[GD14] 6-17: The Devil in the Details

Game Master Michael Hallet

The Pathfinder Society, like many other organizations and governments, seeks to collect the fallen shards of the dead war god Gorum, the warshards. They have devised a means of detecting some, and using this an expedition of veteran Pathfinders is assembled, but their tracking ritual leads them strait to a secret Chelaxian weapons laboratory. The site's defenses trap the PCs ship, and while the other members of the expedition hold off the Chelaxian forces, the PCs must infiltrate the laboratory to discover what the Chelaxians are fighting so desperately to keep secret, and why the warshard-finding ritual is leading the PCs here.

Dot and delete

Sabers clash, shields crunch, and pistols crack. Spent gunpowder fumigates the air. The fierce battle onboard Pathfinder Society’s mobile lodge, the sailing ship Grinning Pixie, ripples from portside to mast then portside again as invaders advance and are pushed back. Waves of soldiers in black and red storm out the colorful portals on a short stone tower, replenishing the fallen. Below the Pixie’s deck, sailors strain on the oars, trying to take the ship back out to sea. Each stroke is met with a strong hum that lurches the ship back into place. This quest to seek a cache of warshards has gone horribly wrong. The Pathfinder Society appears to have stumbled into a secret Chelaxian facility—out in the middle of the sea. It’s one hell of a situation. As the crew resorts to throwing soldiers overboard, Captain Eras’s voice rises above the din, calling out names.

Eras calls out each PC by name and commands them to follow. Alkskou (brash female tengu jinx eater), steps up to hold the line. As the captain takes the party down, he mutters how, if this was by some miracle a set up by Calisro to remove him from captaincy, they are going to have quite a lively conversation once he is back in Absalom. With his usual smile concealed by his war mask, there is a cold edge to the captain’s words, a sharp departure from his usual academic and patient demeanor.

Eras takes the PCs to the ship’s storeroom, where he starts breaking open chests and “selling equipment” to the PCs. The PCs can pick up any of their standard-issued consumables here. While he equips the party, Eras explains what he wants them to do.

“Since this unplanned and unexpected ‘diplomatic visit’ has utterly failed, we might as well do what we can to get out alive. That structure they’re occupying is of Azlanti origin, I’m certain, though I doubt that is any reason to stash pieces of a dead god here. Anyway, something inside— probably magical— is keeping the Pixie moored.” The ship lurches to prove his point. “We need to cast that invisible chain off. “Here’s what I need from you: Once you’re ready, sneak in, find the source of that magic, and turn it off. Without that, the only voyage left for us is a trip to the Boneyard. If you happen to discover what an army of Chelaxian soldiers are doing out here, even better.”

You have time for introductions and questions.

Cheliax makes great wine. Manny figured he would be exploring abandoned ruins, maybe banish a ghost or two, maybe find a not-crazy Chelaxian musician to party all night long with.

Instead he's been fighting an invading force for way too long. His throat is going to be so sore tomorrow. Assuming he makes it to tomorrow.

"Sounds like they have us moored. Gotta break the chain somehow."

Shylye warned him it wouldn't be so easy to walk into the devil's maw. But life as a Holysmith is never easy. He plucks a scroll of Breath of Life, just in case they need it.

"An Azlanti ruin? Should we be on the lookout for any specific types of traps?"

Teja gathers some healing potions. "Wow, the chance to explore an Azlanti structure is awesome. I heard my father was there at Earthfall, but this is almost as good. Do you know anything about different entrances or timing of the troops coming out of them?"

"An Azlanti ruin? Should we be on the lookout for any specific types of traps?"

“If they’re comfortable with the place, I suspect the Chelaxian soldiers have taken care of most traps.”

"Do you know anything about different entrances or timing of the troops coming out of them?"

“Did you notice the crystals some of our enemies were holding when they came out of the portals? I’m certain those are modern replicas of a type of Azlanti portal key. With the number of soldiers we’ve taken down, there should be a couple lying around."

