So, I feel really bad about this, bit I think I may have to pull out of running the next game. I changed projects at work about a week and a half ago and since then I've been impossibly busy.
I've been guaging the past week for how much free time I have, because I still wanted to make it work. However, I think it might be better to not start a new game right now. I know my personality and if I start I'll need to see it through to the end. But realistically I think that would just result in low quality posts for you guys and a lot of stress for me.
Again, really sorry about this. I've really enjoyed playing with you all and hopefully will get the chance to do so again at some point.
So it seems like Fain, Luk Luk and Thrym are all either leveled or close to leveled. Vard is in process. Any word from Alenka?
'Fain' Phainopepla Grassbottom wrote: Oops, sorry, So no item more than 1,500? Correct
'Fain' Phainopepla Grassbottom wrote: 3000gp in stuff: +1 studded leather armour and a keen kukri To be clear, it is 3000gp total for all you items. Not 3000gp of new items. And normal rules still apply, that no individual item can be half your starting wealth.
But you can refactor your original items as much as you want. Essentially you are doing gear like the character is brand new.
My proposal is to just reset wealth to character level (Everyone should have 3000gp worth of stuff or cash). I guess that kind of assumes that the monkey belt got sold/turned in for reward, since it is an individually high priced item. But unless someone was really enamored with one of the items you guys got, it feels like the fairest way to bring you al back up to player wealth and even with each other..
Cool. If there are no other questions/concerns, you guys can start leveling up to 3. Also feel free to RP the voyage to Absalom (only a couple of days, since it's much closer than Magnimar)
Back at the lodge Count Mastunda and Baron Rudyham were waiting. Both seemed glad to see everyone return in one piece. Upon returning to the docks, neither had any objections to fireworks. The Baron agreed with Vard that it should be fine, so long as the boat was in no danger. Falroun seemed rather intrigued by the prospect.
Falroun explained to the party, "So, this boat is setting sail for Absalom. You should be able to report to Society headquarters there. Then you should be able to get a ship back home...or just about anywhere that you wanted to go."
Ok cool. Sounds like everyone is still in. My plan was to move on to another scenario with the same characters, but at level 3. For leveling, taking the same approach as last time, just redoing character wealth for level 3, since scenarios are a little light on the loot.
I was leaning towards The Voice in the Void for the adventure.
So before I wrap things up, does everyone want to move onto a part 3? Or shall we close off the adventure?
So we are basically finished. If you guys are done with the temple, please RP out the end of your expedition. Returning to the nobles at the lodge, getting back to port ect. Just stop short of actually getting on the boat until we figure out if and where we are continuing.
With time and magic, much of the rubble was cleared out and the area was dusted off. The statues still remained broken in several places, but the temple as a whole was far more respectable than it had been before. The cleanup was mostly uneventful except for one small event. When returning to the entry of the temple to grab some cleaning supplies, a flash of fur was seen running out the side of the building. The creature disappeared fast into the jungle, but appeared to have left behind two tiny bows.
Otherwise, the night in the temple passes with little event.
So you guys have basically completed your objectives, help the baron with the 'tiger', explore the temple, bring back something interesting for the society. Anything else you guys want to do here?
Alenka carefully read through a few pages the journal. It appeared to be a long account written by a priest who accompanied Khiben-Sald on his travels around the Inner Sea. It was rich with details of this island and the others he had travelled to. Certainly this would be something that the Pathfinder Society would be excited to retrieve.
@Vard: The statue is Ragdya (who is a male diety). The belt does not detect as evil, nor does anything else in the vicinity.
@Thrym: The rubble seems to be a direct result of vandalism to the statue and the temple in general.
@Fain: You can gather some berries from the jungle outside.
@Alenka: You see no traps in the area. Assuming you open the cabinet:
Inside the cabinet under the statue richly illuminated copy of a holy text written in Vudrani, labeled "Vigrahin Patitraka". Two more mundane looking holy texts, also written in Vudrani, were titled "Azvadeva Pujila" and "Mizravrtta Brahmodya". Finally, there was one last book, this one containing handwritten common. It appeared to be a very old leather-backed journal.
