PFS Destiny of Sands - Parts 1-3 (Core)

Game Master Lysle

With Zelekhati on his good side, he approaches the Madame again (I suppose this can happen at any time before he retires for the night).
"Good evening, Madame." he greets in a friendly tone.
"In regards to our discussion earlier..." he pauses and glances about to make sure nobody is listening, then leans in to whisper sincerly,
...I need you to please let me know how you obtain your secrets. And, you must share what you know with Grandmaster Torch. It is most imperative."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

-------------------

Corey spends the night in the western room on south wall. Token placed.

Merida tries to hide in the shadows and move as quietly as possible.
Token placed.

Stealth - ACP: 1d20 + 6 - 0 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 0 = 25

Seems the teachings from Nightkit have finally sunk in. :-D

Seebonickk bunks with the bard.

"I snore a little if that's OK!"

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Seebonickk bunks with the bard.

"I snore a little if that's OK!"

"I just hope you don't snore like a dwarf." he says with a wink and a smile.

"In regards to our discussion earlier..." he pauses and glances about to make sure nobody is listening, then leans in to whisper sincerly,

...I need you to please let me know how you obtain your secrets. And, you must share what you know with Grandmaster Torch. It is most imperative."

"You are a persistent one, aren't you?" Madame Zelekhati replies quietly. "I concede that you have proven yourself to be quite the performer and I sense from our conversations that you are trustworthy. Therefore, I will be forthright with you. I do obtain secrets and find the trade to be rather lucrative."

"However, I know nothing of this 'Grandmaster Torch' and cannot conceive of how taking on a partner or otherwise sharing my secrets with him could somehow be 'imperative'." She notes. "Stay the night. In the meantime, I will see what secrets I can obtain about this 'Torch' and we can discuss the matter further in the morning."

Corey spends the night in the western room on south wall. Token placed.

Before dawn, some of the party members manage to sneak out of their rooms. When they do, they find Zelekhati standing in the middle of the sand garden’s bridge. However, she is not alone. Instead, she converses quietly with some creature resembling a whirling cloud of fine desert sand piling up upon itself, forming into the shape of a humanoid figure.

Room given to Theron for the night: 1d8 ⇒ 8

I have placed Theron's token in a room. If he would have been sneaking around at night, feel free to attempt a DC 12 Stealth check. If you succeed, you may move Theron's token to where you wish when Initiative begins.

Zelekhati continues to converse with the creature quietly, when she suddenly stops. The expression on her face turns to one of disbelief. "Really?!" She shouts. "They are out of their rooms? Where are they?" She scans the room quickly.

NOTE: Corey was pursuing Diplomatic means the night before with some success, so please do not feel compelled to enter into combat. However, for reasons, I am putting us into Initiative.

DUNE OR DUNE 'OT! THERE IS NO TRY! - Round One Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Theron
Nightkit
Corey
What-Nightkit-Saw
Seebonickk
Merida
Sand creature
Zelekhati

So much for that early morning swim .... or run ... before it gets too hot. What are those .. sand elementals?

Oh .. Madame Zelekhati .... I do apologize .. I was just heading out for exercise and devotions to Desna while Cynosure is visible... before it got too hot ... I'll just go back to my room now

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Since her room is right behind her she starts backing towards it.

Corey will just have to wait until morning to continue to discuss matters with Zelekhati.

He goes to sleep in the room he shares with Seebonick, completely oblivious about the spying that the other party members are doing that night.

theron turns in for the night, snaking is not his strong suit.

sorry..thought i posted...my bad

Oh .. Madame Zelekhati .... I do apologize .. I was just heading out for exercise and devotions to Desna while Cynosure is visible... before it got too hot ... I'll just go back to my room now

Since her room is right behind her she starts backing towards it.

Nightkit's new "boss" turns to glare at the rogue, clearly displeased.

Corey will just have to wait until morning to continue to discuss matters with Zelekhati.

He goes to sleep in the room he shares with Seebonick, completely oblivious about the spying that the other party members are doing that night.

Corey will just have to wait until morning to continue to discuss matters with Zelekhati.

He goes to sleep in the room he shares with Seebonick, completely oblivious about the spying that the other party members are doing that night.

As we are in rounds, I will treat these posts as intended to delay.

There is a subtle shift in the sands.
?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

DUNE OR DUNE 'OT! THERE IS NO TRY! - Round One Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Theron (Delay)
Nightkit
Corey (Delay)
What-Nightkit-Saw
Seebonickk
Merida
Sand creature
Zelekhati

delay until the creature acts

Merida waits hidden in the shadows.

Delay until the creature acts.

