To Rule the Razor! (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

Just for the record here, you are 99.99% sure the Hiwani females are NOT the former crew members of the Dulcimer.

Jacinth steps away from the hiwani and sends another arrow into its arm while Aikane's bolt strikes much deeper into its side, causing it to shriek in pain.

Oren's spell echoes throughout the campsite, causing the already badly wounded to scream in agony. It sinks to the ground, hands clutching its head before falling unconscious.

Fort save DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 fail.
1d3 ⇒ 2

Claw #1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21; damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Claw #2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26; damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19; damage: 1d4 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (4) = 11
1d3 ⇒ 2

The remaining hiwani steps in front of Nefertiti and slashes at the priestess tearing several long gashes into her arm and side. When the creatures bite sinks into her arm, Nefertiti feels pain and also her willpower being drained from her, like nothing she has felt before. Also she feels an overwhelming sense of drowsiness wash over her...Nef takes 25 points of damage and 4 points of Wisdom damage. She also must make a DC 13 Will save (with a +2 for her protection vs evil spell) or fall asleep.

Round 2: Jacinth, Aikane, Oren, Hiwanis, 'Lani, Dancers, Nefertiti, Wedjat, Reknar, Rata Fenn.

Four points of wisdom damage!?! There goes my spell casting. I'm stuck like this. For the entire adventure. Because I can't cast lesser restoration anymore. Crap.
______________________

Nef watches the pregnant hiwani go down, horrified. We can't do this! Can't slaughter the unborn. These were human!

But all these noble thoughts die as the bite hits.

Will Save, Nefertiti: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23 Will save is now +5 due to lowered wisdom

Horus, help me!

Nef screams.... just screams, wordlessly, as all her divine power is torn from her. She feels raped, defiled, lost... and all of that comes out in that one scream.

Ride (Fast Mount?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Tears streaming down her face, she leaps aboard Wedjat. Guiding Wedjat with her knees to fly her out of there and does the only thing she still can in combat, she begins a bardic performance. "We have not begun to fight! You will DIE for this!"

+3 to attack and damage

Nef is preparing to wheel back and charge the hiwani who did this to her.

Kraken, with Wingover and Fly-by Attack, will Wedjat be able to charge this round, or will we have to wait to the next one?

FYI Nef, The WIS damage does NOT affect any memorized spells. According to the PRD:

Damage to your Wisdom score causes you to take penalties on Wisdom-based skill checks and Will saving throws. This penalty also applies to any spell DCs based on Wisdom.

So Nef does not lose the Lesser Restoration spell, BUT the DC does decrease for it.

PS: Since I shortchanged Wedjat actions the previous round, I will allow Wedjat to charge here on this round.

Wedjat doesn't understand what just happened, but he heard Nef's scream and knows that she was hurt. He charges the one who bit Nef.

"SCREEEEE!"

NO ONE HURTS MY NEF!

Powerful Charge: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 25
Damage: 4d6 + 20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 6) + 20 + 1 + 2 = 40

Right Talon: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 14

Left Talon: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 11

Bite: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 10

He shreds the hiwani, hoping that this will make his Nef okay again.

Round 2_____

Ke' popped a catalyst into a bomb and threw it at one of the worshippers next to the statue.
bomb throw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
It explodes, doing 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6 points fire to the red zone and 6 points to everyone in the orange zone.
"Damn fizzles..." he grumped at the minimum damage.

I kid you not, the woman tried dancing with them. It was as straight laid a back-alley stab-em-up as any after that.

'Lani sends one of his patented cocktail mixtures at another of the dancers. The fiery blast causes him to collapse to the ground curled into a fetal position. He is soon joined by the other dancers to collapse almost as if they are marionettes with their strings cut.

Wedjat wheels up several yards and in a burst of speed dives onto the hiwani savaging it without mercy. Few creatures could withstand such a ferocious assault and the creature is no exception. Truly it did not stand a chance.

As the eagle lands next to his master, the sounds of the battle fade into silence save for the whimpers coming from the ex-dancers.

COMBAT OVER.

Still trembling, Nefertiti lands and immediately starts checking the two wounded dancers for damage. Are they still alive? If so, she pulls out the wand to help them first.

CLW Wand on magic missile dancer: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW Wand on magic missile dancer: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
CLW Wand on bombed dancer: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Three charges marked off.

Then she looks at the shredded remains of the pregnant hiwani and just collapses to her knees, sobbing.

