Jade Regent

Game Master Finkmilkana

She looks back at the others and shakes her head and then then looks at the hafling, "Nope. Try again?"

She seems to think a moment and then says, "Hmmmm... You seem quite determined to drive us away. Busy hunting, house is a mess, and now your snake. It's not adding up my friend."

"Spit it out! What. Are. You. Hiding?" she is now pointing a finger at the halfling.

Now on the alert Hideo puts the bottles back into his bag. Warily he places one hand on his fathers heirloom katana and looks Warden Proudstump dead in the eye. Warden, I don't like being lied to. Now, I'm going to give you one more chance to tell the truth... What are you hiding?

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

The halfling sights
"Nothing, honestly. Well, if you insist, come on in. Just give me a minute to prepare and calm Betsy. And please don't be alarmed by the mess in there, she has quite a spirit while sheding."

*Pant, pant, pant*

Perception:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

"Hey! Hi! How-are-every-one?!" *waves*

"Sorry-I-be-fer-runnin'-late. Ship-slowed-down-bad-winds.."

*Huff, pant, huff*

*Waves some more*

(^_^)

Nicat, who is standing quite close to Walthus at this point, says "Oh no you don't," and dives past the halfling. He rolls to his feet at the door of the moss-covered house and attempts to open it quickly.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Str check if needed for door: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

*Stands panting and fanning her face as she tries to cool down after her race to catch up with every one.*

Perception:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

*Absently adjusts the hang of the leather armor upon her Elven frame.*

"Geeze! This stuff is hot to be runnin' about in!" She exclaims tugging at the straps of her leather armor, still flushed from her exertions. She ambles closer to the group.

"So? Be there some water or some shade abouts tha place?" (^_^)

Sunny is also completely oblivious to the parties discoveries and actions...Still huffing slightly and wiping the sweat from her brow after her trek from Sandpoint to catch up with the group.

Yah, the dice roller, it be lovin' Sunny. :P

He didn't expect that and you get past him without problem. The door is also easy to open, beyond it lies the living room of his shack. It is mostly as you would expect a living room to be, but some of the pottet plants are quite damaged and it's missing two chairs. No signs of a snake.
Walthus now seems quite angry "Get out of my house NOW or I'll, I'll ... get the sheriff." He is panting heavily.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Nicat is thrilled with the success of his sudden moves. He looks quickly about the room and says "Aha! Wait...I don't get it." He turns and looks back over his shoulder and says "So were you hiding something or weren't you?"

Sense Motive;1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

Perception:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Sunny skips closer,

"Here What be goin' on?" She calls, waving to the Halfling fellow in her exuberant and friendly manner,

"Hey-YA there!" (^_^) She looks to every one else.

"Whut be happenin'?" She asks. "Here, whut be them stains, Mister?" She points inquisitively to the wiped away marks upon the floor.

"I'm a freaking ranger, what do you think I eat? Carrots and pre sliced pork cutlets? I hunt, my dear and animals bleed. Now LEAVE!"

(O_o) Sunny stares in slight shock at the fellow's abrupt and demanding tone...

Sense Motive:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

Precept in:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Though Sunny quickly closes her mouth and moves forwards slowly, bare feet padding quietly across the veranda floor boards.

"Here...here. Shhhh...t'is all right..." She lowers her voice and makes calming motions with her hands.

"We's from tha Village, up north. We's here ta have a look see int'a them Gobbies. Ya know tha ones?" She tries to sooth the fellows ire. "Are ye not feelin' all right? T'is the heat, in-it? Right oppressive fer this time of year, hey?"

Diplomacy:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

And she goes and trips and face plants into him, or something equally stoopid. (-_-) *Sigh*

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Sense motive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

The gnome peers from behind the hafling and past Nicat, "Ahhh... is that blood on the floor?"

She shakes her head at seeing the oddness in the halfling and says under her breath, "Something is not right here at all... And with that, the gnomish woman draws her morningstar...

Sense Motiv: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Are you sure, Aloria, I can't see anything odd. Besides these blood stains. Why would any ranger butcher it's quarry in his living room?

Gorag surrounds the group to come near Proudstump.

As he sees you drawing weapons he takes out the vial he had in hand for some time, quickly drinks it and vanishes.

You can still act freely (so combat hasn't started yet), but please roll initiative.

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Cerana is slightly surprised at Walthus suddenly vanishing.

Okay something is up, Walthus doesn't act like this..

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Kn: Nature to try to identify Walthus: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

As Zeema sees the ripple across Walthus's face, she reacts with sudden alarm and realization: "Be on your guard! He may not be what he seems!"

When Walthus vanishes, Zeema sees an opportunity to prepare herself for what's to come. She drops her scythe, draws her quarterstaff, and starts mumbling in words that none of the other adventurers can understand. While she does so, what seem to be veins of energy appear where the staff touches the ground, and her left hand quickly makes several different but distinct gestures. She completes her ritual, and the staff in her hands looks far more imposing than it had before. Now, she waits.

