Hurgah the Reaver |
Hurgah pulls the familiar red sack out of his pack and offers it up so Karek can pull it over the head of the basilisk. He then grabs his waterskin and empties it out on the flagstones.
"Here - use this to collect the blood."
Oh, and Hal, if you or Donkor have any channels left, you may want to use those to keep the beast alive instead of clw spells. Hurgah is down a bit of hp, and he could use the extra boost.
Xerissa Auraraun |
"I must study the beast's hieroglyphs more, but in the meantime we must rescue our comrades. Quick, let's get a sack or cloak wrapped around its head and bind its jaws and legs as best as possible. We need to bleed it and keep it alive long enough to get enough blood to thoroughly coat every inch of these statues. That may mean having to heal the beast slightly. It will be tricky but we must prevail while I try figure out how these creatures are conjuring amongst us."
Props!Props!Props! Extra transfusions for the win. ER for basilisks. Well done Mr. Phrip and Mr. Hal.
Karek Kogan |
Hurgah pulls the familiar red sack out of his pack and offers it up so Karek can pull it over the head of the basilisk. He then grabs his waterskin and empties it out on the flagstones.
"Here - use this to collect the blood."
After making sure the basilisk is well bound, Karek will nod and cover the beast's head, beginning to collect blood from the creature's wounds.
Moonpate |
Moonpate wrote:Beetle, let me know if you need me to do another linguistics roll, or if I can use the previous one.-
I would love a new one. Assuming he's trying it immediately while his comrades are binding the beast with 8-legs the difficulty will be quite high. Otherwise if he's patient, once the excitements over it should become much easier. But can he wait?
The focus will be on collecting enough blood and immediately applying it to the stiffs. He will help with the collecting and applying, first to Gandel, as he is the smallest and will be able to help the most with potentially deciphering these hieroglyphs. We should then apply to Xerissa followed by Lydia. Once Gandel is back in the flesh, he will attempt a linguistics check.
Pact Stone GM |
Hurgah pulls the familiar red sack out of his pack and offers it up so Karek can pull it over the head of the basilisk. . .
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And here I was lamenting not having an NPC left to comment about how the tent canvass left behind in the emerald tent would have been quite useful here. However, the famous red sack should be just about perfect.You know one day, we might just have to imbue that thing with magical properties. It’s slowly becoming a classic.
Pact Stone GM |
After making sure the basilisk is well bound, Karek will nod and cover the beast's head, beginning to collect blood from the creature's wounds.
-
Karek does his best to create two hog-ties of four legs each and then wraps the rope around the creature’s jaw clamping it shut. He has to chase away the snarling Bunky who is still engaged in his fearsome victory dance.-----
OOC: Karek actually carries 100 feet of rope to do this. I don’t want to think about the size of that coil.
While I’m not sure you can just drain a basilisk like a maple tree tapped with a spigot, we’ll see how this goes. We’ll need a heal check from Karek, or perhaps Knowledge (nature) for his veterinary skill. He’s trying to bleed the creature without killing it.
The rules provide that a basilisk has enough blood for 1d3 transformations. The idea here is to bolster that with curative spells. Based on the creature’s hit point total, I will give you +1 to that for every 20 points of healing. Halstadt has already provided a [i]cure light wounds[i] which will provide 10 hit points of credit towards the first 20.
If Karek’s bleeding check fails, the basilisk is injured and potentially dies. If so, only the base 1d3 will be left and even then, only assuming the creature does not vanish like the girallon.
Pact Stone GM |
When Morgrym casts his curative spell, the beast suddenly awakens. It immediately begins trying to kick like a bucking bronco. It cannot though get enough leverage to do much more than vibrate along the flagstones. Its tail whips side to side, but it is ineffectual. The red sack remains secure around its neck, preventing the monster's deadly gaze attack.
OOC: I’m still not wild on the new rules for tying people (er basilisks) up. But you’ve definitely chosen the right guy for the job. Those knots look to be holding up well. A struggling basilisk though is even harder to bleed without risk of injuring it.
Donkor Sooron |
Is it possible for Donkor to make his own heal check, and if he sees the beast getting to what he deems dangerously low levels, to take a readied action to channel energy and try to keep it up?
Barring that, Sooron will Aid Another on Karek's heal check.
Heal check:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Pact Stone GM |
Karek is happy to stand by and let a cleric do it, by the way. (Bunky may not be.)