"Is everyone alright? Nef, heal yourself...that thing seemed to get you pretty good.". At seeing the cleric sobbing, Oren moves to her, slightly unsure of what to say. "Now Nef, you'll be okay. Stay strong for the rest of the group now. We need you in control. Take a few deep breaths, and see if you feel any better."

At Oren’s words, Nef takes a deep breath and wipes her face.

Strong. She's a strong person, isn't she? Or at least, she's supposed to be.

She looks down at the gaping claw marks on her body as if they're somehow less relevant to her than her real wounds. "Oh yes, I guess they hurt me that way too."

Cure Moderate Wounds on Self: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 5 = 9

She feels a little better, maybe even a bit more capable of talking about what had happened to her. "The hiwani's bite... it doesn't just cause you to sleep. It saps will, Oren. She sapped my will! It’s like she reached in and ripped part of my soul away." Suddenly, she feels anger, and a little of her old fire comes into her eyes. "That’s how they controlled these poor children... They won’t get away with this."

CLW Wand on Self: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW Wand on Self: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW Wand on Self: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW Wand on Self: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Feeling mostly better, she looks over at Jacinth. "Come here, Kaiku. Let's take care of you too."

CLW Wand on Jacinth: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW Wand on Jacinth: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW Wand on Jacinth: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I marked 7 more charges off the wand.

Then she straightens her back, and looks to Jacinth. ”I want to see if I can get back some of what they took from me. May I have fifteen minutes to pray to my god?”

"Take your time. We need you as strong as you can be."

While Nef takes her time, preparing herself, Oren walks to the others. "At least we have an idea what fate Jacinth's friends might suffer. We need to find them and get them out of here before those demons try that on them. If they almost broke Nef, I'm really worried about how those kids could stand up to them."

Nef nods to Oren and grabs Jacinth's hand. "Kaiku, you need to look over your friends, see how they're doing and figure out which boy is missing. Is it Maximilian, Joshua or Tordell?"

Then she releases Jacinth's hand to see to her own wounds, the ones rent deep into her soul. She concentrates, garbing herself once again in modest robes. Taking herself to a sunny spot in the clearing, she hopes that Horus can still hear her. Shakily, she raises a feather in the air and prays. She empties her mind, thinking only of Horus, allowing her thoughts to fly upward into the boundless sky.

15 minutes later, if she's allowed to complete her meditation...

"Horus, Lord of Two Horizons, if you can hear me in this unholy place, please grant me the light of your righteous justice. Please return to me the missing part of my soul!"

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 4

And then she hears the beat of eagle's wings, and feels a warming light that starts from within and blossoms outward. It can only be the love of her god.

Unfortunately, something will happen that interrupts the meditation before Nefertiti can recover her spell.

As Nefertiti starts her meditation, she feels the comforting presence of her deity in her soul promising succor from her recent ordeal. As she continues to meditate, other thoughts intrude on her springing unbidden to her mind.

Disturbing thoughts...and erotic ones.

She sees herself dancing back in the harem where she grew up, dressed in a revealing silk dress and dancing wildly prostrating herself in front of...Senegar??

As a part of her mind watches horrified, she sees herself press up against him, her hands encircling his waist, her lips meeting his...

The rest of you also experience visions...very erotic ones. Jacinth sees herself dancing with one of her friends at a social gala, her body pressed tightly against him...As she looks at Rata Fenn's face the glazed look of desire on his face shows he is also experiencing these thoughts. Oren sees himself back at Port Shaw, laying on his back with his favorite brothel's walls surrounding him

'Lani sees himself walking purposefully, his legs whole again. Aikane sees himself devoured by a devilfish, its mouth three times the size of himself. Reknar sees himself lying in a pool of his own blood, the former members of his Badger squad lying dead and dying all around him.

While the visions do not fade completely they are soon joined by the voice of something...ancient...and evil. All of you hear it echoing in your mind.

"Sooo, you have found my altar. My place of worship! The seat of my power! Welcome, my friends, to Dolentla Island. I am Hawanapoki your lord and master. I know why you are here. You wish to recover those who are marooned here against their will. I shall give you a choice here: Leave Dolentla Island with your friends alive and unharmed, with one condition — to leave one man and one woman from the Dulcimer behind and never return...or stay here as thralls to my every whim!" As the voice finishes You are all bombarded with images of yourselves dancing frenetically in front of the altar mixed in with images of you all coupling with one another.

Time check 1150, Day 7.

Very good post, dm. Spooky!

