GM Faelyn's Strange Aeon AP

Game Master Faelyn

The beast roars inside her head [i]"The protection magic! Now witch!"[/b]

Though the fear is evident inside Nova, she reaches into the depths of her mind. She feels tranquil, even in the face of these horrors, and summons forth a shield of energy to protect herself.

Casting shield

Carter comes around the corner to see a cold, iron furnace hunkers in the corner of the basement, its four-foot-square door gaping half open. Nearby sprawls a heap of gory clothes and other dubiously flammable trash. The orange glow comes from a torch along the wall that appears to be useful in getting the furnace lit again.

Drafton remains hidden behind the table, waiting for see what may occur next...

Nova quickly conjures up a Shield of protective energy that coalesces and wraps around her body in a comforting embrace...

Dhamis spots several large sacks lining the short alcove before he frantically pull open the door to reveal another room. A broad chute extends diagonally through one of this cellar’s half-crumbled stone walls. Beneath it lies heaped more than a dozen mutilated humanoid bodies. Nearby, a flight of rickety, wooden steps climbs toward the high
ceiling—an escape none of the room’s current occupants seem capable of employing. The smell of rot and decay in the room is nearly overwhelming, and the buzz of flies hangs in the air. The sight of such carnage following the brutal murder you just witnessed staggers your soul and you feel something begin to slip inside your soul...

Make a Will save DC 10 or take 1d3 points of Sanity damage. Successful save negates any damage.

The "woman" licks her lips as she watches Dhamis flee the area, his fear seemingly emboldening her against her own fear of being outnumbered. Then she spots Nova in her path begin to form a magical barrier. Her eyes rapidly dart around the room and she quickly realizes that all exits are barred. A crazy smile stretches across her insane face, even more shocking for all the blood splattered across her neck and face. "Truce?"

Map updated.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Sanity Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Seeing the rickety stairs as the only egress from his current situation plunged Dhamiskeanus into a place his mind rarely traveled, remorse. He couldn't help but feel a sense of loss at the pile of bodies seemingly discarded like dirty laundry or trash. His eyes wandered up the stairs and down to his belly and up the stairs again. He mentally cursed himself for being so obese and resigned himself to one fact. If he wanted to survive this day, he was going to have to help the others fight this creature.

He stumbled backwards out of the room and turned around, barely just missing bumping into Nova. His hands out in front of him, he once again called to the spirits for protection, but this time for another.

casting mage armor on Nova.

Nova feels the protection magic coalesce around her form. She turns her head to look at the large man, and makes a quick nod in thanks, or at least understanding. She stares down the woman and returns a fairly similar smile. "No."

Then she charges in to slash the creature with her claws.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Claw 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

AC is 21 (15+4+4-2charge)

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Carter's eyes narrowed in thought as he spied the furnace and the vent.

He pulled the torch off the wall and looked around the corner a moment to wave at the halfling, trying to get his attention without being spotted by the insane woman-creature.

Although Drafton was mostly focused on seeing what was occurring with the demented shape shifting woman, he did notice the thin man waving his direction from just around the corner.

What is he doing? Is he signaling to me?

As he heard the growl of a response and the crazed woman from his dream lunged forward to attack, he took his chance and moved from his hiding spot to see what the thin man wanted.

Move Silently: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

As he rounded the corner to stand next to the man in front of the furnace he let out a momentary sigh of relief "Heh,"

and then whispered "Those two seem to have her attention for the moment. What did you want?" As he spoke, he realized the oddity of questioning a man who was in the same sort of situation as he was... a man he was sure he'd seen get killed in that nightmare.

Even though they had watched a man be brutally murdered in front of them, he was still talking as though they weren't in this place.

Carter pointed up to the ducts above the furnace. "Looks like a way out." he whispered.

He eyed where where the man was pointing.

"Looks like a tight fit for you, but I can probably get through. If I find a way out, I'll come back."

