GM Sethran's Gameday Phantom Phenomena! (Inactive)

Game Master Sethran

Kat shivers and then turns to look accusingly at the person behind her. "Okay look, it was sorta funny the first time but quit doing that! Your fingers are like ice!"

"Unusual?" she asks, shaking her head. "Not unless you count the stink up here on this mountain. And if there's anything up here it's probably heard us coming from a mile off what with all that crackling and snapping," she continues, absently digging into her pack. "Anyone got any bleu cheese? Could use a snack after that hike...and maybe some meat for Ashton? He seems...wait..."

Alexis is too busy scraping her tongue with the tip of a crossbow bolt to reply. She looks increasingly on edge. After a few seconds more, she jams her hands over her ears and screams in an exhasperated tone, "WHAT DID I DO?!? WHY ARE YOU EVEN UP HERE? WON'T SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING? HOW CAN YOU NOT HEAR HIM??? IT'S ASTONISHING HE HASN'T BEEN CARRIED OFF BY WOLVES! I SWEAR ON THE EYE I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!"

Theoden responds nervously "Nothing unusual here. Look it's not me, I said so. See it's Alexis. SEE!!"

Theoden starts pointing his crossbow around randomly.

"Cool."

The professor looks at you all strangely, his brows furrowing and a frown forming upon his lips.

"Um, are you quite alright? There is nothing here you know... Just the boulder? And my readings and... And, wait, the ghost man wants meat?!"

"Yeah...it's strange," Ashton says, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. "Maybe it's just uh...phantom hunger pangs? I've heard of such things before though I think those had to do with people who'd lost a limb..."

"DOES NOBODY HEAR THAT CHILD?!? I SWEAR I DIDN'T DO ANYTHINGIMEANIMUSTHAVEBUTIDON'TREMEMBERANDIDIDN'TMEANTO! *thpppbbt-thppbbbt*"

Alexis take a bottles of tepache out of her pack and swigs from it while furiously scraping her shoes against the ground.

"Does anybody *thbbbpt-thpppbt* remember when we ran into a shaggy dog? *glugglugswishswishswishswhishswish*"

"A shaggy dog? No, but-STOP TOUCHING ME!" she yells again, whirling around to confront...

Fauxish.

"Seriously! What did you do to make your hands so cold?" she says, glaring at her companion. "And I don't know what's wrong with the rest of you; I don't see any children around here at all. I wish we'd get a move on so we can leave. This place smells like a moldy library!"

Any kittens about? Eldren asks hopefully. He then looks in his pockets, expecting to find something he believes wasn't there earlier. He then smells his fingers. Is that what juniper smells like? Here, smell my finger. Is that juniper? Eldren seems quite serious about the question, now matter how awkward the question might sound.

Well I had a laugh at the reactions, the hallucinations continue for some time so feel free to keep role playing them. But I will get us moved on for now ^^

Tensions rising and things getting stranger, the Professor coughs loudly and holds up the spinning compasses. The effects of whatever is occurring weaken so you can once more focus on your task, but the hungers, smells and cries linger.

Moving closer to the boulder in a rush to see his discovery come to life, the professor startles as a figure appears before you. The figure is a ghostly image of an aristocratic-looking woman with sad eyes who waves you all closer. You all immediately recognise the woman as Lady Illrigarde though her clothes don’t quite match what they’ve seen before, and her eyes are slightly too large.

Still paranoid from the hallucinations Theoden barely resists the urge to level a crossbow at the apparition.

Moving closer to the boulder in a rush to see his discovery come to life, the professor startles as a figure appears before you. The figure is a ghostly image of an aristocratic-looking woman with sad eyes who waves you all closer. You all immediately recognise the woman as Lady Illrigarde though her clothes don’t quite match what they’ve seen before, and her eyes are slightly too large.

"Cool."

Kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Though still somewhat distracted by the odd sounds and smells that assail her senses, Kat's eyes grow wide at the sight of the ghostly woman.

"I know that is! It's some sort of psychic projection," she whispers, continuing to stare at the woman with a sort of sad curiosity. "There's a ritual I can perform to suppress it, if we want - it'll only take maybe a minute to do."

