[PAIZOCON] PFS2 2-19: Enter the Pallid Peak (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Parker 82

Gameplay

You all depart the Grand Lodge and arrive in Olfden. Olfden’s residents greet you happily—their economy caters to explorers and adventurers who venture into the vale’s forests and mountains.

The streets of Olfden bustle with activity as shopkeepers call out for attention, promising only the very best wares.

In front of the Pathfinder lodge on the outskirts of town stands a statue of a woman wielding a blade and a wand, furiously battling a group of humanoid wolves. Several stone wolves lie dead at the statue’s base, but it’s clear the woman is being overwhelmed. As if to give voice to the fallen wolves, a chorus of deep barks echoes from a walled yard behind the lodge.

When you enter, Luna Aldred waves you into a homey reading room with an assortment of plush chairs and side tables haphazardly piled with books, where she awaits you. She’s an older woman with startling yellow eyes. It’s immediately clear to you that she’s the woman depicted in the statue outside.

Venture-Captain Luna Aldred sets down a steaming mug as she leans back in her chair. She smiles and gestures for everyone to find seats as she props her feet up on a padded stool and reaches down for her knitting. She looks like the picture of retirement, but a sword hilt and wand poke out of the basket of yarn at her side.

“Welcome to Silver Moon Sanctuary,” she says. “Olfden doesn’t see as much activity as some lodges, but I’m always happy to see agents. I recently learned a group of prospectors discovered an entrance to what may be an old dwarven ruin on Droskar’s Crag. It could be part of a much larger complex and may hold significant historical value.”

Her silver knitting needles click as she continues.
“I’d like you to take a look, see what you can find. Oh! It’s probably not a surprise, but it sounds like you’ll be sticking your hand in the wolf’s jaws. The prospectors didn’t all make it back out.”

Luna shakes her head sadly. “I couldn’t get many details of what happened—the survivor is pretty upset; I had to push a pocketful of gold on him and swear nobody would get hurt before he would draw a map—but maybe you’ll have more luck. He’s been staying down the street at the Silver Bulette inn, if you want to talk to him.”

She sets down her knitting and sits up, yellow eyes intense as she emphasizes her next words.

“I don’t know how big this place is, so don’t go too deep. Explore as much as you can, but I don’t want to send a recovery team in a month just to find out you’ve followed some path to a fey party in the Vale. Clear out any threats and make a note of any tunnels leading deeper into the mountain, but save them for another expedition. All right?”

A short but cheerful looking Goblin browses some wares in the market of Olfden. She talks out loud in her excitement. "Ooh! Look at these vials. Very nice quality. Can't ever have too many!"

She wears simple leather armor under leather cloak that sometimes doubles as a lab apron. On her back is slung a crossbow meant for someone much taller. It appears to be heavily modified though the purpose isn't immediately clear. She wears several overlapping bandoliers containing numerous vials and waxed paper packages. Despite the sheer amount of glass she moves quite quietly (when she isn't jumping up and down to express her joy at something).

Scragatha the goblin

Upon entering the reading room, Scragatha doesn't waste any time before making herself comfortable. Though she does eye the tea with a curious eyebrow raised.

"Got it, easy enough. Dwarves always get in over their heads. Time to send the real adventurers in, eh?!"

Then

A small canine humanoid clad in plate mail in a traveler's chair with a rose emblazoned on the spiked wheels enters the room. A large axe that glows faintly is strapped to the back of the chair. He cheerfully offers a paw to each of the other Pathfinders. "Hello, I'm Ra'uf. They usually send me in when they need muscle, but I am pretty good at getting Agents out of all types of bad situations."

Now

Ra'uf listens to the rhythm of the needles and the Venture-Captain's information. He chuckes at what he assumes is a joke by Scragatha, then responds. "Reconnoiter the first area of Droskar’s Crag and neutralize any hostiles, and report back before pushing forward."

An umbral gnome with a small string instrument across his back speaks up. This sounds worrisome. We should speak to the survivor right away, see what information we can gather.

He turns to the rest of the group It's great to meet everybody... and good to see you again, Scragatha. How have you been since Hyrnatam?

