The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Gellion isn't affected by Sirettis' hex, but D's intimidating stare shakes him up and he sits still in place, mumbling about worms and demons as he does so well, and shifting his eyes around wildly.

Sirettis is able to identify the humans trapped in the bile, but the thick sludge inhibits her efforts in healing or rescuing them. Strength checks work here to pull them out in addition to the usual bile destruction methods

Mr. Peppers senses no magical auras.

"We will need to extract the cocoons before I can free them..." Sirettis looks down at the sludge. "Can someone help me move the crates? Maybe we can break one of them and use the planks as a platform."

Gallix stands beside D, hovering menacingly over Gellion with a deep scowl on his face until the boy goes quiet. At that point he moves in to restrain Gellion's hands with some rope. "Look, kid. There's no worm demons coming here. No one here wants any worm demons except you and that's cause you're sick in the head. Now when did this all start?"

Mr Peppers shakes his head at the situation. "That bile is 'alive'. I'm concerned it would try crawling up over the wood towards us. If we lay out the cold iron we have we should be able to make a path with it to the cocoons."

Before he starts doing that, Mr Peppers will head over to Gellion and disarm him of his vials and anything that resembles components or chemicals, then detect magic on him to double check after Gallix binds him. "Keep a close watch on him, alchemists are funny and crafty, I don't want any surprises while we're in the middle of that bile!"

"It's alive?" Sirettis pulls out her wand of cure light wounds and pokes the pokes the bile with it. "Bring the cold iron. I will see if restorative magic works."

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Man, this wand is getting a workout, eh?

As Peppers checks Gellion over, Gallix hands over his dagger. "Here. Maybe you can cut a path through the bile with this. I think Uesugi has something to help too."

Uesugi takes the blade from the unseen servant and passes it to the elf. He was not sure what the elf was trying his attention completely turned towards this once-child called Gellion. Whatever had inhabited this child had completely altered what he was now. The child would bring shame to his family and a quick death with a few hushed words would spare his parents the pain and the shame. Still he kept these thoughts to himself but he suspected he was not the only one who felt this way.

"Let me know how to assist." he says this to the group as a whole hands crossed peering at the oni child.

"Do we think this is a disease?"

We have a potion of lesser restoration and a potion of cure disease we picked up earlier.

Corsac also pulls out his cold iron dagger, and holds it close to one of the bile covered victims to see if anything happens.

"Unseen Servant, clear a path to a cocoon."

What else do I know about the bile, GM?

"I also have a cold iron dagger to hand to someone, as well as a CLW wand that I can use to clear some of this bile. So long as we don't ingest it, we won't be hurt by it. We have to believe that this condition is reversible."

Wand in hand, she steps fearlessly towards the bile, clearing her own path.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

You recognize the oozy purple-black substance as Demon's Bile. If ingested, it damages a creature's wisdom and strength and shifts them towards evil. Any good-aligned damage, positive energy, or damage from cold iron weapons will destroy it. Touching the bile carries no negative effects.

Corsac, always on point!

Sirettis ponders Corsac's question. "Miss Poshkettle mentioned this bile damages your common sense. Try the potion of restoration first."

"The cold iron weaponry should help us reach the victims, hopefully before they have been consumed."

The holy light from Sirettis and Cup's wands surrounds the Demon's Bile just in time, as a portion of it had begun to gurgle to life. A half-formed hook fly is turned to ashes when the positive energy forms an aura around it, and a bunch of the surrounding bile is destroyed at the same time. The rest of it recedes as Corsac, Uesugi, and Gallix point their cold iron weapons through it, revealing five unconscious humans - three young girls and two young boys, covered in bite marks.

Gellion is an insane wreck as Gallix tries to get answers from him, babbling about "demon worms...... demon worms..." and about his insatiable hunger.

Mr. Peppers finds two potions of cure light wounds, two vials of acid, two vials of alchemist's fire, a thunderstone, and a tanglefoot bag on Gellion, but no magical auras.

Knowledge Planes to reverse this condition: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Untrained Heal to Aid Sirettis: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9 Bah. No aid.

Cup struggles with what she knows of this condition. Will the cure disease work?

Yup, that potion of remove disease will work.

"Based on what happened to Gellion's parents, healing magic should revive these children without ill effects."

