The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Cup grins at Sirettis's question about whether demons are immune to sleep.

"No... It's undead, plants, constructs and bugs that are immune to sleep. Oh, and elves..." Cup looks over with concern at tall, dark and fleeing. "Creatures from the lower planes might have spell resistance, but sleep should affect them just fine."

I hope you don't mind my answering that. But I figure that on that roll, Cup likely knew that already.

Your hair (or in D's case, his funky beard)

D. keeps his 'stache and goatee clean, fyi. :)

Will?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
A pity will saves are the kineticist bad save.

Despite trying to fight a rising anxiety, D. wanders off to try and shake things off.

Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Out of no where Uesugi feels a wave of anxiety and shame wash over him making him not only want to run from this place but to break his vow to his late master. He watches as the scribe, the trickster and even D. scatter at the appearance of a small and hideous oni.

As the others stand fast he realizes quickly that the oni has used some sort of wu jen trickery. With his trembling hand he steps up and immediately changes his hand to draw his newly crafted iron wrought wakizashi as the little gnome calls out for cold iron weapons to be used.

"Foul oni your trickery will stop NOW!
Uesugi rushes forward one step behind the barbarian and he slashes the creature with his wakizashi.

Wakizashi slash+shaken: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20
damage+shaken: 1d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 2 = 2

Confirm+shaken: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 2 = 12
damage+shaken: 1d6 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 2 = 2

The quasit's tiny size works to its advantage as it dodges Gallix's punch.

The demon claws at Gallix in response, then bites him.
Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 131d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 121d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 251d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

.. Both claws miss, but the demon manages to get a chunk of Gallix flesh for dinner.

Will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Corsac, D, and Mr. Peppers run like hell while Uesugi manages a light stab at the quasit with his wakizashi. Sirettis isn't able to hex the annoying creature either.

Cup's Inspire Courage now in effect. I've moved Mr. Peppers, D, and Corsac's tokens.

Demon battle, Round 2
Gallix is up
Quasit (-2)
Corsac, Uesugi, Cup, and Mr. Peppers
D and Sirettis

"A shame, this one is more resilient. I shall assist the brave in anyway I can."

Dropping her mace, Sirettis draws a wand of Cure Light Wounds to assist Gallix.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Free action if you will allow it before my turn

Uesugi continues moving and his eyes meet the barabarian's as his friend is unable to dodge the wicked bite of the oni. With no words he motions his head and eyes to get barabarian to move into a better position.

Uesugi waits for the barabarian to attack again and he immediately springs to flank the oni. The weight of the wakizashi is still unfamiliar to him but Uesugi cuts upward intending to slay this creature before it can do anymore damage to the barbarian or at least to turn it's attention towards him.

Wakizashi slice+song+flank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Mr Peppers and Corsac battle to lead the retreat, with D challenging for the lead. "I must admit, I expected the warehouse to be a better choice over the graves... but I believe I may have been mistaken!" As he huffs and puffs.

lol

"Game over, man! Game over! What are we going to do now? What are we going to do?"

Gallix catches Uesugi's eyes for a moment and instantly understands the warrior's silent message. Just like old times indeed, he thinks as he springs to the side across from the samurai and slashes with his own cold iron dagger, Cup's song helping to sort out his nerves and getting him into proper fighting shape.

CI Dagger, IC, Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 25 Damage, IC: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

The quasit endures a decent slash from Gallix's dagger.

Its wound slightly closes as it begins to act, however, a curious effect that Cup is able to recognize as a fast healing ability of these sort of demons.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 241d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 271d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Angry that Gallix got a hit off, the tiny demon moves up and claws at him again, managing a few solid slashes with its poisonous claws and a bite to the neck.

Oof
Gallix, I need two DC 17 Fort saves vs poison. The result is 1d2 dex damage for 6 rounds and you get a save each round.

The demon dodges Uesugi's attack while Mr. Peppers, Corsac, and D continue to run like hell before suddenly coming to their senses. No longer frightened on your next turn

Cup still has a turn this round, and Gallix can post for next round

D. will, on his next turn, have to 2x move to get in los and proper range.

Marked it with the red Arrow.

Sirettis has already acted, so Cup can't help aid a heal check on Gallix. Instead, she helps him hit.

Cup continues her bardic performance.

Whip, Aid Another, Gallix: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 = 16
Her whip dashes out, distracting the demon and giving Gallix +4 to his next attack in addition to bardic performance bonuses.

"Get him, Gallix!"

Fort save 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Fort save 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Gallix nearly falls to his knees as the demon unleashes its savage attack, but Gallix reads the desperation in its ferocity and does not let up his own assault. He steps back to get nearer to Cup and Sirettis so they can keep him fighting, then strikes at the demon for what feels like it might be the last time.

CI Dagger, IC, Aid: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 4 = 28 Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + 4 = 19 Crit Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

Awesome work... We needed that!

