[PFS/DMK/YotS] 7-12 The Twisted Circle (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

"We seek your aid. May we enter?" Henri answers the voice. He also signals his colleagues to keep an eye out and to stand ready - just in case...

Shisen watches the surroundings, ever so careful not to draw unnecessary attention.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Enter? Why? Is there something you want to know?

The man behind the door seems to be reluctant to allow Henri in, though he is fine with answering some questions.

Cyjke keeps watch for anyone watching them.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Seeing as how you seem to be stuck a bit, let me suggest a couple of angles: you can try and ask about Amenira, the one you are looking for. Or, you can investigate at night, as that might have gotten her into trouble.

Cyjke glances over his shoulder and ask the weaver, "We are looking for Amenira, an acquaintance wanted us to check in on her. "

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
sense motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

Rain was hanging at home in case the Sheriff came calling

Shisen would try to check the Amenira lead before infringing any laws, as she'll try to keep her cover as newly-found believer of the local god.

Amenira has been gone for two months now, and people are starting to worry about her. the weaver says, No one remembers her saying anything about being gone for longer than her usual trips back to Alkenstar to send letters to her family.

She's liked around here, because she makes toys for the children. Her favorite ones to make are dolls, though she has an odd habit of making dolls that look like her.

We were all suspicious of Amenira when she showed up. The sheriff told us that he would keep an eye on her and that we should go about our lives. I’m ashamed to say I disobeyed him and started following Amenira. I saw her wandering off after curfew, and the sheriff caught me skulking in the bushes like a bandit. I should have trusted the sheriff. Sure, she breaks curfew, but she keeps to herself, roaming the Wastes for Robori knows what reason.

Cyjke ask the weaver, "Thanks for your help, Do you know where she went the day she disappeared? Is there anyone else who might know more about Amenira?"

"Speaking of children, I several this morning that were covered in bandages. We would like to offer our help for the unfortunate little ones...can you tell us where to find them?" Henri asks through the door, wondering why the weaver doesn't open it and speak to them face to face...

The villager explains Amenira never said where she went, and it's none of my business, really.

When Henri mentions the children, the man shuts down completely Oh no! No, no, no! I can't talk to you about that. No, no, no.

Though not visible, from beyond the door the scuffling of curious feet can be heard, clearly a younger person in the house.

Henri gives the door a slight nudge with the tip of his bow, letting it open slowly so that they may get a glimpse of who is inside...

The door moves a little inward, and Henri catches a glimpse of a small girl. She seems to have some strange kind of disease - plantlike infestations cover her face and hands. She quickly moves away form view.

"How odd. It seems your plant god is really growing on you...literally!" Henri blurts out. "Is this why the other children I saw earlier today were covered in bandages? Are you trying to remove these growths, or just hiding them? Please - we only want to help...perhaps there is a clue to where our friend went in this."

The man reacts in horror to the direct mentioning of the children of Mercy No.. no, no. This is not good, he says, not seeming to mean anything in particular. You must go now. Please go, he says, as he pushes the door.

Shisen is shocked to find out what ails the young ones.

"We will, but if you want us to keep quiet, you have to explain yourself. We do not wish you any harm, just to understand your ways, possibly helping you if we can. What ails the children? What's the link to Robori?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Cyjke, wonders if the affliction is some sort of curse or disease.

No, no. I cannot talk to you. You must go! Go now, or I'll call the sheriff!

The man is rather blunt in ending the conversation, slamming the door shut.

Sorry if this all seems dead-endish. This is the time where as a DM I should drop an unsubtle hint about trying to break that curfew. So... eh... Eakbray the Urfeycay

Yeah I thought that would happen, just waiting for the guys to get back so we can get all Scooby Doo

Yep - that was my next move! But we had to play it out... =)

Henri spends the rest of the day wandering about, asking what questions he can but gaining no additional information. Finally, he ends up back at their lodging before the curfew. "Well, that was a disappointing afternoon." he says. "Looks like we'll have to do some night-time recon if we're going to get to the bottom of this. Do we go out as a group? Send a couple of us out while the rest stay here and cover? I'm ready to head out and put my scout-sniper training to use..."

