[Gameday XI] GM Zin's CORE 10-10 The Shattered Shield (Inactive)

Game Master Zin Z'arin

Theron squints his eyes and tries to see through the flying dust and find any signs of the lost soul.

survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Damn the third third of the bloody motto," Milo curses as he gets to his feet and reluctantly follows after Zim and Iladora before they completely vanish into the sandstorm, too.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Zim shields her eyes from the flying sand as she tries to pinpoint where the choking is coming from.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Three successes was the target! Well done.

Theron, Milo, and Zim lead the foray into the sandstorm, Theron anticipating the wind so that Milo and Zim can follow the sounds. The hazy form of a dwarf, clanging their sword on their shield as they lean against their mule, begins to emerge from the swirling sands.

Phase Two!
This type of dust storm builds up stunning static charges, blinds travelers, and can even bowl over creatures. The PCs can evade or withstand the shocks with a successful Acrobatics check, Ride check (if mounted), combat maneuver check, or Fortitude save.

Menudo plows forward, mumbling something about hating mimes.

CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The Reverend trudges through the sand stoically.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Theron rises his shield and plods forward.

CMB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Milo's fingers prove to not be the only thing nimble about him as he uses his balance training to keep himself upright in the buffeting wind.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Iladora pushes herself forward through the blowing sand.

CMB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Unfortunately, she takes a particularly nasty gust to the face and gets blown in the wrong direction.

Another 3 successes; well done!

The Red Reverend emerges powerfully from the sandstorm, simply ignoring the small electrical bursts created by the swirling particles. Theron and Milo follow closely on his heels, each finding their own way to avoid the shocks.

Phase 3!
The PCs need to help the dwarf breathe regularly. This requires a successful Heal check, though there’s only enough room for three PCs to attempt these checks each phase. A PC can also automatically succeed at a check by using an ability that restores at least 3 hit points, though magical healing obviously violates Rahadoum's First Law, and could have consequences. Because the dwarf is struggling to breathe, she cannot consume potions or similar items.

I'll note in advance that since infernal healing grants the target "fast healing 1," that will not meet the requirements of the alternate success option, as it's only restoring 1 hp per round which fails to meet the 3 hp threshold required.

Milo's not trained in Heal, so will let those who are make the attempts. If though some cosmic calamity we don't have three of those in a party with so many divine casters, he can give it a try with his +3 Wisdom.

"May you not find the boneyard until it is your appointed day, which I guess is not today."

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Infernal healing? Well, I never!

Theron tries to block the blowing sands with his shield and bulk so the others can get a better handle on the situation.

would that maybe work as an aid roll? not trained..but worth a shot at an aid, right?

”Clear some space, free her throat!” Iladora pulls out a dagger and slits the dwarf’s clothing around her collar, then thumps her on the chest to help clear the blockage in her airway.

Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Yikes.

Menudo is worse than Milo, he will stand back and try to ensure no prying eyes are watching them, in case healing magic is needed.

Zim pushes Iladora out of the way and takes over.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

The dwarven woman begins coughing ferociously as The Red Reverend and Zim team up to clear her airway, and she suddenly gasps in a quick series of rapid deep breaths, after which she leans forward, hands on knees, and slowly catches her breath and stops herself from hyperventilating. She coughs a few more times, but her posture is relaxed; she catches your eye with a clear air of gratitude and a nod that she's going to be okay.

The storm still swirls viciously around you, threatening to bring the same fate back to her or to any of you.

"Well, I've done my good deed for the year. Back to work." he begins trudging back.

"Can you walk? We need to get back to our caravan," Milo shouts to the dwarf over the roar of the wind, pointing in the direction they came from. He sends up a silent prayer to Calistria that they don't lose their way in the storm before they make it back.

She nods, wraps a hand in the reins of her mule, and whispers "Thank you," with another light cough.

Zim takes a quick look to make sure nothing was left behind since we probably won't be able to find this location again, before following behind the mule and the stranger.

"I hope we don't regret this decision," she murmurs as she passes some of the other folks.

"Quickly," Iladora says to the others, "before the storm blows us off course."

Do we need any checks to get back? Survival maybe?
Survival (track): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

Do we need any checks to get back? Survival maybe?

Nope, just the decision to return and a Rule of Two to confirm it.

Thankfully, the sounds of tha caravan setting up its shelter are busy and loud; it's easy to find your way back, though the sand bites and cuts until you're under the hastily-erected tent.

Out of the sand, you begin brushing yourselves off, and you can finally get a good look at the dwarf you saved. After seeing to her mule, she introduces herself with thanks.

"To help a stranger in a world where no greater reward can be guaranteed is a noble, dying thing." She offers a hand in thanks. "I'm Kazima Rufah, of the Pure Legion."

Kazima is a dwarven woman with dark eyes, deep brown skin, and long braids of hair decorated with horn beads. She wears a suit of vented plate mail tinged blue and embossed with the sigil of Rahadoum--an ornamental shield inscribed with the Laws of Man, bearing two hands with the palms facing out--over a red tunic and bronze-hued pantaloons.

Is anyone openly displaying a holy symbol?

Well met, Kazima...wish it were under better circumstances, but a glad one at least. Are you good to travel by yourself? That was a near thing there...

"I am glad we could save you." says Menudo, truthfully.

No holy symbol for Zim. She's been told otherwise.

"Zim Alula, pleased to make your acquaintance. Where would you headed? Perhaps we could travel together."

