This is TechnoGM's PFS #4-02: Return to the Grave for Outpost IX
Start date: March 2.
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Luke_Parry | (TBD)
Wrong John Silver | Fanzofarmenod | Cleric 1
7thGate | Faerinaa | Rogue 3
Biochemcrazy | Vinny Santorini | Alchemist 2
KEMIKO | Liwanag Sadilim | Champion 1
BeeMakesTea | Dream Root | Rogue 1
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7thGate | Faerinaa | Rogue 3
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KEMIKO | Liwanag Sadilim | Champion 1
BeeMakesTea | Dream Root | Rogue 1
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Biochemcrazy | Vinny Santorini | Alchemist 2
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Biochemcrazy | Vinny Santorini | Alchemist 2
KEMIKO | Liwanag Sadilim | Champion 1
BeeMakesTea | Dream Root | Rogue 1
An ominous storm gathers over Caliphas as you make your way through the winding streets of Ustalav’s capital toward Vodavani Lodge, where Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss has asked you to assemble.
When you enter the lodge, a burly half-orc nurse escorts you to the infirmary, where Evni waits to meet you.
Vodavani Lodge is normally a bustle of activity, a whirlwind of Pathfinders preparing for or returning from missions throughout Ustalav and the Gravelands, but today it’s eerily quiet. A gnome wearing robes embroidered with butterflies and crescent moons tends to the wounds of a middle-aged woman as newcomers arrive. “Ah, yes, you’ve arrived,” Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss gestures for you to join her and her patient while passing a discarded bandage to the nurse. She asks him to fetch more coverings and hot water, and he nods and departs.
Evni’s patient relaxes at the venture-captain’s touch on her arm. “This is Claudiette Dralston. She’s one of our best trackers, and her team has been scouting the Gravelands—that is, they were, until they disappeared a few years ago. Sadly, Claudiette is the only one of her team to escape the Gravelands.” She turns to her charge and adds wryly, “She finally found the time to report in.”
“Maybe we should ask Doctor Trice to help you, since your stitches are so untidy.” Claudiette retorts with a kind but weary smile.
Evni tut-tuts, but gently pats Claudiette’s arm. “Since the region fell to the Whispering Tyrant, Claudiette has been gathering stranded refugees in a village called Steadfast. As the settlement expands, it grows increasingly likely the Whispering Tyrant’s army will discover it. The dead are gathering near Steadfast, and its citizens need a safe path to the border. Claudiette left to find help. She barely managed to escape, and nearly died before reaching Vodovani Lodge.”
Evni offers a cup of hot tea to Claudiette, who wrinkles her nose at the aroma before downing it in one gulp and then continuing the story. “Evni’s people took some notes from my ramblings when I arrived. We’re hoping it’s enough to find the town and get the people out, because for the life of me, I’m not sure how I made it out of the Gravelands. I left a knight named Sir Cray Darahan in charge when I left, but if he has his way, he’ll end up getting everyone there killed trying to fight back against Tar-Baphon’s forces.”
Evni nods. “Our contacts among the Knights of Lastwall report that undead troops aren’t especially active in the area at the moment. This lucky circumstance, along with Claudiette’s notes, should allow you to sneak into the Gravelands without running into more undead than you can handle. Unfortunately, Claudiette needs to recover here. So, it’s up to you to enter the Gravelands, defeat the threats you encounter, chart a path to Steadfast, and deliver some critical supplies we’re sending along, including a magical keystone to prevent the dead from joining Tar-Baphon’s army. You can use the supplies in an emergency, but they’re intended for Steadfast. The more you can deliver to the refugees, the easier time they’ll have escaping. Questions?”
CLAUDIETTE’S DIRECTIONS
Not far from Steadfast there’s an enormous watchtower made of polished obsidian or marble of some kind.
It’s surrounded by dead Lastwall knights and they seem to patrol as if still alive. Steadfast’s populace give the watchtower a wide berth and the town is hidden from the tower’s view by the ever-present mists. Sir Cray insists the tower is important, but he’s in no condition to mount an attack. He may try anyway—please stop him!
I stayed off the roads, since the watchtower’s knights sometimes patrolled them, but made my way to the crossroads I knew was near the campsite we’d stayed at on the last fateful night. I made the mistake of returning there in hopes of gathering our notes of survivors and hold outs in case I made it back to the Society, but I failed.
The dead hunted me like food. I think some of them were my fellow Pathfinders.
