Clebsch GM Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path

[Karas Argentus]

Karas slumped again and regained his breath as he watched the others work. If we are lucky, Her house isn't being looted as we speak. Feelings of doubt and worry began to creep in with the fatigue until he saw the shining angel walking about tending the wounded.

It will be ok. Everything will be ok.

[Ellena Lovain]

"I don't need any of the magic, but I bet there are more surprises downstairs. More cultists and looters probably. How is everyone else?"

[Tauni "Rabbit" Desba]

Tauni picked up the crossbow bolts and, after identifying the power they contained, added them to her case of bolts.

"I am well. Should we check the lower level, just to be thorough?"

[Clebsch GM]

Things will advance to the basement once a few bookkeeping items are attended to. Ellena has 9 and Karas 3 points of damage. Also decide who had the flasks of acid and alchemists fire and who had the holy water, in case they come in handy down below.

[Ellena Lovain]

Ellena uses her first LoH ability of the day, healing what wounds she could.

LoH 1d6 ⇒ 1

[Franti the Fool]

Franti was about to return to his human when before he spotted the secret stairway to the basement. Revealing it to the party, the kobold crossed his arms, nodding in agreement with the paladin.

"And more trinkets to pawn. My new armor won't pay for itself!" Indeed it would not, as the jester had already paid for it in full. Franti grabbed the alchemist's fire, having used his during his "performance" with Wenduag in the underground cultist lair. He placed the vial into his bandolier.

Franti took a liking to the magical gloves. He slipped them on, not knowing the boon they provided him. With a quick curl of his clawed fingers, he attempted a smile, though revealed sharpened teeth instead.

Franti sidled towards Anarya. "I've, um, never had bones un-break before, so, um, thanks for showing me how that felt, angel."

Ready. Rocking a +16 to my Sleight of Hand now.

[Avelina of House Galfrey]

"I will happily take the honor of holding any of the holy water! I amabsolutely certain it's consecrated in the Inheritor's name, so it only makes sense that it should be me."

In her haste to grab up the holy waters, she picked up the acid flask as well. As she packed each of them away, she finally noticed the different liquid inside the last flask. She looked up to the heavens, nodded and smiled at the Inheritor's Providence, then packed it away as well.

The wand of ghostbane dirge makes more sense on someone else, as Avelina's actions in the case of an incorporeal undead would be better spent on spamming Volley of Holy Arrows Magic Missile

[Clebsch GM]

Position yourselves on the stairs leading down to the basement or along the west wall.

The air in the basement was damp and musty-smelling. The walls and floor were packed earth, while dozens of gourds hung from the ceiling beams. A sludge of rotting plant matter covered the floor. Against one wall, a wooden table held a strange apparatus that looks like a clockwork toy of a snake-bodied, six-armed woman holding a sword in each hand. A tightly corked bottle, filled with what looked like water, sat before the statue. A wooden chest covered with engraved runes stood under the table, and a sinister image of a star surrounding a goat’s face was painted on the wall above the table.

Behind the screen:

Anarya: Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Avelina: Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Ellena: Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Tauni: Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

None of the PCs can definitely identify the goat and star image as a symbol of Baphomet, but it seems a shrewd guess that it is. No one detects anything immediately threatening or any obvious traps. There is no light in the room, so identify which characters have any lights on. Anarya's halo should be enough to see everything clearly, however. Move no more than your PC can move in a single move action for now, even though we are not in melee turns.

Edit: Note: the green stuff is not limited to location shown on the map. Rotting vegetation is strewn in patches all over the floor. It does not affect movement.

[Clebsch GM]

Pay no attention to the rolls behind the screen. Just some rolls I'm getting out of the way early.

Behind the screen:

Tauni: Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Anarya: Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Tauni: Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

[Ellena Lovain]

Ellena commands her shield to light up with the flame of Iomedae as she stepped down into the darkness. She offered Franti the opportunity to take point and check for traps, but if he paused, she boldly strode ahead, knowing there was company waiting down there.

[Karas Argentus]

Karas picked up the potion of Barkskin and stashed it in a belt pouch should the need arise later.

