The Mariner brings up the artillery behind Fearless, intentionally making noise.
Cats hustles to keep up after leaving the evil prisoners behind. He keeps quiet as he moves.
Stealth
No traps on the stairs are discovered and Fearless slips up the stairs. He’s quiet, and so is Cats, but the Mariner didn’t get the memo and is clomping along like a small horse in boots.
Torture devices fill the large chamber above, from racks and iron maidens to spiked chairs and vises. Most of the implements are stained with fresh blood, and a coppery tang fills the air. A wide staircase in the northeast corner leads down. Double doors stand in an alcove near the staircase, as well as in the south and west walls. The western wall of the room is dominated by a large apparatus with conical brass horns, fluted pipes piercing the ceiling, and oily tubes snaking from the apparatus to each of the torture devices. An odd, low wailing emanates from the machine like a faraway scream. Working on the machine is a dark- skinned human woman with short reddish hair.
Though he is quiet as a mouse, the woman turns and looks his way with dark eyes.
”Well now. What do we have here?”
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The woman looks past Fearless as Brother Butterfly ascends the stairs behind him. "The cut of my hair is an afterthought." She guffaws and gestures his direction with a long wrench she holds in her slender hands. "And you are one to talk, round man. I assume you must be an asylum patient on the run to have dreamed up those overgrown greasy eyebrows on your upper lip."
"I assume you must be an asylum patient on the run to have dreamed up those overgrown greasy eyebrows on your upper lip."
Cats does *NOT* snicker at the rejoinder. REPEAT: Cats noticeably does NOT snicker in any way at the reply.
He just looks at his feet, but does not audibly snicker or make a face or, in any way, enjoy that reply.
Nope.
Not at all.
No pleasure in it. None.
"I like her." Fearless smiles at Brother Butterfly. "Bet you aren't bedding this one." Fearless shoves BB forward to begin talking for them.
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Jasper raises his shaved eyebrows. That's an aspect of BB that always catch people as odd. People see the face, and know something is different. They rarely actually guess that it's his shaved eyebrows. For in normal social situations, eyebrows are never really noticed- they always blend so much into people's mental background. So when someone sees him- and his shaved eyebrows - they know his face is striking, but they can't always pin exactly why.
Well, *this* is a finely trained handlebar mustache.
and BB absently moves his right hand to one side of his face and starts twisting the end.
It perfectly frames this wonderful smile that I possess.
And BB shows off his perfect pearly whites. Also raising his left hand (and lowering the right) to "Vana White" his fat round face.
See? They compliment each other so perfectly. Now, my comment to you was rude-- albeit true -- so I do not fault you for such a retort.
He then sighs and continues.
Alas, we are in a time crunch. It appears that you are torturing people to death and The Watchmen can't really allow that kind of thing to continue.So, we are here to stop you and some moonbeast that's also in one of these rooms.
Cats moves into the room, bow at the ready.
"What are you doing with the torturing? Why you catting that?" Cats asks. "What's that machine do?"
”How interesting.” The woman says, looking from Brother Butterfly to Cats, then across the rest of the Watchmen. ”Is he always so verbose? I prefer to use instruments for my work, but I imagine listening to this soft man prattle on could be quite effective in the trade as well.”
When her eyes return to Brother Butterfly they have turned a black so deep that light almost seems absorbed by them. She smiles and the edges of her mouth split almost to her ears. As she speaks, her form continues to change, growing tall and sprouting black wings. A moment later a dragon crouches in the room before you, a red mane of hair racing down its neck and wisps of darkness drifting from its scales.
”Perhaps I will keep you alive for research, but that will depend upon the tone of your screams.”
INITIATIVE
INITIATIVE
Cats (59/59)
Dragon!!
The Mariner (121/121)
Brother Butterfly (70/70)
Fearless (53/53)
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”Perhaps I will keep you alive for research, but that will depend upon the tone of your screams.”
"Oh, you want quality screams? Have you catted your own?" Cats replies, quick on the draw.
Round 1
"My Catrenrae's Light, let me cat this right." Acting quickly, Cats fires at the dragon after calling upon Catrenrae for aid.
to hit; (PBS,smite)
+ damage.
to hit; (PBS)
+ damage.
to hit; (PBS)
+ damage.
to hit; (PBS)
more damage.
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+14+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10+4+4[/dice] damage.
AC: 22
HP: 59/59
LoH: 0/4 used (2d6)
0/1 used Hero's Defiance
[ dice]1d20+11+1 damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
Catrenrae’s Gift: 0/2 used.
