PFS Quest #1: The Sandstone Secret (Inactive)

Game Master Super Zero

Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir has invited a group of Pathfinders to join him in the lush garens outside the Sandswept Hll. They've been there for over a day, and have had some opportunity to get to know each other.

Why don't you introduce yourselves?

Sam is a short-ish (maybe 5'5") woman with mousy brown hair and what appears to have a shy quiet temperament. She's dressed is nondescript clothing, and acts as if she just wants to curl up in a corner and disappear.

"Um, is this where we're supposed to meet Venture-Captain Balentiir? I hope I'm not in the wrong place."

Conversely, Ronnie is well over 6'. He is a large man, but he is also very soft spoken and kind. Think, Oaken from Frozen.
Ronnie wears Half plate and carries a shield and mace.

Ronnie smiles at Samantha, kindly. "It is very pretty here, isn't it? Even if we are in the wrong place, it is not a bad place to be lost in."

The half elf arrives at Sandswept Hall where he is guided in the garden to join the others who are already here. He isn't wearing any armor except his clothes but he's carrying an elven branched spear besides his backpack.

My name's Elduin Nerifiel. I'm coming from the central Avistan for this mission. Let's hope we'll have enough to drink. This is a high temperature.

Something i realize I should have clarified: Sandswept Hall is the name of the lodge.

"Hmm, pretty maybe, but very hot," a tall blonde pale elven woman says in response to Ronnie, "I don't understand why anyone would choose to live here. It doesn't get nearly this bad in Kaer Maga. Would it kill the gods to give us a breeze here?"

The top of her head might be shorter than the human fighter but her tall elven ears might at least come close to equaling out with him. She's not currently wearing her armor, wearing just blue silks, and desperately trying to keep herself cool with a fan. It does not look like the elf spends much time in the sun.

"Jaehaera, by the way, is my name," her affect is smooth and a little cold, "If the venture captain saw fit to provide us with any drinks or refreshments, please, share them."

Naple is actually early to arrive and has been waiting behind one of the pillars of the Sandswept Hall. The arrival of other Pathfinders catches her attention from musing the thought of having a nice vacation in this desert location, surrounded by palm trees and all. She eventually joins them and introduces herself, with her warhammer she is holding propped on her shoulder and the steel shield stowed behind her. He breastplate glistens whenever sunlight gets the chance to shine on it.

"My name is Naple. It is nice to meet you all." she tells the others as she flips her ponytailed long wavy hair with a free hand.

Ronnie smiles widely at Naple. It seems good-hearted, but also unabashedly impressed with her. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he greets his fellows, "I am Ronnie, and very pleased to meet...all of you!". He finishes, addressing the rest of the group. He seems to want to pat Samantha on the head, but restrains himself. "Does anyone happen to know what our mission will be? It is like a sauna here, doesn't it?". He adds wiping more sweat away.

The shaded gardens outside the Sandswept Hall provide a welcome respite from the sweltering midday sun. Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir reaches up to one of the date palms overhead, pulling down a bunch of ripe fruit to share with the table. “They’re good for much more than shade, my friends. But I did not call you here to enjoy my garden. A few months
ago, I finally received confirmation that we would be able to execute one of the last excavation permits issued by the Osiriani government. The site is a desert location where the dunes have shifted, revealing the beginnings of a staircase leading down beneath the sands.

“The government has already sent guards to oversee the site and protect against any potential thieves. Remember—keeping up a good reputation in Osirion is vital to the Pathfinder Society’s continued presence here. Don’t antagonize the guards."

The venture-captain takes note of the concerns about he heat and calls for another round of drinks.

[b]"Do any of you have questions for me?"

So we will be the first ones to enter this site for archaeological purpose? In this case I think you should give us the permit so we can show it to the guards.

The half elf is already planning to travel during the night instead of during the day because of the sun.

It is a goblin with a Breastplate. On the belt he wears a longsword. He calls himself Gnurk.

The goblin is ready to go.

"The shifting winds revealed only the top portion of the staircase," says Belantiir, "What lies beyond it remains a mystery. The government has posted guards, so I suppose someone might have entered, but I haven't heard any reports so as far as I know they have not. You'll be the first Pathfinders--and the first of any outsiders--though.

