GM Mustaparta's Destiny of the Sands, Part II (Inactive)

Game Master Mustaparta

"That vision...the spirits here are restless. We should move quickly, before they take offense at our presence." Katswiri eyes the obelisk, then takes a rope out of her pack and ties it to one of the pillars in the main hallway, before moving out to the edge. "If we're going to find out what that is down there, lets go."

Katswiri tosses the rope over the edge, checks that it reaches the bottom.
Assuming it does, she then will brace against the wall and make her way down.

Take 10 Climb for descending on rope with a wall to brace against.

Carlin has darkvision

Katswiri makes it safely to the (50 feet) bottom of chasm finding remains of an adventurer and that source of light is her wayfinder. Other items you find below are a wand, a gem and ring the corpse is wearing.

The restless spirits on the bridge continue harassing Carlin.

melee touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Make another DC 15 Will save

will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Can we get out of here? This thing keeps attacking me...

"Fall back to the pillar room, and we'll cross together! Threaror, pull us up!"

Wary of curses after the earlier rock, Katswiri checks that the items on the body are secured, then ties the end of the rope around the body and hangs on to be pulled up.

Willard ducks back, regrouping with the others once Katswiri is back on the level with the rest of the Pathfinders. We should rush forward all together, trying to get to the other side?

Goor idea...I can't fight their attacks off for long...I am only so stubborn... Carlin says as she bolts for the room.

Move your tokens when you cross the bridge.

When Katswiri is back up, the haunt is gone. No other threats appear in the vicinity of bridge.

Willard will cross the bridge with the others, hugging the righthand wall once he's across.

Babr moves first and then Mina.

my bad...forgot to move it...

Spellcraft, Identify: 1d20 + 9 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 10 = 21
Spellcraft, Identify: 1d20 + 9 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 10 = 30
Spellcraft, Identify: 1d20 + 9 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 10 = 31

Katswiri casts Identify and examines the magical items from the body. Once the group is ready to cross, Katswiri hurries across and takes up a position next to the door.

The items are wand of protection from evil (10 charges), gem of brightness (12 charges) and a ring of truth.

The arch around the north entrance to this hallway is covered with detailed carvings depicting the life and accomplishments of a female pharaoh. A charred corpse covered in flecks of glass is visible just inside the hallway.

perc: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Wait! There's a trap there...and the switch is over on the wall...

[dice=perc]1d20+12

Wait! There's a trap there...and the switch is over on the wall...

You succeed by more than 5 so you discover another similar switch.

Carlin will hit the first switch, then carefully activate the second.

Cross your fingers, guys...

The switches make a clicking sound. You may now search the corpse on the hallway. His pack holds notes about the ruins and correspondence from the Pathfinder Society leadership. His notes record his suspicions about a trap in the hallway and that he had located a switch to bypass it. In addition, there is a letter bearing the seal of the Decemvirate. Handout is on slide 7 Also you recover a broken scarabembossed wayfinder and a scroll of remove curse.

Knowledge: History: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Katswiri looks at the carvings, but does not recognize anything from her historical studies.

After reading the letter, Katswiri looks mildly annoyed. "So, this is the second Pathfinder sent in here. Unless the previous pathfinder was just left crushed by this person, they probably came separately. Yet, when we were tasked to come here, we were not given direct orders but had to get the information out of Torch. How many factions inside the society have learned about this place and sent agents without sharing the knowledge?"

"As a note, the scroll we found earlier could be used to ask this person questions. I'm not sure we should use it, but we could ask who gave them their briefing, if they found anything important here, or something else. We would get two questions from a scroll, I believe."

argh! didnt realize my post got eaten!

Carlin examines the notes, in case the trap the dead agent mentions isn't one they encountered yet.

these notes will have to be turned over to the sages and scribes...for the archives...

Moved you to final encounter map on slide 5.

This large columned chamber shows signs of past comforts, but an ancient battle scorched the walls and ceiling, and cracked and smashed the floor and columns. The remnants of furniture are scattered against the walls, and piles of bodies are stacked in the sleeping alcoves along the south and west walls. A dais crowned with a great, round table rises from the floor in the south part of the room. Three corpses sit around the table as if in conference, each dressed in fine silk robes. A slight breeze whistles through with a sound like a distant, murmuring voice, but there is no sense or meaning in it. An open hallway to the north leads to a natural cavern. Stairs lead downward in the northeast corner of the room, but were buried in stone when the wall collapsed.

