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

Game Master Jhaeman

"I suspect there is an easier way up." mutters the scholar.

"If we can't find it, then I would indeed appreciate the assistance of your levitation."

Khellek peers into the darkness, his weak eyes consistently drawn to the ever-moving chains.

percpetion,heroism: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 + 2 = 3

"Hang on..."

Grog gets out some rope and grappling hook then tosses it up.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

He tries to shimmy.

Grog's grappling hook doesn't catch anything, and Khellek has trouble making out anything through the darkness and dense chains.

The situation might be a bit confusing, and I don't want us to stall out, so I'll try to clarify things a bit. On the map, I've used the blank shapes to hide anything outside of your light sources (even territory you've already covered), but you're free to continue exploring. You know that although the ceiling is only 40' or so up, the shaft above the throne must be much, much higher (which is why the grappling hook won't catch on anything). The chains hanging from the ceiling and down the shaft are everywhere, so you can hardly take a step without brushing up against one (imagine walking through a room with beaded curtains hanging from every inch of the ceiling). The chains look relatively easy to climb, but have some sharp protrusions. Even without the darkness, the chains are packed together densely enough to limit visibility to some degree. If you have any other questions, I'm happy to help.

Kaya shrugs again, "Let's just look for an alternate way up, come on."

She leads the way back across the bridge and cautiously checks to the south.

Perception for Dangers: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

Lowlight and a Light Spell on herself that should give up to 80 ft, depending on how limited the chains make it (30?).

Kaya backtracks and looks around. The muffled clinking of the chains seems to intensify . . .

Kaya hollers back to the group, ”Hallway here to the North. The chains seem pissed though, trying to slow me down. That seems to be a good sign.”

She waits for the group then heads to the hallway.

Perception there for dangers: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Light cut in half should be perfectly countered by lowlight vision, which doubles light ranges. So my light spell should work 20 normal, 40 low. Right?

"Oh good spotting Ms Leafwing. Good Spotting."

Bessie still in hand, Khellek moves with the group toward the northern entrance.

Kavor Doan follows Kaya and takes a look down the hallway.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
He has Darkvision 60'.

Jair follows.

Doomed, we are doomed...

Grog follows the others.

damned chains...

"Everyone OK?"

Two Blades quietly followed the others as they made their way.

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37

The darkness creeps in to follow you as you turn back to the west, while the chains slowly rise and twist of their accord to try to push you back! But their attempts are feeble, and you're able to make your way to the north.

Unlike the areas near it, this wide hall has no chains within. Rough, uneven stairs run from landing to landing. There is the scent of old blood, and disturbing stains mark the walls. A single black wooden door sits at the end of the run of stairs.

Just FYI, the chains are dense enough in the main hall that you can't see more than 30' away, regardless of light sources.

Please feel free to adjust your marching order.

"Ah, well the old man was right. Stairs. Simple enough."

Kaya moves up to the landing and peers around the next corner, looking and listening for the usual dangers that her keen eyes often perceive.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

"Old man!" huffs the old man indignantly.

"Respected senior citizen would be a more appropriate term." he adds.

A close look might reveal that Bessie the crossbow seems to have a bit of a shake as if the old man was perhaps a tad unnerved at the environment.

Stepping around Kaya, Two Blades moved forward to check for traps.

Perception-Traps: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

As Kaya looks for hidden foes, Two Blades scrutinizes the stairs for traps.

"Kaya mind if I move in front?"

”Nope!”

"Stop, there is a trap!" Two Blades said as he started to inch back. "It looks like the stairs will swing down if the door is touched. Let me see if I can take care of it." he added, pulling out some tools from the vest to deal with the door.

Disable device: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (13) + 25 = 38

Two Blades quickly jams the hidden mechanism to effectively deactivate the trap. Unfortunately, the "door" was simply bait--there's only a stone wall on the other side!

Clever...

Let's find another way.

