Anala is glad to be done with the strange chicken-like creatures. As the group continues along in their travels the cleric watches each of her companions. She takes note of tobar and his companion and Aarakess' new friend.
At the magical prank she asks the dwarven witch, "Does your new friend there have a name?"
Aarakess looks at the cleric:
I don't know. She was trying to tell me, but my draconic is not that strong and it sounds like she has a really long name. I think we will have to find a shorter name, unless she has one and is just playing games.
The group tells the now pristine Tobar that they will be taking Marzena back to Diamond Point (2 days north) before heading, at some point some after, to Magnimar (3 days to the west of Diamond Point) to deliver the peace treaty.
As morning dawns, those who are heading out to Diamond Point set out on the road north. Nothing interesting happens the first day of travel. You stop at the half-way point "Shank's Rest" as you did on the way down. A group of gnome merchants are also staying at the barn there. They have left Magnimar a week ago and are headed to Wartle, their home town. They will then restock there before returning to Magnimar in time for the Champion's Games in the upcoming weeks (Gladiatorial Arena Games).
The gnomes are willing to do some business. They are interested in any goods that are exotic as well as any gems or jewelry. They have some alchemical items for sale (anything 25gp or less)
After some weird stories and maybe a little trading with the gnomes, the next day you head out early in the morning.
During mid afternoon you make it to Galduria and get on the last ferry to Diamond Point. Marzena insists on going straight to Allustan's house first so you accompany her there. As she walks up Allustan opens the door with an excited look to his face. She runs into his arms crying with him holding her. You decide to give them some time alone and head back to your house.
After cleaning up, you head to the Rusty Bucket, one of the better restaurants in town. Having a real meal at a table is a nice change after the last two weeks of traveling.
You are all ready for an early night for a good night sleep so you turn in early. Anala is up at the dawn like normal and soon after sunrise an unseen servant comes and delivers a note from Allustan. He thanks you all for saving Marzena and will be talking to her about what she learned and will talk with you over the next few days on what you had seen and experienced.
You have a week to 10 days for whatever activities you desire. Allustan will meet with you to ask you questions and go over what you learned, but otherwise it is complete downtown. If you want to sell items or purchase others, the merchants here can send off to Magnimar and usually get them within a week.
Tobar finds the Emporium a very good distraction for the first couple of days in town. . Inside he meets Shag Solomon, a wild man full of hair from the Storval Plateau but speaks like a big city man , a harrow reader, and a two headed calf. Lots of games for cash and entertaining shows go on nearly 24 hours a day.
Over the next week you meet with Allustan going over all your experiences and Allustan makes notes of everything you say adding it his previous notes of what was found in the Whispering Cairn and underneath Dourstone Mine.
Marzena seems to have healed most of the physical wounds suffered from her ordeal at the hands of the lizardfolk. Her and Allustan spend almost all of their time together behind closed doors.
After getting back you decide what to keep and sell then do your transactions in town. What things you have sent off for return in about a week.
10 days after you have returned from your trip to the swamp, an unseen servant from Allustan brings an invitation to dinner that night with check boxes on it for your food preferences for each of you.
You arrive to Allustan's house that night for dinner and you see a big table that wasn't there before big enough to seat the six of you and Allustan and Marzena. After you are seated, unseen servants bring each of you your food. It smells delicious and tastes even better.
After dinner you all move into his den filled with plush comfortable chairs. Various drinks, both alcoholic and non alcoholic are on a small table clearly labeled. Allustan indicates you are welcome to whatever you would like.
Once everyone is comfortable, Allustan addresses all of you, "Once again I thank you for what you have done for Marzena. I am also letting you know she has decided to retire from adventuring life and settle down here with me. She will help me with my responsibilities to Diamond Point, allowing me more time to study the Whispering Cairn. That is such a huge task to catalog it all but now that my time will be partially freed up, I can devote more time to it."
"However that is not why I called you all here tonight. I have gone over all my notes on everything that has happened and what we know so far. Unfortunately other than confirmation of the 'unkillable undead' does exist in the form of the creature you fought at Blackwall Keep and the reappearance of the green worms worms that seem to be linked to those undead and the Ebon Triad cult, we do not know much more."
"My personal library is decent, but limited. I think it may be time for you to go to my long time friend, Eligos. Some of you have already met him or know of him, so you know he is a very intelligent man. He also knows a great deal about strange monsters and has a major library at his disposal. Normally I would ask Marzena to go, but since she has decided to stay here, and you have that Peace Treaty to deliver to Magnimar, I figured that you may be willing to take all of my notes to him, speak with him, and help him as you have helped me. He lives in the Alabaster District and I can give you his address and directions to his manor."
With that he takes a long sip of his wine awaiting your responses.
Tobar, I assume during your travels the party had filled you in at some point about their previous adventures here in Diamond Point.
They examined a looted Cairn but found a secret area filled with treasure and monsters. It once belonged to the Wind Dukes that fought against a demon invasion long ago. There they found the ghost of a boy who could get them in the final room if they could find his bones and lay them to rest.
