The Town of Grundy: A Tale of Meteors, Metal, and Men (Inactive)

Game Master Spacefighters

Bless was cast to add a plus 1 to that attack Judd, not that you needed it i think.

Seeing that the woman is obviously new to drunken brawling, Calli opts to show her how it's done with a quick jab.

"Alright, but don't say we didn't warn ye!"

Unarmed Strike, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

'You have got to be kidding me..' Dion was not amused by this. These people were impeding an investigation for the sake of their merriment, and it was making him angry. "You were warned", he stated simply.
Concentration Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13(SLA: Summon Monster I, Celestial(Clockwork?) Eagle.)

He had long wondered about the appearance of the things that he summoned, especially since his affection towards machinery often seemed to color the things that he reached with his magic. In this case, for this... "ability" of his, he had learned he could call a denizen of the planes to his aid, though what arrived appeared to be more and more machine, as though parts of it were engineered, or perhaps its natural appearance were but a veneer over the machinery, and the stronger he became, so much thinner did that veneer stretch. He had learned that he could summon "natural" looking creatures, but it was taking more effort to do so. Was he seeing closer and closer to the nature of things? Either way, it was an ongoing background project of his.

Of course, in this press of people, it was a question of whether he would be able to manage the.. "sending", if that was a good word for it. The old lady seemed set on injuring his pride, and he could not say better of the others. Perhaps he should pass by his workshop and retrieved the rarely used armor he kept on hand just in case.

If Summoned: "Injure, but do not kill, anyone not wearing a badge in this immediate area", he instructed.

Preemptive round two, hope you don't mind.

"Now you've done it." Marconis says angrily, as claws extend from his fingertips. Lashes out at the elf that hit him. "BACK OFF!"

2 Claws: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Celen raises his beautifully carved wooden rose high into the air, and a soft, subtle light will wash over his fellow deputies. All those within that light feel a strong sense of hope well up from deep within them, guiding their attacks against any injustice.

Judd's jaw will painlessly pop back into place through his faith in community and the blessing of his god. Judd will reel back and expertly work his hammer underneath the jaw of the belligerent farmer. Muscles tensing, he will thrust his hammer high into the air, sending the helpless farmer tumbling back, literally blowing him yards across the street into the grease created by Dion. The Farmer will hit the grease and continue on, sliding already unconscious across the dirt. Proclaiming the hit as a playful tap, the two men currently struggling in the grease will look turn to look at the man blown 30 feet back and will promptly stay completely still, unwilling to see how far they'd fly if the mason was to go all out. Unfortunately, while a small crowd has gathered around to watch the fight, none of the other drunks attacking the deputies seems to have noticed.

Callie's inexperienced foe strikes through Callie's guard, her opponent shoots backwards and opens her mouth to taunt the deputy, but finds that her mouth is swollen shut, the right side of her face heavily bruised. Callie's jab, so quick she didn't even notice, was so fast and sharp the Kellish woman's face swelled instantly, and when Callie shrugs off her blow and is clearly ready for more her opponent clearly begins to reconsider this fight.

As a heads up about all and future summoning, Summon Monster spells are quite useful and powerful (the Spell-like Ability even more so) and as a result I am much more strict on their usage. Command isn't mental, you need to be able to speak to it in a language it understands, and the creatures are limited by their stats, an animal with 2 intelligence isn't going to be able to pull it's punches. With animals you're restricted to the basic actions under handle animal (attack, down, fetch, etc.) you just tell them what to do. So while you'll be able to accomplish your action of getting the eagle to attack, you'll have to command it to stop (the same thing essentially but I feel the distinction is important).

That said I would totally be willing to come up with a "Clockwork" template for your summons to replace the standard celestial or fiendish, I think that'd be cool.

Dion begins pulling through the planar barriers, his hands working as if winding a clock. But between the wild off-key singing of the woman who is obviously a few tines short of a cog, and her eerily well aimed punches, his concentration is shot and the creature he was drawing forth fails to appear.

Marconis's hands grow longer taking on a reddish hue and his nails lengthen into jet black claws, all in the span of a heart-beat. He takes two fast slashes at the drunken Elf, whose torso opens in a fountain of blood. The Elf collapses to the ground screaming, his life-force ebbing away.

