Gameplay thread
In Cheliax, in Katapesh, and even in the City at the Center of the World: wherever each of you was recuperating from your latest mission a missive found you several weeks ago. Coming from Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin, its contents were brief but full of dire import.
I received an urgent request from Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir. He has called for experienced agents to be dispatched to the Sandswept Hall in Sothis, the capital of Osirion. He reports that the vaults beneath the lodge have become infested by undead. He has already enlisted most of the nearby agents to combat the undead legions, but the numbers of undead are increasing. It may be only a matter of time until the living dead breach the lodge’s defenses and break through to the surface, threatening the city itself.
To make a dire situation worse, the Ruby Prince has tightened restrictions on the activities of foreign-based explorers such as the Pathfinder Society. Word of a threat rising from within the Sandswept Hall may be enough to convince him to close the lodge permanently.
Go to the Sandswept Hall and report to Balentiir. Be alert and be discreet—we must resolve this situation quickly so as not to risk angering the Ruby Prince, which is why I’ve sent some of our most capable agents to handle the job.
I know you are seasoned in battle, but the living dead are unyielding foes. Take care not to allow yourselves to become added to their number.
With the highest of confidence,
—Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
And so you set out to answer Balentiir's call. Over land, river, and sea you have journeyed long but now finally find yourselves arrived in Sothis. The massive and prosperous capital of Osirion, Sothis' skyline is dominated by an enormous beetle shell that is all that remains from when the nation's first pharaoh slew the Spawn Ulunat. Over the millennia a full metropolis has sprung up and grown around the preserved husk and the city's streets thrum with life and trade.
As far as the rumors of undead go, it's Osirion after all. Many unliving creatures have been found within the tombs of some ancient Osirian officials, magic users, and royalty. While some undead found in Osirion were intentionally created to serve as protectors or sentinels over burial sites or temples, few of those such are known to exist within the city limits of Sothis, instead such sites generally lying in remote locations far from the capital. Many undead carry horrible diseases: filth fever, necrotic boils, zombie rot, and even mummy rot being but a small fraction of the variety of ailments the unliving can carry and spread.
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"Hmp." Thumping a heavy cane as she laboriously limps along the dock, a plainly dressed, hunched, gray-skinned half-orc woman keeps to the edges of the flow of foot traffic. There are streaks of gray in her black hair and one of her tusks is missing. Her most memorable feature, however, would have to be the prodigious scowl that seems to be permanently plastered to her face. Occasionally she pauses, rising to her full height of almost seven feet to better scan the crowd.
Finally spotting a face she's seen in the Grand Lodge a time or two, she hustles toward them. Wheezing a bit, she introduces herself. "Hmp! You received VC Valsin's letter to, eh? Don't think we've officially met. I'm Itka Biklest."
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A half-elf woman in her mid-twenties with an athletic build and long, auburn hair wanders the busy street of Sothis with a look of dismay on her face. She's obviously quite lost.
"Oh, dear. I'm going to be sooo late..."
She mumbles to herself, nervously biting her lip as she looks for any buildings that match the descriptions from the directions given to her earlier. She suddenly spots a familiar face from the Grand Lodge towering over the crowd.
"Over here!"
Franzine shouts and waves her arms to the familiar half-orc woman across the busy street. She hurries to meet up with the half-orc before she loses sight of her in the throngs of cityfolk.
"Yes. I received the missive. I'm Franzine. Nice to meet you, Itka."
Franzine frantically glances about with a worried look then looks back at Itka.
"Thank goodness I happened to find you. Do you have any idea where the Sandswept Hall is? I've been wandering for at least an hour and I'm completely lost."
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Helping the Blakros family is exhausting. Too many secrets, too many conspiracies, and not a moment of peace to enjoy their wealth- what kind of life is that?
The human wakes up from the after-after party from his latest concert. Big bed, kind of empty? He doesn't remember all the details, but he remembers his guardian angel warning him to dress up and get ready.
He's barely done with breakfast before he gets the letter. "Undead... yeah, this is perfect." He looks up. "Thanks for the heads up, Shylye." He grabs his equipment and makes way to the docks. His cover story is true yet not true: He's going to hold a concert in Sothis. As soon as this mission ends. And also on the boat.