Zeema drops her scythe as a free action, draws her quarterstaff from her back as a move action, then casts Shillelagh with her standard action while enhancing it with Place Magic (a free action). This will cause her staff to now deal 2d6 base damage with a +1 enhancement bonus for 3 minutes. The base damage will become 3d6 if she increases in size via her Growth ability.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

On hearing Zeema's warning, Nicat reaches over both shoulders and quickly draws the shortswords sheathed on his back. Looking around, Nicat says "Where is he? Anybody have any way of spotting him, it, whatever it is?"

Initative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Seeing Warden Proudstump drink a potion, Hideo quickly runs to the door and slams it closed, putting his weight against it. Still keeping his eyes alert he quickly scans the room. You all saw it right? His face... it rippled, like it was a mask or something.

Teller, the rules say that you can get an attack of opportunity against a person trying to drink a potion or apply an oil. Were any of us close enough to try to knock it out of his hand before he was able to drink it?

Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 and Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"Yes, it did." she replies to Hideo and other who have mentioned it.

She strikes out at the last place she say the halfling before he disappeared.
Attack with morningstar 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 (Miss chance (low is hit, if hit) 1d100 ⇒ 55 (Miss if he has total concealment) for 1d6 ⇒ 1 damage

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Gorag reaches in one of his belt pouches and pulls a small bag out of it. He then flings the content in form of an white dust cloud in the direction Proudstump was standing when he vanished.

Move Action: Take Bag of Flour Standard Action: Throw Bag of Flour
Touch Attack on Grid Intersection 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Sunny 'Epps' a bit in surprise as every one else goes to 'Battle stations'.

"Here! Did ye all see it too?" She exclaims. "It weren't jus' a trick of tha light then?" She looks around.

Perception:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"Hey-YA there, Mista Halfling! We's come ta say helllooooo..!" Sunny calls, stepping slightly to one side and clearing the door way.

Since non of you noticed him taking the potion out and since you were not in combat you were still flatfooted to his drinking. Imagine it as someone just slowly moving his hand to his face before you suddendly see that there is a vial in, but only once he starts drinking.


Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Initiative for Sunny:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

While Gorags bag of flour does not reveal anything at first, a few seconds later you seen footprints appear in the mess he made.
Still, non of you is fast enough to react before he can slam into Nicat, screaming "Why won't you leave? THIS IS MY HOUSE NOW!". As he becomes visible again you see that he has changed. Where seconds ago a hafling was, now is a wrinkled, hunchbacked thing without face, whose featureless spherical head is only broken by a small slit in which you can see a rasplike tounge.

Nicat suffers 14 Damage, but since you saw him coming through the flour there is no suprise round, so you can act now. Since it's only one enemy and no special terrain/battlefield control, I won't make a map. Assume you can just move up and strike.
[Volorg, HP 38, AC 18]

"GAH!" Sunny exclaims and back pedals further into the house, to give others more room to fight and clear some space for herself.

"Where'd that Half-ling feller go?" She exclaims and glances about a bit more, "Din't he say somat about a snake?"

Bluff:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7( Sunny isn't paying any attention to that creepy critter. Well...not a lot of attention to that creepy critter...)

Sunny is fully defensive and drawing her big @rsed sword

Since we should basically have it surrounded, I'll assume Nicat can get into flanking position. If not, adjust attack and damage accordingly.

Nicat grunts in pain as the creature attacks him. Moving into a flanking position with his companions, Nicat strikes with both shortswords, saying through clenched teeth, "That HURT!" Unfortunately, the surprise of the creature's attack has him rattled, and he misses with both blades.

Shortsword attack, TWF, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 16
Shortsword damage, sneak attack: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 3 = 15

Shortsword attack, TWF, flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11
Shortsword damage, sneak attack: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5) + 3 = 9

Knowing that she isn't that good of a shot and seeing her new found companions running in Cerana takes a good look of the creature infront of her. Studying it to see if her spells would affect it normally.

Knowledge Arcane: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

If after her analysis Cerana thinks mind affecting spells can target Walthus she uses sleep. Will saving throw DC 16

If she knows full well that sleep won't affect the creature she keep some distance from the creature and use a ray of frost.

Ray of frost: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 against touch AC
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Gorag let's his walking staff drop and straightens up, revealing his true athletik body shape. Then he attacks with all of his nature given Weapons.

Bite + Flanking + Sneak Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22 Damage:
1d4 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (5) = 14
Talon 1 + Flanking + Sneak Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19 Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (5) = 13
Talon 2 + Flanking + Sneak Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25 Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (5) = 14

Once Zeema sees the deformed creature, she immediately grows to twice her size. Now towering at ten feet tall, her quarterstaff is brought down with incredible might upon the creature!

