Tenebrynn, who lost the ability to fly after the group’s encounter with the Mad Poet, as Tristain well knows, blinks twice as she’s suddenly alone in the room with the wasps. Her shoulders drop and her stomach turns as the wasps’ venom surges through her. She looks up to the collapsed attic above and, with an emotionless grunt, tries to leap free of the wasps.
Landing in the ruined attic with a gasp, and nearly vomiting all over her own feet, the bleached gnome shuffles over to the barred window, hoping she’ll be able to squeeze through and get away before the wasps fall upon her again.
HP: 51/131
Nonlethal: 10
AC: 17 (15 T / 12 FF) // 25% miss chance for ranged attacks
Fort: +13 // Ref: +13 // Will: +6 (+2 vs illusion)
Burn Accrued: 10/10
Ki Pool Spent: 2/3
Ongoing Effects:
Warden of Nature: +1 to hit/+2 dodge bonus vs aberrations, oozes, vermin
Foe of the Strange: +1 to saves vs aberrations, -10 to confusion results
Point Blank Shot: +1/+1
Haste (3/8): +1 to hit, +1 reflex, +30ft movement speed
Nauseated
Elemental overflow:
+x to hit, +2x damage, and visual effects on person as long as burn is present (x = current burn, max 2)
Ability Score increases (+2): Dex, Con
Dex damage (5): -2 to AC, Ref Saves, etc
One of the swarms follows Tenebrynn, as she leaps up to the ruined attack. They wasps continue to sting and plague her as she squeezes outside.
Weapon Equipped = Wand CLW
Conditions = Magic Vestment (1/10h, +2), Bull’s Strength (7/10m), Invisibility Purge (4/10m), -6 dex image
Scimitar: Attack: BAB +7/2, Str +5, Magic +1, Focus +2, (Power -2) Damage: Str +5, Magic +1, Specialization +2, (Power +4) Crit: 18-20 DR Magic
Longbow: Attack: BAB +7/2, Dex +1, Magic +1 Damage: Str +4 (adaptive), Magic +1
Cold Iron/Silver Blanch Arrows = 10/10
Cold Iron/Ghost Salt Arrows = 7/10
Blessings (6/8, su) (Holy Strike (std), Battle Companion (full), Fast Healing (std), or Powerful Healer (sw))
Fervor (3/7, su, sw, DC 17, 3d6)
Sacred Weapon (8/10r, su, sw, +2)
Sacred Armor (8/10m, su, sw, +2)
Boots of Speed = 10/10 (+1 attack, +1 on attack rolls, +1 dodge to AC & Reflex, +30’ move)
Pearl of Power (1/1, first)(0/1, second)
Spells (Caster Level 10, Concentration +12)
Zero (12): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Mending, Stabilize
First (13): Command, Compel Hostility,
Second (14):
Third (15):
Fourth (16):
vs DC 20 or
vs DC 20
Kyffin appears outside and tries to gain his bearings. Turning back to the structure, he looks for Tenebrynn to come jumping out the window. ”C’mon Tenebrynn!”
He readies an action to cast another Burst of Radiance if the swarms try to follow Tenebrynn (long range spell).
When he sees Tenebrynn, he waives to her and calls her over, taking out the curing wand and eyeing the lesser restoration wand, though it has but few charges left…
"I hate swarms..." he mumbles under his breath.
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Outside the cursed building, Starflit's luck seems to change, and the wasps' venom runs its course without causing further damage. The inquisitor checks on the others to see if there's anything she can do to help them.
Tristain seems happy his mind didn’t break and everyone might have gotten out unscathed, mostly.
”Well, we’ll need to go back in there eventually, and with some solutions to those nasty wasps,” Tristain says, between bonks on a nearby tree. ”That didn’t go well at all. That place was filled with monsters and worse.”
