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When they reach the small cottage on the outskirts of town, Kalak makes her way to the body, but avoids touching it, seeing as Bash is manipulating it enough for the whole group.
She notices much of the same things as Bash, though she would have been unable to tell when the man died. Confused, she looks around to see if the man stumbled through anything while trying to run away from whatever attacked him. Not seeing much, she wonders aloud, "What kind of creature bites, smashes, uses vines to bind its victims and fire on top of that? Could it be multiple assailants? Or maybe someone with a trained animal?"
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"How terrible for the poor guy." Natalia says with some sympathy after hearing the deductions from her companions. She then makes a simple blessing over the corpse.
"It would appear that we should tread very carefully here." Her eyes dart back between the dead man and towards the direction of the guards.
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Bash nods along with the others, keeping a close eye when he can on the guards. "Maybe we should take a look around here, see where this guy was runnin' from." He turns to look at Elise and the guards "If you want some help from outsiders a course. Don't wanna step on no toes here." He looks down at his heavy iron shod boots.
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There is a house a little ways in the distance, you get the feeling from it's position that it is indeed the dead gentleman's house.
The house contains a bed, a desk, a table, two chairs, a chest of clothes, a shelf of food and cooking supplies, and a fireplace. For the most part the house is uncluttered but there is a steady stream of leaves that are gathering on the floor and tracked in dirt and mud.
Two pieces of paper lie on the desk. One is a note that seems to be scribbled down. The other is a map of the area around Rosehaven with ten Xs on them.
- Note -
The cryptic note in the handout is a transcript of a conversation using speak with plants, the number of X's on the map matches the number of times the word "whisperwort" is underlined in the note.
Whisperwort is a colloquial term for a species of red peat moss.
- Map -
You can tell that the X's surround the town but don't form any discernible pattern.
You are able to trace a curving line through the X's to form a spiral pattern radiating outward from one of the farms east of the village center.
Whisperwort is growing in a curving, virtually unbroken line that connects the X's in a spiral pattern.
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The group takes turns looking at the paperwork on the desk. Bash grabs the scrawled note first, holding it up close to his eyes and squinting a bit "This guy like to write stuff down in riddles and rhymes or something?" He hands the note to the next person with a snort of disgust Guy must be part Elf
He then snatches up the map and begins to look that over, and over and over, as he rotates it around, trying to get his bearings "This map ain't worth a s~** either! Maybe one of you guys can figure out this guy's chicken scatch, I sure can't!" He passes that along as well.
Afterwards he heads around the room, his heavy shod boots clomping through the leaves and mud, finding a fine sickle leaning up in the corner and a weird carved token hanging off a thin leather strap on its handle. "Huh, this guy a hippie tree farmer type? I can't say I've ever seen someone use one of these that wasn't, cept maybe to harvest grain."
He gives the token a flick with his stocky, calloused finger. Fingernails cut short to keep the dirt out. "What's this thing? A family heirloom or somethin?"
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Tenibri takes the note from Bash and examines it. "Is this speak with plants? I think it is. A transcription anyways. It looks like these hash-marks count the number of times 'whisperwort' appears. That's a colloquial term for a kind of red peat moss." He shakes his head as he considers this. "Maybe the farmer has been 'taken to soil?'" Taking the map from Bash as well, he begins to study that.
"C'mon Bash, it's not that difficult. See, the town is here. The 'X' marks are surrounding the town; you just have to hold it right." He holds it up with North in the right direction, and points this out to everyone. "There's no real pattern here, though; at least none that I can see."
He studies the map again. "Wait!" he exclaims. "There is a pattern! If you imagine a line drawn through the 'X' marks, like so, it's a spiral pattern. It all leads out from one location. I think it's one of the farms, east of the village."
Going outside to investigate, Tenibri notices some of the 'whisperwort,' the red peat moss. "Hey guy, I think you should see this. The whisperwort is going right through this farm. Look. It's in an unbroken line. We should investigate the other 'X' locations. If I'm not mistaken, I think we'll find that it's in all those places too."
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Bash stands there and looks at the map with Tenibri "I guess so, if you line things up that makes some sense." He'll follow the cloaked man outside to check out this whisperwort.
Bending over to grab up a chunk, Bash gives it a sniff "Kinda like the moss up in the hills in those wet spots. Makes a real good ass cleaner, unless its real cold out, then you best warm it up first." He chuckles as he tosses it aside and clamps his hand down on the Wayang's shoulder.
