GM Otha’s The Moonscar (Inactive)

Game Master Otha

Great. Sounds like a good plan. Original post updated.

Flint judges right, about 6 days travel, as your journey takes you along the southern stretches of Fangwood and towards the Mindspin Mountains. It is fairly uneventful and Theodric’s tent makes the trip a little more comfortable; you spot bandits and a wild animal or two, but they take your measure and decline a confrontation…

Fatigued after a week’s travel, you arrive near dusk at the gate of the small Nirmathi city of Skelt, a stone’s throw from the mountains, population 5400…not to mention the last place Janira Gavix was seen before her disappearance…

Flint looks at the others.

"Well my friends, it has been a fairly pleasant journey by the rivers and some good eating as well I must say. It has been a while since I have been out in the wild hunting for my own food. It was a nice change of pace."

"Now shall we visit this small city of Skelt and see if we can gather some more information about Janira? Perhaps sleep on a bed at an inn and refresh ourselves before setting off on our climb up the mountain in the morning?"

It makes a lot of in-game sense for our characters to stop here at least overnight to investigate and rest. If there is really nothing to do here then the GM can simply push us forward again in his next post. I would hate to miss something obvious by being too hasty. :)

Marta pulls her weight during the trip, easily able to provide for herself and a little extra using her hunting and gathering skills, when they take the time, though she is obviously outclassed by Flint.

"Since we are following her trail, we should definitely stop here and ask some questions. You never know what you might find out."

”A lone halfling traveling by herself in this part of the world might be something that stands out. I’m fine with staying at the closest inn and asking about her.”

As you approach the guards at the gate, they hail you and ask your business. Upon informing them you’re looking for an inn to spend the night, they grant you entry. It is then that you notice, Skelt is a unique large town/small city like no other…

The city is located atop a large bluff and is only accessible one of two ways: either by water-powered lifts, or by several ramps, each of which has multiple drawbridges that can be raised at a moment's notice. The guards lead you to the lift and you slowly rise up to the city proper; upon reaching the top, a guard points you to the nearest inn, a quaint and quirky little place, appropriately named And the Horse You Rode in On…

Flint looks on with approval at the water-powered lifts and makes several comments about how it operates (Profession and K-Engineering).

"Interesting city. Shall we ask around before retiring for the night?"

If no one objects Flint will see what he find out by the disappearance of Janira as well as the activity of the local volcano.

After staring at Flint briefly, while she considers the question for a moment or two, she replies affirmatively. She is obviously someone who likes to turn things over in her head before reacting. Hopefully not in combat, though.

"We should, though we should get a room first and begin our questioning there. I strongly suspect she will have stayed at the same in."

Looks like staying at the inn and start questioning there…will move us forward tomorrow…

As you enter And the Horse You Rode in On, you seem to have arrived during happy hour as the pub portion of the inn is bustling with folk. As you approach the bar, the barkeep, at least you assume, a Dwarf with a scarlet colored vest and matching eyepatch, greets you…

”Welcome to me Horse, feller-me-lads…ah, forgive me, and lasses as well! Whut kin ole Thudkyn Halfkeg do get ye?”

"We are looking for rooms for the night of course."

"And any information about our missing friend Janira. She is a halfling, quite friendly and she disappeared about a month ago."

Assuming Alie cast Extended Heroism before entering the inn, using his Lesser Extend Metamagic Rod, as discussed.

Theodric scans the assembly for troublemakers while the shorter Pathfinders do the talking...

Perception, H: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 19 + 2 = 40

Marta also is quietly observing the crowd, but instead of looking for troublemakers, she is watching for anyone that might react to the name.

sense motive, heroism: 1d20 + 29 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 29 + 2 = 38

Before entering the inn she will cast an extended heroism and a heighened awareness

The barkeep furrows his brows, looking at Flint hard, bringing a couple of fingers up to his chin as he considers.

”Whut be yer int’rest in this…wee lass? Be ye really her friend?”

Marta senses the barkeep’s reaction to Janira’s name…

Meanwhile, Theodric sees many such potential troublemakers, but can’t foresee any trouble at the moment…

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

Flint smiles at the barkeep relaxing slightly as he correctly reads his body language.

