Varisian Chronicler's Skinsaw Murders

Game Master Guy Player Man

As you leave out the manor's front door, you note that the sickly ravens you saw perched on the foundation stones have returned. This time, though, there are tens of thousands of them, possibly hundreds of thousands. They sit there still and silent, watching you.

What do you do?

"Does this strike anyone else as creepy?"

"I can hit them with a Fireball, if you like," Lym says.
Before she does so, she casts a surreptitious Detect Magic to see whether the creatures are somehow magical in nature.

Rhianni stops and studies the gathering blackness of birds. "I have some spells that might prove useful to us. I can bring us mounts so we can ride away and cover our exit with mist, though the mist will not last long. I can perhaps hinder their sight by covering their eyes with a mist of light. Would that be helpful?"

Knowledge(Nature) 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 to determine the nature etc. of these birds.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12 to determine if these birds are aggressive to the company.

You don't know anything about these birds.

"In case it wasn't obvious, these birds are evil. I don't know if that means they are undead, possessed by evil, the manifestation of some sort of haunt, or what, but I have no problem with letting the fire fly. I don't have enough arrows for this many."

Praxim stashes his bow and draws his curve blade. "I say we soften them with as many fireballs as you can cast, then charge out and cut our way to freedom."

"Yes. Deliver upon them fire and brimstone so we can go home."

"Fair enough," Lym says, and she flicks her hand towards the murder of crows. "Sphaera ignis expandens!"

A tiny bead of fly hurtles towards the birds, and expands into a roaring sphere in fiery doom in their midst.

Fireball for 5d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 2, 1) + 2 = 17 fire damage, DC17 for Reflex half. Bonus +2 due to Intense Spells-class feature. That was, incidentally, my last wide-area spell. After this, it's Scorching Ray and Magic Missile.

Rhianni, shrugs as Praxim and Tomaru encourages Lym to cast her last fireball spell. "Not yet Lym, wait, let us prepare for this before you blast them. Let me summon mounts, that we can travel faster."

If Lym stops and lets Rhianni cast first, she will cast mount x5, to summon 5 light horses, saddled and read to ride, The summoned horses are inside the house. Speed 50ft. then continues, below.

If Lym continues, Rhianni casts Glitterdust over the evil ravens, a different group than the fireball. DC=17 will save or be blinded.

"That's a smart suggestion. I won't need a horse, though, I can take care of myself. Thank you, though."
Cast Longstrider.

Lym will wait for Rhianni to cast, of course!

"I will bring you a mount too Tomau, in case you spell runs out and the horse might then take you further." as she makes 5 saddled and ready to ride horses appear in the entrance hall. "Please everyone take one. Before we leave I will shroud outside then entrance with mist, so we might burst out quickly and leave this evil behind. Lym once all the horses are here, then use your fire power, after that and my sparkling spell, I shall make the mist. Once the mist is in place, we go and ride like the wind away from here."

Spells (in order) 5x mount, glitterdust, obscuring mist. all sorcerer 1st level spells gone.

"Sounds like a plan," Lym says, nodding.
Slightly clumsily, the Wizard climbs onto her mount and grimly hangs on. "Shame I already spent the spell of acceleration," she mutters. "Oh, well. Off we go!"

The birds burn and scatter and the exit is clear.

Deverin and Hemlock hear the results of your investigation and respond by asking you to investigate Aldern's townhouse and, if possible, find out about "the Brothers".

You're rewarded with 200 pp each.

You're level 6 now.

Whoot, Whoot level 6 ...

I'll upgrade my character tomorrow. ^^ Whee, time to buy new spells!

What are you doing with your Misgivings loot?

How many more rolls do I need to make? How much time is passing?

How many more rolls for what?

For the fungus I ate.

I'll let you know when the time comes. Or did you plan on not leaving until then?

No. I thought we had some time passing and didn't want you to forget about it.

24 hours later...

Fort 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21 w/guidance and bit of luck
Fort 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13 w/guidance and bit of luck

OK. Will Lesser Restoration help mitigate this? If so, I'll memorize two of them each day and cast both. Even if it doesn't work, it is something and I'll cast them anyway. Can I get a Remove Poison, at least I think this is a poison? Maybe Father Zanthus can help.