Several among the onlookers who were cheering for the deputies begin shouting in horror and anger. Instantly the drunken rabble around you changes, these people who were only lashing out because they were scared and unsure in these dark times (probably why so many people where already plastered in the afternoon). And while they were assaulting law officials and impeding an investigation, they apparently still felt some measure of safety in knowing that their misdeeds would probably only result in a couple nights in jail and a damned good shiner or bruise on the head. But after seeing Marconis nearly eviscerate the down on his luck slob, the people around you experience an anger born of fear. The drunks will stop fighting, surrendering to whatever punishment you may give, and though bottles, rocks, and insults are thrown, the crowd disperses and the brawl is over.

More coming later, I apologize, something suddenly came up

Marconis, kneels down by the elf he nearly gutted, applying pressure to the wounds to help stop the bleeding. "Sorry friend," he said genuinely apologetic, "I lost myself. Judd, can you help him, please?"

Judd moves forward and lays his hands upon the man downed by Marconis, "Right had enough of behaving like shameful children have we? You can all be better than this, and you know you can! Now some of you run fetch help from the temple, or else get those that can be got, to the temple. Maybe its because I am a lunk headed fool, but I cannot think of a good reason why you would get in the way of people trying to stop murders and other ills in your town. If someone is out to help me, my family, and my friends, I would be downright ashamed to get in there way. Can one of you explain it to me? Use small words."

Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"Milani, grant this misguided folk some small aides and comfort." Celen began a pulse of positive energy bursting forth from him bathing all in its range in a holy light
channel energy: 1d6 ⇒ 1

"Shall we get back to the crime scene then?
He asked as he saw that the paladin was already tending to the fallen man, so his goddess given abilities woudlnt be needed there. Leaving the possible arrests to the regular deputies not the ones who had been possied together he made his way torwards the crime scene searching for any clue. He pulled out a dagger and channeled the inner energies within himself to cast daylight on the object the jumped up slightly stabbing into wall a bit away from the scene hoping the much brighter light might make details of the scene

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Though they were only out for a few second, the Redson brothers will come too, rising shakily to their feet. They'll be understandably mad for a while, ranting and cursing at the strangers and residents alike who gave them a beating. After cooling down a bit Mic and Dan will tie up the 12 or so drunks who assaulted you all (almost beating the old Hawks Tavern Brawl record) with some of the wire from the posts.

"Got dang m&@$%! f*!@^$%* tourists! Harris get on yer damned feet, shoot you should know better than this, ya got yer family ta think about!"

Mic will yell at a still groggy farmer. Thankfully Celen's invocation was more than enough to bring everyone back to consciousness, nearly everyone of them now much sober than they had been seconds before. Judd's honest reprimanding will spur several of the lookey-lou's to action, and several of the sober individuals who watched the brawl will volunteer to take the Elf to the temple, even though Judd's healing hands seem to have patched him up. White-faced and seemingly newly sober, the Elf will call back to Marconis as he is being lead away.

"Oh dear... uhm, I am sorry about that good fellow."

In all the confusion, the drunk Ratfolk seems to have run into the alley, pulled down his pants and promptly fell asleep, snoring loudly. Finally, after a few minutes the street seems to settle back down to normal, seedy and shady characters still watch you all closely (including the proprietors of the two bars, who seem wary of any crimes they might be accused of) but they seem much more wary of you now.

The object of your trek to Skiff Street lies before you, the brawl before, though hectic and chaotic, is nothing compared to the scene that lies within. A passing glance will tell you that Kalhil was attacked by something incredibly strong, but limber enough to lift a grown man and literally rake him across the walls and floor of the alley. Black, dried blood still smeared in lines along the dirt road and the (surprisingly) sturdy walls of the two bars. There is also a large section of the alley floor that is cratered in, and at the center of that crater is where most of what kept Kalhil alive was found, according to the report.

Thankfully, you'll have plenty of time to examine the scene with no interuptions. Feel free to give me whatever knowledges or skills you would find applicable (including rolling a twenty with your BaB if you wish) and we'll see what you can find out.

