DM Rah's Strange Aeons

Game Master Kobash

Or this chant...

Pinkie watches while Brother B gives Brin his last rites and after he is done searches the area to make sure they didn't miss anything.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 or take 20 if they give him time while they bury Brin

While Brother Butterfly officiates Brin's funeral, and Fearless and Cats acts as witnesses, Pinkie and the Mariner take a look around the rest of the courtyard. They find nothing else worth noting, though they do eventually get close enough to get a good view of the barricade for the Dining Hall, and end up ducking a warning shot from the guards posted there who shout threats at the "face-stealing monsters" trying to trick them.

With Brin in the ground the Watchmen regroup with plans to return and confront his doppelgänger, but soon discover that going back they way they came is not so easy. The door to the preparation room is still barred from the inside, and Ivory does not answer to calls to open it.

Cats does his best to find a way through the door, whether it be lifting the bar with a wire or taking off the hinges.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 Disable Device

"I got this, gimme a moment."

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 Disable Device

"Maybe..."

Cats checks the door, but sees no easy way to open it. While there is a lock, the lock isn't the problem. The door is barred from the inside, and the hinges are on the inside as well.

Brother Butterfly uses Doorsight.

Brother Butterfly asks Desna to show him the room beyond.

Doorsight...
Brother Butterfly sees Ivory staring at the door in fear, a bowl of cookie dough forgotten on the table behind her. Two Apostles are with her, one thin and wiry with a yellow teeth, the other portly with an unusually small head.

"We can't let them back in!" The thin one hisses in a loud whisper as he adds objects to the barricade on the door. "That's ghoul country out there!"
The second nods, his double chin jiggling. "Yup. They's prob'ly infect'd."
"Or they want extra cookies!"

Pinkie sighs and heads over to the only place left to go and checks to see if its unlocked.

"I'm gonna pee in the cookie dough if i get a chance." Shrugging "Just letting you guys know"

Let's go through the unchecked door. Trying to reason with them behind a barred door is fruitless.

Fearless clenches his fist. "Bastards!" he pounds on the door before turning back. "Maybe there is a shortcut through here anyways." He spins back around and opens the door he was investigating earlier.

Brother Butterfly pulls out the blessed wand and activates it.
He also adds in three prayers for Desna to act with grace upon The Watchmen.

Cast Cure Light wounds on The Mariner.
CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
*****
Cast Aid on Pinkie. +1 Moral Bonus on TO Hits, plus a temporary 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
*******
Cast Detect Magic and look at the dead ghoul bodies, the ring Fearless has, and the halllway.

Everyone gets a morale bonus of +1 for attacks in combat from the wand. Mariner, you also still have Shield of Faith.

Brother Butterfly calls for aid and healing, then scans the area for magic, discovering an aura around Brin's ring.

Pinkie and Fearless head to the door and poke their heads inside.

Paint chips the color of eggshells cover the floor of these halls. Many of the walls are cracked and sag, causing doors to lean awkwardly in their broken frames.

Let's go through the unchecked door. Trying to reason with them behind a barred door is fruitless.

Cats nods. He'd been trying to go through the unchecked door a while now, but Butterfly wanted to see the unicorn.

He keeps an eye on the yard while others go in, then follows the rest.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Perception

"Uh. There something over that way. I catted a shadow in the cracks," Cats points out.

Let's go guys, Desna is on our side. Proceed with caution, but let's enter.
Desna - Give unto us the strength of the Roc. The greatest of flyers.
He touches Mariner and gives him strength and power.
Bull strength cast on Mariner

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
BB then moves into the hall.

The Mariner thanks Brother, checks that the Watchmen are ready, then waves everyone in close, "I think the jig is up fellas", looking back to the crumbled walls next to Brin's grave. "I happens to look up as you was giving rites. The mist parted for a moment near the upper floors and there was Aggra. Standing near her and all of them looking down on us was a bunch of other cookie eaters. You remember her right Pinkie? -from the Ward, that hag who called me pretty."

The Mariner describes in detail the glimpse he caught. Through the mists you can just see the partially collapsed ruins of the upper floor of the Asylum - once called the Ward of the Wicked. Through a collapsed hole in the outer wall you notice a few Apostles in Orpiment peering warily out into courtyard, alerted by the sounds of combat and warning cries from the guards below. Among them you also catche a brief glimpse of a tall old woman - Aggra.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The Mariner shuffles to the middle of the hallway and takes quick peak around the corner. If clear, he motions for Fearless Pinkie Cat to check the northern hall and door, he'll back track and join them thereafter.

