Drosil closes the door securely, then prods and checks the door Dantrian indicated for traps.
A stuffed bulette faces the door to this room. Cabinets along the walls contain a partially dissected bugbear, a partially transformed doppelganger, and a complete goblin dog, all preserved in alchemical fluids.
The skeleton of a sea cow dominates this room, hung from the ceiling on a set of iron rungs and held together by a steel frames. Numerous jars sit on shelves within the room, containing alchemically preserved octopuses, tubeworms, the head of a skum, a curiously repellent eel-like creature with fangs, and a strange, mermaidlike creature with the upper body of a monkey and the tail of
a fish.
A spiral staircase leads up to the second floor, hidden behind a secret door which Drosil easily spots.
"A Ningyo. Dead by the looks of it. It's a sort of mer-menace whose corpse turns undead at night. A scary thing to imagine." Janos shakes his head. "I wonder what the Count was trying to do with all this."
"Shall we see what's upstairs?"
Gruesome. Anton says simply, stepping close and gazing through the jar at the mer-creature. Is this stuff... valuable? Maybe he trades in it.
"I don't know about you all, but this place..." Drosil shakes his head, unable to put his feelings of unease into words.
As the group is contemplating going down the spiral stairs, they hear a crashing noise from the chamber behind them. A massive...something has just burst through the doors leading to the platform and wooden bridge. It resembles Aaron, but as if he were unfinished. It is a flesh golem without a face, or an outer layer of skin and hides. The glistening muscle-bound construction is surrounded by a cloud of flitting homonculi who fly above and behind it, attached to it with chains. The golem roars and makes to charge Dantrian.
Anton:
Drosil:
B'Yelka:
Dantrian:
Tibideau:
Janos:
Golem:
Party more than 1
Golem 1
"What is that thing!?" B'yelka is suddenly grateful that she is a far from the monster as she can be. It's undone! The Diva pulls herself proverbial self up by the metaphorical boot straps and begin to sing,
Μέχρι να πεθάνω, μέχρι που πρέπει να σπάσει,
δεν είναι θεός, δεν είναι διάβολος ψυχή μου λαμβάνει.
Αν θα πρέπει να βρίσκονται σε προδώσει τον εαυτό μου,
τότε θα ήθελα να τον εαυτό μου γαμώτο, και η ψυχή μου εγκαταλείψω.
Δεν θέλω δεκαπέντε λεπτά θέλουν ένα σωρό άλλα,
δεν θέλουν να υποστούν τους ανόητους και τα λάφυρα του πολέμου.
Δεν θέλω δεκαπέντε λεπτά, ή ένα λόγο.
Θέλω ένα ανοξείδωτο χάλυβα δρόμο που εκτείνεται μακριά στον ουρανό.
Δεν χρειάζεται συναίσθημα, θέλουν, ή το μίσος στο μυαλό μου
Δεν εγκλήματα πάθους ή εμμονές σε είδος.
Δεν τοίχους, περιορισμούς ή στιγμιαία συγκίνηση,
Όχι αίμα στα χέρια μου, δεν υπάρχει χρόνος να σκοτώσει
not a god, not a devil my soul shall take.
If I should lie to betray myself,
then I would damn myself, and my soul forsake.
I don't want fifteen minutes want a whole lot more,
don't want to suffer the fools and the spoils of war.
I don't want fifteen minutes, or a reason why.
I want a stainless steel road stretching off to the sky.
I don't need sentiment, want, or hate on my mind
No crimes of passion or obsessions in kind.
No walls, restraints, or momentary thrill,
No blood on my hands, No time to kill
"What the hell is that?!" Janos shakes his head. "Right, nevermind. It's trying to kill us, we kill it first." He sprints forward to engage the golem, cutting a wide arc with his sword to catch one of the smaller beings too.
"Why is it chained to these?!"
Dantrian's eyes narrow as the fleshy mass toters into view. He drinks another extract then bounds through the adjoing room to the far side of the golem. As he moves into position, he quickly explains, "It is a flesh golem. Magic will utterly fail against it while electricity will bolster it."
He draws his heavy mace as he moves around the creature, trusting he'll have an easier time breaking through its tough hide with the magically enhanced weapon than he would with his claws.
HP: 52/52 +6 temp // 5 non-lethal
AC: 26 [15 T/ 25 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +4 shield, +5 natural)
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +6/+6/+4
Spontaneous Healing used: 0/35hp
Hero Points used: 3/7
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X], open [ ] [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], levitate [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [ ] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
shield: 1/10 rounds; 1/7 minutes used
mutagen: 40/70 minutes used
barkskin: 40/70 minutes used
ablative barrier: 5/35 damage converted, 7 hours
inspire courage: +2/+2
And what about arrows, Dantrian? Has this thing got a weak spot?
