The Group: Yasha (DM)
The Players: Daigle - Olen Marroguin (Male Human Rogue 3/Cleric 3 of Cayden Cailean)
Pygon - Allerund Lastri (Male Elven Ranger 6)
Eyebite - Obasi the Hex-tongue (Male Human Sorcerer 6)
The Adventure: J1 Entombed with the Pharaohs
The first session begins today at 11am PST via MapTool. If you want to come and bug us, come to the Paizo chat and we will heartily growl at you for interrupting. Entry number 1 shall follow later.
Session 1, Part 1: A Summons...
Disclaimer
25 Erastus (Oathday), 4708 in the Reckoning of Absalom
A new day was dawning in Absalom. Cool winds blowing swift in from the north brings the cries of gulls and kingfishers to those going about their business in the bustling metropolis. Welcome to Absalom, the City at the Center of the World!
So was it that on that very morning Obasi the Nameless, called derisively by some and fearfully by others as Obasi the Hex-Tongue, found himself called towards his destiny. A summons had come to his hand precisely at cocks-crow. A letter of summons bearing the Rune of the Open Road.
Quickly reading the letter, he went with haste to the Grand Lodge, Absalom's home of the Pathfinder Society and shadowy demesne of the Decemvirate. There he and others were to meet with Venture-Captain Shevala to discuss an assignment of extreme importance.
Near to noon, Olen Marroguin came to answer the summons. After dragging himself out of 'prayer' to his favored divinity, Cayden Cailean, this was quite a feat. Arriving at the doors to the office of Venture-Captain Shevala he saw a somewhat unwelcome sight...the elven archer and woodsman, Allerund Lastri.
NOTE: Here I will move ahead in the story and will let the players post their characters observations of situations and reactions to the other character in whatever manner they wish. I am not going to try and embellish what I may have thought the character was thinking, especially when I have no real idea. Bear with me. Next, the meeting.
Before I move on to Part 2 of Session 1, I would love to see the players post their PCs if they want and would certainly like to see something of a 'glimpse into the mind of' snippets here and there throughout the journal. It would be an interesting touch I think.
Perhaps if my players do well with such a thing, I might be persuaded to start doing something similar for the...other characters involved in the story. Behind Spoiler tags of course. Something to consider.
Session 1, Part 2: A Mysterious Meeting...
Allerund, being a trained hunter, heard the unsteady footsteps of Olen approaching from behind him as he stared at the doors of the office. He turned and looked at the approaching priest. Greetings and a short conversation about the mysterious nature of the meeting followed. After some inane remarks a muffled voice was heard through the door, the voice of Venture-Captain Shevala.
She said "Obasi, open the door and let those fools in."
Greatly interested to find out what the meeting was to be about, Obasi obeyed and let the now perturbed elf and amused priest into the room.
After being seated, Shevala offered the boys some wine. After putting out the dusty bottles of ruby liquor along with glasses on the desk. Waiting for them to whet their palates and watching in amusement at the choking response to the potent wine, she then began her tale.
The Decemvirate of the Pathfinder Society had specifically given this task to her and these three men were her personal choice to carry out the assignment. She went on in detail to explain the current circumstances in Osirion, first speaking of the Ruby Prince's opening of the ruins of Ancient Osirion to explorers. The Pathfinders, of course, have already been making some forays, but a greater undertaking must be done. In 4707 AB the Khamsin (Sandstorms) of the desert stirred up to a rare intensity, an intensity only seen every 50 years or so, and in doing so revealed a great deal of previously unknown ruins.
Rumors abounded in Osirion as to when and who built these newly discovered ruins. One of these rumors is that one of the ruins revealed was none other than the burial Pyramid of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension. The Four Pharaohs were a consortium or rivals that bound themselves together with magic and paranoia to build a great future for Osirion. Their rule ushered in a new great age for the ancient nation.
While rumors may not be true and often shouldn't be believed, this rumor has some substantiation. Specific antiquities and relics have turned up, and some of these are being attributed to the Four Pharaohs. Not only that, but a Pathfinder contact has found someone in Osirion that claims to have been to the Veinstone Pyramid itself! They are assigned to go to Osirion and claim any relics that may be actual relics of the Four Pharaohs at an auction being held in 6 days. Afterwards they are to attempt to find the Veinstone Pyramid and claim its treasure and antiquities for the Pathfinder Society. A trail journal and maps leading the way for surveyors and scholars would be a great boon to the Society as well.
Shevala gives them the name of the ship and sends them off with a coffer filled with 1000 golden coins for the purchase of antiquities during the auction.
Session 1, Part 3: The Voyage of the Argent Wind
26 Erastus (Fireday), 4708 AB
A short trip across the Inner Sea from Absalom to Sothis in Osirion was mainly an opportunity for the PCs to get their documents in order and prepare themselves for what was to come.
The party became acquainted with Captain Lorran and he presented them with a thin leather valise, brought to him by one of Shevala's couriers. After going below decks to get out of the wind, Obasi, being a native born Osiriani was greatly disappointed by what was found inside.
The contents of the Valise:
-An Adventuring Charter, clearing the Obasi, Olen and Allerund to investigate the ruins. Already signed and sealed by the Osiriani Antiquities Commitee.
-Letters of Writ, each personalized, granting them passage and approving their extended stay in Osirion.
-A bill of Lading with 10 blank spaces stating that all the items listed herein have been examined and found to be of little or no historical value to the Antiquities Committee or to Osirion. This was also Signed and Sealed. Also called a 'Tomb Robbers Friend'
Obasi was very disappointed to see a tomb robbers friend within.
