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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Seamus realizes that there are two different sets of stains on the floor: the majority are old bloodstains, but near the cauldron there's a large area of dried blood that's much newer.
A Survival check would tell you more about how old the stains are.
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
Haftor peers at the bloodstains as well, once they're pointed out.
survival to aid another for Kronug 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Kronug and Haftor examine the floor more carefully and notice something decidedly odd. The older bloodstains are from at least several decades ago assuming perfect preservation, but if they're that old they should long since have decayed or been eaten by vermin. The newer bloodstain is probably somewhere between two and six months old, and shows the same unnatural lack of decay.
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Kronug the Merciless |
![Kellid](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9428-Barbarian_90.jpeg)
"Evil magic or spirits are at work here."
Kronug is visibly uneasy in a way that you hadn't seen him when he was facing giants or manticores.
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Seamus MacWirst |
![Warren Chief](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO1124-Chief_90.jpeg)
Seamus listens carefully to what Kronug and Haftor discover and asks, Haftor, Trianne, any thoughts on why? Definitely some bad magic in play here. He leans over the cauldron inspecting it further...
Craft Alchemy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
It looks like a cooking pot.
Is anyone going to look under it?
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Trianne Ashton |
![Ulfen Guard](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9268-Ulfen.jpg)
Trianne moves forward from her rear position, having kept an eye and ear on the stairs behind them.
“What?” she asks, squeezing in. She shifts her vision to look for residual magics. “You think the blood is how old?”
Advance and use Detect Magic to see if anything leaps out.
Perception if needed beyond DM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Trianne detects no magical auras in the room (aside from what the party is carrying; the wizard has gotten rather good at avoiding Haftor when she concentrates).
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
I'm potent.
Haftor grunts. "There's magic that'll preserve a body. That sort of thing. Don't make it evil.
He peers under the cauldron, then tips it up to get a better view, trying to minimize the noise.
Is the handprint on the cauldron, or on the floor next to it?
perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
The handprint is on the cauldron. And I forgot something--let me know if this changes anyone's actions.
When Seamus leans over the cauldron, even though it's dust-covered and clearly hasn't been used in years, he catches a faint whiff of cooked rotten meat.
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
With that weak perception score, I doubt Haftor notices anything under the cauldron. At this point, he is at a dead end and is ready to move on, unless anyone has any other suggestions.
Ready to check the double doors on the west wall.
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Something will happen before that, depending on how Seamus reacts to the smell.
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Trianne Ashton |
![Ulfen Guard](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9268-Ulfen.jpg)
"... it’s haunting the entire fort with a nauseating combination of gluttony and guilt..." Trianne recounts something the oracle said to them.
"Careful, Seamus!" Trianne hisses. "There's no magic at work here, but Blix' spirit permeates everything ."
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Jarrek Everstand |
![Tsadok Goldtooth](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9057-Goldtooth_90.jpeg)
Jarrek squats to look under the pot when Haftor does.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Ha, probably not.
He looks at the others. "Blix said her great-grandfather said the castellan was an evil guy, right? And he wouldn't talk about what happened during the siege. And here we have a magic cooking pot that still smells bad after decades?" The big half-orc shakes his head.
I feel like cannibalism is a logical assumption to make here but I want to make sure the DM thinks that's ok?
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Neither Haftor nor Jarrek can pick out anything under the cauldron, so the dwarf goes to tip it up. As soon as he touches it, though, it rolls out of his hands, landing upright. Before everyone's eyes it fills with a thick, steaming stew containing recognizable chunks of humanoid flesh (ears, fingers, feet, hands, and the like). At the same time, everyone in the room imagines themselves gorging on the cauldron's contents, and are filled with profound remorse.
DC 20 Will save, everyone, or deal damage to yourself with whatever is in hand. Fortunately for those of you with dangerous weapons, you only do 1d8+STR bonus per round.
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Kronug the Merciless |
![Kellid](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9428-Barbarian_90.jpeg)
Will save, 3 allies adjacent: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 4 = 16
I don't think Lastwall Phalanx applies since haunts are not creatures. If it does apply then he passes.
Kronug is overwhelmed with despair and bashes himself in the face with the hilt of Gorum's Thorn.
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
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Trianne Ashton |
![Ulfen Guard](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9268-Ulfen.jpg)
“…no…no…no…nononoNO!”
The declination babbles out of Trianne with increasing horror, each snip punctuated by the rapping of her staff on her forehead and culminating in a whack that sends a rivulet of blood running down between her eyes.
Will save vs. DC20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Haunt damage: 1d8 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
"By the All-Father! What is this foul corruption?"
knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 what kind of effect is this? Is it over, or will it continue? How do we make it stop?
Can anyone Aid?
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Pending a bright idea from Jarrek, I'm going to go on to the next round.
In his confusion and remorse, Haftor is unable to remember anything that might cause this effect.
Everyone, another DC 20 Will save to break out of the effect. Failure means you do another d8+STR to yourself.
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Trianne Ashton |
![Ulfen Guard](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9268-Ulfen.jpg)
As Trianne's blood reaches her lips, her tongue slips out reflexively to clean them. The coppery tang of her own essence reminds of her heart's purpose and steels her resolve against this spectral assault.
"No!" she says, her voice laced with defiance. "Fight it!"
Will vs. DC 20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
will save v DC20 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Haftor continues to hammer himself in the face.
hammer to face 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Round 2:
Trianne manages to fight off the unwholesome vision, but is staggered for the round. Seamus and Haftor are still consumed by the terrible images.