Cyjke, "Agreed, we need to find out what they don't want us to find during curfew."

"I believe my presence would make stealth significantly more difficult; unless there is a reason for me to join you in your nighttime escapades, you might have a greater chance of going unnoticed without me."

Maximilian nods in agreement with Valenor, saying, "Yes, I'm far too famous to be able to go around without attracting a crowd. But I should be able to keep the sheriff distracted if he comes to check in on us at our lodgings."

Woooo split the party! ;-)

"Well after hearing all that, I won't be playing their games any longer - time to go see what is going on here!"

Rain is set to leave... curfews be damned.

It's deep in the night, and the streets of Mercy are quiet. It appears that most of the villagers in the small town are fast asleep.

Before heading out, Shisen will hypnotize Valenor - if he agrees - with her Psychosomatic Surge.

Shisen nods, aware that the inevitable has come to occur. She wanders in the streets stealthily, her eyes trying to pierce the obscurity in search for answers.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Valenor nods, allowing Shisen's hypnotism of him. When he comes out of the brief trance, he inclines his head once more. "I thank you, Shisen; let us hope it will not be needed." With that, he watches the others leave the guest house and proceed to investigate the darkened town.

Cyjke moves out with the others trying to remain quite, whispering "Check the painted house, see if there is a child there?"

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Henri's years of training are evident in his quiet movement from shadow to shadow as the group moves about the town after curfew. He wants to visit the weaver's house at night in a repeat of Amenira's last entry...

After Shisen completes her hypnosis, screeches fill the air, accompanied by the sound of thousands of wings crashing through leaves and branches, and the occasional “thud” of something hitting the ground from a great height.

Moving to the cneter of the town, the townspeople of Mercy are out in the square, slinging rocks into the trees to frighten away the mass of bats attacking the town.
A swirling collection of shadows appears along the wall of the carriage house. As the people in the square cry out in surprise, the shadows collect themselves into distinct forms. A figure wearing a large cape flees from a small child who lurches forward with an unnatural gait.

The guesthouse is actually next to the town square, to Maximilian would have not trouble noticing the bats

At the sight of the shadows, the villagers panic, leaving the party more or less alone to fend off the bats.

The bats rush for Cyjke, who gets covered in tiny bite marks

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

---
Henri
Valenor
Cyjke
Shisen
Max
---
Bats
---

HP 14-6=8 / 14 ; arcane pool used 1 of 5

fending off the mass of bats, Cyjke moves out of the bat area then turns and using his arcane energy sends a flame arc {link} into their midst.

flame arc 30-foot line of flame. Ref DC13 save for half.: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Yet again, I forgot to pick up alchemist's fire for swarms. Figures. Valenor will delay.

Valenor, unsure what to do, stands ready to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself.

Henri stands his ground and fires two arrows in a rapid shot at the bats...
Rapid point-blank shot 1: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 = 19
Point blank damage 1: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Rapid point-blank shot 2: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 = 8
Point blank damage 2: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

RFX: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Cyjke steps back and unleashes an inferno on the bats, searing a large part of them. Though wavering, the swarm is still coherent, and though Henri manages to shoot a bat from the sky, the overall effect on the swarm is minimal.

---
Henri
Valenor
Cyjke
Shisen
Max
---
Bats
---

Hearing the commotion outside, Maximilian bursts from the door of the guesthouse, his hand automatically reaching for his rapier, before he realises he surrendered it to the sheriff. His expression darkening, his eyes flash with anger and he begins to chant in a low voice.

Weapon song: Enhanch Weapons: +1 enhancement bonus to the weapons (including ammunition) of allies within 60 feet.

Shisen glares at the bats. A split-second later, another swarm - this one composed of shimmering bubbles of light - engulfs the swarm!

Casting color spray, Will DC 15 negates.

LOL I'll go after the bats, must have forgotten to add my details when I arrived late :p

will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Shisen manages to catch the last bit of the swarm in a dazzling display of color, and the bats fall unconscious on the floor.