Oren had to admit, he was enjoying his bit of a vision. It'd been a bit since he had enjoyed the more adult hobby. It was all good, until that awful voice eked into his brain. That snapped him immediately out of his momentary reverie.

He shook his head to clear all the imagery out of his mind. This wasn't healthy...this was evil. He looked around to make sure everyone was still safe.

"I trust I'm not the only one that heard that, and saw those things? This Hawanapoki is a really bad thing. He might be more powerful than the lot of us. Maybe a couple of your friends want to stay here, Jacinth? Nah, I didn't think so."

Any knowledge skill tell me more about Hawanapoki?

"Oh yes, I heard it." Nef shakes herself, drawing her clothes almost unconsciously to cover herself more. Interesting that her vision was about Senegar, not Zem... Perhaps the demon couldn't emulate true love. She grips Jacinth's shoulder and catches the girl's eye reassuringly before speaking.

"Hawanapoki, before we answer you... Let me get this straight. You want us to leave just one of these girls here and take everyone else away?"

Untrained Bluff, Secret Message Jacinth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Agreed. Great GM post.

As the sounds of combat fade away, Jacinth slowly lowers her bow. She gazes around the clearing, taking in the sight - the whimpering, cowering dancers, Nef on her knees and sobbing, the three hiwani splayed lifeless on the ground. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she draws her hand over her eyes before turning to look at the others. "I am fine," she murmurs as Oren moves to see to the distraught priestess. "Just a scratch. Rata, Reknar, thank you for...having my back," she continues, taking another deep breath as she struggles to keep her composure in the face of everything that just occurred. Glancing in the general direction of where she supposes Aikane might be, she gives a nod as well.

I am glad Oren is here...I think she needs to hear from him more than myself or any of the rest of us right now.

Once Nef seems to have pulled herself together somewhat, Jacinth nods quietly and offers her arm to the priestess as she touches the wand to her wounds. "Of course you may, Nef...take what time you need. The rest of us need to see to the dancers and keep an eye out for more trouble," she replies to Nef's seeking permission to meditate. As the priestess walks a short distance away, she turns her attention back to the whimpering men and women on the ground. She is loath to draw closer to them, afraid of what she might find...have they been done irreparable harm? And if so, how can she face their families...or her uncle? And who is missing?

Her worrying is interrupted by the sudden onslaught of unsettling and erotic thoughts that bombard her mind, and apparently the minds of everyone else as well, followed by the words of the dark presence that has made the island its home. As the words echo and then fade from her mind, she looks at the others. "I think we all heard it," she replies, her expression grim. She catches the look in Nef's eye as the priestess speaks and nods in understanding and agreement. Quickly, she moves to kneel down beside the fallen dancers, attempting to determine which of her male friends is missing. "Why have you come to Dolentla? And why do you torment not only these creatures but the beasts of the land and sea as well?" she calls aloud. She didn't expect the spirit to actually humor her and answer her questions, but she hoped that she might be able to stall for time.

Perception (Dancers): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Kn. History (Hawanapoki?): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

The ancient voice echoes in all of your minds again in reply to the elf noblewoman, "I have always been here. I am a part of Dolentla Island. This is my home and those who you seek are tresspassers! Still, my offer stands true. Leave this place leaving behind one man and one woman so I may procreate my offspring. Those who you have slain will be hard to replace!"

Jacinth moves over to the cowering dancers, who do not react in anyway by her presence looks over each of the filthy dancers. After studying them and recollecting what she remembered of their physical features and also the rags they are wearing for an extended period of time, she determines by process of elimination the missing person is Maximilian Sidrow.

She also recalls reading in on of her texts concerning the history of the island. One passage refers to the Tulitas native to the island that fell under the sway of an ancient spirit and worshiped it as a god. They called it Hawanapoki, or “The Whispering Liar”.

Nef's brain works overtime, processing this information. She studies the bloodstained altar for a few minutes to remind herself of why this creature must be fought.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"So you need one man and one woman from the Dulcimer. I have a theory about this... Would you like to hear it? You didn't just ask us for a woman... You asked us for both because you have no followers left, do you? Though you bred them like crazy, you ate your seed corn."

And our missing boy is likely dead... Otherwise Hawanapoki would only be needing a girl.

Unless this is another ruse? A distraction while he gathers forces to ambush us here? Maybe, but I don't think so.

She looks over at her friend's faces, and then at the traumatized young men and women who lie all through the clearing. Oh Horus! We're going to have to check all the girls for pregnancy, to make sure that they aren't carrying the seeds of this monster.