Knowledge wall incoming
kn.arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
kn.nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
kn.planes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
kn.religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Marconis will give the elf a nod at his apology, accompanied by his usual friendly smile, then step into the ally. "Ok, lets see what we have here."
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Kn-Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Not satisfied with what little, if any information he gathers, Marconis begins covering the area looking for other clues.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Given that there were already two of them examining the immediate area, Dion did not want to crowd them, so instead he set to looking about for things that were not related to the body. If this was able to do this to a full-grown man, then it had to be corporeal. Unless it was able to fly, it exerted force, and force meant weight-- which means there should have been tracks or traces. Not that he was all that adept at reading them, however. Still, the evidence or lack thereof would present them with information that would let them narrow down things.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"Incidentally, I talked to one of the lot that makes a game of taking things from my workshop when they think I'm not looking. The inn is something they avoid, and he mentioned something about 'making them see bug-people'." Standing up, he took in the scene as a whole, not entirely certain about the procedure for investigation. He did, however, wait for the others to get their first looks before moving towards the asleep ratkin. "I'll move him. Is there any lingering magic? Noticing something like that was never something I learned to do."

"Sadly, it is a spell that has not come to me. Celen, can you see if there are traces of magic auras lingering?"

Celen's eyes widened for a moment and he nodded, "My wife would never let me hear the end of this i think, You mentioned the inn someone there making them see bug people?" He cast the spell to detect magic focusing intently down the alleyway.
"My daughter has been getting bad night terrors about bug men, it is certainly high on my list of priorities to find out more." He added lowly.

In light of the events of the past few minutes, Calli turns to Marconis. "Awright, I'll admit that trick of years is damned impressive but next time use a lighter touch unless they're fer sure meaning to beat yer brains in; Letka'll have -us- in one 'o them cells if we start killin' every idiot that picks a fight."

With that said, she turns her attention to scouring the alleyway for clues.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

She looks up at the nearby rooftops, wondering if the attacker could have come from or retreated to there.

Climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

In the beginning the investigation is very frustrating, with few conclusions or even clues. But as you each take in the scene and begin a discourse, working through the problems in turn, you begin to draw results.

The problems of this scene are two-fold. How did such a savage attack occur with no one being the wiser, and how was the attack accomplished. Were this attack perpetrated by a giant, or one of the river Merrow that attack from time to time the evidence would be clear and plentiful, however there are no tracks that would indicate a creature of significant size coming into the area. And the way the body was thrown about suggests a great deal of precision. Pressing the body hard enough into the walls of the two buildings to leave trails, but not damage the walls themselves or make significant noise is quite a feat, one that you all assume would be impossible for your previous suspects. Attempts to discern if magic was used for the crime come up empty, which is good, if there were an aura still lingering this long after the crime it would be a powerful spell indeed.

It's not until Calli leaps expertly onto the rooftop of Mangrove's Magnificent Mansion that the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together. Atop the bar, Calli will notice something highly unusual. In addition to a section of the roof that has been slightly deformed, hidden on the pitch-soaked roof boards is an unusual slime. Closer examination shows that some creature, who was heavy enough the deform the wood but light enough not to go crashing through the ceiling perched on top of this roof where it left some unusual, foul-smelling clear slime or mucus behind.

Together, walking through the steps, you all can determine that this crater was not in fact the last attack, but the first. Whatever creature it was that attacked Kalhil, reached down from atop the building and slammed poor Kalhil with enough force to kill him instantly. It then, assuming it still had hold of what was left of him, proceeded to drag his corpse along both walls. The action of dragging the corpse is unusual, and while Letka's assessment of a 'sign' of some sort is probably correct, something feels... almost malicious about the way the body was treated.

One unusual fact that Calli will spot from her high perch is that while your assessment is probably correct, there would be no way for an arm, no matter how large, to drag the body in such a manner. It would have to be something much more flexable.

Of course none of this explains how this act was carried out with such secrecy. While there are a plethora of spells and abilities to hide from other's senses, this crime would have taxed the limits of such spells to the extreme. Unless you giant noodle-armed master assassin is also a powerful Illusion specialist, there must be something else in play.

Judd nods at Kalli's words, running a hand self consciously through his mane of golden hair as he says, "It is our role to protect this town, and that includes these people, even when they are acting addled. Though we can be thankful this turned out well enough, we probably all ought to pick up some saps."

He examines the scene with careful deliberation, checking the stonework he knows so well, and trying to imagine how any fight might have played out.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
BAB: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
K Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Craft Stonemasonry: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

"I am all for getting a sap. I would not want my darker side bringing harm to any citizens here, if I can avoid it," Marconis says to Calli and Judd. Turning his thoughts more toward the entire group, "I am coming up with nothing on what this could be, we need a scholar, and a good one."

