DM Rah's Strange Aeons

Game Master Kobash

Cats follows Fearless and Brother Butterfly, bored of the talk at the barricade and wanting some food.

"Catties? Is this where the cookies are?" Cats asks politely, trying not to cause problems. "Did yeah need anything from outside these rooms? We were able to scout out some places. Maybe you needed a little something something?"

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 Diplomacy

A potion of cure moderate wounds and a potion of remove disease.

Brother Butterfly gives the mondo CMW's potion to the damage sponge The Mariner. Telling him,

but I'm afraid she will only last as long as her cookie supplies. She's scared witless by the other apostles.

First Brother Butterfly takes a moment to try and placate some of the Apostles that are just loitering. If he has some opportunity,

Moving towards the two Apostles, Brother Butterfly tries to engage them. Thinking that the apostles will want relaxation
and "having fun" are the keys to success.
Putting on the face of someone that has a job that dissatisfies them. And speaks to the two apostles outlined in orange.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Zandalus sees! The three of us were ordered to give you an extended break. They found a medicine cabinet and told us we needed
to cut you in on the action.
He pulls out a dose of opium (and the way to toke up).
Here's your reward for manning the barricades.
Giving enough of a pause to see if they take the bait.
So, is there anything we need to know about pulling guard duty? How long we supposed to be here 'til someone else takes over?

******

Taking a few minutes to view Ivory's reaction to all this. He approaches her.
We had to step in. A couple of us heard some lude and dangerous talk from Apostles out in the common room.
There are a lot of Wicked Ward guys out there- and I think a few have a nasty fancy for you.

We are here to keep an eye out to give you some safety.
diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
circumstance bonus for knowing her fear buttons?

********

A cauldron over the kitchen’s westernmost fireplace clatters as if some boiling brew were within, yet the fireplace it hangs within is cold. A semicircle of rubble marks a 10 foot area around it.

Contingency diplomacy. If the scenario doesn't work out as well or I can't get the guards out of the room. I try talking

And while Brother Butterfly blabs elegantly distracts, Cats takes time to prowl and scope out the room.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 Perception

If there aren't a lot of people around watching him and if he finds something of interest, it might find its way into his hands and into his pockets...

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Sleight of Cat

Cats -- With these diplomacy checks, you misunderstand BB --- they think he's a
righteous dude

With deft diplomacy, and prescription for medicinal entertainment, Brother Butterfly gains the confidence of the two Apostles on duty in the preparation room, even convincing them to give up their post to their "replacements."

"Go ahead and take an extra cookie from Ivory." The first man says. "It's a perk of guard duty."
The parrot-man clutches his opium and sings gleefully.
"Can't wait... caaaant waaait...
Got my gold like a greedy dwaaarf.
Gonna go get completely poly-morphed!"

As the two are heading out with their rewards, the first man leans in to whisper to Brother Butterfly, gesturing subtly with his thumb at Cats. "Not sure you noticed, but that new guy over there just snatched some sausages. I'll let you take care of him." He gives a dark chuckle and a knowing wink.

***

Once the coast is clear Brother Butterfly approaches Ivory. Having dealt with madmen prone to crazy mood swings, she is hesitant to trust anyone, though it is obvious that she wants to, and she offers two cookies to her new "guards."

When asked about the cauldron in the kitchen, the rosy color drains from her cheeks. Shaking her head sadly, she says, "The head chef, Calabren Runnelstaub, was murdered in his office by Apostles during the riots. I think his spirit seeped forth to haunt the kitchens, taking up residence in that cauldron. He's ruined nearby food and made some folk sick, so we've avoided getting too close. He was a good man, always put food on the table for everyone. Made people happy and comfortable. And they betrayed him." Ivory sighs. "All of Briarstone is cursed."

*BANGANGBANG!*

As if on cue the western door shakes on its hinges as something pounds against it from the other side. Ivory cringes, but seems unsurprised by the sudden event. "All cursed." She mutters. "The living and the dead."

Fearless looks up at brother Butterfly as he talks the two men off. Why would the Shapeshifter help me? After all I have done to him. Could I be wrong. I am rarely wrong....I think I am rarely wrong.

Fearless gleefully grabs a cookie as Ivory warms up to them. He chews and savors the delightful cookie until she begins to speak of spirits seeping and ruined food making people sick. He begins to spit the cookie out all over the floor just as the Doors bang loudly making him leap into the air as he begins to choke on the last remnants of the death cookie.

Dislodging it he gasps for breath as his face turned a rare shade of purple. he points to the door and manages a small sentence in between ragged breaths. "It's for you Shapeshifter."

