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Salliss, Pip, and Tarbh head to the north, through the entrance, and into a set of musty offices. Dirty rugs, shattered desks, and smashed-in doors are what remains. Papers and long-dried inkwells are scattered among the detritus. As the group checks out the rooms, Pip, searching behind a collapsed cabinet, finds a peculiar amulet, dangling from a simple cord, and in the southernmost office, she finds in a collapsed part of the room a wayfinder, although she sees no further characteristics to identify its owner. Tarbh and Salliss don't observe much here beyond the ruined office supplies, but in the modest office to the northwest, they find a body surrounded by chunks of what appears to be dessicated zombie flesh. Heavy claw marks and deep rips mar this corpse, which lies sprawled and partially covered by the broken desk in the northwest corner. The desiccated flesh of zombies litters the floor around it. Scraps of cloth hang tattered around its mangled hands, which even now are locked into fists.
DC 16 Crafting to examine the cloth:
You pick up and examine the cloth, and they appear to you to be the remains of ruined handwraps, such as those used by brawlers. DC 16 Medicine or DC 18 Perception to examine the body further:
Examining the body's head, you notice large, broken-off tusk stumps. Trildyn and Tarafi split from the others and head to the south. A small reception room seems mostly emptied out, so they continue to the south. They enter a spacious classroom that still contains some relatively intact seating and a dusty old rug. To the west, the floor is sodden, and part of it has collapsed, revealing a hole filled with shattered bookshelves, broken chairs, and other decor. Doors exit to the north. The two begin examining the room, but as they cautiously near the hole, Trildyn notices that the soaked floorboards are about to give way to the slightest introduction of weight. Peering into the hole, Trildyn spots the glint of metal and jewel.
GM: +1 circumstance Trap Finder
140
For this round, let's go with Tarafi and Trildyn going to the southern rooms and Salliss, Pip, and Tarbh heading to the north. We can rearrange in the next one if you'd prefer a different configuration. I've put in a route for the Tarafi/Trildyn group, so feel free to alter based on where you'd like to go.
Working together, Salliss and Pip come to a conclusion on the body in the tavern. They then prepare the body for recovery. Tarafi nods in reverence at Pip's observation, then picks up the knight's armor, thinking the Knights of Lastwall might appreciate the recovery of a belonging of one of their own. With expert skill, Trildyn manages to get the cart back into working order, although it seems a bit rickety. Seeing they have investigated all of the buildings in town, the group moves toward Goldenflame College. As the party travels along the path leading out from town to the college, they notice a faint but growing sense of dread, and everyone sees to the southwest the movement of faint shadows on the horizon, moving toward the town, almost like living mountains. Salliss, with his exceptional eyesight, notes that the shadows are moving quickly and might reach town in the coming hours. The college, although now run down, bears signs of its once-beautiful architecture: dirty and ivy-wrapped columns, majestic archways, and a partially intact stained-glass window depicting Iomedae herself. DC 12 Architecture Lore or Society:
This architecture style is a pre-Cheliax style that was popular in Vellumis. Two wide staircases lead into the college. Engraved in the stone is “Goldenflame College, Est. 4083 AR." On one of the staircases rests a small corpse, its hand outstretched toward the door. The body is clad in dirtied white-and-red robes with gold trim, shredded from the back as if by cruel claws. A small notebook has fallen nearby, its pages stained with blood. DC 13 Academia Lore or Society to read the notebook:
The esoteric diagrams within the notebook seem to be research notes. DC 13 Medicine or DC 15 Perception to further investigate the body:
Although the body is heavily damaged, it seems to be that of a gnome or halfling. DC 15 Religion or Society to examine the body's clothing:
This style of dress is favored by priests and other adherents of Iomedae.
GM: 150
Tarbh, Trildyn, and Tarafi gather around the body in the tavern, although they all stand around scratching their heads at the details of the corpse. Meanwhile, Pip and Salliss explore the guardhouse. Barely anything remains but dusty furniture, but the two find a low-grade cold iron buckler beneath the bed.