"Maybe they're using the crystals to teleport on the ship?" Manny shrugs. "Pretty cool, except for the part where they might kill us."

He checks his longsword and his whip. "I'm ready when ya'll are."

"Or to open that Azlanti portal. We should each try to acquire one for ourselves. To study later if nothing else."

She shrugs "Though I suspect it won't be nothing else."

One of the Pathfinders in the unlucky ship is a human with a small frame, holding a staff with a cross at one end. Behind him is a muscular angel whose wings span mightily and glittery, serious-looking and silent.

"We've been to Cheliax a few times," Charlies tells them. He then picks up some healing potions and puts them into his pocket.

Pathfinder Provision: 2x moderate healing potions

"Are there devils with these soldiers? And where were we supposed to be before we were transported here?"

"Are there devils with these soldiers? And where were we supposed to be before we were transported here?"

“Warshard hunting, I suppose. Given their numbers, most of this ruin must be underwater. I would not be surprised, then, if they’ve hired some thugs who can breathe beneath the waves. Also, were clearly dealing with Cheliax, so expect devils. Oh, and there’d better be warshards, otherwise—” He pulls his mask back on— “I’ve another uncomfortable conversation back at the Grand Lodge.”

It's a elf with a leather armor. On his belt his wears a dagger. On his back he wears a shortbow. On one of these fingers of the right hand, he wears a ring. He has blond hair and blue eyes. Hello my name is Fin-thir.

The ranger has no questions.

Manny pauses as Charlies enters the room. "Wow... that's an angel, right?" Manny spends some time, eventually extending his hand to both Charlies and his angel. "My name's Emmanuel Holysmith, but you can call me Manny. Shylye is around here somewhere. She's my guardian angel but I can't really see her unless I try to summon her for a few minutes. Wow, you're not even concentrating- the angel is just here." Manny is actually thinking about how is this even possible.

"Oh, 'sup Fin-thir. Sorry, I was, uh... thinking. Do you think angels can see each other, even if they turn invisible?"

A slender woman with a bow on her back emerges from the storeroom. "Well met! Kaitlyn Deathsbane, at your service." She bows to the assembled Pathfinders. Through her blond hair you can see the slightly pointed tips of her ears... She wears no armor but her loose fitting robes and smooth movements give away her fighting style.

Manny pauses as Charlies enters the room. "Wow... that's an angel, right?" Manny spends some time, eventually extending his hand to both Charlies and his angel. "My name's Emmanuel Holysmith, but you can call me Manny. Shylye is around here somewhere. She's my guardian angel but I can't really see her unless I try to summon her for a few minutes. Wow, you're not even concentrating- the angel is just here." Manny is actually thinking about how is this even possible.

Charlies awkwardly reaches out to take Emmanuel’s hand for a shake, while the angel returns it with a firm grip of his own.

Scratching his head after being noticed about his companion, Charlies admits with a sheepish grin, "Well, yeah… Estes here is an angel, my guardian angel, too, actually! Funny coincidence, huh? One day, I was in a real tight spot, prayed for protection, and he just showed up, wings outstretched and all. Since then, we’ve been inseparable." he does elaborate the details that might have been embarassing.

"Well... as for going invisible, I don't think they..."

"When angels are summoned, we manifest from our plane into yours. I, for instance, hail from Nirvana. Charlies calls me his guardian angel. When unsummoned, we return to our own plane where we may commune with other angels as well." Estes says to Manny with calm certainty.

"Sorry, I have overslept! Blame the dwarven cycle of a day" Says what looks like a Muscular goblin in dwarven clothing and with dwarven weapon who barge into the room.

Hello! I am Iron "Skyfalling" of the Del clan. But you can call me Irond'el! (Hirondelle)

Around him, there is a sort of presence around him. Like he is destined for greatness.

He also has a potion of water breathing and dragon scale talisman like he is ready for an underwater adventure!

