Zero's #3-01 Intro: Year of Shattered Sanctuaries (Outpost VI) (Inactive)

Game Master Super Zero

Our adventure begins in the Grand Lodge of Absalom, where Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin has summoned some Pathfinders to help Rain in Cloudy Day with an urgent task. When they arrive in the venture-captain’s office, they find Rain in a desperate state.

But before we get to that, why don't you introduce yourselves?

But before we get to that, why don't you dot and delete* since this game won't start until Outpost VI begins on March 7th?

* Make a post as the character you're using for the game, then delete it. It will add it to your list of campaigns to make it easier to find.

"A fellow Pathfinder in need? Now, we can't let that go." a melodious voice fills the room. A lithe figure can now be seen in the doorframe, which you cannot discern well at first because of the sunglare. Three steps as light and graceful as a dancer's and the feminine figure stands before you, yet not with as many colours as the voice might have suggested. The figure comes into view as an ashen-skinned woman, half of her face and body covered with flowing white hair, and dressed in leather armor. Among the profusion of hair on her back, a large elven curved blade engraved with strange signs can be found. The elf - as her ears unmistakenably mark - holds out her hand for you. "I'm Ennoia Rylintar. Well met." she simply says.

Wearing his explorer's clothing with a dagger at the belt as usual the apparently human technomancer arrive in the room of the Grand lodge of Absalom where he meets Rain again.

Hello Rain, nice to meet you again. How are your since the last time in the vault? You seem worried.

A very large, very green, very shirtless orc stomps into the room, a weapon collection reminiscent of Marcos Farabellus's is attached to his back via a series of belts, although curiously it mostly contains tridents.

"Khagra" thumps their chest as they introduce themself.

A dwarf that seems to be made of stone nods to everyone.

"I am Ghardak. Used to be a miner and got caught in a cave-in. Thought I died and I came to, and turned to rock. Guess I was meant for something else other than smashing rocks. Not that it isn't a noble profession," the dwarf says.

Rain in Cloudy Day stands on a chair behind a large oak desk covered with documents. “Ah, you’ve arrived! What a relief! I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment, and I could use your help. The Pathfinder Society leadership is in a closed-door meeting right now, reviewing the latest news from Iobaria, the distant land where the Society has focused its efforts of late. I can’t wait to hear more about all the interesting things our agents discovered there! But, while they’re busy, I’ve been asked to catalog the flood of correspondence from our Inner Sea lodges. Just look at all these letters! Ambrus—that is, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin—asked me to sort and summarize all of it, but there’s so much! And, I’m not ashamed to admit that with my relative inexperience, all of it seems urgent! I’ve got to put a report together, but I’m overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar names and places! Here, take these letters. See what you can make of them. I’d hate to miss something important and disappoint the venture-captain, and I think the meeting is almost over.”

Rain quickly shoves letters towards each of the approaching Pathfinders.

Image added to the Slides.

Only look at the spoiler block with your character's name on it, but you are encouraged to share your findings with one another.
There is only time for you to use the Analyze Valsin's Correspondence action once each, though you may decide to swap letters before making your checks. These will be secret checks, so make your choice and post your bonus, or put the dice roll in a spoiler block yourself.
Of course, feel free to suggest Lore skills that aren't listed but are appropriate.

Solveig is a well built Ulfen woman, wearing light armor and shield. At her side, an axe and a sword. Around her neck, she has symbol representing a shadowed golden owl eye.

Greetings, I'm Solveig, Shield Maiden, nice to meet you all!

She starts reading the letter that Rain in Cloudy Day gave her.

Solveig recognizes the name Harbormaster Hansara Molnesh as one of the city’s many harbormasters in charge of managing the cargo flowing to and from Absalom on hundreds of ships each day. She is known for her uncanny ability to predict the weather.

The android reads carefully the handed letter to try to help the leshy.

Pathfinder society lore: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Ghardak starts reading the note, slowly. He's not great with this reading thing. He scratches his head and small pebbles drop off.

