After he wakes, Misthes wolfs down his own breakfast.
Listening to the exchange between Cedric and Maria, he adds:
"It was a good start yesterday. I also agree that we should start with the upper floor.
"Best to make sure any troubles above ground are gone before we delve into the basement."
He then asks Kendra "Do you have anything stronger than tea?"
Gadren accepts the offer of tea and smiles listening to his companions. He'd join in the debate but he had a day of combating undead in a haunted mansion... best to enjoy his tea while he could.
Lazar kindly accepts the tea. Whether he would like another thing better or not, he keeps it to himself. He follows the small talk during the breakfast, until the subject is driven to the plans for today.
"If I recall correctly, the ghost said the Splatter Man was trying to weaken her. Therefore, I think this should be or next objective."
"If we wish to make the Splatterman our next objective, then maybe we should learn about his item next? Do we know which one belonged to him?
"I think that's the mouldy spellbook, isn't it?"
Examining the moldy Spellbook gives the party some unpleasant information.
The covers and pages of this thick, leather-bound spellbook have become caked with mold over the years, but some of the contents remain legible.
This book once belonged to Professor Hean Feramin, the man who would eventually achieve fame not through academia but through murder.
Known in his final days as the Splatter Man, he was dealt a hideous blow to his morale and sanity by the loss of his spellbook. The book, like the other objects in this room, now bears a curse—anyone who looks through the book finds her name scribbled in blood on the margins of the book.
Worse, as long as the book is carried, that person receives periodic visions of her name partially spelled in blood in unexpected areas—on the back of a door, on a gravestone, on a magical scroll, or anywhere else. No one else can see these scribblings, and when the victim blinks or glances away, the words are no longer there upon a second look.
The cumulative effect of these frightening visions is to impart a –2 penalty on all saving throws against fearbased effects. If the person carrying the book can cast arcane spells, she also develops a fear of losing her ability to cast spells and hoards her prepared spells or available spell slots with an almost miserly greed.
Whenever she attempts to cast an arcane spell, she must make a DC
14 Will save to resist deciding at the last minute to not cast the spell, effectively losing that action for the round (although not the spell or spell slot). This effect persists for 1d6 days after the person carrying the book sets it down.
Possession of this spellbook grants a significant advantage over the Splatter Man—he can sense the book’s proximity, and will not attack or otherwise directly harm the person carrying that book unless that person attacks him first, at which point he can attack the book’s carrier
but with a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –2 penalty to the save DCs of any spells he casts on that target.
In addition, by ripping pages that contain spells out of the book while within 30 feet of the Splatter Man’s ghost, the book’s carrier can actually damage the ghost. It’s a standard action to rip pages from the book—the carrier must pick which pages (and thus which spells) he wishes
to destroy.
Each time he does so, the Splatter Man’s ghost takes 1d6 points of damage + 1 additional point per spell destroyed. Ripping all of the pages out at once is possible for a larger overall damage bonus on that action, but ripping spells out one at a time will do more damage to
the Splatter Man in the long run.
As mentioned above, mold has destroyed most of the book’s contents, but nine spells do remain viable: comprehend languages, dispel magic, false life, gust of wind, illusory script, levitate, mage armor, magic missile, and summon monster IV.
Once the curse on the book is lifted, it’s worth 1,265 gp (assuming all of its remaining spells are intact—if spells are destroyed, reduce the cost by half those spells’ cost in scroll form).
Back to Harrowstone now?
"So, who will use the book? I could do it if none of you want, since I won't suffer any I'll effects regarding arcane spells."
Maria is ready to head to Harrowstone. She is willing to let anyone carry the book as long as it is kept safe and they are willing to destroy it.
"I would be the worst choice it seems. I admit I had hoped to see if some knowledge from it could be gleaned from it. Our first priority should be putting a final end to these malevolent spirits. Whoever carries it should be willing to rend the thing a sunder if needed."
"If Lazar is willing, I agree that he would be a good person to carry it given it's arcane related curse."
Cedric ponders. If he is the one attempting to weaken her, then surely he is likely to be the most dangerous of the evil spirits at the place. Especially if his influence has reached so far. And I doubt getting to him will be easy. Though, we seemed more than capable yesterday. I'll ask the spirits. Also, I would bear the burden of this item should you desire. I'd not let others suffer if I could help it.
"I could carry it, or Cedric could, whatever, as long as we use it to defeat the Splatter Man. I could also put the arrows we found to good use." Lazar accpets the book or leaves it to Cedric, he doesn't care. He goes on preparing his backpack for the day.
"I've already got Lopper's axe. But that book should definitely be held by someone who can't cast those sorts of spells.
"I could hold it, but I'll probably be in the thick of fighting and won't have so much time for ripping up a book."
Mishtes will leave the book to Cedric or Lazar; "One cursed item is enough for me right now."
He'll also prepare his gear for the rest of the day.