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Weapon Equipped = Wand CLW, Wand Lesser Restoration
Conditions = Magic Vestment (1/10h, +2), Bull’s Strength (7/10m), Invisibility Purge (4/10m), -4 dex image
Scimitar: Attack: BAB +7/2, Str +5, Magic +1, Focus +2, (Power -2) Damage: Str +5, Magic +1, Specialization +2, (Power +4) Crit: 18-20 DR Magic
Longbow: Attack: BAB +7/2, Dex +1, Magic +1 Damage: Str +4 (adaptive), Magic +1
Cold Iron/Silver Blanch Arrows = 10/10
Cold Iron/Ghost Salt Arrows = 7/10
Blessings (6/8, su) (Holy Strike (std), Battle Companion (full), Fast Healing (std), or Powerful Healer (sw))
Fervor (3/7, su, sw, DC 17, 3d6)
Sacred Weapon (8/10r, su, sw, +2)
Sacred Armor (8/10m, su, sw, +2)
Boots of Speed = 10/10 (+1 attack, +1 on attack rolls, +1 dodge to AC & Reflex, +30’ move)
Pearl of Power (1/1, first)(0/1, second)
Spells (Caster Level 10, Concentration +12)
Zero (12): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Mending, Stabilize
First (13): Command, Compel Hostility,
Second (14):
Third (15):
Fourth (16):
I think I missed I needed a second save, sorry...
vs DC 20
As the swarm doesn’t seem to be pressing, Kyffin waits for Tenebrynn to join up. ”You might not be able to fly anymore, but you can jump like no one I’ve ever seen! Great leaping gnome Tenebrynn!”
Glad to have her back, he plies the wands on her first, before turning to the others.
Kyffin will, in the end, help himself as well, though he asks, ”I have but one of those radiance spells left, and it didn’t do much that I could tell. Tenebrynn, how many of those lightning bolts can you launch? Anyone else have anything useful against such horrors?”
As he chats, he also heals himself.
Struggling to get through the window, Tenebrynn grunts emotionlessly as the wasps continue to sting her as she squirms through the bars. Tumbling onto the roof top, she stumbles forward a few steps as her legs stiffen and her vision begins to blur.
Hearing the infernal droning of the wasps behind her still, she staggers forward across the roof for a few more steps before making a desperate leap for the front grounds.
The winds buffet and slow her fall before she hits, but her legs don't seem to want to get back under her. She hits the ground and tumbles through the rain slick grass and mud on one side, coming to rest a dozen yards from the group.
As Kyffin gets to her first and helps her up, she offers woodenly, "Thanks." Her tone sounds more like she's reading syllables off a page than expressing heartfelt gratitude. "I don't like wasps." She then cocks her head as she considers Kyffin's question. "I can throw lightning, well, constantly. My body can't take throwing it quickly or heavily though, not after that fight with the thorny derro. And that is something wands cannot fix."
The flatness and brevity in her speech is more than a little unsettling, especially coming from the normally vivacious and earnest gnome.
HP: 39/131
Nonlethal: 10
AC: 17 (15 T / 12 FF) // 25% miss chance for ranged attacks
Fort: +13 // Ref: +13 // Will: +6 (+2 vs illusion)
Burn Accrued: 10/10
Ki Pool Spent: 2/3
Ongoing Effects:
Warden of Nature: +1 to hit/+2 dodge bonus vs aberrations, oozes, vermin
Foe of the Strange: +1 to saves vs aberrations, -10 to confusion results
Point Blank Shot: +1/+1
Haste (4/8): +1 to hit, +1 reflex, +30ft movement speed
Elemental overflow:
+x to hit, +2x damage, and visual effects on person as long as burn is present (x = current burn, max 2)
Ability Score increases (+2): Dex, Con
Dex damage (5): -2 to AC, Ref Saves, etc
Albert shrugs off the wasp's venom and goes to help up Tenny along with Kyffin. "We'll come back tomorrow rested and prepared. Likely we got what we needed, but we best check out that lab before something worse than wasps sneaks out of it."
"Well, let's get back to town. Good thing we didn't wear our new good clothes here, lest they be ruined by wasps' stings. That would have been worse," Tristain says, happy to retreat.
"Al, are you okay?"
As they walk away, Kyffin taps Tenebrynn thrice with his healing touch - over time of course so there's no overlap - giving her fast healing 3 for one minute (so 90hp healed). He offers the lesser restoration wand to Tenebrynn as well.
"Starflit, you OK? Need a hit on the wand?" he holds up the lessor restoration wand.
He heads to their inn and plans to spend the night. As it seems up to him and Tenebrynn to handle the swarms, he'll bring extra radiance spells for the day when they arise. Damn swarms...