He adjusted his armor again and nodded to the party before moving for the staricase behind Ellena.

[Clebsch GM]

If Anarya has been delayed by RL, she can declare that she healed Ellena and Karas up using her spells or channel energy retroactively. I don't want to make that decision for her now, unless anyone wants to used a potion.

Whether cautious or bold, there did not appear to be anything alive other than whatever was decomposing the vegetable matter on the floor. Nobody was exactly sure what the statue was supposed to be. Some kind of snake human hybrid with 4 arms. Franti saw no evidence of traps from the west wall, but he'd have to move closer to the table to see if there was any mechanical traps on the statue, the chest or in the larger room.

I moved everyone down into the room along the west wall or on the stairway. Describe what, if anything your character does from there. Limit actions to no more than could be accomplished in a normal turn, but post in any order.

[Tauni "Rabbit" Desba]

Tauni cast a simple spell, hoping to find clues as to what has happened down here recently.

Casting detect magic, and starting with the vegetation nearby.

[Clebsch GM]

Behind the screen:

Tauni:
Magic Mouth: DC 17: Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Bilious Bottle: DC 17: Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Tauni detects a faint aura of illusion magic on the symbol on the wall. She detects another aura from the bottle, but can't discern the school of magic involved. Nothing else in the room detects as magical.

The symbol looks like this image

[Franti the Fool]

Franti looked about the room, curious as to what he had found. The kobold skittered past Ellena's shield, having no need for the light in his form. "For a bastion of crusaders, Kenabres seems to have a lotta places like this..." He first checked the chest, inspecting it for locks or nefarious mechanisms.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Disable Device: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

[Tauni "Rabbit" Desba]

"Be careful, Franti. The symbol on the wall is an illusion, but the bottle... It has magic about it as well, but I'm not sure what kind. It may be a trap."

[Karas Argentus]

Karas stepped further into the room trying to keep an eye out for anything hidden.

Im actually ok being 3 points down. don't worry about healing me unless you really want to.

[Clebsch GM]

Behind the screen:

Save vs. Bilious Bottle vapor DC 14
Karas: Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Franti: Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
BB Effect: 1d8 ⇒ 5 The subject takes 1d6 points of cold damage
Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Anarya: Perception, visual, non-opposed: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 2 = 3
Avelina: Perception: 1d20 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 4 - 2 = 8
Ellena: Perception: 1d20 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 - 1 = 2
Karas: Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Tauni: Perception: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 2 = 19
X: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Y: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Initiative, Mandragora: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

On the Table, initiative:

Anarya: Initiative: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (4) - 3 = 1
Avelina: Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Ellena: Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Franti, small: Initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Karas: Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Tauni: Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

As the others looked on, Franti advanced on the table with the statue and the bottle, with Karas moving up in support. When the kobald-jester got to about fifteen feet from the chest under the table, the lips of the goat image began to move and a low voice spoke:

"Ahh... I hope you are among Iomedae’s slaves... I would hate to think of mere peasants wasting such a personal greeting from Lord Baphomet!"

As the last word was spoken, the sword-arms of the statue swung around and shattered the bottle, allowing a thin vapor to spread throughout the room. The vapors are only visible near the bottle but those who breath them in are instantly aware of it.

Karas:

The vapors reach Karas and each breath seems to be different, sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes with the ozone scent of electricity. Karas fights off the effect this round. Also Karas notices that for a moment, Franti winces in pain and the air he exhales is visible, as if very cold.

Franti:

Franti inhales the air poisoned by the vapors from the bottle and it feels as if he is inhaling frigid air from the Crown of the World. He takes 4 points of cold damage.

Tauni:

Tauni notices that for a moment, Franti winced in pain and his breath was briefly visible, as if breathing very cold air.

Simultaneous with the statue shattering the bottle, something began to stir in the rotting vegetation. From the detritus rose a vaguely humanoid plant. This filthy creature resembled a small, wide-mouthed fat child made from leaves, vines, tree bark, dirt, and pallid tubers. Once it stood, it was just over 3 feet tall Small size. Ominous looking vines with sharp thorns dangled where shoulders would be on a human. Vines look capable of reaching 10 feet.

