"Thanks. I'm not much of a grappler."
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Alyn and Trick move in to start wearing down the images.
Alyn and Trick move in. the first swing cuts through an image.
Alyn's second swing connects with a big hit on flesh, causing Eliza to yell out in pain.
Trick also connects with Eliza, doing more damage. she tries to continue, but the blood loss is too much. she collapses to the floor.
the stalkers continue to attack
green then steps to the south
Thanaldhu attacks Lolito with a flank
the party may act
the firs spreads
the fire near Alyn jumps rapidly, lighting the floor under both Trick and the stalker
the fire is now starting to put out a lot of smoke in a closed area
Creatures within 5 feet of a burning square are subject to smoke inhalation and must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC = 15 + 1 per previous check) or spend that round choking and coughing. A character who chokes for 2 consecutive rounds takes 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. Please make these rolls at the start of your turn if you are next to a fire.
Global Condition: | smokeDerym HP: 41/41 - AC: 22/14/18 Status:
Lara: HP: 41/41 - AC: 17/12/15 Status: 3 images
Kragg HP:8/45 - AC: 20/10/20 Status: bleed 4
Lolito HP: 2/52 - AC: 23/18/20 Status: bleed 4
Alyn HP 19/58 - AC: 22/11/19 Status:1 Con damage
Trick HP 41/41 - AC 18/11/15 Status:NPCS:
Carver HP: -10 | AC: 22
Eliza HP: -67 | AC: 18 | dead
Red Colonist HP: -45 | AC: 17| dead
Yellow Colonist HP: -1 | AC: 17 | burning
Purple Colonist HP: -48 | AC: 17/?/14 | dead
Green Colonist HP: -13 | AC: 17
Trying to keep himself and Lolito up and fighting Kragg does the only thing he can to target both of them.
Channel
Take out the other stalkers to keep Thanaldhu from getting flank. Once he is on his own then we be make short work of him.
Derym shakes off the magic, and spins the blade in his hand, looking for an opening on his true opponent, while quickly apologizing to the dwarf, "Shook off the spell. Sorry about that."
Wow, I did *not* like that... Stupid enchantments
I imagine Kragg would have liked it even less if I hadn't pulled your hand out of the way
No doubt. Thanks for that - last thing I need is for them to think I'm some sort of double-agent.
Killing this faux-Carver might help with that
No doubt. So let's...
He lunges forward quickly to strike at an opening in the man's defenses, channeling both his magic and the blade's into strike.
for
Lara nods from her perch on the balcony in Alyn's direction, then nocks another arrow and sends it winging at the colonist/stalker that looks a bit bloodied (), burying the arrow up to the fletching in the monstrosity's shoulder.
Lolito endures his terrible state clenching his few teeth in a clear effort, surviving only thanks to his bleeding closing after Kragg's divine intervention. He follows the dwarf's advice and tries to drop the green stalker first hoping Lara's help will be defenitive "Ah, you might kill some of us, but humans will always come back against you like a string of waves until your total defeat!"
Regardless of whether it falls or not, he steps away from the fire spinning over himself to deliver a defensive kick on Thanaldhu and try to leave him stunned.
Alyn and trick focus on the one adjacent to them.
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Then Trick will move from the firey area.
Kragg channels healing energy, catching everyone. it heals their foes as well, but it stops the bleeding. Eliza looks like she is alive but badly injured.
