GM Sethran's Gameday Phantom Phenomena! (Inactive)

Game Master Sethran

Eldren will move to examine the body in hopes of learning more.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Just so you know: I have moved you back slightly ^^

As you all move forwards to inspect to rotting corpse, you noticed the branches and leaves, all overgrown and a sickly pale colour turn and follow you as you make your way through the greenhouse. Then, the eeriness continues as the vines around the rotting body begin to writhe and the corpse gets back to its feet, it's neck slack and its eyes closed.

The body itself is covered in vines and spores. it is definitely not friendly! See slide 6 for a picture

Combat! bold Are Up!

Eldren
Ashton
Fauxish
MM
Théoden
Katarina
Alexis

Ashton's Round 1

"Okay...is this a zombie?" Ashton asks, eyeing the corpse shrewdly as he moves forward to intercept it, going one way around the spring in anticipation of the others circling around the other. "It looks like one, except for being covered in vines!" he adds as he adopts a defensive posture.

Ashton moves to his current location and goes Total Defense. His AC is now 18 until his next turn.

When in doubt, blow it up!

Bomb!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

flying kick: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Eldren hurls their bomb at the plant-man and you watch in surprise as the plant creature splits apart from its host, causing it to take the brunt of the explosion, charring the body and causes them to collapse, a weak trickle of blood flowing forth. The plant creature seems mostly in tact, though is singed.

Fauxish connects with a mighty kick, but as she does so the spores surrounding the plant-thing leech at her willpower.

Fauxish Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 Feel free to Re-roll if you can

Will damage, Fauxish: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The plant creature backs away from the Flying Monk, some of the scorched leaves rejuvenating as it does so. It then launches more spores at the Monk, though these miss.

Spores, touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Combat! bold Are Up!

Eldren
Ashton
Fauxish -1 Will
MM - 7
Théoden
Katarina
Alexis

Time to do some weeding. Eldren decides against throwing a bomb in the vicinity of his friend and moves to hack at the enemy instead![/ooc]

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 for Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Wow, good thing that wasn't a bomb. Oof.

Spellcraft to see if I recognize the properties of the flask: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Alexis clenches her palm and reopens it, and suddenly resting within is a bright crimson flame....

Theoden dives into the brush, forgoing his crossbow in favor of a nice overhead chop.

unarmed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

It would really be Knowledge Nature or Craft (Alchemy) on the Vial's contents as it isn't particularly magical, more like a special Alchemical Weapon. Though the label does say "Dr. Quolorum's Mystical Patented Pesticide

Combat! bold Are Up!

Eldren
Ashton
Fauxish -1 Will
MM - 9
Théoden
Katarina
Alexis

Eldren's Blade goes wide, the sling having none of the Elf's control in pyrotechnics. Alexis conjures pure Crimson flames in an open hand and stares at the bottle, unable to discern it's purpose.

Théoden rushes the plant and chops at it, driving hard but causing the spores to sap at his will, but the Brawler resists the pull.

Fort save, Theo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Katarina's Round 1

"Um...hey, is that the vial the book told us that guy took?" Kat suddenly says, pointing at the vial. Hurrying over she grabs it and holds it up. "It says 'pesticide'! Can I throw it like one of Eldren's bombs!?" she asks, clearly hesitant to try throwing it while the others are tangling with the creature. Instead, she uses her magic to whip one of the nearby rocks from the spring at it.

Telekinetic Projectile (Ranged; Into Melee): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 4 = 0
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"Eek! Um, this place clearly needed a window anyway!"

Ashton's Round 2

"Maybe if we can cut this thing down enough you can just pour it!" Ashton calls back as he moves up and takes a swing at the strange plant monster.

Attack (Slam): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Katarina's poorly aimed projectile crashes through the Greenhouse window, wincing, you think you can hear the groundsman's head poke out of the upper windows.

"What the hel-" he begins to shout, then notices the melee ongoing, "Nevermind!" he finishes hastily before snapping the window closed.

Ashton meanwhile has better success, his ghostly fists rebounding of plant matter, though the spores again strike out. Ashton cannot resist the Spore's effects and his willpower weakens.

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

WIS damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Combat! bold Are Up!

Eldren
Ashton - 2 WIS
Fauxish -1 WIS
MM -14
Théoden
Katarina
Alexis

Feel free to Re-roll if you can

Well, I certainly can, but....

"It says 'pesticide'!

Wait. Pesticide? Isn't that for bugs?

"Have you got one that says 'herbicide'? If so give!"

Fauxish delays until the herbicide is in her hand.

It is a specific Alchemical Splash weapon, just like the others you can throw it like a Alchemist fire apply it to a metal weapon like a poison (with no risk of poisoning yourself unless you are half plant.) Just like Splash weapons you could try to hit with it but it would be an improvised weapon.

Also, yes it is Herbicide - That's what you get for night shifts :P

Fauxish waits for Katarina to hand over the bottle and in the meantime the Plant creature starts moving in and odd way, resembling Human spell-casting, but subtly different.