The remainder of the trip allowed the PCs to get to know one anothers characters and to talk about the mission.
On: 1 Arodus (Wealday), 4708AB
Nearly at their destination and already sailing into the delta of the River Sphinx, the Captain notices a mild Khamsin brewing in the desert to the east. He begins to issue orders to the ship and has them lower sails and get belowdecks to begin rowing. While not strong, the Khamsin is fierce enough to nearly block any sight much beyond the ship.
Once the crew had mostly moved below and had finished trimming the sails and battening everything down, the Captain turned to the party and began talking to them about Osirion.
As this time, Olen decided to retreat below to escape the sands.
Allerund, while talking to the Captain noticed a great shadow loom abruptly out the sandstorm, far dwarfing the ship! Looming out of the sands came a colossal black carapaced Scarab Beetle. Its mandibles looked large and powerful enough to completely sunder the ship in a single bite!
Allerund cried out for Olen while Obasi, being a native to Osirion simply thanked the gods for returning him safely home.
"Welcome gents, to Sothis and Osirion." Said Captain Lorran.
They then sailed beneath the Black Dome, an ancient shed carapace of a scarab of truly epic proportions. The City of Sothis stands beneath it, protected from the Khamsin and the searing desert heat.
They then docked at the quays and headed off to find the Malhitu Bazaar. The site of the auction.
Session 1, Part 4: The Antiquities Auction
1 Arodus (Wealday), 4708 AB
Leaving the quayside with Obasi as their guide, the party made its way to the Malhitu Bazaar, a sprawling mass of canvas and silk tents standing in the lee of the Black Dome. Eddying currents of swirling sand and the hot desert wind sting the face and eyes of the downtrodden people of Osirion as they mingle with rich travelers and merchants, all eager to sample the many varied wares available for purchase.
Stopping at a stall to find out which tent houses the auction, Obasi passes the weathered merchant a few coins and some kind words. Kemesarian, he informed Obasi while spitting into the sand, a crooked and thieving man, is selling these antiquities. He warned Obasi that if Kemesarian is the one selling them, they are most likely stolen. To find the tent, the man said
"Go to the Fountain of the Sphinx and follow the channel to the mark of the Scarab, there you shall find it..."
Seeming troubled, Obasi led the party to the fountain and then along the drainage channel carved into the sand and stone to the scarab carved into the wall of the Malhitu Fort. Nearby there stood a tent guarded by thugish sothan men. Lazy, corrupt and already well paid, the guards just looked at the party before ignoring them.
The Auction itself was packed with people. In one corner of the tent stood the Crook-Bearer, Sapa, with a contingent of personal guardsmen. In sharp contrast, a richly dressed Chelish noble sat with a squad of Chelish Legionnaires in another corner. The Arch Docent of the Sothis Exhibitionary, a local Museum, also sat near the front. Their proposed contact, the Mithral Scarab, a local pathfinder agent, was nowhere to be seen.
The auction got under way when Kemesarian entered and began thanking the most important attendee for their patronage. Thus the Arch Docent, the Crook Bearer Sapa and the Paracount Julistar of Cheliax were all introduced. The bidding wars got under way with gusto rather quickly. Using Obasi's familiarity with Osiriani antiquities, the PCs rather quickly decided which items to bid upon and which not to.
One of the items that came (Lot #2) was a sculpture of a reclining woman. The PCs noticed an unsettling resemblance to a young woman seated towards the back of the tent. As it was a rather worthless item, the PCs declined to bid and the Crook Bearer bought it.
Also during the bidding, Olen noticed that there was a rather mean looking bald halfling sitting in the back of the room next to a burly half-orc. The little man seemed twitchy and to be fingering his sleeve while glaring at the PCs.
Overall, the PCs with some expenditure managed to procure these items:
-A set of Papyrus Scrolls, written in Ancient Osiriani, that detailed unusual geometry and astronomical concepts and seemed linked one of the Four Pharaoh's, the Pharaoh of Numbers.
-A Bronze Statuette of a Cobra Headed Man with glyphs in Ancient Osiriani inscribed upon its chest.
-A Charcoal Rubbing that seemed to relate directly to the Four Pharaohs.
The final lot of the day was the Statue of Bronze and the Paracount Julistar seemed determined to have it. Bidding quickly went high and Allerund, acting as spokesman bid up at Obasi's whispered urging that they needed that Statue! The young woman, Neferet Anu, by name bid in at 700gp, but was quickly dropped out of the race by the Paracount bidding well above that. The bids quickly went over 1000gp as the Arch Docent and Crook Bearer chimed in their bids. It became a bidding war between Allerund and Julistar that climbed towards 1500gp. Realizing the Chelish Noble was going to win by the pained look on Allerund's face, the young woman, Neferet offered to simply give them 700 gold so that they could win the bid, providing they let her study the scrolls and statue later. They agreed and killed the Paracount's bidding by jumping to 1700gp!
The Paracount glared at the PCs and the woman and stalked out, taking his Legionnaires and valet with him. Some conversation followed and Neferet flirtaciously agreed to meet with Allerund (Calling him Allund) tomorrow at the Ziggurat of Nethys to look at the relics. Their contact, the Mithral Scarab finally showed herself and took them to see Raegos, a man who claimed to have seen the Veinstone pyramid and having been inside...even though there were no other survivors.