Nova, don't forget you don't have your armor yet so your AC will only be 19 for this round.

Nova turns down the doppelganger's offer of truce and rushes forward to slash her across the chest! The creature flinches at the wound, but then looks down at the blood oozing from her chest and screams at Nova!

Combat Begins!

Drafton, Dhamis, and Carter's actions!

Not to be outdone but the lady, Dhamiskeanus rushed forward and around the table. He reached out and tried to touch the Doppelganger, hoping to instill some of his own fear into the shapeshifter. Unfortunately the narrow space between the table and the rack left little room for the large man to maneuver. He tripped over his own feet and had to reach out to grab the tables just to catch himself and stay on his feet.

Grave Touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Grave Touch; 5 of 6 remaining

Not to be outdone by the lady, Dhamiskeanus rushed forward and around the table. He reached out and tried to touch the Doppelganger, hoping to instill some of his own fear into the shapeshifter. Unfortunately the narrow space between the table and the rack left little room for the large man to maneuver. He tripped over his own two feet and had to reach out to grab the tables just to catch himself and not topple over.

Grave Touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Grave Touch; 5 of 6 remaining

Drafton moves into the furnace, hurried along by the sounds of combat he climbs past the bodies and into the chutes.

Don't think about them, they're just charcoal now Just need to find a way out.

Climb, if necessary: 1d20 ⇒ 10

At Drafton's current speed, he's technically able to move at 12.5 feet on a successful climb check. Although if the chute is small enough then the climbing should be very easy.

Carter glanced around the corner at the fight. There wasn't much he could do. Panic stared rising in his chest.

"ত̜̠̞̱̥া̪̬͎̺̳͘ড়̛̣̼͖͠া͕̣̫ত҉͖̠̫ͅা͇ড়͔͎̘̝͍̀̀ি҉,̮ এ̹̹͎̀ই̨ ̡̥̭̥̳͖͍̲ক̻̹͈ি͍̪͜ ̠̜̖͕̯bͅe̫͖̯̪̯͡-͖͍̹̪͘ ͉̫̪̬য͏͙̪͚ͅা͘চ্̧̫͕̲̘̥̩ছে̺̻̤ ̱̣̠̬̮̟͖͜.̳͈̞̫̜͉̙̕.̩̳͎͓̙͈.͇͢ͅ" he said, abruptly stopping , his eyes bugging out a bit.

"͎̥̠̫̙̜̹আ̼̳̰ম͕̪̺̩̼ি̻͇̯̬̪͚̹ ̩প̲̱̣া̵̦͙̹̱̻র̷̬͙̟ব̯̫̠̰ো̪͟ ҉̬͚̯̤͙ন̴̹͙া̱͉͙̭͓̣̺ ̹͕̘̤̲̟͢.̴͙̪̜.͏̗͓͕̰͇̯.̜͔̲͚̺̫͞" he tried to continue, putting his hands to his face. he tapped Drafton on the shoulder and pointed to his own face.

"͈̘̳̯ͅͅক҉͙ͅি̠͚̲͈̻̞͍ ͙̩̻͎͜ͅͅআ̫͖ম̲̺̪̗̱͎͝া̗͇͈̮͟র͉̣͎̻͚̥̼͡ ̘ক̯̫̹̲̜̣̜́থা͎ ҉̰͇͖হ̼͉চ্̼̲̙͙͇̞̪̯̟͓̕ছ̪̞̖̮ে̞̞͚͔̪̗?̛̳͔"

Drafton stopped his movement into the furnace, eyes narrowing as the thin man began began speaking in some sort of language Drafton could not hope to make sense of.

He looked at the man in the eyes noting the rising panic in his eyes.

He's lost it... I think?

Oh! I forgot to include this in what Carter found around the furnace... A masterwork viol buried among the soiled clothes and garbage of past victims. The bow is missing, but the instrument is, remarkably, undamaged.

