[GD XIV] Redelia's Hao Jin Cataclysm (Inactive)

Game Master Redelia

This game is part of Gameday XIV. Players who will be at this table please dot and delete for now.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

Aram Zey, the former Master of Spells, grimaces in pain and speaks. “Pathfinders, an entire world is in danger! The Hao Jin Tapestry is on the brink of collapse. If we do not act now, all its wonders and its people will be lost to us forever. Find your assigned group, aid in our preparations to enter the demiplane however you can, and await further instructions.”

Table GMs, you are cleared to begin!

What appears to be an orange-skinned woman with faintly glowing lines on her face idly shuffles a harrow deck in one hand as she reviews a list in the other. She glances up occasionally, hoping to spot one of the other agents assigned to her team. When she finally does, she speaks in a near-monotone.

"Greetings. My signifier is PumpkinCorp DivinoBot RNG-31029003. For ease, you may refer to me as Orenjii. My function is to utilize my malevolent ocular implant to reduce the effectiveness of our opponents, then to provide fortune-telling services to them at high velocity."

She then silently awaits further instruction.

Coming up to the assigned meeting spot, a fiery-haired dwarf clomps up, chains and blades rattling with an oddly musical clink against her colorful shell plate armor, a massive helmet hanging from her hips.

"Tarlamera Stoneshaft the Dragonslayer, of Highhelm. I've no idea what we will face, but any dwarf can tell you, if there's a collapse, you might need a good climber. And if foes come for us, even if it's like the invasion of Sakkorak in 2492, I'll stop them, no matter how many there might be. Oh.. and don't call me crazy."

A figure who had been sitting on the ground and reading a large tome raises her head from the book upon hearing the Master of Spells’ announcement, then begins brushing the crystalline dust from her robes. After making herself presentable, she rises to give a proper introduction to what appears to be her gathered teammates.

“Patchouli of the Rosenthal family, priest of Milani, at your service. May the Everbloom guide your path.” She bows gently.

She wears priestly robes (full plate if you have True Seeing) and carries a large ironbound tome with her. Her skin is literally golden, and a veil of mysterious crystalline dust drifts around her, hinting at her otherworldly heritage.

Countless Pathfinders stand ready in a large stone room deep beneath the Grand Lodge. A ragged tapestry covered in clashing colors and abstract symbols rests on an inclined slab in the center of the room, surrounded by scaffolds and ladders. Scholars frantically rush along the scaffolds, studying a flurry of rips appearing on the tapestry.

A harried oread woman approaches. “I am Master of Spells Sorrina Westyr. I won’t mince words—the situation is dire. This cloth is the famous Hao Jin Tapestry, an ancient relic the Pathfinder Society acquired in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament six years ago. It contains a vast wealth of locations, treasures, and peoples torn from Golarion by the sorceress Hao Jin. We have explored many regions of the tapestry, struggled to keep the Aspis Consortium from turning its populace against us, and devised a means to use the tapestry for fast travel across all of Golarion. But now, it has begun to unravel. We must act quickly to repair the tapestry—and that means sending agents into the demiplane itself. Our former Master of Spells, Aram Zey, knows more about the tapestry than anyone here. He is preparing a formal briefing. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with your team, discuss any previous experience you may have with the Hao Jin Tapestry, and gather what information and resources you can. [/b[

[b]One more thing, and this is important: you will be able to retreat safely from the tapestry to Absalom. However, we cannot risk damaging the tapestry further by sending groups back and forth. Be sure that you gather everything you need before entering the tapestry, because once you return to Absalom, you will no longer be a part of this mission.

You may now introduce yourselves to your team, purchase any gear needed, and try any of the following tasks you wish:

ASSESS THE DAMAGE
Relevant Skills: Appraise, Disable Device, Perception, or Use Magic Device
TASK DETAILS
The PCs inspect the tapestry itself to help discern what might be happening to it.