Lara and Lolito combine to take out the green stalker. Lolito then moves to "Carver" and kicks the monster in the face
the monster seems completely unprepared for the hit and stands there stunned
Alyn and Trick kill the last regular stalker.
the fire spreads
the fire continues to burn a line across the floor, looking like it will soon cut Kragg and Eliza off from the rest of the room!
the party may act
Global Condition: | smokeDerym HP: 41/41 - AC: 22/14/18 Status:
Lara: HP: 41/41 - AC: 17/12/15 Status: 3 images
Kragg HP:13/45 - AC: 20/10/20 Status:
Lolito HP: 7/52 - AC: 23/18/20 Status:
Alyn HP 24/58 - AC: 22/11/19 Status:1 Con damage
Trick HP 41/41 - AC 18/11/15 Status:NPCS:
Carver HP: -31 | AC: 22 | stunned
Eliza HP: -67 | AC: 18 | stable
Red Colonist HP: -45 | AC: 17| dead
Yellow Colonist HP: -68 | AC: 17 | dead
Purple Colonist HP: -48 | AC: 17/?/14 | dead
Green Colonist HP: -44 | AC: 17 | dead
Kragg picks up the unconscious Eliza and heads towards the entrance of the building. He cuts through the fire feeling the pain and burning but knows it is more important to get help to contain the fire. Once there he calls to any citizens to help extinguish the flames. Everyone help! We need to put the fires out before they spread to the rest of the town!
As his flying kick lands on Thanaldhu, Lolito knows the risks taken have been for good. Enduring the smoke, he steps to the side flanking with Derym "Let's knock him down!" he keeps attacking with the Hamatulatsu style to bypass the stalker damage reduction, but this time, he presses non vital spots, in only to render him unconscious instead of outright killing him.
With a quietly triumphant "Yes!" Lara turns her bow on the imposter who had been masquerading as Carter.
Derym turns Antipatharian in his hand, feeling the magic singing in both himself in the blade, before lunging forward, trying to take advantage of the distraction that Lolito has created.
for
Derym and Lara hit a stunned Thanaldhu, doing significant damage. he is looking quite bloodied.
He begins to recover himself just as Lolito winds up for another flurry of punches and kicks. The monster is able to avoid several blows, but the final strike from Lolito hits a vital spot (but not a lethal one) and drops the Stalker.
Kragg starts hauling Eliza out
He barrels through the flames, rather than trying to avoid them fully.
the fire to the west spreads a bit more.
outside, Kragg calls for help. luckily Ramona is on her way to find the party and she sees the smoke and flame and starts rousing the scared colonists into helping. several people head your way with buckets of water. hopefully it will be enough to stop the burning
Global Condition: | smokeDerym HP: 41/41 - AC: 22/14/18 Status:
Lara: HP: 41/41 - AC: 17/12/15 Status: 3 images
Kragg HP:7/45 - AC: 20/10/20 Status:
Lolito HP: 7/52 - AC: 23/18/20 Status:
Alyn HP 24/58 - AC: 22/11/19 Status:1 Con damage
Trick HP 41/41 - AC 18/11/15 Status:NPCS:
Carver HP: -61 + 11 NL | AC: 22 | unconscious
Eliza HP: -67 | AC: 18 | stable
Red Colonist HP: -45 | AC: 17| dead
Yellow Colonist HP: -68 | AC: 17 | dead
Purple Colonist HP: -48 | AC: 17/?/14 | dead
Green Colonist HP: -44 | AC: 17 | dead
Lolito feels Thanaldhu's body to finally concede to his last punch, and quickly relaxes his fighting position, grabbing the unconscious body as it falls, and using the grappling techniques he tries to move the stalker out of the place "Quick my friends, this place is crowding in fire!"
Assuming he can move at half speed in such a load, the monk double moves up to 30 feet out of the building, coughing from the smoke, and visibly worn down due to the many injuries and most of his ki and other tricks being consumed by the extensive fight against the stalkers.
He breathes with difficulty and takes a sit on the street while people start to bring buckets "Ah, this has been a taxing day my friends... a taxing day..." making an effort to take a deep breath he adds with difficulty "...but Apsu always prevails over the evilness of Dahak and his minions..."
Someone keep Eliza restrained and bound so she doesn't cause more problems. Or knock her out again once I heal everyone. We need to question her more thoroughly.