With the help of Cup's distraction, Gallix is able to land a brutal blow, nearly carving the quasit's wings off of its body. Somehow though, it's still alive!

And angry.

"AhhhHHHhh you'll pay for that, humannnnssss!" It shrieks and darts forward with its claws out.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 231d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 121d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 201d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

One of the claws and its bite land, sending Gallix to his knees and onto his back, bleeding and unconscious.

Demon battle, Round 3
Corsac, Uesugi, Cup, and Mr. Peppers
D (moved) and Sirettis

Stabilize roll from Gallix please. And everyone can go!

Watching the barbarian go down after landing a devastating attack Uesugi moves intercede and steps beside the oni slicing at its head focusing his anger into a precise strike.

"ENOUGH!

wakizashi+song: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

As Mr Peppers runs away away Sir Robin, runs away, his nerves begin to settle, his anxiety level drops, and then it hits him. Damn its tiring running. "Hey guys, I think we're far enough away, I'm sure its dead by now... lets head back. Maybe if we're quick we can snipe off the killing shot?"

Mr Peppers draws his magic missile wand and heads back trying to lend a hand... or maybe just snipe a kill..

Sirettis uses her wand to at least heal Gallix's mortal wounds.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Wow! Lucky those damage rolls were low! How much Dex damage did I take in that first round of the poison by the way? And do I need to make subsequent Fort saves against it?

Stabilize check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Seeing Gallix go down, Cup stabs the demon with her cold iron dagger, joining in the fray.

"For Gallix!

Cold Iron Dagger, Flank, Inspire: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 1 = 1

Sigh. Next time, stick to the CLW wand.

Cup looks back and see the others turning around. "Mr. Peppers, can you magic missile this thing?"

Assuming this is allowed...

Blaster hears Mr. Peppers and stops. He checks his musket, and nods, more to reassure himself than anything, as he turns back.

"OK, lets see what happened to the others."

Gallix, you usually do, yes. :)

"That red little oni would serve nicely on a wall.
Wouldn't you agree, Uesugi-san?"

Kinda figured, but wanted to double check. Thanks, D.

Fort save v. poison 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Fort save v. poison 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Gah! That's another 2d2 of Dex damage! Roll mercifully, Red!

I was assuming we double moved away for two rounds, one of which being off of the map and would next to spend at least a third round getting back within some sort of line of sight. If I'm off then I'll happily send in a magic missile once I'm 110ft away.

I ruled your fright fast and loose. I didn't want to have you run off the map. To me, out of sight was enough to no longer be terrified by it, and there are some obstacles here and there (buildings, trees, the fact that the demon is tiny, etc.) so the edge of the map as pictured was fine with me. For that reason, Mr P and Corsac can move closer at this point.

Gallix poison 1: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Gallix poison 2: 2d2 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
Sorry man!

Gallix loses some of his dexterity, but stabilizes, and is subsequently healed by Sirettis.

Uesugi just misses the the quasit with his wakizashi. SO close...

Cup manages to hit it, but doesn't stab deeply enough to kill it.

Corsac, D, and Mr. Peppers close the distance.

Demon battle, Round 4
Gallix is up
Quasit (-17)
Corsac, Uesugi, Cup, and Mr. Peppers
D and Sirettis

Mr Peppers heads down around the corner expecting to see some high fives and maybe a Uesugi bow or some such, however instead he sees Gallix splayed out on the ground with a gnashing and clawing demon over him. Ah crap, guess they didn't have it under control like I expected... Mr Peppers launches another blast from the wand towards the little fella.

"Don't worry we're coming guys! Hold the fort!"

Wand of MM + Caster Check: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 51d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Uesugi was flanking with Cup because she had a knife in one hand and a whip in the other. Did he include his flanking bonus in his last attack? It does not look like it.

Indeed he didn't, and he was flanking. In that case:

Uesugi cuts the tiny demon's head off clean with a slice of his wakazashi. It's left with a permanent look of torture stuck on its face as its sent back from whence it came.

And tonight's reading: Where do outsiders go when they die?

Combat is over!

Mr Peppers and the others arrive back from their recon mission up around the corner just in time to see the friendly little guy lose his head. Are there any remains or do they all disappear into thin air?

"Woah, Gallix, you ok? Can you fix him Sirettis?" Mr Peppers stows his wand and rummages around in his belt pouch for some smelling salts to help him regain his whits. "Take a sniff off this Gallix, it'll take your mind off those bites and scratches a bit maybe."

Mr Peppers takes a look at the cold iron weapons "Good thing you guys had those things. You must have learned something in your trip to the jungle."

good call Cup! Thing was hard to hit!

Uesugi helps to pick up his friend. The barbarian had taken the brunt of the blows with the little oni. This had been closer than he would have ever expected.

What have these children gotten themselves into?

