PFS 2E 1-01 The Absalom Initiation (Inactive)

Game Master Merisal The Risen

Liam isn't a spellcaster, but his experience with helping his brother master his sorcery powers--and a lot of reading to help with that task--left him fairly knowledgeable about the topic. He moves over to help regain control of the ritual.

Occultism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Liam moves forward and completes some words the candelabra flickers and the room becomes slightly brighter

Each flaw can be repaired with a successful DC 22 Occultism check or DC 18 (trained) check using diplomacy or bluff. A success on the secondary skill reduces the dc of the next occultism check by 2. a check takes 1ction but you must be adjacent to the ritualcircle to make a check
Arthas 3 actions
Dran'Thal 1 actions remaining
Lendaru 1 action remaining
Liam Prentis 1 actions
Tandang Boreas 3 actions
Moonshadow 3 actions
Tavaar
Da Vinco
Rosalee
Madelein

Moonshadow takes in the scene, giving everything a steely-eyed glare.

Seek: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Thievery: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Occultism:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Occultism:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Doing some botting Really hope Arthas player has fought off that flu

Moonshadow spots a tiny shadowy creature at first intent on Tavaar but then shifting its focus to Liam. Moonshadow tries to determine more of what it is but other than knowing its trouble and not quite on this plane yet knows nothing but moves adjacent to Liam ready to attack it if it actually arrives here

Lendaru attempts to correct the ritual and the lights almost get brighter but not quite. Dran'thal's efforts also do not aid

Arthass moves forward and attempts to encourage the ritualists deception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 before attempting to help the ritual itself
occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 He proves very successful Arthas success on the deception also reduced the dc of his subsequent occult check changing that to a success for 2 successes

Tandang peers around then moves next to Tavaar

Tavaar and her friends continue to try and rebalance the riual and morw shadows disappear before a pulse of dark energy detonates from the focus at the centre of the ritual pulses with negative energy 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6
basic forttude dc18 (so 28 or more negates entirely 18 or more reduces to half 8 or less double damage)

Tandang and Moonshadow do not need to make the save but can use a reaction to put themselves between the pulse and an adjacent ritualist and then making the save

arthas fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The dark energy weakens the veils for the shadowy creature to enter ther material plane and it makes a beeline for Arthas

tendril: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The creature makes a dodging motion trying to hide in Arthas shadow but fails

Each flaw can be repaired with a successful DC 22 Occultism check or DC 18 (trained) check using diplomacy or bluff. A success on the secondary skill reduces the dc of the next occultism check by 2. a check takes 1ction but you must be adjacent to the ritualcircle to make a check
Arthas -15 (bot likely to be step back take out healing potion drink healing potion)
Dran'Thal
Lendaru
Liam Prentis
Tandang Boreas
Moonshadow
Tavaar -6
Da Vinco -6
Rosalee -6
Madelein -6
Ritual
SHadowy creature

Moonshadow dives in front of the energy pulse, taking the brunt of it.

Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Moonshadow puts himself in front of the surge heading for the gent in the north west corner The shadow creature just north of of Arthas is attackable

Each flaw can be repaired with a successful DC 22 Occultism check or DC 18 (trained) check using diplomacy or bluff. A success on the secondary skill reduces the dc of the next occultism check by 2. a check takes 1ction but you must be adjacent to the ritualcircle to make a check
Arthas -15
Dran'Thal
Lendaru
Liam Prentis
Tandang Boreas
Moonshadow -3
Tavaar -6
Da Vinco
Rosalee -6
Madelein -6
Shadow creature

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"You can do it!" Tandang encourages the ritualist to perform the ritual well. He then draws his shield and raises it.

◆ Diplomacy
◆ Interact to draw a shield
◆ Raise a shield

"Hmmm."
Liam raises his shield while continuing to try to correct the ritual and guide it in the right direction.

...but he does also draw his weapon.

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Hero Point!
Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Tandang offers some words of encouragement but the ritualist dont seem to pay him much heed. Liam also gets ready fo a fight but offers some aid and the darkness recedes even more

(Liam, Dran'Thal and Lendaru still need to make fort saves)

Arthas -15
Dran'Thal fort save pending
Lendaru fort save pending
Moonshadow-3
Tavaar -6
Da Vinco
Rosalee -6
Madelein -6
Shadowy creature
Liam Prentis Fort save pending
Tandang Boreas

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Then he continues to try to master the ritual.

