Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
→ 3:10 PM Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Filona:
Ignoring your slight on her occupation, Madame Mvashti ponders your question and selects nine cards from the deck. She shuffles these by themselves, and then spreads them out on the table into an arc in one fluid motion. She gestures for you to pick one. You select a card from the table, revealing it to the two of you to be The Carnival. ”You are unsure of how you fit into this investigation, aren’t you? Afraid that your innate talents will develop in a way that doesn’t align with your dreams?”
Nistka does not wait for you to respond, and after you relinquish the card to her she shuffles it and the remaining eight cards on the table back into the rest of the deck. After a moment, she lays out the cards face-down in three columns of three. Setting the remainder of the deck aside, she flips the first column. From top to bottom she reveals The Bear, The Unicorn, and The Desert. ”The Desert in opposition, a sign that the betrayer you seek was lost and in need of aid. The aid that they gained was one not to be trusted, and they have likely paid for it quite dearly.”
After this, Madame Mvashti flips the cards in the middle column to reveal, from top to bottom: The Betrayal, The Twin, and The Carnival. ”Here again is your role in this, The Carnival, aligned now to the negative flow of your present. There will be temptation to follow a dream that cannot be, and if you do, the here and now will become increasingly bleak. Misguided ambitions will surely bring ruin,” she says, her previously unwavering tone gaining some trepidation as she moves to the card in the direct center of the spread. ”The Twin, in true alignment, is a sign that someone involved in the raid struggles with indecision. It also means that in the here and now there may be hidden meanings abound—even to the reading that I’m giving you now. Just above we have The Betrayal misaligned, meaning that self-sacrifice and turning away from the temptation of material gains may be necessary for your goal.”
”And now for the future, the thing I’m sure you are most curious about,” Madame Mvashti begins, starting to flip the cards in the final column. The Forge, The Avalanche, and The Idiot. She points to the final card in the spread, the goblins on its face a direct link to the question in the air. ”The Idiot, in slight misalignment. Someone you have already met, someone who may seem foolish or naive, harbors knowledge of something far greater, far more evil than just goblins attacking Sandpoint.”
”That, my dear, is all I have for you today,” Madame Mvashti says, picking up the cards and shuffling them once again. ”If you ever again feel the need to ask a question, my door is always open to the heroes of Sandpoint. Just please remember two silvers next time you come knocking.” She says the last part with a wink, and in a slight hurry to perform four more readings today, she ushers you out to bring in the next petitioner.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Hey all, sorry I got behind again. New manager at work has been keeping me extra busy and I had to really give a good impression last week, which meant not a lot of free time at home or at work (the beauty of basically always being on the clock).
I updated the loot sheet with what it appears you'd like kept. I'm going to open up editing for you guys so that I'm not the only one with access. Thanks for being patient, and I'm hoping (as always) to get us back on track!
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
→ 3:00 PM Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
The group makes their way to the massive home of Niska Mvashti, or Madame Mvashti as the locals call her. Her daughter, a quite aged wandering priestess of Desna named Koya Mvashti, is still in town from the festival. She is the one to open the door, and upon recognizing the party, invites you all into her mother's home and into a parlor. Koya leaves you there with some fresh tea and moves to fetch her mother, returning some ten minutes later.
Madame Mvashti sits behind a large, intricately engraved wooden table and lays a cloth embroidered with Pharasmin imagery on it over the top. Drawing a deck of harrow cards from a pouch and holding it with no small reverence, she begins to shuffle the cards.
"Thank you for helping the town yesterday," Madame Mvashti begins, finishing her shuffling. "I'd like to reward you in the best way I know how: a harrow reading. Any who are interested, please come sit here with me."