No time to worry about that now. "I do admire the time and effort you went into to crafting your little entertainment for us. If you could make us your thralls, you wouldn't be threatening us... you'd be doing it."

She returns to her spot in the clearing, raising her feather to the sky, and begins meditating again while her protective circle is still active. She has 40 minutes or so left on the spell. If there's anytime she can shut this monster out of her head, it's now.

Ke' staggered as he suddenly found himself in a vision where his legs were whole again, his body the youthful barbarian warrior he had been once long ago.
A familiar heat grew between his legs...
He bit his own tongue to distract himself, drawing blood.
He shook his head violently.
"What are you DOING? Don't talk to the demon!" He raged, wishing it had a body he could burn.

Reknar did take notice of Nefertiti's outburst, and the support offered by the others - ever practical, he had decided to search their defeated foes, to make sure they were 'relieved' of any valuables and/or weapons, while grumbling something about 'the damned bird being strong as a pack of oxen', and keeping an eye on the young priestess, to make sure she did not freak out.

----

Out of nothing, images and feelings assaulted the warrior, leaving him reeling and wide eyed - he stared around, not sure of what was going on, growling under his breath - "Foul son of a..."

"I think we all heard it,"

"Most definitely - whatever it is, it's in my head, and playing games with it" - he spits to the ground next to him, a hint of a feral look definitely settling in Reknar's eyes, as he observes the statue intently, knuckles whitened from gripping the polearm so tightly - "Playing with stuff it should not even touch, stuff that doesn't belong out in the open" - he continues his rant, starting to shift towards the statue, ever so slowly.

"I do admire the time and effort you went into to crafting your little entertainment for us. If you could make us your thralls, you wouldn't be threatening us... you'd be doing it."

'Smart girl'

As there was no response from the demon, Oren assumed Nef struck close to home with her words. "I assume we have our answer, and he has ours. If we aren't making a deal with it, then we need to find it. Let's press on, and see what other parlor tricks it has in store for us."

Jacinth's eyes shift over to Reknar as he makes his slow advance towards the statue, but she otherwise makes no outward acknowledgement of the warrior's actions. As Nef turns and walks back to her spot to continue her meditations, she turns towards the others and then back to the statue, curious to hear if the spirit had a response to Nef's words but wary of continuing to engage it while the priestess attempted to meditate.

Perception (Statue): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Holding pattern for the moment until Nef is done and/or something else happens.

Reknar acknowledges Jacinth with but a look, and continues inching forward.

Nef Untrained Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The statue does not react to the approach of Reknar in any way. Oren is able to confirm it is indeed a qlippoth.

Nefertiti looks at the altar closely and sees it is covered liberally with crimson stains. After consulting with Jacinth you realize with sickening horror the crimson stains are dried blood stains.

As the priestess examines it further, she makes an even more chilling discovery about the altar. Rotating the altar 90 degrees in a clockwise direction reveals a hole filled with tiny, humanoid bones. These look like the bones of infants!

As Nefertiti settles on the ground to meditate to her god, it does not take long for the evil spirit Hawanapoki to contact her mind once again. "So, I sense you are trying to contact your own deity for guidance? A pity he cannot hear your pleas. Now perhaps if you pray to ME, then I shall grant you and your companions succor here!"

While the priestess finds herself unable to concentrate on her meditations to her god, she also senses the presence of Hawanapoki lies somewhere underneath her very feet.

Nef wordlessly shares her discovery of the bloody altar with the others. She stares down at the hole filled with the tiny bodies, the confirmation of the theory she had expressed only minutes ago to Oren. This demon consumes infants. The only thing that surprises Nef is that this is a hidden compartment -- with only him and his followers here, why hide the evidence?

As Hawanapoki's voice yammers in her head, making it impossible for her to concentrate on her prayers, Nef brings her feather down to her lips and kisses it. The kiss is a promise, both to herself and her god, that she will not waver. Then she gets up, eyes flashing and defiant. "Horus filled my heart and lit my soul when I was but a little girl. He is always with me. You can't compete."

She looks to the others, frustrated. "Our chatty friend won't let me finish my meditation. I can sense him... He's somewhere right below our feet, that must be why his thoughts come in so..."

She breaks off and looks at Oren and Reknar. They've seen that expression on her face before. This is the Nefertiti who thinks and strategizes. "Huh. Do either of you happen to know what the range of the demon's telepathy is? Can we retreat with these children to the ship, secure them, and then come back to deal with our nasty friend tomorrow when we're at full strength?"