Once he's off the boat, he snaps his fingers to make his armor match the regional fashion. You look good, you feel good. That's his rule.
It doesn't take him too long to spot the other Agents. Their armor stands out, for one thing. They also look lost. Yet they radiate so much power and command...
"Sup everyone! I'm Emmanuel Holysmith, but you can call me Manny." Manny shakes hands with everyone, if they're willing. He keeps his whip coiled on his side and a pendant dangles around his neck with a ruby red gem within it. His lute remains strapped to his back.
"Sandswept Hall used to be a prison. Not too many places in town that could hold prisoners. The Venture-Captain has limited it so only those truly dangerous to society are held there now."
"We should try to stock up on Antiplague, Antidote, and any way to remove diseases. I don't know exactly what's down there, but the creatures we expect to find tend to be pretty filthy."
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Comfortably nested inside a forgatton catacomb, our shady hero lurks in his chosen hometown of Sothis, the subject of his curiosity and, ultimately, ambition, to reconcile the mystery of the origins of his race, to discover his place among that great history, and ultimately, to ascend...
...when it is that a glowing beetle flitters his way to deliver a message from his correspondent, Norden Balentiir, disturbing his thoughts... with great opportunity! He rises from his meditative position with elven grace, and grabbing his crossbow and backpack, heads into the crowded streets, scanning the sea of people for those bearing the Wayfinder, a symbol of the Pathfinder Society, and likely soon-to-be companions on the mission, in order to obtain an impression of them before meeting formally.
Skulking about, he first encounters Anjo, and begins stalking the ranger, trying to stay just out of his view - observing his longbow in hand, sword on back and thinking to himself "A protector of the back line, no doubt, a good man to stand aside, perhaps to enchant his arms with my disruptive holy mantras" - and parting from him, discovers a second in Franzine, hopelessly lost in her full plate toting sword and shield, thinking "A protector of the front line, no doubt, best to keep her hearty and whole with my curative font of life" - before leaving them all to mill about, and taking his own direct route to the Sandswept Lodge.
When he arrives, it is in the middle of Manny's suggestive speech, his first thought is that the bard's choice of garb seems respectably within season, though he pays the compliment only through silence. Instead stands, encloaked in a colorful robe with divine runes, face covered by a pharoh's mask, with excellent, patient posture, for his own opportunity to speak, finally adding after an overly dramatic pause "I am called , and can assist you upon this mission. Manny is correct - this great lodge used to collect bounties and incarcerate saint and sinner alike, indeed, some yet dwell beneath it's stonework floor, languishing as pests removed from larger society" his smile hidden behind the golden textile concealing his expressive face.
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A somewhat small and indistinct kayal , whose skin appears to be absent of color and partially void of substance, is found sleeping outside the Sandswept Hall in broad daylight; laying down with staring straight into the sky. They wear fashionable yet functional clothing underneath a somewhat bulky half plate that fits well and has a series of dots and lines etched into it forming what appears to be constellations. At their side is a kukri and a starknife with a central grip that depicts a silver dragon whose neck, wings, and tail wrap around the blades. Lastly, a moon-shaped medallion is worn around their neck and rests atop the armor.
When others approach, they stir and groggily wave. Rubbing their eyes a bit, they smile upon recognizing some familiar faces. To the rest "Name's Zenith. This way" and they'll lead the crew into the Hall. Zenith had just a short trip from Qadira and spent the extra time sightseeing and stargazing while awaiting the rest of the team to arrive.
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Finally making it to the Sandswept Hall in time, Franzine continues to admire the traditional scarf and sandals she bought at the bazaar as her and Itka made their way to the Lodge.
"They're so beautiful. I love the rich colors on this scarf. These sandals will be wonderful to wear when I'm not adventuring."
She says as she wraps the scarf around her head in similar fashion as the local women. The deep sandstone color really brings out the highlights in her auburn hair.
"Ah! Here we are, Itka. This must be it."
She smiles at the fetchling standing at the door, waiting to lead them in.
