GM Otha’s The Moonscar (Inactive)

Game Master Otha

Marta finds nothing around the area primarily because the stairs lead to the landing and the double doors…and nothing else except a long fall back down into the jungle…

So those openings to the north and south are just openings to the stairs?

"Let me open the doors. I know a bit about traps and I am pretty resistant to unexpected traps."

Flint nods allowing Marta to take the lead in opening the door. He is prepared with his bow should they encounter trouble.

Marta casts a heightened awareness from her wand, and extended see invisible, and a shield of faith (tossing in an alchemical power component where possible) and opens the door, prepared for anything.

CLW Wand: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 8) + 3 = 14

Also switching out duck and cover for coordinated defense.

My bad, Marta, I should’ve explained; they didn’t have a map for the set battle on the stairs so I had to get a generic map of stairs to fight the battle and didn’t do a great job of covering up the openings as there were none on the actual stairs you climbed.

Marta easily opens the door to reveal…

The black lunar glass and porphyry interior walls of the Shrine of Rest and Fulfillment are draped in erotic tapestries and paintings. Suggestive statues of black lunar stone abound, and the heady scent of highest quality frankincense fills the air. Sumptuous pillows and veiled mattresses are scattered about the shrine, painting the perfect picture of an exotic pleasure den. In the entry foyer, carvings of Shelynite iconography abound…

You see many folk milling about peacefully in loose flowing robes, most of them male but a few females as well. A couple see you, move towards you, smiling. They bow and greet you…

”Welcome, visitors, to the Shrine of Rest and Fulfillment! You look tired…would you like some fruit or perhaps a bath? Let us know of your needs…”

Status:
Zaarah (-62; still need a DC25 Fort Save)

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

"Is this... a temple to Shelyn? I'm no expert in religion, but if so, this may be a different trip than the one I had prepared for..." whispers Theodric to his fellow Pathfinders, pointing at his full plate armor and his weapons belt...

To the incoming couple, he bows back, "Aye, and well met, my dear shrine attendants. My name is Marduzi. Marduzi Craydon, at your service. Pardon the hostile appearance, but we met very fierce apes in the jungle on the way here, and it did no good for me to appear defenseless as they saw us as an easy meal. I had to look armored and armed to the teeth, after which they somewhat stopped harassing us... let me change back to my more comfortable, true appearance and form..."

Uttering a quick command word under his breath, Theodric adopts the appearance of Marduzi, which he had used back in Tamran.

Hat of Disguise: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (13) + 30 = 43

"There, much better. Pardon the confusion. Where were we. Ah, yes! you spoke of fruits and bath facilities. Are you followers of Shelyn? what a lovely smell, and what delightful statues you have over there... oh, and over here too! ha ha ha! mind giving us a tour, if it wouldn't be too much to ask?"

23 Religion on a take 10 with planar penalties included.

Flint sees the decorations for what they truly are a clever twisting of Shelyn's faith. He suspects that this is the work of the succubi and he looks hard to see through the illusion presented.

46 Perception on a take 10 with planar penalties (versus the disguise skill of the succubi/creature).

Will save to bypass any possible glamour or illusion:

Will save, Heroism,Hardy, Shake it off, Planar penalty: 1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 3 - 4 = 39

Bluffing a Succubus is pretty hard as lies and deceit is what they are all about. Now these creatures may not be Succubi but they are definitely not what they appear to be.

"Please stop staring so hard at them Flint... come on man..." whispers Theodr... err... Marduzi to the dwarf. Turning back to the couple, he adds, "Apologies for my stout friend here. I'm afraid the mines of his youth did not present him with such an abundance of beauty. He is probably overwhelmed by your collective charm at this very moment. Do you have... dwarf shrine attendants as well? as you can see, we are quite a diverse group of visitors, and I was wondering if you also offered halfling-sized delights and gnome-designed furniture and such? this black moonstone seems expensive and exquisite... I would totally understand if the cost limitations meant that only human-sized facilities are offered, but I had to ask... he he he"

Marta starts staring at Marduzi with a frownie look on her face.

religion, heroism, heightened awareness, planar penalty: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 + 2 - 4 = 20

She also attempts to pierce the illusion
will ST, heroism, shake it off, planar penalty, RoTP: 1d20 + 24 + 2 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 24 + 2 + 3 + 1 - 4 = 39

fort save: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28

Zaarah sighs as everything is over so fast!!

She uses her wand on herself seven times.

