GM Bret's Outpost I: The Flesh Collector (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

"I fear your are mistaken." says Chaul.

"I will endeavor to not hurt you too badly."
attack (vs Blue), NL: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 4 = 16
second attack, NL: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 4 = 7
NL damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Not that his swing with his sword looks in too much danger of that.

Presumably vs flat footed so might hit?

The priest steps forward to provide assistance to his allies and avoid them being easily flanked.

Red was still flat footed. You would have had to move to hit blue.

Chaul manages to hit blue with the pummel of his sword, bruising him a bit. It doesn’t look like blue was quite ready...

Effects active:
Dr. Strang: Air Walk 5/90 minutes
Chaul: Magic Vestments (8 hours), Firewalker's Meditation, Rites of Bodily Purity (All day)
Johann: Antitoxin, Antiplague (5/60 minutes)
Johann: Summon Medium Earth Elemental (ends round 9)
Lurgh: Bull's Strength (0/9 minutes)

Round 1
Lurgh
Green
Dr. Strang
Johann
Chaul
Black
Grimaldus
Blue
Red 6 NL

Strang, busy pondering the architecture, is completely caught off guard when suddenly a fight breaks out.

"Oh my... uh... I believe there must be some sort of misunderstanding." He says, hastily, realizing all the others have moved to the far side of the training area.

He ponders for a moment, then utters a few quick arcane phrases, as he weaves a pattern with one hand towards the assembled warriors, as he slowly walks to the, floating on air.

Well, the DC not great, but will give it a go, casting Slow (DC 19 Will negates), targeting all 5 of the fellows in the courtyard.

[ooc]Will also move to the side a bit, and ascend upwards so he's 10' off the ground.

Will Yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Will Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Will Green: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Will Red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Will Black: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

So much for them...

Dr. Strang's spell captures almost all of the enemies in it. They start moving much more slowly.

Black steps into flanking position and then attacks Grimaldus.
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 11 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 1 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Effects active:
Dr. Strang: Air Walk 5/90 minutes
Chaul: Magic Vestments (8 hours), Firewalker's Meditation, Rites of Bodily Purity (All day)
Johann: Antitoxin, Antiplague (5/60 minutes)
Johann: Summon Medium Earth Elemental (ends round 9)
Lurgh: Bull's Strength (0/9 minutes)
Blue, Green, Red, Black: Slow (ends round 9)

Round 1
Lurgh
Green Slowed
Dr. Strang
Johann
Chaul
Black Slowed
Grimaldus
Blue Slowed
Red 6 NL Slowed
Yellow

With the instigation of violence on the part of the monks, Grimaldus quickly flips his greatsword into an attack, slashing twice at the man between the earth elemental and himself. "Your unjustified attack will be your DOOM!" Green

Power attack + flank #1: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 2 = 31
Shock damage: 2d6 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 19 + (4) = 34

Power attack + flank #2: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 = 30
Shock damage: 2d6 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 19 + (5) = 28

Crit confirm #2 + Critical Focus: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 + 4 = 31
Shock damage: 2d6 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 19 + (3) = 28

Grimaldus slices deeply across Green's chest and then follows through by chopping off his head.

Blue adjusts their position slightly and attempts to grapple Lurgh. He calls out something in Vudrani.

Grapple: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 - 1 = 12

Red tries to grapple Grimaldus
Grapple: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 - 1 = 28 So close! Slow prevents him.

Yellow moves up and tries to grapple Lurgh.
Grapple: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11

Effects active:
Dr. Strang: Air Walk 5/90 minutes
Chaul: Magic Vestments (8 hours), Firewalker's Meditation, Rites of Bodily Purity (All day)
Johann: Antitoxin, Antiplague (5/60 minutes)
Johann: Summon Medium Earth Elemental (ends round 9)
Lurgh: Bull's Strength (0/9 minutes)
Blue, Green, Red, Black: Slow (ends round 9)

Round 2
Lurgh
Green Very dead
Dr. Strang 10' up
Johann
Chaul
Black Slowed
Grimaldus
Blue Slowed
Red 6 NL Slowed
Yellow

"Please, the dead don't speak, and we don't want collateral damage.." says the priest to his fellows.