When they left, they realized the halfling and half-orc were no longer there, having apparently slipped out. Arriving at Raegos' string webbed hovel of a tent, the PCs left Olen outside with all of their writings to keep watch. Raegos at first was reluctant to tell his story (failed Diplomacy checks) and got all worked up and panicky about something nonsensical (After rolling a Natural 20 vs Obasi's Charm attempt). Finally at the Mithral Scarab and Obasi's pleading he calmed and told his story. The details I shall not repeat here...for it is not a story to be told to the faint of heart.
During this discussion, Olen was attacked by some odd effect! After stumbling away from the flash and burst, Allerund and Obasi saw what appeared to be a strand of faintly glowing runes slithering away. Obasi, thinking furiously, realized that it could have been a Creeping Glyph, a kind of animate Glyph of Warding that can be commanded. Realizing they may have been compromised, they had Raegos quickly finish his tale and then left with the Mithral Scarab to the Overlander's Emporium, a wonderful inn at which to rest and study their new relics.
In the Mithral Scarab's words, "There is no better place in Sothis for food, steam and whores, than the Overlander."
End of Session 1 of J1 Entombed with the Pharaohs
A brief note on the system and rules used...
-3.5/3.P Pathfinder RPG Alpha 3 ruleset
-Appearance/Comeliness score
-Weapon Group Proficiencies
-Modified Linguistics by Yasha (if you want to know go look at the 'Redundant Linguistics' thread in the Skills and Feats section under Alpha 3 PF discussion)
-Free regional feat, via the RotRL Players Guide.
Session Summary
There were no deaths or anything of the sort. The only combat was limited to the Creeping Glyph detonating on Olen. The Module ran very well through the Auction. I would suggest to other GMs considering this module to personalize it like I've done. I altered little things to make it fit my style better and it ran like a dream.
Ahhh...one more optional rule that I will be using while running this adventure.
As I possess them, both the GameMastery Critical Hit Deck and GameMastery Critical Fumble Deck will be in use. Consider this my solemn vow to shuffle and draw from these decks in good faith for the characters as there is no utility in MapTool that will allow us to have each player draw cards. Unless all of the players possess both of these decks as well? I would be willing to trust you guys to draw from your own if you have them.
Enjoy...
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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Ahhh...one more optional rule that I will be using while running this adventure.
As I possess them, both the GameMastery Critical Hit Deck and GameMastery Critical Fumble Deck will be in use. Consider this my solemn vow to shuffle and draw from these decks in good faith for the characters as there is no utility in MapTool that will allow us to have each player draw cards. Unless all of the players possess both of these decks as well? I would be willing to trust you guys to draw from your own if you have them.
Enjoy...
I don't have them, but I trust you'll be fair with them.
Should be a fun variable to throw into the mix.
Humans are so unnecessarily flamboyant. My time as a Pathfinder is constantly trying, with all of the advances and misinterpretations. The Venture Captain that assigned this latest task to me accepted my polite demeanor as a flirtatious advance, and Obasi with his sorcerous ways tends to think I belong in the woods dancing with the pixies rather than seeking the key to my people's future. I was surprised Olen was able to keep the appointment, as ridiculously carefree as he is.
Still, this assignment will take us to ancient and lost civilizations. Perhaps there I can work to assemble more clues about my people's rightful place in the world. As adamant as my father was against me joining the Pathfinders, his time away from the events of the world at large has clouded his ability to properly evaluate what is best for the elves. This has become even more clear to me in my short time as a Pathfinder. I await the day when I can show all of them how unwise they were to disapprove of my wishes. They are content to be vagabonds - moving and resettling with every disaster or mere whim of fancy. The Pathfinders have made me realize my name will deserve to be remembered when I show them otherwise.
In but two more days we will arrive in Sothis and get this silly bidding exercise under way. Then the more worthwhile activity of piecing together history can begin.
Seeking to learn the Cobra Strike Style mentioned in my master's books, I have come to Osirion. Already imagining the blistering sun, I have shaved my scalp in preparation (something I had been meaning to do) and got rid of the pale skin I had grown up with in the north. Now a even tan, I sunned myself for hours on the galley's deck while doing my exercises, hoping the training now would help me avoid the ill effects of travelling in such a place.
The city is an overwrought tangle of architecture - my dwarven senses scoffed at such unnecessary accoutrements, but the white stone had an added effect of feeling much cooler. I was attracted by the sound of a raucous auctioning, and I gazed upon a cobra statue, much like the one depicted in my master's manual.
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Sorry to interrupt, but i can't figure out how to ask you privately.
What is maptool and where is the paizo chat?
of which you speak
MapTool: http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro (runs on PC and mac via Java)
Paizo Chat: http://chat.dmtools.org/|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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Sorry to interrupt, but i can't figure out how to ask you privately.
What is maptool and where is the paizo chat?
of which you speakMapTool: http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro (runs on PC and mac via Java)
Paizo Chat: http://chat.dmtools.org/
Pygon my man, you and Daigle should post your characters' write-ups in their profiles.
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Sorry to interrupt, but i can't figure out how to ask you privately.
What is maptool and where is the paizo chat?
of which you speakMapTool: http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro (runs on PC and mac via Java)
Paizo Chat: http://chat.dmtools.org/Pygon my man, you and Daigle should post your characters' write-ups in their profiles.
as you wish... :P
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RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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Lilith!
I'd be ok with you joining, I think a fourth would be great. (And a dwarven monk to boot!)
Talk to Yasha about it.