-
The Heal skill is Donkor's most invested skill and his origin involves him being trained at the hands of a legendary pharasma priestess. He's a good choice.But I'm not sure from Donkor's post if he means to step in or not. It sounds like he is standing by with magic in case Karek fails or at most he means to aid. And there is the matter that Karek already rolled. It sounds like Karek sees that the Dune Squad cannot afford to wait and so he has been a man of action and done his best with his limited skill.
I'll let him use his Knowledge (nature) skill instead of Heal (for a +5 bonus). Karek's knowledge of animals persuades him that if he positions the creature so that it triple-pulsing heart is elevated higher than its injury points, it will bleed out with less stress on its heart chambers, perhaps increasing its chance of survival.
But Karek's still got to go with his first and lower roll (unfortunately, a 7). That gives him only a total of 12.
The dwarf harvests enough blood for one statue, but injures the basilisk in the process. The creature's skin is turning a paler color. It's bleeding out too fast! One of Bunky's gash attacks looks to be mortal.
Karek's intervention does 3d6 points of damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 1) = 10
Fortunately, Halstadt added a channel as a prophylactic. The creature remains stable, or rather, it is both dying and rapidly healing at the same time.
In addition, Donkor is standing by with his palm outstretched. Somehow the spiral of his goddess is glowing on his palm, like magical tattoo.
Donkor's assessment is that thanks to Halstadt's two interventions, the basilisk could quite likely survive another one of Karek's bleed sessions, but not two. Let me know if that means he wants to fire that channel off or hold off. His Heal check is pretty fantastic so he's monitoring the beast closely. Nevertheless, this is far from an exact science - who can say who Pharasma will call and when she will call them. She has been known to move swiftly, particularly against those with puncture wounds of such staggering depth.
Lastly, Karek quickly passes the fruits of his grisly labor, the blood-loaded waterskin to Moonpate.
Pact Stone GM |
Moonpate takes the sloshing bloodskin from the crimson-caked dwarf, who is now slick with red.
Moonpate rushes back towards the Gandel statue. He pours a good portion over top the halfling and then uses his scroll brush to coat it as best he can.
The results are as marvelous as they are near-instantaneous. Color begins returning as stone turns to flesh. A half-minute later, Gandel is coughing and choking, but with a rather crazy grin on his face.
Gandel strikes me as the kind of adventurer who would actually enjoy the bizarre sensation of being transmuted to stone for a time, just to experience it. He should probably get XP for it. Though I am sure he would not like it were it permanent.
Welcome back Gandel!
Pact Stone GM |
Would it be plausible for Breach to continuously knock it out with his shield? To be the non-lethal damage machine? :)
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Yes he can. And it will help by providing a lower DC for Karek's future attempts.This totally works under the rules, but I think it could become a tad unrealistic. At some point, Breach would place the creature's life at risk. Presumably he is only going to batter the basilisk after it comes to from a heal of some kind though.
It sounds like Breach is becoming a bit of a specialist in the KO blow - a handy skill to have these days it would seem.
Pact Stone GM |
That's 42 points of healing from Halstadt in total. Minus 10 from the crude bleed leaves a net 32 points. That's a +1, so we know there's at least one more coating in there. (I'm not revealing the 1d3 roll just yet)
Karek can go ahead with another check to harvest another wineskin's worth. And assuming he succeeds, which statue is next?
Moonpate |
Moonpate takes the sloshing bloodskin from the crimson-caked dwarf, who is now slick with red.
Moonpate rushes back towards the Gandel statue. He pours a good portion over top the halfling and then uses his scroll brush to coat it as best he can.
The results are as marvelous as they are near-instantaneous. Color begins returning as stone turns to flesh. A half-minute later, Gandel is coughing and choking, but with a rather crazy grin on his face.
"Ahh, Master Gandel, it is so wonderful to see you in the flesh once again. Come, we have quick work to do. We must make sense of these arcane runes surrounding the creature while we have the chance."
Moonpate will hand the bloodskin and scroll brush back to Hurgah and ask him to take over the reviving of Xerissa and Lydia. He will then try to study the strange heiroglyphs surrounding the basilisk. Not sure how best to tag team this.
Linguistics Roll: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 urgh...drat!
Breach Shattershield aka Javell |
"Alright! I'll bash it on the head when ya heal it, Morgrym. That way, maybe when can keep it near unconsciousness. And when I say bash I mean real nice like o' course. Unless you lads think that might kill it too soon? We can't afford ta make a mistake here; we have ta make sure there's enough!"
Yes he can. And it will help by providing a lower DC for Karek's future attempts.