After a breakfast you set off again. The walk back to Harrowstone is strangely peaceful? It is as if the creeping menace of the place is driving away the normal wildlife of the region.
Back on the second floor again with out meeting anything. The area is well lit with the morning light pouring in through the gaps in the walls.
As you look about the area in the light Mishtes & Lazar both hear the faint sounds of piping coming from T4.
What are you doing now?
"There's someone - or something - there" Lazar warns, pointing to the western alley.
"Better have a look", says Mishtes, as he goes and looks down the hallway (T4), with his bardiche ready.
Gadren casts light on Maria's sword before drawing his own and nodding. The older man's whiskers bristle as he takes a slow steadying breath to keep his nerves calm.
Maria nods in agreement and to acknowledge Gadren's help. She then moves around to see what it is from the other side.
"Let's see. Sounds like a Piper."
As Maria & Mishtes move to the the western cell block the music intensifies to a disembodied, mournful dirge played upon a flute.
.
Maria finds her bones turning to water when she hears the music, and then she is held helpless.
To make things worse the Skeletons of those prisoners who died of smoke inhalation in their cells on this floor emerge from those cells to kill you.
The Party may act. What are you doing now?
Lazar walks with Mishtes and finds himself surprised as well by the skeletons. Even worse, he hasn't got room enough to use his bow! He has to rely on melee...
Gadren pushes up behind Maria and swings his sword with both hands at the skeleton before her when he sees her freeze.
Maria stands frozen in place, her eyes locked on the hateful undead before her.
Cedric runs up to the others, letting out a prayer to the light as a faint golden glow emanates outwards from him soothing his allies and burning the tainted undead.
will 17 for half.
Mishtes goes into a rage and attacks the nearest skeleton (green).
He takes advantage of his polearm to stay out of the skeleton's reach.
The party makes short work of the Skeletons, between Lazar & Mishtes smashing two, and the others crumbling under Cedric's holy light they are all destroyed.
In response the faint sound of piping grows a little louder, two Giant Stirges fly in through the large gap in the walls.
Mishtes you are now trapped in the Hold person spell.
Maria you had a horrifying vision of the ghostly Piper himself
as he approaches you, attended by a flock of stirges.
The party may now act. Gadren has a Giant Stirge on him.
Gadren's hands shake from fear as he tries to pull the stirge from him, even so the fear gives him strength.
With a roar of relief, Maria throws off the mental control.
Curious as to what will happen, Phaedra plays on the set of pipes she has. Playing a cheerful festival tune to counter act the dirge.
Where is the specter?! Can anyone locate it? Cedric asks as he takes a step back and shoots the stirge that tried to attack him.
New reality people, everyone made their saves. No one is shaken. Mishtes is not held! Phaedra isn't in the western area so doesn't need to roll.
Lazar steps back to help with the styrges while looking for the source.
Mishtes runs down the hall, just past Cedric, and tries to impale one of the stirges (red) with his Bardich
Gadren rips the Giant Stirge (Red) off him with a shudder. CEdric puts a bolt deep into Yellow, followed by {b]Mishtes[/b] running up and smashing it to death.
Lazar puts a arrow into Red.
Phaedra tries to distract the Stirge, but they are the Pipers pets and ignore her music.
The piping again rises in volume, sending ice through your bones. Gadren feels shaken and is frozen by the vision of the Piper, escorted by his pet Stirges strolling slowly towards him.
The party may now act.
Not sure what else to do, Cedric call's upon the light again and positive energy bursts outwards from him.
Maria squeezes past Gadren and swings her sword at the horrible parasite.
From where he is, Lazar can barely see the styrge, though he tries a shot anyways.
Mishtes stays where his and tries to impale one of the remaining stirge (red) with his Bardiche
Gadren doesn't make a peep while his eyes scream.
Phaedra moves up a bit closer to the action.
Ugh, I though these pipes were supposed to be useful against against to the ghost they were from? What else am I supposed to do? Stab him with them?"
Phaedra takes her shortbow and tries to shoot a stirge with it.
Between you the remaining Stirge is quickly disposed of.
The faint piping seems to rise in level again, now sounding more entreating, as if calling out for more allies?
What are you doing now?
"It must be invisible! Can anyone see invisible things?" Lazar waits for an answer, preparing his blessing on the first one who responds affirmatively.
Gadren begins to regain his composure.
Maria growls. "I don't like it when evil tries to hide from me." Her eyes glow a faint blue.
Maria points 10 feet south of her. "He's there. Let's end this now."
Maria moves up to the dread spirit.
Not wanting to go through everyone, Phaedra doubles back and goes round the other side of the corridor.
When he hears Maria's words, Lazar quickly touches her sword and bestows Pharasma's blessing upon it.
Unsure of the exact spot Gadren channels a small amount of arcane energy into conjuring a glob of acid and tosses it where Maria was pointing... going about six inches wide.
"Did I hit it?"