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Well, I'm considering running a normal table of Weapon in the Rift starting in early January and I'm trying to limit my PbP GMing to one PFS table at a time. If people are interested, I'm happy to continue running Core campaign games. I'd be happy to run almost anything (though the Glass River Rescue is pretty tempting).
Boon Rolls:
Boon of players choice on a natural roll of 1 or 20
Congratulations Willful Murder! You have won a boon. Please respond to my PM ASAP so that I may report the scenario! Your chronicle sheets are available here. Please let me know if any edits need to be made (ie, if you're slow tracking).
Drostan's swing misses Dakang but does destroy the illusory double. Tomren's missile buffets the man, causing dark bruises to spread over his arm. Willful Murder's arrow digs deep into his flesh with a squelch. With a heroic throw, Merisiel's attack cuts through him like butter, leaving a deep cut across his throat. The man collapses and falls to the ground. The human body melts away, leaving only a large wormlike creature inside a large set of white robes.
With Dakang gone, aasimars approach you and thank you for your acts in the temple on behalf of all the worshippers. They quickly get to work unraveling the perversions Dakang wove into his teachings throughout generations. You are welcome to stay in the temple for as long as you wish and to complete any explorations you may wish to complete.
Tomren's spell barely scrapes against Dakang's corpulent flesh. Willful Murder's arrow and Merisiel's rapier cut through his skin with ease. Hissing wildly, Dakang steps another five feet up the wall stares over the room. As he moves up the wall, a copy of him appears in the same square, mimicking his movements perfectly. He looks at Merisiel and booms, "Sifkesh will drag you soul to Vantian and feast on it." The double arrows stitched on his scarf glow with a bright light. Spellcraft Check DC 16:
Cause Fear
When Spencer's eagle comes into being, one of its talons rips across Dakang's stomach, but the wound perfectly mends back together, leaving only a faint red line. Willful Murder, Tomren, Merisiel, Spencer, Faeria, Drostan
GM Screen:
Dakang AC - 19, touch 13 SR 14 Climb Speed 30 ft 37 damage taken
The worm creature hisses in pain as the blinding light fills his eyes. His pupils retract suddenly as Drostan's axe, Merisiel's rapier and Willful Murder's arrows pierce his skin with their blessed components. He attempts to cast a spell, but the care he takes to avoid Drostan and Merisiel's weapon causes his practiced movements to falter. With a sigh, he takes a step up the wall, moving as easily as walking . Spellcraft DC 16:
He was attempting to cast bane. Willful Murder, Tomren, Merisiel, Spencer, Faeria, Drostan
GM Screen:
Dakang AC - 19, touch 13 SR 14 Climb Speed 30 ft 25 damage taken
Tomren, as you attempt to concentrate on the nature of this creature, you find your mind turning towards darkness. For the duration of this encounter, you will have to roll twice for every attack roll, skill check, saving throw or ability check, taking the lower of the two results due to your participation in the heretic meditations for Sifkesh earlier.
The aasimars lead you to the private residences of the temple. Stopping before a sturdy wooden door, the dark-skinned male aasimar with strangely glowing skin nods and says, "Dakang's chambers are through here. Kill the deceiver. We will handle the rest of temple and ensure the peace." The aasimars bow and depart. The spacious chamber past the door contains a simple bed, a writing desk, and an enormous armoire. A Spiral of Korada is drawn along
The obese cleric sits at his desk, pen in hand and book open on the table next to him. Turning his head as the door open, he says "Ah, yes. I've been waiting for you. I've been wondering which one of you I should wear next." His head explodes as a five-jawed worm's mouth bursts from it. Knowledge Planes (DC 14):
Dakang is a vermlek, a CE outsider with the chaotic, demon, evil and extraplanar subtypes. Vermleks take over the body of other creatures and formed from the souls of those who violated the dead, particularly by grave-robbing.
Willful Murder, Tomren, Merisiel, Spencer, Faeria, Drostan
GM Screen:
The aasimars look at each other, sharing a long glance that seems to say as much as a whole conversation. One of the them says with deep pauses between each word, "I find this hard to believe, but you have so much evidence. Please help us remove this deceiver from our mists. We can bring help out. The chapel has a fountain that flows with blessed waters that will imbue your weapons with holy energy. It can aid you in your confrontation with the deceiver." Once you complete your rubbings of the sarcophagi, the aasimars will attempt to take you to the chapel. There, they will activate the fountain, which blooms with flowers over it and will give weapons placed into the water the effects of bless weapon for 10 minutes.
About an hour into taking notes and rubbings of the sarcophagus, a trio of Aasimars carrying spears stomp through the garden. Stopping at the broken open door, one of them announces, "Dakang has declared this area off-limits as it contains secret knowledge only those most dedicated to Korada can understand. Please cease your activities and leave the compound immediately."
