PFS (standard) 01-35 Voice in the Void by DM Doctor Evil

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

"Oh wow, a T-Rex! Look those tiny arms! You know what they say about guys with tiny arms..." Ilvan groans, as if he knows that was inappropriate. "Yeah, yeah yeah. Let's move."

Swayaah crouches and stays low to the ground as she approaches the door, keeping an eye out for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 +2 vs traps

"There only appears to be one exit," Helm says as they move toward the western door.

There are no traps found and no sounds heard from beyond the south door. Opening it carefully, the party sees a musty storeroom filled with boxes and crates stacked in disorganized piles, some only a few boxes high and others reaching all the way to the ceiling. Small puddles stand on the floor, and the occasional drip of water echoes in the darkness.

A single unlit oil lamp hangs from a bracket to the right of the door. A wooden sign on the western door says "Scriptorium - Quiet Please".

A stack of cartons mostly conceals a door to the south where the corner of a sign can be seen, but not made out until the crates are moved or until you get closer.

In the middle of the floor, a horrid mass of eyes, mouths, and formless flesh stares in all directions, its countless maws begin yammering as you open the door.

Strange Visitor - Round 1

21 Swayaah
20 Helm
16 Dvalin
10 Tad
9 Elris
7 Gibbering Mouther

As soon as the door opens, the strange creature starts its gibbering. The maddening sound requires all to make DC Will save or confused. Until you save you have to continue to make the rolls or suffer the effects. Once you save against the sound, you needn't suffer the effects from the same gibbering mouther again. All the party needs the rolls, and then those unaffected may act.

As soon as the door opens, Helm's eyes glaze over.

will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Looking into the room, Elris looks at the beast, before shaking off the affects.

"Well then-" Swayaah opens the door.
Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
"Oh, not again-"

Will react depending on my Will Save. I get a +2 bonus if it's an evil effect, which I don't think it is.

Round 1 Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Knowledge (Dungeon): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Dvalin draws his bow and fires an arrow at the creature ...
Composite Lg Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 for Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

With no idea of what this strange abomination is Tad falls back on the wise words of his HALF militia drill Sergeant, Dustin Hilltop, whose mantra was 'When in doubt, yer bombs will win out'.

Throw bomb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Precise bombs, Precise shot
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1) + 5 = 12

Deadly Aim Point Blank Attack: Piercing: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13

Shaking off the creature's attack to his sanity, the tall elf fires towards the mouther with a surprisingly accurate shot!

Why must I roll a 20 on something that is immune to crits?! Also, sorry for the delay, work has been crazy!

"Well then-" Swayaah opens the door.

[dice=Will Save]1d20+4
"Oh, not again-"

Will react depending on my Will Save. I get a +2 bonus if it's an evil effect, which I don't think it is.

The Will Save is DC 13 and it is not an evil effect. It appears you are safe in any event.

Strange Visitor - Round 1 - continued

Helm succumbs to the gibbering and is confused. His mouth agape and eyes staring he launches himself at Elris with a full on attack, swinging his katana savagely at the elven fighter. Fortunately, the confusion also effects his reflexes and Elris is able to dodge and block the unexpected attack.

Dvalin fires an arrow into the room, at the mass of mouths and eyes on the floor. The arrow hits the target, but the amorphous creature mostly moves around it, taking only part of the damage.

Relying on his bombs for good effect, Tad tosses one into the room full of crates. The bomb explodes all over the mouther, fire burning it in several places.

Another bow shot from Elris damages the mouther, but only slightly.

Waiting on an action from Swayaah before the mouther takes a turn

Confusion effect: 1d100 ⇒ 84 Attacks closest target (determined at random)
Target 1-Tad 2-owlbear 3-elris: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Helm katana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Swayaah shakes her head. "No purple monkey dishwashers for me this time." Swayaah grabs her longbow and fires at the...thing.

Longbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Swayaah's not the best archer, but she'd rather shoot it from range.

Oh! I should roll for Ilvan.

Ilvan's Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

The Owlbear has more sense than Swayaah does and quickly retreats behind the T-Rex. He moans, trying to drown out the thing's noises.

Strange Visitor - Round 1 - concluded

Swayaah shakes off the confusion effect and is able to hit the pile of disgusting stuff with an arrow, but again the arrow proves less than effective against its amorphous nature.

The owlbear runs and hides back in the taxidermy room.

Damaged, but not yet disrupted from seeking its dinner, the pile of filth and faces creeps forward, emitting a stream of acidic spittle at Swayaah, who just does duck out of the way.

Mouther Spittle: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

End of Round 1

Strange Visitor - Round 2

21 Swayaah
20 Helm (confused needs DC 13 Will)
16 Dvalin
10 Tad
9 Elris
7 Gibbering Mouther (29hp dmg)

All the party is up again in Round 2. Helm needs another DC 13 Will save or continue to be confused. All others can act normally.

Round 2 Ear Piercing Scream Fortitude DC13 for half

Seeing that his arrow had limited effect, Dvalin casts Ear Percing Scream for Sonic: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Now that it's in her face, Swayaah gladly drops the bow and brandishes her claws. "That's what I'm talking about, melee time."

