[PFS] Season 0 run, mixed with Dragon's Demand

Game Master Irish202

I did not expect that!

After we all get down >.>
"And you all were worried about me... pfft. See, Fiona's our wild card." He laughs, shaking his head. Looking around he finds himself a bit awe struck. Then, looking to the sarcophagi, Ery gasps. "Child Princes... perhaps?"

He mumbles, looking over the would-be tomb.
Perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Know. Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Know. Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Gwen shakes her head ruefully at Ery's antics, but then turns her attention to Fiona's actions. She watches in shock as she suddenly falls into the pit! "Fiona!" she screams and starts to charge after her friend, but Urbar was quicker!

Gwen grabs the rope with Tereze. "Urbar, what is going on?! Is she okay?!"

'Oh, Falayna... please let her be okay...'

The moment Urbar touches Fiona's suspended body, she reacts as if instinctively, raising her hands in front of her (down). A large cone of flames bursts out almost immediately, fanning into the bottom of the shaft, lighting the entire shaft and charring its walls, heat waves emanating back up. As the fire dissipates a few seconds later, Fiona's body turns limp and falls.
Fiona isn't responsive so she doesn't try to catch Urbar's hand. Not sure if/what Urbar should roll to determine that.

Time to cast a spell isn't enough to tie a rope, I guess...

As Urbar tries to tie the rope around Fiona's waist she suddenly does something unexpected again. She burns the whole shaft and his fingers.
The moment the spell finishes he tries to grab her and tries to hold on with all his might to not let her fall.
"Does it look like she's okay?"
Urbar half sneers back to Gwen, who is clearly asking something very obvious.
"Get us up if you will, my body is starting to hurt all over."

Dex to grab: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Str to hold on: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

To make the situation clear: Urbar has part of the rope around his waist, making him hover around Fiona's height. He should now be holding on to her. So it is up to you guys to get us up! And then down...

Str: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Locke's grip wasn't yet good enough.

Str: 1d20 ⇒ 17
The 2nd went better, hopefully Gwen would give the winning pull.

Str: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Tereze also does not get anywhere on her first attempt to pull up Fiona, as her boots slide on the dirt as she attempts to pull up the weight.

Str: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
We are not letting whatever have you!
Then she digs her heels into the dirt and starts to pull her friend up.

Urbar's able to grab hold of Fiona before she hits the bottom of the shaft. With the aid of the others Urbar and Fiona make it back to ground level.

While everyone else is looking Fiona and Urbar over for injuries, Eryzule slips past them and uses entangle to manipulate the nearby plant life. Long vines crawl forth from the bushes adjacent to the dragon's skeleton, and into the shaft. Eryzule grabs hold of one of the vines and is slowly lowered down the shaft by it.

Eryzule reaches the bottom of the shaft and ends up atop a marble statue of a rearing warhorse. The statue stands in the east end of an oval chamber that has two large alcoves, each containing two child-sized stone sarcophagi. The vine Eryzule's holding onto continues to crawl downward, along the statue's side, allowing Eryzule to reach the floor of the chamber without any effort.

By taking a look at texts inscribed on the sarcophagi's sides, Eryzule learns that they contain the bodies of sons and daughters of Tula's line who perished of misadventure. As he approaches the south-westernmost sarcophagus Eryzule hears the sound of a sobbing child coming from inside.

Learning of the children of Tula's fate, Ery was possessed of a solomn face. A smirk washed over his face, causing him to chuckle lightly as he recalled the events of death.
Well, aside from a line of boredom...and a talking dog... They're fine. he thought.

His attention was snapped toward the sound of crying coming from one of the sarcophigi. A chill ran along his neck, causing the flora of his scalp to stand on end.

Entering the arch to the room filled with tears, the elf pondered his situation...and record.