The sand creature moves easily through the garden toward Merida.
Double move

Merida and Seebonickk need to attempt a DC 16 Will save (as does anyone who comes within 20 feet of the Sand Creature).

"It is my fault, I suppose," Madame Zelekhati replies to Nightkit. "I should never have strayed from my usual hiring practices. I will have to take more precautions." Madame Zelekhati casts a spell.

DUNE OR DUNE 'OT! THERE IS NO TRY! - Round Two Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Theron (Delay)
Nightkit
Corey (Delay)
What-Nightkit-Saw
Seebonickk (Will save; Delay)
Merida (Will save; Delay)
Sand creature
Zelekhati (spell'd)

Can't we talk about this? Nightkit exclaims as she moves towards Merida.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 (+1 vs. fear)

Uh-oh...

Merida sinks to the ground, vast asleep.

Like Merida, Nightkit suddenly falls asleep in the garden.

"I am not opposed to a discussion, but I am afraid that you are no longer up for one," Madame Zelekhati replies to the sleeping Nightkit. "Now that you have felt the effects of the sandman's aura, you must now realize why I prefer hiring those with elven blood."

DUNE OR DUNE 'OT! THERE IS NO TRY! - Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Theron (Delay)
Nightkit (asleep)
Corey (Delay)
What-Nightkit-Saw
Seebonickk (Will save; Delay)
Merida (asleep)
Sand creature
Zelekhati (spell'd)

No posts in 24+ hours and looks like all are on delay, so...

"Let us see if we can't uncover what our latest hire recalls," Madame Zelekhati says aloud as she retrieves a wand and walks over to the sleeping Nightkit. With the object in her hand, she prepares to wave it over the sleeping human.
Manipulate; move

DUNE OR DUNE 'OT! THERE IS NO TRY! - Round Three Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Theron (Delay)
Nightkit (asleep)
Corey (Delay)
What-Nightkit-Saw
Seebonickk (Will save; Delay)
Merida (asleep)
Sand creature
Zelekhati (spell'd)

No post in 48+ hours and looks like all are asleep or remaining on delay, so...

Madame Zelekhati uses her wand on both Nightkit and Merida until she finds what she wishes to know. She then directs the sand creature to carry the sleeping Pathfinders back to their quarters. At her direction, the sand creature also ensures that the remainder of the party are subjected to the creature's aura.

Theron, Will save v (DC 16): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Seebonickk, Will save v (DC 16): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Believing the others now fast, Madame Zelekhati gives her servants instructions to see the other patrons out.

Once they have done so, she approaches the room assigned to Corey.

"Good morning," she declares. "Your first night on the job proved to be rather eventful, it would seem. Wouldn't you agree?"

She leans toward Corey's elven ears adding, "Pathfinder?"

apologies..had an off weekend and internet was almost non existent...

Nightkit stretched and yawned. Wow ... that was a weird dream. Madame Zelekhati making sand people. Wait a minute. I'm sure I did NOT go to bed fully dressed last night. I'm sure I only just had pants on in case a ..... certain someone came calling. Speaking of which .... maybe I'd better go check on Merida.

She splashes cold water on her face before exiting to look for her comrades.

Believing the others now fast, Madame Zelekhati gives her servants instructions to see the other patrons out.

Once they have done so, she approaches the room assigned to Corey.

"Good morning," she declares. "Your first night on the job proved to be rather eventful, it would seem. Wouldn't you agree?"

She leans toward Corey's elven ears adding, "Pathfinder?"

With the end of Gameday approaching, I will give Corey another 24 hours to post. Then, I will move us to the next encounter.

Corey's eyes go wide when Zelekhati mentions the word "Pathfinder".

He grins and chuckles nervously.
"Uhh, good morning. Hehe. Is that a problem, Miss Zelekhati? That I'm a Pathfinder? I surely don't mean to cause any trouble and I've been on my best behavior... Wouldn't you agree?”

Corey's eyes go wide when Zelekhati mentions the word "Pathfinder".

He grins and chuckles nervously.
"Uhh, good morning. Hehe. Is that a problem, Miss Zelekhati? That I'm a Pathfinder? I surely don't mean to cause any trouble and I've been on my best behavior... Wouldn't you agree?”

"Madame Zelekhati," the woman replies smugly, placing the emphasis on her title. "And, no, I neither have a problem with Pathfinders nor believe that you to be on your best behavior and free of potential trouble."

"The memories shared by your allies betray your words," she continues, waving a wand in her hand. "You were sent to find out how I acquire secrets and to share what I already know with your patron, one Grandmaster Torch. You have been given directions to 'End the scheme if all else fails."