Claws 1, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 4 = 9

Claws 2, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 4 = 11

Swayaah digs in. "Ugh, now you've made my hands dirty! What am I slashing, anyway? A mouth? A hand? Best not to think about it."

I'm going to use my Resolute ability to get a reroll on this.

will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Which I needed!

Do I get to act normally now? If so, I'll advance with my katana and attack.

MW katana (cold iron) atk: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 71d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Tad fires his pistol at the gibbering mouther but just grazes it.

Pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Getting closer to the door, Elris takes a look at the creature while attempting to shoot it from around the corner of the doorway!

Knowledge Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Deadly Aim Point Blank Attack: Piercing: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

So, ah, what may our friend's weaknesses be, and if enough special attacks? Oh, and what is it?

Strange Visitor - Round 2 - concluded

Swayaah strikes out at the disgusting pile of gunk with her claws, hitting once and missing once. Her claws seem to damage the aberration fully.

Helm overcomes the gibbering confusion and is able to launch a melee attack against the foe, instead of an ally, but his katana misses.

Dvalin unleashes a silent scream that can only be heard by the amorphous enemy. The goo seems to shrivel at the sound, withdrawing a bit.

Tad fires a pistol shot at the mouther, and grazes it, knocking out a small chunk.

Elris considers his studies trying to catalog this monster. Finally the name pops into his head, a gibbering mouther. The mouther, he remembers, can confuse prey with its gibbering. Additionally it can engulf and drain blood from foes unlucky enough to be grabbed by it. Knowing that his attack counts, he fires another arrow into the mass of fleshy eyes and mouths, and while the arrow doesn't do full damage against the amorphous blob, it does hurt it enough to stop the gibbering and kill the creature.

End of Combat

Mouther DC 13 Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"Nice shots, guys. Swayaah wipes the gunk off her claws as the mouther shrivels away. "Geez, my claws are dirty." She pulls out a handkerchief and wipes her hands clean. She shakes her head and discards the handkerchief before pulling out another one.

"Ilvan, get over here. Are you hurt?" She pets her young Owlbear as she checks for injuries. "Good! Let's see what's in here..."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 +2 vs traps
Ilvan's Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Helm turns to Elris. The expression on his face is one of profound disappointment in himself.

"I apologize for my actions in directing one of my attacks at you...I will seek to strengthen my mind, that such tricks will not affect me in the future."

The samurai then assists in looking around the room.

perception take 10: 10 + 5 = 15

Clapping a hand onto one of Helm's shoulders, the elf laughs slightly.

"I was lucky, that's is all. I am pretty sure that if both of us were under the Mouther's influence, it would have been worse."

Taking his bow in hand, Elris also starts to look around in the room as he enters.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

The room is full of cartons, crates, and boxes. All of loads of interesting stuf in them, but nothing germaine to your investigation. You notice the door on the south wall which is mostly obscured by stacks of boxes. There is another door on the west wall, which appears unblocked. A sign hangs on that door reading: "Scriptorium - Quiet Please"

The western door appears to be unlocked, untrapped, and nothing can be heard from the other side.

"We may want to come back later for that door." Swayaah points at the Southern door. "But I'm lazy. Let's try this door." Swayaah heads to the Western Door. "Quiet please. That means you, Ilvan."

The owlbear clasps both of its hands shut on its beak.

With his katana drawn, Helm moves to support Swayaah and the others.

Same marching order, I presume.

The door opens easily enough, revealing a dark, vaulted chamber. Bare wooden shelves, empty except for some extra writing supplies (parchment, ink, quills etc) line the eastern wall. Three desks with high stools stand in the center of the room between six columns. A small sign on the southern door reads "Archives - Private".

A body lies slumped in the southwestern corner of the room still clutching a club. Its legs have been eaten away by acid, and the corpse seems to be showing signs of putrefaction, with patches of mold growing on the skin. A broken lantern lies next to the body, its oil spilled in a pool on the floor.

Swayaah frowns, and Ilvan turns its beak away in disgust. "It must smell horrible for you." Swayaah walks up to inspect the body, keeping her eyes peeled for ambushes.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Ilvan's Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Assuming she doesn't see anything dangerous, she will take a closer look at the body and try to judge the time of death.

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

"An ugly way to go that ..."

Swayaah steps closer to the body, looking it over for rigor and the settlement of blood in the body to help determine the time of death. From what she can tell, the man hasn't been here very long. Perhaps a day perhaps a bit less. The timing corresponds to Nigel (the curator) sending men in to the basement to look for the Blakros girl.

While they peer about, Ilvan picks up something small and shiny from the floor and immediately sticks it in his mouth to chew on it....

"Hmm. Maybe 1 day old. This might be one of the men Nigel sent in. Man. Terrible. Hey, Ilvan! Take that out!" Swayaah reaches over to Ilvan and tries to get a potential clue out of his mouth.

Ilvan is hungry and nom nom noms on something. Well, Ilvan is always hungry....