He again tries to strike to knock out rather than kill.
NL attack: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 4 = 9
NL attack: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 4 = 8

But looks incompetent doing so.

"The dead can be induced to speak sometimes. Not the most convenient method though."

Johann moves around the tiger statue (I think that's what that is) to lob a bomb at the attackers. This one explodes into a sticky mess of elastic fibers, however, rather than fire, and threatens to glue them to the ground!

ranged touch with point-blank shot vs. yellow: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 1 = 25

Tanglefoot bomb. Assuming that hits, Yellow is entangled, and must make a DC 20 reflex save or be glued to the floor. Black and aqua must make DC 20 reflex saves or be entangled. Excluding the square where Lurgh is.

The Earth elemental attacks Red. slam with earth mastery, flank, and power attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 17 damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 6 = 20

Very well, then let me show you my skill.

Dragon style stance. Starting with yellow, move to blue if yellow drops. All attacks are non-lethal.

Unarmed Strike (Dragon Style): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 Damage: 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Other Unarmed Strikes: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32 Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Other Unarmed Strikes: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 Damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Chaul misses with both his attacks.

Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Black Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

duration: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Yellow gets stuck to the floor by Johann’s bomb! Blue also gets strands of it on him.

Red is barely standing after the attack by the Earth Elemental.

Then Lurgh pummels Yellow until they are knocked out.

Effects active:
Dr. Strang: Air Walk 5/90 minutes
Chaul: Magic Vestments (8 hours), Firewalker's Meditation, Rites of Bodily Purity (All day)
Johann: Antitoxin, Antiplague (5/60 minutes)
Johann: Summon Medium Earth Elemental (ends round 9)
Lurgh: Bull's Strength (0/9 minutes)
Blue, Green, Red, Black: Slow (ends round 9)
Yellow, Blue: Entangled (ends round 8)

Round 2
Lurgh
Green Very dead
Dr. Strang 10' up
Johann
Chaul
Black Slowed
Grimaldus
Blue Slowed, Entangled
Red 30 L 6 NL Slowed
Yellow 37 NL 13 L Stuck to floor, Entangled, Unconscious

Seeing things are well in order, the Doctor sees no reason to waste resources.

Instead, he lifts his staff, concentrates for a moment, and sends a pair of force missiles arcing towards the warrior on the far side of the yard.

Using staff to send 2 magic missiles at red. Doing 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7 force damage.

Dr. Strang's missiles hit red, knocking him down.

Black says something in Vudrani.

In accented common, he shouts "Filthy liars, you are out to destroy us!"

He then swings at Grimaldus.

Stunning Fist attack: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 1 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Effects active:
Dr. Strang: Air Walk 5/90 minutes
Chaul: Magic Vestments (8 hours), Firewalker's Meditation, Rites of Bodily Purity (All day)
Johann: Antitoxin, Antiplague (5/60 minutes)
Johann: Summon Medium Earth Elemental (ends round 9)
Lurgh: Bull's Strength (0/9 minutes)
Blue, Green, Red, Black: Slow (ends round 9)
Yellow, Blue: Entangled (ends round 8)

Round 2
Lurgh
Green Very dead
Dr. Strang 10' up
Johann
Chaul
Black Slowed
Grimaldus
Blue Slowed, Entangled
Red 37 L 6 NL Slowed, not stabilized
Yellow 37 NL 13 L Stuck to floor, Entangled, Unconscious

"You attacked us! We are just here to retrieve what was stolen! Hmm... unless it was stolen from you originally, is that your position? Oh confound it, why can't people just use their words instead of their fists?"

Johann sighs, "Մի սպանեք նրանց, եթե կարողանաք օգնել," to the earth elemental.

In a low, gravelly voice the Earth Elemental responds.

“Book thieves!” the Master spits out like a curse at you.

"We are not here to steal a book, but to recover one that was already stolen. And your students are the ones who attacked us first." shouts Chaul as he tries to defend himself and his colleagues without drawing blood.

Sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 9

"Surrender now or taste the wrath of my blade!" Grim hisses at the master.

The master shouts "Liar!" at Grimaldus and then shouts something at Blue.

@Grimaldus: Based on what is in your spoiler, I assume you were delaying rather than readying.