I lost my closest friend, Featherfall, near an old caravan that had plunged into a ravine. But I trudged alone, following the river as it turned north away from the roads. The dead followed on my heels. I couldn’t fight them all off.
Finally, I found the old stone bridge that led across the river. Some young toughs found me there and helped me to Caliphas. I never thought I would see the living again. I should like to thank them, but I never knew their names.
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In the party is a gnome very much like Evni. He also wears a robe embroidered in butterflies and crescent moons. His skin and hair are a wild blue, a shade between twilight and periwinkle.
He looks over Claudiette's notes, and turns them upside-down. "These are exquisite," he says, his voice light and boyish. "You've mentioned many landmarks and travails to get here. So we must first cross the stone bridge, known by the toughs? Are they waiting for you? For something?"
He looks over Claudiette's notes, and turns them upside-down. "These are exquisite," he says, his voice light and boyish. "You've mentioned many landmarks and travails to get here. So we must first cross the stone bridge, known by the toughs? Are they waiting for you? For something?"
"The stone bridge was the last landmark I encountered. But, I don't know why those toughs are there."
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A Kholo woman stands at the back of the group, her arms crossed, as VC Zongnoss delivers her briefing. Although she remains in place, her broad body is constantly in motion. Rolling thick shoulders, cracking coarse finger knuckles, shifting from one sturdy leg to the other, but her bright eyes never flicker from her leader.
"What are in the supplies and how are we moving them? Is our delivery being expected?" she asks while Fanzofarmenod inspects the notes. Closing the space between them, she peers down at the papers, looming over the other butterfly and star splattered Gnome.
"Together we are strong. We will keep them safe from 'toughs,' the undead, and whatever else decides to test our might." This knight sounds like an honor-riddled fool. A gold piece says he loses sleep at night over not having skewered Tar-Baphon himself already.
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A tall, armored champion whose eyes shine with a faint celestial glow steps into the familiar halls of the Vodavani Lodge. He unmounts from his horse, Sinag, and introduces himself. “Liwanag Sadilim, a servant of Sarenrae. I offer redemption to those who have strayed and compassion to all, no matter their station. But if mercy is refused, I will stand and defend the innocent.”
He then gazes across the room until he recognizes a familiar face. He walks over and nods warmly. “Dream Root, good to see you again. You seem to have changed a lot. Funny how we meet again in the same place where our paths first crossed. Anyway, it’s good to see a familiar face, my friend.”
Liwanag then enters the infirmary, listens carefully to Evni before taking a moment to read through Claudiette’s notes.
“So our task is to deliver the supplies to Steadfast,” he says. “And perhaps help Sir Cray prepare an attack on the watchtower if he believes it truly necessary.”
He pauses, considering the situation. “Can any of you think of why he might consider it so important?”
"What are in the supplies and how are we moving them? Is our delivery being expected?" she asks while Fanzofarmenod inspects the notes. Closing the space between them, she peers down at the papers, looming over the other butterfly and star splattered Gnome.
Evni gestures over to a pair of saddlebags. “There’s some food and basic medical supplies of course. But most of the gear inside is specifically to detect, avoid, or — Desna forbid — fight off the undead. Use what you must, but the more you can bring to the refugees in Steadfast, the better off they’ll be.”
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A slight half-elven woman in dark green and black clothing slides into the room right after Liwanag. "Hello everyone, I'm Faerinaa. Reformed thief, scout and devotee of the Dawnflower. I've been away from the society for some time, but I had to come when I heard it was about the Gravelands. I'm looking forward to working with you all."
Faerinaa examines the notes, concern showing on her face as she hands the page over to whoever wants to read through it next. "That's a rough ride out, but you did everything you could. Don't worry Claudiette, we'll get them out safe."
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Vinny follows Faerinaa into the room. "Faerinaa! I thought that was you when I saw you in the street. Good to see you again, my friend! We've both been away too long from the Society."
Vinny sets her backpack down with a clank of glass and a rustle of papers. She takes the notes when Faerinaa is done with them and reads through them. "Undead, hm? Well they do tend to be quite susceptible to firebombs! That tower does sound interesting, Liwanag, hopefully we will be able to investigate it. Carefully of course," she adds, not wanting to distress Claudiette in her condition.
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Dream Root gives Liwanag a smile, her teeth obviously well-suited to crushing bones and rending flesh. "A reliable packmate is always for the better, good to see you too Liwanag." She grasps him fondly by the shoulder as her eyes search for Sinag. She barely manages to keep a little drool from escaping her lips as she sizes the horse up. That one is already claimed, focus!
