The Strangler of the Shadow Moor (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

I too heard a scream and was headin out to see wot is disturbin my drinkin

*Xor just now catches a glimpse of the cthlulian nightmares and points them out to Paulina and Nathaniel*

Xor immediately will fall in love with tess and her magic stone spell 8>)

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Marvin lowers their weapon, observing the aftereffects of their attack.

I will start an Inspire Courage Performance after 5 footing to C7.

[rd. 1] +1 vs. fear, +1 to weapon attack and damage[/]

5 rounds after this one.

Can you do that while prone?

5ft?. No. Sorry. Using Perform (oratory) so that's not an issue.

I take a 5-foot step to C-7, and cast use Captain Curnow as a Black Candle - he will glow as per the light spell for 1 round (if you, DM, don't consider creatures to be viable targets for light/darkness spells, I cast it on his most prominent weapon instead).

That'd be my rapier.

Thursday Night (turn 129), outside the Two Barrels tavern

Round 2 (initiative count 24 to 10)

Edward manages to get to his knees, and is not phased in the slightest by the trip. He is sore, yes, but his spirits are unshaken and he launches into a recital of an epic and quite ribald tale of Montgomery Zook the wayward highwayman who opposed the baron of Calcunstein and liberated the people from years of oppression, and also liberated many a young maid of her ability to control her heart’s desires. His voice carries through the night and is heard by the strangers in the alley behind the tavern.

Meanwhile
Marvin?

Two monster that appear as little more than round blobs of shadowstuff with many tentacles are attempting to carry off the young barmaid, Holly, and encounter three strangers in the alley behind the Two Barrel tavern.

The monsters do not appear to have any eyes, but they act as if they “know” the strangers are there, and they release the unconscious girl and scramble forward, rolling, and bopping across the ground toward Paulina, Nathaniel, and Xor.

Melee Slam +Trip versus Xor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage if >17: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Trip attempt CM if >17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The fur clad Dwarf is quick enough to twist to his right at the last moment and avoids the tentacle attack

Melee Slam +Trip versus Nathaniel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage if >16: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Trip attempt CM if >16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Nathiel, however, goes down flat on his back as a tentacle swipes his legs out from under him and leaves him bruised

There is another monster coming around the corner. As it moves in the darkness it seems to regenerate from injuries it has taken.

From the alley, the three strangers suddenly see a glow of light! And it seems to have a noticeable effect on the shadowy monsters

meanwhile

”Don’t let it get away, after them!”

Tess follows the monster, holding her newly created magic stones, and after moving 30 feet, she throws one at the fleeing monster

Thrown Stone: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 = 12
Damage if >15: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 2 = 8

Her throw is powerful but her aim is terrible and the stone flies wide to the right.

”Ohff!”

Falling hard on his back, Nathaniel scrambles to get back on his feet, but as he tries to stand the monster lashes out at him again

AoO

Melee Slam+Trip versus Nathaniel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage if >16: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Trip attempt CM if >16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

He manages to get back on his feet and jumps up at the last moment narrowly avoiding a sweeping tentacle strike again.

He would like to strike back at the monster, but it stand, or rests, too far from the reach of his weapon, and he isn't sure it is safe to move closer at this time.

“Nathaniel, look out! “

”What kind of twisted nightmare did these creatures escape from!”

Paulina growls as she moves to attack the monster that tripped Nathaniel.

Melee Attack, Flail: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage if >15: 1d8 + 3 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 5 = -1

With alarm showing in her expression Paulina watches as her flail tears through the shadowstuff of the monster but it only flows around her weapon and stays in place for a fraction of a moment, and then rejoins the body as if nothing happened.

Aye beastie, yah gonna ave to betta than that to hit ol Xor

By the power of the everlasting mountains I bless thee all

Xor casts bless on the party, 50' burst on all allies +1 to hit and saves vs fear

The sudden burst of positive energy causes the monsters to retract, momentarily, their tentacles

Xor, please make a Perception Check, and try to roll a 16+

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Continue to Perform and stab the one in front of me.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Piercing Damage.

