Slumbering Tsar: Forward - The Camp (Inactive)

Game Master Lord Manticore

Heal 1d20+13

know arcane 1d20+11

Lavinia looks over the gnome trying to figure out what's happening to her and then turns in surprise to Digory as be begins puking up his innards. "What's going on here? First the bard dies and now these two are dieing as well?"

Unsure of what to do, Elen tries healing the human, dismayed at Shamil's sudden death of Bleaching. Cure Moderate Wounds on digory.

Elen also tries giving him a touch of luck, hoping that they might learn more about whatever entity is doing this. Fortune Hex on Digory, he can roll a save twice and take the higher result.

Regardless of whether he lives or dies Elen will cast Detect Poison to see if a poison is the cause.

CMW: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (7, 8) + 7 = 22

Does Shamil get a save too or did she die before Ruul's spell went off?

Ruul can grant him (and Shamil) the divine boon as well so they'd have an extra +2 - if a 16 makes a difference.

It did, it's the only reason that I didn't write his final thoughts as well.

Does Shamil get a save too or did she die before Ruul's spell went off?

She did die, one of the 'random' rolls that I made was her final save against the Bleaching. She rolled a 0.

Poor horny little gnome. Ruul was standing over her casting his spell when she died. Hopefully the view helped her die thinking happy thoughts. =(

Is Digory 'stable' now or is he still in the process of vomiting himself to death?

With a look of mild disgust on her face, Lavinia flings the bit of stomach into the river and examines Digory again. Attempting to figure out if her and Elen's efforts to heal him have done any good.

heal 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Lavinia, try casting 'remove curse' as a full-round action if you have any 3rd level spell slots available. You ought to be able to give up Summon Monster III for that purpose.

"Lavinia, dear, perhaps it's some kind of curse! Can you recall a prayer to lift such a thing?" asks Elen worriedly as she and Lavinia struggle to keep their captive alive.

Lavinia will pray over Digory yet again, this time for the removal of curse that might have been placed upon him.

This also covers Lavinia's cure spell.

Fort vs Lavinia 1: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
Fort vs Lavinia Fortune Hex: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Fort vs Elen: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Fort vs Elen Fortune Hex: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

He felt so weak; he knew that he was supposed to die, you couldn't throw up that much...stuff and not live for long afterwards. He had hoped that he was in heaven, but he lived a hard life and knew it. Burglary, murders, robbery, he had done too much to walk past the pearly gates. So when his eyes fluttered open, he assumed he was in the other place. It felt like it, he was burning, both from the inside and the outside. Then he realized that he might be still alive. He weakly turned his head and saw the minotaur, witch, and even the cleric standing over him. He feels a little of their healing magic flow over him, but it doesn't feel like much is getting through. Almost like a blanket is being pulled over him, but not actually touching him. He nods, then passes out this time snoring softly.

Ruul watches the Lavinia intently as she prays to her goddess. The bull kneels down and wraps a brawny arm around her shoulders both to shield her from the cool night air and in hopes that his close presence will lend her strength.

If it looks like Lavinia is making progress with her Remove Curse, Ruul will burn one of his 3rd level slots to do the same. If possible, I'd like to 'aid' her caster level check to beat the curse.

Lavinia will wearily lean against Ruul as she finishes casting her spells, grateful for his solid presence.

"Well, he appears to be sleeping normally now. The best thing to do would be to just leave him be and sleep as long as his body needs him too. We'll have to keep close watch on him though. Since we know not what happened, we don't know if it could happen again."

"Though this was a lot of effort to save someone we were thinking of killing anyway..."

"Frankly, if I'm going to kill someone, I prefer to do it myself rather than let unknown forces do it for me. Besides, he may still have information we can use."

Does he look like he's recovered at all, or are we just prolonging the inevitable here?

Captain Teach watches all of this unfold before him. What kind of black magic is going on here? Why did I let these people on here? Who's going to die next? All these thoughts went through Edward's head in seconds. So much death around him, even poor Niles, as dumb as we was, he was still a good lad to have in a pinch. When it appeared that they were able to revive the one cad (Someone's going to get sick when they clean that., he thought), he had made up his mind.

