Motteditor's Strange Aeons PBP

Game Master motteditor

Ref (DC 25): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Tenebrynn rolls with some of the strikes, coming to rest bent forward with both feet spread and her left hand on the vine-choked floor. She glares darkly at the creature and offers softly, ”You’re not the only one who can do that.” In a flash, the wind in the room roars and rushes down into a churning, spinning coil around her right arm. The little gnome then lashes out three times, the winds extending from her arm like a tentacle of her own, raking and lashing at the creature.

Kinetic Whip: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 5) + 12 = 29
Kinetic Whip (iterative): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 4) + 12 = 25
Kinetic Whip (haste): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 3) + 12 = 22

And if it survives and provokes an AoO for any reason
AoO (15ft reach): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 5, 5, 1) + 12 = 28

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 Concentration vs. DC 17

Round 3

Tristain casts Magic Missile again, knowing it can’t miss.

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 2, 2) + 5 = 18 force damage
1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31 Concentration vs. DC 17

Round 4/11: +1 to all the things, especially attacky things. So attack!

Starflit and Tenebrynn manage to kill it before it can do anymore harm. No need to cast that last spell, Tristain.

Tristain looks at the fallen horror, then looks at Starflit.

”Who are you again? Where...where did you learn to...you know, uh, be good like that?” Tristain asks, only slowly beginning to understand all the various magics and powers that Starflit offered so quickly.

”How?”

Tenebrynn stands up and rolls one shoulder, wiping a trickle of blood from her nose as she does so. She nods to Starflit, ”Yeah, thanks, Starflit. That would have been way worse without your help!”

"I...I...you're welcome," Starflit replies to Tenebrynn. She's obviously a bit shell-shocked after battling such a powerful minion of the Dark Tapestry and emerging relatively unscathed.

Turning to Tristain, the inquisitor says, "I was trained to battle the forces of the Dark Tapestry should they arise to threaten this world. We are relatively few and scattered. I've spent most of my adult life investigating cults dedicated to the Great Old Ones and have battled a few of their unearthly minions...but never something like that! I am lucky the Black Butterfly protected me...us...against that abomination."

Not sure if Tristain will understand (or possibly be freaked out by what she says), Starflit nonetheless continues. "The Black Butterfly and the Great Old Ones both dwell in the vast darkness of space, the void between the stars. Where devotees of the Black Butterfly find the silence and solitude there the very essence of peacefulness, those of the Dark Tapestry instead find a destructive madness. My order opposes those who worship such beings."

Starflit then takes some time to pick off the bits of mud and reeds covering her from Tenebrynn's flying exhibitions, the vines and leaves of ivy, and the stringy innards of the defeated abomination off her. The sticky juice from what she calls the jaundiceberries will take lots of extra effort at some future time.

Looking back up from her work she deadpans, "I begin to understand why you folks have such trouble keeping your clothing clean...."

Kyffin stabs its tendrils a few more times just to be sure, frustrated as he was in the actual battle. "Well done Tenebrynn and Starflit! Never did get my feet under me as they say, but you two really shined, thank you."

He'll break out the wand of healing for all those in need (as usual, roll it yourselves (d8+1) and I'll keep track of charges). Once everyone is healed, he starts on himself.

CLW: 7d8 + 7 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 6, 2, 7, 6) + 7 = 38

He puts the wand away and suggests, "Shall we descend then? Assuming there's nothing to be found here." He'll go stand by the trap door, readying to open it and descend when the others are ready.

"Let me at least scan the attic for magic," Starflit says in reply to Kyffin's last words. "Despite appearances, that creature was highly intelligent. Perhaps it was serving as a mere sentinel...or perhaps it was a bit higher up on the proverbial food chain."

Starflit casts detect magic and scans the entire attic area. Then, for good measure, she visually checks the corner where she first spied the beast for any secret compartments, likely in the floor.

Starflit Perception Check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Ready to descend, assuming nothing was found.

DC 25 reflex save: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 1 = 28

While the party searches the area, Albert clears vines from the attic door leading down into the building. "Can't imagine the Talden Navy wanted anything to do with that creature. I wonder what else Mr. Mun is hiding in here?"