Fearless clatters down the hallway. His feet plop against the cool stonework as he places his back against the wall. His breathing is labored as cat's calls out that something is watching. bending low Fearless peeks down the northern hallway.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Pinkie slips into the hallway moving up behind Fearless for support.

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

Cats points his bow to where he saw the shadow, waiting to see what happens next. There are times when he could just 'see' the evil, but knows that he cannons. He also wishes he could smell evil or trouble, but also knows he cannot. So...he waits.

Good reminder Cats! TY. My character has done a lot in a short period of time, so if things are quiet for another round I'll post - in dramatic fashion --that BB will detect evil.

The group makes it way down the hall with Fearless and Pinkie in the lead. As they reach the intersection there is the sound of grunting from the cracked wall, followed by a whole section of it toppling over onto the Mariner and Cats!

"Fresh meat!" Calls a voice as ghouls come scrambling out over the fallen rubble!

Falling Rocks! Cats and Mariner are knocked prone. (Reflex vs DC 16 for 1/2 damage): 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 12

INITIATIVE
Effects: bless
Mariner (32/40) *Bull's Strength, Shield of Faith, diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Pinkie (27*7/27*7) *Aid (+7 HP)
Cats (24/24)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor
Ghouls
Butterfly (26/26) *diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Reflex - no damage to Cats thanks to his, uh, cat-like reflexes...is he still prone if untouched?

You can remain on your feet if undamaged.

"fffFFF###@@@%%%%!!!!"

reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

The Mariner staggers back, luckily his sea legs dodges the falling mast. Another memory of a ship raid whips through his mind. Sword and shield in hand, he makes a wide swath of steel.

longsword,pa: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
dam: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
cleave,pa: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
dam: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

-Posted with Wayfinder

Round 1, Init 7

Cats fires twice again at the yellow ghoul, then 5' steps down.

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 12 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 piercing damage

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

The area of the fallen wall is difficult terrain. Double movement costs within it and a 5' step is not normally possible.

Fresh Meat!

When the ghouls say that and start their attack, Brother Butterfly replies with his own quip.

He then prepares to exact his cost. But his slow reaction time, and his internal debate on how to be most effective means the ghouls get to spring on top of his companions first.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Standing provokes an Attack of Oppotunity, but I'm giving a slight cover bonus from the rubble.
AoO on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 4 - 2 = 18
AoO on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 4 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 2 saves required - Paralysis DC 13 and Disease DC 13
Duration if paralyzed: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Rounds

As the Mariner bursts free of the rubble and readies to cleave into the ghouls, two of them lunge forward, trying to bite into him. One manages to grab an arm and sink in it's teeth!

Pinkie falls in beside Mariner and slices at one of the creatures.
"Stop talking your distracting me with all that nonsense.."
red destiny: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

save paralysis: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 yay
save disease: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 meh, already dirty

The Mariner accepts his new injury like a sailor accepts scurvy, and gives back twice as much with a slash of his weapon that nearly takes down two of the ghouls.

Pinkie jumps in with Red Destiny, but his stab comes up short. Meanwhile Cats arrows go wide.

Fearless grunts and holds his head and a stone lifts from the ground and hurtles at one of the injured ghouls...

TK Projectile: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

..and goes right over its head.

The ghouls attack like starving animals, their teeth and claws coming for the Mariner, Pinkie, and Brother Butterfly.

Claw on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Claw on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Bite on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Fort save vs DC 13 or Paralyzed 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 rounds.
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Claw on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Fort save vs DC 13 or Paralyzed 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 rounds.
Claw on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Bite on Mariner AC 19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Claw on Pinkie AC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Claw on Pinkie AC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Bite on Pinkie AC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Fort save vs DC 13 or Paralyzed 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 rounds.
Fort save vs DC 13 for disease.

Claw on Butterfly AC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Claw on Butterfly AC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Bite on Butterfly AC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Fort save vs DC 13 or Paralyzed 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 rounds.
Fort save vs DC 13 for disease.

INITIATIVE
Effects: bless, covering fire
Butterfly (21/26) *diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)
Mariner (20/40) *Bull's Strength, Shield of Faith, twice diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Pinkie (27/27) *Aid
Cats (24/24)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor
Ghouls (red -10, orange -12)

Fearless is perplexed as another stone lifts on it's own. Have to remember to see how that is happening when we are able to rest. Is it me or one of the others doing that with the stone?