"Greetings, Zenith. I'm Franzine and this is Itka. Thank you for showing us in. That's very kind of you."
"Oh! I like your armor, Zenith."
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"I like your style, Moonlight. You gotta know how to make an entrance." Manny offers a hand to shake. "Are you from around here? I am really digging Osiriani fashion, but I have much to learn. I gotta learn the local music genres, too."
"Sup Zenith. Thanks for showing us around." Another teammate, and another handshake? "Let's see what's inside..."
Doors beneath an immense archway bid entry to a compound surrounded by twelve-foot exterior walls. The courtyard beyond contains a lush garden filled with date palms,sycamores, and tamarisk trees. Strung between two rows of trees, a wooden framework gently bows, laden with hanging plants and fruiting grapevines. The thick foliage grants welcome shade from Osirion’s blazing sun. Insects and small mammals occasionally skitter across the ground. A pair of stone sphinxes frame the entrance to a two-story structure made from white limestone block, casting their reflections upon neighboring pools fed by aqueducts from the nearby River Sphinx.
As you walk through the arch you see a human woman standing beneath a tree, while a grippli man perches in the tree’s branches. The woman is adorned with garments bearing the official seal of the Ruby Prince, while the grippli above her wears a loose-fitting robe and headscarf, and a wayfinder dangles from a cord around his neck. they seem to have been talking to one another, but as the grippli notices that they are no longer alone in the garden he jumps down to the ground and continues speaking.
As I was saying Officiant Mahderai, a sudden shortage of labor has caused our local lodge to be a bit remiss in its maintenance of the grounds of late, but there is no cause for alarm, the grippli declares loudly. The Society’s minor lapse is certainly nothing to trouble the Ruby Prince with—may he live a pleasant and uncursed life.
The official raises an eyebrow, but remains silent as the grippli continues. Surely whoever reported the state of the grounds to your office is merely a concerned neighbor?And the Society endeavors to be a good neighbor as well! We’ll clean up straight away. Why, I believe that this group of fresh faces may well be the additional hands that we have asked for help with, um, cleaning up, is that not so? The grippli looks past the woman to looks at you all. His face is smiling but his eyes look very anxious.
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Hammid, keen to the con, immediately jumps in as well.
”Below my station. I am here to supervise the cleanup. My guards here...” he indicates those most heavily armed ”...are to protect me in my transport of valuable cargo,” he speaks directly to two of his teammates “Look alive now, time not to dawdle!”
'Indeed.' the official says to Manny and Hammid, with a raised eyebrow. 'And it is...normal to bring in over half a dozen laborers to spruce up overgrown grounds and deal with the vermin your neighboring merchants have been complaining of?' The woman gives a second looks at Anjo and those of you more obviously equipped. 'Especially workers so heavily armed?'
Uh, yes. Yes of course. the grippli quickly stammers. You know our second motto is 'Better Safe Than Sorry', right?
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Cleaning?! HMP! Itka's furious. Her scowl deepens. She knows full well that the Ruby Prince's people can't find out about the reinforcements, but she *hates* even the implication that she's doing housecleaning for anyone. It reminds her too much of her years as a slave in Nidal. Still, the mission is the mission, and she isn't going to be doing any *actual* housecleaning. <sighhhhhhgggrrrrrr> "Hmp. Judge for yourself once we're finished. Can't argue with results. Even if some of us are dressed weird."
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Hammid, keen to the con, immediately jumps in as well.
”Below my station. I am here to supervise the cleanup. My guards here...” he indicates those most heavily armed ”...are to protect me in my transport of valuable cargo,” he speaks directly to two of his teammates “Look alive now, time not to dawdle!”
Franzine rolls her eyes and looks at Itka.
"Is this guy for real?"She says under her breath, giggling in disbelief.
Franzine steps forward to address the woman and the grippli.
"I do believe we are the task force you requested."
She glances about the grounds and realizes cleaning up a bit is nowhere near as difficult as restoring an entire lodge like she did back in Razmiran and led a small crew of laborers.
"I think this will be no problem. It's really not that big of a mess."