Naturally, the elf's curiosity was burning...
Know. Religion to decipher the entity: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Eryzule identifies the cries as those of an attic whisperer, a kind of undead. An attic whisperer spawns as the result of a lonely or neglected child’s death. Rather than animating the body of the dead youth, the creature rises from an amalgam of old toys, clothing, dust, and other objects associated with the departed—icons of the child’s neglect. The widely varying materials that fuse together to form these creatures lead to attic whisperers with vastly different appearances. Attic whisperers linger in the places where they were formed, typically old homes, orphanages, schools, debtors’ prisons, workhouses, and similar places where children might be discarded. (In this case, it spawned inside a sarcophagus.) When an attic whisperer first forms, it does so without a skull—this does not impact the creature’s abilities in any way, but it usually seeks out a small animal’s skull as a form of decoration soon after it manifests.

Attic whisperers are able to steal someone's voice with a touch. After an hour the person who lost his voice will regain it, but even then the attic whisperer will be able to use the same voice. It's even able to use any of the languages the owner of the voice knew at the moment he was touched. They have other abilities as well, but Eryzule can't remember them right now.

An attic whisperers haunts shadowy, forgotten places like old buildings and dilapidated institutions, places that were once homes to both young children and subtle evils. Hiding in drafty attics and moldy basements, an attic whisperer might lie dormant for decades while the quick go about their lives—often a scant floor away. The coming of a new child, though, rekindles some hope in the creature, its animating spirits motivated by loneliness, and ever seeking comfort and companionship. Once an attic whisperer finds a potential playmate, it does all it can to ensure it will never be lonely again by attempting to lure its friend to it, singing nursery rhymes, leaving trails of old toys, or calling out in the stolen voices of other children.

As Eryzule recites sweet Draconic poetry the sobbing stops for a moment. It then continues as loud crying.

Ery sighs, waiting for the others. He knows what could happen if he lets his curiosity run wild.

Tereze busies herself looking at Fiona and dies not even notice that Ery is gone.

I do not see anyzing wrong with her physically, could it be a mental issue?

Ery can't help but to speak...
"Can you speak?"
He asks, remaining as he is.

Fiona slowly regains her consciousness and opens her eyes to see most of the group standing above her. She takes a deep breath and stands up. "I... I don't know what happened to me. It's as if something took control of my body and made me walk into the pit. It hasn't happened to me for a while now." She pauses for a moment, then shakes her head as if trying to avoid some memory of her past. "But thank you. Thank you all. I don't know what would have happened had you not pulled me up." It's clear that Fiona is very uncomfortable about the entire situation.

(Smiles behind the mask)

"Set Ery's hair on fire, i suppose."

"But you're you again, that's what matters.
Lets get down as well."

Urbar sighs as Fiona gets to.
"Well... That was something..."
He helps Ulfa get down and follows after her and the party, to discover Ery talking to a ghost down in the pit.
"Ery? You... Oke? Going to also spit fire?"
He waves his hand in front of Ery to make sure he's not also going to do something stupid.
"What's going on down here? And what do you think we do about it?"

"The soul of a neglected child is inside that sarcophagus. It's called an attic whisperer... An undead that, is terribly tragic. It's not as instantly hostile as those before we've encountered but still dangerous. I'm trying to establish communication to avoid having to blast a child... Also...How's Fiona?"

Ery took to his feet, watching the sarcophagus carefully. He turned lightly toward Urbar, his eyes still fixed on the stone work.

Urbar nods to the information before glancing back at Fiona.
"She seems to be alright again, she said something possessed her."
His expression seems hard to read.
"What are we going to do if your talking fails?"

What do you suppose a priest's duty is to the soul of a child?"

"To appease the kid's soul, so it can move on. It doesn't deserve to linger in a catacomb."

"Two ways to do that. The slow and ritualistic...or the fast way."

The only response all the talking gets you consists of more sobbing and more crying.

Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

An Attic Whisper? Ze kind that lures children in, and steals voices? Ze creapy ones with ze animal skulls and made of toys.

Zose are not good zings, and if we let it out we would have to destroy it or it will harm another child.

