Calamity has befallen the Varisian tradeport city of Kharum.
Half a year ago, the city's founding families were attacked while they were holding a meeting at one of their houses.
The large regiment of pirates fell at the hands of a group of heroes, who thereafter deal swift justice against the pirate captain and his wizard master, after which they set out to uncover the reason behind it.
But this time they are not complete, and a young woman oracle sensed impending doom lingering upon the city. Plagued by horrible nightmares of the unspeakable horrors beyond the stars being called to the world, she pleaded the founding families to gather a group of able adventurers, who could put a stop to doom coming upon the city, and thereby the entire world.
Strange dreams have recently come to you as well, creatures without a proper name, monsters with unnatural anatomy.
And so it came to be that you all were contacted and brought together.
The young woman: "Thank you for coming. I have had visions of the city in utter chaos, creatures running rampant. Yet i saw another scene, in which you fought them, where others had fallen."
She looks at each of you.
"I have no doubt you have experienced the horrors in your dreams, it has become a thing in the city. There have been reports of suspicious activity outside of the city's walls, near the cliffs near the river.
There is an old ruin of an old watchtower there. Some city soldiers have been dispatched to investigate, but none have returned in the estimated timespan. The city has fallen to a rising chaos, people are paranoid and agitated, and the guard are occupied keeping order. Please go to the ruins, and see if the reports on the ruins are connected."
Taking a swig from a hip flask, Grog mumbles, "I had a dream I were sober. T'where rigth 'orrible, all tha drink in tha city were as vinegar. S nae right tha, some devil or other tainting tha drink."
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"It is true. Renee has been having bad dreams of late. And if Renee is not getting his beauty sleep, he will be most unhappy." The half-orc lets out a sigh that turns into a long and loud yawn.
"So Renee agrees, something must be done. If all the soldiers investigating this watchtowers have gone missing, we must assume the worst, non? Your soldiers have been killed in most brutal ways, and horrible dangers await us! But Renee goes where Desna leads him!"
Young woman: "We have no idea how they met their end, but this evil must be extinguished, for all our sake."
Grog took another long swig from his his flash and frowned as he found it empty. With a grimace he addressed the young lady "Well den. Point me at em Lady, 'n' give me a bottle fer tha road 'n' I'll sort em out." Grog had no use for treasure he couldn't drink. Gold or power held no interest to him.
The young woman knocks on a door behind her.
It opens and an athletic young man, with a mask fit for a masked ball, enters.
"This man is a runner for an influential member of the city. He knows the quickest routes outside of the public eye, so you won't be running into mobs of paranoid citizens. The gate you need to take is from the docks district to the South West."
She looks at the other three, who haven't spoken yet.
"Do you have any questions, before departure?"
Carlaya kneels and strokes the constrictor snake coiled up next to her, its head wrapped around her ankle as it hisses at the masked man. "Easy there, Rags. These people need our help. I think we can do that, can't we?" She taps its head a few times and stands up straight. "Such a good boy." She smiles at it. "Now if this has anything to do with those dreams of six-legged eidolons and bats with the heads of bears, I at least hope we're prepared. How long is the trip to the ruins?"
"If that is all you have dreamed of, think yourself fortunate.
Other citizens have been admitted with severe cases of fear and paranoia."
"The trip shouldn't be too long, an hour or three.
It's through a small forested area, which borders a grassland to the river's cliffs."
Grog had a moment of clarity, focusing on the answer to Carlaya's question. The answer was very important, if it was a long journey he'd need to take more beer...
With a deep sigh Grog made a show of calculating on his grubby hands,"An hour or three eh? Hmmph. There's no inn on tha way is der? Nae s'ok Grog'll make do. Gonna carry me a large barrel o'meed. Should be enough fer three hours, four'd be push-in it mind." The though of actually being sober terrified Grog beyond measure. Bad things happened when sober like hangovers and responsibilities!
Carlaya's eyes grow wide. "Through a forest? Desna smiles. Sounds like I'll be right at home, trekking through the wilderness with old Rusty Rags!" She turns to the grumbling dwarf. "Hi there, friend from beneath the earth, I assume? Are you needing a drink to set things right? Nightmare's got you shaken?" She teases. "I'm right there with you. Not to worry, Rags here can carry a whole wagon full of booze!"
