GM Tyranius (PF2) Gameday XI Expedition into Pallid Peril (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Dot in here

The door bursts open and a tall burly woodsman enters. He looks haggard with unkempt brown hair, a bushy goatee, and dark brown eyes. The man wears a well-worn dark brown traveler's cloak made of wool and trimmed with forest green at the hems. An old Taldan rapier is tucked in his belt on one hip and an old farmer's grain thresher (light mace) swings from the other hip. However, it's the finely crafted composite longbow slung on his back that grabs the attention. Laminated with several exotic woods, the bow shines with a glossy sheen and sports a set of small antlers on each end. It is obviously of expert elven craftsmanship.

"Huh. First one here. Good."
He mumbles to himself in his gruff voice.

He tosses his pack into a corner, leans his bow nearby, and sits down with his back against his pack. Somewhat uncomfortable on the hard floor, he scoots forward a bit to lay down and rest his head.
He wonders for several minutes on what this mission will entail... Who his new companions will be...

So much to think about.

After some time of letting his mind wander, the woodsman closes his eyes...
He begins to snore... loudly.

House GM test send - please ignore.

Hiya Numbat!

Dozens of Pathfinders gather at the foot of Droskar’s Crag, a dormant volcano in the Five Kings Mountains. High above your heads tumble Gold Falls, a waterfall that catches the sunlight like a fiery golden spout. The snowmelt cascades down the sheer rock into the valley below like a single thread of lava spouting from a primordial crag.

Here, the Pathfinder Society’s base camp bustles with activity. Merchants set up shop. A steady stream of Pathfinders trickles into the camp, and joyful greetings fill the air, together with whispered rumors about the mission ahead. Venture-Captain and Folk Hero Luna Aldred has called everyone here for a major expedition, and if the rumors are to be believed, the secret road to a legendary lost city awaits!

If your PC played Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-19: Enter the Pallid Peak or Pathfinder Society Scenario #3-10: Delve the Pallid Depths you are familiar with this place. You also know some things, so let me know if you have played at least one of those. Otherwise, I will roll secret checks for recalling knowledge / gather info.

Please go ahead and introduce yourself if you have not done so already.

A quiet chime sounds through the house to indicate the game has now begun and GMs may commence play.

After a good nap in a random Venture Captain's office, Brünwulf was ready for the long trek to Droskar's Crag. Luckily, he was able to hitch a ride on a wagon with other Pathfinders headed there.

---------------------------

Brünwulf stares in awe at the imposing mountain. He looks at the burn scars on his arm and grimaces.
"Why do all the places I visit have to have lava flows or traps that spew fire? I really need to start accepting more wilderness missions after this."
He mutters softly to himself.

Brünwulf has played both of the previous scenarios.

A tall half-elf with brown eyes, brown skin, and wild brown, wavy hair walks through the camp. She is wearing colorful scarves and a vibrant yellow cape. Several gold, silver, and copper bangles adorn her wrists, each ear sports several gold earrings, and around her neck hang necklaces of semi-precious stones and metals.

Under the frippery she is all business; wearing studded leather armor and equipped with bow, rapier and whip. As she walks she plays small kalimba in a sweet melody, though she will usually play her magic flute.

Olivia has not played either.

Feeling hungry for a snack, Brünwulf reaches into his satchel for one of his famous "Brünwulf's Bristle-Backed Boar Bratwurst".
Gnawing on the smoked treat, he feels the brush of a newcomer beside him.
He looks down at the frippery-garbed half-elf.
"An ouffit like that will getcha killed."
He says with a mouthful of bratwurst. Getting a good look, his eyes go wide in shock after being awestruck by her presence.
He offers a charming smile with a chunk of meat protruding from his mouth.
"The name'th Brunwoof. Pleathure to meet youth."
He brusquely thrusts out his large greasy hand to shake the newcomer's hand in greeting, then realizes she is far too dainty. Instead, he uses the tips of his thumb and forefinger to gently wiggle her hand in greeting.
Taking a moment to swallow, he gives the lass a cocky grin and speaks in a mocking tone in Elven after noticing her pointed ears.
"Saethwr pys neis. Faint o elynion ydych chi wedi'u lladd â'r peth hwnnw?"