I assume with that religion check, I still don't know of another way to lay this to rest, do I?

@Tereze: You get one question with that roll, so I'll answer that the only way to lay the attic whisperer to rest is to destroy it.

Gwen grabs Fiona into a ruthless bear hug and squeezes her close. "Don't do that again! Gods you terrified me, I thought... I thought you died." She looks around for everyone and realizes that Ery is missing. She jumps to her feet suddenly and looks around quickly, only to spot the vine in the pit.

Her face reddens and she stomps over towards the vines, grumbling beneath her breath. "So help me... I'm going to strangle that damn elf." Once below with Ery, she glares at him, but restrains her ire when she realizes they are discussing how best to release the soul of a dead child.

"I'm still here, Gwen", Fiona smiles weakly at her friend once she releases her from the bear hug. "I hope this won't happen again," she says in what might have passed as a lighthearted comment if not for the dread in her eyes.

Fiona descends slowly into the chasm, making sure each of her movements is deliberate and under her full control. Once down, listening to the child's soul crying obviously saddens her, but she doesn't say anything.

"Welp, I'm glad I waited... Tereze is right. Purge the undead as per our usual methods..." Ery smiles, shaking his head.
"Urbar, go ahead and lift off the lid and we'll blast it from afar and move on.

ERY READIES MAGIC MISSILE!
MM dice: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6

But do not let it touch you. It will steal your voice

Urbar looks from Ery to Tereze and suddenly thinks the elf would want him to lose his voice. He gives him a dark stare before stomping off.

First try, failing...
Str to open: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Acrobatics to jump away: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Second try! A lot better!
Str to open: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Acrobatics to jump away: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"Steal our voice? Heh...good luck to it with that, i've got a multitude to choose from."

Locke does keep distance, though.

Fiona prepares herself, although in her case it means little other than standing behind the others before the engage the strange invisible creature. As time passes, she ponders quietly, "I wonder what harm would the creature do if it stays here. It's not as if anyone other than us would come here. No children would, that's for sure."

"Oh. Alright. We can leave it here then."

Ery eases his posture and turns on his heel.
"Besides, in comparison to a dragon poised illusionist, this is hardly a threat. To things!" The elf exclaims, heading toward the eastward door(?).

So wait did we open this or not?

Suppose not.

Actions to open the sarcophagus and to attack what's within were posted, so I'm going ahead with those.

Urbar nearly strains his back on his first try, but he then lifts the lid off the sarcophagus and jumps back.

Eryzule's magic missiles immediately slam into the attic whisperer, a creature resembling a gray, emaciated child, with cobwebs and dust for clothes and a foal skull for a head.

The attic whisperer stands up and climbs out of the sarcophagus. it moves up to Urbar and look up at the ranger while sobbing.

Aura of Sobs (Su): All of the voices that an attic whisperer steals linger around it in an invisible but audible aura of unnerving childlike whimpers, songs, and sobs. Any living creature that enters this area loses the benefit of all bardic performances affecting it and takes a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws. The attic whisperer can suppress or reactivate its aura as a free action. This aura is a sonic, mind-affecting effect.

Round 1:
Attic Whisperer -9HP
Eryzule
Gwendallyn
Urbar
Locke
Fiona
Tereze

"It still stands!" Ery shouts, nearly screaming... Undead and this group..or he... are not friends.
MM: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7
"Become dust!"

"I've no clear line of sight for a shot, darnit."

Shelyn grant us clear heads to fight ze corruption of music zat zis evil zing sends forth.

Tereze casts bless to counter the aura. You still get the -1 to Damage rolls :(

Fiona instinctively casts one of her hexes to protect Gwen.
+2 AC and saves until Gwen is hit or fails a saving throw.

Urbar stifles a curse as his exit is blocked by the party. He decides to attack the creature's skull, to try and get it down as fast as possible.

Atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4

Atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 1 = 11
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 1 = 8

Eryzule launches another set of magic missiles, which slam into the attic whisperer.