Society: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Ennoia glances at the letter she took with a wary look. "Any of you a barrister, perchance? I feel that this legal matter should be addressed by someone well-versed in these obscure and convoluted matters - but that person isn't me." she explains. "This is about a legal claim in the Almas cathedral. Most annoying to Venture-Captain Brackett."

Almas Lore, Pathfinder Society Lore, Religion, or Society. If no one has better than +5 (my Society score), I'll do the secret roll, but maybe Legalistic Lore or something could be helpful?

Khagra shakes his head to Ennoia.

"Khagra letter also challenging. Maybe somebody knows something about undead in Osirion?"

Arcana, Pathfinder Society Lore, Society, or Sothis Lore here. No help on Ennoia's skills though. Looking for Medicine, Survival or Warfare Lore.

Well I can help for your tasks if we have time. But I'm not sure we have it.

"Mine is about some lodge in Sedeq needing help from the Pathfinders. Don't know much about that place," Ghardak says.

Mercantile Lore, Pathfinder Society Lore, Sedeq Lore, or Society

I'm more a warrior and a diplomat than a savant...

says Solveig +3 Lore Pathfinder Society here...

As no one steps forth, Ennoia will try to understand the depths of the matter contained in the Almas letter.

Mec-02 knows that Varian Jeggare is a half-elven wizard. He is almost always accompanied by his bodyguard Radovan and his faithful dog Arnisant. He runs a secret lodge from his manor in Cheliax, a nation known for its ties to devils and authoritarian rule where most Pathfinder activity is forbidden. The Grand Lodge’s own archivist, Zarta Dralneen, was once a paracountess of Cheliax before becoming the leader of the Dark Archive, a former Pathfinder faction devoted to finding dangerous relics and occult knowledge.

In addition, about 10 years ago, Varian Jeggare found and returned the infamous Lacuna Codex—a book of powerful, evil spells—to the Decemvirate in Absalom.

Ghardak isn't able to come up with anything in particular, nor is Ennoia.

Rain in Cloudy day is enthralled with the information shared by the other Pathfiders, eagerly writing it all down in his notebook. He particularly perks up at Mec-02's mention of the Dark Archive. "I'm still a novice myself, you know. I want to learn more about all the older Pathfinder factions!"

That leaves Letters #3 and 5.

The android looks at the barbarian: Well, Khagra, I think I can help.

And he checks out the letter handed out by Rain.

Pathfinder society lore, letter #3:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

For the last letter I'm waiting as the player hasn't still checked.

The Sandswept Hall in Osirion’s capital was for many years one of the most active Pathfinder Society lodges, due to being located in one of the oldest and most prosperous empires in the Inner Sea. Osirion’s interests once warranted the dedication of an entire Pathfinder
Society faction, a group that eventually tied itself to the Scarab Sages to pursue ancient knowledge and the artifacts known as sage jewels.

Khagra nods and tries to make sense of #5 (Taldor)

lore?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

A jovial half-orc, unarmed and clad only in robes, comes rushing in. "Sorry to be late, sorry to be late! Wouldn't you know that the evening prayers ran long *again*! But here I am, better late than never I hope you'll suppose, and ready to do my best in your service, of that you can have no doubt! Tai Ghee they call me over here, on account of my birth name bein' a jaw breaker, I can't deny it, but then that's how orc mamas show their love, and after how papa broke her heart - " an uncharacteristic scowl crosses the monk's face - "well, I guess it's no wonder she carried a wee orc grudge an' taught me the fine arts of fighting before she sent me to get some discipline and perfect them fighting arts, which I can't say as I've quite *perfected* 'em, but I sure do like to practice 'em!"

Tai Ghee turns his attention to the letter proffered by Rain and quickly scans it. "Dear me, this doesn't sound good at all - some miscreants are acting against Grand Princess Eutropia but they've got wayfinders on 'em! And them wayfinders is bearing the mark of somebody of the name Muesello, whom Lady Morilla seems to be most concerned about. Unfortunately, them hours I spent in the monastery has left me singularly unknowledged 'bout these kinds of high society affairs!"

Tai Ghee has none of the required skills, though he can offer Library Lore +3 (when he's not fighting in the monastery he's assigned to the library). If it's still needed, he also has Medicine +7.