If you would like to have a harrowing performed, please go ahead and phrase the knowledge you seek in the form of a single question and decide which of the six abilities suits that question. If multiple of you want a harrowing I'll just go in the order that you post. I'll be putting the readings in spoilers, as the others present will be asked to leave the room for the subject's privacy.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
GM Stuff:
1d20 ⇒ 7 1d20 ⇒ 15
→ 2:00 PM Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
The party examines the beach for anything useful, and it appears that only Daiki and Verona have any luck. Daiki is almost certain that he finds something of value—a glimmer among the garbage. It turns out to just be the broken steel rod from within the log back at the Swallowtail festival. Verona, on the other hand, finds a genuine treasure: a dagger whose blade is made of cold iron.
I will add the dagger to the loot sheet. What would you like to do from here? The play you are scheduled to see starts at six. Madame Mvashti would like to see you for a harrowing at some point or another.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Searching the goblins, both alive and dead, Filona finds... I put all of the stuff on our new loot sheet! Check near the maps link for the loot link. Let me know if you have any questions about it.
Filona, unfortunately, doesn't find anything of particular value among the junk. Even to her tinker's eye most of it appears to be garbage.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Daiki strikes down the last goblin, rendering Junk Beach silent. The unconscious goblin and its mount can be dealt with in whichever fashion you choose.
Junker’s Edge—End
If you would like to investigate the beach to look for "treasure" or just to look to see why the goblins may have chosen this as a staging area, go ahead and give me a perception or survival skill check.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Hey all, I think we're gonna have Perri chill with his family for the time being (after this combat, of course). His player has been absent from the forums for the past few weeks in some games and about a month in others. I don't think I will go through re-recruitment or anything as of yet, just in case he shows back up.
This will drop your APL back down to 1, so I will be using encounters as-written for the time being. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, and genuinely no shade at Perri, but please let me know if you have an extended leave of absence. I know life can really get in the way of silly forum games but I just want to make sure I'm not excluding someone from a segment when they're only a few days from returning.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Sonas's shot does not quite connect, though moments later Kano charges up and demolishes the goblin that Filona dazed. One goblin remains and is in dire straits.
The two goblins drop their bows and the one to the west of Daiki moves behind him to get into a flanking position. They both attack Daiki with dogslicers, and one of them manages to land a slice across his leg.
Daiki takes 3 slashing damage!
The outrider seems rather shaken by Verona's glare and its defenses seem hampered. Moments later, it levels its dogslicer to charge Daiki on its mount. The attack misses, and the goblin rides by and stops its movement near the shoreline.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Between blinded and stunned, it has -4 AC and is denied dex to ac. So it does, in fact, hit!
Kano swings her earthbreaker with immense force, connecting with the commando's chest with a sickening *crunch*. The commando is thrown many feet off with the blow, body broken and breath permanently halted.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Daiki maneuvers around behind the stunned commando, slashing it across the back with deadly force. The sturdy goblin, however, still stands.
Commando takes 8 slashing damage!
The goblins with bows far off try to shoot at Perri and Filona but neither of them manage to land their shots. The goblin sneak makes its way around behind Sonas and tries to strike to no avail.
Filona's spray of colors appears to stun the commando, and Perri takes the opportunity to strike with his battleaxe, slicing deep into the goblin.
Commando takes 7 damage!
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Sonas's arrow connects with the goblin sneak, dealing a bit more damage and continuing to slow the creature down. Kano, unfortunately, misses her attack on the commando in front of her.
Goblin sneak takes 2 piercing damage!
The outrider grabs a potion and drinks it down. It appears to be preparing for something.
Perri and Filona are up! I will not likely be waiting long if Filona posts before Perri, as our friend has been absent for some time now.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Another important note to be shared: we will be moving to the medium experience track for the campaign. I know that most of you won't really care either way, but the AP was written originally written for D&D 3.5 and the conversion to Pathfinder, to account for that, using the fast xp track. I mapped out the experience for the whole AP (that took a minute) and realized the the final gauntlet of encounters where you would be would be, in a word, impossible. I'll be changing my tagline accordingly.