What you know.

Last call for preparations before we move on.

"Wow... maybe she can see me from her home plane?" Manny absorbs every piece of information Charlies and Estes provide. It takes him a moment to realize someone else is in the room.

"'Sup Irond'el! Looking good. I'm Emmanuel but you can call me Manny. Ready to deal with devils?"

"Well, recently, some Society agents nearly destroyed Ambrus Valsin’s office with a reckless warshard experiment. The Master of Spells teleported the mishap into the air, but the explosion still shattered windows across campus. Due to this and other near-catastrophes, the Society learned that there is about a minute of delay from warshard-based explosive emanations. Strict restrictions were places on warshard research going forward." Charlies shares to them that might be related into their current situation.

"I also heard that ethereal manifestations called Ghosts of Gorum have been rising from warshards. It is said that these relentless fighting spirits can’t be reasoned with."

"We need something that works against them. Do you have ghost touch runes here?" he begins looking inside the open crates available.

Does ghost touch rune work with handwraps? If yes, I plan to purchase one. Would I be able to replace my vitalizing rune with the ghost touch rune in their current situation?

"Undead? No problem." He tugs at the bladed scarf wrapped around his waist. "This is full of >Vitalizing< energy, undead hate it."

"And if it's ethereal, I put a >Ghost Touch< rune on my longsword. Holysmiths have always been ready to fight undeath."

If available, Kat will also obtain a Ghost Touch rune and have it placed on her longbow. (-75 gp)

Her handwraps of mighty blows already has the Vitality Rune on them

"My dwarven Dorn-dergar has a rune against ghosts"

He gives a scroll of breath of life from his pathfinder provision to Charlie.

"Having an angel has a friend should make good in divine spellcasting right?"

Teja nods as Charlies tells the tale. "[b]I heard about that too. I also know that the types of devils Cheliaxians summon are often related to where they expect the devil to serve or what function. Let me tell you about Sarglagon devils...

Extra information on them please.

Teja selects some healing potions as the team make ready to depart.

Teja is about to say something, but then their mind goes blank.

Devil? ... Hum. wonders the divine-blessed warrior.

+14 religion to rexall general information about devils

Charlies receives the scroll from Hirondelle. "Yes, anything divine, I can cast."

He also finds the handwraps he is looking for and replaces the ones he has invested with the new ones.

"Hmm? Oh yeah. Let's see if Shylye knows more about devils."

Religion +13, Bardic Lore +9

Hirondelle recalls Sarglagon are also called drowning devils due to their ability to conjure the murky water of Hell directly into the lungs of their victims.

After the questions, the poor Pixie takes a spell portside, which blows a hole wide enough for most people to jump out. Through the hole, Eras points out a portal just opened. More specifically, he points out the cavern beyond that briefly appeared until the portal closed.

“That cavern is the only place that I’ve actually seen show up through the portal so far. I say that makes it special, so try and find it.” Eras digs into his pouch, produce several glass flasks. He swipes at their necks with his blade. The bottles uncork with a hiss. “Take one each, quickly. Don’t drink until I say so. Too early and you’ll be drinking acid, too late and it’ll just be water. On my command, drink that potion, then out the hole for the portals furthest from us. Do not stay back to help, understand? We’ll keep their attention away while you get inside. You’re our best hope of getting out of here. Now, on my mark… Go!”

So, what do you do? Do you drink as directed or no?

Teja eyes up the bottle, and then gets ready to drink when instructed.

Manny trusts Eras, so he'll drink and prepare to go.

Charlies and Estes take each flask, ready to drink its contents when instructed to do so.

"What's this?" Charlies asks, but before he can receive answer, he hears the go signal and both of them drink what are in the flasks. They together enter the hole.

The dwarf drinks without asking question.

Kat takes a drink.

btw, ok for Kat to buy a rune and have in inscribed on her bow (or does she need to be in downtime mode for that?