Anton cannot but think of Aaron when he looks at this hulking creature. Though some sort of misshapen, malformed version of their friend.
As Dantrian and Janos engage the golem, Anton takes the opportunity to dash past and into the next room, affording himself a better shot.
Tibideau does his best to hold back some vomit as the unfinished flesh golem comes into view. "Muscles go on the INSIDE!"
The poor witch can't seem to remember anything about golems in such a state of disgust, but he heeds Dantrian's advice. "Oh, Dan, what would we do without you!" he asks, and decides to help Dantrian out with a hex. He hums a silly drinking song about an extremely lucky halfling and a delightful aura settles around Dantrian.
HP 44/44
AC 18 but probably bad because of being paralyzed
Ongoing Effects:
Mage Armor, about 6.5 hours remaining
Level 0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Guidance, Message
Level 1: Enlarge Person x2, Infernal Healing x2, Cure Light Wounds
Level 2: Glitterdust, Lipstitch
Level 3: Dispel Magic, Summon Monster III x2
Level 4: Dimension Door, Summon Monster IV
Drosil moves into the room as well, thrusting with his mithral dagger.
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"What is that thing!?" B'yelka is suddenly grateful that she is a far from the monster as she can be. It's undone! The Diva pulls herself proverbial self up by the metaphorical boot straps and begin to sing, "Μέχρι να πεθάνω, μέχρι που πρέπει να σπάσει..."
"What the hell is that?!" Janos shakes his head. "Right, nevermind. It's trying to kill us, we kill it first." He sprints forward to engage the golem, cutting a wide arc with his sword to catch one of the smaller beings too. ""Why is it chained to these?!" As the homonculus is chopped in half by Janos, the golem reels in pain, grabbing its head.
Dantrian's eyes narrow as the fleshy mass toters into view. He drinks another extract then bounds through the adjoing room to the far side of the golem. As he moves into position, he quickly explains, "It is a flesh golem. Magic will utterly fail against it while electricity will bolster it."
He draws his heavy mace as he moves around the creature, trusting he'll have an easier time breaking through its tough hide with the magically enhanced weapon than he would with his claws.
"And what about arrows, Dantrian? Has this thing got a weak spot?" Anton cannot but think of Aaron when he looks at this hulking creature. Though some sort of misshapen, malformed version of their friend.
As Dantrian and Janos engage the golem, Anton takes the opportunity to dash past and into the next room, affording himself a better shot.
Tibideau does his best to hold back some vomit as the unfinished flesh golem comes into view. "Muscles go on the INSIDE!" The poor witch can't seem to remember anything about golems in such a state of disgust, but he heeds Dantrian's advice. "Oh, Dan, what would we do without you!?" he asks, and decides to help Dantrian out with a hex. He hums a silly drinking song about an extremely lucky halfling and a delightful aura settles around Dantrian.
Drosil moonwalks into the room as well, thrusting with his mithral dagger. Millions of fan girls swoon. The dagger pierces the construct's heart, doing considerable damage.
The golem is now surrounded by foes, and angry. It lashes out at Janos with its huge, bloody fists. The ranger feels bones snap as the blows slam him into the wall.
================================
__________________________________________
Janos gasps as the bone crushing hit knocks the wind out of him and slams his arms against stone wall. Breathing hurts and he's sure the golem has broken one of his ribs. He growls, knowing the fight is going to be brutal and the faster it ends, the better he will be. "Kill it now! It'll tear us apart! The killing the small things hurt it too!"
The ranger lashes out again aiming solely at the golem.
"Unless your arrows are tipped with adamantine heads, Anton, they will be blunted as well. The homunculi seem to be its weak points though, if you care to target them."
Trying to draw the creature's ire from Janos, Dantrian brings his mace to bear with a heavy swing against the golem itself, following the strike with a snap of his jaws.
HP: 52/52 +6 temp // 5 non-lethal
AC: 26 [15 T/ 25 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +4 shield, +5 natural)
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +6/+6/+4
Spontaneous Healing used: 0/35hp
Hero Points used: 3/7
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X], open [ ] [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], levitate [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [ ] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
shield: 1/10 rounds; 1/7 minutes used
mutagen: 40/70 minutes used
barkskin: 40/70 minutes used
ablative barrier: 5/35 damage converted, 7 hours
inspire courage: +2/+2
flanking: +2/+sneak attack
power attack: -2/+6
B'yelka flinches as the golem's huge bloody fist pummel Janos. Rather than lament her friend's suffering she moves up to help prevent further pain. She sing-songs a ditty and reaches out touching Janos on the shoulder. Janos' form blurs in and out of reality making him harder to hit.