Results of Knowledge(Nature) roll for Tauni:

Tauni has heard of humanoid plants, but she can't identify this one.

Detect Magic for Tauni:

Assuming Tauni still has the detect magic active, she sees the air glow with faint conjuration aura out to a 30 foot radius from near the table. People can avoid the effects of the bottle by staying along the west wall from where Ellena is currently (1,2) to the first fifteen feet from the stairs along the north wall.

Round 1
24 Tauni
20 Avelina
19 Plant
13 Karas (3 lethal)
12 Franti (small form)
5 Ellena (8 lethal)
1 Anarya

This is normal round action. PCs and NPC are flat-footed until their point in the initiative. If anyone has any special save information versus poison, remind me.

[Tauni "Rabbit" Desba]

"Back away! The mist is magical! Should we draw it out above?"

Tauni will delay, unless that was too much speaking for a free action.

[Avelina of House Galfrey]

Avelina drew her recently acquired wand by the butt, grabbing it between her knuckles like an arrow. This time, when she mimed the firing a bow, she had a prop.

"Now! Little...whatever you are! If you don't want to get filled with the arrows of the Goddess Iomedae, you had best not keep yourself rooted in the ground over there."

As she fired, she suddenly started giggling, not even paying attention to whether she hit.

Volley of Holy Arrows Magic Missile (from wand): 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6

"'Rooted!' Hehehe...the Inheritor's inspiration must have granted me a pun."

[Clebsch GM]

On the Table:

Shriek Save DC 15
Anarya: Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Succeed
Avelina: Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Succeed
Ellena: Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Fail
Franti: Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 Fail
Karas: Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Fail
Tauni: Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Succeed

Behind the screen:

Duration
Ellena: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Franti: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Karas: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Tauni called out a warning and watched for an opportune moment to take further action while Avelina sent a magic missile at the vegetable monster.

As the energy of the missile slammed into the creature, it shook itself so all its tiny membranes and vines whipped back and forth, producing a high pitched whine that sounded like the shriek of a wounded animal. Ellena, Karas, and Franti found the sound so disturbing they could not concentrate on any action except movement. The creature moved closer to Franti and Karas. Whatever the bottle released into the room, it did not seem to bother the plant creature.

Ellena, Karas, and Franti have the nauseated condition for at least the next round. Creatures with the nauseated condition experience stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn.

Round 1
24 Tauni (delay)
20 Avelina (activate wand, does 6 to Plant)
19 Plant (6 lethal)(shriek, move)
13 Karas (3 lethal, nauseated)
12 Franti (small form, 4 lethal, nauseated)
5 Ellena (8 lethal, nauseated)
1 Anarya

[Karas Argentus]

Karas, feeling awful as he did, could not lash out if he wanted to do he focuses his attention on smothering his rage until he found himself feeling less queasy.

no action

[Ellena Lovain]

Ellena moved closer to the plant, moving the 10' to close the distance. Once her stomach settled down, she planned on chopping this plant into kindling.

[Clebsch GM]

Behind the screen:

Ellena: DC 14 Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Ellena:

As soon as Ellena moved forward, she felt something foul in the air, trying to affect her. Each breath seemed different: sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes tinged with the ozone taste of electricity. For the moment, she suffered nothing more than discomfort, but she sensed if she stayed in the air, she would remain at risk.

[Franti the Fool]

The fool let out pained coughs, breathing out a frozen breath. He staggered around the creature, recognizing Ellena and Karas's intent, though was similarly incapacitated. Looking at his hands, the Kobold clown doubted the usefulness of his saps against such a creature.

Dropping one weapon to the ground, Franti unsheathed his cold-iron shortsword for the first time. He gripped the unfamiliar weapon in his off-hand, testing its weight, holding until his queasy condition to passed.

Free action to Five foot step and drop Cold Iron Sap, move action to draw Masterwork Cold-Iron shortsword. Worried it might have DR/Slashing.

[Clebsch GM]

Looks like it's up to the casters. I'd really rather not bot Tauni and Anarya, as their actions could be critically important.