Franzine brandishes her sword and shakes it menacingly.
"I'll make sure to destroy any fiendish dust bunnies."
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She smiles at the fetchling standing at the door, waiting to lead them in.
"Greetings, Zenith. I'm Franzine and this is Itka. Thank you for showing us in. That's very kind of you.""Oh! I like your armor, Zenith."
"No problem, I had some time to get minimally familiar with the area. Nice to meet all of you too! And if you'd like, I can do your armor too, perhaps after the mission?" They ask with a sincere smile.
You notice that Zenith's handiwork isn't the most professional you've seen and the only reason they managed to do theirs is probably because constellations and stars are relatively simple.
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The Kayal realizes that they haven't spoken to too many people in their few day early arrival, "My apologies we haven't spoken sooner. I am Zenith, part of the task force you requested. We shall be briefed while we briefly clean-up, I presume? Zenith asks trying to strike a balance between the two parties. They eagerly look for any heavy furniture that might need to be moved before moving onto smaller tasks.
'Fiendish dust you say?' Officiant Mahderai chokes out at Franzine's comment. The woman nods slightly as Zenith immediately hops to clearing some of the larger tree limbs and debris - which really has definitely started to clutter up the lodge's courtyard - before turning to Itka and stating. Have no fear: I will return at a future date to see you're 'results'.'
She jots a few notes on a scroll before wrapping it up and giving a polite nod towards the grippli. then the officiant exits through the archway. As soon as she's turned around the corner, the grippli Pathfinder lets out a croak-sigh.
Hoo-boyhooboyhooboyhooboy. Thanks for that. She was asking a lot of questions and I really wasn't sure how long I could keep her talking or get her to leave so she didn't find out about the undead problem. His eyes go wide and he slaps a sticky hand in front of his mouth. Oh shoot! You are the group that was coming to deal with the undead, right? Because if not that would be bad.
The grippli hops to the base of the tree and picks up a large canteen, getting out Oh, I'm Po’ogaat by the way. But you can call me 'Po' if its easier. before he starts chugging down the canteen's contents.
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”Po, I am called Moonlight” he pauses here for the drama of self-importance before shortly continuing ”I and my guardians here would like to make a few inquiries as to the greater nature of the infestation we have been summoned to rectify. If you could saddle us with any information you are aware of as to the nature of the threat, as well as promptly point us in the direction of the intended containment, I and my guardians would most oblige you”
His posture erect and tall, our shady hero beams with pious competence!
Oh thank the Diamond ring. Po'ogaat mutters in relief as he confirms he's talking to the right people. That's one less problem to deal with. He continues taking several more deep gulps of the canteen before finally holding out in offering towards you, mostly empty at this point. His tongue extends out to moisten his lips...and his eyes. Sorry. I do truly love Sothis, but I can't say my skin feels the same way.
Dryness is the least of our worries though! Po'ogaat says as he turns and starts hoping through the courtyard and toward the main building, motioning for you to follow. Don't know what exactly they said in the summons you all got, but what we've got is undead. They keep showing up in the vaults under the lodge. First reports were sighted a few months back, but more and more keep appearing. The first few waves were able to be put down and mopped up without much fuss but they've been getting worse every day lately! Po'ogaat brings you through the main hall's entrance and into a side chamber, where the grippli then unlocks a heavy door that swings open to show a set of descending stairs. Venture Captain Balentiir's down below with some agents now, but I think he's a bit overwhelmed with this.
Not too deep. Po'ogaat answers Anjo as he starts to descend. I think Norden's a bit far in this time though.
Once you go down into the basement, Po’ogaat continues to guide you through a series of locked doors, each of which he promptly locks again behind you once the last of your group passes through. Sorry, I know this is slowing us down but until we know where the undead are coming from we're trying to take extra steps to try to contain, well everywhere. Norden's hoping that you will be able to find their source. The grippli glances back at Franzie as he works. The problem's been the mindless sort of undead - mostly - but there's been reports of all kinds: skeletons, zombies, wights, and even ghasts to name a few. The odd variety is part of what makes this incursion so unusual and its source so difficult to discern. Some of the intelligent undead have even been learning how to turn the hall’s defenses against us. It’s not good!