Judd can add a few insights into the attack itself. Judging from the way Kalhil was attacked, the murder seems premeditated. This was no spontaneous crime, the creature clearly knew this alley was out of the way enough to avoid getting spotted while the deed was being done, but in view enough for the body to easily be found. The way the body was dragged along the walls almost feels like a... warning of sorts. A clear mark that this creature could kill an experienced fighter like Kalhil with ease.

There might be more to be found in the surrounding area, or more clues to be garnered by speaking with the regulars and proprietors of the two close establishments. There are also the other three crime scenes to visit.

"Do one of ya'll that knows 'bout alchemy and magic wanna sample 'o this slimey stuff to look at?" Calli calls down from the roof.

Judd shakes his head smiling ruefully, "Not me Calli, you know me stone and other stones are my only areas of expertise. I'm going to go and talk with some of our more intoxicated citizens see if I cannot get something useful out of them."

Moving back to the taverns Judd seeks the half orc he floored, but otherwise settles for addressing a small crowd,

"Seems you folks have seen some scary stuff, well the only well to deal with it is to deal with it, and to do that we need to know what you saw. If we don't stop this its not likely to stop, and I do not like thinking who could be next, will you help me? Tell me what you know please."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"Slimey stuff? indeed I would like to take a look at that. the Aasimar cleric and sorcerer called up amazed at how quickly the deputy had shimmered up the walls to get a better look. He for a moment felt a pang of pity. He might enjoy this sort of thing,trying to figure out what happened here and the like, except the worry for his daughter kept gnawing at him.

"I will go with to the other tavern, maybe i can get something from the owner," Marconis says to Judd. Turning to Calli, "Not sure I know much about slime, but I am very interested in hearing what Celen comes up with."

I approach the tavern owner, "Good day friend, would you be willing to talk about the tragic murder that recently transpired just outside your establishment? Any information you can give would be, most helpful."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Speaking with the few people milling about the street in the aftermath of the brawl will prove pretty fruitless. Most of them don't seem to know much about the events that transpired, and many of them are new to town, having arrived afterwards. Eventually your inquiries will lead you to none other than Felben Mangrove. Felben is thin man with long greasy hair and small mustache. His signature mauve cape is draped dramatically across his shoulders with it's high collar perfectly tapered across his face. His bar is gilded in the kinds of faux arcane trappings that only someone who knows nothing about magic would use. His tables piled high with old animal skulls adorned with candles, and thick incense sticks cloyingly in the air, Mangrove peers out from beneath the shadows of his cloak in an obviously practiced manner.

"So, you wish to know about the night of the murder? Well, allow for me to pull back the mundane veil!"

Mangrove will wave his hand vigorously over a glass ball with a large tip jar next to it. After several minutes of Judd staring blankly at him, Mangrove will cough and continue,

"Ahem, yes well, that night was rather busy. As you well know, I always do my utmost to help the noble efforts of your... exuberant mother. However the night in question, much like the past few weeks, have been extremely busy, so busy I have not even had time speak to anyone but my suppliers let alone the poor victim. I would, uh, divine the answer with my incredible arcane powers, but as I said, I am unfortunately very busy."

Your initial Diplomacy is enough to worm some very unusual information from the wanna-be wizard.

When you inevitably bring up any unusual noise that must have occurred during the murder, Mangrove begins to act very strangely. After thinking intently about the night in question, Felben will hesitantly respond.

"Yes well... there were pebbles clip knife."

Staring back as if the question was fully answered, Mangrove will appear confused when you question his babbling.

"What? Of course, that's what I said, that night there were several tubes gripple non-septis. Ablicore query pop tippy-t-t-t..."

Suddenly Feblen will cry out, holding his head as if in incredible pain. When he looks up, there will be a small amount of blood dripping from his nose and he'll look around as if he's incredibly confused.

"Ah, um... so, you wish to know about the night of the murder? Well, allow for me to pull back the mundane veil..."

Felben will stagger over to his glass ball and begin hesitantly waving his hands.

-

I couldn't help but notice that the equipment section in your alias doesn't have any gear, I'm assuming you have a portable alchemist kit.

Celen Craft: Alchemy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

This thick clear slime seems somewhat familiar, and upon closer examination your simple test reveals that your hypothesis is correct. This fluid closely resembles the lubricating fluid secreted by earthworms.