"We are concerned about her and I can see that you are too which is a good thing."

"Some of us know her personally and all of us know her by reputation. It is not a stretch to say that she is very important to the organisation which we belong to."

Flint flashes his iconic wayfinder with a grin for the barkeep to see in case he has any doubts about which organisation they belong to.

"Any information that you can tell us might help."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31

”Yes, we are terribly worried about her. She hasn’t checked in recently, so we have been sent to make sure she is okay. I promise. We are here to try to help her.”

Flint nods.

"Absolutely."

Auto-aid on Diplomacy.

The barkeep nods. ”Aye, yer friend was here; friendly, inquisitive lass, askin’ lots of questions ‘bout the Skald…came here with Remus there,” he pauses, nodding to an old grizzled looking fellow at a corner table, looking at the door. ”She be leaving’ with a very strikin’ woman, headin’ for the Skald. Remus been waiting for her to return ever since…”

He sighs. ”Eh hope ye find Janira and she be well…but dat be all Eh know…”

Marta gives the others a meaningful look and tilts her head towards Remus.

Leading the way, she heads over to his table and requests an invitation.

"Mind if we join you? It seems we have a common friend in Janira, and we are worried about her."

diplomacy, heroism: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 = 19

Though Marta employs the lessons she has learned concerning body language and tone, even smiling (though it hurts), her address is almost unnoticeably stilted and she almost scowls at herself.

Zaarah is a little melancholic about the whole situation.

"Well, obviously we need to do some more research!"

Auto aid diplomacy.

"We can check on the other lady that went with her as well to make sure that they are both alright. We were told by the barkeep that the three of you were travelling together for a time."

Auto aid on diplomacy.

Flint watches Remus' reaction to his comment to check if the man is still under the demon's spell.

29 Sense Motive on a take 10.

Auto aid diplomacy.

Alie follows the others to Remus. ”We are Janira’s friends. We’ve been sent to be sure she is alright.”

The man first looks suspiciously at Marta…then when he sees she’s followed by others, his tension releases a bit. ”How do you know Janira? Have you seen her?”

Flint senses only concern in the old man’s voice…

"Some of us know her personally and some by reputation but we all belong to the same society. We were tasked with finding her and retrieving her safely from what ever trouble she managed to get herself into."

"We have not seen her and are following up on whatever leads we can find. Whatever you can tell us might help."

Remus releases a long sigh of relief. ”Good, your Pathfinders then, I presume? Here’s what I know…

“Janira arrived in Tamran a couple of months ago or so…she was looking for a guide who knew Fangwood and the surrounding area well for her excursions involving her research. I know the region well and could avoid the more war torn areas and all was going well until…”

He pauses to take a hit from his mug before continuing. ”She heard about the recent volcanic explosion and rumors about Azlanti ruins being uncovered and ancient astronomy labs and a portal…she asked me if I would guide her to the Skald and that she’d make it worth my while. I said I could get her to Skelt and would be willing to go further but we’d need to restock and question some of the locals there about the areas around the volcano…

“Thinking back, something was off when Janira told me all this…she seemed all robotic with her words, not talking in her usual way…thing is, it all seemed reasonable at the time…just like when Lilith told me to run along and buy drinks, I didn’t hesitate. I’m sorry, but that’s all I know…I hope it helps you find her…she was very nice and not uppity at all like may from her station in life…”

Flint nods. This is not new news but it does confirm what they were told by the masked man in Tamran. Their path forward is clear.

"I am not surprised at all by what you are telling us. This woman has well magical abilities to influence people. Be glad that you were not her target. I cannot stress enough to not underestimate the strength of this power."

"Obviously we are going to have to go to the Skald ourselves to find her. Do you know if it is still active and the best way to climb it?"

"And unlike this Lilith, we would be happy to have you join us. Besides Flint's question," Marta motions to flint as introductions have not yet been made, "were you able to do any research on the area before Janira left? You say you were here less than a day, but perhaps you learned something in that time?"

"Obviously we are going to have to go to the Skald ourselves to find her. Do you know if it is still active and the best way to climb it?"