Nope, don't own one.

"Iladora," the big woman responds by way of introduction. "I hope that if we were stranded so near death out here, someone would come along and do the same."

"I'm Milo," the halfling replies simply, biting his tongue on any more involved reply to the Pure Legionnaire's words. He is keenly interested in Kazima's answer to Zim's questions, but seems content to let the gnome handle that line of inquiry for now.

No symbol for Milo. He left his in safekeeping with the venture-captain. He might be smuggling one for someone else, but that would be well-hidden.

I don't believe Paladins need the Holy Symbol until they start casting spells, but I think Milo rolled to hide mine.

Milo should have Zim's holy symbol. She's kind of useless without it.

"Thank you; I'm returning to Azir after a atrange investigation, and the company--and security of the caravan--would be very welcome on my return."

"What kind of investigation? Anything dangerous?"

Kazima's face grows grim. "I was investigating the disappearance of Vensali Vuun, a miller who operates a mill along the Jodin River’s northern bank. Not only was he missing, but his family was found torn to pieces in their home. I was returning to Azir from this investigation when the storm struck."

She takes a deep breath, before retrieving a small object--wrapped in black cloth--from a pouch. "Other than the bloodshed, the only clue I recovered is this." She unfolds the black cloth to reveal a small statue of a judge’s gavel, made of shimmering gold. "Don't touch it," she adds. "I don't know what it is yet, but only something connected to a god could seem so harmless yet be so evil. I don't know much yet, but I believe this statue is connected to several other disappearances around Azir, all had similar sculptures that each bore a different shape somehow connected to them."

"Do you suspect religious extremists?" ask Menudo, being careful to ask questions, not answer them.

This information piques Milo's curiosity enough that he pipes up and says, "That's quite a dreadful mystery you're pursuing, Kazima. Can you tell us more about these other sculptures, and the unfortunates who disappeared where they were found?"

Zim peers at the statue, very carefully NOT touching it, though listening to the conversation as it continues.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Is there any sort of pattern as to where the statues were found?"

Perhaps one of your scholarly types can discern if this...idol is tainted somehow...

"Tainted," Red grumbles as he looks as closely as he can at the gavel without touching it.

Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"I don't know much," Kazima explains. "My investigation is still in its infancy. Just that there has always been a lot of bloodshed around the scene where one of these little golden statues was found. Each has been different, but I wouldn't say there's a pattern to the different shapes."

The Red Reverend doesn't recognize the gavel as a holy symbol, or otherwise connected to religious worship.

The following checks may reveal more about the statue:
- detect magic paired with Knowledge (arcana) or Spellcraft
- Appraise, Craft (sculpture), or Perception to notice unusual stonework
- Use Magic Device while holding the statue

- Use Magic Device while holding the statue

Hahahahahahahano. :D

Zim reaches for something for a moment before sighing and settling back on her heels and contemplating the art object.

I have a perception above. Do you want me to roll again?

"There has to be a pattern somehow. If it isn't the shape, maybe it's the gold. Or all the different shapes could be connected to the same god or the same concept. I don't recognize it myself, but there's no knowing what some worshippers might be up to."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
No special modifiers for stonework, but +2 if it's... urban terrain?

"There has to be a pattern somehow. If it isn't the shape, maybe it's the gold. Or all the different shapes could be connected to the same god or the same concept. I don't recognize it myself, but there's no knowing what some worshippers might be up to."

"I agree; the gold is primarily what's connecting these, at least in my mind. That and the bloodshed; these scenes have been brutal."

Perception doesn't help in this case unless you have the bonus for unusual stonework (Stonecunning; i.e. in CORE, you have to be a dwarf)

"If everyone else wants to clear out, I could try to force its magic to the forefront," volunteers Menudo.

Menudo has a shockingly high level of UMD for a 3rd level Paladin.

"I don't think you should touch it, Menudo. We don't know where it's been..."

Appraise: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

If I could use Profession: banker, that's a +9

perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Zim takes a closer look at the little golden gavel, and notices some gold dust on the black cloth that Kazima is holding it in. She uses the cloth the rub at the statue and discovers that the statue isn't gold at all! Instead, she finds that the gold is a veneer that rubs of into dust easily; she can see veins of gold running through the little statue. The veins seem to be oozing that gold dust very slowly; in a few minutes, the part she rubbed off is completely covered and looks solid again.

Zim sets the statue down carefully, wrapping it up in the cloth again, takes several large steps back, and scrubs her hands with some sand. "That's not gold," she says flatly. "I don't know what it is, but it's basically bleeding gold dust constantly." She rubs some more sand on her palms, eyeing the bundle suspiciously.

I'm not a sage or anything...but that's pretty peculiar... the burly fighter says as he tries to lighten the mood a bit.

Milo's eyes get large as he watches Zim examine the gavel. His natural greed is tempered by his intuition about how much this item must deeply offend his Abadaran colleague's sensibilities. "It bleeds gold dust? Now I like easy money as much as the next adventurer, but...that's just not right. That thing's bound to incite jealousy and violence wherever it goes."

"It is strange," Kazima agrees, folding the corners of the cloth over the statue and getting ready to put it away. "But that's for me and the Pure Legion to worry about. Many thanks again for the rescue; the rest of the journey to Azir will be much better with company."

Did anyone want to perform any other investigation of the statue before Kazima puts it away? Menudo? You suggested you might want to try UMD?