The party looked around the chamber, but saw no additional threats. Rounding the corner they saw a large statue of a monkey-faced man sitting on a pedestal at the north end of a small shrine. The statue’s arms and legs were missing, and deep scratches had been gouged into its face. Pieces of broken stone, rotting plant matter, and other assorted rubbish lay in heaps on the floor of this room. The smell of rot was particularly strong here. Around the waist of the monkey statue was a belt and within the pedestal, there appeared to be a cabinet.
With the majority of the party finally able to reach the creature, it face a whirlwind of weapons. Each one connected, forcing it to stagger backward slightly more, until finally Vard's hammer caused the tiny man to vanish back into whatever plane he had come from. The temple fell quiet again, but this time there was no longer a feeling of darkness in the room. Instead, the sun was shining down brightly through the balcony.
Fain arrow flew straight and caught the creature straight in the neck. It barely was able to let out a shriek before it was gone with a poof. The remaining one tried to take a swing at Vard, as he dropped, but he still seemed to be in shock from the sudden defeat of his ally.
The creature looked a little unsure of what to do next, but its dark face hardened in resolve. Clambering down the statue, it leaped at Fain, landing his spiky thorns in the other halfing's side. @Fain: 1 Damage
Everyone is up.
Responded. Thanks for the memo, probably wouldn't have noticed the PM otherwise.
The first creature leaped towards Vard. However, Fain took the rare opportunity at a clear shot to put an arrow straight into it's chest. It stumbled back, still standing, but missing the opportunity to land its strike on Vard. The other one, however, continued to attack Vard with a new boldness, landing a particularly painful strike at the halfling's hip. @Vard: three damage
Everyone is up.
Shooting up at the tiny creatures, without accidentally hitting Vard proved to be a challenge. However they showed no signs of coming down when they had a willing target near by. The pair butted again at Vard, this time both striking, but still only doing minimal damage. @Vard: Two damage
Everyone is up.
I mean they would have had to have come down, but someone kindly climbed up to them... :P You can still have the Baron's crossbow.
The monkeys grabbed the bows and began rushing back out of the temple, leaving the frustrated tiny men with no ranged weapon. Seeing Vard clamber up the statue, they butted at him with their thorny crowns. The first stung his shoulder, but he managed to fend off the second.
Fain's arrow struck the same tiny man, while the rest of the party turned their concern to the ominous screeching. The jungle continued to shriek and shake, until, suddenly swarms of monkeys began flooding out of the treetops through every opening in the temple. However, they flowed past the party like water. Instead they made a rush for the tiny men on the mountain top. Leaping at them, the monkey were distracting the pair, before two of the monkey snatched the bows from their hands and blew raspberries before rushing down the mountain.
New turn. Everyone is up.
One of the tiny horned men took a bolt from Luk Luk to the arm. But otherwise, their high vantage point and small sized proved effective at aiding they party. Drawing back their bow's they fire down once more, hitting this time not only Fain, but also Luk Luk with their small, needle-like arrows. 1 damage to Fain and 1 damage to Luk Luk
However, this skirmish was suddenly disrupted, as the sound of a hundred screeching monkeys filled the chamber. The tiny men looked around the temple in alarm, clearly shaken by this turn of events. Those near the balconies could see a rumbling of movement from the trees.
Everyone is up
The enemies are at the top of the statue (20 feet). For the people who weren't moving their pieces, you can probably at least assume you are in the hallway of the last room.
Very high stealth. Fain got lucky the first time he spotted them, that he rolled high to see them and they rolled low to hide.
They are up at the top of the structure on the left (about 20 feet). Sorry, but I don't know if they'll be icons til later since I'm at work.
The party snuck into the room quiety (or clunked into it in Thrym's case). Around the other side of the balcony, Vard carefully made his way across the vine and quietly entered the other side. Everyone looked towards the mountain statue, but no one saw the little men that Fain had described. Even Fain, when he looked at the spot he had first noticed them in, saw nothing but empty space.