INTERROGATE THE SNAKES
Relevant Skills: Bluff or Intimidate
TASK DETAILS
The PCs interrogate a group of Aspis Consortium agents recently arrested in Absalom, attempting to discern if the Consortium is infiltrating the tapestry again.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE WEAVE
Relevant Skills: Diplomacy (gather information) or Knowledge (local or planes)
TASK DETAILS
The PCs recall or gather information about the Hao Jin Tapestry

SOMETHING IS WATCHING
Relevant Skills: Knowledge (arcana or planes), Perception, Sense Motive, or Spellcraft
TASK DETAILS
The PCs get a strange feeling of being watched and investigate to determine what is going on.

SUPPLY CHECK
Relevant Skills: Appraise, Craft (any relevant skill), Knowledge (arcana), or Profession (any relevant skill)
TASK DETAILS
The PCs assess the repair team’s supplies, including climbing gear, traveling gear, food and drink, and supplies for magic rituals.

TALES FROM THE TAPESTRY
Relevant Skills: Diplomacy, Knowledge (history), or Perform
TASK DETAILS
The PCs briefly swap tales of the Pathfinder Society’s previous adventures in the tapestry.

TRAVEL TIPS
Relevant Skills: Knowledge (geography or nature), Profession (any relevant profession), or Survival
TASK DETAILS
The PCs share tips for navigating and surviving a variety of terrains.

You may try as many of these as you wish; go ahead and roll the skill checks, but do they in the order listed and clearly label them, please.

The last piece of preparation is that I need to know if your characters have completed any of the following scenarios:
#3–12: Wonders in the Weave—Part I: The Dog Pharaoh’s Tomb
#3–14: Wonders in the Weave—Part II: Snakes in the Fold
#3–20: The Rats of Round Mountain—Part I: The Sundered Path
#3–21: The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment
#3–22: The Rats of Round Mountain—Part II: Pagoda of the Rat
#6–21: Tapestry’s Toil
#6–97: Siege of Serpents

Please check over your chronicle sheets and let me know if _this character_ has any of them. GM credits do count.

The big thuggish varisian man stands with his back to the wall watching the assembled Pathfinders. He has the appearance of the sort of ne'er do well that any sensible person would avoid if encountered down a dark ally Kaer Maga. As Aram Zey speaks he nonchalantly sharpens a hand axe, which he then puts away ready to seek out the rest of the party.

Spotting his group he strides over, smiles and holds out a calloused hand in greeting.

"Hello, I'm Constantin, student of the arcane arts, its nice to meet you all." he rumbles in gruff voice.

Constantin sees if he is able to help out with any of the tasks...

He will use a charge of from his wand of heightened awareness to give an additional +2 to any knowledge rolls below if that is an option.

Assess the damage (disable device): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35
Interrogate the snakes (bluff): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10
Knowledge of the weave (planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Something is watching (perception): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Supply check (arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Tales from the tapestry (history): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Travel tips (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Constantin hasn't got chronicle sheets for any of the listed scenarios.

Orenjii has none of those chronicles.

The android begins methodically assisting the other Pathfinders.

Assess the Damage: Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Interrogate the Snakes: Intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Knowledge of the Weave: Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
Something is Watching: Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Supply Check: Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Tales from the Tapestry: Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Travel Tips: Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Patchouli puts away her tome and gets to work...

Assess the Damage: UMD: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Interrogate the Snakes: Intimidate: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Knowledge of the Weave: Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 3 = 24
Something is Watching: Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Supply Check: Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Tales from the Tapestry: Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 3 = 29
Travel Tips: Kn Nature: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Adding fame bonus to Diplo since we're talking to fellow Pathfinders

"Greetings I am Sorgath. Melee not smarts"

Sorgath is a plate clad half orc warrior type wielding a magical adamantine fauchard in two hands and a shield in his THIRD??? hand.
He has a hedgehog familiar he refers to as Sonic.

ASSESS THE DAMAGE
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

INTERROGATE THE SNAKES
Intim: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

KNOWLEDGE OF THE WEAVE
kn planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

SOMETHING IS WATCHING
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

SUPPLY CHECK
Alchemy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

TALES FROM THE TAPESTRY
Diplo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

TRAVEL TIPS
Survival: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14

A very tall and robust young man joins the group. He wears greeen clothes and no armor. He listens silently the explanations and the mission. After that, he cannot help giving his opinion exclaiming in amazement.

THIS is an important mission! We will not fail!

