Interlude - Part 2

So ends the Second part of the "Rise of the Runelords" adventure path called "Skinsaw Murders". James Paladin Budwar has died and James will be playing a new character, a dwarven Eldritch Knight that belong to the "Order of the Black Arrows", a ranger group that protect a remote area from Ogres and Giants. His background will have a huge part in the next chapter, "Hook Mountain Massacre"

The party is now 7th or 8th level:

Xantumal - 7th Level Druid of Gozreh
Preacher - 7th Level Cleric of Pharasma
Phain - 4th Level Sorcerer/ 4th Level Rogue
Khazen Dren - 1st Level Ranger/5th Level Wizard/2nd Level Eldritch Knight

The group found a journal in Ironbriar's office:

Ironbriar used his position as Justice to cover up the Cult of Norgorber's murders as well as give them inside information on what the authorities were doing. His journal makes it clear enough that someone he refers to as the “Wanton of Nature’s Pagan Forms” has stolen his heart and provided him with a new method of murder, the Sihedron ritual. He involved Aldern in the ritual after he turned undead.

The ledger also indicates that Ironbriar has received payment from a group called the Red Mantis for delivery of “Vorel’s Legacy”, a fungus that was harvested from Foxglove Manor which was sent to the sinister group of assassins based in Cheliax.

They also found a note in the clock tower:

My dearest Xanesha!

I am so proud of what you are doing in Magnimar, with your band of murderers bringing souls to our Lord, fueling his awakening! Soon enough, Magnimar will be a much nicer place, with all of its greed sucked dry.

My plans are proceeding nicely up here in Turtleback Ferry. You wouldn’t think that greed could take a foothold in such a desolate area, but when you provide people with just a bit of hope for a better life, it is amazing how their greed rises to the top.

The only obstacle to my plans is Fort Rannick, but that will be taken care of shortly. Then nothing will stand in the way of our Lord coming back to life!

Soon, we shall be reunited and our Lord will begin his glorious reign over all of Golarion!

Lucrecia

Session 22 - Attacking the Clock Tower

Fireday Lamashan 18 around 10am

Both Budwar and Preacher had dreadful dreams of their groups death at the hands of whomever ruled the clock tower. Preacher had a sense that Pharasma wasn't ready for him yet, he still needed to find out the cause of so many souls not reaching her. Budwar knew that planning and strategy would be the key to winning the battle.

Approaching the tower with care, they saw it was in poor condition. A hole about 200 feet up had a rickety scaffolding built to another higher hole. They entered the clock tower and inside was some damage rooms with an unstable staircase winding its way up. They inspected the staircase and made sure to spread out to avoid having too much weight in one place.

About halfway up, they heard a bell fall and everyone scrambled to get out of the way, but Phain, who was walking on the wall with his boots, could not avoid it and got clipped by it. Seeing 3 more bells above, they decided to get out of the tower and come up with a new plan.

The new dwarven scholar cast enlarge and spider climb, and had the other carried up to the top. In the uppermost room was a silk bed and other out of place comforts. Suddenly a demon appeared, but Phain recognized it as an illusion. Phain also found a spot with a silence on it and dispelled it. Suddenly, a snake like creature appeared in the air and a strange snake like mask with green glowing eyes shot something at Preacher, but he wasn't affected. The group summoned some monsters and the enlarged fighters attacked. Niorg used the wand and dispelled the flying while the rest of the group hammered her down. She used a large spear, and when it hit it made a wailing sound, but on her third hit on the paladin, she killed him and the spear wailed even louder. Everyone, shocked but the death of the paladin rallied and killed her.

The group found a bunch of papers containing names of people targetted for the "Sihedron Ritual", including the Lord Mayor. Also they found a note from Xanesha's sister with more information.

Heading back to the Lord Mayor's house, they informed him that he was targeted for assassination, he offered the party 6,000gp each for their role in making Magnimar safe, as well as officially giving them the Aldern townhouse.

Going back to the church of Torag to raise the Paladin from the dead, they clerics informed them that Budwar's soul was not willing to return as he died gloriously saving the lives of his companions. Phain made an impassioned speech to get the cleric to convince Budwar's soul to be willing, but with no luck. Little did Phain and the rest know that there was another that overheard him....