Grog's tired old face lights up, "A wagon! Full o' ale. Why Lady, ye're an angel o' mercy fer sure! Ole' Grog'll be sure to repay ye, keep ye safe I will! If any 'o these nightmares try 'n' get ta ye, well dey gotta get through Grog first!" Something about the fire in the old dwarf's eyes told you he really meant that.
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I'm getting sloppy...
Dreams of men skewering her, decapitating her sisters and offering their corpses to the gods. They've grown with intensity lately.
My last job, ugh. The vision flashed across my eyes with such intensity, I dropped that sapphire on the guard's head. I'm glad his partner was slow to notice me scurry away, but it took the whole night to escape.
"You're the new woman in my dreams." The scaly-skinned woman with coily hair looks up from the corner she's hidden in. "My nightmares have gotten worse lately. If we look through that tower and fix whatever's going on there it'll stop, right? I'm game."
Who is this woman? Is this a trap?
The gods cloud my judgement!
She looks to the rest of the party. "My name doesn't matter, but you can call me Charis."
While she resembles a feral Nagaji, you note a magical and mundane disguise underneath. She's human.
Carlaya laughs heartily at Grog's response, but it abruptly ends when someone steps out of the shadows, and she drums her fingers on the hilt of her rapier when she hears it. Rags turns and hisses. "Down, Rags. She says she's here for the same reason we are."
She turns to Charis. "The nightmares plague you as well? We're tasked with ending the town's suffering and at the same time, clearing out minds of these visions... Personally I find the latter to be of much more importance. I haven't slept well in weeks! Carlaya's the name. This is my good friend, Rags." Carlaya lazily plops herself down in one of the chairs while the huge snake lays his head flat on the wooden floor, much like a dog.
To Charis, the young woman seems a mystery.
"I have no doubt it will be dangerous, but i believe it is where you would find a lead."
"I have some personal suspicions, that a cult might be involved.
A group of heroes, who was responsible for the foiling of the city council's assassination, ventured to Fatush Asylum, to get a text translated by one of their more secured patients.
They told they had stumbled upon a cult using blood sacrifices and summoning. They described encountering bizzarre creatures and people gone crazy from seeing hideous things both in dreams and while awake.
You can see the connection here."
Fatush Asylum is an institution for the mentally ill and those deemed as a mentally liable threat to society.
What was said to be a cult had infiltrated and seized temporary control of the institution. Few of its staff and admitted residents survived the takeover.
It has been closed ever since.
Getting a little hot under the collar, Grog mutters darkly "An according to ye, dey be responsible fer meh dreams o' poisoned grog? Grog cannae abide tha!"
"It is unconfirmed, but i believe it highly likely to be so."
The woman pauses as visions of the Asylum flood her vision. She holds her nose and winces before reclaiming her senses.
"The Fatush Asylum. That was filled with..." Sanity is relative, right my dear? "Those unfit for society. At one point a cult managed to overtake the facility, there were few survivors. It's been closed ever since."
She shakes her head. "It's the perfect place. Four walls, no authorities to inspect... the perfect scene."
"Mon Dieu! This cult... they are messing with dreams, non? This cannot be tolerated - they interfere with ze domain of Desna!" Renee shakes his head, feeling holy wrath arising.
"Mais... This other group cleaned up ze asylum, non? Then ze only clue is pointing towards ze watchtower ruins - and this is where we must go! Onwards, mes amies!"
The oracle looks you all in the eyes.
"Be careful, for the fate of the world depends on it. Should you fail, i fear not even all the gods together can stop the disaster that befalls this world. I bid you luck on your endeavor."
The briefest flash shimmers behind her, no more than a second or two.
The image is that of the city, crumbling, and things with bizarre anatomy moving around. The sky shows no shred of blue, and glows a dark purple mixed with inky blackness.
You, and your last one who was lurking unseen in a corner, take your leave with the runner.
He leads you through a set of alleys, making sure you are not hindered by the city guard on their watch.
From around the corner you can hear someone jibber in panic, and someone else trying to calm him down.
