GM Otha’s The Moonscar (Inactive)

Game Master Otha

I thought they were all mentally zoned/feebleminded. Freeing them would be a bad idea if so as they will need care and love. I, for one, was not planning on freeing them until afterwards. But, really, it makes as much sense to try freeing them as not, I guess.

You find most of the captives held here, while terrified, battered, and afraid, have not yet been tortured as severely of the folk in the passage that led you here and, hence, aren’t as feeble-minded…you also note that they may be deemed as more important folk on Golarion…

You free the seven prisoners that are currently being held in the Cages of Contemplation, all of them naked. Among them are Enlina Charthagnion, a Chelish aristocrat known for her beauty, and Commander Andabar Ceroban, Commander of the Knights Templar out of Vigil. The captives can recount the details of their abductions: how attractive and charming men and women seduced them and whisked them away to Nirmathas and through a strange portal in a volcano. Only after arriving in this strange jungle did their captors reveal their true forms—and then they brought the prisoners here for weeks of seemingly endless torture…

Enlina pleads. ”Please take us back to Golarion; we were hanging in those cages, hearing the tortured screams of those beyond this chamber, knowing we were next…”

The Commander nods. ”Aye we were close to the breaking point…they are very creative in their torture…I don’t suppose you have any extra clothing with you? After what we’ve been thru, I thought what little vanity I had was gone…but now, with hope returned, my vanity did as well…”

Status:
Marta (-1)
Dragon (-99)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Agony (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).

How long does all this take? I need to tick off the spells that elapse.

"Theodric, you look a little beat up. Mind if I patch you up a bit? Or try to, this place messes with my mind. Maybe if someone provides a little inspiration it will help?"

heal, heroism, planar penalty: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 2 - 4 = 17

Which will succeed if she can get a +3 boost from someone, bu I don;t know if that is possible.

@Marta - Trying to use the Heal skill to heal hit points of damage takes 1 hour per attempt. We are not going to wait around that long. We have an adventure to complete and we are nearing the last encounter (I think).We also have the Azata with us that has healing spells (she is a 7th level Bard at least). We should make use of her spells or use our own to patch up our scratches and move on.

"People we need to finish this. Travel plans and such can wait until we clear the next room."

"It should not take long."

”No extra clothes unfortunately. But we will get you home safely, I promise. We’ve got to end the evil that brought you here first. Then we will be right back!”

@Marta - Trying to use the Heal skill to heal hit points of damage takes 1 hour per attempt.

Oh. I only read this far:

Trying to ease their fears, you explain you’ll be back and press on…

Taking the passage between the succubus statue’s legs, you come upon a large hole leading downward…it appears to be a hole in the ceiling of the chamber below…

Creatures descending the 100-foot drop from the Ring of Agony enter this chamber from the hole in the center of the ceiling. Midway down the 150-foot-tall chamber is a level platform granting egress from the room in the four cardinal directions.

There’s no path nor stairs down to the platform, just a 100’ drop…seems like flying, teleporting, or a very long rope might be your only options…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Dragon (-99)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Agony (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, good thing we can fly. To scout or not to scout? Shall we rush the place or get intelligence first?"

"Flint: can you scout out this hole? I'll stay with the spellcasters while you do so..."

”How many of you need a Fly spell,”Aliesays as she gets ready to boost her team.

Good question. After freeing the prisoners I'm not sure what spells are still active.

Flint nods at Theodric.

"I can do that."

The dwarf gladly accepts a Fly spell from Alie and then turns himself invisible. He renews his Shield spell from his staff before putting it away and drawing his bow. He then descends into the pit as discretely as he can to scout it out.

39 Stealth on a take 10 (plus any bonuses for being invisible)

@GM Otha - Flint has both See Invisibility and Echolocation active. However he will not be using his Echolocation now as he wishes to be unseen and unheard by all creatures.

It’s been about 30 minutes since you’ve defeated the shadow demon…

Flint flies down scouting things out…

A five-foot-wide ledge follows the wall of this tall, cylindrical room, and connects four identical iron archways. In the open arches of these passages are carved the images of shackled angels. A ten-foot-wide catwalk extends from the wall into the center of the room, ending directly below a ten-foot diameter hole in the high, domed ceiling. A ring of rune-etched iron is embedded in the edge of the encircling ledge, and is completely legible from the end of the catwalk.

Midway down the 150-foot-tall chamber is a level platform granting egress from the room in the four cardinal directions. Making his way to the catwalk extending over the middle of the room, Flint can clearly read the Abyssal words etched into the cold iron edge of the encircling ledge:

“Lay your hands upon me. Suffer at my command. Your Supplications earn my favor, and bring glory to the Shadow.”

He sees nor detects any creatures in this chamber…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Dragon (-99)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 flies carefully and slowly to the western opening. He keeps his eyes and ears open and attempts to be as sneaky as possible.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties) for traps and creatures

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses

See Invisibility is up.

The chamber’s western exit is a 10-foot-wide, 20-foot-high corridor of porphyry and black lunar glass; it extends for 60’ and then branches north and south. There are no creatures present as far as you can see, nor anything else of significance…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 flies to the intersection and looks down both sides of the corridor.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties) for traps and creatures.

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

To the north, Flint sees a branch going west and east; to the south, he sees a branch going west…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 takes the southern branch again trying to be quiet.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties) for traps and creatures.

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

Flint moves south to check the passage branching west…

…and pressing on that passage ends in two more branches running north and south…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 north to further his investigation.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties) for traps and creatures.