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Zenith's enthusiasm wanes as they hear that the trouble is down. Per chance we'll be back in time for the next sighting of the stars they reassure themself.
"Intelligent undead you say? Who could be behind these attacks, I wonder. The stars warned me of a tyrant that would be revealed. These could be related" the kayal muses.
Well, we had some energy burst traps spread throughout the place down here. Po'ogaat says as he focuses on his wayfinder to cause it to glow. As the grippli leads you through further sets of rooms and hallways the facilities are shrouded in darkness only overcome by his light source. Some of them went off fine, but a few seemed to get their attunement switched or something - I'm not a mage so I don't know the technical term - and blasted out negative power instead of positive. And we've built out the space a lot but this Hall started out as a prison; some of the smarter undead managed to take real advantage of the portcullises and cutbacks designed for that to corner some agents one time. They barely got out of there!
You all go down another set of stairs into a corridor running from north to south. On the western wall facing you stands an open double door above which is carved, in Common, “Hall of Recognition.” Po’ogaat heads through the doorway motioning you to follow.
Well, welcome to the Hall of Recognition. This room was originally used by the Society to honor prominent members from Osirion, the grippli explains. Over the past several years, as the exploits of the Society have expanded, so too has the Hall. It had to be renovated over the past decade following an unpleasant incident with a vampire, but that was before my time. This room - unlike the others - is well illuminated by magical torches. The light makes clear the ornamental tracery carved into the walls and ceiling of the hall. Bas-reliefs adorn the long walls, displaying the likenesses of heroic figures from days past each rendered in beautiful detail. A massive, stylized pyramid takes up the eastern half of the room.
Speaking of prominent Pathfinders... Po'ogaat says, looking around the large space and frowning, I expected to meet Venture-Captain Balentiir here...
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Franzine glances at the bas-reliefs around the room. She wonders who they represent and if she recognizes any of them.
Franzine looks down at the grippli and notices his look of dismay.
"He will be here soon, right? Do you think something may have happened to him?"
Franzine bites her lip as she begins to worry.
"Uh-oh. I have a bad feeling about this."
She turns to her teammates.
"We should take a look around."
Manny and Anjo easier spot several booted footprints heading to the west side of the chamber (currently ending in a shut door).
I'm, I'm sure he's probably just running a bit late. Po'ogaat says in a tone that calls into question how 'sure' he is. The grippli hops over to the western door and opens it to peer out into the hallways beyond. As he does so he (and you all) are met with the sound of rending wood and shouts! Several people, clearly Pathfinder agents, rush past the doorway of the Hall of Recognition, and then continue racing past you fleeing from a commotion to the south while shouting, “they’ve activated the statues! They’re turning our own defenses on us!”
Po’ogaat’s already-bulbous eyes widen further at the scene. Defend the room, he instructs. And hold it for the venture-captain’s return. I will see to the others!
With remarkable speed, the grippli Pathfinder east out of the room towards the fleeing agents. Mere moments later, some of the pursuing undead come bursting into the hall Two clearly undead figures race down the passage and into the Hall of Recognition, followed closely by three stone statues bearing heavy-looking kopeshes!
One of the undead continues barrelling towards the fleeing agents wiht incredible speed - and you're all now in their way! Racing up towards Franzine it swings an old but still sharp blade down at the Iomedean before then swiping at her with a well-nailed claw. Luckily, both times she is easily able to parry away the blows even as it glares at her with hate-filled red glowing eyes.
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Initiative
Anjo
Franzine
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Moonlight holds out his gauntlet - favored weapon of almighty and ever-wandering - aloft, clutching his fingers from outstretched into a balled fist, as if catching an object thrown to him, a swirling wisp of orange divine energy, encapsulated in his grasping hand a moment, now filtering itself through the middle of his forehead, glowing his third eye, which upon enlightening, he layers in the vocalization of a low hum, breathe steady, stern, constant...
↺) Scholarly Recollection
◆) Recall Knowledge vs Activated Statues
Archeologist Dedication: You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Recall Knowledge about ancient history, peoples, and cultures.
