J.A. Chapman's Strange Aeons AP (Inactive)

Game Master J. A. Chapman

Johari joins Zadok, and in fact moves up a bit (to see that last corner)

map updated

Wellstone follows along behind Zadok and Johari.

The group moves forward, clustering around Zadok as he looks over the door and takes a careful listen. Perception (Zadok): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Comfortable with the safety of the door, he opens it.

From where the group stands Zadok can see that sturdy racks and toppled tables suggest this space once served as a sizable laundry. Much of the northern end of the room is filled with rubble.

The light does extend far enough to reveal three figures manacled to a rack on the western wall. From south to north: a human wearing stained yellow sheets as robes and bearing a flame-shaped chalk mark upon his forehead, the corpse of a partially eaten man, and a what could only be a ghoul. All three stop for a moment as the door is opened.

Map updated

Is the ghoul alive? Chained? Does Zadok recognize the mark?

even the CORPSE stopped?!?! Stopped what, being dead?!?!

All three are chained, and the ghoul is still properly undead. Meaning, it's not dead-dead.

And the corpse was the most convincing at stopping what it's doing. It stopped being eaten by the ghoul.

PS: get used to these linguistic slip-ups. I can't seem to avoid them.

"Speak ghoul. Give voice to your story and let it be heard. What is this place? Where are we?" Intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

And the corpse was the most convincing at stopping what it's doing. It stopped being eaten by the ghoul.

Well played!!

The ghoul blinks several times at the gruff tone. "I-I'm Argade. I'm a patient, or I was one. You're in Briarstone. It's an asylum. Or it was one."

You seem to have the ghoul's undivided attention. You can tell you that it's hands are bound, as are the hands of the corpse and the other human.

"how long have you been here? Who runs this place? What happened here?" Let's go Drandle Dreng, out with all the details!

The ghoul seems frightened. "So many questionsss. A while, I've been here. No idea who runs it. No idea what happened. I've been chained here for..." the ghoul drifts off, glancing at the corpse beside it with some hunger. You feel like you might be losing its attention.

"Praise," whispers the man on the opposite side of the corpse. He looks at you, eyes imploring. You get the feeling that the body between him and the ghoul is largely why he's still alive.

Can we approach the living person without getting in range of the ghoul?"

"Praise? Why would such a word escape your lips now my wretched friend? Speak."

If it looks safe to approach, Zadok will, sword drawn.

Given that it's hands are bound, and it is bound to the wall, you can get closer.

Zadok approaches, weapon in hand. The man looks even more fearful now that there is naked steel present, and manages to say, "Words fail..."

"They may fail, but give it your best friend. You'll be free now, worry not. You fate is an evil one, and woe unto those who wrote it into the Book of Deeds."

Zadok sheathes his blade as a show of good faith, but nods to his other fugitivi. his intent is clear, keep an eye on the ghoul.

He sets about getting the man free without freeing the ghoul.

Wellstone, fascinated by the spectacle, readies his cane in his hand. Should the abomination make a hostile move, he is ready.

I can't ready out of initiative, but hope that the preparations might give me a bonus on the init roll when/if it comes.

Seeing the cogitation on the Doctor's face, Zadok injects a though, "Would we trust the ghoul anyway? We could put it out of its misery now..."

Johari looks intently at the ghoul. Study target

At Zadok's suggestion, he grips his drawn blade firmly & moves closer. Fine by me...

Zadok moves towards the shackled human while Johari and Wellstone watch the ghoul. The ghoul watches them in turn and, when the man is freed, asks, "Will you free me too? I have been tied here for oh so long. Please, free me!"

The freed man can be heard mumbling. "Praise, praise. Praise." He gets some distance from the ghoul then, as if remembering something, runs out the room shouting, "Zandalus sees!"

Does Zadok recognize the name?

He does not.

Zadok is content to let the man flee. "Ghoul. I'll grant your freedom, but tell me of who you were in life and what this place is!"

Bluff cuz I totally mean that freedom is a one way ticket to the boneyard: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11

The ghoul, who previously introduced himself as Argade, considers Zadok's words. "I don't think you will. You mean to keep me here, a prisoner! I didn't want this! I DIDN'T WANT ANY OF THIS!"

It starts thrashing at its bonds, but seems unable to break free.

Seeing that his words didn't work, Zadok opts for honesty "I intend to put you out of your misery, and send you for your overdue appointment with Pharasma! Now speak!" Intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Argade the ghoul ignores Zadok's threat, continuing to thrash at the bonds that keep it from freedom.

If no one stops him, Zadok will end the ghoul, utterly ignoring the thrashing.

Wellstone observes. He's not seen someone kill another in cold blood since The War. Whenever that was...