Is everyone ready to move on or is there more to discuss? If moving, is anyone going to try the obstructed balcony or are you all taking the main path?
@Luk Luk: You do not recognize the creatures
Vard had to clamber awkwardly over vegetation to peek out the second balcony. If there was another narrow path leading outward, overgrowth had covered it or caused it to crumble. However, it did seem like a reasonably strong climber could probably clamber across, using the vines for support.
Fain peeked into the room beyond the balcony. Inside he saw a twenty-foot-tall, high-relief sculpture of a mountain dominating the north end of the room. A statue of a figure, now missing its head, sat in the lotus position at the mountain's peak, while monkey faced pilgrims rest on ledges further down the mountain. Shattered pieces of yet more monkey statues littered the floor.
To the south, the rubble obstructed archway could be viewed from the other side. In the center of the room a small enclose shrine made of dark brown stone faced towards the rubble, but otherwise could not be seen from the balcony. Across the way was another balcony, overrun by foliage.
Then, something on the mountain sculpture caught his eyes. Two of the pilgrim statues did not have monkey faces, but instead looked like tiny muscular men with a crown of frilled horns. When he looked closer, it almost seemed like their chests were moving and their eyes, which almost seemed to glow red, were locked on the balcony entrance where Fain stood.
The room itself showed no signs of what the looters had indicating. Nothing felt strange or out of place and while the monkey missing its eyes was a little disconcerting, the floor let off no strange auras.
When Fain approached the balcony, he was treated to a spectacular view of the jungle and warm breeze. Looking to the left he saw there was actually a narrow path extending along the exterior wall, though it was tangled with the thick vines and vegetation that covered the temple's walls. At the other end of the path was another balcony that looked as if it might enter into the room that had been blocked by the rubble.
Luk Luk scanned the room for magical auras, but there were none in the entry room. Even the monkey murals on the wall seemed to be little more than mundane. Cautiously moving to the next room, they saw a broken hall. A mosaic of a monkey-faced figure decorated the floor, though the tiles that would form its eyes were missing. The north end of the room was filled with rubble blocking an arched passageway. To the west, vines and foliage intruded into the temple through an open aired balcony, lighting up the room in a surprisingly pleasant way. A similar balcony to the east remained relatively clear of plant life.
Map updated. Note that the map's north is indicated as pointing west. I toss that out their because I know I got confused for a second.
It was difficult to ascertain the value of their loot. But since they only had one sack between the group of them, it would seem they hadn't taken more than coin and a handful of trinkets.
The woman shrugged in response to Alenka. "I don't know what to tell you. We went straight for the back of the temple when we got here...you know, straight for the good stuff. But when we got to back. Something spooked us..." she looked as if she couldn't even put it into words. "I don't know, we just booked it out of there and all agreed to stick to this room. It's hard to explain. Guess you'll just have to find out for yourself." Hoisting the sack over her shoulder, she gave them sideways smile and said, "Good luck!" Before pushing through the doorway and disappearing into the jungle.
The temple is all your now to explore.
"We're not exactly in it for the literature..." She replied to Luk Luk with a scoff. "It a pain in the ass finding a buyer for that specific stuff. Gems. Goblets. Coins. That's the easy stuff. Now, if you'll excuse us..."
Unless anyone has other questions for them or wants to stop them, they are leaving the temple and its yours to explore."
"I sell to whoever offers the highest price." The woman said assuredly, "If that ends up being the Pathfinder Society...so be it. But historically that is not the case." To Vard she simply raised an eyebrow. "Hmm...What was the phrase? You know, the one even children know? Oh yeah! Finders keepers, losers weepers." She shrugged, "If your so concerned with cursed items, there's something evil deeper in this temple. Gave us the heeby jeebies. Deal with that and I'm sure you can still bag something nice for your your precious society. We're going to leave now, so if you'd all kindly step out of the way." She made a shooing motion.