Anton once again takes aim and looses a series of quick shots at the massive creature.
and
Drosil winces when he hears Janos' bones break, remembering the feeling himself. Realizing that this needs to be finished quickly, he draws his other dagger and stabs again.
Moonwalks? *chuckle*
Two chops of Janos's sword, two arrows from Anton and another dagger wound to a vital organ bring the Golem down before it even has a chance to react again. The homonculi that were serving as its eyes are easy to destroy. They flutter madly about, trying in vain to escape.
Janos puts a hand to his side gingerly. Pain shoots though his body, and he stifles a groan. "Yeah, I think those are broken." He takes a ragged breath and looks at the body of the golem and the homonculus. "Well, better them than me. Who's got that wand of healing?"
This place is a menagerie of the bizarre... Anton mutters as he moves to recover some of his arrows. Where did it come from, that passage?
Janos, catch your breath whilst Tibideau sees to you.
The paladin then begins pacing somewhat, clearly frustrated.
Why these things are all here is anyone's guess but clearly someone must have let them out. The mummy, mimic and now this. There is surely no way they have free reign of this house. So on that basis are we just risking our own safety by going room to room in this place? But then how else are we going to find Aaron?
B'yelka touches one of the spots Janos notes and whistles a tune.
At least dear Anton, if we work our way, room by room there is no way these things can be let loose into the world, much less the house. So, there is some value in that." A wry smile is all the other explanation she offers. He's right, though. Did someone know we were coming?
Aye, well there is that m'lady. Anton agrees. I'd just feel a lot happier if we had some way of knowing if the Count and Aaron were still alive, at least then we might have a better idea of what we're dealing with here.
The Diva grins at Anton, "Of all of my friends, I would expect you to believe we will find Aaron and his father alive and well. Why else would She have placed them on our path?" She places her hand on Anton's arm and gives him a charming laugh.
You're right of course. he says with a laugh. She wouldn't have had us defend such a noble creature without having some purpose for it. It's just this place.... it doesn't feel like a home, more like the Crooked Kin's menagerie!
He turns to Janos and Drosil;
I know we're having a hard time guys, but if we stick together we'll get through it and we'll find out what's really going on here.
Dantrian remains silent as Anton and B'yelka discuss the strangeness of Caromarc, simply watching the pair as Tibideau tends to Janos. Not having anything to offer by way of answers, he steals a quick minute to brew another extract.
AC: 26 [15 T/ 25 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +4 shield, +5 natural)
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +6/+6/+4
Spontaneous Healing used: 0/35hp
Hero Points used: 3/7
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X] [ ], open [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], levitate [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [ ] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
mutagen: 40/70 minutes used
barkskin: 40/70 minutes used
ablative barrier: 5/35 damage converted, 7 hours
Drosil nods solemnly, clearly distracted. I should be worried about Janos, but I can't get over the feeling that I'm glad it wasn't me that thing went after...
A spiral iron stair literally hangs above the valley beneath the museum, connecting to a small stone terrace and a wooden door. Although the view is dizzying, the stair and terrace are stable and safe. The door is open.
Inside is a plain stone room. Three large crates sit in the room, now empty. Their tops lie next to them. Three large, sealed, opaque black glass jars sit inside the room along with the crates.
Dantrian enters the room, taking care not to disturb the sealed jars as he looks around. "Strange."
The crates don't have any straw in them, the jars are separate. They are big wooden crates, with the odor of various critters on them, some scratch marks, etc.
This is definitely the kind of thing Mr Almaeus would be interested in. But, where is Aaron?
"A shipment of some sort, though how these crates were brought to this room for ostensible storage is quite beyond me. While I'm rather curious what might be within these sealed vessels, I believe finding the count or the Beast are more pressing matters and should hold our attention."
B'yelka nods, but says "Let me do this first." She casts a Detect Magic and studies the jars for a moment.
As the others enter the small room, Anton keeps watch on the ledge. It is a job he performs dismally however, his entire attention captured by the dizzying, terrifyingly wondrous view.
Drosil, I used to dream about seeing places like this back in the orphanage. But I never thought I'd get to experience them first hand.
Janos straightens somewhat and breathes a bit easier after B'yelka's spell. "Yeah, that's better." He coughs as he takes a bit too deep of a breath. "It might do."
As the others inspect the crate, Janos says, "Dantrian's right. We need to find Aaron. Besides, who knows what's in these things? Pickled worms or cut off hands, or something."
Tibideau sniffs around the room with Dantrian, picking up on a few nasty odors. "Eugh! Smells like mimic!" he exclaims.
B'yelka laughs, "And how do you know what a Mimic smells like, my Beautiful Boy? Where have you been putting your nose?"
Janos smirks at the thought of Tibi sticking his nose into the mimic, but then frowns. "You think it could be a mimic too? Or maybe it's mimic parts that are in those jars."