Combat over

A few moments after the bats are defeated, a lone figure emerges from the shadows. It seems to be an animated doll of some sort, crying out a single word: Murder...

A sound like a sheet whipping through gale wind fills the air, followed by a renewed screeching of bats. The tarp of one the market stalls on the square seems to have taken flight.

crud - I forgot that Henri surrendered his bow...sorry! Not that his one arrow strike had much of an effect on the swarm...better keep my facts straight!!

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"What's that? Who was murdered?" Henri whispers loudly to the doll, looking to see if it is one of Amenira's...

HP 8 / 14 ; arcane pool used 1 of 5

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Cyjke takes out his wand of CLWs and tries to use it on himself, but it fails to activate.

UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The villagers, re-emerging now that the bats are gone, are upset You brought this vampire upon us! That's what we get for allowing strangers in our village.

Before the situation can escalate, though, sherrif Molume arrives and tries to calm the villagers, then says to the group Let me get everyone calmed down and settled at home. I’ll come by the guesthouse in half an hour and talk to you in private.

The doll is still standing, keeping herself away from the gathered throng. When the adventurers pass, she speaks, incoherently: I am Nira. I do not know you. You are not from Mercy. You find Mercy. You find murder.

"Nira, will you come with us and help us find Mercy and murder? Tell us what you know so that we can help." Henri says to the doll.

Diplo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 (Yes, Henri is talking to a doll...what are you gonna do about it?!!? =)

if the doll is small enough Cyjke will just pick it up and take it with the group to the guesthouse.

Back at the house while there is time Cyjke tries to use his wand again to cure himself.

UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 wand CLW : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 wand CLW : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

After a few tries, Cyjke gets the hang of how the wand works and cures his wounds.

Turing to the doll he tries to figure out what it is and how to get it to make sense. Cast detect magic

spell craft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Dolls see why children hide, the doll says, you will find murder here.

The sheriff sighs, [b]“The world out there is full of evil and terrible things—undead horrors that live for thousands of years, dragons the size of cities, and forces from beyond our world that try to ruin everything they touch. I’m grateful for whatever it is that shields Mercy from storms, keeps us healthy, makes our crops grow, and protects us from monsters like whatever that thing was that swooped overhead today. Does Robori watch over us? Honestly, I’m not so sure, but I’m not as willing as most people around here to leave matters in the hands of faith alone. We need your help. I’m asking you to deal with that monster. Vampire or not, if it can make bats attack like that, it’s a danger to our town, and I can’t risk going off into the Wastes and leaving folk here undefended.”

You've seen the dark figure fly overhead? I've seen it quite a few times the last few years. I didn't want o upset the townsfolk, so I never mentioned it, and besides, it never acted up like this.

Of course, you can access to your weapons if you set out. If you agree to trail the bat to where they live, I can even provide some aid. He shows a longspear, a scroll of scorching ray, and a wand of bless (with 20 charges remaining). He also presents the group with a glowing arrow, stating “this arrow has been handed down in my family for generations. My great-grandmother used an arrow just like this one to strike through the heart of a wild creature that was trying to tempt people to a watery grave. It wouldn’t feel right not to give you everything I can to help you defend Mercy.”

Shisen smiles to the Sheriff gently.

"We'd be delighted to help the people of Mercy - what you have here is a precious gift that is worth fighting for. I envy you, Sheriff. Is there anything else you could tell us about that dark figure?"

"Well this changes things..." I also agree, we will set out and help your town"[/b]

Cyjke checks out the arrow with detect magic (spellcraft take 10 +8=18) "It appears to be a +2 cold iron fey bane arrow. Yes, we will help."

Henri waits until the sheriff leaves before continuing the conversation with the doll. "Why do the children hide? Where are they hidden? And who was killed here in Mercy? Is this vampire we're going to chase involved?"

"A vampire!" Maximilian exclaims, "I didn't realise they lived this far south. I've never met a real one. Although there was that young actor in Karcau," he continues, more to himself than anyone else, "who always made her understudy play the matinée, and liked her meat very rare..."