Deliberately not taking a valued cookie as he knows they need to stretch as far as possible for Ivory to survive longer....

BB takes stock of things.
Alright. This is progress. But there's lots to do.

Cats, see if you can quietly get Pinkie and Mariner to join us. We need one to keep watch on the Kitchen door so we aren't surprised by Apostles.
This "Bang, Bang, banging" sounds like stuff we need The Mariner's help with.

turning to Fearless.
Return the sausages right on the table and in the open.

He whispers to Fearless But let's take something else that might not be easily accounted for. .
In a regular voice.

I will use some shade and ink rub. Make it look like I broke your nose as punishment for the offense. I'll prick my finger and add some dried up blood under your nose-- that will sell it.
Before we stage a broken nose, you are right , this door is for me to handle.
*********
Jasper moves to the door (or an angle to see what's at the door) and places his hands on it.
Retinitis, Strabismus, Macular Edema. Let me see the blight.
Cast doorsight. What monster is banging on the door?

"So...the kitchens are haunted, huh?" Cats walks up while swallowing some sausage, poking the last of the pump meat into his mouth. "Maybe we should deal with that, huh cat?"

Cats wonders why Brother Butterfly wants Fearless to look like he's been beaten up, but is happy to help. He balls up his fist and prepares to bop Fearless in the stomach to 'help' with the illusion.

sorry fellas, rough day

The Mariner gratefully takes the potent vial from Brother and quietly tucks it away, "Yea thanks,..." he half whispers, although more like distracted mumbling as he can't pull attention away from the singing lunatics.

The fanatical ditty is oddly disturbing to the already disturbed sea dog. When Brother convinces the choir to leave, the Mariner follows them to the door. Once excited, he leans on the door with his body weight, effectively doing what Brother had in mind. With a motion of the hand, signaling hurry up and get whatever done.

confused, is the door banging or is the cauldron banging

-Posted with Wayfinder

A cauldron in the kitchen rattles from the haunt of the murdered chef. The banging (source unknown) is coming from the western door in the preparation room.

Brother Butterfly touches the western door. It takes a few for his senses to look beyond, and the banging does not recite in that time.

I see two ghouls lying in wait.
Let me describe the scene:

Beyond the western door I see a rubble strewn central courtyard of Briarstone. Two evacuated patients, that you recognize as undead ghouls, crouch in the mist nearby, whispering to each other and casting glances in the direction of the door.

Taking a pause to get reactions and for someone to pass the information onto the sentry- Mariner.

Which do we tackle first? I think the haunted cauldron can wait.
But I am open to your expert opinions.

knowing that Ivory is carefully watching our every move, I want to intone my voice to display authority and carefully constructed confidence.
********

Contingency action: If the PC's want to look at fixing The haunted Cauldron, I ask Ivory a couple questions.
You mentioned that Calabren was murdered in his office. Do you know where his body is? Or, if he is one of those hanging in the common room, which one is he?
I know I am asking upsetting questions, but laying his corporal body to rest and giving proper sanctification -may be the solution for allowing his spirit to rest.

Lastly, do you know which God or Goddess that he worshiped when he was alive? Did he keep a holy symbol with him in his kitchens or prep area?

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Fearless cringes as the mention of another pair of ghouls. "Ummm...Do we have to 'take care' of them? Can't we just leave the door closed and I don't know. Go the other way?" He isn't looking forward to more undead tearing into his skin as his last experience in the kitchen were not pleasant ones as he was just trying to find a snack.

He already knows the answer though and draws his crossbow as he loads it as he awaits some other meat bag to block his way from being eaten alive.

Sigh. Really wanted an answer to the sausage side plot. Moving on...

Cats ponders the options and would prefer to tackle the kitchen first, but isn't too forceful in his preference.

"I probably can't help too much against a cook pot, but I'll do my best."

He readies his bow and waits in spot where he can get a clear shot at a ghoul when the doors are opened.

OThe Mariner points at Fearless, like pointing the way to the light of the truth. For the third time through the last few dilemmas, he is in agreement with the halfling. "Yea, is there anything on the other side we need to get to? Anyone trapped we need to resc---" from Brother's holy we-must-save-everyone glare, the Mariner shuts up, drops his shoulders and takes the front of the line, grumbling inaudible sarcasm, Sure, I love killing ghouls. Hey Mariner, would you like to kill some ghouls? Oh yea, that's my calling. Don't no one get in front of me.

"Yea ready", he flatly says, holding his polearm.

