How about merging the quest approach (9-16, 8-16, etc.) with elements of the 3-7 evergreens (8-07 and 9-09)?
There could be a package of generic quests - The Sewer, The Old House, The Ruins, etc. These would specify the maps and a range of possible monsters and hazards, similar to 8-07 and 9-09. A GM could then assemble them into an arc consisting of 1 to 4 quests using his/her knowledge of the world of Golarion and the Pathfinder Society.
The individual quests would set the mechanical parameters of the arc, limiting the ability of GMs to make either brutal "kill them all" TPK adventures or easy walk over "speed runs." However, GMs would have a great deal of autonomy and opportunities for creativity when it comes to crafting the background, flavor, and RP elements of the scenario.
Here's a very quick and dirty example:
Happy Birthday - Drandle Dreng asks the PCs to deliver a birthday present to his noble and sainted older brother
1) The Street - random (?) thugs attempt to steal the present from the PCs
2) The Old House - Dreng's brother is missing from his house where the PCs encounter some undead and a secret door leading to the sewers
3) The Sewers - the PCs follow a trail through the sewers encountering one or more sewer critters (giant rats, gelatinous cubes, whatever) and eventually reach an exit
4) The Ruins - the PCs find Dreng's brother just as a necromancer is attempting to sacrifice him
Such a four quest arc would give 1 XP, 2 Prestige, and 500 gold to Tier 1-2 charactes similar to how quests and low-level evergreens currently work. A shorter two quest arc would provide half the rewards.
Thoughts, abuse, etc?
I adore this idea. It also gives the GMs a chance to stretch their legs, potentially, while still holding all the mechanics so they can't go too far off script!
There is no way through that can get you to her, her voice coming through a crack, but the direction leads the way you came along a hallway, and through caves. Directions lead you easily along the way.
Con weekend, I will hopefully post the next bit tomorrow night, if not, definitely Monday night after we get home from trick or treating!
Miklos continues his relentless assault on zombies and ends the final zombie, ending the combat, as well.
In the corner is a dead body belonging to a dhampir with an unholy symbol that seems clear that he had created the zombies...and perhaps they got away from him. Upon his dead form are two items of note, both of which radiate magic...a longbow +1 and a Ring of Swimming.
Perception DC 20 :
Through a crack in the cave's wall, the faint voice can be heard, "As the legendary Gregaro Voth successfully battled the wild beasts in the deepest
reaches of the Mwangi Expanse, so shall I defeat you, foul servant of Lamashtu!” Sounds like she is still in combat and running away from the sound of her voice.
Mateo's blow does nothing but send him whirling about as an arrow whips past him and does barely any damage to the zombie who is whipped by wind but fails to react to it.
Then Miklos obliterates the zombie with a deft blade that removes the creature's head from it's torso, leaving but one zombie to deal with.
Which is followed by a swing from the remaining zombie against Stein's pet.
One missing and the other hitting Miklos with a vicious blow as Miklos's blade tears into the flesh of the southern most zombie, though it isn't enough to stop it's short step and strike.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
As Steinfaust rushes forward, he drops one zombie, allowing his pet to the second, which also causes it a bone crunching blow.
I live in North Carolina. There are a lot of areas that are downstream from Central NC that were hit hard by rain that were also hit with massive amounts from the hurricane, then damns began overflowing and breaking. There are roads that have washed out, roads have collapsed, and of course, just standard flooding. Thankfully, my family has been safe through it all and the water stopped short of any of our homes, but some were not nearly as lucky. Overall, the Eastern part of the state is a completely mess. Without road damage the estimate is 1.5 billion in damages...and the DOT hasn't even begun assessing the damages because so many roads are still submerged. I did hear an estimate today though that the main road by my aunt's house will be unusable for at least six months. That was a shock.
What more would like to be known about the diorama?
A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey.
I'm back. I was having difficulties. I have a huge part of my family that is water locked and my hometown is in a bad way. The rivers didn't actually peak until Friday or Saturday due to run off and damns breaking. It's looking like my aunts and cousins might be free of their area by Friday or Saturday, but as of right now, everyone is safe, and only one person I know passed away. Sorry folks.
The water tastes very clean...if not a bit stale, as if it has been in a skin for a very, very long time. It does not seem to have any effect save for wetting your whistle.
Smiling to the group and nodding, "There is already dirt in the water. We are in a cave. Do not fear stepping in it, only do not add water to it. That is how the water will remain pure." With that, the man kneels back into the water, putting it to near the top of his chest, and leaves them to the diorama.