He hefts his crossbow up into the air and fires at the red ghoul.

Hand Crossbow; PBS; Precise Shot; Bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Pulling back the mechanism he reloads a bolt within the slot.

I think pink ghoul should be 5' up on map...or taking -4 for attacking around cover if he's going after BButterfly, right?

Round 2, Init 7

Cats fires twice again at the pink ghoul.

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 9 to hit; (PBS,-rapid,-cover)
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 piercing damage

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 9 to hit; (PBS,-rapid,-cover)
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 piercing damage

con save vs para.: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 con save vs. disease: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
I can't see the map well. So i have a post if i can move without provoking. If not, I have to back up and channel energy.

Feeling the nasty teeth and jaws from the ghoul clamp down, he can sense the nastiness of disease once again course through his veins and knows he will weaken further. May be even getting( impossibly) slower.
He steps back and around the rubble, trying to keep the larger parts of the collapsed walk between him and the ghoul. He moves to behind pinkie and touches his back.
"Desna, get us out of this mess!""
cast luck. roll all 20s twice this round and take the better result.

-Posted with Wayfinder

paralysis: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
reroll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
disease: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

longsword,pa: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
dam: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
cleave: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
dam: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Trading blows like a brothel tramp or a boxing champ, the Mariner gets drenched in viscera and body fluids, his own and the goyles.

-Posted with Wayfinder

fort save Paralyzed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
fort save disease.: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
fort save Paralyzed reroll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
fort save disease reroll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Pinkie seeing hes in a bad position takes a defensive posture while still sliceing at the ghouls.

red destiny: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
red destiny reroll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

fight defensively ac now 20

disregard Pinkies last post. Luck would not have went off before he was paralyzed with VD.

Disregard my last post as I was informed my luck would not help as people are paralyzed. I have a couple scrolls to get rid of the paralysis, but I need space to use them.

Seeing the ambush take and paralyze two of The Watchmen, he was saving the last Healing aura that Desna might grant him for the day and has to go on the offensive..... because The Butcher needs his payment.

channel energy to harm undead.: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

-Posted with Wayfinder

Note: Butterfly did have cover during the last round, but the attack was still high enough to hit.

The Mariner and Pinkie feel their muscles seize up just as they were getting ready to hack down the ghouls.

"Tasty!"
"This one is like young, like veal!"
"This one is mutton. I bet that fat one tastes like pork!"
"He does!"

Two die regardless of saves.
Will vs Channel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Will vs Channel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

The ghouls begin to converge, but Desna has other plans for her rotund cleric, answering his call with a blast so powerful that two of the ghouls are rendered dust and the other two are badly scorched!

Cats and Fearless fire their weapons, but only Fearless hits and it is not enough to take another down.

The remaining ghouls scramble over the rubble at Brother Butterfly.

"Get him!"
"Get the bacon!"

Bite on Butterfly AC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Fort save vs DC 13 or Paralyzed 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 rounds.
Bite on Butterfly AC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Teeth sink into Brother Butterfly soft flesh!

INITIATIVE
Effects: bless
Butterfly (16/26) *twice diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)
Mariner (20/40) *Bull's Strength, Shield of Faith, paralyzed 1/5, twice diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Pinkie (27/27) *Aid, paralyzed 1/5, diseased
Cats (24/24)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor
Ghouls (yellow -9, purple -6

con save vs. Paralysis: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Being double-teamed by the ghouls that he so dumbly heroically attracted with a burst of devastating energy, proves to be too much for BB.
His muscles clench up and the monsters find that they have turned the tables...... or at least set the table for a fine Pork meal.

Pinkie thinks to himself "So this is how its gonna end. Stiff as a board and wide awake watching ghouls chew the rest of my fingers off. FIGURES!"

Round 3, Init 7

Cats fires twice again at the yellow ghoul, then 5' steps down.

1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 7 to hit; (PBS,+bless,-rapid,-cover)
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 piercing damage

1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 8 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 piercing damage

The Mariner hits the floor like a beef slab. The cockroach standing on crumbled walls, waiting to heckle him,"You know, I bet these ghouls were once a group just like us. That fat one was probably named Father Beetle, the skinny one Thumbs, the dumb one Teamster, the small one Scared S#itless."