Session 21 - Assault on the Seven's Sawmill

Toilday Lamashan 15 around 8pm

After scouting out the sawmill for another day, the group sent the druid in to scout. Turning into a mouse, he snuck in and observed a bunch of the workers in cultists masks. The group now knew that the workers were in on the murders.

Leaving Hogie outside to guard the basement door, the group stormed in. As they moved up the floors they killed off all the cultists they found. Budwar and Orik reached the top floor where there were more cultists, their leader, and a flesh golem that looked like a scarecrow carrying a scythe. Orik charged into the frey and took heavy damage from the scarecrow. As he backed off, Preacher came in and healed him while Budwar tried to make his way to the leader. Preacher took a heavy hit from the scarecrow and fell unconscious. Xantumal him fall and rushed to his aid but also took a fatal hit from the scarecrow. Orik fell victim to a spell from the leader and ran down the stairs. Budwar healed Preacher and went to battle with the Scarecrow. Phain managed to get behind the battle to challenge the leader. The leader cast a spell and disappeared, but Phain was ready with a scroll that made him reappear. The leader used his strange mask powers to try and confuse Phain, but Phain shook off the effects and killed him. Budwar and Preacher managed to kill the Scarecrow.

Unmasking the leader they found out it was Justice Ironbriar. They found a journal of his that was in code. They decided to get the Lord Mayor involved so he would know that Ironbriar was corrupt and so they wouldn't get blamed for his death. They put his head into the interrogation cage and found out some information on the cult. They also found out that he was taking order from some woman in a clock tower.

Wealday Lamashan 16 around 6am

After having the Magnimar guard secure the sawmill, they searched it thoroughly. They found a rookery with 3 crows in it. Knowing it could be a clue to finding the clock tower, they fed the birds and went to the church of Torag to see about bring their friend back to life. The spell to bring him back would be expensive, as was the spells needed to restore some of the abilities he would lose, but they pooled enough money to do it.

Wealday Lamashan 16 around 11am

That day the druid talked to the birds and they knew the location to the clock tower. With the promise of more food when they got back, the druid shap shifted into a raven and followed the bird finding out where the clock tower was exactly.

When they were able to, they asked more questions of the head and found that he was wary of his mistress and his a wand of dispel magic as she would have many spells active on her at any one time.

Later in the day, a dwarf appeared. His name was Niorg and was a scholar of Torag and had spent the last few days inspecting the seal. He was assigned by the church of Torag to help Budwar in whatever he needed.

The group decided to assult the clock tower the next day, and got some rest.

Session 20 - In Search of the Brothers of the Seven

Fireday Lamashan 11 around 10am

After getting away from the diseased area around the Misgivings, the group rested. Then they decided to head to Magnimar to identify and sell some of the items they had acquired, and then to follow up on the clues they had found.

They arrived in the city later in the day and decided to find an inn and take a much needed rest. They checked into the same inn they stayed at the first time in Magnimar and had a large dinner, bathed and slept.

Starday Lamashan 12 around 8am

After a good breakfast, they headed out to the Golemworks to sell off some of their magic items they didn't need and then maybe purchase some they wanted. They also checked in with Justice Ironbriar. An addition murder had taken place the other night, so they knew it couldn't have only been Aldern killing people. Armor they had found at the Misgivings was owned by a bandit wanted in town so they turned it in as evidence and collected the reward.

Sunday Lamashan 13 around 8am

The party decided to check out Aldern's townhouse. The got directions and travelled to the house. Phain used the Hat of Disguise they found to look a little more like Aldern in case anyone got suspicious. They used the key they found and went inside. Hogie was too big to fit so he stayed outside.

When they got inside, there was a butler that greeted Aldern but was confused as he thought that he was in the other room with his wife. The butler went and got the other Aldern and Iesha, his wife. Everyone was very confused, Aldern because someone was in his house disguised as him, and the party as they had killed Aldern. They decided to move into the study and talk with Aldern alone to try and figure out what happened. Xantumal stayed outside with Hogie.

