Fearless confirms his theory. "Uhm, yea they are definitely down there. I didn't close that last night." Fearless heads towards the door and down the stairs to investigate.
Though Fearless trips and nearly falls down the length of stairs.
Cats pads down as well, following the half-human.
Stealth
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The Mariner takes the lead, keeping very alert. Whispers to Fearless "Let me know if you hear them being quiet..."
The Watchmen open the secret wall and descend the stairs beyond. About 30 feet down they end at a short passage that leads to a larger hallway going north and south.
As he steps into the short passage the Mariner hears a hum as unnoticed glyphs suddenly flash at his feet. A concussive blast rocks the area, catching both the Maringer and Brother Butterfly standing behind him in a bone-tattling wave of sound.
As the ringing in your ears fades you can hear the sound of a woman chanting in the distance.
INITIATIVE
INITIATIVE
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels
???
Mariner (88/88)
Fearless (40/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (47/47) -1 negative level
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With Desna taking the lead*, and Mariner second- Brother decides to protect Mariner with the best boons granted to him. Oh Desna, Bring these representations to existence. {Caramon},{Grawp},{Samson},{Volstus},{Lennie}.
With his prayers complete, he grants Mariner Bull Strength and Shield other.
*-(spiritually, not literally)
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The Mariner is completely roided up, injected by Desna's holy juice.
Round 1, Init 23, Part 1
Cats moves down the stairs, looking around. His bow is in hand.
In the middle of a circular, vaulted chamber to the north, standing on a platform of natural bedrock, rises a black stone monolith. It is similar to the two Star Stelae in Thrushmoor, but glows with a pale, yellow light. A half dozen corpses lie bloody on the floor around it... the hostages did not survive the long night.
To the south a large chamber resembles the courtyard of an ancient, subterranean palace, with columns supporting a 30-foot- high cloister dome. In the middle of the floor, a tile mosaic of the Yellow Sign emits a thin, yellow vapor that fills the room with a faint odor of chrysanthemums. The vapor rises to the concave dome of the vault, through which an image of the minarets, towers, and spires of a mysterious city silhouetted against a yellow sky can be seen. The image sways softly with a slow alternation of light and darkness, to the sound of invisible pipes and strings. A floor-to-ceiling band of gilded mosaics decorates the walls, depicting a fantastic urban landscape populated by figures in flowing robes and full-face masks. At the far end of the chamber, a marble throne sits within a semicircular apse.
Standing before the throne is the source of the chanting - a short woman in her early thirties, with long, smooth hair and deep, dark eyes. She wears her hair pulled back to reveal a ferroniere with a large, teardrop-shaped topaz on her forehead. Her apparel is mostly modest and monotonous - a corset top, a yellow silk blouse, and a long skirt. She does not fit the description one might use for evil cultists, but Cats recognizes her from his bri f flashes of memory. This is Melisenn.
A winged creature that looks like a mix between a bat, insect, and human lurks in the shadows near the columns on the far side of the room. (10’ to the left of the woman).
INITIATIVE Continued...
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels
Melisenn
Mariner (88/88)
Fearless (40/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (47/47) -1 negative level
Round 1, Init 23, Part 12
Perception
Cats looks left and moves behind cover to his right.
Getting there, he fires one awkward arrow at Melisenn.
to hit; (-neg)
damage.
"Hey, are you Melicat? You have one chance to repent...that was a warning arrow!" Cats says from a far. "You have a chance to surrender to the Catrenrae!"
[ dice]1d20+10+2-2[/dice] to hit; (flank,-neg)
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice=high is good]1d100[/dice]
AC: 19
HP: 35/35 (45/45) - 2 neg level
LoH: 1/3 used
[ dice]1d20+10 damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+8[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6+2d6[/dice] slashing damage.
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.
+5 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid=+7/+7 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
Cats fires an arrow across the room. It bounces off the chair beside Meliseen.
Melisenn finishes her spell and rises into the air, flying up to take cover behind a column.
INITIATIVE
Melisenn
Mariner (88/88) *reflex save required
Fearless (40/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (33/47) -1 negative level
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels
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Brother peers around the steps into the tow big rooms and downs a potion to help heal his wounds.
feeling better, he takes up position at the stairs, looking around and trying to gain cover.