This totally works under the rules, but I think it could become a tad unrealistic. At some point, Breach would place the creature's life at risk. Presumably he is only going to batter the basilisk after it comes to from a heal of some kind though.
This in bold. That's the plan anyway. Unless the others would rather he didn't or if it actually might wind up being detrimental to our cause.
Pact Stone GM |
Moonpate will hand the bloodskin and scroll brush back to Hurgah and ask him to take over the reviving of Xerissa and Lydia. He will then try to study the strange heiroglyphs surrounding the basilisk. Not sure how best to tag team this.
Linguistics Roll: 1d20+11 = 5 + 11 = 16 urgh...drat!
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Unfortunately, between the giant sack covering the beast's head and the three dwarves plus Donkor crowding around, Moonpate can't make out enough of the glyphs, at least not any hieroglyphs that he recognizes. Context is everything with these kinds of symbols.OOC: That roll is not high enough I am afraid.
Gandel |
Welcome back Gandel!
Thanks! Glad to be back!
Gandel shivers as sensation returns to his body. "Well, that was a fascinating experience! Rather restful," the halfling scholar comments.
"Ahh, Master Gandel, it is so wonderful to see you in the flesh once again. Come, we have quick work to do. We must make sense of these arcane runes surrounding the creature while we have the chance."
"Why thank you, Master Moonpate. Just let me take a look at those runes."
Linguistics check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Gallant Inspiration if needed to add 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 to the Linguistics check, for a total of 26.
Plus, Gandel knows Osiriani and Ancient Osiriani if that helps.
Pact Stone GM |
Let the bloodletting continue!
1d20+5 = 7 + 5 = 12
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Karek is efficient and powerful, if not skilled. He seems to treat the basilisk like a wet shirt, wringing the the blood from the beast. He soon has the wineskin filled once more, as well as much of the floor. (This game is taking a temporary total turn for the eeeew.)
The basilisk certainly does not appreciate Karek's brutal harvesting and continues to snarl from within the (appropriately) blood red sack while writhing in pain with the rest of its body that is still able to move against the restraints. That is, at least, until Shattershield smacks it repeatedly with the flat of his axe until it lapses into an unconscious haze.
-----
Further damage to the basilisk from Karek's gentle administrations: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) = 10
Weird! Karek just made the exact same d20 roll, which I then followed with the exact same 3d6 roll. What are the odds of that? (That was rhetorical - I'm good with assuming it's pretty low.)
-----
Karek hands over the spoils of his grisly labor to Hurgah, who applies his artistic hand using Moonpate's brush to apply a coating of the blood to the Xerissa statue.
As Donkor looks on he can see the basilisk is running low on juice. There could be enough to paint one more, or even perhaps two, but there also might not be. Once more, the creature is turning awful pale.
----
Since Donkor's assessment roll was so high, let's pull back the curtain on the math so you can decide what you want to do. In game terms, we know there's 1d3 'doses' in a basilisk. Based on the healing Hal has applied and the damage Karek has administered so far, there's a net +1 (22 points of healing). So there's enough for 2-4 doses (1d3+1). You have used 2 so far. Once I roll we could discover that's all there is, or whether there's enough for up to two more. The odds look good so you can try your luck, or you can be conservative and add at least another 18 points of healing to change that number to 3-5. I say at least 18 as that number will also need to be increased by however much is needed to negate however much damage the breaker barbarian might do in his subsequent harvests. Since it's based on die rolls, perhaps he'll get better (or worse) at it. Though he's been mighty consistent.
----
In the meantime, Hurgah's paint job is a work of art. A half minute later the daughter of Auraraun of the Lost Scroll is returned.
Perhaps the half-orc has missed his calling as an artist, he really brought that sculpture to life.
Welcome back Xerissa! Surely this is something she could document in her next Pathfinder Chronicle. "Dear Diary, today I got stoned. . ."
Pact Stone GM |
Gandel shivers as sensation returns to his body. "Well, that was a fascinating experience! Rather restful," the halfling scholar comments.
-
Gandel gets +5 for having ancient Osiriani as a language, which boosts him to a 25 total. Once Breach KO's the creature the DC drops to exactly that. He doesn't need the gallant inspiration and can save it.The glyphs read:
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.
The glyphs repeat all over the creature's body.
Reading it would make Gandel feels a bit like Jack Nicholson in the Shining, if he knew that reference.
The professor knows that the ancient Osirions had many different symbols for the word "curse". This particular one is fairly obscure, reserved for particularly nasty soul-crushing curses or more particularly curses involving death.