Arcana (via Ancestral Longevity) (*) +12 or +13
Crafting (*) +12 or +13
Lore: Desert (*) +12
Lore: Herbalism (*) +12
Lore: Sothis (**) +14 or +15
Medicine (**') +15
Religion (*) +12 or +13
Society (**) +14 or +15
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"Oh yeah? You son-of-a...!"
Franzine glares right back at the undead that swung at her...
She then brings her sword down with an overhand chop...
Then follows through with a shield bash...
(Reaction) Trigger: An enemy damages your ally, and both are within 15 feet of you.
Your foe hesitates under the weight of sin as visions of redemption play in their mind’s eye. The foe must choose one of the following options:
•The ally is unharmed by the triggering damage.
•The ally gains resistance to all damage against the triggering damage equal to 2 + your level. After the damaging effect is applied, the enemy becomes enfeebled 2 until the end of its next turn.
Frazine's sharp looks doesn't seem to phase the creature before her, but her sharp sword (and blunt shield) seem more effective. You can hear bones crack beneath its unliving skin and from the sword's cut black blood slowly seeps out.
Meanwhile Anjo breaks north and looses a pair of arrows at the other emerged undead. It's pinnioned twice, the secong arrow striking through its thigh and embedded into the ground.
From the far hallway one of the statues lumbers into the room. It moves slightly slower than the undead, but arrives before Franzine nonthless and slamd down at the smaller champion with a rocky fist.
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As Moonlight shakes off his surprise and focuses his mind his eyes quickly trace over the sandstone form of the statue pummeling Franzine's shield. The merchant realizes what you are facing down: statues animated to life by ancient magics! Constructs - locally referred to slangily as 'Sandswept Guardians' - these creations are not especially agile or creative but their fists can latch onto and grab intruders. Their stone construction also makes them pretty durable, though if their exterior can be properly cracked by a good strong blow it can compromise the whole structure.
Initiative
Hammid (2 actions remaining)
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Stepping into the middle of the party - so that multiple of his "guardians" are just within the range of touch - our shady hero concludes his mantra, the low hum fading as the swirls of magic disappear back into his clenched gauntlet, dispersing again when he opens his fingers once more...
From the safety of the middle, he aims his crossbow at the enraged undead engaging Franzine, and takes a shot through the soft cover of his allies.
↺) Scholarly Recollection
◆) Recall Knowledge vs Activated Statues
◆) Step
◆) Strike
Anjo @ 92/92
Franzine @ 82/82
Hammid @ 56/56
Itka @ 62/62
Manny @ 85/85
Zenith @ 86/86
Hammid continues his routine by firing at one of the damaged undead but his bolt gets lost in the increasingly tight quarters of the melee.
While this is happening, the pinned living-corpse yanks the arrow out of its leg with a snarl. It then sprints forwards at the archer swings down on its attacker. As the blade digs into Anjo's flesh the sword glows with a dark energy that crawls back up the undead's arm. Some of its dead flesh seems to look fresher even as Anjo feels a dark energy seeping through his own wound.
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Initiative
Need Fort save
Zenith
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Zenith moves across the room and attempts to tumble through the undead next to Franzine, followed by a strike with their starknife. Maybe these creatures will slice open better than the statues... they think as the first swing falls short and they attempt a second strike.
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Zenith manages to use their fancy footwork to bamboozle the undead with elan. In a much better position, her first stab still twists badly in their wrist but the second strike pierces the flat-footed fiend!
Of course getting into a flanking position has left the kayal dangerously close to the statues. One advances up to Zenith and swing out twice. Luckily though they are able to carefully dodge away from both blows.
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Initiative
Need Fort save
Manny
Itka
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Manny snaps to attention. "Whoa!" Undead.
"Alright, let's banish these suckers." He calls out to the team, >Inspiring Defense< among them.
Too bad he can't get the note to linger over the cries of battle.
He shrugs and then calls upon Shylye to bless him with Chromatic Armor!
His armor shines brightly with a mix of Yellow and Green hues.