Blue hesitates a moment, then shifts so that he flanks Lurgh. He then attempts to hit the big fellow!

Unarmed Strike, Flank, Entangled, Slowed: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Then Grimaldus spins and delivers another set of powerful attacks with his greatsword on the Master next to him proclaiming "Mercy is for the weak."

He hits with both strikes, nearly killing the fellow.

Effects active:
Dr. Strang: Air Walk 5/90 minutes
Chaul: Magic Vestments (8 hours), Firewalker's Meditation, Rites of Bodily Purity (All day)
Johann: Antitoxin, Antiplague (5/60 minutes)
Johann: Summon Medium Earth Elemental (ends round 9)
Lurgh: Bull's Strength (0/9 minutes)
Blue, Green, Red, Black: Slow (ends round 9)
Yellow, Blue: Entangled (ends round 8)

Round 3
Lurgh
Green Very dead
Dr. Strang 10' up
Johann
Chaul
Black 61L Slowed
Grimaldus
Red 37 L 6 NL Slowed, stable
Blue Slowed, Entangled
Yellow 37 NL 13 L Stuck to floor, Entangled, Unconscious

The earth elemental dives into the ground and pops up on the other side of the fray, flanking with Grimaldus. It obeys Johann's command and tries to knock the man unconscious instead of killing.

Slam with earth mastery, flanking, nonlethal: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 - 4 = 18

nonlethal damage if that hits: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13\

Johann moves and holds a bomb in his hand, ready to throw. "Last chance! Surrender or get badly hurt, possibly lethally. It'd be nice to have someone to talk to about this." Ready action to toss the bomb if he does anything other than give up.

The earth elemental is able to knock out the master.

I'm willing to call combat if people want. I don't expect the one remaining goon monk to last until their turn. The only open question is if you kill them or knock them out.

If people want to finish it, that is also alright with me.

We broke in here. We're the guilty party at the moment. =)
Killing them off seems a bit unnecessary

Chaul indicates the man should surrender.

"We did not want a battle, and were just defending ourselves. Please stop attacking us so I can look to your fallen colleagues"

Chaul will check they are all stable, and fix any that can be.

Lurgh makes sure the others are subdued (with non-lethal damage if necessary).

While the others tend to the monk, he will scan for magic in the area.

Lurgh is forced to pummel the last combatant into unconsciousness.

All except Green are alive, although some are in very bad shape.

Each of the fighters has a potion in their belt pouch. All four potions look to be the same. The Master has a Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2 that Chaul has identified and an unidentified necklace.

Mundane equipment would include a fine monastic robes, the Fleshforge Manuscript (third section), temple key, four robes, and 40 shuriken.

The weapons rack holds 40 arrows, 15 kamas, 15 masterwork nunchakus, 15 sais, and 15 sianghams. The arrows are fletched with paper rather than feathers, reducing their range by a half.

The statue is sculpted from a single mass of banded rhyolite. Dr. Strange and Johann recognize it represents a celestial white tiger, one of Irori's many legendary servants.

The bust in the alcove is a very good likeness of Lurgh. There is a word carved into the base of the bust.

I can take an Appraise check if anyone wishes to know the value of it.

There does not appear to be any magic other than what is mentioned above.

Feel free to reflect on the battle and make a Sense Motive check.

After ensuring that the monks are at least stable, he looks up at the others, indicating the unconscious master. "This was curious behavior for followers of Irori. We could wake him up, question him in a more controlled environment." He offers, before nodding towards the beheaded one. "Could probably get that fellow back up too, though I suspect that might prove more problematic than helpful."

He gives a small laugh, without explaining further, then turns to attempt to identify the item that Chaul was not able to.

Spellcraft to ID: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

The arrows prove a curiously as well. "I've never seen paper used for fletching before." He glances off towards the ocean, even though he can't see much at night. "There would be plenty of water fowl in the area, seems like they would use those."

"And that certainly is unexpected." He adds, pointing at the statue of Lurgh. "I'm assuming you've not been here before?" He glances at the half orc, curiously.

What does the word at the base say? Linguistics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Strang removes the necklace, if only to keep the man from figuring out how to activate it, should they wake him.