Concentration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

It succeeds and Théoden feels a tingling sensation in his head. Theoden needs a DC 16 Will Save

Combat! bold Are Up!

Eldren
Ashton - 2 WIS
Fauxish -1 WIS
MM -12
Théoden
Katarina
Alexis

Alexis takes a potshot at the horrible thing with her crossbow before advancing.

light crossbow: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (8) - 4 = 4
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
bolt retrievable on low if I miss: 1d100 ⇒ 69

will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Theoden drops his crossbow and tries to give the creature a hug.

Eldren is too involved with melee to worry about herbicides!

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 for Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

However, perhaps he should examine the contents of the vials. He takes a 5' step back.

Katarina's Round 2

"Pesticide, herbicide, whatever! Here!" Kat exclaims as she steps forward and hands the vial to Fauxish. "Make it count, before...Theoden what are you doing???"

Ashton's Round 3

"Er...are you trying to pin it down Theoden?" Ashton asks as he takes another swing at the plant.

Attack (Slam; Flank?): 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Like a Final Fantasy character with no concept of how dangerous some herbicides can be Fauxish splashes the stuff all over herself.

Theoden does not respond to Ashton's question.

It does state Metal weapon, but sure, Fauxish is mad..

Fauxish takes the potent Herbicide and wastes much of it trying to douse herself in the viscous liquid, but some of it seems to stick. Unfortunately Alexis, Eldren and Ashton miss with their attacks as they are distracted by Theoden's odd behaviour.

Theoden reaches towards the plant creature and it swarms over the Brawler like it had done to it's previous host. Covered in leaves and vines Theoden looks at you all with vacant eyes.

You can target the plant creature as a separate target from Theoden. For now it hasn't ordered you to do anything apart from be it's host as attaching to you was a standard.

Combat! bold Are Up!

Eldren
Ashton - 2 WIS
Fauxish -1 WIS
MM -10
Théoden
Katarina
Alexis

Ashton can take an Attack of opportunity on the creature as it attaches

"The herbicide! Somebody USE IT!!!"

Eldren? You're best suited to that task by far....

Alexis rushes up to the parasitized Theoden and presses the flame in her palm against the horrible thing!

melee touch attack: 1d20 ⇒ 16
fire damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

FINALLY a good attack! I just needed to use magic. :P

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
SR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

The creature once more attempts to separate itself from Theoden but Alexis is too quick for it and her Crimson flames catch hold. The make-up of the mould tries to resist the spells energy but Alexis is able to power through it for a singed plant!

Combat! bold Are Up!

Eldren
Ashton - 2 WIS
Fauxish -1 WIS
MM -16
Théoden
Katarina
Alexis

Ashton can take an Attack of opportunity on the creature as it attaches

Exactly why I backed away last round!

Eldren goes and takes the flask and hopes that his aim is true! I'll drop my sword if I must.

Fire! Umm, whatever!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 for whatever the damage is.
Confirm?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

I think there's some confusion? Kat picked up the vial and then passed it to Fauxish as requested. Fauxish then slathered herself in it.

Ashton's AoO

"Whoa!" Ashton exclaims, instinctively swinging at the plant as it begins engulfing Theoden.

Attack (Slam; Flanking?): 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Ashton's Turn

"Use the damned pesti-herbicide!" the phantom yells as Theoden becomes the plant's new plaything. He steps forward and attempts to rip the offending creature free of his companion.

Attack (Slam): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

These rolls, I can't even ;_;

Katarina's Turn

Without a word Kat draws her dagger and moves to join the fray, trying to edge around the creature before striking.

Attack (Dagger): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Crit?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Kat is correct, Fauxish is coverig herself in Pesticide like cheap Cologne... Though as not let a crit go to waste, we will make it a sword attack.

Ashton's mighty seings fail to make purchase on the creature, the ghostly warrior afraid of hurting his comrade. Kat has a keen eye however and darts in, cutting a chunk of vine from it with ease. Eldren, calling for the herbicide before realising it has been used up darts forwards and cuts at the creature again, narrowly avoiding Theoden.

curve blade damage: 2d10 + 2 ⇒ (8, 5) + 2 = 15

With a powerful and decisive blow, Eldren cuts most of the creature off Theoden, meaning even ashton could tear it off Sorry, couldn't resist. With the plant-thing dead and removed, Theoden sluggishly comes to his senses. You also notice that the creature's previois host is slowly bleeding out on the floor....

You have successfully defeated your foe but the Herbicide the Professor asked for has been used up.

"AAA-CHOO!!"

Alexis magically stabilizes the plant's previous victim.

Theoden rubs his eyes "Huh, what happened? why does my head feel full of dirt?"

"Apparently it has a taste for people," Ashton responds, cautiously prodding the remnants with his mostly-ghostly foot. "If you're wanting my opinion, I say we pack up our friend over there," he nods at the now-stable former host, "and make like a tree and get outta here."

Eldren will look around to see if he can find more of the product or perhaps recreate it in some way.

Theoden rubs his eyes "Huh, what happened? why does my head feel full of dirt?"