On the table lie shards of broken ruby gem.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Willard glances over his shoulder, someone's behind us! We should hide! he urges his companions, looking with apprehension into the chamber ahead, he seems indecisive about what steps to take next, instead activating a spell lattice he has pinned to the inside of his tunic. A crackling shell of electricity appears suddenly around him, then fades out of existance.

Cast Shock Shield

perc: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

If they can see us, we might have to fight... Carlin says as her flames dance on her fingers in anticipation of casting a spell.

You have 5 rounds to explore the room before they arrive.

Well. let's get working then... Carlin says as she moves to the center of the room and scans for magic auras.

Mina starts to help to search.

perception aid : 1d20 ⇒ 11

Willard follows Mina into the room, scanning as best he can to help her find anything useful...

Perception, Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

The most obvious thing to find is remains of a broken ruby gem on the table. You also find pair of spellguard bracers from the table.

As you look at these items and three corpses seated around table, a furious man enters the room. "Who are you and why are you here?" he asks, but before you could answer "Do NOT TOUCH any treasure you found" he bellows while his associates look at you warily

Umm...who are you to tell us what to do? Carlin asks, clearly ready to throw down should it be needed.

If you have a genuine claim to these items, prove it...

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

lol...nope...well, I guess that's initiative...lol

Mina raises her hands.

She also signals to Babr to remain calm.

dipl: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

"Please let us remain calm here ... no escalation necessary!"

"We are members of the Pathfinder Society, here to catalogue and archive the lost treasures of the past ages. I would ask you the same question: you are you, and what are you doing here?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

The man calms down "My apologies dear pathfinders if I sounded too harsh. My name is Yjalk and I'm seeking a powerful weapon so I could defeat a linnorm. I would very much appreciate if you have spare magical weapons to gift me, or if you could help me search these ruins for such treasure."

Everyone can try another Diplomacy check, his picture is on slide 5.

Willard looks confused, but goes along with it. Thank you Yjalk, but we haven't found any magical weapons and are here cataloging information which some of our predecessors were unable to retrieve. A linnorm you say? My father spoke highly of them in our homeland, but I hadn't heard there were many this far removed...

diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Oh..wait...we found these...enchanted bolts...weapon type things we've found... Carlin says, offering the bolts she has.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

oh come on dicebot...really? let me guess...initiative this time? lol

Mina smiles.

dipl: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

"I am sorry but we do not just gift items and we were here first. And with first I mean we were here decades before you because some of our dead companions are still a testament to that! So please, turn around and go!" she says.

"Would you really turn away valuable help in your exploration of this place?" he asks, but at same moment him—the room trembles, the brazier in the center of the table ignites with emerald fire, and the spectral form of the Sage of Plagues rises from the flames to attack.

"We must aid them to defeat the spectre, friends!" Yjalk commands his henchmen.

Mina and Willard can act. I assume Thearor isn't posting anymore (his last post was over a month ago) so this is scaled down for four characters.

Mina casts Burst of Radiance on the spectre.

DC 18 reflex partial. This spell fills the area with a brilliant flash of shimmering light. Creatures in the area are blinded for 1d4 rounds, or dazzled for 1d4 rounds if they succeed at a Reflex save. Evil creatures in the area of the burst take 1d4 points of damage per caster level (max 5d4), whether they succeed at the Reflex save or not.

Willard begins to respond to the mercenaries, when he whirls to face the growing threat of the specter. Raising his hand, he fires a bolt of pure positive energy at the creature while backing slowly away from it.

Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Positive Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Knowledge, Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Rounds blinded: 1d4 ⇒ 1
dmg vs. evil: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 3, 3) = 15

Ghostly figure is blinded and damaged by the spell. Willard misses it, but he knows it is allip, an incorporeal undead. Its touch attack does 1d4 wisdom damage, sane creatures within 60 feet of the allip must succeed at a DC 15 Will save or be fascinated for 2d4 rounds.