He then casts detect magic again, and studies the man himself, trying to determine if there's some sort of spell effect active.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Dr. Strang detects no active magical effects on the Master.

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
"Let us make them comfortable as we may. I would ask that we refrain from stealing their weapons or items of power." he adds, knowing full well how often pathfinders teams treat everything they find as their own.

"But that section of the manuscript... I think we need to wake up one of them and ask about it."

Oh, I totally missed that there was a piece of the manuscript here!

Strang glances at Chaul, then indicates the necklace. "It would be too easy for him to burn us all, with this." He says, with a shrug. "Better for all that he not be wearing it, when we bring him around."

Once the master is properly secured, he will go about doing just that.

(was thinking to just use his crappy 1d6 channel to bring him around... are any of the others in danger of waking from that small a heal? If so, we should move them or make sure they're secure too)

Dr. Strang looks over the others who are unconscious. He feels that Red might wake up if he is in the area of the channel. Yellow is too badly hurt to have any chance of waking immediately because of that. They will be out for a few hours or until you revive them.

Take 10 heal of 28, impressive.

He's a doctor! Though I suppose more specialized on the mortician side of things =) But it all works the same, right?!

Anyway, make sure they are all secured, then use his 1d6 channel until the master wakes up =)
When last we saw them,
Master: -61 lethal, 13 non-lethal (74 total)
yellow: -37 lethal, 6 non-lethal (43 total)
red: -37 lethal, 13 non-lethal (50 total)

Channel1: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Master: -57 lethal, 9 non-lethal (66 total)
yellow: -33 lethal, 2 non-lethal (35 total)
red: -33 lethal, 9 non-lethal (42 total)

Channel2: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Master: -53 lethal, 5 non-lethal (58 total) (Should be up now!)
yellow: -29 lethal (29 total)
red: -29 lethal, 5 non-lethal (34 total)

"Alright then." Strang says, as the warriors start to come around. "Now, hopefully you'll be a little more amenable to conversation, yes?"

It took both of the channels.

The monk awakens slowly. Twitching, barely conscious he mutters something in Vudrani.

Opening his eyes, he looks frightened and starts struggling against the bonds.
Who bound him?

Shrug, given how such things are resolved, probably one of the martial types! (Grim or Lurgh)

"Really?" Strang says, with slight exasperation. "There comes a point when you've overstayed your course, and need a new tack."

"I know you can speak common. So you can talk, or go back to napping, and helping no one. We came here intent on harming no one, nor stealing anything... " He makes a motion towards the statue across the courtyard. "Your surprising artwork, notwithstanding."

He holds up the page they found from the manuscript. "This. This here, is part of what we came to locate, stolen from our libraries, just over a week ago."

am just making up a number there...

He raises one eyebrow questioningly, "So care to be a little more reasonable?"

He looks back at the others, "There are no signs of external influence to explain this single-minded determination. Even a lack of intelligence does not explain these reactions."

Looks like Lurgh has a CMB of +6+9= 15 so DC 35 to Escape. Yeah, he tries.

Escape artist: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27 Nope.

“Intruders! Kill the intruders!” he shouts.

He doesn’t seem to be listening to what you are saying.

Hrmm... I've no idea what to do with this guy then. Dominate or Magic Jar (the more likely scenarios) would have been detectable. So not sure what's left, beyond just plane insanity.
Hmm... unless this as a Table variation thing on how those sorts of effects detect?

Strang looks at the uncooperative man thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose there's one thing we can try... seems a bit of a long shot."

He mutters a quick prayer then taps the man on the forehead with the jackel head on the end of his staff.

Let's give him a Protection from Evil... see if that has any effect... otherwise, I'm at a loss.

There are spells, spell like and....

As Dr. Strang’s spell takes effect, the monk’s whole expression changes. His mood changes from a combination of fear and anger to one of sorrow. He starts muttering “Please forgive me! I didn’t want to do it! I was a prisoner in my own mind and couldn’t control myself!”

He is obviously feeling bad about what has happened.

Supernatural are still magic.

"We suspect the theif was undead.." notes Chaul. "Could he be just directly possessed?"

Smiling at the now pliant monk he asks.

"For how long have your been a prisoner? And what more can you tell us about what has happened here recently?"