As N'Ing offers up the sickle Bash waves it off "I said them things are used for cutting wheat, not meat man! So unless you think we're huntin' vicious crazed corn stalks or somethin then I'm good!"
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Kalak looked at the map and notes for a moment, trying to see what Ternibri said was there. "I'll trust you on this. I don't know how this... whisperthing got there, but it doesn't sound good. We should follow the trail as quickly as possible. Unless you know where the tip of that spiral is? I really can't decipher this thing."
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"I agree, let's go. But let's make one stop on the way." While they are travelling to the farm at the center of the spiral, Tenibri tries to find Father Bertinard.
"Father, we've found something important. We're still investigating, but I may be able to predict some additional danger for some residents." He shows the man the map, and the spiral pattern that he identified. Then he traces out what he predicts would be the future path of the spiral if it continues to grow as it has.
"Father, if you know of anyone living along this path, you might want to have them evacuate their homes until we get to the bottom of this."
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Tenibri and I'm guessing the rest of you follow into town to realize that Betrand is not there, and the villagers still looking at you a bit slyly point you in the direction of his house.
As you approach his house you realize it is the same location that you were planning on going to at the middle of the spiral.
The father will answer the door. "How can I help you, it's getting a bit chilly out, do come in."
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Bash wastes no time and clomps inside, his ironshod boots echoing loudly on the wooden floor, leaving a bit of a mud trail in his wake. He doesn't seem to notice, or he does but doesn't seem to care. "Ya... so. We found some stuff out. There's somethin' goin' on here with this... moss?" He turns to Tenebri to continue.
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Tenibri moves into the house, but only just barely, staying in the front room. He looks around, trying to take in the space and see if anything looks strange. I didn't expect to see Father Bertinard at the literal center of this peculiarity. Could he be behind this?
"Thank you Bash. Father, we've found something disturbing. It may explain what happened to that poor farmer out there. There's a kind of moss... it's called 'whisperwort.' It seems... linked to the death... it seems. I've been able to identify a pattern to its growth."
Not wanting to reveal quite yet that the Father's house looks to be the origin, he skirts around that particular detail. "I think I can predict where it will grow to next. Can you help us get word to anyone living out there, so we can get them moved out until we can determine the cause and solve this mystery?"
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As father Bertinard invites them in, Kalak nods in acknowledgment and smiles gratefully, happy to find some warmth, but lets the others talk. Once inside the man's living room, she spots a window and goes to stand next to it as she tries to keep an eye on what's going on outside while still paying attention to the priest.
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With Perception as you've been walking in this direction following the pattern, he gets the feeling, given the yards complete lack of moss, and the look of the closest bits of it....the moss is not growing from the priest's house...it's growing towards the priest's house.
The good Father looks honestly confused (even Tenibri's sense motive gets it's genuine), "I don't deal with nature or mosses really. That was more Elm's work, but you just saw he's no longer with us, he would have been the only druid type in these parts that might have told you about it."
Betrand looks a bit concerned for a moment, "I'm really the only one on this side of town these last few years, there is of course the Millers are a bit but could possibly be considered living close to here. Think we should go over and have them go into town as well?"
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"Hold up a minute, Bash."
Tenibri recovers from his spot of concern, and reveals to Bertinard what he truly knows.
"Father, I'm sorry, but I think I was interpreting the map a little wrong." He pulls it out, and points out the spiral pattern that he found. "I was thinking at first that the moss was originating from your house, but now I can clearly see instead that it is in fact converging on your house."
"I don't suppose that's good news, exactly...."
He looks up at the holy man. "We should definitely warn the Millers, too, but I think you were, in fact, the person we needed to warn the most. Can you think of how or why your house might be the target of this?"
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All through your placement in the house you can at least hear something is moving outside. Kalak who is actively looking out the window can see something is moving but cannot place what it is, it is not the moss itself moving but all she can see is vegetation that is normal for around these parts.
He seems honestly and genuinely confused as to what is going on and then shocked as Tenibri mentions that it is him that is being targeted.
"This here has been a peaceful town for decades, the last thing we had of any sorts had to be three decades ago when a few cultists had attempted to turn the town on each other. But they have been long dead by now, once they were caught they were hung outside of town. Nothing else happens in this sleepy little town past a few minor bits of sticky fingers." He mentions.