Spencer's holy light ripples through the room, disrupting their connection to the negative energy plane. They fall back into piles of bone and gear, not to stir again in their undeath. GM Screen:
The skeletons each carried a broken scimitar and wear a broken chain shirt. The skeletal champion had a breastplate, a heavy steel shield, and a masterwork longsword.
The vaulted mausoleum holds six large sarcophagi, each bearing the carved image of an aasimar dressed in ornate robes and holding glass spheres in one hand and a bell, a book, or a lotus flower in the other. Innumerable runes crowd the top edges and sides of each sarcophagus. A solid wooden door stands near the now-broken door. The six elaborate sarcophagi that stand in this room contain nothing but bones and rags of their occupants. Taking a complete set of rubbings is time-consuming, as the sarcophagi are elaborately ornamented. This task requires 12 person-hours of labor.
Willful Murder's shot pings ineffectually off of the skeletal champion's bones. Tomren's fist connects with one of its vertebrae and crushes it, causing the skeletal champion's head to wobble on its shoulder. The skeletal champion returns the favor by lumbering foward and attempting to cleave its longsword down on Tomren.
Round 3
Tomren and Willful Murder are up!
The skeleton slides down in the greased area, his bones disconnecting for a moment with the uncertain floor. GM Screen:
The skeleton on the slippery floor carefully stands up, its bones shaking. The other skeleton steps into the greased area . It attempts to slash at Merisiel from around the corner . However, its attack is awkward from around the corner and its scimitar barely scratches her armor. Round 2
Buffeted by the magic missiles, parts of the skeleton's bones begin to chip and powder. It steps out of the room . It swings it greatsword down on Drostan with a heaving blow that cleaves through his armor . GM Screen:
Round 2
Surprised by the occupants, none of the adventurer's blows strike true. The two skeletons in the back of the crypt rush forward, trying to reach the warm living bodies on the other side of the door. However, with no room to move, they push against the better-outfitted one. Round 1
Willful Murder's shot shoots through the skeleton's body. The arrow lodges on its ribs but does not seem to injure it. It lurches forward, bright blue flames shining from its eye sockets. Shuddering to a halt before Merisiel, it slashes its blade at her left side. However, its blow is easily foreseen and she dodges out of its way. GM Screen:
Round 1
Faeria: The two skeletons wielding scimitars are standard-issue skeletons. They have DR 5/bludgeoning. The skeleton with the longsword is a skeletal champion, which keeps its abilities from life.
As Merisiel's shoulder bursts through the door with a loud snap, profane groans answer. Three skeletons - two wielding short swords and one carrying a longsword - shamble toward the party. Waves of malevolence come from the undead creatures in the crypt. The vaulted mausoleum holds six large sarcophagi, each bearing the carved image of an aasimar dressed in ornate robes and holding glass spheres in one hand and a bell, a book, or a lotus flower in the other. Innumerable runes crowd the top edges and sides of each sarcophagus. A solid wooden door stands near the now-broken door.
Round 1
GM Screen:
The door bursts under Willful's shoulder with the creaking snap of boards. Most of the everburning lanterns hanging in this hall are dark, but the dimness does not diminish the grandeur of this corridor. Along the north wall stand several statues, each depicting an angel or other good outsider. Some are depicted in dramatic poses befitting a holy warrior. Others have heads bowed in eternal contemplation and hands cupping glass spheres. The southern wall bears a large set of double doors, but these doors are boarded up. Smaller doors stand at opposite ends of the hall. A few bits of stone and other debris litter the floor and a musty odor hangs in the air.
The halfling woman pauses for a moment in stunned silence as Faeria explains an ever-growing list of ridiculous claims. Pandas? Stone statues? "Dakang has told us not to visit the crypts. After all, the dead are best left for peaceful rest and meditation. Our visits would only upset them," the woman says. She pauses for a moment, looking over Faeria and Willful Murder, before sighing, "The entrance to the crypts is through the garden. The door is boarded up, though. I won't accompany you in, but I won't alert the guards either. I have much to think about with what you're claiming."