Al is ready to descend

”The Black Butterfly, huh?” Tristain moves to the wall to bonk a bit while he processes all of Starflit’s words. Each bonk settles another piece into place, a snippet of thought or trail of insight.

”So...you can really help us, then? And the Black Butterfly doesn’t seem to mind?” Tristain asks the last question with a bit of hesitation. ”It’s nice to know, I think, that the gods aren’t against us. I had wondered if maybe we were wrong, but if the Black Butterfly wants you here, then maybe things aren’t as bad as all that. You know?”

Tristain bonks a bit more, trying to find words to explain.

”Because I think...before...before...before we started all this, we might have been bad people who did bad things. And I’m glad that there are some gods who don’t want to see us punished, but will give us a chance to, you know, not be such a@#~#!@s. Well, some of us will still be jerks,” Tristain’s eyes may or may not flicker to a gnome or not. ”Maybe we’re doing the right thing then?”

2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 3) + 2 = 12 CLWx2. 2 hits Kyffin, thank you.

Starflit looks around and notices a chest seems to have fallen from where it was hidden above. It's locked.

Starflit winces as Tristain returns to his disconcerting bonking habit, but eventually a smile forms as she listens to his concerns. "Winter vouched for those of you she knew, and she seemed to think you all are redeemable. From what I've seen in the short time I've known you, I have no doubt Lady Klaczka is right."

So caught up in addressing Tristain is Starflit that she trips over something half-buried in a tangle of warped ivy. "A chest!" she announces with initial excitement that swiftly fades. "It appears locked, however...and I have no idea where on its being that monster would keep a key."

*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*

Tristain closes his eyes to think.

*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*

”...a chest!”

*bonk!*

Tristain cracks an eye open to see what she is talking about.

”Oh, I’ll get that,” Tristain says as he continues to bonk. ”Stand back.”

*bonk!*
*bonk!*

”And a knock, knock!” when the coast is clear.

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31 Knock unlock chance

Tenebrynn turns to the chest, her eyes wide with excitement, and begins to ready the picks from her bracers, but stops as Tristain uses magic instead. She pauses for a moment, exhales stiffly through her nose, then turns to the stairs and flips up her hood. Her interest in the chest evaporated, she states flatly, ”I’ll go look ahead then.” As she passes Kyffin she frowns and mutters quietly, ”Now he’s just being spiteful.”

Without looking back, she slips down the stairs to scout about.

Stealth: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (4) + 24 = 28
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

"Nice find Starflit." Kyffin nods as she and Tristain get it open.

Meanwhile, he stands near the trap door, waiting to see if Tenebrynn gets into any trouble.

The chest contains a leather bag filled with 500 pp, the deed to the old infirmary, and six diamonds worth 1,000 gp each.

Opening the trapdoor, Tenebrynn is hit with the smell of chemicals and flesh that fill the room below. What first appear to be curtains hanging throughout the room turn out to be scores of skins, taken in unimaginable agony judging by the looks on the faces that waft eerily in an unseen breeze.

Sitting on the stairs, sobbing, is a familiar figure -- the person who greeted you at the door below, though now seemingly far more distraught. He doesn't react at the trapdoor opening above him.

”Now he’s just being spiteful.”

O H N O.

* * *

Tristain looks down and nods, knowing the feeling the man is expressing.

He knows it too. Which is why he bonks.

He will let others speak to the man first. Lest his own grief consume him.

Albert hesitates before calling out to the distraught man and turns to his companions instead. "Where is that breeze coming from, why are those skin things wafting? And what are they?"

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Is there a ladder or some other means down from the trap door? Is this distraught man directly beneath the opening? Are there shelves or tables or other pieces of furniture in the room which a gnome might hide beneath or on top of?

Starflit freezes at Al's words about a breeze moving the skins. A trap or ambush? Certainly the strange fellow below heard when the young shug-niggurath crashed down upon our party and had to know it wasn't just some mischievous squirrels. Squatting near the opening in the floor, Starflit tries to identify whether the skins could in fact be animated undead or something similar. Then she uses her detect alignment ability to scan the skins and strange man for evil.