We were just discussing adding a fourth member possibly.
We're trying to put together a good core group of folks, and possibly even rotate GMing duties after every module so everyone would get to both play and GM.
Talk to Yasha about it.
He approached me about it...so I think we're cool. :D
Welcome to the party Lilith! A dwarven monk would certainly be an interesting addition.
6th Level Characters, 25 point buy (PFRPG), 16k starting gold. Weapon group proficiencies and Appearance (which we'll take care of later). Nice to have you aboard. We'll talk more in chat and stuff about it and go over details.
^_^y
YAY! We have cookies now!
Welcome to the party Lilith! A dwarven monk would certainly be an interesting addition.
Appearance is roll 4d6 drop lowest. Then add/subtract Charisma Modifier. Dwarves are -1 Appearance also.
What were we talking about again? ;)
Party Update then!
Allerund Lastri (Male Elf Ranger 6) Ranged Specialty
Olen Marroguin (Male Human Rogue 3/Cleric 3 of Cayden Cailean)
Obasi the Hex-Tongue (Male Human Sorcerer 6)
Amyrta Stonefist (Female Dwarf Monk 6)
Ahhh...this should be getting fun.
Eyebite,
What are Obasi's other Weapon Groups? They are not listed on his character sheet or profile, I missed it and hadn't noticed until now. He should have...
Sorcerer: Basic Weapons plus either Spears and Lances or Crossbows. Being Human, he gets to pick one additional Weapon Group as well. Choose wisely!
Daigle, Olen is missing one Weapon Group too! My house rule for multiclassing with Weapon Groups is this.
So Olen, as a rogue gets: Basic Weapons plus 2
as a cleric: Basic Weapons plus 2
Thus he gets: Basic Weapons +3 groups (i.e. 2+1) and +1 for being Human for Weapon Training for a total of Four + Basic.
Pygon, do you mean Heavy Blades? Martial Blades is not a Weapon Group. Also, as an elf, you get the Bows Group for free. So you have 1 more to pick from.
Lilith, Amyrta gets either the Axes or Picks and Hammers for free, so choose one please. Oh, and your 'Perception' is +x in the profile.
Oh and remember, Crossbows do weapon damage x2 at point blank range.
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RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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Eyebite,
What are Obasi's other Weapon Groups? They are not listed on his character sheet or profile, I missed it and hadn't noticed until now. He should have...
Sorcerer: Basic Weapons plus either Spears and Lances or Crossbows. Being Human, he gets to pick one additional Weapon Group as well. Choose wisely!
Hm, he was only using shortspears so I only included those and forgot the rest.
I'll update his profile to reflect the basic weapons and spears and lances, let me think about his other weapon group.
Director of Game Development
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Daigle, Olen is missing one Weapon Group too! My house rule for multiclassing with Weapon Groups is this.
So Olen, as a rogue gets: Basic Weapons plus 2
as a cleric: Basic Weapons plus 2
Thus he gets: Basic Weapons +3 groups (i.e. 2+1) and +1 for being Human for Weapon Training for a total of Four + Basic.
Thanks for catching that. I was inclined to take unarmed combat, but that looks like it's still a feat under Weapon Group rules, so I went with polearms.
Today was rather busy. We didn't have much time to acclimate before heading to the auction. There were various items of differing values available. Olen noticed a half-orc and halfling in the back of the room eyeing us unpleasantly. Two of the buyers were also rather odd - one was a Chelaxian named Justilar whose demeanor more than matched my immediate preconceptions of him. Another was a woman that appeared to be of some intelligence. I wouldn't have given her a second thought except that one of the golden statues for sale looked very much like her.
During the auction, Justilar seemed to be attempting to suggest some items were of greater value then they actually were, and as my companion Obasi evaluated items, the ones he considered of genuine historical worth were considered much less than desirable by him. We acquired some charcoal rubbings and starcharts for surprisingly little, since everyone else seemed more enamored with more decorative items. That is, save for a final statue bearing runes that Obasi deemed very relevant. Then ensued a vicious bidding war against Justilar for the item. In the end, the mysterious woman advanced and offered me 700gp to help purchase the item if I only promised to let her look at the documents I purchased. I agreed and Justilar stormed out of the auction house. I found it odd that as vocal as he was, he didn't win any of the auctions.
The woman later introduced herself as Neferet. I told her I would meet her at a public place the next day. She was quite adamant and almost threatening against the idea of me going against my word, which certainly does not engender much trust towards her, especially with the mystery of the golden statue which looked much like her.
Olen uttered his silly little phrase at the opportune moment to attract the attention of our contact, who escorted us after the auction to an older man that claims to have previously visited the pyramid of the Four Pharaohs. According to our conversation, the pyramid is only visible through a mask of some sort. According to his description, it could be owned by one of the buyers that was at the auction - we overheard a few of them speaking about their belongings after all the sales were done. The man also warned us about circular glyphs in the pyramid that, if all four are viewed by one person, will transform them permanently. Useful information, no doubt.
We must be cautious, however, for during our conversation, we were interrupted by a sound outside the tent. Olen had been attacked by some sort of moving glyph, and it seemed possible that our visit was being spied upon.
Our contact directed us to an inn that would provide us with lodging for the evening. Olen has visited the bar, which apparently is his usual way to enjoy some revelry for the evening. Meanwhile I sit here on this bed, waiting for Obasi to inform me of anything meaningful from the items we acquired. I'll have to decide what to do about the mysterious woman. It isn't in my nature to lie, but if the rumors of great treasures from the pyramid are true, there will certainly be many individuals hoping to loot them, and we are after all here to acquire antiquities and treasures for the Pathfinders.
