DM Delmoth's Strange Aeons (Inactive)

Game Master Delmoth

Cesadia opens the doors of the Sleepless building once again and the party camps out in an unused reading room.

The next morning everyone can faintly smell vinegar outside.

When they arrived back at the Sleepless building, Mara updated Cesadia on what happened. She discussed plans for the next day with her comrades, and finally prepared for the night's rest. She made sure that they kept a watch, in case the cult tried to make a move against them here.

In the morning, she awoke and meditated, communing with her parents on how to remove Dervak's curse.

Once she had finished her preparations, Mara joined Dervak and performed the ritual to remove his affliction.

Remove Curse (caster level check): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

I don't think the Fortune Hex helps with caster level checks.

After determining that her attempt had been unsuccessful, she meditated once more and tried again.

Remove Curse (caster level check): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

That too failed to do the trick, so she meditated again and made her last attempt of the day.

Remove Curse (caster level check): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

With the curse lifted Dervak feels like a new man. But he still looks older and less imposing than he used to, cha damage.

When Theo wakes up he notices a single tiny flea jump from his orange hair to the floor. Two more jump from White Rabbit and he is scratching more than usual. Theo has the chills and his lymph nodes feel swollen and painful. Theo is fatigued and takes the following:

Con damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Cha damage: 1 = 1

Ok. Wouldd Theo realize that he may need to memorize Remove Disease? We may be waiting the extra day just to make everyone back to normal.

Theo knows he's sick its a heal check DC19 to diagnose what disease

Heal (Wis): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Theophilus looks ill.

We may need another day.

Theophilus gets sick; rinse and repeat.

Mara examined Theo, checking his symptoms. ”Stick out your tongue and say ah.”

Heal: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Dervak should have healed 1 Cha damage overnight, and can get more back from the Wand of Lesser Restoration?

"Anybody know what that vinegar smell is about? I think we should go back after them before they make a move on us. But if you want to wait and recover more, I will stand guard."

The half-orc is not enthusiastic about standing around and waiting, but knows that others have more wisdom than he does.

Remove Disease: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Remove Disease: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Remove Disease: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Theo suffers from a nasty variety of bubonic plague. He likely caught it while in the vicinity of the dead rats. His only solace is that the cultist's water source is likely tainted. Unfortunately his magic is not enough to dispel the disease. Mara does determine that he is the only member of the group who currently has it, but he can possibly spread it to others.

Theophilus stays in bed.
Cough. Cough. Perhaps, a bit of soup.

It's weird that Theo gets no benefit from complete bed rest to his recovery. So have a +1 circumstance bonus to your next save.

What is everyone else doing? There is a certain artist who's very interested in doing your portraits.

Probably not a good idea to split the party and go into Iris Hill without Theo. I'm assuming that Mara will also make a heal check to help Theo recover. She'll automatically succeed if she takes 10.

Dervak will stand guard, the scroll of Force Sword in hand, dreading the imminent return of Nemira Lowls.

He asks Mara to use one charge of the Wand of Lesser Restoration on him.

Ellery spends much of his time away from the sick people and finds some gambling going on. Though he will return each night to sleep for a few hours then take watch so that the rest of the group can be better rested.

Oh, Elizabeth! This is the big one! I'm coming to see you, Elizabeth!

The White Rabbit chuckles at Theo's over-acting...

Mara heals Dervak with her wand.

Wand of Lesser Restoration (Cha): 1d4 ⇒ 2

She spends the day at the Sleepless building, tending to Theohpilus.

Heal (Disease), taking 10: 10 + 14 = 24

Mara yawns as her night’s watch drags on. The door to the stairs drifts open with a creak. She hears a lyrical voice as she looks over and freezes before she can say anything. Suddenly and directly in front of her a pale face framed by glossy black hair appears in the air, hanging from the ragged stump of its neck is a grisly tail of viscera. The stench of vinegar permeates the air. Mara knows it is a penanggalen, a rare type of vampire, she knows they can have a wide variety of abilities but all of them drain the blood of their victims. Template added to another creature, 1d4 con drain when it grapples.

Everyone else wakes up and hears the sound of a spell being cast. Mara and Theo know that the spell was hold person.

Everyone but Mara can act, remember you're prone.

Dervak stands up, grabs his falchion, and takes a step towards the door.

Ellery's perceptions were 5-7 higher due to danger sense and percepton skill unlocks, this changes nothing

Ellery stands and draws his rapier, planning to head out the door as soon as possible.

What a jerk, ruining my beauty sleep....you can't look this good on less than two hours!

Theophilus stands up (brushing dust off his pant legs). The gentleman then casts a spell, targeting above the creature.

Thou shall not cast...easily.

Theo doesn't see her yet through the closed door but I see no reason why this particular spell's spread wouldn't go through walls.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Rowan leaps up from the floor, bursts through the door and runs up behind Mara. He takes a momentary glance at the thing in front of Mara.
knowledge: religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

He throws a kick over Mara’s head (pugnacious for reach) and kicks the thing.
stunning kick: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Rowan had 1 too many actions in his post. His next attack he can keep that attack and damage roll. Rowan knows nothing because I had already made that roll for him, but once Mara is able to speak she can share her insights, which brings us to: I had also mistakenly identified its blood drain as con drain, it’s merely con damage.

Bite vs Mara, heroism, vs helpless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 32
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Slam vs Mara, heroism vs helpless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Plus grab, heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17
Blood drain (con damage): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Mara Fort vs Wither: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Dex Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Cha Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The monstrosity wraps it’s entrails around Mara and squeezes tightly, where Mara is embraced her skin and flesh develop open sores and sag as if weakened. Before the vampire bites into Mara she whispers, ”You’re no new mother but I will still savor you.” If I'm not mistaken Mara took 16 damage; 1 con, 1 dex, and 2 cha damage. And became grappled.