"Lean on me I can support your weight." he sees the others start coming back into view. "We shall need to dispose of that oni. The Priest should be found.The town reeks of foul oni trickery." Still supporting the barbarian, "He needs to regain his strength back. Even now I can feel he has little control over his movements."

Forced to choose between healing his wounds and drawing the poison, Sirettis looks at Miss Poshkettle. "Please, use my wand to clean his immediate wounds." She begins drawing out as much poison as possible.

I'm going to assume Cup bot will use the wand.
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"An assassin taught me the finer arts of this. He doubled as an apothecary."

"What'd I miss?"

"An assassin as an apothecary.....not too surprising.
Back in the east there have been tales of households where a servant was a hidden assassin. Turbulent times, when rivalries get to that point."

Mr Peppers does his best to help but he's no trained healer. He uses prestidigitation to clean the wounds and remove any poison Sirettis manages to get out of the scratches. "We best maybe get him to the priest to see if he can't help. I can summon my horse to carry him there if that helps."

Gallix Fort save, heal aid from Sirettis: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 4 = 25

There you go. Only 1 save is needed to cure both doses.

Sirettis manages to drive the poison out of Gallix's body, but the damage has already been done.

The corpse of the demon materializes into thin air, leaving little for Mr. Peppers to study.

The warehouse is within sight, but did you want to head to the priest first? Or try that scroll?

Seeing the warehouse in view he looks at the others and then looks back in the direction of the temple. "Let us visit the Priest. If he can provide us aid against this emerging horde of the oni we will be better off. Then we can set off for the warehouse. We will be on their battleground we should prepare as best we can."

"I've prevented the poison from spreading further, but you are correct Uesugi: Gallix's hand-eye coordination has deteriorated severely." Sirettis stands up. "We should definitely tell Father Ildris about this. The scroll we found before will restore some of Gallix's coordination."

She looks at the imp as it dissolves. "This town survived inquisitions, wars and goblin hordes. But they aren't prepared for an invasion from other planes."

No apologies needed, Red. Thanks for the good Fort save! Sorry I didn't get around to making that save myself earlier.

Gallix teeters unsteadily on his feet as Uesugi pulls him up. "Oof. That little bugger packed quite a nasty punch when he really got going. Think I need a smoke." The brawler pulls the partially burned butt of the cigarette he had started earlier and fumbles to get it in his mouth. He tries to snap the end as he always does to light the roll, but his fingers don't seem to cooperate. He grows steadily more frustrated until he finally spits the cig out on the ground and stamps around it, apparently intending to smash it into the ground, but unable to do even that much in his current state. He finally looks up at Sirettis with a sad look in his eyes and says, "You said earlier not to be afraid to ask for help when I need it. Well, help me, please. Get me to the priest or one of you use your magic or something. I can't go on like this." He hangs his head in shame and waits for them to move him along to the temple.

"Freedom is something taken for granted." She feebly helps to support Gallix, even though it's clear Uesugi and the others are doing most of the work.

"One story about the apothecary comes to mind. I had entered the basement of the shop carrying several ingredients he desired for a new poison. I placed the ingredients on a table in the back of the room, where he cooked his latest batch. I was alone, and felt off balance. I simply collapsed in a corner of the room."

"My owner had arrived half an hour later, wearing a breathing mask and excited about his latest experiment. He assumed I was cleaning the shop, and did not search for me. I regained consciousness perhaps ten minutes later, but was too weak to move. I did not want to bother him or interrupt his research- a broken tool does not request repair ." Sirettis's voice is blunt, and matter of fact. "So I did not speak or move."

"His test was a failure, rather explosively. He stepped away from the table, now covered in a sticky gray substance and almost tripped over me. He saw me there, grabbed me and carried me upstairs. Why didn't you call for help! he screamed as I laid in the servant quarters. I did not want to bother his test."

"But in reality, I did not realize he would care about my well being. Is that what freedom is like, Gallix? The freedom to tell people you are inconvenienced and require assistance?" She turns to the man, noticing his head hung in shame. "I've seen owners abandon broken wagons, carts, hammers without a thought in the world. But rest assured Gallix, I will not abandon you. Because you are free to ask for help."

"Gallix, my dog and unseen servant can carry some of your stuff. Let's go to the priest and help you get restored." Cup turns to Sirettis. "Sirettis, are you currently a slave? Because if that is the case, and your master has sent you to settle some debt with the society, tell me your price so that I can negotiate for your freedom. You have value to me and all of us, not as a tool but as a person. You accepted being my sister, and no sister of mine is a slave."

She pulls out the scroll of lesser restoration, and considers using it, but then realizes that the priest would be able to do without risking the scroll. Still, it will be a useful thing to hand to him so that gallant Gallix can be made whole.

So...my assumption is partially correct.