Muesello? Someone does recognize that name. He is a manipulative tinkerer who enchants wayfinders so he can spy on the Pathfinders who carry them.

Doesn't actually matter who rolls what check for that one--natural one on the secret check. Of course, telling you that sort of defeats teh point of a secret check, but, well:

"Really!" says Rain, scribbling it down.
"You know... this looks like a pattern--d'you think these crises could be related? Well, nevermind that. I need to put the finishing touches on my report. Any chance you could give me some more details about the--"

A tall human man with tan skin and dark, meticulously groomed hair throws open the doors and strides into the office: Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin clearly has something urgent on his mind. Rain in Cloudy Day jumps up to interrupt him, proclaiming that the report summarizing the correspondence is ready. The venture-captain, taken aback, accepts the journal that Rain shoves into his hands. Rain watches expectantly as
Valsin skims the report.

Ambrus Valsin nods to those gathered and says in a gruff voice, “Ah, yes. Thank you Rain, agents. Let me see… this is all quite worrying! Your thoroughness is praiseworthy. Unfortunately, we cannot act on any of this right now. Another urgent matter has come up, right on our doorstep. I need agents to go to the Blakros Museum and meet with Curator Adjutant Seshuun, who is temporarily in charge. I do not have any details, but she’s requested the Society’s immediate presence, and she seems upset. We’ve worked hard to establish a working relationship with the museum, and I do not want it to fall to pieces now with everything else going on. Please help the curator with anything she may need, and if you can, try to make a good first impression.

“Rain and I will remain here and bring this report to the Society’s leadership. Some of this is quite serious, and we’ll take it all the way to the Decemvirate if needed!”

Image added to the Slides.

The Venture-Captain pauses and frowns at a page in Rain's notes. "This isn't right," he says, "The nation of Taldor, once a sprawling empire, has long sought to restore its former glory. Lady
Gloriana Morilla is a former venture-captain who supported the rise of Taldor’s new monarch, Grand Princess Eutropia. Muesello is the current venture-captain, and he spends much of his time tinkering with custom wayfinders for Pathfinder agents."

He also reminds Rain to reference multiple sources before compiling official reports in the future. The novice Pathfinder hastily writes down this advice in a section of his journal labeled "How to Report."

"Well, thank you for your help," the leshy says with a wave, "I never would have finished before the meeting was done sorting it by myself!"

"Rain, you didn't actually have to--"

"Let me thank you!" Rain produces several small vials of healing potion. "Take these! And I'll give you one of my bombs, too."

Rain in Cloudy Day gives you four lesser healing potions and your choice of one moderate acid flask, alchemist's fire, tanglefoot bag, or thunderstone.

Tai Ghee takes one of the healing potions and tucks it into his robes. "So, off to the Blakros Museum, eh? Well this should be a stroll in the park - nothing too interesting ever happens there!"

It seems that we are waited at the museum indeed.

Khagra nods "Khagra doesn't like waiting, imagine Blakros don't like waiting either."

"Yes, let's head to the museum. Better than this uh.. paperwork," Ghardak says.

The Pathfinders' journey from the Grand Lodge in the Foreign Quarter to the Blakros Museum in the Wise Quarter is uneventful.

Gardeners and landscapers busily haul plants and building materials through the gardens that flank the path leading to the imposing, multistory building that is the Blakros Museum. Its outer walls are crafted almost entirely from a single chunk of volcanic rock. A woman stands near the entrance, speaking with several of the workers in a calm yet commanding voice. She has deep blueish-purple skin and vibrant teal markings, denoting her ancestry as one of the aquatic azarketi.

Image added to Slides.
Anyone who wants to can attempt a Nature check to identify what they're working on. Anyone who's been to Iobaria automatically succeeds.

As you approach, she introduces herself. "Hello, I am Seshuun, interim curator of the museum. This exhibit is not open--or did you have business with me?

Nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Khagra takes a moment to look at the exhibits before saying hellow to Seshuun.

"Khagra here." sweeping his arm towards himself and companions "Pathfinders."