"Your companions were powerless against the aura of my sandman, but you, My Charming Hire, are not. Fortunately, I like you." Zelekhati admits. "But, alas, I know little of your patron, Grandmaster Torch, and I can think of no reason to share what information I have may have expertly gathered with him. After all, the value of the information I gather is based upon its truth and its secrecy. Such true secrets quickly lose their value once they have been shared."

"As such, I will give you a choice, one that is yours alone to make." The half-elven woman continues. "Do you and your fellow Pathfinders leave my establishment peacefully and quietly, no doubt becoming a disappointment to your Grandmaster Torch once you report to him that you have failed?"

"Or, do you attempt to carry out the task as your Grandmaster wishes and try to overcome my sandmen and I, in an effort to try and 'end" my scheme?" She inquires.

Corey and Seebonickk are both awake. The others are sleeping, but could, perhaps, be roused during combat. If Ashtoret's player is around I am fine with having the elf suddenly arrive at the establishment looking for the others.

Those awake may attempt a Sense Motive check.

As written, to obtain max gold for this encounter, the Corey/the party must do one of the following: 1) make an offer to Zelekhati that she is willing to entertain (knowing she will send you away if you fail) or 2) defeat her and her sandmen in combat (with much of the party starting asleep.

In the meantime, the party may choose what task to do next from Torch's list.

The gnome scratches his head.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

He shrugs and looks at the party.

Corey tries to read the lady's body language and facial expressions...
Sense Motive (Vers. Perf.): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Alas, he doesn't sense anything out of the ordinary.

"Madame Zelekhati, I do not mean to offend. It's just so simple... We do not need to come to violence. Just, please, tell us what you know and we'll get out of your hair."
Corey flashes her a charming smile.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

I was hoping that would happen. :)

Seebonickk chimes in and smiles.

"Right..Madame Zelekhati..what he said!" He bows.

aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

The gnome scratches his head.

Under the circumstances, I will accept this as an Aid action

Corey tries to read the lady's body language and facial expressions...

Corey is successful with the Aid. You may read the spoiler in the post above.

"Madame Zelekhati, I do not mean to offend. It's just so simple... We do not need to come to violence. Just, please, tell us what you know and we'll get out of your hair."

Corey flashes her a charming smile.

"My Dear Corey, you know that I cannot part with my secrets," Madame Zelekhati replies. "And you should realize that, while I find violence distasteful, you and your allies will certainly be defeated should it come to that."

"I have little reason to embroil myself in any arrangements that you may have with Grandmaster Torch." she notes. "Although, I am a performance artist. You're not asking me to mislead your Grandmaster Torch, are you?"

Which of the two remaining tasks does the party wish to tackle next after this one?

Corey gives the madame a sly grin.
"Whatever you tell Torch is fine with me. We just needed your cooperation. It has been a pleasure working with you, Madame, and I sincerely thank you for your time."

He gives a respectful bow.
"That takes care of that. Now, if you'll excuse us, we will be on our way."

Yes, Corey is fine with her misleading torch.

Yes, Corey is fine with her misleading torch.

Merida is fine with that, too. ^_^

Regarding the next task: Shall we go and get the Osirian artifacts - especially the magic rod - next?

yeah...screw Torch....rod is fine with me...if i seemed absent i apologize...i thought he was sleeping...i might have misread what happened

With an agreement struck, Madame Zelekhati plays with the ring on her finger a bit then directs the sand men to remain as the Pathfinders depart the establishment.

At Merida's suggestion, the party heads to the dry well mentioned in Torch's missive.

Wild grasses hug the low walls surrounding the mouth of the well. The opening is 15 feet at the top, but narrows to a width of about 5 feet at the bottom 30 feet below.
A DC 15 Climb check is required to safely descend the well.

I will pause here to let players catch up and to see if Ashtoret will be joining this encounter.

screw torch **ignores spoilers :P

Well ... that's a first Nightkit grumbles. Being .... discharged from service after the first night. Seriously did I really do that badly last night? Was it just me or did anyone else dream of Madame Zelekhati making sandmen?

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Seems there used to be a snake cult in this area. Worshipped Apep. But the Sarenites dealt to them.

Of course, upon arrival, she's the first down the well - a bit more rapidly than planned.

climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

SPLAT!

There's a tunnel down here

She drinks a Darkvision potion and takes point.