GM: 160
Tarafi doesn't hear any movement in the closet, and when Trildyn opens it up, she discovers a dusty collection of candles, oils, and dried herbs—therapeutic materials that would be valuable to the right buyer. The two scour the rest of the apothecary, but nothing else of value seems to remain. Meanwhile, Salliss and Pip continue to inspect the body from the chapel. After some frowns from Pip over not being able to remember the nature of the symbol, Salliss loads the body into a sack and puts it on his donkey. To the south, Tarbh leads the calm Desert Wind to the paddock near the tavern, where the horse idly grazes and shuffles his hooves. DC 13 Religion on examining the dangling sign:
Looking at the sign dangling from the chain, you recognize it to be important to the faith of Iomedae. DC 13 Religion ^ (also open this one on a critical success):
The flaming wheel on the sign represents an iophanite, a celestial servitor of Iomedae. Tarbh notices a bloodied body lying in a corner, remains of undead scattered nearby. This corpse has been heavily damaged by zombie teeth. A broken piece of plate armor lies nearby, bearing iconography of a flame and the hilt of a sword. DC 15 Medicine or DC 17 Perception to investigate the body more closely:
This was once a gnome or halfling. DC 15 Religion to examine the iconography of the plate armor:
This is a portion of the religious symbol of Iomedae DC 17 Society, or 15 if you succeeded at the Religion check:
This armor was famously worn by the Knights of Ozem, now known as the Knights of Lastwall. After searching further, Tarbh finds some small guest rooms off the main tavern. Inside a bedside table, he also finds a purse containing 10 sp. GM: 170
The horse gives Trildyn the side eye as it passes her toward Tarbh. It nickers softly, then moves to gently eat the oats. The horse, however, stays calm as Trildyn and Tarbh examine its saddle, saddlebags, and barding. The horse's barding features a large engraving of the Glyph of the Open Road and gold-and-green caparisons. The saddle is engraved with the name "Desert Wind" on the sides and a smaller etching reading "Property of Larraz Virtanne." One saddlebag is empty, but the other contains two minor healing potions. DC 12 Society:
You recognize the caparisons as common horsewear of horses from Katapesh.
Salliss examines the scorch marks carefully, but conclusion eludes him. Pip also can't quite make out the details of the body, nor does she notice any name inscribed on the wayfinder.
Tarafi nods sagely. "Erm, yes! It seems the flames that caused these marks were magical—most assuredly the result of a spell cast by this poor soul."
GM: 180
Salliss and Pip search the shelves of the chapel, uncovering census records and historical documents detailing the history of the town’s inhabitants and notable events in the town’s history, including festivals, feasts, and the like. As they search, Salliss finds a small corpse—charred, broken, and its features mostly burned away—resting against the pew. The corpse is covered in a layer of fine ash and scraps of charred fabric that seem to be all that remains of the clothing it once wore. Around its neck is a soot-covered chain bearing an ankh. Pip's perceptive eye spots lying underneath a pew a charred wayfinder.
DC 15 Arcana or Nature to examine the scorch marks:
The flames are of magical nature and seem to have radiated out from the body. DC 13 Medicine or DC 15 Perception to investigate the body more closely:
Although the body is fairly damaged, you notice it bears a large oblong head—a signature feature of goblins. DC 13 Religion to recognize the ankh:
This is a partly melted religious symbol of Sarenrae.
Tarafi and Trildyn find nothing in the armory except for dust. However, as Trildyn passes by a window, she sees a gray horse head staring intently into the armory—unlike the previous, this one seems alive! If You Want to Go to the Horse:
Clad in barding featuring green and gold caparisons and bearing leather saddlebags, the gray horse lingers on the fringes of Goldenflame. Considering the circumstances, it looks healthy and strong. However, as you approach, it backs away in distrust, puffing quick jets of air in displeased snorts, but it does not run. In the meantime, Tarbh walks over to the general store. The dank inside is faintly lit by the sunlight outside, and the store has a most peculiar odor. As Tarbh begins inspecting shelves, he comes across a large, foul patch of moldy food, and before he can react, the stinking mold shoots out a gout of spores!
Tarbh gets a faceful of the spores, and they fill his lungs, forcing from him a pained cough!
However, Tarbh manages to cough out the spores. He feels better, but still a bit weak from the inhalation. On the bright side, after searching the rest of the store—careful to avoid any further mold—he finds a full bag of rolled oats that seem to be intact. GM: +1 circumstance Trap Finder
2/2 With the town peaceful again, you get a better look at the buildings. Next to you along the path you entered town from is a small guardhouse. To the west, a building that appears to be some sort of armory sits next to the town chapel, and resting alongside it is a broken cart. South of the chapel is a modest building labeled "Wort's Apothecary." A large tavern occupies the south facing of the town, with a small paddock to its side. And to the east of that building is a general store.