There's no Aid Another action possible, nor can those still affected act in any way other than to damage themselves. Jarrek and Kronug have yet to act. Unfortunately Trianne lacks the skill necessary to identify the effect.
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Kronug the Merciless |
![Kellid](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9428-Barbarian_90.jpeg)
Will Save, Shake it Off w/3 allies: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Kronug continues to fall victim to the effect.
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Jarrek Everstand |
![Tsadok Goldtooth](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9057-Goldtooth_90.jpeg)
Will save, DC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Dmg to self: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Kn:Religion check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 +1 if Haunts count as creatures
Will save rd 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Jarrek starts retching at the mental images of eating humanoid flesh and body parts. "Get out, get out, get out!" Whether he's talking to the others or to the ideas in his head is hard to tell.
So it's damage if you don't save and stagger once you do? So we can't retreat out of the room?
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Trianne Ashton |
![Ulfen Guard](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9268-Ulfen.jpg)
Trianne vacillates between lashing out and seeking cover until she hears Jarrek’s shouts of warning. Turning on her heel, she darts for freedom and fresh air, holding her breath. Bursting into the stairwell, she flings herself into a shadowy corner and sucks in a new gurgling breath, waiting to see if the horror still follows her.
“A staggered creature may take a single move action or standard action each round...” Move SW, Sx6.
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
As Trianne pointed out, you can take a single action when staggered. Jarrek thus has an action coming on Round 2.
Trianne is able to catch her breath after the visions leave her.
After one round, she's no longer staggered.
Round 3:
Haftor-
Jarrek-saved; can act normally
Kronug-
Seamus-
Trianne-saved; can act normally
Haftor, Kronug, and Seamus--DC 20 Will saves or do yourselves injury.
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Kronug the Merciless |
![Kellid](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9428-Barbarian_90.jpeg)
Will DC 20, 3 allies adjacent: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 4 = 21
Thanks to the presence of his comrades, Kronug is able to resist the effect.
With his standard action, he will attempt to help Haftor.
There is text noting that Aid Another can help with saves, but not much specifically on how the mechanics work. A DC 10 Will save of my own to give him a +2, maybe? Or a skill check of some kind? I would imagine it varies by circumstance.
"It's all in your head! You are stronger than this evil, dwarf!"
Will to Aid Another if allowed: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 4 = 17
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
Haftor grunts and shakes his head, trying to clear it, and focus his thoughts. "Thank you for your assistance, Kronug."
He then asks Torag for guidance. "Oh Father of Creation, we need your wisdom. How do we defeat the lingering corruption from the foul deeds done in this cursed place?"
knowledge (religion), this time for real 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 what kind of effect is this, and how do we make it stop?
Haftor knows stuff.
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Haftor, this is a haunt, a phenomenon caused by negative energy coalescing around and given form by the emotional echoes of particularly vile evil acts. The immediate manifestation can be dispelled by a sufficiently strong application of positive energy. More research is needed to determine how to end the haunt permanently, though.
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
You can channel. This isn't Second Edition--using a knowledge skill isn't an action.
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
Haftor raises his hammer high and calls out to the All-Father. "Mighty Torag, scour away the foul corruption that lingers here!" A pulse of white light blasts out in all directions.
channel positive energy 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Round 3 (ongoing):
Haftor-saved this round; acted
Jarrek-saved; can act normally
Kronug-saved this round; acted
Seamus-failed save
Trianne-saved; can act normally
Divine power streams through the chamber, and the cooking pot is haloed by a tracery of fire. Despite that, the nauseating pall still fills the room.
Jarrek & Trianne to go!
And this was my 43,000th post to the boards! Almost a third of them are from this alias...I do a lot of GMing here, I guess.
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Trianne Ashton |
![Ulfen Guard](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9268-Ulfen.jpg)
Trianne spins back toward the horror as Haftor floods the room with light.
"Haftor! What are y--" she starts, but the cogs click into place. If only she...wait, she does!
She slips carefully into the room, hugging the wall and risking a quick peek around the soft corner, catching sight of the fading flames. She ducks around and sends a beam of light toward the cauldron, adding her own focus of positivity to his efforts.
Move Nx4-5 to reach 35' range to cauldron. Cast Disrupt Undead.
RTA vs. AC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Grats on the post count milestone! That's crazy amazing!
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Trianne's ray strikes the cauldron. In something of an anticlimax,it rolls back over on its side into its original position.
Out of combat!
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
Is there some kind of theological reason to try to find out how to dispel this haunt? If it were a ghost, we might want to lay its soul to rest, for example. Is this a similar situation, or just a quirk of negative vibes that we can walk away from with a clear conscience?
Also, I am at 540 posts, and I have been on these boards since the very beginning. 43,000 boggles my mind.
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Haftor is aware that haunts can sometimes be permanently dispelled by finding out the specifics of the evil acts that gave them form and somehow resolving these acts.
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DM Carbide |
![Sargava Vignette](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/Sargava-Puff.jpg)
Drat, you figured it out.
Where to now?
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The Stone Fist |
![Harsk](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/A02_Shark_Bridge2.jpg)
His fists planted on his hips, Haftor considers the cauldron for a long moment, as if it might somehow divulge its secrets. Eventually, he hikes up his belt with a huff, then suggests, How about those double doors to the SW?"
Before anyone can answer, he channels positive energy from Torag.
Fervor (x2) to channel 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
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Jarrek Everstand |
![Tsadok Goldtooth](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/PZO9057-Goldtooth_90.jpeg)
Jarrek nods at Haftor and Trianne. "Even ghosts can't match you two!" He laughs, though the big half-orc seems uneasy after the unsettling encounter.