Thanks for making this a fun game thus far, by the way. This is my eighth time running Burnt Offerings and I never seem to tire of it. I'm glad that we're getting back on track after a decidedly slow holiday season (which is mostly my fault).
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Of course, Filona. This is not Rise of the Runelords. This is SUPER RUNELORDS!
Also, if you're questioning on the basis of encounter difficulty, this fits into the parameters of an epic encounter. For random encounters I roll 1d6+APL-3, and your APL is 2 (because we have six players). From there I spend the xp total as I see fit to make it interesting.
Sorry for getting all meta about game mechanics, but I figure I should explain my methodology for how I plan on running things and all.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Goblin 1:
Shortbow:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 DMG:1d4 ⇒ 3
The goblin warrior to the southwest draws its shortbow, taking a shot at Perri that just manages to sink into a joint of his armor.
Perri takes 3 piercing damage!
Goblin 2:
Shortbow:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 DMG:1d4 ⇒ 1
The goblin warrior due south mirrors the one to its west, taking a shot at Perri that sticks into his massive shield.
The goblin sneak approaches Daiki, and is immediately surprised by his readied strike. He slides his blade across the goblin's chest, creating a rather grievous wound. The goblin, however, responds in kind, slicing across Daiki's leg with his dogslicer.
Sneak takes 9 slashing damage! Daiki takes 3 slashing damage!
Moving along to Junker’s Edge since it has been over 24 hours and we’ve got a 2:1 ratio on location choice.
The party makes their way to Junker’s Edge, which is, as with all locations in Sandpoint, not a very long walk. Upon reaching the beach (and carefully climbing down the short cliff leading to the beach), you immediately spot a group of five goblins rummaging through the junk on the beach. Given the impossibility of stealth as you climbed down, they immediately notice your presence and draw weapons.
There are two rather weak looking goblins (1&2), one commando (C), one with two dogslicers (S) and one with what appears to be a giant gecko they are riding and dictating orders from (O).
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Looks like hustonj's most recent post was on the 14th (a couple of aliases, at least) and Perri's last post was on the 2nd. I've got them in another game and they haven't been particularly active lately either, though judging by the post they made her on Dec 24th things might be busy at home.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Would the party like to:
-Investigate Junk Beach?
-Gather information about Thistletop?
-Wait out until evening to go to the play?
-Something else?
Just wanna move things along without entirely deciding what the group is doing for you.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Knowledge (local) DC 10:
'Beach of shinies' could only be Junk Beach. Everyone in town dumps their trash there, so it would be easy for goblins to sneak up and scavenge from there or spy on townsfolk.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
"Not sure where they are," the goblin says, fidgeting in its seat. "Many tribes work together on this attack. I don't keep track of where they all live."
After Filona's follow up, the goblin scoffs and lets out a devilish chuckle. "Stupid longshanks never notice anything. Eyes and ears don't work right. Our first group came up beach of shinies, then everyone else attacked from every way in at the same time."
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
The goblin stares quizzically for a moment at Filoa's barrage of questions. "Not sure what they were like," the goblin says about as quietly as it can. Which is to say not that quiet. "Longshanks all looks silly to me. One has a big shield. There's a furry one with a string of elf ears around his neck. Warchief Ripnugget? He's in the same place as always! Thistletop."
GM Rolls:
will save:1d20 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 1 - 2 = 12
Seemingly not sure what to say about the rest, the goblin shifts uneasily. Filona casts a spell on the creature and it begins to stare blankly at her. She says a few words to the goblin before it breaks out of its stupor, and afterwards it begins talking as if it hadn't stopped at all before.
"Two of the longshanks working with Ripnugget are from Sandpoint. They told us all about how we could get in town without the guards catching us."
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
The goblin's gag is removed (a sizable bit of cloth due to the width of its maw) and its eyes dart about the room nervously. Listening intently to Filona's words, the creature nods.