Locke doesn't feel like he has a lot of options and stays in place.

Tereze casts bless to alleviate some of the effects of the attic whisperer's aura of sobs.

Fiona casts one of her hexes, to protect Gwendallyn.

Urbar curses and attacks the undead twice. His first attack misses, but his second attack makes up for that by cracking the undead's skull half open.

Round 1 (Bless):
Attic Whisperer -33HP
Eryzule
Gwendallyn (+2 AC & saves until hit)
Urbar
Locke
Fiona
Tereze

Aura of Sobs (Su): All of the voices that an attic whisperer steals linger around it in an invisible but audible aura of unnerving childlike whimpers, songs, and sobs. Any living creature that enters this area loses the benefit of all bardic performances affecting it and takes a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws. The attic whisperer can suppress or reactivate its aura as a free action. This aura is a sonic, mind-affecting effect.

Gwen approaches the pitiful undead creature with a somber expression while she slips into a defense style. "I'm sorry, poor thing.." she mutters, the sad sobs affecting her mood...

Unarmed Strike Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 1 = 11

Actions: Swift - Snapping Turtle Style (+1 Shield AC). Move - Move into position. Standard - Attack the Whisperer.

The attic whisperer steps aside to dodge Gwendallyn's attack, and cocks its head while looking at her.

Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The small, sobbing undead tries to touch Gwendallyn's thigh, but the brawler quickly withdraws her leg.

Round 2 (Bless):
Attic Whisperer -33HP
Eryzule
Gwendallyn (+2 AC & saves until hit)
Urbar
Locke
Fiona
Tereze

Aura of Sobs (Su): All of the voices that an attic whisperer steals linger around it in an invisible but audible aura of unnerving childlike whimpers, songs, and sobs. Any living creature that enters this area loses the benefit of all bardic performances affecting it and takes a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws. The attic whisperer can suppress or reactivate its aura as a free action. This aura is a sonic, mind-affecting effect.

Urbar tries to damage the skull even more but it seems harder to hit once it's broken. He nods to Gwen.
"It's better this way, I think."

Atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 = 7

Atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Dmg: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 = 5

Ery attempts to trip the undead using his vines...
Tanglevine to Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Gwen starts moving around the undead creature to set Urbar up with a flank. She lashes out with two rapid punches, but the plethora of distractions mess with concentration and she strikes nothing but empty air!

Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 1 = 6
Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 - 2 - 1 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 1 = 10

Free Action - 5' step. Full-Round Action - Brawler's Flurry.

1d6 ⇒ 2
Fiona shudders as the small undead continues to sob, filling the room with a cacophony of songs, sobs and whimpers. Fighting a non-violent undead child-like creates is simply too much for her. She shakes her head, distracted and distraught. "Why are we doing this?", she whispers in pain as her mind conjures up images of the children she treated in the nearby villages. "This can't be the right thing to do..."

Because now that we opened the door, the thing will eventually get out. It has eternity that it can wait, so someday something will let it out. Once it does, it will wander the world luring children in and turning them into it's undead eternal playmates. And not just one, it will slowly lure in whole families of children always wanting more in the eternal quest for more playmates.

The sobs you hear could well be the voices of the children it has already consumed...

Fiona sees her wipe a tear from her eyes as she turns away and lays a hand on Urbar.
Cayden, grant your strength to this man, that this may be over quick.

Casts Guidance on Urbar. He gets a +1 Competence Bonus on the next attack roll

Locke pats Fiona's shoulder, in attempts to put her at ease alongside Tereze's words.

Going with Eryzule's actual position in the initiative order here, because it makes a difference for once.

A tanglevine slips from Eryzule's wrist and trips the attic whisperer. While Gwendallyn flails her arms in the air, Tereze helps Urbar hit the undead child. Urbar then attacks again, shattering the animal skull it has for a head.

The sobbing doesn't immediately stop. It slowly fades away, lingering for a bit before it's fully gone.

Combat's over!