Starflit seems lost in her thoughts and starts slightly when Kyffin addresses her. "I'm fine," she lies (or at least exaggerates), looking concerned. "What of Mun?" she asks. "If we leave now, won't he be able to escape our grasp?"
Was the construct we defeated the person you folks knew as Mun? I tried to use the forum's Search function with that name and got some stuff from late 2019; then I tried again in a separate tab and got the recent stuff. Honestly, I wasn't aware he was someone the party had already met.
A determined look appears on the inquisitor's face. "I have one spell that might be able to damage the swarms, but I need to have the right judgment active when I cast it. And I need to be able to cast it while the swarms are close by."
Tenebrynn nods stiffly at Kyffin’s offer of the wand. ”Ok.” She then turns to Starflit and expounds, ”Not sure who Miacknian Mun is, exactly. Weeping one turning out to be a construct was a surprise. Probably means one at the door was as well. Possibly same one, but after seeing all those skins, he’s probably made several. Real one might have left with Lowls.” She shrugs. ”Need to go back, regardless. No benefit of surprise next time though. Will be harder.” She shrugs again, still without emotion.
HP: 120/131
Nonlethal: 10
AC: 17 (15 T / 12 FF) // 25% miss chance for ranged attacks
Fort: +13 // Ref: +13 // Will: +6 (+2 vs illusion)
Burn Accrued: 10/10
Ki Pool Spent: 2/3
Ongoing Effects:
Warden of Nature: +1 to hit/+2 dodge bonus vs aberrations, oozes, vermin
Foe of the Strange: +1 to saves vs aberrations, -10 to confusion results
Point Blank Shot: +1/+1
Elemental overflow:
+x to hit, +2x damage, and visual effects on person as long as burn is present (x = current burn, max 2)
Ability Score increases (+2): Dex, Con
Dex damage (2): -1 to AC, Ref Saves, etc
"Al, are you okay?"
"I don't think so, to be honest, something ain't right." Al swivels his shoulder and stretches his back, but still looks perplexed. "Maybe a good night of sleep will fix it?"
Kyffin thinks a moment as they walk back to town, "Before we bed down, let's stop at a decent church. Might be we could all use a little look to from the clerics. I'd like to have them take a gander at Tenebrynn too. My dear, you seem 'off' as well, and it might be the priests can help. Might be we want to buy another of those lesser restoration wands. We didn't pay for this one, and it's about empty - ew've used it a fair bit."
(for the best local church to help in this)
Some quick questions reveal the main temple in the city is in Grayguard Castle, an impressive fortress that stands watch over the entrance to Cassomir’s harbor. The enormous temple in the center of Grayguard Castle was once one of the largest temples to Aroden outside of Oppara. Today, the temple is instead tended to by all of the faiths of Taldor.
You can also find smaller shrines to Gozreh, and Abadar in several spots.
Not too long after you leave the vicinity of Mun's home and lab, you notice six members of the city watch seem to be following you.
Starflit is quiet, caught up in her own thoughts, apparently.
”Maybe there’s magic the church could also offer to help Tristain.”
”Also, we are being followed. By the town guard.”
Kyffin nods along with Tenebrynn, "Good eye and yes, we'll all get checked out." he says to placate Tenebrynn.
"Let's get to the church and see what the priests can tell us of our injuries. I don't know why the town guard would be following us, unless they saw us break-in..." he shrugs, unsure there's anything he can do about it.
He walks along, trying to be casual as they head to the church.
As Tenebrynn and Kyffin mention the town guard's interest, Starflit comes out of her mental malaise and removes the mask-and-wig attachment to her cloak's hood, storing it in her pack. Then she puts on her best 'I didn't do it' face.
Tristain tries not to worry about the town guard following them as they only did some minor breaking and entering and did very little stealing after the murder, so he wasn't too worried.
"Yeah, let's get healed up and then maybe shop for a solution to those nasty wasps. I think each of us wearing 3 or 4 swarm suits might work," Tristain offers, but also thinking about how to defeat the swarm in other ways.
