|
Schek looks to his left and right, confused that maybe Rain is talking to somebody other than him. But the leshy mentions his name, making him more confused as to how Rain knows him. He tries to remember but there is no moment they had met before, but he rides with his greeting. "Rain! How are you? We have been looking for you. Where have you been? Do you have bandages? I need some medical treatment." he replies to Rain.
|
|
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Rain looks startled at Schek Nek's words.
"Why have you been looking for me? I've had such an adventure! Would you like to hear it?"
Without waiting for your approval, Rain launches into his story.
"I secured a boat travelling from Absalom to the Taldan city of Cassomir, on the edge of the Blackwood Swamp. I planned to spend two days at an inn in Cassomir's Imperial Naval Shipyards district. I then planned to set out to explore the nearby swamplands, record what I could along the swamp's outer edge, and then return to record my findings in Cassomir before catching a boat back to Absalom.
After bad weather delayed his voyage to Cassomir, I ended up spending all my remaining gold on increased inn costs. During his one-night stay in town, half of my provisions were stolen, along with the pack mule I stabled at the inn. After that, the guide I hired to help me navigate the swamp never showed up. Following all of this, I decided to brave the swamps anyway, hoping beyond hope to uncover something within the Blackwood Swamp that could let him pass his Confirmation. I got lost and stumbled upon an enclave of lizardfolk, who mistook me for a smuggler or other miscreant and took me in for questioning.
After I wandered into Tskikha territory, Chief Thakik gave me permission to explore the nearby area. I found some nearby ruins and began to decipher what few markers remained on them. I've discovered that the settlement belonged to ancient Azlanti survivors from the time of Earthfall, and specifically appeared to be part of Nacar-Azen, an ancient Azlanti city-state."
As you listen to Rain's story, Kazuuk walks up to you. "Is one of you named Alanosse? We just received word by magical sending that you did not completely fill in your insurance form that makes the Pathfinder Society not liable for anything that happens to you. It's pretty boilerplate stuff and straightforward. The document is HERE"
|
"Rain," Korgarr interjects. "You have not reported back to the Pathfinder Society. Reports are a major part of our charter... especially for new initiates. Kreighton, Sorrina, and Marcos are worried about you. We were sent to find you and then to help you finish your discovery of the ruins. This is important, little shroom, to complete your Confirmation. Show us what you have found."
|
|
Rain looks at Korgarr and says, a bit () apologetically, "Oh, I must have forgotten! I mean, this is great a discovery!"
As Rain concludes his tale, Chief Thakik approaches you.
"Ah, I see you have reconnected with your fellow Pathfinder-in- training. I wish this reunion could be under better circumstances." Thakik pauses and looks back in the direction of the enclave.
"Our scouts report that the creatures that attacked came from a larger set of these ruins, deeper in the swamp. They emerged from a partially submerged structure, meaning we have no idea of the threat within—but we assume the site is quite dangerous. I know Rain in Cloudy Day has been interested in investigating these ruins, but the risk is too great. However, our enclave can't afford to withstand more of these attacks." Thakik looks over the assembled group, as well as Rain.
"Would you be willing to venture into this structure and find out what has agitated the creatures within?"
Without even waiting, Rain jumps up, "Definitely! We'll go at first light! Oh this is so exciting!! You'll accompany me, right?" he looks at you, hopeful.
|
|
"Excellent. Now that's settled, I would like to invite you all to dine with Kazuuk and myself. I suggest you stay the night before venturing out into the swamp. I will also have a hut prepared for your use."
Your meal with Chief Thakik and Kazuuk includes turtle soup and a sweet dish made of nuts and berries. The iruxi also serve Rain a dish of dead leaves and decaying swamp moss, which he consumes with gusto.
|
|
"You have nothing else to fear from the swamp for now. We have never ventured inside the ruin. Rain has wanted to explore it but I have not the manpower needed to enter the ruin with him." Chief Thakik answers.
As promised, the journey to the ruins is only a 2-hour hike through the swamp, and Rain in Cloudy Day can lead the way. A stone platform sits at a skewed angle out of the muck, and rampant foliage covers most of it. A long stone stairway descends below the plinth and into the structure. The stairway would normally be obscured, but the recent movement of creatures in the area has pushed the obfuscating foliage aside.
