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Zenari and the Carnelian Signet brute force their way through the pain as Eltis prepares a concoction. Slowly, the magics dissipate, but as they do this part of the underground complex becomes unstable with arcane electricity, forcing friend and foe alike out of the area. You have but a moment to search before fleeing, and therein you find a +1 striking
dagger that was left behind by a hapless senior Dispatch agent.

Emerging from the ruins, you spot Zarta Dralneen. The Grand Archivist cautiously points toward a newly discovered underground passage, keeping her voice low. “The way ahead goes straight toward the Dispatch’s inner sanctum. No twists, no turns, just a straight shot. It almost seems to be too good to be true... which means it’s almost definitely a trap. Check it out but be careful!”

Taking but a moment to recover, you embark down the indicated Path. You find it’s a wide corridor that does indeed take a straight course from a set of doors on the surface straight toward the Red Mantis Dispatch’s inner sanctum. The way is lined with mirrors and reflective surfaces.

Suddenly, space changes around you, turning the corridor into a mirror maze with warped passages and mirror-walled chambers extending in every direction. You all see reflections of yourselves on every surface, appearing normal in some, but as unearthly monstrosities or bloodthirsty cannibals in others. Zenari as a deep-sea monster with a mouthful of needle-sharp teeth, and Shalosar as a pitch-black shadow ghost with no physical form. The Carnelian Signet sees herself as a marauding, murdering cannibal rampaging through the streets of Egorian, and Mrs. Crinkle sees herself as a werewolf. Oh, wait, no, that’s just a normal mirror. In a magical mirror, the fun, silly old lady sees herself as a were-puppy devouring children who just want to be her friends.

As you all process the mental trauma and horror, a hazy image of Sotroz coalesces in the center of the room and speaks to you directly. It is clearly an illusion, but also clearly a real-time conversation with the leader of the Red Mantis Dispatch.

Sotroz begins by sharing their knowledge of the Pathfinder Society’s good works in the past and remarking how disappointed they are to see the Society’s agents “stooping” to act as mercenaries for the Red Mantis rather than extolling their own ideals of “explore, report, cooperate.” They go on to make the point that this isn’t the Pathfinders’ fight, and you’re being used by the Red Mantis Assassins for their own ends.

The ghoul finishes by making a genuine offer: if you abandon the mission and leave the island immediately, Sotroz will telepathically share the location of a treasure cache they buried elsewhere on the island that nobody knows about (not even Rowan).

The Scenario says: “GMs should make it clear to their players that this act will earn them additional Treasure Bundles beyond what is normally possible, but it will also result in earning Infamy for abandoning the rest of the House in the middle of this special event.” Accepting the offer by party vote means the scenario ends for you, I issue chronicle sheets with full XP, 0 Reputation with your Faction, 1 Infamy, and 15 total Treasure Bundles.

Full disclosure: There was a DC to notice a “magical trap.” You can’t avoid it, and activating the trap just begins this encounter. So I hand-waved the check. But to clarify, there is a magical hazard beyond just the mirrors, and you can either accept Sotroz’s offer or deal with the hazard.

Thanks everyone for this my first run of Third in PBP. It gave me a chance to flesh out some personality for them. Thanks of course to our great GM, and to the wonderful Author of this fun scenario.

Since Mrs. Crinkle still has hers and the Signet is down to 1, I'll throw the shiny virtual coin across the table to chadius and the Carnelian Signet.

Zenari didn't vote, and Adelmare abstained. I tallied vote-points and the math supports just going in the order that Signet suggested.

FWIW, we weren't scheduled to start Act 4 until 30 Oct. We'll certainly have time to get through the first 2 and probably the third missions before we get to.... whatever comes next.

Working together and with Adelmare charging forward in the lead, the Pathfinders dispel that last of the wards on the magical oubliette prison. Within, you find Khione Thidos, Pathfinder agent, reporter, and gossip. Khione is disheveled but alive, and grateful for being able to speak again.

“Wow thank you so much for saving me! I knew Zarta and the others would come for me. I told those fake Red Mantises that, but they kidnapped me anyway even though I warned them they’d be in for it if they took a Pathfinder hostage and wow are they like silent monks or something? They said their leaders invented two brand new spells just to keep me locked up because I was ‘annoying’ the other prisoners and their guards. What’s up with that? Also, their whole organization is tackier than the Cult of the Screaming Grub if you ask me, and...”

Khione continues like this uninterrupted as you lead her out of the abandoned tavern. You deliver her to Zarta who informs her that the Pathfinders are in the middle of an armed siege of the Dispatch facilities. At this, she straightens herself up and grabs some parchment and a pen from seemingly out of nowhere, promising to follow her rescuers around and chronicle their glorious deeds as thanks for saving her. Zarta smiles knowingly, and suggests that everyone rest up and get ready for the final assault.