Mini Smite: 0/1 used: Once per day as a swift action, you can add your Charisma bonus to your attack rolls and deal 1 additional point of damage for each class level you have against evil creatures for 1 round. You must have a good alignment to take this trait.
+7 Bab +6 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid= +11/+11 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
The dragon flinches as two of Cats’ divine arrows pierce its scales. It’s dark eyes narrow for a split second before it charges forward, knocking torture racks aside. As it bears down on Cats it splits into a half-dozen shadowy mirrored images.
INITIATIVE
The Mariner (121/121)
Brother Butterfly (70/70)
Fearless (53/53)
Cats (59/59)
Dragon!! -49
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"AAAAAaarrghhHHHHHH! A moonbeast!" Fearless screams at the top of his lungs. This seems to drive everyone into overdrive.
HP 53/53
AC 21 (25 w/ Mental Barrier)
Spells: 1st 5/5 | 2nd 4/4 | 3rd 1/2
Inspiration 7/7
Tactician 1/1 (Rounds 3/3)
Challenge 1/1
Phrenic Pool 3/3
Wand of Magic Missile (3rd) 14 charges remaining
Wand of Unnatural Lust (49/50)
Ring of Tactical Precision (Cats)
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Brother looks to identify the beastie.
DC 20
ID Dragon?
He also calls upon Desna to help them against this terrible creature.
Great Goddess of the Dreamlands. Give these Watchmen blessings that invigorate, defend, and make these men the best that the moment can muster. Gibson, Ruth, Ortiz, Schilling, Maddux.
Cast Blessing of Fervor
Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Make one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.
These effects are not cumulative with similar effects, such as those provided by haste or a speed weapon, nor do they actually grant an extra action, so you can’t use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round. Blessing of fervor does not stack with haste.
Mythic
Cats looks annoyed to see so many mirrored foes in front of him.
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-perfect
The unfurling sound of flapping wings sends the Mariner’s blood into a fearful rage. Urged by Cat’s holy meow and spurred by Brother’s prayer, he drops the polearm and yanks out the broadsword in a swift motion – flying towards she-drake. Gripping the hilt like a phallus, he slams full force into the scales.
His right arm suddenly burns with pleasured pain, a speck of blood strains underneath the sleeve where the name Dunsel is etched.
Round 2
Seeing Mariner charge in (and probably take the AoO), Cats 5’ steps back and offers a hasted round of smiteful arrows at the dragon.
to hit; (PBS,+haste, +BoF)
to hit; (PBS)
to hit; (PBS)
damage.
to hit; (PBS)
to hit; (PBS)
more damage
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+14+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10+4+4[/dice] damage.
AC: 22
HP: 59/59
LoH: 0/4 used (2d6)
0/1 used Hero's Defiance
[ dice]1d20+11+1 damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
Catrenrae’s Gift: 0/2 used.
Mini Smite: 0/1 used: Once per day as a swift action, you can add your Charisma bonus to your attack rolls and deal 1 additional point of damage for each class level you have against evil creatures for 1 round. You must have a good alignment to take this trait.
+7 Bab +6 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid= +11/+11 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
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Seeing arrows fly and Mariner's sword swing --Brother looks on as Dragon images "pop" out of existence. He strains his vision to see if any of the arrows or sword strokes actually hit the deceptive dragon with the worst hair stylist in all Golorian and the Dreamlands!
Brother wishes there was some central posting, like Yelp the town square where he could post a dreadful review and warn the upper crust citizens away from such beauticians.
Mariner, stop bothering to cut her around the head. Her stylist already butchered her there. Aim for the body!!
*-1 Image
*True Hit
*-1 Image (no images remaining)
With the fury of a dozen scurvy-addled pirates the Mariner charges in! The presence of the dragon shakes his courage slightly, but not enough to prevent his broadsword slashing at it's throat. His aim is true, but the image he attacks is false, and it vanishes in a wisp illusion.
As he stares at the empty space the true dragon's teeth find his shoulder, tearing through armor and ripping into his flesh.
Cats steps back and looses a barrage of arrows, dispersing the rest of the dragon's images and piercing it's hide with one.
Brother Butterfly and Fearless cast spells to bolster and speed the Watchmen.
"Your aim is good archer." The dragon hisses. "I'll chew your fingers off slowly."
*DISARM successful
*TRIP failed
The dragon's wings snap out, swirling about it, one knocking Cats' bow from his hand, the second sweeping low at the Mariner's feet, but failing to take them out from beneath him.
