Kayosin continues across, keeping a wary eye on the water.
"I can find no reason to provoke it. We have better things to do, yes?"
The beast heads to its nest then turns to watch you, giving off an odd growing grunt, but doesn't persue.
"Perhaps we may deal with it later, after the goblins. It is a threat to travel here."
As you continue onward, you get an odd feeling that you are being watched, but anytime you look, you see nothing.
Ajerviskanis:
Braydon:
Fibek:
Goldilocks:
'Vak':
Kayosin:
Straehan:
Sumisu:
About halfway to the next bridge everyone but Vak and Goldilocks, who seem to be studying each other, notice odd, twisting trails in the muck to the side of the path. You also see what made them: a monstrous leach the size of a human, its circular maw filled with a spiral of sharp teeth.
Ajerviskanis:
Braydon:
Fibek:
Goldilocks:
'Vak':
Kayosin:
Straehan:
Sumisu:
giant leech
Ajer=1, Braydon=2, Fibek=3, Goldilocks=4, Ikshvaku=5, Kayosin=6, Straehan=7, Sumisu=8
Round 1:
Sumisu
Kayosin
Goldilocks
Braydon
Straehan
Fibek
Ajer
Vak
leech
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex)
hp 19
The creature lunges clumsily at Kayosin.
plus auto-grapple
Kayosin's instincts kick in before the leech can attack, though – in his hurry – his blade's strike is clumsy.
He wracks his brain for any insight he has into the creature's strengths or weaknesses.
"Wha-the-WHAT?!" In an instant, the gnome makes an intuitive gesture and a sheet of flame bathes the leech even as he pulls the oversized frying pan, wielding it like a club. "Go back to eating heads of lettuce!"
Flare (1):
Prestidigitation (1):
Dancing Lights (1):
Elemental Ray (7):
Elemental Fist (1):
Produce Flame (1):
1st Spells (4): x
Spell Effects: None
As Straehan's wave of fire sweeps over it the giant leech writhes in pain.
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex)
hp 19-6=13
Sumisu grips a pouch on the side of his backpack, conjuring a splash of acid to fling at the leech.
The cat closes to ten feet and extends her head to grab at the leech.
The bite is definitely a big one.
Braydon claps his hands in front of him, and gives a sharp "Huuh!" as lamellar armor, composed of the same jade-colored ectoplasm forms around him.
"Maybe I'll just keep my armor active. It seems..danger..pops up, well, everywhere. I should be no slower than average in it."
If Braydon's close enough to hit it without moving, he'll take a punch at it. If not, he'll conjure an acid splash.
Attack:
Damage:
Clearly a miss, either way...
As the poor hungry leach is at 0, the group finishes it off without any further problems.
Ikshvaku looks around at the party, then at the dying leech. "That was over quickly. Does this creature, too, appear to have a nest nearby?"
Meanwhile...
A quick search does not turn up a nest, so you continue onward. As you approach the last bridge on the map before Walthus' place, you hear an odd howling hoot from the east...toward the ruin listed on your map.
Ahead, you hear sounds of a struggle from the area of the bridge.
Rushing to that point you see two humanoid figures on the bridge, flailing at one of those leeches, which drops to the water as you rush up.
They look over as you approach. "Hail, fellow travelers."
Kayosin waves a gloved hand while he watches the two.
@Kayosin: You don't think you've ever heard their names, but you believe they're fishermen from Grubber's Hermitage, a small island fishing community that trades with Sandpoint. You think they're father and son.
Kayosin lowers the smoked goggles over his eyes, covering their strange darkness as he steps within about fifteen feet of the strangers. He nods as he gets close, "Need any help with the wildlife? You seem to have it in-hand for the moment." He looks at the man, then past him at the other one, "I've not heard of many folks who want to travel Brinestump. What brings you two here?"
"Just trying for a big swamp fish. Caught somethin' we didn't want, though.
fishermen &
Ajerviskanis:
Braydon:
Fibek:
Goldilocks:
Ikshvaku:
Kayosin:
Straehan:
Sumisu:
They're lying, but you're not sure why.
You notice something odd about these people, you're certain they're not who they claim to be.
These 'people' are not human.
Sumisu pulls out a scroll and starts making a note. "It seems leeches are not important to the local economy."
Tanooki remains asleep, and seems to have started lightly snoring.
"I would hazard that they have a somewhat deleterious effect on the local economy, actually."
"Ah," Kayosin says with a nod. Then looks back to address both the newcomers and his group at once. "I thought I recognized these two fisherman. Semi-local father and son team. Though I hear it can be tricky out here. Never know what you're really dealing with."
Sumisu looks up from his scroll for a moment, causing Tanooki to shift in his sleep and thereby stop his snoring. "Indeed, I should amend that to 'they have no meritorious effect on the local economy.'"
Fibek casts a spell and magical armor appears on Goldilocks.
"Tell us more".
As Fibek cast his spell, Goldilocks seems to notice something else. The big cat moves swiftly to the bank of the creek and looks down as something, snarling slightly.
The fishermen's boat is below, and stained in blood.
Brayon calls his blade [move action], and exclaims "Foolish monster in human guise! Did you think you could deceive an inquisitor of Irori with such pathetic magic!?"
Intimidate:
Kayosin looks warily between the strangers, Braydon and Fibek's cat-thing. "What the hells?" he mutters to no one in particular.
The two fishermen look at each other then at Braydon and whatever Goldilocks is looking at, then suddenly...transform.
The creatures now standing before you are hairless, leathery bipeds with faces dominated by grotesque and unsettling whorls and slits instead of actual features.