Taking a moment looking at the man then he gives a slight tilt of his head. "Of a sort. I am here to take in the waters in their purity. This waters existed before the fall and have not been tainted. Only our oracles and others who treat them with respect are really welcomed here. Ideally. As long as you are reverent, I see no issue with you being here."
Apologies, been dealing with a delightful wedding that was not in an ideal space for internet. Unexpectedly bad access, sadly. Back now!
Watching Robyyn's mouth moving, the gillman nods. "Well that is up to you. It is not my cloak, but it is someone of my clan. Some of us do not return from the pilgrimage. It is assumed that one must be careful and make sure they can't be snuck up upon...so we hide the bridge after we enter. Ensuring that only very creative or intelligent challenges can reach us. Though, you just seem to be intelligent...not an actual challenge to me...only...adventurers?"
The rock, combined with the ripples in the water has the man turn around. He stares at the odd person who had just entered the water as he talks and then slowly nods. "Good day. Please...be careful in these pure waters. There is very little pure water left from the days before the fall."
Perception/Sense Motive DC12:
Ummm...he's staring at Schaka's mouth when he speaks. Very likely that he is deaf.
Perception DC15:
There are robes very, very similar to the cloak that Mateo is wearing now folding to the side of the water.
Sense Motive DC15:
The gillman is eyeing Mateo's cloak with interest as often as he can without being rude and without loosing what is being said.
You guys and your good rolls. With your bonuses, you could have just taken 10 ;) Sheeesh.
With all the carvings figured out, and presumably with notes and rubbings taken, the group can carry on into the cave a bit deeper.
The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber’s southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west.
Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawed off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey.
Kneeling in the water, seemingly oblivious to the approach, is a lone man.
The tunnels continue on, leading deeper beneath the Kortos Mounts until they eventually open into a large cavern. What must have once been beautifully carved reliefs and inscriptions have since weathered heavily, their features dulled and softened to the point that it is hard to distinguish what each once depicted. A wide tunnel exits the cavern on its far side, and blue-burning torches line the passageway’s walls.
Each person can make 4 checks. DC 15 for Linguistics, Know: History, Know: Religion OR DC 17 for Perception or Appraise. +2 if you speak Aquan. +2 if you speak Ancient Azlanti
First Success:
The Artist is depicted painting murals on the walls of impressive buildings, associated with Aroden having painted the city of Absalom with beautiful colors so that it might awe all who visited.
Second Success:
The Craftsman is depicted creating shoes, pots, jewelry, and other moveable goods, referencing Aroden’s delight at seeing his people express their ingenuity in creating new products from raw materials.
Third Success:
The Hunter is depicted slaying a giant serpentine creature and then parading a trophy through the city streets—a sign to all humanity that the wilds are safe to inhabit once the monsters are slain.
Fourth Success:
The Tailor is depicted sewing together a long cloth of featuring many patterns that wraps around a city like a moat, referencing Aroden’s proclamation that when the fate of all peoples is woven together, it shall be humanity’s greatest strength.
The long climb takes a bit, but Robyyn manages to get up on the other side, giving him access to the board and he can see that it is easily big enough to slide across the hole and easily walk across.
With most of the bag sorted out, the group heads following the cave in the only direction available...
The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet before slowly opening to a wider passage. A large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path. At the bottom of the pit lies a small bundle of cloth.
The group finds themselves in a cave that the minotaur is unlikely to be able to get into, especially when he is following the sounds of a jeering halfling running off.
The caves range from two to seven feet wide in this area, the walls covered sparsely with a fungi that glows with blue-green luminescence.
Within the bag are several items, each labeled meticulously, even the wands having ink on the wood to show how many charges are left.
potion of barkskin
potions of cure light wounds (2)
potion of feather step
potion of vanish
scroll of entangle
scroll of gust of wind
scroll of identify
scroll of mage armor (CL 6)
scroll of obscuring mist
wand of burning hands (CL 3rd, 3 charges)
wand of cure light wounds (CL 3rd, 6 charges)
acid
alchemist’s fire (2)
holy water
smokestick
tanglefoot bags (2)
thunderstone
Janira watches the Pathfinder's-to-be and how much they work together and nods with excitement. "Wonderful! You are showing great cooperation!" and due to said cooperation, they are able to find the cave without losing any time getting there.
Coming out of the dense forest where it opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group. Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.
Janira shakes her head, "I do not believe rest is an option at this point...however..." With a few quick movies, the small halfling pulls out another wand and then goes toe ach of the injured, removing the wear on their bodies. "There we are...all healed up. Let's be on our way..."
With that she begins to lead the group through the countryside and into the brush and trees.
The going is not easy and it seems to be...that the eyes of a skilled tracker would be appreciated.
Survival DC15:
The going is tough, but with some work...the path is found and does not delay the group.