*big miss
Teeth and Claws tear at Cats while its tail slams down beside the Mariner.
INITIATIVE (adjusted to take into account waiting for buff spells and Mariner's attack)
Brother Butterfly (70/70)
Fearless (53/53)
The Mariner (85*rage103/121*rage139)
Cats (59/59)
Dragon!! -61
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Bring out your broadsword!
There's the hydra!!
Slice his nuts!!!
The Mariner brings the fight in close and personal, ducking and working through the dragon's defenses.
As the bow flies from Kast's hands, the claws rakes his flesh. He sinks to his knees and falls, dying in this nightmare.
Cats does not move.
Fearless sends a series of magic missiles into the dragon. "Help Cats Shapeshifter!"
HP 53/53
AC 21 (25 w/ Mental Barrier)
Spells: 1st 4/5 | 2nd 4/4 | 3rd 1/2
Inspiration 7/7
Tactician 1/1 (Rounds 3/3)
Challenge 1/1
Phrenic Pool 2/3
Wand of Magic Missile (3rd) 14 charges remaining
Wand of Unnatural Lust (49/50)
Ring of Tactical Precision (Cats)
Round 3
Cats stumbles from the attacks, almost going down, but not quite (yet). His god, Catrenrae, bolsters him for at least one more round.
LoH
He drops his bow to draw his curveblade for a final strike before he is downed. He pauses briefly to allow Mariner to offer flank
to hit; (haste, flank, smite, BoF)
damage.
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+14+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+10+4+4[/dice] damage.
AC: 22
HP: 59/59 - 19 -25 + 4 = 20/59
LoH: 1/4 used (2d6)
0/1 used Hero's Defiance
[ dice]1d20+11+1 damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit; (no PBS)
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] damage.
Catrenrae’s Gift: 0/2 used.
Mini Smite: 0/1 used: Once per day as a swift action, you can add your Charisma bonus to your attack rolls and deal 1 additional point of damage for each class level you have against evil creatures for 1 round. You must have a good alignment to take this trait.
+7 Bab +6 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid= +11/+11 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
The Mariner swings recklessly and only barely cuts into the dragon's scales once. Cats draws his blade and engages in melee, managing to injure the creature as well with the aid of his faith.
Brother Butterfly heals his warriors and tosses more insults at the dragon.
Fearless hurls psychic missiles at the creature, each smacking into it and battering the monster.
*TRIP successful
*TRIP failed
The dragon spins and extends its wings again, sweeping them both low. Cats crashes to the floor, but the Mariner sets his feet against the storm and remains standing.
The dragon grabs Cats with both claws and rends him badly, leaving his unconscious body bleeding on the ground.
Mariner suffers a terrible bite followed by a tail that slams into his chest, but magic and grizzled toughness keep him in the fight. Across the room Brother Butterfly feels the wind knocked out of him as he takes part of the assault.
INITIATIVE
Brother Butterfly (42/70)
Fearless (53/53)
The Mariner (103 - *rage 111/139)
Cats (-1/59)
Dragon!! -101
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Needing to keep his bruiser alive -along with Cats- Jasper sends out another round of healing, but he also looks to make himself a bit of a target.
Alright F-ugly, you've made it so we should square off. Come on. You know you want to wipe this smug smile off my face. Come on. Give me a claw to the kisser.
BB steps closer -within attack range, and holds up his shield and magical War Razor.
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The Mariner trades blows with the moonbeast, which looked a hell of a lot like a dragon to him. Pondering for a flash that he thought the moon was made of cheese. The Mariner goes nuts cutting the cheese.
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Cats' jaw drops. Maybe it was what Catiner just did, maybe it was the extreme blood loss and his internal organs getting sunlight, we'll never know.
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Cats briefly looses consciousness, and when he wakes he finds himself laying in a pool of blood... so much blood.. spurting all over.. its strange though because there is no way a humanoid body can hold that much of it. I mean, it's on the ceiling, and the walls, and the Mariner's face, and he must be dreaming within the dream, because even Brother Butterfly is standing nearby also drenched in blood and gore.
He then notices the corpse of the bad-dream dragon sprawled nearby and realizes that its hacked remains are the source of the blood bath.
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Seeing the blood bath, Brother can only gap. And try to clean the g@@+ off of him. He IS grossed out by the carnage that flung far and wide.