"Alright, get him down below. Lock him in a cabin, I don't want me or anyone else getting what he ended up with. As for the other, we'll have to toss her over the side, there's nothing else for it. Will someone please give me a hand? It was not the first time (and probably not the last) that he had to do the task but it had to be done, and quick, before the stench of death covered everything. Teach starts to walk towards Shamil.

"I will do it Captain", Ruul says.

The minotaur lifts the bleached gnome in his arms and looks to Lavinia.

"Is it Pharasma's way to speak parting words before committing remains to the water?"

Ally flutters over to the captain, sensing he is disturbed by these goings on. "Captain, we assure you that these ruffians are dying through no actions of ours. I apologize for this disruption and we will make sure this is taken care of."

diplomacy to try to smooth things over with the captain: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Ally is willing to scrub the blood off the walls herself if needed.

Ack, and it looks like she might need to. What a time for a natural 1!

Lavinia will leave Elen by Digory's side as she follows Ruul over to the little gnome's body.

"Farewell little gnome, now no one but the Lady of the Graves can pass judgement upon you. May you rest well in eternal slumber and dream of large men." Just had to paraphrase that last sentence...

Heh.

Ruul makes his way to the edge of the barge and pitches the gnome's pale remains into the water.

"It's done."

Calendir Elberen wrote:

Lagash, stay sharp! Watch the river and the banks!

Calendir cannot help but pause momentarily at the horror they are witnessing... That split second of dread is interrupted by allowing his colder, outcast side to take control, offering perspective, and emotional distance: Something is killing them - it looks as if they were poisoned but it cannot be - the timing would be too perfect... Magic? A curse? What the hell are we up against...?

With a short run and a jump, the nimble half orc climbs up to the captains' house, drawing his bow and taking a look around from an advantageous point - Whatever is doing this cannot be too far away, can it..?

He surveys the area surrounding the vessel intently, but mainly the banks of the river.

Perception +11 (+13 vs. EvilOutsiders, +15 vs. Undead, +13 while in Desert terrain): 1d20+11

Lagash Perception: 1d20+5

You don't see anything out there, but yet, you can almost feel as if someone or something is watching all of this unfold. You strain your vision, and link with Lagash to do so +2 for Evil Outsider and +2 for Aid Another but you don't see anything. However, you can almost taste the evil in the air, and it doesn't taste like rainbow.

Calendir stands straight, upright and as tense as Lagash, both having come to a frozen halt on top of the structure they had climbed for a better look - "There is something..." He absent mindedly rubs the silver bow and arrow symbol hanging from the cord around his neck, while he keeps his eyes focused in the bank side many meters away - "There is something, neither here or there but in both places, I can feel it around us..."

The cat, usually independent as all felines, stands very still, ears flattened, eyes but a sliver, leaning closely against the half-orc for reassurance.

Ally will flutter around the outer rim of the ship -- always just barely above the deck -- to turn her senses in every direction. If there is a source of evil anywhere within 60ft, she will detect it.

Ruul nods at the orc's description.

"If it, whatever Harbinger is, was capable of it - it would have struck against us directly already. We cannot this what's happened here tonight intimidate us", the bull says confidently.

"Once we land, we should contact the Grand Lodge. If anyone will know something about this Harbinger and what it did to these pour souls, it will be the Master of Spells."

Macavity absorbs the show feeling no pity for the deaths and near death. I've seen failure before. That looks like failure. I've never seen someone saved from failure before, but I doubt it will be good for anyone. Should have just let them die.

Seeing enough hands helping the captain, Macavity clears out of the way and Jedi jumps to the top of the pilothouse. He sits cross-legged and continues his watch.

Ally will flutter around the outer rim of the ship -- always just barely above the deck -- to turn her senses in every direction. If there is a source of evil anywhere within 60ft, she will detect it.

gnash bite swipe KILL maim DESTROY bite slash groan MOAN impale SWALLOW agony more...

No matter where you turn, the presence is there and it is overwhelming. You are stunned at the raw evil hitting you from all sides and you fall to the ground.

The wizard appears above deck, moving up the stairs without touching them, carrying the gnomish bard in his hands. I believe this one had told us all he will tell. Unless we play to speak with his corpse I will dispose of him as well. He is already beginning to stink. He flies over to where most of the group is gathered and lays the gnome down on the deck and examines in briefly. Whatever destroyed his heart left his tongue in tack. Sloppy that. Hey, what is wrong with Ally? He points to her prone form on the deck.