Also, just to clarify, Drafton did not start climbing correct? Do you have some other action you would like to take for this round?

Round 1 Continuing

The doppelganger flinches when Dhamis suddenly grows a spine and comes after her! Her eyes dart around and notice the open doorway behind the pair attacking her. She quickly jumps back from Nova and Dhamis, rushing around the other side of the table, and then quickly runs past Dhamis. As she passes by she leaves herself vulnerable to him in her headlong run!

She is the Withdraw action to avoid AoO from her initial square, but when she runs past Dhamis she will provoke an AoO from him!

Nova actions!

Nova is rather surprised that the woman begins to flee. She expected a rampage of wrath. However, this doesn't phase her, and she charges the creature once again.

Claw1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Claw2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2

I don't have a natural attack or a weapon out and I'm not going to provoke an AoO of my own by attempting an unarmed strike.

"I think she tries to flee. There are stairs in the other room, among other things" he says, remembering the huge pile of bodies littering the room. "It would seem that her previous victims have been tossed into the next room. There are quite a few..." He tries to stomach the vision as the scene reoccurs in his mind in vivid detail. He could swear that the stench was creeping into the room, but surely that was his imagination.

Correct. I had planned to climb up, but I like what Carter did instead. Instead, I will do this:

Drafton reached up to grasp the quickly panicking man by the shoulders.

"I don't know who you are but you need to get a hold of yourself. If you can't speak sense, then don't speak. Think. Listen to my voice and we'll get through this."

Drafton is casting Remove Fear on Carter. +4 on all saves vs. Fear, holds any current Fear effects in check for 10 minutes. Out of 1st level spells now.

Round 1 Recap

Nova chases after the fleeing doppelganger, but her clawed fingers are just inches to short, ripping some of the cloth of the creature's jacket, but no more! Drafton emboldens the thin man against fear as they decide what actions to take now!

Round 2 Actions

Carter, Dhamis, and Drafton are all up!

Map updated!

The panic left Carter's face and he nodded. "ধ̕ন্̭̘͔̭̺̱͞ͅয̷ব̶া̠͕͔̦̖̪͡দ͖̱͉̜͝ͅ"

Then he scowled as the indecipherable words left his mouth. ""̨̱̟ও̼হ̤̫͝,͕̬͠ ̵̥̝̯̬̞ধ̦͔͢ু͡র̪̟͈̭̮̥ো̮̠!͕̜̗̳"

Finally he rolled his eyes and gave up on trying to talk.

He looked around the corner at the conflict and saw the woman trying to run away. Angry now rather than afraid, he wondered if the trick he used on the keys would work on the door...

Open/Close to slam the door on our shape changing psycho before she can go through.

Moved Carter closer to be within range of the spell.

Drafton shook his head as the man seemed to get a hold of himself. He still didn't know what the man said but perhaps the three of them would be able to take the shape changing woman down. He decided it would still be best if he were to get out, in case he was wrong. He turned his attention back to the furnace and walked into it, intending to climb up.

As stated, heading back into the furnace and starting to climb up into the chimney area. Not really sure if those little pegs are in my way or not.

Emboldened by the others, Dhamiskeanus hurried after the fleeing shapechanger and reached out to touch it. Not knowing what else to do, he summoned his own fear and tried to share it with the creature.

Grave Touch - cover: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 4 = 15

As a standard action, you can make a melee touch attack that causes a living creature to become shaken for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 your wizard level (minimum 1). If you touch a shaken creature with this ability, it becomes frightened for 1 round if it has fewer Hit Dice than your wizard level.

A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.

Grave Touch; 4 of 6 remaining

Sorry about my lack of posting folks. We had a crazy weekend at work and I spent my last two days-off working with our local Prosecutor's Office drawing up charges on a fatal drunk-driving crash I investigated on Saturday night.