"I speak longshank long-talk," the goblin responds in a low yet shrill voice. "Are you another outsider working with Warchief Ripnugget? Only plan I know is coming into town and setting longshank houses on fire."
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Keeping his cool and waiting for a chance to break into the conversation, the sheriff raises an eyebrow at Filona.
"You've got fire, I'll give you that," he says to Filona. "We try our best to stay prepared for goblins attacking the town in small ways, though usually they never make it past the farms. This time was different. They were organized—and if you know anything about goblins that should scare you." "As for speaking with the prisoner, I'd be happy to let you take a crack at it," he says before lightly shaking his head. "Can't say you'll have much luck, though. Hope you know how to speak goblin."
He leads the party when they're ready back to the garrison. The goblin is tied to a medium-sized chair with rope and its hands are manacled behind it. For the moment the goblin is gagged, but the sheriff assures the party that it will be removed when they start asking questions.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Gonna assume you guys want to search out the sheriff so that you can report to him and get access to interrogating the captured goblin.
GM Rolls:
Gather Information:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
It doesn't take long for the group to find the sheriff thanks to Perri knowing who to ask in town. As you approach Belor Hemlock he appears to be talking to a family just outside the door to their home about anything that they may have lost or found during the attack. After a grieving mother tells the tale of a son lost in the struggle, the sheriff can offer little but his sincere condolences before leaving their doorstep and approaching the party.
"This attack was some nasty business," he says gruffly, looking back at the home he just left. "I wish I could say that was the first grieving family that I talked to today or that I even hoped it would be the last. Did the six of you find anything in the crypt? Do you need healing?
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
I've gotta agree, admittedly. Holidays are pretty wild for me right now, so I'm not too sure how much I'll be posting this week myself. I hope everyone has a good week whether you celebrate a holiday or not! Don't worry too much about keeping up with this game, we'll get back into full swing next week.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Examination of the room reveals that none of the other sarcophagi appear to have been disturbed. Filona finds that the only tracks that actually seem to have entered any distance into the mausoleum are those of human-sized boots. There are no other indications of activity present other than those and the signs of presence from the party.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
As the party examines the mausoleum a few things immediately become rather clear. Firstly, upon examination of the inside of the sarcophagus that should contain the body of the late priest Ezakien Tobyn is completely empty. Second, upon examining the remains of the two skeletons that the party fought Verona is rather certain they are not of a natural origin. The skeletons are far too pristine, leading her to believe that they must have been summoned here. Last is the robe that was discarded in the corner.
After some examination by Filona, she is fairly certain that it was once a robe of bones. It only has a minor lingering aura of necromancy at this point as all of the patches that once adorned the robe have been removed.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Sorry everyone, I was super sick yesterday and didn't really pop onto the forums.
In a flurry of attacks from the party, Daiki's off-hand attack catches the remaining skeleton in the back of its bony neck and separates the horror's head from the rest of its body.
The Desecrated Vault—End
Outside of the sound being made by the physically exerted group, the mausoleum is perfectly silent. A cursory glance of the place reveals a robe discarded to the corner of the room and an empty sarcophagus that lay open in the back of the room.
Seemingly at random, the skeleton turns back around to attack Perri again. It lashes out with both of its hands though is completely deflected by Perri's fortress-like armor.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Perri is flanking, though unfortunately a 15 will not confirm a crit against the skeleton.
Perri lands another ineffectual blow against the skeleton, fairly certain at this point that the bones will deflect the majority of damage from any slashing or piercing attack.
Daiki lashes out with both of his weapons to no avail, the remaining skeleton completely avoiding the attacks.
Filona's crossbow bolt fires off into the mausoleum, hitting stone somewhere behind the skeleton that she cannot see.