ASSESS THE DAMAGE Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
INTERROGATE THE SNAKES Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
KNOWLEDGE OF THE WEAVE Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
SOMETHING IS WATCHING Knowledge(arcan): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
SUPPLY CHECK Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
TALES FROM THE TAPESTRY Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
TRAVEL TIPS Survival: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

Tarlamara, the only task where the team has not already found out all there is to know is Intimidate the Snakes, so please make a bluff or intimidate check.

Tarlamera proudly goes to pursue the foul snakes The only skill she's even mildly good at!

Shake the Snakes! Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Almost went for a reroll, but if Sorgath's 21 didn't succeed... oof

Tarlamera *does* have 6-97 Siege of Serpents (her last chronicle actually), as well as 10-15 Tapestry's Trial, on the off chance that matters.

I forgot to say that I have not played any of the mentioned scenarios.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

Aram Zey cries out in alarm as a massive rip appears in the Hao Jin Tapestry. A silvery void dances within the breach. “The rifts are widening—we’re running out of time! Quickly, Pathfinders. Finish your preparations and gather around the tapestry.”

His gaze remains fixed on the tapestry as he addresses the crowd around him. He is harried and pale, with dark bags under his bloodshot eyes. His hands tremble slightly as he sets a mug of coffee down on a table already littered with empty cups. “Pathfinders, the Hao Jin Tapestry is falling to pieces. Both the physical object you see before you and the mystical realm it contains have been unraveling for several months, possibly even longer. My only hope is that there is still time to save the tapestry and those who live inside.”

The former Master of Spells glares at the tapestry for a moment, and then a new rip catches his attention. He jabs a finger at the frayed fabric. “There! You see? The degradation is causing—or perhaps caused by—rifts to the Astral Plane that are appearing throughout the demiplane. Fixing these tears is not as simple as stitching fabric or performing a few rituals. We must enter the tapestry itself, find the rifts, and repair them as best we can. But the tapestry is in chaos—undead horrors are emerging throughout the demiplane, and we do not quite understand why. On top of that, the people and creatures of the tapestry are reacting to the chaos, and they are only making matters worse! That, Pathfinders, is where you come in.”

Aram Zey finally turns to face the crowd gathered around him. “The tapestry is a massive realm, and we have spent years exploring it and using it for travel. I fear that our activities are at least partly responsible for the degradation. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many of the six most damaged areas of the tapestry are sites of previous Pathfinder missions.”

Zey’s face twists into a pained expression, “My efforts to repair the demiplane over the course of the last several days have met with nothing but failure. The decline continues to accelerate. I have no choice but to send you into the tapestry to deal with the chaos around these six sites. I’ll be sending in other teams to perform the laborious work of patching the rifts once you’ve established control of the situation. Then I can work on a permanent solution. Time is of the essence. By my estimates, in a little over two day’s time, the entire demiplane will collapse without your efforts. I don’t care what motivates you, whether you want to preserve powerful artifacts, save innocent lives, or be a good Pathfinder—get in there and get the job done.” Aram Zey returns his gaze to the tapestry, raising his hand to his forehead and wincing in pain. In a low grumble, he adds, “You all are this demiplane’s last hope. Don’t let them down.”

Table GMs, begin Part 2.

To finish off the mustering tasks, you succeeded at all of the tasks but one completely, and succeeded at two of three levels for that one remaining task. Please see the document linked above by the maps (labelled results) to see the results of your checks and the bonuses you have earned.

A much more experienced Pathfinder agent walks over to you and explains more. (yes, this is one of the GMs pretty much retired Seeker characters)

“As Aram Zey said, we have identified the six most damaged areas of the tapestry. Unfortunately, each of these areas is populated. In some of them, you’ll find allies who require aid, and in others long-time foes that would thwart our efforts. We must defeat these foes or win them over to our side. Choose your missions carefully! If you have visited the tapestry before, its people are likely to remember you, for good or ill."

“I do have one piece of good news—the tapestry’s attempts to repair itself have caused loose threads from these six locations to connect to each other. What that means for you is that traveling between those locations once you’re inside should be straightforward. Advance scouts tell us these connections look like bridges made of tattered fabric decorated to resemble the two locations in the tapestry that the bridge connects."