[Anarya]

One more level, then I'll finally have some offensive spells! But healing will do fine for now.

Seeing that her allies were vulnerable to whatever this plant-creature was, Anarya channeled her halo's light throughout the room to heal their injuries.

Channel Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 Excluding the plant, of course.

Is Anarya within the gas released from the bottle? If so she will want to back up out of its area.

[Tauni "Rabbit" Desba]

Not knowing much about the monster they face, Tauni threw out a spell that she hoped would distract it, at least long enough for them to regroup. Then, knowing that most plants would be vulnerable to fire, she took a moment to change bolts in her crossbow.

Casting glitterdust. I can't see the map for some reason, but I'll try to target behind the plant to avoid hitting allies. Then she'll drop the bolt from her crossbow and replace it with one of the flaming crossbow bolts they discovered.

[Clebsch GM]

The plant moved to within five feet of Karas and Franti. Since then, Franti moved around to be in flanking position and Ellena stepped closer, so Tauni has no clear area to put the glitterdust that won't affect an ally. Her best option, I would think would be to fire the crossbow at it and reload with a flaming bolt. At present the gas is not affecting anyone along the west wall but it is affecting Karas. Tauni indicated there was a clear area to the north near the stairs as well.

On the Table:

Crossbow, cover, into melee: 1d20 + 3 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 4 - 4 = 0

Tauni fired a crossbow bolt but couldn't get a clear shot, so the bolt went past without hitting anything except the table on the far side of the room.

Anarya sent healing energy into her comrades providing relief from wounds suffered above for Karas, Ellena, and Franti.

Previous Rounds:

Round 1
24 Tauni (delay)
20 Avelina (activate wand, does 6 to Plant)
19 Plant (6 lethal)(shriek, move)
13 Karas (nauseated)(no movement)
12 Franti (small form, 1 lethal, nauseated)(moves, changes weapons)
5 Ellena (5 lethal, nauseated)(move)
1 Anarya (Channel energy, 3 healed for Karas, Ellena, Franti)

Round 2
Tauni (fires crossbow, misses, reloads)
Avelina
Plant (6 lethal)
Karas (nauseated)
Franti (small form, 1 lethal, nauseated)
Ellena (5 lethal, nauseated)
Anarya

Avelina is next.

[Avelina of House Galfrey]

Avelina powered through the creature's shriek, taking heart that this must mean she has adequately threatened it.

"Come now! Do you plan to scream and whine? YOU are the one that attacked us, I'll have you remember."

She pulled for another shot from her wand.

Volley of Holy Arrows Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9

[Clebsch GM]

On the Table:

Plant: Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
@Avelina: Slam 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
@Anarya: Slam 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Anarya: DC 15: Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Behind the screen:

Confusion Table: confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 65
Deals 1d8 points of damage + Str modifier to self with item in hand
Karas: DC 14: Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Franti: DC 14: Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Ellena: DC 14: Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Franti: Bottle effect: 1d8 ⇒ 1
The subject takes 1d6 points of acid damage. Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Ellena: Bottle effect: 1d8 ⇒ 4
The subject develops wheezing, labored breathing for 2 hours, which imposes a –2 penalty on Stealth checks.

Avelina's second set of holy hand grenades magic missiles hurt the creature again 9 points, but it was not seriously wounded yet. It's misshapen vaguely humanoid face sized up its opponents and stepped between Karas and Ellena. It tried to bite Ellena while its thorny vine-like arms thrashed out at Avelina and Anarya, ignoring Franti and Karas for the moment. Ellena kept her shining shield between herself and the nasty looking chompers. She could see sets of needle-like growths in the mouth like the spines of a stinging nettle.

Similar stings could be seen on the arms that whipped at Avelina and Anarya. Avelina would have been struck by one vine had not her magical armors taken the momentum from the attack. Anarya had just as much magical protection as Avelina, but the vine managed to push past it all and slashed into the oracle's leg for 3 points. As it fights it utters dark and foul sounding words in Abyssal. "ചാണകം പെണ്പട്ടി കഴിക്കുക"

Abyssal:

"Eat death, Iomedian *&^^%. The last word is too vulgar to even hint at. It should put some color into Avelina's cheeks.

