Strange Aeons

Game Master Nayr Trebrot

As Cerio lights a candle, Ulfric steps forward and places his hand on Zandalus' chest.

"Be cleansed!" Ulfric states as he pours righteous power into the corpse.

Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 6 +2 if this counts as damage and the smite is still in effect.

Man, you guys are making me puzzle this one out...good stuff!

Cerio lights the candle, and smoke curls out of the top of the flickering flame. It rises, then drifts about to form a ring of smoke with a ten foot radius around you and Zandalus.

When Ulfric's spell takes hold, some of Zandalus's wounds seem to narrow and close. They still continue to bleed, though it's hard to focus on them with the swirling mist.

You seem to have healed him, but he's still under 0. Do you wish to try another?

Seeing Zandalus' wounds closing, "I don't want him healed, I want him purged of evil! Do any of you have any ideas?"

Shall the damned be saved? Only in the Gods' judgements will we know. I have no cure prayer that will purge this evil.

The mist continues to flow from Zandalus's form.

"Is he actually feeding off of good? Is there any way we can give him some sort of inversion of that?"

You get the sense that the healing was successful only because Zandalus is a living creature, not that he's good-aligned. Also, this mist that pours out of him is a bit different than those of the oneierogens in the other room - it comes from everywhere, even bubbling up and pushing up against the outer layer of his skin.

Cerio shrugs, looking frustrated.

Well... I hope this does not make the situation worse...

"Let's simply cast Zandalus before the gods in judgement and end the suffering he is causing here." Ulfric gathers his sword and shield, then slices off Zandalus's head.

Coup de Gras: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 = 12

Zandalus's body, now headless, spews out yellow mist, and it gushes from his now-open neck. You all have a moment where you are once again stuck in a dream - the dark alleys of an unnatural city, avenues that make no sense, and the mist hiding all but the most foreboding of shadows. And behind you - footsteps, always getting closer. With a start, you realize that those footsteps are now here - out of the dream, and very real. A voice sounds out of the mist, with the rasp of dried parchment being slowly ripped.

I killed you once, yet here you are...and now, I must find a new vessel.

Out of the mists comes the beast from your dreams - maybe a man once, this creature wears a mask of gray rags, strips of something fleshier than fabric worming and constricting across its lean, flexible body. Gauzy grey ribbons reach out to claim living flesh.

Welcome, the Tatterman
Will save vs fear everyone - except for Ulfric, I'd think

As the creature comes out of the mists, a swarm of writhing, many-winged worms with no heads bursts out from near his feet to fly at Ulfric. You note that the little worms have pairs of large nostrils as their only facial feature, and they emit a constant, droning, snorting sound.

The Tatterman takes a step to the south, gliding among the shadows. Its odd, circular mouth moves in the mockery of singing as it hisses out a horrifying song.

Sleep, little sacks, with skin so ripe. Your dreams will belong to me tonight.

5 foot step and casting lullaby - Will save DC 18 - this would affect all 4 of you - again, if affected by it. Campus - if you threaten out to that range you can take an AOO - 20% miss chance due to the mist. Lullaby is a mind-affecting compulsion, so you do get the bonuses as Campus laid out in discussion. That's a huge buff.
Campus and Cerio are up.

I do not have aura of courage so not immune to fear. However, every one within 10 feet of me is affected by Aura of Purity since its an Abberation. So more buffs for me and T'eron!

Will vs Fear w/ AoP, PfW: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 4 + 2 = 21
Will vs Lullaby w/ AoP, PfW: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 4 + 2 = 25

I remember. Campus reacts instinctively thrusting her cold iron spear into the Tattered man. As she does so, she notes a strange tune, and finds herself intrigued despite...despite what?

Attack+Power+BullsStr: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 3 + 3 = 13
Crit Confirm Attack+Power+BullsStr: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 10

Save Fear Will PfE+AoP: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 28
Save vs Lullaby WillPfE+AoP+2Trait Against Compulsion: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 13

Miss chance low: 1d100 ⇒ 36

Campus lets fly with her spear and connects solidly, even through the shifting mists and the creature's odd, writhing rags. It hisses at her and utters a jarbled sound that may be a curse in some unknown language, or nonsense.

You feel like, though your strike hit true, it didn't do as much damage as you'd thought it would.

Cerio is up! Good saves everyone!

Save Will (w/ AoP + PfE) vs Fear: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 6
Save Lullaby (w/ AoP + PfE) vs Fear: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 6
There should be a +1 for both of these saves due to me having Auspicious Tattoo - though that probably won't matter

Spoke too soon about the good saves!
Will finalize my turn once feedback is given on this, just in case (if I should wait for Cerio, will do that as well)

T'eron freezes in fright at the sight of this beast. Then, his mind seeming to have been taken over by the very presence of it, he runs!

