lostsole31
  
 
   SECRETS OF THE LOST CITY    
   "The legendary lost city of    Saventh-Yhi   ,  known to some as the City of Seven Spears, has finally been found! Yet  while the ancient city's mysteries have long remained hidden, all manner  of man-eating beasts and plants still dwell within the vine-choked  ruins. Can the PCs be the first among five competing factions to claim  the rights of discovery? Or will they become but the latest of  Saventh-Yhi's victims?"   
 
    DRAMATIS PERSONAE    
     Character
[Player]
  
  Speech Color  
  AL
  
  Race [Ethnicity]
(Gender ID)
  
  Side #1
  
  Side #2
  
  Campaign Trait  
  Totem Animal  
 
    Aronnahar (Aron) Zyianthus
[Tribute (N)PC]
   
   Teal 
  
 N 
 Wishtouched Half-Elf
[Taldan] (f) 
 Bard 6/
LA 1 
 Oracle (Lunar) 7
[Seer] 
 Boarded in Bloodcove
[Mwangi Expanse] 
 Zebra
[Equines] 
 
    Clarence T. (Book) Booker
[Buck Godot]
   
   Saddle Brown
   
 NG 
  Fortune-Blessed Human
[Taldan] (m) 
 Rogue [Contender] 5/
Pathfinder Delver 2 
 Swashbuckler 6
[Picaroon]/
LA 1 
 Mwangi Scholar 
 None 
 
    Fronaldo Claudex
[Blackhawk101]
   
   Dark Orange 
  
 LN 
 Goblin (m) 
 Alchemist 7
[Eldritch Poisoner] 
 Rogue 7
[Knife Master] 
 Boarded in Cheliax 
 Korir River Gorilla
[Simians] 
 
    Gelik Aberwhinge
[MastrK, MasterK]
   
   Golden Rod
   
 CN 
 Gnome (m) 
 Bard 7
[Wit] 
 Nexus 5/
Pathfinder Chronicler 2 
 Boarded in Varisia 
 Hippopotamus
[Large Mammals] 
 
    Xhanfaerd
[Silphael]
   
   Green 
  
 CG 
 Ekujae Half-Elf
[Wildborn] (m) 
 Arcanist 6
[Magaambyan Initiate]/
Magaambyan Arcanist 1 
 Zealot 7
[Discordant Crusader] 
 Mwangi Scholar 
 Gerrhosaurus
[Reptilians] 
 
  
  Associated NPCs  
     Character
[Player]
  
  Speech Color  
  AL
  
  Race [Ethnicity]
(Gender ID)
  
  Side #1
  
  Side #2
  
  Campaign Role  
 
    Amivor Glaur
   
   Fire Brick Red 
  
 CG 
 Human (m) 
 Bard 7+? 
 Rogue 5
[Archaologist]/
Pathfinder Delver ?? 
 Mobile Venture-Captain of Pathfinder Expedition to Saventh-Yhi.
Not expected on missions (at least for now), as administrative duties keep him stuck dealing with expedition business. 
 
    Sersheelda Lapispacker
   
   Purple
   
 LN (N) 
 Svirfneblin (f)
(aka, Deep Gnome) 
 "Doodad"? ? 
 ??? ? 
 She found herself in the Tazion area by accident when captured by charau-ka. Some type of verbal impediment, regardless of language (even Gnome). Claims to "want know magic of 'Overburn.'" Possesses some type of natural connection. 
 
  
lostsole31
     ARONNAHAR ("ARON") ZYIANTHUS    
 
 
 Description   6' 1", 160 lbs.

She has the burnished skin of those who have spent time in the sun, red  hair, and green eyes. She wears typical Druman garb, but with some of  the frills cut away. Her beauty is awe-inspiring, but she is so in tune  with voices not of the world that she tends to ignore people who don't  use direct address, having a far-away look sometimes.

Her zebra tribal tattoo is on her chest - from her suprasternal cavity  down to below her navel, and includes the inner portion of her breasts.  Given her clothing with the zebra's head tattoo above and below her  limited torso clothing, this is likely to have a .... distracting effect  on those not used to someone of her beauty.

 Personality 

Of the two people in the vanguard that were the actual shipwreck  survivors of Smuggler's Shiv, and therefore found information regarding  Tazion and the "pillars of light" of Saventh-Yhi, Aron is by far the  more proactive.

While not the "leader" of the vanguard, she is nominally the one in  charge of coordinating reports to Amivor Glaur, the lead Pathfinder and  de facto  mobile venture-captain. Since Kalabuto, her voice has taken a massive shift down  in volume so that even when she shouts she isn't very loud, though her  beauty and nearly ethereal quality have further increased. She no longer  sings, but rather has poured forth her artistic effort into her flute.  This lack of strong voice is another reason a woman who could easily  take the lead with any group of which she is a part instead takes a  support role.

Practically within the group, Aron is the vanguard's primary divine caster,  and therefore healing the party is her prerogative. Others have some  healing or healing like ability (Gelik, Xhanfaerd, even Harrim), but primarily the  duties fall squarely on her shoulders. She is also primarily a diviner  with many strange powers related to her communing with the moon, but  in-battle it often means that she knows when she is going to be attacked  and effortlessly moves out of the way. Otherwise, she is the primary  "first contact" with parties whose allegiances are unknown, and her  knowledge of the natural forces of the jungle matches and that of  strange metaphysics and cosmology rivals that of the far more studied  Xhanfaerd. She is also the one who has he best chance of activating  magical items not suited for the casting traditions of others.

 Homeland  Kerse, Kalistocracy of Druma
 
 
 
 
lostsole31
     CLARENCE T. "BOOK" BOOKER    
 
 
 Description  6' 0", 175 lbs.

Pretty much any lady's conception of the rugged, two-fisted pulp hero who can also clean up real spiffy in a good suit to boot.

 Personality 

Book is a man who believes that archaeology is all about getting your hands dirty. He is a dedicated scholar of the Mwangi Expanse's history and its peoples, but his close calls have caused him to have a hair trigger with gun or fist. He is a great believer in luck, as being lucky has helped him far more than being expressly competent at what he does.

When one of the diviners foresaw trouble for the vanguard, Amivor released him to rush ahead to attempt to intercept and aid the vanguard as best as possible. It seems that either he arrived too late, or was lucky to arrive late and missed the most danger .... Issilar, the serpent folk enchanter, that caused three members of the vanguard to flee into the forest (two whose remains were found, and Gelik who was rescued).

It's at the point now where Xhanfaerd has learned to trust that when Book says, "I have a bad feeling about this," everyone should listen.

 Home of Record  Based out of the Grand Lodge, Absalom
 
 
 
lostsole31
     FRONALDO CLAUDEX    
 
 
 Description  3' 3", 34 lbs.

This large-eared, green-skinned goblin has a devil may care grin and a  wild glint in his red eyes. He is well spoken and dressed in well  tailored coat and breaches with rolled down top boots. A pair of sharp  looking daggers dangle from his belt. Hidden extracts, potions, poisons,  and blades are secreted all about his person. He is full of energy and  doesn't stop moving, constantly darting around the room investigating  everything. He has a preternatural love of shiny things; especially gold  and jewels. His shock of wild white hair hovers above his head as if  burning.

He has a tattoo of a Korir River Gorilla tribal tattoo covering his whole back.

 Personality 

Fronaldo is quick-witted and intelligent, but easily manipulated by more  forceful personalities. His high, childlike voice often leads others to  assume that he is childlike. He is anything but. Raised in Cheliax by  human "parents" after they found him abandoned in a gutter, young  Fronaldo was raised as a beloved member of the Claudex household. While  in public he was forced to behave as a slave until he reached adulthood  and was able to purchase his freedom with the help of his parents  Esmerelda and Javier. They taught him science and chemistry and gave him  an excellent education. Once he gain his freedom and moved out on his  own, only then did his true education in the real world began.

Chip on his shoulder due to his size; classic small man syndrome.  Doesn't like working alone. Prefers the safety of an organized group.  Weak willed. Greedy. Manic. Speaks with a high-pitched, child-like  voice.

  "So, Fro, if you are chosen for the vanguard, what do you bring to the table?"   asked Amivor Glour, the venture-captain in Eleder.

  "Poisons, potions, and pokin' holes in problem people, and vapid ideas."  

That was it. That was the whole interview, and it was enough to get him  hired on as the first addition (outside of Aron and Gelik).  And that  pretty much sums up his skill set.

 Homeland  Corentyn, Empire of Cheliax

  
 
 
lostsole31
     GELIK ABERWHINGE    
 
 
 Description  3' 6", 42 lbs.

Gelik is a spry, energetic gnome with blond hair and a neat goatee. He  dresses like a noble at all times. ("If you can't take the time to dress  properly, no one will take what you have to say seriously, and they'd  be right not to!")

With liberal use of prestidigitation, his fine clothes always seem  freshly cleaned. Only the ink stains on his fingers break the illusion  of a proper gnome nobleman. ("If you don't have ink stains on your  fingers, no one will take your writing seriously, and they'd be right  not to!")

His hippo tattoo is on his left shoulder.

 Personality 

Gelik is quick-witted and a talented speaker. Unfortunately, he has a  mean streak when it comes to the misfortunes of others; he often simply  can't help himself from making a snide comment or a scathing remark at  another's expense.

While Xhanfaerd has a more artistic touch with writing, Gelik's writing  skill, equal (and more reliable) skill at linguistics and cryptography,  and dedicated skill as a scribe means his position as the party's  Pathfinder Chronicler is still secure at this time. He is a perfect  second to Aron's skills at diplomacy and negotatiations, has a jarring  ability to mimic any sound his voice box can even remotely simulate, and  oddly, he has a greater grasp of the Mwangi's overall geography, even  over that of Fronaldo.

 Home of Record  Magnimar, Varisia

  
 
 
lostsole31
     XHANFAERD    
 
  Description  6' 1", 255 lbs.

Robust among his kin, to the point of usually rising eyebrows when  people see the ekujae's paintings on his face, often followed by  somewhat confused gazes at his ears, Xhanfaerd has everything to stand  out in a crowd. His elvish heritage can be seen through his sharp  features and the light green tint in the sclera of his eyes, and he  shows the kind of body one could see on a veteran fighter. His  gerrhosaurus tattoo is on his right shoulder, head upwards as if  whispering secrets to Xhanfaerd.

He usually wears brightly colored clothes when in town, in accordance to the fashion of the urbanite Magaambyans.

 Personality 

Robust of body and mind, Xhanfaerd was used to playing on both of those  aspects. "Surely someone so well built is not as bright", or "That dork  reading those horribly precise books is probably scrawny" was the kind  of things he got used to play with quite fast, earning a mischievous  stance on the way. He knows quite well that most other sapients aren't  as gifted as himself and how lucky he is, and won't show off, at least  not voluntarily. If he knows he can do something to help, he will, and  that might raise jealousy and rivalries. At least it did already, more  than once. People don't like when you solve the riddle of their lives  with one glance.

He tries to do his best to live up to the standards he set through his  books, while knowing very well that without a major civilizational shift  it won't be possible, at least not on a personal scale.

With his training from the school of the Magaambya  in the openly secret/not secret city of Nantambu in the Mwangi Expanse,  Xhanfaerd's training and scholasticism makes him first among equals,  with particular expertise among subjects arcane, historical, natural  sciences, linguistics, and the peoples of the Mwangi and their customs.  Within the group, he is blessed of an almost supernal insight into  personal motivations and actions, and as such is usually a voice of  reason and common sense.

 Home of Record  Nantambu, Mwangi Expanse

  
 
 
lostsole31
    Moonday, 9 Abadius 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rain throughout the day. Saturated. Humidity Index: 110 / 95 F.   

Today is the worst day yet as far as heat and humidity, all being kept in the local area by the rain that act not as purgative but as enclosure.

On the other hand, today is a day that promises to finally moves things forward, for Amivor Glaur and the main force of the Pathfinder Society expedition has arrived!

Amivor Glaur is a ruggedly handsome man of medium height and average build (5' 10", 180 lbs.). He wears well worn but quality leather armor, with sidearms of short sword, whip, short composite bow, and hunting knife. A welcome, yet unsettling change to the standard perceptions of the classic Pathfinders, Amivor is decidedly unkempt, rugged, and rough around the edges. His wild Red hair seems to flow like a flame in the wind, and he is rarely seen fraternizing with those of pomp and circumstance. Amivor, all to familiar with the wilds of Sargava, wears only utilitarian clothing with multiple pockets, and prefers to expose his skin to the natural sun, in order to compensate for the heat of the days.

Amivor offers no confusion for the sort of man he is, presenting his rugged and rough attitude through his appearance and demeanor, and yet The Pathfinder Society has placed him in charge of all Sargavian Expeditions, due to his great ability to do such successful voyages. Amivor can usually be found in the bars at Eleder, drinking with his favored traveling companions and recounting tall stories about his adventures, but once he is set upon a job, Amivor is completely serious. Because of this attitude and respect for the natures of Sargava, and his positive reputation with the local tribes, Amivor is easily the most knowledgeable about Sargava and the Mwangi Expanse outside of the specialists within the party.

Amivor views the natives of Sargava with respect, and understands that their tribal ways are different, but not lesser than any other society. Because of this, he is among the very few that has established a diplomatic reputation with most tribes known to the Pathfinder Society, which has yielded a wealth of information.

Amivor reads Gelik's written work and listens to all of the accounts, including any accidental testimony of Harrim and Sersheelda (though both are trying in their own way). He is sad at the losses of Pim Starseer and Torber Ah-mose, and assures the group that their names will be put on the Wall of Names in Absalom. Meanwhile, he is glad that diviners among the rank-and-file Pathfinders in the expedition gave him what he needed to send Book ahead to the rest of you when he did.

Most of the day is spent as such, but Aron still takes time with Veress, knowing that the tiger is at a critical stage of very late adolescence.

Amivor has no desire to attend any longer in Tazion. He trusts the party has learned what they can of Tazion, but since Saventh-Yhi is the real prize, he wants to leave on the morrow. Even though it is probably only 20 miles away or so, the trackless jungle and the many laden beasts of burden in the expedition mean that it will be a two-day trip.

That evening, Fronaldo seeks out Xhanfaerd for private - not group - combat training. Fronaldo has learned to trust that Xhanfaerd is a keen observer of behavior, so Fronaldo wants to try out some deceptive blade techniques he's been thinking of, but needs the challenge of a sharp defender. Aron will have gymnastics training for Sersheelda, Book, and even Amivor (who has been looking for challenging exercise for weeks). Harrim meditates on his own; surprising, given there are so many new people, it would be a perfect time to annoy everyone with proseltyzing for Groetus. Gelik entertains the main force of the expedition with fantastic tales.
lostsole31
    Toilday, 10 Abadius 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent) 
85 / 70 F. Normal afternoon showers. Winds N 15 mph. High humidity. Humidity Index: 95 / 80 F.   

The full expedition leaves today to what seems to be relatively mild morning and make the trek towards Saventh-Yhi. During the half-trek, Harrim is sure to mention the glory of Groetus, and how the End Times will strip away all that has been built to leave a beautiful chaos before that, too, is removed from the universe.

That evening, Book and Aron bring Amivor (after hearing about his prowess from the former) to seek out Fronaldo, a master on combat preparation techniques. Gelik interacts with the rest of the expedition to learn their names and to get what gossip he can get.
lostsole31
    Wealday, 11 Abadius 4711 AR (First Quarter) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rains. Winds S 5 mph. High humidity. Humidity Index: 105 / 90 F.   

Amivor had hoped to see Saventh-Yhi, as it was estimated that the party trekked 2/3 of the way towards Saventh-Yhi, but the heavy rains and mud today slow things down. You are sure you are now on Saventh-Yhi's doorstep, but Amivor doesn't want to do a forced march and still not see the ruins by light of day for the first time.

In the evening, Aron spends extra time from the encampment to work with Veress. Amivor and Book work together, the latter studying under the former's tutelage regarding common oozes and protoplastic monsters used as happenstance guardians in crypts, tombs, and ruins. Gelik is there, chronicling the exchange, and learning from it. It turns out that Amivor is the most knowledgeable person Gelik knows regarding the Darklands and formless terrors.

Xhanfaerd takes this time to work on Magaambyan fighting arts. Fronaldo doesn't disturb him, but does watch.

Tomorrow ... tomorrow promises to be the big, daylight reveal of the terminus of your quest: Saventh-Yhi!
lostsole31
    Oathday, 12 Abadius 4711 AR (First Quarter) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rains. Saturated humidity. Humidity Index: 110 / 95 F.   

Today promises to be truly awful right out of the gate, but the expedition gets moving again.

You only go through a few final miles of trackless jungle before Saventh-Yhi is revealed to you! It is breathtaking, just the part you see.  
 

The thing is, the jungle is not a quiet place, but there is an increase in background noise, almost like there is a LOT more going on at Saventh-Yhi than "undiscovered, uninhabited ruin!"

Question for everyone, do you want Amivor to use his expertise to find the best place for the expedition to make base camp at a respectful distance from Saventh-Yhi, or do you (the party) want to try and figure out the best place to be?
lostsole31
    Fireday, 13 Abadius 4711 AR (First Quarter) 
90 / 70 F. Heavy rains. Winds W 10 mph. Saturated humidity. Humidity Index: 110 / 90 F.   

The next day, as the encampment awakens, it seems that you were fooled by a cruel trick of climate. For you no longer see Saventh-Yhi, but trackless jungle along the nameless tributary of the Ocota River. It was a jungle mirage, exceedingly rare, and possible supernatural.  The expedition forges on ahead, with Fronaldo - aided by Amivor - with wayfinder consult the maps they made from the Pillars of Light in Tazion. They continue along the tributary until the river seems to emerge from the side of a jungle cliff  at a height of 60' - casual observation reveals little to indicate that anything but rugged jungle mountains exist beyond this point, but with Fronaldo's knowledge of the map from the Pillars of Light in Tazion, he guides the expedition to a spot where an ancient and overgrown series of trails lead up from a waterfall.

This is where the dirty work to push on ahead will occur, to be able to get the expedition to be able to navigate past, which Fronaldo figures will take several days of hard work.

Does anyone have anything they can think of that might help the work go by a little more swiftly?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo rummages in his pack for his silk rope.
  “I’ve got some rope and some tent stakes that could stand in for pitons in a pinch.”  
BuckGodot
Book slings his sack off his shoulder and reaches in and pulls out what appears to be a 12-inch iron bar lined with small plates and spikes.

  "I've got this... It can be worked in to block and tackle with your rope, little buddy. If it will help in some way..."  
silphael
Xhanfaerd looks around.

"  We need to set up a path we can travel relatively easily in the following days, unless we manage to set up a new encampment closer to the city. That's... going to be hard, but at least tomorrow I'll have more appropriate spells readied in cases of emergencies.  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If it takes more than one day, I'll replace Enlarge Person with Monkey Fish in my level 1 spells.
 
lostsole31
In short, the characters don't have any magics or abilities to help them overcome old-fashioned elbow grease and cutting. They might come up with some clever ways to clear what is cut, but the actual path clearance is straightforward cut-work. They do learn something important about their fellow (junior) Pathfinders .... this is the all-star "nerd squad." Where the Sargavan military, Free Captains, and even their own hated rivals - the Aspis Consortium - likely have all manner of bruisers, the Pathfinders assigned to act as the more general administration and support do so with the strength of their mind and their magical training, not because they are physically intimidating.

What doesn't help .... it doesn't really slow things down beyond making people more careful with their aim ... and that's the rain. The heavy, incessant, not-just-in-the-afternoon rain.

That evening, Book, Amivor, Gelik, and Aron discuss otherworldly mysticism, and how that affected the worship of ancient cultures (with Book and Aron being strongest on the subject). Fronaldo work on theory regarding toxicology. Xhanfaerd interacts with the many junior Pathfinders, finding that their first and most focused training area is general wizardry.

 

    Starday, 14 Abadius 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rains. Saturated humidity. Humidity Index: 110 / 95 F.   

More trailblazing by all.

That evening, Aron leads Harrim, Amivor, Sersheelda, Gelik, Xhanfaerd, and several of the junior Pathfinder officers through various mantras and focusing exercises. Fronaldo (assisted by Book), teach a larger portion of the junior Pathfinders a variety of jungle stealth techniques. It turns out that while they are mainly wizards, this expedition is well-grounded in a variety of useful adventuring and ambush skills.
 

    Sunday, 15 Abadius 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rains. Saturated humidity. Humidity Index: 110 / 95 F.   

Trailblazing continues after a non-denominational service led by Harrim (who still managed to seed bits of doom and gloom in there).

Aron managed to teach Veress the command "stay" this week.

In the evening, Fronaldo will work with a different set of Pathfinders regarding various ambush striking techniques. Amivor will teach body meditation techniques to help overcome petrifying effects to Harrim, Aron, Xhanfaerd, &amp; Book. The gnomes spend time together, with Sersheelda giving Gelik weight training. It turns out that she is a lot stronger than her little frame would suggest; not as strong as Xhanfaerd, but one of the strongest nonetheless.
lostsole31
    Moonday, 16 Abadius 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rains. Saturated humidity. Humidity Index: 110 / 95 F.   

Trailblazing continues.

That evening, Xhanfaerd is by himself as he postulates the nature of light and dark within a free-willed mortal.

Book holds an in-house lecture regarding geography, astronomy, and how those things may have changed over millenia, as compared to what they might find in Saventh-Yhi, especially since the Ancient Azlanti were very knowledgeable of astronomy and how it guided the PC's own discoveries in Tazion. In attendance are Aron, Amivor, Fronaldo, Gelik, and most of the junior Pathfinders that don't have other duties elsewhere.
 

    Toilday, 17 Abadius 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rains. Saturated humidity. Humidity Index: 110 / 95 F.   

Trailblazing continues, and the trail is finally cleared by the end!

Sersheelda wants to know more about plants and animals in the Overburn, so that evening, Aron (assisted by Xhanfaerd) holds an in-house lecture for Amivor, Sersheelda, Fronaldo, Gelik, and the available junior pathfinders regarding natural sciences, especially that of the jungle.

Meanwhile, at the dwarf's request, Harrim convinced Book to help show him how best to avoid area of effect dangers and various common types of traps. While Harrim is much more agile than he might seem at first look, his training in this area is woefully inadequate, given his dwarven form.


 

    Wealday, 18 Abadius 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous) 
90 / 75 F. Heavy rains. Saturated humidity. Humidity Index: 110 / 95 F.   

Days and days and days of rain, and it hasn't stopped just because the trail is now cleared, and the party has easy access to the waterfall beyond.

Above the waterfall, the river splits for a short distance, flowing around a jungle-covered hillock. An open area just south of the hill can make an excellent staging area for the expedition once they’re up in the region and readying a move to a campsite located within the ruined city itself.

A narrow trail picks up not far to the south of area  A , connecting to a more overgrown road down below that leads southeast to area  B . This wide, paved road is the first tangible, non-mirage evidence the PCs encounter both of the hard existence of the ruins of Saventh-Yhi as well as the strange preservative magics that suffuse Saventh-Yhi. The expedition splits in two to make sure that the split in the river is mapped and charted.


The strangely preserved road leads into a narrow cleft in the jungle-choked ridges, forcing the river into a swiftly flowing rapid through the gorge. The road splits here, offering two methods onward—below, a slippery-looking path of wooden bridges connects small islands, while above a rickety rope bridge swings in the air.

Which way do you recommend taking?
silphael
Xhanfaerd points at the small bridges and islands.

"  I think we should start that way. If we later go through the other path, we would have the possibility to descend to a safer route, while climbing the other way wouldn't be as practical.  "
lostsole31
Amivor nods and says,   "In that case, Aron? I need your team to scout out that approach and look for any dangers or instabilities."  

Okay, marching order and manner of approach?
Blackhawk101
  “Whahoo! Let’s go, Book!”   squeals Fronaldo excitedly. He grabs the tall man’s hand and pulls him towards the bridges and islands.
BuckGodot
Book reluctantly allows himself to be dragged along by the green goblin while looking back over his shoulder and shrugging at Aron.

Turning to Fonzie, he says,   "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa, little friend lets not give away our position to every living thing around... Slow and steady and quiet wins the race..."  

Switching to scout stealth mode, he'll move forward with Frolando.
Blackhawk101
With a gleam in his eye and a feral grin, Fronaldo says:  “Yes, silent and deadly. That’s good!”
  The green skinned alchemist slows his speed  to match Book’s pace, moving silently through the jungle. His small dagger glimmers in the mist.
lostsole31
Aron follows, followed by Gelik, then Xhanfaerd, and then - once beckoned to join - Harrim, with Sersheelda and her creepy ghost-wolf at the back. Aron has Veress stay, though.

 Fronaldo  and  Book , would you rather swim or walk along the slippery-looking bridges?
(same question will be asked of all, btw)
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo visually examines the condition and stability of the bridges when they arrive.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

How are the bridges constructed? What is their condition? How long is the route? How many islands (map)? How deep and fast is the water? How far below is the water? Basically a full examination of the obstacle.
 
lostsole31
Fronaldo mentions his examinations, taking in any input from anyone else on the following questions.....

 How are the bridges constructed?   What is their condition?  
Rope suspension bridge. Surprisingly good condition.

 How long is  the route? 
It's not very far at all.

 How many islands (map)?  
Four small islands, connected by wooden pathways that are slippery from the water but in good condition. The stepping stones look like they are challenging for someone who can  balance by way of pure athleticism, but likely a moderately easy task  for someone skilled in keeping their balance.

Map on Discord.

 How deep and fast is the water?  
While not "rapids," the flow does appear quite fast here, so Aron judges that the depth shouldn't be more than 10', and there might be submerged rocks to deal with - which would hurt if you hit them. The flow is such that swimming is not advisable unless one is trained to do so, and if only barely trained, it would be a moderate challenge.

 How  far below is the water?  
30' from the upper bridge to the water below.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo studies the obstacle and then comments to Book.
  “Doesn’t look too dangerous. I could probably get across no problem but the rest of the party might have an issue. I suggest that we cross in groups of two tied together with rope. If one person slips, the other person has a chance to hold on and keep the other from being swept down stream.”  
The goblin shrugs weakly.
  “Unfortunately, there are not a lot of good places to anchor yourself. I suggest that one person at a time cross to and island before the next person crosses a bridge. The team would have to match members of equal size and strength, so that if a strong member slips a weaker member is not trying to stop them both. You and I wouldn’t be a good match. I could never stop us from getting dragged in.”
”It isn’t a perfect solution but it is a little better than crossing your fingers and praying. What do you think?”  
BuckGodot
Book, examining the trek ahead as well, concurs with Fronoldo and nods his head.

  "Seems plausible. Let's report it back to the others with your suggestion."  
Blackhawk101
…And so Bookman and the green skinned boy wonder report back to Aron and Amivor.
lostsole31
  "The Pathfinders are sure-footed, but I worry about the pack animals,"   says Amivor.

  "That,"   interjects Aron,   "and I don't like the idea of tying people off. It doesn't matter what you can lift or carry. If you are surprised by someone falling in and then feel that tug, you don't necessarily have time to respond ... and then just as surprised as the first person, with useless brawn you fall in and get swept away, shredded by submerged rocks. It's not a bad idea for a small group, but not for the main expedition."  

Amivor says,   "Okay, scout out the bridge then. Book and Fronaldo, followed by Aron and Xhanfaerd at a mild pace of 10' behind them, and Gelik behind all. Sound good? Head across and make sure that everything is secure for a the main expedition to cross."  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo salutes briskly before heading to the upper bridge with Book. He doesn’t bother with stealth as the party is fully exposed to anyone looking. He keeps his eyes open for traps or ambushes.
lostsole31
Fronaldo doesn't see any hidden dangers.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo examines the condition of the rope bridge before proceeding with Book.
BuckGodot
Book nudges the wee man...   "Come on, 'Naldo... We already looked this over..."   and he steps out across the bridge.
Blackhawk101
Suspicions assuaged, Fronaldo moves with Book onto the bridge.
lostsole31
So far, so good .....
BuckGodot
Book will keep moving but look back and hold up a cautionary hand to Fronaldo.
Blackhawk101
  “What is it, Book? Do you sense something wrong?!”
  Fronaldo halts his advance.
lostsole31
That is when everyone hears the bestial screeching to the east as three  large flying reptiles with distinctive, backwards-sweeping crests  decorating their heads appear over the canopy.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T28-27:   Red does a flying charge down to Xhanfaerd. The mwangi-Ekujae throws up  his arms defensively, but gets bit in his lower left arm for  12   for his troubles. Red sort of does a graceful crossing of paths with  Green, also charging, as Green charges Aron to bite her in the upper  left thigh for  4 mod .

 R1T24:   Gelik , what do you do?
Master K
Gelik will take a 5 ft step farther down the bridge and begin giving a speech, with the intent to Inspire Courage. as well as casting Fox's  Cunning on  Xhanfaerd.

 
 Spoiler 
FA; 5 ft step SE
MA; Inspire Courage on
 
  
 Spoiler 
 Xhanfaerd
SA; Cast Fox's Cunning on   Xhanfaerd 
 
lostsole31
 R1T24:  Gelik will take a 5 ft step farther down the bridge and begin giving a  speech, with the intent to Inspire Courage. as well as casting Fox's   Cunning on  Xhanfaerd.

 R1T23:   Fronaldo ,  you've never seen Gelik attack performance with such speed and gusto.  While Aron might be a more accomplished "performer," it is easy to  forget sometimes that Gelik is still the senior "bard." His oration  fills you with extra-goblin bravery. What do you do? 
Blackhawk101
  “Get Off The Bridge!”   shouts Fronaldo.
Then the green goblin gathers several vials of various alchemical agents and applies them to his dagger.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

five foot step to the SE
SA: create archanotoxin - INT base, frequency =4 rnds; consecutive saves=2, Fort DC=18  MA: apply to magic returning dagger.
 
lostsole31
  R1T23:    “Get Off The Bridge!”   shouts Fronaldo. Then the green goblin gathers several vials of various alchemical agents and applies them to his dagger. 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo 
You don't move anywhere, as Book is one sq. SE of you.
 
  
 R1T22:  Aron, who really can't shout loudly enough to be heard, turns to Xhanfaerd.  
 Spoiler: Said to Xhanfaerd, but heard by Gelik, too 
   "Hey,  we've gone a few days without a collective active. Tell everyone to not  leave the bridge but to engage. That way, this threat is taken care of  here and now, and they don't come back to attack when the expedition  crosses."   
 
Aron then defensively  casts a spell on herself that makes her very hard to see clearly as she  seems to vibrate at incredible speed. She then takes out her bow.

 R1T21:   Book , what do you do? You didn't hear what Aron said to Xhanfaerd, but it doesn't look like she intends to take Fronaldo's advice.
BuckGodot
Book steps north to clear the way for anyone wishing to get off the bridge while drawing his sidearm. He aims it at the flapping beastie in front of him and squeezes off a shot and looking at Aron shouts,   "What?"  
 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
FA: 5' step north (Surefooted)

MA: Draw sidearm

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 29 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T21:  Book steps north to clear the way for anyone wishing to get off the  bridge while drawing his sidearm. He aims it at the flapping beastie in  front of him, dodges a bite from it, and squeezes off a shot that hits Green in the belly for  14 . He looks over to Aron, cupping is hand outwards to her, and shouts,    "What?"   
 R1T18:   Sersheelda's form warps and grows from her normal 3-1/2' to close to 7'  tall, seemingly made of stone, and bearing stone-like wings. There are  two sets of horns - one seemingly fit to the type of creature she has  become (or veiled herself to looks as), and the other set of horns,  broad, steer-like horns. She(?) takes wing, and begins flying towards  the bridge.

 R1T12:  Blue charges Book, biting him in the side of the abdomen for  13 .

 R1T9:    "Everyone else, stay back!"   calls Harrim as he scurries onto the bridge while taking out his skull-shaped flail.

 R1T8:   Amivor crosses west while taking out his bow. He takes careful aim and  fires at the distracted reptair, but the arrow bounces hard off of its  hide.

 R1T5:   Xhanfaerd , you are feeling an incredible cognitive surge from Gelik's spell. Also, Aron said something to you. What do you do?

Reptairs on deck and in the hole ...
silphael
Focusing his anger, Xhanfaerd enters a quite malevolent stance and speaks.

"  We need to get rid of them, so that we can cross easily afterward !  "

He then summons a rain of stones on the flying creatures, roaring out loud while doing so.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So, entering Black Seraph's Glare, then casting Stone Call, aiming in the air, far enough to not hit anyone. Then, free action intimidate against them.

  Damage  - (2d6)[ 6 ] 
  Intimidate  - (1d20+18)[ 36 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T5:  Focusing his anger, Xhanfaerd enters a quite malevolent stance and speaks, "  We need to get rid of them, so that we can cross easily afterward!  "

He then casts a spell towards the flying creatures, roaring out loudly  with a wordless cry while a very large area of rocks and stones fall out  of the sky to hit all three reptairs for  6 .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T28-27:  Red and Green seem visibly startled by the show of  violence, and recover from their charge. But there are far too many  tasty morsels to ignore right now. Red snaps at Xhanfaerd's as Green misses Fronaldo, and both coast a little bit higher and wheel about.

 R2T24:   Gelik , you are currently orating courageously. What do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Aron in the hole ....
Master K
Gelik will continue demonstrating his mighty oratory prowess and send a ray of energy at the the reptair to his south

 
 Spoiler 
FA; continue bardic performance
SA; fire a Planar Detonation at green as a ranged touch attack  (1d20+9)[ 20 ]  Dmg (piercing)  (3d6)[ 11 ] 
notes, possible +1 to attack roll from bardic performance if applicable
 
lostsole31
 R2T24:  Gelik continues demonstrating his mighty  oratorical prowess, pausing briefly to scream a ray of focused physical  energy hits Green in the wing for  12 .

 R2T23:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Aron on deck, Book in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo hops to the SE and whips his poisoned dagger at the closest flying reptile.
  “Get Off the bridge!”   he yells.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: 5 ft step to SE
SA: throw dagger at  Blue: 2nd range increment -2 (not included)
  to hit  - (1d20+13)[ 23 ] 
  dam  - (1d3)[ 2 ] 
archanotoxin sv Fort vs Int DC=18.
 
BuckGodot
Book draws his whip and blasts off another shot at the beast in front of him, looks at Fronaldo, and yells,   "I heard  you ! But what did Aron say?"  
 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


MA: Draw whip

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 18 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T23:  Fronaldo hops to the SE and whips his poisoned  dagger at the closest flying reptile. The oratory helps the throw, and  it hits Blue in the left lower leg for  4   + poison !

   “Get off the bridge!”    he yells.

 R2T22:  Aron casts a spell on herself, and becomes  something seemingly ... more. She gets off the bridge on the far side  where Book and Fronaldo are while taking out her shortbow.

 R2T21:  Book draws his whip and blasts off another shot at the beast in front of him (who snaps at him and misses), hitting for  5 . He looks at Fronaldo, and yells,   "I heard  you ! But what did Aron say?"  
 R2T18:   Sersheelda/ stone demon flies to the southeast, gaining a little bit of  height and then turns to give a horrific screeching noise at Green for   6 sonic  .

 R2T12:  Blue flies slowly to the NW, and bites at Xhanfaerd, the latter's magical protection rebuffing the beak.

 R2T9:  Harrim casts a spell, and a little gobbet of acid strikes Blue and sizzles the side of its cheek for   3 acid  . He then gets off the bridge to the NW, standing by Amivor.

 R2T8:  Amivor focuses his fire on Red to the north. Of two arrows fired, one hits the outer wing for  16 .

 R2T5:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Reptairs on deck and in the hole ...
silphael
Xhanfaerd establishes his collective, then transmits Aron's earlier sentence to the other, standing as firm as he can on the bridge, his hammer in hands.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   Aron said that we should stay on the bridge and engage them from there.   
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard : establishes Collective with everyone in there.
Move action : draw weapon.
 
lostsole31
 R2T5:  Xhanfaerd establishes his collective, then transmits Aron's earlier  sentence to the other, standing as firm as he can on the bridge, his  hammer in hands.  
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (All, exccept Sersheelda) 
   "Aron said that we should stay on the bridge and engage them from there."   
 

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T28:  Red charges the flying stone-demon, landing a soft crit on her lower back for  19 . Green charges Aron, but its bite is deflected by Aron's darkwood buckler.

 R3T24:   Gelik , do you continue your oration? What do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Aron in the hole ...
Master K
Gelik will continue his oration, and fire another bolt of energy at the nearest reptair.

 
 Spoiler: im a firing my lazer 
FA; continue oration
SA; planar detonation at blue  RTA;  (d20+9)[ 22 ]   DMG;  (3d6)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T24:  Gelik will continue his oration, and fire another bolt of energy at the nearest reptair, hitting Blue in the left knee for  8 .

 R3T23:   Fronaldo , your magic dagger returns to your grasp. What do you do?

Aron on deck, Book in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo hops to the East and prepares another toxic concoction before schmearing it on his tiny blade.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Aron, if we are on the bridge they can knock us off.”
   
 
   
    
 Spoiler: crunch 

five ft step East
SA: prepare archanotoxin
 create archanotoxin - STR base, frequency =4 rnds; consecutive saves=2, Fort DC=18 MA: apply to magic returning dagger.
  MA: apply archanotoxin to dagger.
 
 
 
 
lostsole31
 R3T23:  Fronaldo hops to the East and prepares another  toxic concoction before schmearing it on his tiny  blade. 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 

   “Aron, if we are on the bridge they can knock us off.”   
 

 R3T22:  Aron carefully casts a spell on herself, but otherwise holds her ground. 
 Spoiler: Aron Collective 
  "That  only works for a tactical opponent that wants to kill you and doesn't  care about the body. I'm pretty sure we are morsels of food that it  doesn't want to lose."  
 

 R3T21:   Book , pepperbox and whip in hand. What do you do?

Stone demon on deck, Blue in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book dashes onto the bridge and lashes out with his whip and plugs away with his sidearm...


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move 1 square west (Sure-Footed)
Attack with whip using Risky Strike:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ] 
Dmg:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  +5
Attack with sidearm using Risky Strike:  (1d20+10)[ 23 ] 
Dmg:  (1d8+4)[ 12 ]  +5
 
lostsole31
 R3T21:  Book dashes onto the bridge and lashes out with  his whip and plugs away with his sidearm. His whip slashes Green across  the chest for  20  as he dodges the AOO from his gun, and shoots the reptair in the belly for  14 .

 R3T18:  The stone demon tries to concentrate on a spell in the air, but seems to have trouble, and simply hovers instead.

 R3T12:  Blue is having trouble against the poison, and is now intellectually  impaired . It continues north some to peck at Amivor.

 R3T9:   Harrim makes his way onto the bridge next to Gelik. He casts a spell,  but he doesn't use his holy symbol to do so. Now, in addition to the  courage you get from Gelik, everyone is filled with a battle blessing as  well.

 R3T8:  Amivor steps back from the reptair and lets loose with a lucky shot right to his enemy's heart for  22 ( + 1 CON bleed  ).

 R3T5:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Reptairs on deck and in the hole ...
silphael
Xhanfaerd moves closer to the rest of the party, and casts a spell, accelerating everyone he can.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moving 2 squares SE (supposing north is up), then casting Haste, which should cover everyone but Harrim and the one further north.
 
lostsole31
 R3T5:  Xhanfaerd moves closer to the rest of the party, and casts a spell, accelerating everyone he can.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T28-27:   Red ignores the stone demon to charge Xhanfaerd on the bridge. As it  passes the stone demon, with her cow-like horns she gores the reptair in  the belly for  14 . Reptair continues its charge, though, biting Xhanfaerd in the chest for  10 . Green snaps at Book and then peels off, but not before the latter cracks his whip into the thing's wing-shoulder for  14 .   That is just enough for Green to go crashing down the crevasse into the  river.  Something in the river snaps and pulls the carcass under the  rushing water.

 R4T24:   Gelik , do you continue your bardic performance? What do you do? (NOTE: you are not  hasted .)

Fronaldo on deck, Aron in the hole ...
Master K
Gellik continues Orating and fires his ray at the nearest reptair.

 
 Spoiler: witty rolls 
FA; continue performance
SA; Planar Detonation on red RTA  (1d20+9)[ 24 ]   Dmg  (3d6)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T24:  Gellik continues orating and then screams with focused sound at Red, sound waves hitting its legs for   11 sonic  .

 R4T23:   Fronaldo , your dagger has the STR arcanotoxin on it. What do you do?

Aron on deck, Book in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo scurries onto the bridge until he is within 10 ft of Red Reptair and flicks his dagger at it.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: move roughly NE onto the bridge until at ten feet from red raptair.
SA: throw magic dagger with archanotoxin.
  to hit  - (1d20+13)[ 18 ] 
  to dam  - (1d3)[ 3 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T23:  Fronaldo scurries onto the bridge until he is  within 10 ft of Red Reptair and raises his arm to flick his dagger, but  the reptair bites him in the head for  14 . Bleeding but undeterred, the goblin's oratically haste-boosted dagger manages to strike the reptair in the lower leg for  5 +  4 poison + weakened (STR)  .

 R4T22:  Aron doesn't attack, but merely focuses on her bow this round. Then she heads back out on the middle of the bridge.

 R4T21:   Book , what do you do?

Stone-demon on deck, Blue in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book again lashes out with his whip at the nearest beast.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 32 ] 
Dmg:  (1d3+10)[ 13 ] 
+6 for Precise Strike

IA: If attacked use Dodging Panache
 
lostsole31
 R4T21:  Book moves up a little on the bridge and again  lashes out with his whip at the nearest beast. He makes a nasty cut  aross its face and beak, and it falls from the sky and into the water  below, sinking and being moved along by the currents.

 R4T18:   The stone-demon charges the final reptair, who in turn completely  misses her on its counter as the smaller creature's massive cow-horns  delivers a perfect strike for 25, the impact blasting the creature down  onto the rock as Sersheelda the Stone Demon tears her horns out of its  body and lets the creature fall down the crevasse to its doom, where  again ... something in the water waits to feed on the great morself she  has delivered. Sersheelda gives a mighty shout of triumph.

 Combat Ended! 

The  stone demon lands next to Amivor, but doesn't return to Sersheelda's  normal form. (Or, is Sersheelda the fake form, and she has finally shown  her true self, explaining her bestial speech pattern?)

What now?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo walks over to Aron to show her his ouchie.
  “Healing please?”  
lostsole31
Before tending to Fronaldo, she shoos him to the far (new) side of the bridge, waving Amivor forward. Book and Amivor perform triage on the party to see the most wounded, and that doesn't appear to be Fronaldo, but definitely Sersheelda.

Aron and Xhanfaerd determine, by the way, that the form that Sersheelda turned into is that of a gargoyle! Meanwhile, even though there aren't any bodies anymore, the two determine that the "reptairs" that you fought were a particular strong, fast, and hardy version of a normal pteranodon.

Sersheelda casts a spell on herself, using normal verbal incantation ..... which I'm not sure if you've ever seen her do ... calling on the wooden holy symbol of the dice at her neck, giving her   10 healing  .

A single healing spell heals Fronaldo right up, as it does for Book. It takes her a CMW and a CLW to fully heal Xhanfaerd. With her permission, Aron heals the rest of gargoyle-Sersheelda's wounds with a CLW.

And with that, the rest of the expedition is carefully guided ... pack mule at a time ... across the bridge. Every now and then, it is noted that there are particularly strong and powerful looking crocodiles lurking in the waters below, so probably good you didn't take the lower path.

Amivor notes there is a sizeable stream splitting off and heading south/ southwest. There are also a lot more signs of the city, so Amivor has the expedition move off the trail, as he figures a stream so close to the old city surely would have some type of "attention" in the way of old structures, and this would keep the party from walking down the center of Saventh-Yhi and getting into   "central-level power confrontation, whomever that might be."  

After following the stream and cutting vegetation for some 600 feet or more, you get to an area with an old tower by the stream, with more ancient buildings to the east.

The heroes are sent in, and it seems that out this far, nothing inhabits this spot.   "Here is where we'll make camp. We have a lookout tower. Immediate access to fresh water. Very close to Saventh-Yhi without being surrounded by it."  

How do the PCs feel about this?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo nods in agreement before picking a good spot and pitching his tent.
lostsole31
Fronaldo could pitch his tent, but to his surprise, these outlying structures - while having some semblance of nature overgrowing - are not fully overgrown and appear to be moderately good at being "weather-tight."
BuckGodot
Book will find a room for himself if one is available... Although he feels they should all still stay in close proximity... He will set up his bed and the like before sitting down to clean and reload his sidearm. He will bring one of his cartridges to Fronaldo and ask,   "Hey 'Naldo... Do you think you could make any more of these? You seem pretty knowledgeable about the chemical stuff... Just wondering... You know... If you're not busy..."  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo walks around the ruins, eyes wide in amazement.
  “These “ruins” are anything but! How can they still be in such good condition after such a long time!”
  He will pack up his tent and set up camp in Book’s building. He will then take time to further explore the area.
When Book asks him about the ammunition, he replies.   “I don’t know how to make them but if you give me some to experiment with, I will see what I can do.
  The little green alchemist’s eyes twinkle with excitement.
  “I can probably make something that goes boom! What fun!”  
BuckGodot
Book looks at the small man as he sets up in Books room and shakes his head...

  "They are a rare commodity and I can sort of only spare one..."   he says as he hands over the cartridge.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo smiles wide, showing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
  “You can count on me, Book! I will study this tonight.”  
Master K
Gellik will take time to explore and take notes on everything, so that he has reference material to use when he writes his grand chronicle of the expedition
lostsole31
That night, as something that passes for a group dinner, Amivor comes in on the tail end and says,   "Okay, we're here."   He punctuates this with a celestial bench press.

