."

Nana has Mass Fly prepared, which I have only just noticed has a duration of 10 minutes per level :o Let me know when you want it cast :)

One thing I am keen to discover about this tomb is whether it's compact in dimensions or if it will take many hours to fully explore, like one of the previous Gloomspires levels did.

as Pai flies over the room, and looks around, she sees a bunch of coral gathered in the waters, nothing out of the ordinary

, Kanubis, spider climb might not be as effective as you think and I need an Acrobatics check or Reflex save from you

Kahwen looks around and thinks some of the coral doesn't seem to be natural, but isn't really sure. Kahwen you also don't seem to be able to find anything to disable, its not trapped just slick and a thin walk way

"Watch out for that coral," Kahwen says, pointing to the area(s) that seem unusual. "There's something weird about it."

The way out is through, though so he starts working his way along the slippery edge.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42

If the boots power is not help to go over the edgy walkway, K'Anubis try it out iv he will be able to walk over ceiling. If it does not work either, the dwarf gonna carefully walk narrow path.

Reflex: 11 + 1d20 ⇒ 11 + (17) = 28

"Weird coral? What? Okay, so maybe that's the trap. Or ambush or whatever. I'll keep an eye on it while you all cross over. Looks like there's another door over there, but not much place to stand. So... Maybe everyone else should wait until Kahwen checks it for traps and locks." As she's chattering, Pai descends until she's about 15 feet above the water to keep an eye on the weird-looking coral as her teammate(s) cross(es).

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

The coral? Odd...maybe it is enchanted to explode on touch or poisonous...I wouldn't put anything past this place...trust nothing.. Mykel says as he moves forward, making sure Kahwen is covered as he does his sleuthing.

"Oh. I hadn't thought of that. I just assumed it was a monster that'd jump up and attack us when we got to the middle or something."

Pai's keeping her Air Shroud up.

"Coral monsters? I's sure I's seen something like that in the Shackles..." Nana muses from across the room. "Does you need a big flying spell yet? Or shall I call Kevin?"

Kahwen and Kanubis seem to make it across with no issue, on the other side of the walkway you find a door that is not locked and opens up into a plus intersection, one door to the north, one to the south, and one to the east

Pai hovers over the water as the rest of the Pathfinders cross to the new intersection, just in case there's a last moment ambush. As soon as everyone else has exited through the door, she zooms along behind them and flies along the ceiling in the hallway.

Mykel tries to traverse the bridge.

acro: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

Once on the other side, Kahwen starts with the North door because no one expects you to go left. Of course, they may expect people to be coming from the other direction which would make that door on the right, in which case it would be the exact direction they expect people to go.

He hesitates in thought for a few moments then shrugs and begins work on the door. He doesn't unlock or open it until everyone is across the water, though he does disarm any traps he finds.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 2 = 38

Disable Device MW Tools: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 = 22

Disable Device MW Tools: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 = 22

One Disable Device is for traps or the lock if there aren't any, the other is for the lock if there are traps and a lock.

"Oh well, come on then Kevin!"

Nana withdraws a small figurine from her pouch. The carving is a peculiar green shade that hurts the eyes and turns the stomach - though Nana seems enamoured of the thing. She strokes "Kevin" and coos to it - and then a moment later Kevin has come to life. "He" is the size of a horse, and floats above the ground. Kevin is a quadrupedal beast, with a mass of tentacles where its head should be.

Nana takes an odd-looking saddle from Kernuffle and puts it on Kevin, before mounting the moonbeast. Then she lays a Fly spell on Kernuffle, and the three cross over the water, following Pai's path.

I'll add a token to the map for Kevin. His stats are on Nana's character sheet.