"we can take them!"

"Probability rapidly decreasing," Marvin states, putting away their musket. "This unit advises the use of tearing weapons. Force and piercing are ineffective."

Marvin follows the fleeing enemies, taking out a dagger on the way.

Move action to put away musket, another move action to follow the fleeing monsters while drawing a dagger.

Captain Edward gets to his feet and somehow manages to scramble to the north far enough to bring him within striking range of the monster without it attempting to trip him again. He lunges with his rapier, but it feels as if he has struck, nothing. round 3 action

At about the same time he hears Marvin pronounce a doubt toward their success, as the coppery haired machine moves up beside him.
Round 2, action, go ahead and act again Marvin!

"Please! We can do this with style!"

Marvin attacks the same one Captain Edward pierced, slashing with their dagger.

Dagger: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Damage (Slashing): 1d4 ⇒ 1

"This unit lacks the appropriate capabilities and advises an extraction and strategic retreat."

"People need our help! We can't just leave them!"

I'm not clear on what effect the light had on the monsters - it's not why one was "fully healed" in your Damage Tracker, was it?

I take a 5-foot step back to D-7 as a precaution.

"I believe the 'twisted nightmare' you're referring to, Milady," Sasithorn says aloud in response to Paulina, "is the Plane of Shadow - little surprises everywhere, but nothing too dangerous. What these things are doing here, I haven't the foggiest. They're probably more frightened of us than we are of them."

Sasithorn is uncertain what these monsters are, but with their roly-poly bodies and frantic motions, they seem to him as though they are as much prey animal as predator - almost the cuy of the Plane of Shadow, perhaps. He tries to call to mind the most fearsome Shadow Plane predator (that makes a distinctive noise) that he knows about....

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Based on the outcome of my Knowledge (Planes) roll, I try to the best of my abilities to replicate the sound made by whatever likely fearsome Shadow Plane monster I come up with that makes about as much noise as 4 normal Humans using my ghost sound spell-like ability - if my roll's result is too poor to come up with such a monster, I replicate the sound of 4 city guards noisily unsheathing large swords. I center the noise on E-8 (a square none of the monsters could see from their positions, at leas not with conventional vision); it will last 1 round (so I try to make it a momentary sound, like the creature's vocalization, as opposed to an ongoing sound, like the sound it makes when moving), and the Will save to disbelieve is DC 11.

I know things shift quickly, but an update to the combat map would be helpful.

Map update?

I think this is close to looking like what is going on right now, but I'm not a stickler

the monsters will act soon, it looks like the light harms or scares these creatures, and they do not resemble anything "known" by any of the characters, but they do act as if they are partially made of something from another dimension

Map update?

Huh. In that case, could you have moved me up to -A-7 (and we'll say the ghost sound originates at D-5)?

So beastie ya don't like the power of the mountains do ya, Well then let the laddie go and I might spare ya some moor pain

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

I will then cast light on one of my rocks

Thursday Night (turn 129), outside the Two Barrels tavern

Round 3

Captain Edward sees Marvin slice a small piece of shadowstuff off of the monster and as it flies off it evaporates in the light

The monster turns and lashes out at Marvin with a furious attack

Full Round Attack – two tentacles
#1 Melee Bash, no trip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage if >16: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

#2 Melee Bash, no trip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage if >16: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Marvin is slapped from one direction and then another and feels the sting of something unnatural sap the life out of him
Marvin takes 11 points of nonlethal damage

The other two monsters attempt to trip the humanoids that block their escape

Melee Bash + trip versus Nathaniel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage if >16: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Trip attempt versus CMD 13 if attack roll >16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Melee Bash + trip versus Paulina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage if >12: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Trip attempt versus CMD 13 if attack roll >17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Nathaniel sees the tentacle coming for his legs again and leaps up just in time, but Paulina is slow to realize how these monsters fight and she goes down on her back smarting from the blow