Releasing Liwanag, she scoops up the saddlebags and carefully tosses them over her shoulder. The leather softly slaps against the hide guarding her torso. "I've no further questions. Time is not on our side," she declares before standing near the door. Despite her fidgeting, she waits patiently for any other questions and conversations to happen before leaving.
In addition to the supplies, Evni gives you three vials of holy water and
three bottled sunlight.
Finally, she gives you the spiral keystone, a large, chiseled stone with a glowing blue spiral engraved on one side.
“One last thing,” Evni intones the moment you are out of Claudiette’s earshot. “I contacted Valais Durant, leader of the Radiant Oath faction, with Claudiette’s report, as she had been a member of that faction. I received two missives back. They’re further orders. Requests really. Do what you can for the people of Steadfast. But whatever you do, come back to us alive.”
Pathfinders,
The Crusade fell and darkness took the land. This we all know. We also know Vigil sent knights into the countryside to help those that couldn’t help themselves. From Pathfinder Dralston’s report, we know one of Vigil’s knights defends Steadfast in her place, waiting for the relief you will bring. He has orders to investigate and possibly attack a nearby watchtower guarded by knights that have fallen into undeath.
As much as it pains me to give this strategy pause, Sir Cray must stand down — but as a knight I can tell you, it will be difficult to convince him to do so without some proof of the dangers at the watchtower. If you find this vile structure, take note of the shields of the knights patrolling it, count their numbers, gauge their defenses and bring this information to Sir Cray in Steadfast. He must not engage them at this time — without greater support, such a mission can only end in death. The same goes for you.
If Sir Cray could return with you to Caliphas, and do his duty to protect Steadfast’s refugees, perhaps Valais could help him to see better ways to defeat the dark forces, as she has for me.
—Knight-Errant Sabina Malatesta
Friends,
We’ve heard some of the Dralston party has returned. This is the best news, despite their tragic losses. From what Venture-Captain Evni told us, Claudiette has only a portion of the maps and logs they were tasked with compiling to find the hidden paths and survivors within the Gravelands. If it’s at all possible, recover as much of their records, and other maps of the area, as you can find. If we can reconstruct their routes through the hidden paths in the Gravelands, we can use them to rescue other forlorn communities they came across and chart our way through the lands of the dead.
This is a dangerous task, to be sure, but that information is invaluable to the safety of not only your fellow Pathfinders, but the struggling people left behind in the wake of Lastwall’s fall.
—Calisro Benarry
Fanzofarmenod's 7
=Faerinaa's 7
=Cheerful Screams Over Water's 8
=Vinny's 8
=Dream Root's 4
=Liwanag Sadilim's 3
As a group you remember that a couple of years ago, Evni Zongoss sent a team to find the remains of several lost Pathfinders in the vicinity of a town once known as Goldenflame. Several teams of Pathfinders were sent to find other holdouts in the dangerous lands. Their exploits and maps are well documented and are required reading for any Pathfinder working in the vicinity of the dreaded Gravelands.
It doesn't take you long before you approach an old stone bridge.
Several ruffians are discussing something as you approach the bridge. When they see you, they spread out on the bridge.
Once you are within shouting distance, the one in front demands, "Oi. One gold each to cross this bridge."
The ruffian in front (A) looks affected by your words, but he doesn't back down. "Aye, we helped her. We help any who come back. Now you can help us. A gold apiece before you go in."
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"We wanted to thank you for helping her, actually. That was a good turn you did her. She's safe now, by the way, and being taken good care of."
Faerinaa gives the lead tough a sort of sad, bittersweet smile. "I wanted to ask about you though. Are you all ok? Do you need help? People aren't usually doing this sort of work if their life is running smoothly. I should know, I did enough shakedowns back in the day."
<snip>
The ruffian in the front acknowledges Faerinaa with a nod. "How about we cut you a deal. 3 gold for the lot of you."
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"Alright, I can pay that. There's no need for this to come to violence." Faerinaa fishes three gold coins out of her purse and offers them to the leader. "I meant what I said though. We're likely to come back through this way once we're done helping the people out in the Gravelands. Think on it, and if you need help let me know."
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Vinny cringes as Faerinaa pays the youth. Not what I would have done with my cash, but alright, she thinks to herself. She puts on a smile and walks up behind Faerinaa to talk to the toughs. "Well, now that that's settled, perhaps you'd be able to tell us something about the situation out here? Sounds like there's all sorts of unpleasantness going on."