Scragatha cranes her neck over from her lounged position to see a familiar face. "Zantal! Hey! Nice to see you too. I've been good. Keeping busy. I've been hunting insects in my spare time, still haven't found any carnivorous butterflies but I'm not giving up! Oh, and I picked up this bad boy." she pats the crossbow next to her.

An elven swordsman clad in scale armor with his helmet in hand. He emanates a confident smile and calm demeanor as he greets one and all. Taking some moments to look over the wares of the market like the others, he pays close attention to the local wineries that are presenting their top drink as its always good to research his competition.

"Greetings all. Galindier Cyndoral of Cyndoral Vineyards in Kyonin. While a vinter by trade, my active membership in the Society and most recently, the Vigilant Seal, allow me to see the world and keep my physique in fighting shape as it once was in active duty as a soldier."

Upon hearing Luna's account and request of exploring the depths of Droskar’s Crag, he inquires, "Would we have access to spelunking equipment for this venture in case it be needed or do you believe this survivor may know better?"

So, a dwarven ruin says a bronze skinned dwarf sipping from a flask, that would be interesting, see ancient examples of my race's other cultures.

He puts the flask away and greets the other Pathfinders with a nod of the head My name is Ankhef, from the Land of Osirion. I am here to study the world and help fellow adventurers in their quests. I'm sure we will become friends soon.

A dark-skinned gnome, with colorful, flamboyant loose-fitting monk's attire sits and listens. A mix of pinks, purples, and oranges. His hair is in a large, elaborate, and equally colorful. Occasionally, you hear a sound and see a purple squirrel peeking out from the hair.

He listens and nods, "Sounds like an interesting challenge. I am Highwire, quite an accomplished acrobat, and good getting in and out of tight spaces, which may be useful in an abandoned mine, I suppose." He squirrel peeks out of his hair, and Highwire points toward his head. "And that is my friend, Zagnut."

You can find Elsitt Treddy (N male half-orc prospector) at the Silver Bulette, a large inn with an expansive tavern on the first floor. The rugged half-orc is well into his cups of dwarven whiskey as he mourns his slain friends. He looks up blearily when you approach, eyes red-rimmed from crying. If asked about what happened, he demurs, saying he doesn’t want to talk or think about it.

“That job cost my friends their lives,” Elsitt says. “I wish we’d never been there. No matter how much gold I got for the map, it’s not enough. Gethel would’ve disagreed, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for gold.” He drunkenly launches into a story about the ridiculous lengths his slain gnome friend went to for a little gold he thought he spotted in a river, gesturing for you to join him in a toast as he calls for another round.

You can continue to encourage him to share stories, joining in with their own. You can attempt a [u]Deception or Performance check or use an appropriate Lore check, such as Pathfinder Lore or Warfare Lore, to share their own tales.[/u] You can take many different approaches for this check; regardless of the skill used, the [u]DC is 15 (18 for Levels 3–4). Each of you can attempt one skill check.[/u] A success earns your group 1 Commiseration Point, and a critical success earns 2 Commiseration Points, while a critical failure drives Elsitt to a new low, losing 1 Commiseration Point.

Scragatha accepts the toast and perches spryly on a chair. She sits on the back of the chair while putting her feet on the seat.

She launches into her own tale of woe!

Deception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

But it is not very believable...

"... so then my whole unit just spontaneously combusted right in front of me! Fortunately I received a commendation for my service and now I live a humble life as a wandering alchemist. I still miss them, especially Alex, err, I mean Allen."

Performance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"The skeletons were exploding! You ever fight n exploding skeleton before, Mr. Treddy?"

Also not the best story...

Warfare Lore: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Highwire joins in the drinking and storytelling. "I had a friend, Amashti, much like Gethel it sounds like, who trained with me at the Monastery of the Unfolding Wind, in my homeland of Jalmeray. Ah, yes, though we were supposed to be devoted to our studies and exercises, Amashti was always ambitious and sought far beyond her grasp. Once, she picked a fight with an Ifrit apprentice from the Monastery of Unblinking Flame ..."