Sirettis uses Gellion's potions and her wand to revive the children.
Use my Heal checks and healing here. Sorry kid #3!

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"What can we do to help Gellion? Perhaps he needs the restorative and disease-curing potions."

As the ladies approach Gellion with the potion of cure disease, Gallix raises a hand to delay them. "I don't want him spitting the stuff out. Let me take care of this." He stands over the bound young man and, without any further warning, delivers a swift, but carefully measured punch to the boy's jaw, hopefully knocking him unconscious.

Unarmed strike, non-lethal, mutagen: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21 NL Damage, mutagen: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

All five of the humans jolt and awaken as Sirettis applies healing.

One of the young girls, who you recognize as Nolaria from Father Ildris' picture, sits up. "Gellion? What have you done?!" She stands and runs over to him in alarm. "What's wrong with him? He does not seem like himself at all!"

A much more muscular and stocky boy stands up with a pissed off look on his face. "Nolaria, that moron attacked me and dragged me here! And by the looks of it, he nearly killed us! Stay away from him!"

One of the more weakened apprentices, who you recognize as Pavolus, holds his hand out towards Sirettis, "Please... Take us to the temple. There's an infirmary there." He's especially wounded, covered in tiny bite marks from the hookflys.

Nolaria tries to stop him, but Gallix punches Gellion in the jaw, knocking him out cold. Cup tilts his head back and pours the potion of remove disease into his mouth. You get the idea it may take a few hours before the effects of the restorative potion cure him of his disease.

"Unfortunate, isn't it?" Sirettis helps Pavolus stand. "The substance you were covered in, these fly bites you received- a dangerous substance. Gellion injested some of it and it changed him. We have helped him all that we can, but it will take some time. Come with us, to the temple so you may recover."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"We come from the Pathfinder Society. The mayor asked us to retrieve you without raising much suspicion." Sirettis looks at Nolaria. "Your father knows most of the details, but the other parents do not know the specifics. Let us keep it that way until the Mayor decides otherwise."

"Where is your pet raven?" Isa flies and lands on Nolaria's shoulder. "Maybe we will see it soon."

Gallix hefts Gellion over his shoulder to carry him out of the warehouse. "Right. Let's get back to the temple. I've got the kid. The rest of 'em seem well enough to walk themselves." He readjusts Gellion's unconscious form to carry him more easily, then makes his way toward the door.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 Add +4 to Sirettis's roll

"We want to get you all back to your families, but the temple first! You've all been through the gauntlet. And then I think we'll all need some tea and a chance to talk further."

Cup looks around for the raven. Is there a cage nearby?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Damn I'm home today pretending to be a carpenter, came inside for some lunch and bam! Cruisin along! I was mostly thinking of the cold iron weapons to damage the bile to avoid draining wands too much. Feel free to put a couple of the charges needed on my CLW wand.

Mr Peppers stows away the items from Gellion knowing full well they'll probably use them later on more damned flies. He then helps Cup and Isa look for the pet Raven. Perception Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Gallix, I'm not sure lugging an unconscious person through town is the most covert plan we can come up with. How about we bind his hands so he can at least walk and I'll wake him up with smelling salts, he should stay pretty woozy but may be able to walk himself with some help. The mayor may have the town guard on high alert by now."

As the draught is poured down the oni child's throat Uesugi looks on pleased to see the other children have not fell to the same effects as the oni child. As confidant as the little gnome felt curing this child Uesugi wondered if the memories of what child had done would fade away just as easy.

The child's life would never return to what it was and in this town he would be an outcast and find shame amongst those he had called friends. That was the way with oni his great master had told him. They trade one evil for another. Yes this Gellion child he would probably lead a lonely life.

Turning to the rest of the group "The child would be better if he returned with us to Absalom. He will not survive out here. Even if he is graced with not remembering what he has done. He will be reminded of it each time the other children look at him."

"This is a warehouse. Look for a cart. I will pull him and we can throw a tarp on it. But walking with these children will also create voices to whisper I think. Stay here I will go to find both the Priest and the Mayor. It is by her decision to keep this incident quiet or not." Uesugi sets out for the front door. unless someone stops him

Mr Peppers looks at Uesugi thoughtfully. "That is a fair point Uesugi, and maybe something we should think about, but not yet. There will be time for that later."