  "Tomorrow, Aron, I need you and your team to mainly check around the immediate area .... determine what district of Saventh-Yhi we're in ... any interesting or useful pictograms or carvings to record ... but also to verify what will be our main base to be safe and clear. Try to treat well with locals .. I mean, if you don't have to fight everything, that would be great ... but get a social lay-of-the-land, not just historical."  

Aron nods. If there is nothing else .....

.... what will people be preparing for the next day? The expectation at this time is jungle ruins/ historical study/ always possible combat or first contact diplomacy.
silphael
Xhanfaerd updates his notes in the evening, and in the morning he'll make sure that everyone is in his collective. As the party leaves, he'll shield himself with Mage Armor.

"  That sounds like the safest idea for now, yes. I just hope the inhabitants here aren't as aggressive as the last ruins we explored.  "
lostsole31
Aron straps her buckler on, but otherwise has no weapon out.

Harrim casts  endure elements  on himself.

Sersheelda was in stone demon shape for a few hours after last night's battle. She is herself again, though the offsetting feature of note is that she again - albeit for herself - has a pair of steer horns jutting from her head, and she wears a spiked collar you hadn't noticed before.

 Book, Fronaldo, Gelik , any "activations" before beginning today's exploration?

In addition, since Book is the senior archaeologist, Aron would like Book to make the major decisions on direction of travel and various other on-site decisions. She has been a good team leader getting the group here, but now that we're here, Aron defers to the main expert.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo is ready with his current fit out. He uses his wand of endure elements on himself.
lostsole31
    Oathday, 19 Abadius 4711 AR (Full Moon)  
 90 / 75 F. Moderate rain. Saturated. Feels like 110 / 95 F.   

For the first day, Book doesn't want to travel too far from base camp itself, seeing as their camp is part of the ancient site. He directs those with magic to use them to read what type of preservatives and protections might be running.

Xhanfaerd, supported by Aron, takes the lead on that specifically, moving about the general area to look at more area-based magic rather than specific-site magic, and very carefully recording exact types of fluctuations viewed through detect magic and so forth. The overall area ... seemingly the valley itself ... appears to be several strong auras of magic, but they are too strong and of a type Xhanfaerd has never seen before, and he is unable to determine more than that.

While Xhanfaerd and Book do that, the rest are more general study of the broad bits of the city that they can see from the safety of base camp.

Although Saventh-Yhi has gone through innumerable changes over its millennia of existence, its appearance has long since settled into a status quo. The first things a visitor notices on first sight of the city’s skyline are its seven spears. Protruding from the already lofty tops of seven 100-foot-high ziggurats, these narrow monoliths extend a further 100 feet into the sky. Book surmises that each of these spires marks the heart of one of the city’s major districts, and they can be seen from nearly everywhere in the ruins—the seven spears will make excellent landmarks.

Nestled in a cradle of sheer cliffs thick with jungle vines and brushed with wisps of fog, the several districts of Saventh-Yhi are arrayed around a large central lake. The buildings of the city are clearly weathered and worn, but most resist the encroachment of plants and mud, and they refuse to crumble, appearing as a ruin of only a few thousand years of age rather than over 10,000. The architectural style is remarkable, marked by massive guardian sculptures and intricate geometric patterns carved into the stone—any who have studied Azlanti ruins (Book, Gelik) can automatically recognize this. Up close, countless individual carvings and murals decorate the inner walls of these buildings, and it is from these carvings that the secret history of Saventh-Yhi might hopefully be recovered with time.

Fog rises and clings to the waters and cliffs of the city every morning, but these mists quickly burn off by midmorning. By noon, the heat of the sun raises temperatures to agonizing heights (treat the hours between noon and 3:00 p.m. as very hot). Those not protected by endure elements (most of the party), retreat to Base Camp for shade during that time. Heavy rain falls in the late afternoon, providing relief from the sweltering heat. As evening approaches, the rain dies off and the fog returns, remaining until midnight when more rain clears the air. And that is the daily climate of Saventh-Yhi.

Today was general information gathering of the above, and there is time for some other things in the meanwhile.

 Fronaldo , what do you wish to try to do with the alchemical cartridge Book gave you?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo sidles up to Book as they are surveying the area around base camp.   “Psst..Book. Hey I did the research you asked me to do on alchemical ammunition. I could make you paper wrapped alchemical rounds. They would be faster to load but would increase the chance of the round misfiring. The only problem is that I don’t have bullets or shot. I could have made a couple per day at the cost of raw materials of 4 Gold per round.
  The green skinned alchemist seems a little saddened by this, but his eyes quickly regain their rabid gleem.
  “Is your pistol capable of scatter shot?! If so, I could make dragon breath rounds! You would be able to shoot flame at your enemies! Those cost more (say around 14 Gold) and take about 2 days to make, but I bet it would be worth it! They would also increase your chances of misfire. Let me know if you want me to make some the next time we have some free time.”
  The little goblin strolls away tossing his dagger up into the air and catching it.
lostsole31
That evening, after everyone finishes their collections for the day, Xhanfaerd, Fronaldo, Book, Harrim, Gelik, and Amivor (with Sersheelda listening) study some collected drawings from the local area that might be related to ancient magical practices, and discuss various possibilities. Aron spends time on her own for awhile with her tiger, and then entertaining the main camp with song.

 

    Fireday, 20 Abadius 4711 AR (Long Moon)    

Tonight is Longnight, a holiday celebrated on the Long Moon of Abadius. During the festival, revelers stay up all night to greet the dawn to defy the long winter months.

For those interested in Osiriani politics, it is also the birthday of the current ruler, the Ruby Prince.

Today's focus is more site-specific study of local preservation magics. Xhanfaerd is able to determine that the area is suffused by a strong transmutation effect ... one that he will note time and time again throughout the city, that does little more than to retard the effects of time and erosion.

As always, the group retires for the midday, and Fronaldo knows to not waste the magic of his wand for when he might need it later.

More studies of the latent preservation magics in the early evening, when the party is accosted by three large, white-furred, four-armed simians ... girallons. They give a roaring challenge.

It is important to note that while Xhanfaerd has his collective up, his first use of  mage armor  expended maybe an hour or so ago.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T26:   
 Spoiler: Book &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Girallons!"    warns Book,    "Not  grapplers like most simians, but they get enough of their claws on you  they'll rip you open. Keep your distance if you have the option."   
 

Then,  in complete defiance of his own advice, Book draws his pepperbox and  whip as he moves out to the front, likely to prepare a threat display.

 R1T22:  Sensing tension, Veress (Aron's tiger, as a reminder) gives a roar.

 R1T21:   Fronaldo , what do you do?
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “I am going to fight from cover.”   
 

Fronaldo moves to the SE and then East taking cover behind ruins and jungle plants.
Hidden, he quaffs a swirling, multi-hued concoction.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: move behind ruins to the East and hide (stealth check).
SA: drink mutagen
 
lostsole31
 R1T21:   
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “I am going to fight from cover.”   
 
Fronaldo moves to the SE and then East taking cover behind ruins and jungle plants.
Hidden, he quaffs a swirling, multi-hued concoction.

 R1T20:   Sersheelda takes off with her little gnome legs. She gets around of  vegetation to see Fronaldo right there. "Why hide? Monsters!" she  exclaims, getting into a fighting stance of some type.

 R1T19:  Coming from the other direction, Fronaldo sees one of these 8-foot-tall monsters. It snaps its massive jaws at the goblin.

 R1T18:  Sersheelda's ghostly wolf follows behind and launches forward, but not before the girallon nips it in the midsection for  5 . Fruthrin Steelfeet (the name Sersheelda gives to her spectral wolf) closes and snaps its jaws and snarls at the monster.

 R1T16:   Meanwhile, the lead girallon in the main pack steps foward a little and  begins attacking Book, who dodges the bite but has to make a hard block  with his bracers against the first claw. Doing so leaves him open to  get slashed in the upper left arm by another claw for  5 , then along his right thigh for  7 , and his left upper arm for  8 . Luckily for Book, though, without all four claws landing a blow, he just manages to keep from getting pulled apart.

 R1T15:   Gelik , what do you do?
Master K
Gellik will once again demonstrating his oratory prowess and begin inspiring courage in his allies before firing a piercing ray of energy at the nearest girallon

 
 Spoiler: Rousing Speach 
MA; begin bardic performance
SA; planar detonation at Blue RTA  (1d20+9)[ 11 ]   Dmg  (3d6)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T15:  Gelik once again demonstrates his oratorical prowess and inspires courage in his allies before firing a piercing ray of energy  at the nearest girallon, finding that despite its bulk is rather agile and just barely gets out of the way of the beam.

 R1T14:  Red closes, slowing a little with some underbrush, biting Book in his left forearm for  10 .

 R1T10:   Aron, seeing Book getting torn apart, rushes to his aid with brilliant  acrobatics, concentrates carefully to cast a spell and then touch Book  for   16 healing  .

 R1T8:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Shielding himself again with a layer of force, Xhanfaerd moves around a stone while drawing his weapon.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Casting Mage Armour, then moving 2E, 2NE, 1N while taking my weapon.
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Shielding himself again with a layer of force,  Xhanfaerd moves around a stone while drawing his weapon. As he closes on  Blue, Blue launches forward quickly with a nip at the side of  Xhanfaerd's abdomen for  10 .

 R1T7:   Harrim follows Xhanfaerd's lead by doing the same thing ... briefly  taking out a small, cured piece of leather and casting a similar spell  on himself before putting the square of  cuir boulli  back in his component pouch. He trudges forward on short dwarven legs.

 R1T6:  Veress, Aron's tiger, finally goes ... getting next to Aron, but out of reach of the monster.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26:   Book , what do you do? Originally you took so forward a position to do a threat display, though you did get lit up.

Fronaldo on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book maintains his position and brings his whip into play and performs an amazing display of skill and talent, showing what he is capable of with it.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
FRA: Dazzling Display (while wielding any flails group weapon (incl. whips), he makes an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes w/in 30' who can see his display.)
 
lostsole31
 R2T26:  Book maintains his position and brings his whip into play and performs  an amazing display of skill and talent, showing what he is capable of  with it. It is enough to give Red and Blue some pause.

 R2T21:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Green in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
  “Let’s attack from two sides. Flank.”   Fronaldo says to Shersheelda.
Hopefully ducking an expected attack from the creature, the wee alchemist whips up a nasty cocktail of alchemical agents, adds a dash of his own magic sauce and drinks it down.
He then sprints off at an amazing rate of speed before ending up behind the four armed monstrosity.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: create and imbibe extract: Channel Vigor. He focuses his strengthening in his limbs. (Affect : as per Haste)
MA: use acrobatics to avoid attacks and/ or move through threatened squares
       SE (5 ft)
       E (15 ft)
       N (20 ft) * if moving between bushes / obstacles counts as difficult terrain, spend movement as needed to clear it. Stop.
[If the route North is impassable (from the point before going North), go back West (10 ft). Then: moving acrobatically at full speed, move N(10ft), E(10ft), and N(10ft).]
 
lostsole31
 R2T21:    “Let’s attack from two sides. Flank.”   Fronaldo says to Shersheelda. The wee alchemist whips up a nasty ccoktail of alchemical agents, getting bitten in the side for  7   for his trouble, and then adds a dash of  his own magic sauce and  drinks it down. He then sprints off at an amazing rate of speed before  ending up behind the four-armed monstrosity.

 R2T20:    "Why you no take weapon? We not flank now!"    shouts Sersheelda, obviously frustrated at the speed-goblin. She moves  in on Green, who was focused on Fronaldo. She leaps up to kick the  girallon in the left shoulder for  9 . When she lands post kick, she fails to gore with her horns.

 R2T19:  Green spins to attack Fronaldo. The bite misses.  One claw completely misses, one claw hits hard but doesn't connect, but  two claws land for a total of  11 .

 R2T18:  Fruthrin nips at Green.

 R2T16:  Blue bites Xhanfaerd's left hand for  6 . Its first claw comes down from above to savage Xhanfaerd's head an shoulder for  17 ; the second and fourth claws miss; the third claw catches across the side of Xhanfaerd's neck for  5 .

 R2T15:   Gelik , what do you do?

Red on deck, Aron in the hole ...
Master K
Gellik will continue his oration and fire a ray of energy at blue.

 
 Spoiler 
FA; maintain performance
SA; planar detonation  RTA;  (1d20+9)[ 23 ]   Dmg  (3d6)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T15:  Gelik continues his oration and fires a ray of energy at Blue, hitting it in the upper of its right forearms for  11 .

 R2T14:   Red bites at Book, then throws all claw attacks his way. A claw slams  against his armor, almost getting through but for its fear, but  otherwise Book is untouched.

 R2T10:  Aron calls Veress to attack Red. She defensively casts a spell and then disappears. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
  "I couldn't safely tumble past them. I am NE of Book, and NW of Xhanfaerd."  
 

 R2T8:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Veress in the hole ...
silphael
Focusing his thoughts on the opponent in reach, Xhanfaerd makes his hammer shine with a silvery light, before striking, sharing his martial knowledge with Fronaldo.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   Fronaldo, use that when you need some healing. Don't wait too long for it, though.   
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
First, swift action to enter Silver Crane Waltz, which I forgot to do last round.

Move action to aid another on myself (for +4 total on myself, +2 on the allies, if it works), then I'll initiate Silver Knight's Blade, healing myself, spending 3 PP to then share it with Fronaldo through Echoes of Steel.

  Aid Another  - (1d20+13)[ 26 ] 
  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 32 ]  (+4 if the above isn't a nat 1)
  Damage  - (2d6+10)[ 14 ] 
  Extra damage and heal  - (4d6)[ 15 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC Defenses 
Making a seperate spoiler for clarity.

Defense wise :
-I'll redirect the first attack that deals more than 10 damage to myself, spending PP to reduce the damage (1PP/4 damage, spending as much as possible, though the down value (ie, if I redirect 15 damage, I'll spend 3 PP and take the remaining 3)).
-I'll use Body of Delusion on the first attack that hits me and deals more than 16 damage, spending 2 PP for +2 to the roll.
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:  Focusing his thoughts on the opponent in reach, Xhanfaerd makes his  hammer shine with a silvery light, before striking, sharing his martial  knowledge with Fronaldo. 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Fronaldo) 
   "Fronaldo, use that when you need some healing. Don't wait too long for it, though."   
 
His earthbreaker strikes the girallon right in the groin with an upward swing for  31  and giving himself   15 healing  .

 R2T7:  Harrim casts a spell on himself and then moves forward.

 R2T6:  Veress moves forward to attack. The tiger bites Red in the right thigh for  9 . He bats wth a claw and lands with the other one in the lower arm right under-shoulder for  12 , and that claw hangs on enough for him to then rake at the girallon (no strike).

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T26:   Book , what do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book dashes west and then tumbles north deftly trying to avoid being hit and lands north of the friendly feline and then lashes out at red with his whip.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move 1 square west then 3 north using Acrobatics to avoid being hit and Dodging Panache if he is attacked (Dodging Panache (Ex):  1 panache, IA, when an opponent attempts a melee attack against him, he can move 5 feet; doing so grants him a +5 [CHA] dodge bonus to AC vs. the triggering attack. This movement doesn’t negate the attack, which is still resolved as if he had not moved from the original square.
*  This movement is not a 5-foot step; it provokes AOOs from creatures other than the one who triggered this deed.
*  He can only perform this deed while wearing light or no armor, and while carrying no heavier than a light load.)
Sure-Footed (He can move through difficult terrain at his normal speed. Ground that has been magically manipulated to impede motion still affects him normally.)

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 21 ] 
Dmg:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  {+6} (Precise Strike)
 
lostsole31
 R3T26:  Book dashes west and then tumbles north deftly trying to avoid being hit  and lands north of the friendly feline and then lashes out at Red with  his whip, lashing its left calf deeply for  20 .

 R3T21:   Fronaldo , you are currently using channel vigor [limbs] and have nothing in hand. You have been given  inspiration of tactical attack and healing  from Xhanfaerd. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Green in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;collective 

   ”Thanks Xhan! Sorry Sersheelda.” 
  
 

The diminutive goblin pulls his trusty knife and slices at the four armed behemoth trying to flank. He uses the special ability that Zhan transferred to him as well as relying on his rogue training and natural pluck.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: draw weapon-magic dagger
SWa: use 1 Pt. Guile pool for+2 to hit
SA: attack green garillion, risky strike, goblin foolhardiness(+1) to hit,  silver knights blade
  to hit  - (1d20+13)[ 21 ]  +3 not included
  to dam  - (1d3+13)[ 15 ] 
If flanked  (4d8)[ 18 ]  plus 4 bleed and disoriented
sliver knight’s blade strike  (4d6)[ 19 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T21:   
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Xhanfaerd, Sersheelda) 
   ”Thanks, Xhan! Sorry, Sersheelda.”   
 
The diminutive goblin pulls his trusty knife and slices at the four  armed behemoth trying to flank, using the special ability that Zhan  transferred to him as well as relying on his rogue training and natural  pluck. He stabs the monster right in the hand at an angle that goes into the center of its forearm for  54 + disoriented ( +4 bleed ) , while fully healing himself at the same time.

 R3T20:   Sersheelda looks up at the big monster to get a good measure of it. She  tries to carefully cast a spell, using the red, gem-like die symbol as a  focus, but her spell fails.

 R3T19:  Green suffers   4 bleed  .  It steps to the north out of the flank, but then lashes out to the  south. It bites at Sersheelda, who is dizzyingly effective at getting  out of the way, so it goes for the strange-looking quadruped for its  trouble, and three of its claws slash into Fruthrin for  20 . Fruthrin doesn't bleed so much as its spectral matter is torn away in cloudy chunks, but it still stands there.

 R3T18:  Fruthrin moves forward to bite it in the other lower hand from what Fronaldo struck, and for  3 .

 R3T16:   Blue snaps at Xhanfaerd and then misses wildly with a claw. The next  claw looks like it is going to connect, and Xhanfaerd tries to  momentarily port to the Ethereal Plane, but the ferocity surprises him  as he is struck along the side of the neck for  7 . Another claw ends up raking across his chest for  6 .

 R3T15:   Gelik , you are currently orating. What do you do?

Red on deck, Aron in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R3T15:  Seeing the effectiveness of words against the  beasts, Gelik continues his stirring speech. He again does a focused  sonic burst against the girallon, but just misses.

 R3T14:  Red struggles with his captor, biting the tiger in the back for  8 , and then landing three claws for a total of  17 .

 R3T10:   Xhanfaerd feels a light tap on his shoulder, and then he sees he is  surrounded by flurring, melding, illusory versions of himself. About the  same time, a discarded wand appears on the ground, giving away that  Aron is still invisibly in that spot.

 R3T8:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Veress in the hole ...
silphael
With another hammer strike, Xhanfaerd attempts to chain the beast with doubt.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action to aid another on myself.

Initiating Chains of Doubt on Blue, who has to roll Will DC 19 or be nauseated for one round. Spending Focus to force Red to save as well if Blue fails.

  Aid another  - (1d20+13)[ 14 ] 
  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 17 ]  (+4 if the above is a success)
[roll=Damage]2d6+3d6+10[/roll]
 
silphael
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Since apparently the dice roller here can't handle complex formulas :
  Damage  - (5d6+10)[ 31 ]  (2d6 from weapon, 3d6 from maneuver)
 
lostsole31
 R3T8:  With another hammer strike, Xhanfaerd attempts to  chain the beast with doubt. He swings from left to right too wildly,  though. His weapon skips of of the hard chest muscles of the girallon  and slams into the stone block nearby, doing  9 mod  to his earthbreaker in the process.

 R3T7:   Harrim steps up to the grappled Girallon and swings, magical energy  guiding his attack. It actually was a very clumsy attack, and yet  somehow corrected course mid-swing twice to slam the girallon in the  lower leg for  14 .

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T26:   Book ,  you notice that despite getting the beat-down, the girallons have  descended enough into a battle fury that they have shaken off whatever  terror your initial display inflicted. What do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book once again wields his whip in a menacing display of his prowess.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Dazzling Display (Ex):  FRA, while wielding any flails group weapon (incl. whips), he makes an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes w/in 30' who can see his display.
 
lostsole31
 R4T26:  Book once again wields his whip in a menacing display of his prowess, again making Red and Blue flinch.

 R4T21:   Fronaldo , you are currently using limbs (haste) for channel vigor. Magic dagger in hand. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Green in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo feints high and then quickly changes direction to strike at the creature’s vitals.   “Watch out ape! I have a wicked sting!”,   taunts the diminutive knife fighter.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: feint
SA: slash with magic dagger, risky strike, +1 attack Goblin Foolhardiness, +2 attack guile pool Pt. -Not included
[roll=to hit]1d20+13[/roll]
  dam  - (1d3+13)[ 16 ] 
  sneak  - (4d8)[ 19 ]  and disoriented
 
lostsole31
 R4T21:  Fronaldo feints high and then quickly changes  direction to strike along the inside of the creature's lower arm, along  the vein for  35+disoriented .   “Watch out, ape! I have a wicked sting!”,   taunts the diminutive knife fighter.

 R4T20:  Sersheelda sidesteps to also flank to do a hook kick to its hamstring for  10 , then come in low and gore it in the calf for  23 . The girallon falls and hits its head on a rock. She says something to Fruthrin in an unknown language, while pointing north.

 R4T18:   The badly wounded spectral wolf follows its mistress' commands. By  coming around a rock it keeps from getting hammered by Blue when it  closes and snaps at it.

 R4T16:  Blue bites at the  sudden newcomer, breaking Fruthrin's back and causing it to disappear  in a hazy fog. It then focuses its claws against the hammer-wielder. The  first claw comes in and nearly cracks Xhanfaerd's spine; even with  resisting some of its effects Xhanfaerd takes  8 +2 DEX . The second and fourth attacks get rid of the last of the  mirror images .

 R4T15:   Gelik , do you keep up inspiration? What do you do?

Red on deck, Aron in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R4T15:  Gelik maintains his oratory, and gets up behind Xhanfaerd. He carefully concentrates and casts a spell, touching Xhanfaerd for   13 healing  . The gnome looks mighty pleased with himself.

 R4T14:  Red bites Veress for  8 , and then in the tiger's grip slashes with its claws, with two scoring for  12 total .

 R4T10:  Aron's voice is heard casting, and then Veress receives   15 healing  .

 R4T8:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Veress in the hole ...
silphael
Trying to learn from his earlier mistakes, Xhan aims at the girallon's harmony.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"  This one will be more vulnerable !  "
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action to aid myself, standard action to initiate Harmony Shattering Strike (with Risky Strike), spending 2PP to add a total of 2d6 damage per allied hit against it, and spending focus to add 2 to the DC (Will DC 19 to not take extra damage from my allies).

  Aid myself  - (1d20+13)[ 31 ] 
  Attack 1  - (1d20+11)[ 30 ] +4 if above isn't a nat 1
  Damage  - (2d6+16)[ 22 ] 

If the aid another successes, all allies in the collective gain a +2 morale bonus to attack.
 
lostsole31
 R4T8:  Trying to learn from his earlier mistakes, Xhan aims at the girallon's harmony, hitting it in one of its upper-upper arms for  24 . 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
 "  This one will be more vulnerable!  " 
 

 R4T7:   Sensing the energy from Xhanfaerd tied to Blue, Harrim steps forward  and swings his flail, but it just bounces off of the girallon's tough  hide.

 R4T6:  Veress continues to savage Red for  7  with the grasping bite.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T26:   Book , what do you do? Red is grappled and vulnerable, but you also sense a temporary boon against Blue.

Fronaldo on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book deftly tumbles north behind red and lashes out with his whip.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Using acrobatics move 2 squares to the NE to position himself behind red for flanking damage.

Attack using Risky Strike and Sneak Attack (Sneak Attack (Ex):  +3d6 precision damage anytime he is flanking foe, or foe would be denied DEX bonus to AC.
*  Ranged attacks only count as a sneak attack if performed within 30'.
*  W/ a weapon that deals NL damage, he can make a sneak attack that deals NL damage instead of lethal damage.
  **  He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal NL damage in a sneak attack—not even with the usual –4 penalty.
*  He must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot.
*  He cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with total concealment.):  (1d20+12)[ 31 ] 

Dmg:  (1d3+10)[ 11 ]  +6 for precision damage
Sneak Attack Damage:  (3d6)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T26:  Book deftly tumbles north behind red and lashes  out with his whip, hitting upper arms, face, and chest with one nasty  slash for  30 .

 R6T21:   Fronaldo , you have a flash of insight on how to cause more pain to Blue. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Blue in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo gives Shersheelda a big thumbs up and grin before sprinting North. He pulls a second tiny dagger from his bandolier as he moves. After acrobatically avoiding Girillion attacks, Fronaldo moves up to the beast Xhan is fighting.
  “Sorry to be late!”  
He slashes at the beastie.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

use acrobatics to avoid AOO.
MA: move 15’ N, 5’ NW, 15’ N, 10’ W
SA: slash at big blue with magic dagger, flank with Xhan, Risky strike, sneak attack
  to hit  - (1d20+13)[ 22 ]  +1 for Goblin Foolhardiness trait, +1 channel vigor, plus other stuff by others?
  to dam  - (1d3+13)[ 16 ]  plus   sneak  - (4d8)[ 15 ]  plus 4 bleed and disoriented.
 
lostsole31
 R6T21:  Fronaldo gives Shersheelda a big thumbs up and  grin before sprinting  North. He pulls a second tiny dagger from his bandolier as he moves.  Because he attempts to cover so much ground, his acrobatics are at full  speed, and he gets nipped by the girallon for his efforts ( 5 ). Fronaldo moves up to the  beast Xhan is fighting and quips,   “Sorry to be late!”  

He slashes at the beastie as its head is still presented to him from  the bite, and cuts it deep in the cheek and behind the ear for  44 + disoriented ( +4 bleed ) .

 R6T20:  Sersheelda's little legs begin moving her to the main battle.

 R6T16:  Blue suffers   4 bleed   ... and falls.

 R6T15:   Gelik , what do you do?

Red on deck, Aron in the hole ...
Master K
Gelik continues his performance as he repositions to get a clear shot at the last remaining foe, before firing off another piercing ray at it.


 
 Spoiler: Take this you damned dirty ape 

FA; maintain performance
MA;5ft NW then 5ft W
SA; Planar Detonation aimed at Red.   RTA  - (1d20+9)[ 26 ]    Dmg  - (3d6)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T15:  Gelik continues his performance as he repositions to get a clear shot at  the last remaining foe, before firing off another piercing ray at it, hitting it in the right shoulder for  11 .

 R6T14:  Red goes into its death throes now. It nips Veress for  1 , then brings all claws to bear against the tiger. Three claws hit for a total of  24 , and Veress is doing very poorly.

 R6T10:  An invisible Aron casts healing on Veress for   18  .

 R6T8:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Veress in the hole ...
silphael
Xhanfaerd steps forward and analyses possibilities, sending his intuitions over the collective.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
5 foot step N (but probably still uses up a move action) then as a move action, aid another for Harrim.

  Aid Another  - (1d20+13)[ 18 ] 
If successful, everybody gains a +2 morale bonus to attack, Harrim gains a +2 circumstance bonus to attack, and I ready Silver Knight's Blade.
 
lostsole31
 R6T8:  Xhanfaerd steps forward and analyzes possibilities, sending his intuitions over the collective.

 R6T7:  Harrim's attack - even with all of the help - is sloppy, and he completely misses.

 R6T6:  Veress loses its grip ... the last girallon is free.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T26:   Book , what do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book continues his onslaught with his whip from the creature's flank.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 

Attack using Risky Strike and Sneak Attack (Sneak Attack (Ex): +3d6 precision damage anytime he is flanking foe, or foe would be denied DEX bonus to AC.
* Ranged attacks only count as a sneak attack if performed within 30'.
* W/ a weapon that deals NL damage, he can make a sneak attack that deals NL damage instead of lethal damage.
** He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal NL damage in a sneak attack—not even with the usual –4 penalty.
* He must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot.
* He cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with total concealment.):  (1d20+12)[ 31 ] 
Dmg:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  +6 (precise strike)

Sneak Attack:  (3d6)[ 8 ] 

Disoriented from Debilitating Injury
 
BuckGodot
Severity roll:  (1d20)[ 11 ] 

Bonus Damage:  (2d6)[ 4 ] 
lostsole31
 R7T26:  Book continues his onslaught with his whip from the creature's flank, flaying it along the ribs and back for  29 , killing it instantly.

Blue bleeds out only three rounds later.

 Combat Ends! 
silphael
Xhanfaerd looks around.

"  I say we recover, then we keep going ? How is everybody ?  "
BuckGodot
Book will apply his Wand of CLW as needed before ensuring his sidearm is fully loaded and clean. Then indicate his readiness to proceed.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo grimaces at the blood and Girallon saliva dirtying his clothing.
  “Ugh!”
  He searches out Aron for some healing before cleaning up the best he can.
He spies Shersheelda and gives her a shrug and a smirk before strolling off tossing his dagger into the air.
lostsole31
  "Well, we are recording not just Saventh-Yhi, but its current occupants,"   says Aron after healing Fronaldo fully.   "Book and Gelik can continue looking at the very near ruins. Meanwhile, Xhanfaerd? You and I will take careful naturalist sketchings and notes of our girallon attackers - height, estimated weight, foot shape for tracking, bite castings, etc. Then, we'll take that back and end for the day."  

The day passes, and the group packs up and heads back to the main Pathfinder encampment to give Amivor the daily findings.

That evening, Xhanfaerd works on his own, devising blocks of ruins and vines to configure weights as best he can for strength training. Gelik talks logistics with the quartermaster. Fronaldo focuses on alchemical R&amp;D, seeing if anything he took from the bodies of the girallons might be useful to him. Book and Sersheelda discuss observed geography of Saventh-Yhi with Amivor.

True to Longmoon, there is a party in the encampment as they celebrate by staying up to greet the dawn. It is a particularly important time for Aron, who gets her power from the moon. On the other hand, Sersheelda never heard of this silliness, and sleeps.
lostsole31
    Starday, 21 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

The next day .... the group continues exploration in Tazion, slowly working south and east. It is slow going as Book wants to check out the buildings, not just pass them. But this is what separates a careful archaeological expedition from "dungeon exploration" with a specific maguffin in mind. They still hoots, hollers, and noises ... but stay clear of confrontation at this time.

Then, the party returns at the end of the day and makes notes applicable to each of their specialities.

This is pretty much the regimen that each day will take - including a break midday for respose from the sun - barring an exceptional find or encounters.

After work and dinner, Aron and Book will work with the other PCs, Amivor, and some select Pathfinders on area avoidance. Aron specializes in teaching simple dance maneuvers that translate to rolls and turns and pullbacks, whereas Book specializes in avoiding common traps.
lostsole31
    Sunday, 22 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

Group explores north from last point, and then east. With the saturation of old buildings, jungle mists, mid-day heavy rains, and the like, visibility isn't what it was, but the group's exploration is steady with progress nonetheless.

By today, Aron has properly trained Veress with basic attack commands for semi-normal combatants, but not yet for anything too weird.

That evening, Aron will give a lecture on jungle flora and fauna, which Sersheelda, Fronaldo, Amivor, and several Pathfinders are sure to attend.
lostsole31
    Moonday, 23 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

The vanguard picks up their "trail" from yesterday and then explore a wide swath moving northwards, which includes being sure of the northern limits of the ruins and even into the jungle. At this yard, the group would have to continue southwest from mid-section of the buildings, it seems, to follow the line of buildings deeper into the ruins that are "connected," though it is true it is not known if something more could be found through the jungles to the north and east on the morrow.

Amivor will work privately with Book on secret defensive exploratory techniques as a Pathfinder delver. Aron and Harrim train under Gelik, learning some gnomish health secrets.
lostsole31
    Toilday, 24 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

Book guides the group east, and then south, over their day of exploration.

After giving the nightly report and dinner, Gelik goads Aron into an argument for argument's sake, which Amivor is unwittingly drawn into as well, much to the overall entertainment of the Pathfinders. Book works privately on his gun combat training, as others likewise work on personal interests.
lostsole31
    Wealday, 25 Abadius 4711 AR (Last Quarter)    

The heroes moves south two units today. Book and Sersheelda receive stealth training from Fronaldo, as Amivor, Xhanfaerd and Aron act as the wolves in rabbit games against them.
lostsole31
    Oathday, 26 Abadius 4711 AR (Last Quarter)    

Today's exploration moves south first, and then east.

 Book , what directions are next?
BuckGodot
Realising he may have missed a section, Book offers apologies to the group. Then says that the plan is to go SW and investigate the buildings there before moving east.
Blackhawk101
The initial excitement of exploring the somehow not ancient ruins has worn off and the diminutive green goblin is growing increasingly bored. As empty ruins slide past as they explore with painful tedious monotonous care, he becomes lost in alchemical theory as he ponders new ways to combine and intensify poisons.
In the evening, Fronaldo will begin to study Issilar’s spell book, working on adding a spell called Protection from Energy to his formula book.
lostsole31
    Fireday, 27 Abadius 4711 AR (Last Quarter)    

Book guides the group as above, definitely striking into a new buildings, but still there is .... something ... about the buildings that seem to provide a unified concept. Still, where this general area seems like it was once mercantile, Book and Gelik seem to translate materials from what was once a fighting school. The information they uncover is fascinating and of special note to Xhanfaerd, Book, and Gelik regarding ancient fighting styles, and later that evening is of great interest to Amivor as well.

If Fronaldo mentions he doesn't think the buildings are that ancient, Gelik (to annoying detail) can probably tell him that ancient, powerful, preservative magics kept the ruins in relatively good shape, for Saventh-Yhi is about 10,000 years old.

That night, Fronaldo realizes he can only do though concepts on  protection from energy , as he needs special transcription materials before he can take notes to translate arcane to alchemical. Still, he takes time attempting to mentally crack the code of the arcane spell.

Book, what is the plan for the morrow?
BuckGodot
While the new section to the south looks desperately inviting, he decides to stick to his plan and head north two squares.
lostsole31
    Starday, 28 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Crescent)    

Book guides the group two units north this time.

That night, Gelik spends a significant amount of time writing his own version of the exploration thus far, hoping to get his own Pathfinder chapbook published when this is all over.

What's next?
BuckGodot
The next day Book will direct everyone north and then east.
lostsole31
    Sunday, 29 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Crescent)    

Harrim will stay behind to perform a non-denominational service and to see to the spiritual needs of the encampment.

I fear that one of the things I don't make clear in my narration, gentle reader, is that you have the impression that you are wandering these ruins in complete loneliness in the muted quiet of ruins. This is not so, for Saventh-Yhi is less of a "complete ruins" and is more of a "ruined  city ." For it hosts much life, and there is much noise of monstrous and inhuman types that call throughout. One of the reasons exploration takes so long ... beyond the rigors of proper archaeological exploration ... is that it is assumed that your little group does note several larger bands of creatures moving through that in no way would you want to interact with in a random nature, so that you move carefully along on your exploration.

Unfortunately or fortunately, other than the girallons a week ago, you've managed to elude any one of the many bands of monsters that you don't want to tangle with unnecessarily.  Still, there is a certain level of complacency that can be bred. And where even Xhanfaerd is very careful of step, both bards make a little more noise than is prudent.

And that is when the group is accosted by a lone girallon.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T20:   Book , what do  you do? You have no weapons in hand. You might have tools or journal or  something else easily dropped, but nothing offensive.
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Draw it this way and I'll attempt to circle around and flank it!"   
 

Book dashes to the west and then heads north in an attempt to navigate around the buildings and somehow come back to flank the creature.

 
 Spoiler 
Dropping whatever he is holding and drawing his whip.
MA: 2 squares west and as far north as he can get looking for a way east (Off the map so I can't say how far I can go.)
 
lostsole31
 R1T20:   
 Spoiler: Book &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Draw it this way and I'll attempt to circle around and flank it!"   
 
  Book dashes to the west and then heads, finds he is blocked if he goes  north, so goes south in an attempt to navigate  around the buildings and somehow come back to flank the creature.

 R1T19:   Gelik , what do you do? You are finding an uncomfortable lack of meat shields between you and the girallon!
Master K
Gelik Swallows hard and raises his hands slowly in what he hopes is a nonthreatening manner while casting Charm Monster on the Girallon.   "Easy there, we mean you no harm. If you just move along, we will be on our way shortly"   slowly Gelik backs away taking a 5 ft step to the NW, never taking his eyes off the girallon.

 
 Spoiler: Gelik&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
  "Don't attack it yet, let it make the first move, with any luck it will leave us be as long as we don't provoke it further."
  
 

 
 Spoiler: Crunchy stuff 
SA; Cast Charm Monster on Girallon
FA; Speak
FA; speak through collective
FA; 5ft step NW subtly/no so subtly putting Aron between him and the Girallon
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Gelik swallows hard and raises his hands slowly  in what he hopes is a  nonthreatening manner .... only to completely ruin that by then speaking  in a strange language in a clear strong voice and breaking his  nonthreatening demeanor with strange arm movements as he casts a spell  with an unseen effect on the Girallon.   "Easy there, we mean you no harm. If you just move along, we will be on our way shortly,"   says Gelik as he backs away, taking a 5 ft step to the NW while never taking his eyes off the girallon.
 
 Spoiler: Gelik &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Don't attack it yet, let it make the first move, with any luck it will leave us be as long as we don't provoke it further."   
 

 R1T18:  Aron very slowly takes out her flute, seemingly prepared to play, but not yet. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Right. I see chivalry is dead in gnomes."   
 
  "Veress, down."  
 R1T17:  Veress obeys, delaying ...

 R1T14:   Fronaldo , what do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo skips forward just ahead of Aron, winking at her as he goes past. He pulls his favorite dagger from his bandolier as he moves. Once in position, the green goblin creates a vile looking orange concoction in a non-threatening manner.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: move East 30’ drawing magic dagger as he does.
SA: prepare Archanotoxin (Strength). Fort DC 18, Freq=4 rnds, 2 consecutive saves.
 
lostsole31
 R1T14:  Fronaldo skips forward just ahead of Aron, winking at her as he goes  past. He pulls his favorite dagger from his bandolier as he moves. Once  in position, the green goblin creates a vile looking orange concoction in a hopefully non-threatening manner.

 R1T10:  The girallon leaves, six-limbing it casually into the jungle.

 Encounter Ends ... 

Unless, of course, anyone wants to give chase.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo’s sighs and carefully removes the archanotoxin from his blade once it is inert.
lostsole31
From where the team began today, it seemed there was a rivening in the earth down which there was a thin brook of water. Once the party finishes going north and east, they see very obviously emplaced areas for water, almost like a reservoir or something, to the east and south which might require more inspection on the morrow. To the north the party has moved away from cramped ruins, though that doesn't mean that nothing lies northwards.

The party returns with the days' results.

Aron finishes her training with Veress, having taught the tiger to overcome its revulsion of strange targets to attack whatever she might designate.  Meanwhile, Xhanfaerd holds combat training for everyone else.

 Fronaldo , Book is trying to ameliorate whatever hostility you seem to have with him by training you in more advanced archaeological techniques. What two squares of an exploration path do you recommend for the party on the morrow?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo is happy to be included in the archeological exploration. Two squares East or so following the road.
lostsole31
    Moonday, 30 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Crescent)    

Today, Fronaldo guides the group back out of the rough to the road, and even checks out part of the long canal-reservoirs while getting the group onto a main road to use as a marker. There's a thinner, longer spur of some canal at the end of the day, and even ancient, long stairs to the north.

Definitely more interesting structures than just more old buildings (though those, from an archaeological standpoint, are still fine to study), and a report is given to Amivor, as usual.

That evening, Book will tutor Amivor, Aron, Gelik &amp; Xhanfaerd in how to psych out an enemy to take the fight out of them before it begins.

 Fronaldo ,, what direction do you recommend on the morrow?
Blackhawk101
The next day Fronaldo guides the party North to the ancient stairs and if viable, down them into their unknown depths…
lostsole31
    Toilday, 31 Abadius 4711 AR (Waning Crescent)    

It's actually a ridiculously wide-set of stairs .... and going only slowly, slowly, slowy upwards ... but still climbing high. Because of the lack of distracting other-explorables on this route, the party is able to make it to the top (today covering a total of four squares).

But in doing so the party is exposed during the worst time of day, meaning that means to abate the weather are needed. Since it usually doesn't take more than four hours, Sersheelda casts  communal endure elements  on the party, but  endure elements  on herself.

The party gets to a wide empty dais on top of the stairs, with lots of large, ornate pillars all around, and the diameter of this smooth-surfaced higher area about 160' across.

And as the party is up there, they hear a screech from the sky. There to the southwest, flying 50' altitude from the marbletop of this great platform, is a large, flying beast.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T21:  Sersheelda shouts a warning to the party,   "Khy-mara! Old scaley ... hot breath line, short range!"   She then moves to the front of the group (in relation to the khy-mara) and readies an action.

 R1T17:   Gelik ,  what do you do? The winged monster has the body and head of a lion, but  two other heads split off from it ... that of a large goat, and that of  a red-scaled dragon.
Master K
Gelik will begin his bardic performance to inspire courage among his allies

 
 Spoiler: spoilers 
MA; Start Bardic Performance
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Gelik will begin his bardic performance to inspire courage among his allies.

 R1T15:   Xhanfaerd , you have nothing in hand right now. What do you do?
silphael
Xhanfaerd takes out his hammer, gathers his malice to his eyes, and sends a volley of force projectiles, before shouting at the beast.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action to take out weapon, swift action to enter the Black Seraph's Glare stance, standard action to cast Magic Missile, with all projectiles targeting the chimera, then free action to intimidate it at +4.

  Damage  - (4d4+4)[ 15 ] 
  Intimidate  - (1d20+18)[ 27 ]  size difference not taken into account.
 
lostsole31
 R1T15:  Xhanfaerd takes out his hammer, gathers his malice to his eyes, and  sends a volley of projectiles that rip into it for   15 force  , before shouting at the beast.

 R1T14:   Fronaldo , what do you do? The monster is 50' off the ground.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo bares his pointed teeth and hisses at the incoming monstrosity before whipping out a bright blue vial and quaffing it. The mini-alchemist disappears in a blink.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: prepare and quaff extract of invisibility (3rd lvl)
MA: move 30’ South pulling magic dagger as he goes.
 
lostsole31
 R1T14:  Fronaldo bares his pointed teeth and hisses at the incoming monstrosity  before whipping out a bright blue vial and quaffing it. The  mini-alchemist disappears in a blink.

 R1T13-11:  Veress delays, waiting for a command. Fruthrin, on the other hand, becomes very wary.

 R1T10:   Book , what do you do? You no longer see Fronaldo.
BuckGodot
Book gasps!   "NO!! Fronaldo! They vaporised him!!! He was too young to go! SURROUND IT AND WE SHALL HAVE REVENGE!!!"    and he draws his whip and his sidearm preparing to move towards the beast.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Draw whip and sidearm

Planning to move straight west to draw its attention.
 
lostsole31
 R1T10:  Book gasps!   "NO!! Fronaldo! They vaporised him!!! He was too young to go! SURROUND IT AND WE SHALL HAVE REVENGE!!!"    and he draws his whip and his sidearm preparing to move towards the beast.

 R1T9:   The khy-mara charges Xhanfaerd, but as it does so, Sersheelda gets off a  shot ... an SLA that is her letting loose with a wad of caustic powder  that hits the clumsy beast in the wing for   6 acid  . It doesn't even register the pain as it lands a terribly painful bite in Xhanfaerd's vulnerable abdomen for  16 + sickened . It's flight is ended in its charge 5' above the ground.

 R1T8:   Aron adjusts well to the east while drawing her whip, casts a spell,  and from the palm of her hand a beam of light launches forth to catch  the khy-mara in the other wing for  11 . She then calls Veress to attack the monster. She gives the monster a look and says over the collective... 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "We call it a 'chimera,' a classic monster of myth that we should be able to handle. Just be careful, though, as its heads can handle multiple attackers just fine. They are born of primordial evil, so we have no tears if we kill it."   
 

 R1T7:  Veress closes and bites the monster in the foreleg for  16 .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T17:   Gelik , you are orating right now. What do you do?

Xhanfaerd on deck, Fronaldo in the hole ...
Master K
Gelik will conitune orating and fire his Planar detonation at the Chimera

 
 Spoiler: fluff 
FA; continue bardic performance
SA; Planar Detonation  RTA  - (1d20+9)[ 24 ]    Dmg  - (3d6)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Gelik continues orating, and screeches his planar detonation at the chimera to hit it in the wing for   13 sonic  .

 R2T15:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do? You are still feeling the pain from that last crit.

Fronaldo on deck, Fruthrin in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will do some invisi-alchemy.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: prepare Strength Archanotoxin max potency.
MA: apply said archanotoxin to blade
FrA: smirk happily and analyze opponent
 
silphael
In pain, Xhanfaerd changes his stance, before unleashing a heavy hammer strike.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   Be ready to strike, just like that !   "
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift action to switch to Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess, rerolling either the first failed save, or the first attack roll hitting me.

Move action to aid myself. If it succeeds, +2 to my next attack, and +2 to all allies' attack rolls.

Standard action, Harmony Shattering Strike, spending 3 PP to share it with Book and 2 PP to increase bonus damage and DC (Will DC 20 to avoid being nauseated for one round, and the target will take 5d6 extra damage).

  Aid Myself  - (1d20+13)[ 16 ] 
  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 25 ] 
  Damage  - (7d6+10)[ 39 ] 

Defensive effects :
-rerolling either the first failed save, or the first attack roll hitting me
-redirecting to myself the first damage suffered by an ally in the collective, spending PP to reduce it without overspending PP.
 
lostsole31
 R2T15:  In pain, Xhanfaerd changes his stance, before unleashing a heavy hammer strike against its upper foreleg for  23 .  
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
"   Be ready to strike, just like that!   "
 
Book feels his mind fill with esoteric martial knowledge that he can use, regardless of melee or ranged (his choice)!
 R2T14:  Fronaldo does some invisi-alchemy.