Al agrees heartily at the suggestion of visiting the church. "Don't worry about those guards, I'll talk to them if they approach us." As the party nears the temple Albert feels better instantly. "Must have been the stale air of that old prison or something, just being near the temple has my spirits raised! How about you Tenny?"
Tenebrynn, one eye still screamingly red from a burst vessel and her neck still stained from blood from her ears, looks up at Al with her platinum hair and shrugs stiffly. ”Am I supposed to feel different? Why?”
"Heck yeah, we're back in the city and not that dank prison, on our way to the temple, getting a good meal, and some fine clothes, how could you not feel different?"
Tenebrynn pauses for a moment then shrugs stiffly, "I don't feel anything. Should feel upset maybe. At least disappointed. Had to run from bees, after all. Maybe shame?" She shakes her head, the gesture puppet-like. "Don't though. Which is fine, I guess. Is it not fine? Doesn't matter. Failed earlier. Next try will be harder. Need to be ready."
The guards continue to pace you -- though staying a bit of a ways back, perhaps in an effort to not be seen -- as you make your way to a local church, which seems like a bit more promising option than Grayguard Castle considering your current situation.
At the small shrine to Gozreh, a young woman in cleric's robe greets you. "Welcome," she says, looking your bloody forms up and down. "How may the Wind and the Waves serve you, or how do you wish to serve them?"
"How may the Wind and the Waves serve you, or how do you wish to serve them?"
”Oh, this place sounds nice and peaceful. They need fixing, and I...I...I just need a quiet place to sit and bonk for a bit,” Tristain then goes to find a nice wall or pew to sit and bonk calmly for a while, like a normal person, while he waits others to be tended to.
"Greetings and well met indeed. We're in need of some assistance, but we're really not completely sure what's wrong. I think there may be enchantments, or possibly diseases, or possibly something else entirely - affecting several of us." he looks at Tenebrynn in pointedly.
"Can you, you know, sort of see what's wrong, and then fix it? We can pay." he hurriedly adds to make it clear they're not here for a hand out.
He suggests they examine Tenebrynn first, but he wants everyone to get checked. They've been through a lot, and there's no knowing what else might be lingering from the evils they've bested.
Tenebrynn shrugs stiffly at the woman’s glance as Kyffin directs the young cleric’s attention to her. The gnome offers flatly, ”It looks worse than it is.”
Starflit seems a bit unsure what to do or say inside the shrine. Something does seem off about Tenebrynn...but what it is--or how to deal with it--Starflit hasn't a clue. When Tristain excuses himself to bonk, she's at a total loss: Surely the poor fellow is the one most in need of aid! She thinks on the matter and asks if there's a cushion or pillow she can buy.
Starflit cautiously approaches Tristain, careful not to startle him. "How long have you been doing this 'bonking' thing?" she asks, concern in her voice. "I'm no physician, but cracking your head repeatedly against a hard surface can't be good for you. Please, do me a favor and put this between your head and the wall or tabletop when you bonk. I find peace and comfort in the small silences in the world, but I know that doesn't work for everyone. Some people have different mechanisms for coping. Maybe you can find some relief in a constant rhythm--hitting your head against the cushion--without... scrambling your brain."
Tristain stops his bonking to look at Starflit. He is clearly surprised at the interruption and the questions.
"Stop bonking? But why? How will I think and process the problems of the world without bonking?" he seems really confused. "No, bonking is important. It helps keep rhythm of the thoughts in my head. And I need to think if I'm going to think, you know?"
"how long bonk?"
Tristain seems really perplexed by the problem, because he truly doesn't know the answer.
"Uh, I don't really know, to be honest. If you recall how we all met, I mean me and Kyffin and Tenebrynn...it was in the asylum and we didn't have any of our past memories. So I don't know if I've always bonked. Maybe? I dunno. Maybe I always have. Or it might be <12 weeks?>."
"So I don't mind the bonking. It's important, you know?" Tristain offers a weak smile, but he has to do what he has to do. "I think my brain is fine. I'm totally normal."
"I'm so so normal."
Starflit looks at Tristain with obvious concern. Uncertain what else she can do, she leaves the cushion as a gift. "Perhaps 'thumping' might work as well as 'bonking'...or almost as well. You could try it at least; though you'd know best, I guess." Unsure what more she can say, she concludes by telling Tristain, "I'm going to try to figure out what's wrong with Tenebrynn now, but if you need to talk, just let me know."