"Drink plenty of water. Travel near dawn and dusk to take shelter from the midday sun, and bundle up at night. Also, the desert heat can play tricks on your eyes. Stick to the map, use your common sense, and you’ll be fine."

"We are to execute the excavation. What does this mean? What are we expected to do? Report our findings? Take relics out? Clear the area of undead? Ooh! These dates are delicious!"

"If the Osiriani government has sent guards, then I'd imagine that the excavation might have already started. You say don't antagonize them, do we know if government here keeps their payroll up-to-date? In my experience, guards tend to pilfer away what they can when their pay envelope is light."

"Report findings, of course! Remove relics... well, don't pocket them and sneak them out or anything, but at your discretion with proper records. Clear out undead, er... well, I don't have any particular reason to expect you'll find any, but I suppose it is a tomb. If you do find some, that's likely prudent."

He shakes his head at Jaehaera, "I wouldn't go in expecting it, but if you see any evidence of malfeasance be sure to report it. You can report it to me, if you prefer, and I'll handle the government contact.

"Anything else?"

The Venture-Captain gives the permit to Elduin, as requested.

Feel free to ask any other questions or make any purchases before leaving for the desert, but...

The journey to the archaeological site is relatively uneventful. With the supplies provided by the venture-captain, the party has plenty of resources to handle the desert’s most basic threats. Traveling during the hottest part of the day is exceedingly uncomfortable, but also easily avoided.

When you arrive at the ruin, you find that the ruin’s entrance has already been excavated. The staircase leads down to a torchlit chamber. A canvas fence secured around staircase keeps most of the sand away from the opening.

Nearby, a guard sits under a tarp, humming to herself to stave off
boredom while two additional guards nap in the shade, resting with four camels.

The alert guard calls out to your group as you approach. "Hello! This area is off-limits, but I assume you're more Pathfinders with a permit? I'm Elrekah." She stands and approaches. "Shame on you for waiting to join the expedition until after the hard labor of clearing the entryway is already done." Despite her chastising words, she smiles and her tone is playful.

Jaehaera's attention catches on a small book, a journal, that Elrekah left on her chair.

The half elf rises an eyebrow.

Here is the permit.

He hands it over.

But we aren’t more Pathfinders. We are the Pathfinders sent for the excavation. How many of them are supposed to be here already and where are they please?

"Umm, what other Pathfinders are you referring to? We were just told that we were the first ones here?"

Sam glances around apprehensively.

Ronnie stands by, a little confused.

Naple cocks her head, realizing that they are indeed the first Pathfinder agents to be sent for the mission. Since the question is already asked, she awaits for the guard to answer as well, but she asks a question also. "Are you sure they are also Pathfinders?"

Image added to the slides.

Elrikah takes the permit. Focused on looking it over, she seems oblivious to the Pathfinders' concern.

"Hm? Oh, let's see... The excavation started about a month ago. Most of those agents went home once the sand was cleared away earlier this week, and the head Pathfinder was the only one who stayed to catalogue the ruin's history."

She goes back to her chair to collect her journal and returns, tucking the Pathfinders' permit into the book. "Looks good to me. He's down there now." She nods towards the staircase.

She looks a little lost for a moment, as though the questions have hit her. "You weren't expecting him?"

Sam looks back at Elrikah. "Umm, who is down there? The 'other' Pathfinder?"

"Yes," says the guard with a nod, "the head Pathfinder who was here to catalogue the site."

Sam looks even more bewildered.

"Head Pathfinder? Umm, we just came from the head pathfinder for this area and he never said anything about another party."

"I don't know his title," Elrikah shrugs, "I just mean the guy who seemed to be in charge of the team."

She opens her book and looks at another piece of paper. "He had the same kind of permit you did."

Well we will have a talk with him when we find him. Now it’s time to begin our own exploration. Thank you.

And the half elf moves towards the stairs.

"Hmmm. Doubtful. Maybe we should check that person out. They are pretending to be one of us, and that might ruin Society's reputation if they ever make a wrong move. The venture-captain will not be happy if he hears about this." Naple shares her thoughts and follows the half-elf towards the stairs with weapon and shield ready.