Do we want to suppress it? I'm not sure what the purpose of that would be.

"Well, its presence might interfere with what we're here to do," Kat responds. "And I'm not sure if it's some sort of actual ghostly echo or if there's someone or something else doing it deliberately - see how she doesn't look quite the same as the visions we saw in the manor?"

True. Do what you must then.

Katarina, crouches down and borrows some chalk and talismans from the professor, spending about a minute drawing a psychic focus on the ground. By channelling psychic energy into the ritualistic focus the twisted image of Lady Illrigarde fades and the hallucinations weaken, becoming a mere background presence.

"Right, let us be off then!" says the professor happily, packing up his things.

With the Psychic apparition banished, it is an easy feat to clamber over the the boulders and to the other side. You spend the next three hours scaling and walking up the mountainside, towards the sense of the disturbance until you come across a cave in the Mountain. Chatter starts in your minds, much of it is babbling and there are words in languages you can't understand, though a questin rings out in yur mind.

"How do rainbows swim?"

Stepping into the cave mouth reveals a green luminescence that shines from fungi on the walls of this cave, while the winds outside create an animal-like howl as they whip past the entrance. A narrow path runs along the northern edge, and a deep chasm slick with moisture splits it from another ledge to its south. To the east is a bridge, fuzzy with dark green mold

The entire cave is dimly lit. The cave itself is cool, and the air is still. The chasm between the west walkway and eastern ledge is twenty feet deep and requires a successful DC 15 Climb check to ascend or descend

Casting light as you enter the chamber, it glimmers off a strange otherworldly creature on the opposite ledge. It resembles a plant though not one you have laid eyes on before. The babbling seems to be coming from the creature, deep into your minds.

Combat! Bold are up

Eldren
Ashton
Fungus
Theo
Katarina
Fauxish
Alexis
Dr

Due to it's Unsettling appearance, you must make a DC14 Will save (Mind affecting so the ectoplasm helps). Or take a -2 penalty on attack rolls against it

I don't know, how do they swim?

Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Unsettled either by the appearance or the question of the enemy, Eldren still tries his luck with one of his bombs!

Bomb!: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 2 = 19 for Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Will (DC 14): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Rainbows can't swim - what kind of question is that?" Ashton responds to the voice as he moves forward to offer Eldren some backup. Once he reaches the alchemist's side, he adopts a defensive stance and waits for the strange creature to come to him.

Ashton moves to his current map position and goes [i]Total Defense[/]. His AC is now 18 until his next turn!

Remember - you get +1 to mind effecting will saves from the ectoplasm and If you fail such a save you can dismiss it to re-roll the save

Despite quavering at the creatures unnatural appearance, Eldren's bomb connects with a solid thump and the fire burns the plant creature, though some of the damage seems to regenerate. The creature shriek's and the shriek reverberates in all of your minds, the sheer force of it rocking your brain and causing bile to rise up.

Everyone apart from Katarina needs to make a DC 14 Will save (mind-affecting) or be nauseated for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds

Prof will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Prof will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

The professor visibly shakes at the creature's appearance before the creature's shriek forces him to his knees and causes him to start vomiting.

Combat! Bold are up

Eldren
Ashton
Fungus -9
Theo
Katarina
Fauxish
Alexis
Dr - Nauseated 4 rounds

Due to it's Unsettling appearance, you must make a DC14 Will save (Mind affecting so the ectoplasm helps). Or take a -2 penalty on attack rolls against

Will save vs shriek: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Will save vs appearance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 F&#%!
Rerolling Will save vs shriek: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Already on edge, Alexis just barely keeps it together in light of this newest horror.

"Flesh fails," She intones. "The senses can be deceived - but the eternal spirit shall rise above!"

I cast bless on the party.

Will: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 1 = 19

Theoden levels his crossbow at the bizarre creature and pulls the trigger on his crossbow.

crossbpw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Afterwards he moves to cross the mold covered bridge.

I forgot the reroll part, I would do that, naturally. Forgot the +1 also.

