GM Frost's S03-13 Guardian's Covenant P04 (Inactive)

Game Master Frozen Frost

Dot in and delete.

At the briefing, our striking Rainkin Dromaar looks befitting in his current-mode fashion Taldane masculine suit, handsome and ample tusks meticulously cleaned and possessed of sheer ivory lustre, long knotted neatly-bound hair adding an almost feminine excitement to the otherwise 'business as usual' air of subtle menace that only men who present themselves as wealthy, knowledgable and competent can project, the only detail out of place, here, being the bo-staff with soft purple runes affixed to his back.

Beside him, another orc, dressed up in equal measure, but of a slighter bearing, straigtens his glasses, and nodding to the former, who returns the simple gesture, walks ahead with an air of importance.

He asks his client behind him "I am usure you will be in need of my assistance here - let us find out..."

Having traversed the new portal in the Maze of the Open Road, the Pathfinders convene around the massive hearth fire in the center of the fledgling Port Valen lodge. The male half-orc Venture‑Captain Bjersig Torrsen approaches them with his dog Mahki, his female gnome scribe/ interpreter Lirall, and Rahaksenwe.

Kindly introduce yourself.

A halfling woman with a headscarf on her head waves at you. "Greetings. Glenda Huckleberry. Cook by profession. Get slapped by this fish when I was moping by the river, and been going on adventures with it slapping enemies. It also vomi-- I mean, produces fruit and vegetables that are nutritious." she says.

"Um.. hello doggie..." Glenda says.

Corelion gives a bit of a dramatic bow, their wild blond hair flowing lusciously around them as a halberd pokes out from behind their back.

Strengthening up they introduce themselves, their voice reverberating almost as if in song. "Corelion here. I am an Elven Spellsinger."

They give their halberd a fancy spin before returning it to their back.

A petite young woman with a colorful scarf around her neck gives a dazzling smile to the VC. She makes an almost saluting gesture of welcome to him, and then shrugs apologetically. "I'm sorry, that's all your cousin, Calix, taught me."

She turns to the others with her same smile and a half wave. She brushes burgundy hair back from her face and you see she has one soft brown eye and one pale green one. "Heya, I'm Gwen! It's so wonderful to meet you all! I'm sure we'll get along fabulously." The last is said with a presumptuous air. Evidently the young woman is quite used to getting her way.

A kobold with golden scales approaches the group. He carries a crossbow on his back and has the symbol of Abadar prominently displayed on his belt. He bows to the assembled Pathfinders. "Greetings, Smoothscales! I am Jinlong Dragonkin. I am named after the famous Pathfinder Adventurer Rhaegal Dragonkin. You are indeed blessed to have a great Dragon to protect you!"

He acknowledges Glenda, recalling their previous adventure together.

Gwen suddenly jerks her head towards the kobold and squeals. "Jinlong?! It's been ages!" She leaps up and gives him a cheek-to-cheek hug. "I've been helping HT learn the ropes! He looks up to you so much! We met a queen, and of course I taught him to bow. And we went ice skating too!"

"Wha- " is all Jinlong can get out before he's suddenly buried in a tight hug. He gathers sucks in air through his nostrils to breathe a cone of fire before recognizing the voice. "Gwen?! Is it really you?! You met HT! How was his first adventure?! You taught him to BOW?!?! Dragons don't bow, though. It is the Smoothscales who need to bow, well, present company excepted, of course!"

He lets some of the heated air escape through his nostrils, hoping that the slow exhalation will hide the fact that he almost blew a cone of fire into an ally's face...

The goblin arrives singing on a black wolf.

I'm a poor lonesome goblin, and I'm far away from home. I'm a poor lonesome goblin and I'm far far awayyy from home.

Wearing a dark blue dress with stellar patterns he introduces himself once a sees there is some company: Hello, my name's Su Fix. Please don't mix up with Pre Fix. He's my brother.

Then showing the wolf: And this is Wolf.

