Into the Footsteps of ULTRA PLUS Horror (Quest 15) (Inactive)

Game Master Will Huston

This is where we will play the game of the adventure. Planned start October 30th.

At various points in the Pathfinders' respective morning at the Grand Lodge in Absalom, they are approached by a blonde elven woman with a strong Kaer Maga accent. "You are summoned to the office of Ambrus Valsin an hour after midday. Please don't be late. Venture Captain Valsin does not appreciate tardiness." Feel free to let us know what your character might be doing on a Oathday morning at the Grand Lodge as you introduce your character to the table.

The Chamberlain's office is covered in maps, fastidiously pinned to the walls. The map on the table is a map of the Isle of Kortos. Wherever Ambrus is sending the team, it can't be that far.

"Good, you're all here. All right, you're going on a bit of a clean-up mission for the Society," he absentmindedly points on the white star signifying Absalom, and traces a route to the western coast. "Not too long ago, we sent a group of veteran agents to Citadel Uromaz. There, they encountered a lich, Hekoz, and stopped her from completing a ritual, whatever that may have been. They secured the site, but we desperately needed them back in the Finadar Forest, to deal with another pressing matter. Frankly, what we need is for someone to go back and do the hard work of cataloging the place. Most of the large artifacts have been noted and brought back here. But, the previous agents noted a large stone mural, and none of them thought to take any rubbings or further description of it."

He sighs, and looks at the assembled group, "Its on you to go back and properly document Citadel Uromaz. I need you to go through, make as many rubbings as you can of the mural, along with anything else you find. Everything should be in the central chamber but if you find anything else of interest? Please note and collect them. Be careful, be prepared and be vigilant as always."

"Any questions?

Br'eak listens to the briefing given by Ambrus Valsin.

"So, everything hostile, we deal with it? And bring the rubbing or a description of the large stone mural. Right?"

The blonde elf approaches a halfling-sized scarecrow, dressed in worn, mismatched leathers. He has a Jack o’ lantern for a head. A crow looks around from his shoulder; at second glance, it appears to be made of blackened wicker.

When she gives him her message, he gasps in delight. A rousing melody starts up. Cast musical accompaniment

”A mission! A mission!
And here I am just wishin’
That somebody would have a job for me!

Some spying? Some fighting?
Some wrongs that need some righting?
We’ll go to Captain Valsin’s place and see!”

Upon his arrival at the office, he removes the top of his head, and tips it like a hat. ”Blackfeather Jack, at your service!”

The blonde elf finds Gella doing calisthenics in the quad outside the dormitories for newer agents. Valsin, old muttonchops? He wants to see me? she says, towelling herself off. Well then, it must be something new, I've been itching for a chance at a new mission for ages. Hope its something exciting, not more dull and dry research, its so boring. She takes a long swig from a bottle on the bench next to her, it doesnt look like it contains water. Giving a loud belch she collects her stuff, straps on her armour and heads in for breakfast before meeting Valsin later that day.

She arrives at the office a little after noon. A short, powerfully built human woman with dark red hair clad in heavy looking plate armour. She appears to have arrived expecting trouble and is carrying an unfeasible number of weapons. A tankard hangs from her belt.

She peers over at the table and initially appears excited, A lich you say, destroyed I hope but maybe some of its undead minions were overlooked. The chance for some real action? As the talk turns to murals, rubbings and cataloguing of artefacts her face falls. Oh, more research, sure, yeah, that'll be fun. It's totally why I joined up...and not because I got drunk one night and joined on a dare

Mia is at the training ground, going through her daily sword exercise when she gets a visit from the elven lady. "Oh, good. I was starting to get a bit bored hanging around the lodge. There's not much to report here. At least nothing anyone would like to read."

After the elf leaves, Mia switches to doing archery. She goes through ideas for report titles as she shoots the targets. "How would I begin? Valsin calls for new mission?", her arrow is well off the center. "No, clearly needs more punch. Valsin's mystery misson, what is it?", and the next arrow hits a bit closer to center. "Better, but even more? Valsin's research mission turned to violent disaster! Find out more inside!", and the arrow is at the center. "Yes, that would really draw the interest. And it's so often that things don't go smoothly." She tries drawing one more arrow from her quiver, but her hand finds none. "Oh, and buy more arrows on the way", she reminds herself.

She arrived a bit early to the briefing, and is writing some notes on a sheet of paper. She's of above average height, her dark hair curls a bit,
her straight nose accentuates her strong features. She's wearing a white tunic over her armor, sword and bow tucked on her back and several rolled papers are on her belt. When everyone seems to have arrived, she introduces herself: "Mia Efimerida, war and exploration correspondent. Doing my last assignments of the trial period."