 R2T11:  Fruthrin closes and actually lands a crit, biting the chimera in the gut for  15 ( +1d4 bleed ) !

 R2T10:   Book ,  as noted, your mind fills with martial knowledge that coul be used for a  dedicated single shot or strike (SA to use). What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Chimera in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book dashes southeast to attempt to flank the beast and using his sudden insight strikes with his whip.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move 30' (6 squares) SE

Attack Action: Attack using Risky Strike and Precise Strike

Attack Roll:  (1d20+12)[ 14 ]  +2 from Xhanfaerd

Precise Strike (Ex): Maintain 1 panache, +6 [CL] precision damage w/ Lt/ 1H P-melee weapon.
*  He cannot attack w/ a weapon in his other hand or use a shield other than a buckler.
*  He can even use this ability w/ thrown Lt/ 1H P-melee weapons, so long as the target is w/in 30' of him.
*  Any creature immune to sneak attacks is immune to the additional damage granted by precise strike, and any item or ability that protects a creature from critical hits also protects it from the additional damage of a precise strike.

Damage:  (1d3+10)[ 13 ]  +6 for Precise Strike

Sneak Attack Damage for flanking:  (3d6)[ 10 ] 

Debilitating Injury: Disoriented

Sneak Attack (Ex):  +3d6 precision damage anytime he is flanking foe, or foe would be denied DEX bonus to AC.


Debilitating Injury (Ex):  Whenever he deals sneak attack damage to a foe, he can also debilitate his target, causing it to take a penalty for 1 round.
*  Penalties do not stack, but additional attacks that deal sneak attack of same injury increase duration by +1 rd.
*  A creature cannot suffer from more than one type of debilitating injury at a time. If a new type is applied, old penalty immediately ends.
*  Any form of healing applied to a target suffering from one of these penalties also immediately removes the penalties.
&gt;&gt;&gt;  Bewildered:  -2 penalty to AC, but -4 penalty to AC vs. Book's attacks.
&gt;&gt;&gt;  Disoriented:  -2 to attack rolls, but -4 to attack rolls vs. Book.
&gt;&gt;&gt;  Hampered:  All of foe's speeds are reduced by half (min 5'), and target cannot take a 5-foot-step.
 
lostsole31
 R2T10:  Book dashes southeast to attempt to flank the  beast and using his sudden insight strikes he realizes that ... because  he had to stop short with Sersheelda in the way ... he has to use his  pepperbox instead of his whip. He takes aim and fires, but misses.

 R2T9.5:  Sersheelda sees that Book wanted to go to that spot, and she steps away while casting a spell on herself.

 R2T9:  The chimera takes   1 bleed  .  With perfect precision and very little effort, it recovers from the  charge and shifts its facing mid-hover, breathing a cone that catches  Veress, Sersheelda, and Book. Veress and Book manage to totally clear  the cone, but Sersheelda gets caught .... but the burning wounds show on  Xhanfaerd for   3 fire (and 6 PP)  . Seeing little effect from the flame and its life force bleeding out, the chimera's three heads roar in frustration.

 R2T8:  Aron hooks to flank while drawing her short sword and stabs the chimera in the haunches for  16 , Xhanfaerd's resonance and Gelik's oration helping her strike harder.

 R2T7:  Veress, outside of Xhanfaerd's power, nonetheless gives a staggering bite for  16 + 8 NL + grab , and then claws for  13 , and another claw which boxes the ear for  14 + deafened  + dropped!

Veress will savage the chimera's remains until it moves no more.

 Combat Ends ... 
Blackhawk101
After a few moments Fronaldo pops back into view, dejectedly kicking pebbles as he moves over to examine the Chimera. Hopefully it would have some useful poison or other alchemical goodies he could scavenge.
lostsole31
Fronaldo does indeed find ... no poison, but a variety of things on the chimera that will be good to help replace some of the materials in his alchemy crafting kit (but not as resource base for alchemically-crafted items ... just the RP for maintaining his poisons and extracts). Such a magical beast is quite useful for the maintenance aspect, as he looks at his alchemy crafting kit, and truth be told he was running low on webshooter fluid.🙂
lostsole31
With nothing of value up here, the chimera is harvested for whatever good those that can make use of it can, but the team ... knowing that the flashiness so high up might attract unwanted attention, beat feet back to the camp and provide a report.

Having seen a creature unlike anything she'd ever witnessed before, Sersheelda has much to meditate upon. Amivor is putting together a map based on the team's explorations thus far, sharing his knowledge of his skill with Fronaldo and Book. Gelik enthralls the main encampment with the story of the fight against the chimera.

 

    Wealday, 1 Calistril 4711 AR (Waning Crescent)    

The party is ready to explore again. What route will Book ask to take today from where you were yesterday? or will he seek an entirely different split-off?
BuckGodot
Realising Frondo has a bit more of a chaotic nature than is required by most archeological disciplines, Book wants to resume the grid search pattern. (Noted on the map on Discord.)

2 Squares to the south from where noted is where he wants to search.
lostsole31
The team explores some of the long canal/reservoir sections of the city and heads past and back into the main ruins of the once mercantile district, then returns to give their report.

That evening, Xhanfaerd gathers everyone (except Harrim, who wants to meditate instead) for combat training. Later, he and Book focus down by helping Fronaldo with a request on tactics to fight off multiple attackers.

 

    Oathday, 2 Calistril 4711 AR (New Moon)
 Cayden Cailean Holy Day: Merrymead     

Amivor tells you before you go out that in the evening he will be busy celebrating Merrymead in honor of his deity (Cayden Cailean), and therefore today is a day "off" for him, and will not be doing a debrief that night.

 Book , which way today?
BuckGodot
Book expresses his desire to complete this section before exploring further.  
 Spoiler: Directions  
One square east and one square north.
 
lostsole31
The group continues to explore the areas of the long canals, and search a wider area given the openness of their current site. They end the day noting a body of water that is potentially not a canal to the east, but pull back before overextending.

That night, as mentioned, Amivor is drunk on some things he brought for himself. He didn't bring enough to share, sadly, only enough for him to observe the right of Merrymead as he knew he'd be in the field on this hoiiday. Meanwhile, Fronaldo teaches survival techniques to Book, Sersheelda, &amp; Aron. Gelik entertains the other Pathfinders with many exploits of his close escapes. Xhanfaerd and Harrim each meditate on their own.
 
    Fireday, 3 Calistril 4711 AR (New Moon)    

Which way today, Book?
BuckGodot
Back to the waters edge and north.
lostsole31
It is during the morning exploration in the wide open section of the canals working to the water's edge that the party spots 3 boar off in the distance.

Do you wish to kill them? Do you wish to wait for them to move off?
BuckGodot
Book points and says,   "How's our party food supply?"  
lostsole31
Having spoken aloud with no use of the collective or desire to whisper, the boar notice the much larger group of big creatures down the way, and scurry away and out of sight. The party continues their search up to the water's edge. The water's edge here is not a natural beach, but a stone stopping point that abuts the water. The water at this point continues its edge about 200 yards to the northeast.  To the southwest in the other direction, there seems to be an old ruined type of bridge or something that heads out across the water, likely coming into contact with what appears to be a large, man-made island to the southeast that is a hundred yards or so away at its closest point.  The party then headds to the northeast along the edge for a couple hundred feet of exploration of the nearby structures before returning to the camp.

That evening, Fronaldo tutors Gelik on light-fingered exercises. Xhanfaerd will work with Aron on mental-spiritual conditioning, with Aron returning the favor by helping Xhanfaerd better understand and resist a variety of specific verbal enchantments. The rest of the party likewise sits in on this training.
 
    Starday, 4 Calistril 4711 AR (New Moon)    

What way today?
BuckGodot
North one square to ensure we have everything covered there and then east one.
lostsole31
Exploration continues per Book's direction and returns for debrief.

That eve, Xhanfaerd works on upper-level spellwork. Gelik tutors Aron on rehearsal and performance techniques. Fronaldo works on physical conditioning and poison immunity titration. Amivor tutors Sersheelda on the geography of the "Overburn." Book works on his whip-and-pepperbox combat style.
 

    Sunday, 5 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

Harrim stays back at camp today to conduct an nondenominational service and to see to the spiritual needs of the many NPCs of the camp.

Meanwhile, where to now,  Book ?
BuckGodot
NE one square and then North one square.
lostsole31
The party continues to explore along the water's edge and the adjacent (and adjacent-adjacent) buildings, heading northeast and north as the water's edge then heads east.  They return to report/ debrief/ journal.

Fronaldo does general experimentation with body parts and effluvia taken from the chimera. Where yesterday Gelik tutored Aron on technique, today Aron tutors Gelik on artistic presence. Book simply takes it easy on a Sunday evening and rests. It's leg day for Xhanfaerd's strength training.
 

    Moonday, 6 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

Book, which way(s)?
BuckGodot
Due north for two squares, please.
lostsole31
The party explores due north, reaching the southernmost tip of a different body of water, and then return "home" to debrief.

Xhanfaerd runs combat training for everyone except Aron, who turns in early, complaining of headaches brought on by "strange whispers." 😦

 

    Toilday, 7 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

Book, which way today?
BuckGodot
North one square. West one square.
lostsole31
The party explores north, but because of the large waterway have to backtrack to explore the western bank as well. The ruins of the city-proper are diminishing here. The party returns to camp.

That evening, as part entertainment and part didacticism, Xhanfaerd starts to mention other magical creatures - not unlike the chimera - that exist in mythology and legend. Sersheelda, Book, Amivor, Aron, Gelik, and many of the Pathfinders enjoy this. Fronaldo doesn't find Xhanfaerd an engaging speak and is bored, and when Xhanfaerd doesn't include alchemical usages for owlbear feathers, Fronaldo just goes off to work on knife techniques to work out his overall, weeks-long boredom.

 

    Wealday, 8 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

What's next, Book?
BuckGodot
Due west two squares, please.
lostsole31
The party has only just begun heading west, when a short, squat, bald-headed man with slate gray skin accosts you with a deep and scratchy voice.   "Who are you that dithers about the ruins of Saventh-Yhi?"  
BuckGodot
Book steps back from a fascinating mural he was investigating and says,   ”Greetings, friend. We are but a humble group of archaeologists. Researchers hoping to learn from and preserve the ancient mysteries of the peoples who were here before us. What brings you to these wonderful ruins?”  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo eyes the stranger, fingering the hilt of one of his knives.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

using his keen powers of observation and almost supernatural ability to sense motives, Fronaldo studies the newcomer.
 
lostsole31
The little man makes a circuit more to the west to see more of the party, and they him.

  "My name is Dr. Kilral Blackmountain, Aspis Consortium .... member of your biggest competitors ... and we are here in Saventh-Yhi now as well."  
  "Doo-gar! Kill 'em!"   shouts a warning cry from Sersheelda, though she doesn't do anything until the group commits.

  "She's right,"   says Harrim.   "Degenerate duergar,"   he adds spitting,   "but, I guess, we are all doomed, so perhaps such delineations are pointless."  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo casually saunters West 5 ft. to better take advantage of cover while keeping an eye on the good doctor.
lostsole31
  "Yes,"   he smiles,   "kill me for my race, or the color of my skin. Anyway, we are here now. My camp is just north up this side of this finger lake. Where is your encampment. Perhaps we can find a tentative truce?"  
BuckGodot
Looking the man over, Book says to the group,  ”Lets not be hasty…”  Turning back he says,  “I’m not in a position to make that call, however, I’ll take your offer back to the head cheese and see what’s decided.”  and turns to the others.

 “We’ll call it a day here and report back.” 
 
 Spoiler: Technical Information  
Assess and try to sense if he’s lying. (Sense Motive)
 
Master K
Gelik will keep an eye on the rear to make sure the group isnt being followed/Alert them if they are
lostsole31
Everything about this guy is off. He seems super-sus. The problem is that when people are being sus, you don't know what is truth and what is lie.
BuckGodot
Right. So… back to camp.  
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Gelik TP 
   ”Lets do our best to make sure we’re not followed…”   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will endeavor to obfuscate their tracks.
lostsole31
  "HOW DARE YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON ME, THOUGH SALMON-SKINNED CRETINS! PREPARE TO DIE!"  
 Begin Round One ...

  R1T27:  Veress, instantly sensing hostility, roars in readiness for his mistress' commands.

 R1T25:  Sersheelda snarls and moves to a better vantage point.   "No ken ass-piss. Doogar killies fam. Die, now!"    she shouts before casting a spell and sending forth a mote of flame at  the duergar but it goes wildly up into the canopy before guttering out,  though she still has a mote of flame resting in her palm still.

 R1T22:   Book , this took a strange turn. What do you do?
BuckGodot
Book draws his whip and begins a mighty display of prowess.

 
 Spoiler: TP: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Everyone stand down. This stinks of a setup! Defense only!"   
 

  "Stay back!"  
 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Dazzling Display (Ex):  FRA, while wielding any flails group weapon (incl. whips), he makes an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes w/in 30' who can see his display.
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:  Book draws his whip and begins a mighty display of prowess, saying,   "Stay back!"   
 Spoiler: Book &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Everyone stand down. This stinks of a setup! Defense only!"   
 

 R1T21:    "Veress, down!"   shouts Aron as she casts a spell on herself and takes a mid-party position.

 R1T19:   Fronaldo , what do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo grabs a dagger, squeaks “  Eeep!  ” and ducks behind some cover before quaffing an extract. He disappears from everyone’s view.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Ma:Draw his favorite magic dagger and Duck behind some bushes and ruins. It doesn’t need to be full cover. Feign frightened goblin squeak.
SA:drink extract of invisibility
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Fronaldo grabs a dagger, squeaks “  Eeep!  ” and ducks behind some cover before quaffing an extract. He disappears from everyone’s view.

 R1T16:   Gelik , what do you do?
Master K
Gellik will begin his oration to inspire courage, and ready himself to fire upon the strange man should he actually decide to attack.


 
 Spoiler: pay no attn to the rolls behind the curtain 
MA; begin bardic performance, Inspire Courage.
RA; If the stranger Attacks and Ally then Fire a Planar Detonation at Stranger. [/roll=Attack]1d20+9[/roll]    Dmg  - (3d6)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:  Gelik begins his oration to inspire courage, and readies himself to  fire upon the strange man should he actually decide to attack.

 R1T14:   Though a little shaken, the duergar begins casting a spell that Gelik  doesn't recognize, so it isn't until the spell is successfully finished  and he actually shoots forth a beam of energy at the tiger that Gelik  reflexively shoots at him with a planar detonation as well. Gelik's shot  goes wide, but the dark energy of the dwarf's spell hits Veress  squarely. Despite the perfect shot, Veress is too mighty a target to be  felled by such simple tools.

 R1T13:  Fruthrin  Steelfeet, Sersheelda's spectral wolf, comes out of the area where it is  to bite the duergar's lower right arm for 5. So savage is Fruthrin's  worrying of his target that the dwarf is knocked off of his feet.

 R1T12:  Veress moves over to his mistress to protect her.

 R1T10:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...
silphael
Taking out his hammer, Xhanfaerd steps to the front, forming a second first line aside from the tiger, before taking a stance and casting Haste on as many allies as possible.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moving 1 NW 5W while unsheathing weapon, then enter Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess, rerolling either the first attack that hits me, or my first failed save.
Then I cast Haste, centered on the center group (so both NE and SW characters aren't in, I can't include one of them without removing someone due to the "not two of which are more than 30 feet apart" clause)
I'll redirect damage to myself, too, no matter how low the damage.
 
lostsole31
 R1T10:  Taking out his hammer, Xhanfaerd steps to the front, forming a second  first line aside from the tiger, before taking a stance and casting  haste   on as many allies as possible (which includes all but Fruthrin Steel  feet, Sersheelda, and Gelik - because they're out of range; and Fronaldo  - because he's invisible).

 R1T3:  Harrim casts a  spell, and now in addition to Gelik's oration and Xhanfaerd's speed  spell, everyone feels a calm focus in battle to help them bring about  the end of their enemy.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T25:  Sersheelda goes up to the fallen duergar and swings at him with her fiery hand, missing wildly.

 R2T22:   Book ,  you feel yourself amped up in speed! What do you do? 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You  get bonuses (that I deal with), an additional attack when making a FAA,  and +30' speed.
 

Aron on deck, Fronaldo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book draws his sidearm and rushes to the downed foe. Kneeling on his chest, he places the weapon to the enemy's head and says,   "Look here, little fellow, I don't know what your game is but you can either stop right now and live to regret it or we can just end you. You are clearly outnumbered and outgunned. Stand. Down. Now!"  
 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move 6 squares west. (Surefooted)
SwA: Draw weapon

Use Intimidate to end conflict
 
lostsole31
 R2T22:  Book draws his sidearm and rushes to the downed foe while taking out his pepperbox. Book fails to grapple the duergar.   "Look  here, little fellow, I don't know what your game is but you can either  stop right now and live to regret it or we can just end you. You are  clearly outnumbered and outgunned. Stand. Down. Now!"  
  "Foolish interloper!"   the duergar cackles maniacally ...

 R2T21:  Aron casts a spell on herself, and whirling globes of distracting color orbit and surround her before she moves out.

...   "Flee Saventh-Yhi!"  
 R2T19:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Dr. Blackmountain in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo does something invisibly…probably.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: create archanotoxin Strength, full power
MA: apply to magic dagger
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  Fronaldo does something invisibly…probably.

 R2T15:   Gelik , what do you do? You are currently inspiring courage.

Dr. Blackmountain on deck, Fruthrin in the hole ...
Master K
Gelik will continue to orate but otherwise hold his ground
lostsole31
 R2T15:  Gelik continues to orate, but otherwise holds his ground.

 R2T14:   It seems the good duergar is already over his fear of Book. He  carefully casts a spell upon himself using some type of primitive fetish  and then tries to stand. Sersheelda gores him in the lower right arm  with her strange set of horns for  15  and Book lashes him in the shoulder with his whip for  15 , and Fruthrin bites him in the upper right arm for  7 .    "I will end you all, and we Aspis will fall upon your people and wipe their presence from this land!"    he yells, cackling as he moves a little bit, albeit into a flanked position.

 R2T13:  Fruthrin moves up and snaps his jaws, biting through the armor, but now being stopped by the duergar's toughened skin.

 R2T12:  Veress pads up to the gray man and bites him in the left knee and holds on, slashes him in the neck with a forepaw, tears into his head with his other forepaw, and his two back legs totally disembowel the gray dwarf.

Dr.  Kilral Blackmountain's countenance changes from maniacal hate to an  almost distant smile, though even that is still hideous on his torn-face  death rictus.

 Combat Ends! 
BuckGodot
  ”Damn it! Im sure that was a setup to invite revenge… Well. Let’s check him over for clues and report back…”  Book says.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo pops back into view, grumbling to himself about crazy deep dwarves not being worthy of a fight. He shuffles over to the fallen figure and rifles through his gear looking for anything interesting. He also performs a medical examination of the corpse to try and see if he was ill or suffering from a physical malady of some sort.
lostsole31
The duergar had the following equipment...
 
 Spoiler: Equipment 
Scythe
Sling w/ (20) bullets
Club
Dagger (more tool in design than weapon)

Hide armor

Explorer's Outfit
Spell Component Pouch (these are personalized, not one-size-fits-all)

Masterwork Backpack, containing...
  * Alchemist's fire (2)
* Acid Flask (2) 
 
Other than the backpack, nothing is masterwork.

What do you take (for the party, I do NOT want to hear about what you want to keep for yourself right now)?

The duergar died by multiple wounds of various types, mainly brought on by disemboweling and critical skull concussion commensurate with the natural attacks of a large hunting cat. There seem to be no signs of any physical ailments.

What else do you do here?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo definitely suggests that they take the alchemical weapons but the rest does not interest him.
lostsole31
The party leaves the body as is ... doesn't check the immediate area ...  and returns to the encampment to debrief Amivor. Amivor finds the news  disturbing. While there was no "bronze shield" that Amivor expected you  to find from an Aspis agent, he can't ignore the fact that the  Pathfinder Society's main competition ... the Aspis Consortium ... has  found their way to Saventh-Yhi. From the description of your  interaction, it definitely doesn't sound like the duergar was acting in  duergar interests.

That evening, Fronaldo tutors Harrim, Gelik and Xhanfaerd on economic theory.

 

    Oathday, 9 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

What's the plan for today?
BuckGodot
It may be a little late, but Book suggests we send a scout out to check out the alleged encampment the dead fellow said was there. As to the continued exploration. 2 squares due west, please.
lostsole31
Does anyone volunteer to be "a scout?"
Blackhawk101
  “Me! I will do it!”   shouts Fronaldo excitedly. He waves Book over.
  “Are you coming “scouting?!”  
BuckGodot
Book looks at Fronaldo and back at the others and shrugs.   ”We’ll be back…”  

He turns to Fronaldo and gestures ahead.   “Let’s go take a look.”  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo smiles toothily and takes a short lead heading back to the location of the Duergar encounter.
  “Hey Book! Do we want to capture one of them alive for, you know,“interigation”? ​

Well…mostly alive?”,   asks the little green goblin.
BuckGodot
Book looks at Fronaldo…   ”What? No! Of course not!”  
lostsole31
Well, hopefully you are looking to be stealth AFTER you get to this point, as the two scouts - Book and Fronaldo - were just chatting away.

Okay, you are at the scene of where you killed the duergar (you think), but while there is blood and the like, there is no body.
BuckGodot
Book looks for signs of whether the body was dragged away or otherwise.
Blackhawk101
A slightly deflated Fronaldo helps Book look for clues as to where the body went.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

he will aid Book to search
 
lostsole31
Interestingly enough, while Fronaldo normally isn't that aware, when looking for tracks, signs of passage, living off the land, not getting lost, etc. .... Fronaldo is the best survivalist and tracker in the group. This is probably because while Fronaldo is usualy internally focused and intellectual, he enjoys to some degree what amounts to a type of "puzzle" in figuring out tracks, where as more intuitive or reactive sensory input he is less adroit. Book, for his point, is a decent assistant.

Unfortunately, it's been a day ... there are the usual mid-day heavy rains, and it isn't missed by Fronaldo that it seems that very specific attempts were made to hide passage. In the end, the two scouts don't find much to work with, and are unable to pick up the trail at any point.

Now what?
Blackhawk101
  “The deep dwarf said North from here along the lake to their camp, right? We should check it out.   says Fronaldo excitedly. There is a gleem in his red eyes as if he hungers for mayhem and excitement.
BuckGodot
Book nods and switching to stealthy mode heads north with the wee green man in tow…
lostsole31
In extremely short order, the ruins-proper fall behind as Book and Fronaldo follow along the jungle along the western bank of an 80-foot-wide ancient canal or finger lake (hard to tell which) that extends north briefly before you can see from the bank that it slowly turns eastwards.

About 250' or so north of where you started, is a full-size encampment ... a match in manpower and organization as your own full Pathfinder encampment. You see the flag flying of the Aspis Consortium.

What do you do?
BuckGodot
Book gestures to Fronaldo to start backing away and we'll head back to camp to report.


 
 Spoiler: TP Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Frontman 
   "Yup. He wasn't lying! We need to get back and report this..."   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo nods and backs away with Book.
lostsole31
Meanwhile, Aron, Xhanfaerd, Sersheelda, and Harrim wait, with increasing worry ... not realizing that the two jokers decided to go right back to camp instead of catching up with their friends first.
BuckGodot
Remembering that they apparently led the group away from the camp first, Book changes direction towards the other group members while glancing at Fronaldo and rolling his eyes.
lostsole31
Once the two scouts regroup with the others, the group as a whole return to the main encampment and report to Amivor.

He nods his head philosophically, seemingly unworried.   "We knew that we weren't going to be the only ones. I'm sure that the Free Captains and Sargavan military will find their way here before too long, so we can expect to see signs of them as well."  

From the day's scouting mission, Fronaldo realizes that while training is one thing, he had better help tutor Book's overall physique in fine motor control. Whatever the goblin may think about his rival, he can respect his agility, so perhaps helping Book develop his wouldn't be a bad thing if more scouting missions are called for. Aron gets in on this training as well.
 

    Fireday, 10 Calistril 4711 AR (First Quarter)    

What's the plan of exploration today, Book?
BuckGodot
West two squares, please.
lostsole31
Moving west is all jungle, so there was little cataloguing and slow-exploration, meaning more time to explore. Where next?
BuckGodot
One square west and one north, please.
lostsole31
And with that, the group charts a portion of the jungle surrounding (or surrounded by) Saventh-Yhi, and then return to the main encampment.

With the day mainly being about jungle movment, Fronaldo gives survival training to Book, Aron, &amp; Sersheelda.
 

    Starday, 11 Calistril 4711 AR (First Quarter)    

Which way today, Book?
BuckGodot
Two west, please.
lostsole31
More jungle, less exploration. You can select two more squares..
BuckGodot
West 1. North 1.
lostsole31
With the party at this distance, do you take an exploratory route back to camp, or fishhhook all the way to the east, then south, then west?
BuckGodot
Fishhook, definitely.
lostsole31
The party returns, showing a rough map of their jungle movements. Amivor mentions that there is definitely a large encampment that seems to have set up about 500' northeast or so of the Pathfinders' encampment. He figures that it is either the Free Captains or the Sargavan Government that have arrived.

That evening, Aron and Gelik have a passionate discussion about the performing arts. Amivor, Book, and Xhanfaerd talk about various combat practices and styles. Sersheelda and Harrim have a spiritual discussion.

 

    Sunday, 12 Calistril 4711 AR (First Quarter)    

What is the plan today?
BuckGodot
South two squares, please.
lostsole31
The party's exploration leads them right up to sparse stone ruins, their roofs open to the sky and their walls thick with vines, perching next to three crystal blue pools in this circular, bowl-shaped valley.

Every. single. one of you .... note that while the sounds of jungle life remain strong beyond the edges of this valley, the singing of birds and even the whirring of insects is strangely absent within.

Your day's exploration leads you right to this point but not beyond. You are starting to lose the light. Does the party want to press on anyway or hold off?
BuckGodot
Book votes to come back in the daylight so everything can be properly examined and catalogued.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo suppresses a shiver of unease at the unearthly quite valley and votes to leave and come back tomorrow.
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods.

"  We should keep it for tomorrow, indeed.  "
lostsole31
And the party carefully backs out and returns only along previously explored routes to then debrief Amivor.

That evening, before discussions and training, Harrim - the cleric of Groetus - informs the party.   "Whatever import you have taken upon yourself on the morrow, I will note be with you, for it is Sunday. And I will see to the spiritual needs of the camp. I only say this, because creepy quiet often smacks of spooks and the dead."  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo sidles up to Book nervously.   “Maybe we should wait until the day after tomorrow to explore the creepy ruins? Ghosts give me the willies! Plus I can’t stab them real well because…you know…already dead. Maybe explore a faster route from here to the creepy place and then the next day go in with the cleric. …in front.”  
BuckGodot
Book says,   "Come on guys... Ghosts and ghoulies? Really? Fine. How about we take a rest day? I'm sure all the other camps are too..."  
lostsole31
Xhanfaerd and Gelik ... are you fine with resting a day?
Master K
Gellik shrugs,    "I have no desire to fight the undead without a reliable link to the Devine on my side, so i see no reason not to postpone our exploration of that clearing until one can accompany us"   
silphael
Nodding, Xhanfaerd adds.

"  Indeed, we should take one day off, at the very least. Even if necessity dictates we hustle, there are still benefits to taking a break : we will have time to take a new, different approach on our latest discoveries, and that also gives us time to review and reorder our records.  "
lostsole31
Everyone enjoys the evening in leisuretime activities for this Sunday.

 

    Moonday, 13 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous)    

There may have been a miscommunication ... yesterday was Sunday, that's why you didn't push forward. That said, do you want to take a day off on this day for a "mental health break" since the group as a whole has been pushing pretty hard?
BuckGodot
Book is anxious to continue the archeological exploration but will agree to another rest day if the group desires it.
lostsole31
Aron, on the other hand, feels a compulsion to move forward ... specifically back to the cenotes ... to see if the party can find the source of environmental unease and how to heal it.

Harrim thinks waiting for the end to come is ridiculous. "If our doom is today or tomorrow, let it be today and we greet it with a smile."

Sersheelda, on the other hand, is very reticent to fight anything spooky, but she wants to know before she sets up her dailies. Otherwise, she could use a rest just because the group has been hitting it hard and nonstop.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo is ready to go if everyone else is.
silphael
Hesitating, Xhanfaerd adds.

"  But we could also rest after exploring those ruins, it's true. I'm for that.  "
Master K
while not thrilled with the prospect of fighting undead Gelik knows that the expedition is on a clock, especially with the some of the other companies already having their own camps set up, and undoubtedly teams of their own out exploring. so he is in favor of pushing onward, the chronicle of there heroic deeds cant be written without said heroic deeds.
lostsole31
The workaholics get the vote! (Does that make them the Labour Party?)

 Book , where are you exploring today? Are you going back to the cenotes and exploring further to determine the cause of unease in the area, or leaving it alone for now?
BuckGodot
Book is curious about the cenotes and wishes to return and resume/begin their excavation.
lostsole31
Considering you presume that something spooky will come your way, does anyone want to do something different for their dailies?

EDIT:  Sersheelda dismisses Fruthrin and the big cow horns she had before. Now, she has a wolf's ruff at her neck ... she has a glowing hoop earring ... and there is a semi-transparent overlay to her fists going back to her wrists that include a large set of vambraces for protection. She still has the weird shifting sand around her feet as before.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will mix different concoctions for his extracts today to adjust to the possibility of incorporeal threats.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

swap 1st level extract monkeyfish for a second shield.
 
silphael
Xhanfaerd sticks to his current loadout of spells, but readies Bilious Strike instead of Gutstrike.
lostsole31
The party makes its careful fishhok around to then carefully begin exploring down into the valley with the three large cenotes, incidentally "closing a loop" by doing so as far as overall explored area.

The cenotes are ahead but at a distance, and now you are thick in the local stillness. What do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo shivers instinctively and then points to Xhan, then to his own head and makes a rough circle in the air with his finger towards the other members of the party. He quaffs a vile of vibrant green fluid and his skin takes on a fine scaled sheen and his eyes change to a reptilian pupil.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

drink mutagen
 
lostsole31
Aron communicates ...  
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Fronaldo) 
   "Fronaldo, what are you trying to pantomime? We have Xhanfaerd's collective, you know."   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo frowns at Xhan.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “You really need to give us a sign or something when you turn it on!”
   
 
BuckGodot
Book looks at the two of them and chuckles. Then starts making his way south towards the first pool.
lostsole31
As the party gets closer, the odd topography gives way to reveal a ruined building in a hollow in the center of the three cenotes.

As Book stands at the cenote, it seems treacherous to get to close, but the crumbling parts of the ancient sinkhole long ago subsided, leaving a clear dropoff underwater.
BuckGodot
Book points to the building in the center and carefully backs away from the edge. Then tries to safely navigate towards the building.
lostsole31
The party easily navigates its way down the ruined building. It is important to note that this is acutally a  ruined  building, as compared to the excellent state of the "ruins" of Saventh-Yhi. It is made of wood, not stone, and appears to be far more contemporary - despite its delapidated state and ruined wooden structure - than anything the Azlanti left behind.

Coming out of the walls of building and up out of the ground, army ants begin to crawl in increasing numbers!

What do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo follows Book closely, moving quietly. He draws his favorite dagger.
BuckGodot
The hairs on the back of Books neck stand up and he pauses turning round to look at Fronaldo and his dagger… then draws his whip.

 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   ”Somehow I don’t think our standard weapons will do much good here… anyone got any area of effect things?”   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo backs away from the ants.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “I have a couple flasks of Alchemist’s Fire and I can turn my Archanotoxin into a gas cloud but I have never tested it against a swarm before.”
   
 
   
   
Master K
Gelik shakes his head   "I've got nothing that is of much use against swarming insects."  
silphael
Xhanfaerd gets ready to cast a spell.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   I can cast stone call, but it's unlikely to deal enough damage to get rid of all of them by itself. I can damage them with my hammer, though.   "
 
lostsole31
Aron casts a spell on herself, so that maybe army ants leave her be. She  backs up, directing Veress to follow her. Harrim briefly takes out a  cured strip of layer before casting a spell on himself and then readying his heavy flail. Sersheelda backs away carefully.

 Surprise Round ...

S19:  Something seems to appear out of the ground, with a much larger, concentrated force of army ants surrounding it.   "It's mine!"    the army-ant-covered newcomer shouts frantically as it tries to grab  Gelik's foot on its way up out of the ground. But instead of grabbing  Gelik, the hand passes through Gelik's right foot for   42 + sickened + disoriented  ,  as the area of his foot and going up his leg withers and his skin  scales and even farther out along his body Gelik's beard and hair start  to turn gray and his face shows signs of wrinkles!

Meanwhile, the  army ants that now swarm in great thickness around him attack Harrim,  Gelik, Fronaldo, Veress, Xhanfaerd, and Book. They swarm and bite and  attack for   11  . Xhanfaerd, figuring that his  swarmbane clasp  would save him, realizes with a shock that it does nothing against this onslaught!

Harrim and Veress are going through a freak-out from being covered by the army ants!

 Gelik, Fronaldo, Xhanfaerd, &amp; Book ,  roll Fort saves! You are all surprised, so may not use any choice-based  ability you would choose to use to help you. Only currently active,  static abilities may help.
BuckGodot
Books Fortitude save

 
 Spoiler: Fort Save 
 (1d20+7)[ 18 ] 

If a fail: Turn of Fate (Su):  1/day, he can reroll any failed roll he has just made. He must accept the results of the second roll.
 
silphael
Xhan's fortitude save

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
  Fort  - (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
 
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo’s Fort Save 

 (1d20+8)[ 11 ] 
+4 if poison
 
Master K
 
 Spoiler 
Fort save  (1d20+10)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
And now, Fronaldo, Gelik, and Xhanfaerd join Veress and Harrim in freaking out from having army ants crawling all over them!

 Begin Round One ...

R1T27:   Book , whip is in hand. Several of your party members are completely unfocused right now. What do you do?
BuckGodot
Seeing as everyone seems to be nervous about the ants, Book rushes to Xhanfaerd and tries to move him out of range of the swarm.

 
 Spoiler: Tactical Information 
MA: Move west, grab Xhanfaerd and continue west until both are clear of the ant swarm.

If I can use Deft Maneuvers to reposition Xhanfaerd to avoid AOO from ant swarm will do so.

I have no idea what to roll so:

 (1d20+9)[ 17 ]  (+ is melee attack bonus)
 
lostsole31
 Begin Round One ...

R1T27:  Seeing as everyone seems to be nervous about the ants,  Book rushes to Xhanfaerd and tries to move him out of range of the  swarm. But trying to bull over someone far stronger than himself and  with Xhanfaerd distracted from the ants, Xhanfaerd is unmoved.

 R1T23:    "Spook ants!"   calls Sersheelda.   "Not real! I do thing. Friendies, come to me!"  

Sersheelda's feet glow as she moves back and calls out to the newcomer.   "You come no closer!"  
 R1T20:   Fronaldo ,  you are distracted/ nauseated/ having a freakout of army ants. You may  not take any extracts, take any standard actions, take no actions which  are offensive in nature, and only take a single MA and any SwA/FA that  you wish to use. What do you do?
Blackhawk101
Batting frantically at the ants, Fronaldo scampers over to Shersheelda.
  “Ack! Get them off!”  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: 10’ N, 5’ NW, 15’ W
 
lostsole31
 R1T20:  Batting frantically at the ants, Fronaldo  scampers over to Shersheelda, while clawing all over himself awkwardly  (but being careful not to stab himself),   “Ack! Get them off!”  
 R1T19:  The figure floats up fully from the ground.    "It's mine!"    he repeats.    "If found it! The city is mine!"   

His grotesque hand with army ants moving all about him swings at Gelik to have his hand pass through the gnome's head to do  38 + hampered  and causing Gelik to drop as he seems to fall from old age.

The  carpet of army ants seemingly extending out from the half-orc continue  to continue to bite at Harrim, Veress, Xhanfaerd, Book, and the now  still form of Gelik.

 Xhanfaerd ,  Book , and  Gelik , please roll a Fort save (damage pending)!
BuckGodot
Books Fortitude Save

 
 Spoiler: Fort Save 

 (1d20+7)[ 25 ]  +one use of Charmed Life

CHA modifier is 4

Charmed Life (Ex):  4/day, IA before attempting a save, he can add his CHA modifier to the result of the save. He must choose to do this before making the roll.
 
silphael
Xhan's fortitude save

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
  Fortitude  - (1d20+8)[ 23 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  The host of army ants chomp and chew and gnash  and bite. Though Gelik lies still, his body yet fights valiantly against  the incursion, as do Book, Xhanfaerd and the tiger Veress ... all of  whom only take  5 damage , though Harrim and Xhanfaerd  are still nauseated. Harrim, for his part, empathizes too dearly with  the endings these ants present, taking  10 .

 R1T16:   Gelik, looking like a venerable version of himself, lies still upon the  ground, his eyes staring up with a rheumy film, desperately trying to  fight for breath even as his mind sleeps.

 R1T10:  Veress delays, albeit in distress....

 R1T8-:  Aron looks to Veress and points to Sersheelda and says,   "Veress, guard!"  

As  Veress moves to obey, Aron casts a spell on herself and disappears,  using telepathy to let the party know her current position.

 R1T4:   Xhanfaerd is freaking out too much, and is unable to make heads or  tails of his current predicament and why a swarm of army ants can hurt  him, even though he wears his swarmbane clasp.  Xhanfaerd , what do you do? You are considered nauseated (q.v.).

Harrim on deck, Book in hand ...
silphael
Trying to get rid of the ants, Xhanfaerd moves out of the swarm.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moving SW then W.

Edit : Xhanfaerd will redirect damage taken by Gelik to himself, spending PP to reduce it, as well as any ability damage suffered (as long as it's the same effect dealing the damage and ability damage). HP damage takes priority.
 
lostsole31
 R1T4:  Trying to get rid of the ants, Xhanfaerd moves out of the swarm.

 R1T3:  Harrim stumbles up to stand next to Sersheelda.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T27:   Book , what do you do? You are currently standing in the field of army ants, and Gelik is down. Also, see Sersheelda's vocals.

Sersheelda on deck, Fronaldo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book lashes out at the creature with his whip attempting to draw its attention away from the rest of the group and then dashes south.

 
 Spoiler: TP Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Grab Gelik and withdraw! This one is too much for us! Head back to the camp!"   
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 

SwA: Expend 1 Guile to grant himself a +2 circumstance bonus on all attack rolls until the end of his turn.

Attack Action: using Risky Strike with intention to Demoralise

Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 18 ]  +2

Dmg:  (1d3+10)[ 13 ]  +6

IA: If attacked use Dodging Panache.

MA: move 6 squares south
 
lostsole31
 R2T27:  Book lashes out at the creature with his whip, striking its elbow for  6 , attempting to draw its  attention away from the rest of the group and then dashes south.
 
 Spoiler: Book &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Grab Gelik and withdraw! This one is too much for us! Head back to the camp!"   
 

 R2T23:  Sersheelda uses the collective. 
 Spoiler: Sersheela &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "No, close first."   
 

 R2T20:   Fronaldo , your freak-out ends. What do you do?

Ant-Man on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo takes the opportunity to quickly analyze the situation and their opponent.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Shersheelda, what should I do!”
   
 
   
    
 Spoiler: crunch 

perform assessment. Questions that Fronaldo has:
 
 Are the ants real? 
 Are the ants real or not, still on him? 
 is their a visible area around Shersheelda protected from the Ghost ants? 
 
 
lostsole31
There is NOT a glowing aura around Sersheelda to guide you to know what her area is.

For off-round vocals, she shouts angrily,   "I tells you!"

    Fronaldo , what do you do (assessment forthcoming on Discord)? 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo shrugs and pulls a flask of alchemist’s fire from his belt.
lostsole31
 R2T20:  Fronaldo shrugs and pulls a flask of alchemist’s fire from his belt.

 R2T19:  Ignoring the fallen gnome, the half-orc looks up at those close to Sersheelda, shouting again,    "It's mine!"     before flying a little above the ground and closing on the closest  creature it can see ... Xhanfaerd. Xhanfaerd prepares for a high  defense, but is faked out as the horror passes its hand very low through  Xhanfaerd's achilles heel. Xhanfaerd resists both the possibly  crippling effect to his foot and some of this strange attack, but it was  still perfectly placed as to do   23 aging    to Xhanfaerd. As the half-orc did this, it is as if the ants on the  ground are a shadow of a cloud the creature has become and moves with  him, but again Xhanfaerd resists the nibbling down to only  3 .

 R2T16:   Gelik tries to stave off death, but he is so badly wounded already, his  life continues to eke out a little ... only to be maintained as  Xhanfaerd feels the pain of being at death's door ( 1 damage ).

 R2T8:  Aron's voice is heard praying, and Gelik receives   25 healing    .... enough to save him from death and revive him! Gelik awakens still  sickened from that initial strike, but neither hampered nor nauseated  (though he is prone). 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Gelik) 
   "Get up, Gelik! Get close to Sersheelda. It seems she has a magic which may help us."   
 

 R2T8:  Veress, no longer distracted, continues to guard Sersheelda.

 R2T4:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Trying to gain some time, Xhanfaerd unleash his anguish at the entity, channeling unholy power.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   Do you know what that is ?   
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action : Bilious Strike (+6d6 damage, target is nauseated for 4 rounds (fort dc 20 to reduce it to one round of nausea) on the creature, without Risky Strike.
  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 26 ] 
  Damage  - (8d6+10)[ 38 ] 
As usual, if it hits, everyone in the collective gains a +2 morale bonus to attack.
Swift action to enter Black Seraph's Glare.
Free action to intimidate if I hit.
  Intimidate  - (1d20+18)[ 22 ] 

Defenses :
-I will redirect the next hit on Gelik on myself, spending PP accordingly to reduce it. (Martyrdom)
-On the first attack against me, I'll initiate Body of Delusion, spending 2 PP to get a +2 bonus on the Autohypnosis check (+15 total).
 
lostsole31
 R2T4:  Trying to gain some time, Xhanfaerd unleashes his  anguish at the entity, channeling unholy power. The creature holds up  its arm to defend itself as Xhanfaerd's earthbreaker goes clean through  its elbow. Not because "clean through" is to imply that it takes his arm  off, but rather that "clean through" means that there is no solid  impact of a body ... the half-orc is incorporeal. Still, this strike was chosen for such an oppponent as it does a full  38  to him. Even with that, though, the ghostly half-orc is completely unmoved by Xhanfaerd's attempt to scare him. 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Do you know what that is?"   
 
 R2T3:  Harrim recovers from his previous freakout. He moves in front of Fronaldo and calls out,   "It is time for you to end. Let your spirit rest, like your body seemed to have done already."   He shows his symbol of Groetus and a burst of positive energy washes outward but the half-orc resists, taking only   4 PE  .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T27:   Book , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Fronaldo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book moves northwest to just outside the ant swarm and strikes with his whip again.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move nw 2 squares and n 1 square to 15' south of target lining up flanking.

Attack action using Sneak Attack

Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 26 ] 

Sneak Attack (Ex):  +3d6 precision damage anytime he is flanking foe, or foe would be denied DEX bonus to AC.

Damage:  (1d3+6)[ 8 ]  +6 precision damage

Sneak Attack damage:  (3d6)[ 12 ] 

Debilitating Injury: Disoriented:  -2 to attack rolls, but -4 to attack rolls vs. Book.


If attacked use Dodging Panache.
 
lostsole31
 R3T27:  Book moves northwest to just outside the ant  swarm and strikes with his whip again. His whip slices through the  ghostly figure, but only does  4  ... none of his precision attack applies as he attacks the incorporeal apparition.

 R3T23:  Sersheelda adjusts her position some, getting closer, but not too close.

 R3T20:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Half-orc on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo doesn’t want to go into the ant swarm so he moves up to Aron, draws and throws his magic returning dagger at the ghost orc.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: 5’ S, 5’ SW. draw weapon
SA: throw returning dagger , Risky Strike , spend guile point for to hit bonus +2, -2 to hit for second range increment
  to hit  - (1d20+13)[ 19 ] 
  dam  - (1d3+4)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T20:  Fronaldo doesn’t want to go into the ant swarm so he moves up to Aron,  draws,  and throws his magic returning dagger at the ghost orc, but the dagger is repelled by a powerful deflection field.

 R3T19:     "It's mine!"     shouts the spook as it floats south a little. It does a brilliant  fake-out, which is countered by even more brilliant on Xhanfaerd's part,  but that fist still comes in. Xhanfaerd, knowing its fell power, calls  upon his knowledge or the fabric of reality, attempting to believe his  body not there, but it isn't enough as that terrible fist still punches  through Xhanfard's chest. Xhanfaerd spent so much mental effort trying  to believe himself not there, that when that tactic failed, he had  little willpower to resist the strike as he takes   32 aging  .

Meanwhile, the ghostly ants do real damage ....   11 aging   to Xhanfaerd and   10 aging   to Book. So badly was Book affected that the rawhide of his whip is badly damaged (  7 + broken  ).

 Xhanfaerd  and  Book , roll Fort saves vs. distraction ...

 R3T16:   Gelik ,  you get over the sickened feeling you were given with that ambush  strike. You are prone on the ground, with sounds of combat to the south.  What do you do?