Seeing Jinlong and Glenda he adds: Oh you here. What have you done since we each departed our own way?

After their introduction, Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen’s oversized gestures convey his excitement. “Welcome to the far side of the map! I don’t know what I was expecting to find here, but it sure wasn’t the hospitality that the locals have shown us. I mean, just look at this new lodge! It’s like we never left home!

“Speaking of leaving home, we’ve worked alongside Rahaksenwe and other Port Valen leaders to link this lodge to the Maze of the Open Road. They helped us set up the portal so that future Pathfinders won’t need to cross monster-infested waters to get here like we had to. That help wasn’t free, though.”

Rahaksenwe nods and explains, “The portal could not have been completed without the blessing of Viltydus, the fey guardian who guides travelers through the Forest of Trials. Viltydus has a keen eye for heroic potential, and their one condition for building and maintaining the portal is that Pathfinder agents must assist them regularly to foster greatness in this region. That’s why you’re here: to hold up your end of that bargain.”

Torrsen jumps back in. “So, wash up, get what you need from the quartermaster, and follow the footpath just outside the town gate right to the stump at the edge of the forest. Viltydus will meet you there—somehow, they can always sense when Pathfinders are on the way! Any questions?”

Jolinaxus bows one half-orc to another. His tusks betray a smile. He pauses before speaking, making sure that his breathing comes naturally.

"Fostering Greatness will not be easy - for nothing that is Great is also Easy" Joli considers the vague idealogical mission objective and asks "What qualities might this Viltydus define as being described as Great? I could think of a few, but I'm more interested to understand the context of this community and forest"

Su Fix strokes Wolf during the question time listening to the answers.

"Well, I think that is all I need to know!" Glenda says, ready to go.

"Um, we're following a fey into the forest?" Gwen adjusts her scarf. "Yeah, nothing can go wrong with that." She makes a motion and her fur-lined dress ripples, dirt falling away. Her hair takes on a freshly washed sheen, and she reclips a tortoise-shell butterfly clip in her hair.

"Well, there. The fey can sometimes be picky about presentation." She looks back to Torrsen. "So, we just do whatever tasks he has for us?"

"Fostering Greatness will not be easy - for nothing that is Great is also Easy" Joli considers the vague idealogical mission objective and asks "What qualities might this Viltydus define as being described as Great? I could think of a few, but I'm more interested to understand the context of this community and forest"

Both nods in agreement about fostering greatness. As for the qualities...

"They only know..." Rahaksenwe responds. “If you don't know, Viltydus is a crossroads guardian, a fey created to serve a primal purpose. Theirs is to help travelers who are called to Valenhall safely navigate the Forest of Trials. Around here, we deeply respect Viltydus’s work. They have been a mentor and protective spirit for generations of us.”

None seems to know about Port Valen or Valenhall.

"So, we just do whatever tasks he has for us?"

Rahaksenwe replies, “As for that, yes. Viltydus will provide details once you meet with them. They care deeply about legendary exploits, so your tasks won’t be chopping wood or other mundane work. I doubt you’d have made it this far if you didn’t have the skills to handle whatever Viltydus needs, though.”

"If you are ready, don't forget your Pathfinder Provision before you leave. I wish you all good luck to your tasks!" the venture-captain tells them with enthusiasm.

Everyone begins with two hero points each.

Once the Pathfinders are ready, they travel a short distance beyond Port Valen’s borders toward the forest. A massive stump eight feet in diameter sits at the edge of the wood, and all the surrounding plants and earth seem to direct their focus toward it.

A lithe Mahwek individual stands atop a giant stump, their average height magnified by an awesome presence of personality. Their fingers, lips, ears, eyebrows, and nostrils are richly adorned with dozens of rings, each one made of a different material and etched with varying pictograms and sigils. They speak with a voice like wind in the canopy. “The portal already beckons souls destined for greatness! Welcome, Pathfinders, to the Forest of Trials, a noteworthy juncture in your travels across this vast, beautiful world.”