Sam pulls a throwing knife out of her bandolier and lights her wayfinder.

↺ She will nimble dodge the first attack that comes her way (+2 AC).

"Did we miss some important instructions, or is this some sort of swindler we are about to meet?" he asks, looking to each of his companions in turn. His face drops a bit, loosing it's jovial smile as he puts on his game face.

Ronnie will hold his mace loosely in one hand and equip his shield to his off arm.

"Actually, just a minute," Jaehaera says as she approaches the chair to get a better look at the book left out.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

I'm also going to make my Lead this Head Pathfinder guy.

The goblin is also heading for the stairs.

Jaehaera gets a look at Elrekah's book with the two permits side-by-side.

The other one does not appear to be a forgery. Both were requested by Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir for the Pathfinder Society, and they look the same. Almost identical, in fact, with the only difference the date--the other one was issued almost a year ago.

A 10-foot wide staircase leads down into the ruin. The ceiling is also about 10 feet high, and the interior is dimly lit by sunlight even without the light from Samantha's wayfinder.

Several of the pillars in this once-grand entryway have collapsed. The statues around its edges depict scarab beetles. There are open doorways directly ahead and to the right, and a door on the left side of the room.

Map image added.

So there is a large entrance and a smaller one. Which one should we choose?

The half elf draws his branched spear.

The small door would be more suitable for my size.

Naple agrees to the goblin. She leads the way towards the narrow entrance after she lights up her wayfinder slung around her neck. She then raises her steel shield and makes her warhammer ready. She looks at the way to see what can be expected on the way. Perception +6

Map updated.

The party finds a narrow hallway that continues for about 30 feet before turning sharply to the left. There is one door visible, along the wall to the right.

Let’s proceed with method. Go with the door. So we explore one after another the rooms.

Ronnie nods his head in agreement. "Yes. One room at a time, leaving nothing behind...Hopefully." He finishes with a wide grin.

"But where is this lead Pathfinder? Should Samantha look for any devious traps?"

If Naple looks to lead, Ronnie will look to enter behind her. Is it lit down here?

Sam follows behind Naple. She has her Wayfinder lit and a throwing knife in her hand ready to throw.

Bright light in a 20' radius

I still need to go on the wayfinder mission. Don't I?

Ronnie checks his pockets.

Yeah, I need to do that yet. Handy little fellas they are. How would I hold it?

Ronnie looks to his hand holding the mace and the other holding the shield.

Maybe that mission can wait. I don't need a badge to help people. Now, pay attention.

Sam colors slightly from Ronnie's statement. She sighs and begins scouting ahead, pausing only to glare briefly at Ronnie.

"If you must know, Mr Ronnie, I came from a family of mages. I don't search for devious traps as you put it."

Let’s go to the door.

Oh.

Did I think that she was a sneak just because she is small? I thought she said so. Mages. So she's a wizard. I need to keep her safe.

The party finds a large rectangular room lit by braziers burning in the corners. The room is empty save for the braziers, but the floor is decorated with grand carvings. The central figure, glorified by the art, is labeled "Akmajet." He leads an army of undead against a city.

Behind Akmajet, several other figures lead their own lesser armies of undead. However, their faces have been chiseled out, with text across their bodies. Written in Osiriani, the text calls the figures "ungrateful leeches" and "treacherous scum" and "unworthy of life."

Society: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

The half elf takes a moment to have a look at the carvings.

Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Sam looks at the carvings, scratches her head and shrugs, not making heads or tails of what she's seeing.

aid society: 1d20 ⇒ 6

"Yes, see? Undead. Maybe this, 'Akmajet' was betrayed? Maybe he's here somewhere."

Society:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

The goblin is trying to decipher what is written.

Society: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"Its a fantasy, its a depiction of this Akmajet's ambition, not a historical records. No undead invasion of Sothis has been recorded dating back to the time in question where those style of catamarans were used, about a millenium ago." She says it flippantly, and offhand. "I'd imagine that the smaller figures were co-conspirators of Akmajet who didn't go through with the plan."

Well, thank you for your help. I was unsure how to interpret this.

Further: There is a door at the end of the room. Do we continue through this one?