Khione will indeed follow your team around, loudly narrating out loud to herself everything that’s going on even as she records your deeds. The benefit of this is that she continually notifies you about enemy positions and tactics, giving each of you the benefits of the Deny Advantage Rogue ability.

Deny Advantage: As someone who takes advantage of openings, you are careful not to leave such gaps yourself. You aren't off-guard to hidden, undetected, or flanking creatures of your level or lower, or creatures of your level or lower using surprise attack. However, they can still help their allies flank.

Recognizing the trouble Chis is having, Third switches to Tien wherein the words "cereal" and "serial" are not homophones.

"I believe that is a complete report," Third nods as they take a sip of the excellent tea. "I suspect Captain Kortos has more complete notes and a better understanding of the political and tactical situation than I do, though."

They set the tea cup down and retract their mouth-straw to sample some of the fruits. "Are these muskmelons, by chance? The pirates did mention that Captain Conziva has a soft spot for a certain baby gorilla named ... something nautical, I believe ..." Third's eyes pass around the room as they think and settle on the Andoran Navy Lieutenant with the strangely nautical name. "Port, Abaft, Poopdeck?" they muse. "Ah, no Flotsam it was, and said gorilla has a penchant for muskmelons we were told."

This should be a quick check to get some more background info and an easy Success.

Ahem, well, that was quick. Thanks, Signet.

They've just announced that So That’s Sotroz is in effect. This announcement warns the Table GMs that there are only "about 10 minutes" remaining in Act 2, and we should "Quickly resolve your encounter and wait for the House GM to read the announcement that completes Act 2."

But Act 3 is not scheduled to start until 10 Oct. So after doing this one, I guess we could start the combat encounter. Up to you, but there is a chance we may not finish.

He gives the Signet some side eye with a raised lip, but nods to the more polite and erudite kobold. He seems nearly ready to talk more, when something on his desk catches his eye and he returns to his counting.

Sooo close. Can anyone give Eltis a retroactive Aid? I'd even accept a relevant Lore like Accounting, Merchant, or Legal with some decently RP'ed justification.

Nigel looks askance at Zenari’s claim to being related to Calisro when she butchers the Captain’s name. LOL, sorry, had to. When Eltis produces a second wayfinder, he relaxes. He steps to a table with a couple of chairs (one of which a certain gray-haired lady is resting is) and sits down with a comfortable distance between himself and her.

”Yes, I was asking if you were here to deal with the Dispatch, but since the young lady asked about Khione and other prisoners first, let’s address that. I know of two specifically. One is the Nexian child you mentioned named Tiziri Blacklevy. I’ve dealt with thon’s* father in the past, a construct crafter of some talent. The other is Khione Thidos, and for those who do not know her personally, she is a powerful voice within the Pathfinder Society, and she can make or break a reputation with just a rumor. I could not leave until I found a way to free them both. I believe a third was brought in more recently, but I’ve no information on that one.” He withdraws a small notebook from his jacket’s inner pocket and passes it across the table to the woman who is clearly the “senior” agent (at least by age.) “This has my notes on where I think they are being kept. Make sure someone gets eyes on this.”

”As to the Red Mantis Dispatch itself, well, they’re basically a lie made truth. This is what happens when skilled individuals decide to take on a role they aren’t quite qualified for and do not own the rights to, but drive leads them to dive in regardless. The Red Mantis Dispatch may have begun as a small smuggling operation using the Red Mantis’s reputation to protect their goods from prying eyes, but from my understanding, they have stepped into picking up actual assassination contracts. The trouble is, they aren’t exactly incapable of fulfilling their contracts which leads to other parties conflating them with the real Mantises.

To complicate things further, there are two heads to this monster. A ghoul named Sotroz. They have become far more capable and powerful than any other ghoul I have encountered. The other is an aiuvarin woman named Rowan the Whispering. She is… formidable. Honestly, had she not teamed up with the ghoul, I’d have expected her to become an agent of the Red Mantis herself.”

*Per the sidebar in the scenario: Tiziri Blacklevy uses thon/thons/thonself pronouns which are one of the first known examples of intentionally gender-neutral pronouns. Dating back to 1858 in our world, most lingual studies on the history of pronouns claim that thon was intended as a contraction of “that one.” For Tiziri, the pronouns fit thon’s understanding of thonself, and even the so-called agents of the Red Mantis Dispatch understand value in being respectful to thon’s wishes in the matter.