Obasi is annoying in his typical human way, but I feel a sympathy for him. He has clearly endured a difficult time in this city. Someone in the past tried to maim or kill him for some reason, and one of the individuals involved was actually at the auction. He masqueraded as my errand boy at the auction, which I happily embellished upon. Even though he continues to try my patience, I would not wish to see him harmed. I should take care that this journal not fall into anyone else's hands.
I hope that if he finds information on the documents relevant to the elves, he will be quick to share it with me.
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Director of Game Development
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Spoilered for length
I’m scribing this letter from the comfort of a fine tavern in the city of Sothis. Yep, you read that right, I’m in Osirion. I know from reading your Chronicles when I was a kid and from listening to your stories that you always wished that you would be assigned to Osirion, but never were. Ha! I beat you there! You may have seen Numeria and the Worldwound, but I made it to the sandy lands of the pharaohs.
Coming into the city on the ship was a bit startling. My companions and I were standing on the deck talking when I dismissed myself to go back to my bunk and get ready for docking. I only made it a few steps down into the hold before they were calling for me saying that they might need me. Ahead a ginormous bug covered the port and a veil of sand whiped into spirals around the thing, obscuring sight just enough to make us think it real. A few of the deck hands and Obasi laughed at us being startled before revealing that the beetle was actually a large protective cover for the city left by an ancient colossal insect. I can’t imagine a creature that large and I’m glad that they killed it way back then so I wouldn’t have to today.
As soon as we got off the ship we discovered that the auction where we were supposed to rendezvous without handler was about to be underway, so we made it across town. Inside there was a bunch of rich guys bidding on ancient knick-knacks plundered from Osirion’s old ruins. We got in on the fun with some of the money given to us by the society and bought a few of them. This lady even wanted to study one of them and paid us a good chunk of coin to have that privilege.
After that was all over we met our contact and went to go talk to some old guy that had went into some weird pyramid that was hidden under the sands of the desert. The rest of the group went inside to talk to him and I guarded the talks and walked around the tent to make sure no one followed us or was eavesdropping. Sure enough, our earlier bouts of paranoia were well founded as I got attacked by some kinda strange magical runes that one of the other guys called a creeping glyph. Our handler said that they are used as spies.
We decided to go get a room and look over the stuff that we got from the auction. Well, the two other guys went upstairs to do that while I went to go praise the Drunken Hero at the little bar on the ground floor of the inn. The ale was good if a little on the light side. It had a bright hoppy flavor with a hint of citrus and really worked well to rid my throat of the pervasive grit stirred up by so many sandals tromping around a sand-filled city. While having my second mug, a little bald dwarf woman came up and introduced herself. Apparently the Venture Captain didn’t think that we could keep our skin intact and sent this little ball of fury to watch our backs.
After talking for a little bit, and getting harassed by a far-too-drunk dwarf that was miserably trying to hit on our new companion, I brought her up to meet the other guys. They, being more paranoid than I was, ran her through the wringer to make sure that she was who she said she was and was indeed not an agent of our enemies. Those guys would be around soon enough.
This guy who was acting as a valet to this Paracount from Cheliax came by and said that “His Lordship” wished to see us about our purchases. The guy was such a donkey during the whole auction that I knew his intentions were not good and I told this valet at our nothing short of that. Obasi had the idea for me to follow them, to which the elf joined in – then the dwarf, then the sorcerer himself. He made us invisible and we went down the hall to follow the guy and his chel mercs. Before leaving the building I reminded the Osiriani sorcerer that we needed to keep our items safe and he went back into the room to protect them. We followed the guys to a house across the street and the three of us listened as best we could through the door. Little did we know that Obasi was getting attacked by this deranged halfling and brutish half-orc back at the inn. He managed himself pretty well in the fight, yet his penchant for fire spells led to the upper floor of the inn nearly burning down.
The spying led us back across the street when the Chelish entourage headed that way and we all saw the burst of a fireball on the second floor. The dwarf, Amyrta and I blocked the front doors so none of the mercs could get in while Allerund went inside to see if Obasi was safe. He knocked the two assailants into unconsciousness by the time I got inside and we all ended up interrogating them.
Strange things are afoot across the inland sea, and I will fill you in more later, because tomorrow we have to find some mask that will lead us to that hidden pyramid I was talking about earlier. I hope this letter finds you and the family well back in Diobel. I heard about a big confiscation as I was leaving Absalom and really hoped that none of our crew got nabbed. Even so, it wouldn’t have been the first time. I know everyone knows to keep their nose clean and never rat, so I imagine that if Uncle Riga or Cousin Jile screwed up again, everyone else is safe.
Your clever, more well traveled nephew,
Olen
1 Arodus (Wealday) After Sunset, 4708 AR
After retiring to the Overlander's Emporium to rest and to study the relics recovered from the Malhitu Auction, everyone decided to do something a bit different.
Allerund and Obasi purchased a room so that Allerund could rest and Obasi could attempt to decipher the scrolls and papyri. This was fated to take a few hours of painstaking work...