While playing his handheld instrument, Zantal sings "Rock Stew for Me, Rock Stew for You," a song he learned at Winter Week in the Eye of Dread, hoping to impress and charm the drunken half-orc. 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 11

Bonuses are from instrument and Virtuosic Performance

Just a quick scorecard:
2 Failures
1 Success
1 Critical Failure

You currently have 0 Commiseration Points

Doesn't bode well. Looks like Galindier has Warfare Lore+4. If he doesn't succeed, can we bot Ankhef's Pathfinder Society Lore+3? He needs a 12 for a success, but not sure how bad a position we're in if we don't get any points.

There is nice to have information, but you are not completely hampered if you fail here. This would make some things later easier, but they are still not impossible.

Apologies for the delay.

Galindier sits down with the others and after they've shared their tales, he carefully and unthreateningly unsheathes his sword, laying it in his lap, and displaying the engravings and curved, elven excellence in it's craft. "This blade has served me for many centuries. I have fought along many fellow brothers and sisters defending our kingdom in the forests of Kyonin..." Galindier shares, detailing a few key triumphs and defeats that shaped his character before active duty retirement. In each, friends and fellow brethren were lost, but not forgotten.

Galindier's Warfare Lore (T): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Botting Ankhef Hammerstone to move things along

Pathfinder Society Lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Ending with 1 Success

Elsitt says
It was horrible. “Suits of dwarf armor” attacked when we entered the first room. My friends were killed before they could escape, but the suits of armor did not follow me outside.

Then he starts crying into his whiskey, too spent to try and recall any more

Elsitt calls out to you as you leave. “If you bring back my friends’ bodies for a proper burial, I’ll give you a share of the money I got from Luna Aldred as a reward.

“They shouldn’t be left to rot—or worse—in that place!”

When you’re ready, you depart for an easy trip north to Falcon’s Hollow. You board a boat to travel 25 miles up the River Foam to the Gold Falls Inn at the base of Droskar’s Crag.
Unfortunately, as you make their way north, you encounter an unexpected obstacle at the confluence of the Darkmoon River: a log jam blocks the way forward.

Log drivers from the Lumber Consortium work furiously to clear the mess.

The leader of the log drivers is Boss Pattin, a hirsute, muscular halfling whose normal speaking voice is a shout loud enough to be heard over rapids and tumbling logs..

When he spots you, he roars from atop the logs, “Don’t just stand there gawking! You can’t go anywhere until we clear this, so help already!”

To help with the jam,you can attempt:
an Acrobatics or Athletics check to clamber atop the logs and dislodge them, or
a Crafting, Nature, or Thievery check to figure out the best way to direct workers to undo the tangle.

The DC for each of the checks is 16 (19 for Levels 3–4).

Each of you can attempt one check

Ra'uf shoves some logs out of the way.

Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Scragatha tries to balance and jump from log to log, so she can get a good look at the jam and where to concentrate their efforts.

Crafting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

And just for style points
acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

She looks at ease as she runs along the length of the logs shouting to whoever will listen. "Hey! You! Yeah! Move that one! Then the one behind it!"

Zantal demonstrates proper detangling with his tiny, delicate gnome hands. Thievery:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Galindier steps up go aid the Consortium with the log removal, but it proves to be more difficult than he imagined.

Galindier's Athletics(T): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Highwire helps without much effort in dislodging the logs.

Assurance of 16 on Athletics.

Botting Ankhef Hammerstone to move things along. I hope he is feeling better soon.

Ankhef Hammerstone examines the logs to try to find a way to break up the jam.

Crafting check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

And finds a key spot to release a large portion of the jam.

Since you attempted to help, the log drivers gratefully invite you to share their camp for the night.

Over a hearty stew, Boss Pattin tells their story: “Nothing has gone right on this trip. Couple days ago, duergar raiders attacked, tried to take us prisoner! We sent them back up the Crag, but they left us bloodied. That’s why this mess happened.”

They give you a satchel with
a lesser leaper’s elixir
a sunrod, and a
Minor elixir of life.