The folk you see from where you currently stand do not appear to be an illusion…

The couple give Marduzi a warm smile. The lady responds, ”The people that reside in our temple are humanoid, but vary as to race and I cannot break them down; feel free to move about and meet our varied group as you please. If you require a bath, just ask any of us and we will comply…”

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

Marta fires up a detect evil, because she can, and because these folks are obviously untrustworthy.

"Happen to know where Janira is?"

The lady looks puzzled for a second before answering. ”I do not know that name…but we get new folk arriving occasionally so I have not met them all. Feel free to look around for her.”

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

Flint knows that succubi can take human form but he also knows that they have captured people and brought them here so discretion is the word of the day. He advances with caution but is not threatening.

"Alright people, Janira is depending on us. So bathing and socialising will have to wait."

"Be friendly but not ... too friendly if you get my meaning."

His last comment is directed at Theordic now known as Marduzi.

The dwarf walks into the room. From his current position he can see into both doorways and the room with the fountain. He gestures and magically searches the pool of water at a distance for items and features of interest. He also scans the room and corridor for anything out of the usual.

41 Perception check to see (or feel) any objects or features in the pool of water (Sift spell).
46 Perception check to notice anything usual.
Planar penalty has been applied.

The Sift spell is really great. It is niche but there are times when you want to search an area from a distance and not interact physically with it. This is one of those times as the water may be enchanted. :)

@GM Otha - See Invisibility is up.

Marta fires up a detect evil, because she can, and because these folks are obviously untrustworthy.

What does the detect evil show?

Argh! My bad, cut & pasted and left that off!

While Marta detects no evil initially with the couple conversing with them nor other folk in the immediate area, the longer she concentrates, the more she does sense evil emanating from the other surrounding areas you cannot yet see into…

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

With the knowledge that evil has been detected and combat is likely Flint will put up Mirror Image from a scroll (automatic with his UMD) before entering the room.

Mirror Image, CL 3: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

@GM Otha - What does Flint see and perceive when he enters the room? I copied the results from my previous post. See Invisibility is up.

41 Perception check to perceive any objects or features in the pool of water (Sift spell).
46 Perception check to notice anything usual.
Planar penalty has been applied.

Marta communicates her findings in whispers and gestures. Naturally her code compels her towards the nearest source of evil, apparently with the other equally compelled inquisitor (though, perhaps, for other reasons).
She gets one of the casters to cast the ablative barrier on her from her wand.

Other than the whispers, she says nothing. By now the others will have noticed she is not much on talking unless it has a purpose.

Theodric rolls his eyes at the dwarf and Marta. Stealth and intrigue was definitely out the window. Announcing plainly why they were here was perhaps the next worst thing to say after 'where are your leaders and when can we kill them'.

Theodric tries to stay engaged with the couple despite the dwarf throwing commands about, on the off-chance the couple had stayed focused on him. "Ah, splendid! You say you will comply if we need a bath... what do you mean by that? We would not dream of imposing upon you, let alone make any kind of demands on you. You are, after all, pilgrims or vacationers, and are surely here to relax or practice your faith... oh, and speaking of non-humans, I have a recurring knot in my neck and shoulders that is best addressed by halfling massage therapists... you wouldn't happen to have a visitor or fellow pilgrim of the halfling persuasion would you? And can I say: you are quite lovely and welcoming.
Many thanks for this kindness for a ragtag band of weary travelers! What are your names, kind Sir and Madame?"

Alie stays alert on watch for the next big bad awful thing to jump out and try to eat them.

The faintest outline of a smile frames Flint's singularly unattractive face. His great-great-grandmother who is blind in both eyes and deaf in one ear would be able to smell through Theodric's now Marduzi's deception. Still the monk says nothing to dissuade the warrior from continuing on with this hopeless charade.

We might as well have some role playing fun until we roll for initiative. :)

The lady smiles at Marduzi. ”Just that if you wish a bath, we will lead you to the pool and assist you, if needed. You have an interest in halflings? There may be one or two around here; look about and see, make yourselves at home. And thank you, m’Lord, you are quite a looker yourself…”

As Flint enters, he notices a pool towards the center of the structures, music coming from the room to the north and food/wine in the chamber to the southeast…

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

"Well thank you for the compliment. We shall look for those elusive halflings, as per your recommendation. Oh, and I didn't catch your name, Mr. and Mrs...?"

Theodric then almost has a heart attack upon seeing Flint's spud-face half crack into the weirdest looking psycho smile he's ever seen... By Desna! that is one ugly ass dwarf...

Catching up on the thread now - some of this will be out of date I'm sure.

Regarding Commune, which is still available when/if we decide to make use of it, note that a) it takes 10 minutes to cast it, b) the (six) questions have to be yes/no questions. If someone comes up with something they would especially like to know, let me know and Sweet Mawd will cast it at an opportune moment. She can cast it once/week.