Kaya questions, ”But what if it is a double bluff? Two options, neither are correct but you waste time with both. Maybe there is a third super secret option? Or jumping in the river washes us to the proper place? Maybe we should take a couple hours and search this level with a finely toothed comb?”

"A couple of hours would be too long for me. I wish to proceed while Spider Climb remains active; if we need to ascend the chains, I am not that confident in my ability to climb without the benefit of that spell."

"And my encouragement will only last so long." reminds Khellek.

"Maybe a quick look here to see if there is indeed a double bluff going on. I do like your thinking ms Leafwing. Very Ossirian. But if we don't find something, then I may have to rely on the good graces of a levitation to rise upward. Though before trying that, perhaps mr ..err... Shadows.. would be best scouting upward. But first, let us examine this fake door."

perception, heroism: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 + 2 = 18

"Not sure on searching the place, however, I would like to take a look to see if there are any valuables that might be in the pit." Two Blades said.

Try get it to open but not fall in so I can use Detect Magic for anything of value.

As discussion about how to proceed continues, Khellek examines the false door. Two Blades seems interested in what must be a pit below, but with the trap deactivated, there seems no obvious way to get down there!

It is fearful imagination, or is the darkness really pressing in on the weak pools of light surrounding the Pathfinders?

@Two Blades: The pit below is completely covered by the stairs unless the trap is activated.

@Everyone: The question about buffs and duration is a very good point. I'm going to say that proceeding from the entrance to the throne area took about 2 minutes since you (understandably!) proceeded very cautiously. The discussion with Telendrak and whether to climb the chains was fairly lengthy and took about 5 minutes. We'll then say another 2 minutes or so to make your way over to the trap, disable it, and decide what to do next. Please adjust buff & spell durations as necessary.

From this point on, if anyone tries to cast light or a spell with the light descriptor, I'll need a caster level check (whether it's from a magic item or an innate ability).

"Want me to climb down?" Grog looks around at the group.

Khellek keeps his little light going as it starts to dim.

CL: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"I think the pit is a distraction. We can always investigate it on the way out. There may be bodies in there certainly, but I think the real prize is likely above us now."

Ok, who'd like to go where or do what next?

Kavor Doan offers a Scroll of Heroism to Khellek.
"May I ask you to cast this on me? I could, but my armor might cause it to fail."

Then he will ask, "Does anybody have a spell of Invisibility prepared or available in a scroll or potion? I can climb the chains above the throne, but I'd rather be invisible when I do so in case there are enemies up there."

Kaya follows the group back to the vertical shaft. She casts a spell upon herself and then waits to see if a scouting mission is completed or not. If not, she casts a spell on Droogami to increase his strength so he has a chance to climb decently.

Spider Climb on Self, 70m. Bull’s Strength on Droog, 7m. Take ten on climb checks for both if allowed. 21 for kitty, 16 with a climb speed for Kaya.

Grog tries to follow the druid.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Hey wait up!" He cries out then smiles.

Clarification if necessary. Kaya is 100% not going first.

"Well prepared I see Kavor Doan. I can certainly use this on you."

He takes out the scroll and quickly scans the lines before pronouncing it precisely.

If you would prefer I can cast it from my own slots, but it will start to reduce the number of haste spells I can cast.

"I think we should release the prisoner over there... but maybe on the way out." adds the scholar. "I'd like to talk with him some more."

I just need a bit of clarification on who's climbing. It sounds like Kavor Doan, Kaya, and Grog are climbing as a sort of scouting party, while Khellek, Jair, and Two Blades wait below? If that's correct, I'll advance things accordingly in my next post. (Kavor Doan, I'd need a Climb check from you; Kaya and Grog have already rolled theirs).

A scouting party was suggested, but I expected that would be a stealthy one or two scouts. This would not be Kaya. Otherwise I think we should all go together if we can’t be sneaky.

I think someone was going to levitate Khellek. He is not a good climber.

I was waiting to see if anybody had the resources to cast Invisibility on me. Otherwise, I think I do not need to roll a Climb check, given that I have Spider Climb active.