After making it past the logjam, you finish your journey without incident and soon reach Gold Falls Inn, a former dwarven ruin that has been transformed into a lodging with spectacular views of the waterfall.
Mierson Berekland (NG male human innkeeper) welcomes you and supplies you for your trip up.

Droskar’s Crag. Luna’s map leads you to a cliff ledge where rocky debris hides a pair of shattered gates that open into the mountain.

The crumpled remains of iron doors leave this entryway open to the elements. Ash, dirt and other debris cover the floor. The bloodied bodies of a gnome and human lie near the entrance, arms outstretched toward the exit, away from the dwarf likenesses standing in each corner.

Below the remains, a map carved into the stone floor spreads across this chamber. A wide hallway leads east out of the room, and to the south, a narrow set of stairs leads down.

Zantal speaks up. I've heard songs about these. They are Animated Guardians. They are mindless constructs, but they become easier to hurt as you wear them down. He pauses. Anybody got any ideas?

Ra'uf draws his greataxe. "Wear them down, of course!"

"Anyone mind if I keep that leaper's elixir?"

Upon seeing the guardians, Highwire nods to Zantal. "Yes, I have seen these before as well. It is unlikely we will be able to pass them without a conflict. If you are able to attack in a way that their construct armor will not protect against, it is probably best to do so, at least until we can break that armor and make them more vulnerable." They glance around. "I will see if I can get into the room without being noticed, and get into position to flank them."

I don't want to jump the gun and trigger this, but I also know we need to keep things moving. I'm not rushing off in character prior to everyone weighing in on what they need to do. If we don't have a different plan thrown out, I'll go ahead and try to Sneak into the southern passage.

Highwire manages to work his way into the room without provoking a reaction from the Animated Guardians. He can see a little way down the corridors to the South and East.

Zantal readies his heavy crossbow. He says quietly, I don't see any way except forward. But keep an eye on the statues.

Scragatha dismisses the alchemical items as subpar, but is polite outwardly.

She is concerned about the constructs. "It's obvious how these things got the better of them. It will be very tricky and I don't really have anything that would be useful against them. If we can smash them up enough without getting smashed we should be fine!"

She readies her own crossbow, installing a vial of alchemist's fire into the contraption. "Yes, let's get in position and try to get the drop on them."

She makes ready to sneak up too to get in range of one of the statues.

Alchemical Crossbow has a shorter range of 30ft. She will use the avoid notice exploration Activity +7 stealth. The crossbow is charged with an alchemist's fire for three shots.

-1 Alchemist Fire, 5 left

Highwire observes the map carved into the floor, trying to figure out if there is anything that stands out about it, perhaps which might indicate the best path into the mines.

It says the bodies are near the "entrance" ... Does that mean that I'm standing next to the bodies? I wonder if we could pull them out and away from the guardians, and move them clear of the structure, so we can return them for proper burial. Granted, it's hard to stealthily drag a corpse ... so maybe we'll just have to deal with these things and then take care of the bodies.

Ra'uf tries to get as close to the action as possible without setting them off.

Galindier, upon hearing the discussion about the statues, pulls out a torch to use as a makeshift club in case he needs to. He'll unsheath his sword with his main hand and quietly follow behind Scragatha to preparing to strike, back against the wall, hoping his blade will find purchase despite the statues' armor.

Lady of Ripe Bounty, may we all drink of victory this night.[/i] Galindier prays silently.

You can't get everyone through without triggering the fight. Your best bet is to position yourselves to your best advantage and do something to trigger initiative.

The bodies are not close enough to the entry to drag out without exposing yourselves.

Zantal says, Well, I think we're all pretty sure, from the corpses, that the statues are bad news. If nobody wants to make a dash for it, let's find another way... Zantal will begin to cast Telekinetic Projectile to toss a blunt object at Blue. Spell attack if necessary: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Zantal's rock crashes into the wall next to the Blue Guardian, and they all start to move toward you in response.