Starflit Knowledge (religion) Check (Monster Lore): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Went with Knowledge (religion) figuring if the skins are animated they'd likely be undead.

"I say we leave the chest alone for now. It's clearly the wealth of the owner, and - thought the plant thing might be a good indicator - he might not be evil. So let's not be thieves." he suggests.

When the trap door is opened and he sees the skins arrayed below, he swears under his breath. "We're keeping that chest..."

Scimitar out, he too merely peers below a moment while the party examines the macabre scene.

He's ready to climb down below quickly though.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 (If he gets a question, DR?)

Tristain looks down and waits for someone other than him to do something. He’s certainly not the right try to try anything, but wishes someone would.

Sorry, ended up being a productive/busy weekend.

The man is sitting on the sole ladder down from above. There are no tables or shelves that Tenebrynn can see, though it's hard to see much with all the hanging skin curtains.

Starflit does not detect evil from the skins, or the man, who just continues sobbing at Al's question, apparently ignoring it. From what you can tell, they are not in fact undead, just ... dead. And a bit horrifying, nonetheless.

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Starflit makes her non-report to the others and prepares to follow the others down the ladder.

ADDENDUM: Quick Acrobatics check: Starflit will attempt to hop down the last 10 feet of the ladder to avoid the man.

Starflit Acrobatics Check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Tenebrynn hops down from the ladder, but lands a number of feet in front of the sobbing man. She rises and turns to look at him, saying simply, ”Hello.”

Tristain waits to see what happens. And whether the man knows about the monster in his attic. The dead monster. That Starflit killed.

Kyffin remains at the top of the ladder, waiting to see what transpires with the pair below. His scimitar is out though, and he’s ready to slide/climb down the ladder.

As people start hopping and tumbling down the ladder, Al goes with the methodical approach and simply climbs down to where the man is crying. "Look here fella, we've all seen some pretty terrible things. It'll get better with time. The chap at the inn thought you were a decent sort, so we'll give you the benefit of the doubt regardless of that thing in the attic. Now what's all this crying about? You can talk to us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

The man seems to ignore Tenebrynn, but lets out a sob at Al's words to rival Tristain's when he thinks the party has exiled him for his inappropriate behavior toward Tenebrynn. He starts tearing at his skin.

Albert: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
Tenebrynn: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Tristain knows pain, and knows this pain. He doesn’t want to see it. He closes his eyes and begins to bonk, hoping others can help the man.

*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*

*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*

Tenebrynn’s eyes widen as the man’s sobs shift into a caterwaul. ”Are you ok? Do you need help?” She inches closer to the man, directing a small jet of cool air across his face as she does so. When he starts ripping at his skin, she dives for his arm, trying to restrain him from hurting himself further, ”No, no! That’s definitely not healthy! No, stop stop stop!”

Starflit takes a moment to consider if she's got a spell that might at least temporarily neutralize the man but comes up blank. She doubts that Tenebrynn can restrain the bigger human, so she tries to do so herself. "Stop that, now! Please!"

Starflit CMB (grapple): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

it looks like the perception and initiative numbers need to be updated, doesn't matter for Al on that last check, but I believe Tenny has a +11 to perception, which would giver her a 22 instead of a 19

Albert takes charge of the situation by pulling a handful of wet dirt and rubbing it over the man's scratches without asking permission.

Dirt On It: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 3, 6) = 27 healing and remove fatigue

"Stop that craziness, it ain't helping no one. Get a hold of yourself and talk some sense to us. These are good folk, we can help you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

Yeah! Listen to Al, who is a totally normal human and nothing weird at all! Tristain continues to bonk, hoping the cause of the man's pain is something normal and not macabre or awful.

Kyffin remains at the top of the ladder, waiting to see what transpires with the group below. That and there's no room to descend.

He wonders at the man's sanity. Crazy or evil?

He waits to see.

As Tenebrynn and Al reach for, and touch, the man, they suddenly realize that he doesn't seem to be a man at all, but rather some sort of construct!