Paulina takes 4 points of nonlethal damage, and is prone

As more light is summoned the monsters seem to quiver where they stand

Map Update

Tessrimea moves into the open and raises her hand to throw another stone, she can't get a clear view of the monster in front of Marvin, so she throws down the alley at one of the others.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 1 = 7

but the stone flies over the monster's body and misses

Moving with extreme caution, Nathaniel pulls the cover from his halberd and takes one step forward. Griping with both hands he slices down on the monster in front of him

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The blade cleaves right through the middle of the monster and as it is separated into two pieces it seems to loose control of its body and it evaporates in the light
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Paulina kicks at the tentacles that threaten her if she tries to stand up

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 4 = 7

and stays on the ground

It is now the top of round 4

11 nonlethal, and I've 12 HP! How wondrous.

Marvin spasms after the monster hits them, on the verge of unconsciousness. Nevertheless, they make one slash at their opponent before stepping back.

Dagger: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Damage (Slashing): 1d4 ⇒ 1

5-foot step backwards.

So...did my ghost sound spell-like ability have any effect? Should I consider it spent or not?

I move to -D-8.

Sasithorn makes his way to Tessrimea's side as he scrutinizes the monsters. One of his eyes widens in excited surprise just as the other narrows in shrewd appraisal. "Could it be...Kl̂xng? Living Kl̂xng?! And from the Negative Material, too! Extraordinary! We simply must test the possibility!" His gaze darts to Tessrimea's holy symbol. "Try your benedictions, Nāng phra - it ought to negate them!"

Sasithorn tries casting Black Candle (light) on Captain Curnow as before.

yes, you should consider it spent, and you could not tell that the monsters could "hear" anything,

Xor Attacks the beastie in front of him with the "Light" rock

Hurl: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Thwack: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 = 12

Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Xtra Thwack: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

How ya like me now beastie

Thursday Night (turn 129), outside the Two Barrels tavern

Round 4
Captain Edward?
Marvin slices another piece of shadowstuff off of the monster. The way in which the piece evaporates in the light is strange and difficult for them to understand. Then they take a step back, but suddenly they realize the reach of this monster is more than they remembered.
With one of the monsters destroyed, the remaining monsters seem panicked, and perhaps this leads to their errors in judgment.
With a quick tentacle attack, the monster at the corner of the building lashes out at Tessrimea, attempting to knock her off her tail.

Melee Bash, with Trip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage if >15: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Trip Attempt if >15 versus CMD 16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

While the other monster rolls around and opens its wide vertical maw and lashes out at Nathaniel
Melee Bash, with Trip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage if >16: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Trip Attempt if >16 versus CMD 13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Both attacks fail to harm the heroes

Tessrimea believes she understands the Shadowy Stranger's plan, and she raises her arms and calls forth on her goddesses to channel her power through her servant
Channel Positive Energy to Harm: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Seeing the monster open its mouth, Xor hurls a stone, shining with a light all its own right at the maw, and …
GULP!
The monster swallows the stone. For a moment nothing seems to happen, but then the monster shakes violently, and cracks begin to appear all over its body. The light from the stone can be seen shining out from the cracks as they grow in size and number until…
FLASH!

The monster explodes, silently, in shards of darkness that break up as if they were pieces of ash blow by a wind. The dark pieces of the monster evaporate one by one in the light of the stone that now rests on the ground where the monster used to be.

Nathaniel helps Pauline to her feet and the attractive dwarven girl sweeps him up in her arms and gives him a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Have at thee!"

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 at monster in E6.

well Captain Edward should make another attack roll, for the beginning of round 5, then Marvin is up, there is one, wounded monster left, Sorry Edward, you did not exceed the DR for the beast on the roll above which I counted as your round 4 attack, okay?