You are frightened for 3 rounds!

T'eron scrambles to the corner of the room, not once looking back at this new nightmare.

To the northwest quadrant

Will DC 18, PfE, aura of purity: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 18

Will reroll from PfE: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 12

Icy fingers of fear, shorn from the same flesh as the tatterman's "rags", worm their way through Cerio's brain. Somehow, he holds his ground. Drawing upon his last reserves of arcane power, he unleashes two undulating orbs of light, eyes of putrid green that slam into the faceless worms assaulting Ulfric.

magic missile @ swarm: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 1 = 4

My last 1st-level spell. Down to cantrips.

Cerio's magical darts disappear into the swarm and seem to do very little, if any damage to the wriggling creatures, though it does cause them to snort even more. The swarm expands to cover Ulfric Mechanically, it should have always been 10 feet per side; that was my error, and beings scrabbling over his skin, hissing and biting.

Swarm damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

2 damage to Ulfric, and please roll a DC15 will saving throw against distraction, or become shaken for 1 hour or until the swarm is dead, and a Fort saving throw DC13 or be nauseated for 1 round.

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

As the swarms covers and nips at him, Ulfric begins to doubt. Is it possible we may loose...

Ulfric steps through the swarm, bringing his sword to bear against the Tatterman.

Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Miss chance low: 1d100 ⇒ 4

Ulfric lashes out but his sword gets lost in the mists and flies through the area without doing any harm. The Tatterman hisses out a retort, its mouth not moving but locked in a lipless grin of malevolence. The pale brings his form, the pale he is anew

Then, the creature mutters a few words, and vanishes from sight.

Concentration to cast defensively: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Cerio takes another "swing" at the swarm, releasing a burst of interstellar cold within its midst.

Black Motes. Ref DC 16 or take 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 cold damage.

Swarm reflex save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

The swarm seems to move around the motes, avoiding the damage completely.

Man, just no luck with the rolls here. As I see it though, that is an AOE effect so should damage the swarm just fine if it hits.

Campus realizes she has just the thing to repel this swarm. She pulls from her belt a vial, flicking the cork out with an extended thumb. She holds it over her chest shaking its pungent, creamed liquid onto her armor. Hopefully this works. She'd heard horror stories of what swarms can do to a body in a matter of seconds.

Figures she wouldn't know the difference between a vermin swarm and an aberrant one.

The swarm continues to wriggle about Ulfric, some slipping inside the spots to get underneath his armor and clothing. They slap and nibble, causing damage once again.

Swarm damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Another DC13 fort save to avoid being nauseated, which would totally suck.

Ulfric steps back towards Cerio, pulling a scroll out of his bandolier as he does so and rattling off a quick incantation. Feeling relief rush through him, "I'm glad we found that."

Scroll of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Cerio, anyway you can deal with this swarm?"

As Ulfric gets himself right, the swarm continues to swirl about, emitting the sickening sounds.

Cerio releases another shower of cold darkness over the swarm.

Black Motes. Ref DC 16 or take 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 cold damage.

Campus moves across the room skirting the swarm, just in case. Double move to Teron.

Swarm reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

This time, Cerio's attack seems to do real damage. It swirls through the swarm, stinging the snorting creatures with its icy darkness.

Nice! 2 damage to the swarm!

Campus moves up to stand behind the frightened T'eron, ready to help in whatever ways she can.

The swarm seems to like the taste of Ulfric, and it moves again towards him, the snorting beasts buzzing about.

Swarm damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Cerio, get back. It will focus on me!" Ulfric barks as the swarm wears him down. "Come forth foul creature!" Ulfric cries out as he swings his sword through the air.

I attacked the square with the starburst.

Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Miss Chance (low misses): 1d100 ⇒ 68

Lol. Hopefully the stupid thing is standing there!

Alas, the Tatterman has moved away, and Ulfric's strike whistles through the mists but finds no target. After the strike misses, he hears grating, hissing laughter from behind. The Tatterman reveals himself as the last words of his spell come out. After the words of his spell, he continues on in a low, droning murmur, its syllables seeming to be a repeated cadence.

Cerio and Ulfric - Will save DC16 please, or you will be fascinated! You each get a +2 to the save for this being used in combat.

Will DC 16: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19

"Eeeek!" Cerio shrieks, recoiling from the Tatterman. He continues to focus on the swarm, hoping that the others can take care of Mr. Tatter.

Black motes v. swarm. DC 16 Reflex or take 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 cold damage.

Campus strikes the Tatterman with her cold iron longspear with a ferocious yell.

Attack+Power+BullsStr: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 = 21
Ferocious Strike: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 + 1 = 17

It's a knowledge nature if anyone wants to check and see if you can discern anything about the Tatterman. And, I'm not using the miss chance for the motes - I think the swarm is too big and since you hit it last time, you can pinpoint it fairly easily.