Anarya:

Anarya is affected by poison causing confusion and fatigue. If she gets a result of "acts normally" the effect ends. Her action for the upcoming turn will be to attack herself with her own weapon or shield, causing 1d8 - 2 damage. A fatigued character can neither run nor charge and takes a –2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity (So AC drops by 1). Doing anything that would normally cause fatigue causes the fatigued character to become exhausted. After 8 hours of complete rest, fatigued characters are no longer fatigued.

Karas continued to be nauseated from the plant creature's shriek, but he did not suffer any new effects from the poison gas released by the bottle. The plant did not seem to be suffering any ill effects from the same poison.

Franti mastered his queasy stomach but took a deep breath and felt his lungs burning as if from breathing acid fumes 6 points acid damage. Ellena likewise regained her ability to fight, but her breathing grew labored and made loud wheezing sounds (-2 to stealth for the next 2 hours.)

Previous Rounds:

Round 1
24 Tauni (delay)
20 Avelina (activate wand, does 6 to Plant)
19 Plant (6 lethal)(shriek, move)
13 Karas (nauseated)(no movement)
12 Franti (small form, 1 lethal, nauseated)(moves, changes weapons)
5 Ellena (5 lethal, nauseated)(move)
1 Anarya (Channel energy, 3 healed for Karas, Ellena, Franti)

Round 2
Tauni (fires crossbow, misses, reloads)
Avelina activates wand, does 9 to plant)
Plant (15 lethal)(3 attacks, 1 hits, 3 to Anarya)
Karas (nauseated)
Franti (small form, 7 lethal)(7 points acid damage from poison gas)
Ellena (5 lethal)(wheezes, -2 to stealth)
Anarya (confused, fatigued, 3 lethal)

Best to post in initiative order at this point, since Franti will want to try to get flanking position, which will be affected by Karas movement. Karas is still nauseated, which limits him to move actions. Franti and Ellena are no long nauseated so they can act normally. It appears that the poison gas requires a save each turn a character starts his turn in the area of effect, even if a save was made on a previous round, like stinking cloud. I've already rolled for the saves and the effects for those who did not save. The gas is invisible so you don't know for sure where it is, but Tauni indicated the NW corner of the room is clear.

The creature's arms threaten out to 10 feet.

[Karas Argentus]

Karas had to fight hard to smother his rage as the creature harmed Anarya. He stepped between them and did his best to block her from it.

Just a 5ft step for me.

[Clebsch GM]

Karas:

Karas immediately notices that the air is no longer carrying the magical poison in the space he just moved into.

[Franti the Fool]

1/2 Speed Acrobatics vs Enemies CMD to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

Recovering, Franti found his lungs burning now, though did not quite understand why he felt this sensation. With Ellena now ready to attack, the fool, moved into position.

The kobold kept his sword in his offhand, testing his main weapon to see if it was effective against the plant-thing.

Flanking Sap Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20 for Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 5 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (2, 4) + 2 = 17, nonlethal

[Clebsch GM]

Franti did substantial new damage to the plant, which gave out a strange high-pitched squeal of pain or anger. At this point it looked like one more good hit would cut it down.

Ellena is up.

I'm not sure if it makes sense to distinguish lethal and non-lethal damage for a plant, but it probably won't matter once it goes down.

[Ellena Lovain]

Ellena appreciated the fool moving up to distract the plant. She figured her magical blade would chop right through the stalk of the plant. As she fought to breathe, she guided her sword through the air.

Power attack with Flank 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16

Damage 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

[Clebsch GM]

Behind the screen:

Anarya's mace: 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

Ellena tried to make a powerful swipe to cut the beast in twain, but its quickness, small size, and tough bark, caused her blade to miss. Had she not tried the power attack, the fight would be over.

Anarya looked down at the blood flowing from where the plant's thorny arm scratched her, suddenly looked gravely concerned at the minor wound, then she raised her mace and appeared to try to stem the flow of blood by smiting it. She does 3 points of damage to herself.