Before the Pathfinders can introduce themselves, Viltydus tells their name and their latest exploits before this mission. The fey, who exudes the affection of a proud teacher, does this not to intimidate them but to celebrate their accomplishments.

"But you are not here for that, right?"

The goblin replies simply: We were told we were here for something else but that’s also good like this.

Corelion swings their head into a bow as their hair nearly glitters as it flows around them.

"Greetings, and thank you for the welcome Viltydus. I am Corelion, Elvish Spellsinger extraordinaire." Corelion's voice comes off more like a song than mere speech.

With respect, Joli bows before Viltydus "How may we be of assistance pruning the plant of Greatness as it is defined here in Port Valen"

He keeps one eye on the edge of the wood itself.

"Well, no, not really, though does any of the trials involve pie eating or cooking or baking?" Glenda asks, hopeful. Fishy rolls its eyes.

Gwen gives a curtsy to Viltydus. "My, you seem to know much about us already. Now, what exactly does this Forest of Trials hold for us? Will you be escorting us through or is this something we traverse without you?"

With respect, Joli bows before Viltydus "How may we be of assistance pruning the plant of Greatness as it is defined here in Port Valen"

"I sense that you have shown greatness already, and will be planting more! Let me help you on that with the tasks that I will be giving you!"

"Well, no, not really, though does any of the trials involve pie eating or cooking or baking?" Glenda asks, hopeful. Fishy rolls its eyes.

"Let's see what you can offer!"

Gwen gives a curtsy to Viltydus. "My, you seem to know much about us already. Now, what exactly does this Forest of Trials hold for us? Will you be escorting us through or is this something we traverse without you?"

"If you are called to Valenhall, then I am here to help you safely navigate the Forest of Trials. But you are not here for that. Today is not your day. You are here to help others strive for such a noble goal, or recover from their efforts to reach it. Your days as leading actors lie ahead, but today you perform in the ensemble.” he says poetically. "How about you follow me?" they motion to the party to follow them.

"You see, I agreed to open the Maze's portal here in one condition: Pathfinder Society will send their representatives to prove and show your heroic deeds. Oh, hear we are!" they arrive at the feasting hall. The lodge is packed with layfolk, eagerly distributing and enjoying ales and meads. The floor near the hearth fire has been cleared to provide an impromptu stage, where Viltydus goes and stands at its center.

Viltydus’s eyes flash with genuine joy and playful mischief. “We consume food and drink for our bodies, we consume books and studies for our minds, but we consume tales and stories for our souls. Stories allow us to share our common love of life and remind us why we press on even when our bodies and minds beg us to turn back. Pathfinders gather stories from across the whole world, farther than the sight of a humble villager or even an Arcadian fey. Therefore, I task you to share your most exciting tales with us so that we may, for a moment, share in your greatest achievements!”

"How about you tell us stories across Golarion, those far from northern Arcadia?" Viltydus and the audience awaits.

Viltydus wants the party to inspire the Port Valen locals with stories from beyond the town’s shores, instilling a thirst for heroism among them. After all, the more folks who aspire to greatness, the more souls Viltydus can someday guide to Valenhall. The stories may be your own, the past endeavors of the Pathfinder Society, or even just pure imagination, so long as they are invigorating and entertaining.

For this task, there are three rounds. For every round, choose a primary storyteller among yourselves. The primary storyteller will roleplay and attempt a DC 20 skill check (or DC 17 Lore skill) to tell a compelling story and earn Story Points for the group. Meanwhile, others can Aid in enriching the primary storyteller's story with another roleplay and then roll the skill openly. Creative solutions are encouraged.

Skills: Performance, Deception, Religion, Society, or any Lore about a specific settlement or region of Golarion other than Port Valen or Arcadia. Other appropriate skills are allowed with justification.

For Round 1, Primary Storyteller is up, and the others to AId!

Corelion takes centerstage, his elvish locks nearly flowing in some invisible breeze.