See discussion. I was mistaken about the nature of an ability. My apologies. The Monk should have had a strong aura of magic.

It takes a little bit of time to calm the old master. It doesn't help having the sight of Green's headless body there.

"It started with the papermaking workshop! About a year ago, I ordered it shut down. I felt a presence causing me to do this, but thought it may be Irori. On several occasions since then I've felt it, sometimes gentle but of late continuing to get stronger."

"A few of the others here have also reported a presence of Irori, along with sacred visions."

"I was directed to prevent any except myself and the priests from entering the temple. I was also manipulated to make sure the scribes here always used parchment rather than paper and inkpens rather than quills. I have no idea why!"

Gesturing towards the temple, he adds "The priests stay there for their meditation. They only come out to acquire new documents for us to study."

"When one comes out, they journey to the far corners of Golarion, returning with documents to study. Indeed, Priestess Isa returned several days ago from a trip to Ecanus and Andoran. She carved the bust you mentioned soon after her return."

Somewhat embarrassed, he looks to Lurgh and says "We thought it a vision showing us the culprit responsible for our lost tomes."

Nodding towards the page of the manuscript that Dr. Strang held up, he adds "That is part of one of the documents Priestess Isa retrieved."

"Our library has suffered greatly in the last year. We have had several dozen books and scrolls stolen from our library -- both priceless works and valueless notes. The only part that hasn't been ravaged in this way is the quiet area."

"A mystery. " sighs Chaul.

"Perhaps we should speak with Isa? How long has she been here?" he asks gently.

"And this manuscript... are you sure it was here before the presence started ? And the presence first appeared to you around the same time the books started to vanish?"

"Curiouser and curiouser!"

Johann examines the aura on the monk. Using his wayfinder's Discerning ability to cast detect magic. Is is possible to determine exactly what kind of effect is affecting him? Spellcraft or Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

"I wondered how you, Master, could radiate a sense of chaos. This domination explains it. Pain purifies the soul, and I am happy to have helped you purge this possession. We must go to this 'quiet area' and dispel this spirit or force!"

The manuscript that Dr. Strang held up was part of the Fleshforge Manuscript you were sent to recover.

Confused, the monk replies to Chaul “We have many manuscripts. Which one are you asking about? As for Priestess Isa, she has been with us for about ten years.”

The Master shudders at Grimaldus’s comment. “Chaos? Please no! Chaos has no place here!”

He says a short prayer to Irori in Vudrani.

"He's definitely been dominated mentally. The equivalent of a very powerful mind-controlling spell. This is nothing to take lightly."

Do the other warriors exhibit the same behaviour? Or just the Master?

Strang nods, as he looks around thoughtfully. "If they were compelled so, they certainly could be made to perform all sorts of retrieval operations, like coming to the lodge to make off with the Manuscript in the first place."

"Quiet efficient, actually." He adds, impressed. "You'd never have to actually leave."

"Whatever force is doing this, it clearly as only been here for a year, and using all of these people as its surrogates when it needs to. Though the moratorium on paper seems unusual." He shrugs, not sure what to make of that. "The temple seems the obvious place to find our culprit, though I'd be loathe to wander there unprepared, if magical influence is their game. Though that would require at least fifteen minutes of preparation."

Would like to fill in some of his empty spell slots with protection vs us getting dominated... but as mentioned, would take a bit.

Lurgh actually didn't think much of the bust. There's no saying whether his father looked like him or not and it was entirely conceivable that he'd been to Nex and stolen something through force. He'd have to study that later.

The piece that the Doctor held up, that is one part of three sections of the manuscript we seek. Where are the other two parts?

Grim shudders - almost imperceptible in his Hellknight plate, but there nonetheless. If you could see his face, it would be pale. "Yes, protection against mind-affecting powers would be beneficial...take your time, air-walker."

The other three are not currently under a dominate effect. The Master is still under one, but it is suppressed by the Protection from Evil. Given how these things work, you can bet the controller is evil.

You would guess the other three were just following orders when they fought you.

The Master looks to Lurgh and says “I’m sorry, but I don’t know for sure.” Turning to look at the building to the west, he adds “I would expect the rest of it to be in the Library.”

M3 is the entrance, M4 is the library.