Tarbh, Pip, Trildyn, and Salliss notice the gleam of what appears to be a large metal compass poking out from one of the zombie horse's wounds. Chapel:
Dust-covered pews stand in silent rows in this small chapel, and shelves line the walls. Facsimiles of candles occupy the candelabras here—mounds of congealed wax and burned wicks. Armory:
Empty weapon cases and crates are scattered throughout this bare-bones building. Dust outlines the faint shadows of swords and shields removed from their resting places. Guardhouse:
The bed and table in this small house are crusted with a thick layer of dust. Apothecary:
Grime-caked and smashed glass cases occupy much of this apothecary, and dusty shelves line many of the walls. A door to the northwest leads to a storage closet. Tavern:
Outside a tavern, a painted sign reading "The Flaming Wheel" and decorated with a flaming chariot sways in the gentle wind. Inside, a broken circular table and door, part of a makeshift barricade, rest near the entrance of this modest tavern. Other similar tables and accompanying chairs are scattered throughout the area. Long-dried blood smears decorate the floor and walls. The bar is haphazardly covered in tankards—signs of the final celebration of life. General Store: The dusty shelves of this general store seem to have been mostly emptied out.
1/2
Tarbh grows furious, lashing out at the zombie that grabbed him and destroying it with one fell swoop of his horns. Pip continues to shout words of encouragement to her friends. She lets loose another arrow at the remaining zombie next to Tarbh, landing a solid hit. Trildyn and Salliss surround the final zombie, and with expert positioning and keen aim, they fell the last zombie. The town is quiet yet again. GM:
Trildyn mirrors the horse, missing twice before raising her shield to protect against the advancing zombies. Pip unleashes another bolt into the horse's side, causing it to buck in agony before crashing to the ground! She turns to the incoming zombies, and thinks quickly, pulling forth knowledge from past tomes about tales of a legendary holy warrior culling waves of undead with mighty sword swings and bursts of divine energy. Salliss summons a protective shield, then jabs retaliatory jabs at the zombie that tried to take his head off. He connects squarely with the first, stabbing the zombie right in the eye, but misses with the second. Tarbh charges in with horns lowered and fells the zombie with a massive jab! His rage insatiable, he moves on to the next foe. Tarafi follows the raging Tarbh to switching to the next incoming zombie. Calling forth the power of lightning, he unleashes an arc at the moaning undead. The zombies continue closing in. One from the south bears down on Salliss. Another, engaged by Tarbh, swings at him.
Its gnarled hand then latches on to Tarbh, and the zombie's mouth yaws wide, emitting a ghastly moan. The farthest zombie shambles up to Tarbh and lashes out with its own grisly arm!
And it also connects with a sickening blow, bashing the grabbed Tarbh! Initiative
GM:
The enraged Tarbh charges forward, but in his haste, he misses the beast. Salliss stares hard at the horse, a faint memory of past knowledge learned, but the memory fails to come to him. He steps up toward the nearest building, providing tactical position against the horse, and jabs with his rapier, stabbing the horse pointedly. The scared Tarafi staggers back, the projectiles of pure energy rocketing from his hands and hitting the terrifying monster squarely in its sides. The horse snorts angrily as the missiles strike true. Trildyn, noticing Salliss's strategic positioning, moves to flank the horse and swings down as if bringing hammer to anvil, bashing the creature's exposed skull with a massive blow. Pip strikes inspiration in the hearts of her allies! She thinks hard, but in the heat of battle can't recall anything she knew of these creatures. With a swift drawing and releasing arrow to bowstring, her shot connects. The zombies lumber from town, arms outstretched toward warm, living flesh and mouths agape, emitting unholy moans. One closes on Salliss and lashes out with its rotting arm!
Salliss just barely ducks out of the way as the disease-ridden appendage cuts the air above his head. The horse turns in anger toward the primary source of its near destruction, Trildyn, and kicks at her with its back hoof!
But it misses by a wide margin to Trildyn's right! It kicks at Trildyn with its other back hoof!
And it misses by the same margin, this time on Trildyn's left! Initiative
GM:
That's my understanding as well.
As the group enters town, everything is still and quiet. The buildings here seem mostly intact, with only a few signs of disuse: cracked gutters, dry and decaying flower beds, weeds growing against flaking walls. Suddenly, low moans fill the air, and the corpses what seem to have been humanoid in life lurch from behind the buildings toward you! And at the center of town, near a bone-dry fountain, an emaciated horse, bones exposed and eyes glowing red, opens its maw in a grotesque pantomime of a whinny, but no sound comes forth. The zombie horse charges forward, eyes ablaze, and as it approaches, you smell the stench of rot and disease. Initiative:
Initiative Zombie Horse Tarbh Salliss Tarafi Trildyn Pip Shamblers
"I'm too busy over here hacking up a lung to be hacking up anything else!" screams Tarafi as he tries to navigate the brambly undergrowth.