Kurag channels once again to heal himself Lolito and Alyn as the colonists aid to help put out the fire. Hopefully the combined efforts and forming a water brigade will allow them to save the building. In the morning he could always pray for miracles to restore the building if possible.
channel
Lolito nods to Kragg. He uses his nine-section whip to chain Thanaldhu. Then, if handed a rope, he binds too Eliza.
"We should be careful my dwarf friend. If those can take the shape of humans, they can perhaps take other shapes that allow them easily escape the bindings" the man thanks gratefully the healing.
"We might contain them in a prison, but there is no such a building in Talmandor's Bounty yet..." Lolito's face takes a somber look "...we might need for a more definitive solution"
With his energies slightly recovered, he joins the lines of water buckets and does not hesitate to step in the first line to throw water at the burning fire.
Derym says, "I'd say we could likely use an existing building as a jail -- at least while a better solution could be developed -- but, my bigger concern is our inability to trust the jailers, with all the shapeshifters about."
The group retreats from the burning building with their cptives. Lolito sees that they are tied up well and Kragg uses some divine favor to heal everyone a bit. both Eliza and Thanaldhu come to, and seem well restrained.
Ramona is efficient in taking control of the situation and directing colonists to put out the fire. it seems like they will be able to save the majority of the building, though it may need some work to look as good as it did before.
Lara shoulders her bow and flies out of the burning building as soon as the skirmish is over. Alighting near the others, she chimes in, "We can use Medrinnah's house. She doesn't need it any more."
"Should we find a place for questioning? Maybe back in the house. Even though we were deeply suspicious of Carver we could not detect him. Jailing will be hard."
Good suggestion Lara. Let's bring them there and hopefully we can get them to succumb to a zone of truth spell. Otherwise we may not be able to get much information from them.
DC 16 will save on each for zone of truth
sense motive
Derym wonders, "Anyone have any magic or abilities to make them less resistant to magic -- like the zone of truth?"
leaving the cleanup to Ramona and her people, the party drags Eliza and the faceless stalker to Medrinnah's house.
on your way there it looks like the conflict int he town has come to an end. people are starting to come out of their houses and there are no more stalkers openly running around the place. people are full of questions about what just happened. some look like they want to approach you, but the sight of the weird bodies you carry keeps them away.
once inside of the house, Kragg uses favor of the Judge of The Gods to cast a zone of truth around the two
from carver's body you find:
1 oil,
2 potions;
magical clothing,
mwk light crossbow with 25 bolts,
mwk longsword,
maical boots,
2 magical bottles,
magical dust,
magical ring,
wayfinder,
belt pouch, flint and steel, mirror, spyglass, waterskin
Ramona has:
2 potions,
1 wand,
2 alchemist’s fire,
longspear,
magical cloak,
magical ring
Lolito smiles happily at the public despite his fatigue and clear burns and blood covering his tunic "It is all fine gentle public of the Bounty! Just some unpleasant stalkers that will not stalk any longer our loved colony!" and he makes gestures to drive people back to their daily tasks while helping the others relocate the unconscious monsters.
---
Observing the zone drawn and the stalkers put within, he tries to help the magic to take hold of their minds by helping to demoralize them "You better cooperate soon. Kragg can be very pervasive and insistent and will be here for months asking you questions until you say something of truth"
As for the questions he would propose to ask "What are Ontooth plans for the colonists? Where does Ontooth exactly has his lair?"
Alyn use material flexibility for intimidating proess to help Aid Lolito.
Trick will also try and look very scary and a human sized Bat.
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Eliza is obviously more frightened by the party than the stalker is
"Don't look at me, he was in charge! I never wanted to work for them but after the monster got ahold of me I didn't really have much choice! Onthooth never told me his plans, just to do whatever Carver told me to do.
Thanaldhu looks more angry than anything, though it is hard to tell with his featureless face
"you're only delaying the end, humans. you may have beaten me, but your colony will not survive. in the end the Aboleth rules these islands, and there is nothing you can do to stop him.