While describing what happened at the Misgivings, Phain, Budwar and Orik was surprised by the butler and Iesha. They attacked Phain wounding him greatly, then after they hit him they changed into a vaguely humanoid featureless form. Budwar attacked the one nearest him, drawing its attention away from Phain, but the other one knocked Phain unconscious as well as what was Aldern attacking as well. Budwar called upon Torag to smite these creatures while healing Phain. Orik and Budwar battled the monsters while Phain retreated and used some ranged spells. Xantumal heard the battle from outside the house and broke down the locked door to come in and help. At the end of the battle Orik was knocked unconscious as well but Budwar felled the last one and healed him back to health.

They party got the door fixed and searched the house and found a hidden compartment in the fireplace mantle. In it were the deeds to the Misgivings as well as the townhouse. Also there were notes that Aldern was to drop off payments for his debt every week to the Seven's Sawmill.

Moonday Lamashan 14 around 8am

Asking around town, they found the location of the sawmill, and staked it out. They spent most of the day watching the business noticing that the traffic going in and out looked legitimate. Phain climbed up the outside of the building with his spider climb boots, but noticed no windows to enter and view inside, and no weakness in the roof.

The party decided they could wait another day and come up with the a plan to break in, since they did not know whether or not the workers would be part of the "Brothers of the Seven" or clueless of who they work for.

Session 19 - The Misgivings Conclusion

Fireday Lamashan 11 around 2am

Entering the basement area the party was attacked by a swarm of rats. After dispatching them, the checked out the basement level and found a old winding staircase leading down, it appeared to have been under the floor and someone with a pick axe broke it open. Going down the stairs they were in an older cave system. Assuming that the passageway in the well lead to this level, Phain wanted to seal it up to prevent anyone from escaping, so the group went outside.

Around the well now were thousands of undead birds. They attacked in swarms, surrounding everyone. Budwar and Preacher used their channeling ability to kill off the birds, but everyone still took injuries. Running low on spells they wanted to rest, but felt there was no way they could successfully sleep anywhere near the house, so they kept going.

In the tunnels they found a transformed bat ghoul and some other undead. Using up what resources they had to kill them. Also there was another room with stain glass windows that matched ones from upstairs. The other ones showed a seven sided box, various creatures and items being released or maybe even sucked into it. This one showed a man that looked like one of the Foxgloves becoming a lich. From the paintings and visions they had seen they were sure it was Vorel Foxglove, Aldern's grandfather.

Finally they came to a bowl shaped room with a damp circular ramp leading down into a small pool of water and a door. Phain used his boots to successfully walk to the door and opened it revealing a passageway. He worked with Budwar to setup a rope and Xantumal used Stoneshape to make a small rail to hang onto. Orik went first and made it across, Preacher started to go next when Orik was attacked by what was once Aldern, now he was some sort of Dread Ghoul now known as the Skinsaw Man. Orik was hurt badly and paralyzed. Phain went to his aid but soon was paralyzed as well.

The battle position was in Aldern's as outside the hall was slick. Budwar made to over a pushed Orik out of the way while Preacher got Phain out of the way. Using his Smite ability he gravely injured . Aldern but then succumed to Aldern's paralyzing touch. Orik had recovered by then, but Preacher managed to finish him off, ending the murder spree of the Skinsaw Man.

Searching through his things, they discovered some useful information. Aldern had fallen in debt and borrowed money from a group called the Brotherhood of the Seven. Unable to pay it back, he made a bargain with them to collect some mold from his estates in exchange for being even. So he returned to his family's abandoned estates but succumbed to the disease and madness of the place. He successfully paid off his debt, but didn't survive the disease.

They also found a note saying:

Aldern—
You have served us quite well. The delivery you harvested from the caverns far exceeds what I had hoped for. You may consider your debt to the Brothers paid in full. Yet I still have need of you, and when you awaken from your death, you should find your mind clear and able to understand this task more than in the state you lie in as I write this.

You shall remember the workings of the Sihedron ritual, I trust. You seemed quite lucid at the time, but if you find after your rebirth that you have forgotten, return to your townhouse in Magnimar. My agents shall contact you there soon—no need for you to bother the Brothers further. I will provide the list of proper victims for the Sihedron ritual in two days’ time. Commit that list to memory and then destroy it before you begin your work. The ones I have selected must be marked before they die, otherwise they do my master no good and the greed in their souls will go to waste.