Zeema uses her Grow Domain power as a Swift Action, becoming Large in size, increasing her range to 10' and her Str by 2, decreasing her dex by two, her AC by one, and taking a -1 to attack. She then moves into a range where she can attack from 10' away, five-foot stepping if necessary to avoid an attack of opportunity. She does her best to flank. If she does not succeed in flanking, subtract 2 from the attack roll. The damage is +10 because of her strength now being 22 with a bonus of +6, so strength and a half + the enhancement bonus to damage.

+1 Quarterstaff Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
+1 Large Shillelagh Quarterstaff Damage: 3d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 5, 5) + 10 = 23

Whoops, didn't see that its AC was listed.

Instead of her intended target, Zeema's staff hits empty air as the creature ducks out of the way.

Quickly evaluating the situation, Hideo realizes that he won't have time to move into striking range of the creature before it would have a chance to land a strike at him. However as he sees the creature surrounded he understands that he does not have to. Quickly moving up next to Gorag he takes a half-step back and ready's himself to lash out at the creature but not before giving the creature a cold stare. You have made your final mistake creature! I don't know what you did to the Warden, but you will pay for striking my companions.

Intimidate 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Standard Action: Demoralize.
Move Action: Step up next to the creature.

Demoralize: You can use this skill to cause an opponent to become shaken for a number of rounds. The DC of this check is equal to 10 + the target's Hit Dice + the target's Wisdom modifier. If you are successful, the target is shaken for 1 round. This duration increases by 1 round for every 5 by which you beat the DC. You can only threaten an opponent in this way if they are within 30 feet and can clearly see and hear you. Using demoralize on the same creature only extends the duration; it does not create a stronger fear condition.

Shaken: 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.

Gorag first has to move up, so only one Attack this round. And please answer my PM when you see it (I know, those are easy to miss on this board).

The thing that looked like Walthus lets out a shrill, pained scream as the alchemists nails drive deep into his neck. He whirls around to strike at Gorad, as his anguish seemingly turns into mindless rage. As the aasimar tries to block the strike he notices to late that it was only a diversion to mask the true attack, a spinning knee kick into his kidney. Yet he is lucky as a bulge in his chain shirt deflects most of the force harmlesly onto his pelvis.

[Volorg, HP 24, AC 20]
I doubt he'll survive this round :)

With some visible effort, Zeema is able to maintain her large size and readies herself for another strike. She swings end of her staff towards the creature's neck.

+1 Quarterstaff Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29
+1 Quarterstaff Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20
+1 Large Shillelagh Quarterstaff Damage: 3d6 + 10 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) + 10 = 22 Crit just barely confirms, multiplying damage by 2, causing 44 damage to the creature.

Her blow lands with a sickening crack, and the creature falls over limp. Zeema resumes her normal size and takes in the room once more, unsure as to whether or not she should prepare to face further combatants.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Zeema moves into place for flanking this turn if it was impossible before. I'm assuming that due to her 10' range that it is now easily possible. She uses her swift action to expend another use of her Growth ability and uses a standard action to attack.

So... which of my spells did I actually use? I presume the creature is dead after Zeema's turn though I want to know if I used up sleep or not.

The ray, as you didn't know anything about the creature (aberration...).

After Zeema has cracked the things cranum, it just lays there, obviously dead.
After a few moments you hear a voice from the second floor "H-Hello? Is that you Hideo? Is it, is it dead?"

Cool.

Cerana walks over to the creature prodding it with her crossbow.

I really wonder what this thing was trying to do here impersonating Walthus. Maybe Walthus would know, anyway let's see if it kept anything useful.

Cerana inspects the corpse looking for anything that might be of use.

Perception (if needed): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

It wears a small leather armor, besides that you only find a few empty vials.

Zeema's head immediately snaps to attention, pointing towards the source of the voice. Without a word, she bounds noisily up the stairs to the second floor, announcing "Who goes there, friend or foe?"

Perception on Second Floor: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"That depends on who you are!"

After a few moments you hear a voice from the second floor "H-Hello? Is that you Hideo? Is it, is it dead?"

Warily keeping his Katana at the ready, un drawn but ready to strike. Hideo calls out to the voice from the second floor. Warden Proudstump, is that you? It's Hideo Kaijitsu, I brought some friends with me... Ah, whats your favorite beer? As the young warrior waits for a response he quietly whispers to his companions. Can't be sure there's not another one, best to be careful. And does anyone know what in the heck that thing is?

"I don't drink any ale, upsets my stomach. What did your sister say to you when you slew that Giant Swamp Rat near my shack a few years back?"

Note: That is what you believe Walthus would say.