Initiative

Round 1, Bold may act

Highwire
Animated Guardian, reinforced Blue
Zantal
Galindier
Ankhef Hammerstone
Scragatha
Ra'uf Steelwheels
Animated Guardian, reinforced Red
Animated Guardian, Yellow

With the initial assault begun, Highwire darts forward toward the blueish guardian. They release a couple of quick punches at the creature, then sweeps with their leg to try to topple it

◆ Stride
◆ Flurry of Blows
Fist strike 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Fist strike 1 damage (bludgeoning): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Fist strike 2, Multiattack: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 4 = 6
Fist strike 2 damage (bludgeoning): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
◆ Trip w/ Assurance(Athletics) result of 16, no penalties/bonuses

Highwire doesn't manage to damage the Blue Guardian, but does manage to put it on the ground with a Trip.

The Blue Guardian Stands up to return the blow.

◆ Stand Up

◆ Pulls out the Warhammer at its side

◆ Strike Highwire
Attack Highwire with Warhammer: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Missing Highwire much like Highwire missed it.

Round 1, Bold may act

Highwire
Animated Guardian, reinforced Blue
Zantal
Galindier
Ankhef Hammerstone
Scragatha
Ra'uf Steelwheels
Animated Guardian, reinforced Red
Animated Guardian, Yellow

Ankef moves forward, pulls his Warhammer and raises his shield.

◆ Stride

◆ Pull out Warhammer

◆ Raise Shield

Zantal begins to sing a wordless but inspiring tune. (◆ Inspire Courage). He then begins to chant, casting ◆◆ Telekinetic Projectile to hurl another blunt object at Blue. Telekinetic Projectile to hit:1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 = 20 B damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8.

Zantal Ispires the group!

He also manages to hit the Blue Guardian with a rock, but it doesn't do as much damage as it should.

Initiative

Round 1, Bold may act
Inspire Courage is up (+1 Attack/Damage)

Highwire
Animated Guardian, reinforced Blue (-3 HP)
Zantal
Galindier
Ankhef Hammerstone
Scragatha
Ra'uf Steelwheels
Animated Guardian, reinforced Red
Animated Guardian, Yellow

Ra'uf moves to assist in breaking the Blue statue.

◆ Stride

◆ Strike

+1 Greataxe: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12
Slashing Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

◆ Strike

+1 Greataxe: 1d20 + 10 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 5 + 1 = 11
Slashing Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

Dice, amirite?

Scragatha fires at red as the battle begins. "Alright everyone! Let 'em have it!"

Alchemical Crossbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16Piercing plus Fire: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (6) = 12

She tries to quickly reload and get another shot off as Anhef stars strolling into the line of fire.

Alchemical Crossbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 - 5 = 21Piercing plus Fire: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 1 + (4) = 12

"Hey Anhef! Get out the way! What are you, a mindless construct too?!"

◆Strike ◆Reload ◆Strike

Galindier, wary for now of the statues ◆strides in between Highwire and Ra'uf, (◆Strike) swings with his unlit torch, then (◆Stride) retreats a few steps back to observe the battlefield.

Strike with club: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Scragatha misses at first, but manages to hit the Red Guardian with the second shot.

Galindier moves in to swing with a torch acting like a club, but narrowly misses the Blue Guardian.

The Red Guardian stirs from its corner and readies its weapon, moves forward to Ankhef and strikes

◆ Pull out the Warhammer at its side

◆ Stride toward Ankhef

◆ Strike Ankhef
Attack Ankhef with Warhammer: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The Yellow Guardian moves to flank Highwire. It seems a little less beefy than the other two.

◆ Pull out the Warhammer at its side

◆ Stride toward Highwire

◆ Strike Highwire
Attack Highwire with Warhammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

There is a cooling breeze in the alcove from all the whiffs. The breeze provides a respite from the heat coming from further inside the ruin.

Round 2, Bold may act
Inspire Courage is up (+1 Attack/Damage)

Highwire
Animated Guardian, reinforced Blue (-3 HP)
Zantal
Galindier
Ankhef Hammerstone
Scragatha
Ra'uf Steelwheels
Animated Guardian, reinforced Red (-7 HP)
Animated Guardian, Yellow