We were on our way to a money-lending house to speak to the Curator, someone who opposes the Dispatch. Should we plan to continue there, or go check out this inn (if we have time)?

There are a lot of times in this scenario where missions are alluded to but not available. So for now, we’ll have to go to the money-lending house until the inn missions open.

Also, I keep forgetting the limitation on Treat Wounds. Can I try to heal the signet, or do I need to wait an hour?[/ooc]

You actually have 10 minutes between these two missions, so only 1 Treat Wounds on the Signet for now. This next encounter is a social with no set time, so if The Carnelian Signet has a pearly white aeon stone, we’ll call it good.

Give me a few minutes to prep up the post for “An Old Acquaintance.”

Third loses track of the underwater combatants and turns their attention to the two on the far side of the dock. They float over, maintaining altitude above the slick boards for safety, and focus on the furthest monkey away.

◈ Fly, ◈◈ Fear DC 19 on White

Thandar's Third Theorem begins directing a group of dockworkers in how to fight the fires...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

But he overcomplicates things by explaining the relationship between air, heat, and fuel. Eventually the workers just tell the big brain to go suck an egg, which so confounds Third that he shuts up and ponders why anyone would suck on an egg.

Commanders need a Tactic like the Envoy's Take 'Em Alive directive. It even works on (most) spells.

Will DC 22: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Gah! What unusual humanoids these are. Such intense physicality. Still, though...

Third is thrown off by the pack of primates, but follows the lead of their Captain as best they can. They transmit a telepathic message to all crew within range of his powerful brain to begin fighting the fires.

Save the Shipyard, Diplo, F1: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 = 24

With that handled, they turn their formidable attention on the largest primate. Without uttering a word, they make sure the beast understands what awaits it should it continue to fight.

Appeal to Yellow, Intimidation, Glare, F1: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 = 27

When it does surrender (on that sweet Nat 20), Third motions with their tiny upper arms towards Irina as the team's wildlife liaison.

◆ Save the Shipyard, ◆◆ Appeal to Surrender on Shaken Yellow Monkey

Is there any way we can try to ID that red substance?

It's "Red Herring" juice (joking). Sorry, but, I don't have anything further than what I posted, and it does not come up in the scenario again.

Third raises the cup of tea for one last sip before the team departs. They lift it up to the juncture of their head and body holding it daintily in the long, thin fingers of their upper set of arms. As they do so, a thin vertical slit opens where a terrestrial would have a throat. It's clear to anyone watching (Ahem, Ebren, while I understand your curiosity given the rarity of my people here, it is still considered rude to stare,) that food could be passed into the slit with fingers or utensils. Drinking however, especially from a cup, would likely be very messy. Except that as Ebren watches, he sees a tube extend from Third's mouth-slit and dip into the tea. Like a mosquito sucking up blood, Third pulls the tea through the semi-transparent organ and swallows with a mental sigh of satisfaction.

They set the tea cup down on the table before rising from the chair and floating to the door. Very well, then, let us begin, they send to everyone as they fly back out through the main room of the inn and past the two servers.

I fully expect that this heretofore undefined aspect of Contemplative physiology shall be made canon at some point. :)

Zenari goes to the other end of the ship and tries again, but she just gets yelled at by the Bosun. Meanwhile Eltis gets rid of the cookies and ants and finds exactly what he needed.

Those working in the library all agree that the Island of Claimed Souls has been unsuccessfully settled eight times, sometimes by traders looking for an out of the way home base, and more often by local pirates looking for a secreted haven against prying eyes and competitors. Each time, the structures and towns built were more or less abandoned within a month or two with rumors of “accidental” deaths, missing crew, and the rise of undead forces. And each time, the settlements went abandoned, leaving buildings, goods, and sometimes even meals behind.

Shalosar adds that the rumored undead presence from the failed settlements on the island have more truth than previously thought. An ill wind haunts the island and makes a powerful ghoul able to command other undead and some living beings on its surface. Everyone on the island is either a thrall of this ghoul, or in their employ. Though hardworking workers travel regularly back to Mediogalti from the island, they bring with them the stories of the undead that roam the streets, only attacking outsiders, but making the living fear to anger their employer, Sotroz, all the same.

Impressed by your efforts and your willingness to keep trying in the face of failure, Zarta writes in her notes that these particular Pathfinders are valuable for the benefit of gathering much-needed field knowledge in the future.

Success Reported! And as a result of your newly gleaned information, you each gain a +1 circumstance bonus to the first saving throw you roll after arriving on the island.