The subject gains a climb speed of 20 feet and a +8 racial bonus on Climb skill checks; furthermore, it need not make Climb checks to traverse a vertical or horizontal surface (even upside down).

But just in case I am wrong about that:

Again, waiting for the Invisibility if anyone has it before ascending.

Seeing that the group was heading up, Two Blades held up his had to pause the group so that he could scout out the route.

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23
Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Use Agile Feet if it is considered difficult terrain

Jair casts Invisibility on Kavor.

This is my only one. Use it with efficiency. says Jair to the dwarf.

I'm doomed!!!

Some of the Pathfinders start to ascend the chains!

I'm still seeing some differing views on whether one person is going, a few people are going, or the whole group is going. This is going to get complicated for . . . reasons . . . so I'm going to put us on Initiative to help things proceed intelligibly. If you've already made a roll above, you can keep it, just remind me what it was when you describe your action on your turn. To help keep track of where everyone is, please refer to the new Slide # 2. Please note that this is a *vertical* representation, where you're at the bottom trying to climb toward the top of the map (with feet markers indicated on the left). Do not worry about your horizontal relationship to each other.

Initiative (Round 1)

Kaya (spider climb, light spell)
Two Blades (light spell)
Kavor (invisible, spider climb)
Grog
Jair (wayfinder light)
Khellek (light spell)

Bold should go!

Climbing Reminder: You climb at 1/4 your normal speed (or 1/2 speed by increasing the Climb DC by 5). If you are not threatened or distracted, you can Take 10. If you fail the DC by 4 or less, you make no progress, but if you fail the DC by 5 or more, you fall. (The DC of these chains is 10.) You must have both hands free to climb (so no shields or held weapons), you lose your Dex bonus to AC, and if you take damage, you have to make an immediate Climb check or risk falling.
I'll need a new Climb check each round.

Two Blades begins climbing the chains. He makes a good start, but the clanking of the chains is certainly audible.

Just FYI, the chains impose a -5 penalty on Stealth checks.

Two Blades has moved his token to indicate he's started climbing. Is anyone else climbing here in Round 1 or should I move on?

Kavor Doan moves up just enough to keep pace with Two Blades.
Climb, ACP, Heroism, Spider Climb, Take 10: 10 + 9 - 5 + 2 + 8 = 24

Stealth, Invisible, Heroism, ACP, Chains: 1d20 + 2 + 20 + 2 - 5 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 20 + 2 - 5 - 5 = 22

Not moving yet, Kaya will let the front row have a ten foot lead.

As Kavor Doan starts up, Khgellek reminds him "You were going to levitate me.."

"Let's make sure it is safe first, Khellek.
That is the point of scouting."

Grog tries moving again.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Grog, Kavor Doan, and Two Blades start up the chains and find them relatively easy to climb, though careful hand placement is essential to avoid the wickedly sharp hooks that appear at unpredictable intervals.

The trio are about fifteen feet off the ground when a strange whistling sound can be heard above the clanking of the chains. It takes a second to realise the source: arrows are being fired from somewhere far above!

Sorry folks, even with distance penalties, you've been spotted (the bright pools of light in otherwise utter darkness is part of the problem). I'll roll Initiative for the attackers for Round 2.

Initiative (Round 2)

Kaya (spider climb, light spell)
Two Blades (light spell)
Kavor (invisible, spider climb)
Grog
Jair (wayfinder light)
Special # 2
Khellek (light spell)
Special # 1

Bold should go!

Because of the density of the chains, attacks from more than 40' away have a 20% miss chance.

Climbing Reminder: You climb at 1/4 your normal speed (or 1/2 speed by increasing the Climb DC by 5). If you are not threatened or distracted, you can Take 10. If you fail the DC by 4 or less, you make no progress, but if you fail the DC by 5 or more, you fall. (The DC of these chains is 10.) You must have both hands free to climb (so no shields or held weapons), you lose your Dex bonus to AC, and if you take damage, you have to make an immediate Climb check or risk falling.
I'll need a new Climb check each round.