-

Marconis finds his way into Gar's bar, and is inevitably lead towards the proprietor in a long string of people passing the buck. Eventually, your search ends in Gar's large kitchen, where he sits upon a large table sliding glasses down it's length that he fills with a large keg he holds in one muscular arm. The dwarf is short but stocky, as many of his kind are, and his impressive biceps are on display due to the sleeves he cut off of an old smithing shirt. He wears a somewhat absurd apron with the words "Don't pinch the Barmaid" stiched on in flowery letters. His wide sullen face is offset by the small shades pieces of glass he wears strung up near his eyes, a relic from his short-lived adventuring days. Gar growls orders to the angry barwench stewing cabbage on his tiny stove, and it's only thanks to Marconis's smooth talking that the crabby dwarf speaks to him at all.

"Oh sure, I suppose I know a bit o' what yer talkin' aboot, but ah, these days me memory inna so..."

He is quickly interrupted by a shifty gnome, who reaveals that it was in fact Marconis who nearly gutted one of the drunken brawlers out front. Looking surprised at the thin human, Gar will cough several times and begin again.

"Aha, what was I gettin' on aboot? Ah right, ye were talkin' about tha other night there. Whell see I was doin' what I usually do, seein' as how I own a home, not a bar. I was havin' some people over, and I was giving some gifts o' beer, AS IS MY GODS GIVEN RIGHT DAMNIT, and I was maybe acceptin' a few bits o' gold as gifts, but then there was this belly muppit nolffin caspit."

Your Diplomacy check is enough to get him to speak more about his weird nonsense.

Upon further probing of this weird outburst, Gar seems very hesitant about just what happened, and thinking harder about the incident seems to bring him great pain.

"There were elephant banana piles, exhuming number willows!"

Blood will begin coloring Gar's short dark mustache as it dribbles from his nose, and the large cask will drop from his grasp.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Not quite sure what to make of the strange ramblings, Marconis will take a moment to think about the randomness of Gar's statement. What could he be thinking? He seems a proud dwarf, this is not the kind of thing a dwarf would do on purpose, is it? Marconis looks around as if trying to detect an outside force interfering with Gar.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Judd rises and places a consoling hand upon Feblen's shoulder, "Do not worry Feblen, you should get some rest, cannot have you manipulating powers of the magnitude you possess while not in top shape. If you hear, or learn anything you think might be helpful please let us know."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Earthworms? Have the Graboids come to Grundy?

Feeling satisfied that Judd, Marconis and Celen have their respective endeavors well in-hand, Calli will examine the rooftops further, attempting to figure out where their murderer might have come from - whether from another rooftop or perhaps somewhere else.

Who or whatever did this, I sure hope they can't fly!

Dion remained outside, looking at the scene after removing the ratfolk, which more consisted of him dragging just outside of the cordoned area and tried to gain a sense of things. For him, it was more spatial relations of things, and enough presence of mind to note the relevant details, but there was little that he could do that the others were not doing already.

While you aren't sure exactly what is going on with Gar, it's clear he doesn't realize he is babbling, and trying to remember the incident brings him great pain. While you aren't quite sure if he is telling the truth, this does remind you of stories you have heard of minds being heavily effected by magic. Normally such enchantment spells require incredible precision, as humanoid minds a delicate complex things, but there are a few such spells that purposefully ignor such precision, and are intended to cause confusion and even insanity. While these spells are normally random, this could go a long way towards explaining how this murder was carried out with such secrecy. If whatever creature this was could cause memory loss, it could literally move throughout town with impunity.

-

Calli begins looking around on the roof while Dion begins searching around for the beginning of this puzzle. Both circle around the house, and find themselves dozens of yards from Skiff Street, where the town gives way to the hills south, and the green river grass gives way to its much taller hardier cousin. You both find evidence of that unusual slime, as well as an old trail working through the grass, made by some enormous low bodied creature. If your geography serves, a few miles in this direction is the Tannery house where Dirk was murdered.

Totally Graboids, you nailed it. Any second now Kevin Bacon is gonna come shooting outta nowhere and then everyone is in trouble!

If this is magic, knowing the strength of the spell could give us some idea of the power of this threat.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
"Thank you Gar, for your cooperation. Do try to get some rest, you look tired."
Marconis will head back outside to share this information with the others.