Earlier...

When the group leaves the Fairy Ring, Agata casts her usual assortment of spells, including those requested by her comrades. Mage Armor (herself, Sweet Mawd, Marta - using two pearls of power), Ext. Delay Poison Communal, Merge With Familiar, Defending Bone, Ext. Heroism, Ext. See Invis, Ext. Investigative Mind, Overland Flight, False Life, Clear Ear, Alch. Grease, and Heroism on anyone who requests it, and if possible, two charges of Endure Elements from Flint's wand.

False Life: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Now...

Upon entering the Shrine of Rest and Fulfillment, Agata and her maidservant both gaze around with wonderment at the surroundings. Agata smiles at the tapestries, as if recalling bygone pleasures of her long long life, while Sweet Mawd blushes so fiercely that her celestial skin turns nearly purple.

Knowledge (Religion), planar penalty: 1d20 + 32 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 32 - 2 = 37
Agata nods in agreement with Flint, "Aye, they's not quite approved fer the goddess, that's fer sure, not t' mention what them exercises'll do t' yer back! Me lumbago ain't come from nowhere, I'll tell ye that much!" She sighs with nostalgia.

When the attendants offer the pathfinders a bath she recoils in horror. "Desna's Drudgery! Ain't ye got no idea how many centuries I bin layin' in this dirt? And the sweat! That ain't easy t' come by! An' now ye jes' wanna wash it all away...?!? Hush yerself!"

Sweet Mawd listens to her mistress' diatribe with a wistful look, as if a nice hot bath is a nearly forgotten pleasure... She glances around, as if looking for the promised baths. Sweet Mawd has constant Detect Evil and Detect Magic.

Once Sweet Mawd and Marta identify that there is some unknown evil presence about, Agata calls her comrades closer and quickly puts a blessing upon all of them. Casting Communal Mind Blank on the entire party - 24 hour duration split among the party members - among other effects, it gives all of us a +8 resistance bonus (won't stack with cloak of resistance) vs mind-affecting.

She will also tap herself with a wand of Heightened Awareness and carry her rod of Grasping Hexes in hand.

Also, I forgot to roll to see which save is impacted by her Dragonbone Divination sticks in the morning:
Divination sticks, 1 F, 2 R, 3 W: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Flint examines the pool magically at a distance by casting the Sift spell. From his current position he can also see into the northern room and into the chamber to the southeast.

41 Perception check to perceive any objects or features in the pool of water (Sift spell).

46 Perception check to notice anything usual.

The lady smiles again as she answers Marduzi. ”I’m Jill…this is Jack. I hope you find your halfling.” She bows and departs…

Flint senses the pool is very warm and heavily perfumed, but seemingly otherwise harmless; he also sees several bottles of perfume stand on a shelf along the wall. From where he’s standing, that’s about all he can tell at the moment…

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

Flint moves towards the northern door where Marta has detected evil. He does not wish to spend his day in a bubble bath. He keeps his eyes out for traps.

46 Perception on a take 10.

People please move your character's token into the room.

Marta is right there (as well as her token) at the door with you, trying to pinpoint the emendation of evil.

Agata moves in as well, eyeing the bath mistrustfully.

Marduzi keeps in lockstep with Agata. There will be a meat shield on this sexual day!

Agata gratefully walks arm in arm with this fine new gentleman who has arrived to escort her. "Psst, see here Mawd! I still gots it - some kinds a charm is just ageless!" She appears unaware, or unconcerned, that her entire body is oiled with alchemical grease, and a green alchemical ointment is dripping out of her ears.

Marduzi obliges Agata with a smile, and holds his head high as he walks through the orgy's bathouse's patrons.

kn religion : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Zaarah slowly raises a hand from the back of the group.

“Ehh … I think that I would like to take a bath. So how does that … eh … work. You … you take off my clothes?!“ she asks and looks at herself.

She starts walking forward towards Jill.

Jill turns to Zaarah. ”Slendid. Walk with me to the pool, dear lady. I’ll help you undress and you can enjoy the scented and warm waters, it’s scintillating, I promise,” she says as she leads Zaarah to the pool. A large steaming marble pool lies in the center of this room, surrounded by graceful marble pillars. The pool is very warm and heavily perfumed. Several bottles of perfume stand on a shelf along the north wall, below which sit several clothes chests. Zaarah sees several women bathing, along with a couple of men as well…

Marta and Agata both feel evil emanating from every direction from outside the foyer…

Flint enters the music room. This room is filled with hundreds of musical instruments, ranging from simple pipes and flutes to lutes and complex horns. Most are rare and beautifully made, and are of masterwork quality. He notices several of the females in this room look disguised…

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

Alie saw Zaarah heading off by herself. She didn’t like that idea much at all, so she decided to tag along. ”A bath sounds nice,” she said, trotting to keep up.