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Tenibri ignores what he senses might be happening outside for the moment, more intrigued by what the Father has just revealed. "Father, what do you mean... cultists?" He looks at the man intently. "Can you explain more? Cultists of what?"
He moves closer to Bertinard. "Can you show me on this map where they were hanged?"
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“What happened 30 years ago was a terrible tragedy. We, all of us, allowed fear and division to triumph over mercy and love. A group of worshipers of the hag goddess,” Bertinard swallows and shakes his head, you get the feeling he doesn't mention the name for fear of gathering it's attention. "They used illusions to walk among us and tore us apart. They framed us for betrayal and murder, and in the end, we turned against each other, hands full of blades and hearts full of spite. I felt the poison that had taken hold here gnawing at my faith, but knew deep down that something was terribly wrong, and with the help of my lantern, I revealed the truth behind their disguises. And, well, I’m not proud of this, but I led the charge against them. I let rage take over. I cried for their blood, for their hanging. When it was over, I followed their tracks back to their home, dropped their bodies within it, and set the whole mess ablaze. I may have put a stop to the threat, but in so doing, I succumbed to their influence nonetheless. However, Shelyn forgives me, and I have forgiven myself."
Bertinard looks at the map Tenibri holds out to him. "Neither where they were hanged or where they were put to rest is on this map son."
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At that story Bash nods in approval towards Bertinard "Sounds like ya should be proud of what ya've done. You were a big part of saving yer town from them giant kin scum!" He spits on the floor in disgust at saying the word giant.
"Any gobbies 'round here? Them oval headed m!@$+$$$$%~!s are like rats! Nothin' makes ya feel better than splattering one of those heads under yer boot after you knock em down with a knee to the face!" Its pretty clear Bash is starting to work himself up at the talk of goblins.
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"I agree with Bash. There is a time for out and out slaughter when you are trying to save good people from those who seek to poison and destroy them. For some types, a diplomatic solution is an impossibility-and that's when you whip out your dwarf and start stompin!"
Wanting to make sure his comrade stays good and riled, because a riled up dwarf is the best kind of dwarf-that is, when he is on your side.
"You're right aboot them gobbies there Bash! Those squirrelly bastards always sneakin' around...up to no good! I would even betcha that whatevers behind this, gots gobby blood runnin through em somewheres down the line!"
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"So, from what Tenibri figured out, it looks like that killer moss is coming for you Father, so we should probably relocate you until we can figure out what's causing it to spread." Natalia suggests with some urgency in her tone, "It could very well be related to the events 30 years ago, but we don't have any hard evidence linking it to that yet. Plus, that's a very long time ago."
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Kalak barely pays attention to the conversation anymore as she tries to identify whatever it was she saw moving out of the corner of her eye. When she hears Natalia suggest relocating, she finally speaks, though in her usual quiet voice. "It might be too late for that. I can't say what it is, but there's definitely something moving out there, and I have a bad feeling it's not a stray cat."
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Bash glowers a bit at the slyph when he's pretty obvious in his attempt to turn his Dwarven knobs "Gobs are usually too f!~$in stupid to be the masterminds behind anythin other than a house burnin down. Maybe hobgobs or bugbears."
When Kalak mentions seeing something suspicious moving outside Bash grabs up his earthbreaker and moves to throw open the door to investigate "I'mma check that out, no way I'm gettin' surrounded all cooped up in this house!" And if it is gobs they'll try to roast us alive in here!
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A carved pumpkin sits atop a writing mass of thick ropey vines that are still dripping with blood. Sinister flames dance within its leering, crudely carved face. A few other gourds moving about in the direction of the house and have already entered into the yard, crooked gashed in them letting through an unholy light.
Kalak
Tenibri
Lyte
Natalia
Bash
Jack-o'-Lantern
Pumpkins
This is a Jack-o'-Lantern, a NE Medium Plant Creature. If you get +5 from DC, you get 1 question per 5 above, post it and I'll answer it for you.
These are variant beheaded NE Tiny Undead. If you get +5 from DC, you get 1 question per 5 above, post it and I'll answer it for you.
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Tenibri cannot figure out more from the Jack-o'-Latern, but does get more about the gourds.
Special Attacks:
Grab and Burn in addition to slam attacks.
Belching (Su) A possessed gourd can make a ranged touch
attack with a maximum range of 30 feet that deals 1d6 points
of fire damage.