”Besides Flint's question," Marta motions to flint as introductions have not yet been made, "were you able to do any research on the area before Janira left? You say you were here less than a day, but perhaps you learned something in that time?"

Remus shrugs. ”We didn’t find out much before Lilith arrived. Since it erupted not so long ago, it’s likely still to be active but hard to say…at least that’s what we were told. It’s rumored the portal is on the west side of the volcano, near the peak but just below. It’s also said that the portal appears to glow at night; Janira thinks that’s the only time the portal is active. Sorry, that’s all I know…”

He scratches his chin, before looking back up at you. ”Oh, I almost forgot. We were told Various creatures, from magma oozes, brigands, and fire giants are known to inhabit the area on or around the volcano, so be on your toes out there…”

"And unlike this Lilith, we would be happy to have you join us.”

The old guide shakes his head. ”No, I best stay here, just in case Janira shows up. Besides, an old fart like me wouldn’t be any help against creatures like the one you said abducted Janira…”

Flint nods.

"Alright, so we can rest up tonight and then head out tomorrow morning. That should give us the day to get there and find the portal at night with possibly a bit of time to spare."

"Knowing roughly where the portal is located is a great help, otherwise we would have probably have had to spend a couple of days searching around the volcano looking for it."

Flint excuses himself briefly and he meets up with a Pathfinder contact in the bar to purchase a copy of a Pathfinder Chronicle (14) and a tiny bottle of Meditation Tea.

This city is just big enough to freely buy gear. I have deducted the 180 gold from my character's stash.

When he returns to the table the dwarf flips through the pages until he find a picture of a succubus to show the party.

"This is what we are up against. So be prepared."

He turns to Theodric.

"This volume is great. There is even a section on bawdy drinking songs inspired by a noted satyr no less. We can get started on that tonight if you like."

"Not that I am promoting a bender, you know before a mission but a drink and a song or two could not hurt."

Marta winces and vows to be somewhere else, soundproofed preferably, when the drinking begins.

"I'll see you guys in the morning then."

You wake up in the morning after a restful night and grab a bit of breakfast in the pub room. Remus meets you there.

”Pathfinders, here is a map I procured last night that night give you an idea of where you need to go…there’s apparently a steep crevasse to climb to reach where you need to go. Farewell and good luck. I’ll await your return with Janira here…”

The Glowing Skald (Slide2)

Flint nods at Remus.

"This is good. We will do our best to bring her back as soon as we can."

The dwarf picks up some more reading material before departing.

Religious texts (Irori, Abadar) for 2 gold also deducted from my character's stash.

Assuming that everyone is ready Flint is prepared to leave on their adventure.

"Should we get climbing gear? I have a set, but we might need more if this crevasse is difficult."

Flint nods appreciating the foresight.

"I think that Theodric has a set as well and I have a grappling arrow with a knotted silk rope attached. That should be dead easy for anyone even an untrained climber to climb."

"I suspect that people will be resorting to magic at times if the climb gets tough and that is alright too."

In theory it is a good idea. In practice I think we should be good with what we have. However if people want to invest in a kit then have at it. Typical climb DCs for the climbing a cliff should be in the 15-20 range. Climbing a knotted rope against a wall is DC 0. :)

Zaarah yawns.

“Okay, we are ready .. we think. No surely ready!?!“ she says with open eyes.

"Should we get climbing gear? I have a set, but we might need more if this crevasse is difficult."

This is why we I didn’t take us straight there, just in case anyone might need it

Flint decides to buy climbing gear despite the fact that he suspects that he might not need it. Better safe than sorry.

At 17th level, 80 gold is just not that much. Three kits should cover the party and all this stuff fits so well in the Handy Haversack anyways. :)

Before the party departs, Theodric accompanies Flint to the market and secures a huge amount of food for the entire party. "You're responsible for your water intake folks; I recommend a Goblet of Quenching if you don't have one yet, and at least one nonmagical waterskin as well."

@GM: don't really feel like tracking weight/cost of food here but Theo has a huge STR and can bring lots, lots, lots of food... if relevant for the scenario please let me know and I'll crunch the math; thx!