The elf chortles a bit at the reaction of Swayaah and Ilvan, before taking a closer look at the item being chewed.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"Any idea as to what this is Swayaah?" Elris asks, not wanting to be bit by trying to grab the item from the owlbear's possession.

Tad moves into the room but keeps his distance from the gruesome body. Keeping one eye on the tug-of-war between Swayaah and Ilvan, Tad keeps the rest of his attention on the door to the north.
Halfling luck will only go so far, he muses. By the looks of that body something nasty is creeping about.

What in the 99 hells could dissolve a bloke like that but not finish him off? And, what's with the mold? If this guy was only killed a day ago doesn't that seem awfully fast for mold to grow in an otherwise clean and dry room?

perception to determine if spilled oil is still flammable: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Ilvan sheepishly hands over the item he picked up. It appears to be an ID badge or token of some sort and it confirms that the dead man here is a Blakros Museum employee by the name of Hodd.

The oil spilled from the broken lantern does appear to be still flammable if ignited. There isn't a lot of oil, perhaps a flask full, so it wouldn't be an enormous conflagration in any event.

"Out! Out of your mouth. How could you eat with that scent?" Swayaah finally yanks a laminated sheet out of Ilvan's mouth. "Oh yeah, definitely one of the guards."

Noting nothing else of importance, Swayaah heads toward the Southern Door.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 +2 vs traps
Ilvan's Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Swayaah, you said southern door, though it appears the only doors to open are the west and east (or the second western door in the other room). I suggest we try the west door you are standing in front of...guessing that is the one you meant.

Helm readies himself for battle as Swayaah checks out the door.

The compass rose on the map indicates that top is West, hence Swayaah is right in saying south door.

No traps are found on the door that has a sign reading "Archives - Private, nor is any sound heard from beyond said door.

Elris takes aim at the door, draws his bow tight as he prepares to hit any hostiles once the door opens.

"Be careful. Last two times we did this, bad things happened."

Swayaah nods to Elris and opens the door...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 +2 vs traps
Ilvan Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

The chamber contains several tall wooden bookshelves reaching to the ceiling, almost bursting with the weight of books and scrolls filling the shelves. The shelves and their contents are encrusted with thick growths of brightly colored fungus and glistening mold. Many tomes have fallen from the shelves, their open pages forming a base for more fungi and large mushrooms which carpet the floor. The air here is damp and close, and several of the fungi growths pulse with an eerie purple light that dimly illuminates the room.

Two large iron candelabra, full of unlit candles hang from the vaulted ceiling. The fungus seems to cover nearly every exposed surface. The door to the east seems to be embedded in a thick mat of the nasty stuff.

"Where did all of these mushrooms come from? It looks like this room hasn't been used in a while, but..." Swayaah takes a look around. "Let's hope we're not too late to rescue what's-her-face Blakros."

She orders Ilvan to stay outside, then enters the room to inspect more.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Swayaah tries to be sneaky, even though she's been talking for the last half minute.

Helm joins Swayaah in the fungus-covered room.

"What could have caused this?" he wonders. "Surely this was not here before..."

The samurai moves to the tiefling's left and down the wall, looking for explanations.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Stepping in, the elf looks around at his surroundings while loosening the tension on his bow's string.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Knowledge Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Do I get to tell everyone things about stuff? Also, woot woot on one of the level twos being helpful for knowledges, while the other brings the pain!

Dvalin will step into the room and try to identify the flora ...

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Knowledge (Dungeon): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

As the Pathfinders move into the mold-filled archives and begin to look around and at the flora, no one can identify the fungi or mold. A few look familiar to those trained in such things, but none can be identified. Something that looks suspiciously like brown mold grows where the "B" is on the map and a shrieker where S1 is labeled on the map.

While the others look around, Elris finds something in the north, central corner of the room Area marked with an X.

It appear to be a backpack, which has become covered with mold and fungus. Carefully pulling the pack from its resting spot, Elris looks inside. The backpack contains a collection of canopic jars, jeweled death masks, and other valuable Osiriani relics. A small scrap of paper lies in the bottom. Unfolding it, Elris reads the words scrawled there, "The Eye is always vigilant."

"'The Eye is always vigilant', eh? Wonder what that means." Swayaah notes the Osiriani relics and various loot. "That Blakros chick was exploring Osirian deserts before she came back, right? This must be some of her stuff. For all of this plant growth to suddenly erupt over it, she must have triggered something bad."

Swayaah nods to her companions. "Dad always told me to respect the environment, even if it doesn't respect me. Good advice, for the most part." Swayaah leaves the fungal room and approaches the Northern door, ready to open it.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 +2 vs traps
Ilvan's Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Helm follows the others back out of the room.

"Something does not add up yet..." he laments.

He follows Swayaah back to the next door and prepares to follow her into the room.

Sorry all, work/life got a bit much.

Tad finally speaks up after being silent in the moldy room. Taking the hankerchief away from his face he says, "Aye, Helm. Whatever this girl was up to is something bad."

Checking the bombs on his bandolier and making sure his pistol is loaded, Tad makes ready for whatever horror lies beyond the doorway.