"Ah, yes, please. Tea would be nice. The stimulant and vasoconstrictor properties enhance my thought processes. Sadly, we lack this substance on Akiton also." As they say this, Third makes a mental note to find a partner for an import/export business. Probably someone in Tian Xia, though, for access to their much finer teas.

As they sip the slightly bitter black tea with a dollop of honey in it to brighten it up a bit, Third asks the Directors their questions. "So you simply need us as escorts and bodyguards? Will you require us to give our advise on the construction, outfitting, or suitability of the ship(s)? Will you be hiring crew here or manning this/(these) ship(s) exclusively with Pathfinder agents?" Though they speak aloud, Third uses their telepathy to express the singular/plural nature of certain words such that it makes perfect sense.

"My apologies, Directors, but I must decline. Alcohol has extreme effects on my Akitonian physiology, and I do not wish to inflict the results on you or my teammates."

They leave what the results would be unsaid as they remember in too vivid detail the first and only time they tried some. It was at the party in Restov after the mock combat with that Aldori Swordlord's students. Thandar's Third Theorem shudders as they recall the three stages of their alcohol poisoning.

First was the loss of control of their mental barriers. This meant that they screamed at full contemplative thought speeds and in multiple languages simultaneously via telepathy to all entities in range. For an hour, no one could block them out of their heads and the rest of the team finally had to just leave Third in the basement of the inn until they stopped.

But when that ended, the explosive mixed-media expulsion of the poison through all orifices began. It was ... not pretty. Nor over quickly either.

The last stage was just sad as the magic that Third studies and that powers their very being went haywire. Spells they didn't know began manifesting; their magical ability to fly went out of control; spells they did know began mixing and blending with each other.

It would have made for an amazing research opportunity, if only it had been happening to someone else. Third had, however, made a few mental notes and had vowed to bring some rum back to Akiton on their next visit to inflict gift to an academic rival and record the results. For science, of course.

"Captain, I fear my talents and unique physiology will limit or exclude me from taking advantage of or even participating in most of your tactical maneuvers, though I can certainly see how...."

They are suddenly cut off by the rude server mid-sentence. Having learned the lesson on the first go, they rise a bit higher than normal and float across the tavern to where the rude one is grousing with the nice server that had brought them so many new and tasty foods. Without speaking, they telepathically broadcast to both of the servers, and to the chef in the back, and the owner behind the bar, their thanks for the delicious repast.

Certain that the rude one has taken the point that muttering or even thinking mean thoughts will be noticed, they continue aloud. "Our apologies for using your spice containers in such a way; though as you can plainly see, the containers are as yet undamaged," they emphasize to the sound of a tiny stomp.

"Do you perhaps have any game sets we could use instead? An Imperial Conquest set? Or perhaps a set of zoubing tiles?"

With the SFS2e Boon store now active, there are the basics like mnemonic editor and resurrection of course as well as access to the Core Legacy ancestries (dwarf, elf, etc.)

But one basic boon that hasn't been added yet is Hirelings. They're very useful especially for those characters that maybe can't invest in Social or Tech skills to at least be able to contribute in certain Society situations. So, can we please get the Hireling boon(s) added?

My time on this world has not yet inured me to its heaviness. Or its sun, Thandar's Third Theorem moans to themself as they glide above the rooftops of Augustana in the oppressive heat and humidity. Looking forward to the cool interior of the assigned meeting house, they scan the ground below for the briefed signage.

Even so, they take a moment to look out at the harbor, the ships, and especially the horizon. So much water. So unlike anywhere at all on Akiton, they marvel yet again until their reverie is shattered by a scream from below and someone throwing a stone ineffectually in their direction. With a mental sigh at once again being thought of as a monster, they rise a bit higher into the air and cast a short spell to speed their journey.

It's not long after that they find the right spot. A restaurant specializing in seafood demarcated by a sign bearing a shark and a crustacean. (Do they serve both? Only the crustaceans? Neither due to taboo?) with two beings standing in front.

"Hello, you are Pathfinders I presume?" they say aloud so as not to startle the pair with a telepathic greeting as they smoothly descend to the street. Hovering just above the cobblestones, their feet though clad in lightweight soft boots don't quite touch the surface. The atrophied body hanging below the giant brain is clad in simple traveler's clothes. They bear no weapon or gear except a small pack upon their back and a wayfinder dangling from a thin belt at their waist.

"I am Thandar's Third Theorem, but please call me Third for simplicity."

The giant floating brain is well aware that there are not many of their kind here. But that does not make me 'weird,' they say in a voice in your head that sounds like yellow.

Okay, I've decided to bring my level 3 Contemplative Sorcerer. Haven't built their PBP profile yet, but I'll get on it.