Lolito assists with stilled mind at the discussion and back and forth of the couple.
He raises his eyes to stare at Eliza "So, you mean, you have been mentally controlled by Onthooth?" Lolito looks back at the magical users in the group "Can we confirm that?"
Then looking back at Eliza "If what you tell is true, then that means you have been in the presence of Onthooth." Lolito lowers slightly his head but continues staring at the woman "We all have moments of weakness, but not everything is lost Eliza. Undoing our errors can redeem a kind spirit from a life of wrongness. Endure with us. Guide us to Onthooth and let your spirit grow and perfect itself embracing the goodness"
The wandering man does not fall to Thanaldhu's provocations, he gives the stalker a kind look "Your Aboleth master is nothing compared to the long reaching mantle of Apsu's goodness. It does not matter how many calamities Onthooth brings to this colony. The Silver Dragon counts with many willing servitors and one day Onthooth will fall"
Derym says, "There are ways to control someone magically, but usually that control suppresses their personalities... That is to say, people can often notice that something is a little 'off'. However, there are more subtle magics that do what they can to change one's point of view -- turning an enemy into a friend, for example -- which can be very effective, though usually isn't enough to make someone work against their nature."
Not all control is magic, though.
Right. An excellent point.
He then shrugs, "But, of course, there are other ways to control someone than magic. The threat of harm, for instance. Especially to a child or loved one."
you know that eliza was influenced by an Aboleth due to the nature of her skin condition. you know that Aboleths are able to control their slaves with spelllike abilities similar to Dominate Person, which would have to be refreshed every few weeks at least.
she has not been exhibiting the tell-tale signs of someone under magical domination, which indicated she is not under constant supervision of Onthooth.
either it is no longer in control of her due to time between spells, the creature has not given her a specific task to complete at this time, or she has started to follow its commands on her own without the need for constant forcing via the domination spell.
I have seen Onthooth, many times since he first took me from the first colony. but i do not know where he is now. he either comes to the western shore where i am made to go, or i am taken by boat by one of his other servants. when we go by boat i am always made to close my eyes and do not know where we go.
the faceless stalker on the other hand is not as forthoming.
you have no idea what you're messing with her old man. the Aboleth are ancient beings, beyond your experience or understanding. you pray to your gods, but the Aboleth have been here since before your kind even existed. before many of the gods came to be.
Lara shakes her head, mildly irritated that she wasn't more versed in charms and compulsions. She glances at the faceless stalker. "What did you do with the real Carter? Is he alive?" She didn't think so, but she still had to ask.
Know arcana
"Based on her skin condition she was under the control of the creature for a period of time. It may have been intermittent or not always in effect. This leaves a few possibilities either it is no longer in control of her due to time between spells, the creature has not given her a specific task to complete at this time, or she has started to follow its commands on her own without the need for constant forcing via the domination spell. I can't rule out a conditional order and way to activate her."
After Lara speaks, "Not just him all the people you imitated."
That is not even the half of it Alyn. Before you and Lolito and Derym joined us she admitted to killing people. She admitted that she was mind controlled but was aware of it to the point she could still fight against it. Everything she has done has been at the behest of Ontooth. She was already granted a second chance, Lolito. When she came back here she plead for sympathy. We caught her in a lie then but it wasn't enough prove a case against her. Now she has proven that she is whole heartedly align with the faceless stalkers. Unless she starts cooperating and proving her desire to turn away from Ontooth
diplomacy good cop to Lolito and Alyn's bad cop
Who are these other servants? How do you identify then if they are in disguise? When are you to meet with him again? Where are the other colonists and why did you decide to attack now?
Kragg casts detect magic upon her and Thanaldhu looking for any additional magical auras upon her that would indicate magical compulsion from Ontooth.