Ajerviskanis:
Braydon:
Fibek:
Goldilocks:
Ikshvaku:
Kayosin:
Straehan:
Sumisu:
monsters:
Ajerviskanis=1, Braydon=2, Fibek=3, Goldilocks=4, Ikshvaku=5, Kayosin=6, Straehan=7, Sumisu=8
One monster heads for Braydon while the other dives on Goldilocks.
Round 1:
Kayosin
Vak
Ajer
Goldie
Fibek
Sumisu
monsters
Straehan
Braydon
Monster 1:
plus grab.
Monster 2:
plus grab.
The transformation does not seem to take Sumisu by surprise, but he makes a note on his scroll and flips it to the side. He also, likely on purpose, wakes the sleeping owl who flutters to the side as well, his eyes wide but unfocused as he is wondering if he is still dreaming. The small robed figure focuses on the problem as the front liners rush into melee.
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 42
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 42
"Hmph." Ajerviskanis drops into a defensive stance , his walking stick out in front of him.
"Those that would hide behind the faces of the helpless are they themselves helpless. Fear them not!" he intones in a strong voice. "All cowards are powerless in the face of true strength and true purpose!"
"WHAT THE HELLS?!"
Kayosin falls back to stand next to the young Brayden. As he holds his curved blade ready, he allows a small river of power flow into the blade… which seems to wait thirstily for the creature to close. "Stand down or we'll tear you apart."
The gnome is utterly clueless about the strangeness of these strangers, until they transform and attack.
"I..I smelled blood, and..well, tried to provoke them. Got..got more than I expected!"
+1Dodge [expertise], +1 to hit [Ajervis inspiration]
Attack:
Damage: Magic, slash if it matters..
Braydon again swings a good deal wide of the mark.
"Foul creatures, to arms all, to arms."
The fair elf waits for the monsters to close readying a slimy cube of butter and delays his casting until the monster closes, a ten foot square patch of grease appears on the ground as the butter is consumed in a flurry of hand gestures and arcane words.
School conjuration (creation); Level bard 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (butter)
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one object or 10-ft. square
Duration 1 min./level (D)
Save see text; SR no
A grease spell covers a solid surface with a layer of slippery grease. Any creature in the area when the spell is cast must make a successful Reflex save or fall. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details). Creatures that do not move on their turn do not need to make this check and are not considered flat-footed.
The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature requires its bearer to make a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item. A creature wearing greased armor or clothing gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks and combat maneuver checks made to escape a grapple, and to their CMD to avoid being grappled.
The cat steps forward prepared to defend the two-legs behind her.
She notes with appreciation the patch of grease that appears under the charging monster as it comes within range of her bite.
Finally, some useful help. Maybe that elf is good for something.
Round 1:
Ikshvaku calls forth his twin blades and takes a short step towards the ersatz fishermen.
Monster 2:
Aaand the monster lands on its behind.
Round 2 - Active grease with 9 rounds left
Fibek calmly moves to put Goldilocks, Braydon and anyone else he can between the monster attacking Braydon and himself.
Brandishing his holy symbol he calls on Erastil to compel the creature attacking Braydon to move directly to him. Forcing the monster to open himself up to attacks as he blindly rushed by opponents would be a nice bonus.
School enchantment (compulsion) [language-dependent, mind-affecting]; Level cleric 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one living creature
Duration 1 round
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
You give the subject a single command, which it obeys to the best of its ability at its earliest opportunity. You may select from the following options.
Approach: On its turn, the subject moves toward you as quickly and directly as possible for 1 round. The creature may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal.
Drop: On its turn, the subject drops whatever it is holding. It can't pick up any dropped item until its next turn.
Fall: On its turn, the subject falls to the ground and remains prone for 1 round. It may act normally while prone but takes any appropriate penalties.
Flee: On its turn, the subject moves away from you as quickly as possible for 1 round. It may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal.
Halt: The subject stands in place for 1 round. It may not take any actions but is not considered helpless.
If the subject can't carry out your command on its next turn, the spell automatically fails.
Round 2
The cat backs off the prone monster, putting him at the edge of his reach and bites at the downed foe. The cat is quite distracted by the nearby grease and misses badly.
Sumisu sizes up the problem and reaches inside his robe. From inside comes a vial with a fiery red liquid within, that is lobbed toward the strange monsters. The resulting explosion when it lands makes the ears ring slightly, but leaves a small mushroom cloud above the landing site.
Tanooki shakes himself back to some semblance of sense and takes flight to get a better look at the lay of combat. If there is any more coming to the fight from a distance, he will likely be able to spot it from the air.
Round 1 actions:
Kayosin = charges blade, readies attack
Vak = draw and move
Ajer = Inspire Courage
Goldie = bites at monster 2, misses
Fibek = casts grease
Sumisu = tosses bomb, hits
monster 1 = attacks Braydon, misses
monster 2 = attacks Goldilocks, misses; falls
Straehan
Braydon = misses
Yep, just need Straehan. The creature, whatever it is, ignores you, Kayosin, seemingly trying to win by surprise and overwhelming force.
The gnome sorts through the swirling combat, quickly abandoning any hope of making an attack from range. There are just too many bodies in the way. Instead, he circles around the massive cat, look for a target of opportunity, and delivers a swift stomp to the downed creature. His foot almost smokes at the speed of his strike.
MODS: Sorcerous Strike
HIT:
DAM: (Fire)
I believe the prone penalty vs a melee attack is -4AC on the defender
Flare (1):
Prestidigitation (1):
Dancing Lights (1):
Elemental Ray (7): x
Elemental Fist (1):
Produce Flame (1):
1st Spells (4): x
Spell Effects: None