His voice echoing out in epic song Corelion sings "Were I anywhere else I would tell them the story of our negotiotions with the council of Segada to allow us entry to return the Star Gun. Instead let me tell you the story of when we delved into Droskar's Crag, otherwise known as The Pallid Depths... Beset on all sides by undead and necromantic energies coursing through the air, I cut through the gloom with the power of my voice and stuck down the ghasts surrounding us and cleared the way for the Pathfinder's full Expedition into the deepest part of the Pallid Depths..."

Performance: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

An excellent listener, Joli stands still, makes eye contact, and keeps his attention politely focused on the exploits shared. If anyone makes distracting noises while someone else is speaking, he gives them a look...

Aid Storyteller 1 w/ Diplomacy (E): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Aid Storyteller 2 w/ Diplomacy (E): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Aid Storyteller 3 w/ Diplomacy (E): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Glenda sits back. "How about some raisins to go with the performance?"

She gets Fishy to do some Fresh Produce and serves that to the audience.

Aid Diplo round 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Aid Diplo r2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Aid Diplo r3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Jinlong will be the 2nd storyteller if needed (since he has religion)

Su Fix commands Wolf to move forward and begins to sing his story.

We were sent in mission to represent the Society to a carnival

Oh YEAH

Performance: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Performance, hero point: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

For the ones who were with Su Fix, the story needed to be a bit rewrote, didn't it?

As the various tales are being told, Gwen mingles through the crowd, making comments to those nearby. "Have you ever heard of something so thrilling?"

"I heard they saved a family there."

"That wolf was a gift from a King!"

"The little one will become a giant Dragon someday."

Aid, Deception Round 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Aid, Deception Round 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Aid, Deception Round 3: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Corelion takes centerstage, elven hair theatrically flowing, and launches into a grand tale—his voice echoing as he recounts how he led Pathfinders through the undead-infested Pallid Depths, clearing the way with the power of his song.

Jolinaxus makes sure everyone is watching and not chattering. Meanwhile, Glenda shares some raisins for the watchers. Su Fix and Wolf supplement Corelion's story with another story, that is somewhat bloody? Meanwhile, Gwen is having trouble to get the audience's attention with her story.

The audience bursts into standing ovation for Corelion's wonderful story of the Pallid Depths, they just hope that those undead will not invade their community though.

Success for Round 1. I will take the highest bonus to Aid, which is from Glenda, so those who have used hero points, you can have them back. Success with +2 bonus remains a Success!

The audience awaits for another storyteller, their focus seems to concentrate on the dragonscaled kobold.

Jinlong is up for Round 2 as primary storyteller!

I will be using the skill checks to Aid from those who have rolled for the primary storytellers of Round 2 and Round 3, taking only the highest bonus among the checks.

Euh Su Fix performance was thought as primary for round 2 indeed...

Oh, I see. I saw Jinlong grabbing the spot for second round and missed the part that you are not rolling for Aid. Anyway, we can use your story for Round 2, and Jinlong can have the round 3.

As soon as Corelion finishes, Su Fix and Wolf pick up the thread, seamlessly shifting the spotlight to their tale, as if the scene itself transitions from one story to the next: from the grim depths of the undead to a chaotic carnival filled with bears and blood, and once more into the grasp of the undead.

Glenda continues handing out raisins to keep the audience watching (+1), while Joli holds his post, trying to shush some of them, though a few children remain beyond his influence (+0). Meanwhile, Gwen keeps offering commentary to those nearby, but they think she’s spoiling the story (+0).

Another Success! Jinlong is up for Round 3 of storytelling!

The audience waits for the next storyteller, their attention gradually settling on the dragonscaled kobold.

Jinlong gets up on stage and tells of his adventures in a carnival where he got to dance with bears and how he and his companions beat back hordes of undead.

Religion(E), Aid: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 = 34

"And so, even while blinded, I was able to send my spell right where the main opponent was. Dragons are good at that! My party was fortunate they had a great Dragon helping them!"

