GM Zoomba's Tide of Twilight [Outpost] (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

Hearing the booming voice up ahead Cerryl moves forward quickly and upon reaching the open space.

Damn your a big one.

After saying this his month continues to move but nothing seems to come out while pointing at the enlarged target. Casts Ear-piercing scream

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Fort save with DC 15 (10 + 1 + 3 + 1) for half damage and not to be dazed.

Shenendril comes fully into the clearing and sees a really big druid trying to beat down their animalistic dragon serpent companion. Drukpa is already bleeding so it's clear he needs to help.

She still has her wand out from when she healed everyone in the previous clearing and she taps him with it, reaching into the device's potential with her mind to activate its curative magic.

CLW wand - Drukpa: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The celestial eagle shows all the pride possible from a creature as prideful as a celestial creature and an eagle can show as it takes down its opponent.

Certain of its mighty power, it turns to the next Druid, though it is not able to bring its holy fury to bear on this one.

bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

talon1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

talon2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Malek moves closer and shoots the black druid.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

The large druid drops his claw as Cerryl silently (to the rest of you) scrunches his face and scream at it. Taking advantage of the distraction, Shenendryl hurries forwards towards the fray and mends several of Drukpa's scrapes and wounds.

Meanwhile, the eagle and Malek almost accidentally coordinate their efforts, landing a few hits on the druid closest ot the rest of you. He staggers under the blows, but remains standing.

Initiative

Drukpa -1hp
Druid, unconscious -15hp
Malek
Shenedryl & Belthegior
Cerryl (still small)
Druids: red -5hp, stunned; black -9hp
Vello

Will give Drukpa until tonight, then'll bot

Sorry to be slow to post - traveling with family. Just a question for clarification: the Red druid was able to enlarge, move, and attack all in the same round?

The wounds send Drukpa into a rage. He 5' steps forward and attacks the enormous Red Druid.

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Dmg: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Dmg: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Dmg: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Not a problem. And yes, that druid was able to do all that in a single turn. Those more religiously-aware of you may suspect that as these druids don't seem to have animals with them, they may instead be in tune with a Domain.

Injured and only somewhat recovered, Drukpa roars in anger. His teeth sharpen and claws elongate as he lunges towards the large target and savagely mauls it with his teeth. The giant foe falls, and in a fury Drukpa turns his two claws swinging to his left, where they rake the other druid so badly it drops as well.

It seems their 'give the bloodrager more strength and more attacks' plan is backfiring on them.

The last druid standing hisses - Nature finds a way. Only if need be. - and grows as well. With a *crunch* the summoned eagle vanishes, and the lumbering giant advances towards the party.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 for damage: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5, 5) + 5 = 19

Initiative

Drukpa -1hp
Druid, unconscious
Malek
Shenedryl & Belthegior
Cerryl (still small)
Druids: red & blue unconsicous; black -9hp
Vello

Taking a 5 ft. step back Cerryl reaches up and grabs the amulet that is always hanging around his neck before seeming to repeat the earlier process with the other giant druid.

Casts Ear-piercing scream.

Using the bonded item ability to cast any spell he knows without preparation.

Ear-Piercing Scream: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Same fort DC as before (15) to take half damage and not be dazed.

Vello steps closer to the battle to get into a better position while conjuring another blast of cold energy. He sends it flying toward the druid only to watch it go horribly wide.

Cold Blast (Range Touch) -Into Melee vs Black: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 = 0
Cold Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

History seems to repeat. Vello's blast of cold goes wildly off course. But it repeats for Cerryl as well: the mage digs deep and yells once again, causing the druid to cry out in pain before slumping down, unconscious and bleeding from the ears.

COMBAT OVER!!! (and with luckily no one down as those clubs can pack a punch)
Drukpa -1hp

As the fourth Briar Henge druid drops, the charred bark remains hovering in the center of the dolmens, suspended by crackling bolts of energy connecting it to the stones.

Drukpa pants for a few moments as his rage subsides and he sniffs angrily at the bodies of the fallen druids hunters, wondering if they might be good to eat.

Many thanks to Shenendril for the healing - without it, if that enlarged druid had hit me it would have killed me outright. Yikes!

With the last druid taken out, Vello enters into the final glade. Seeing the charred bark hovering, he decides it might be worth a try to knock it away from it's location.