Noticing something strange, he calls out a warning to the other Watchmen.
Watch out Mariner! There's a creature in the shadows near Mellisenn! This is a trap, so don't go charging in.
"That's Melisenn? the Mariner grumbles steps out into the hallway to let Fearless and Brother through, "She's floating..." He sheathes his sword and pulls out two thunderstones, hands one to Fearless.
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In the middle of a circular, vaulted chamber to the north, standing on a platform of natural bedrock, rises a black stone monolith. It is similar to the two Star Stelae in Thrushmoor, but glows with a pale, yellow light. A half dozen corpses lie bloody on the floor around it... the hostages did not survive the long night.
Damn this cult. Damn the Lowl's secrets-- there's a THIRD monolith. They have been hiding this for generations! This is probably right below the old manor on iris Hill.
Now that he sees it, things click- his mind races to the overall map of Thrushmoor and sees how the blasted things triangulate, and how -specifically-- there's the new manor and there's the old manor.He thinks to himself,
Idiot, idiot, idiot. I am smarter than this. It's like I've taken feeblemind potions and started hanging with Cats on some
Round 2, Init 23
Cats raises his bow again 5' stepping to get a clearer shot at Catisenn. "My Catrenrae's Light, let me cat this right," Cats says grimly, invoking Sarenrae's judgement upon the evil.
to hit; (-neg,+smite)
damage. (+smite)
to hit; (-neg,+smite)
damage. (+smite)
[ dice]1d20+10+2-2[/dice] to hit; (flank,-neg)
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice=high is good]1d100[/dice]
AC: 19
HP: 35/35 (45/45) - 2 neg level
LoH: 1/3 used
[ dice]1d20+10 damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+8[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6+2d6[/dice] slashing damage.
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.
+5 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid=+7/+7 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
Fearless runs down the stairs and out into the hallway. His hand goes to his mouth in shock at the bodies. "We were too late..."
HP 40/40
AC 18 (22 w/ covering fire; 22 w/ mental barrier)
Spells: 1st 5/5 | 2nd 3/3
Inspiration 6/6
Tactician 1/1 (Rounds 0/3)
Challenge 1/1
Phrenic Pool 2/2
Wand of Magic Missile (3rd) 14 charges remaining
A memory returns to you...
You sit within a peaceful field. Before you sits a woman in robes, the symbol of Desna on an amulet hanging around her neck. You recall her from a distant dream. But this is different. More real. In her lap lies a portable artists case, her hand busily sketching upon a sheet of parchment upon it.
"My dreams are haunted by terrors in Thrushmoor. We have spoken of Count Lowls before, but there is another whom you must also be wary. Melisenn is her name. The Old Ones whisper to her. To gain her confidence you may need to abandon the blessings of Desna. It will be hard, but have faith that Desna will not abandon you, for I have foreseen her mark upon you in the next life."
The Mariner changes tactics upon seeing an airborne enemy and readies thunderstones, handing one to Fearless as he skids to a stop near him.
Brother Butterfly grabs and drinks a strong potion that cures most of the damage he took from the glyph, plus the extra damage he absorbed from the Mariner.
Cats moves back and fires an arrow far across the chamber. It comes close, but skids off the column Melisenn floats behind.
Flying from one column to another, Melisenn calls out to the Watchmen. "If you think your condition means that you are somehow important, you're wrong! You are nothing to the King in Yellow! You are embers floating from some putrid bonfire that will wink out in the cold death of the universe, just like everything else. We are all worthless before him. Even if he has marked you, I am the one who will open this world to him - not Lowls, and not you!
Pointing at the Mariner, she yells, "You! Murderer! Take your sword and fulfill your purpose! Kill your allies!"
The target is given a mental urge to kill its nearest ally, which it obeys to the best of its ability. The target attacks its nearest ally on its next turn with a melee weapon or natural weapon. If necessary, it moves to or charges to the nearest ally in order to make this attack. If it is unable to reach its closest ally on its next turn, the target uses its turn to get as close as possible to the ally.
Meanwhile, the winged monster hidden near the chair flaps its bat-like wings and takes flight as well, circling the chamber to the west.