-Posted with Wayfinder

hp level up: 1d12 ⇒ 9

Sigh. Really wanted an answer to the sausage side plot. Moving on...

AH! Sorry. If I miss something more than likely my 2 year old is in middle of a meltdown and I am trying to get something half-way reasonable out :) I gotcha though.

As Fearless waits for the Mariner to slowly make his way to the door, which is understandable as it is quite odd and spooky Fearless slowly brings the sausages out of his pack and notices Cats balling his fists up. He smiles back at the man. "Sure you want to punch the ghoulies? They bite back ya know."

The door pounds again as everyone's head spins back to the door, including the makeshift cook. As she does Fearless deftly swipes the sausages back into his bag, not caring in the slightest.

Unlocking the door, the Mariner kicks it open, ready for a fight. The ghouls whirl toward the sound, but one of them stumbles amid the rubble, surprised to find himself prey and not predator.

INITIATIVE
Cats (24/24)
Pinkie (27/27)
Ghoul *Orange is surprised
Mariner (40/40) *diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor
Brother Butterfly (26/26) *diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)

Round 1, Init 16

As the door opens, Cats lets loose with a clawstorm of arrows, firing an arrow at each.

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 15 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (3, 1) = 7 piercing damage vs. FF'd

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 24 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (3, 3) = 11 piercing damage vs. FF'd

I was going to use a pre-initiative charge from the Bless Wand. Hopefully granting a +1 to combat attack rolls for everyone. If permitted, here's my action pre-initiative and then my action for the round .

Good, it's settled. We take on the ghouls first. Ivory, I want you to take a step towards the Kitchen. Watchmen- on the ready.
With that, he uses the wand in his hand and everyone in the room feels calmer. Including Ivory. He puts the wand back in it's pouch.

Seeing the flurry of activity - from quick succession arrow shots by Cats and a crossbow shot from Fearless - along with The Mariner using his pole arm - Brother Butterfly reaches out his hands to channel the might of Desna. Keeping eye contact to catch all the ghouls.

Desna - show your power. Protect your Watchmen and protect Ivory. Show her that not all is lost in this placed of The Cursed.
He channels positive energy to hurt the Ghouls.
channel energy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

"I say when we open the door we wait for them to come to us and cut them down as they get threw the door"

ready an action to stab the first one that comes into the room

shortsword: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (2, 2) = 13

Cats fires two arrows, one lodging firmly into each ghoul. One tries to rush the door but Pinkie is ready with Red Destiny and stabs it through the heart. Brother Butterfly's holy magic turns the third to ash in a blaze of white light.

Combat Over.

The northern courtyard grows still for a moment, the winds dying to a breeze that stirs the mists in lazy eddies. From somewhere within echcoes the sound of clomping hooves.

"Those ones seemed weaker than before. Are they decaying that fast?" Fearless observes as the ghouls quickly collapse underneath the might of the Watchmen. As for this fight Fearless has definitely earned that title.

His head jerks up. "Hooves? Is there a horse in the Asylum?" He cranes his head out the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

:: thunk::
:: thunk::

"uhh..." the Mariner remains stupidly standing with narrowed shoulders as the Fearless Pink Cat drops the two ghouls like an assassin squad, "...Good job fellas."

Turning to the hooves, At least it ain't flying...

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

-Posted with Wayfinder

Cats smiles as if he finally got something right...and he did.

"Did you guys cat that? Two deadeye shots! I did that! Yeah, I catted!" Cats does a hop skip as he moves out to examine his handiwork more closely and see if either arrow could be recovered (they cannot be).

Cats slinks over to the tree, hiding and looking around. If he spies Scar (from the recent discussion at the barricade), Cats will wave to him and point at the dead ghouls.

Cats will examine the area.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Stealth
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Perception

Impressed that The Watchmen made such a good and effective showing in front of Ivory. Hopefully that will bolster her faith in us and keep her from calling in The Apostles while we are gone investigating the courtyard.
he thinks to himself, You know, when we have had an audience witnessing our work, we have been pretty good. It's when no one is around that we fight like are Marbits.

Ivory, we are going to clear the area of danger. Please close and bar the door behind us. We will be back in less than half an hour.
Are you okay with that? Will you give us the chance to be Watchmen and drive away this evil?

Brother Butterfly watches her body language - sense motive
Satisfied that she won't betray us, he moves out into the courtyard moving in formation. Casting Luck on Fearless.

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Desna, give your gifts aplenty.
He then touches Fearless's arm.

Ivory watches the Watchmen with slack-jawed amazement. Clearly no one has acted remotely heroic around her recently. It takes asking twice before she realizes the group is going to brace the courtyard, but she eventually nods at Brother Butterfly's request and readies to lock the door when the group exits.