Occultism:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Fortitude:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

The inventor tries to master the ritual.

Occultism:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Dran'Thal and Lendaru ahake off the worst of the negative energy but are unable to help the ritual

The shadowy crature keeps looking at all the people attemtpting to the ritual

Each flaw can be repaired with a successful DC 22 Occultism check or DC 18 (trained) check using diplomacy or bluff. A success on the secondary skill reduces the dc of the next occultism check by 2. a check takes 1ction but you must be adjacent to the ritualcircle to make a check. I do not believe multiple action penalties apply merely multi attack penalties

Bold have actions remaining

Arthas-15 3 actions
Dran'Thal -3hp 2 actions remaining
Lendaru-3 2 actions remaining
Moonshadow 3 actions
Tavaar -6
Da Vinco
Rosalee -6
Madelein -6
Liam Prentis -3
Tandang Boreas -3

Occultism:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Occultism:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Occultism:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Occultism:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Occultism, reroll:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Moonshadow steps up to the creature of darkness.

”Good evening. As a duly-designated representative of the Pathfinder Society, I order you to cease any and all supernatural activity, and return forthwith to your place of origin, or to the next convenient shadow dimension”

He draws his rapier and attacks.

Step, Interact, Strike

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Dran’Thal brings the occult energy under control and the light levels return to normal oh good work everyone now please deal with that shadow creature Tavaar calls out

Moonshadow moves forward and stabs it right in the eye (CRITICAL) with a little tweaking of the ritual the creature is sucked back in to the shadow plane

Combat over

Hmm yes sighs Tavaar Good work everyone and thank you so much for your assistance She moves forward and looks at a jar of liquid at the centre of the ritual circle. I think it is still just a mistform elixir but can you please check it has no contamination from the ritual

Arcana or Occultism:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

The dwarf has a look on the elixir.

The inventor looks also at the elixir.

Arcana or Occultism:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Frowning but stowing his weapon, Liam helps examine it.

Crafting (or Arcana or Occultism): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

You all quickly agree it is a lesser mistform elixir and the shadow creature is definitely banished or destroyed. (Eando wanted you to determine if the ritual was too dangerous to be published. feel free to make recomendations .)

Hmm yes sighs Tavaar Good work everyone and thank you so much for your assistance She moves forward and looks at a jar of liquid at the centre of the ritual circle. I think it is still just a mistform elixir but can you please check it has no contamination from the ritual

Moonshadow glares at Tavaar. ”You’re lucky we were here to save your bacon”, he rasps. ”Maybe next time, you and your buddies go poof”

There won’t be a next time i’m Stickinging to purely theoretical work from now on replies Tavaar

You should come with us to visit the Pathfinder Society. This could give you some help.

One vote for “too dangerous”

"What you did is dangerous. Perhaps you stop doing that or you'll endanger everyone." Tandang gives his comment to the ritualist as he shakes his head in disappointment.

Tavaar agrees to file the research under do not try this ever. One of here assistants introduces himself as Da Vinco and expresses some interest in joining the society. The others are just thankful not to have recieved serious injury

Having sorted the issue as to whether the ritual was dangerous the group turns its attention to Caliso's petrified naga friend although Arthas heads off to find a healer or at least a bed for the night

Liam and Lendaru are the ones who learn a crowd is gathering opposed to the snake lady

For several blocks, the quiet lanes of Westgate’s residential neighborhoods feature small houses, low-key cafes and taverns, and the occasional specialty shop. The fragrant scent of tended flower gardens in the warm sunlight blends with the low hum of distant conversation over what would normally be a pleasant boulevard. But the stone statues—at first appearing only here and there, like odd decorations—now number several per block, and the otherwise plain square ahead is outright cluttered with stone figures. They take countless forms, from humans and halflings to orcs, lizardfolk, and even stranger, all forever frozen in acts of desperation, defiance, or despair. The quaint, statue-filled square is also filled with people; several dozen townsfolk shout and argue, their voices somehow out of place among the silent statues.

