Borgag is going to have to double move to get into the room, so I'll move to a good spot, the corner that is space G34 looks nice. Drawing an oil of magic weapon so he can apply it next round.
Guess it's not bandits!
The ghost howls, and reaches forwards with her hands swinging them out for Mathias's head.
Touch attack. If it hits it is doing of wisdom damage.
Flitting through the walls Beswaur sees wisps of dark shadows float through the walls in front of him. He turns to see the another collection of darkness saunter through the wall behind him. These insubstantial forms would be invisible in a dark room, and it is only a combination of the dim red from his friends torches and excellent darkvision that mean Beswaur can even see their unnatural forms.
Dark Form 1 vs touch ac, if hitting doing of strength damage as a negative energy effect (no save value listed)
Dark Form 2 vs touch ac, if hitting doing of strength damage as a negative energy effect (no save value listed)
Marcus drops the bottle and charges the spectre, sword upraised.
I will destroy you unholy abomination!
Divided by 2 for incorporeal so 11.
He cleaves into an outstretched arm long enough to splatter ectoplasm across the floor.
The ghost howls and gibbers.
It burns! It burns! Kill them all. Burn them!
Beswaur swings at one of the dark figures. Ware! More things incoming! Then moves back to make it harder for them to get past him to the others.
, if hits
.
Holy Strike (minor): At 1st level, you can touch one weapon and bless it with the power of purity and goodness. For 1 minute, this weapon glows green, white, or yellow-gold and deals an additional 1d6 points of damage against evil creatures. During this time, it's treated as good for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction. This additional damage doesn't stack with the additional damage from the holy weapon special ability.
It's been 24 hours since the last round of combat so all of you who haven't posted I'm assuming you have delayed in shock
The shadows around Beswaur keep moving and turning, sliding through the air and walls in an unsettling manner. Their twists and turns grown more erratic and they try to slam into the half orc.
and if it hits
and if it hits
The ghost howls and gibbers and reaches for Marcus this time. You burn even more you wretched halfman the form cries as she brings her hands down on the Paladin's head.
and if it hits your touch AC
Marcus ducks under the grasping hands and sweeps his sword through the specter's legs.
He steps on the dropped torch and sticks his sword into the floor.
Well I'll... half you!
Mathias shifts back and drops his club. This thing does me no good anyway. Reaching into his belt pouch he draws out a vial and throws it on the floor at the ghosts feet .
Going right
Mathias's potion smashes into the ground beneath the ghostly form
The splash of the potion causes the form to howl and writhe, and in her twisting she avoids the cut of Marcus's blade.
Recognising that the blade is more dangerous than the potions the ghost once again brings her arms that look like embers down on Marcus
and if it hits the touch AC,
Facing Beswaur the dark smokey forms are almost mocking their silence as they strike out again at him.
and if it hits
and if it hits
.
Cavern murk! That's cold. Got to hold these off while the others deal with that ghost.
.
, if hits
Marcus ducks under the flailing arms.
He manages to barely score the ghost across the abdomen.
Mathias, realizing that he is far less effective against the ghost than other undead shifts another 5 feet back throwing a second potion at the ghosts feet before turning to assist Beswaur; as Marcus is doing rather well currently.
The ghost is not irate and slowly the rest of her arms are lighting up like a charcoal ember being reset alight. There is anow an evil red glow coming up all her arms. She moves aggressively forward and brings both of them to bear on Marcus again.
The Potion Mathias has hurled smashed into the ground beneath the shadow and splashes upwards. Where the splashes hit the shadow the shadow lessens, and evaporates into the air like steam. These shapes don't seem to care, they neither howl, nor hiss, they just continue to lash out at the warpriest.
and if it hits vs touch
and if it hits
and if it hits
And I believe this is officially bad, your war priest has a strength of 2 by my count.
Nearly at the point of collapse, Beswaur retreats down the stairs. Sorry guy, I'm spent.
Mathias moves to cover Marcus' flank.
Perhaps we should all regroup.
Marcus grunts as the ghosts hands pass through his head and his vision blurs.
He roars and leaps through the specter, bring his sword down in an overhead slash as he does so. Ghostly ichor sprays across the room while the matron shrieks. Marcus spits on the ground below the ghost.
Torment the living no more phantom.
He sways and looks from Mathias to the dark forms down the hall.
Aye, we should.