A tall man dressed in homespun robes joins the group. Unlike the arriving pathfinders, he carries nothing, other than a pack and a small crossbow at his belt.

"Well met Pathfinders! I am Loong Laohu, but you may call me Tiger for short."

I've played both, but not with this character

Brunwolf knows a bit about Droskar's Crag. Droskar’s Crag, also known as the Pallid Peak, is a dormant volcano. It erupted nearly 800 years ago in a cataclysm known as the Rending, which toppled the great dwarven empire of Tar Khardurrm. Expeditions into the Pallid Peak have uncovered a wide range of dangers, from vermin to duergars to fiends. Expeditions should be wellstocked and prepared with deal with a variety of different threats.

Radim seemingly knws a bit more. The two largest cities lost in the Rending were Tar Khardurrm’s underground capital city, Jernashall, and its sister city on the surface, Raseri Kanton. Jernashall was overwhelmed by magma flows, and Raseri Kanton was swallowed up by the earth. While some areas of the ruins still contain magma chambers, this expedition’s route should avoid them. More-likely environmental dangers include flooded chambers and unstable ground.

At Base Camp here you can make common equipment purchases up to your level. You can also purchase spellcasting services to remove negative conditions.

"Bah! Second one here!" Flint's indignation at being second in the room comes with a large smile.

Flint's beard and hair are lighter than the rest of his clan, but still a deep brown with streaks of copper. His armor is polished to the point that it can be difficult to look at in the sun. His leather gear is well oiled, and well loved. Across his back for now, a steel shield bearing the symbol of Torag gives a clear indication of Flint's calling. Torag's champions are a proud lot, and Flint is every bit the stereotype.

A silver scaled kobold swings in dramatically on a rope that she has obviously strung up entirely for this purpose. Landing gracefully, she bows with a flourish to her companions. "I am Yeet! of the Sewer Dragons tribe.", the exclamation point audible in her introduction. "I am not sure if I am happy to return to this location, but I couldn't bear to pass up the opportunity to be one of the first to continue the explorations here. Is this a new place for you?"

She draws a dagger and scratches behind one ear where it pokes through the flamboyant hat she is wearing. On her other hip is a well worn rapier and she carries a backpack full of equipment that might be useful. Maybe. After a moment, she catches a whiff of the bratwurst and her eyes zero in on the human. "Smells delish. Got any more of those?"

I have GM'd the first scenario with a different character and played the second with Yeet!

@Yeet! You know the same information as Brunwolf in that case.

"That was quite the entrance, Yeet. Very impressive."
Brünwulf says with a welcoming grin. He reaches into his sausage satchel and pulls out a bratwurst for the kobold.
"Sure. Have a brat... Anyone else need a snack?"
He holds out a couple more brats for the taking.

Not quite wanting to feel left out, Tiger produces a dagger.

"Might I taste that delicacy as well?"

His tone and manners are quite formal, though it's clear he's unused to boisterous socializing.

He's from a monastery, what'd you expect?! :)

Yeet grins broadly as she stuffs the entire brat in her mouth. She chews noisily for a minute then wipes her fingers on a handkerchief from her sleeve. "*Very* nice. I approve."

Olivia is thrown off-balance by the boistrous human. Not used to such direct conversation, she nevertheless rises to the occaision.

"I arrows -o mime cú víle- sanda, big rúatan; ni maure vamme boast -o mime kills. "

She turns to the others and smiles; "Tiger, Yeet!, Flint, it is so nice to make your acquaintance. Please call me Olivia."

Adding lesser healing potion from Generalist School.

Tiger takes a bite. He grimaces at first at the grease that explodes in his mouth, but his grimace turns into a look of pleasure as the flavor kicks in.