They have a Rugged Mentor boon to help keep the Undine Centaur... uhhh... seahorse(?) ... alive :)

reported and chronicles sent out. I apologize, but it never gave me the option to check the little boxes for what you all did.

Thanks for a fun session with some great RP and a crazy chase. I look forward to seeing you all around the boards, or perhaps even in person at some point, too.

Purepurin takes the spacious pouch from you, looks inside briefly to see it all for herself - "I'm just curious; I've no doubt it's all there" - and then wanders off to look at the boats and talk to the locals.

Venture-Captain Taiwalei nods as you make your verbal reports and reminds you to write them up formally. "We'd like it done before you leave Binocol so that we may present a copy to the locals as a show of appreciation. And it's likely we'll have other work in this area, so you could remain here as long as you need."

He looks over to where Purepurin is pestering a fisherman. "But perhaps you could hurry, so I can get her and the metals back to Valashinaz," he asks hopefully.

Either way, your mission here is complete.

And with that I say salamat po (thank you in Tagalog).

Thank you, Mindartis. You just have to be very careful not to click the little (x) next to the link. I've done it myself more than once, and that will shut off notifications.

Also, you can use an RSS reader to get mobile notifications. I do that. Though I don't think UncleFroggy could - his phone would never stop buzzing with all the games he's in or running :)

We'll close this one out with some required RP related to the Reporting, and then I'll get it reported and chronicles sent.

Marigold sings a more inspiring song this time, though any innuendo she might have intended (or not) seems to be lost in translation on Arong. Aleksandr harmonizes as Mindartis slips in the deep wet sand at the waters edge. The akatas get one last taste of the yummy goblin main course and her friends the appetizers. Then said goblin plays a rousing tune, and the akatas can only watch hungrily from the beach as the Pathfinders sail away, deterred from any pursuit by the salt water of the Okaiyo Ocean.

Chase Over!

Safely under way upon the water, Arong resumes his hosting duties and leads the singing trio with an upbeat shanty during the voyage back. The sun has set well below the horizon by the time you make landfall at Binocol. Venture-Captain Taiwalei and Purepurin await the Pathfinders at the docks, engaged in conversation with each other. Both appear positively elated to see you safely returned—though likely for different reasons.

”Did you get it all?” the great dragon’s kobold assistant, Purepurin, asks excitedly.

”I’m sure they did as tasked,” the VC begins, then pauses. ”But I’m more interested in what you found and saw. No one goes to Binoco Isle, so the Society and even the local elders here would be most interested in your reports.” He pauses again thoughtfully to allow you to elaborate.

Party damage = -24 hp each hand waving healing on the “2 to 3 hour trip back.”

Lokaloka’s song mightily inspires Arong to get a move on, but then Tao’s song about wagons and horses just confuses the poor man. Lucky for Khaul that everyone was scratching their heads about the song and no one even noticed his face plant.

The akatas begin rushing across the sand, eager for one last taste of goblin. (And dwarf, and human, and gnome, and elf, too, of course. But that goblin meat with the infusion of spicy pickle brine - that’s the first-class ticket to nomnom-land!)

Round 8
Obstacle 8: Row! Row! ROW!
Chase Points: 3 (6 required)
Party damage = -24 hp each

BOLD May Act

Tao
Marigold
Khaul
Aleksandr
Lokaloka
Mindartis

Skills
DC 23 Athletics to shove the boat into the water
DC 23 Diplomacy to distribute the oars and organize everyone into a good rowing pattern
DC 21 Intimidation or Performance to encourage Arong to get the vessel ready for a speedy escape
DC 22 Survival to aid in untying knots or unfurling the sails
I would also accept a DC 19 Sailing Lore here.

Annnd we're back. Sorry for the delay. GenCon was a blast, got to play the PF2 Special and play some SF2 with my adult son. But now back to the chase!

FYI, I'm at GenCon this weekend, starting tomorrow. I'll try to keep posting every day, but it may slow down a bit until Monday. Sorry.

@Mindartis, you still need to sign into RPG Chronicles, please.

Gah! Ninja'd. Purple is down, I'll redirect to Red as the only standing enemy, and that will end it.

Mindartis puts an arrow right between the last zombie’s eyes. The zombie falls and tumbles down the stairs until the arrow sticking out of its head gets caught on a root and halts its descent.

A hush falls over the jungle except for the squishing sound of the fleeing slug.

COMBAT OVER

Marigold
Khaul (-25, Prone, Drained 1)
Myrsa (-13)
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka
Aleksandr

Since I failed to do this earlier, I’d like to give a Hero Point to Khaul and Myrsa for their fun RP.