“As for getting back home, when you enter, you’ll leave a little blue portal behind you. It’s called an astral eddy, and it’s your personal connection to the Material Plane. Walk back into it, and you’ll reappear in Absalom. Once you’ve come home, though, we won’t be sending you back in."

“You have two days to complete as many missions as you can, but don’t be so hasty that you throw away your lives. Take the time to rest if you find a safe place.”

Here is your list of missions to choose from:

Completing any of the missions below can assist in the Pathfinder Society’s efforts to secure a region of the tapestry. Choose carefully, as you likely do not have time to tackle every mission.

Mission 1: Visit our Muckmouth lizardfolk allies, help them fight back an incursion of undead, and secure a source of magic relics for their tribe.

Mission 2: Our ratfolk allies in Round Mountain sent out a call for help. The entire mountain is unstable, and dangerous creatures abound! Secure passage to the Pagoda of the Rat.

Mission 3: The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment has flourished since we cleansed it of corruption, but now its leader falters in the face of the tapestry’s chaos. Go to the temple and set things right.

Mission 4: The duergar of Slave Mountain are becoming more desperate and aggressive. They are taking slaves beneath the mountain and performing a disturbing ritual. Do what you can to understand their dark plot, and stop the ritual!

Mission 5: The Aspis Consortium poisoned many of the tapestry’s residents against us. Three factions have nonetheless agreed to meet with us. You must convince them to trust the Society in this desperate hour.

Mission 6: We know of a mystical fountain that never runs out of water and so could help with the tapestry’s repairs, but it has stopped working. Secure this eternal water source.

"Surely the perversion of the cycle of life that the lizardfolk face is the most egregious threat. Let us hasten to that location."

Please also choose your potion reward before we move on...

Tarlamera gives a firm nod. "Lizardfolk are worthy foes, and worthier friends. We should gather strength while we may."

"Lizard folk sound like they need help, let us go assist!"

Patchouli is fine with dealing with lizardfolk

OK, mission 1 it is...

When yous arrive at the Muckmouth caves, the guards usher you inside.

The Muckmouth tribe’s caves are dry but littered with the bones of cave-dwelling fish. In the central cavern, a small band of bedraggled lizardfolk watch as their ancient leader limps forward. Long strings of tiny bones dangle from her armbands, clacking on the stone floor. “Welcome, Pathfinder friends. I am Oosthic, and I remember my tribe’s debt to you for rescuing our eggs and our home. We must call on your strength once more. Our water has vanished. Without water, the Muckmouth grow weak. Many have perished seeking water in the ancient ruins beneath our home. The ruins are crumbling, and the living dead slither from the walls. I fear the serpent empire seeks vengeance against the Muckmouth for disturbing its ruins, but we had no choice. Destroy the undead and secure the lost magic of the serpentfolk for our tribe. The Muckmouth must survive!”

pause for any preparations...

Tarlamera puts away her shield and rhythmically thumps the head of her dorn-dergar against the ground, chanting a focusing mantra (off-key). "We shall re-bury those who lie below, and return the waters to your tribe."

Tarlamera distributes a holy water to anyone who wants one, then takes the lead on the way down when the rest are ready.

What kind of living undead are attacking you, Oosthic?

I will cast mage armor, which is already reflected in my AC.

Orenjii will keep her new potion in hand and wait for more information about the undead.

Patchouli will use the wand of LongstriderUMD: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25, ShieldUMD: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35, and Heighten Awareness on herself, and have her teammates surrounding her.

After listening to Oosthic's tale Constantin nods his agreement and gets ready to hunt down the undead.

When the party are expecting to reach the area containing the undead Constantin will cast: mage armor and heightened awareness from a wands; extended barkskin using an extend metamagic rod and 2 arcane reservoir points to access the spell (using Halcyon Spell Lore) and boost it to CL9; mirror image; shield; and monstrous physique I to become a gargoyle. He will cast long arm from a wand right before they expect to encounter any undead if he can.

mirror images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

I'll update his AC etc to reflect the change due to the spells. He will end his heightened awareness to get a +4 on initiative if combat happens.

cast longarm from wand that should be all

Oosthic gives you a garbled description of the undead, from which all you can conclude is that there is more than one kind.