Jinlong steps up on stage and recounts his adventures at a carnival, where he danced with bears and, alongside his companions, fought off hordes of undead. He concludes his tale by proudly declaring that even while blinded, he was able to land a spell directly on the main opponent—because dragons are good at that—and notes that his party was fortunate to have a great Dragon helping them. Crit Success, 2 SP

Total of 4 Storytelling Points! Well done!

The crowd cheers wildly after hearing Jinlong's tale. Viltydus then shares his closing remarks about the Pathfinders, telling them their heroism once more. They then lead the Pathfinders outside while the crowd continues their party.

"Well done! I knew that you can lift up the people's spirits with your tales!" Viltydus declares. "You'll never know, but one of them might be inspired and will want to become adventurers like you!"

Viltydus is impressed that they give them a pair of goggles of night.

At night, Viltydus summons the Pathfinders to a wide path leading into the Forest of Trials. Broken branches, scuffed tree trunks, and spatters of dried blood indicate a struggle started here and progressed into the wood.

Viltydus lets out a deep, slow sigh. “My life’s purpose is to prepare heroes to enter the forest, to guide them to victory. Sometimes, though, the forest proves too dangerous. For every warrior who finds their way to Valenhall, a dozen others fall before they reach their goal. I sense one has fallen this night. Pathfinders, your task is to recover the one whom the forest has felled. Bring them home alive if they can be saved. Return their remains for final services if they cannot.”

Once you are ready, I need a DC 20 Perception or Survival check or DC 17 Scouting Lore check from the group to find the adventurer in the forest. I only need one skill check from the group. How long will it take your group to find the adventurer depends on that single skill check. And tell me who wants to wear the one pair of goggles of night.

Jinlong murmurs a quick prayer to Abadar for guidance before trying to find the way.

Perception, Guidance: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 = 32

"AHA! This way! Be guided by a Dragon!"

Joli follows Jinlong, bo in hand, raised in case of danger.

Glenda follows Jinlong. "The dragon knows the way!" she says.

Corelion test out a few bars of a song glorifying Jinlong's guidance.

"And then the glorious DragonKin
Lead us through the Forest..."

Gwen laughs as they all follow Jinlong. "This is all going into a story for HT!"

Jinlong soaks in the praise.

He's going to be more insufferable now! :)

The draconic Jinlong indeed knows where to find the missing adventurer that only takes them half an hour. The party finds a bloody man bound to a tree. When the man sees them,

"Don't get any closer! I am cursed. I was severely bitten and now I carry the curse to become a murderous beast just like those I have killed! Go away before it happens!"

Each of you can calm and treat him with DC 19 Deception, Herbalism Lore, Intimidation, Medicine, or Werecreature Lore, and earn Recovery Points (RP). CS: +2 RP; S: +1 RP; CF: -2 RP. Thanks to Jinlong's critical success in finding the adventurer, the DC is reduced by 1 (already included).

Everyone is up!

"I am a healer! Stand back! Let me look at you!"

Medicine(E): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

You REALLY should let him proceed.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Corelion laughs "Do we look like you're a threat to us?" as he menaces the man.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

"No need to be nasty!" Glenda says, waving Fishy and threatening the man with a slap.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

We have enough recovery points that matters for this part.

"No..." the bound bloody man says weakly, and thanks to their insistence, Jinlong treats the man before it succumbs to its wounds. Next to the man are two trip snares. But before they can remove the man from his bound state, a humaan reveals himself from the shadows of the wood.

"Well, well. Who do we have here?," says the figure. "You have brought your friends to save you? You brought them to us for revenge!" the figure transforms into a beast before it attacks!

I assume everyone has their source of light such as Wayfinder? And who wears the one pair of goggle of night? Please let me know, especially those who have normal vision and low-light vision.