INITIATIVE
Melisenn
Monster
Mariner (81/88) *reflex save required
Fearless (40/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (44/47) -1 negative level
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels
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Round 3, Init 23
"Try to cat them into my line of fire!" Cats says hopefully. Out of sight from all the bad things, Cats sneaks to a spot for some sneak next round.
Stealth
[ dice]1d20+10+2-2[/dice] to hit; (flank,-neg)
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice=high is good]1d100[/dice]
AC: 19
HP: 35/35 (45/45) - 2 neg level
LoH: 1/3 used
[ dice]1d20+10 damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+8[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6+2d6[/dice] slashing damage.
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.
+5 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid=+7/+7 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
Fearless recognizes the winged monster as a Byakhees - a race of interstellar aberrations that hail from the distant and alien city of Carcosa, where they serve Hastur. Vaguely humanoid in shape, their bodies combine elements of the forms of carrion birds, insects, and mammals, giving an outward appearance that, while horrific, might at first glance seem possible in the natural world. Yet, those who have studied dead byakhees know this to be a lie, for the creatures’ bodies hold bizarre organs and masses of unknown tissue that seem to serve no purpose; the further into a byakhee’s body one explores, the stranger its entrails become. The fact that portions of its body appear to be decaying or rotting away even as it lives only adds to the mystery of the creature’s peculiar anatomy.
The Mariner dashes across the columns and takes up position behind one opposite the woman and the thing. He didn't want to get so far that Brother couldn't reach him.
[double move]
Hiding around the corner Fearless' mind, once again empowered with rest pulses with the engorged power. He shakes as a twin pair of missiles arc out from his mind and into the Byakhee and Melisenn.
HP 40/40
AC 18 (22 w/ covering fire; 22 w/ mental barrier)
Spells: 1st 4/5 | 2nd 3/3
Inspiration 5/6
Tactician 1/1 (Rounds 0/3)
Challenge 1/1
Phrenic Pool 1/2
Wand of Magic Missile (3rd) 14 charges remaining
As the Mariner moves into better position Fearless focuses his mind and sends two mind bullets out in opposite directions. The winged creature takes the impact with a screech and Melisenn is sent spinning, but the magic that keeps her aloft prevents her from falling.
Brother Butterfly becomes invisible and Cats hides.
Meliseen points at Fearless and casts a spell.
The monster banks down, snapping its beak at Fearless as lands before him. It tries to hold him, but its grip fails.
INITIATIVE
Melisenn -7
Monster -5
Mariner (81/88) *reflex save required
Fearless (40/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (44/47) -1 negative level
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels
Cats readies to 5’ step and shoot.
Fearless feels his vision waver for a brief moment as he stumbles backwards. Another pair of missiles rocket at point blank range into the Byakhee.
"Gwahh! Get it off me!"
HP 33/40
AC 18 (22 w/ covering fire; 22 w/ mental barrier)
Spells: 1st 3/5 | 2nd 2/3
Inspiration 5/6
Tactician 1/1 (Rounds 0/3)
Challenge 1/1
Phrenic Pool 1/2
Wand of Magic Missile (3rd) 14 charges remaining
Round 6, Init 23
Cats 5’ steps out of hiding to riddle Fearless’ attacker with arrows, maybe.
to hit vs. FF; (-neg,PBS)
damage. (+PBS)
to hit vs. FF; (-neg,PBS)
damage. (+PBS)
[ dice]1d20+10+2-2[/dice] to hit; (flank,-neg)
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice=high is good]1d100[/dice]
AC: 19
HP: 35/35 (45/45) - 2 neg level
LoH: 1/3 used
[ dice]1d20+10 damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+8[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6+2d6[/dice] slashing damage.
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.
+5 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid=+7/+7 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
”Keep your wits, lads, she'd trying to distract us - be patient!” the Mariner holds the urge to run over to Fearless, which the winged creature was making very easy to do. Instead he tries to get Melissen's attention, "You can't be my ex, she's dead in the other room, so you must be Brother's ex, all dressed like that! Then you know he's a real-!" The Mariner dashes forward and hurls the thunderstone at her. ::BANG!::
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Brother Butterfly sees the thunderstone in Mariner's hand and he inches closer to him. Preparing. The Mariner throws the stone and a loud fireworks type boom echoes out.