This led them to Filge, a necromancer, in an old observatory outside of town. He used the boy's and his family's bones for skeletons. He had notes about a cult under the town.
After burying the bones they found the burial site of one of the Wind Dukes and had the feeling they were welcome to his treasure.
Filge was a buddy of Smenk, one of the Mine Managers in town so they inquired with him about the cult and found out it was underneath the mine of a different mine manager, Ragnolin Dourstone. They snuck into the mine and got in underneath.
They they found the three forces of the Ebon Triad. A cult of heretics of three religions meant to combine three evil gods into one overgod. The three religions are Zon Kuthon (LE), Norgorber posing as Urgathoans, and Lamashtu.
As they killed the last of the three leaders of each section of the cult, a creature rose out of the depths of a pool in a common room that had features of each god. They managed to slay it and bring Ragnolin to custody.
From there is when they moved on to the swamp and where you encountered them.
Justin thanks Tobar at the dinner.
"Thank you for a wonderful meal. We tend to do good things for good things sake, but it is nice to get some appreciation. We have need of someone to scout, find, and disable traps. We have a home in Diamond Point decorated in eclectic 'Interesting Dungeon Plunder' décor. We have yet to sign any formal contract--we have sort of an all for one and one for all attitude. Treasure has been loosely divided and magic items tend to go to those that can use it the best. You may want to consider staying with us until something better comes along or throw in with us on a more permanent basis."
Upon meeting the gnomes, Justin buys some smokesticks and smoke pellets. He comments to Tobar: "Your ingenious use of smoke has impressed me. I can see using these devices myself to great advantage."
After returning Justin's spirits pick up at the reunion of Allustran and his lost friend. He seems to be somewhat of a romantic at heart and spends the next day showing his teeth, but those that know him know read this expression as a pleased grin.
Spellcraft(ring): <-- probably +1 more for next level which I shall do today if I can.
HP:
.
After your dinner and drinks night with Allustan and Marzena, you head back to your place for another good night's sleep. The next day you prepare for the three day trip to Magnimar.
The following day comes and you start by taking the ferry across the river to Galduria. From there you head southwest and make good time. You find a good place to make camp and have a quiet night.
You start out early the next morning so you make sure you make the town of Sandpoint by evening. Just before noon you come around the bend and are ambushed by shimmering feline creatures with tentacles. Aarakess sees the hidden creatures at the last minute before they leap out saving you from being surprised.
- Tobar, Kilthan, Aarakess, Dryn'taka, Justin, Anala, Felines
AC 20 T 15 FF 14 CMD 26
Before heading out, Justin gives Aarakess the ring of spell storing with instructions to store the haste spell on it.
Know(arcana):
Aarakess calls to the others:
Displacer Beasts. Nasty creatures that can bend light about their bodies. They and blink dogs hate each other and attack one another on sight.
Aarakess then casts Haste on her companions to help them move faster against the Displacer Beasts.
Seeing the group surrounded by strange creatures that apparently have even stranger abilities Anala grasps her holy symbol and calls upon her divine magics, "May the Everlight grant us her blessings!"
Anala turns her attention to the creatures, drawing her blade.
Kilthan steps to the left while drawing his axe and willing his skin to harden, calling to Jagdbach to join the attack.
Kilthan: HP: 82/82 ; AC: 22/13/20
Move action: Draw Waraxe while stepping in (5')
Swift action: Adaptation
Free action: Direct Companion
Standard: Waraxe Attack
Jagdbach: HP: 77/77; AC: 21/11/18 [Rage Used: 0 of 12, not raging]
5' step and full attack
Justin smiles at the powerful magic and uses his new lunging move.
Rnd 1
Justin swings his axe with power at the creature on the left.
Tobar aids Anala, fending off the feline creatures. Kilthan moves in with Jagdbach but even though the attacks feel true, most still somehow miss. Aarakess speeds up the reacts of everyone in the party while Dryn'taka throws a pair of bombs. Anal finishes off with a prayer spell increasing your abilities and slowing the enemies
*Both Hit*
*Not Displaced*
Damage
Damage
Vs CMD 22
Vs CMD 22
Vs CMD 20
Vs CMD 20
*Hit, Not Confirmed*
*Hit, Not Confirmed*
Vs CMD 21
*Hit, not grappled*
Vs CMD 21
*Hit and Grappled*
Vs CMD 19
Vs CMD 19
- Tobar, Kilthan, Aarakess, Dryn'taka (Grappled), Justin, Anala, Felines
AC 20 T 15 FF 14 CMD 26
- Tobar, Kilthan, Aarakess, Dryn'taka (Grappled), Justin, Anala, Felines
AC 20 T 15 FF 14 CMD 26
Justin nudges his mount closer to his foe and hits again with all his might.
His mount attacks.
Aarakess reaches out to her patron and asks that she and her companions be allowed to move with greater speed and grace.
Cast Haste on all members of the party. I can get 7 people, so everyone except myself will be included including the badger and horse.