Fascinated: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
merc 1's will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
merc 3's will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Nr. 1 and 3 don't do anything else than stare at the allip, which flies away from table.

Carlin can act.

will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

The sorceress fires a handful of mystical darts at the allip.

MM: 3d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) + 3 + 1 = 11

Will Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Fascinated: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Katswiri stares at the creature, entranced.

merc 2's will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Yjalk's will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Signe's will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

They all just stare at the spectre.

It would be Katswiri's turn, but shes staring as well. Mina and Willard begin 2nd round

Mina moves back and casts Burst of Radiance on the spectre.

DC 18 reflex partial. This spell fills the area with a brilliant flash of shimmering light. Creatures in the area are blinded for 1d4 rounds, or dazzled for 1d4 rounds if they succeed at a Reflex save. Evil creatures in the area of the burst take 1d4 points of damage per caster level (max 5d4), whether they succeed at the Reflex save or not.

evil damage: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 3, 4) = 12

Second casting makes the evil spirit fade away. Mercenaries and Yjalk blink their eyes having clearly difficulties believing what just happened. Combat over

Is that it? Are we sure? I'm starting to really, really not like this place... Carlin says as she looks around, expecting more bugaboos to coalesce at any time.

Is everyone still in one piece?

Willard nods, Yes, that was an allip, it drains the minds of people, I'm glad Mina was able to bring her magic to bear on it. Simply fascinating! he says, jotting down some notes in his journal for later; completely ignoring the mercenaries now - forgotten.

"Your courage and skill at arms is without parallel. If you need a ship back to Absalom, if thats where you're going, you're more than welcome with us." Yjalk bows to you

Amenopheus arrives 1 hour after the you have contacted him about the broken sage jewel. At first he bemoans the loss of the jewel, but he quickly realizes that the shards hold a glimmer of magic and may still contain several of the Ruby Sage’s memories. Amenopheus uses his magic to contact the spirit of the Ruby Sage Picture at slide 6, who briefly animates her nearby corpse and restores it to how she must have appeared in life.

"Thank you pathfinders, for putting my colleague’s spirit to eternal rest. I was slain by the Emerald Sage, who lost his mind due to isolation in this fortress. Through the jewel I've maintained enough consciousness to know that only day before, the topaz and emerald jewels sat on this table alongside my corpse. The thief was man named Kafar, who had intentions of delivering the jewels to the Diamond Sage in a region known as the Pillars of the Sun. It strikes me as odd that the Diamond Sage would collect the gems there instead of finding new candidates to become sages elsewhere in Osirion." ghost of Ruby sage says to which Amenopheus concurs and adds "Jewels may now be in the hands of known enemies of the Pathfinder Society."

"I'm offering you gift of mythic power if you agree to chase down this thief, reclaim the stolen jewels, and find the Diamond Sage to learn what she intends." assuming you agree her corpse slumps and returns to its desiccated form.

Amenopheus teleports you back to Eto to resupply before you make the trek to the south. He warns you that the Pillars of the Sun is a very dangerous region of towering rocks, searing wind, and terrible beasts. With the fate of his order riding on your success, he announces that he will accompany you to Sanctum of the Sages.

END of scenario

Of course we will finish what we started...

Back in Eto, Carlin heads for the lodge's baths.

I need a long soak to get rid of the sand. You would think since I was brought up in Katheer, I wouldn't mind it. Nope...not a fan of it... she says after dropping her gear off to be thoroughly cleaned.

And we go into the sand again next...ugh!

Mina Asal stood before her companions, Babr, her loyal celestial tiger, by her side.

“Pathfinders, we have accomplished what many deemed impossible. We have silenced the tormented spirit of the Ruby Sage, granting her the eternal rest she deserved! But our task is not yet complete. With the guidance of Amenopheus, we shall venture into the Pillars of the Sun! I … I can feel the power of the Ruby Sage coursing through me!!“

"This is an amazing find. The ancient jeweled sages...the knowledge, the history this place represents is incredible. We must ensure that this does not become lost or fall into the wrong hands."

Katswiri will take three paintings in her pathfinder journal to document the expedition; one of the visions granted by the haunt, one of the puzzle of Nethys, and one of the final room.