"This is indeed phenomenal. My apologies. I have not experienced this before."

Tiger bows. "Well met, Olivia"

After the dramatic appearance of the kobold , the room enters a young man with a long blond beard and the same long hair. His blue eyes express all that great sadness and confidence in the depravity of the world, which is so typical for young people (about) eighteen years old. However, a few scars and an obviously strong body prove that this guy is definitely worth something in battle. In his hand he holds a light hammer.

Hi! Name's Radim. Hmm... Thank you, I will not refuse a snack. He nods to the forester, and then shakes hands with everyone present.

Weird... my post showed up WAAAAAY after I made it.

Flint eagerly participates in any snacking opportunities, "Can't bring the righteous fury on an empty stomach!"

As snacks are being passed around each group begins receiving a case file of the scouting reports.

These are descriptions of the three areas you can explore. Currently you chose Sunken Halls in the discussion. Let me know if this changes otherwise that is where we will head to first.

"Forgive my rudeness, Miss Olivia. It was all in jest. I'm not very good at breaking the ice when meeting new adventuring companions. I can be quite brash."
Brünwulf says with a look of shame. He holds out a brat.
"Bratwurst? Made them myself. I brought enough for everyone."

He turns to the others.
"I'm pleased you like them. A little bit of marjoram and thyme really compliments the flavor. I smoke them in the stump of an old beech tree."

"What's this? A scouting report?..."

"You know.... I'm more of an anchor than a sailor. Maybe we try something else?"

Let's check Unsealed Way. Sounds like a place were gonna be some trouble. I'd rather meet it myself and not push it on others. - Radim says after running through the reports with his eyes.

"Swimming is not exactly my strong suit, so I am happy to postpone that one. Unless someone can do something about breathing water?" She looks around hopefully. "Otherwise, I'm not picky about where we go. I'm sure there will be some fun whichever way we go."

On the assumption that we will be swimming at some point, Yeet buys swim fins and a potion of water breathing. -16 gp

Oh they all sound exciting! Sure, Radim, One place is as good as another.

Following the Yeets!'s example, Olivia will also purchase a potion of water breathing and a pair of fins from the quartermaster.

Following the other Pathfinders, Tiger does the same. Purchasing a pair of fins and a water breathing potion.

Yeet!'s token is adorable

"Good idea on the swim gear and potion. We should stock up on whatever supplies we think we'll need for this dangerous expedition. I have a rope and grappling hook, but, that's about it."

"I'll be back in a little bit. Gonna go grab some supplies."

-------------------------------

About half an hour later, Brünwulf returns with a disappointed look on his face.
"Well, there were plenty of potions left, however..."
He grimaces in embarrassment as he pulls from a sack a pair of glittery pink and purple swim fins.
"They only had the decorative Mermaid style left. And they came with these little pink inflatable floaties that slide onto your arms."
He rolls his eyes and shrugs.

Purchased potion/water breathing (11 gp), swim fins (5 gp), feather token [ladder] (3 gp).

"I'll not worry too much for my own safety so much with you around, the fish will surely be attacted to those!" Olivia teases the ranger, then makes an offer: "If the thought of wearing glittery flippers upsets your self-image, I'll trade them for my dull grey ones."

Tiger looks at the pink and purple fins.

"The colors suit you, my large friend. Perhaps you should have offered them a sausage?" Tiger says with a perfectly straight face.

Flint shrugs his shoulders, "Don't let me brudder see me dressed up like a frog." He will also buy the potion, fins, and ladder.

Venture-Captain Luna Aldred bangs on her shield to gain the attention of the gathered crowd. As the noise dies down, she points to a piece of stretched canvas with a whittled stick. “When I was first told about the discovery of a ruined outpost under this mountain, I assigned a few agents to explore it.”