When Nef shares the gruesome discovery of what lies hidden within the altar, Jacinth's face pales and she turns away quickly as a wave of nausea comes over her.

It is as Nef suspected, back on the beach. This cannot continue!

Her eyes stray once more to the bodies of the three pregnant hiwanis that lie nearby.

And what leg do you have to stand on after what just took place here?

Maybe I do not have one. I did what I felt needed to be done. If I was wrong...then I will answer for it the day my soul goes to face its judgement.

"Right below our feet?" she queries as Nef rejoins them. "He did say that this was the seat of his power...so that would mean that there is likely some sort of chamber or structure located beneath the earth here."

She looks thoughtful for a moment as Nef proposes a strategic retreat to gather their strength. "That would seem the wisest course...but it would require a great deal of coordination to make sure we all can return safely to the Rita. You were able to somehow cause that whale to give pause when it came after us...do you think we will be so lucky a second time? Would you and Wedjat alone be able to ferry everyone back and forth? If you think so, then I would be willing to try it unless a better plan is suggested." She gives her former companions a pitying look. "We need to get them to safety no matter how else we proceed from here, that much is a given." A pause. "And Sidrow. We are missing Maximilian Sidrow," she sighs.

Jacinth then lowers her voice, more as a reflexive action than anything else. "Also, Lani has the right of it. I would not engage the spirit in further dialogue if it can be avoided - he bears the very name of liar and will seek to mislead."

"Ah, the whale. I'd thankfully forgotten about that one. Would it allow us free access of its waterway back to the boat? Maybe we could just go back to the beach, it didn't affect us there last time...maybe it's powers don't reach that far."

As no particular action seems forthcoming when Reknar approaches the stone idol, he moves with further intent, investigating all around it, and including the humanoid bones.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Reactions according to discoveries, if any.

-------

"I'd rather we see this through" - Reknar pipes in at the discussion regarding the return on board - "We do not know what other resources it may tap onto while we rest ourselves" - he growls at the image - "I can't shake the feeling we have got the advantage, no matter how much boisterous 'it' may be, and I don't like anything messing with my head..."

He looks around - "We could even consider camping here" - he adds - "If this Max boy is still alive, we may be risking it by double all the way back again" - he shrugs.

"You know my thoughts on this" - he finishes - "I say we push it, until it is so far down its throat, it has no other chance but to swallow it"

Ke', suiting actions to words searches the statue and altar. Maybe there was a hidden passage or something.
Take 20 Perception=>25

As the priestess conveys her discoveries following her failed attempt to contact her deity, Reknar and 'Lani search the area for any hidden entrances. While the statue itself holds nothing of note, they do manage to find a rudimentary side trail leading down the south side of the elevated promontory.

Time check 1155, day 7.

"There is some sort of trail on this end" - Reknar informs the others - "We ready to follow it? Or double back?"

I don't think Oren has much left to contribute other than one Fireball. We can give it the old college try, if the rest of you want, though.

Nef looks thoughtfully at Reknar. "I'd like to get Jacinth's friends safe before we go out again. Both Oren and I have very few spells left. Today we have less than 40 minutes left on the Magic Circle versus Evil spell. I'd rather have a bit more prepared if we're to face a Demon. If we do go in now, we'd have to find him quickly while the spell's still up."

"Rushing through a secret cavern that is probably trapped to the nines is a recipe for disaster, I think. I say we take our time and do this the right way the first time."

"Double all the way back, and let them encroach? I am against it, but I'm not the Captain here" - Reknar shrugs, looking at Jacinth.

"You don't push forward only when you are in tip top shape" - he adds - "You push when you are ahead, or when it needs to be done. Say Max is fighting for his life right now. What then? We take a break and hope for the best? I can do that" - he follows through, coldly.

Jacinth stands with her arms folded as the others debated in hushed voices on the best course of action to take from here, chewing her lip as she considers each option. "Reknar's point about pressing the advantage is sound, but even if the spirit is not inclined to harm the rest of my friends while we are gone and there are no more hiwanis about, there is no guarantee that some native beast will not come along and take advantage of an easy meal."

"As for Maximilian...the spirit needs followers and thralls; there would seem to be nothing to be gained from slaying him or any of the others. If that is the case, then there are two possibilities. Either he was somehow able to escape these creatures and is still hiding somewhere else on the island or some other fate has befallen him and he is dead," she says, her words hanging heavily in the air. "I would secure the six that we have and know to be alive, if possible, before we deal with this spirit...or go in search of Maximilian," she finishes, her tone taking on a hint of steel.