Voice #1: "Please calm down sir, and just go home and sit down with a mug of ale or herbal mix."
Voice #2: "Re-relax? Man, you haven't SEEN that thing...sitting in the shadows....looking at us with those malformed eyes, and those freakish teeth. They're out to get us!"
The trek leads through the commons and the docks district.
When nearing the gate, the runner stops. He approaches the guards, but is first stopped, and then shows them a letter, which the guard reads.
They open a small portcullis, and point you through.
The runner turns to you, "Follow the road, and when you see a split tree, that got struck by lightning, turn left into the woods. You will find an old path that leads to the Cliffs and the old watchtower. It used to be a shortcut for emergencies.
Good luck, may the gods be with you."
==========================
It is just past mid day, and the path in the forest is easily found.
After a short while, you come upon the scene of death.
A man in soldier's uniform lies dead next to his horse. His nearby sword is broken, and it has purple stains on the blade.
Several arrows are scattered around the scene.
His arms and throat show vicious bite marks, something strong did this man in. The horse's throat is chewed open.
You easily notice other marks of hooves around, suggesting much of any fighting was done on horseback, and that any remaining soldiers rode off further.
"Yes, let's go."
The Maiden nearly stumbles as the illusion flashes before her. She takes a knee to recover. "It's almost as bad..."
While walking here, she notices the path the runner takes. Exceptional routing as he avoids guards, directs you away from thugs, and knows how to avoid distractions before they get full-blown altercations. He's incredible. I'll have to make a note of these paths.
The Maiden hears passersby talk about the creatures drawn from madness. "Glad I'm not the only one to see these monsters, but that means the influence is widespread."
The runner bids everyone farewell and the party continues.
When they witness all of the carnage, the Maiden shakes her head. "By the gods. Terrible." She uses magic to focus her eyesight.
She then becomes quiet as a mouse and checks her settings.
Ed Earl moves closer to the body to investigate the ground for tracks of the assailant and soldier's wounds. He checks the arrows to see if they belonged to the soldier or his killer.
After coming to the conclusion that he doesn't have the slightest clue what did this...
"Yep, this was a big beast. Must have been 7 to 8 feet tall, about 300 pounds I would say. Cannot tell much more about it, but I should be able to follow these hoof marks pretty well. Looks like the soldier's rode off in this direction."
A flash of something awful. "Ugh! Wha where tha?!" demanded Grog, as he reflexively took a swig of something exceedingly potent from his hip flask. Suitably fortified Grog narrowed his eyes, fussed with his beard and forged ahead. He pointedly ignored the foolish talk from around the corner
The walk down the road was pleasant enough, the rot gut he'd drunk gave a warm fuzzy feeling. And he was feeling somewhat loquacious, humming an old an tuneless tune. Of course the mood was soured with the discovery of the soldier's corpse.
Back of his neck prickling, Grog takes another swig of rot gut, and peers around suspiciously with his hand on the haft of his fine dwarven hammer.
"Come on, Rags, it's time to go," Carlaya says as the trek begins, but she suddenly feels overcome with a flash of nightmares, and grabs her head for a moment. "Ugh... Did you guys feel that too?"
"Alright guys, malformed eyes and freakish teeth. Well, at least we know what we'll be killing, right?!" The half-elf jokes in an attempt to make light of the situation.
"Rags, wait," Carlaya says as she notices the corpse. The huge snake hisses at it. "Yeah, I don't like it either."
"Ready to bring the frozen tundra to bear on these deviant" the white skinned half orc grins, as she rubbed her hands together
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The oracle's vision is daunting, but an inquisitor must be prepared to face the worst the world has to offer. As such, the terrible visage is merely a curiosity to Renee.
Renee picks up the agitated conversion nearby, confirming their suspicions of something evil in the city. The man's description isn't really helpful, but perhaps he recognizes such a creature when he sees one. Looks like his companions caught the man's words as well. "Hear that, mes amies? Our enemies are given face. From what the man said, we could be facing trolls. Or orges. Or troglodytes. (Or Baron Sparisci of Litran, for that matter.)"