Hearing Kit's less than graceful landing, Theron hurries down after tying his rope to an anchor point to allow an easier climb.with knots...hopefully...

climb: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 = 7

lol...nope

....and proceeds to fall on his backside with a loud thump. He curses loudly and calls into question the gods, their ancestry and various acts with farm animals.

for comedic effect...lol

Hey .... no dissing Desna

Corey asks around about the well...
Diplomacy (Vers Perf.): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

"All I learned is that...
Before Eto began taxing those who entered its gates, the low ruin of the dry well was once a way station for water sellers. A century ago, the water fouled and all but disappeared, a phenomenon that the church of Sarenrae traced to a local guide who led a small cult. Church inquisitors rid Eto of the cult and sealed the well. After many years, the seal has crumbled."

"Let's just take our time getting down to the bottom of the well. Let's help each other out so there are no injuries going down."

Take 20 with everyone, our rope & equipment to get down safely?

Lol. Realized just now that Nightkit got a 27 on Diplomacy.

To keep us moving...

The party ventures further into the darkness of the vast chamber at the base of the well.
Those with darkvision have no difficulty seeing. However, any illumination, such as torch or light spell, is dampened, reducing the radius of its illumination by half.

As the party moves closer, Nightkit and Corey spy a large snake coiled around the base of the damaged statue to the south. The serpent has two heads, one at each end of its long, coiling body. Both display large sets of fangs.

NOT ALL IS WELL IN THE WELL OF SERPENTS! - Surprise Round Begins!

PCs in bold may take a standard OR move action

Seebonickk
Corey
Nightkit
Merida
Theron
Astoret
Snake

Nightkit pulls out a potion of Mage Armour and drinks it (AC now 18)

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Lol! This is the third nat1 in literally 4-5 posts in a row in different games.

It's poisonous. However, this can be understood without my knowledge of the arcane sciences. A noticeably well-rested Ashtoret joins you just in time...

"Yikes! That's one helluva scary snake!”

Assuming the strange snake has the intelligence of a normal animal, Corey mutters an incantation, waves his hand in an arcane gesture, then tosses a small bit of fleece in the air. A giant, 15 foot wide glass bell jar suddenly appears, enclosing the giant snake within.

"Hopefully it thinks it's trapped inside."

Casting silent image, Will save DC 14.

BOTTING Merida - No post in 24+ hours.

Merida wonders what else the dark chamber may hold.
Delay

Amphisbaena, Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

The serpent flicks its tongue a few times, but notices no scent from the sudden jar. It then slithers forward towards its prey.
Move

NOT ALL IS WELL IN THE WELL OF SERPENTS! - Round One Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Seebonickk
Corey
Nightkit (mage armor'd)
Merida
Theron
Astoret
Amphisbaena

Seebonickk casts magic missile at the snake.

damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 3 = 14

"Why did it have to be a snake!"

Yes, snakes, and even magical ones. It would be much better if it were sweet undead. Then Ashtoret raises her hand to the sacred symbol of the Pale Princess and pronounces the words of the blinding spell familiar to all her old friends.

Blindness/Deafness DC19 fort

Magical bolts wrack the serpent.

Amphisbaena, Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The spell takes affect.

NOT ALL IS WELL IN THE WELL OF SERPENTS! - Round One Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Seebonickk
Corey
Nightkit (mage armor'd)
Merida
Theron
Astoret
Amphisbaena -14 HP (blinded)

Nightkit loads her crossbow and fires
crossbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 1

do i have to move to hit it? if so, i can...i'll roll my attack anyways..if i have to move, can someone move me please? ty Theron hacks away at the snake, trying to drop it before it can poison someone.

attack; PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 2 = 211d8 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 = 10

Corey takes a step back and unleashes two arrows in quick succession from his bow. He carefully shoots between Nightkit and Theron. Cover.

Rapid Shot, deadly aim, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
cold-iron piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Rapid Shot, deadly aim, PBS: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
cold-iron piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Nightkit, it seems you can add damage from a sneak attack! The snake is blind.

In that case:
sneak damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Nightkit sneaks a shot on the serpent.
Theron hacks off some scales.
Corey lands a shot as well.

BOTTING Merida - No post in 48+ hours
Merida looks on.
(Delay)

The blinded serpent snaps at Nightkit.
Melee (bite) w/blinded: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage (P) plus poison): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Concealment<51%: 1d100 ⇒ 10
Melee (bite) w/blinded: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage (P) plus poison): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Concealment<51%: 1d100 ⇒ 8

A second serpent slithers in the shadows.
Double move
I believe only Nightkit has darkvision and can see amphisbaena (red).

NOT ALL IS WELL IN THE WELL OF SERPENTS! - Round Two Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Seebonickk
Corey
Nightkit (mage armor'd)
Merida
Theron
Astoret
Amphisbaena (blue) -41 HP (blinded)
Amphisbaena (red)