Day 1: Eat fungus; fail save
Cha -1
Con -4

Day 2: heal; fail save; cast spells
Cha -2
Con -4
Lesser Restoration 1d4 ⇒ 1 for Cha
Lesser Restoration 1d4 ⇒ 4 for Con

Day 3: heal; fail save; cast spells; ask for help
Cha -2
Con -4
Fort 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23 w/guidance and bit of luck
Fort 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 w/guidance and bit of luck
Lesser Restoration 1d4 ⇒ 3 for Cha
Lesser Restoration 1d4 ⇒ 4 for Con

In the days that follow, Rhianni once more offers her fortune telling services to those who want it, along with the other hawkers on Festival Street. In the shadows of the theatre, she watches the goings on of the high and mighty as they enjoy themselves, on their way to the entertainment. As part of the readings, she is mysterious and tries to discover anything about 'The Brothers' she can, as she reads the cards of those important important and well todo folk who stop. For those with money she tries to find information about the Aldern's townhouse and its layout and staff, all under the guise of a harrow reading.

Profession (Fortune-Teller) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Bluff to gain information 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Diplomacy to gather information1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

In the days that follow, Lym spends a lot of time cooped up with scrolls and books. When she emerges, she looks a little tired, but triumphant -- and determined.

When the group gathers, she has a few things to say:

"I think we definitely must see about the Foxglove town house next, but there is another thing to consider. We have grown more powerful, thanks to the testing of our mettle. We may be almost ready to deal with the vile beast that slew our comrade. How say you all?"

Tomaru, your ability scores recover, but the skin condition remains. You can pay Zantus to cast any cleric spell up to level 2.

Where is the party going now?

Well can I figure out how to cure my skin condition? Take 20 on the Heal check (28 total). If I have to roll
Heal 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23 with guidance and bit of luck
Heal 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 with guidance and bit of luck

"As much as I would like nothing more than to avenge our friends, I think our first priority should be the townhouse. It may be time sensitive, whereas the creature doesn't seem to be going anywhere. We can always return."

I can tell you that after many, many, many consecutive heal checks, you still can't figure out how to cure your affliction.

"We are in agreement then, Praxim," Lym says, nodding to the Paladin. "Rhianni, Tomaru? Do you agree?"

"I've been asking around, but no one has said anything about the townhouse. I agree we should check it out."

"After informing the Sheriff, of course."

"At least going to Magnimar will give us a chance to use some of this reward money. We'll be able to sell some of the magical gear there, as well."

After looking at my spell list, I realized I can cast both Remove Curse and Remove Disease. I'll give these a try. Otherwise, it looks like I'll be traveling to Magnimar soon. Maybe I can get some help there.

Remove Curse 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17 with Guidance and Bit of Luck
Remove Curse 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 with Guidance and Bit of Luck
Remove Disease 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8 with Guidance and Bit of Luck
Remove Disease 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10 with Guidance and Bit of Luck

Neither spell seems to do have an effect.

I probably needed a better roll on that Remove Disease. The dice roller hates me.

I'm sure it's a multiple day journey to Magnimar. Plenty of time to get a good roll with remove disease.

"Before we go," Lym says, with a sidelong glance at Tomaru, "I think our friend here should see the priests at the temple. I mean it, go ask them to fix you up; you look appalling."

"She has a point. We wouldn't want to be chased out of every farming village by a mob with pitchforks and torches."

The ghost of a smile touches his lips for the first time in a very long while.

"Well I heard that you didn't like pretty boys. So can I get a date now?" Tomaru finds a heavy hooded cloak to help hide his condition.

Praxim's smile vanishes in a blink, and he looks slightly offended, his grouchy mood returning.

Lim sighs, and briefly puts her face in her hands.

"Tomaru: temple. Go now. Praxim: don't take him so seriously."

"See! She wants to marry me already. I knew this would be totally worth it." VC can I try those spells more than once? If so I'll do so on the two days as I'm trying to fight it off

Remove Curse 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 with Guidance and Bit of Luck
Remove Curse 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 with Guidance and Bit of Luck
Remove Disease 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26 with Guidance and Bit of Luck
Remove Disease 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25 with Guidance and Bit of Luck

After casting Remove Disease, your skins clears up completely and you get a hold of your sanity.

...

By land, it's roughly 60 miles between Sandpoint and Magnimar. How do you plan on traveling?

"Praises to Desna that worked!"

Lym casually reaches out and dope-slaps Tomaru.

"I have no desire to marry a priest," she says in a level tone. "For saintly folk, you people keep ungodly hours, and I like to sleep in because I'm up late studying my books. Now go to your temple and give thanks or something, so we don't lose whatever favour Desna has chosen to give you. Meet us back here when you're done. Praxim, do you need to make any devotions before we go?"