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

Flint observes that both east and west branches are dead ends…however, at the terminus of each branch, there is a statue of a beautiful succubus with a crown upon her head…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 examines the statues and both of the dead ends for possible secret doors before moving on.

48 Perception on a take 10 (including Stone Cunning and Planar penalties)

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

It is likely that the crowns may be magical but as Flint is being stealthy he does not want to give himself away by casting Detect Magic now. :)

Other than their detail and beauty, Flint detects nothing further solely from observation…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 notes that the crowns will need to be examined magically in the future. He moves directly south to examine that passage way.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties)

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

Flint finds this passage dead ends to the east, with another succubus statue at its terminus, while to the west, two passages branch south. The far one ends in a dead end with another succubus statue; from the near one, Flint can hear a heavy rush of water…

Following the sound of water, you come to another chamber…

Water cascades from an open demonic mouth some ten feet above the cavern floor. The waters here steam gently and pour away through small vents in the floor.

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 flies due north more or less to check out another passage way.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties)

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

I’ll take your Perception check as just before you started flying north…

Amid the detritus floating on and submerged in the pool of water here, Flint finds a rotting corpse…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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: Ignore the corpse and continue northwards?

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 leaves the body for now not wishing to leave any clues that he is down here investigating. He continues in a north bound direction (as indicated on the map).

@GM Otha - Yes, sorry I got busy. :)

No worries, Flint

Flint checks out the northern passages…but they end in terminuses, both with the beautiful succubus statue…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 flies around the abyssal roundabout to check out the northern passage way.

Yes. This method of traffic control was actually invented in the abyss and then transported into our world for maximum possible confusion. :)

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties)

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

Four alcoves flank the end of this corridor, which terminates in a ten-foot-wide hole plummeting down and out of sight.

Flint sees four large bird-like demons; they appear to be a cross between a giant vulture and a large man…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 is easily able to identify the Vrock demons but sticks to his mission and does not engage them. The dwarf quietly glides away from the bird-men and takes the round about again to explore the eastern passage way.

39 K-Planes (including planar penalties) on a take 10 to identify.

@GM Otha - I will take spell-like abilities, special attacks and special defences if any.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties)

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

Special Attacks: dance of ruin, spores, stunning screech
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th):
At will—greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only), telekinesis (DC 18)
1/day—heroism, mirror image, summon (level 3, 1 vrock 35%)
Special Defenses: none

All of the east passage’s branches dead end and at each terminus, you guessed it, is a beautiful succubus statue…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 flies to examine the southern passageway.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties)

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

Flint discovers many more dead ends, each with the succubus statue at the end of them…

However, at the terminus furthest south, Flint finds a body crumpled in front of the statue…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 is able to determine the cause of death and the identity of the poor dead soul. He decides that now is the time to return and report to the party.

23 Heal on a take 10 with planar penalties.

21 Knowledge Arcana on a take 10 with planar penalties.

46 Perception on a take 10 (including planar penalties)

39 Stealth plus invisible bonuses.

See Invisibility is up.

Flint makes it back to his companions without being detected…

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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 has been standing there at attention the entire time Flint has been gone, staring down the entrance/exit and waiting. As soon as he appears she breathes a pent up sign of relief.

"You made it. So... what did you find?"

A light smile crosses her face as she mulls over the irony of a flying dwarf.

"All right. There is a pack of four vrock demons to the north. There are also two dead bodies to examine and potentially some crowns on top of succubui statues that I found. These crowns may or may not be relevant."

"So shall we confront the vrocks first or not?"

”Id say that since we know they are there, let’s get the drop on them before they sneak up on us. And vrocks are nasty sorts anyway. I’d be good, eliminating them from the world!”

"But no sign of Janira? Any idea where she might be?"

"I am afraid not. I suspect a secret passage somewhere perhaps triggered by the removal of a crown or behind the waterfall I found. Also there is an area which I could not explore fully due to the presence of the vrocks."

"We will find her in time but we need to have a little patience."

"Well, unless anyone has anything further, let's head on in. And be careful about those statues. I suspect there is mote to them than appears."

So, where exactly are we headed?

To the Vroks, I'm thinking.

Agreed.

Flint will tie two of the party's ropes together and secures them for a possible future climb. As he is aware of the Vrocks' location he prepares when they get close enough to the Vrocks with a casting of Gravity Bow and Divine Favor.

"There is some writing on the platform below in a language I cannot read. I did not spend any time to investigate it."

@GM Otha - Flint does not read Abyssal so he is not aware of the potential warning on the platform below.

Agata listens to Flint's reconnaissance with interest and then tries to recall whatever she may have learned about vrocks over her long years.

Use another use of Investigative Mind (13/17) to roll twice and take the better result.
Knowledge (Planes), planar penalty: 1d20 + 37 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 37 - 2 = 45
Knowledge (Planes), planar penalty: 1d20 + 37 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 37 - 2 = 42
Requesting any relevant information not already recalled by Flint, including their weakest save.

Before they enter the Vrock's area, Agata will shove some of her chewing gum into her ears (putting her earplugs in to protect from their screech) and will activate her aura of purity (3/17) to protect everyone within 10' of her from clouds and the like - not sure if this will help with spores but hopefully; duration 1 minute

Assuming Alie casts fly on Theodric…

You all make it down via flight to the platform; Flint leads you towards the Vrocks…

How will you approach them?

Status:
Marta (-1)
Theodric (-37)
Zaarah (-5)
Agata (-1)
Sweet Mawd (-1)

Ring of Obedience (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).