”You’re going to try to go fix Tenebrynn? Well okay, good luck with that,” Tristain puzzles back, uncertain how that could possibly happen. He seems quite happy that Starflit is going to make the attempt, and even hopes she succeeds.
He goes back to his patient bonking thumping while he waits.
*thump*
*thump*
*thump*
Starflit smiles when she hears Tristain thumping rather than bonking.
Every little bit helps!
She moves to Kyffin's side and looks over Tenebrynn while waiting for the Gozren cleric to make a diagnosis.
"Well, I should be able to see easily enough if it's magic or a poison affecting her," the woman replies. "That will only be a nominal gold piece donation to Gozreh's shrine for each of those. If you fear a disease, I can also attempt to diagnose that magically, though that will cost you 10 gp."
”This seems unnecessary, if there is an issue with me, it is not from either of those causes. More likely Tristain is influenced by something. Behavior is irrational, even by our standards.”
"I got him to use a cushion when he bonks!" Starflit whispers to the gnome, a hopeful look in her eyes.
She also gets 10 gp from her pack to pay for the diagnosing spell.
Tenebrynn shakes her head, ”No, not referring to constant bonking, but pillow was a kind gesture. Behavior I’m referring to is refusal to accept me not requiting his love. Constantly tries to get me to positively engage with him. Coughs to goad me into asking if he’s ok. Doesn’t cough to get me ask if he’s better.” She then proceeds to rattle off a mind-numbing list of infractions and manipulations ranging from scratching his head to staying at the top of the ladder in the old infirmary.
The cleric looks back and forth.
"I am happy to check with your friend as well, though I have only prepared one of these spells today," she says.
Kyffin will loan his pearl of power (first level) to the priest to reclaim the spell so as to cast it twice at least. "Perhaps we'll come by in the morning for another round if needed?" he wonders.
He too will donate 10gp to the church for the other castings (so far).
Albert is happy to pay the single coin, though he isn't concerned about the disease. "What about curses, can you check for those? We met this poet living in a desert that might have put some hex upon her."
Tristain continues to wait, and hopes everyone gets the help they need.
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"Well, that's certainly convenient," the cleric says as Kyffin offers the pearl. "I suppose if I were Abadaran, I'd probably still charge you anyway, but since I'm not, I hardly think Gozreh will mind answering a few more prayers."
She concentrates for a moment on Tenebrynn, praying to the Wind and Waves, and a look of concern crosses her face.
"I'm afraid you are indeed right," she says afterward to Kyffin, pulling the half-orc aside. "She does indeed have an infection, one not of body but rather of her mind. It makes her think things that are not true, delusions she believes are as real as the world around us."
She uses the pearl and casts on Tristain, shaking her head. "The good news is your other friend seems to be of sound mind ... or at least not have any afflictions causing odd behavior."
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"That's very kind of you, thanks."
Kyffin leans back and returns a whisper, "So cure her. Just let me know the cost, and we'll cover it. You sure about Tristain? He's sane?"
Albert watches as Kyffin whispers with the priest and then pays a hefty sum. While the healing takes place he keeps an eye out for the lurking guards and tries to deflect any interruptions.
*thump*
*thump*
*thump*
Tristain pauses his bonking thumping as the diagnosis is revealed.
"See? I'm..."
*thump*
"..totally..."
*thump*
"normal."
*thump*
*thump*
*thump*
"I'm fine."
Starflit listens silently as the priestess and Kyffin detail the diagnoses. She may be at a loss for words.
"If it's a magical effect, I may be able to dispel it," the inquisitor says finally. She casts detect magic first, however, not wanting to lose one of her spells with the city watch sporting an unhealthy interest in the group.
Starflit detects no magic she wasn't expecting on Tenebrynn, leaving the cleric's solution as your best option.
At Kyffin's instructions she intones a quick prayer over Tenebrynn -- "Let this disease pass like the weather under your command, Gozreh" -- and then looks up.
"I've done what I can. It is in their hands now," she says, glancing upward and then out toward the sea.
In her flat, bleached tone, Tenebrynn cocks her head to one side and asks, ”What was that? Am I supposed to... feel different?”