I had at least one or two more insults to throw. I *know* I was under her skin. Yesh! Mariner, you cleaved her skin. Well done my exemplary Watchman!
He leans over to give them all some more healing.
\Plus an extra bit to Cats, who probably needs it.
Cats is both slow and quick to get up. Once he gathers his wits (from Brother’s channelings), he kips himself up without provoking an AoO (per BoF) so Catterfly doesn’t get a free wand heal on him.
”Wow, that Catgon almost had me,” Kast says, taking a few breaths to collect himself. ”Thanks for helping me out Catiner, Catterfly.” He is genuinely happy to have the help and poof back to the real world with whatever nightmare scars might come.
”That’s plenty, Brother. Was this the moon beast? Or something else?”
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Fearless holds his hands out. "Oh, that's alright, I didn't totally just save your life with my mind missiles or anything."
He tiptoes through the blood. "I kind of thought there was more here than just the moonbeast." He looks in the cells. "So, I guess we are done then?"
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The Mariner thrashes at dragon flesh until it gave no more resistance. Exhausted, he buries the last blow and looks down at the remains of the beast.
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No, I think there's more to this place. Let me check.
And Brother goes to the door (P15 on the map) and uses Doorsight to look beyond.
Placing his palm flat against it, he does his best to PUSH his vision to see beyond. Due to the angle, he's not able to see everything in the odd shaped room. But, some things get in focus and he notices things.
Cats will also look for the dragon’s horde. ”There has to be some cat around here someplace.”
”Oh hey, you killed Orsephellius.” The ghoul called Greywick says from the stairs. Apparently he followed the Watchmen out of curiosity or something. ”Yay.”
As Brother Butterfly stares at doors Cats searches the room for a horde, but only finds a few valuables worth 750 gp and a pair of spectacles of understanding.
Brother Butterfly looks in on a room that contains an enormous mechanism of gears and pulleys descending into the floor. A large metal lever protrudes from the device.
”That’s the control room for the shifting walls below.” Greywick yawns, then points with an limp fingerclaw at the other doors to the south. ”That’s solitary. If he isn’t dead, your King is probably in there.”
Looking through these doors Brother Butterfly can only see an empty hallway, but when the Watchmen enter and look around the corner they find eight barred, windowless metal doors standing in a grim hall.
From one of the cells a man is humming some kind of quick-tempo jig.
”Dada-diddle-dada-diddle-dada-diddle,
Diddle-deedee-diddle-deedee,
Nn-dada nn-dada nn-dada nn-dada
Nn-dada nn-dada nn-dada nn-dada
Deedee deedee deedee deedee deedee
Doodledeedee doodledeedee doodledeedee
Doodledeedee doodledeedee doodledeedee
Dooooooooooooooo!”
Making your down the hall you come to a cell containing the singing man who calls himself the King in Yellow, but is in truth a fragment of dream-memory of Count Haserton Lowls.
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Spectacles of Understanding? Sheessh. I don't think they work, or maybe they do something else magically - because Orsephellius didn't understand two important things. She should have changed her name when she became an adult, and she'd never make friends with such a laughable name and haircut.
**********
So, King in Yellow! We finally get to meet.
Fearless grabs the spectacles. "You need half a mind to get them to work. Have to use your brain up here." He points to his head. "Rather than your other brain." He points to his second head.
Getting to the cell Fearless recognizes the man and it catches his breath. "Lowls? Is that you?"
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Rather than your other brain."
To which Brother replies.
I don't "throw shade" on your special skills Fearless. It's not wise to underestimate the powers and abilities of others. My "other brain" has performed admirably.He then pauses for drama. trying to get Fearless to blush to react.
I think you've been a spectator, or at least *bought a ticket to the event* to my special gifts in action...... Thrushmoor.... need I say more?
If he gets the reaction he wants, Brother looks upon Lowls/King and sees if he can start charming the man or check to see if he's insane.
Not certain diplomacy or heal check.
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Fearless does indeed blush. "More like Thrustmoor."
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Would have been great if he was singing this.
The Mariner flinches when he sees Lowls. Searing memories of the puppetmaster and the terrible things the Mariner had done as his chief brute slices through spine, but fended off before they can be seen in the brain. Not knowing or caring if this is the actual man, "Let's hack him to pieces.", grabbing a handful of axe and yanks him off his seat.
”I thought we were supposed to kill the MoonCat?” Cats asks, confused. ”Where is the other MoonCat?” He follows along, and listens to the responses to his questions, or that of the King in Yellow.