Things fell relatively quiet as Fain worked on his sketch. However, in the quiet Thrym was able to hear the sound of muttered voices and clunking from within the temple. As he moved closer he saw the inside chamber. Columns lined the walls of this small room, each decorated with a high-relief carving of a monkey in a different pose. Some of the monkey sculptures sat serenely in meditation or reached out with their hands as if to deliver blessings to the viewer, while others adopted more naturalistic poses. The floor was littered with decaying plant matter and mud, and the stench of rotting muck pervades the area.
Inside the chamber was a woman and two men shoving trinkets into a sack. They stiffened and turned when the party arrived. After a long stare down, the woman spoke up, standing up straight and confident, she declared, "There's not going to be a problem here, right?"
The temple, as indicated by the map, was not so far from the lodge. With Fain's careful navigation, the party drew close within a few hours time. Though, the last leg of the jungle, the vegetation was thick and difficult to traverse. Cutting through the jungle, they eventually laid eyes on the lost temple. The site was almost completely overgrown by vegetation, and only bits and pieces of its brown sandstone exterior were visible from the outside. The weight of the massive roof and the passage of centuries had caused the ceiling to collapse near the building’s center.
Map updated
"If you feel Fain can handle it, good on you. The lad seems to know his way around the wilderness." The Baron replied, "Here. Let me see the map the society gave you and maybe I can at least give you some directions. Be careful out there. The jungle is vast and at times confusing."
Once you guys are ready to head out, I'll take a survival check from your navigator.
With the late arrival and early morning activities, it was midday by the time everyone roused the next morning. The baron was pleased with Fain's work. "Excellent. I have a spot ready and waiting for him!"
Falroun also thanked the party, "You have absolutely upheld your end of the deal. I thank you. But I guess this is where our journeys diverge. The baron and I will stay in the region and continue our hunting trip. When you return from your temple, I have a ship prepared for Absalom. From there you can report to the society and I can help you get a ship to anywhere else you need to go."
The baron asked, "Are you comfortable navigating the jungle and finding your temple on your own? I can help guide you on your way, if not."
The baron replied, "I never got a good look at it, back then. I assumed it was a tiger because I saw a flash of stripes. But I'll never forget those eyes. This was the beast." He picked started to lift the creature, "Can someone help carry it. We need to make haste for the lodge!"
The group moved swiftly though the jungle. The baron said little, but his concern was obvious in his haste. It was around four in the morning by the time the lodge could be seen on the horizon. The baron dropped his end of the Leucrotta and ran for the door. "Falroun! Falroun are you here!" He shouted. After a few moments, a door opened and a half asleep looking Count Matsunda appearing in a doorway, wearing a nightgown. "Huh...Um...Hello?" Spotting the blood on Thrym's clothing seemed to wake him up a bit. "Oh my! Is everyone alright?"
The baron seemed to instantly regain his composure, though those paying attention could hear a long release of breath. "Yes, Falroun. We have returned from the hunt successful. We just wanted to let you know and make sure there was no trouble here."
"Oh. Um..Congratulation!" Falroun relied with as genuinely an enthusiastic attitude as a half-asleep person can muster in the wee hours of the morning. "That's really excellent news, father. I booked rooms for you all by the way." He let out a yawn, "I can't wait to hear all about the hunt...in the morning..."
The baron, stiff and formal as ever, replied, "Right of course. We should all get some sleep. Thanks to you all for your help today. I can help guide you to your temple tomorrow." He cleared his throat slightly, "..And. Falroun?" The young man, who was already sleepily retreating back to his bed, paused and turned. "Thank you for planning this trip." Falroun, smile sleepily, [b]"Of course! Any time! Goodnight!"{/b]
The baron replied, "I never got a good look at it, back then. I assumed it was a tiger because I saw a flash of stripes. But I'll never forget those eyes. This was the beast." He picked started to lift the creature, "Can someone help carry it. We need to make haste for the lodge!"
