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

Game Master Kludde

The villagers have described the 'vampire' as something that flies through the air on giant wings. It has a horrible maw filled with sharp teeth and a tail with a stinger as long as a sickle blade.

Know: Dung 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Sounds like a good tale"

Valenor nods. "We will do what we can, of course, to track this creature to its lair. Perhaps the resulting goodwill of the townspeople will open some doors...or some mouths."

k(dung): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Cyjke muses "Sounds more like a cloaker than a vampire."

Shisen nods at Valenor's words. "Of course we will. We'll prove to the people of Mercy that we are here to help them!"

Then she turns to Cyjke with a quizzical look on her face.

"Excuse my not knowing, but what is a cloaker? What is it capable of - drinking blood like a vampire?"

Cyjke shrugs, "I don't think so, they are more like flying shadow manta-rays with teeth."

DMK, did I remember any bit of useful information about cloakers like special attacks?

Henri will take the enchanted arrow from the sheriff, since he has the most experience with the bow. He is ready to set off after the bats and this cloaker-thing - they can continue their investigation of Mercy and what the doll-creature has told them when they return...

(Happy to get his gear back!)

Cyjke remembers about the horrible moan that cloakers can produce, which may unnerve or nauseate whoever hears it.

When the group emerges from the guesthouse, the little doll is still there, standing in the street saying Murder! Find the murderer!, as bats fly in the nighttime, leaving the city in a straight southbound direction. The walking doll is intent on following the adventurers.

Five miles south of Mercy, a dark crevice splits open the landscape. An oppressive heat pours out of the fracture, and the area smells like rotting flesh.

Henri makes a retching sound, but manages to keep from vomiting. "So...I bet that's where we have to go. It figures." he says glumly. Then he shrugs and takes point, looking for any pitfalls or traps as he sneaks ahead.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Cyjke is alert and moves as quite as a blind moose.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The fissure widens and opens into an underground forest. A mass of leafless vines covers all of the cavern’s walls, and a colony of trees with white bark and pale yellow leaves emerges from the walls and ceiling. Thousands of bats hang from the tree branches, and a thick layer of guano carpets the ground of hard-packed dirt.

The black, flopping figure is in this cave as well, and Cyjke can indeed identify it as a cloaker. When it spots the doll, it seems to go berserk, focusing its attention solely on the small figurine.

---
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker
Nira
---
Shisen
---

Maximilian shudders, "Bats; why did it have to be bats?"

Steeling himself, his expression sets into a grimace and he walks forward, drawing his rapier and beginning to recite a soliloquy which seems to be something about halflings working together to overcome a giant.

Weapon song: Enhance Weapons: +1 enhancement bonus to the weapons (including ammunition) of allies within 60 feet. 5 rounds remaining.

Rain begins a pleasant chant to distract her allies...

Perform 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Countersong (Su): Counters magical effects that depend on sound within 30 ft.
Creatures use the bard's Perform check result in place of its saving throw each round
countersong is active. (PFCR 36).

Henri uses a rapid firing trick from his sniper training, sending tow arrows one right after the other towards the huge creature.
Point Blank ranged attack 1 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 = 9
Damage + sneak attack: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (6, 2) = 12

Point Blank ranged attack 2 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 = 7
Damage + sneak attack: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (5, 4) = 14

(the dice bot is hatin' me tonite!!)

Max treats the group to one of his fine performances, while Rain ensure any sound the cloaker produces will not affect the party.

Henri is the only one so far to move onto the attack, firing two clumsy arrow at the large aberration.

---
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker
Nira
---
Shisen
---

Valenor moves to guard the doll from the aberration, readying his fauchard.

Move action: As indicated on map
Standard action: Cast lead blades on his fauchard

arcane pool used 2 of 5

Cyjke moves up and uses his arcane power to launch a flame arc {link} through the Cloaker.

flame arc 30-foot line of flame. Ref DC13 save for half.: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Valenor increases the heft of his blade, while Cyjke tries to light the cloaker on fire.

RFX: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The flapping creatures seems oddly focused on the doll, and tries to slap Maxim out of the way to get to her

Tail slap, Max: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

The doll also reacts strangely to the cloaker. She steps up, yell Murderer! You killed me! and fires a spray of wooden splinters at the flapping beast.

Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) = 7
RFX: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

---
Shisen
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker (6)
Nira
---
---

Valenor steps forward and swings his fauchard at the aberration.

Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map
Standard action: Attack cloaker
Attack (MW Fauchard): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage (MW Fauchard, Enhance Weapons): 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5, 8) + 4 + 1 = 18

Shisen takes a step to have a better look at the beast, then gazes upon it with entrancing eyes.

Swift action: hypnotic stare, -2 penalty on Will saves.

Then she sends a wave of brightly-coloured bubbles to drown the cloaker with light!

Color Spray, Will DC 15

arcane pool used 3 of 5

Cyjke steps back and cast magic missile enhanced to level 3 by his arcane energy, two force missiles unerringly strike the oddly behaving cloaker.