Special Defenses
Gourd Vessel (Ex) The gourd that surrounds the malevolent
spirit provides it some protection, granting the spirit channel
resistance. However, it also renders the creature vulnerable
to additional spells and effects. A possessed gourd counts as
either a plant or an undead, whichever is worse, but it still
does not count as a living creature.
Resistances/Immunities
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +2; Immune fire, polymorph, undead traits
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"I... I've read about this before..." Tenibri starts, clearly rattled by the spirit-empowered vegation. "If this is what I think it is, they are undead... but they're still plants, too. The plant part gives them some resistance to normal channeling; Father, make note of that! It still might work, but try to protect us more, I think."
As they continue to approach the house, the arcanist gets more and more frazzled. "Ahhh, what was the rest! It's so much easier to remember when it's for an exam!" Settle down! This is serious; this is where it counts! "Yes, okay. So, they'll try to slam us, but they can also attack at range, by belching fire."
"Oh god, they belch fire like freaking dragons...."
He shakes his head. Got to keep it together, Tenibri.
"Fire! Fire! They're immune to it. It's worthless. It's their weapon; we can't use it on them. That's... that's all I remember. That's just the gourds; I don't know about the Jack-o-Lantern thing! It must be similar I guess, but I don't know for sure!"
"Ahhhh...." he moans as begins circling his hand around in an arcane motion, drawing power in towards himself. He finishes by pointing at a space outside, behind and just above the Jack-o-Lantern, where a shimmering portal appears. An eagle bursts through the portal, shimmering with the same celestial iridescence as the portal!
Conjurer's Focus (Sp): An occultist can spend 1 point from her arcane reservoir to cast summon monster I. She can cast this spell as a standard action, and the summoned creatures remain for 1 minute per level (instead of 1 round per level). At 3rd level and every 2 levels thereafter, the power of this ability increases by one spell level, allowing her to summon more powerful creatures (to a maximum of summon monster IX at 17th level), at the cost of an additional point from her arcane reservoir per spell level. An occultist cannot have more than one summon monster spell active in this way at one time. If this ability is used again, any existing summon monster effect immediately ends. This ability replaces the arcanist exploit gained at 1st level.
This spell summons an extraplanar creature (typically an outsider, elemental, or magical beast native to another plane). It appears where you designate and acts immediately, on your turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions. The spell conjures one of the creatures from the 1st Level list on Table 10–1. You choose which kind of creature to summon, and you can choose a different one each time you cast the spell.
A summoned monster cannot summon or otherwise conjure another creature, nor can it use any teleportation or planar travel abilities. Creatures cannot be summoned into an environment that cannot support them. Creatures summoned using this spell cannot use spells or spell-like abilities that duplicate spells with expensive material components (such as wish).
When you use a summoning spell to summon a creature with an alignment or elemental subtype, it is a spell of that type. Creatures on Table 10–1 marked with an "*" are summoned with the celestial template, if you are good, and the fiendish template, if you are evil. If you are neutral, you may choose which template to apply to the creature. Creatures marked with an "*" always have an alignment that matches yours, regardless of their usual alignment. Summoning these creatures makes the summoning spell's type match your alignment.
The eagle sheds celestial sparks as it immediately swoops at the Jack-o-Lantern, raking it with both talons and jabbing at the soft vegetative exterior with its powerful beak.
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"Holy s&&%, angry pumpkins at 6 O'clock! Time to call in the Magician!" Bash takes another step to the south and swings his earthbreaker high over his head and with the smallest leap off the ground he brings it down with both his and its full weight at the still green pumpkin.
Poof! Another foe disappears thanks to Bash the Magician
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Lyte's arcane-elemental bolt barely misses the pumpkin that started to float in the air. In his defense it is tiny sized. Tiny sized does not save it from the great earthbreaker that comes crashing down on it, and covering Bash in pumpkin bits which are still stuck on the end of the earthbreaker.
Tenibri starts to bring about an eagle that comes into form with motes of the celestial planes still clinging to it's wings, as it looks around for a moment to assess the situation.
Natalia moves and pokes a whole in the middle of the other pumpkin with precision damage and avoids the past unpleasantness. The pumpkin falls back down to the ground the unholy light that was coming from its carvings flicking out.
Kalak moves forward to engage the Jack-o'-Lantern, and it slams forward with its vines in an AoO.
Which is misses the nimble monk with fleet footwork.
It will attempt to hit both Bash and Kalak with it's breath weapon.
Initiative
Party!
Lone Jack-o'-Lantern