"You're the captain" - Reknar nods at Jacinth, moving without hesitation towards their charges, and getting them ready to move back to the ship - "Do they recognize you? Haven't heard a word from them" - he comments regarding her former traveling companions.

Ke' ground his teeth.
"I want to chase this thing down." He grinned at you all. "I still have a bunch of little fireballs after all."
He looked back longingly at the trail.
"But what we do, we do together." He's prepared to go back to the beach if the rest want to.

Nef takes Oren by the hand and turns him so that he looks at the statue. "Now that you can see his features clearly, take a good look at it. Do you remember any strengths? Vulnerabilities?"

Tell us how to kill the thing, Oren...

Then she looks around at the kids and murmurs encouragingly at them. "It's going to be alright. We're going to take you somewhere safe." Do they respond?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Assuming that would be a Knowledge Planes check 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Oren looks at the statue more closely and realizes this is actually a Shoggti Qlippoth, who are masters of mind manipulation, capable of seizing control of the thoughts of others and charming them into docile allies. They are very nasty in melee as it can debilitate their victims willpower with their tentacles which makes it easier for its charming spell abilities against its foes. Also it appearance can distract whoever is facing it to the point of not reacting to it at all, which definitely gives it an edge in combat.

Like most demons it is resistant to acid, electrical and fire attacks, while completely shrugging off cold and poison attacks. It is susceptible to cold iron blades however.

Nefertiti tries to cajole the former Dulcimer crew members but they do not respond to her words, instead they remain curled up on the ground curled up and breathing shallowly.

"Anyone have cold iron weapons? Those will do the most damage against this demon. My magic will be blunted by resistances it has.". Oren tells the others what else he knows about the particular creature they might encounter.

"Cold Iron I've got" - Reknar nods at his polearm - "Now it is just a matter of shoving it in the right place" - he adds with a chuckle.

On the road en route to a con. Post later.

"Our lucky day then was finding you and your harpoon there. Whatever we do, we do together then."

Nef pulls the strange eastern blade that she carries out of its scabbard. "My khopesh is cold iron. If someone more melee-capable than I wishes to wield it, I am willing to lend it to them."

She kneels and looks at the wounded children once more.

Untrained Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"They're so unresponsive. Lani, can you look at them and see if you can help them?" Then she looks at the group. "I don't know if we can drag them through the jungle back to the ship. I could air lift but that would take time."

"So...resistant to all but two of our weapons and the majority of Oren's magics," Jacinth sighs. "Well, we have come this far have we not? Though I wish we had the time to look to secure additional weaponry, perhaps at that oddly stranded ship Nef and I spotted earlier during our reconnaissance flight."

"But for now, we should at least do what we can to get these six to safety - and away from this clearing," she continues, kneeling down next to Nef and Lani to look at them once more. "I am no trained healer, but I understand the basics of anatomy. Perhaps I can assist?"

Heal (Aid Another - Lani; Untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"As far as getting them back to the ship, could we rig some litters to make transport more easy? There should be plenty of raw materials," she suggests, sweeping her arm towards the lush jungle foliage.

"They're so unresponsive. Lani, can you look at them and see if you can help them?"

Ke' turned away from the pathway untrodden and nodded sharply to Nef.

"So...resistant to all but two of our weapons..."

Ke' gave a sudden grin.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"I knew I'd seen one of those before" - Reknar retorts at Ke'ahilani - "That'll surely do"

He then moves into the foliage, and begins cutting off branches, leaves and vines for makeshift litters, as suggested by Jacinth - "Lets get this show back on the road then"

Survival?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Reknar, with Rata Fenn's help, is able to construct several makeshift litters for the six unfortunate souls who seemed to have lapsed into a semi-comatose state. While they do not respond to your cajoling other than soft whimpers, they do not resist when you lay them down onto the litters.

One thing you notice is the voice of Hawanapoki has fallen silent.

As you prepare to depart the clearing, Rata Fenn mutters softly under his breath "We be travelin' verra slow 'ere Captain. Ye sure about this?"

OK everyone, I will need a marching order here. Everyone (except Aikane and Wedjat I presume) will be dragging a litter along which means you will be dragging the equivalent of a heavy load here. Movement will be 10'/round.

Time check 1225 Day 7.