"So, exploration it is. Sounds simple enough", she answers Valsin. "I'm sure everything will go smoothly", she adds, smiling to herself as she remembers her thought from the morning.

Forgot that Mia had spent half her arrows on last mission. So filling up, spent 1 sp.

It's a goblin with a leather armor. On his back he wears a shortbow. On his belt he wears a rapier and a shortsword. Hello my name is Tirx. Pleased to meet you.

The lizardfolk was in training trying to trip some pieces of wood with his whip when the summon reach him. He pulls out his weapon, interrupting his training, and moves towards the briefing room.

During the briefing the hooded one with grey scales wearing leather lamellar with an undershirt listens carefully.

How can I glance in such a mission? No chandelier to swing, no alligator to dance with... Well let's see.

His thought is interrupted at the questions time.

So I assume there is a good artist among us to take good rubbings.

Valsin turns to Gella, "We believe the threats contained in Uromaz were already taken care by the senior agents, but we can't guarantee that, so please be prepared for a fight, if something has moved in. Of course, this is why you joined, to explore and report, and cooperate."

Valsin addresses Zdenek, "I will be sending you with plenty of paper and plenty of charcoal. Put the paper on the mural, and rub the charcoal over it. No real skill needed. I also will provide you with horses, or ponies as needed, to get you across the island to Uromaz. Should take a little under a week."

The Pathfinders might know a little about the citadel.

Br'eak, an male orc witch, thinks about the knowledge he has about the location.

Society: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Br'eak exclaims with joy.
"Oh! What was recovered from the citadel are beautiful treasures, including books, tapestries, and even rugs. It’s unclear how many of these items were original to the keep and how many were the possessions of the lich Hekoz.
I recall that the citadel was once a thriving keep dating back to the earliest settlers on the island after Aroden raised the Starstone, nearly 10,000 years ago. While it is unclear how long Hekoz held the citadel, the land surrounding it has been blighted for long enough that the lich may well have stayed there for centuries."

Br'eak exclaims with joy.

"Oh! What was recovered from the citadel are beautiful treasures, including books, tapestries, and even rugs. It’s unclear how many of these items were original to the keep and how many were the possessions of the lich Hekoz.
I recall that the citadel was once a thriving keep dating back to the earliest settlers on the island after Aroden raised the Starstone, nearly 10,000 years ago. While it is unclear how long Hekoz held the citadel, the land surrounding it has been blighted for long enough that the lich may well have stayed there for centuries."

”Oh my!”, Jack exclaims. ”Good on us for ending that scourge!”

Gella perks up, Oh my, if the lich had been there for years then there was lots of chances for him to hide away lurking guardians and monsters. Excellent!

So the precedent pathfinders have killed all things anyway they said.

Yes, but they might have missed some! says Gella, clearly excited by the prospect of something more interesting than making "rubbings".

"We'll see, but there's potential for a wonderful report here", Mia comments excitedly.

"I'm not that good a drawer. More a storyteller, if anything", she answers Zdenek's assumption.

"Like I said, the previous team was relatively sure they had cleansed the citadel, so we don't think it should be too dangerous, but far too many missions do end up being more dangerous than we initially presume,"

There is time enough to make any last minute purchases or preparations. Ambrus will provide paper, quills, ink, charcoal, several torches, along with a team of horses. The horses are not combat trained. He also provides each Pathfinder three weeks worth of rations to take with you. There is also a detailed map of Kortos, with the path to the Citadel Uromaz marked.

Last call for last minute purchase. Gella, do you need help with a token?

Token sorted, I missed that slide.

Before they head out Gella stops by the quartermaster and picks up a few scrolls. Here, you two, she says to Mia and Br'eak. You might find these useful, feel free to use them as needed, let me have them back if you dont use them.

Buying two rank 1 scrolls of Heal and two of Soothe for our two casters.

Jack picks up a healing potion along the way.

The lizardfolk adjust his buckler and looks at his companions to see if they are ready to go.

The goblin is ready to go.

Mia stashes the scrolls to her belt. "I've never been more ready", she says as a thanks to Gella.

Br'eak is ready to go as he picks the two scrolls of heal.

Sorry for the delay, I was distracted by other things going on yesterday.

The journey west from the bustling streets of Absalom across the Isle of Kortos begins peacefully. At first, the roads are well-populated with travelers, guards, and caravans. Plains give way to forests and then farmland. A thin ring of fertile soil occupied by a partially constructed barn divides the fields from the barren lands of the Welt. Within the Welt, the weather takes a turn for the worse. Gray clouds fill the sky and a chill, misting rain pervades the air. By the end of the journey, the sky overhead is nearly obsidian, illuminated only by flashes of green lightning.