With the sound and reverborating echo covering his chanting, Jasper starts and completes his prayer.
Protect the voyager on the sea. The traveler of oceans and rivers. While not a full believer, he knows the wind in his receding hairline. Be kind to him Desna.
You find yourself lost in the fight, hacking away with your sword in a blind rage. Suddenly you look down and find Fearless impaled on the end of your sword.
A voice cries out from somewhere and suddenly you find yourself back in the chamber, the thunderstone leaving your hand as you throw it at Melisenn.
For a moment everything went black from Melisenn’s magic. The sounds of battle continued, and you felt the byakhee tearing grabbing you in its claws and tearing out your throat.
”Fight it!!” You hear a voice cry. A voice that sounds like your own, but from a distance.
Then suddenly you were back, blinking the darkness away, and facing the monster.
Dust falls from the ceiling with the blast of the Mariner‘s thunderstone.
Fearless sends more mental missiles into the winged monster. Green ichor oozes from growing cracks in its carapace.
Brother Butterfly moves up and touches the Mariner’s shoulder, granting him Desna’s favor.
Cats slips up to the intersection of the passage and tries to catch the monster unaware..
..it spots him and manages to dodge one arrow, but is struck by the other.
”Lowl’s little bookworm!” Melisenn calls down at Fearless. ”It would appear you’ve discovered some of those secrets you so desperately sought. They can’t save you.”
Meliseen cast another spell at Fearless.
The monster continues to claw and snap its beak at Fearless.
As the fight rages on a strange thing begins to happen in the corner of the room. Smoke ripples forth, and reality trembles...
Melisenn seems surprised by this event as well.
INITIATIVE
Melisenn -7
Monster -28
Mariner (81/88) *luck active
Fearless (40/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (44/47) -1 negative level *invisible
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels
Round 6, Init 23
Cats fires twice again at the creature attacking Fearless.
to hit; (-neg)
damage. ()
to hit; (-neg)
damage. ()
[ dice]1d20+10+2-2[/dice] to hit; (flank,-neg)
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice=high is good]1d100[/dice]
AC: 19
HP: 35/35 (45/45) - 2 neg level
LoH: 1/3 used
[ dice]1d20+10 damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+8[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6+2d6[/dice] slashing damage.
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.
+5 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid=+7/+7 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
The Mariner shakes his head at something unseen, it distracts him for a moment - What the hell was that? The stone having no effect on the woman, he switches to the broadsword and charges into the creature.
Fearless shakes free yet another spell, though it freezes him down enough to get clawed twice but narrowly avoid getting bitten. Fearless as red streaks flowing down his back and cheeks, like he just survived a wild, drunken night with a female orc.
Fearless ducks and runs for safety.
HP 20/40
AC 18 (22 w/ covering fire; 22 w/ mental barrier)
Spells: 1st 3/5 | 2nd 2/3
Inspiration 5/6
Tactician 1/1 (Rounds 0/3)
Challenge 1/1
Phrenic Pool 0/2
Wand of Magic Missile (3rd) 14 charges remaining
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Seeing that Fearless is injured, but running toward safety, Brother Butterfly evokes a chant to protect his friends.
Desna, The King in Yellow is from somewhere else. This aberration is from SOMEWHERE ELSE! While it is in our tenants to welcome travelers with open arms, like 5 day old fish, these visitors have started to stink! Give them the boot to the ass and send them on their way.
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Spells in effect:
Shield of Faith -Mariner = +3 to defelction for AC
Bull Strength - Mariner - +4 to strength
Shield Other- Mariner - +1 deflection bonus to AC (I don't think it stacks).
Circle of Prot vs. Evil -- +2 deflection bonus in the circle - again I don't think it stacks) and a +2 to all saves.
Invisibility - BB
The Mariner charges the alien monster and wounds it deeply. Fearless backs away and Cats slays it with arrows.
Still invisible, Brother Butterfly prays for Desna to protect the Watchmen from evil.
Anger rising in her voice, Melisenn chants another spell, focusing back on the Mariner.