No problem, and the performance continues into round 3.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5, then 5ft. to the right one step.

Marvin assesses the situation and, despite their near-unconsciousness, steps back into the battle and closer to the monster. The strange tattoos on their body glows with a bright light, illuminating the area around them brightly as they slash at it with their dagger.

5-foot step back to the D-6 and using Nanite Surge for a (3+level) bonus to any 1d20 roll. Also makes Marvin glow with light equivalent to a torch for 1 round if that affects anything.

Dagger: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 4 = 17
Damage (Slashing): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Sasithorn continues to observe the every behavior and quirk of these remarkable monsters....

Since they seemed to ignore my ghost sound trick, I try to figure out what, if any, auditory senses these things may possess.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

I move to -G-7, then cast Black Candle (light) on my garb.

"Say, have you heard the Wayang legend of the sojourning oracle and his wondrous monochrome dreamcoat?"

Is it possible to pick up my "light" rock and chuck it at the remaining monster, if not I will throw a regular rock

*Move to E2 or E3 whichever I can and huck a rock at the remaining monster*

Hurl: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Pain: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

Thursday Night (turn 129), outside the Two Barrels tavern

Captain Edward lunges forward and drives his weapon deep into the monster. When He pulls the weapon back he is startled when he sees the wound close up as if nothing has happened, but the attack distracts the monster just long enough for Marvin to step back into the fight without being noticed, and with a slice he severs a tentacle, and then the monster breaks apart in the light and dissolves.

Xor bends down to pick up a rock, buoyed by his previous success, but when he stands up, he sees that there are no more monsters for him to attack, and he drops the rock, casually.

All the monsters are Gone. It is difficult to tell if they were destroyed, or if they were never completely “here” in the first place and the attacks combined with the light drove them back to where they came from

Before the last monster disappears, Sasithorn creeps slightly closer and tries to get a good long look at it.

Tessrimea slides across the ground on her tail and rushes to the fallen serving girl, Holly, and begins to check the girl’s condition.

Paulina lies on the ground breathing deeply through her teeth, as she fights back the pain of the attack that knocked her down.

Nathaniel, looks back and forth from one person to another, the only expression on his face is bewilderment.

Each character receives 225 experience points

It would appear that the danger has ended, and the night is now quiet

*Xor will start triage, if anyone is below zero hp he will spam stabilize, He also has 2 CLW for the ones who are worse off*

Heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"No other hostiles detected," Marvin reports, scanning the area for anything of note. "Insufficient data to conclude whether event is an isolated incident. Recommend moving to a secure location."

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Xor, everyone's only taken non-lethal damage, and that's easily recovered with rest (1*character level HP per hour).

Xor, everyone's only taken non-lethal damage, and that's easily recovered with rest (1*character level HP per hour).

Thank you MARVIN

"She's alive!"

Tess rises up to stand on her single knee and holds he hands out wide.

"Help me carry her back into the tavern, please."

Thursday Night (turn 129), outside the Two Barrels tavern

Marvin is sure he sees something strange for only a moment.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Wot in the blazes is with that girl

"Quarantine recommended."

Smiling at the beast's death, Edward doesn't hesitate to assist, and fails his Perception roll.

to Tess: "Okay, have you seen ANYTHING like these things before? Because I sure as hell haven't!"

"No, sir,"Tess remarks. "But then, I am new to this town, and haven't seen much of the world."

When the Dwarf and the Copper Haired being make strange remarks, she looks around and then says, "What are you talking about. Wait, are you talking to me? I'm so sorry, let me introduce myself. My name is Tessrimea Niessomatt and I am from Loch Rhinna Er’loch Corry, in Drasbia and I am a priestess of Nemaxetas, the Daugther of Xetas, Protector of the Rivers and Lakes of my homeland. I’ve come to this town looking for clues to the whereabouts of my older sister, Shanmerril, who disappeared from our village two years ago.”