The half-orc inquisitor picks up the scent battle site almost as soon as he catches the sight of the dead horse. And being cautious, he draws his bow before moving any closer. "Very good, monsieur Ed. And since a corpse of such a beast is nowhere to be found, we should assume it is lurking nearby." Renee keeps watch while the cavalier investigates the corpse. Once Ed is done, the inquisitor moves closer to study if the tracks would reveal any new information about the attacker.
As the team stands at the scene, multiple malicious eyes observe them.
While the party is on high alert, the creatures they belong to spring into action.
Three shapes of sickly red, white and black rush from the shadows.
They vaguely resemble hound like creatures, with a head with two heads.
These hound like creatures are called Z'Kthorplu.
They have rarely been seen, but have Always been spotted in service of evil conjurers and cults.
Their bite saps life force and strength.
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Ed Earl & Renee
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Red
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Ol Grog & Charis
Carlaya & Zira
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Blue & Green
"Well lookie what we have here. Spread out a bit in case they have a breath weapon or something. You each should be able maneuver around some, with out them attacking you."
Ed Earl demonstrate by giving a quick nod to Zira, Renee and Grog, he moves in and out of all three creature's reach.
On Going Effect: Escape Route, all allies, 6 rds; Banner: +4 vs fear & +3 to hit w/ charge, all allies, constant;
"What are these things?"
"Merde! Where did these fils de pute come from? Ah, wait... I have heard of such beast. These are called Z'Kthorplu!" The names does sound rather odd, especially through Renee's strong Galtish accent.
For a moment it looked like the inquisitor was in a rather bad spot, but luckily Ed Earl's tactical information provides a way out of the trouble.
"Merci, monsieur Ed. This is most helpful!" Renee says, moving through his allies into a better position for archery. Bow ready, he calls for Desna's favor and readies to smite the beasts.
The sudden attack took Grog by surprise and the old dwarf snorted in indignation and was consumed by a terrible rage! These creatures would pay for the insult. Propelled by the impact, he drunkenly lurched away from the closest hound. With feral cunning, he lunged out with his long dwarven hammer aiming to smash across the hound things eyes!
[dice=Savage Dirty Trick]1d20+19-2[/dice]
[Dice=Greater Dirty Trick, extra rounds]1d4[/dice]
With the hound unable to defend itself properly, he viciously tries to cave its head in!
They are aberrations, extraplanar.
They have some DR, and aside from the forementioned abilities, their two heads make attacks to impair sight only half as effective.
With Ed and Renee making preparations, the red Z'Kthorplu's turn comes around, and it is ravenously hungry.
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Red (-2 HP)
, Grog is bit for 8.
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Ol Grog flies into a rage from the savage mauling he has received.
Stepping back, he manages to blind 1 of two heads, which becomes blinded for rounds.
The impact is slightly reduced by the creature's otherworldly hide.
==> Charis
Carlaya & Zira
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Blue & Green
The Maiden runs past Zira, drawing her longsword along the way.
"Guide my aim..." Her mind wracks through multiple outcomes, helping her predict the optimal place to strike.
Charis swiftly moves through battle formation to attack the red hound.
On her way, blue makes a bite at her.
Red takes a bite as well.
She evades both attacks, and strikes at the creature.
Its hide reduces impact, but it's hurt again nontheless.
Carlya & Zira
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Blue & Green
"Alright Rags, you know what to do," Carlaya says as she steps back 5 feet and fires two arrows at the green-eyed dog with her bow.
Rags lurches forward and chomps for the dog's neck.
The attacks of team Carlya miss their intended targets, but it does add to the Arrow decoration already present.
Zira
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Blue & Green
Zira, assuming the Z'Kthorplu took its bite at the passing Charis, moves north past Carlaya.
"May you slip, abomination."
She casts grease underneath blue.
The monstrous hound holds its footing.
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The hound makes a 10 feet leap, showing remarkable agility, before continuing pursuit.
Green notices Ol Grog as a danger, who had half blinded his comrade.
It 5ft steps closer to him, and snaps its jaws twice at him.
Both times Ol Grog is too fast to sink teeth into.
=================
Ed Earl & Renee
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Red (-9, 1 head blinded)
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Ol Grog & Charis
Carlya & Zira
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Blue & Green