BB: previous rolls suffice.

Cats pads silently through the courtyard, taking up position near a tree. He tries to see the barricade to the dining hall, but the mists limit sight to about 40 feet. The sound of hooves echo again, this time from somewhere to the southwest.

Scanning the area Cats and Fearless notice two more ghouls in the area, hiding near a turn in the western wall. One has its eyes trained on the Mariner and Brother Butterfly while the second peers in Cat's direction, though it seems to have lost sight of him in the mists.

Pinkie and Fearless might be sneaking too, so let's wait for them. If they roll well then they and Cats can make one surprise round action.

Cats tries to pinpoint the sounds of the hooves, trying to get a direction so that he can put the tree between the sounds and himself.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Perception

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Fearless' feet quietly plop on the soft ground. He catches sight of another pair of ghouls in the mist and jerks his body around in a small circle as he loses sight of them.

"There are more ghouls." He whispers as he nods towards the mist.

Fearless tiptoes to the door and slowly twists the handle to open the door.

If combat happens - We all have a bless spell for about 4-5 rounds. +1 to hit.

stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Pinkie slips into the room trying not to be noticed taking cover wherever he can and has a look.

Cats listens for the horse, but has lost track of them. Pinkie slips forward, noticing both the ghouls and something else...

INITIATIVE - Surprise round!
Pinkie
Fearless
Cats

INITIATIVE - Round 1
Pinkie (27/27)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor
Brother Butterfly (26/26) *diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)
Ghouls
Mariner (40/40) *diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Cats (24/24)

Note: Cats gets a surprise action (standard or move only). Pinkie and Fearless both get a surprise action (standard or move only) plus actions for round 1 because they have high initiative rolls.

Pinkie moves in on the creatures and attacks

"Hey Cats did you see a" he pauses and shakes his head "A freakin unicorn down that way"

he adds pointing south.

"What the heck is a freakin white unicorn doing in this place"

Shaking his head again as he gets ready for what ever happens next.

" Ahh never mind just shoot these guys and we can have a look after"

surprise to move in, regular round are attacks

short sword: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (6, 2) = 17
rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + (3, 2) = 6

Pulling out his shield to help shore up the fat man's defense against ghoul claws. He knows that his best defense is sheltered in a vicious Mariner offense.

He reaches out with his shield hand touches The Mariner. Standing side by side. With the opposite hand, he unslings his mace and holds the hefty metal weight in fighting position.

AC is 14. Normally 16 - dexterity minus 2.

MMcMurphy, o'Sullivan, Kelly, walsh

Cast Luck on The Mariner. Mariner gets to roll twice for all D20 rolls - i.e saves and to hits. Additionally, everyone has a bless spell. Don't forget to add +1 to hit.

Awesome incantations Brother - Luck! :-p Next is a protection spell Trojan-Sheik-Ramsey!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Hearing of more ghouls Fearless releases the door handle and rushes around the bush. His mind panics as it reels back to the kitchen and his first encounter with the hungry undead. A single missile arcs out from near him as it glows lightly, firing across the mist into the orange skinned ghoul.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round Surprise, Init 8

Cats fires at the left ghoul.

1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10 to hit; (PBS)
1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (6, 2) = 13 piercing damage vs. FF'd

Pinkie moves in and stabs one of the ghouls through the neck, killing it instantly, then wounds the second with his other blade.

Cats loses his groove and shoots an arrow into the wall.

Fearless angles for position and slams the second with psychic energy.

Brother Butterfly puts a hand on the Mariner's shoulder, giving him a good feeling about his future.

Bite vs Pinkie AC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Claw vs Pinkie AC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Claw vs Pinkie AC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

The remaining ghoul reaches for Pinkie with teeth and claws, but the young man dodges every attack!

INITIATIVE - Round 1
Mariner (40/40) *diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Cats (24/24)
Pinkie (27/27)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor
Brother Butterfly (26/26) *diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)
Ghoul (-8)

"Hey Cats did you see a" he pauses and shakes his head "A freakin unicorn down that way"

Cats finally catches up to what Pinkie had told him as the first ghoul goes down.

"Unicat? Around here? I thought I heard hooves...but didn't see nothing like cat, Pinkie," Cats responds with his wits about him. All his wits. Actually, both of them. "So maybe...or maybe it was just a horse with a pine cone on his head. Yeah, that's probably what it was."

Round 1, Init 8

Cats fires twice again at the ghoul.