"Sirettis-san, the story sounds somewhat odd.
Usually slaves are regarded as disposable at worst, ignorant at best, more often than not, by 'owners'.
Yet you say this 'owner' cared for your well being. That makes him sound more like a 'master', such as a head of his family.
If not a slave, that would suggest you a servant in service to this 'master', or a cleaning maid, would it not?"

Gallix's listens to Sirettis's story and responds with labored breath. "No, Sirettis, this isn't what freedom feels like. Not to me anyway. To me, weakness and dependence on others is just a different kind of slavery. For me, freedom is being able to stand on my own two feet to make my way in the world, having the strength to stand up for myself against every challenger, having the choice to go where I want, with who I want." He raises his head and looks deeply into Sirettis's eyes, looks in on the darkness hidden underneath, suppressed and disguised by her inquisitiveness and "innocence." His own eyes show her the pain and loneliness behind all of his bravado and swagger. "You and the others are my friends...my family..or near enough to it. Where you all go, that's where I want to go, but the last thing I want is to be a burden." He drops his gaze and mutters, "Thanks for the help, everyone. Now let's hurry up and get to the temple so I can show you all I'm worth having around."

"The society has paid for my freedom already. But thank you for the offer, Miss Poshkettle." She smiles. "One Pathfinder Society member bought me from the previous owner, then relinquished his control. He said, You are your own master now. I didn't know what to do, so he suggested I join the Pathfinder Society to see if something caught my attention."

When D asks her a question, she seems lost in thought. "A possible conclusion, based on the evidence. I wasn't told much about the particular details- he wanted me to maintain the house and purchase ingredients."

"Gallix. I will remember this. The concept of choosing where to stand is unfamiliar to me. But...I do like that choice."

"Gallix. I will remember this. The concept of choosing where to stand is unfamiliar to me. But...I do like that choice."

"Well you've proven time and again you're strong enough for it. Make the choice that is true to you and you will not go wrong."

With Gallix's coordination severely affected by the quasit's poison, you make for the Temple of Erastil. The trip back takes only a few minutes, and although it's quite late, Father Ildris is wide awake and accompanied by Mayor Trinelli inside the temple, explaining the situation to her.

"Oh, here they come now," She greets you with a firm nod, the lack of any sign of a smile on her face noticeable.

Father Ildris notices Gallix stumbling his way in and looks at him with concern.

"Is everything okay? I have told Mayor Trinelli about the Demon's Bile and we've cleared the orchard of it. You guys don't look good. Has something happened?" He rushes over to examine Gallix.

"We may have found the vomitous demon in question. At least I hope that was the one. Little bugger got in a few swipes and poisoned me. Any chance you could help me out, Father?" Gallix takes a seat at one of the long tables and lets the priest examine his wounds and provide any restoration he can offer.

"We have one scroll of Lesser Restoration," Cup pipes in, holding the scroll. "And I'd be happy to chip in to help Gallix heal."

Mr Peppers seemed a bit distracted on the trip back to the church and thus bites his lip when Sirettis shares her story. He does his best to assist Gallix but is mostly there for extra balance. He normally avoids physical contact with people but he doesn't shy away from it now.

He rests a warm hand on Sirettis's shoulder once they arrive at the church and gives it a slight squeeze so she knows he cares before he turns his attention back to the current plight. "Nasty little bugger. Scary too, they were very brave but suffered the consequences. Can you help? Sirettis here treated the poison already, but he's quite unstable walking."

Mayor Trinelli gasps. "Demons.. In Saringallow?" Her face burns red with anger, and she quickly runs outside to speak to her guard. She then firmly says, "Please. You must keep this quiet. I've told you what these people have been through. Hearing that you saw a demon will cause endless panic here. I'm assigning another twenty guards to the orchard and surrounding area immediately."

Father Ildris nods. "I'm afraid she's right. Speak not a word of this to the locals." He then leans over Gallix. "Here, let me help you. Since you have so kindly helped our town, I will offer you a discount." First, he recites the scroll for you, and then he holds his hands above Gallix and they begin to glow with positive energy.

Lesser restoration, scroll: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Lesser restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 4
The price is 40 gp per cast, and it only took 1 cast

"Oh that's MUCH better!" Gallix springs to his feet, a confident grin spreading across his lips. "Thank you, Father! And thanks to the rest of you for giving up that scroll. A spell like that could cost a pretty penny. I promise I'll make up for it." He digs in his coin purse and procures the payment for the priest, refusing to let any of the others pitch in. "Are you kidding me? It was me who went and got clawed up by that little imp. I'll be the one to pay for it."

Once the debts are all settled up, Gallix turns to Ildris and Trinelli, his face and tone taking on a more serious aspect, "Don't worry. We'll keep everything quiet. The question is, should we head back to the warehouse now or wait until morning? I feel fine, so we can head back if the rest of you are up for it."