Kat takes a drink.

btw, ok for Kat to buy a rune and have in inscribed on her bow (or does she need to be in downtime mode for that?

You can make purchases. It's transferring that takes time as far as I know.

Here it is

Applying and Transferring Runes
The Pathfinder Society has a specialist at the Grand Lodge who can apply or swap out runes for agents in good standing. This service is free, and requires no check, but is only available before the adventure briefing or once the adventure is complete, unless stated in the adventure. Only the service of transferring the rune is free, however. Characters must still pay the 10% materials cost and provide any required runestones.

So adding a rune also has to be done after the adventure. Otherwise you have to purchase a new one with all the runes you want and sell the old one for half.

Nah. I'll keep the bow as is then.

The ranger drinks the potion.

As you drink the potions, all your allies disappear from view. It only takes a moment to realize you are all still present, just invisible.

Eras himself leaps out the hole and into the thickest part of the enemy forces, directly into a confrontation with the facility’s leader, Yollen Frivetti. Seeing their captain surrounded, the crew of the Grinning Pixie surge forward and down onto the docks, making quite a scene.

The distraction they provide gives you an opportunity to sneak into the Azlanti ruins.

Furthest away from the fray is a short tunnel with three glass domes—green, purple, and red. A dozen Chelaxian troops lie unconscious, knocked out a few minutes ago by a blast of magic.

Rooms are, on average, about 25 feet in height with walls that are very smooth and would be difficult to climb. magical lighting keeps the interior generally bright. The inside of the facility has a perpetually fishy smell that incurs a –1 circumstance penalty on Perception checks that uses scent.

Area Map

You suspect you have a very short time to sneak in while your invisibility lasts. I'm not going to put us into rounds, but don't count on being able to finish anything long before it wears off.

Kat pulls the bow off her back and nocks an arrow, just in case...

Manny readies his dancing scarf. What are these domes?
Religion +13, Occultism +11, Society +11, Bardic Lore +9

Otherwise he keeps on the ready for traps.

"Ugh, the smell! It pierces even into my eyes!" Charlies complains. Staff in one hand, and the scroll in another, Charlies quickly takes a look at the colored glass domes too, before he hides behind any available space he can hide.

"What are those?" he asks Estes who does not respond nor look back at him, to answer.

"The divine power I received has made me weaker. But I could... perhaps sense where the shard since a part of it is the same sources."

The green dwarf closes his eyes trying to sense something. No, specific power. just roleplaying.

It is only as Kat enters when the smell hits her. She wrinkles her nose and tries to breathe through her mouth.

Teja removes the obvious weapons from the unconscious troops as she heads toward the glass domes.

"Let's go have a look." she says. "Explore!"

Emmanuel suspects the domes might be some sort of Azlanti security system, hopefully the Chelaxians disabled them all.

Teja realizes the surcoats could come in handy as a disguise, but it would takes some time to get them from the soldiers and put them on.

I'll take a Perception check (visual) from Teja. Others can also try searching as well.

"There are 2 ways to disable a trap..." Manny muses. "Looks like the Cheliaxians took the hard way."

Teja searches around, grabbing a surcoat from one of the unconsious guards as she does so.

per: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

"If we all grab coats, we may be able to avoid another run-in with some troops." she points out. "The invisibility will only last so long."

The ranger tries to search.

Perception:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Fin-thir finds some strange green dust on one of the Chelaxians. Looks like green glass or crystal that was ground to powder.

Seeing the area as somewhat safe, Charlies steps out from hiding and moves behind Estes, just in case something unusual happens. Noticing Teja wearing one of the Chelaxian surcoats, he decides it might be wise to take one from an unconscious soldier and put it on himself.

"Smells funny."

"Anyone knows what could that be?" Charlies asks after the strange green dust is pointed out.

"Similar colour to those globes.." notes Teja.

She compares the dust and the domes carefully, could the dust have come from the globe?

Anyone else want to try Perception? If not we can use another round of searching from those that do.