Pip spots a slightly thinner spot in the undergrowth, and Tarbh gets to slashing away, clearing much of the tangle. Salliss deftly navigates the path, hopping expertly between bald spots. Trildyn tries to cut her way through, but somehow, she lodges her entire arm in a berry bush. In the background, a canny observer would notice Tarafi landing flat on his face again after attempting to mimic Salliss's movements. The group has to spend time freeing Trildyn and Tarafi from their entanglement. A small town crests into view. As you follow a road leading toward the town, you see a guidepost indicating that it is in fact Goldenflame. A bit farther in the distance, a large, eerie building looms.
GM: 200
With quick and focused gesticulation, Salliss motions the party toward a path weaving through the low hills, hoping to avoid detection. Trilidyn, Tarbh, and Tarafi follow attentively. However, a loose rock and a rustle of grass—caused by the faintest scuffle of boot to earth—alerts one zombie, whose head slowly turns toward your direction, maw agape. However, suddenly a patch of vines near the troop suddenly begins shaking violently—a plea by Pip to the forces of nature! The rest of the troop turns to investigate the disturbance, and the suspicious zombie turns in turn. With that, the group is able to slink by the zombie troop and carry onward!
The band continues southward, gray sunlight softly illuminating the amber grasses of the Gravelands. No other patrols cross your path, but as you travel, the terrain becomes overgrown with thick undergrowth and brambly vines. Eventually, forward progress becomes untenable. To the east and west, the density of the undergrowth seems to thin, with faint trails revealing the decisions of exasperated travelers.
As a side note, this adventure features some undead stuff (surprise!) and references to wounds and the like. I'll keep descriptions on the tame side, but if at any point if I cross the line on grossness and I need to tone it down, please let me know, either here or through PM. I'd be happy to adjust as needed.
Pip's impeccable knowledge of terrain allows her to puzzle out a clever, hard-to-spot path weaving up the slope. She and Salliss, Trildyn, and Tarbh crest the hill, the trio following Pip's advice and effortlessly pulling the barrister up and over the crags and crests. In the meanwhile, Tarafi the grouch sets out following the well-trod path snaking its way along the bases of the hills. He tries to maintain his composure, but his ill-advised pace and the heat and humidity get the best of him. As Pip, Salliss, Trildyn, and Tarbh effortlessly descend the hill, they spot a ragged Tarafi splayed on the ground, tie askew and suit soaked in sweat.
After some consoling and pep talk, the group gets going again. Passing through the remains of Lastwall, you spot vignettes of past lives: lonely cottages dark and overgrown, fields withered and barren, abandoned wagons devoid of possessions. You cross a wide field, with low hills cresting to the south. All of a sudden, from the northeast, you spot a procession of what seems to be soldiers, at least two hundred strong, ragged banners fluttering in the wind and the clanking of loosely held metal weapons against bare bone. The undead troop hasn't noticed you yet, but their trajectory indicates they will soon!
You exit the Vodavani Lodge and make your way through the bustling streets of Caliphas, enduring the occasional, accidental shoves and terse admonishments of passersby. Eventually, you find your way to a heavily fortified guard post, staffed by many heavily armored soliders, some clad in pristine white cloth and shining gold armor. A particularly gruff-looking soldier—perhaps an officer of some kind—motions for your permit to enter the Gravelands; after she receives your documentation, she waves you on through the gate. It is early in the day. The skies are clear and the sun bright, but the landscape is desolate and quiet, the gently rolling hills devoid of life. You continue southwest, along the route Evni described to you, following dusty roads and cutting across gently sloping hills. As you continue, the terrain begins to get rougher, and soon you encounter a massive, steep rise blocking the most direct path through the area. Around its base snake suggestions of worn paths through the prairie grass, suggesting most travelers opted to take the long route.
Evni cocks her head in thought, then responds. "The undead are numerous and unrelenting. The blessings of goodly deities are always useful in times as these, and holy water certainly wouldn't hurt. But to me, one of the best defenses is speed—if you can make a hasty journey there and back, you would surely minimize your chances of being cornered. Perhaps most importantly, trust in your allies. As long as you work together, I believe you will be just fine," she says with a reassuring smile. Evni points out the route to Goldenflame on the map, which is a relatively straightforward path southwest from Caliphas that according to the map's scale will take a few hours by foot, with an estimated arrival to the town of sometime in the early afternoon. "Now, I believe we all must be on our ways. The road to Goldenflame is direct but may be treacherous. I wish you the best." Evni nods, then heads out the main entrance. Pip and Salliss try to recall any knowledge they could have regarding the town of Lastwall. Salliss seems to not have come across any mention of the town, but Pip recalls—perhaps from research into historical records concerning Lastwall—that Goldenflame's main chapel functioned not only as a religious institution but also the town hall, which kept census records and documentation on important events in the town's history.