Moonpate |
I am the curse,
I am your curse,
I am your end.The glyphs repeat all over the creature's body.
Reading it would make Gandel feels a bit like Jack Nicholson in the Shining, if he knew that reference.
The professor knows that the ancient Osirions had many different symbols for the word "curse". This particular one is fairly obscure, reserved for particularly nasty soul-crushing curses or more particularly curses involving death.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Indeed!
"Narzoon's nethers! I hate curses! Only the foulest and most spiteful beings use such means. Which is why I always carry with me a scroll to render such baneful energies inert. Still, what do these glyphs pertain to? The creature? This corridor? A hidden presence conjuring these beasts to torment us? The girallon dissolved when it was destroyed and I would wager a genie's wealth that this basilisk will disappear as well after we are done with this gruesome business, only to be replaced with yet another horrible manifestation. Gandel, do you have lore, wisdom, or clue as to what we should do with these glyphs? Should I apply my scroll, and if so, to what?
Now that Gandel has translated the glyphs, Pate will apply a Knowledge check to see if he has heard of this kind of particular curse or cursed being, and if any light can be shed on what to do.
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Knowledge Spirits: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Gandel |
Gandel discusses the matter of the curse at length with Moonpate, trying to help the wizard solve the riddle of the glyph-bearing creature(s).
With a +11 bonus in Knowledge (arcana), Gandel auto-succeeds a DC 10 Aid Another check to add +2 to Moonpate's check. If possible, Gandel will also use Bardic Performance (Inspire Competence) to grant Moonpate a +2 competence bonus to the check, granting Moonpate a total Knowledge (arcana) check of 38.
Pact Stone GM |
OOC: Although those rolls are downright fantastic, I'm not sure there's any more information to be had. Moonpate knows a remove curse scroll is normally very handy for dealing with curses, but he would have known that regardless. Whatever this thing(s)/effect/glyph is, it's something that's never been seen before as far as the Professor and the Potentate know. Usually a cure effects a victim. Outside of the fact that two monsters have just attacked the Dune Squad, everyone seem to be fine (a little petrification aside). And for the moment at least, even the monster attacks have stopped. A remove curse spell can be cast on both a creature or an object.
Is there any further healing beyond Hal's extra 18 and if not shall we have Karek's next harvesting check?
Pact Stone GM |
Leaf id alife and bound. We moof vorward. Karek grunts, as he continues his bloody work.
-
As Karek squeezes away he begins to become concerned that the creature is simply running out of stone-transforming goo. In response he wrings the creature all the harder, getting the last of it that he can. This though causes him to trap several of the beast's vital arteries, cutting off the supply of blood to its brain and heart.Karek's damage for his harvest result of 6: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 6, 6) = 25
The creature's extremities are turning blue. It is difficult to tell if the creature is dead, dying or simply sleeping from one of Breach's repeated thunks to the noggin.
Karek nervously looks to the wineskin to see if he was able to get enough for one more dose. . .
Pact Stone GM |
OOC: That's a total of 79 points of healing off-set by 45 points of damage for a net healing of 34 points. That is enough for a +1 pip to the die, but not a second. Let's have that roll:
How much stone to flesh is in these basilisk gusts? 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Yikes! There is not enough to restore the Scarab or the nameless slave after all. The basilisk goes dry.
Pact Stone GM |
Is the basilisk dead?
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Hard to know - it's not moving and there's a lot of blood. Karek's not even sure where the creature's heart would be to listen. The symbols on its body have not winked out.Really the problem is that every time the creature has moved in the last several minutes, Breach whacked it until it stopped. That was handy for the harvesting, but makes this kind of assessment tricky.
How would you like to check?
Pact Stone GM |
Pharasma is not done with this creature just yet. When Donkor hovers a small hand mirror over the red sack where the creature's mouth and nostrils should be, a tiny amount of condensation beings to collect on the mirror's surface.
He then calls on his goddess once more. The beast quivers and is back awake again, renewing its struggles. Does Breach clonk it unconscious as usual? The creature is still 'out of juice' so to speak. Presumably it will regenerate, but you have no idea how long it could take.
With all this area effect magic going down I can't imagine anyone is still injured at this point.
Hurgah the Reaver |
Nope, even the battered Hurgah is just peachy now.
Once he is done sloshing blood on Xerissa, Hurgah picks up his axe and moves back into the tunnel past the people working on harvesting blood, ready to block the way if another threat should appear.