Carter turns his attention to aiding these other strange folks, but slamming the door shut in front of the doppelganger as she skids to a halt! Drafton begins to climb up through the furnace shaft, easily making it a little over halfway up the shaft. Dhamis reaches around the corner to touch the creature upon the shoulder and she literally jumps with a scream in fright! She looks around frantically and steps away from Nova, ripping the door open and starts to rush through the now opened door!

Nova's actions!

Nova will charge one last time. If the woman ends up leaving through the door, Nova isn't willing to follow.

Claw1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Claw2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Nova's claws tear into the doppelganger's back again, causing the creature to hiss in pain. She looks to start running once more, but as another set of claws rip deep into her back she screams in frustration and turns back to Nova with a deep set fury in her eyes!

Carter, Dhamis, and Drafton actions!

Echoes of the fighting followed him more distantly now but he did not stop his climb upward. If the three of them could somehow manage to win the fight so much the better, or if they could at least hold out...

Maybe I can still find help. he thought.

But what if they couldn't hold out? Or what if they were the last ones left alive and there was no help to be found now?

Shaking his head he continued upward. Finally, a last question came to his mind.

What if there are more of them? he couldn't, wouldn't know right away. He would just have to see whether that was the case or not.

I don't really have any options this round. I'll just stay hidden and see what Drafton finds at the top of the vent.

With the doppelganger pinned between the clawed woman and the door, Dhamiskeanus's could do little to contribute to the battle. Instead he turned and waddled back towards the table that housed all of the creature's tools of torture. Surely something could be wielded as a weapon. He looked over the various implements and reached down to grab the wickedest looking one.

There are plenty of tools that could be utilized as improvised weapons, Dhamis. They act as a generic Simple Weapon with 1d3 damage.

Round 3, Group 1 Recap

Carter remains partially hidden as Drafton continues climbing up the vent. Dhamis wanders over to the nearby table, finding it filled with all manners of disturbing, sharp implements that could be used as a weapon.

The doppelganger turns and slams the bloody point of her improvised blade deep into Nova's shoulder as she lets loose with a primal, maddened shriek! "DIE!"

Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 2 = 20 Whew! That was close, Nova!
Damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Everyone can post again, but I'll have Nova's actions go first.

Nova - 4/9 HP

In an instant, all of Nova's rage has been quelled. To fill its void, fear has returned. She takes a step back and defends herself as best she can, hoping to dodge or parry the creature's sudden shift in aggression.

5ft step back, total defence

With a weapon now in hand, Dhamiskeanus's rushed back to help the brave woman. He mentally prepared himself for striking at a living creature with a weapon, something he had only rarely done.

Ready action to aid another if doppelganger moves after Nova.

Aid Another to Nova's AC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Round 4

Drafton glanced down the chute he'd crawled out of. He still had no idea where he was or if there was anyone else aside from them here. He hoped that was the case but then... what if there were more like the woman down below? Even if he did meet someone, could he trust them?

I can't afford to be careless. Especially now that I'm alone. Even if I do meet someone, surely there'll be signs if they're deranged.

With a deep breath, he made his way quietly to the door and looked outside into the next room beyond.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Just waiting on Carter's actions!

Carter grabbed the nearest tool that could be used as a weapon off the table and hurled it at the madwoman.

Ranged Attack, Smite, improvised?: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 4 = 24 -4 if it's not a suitable weapon
Damage, Smite: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Don't suppose those 'disturbing, sharp implements' have an 18-20 crit range

Rule of Cool on this one says it does indeed have an 18-20 crit range! Roll for your confirmation, Carter!

Crit?: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round 4 Recap!

Nova steps back away from the doppelganger and takes a full-defensive stance. From behind her, Carter quickly scoops up what looks to be the blade of a sickle and whips it past Nova's head... and it slices deep into the shoulder of the doppelganger! Dhamis prepares himself to aid Nova in her fight against the stronger opponent.