Previous Rounds:

Round 1
24 Tauni (delay)
20 Avelina (activate wand, does 6 to Plant)
19 Plant (6 lethal)(shriek, move)
13 Karas (nauseated)(no movement)
12 Franti (small form, 1 lethal, nauseated)(moves, changes weapons)
5 Ellena (5 lethal, nauseated)(move)
1 Anarya (Channel energy, 3 healed for Karas, Ellena, Franti)

Round 2
Tauni (fires crossbow, misses, reloads)
Avelina activates wand, does 9 to plant)
Plant (15 lethal, 17 non-lethal)(3 attacks, 1 hits, 3 to Anarya)
Karas[/b] (nauseated)(move)
Franti (small form, 7 lethal)(7 points acid damage from poison gas)(moves, attacks, hits, 17 non-lethal to plant)
Ellena (5 lethal)(wheezes, -2 to stealth)(attacks, misses)
Anarya (confused, fatigued, 6 lethal)(attacks herself, does 3 points lethal)

Round 3
Tauni
Avelina
Plant (15 lethal, 17 non-lethal)
Karas (nauseated)
Franti (small form, 7 lethal)
Ellena (5 lethal)(wheezes, -2 to stealth)
Anarya (confused, fatigued, 6 lethal)

Tauni and Avelina are up.

[Anarya]

Started this post a while ago and had to step away - looks like you ninja'd me. Still gonna post it - I imagined her clawing at her skin with her fingernails, mad with pain as the corrupting venom twists her mind.

Anarya's vision clouded. It's inside me! she thought wildly. She could feel the venom from the demonic plant's lash coursing through her veins. Madly she tried to claw it out, scratching through her skin and tear the dangerous venom from her own flesh. Her fingernails scraped across her arm, drawing blood as she frantically tried to excise the demonic corruption from her body.

[Clebsch GM]

Sounds like we did the same sort of thing at the same time. I had my post previewed but then got distracted and forgot to post it for a while. Ignore my description. Anarya does 3 points to herself in the manner described above.

[Tauni "Rabbit" Desba]

Tauni focused on the plant creature's movements, trying to predict its actions. At the right moment, she launched another bolt at it.

Prescience 1d20 ⇒ 16
To hit 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 4 = 14
Damage 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + (2) = 7

Might as well sub in the 16 for the roll, in case it makes the difference.

[Clebsch GM]

Tauni was going to use one of the +1 Flaming Bolts, so with the Prescience roll of 16 + 1 + 3 - 4 = 16. Unfortunately, that too is 1 below its AC of 17. Anyone know if flaming bolts are destroyed if they miss their target?

Tauni let fly a crossbow bolt, but this one glowed with white-hot flames. But the bolt hit the creature's fibrous, bark-like exterior and fell to the ground.

Avelina is the last chance at killing it before it gets another round of attacks.

[Avelina of House Galfrey]

Luckily for me, activating wands doesn't provoke AoOs!

Avelina stood firm as she held faith in her "divine" protections, a faith quickly validated as the plant's appendages flailed against the barriers. She kept her stance, wand pointed towards her foe's head. She spoke the guttural words of Abyssal right back at the plant creature.

Abyssal:

"'Eat death?' I should think we will be eating vegetables soon enough."

She fired off another volley of missiles at the creature.

Volley of Holy Arrows Magic Missile (CL3, from wand): 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

[Clebsch GM]

Avelina sent two more missiles of magical energy at the plant creature just as it was preparing to attempt more attacks. As the last missile ripped through its torso, the plant finally was too damaged to continue and it collapsed into the piles of rotting garbage from which it arose.

Although the threat from the vegetable world was no more, the magical poison was still in the air for most of a minute. Franti and Ellena must make one more save.

Also Anarya was till being affected by the plant's poison.

Behind the screen:

Franti: DC 14: Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ellena: DC 14: Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Franti fails: Effect: 1d8 ⇒ 3
The subject takes 1d6 points of fire damage.
fire: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Franti's last breath of the gas before he can flee to the northwest corner of the room felt as if he was inhaling very hot air and burned his lungs a little. Fire damage 1 to Franti.