On the canvas, charcoal and chalk outline a sprawling underground complex. The map already lists names, discoveries, and potential hazards. However, three highlighted routes lead past the end of the explored segments. Each route is labelled with a name and shaded with a distinctive color: yellow for the Labyrinth, blue for the Sunken Halls, and white for Unsealed Way.

“Their preliminary explorations found extensive ruins, as well as signs that this path will lead us to a find that’s worthy of the Pathfinder Chronicles: the lost city of Raseri Kanton, which has been missing for almost a thousand years! This expedition warrants a large team. I reckon this group is enough, though I won’t turn away any stragglers.” Venture-Captain Aldred chuckles.

Her tone darkens as she continues, “This expedition was set to take months. However, the Aspis Consortium has heard of our plans, and they’ll surely be dispatching their own teams. We need to act quickly before those destructive louts claim the ruins. Move quickly, but not recklessly. Report back regularly. And for all that Aroden left us, don’t die.

“You know what to do. Explore. Report. Cooperate.”

Table GMs, begin Act 1.

Thank you! I wish I could claim the art, but I stole it off the internet.

Yeet also offers to swap fins. "I think the pink sets of the color of my scales quite nicely. Don't you?" She holds up a set of deep blue fins, then notices the difference in foot size. "Er...maybe not?"

And kill consortium agents. Nothing changes, even though my father made an alliance with them on behalf of the Society many years ago. - Radim says it in exactly the same tone that teenagers use to whine about the injustice and depravity of the world around them. Dramatic and pretentious.

"Aspis Consortium... I have heard of this organization. Ah, yes! I remember a brief foray in Druma some months ago. Are they interfering with the Society again?"

Tiger picks up two minor healing potions as his school item

Brünwulf casts a glare at Loong.

He turns to Olivia.
"These flippers are One Size Fits Most and they are very tight on me. You got yourself a deal, Olivia. Let's trade."
Brünwulf happily hands over the mermaid flippers in exchange for the whale grey set.
"Here. These little arm floaties come with them, too."

------------------------

"Aspis."
He spits.
"I've had enough of those snakes crawling in our back yard."

@Olivia: your bard is very similar to my maestro bard that has soothe as a signature spell. Have you ever considered getting healer's gloves? We don't have a cleric in our group and that may be a purchase worth consideration. I may actually pick up a set myself since I'm trained in medicine.

Wishing to avoid the Sunken halls right away you head off towards the Unsealed Way.

A slender post spans from floor to ceiling in each corner of this stone chamber. The bracket that holds the posts in the floor is chipped, leaving the posts only loosely attached.

Radim and Yeet! both notice that the entrance to this room was originally crafted with a hidden drain in each corner, so that those traveling on foot had a space to clean their gear without flooding other areas. Over time, collected moisture caused the subfloor supports to rot.

Thievery (Trained) to prop up the floor or Crafting (Expert) to help reinforce the subfloor.

Trained in Thievery +9.

Yeet! peers carefully at the floor, trying to find the best place to insert a prop so the floor won't collapse.

Thievery (T): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Olivia pulls a wayfinder out from under her armor and activates the light cantrip in order to see the chamber more clearly.
Seeing Yeet! working on the floor post she offers a quiet word of encouragement.

GM: If this requires two actions: ◆ Guidance-Yeet! (or Brunwulf if he acts next.)

Yeet! manages to shift a few propped stones underneath the floor to stop it from tilting any further.

With the floor secured you are able to investigate the chamber to the south where you find a large stone wheel connected to a complicated gear shaft, this appears to be an elevator leading up. Activating the elevator by rotating the wheel; clockwise to move the elevator up, or counterclockwise to move it back down. As large as the wheel is, the elevator’s numerous gears and internal mechanisms enable you to turn it without trouble.

When first used, the wheel grinds slowly and creaks as the entire room moves up, shaking as it goes. After a few seconds, the grinding and shaking stops, and the wheel and room move smoothly for the first time in centuries.