At about the same time, a figure with thorns sticking out of her skin emerges from behind one of the skin curtains and drives her blade into Al's back, right into the muscle beneath his shoulder blade! Ouch! 34 hp plus 2 Strength damage

A second later, he hears a soft, whispery voice from behind another curtain: "Kill them!" Disoriented, he finds himself almost instinctively going to obey! DC 16 Will save for Al or he is subject to murderous command. You have a -2 to your save. Oh, and to (all) your attacks too (until I tell you otherwise). Good luck! Glancing back, he sees what looks like a half dozen gray-skinned figures moving back and forth.

And we're now fully into initiative. Party is up.

Starflit tries to figure out just what the construct is. She's unfamiliar with the other creatures, which means (in her mind) they're just humanoids of some kind--no problem for the others to take care of! The inquisitor draws her main starknife, infusing it with the bane power against constructs. She stabs out at the false man!

Starflit Knowledge (arcana) Check (Monster Lore): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Starflit +1 returning starknife (bane): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 = 31 for magic, piercing damage (bane): 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + (3, 2) = 11

Combat Notes: Bane (constructs) Round #4 of 15.

Round 1

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30 Know (Arcana)
1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24 Know (Local)
1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33 Know (Local)

"It's not a real person! It's fake! Constructed! Also...crazy dwarves!"

Tristain finally understands what is happening and uses his big brain to aid the party, giving them more haste in smashing of the bad things.

Round 1/11: +1 to all the things, especially attacky things. So attack!

The winds in the room snap down to curl around Tenebrynn's arm in an instant once more and she lashes out at the nearer, thorned foe who shanked Al. She growls darkly, "I don't know who or what you are, but you're not getting out of this room." She seems to not notice the trickle of blood that begins to ooze from her ear.

Airblast Whip: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 6, 4, 4) + 12 = 32
Airblast Whip (iterative): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 2) + 12 = 26
Airblast Whip (haste): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 5) + 12 = 28

And if any of them provoke an AoO within 15ft of Tenebrynn...
AoO 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 3) + 12 = 21
AoO 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 4) + 12 = 26
AoO 3: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21for: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 2, 3, 6) + 12 = 28

Round 1

Kyffin empowers his defenses (swift, sacred armor +2) and descends the ladder quickly, past the construct (provoking I’m sure) and closes with orange, leaving red to Al and Tenebrynn. With hasted movement, he should be able to get there and swing, but if not, he’ll just get there.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 2 = 18 (bull) damage: 1d10 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 2 = 19 (bull)

Alas, even with the swing, all he does is get there...

DC 16 Will save: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 25

Albert easily ignores the command, but finds it more difficult to sort of the seven dwarves behind him. He wipes the rest of the healing dirt on his own wound, and when the swiftness from Tristain's magic flows, he lashes out at the dwarves.

Dirt On It: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 6, 2, 1) = 15
HP: 56/74

cure blade, haste, attack penalty: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

cure blade, haste, attack penalty: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 32
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

cure blade, haste, attack penalty: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 11
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

possible crit, attack 1: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

possible crit, attack 2: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

If the ‘v’ drops out of a curve blade, does that mean it restores hp on a successful hit? =P

Round 1
Starflit's starknife slashes the construct, which lets out a scream of pain and anguish. He dashes the tears from its eyes and lashes out first at Kyffin as he descends, a crushing blow that almost knocks him over before he can even get to his quarry 15 hp; plus I'm going to rule descending the ladder and then moving is a full action. The construct then lets out a wail that turns into a cry of rage. All are shaken for 1 minutes; DC 19 Will save to reduce it to 1 round. This is a fear effect

Al and Tenebrynn, meanwhile, turn their attention to the thornier of the figures, the latter whipping it and then Al slashing it going to assume you meant to attack this one, Al; the other one(s) would require movement. Both land some hits, but Al finds the thorns biting into him Al takes 11 piercing; you can decide to no longer attack him if you want, negating your additional attacks and no longer taking damage yourself. Let me know; if you continue, you'll take more damage for each hit. She ducks away, avoiding Tenebrynn's lash, and moves behind a curtain, where you can't see her or what she does Al can also get an AoO, but will take damage from the thorns if he hits.