Aron on deck, Veress in the hole ...
Master K
Gelik pushes himself to his feet and heads north to hide behind Sersheelda


 
 Spoiler 
MA; get up
MA; 20ft N
 
lostsole31
 R3T16:  Gelik pushes himself to his feet and heads north to hide behind Sersheelda.

 R3T8:   Aron's flute music is heard, all the more eerie because you can't see  it and it seems to float across the quiet, haunted valley. But that  music lifts the spirits of the heroes who have taken a more forward  position against the ghostly undead. This might be the first time she's  used this since you've gotten to Saventh-Yhi, as usually it was Gelik  who provided musical courage. Now, it seems, Aron's skills are on par  with Gelik's. The master gnome bard has taught his student well.

 R3T4:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Definitely not looking well, Xhanfaerd unleashes another hammer strike, his weapon shining in a silvery light this time.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   I'm not going to hold much longer ! Book, just unleash what I'm showing you !   
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action, Silver Knight's Blade, healing myself with the potential healing. Through Echoes of Steel, I'll spend 3 PP to grant Book a copy of Silver Knight's Blade (basic attack that deals 4d6 extra sacred damage and heals a nearby ally for the same amount. Since it's sacred it fully hurts incorporeals).

  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 25 ] 
  Damage  - (2d6+10)[ 16 ] 
  Healing and damage  - (4d6)[ 13 ] 

If it hits, everyone in the collective gains a +2 morale bonus to attack for one round.
(no other actions)
I will redirect damage to myself if I'm not also damaged during the same turn/action. I'll spend as many PP as I can to reduce those damage if it happens.
 
lostsole31
 R3T4:  Definitely not looking well, Xhanfaerd unleashes  another hammer strike, his weapon shining in a silvery light this time  as he slams his earthreaker straight into its chest and downwards out  its crotch for  31 holy  damage that heals Xhanfaerd for   13  . 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (All/ Book) 
   "I'm not going to hold much longer! Book, just unleash what I'm showing you!"   
 

 R3T3:  Staying right where he is, Harrim channels positive energy, but the half-orc seems very resistant as it only takes   3 PE  .

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T27:   Book ,  while Aron's flute picks up your spirit, Xhanfaerd's collective fills  your head with tactics and knowledge of a special attack, and even how  that attack could heal somebody nearto you. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Fronaldo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book takes a step backward and throws his arm back and lashes his whip, damaged as it is, into the creature as recommended by Xhanfaerd.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


MA: 5' step south out of ant reach

Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 28 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+5)[ 7 ]  (Slashing Grace: When wielding his chosen weapon 1H he can add his DEX instead of his STR  modifier to that weapon’s damage.)

Special Damage:  (4d6)[ 20 ] 

If attacked use Dodging Panache.
 
lostsole31
 R4T27:  Book takes a step backward and throws his arm back and lashes his whip,  damaged as it is, into the creature as recommended by Xhanfaerd, lashing the monster for   27 sacred   and healing Xhanfaerd of   20  .

 R4T23:  Sersheelda keeps her position to maintain the integrity of whatever supernatural defense she's sporting.

 R4T20:   Fronaldo , you have your magic dagger in one hand, and alchemist's fire in the other. What do you do?

Spook on deck, Gelik in the hole...
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Should I burn down the shack? It might put the spirit to rest, right?”
   
 
   
    
 Spoiler: crunch 

Delay
 
lostsole31
 R4T20:  
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “Should I burn down the shack? It might put the spirit to rest, right?”   
 

 R4T19:   The enemy floats a little south, and almost fakes out Xhanfaerd, but  the wily half-elf manages to note what it's doing at the last  split-second to keep from being flat-footed as its right hand passes  through Xhanfaerd's own left. Xhanfaerd again finds it hard to fight  against the very concept of corruption as he takes   26 aging  . The ghost ants now include Book again, and they "chew" but he was ready for a tactic and only takes   3 aging  . Xhanfaerd also resists, but he takes a heavier brunt of it so close to the source for   6 aging  .

  "I found it!"   the ghost screams frantically.

 R4T16:   Gelik , what do you do?

Aron on deck, Veress in the hole ...
Master K
Utterly incensed about being nearly killed, Gelik moves closer to the ghost to make sure he is heard and begins raging and lecturing at the ghost giving it a piece of his mind via a thorough tongue lashing

 
 Spoiler 
MA; SW, S, S.
SA; Cutting Remark on the ghostly being  (1d4+7)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T16:  Utterly incensed about being nearly killed, Gelik moves closer to the  ghost to make sure he is heard and begins raging and lecturing at the  ghost giving it a piece of his mind via a thorough tongue lashing. It doesn't seem to have any effect on the spectre.

 R4T8:   Aron invisibly continues playing her flute, especially with Gelik  trying different tactics, pauses enough to answer Fronaldo and chide  Gelik.... 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Fronaldo/ Gelik) 
   "Absolutely  not. I'm pretty sure this is a ghost, and you might burn a remembrance  that will give a clue how to put it to rest. Burning remembrances do NOT  kill the ghost .... it just makes them impossible to put fully to rest.

"Gelik, it's immune to mental attacks."   
 

 R4T4:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Changing his stance, Xhanfaerd steps away and throws projectiles of force at the ghost.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift action to change stance to Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess.

5 foot step to the NW as a free action.

Standard action, cast magic missile, with all missiles at the ghost.

  Damage  - (4d4+4)[ 13 ] 

I'll reroll the fort save against the ghost's touch if I fail it, and I'll redirect damage to myself the first time another ally is wounded, spending as much PP as possible to reduce it.
 
lostsole31
 R4T4:  Changing his stance, Xhanfaerd steps away and throws projectiles of force at the ghost, the missiles ripping through it.

The ghost just barely manages to maintain cohesion, albeit slowly bits of him melt away as he wails,    “It’s mine! ...   I  found it!  ... The city - the discovery - is miii iiiiiii  iine!”    

And with that, he seemingly - and violently - appears to dissipate with a wail.

Before he disappeared, both Book and Xhanfaerd saw that part of his ghostly visage .... was a Pathfinder Society  wayfinder  at his belt!

 Combat Ends! 
silphael
Panting, Xhanfaerd doesn't look well.

"  That ghost... probably was a pathfinder. They had a wayfinder, at least. If we want to put them to rest, we need to investigate.  "
BuckGodot
Book looks around in surprise…   ”I agree, but we need to tend to the wounded first.”   and he starts to cross to Gelik feeling much stiffer than usual.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo puts the alchemist fire away with a sigh from the little green pyromaniac.
lostsole31
Aron wills herself back into visibility, ending the spell. With Book's assistance, Harrim begins a medical check of the party...
 
 Aron, Sersheelda: Unarmed. 
 Fronaldo: ~85% 
 Veress: ~80% 
 Book:  ~70% 
 Harrim: ~60% 
 Xhanfaerd: ~25% 
 Gelik: ~15% 
 

With Gelik and Xhanfaerd critical and most of the party wounded, it is a no-brainer and Harrim begins channeling positive energy. After his second attempt, Fronaldo and Veress are fully healed. His third and final attempt before he winds himself fully heals Book and himself. This means that he seems to only be able to channel positive energy five times a day (two were in the battle). Another round of triage for those still wounded:
 
 Gelik: ~40% 
 Xhanfaerd: ~45% 
 

He casts two CMWs on Xhanfaerd, and one on Gelik, and then a CLW each. Triage again while Harrim seems to have a pounding headache and nosebleed:
Gelik and Xhanfaerd: ~75%

Harrim is completely tapped out of all clerical healing, so Aron steps up. She casts CSW on each. A follow-up CLW heals Gelik fully. A CMW to Xhanfaerd likewise does the same.

From what Aron figured by herself, and then she and Book talking together as Book as the senior authority in the party on the undead (a lifetime spent  robbing  exploring tombs will do that), they figure the following:
 
 This half-orc was a ghost ... not just descriptively, but categorically. That is a type of incorporeal undead. As an undead, it is immune to most effects that require any active bodily processes, while the nature of the soul splinter that creates it also makes it immune to any type of mind-affecting phenomena .. such as the attack Gelik tried. 
 As an incorporeal undead, only magical weapons or magical spells have a chance of hurting it, and even those are muted in effect if they are not  ghost touch  weapons or specialized attacks, such as some of Xhanfaerd's martial strikes. Incorporeal creatures don't have weak points that can be exploited unless specifically  ghost touch  weapons ... not even Xhanfaerd's special attacks can target a weak point. Even then, as an undead, most critical strikes would still have no effect because, as noted before, no bodily processes. 
 It had the most common form of attack for a ghost, a "corrupting touch" which causes temporary, premature aging that attacks the spirit of the target more than the body, and a strong mind can resist some of the effects. Taking a look around at the party, the party is fully healed, and as Book said, there are no "lasting reminders" of having been aged in battle. 
 Most ghosts can rejuvenate. Book and Aron believe that this ghost is not destroyed, simply dispelled for now. Most ghosts take a couple days to a little over a week to rejuvenate. Even the most powerful spells provide only temporary solutions. The only way to permanently destroy a ghost is to determine the reason for its existence and set right whatever prevents it from resting in peace ... and that is what the party will have to do if they want to remove this ghost's obvious negative influence in the area of the haunted cenotes. 
 
silphael
Looking at the others, the half elf ponders.

"  As we dispelled them, they screamed about being the first to discover the city. Maybe if we were to find their name, and write them down as the first to discover the city, they would finally be at peace ?  "
lostsole31
Aron nods in agreement, and then points to the ruined shack.

Although  the majority of gear and belongings found here have long since rotted  away, assuming a "deep" search, the party finds the remains of a  medium-sized humanoid that Harrim recognizes as a half-orc male. There  are some relics as well found here that he must have found before his  death.

The stash consists of the following:

 
 magic ring 
 mithral heavy shield 
 (3) mithral spearheads 
 detailed carvings of Azlanti fighting serpentfolk holding 46 uncut zircons 
 fragmentary journal in code that might be used to piece together who he was and what happened  
 

Aron  recommends taking these things ... but not yet the body ... back to  camp for study. And then to return on the morrow to give the remains a  proper burial, at least.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo says to Aron as they walk:   “I still say we burn it…just to be sure.”  
BuckGodot
Book concurs with the suggestion to return to camp (not to burn the shack) and if everyone is in agreement is willing to head back to camp now.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo nods at the suggestion to return to camp. He is interested in the journal as his keen mind delights in puzzles and code breaking. He will spend some free time this evening studying it.
lostsole31
The party takes the fine treasure back to camp with them for study.

Xhanfaerd, do you take time to re-study your spellbook for a half hour to switch out a prepared 1st-level slot for  identify ?
silphael
Once everyone returns to camp, Xhanfaerd indeed prepares identify to study what was recovered.
lostsole31
Xhanfaerd takes the time to restudy his spellbook and realign his spells and several help him with valuation:
 
  Ring is a ring of severn virtues  (see Discord handouts) 
 Mithral heavy shield 
 (3) mithral spearheads (100 gp each) 
 a small ivory coffer decorated with detailed carvings of Azlanti fighting serpentfolk (worth 500 gp) holding 46 uncut zircons (worth 460 gp in total), 85 gp, 238 sp, and 136 cp in ancient Azlanti coins 
 fragmentary journal 
 

The two best codebreakers in the expedition - Gelik, assisted by Book - would need to take time (as in, a day of adventuring) to pore over the journal and try to piece together what they can.

Because of this last part, do you plan to adventure tomorrow, or let Gelik and Book try to decipher the journal?
BuckGodot
Book is quite excited at the prospect of looking over the... book...
lostsole31
 Gelik , you're the primary if you do this. How do you feel about it, almost having been killed by the ghost?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo is Ok with waiting. He wants to put the spirit of their fallen comrade to rest. During the down time he will try to distill the giant wasp venom.
Master K
Having nearly died Gelik is far more intersted in the relatively "safe" task that is investigating the journal. As opposed to going back into the jungle
silphael
While the codebreakers take care of the book, Xhanfaerd reorganizes his own journal, turning what was so far just notes into the beginning of a real treaty.
lostsole31
The next day's plan figured, Amivor tutors Book on very specialized Pathfinder Delver techniques for dealing with traps. Aron, Harrim, and Sersheelda are each off doing their own separate things, but with the terror of the day and near loss of Gelik, Xhanfaerd tutors the little folk in dealing with buoying one's spirit against attacks like the ghost had.

 

    Toilday, 14 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous)    

Book assists Gelik in piecing together the fragments of the journal that ostensibly belonged to the half-orc Pathfinder. Book discovers that Gelik's understanding of syntax and cryptography (and puzzles) is only a little bit more than his own, but is approached with such confidence that it is impressive to work beside the often curmudgeonly gnome.  Over the course of the day, they are able to work together to divine the journal's mysteries...

  The ruins here served as a campsite for a small band of Pathfinders who had found Saventh-Yhi against all odds 2 centuries ago. After abandoning their larger group (the ill-fated Alithorpe Expedition) on the southeastern shore of Lake Ocota during an attack by the Gorilla King’s soldiers, this smaller group fled through the jungle for several days, pursued relentlessly by charau-ka. Only by seeking shelter among these hidden cenotes did they finally throw off their pursuit. When the Pathfinders realized where they were, that they’d discovered what could only be Saventh-Yhi, they spent a few days exploring the fringes of the city before treachery struck again. Nareem Daress, a scout who had encouraged the group’s decision to use the slaughter of their main expedition as a distraction to flee, lured the remaining Pathfinders into a nest of army ants and watched them die. He intended to then leave Saventh-Yhi with his notes and maps, return to civilization as the lone survivor of the Alithorpe Expedition, and secure the glory of discovering Saventh-Yhi for himself.

Yet the night before he planned to leave, a carpet of army ants swarmed into the ruin here where he’d made his camp. Perhaps the ants were merely seeking food, or perhaps they were compelled on a quest for vengeance from beyond the grave—whatever the reason, Nareem Daress died that night in great pain and despair, his ramblings of terror the last entries in a journal originally belonging to another unnamed member of the expedition.....
  
  
 
BuckGodot
Book nods and shares this information with the rest.   "Well done to Master Gelik in deciphering this information. Now, how do we go about putting this creature to rest, finally?"  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo jumps up and down excitedly,   “Oh…Oh! I know, I know!”

  ​He pulls a flask of alchemists fire from his belt.
silphael
"  Maybe putting his victims to rest would help ? At least those he decided to kill for his own glory. Other than that, maybe bringing the whole story to the light ? But that's not something we can do fast, sadly.  "
BuckGodot
  ”Right. So we need to see if the remains, if there are any, are in that shack. But that means encountering him again… so what can we line up to protect ourselves?”  
lostsole31
Amivor will offer,   "I think you're right about taking his story to the Grand Lodge in Absalom and seeing that the Allithorpe Expedition's initial discovery of Saventh-Yhi is noted. Which means, of course, that we will  not  be getting first discovery rights, but it  does  seem like we will get exploration rights. Of course, the Aspis Consortium here could sour things. I think for now just stay away from the haunted cenotes."  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo speaks to Book in his high pitched voice, serious for once.   “Nareem’s remains are in the hut, but without a plan to put the spirit to rest, it’s best to avoid a confrontation at this time …unless you enjoy ghost ants aging you into early retirement!”   The little green maniac smiles broadly with a mouth full of sharp pointed teeth.   “I am ready with plan B.”  
lostsole31
   "Perhaps,"    Aron offers,    "when our explorations of Saventh-Yhi are done, we might dare to attempt peaceful contact? Ghosts rejuvenate anywhere from a couple days to a week later, anyway."   
BuckGodot
  "That may be worth a try. So back to the fun part?"   Book says as he sits down to look over his whip to see if there is any way it can be repaired.
lostsole31
Book doesn't see how he could repair his whip.
BuckGodot
Book, also realising he's an archeologist, not a weaponsmith, asks...   "Does anyone know anything about repairing a whip?"  

If no one does, he will stow it and stand and say,   "So... Back to my original question then. Let's get back to exploring but give the cenotes a wide berth."  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo shakes his head sadly regarding whip repair.
   “What’s the problem with your noodle, Book? Performance anxiety?”
  The green goblin titters to himself like an asthmatic dog.

Fronaldo does not look excited about more long walks in the ancient city.
  “Yay. Let’s explore more ruins. Yippee.”  
lostsole31
Aron asks to see Book's pain noodle.
BuckGodot
Book hands it over to Aron and looks on.
lostsole31
Aron casts a spell that takes her 10 minutes to cast ... and ends up casting this spell three times .... before she fully restores Book's whip.
BuckGodot
Book is amazed and thanks her profusely.
lostsole31
That evening, Aron seeks out Xhanfaerd, recognizing his keen observation of other people's behavior. She picks the half-elf's brain, seeking to find a way to deepen her own art through understanding of others. For their own reasons, Book, Gelik, and Sersheelda either get in on the discussion, or listen passively. Fronaldo shows Amivor some weapons concealment techniques.
 

    Wealday, 15 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous)    

Does the party change anything, now that you are going back to exporation?
BuckGodot
Book remains constant like the rising and setting of the sun.
lostsole31
Everyone is ready for today's exploration.

Speaking of which, Book, where to?
BuckGodot
Book wants to return to the southern region near the water and start excavating west. (Just south of the rows of 8 blocks.)
lostsole31
The party restarts their explorations, moving towards the waterline again, right to a stone bridge. This stone bridge is shattered in the middle, but still might be traversable, and seems to be stable all things considered. This bridge spans a 110-yd gap of water to an island with more structures on it. What do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo addresses the group.   “I am probably the best suited to check out the bridge to see if it is safe. Shall I?”  
lostsole31
Aron shakes her head. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Book is definitely our most alert and our best engineer, but you should go with him for security, Fronaldo."   
 
BuckGodot
Book nods in deference to Aron, winks at Fro’ fro, and steps out to check the bridge.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo follows after the large Human, hoping the bridge will take their combined weight.
lostsole31
  
 
The remains of the massive stone bridge has NO problems taking their weight. It isn't easy, though, as they have to constantly climb up and down and hop to other massive stone blocks fallen into the water. They cross the some 330' to get to the other side.

This central district was built upon several islands of rock that the architects of Saventh-Yhi carved into the shapes they needed, using tools and magic to form the stony outcroppings into an incredible island-fortress connected to the rest of the city via four long bridges. They chose this region to house the city’s central government, and built a spear infused with the virtue of honest pride to watch over the region and to keep its inhabitants honest and dedicated to the city’s health. Unfortunately, even these lengths failed to save Saventh-Yhi from the panic that gripped it as its days grew short.

What do Book and Fronaldo do once they get to the other side? 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Please refrain from "just around the riverbend" .... especially in a pbp ... unless you go back and get the others, or your fellow players will watch you do things for months in real-time while they are sidelined.
 
Blackhawk101
  “Seems safe enough. Let’s go get the others.”   
Fronaldo scampers back the way they came.
  “You know someone should really try out that magic spear ring. Could be helpful.”  
lostsole31
Fronaldo and Book go back and collect the others. The bridge is sturdy enough - and decorated enough - for the full "exploration/ discovery treatment."

As they exit the bridge and step onto the island, a number of buildings face a long promenade leading to an open rotunda to the south. A row of stone pillars covered with dense writing runs down the center of the promenade. Several of these pillars appear to have been recently cleaned.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo sidles up to Aron.
  “Um..yeah. Ancient writings on pillars. Very interesting.”
“Say Aron, can I play around with the spear ring/artifact? I will be careful!”
  Fronaldo hops from one foot to another with excitement.
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Until we have enough to do a treasure split, do we want to hold onto the ring as as 'hold/borrow' for Fronaldo?"   
 
BuckGodot
Book, deeply engaged in studying the pillars, absently nods his approval for Fronaldo.
lostsole31
With no input from Xhanfaerd or Gelik or the others, Aron hands Fronaldo the  seven virtues ring .
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo grins happily cradling his new shiny.
  “How’s it work, Aron?”  
lostsole31
   "Passively,"    comes Aron's glib response over the collective.
Blackhawk101
  “Here goes nothing!”   as he slips the ring on his finger.
lostsole31
The ring .... which must have last been worn by a longshanks ... automatically resizes to fit snugly but not too tightly on Fronaldo's chosen finger.

He now wears a ring.
silphael
Xhanfaerd does his best to assist the study of the pillars, providing comment about what they know of the society that once were here.
BuckGodot
Book welcomes the assistance but wraps up quickly and suggests the group move on heading west.
lostsole31
The group finishes checking out the large round building, but then it is time to return to camp, understanding there is more of the island to discover later.

That evening after the debrief, Book works solidly with Fronaldo on learning the Polyglot language, while also covering the basics of codebreaking. Xhanfaerd and Gelik each separately work on their art. Aron works on focusing mantras with Harrim, Sersheelda, and Amivor.
 

   Oathday, 16 Calistril 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous)   

Book, do you intend to cross the bridge and continue checking out more of the small island in the government district?
BuckGodot
That seems like a logical course of action. Yes.
lostsole31
The party makes their way, with Fronaldo just a hair ahead of Book. As  soon as Fronaldo comes around the covern of a great column that had  fallen cross part of the bridge, he is surprised when two figures throw  javelins at him, both javelins missing.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T22:  Fronaldo, what do you do?
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “We are under attack!”
   
 

The jubilant alchemist takes a brief pause to assess the situation before quaffing an extract and disappearing.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: assess the situation
SA: retrieve, prepare and drink extract of invisibility
MA: move half speed south using stealth 15’. Take out magic dagger.
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:   
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “We are under attack!”   
 
The jubilant alchemist takes a brief pause to assess the situation before quaffing an extract and disappearing.

 R1T16:  Sersheelda gets off of the rough patch and hustles south, seeing the fracas. 
 Spoiler: Sersheelda &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Fought before at home. Muncle called these 'degenerate serpentfolk.' Tough warriors."   
 

 R1T15:   Gelik is lifted an inch or two off the ground as watery sanadils appear  around his feet. He zooms forward faster with these strange  water-shoes, though he still is slow coming out of the rough patch on  the bridge. Still, he darts way south once the bridge is smoother.

 R1T14:  Veress roars, sensing hostility.

 R1T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do? Please note that I don't see the enemy, as they are on the other side of a very thick colum (10' tall).
silphael
After casting a spell, Xhanfaerd moves into a better place to see the enemy.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   I casted Haste, be sure to use it !   
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action, casting Haste (including everyone but the cleric afaik). Move action, going 1 SW, then full S (which might stop beside the column if I'm counting right). Swift action, entering Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess.

"Reactions" :
-I'll redirect the first instance of damage taken by allies to myself, spending PP to reduce it if it's over 10 damage.
-I'll reroll the first save I miss, ignoring hits against AC.
 
lostsole31
 R1T13:  After casting a spell, Xhanfaerd moves into a better place to see the enemy. 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I cast      haste     . Be sure to use it!"   
 
 .... he tepes as he goes by. He went too far too fast under the  haste , though ... getting stabbed  in the upper left arm by a spear ( 9 ) as he passes by one of these things that was  behind the column, but at least he sees both  enemies. 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd 
It's not a "up to caster level creatures in a  30' radius." Since I assume you wanted the  haste  for yourself  as well, you can only real get yourself, Sersheelda, Aron, Veress, and  Book.  You excluded the cleric, pushing your measurement section a  little farther south (which allowed for Book). Gelik is too far away.  Fronaldo is not only too far, but you can't see him to affect him,  either.
 

 R1T9:   Book , you are  hasted  (60' speed). What do you do?
BuckGodot
Book draws his whip and moves southwest to get a better view of the attackers and do a quick assessment of the situation.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Draw Whip

MA: move 1 square SW

FA: Assess
 
lostsole31
 R1T9:  Book draws his whip and moves southwest to get a better view of the attackers and do a quick assessment of the situation. 
 Spoiler: Book 
These are serpentfolk ..... monstrous humanoids. Yup.
 

 R1T8:  Blue steps up and stabs Xhanfaerd in the shoulder for  9 , and snaps at him with a bite.

 R1T7:  Harrim hustles southwards.

 R1T6:  Red stabs Xhanfaerd's upper arm for 12, and then bites him in the right knee for  8 +  3 poison  . Xhanfaerd feels a numbing radiating out from his right knee that his body will begin to fight off.

 R1T5:   Aron zooms to the south, calling for Veress. She ends up next to Gelik,  spins around, casts a spell, and a beam fires into the back of Blue's  left quad .... but it is tough enough ot resist her magic. She commands  Veress to attack, continuously pointing at Blue.

 R1T4:   As Veress double moves quite speedily down, he provokes AOOs from Blue  and Red. Blue's spear manages to catch the tiger along the side of the  head for  9 .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22:   Fronaldo , you are invisible AND trying to move stealthily with magic dagger in hand. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo does something, you assume.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Fronaldo will try to quietly drink his mutagen.
SA: drink mutagen, use stealth
if mutagen isn’t available, use cat’s grace extraction
 
lostsole31
 R2T22:  Fronaldo does something, you assume.

 R2T16:  Sersheelda casts a spell on a small pouch that she has, and then darts well to the south.

 R2T15:  Gelik begins a heroic oration, completely repositioning to be screened by Veress.

 R2T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Blue in the hole ...
silphael
His hammer in hand, Xhanfaerd goes for an underbelt strike.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action, gonna initiate Bilious Strike. The attack deals 6d6 extra profane damage, and the target (Red) will have to roll fort DC 22 or be nauseated for 4 rounds, one round only on a success. The +1 to attack from Haste is not taken into account.

  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 16 ] 
[roll=Damage]2d6+10[roll]
  Profane Damage  - (6d6)[ 20 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T13:  His hammer in hand, Xhanfaerd goes for an underbelt strike, only to find that the enemy has very hard scales, indeed.

 R2T9:   Book , your whip is in hand and you are hasted. What do you do?

Blue on deck, Harrim in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book shifts slightly to ensure LOS and then lashes out with his whip, attempting to rip the spear from reds grasp and send it flying then follows up with a lashing attack.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Just a step west within the same square to make sure he has clear LOS

Disarm:  (1d20+14)[ 20 ] 

Deft Maneuvers (Ex):  Does not provoke an AOO when performing a dirty trick, disarm, feint, steal, reposition, or trip CM.
*  +2 bonus to those CMs (except feint), as well as a +2 bonus to CMD to defend against those maneuvers (except feint).

Greater Disarm (Ex):  +2 bonus on CM checks made to disarm a foe. This bonus stacks w/ the bonus granted by Deft Maneuvers.
*  Whenever he successfully disarms an opponent, the weapon lands 15' away from its previous wielder, in a random direction.
+1 for Haste

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 28 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  +6
 
lostsole31
 R2T9:  Book shifts slightly to ensure LOS and then lashes out with his whip,  ripping the spear from Red's grasp to send it clattering to the ground.

 R2T8:  Blue spins around and crits Veress for  15 ,  gaining a surprise opening .... though the second attack is only cuts  through fur. The serprentfolk does bite Veress, though, for  8 +  3 poison  .

 R2T7:   Harrim moves quickly south, and seeing Aron's tiger taking the brunt of  things, casts a spell at Blue. Blue's body seizes briefly as his  skeleton contorts a little for  13 , but Blue controls himself quickly.

 R2T6:   Red figures the tiger is a safer bet than the Mwangi half-elf, and  steps away to pick up his spear. It was a safe bet as Veress gnaws on  Red, but doesn't get through scales. Now with spear recovered he jabs  defensively at the tiger.

 R2T5:  Aron concentrates on the bow she takes out, then steps for a clear shot.

 R2T4:   Veress is now focused on the one that hurt it, giving a terrifying  roar. It snaps with its jaws, and its claws are deflected by the  warrior's spear. It snaps again with jaws, but no attack finds purchase.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo does ….something.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: drink extract of Cat’s Grace using stealth.
MA: 5 ft move to the NE using stealth. Looks like a place he could move to but if not he will remain in his current square. Adjust dialogue accordingly. Use acrobatics if terrain looks difficult.
 

 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;collective 

   “Almost ready. I am North of a snakeman and just East of Xhan.”
   
 
lostsole31
 R3T22:   
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “Almost ready. I am North of a snakeman and just East of Xhan.”   
 

 R3T16:  Sersheelda shuttles north past Aron and then throws a rock at Blue, but the rock misses.

 R3T15:  Gelik continues his oratory, and casts a spell on Veress for   11 healing  .

 R3T13:   Xhanfaerd , roll a Fort save vs. poison. What do you do?

Book on deck, Blue in the hole ...
silphael
Since one of those snakemen is running away from him, Xhanfaerd focuses his mind to unleash an heavy strike, the kind that shares its weight with its target.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'll initiate Chains of Doubt, spending 2 PP and my personal focus (so Will DC 20 to avoid one round of nausea for the target. If it fails, Red will also has to save against the nausea)

  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 26 ] 
  Damage  - (2d6+10)[ 14 ] 
  Extra Damage  - (5d6)[ 13 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: Deffensive measures 
Defenses :
-I'll keep the reroll for the next poison save (unless one save was enough ?)
-I'll redirect damage to any ally to myself (so only the first instance of damage as normal)
 
lostsole31
 R3T13:  Utilizing his psionic power, Xhanfaerd is  fighting off the remaining poison in his system, though he still feels  it acting on his body.. Since one of those snakemen is running away from  him, Xhanfaerd focuses  his mind to unleash an heavy strike, the kind that shares its weight  with its target. His earthbreaker slams right into the serpentfolk's  midsection, seemingly only doing  16 mod  - a powerful strike, surely, but far less efficacious than Xhanfaerd had hoped!

 R3T9:   Book , what do you do?

Blue on deck, Harrim in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book remains where he is but swings his whip in an incredible display of prowess.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Dazzling Display (Ex):  FRA, while wielding any flails group weapon (incl. whips), he makes an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes w/in 30' who can see his display.

Intimidate Check:  (1d20+18)[ 26 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T9:  Book remains where he is but swings his whip in an incredible display of prowess. It truly is impressive.

 R3T8:  Blue spins to stab Veress in the back leg for  9 , while biting Veress in the head for  5 +  3 poison  .

 R3T7:   Harrim steps behind Xhanfaerd and begins casting a spell that keeps  going ... 
 Spoiler: Harrim &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Xhanfaerd) 
  "Stay where you are, for your time being small in this land is at an end."  
 

 R3T6:  Red mirrors his partner, stabbing Veress in the same back leg for  15 , and biting the tiger in the head for  5 +  3 poison  .

 R3T5:  Aron shoots blue in the right shoulder for  12 , and the upper left arm for  15 . She gives an order to Veress.

 R3T4:  Veress withdraws, but as he does so he suffers from the multiple doses of poison in his system (  weakened  ).

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ....

R4T22:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
The diminutive green assassin appears from nowhere and shanks a snakeman in a tender spot. He draws a second dagger for good measure.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA:stab blue snake-man with magic dagger. Risky strike, use guile point to aid attack roll not included, sneak attack, debilitating injury: bewildered. +2 from being invisible.
  to hit  - (1d20+14)[ 27 ] 
  to dam  - (1d4+14)[ 17 ]  plus sneak attack  (4d8)[ 22 ]  and bleed 4
MA: draw standard dagger.
 

 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Hey Book! When you’re done playing with your danger noodle, how about some help?”
   
 
lostsole31
 R4T22:  The diminutive green assassin appears from nowhere and shanks a snakeman  in a tender spot, killing him instantly. He draws a second dagger for good measure.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Book) 
   “Hey Book! When you’re done playing with your danger noodle, how about some help?”   
 

 R4T9:   Book , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Red in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book laughs at Fronaldo while jogging south and east to set up a flanking position and turns his whip loose on the remaining worm person.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Move: Two squares south then two squares east to line up with Fronaldo to create a flank.
Surefooted

Attack: Using Risky Strike  (1d20+13)[ 25 ] 

Haste bonus added.

Sneak Attack (Ex):  +3d6 precision damage anytime he is flanking foe, or foe would be denied DEX bonus to AC.

Damage:  (1d3+10)[ 13 ]  +6

Sneak Attack Damage:  (3d6)[ 17 ] 

Debilitating Injury: Disoriented: -2 to attack rolls, but -4 to attack rolls vs. Book.
 
lostsole31
 R4T9:  Book laughs at Fronaldo while jogging south and  east to set up a  flanking position, but can't maintain the same space as a fallen column  so no flanking. As he moves behind the serpentfolk, he stabs at Book  with his spear but misses. Book turns his whip loose on the remaining  worm person, slashing its right hand for  21 .

 R4T7:   Harrim completes his spell, and Xhanfaerd grows to twice his height! He  then casts a battle spell on himself and closes on the serpentfolk.

 R4T6:   The serpentfolk stabs the newly arriving dwarf in the shoulder with a  spear, and the wound appears on Xhanfaerd's own shoulder for  14 . The serpentfolk follws up with a bite to Harrim's belly for  7 +  3 poison  .

 R4T5:  Aron tells Veress to stay and then steps north to cast a spell on Xhanfaerd for   20 healing  .

 R4T4:  Veress stays as commanded, and is in pain as his body fights the poison.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T22:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo feints left with his off hand and then swipes at a vital area on the snakeman with his prime blade; still glistening with the lifeblood of his comrade.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: Bluff (feint) to make him loose his dex bonus. spend 1 pt. guile to add to my feint roll +2 (not included)
 (1d20+10)[ 30 ] 
Attack: Risky Strike with magic dagger
 (1d20+14)[ 22 ]  to hit
 (1d4+14)[ 18 ]  plus sneak  (4d8)[ 19 ]  + 4 bleed and disorientated.
 
lostsole31
 R5T22:  Fronaldo feints left with his off hand and then swipes at a vital area  on the snakeman with his prime blade, cutting deep into its chest beneath the ribs for  39 + disoriented + (4 bleed) , his blade still glistening with the  lifeblood of his comrade now mixed with this guard's own.

 R5T16:  Sersheelda shifts position and tosses another stone, missing. It is clear that she has no skill at CQB ranged combat.

 R5T15:  Gelik continues his inspiring oration.

 R5T13:   Xhanfaerd , roll a Fort save vs. poison. Your stance has reset, so you may use it for this roll if needed. What do you do?

Book on deck, Harrim in the hole ...
silphael
After focusing on the future, exploiting his newfound size, Xhanfaerd strikes the last close snakeman with his shiny hammer, hoping to help his allies recover.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Since it's R5, move action to recover Bilious Strike, and to aid myself.
  Aid myself  - (1d20+13)[ 29 ] 

Standard action, I'll initiate Silver Knight's Blade on Red, healing my ally that seems the most wounded.

  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 15 ]  +4 if the above roll isn't a nat 1.
  Damage  - (3d6+12)[ 16 ] 
  Extra damage and healing  - (4d6)[ 13 ] 

If the aid wasn't a nat 1, all allies gain a +2 morale bonus to attack.
 
lostsole31
 R5T13:  Xhanfaerd's psionic power manages to burn off  the last of the poison in his system. After focusing on the future,  exploiting his newfound size, Xhanfaerd  strikes the last close snakeman  with his shiny hammer ... his aim helped along by his superspeed, his  own mental prowess, and Gelik's oration ... to smack the creature in the  head and squash it like a melon and getting   13 healing   to Veress

 R5T9:  Both enemies are down, but Harrim and Veress are currently fighting off poison.  Book ,  what do you do? 
 Spoiler: Book 
You know that Harrim is actually the  group's best "physician" (healing without spells), and that you are the  team's second-best.
 

Harrim on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book crosses to Harrim and does what he can to aid in recovery.
lostsole31
 R5T9:  Book does what he can to aid in Harrim's recovery.

 R5T7:   Harrim barely resists the poison this time, but now he - with Book's  help - works on helping him continue to resist. Together, they do a very  fine job. It's still up to Harrim's body, but they've increased his  chances greatly.

 R5T5:  Aron moves down to Veress and casts a spell on Veress to fight heroically against its affliction.

 R5T4:  Veress fights off the last vestiges of the poison, though is still weakened from its effects.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

  R6T22:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;collective 

   “I have anti-toxin if anyone needs it.”
   
 
   
   He then tries to harvest venom from the snake dudes.
lostsole31
 R6T22:  
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “I have anti-toxin if anyone needs it.”   
 
 Fronaldo comes out of initiative as he begins performing a delicate task.

 R6T16:  Gelik stops his oration and drops out of initiative, and Sersheelda likewise drops out of intiative.

 R6T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck assisting Harrim in the hole ...
silphael
Since Harrim is still fighting the poison, Xhanfaerd gets closer and starts casting Lesser Restoration, tapping into his knowledge of the Primal.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Primal as in nature, ie druidic knowledge from magaambyan initiate.
 
lostsole31
 R6T13:  Since Harrim is still fighting the poison, Xhanfaerd gets closer and  starts casting  Lesser Restoration , tapping into his knowledge of the  Primal, though it doesn't seem to have any effect.

 R6T9-7:   Book assists Harrim, and together they do as good as can be. It's  enough, as Harrim is no longer fighting the poison. Harrim doesn't stay  to take a breath, though, moving down to the tiger.

 R6T5:  Aron puts her bow away and casts a  guidance  on Veress.

 R6T4:  Even with all of the magical aid, Veress succumbs to the poison, and this time the tiger is  impaired .

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Harrim in the hole ...
silphael
As Harrim isn't that badly affected by poison, Xhanfaerd, still casting, carefully moves toward the tiger.
lostsole31
 R7T13:  As Harrim isn't that badly affected by poison, Xhanfaerd, still casting, carefully moves toward the tiger.

 R7T9:   Book , what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Aron in the hole ...
lostsole31
 Initiative Ends! 

Xhanfaerd will continue casting and then finish his lesser restoration while touching Veress as he's being calmed by Aron. Veress is now no longer impaired but still weakened by the effects of the poison.
Blackhawk101
His task done, he examines the two snake men and their stuff.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “I will make some anti-venom doses with the stuff I collected.”
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
The degenerate serpentfolk didn't have anything of value on themselves.

Xhanfaerd finishes his spell, reducing the effect of Veress' poison-based injuries.

What does the party wish to do now?
Blackhawk101
  “We could try to track these guys back to their lair?”   suggests Fronaldo without much hope but some bloodthirsty enthusiasm.
BuckGodot
Book looks wryly at Fronaldinodio and shakes his head.   ”Not part of the plan. I think we press on with our exploration and cataloging.”  
lostsole31
   "I'm not comfortable with that, given Veress' distress,"    says Aron.
BuckGodot
  ”Oh of course! I wasn’t saying right now! Only telling Fronaldo what would happen before his suggestion… Let’s head back to camp and rest and recoup. I’ll gladly offer what services I can to help Veress.”  replies Book, looking abashed.
Blackhawk101
  “Cannot we fixss up the big kitty here and keepsss going? Wait! Isss it dinner time?! Let’sss go!”   Fronaldo hisses out
silphael
"  If your feline is the only issue, I can further cleanse the consequences of poison, as far as I know.  "

In case the party pursuits the tracking or exploring, he casts Mage Armor on himself.
lostsole31
   "If you heal Veress, I will be willing to move forward,"    says Aron to Xhanfaerd.
silphael
He nods, then heals the tiger.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Casting lesser restoration again.
 
lostsole31
And with that, Veress no longer feels the weakness from the poison anymore.

Harrim, Xhanfaerd, and the tiger are still physically wounded. Two bursts from Harrim will fully heal him, and a third will fuly heal Xhanfaerd. Aron thanks the speaker of the apocalypse, and then uses one casting of her strongest magic to heal Veress fully.

In the meantime, the  haste  will have ended, and shortly after moving on, Xhanfaerd will return to normal size.

As you get back on the island, and begin exploring inwards some, you realize that some of the ancient, well-worked Azlanti designs have  much  newer, colored mud paintings of primal scenes hand or finger-painted over the walls.
BuckGodot
Book will make note of these differences and examine them a bit closer... Much to the dismay of Fronaldo...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo examines himself to see if he can determine what the ring effect may be while the history nerds jabber excitedly about mud paintings.
BuckGodot
Book gives a sidelong glance at Fronaldo as he “examines himself.”
lostsole31
With Book and Xhanfaerd noting the motifs and style, they both agree ..... boggards. 
 Spoiler: Boggards 
Boggards are bullfrog-like humanoids that inhabit swamps.
 
Blackhawk101
  “I assume that these frog people are gentle and kind; welcoming to strangers?”
  asks Fronaldo sarcastically.
lostsole31
Book and Xhanfaerd are both pretty sure that boggards are usually demon worshipers - various ones, but often favoring a disgusting demon lord known as Gogunta.
silphael
"  Most demon lords worshipers aren't very welcoming to strangers, no.  "
Blackhawk101
  “Excellent.”
  Fronaldo moves Boggards from “poison only” to “murder on sight” category in his head. Poisoning being his default category for any new creature he meets.
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Now, wait a minute. We travel with a goblin. In most places, a goblin is a kill-on-sight creature. Book and Xhanfard have determined boggard, but are there actual demonic motifs, or is someting about the style reminding you of a boggard? I don't think you should be ready to kill just to kill because of a creature's race."   
 

To answer the question now, Book and Xhanfaerd only recognize motifs common to Boggard paint art, but not explicit demonic symbols or exhortations.
BuckGodot
Book communicates as much to the group.
Blackhawk101
  “It’s like she can read my thoughts!”,   Fronaldo thinks to himself.
Turning to Book he says:   “It’s like she can read my thoughts!”
”Anyway, worshipping demons is bad, right?”  
lostsole31
  "Worshipping demons is bad,"   Hargrimm says,   "because they would stretch out existence just to cause pain if they could. But I think Aronnahar was merely stating that there is a lack of demon motifs, unlike normal boggards, where you would normally have those things. So, why do you keep mentioning demons?"  
Blackhawk101
  “Me? No, I am not saying they worship demons, Book said they did.
I was just sayin that “if” they did worship (you know) demons THEN we should totally kill them. That’s all.”
  Reluctantly (in his head so no one can actually see what he is doing) Fronaldo erases the chalk check mark next to “murder on sight” and then checks the column for “only poison” for Boggards.
If you could see into the space inside his head, you may notice that upon an easel, a piece of slate sits with rows of neat printing and carefully check marks. Except for the row labeled “Charau-Ka”. The chalk marks in that row are smeared and someone has messily scratched “KILL THEM ALL” into the slate with a sharp object.
BuckGodot
Wrapping up his examinations, Book looks to the others and suggests continuing on.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo throws back his head and opens his mouth to its widest apperture, exposing rows of tiny sharp teeth and a forked tongue. He groans in exasperation before straightening up.
  "YESSSSS!"  
lostsole31
The party continues ...

A number of buildings face a long promenade leading to an open rotunda to the south. A row of stone pillars covered with dense writing runs down the center of the promenade. Several of these pillars appear to have been recently cleaned.  Where this section ends before opening up to where the jungle is reclaiming the edge by the water is a mixtured of jungle and ruins leading to a stone ring. Upon a large mushroom, almost like a throne, is a hideously ugly (to human standards), green-skinned, red bug-eyed frog person in some type of ceremonial dress. There are several human zombies standing around him like a sort of honor guard.  As the party comes into view, it is obvious he sees you, but he neither does anything aggressive himself, and even the zombies are surprisingly non chase-and-bitey.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo waves and smiles at the freakish frog people.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Let me guess…Boggards.”
”Who is going to talk to them, Aron?”
   
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I have    comprehend languages    I can cast, but it only affects myself, and doesn't help me communicate outwardly. I mean, if it turns out it doesn't speak Taldane or Polyglot or something.  Anyone have tongues, or something that might help?"   
 
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “I have comprehend languages also.”
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Anyone? Anyone at all have anything that might help in this situation. Don't be shy. Just tepe what you have."   
 
silphael
 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   I cannot cast anything related to language, but I know quite a lot of those. Maybe they know Aklo or Polyglot ? If we open negotiations, and I recognize something, I'll tell.   
 
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Sorry. I don't have anything. However, I think it's best we try something rather than standing here staring at each other..."   
 



Book steps forward with hands held out palm up and says in Taldane,   "Greetings. We mean no harm. I am Book."   and he gestures to himself. Then repeats in Polyglot.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo covertly moves behind Book and tries to use the larger man to screen him while he quaffs an extract.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: Move behind Book
SA: use stealth to hide behind Book and drink extract of Comp languages.
 
lostsole31
The frog-man doesn't respond saying something you don't understand (because Fronaldo is mid-quaff). He does gesture the group forward.

Aron points to him, makes a hand motion talking, points to her ear, and then acts like spelllcasting. Points to her ear, and then nods exaggeratedly and smiles. The boggard seemed to understand nods as a measure of allowing it, and so she casts her spell on herself.  Aron grabs Fronaldo by the ear and pulls him out from behind Book.

The boggard begins croaking. 
 Spoiler: Boggard 
  "I am Ugimmo. Who are you?"  
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo hisses at the unexpected painful tug at his ear and wriggles free. He stays next to Aron, rubbing his ear ruefully.
BuckGodot
Book looks to Aron for a translation.
lostsole31
Aron will translate through the collective with each thing said by the boggard.

Aron slowly holds up her  wayfinder , pointing to the wayfinder on Fronaldo and gesturing generally to the rest of the group.    "Pathfinders."   

The boggard doesn't seem to know what that means, but through a couple questions and answers it seems that the boggard recognizes you as a collected he refers to as the "circle box people" (referring to a  wayfinder  as a round compasson on a small box).