Solveig follows her comrades to the Blakros Museum. She heard some stories about it, good and bad, but mostly bad...

She doesn't know what to expect.

Being Ulfen i don't know if she knows about Ioabara flora.
Nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Greetings, Sheshuun. I'm Solveig Moonshield, Pathfinder. We have been sent by Ambrus Valsin to assist you in anything you need.

With the introduction made the android waits for knowing the reason of their presence at the museum. They were asked to go there but why?

“So, you’re the ones Valsin sent to fix this mess," Seshuun says,
"No, not the gardens. The shipment! You know, the relics? The Iobarian relics? Surely you can explain why the shipment hasn’t been delivered yet. The Sixwing Drake should have arrived with the relics by now, but I’ve heard no word. We can make the gardens look as authentic as we want, but nobody is going to visit an empty exhibit. The recent business with the curator, Nigel Aldain, has tarnished the museum’s reputation enough as it is. I can’t allow the Society’s delays to cause further problems. You look like you might have questions. Please tell me you can help?”

Per Ambrus Valsin’s request, the Pathfinders may wish to make a good first impression on Seshuun in addition to any questions they may have for her.

Each PC can attempt a Diplomacy check to Make an Impression, or an Academia Lore, Azarketi Lore, or Iobaria Lore check to Recall Knowledge.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Solveig tries to be as polite as possible.

I'm sure, the bad reputation of the previous curator will be quickly forgotten with you.

"We'll do what we can but we need more information," Ghardak says.

Knowing he’s a bad diplomat the android stays quiet.

Seshuun sighs. "I'm sorry. I find myself in this role rather suddenly, and it's a lot. I'd like this to become a permanent role, so I'm concerned with looking good to my superiors--but you're trying to establish a working relationship. I should also be doing that, and instead I'm snapping at you like it's your fault.

"If you don't already have information on the delay, can I ask you to find some? Head to the docks to see if you can find out what's going on, and bring the relics back for the exhibit."

Despite saying she wants to establish a better relationship, her posture is still fairly rigid.

Feel free to ask any other questions. Anyone who hasn't can make a check to try to impress her--and you can certainly argue for other skills.

The android is inclined to move quickly to the harbor to solve the problem. The more time they loose the more risk they take to get a bigger issue.

Khagra puts on a big smile and tries his best not to be offensive.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

"Khagra and friends go find out what happened, right now."

Ennoia steps in, belated by extensive work back at the Grand Lodge. She bows curteously to Seshuun. "Allow me to apologize for our rude manners. We are indeed Pathfinders, and we are here to help. It is our sincerest wish to establish a long-lasting relationship with you, as well as the museum. Let the past not marr our meeting, if you please. I am Ennoia Rylintar. Well met."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Uh oh, using a Hero Point to reroll this
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Not much better...

"I wish you'd tell us more about this shipment. Ambrus hasn't told us much, truth be told. You know him. So in a hurry to get to business that he forgets to tell us the gist. Who's your contact at the docks? Also, what are these relics?"

One hero point left

“Several interesting items, I’m told! I’m not sure the Society has even had time to look over all of them yet. I still need time to catalog them, so this delay is causing quite a headache.”

She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but as it's a collection of items I haven't reviewed yet, I don't have any more information to share."

Sorry. Mother's birthday.

The android claps his fingers against his fingers of the other hand waiting for the departure.

Finally it doesn't seem so urgent. So we can perhaps study a while at the library of the Great Lodge.

This thought isn't because the GM hasn't posted before... Happy birthday to your mother

Ghardak looks around the museum, trying to see anything that'll connect to his dwarf or miner heritage. Hopefully he doesn't break anything...

Miner lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Sorry for the posting delay - back from my trip and getting caught up.

Nature, untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Tai Ghee notices that most of the plants are fake. "It seems like someone is trying to make this garden look something straight from Iobaria. How odd. Marketing for the upcoming exhibit, I suppose.."

Tai Ghee doesn't have Diplomacy or any of those Lores but if Library Lore can substitute for Academia Lore then...
Library Lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

He shrugs. "Guess we should head to the docks."