Nolaria watches on in concern as Gallix picks up Gellion. "You have to believe me. Gellion never acts like this. When I last met him at the graveyard, he seemed off, and I noticed that strange purple substance there. The next thing I remember is waking up here, covered in that bile and unable to move. Blackfeather was with me at the graveyard when it happened. I hope he's okay. Have you seen him?"

Cup does not see a cage inside the warehouse, but Uesugi does find a dusty old wooden cart.

Morvinarr walks over to Gallix and Gellion. "If you need a hand, I've got you covered. I still can't believe he managed to carry me all this way." One of his boots is torn along the heel, suggesting Gellion actually dragged him along from the orchard.

Pavolus, Betrona, and Noemi have managed to get up and have made their way towards you. "Thank you for saving us. That was really scary. Let's go see Father Ildris, he'll help us rest."

Seeing a few different ideas here for what to do with Gellion and the apprentices... Can I get a final word? A vote, perhaps?

Holy sh!te man.... #22 is dropped onto my plate here. :)

D. hears the diverse conversations, and nods as a 'well done' to Gallix, as the brawler barbarian took precautions.

Letting the more diplomatic people in there, D. tags along with Uesugi, in the search for the priest and mayor.

Edit after Red's post:
Uesugi's suggestion to get the priest and mayor sounds good to me. The less gossip there is, the less paranoia.
I'd not be surprised if there was a score of paranoia, at which the villagers gather as an angry mob against us.

Gallix stops in his tracks as the others rein him in. "Hmm...guess I didn't think about that. It is the middle of the night, though. Didn't really figure there'd be anybody up and about to do the whispering. Alright, let's let D and 'Sugi go get the priest and the mayor. I don't mind not having to lug this kid all the way through town."

"I like Uesugi's plan. Load him in the cart, and let's get them to the temple."

"We'll wait for Uesugi and D to get the mayor and Father Ildris."

"Blackfeather, is it? We will find your raven. Isa follows me everywhere."

"So we're waiting for the Mayor and the father to come back?" Cup looks around. "It's been days since you ate, I bet. I have halfling rations and tea that I can share if you'd like something to settle your stomachs."

While the group waits for D and Uesugi to return with Mayor Trinelli and Father Ildris, Gallix's mutagen eventually wears off. His form loses the overgrown musculature, his eyes lose the manic drive to violence, and his breathing becomes steadier and less raspy. He shakes off the effects after a few minutes and clears his head with a few draughts of water, then stands and begins poking around the warehouse. "He kept talking about bringing back some...worm demons? Any of you have any idea what he might have been talking about? Cup, you seem to know a lot about the outer planes. Do worm demons sound familiar to you?" The brawler continues looking around the building. "I wonder if he had some kind of journal with him here."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Uesugi and D. head off in search of the Priest and the Mayor first stopping by the orchard and then heading to the temple and the mayor's office. They are quiet in their walk which is normal for them and they do their best to keep to stay away from talking to any citizens.

Indeed, stoic and heroic.

Uesugi and D arrive back at the Temple, and after quickly explaining the situation to Father Ildris and Mayor Trinelli, the two quickly accompany you back to the warehouse.

The apprentices collectively tell Gallix that they have no idea what Gellion means by the worm demons, and Gallix doesn't find a journal in the warehouse, but he does find a bunch of stolen alchemical supplies with Miss Pricknettle's store label on them.

Mayor Trinelli digests everything's that happened as she makes her way back to the warehouse, but she's no less shocked when she sees Gellion and the injured apprentices at the warehouse. Nolaria jumps up, runs to Father Ildris and hugs him tightly, tears streaming down her face.

The Mayor looks at the unconscious Gellion, "Gellion... You look like you haven't eaten in weeks. What happened to you?" Not expecting an answer, she sighs, then addresses you. "Thank you so much for finding the missing apprentices. And what of the Demon's Bile? Has it all been eliminated?"

"We still have to check the graveya---" Cup breaks off, hearing the noise from the crate. "Wait. There's a pecking sound from the crate over there. Maybe Blackfeather?" She looks up at the mayor. "Excuse me, it'll only take a moment, but there's something I have to check on."

She walks cautiously to the crate. Is there anything written on it? More importantly, any sign of bile from the outside?