Cold Blast (Range Touch) to try an knock the charred bark down: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4; Unbelievable. Another 1.
Cold Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Malek comes closer to dead bodies.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Shenendril waits a few moments, watching Drukpa warily to ensure he is in control of his rage before giving him a friendly and congratulatory pat on the head.

She then moves toward the levitating bark and turns her not unimpressive knowledge on it and the energy surrounding it, trying to figure some way to shut it down.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Wondering how much longer this spell is going to last.

Cerryl pulls out a water skin and takes a couple of swigs while approaching the bark with Shenendril and attempts to aid her with figuring out how to shut it down.

Any ideas on how to stop this?

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Knowledge (other): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Can fit any other knowledge that would be appropriate.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Vello's blast narrowly misses Drukpa's head as many of you look carefully at the bark. The piece itself radiates strong transmutation magic, as does the energy surrounding it. Based of the flow of magic and the placement of the stones, you suspect the megaliths are amplifying the bark's - almost certainly the Atavistic Splinter - effects. Removing the artifact should be as simply as pulling it free, though the crackling power about it may cause a jolt of feedback if disrupted.

Meanwhile, Malek begins inspecting the fallen druids. All seem breathing but bleeding, with a gourd dangling from each of their belts. Lightly prodding it, the archer hears a sloshing sound, hinting that they're hollow and filled with some liquid.

Damn wishing I Mage Hand prepared for this...Hmm...wonder if it can be shot out of position in the pillars.

We need to remove it from in the pillars...Everyone want to take a shot at it with their bows/crossbows at the same time to see if that will knock it out...or does someone want to risk reaching into that mass of energies and pull it out?

"Let me try something," Shenendril says. She gathers the winds swirling through her hair (that isn't Belthelgior) and directs it as a single gust of air at the piece of bark.

Bull Rush: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Trying the bull rush option from Breeze Kissed. https://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-sylph/#Altern ate_Racial_Traits

Malek obeyes Cerryl and shoots.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

"Guys, there is something on druids!"

Several of you try to knock the Splinter loose, but you're attempts so far seem to either miss or lack the force necessary to dislodge it.

Vello once again focuses his kinetic energy into his hand and builds it up before shooting it out toward it's target.

Cold Blast (Range Touch) to try an knock the charred bark down: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Cold Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I'll give it to ya

Vello focuses, sepenidng effort to draw as much warmth out of the surroundings as he can. Unleashing yet another blow, this one hits the bark square at the center. The force of the frigid blast sends cold energy crackling along the web of magic, and the bark Splinter is nudged just a bit out of place.

And that small shift seems enough, as with a last surge the ritual web blinks and vanishes and the Atavistic Splinter falls to the ground. Instantly, Vello and Cerryl feel their bodies squirming and moving. Their nails retract and revert to their normal hands while their jaw seems to shrink back to how it was before. The same happens to Drukp as well, though he still feels somewhat off as his thoughts remain slow.

The Bestial template is now gone, for you and you assume others! Drukpa however still has 2 Int and Cha damage for the moment (as you were laboring under the effect for multiple days)

Are we done with scenario?

The dangerous parts, yes. There's still some wrap-up posts, but if you have a Day Job you should roll it over in the discussion thread. As well as a d20 to see if you win a boon!

Vello watches his 'claws' retract and turn to normal finger nails and feel his fangs become shorter. "Ah.. that was felt weird. Even though the animalistic look might have made me look more exotic, I'm glad I am back to normal."

"Good to see everyone looking like their normal selves," Shenendril says. "Though Drukpa you were quite impressive when your wild side was let loose."

She moves to the Shard to study it more closely now that it is not held within the matrix of energy and is, at least theoretically, less dangerous.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Assuming she sees no reason not to, she'll pick it up and put it in her pack to return it to the proper authorities (read - the Pathfinders) for safekeeping (read - in the Archives...probably.)

Feeling better and thinking a little clearer again.

Holy cow that Atomie was an amazing caster for me to still be looking up at everyone still.

Also, going to cast Detect Magic to see if there was anything else other than the shard, before attempting to help Shenendril study the shard.

Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Knowledge (any): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

As Drukpa returns to normal, he looks around as if a great fog has lifted from his head. He works his jaw and seems pleasantly surprised to find language issuing forth once again. Though his intelligence and charisma are still not quite what they normally are, nevertheless he finds himself overcome with the breadth, depth, and rapidity of the thoughts that are passing through his mind. "S'cuse me, I hope ye won't be mindin' too much, but I'd best rite down these ideas what're galloping through me mind afore I fergits 'em. Me granpappy tole me that happened to one o' the great bards o' yesteryear, 'n he spent the rest o' his mortal days jes tryin' to 'member all them great poems what had bin in his mind and then jes gone, like that!" Drukpa snaps his fingers for emphasis and then quickly settles down with a pencil and a wad of parchment, eagerly trying to commit to paper the many ideas and brainstorms that are affecting him as his intelligence is effectively tripled. He struggles to hold the pencil in his hand however, perhaps confused by the absence of his claws, and it is not long before the other pathfinders hear him cursing softly under his breath: "This ritin' sure ain't easy, ain't no doubt bout that, even if'n I'm getting smarter n' smarter by the minnit. There must be something else I could do with all this inellect I gots now on account a them hunters? Mebbe I should take up wizardin'? How difficult could it be when ye got the brains o' ole Drukpa here..." The befuddled nagaji's mutterings and ramblings continue much in the same vein for the next several days.

The atomie's caster level was 6. Which for a 'storming the castle' pace can lead to quite a bit on time spent smaller.

Cerryl finds the druids' gourds to have a magic aura about them filled with a potion of Cure Light Wounds each, and in their pockets the wizards notices several scrolls of Barkskin as well. Beyond that, there is only the bark shard. And while the Atavistic Splinter continues to invisibly thrum with storng transmutation magic, it does not seem currently active. Still, you find placing it in a sack, and then another sack, and a box around that may be for the best.

A short rest to catch your breath has two remarkable developments. First, Cerryl manages to no longer have the 'benefit' of the atomie's prank, as the reduce person effect that lasted longer than it did finally expires. More importantly, each of you see Drukpa starting to come back to his normal self. The nagaji is downright intelligible once more, though some of the scars take a bit longer to heal.

It takes several days' travel once more to get back to the town of Wispil. Reaching the gnome town, Falbin finds you quickly upon your arrival. The gnome rushes towards you, wide-eyes and excited. "Oh my, you're back! It was terrible: two days ago dusk was coming, and then all of the sudden half the town seemed to start going mad. Growing big teeth he gestures with his small fingers to demonstrate and claws and everyone was going crazy. But then it stopped he snaps just like that. I knew it had to be you, and looks like I was right! Some of the loggers came by yesterday too, saying you stomped 'em hard but with the blunt ends. I'm sure they'd like to buy you a drink!

Th excited gnome looks about, then lowers his voice slightly. So I'm guessing you foiled those nasty Briar Henge folk then. And the Splinter, did you get it?

"With few small setbacks, we did managed to defeat the druids and recover said item."

"Aye we has, 'n not only that, it's done turned me into a regular braini-... braini-... braini-... smart person! Why I can't wait to see the look on the Venture Cap'n's face when I tell him how smart I am now. 'N for shur this here splinter will be just the thing the Pathfinders need for that there tournament that's coming up. Thanks fer all yer help!"

"I am pleased that the loggers hold us no ill will. We were able to avoid a surprising amount of bloodshed for a Pathfinder mission," Shenendril says.

"Though you can be sure that the Briar Henge Druids won't be menacing anyone ever again."

I certainly hope not! Falbin exclaims. He looks at Drukpa a bit quizzically. And you say the sSplinter made you smarter too? I'm surprised: from what Brackett sent me I don't think we'd heard of it being able to enhance other abilities. But if so, I'm sure learning how to master it could give our contestants a great boost when the Ruby Phoenix tournament comes around!

"Oh yes sir, why jes look at the sorts o' stuff I'm thunkin' now! I'da never thought a nuthin as smart as this before, that's fer sure. I'm thinkin' mebbe I should try out for wizarding or vestigatin' when I gets back to the Grand Lodge..." Drukpa shows Falbin the notebook where he has been amassing an impressive array of incomprehensible scribblings and equations, as he struggles to remember the rapid fire flow of ideas that are flowing through him since the influence of the Splinter subsided.