Meanwhile....Olen Marroguin sought to offer a prayer to Cayden. Fortunately, the Overlander has a rather large stock or exotic liquors available to the discerning palate. The Mithral Scarab said good night, but stayed for a drink or two at a spot near the door. She was shortly joined by a hale and doughty dwarfwoman, Amyrta Stonefist. The two tradeswomen exchanged greetings and talked a bit about their 'business'. After a few hours of drinking, talking, resting and study ensued, the Mithral Scarab left the Overlander unobtrusively while the dwarfwoman came to speak to the devout priest. Olen appeared to be quite generous in his offerings to his deity.
Around this time, little did they know that they were being watched. From the candlelit window near which Obasi was studying the documents watched hateful and scornful eyes. Xaven Neversword and the mysterious Daile Talenthias kept vigil over the doing of Allerund and Obasi. Having tracked them to the Overlander, Xaven was still frothing at the bit after his Creeping Glyph failed to bring down the stupid Priest. Nearby, Hrokan the Assailant sat brooding, waiting for the moment he might be needed, while Daile sighted down the arrow notched into her bow, prepared to end the osiriani man if necessary.
Finally! A breakthrough in the codes. Obasi, through dilligence and will finally managed to begin his journey to understanding the ancient scripts meaning. (Information I won't reveal here!) He quickly related this information to Allerund and the extremely dangerous implications that might result. Allerund and Obasi quickly made plans to tell the others.
Below, over beer and tea, Amyrta Stonefist introduced herself to Olen. Through her manner and tone, perhaps foolishly, he came to trust and believe her story. Following an incident of a horribly drunken dwarf hurling the contents of his stomach nearly directly on Olen, he led her upstairs to meet his companions. After a suspicious receptionn, Amyrta produced her letter of introduction from Shevala, also offering a rather painfully playful pinch to his lower rear quarter. The pinch came compliments of Venture-Captain Shevala. After some strained introductions at that point, the party began to fill Amyrta in on exactly what they are investigating and why. Amyrta shared with them some information about the scholar Imvius that raised some alarming questions about the presence of the Paracount Julistar being here. The fact that the Paracount is also a Demicardinal of Asmodeus was not all that well recieved.
There then came a knock at the door. They quickly took up defensive positions, expecting....something. From the other side came a scornful nasal voice.
"My master, the Paracount Julistar, requests that you meet with him for discourse." Scepter said to them.
A terse exchange followed, with the party scoffing at the idea of meeting with the Chelish Nobleman. Finally they sent Scepter away using Julistars feigned lack of interest in the artifacts they procured as an additional reason not to trust him even a little. Incensed, Scepter led away his two guardsmen and returned across and down to the street to the abandoned home in which Julistar and some of the soldiers were waiting.
In a quick decision, the party decided to tail Scepter. Obasi cast Invisibility magics all around, though he stayed behind to guard the documents. He covered the windows with the heavy curtains and locked the door upon the rest leaving in pursuit.
From across the street, Xaven stood straight from his squat. Daile looked over at him questioningly. Gesturing at the now closed off curtains in their room, he mentions that he saw them all disappear...looking down into the street, it was readily apparent that they disappeared right on Scepters heels. Xaven looked at Daile questioningly.
"Go ahead Xaven. Take Hrokan with you and try to take the osiriani alive if hes there." She said, sounding bored by the prospect.
Those that pursued Scepter sneaked out into the street and followed him through the rapidly cooling night to an abandoned house. Entering behind him, they came down a short hallway to see him disappear into a room with a heavy looking door. A room guarded by some of Julistar's mercenaries. Using their magical stealth to their advantage, they moved to the door and listened in on the conversation, completely unnoticed by the watching guards. Those guards yawns and the sounds of gaming within were the only sounds to be heard, nothing of Julistar or Scepter. After a few moments, they heard the guards mention Julistar and Scepter talking in another room, one they couldn't hear into. Just as they were preparing to break in and capture Julistar, the door opened. All told the Paracount walked out with an entourage of 8 chelish mercenaries and Scepter, too long of odds for the PCs to try and handle. Pressing themselves as flat against the walks of the corridor, the PCs dared not move or they might give away their positions! Fortunately, standing in the corridor was not what the Paracount had in mind. After the escort left with Julistar, the party followed.
Back at the Overlander, Obasi sat quietly in the room, keeping watch. He noticed not a thing until the door opened and a maniacal halfling threw a thunderstone at the center of the room. Reeling backwards, the invisible Obasi stared in shock as Xaven's eyes swept the room for the documents. A swift fight began, as Obasi charred the halfling with a Scorching Ray! Attempting to brain the osiriani sorcerer with his truncheon had little success for Xaven, the advantage of surprise lost. After a few moments and blows exchanged, he fled into the hall, passing Hrokan, where he lay in wait. Obasi pursued, only to be nearly cleaved in twain by the keen blade of Hrokan's poisoned scimitar. Staggered from the blow, the tough sorcerer rallied and managed to resist the insidious effects of the poison coursing through his blood.
What could only be described a brawl followed. Blasting the brutal half-orc in the face with his Acid Wand, Obasi narrowly avoided being skewered through the breastbone by a fierce lunge from Hrokan. The giggling evil of Xaven merely stood farther down the hall, seemingly doing nothing. Obasi realized his mistake only a moment later as the unseen Creeping Glyph burst under his feet, sending his sense reeling. Blasting desperately with fire and acid, Obasi put up a noble fight, but victory seemed to be swaying towards the villainous rogues. Out of sheer madness and desperation, Obasi flung himself back down the corridor while releasing a string of incantations and flicking a pearl of fire at Hrokan. The fireball burst with a deafening roar in the enclosed area.