Seeing three of the watchmen fall to the ghouls, including Brother Butterfly, sends Fearless into a pure panic inside his body. His heart races furiously as his chest heaves from short bursts of breath. His eyes roll back into his head as it tips backwards slightly, only showing the whites of his eyes.

An small rock rises into the air as it rushes across to strike the yellow ghoul.

Telekinetic Projectile; PBS; Precise: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

An unearthly moan (Around 1:30 mark) escapes Fearless' mouth. One deeper and much unlike his own.

As the stone strikes the halfling stumbles back behind Cats as his eyes remain in the back of his head.

Haha great ref, Howard, I forgot Rooney was in that movie. Now if you can keep them occupied for two rounds until Brother comes about.

-Posted with Wayfinder

The ghouls laugh at Cat's bad aim and are arguing between them about who gets to eat Brother Butterfly when a rock flies out of nowhere and splatters the brains of one into the face of the other.

"Gah! Who did that!!" It screams and looks around. With no other threats in sight it pushes Brother Butterfly aside and scrambles over to rubble toward Cats.

INITIATIVE
Effects: bless
Butterfly (16/26) *paralyzed 1/2, twice diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)
Mariner (20/40) *Bull's Strength, Shield of Faith, paralyzed 2/5, twice diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Pinkie (27/27) *Aid, paralyzed 2/5, diseased
Cats (24/24)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor
Ghouls (purple -6)

Fearless'eyes glow like the faint flicker of a candle as his brain either begins to mend itself, shatter more or something else entirely happened to him that he cannot remember and an orb of pure energy fires from his mind as it slams into the undead.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Round 4, Init 7

"NO! NO! MEOW!" Cats' mind contorts slightly, his head filled with his sorrows and failure. He had *failed* somehow...and hurt someone(s) in the past. And now he was about to fail again. And this time, his friends would be hurt...and Fearless.

Words echo in his head, now coming to the fore.

"If I were to tell you that she is the Goddess of The Redeemed? Does that strike a cord? It is not lost upon me that you have actually asked for redemption of unremembered crimes."

I can be redeemed. I can do it too. I just have to *save* people. Save them. Save her.

Cats fires twice again at the remaining ghoul, believing he can find redemption. MiniSmite.

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 17 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 3 = 9 piercing damage

1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 26 to hit; (PBS,-rapid)
1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6 piercing damage

He just might. He just might find redemption.

Cats had sensed something wrong from the first moment he noticed a presence behind the cracked wall. It seemed more than a shadow, lurking like a dark aura, a shiver precipitated by a draft. As the trap was sprung, and his companions fell one after another to the paralyzing touch of the ghouls the chilling sense had grown. Realization dawns on him that he has mistaken it for the cold fear one feels in the pit of their stomach when faced with terrible horrors. He has felt it for days, but now, with an undead monster bearing down on him in close proximity, he recognizes it for what it is, and a part of him knows that he was once corrupted by it too.

Evil.

Suddenly, he knows how it can be fought, and for a moment all fear and doubt flees from his mind. His fingers find his arrows and let loose two near perfect shots. One takes the ghoul in the eye, the second in the heart. It falls lifeless to the ground.

Behind Cats, Fearless moans and shakes, going through mental turmoil of his own. Invisible daggers stab into his skull, star motes flash as his vision goes dim, threatening to rob him of consciousness. Debris in the passage trembles around him, excited by raw psychic energy. Energy barely restrained in the wake of the ghoul's defeat.

Now, slowly, his mind begins to settle.

Among the rubble, the paralyzed Watchmen recover the use of their limbs once more.

Combat Over.
Fearless can save his magic missile, but he still gets kudos for roleplaying!

STATUS
Effects: bless 1/3 minutes
Butterfly (16/26) *twice diseased -2 Dex, (1 save)
Mariner (20/40) *Bull's Strength 1/3 minutes, Shield of Faith 2/3 minutes, twice diseased -2 Dex, -1 Con (1 save)
Pinkie (27/27) *Aid 1/3 minutes, diseased
Cats (24/24)
Fearless (22/22) *mage armor 1/2 hours

THAT was awesome. Cats and Fearless, the two smallest, saves the day! Grade A rpg-ing, blended with storyline perfectly.

-Posted with Wayfinder

The Mariner claws the rubble back to his feet, grimacing at the slimy bite mark already dripping with pus, "Thought it was the boatman for sure. Extra cookies for you two."

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