Round 2
Kilthan curses as his attacks pass mostly through the air. He calls out in dwarven, "Jagbach, fury" and throws himself at the beast, trying to connect with one of his many attacks. The Badger turns its atten
Kilthan
for
Jagdbach
for
Kilthan: HP: 82/82 ; AC: 23/14/21; Cursed by the Diceroller
Full Round Action: Full Attack with 5' step toward Justin (to get out of flank)
Free action: Direct Companion
Jagdbach: HP: 68/77; AC: 20/10/17 [Rage Used: 1 of 12, not raging]
Full attack, enter
Justin lands a blow with his axe and a bite while his mount also lands a bite.
Doh, I cast Haste in round 1.
Round 2
Use flight hex and then fly straight up and out of displaced range.
Round 3
HP 58/65
AC 18 FF15 T13 CMD19
F/R/W 8/9/3
Bombs 8/11
Mutagen Dexterity
Bora Beads 1 1/1
Extracts
1st - Cure Light Wounds, Shield , Bomber's Eye, 2 open
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, See Invisibility, 2 open
3rd - Cure Serious Wounds x2
Ammo Tracker
Normal - 20
Silver - 20
Cold Iron - 20
Effects
Haste
Prayer
Grappled
Dryn pulls out her morningstar with one hand while proceeding to pull out a bomb and throw it at the Displacer Beast with the other. "Let go of me!"
vs AC 17
vs CMD 16
A tentacle goes to grab you and hold you from escaping, but your hasted reflexes manage to avoid it.
Kilthan and Jagdbach both connect with a hit. While Dryn'taka misses with a bomb.
Anala and Tobar up last
Anala quickly touches her holy symbol and speaks a simple prayer as a wave of holy energies wash over the group with the healing properties of the Everlight.
Anala then steps forward with her blade flashing in a slash across the creatures hide. The strike manages to connect with the creature and score a minor hit to a vital area.
The beasts return their attacks, grabbing Kilthan and Jagdbach. Dryn'taka is released by the displacer beast and although it hit again, cannot seem to find its grip on her. All three of them were hit with a number of attacks, though Justin is completely missed.
*Hit and Grappled*
*hit*
*Hit and Grappled*
#4 drops Dryn'taka and attacks her fully!
*Hit not Grappled*
*Hit*
*Hit not confirmed*
- Tobar, Kilthan (Grappled including Jagdbach), Aarakess, Dryn'taka, Justin, Anala, Felines
AC 20 T 15 FF 14 CMD 26
Hoping to help the team more than she did in the last fight, Aarakess points at Justin while speaking arcane words. A moment later, the palizard begins to grow swelling to a gigantic size.
Cast Enlarge Person on Justin.
Hit them hard big boy. Don't let them grab your friends.
Forgot it is 1 round. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of good options. They have us completely surrounded.
. . . . .
Change of tactics.
Aarakess stares down at the monster holding Kilthan and makes it realize the err of its ways and the doom that is about to befall it.
Move - Cackle
Standard: Misfortune on the Displacer Beast holding Kilthan.
Round 3
Kilthan curses as the tentacle grasps him, using Aarakess' blessing of speed to rapidly swing the axe in his free hand down, trying to sever the tentacle and free himself.
Jagdbach, in the haze of his rage, begins to foam at the mouth and tears at the tentacle that tries to restrain him.
for
for
Kilthan: HP: 73/82 ; AC: 23/14/21 ; Full Attack
Jagdbach: HP: 64/77; AC: 20/10/17 [Rage Used: 2 of 12, raging]; Full Attack (13 damage after being channel-healed to full)
Round 3 Justin
Justin sees Kilthan grabbed and calls on Iomedae to smite his opponent if they are lacking in her eyes.
His mount attacks.
"These creatures are tough to hit!!"
[b]Round 3[/[b]
Anala struck out at the creature before her the scimitar glinting off the day's light. The first slash missed the quick moving creature and as she tried a backward slash in an attempt to catch the creature off guard, it surprised her again with its quick refexes and doged the second attack as well.
Round 3
HP 46/65
AC 18 FF15 T13 CMD19
F/R/W 8/9/3
Bombs 7/11
Mutagen Dexterity
Bora Beads 1 1/1
Extracts
1st - Cure Light Wounds, Shield , Bomber's Eye, 2 open
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, See Invisibility, 2 open
3rd - Cure Serious Wounds x2
Ammo Tracker
Normal - 20
Silver - 20
Cold Iron - 20
Effects
Haste
Prayer
Grappled
Seeing them all surrounded, Dryn takes another risk to bomb the beast. "These things would make a neat pet if not so mean!"
*Hit*
Justin and his mount unleash a number of attacks on #3 but somehow they all miss. After Kilthan is grabbed by #1 he turns his attacks to hit, connecting once. Jagdbach continues to rip into #2 and Tobar stabs it twice finally putting an end to one of the beasts. Anal misses twice and Dryn'taka throws a bomb connecting on #4, but gets hit in the process.