As the smoke and flame cleared, the corridor had become a mass of flickering flames! Xaven lay blackened and unmoving on the ground...Hrokan was nowhere to be seen. Stepping over to Xaven, Obasi aimed his Wand and came within a hairs breadth of loosing its stored magic on the nasty little man. Instead, sense came back to Obasi before he could act on such an impulse. He grabbed the man and dragged him into the common room, in time to see Hrokan stumbling towards the innmaster.
Outside, the Expeditionary formed up to watch the building begin to burn, realizing that to try to rescue Hrokan or Xaven would associate the Paracount with the two bandits. While they stood there, Allerund and Olen ran inside, leaving Amyrta to block the doorway invisibly. From her vantage point, Amyrta saw what the others had missed, a lithe elf woman, who came walking up to Julistar. The elf said the same to Julistar as he had obviously been thinking, that to associate themselves with Hrokan and Xaven at this point would void their charter. Thus they marched away from the building without a second glance. The pale haired elf slung her bow across her back as they walked quickly away.
After Obasi looked to the innmaster and proclaimed that Hrokan lit the fires above, an invisible Allerund readied to put an arrow through the bellowing brute heart. Before he could loose the arrow, Obasi fired a handful of magical force bolts that pummelled the badly injured half-orc.
Attempting to keep from being involved with the Sothan Guard Corps, they quickly petitioned the innmaster for a place to question the men. He gladly let them use his storage room out back.
The interrogation, made possible by using spells of enchanting on Hrokan revealed much. A great deal of background information about the scholar Imvius and his true origins were told, Lonicera Moonthrush was exposed as Neferet Anu, pointing out, with some confusion, that Lonicera had not been seen by any of them since the auction. Julistar was supposedly rather upset about this. And that Hrokan seems to think that the Mithral Scarab is even now in Expeditionary hands, enjoying the ministrations of Chelish Legionnaires.
And legionnaires trained in the martial traditions of Hamatulatsu are not gentle men.
The fate of what to do and what to do with these despicable men still remains to be made.
What shall our stalwart PCs do next?
End Session 2
There were again, no deaths. Amazingly, not even any villains died. They were extremely lucky! Two enemies captured though!
A few notes to anyone reading this thread, especially to prospective GMs of this adventure....
So as not to reveal things to those who don't really want to know, Or to my players (No reading guys and Lady!) this shall be spoilered.
I found that the backstory of this adventure needed a little work. I know that I said I was not going to do much to change or alter the adventure, that started changing once session 2 loomed closer.
I specifically needed to do something to make Lonicera more dynamic. The characters were so suspicious of her that I had no idea what to do. I came up with a rather decent idea actually. First, she had to be altered into a real scholar, not just some hussy bard trying to get by on Bardic Knowledge. I decided to use this instead
Lonicera Moonthrush: Female Human Bard 3/Savant 3 (dragon compendium)
This makeup gives her a great deal more access to skills and useful knowledge that might make things interesting.
Also, where the adventure prints that she is rather likely to betray the Expeditionary if the PCs get the upper hand...I have instead made her more of a third faction. Shes struck out to get the mask herself and beat everyone else to the pyramid. Being a Savant as well as a bard gives her an interesting array of abilities that might actually serve to get her some ways into the Pyramid alone, who knows?
Ok folks...now begins the listing of what modules you possess so we can start planning the next arc of our little rotation.
I have the following
D0 Hollows Last Hope
D1 Crown of the Kobold King
D1.5 Revenge of the Kobold King
D2 Seven Swords of Sin
D3 Demon Within
J1 Entombed with the Pharaohs (Currently GMing)
J3 Crucible of Chaos
TC1 Into the Haunted Forest
U1 Gallery of Evil
U2 Hangmans Noose
W1 Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale
W2 River Into Darkness
W3 Flight of the Red Raven
I've also skimmed through Guardians of Dragonfall and am not to sure about that one. Aside from J1, I really have not done more than flipped through most of these. I didn't want to ruin the chance I might have to play in one some day.
Depending on the game and whatnot, I think I might prefer to try out the PF Rogue.
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Ok folks...now begins the listing of what modules you possess so we can start planning the next arc of our little rotation.
I have most of what you have:
D0, D1, D1.5
E1 (Carnival of Tears)
J1 (which we are currently playing)
TC1
W1, W2, W3
And I just ordered Last Baron a few minutes ago. :)
I too have only flipped through most of these. Based on flipping through them though, I'd probably want to run either W2 River into Darkness or W1 Conquest of Bloodsworn Vale, but I'm willing to run whatever people want. (And I'll buy another module if people really want to play one that I don't have.)
Just let me know.
Got all the modules, have not ran any of them. :)
I know Pygon currently doesn't have any GameMastery Modules, but he is expecting LB1 when it comes out.
So for the sake of what folks already have then.
Lilith: Open
Daigle: D2 Seven Swords of Sin and Open (though unless you've changed your mind about wanting to run, we'll keep you at the bottom of the rotation for now)
Pygon: LB1, especially considering you don't have any others yet or even this one.
Eyebite: W2 River Into Darkness and open to those others you have.
We'll consider W2 reserved for Eyebite to run, LB1 for Pygon (again, as he needs to expand his Paizo library ^_^) and D2 for Daigle, seeing as he has already run that one and probably shouldn't play in it.
I am not putting these out there to try and lock anyone into a certain adventure. I just think it'd be good to know who has played or GMed certain ones to make sure someone doesn't inadvertently get run through one they've GMed.