Ally moans, "Overwhelming Evil... all around us... Oh Desna, the horror... the horror..."

Running to the side of her small companion, Elen takes her in her arms and strokes her hair softly, calling out to Azaurant, "Can you see anything out there? You changed your senses to see the invisible, didn't you?"

Even before Calendir realized that Alli was down, Lagash jumped from his perch, two huge bounds across the upper deck placing him standing protectively over her prone form, growling at the unseen menace, while sniffing the air around them.

Azaraunt casts his gaze all around the ship. I suspect seeing nothing.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

When a great evil is present, even for a moment, it leaves a residue, a taint of you will, that remains palpable to those sensitive for a time after its passing. The greater the evil, the longer, and stronger the taint. If some powerful Daemon has reached out to this boat and exerted his influence here, then we will reek of its evil for some time.

Azaraunt casts his gaze all around the ship. I suspect seeing nothing.

[dice=Perception]1d20+11

When a great evil is present, even for a moment, it leaves a residue, a taint of you will, that remains palpable to those sensitive for a time after its passing. The greater the evil, the longer, and stronger the taint. If some powerful Daemon has reached out to this boat and exerted his influence here, then we will reek of its evil for some time.

You are correct that you do not see anything, but the aura 'taint' is almost palpable and will be around the boat for quite some time.

Even before Calendir realized that Alli was down, Lagash jumped from his perch, two huge bounds across the upper deck placing him standing protectively over her prone form, growling at the unseen menace, while sniffing the air around them.

As Lagash stood protectively over Ally, Elen reaches out to stroke his shoulder, if he lets her, and murmurs, "Thank you, brave warrior."

Ruul waits for Lavinia to say some more parting words before the wizard releases the other gnome's remains as well.

"It may leave you feeling blind but perhaps you should restrain your special senses for a time, Alliriyallin", the minotaur suggests aloud while looking at Elen.

After consigning the female gnome's body to the river, Lavinia looks at the body that Azaraunt brought above. "Well, does anyone have any questions ready now for the this one's spirit or shall we wait until we all have had time to discuss what to ask? I will be able to ask only three questions and would hate to waste any of them."

Niles, thank you for telling me what you remember. You will want to rest now. The pain in your side was when Shamil stabbed you. I said before there had been a murder - it was you: she killed you. I had to tread Pharasma's halls to bring your spirit back. The fatigue you feel is not a hangover. It is your body grieving from the ordeal. I am afraid that pain is beyond my powers to heal. It is the price for living again. Please do not squander the second chance you have been given.

Bone-tired, but with things left to do, he heads into the hallway and learns the captives are upstairs. He arrives on deck just in time to see them die.

Sweet Sarenrae! he cries at their execution. He is left speechless as his sight is flooded with malevolent darkness. He stands there, staring at the darkness, feeling its hatred. Feeling faint, he draws forth his bronze and ivory holy symbol and kneels.

By the Dawnflower, I swear this Oath. I will seek this Harbinger wherever it is hiding, and exact divine Vengeance upon it. May she guide my blade and open my eyes to the path. Damnation to any who bar my passing. Strength to my allies. Let justice prevail. Amen.

I wasn't sure that Ally could do that, but the universal monster rules for Spell-like abilities say, "Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action" which suggests they can be deactivated, although it's not clear what sort of action that would be. So I suppose she can.

Ally concentrates, turning a part of her otherworldly mind off in a way she has not done for decades. It's not unlike closing your eyes after keeping them open constantly for years. She opens her eyes, looking up at Elen's worried face, and breathes deeply. "I'm alright now. That was horrible! So much hatred... so much anger and fear and desire for death... I'm not sure it was just a lingering aura, and if it was, the thing that left it was incredibly powerful."

Ruul considers Lavinia's comment about the number of questions.

"Ask how he came into contact with the Harbinger. That may give us some insight into what sorts of people it looks for to fulfill its dark purpose. Also, ask if it knows other agents can be expected further up the river and who they are."

"I can also speak to Desna, if you'll give me time. She may be able to help is find fruitful avenues of inquiry. I can ask 6 questions."