Marigold reacts with preternatural speed and catches the akata off-guard. By dint of that, her magical arrow punctures the creature deeply, though it does seem to resist the pointy stick some.

Crit, but Resistance to Piercing.

Having just been shot by the lady with the streaming red hair, the akata closes in on its prey. It lumbers up the steps of the temple before lashing out with its tendril.

Tentacle vine: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

I’ll assume that Marigold uses Nimble Dodge, since that would be just enough to negate the Hit.

Tentacle vine, agile: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 17 - 4 = 16

Marigold dodges out of the way and then easily avoids the second swing of the long icky tentacle.

Round 1
Defending the Hoard
Conditions: None
BOLD May Act

Marigold

Blue (-43, bloodied, AC <= 25, Resist Piercing 5)

Khaul
Mindartis
Tao
Lokaloka

Slug
Green
Red

Aleksandr

Purple
Orange
Green

The scenario contradicts itself multiple times as to where exactly this occurs. One part says you are inside a temple with 30 foot ceilings, but the map clearly shows you being outside atop a pyramid with no entrances depicted. So we’ll use the map they said to use. Each main level of the pyramid is 5 feet elevation, so you are currently 20 feet above the ground. Stairs are difficult terrain when ascending, but not when descending.

GM,

Going to guess the RKs for the 3 types of monster.

Slug? Nature and Arcana
Azatas? Religion and Occultism
Decomposers? Society and Religion

How did I do?

Slug? Nature and Arcana -- It's just an animal.

Azatas? Religion and Occultism -- Aberrations

Decomposers?Zombie Adventurers Society and Religion
Sure, you could do Society to see if you can tell what culture they were from before becoming zombies. But I don't have that info, and I don't think it would provide any useful info if I did.

Fort save DC 22: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Aleksandr’s spell hits the zombie who takes the full brunt of the energy beam.

Imelia moves into the water and strikes at the nearest zombie. She hits and it groans in pain at the effect of her special rune.
Khaul moves into the fray and slips on the mud of the creek bank as he swings.

Marigold’s magically summoned arrow slices through the far zombie’s belly and tears the creature in half! Crit! And yes, Sneak Attack applies.

Round 1
All the Remains
Conditions: Round Yellow token with Red X = Rope Net Trap; Benediction (+1 AC) w/in 15 feet of Tao
BOLD May Act

Tao

Red (-10, 1d6 Persistent Vitality, 20 < AC)
Yellow (Trapped)

Marigold
Khaul
Aleksandr
Lokaloka
Mindartis

Pink
Green

I thought it was cool that the author, Ianara Natividad, named the boat Saranggola. I wondered if it meant something and was pleasantly surprised to see that it translates to "kite" in Tagalog.

So I added the greeting, and for the 5 of you who I presume don't speak Tagalog, ”Magandang umaga" means "Good morning." No, I didn't have to look that one up, I use it quite often in my travels.

Still waiting for Mindartis Nightbreeze, though it is still the weekend.

We're solidly high tier, and no level 5's so no level bumps or mentor boons needed.

And of course, I forgot something. Other than UncleFroggy's 4 glyphs, are there any others?

Having arrived in Minata in the southeastern part of Tian Xia, you meet up with your guide, Arong, along the beach. It’s crowded with fishing boats getting ready to head out in the early morning hours but Arong easily spots the Pathfinder adventurers who are clearly out of place. ”Magandang umaga,” he greets you enthusiastically with a high five, or a respectful wave should someone refuse or seem uncomfortable. ”I was told to give these to you, but I don’t know what they say.” He then passes over a parcel containing the following: a brief from Valashinaz, a letter from Taiwalei, and a bag of holding spacious pouch (type II). With that done, he leads you all to his boat, the Saranggola, explains that the name means “kite,” and promises a swift and smooth journey.

As the Saranggola’s sails pick up a fair wind, the dock and coastline of Binocol swiftly fade away in the distance behind the vessel. With Binoco Isle located due east, it’s almost as if Arong is sailing the boat straight toward the rising sun. Once the small ship eases into a respectable speed, Arong exclaims, “Look, or you’ll miss it!” With a wide grin, he gestures around with an oar in hand as the dark morning waters ripple to the beat of the wind. “Now, for just a hair of the day, you’ll see nothing but the ocean’s gift. Watch. Wonder! And thank the world that it is a good morning to sail!”

Then, as far as the eye can see, there’s only water. Streaks of orange light cut through the Okaiyo Ocean’s dark blue surface, disrupted by just the ship’s bow nudging water away into gaggles of white foam ahead of the vessel. The air smells not just of salt, but of the life teeming beneath the surface. Eventually, as the sun continues to climb, a speck appears on the horizon, growing with each moment. There looms an island topped with a verdant jungle. A beach of white-yellow sand approaches fast ahead, beaming like a mischievous grin plastered in contrast to the dense greenery behind it, and palm trees sway to the ocean breeze as if in greeting.