Magic missile CL3: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6

Valenor slashes the wing of the cloaker, while Shisen bathes the terrible creature in a spray of light. The creature stops moving while two magic projectiles slam into it.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

---
Shisen
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker (30, stun 1)
Nira
---

Henri remains where he is and again fires two arrows in rapid succession at the creature, using his first attempts to help range the distance.
Point Blank ranged attack 1 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Point Blank ranged attack 2 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Stunned as the creature is, it is a lot easier to hit for Henri, and the two arrows he fires bore themselves into the leathery wings of the cloaker.

Can I have an action for max?

---
Shisen
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker (30, stun 1)
Nira
---

***MAX***

Maintains song
Max drives the point of his rapier at the creature!

Weaponsong

Attack 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8
Damage 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Max, ever the professional, keeps more attention on his performance than on his flourish. While the stab still is taken in style, it is way off the mark.

The cloaker slowly starts moving again, while Nira ensures she is out of its way.

---
Shisen
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker (30)
Nira
---

Valenor's fauchard swings again. This time, however, his balance is thrown off trying to avoid the tiny doll; the blow is well wide of its mark.

Standard action: Attack cloaker
Attack (MW Fauchard): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage (MW Fauchard, Enhance Weapons): 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 + 1 = 15

Shisen shoots her crossbow!

Crossbow, shoot in melee: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 4 = 91d8 ⇒ 4

Henri, ever content to stay at range and attack his targets without actually being hit himself, continues his rapid firing at the cloaker. "C'mon...die already... he mutters between arrows.

Point Blank ranged attack 1 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Point Blank ranged attack 2 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

arcane pool used 4 of 5

Cyjke sends another enhanced magic missile at the cloaker.

Magic missile CL3: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Valenor slashes for the Cloaker, but his heavy blow is too slow for it to hit the flapping beast. Shisen hard a hard time finding the correct aim, as does Henri. Only with magical aid does Cyjke finally manage to hurt the creature.

---
Shisen
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker (37)
Nira
---

Sorry for the absence, got hit by the particularly nasty flu going around down here.

His rapier thrust missing, Maximilian tries a different approach. Still chanting, he manages to somehow make his voice hit two notes at once, and with a wave of his arm sends a cascade of magical shards at the cloaker.

[dice=Chord of shards]2d6[/dice]

Rain casts at the creature...

Confusion
DC15 Will save.

RFX: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The flapping beast just manages to avoid the brunt of Max's sharp note, and keeps its wits about it as Rain tries to confound it.

The cloaker takes to the air in an attempt to flee! Before he can do so, however, Nira manages to land a spray of splintered wood on it, piercing the monster with tiny sharp needles.

Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2) = 7

---
Shisen
Henri
Max
Cyjke
Valenor
Rain
---
Cloaker (47)
Nira
---

Shisen runs forward, then drowns the beast into another wave of light bubbles.

Color Spray, Will DC 15. The cloaker still has -2 to his Will saves thanks to Hypnotic Stare.

Henri is determined to drop the thing before it escapes, firing almost non-stop in a fluid motion. draw, nock, pull, aim, hold, release, repeat...
Point Blank ranged attack 1 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Point Blank ranged attack 2 vs large: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Shisen releases another pulse of colored energy, but the creature resists for long enough to be taken down by Henri's arrows.

Will: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 2 = 18

Combat over!

The 'vampire' lies dead, but the group is still no closer in finding out what happened to Amenira. The vine-covered walls seem to hide some passages, though.

"'You killed me'?" Maximilian repeats, with a skeptical look at, and a slow step away from, the doll. "Have any of you seen the series of Chelish tradgedies, The Play of Children?" he asks quietly, as the group moves to examine the passages.

Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

"Nira, what do you mean by that remark? How did this creature murder you, or any other child? Were you a child once, now existing in a doll's form?" Henri asks.

After finishing his conversation with Nira, Henri will explore the cavern also, looking for clues and entrances.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Valenor eyes the doll suspiciously. "Nira...short for 'Amenira'?"

Cyjke looks at the doll, "Like the girl in town with the plantlike infestations cover her face and hands."

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Valenor eyes the doll suspiciously. "Nira...short for 'Amenira'?"

"Say it isn't so...!"

The doll stares at Valenor for a moment when he mentions the name 'Amenira'. I... I can sense myself near, the doll finally answers, incoherently, find me.

Cyjke searches some more for where the body might be.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

He will also cast detect magic to see if that helps find her.

Valenor nods, "We will do so, Amenira, and attempt to put your soul to rest." He moves to one of the vine-covered walls and hacks at the vines with his fauchard.

The bright-smiled girl tries to comfort Nira.

"Soon! Don't worry, it will all sort itself out."

She follows Valenor.

Valenor hacks and slashes at the vines, and he finds a passage in the cave wall. After fifteen feet, a secret cave, completely vine-encrusted, hold the body of a woman dressed in orange clothes.

Heal 1d20 ⇒ 14

Rain is out of answers, but gets that the body is enough information to tell her the worst.

heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

Cyjke wonders, "What is with the orange clothing? Is it there gods color?"

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Henri can add nothing to the examination to determine the woman's demise. He asks the doll, "Nira, was this you - before?"