Zadok steps forward to end the ghoul's existence. The creature struggles, making it a messy process. After many minor cuts Zadok stabs it through the heart. Argade, once a man, then a ghoul, is no more.

Down the hallway in which the group came you can hear a commotion.

"Let us go!" Zadok pushes the others towards the sounds.

The group rushes back the way they came. As they approach the barricade, they hear a lot of shouting.

"Stay back, you lunatic shifter!" one of the men on the other side of the barrier shouts.

"Zandalus sees!" former prison shouts, continuing to move toward the barricade. "Praise!"

The sound of readied crossbows can he heard. "I said back!"

"Words fail! Praise!" the man says, trying to climb over the broken furniture.

"Don't risk it. Do it," another voice behind the barrier says.

You arrive a second later... as a pair of crossbow bolts strike the chest of the deranged man, dropping him.

"Well, that was... definite. Why kill that man and not give him succor?"

Blood pools around the man on the floor. Behind the barricade, a voice answers. "You really have no idea of the dangers, do you? If we let a shifter in it'll be the end of us."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Sigh.

Wellstone has already taken out writing implements. I see, he says, addressing the voice on the other side of the barricade, and how does that make you feeeel?

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Down, but not out...

Johari sheathes his sword, and goes to the (apparently) crazy dude with 2 new holes, and tries to stop the bleeding.

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 19

T10 for both

"I know that we've slain a few. I know that this place has succumbed to madness. I know that my steel works. I know that I'm ignorant as to the thread of events that has woven this story. Now, tell us pi[what the bloody hell is going ON HERE!"

"It's making me wish I were mad at times," one man says, answering Wellstone.

"Oi, we don't know if they're shifters. They're supposed to kill a few and bring 'em back to prove they're not. Don't let 'em into your head, mate," another voice cautions the first man.

"Right," the first replies. To the rest of you he says, "Sorry."

Johari steps forward, tears off some fabric of the downed lunatic's clothing, and after removing the crossbow bolts manages to stem the blood flow for now.

Zadok goes and retrieves the ghoul's head. "There's more than just those shifters. Nevertheless we'll continue to be protagonists whilst you continue to be stage hands."

"Not convinced. Shifters fight ghouls too. No different."

"It's an accomplishment though," the other says.

It's apparent that it will take bringing back some shapeshifter corpses will be what it takes to earn their confidence.

Wellstone puts his notes away and nods. Stage hands waiting to meet your end offstage, I think, too. Paranoia is a real thing, friends. See to it that it doesn't cloud your mind to rational thought.

With that, the professor moves along behind Zadok to find their quarry.

Zadok goes back and tosses another head, "I grow tired of this game of skittles."

Zadok tosses the head of a shapeshifter this time. It's grey skin and elongated features are obvious.

"Jus' one? Who's to say it was even you that killed it. We've done killed a bunch already. Could have been one of ours," one voice says.

"Ed, please-" the other voice says placatingly.

"What? It could still be a trick. We can't be too sure. These shifters are a crafty bunch. Remember what happened to Stev?"

There's an audible sigh, then a reply. "There's more out there. If you bring back a few more shifter heads, I'm sure that'll be enough. I'm really very sorry."

"A bard's lips will never speak your name." Zadok marches off in search of experience.

Map updated. Zadok picks up where we left off.

It seems one of the voices is Canadian, since he felt the need to apologize. :-)

Wellstone follows the occultist.

"What? It could still be a trick. We can't be too sure.

Johari speaks up in a gruff, clear voice, interrupting the conversation.

Yes, you can.

He shakes his head in disgust, then gives a nod of approval at Zadok's pronouncement that bards won't sing their names.

Zadok gives a mirthless grin, then opens the door.

Deldhindon follows the exchange with mild disinterest. Seeing as they've made no real progress, he follows in the wake of the others.

The party returns to the room where the ghoul Argade was found (and slain). Zadok stands before the southern door, opening it.

On the other side of the door you see several wide tables and gigantic washbasins that fill a laundry equipped to service hundreds. The place looks as though it were repurposed as a failed surgery, though, with at least one table heaped with remains while corpses lie discarded in corners. A stained sheet hangs between two of the basins, dividing the room roughly in half. A lantern shines on the far side.

You're able see a shapeshifter-like silhouette on the other side of that sheet...

Zadok holds his hand up, and then inches forward, hoping to get the jump on the silhouette... but also unwilling to attack without seeing a face.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Bollix. He holds his sword up and tears back the sheet!

Moved Zadok up to where the sheet is/was. I need a Will save from him please.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Whatever happens, the occultist isn't ready.

Arryn notices Zadok's demeanor change, and he approaches.

Zadok... Are you all right? What is it?