The Muckmouth sentries lead you through twisting passages to a ruined serpentfolk city cradled in a steep-walled mountain valley.The valley os filled with crumbling buildings and a massive ziggurat. The lizardfolk guides explain they will go no further until you have eliminated any
nearby dangers.

Please place your tokens in the indicated area on the map. Since there will be a delay for that, you may also roll your own initiative. I believe the party has chosen to use their bonus on this initiative check.

I didn't see anyone saying that we're using the initiative bonus from the task reward. Some heightened awareness but that's it? It seem unwise to throw out the bonus on the first encounter

Here and following. Two votes for, no comments against means I assumed you did in order to keep things moving.

Yeah, I'm fine with it, not a huge deal. I was just confused because apparently I failed my Perception check to see that post :)

It's only good against undead, and we have no guarantee of running into more.

Yes. I also think it is a good idea for that reason. There might be a second encounter with undead... or not. No guarantee.

It's only good against undead.....

I failed Perception check twice apparently.

guy with a tongue init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
wrapped up bad guy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

bold may post:
Patchouli
thing with a tongue (red)
Sorgath
Constantin
Gavirius
wrapped up thing
Tarlamera
Oranji

Also, anyone on the team who is trained may make two knowledge:religion checks to ID the bad guys, even if it is not yet your turn.

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Patchouli will tells her teammates about the enemies, readys her tome and move forward.
Move, swift action enter Shikigami style, ready action

Patchouli knows that these are a mummy and a mohrg.

A mummy can paralyse enemies with fear who see it from close enough, can cause a curse that is also a disease, and is vulnerable to fire.

A mohrg can cause paralysis if it damages you.

They are both undead and have standard undead immunities.

The mohrg moves forward towards the party (double move) and stops adjacent to Patchouli. Her readied attack smacks him successfully.

bold may post:
round 1:
Sorgath
Constantin
Gavirius
wrapped up thing
Tarlamera
Oranji
round 2:
Patchouli
thing with a tongue (red) -18 HP

I think my token may have been accidentally moved after I placed it on the map (I placed it in the front rank of the party, but it looks like it got moved behind the front members). That said it looks like my turn will still work from either location.

Constantin flaps forward towards the mohrg. As he approaches the creature he suddenly disappears through an unseen crack in reality, before appearing again on the opposite side of the mohrg from Patchouli (using dimensional slide) and striking at the undead with his morningstar...

morningstar attack + flank: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 2 = 35
bludgeoning/piercing/silver/magic damage + arcane strike + sneak: 1d8 + 10 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 + (4, 6, 2) = 28

morningstar crit?: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 2 = 33
crit damage + arcane strike: 1d8 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17

Just in case the mummy approaches within his 10ft reach I'll also roll the AoO in advance...

Sorgath moves forward to strike the tongue!

Fauchard +1 adam sl: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 221d10 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Gavirius moves forward and is ready to cast a ray of fire on the mummy if the undead moves close enough.

I ready scorching ray for whenever the mummy is at 40 feet from Gavirius.

Constantin delivers a devastating blow to the tonguey creature, and Sorgath gets in a good smack, too. The enemy is clearly badly hurt (about 1/4 HP).

The mummy moves forward (double move)

Gaviriu's ray scorches the mummy badly (vulnerable). It is clearly hurt (about half HP)

I need a will save from Patchouli and Constantin against the mummy's scary aura.

bold may post:
round 1:
Tarlamera
Oranji
round 2:
Patchouli will save needed
thing with a tongue (red) -78 HP
Sorgath
Constantin will save needed
Gavirius
wrapped up thing -28 HP

Tarlamera grunts at the sight of the mummy towering over Constantin, but averts her gaze and focuses on the first threat, charging forward, dorn-dergar whipping through the wind as she brings it down with crashing force.

+1 silver dorn-dergar, power attack, charge attack: 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 17 - 3 + 2 = 18
damage: 1d10 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29

Tarlamera laughs at her own overswing and tries to yank back at just the right moment to smash through the mohrg's head. Using the one time reroll from the skill results.
+1 silver dorn-dergar, power attack, charge attack reroll: 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 17 - 3 + 2 = 29

She grins in satisfaction and starts whipping back her weapon as her eyes stray up to the wrapped figure.