If others get in your way, though, you may do with them as you please. Eat them, savage them, or turn them into pawns—it matters not to me.
—Your Mistress, Wanton of Nature’s Pagan Forms

They also found a key to his townhouse in Magnimar. They group decided to head there next to both check out his place, and to identify and sell some of the magical items they have found.

Also there was a patch of mold that occasionally resembled a human face. It was by what appeared to be the broken remains of the phylactery they saw on the stained glass windows. They smashed the pieces of the phylactery into dust and burned off the mold, but Budwar still sensed that the evil was not destroyed, and it seemed like maybe even the mold was growing back.

Session 18 - A Wedding and Misgivings

Wealday Lamashan 9 around Noon

Returning to Sandpoint, the group received some bad news. Another murder occured and it was Vin Vinder, Phain's fiancee's father. Consoling Shayless, she revealed two things to him, that she was pregnant with his child and that if they got married that day, the family would look to him as the head of the family. Phain agreed and met the rest of the family and his new estates and spent the rest of the night on his honeymoon. Budwar found that the church of Torag sent some dwarves to help restore the monastery and that more were on the way. Everyone else rested up knowing that they must confront the murderer at the misgivings.

Oathday Lamashan 10 around 9pm

The party headed out for the Misgivings, also known as Foxglive Manor, to confront the murderer. One of the dwarves came along part of the way to head to Magnimar to deliver a message to the Church of Torag about the broken seal of the ancient Runelord.

Oathday Lamashan 10 around 8am

After they turned off towards the Misgivings, the land seemed to change as if it were sick and diseased. Foxglove manor itself was in disrepairand built to hang over the cliff face with a view of the ocean. Approaching the house the noticed a well and used the magical eye they found on the necromancer at the seal, and discovered a tunnel leading out of the well. They decided to enter the house first.

The house looked to be ready to fall apart, the ceilings sagged, wood in many places rotted away, and mold stainsa everywhere. The doors themselves were hard to open. The group investigated the main floor, the upper floor and the attic. They encountered deadly flashes of scenes that involved other people. While they had the flashes they even believed they were that person. Each one usually involved death, disease and betrayal of loved ones. They all involved the last three generations of Foxgloves.

Other than these visions, and an occasional tumor filled rat, they only creature they encountered was a deadly undead creature that yelled "I'm coming for you Aldern!" Budwar and the rest managed to kill it before it got too far.

Session 17 - Final Battle at the Seal

Wealday Lamashan 9 around 6am

After resting the party returned to the stone plug. They found a handle that turns and moves the plug into the wall. Budwar cast a spell to improve his strength and after many tries managed to get it moving.

Beyond was a curved hallway that went both left and right. A sphere was slowly rolling along the floor when suddenly it shot out and exploded hurting Budwar. Entering the hallway they found that they were weightless and there was a slight current pushing them to the right. They also saw more of those spheres ahead and behind them. Moving slow enough not to get too close to any of them they searched for an entryway. The passageway seemed to curve in a big circle, and when they got to the opposite side of the entryway, they found anohter stone plug. Budwar managed to move this one and it revealed another passageway further inside the circle. They cautiously moved down this passageway and as the got to the opposite side of the inner circle, they found another stone plug. Budwar moved this and it revelead the inner chamber.



Inside the chamber was the seal that was partially holding the Runelord of Gluttony. The necromancer who freed him was holding a grisly book and reading to some Ghasts, and when they opened the plug, they attacked. The necromancer appeared to be missing his lower half and had constructed some sort of device that allowed him to fly.

The group were blocked off by the ghasts while the necromancer fly back and launched spells at them. Preacher was paralyzed by a ghast but was still able to channel and wound the ghasts. Orik and Budwar attacked the ghasts while Phain and Xantumal launched spells at the necromancer. Though Budwar was close to death, Preacher's heals kept him alive enough for the group to help kill the necromancer.

They studied the seal yet couldn't learn anything from it. Budwar vowed to send word to the Temple of Torag to get more help rebuilding this site and keeping it defended. Phain took the book the necromancer was reading, but couldn't indentify what it was without further investigation.