Fauxish shrugs the universal code for 'you've got me'.

*AH-CHOO!* *sniff*

Eldren is able to get a sample from Fauxish, but doesn't think it could be replicated at present. It would seem some of the ingredients are not present in the Greenhouse.

With your mission complete here, you find the Janitor and leave the building, Fauxish getting a well needed bath as the Herbicide starts tinging her skin green. As you leave however, the groundsman coughs slightly and hands you a final letter from the Professor.

Start of Part 6! I think I have all your data, but can you assure it is on there? Also, feel free to roll for your boon in the discussion thread ^^.

Opening the note it reads:

Making your way towards Diremark, you meet the now familiar face of Dr Quolorum camped at the base of a mountain trail. Waving at you, he expresses interest at your achievements so far.

"So, I have been keeping up with your discoveries. I know we have the compasses, I will carry those in this trip to help! I have purified the ectoplasm and it is now a paste, which you can smear on yourself for protection.

Now, have you noticed anything else? and, did you get my Herbicide?"

Fauxish dries her hair and whistles, not making eye contact.

Well, sort of. Elsgten explains the situation with the herbicide as best he can while not placing any blame on the monk. It just sorta came open... I tried to see if I could reproduce it but I couldn't locate the proper reagents or such.

New card?: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Oh yes, New Cards too!

The professor sighs about the loss of his Herbicide but he smiles past it and shakes his head, after a moment he continues talking, looking through his packs and handing out vials of ointment to each of you.

"Well, it might just be a bit more difficult without it then. How did the Monolith turn out? Anything promising? Oh yes, any questions?"

Earlier:

Harrow: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"The Shield...we shall persevere despite pain and adversity." Alexis looks at the card strangely. "I guess whether this is auspicious or ominous is a matter of perspective."

Now:

"Not much promising in the Monolith from what we saw, I'm afraid - just a bunch of subterranean savages."

"As for questions, tell us more about Diremark and the Hungry Mountains. I've spent much of my life here in Ustalav, but I'm no outdoorswoman."

draw: 1d6 ⇒ 3

My info is in the discussion thread and made the boon roll.

Theoden nods at the explanations

I'm still a little fuzzy on what happened to the herbicide, but I'm sure I can read about it later

Harrow!: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Wow...that's at least three of us with the same card Alexis," Kat muses. "For our sakes I hope it's auspicious!"

"And Alexis is right, we didn't find much inside the Monolith besides some sort of pale-skinned creatures - they looked like they might've been people, once," she adds. "But they could speak even though none of us were familiar with whatever language it was."

You also discovered the Runes he asked you to look out for. Problems with PBP, so I will assume you mention it

The Professor nods thoughtfully at your answers and clicks his teeth, obviously trying to come up with a satisfactory answer to your line of questioning so far.

"Well I know little about the history of the mountains, but the dangers are what you would expect. Landslides, beasties, exposure to the elements and the like. Though whatever is causing the disturbance will surely try to assault our minds, keep your mind closed to its probing."

He then pauses for effect and then cuts off your next question, trying to guess what it is your going to ask, whether successfully or not.

"What are we facing, well the truth is...I am not sure! Exciting isn't it? It is definitely not quite of this world! Right we best get on, it will take us a few hours to get to the source.

I suggest you put that ointment on now and those runes you found? Best to inscribe them on your armour or skin, I brought supplies for that!"

He doesn't Know, but you might. Knowledge Geography:

Yes, the ointment. Of course. Eldren will do as instructed and wait for the party to do the same.

Theoden joins in with the ointment and runes.

harrow card: 1d6 ⇒ 2

untrained Knowledge (geography, MAX result 10): 1d20 ⇒ 11

"These mountains they bisect Ustalav from west to east." Fauxish mentions as she applies her face and body paint. sniff sniff "Henna?"

Kat follows suit with the rest of the party, first inscribing the runes on her skin and then applying the strange ointment that puts her in mind of some sort of lotion.

"I think you're right Fauxish," she agrees. "It does rather smell like it."

So does Alexis.

The professor nods at you all as he inscribes the Eye of Gorum on his forehead and then covers himself in a layer of ectoplasm. When you are ready, the Professor will indicate some instruments he needs carrying before shouldering his pack and leading the way.

Gusting winds howl and storms darken the sky as you travel up Diremark. A few scrub trees cling to the crumbling granite face of the mountain with snow visible higher up the peak. The trail itself is not difficult, though there are some sections that lead right against a cliff edge, giving a dramatic and harrowing view of the forest below and the Lantern lake beyond as you slowly brave the smaller edges across.

Ahead the trail ends at a place where the mountain has split. A fifty-foot wide crevasse separates one side from the other and the only crossing is over a massive boulder that has broken off the mountainside to the east and has become stuck as it rolled down. The trail continues on the other side.

The professor shakes his head and looks down at the compasses in his hands, before his eyes dart around, looking for something.

"The Readings show this is the right way. We must be getting close"

Ummm, ok good. Elsten pauses and then asks no one in particular, Has anyone seen anything... unusual, recently?