The doppelganger begins to nearly foam at the mouth in her insane fury that seems to be building with each injury! With a wordless scream, she steps towards Nova again, stabbing at her futilely as the blade cannot seem to pass all the invisible barriers around this strange, clawed woman!

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Nova - 4/9, Effective AC 27

Drafton climbs out of the chute and looks around. Mighty iron boilers crowd here, their pipes piercing the walls and ceiling. Shadows and rust fill the narrow gaps between the cold tanks. As he moves towards the door, he spots a faint glow beneath the far boiler (indicated by the yellow star). Do you want to check the room first? Or look through the door? I'll reply to whatever you decide and then you can decide on your Round 5 actions after we get that sorted.

Round 5 Actions!

Reaching around the corner with one eye closed, Dhamiskeanus tried once again to touch their wicked jailer. Whether it was his own fear or the simple lack of focus, he barely managed to find the wall, much less his target.

Grave Touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Grave Touch: 3 of 6 remaining

Carter takes advantage of the madwoman's focus on the clawed woman to yank the door shut again with his otherworldly trick.

Open/Close

Drafton stops his approach and turns to examine the glowing under the boiler.

Question: Are we using the special homebrew rules for combat maneuvers? I'm thinking of tripping her.

We are indeed. If you check under the Campaign tab you can find all the Houserules we will be using.

Nvm I don't qualify

Nova lashes out with her claws, hopefully felling the fowl creature quickly.

Claw1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Claw2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday (for those of us who celebrate Thanksgiving that is)!

Round 5 Drafton

As you glance beneath the boilers, you immediately spot a pair of glows eyes and writhing face tendrils... Go ahead and post the rest of your Round 5 actions.

Round 5 Recap

Carter slams the door shut again behind the woman. Dhamis attempts to touch her with his power while Nova lashes out with both her claws, but the doppelganger dodges both swipes. She then attempts to gut Nova, but her blade bounces off the invisible force protecting her!

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Nova - 4/9

Round 6 Actions!

Round 5:

"What?!"
Drafton's eyes widened as he took in the horrific sight, scrambling back and getting to his feet before starting to make for the doorway. He had to admit to himself that as terrifying as the woman downstairs had been, it did not compare to this.

Round 6: Trying to run across the room, open the door and slam it closed from the other side. Regardless of what might actually be on the far side of the door. Don't know if you want me to move the map or not.

"No! No! NO!"
Drafton hurried to the door slamming into it with all his might to open it, and get to the other side. He didn't know what that thing was but he did not want to find out. The amount of nervousness he felt had mounted considerably now that he realized he was all alone.

Round 6 Drafton

You can move Drafton freely upon the map. I'll adjust the black areas as necessary for you all.

Drafton jumps back in terror when he spots the strange creature hiding beneath the boiler! He quickly rushes across the room and hears the scurrying of several pairs of tiny, clawed feet chasing him! He glances back to see a tiny, furred creature with glowing eyes and tendrils twitching around its mouth and two of the largest rats he's ever seen not but a few feet behind him! You quickly burst through the door and slam it behind you! You can hear squeaking and the sound of claws scratching at the door.

Just when you think you are safe you hear another sound, voices, and they are yelling commands at you! "Ho there! Who are you?! Don't move!" There are two different voices shouting at you simultaneously. You turn to see two guards kneeling behind a barricade not but 25 feet away from you and they both have crossbows leveled at you. Map updated.

Just awaiting the others!

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Drafton's mind reeled and before he could think even really process what it was he had seen, all thoughts of piecing it together fled as he stared down yet another potential danger in the form of the two guards.

These two may know something. I've got to take charge of the situation, if I don't they may kill me!

"Wait, don't you dare fire at me! What's going on here?! Why are people being killed downstairs?! and what are those monsters running around with the rats?!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 It gets reduced to 17 because they are medium sized creatures being yelled at by a small creature.

Nova continues swiping!

Claw1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Claw2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2