Campus miss chance low: 1d100 ⇒ 48

Reflex swarm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Campus and Cerio use their attacks to great effect - the motes from Cerio singe the snorting little beasts and send several dozen or hundreds more to their graves. Campus stabs forward and her spear slams into the Tatterman, who lets out a whining, throaty moan. You feel like your spear didn't do as much damage as it should have, and you also note that the Tatterman's previous wounds seem to be gone.

The swarm, depleted as it is, is still focused on Ulfric. It continues its assault on the Paladin, snorting and biting.

Swarm damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

T'eron, after the Tatterman's next turn, you'll be out of your frightened state...time to put in the work!

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13+4 if the Tatterman is an abberration.

Ulfric stares at the Tatterman, unable to move or act.

If the +4 would get me out of being fascinated let me know!

Ouch...bad news is that he is not an abberration; good news is that the swarm will be enough of an action to give you another save next time they do damage.

The Tatterman looses a raspy chuckle, then moves past Ulfric and towards Cerio. He holds a rusty, long razor that he raises as he advances. Your blood will feed the King, you are chosen.

He brings the razor down upon Cerio, the blade alarmingly sharp and the strike swift.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

6 damage to Cerio! Campus, you get an AOO as the Tatterman walks away.

AOO Attack+Power+BullsStr: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 18
Ferocious Strike: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 16

Attack+Power+BullsStr: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 13
Ferocious Strike: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 17

Cognizant that his cold spell is their best offense against the swarm, Cerio uses every fiber of resolve he has to ignore the Tatterman and his sharp blade. Blood blossoming from the wound, he hopes back and casts again.

5ft step back but I can't move my token right now. Black motes at the swarm, which needs to make a DC 16 Ref save or take 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 cold dmg.

T'eron, breathing heavily in the corner, slowly starts to feel a sense of ease - at least compared to this last eternity of fright. Taking a look around, the pieces of the recent while start to take form as he prepares to take action.

Almost a month in the corner, haha. Been following along in any case (though I'll have to play dumb a bit about what's going on), ready to roll this round!

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Campus lets her spear fly out at the Tatterman, but the oddly lithe creature slips out of range of the strike as if he was wreathed in shadow. Campus pursues, but the next strike misses as well.

The swarm disperses about Cerio's attack, sliding, squirming, and snorting. It moves in to attack, focused now upon Cerio.

Swarm damage to Cerio!: 1d6 ⇒ 1

DC13 fort save for Cerio, or he's nauseated for a round!

Fort DC 13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Looks like you can skip over me this turn. Cerio's turn will be spent running to the northwest corner of the room.

Given that the swarm did not attack me I don't think I get a save per your last post DM.

Ulfric peers into space.

T'eron, trying not to look directly at the Tatterman's face after what just happened, rushes across the room and takes revenge with his greatsword.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 + 2 = 15
Power Attack + Furious Focus + Two-Handed

This is my actual turn, assuming I'm back this round (I should be)

Sorry for the confusion, Ulfric, but I feel like, per the condition fascinated, that you could get a new save just because the Tatterman is close to you. If he or the swarm strikes you, you don't need to save at all...you'd just pop out of your trance.

T'eron miss percentage low: 1d100 ⇒ 93

T'eron awakes from dreams of swirling madness that assail him at all sides. He snaps back to the here and now, and finds himself face to face with a wall. A growl of frustration rumbles low in his chest as he rushes across the room, his sword ready. He leaps in with a mighty downward chop, and the blade whistles through the mist to cleave through rag, sickly skin and sinew. The Tatterman screeches out in pain. Though T'eron doesn't feel as if the strike did as much damage as it should have, it was a mighty blow nonetheless, and it leaves the creature hissing in rage.

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Assuming I can still go.

Ulfric snaps out of his haze, glares at the abomination in front of his and brings his weapon to bear.

Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Sure can!

Ulfric swings across, the spell upon him seemingly broken. The Tatterman seems to move aside though, his body slithering like a standing snake to avoid the blow.

The Tatterman, seeing the singing blades of two mighty enemies before him, takes a small step to the northeast, and slices away at Campus.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

5 damage to Campus! He'll now have cover from Ulfric, unless you move.

I'm nauseated by the swarm, only able to move this round.

Clutching his belly and groaning in distress, Cerio hobbles northwest away from the swarm and the tatterman.

Selecting a route to avoid aoo if possible. On mobile and cant move my token atm.

All good with the swarm since they can't take an AOO, but you can only move to the northeast part of the room...wanna go there?

Campus backs up a pace and releases another strike with her long spear.

Attack+Power+BullsStr: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 17
Ferocious Strike: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 20