The ghost evaporates with a loud shriek. At the same time the damaged dark form evaporates at the same time.
Beswaur's detect evil registers the other shadow has remained in roughly the same location.
The floor quakes slightly beneath Marcus's blow, he wouldn't want to do that too often, it might split the floor.
I'll let you decide where you are regrouping to / what you are doing now that that part is over.
I suggest we draw back and re-evaluate our approach and recover.
He bends down and picks up Beswaur's pack for him.
Borgag, retreats down the stairs, and takes up position behind the harpscord. It had to be blood ghosts, no it coudn't be something that bleeds!
Marcus picks up his dropped torch and scuffs at the floor where it was. He looks down the hall to see if he can see the dark shadow, then joins the others in the harpsichord room.
That could have gone better, you okay Beswaur? I only have enough oil to bless my sword once more, and our priest is worse for wear. Continuing might have to wait.
As the party descends down the stairs they are pursued only by uneasy feelings of dread.
Mathias can hear faint scuffling noises coming from the cellar.
Beswaur is still jumpy at the dark shadows that are in this room.
Borgag is feeling brave enough now to possibly touch the harpsichord, but something tells him this would be a very bad idea.
What is the party to do, explore this level, head down, or trek back to town to sleep the night and seek healing?
Beswaur, are you able to continue?
Beswaur gasps, I'm willing to give it a go. I'll do what I can, but don't expect too much more from met.
Marcus looks at Beswaur uncertainly.
If we push on I don't think it will get any better for us. The ghosts will keep for a couple more days.
Falcons hollow holds apx 1400 souls. It is run by the lumber consortium. It has a minor temple to Iomedae.
I'm pretty sure I can recover with some rest.
Lets fall back and recover, then we can return for a clean sweep.
Mathias hefts Beswaur's pack onto his shoulder and retrieves his club, torch and staff.
Agreed, these ghosts give me the whillies, and it looks like i'll need a little somethin special to keep me head in the fight
The trip back to town is silent and despondent. It is very late when the party arrive back, more than a little dejected.
The church of Iomedae is a small building a stones throw away from the rest of the town, as if it were the stinky red haired child at a family gathering.
Seeing dim light on the party approach hoping for healing and beds. Upon entering the church they immediately see all is not well. Down the knave of the church, by the wooden statue of St Lymirin is the cleric Athul. Athul had been badly wounded whilst facing down orc hordes, and has only one arm (although he makes up for this by his other one being twice as big) and a gammy leg (which he makes up for by having young boys of the church run around for him).
Athul is being flanked by the statue, and three large burly men, one of which is holding a torch up close to the clerics face, whilst the other two stand by menacingly.
" I'm telling you, you better bloddy well have it, or you'll be picked out of the river in the morning in pieces."
Marcus immediately draws his sap and begins striding down the knave. He shouts at the men.
Hey, you there get away from him! What do you think you are doing?!
That is not a respectful way to address a priest.
.
Beswaur casts bless on his allies.
Mathias sets down the pack and torch, striding forward on Marcus' heels.
I would suggest you leave.
His staff is in his left hand. His right hand rests about where his belt buckle would be in a non-aggressive ready posture.
" Careful we've got no beef with you." The burly man with the torch says. " And I don't want to start any. But this man here, he owes us see, and he's been putting us off and we need to collect you see. "
"Tellya what." One of the others pipes up. "We'll go fetch the rector , you can talk to him and us and Athul'll have a walk and talk. "
Marcus and his damaged wisdom squint at the group. The sap is still in hand but falls to his side when he sees that violence isn't imminent.
Is that true Father?
It seems clear to me that you intend this man harm. As we are travelers of the road and we were hoping to seek his aid you are now hindering us by bothering and threatening him. Surely your business can with him can wait until there is a more suitable and respectful hour. You men are here on business but only brigands would conduct business at this hour and you aren't brigands.
Mathias steps forward snaking his right hand toward the priest, hoping that these men will accept a few hours delay. At the first sign of one reaching for his weapon however Mathias is prepped to strike.
*edit (messed up the tags)*
Come Father, let us go inside.
[occ] only if we need it [/occ]
Stepping forward Mathias notices that the character with a torch has three rings on the ring finder of his spare hand. One gold, one silver, one copper. With his thumb he is fingering and turning them absent minded. He seems to consider his options for a little bit before saying
"Well come on lad's." The man with the rings says and guestures to his compatriots.