As the team approaches the citadel, at some point, roughly 20 feet from the entrance, the horses and ponies will go no further. Nothing seems to spur them towards the citadel, and they panic if anyone tries to forcibly push them closer. Going ahead on foot, you quickly find the entrance to the catacombs the previous Pathfinder team indicated for the mural.

As you enter, you can roll a Occultism or Arcana check, if you'd like to recall knowledge.

Well ready yourselves to enter.

The lizardfolk draws his whip and waits for his companions.

Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Bah, damn horses wont go any further. Anyone got any idea why?. Gella pauses her attempts to get her horse to move forward. Grim looking place isnt it. Also, lightning isnt supposed to be green!

Occultism: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

”I was wondering about that myself”, Jack replies to Gella.

The goblin looks the mural.

Occultism:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The orc witch observes the mural. "Interesting!"

Occultism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"This does not seem normal. But will make the story that much better", MIa says and looks around.

Occultism: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

After Zdenek follows the rest of their party into the catacombs, suddenly, the open air above is no more, stone is above their heads. The stairs are still there, but there's no way to exit. The colors, even the colors of your companions, drain away. There is dim light, though, though there are no obvious sources of light. There's a torch in a sconce up ahead, but it is unlit. Shadows on the wall seem to move on their own accord.

Blackfeather Jack nearly trips on a bag with gemstones in the rubble on the stairs. They'd be worth a pretty penny if you could sell them.

The only obvious way out of here is a hallway forward and to your left. Please see slide 4 on the slides

Well, this is delightful, looks like we have stumbled into the Netherworld. That, I think, demands a drink.

Gella takes a swig from the covered tankard at her hip, regrips her shield and sets her face forward. Lets find out what's down here. You would have thought Ambrus would have mentioned this little wrinkle at the briefing.

With that, she advances forward, shield at the ready.

Jack looks over the gems in the bag.

”Huh. Shiny gravel”

He puts them away for later.

"Yes, I can see it draws the colours from my clothes", Mia says as she glances at her white tunic.

She looks at the team, and then the corridor. "If there's trouble, it will get crowded. Better I stay a bit back", she says and switches to her bow, then follows after Gella. "When entering the catacombs, the team was sent? Teleported? Ended up?, to the Netherworld, apparent from their garb losing its vibrancy. Examining the place further, they found, well, let's see around the corner", she talks to herself a draft of her report.

Br'eak says "Make it exciting! So, the color will be back." as he giggles.

"When entering the catacombs, the team was sent? Teleported? Ended up?, to the Netherworld, apparent from their garb losing its vibrancy. Examining the place further, they found, well, let's see around the corner", she talks to herself a draft of her report.

Gella calls back, What did you say? Sorry, wasnt paying attention. Bit of a bad habit. A'fraid I'm not much of a scholar or archaeologist, I'm mostly here to hit things that try to eat you and drink. Not necessarily in that order.

The lizardfolk moves forward as well with the others.

As the party moves forward deeper into the catacombs, there is a hallway where it seems to have collapsed in on itself. They move pass it to a larger chamber with alcoves. Shambling in the chamber are shadowy figures with knives. They hiss and rush at Gella and her glowing light source.

Forgot to mention, the light from Gella's wayfinder only is bright for 10 feet, and dim light for an additional 10 feet as opposed to 20 for each. A number of you have low light vision or dark vision, but Mia, Zdanek, if you're not within 10 feet of Gella, creatures are concealed, so will need a DC 5 flat check to target them with a Strike or spell attack

INITIATIVE
Red Stalker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Blue Stalker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Yellow Stalker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Green Stalker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Orange Stalker: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Purple Stalker: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Blackfeather Jack Perception: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12
Br'eak Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 24
Gella Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 = 17
Mia Perception: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12
Tirx Stealth: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
Zdenek Stealth: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21

To identify these creature, the proper skill is Religion. You will probably have to zoom in to determine the color of their border. Both Orange and Purple seem less solid and threatening

One of the creatures rushes forward, and tries stab into Gella's armor
Dagger: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Piercing Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
But it's unable to find purchase, and then rushes back!
◆stride ◆strike ◆stride

Blue Stalker
Br'eak
Zdenek
Orange Stalker
Red Stalker
Gella
Green Stalker
Tirx
Yellow Stalker
Purple Stalker
Blackfeather Jack 12
Mia

The lizardfolk rushes forward to trip Orange with his whip.

Whip, trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Unsuccessful his move gives him some panache just to have been tried.

With his new panache gained he strikes Orange.

Claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Damage, Piercing: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Quick question, do we have reactions prior to acting in battle? The rules are that it is up to GM discretion. If we do Gella would reactive strike as he approached.