Now for the big question? Who want to run next? I expect about 5-6 more sessions of J1, so it might be a good idea to start getting things in line for the next now. So.....? Volunteer or be voluntold! :p
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Bear in mind that instead of devoting ourselves to an entire path after we are finished with our one-shots, I also wouldn't mind DMing a full-party run through RHoD...
As for who is next, since Lilith and Daigle's time could be staggered and Eyebite prefers to play for now, I don't mind DMing LB1. If possible, I'd like to use my app for it.
Ok...well I think we know that was a plug for Pygon's program. ^_^
When you run a game Pygon, is that the system we will be using? Or do you want to keep that in reserve for RHoD?
Speaking of which, aside from Eyebite, does anyone have an adventure (shorter than RHoD, which I understand is pretty large) that they have been wanting to run? I know you, Daigle and Lilith, said you have a lot of the modules, but are there any in particular you like the concept of or have wanted to run?
Part of the reason I ask is that I tend to create characters with a relative obsessive fervor. I like to have as much time as I can to get one together so I can toy around with things to get it just right. Once we know who is running the next adventure, we can start making sure we all know of any rules variants and stuff like that to be prepared for. Or is everyone on board with my idea that we try to keep rules consistent between us all?
If that is the case, then please give me feedback on the various little tweaks we are currently using, if you like them, dislike them, etc.
As for rules, here is one more that I don't play with, Death from Massive Damage. I'm not even sure if its in the PF Alpha Rules or not, but I never liked it.
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As for rules, here is one more that I don't play with, Death from Massive Damage. I'm not even sure if its in the PF Alpha Rules or not, but I never liked it.
Never used that rule myself either - for either NPCs or PCs - just seemed very unfair and anticlimactic.
I'm ok with using whatever rules people want, BUT if we can pick and choose:
- I might go with a more basic HP scheme - probably won't include racial hp.
- I will probably allow for a slightly lower point buy total - although I also do love the randomness of rolling. I can do either.
- I might keep the W2 game fairly "vanilla" because I like seeing what things people can do with the basics. I don't know....ever since Alpha came out I've had a very clean feeling. We're not weighed down with splatbooks and PrCs for every little thing. It's kind of nice to start fresh.
- I use a variant linguistics rule similar to what you use Yasha - and will probably go with that.
Depending on how things go, W2 may contain some slight embellishments to the storyline.
EDIT: As I think about it, I won't use Comeliness (never have before), and don't own either the Critical Hit or Fumble decks.
Lilith has claimed
J3: Crucible of Chaos
As a future adventure she plans to run. Anyone who wants to run a specific adventure, state so now. Lets start getting some of these together so that those who are going to run them can start reading them and getting ideas and doing whatever prep they need. Partly I realize its rather difficult to prepare for a game by not reading the product you are going to run. So lets leap that little hurdle.
If you want to know my favorite level...let me simply say that I am a fan of Dungeon Grrrl's Black Days of Kor Kammor Campaign Journal, which is very extreme. Unless I am playing a 1-1 game with my wife though, I rarely go to such lengths.
For content, I am perfectly open to whatever. Gore, torture, mutilations, etc. do not bother me. I actually tend to prefer such things in a game, as they tend to create more atmosphere. Thus far, I've been very cautious in J1 with you guys. I do believe in there being romance and relationships in games, but not with the kooky mechanics of the Book of Erotic Fantasy.
If a character is in a relationship, long or short-term, then play through it. That doesn't mean we have to play out every step of what goes on.
A good example is this, if you have ever seen Berserk (anime and manga)? I am quite happy with that level of grittiness. Beyond that might be much even for me and Berserk is rather harsh. I am fine with tame too, I just might have a character go do something in character that they might do if a game is tame or not.
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When you run a game Pygon, is that the system we will be using? Or do you want to keep that in reserve for RHoD?
I'd like to use it when/if I DM LB1 as well. If anyone objects or can't run the program, we can of course continue to use MapTool.
For now I'll reserve LB1 and RHoD for myself.
As for my comfort with content, whatever suits the plot, as long as that barrier is held in a gaming context, of course.
My house rules:
* For my games I tend to go 3.5 equivalent 28 point buy, whatever that equates to in PFRPG.
* I prefer a vanilla-ish class system, since my library of 3.5 books is fairly small (but I'm collecting some now). If you want to get exotic, that's perfectly fine, I just need to know the details.
* I also don't use death from massive damage. At higher levels it's too much of a hazard.
* I generally don't allow cleaves on an AoO. It doesn't come up too often, but it's one of those things that just doesn't make sense to me.
* When rolling hp, I allow re-rolling 1's and 2's (when a d4 is used, I allow re-rolls on a 1). For PFRPG, max hp at 1st level with racial bonus is fine.
* If we use the Critical Hit deck, instead of following the rules on the card, I consume x2 of the crit with each card drawn. So a x3 weapon does a card and x1 damage. A x4 weapon can do x2 and 1 card, or two cards stacked, at the player's option.
* Some of us tend to judge 5's steps and Tumble movement a little differently. I don't normally allow 5' steps diagonally across an enemy's corner (but I can change that), and movement through an ally's space usually counts as difficult terrain for me. Tumbling only treats threatened squares as half movement rate - the rest are normal movement.
* For simplicity when a lot of Perception and Stealth checks are involved, all involved parties get one automatic roll for each per round (mooks may get one roll as a group). If you roll a bad Stealth, then many may see you. If you roll high Perception, you might pick out many enemies. A move action will allow you another focused Perception roll.