Aron looks to Fronaldo,    "My voice is too soft. I need you to speak for us."   
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo nods and waves to the assembled Boggards.
   "Hello!  We are peaceful Circle Box explorersss from beyond the big water. We come ssseeking the fabled city of Ssaveth-Yi and we have found it!
 We would welcome any knowledge of the area that you have to ssshare. We only wisssh to ssstudy the old city and pressserve its knowledge for the future. What say you?"
      Fronaldo speaks loudly in common.   
lostsole31
The boggard is completely unable to understand what Fronaldo is babbling about.
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   "I am learning Polyglot. Aron, Tepe me the words of what you want to say and I will repeat them out loud."
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
She does this, and Fronaldo likely copies, but it seems that the boggard does not understand Polyglot.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo runs through the other languages he knows with he Boggards briefly to see if there is a connection.
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by Blackhawk101 
 Fronaldo runs through the other languages he knows with he Boggards briefly to see if there is a connection. 
 

Goblin: He laughs at the gibbering noises Fronaldo makes.
Draconic: He laughs harder, as such a language was meant to come from grander bodies.
Dwarven: He's bored.
Gnoll: He looks at Fronaldo like he's insane.
Gnome: Getting bored again.

Still, he doesn't actually seem to comprehend any of them.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo throws up his hands in Frustration, cursing in Goblin.
  “Stupee warto frog bottoms!”  
lostsole31
Again, the boggard laughs, slapping his knee when the goblin speaks in its native tongue in frustration.
BuckGodot
Book decides to use Arons idea and his knowledge of linguistics. He steps forward again, gestures at the group, and holding out his hand palm up, uses the other hand to make a walking motion with two fingers, and points in the direction they wish to go while speaking their desire to travel on to continue the investigation.
lostsole31
The boggard stands and stretches out its legs as best it can. It croaks and warbles in its language. 
 Spoiler: Aron, Fronaldo 
  "Roam free, but not in this area itself. This Ugimmo-space. Ugimmo thank for show of respect."  
 
BuckGodot
Book looks at Aron questioningly.
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “He said we can pass but keep away from this area. He thanked us for being respectful.”
   
 
   
   ​Fronaldo gives a little bow to the leader.
BuckGodot
Book also bows to the leader and turns to the others...   "Shall we continue on then?"  

With everyones agreement and input, Book will guide them on and observe the restrictions requested by the little green man.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo is more than ready to move on.
He moves his check mark for Broggards from “only poison” to “poison later”; a rare exception.
lostsole31
You finish out the day and then head back camp carefully. A report is given about the boggard Ugimmo and the inability to be able to communicate at this time.

That evening, Xhafaerd meditates, studies, and reflects on Magaambyan techniques. Strictly from a point of conjecture regarding various forms of extraneous connection - Book, Aron, Gelik, and Amivor have a discussion concerning psionics. They would have preferred to have Xhanfaerd's input, but respect the mage's privacy. Fronaldo teaches Harrim and Sersheelda various vital areas on most bodies to strike.
 

    Oathday, 23 Calistril 4711 AR    

Morning! If you have anything special that you do or prepare that changes what is on your sheet. Note it here. This includes anything which is in addition to your normal 30-minute/ class routine. If you have nothing, just note that in Discord.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo does his normal morning prep, including first breakfast and a light snack of a slow lizard he found.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

prep Dex mutagen
prep extracts: swap “reduce person” for “Monkeyfish” first level.
 
silphael
Xhanfaerd sticks to his spells from the previous day. He replaces  Harmony Shattering Strike  with  Blessed Pinions , however.
lostsole31
Okay, Book, do you have the party continue on from the last point, or reset to anywhere else?
BuckGodot
Yes. Let’s return to the last save point and go south from there.
lostsole31
Which direction from there?
BuckGodot
Continue south if we’re able.
lostsole31
The party does some exploration farther south, then head back for the end of the day.

On the way back home across the shattered bridge, you find that the bridge is again manned with degenerate serpentfolk!

 Begin Round One!

R1T24:   Fronaldo , what do you do?
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;collective 

   “Snakemen! Watch it!”
   
 

Fronaldo surveys the two guards and then quaffs an extract. His limbs seem to ripple as a tremor passes through him. He grins and pulls (another?) a dagger from his bandolier.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

analyze situation
SA: drink channel vigor extract: focus limbs (haste)
MA: draw second blade. (Or first if you rule that he doesn’t walk around with a blade out. He does though.)
 
lostsole31
 R1T24:  
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “Snakemen! Watch it!”   
 
Fronaldo surveys the two guards and then quaffs an extract. His limbs  seem to ripple as a tremor passes through him. He grins and pulls  a second dagger from his bandolier.

 R1T21:  Veress growls, awaiting a command.

 R1T18:    Sersheelda's necklace, which appears to be made of various animal  fangs, seems to grow ... more fangs! She then roars out of that tiny  little body, and what a roar! Way louder than anything Veress has, and  the party is filled with animal power. She moves up between Fronaldo and  Book.

 R1T17:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?
silphael
Getting closer, Xhanfaerd focuses his malice before launching force projectiles at the snakemen, promising them a quick end.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift action, entering Black Seraph's Glare.
Standard action, casting Magic Missile, sending 2 missile at each target
Free action intimidate (one per target).
Move action, moving 3N 1 NW.

  Damage Red  - (2d4+2)[ 4 ] 
  Damage Blue  - (2d4+2)[ 8 ] 
  Intimidate Red  - (1d20+18)[ 22 ] 
  Intimidate Blue  - (1d20+18)[ 23 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Getting closer, Xhanfaerd focuses his malice  before launching force projectiles at the snakemen, promising them a  quick end. Red takes   4 force   and Blue takes   8 force  .

 R1T16:   Book , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Drawing his whip, Book rushes forward towards blue and lashes out.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
SwA: Draw whip

MA: North 30'

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 26 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  +6 for Precise Strike
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:  Drawing his whip, Book rushes forward towards  Blue, easily navigating the rough terrain of the broken bridge, and  lashes out, his whip scoring a line across the enemy's chest for  34 + hampered .

 R1T15:   Gelik seems to glide across the bridge as his weird, watery sandals  make for smooth movement, though he goes around difficult areas. He  opens his mouth and shrieks at Red, a bolt of energy hitting it in the  upper right arm for   10 sonic  .

 R1T14:  Harrim moves up calmly and purposely next to Fronaldo and casts a spell, painfully contorting Blue's skeleton for  6 .

 R1T10:  Aron orders Veress to attack Red and hustles to a spot on the far edge of the bridge, screened by Book and Gelik.

 R1T9:  Veress likewise hustles to get to Red.

 R1T7-2:   Blue steps up to Book and stabs with his spear, but not before Book  takes advantage of Blue's hampered movement to whip it along the side of  the belly for  12 . Red stabs at Veress, critting the back part of its flank for  15 ( +1d3 bleed ) .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ... 
 R2T24:   Fronaldo , you are currently invigorating your limbs, and two daggers are in hand. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Xhanfaerd in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
With a sudden burst of speed, Fronaldo rushes forward, loops around the snake man to the West and sneakily stabs him from behind.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: move 50’ North, five feet West and five feet SW.
SA: Risky strike Red snakeman, flanked and Guile point
  to hit  - (1d30+11)[ 33 ]  +1 for Channel Vigor , +1 guile, + flank
  to dam  - (1d3+11)[ 14 ]  plus   sneak  - (4d8)[ 11 ]  + 4 bleed and disoriented.

*Note: If unable to move to this position due to rough terrain or whatever, Fronaldo will stop his advance North after 30’ and instead throw his returning dagger at Blue.
SA: Risky strike, + 1 from Channel vigor and +1 guile pool point, not included
  to hit  - (1d20+11)[ 23 ] 
  to dam  - (1d3+4)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T24:  With a sudden burst of speed, Fronaldo rushes forward and tosses his magic dagger into Blue's right foot for  11 . Blue is overcome by its wounds and falls.

 R2T18:  Sersheelda moves up 20' and lets off a jolt of acid that misses Red.

 R2T17:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Taking out a square piece of cured leather from his pouch, Xhanfaerd casts  mage armor  upon himself before stowing the leather and closing while taking out his earthbreaker.

 R2T16:   Book , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Harrim in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book dashes northwest to take up a flanking position behind red and then lashes out with his whip.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: 20' NW (two squares) to flank.
Surefooted.

Attack using Risky Strike and Sneak Attack:
 (1d20+12)[ 22 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  +6 Precise Strike

Sneak Attack damage:  (3d6)[ 11 ] 

Disoriented
 
lostsole31
 R2T16:  Book dashes northwest behind Red, only to  discover that from his position a flanker would have to be standing on  air off the bridge 15' to Book's SW. He shrugs and then lashes out with  his whip to slash the serpentfolk's knee for  18 .

 R2T15:  Harrim doubts they'll need his help, but he casts a battle spell upon himself and advances.

 R2T10:  Aron darts to the west to cast a spell on her tiger to fully heal it (stopping the bleeding, of course).

 R2T9:  Reinvigorated, Veress roars and bites the scaly in the belly for  18 + grab  while batting at it with claws.

 R2T2:  Red thrashes in Veress' maw, trying to spear or bite him.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24:   Fronaldo , your dagger returns to your hand. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Xhanfaerd in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo catches the slim spinning blade as it returns to him. With a flick of his hand he drips something on the blade. Then with an almost casual toss, he sends it towards their second opponent.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SwA: apply does of greenblood oil.
SA: Risky strike, throw knife at red snake man.
  to hit  - (1d20+11)[ 12 ] 
haste bonus not included
  to hit  - (1d3+4)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T24:  Fronaldo catches the slim spinning blade as it  returns to him. With a  flick of his hand he drips something on the blade. Then with an almost  casual toss, he sends it towards their second opponent. As the dagger  misses the opponent, Fronaldo just finds himself enraptured by the  spinning dagger as it goes well past and then begins to curve upwards  for its return flight.

 R3T18:  Sersheelda scurries forth, concentrates, and sends a dart of acid to hit the enemy in the right shoulder for   13 acid  .

 R3T17:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R3T17:  In preparation of closing on a venomous enemy, Xhanfaerd changes his stance before closing and crushing the serpentfolk's head!

 Combat Ends! 

Now what?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo snaps out of his reverie in time to catch his returning dagger out of the air. He scowls because the poison was wasted. He walks to a fallen snakeman and wipes his dagger clean on their clothing. He spends a few minutes trying to extract more venom from the two fallen guards.
BuckGodot
  ”Fronaldo, stop fooling around. We could have used you back there.”   Turning to the others, Book asks if anyone is seriously enough injured that it would bar continuing for the day.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo stops sawing at a snakeman’s head to sneer at Book.  “You had it under control. You will thank me later if we run into these creatures again and you have a dose of my anti-venom.”   
BuckGodot
  ”Right. Well, anyway. Let’s head back then…”  
lostsole31
Back to camp!

That evening, after meal and debrief, Xhanfaerd holds combat training for all except for Sersheelda and Harrim, who focus on their own magics.
 

    Fireday, 17 Calistril 4711 AR (Full Moon)    

New day! Any changes to setup?

Which way next, Book
BuckGodot
The road appears to head east so Book recommends that way.
Blackhawk101
No change for Fronaldo but he makes sure to preserve his collected snake man venom the previous evening.
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by BuckGodot 
 The road appears to head east so Book recommends that way. 
 

To go east, they'll need to swim over water to get to a lonely rotunda on an island. It's only a 50' crossing of water. Do you still do it?
BuckGodot
While Book is an okay swimmer (I say this without looking at his sheet) he’s worried about the small fr- Fronaldo and would rather try to secure a small boat if one can be found or built. So hold off there. To the west. Follow the road.
lostsole31
They will definitely not find a boat.

The party moves a little west, to the western edge of this islet for exploration. Where to after there?
BuckGodot
Book suggests they try to finish up the remaining sections of the islet and heads south.
lostsole31
Upon completion there is another broken, yet cross-able, bridge to the west for a "shortcut" in the direction of home camp. Do you take that or return home the likely longer, explored way?
BuckGodot
Book turns to Fronaldo and gestures towards the bridge.   "Shall we?"  

If the little greenguy agrees, Book will stick close to him and try the bridge.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo grins and tosses a dagger into the air. As the hilt smacks into his grip, he quips   “Onward Pathfinder; adventure awaits!”  
lostsole31
As they look across - not the tumbled bridge, but parallel to it - the party sees this is about a 200-yard span heading WSW.

They begin to proceed across, and make it more than halfway, when the expected sentries show themselves ... another pair of degenerate serpentfolk.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T24:   Book , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Book flings his whip around in an attempt to strike fear into the hearts of the serpent folk...

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


Dazzling Display (Ex):  FRA, while wielding any flails group weapon (incl. whips), he makes an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes w/in 30' who can see his display.
 
lostsole31
 R1T24:  Book flings his whip around in an attempt to strike fear into the hearts of the serpent folk.

 R1T22:   Fronaldo , your magic dagger is in hand. What do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo grabs an extract from his belt and quaffs it. He grins at the serpent folk and then …disappears!
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;collective 

   “More Snakemen. Look alive people!”
   
 
   
    
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: drink invisibility extract
MA:Move 10ft West and 5 ft South.
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:  Fronaldo grabs an extract from his belt and  quaffs it. He grins at the serpent folk and then  …disappears! 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “More Snakemen. Look alive people!”   
 

 R1T20:  Harrim moves through the difficult rubble of the bridge and then casts a spell that harms Blue's internal skeleton for  12 .

 R1T19:   Xhanfaerd , you are in difficult terrain right now. What do you do?
silphael
Advancing slowly, Xhanfaerd shields himself with a layer of force, taking a defensive stance, his mind focused.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift action to enter Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess.
Standard action : casting Mage Armor on myself.
Move action, moving W.

Reactive stuff :
-internal dominion will be kept to reroll my first failed save.
-gonna redirect the first instance of damage suffered by an ally to myself.
-on the first attack that hits myself or an ally (in which case I'll spend focus) I'll initiate Body of Delusion, spending 2 pp for a +2 to the autohypnosis roll.
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Advancing slowly, Xhanfaerd shields himself with a layer of force, taking a defensive stance, his mind focused.

 R1T18:  Red takes out a javelin and tosses it at Xhanfaerd, but it's deflected.

 R1T17:  Gelik starts to orate inspirational poetry for his allies as he starts to move forward, drawing his longsword.

 R1T16:  Aron directs Veress to attack Red as she moves forward and concentrates on the bow she brings out.

 R1T15:  There's too much rubble to charge, but Veress closes on Red.

 R1T14:  Blue charges Veress, striking the tiger in the leg for  15 .

 R1T9:   Sersheelda moves up and gives a tremendous roar, and like before,  everyone's morale that such a little monster is on your side is greatly  increased.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24:   Book , what do you do?

Fronaldo on deck Harrim in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book tumbles southwest to the very edge of the bridge positioning himself so that he is flanking blue with Sersheelda and lets loose with his whip.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 

Surefooted
MA: Move diagonally 10' south west (two squares) then due west 10' (two squares), using acrobatics to avoid AOO, so that there can be a line drawn from Book to Sersheelda indicating flanking.

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 18 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  +6 precision damage

Sneak Attack damage from flanking:  (3d6)[ 13 ] 

Debilitating Injury: Disoriented

 
lostsole31
 R2T24:  Book tumbles southwest to the very edge of the bridge and slashes the Blue's left tricep for  25 .

 R2T22:   Fronaldo ,  you are invisible, and it just so happens that you have yesterday's  greenblood oil still on your magic dagger (which is in hand). What do  you do?

Harrim on deck, Xhanfaerd in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
The incredible invisible goblin assassin pops into view behind the snake man and shanks him in the vitals.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Ma: move 15’ to the West and then 10’ North to threaten Blue snakeman. If terrain will not allow this movement with single move action, double move and then abort attack. Pull second dagger during move.
*Note that his magic dagger was cleaned at the site of the previous day’s battle as posted.
SA : sneak attack, Risky strike, +1 guile point to hit
[roll=to hit]1d20+11]roll]
[roll=to dam]1d3+11+4d8[/roll]+ 4pts bleed+ disoriented
 
lostsole31
 R2T22:  The incredible invisible goblin assassin pops into view behind the snake man and shanks him in the vitals for  35 ( +4 bleed ) , dropping it.

 R2T20:  Harrim casts a spell to cause pain to Red's skeleton for  13 + moved 5' .

 R2T19:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Red on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
silphael
Striding forward, Xhanfaerd aims at the last snakeman with his silvery hammer.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action 1 NW 2 W.
Standard action, Silver Knight's Blade, healing the tiger if it hits.

  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 22 ] 
  Damage  - (2d6+9)[ 20 ] 
  Extra dmg and heal  - (4d6)[ 12 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: Defenses 
-internal dominion will be kept to reroll my first failed save.
-gonna redirect the first instance of damage suffered by an ally to myself.
-on the first attack that hits myself or an ally (in which case I'll spend focus) I'll initiate Body of Delusion, spending 2 pp for a +2 to the autohypnosis roll.
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  Striding forward, Xhanfaerd aims at the last snake-man with his silvery hammer. He smashes the enemy's hip for  39 , even as Veress is healed for   12  .

 R2T18:  The serpentfolk stabs the tiger for  12 , and then backs away a little.

 R2T17:  Gelik continues his oration, moves forward, and shrieks at the serpentfolk (his sonic attack missing).

 R2T16:  Aron moves up and shoots her bow.

 R2T15:  Veress pursues, biting the scale on the knee for  16 + grabbed , but misses with its claws.

 R2T9:  Sersheelda double moves to get behind Veress.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ....

R3T24:   Book , what do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Harrim in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book moves west to bring himself in range of the scaly creature and lashes out with his whip again.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move west 10' and then northwest 5'
Surefooted

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+12)[ 21 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+10)[ 12 ]  +6 for precision damage
 
lostsole31
 R3T24:  Book moves west to bring himself in range of the  scaly creature and lashes out with his whip again, and the snake-man  goes limp.

Both snake-men are put to the sword and dumped over the side of the bridge (after Fronaldo tries to milk them of venom, of course).

 Combat Ends! 
lostsole31
The party makes their way back to camp safely to give their debrief.

That evening, Sersheelda will keep to herself to meditate. Xhanfaerd does likewise, working on intoned Magaambyan techniques. Aron spends time working on compositions, and secondarily through that providing music for the camp.

Book and Amivor work together on a climbing partnership with various Pathfinder delver techniques, with Fronaldo keeping up as best as he can.

That evening, there is a faint dinging sound above the heads of Aron, Book, Fronaldo, and Xhanfaerd!
lostsole31
    17 Calistril 4711 AR (Full Moon)    

It's a new day, and several of he senior members of the group have discovered new breakthroughs in power during the morning.

It is time to set up your dailies.....
lostsole31
Alright, Book, will you pick up where you left off, or choose someplace else entirely?

Note that you are probably starting to find places where at least a little swimming will be required.
BuckGodot
Book wants to pick up where we left off.
lostsole31
The party makes the long spiral.

If you'll remember, most of Saventh-Yhi nearer the camp that you've explored a portion of seems to once have been the Merchant's District. Then, that area across the bridge seems like it might have been more of a governmental function.  When you get to the western side of the southern of the two explored, shattered bridges, it is apparent you have returned to the Merchant's District.

Today, you explore the easternmost spur of this island/peninsula/mainland (you're not sure yet) before returning to camp.
lostsole31
That evening, Aron will be partnering as they share bardic secrets with each other. Book will be giving Harrim Azlanti language training, combined with an archaeologist's understanding of xenolinguistics. Fronaldo and Xhanfaerd individually work on their own combat techniques.

 

    Starday, 18 Calistril 4711 AR (Fated Moon)    

Today, Gelik informs the exploration group (i.e, Book &amp; Co.) that he will be staying behind with Amivor for the foreseeable future to begin organizing and chronicling the PC's discoveries.

What do you change (if anything) about your morning setup?
Blackhawk101
No change for Fronaldo.
lostsole31
 Book , what is the exploration intention today?
BuckGodot
If we’re able to continue exploring west on the peninsula, then Book would like to continue that way. If not, continue west along the shoreline in the main area.
lostsole31
So, it seems that this little section of land is actually a tiny peninsula itself to what might be a much larger peninsula.

Explorations and recordings made and back home you go in such a long-about route.

That night, Amivor says,   "It really seems like you should stop taking such a long way around, and reset your search. Having such a large 'hole' form in your search area doesn't help; it cuts down on on-scene exploration; and the farther you transit in a day, the more likely you are to run into trouble going through so many sections. I would reset your search, like I said, and then slowly meet that fishhook area when it makes sense."  
BuckGodot
Book nods his agreement. So the next search will resume on the “mainland” near the water and head west.
lostsole31
Aron does some tutoring for Gelik and Book regarding conflict or peaceful resolutions, while others do things on their own.

 

    Sunday, 19 Calistril 4711 AR (Full Moon)    

I will assume folks do the same setup on things.

Harrim will stay behind today for sermonizing and seeing to Pathfinder spiritual needs.

 Book , where do you pick up explorations?
lostsole31
Book leads the party through previously explored sections of the Mercantile District towards the water. As you all transit, you get the feeling that you are being watched.
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Hey, do you feel like we’re be watched?”
 “Weird, whoever they are, they must not be very good if I can sense them.”
”I will go invisible and see if I can find anything. Be right back!”
   
 

The tiny goblin grabs a vial from his belt and grins at Book before disappearing.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

drink extract of invisibility
move of into the buildings on the North drawing his dagger as he goes.
 
lostsole31
What does the rest of the party do?
BuckGodot
Book says out loud,   "Why don't we take a break here for now and we can continue after some respite? "  and kneels down to dig in his pack.

 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Let's make like we're taking a break and sort of let our guard down, but keep a close watch."   
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Using Stealth and/or Perception to look around while seeming to look for something in my pack but actually subtly looking around for who may be watching.
 
lostsole31
Aron mentally agrees.

The party ... even though it is still mid-morning ... takes their break. Book looks around, but doesn't notice anything.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo continues his reconnoiter, making a rough circuit around the party looking for whoever is watching them about one block out.
lostsole31
Fronaldo doesn't find anyone (or anything).
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

  “ I don’t see anything.”
   
 

Fronaldo returns to the group and pops back into view.
BuckGodot
Book gathers his things…   ”Lets carry on…”  
 
 Spoiler: Borg&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective  
   ”Just keep your eyes open.”   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo gives Book a jaunty salute before moving on.
lostsole31
The party gets to the waterline and conducts their daily explorations, moving SW along the water line, and then return home.

Every now and then, that sort of sense of being watched continues. Do you do anything else before heading back to camp, or just ignore the feeling of being watched?
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Let us go back to camp and see what the others are thinking.”
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
You arrive back at camp. Now what?
silphael
While unpacking the daily exploration things, Xhanfaerd communicates through the collective.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   Maybe it is something akin to a scrying sensor, or there is something watching us. In any case, we'll have to stick to watch rotations and some other alarm devices. I don't know the Alarm spell, sadly.   "
 
BuckGodot
Book grabs Fronaldo to make a report, telling him along the way that he wants his insight on the feeling of being watched included.
lostsole31
As far as your normal debrief with Amivor, you go through the normal explorations and graphs and drawings and so forth. Do you include the "feeling of being watched" bit?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo speaks up.   
“It was weird out there today, Amivor. We felt a presence watching us but we could not see anything.”   
lostsole31
Amivor has a sort of expression that is both bewildered and bemused.   "Oh...kayyyy. I've felt eyes on me the entire time I've been here. Most of the rest of the encampment has that spooky feeling ... in this ancient ruin .... rife with ancient magic ... and stories from you of scaled monsters and ghosts."  
Blackhawk101
  “Yeah, this was different; stronger. I don’t usually pick up on that kind of thing but I could sense this.”  
lostsole31
  "The best thing I can say is just keep alert, and protect yourselves when whatever might be watching comes to say howdy,"   says Amivor.
lostsole31
And that seems to be where that conversation dies.

As it was a Sunday, and Harrim wasn't with the group, Harrim seeks more knowledge of the world's religions from Book. Sersheelda gets in on this as well, but asking more pointed questions about undead. Xhanfaerd, Amivor, and Aron are also part of the study group. Fronaldo, not caring for such things, works on his ambush techniques.

 

    Moonday, 20 Calistril 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

Morning. Any changes to setup?
lostsole31
 Book , which direction today? Harrim is back with the party.
BuckGodot
Book suggests they pick up where they left off and continue in a south westerly direction.  
 Spoiler: Technical information  
 two squares west.
 
lostsole31
The party does their full exploration for today and heads southwest for 2 units before heading back to camp to offload materials.

That evening, Fronaldo works on his ambush techniques. Book, Amivor, and Aron discuss politics. Meanwhile, Gelik works with Harrim, Sersheelda, and Xhanfaerd on various spell focusing mantra.
 

    Toilday, 21 Calistril 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    
 Book , which way today?
BuckGodot
Even though it looks like the Millennium Falcon is parked off to the west, there seems to be a cool looking thing due south. So Book chooses south and then west. (Since we can’t go very far south)
lostsole31
The thing with exploring these areas is that you often sort of get "guided" by the architecture and thoroughfares. So much time is spent with taking rubbings, transcriptions, making sketches and the like, that unless searching a small area, it's very easy to believe that you will probably miss something.

And so it is that on your return to the general area, there are distant hooting and screeching noises. Mind you, this whole transit through Saventh-Yhi is a careful step around or away from large convocations of noise. But one of the things Amivor had asked of the group is to at least try to move closer to sources of noise to note if the noise is coming from a mobile or fixed source, races making the noise, and other useful intelligence.

Before even getting to today's pick-up point, those noises are heard in an area where you made your exploration yesterday.

What do you do?
BuckGodot
Book pulls Fronaldo to one side…


 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   ”Fronaldo and I will check this out…everyone stay put here and keep your guard up. Frondo, you come around from the east and I’ll try the west. Give us 20 minutes and we should be back.”   
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical information  
Using full stealth and that skill that he has where he can move normally over rough terrain, Book heads out so as to come at the sounds from the west.
 
lostsole31
 Fronaldo , you will be approaching the noise source from the east. Any special precautions?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will imbibe an extract and disappear.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Fronaldo will drink an extract of invisibility and use stealth at full speed to move towards the sound from the East.
 

 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Sure thing, …Trashy Novella.”
   
 
lostsole31
Both Book and Fronaldo converge on a large building.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo 
You here noises from within, but don't see anything outside.
 

 
 Spoiler: Book 
The whole western side of the building is gone, and you see a half-dozen or so simian creatures. They don't appear to have noticed you.
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will stealthily approach the building and peek in a door or window.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “I hear noise in a building. Moving in.”
   ​
 
BuckGodot
Book will remain still and try to see what they are up to and how they are armed, etc.

 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "A group of about 6 simian types. Looking to see if they are armed."   
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Assess the enemies.
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo 
Fronaldo, what you see through ancient apertures is nothing useful, but internal overgrowth.
 

 
 Spoiler: Book 
  Book, the hairless simians' leathery skin has a camouflage pattern to it that shifts and changes as they move. They don't appear to have armor or melee weapons, but do have longbows.   [Assessment provided in Discord DM.
 
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “I don’t see anything from this side. What do you want to do, Book?”

   ​
 
BuckGodot
Book continues to observe a little longer but just to try to solidify numbers and armament...


 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "They appear to have a way to camouflage themselves, either naturally or via armor. They are carrying bows. I would have to move closer to see more. I'm reticent to do so, however."   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo drinks his mutagen.
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
  "If you don't have a way to move closer stealthily to observe, is there any need to engage?"   comes Aron's telepathic voice.   "I say we note where this is, and think about whether we want to try to open dialog later or simply ignore."  
 
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Valid point. Fronaldo? Withdraw and we'll go around."   
 


Book withdraws back to the group in the same stealthy fashion.
Blackhawk101
Disappointed, Fronaldo returns stealthily to the group.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Darn, I didn’t get to practice my diplomacy skills.”   
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
  "You speak too pointedly for most,"   tepes Aron.
 
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “I think my razor sharp wit is my finest negotiating tool!”
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
Okay, what now?
BuckGodot
If there is a way to head to the pick up point by going around or past these creatures without disturbing them, that’s what Book suggests.
lostsole31
The two part retreats from this area to continue explorations along the western waterline, where a pentagonal building that protrudes from the water here, its upper floors reaching thirty feet above the lake that has swallowed its lower stories. Strangely, no plants at all grow upon the building’s roof or walls—walls that seem strangely muted in color compared to other buildings in the area.

Since the lake had swallowed the building, it was not designed for a bridge across the water, though luckily there does seem to be a wide ledge that was around what appears to once have been a building of some importance. This means that the narrowest distance (10') would be to a flat surface, and not a jump to a vertical wall (luckily).

First, some of the party get that spooky feeling of being watched like before, and then there's a spooky vibe coming from the muted-color building itself.

What do you do?
BuckGodot
Spooky tower with a weird vibe? Book is all in favour of investigating!
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo pulls his favorite knife from his bandolier and looks around nervously.   
“Hey Guys…I’ve got that being watched feeling AND spooky ghost feeling. I don’t like this!”   
BuckGodot
  ”Me too, but when has that ever stopped us? Come on Fronaldo! Man up… er… goblin… grow a… uh… never mind. Let’s just be careful.”   Book says as he approaches carefully.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo eyes the big man uncertainly.   
“Yeah…sure. I just don’t like things I can’t stab. It’s not natural!”   
lostsole31
So, who is going to be the first to get a running jump across?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo looks forlornly at Book.
  “I cannot jump the distance! You will have to toss me.”  
lostsole31
While they chat, Aron and Veress already jumped the gap easily enough.
BuckGodot
Book looks eagerly at the little man and says,   ”Don't mind if I do!”   and starts to grab him and help him across.
Blackhawk101
The cheeky goblin sticks his tongue out at Book and scrambles away.
Fronaldo yells:   “Just Kidding!”   , as he leaps the chasm.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

use acrobatics to leap the gap doing a long jump.
 
BuckGodot
Book follows the others across.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Using Acrobatics, leap across to the others.
 
lostsole31
Sersheelda bounds over easily enough.

That leaves Harrim and Xhanfaerd, and Harrim looks at the gap dubiously.
BuckGodot
Book looks back across to Harrim...

  "Do you need assistance?"  
lostsole31
  "Noooo,"   says Harrim thoughtfully.   "I am just preparing for Groetus to welcome my ending."  

He gives a short prayer to Groetus before making a running leap ... and that prayer must've been something else .... because he cleared it enough to nearly smack into the far wall! 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That purely looked like wild luck, and not at all like the rest of you acrobatic folk.
 

That leaves Xhanfaerd.
silphael
Not really trained, but relying on his innate strength, Xhanfaerd jumps over the gap.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Athletics roll then !
  Athletics  - (1d20+5)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
He clears it with a running start, but learns it is more about trained athletic muscles and timing than brute power.

Now what (include a marching order for entering)?
BuckGodot
  "Frontnaldo and I will take a quick look around for a door... Give us a second."   says Book.

Looks at Fronaldo and nods to move ahead and find an entrance.
lostsole31
The small ring of place to stand is apparently a modification that residents of non-ancient Saventh-Yhi made some long time ago to access this level, for if you remember this is the top of a sunken building. Book and Fronaldo will see a couple yawning portals that were once windows.
BuckGodot
Book crosses back around to the group...

  "Couple of boring windows that made me yawn... But we should check inside. I think our normal marching order should be okay, agreed? Fronaldo and I at the front looking for traps, etc?"  
lostsole31
Aron (and the other NPCs) is (are) fine with that. Fronaldo/ Xhanfaerd?
silphael
He nods.

"  That will do, yes. I hope it's not inundated down there, though.  "
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo pulls his favorite dagger.
  “Great! Let’s do this”
  He quaffs a vial of swirling green fluid and his features take on a reptilian cast. He grimaces at the taste.
  “Ssssmooth!”  
He follows book towards an opening.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Drink mutagen
 
lostsole31
It's a very limited area of movement. The water laps up against the floor, and another level can be seen 15' below.
BuckGodot
  ”Spelunking anyone? Who’s got the rope?”   Book asks with enthusiasm. Looking up and determining there’s no where to go but down, he looks back and says,   ”Well, unless someone has some underwater skills, I don’t see how we can proceed here. Shall we go back and move on?”  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo looks at the flooded ruin dubiously.
  “Yeah. Good call.”


  
lostsole31
  "What that?"   says Sersheelda.

When folks look at her, she says,   "Dark thing. Just glimpse. In water. Gone now."  
BuckGodot
Book turns and looks.

  ”Okay. Maybe now is a good time to get out of here.”  

He heads back out and leaps across.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo is not far behind.
lostsole31
Everyone will exit, presumably.

 Xhanfaerd , attempt the leap.
silphael
"  I could go in there, but I don't think I can explore alone anyway.  "

He tries to get enough space before attempting to jump.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Jump !

  Acrobatics  - (1d20+2)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
Harrim makes it across. The party is back on non-island-building side.  Now what?
BuckGodot
  "Mark that as unexplorable with a possible dangerous inhabitant."  

And back to exploring to the west.
lostsole31
The group finishes off a day of exploration more westwards to reset along the embankment. And gives their report to Amivor.

Any comments or the like regarding what you saw today (beyond giving the already assumed report)?
lostsole31
Is the intention to ignore the site, or to prepare for it? or, to do both ... ignore it for now, and prepare to go back at a later time?
BuckGodot
I feel like Book would want to come back to it at some point but leave it unexplored for now.
silphael
"  If we hope to explore it later, we will need additional ways to get there, probably in the form of transmutation spells.  "
lostsole31
Most people are off doing their own thing, but Book does take time to tutor Harrim in Azlanti, while in turn Gelik tutors both in codes and odd syntaxes. Xhanfaerd tutors Amivor in the natural sciences as taught at the Magaambya.

 

    Wealday, 22 Calistril 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

Given the recent events, does anyone make any change to their dailies?
BuckGodot
Book wants to go west, young man. One square, please Alex.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information  
Followed by one square south.
 
lostsole31
The team continues explorations south and west along the lake's coast for the day before returning.

After the debrief, Aron gets with Book. She has an idea for a doleful tune that could psychologically affect enemies, and she needs to pick Book's brain, because she's noticed that on the few times he's wanted to do so, Book can actually be rather startling to enemies. It's an interesting discussion, one in which Xhanfaerd, Amivor, &amp; Gelik listen in.

 

    Oathday, 23 Calistril 4711 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

Which direction today, Book?
BuckGodot
Book suggest north today. Two squares.
lostsole31
Aron looks at Book,   "Didn't we already check that area?"  
BuckGodot
  ”Sorry. Meant further north in the area we hadn’t been to yet.”  
lostsole31
The party makes their explorations to the north, and finding another smaller body of water .. a large brook or the bend of some river.

Return to camp and debrief.

That evening, Gelik picks Book's and Xhanfaerd's brains regarding the various peoples and tribes of the Mwangi. Everyone else (except Harrim) joins in on the discussion.

 

    Fireday, 24 Calistril 4711 AR (Last Quarter)    

What direction today, Book?
BuckGodot
South west two squares if possible.
lostsole31
The party does their exploration, getting most of the internal section of this area of the ancient mercantile district. There was a little island in what now seems to simply be more of a pond than a body of water, but that was ignored to get the bulk of the internal area today.

Return and report. Nothing special, as most people do their own thing or just take it easy tonight.

 

    Starday, 25 Calistril 4711 AR (Last Quarter)    
 Book , what is the plan today? Aron recommends finishing making a circuit of that pond and possibly the small island thereon.
BuckGodot
Book concurs with Aron’s suggestion and recommends that course.
lostsole31
Aron tepes the rest to the party. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "In that case, if there are any changes you need to make ... or equipment to leave behind to lighten your load ... I recommend you do so. There wasn't much in the way of buildings close to the water's edge, and it was kind of swampy. So, if there is anything you can do to make you more comfortable swimming or dealing with swampy terrain, I recommend you do so for today's foray."   
 

Are there any changes anyone wants to make, or any equipment you wish to leave behind?
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Aron, I can make extracts of Monkey-Fish that help with swimming or climbing that anyone can use. I can make as many as we need (within reason). They last about 9 minutes per dose. They’re great…as long as you don’t mind the persistent body hair, scales and the urge to throw your poo!”
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Fronaldo) 
Aron answers Fronaldo,    "That's great! We can have a mini-poolympics, maybe even play some water poolo."   
 
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Yeah…it’s not as much fun as it sounds.”
   
 
   
   
BuckGodot
Book shakes his head at the two of them and chuckles.
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;collective 

   “But seriously, does anybody want a Monkey-Fish extract?”
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
Aron and Harrim both want something. Sersheelda doesn't say anything, so you assume she will be fine.

Book, Xhanfaerd, what about you?
BuckGodot
Book grimaces at the potential oily taste but will take one.
silphael
Xhanfaerd shakes his head.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   I have a spell for that, so I'll have around 8 minutes for each casting, I should be fine.   
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'll use monstrous physique as we get into the water, probably to turn into an Adaro, simple shark-man hybrid.
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will change up his standard kit as follows:see spoiler.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

First lvl extracts= 1) expeditious retreat, 5) monkey/fish.
He will give one to those that asked.
Swap two flash powders for anti-venom doses in his bandolier.
 
lostsole31
The party heads out for that swampy island section of the merchant's district. Upon arrival, what do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will quaff his mutagen. His skin becomes scaled and his iris’s yellow and slitted vertically.
   “It’ssss good!”    he hisses.
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Fronaldo) 
   "If you don't mind, Fronaldo, I will wait to drink the extract you gave me until I really need it ... for an emergency. I'm not a great swimmer, but calm water is fine for now unless something happens."   
 
BuckGodot
Book nods his agreement but keeps his extract handy.
silphael
Xhanfaerd gets ready to cast Monstrous Physique right before they plan to enter the water, so as the others get ready, he makes sure his  Mage Armor  is ready as well.
lostsole31
Harrim wastes no time taking that extract, and Sersheelda turns into a gargoyle (seems to be a preferred form). Aron, and Book just begin making their way across warily the old-fashioned human method, with Harrim keeping up.

 Xhanfaerd , do you turn into an adaro?

 Fronaldo , do you drink your extract like Harrim? or wait like Aron and Book?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo trusts in his boots of the mire and so holds off drinking the extract for now.
silphael
Xhanfaerd indeed turns into an adaro, a man-shark hybrid. He'll probably have to dry his things after this aquatic adventure, but he clearly can fight underwater as such.
lostsole31
Xhanfaerd takes out a few tiny scales he has been saving for just this occasion, and sprinkles them over himself while gesturing and performing the primal incantations. All of his equipment slowly disappears as his body warps and shifts and his gear melds into his body as he turns into a man-shark hybrid, saliva glistening from razor sharp rows of teeth across his now 7-1/2-foot long form.

The waters of this lake are relatively shallow compared to those of the larger lakes nearby, never dropping to more than 30 feet in depth.

A low, swampy island, its center littered with swaths of bones and broken plants, sits in the northern section of this murky, teardrop-shaped lake.  The party doesn't have a long swim before getting to the shore of this unwelcoming fen.

What now?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo nods to Book to join him. He takes out his trusty dagger and begins to explore the island.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Everyone stay close.”
   
 
BuckGodot
Book draws his whip and follows Fronalod.
lostsole31
Aron, Sersheelda, and Harrim fall in behind Book as the follows .... Fronalad.
lostsole31
Xhanfaerd will fall in line as well.

The island isn't big by any stretch of the imagination, and is thick with the swampy vegetation that has crammed into this island, but there are what appears to be game trails or swaths through the vegetation. Finally, you get to the northeastern tip of the island and on the embankment, partially obscured by leaves, appears to be a muddy nest .... with eggs. There are five eggs, each the size of an adult man's fist.

What do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo eyes the muddy nest hungrily.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Who wants omelets!?”
   
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Sersheelda &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   " 'dem eggs 'long to a Big Bitey,"    tepes Sersheelda.    "Mama' prolly nearby."   
 
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective  
   ”Well, we’re not here on a mission of destruction… let’s leave them be and see what else there is to see before we head back.”   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo’s stomach rumbles loudly.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

  “What! No second breakfast? What about afternoon tea? Secondies?”
  
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round... 
 S26:   Sersheelda doesn't seem so much alert as she seems carried along by  instinct. She sloshes around the circle of adventurers looking at the  eggs to get to the shoreline and shouts, pointing at the water,   "Big Bitey!"  
 S22:   Book ,  you see the massive creature begin to rise out of the water towards the  group, specifically what appears to be Fronaldo as its direct-line  focus. What do you do? 
 Spoiler: Surprise Round 
This is a surprise round,  which means you ONLY get a SA or a MA, not both, and not a FAA/FRA.  However, you do go FA's and SwAs. Speech is limited to three words or  less during surprise round.
 
BuckGodot
Book shouts,   "Withdraw! Too big..."   draws his whip and moves forward to draw attention from Fronaldo.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move south 2 squares.
FA: Draw whip

If attacked use Dodging Panache (Ex):  1 panache, IA, when an opponent attempts a melee attack against him, he can move 5 feet; doing so grants him a +5 [CHA] dodge bonus to AC vs. the triggering attack. This movement doesn’t negate the attack, which is still resolved as if he had not moved from the original square.

Reminders:
Surefooted .
 
lostsole31
 S22:  Book shouts,   "Withdraw! Too big..."   draws his whip and moves forward to draw attention from Fronaldo.

 S13:  The big reptile already has its meal chosen, its long, powerful jaws turning to snap on Fronaldo for  23 , but the close quarters of his friends keeping it from being able to establish a holding bite.

 S11:   Harrim was more alert than thought and withdraws, he gets a few feet  before the monster's massive jaws lunge forward to catch Harrim by  biting him in the FACE from brow to chin for  31 + 2 CON + 2 CHA + Penalty (-2 Perception &amp; ranged attacks) + grab  as  the monster lifts Harrim clear off his feet and throws him up a little  to catch him again more securely in its unbelievably large maw.  Harrim  screams in terrible pain.

 End Surprise Round, Begin Round One ...

R1T26:    "Can't, Book! Big Bitey haz Chunky!"    cries Sersheelda-gargoyle. She looks at the Big Bitey and gives a  tremendous roar before flapping her wings and starting to spiral around  the monster while gaining altitude.

 R1T22:   Book , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Book sizes up his foe and makes a carefully aimed strike at the torso of the beast.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


FA: Assess

Attack action: Using Risky Strike and Targeted Strike

Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 27 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+11)[ 14 ]  (+7 for Precise Strike)

Targeted Strike (Ex):  1 panache, FRA, make an attack w/ a single Lt or 1H P-melee weapon that cripples part of a foe’s body. He chooses a part of the body to target.

Torso or Wings: The target is staggered for 1 round if it fails a DC 19 Will save.

If attacked use Dodging Panache.

Reminders:

Surefooted
Whip Mastery (Ex):  He no longer provokes AOOs when attacking w/ a whip.
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:  Book sizes up his foe and makes a carefully aimed strike at the torso of the beast, lashing it for  23 , the power of Sersheelda's roar invigorating Book to have his whip bite more deeply, but otherwise no special effect.

 R1T19:   Fronaldo , your magic dagger is in hand, and you are currently under the effects of your mutagen. What do you do?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo pulls a small vial of pink liquid from his belt, chugs it, and disappears from view.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Ahhh! Hold on Harrim!”
   
 
   
    
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: drink extract of invisibility.
MA: Move East (with stealth) 30’ as long as the water is shallow. If it starts to get deeper,move back to shallow water and stop.
Boots of Mire : “  First, he is granted the power to walk on water in swampy environments, provided the water is no deeper than 5 feet—this effectively lets him move through swampy terrain and mud at no cost to his speed. He leaves no tracks or other sign of his passage as long as he’s in swampy terrain, and never becomes uncomfortable or wet from rain, fog, or other forms of non-freezing precipitation.”
  
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Fronaldo pulls a small vial of pink liquid from his belt, chugs it, and disappears from view. 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   “Ahhh! Hold on Harrim!”   
 

 R1T14:   Aron casts a spell at Harrim to try to help him out of the jaws of the  monster, but it doesn't work. With that failure, she nods at some  internal resolution and then begins to dance her dance that fires up the  blood of everyone there, even as she moves westwards and takes out her  bow. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "It's  a dire crocodile. It is going to attempt to swallow Harrim since he's  so small compared to it, and even then is likely to go underwater in a  death roll with anything bigger."   
 

 R1T13:    The dire crocodile bites down on Harrim, causing the dwarven cleric to  go limp, and then it swallows Harrim into its gullet. The monster looks  at the eggs, and then at Xhanfaerd and Book, who are closest to those  eggs, its saurian eyes narrowing dangerously.

 R1T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Tapping into his mental reserves, Xhanfaerd disappears, reappearing close to Gelik, before slamming his hammer into the beast's skin, attempting to spread doubt into the simple mind.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift action, Reunion in Dreams, teleporting to the square south of Gelik by spending Focus.

Standard action, Chains of Doubt on the crocodile, spending 2 PP to add 2d6 damage and increase the DC by 2. It will add 5d6 damage and the crocodile will have to roll Will, DC 21, or be nauseated for 1 round.

  Attack  - (1d20+14)[ 20 ] 
  Damage  - (2d6+9)[ 14 ] 
  Extra damage  - (5d6)[ 17 ] 

If it hits, all allies gains a +2 morale bonus to attack.
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Defensive effects :
-I'll transfer all damage suffered by Harrim to myself, spending PP to reduce it if it goes above 20.
-I'll initiate Body of Delusion if directly hit by an attack from the croc.
 
lostsole31
 R1T7:  Tapping into his mental reserves, Xhanfaerd  disappears - and reappears exactly where he started, leaving him too far  away to attack at this time.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26:  Sersheelda tries to hover, but fails and falls 5' into the water before righting herself.

 R2T22:   Book , what do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book blanches as he watches his associate devoured in one gulp, shakes his head to clear it of shock, then acrobatically dashes south to line up with Fronaldo to create a flanking situation and lashes out with his whip.