The other short figures stab Kyffin 6 hp before stepping back warily.

Round 2

Kyffin takes his lumps, surprised the construct is entering the fray. Well, not really surprised. But he had hoped it would mope a little longer…

Will: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 4 = 20 (Al bonus) vs DC 19 or shaken 1minute

Kyffin swiftly casts Divine Favor (+4 attacks/damage (luck)) with a bit of fervor before 5’ stepping west toward orange and attacking!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 13 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 7 = 26 (bull, favor, haste) damage: 1d10 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 6 = 25 (bull, favor)
Scimitar: 1d20 + 8 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 7 = 24 (bull, favor, haste) damage: 1d10 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 6 = 24 (bull, favor)
hasted Scimitar: 1d20 + 13 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 7 = 36 (bull, favor, haste) damage: 1d10 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 6 = 20 (bull, favor)

Al will take the thorn damage and keep attacking

AoO, curVe blade, haste, attack penalty: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Al curses the sneaky thorns, but keeps attacking until the creature moves away and hides, then he turns his attack on the one near Kyffin while wiping more dirt on his wounds.

Dirt On It: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 4, 1, 2) = 18
HP: 63/74

curVe blade, haste, attack penalty: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

”Ugh! Stupid, creepy curtains!” Tenebrynn focuses for a moment and her ever-stirring hair gradually stills. The unseen breeze always surrounding her ripples down her clothes, shaking muck from the outside off, before rushing down her feet. The small zephyr then begins to grow larger and louder as it moves to the center of the room, turning into a howling gale that tears at the sheets of skin. With a satisfied nod, the little gnome then vanishes from sight.

Standard action: wind wall
I can make an 8x3 rectangle, and would like to do so in the middle of room. One long edge is adjacent to the construct and Starflit, the other long edge will be between Kyffin and the caster.
Swift: vanish
Move: 3 squares left of the construct

Round 2

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 Will

Tristain nearly panics, and begins to bonk, mostly useless in this fight.

Round 2/11: +1 to all the things, especially attacky things. So attack!

I think the emotion effect takes out most of Tristain's spellcasting, and mostly useless against constructs. Accept the haste for now.

Oop! Forgot my will save!
Will Save (DC 19): 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 4 = 20

The breath catches in Starflit's chest for a moment after the construct's horrible howl, but she thinks she'll be all right. The inquisitor takes a moment to activate a couple of judgments (healing, protection) before stabbing and slicing at the construct in a wild frenzy!

Starflit Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Starflit +1 returning starknife 1st Attack (bane, haste, shaken): 1d20 + 12 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 - 2 = 31 for magic, piercing damage (bane, shaken): 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + (5, 2) = 13

Starflit +1 returning starknife Iterative Attack (bane, haste, shaken): 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 11 for magic, piercing damage (bane, shaken): 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + (4, 6) = 19

Starflit +1 returning starknife Bonus Haste Attack (bane, haste, shaken): 1d20 + 12 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 - 2 = 18 for magic, piercing damage (bane, shaken): 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + (4, 5) = 18

Al takes 11 more HP from last round

Round 2
Al's first stroke hits one of the flickering derro images, causing it to burst, but the next two find flesh as he picks correctly between the two remaining derros. Al closes in and slashes, managing to dispel the last of the images. That sends him scurrying away, but the flapping skins don't provide much coverage in the face of the wind wall, and he can't completely avoid Al and Kyffin's blows. You can both take an AoO; if you don't kill him with them, he then casts a spell and a bunch more images of him appear

Across the room, Tenebrynn creates a series of wind storms that push against each of you, but making it even harder to find the remaining figure who none of you can now see. Starflit continues her assault on the construct, managing to slice its tough "skin" once, before it turns its attention back to her, fists hammering home in its rage 9 hp and 15 hp damage.

Meanwhile, above, Tristain cowers. Yes, shaken is fun!