Ellena took no further damage or other problems as she got to safe air.

Anarya spent the next round babbling incoherently. The round after that she attacked Avelina with her mace, but the attack doesn't even hit the divine sorcerer. After that, she returned to normal. She remained fatigued until she could get either magical relief or sufficient rest.

Previous Rounds:

Round 1
24 Tauni (delay)
20 Avelina (activate wand, does 6 to Plant)
19 Plant (6 lethal)(shriek, move)
13 Karas (nauseated)(no movement)
12 Franti (small form, 1 lethal, nauseated)(moves, changes weapons)
5 Ellena (5 lethal, nauseated)(move)
1 Anarya (Channel energy, 3 healed for Karas, Ellena, Franti)

Round 2
Tauni (fires crossbow, misses, reloads)
Avelina activates wand, does 9 to plant)
Plant (15 lethal, 17 non-lethal)(3 attacks, 1 hits, 3 to Anarya)
Karas[/b] (nauseated)(move)
Franti (small form, 7 lethal)(7 points acid damage from poison gas)(moves, attacks, hits, 17 non-lethal to plant)
Ellena (5 lethal)(wheezes, -2 to stealth)(attacks, misses)
Anarya (confused, fatigued, 6 lethal)(attacks herself, does 3 points lethal)

Round 3
Tauni (ranged attack, misses)
Avelina (activates wand, does 9 lethal to plant)
Plant (22 lethal, 17 non-lethal, unconscious)
Karas (nauseated)
Franti (small form, 8 lethal)
Ellena (5 lethal)(wheezes, -2 to stealth)
Anarya (confused, fatigued, 6 lethal)
Melee over once Franti and Ellena make it to safe air.
Gas dissipates on round 10
Karas' nausea ends on Round 4

So the room became safe to explore. If Franti again approaches the chest under the work table, there are no new traps to trigger and he can open the unlocked box. Inside he sees five holy symbols of Iomedae and a note, which reads:

"We don’t need these anymore, but figured if you survived our surprise, it would be just plain rude to leave behind an empty chest for your troubles!"

Behind the screen:

To perceive the contact poison on the holy symbols, DC 20.
Anarya: Perception, visual, non-opposed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Avelina: Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15
Ellena: Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
Franti: Perception, traps: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Karas: Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Tauni: Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Anarya: Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Franti: Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Tauni: Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

After reading the note aloud, Franti was about to investigate the holy symbols when he noticed they had all been covered with some substance that was difficult to see (no one else would have noticed but Franti). After doing a few more tests, Franti determined that the substance was a dangerous contact poison called malyass root paste, which is a somewhat slow acting poison that affects muscle coordination.

There is nothing further of value located in the basement. Decide what healing you need to do and whether you want to go on to the next safe house or to Karas' apartment or back to base to rest and recover. There is no significant penalty for resting up, as within reason, you don't have any deadlines to get these things done right away.

For the players' information, the creature you fought was a Mandragora. The poison gas was something called a Bilious Bottle. It can be purchased (with the same limitations as mentioned earlier) for 500 gp. It comes in a glass bottle that can be thrown at enemies. The details are under a spoiler below.

Bilious Bottle:

Bilious Bottle
Price: 500 GP
Slot: none, CL 5th, Weight: 2 lbs.
Aura: faint conjuration
A bilious bottle appears to be a tightly stoppered container of water. It can be thrown as a splash weapon. When a bilious bottle is opened or shatters, the foul fluid inside immediately expands into a 30-foot-radius cloud of noxious vapors. These vapors are invisible, but any creature within the area of effect of the cloud must succeed at a DC 14 Fortitude saving throw at the start of its turn or suffer one of the following random effects. The vapors created by a bilious bottle dissipate after 1 minute, or automatically if exposed to anything more than a moderate wind. The vapors created by a bilious bottle are a poison effect.