 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective&gt;&gt;&gt;Fronaldo 
   ”Fronaldo, stay where you were to flank!”   
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


MA: Move 4 squares south using acrobatics to add to defense

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+14)[ 30 ] 

Damage:  (1d3+11)[ 13 ]  +7 for Precise Strike

Sneak Attack damage:  (3d6)[ 10 ] 

Debilitating Injury: Hampered

If attacked use Dodging Panache.

Reminders:

Surefooted
Whip Mastery
 
lostsole31
 R2T22:  Book blanches as he watches his associate  devoured in one gulp, shakes  his head to clear it of shock, then  acrobatically dashes south in hopes that Sersheelda on the other side  will take advantage of the flanking, as he has no idea where Fronaldo is  at this time. Unfortunately, putting his head on a swivel and hoping  for a flank-buddy distracts him as his acrobatics are under par just as  he jumps into the knee-high water to the south of him. The monster  lashes out at this second of vulnerability. Book, realizing his peril  attempts to dodge completely out of the way. It is no good as he is  plucked from the air mid-dodge with a critical bite - mainly along the  knees - for  37 + grabbed . Aron again uses that fast  spell as before, and as before, it does not help the held Book. Now in  the jaws of the giant crocodile, Book still manages to slash the monster  along the top of one of its legs for  20 .

 R2T19:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Aron on deck, Dire Crocodile in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
With a snarl, Fronaldo pops into view, slashes the big croc twice with savage ferocity.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: 5’ step to the West.
sneak attack, FAA, risky strike , guile pool +2 all attack this round and +2 from invisibility (not included)SwA, +1 Goblin Foolhardiness trait.
  to hit1  - (1d20+14)[ 22 ] 
  dam1  - (1d3+13)[ 15 ]  plus sneak (4d8)[ 13 ]  plus 4 bleed and Hampered.
[roll=to hit2]1d20+9]roll]
  dam2  - (1d3+13)[ 16 ]  plus sneak (4d8)[ 15 ]  plus 4 bleed (unless already bleeding)and Disoriented.
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  With a snarl, Fronaldo pops into view, slashes  the big croc twice with savage ferocity, screaming obscenities in Goblin  the whole time. His first cut strikes as deep as his little dagger will  go in the underside of the big croc's upper foreleg for  32 + hampered ( +4 bleed ) ,  Sersheelda's roar and Aron's sultry dance spurring him on. His second  cut goes wild as the monster rears away from the source of the pain.

 R2T14:   Aron, having already expended the best spell she can use in this  situation at this time, continues her dance. She heads back to Book,  casts a spell, and touches him for   25 healing  .

 R2T13:  The sarcosuchus takes   4 bleed    from where Fronaldo cut it. It throws Book up into the air and he comes  down ... getting bitten and swallowed by the big beastie for  28 !  Meanwhile, also somewhere within the belly of the beast, things are  happening. Xhanfaerd feels that connection to Harrim he was preparing to  abate. Xhanfaerd feels the beginnings of pain, spending some mental  power to abate the injury, but still ending up taking  17  himself, but at least Harrim suffered no more harm, hopefully.

 R2T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Book in the hole (literally) ...
silphael
Stepping closer, Xhanfaerd concentrates on casting a spell despite the creature's presence.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
5 foot step E, then casting Haste defensively, including all allies outside of the beast.

  Concentration  - (1d20+15)[ 28 ] 
 
BuckGodot
Book, surprised to find himself inside a croc, suddenly understands why no one wants to wear them. Hoping his weapon doesn't jam, he draws his sidearm and extends his arm up towards what he hopes is the creature's head, thinking to himself, "  "How can I miss?"  , pulls the trigger twice.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
FA: Draw sidearm

SwA: Enact Lucky Strike (Su):  1/ minute, SwA, he can apply a true strike effect to the next single attack he makes before his next turn.

Attack using Risky Strike

Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 18 ] 

Dmg:  (1d8+5)[ 9 ] 

Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 12 ] 

Dmg:  (1d8+5)[ 11 ] 


Remiders:
Fate's Favored:  Whenever he is under the effect of a luck bonus of any kind, that bonus increases by 1.
 
lostsole31
 R2T7:  Xhanfaerd steps closer, not realizing that moving  around in a swamp is difficult. Worse, in stepping east he almost steps  on one of the eggs before the monster reaches down to bite him along  the belly for  26 + grappled ! Unfortunately, now that  he's held fast in the monster's mouth, he is unable to get to the  licorice root in his medicine bag with which to cast his spell. He is  pulled closer to the monster, lifted over the eggs so as not to harm  them.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T26:   Sersheelda-gargoyle becomes a Sersheelda-adaro, taking a page out of  Xhanfaerd's book. 
 Spoiler: Sersheelda &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Fronaldo) 
   "Am other side for stabs!"   
 

 R3T22:   Book, surprised to find himself inside a croc, suddenly understands why  no one wants to wear them. Hoping his weapon doesn't jam, he tries to  draw his sidearm, but it is too compressed in here, and he fails. In  fact, having spent a burst of energy for his failed dodging panache, he  doesn't even have what it takes to increase his luck in the next minute.

 R3T19:   Fronaldo , what do you do? You are no longer invisible, but Sersheelda assures you she has set you up "for stabs."

Aron on deck, Sarcosuchus in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo continues his assault on the monster; spitting a litany of curses in goblin.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Sneak attack, FAA, Risky Strike
spend a guile point for +2 attack, +1 attack for Goblin Foolhardiness trait, +2 flanking (all not included)
  tohit1  - (1d20+14)[ 30 ] 
  todam1  - (1d3+13)[ 16 ]  plus sneak  (4d8)[ 15 ]  and hampered.
  tohit2  - (1d20+9)[ 13 ] 
  todam2  - (1d3+13)[ 16 ]  plus sneak  (4d8)[ 15 ]  and hampered.
 
lostsole31
 R3T19:  Fronaldo continues his assault on the monster;  spitting a litany of curses in Goblin. This time he stabs the thing in  the knee of its rear leg for  33 + hampered , but learns  that Sersheelda's roaring boon is a one-shot deal. He then stabs into  the side of its chest, but even as it deals with Xhanfaerd struggling in  its mouth, the second strike hits only thick, hardened scales.

 R3T14:  Aron has to recover her breath a little, but  continues dancing and defensively casts a spell upon herself. She then  uses her dance for more acrobatic flair as she attempts to open  distance. With Xhanfaerd held, she simply moves away a little bit in the  mud.

 R3T13:  The dire crocodile's powerful muscular action  compresses on the unfortunates inside its body. Xhanfaerd senses the  sudden psychic disconnection as Harrim's life force is snuffed out - the  priest of endings has met his own - and the Magaambyan is able to  firmly hold his mind against the psychic enervation that sometimes comes  with that. Book also is compressed for significant pain. All of this  muscular contraction doesn't help the crocodile, necessarily as its  blood is almost pressed out of its foreleg and back knee for   4 bleed  . The creature does as before, and now Xhanfaerd is swallowed whole as well, taking  22  as he is gnashed and gnawed and goes into the void of the beast.

 R3T7:   Xhanfaerd , you have been swallowed. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Still channeling damage to himself, Xhanfaerd grabs one of his arrows, using the arrowhead to stab the beast's innards.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Basically, I'm using an arrowhead as an improvised piercing weapon.
Move action to draw it, standard action to stab with it.

  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 17 ] 
  Damage  - (1d2+5)[ 7 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: Reactions 
Still redirecting damage on Book to myself, spending pp accordingly.
 
lostsole31
 R3T7:  Though he thinks about channeling damage to  himself, it seems Xhanfaerd's entire focus is struggling in the  extremely tight quarters just to try and grab an arrow from his quiver  ... a task which his struggles fail to accomplish as he can barely move  while being squeezed.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T26:  Sersheelda ducks her head underwater. She does a single focused strike that hits the side of the monster for  9 +  1 force  .

 R4T22:   Book , you can barely move in here. What do you do?  
 Spoiler: OOC 
Because  you had to pay it forward with a IA&gt;&gt;&gt;SwA previously from  Dodging Panache, you did NOT get your Lucky Strike ability "activated."
 

Fronaldo on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book thinks to himself,    "Another point for the need to carry a dagger..."    and tries again to get his sidearm out. Aiming this time not up but in front of him, hoping not to hit Harrrim and fires twice.




 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


SA: Attempt to draw sidearm

If roll fails, use Turn of Fate (Su):  1/day, he can reroll any failed roll he has just made. He must accept the results of the second roll.

SwA: Enact Lucky Strike (Su): 1/ minute, SwA, he can apply a true strike effect to the next single attack he makes before his next turn.

Attack 1 w/ RS:  (1d20+14)[ 32 ] 

Attack 2 w/ RS:  (1d20+9)[ 16 ] 

Dmg 1:  (1d8+5)[ 10 ] 

Dmg 2:  (1d8+5)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T22:  Book thinks to himself,    "Another point for the need to carry a dagger..."     and tries again to get his sidearm out. His first attempt is truly  valiant, but he realizes he would have to be insanely lucky to even have  a chance, and he feels some of his luck (confidence) already draining  from him, so he thinks for a second, ready to try again .... this time  with all cookies on the line for the next attempt.

 R4T19:   Fronaldo , what do you do?

Aron on deck, Sarcosuchus in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “HOLD ON!!”
   
 

The diminutive goblin rogue continues to slash away at the mighty behemoth.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FAA, risky strike
+ 2 attack from guile pool point, +1 attack goblin Foolhardiness trait, +2 flank (not included)
  tohit1  - (1d20+14)[ 26 ] 
  todam1  - (1d3+13)[ 14 ]  plus sneak  (4d8)[ 18 ]  and hampered
  tohit2  - (1d20+9)[ 10 ] 
  todam2  - (1d3+13)[ 15 ]  plus sneak  (4d8)[ 16 ]  and hampered.
 
Blackhawk101
Fumble roll check
 (1d20)[ 19 ] 
lostsole31
 R4T19:  
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “HOLD ON!!”   
 
The  diminutive goblin rogue continues to slash away at the mighty behemoth,  cutting it in between some of its scales for  32  with one attempt, and missing the other. The monster cries in pain.

 R4T14:   Though the number of participants that see her dance has dwindled, Aron  maintains her dance, casts a spell on herself, and steps back.

 R4T13:  The beast takes   4 bleed    from several wounds now even as muscular contraction forces those  within to be crushed more. Intense crushing power closes on Book, but  the damage is instantly taken in by Xhanfaerd, who in turn burns as much  mental power as possible so as not to actually feel Book's harm upon  himself. Meanwhile, the crushing effect on Xhanfaerd is much less  intense, as he takes  18 . The big, bleeding croc, not  realizing it is already doomed, looks down upon the green-skinned  creature that has given it so much trouble. It bites Fronaldo about the  chest for  26 + grabbed . As he his held in place, the  tail rips out of the water to strike Fronaldo in the lower abdomen to  crush the goblin's intestines for  38 (+  1 CON bleed  )!

 R4T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Trapped inside, Xhanfaerd attempts to move toward the beast's mouth to break free.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'll attempt to break out of the swallow whole.

  CMB  - (1d20+13)[ 33 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: Martyrdom 
I'll redirect damage from Fronaldo to myself, burning as much PP as possible to reduce it.
 
lostsole31
 R4T7:  Trapped inside, Xhanfaerd attempts to move toward  the beast's mouth to break free. He doesn't break free, but through  pure luck, he forces his way up to the mouth, right next to Fronaldo!

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T26:   Popping her shark-head up from below the water, special magical fabric  on her knuckles glow ever brighter as she strikes the giant croc for  9 +  3 force  .

 R5T22:   Book , your lucky strike is active. What do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book is going to give it his all and try once more to draw his sidearm and point it down, firing twice.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 

SA: Draw Sidearm using Lucky Strike

Attack 1 using RS:  (1d20+14)[ 26 ] 

Attack 2 Using RS:  (1d20+9)[ 22 ] 

Dmg 1:  (1d3+11)[ 13 ] 

Dmg 2:  (1d3+11)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T22:  Book tries to give it his all, but all of his luck fails to help him extricate his gun from its holder.

 R5T19:   Fronaldo , you feel funny in your guts,  but you take no more damage. You and Xhanfaerd are both held fast in the  monster's jaws. What do you do?

In the meantime, Xhanfaerd burns significant mental energy with his martyrdom.

Aron on deck, Sarcosuchus in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
   “With my final breath, I stab at the!”    screams Fronaldo. His tiny dagger flashes out at the crocs head twice, seeking a vital spot.   “Oh! Hi Zhan.”  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FAA, risky strike, guile Pt. +2 attack
  to hit1  - (1d20+14)[ 24 ] 
  todam1  - (1d3+13)[ 14 ] 
  to hit2  - (1d20+9)[ 10 ] 
  todam2  - (1d3+13)[ 14 ] 
 
Blackhawk101
Fumble save roll (sigh)

 (1d20)[ 10 ] 
lostsole31
 R5T19:     “With my final breath, I stab at the!”    screams  Fronaldo. His tiny dagger flashes out at the croc's head twice, the  first landing in a vital spot to its skull through the upper palate for  12 .

  “Oh! Hi Zhan,”  Fronaldo  says distractedly on the second attack as he notices his friend. The  attack is half-hearted, but it seems it was enough anyway as the tension  throughout the croc's body relaxes and it drops.  Its long snout  extends and smashes down on its own eggs, but also is such that it keeps  from submerging the mouth and flooding out Book.

 R5T14:  Seeing the massive monster drop and go inert, Aron stops her dance and delays ...

 R5T13:   Fronaldo has to work to get his dagger out of the roof of the croc's  mouth, and in doing so, blood pours into the mouth and starts running  into wherever Book is.

 R5T7:   Xhanfaerd , you are in the croc's mouth (which is closed, and therefore it is dark). What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Book in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;collective 

   “Come help Zhan!”
   
 
   
   
silphael
Standing up, Xhanfaerd pushes the jaws apart to help the others out.

"  Book ! Come that way !  "
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   “Come help Zhan!”   
 
 
R5T7:   Standing up, Xhanfaerd tries pushes the jaws apart to help the others  out. He pushes up to create pressure in the upper palate, but does not  pull the jaws apart with one arm and a shoulder (as he is still carrying  his earthbreaker).  Still, it is wider than it was. "  Book! Come this way!  " 						

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T22:   Book ,  the sides of the dire crocodile are ripped open and swamp water rushes  into completely immerse you at your point! You manage to take a breath  before being fully underwater inside the beast. You heard someone  yelling, but it seems like where the water came from would be an easier  than trying to climb out the way you came. What do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Xhanfaerd in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book tries to climb out through the gator gate that just opened up… (where the water started coming, for clarification…)
lostsole31
 R6T22:  At this point, it's less about climbing and more  about swimming, but Book gets out easily into the very murky water and  to the surface before quickly finding squishy "land" to stand on at the  water's edge.

 R6T19:  Fronaldo, your guts are back to hurting you badly, as you take another   1 CON bleed  . It's too much. With his severe injuries, he passes out from significant internal hemorrhaging.

 R6T7:   Xhanfaerd, you are sure you could grab Fronaldo and press out the  mouth, but just trying to lift the mouth isn't going to work right as  the muscles of the jaw have relaxed and will just "tent" over you.  Though you can't see him, Fronaldo is right next to you and you can feel  him. He has gone limp for some reason. What do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Book in the hole ...
silphael
Grabbing Fronaldo, Xhanfaerd tries to press out the mouth, channeling any further harm suffered by Fronaldo to himself.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   Fronaldo needs immediate help, we're inside the mouth !   
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Outside taking any damage suffered by Fronaldo myself, no idea what kind of action the rest is.
 
lostsole31
 R6T7:  Grabbing Fronaldo, Xhanfaerd tries to press out  the mouth, channeling any further harm suffered by Fronaldo to  himself. 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Fronaldo needs immediate help, we're inside the mouth!"   
 

With  Fronaldo in one hand, and his earthbreaker in the other, Xhanfaerd  finds shimmying out of the mouth difficult. He is half in/out of the  mouth with his precious cargo.

 R6T6:  Aron moves forward from her position, slowed by the swamp and not yet in the water.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T26:   Sersheelda-the-adaro swims deftly to the mouth and changes back into  her normal form, standing in the water by Xhanfaerd and Fronaldo.

 R7T22:   Book ,  you will find the water you are in to be more difficult than your  sure-footedness alone can handle, and will be slowed as you try to get  out of the soupy water. What do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Xhanfaerd in the hole....
BuckGodot
Book staggers west onto the shore and kneels down to catch his breath.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


MA: Move west 2 squares.
Full stealth.
 
silphael
Letting go of his hammer, Xhanfaerd keeps pulling Fronaldo out.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   Get ready to stop his bleeding, I'm not sure he'll stay with us for long !   
 
lostsole31
 R7T22:  Book staggers west onto the shore and kneels down to catch his breath.

 R7T19:  Fronaldo continues to deteriorate rapidly (  1 CON bleed, 1 bleed dying  ).

 R7T7:   Letting go of his hammer, Xhanfaerd keeps pulling Fronaldo out into  Sersheelda's waiting arms. 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Get ready to stop his bleeding, I'm not sure he'll stay with us for long!"   
 

 R7T6:  Aron steps over and casts her most powerful spell on him for   24 healing  , bringing Fronaldo to consciousness.

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T26:   Impressing everyone with the enormous strength in her little body,  Sersheelda pushes through the muck to get to shore and lays Fronaldo  gently down.

 R8T22:   Book , with Harrim  gone, you are the best healer in the group. There appears to be no  apparent danger, though Fronaldo is still in critical condition, but no  longer apparently dying. What do you do?

Fronaldo on deck, Xhanfaerd in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book crosses to Fronaldo and draws his wand of CLW. He looks him over and touches him with the wand.

  "Hold it together, buddy."  he says, a rare flash of true concern passes over his face.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: One square west
Use wand until he seems more stable.

Asses for healing.
 
lostsole31
 R8T22:  Book crosses to Fronaldo and draws his  wand of CLW . He looks him over and touches him with the wand for   4 healing  .   "Hold it together, buddy,"   he says, a rare flash of true concern passes over his face.

 R8T19:   Fronaldo ,  your gut hurts badly, but doesn't worsen, but that's because at the  exact same moment, Xhanfaerd grunts in pain from his position in the  dead croc's mouth as he suffers  1 CON . You are prone. What do you do?

Xhanfaerd on deck, Aron in the hole ...
Blackhawk101
    “I don’t feel so good. My tummy hurts….bad. The healing magic isn’t helping my stomach but it’s not getting worse.”
     The little green maniac looks pale and bedraggled; covered head to toe in blood and dire crocodile saliva. 
lostsole31
 R8T19:      “I don’t feel so good. My tummy hurts….bad. The healing magic isn’t helping my stomach but it’s not getting worse.”     The little green maniac looks pale and bedraggled, covered head to toe in blood and dire crocodile saliva.                          
 R8T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do? You are halfway out of the croc's mouth.

Aron on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...
silphael
After shuffling around for his weapon, Xhanfaerd pulls out of the maw.
lostsole31
 R8T7:  After shuffling around for his weapon, Xhanfaerd pulls out of the maw, plopping prone into the water.

 R8T6:   Aron drops her bow and takes out her flute.  
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Book, Sersheelda, Xhanfaerd) 
   "I  can be more of help to you this way, Book. Sersheelda, help Book. Book,  try to stop Fronaldo's internal bleeding with what little medicine you  know. Xhanfaerd, until you have no more mental energy left, try to stall  Fronaldo's internal bleeding."   
 
Aron then  begins to play a type of tune she never had before ... one that  hopefully focuses Book's mind on the task while calming the patient.
 End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T26:  Sersheelda moves up next to Book, kneeling down to assist the patient and aid Book.

 R9T22:   Book ,  Sersheelda will offer good assistance and Aron's music sharpens your  mind. Do you drop your whip (to work with both hands) and try to stop  the internal bleeding in Fronaldo? 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If so, roll a Heal check.
 

Fronaldo on deck, Xhanfaerd in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book drops his whip and kneels down with legitimate concern in his eyes...

He does what he can to halt Fronaldos bleeding...

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Heal Check:


 (1d20+7)[ 22 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T22:  Book drops his whip and kneels down with legitimate concern in his eyes. He does what he can to halt Fronaldo's bleeding.

By  the time Book finishes his partially invasive surgery Fronaldo's  intestinal bleeding has stopped. It took all of Book's know-how AND  Sersheelda's help AND Aron's music, or else the archaeologist would not  have succeeded at so delicate a task.

 Initiative Over! 
BuckGodot
Book rinses his hands in the water and collects his whip before sitting down and looking his own wounds over…
Blackhawk101
 “Thank you for saving my life everyone. Great team effort!
Where’s Harrim?”  asks Fronaldo weakly.

Fronaldo assists the efforts to retrieve Harrim’s body.
lostsole31
Now, instead of being all bloody and croc-spittle-covered, Book's arms are now bloody, croc-spittle-covered, and muddy from the boggy water. But at least he doesn't notice the blood quite as much.

Harrim's body is retrieved as best as you can ... but his entire body was crushed and swallowed down to the stomach ... and then given an acid bath to boot. You more collect bones and a bearded skull you think is his, but his equipment was either crushed or dissolved. At least you have some gory pieces for a burial.

Meanwhile, it dawns on Aron that without Harrim, the role of party healer has fallen squarely on her shoulders .... again. She begins casting healing spells on Fronaldo, Book, and Xhanfaerd. She fully heals all normal injuries on all except Fronaldo (who has but a minor would visible), but she has not the power to heal any of the deeper injuries (i.e., she cannot heal ability damage).

She looks at the others and speaks with her wispy voice.    "We must go back to camp and tell of our news. However, a monster of this power was surely a force in this area that had to be treated - even with just avoidance - by the other creatures in this particular area of Saventh-Yhi. Despite the loss of Harrim, who saw his end long ago anyway, I think we may have scored a great victory here, without even understanding how far-ranging that might be. Book, I recommend our future searches be in this focused 'neighborhood' of Saventh-Yhi. Exploration is fine, but it is about time we start pacifying the areas as well."   

Sersheelda simply nods, wanting to rest. She was, after all, nominally closer to Harrim than anyone else.
BuckGodot
Book nods his agreement.
silphael
"  I will take care of the longer lasting detriments we are suffering from.  "

He turns toward Fronaldo and starts channeling his halcyon magic to make him recover.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Let's cast a few Lesser Restoration, then.
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo carves a hunk of croc meat from the carcass and chews it thoughtfully.
   “I agree with Aron.”
   He sighs with relief when the healing magics restore his health.
   “Thanks!”   
lostsole31
Xhanfaerd only needs to cast one lesser restoration, and it fully restores his intestinal tract.

The party returns to camp with what little you could of Harrim.  Besides a basic debrief with Amivor and Gelik, is there anything you discuss?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo saunters up to Amivor once back in camp.
  “Hi Boss! Good day today. No boring archaeology but there was about a ton of angry croc that was determined to ruin our hike. Luckily for me (bad luck for her), she tried eating the tastier members of our crew first. Now there is a pile of fresh meat rotting in the swamp. Such a waste!”
  The little green guy gets reflective for a minute.   “Do you think Harrim would like it if we all sat around the fire tonight and contemplated our mortality in his honor?”  
BuckGodot
Book watches Fronaldo with his mouth agape, slams his jaw shut and shakes his head walking back to his space to rest.
lostsole31
For her part, seeing as Xhanfaerd spent so much energy to help fellow little folk, Sersheelda casts  lesser restoration  of her own upon Xhanfaerd to heal his ailment (1 CON healed).

Nobody does any training or the like post-debrief, but seeks the comfort of the cot.

That night, there is a faint dinging sound above Sersheelda's head.

 

    Sunday, 26 Calistril 4711 AR (Waning Crescent)    

Without Harrim, the expedition is without a chaplain.  Aron is an oracle of Pharasma's power under the moon, and Sersheelda is a militant druid. While Aron is a more capable speaker, to bring her closer in with the group at large, Amivor asks Sersheelda if she is willing to be the expedition's chaplain, and she accepts.  Obviously, today's focus will be on remembrances of Harrim. While he could be a little ray of rain cloud on the sunniest day, Harrim possessed a unique capacity of complaining about life's simplicity in a means that was comical and counterpoised the joys that were extant. It just might be that was the brilliant, subversive way he preached to treat every day as special for you never know when your end comes.

Does the party want to explore today, or give Harrim and the holy day its due for once?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo isn’t the sentimental sort. If the others want to spend time remembering Harrim he will put in the minimum amount of time at the proceeding before slinking off to work on distilling serpentfolk venom. Otherwise he is good with more exploration.
BuckGodot
Book would be in favour of giving Harrim his due time.
silphael
Agreeing with the day off, Xhanfaerd nonetheless studies the grieving methods of each member of the compagny.
lostsole31
Well, Fronaldo doesn't seem to care ... OR is acting like he doesn't ... and is working on deadly chemicals.

 Book , how do you grieve for Harrim?
BuckGodot
Book will remain in his camp area and quietly contemplate Harrims contribution to the group. Interspersed with random moments of note taking about things we have discovered. He will go for a walk later and do some thinking about how Harrim interacted with each person.
lostsole31
Meanwhile, Xhanfaerd ... Aron won't miss Harrim as a person, but as a contribution to the group. In fact, she will celebrate the occasion of his death (not the fact that he died) as he will now get to move on to the next life to see the Pale Lady and travel onwards to the afterlife adventures that may await him, hoping for the errant dwarf's sake that he will see his deity.

Sersheelda meditates, and in that she is inscrutable.
silphael
For now, Xhanfaerd takes notes without commenting, more or less his own way to take death into account.
lostsole31
    Moonday, 27 Calistril 4711 AR (Waning Crescent)    

With the death of Harrim, Amivor orders a shoe-dragging Gelik back into active service with the rest of the party.

Time to set up dailies!
lostsole31
Gelik and Veress (Aron's tiger) both rejoin the expedition moving forward. A development, by-the-by, which Gelik is none too happy about.

Before heading out, Aron asks Xhanfaerd to include both of the two returnees - Gelik and her tiger - into the collective.
silphael
Having prepared the same spells as the last days, Xhanfaerd adds the returnees to his collective.
lostsole31
Alright, Book, now it's time to figure where to go next.

Aron does offer,    "We just got rid of a very powerful monster that had to hunt and surely just by its size - even though a big animal - was a 'major player' in that section of Saventh-Yhi. I recommend we don't try to wander too far afield, but rather continue explorations in what appears to have been the ancient market district."   
BuckGodot
Book nods his agreement with Aron and likes Geliks suggestion for the exploration and opts to go with it.
lostsole31
So, utilizing Gelik's suggestion, and that is to go down the western bank to get a sense of the outer limits of the Market District (and the whole of Saventh-Yhi at this western limit).

It's not long before in this swampy western bank, the whole party comes to a larger pool in which a half-dozen reptilian humanoids with stone gray skin seem to be playing. There is a rancid, oily stench in this part of the jungle. They don't seem to notice the group.
silphael
Watching the playing party, Xhanfaerd tries to determine if they are really playing, and takes notes of some of their playing habits.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   If they are playing, we might have an opportunity to talk with them. I doubt all out evil cults would have let us get to their playing ground unopposed. On the other hand, if those are children, by meeting them we will present ourselves as kind of a threat.   "
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo takes his customary stance when meeting new groups: broad smile with lots of teeth, shoulders back, and chest out. Then he quaffs a vial of silver liquid and disappears.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: drink extract of invisibility
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I am the best for first contact, but my voice is not strong enough to call out to them. But those are troglodytes ... reptilian humanoids."   
 

Gelik nods comically as his floppy hat flops and down as he does so. 
 Spoiler: Gelik &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Book) 
  "You and I both speak Draconic, and you are a fair sight better than Fronaldo at this sort of thing. Care to assist me as I step forward to make contact?"  
 
BuckGodot
Book nods to Gelik and moves to his side, gesturing for him to lead on.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo follows the pair, stealthily.
lostsole31
With Book already at the water's edge, Gelik trades places with Fronaldo.

Gelik clears his throat and speaks. 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
   "Hello. Peace be upon you, for we are much stronger than you and could use your skin for handbags, yet we shall not. We are explorers and shall leave you unharmed and unspoilt. Will you take up arms against us?"   
 

The troglodytes are startled, and don't seem to offer any threat.

Gelik looks to the party. 
 Spoiler: Gelik &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "What would we ask of them?"   
 
silphael
Xhanfaerd answers through the collective.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   Well, we could ask to know where their territory stands, to avoid disturbing them too much, and about informations about the surroundings ? Also, what kind of entity do they worship around here, and where are other, less friendly, tribes nearby ? That sounds like a nice start. Do they know anything about the serpentfolk around here ?   "
 
lostsole31
Gelik looks approvingly at Xhanfaerd, which looks both ridiculous and condescending from the floppy-hatted gnome, who then turns and asks these things of the bathers. Once he gets some answers in a back-and-forth, he relays the answers that he receives. This is what he learns:


 
 The troglodytes don't have a "territory." In fact, in this particular district of this ancient place, there aren't any really overall rulers, like they hear of other districts. The big powers in this part of the ancient city are a huge crocodile; the angry archers; triple-headed monsters; a huge bat; and finally, a drowned place full of angry spirits. If any force managed to overcome at least three of these, it is likely they could consider the place pacified, but no force has done so in this family of trogs living memory. 
 This family of trogs worship the God of Reptiles, patron of troglodytes. 
 There are less friendly factions all throughout this ancient place. These trogs are a small family that try not to bring attention to themselves when they go out hunting. That's why they bathe here, to cut down on their musk so as not to be so obvious from the many predators. 
 The serpent people are powerful, and known to have their own hold over one of the central districts across the waters.  
 
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Gelik, ask them if they will show us where these big “powers” are located.”

   
 
lostsole31
Gelik does ask, and they will absolutely not go near dangerous places. They try to describe things, but the trogs aren't very bright, and the manner in which they see the world is so different from the PCs, that it is hard to establish reference points.
BuckGodot
  "Well, I say we leave these guys alone then and continue our search. Any other suggestions?"  
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Agreed. These guys don’t have much more to give. Let us decide which big bad we want to fight next and ask them to point us in the right direction. I vote for angry archers…unless you like the Big bat better. No wet ghosts. Nope!”

   
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I agree. If nothing else, with each group, we can determine if we have to fight or parley with the next; but also we might be able to force various local powers into a form of impotency if we can quell several of these forces. We already killed the dire crocodile, and I can understand how not from a political standpoint - but a power/control standpoint - it was one of the major forces in the area. I am willing to bet that 'angry archers' were those in that building we spotted that Book and Fronaldo were looking at."   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo nods in agreement.
  “That’s right! We know where they are so that seems the obvious choice.”
  says a disembodied voice .
BuckGodot
  ”Right! Well let’s do some reconnoitring and see what we can see!”   Book says and he nods to wherever Fronaldo may be and starts heading in the direction of the building.
lostsole31
It takes a bit, but the party makes its way back to the massive building with the rent in the side that has the flying, ape-like archers inside.  The party is at a decent standoff distance as before.

What now?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will study them and try to get and idea of their routines.
lostsole31
Fronaldo offers the above as a suggestion ...and an intention of action ... but that will take time.

In the short-term what does everyone (else) do?
BuckGodot
Book readies his whip and makes sure his sidearm is loaded and clean.
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Given what Fronaldo suggested, are we going to camp out here and take shifts logging their movements for a few days?"   
 
BuckGodot
Book nods his agreement to Aron.
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "If we do that, we should return to camp for now to let Amivor know of our intentions so they aren't worried why we didn't return this evening."   
 
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   Indeed, we should go back to the camp. It even means we can adjust our weapons for flying archers, which isn't bad.   "
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo seems disappointed to have to leave the possibility of immediate covert shenanigans but will grin at Aron and gives a thumbs up signal.
lostsole31
The party makes it back to Pathinder Base Camp without incident. What now?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will happily work on processing Snakeman venom before dinner and bed. A change to his load out in the morning will be drop four of five monkeyfish extracts and instead make two Shield, one Enlarge person, and one comprehend languages. He will leave it to Aron and the others to discuss their plans with the rest of camp.
lostsole31
Aron approaches Xhanfaerd.    "I am sure you have your own magic that you can pray and shift and study, but if you want someone who already has a helpful spell always ready, may I look at your earth breaker, Xhanfaerd?"   
silphael
He nods, handing it to her.

"  Sure. I was about to ask if someone had a way to help me repair it, so... the help is welcome.  "

He also checks his spellbook, considering which spells to prepare for the next day.
BuckGodot
Book will check his spellbook for any new ideas and realises he doesn't actually have or need one... So he just makes notes on the days encounter.
lostsole31
It takes Aron three castings and 30 minutes total, but she fully repairs Xhanfaerd's earth breaker.

Anything else or push to tomorrow?
BuckGodot
Push on. Please.
lostsole31
    Toilday, 28 Calistril 4711 AR    

The next morning. The party prepares themselves to do a long-term, undefined, multi-day surveil of the stronghold of the winged archers.

 Xhanfaerd , are you going to change anything in your lineup?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo saunters up to the group and addresses Aron.
  “So what is the plan? Just hide and observe or do you want prisoners to question also?”  
silphael
After careful consideration, Xhanfaerd swaps Alter Self for Mirror Image.
lostsole31
Xhanfaerd affects his changes to his prepared inventory, just as Fronaldo had.

Assuming the collective re-established, Aron uses the collective since it is more comfortable and she is heard "as loudly" as a normal speaker.
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I think we should hide - and create a rotation of observers - for about three days to get a sense of movements at the House of the Archer-Apes. During that time, determine linguistics; determine any practices, rituals, or customs; and after those three days of observation, determine if we should attempt to treat with them diplomatically; run them off with intimidation or violence; or avoid them altogether."   
 
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Excellent! Will everyone be hiding and watching, or just a few?”   
(After a response)
   “I can see well at night so I can take that watch (if they are nocturnal) or use the darkness for cover to move closer into their camp if they are only active in daytime.”   
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
  "Every watch will have two people - always a buddy. One of them must account themselves as stealthy, and we'll make that determination once we get back to that spot."  
 
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Well, I'm pretty good at being stealthy and observing. Sounds like a plan. Let's make it happen!"   
 
lostsole31
Aron's recommendation is to have the following two teams. The forward observer (FO) is the member who gets "danger close" and the rear observer (RO) is quite a distance away under cover of foliage to observe broader area in case the FO - who tends to be more myopic - might be put into danger.

Aron recommends the following teams, to take 8 hour watches apiece:
 
 Team One (0600-1400):  Book (FO) and Aron (RO) (w/ Veress). 
 Team Two (1400-2200):  Sersheelda (FO) and Gelik (RO). 
 Team Three (2200-0600):  Fronaldo (FO) and Xhanfaerd (RO). 
 

Meanwhile, the main party is at least several hundred yards in deep cover or even in an abandoned building.

How does that sound?
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronsldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Sounds like we should get going so I can get a nap in before Zhan and my shift.”
   
 
BuckGodot
Book looks at Fronaldo with a wink and then at Aron…

 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective  
   ”Great suggestion, Aron. We make a good team.”   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo glares at Book and wonders if he has the necessary ingredients to make some itching powder…
silphael
Xhanfaerd shakes his head.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   At night I wouldn't make the best observer, since even if I see better than humans, I'd still need a source of light to be rear observer. Well, if the moon is up, that might work.   "
 
lostsole31
Aron changes her recommendation to the following teams, to take 8 hour watches apiece:
 
 Team One (0600-1400):  Aron (FO) (w/ Veress) and Gelik (RO). 
 Team Two (1400-2200): Book (FO) and Xhanfaerd (RO) . 
 Team Three (2200-0600): Fronaldo (FO) and Sersheelda (RO).  
 

Any concerns with this lineup?
Blackhawk101
While Shersheelda is height challenged and weird, she has proven her value in a fight to Fronaldo.
  “That is fine with me. We will be able to see the best at night. I call forward observer!”

  Fronaldo addresses Zhan in front of the others.
  “Hey, Xhan? Will we be able to use the collective when you are asleep? What is the effective range?”  
silphael
He thinks, then shakes his head.

"  I think I could maintain it while asleep... technically, but communication would likely wake me up. And also, unless I'm in sight, I'd probably be too far away. Around a bow range, I'd say ? Not necessary exactly that, but comparable. If you are scouting the way we're planning to do, don't count on it.  "
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo accepts the information from Zhan thoughtfully.
He corners Sersheelda to discuss strategy.
  “So if you see something and want to alert me, hoot like an owl once. If you want me to come to your position, hoot twice. Same goes for me. Let’s practice. Hoo…Hoo!”  
lostsole31
The person who lived several decades underground only to surface in the tropical jungles of the Mwangi expanse looks blankly at Fronaldo.   "What an Owwil?"  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo thinks for a minute
  “Never mind. …aaah can you make a sound like a cricket? Skree, skree?”  
lostsole31
  "That not kickert. That bird,"   she says, confused.
Blackhawk101
  ​“Fine! You pick a night animal and I will do an owl. Hoot , hoot!”  
lostsole31
She thinks for a second and then says,   "Have one!"  

She opens up her mouth, and from her mouth on her tiny body comes - not an imitation of, but the actual sound of - a trumpeting, angry elephant! The sudden shock and noise knocks Fronaldo back on his bum, and he is shaken. Add to that .. it is a very loud noise in Saventh-Yhi.
Blackhawk101
Brushing the tree litter from his breaches, Fronaldo gets up and grins ruefully.
  “That is a heck of a call you got there! Might be too loud for sneaking. Can you do something softer?”  
lostsole31
  "Why we do this."  
Blackhawk101
  “When we are out together to observe the “angry” winged monkey archers we need to be able to communicate without giving away our hiding spots. So if I see something to be worried about, I will hoot once. That alerts you and hopefully not them. If I hoot twice, that means I need help, go get some. The same applies to you with your signal.”
 “It is just a trumpeting elephant is a little too much. Do you understand?”
  Fronaldo smiles encouragement with a lot of little pointed teeth.
lostsole31
  "I 'stand you make noise. I don't need make noise."  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo pats her on the shoulder.   “Exactly!”
  The little green guy shakes his head ruefully as he walks away.
…but then he gets an idea.
He walks back to Sersheelda.
  “What other languages do you know? Dwarven?”  
lostsole31
  "What ... lang ..."    she has trouble with the word.    "Mean tongue? You want know name of my tongue?"  
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will try a little of each language he knows to see if she responds to any. If not he will offer her a flask of sparkly pink liquid.
  “Try this. It will help you understand languages.”  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

create extract of Comprehend Languages which Sersheelda can use with his Infusion Discovery.
 
lostsole31
Fronaldo starts to speak "nonsense words" to Sersheelda, and bored ... she simply walks away from him before he ever cycles through all known languages or gets to offer the liquid.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo looks accusingly at Aron as he shuffles off to find a spot to nap.
  “Great! Just great.”  
lostsole31
It is only really later that day. Aron (w/ Veress) and Gelik are not at camp, being on duty for observation. Fronaldo and Seersheelda are sleeping.

 Book  and  Xhanfaerd , you easily hear ... a group of somethings ... trying to be stealthy but not very well trained at being such, getting closer to the camouflaged party's redoubt. You don't know if they are specifically and deliberately closing ton the redoubt, or if the group is just passing close.

What do the two of you do?
BuckGodot
Book looks to Xhan and waits to make eye contact then gestures indicating the noise.

Drawing his whip and speaking lowly he says,    "Let's close and see what's happening. Be ready for combat. I'll come around from the north, you come from the south. Agreed?"   
silphael
He nods, taking his hammer in hands.

"  Should we wake them up ?  "
BuckGodot
Book nods but gestures for quiet. Before leaving the camp to surround the new comers, he will quietly wake those sleeping in his way out, telling them something is trying to stealthy approach but failing.
lostsole31
Do you wait for the groggy, or begin your flanking maneuver now?
BuckGodot
After indicating which direction I’ll be going, I head off immediately.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo quickly and quietly dresses. He pulls his favorite dagger and hides in some foliage around camp.
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

   “Psst! Is this thing working? What do you see?”
   
 
   
   
lostsole31
Fronaldo is only just beginning to tumble out of his bedroll, and sends a more garbled telepathic message ... understandable, but only barely just.

Meanwhile, as Book comes from the north and Xhanfaerd from the south, there is a group of four persons wearing the black-and-red livery of Sargava moving along carefully with halberds in hand. They spin quickly to all face a not-at-all stealthy Xhanfaerd.

  "Who the hell are you!?"   one of the soldiers says to Xhanfaerd in a volume that completely mocks the stealth of the situation.
silphael
"  I am Xhanfaerd, adventurer and arcanist of the Magaambyan.  "

For now, he keeps questions for himself.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"  Sargavan soldiers, aren't we quite far from Sargava ?  "
 
BuckGodot
Book remains concealed with his whip at the ready should they turn aggressive.
lostsole31
The soldiers talk amongst themselves.   "What faction are you with? You don't look like a Free Captain. Are you a Pathfinder ... a Consortium agent? or, are you an independent that doesn't know about the great race?"  
silphael
He nods.

"  I am indeed a Pathfinder, why ?  "
lostsole31
His gaze looks Xhanfaerd up-and-down and another soldier points out the half-elf's wayfinder, and the soldiers - while still wary - seem less stressed.    "Well, we aren't enemies, but we are rivals. My name is Lieutenant Tacius Regilius, Sargavan detachment. I imagine the rest of yours are hiding in the weeds?"  
BuckGodot
Book purposefully fakes a sneeze.
lostsole31
  "Why don't you get your people out here so we don't have that nervous feeling of snipers on us, and we can talk."  
BuckGodot
Book steps out of hiding, coiling his whip.

  "What brings you boys this way?"   he asks.
lostsole31
  "That's two....."   the lead soldier says expectantly.
silphael
 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   The Sargavan detachment is there and wants to talk, can you both come over here ?   "
 


"  They weren't that close, they are on the way.  "
Blackhawk101
 
 Spoiler: Fronaldo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 

Assuming he cannot hear the conversation from his location, he says:
   “Give a verbal signal so we can find you.”
   
 

Fronaldo will make his way over to the others but doesn’t break cover.
lostsole31
Sersheelda follows.

The sergeant waits.
silphael
Once the others are nearby, Xhanfaerd says out loud.

"  It's okay folks, you can reveal yourselves.  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I assume the spots where we were keeping watch were relatively nearby ? Since those sleeping were still in medium range.
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo attempts to sneak up to near the Sargavans before revealing himself.
  “Hello!”
  He gives them a big smile of pointy teeth.
lostsole31
Sersheelda pops out as well.   "Yellow."  

The four soldiers try not to jump out of their skin.

  "Where's Ms. Zyanthius?"   the lieutenant asks while looking around.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo sneers at the soldiers.   “She’s…indisposed. What do you want?”  
lostsole31
  "That's a cute pet you got there, Dr. Booker. But definitely small dog attitude,"   says another soldier. The soldiers chuckle over that.

  "We honestly didn't expect to see any of you. We lost our own vanguard on the race to Saventh-Yhi,"   says the lieutenant.   "Then intel states that the Free Captains and of course Aspis Consortium have it in for you. But here you are. Where is your main camp? We'll tell the general and he'll probably send over a courier to invite your boss and aides-de-camp to a meal while we figure out how best to civilly divide exploration so we are more cooperative than combative."  
BuckGodot
  "Sounds like a plan... But I want to run it past the higher ups first before I just start telling any old person where the main camp is... Give me a minute or two."   Book replies.

 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Aron, they want to know where the camp is so they can invite us to dinner... What do you think?"   
 
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo tests the edge of his blade then begins tossing it into the air and catching it. He eyes the visiting soldiers suspiciously.
lostsole31
Aron returns a reply. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
  "Make a counter of asking where their camp is. As a military organization I doubt they are trying to create a hidden redoubt, and this makes them feel in a position of strength while we are 'weaker.' "  
 
BuckGodot
  "Now that I think about it, it might be better if you just tell us where your main camp is, the time dinner is served and we'll pass on the information."   Book replies.
lostsole31
  "Well, there are still crazy critters about,"   the lieutenant says,   "so we don't blow the bugle like we normally would at chow time. But dinner is usually around sundown."  
BuckGodot
  "Right. Sundown. And where shall we meet?"  
lostsole31
The lieutenant explains,   "I'm sure you followed a waterway down from the west like we did. Where the water plunges under ground - the end of the waterway - go back upstream on the northern side about 200' or so, and our encampment is right on the water."  
BuckGodot
  ”Righto. I’ll pass that on.  Look to my coming on the first light of the fifth day, at dawn look to the east  We’ll be by soon. Most likely…”   and he nods to them and turns to head back to the encampment.
lostsole31
The lieutenant pulls his detachment out to report to "the general."
BuckGodot
Book recommends calling a halt to the current surveillance activities to regroup at the main camp and let the uppers decide the next course of action.
lostsole31
Aron mentions over the collective that since the group is on no time constraints, she is fine with that.

