human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
"No, Janos, I heard nothing but I do find the stillness unusual, considering how the rest of the spirits in this place have thus far reacted to our presence. Perhaps the planchette can shed some understanding if we dare to risk it?"
Male Human Witch 3 | HP 20| AC 14 (18 w/ MA) FF 11 T 13 | Saves F+2/R+4/W+2 | Init + 5 | Percep +4
Tibideau stops in his tracks when he sees what they believe are the Charlatan's remains. "C****** c*******! Who knew we'd just stumble upon such a find?"
AC 28, touch 8, flat-footed 28 / Fort +18, Ref +4, Will +11 DR 10/good; Immune electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 24 / AOO: [dice=Pincer]1d20+16[/dice [dice=Damage]2d8+18[/dice
Yeah, but you can't actually do that, or they'd just give the paladin the ability as a constant. It requires a standard to activate then a standard each round to maintain concentration, and while you could have it up most of the time there are a lot of things that interrupt it.
Duration 'concentration' spells wrote:
The spell lasts as long as you concentrate on it. Concentrating to maintain a spell is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Anything that could break your concentration when casting a spell can also break your concentration while you're maintaining one, causing the spell to end. See concentration.
So, just like you can't always search for traps (except by taking 10 on perception) and need to declare it, you can't always have detect magic or detect evil up. The only reason I even asked if he cast it was that he mentioned having it always up, and nothing concentration breaking has really happened since then. Anton, from now on please declare specifically when/where you are detecting evil.
human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
Perhaps I'm wrong in interpretting it this way, but by 'always up' I'd thought he meant it's the first thing Anton would do each time he entered a new room.
AC 28, touch 8, flat-footed 28 / Fort +18, Ref +4, Will +11 DR 10/good; Immune electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 24 / AOO: [dice=Pincer]1d20+16[/dice [dice=Damage]2d8+18[/dice
The holy symbols are not magical. Anton his suspicions rising, casts detect evil for the umpteenth time, scanning the room. When he looks at Janos his face goes pale. Stnading behind him is the ghostly blue apparition of a heavy set priest carrying a staff. The man is wreathed in weighted chains with the holy symbols of a dozen faiths etched into the weights. His hand is resting on Janos' shoulder. The apparition is quite evil.
Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard 3 | HP 21 | AC 13 FF 11 T12 | Saves +2/+5/+3 | Init + 4 | Percep +6
Not sure how to deal with the one dead thing in this place that isn't jumping up to try and murder her B'yelka asks, "Anton, you look afright! Is everything ok?" She concentrates on holding still, breathe in, breathe out... while awaiting his reply.
I am making an assumption that Anton has some reaction to what he sees... let me know if that is not ok :)
AC 28, touch 8, flat-footed 28 / Fort +18, Ref +4, Will +11 DR 10/good; Immune electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 24 / AOO: [dice=Pincer]1d20+16[/dice [dice=Damage]2d8+18[/dice
We basically need to wait for Anton, but yeah. He would have some kind of reaction. I don't want to DMPC him at a moment like this. It's not like taking his turn in combat or something.
Male Human Paladin 3 | HP 28| AC 18 FF 15 T13 | Saves +7/+7/+6 | Init + 3 | Percep -1 | Dip +9 | SM +5 | KR +6
Well this is good timing!
The prison is a den of evil. Anton has sensed it for a while, like the haze that covers the sun after a sudden downpour, diffusing its light. It's almost imperceptible but if you know what to look for, you're amazed that you ever missed it to begin with.
But the thing that leers over his friend is a soul of pure darkness and Anton is nothing less than repulsed - it's mere existence offends him.
Janos, get back! The Charlatan is right behind you!
He take a step back and to the side to get a clear shot and let's fly!
AC 28, touch 8, flat-footed 28 / Fort +18, Ref +4, Will +11 DR 10/good; Immune electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 24 / AOO: [dice=Pincer]1d20+16[/dice [dice=Damage]2d8+18[/dice
The arrow passes harmlessly through the apparition that is visible only to Anton to shatter on the far wall. As Janos whirls, so does the apparition, remaining behind him with its hand on his shoulder.
human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
Dantrian's head snaps around at Anton's shout and his eyes narrow in suspicion. "I see nothing there, Anton." He pauses a moment before continuing, as suspicion blossoms into theory, "I carry the splatterman's spellbook and have been seeing my name etched in blood with alarming frequency. You bear the charlatan's symbols, do you not? Perhaps you are experiencing a vision not unlike those I have been subjected to."
Female Human (Chelaxian) Bard 3 | HP 21 | AC 13 FF 11 T12 | Saves +2/+5/+3 | Init + 4 | Percep +6
B'yelka wracks her brain trying to think of anything she has ever read or been taught about spirits and haunts. This thing is real, there is no reason it would not be! But what in Hell's name is it?!
Know: Religion:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
B'yelka fingers the Haunt Siphon on hanging from her belt, Will this thing help us against Father Charlatan?