One of the other two pushes at Father roughly "We'll settle you up later" he says as he walks past.
They take their lantern with them, leaving the four adventurers in the dark with a crippled and somewhat abashed priest.
Thank you immensely. The priest said. [b] they were trying to rob the church of its relic, and their story only changed when you arrived.[b]
If you want further information it will be a diplomacy (of if you are inclined and intimidate) roll. I'll roll your sense motive privately
Interesting, they looked more like collection thugs for a loan shark rather than thieves. I would have expected thieves to either sneak in an abscond with the relic or come in with swords drawn and immediately start killing. Just seems odd.
Father, I think we both know that that isn't the truth, or at least the whole truth. Your business is of course your own and if you wish to handle this matter privately that is your choice. If however you seek help I would think that honesty is a better policy for a man of the cloth.
Mathias lets that hang in the air leaving the father to make up his own mind, after all what business is it of his. To Mathias' mind he has offered his help the priest must decide to take it of his own volition.
He isn't prying for more information but if the priest wants his help he must give him the truth.
After a brief pause his words hanging in the air, Mathias pivots on the ball of his foot and returns to pick up the items he put down. He glances at the rest of the party, nods once and motions to the Father to lead the way.
Later Mathias shares the information he noticed about the ruffians with the rest of the party.
Marcus looks over from where he was watching the men leave.
Mathias what do you mean? He looks concernedly from the cleric to Mathias. Father is there something I can help you with?
But with ALOT of compassion.
Beswaur is right, what thief have you met who will come to you and demand the items they seek from your face in that manner?
Walking along with the group the cleric Athul limps and lurches along with the party to rectory.
"You are right." Sighs father as he continues a slow hobble. "They weren't your average thief in the night. Its a confusing story and you mustn't breath a word to anybody, not even the rector. You see several months ago a young girl was kidnapped by the Silver Spectres, they had mistaken her for the Baron's daughter. They looked similar. The Baron refuse to pay a ransom, and hid his daughter away. The father begged me to help, so I borrowed monies from the church to pay for her release. Well, I borrowed monies to hire brigands from Velcastos to reclaim her from the Silver Spectres. And now those brigands claim I didn't pay the agreed amount and they are trying to collect."
At this Father motions for everyone can stop so he can catch his breath and massage his leg briefly.
Well trying to play one evil off against the other may seem like clever tactic, it rarely works out as intended. You really should have foreseen this problem as an obvious result of your actions. Did you pay the agreed sum?
I will not get involved where not welcome. Do you wish our help?
I did but now they claim I owe them a relic from the church. Athul says as he continues his limping to the rectory. I would very happy for your assistance. I cannot think of anyone else I could turn to. The rector would be absolutely livid if he knew and I suspect he would write to my Superior-General. If you are offering your services I may be able to donate any clerical services you require for your assistance and silence.
We do need some of those clerical services, and it appears I need a warm up before I continue our current venture. what do you say, fix his problem so he fixes us?
Mathias grunts slightly as the Father tells his story but waits until the others have spoken before he speaks.
Father, those men were going to kill you, of that I have no doubt. Is this mistake you have made or secret you keep worth your life? My help available at the price of the truth. I will not join a fight and pick sides when I cannot judge for myself the right and proper cause to champion.
Mathias racks his mind to remember anything he may know about this man in the churches records or anything relic this church may guard.
Oh the men may have harmed me. Athul says as he continues to limp. Kill may be a strong word, we all die at some time, and I doubt they really want to raise that much attention to themselves.
The church will have several relics, all of them are third class relics, so items the saint would have touched or handled in passing. The two that Mathias can remember are a jar of earth from where the Hand of Ineritor touched the earth when he appeared over 400 years ago at the crusade of Debarath, and a necklace of prayer beads that Saint Lymarin touched when when visited the daughter Irethel. Whilst both are valuable, there are much more precious relics around.
These are exactly the sort of 'bottom of the ladder' holy items that are found in out of the way churches.
Mathias remains quiet until the group is alone, only speaking to answer questions as is his normal practice. Once alone however, he speaks to the group telling them of the man who seemed to be the leader of the group and..
I must be honest with you, the Father has been less than honest with us about the nature of this business as I am sure you have noticed from the line of questions. I cannot undertake this venture until he tells us the truth.