The group gathers together again.  Do you discuss anything on the way back to camp?
Blackhawk101
Once together again, Fronaldo speaks to the group.
  “Once we have their camp location, it would be fairly simple for me to sneak in and poison their food supplies. It wouldn’t need to kill them, just slow them down a bit.”
  He smiles hopefully at Aron.
lostsole31
Aron stops and without using the collective (where she has as stronger "voice) she looks down at the goblin.    "What the ever-loving  f***  is your problem?!"   
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo seemingly shrinks down under the unexpected assault from the normally soft spoken woman.
  “Sssorry. I thought they were a threat.”   he says sheepishly.
  “They called me a pet dog. I hate those twice-damned mongrels!”
  He slinks away.
lostsole31
The party returns to the main camp. Now what?
BuckGodot
Book will accompany Aron to the command tent to report the encounter and the expected trip for dinner.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo sulks in his tent, mumbling to himself.
 “I no mangy, flea ridden, butt licking cur. No, not Fronaldo. My teeth are much sharper. Yes, my Fangs carry death. A viper is Fronaldo. Yes!  They will see. They will see.”

 
lostsole31
  "Where's Fronaldo?"   asks Amivor of the party.
BuckGodot
  ”He’s uh… recovering in his tent… we’ll pass on whatever information that’s necessary.”  Book says, looking at Aron.
lostsole31
  "Recovering? What happened?"   asks Amivor, concerned.
BuckGodot
  "Bruised ego... That's all."   Book responds.
lostsole31
  "What are your thoughts about this Sargavan detachment?"   Amivor asks.   "Intel tells me that months ago some of our Pathfinders ambushed your Sargavan vanguard peers last in Kalabuto. Fought to a draw, but one Pathfinder dead. Seems that was the night their vanguard became unspooled. Some wildman Shoanti that found his way into their group ran off never to be seen again, while the vanguard themselves ended up disappearing, likely in the area of the ziggurat where you found the means to find Saventh-Yhi. I didn't order that strike, and it was poor judgment, but any chance they know and are stewing over the attack?"  
BuckGodot
  "Well... I wasn't exactly looking for it but I didn't get a sense of deception... Anyone else pick up on anything?"   Book says as he looks around at the others.
lostsole31
Sersheelda shrugs ... and Aron and Gelik weren't even there ... so all eyes fall on the very quiet Mwangi-Ekujae half-elf....
silphael
"  I don't think they are planning to betray us, if that's your worry. They might plan to negotiate and use the situation to their advantage, though, and since they arrived here after us... maybe we can consider what we can afford to let them explore and claim ?  "
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo will see if he can “acquire” any hand crossbow bolts from party stores.
lostsole31
The bolts a hand crossbow uses are the same used for a light crossbow ... the common ranged armament of the Pathfinders there.

How many are you trying to abscond with?
Blackhawk101
A couple (2) quivers.
lostsole31
Fronaldo easily steals 2 cases (20 bolts) from the camp quartermaster. Unfortunately, they are all sized for size M crossbows, not size Small.
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo shakes his tiny fists to the heavens and curses the high and mighty gods for their cruelty!
lostsole31
Does he keep the ridiculously-sized bolts, or put them back?
Blackhawk101
Fronaldo returns the bolts but mixes the individual bolts points up and points down in the cases.
lostsole31
  "Well, that'll be a cuss to put right, don't you think?"   says a Pathfinder, watching this whole thing go down.   "If you want, I can show you where I got the stash for the replacements we have coming .. two halflings among them. I didn't have them with the primary stores because nobody can use them yet, so they were put away-away."  
Blackhawk101
  
“Yeah…sure. That would be very helpful. Thanks.”   says Fronaldo, sheepishly.
lostsole31
Fronaldo follows the Pathfinder to a darker section of camp. The man opens up some hidden crates.

Fronaldo, you see every type of equipment that you specifically could ever want.

Make a Will save ....
Blackhawk101
Of course ….Fronaldo’s best save.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

 (1d20+4)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 Book, Xhanfaerd  .. back to you. What do you do?
BuckGodot
Book will ask about when or if they want him to go along to the dinner meeting.
lostsole31
  "It's probably more expected since the contact was made today to send your group just to say hello tonight, and then agree on a time for dinner .. but otherwise show now-ish as the soldier recommended,"   Amivor advises.
BuckGodot
  "Right. Probably the more friendly ones should go... Me... Aron... and... Hmmm. Suggestions?"  
lostsole31
Amivor looks to the muscular half-elf,   "Xhanfaerd, mind lending a little bit of authority as a member of the Magaambya when interfacing with the Sargavan contingent?"  
silphael
He raises an eyebrow.

"  I doubt that would be the place nor time for a-  "

With a fake cough, he resumes.

"  Yes, I can definitely try to leverage my authority as a magaambyan initiate with them, thankfully they aren't anymore under chelaxian dominion.  "
lostsole31
Amivor looks at him and smiles,   "Nice try, but I happen to know that as deep in the Expanse as Nambutu is, the Magaamby as never been the conquest or pawn of the Empire of Cheliax."  
silphael
Taking his most professoral voice, which he clearly hasn't used in a while, he corrects.

"  Indeed, but that isn't the case for the Sargavan, and during that time the relations between them and the Magaambyan have been, at best, strained.  "
lostsole31
  "Then go with Book and Aron as a show of strength,"   he says.

  "Me go too?"   asks Sersheelda.

  "While that would be funny, no, stay behind and I'll work on you with some things,"   Amivor answers Sersheelda.
BuckGodot
Book nods and then turns to go. As he is leaving he says,   "Those who are attending, meet at the edge of the camp in about half an hour. Clean up and dress up if you can. Let's make a good impression."   He then heads to his area and does his best to clean himself up and prepare. He will not take all his normal kit but will bring his whip and sidearm. You never know...
lostsole31
Sersheelda is happy to be working under the tutelage of the man with the animal magnetism.

Aron nods to Book and goes off to freshen up.

 Xhanfaerd ?
silphael
Nodding, Xhanfaerd goes to prepare.
lostsole31
Everyone returns ... and Aron returns with Veress, fully intending to take her tiger with her.
BuckGodot
If everyone is ready then we’ll head out toward the camp.
lostsole31
Gelik had heard about this and pops up, having used  prestidigitation , and asks to join along.
BuckGodot
Book, not using prestidigitation, nods his assent to Gelik coming along.
lostsole31
True to the sergeant's word, the Sargavan camp ... actually a small fort quickly in the making ... is only a little over 200 yards from the Pathfinders own main camp. It seems that their presence and industry accounts for distant noises the Pathfinders had heard previously. The river at that point is even quite fordable, though upon getting to the other side you still need a minute to dewater your clothes and gear and get a round or two of  prestidigitation  in. In fact, there are a line of torches that act as a means of soldiers on this northern side of the river to find their way to the water.

  "Halt! Who goes there?"   calls voices concealed in an obvious blind.
BuckGodot
  ”We are the duly appointed and invited representatives of the Pathfinder contingent.”  Book replies.
lostsole31
More soldiers will file out and escort the Pathfinders into the main encampment, and brought before the one who seems to be in charge.

  "This is General Rotilus Havelar, one of the soldier mentions to the PCs. General, per the lieutenant's mention, this is the Pathfinder contingent."  

A tall, barrel-chested, arrogant-looking colonial military man looks the group over and smiles to himself as he passes by Veress.   "I am General Havelar. It seems our groups have been entwined before by fate. Would you do me the honor of sharing this evening's repast with me? I daresay, though, that for your beast's safety, it will need to be securely penned. We don't need a tiger spooking the men walking about. Acceptable?" 

Aron nods, and will go off with a couple soldiers to get Veress situated, so she might not be back for a minute or two.
BuckGodot
Book, masking his private distaste for the military, steps forward with a smile and says,   "General, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. It would be an honour, Sir."   He extends his hand for a handshake.
lostsole31
He takes Book's hand in his massive hamhock-with-fingers with a vise-like grasp,   "I would say likewise if I knew your name, sir."  
BuckGodot
  ”Dr. C. T. Booker, at your service. But you can call me Book.”   replies Book with a smile.
lostsole31
   "Aronnahar Zyianthus,"    says Aron simply,    "and my pet tiger's name is Veress."   
  "Gelik Aberwhinge, storied Pathfinder, at your service, General!"   says Gelik with a wide, low sweeping bow with his puffy hat.

The general looks the dark-skinned half-elf .......
silphael
Giving a polite nod, Xhanfaerd answers.

"  Xhanfaerd, pathfinder and Magaambyan Arcanist.  "
lostsole31
The general gives a good-natured attempt, but fails to quite pronounce Xhanfaerd's name properly. As the group is shown into senior officer's mess (a tent), and things get set out for food, the meal continues under the current of the conversation.

Do you open with anything?
BuckGodot
  "So, General. Making good progress? Hit any obstacles? We have... Sunken rooms with creatures and some potential troubles with other baddies."  , Book asks.
lostsole31
  "Slow going, indeed,"   he says.   "I'm a general with a force that is holding camp, and only a few of my vanguard are proper explorers, and it takes forever. I know it is supposed to, but as a military man it takes longer than a military campaign might. What sort of 'baddies?'"  
BuckGodot
Book, whose mind has been firmly focused on the exploration, excavation aspect of the trip, struggles to recall exactly what they’ve encountered…   ”Erm… well… there have been some… uh… “   looking around at the rest of the group, he asks,   ”Someone help me out, here?”  
lostsole31
   "The most powerful foe we encountered so far,"    says Aron,    "would, in my opinion, be the sarcosuchus. But we killed it."   

The General asks,   "What's that she said? Why does she speak so softly?"  
silphael
"  That is part of her burden. She's talking about a type of giant crocodile, basically. We lost some of ours since we arrived, notably against that one, so yes, it's not really easy.  "

He shakes his head, a grim air over his face.
lostsole31
As dinner passes and there is other gossip and news chatted about by his adjutants, the general will say as the meal winds down,   "Well, we need to get to the matter of things. Saventh-Yhi is a treasured find. It goes without saying that the Sargavan government fully intends to post a northern garrison out here once our exploration, survey, and pacification of the locals is complete. We don't care as much about 'finder's glory' though some of that should still be noted, as our interest is in military. If I'm not mistaken ... on the other hand, you Pathfinders are very much about the deep exploration, scientific approach to archaeology, and then publishing for peers. Am I right?"  
BuckGodot
  "That about sums it up, General. For me at least."   replies Book.
lostsole31
  "I will respect your exploratory claims for anything where the mouth of the river empties south, just as your camp is south - yes, yes, we know where your camp is - and you will respect our permissions to explore anything north of the river's mouth. Meanwhile, once our survey is complete north of the river, just as we can provide a courtesy of allowing you - escorted - to explore our claims north of the river mouth, you will hopefully allow our people to do the same south of the river mouth - your section. Agreed?"  
BuckGodot
  "Well, that sounds fair to me? But... I'll need to take the offer back to the decisioners and let them have the official final say."   replies Book.
lostsole31
Are there any pointed inquiries you have to make of the general? or ready to go back?
BuckGodot
Book has nothing to ask.
silphael
Similarly, Xhanfaerd has nothing more to add.
lostsole31
Well fed with simple fare, the Pathfinders return to their encampment. It is assumed, of course, that you give a briefing to Amivor, who is amenable to what the general had mentioned.

Do you all turn in to bed?
BuckGodot
Book will bed down for the night if there is nothing else needing to be accomplished... after he reads through some more of his notes and begins transcribing for his book.
lostsole31
    Wealday, 1 Pharast 4711 AR 
Day 42 of Exploration of Saventh-Yhi.   

The following morning, do you change anything in your morning routine?
BuckGodot
Books routine will be the same. His poutine, however? May add a new ingredient…
lostsole31
(With no input from the player,) Xhanfaerd's daily input is the same as before.

Book and Xhanfaerd each take 90 minutes for daily preparations (as do Sersheelda &amp; Gelik). It usually takes Fronaldo an additional half hour; he normally only takes an hour for daily preparations (as with Aron), but then he takes another hour to brew his mutagen.

As you all coalesce where you do in readying to wait the final 30 minutes ... you realize you don't smell the pungent odors of Fronaldo's daily cook.
BuckGodot
  "Where's Fronaldo?"   Book asks the group...

  "Fronaldo! This is no time for goofing! Show yourself!"  

After a few seconds of response, Book will go to Fronaldo's camp spot to investigate.
lostsole31
Fronaldo's tent appears a-jumble, but that just might be a lack of hygiene, you don't know as you've never actually visited his tent.

That said, his pack and equipment are not here, so he is up and about.

Book takes a closer look at what signs he can tell, and then realizes that nothing has been touched for awhile, and the cot and blanket are cool (well, for the weather and humidity of this jungle, that is). Tell-tale signs to his sharp and trained eyes tell him .... Fronaldo did not spend the night here.  In fact, it seems that it has been nearly 24 hours since he's been to his tent ... from when he left it yesterday in preparation for the longer stay at the recon site.
BuckGodot
Book reports back to the others what he finds and grabbing his gear, suggests they head to the recon site.
lostsole31
  "Do you think he stayed out all night and went back to the site himself?"   asks Gelik.
BuckGodot
  "He's sometimes over-enthusiastic but he's no fool... I don't think so."   replies Book.

  "Before we go, let's alert the CinC."  
lostsole31
Upon telling Amivor, he strokes his read beard thinking.    "Either he has left on his own - though who knows for how long - or he has been taken.  Search any tracks that you can that might make sense. I will come with you.  When did each of you last see him. Don't speak 'for the group,' but the last time, individually, you each last saw him?"  
BuckGodot
  "Hmmm. Well... The last I recall, he had been chastised by Aron for talking about poisoning the food of the Sargaven camp. He was upset by their treatment of him..."   says Book, thinking.
lostsole31
  "How so? How were they treating him?"   asks Amivor.
silphael
Shaking his head, Xhanfaerd confirms.

"  I remember about it as well... do you think he has been captured by the Sargavan ? Given our agreement I think they would have brought him back with a stern warning, or something like that, I suppose ?  "
lostsole31
Amivor seems confused.   "You remember ... 'about' it?  What do you remember? What happened?"  
BuckGodot
  "At our first encounter with the Sargaven troops, one made a comment about Fronaldo being my pet. Something about small dog energy. Later Fronaldo suggested to Aron that it would be easy to sneak into their camp and poison their food. Not to kill but to inconvenience. Aron, who Fronaldo is quite taken with, responded harshly to his statement. He may have taken it to heart and has decided to act on his own. We should ask around and see who has seen him last."   Book responds.
lostsole31
Aron shakes her head.    "If there is any intent to put any guilt or sadness in my heart, it won't work. I am not sure if I hear that conciliation in your voice or not. There is not now and never was a chance I would ever entertain Fronaldo, but upon his talking about poisoning the Sargavans ... and I don't remember him defining to what end like Book may have just editorially added ... that was it for me. I yelled at him, as best my voice can do these days, asking 'What is your problem?!'"   

Asking about camp will uncover that Fronaldo was last seen last night talking with a Pathfinder at the river's edge, though when further asked, they can't remember who that Pathfinder was. It was dark, after all.
BuckGodot
Book looks at Aron with concern and sincerity in his voice,  "Oh, no... No implied guilt or anything of the like. I was just retelling the facts from the way I recall them. I'm sorry if there was a perceived slight. It was not intended..."   He turns back to address Amivor.   "Of course we all recall things as we remember them."  
lostsole31
Aron is fine, her perturbation being with the goblin that made her feel increasingly uncomfortable with his sophomoric attempts to get her attention.

Amivor questions the Pathfinders of the encampment, but none admit to being the one that talked to Fronaldo in the dark.
BuckGodot
Book suggest that some trackers might be of help, although if Fronaldo wanted to conceal his path, they would be hard pressed to find it.
lostsole31
  "Well ......"   says Amivor, drawing it out.   "With Fronaldo gone, the best tracker award goes to the druid Sersheelda, doesn't it? With you and I a close second, but only a second? And she was with you at his tent to make those determinations. Otherwise, I don't know where you think  I'm  going to dredge up a tracker. That's a skill held by the vanguard, not the main book-smart archaeologists in the main company."  
BuckGodot
  "Well we need to do something. He could be up to something... or he could have been grabbed. I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. As you said, I'm just an archeologist... this is outside my wheelhouse."   Book replies with a look to the others.
lostsole31
  "You are the best trackers ... and you found nothing. You are the best at determining clues from a site ... and you gave us a timetable. I and the junior Pathfinders can offer no more help than that,"   admits Amivor.

He looks to the half-Ekujae,   "Xhanfaerd, might you have any insight?"  
silphael
After considering his options, Xhanfaerd answers.

"  I might get some answers by listening to the sounds of the land where Fronaldo disappeared, but I doubt it would be better than what Sersheelda can do. Still, we should probably thoroughly search all the places he might have been, there could be tracks, either of him, or of whoever captured him.  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'm talking about the Whispering Lore spell, which technically doesn't give information, only a bonus to knowledge, so... can't be certain.
 
lostsole31
Amivor nods,   "I leave it to you, then, vanguard. I am not sending out the rest of the Pathfinders. They are not meant to go rolling off in the dangers of the jungle alone."  

What does the party do?
BuckGodot
Book says,   "Well, if he were going to pull some kind of foolhardy stunt to prove he wasn't just a lapdog, I imagine he would require supplies. Most likely arms. Let's start there and see if we can retrace his steps."    and heads to the Quartermasters tent to make inquiries.
lostsole31
Once at the Quartermaster's tent, he noticed when your crew came back to camp, but that was closing time for him as he helps with the serving of the meal. And nothing appears to have been taken. There was a case of bolts that was not where it was supposed to be when he did morning inventory, but that wasn't any cause for alarm as he just as easily might have misplaced it last night.
BuckGodot
  "Okay, well I'm out of ideas... I guess the next step would be to try to think of where he might have gone. He did imply he might try to take action against the other camp. Maybe we should head that way and see if we can pick up his scent?"   says Book with a shrug.
silphael
With a nod, Xhanfaerd adds.

"  That would be a way to start, yes. But given how large the jungle is, without any other clue, this might turn into a wild goose chase, sadly.  "
lostsole31
  "I have a feeling that if he acted against the Sargavan camp,"   answers Amivor,   "we would surely have heard of it by now. No, either Fronaldo - an excellent tracker and master of stealth - either wants to remain hidden. Or, something just as good or better at it than he has removed him from the board. You've done what you can and investigated everything I can think of, and everything you can think of, so will he or no, Fronaldo cannot be found at this time."  
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods solemnly.

"  What we can do, however, is leave him messages in places he might look for us, if for some reason he cannot go back to camp.  "
BuckGodot
  "That's a thought... Expound more on that idea for us?"  
silphael
He explains.

"  Well. We probably could place messages under clear stacks of rocks with content that only one of us could understand, or place rocks and stuff like that. Both would work.  "
BuckGodot
  "That's a sound idea. Let's make it happen. Xhanfaerd can you take charge of that? I hate to leave the little guy out there... But I don't know what else to do unless we orchestrate an all-out search. I think we should send a message to the Sagavans to ask if he's been seen and to keep an eye out for him. I'll head over there and ask around if that's all right with you, Amivor?"   Book suggests.
lostsole31
Amivor is fine with that.

Will Book go alone, or is "the group" going?
BuckGodot
Book will accept any who wish to accompany him.
lostsole31
Let's assume the group goes. You head to the Sargavan camp and then are seen by the General.  What do you say to him?
BuckGodot
Employing both diplomacy and perception, Book greets the General and says,   "Sir, we have a problem. A missing man. There has been no trace of him since our return to camp. He's a good man and a valuable member of our team. The issue is, he may not be well-liked at first sight and he can be a little grating now and then... But we were wondering if you or any of the camp had caught sight of him? Small, greenish fellow? Lots of teeth?"   and he continues with a basic description of what Fronaldo was wearing and possibly carrying.
lostsole31
  "I hope you don't think that we are going to deal with daily visitations?"   asks the General.   "I have not seen your pet goblin."  
BuckGodot
  "Of course not, General. We just wanted to ascertain if you had seen our valuable team member or not. Thank you for your time."   Book replies politely, not to be goaded on by the man.

Did Book get any sense of deception from his reply?
lostsole31
Book didn't sense any deception from the man.  Presumably you go back to Pathfinder Central.

Now what?
BuckGodot
Right. Book decides to organise a search of the area between the camps. He will take any volunteers who want to look for the green goblin or clues to his whereabouts.
silphael
Xhanfaerd joins the search party. He isn't the best at spotting, but he tries to use what he knows about the goblin to deduce possible direction he might have gone.
lostsole31
What type of search area/ radius/ coverage do you use? Amivor is willing to have the Pathfinders-general aid in this, of course.

You actually don't need to break this down to the absolute nut if you don't want to, but I don't want to make rolls and give results, and THEN you start doing a deep dive of you telling me "how."
BuckGodot
Book suggests a line of searchers, each covering a 10-foot section from NW to SW, starting at our camp and heading towards the Sargaven camp. 9 searchers plus himself, and whoever else will volunteer from the team. However, he is open to additional suggestions or variances on his idea.
lostsole31
Using Book's idea, and perhaps input from others, a search is made with as good a possible a focus as it can be given everyone's skills and abilities.

It takes all day.

No sign of Fronaldo.
BuckGodot
Book flops down in his cot muttering,   "When we find the little green turd, he's going to pay for this."  and sleeps. On the next day, he suggests they do another round of searching heading NE.
lostsole31
    Oathday, 2 Pharast 4711 AR 
   
 Xhanfaerd , do you set up anything different today?
silphael
Lacking any spell to find lost allies, Xhanfaerd sticks to his former spell setup.

"  It doesn't look like he left toward the Sargavan camp, and after a few days, exploring another possibility in the jungle is likely to bring nothing anymore. Maybe we should look for other specific points and see if anything happened there ? Or maybe Fronaldo already went to investigate what was our next goal before the Sargavan arrived ?  "
lostsole31
  "Maybe this, maybe that,"   Gelik says with obvious frustration.   "Maybe, maybe, maybe. But what do we do in the meantime?"  
BuckGodot
  "I'm open to looking at other points... but we can't let this distract us from our reason for being here for too long. I know he's mischievous and troublesome, but I can't help but feel something unfortunate has happened. Xhanfaerd, what other points would you suggest?"   says Book feeling frustrated and at a loss for once.
silphael
He shakes his head.

"  As I said, if he doesn't want to be found, we won't find him, and it is the same for whoever might have captured him, especially after a few days. I think we should resume our exploration, and be attentive for potential signs of hisa actions on the way.  "
BuckGodot
Book sighs in frustration...   "Okay... Back to work then... I guess... But keeping an eye out for signs..."  
lostsole31
Do you go back to the same site, adjust rotations, and keep watch over the movements of that hall of the winged simian archers, or something else?
silphael
It is indeed what Xhanfaerd suggests.
BuckGodot
Yes. Observing the Simians.
lostsole31
Amivor asks,   "With Fronaldo no longer around, how will you adjust your scouting/ sleep arrangement?"  
BuckGodot
  "I think we'll have to cut it down to two teams with Xhan acting as a sort of relief person. Unless you have someone you think might be a suitable substitute?"   replies Book.
silphael
"  I definitely should have studied more spells to set up better resting conditions, so I will do my best as the relief team.  "
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by lostsole31 
 Aron's recommendation is to have the following two teams. The forward observer (FO) is the member who gets "danger close" and the rear observer (RO) is quite a distance away under cover of foliage to observe broader area in case the FO - who tends to be more myopic - might be put into danger.

Aron recommends the following teams, to take 8 hour watches apiece:
 
 Team One (0600-1400):  Book (FO) and Aron (RO) (w/ Veress). 
 Team Two (1400-2200):  Sersheelda (FO) and Gelik (RO). 
 Team Three (2200-0600):  Fronaldo (FO) and Xhanfaerd (RO).  
 

Meanwhile, the main party is at least several hundred yards in deep cover or even in an abandoned building. 
 

So, the adjustment for this would be ...

 
 Team One (0600-1800):  Book (FO) and Aron (RO) (w/ Veress). 
 Team Two (1800-0600):  Sersheelda (FO) and Gelik (RO). 
 

And Xhanfaerd would be the floater. Does this seem right?
BuckGodot
Book agrees and would like to get back to it asap.
lostsole31
Book and Aron take up surveillance with Sersheelda and Gelik chilling out and sleeping, with Xhanfaerd watching over them.

Their shift goes by uneventfully, and the watch changes hands. At this point, it seems that Xhanfaerd's role is set - to watch over camp and to watch over sleepers who in turn watch over him.

 

    Fireday, 3 Pharast 4711 AR    

That early morning, Sersheelda and Gelik return, sharing movements with Book and Aron as they did. One thing they add is that they had to kill and hide the bodies of two very curious boggards who were sniffing around - likely looking for food while staying out of the main byways (such as overseen by their current recon subjects).
silphael
During his watches, Xhanfaerd takes notes about the simians' culture and habits.
BuckGodot
Book suggests that they do one more day of surveillance and then begin to plan their next move.
lostsole31
    Starday, 4 Pharast 4711 AR    

Mind you, the entire day is taken up with more surveillance.

What you learn is that there are probably some dozen or more of the simian flyers, maybe more since you don't get too close to try and learn to tell them apart. That said, there is likely no more than a half dozen at any time actually in the building while others are out ostensibly hunting and the like.

That evening, do you make any plans?  You may not "act" other than RP discussion, as it took you all day and into the mid-evening, and at some point, everyone's sleep cycle will need to be readjusted to bring you back to parity.
silphael
Checking his notes, Xhanfaerd tries to provide a basis to work with.

"  So, are they smart enough for negociation ? Or will we have to get rid of them violently ? I don't think I have seen them commit any atrocity, so for me if we could simply discuss with them and be sure they don't try to hinder our advances... which, given our relative numbers, I'd say they are unlikely to try.  "
BuckGodot
  "Negotiation is always an option. I'm open to trying to communicate our intentions if we are in agreement that is a good idea..."   Book replies.
lostsole31
   "Of course, I am happy to lead negotiations,"    says Aron,    "but as before with the boggard, I only have  comprehend languages . So, if they even deign to speak with us, I know what is being said, but cannot be understood in turn."   
  "And I, of course, will assist you,"   offers Gelik.   "But as with Aron, I have the same spell and no means of actually being understood. Yet, it would be a real coup if we could make diplomatic inroads instead of stab-stab everything."  
BuckGodot
  "I'm naturally good at negotiations but aside from using my archaeological skills like one of my co-workers, Daniel Jackson... Who's just brilliant at deciphering languages... I don't know how much help I'll be able to be."   replies Book.
lostsole31
Aron nods and says,    "Gelik is better at a lead on negotiations himself, so it makes sense, and you are a little better at understanding motivations. Not as good as Xhanfaerd, but if we go in full-bore, we're likely to be threatening and overtures for peace would be pointless.  So, Book will go in with me, and we maintain the collective through Xhanfaerd."   
silphael
"  Do we have something we could use as a gift for first contact ? I'm sure simple moves like pushing food toward them would likely be interpreted as a friendly gesture, unless their culture is grounded on pure domination, in which case they will take it as tribute and submission. But in that case, well, we can prove them how wrong they are.  "
lostsole31
  "We have the three mithral spearheads,"   offers Gelik.   "They're warriors, so they might appreciate that, and spear hafts aren't hard for simple weapons when not near a quality smith. Lightweight and harder than steel, and they'd be fool to ignore it."  
BuckGodot
  "Excellent suggestion, Gelik. Let's make that happen."   Book suggests.
lostsole31
So, just to make sure we are clear, Aron and Book (with the mithral spearheads will enter from the western side of the building while the rest of the party is to the south.

What weapons does Book openly wear, and does he leave anything behind with everyone else.
BuckGodot
Book wears his normal kit. Showing weakness, it seems to have been implied, would be seen as just as bad as coming in too strong.
lostsole31
Aron and Book make their way around while the others hang back. The hooting and bestial hollering stops as they see the two approaching.
BuckGodot
Book approaches slowly with his hands holding the spearhead out in front of him in his palms. He waits to be acknowledged.
lostsole31
The simians perched above take aim with their bows, hooting threateningly, but don't yet shoot.

Aron lets you take the lead (because it is better to be a PC than NPC), what do you say or do?
BuckGodot
Book will slowly step forward a pace and then kneel down and place the spearhead on the ground and back away while gesturing Aron to do the same.
lostsole31
This low, single-story building is almost completely overgrown by thick vines and surrounded by a forest of sharp stakes on which have been impaled numerous small simian skulls. Full skeletons, held together by strips of flesh and sinew, hang from stakes higher on the building’s walls.

Aron nervously looks at the "decor" before setting down the other two mithral spearheads before stepping back.

From what reconnoitering has noticed, these are 6-foot-tall creatures with long and powerful claws on their oversized hands, leathery greenish-brown skin covered by splotches of brown, and wide mouths filled with jagged teeth. Able to move through undergrowth without leaving a trace and to blend into forested areas (including their heavily overgrown lair here), they are master ambush  hunters.

Two of the hunters fly down, while others train their arrows on the interlopers.  The two inspect the spearheads, and upon finding that they spearheads are incredibly sharp, they hoot and holler in an unknown language.  Unfortunately, Aron had not thought to cast this spell ahead of time, and they seem twitchy. They collect the spearheads and nod at Aron and Book, and if they don't leave right away, they give a terrifying howl to frighten them ..... but they don't attack.
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "This seems like a good beginning. Maybe we take it in steps. Back out now and come back again later with more. And prepared to understand them?"   
 
lostsole31
Aron tepes agreement, as does Gelik.
BuckGodot
Book nods at the creatures in return and slowly backs away.
lostsole31
The assumption is that you now back away to the others.  Now what?
BuckGodot
Regroup back at the camp. Discuss what went wrong and what went right. Decide on a new gift to bring and try again, with all spells cast this time around.
lostsole31
Okay ......

What went wrong?
What went right?

Are you intending to show up the following day or giving any soft time, or do you think it's better to "strike while the iron is hot" (if it is)?
BuckGodot
  "Clearly they seemed to accept the spearheads so that worked in our favour. Not being prepared with the spells we were going to use did not... I suggest we wait a day and return with another gift. Diplomacy is a process very different from combat in that it can take a lot longer... Thoughts?"   says Book.
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods.

"  I agree. I, though, do wonder if the gruesome displays are part of their funerary practices, or a way to show off their trophies, which would mean something else. What kind of gift can we afford this time ? Maybe some food to share with them ?  "

He plans to look through the inventory to look for another potential gift.
BuckGodot
Book agrees, searches his gear for gift ideas and approaches the head of the camp, explaining what happened thus far, and asking for suggestions for other gifts to make more inroads.
silphael
After what looks like second thoughts, Xhanfaerd adds.

"  I fear they only accepted it because it was convenient, but it implies nothing for them, they won't see us in any other way than potential prey... and proving to them that we aren't would involve some show of force. Which likely would work, still.  "
lostsole31
Aron nods her head, though Sersheelda seems chipper as the route of violence is usually her preference.

  "Thank you for your insight, Xhanfaerd,"   says Amivor.   "So, the next thing is to determine if you are going to attempt a strike against them, which seems disingenuous ... because we are still ourselves, and need not be like them. Or, if we choose another target, or keep exploring?"  
BuckGodot
  "I'm not in favour of all-out attacking them. Especially since we have made the effort at peaceful contact. We were not fully prepared when we approached them last. Let us try one more time and then move on. If they attack, we defend ourselves with the full might of righteousness behind our actions. WHat have we observed they have been eating?"  
lostsole31
Though generally simian in appearance, with their bows they are definitely hunters, and they seem more carnivorous than omnivorous like most primates.
BuckGodot
Book then suggests we do a hunt and take fresh kill to them and see if we can determine what they say in response.
lostsole31
By lack of response, it seems that the group is behind Book's plan.
BuckGodot
Book sets up a few rigs to see if he can catch any maroles. Failing that he’ll ask the camp hunters if they can nab some game and when the crew is ready, proceed back to the simian camp, spells prepped, etc.
silphael
While the hunting party gets ready, Xhanfaerd realises something.

"  Maybe we could pick a prey that will prove to them we are approaching them nicely because we can, not because we fear them ? Well, wouldn't they fear the giant crocodile we killed at a great cost already ? Is there still some prey that would work as well ? I think we should see them with proof of our earlier successful hunt if we can.  "
BuckGodot
Book agrees with that idea.
lostsole31
Aron nods at Xhanfaerd and then asks,    "And how would we do that?"   
silphael
"  Well, the first obvious solution would be to look for the corpse of the crocodile and make a proper trophy out of it. We left it to rot, and are likely able to dispatch any scavenger that would have tried to claim the carcass. We just need the skull anyway, I'd say ? If it fails, well, we could seek another big game in the jungle ? I'm sure there still is some.  "
BuckGodot
Book nods in agreement and says,   ”Lets make it happen!”  
lostsole31
So, the above are words.

What is the first thing that you  do ?
BuckGodot
Book organises a small party to head to the croc corpse collection place (CCCP). As leader of the group, he designates himself chairman.   ”Comrades! For the good of the party and the people! Let us march!”    and when everyone is ready, they’ll set out.
lostsole31
The party gets to the sight of where the sarcosuchus was dispatched. Its remains in the hot, humid, swamp are horrendous.  It was killed on the 25th of Calistril and now it is nearly two weeks later. Even carrion birds got their dig on the monster. Now, necrophagic insects are having their way with what is left of the corpse. Mind you, that which is completely missing is its head. That's not accidental or likely natural, but probably the act of an intelligent third party.

What do you do?
silphael
Looking at the others, then at the scene, Xhanfaerd asks.

"  Anyone able to get clues from here that could point somewhat in the direction of those that took the skull ?  "
lostsole31
The group searches the massive remains of the carcass. It seems that many different types of animal and humanoid footprints have come this way, with enough traffic and time lapsed that there is nothing inconclusive.
BuckGodot
  "Okay... This has gotten out of hand. I feel this has become a massive distraction from our main project. Is there any reason we cannot bypass the simian camp and just proceed? Honestly? I've forgotten why became so obsessed with them to begin with?"   Book says after a sigh of exasperation.
lostsole31
Aron gives you her perspective via the collective... 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 

   "Our job is vanguard exploration. We're the 'first' archaeologists and explorers on site, but we won't be the last. We are trying not just to explore Saventh-Yhi, but to  pacify regions of it to make it safe for future Pathfinders, and for any explorers that may come, but right now as one of several external factions in Saventh-Yhi (ourselves, the Free Captains, likely the Aspis Consortium, and even the Sargavan government forces), we have to protect our organization's interests.

"To do that, we have to find the main powers of each ancient district. Maybe one group lords over an entire district, or not, we don't know yet. But in this district - the one that seems to have once been the Mercantile District - seems factionalized by powers both monstrous and savage. This dire croc was such a powerful beast, that it seems that unwittingly it was one of the major powers. The flying simians are another, but a bit more intelligent. Likely for the same reason as fear in driving away competition, that strange flooded tower with undead is probably another.

"So, our job is to either make these powers our friends, or to vanquish or chase them off so that we may then 'plant our flag,' so to speak to make the district safe not only for ourselves, but those who come after."   
 
BuckGodot
  "Right... Right... So the Croc skull as a gift should not only help establish friendship, per se, but also show them that we are not to be trifled with. So I think we need to use our best to try to investigate the various tracks and recover it... Thoughts and ideas?"   replies Book.
lostsole31
Sersheelda blinks and looks at Book.   "Cannot. Tracks a mess, and boggy wetness shlump agether. No good tracks. In-con-lucive."  
BuckGodot
Book sighs... If Fronaldo were here...

  "I'm sorry then, team. I'm at a loss as to how to proceed."  
lostsole31
Gelik says,   "We should go back, and confer with Amivor, I think."  
BuckGodot
Book nods his agreement with that assessment and turns to head back to see Amivor with the group in tow.
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods.

"  Well, the next target could be the undead tower, but that would mean we'll need spells to go underwater. I can cast a few of those, but that will limit us to short moves underwater. We might be able to get a trophy there, or we go by force against the simians. I don't really like this idea, especially because of they are sentient... but it still is a possibility.  "
lostsole31
The party returns back to Amivor to confer.

And ... go.
BuckGodot
Book explains to Amivor what they are trying to accomplish following up with Xhanfaerds suggestion.   "I'm really unsure of the best way to proceed. We need a way to demonstrate to the Simians that we don't wish to harm them but that we are not to be trifled with... If you have a suggestion, I would appreciate it."  
lostsole31
Amivor nods.   "That isn't something you can do with diplomacy. That is intimidation - the art of power projection. That is the next step, and if you can't cow them, be ready for a fight with a flying force that shoots from altitude. Or, leave them alone for now and concentrate elsewhere."  
BuckGodot
Book nods and replies,   "I think perhaps we should circle back to them and perhaps during our other pursuits we will gain a trophy worth showing our strength."   He looks at the others and asks,   "Are we in agreement on that?"  
lostsole31
Amivor will let the group continue to give their thoughts on Book's idea but says,   "The next problem area is the undead in the water-filled sunken tower."  
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods.

"  That's what I was suggesting, yes. Still, we should list what we have that could work underwater. Sadly, I only have 2 options, and both only apply to myself. If we had some scrolls of more appropriate spells I could learn them, but right now we're too far away from any place where we could find it. Maybe the other expeditions could have some ? But that would mean warning them of our plans in some ways.  "
lostsole31
Amivor takes this in and says,   "No, with the dwarf cleric's death, if you don't feel comfortable against a combined underwater and undead assault. There is another option, one I don't like because that means we haven't pacified our backyard, but also keeps us/you from a form of action paralysis....... ignore these and the idea of pacifying the mercantile district, and start exploring the rest of Saventh-Yhi, instead."  
BuckGodot
  "Truth be told, I'm more in favour of that idea. You brought me in for my skills as an architect and researcher, not to be a combatant."   Book replies. He looks around the group before asking,   "Who agrees this should be our course of action? Perhaps during that time, we may encounter someone who can help us against the water ghost, or find some way to pacify the simians..."  
silphael
Not having realized this was a possibility, Xhanfaerd shrugs.

"  Yes, of course we should go that way. That sounds better. It seems like we are far enough from both the undeads and the simians to not have them try to attack our base, so we should be fine, at least for a while.  "
lostsole31
Amivor laughs heartily after Book's first sentence, but then listens to the rest.   "You were chosen,  Doctor  Booker, because - where  everyone here  is some level of researcher - you are a very capable swordsman and shooter. All of you, even those that weren't part of the vanguard originally ... such as yourself, Sersheelda ... have proven again and again that if  anyone  is a highly skilled combatant, or at the very least capable of a strong offering in combat, then it would be you. All of these Pathfinders you see here? Sure, they earned their stripes as Pathfinders, having gone through the three years at the Grand Lodge of study and training, including at least baseline combat.

"But rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, you most definitely  are  combatants.

"Yet, this doesn't mean that you send yourselves headlong into fights you don't think you can win. At this time, it seems that discretion and your current group's combination of skills means that you are better off avoiding the kech - that's the flying simians, by the way - and the spooky undead water tower."

"Book, take a looks at previously explored areas, and let me know where you want your group to pick up next."  
silphael
Pointing at the south-southwest, Xhanfaerd ponders.

"  We haven't yet fully explored this part of the place, and it's quite close to the encampment, maybe that would be interesting to start there ? Do we have a precise estimation of the strengths of the other exploration teams, so that we may know if they stand a chance at clearing the two spots we already know about ?  "
BuckGodot
Book nods his agreement to begin in the area indicated.
lostsole31
Amivor gives his best estimates.   "The Sargavan contingent is military. They are likely our best unwitting allies at clearing things from a combat sense, though they are also likely to be slowed by a more measured approach to any possible hostilities.  You reported meeting a lone dwarf with a badge of the Aspis Consortium, so if he isn't a lone scout but they have a team like us, they are partially interested in relative exploration, and more into covering as much ground as possible to pacify whatever they meet because they want resources. Your team hasn't seen signs of the Free Captains since Tazion. I don't know if there are any other interested parties or not.

"Otherwise, I agree with Xhanfaerd's search recommendation."  
BuckGodot
Based on the time of day, Book suggests they gear up and prepare to move out either now, or first thing in the morning.
lostsole31
The party moves due southwest of camp, carefully searching the area. However, as it is jungle, they are able to cover much more ground even with a careful exploration before having to return for the day.

That evening, Amivor leads the camp in a variety of calisthenics.

 

    Wealday, 8 Pharast 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

Does anyone do anything different for today's setup? Do you continue clearing out the jungles around camp, or pickup in a different place?
BuckGodot
Book advises to keep clearing the jungles near camp to help further secure the area.
lostsole31
The party heads out.  During today's exploration, they clear through much of the jungle to the west and northwest, and to their surprise, they find a campsite about 1100' to the northwest of their own, but in the jungle and not on a trail and not in an area of buildings to explore.  The people of this camp wear black and red, and a strange flag flies over their camp.
BuckGodot
Book advises to hang back and observe them for a bit. See what we can determine about them.
lostsole31
It is towards the latter part of your day, just as you were doing your last bit of sweeping exploration. How long is "a bit?"
BuckGodot
  "I'd like to just observe this camp for a day and see if we can glean their motivations. So observe them the rest of today, post an overnight watch and continue observations into tomorrow. By then we should be able to determine if it's safe to approach them or whatever option Amivor advises."   Book says.
lostsole31
The party quietly discusses what it is they think they recognize, and Book and Aron both recognize that the strange flag is that of the demon lord Achaekek, specificially the cult of the Red Mantis assassins of Mediogalti Island.

  "Do you still want to hang around, expecting to successfully recon a camp of assassins?"   asks Gelik.
BuckGodot
  ”No, perhaps it would be best to consult with Amivor on this. I don’t like the idea of a group of assassins roaming around…”   replies Book and he moves to head back to camp.
lostsole31
Back at camp after mentioning this to Amivor, he is lost in thought before he finally remarks,   "Well, that's a new faction. I doubt they are here for general exploration or large-scale operations. There must be something here - or something perceived to be here - of import to the Cult of Achaekek.  Well, that's disturbing, but they haven't made any moves against our faction, and I'm not interested in developing any bad blood with the cult by a misguided pre-emptive strike. They might send their priests here to use divination and find out the Pathfinders struck rather than defended, and that's a possibility that doesn't bear thought. No, I can only ask you to do as you've been doing - to be aware of ambush from any source, be it assassin or ancient beast, and continue your explorations. But very good job in thinking to do a sweep around our camp rather than myopically as I was suggesting for our own purposes.  Well done."  
BuckGodot
  "You're welcome. Just doing our jobs. We should get back at it then. Let's pick up where we left off and continue clearing the area around the camp. Agreed?"   Book replies.
lostsole31
  "I know it is easy to get hyperfocused, and you did a great job,"   praises Amivor,   "but call it for today. You only have an hour or so of good light remaining."  

That evening, Gelik gives surprisingly insightful calisthenics and stamina training to Aron and Sersheelda. Amivor gives exploration sensory exercises to Xhanfaerd, Book.

 

    Oathday, 9 Pharast 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

Any changes to current setup? What is the plan for today?
BuckGodot
No changes for Book. A resumption of clearing of the areas surrounding the camp.
silphael
Xhanfaerd exchanges telekinetic charge for stone shape, but otherwise sticks to his earlier spells.

"  So, careful exploration around the red mantis' camp, and if we meet them, which I doubt as they likely already know we're there, we make it obvious we aren't trying to threaten them ? Or we keep going south-southwest ?  "
lostsole31
   "We've already searched around their camp, probably observed, too,"    says Aron.    "I say we might as well continue south and west, finding the edges of Saventh-Yhi, and verifying where it ends and the jungle begins."   
BuckGodot
Book agrees with everyone’s suggestion and reads his equipment to go.
lostsole31
Long day of searching the jungle to the south and part of Saventh-Yhi's extent, including a "peninsula" of jungle. There is still more to search to the south with Saventh-Yhi's western border to do on the morrow.

The explorers return to camp. Amivor gets Book to tell him about some of the marvelous feats of engineering Book has seen over his career as an archaeologist, a discussion that is of interest as well to Gelik &amp; Aron.

 

    Fireday, 10 Pharast 4711 AR (Waxing Crescent)    

What direction today? Are you going to continue exploring the southern reaches and Saventh-Yhi's western boundaries with the jungle? or, pick up somewhere else?
BuckGodot
Continue where we left off yesterday and explore southern reaches and western boundaries.
lostsole31
This time, the group explores  a vast track of jungle. They do find what appears to be the southwestern edge of Saventh-Yhi (at least in this relative area), being close to be standoffish with the ancient city for now. Then, they go as far as Book feels they will ever need to go, and then move over a little east to explore the way back. During their travels, they were being watched by 4 of what Amivor calls "kechs" (the winged simians) in the later hours during their return, but there was no attempt by the kechs to engage.

Back at camp, after the report is made, Amivor says,   "No more jungle exploration. It is good to get limits, but that shouldn't be our focus ... Saventh-Yhi is, so tomorrow figure out where you want to pick your search back up and get back to the grind."  

Rousing discussion, but not training.

 

    Starday, 11 Pharast 4711 AR (First Quarter)    

Task for today?
BuckGodot
Book suggests they head to the unexplored region they passed on the way south.
lostsole31
As the group begins their exploration again on the western reaches of Saventh-Yhi, in the middle of the day they hear something ... big, and slow, and plodding ... coming their way. But they don't see anything yet.
BuckGodot
Book turns and says    ”Take cover!”    in a loud whisper and then moves to conceal himself.
lostsole31
 Xhanfaerd , what do you do?
silphael
Not really stealthy, Xhanfaerd moves to cover nonetheless, hoping to get a glimpse at the entity before anything happens.
lostsole31
As the party takes various cover ... several seconds later a massive behemoth some 40' long. Some tall, powerful saurian quadruped with a long neck slowly trundles by, a kech in its mouth and blood spattered about it without any accompanying wounds.

There is some chatter on the collective as to what it might be, but Xhanfaerd  thinks  that the great lizard might just be a legendary mokele-mbembe, a river cryptid that is barely seen.

Do you let it pass?
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Is this one of those big threats we were meant to eliminate? Could this be used as an offering to the simians?"    Book asks.
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Sersheelda &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I not know animals in Overburn. But this great guardian. You no kill or Sersheelda fight with it 'gainst you. Nature guardian."   
 