PCs up. Mara can spend a full round action to try to save vs hold person DC 18 or take some other purely mental action. Theo’s door is still shut though someone can open it with a move or burst through it as if it were difficult terrain.

Dervak moves into the hall, sees the monstrosity, and casts Longarm.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?"

Theophilus opens his door. He then Fortune Hex Mara.

Mara was paralyzed before she even knew what was happening.

It's up to DM_Delmoth which way Mara is facing, and where she can see. If she has line of sight to teleport at least 10 ft away from the penanggalen:

Mara concentrated, warping space in order to escape the fangs of her tormentor.

Using Heaven's Leap to teleport as far away from the monster as possible.

If Mara doesn't have line of sight to teleport at least 10 ft away.

Mara tried desparately to fight off the paralysis.

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Will (Fortune): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

RAW I don't think paralyzed limits line of sight, especially since facing is not a thing in Pathfinder. I can understand how that's not satisfying so Mara can roll a d8 to determine which square face or corner she's facing, similar to a missed splash weapon. Once she has her facing she can teleport to any square in a cone from that origin point.

Mara's facing (1=towards the rumatari, higher numbers clockwise): 1d8 ⇒ 8

I'm assuming the door behind the rumatari is closed? Edit: missed that it had opened; thanks Dervak.

The monster inadvertently pushed Mara though the portal that she opened; she reappeared in the corner near the stairs.

The door to the stairs drifts open with a creak.

Mara, I think that door is open.

action to Ellery and Rowan

Ellery heads out the door taking up the space that Mara just left and attempts to impale the creature.

Red Destiny, Attunement: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Rowan only moved last turn; we can scrap the attack.

Despite the cramped hallway, Rowan finds a way to throw some kicks without hitting Ellery (pugnacious for reach and flurry).

flurry 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

flurry 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
confirm crit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

flurry 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Ellery stabs the creature's exposed dead heart while Rowan manages to land one punch into her face breaking her nose. She still seems unperturbed and her nose cracks back into place on its own. Ellery's crit didn't confirm and both attacks didn't beat it's DR 5, it also healed 5 from fast healing.

Concentration vs DC 17: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Will DC 18
Dervak: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Ellery: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Rowan: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Theo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The penanggalen drifts back through the doorway. Fighting through the noise she intones some lyrical words of power and a cloud of gold dust descends into the hallway and into everyone's eyes. But not Mara since she's not in the hallway.

Spellcraft
Dervak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Mara: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Theo: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Theo knows it's glitterdust. At the end of your turn you can make a new save to remove blind.

PCs up

Theo couldn't cackle last round, so the Fortune Hex wasn't extended.

Mara struggled and fought off the paralysis.

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

After teleporting while paralyzed, is Mara standing or prone?

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Theo Cackles while blind. Hd also cast Guidance on himself.

Dervak could try to use Barroom Brawler for Blind-Fight, but he can hear his allies in front of him and isn't sure he can get to the enemy. He instead uses the feat to to gain Weapon Focus (Falchion).

Total Defense as his standard action.

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Dervak shakes the golden glitter from his eyes.

After teleporting while paralyzed, is Mara standing or prone?

No effect knocked Mara prone so she's standing, and no longer paralyzed.

Also forgot to say Dervak and Theo owe me a concentration check to cast their spells distracting cacaphony. Added the area of effect for that spell which is most of the battlefield.

Reasonable recons approved as usual.

Wouldn't this be embarrassing: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Dervak's Concentration is not great, so he'd have instead drawn his wand of Shield while moving and activated it last round (now at 47), then this round sheathed the wand (move) and used Barroom Brawler (move).

Apologies, Dervak; just wanted its casting to be more difficult. Figured our melee could then destroy it.

Ellery attempts to locate the creature, trying to avoid it attacking him (Total Def.)

Will Save DC 18: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Action to Rowan

Rowan enters Snake style and total defense.

Will save dc 18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Perception vs DC 5 or 25
Ellery: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Rowan: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

Dervak, Ellery, and Mara fight off their respective afflictions but Ellery and Rowan aren't as lucky. Rowan and Ellery despite the noise around them easily hear the vampire in the direction of the stairs, but aren't sure the exact square.

Bite vs Mara, heroism: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Slam vs Mara, heroism: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Plus grab, heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 = 28
Blood drain (con damage): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Mara Fort vs Wither: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Dex Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Cha Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The monstrosity continues to drift toward Mara and assails her again. She wraps herself around Mara and drinks her blood once again. 15 damage, 4 con damage, and both are grappled if I'm not mistaken

PCs up

"Theophilus, make me lucky!"
Figuring a falchion crit is our best chance of ending this quickly, although if Theo has something else to take out the enemy go for it.

Dervak thinks to himself. Is your redemption or the purity of your soul worth Mara's life? You know what you have to do...

Reality wobbles around him.

Agreed. Dervak needs to get its attention!

Theophilus Fortunes Hex Dervak. He Cackles.

Mara knew that death was close. She healed herself and drew her dagger, hoping that her friends could kill the vampire before it killed her.

Healing Hex (Mara): 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 = 16

I don't think drawing a dagger provokes.

I don't think drawing a dagger provokes.

It does not.

Mara does not provide a flank because you don't threaten an area while grappled. Still, with Fortune, Dervak should be able to hit.
The half-orc warrior moves up and swings his massive sword at the monstrosity.
Fortune on the attack roll, and Pugnacious to increase the damage by one step to 2d6.
Attack, PA, WF: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 21
Fortune: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 30
Confirm: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 29

Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 6) + 13 = 20
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 5) + 13 = 20

"Face me!"