Marta shakes her head with disapproval.

"Will you two please stop that. There is evil afoot and if we run into trouble, which we will, are you sure you want to be caught naked in a pool surrounded by non-combatants? Impractical. Totally impractical. Focus, people, focus."

Her eyes narrow as she considers the implications. "Do you all think she might be under an enchantment? Perhaps a protection from evil spell is in order here."

Zaarah smiles and allows herself to get undressed.

"Ahh, this is so nice ... thank you ... I ... I rarely feel something like this!" she says smiling.

She is really scrawny and her bones are visible beneath the frail physique.

Agata shakes her head disapprovingly, not at Zaarah's nudity, or evident lack of concern about being in hostile territory, but at her willingness to get wet. "Don't blame me if ya start t' melt! I warned ye!"

Sweet Mawd - ever the more practical one - takes Marta's question as an instruction and taps Zaarah with her wand of Protection From Evil. duration: 1 minute

Under Marta’s & Agata’s disapproving looks, Jill helps Zaarah undress and puts her clothes in a nearby chest along the wall. Zaarah enters the pool…and finds that Jill was not exaggerating all; the water smells wonderful and its warmness is very soothing to her muscles…and perhaps to Marta’s & Agata’s surprise, Zaarah suffers no surprises or ill effects, nor does she appear to be enchanted…

Seeing Alie enter the room just after Zaarah, Jill smiles, asking, ”Do you wish to bathe with your friend? I will assist you if you wish…”

Temple of Rest & Fulfillment (Slide 1)

Strongly Chaos-Aligned and Evil-Aligned: Nonevil or nonchaotic creatures take a –2 circumstance penalty on all Intelligence-, Wisdom-, and Charisma-based checks in the Moonscar. This penalty stacks with itself for creatures that fall into both categories (-4).

Impeded Magic: To cast a spell or use a spell-like ability with the good or lawful descriptor, a caster must make a concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell).

@GM Otha - Could you kindly put the disguised females on the map please? It is time to put a few arrows into them. :)

"Ahhh, this feels great. I ... I think this is the most wonderful experience since the Hao Jin Tapestry incident ... thank you Jill!!" she muses and breathes in the scent and looks around at the spectacle.

"I'm not one to badmouth a good bottle of perfume, but since this *is*, after all, a place somewhat associated to the Abyss, I think I'll stick close to good old Agata here... Agata: your air purifying aura works against demonic perfumes yes?" asks Marduzi, staying close to Agata but peeking in the bathroom once or twice just to keep an eye on the girls... totally for security reasons, but also worried about these so-called 'non-combatants'... if illusion magic was at work here, would the casters in the party know it? under the guise of harmless flesh and curves could perhaps be some nasty claws and fangs, worries Theodric...

Agata startles from her reverie at the handsome gentleman's question. "Well that's a good question dearie. I ain't quite sure. Let's check it out." She screws up her face in concentration before letting out a long low fart, one that rumbles and slowly builds to a remarkable crescendo. She sniffs the air and sighs with contented self-satisfaction.

Activate Aura of Purity around Agata for 1 minute.

Alie pulls out the required eye drops and casts True Seeing, wanting to be sure everything was okay since the nervous party worried her.

"Flint, I'm pretty sure Zaarah is under some kind of enchantment. We may want to deal with that before we start a fight."

Agata has Break Enchantment prepped and could cast it but - in game - I'm not sure that she has a reason - yet - to think that Zaarah is enchanted/dominated/etc. Any skill check or other means that she could use to ascertain that? Also, note that, upthread, Mawd used Protection From Evil on Zaarah, which I think would give her another save if she is controlled...

Also, just a quick reminder that Agata's tattoos tell her whenever a Spell or SLA is cast within 60' of her, and what school of magic it was.

Well, there has been no metagaming possible that I know of. I did not see a post saying that she was controlled, but anyone that would strip naked and jump into a fountain while exploring a temple of abyssal evil has GOT to be ensorcelled as far as Marta is concerned. It might be a bit of fanciful RPing, but I'm betting there was a PM (or I missed a relevant post or it was spoilered and I was a good boy and didn't look). Then again I'm often wrong about these sorts of things. In the immortal words of the great detective Monk, I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

I think it's just Nowruz trying to get one of his characters naked to be honest. LOL