The group moved swiftly though the jungle. The baron said little, but his concern was obvious in his haste. It was around four in the morning by the time the lodge could be seen on the horizon. The baron dropped his end of the Leucrotta and ran for the door. "Falroun! Falroun are you here!" He shouted. After a few moments, a door opened and a half asleep looking Count Matsunda appearing in a doorway, wearing a nightgown. "Huh...Um...Hello?" Spotting the blood on Thrym's clothing seemed to wake him up a bit. "Oh my! Is everyone alright?"
The baron seemed to instantly regain his composure, though those paying attention could hear a long release of breath. "Yes, Falroun. We have returned from the hunt successful. We just wanted to let you know and make sure there was no trouble here."
"Oh. Um..Congratulation!" Falroun relied with as genuinely an enthusiastic attitude as a half-asleep person can muster in the wee hours of the morning. "That's really excellent news, father. I booked rooms for you all by the way." He let out a yawn, "I can't wait to hear all about the hunt...in the morning..."
The baron, stiff and formal as ever, replied, "Right of course. We should all get some sleep. Thanks to you all for your help today. I can help guide you to your temple tomorrow." He cleared his throat slightly, "..And. Falroun?" The young man, who was already sleepily retreating back to his bed, paused and turned. "Thank you for planning this trip." Falroun, smile sleepily, [b]"Of course! Any time!"{/b]
The creature continued to move quickly, stepping aside of axes, hammers and ammunition. It snarled it fang over top of Thrym, as if deciding whether is wanted to finish him off or pursuit the baron. However, it did not see Alenka coming. She tore into the creatures side, causing it to collapse to the ground.
The baron quickly clambered down the rope ladder. "Falroun!" He shouted out into the night. Looking down at Thrym with a frown he asked, "Can you heal yourself? If not someone needs to wrap that up quickly!" He stepped away from the group, towards the bushes that the "tiger" had leaped from. "Falroun!" he shouted even louder, as he searched the area. Not seeing the man anywhere, he returned to the group. "I don't see him. Maybe you are right about it being a trick...but are you sure it would be able to mimic him so accurately?" He got a fearful look on his face once more, "It must have heard his voice at some point right?!"
@Luk Luk: You took two turns in one round. Your knowledge check and talking can carry over, but we'll save the shot for this upcoming round.
Thrym and Vard moved to surround the creature, as it watched them circle with beady eyes. The strategy proved effective as it leaped away from Vard's strike, but into Thrym's. Turning back to face Thrym, he enacted swift vengeance. Moving impossibly fast, he sunk his teeth into Thrym's leg and then yanked hard, causing painful tearing and dragging the tall man to the ground. @Thrym 12 Damage, plus you are prone.
The creature hovered over Thrym, with blood dripping from its fangs, until a shot sounded out in the night and the Leucrotta howled out in pain. "Remember me!?!" The baron shouted out, with a smoking musket in hand. The two stared at each other with hateful eyes.
Since there are now light sources:
Everyone settled in the tree and quiet fell over the clearing. Soon the darkness came too and only the light of the moon provided any visibility.
About an hour after the sun had set, the quiet was finally disturbed, but not noise of a tiger. "Father?" a nervous voice sounded out in the distance. Those sharing a tree with the baron, saw his face turn to a look of confusion and concern. "Falroun?" he called back.
Suddenly, the voice change to a scream of pain. The baron, reached for his musket and shouted again, this time in a panic. "Falroun!?!" He looked around for the rope ladder. "I have to get down there. Now! The boy's in trouble!"
Everyone can act. Luk Luk, check your PMs.
@Alenka: As long if you take 10 you can get up with no issue. Of course, getting down during a fight you would still need to roll.
"Just take your time. You'll get up." The baron said to Alenka reassuringly. "But I agree that we should have a plan for when it arrives. I have extra crossbows if someone needs one. An animal call is a good idea for a signal."
You guys are welcome to modify his plan as you wish... :p
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