d8 Result
1 The subject takes 1d6 points of acid damage.
2 The subject’s eyes glow red for 2 hours, during which time it gains darkvision out to 30 feet.
3 The subject takes 1d6 points of fire damage.
4 The subject develops wheezing, labored breathing for 2 hours, which imposes a –2 penalty on Stealth checks.
5 The subject takes 1d6 points of cold damage.
6 The subject develops a persistent nosebleed, taking 1d4 points nonlethal damage every 10 minutes for the next hour.
7 The subject takes 1d6 points of electricity damage.
8 The subject experiences a persistent adrenaline rush. For the next 2 hours, subject receives a +2 bonus on Initiative checks but takes a –2 penalty on Dexterity based skill checks due to uncontrollable trembling.
Construction requirements COST 250 GP, Craft Wondrous Item, stinking cloud

Behind the screen:

Anarya's poison rolls:
Confusion Effect: 1d100 ⇒ 45: Does nothing but babble incoherently
Confusion Effect: 1d100 ⇒ 99: Attacks nearest creature (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject's self)
PC: 1d5 ⇒ 1: Avelina
Attack roll: Mace: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10, misses.
Confusion Effect: 1d100 ⇒ 5: Acts normally.

[Clebsch GM]

By the way, each looter contained the following 'loot' in their personal gear: potion of cure light wounds, masterwork arrows (5), tanglefoot bags (2), thunderstone (2)

One tanglefoot bag was expended on Karas.

The leader had the following gear:
Combat Gear: potion of barkskin, potion of cure moderate wounds, alchemist's fire (2), holy water;
Other Gear: masterwork half-plate, cold iron kukri, javelins (4), longspear, masterwork heavy flail, morningstar, cloak of resistance +1, antitoxin, sunrod, 325 gp.

[Tauni "Rabbit" Desba]

When the plant creature fell, Tauni called out "This way! Out of the mist!" When the mist finally, dissolved, Tauni scanned the room for arcane auras. "I think it is safe now."

For just an instant, Tauni faith wavered. Dear Abadar, will this city ever be cleansed of the horrors that have washed over it? But the wave of despair passed, and she focused her resolve again. She glanced around, hoping that her face did not make her private fault known to the others.

"We should take steps to make sure this creature cannot revive. It seems destroyed, but we should take no chances. Perhaps we can put fire to it?"

With the dual threats of the mist and the plant-demon past, Tauni helped search the room, both with her detection spell and her sharp eyes, backed by Cobblepaw's darting eyes and quivering nose.

[Karas Argentus]

Karas tried to keep Anarya from further harming herself as best he could until she regained control of herself. Convcern creased his face as he looked her over, "Are you ok? It's dead now and cant harm anyone again."

Once the dangers were past and they were taking stock of the situation he spoke again, "Burning this place to the ground seems like a good plan to me. I don't think we'll find anything more of this cult here. I am ok to move on but I don't know about the rest of you. Maybe we should head back to the Hearth and rest?"

[Ellena Lovain]

"I don't like that they knew we were coming. Those holy symbols were a trap just for us. Who knows that much about us?". She agreed with heading back to the safe spot and reporting their success. Her armor had gotten nasty from the day anyway. It'd be a good time to give it a quick polish before heading back out.

[Clebsch GM]

The mandragora can be destroyed any way you like: cut, smash, burn, doesn't matter. It has no special regenerative powers.

[Avelina of House Galfrey]

Avelina took up the holy symbols, gently cradlin them in her hands. She grins, eyes bright.

"How polite of them to leave us such a thoughtful gift! I wish all our foes were so considerate."

She continued grinning as she put the holy symbols on her belt one-by-one.

"Some of you look a bit worse for wear. Maybe we should go rest before continuing?"

[Clebsch GM]

Clebsch GM wrote:

After reading the note aloud, Franti was about to investigate the holy symbols when he noticed they had all been covered with some substance that was difficult to see (no one else would have noticed but Franti). After doing a few more tests, Franti determined that the substance was a dangerous contact poison called malyass root paste, which is a somewhat slow acting poison that affects muscle coordination.

Assuming Franti warned everyone about the contact poison, Avelina would probably not want to take possession of the holy symbols, at least until they can be properly decontaminated. Otherwise, she'll be making five DC 14 fortitude rolls, taking 1d2 Dex damage with each failure.