"Oooh! This is exciting! A new discovery!" Rain says, clearly excited.
|
|
A polished tan white stone stairway leads down into a large, worked chamber made of similar styled stone. Stairs ascend along the chamber’s northern end to a raised platform. Two halls branch from the raised area, one to the north covered in debris, while the other to the west connects to a wider hall heading north. A sealed stone door to the east bars access beyond. A large crack along the eastern wall of the lower section continues into a damp cavern replete with the smell of flora.
Emerging from the crack in the eastern wall is a creature that doesn't look friendly.
The creature steps forward and shoots a pressurized stream of mud at Haohji, which hits him and Schek Nek.
Rain immediately begins singing. His voice gives you some measure of courage. He then steps forward and chucks a spore pod at the creature.
Rain's spore pod hits the creature, though you're not sure if it had any effect or not.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Inspire Courage (1 rd; +1 attack/damage/saves vs fear)
Before Your Turn:
DC 18 Basic Reflex vs 8 Bludgeoning: Haohji, Schek Nek
------------------
Those with ** may go
Creature (-6)
Rain in Cloudy Day
**Korgarr Thunderbolt - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/20 (AC 20)
**Schek Nek - AC 18 (20 w/shield, 21 vs Hunted Prey), 16/16
**Haohji Umesaki - AC 17, 22/22
**Alanossë - AC 18, 28/28
--------------------------------
CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE
--------------------------------
CS: Unaffected
S: Half Damage
F: Full Damage
CF: Double Damage, -10 Speed (1 rd)
|
|
Korgarr causes rocks to appear under the mudman's feet. The rocks thoroughly batter the creature's legs.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Inspire Courage (1 rd; +1 attack/damage/saves vs fear)
Before Your Turn:
DC 18 Basic Reflex vs 8 Bludgeoning: Haohji, Schek Nek
------------------
Those with ** may go
Creature (-16)
Rain in Cloudy Day
Korgarr Thunderbolt - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/20 (AC 20)
**Schek Nek - AC 18 (20 w/shield, 21 vs Hunted Prey), 16/16
**Haohji Umesaki - AC 17, 22/22
**Alanossë - AC 18, 28/28
--------------------------------
CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE
--------------------------------
CS: Unaffected
S: Half Damage
F: Full Damage
CF: Double Damage, -10 Speed (1 rd)
|
Throwing himself to the side, Hoahji manages to avoid the worst of it! Snatching his knucks from his belt, the brawler slips in and swings at their assailant's head, quickly following up with a kick to the knee!
◆ Draw one set of knucks
◆ Stride
◆ Snagging Strike
You combine an attack with quick grappling moves to throw an enemy off balance as long as it stays in your reach. Make a Strike while keeping one hand free. If this Strike hits, the target is flat-footed until the start of your next turn or until it’s no longer within the reach of your hand, whichever comes first.
|
|
Schek evades the pressurized stream of mud. He designates the attacker as his prey. He then distracts the Creature by pointing in the opposite direction as if telling there is something behind them.
He then throws the spear he is holding at the Creature.
piercing damage
◆ Hunt Prey (Creature)
◆ Create a Diversion
◆ Strike
|
|
Schek Nek and Haohji nimbly avoid the mud and strike back. Haohji manages to grapple the creature and Schek Nek manages to trick it into looking a different way while he chucks a spear at it. However, Schek Nek's spear appears to slow down as it enters the mud man's body.
The creature appears to be about to disintegrate but it's still up.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Inspire Courage (1 rd; +1 attack/damage/saves vs fear)
Before Your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go
Creature (-29)
Rain in Cloudy Day
Korgarr Thunderbolt - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/20 (AC 20)
Schek Nek - AC 18 (20 w/shield, 21 vs Hunted Prey), 12/16
Haohji Umesaki - AC 17, 18/22
**Alanossë - AC 18, 28/28
|
|
Alanosse drops into a fighting stance and sends an arrow at the mud man. The arrow hits, though it's hard to tell if it did any damage at all.
The creature swings a solid looking fist at Haohji.
The mud man hangs on the Haohji.
Rain continues singing and chucks two more spore pods at the creature.