Cerana shrugs at Hideo "I'm not sure what it was, aberrations aren't my forte. Though it has some empty vials on it so it could have contained a spell to mimic the form of another, or it could have had the ability itself. We know at least the invisibility was caused by a potion."

Morin looks at Hideo and asks "Well, do you think that's Walthus? Maybe he can tell us what that thing was and what happened here."

Reddening at the memory, Hideo grows recalcitrant as he thinks back to Ameiko's tone that day. Ah... she called me a wool brained fool. Hideo mutters. And then she threatened to box my ears if I snuck off again... to go play hero. Blushing in embarrassment, Hideo seats his Katana, his hands running over his fathers blade. Feeling the wood grain, and the sanded ridges of the enameled scabbard, it gives him a sense or reassurance. He might have been playing once upon a time, but this was real. Anyway, I did kill the thing... I guess you should come down now. Maybe you can explain what happened.

Hearing the creak of the floorboards and smelling the musky scent of the swamp Hideo regards his companions. Yea, I think so. He must have quit the Ale recently, but I did kill a rat around here... ha! I must have been twelve or thirteen years old. Walthus saw Ameiko give me the rough side of her tongue. We should be careful, but yea... I think its him. Then, turning to Cerana, Hideo gives a nod of appreciation. Thanks for trying, hopefully the warden will have a better idea of whats going on here.

Sunny creeps over and looks at the fallen critter.

"Weird lookin' todger, in-it?" She murmurs.

After a few seconds you see Walthus appears at the top of the stairs, showing a deep cut over his left eye.
"Oh thanks Erastil, I thought I was done for. That, that "Thing" ambushed me yesterday during dinner and I would be dead were it not for Betsy." He can't suppress a small sob. "Poor, old Betsy, he ripped her apart while I could only run, almost unconscious from pain. I only barely managed to reach my safe room before loosing consciousness, it seems he didn't find it." He only now seems to remember that he is speaking to you. "Oh and you, you saved me, it was only a matter of time until he either found me or I died of dehydration. How can I ever repay you for that? Oh I know, I know."["b] He unbuckles his cloak. [b]"Here, take this. I bought it to better cope with my snakes venom, but by now I'm almost immune either way. I guess you have a better use for it."

He offers you his old Cloak of Protection +1.

"Thank you Mr. Warden Proudstump, but what is this thing? Also, would you or Nicat like help with your wounds?

To the first one that says yes, Zeema casts Cure Light Wounds.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

"Sorry, that didn't seem to do very much..."

Cerana gives a courteous bow. "Thank you Walthus, I hope we aren't stepping out of our bounds here but we were wondering what you know about that 'thing' and also anything about the goblins in the area? Our original intent here was to ask you about the goblins, glad we turned up when we did. Glad to see you are alright."

Nicat clutches his side where the creature smashed into him and says to Zeema "I would welcome your help with my wounds - that thing hit hard! But what of you, Walthus? Should Zeema see to your wounds?"

Turning to Aloria, he says "Perhaps Lady Desna would bless us with some of her healing power? I've been healed by a few different priests in my travels, and I always feel that Desna's grace suits me best. Did I mention she seems to favor me with great luck?"

The gnomish woman looks to Nicat as she passes and with a comment proceeds to Waltus, "I will see to you in a moment."

In an almost motherly way she tends to the halfling, "Let's see to your wounds and make sure that you will not perish once we depart."

She will take the hour to tend to any wounds the halfling may have...

Heal check (treat deadly wounds) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Restores 1 hp for each level he has +3 more hps for the roll of awesomeness! (2 uses of the healers kit are used)

At the end the halfling is at least all bandaged up and on his way to healing some of his wounds, "There we are, should not get infected now, provided you stay out of the swamp until these scab over."

Aloria then moves to Nicat and examines his wounds, "Let us see how Desna thinks of you this fine day, shall we." She then places her hand close to his wound and calls upon her goddess.

"Desna, heal this devote young lad in your service of his grievous wounds." She then casts her spell, there is a brief aura of purple energy and a warm feeling about the wound as it closes more.

Cast Cure Light Wounds on Nicat 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

So I'm guessing that Zeema heals Nicat as well.

Wow! A magic cloak, and we saved old Warden Proudstump. Wait till I tell Shalelu about it! She was always talking about how the Warden was a good man for keeping the swamp goblins at bay. I bet she will be impressed. Hesitantly Hideo takes the proffered cloak feeling the fine stitching as he runs the cloth over his hands. This must be expensive Warden. I'm not sure w could take it. It must have taken years for you to save enough to afford it. I mean, we just did what anyone else would have. Are you sure? Awaiting the response a light seems to appear in the young mans eyes as if he remembered something. Actually the reason why we showed up outta the blue is that we were hoping you might be able to tell us about the swamp. The goblins started attacking travelers again and the Sheriff asked us to look into it. Any information you have would be a big help... Oh! And a map if you got one too.