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 16 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 piercing damage

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 15 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 piercing damage

"Raagh!", the Mariner moves in and swings his eight feet long meat clever at ghoul next to Pinkie.

Hearing the conversation about a unicorn, "What are you talking about? Where?! -the only unicorn around here is Brother. Other than that, it's probably a horse with a dagger shoved through it's skull."

polearm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
luck: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
dam: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

-Posted with Wayfinder

Pinkie stabs at the ghoul and steps back. " I know what I saw."

Motioning with a nod of his head to the south

"Well at least I think I know what we saw"

Wiping ghoul splatter from his face he adds "We ever gonna be rid of all these things. They smell bad.

shortsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

BB has his shield up - looking to pro-offer defense to The Mariner himself if the ghoul comes swiping his way. Seeing the steadfastness of his companions and their vicious blows on the creature . He imagine it'll be dead soon.
hold action

Thinking that if it's a unicorn. a REAL or even quasi real unicorn - fighting it is not the answer. Brother Butterfly fingers the incense that is in his belt pouch. Giving a frown to The Mariner when he mentions that HE (BB) is a unicorn.

What do you mean by that my good friend Mariner?

"I am with Mariner. There ain't no unicorn around here. more likely some freakish abomination looking to kill us all."

Fearless squints his eyes as the magical missile finds it's mark. How am I doing that?

He concentrates on a small pile of rubble lying in the corner and a stone shifts ever so slightly.

Telekinetic projectile; Precise shot; PBS;: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The Mariner's polearm cleaves down through the ghoul's chest, killing it and saving Cats a couple arrows (though he is sure he would have finished it off had it lived long enough). Pinkie stabs it again to make sure. And a moment later a piece of rubble falls from the ruined wall above and lands squarely on its head.

Combat over.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

WELL, I will be impressed even if it isn't real. Through the mists is a unicorn! I think we should approach cautiously and try to speak with it.
We have a magic item that might be perfect for the conversation.

With that , Brother Butterfly puts away the Mace, and slings the shield onto his back. He takes out the Incense of Open Mindedness. Moving forward -cautiously. When he sees the unicorn (within 20 feet) he uses the magic item.

Start off with Diplomacy.

We come in peace to quiet the nightmares......

I will say more if we can communicate this way. Also, you like how I use a double meaning? Nightmares and Nightmares?

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Perception

Cats, seeing nothing, comes over and check the pockets of *all* the ghouls for coins, loot, weapons, etc.

"Good catting fight there. Well done...that door now?" Cats examines the door, waiting for Brother to 'sight' it or Mariner to go through.

What do you mean by that my good friend Mariner

The Mariner already moving to guard the next door while the rest loot. Betraying either hidden intelligence or deep stupidity,"Ya know - pointy, white and magical."

Pausing to question himself, ...Or maybe I'm thinking of a fairy. Shaking it off, "Let's get moving."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Fearless watches a bit skeptical as Brother Butterfly walks of talking to himself into the mist.

"Well damn... I think we lost him. he is talking to himself and seeing things that aren't there now."

Fearless nods his head and points a thumb at the door to the others. "maybe now is a good time to get away before he turns."

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Pinkie points south.

"SEE! There it is again!

"Ahh now its gone"

And slowly starts heading to the area he saw it disappear cautiously checking the area.

"Of course I think its a trap......But.....Well...Ok but if its not its a freakin UNICORN!

Cats swings his head to look where Pinkie points and where the Brother walks into the mists.

"This can't cat well."

Sharing Pinkie's delusion belief that he saw something, Brother Butterfly moves south, offering soothing words and hoping his magic and luck will solve the riddle of a magical beast wandering the god-forsaken courtyard of Briarstone asylum.

He doesn't immediately find the creature, but as the southwest section of the courtyard comes into view he spots a thin corpse dressed in the outfit of a patient sprawled atop the rubble of a fallen wall.

Not trusting Butterfly, or his visions, Fearless suggests taking the door in the western wall, and Cats checks it out. It is unlocked and seems safe to open.

"This can't cat well."

to which Brother Butterfly gives a religious reply. Digging deep into his religious reservoir - recently tapped upon seeing the Sarenrae idol.

we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let's take this situation cautiously and diplomatically.
***
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Returning to the group so he doesn't yell anything.
Watchmen, I found a body over here. Let's head to the area instead of opening the door.

BB moves to within 20 feet of the patient's body and uses the incense of openmindedness. Trying to telepathically start diplomacy.

We see you Unicorn. Unicorn, we come in peace. Please talk with us, so we can declare our business. Maybe we can help each other.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 5 = 34