Lolito hardens his look as Kragg retells how Eliza has tricked and played patsies the party before "We need to find Ontooth. Thanaldhu is not going to aid us. Why do you keep covering the aboleth's back? Please, give us something that helps us find the aboleth or I won't be able to do anything to help you here"
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Well, this is certainly a fine mess you've brought us into...
Well, it wasn't exactly described in the job offer - you were there.
Fair enough... I say we just run through the Stalker and get the human to tell us where the boat went..
With her eyes closed?
Ugh, you humanoids with your limited senses..
Still, there could be clues at the side of the shore... But as much as I also want to kill the Stalker, I think the longer we can keep him rambling, the more likely he slips up.
The blade passes back the mental version of a nod, and Derym keeps watching the interrogation, casting a detect magic, just to get an idea of the domination effect and whether it suddenly reactivates.
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you don't detect any more magic from either of the captives.
so far you have not detected any lies from the results of your sense motive. you also do not spot any of the tell-tale weirdness from Eliza that is normally shown by someone who is under mind control magic.
Eliza nods at Lara
"they said the other colonists wouldn't be killed. they needed them for something. not that they would tell me what it was. Onthooth seemed o be looking for something. we were told to look for people with backgrounds in history, culture and politics first. Carver was one of the earliest and was replaced by their leader.
Silence woman! the faceless stalker hisses. "don't tell them anything. you all don't understand. nothing you do to me could possibly be as bad as the fate we would have at Onthooth's hand if she thought we betrayed him.
Eliza hesitates but she seems willing to talk to you for now
"we probably would have taken Lara too, but she was rarely here for long enough to find an opportunity to capture her.
to Kragg she says
"I don't know how they keep each other straight. I can't tell the difference, even with the ones like Carver that I knew had been swapped. they seem to be able to recognize each other easily no matter what form they take. I think it's just natural for them.
I haven't gone and met with Onthooth for several weeks now. once you got more suspicious he left me alone so you wouldn't spot his influence. he just threatened me with horrible things if i didn't keep complying. I don't know where they have been taking the colonists, though, they never told me. I wasn't important enough for them.
the stalkers were getting restless. I get the impression that they hate being in other forms for long
Thalandhu growls in what is either annoyance or agreement
i don't think they were supposed to attack yet, at least i didn't hear any plans to do it. i think they got impatient and figured there was enough of them to finish the job and take the rest of the colonists all at once so they could return to Onthooth.
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Derym smiles at Eliza's last comment, "Well, now, Stalker. I see why you're so nervous. Seems you've already betrayed Onthooth by being so impatient. Can't imagine that won't be punished, especially given your failure."
"This is worrying now... Thame might be targeted too. I hope the cyclops stands for his word" Lolito comments, more to himself than anyone in particular.
"Even with Eliza help, she does not seem to know where the aboleth's lair is." he turns to tell this to the party and Kragg in particular "It sounds like we will have to explore that island at full and find Onthooth by ourselves."
"That's a good point Derym" the man turns towards the stalker "It is at the best of your interests that we defeat Onthooth. You can start by telling us where is his lair, or at least in what area of the island... or who are his allies there"
I don't... the stalker struggles against the spell, clearly trying to claim he doesn't know where the lair is. he can't say it though.
you'll never find them. you have no hope of defeating an ancient aboleth. give up while you can. flee this island. it's not worth your lives.
Kragg is truly at a loss as to what to do with Eliza. She turned on them without magical compulsion after getting a second chance. Yet she seemed to be telling the truth now and giving them the answers they needed. Thanaldhu would be if no help unless magically compelled to do so and that was nadir within his power. Eliza…why tell us now and not before? What does Oontooth have over you to make you serve him? The magic compulsion is gone yet you still followed his orders. And why should we trust you to give you a third chance?
The only response Kragg gives to Thanaldhu is disgust. Please spare me the drivel. With the aid of Abadar I can magical protect us from all of his compulsions until we have dealt with him even if that means going through all of his faceless stalker lackeys like you first.