The ruffian takes the money, moves to the side and with an exaggerated bow, let's you by. The others clear off the bridge.
"Most of the folk who go into the gravelands don't ever return. We sort of help the one's who make it back. None of us have ever gone in."
One of the ruffians pulls out an amateurish map of possible ambush sites nearby. "I'd stay away from these, if I were you."
You remember that Claudiette recommended sticking to the southern bank of the Path River going northwest from the Old Stone bridge. According to her reports, there should be some tracks and broken plants within a quarter mile to show the path she took as she stumbled out of the woods on her way to Ustalav. The haze is thicker along the river, but doesn’t impair your ability to see clearly enough to look for her tracks.
To find Claudiette’s tracks, one of you must succeed at a Survival check to Track, or a Scouting Lore check.
Choose one of you to make the check. Others may aid.
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Dream Root shrugs as Faerinna pays up for the group, her silhouette shrinking a bit as she lets her breath fully escape and her muscles relax. "Less fun, but if they honor their end, then so shall I," she promises, lopes across the bridge on all fours. Fear is a tool like any other, just not one I'll allow others to sharpen or test on me!
***
"Stay warry, fog makes dangerous times for the foolish and lucrative opportunities for the ambitious." She looks around for any signs of danger while the others focus on signs of Claudiette's path.
The mists grow thicker with every step taken deeper into the Gravelands.
An eerie silence draws around every living thing like a blanket, pierced only by the sounds of footsteps along the trail, the distant howls of unfamiliar creatures, and periodic hoofbeats on some distant road.
To discern the supernatural nature of the Gravelands’ fog and inform a possible way through it, you may succeed at an Arcana, Occultism, or Religion to Recall Knowledge.
Cheerful Screams Over Water realizes that the fog is supernatural in origin, and, with the aid of his allies succeeds in navigating the fog.
Within a few hours you find an old mudflow where a caravan has been wrecked in the river’s meander.
The wreckage of a carriage is mired in the shallow mud basin of a meander of the Path River, seemingly driven off the road by a mudslide.
The carriage train once bordered on opulent with its colorful paint, decorative filigree, and plush cabins, but it shows little of its former elegance. Of the occupants and team of horses that had once pulled the caravan, no trace remains.
What you do notice, however, are four decrepit humans to the south, and a decrepit owlbear to the north.
➤ Fanzofarmenod AC 14 │
➤ Dream Root AC 17 │
Decrepit humans A, B, C, D │
Decrepit Owlbear │
Vinny Santorini AC 18 │
Liwanag Sadilim AC 18 │
⠀⠀Sinag AC 15
Cheerful Screams Over Water AC 16 │
Faerinaa AC 20 │
Dream Root moves and prepares to bite anything hostile that comes near her, while Fanzofarmenod draws his crossbow and blesses the area around him.
All of the decrepit creatures move (albeit slowly), and one gets close enough to Dream Root that Dream Root bites it, tearing away large quantities of foul-tasting flesh.
➤ Fanzofarmenod AC 14 │
➤ Dream Root AC 17 │
Decrepit humans A, B, C=18, D │
Decrepit Owlbear │
➤ Vinny Santorini AC 18 │
➤ Liwanag Sadilim AC 18 │
⠀⠀➤ Sinag AC 15
➤ Cheerful Screams Over Water AC 16 │
➤ Faerinaa AC 20 │
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Dream Root groans as the fetid flesh falls from her mouth. Usually this tastes better... Her ear twitches as she senses Faerinaa move in and hunker down nearby. With the zombie right in front of her, she tires to pin its rotting arms to its body before taking another bite.
Regardless of the results, she scampers back on all fours before rising back to her full height near the Elf.
Liwanag prepares.
Cheerful recalls that the decrepit humans are Zombie Shamblers and have a Weakness 5 to both Vitality and Slashing damage. Additionally they have the following immunities: bleed, death effects, disease, mental, paralyzed, poison, and unconscious.
Cheerful then sends a seedpod into Zombie Shambler C, destroying it.
Faerinaa strides into the underbrush, drawing her rapier and hides.
Vinny moves closer to the Owlbear and hits it with two Alchemical bombs.
➤ Fanzofarmenod AC 14 │
➤ Dream Root AC 17 │
Zombie Shambler A, B, C=18, D │
Decrepit Owlbear │
Vinny Santorini AC 18 │
Liwanag Sadilim AC 18/20 │
⠀⠀Sinag AC 15
Cheerful Screams Over Water AC 16 │
Faerinaa AC 20 │