Seshuun smiles when Tai Ghee brings up the Iobarian plants. "Yes! I was... trying?" Her face falls a little, but she recovers to a neutral expression. "That is itself part of the exhibit, yes."

The book recommends that I should now award a Hero Point "...to the player whose PC had the greatest success in impressing Seshuun." Which would be... Solveig.

The journey from the Blakros Museum to the docks doesn’t take long. The waterfront teems with activity and the sights and sounds of one of the Inner Sea’s largest ports. Once the Pathfinders navigate through the crowded streets, they can approach any one of the dozens of dockworkers,
who wave them toward the docks where they can find Harbormaster Hansara Molnesh and the Sixwing Drake.

Hansara Molnesh is a tall, broad-shouldered Garundi woman with weathered bronze skin and graying hair. She directs a small group of dockworkers who are busy loading barrels onto a sleek, blue-sailed ship emblazoned with the name Sixwing Drake in faded paint. She hails the PCs and asks their business at the docks.

Khagra grunts and points to his Wayfinder "We Pathfinders." he then grunts and points to the Sixwing Drake "Why our ship being loaded? Blakrose museum not have unloaded goods yet."

The android looks around to see where the crates could have been unloaded. Because the orc is right: you have to unload a ship before to load it again.

Ennoia bows curteously once more, though unsure of her understanding of cosmopolitan customs. "We are Pathfinders indeed, here to claim the goods destined to reach the Blakros Museum. Isn't that the Sixwing Drake? I thought the goods we are to take care of were supposed to come off that ship. May we have an explanation, please?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

The harbormaster frowns in confusion. “Someone already came by to get the shipment. At least… I think they did? They were… hmm. To be honest, I can’t remember. Come to think of it, everything that happened this morning is all… cloudy. Wait, you're right, why are the workers loading cargo on the ship?!” She turns to the crew gathered on the docks and the Sixwing Drake and shouts, “Hey, listen up! The Pathfinders are here for the shipment! Let’s get to work!”

Moments later, a dockhand on the upper deck steps rigidly toward a stack of barrels and says something inaudible over the din of the harbor.

A series of massive explosions obliterates the Sixwing Drake, spewing flames and charred debris onto the docks.

Almost difficult to catch among the fire and explosion, some dark orange runes glow towards the end of the dock. Fires burst into being there, but not ordinary fire. One takes a shape much like a rat made of smoldering charcoal and elemental fire, with noxious fumes continually bellow from its flaming flesh. Another looks like roiling clouds of black smoke churning above a mound of burning refuse. Leering faces form and fade in the smoke above, while the burning trash writhes in spasmodic lurches, obviously alive.

As the smoke from the burning rat begins to spread, it becomes more difficult to get a good look at them.

The dozen surviving dockworkers stumble about in awe for a moment before Hansara Molnesh commands them to start putting out the mundane fires that threaten to spread to other docks. She shouts to the Pathfinders, “We’ll take care of the fire—you handle those living flames!”

Before she's even finished saying it, the flaming rat scurries across the dock. The smoke engulfs Khagra, Tai Ghee, and Ghardak, and they become very suddenly very aware of how foul these fumes are. The rat snaps at Khagra, and at first it seems like it might be hindered by its own smoke (critical failure). But then it clamps hard onto Ghardak's leg and proves that idea faulty; he's also a little bit on fire, now. (12 fire damage, and 1d4 persistant fire damage).

Khagra's turn. Anyone who starts their turn within 5 feet of the Cinder Rat must make a DC 22 Fort save or be sickened 10

Initiative:
Khagra (concealed; DC 22 Fort save or be sickened 1)
Filth Fire
Ennoia
Solveig
Mec-02
Tai Ghee (concealed)
Ghardak (-12; 1d4 persistent fire; concealed)
Cinder Rat (concealed)

"Ouch..." Ghardak says, as pebbles fall from from the wound.

fort: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Khagra coughs and sputters before rexoverinf, drawing a trident, letting out a roar and a stab.

flat: 1d20 ⇒ 19
stabrat: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
piercing+fire: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 = 15

draw, rage, stab. 6thp ans -1 AC