Male Human Witch 3 | HP 20| AC 14 (18 w/ MA) FF 11 T 13 | Saves F+2/R+4/W+2 | Init + 5 | Percep +4
Tibideau crosses his arms and sulks behind B'yelka. Why don't I get to see the ghost? He considers Dantrian's remarks. "So does that mean you'll be seeing the Splatterman himself sooner or later?"
AC 28, touch 8, flat-footed 28 / Fort +18, Ref +4, Will +11 DR 10/good; Immune electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 24 / AOO: [dice=Pincer]1d20+16[/dice [dice=Damage]2d8+18[/dice
As Dantrian attends Tibideau's question, he sees bloodly letters dripping out of his mouth to plop onto the floor, before slithering into place to spell out "DANTRIAN". With a blink, they are gone.
human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
Dantrian stares at Tibideau for a moment, then his gaze bounces to the floor at the witch's feet. He hesitates for another moment then looks back up to Tibideau, "Who can know?"
Half-Elf Spirit Ranger 3 (HP 27/28; F+5, R+4, W+3 (+1 vs. Arcane); AC 16, Touch 11, FF 15; Perception +10, Sense Motive +2, Initiative +1)
Janos continues to glance over his shoulder and turn to try and catch a glimpse of the ghost behind him. He reaches his hand back to see if he can feel anything. "Dantrian could be right. It could just be visions. But I certainly don't feel good with a possible spirit looming behind me all the time."
human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
"Just more visions. They are beginning to become quite distracting." He shakes his head dismissively then turns his attention back to Anton and Janos. "If these are the remains of the charlatan, then perhaps they need to be destroyed. Unless we are willing risk using the planchette, that is the best solution I can think of at present."
Male Human Paladin 3 | HP 28| AC 18 FF 15 T13 | Saves +7/+7/+6 | Init + 3 | Percep -1 | Dip +9 | SM +5 | KR +6
Anton growls at the spirit.
You're a disgrace to the clergy, Charlatan. Begone, to the deepest recesses of Hell, reserved for oathbreakers and murderers. Dantrian, lets burn the bones. Give him a taste of what's to come.
Here, don't forget these.
Anton takes the chain of holy symbols and loops it around the skeletons neck like a noose.
Half-Elf Spirit Ranger 3 (HP 27/28; F+5, R+4, W+3 (+1 vs. Arcane); AC 16, Touch 11, FF 15; Perception +10, Sense Motive +2, Initiative +1)
"Anton, while I agree Charlaton should suffer for eternity for his crimes, we are dealing with real spirits here too. Perhaps a measure of last rites or holy water will drive the evil out." He considers Dantrian's words again and sighs. "I'll be willing to try the planchette. What should we ask, especially if we're speaking to Charlatan himself?"
human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
"You do not feel that you have risked enough already, bearing that cursed axe as you do? Regardless of who uses the planchette, we will need to think on the question at length. We have only the one yes-or-no inquiry and our previous attempt with the furnance below was not as illuminating as I would have liked. Thoughts? Suggestions?"
Male Human Paladin 3 | HP 28| AC 18 FF 15 T13 | Saves +7/+7/+6 | Init + 3 | Percep -1 | Dip +9 | SM +5 | KR +6
He doesn't deserve the Last Rites, there can be no absolution of his sins. Holy Water will burn as deeply as the flame.
I don't think we'll get any truth out of this spirit, remember he was a compulsive liar in life. And I don't think we have any means to compel it to tell the truth. We should bear that in mind if we use the planchette.
human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
"You raise an interesting point, Anton. Perhaps there may be something to the actual tools of his deception. Tainted as they were by his counterfeit usage, I wonder if sanctifying them might have some effect."
Half-Elf Spirit Ranger 3 (HP 27/28; F+5, R+4, W+3 (+1 vs. Arcane); AC 16, Touch 11, FF 15; Perception +10, Sense Motive +2, Initiative +1)
"Perhaps sprinkle some of that holy water onto his bones and the symbols? Or maybe Anton's right as we should destroy the bones. Set them on fire or crush them."
human alchemist 3 | Max HP: 24 | AC: 15 (11 T / 14 FF) [varies w/mutagen] | F/R/W +4/+4/+1 | CMD 16 | Ini +5 | Prcptn +8
Dantrian nods grimly and draws forth a flask of holy water. He stands before the remains of Father Charlatan and then empties the contents of the flask over the bones.
AC 28, touch 8, flat-footed 28 / Fort +18, Ref +4, Will +11 DR 10/good; Immune electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 24 / AOO: [dice=Pincer]1d20+16[/dice [dice=Damage]2d8+18[/dice
Nothing, standing with its hand on Janos' shoulder. It appears more like a static image than a "creature". Also it's not true that holy water affects haunts. Far as you know only positive energy and the haunt siphons do.
The holy water washes over the bones, soaking the rags and chains before dripping into a small puddle on the floor. There is no change in the apparition behind Janos.