Kano takes another swing with her earthbreaker to no avail, the remaining skeleton seeming to dodge every blow coming at it with unnatural grace.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
GM Rolls:
Skeleton 2 Save v. hex:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Perri's axe strikes the skeleton but seems to be entirely ineffectual. Kano brings down her earthbreaker but just barely misses the remaining foe. Verona touches the skeleton and delivers a mote of positive energy, though the undead creature seems to shrug off a great bit of it. Sonas takes a shot with his shortbow but misses the bones of his target.
Skeleton 2 takes 3 positive damage.
The skeleton, even in its non-intelligence, immediately takes notice to being attacked with positive energy. Whipping to the source of its anathema, it lashes out with a pair of pristine skeletal hands. One of the hands connects, and the bones rake across Verona's shoulder.
Verona takes 5 slashing damage.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
They're just dice rolls, most of the time. If you spoiler your dice rolls they don't seem to change on edits.
Daiki passes between the skeletons and attacks one from behind. He finds purchase against the creature's spine just above its pelvis, severing it and felling the undead horror.
Skeleton 1 is dead!
Filona's bolt misses its mark, streaking past the remaining skeleton and bouncing off the stone further into the mausoleum.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
The light reveals to the party a pair of pristine looking human skeletons standing in the crypt, staring directly at Perri as he approaches with their hollow eyes.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Verona spots just one magical aura coming from the inside of the mausoleum. It is an aura of moderate necromancy, though that is all she can get without seeing it first hand. There are some tracks coming from in and out of the mausoleum, though there are enough sets that it would take some skill to be able to discern anything about them.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
"I see you're all pretty well-suited for investigation the way you ask questions," the sheriff says lightly. "He didn't pass on any holy water, I'm afraid. I'm sure you'll be able to handle any threats between the six of you. It is probably just a goblin or two, after all."
He leads the group to the fence into the Sandpoint Boneyard. He points to the mausoleum that houses the former priest's body. You can see from here that the door is in fact ajar, though from where you are you can't see into it. The building is only a twenty foot by twenty foot structure with the rest of the town's dead being buried in individual graves all around.
"I've got a few things to go check up on in town from here. Check in with the father when you're done, if you would," he says. You can all hear the exhaustion in his voice, and after a few moments of staring at the mausoleum, he heads off back to some other part of town.
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
Responding to Daiki, Sheriff Hemlock looks uncomfortable. "This particular tomb belongs to the late Ezakien Tobyn, our former faith leader and one of the victims of the Late Unpleasantness. He died with his foster daughter in the blaze that destroyed the previous chapel."
Perri's question brightens the sheriff's mood ever so slightly. "I appreciate the concern, Perrun, but I'd like to see what you and these outsiders have in you before I give you bigger jobs."
"While I understand the concerns about disturbing the dead, Father Zantus seems to share the concern of our friend from Ustalav here," the sheriff says, nodding to Verona. "He worries that if the goblins disturbed any remains in the attack they may be taken by malevolent spirits."
To Filona's harsh-sounding words he gives a slight frown, but nods. "We can speak about any concern you have after this is over."
Experience 1,405/2,000 | Level 1 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 2: Local Heroes | Day 2 (Sunday, 23 Rova 4707)
With the group mostly decided on what to do next (and decidedly full of good food), the six of you venture off to find the Sheriff. According to Ameiko he is at the chapel with Father Zantus because of some trouble in the Sandpoint Boneyard. While you're all on your way across town there are a few cheers from the townsfolk, Alma Alvertin offers Sonas a free loaf of bread, Savah Bevaniky offers a discount on her armaments when you all have a chance to swing by and some of you hear whispered rumors about Perri Perrun being "available".
The Sheriff is waiting for you outside the chapel, and after a moment of hearing another concerned citizen he turns to address the party. "Thanks for the help yesterday," he says, taking a moment to look at each of you in turn. "I've gotten a request from Father Zantus to check on a burial vault that's door is hanging ajar. If it weren't for the attack yesterday I'd say he was being paranoid, but with things as they are I can't say no."