Turning to the others and Ramona as well when she can be present Kragg suggests, I propose a trial tomorrow for each of them. Let the people of the Bounty have a chance to speak on either’s behalf or against them. Then once that is finished their fate is decided by Ramona and a jury. This way the people have a chance to see justice done and they will know that their voices are being heard. Unless Ramona you wish to not have a public hearing then we will follow your orders as the lawful leader of the community.
"Isn't it a bit too fresh to have a fair process? I fear the people will act on revenge just because of the loses and fires we had today..." Lolito looks worried at Eliza then turns to Thanaldhu "The stalker probably deserves anything that falls on him. Specially if he keeps resisting to tell us about the lair, but she is trying..."
He makes sure they two hear this, but he moves away to tell Kragg and the rest of the party "I agree we cannot have confidence on her again, Kragg. But what about exile where she cannot be a danger anymore? Maybe we can send her back to Andoran for proper judgement"
Then turning again against the two "You made before the skulls to talk after we got rid of the ones who have behaved poorly. The good thing about judging him tomorrow is perhaps Thanaldhu skull will be more collaborative than himself."
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Lara remains quiet throughout most of the interrogation, though a grimace crosses her aristocratic Taldan features when Eliza says that she herself was a potential target for 'replacement' by a faceless stalker.
Finally, she speaks: "Perhaps you two should consider the position you're in. You're not in Ontooth's hands right now--but you are in ours. You can make things a lot easier on yourselves by making things easier for us."
Kragg listens to Lolito express his concerns of a fair trial. It will be as fair as I could make it and there is no time to deal with a lengthy confinement of him. His ability to shapeshifter makes it especially dangerous as he could escape bonds or infiltrate and look like some one else. As for exiling Eliza we have no ship to send her off on. We are here on our own now without help from anyone else for a long time.
The thought of communing with Thanaldhu’s dead body has crossed my mind but that would happen only if the settlers and Ramona ask for his death.
Derym shrugs, "You know these people in a way that I don't, but I do agree that with the current wounds, a trial would not be fair -- and could lead to a lynching. Honestly, it would likely be more humane to just run them through here and now if that's the plan."
He pauses, "That said, there are actual leaders here, ones that we can, hopefully, count on to keep their heads. If, as you suggest, there's still value in Eliza and she's not beyond redemption, then I'd say it can still only work if they're willing to put in the work to redeem her. Exile would be tantamount to a long execution -- or, worse, given how... suggestible... she seems to be, just setting up for another problem later."
"Can we try and leave them with Thame and the cyclops? May we can turn a room into a prison for the time being."
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Eliza listens to your discussion with interest
"I had no choice but to help them. I was magically coerced at first but after a while i found there was no escape and it felt so much better to not have that thing inside my head all the time. I didn't know who all the stalkers were, and if i started working against Onthooth he would hav just put me back under. I don't like that... darkness. the emptiness of not being yourself. for months! you don't understand... she starts crying. it is pretty believable considering the zone of truth.
the faceless stalker is silent. perhaps he has come to the same conclusion as the group. any trial probably means death for him. but he is not pleading or fighting it, and does not even respond to Lara's suggestion that he be more helpful.
Ramona is not currently with you as you discuss what to do with the prisoners, as she was overseeing the firefighting efforts at town hall.
After a while she does come to check on the situation
Fill me in. what have these two told you? we are missing so many people... the invasion was much more complete than we ever thought possible, even with the precautions we tried to take. thank you all, without your heroics we would have lost much more. we probably all would have been hauled off or killed.
what do you plan to do now? I know you have gone through a lot, but we can use your help again. I am still hopeful that our people... all of them... may still be alive. we have to find them. there has to be some way to get these two to tell us where to go, or if they won't cooperate some way to get clues from their belongings or elsewhere around town. now that we know who the stalkers were, perhaps we can find people who saw those people doing things out of the ordinary. especially well known people like Carver.