The upper level is a wide, natural cavern. Long ago, the dwarves who lived here cast shape stone and used stonecutters to smooth out the area. Mice scatter everywhere as you enter. Abandoned wagons of metal and stone mark this as the start of a caravan route, though any cargo that may have once been here has long since decayed. Approximately a thousand feet down the road, a set of double doors seal off the next chamber. A warning sign in Dwarven reads “Maximum Width: 8 feet”.

It quickly becomes obvious to you that you have left the path of the unsealed way.

★ -- ★ -- ★ -- ★

Returning to the elevator you head back down to the Unsealed way and continue down the passage way to the east.

Moldering bags and gear pile in the southwestern corner of this square room. Stone stairs lead upward to the south. Passageways show glimpses of rooms to the northwest and south.

Leaning against the wall along with the abandoned gear are moldering bodies, which are the remains of dwarves that attempted a return trip to Raseri Kanton. They died of starvation after getting lost in the ruins.

Reminder that maps are at the top of the page.

Tiger follows the other Pathfinders.

untrained in all skills so far

Yeet bounces excitedly up the elevator shaft, but is rather disappointed to find nothing but moldering equipment and food.

No Crafting or Occultism

Brünwulf bends to pick up a small stone from the floor. He signals to his companions to remain still and quiet, then tosses the stone at the skeletal remains.
If there's no unnatural movement from the skeletons, he goes in.
He slinks towards the skeletal remains hunkered down with bow drawn.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Crafting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 "Look, a wide swath of stone has been damaged by the acidic trail of an ooze."

Shield at the ready, Flint steps into the room for a better look.

What are you non-darkvision folks using for light?

Brunwolf tosses a stone into the room. It plinks off of the skeletal frame causing it to stir as several begin to rise to their feet.

★★★
The Crossroads! Round 1

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Flint (62/62 HP)
➤ Yeet! (46/46 HP)
Champion 1 (-0 HP)
Champion 2 (-0 HP)
Champion 3 (-0 HP)
Champion 4 (-0 HP)
Champion 5 (-0 HP)
Olivia (40/40 HP)
Brunwulf (41/41 HP)
Radim (55/55 HP)
Loong Laohu (56/56 HP)
Guard 1 (-0 HP)

"Oi! Yer dead and ye should STAY dead!"

Flint rushes over near Yeet and brings his hammer down:
ATK 1 v.1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 for DMG: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 8) + 4 = 15
ATK 2 v.1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 for DMG: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11

"If you wanted to sneak in, I suggest doing that *first*," Yeet shouts cheerfully at Brunwulf, bouncing into the room, her sword practically leaping into her hand. She tumbles through the space #1 is in...

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

...and bounces off its leg as she mistimes her duck. She shakes her head and slashes at the offending limb with her rapier...

Rapier: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 for piercing damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9

...and misses as the leg moves again. "I think they must be Seer Skeletons. They're countering my moves before I can make them!"

Swaggering Initiative (◇), Stride (◆), Stride with Tumble Through (◆) (or not), Strike(◆), Riposte (↺)

Yeet! fails to tumble through the space as her rapier bounces off of the skeleton's shield. It matters little though as Flint's hammer crushes through the bones, killing the champion instantly.

The skeletons begin to converge on Flint as their longswords sweep through the air.

#2 Longsword vs Flint AC 22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

#5 Longsword vs Flint AC 22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The swords cut into the dwarf's body drawing first blood as they raise their shields into plce protectively.

★★★
The Crossroads! Round 1

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Flint (62/62 HP)
Yeet! (46/46 HP)
Champion 2 (-0 HP) │ Shield Raised
Champion 3 (-0 HP) │ Shield Raised
Champion 4 (-0 HP) │ Shield Raised
Champion 5 (-0 HP) │ Shield Raised
➤ Olivia (40/40 HP)
➤ Brunwulf (41/41 HP)
➤ Radim (55/55 HP)
➤ Loong Laohu (56/56 HP)
Guard 1 (-0 HP)