Will: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 0 + 1 = 2 Like it mattered.

Will vs nausea: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 0 + 1 = 7
Reroll?: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 0 + 1 = 10 Elsten has no will.

Elsten retreats, unable to do anything.

Without a word Fauxish leaps into action!

will save v shriek (w mood slime): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20

will save v 'damn you're ugly' (w mood slime, add +1 more if bless works): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19

acrobatics (running jump across chasm, harrow): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16

acrobatics (spinning mid-air AoO avoidance, harrow): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27

flying kick (bless, harrow): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 12 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Aside from the fungus' probable last-minute duck there at the end, I just want to say that it is AWESOME TO BE A MONK! (And roll well of course.)

Later, when someone asks her about the chasm jump, Fauxish stops and regards the person quizzically. "Chasm?"

I forgot the reroll part, I would do that, naturally. Forgot the +1 also.

Elsten retreats, unable to do anything.

If 'unsettling' is a fear effect you get a +1 bonus from Bless too. It probably doesn't help you right now but speaking as a person who plays a support character in other games I feel good when it does. :)

Will vs. Appearance (DC 14; Ectoplasm Coating): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17

Kat gasps at the sight of the ugly thing in front of them, suddenly very thankful for the protection of Ash and her more martial-minded companions. Oddly enough, though the unearthly shriek reverberates in her ears it doesn't seem to bother her aside from simply being loud - but the same can't be said for the poor Professor or some of her other companions.

Hoping to help Fauxish in whatever way she can she pulls out her crossbow and takes aim at the ugly creature, letting fly with a bolt!

Attack (Light Crossbow; Bless, Into Melee): 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 2
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

"Eep! Sorry Fauxish!"

Will vs. Shriek (DC 14): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Quit your damned shrieking!" Ashton snarls as the sound echoes all through the tiny cavern. As Fauxish exercises some amazing athletic prowess in order to take the fight to the creature Ashton hangs back, ready to step up should the monk falter.

"Okay, whoa. That's impressive right there!"

Ashton will hold his ground for now.

Due to Alexis' timely blessing Théoden's bolt strikes home in the plant matter, causing the creature to cry out in your minds. Fauxish's leap is incredible and she does indeed avoid a strike from the creature but fails to lend a blow on it.

In return the creature opens up a maw of fangs and tries to bite Fauxish before striking at Ashton with its Tendrils and then stepping away to reach out at Théoden.

Bite vs Fauxish: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 for damage: 6 + 2 = 8
Tendril vs Ashton, cover: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Miss
Tendril vs Theo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4Miss

Combat! Bold are up I have bolded the none Nauseated ones

Active Bonuses: Bless (+1 to attack and Fear saves)

Eldren - Nauseated 3 Rounds
Ashton
Fungus -14
Theo
Katarina
Fauxish 2/10
Alexis
Dr - Nauseated 3 rounds

The creature has reach so you will provoke unless you pass a tumble check ^^ - just so you know to include a roll if appropriate

The space around Alexis momentarily descends (or does it ascend?) into an eerie twilight as she raises her hand in the direction of the monster, which is suddenly swarmed by the baleful twinkling of pale stars.

For the next round, the monster sheds light as a candle, cannot benefit from concealment or invisibility effects, and takes a –1 penalty on attack rolls and sight-based Perception checks - unless it happens to be sightless, in which case none of that happens.

Holy moly, that thing's got some serious reach apparently!

Ashton ducks as the creature suddenly whips a tentacle at him, missing him by only the slightest of margins. "The...? Okay, that's just not right!" he exclaims, still unable to do much but step forward another pace and hold his defensive stance.

Ashton takes a 5 foot step forward and goes total defense again. Current AC is 18.

As the creature strikes at her companions and then falls back, Kat moves up and takes aim with her crossbow yet again.

Attack (Light Crossbow; Bless, Into Melee?): 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 13
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

"What is this thing!?"

Any relevant knowledge checks that can be made?

Good spot Alexis- Knowledge Nature to identify

damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The creature begins to glow softly, illuminating the cave around it, Katarina's bolt goes wide once more, clattering off the wall. Ashton, his arms raised against the onslaught takes a cautious step forwards.