This would be a great opportunity to introduce yourselves to each other and/or ask questions of your guide.

Kaz and Zak work together - almost like they’re one being - and put Blue out.

Likewise, Meadow and Silence do their well-practiced team-up to drop Red, her boot still stuck to the driftwood beneath her.

Combat Over

Meanwhile, Eras and Zinthrya and the rest of the crew of the Grinning Pixie mop up the remaining Mordant Spire pirates. Shortly after the fighting ends, the pirate Captain bursts out of the jungle. Her hair is in tangles, her hat is missing, and streaks of tears run across her face from the eyes hidden behind the mask.

”Avast and to me…” she begins to call out before recognizing the situation. She slowly turns to the snarky lizard and the half-elf abomination. She stares hard at the Pathfinders before turning to her peer, Captain Eras the Needle. ”I see you’ve bested my sailors. Very well. I request to be allowed to return to my ship with my remaining crew. You would not be able to man two ships, and sailing mine through these waters without me would be hazardous if you were to encounter others of the Spire.”

Eras surveys the damage that his own crew has taken in the mass melee and stoically agrees. ”I cannot condone your actions, but trying to man two ships with you and your crew in a brig would indeed be dangerous. You will remain on the beach until my standard is out of sight over the horizon. Failure to comply will result in cannon and magical bombardment. And you will vow not to attack Pathfinder ships within sight of this island.”

Your opponent agrees to the terms and Eras directs his crew and you to make for the Pixie.

Riding in the tender on the way back, Zinthyra congratulates you for your help. “I know I jested with you that you were only worthy of carrying my shovels but, in truth, I was genuinely impressed with your work. The brigands back there have no idea about the key. It’s going to be so much fun seeing what’s behind that door, isn’t it? Tell me you’ll come along when we open up the seal and discover what other secrets Lesolethe hid away!”

Fini

But feel free to RP your way out.

In the morning, Locus and Toop have a chat about what spells would be more useful. They decide to empower their ability to dispel magic, and replace a few other spells that might prove more interesting.

"Maybe just a bit further south, but then head up towards the lake," Locus offers as she peers over Kat's shoulder at the map.

Swap dispel magic into Rank 4 to replace airlift. Swap out Rank 2 dispel for loose time's arrow and enlarge for feral shades. 

Gotta say it's an unusual situation to be GMing for a 4-glyph GM the very first he ever plays (as a player) face to face. But he RPed a lot, and his character was a lot of fun, even if he had to step back a bit having run and played the scenario before.

I ran Silver Bark, Golden Blades, and I think I chose all the options that no one else ever uses. Even GM Tiger was caught off guard (non-mechanically) by some of them.

It was an honor and a joy to get to play with this new local Manila / Alabang group. I hope Tiger is able to keep the group going so that I can return later in the year when I get back to Asia.

I mean, someone has to GM for him so he can do his own characters' silly voices. :)

GM Tiger did a great job. Especially given that the other 4 players have only ever played once or twice each and only one was playing the same character they'd played before. Lots of learning by everyone!

Hopefully next weekend, I'll be GMing, and he'll get to play F2F for the first time and show these youngun's some serious RP!

Best of luck to you! You get a circumstance bonus for using a Hero Point to retake the test, right?

Am I correct as level 7, day job task level is -2 so 5th level: DC20.

Got a 33 on the check, so crit success, pushing the task level to 6th level.

Its 8 days? So 8 days at 2g/day.. 16g?

Your math and assumptions are correct, though I usually find it easier to use the Lorespire tables: Earned Income.

These tables assume 8 days of downtime, and they use your Actual character level. So Scratch would enter the table at Level 7, not having to adjust for the normal -2. A Crit raises you one level.

You can also use these with the Storied Talent boon but you would then need to enter the table 2 levels higher.

I forgot that I need to bot Raph this weekend. While technically not true to Raph’s published botting, I feel this action is in character and leads to a better (faster) conclusion to the combat.

Raph sees the parts falling off of Khismar and decides to call for some help. A minotaur made of bones and wielding a glaive appears next to Khismar and lashes out with blade and horns.

Super-sized-Skelly vs OG: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Damage, S: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Super-sized-Skelly agile horns vs OG: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 4 = 15
Damage, S: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The glaive separates Khismar’s head from his body which oddly remains standing for a few seconds. In those seconds, an ominous ticking sound can be heard by those nearby, until suddenly Khismar’s body explodes in a ball of burning plasma!