Beside the naga stand three three women The first is dressed in well made clothes and her shawl is wrapped round the statue. A small case of vials is tucked behind the statue. NO the snake lady is a dangerous beast and although my magic shawl can siphon off a small fraction of her power each day there is much still there

Indeed says the second an acolyte of nethys given her white and black robe. and prominet symbol of half burned face This creature should be left as testament to the power of nethys to protect the city by the power of his scorch black hand

Not to mention how can i continue to ennthrall travelers with the play of sttatue street without my finale to the SNEAKY SNAKY SORCERESS the third figure projects her voice clearly above the din and her clothing marks her as an entertainer and her speach draws cries of hear hear from the crowd

You may make a skill check to counteract these arguments
Thievery or underworld lore, Religion or Nethys lore Performance ot theatre lore are suggested skills actually making an argument may result in a bonus to the roll

Indeed says the second an acolyte of nethys given her white and black robe. and prominet symbol of half burned face This creature should be left as testament to the power of nethys to protect the city by the power of his scorch black hand

Moonshadow steps toward her. ”Looks like there’s plenty of testaments to power around here”, he declares, looking around at the many, many statues, ”but not a lot of mercy! If you don’t have mercy, you don’t have justice!”

He starts pacing dramatically. ”Nethyses…Nethysees…Nethyseses…the power of Nethys is unquestioned, but it’s turning your city into a graveyard of the condemned! Is that where you want to live, what you want to be known for? Or do you want to be free of yesterday’s burdens, and move forward as a just society?”

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Hero Point

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"'Snake lady'?" says Liam doubtfully, "Doesn't sound much like you know who she is... Can you tell me about he crime? You seem to be a pretty dangerous magic-user yourself, you know. There's more to being dangerous than just being dangerous."

Thievery: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

That’s a joke for sure! You can’t argue with your own little business as tour operator in the city for repelling the possibility of giving her life back. Do you imagine what Nethys is currently thinking of you?

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"I think it is not a good idea to make this place like a grave of statues to show others what will happen to those that do crimes. There are more humane way to do that and not humiliate the accused." Tandang shares his thoughts.

Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

THe trio are not impressed by your arguments asn the crowd grows more restless

each character can make a total of two checks dc 20 is what is required as this is the very definiton of a tough crowd. (the three checks made are from your total number of checks

I think you don't have quite listened to me. So I repeat: You can’t argue with your own little business as tour operator in the city for repelling the possibility of giving her life back. Do you imagine what Nethys is currently thinking of you?

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Round 1:

Thievery:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Round 2:

Thievery:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Thievery, reroll:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Dran'thal talks down the acolyte at the second attempt Lendaru shows up the charlatan at the first attempt but the Actor begins to whip the crowd into a frenzy

Should have explained you needed 1 successful check against each leader the charlatan and the acolyte have been dealt with its just a performance 20 check required

Moonshadow
Liam Prentis
Tandang Boreas

have a roll left

Lendaru I will take your secondary thievery roll as a performance but you may keep hold of the reroll

Moonshadow stands next to the entertainer, and starts playing air lute, belting out lyrics dramatically.

”IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE?
IT’S ONLY ONE SONG!
IF THAT WAS MY JOB,
I WOULDN’T LAST LONG!

YEAAAAAAHHHHH!”

Performance: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Only responds to dramatic pain, huh. Fine.

"You speak of criminals and punishment, but here you are, interfering with the lawful release of the wrongly accused!"

Liam has the bizarre urge to slap a table for no particular reason. As no table presents itself, he seeks for dramatic pointing. "But that makes you a criminal, does it not? Your own argument demands you condemn yourself!"

Society: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
If it really can only be Performance, then -8 to that...

I will foolishly use my Hero Point!
Society: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Moonshadow shouts a lot louder than the street performer and the crowd quietly disperses

You can apply the salve to restore the naga to life

When you return to the grand lodge

Janira Gavix races down the hall, her blond hair flying in her excitement. “I just heard you made it back—congratulations! It sounds like everything went, well, about as well as anyone could expect. Come with me, I have something for each of you.” The halfling woman leads the way into a small office and distributes finely crafted wooden boxes. Within each, a gleaming compass lid emblazoned with the Glyph of the Open Road and an engraved name lies upon a cushion of silk. “I’m not sure if you’ve picked up your own wayfinders yet, but when you do, you should have ones that prove that you belong. Now it’s official,” she beams. “Welcome to the Pathfinder Society!”

"I did have one," says Liam, advertorial the engraved Wayfinder, "but not like this. Thank you!"