A grunt was Dion's offering to his opinion of what they found. If things kept increasing in oddity, he might take up smoking. He looked at the trail looking ahead to see what direction it led, then glanced at Calli to see what she was thinking. "I'm going to have to get a club, at least", he said, more to himself. While he was at it, he was probably going to have to grab one of his finer tool kits, but he was really at a loss as to what this may have been.

Is Calli older than Dion's 19? What time of day is it?

As long as kevin bacon is followed by Reba macintyre and that arsenal of guns they had im good with it.

Watching the others go about their business gave Celen time to think, unfortunately his thoughts didnt give him much of a clue at all. Some sort of worm like creature, immensely strong perhaps didnt add up to him at all. Perhaps at the ohter sites something might suddenly provide a hint to make things snap into place.

"I am honestly confused about all this, perhaps something at one of the other sites will jar something... any chance we can have you two continue to watch this site for just a bit longer in case we have to come back?"

He asked the two twins whom were here guarding when they arrived.

You all can meet up next to the hidden trail leading south. Though many clues have been found, they perhaps raise more questions than answers, and it might be time to move on to the next crime scene.

It's about 2:00 in the afternoon, plenty of time to head out to either crime scene, and to grab some equipment beforehand.

Unfortunately, the Redson brothers left to drop off the drunk and disorderlies at Grundy's jail, though you all are confident you got what you needed from the crime scene.

So where to? South to the Tannery, or east to the Crash site?

isay follow the slime trail. But that might be me. Maybe we can something aling the way?

Marconis looks to the group, "What do you say, south to the tannery then east to the crash site? Or would you all like to view the crash site first?"

Judd taps his chin with a finger, "Well if we cannot follow this slime trail then the tannery makes most sense to my mind. Feblen just started talking gobbeldigook - more so than usual."

"Gobbledigook? I should have brought my daughter than.. she is fluent in that tongue."
He said with a slight smile though it disapeared quickly into a frown.It seemed even the good memories or thoughts were quickly replaced with the images of his precious one utterly terrorfied of night terrors. He replaced the equipment in his satchel, ready to move on to the next site.

Dion was thoughtful, looking at the trail, then to Marconis, frowning in thought. "Due to my --ehem-- 'reluctance' in viewing the bodies, I have to ask if there is still a benefit in seeing the other crime scenes.. Is there not?" The trail was a tempting thing, but the crash would always be there, since he had not known crashed things to rise again without some outside intervention.

He was thinking that they were dealing with several different things that may have caused the deaths, and he was hoping that the mention of "bug-men" was something else entirely. With all the information that they had obtained so far, he was feeling like he was in over his head, but he kept on. "One problem at a time", he had been taught, so the question was "Which problem is the most pressing?"

"To the tannery then, we should hurry along so as to not waste our daylight."

Even just reading the dossier you can tell that something far outside the norm has happened with these murders, and any clues you can garner would be helpful.

South of Grundy the Echo wood butts up against the West Sellen river, and a few businesses and craftsmen have made their homes there, despite the proximity to the old Merrow infested fortress just a mile or two south. The Mill, relying on a slower section of the mighty West Sellen lies down here, as well the Lumbermill, and of course the Tannery, who uses the tannins in the tree bark to tan the towns leather (which only makes it marginally less horrific smelling). As the rough grass makes way the shrubs and small trees that mark the entrance to the forest the already surprisingly faint trail becomes almost impossible to follow, it's difficult to tell if you all have lost it or not when suddenly you come across one of the most unusual sights you've ever seen.

In a small thirty foot clearing is the strangest bear you have ever seen, the large creature is as far as you can tell attempting a handstand, which it continually fails. If you heard of this on the street you might laugh, but seeing it in person just brings a sense of pity. The animal has obviously gone mad, it stops hand-standing and begins making the strangest noises you've ever heard an animal make, some of them sound hauntingly like common. The creature looks ill, it's small eyes are red and bloodshot, it's hide is patchy from malnourishment. Suddenly it ceases it's strange noises and with incredible fury it begins to attack a small tree, stripping it bare and ripping it from it's roots in seconds. It suddenly becomes apparent that dotting the small clearing are the recent corpses of small animals, all hacked to pieces. Finally noticing you all, the mad creature begins crab-walking in your direction, foam pouring from it's jaw as it barks at you like a dog.

