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Two of the red creatures approach, floating just inches above the surface of the thorny bushes. Though vaguely humanoid in shape, they have many features that resemble the mysterious fortune teller, including hooved feet, claws, and otherworldly mouths.
Kyra casts Bless, and recognizes these as Ectoplasmic Creatures, a type of undead that is resistant to all but slashing attacks, and whose attacks can deeply unsettle their victims.
Rivani is up.
Did you move the icons in tactical? Kyra did a move and a cast, but it looks like the Doctor did a full out run. Should I move her icon?
Rivanni takes out a knife and readies to attack if one gets close.
Hakon starts to hum loudly.
He pulls out one of his hand-axes and steps up.
"Hakon can give all allies who accept it a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution, a +1 morale bonus to Will saves, and a –1 penalty to AC. Allies can accept the bonuses and penalties on a round by round basis, but while accepting the song, they can’t cast spells, use abilities requiring concentration, or use Intelligence-based skills, Dexterity-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, and Ride), or Charisma-based skills (except Intimidate). Once this song is active, he doesn’t need to spend any action to maintain it but can end it at any time. He can use this ability for 11 total rounds each day, which need not be consecutive. Allies who have their own rage or bloodrage can use their own bonuses and penalties if they choose, but they can’t use any of their other abilities like rage powers or blood casting."
If accepted:
+2 Strength
+2 Constitution
+1 Will Saves
-1 AC
Can't cast, concentrate, or do most non-combat skill checks.
Crowe accepts the song, moving up to blue to swing his mighty earthbreaker, adding some electrical power to the weapon.
Kyra will accept the rage.
When her turn comes she will charge into (if possible) or move to and attack (if a charge is not possible) or just engage (if neither of those are possible) any of the creatures threatening or closest to the doctor. You may assume that this will be her default action for the rest of the combat unless she is engaged by more than one opponent or close to passing out.
Erasmus will also accept the rage and will charge if possible or just move up and attack it.
Kyra will move and attack.
Hakon moves up to the gooey monster and swings his handaxe. but the swing was wide.
Crowe moves up and swings again.
Erasmus swings his starknife at the goo again, still raging if the song is still going.
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Crowe pummels the last one, splattering it across the bushes. As he does so, the thorny bushes cease grasping at the air, returning to an idyllic stillness. With that, Doctor Quolorum is able to ladle some of the bubbling ectoplasm into special metal containers.
"Thank you so much for your assistance. I'm sure those things would have made of meal of me if you weren't there. If you'd be so kind to head to Illirigarde Manor to find the products of her research, it would me most appreciated. Here is the manor's key, and here are some protective storage cases I've developed." He produces a large brass key, and two cubes made of crystal and metal.
Hmm. I think we should hand one to Cartman. He doesn't seem likely to drop anything by accident. I'll take the other one unless someone wants it
She takes one of the cubes and holds it out suggestively. If no one budges she pockets it.
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Part III: Manor
The decaying edifice of Illirigarde Manor stands before you. The gothic facade shows signs of disrepair, and paint peels off of every decoration. The squat, one story building is surrounded by what must have once been a magnificent garden, though many plants have grown into tangled, thorny messes, while others have withered from lack of attention.
A coat of arms is carved into the stone stairway leading to a pair of imposing double doors. No light shines from the windows, and on closer examination every one has curtains drawn.
"You expecting trouble?" Crowe grins widely at the comment, like he made a funny joke.
"Make it double." Erasmus quips offhandedly, looking around the area.
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Opening the front door, you see that dusty sheets cover the furniture of the front hall—all save a large portrait flanked by unlit candelabras above the fireplace directly opposite the front door. The portait depicts a woman, dressed in a maroon dress with relatively little ornamentation. Her face has been torn from the canvas, with only a widow's peak remaining.
The room smells musty and old.
Kyra will tag along, hanging a bit back, not really expecting trouble but ready for it.
Hakon takes one of his axes in his hand and walks in right behind Oloch.
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While looking at the literally defaced portrait, you notice a brass nameplate. It appears someone or something attempted to scratch off the name, with little success.
Lady Rena Illirigarde
There are also words crudely carved into the wooden picture frame.
HATE...Bad...Terrible...hate her!...haTE...
In addition to the damage to the painting, you also notice a small hole, seemingly clawed or chewed out of a nearby wall.
The hole is marked with a grey circle on the map. It looks large enough that a Tiny creature could squeeze through.
Somebody sure has a big mad on.
Kyra casts guidance on herself and gives a good look around the place. She will pay particular attention to the hole, getting near to it, but not quite willing to put her eye up to it.
Raising her voice in an effort to be heard by the suspected occupant of the hole, she says, Now WHY would someone hate Lady Illringarde so much? Probably a very sad story. Too bad the poor thing is not here to share its sorrow with us. It might be able to explain to us why the tavern was haunted before we drove the haunt out.
"Well, let's have a look around..."
Crowe starts exploring the place.
Hakon walks up to the left side door and opens it. He looks up and down the hall.
Kyra moved over near the picture. Map updated.
As Kyra moves about she will maintain a guidance and resistance on herself
" ..what's this statue?"
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"I suggest we stick together, go room by room and take a good look around in each of them until we encounter something - and check the doors for traps before we open them. Unless someone has a better suggestion, I think we should just go clockwise, starting with that one"
Oloch points towards the door on the bottom left.
Right behind you!
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As you enter the hallways, the sconces on the walls ignite one by one. As you follow the hallway, you find a number of rooms filled with decaying furniture. Eventually, you arrive at a door with light visible underneath. Opening the door, you see this room’s walls are polished steel, and it contains several workbenches littered with broken glassware and alchemical apparatuses. Four tall mirrors hang from the walls. The bare floor suffers blast scars, as if some great explosion had taken place here.
One glass beaker on a stand glows with an otherworldly light.
"OK, anyone care to explain this?"
Hakon tries to detect magic while walking into the room.
"I don't know. But something was going on here."
Rivani uses her inspired psychic ability to roll twice and take the better on this skill check.