"We have cleansed the bile from this warehouse. Gellion will need some time to recover. Treat it like a disease."

"I would like to find Nolaria's Blackfeather, her raven." Sirettis notices Cup. "Let us see..."

Gallix's search ends in disappointment, as he fails to locate a journal explaining the plot Gellion's rantings and what he was trying to achieve. He is glad to have located Pricknettle's missing reagents, though, and his frustration is relieved when the mayor and priest arrive. The road-hardened fighter gives a small smile as Nolaria embraces her adoptive father. Family, no matter what form it takes, is something to be treasured.

As the mayor asks about the remaining Bile, Gallix nods in agreement about the possibility of some still being present at the graveyard, and adds, "We may need to check out wherever all the kids were obducted, if it wasn't at the graveyard. There's a chance Gellion spread more of it around in his...corrupted state."

Gallix, ya got me... Again!

There's no sign of bile on the crate. The pecking gets louder as you approach it. The lid rumbles a bit as whatever is inside moves around violently.

Father Ildris gets down and examines Gellion. His skin has regained some of its color, but he still appears to be in bad shape. "Would it be safe to awaken him? How did he seem before he was knocked out?" The apprentices have all gathered around Gellion, still shocked about how everything had happened.

Nolaria speaks with the Mayor, "Miss, please don't do anything to Gellion. He really didn't mean to do this. He isn't himself!"

She shuts her eyes and responds, "The people of Saringallow will not stand for this, Nolaria. They are likely to demand a harsh sentence if left to their own judgments. Let's face it - something this serious will not go unnoticed."

*Twirls and holsters his...fists?* Wait...that doesn't sound right. :P

Gallix turns toward Father Ildris as the priest asks about reviving Gellion. "We had him pretty docile before...he fell unconscious," *looks around guiltily* "But he seems ready to attack again if he's given half a chance. I'd say keep him asleep and keep him restrained until he's free from the Bile's effects."

Mr Peppers sits on a crate with his journal out taking copious notes on the numerous recent advancements in the mission. He asks a few questions of the children as they wait on the priest and mayor about Gellion and what they remember before being captured. He continues after D and Uesugi return, constantly writing, dipping, dusting, and repeating.

Once the mayor speaks up about needing to sentence Gellion harshly he looks up from his notes and speaks his mind. "While I understand the local mentality here in regards to anything 'unknown, unexpected, and unexplainable' I'd like to advise a bit of caution before you go throwing Gellion to the wolves for blood." He looks at the Mayor with a serious look in his eyes. "This mystery isn't yet completely resolved. We haven't even spoke with the child yet, nor have we checked out the graveyard. As it stands you're about to lay down a judgement on the kid when it isn't even appropriate yet to begin trial."

Mr Peppers dips his pen back into the ink then continues "Keep him under lock and key while he's being treated, and keep the rest of the children hidden away for just a bit longer so we may finish our investigation. We wouldn't want to tip off someone to skip town and doom a possibly innocent kid to punishment at the hands of the townsfolk."

"Can someone help us open this crate?" Cup asks.

Then when Pepper speaks, she nods and looks up at the Mayor. "Gellion did some horrible things, but he was under the influence of something really scary. And he's just a kid. Kids do dumb things. They want to experiment, and explore. Somehow, he poked into this Bile and it took him over. He's a victim, just like all the other children."

Cup's green eyes look at the Mayor beseechingly. "Gelly has two parents who still love him, a master who'll do just about anything to set him on the right path, and friends who will stick up for him. If we can get him clear of the Bile... We can get him set back on that correct path. Please, Mayor?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Gallix steps over to help Cup open the crate, using his dagger to pry it open if necessary.

Strength check?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

He then turns back to add his own thoughts on the matter of Gellion's fate. "Believe me, Mayor, I'm no fan of this kid tonight, but he's still a kid. It's like the others said, he got himself into something too big for him, and he's paid the price for that mistake. In the end, the kids are all alive, Gellion's parents are fine, and the Bile is all but gone. At least let us figure out the whole story before passing any judgment, and if you and your citizens are really so keen on removing the boy, then let us take him with us back to Absalom. Uesugi had mentioned something to that effect, and I think it's a good idea. There are plenty of alchemists in the city who could watch and train him, and maybe someday he could join the Pathfinders to straighten himself out. I can tell you first hand that it's a good way to sort yourself out."