With open-ended divination spells like these, I would suggest that casters not spend too much time polling for suggestions and instead just ask what they can. We could easily spend a week going back and forth trying to decide the best line of questions.

"Commune with your goddess and learn what you can", Ruul says. "Anything she can tell us about this Harbinger would be a boon."

"The commune lasts for about a minute. I can take suggestions as I go of questions to ask Her, but make it quick."

Ally settles into a lotus position and assumes a meditative pose. Within moments, you feel a warm, benevolent presence emanating from her, counteracting the darkness surrounding the ship.

Casting Commune, which allows 6 questions and lasts 12 rounds. People can talk and suggest questions for Ally to ask. She is going to start off with one of her own.

"Lady Desna, your humble servant, Alliriyallin, beseeches you. We have been attacked by servants of a being they called the Harbinger. Do you know of this being?"

Calendir Elberen wrote:

Even before Calendir realized that Alli was down, Lagash jumped from his perch, two huge bounds across the upper deck placing him standing protectively over her prone form, growling at the unseen menace, while sniffing the air around them.

As Lagash stood protectively over Ally, Elen reaches out to stroke his shoulder, if he lets her, and murmurs, "Thank you, brave warrior."

The huge cat relaxes visibly at Elen's touch, the tension in his neck eased, and his pouncing stance changed into a more casual padding back and forth.

Is she ok? Calendir questions Elen while Alli is still recovering We felt something in the air too - he adds looking at Lagash - but not so strongly. A smell, and even a taste maybe, a foul after taste..

Turning to Ruul, while he dumps the unfortunate corpses into the river he adds - If these are the strengths at a distance, for whatever for lies ahead of us, we may need to start preparing our bodies and souls for greater horrors than maybe we expected.

"We will prepare what defenses we can but it is important we not let this Harbinger turn us from our path. The Ten have trusted this task to us. We cannot fail."

The minotaur turns his attention to the meditating familiar.

"Is the Harbinger's interest in us connected to our mission in Tsar?"

Lavnia begins her own preparations for her spell as Ally communes. She does not actually cast the spell yet, waiting for Ally to finish first.

Important Narrative point: Only one corpse has been dumped so far -- Shamil. Can't cast speak with dead on Roondar if we dump him.

Right. Roondar goes into the drink 'after' the 3 questions.

Lavinia, you have some good recommendations. This Harbenger is not like other deities and may not have churches or priests. Maybe not even followers in the conventional sense. But it will have other servants that do its bidding. See if you can find what other servants it might have in the area.

I too can commune. The raven shows itself, ending its invisibility for the moment. And the deity I speak to may be more aware of the activities of a daemon that the one you do. But I can only do this one time a week so I shall save my ability until the need is greater since Ally chooses to use her's now.

LM, just wanted to remind you when you get caught up with these posts that Elen cast Detect poison on Digory. Any results?

Also, I never explicitly retconned casting 'charm person' -- did you just assume I never did it, or did it happen before he started to fall apart? I never noticed a save against it.

While we're waiting for a response, you folks can suggest more questions Ally could ask.

Did the Harbinger know of our location and mission before we did?

Is there another being manipulating the Harbinger to destroy us?

Are there Harbinger agents in Gundrun?

Are there Harbinger agents at the Camp of Tsar?

Are there any active Harbinger agents still on board our boat?

Is the Harbinger linked to the flying gargoyles that we saw?

Does the Harbinger want to aid Orcus's return through Tsar?

Kallistiel comes up onto the deck after having put on some clothes. She frowns and shakes her head at those who have remained undressed. If any. Didn't have time to read through a hundred+ posts.

"The obvious question is 'Who is the Harbringer?' The answer to that may give us the answer to other questions, such as 'Why is the Harbringer interested in us?'. Another question to ask is perhaps: 'How do we get this Harbringer off our backs?' and 'How can we defeat the Harbringer?' if you want to go that far. Or helpful things like: 'How do we recognize agents of the Harbringer?' and 'If we say the word Harbringer enough times, does it appear and say 'boo'?'"

Kall's questions are in the right direction. I would add "how can we protect ourselves from the Harbenger?" I do not want to be on the receiving end of the magic that took out his agents. What has me worried is that the two that were "attacked" on deck were not even his agents; only hired thugs. Yet he could still reach out and try to terminate them. That is what I want to be able to guard against.