From behind, Blue meets Wolf and bites him!
Jaw Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 vs Wolf, AC 22-2 OG Crit
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 6) + 7 = 14 P damage x2

The Blue raider secures his bite on Wolf.
Athletics to Grapple: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 vs Wolf's Fort DC 22 (Crit Fail)

Since the Grab is Crit Fail, Wolf chooses either he grabs Blue, as if it succeeded at using the Grapple action against Blue, or force Blue to fall and land prone.

Red Raider rolls eyes after the failed attempt to grab Wolf by Blue. Red growls in frustration. He meets Jolinaxus and bites him too!
Jaw Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 vs Joli AC 24
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 2) + 7 = 11 P damage

He secures his bite at Joli, but the bite is not strong enough.
Athletics to Grapple: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 vs Joli's Fort DC 23 (Fail)

⬤ MOONLIT MARAUDERS! Round 1 ⬤
Terrain Feature(s): Area is under cloudy night (darkness); underbrush is difficult terrain that provides enough concealment to Hide or Sneak
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP

➤ BOLD NAMES CAN ACT; STRIKETHROUGH MEANS ELIMINATED.
Blue Raider (- HP) | Grabbed by Wolf or fall prone? | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Red Raider (- HP) | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
➤ Jinlong Dragonkin (AC 22) (70/70 HP) | darkvision
Black Raider (- HP) | Undetected to PC w low-light vision; Hidden to PC w darkvision | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Gwendolyn Faran (AC 19) (34/34 HP) | w darkvision
Jolinaxus Strangemuse (AC 24) (98/100 HP) | w low-light vision
Glenda Huckleberry (AC 23) (66/66 HP) | w Keen Eyes
Yellow Beast (- HP) | Undetected to PC w low-light vision; Hidden to PC w darkvision | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Corelion (AC 24) (78/78 HP) | w low-light vision
Su Fix (AC 23) (70/70 HP) | w darkvision
⠀⠀⠀Wolf (AC 22) (23/51 HP) | w darkvision

REFERENCES

Jinlong chants softly and unleashes darts at the Blue raider.

Needle Darts vs Blue, OG: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 for Piercing: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 4, 4) = 14
Crit: Double Damage + 3 persistent bleed

Before raising a mystic shield.

◆◆ Needle Darts
◆ Shield (+1 AC)

Jinlong launches needles at Blue that stick deeper into its fur before raising his shield. 14 P damage

Black Raider reveals himself from hiding and bites Jinlong!
Jaw Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32 vs Jinlong AC 22+1 shield -2 OG Hidden Crit
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 6) + 7 = 16 P damage x2 Shield Block?

⬤ MOONLIT MARAUDERS! Round 1 ⬤
Terrain Feature(s): Area is under cloudy night (darkness); underbrush is difficult terrain that provides enough concealment to Hide or Sneak
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP

➤ BOLD NAMES CAN ACT; STRIKETHROUGH MEANS ELIMINATED.
Blue Raider (-14 HP) | Grabbed by Wolf or fall prone? | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Red Raider (- HP) | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Jinlong Dragonkin (AC 22+1 w Shield Spell) (70/70 HP) | Shield Block 32 P damage? | darkvision
Black Raider (- HP) | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
➤ Gwendolyn Faran (AC 19) (34/34 HP) | w darkvision
➤ Jolinaxus Strangemuse (AC 24) (98/100 HP) | w low-light vision
➤ Glenda Huckleberry (AC 23) (66/66 HP) | w Keen Eyes
Yellow Beast (- HP) | Undetected to PC w low-light vision; Hidden to PC w darkvision | w low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Corelion (AC 24) (78/78 HP) | w low-light vision
Su Fix (AC 23) (70/70 HP) | w darkvision
⠀⠀⠀Wolf (AC 22) (23/51 HP) | w darkvision

REFERENCES

Jinlong's shield is H10 (R3) so yes, I'll shield block it.

"Meeek!! Jinlong screams as something charges into his face and bites him. He manages to get the mystic shield in the way but it still hurts!