GM Jhaeman's PFS1 # 5-23: 'Cairn of Shadows' (CORE) (Subtier 8-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

disable Device: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24
While Jair tried to disable to table by magic, Two Blades tried to disable it with his tools.

Kaya tries to suppress the magic of the deadly table, but the ancient torture device is too strong for her spell!

Kaya's dispel magic attempt fails.

@Two Blades: From where your token is on Slide # 4, you're far too distant to try to disable the trap. You'd need to move adjacent. Please feel free to do something else with your turn.

Jair, Kavor Doan, and Two Blades are up.

Jair moves as quickly as possible to get to Grog.

Double move

Kavor Doan moves up to aid Grog.

Stat line is updated.

"Hang in there, I'll cut you free!"

Moved him next to Grog for the move action (50'), and then try to disable it

Jair, Kavor Doan, and Two Blades rush toward Grog just as the chains begin to constrict tighter and tighter!

The table is making a CMB check to maintain the grapple and, if successful, will inflict damage. Result: Attempt is successful. Grog, you take 19 points of damage.

@Two Blades: Unless someone cast haste again, you're not going to have it active (please see post above about updating taglines since several rounds have passed after the battle with the Lord Maravan). For now, I'll just assume you do a double-move to get within range.

Initiative (Round 1)

Kaya
Jair
Kavor Doan
Two Blades
Trap
Grog (grappled, prone)
Khellek

Bold should go!

"Damn chains!"

Grog tries to break out.

CMB: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

if that doesn't work? I don't think I used my reroll

reroll: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24

doh...

His base movement is 50'. 30' to start, +10' for Travel Domain, and +10' for Boots of Striding & Springing.

Grog tries to wrestle free but the chains remain tightly bound around him. Two Blades rushes over to try to free him, but can't quite figure out the magical mechanism that makes the table operate!

Grog's CMB fails to meet the table's CMD. (other options include Strength checks to break the chains or inflicting enough damage to destroy it).

@Two Blades: Ah, got it, thanks. Unfortunately, your Disable Device check failed (but not by much!).

Khellek is up.

Khellek will suggest
"Tug, Grog, Tug!"

Activate inspire course, which should help with the CMB as well, +2

He then advances up to the be-chained Grog, drawing a healing wand as he does so.

Khellek gives Grog some excellent advice!

Initiative (Round 2)

Kaya
Jair
Kavor Doan
Two Blades
Trap
Grog (grappled, prone)
Khellek

Bold should go!

Jair moves next to grog and cast a spell on her comrade.

With the secret of freedom, move!

Casting freedom of movement on Grog

"Thanks Jair!"

Kavor Doan was going to hack at the chains, but delays for now since Grog should be free.

Kaya stays back, but offers better healing, ”Anyone injured, fall back here. I’ll take care of it. I wouldn’t stand a chance against those chains if they picked me.”

Ready to heal anyone who takes her offer.

As Jair's spell takes hold, Grog is able to easily wriggle free! Suddenly, the chains cease to animate.

We can go off Initiative.

Khellek backs up quickly.

"Well.. that was unexpected."

He steps forward, offering a word of reasurance to Grog.

CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Thanks Khellek....hope there's nothing like there up here?"

I'm ready to get out of this place.

"Not a nice place here." Two Blades said. "Is there anything else we need to do while we are here?"

"Well.. I don't think taking a rubbing from that table is going to happen. What about up that other passageway?" asks the scholar.

A quick check shows nothing of interest.

"Back down to that other side passage at the start then my students. And take care, that table may not be the only trap in here. Why the Ossiriani were renown for their use of devious traps in similar areas."

Khellek leads the group on a careful examination of the Cairn of Shadows, finding much that will add fascinating detail in a future entry of the Pathfinder Chronicles. Rappelling in from the top, they discover a secret room on the first floor in which two more "Telendraks" (as tortured and submissive as the first) are imprisoned alongside the corpses of those who served in the role previously. Working together, the Pathfinders are even able to gain access to the pit under the trapped stairs, discovering numerous coins and bits of cut gems in addition to the bones of previous trespassers.

The map of the First Floor is now revealed.

Very satisfied with his map, rubbings and general recording of the cairn, Khellek suggest "It is time to leave. And I think we must take the obelisk with us. If that stops this place being accessed again, it is sad, but I think leaving it open for others to control would be wrong."

He looks at the various incarnations of Telendrak. "We should take these three with us, and hope we may be able to learn a bit from them."

His eyes light up a bit "And who knows, we might yet find a way to get back in in the future, if we have the pyramid with us. I certainly am looking forward to studying it and Telendrak a bit more - in a more relaxed environment."

Agreed, if they have been trained to take over each previous "Telendrak", we could learn something from them! says Jaïr hungry for knowledge.

She adds with a somber tone We have survived our doom once again, but we've learned than there is always something worse than death...

"Like climbing up chains only to get kissed by arrows." Two Blades mutters. "At the very least, Golbrier Frosh does not get to be the guest of honor at his execution, for the foreseeable future. But yes, time to go, I need to have a few pints in me to replace the blood I lost.

As the shadow obelisk is carried closer and closer to the exit, the walls and floors of the Cairn of Shadows begin to shake and crack! Hurrying through, the Pathfinders and their three rescued "Telendraks" make it outside just in time to see the demiplane seem to come apart from the inside. The entrance becomes a flat sheet of obsidian as the shadow obelisk itself fades away like smoke.

Golbrier Frosh emerges from hiding nearby, his eyes wide with amazement. "You survived! Somewhat the worse for wear, granted, but you made it out! These hills are crawling with danger, so you can tell me all about it on the way to Albatross--a boat will be waiting to take you safely away from Nidal from there."

Once again, despite seemingly overwhelming danger and darkness, the Pathfinders have prevailed!

That is a wrap! Thanks so much for playing. This was a long scenario with some very complicated encounters, and I very much appreciate your patience. You succeeded on both success conditions and earned all of the gold and item rewards. I'll get to work on Chronicles and post them in Discussion in a couple of days.

thanks for running this I appreciate it!

Thanks for running a great game GM! you give the place all the creepiness it deserved!
Thanks for all for playing, I had an amazing time :)

Jair grumbles something about doom and failure, but smiles anyway. They have survived! She's not- yet- doomed to hell even if this place was dangerously as close as Hell...

Good job all. Time to go back home for another doomed mission.

"Well done my students, well done. A pity that we cannot return, but we have extracted a vast amount of knowledge. I am confident that for once, my paper will be at the front of the chronicles. Let's see Dr Jones try and get better than this story!"

Many thanks GM and my fellow players.

Thank you for running it GM Jhaeman!

Kavor Doan shoulders his axe with satisfaction.

"Well done, all! A most capable mix of sorcery, martial skill, and even intrigue back at that tavern. I would be pleased to explore with any of you again."

Again, thanks for running! This was a great time. I am considering running a Core game soon (I was also running one for Outpost that just wrapped up) so keep an eye on Recruitment or PM me requests.

Kaya simply says one thing as the cairn closes up, ”Well, I want no memory of that place. I think I’ll skip collecting a stick this time.”

Later, as the group is preparing to part ways she adds, ”You all were quite competent. I would not oppose another mission together. Be well.”

Great mission, group and GM!