Combat! Bold are up I have bolded the none Nauseated ones

Active Bonuses: Bless (+1 to attack and Fear saves)

Eldren - Nauseated 3 Rounds
Ashton
Fungus -14
Theo
Katarina
Fauxish 6/10
Alexis
Dr - Nauseated 3 rounds

The creature has reach so you will provoke unless you pass a tumble check ^^ - just so you know to include a roll if appropriate

Fauxish takes a step closer.

knee (flurry, bless, harrow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 14 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

elbow (flurry, bless, harrow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 9 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Theoden finishes moving across the bridge and into the flank with the plan before dropping a 2 handed chop to the back of the plant.

unarmed: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14
damage+SA: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5

Fixed my post to add it, thanks.

AoO vs Theo: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 1 = 13

Tendrils snake out at Théoden but fail to connect with the nimble Brawler. Fauxish and Théoden give a good account of themselves but neither manages to land a solid blow. As before, Katarina's projectile misses.

The creature reacts, first trying to bite 1d2 ⇒ 2 Théoden before turning one tendril upon each warrior engaged with it. 1d2 ⇒ 1 Against Fauxish, the Tendril seems to hold a Touch of Madness. The Creature avoids Fauxish's nifty kick but fails to land a single blow.

Bite vs Théoden: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 1 = 5 Miss
Save vs sickened: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Pass

Tendril vs Theo: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 1 = 7 Miss
Tendril (Touch) vs Fauxish: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 1 = 10 Miss

Combat! Bold are up I have bolded the none Nauseated ones

Active Bonuses: Bless (+1 to attack and Fear saves)

Eldren - Nauseated 2 Rounds
Ashton
Fungus -12
Theo
Katarina
Fauxish 6/10
Alexis
Dr - Nauseated 2 rounds

The voice of her old master returns to Fauxish "Show me 'mow the lawn'. Fauxish windmills her arms in big circles intercepting and parrying the incoming tendrils. Now take out the garbage. This place is a pit!"

(flurry, bless, flanking, harrow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 14 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

(flurry, bless, flanking, harrow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 24 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

As the baleful starlight surrounding the monster begins to fade, Alexis emits a second barrage.

I use Stardust again.

Theoden ducks under a set of tentacles and bites before retaliating with combination of elbows and knees against the creature this time.

flanking blessed unarmed: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 16
damage+SA: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

Katarina continues trying to pincushion the ugly, shrieking creature...

Attack (Light Crossbow; Bless, Into Melee): 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 6
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

...and continues falling short of the mark.

For lack of any other options Ashton moves up behind Fauxish and attempts to distract the monster from her and Theoden.

"Hey ugly! Your days are numbered, you know that!?"

Intimidate (Untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

I don't feel so good...

Theoden shouts "Hold on Eldren, hopefully we'll be done soon!"

Sorry Eldren!

Fauxish and Theoden both land a solid blow, the Plant screams and does not seem like it will last much longer in this fight. Eldren and the professor start to get over the debilitating nausea and will soon be ready to participate. The creature once more begins to glow softly.

On its last legs the creature lashes out, biting 1d2 ⇒ 2 at Theoden whilst its tendrils strike out at Fauxish and Ashton.

bite: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 1 = 12
Tendril, F: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 1 = 21 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Tendril, A: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 1 = 16

A solid blow lands on Fauxish, the tendrils strike Ashton but bounce of the warrior's spongy form.

Combat! Bold are up!

Active Bonuses: Bless (+1 to attack and Fear saves)

Eldren - Nauseated 1 Rounds
Ashton
Fungus -23
Theo
Katarina
Fauxish 1/10
Alexis
Dr - Nauseated 1 rounds

flanking blessed unarmed: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9
damage+SA: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (4) = 8

Theoden flails at the plant looking for a weak spot to strike.

Drops the big elbow! (bless, flanking, harrow): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 20 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Eldren takes a couple of deep breaths, hoping it will make him feel a bit better.

Waiting to see if I'm even still needed.