 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I agree,"    comes Aron's touch.    "Sersheelda is a druid, and I am an oracle of nature. We defended ourselves against the dire crocodile, as is the rule of red-in-tooth-and-claw. Attacking the great mokele-mbembe as a trophy for lesser creatures is a shame I could not face."   
 

 
 Spoiler: Gelik &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Lesser beings?!"    tele-gasps Gelik.    "The kech are a fascinating, tool-using hunter tribe that seem to offer more and have greater potential than an iguana with an overactive thyroid. If we can slay such a mighty beast, we would command great respect among the savages around here."   
 
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Book&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "I meant no disrespect. I don't know enough about the local fauna, I guess. Let's let it pass."   
 
silphael
 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   "As long as it doesn't threaten us, we should let it live. We are not here to deforest and it is an intricate part of the jungle."   
 
lostsole31
Gelik telepathically harrumphs, complaining that the head of the mokele-mbembe would be an amazing trophy.

The great beast passes and heads towards the water, out of sight and sound.

Once that happens, the party comes out of their hiding places. Aron is in awe, but Sersheelda practically has tears streaming out of her eyes, as if she witnessed one of the Wonders of the World.
BuckGodot
Book will quickly cross to the creature's path and document its footprints. Measuring the distance between each to gauge its stride and calculate height, etc.

When he is done, he turns back to the others and asks,   "Is everyone ready to carry on?"  
silphael
Looking at the tracks as well, Xhanfaerd nods.

"  With that, maybe we can estimate its territory ? But I'm ready to carry on otherwise.  "
lostsole31
The NPCs agree, and exploration continues, leading them to one-hundred-foot-high ziggurat capped by a hundred-foot-tall spire of stone. The sides of the ziggurat’s tiers are carved with images of mounds of treasure and merchants trading wares.
BuckGodot
Book wants to document as much as he can about the ziggurat and the images. He suggests that someone stay with him and the others can make a circuit around the thing looking for entrances or other interesting spots.
lostsole31
Is there an intention to climb the ziggurat today, or to simply do recordings of the lower tier?
BuckGodot
Just the lower tier and perimeter.
lostsole31
While the group does their due diligence, they can't help feeling a little .... creeped out. But attempts to look around to figure why doesn't yield anything.

Back to camp at end of day?
BuckGodot
Book endorses a return to camp at days end.
lostsole31
Do you discuss anything at camp, or just wait for the new day?
BuckGodot
Book is always ready and excited to discuss any archaeological finds they make and will take up conversation with anyone willing to do so. He is also keen to make a plan to try to find an entry point.
lostsole31
  "What are your plans tomorrow regarding the ziggurat and the eerie feeling you have there?"   asks Amivor of the group.
BuckGodot
  "Even though I've got a bad feeling about this... I think we should return and look for a way inside. Be prepared to climb if necessary."   Book replies.
lostsole31
The NPCs agree with Book, and then everyone turns in, spending personal time in personalized training.
 

    Sunday, 12 Pharast 4711 AR (First Quarter)    

The next morning, various religious vigils are held, as appropriate.

Is anyone going to change their daily lineup?
BuckGodot
No change for Book.
lostsole31
The party makes it back to the ziggurat. Now that you are there, and that icky feeling is there, what do you do?
BuckGodot
Book recommends a circuit around the ziggurat in an effort to try to pin down the source of the ick. Unless of course, it was just Amivors cooking...
lostsole31
They cannot find a source.

Meanwhile, Aron notices Book's GI discomfort. Aware of potential embarrassment, she doesn't use the collective when she asks,    "Why didn't you eat the camp cook's meal? It was pretty good. Amivor makes his own food because he likes things entirely way too spicy. I honestly worry if his insides aren't burnt out."   
BuckGodot
Book nods to Aron and with a wink adds,   "Well, thanks for the invite! Let's make it a date and we can...   he stops suddenly with a sad look...   "Nope... It's just not as much fun without 'Naldo to get all riled up..."   he sighs and turns to the group and suggests they start looking for an entrance and preparing to scale the ziggurat.
lostsole31
There doesn't appear to be any entrance into the ziggurat.
BuckGodot
  "Right... Up we go then."   says book as he assess the structure for the climb...
lostsole31
How do you go up the ziggurat (see map)?
silphael
Xhanfaerd takes out a prism and scans the surroundings for potential harmful magics.

"  All things being equal, I think the safest way would be to climb on the side closest to the camp. That way we would be able to pull back more easily.  "
BuckGodot
  "Excellent suggestion. I'll take the lead and then Xhanfaerd followed by Aron &amp; Veress. Gelik will you and Sersheelda watch our backs?"   Book suggests.
lostsole31
There's a loud screech to the south, and everyone sees a completely enormous (Gargantuan) bat flying towards them!

 Begin Round One ...

R1T24:  Veress roars in response (delaying) ....

 R1T19:   Book , the giant bat is  approximately  20' above your relative height above ground. What do you do?
BuckGodot
Book draws his whip and his sidearm, points the gun at the creature and squeezes off a shot.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Draw weapons.

Fire Weapon using RS:  (1d20+12)[ 28 ] 

Dmg:  (1d8+5)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Book draws his whip and his sidearm.

 R1T18:  Sersheelda moves forward,   "Wait! I try calm it. No attack, no spell. Stand back."  

She holds up her hands non-threateningly and moves south to the edge of the steps.

 R1T17:  Gelik delays ...

 R1T16:   The massive bat flies forward a little and lands on the tier that is level with where Sersheelda is right now.

 R1T15:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?
silphael
Xhanfaerd pulls out his weapon, but waits for Sersheelda to put the beast at peace.
lostsole31
 R1T15:  Xhanfaerd pulls out his weapon, but waits for Sersheelda to put the beast at peace. 						

 R1T7:  Aron calms Veress down and steps back to her tiger.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R219:   Book , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Book aims his firearm, ready to squeeze off a shot if it seems Sersheelda has failed.
lostsole31
Part of Sersheelda doing her thing includes looking at Book and Xhanfaerd to lower their weapons, trying to create calm and ease ... which is not created with tense weapons readied or aimed.

 Book, Xhanfaerd  ... do you lower your weapons?
BuckGodot
Book will lower his weapon.
silphael
Given the creature doesn't seem to move for now, Xhanfaerd lowers his weapon.
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Sersheelda climbs over the wall bounding the  steps up the ziggurat and casts a spell. The big bat bristles for a  second while this happens, but then Sersheelda calls out in a strange  language.

 R2T17:  Gelik delays until something exciting happens ...

 R2T16:   The big bat hops 20' closer.  It screeches loudly a few times, and now  that it is closer, that is a massive sound on the ears of the heroes,  but it doesn't attack.

 R2T15:   Xhanfaerd ,  besides just lowering the posture of your earthbreaker (no action), do  you do anything? or, do you delay or ready an action (the latter of  which gets checked each round)?

Aron on deck, Book in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R2T15-7:  Xhanfaerd delays, lowering his earthbreaker. Aron delays as well.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T19:   Book , do you delay?

Sersheelda on deck, Bat in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Yes. Book will delay his action.
lostsole31
 Initiative Ends (for now)! 

Everyone delays, which in this case effectively kills initiative (just for now).

Sersheelda speaks in an unknown language with the bat chirping and screeching (it's just so big) and moving closer to be less loud and more "conversant."

Do both of you ( Book ,  Xhanfaerd ) chill for that minute to leave it completely in Sersheelda's hands? or, do you try to "help" in some way?
BuckGodot
Book remains quiet and just observes.
silphael
Xhanfaerd lets her converse, quietly.
lostsole31
Sersheelda talks with the super-sized bat for about a minute before it  seems that through body language, things begin to break down.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T26:   Seeing diplomatic efforts with a huge predator go sideways, Gelik  readies his buckler and begins a stirring oration for the battle to  come!

 R1T24:  Veress tenses, awaiting a command.

 R1T19:  Aron casts a protective spell on Veress, and whispers for her to attack the bat.

 R1T18:   Veress bounds over his mistress, over the side wall to the ziggurat  ledge below, and right up to the big bat. It bites, but it is a poor  attempt and doesn't get through what appears to be a significantly tough  hide.

 R1T17:  The big bat withdraws out of sight by flying south and then east out of sight.

 R1T16:    "We fight,"   says Sersheelda.   "Bat respected monster in area like big crocodile we kill."  

Sersheelda  then grows from her normal 3-1/2' tall to a 9-foot-tall, black-furred  simian with powerful black wings. She then flies south and to the east  out of sight.

 R1T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
silphael
Casting a spell, Xhanfaerd turns into a gargoyle, before taking flight.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action to cast Monstrous Physique, turning into a gargoyle. Move action to take flight south and up (staying within the "easy" range of flying that way)
 
lostsole31
 R1T13:  Casting a spell, Xhanfaerd turns into a gargoyle before taking flight.

 R1T11:   Book , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book watches Sersheelda and Xhanfaerd both grow wings and fly away. He leans forward slightly with his arms in a flex pose and his face in a grimace, straining... He then looks over his shoulders at his back. Seeing no wings sprouting, he shrugs and holds his firearm ready to take aim when the creature reappears.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Delay action pending the return of the bat when in range.
 
lostsole31
 R1T11:  Book watches Sersheelda and Xhanfaerd both grow wings and fly away. He  leans forward slightly with his arms in a flex pose and his face in a  grimace, straining... He then looks over his shoulders at his back.  Seeing no wings sprouting, he shrugs and holds his firearm ready to take  aim when the creature reappears.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26:    "Those who can't fly, follow me!"   calls Gelik as he continues his heroic oration, his little legs hustling up the stairs of the ziggurat.

 R2T19:   
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Good idea, Gelik. Everyone who is grounded, head to the top of the ziggurat for visibility."   
 
Aron whistles for Veress as she begins up the stairs, drawing her bow as she goes.

 R2T18:  Veress turns from his pursuit and heads back towards his mistress.

 R2T17:  ...

 R2T16:  Sersheelda disappears from view, having rocketed eastwards.

 R2T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Aron in the hole, Book delaying ...
silphael
Not planning to let Sersheelda go alone, Xhanfaerd flies up and east.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Double move action to fly up and east.

Defensive options :
I'm going to redirect the first damage that affects Sersheelda to myself, spending PP to reduce it as much as possible (without overspending).
 
BuckGodot
Book follows the others up the ziggurat.
lostsole31
 R2T13:  Not planning to let Sersheelda go alone, Xhanfaerd flies up and east.

 R2T11:  Book follows the others up the ziggurat, getting right up to the last stair.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T26:  Gelik continues ascending and orating.

 R3T19:  Aron ascends to the top and then jukes to the south. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "There! To the southeast!"   
 

 R3T18:  Veress follows her.

 R3T17-16:   Battle heard, screeching, but out of sight.

 R3T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
silphael
With the new information, Xhanfaerd flies southeast and up, trying to pass the stairs.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Double move southeast and up (as far as possible). If the duel becomes visible, I'll fly that way instead.

Defensive options :
I'm going to redirect the first damage that affects Sersheelda to myself, spending PP to reduce it as much as possible (without overspending).
 
lostsole31
 R3T13:  With the new information, Xhanfaerd flies  southeast and up, trying to pass the stairs. He now is above the top,  and looking at the battle to his east.

 R3T11:   Book , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book will follow Aron completing his ascension and turning to the south.
lostsole31
 R3T11:  Book will follow Aron, turning to the south after completing his ascension.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T26:  Gelik continues his performance for now, drawing sword with his buckler as he moves to the top.

 R4T19-18:   Aron moves over to the SE corner of the platform at the top of the ziggurat and shoots, striking the bat for  9 . She orders Veress to attack, who in turn races across the top and down the eastern set of stairs.

 R4T17:  The bat crits Sersheelda with a deep hurting that does  fatigued + snatched  as it tries to beat her with its wings, even as Xhangoyle suffers  6 PP + 3 hp  to protect her.

 R4T16:  Sersheelda-flying-ape fails to muscle out of the bat's mouth. 
 Spoiler: Sersheelda &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Help! I hurt."   
 

 R4T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R4T13:  Xhanfaerd quickly casts a protection on himself and flies closer.

 R4T11:   Book , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Book dashes east in an attempt to close the distance to the foe while yelling,   "Hey! You big flying rat! Look at me! Come get me!"  
 
 Spoiler: Tactical Information 
MA: move 30' East
 
lostsole31
 R4T11:  Book dashes east and down the stairs in an attempt to close the distance to the foe while yelling,   "Hey! You big flying rat! Look at me! Come get me!"  
 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T26:  Gelik hustles down the southern set of stairs.

 R5T19:  Aron casts a spell on herself.

 R5T18:  Veress hops over the stair's end to the ledge and closes on the big bat, biting it for  8 .

 R5T17:  The bat maintains its hold on Sersheelda before flying upwards towards the summit. Veress bites it as it tries for  10 . As far as Sersheelda, she takes no pain, but spends  3 PP  and takes  2 .

 R5T16:  Sersheelda shoots the bat with an acid dart for   5 acid  .

 R15T13:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
silphael
Xhanfaerd charges while flying, swinging his earthbreaker.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Charge 6E 1NE, and attack with Risky Strike.

  Attack  - (1d20+11)[ 17 ]  (charge, flank, and bonus from Monstrous Physique not counter)

  Damage  - (2d6+18)[ 26 ] 

If I hit, the party gets a +2 morale bonus to attack rolls.

Defensive options :
I'm going to redirect the first damage that affects Sersheelda to myself, spending PP to reduce it as much as possible (without overspending).
 
lostsole31
 R15T13:  Xhanfaerd charges while flying, swinging his earthbreaker to strike for  28 .

 R15T11:   Book , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Feeling somewhat useless due to range restrictions, Book climbs back up to the top of the ziggurat.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: move W 30'
 
lostsole31
 R5T11:  Feeling somewhat useless due to range restrictions, Book climbs back up to the top of the ziggurat.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T26:  Gelik heads up the stairs a little bit, and then begins an oration again.

 R6T19:   Aron heads down the stairs and takes a shot at the bat, but moves too  frenetically with heading down the stairs. She barely catches herself  from falling but completely yeets her bow to the north and over the edge  of the stairway.

 R6T18:  Veress moves up by his mistress.

 R6T17:  The bat flings Sersheelda all the way into the northern wall, and Xhanfaerd takes away the pain of that impact, taking  2 PP  to only suffer  1  himself. She fails to control her flight and hits the ground below for  13 + prone . It then continues upwards. As the bat flies away, Xhanfaerd hits it with his earthbreaker for  18 .

 R6T16:  Sersheelda-apewing gets to her feet woozily. She casts a spell on herself for   11 healing  .

 R6T13:   Xhanfaerd , you recover from your charge. You are flying 25' above the deck immediately below you. What do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R6T13:  Xhanfaerd flies down to engage the bat, but mot before the bat bites him around the midsection for  16+grabbed . Xhanfaerd snaps at him with his gargoyle bite, hitting for  9 .

 R6T11:   Book , what do you do?

Gelik on deck, Aron in the hole ...
BuckGodot
  "Aw for the love of..."   mutters book as he dashes down the steps in front of him, trying to get close enough for a shot.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move S 30'
 
lostsole31
 R6T11:    "Aw for the love of..."   mutters Book as he dashes down the steps in front of him, trying to get close enough for a shot.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T26:   Continuing his oration, Gelik moves south down the stairs as well so  that perhaps Xhanfaerd may hear his voice and be inspired to overcome  his situation. He then casts a spell from his position, taking out a  tiny pie and a feather from his pouch, but whatever he tried seems  ineffective on the bat.

 R7T19:  Aron moves east down the stairs, over the wide railing, and onto a ziggurat tier, rushing to Sersheelda's side.

 R7T18:  Veress follows, then passes his mistress to move to threaten the bat.

 R7T17:  The bat's jaws continue to crush Xhanfaerd for  21   as it flies.  As it moves, Veress bites it for 8., Then as it passes  over the southern stairway, its northern section is 5' off the ground,  and even Gelik swings with his longsword but fails to penetrate its  hide.

 R7T16:  Sersheelda delays, awaiting aid from Aron.

 R7T13:   Xhanfaerd , you are held in the jaws of the giant bat while in gargoyle form. What do you do?

Book on deck, Gelik in the hole ...
silphael
Tapping into his mental reserves, Xhanfaerd touches Book's mind, anchoring his own self to it to teleport out of the grasp of the beast, before swinging his hammer, aiming once again for the creature's guts.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'll initiate Reunion in Dreams, spending PF, to teleport out of the creature's grasp, to the square SW of Book.

I'll then initiate Bilious Strike at the bat.

  Attack  - (1d20+13)[ 33 ] 
  Damage  - (2d6+9)[ 16 ]  +2 damage since it's a discipline weapon
  Extra damage  - (6d6)[ 27 ] 
If I hit, it has to roll a fort save (DC 22) or be nauseated for 4 rounds (1 round on success), and all allies will get a +2 Morale bonus to attack for one round.
 
silphael
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Rolling for crit and text to be able to post

  D20  - (1d20)[ 14 ] 
  3D6  - (3d6)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T13:  Tapping into his mental reserves, Xhanfaerd  touches Book's mind,  anchoring his own self to it to teleport out of  the grasp of the beast,  before swinging his hammer, aiming once again  for the creature's guts for  56 + nauseated   + dropped !

At that point, the party can fall on the bat and finish it off.

 Combat Ends! 
BuckGodot
Book jogs over to the others...   "Hey guys... Sorry about that... My erm... My gun jammed... Won't happen again... How can I help?"  
silphael
Restoring his focus, Xhanfaerd looks around.

"  I'll need some healing, but I'm otherwise fine, don't worry.  "
lostsole31
Sersheelda flies Aron up to where Book, Xhan, and Gelik are while Veress makes his own way to follow his mistress.

Once there, Aron uses her most powerful healing spells - 1 on Sersheelda (light scratch remains) and 2 on Xhanfaerd (fully healed).
BuckGodot
  "Right... well... Since we're up here, let's take a more careful look around, shall we?"   says Book as he turns to ascend back to the top.
lostsole31
The first bit of looking around - at Aron's behest - is looking over this massive bat. In conference with Aron, who is particularly knowledgeable on flora and fauna of the jungle, Xhanfaerd determines that this was a very rare "giant Mwangi night bat," with a wingspan of 60 feet, the shape of its wings enough to probably confuse some people for a dragon sighting when it flies at night, crossing the moon.

An exploration of the ziggurat reveals nothing above of interest (beyond markings and such of which drawings and rubbings are taken), but the southwest corner of this ziggurat has not weathered the passage of time as well, in part due to this district’s slow subsidence back into the lake. A sizable sinkhole here runs along the side of the ziggurat, providing access to a 40'-diameter cavern below the ziggurat. A 5-foot-deep swampy pool fills the bottom of this cave.  Nobody is foolish enough to drink the fetid water, and nothing else of interest is here .... no incidental treasure or the like.
silphael
After scanning the place for traces of magic, Xhanfaerd comments.

"  Looks like we found our trophy, then ?  "

 
 Spoiler: Edit 
Forgot to bolden speech
 
lostsole31
Are you looking for the party to try to portage the entire huge bat back to camp, or just separate its head?
BuckGodot
I think we take the head and return with it.
silphael
Before answering, Xhanfaerd wants to be sure that the head would be recognizable enough to act as a proper trophy in the way they are considering it : as a way to intimidate the locales into submission.
lostsole31
The head would be terrifying, but how will you separate the head?
BuckGodot
Book looks at the group...   "Okay. Who's got a kni...Er... Sword... Axe? That will cut through all that...Bat...stuff....?"  
lostsole31
Comically for a full-size adventuring party, the longest slashing weapon is Gelik's small longsword.
BuckGodot
  "Ummm... Okay, Gelik... May we borrow your weapon to try to get through this?"   Book asks... Turning to the group he says,   "I don't have the upper body strength to make fast work of this. Who'll step up?"  
lostsole31
  "It is a very finely made arming sword made for one of my stature,"   stamps Gelik,   "not an axe, not a headsman's sword, not a saw. It is too small a tool for what is needed without making a right mess of things, so no, thank you!"  
silphael
"  With a good knife and some time, I might be able to properly separate it. Or maybe we can bring the corpse back to camp and take care of it there ? Otherwise... I might be able to take the form of something with slashing claws large enough for it ? Does anybody know about that kind of being ?  "
lostsole31
Aron shakes her head. 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
  "We fought a powerful natural guardian, much like the sarcosuchus before, despite Harrim's death. I respect your desire to project strength for the sake of the group, but if we are not going to eat it, we should leave it for the scavengers to consume, as is their right and role. Carting its carcass or desecrating it ... that feels like an ego trip, and one I would not like to be a part of."  
 

Sersheelda, who was badly wounded in battle, replies, even nodding a bit ruefully.   "Yes, anger quell, anger quell. I am a nature avenger. What me be if I do this? Anger in way to lash out, but gone now. Make best sense.  We already make passage of signs. With bat death, and body here to see where it was home, speaks get out ... speaks saying force in Saventh-Yhi they no trifle with .... us."  

Gelik screws his face up in thought before he admits,   "I can't say as I give a tinker's  damn  about, what? The ' dig-ni-ty ' of a ruddy bat! But if the tree-huggers and rock-kissers are going to be put out by it, that means less smell when this monster's hide gets ripped open. I still say it is a strategic flex, but I don't care and we don't have the right tools without giving a Xhanfaerd-gargoyle a blood bath with who knows what diseases and parasites it carries."  
BuckGodot
   "Wait a second! Maybe..."    Book says as he reaches into his haversack. He pulls out what appears to be nothing but a 12-inch iron bar lined with small plates and spikes and begins twisting and turning it, trying to fashion it into some sort of cutting implement.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Traveler's Any-Tool: This implement at first seems to be nothing but a 12-inch iron bar lined with small plates and spikes. It can be folded, twisted, hinged, and bent, to form almost any known tool. Hammers, shovels, even a block and tackle (without rope) are possible. It can duplicate any tool the wielder can clearly visualize that contains only limited moving parts, such as a pair of scissors, but not a handloom. It cannot be used to replace missing or broken parts of machines or vehicles unless a mundane tool would have done the job just as well.

The any-tool counts as a set of masterwork artisan’s tools for most Craft or Profession skills (although very specialist crafts such as alchemy still require their own unique toolset). It is an ineffective weapon, always counting as an improvised weapon and never granting any masterwork bonus on attack rolls.
 
lostsole31
He can make a cutting blade, sure, but it is not a FULL-sized cutting blade. Despite its magic, it doesn't create anything larger than itself. So if you want a shovel, it will really make more of a small spade.
silphael
"  Maybe with a kind of scalpel ? That would be something your tool can become, right ? Would that help ? Does one of us trust their ability to surgically separate the head with a scalpel ?  "

He sounds rather tired by this situation, clearly considering carrying the bat to the camp.
BuckGodot
  "I can try that if we're willing to take the time because it will be slow work. But if this doesn't work, we can try to lug the whole thing, I guess. I'm ready to move on from this."   Book replies as he attempts to fashion the tool into a small fillet knife or scalpel.
lostsole31
[Assuming the reason for doing so ...]

It is not an easy task, and time-consuming, but finally, the head is severed from the body. Once Book had started that, Aron and Sersheelda shrugged and made a sort of makeshift litter out of branches and liana.

Right back to camp with your prize?
BuckGodot
Book is ready to move out and get back to camp to clean himself up.
lostsole31
As the work is done, there is blood pooling everywhere, and the smell of viscera in the air, Xhanfaerd and Book set to carry their ends of the ramping litter (meaning a point trails on the ground), when there is a host of strange noises and chirps and fast movement zipping around in the underbrush surrounding the ziggurat.
silphael
Xhanfaerd briefly ponders.

"  Could it be the giant bat's litter or something similar ?  "

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"  My apologies, Aron. I think getting rid of the natural guardians and the tribes around would be too much of an impact, hence why I'm looking for a way to at least cohabit with them for some time. I hope we won't have to fight them.  "
 
lostsole31
Sersheelda tepes,  
 Spoiler: Sersheelda &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Well, now we've rung dinner bell and big head leave blood trail. They get body, but sounds like big mess of dinnycusses."   
 
silphael
He quickly looks around to be sure they aren't letting anything behind, beside the corpse.

"  Would the corpse be enough to ensure they don't follow the head ?  "
lostsole31
  "Dinnycussers prefer hunting, scavenging only if they have to,"   says Sersheelda.
silphael
"  I see. Let's get ready then.  "

He shields himself in a layer of force.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'll cast Mage Armor on myself.
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Are you suggesting we stand our grand and fight an unknown number of deinonychi?"   
 
silphael
 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   They are faster than us, do you think they will avoid combat if they can get their claws on a fresh corpse ?   "
 


Kinda confused, he gets ready to leave.
lostsole31
Books to the bat head rather crestfallen, then to Xhanfaerd,  
 Spoiler: Book &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Do you have any magic to change your form? You can carry me while Sersheelda could go back in big winged ape form and take Aron and Gelik. Aron's tiger will have to run, but is likely to do better than us one foot. It took me a stupid amount of time to sever, but I don't feel like becoming dino-chum because of a trophy."   
 
silphael
He nods, preparing to turn into a gargoyle again.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   I can carry you and fly, but not very fast, and not for long. I hope you're light enough, though. Let's go.   "
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Book &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Just get us off the deck, our scent removed, and above the canopy enough to get separation!"   
 
 Book looks intensely.

As that is the measured course of action, Book's idea works, and as you take to the air, several deinonychuses burst into the area the party had made it to with the head, with a little bit of distance, you see that the body is also swarmed by deinonchuses. A few give meager chase, but otherwise realize their living prey (that would be you) has flown away from them and they do not give chase. Veress was already given the command to return home and had more than a decent head start.

At an appropriate point, Xhanfaerd knows when to get back to the ground and the party is safe and quite a distance away, and then make their way back to camp, meeting back up with Veress.

Anything at camp, besides telling Amivor Glaur of the team's success in dispatching a massive bat?
silphael
Xhanfaerd talks some more about the details of the day, but nothing groundbreaking.
lostsole31
Sersheelda gives training to Xhanfaerd, Amivor, Aron while Book and Gelik do their own thing.

 

    Moonday, 13 Pharast 4711 AR    
 Xhanfaerd , new day. Any changes?
silphael
Xhanfaerd revises a few of his prepared spells and readied maneuvers.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Spells : Replacing Mirror Image with Resist Energy, and Telekinetic Charge with Stone Shape.

Maneuvers : replacing Body of Delusion with Fear Eating Technique.
 


Once ready, he suggests exploring the direct south of the ziggurat.
lostsole31
First half of day south of ziggurat complete. Where to next?
silphael
On their map, Xhanfaerd points at the remaining space south of their position, between the ziggurat and the jungle.

"  Once that's done, we'll cross the bridges and see what else there is to see there... but we should also soon go back to the apemen.  "
lostsole31
Exploration goes off without a hitch during the day.

Back at camp, Book is told that he's going to be staying at camp to be mentored by Amivor Glaur, as the senior Pathfinder is eager to train a possible replacement. Amivor promises that Book will be put back into active exploration in a bit.

Amivor agrees with Xhanfaerd that returning to the kech and showing strength by breaking the power of the aerial hunters would be a good call.
silphael
"  Then it's our next goal. We'll get there tomorrow : we will have to prepare for it, can anyone cast communication spells or the like ? Anything that would allow us to more easily convey what we're here for.  "
lostsole31
The others shake their head.
silphael
"  Damn. Well, let's rest, prepare for combat, and get there tomorrow.  "
lostsole31
    Toilday, 14 Pharast 4711 AR    

With the intention outside of exploration this morning, do you change your lineup at all?
silphael
Getting ready in case of combat, Xhanfaerd alters his spells prepared.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Replacing Stone Shape with Telekinetic Charge.
 
lostsole31
So I know where you're going this time, but what is the plan once you get there ... or near there?
silphael
Once close enough, Xhanfaerd begins his combat preparations, casting Mage Armor and Heightened Awareness. He also mentally prepares himself to have to intimidate the flying apemen into submission.

"  I hope you're all ready. If we need to intimidate I'll take over, but who will open with the gentle offer ?  "
lostsole31
   "Let it be me,"    says Aron.    "I don't know if we can communicate, but I can try."   
silphael
Once everyone is ready, Xhanfaerd nods and advances to cover the remaining distance.
lostsole31
 Xhanfaerd , what do you want for party marching order, separation, etc.?
silphael
"  Given how close we are, Aron and I will advance, closely followed by Veress and the rest. We'll still need a spotter, to be sure they aren't attempting an ambush. Once we know they have sent a group toward us, we'll get ready for negociations. Since we are kind of demanding their surrender, we better make a demonstration of strength, so we'll stick together, within our respective tactics.  "
lostsole31
  "I be spotter,"   says Sersheelda.
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods, before turning toward their goal.

"  Let's go then.  "
lostsole31
This low, single-story building is almost completely overgrown by thick vines and surrounded by a forest of sharp stakes on which have been impaled numerous small simian skulls. Full skeletons, held together by strips of flesh and sinew, hang from stakes higher on the building’s walls.

As the group approaches, all of the keches stop and look at the approaching party, observing quietly.
silphael
Xhanfaerd crosses his arms, doing his best to look threatening, but not yet aggressive, in order to give weight to Aron attempts.
lostsole31
Aron looks at Xhanfaerd.  
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Xhanfaerd) 
  "So what exactly do we want of them, anyway?"  
 
silphael
 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   We want them to grant us free access to the place they hold control over. We want them to understand we are not to be messed with, and that under those conditions we will minimize our impact here. Of course, it'll be hard to communicate all that, so try your best just with something like "don't mess with us".   "
 
lostsole31
Aron steps into the ruined opening off the ancient building. She tries to communicate in a rudimentary way, but the kech are having none of it and hoot and holler and she steps out to Xhanfaerd.  
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
  "They are definitely about to attack if we don't leave."  
 
silphael
 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"  Then let's hope they quickly realize their mistake and surrender soon.  "
 


Still, he steps somewhat forward and gesticulates, showing the trophy, his weapon, before pointing at the creatures, then at the ground in front of him, trying to clearly demand their surrender.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'll try to coerce them into surrendering, should I roll Intimidate ?
 
lostsole31
The kech immediately clear out and fly away.
silphael
"  I can fly after them, but likely not fast enough to catch them. I think we have a few possibilities : either we follow them to their place, or we seize the place here, and expect them to come back in force sooner or later. Or we just explore around here, and act as if this place is open, but stay ready to fight whenever we come here. Any other insight about it ?  "
lostsole31
  "Isn't  this  their 'place?'"   asks Gelik.

   "We aren't outfitted to secure and hold a place, when our job is exploration,"    reminds Aron.
silphael
"  I thought they had a village or something, but... in this case, let's explore it, and we will then explore the surroundings. We'll see if they try something funny afterward.  "
lostsole31
Gathered in the building are the keches’ spoils:
 
 (2)  vials filled with magical fluid 
 what appears to be a wand and detects as magical 
 a bronze armband worth 
 a crystal decanter 
 a black jade idol of a bloated frog demon 
 a silver medallion depicting a discus thrower worth 200 gp 
 Loose coins: 76 gp, 405 sp, and 858 cp. 
 
silphael
This exploration done, Xhanfaerd considers exploring further around, based on the remaining hours of the day.

"  Let's be sure that our map is as accurate as possible : we need to know what else there is to see in those ruins.  "
lostsole31
That exploration wasn't given a time but it took all day to search all the nooks and crannies where things and coins were hidey-holed away.
silphael
Xhanfaerd nods.

"  Let's go back to camp. We'll analyze the obvious magical items we found, then we'll prepare for a possible attack from the inhabitants. Tomorrow we'll explore around here.  "
lostsole31
The group returns to the Pathfinder camp. Along with any help Book, Amivor, and other Pathfinders can determine, this is what was recovered:
 
  potion of protection from arrows
  
  salve of slipperiness
  
  wand of charm animal  (45 charges) 
 bronze armband worth 50 gp 
 crystal decanter worth 150 gp 
 black jade idol of a bloated frog demon (worth 500 gp) 
 silver medallion depicting a discus thrower worth 200 gp 
 and as mentioned, the coins: 76 gp, 405 sp, and 858 cp. 
 
silphael
"  Let's rest. We might have a lot to do tomorrow.  "
lostsole31
Winding down the evening, Sersheelda tutors Book, Xhan on defensive combat techniques.

 

    Wealday, 15 Pharast 4711 AR (Waxing Gibbous)    

What's on the docket for today?
silphael
Xhanfaerd points at their map.

"  Let's go south, slightly to the west. We'll see if we go to the south-east that way, or keep going south once that's done.  "
lostsole31
  "From the vantage of our camp as a reset? or along the coast of the lake from the kech house?"   asks Amivor.
silphael
"  Along the coast, south-southwest from here.  "
lostsole31
The group tracks south along the outer coast where there was a small inlet letting out into the main lake. An ancient castle or fort of some sort stands atop a small island here, its rear half draped with hanging vines and its front half collapsed into a mass of ruins. There is no way to get to it without getting wet, even if a relatively short swim.

What do you do?
silphael
Xhanfaerd ponders, wondering if the water is deep enough to expect other aquatic dangers.

"  The water looks calm, and I can take an amphibious form, but what about the rest of you ?  "
lostsole31
   "How necessary do you think it is?"    asks Aron, even as Sersheelda tepes her ability to take many watery shapes.

Gelik, for his part, looks doubtful at going across the water to the half-sunken structure.
silphael
"  If we all had easy ways to go there, quite. Given we have few of those, it will remain for later. Let's go back, and explore the other side of that lake, on the city side.  "
lostsole31
The party makes its way back the way they came, and then exploration along the opposite side of the inlet. While making exploration along the ruins of the convex shore, there is a section that is totally ruined and overgrown with some swampiness and growth.

Through the trees, it seems like there are four figures standing around an unlit campfire. You don't see them very well with the foliage, but they seem tall and very gangly and mostly grayish-green skin.

What do you do?
silphael
Xhanfaerd looks at the others.

"  Another party of explorers, or jungle inhabitants ? Anyway, I think we should go see what they are about. I hope we can talk, but if worse comes to worse...  "

Still, before going, he casts Mage Armor on himself.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Obviously, casting Mage Armor.
 
lostsole31
Of course, once Xhanfaerd begins casting a loud, very visible spell like that, the figures don't even look to see what caused that noise and they scatter to various directions, disappearing into the swamp foliage.
silphael
"  Looks like I overestimated how far they were. Still, let's have a look at their camp, maybe we can figure a few things about them there.  "

Cautious in case they are still around, he advances toward the unlit campfire.
lostsole31
The party closes around the unlit campfire.  It seems that this campfire hasn't been used in a very, very long time. Veress gives a throaty growl, obviously unsettled by something.
silphael
Xhanfaerd takes out a prism and scans the camp for magical auras.

"  There might be something hidden, I suppose ?  "
lostsole31
Xhanfaerd doesn't detect any magical auras not a part of his own party.
silphael
He then looks at Veress' companion.

"  I suppose it's the smell of those creatures that's doing that ? Any idea why ? Maybe Veress can follow their tracks ?  "
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "If I have Veress track one of them - because it looks like they went in different directions - isn't that a bit aggressive to feel chased?"   
 
silphael
He nods.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   You're right, that would be too much. It's only their tracks that makes Veress react that way ?   "
 
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I cannot tell. But something has him agitated."   
 
silphael
"  I see. Well, if we've thoroughly searched the place, let's resume the exploration.  "
lostsole31
From deep within the foliage of the swamp, an angry, heavily accented voice calls out,    "Outlanders! Who are you that bring the trappings of the world beyond to our sacred swamp!? Would you in your arrogance enfold Gozreh's domain into your control?"   
silphael
Xhanfaerd shakes his head.

"   We do not wish to wrestle any form of control over the swamp, we are simply here to explore the ruins before they fully return to Gozreh as they should. Is there a group trying to encroach onto this sacred place ?   "

He looks at the others, hoping someone takes over any form of theological conversation that goes beyond the very basics of Gozreh, since he definitely wasn't paying attention during those lessons at the Magaambyan.
lostsole31
  "You say 'exploration!'"   calls the rough voice.   "We say 'trespass!' We say 'burglary!' You are the interlopers. If you want to explore any part of the this portion of the coast, you have to earn it. Single combat. Your champion against ours. If you win, we will assist you while you are in this area."  
silphael
He looks at the rest of the party.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   Having the guidance of locals would be helpful, but who's going to fight for us ?   "
 


"   Well, what would be the rules ?   "
lostsole31
 
 Spoiler: Rest of Party (Severally) &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I can defend myself, but I'm not actually any kind of warrior,"    tepes Aron.

   "Ha! The strongest of us asking which of us will be his champion!"    telepathically chortles Gelik.

   "If you not want to,"    says Sersheelda pluckily,    "I fight for Pathfinders, even tho' not one."   
 

At the same time Xhanfaerd is sifting through the nearly simultaneous influx of telepathy, the voice calls out in answer.     "Red in tooth and claw, to death! Neither can cast or invoke magic or powers before from self or another until fight begins. Then only from self once duel begins. Neither champion may get healing or any help from others in duel of honor."   
silphael
 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   I was asking in case someone wanted to do it instead of me, but then I will.   "
 


He steps forward.

"   I will fight, though I use Mage Armor instead of armor, so either you fight without an armor, or I cast it before the fight.   "
lostsole31
   "Our champion also makes armor during fight. That is accepted. Agreed?"   
silphael
His earthbreaker in hand, Xhanfaerd looks for a nearby place that would work as an arena.

"   Agreed.   "
lostsole31
You'll hear voices chirping and making noise, guiding the party to a more open area ... a little less swamp natural, but with more ruins.

Still in your collective, your allies will hang back aways as the one who must be their champion approaches. The creature is much taller than the others you thought you saw, though they were tall and lanky as well, as this one stands 6' 10" but is almost critically thin, with no hair, and a dark green, rubbery-looking skin very similar to a frog. Again, though, this creature is vastly different than the boggard that you met previously.  Its eyes are a deep black, though there is a pinpoint of red that almost provides a baleful, faintly lambent glow. He dresses in a loincloth and has no weapons, though mud is daubed thickly all over his body, partly concealing his almost frog-like skin.

  "I am Ukka of the Kambian, Inquisitor of Gozreh. Prepare to die."  
 Xhanfaerd , do you name yourself before beginning?
silphael
Taking a combat stance, he announces himself.

"  And I am Xhanfaerd, arcanist of the Magaambyan.  "
lostsole31
 Begin Round One ...

R1T15:   A suit of savage hide forms around Ukka, and he steps just to the southeast to ruin a possible line of charge, and seems to hold and stroke the wooden symbol of Gozreh at his neck, as if for luck.

 R1T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?
silphael
Content with having no clear charging line, Xhanfaerd creates layers of force to shield himself with, then takes a combat stance.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action to cast Mage Armor, swift action to enter Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess.

Defenses :
-I'll make him roll twice the attack against me, or roll twice on the first save against his abilities.
 
lostsole31
 R1T7:  Content with having no clear charging line, Xhanfaerd creates layers of  force to shield himself with, then takes a combat stance.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T15:   Now Ukka closes as Xhanfaerd's stance tries to protect him, but the  long-limbed jungle warrior still knocks Xhanfaerd down and out of  stance. He then does an elbow does a hammerfist that whallops Xhanfaerd  for  11 . Worse, the smell hits Xhanfaerd from the  creature even as the Ekujae's life force is partly drawn from his heart  and lungs for   1 temporary negative level  !  
 R2T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do from prone?
silphael
Xhanfaerd stands up, and swings his hammer at his enemy's guts. Clearly, it won't be a clean fight.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action to stand up (provokes), standard action to initiate Bilious Strike (+6D6 damage, nauseated for 4 rounds, Fort DC 20 to reduce it to 1 round). If it hits, swift action to enter Black Seraph's Glare and free action intimidate. Otherwise swift action to enter Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess. (gonna edit the fluff above to reflect it)

  Attack  - (1d20+14)[ 26 ] 
  Damage  - (2d6+9)[ 16 ] 
  Extra Damage  - (6d6)[ 23 ] 
  Intimidate  - (1d20+19)[ 32 ] 

Otherwise, gonna make him roll twice the first attack against me or roll the first save twice.
 
lostsole31
 R2T7:  Xhanfaerd tries to stand up, but not before Ukka gives a snap kick to Xhanfaerd's right shin for  10 +  1 TNL  .  Xhanfaerd swings his hammer at his enemy's guts, pushing past speed,  deflection, a weird icky feeling, the hide armor, only to be stopped by  the thick skin of the enemy. Clearly, this isn't going to be a clean  fight, and Xhanfaerd returns to his protective stance.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T15:   Eyeing the Magaambyan's massive weapon, Ukka closes in. Even with  Xhanfaerd's stance it is not an easy tussle, but by the end of it,  Xhanfaerd finds himself in Ukka's clutches in a grapple.

 R3T7:   Xhanfaerd , you are knocked back out of stance and in a grapple. What do you do?
silphael
Tapping into his focus, Xhanfaerd shifts form, turning into a gargoyle.

"  An inquisitor of Gozreh that steals life force ?  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'll cast Monstrous Physique 1 defensively, expending Psionic Focus (well, expending both Focii) to roll 15 on both concentration checks, for a total of 29 each time, to take the form of a gargoyle.
 
lostsole31
 R3T7:  Xhanfaerd tries to reach into his spell component pouch to grab something, but can't quite get it. "  An inquisitor of Gozreh that steals life force?  "

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T15:     "All  life requires death to survive. Whether claw ripping open bleeders, or  taking life force directly, only you make the distinction, not She,"    Ukka says as he squeezes Xhanfaerd for  14 +  1 TNL  .

 R4T7:   Xhanfaerd , you are despairing being able to escape this monster's grasp. What do you do?
silphael
Xhanfaerd attempts to break out of the grapple.

"  Negative energy ? Part of life ?  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Free action to drop weapon. Standard action to attempt to break free. If that succeeds, swift action to enter IDSG again (same rerolls as earlier) and move action to pick up weapon.

  Grapple  - (1d20+13)[ 29 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T7:  Dropping the earthbreaker, Xhanfaerd tries to break out of the grapple, but fails. "  Negative energy? Part of life?  "

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T15:    "I did not ask for my dark gift,"   says Ukka as he continues to squeeze Xhanfaerd for  10 +  1 TNL  .   "That  is not Gozreh's gift. But in death, I am now an unliving guardian for  His Will, and he still gives me His power as long as I do so. Soon, you  too will know death, Magaambyan. And yet even in your own death ... you,  too, will be nature's wrath."  
 R5T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?
silphael
Lacking other options, Xhanfaerd focuses, testing a few scenariis in his mind, while sending a message to his allies still in range.

 
 Spoiler: Collective 
"   I cannot win. Prepare to run, and recover. If you see me here, it won't be me. Destroy me, then bring me back if you have the opportunity, but don't try that without a proper recruitment.   "
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action to use Aid Another on myself (which activates Zeal) to aid my next grapple check. A grapple check being an attack roll, the Zeal bonus also applies.

Standard action, attempt to break free of the grapple. If successful, swift action to enter IDoSG, forcing him to roll attack/grapple roll twice.

  Aid  - (1d20+13)[ 18 ] 
  Grapple  - (1d20+13)[ 27 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T7:  Lacking other options, Xhanfaerd focuses, testing a few scenarios in his  mind, sends a message to his allies still in range. 
 Spoiler: Xhanfaerd &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
"   I cannot win. Prepare to run, and recover.  If you see me here, it won't be me. Destroy me, then bring me back if  you have the opportunity, but don't try that without a proper  recruitment.   "
 
 He makes a valiant attempt  to escape, boosted by his psionic prowess, but it cannot quite overcome  the weakening of his life force - already at half of its normal  strength.

 R5T6:  Aron sends a message... 
 Spoiler: Aron &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I  don't like the look of the ones I see here. I am going to slowly lead  them out now, rather than wait for the axe to fall. I have a feeling  that we already will have a running feat, so we need to start now."   
 

 R5T5:  Gelik adds ... 
 Spoiler: Gelik &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
  "I will make sure your name is honored on the Wall of Names, Pathfinder!"  
 

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T15:  Ukka almost loses his grip, but then rallies and tightens up as Xhanfaerd takes  10 +  1 TNL  .

 R6T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?
silphael
Still trying to escape, Xhanfaerd keeps talking.

"  If you call it sacred, it must be blighted then !  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action to attempt to escape.

  Grapple  - (1d20+13)[ 18 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T7:  Still trying to escape, Xhanfaerd keeps talking. "  If you call it sacred, it must be blighted then!  "

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T15:    "Look around you,"   he says, doing  13 +  1 TNL  .   "This swamp is not dead. Fetid, fecund, and full of life. Soon, it will be your home."  
 R7T7:   Xhanfaerd , what do you do?
silphael
Still attempting to get out, he adds.

"  You're beyond rot and you know it.  "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action to try to break free. If that succeeds, move action toward the rest of the party, and I'll initiate Reunion in Dreams, spending my focus to teleport to the nearest ally (within close range, so atm 30 feet. They are probably too far, in which case I just won't move away.

  Grapple  - (1d20+13)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T7:  Still weakly attempting to get out, he adds, "  You're beyond rot and you know it.  "

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T15:    "Nothing ... absolutely nothing ... is ever truly beyond decay,"   he says as he squeezes Xhanfaerd for  10 +  1 TNL  .

 R8T7:   Xhanfaerd , your life is almost gone. What do you do?
silphael
"  Maybe. But you're the dead rot that's beyond life !  "

Knowing well that at that point he cannot escape, he still tries.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard action to get out.

  Grapple  - (1d20+13)[ 23 ] 
 
lostsole31
Failing to escape, Ukka drains the last of Xhanfaerd's life force.

 

This game - for now - has come to a close. Please add no comments into this game as it is indefinitely suspended.