The beautifully restored garden sits peaceful and serene. Three doors stands shut; one to the north, east and west. The door to the east opens into a hallway just north of the library, while the doors to the north and west are stuck shut
A woman who had not been present at the earlier meal glares at those speaking as a corpulent man strides into the room and up the podium. He jingles as he walks, the sound coming from hundreds of tiny bells sewn on to his layered white clothes. The lower half of his face is obscured by a white silk scarf stitched over with a strange double arrow motif. Knowledge (Religion) DC 20:
This symbol is the unholy symbol of Sifkesh, demon lord of heresy and suicide. "Welcome," the man says in a booming voice, "to the embrace of our community, new comers. It is good that you have come here to Korada's embrace. May you find yourself enlightened by the words you hear today. I am Dakang, head priest of this temple." "And welcome again, those who have been with us a long time. Please take up the staff and spheres so we may pray for Korada to join us in our hearts and minds. Guests, you are welcome to join us. One of ours will assist if need be." With a shuffle, the worshipers gather their staffs and proceed to go through the meditative poses, engaging in a number of stretches and chanting the mantra, "Light combined,
as they go through the poses as one. The man places his staff down and gazes peacefully over the gathering for a moment, before starting to preach, ”Today, we gather to contemplate the holy city of Korada, which we seek to be in our every day. In Vantian, the City of Open Windows, the sacred residents pray eternally. They have no need for food or water, as Korada sustains them. When their solitary prayers are interrupted, it is only to maintain the city in its beauty for our lord. Even these moments are done in deep contemplation and prayer. As you go about your business for the day, think to yourself; is it not good that we should spend any small action as though we were from Vantian ourselves? Should not our most mundane task be done in praise and preparation? ”For those of you who have tasted Korada’s sting,”” he says with a glance over the worshipers, who gaze down at their hands, ”Know that he has marked you as imperfect, and remember this in your daily works. As you struggle, know that it is only because that struggle will lead you to greater self-perfection. He has granted you a gift, and that gift is a reminder of your imperfections.”” Knowledge (Planes) DC 20:
Vantian is a city located in the Abyss. Knowledge (Planes) DC 25:
Vantian is the realm of Sifkesh, a demon lord. Zhuang takes a small box and begins handing out vials, one to each person. They offer them to those sitting on the prayer mats and standing by the walls, smiling silently. The aasimars near the front, each dressed in white with a gold breastplate, sit in silence and do not accept a vial. Dakang booms out in the silence ”It is now time for us to assume the symbols of celestial silence and contemplation. Contemplate the words Korada has handed you today.” The worshipers turn to each other and draw on their neighbors the double arrow symbol over both eyes and mouth. Zhuang gestures, offering to draw the marks for those around. Heal or Perception DC 15:
Drawn in such a manner, these symbols resemble stitches over the eyes and mouth. He bows his head for a moment in silence, a silence unbroken by the others. After a long moment, he lifts his head again and says, ”Wash the symbols from your face and enjoy the beautiful day that Korada has provided.” He turns to take his leave as small bowls of water and towels are passed around.
Tall windows look out into the riotous overgrowth of the garden. Several evenly spaced prayer mats cover the floor here. An elaborate stone font stands at one end of the chapel, although the font is empty. Gathered on the prayer rugs are the inhabitants of the temple, and Zhuang waves and points at an available prayer rug.
The books here refer to Korada’s holy city of Vantian the Unshuttered, which continually crumbles into the sea of Ishiar while residents continually rebuild on the far side of the city. The books also describe the double-arrow symbol of “celestial silence and contemplation” to be drawn over the mouth and eyes of adherents of Korada. In addition to its mundane works, the library contains a scroll of lesser restoration and a manual of calm reflection. Knowledge (planes) 15+:
Vantian and Ishiar are not locations connected with Korada. They are not locations in Nirvana at all. These books have been altered. Knowledge (planes) 20+:
Ishiar is a great ocean in the Abyss. It is the realm of the demon lord Dagon and connects to several other Abyssal regions. Knowledge (planes) 25+:
Vantian, City of Open Windows, is the realm of Sifkesh, demon lord of heresy and suicide. Vantian is full of false temples and populated by fallen priests. Knowledge (religion) 15+:
None of the rites or symbols described are actually connected with Korada. There is no such “symbol of celestial silence and contemplation.” These books have been altered. Knowledge (religion) 20+: The double-arrow symbol is sacred to Sifkesh, demon lord of heresy and suicide. Drawing this symbol over and across the mouth and eyes would resemble stitching, and Sifkesh is depicted with eyes and mouth stitched shut.
The woman waves her hand, "I cannot help you here. I am reading, as you should obviously see. Now, I must say that if you're looking for an old catalog or something, check the old library office through that door." Looking through the window, Willful Murder sees Faeria in the garden, as well as the gnome and the fountains. Perception DC 22 in the Office: In a desk in the cluttered room, you find an centuries-old catalog written neatly. Finding this allows you to cut your time in half as you catalog the library. You do note as you catalog the library, about half of the texts worshipping Korada are missing from the shelves and there's several books now on the shelves that are not in this catalog.
The old man gives a welcoming smile and murmurs, "Of course, of course. You'll find Miriya there. Don't disturb her too badly. She likes the quiet and it is a library, after all." He takes Spencer by the arm and leans on him as they walk to the library. As the walk, the old man says, "You look like a friend of my son's, I must say. It's been so long since I saw him. Oh, but here we are: the library." Zhuang opens the door for Spencer and stands to the side to let him in. The library is a spacious room is crammed with narrow bookshelves and large tables. Many shelves are empty and the remaining scrolls and tomes seem tattered and sagging. A small open door looks into a tidy office. The room is clean and bright despite a general atmosphere of abandonment. Several windows look into a garden to the west. A woman sits at a table, pouring over a large leather-bound book.
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