You are filled with such profound remorse that you begin to harm yourself. Each round you must save or deal 1d8 points of damage + Strength modifier to yourself using an item held in its hand or with unarmed attacks. If you save, you are staggered for 1 round and take a -2 penalty to Armor Class, after which the spell ends.
Meanwhile, the strange effect in the corner of the room shudders and a dark blur leaps forth, bounding around the columns with unnatural speed before coming to a stop on the far side of the mosaic sign on the floor. Crouched low on four legs like a hound, it scans the chamber with a dozen soulless eyes, and those that see them feel their existence torn at by invisible forces.
You hear Melisenn cry out. Apparently she is not immune to the effect.
”A hound of tindalos!” Melisenn exclaims. ”What have you fools done?!”
INITIATIVE
Melisenn -7
Hound of Tindalos
Mariner (81/88)
Fearless (27/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (44/47) -1 negative level *invisible
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels
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"I'm not feline fine."
Round 7, Init 23
Cats fires twice again at the jerkhound, who is a jerk.
to hit; (-neg)
damage. ()
to hit; (-neg)
damage. ()
to hit; (-neg)
more damage. ()
[ dice]1d20+10+2-2[/dice] to hit; (flank,-neg)
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] slashing damage.
[ dice=high is good]1d100[/dice]
AC: 19
HP: 35/35 (45/45) - 2 neg level
LoH: 1/3 used
[ dice]1d20+10 damage.
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+8[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+10[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6+2d6[/dice] slashing damage.
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.
+5 Bab +4 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS -2 DA -2 Rapid=+7/+7 to hit
+2 Str +1 magic +4 DA+1 PBS = +8 damage
Fearless screams as his head nearly splits open from the creature's gaze. tears of pain freely flow down his face. "Why....me..." His brain tries to do what little it can to remember the hound.
Fearless mind protects itself as BB's aura of protection helps slightly. A duo of missiles careen and twirl around one another as they smash into the hound.
HP 10/40
AC 18 (22 w/ covering fire; 22 w/ mental barrier)
Spells: 1st 3/5 | 2nd 2/3
Inspiration 5/6
Tactician 1/1 (Rounds 0/3)
Challenge 1/1
Phrenic Pool 0/2
Wand of Magic Missile (3rd) 14 charges remaining
Suddenly the Mariner feels it's good idea to sharpen his sword with his forearm. The gruesome slice felt wonderfully cathartic.
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The hound arrives on the scene and causes pain and anguish.
Brother remembers a bit from the last encounter, but tries to recall some things that the people at the Sleepless Agency might have mentioned.
The gaze of the creature is almot as painful as the sight of Mariner INTENTIONALLY hurting himself- and via the shield link hurting BB!
What the F~!& Mariner! I am linked to you. Me being invisible was meant to help keep me from being hurt.
BB sends out a pulse of healing to help his comrads and himself.
An awful feeling washes over the Mariner. He looks down at the names carved into his arm and can’t help himself. Taking his blade, he begins carving...
Fearless and Brother Butterfly recognize the creature as a Hound of Tindalos - otherworldly predators from beyond the bounds of known reality, usually appearing only when summoned by reckless spellcasters. Little is known about their nature outside of blood-spattered notes and deranged writings of the nearly insane survivors of their attacks. Although possessed of great cunning and cruel intellect, the hounds show no evidence of understanding or communicating with mortals. They enter the physical world on their own in pursuit of those who have trodden too much the netherways beyond time and reality—time travelers (be it physical travel or simply divinatory glimpses forward or backward in time) and creatures that teleport without regard to how this movement impacts subtle magical currents in the multiverse particularly draw their interest.
Fearless recalls more...
Feeling confident the Hound is not immune to magic, he unleashes more mental energy into it, knocking it back a little, but not off its feet.
Feeling injuries mounting, Brother Butterfly channels to heal himself and his allies.
Cats changes targets and shoots two arrows at the new threat. Both lodge deeply into its side. It howls in pain - the sound coming out like halting echos.
INITIATIVE continued...
Melisenn -7
Hound of Tindalos -48
Mariner (79/88)
Fearless (27/40) *filth fever
Butterfly (33/47) -1 negative level *invisible
Cats (35/35) -2 negative levels