Steinfaust manages to hit the swarm firmly and the flask sends sizzles through the spiders, and then Schaka's flask missed...but the splash from the flames lick up and disperse the swarm. Leaving it a pile of smoking bugs.
Anyone have the heal skill that might want to administer to your poisoned comrades.
Janira slips her wand away and gives a smile as she drops her backpack to the ground and begins rummaging through it. "That was quite quick. I'm impressed with how well you listened! So many of you were prepared. If there had only been one group of them, you would have smoked them." Janira says with a loud laugh.
I agree, the Elemental Races would be a nice group. Also...where my Wayang at? As simple as it to point out: there are a lot of PC races that are under/unrepresented in Battles. I know it's not all about PFS, but I'm sure a male and female of each would not be hated by much of anyone:
Suli
Ifrit
Sylph
Undine
Oread
Kitsune
Wayang
Tengu
Nagaji
With Mateo out of the way, Janira flicks the wand and a gout of flames flick forward scorching the spiders, though just barely missing the second group.
3d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) = 7 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
And the spiders erupt in the flames, leaving a few that disperse into the brush.
To answer your question Ravoon, I'll allow it. The real answer is probably not, but I like creativity and reward thinking out of the box, especially when characters are not as prepared for something at first level! Also, I hate that I rolled the swarms
The other swarm moves from Janira and her scary flames, while attempting to destroy three of the soon-to-be Pathfinders.
1d6 ⇒ 6
EEEK
Ravoon, Schaka, and Miklos make two fort, poison then distraction and take 6 damage.
Miklos manages to strike with his flask, making many of the spiders sizzle with the action.
Schaka's apology is more poignant as the flask skips off the top of one of the surging waves of spiders and splashes right onto Janira as she steps out of the way.
"That stings!" she yelps as she tisks her teeth seeing people were less than prepared for these things and draws a wand out, waiting for just the right moment, seeming to ready the wand to see what her companions do.
A creature with this ability can nauseate the creatures that it damages. Any living creature that takes damage from a creature with the distraction ability is nauseated for 1 round; a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 creature's HD + creature's Con modifier) negates the effect.
Format: distraction (DC 14); Location: Special Attacks.
Nauseated
Creatures with the nauseated condition experience stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn.
Sadly, Robyyn, you don't have 1 BaB...so drawing a weapon and throwing it is not in the cards. You can move and draw, or draw and throw. I'm going to assume the move to get you into position.
Mateo's quick step and throw surely threw him off and his weapon did not quite strike the spiders as they surged forward and it rolled just off to the side, still managing to burn some of the spiders...
I believe that last year, it was implied that we might see the return of First Steps 2 & 3. With an (the?) Evergreen this year being a 3-7, is there any chance we could see one of those two return? Perhaps 2. I think it would be very, very easy to rewrite the little bits of 2 to make it pertinent to the current factions and tweak a few words on the cert (I'm game to doing it if you need someone)
The night goes by with no issues, and in the morning, the group breaks camp and begins to head off with Janira pushing once again.
"Gotta get up! Gotta get going! Going to see the cave tonight!"
As they continue on their way, Janira pulls out a gorgeous silver wayfinder, the Glyph of the Open Road emblazoned on it. As she checks their direction, she smiles brightly to the others, "I received this wayfinder upon the successful completion of my own Confirmation!" She studies the device for a moment and then nods, "We are on the right trail, just need to keep on."
The area is a dense forest and the group is shielded from the sun for the most part at the moment, thanks to said forest. Vegetation grows thick all about them as they head on in their journey.
As the group is moving along towards the mountains, Robyyn, Miklos, and Steinfaust all spot movement coming in their direction and let the group know before the insects can jump on the group.
"On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
“We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
She says this as she walks with the group, bouncing along.
The travel is easy, and the land is varied enough to keep interest. Janira spends much time pointing out different vegetation and small bits of wildlife and geography.
Night time calls for an eventual stop to the travels, and the full moon is a day away.
Janira is very talkative...with anyone who wishes to talk with her.
Given time, she will yawn, "I believe we need to set a watch order and then get some rest. Tomorrow will be more travel and then you will INVESTIGATE!"
Discuss among yourself on your watch order and we can go from there
"Alright, fellas, do you have any questions? If not, we can head out for the foothills. Have be on your toes, because if you are on hooves, the centaurs might take offense," the little halfling was trying to be funny as she gaze on each of the young, wannabe Pathfinders.
Looking at the late arrival, the halfling smiled and gave a small nod, "Have good timing, you do! I am guessing that have some capabilities of talking to people...and perhaps a way to deal with swarms?" she questions as her eyes drag from each to the next.