GM:
Evni begins by addressing Tarbh's query. "Most everything living has been eradicated or pushed into hiding in those lands. Undead troops roam the lands with some regularity; I advise avoiding conflict when you can, lest you attract the attentions of reinforcements. The lands in between here and Goldenflame can be a bit rugged in places, so you'd best be ready to navigate them with both care and speed." She then turns to Salliss. "The Ustalavan military has been maintaining regular border patrols and crossings to watch for any incursions as well as to prevent careless or reckless citizens from wandering into undead lands. The border near Caliphas—given both the city's population and proximity to Gravelands—is heavily fortified with support from the Knights of Lastwall. Although they might seem intimidating, as long as you have the proper paperwork, they'll allow you through without issue."
Evni nods in agreement with Trildyn. "“Be on the lookout for any religious texts and historical records; hopefully the troops of Tar-Baphon have overlooked them. You might also find items of cultural or religious significance to the town as well—even those seeming mundanities that might serve as the last memories of that place."
"Oh, I thought I heard my name! Coming, coming!" the voice pipes from somewhere in the hall. Emerging from the throngs of people is a harried gnome clad in a blue turban and matching robe decorated with golden crescent moons and butterflies. On her back is a massive backpack sporting similar iconography, and she carries a large parchment in her arms. She scurries over to you and issues a warm smile. “Greetings, young ones. I am Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss. I'm guessing you've all received a summons from me requesting your presence here. Thank you for showing up!" Evni rolls out a map of Avistan. Aside from the typical map markings, a miniature flag pinned to the map is partly obscuring the label “Lastwall.” “Apologies for the out-of-date cartography, but it’s the best we can do at this time. The re-emergence of Tar-Baphon dealt a devastating blow to the Society, so we’ve been scrambling to consolidate resources. The Society is focusing on missions into the Gravelands for two reasons: to track down the whereabouts of Pathfinder agents who went missing when the undead hordes struck, and to recover the fragments of history and culture that yet survive. Your destination should have been assigned to you in my letter, if you may." After she is offered a letter, Evni smiles in thanks, then fishes a stack of papers from her pack and places them on the table. She points to a small label on the map that reads "Goldenflame." "Goldenflame College is known for its documentation of the history of both southeastern Lastwall and the activities of the church of Iomedae in the region, as well as its collection of invaluable local curiosities accrued over time. Those relics and stories—if they can be recovered, then Lastwall can live on.” Gesturing at the stack of papers, she continues. “These dossiers contain information on all known Pathfinder agents in the region surrounding Goldenflame. Although we must hold out hope, I cannot truthfully say I am optimistic. Nevertheless, closure is important, and we can properly mourn for their loss and celebrate their lives if we know their fates. Perhaps these documents could be of some use to you in this quest. I’ve also completed and signed travel documentation stating your reasons for being in the Gravelands. Present this document to the border crossing, and you can then be on your way. "Oh, and take these as well!" Evni shoves her arm shoulder deep into the pack and pulls out a bundle of sacks. “Here. These are for you to transport any items or—” she bows her head “—remains you might find. I know it is a sad and gruesome task, but retrieving those fallen Pathfinders would bring closure to their loved ones.” Evni then closes her satchel and reshoulders it. “I’m also heading into the Gravelands myself. May Desna guide us all on our journeys. Hopefully we can find what we seek. Do you all have any questions for me before we depart?”
Following the instruction of a letter from Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss, formerly of Vigil, you have made your way to the Vodavani Lodge in Caliphas, the capital of Ustalav. The streets are a quagmire of uncertain crowds, as if comprised of many visitors or new arrivals. The Vodavani Lodge looms, its eerie spires and oppressive stonework perhaps betraying a more sinister past. However, you know this building to be the Pathfinder lodge of Caliphas, so you enter. When you enter the foreboding double door, you find a spacious grand hall packed with people, the sound of a thousand conversations in a thousand languages echoing through the vaulted space. Groups are seated in various gathering places around the hall, discussing missions and tallying their supplies. One group from a nearby seating area get up, strapping on their packs and ensuring all their accouterments are securely attached. They nod and smile in acknowledgement at the new arrival as they exit the hall, leaving newly freed couches and chairs in their wake.
GameDay is coming up soon! Hilary is already on top of it, and everyone already knows the drill, but I'll post to feel official. Please post the following info in Discussion when you get a chance. Thanks! Chronicle Number:
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