But both pods miss.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Inspire Courage (1 rd; +1 attack/damage/saves vs fear)
Before Your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go
Creature (-30; Grabbing Haohji)
Rain in Cloudy Day
**Korgarr Thunderbolt - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/20 (AC 20)
**Schek Nek - AC 18 (20 w/shield, 21 vs Hunted Prey), 12/16
**Haohji Umesaki - AC 17, 8/22 (Grabbed, Immobilized, FF)
**Alanossë - AC 18, 28/28
|
|
Alanosse breaks the points off two of his arrows and sends them at the mud man. The first misses but the other connects solidly.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Inspire Courage (1 rd; +1 attack/damage/saves vs fear)
Before Your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go
Creature (-37; Grabbing Haohji)
Rain in Cloudy Day
**Korgarr Thunderbolt - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/20 (AC 20)
**Schek Nek - AC 18 (20 w/shield, 21 vs Hunted Prey), 12/16
**Haohji Umesaki - AC 17, 8/22 (Grabbed, Immobilized, FF)
Alanossë - AC 18, 28/28
|
|
Haohji, sick of being grappled, first by that stupid snake and now by this mud man! The brawler brings an uppercut at the mud creature's apparent head!
◆ Snagging Strike
You combine an attack with quick grappling moves to throw an enemy off balance as long as it stays in your reach. Make a Strike while keeping one hand free. If this Strike hits, the target is flat-footed until the start of your next turn or until it’s no longer within the reach of your hand, whichever comes first.
Following it up, Haohji brings a knee up into the side of the muck man!
◆◆ Power Attack
But he cannot find purchase on the mud!
|
|
Haohji takes careful notes of Korgarr's medicinal practice, Mud? Isn't that counter to cleaning the wound? Aaa!
The stinging of the mud is extremely uncomfortable, but the brawler chooses instead to shut his trap and trust in his fellow Pathfinder... A good twenty minutes later, he feels amazing! Damn, I never would have thought that this muck would have any healing properties. After you added that moss, it seems to work so much better! Thanks, Kor!
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”Har Har Har!” Korgarr laughs out loud and claps the human on the back friendly-like. ”Me Ma always told me to ‘get up, shut up, and rub some dirt on it’ whenever I had a fall. Got my druidismness from her ‘parently! Much easier than carrying around all those tools the medics use! Korgarr doesn’t mention that he forgot the moss the first time. ”Glad I could help ye, lad!”
|
|
Korgarr makes a thorough search of the area. In a chamber off to the side, manages to find an unlocked chest holding 25gp and a Dusty Rose Prism Aeon Stone.
With Rain in the lead, supported by Schek Nek and Haohji, you enter the hole in the wall where the mud man came through.
Caves stretch out from several breaks in the walls of the stone complex. Though the cave is mostly damp, patches of permafrost show up regularly within the dug dirt walls. In several places, moisture has come through the dirt, only to be frozen in place. Along the east, several smaller tunnels, too small for even a child, connect to hidden passages beyond.
Schek Nek notices some fungus growing at the bottom of the steps. He mentions it to Rain.
"Oh! I can speak with them. What do you want me to say to them?"
|
|
** spoiler omitted **
Korgarr makes a thorough search of the area. In a chamber off to the side, manages to find an unlocked chest holding 25gp and a Dusty Rose Prism Aeon Stone.
Being a dwarf, Korgarr of course will scoop up the treasure. He already has a shield tho, so he offers it to anyone else that wants it.
(this is obviously group loot, just wanted to play it out so we dont leave it behind)
|
|
You recall that these are harmless fungi that grow underground.
Excited, Rain casts his spell and spends some time talking to the fungi, convincing them that you are not hostile. He smiles and reports back, saying that the fungi will let you pass, as long as you don't get too close to them or try to touch them in any way.
You follow the cave and come to a large chamber. A massive stone column ten feet wide rises from the tiled floor of this circular chamber. Strange glyphs dance along the column, pulsing with dull green light, though many of the glyphs wink in and out of existence as though malfunctioning. The ceiling here ascends twenty feet from the floor. Collapsed stone debris prevents the use of two connecting halls to the west and southwest, while breaks in the eastern walls open the area to an adjacent network of caves. A single five-foot-wide hall exits to the north.
Rain notices writing at the base of the central column and is eager to study it.
You notice a summoning rune at the base of the pillar.