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"With what we faced tonight, he cannot be responsible." Sirettis does not turn to the mayor, but something about the harsh judgement didn't appeal. "At the very least, Gellion must decide his own destiny. The bile controlled him, after all. We will remove him from the town if that is what it comes down to."

Gallix pops open the crate and a bright, green parrot flies out and falls to the floor. It hops around a few times, but its poor ability to fly and the leftover egg shells inside the crate would have you believe it hatched not too long ago. Seeing Cup as the least intimidating person what with her small stature and bright green hair, it hops around her feet a few times while tweeting happily.

Back over at the serious discussion corner, Mayor Trinelli considers your words, pacing the pillars a few times before she stops in front of you.

"Very well. So what you are telling me is that this Bile has the capability to make people capable of kidnapping or worse - murder - and it was only the Bile that made him do these things. I see..."

She paces again.

"I'm a fair person, and I like to think of myself as compassionate, so I will advocate on Gellion's behalf in the days ahead. It won't be easy to convince these people, but the fact that they hadn't actually seen Gellion do any of this will save them from the memories of the horrible things we've seen here today. And trust me - they do not forget things so easily."

Nolaria manages a small smile. "Thank you, Mayor. I'm certain it was the Bile. Gellion took an interest in arcane magic, but I don't think he ever would have touched this stuff if he knew what would happen."

"Thank you, Mayor. Do need our help transporting Gelly to the temple, or would you like us to go straight to the graveyard?"

Cup kneels down as the tiny parrot is hopping clumsily around. It wasn't the raven she was expecting, but like most gnomes she loves animals of all kinds. There is no way she'll leave a helpless young creature like this alone in a dangerous warehouse. What if there's a swarm somewhere that she missed?

"Hello. What were you doing in there, pretty bird?" She offers a finger for it to perch upon. "Would you like a lift, little one?"

Mr Peppers does his best to record the Mayor's response, especially the part about vouching for Gellion. When Nolaria speaks up about Gellion being interested in the arcane he raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that Nolaria? Alchemy and the Arcane are two completely different areas of study, are you sure you don't mean alchemy?"

Mr Peppers then takes a look at the baby bird, seeing if he recognizes the breed. Take 10 on Knowledge Nature for a 17

"Both arcane and alchemy are simply tools. Neither are the good nor bad, it simply depends on the user."

"Nonetheless, Mayor. Thank you for your kindness" She does a quick bow. "Father Ildris, please help the children. We need to investigate the graveyard for more of this bile."

Hop. Hop. The teeny green parrot hops onto the proffered finger, chirping happily and then claws its way sidewise up Cup's arm. The little claws are prickly, but they shuffle quickly up her shoulder, where the bird hides in her curtain of the friendly gnome's hair.

She's green, just like me!

"Raw-w-wk!" Then it whistles, cocking its little head to the side. "Pretty bird? Lift the pretty bird?"

"Hrrmm" Frowns Mr Peppers once he gets a closer look at the bird. He then takes a closer look at the crate. "So Mayor, who's warehouse is this anyhow?"

Thank you for that, Cup! I was going to DM you to be able to answer Mr. Peppers knowledge check. You can take the bird from here :)

Nolaria shrugs as Mr. Peppers corrects her. "I'm not sure if I'd call this Bile alchemical. Doesn't it seem magical in some way? This is not my area of expertise."

"We can take it from here. Thank you." Mayor Trinelli nods firmly before turning to the apprentices. "I want all of you to accompany Father Ildris back to the Temple. Although you've been healed through magic, you could all use rest in a safe place."

Nolaria nods enthusiastically. "I will help with tending to any remaining wounds. If you guys find Blackfeather, would you please return him to me?"

Ok Peppers, holster that wand you ninja elf, you!

"This was Marcuccio Bravoni's warehouse, but it's been abandoned for quite some time. All of these boxes are his junk... Except for that pile of alchemical supplies that appears to belong to Majara Pricknettle," she says as she looks over at the box of potions and herbs. "Why an unhatched bird would be in here is beyond me. Perhaps a misplaced shipment or a smuggled egg? It's really quite odd."