Electricity damage: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 4, 2, 3, 1, 5) = 30
All creatures within 10 feet need a DC 24 basic Reflex save. Or not, since this is the very end, and the healing will be hand-waved anyway.

As the sound of the explosion fades away, the mage in Yellow comes back down into the canyon. Seeing only the charred remains of Khismar alongside the singed Pathfinders still standing, he surrenders. With the chain guns neutralized by Lindevaile’s magic, the same mage is able to shut off the spider from the control panel at the back of the upper canyon.

After tending to wounds and ransacking the Blue Streaks’ hideout for valuables, you rejoin the Gorumites and the caravan. With the squad of Gorumites traveling with the caravan, nothing short of a small army would dare attack the wagons, and the Gorumites are familiar enough with the lands to avoid any real dangers.

Having killed/destroyed Khismar, any Blue Streaks in the area are scared off and the gang is essentially disbanded. The caravan is able to make it to Starfall virtually unharried, with the exception of a pack of overly curious and somewhat vicious raccoons.

Fini.

Scratch can't recall constructs like Khismar having any weaknesses at all. That said, he does know that it would have all the standard immunities of a construct. In addition, though, this one seems to have some ability to harness electricity.

No weaknesses, so I'll give you something useful - the opposite of a weakness. It likes to be hit with electricity damage, which it would not only resist but also utilize to become Quickened. 

Scratch oogles the adamantine but alas cannot afford such a treasure, he does ask to hold it, laying his head on the cold black ingot and offering a silent prayer. Nice bit of RP flavor there, love it.

Thanks. The scenario has a chunk of adamantine on the chronicle. With the widespread use of needle darts nowadays that uncommon access is very valuable even having to wait until later levels when you can afford it. But it also hides the access behind at least one PC saying they want to "stop to shop." Which to be honest most don't because they've already bought most of what they want and are now saving up for their next rune or whatever purchase. Also, at a F2F table, it's easy to give a hint and someone pick up on it and react appropriately, but I just didn't want to spend the days of back-and-forth that might take. Also remember that if this PC can't use the chunk, you can use 4 ACP to buy a Bequeathal boon to transfer it to another PC.

Unsurprisingly, Lokaloka dousing herself in pickle brine washes away any and all other scents. And that of the party, the caravan, and all the horses, too. Two days later, Scratch notices markings in the trail that indicate a krooth had been following the caravan, likely planning to attack, but that it seemed to have lost the scent and left the caravan unmolested.

As you continue toward Torch, you later spot a herd of axe beaks in the distance. These wild birds avoid contact with humanoids; though you do notice that several of them breathe fire, spit acid, or change colors - behaviors not normally associated with axe beaks

Shortly thereafter, a few miles before reaching the town of Torch, you come across a large plain where a warm mist hangs over the muddy earth. These are the Steaming Fields on your map. You must find a safe route across them without getting scorched while simultaneously mapping the route for the caravan to follow. Alternately, you could choose to travel around the steaming fields, adding another 20 miles to the caravan’s path to the town of Torch.

To cross the steaming fields, you must move in a way to avoid releasing the high-pressured steam that lurks just underfoot.

Each PC can attempt a single skill check from the following list: Acrobatics (to step carefully), Crafting (to create tools, boots, or a system of conveyance that avoids putting additional pressure on the steam), Scouting Lore (to find a safe path), Survival (to protect themselves from high-pressured steam), Perception (to observe areas with fewer steam vents), or any other relevant Lore skill. The DC for all checks is 18.

You need 3 party successes to get across the steaming fields, or you’ll be forced to divert around them.

"Asuumin' t'at t'e quote 'sizable creatures' not paht you upgraded defenses, lah? So if t'ey need killin, we go t'ere, lah?" he confirms with Toldrar.

Vote for Magical Trap, or at least voting to go kill some sizable creatures. And Jhiang would not take any of the offered items. 

Jhiang flicks his blade to clear the blood of his decapitated foe before sheathing it. He nods to Green for having made the smart decision before turning to Sorrina. "Westyr-sama, t'eza ..." he pauses to clear his throat and reset his accent. "These men were attempting to escape from where the explosion occurred. Few of t'em have been ... befriended ... by Quin and BK now. Only one was killed," he finishes with a glance at the headless figure of the one with one bloody white glove remaining. He bows out respectfully to Westyr-sama, turns over the debrief to the others, and begins moving about the room wary for any others hiding or approaching.

That might come up later. This challenge just asks for rations, but if the caravan gets low, or it takes you all too long, you might indeed have to Forage.