The idea for water is a good idea. The Goblet of Quenching requires ownership of the Legacy of Fire Player's Guide (3.5) so if you own it then enjoy. Alternatively just buy some scrolls of Create Water. A very cost effective choice which one of Inquisitors would be very happy to help you with.

Flint nods having already taken care of his own water needs.

"Two waterskins would be better to at least get you through the day."

For some reason you need a whole gallon of water a day. That is a crazy amount outside of a desert (or maybe an active volcano).

"If there is water to be found then I promise you I will find it but it is better to be safe than sorry."

No need for the math, Theodric, I’m not a stickler as a GM, I’ll assume you can carry enough food without encumbering yourselves…

Are all purchases made and ready to move on?

The idea for water is a good idea. The Goblet of Quenching requires ownership of the Legacy of Fire Player's Guide (3.5)

By now if some of you do not have at least LoF's PDFs I'd be stunningly surprised, after all the PF1E Humble Bundles from the last few years... lol

For some reason you need a whole gallon of water a day. That is a crazy amount outside of a desert (or maybe an active volcano).

I suggest you try walking for 8 hours and log the amount of water you drink that day... our guys are not sitting at a desk typing on a computer! ;) Also, they're eating dry rations, not soups and stews, which contain water, and not a whole lot of fruits/vegetables either. Theodric carries a bag of apples by the way; you're welcome to it if you want some vitamin C for your PC! :)

"Are we ready folks?" says Theodric, affixing the Sashimono of Comfort's flat wooden pole between his back and his rucksack. "Innkeep, what did the farmers say about weather for the next few days?"

Hey, when Flint hunts and forages the party eats well and his stew is second to none I would let you know, but I do get your point in general. :)

Flint is too polite to interrupt Theodric and is curious for the inn keeper's response. However the dwarf has his own accurate prediction of the weather for the next five days.

Survival can be used to predict the weather. So with a 37 on a take 10 for Survival Flint can accurately predict the weather for the next five days. :)

"Ready here."

”Well, I don’t plan on climbing unless for some reason my magical flight isn’t working. But, yes, I’m ready o go. Let’s go find Janira.”

Marta stretches a bit and pronounces herself ready. Although she stretches every morning and does a few katas come to think of it, probably while the magus prepares her spells.

The barkeep shrugs. ”It be hot yesterday…and it be hot today…so Eh be goin’ out on a limb and say it gonna be hot tomorry, young, feller…probably be dat way da day after too…”

You leave soon after and make the the not too long but arduous trek to the volcano…and arrive just prior to dusk…

…and other than some bothersome biting insects and an encounter with some loud-mouthed ruffians that backed down when push comes to shove, you make it to the base of the volcano…

Think y’all have got this pretty much in hand, but just give me a general idea how you’re going to climb, fly, or whatever, and we’ll go from there…

The Glowing Skald (Slide2)

If you could give us an idea about how long and how difficult a climb it is from somewhat up the volcano to near the peek that would be great. From the picture provided it does not look like that steep an ascent (it is not fully vertical) and also that the face of the volcano is pitted and uneven making the climb easier. All that being said you will have to decide the DC of the climb but it looks like to me from the picture at least and the Climb skill DC list to be in the 10-15 DC range.

Also if you could let us know the vertical height of the volcano that would be useful for people that would to fly even part of the way up to near the summit. An eyeball of the legend on the side leads me to be believe that the entire mountain is about 3,000 feet high and that the climb from the arrow tip to the summit is about 2,000 feet. Of course as the GM you will have to be the judge of this as well.

Again, the module is very vague here. Without giving away too much, I’d say the ascent is in the range you mention…just need to know who’s climbing, who’s flying, etc; those making the climb can go ahead and make your climbing checks and we can go from there…

Theodric gets into a steady rhythm, leading the climb up front, his harness trailing a long silk rope behind to tie each other climbing party members' harness. Planting a strategic piton here and there for safety, he waits patiently for the others to catch up, passing a drink of water to each adventurer reaching a given landing or rest area, and taking a few moments to admire the strikingly beautiful view of the forested valley and shining river below.

Climb, including climber's kit and ACP, Taking 10: 10 + 29 = 39

Zaarah memorizes overland flight instead of cone of cold this day and flies up the mountain with the team in view.