No map for this one, it's nice and simple.
-You all are in a line, 20 feet away from the bear.
-The insane grizzly is in the center if a 30 foot clearing, any movement outside the circle is through difficult terrain.
-The bear is large, any movement through it's threat will provoke.
-Due to the bear being a few pages short of a spellbook, you all will receive a surprise round (Standard or a Move), before actual rounds begin, and since you won initiative please take both actions in your posts.
-Your Turns

Surprise round.
Cast 'Grease' under the bear. Ref save DC 16 or fall prone.

Normal round.
Fire Light Crossbow
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d8 ⇒ 2
Dang these dice.

since it worked so well the first time
armor check: 1d100 ⇒ 84high good
Celen Startles slipping to the side his hands reaching up already moving in an intricate weave, the end of his gesture makes it look like he is 'throwing' a coruscating light grey ray at his target.

ranged touch ray: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
STRdamage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

eessh these damage rolls are bad oh -1 to hit and damage isnt nothing at least

Presuming it will not provoke until its turn since it ought to be flatfooted? Using the charge as a standard action if you only have a standard available in the surprise round.

Judd charges the creature swinging his hammer and calling upon the might of Grundinnar to aid his hammer.

Using Smite evil, if not evil to hits are 18 and 21 and damage 14 and 10. If evil AC becomes 20 vs it.

Earthbreaker: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 22 Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 + 3 = 17
Earthbreaker: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 4 = 25 Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 + 3 = 13

Marconis waves his hands and what appears to be a slick pool of blood pours under the creature's feet. Standing up on it's hind legs to bellow, the animal loses it's footing and crashes to the ground, it immense weight shaking the ground as it does.

Celen's spell lances across the heavy muscles in the animal's back, and though through the fur you can see them begin to spasm, the area affected seems small indeed. If that spell was cast in the surprise round you still have a whole turn to take Celen

Though the creature's mind has been clouded with madness, it's alignment remains nuetral, and Judd's righteous calling has no effect on the creature, though his hammer is another matter. Bravely charging the dangerous creature, his large earthbreaker will score home several times, but the large animal only seems angered by the blows. It has combat reflexes, not that it mattered when it's on it's butt and you partial charged in the surprise round

Holding on Calli and Dion, you guys might be able to down this thing without it getting an action...

Just as before when they dealt with the drunken mob, Calli decides to start things off right by taking a drink from her hip flask. She wipes her mouth and moves to engage the bear in combat; as she does so it almost seems as though her movements are bolstered by the alcohol rather than hindered. She draws back and strikes, aiming for vital nerves.

Stunning Fist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Drinking as a standard action for the surprise round. Round 1 is a movement to the bear, using the drunken ki point to gain a +4 to AC for one round as a swift action and then making a Stunning Fist attack as a standard action. Assuming she hit, the bear needs to make a DC 14 Fort save or be stunned for 1 round.

Did.... did she just punch a bear? The aasimar thought to himself blinking incrediously. He could think of a lot of things that were incredible punching a feral and obviously diseased or something simularly nasty bear was certainly up.
He stepped forward in case one of them got hurt badly with the bear, he wanted to keep his healing close at hand.
"What in the love of nature is wrong with that thing?" he asked as he closed to the two deputies.

Rushing up after taking a large swig of her flask, Calli cold-cocks the insane creature in it's dry cracked nose, which causes it's breathing to come out in a rasping wease. The bear's eyes roll back into it's head, and the animal's tongue lolls out as it sprawls around completely out of it's senses.
Lol, good one

Dion watched the group work, and was surprised. He was mildly concerned about not having any offensive options short of pulling another clockwork creature through the aether, but thought the better of it as the group acted. Crossbows were not quite his style, but a method of doing damage that was not reliant on his magic seemed very attractive right now. His armor and other gear had gathered dust for so long in his workshop, he wondered if it was even where he left it. Instead, he waited, Calli was in the vicinity of the creature, but if it came at the others, or got a hold on her, he was going to do what he could to make sure that the situation changed quickly.

"There seems to be a running trend of things acting abnormal around here.. Even by simple deduction, I am not liking what we have not yet found yet."

_____________________
Delay Action to Reassess, depending on what the bear does
If Calli is grappled by the bear, GreaseDC14 on Calli
If the Bear charges the others, GreaseDC14 on the area it is entering.

The bear's wheezing turns to pathetic whimpering, and just as quickly turns to strange screeching cries. The insane animal rolls around lazily, clearly disoriented by Calli's blow.
The bear is prone and stunned (until Calli takes her action).
Your Turns