RS if relevant: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 = 10

Br'eak casts Ignition on Yellow. "It won't be like that."

Br'eak Ignition (Ranged); Fire Damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 122d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

As the third action, Br'eak moves East.

Absolutely, Gella, this isn't a complete ambush, and that's usually when I rule you don't have your reaction. Also, Zdenek, I'm going to assume you drop the whip, because a critical fail on a trip attempt will cause you to drop prone (and also, you wouldn't gain panache on a critical failure), but you can drop a weapon with the trip trait to turn it into a failure. Also, the claw attack would have the multi attack penalty since the trip action has the attack trait. Orange isn't within the range of your claw, but I realize you may have confused it with Yellow. I've given them both boxes to make it more clear

Gella strikes at the retreating shadowy creature, and it hisses as the magic blade slices through it, a mighty blow. Br'eak's fire just misses above their target's shoulder, and fails to make connection. Zdenek gets tangled up with his whip, and fails to hit his target as well.

One of the creatures moves, taking a long way around Gella to get at the back lines. It tries to get Tirx's feet out from under him and then stabs down with its other hand.

Athletics vs Tirx's Reflex DC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Dagger, MAP vs Tirx's AC: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 4 = 10
It succeeds on getting Tirx on the ground but its dagger hits the stone floor right next to his arm!
◆stride ◆trip (success) ◆strike (failure)

One of the creature's allies rushed forward and seeing Tirx on the ground, tries to stab the goblin twice!
Dagger vs Tirx's offguard AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Piercing Damage, Sneakattack: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6
Dagger vs Tirx's Offguard AC, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 4 = 19
Piercing Damage, Sneakattack: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

Blue Stalker (-10)
Br'eak
Zdenek
Orange Stalker
Red Stalker
Gella
Green Stalker
Tirx (-14)
Yellow Stalker
Purple Stalker
Blackfeather Jack 12
Mia

Seeing the group at risk of getting surrounded Gella steps forward and tries to put down Yellow before he can cause trouble. She lashes out with her flail and shield.

Flail: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15

Shield: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 - 2 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13

Damage is combined if they have any resistances or weaknesses. Both attacks must be on the same target.

◆ Step
◆◆ Double Slice

Remember those scrolls if you need them people!

Gella's flail and shield buffet the creature and it collapses, its spine broken and no longer able to support it standing.

One of these creatures swings out and gets on the other side of Gella, and tries to jab a knife into her stomach.

Dagger vs Gella's off-guard AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Piercing Damage Attack: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Dagger vs Gella's off-guard AC, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 4 = 12
Piercing Damage, Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

But Gella's armor is too tough and the knife finds no purchase!

Blue Stalker (-10)
Br'eak
Zdenek
Orange Stalker
Red Stalker
Gella
Green Stalker
Tirx (-14)
Purple Stalker
Blackfeather Jack
Mia

Looks like Green provoked as Gella is wielding a reach weapon.

A flail?

A gnome flickmace.

The goblin stands up and moves.

Then he strikes on the red.

Rapier:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 VS FF

Damage:1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5) = 11

If crit deadly:1d8 ⇒ 4

In the future, please don't replace the name of what you're using with another rules-legal option that you aren't using.

Gella punishes the creature with her gnome flickmace as it tries to skirt around to the backlines. Tirx pops back up and pierces through the creature, causing it to stagger. It remains standing, but it is not long for the world!

One more creature tries to stab at Gella.
Purple's Dagger vs Gella's Off-Guard AC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Piercing Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6
And at Zdenek!
Purple Dagger vs Zdenek's AC, MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 4 = 22
Piercing Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
While Gella's back is turned and dealing with its compatriot, this creature sneaks around and tries to get the backlines of the party!

Round 1
Blue Stalker (-10)
Br'eak
Zdenek (-5)
Orange Stalker
Red Stalker (-26)
Gella (-6)
Green Stalker (-10)
Tirx (-14)
Purple Stalker
Blackfeather Jack
Mia

”Arise, my friends, and face our foes!
Will we defeat them? No one knows,
But we have pluck, and we have spirit!”

A fire ignites inside Jack’s head, lighting up his eyes and mouth. He opens his arms wide, and a dozen blackened wicker crows with flaming eyes fly out of his sleeves. They circle around him, cawing and wheeling.

”SEND THEM TO HELL, OR SOMEWHERE NEAR IT!”

Two of the crows fly toward the stalker Tirx attacked.

Demoralize Red, Channel Elements (one-action Elemental Blast vs Red [melee, flanking]), one-action Elemental Blast vs Red [melee, flanking]

Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Intimidating Glare

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3B

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3B