Bingo! Very nice deduction.
Yes, this appears to be what's left of Iesha Foxglove.
Take Rest dear soul - we can help set you free. What binds you to this place?
Ned will take position near the door readying an action to strike at her/it if we're attacked.
(power attack, bulls strength, monster hunter, bless
She rocks back and forth on her feet, transfixed on her reflection in the mirror, seemingly unaware of your presence. Her cries and sobs are grating, making your stay in this place feel unpleasant and unwanted, as if you've intruded upon some private tragedy.
"Iesha! We are here to try and help you get past this pain. Tell us your story, please, and let us begin the healing process."
She doesn't respond. Instead her focus is solely upon the mirror.
"What is it, Nich? It doesn't act like the ghouls or ghosts we're encountered so far."
Lleidr will keep his voice low and the FoE ready in case the corpse gets aggressive.
Well ... don't mean to rush you guys, but if nobody's gonna do anything, where do you want to go next? There's 3 unopened doors left in the attic
- across the hall from where you are now
- midway down the hall is another door in the east
- at the end of the hall, there's a door in the south wall
Yes this appears to be some sort of corporeal undead. So, Nich wants to attack her and Selia is wondering about breaking the mirror. I'll hold off until you all tell me definitely what you want to do.
"Hold on a sec, guys. This is the only thing we've encountered in the house that hasn't attacked us in some way. It seems to be fixated on that mirror. Maybe we should leave it alone until we can investigate more of the house, see if there's something going on we're missing?"
"I like your thinking, but what if she is the cause of the problems. We might just be subjecting ourselves to additional risk only to come back here to solve the problem..."
"Let's at least try talking to her...it, whatever"
This isn't going to end well, Nicholae sighs before casting Guidance for improved saving throws and looking in the mirror past the howling undead to see what is reflected there.
The mirror seems normal. What you see, as with any mirror, depends on the angle. From Iesha's point of view, you see Iesha's corpse reflected back at you, as you'd expect. She's entirely absorbed by the horror of her own reflection.
Sighing he raises his blade high.
Find rest, he says bringing it down using guidence.
Crit confirm?
So, technically, this is a surprise round, in which other members of the party can act. Anyone else joining Nich in on this attack?
No, Selia is surprised too...
Ned will stick with his readied action
Lleidr isn't sure what Nich saw in the mirror, but it must not have been good to push him to attack. Unless he's possessed now? Iesha's picture was turned around down below, like someone didn't want to be be reminded how she looked while they wrecked the room? Maybe something here wants Iesha destroyed.
Shaking his head clear of the thoughts and double thoughts he's not equipped for, Lleidr will trust his gut and join Nich's attack. Arcane strike on the FoE, which he'll throw at the whateveritis.
Everyone saw exactly what I described above. I'll resolve this surprise round later today and then we'll initiate the first regular combat round.
Foxglove Manor Attic - Surprise Round
The Fang of Elyrium misses its target, but Nich and Ned each deliver devastating blows against the seemingly unaware undead before them.
She unleashes a baleful shriek. "Again? You would slay me with steel this time, Aldern?"
Initiative order Round 1:
Ned
Undead
Selia
Nich (I rolled twice for you; got a 9 then an 11)
Lleidr
So, I need a new action from Ned and then I'll update.
Selia casts Bless (assuming still in combat then).
Selia, I thought you cast Bless prior to the party entering the room. The effect is still up from the original casting.
"We are supposed to be attacking this right? Someone would tell me if I'm attacking Selia again wouldn't they?"
(power attack, monster hunter, bless)
Iesha's howling shriek climbs in intensity, to the point it's becoming unbearable. I need each of you to give me a Will save (vs fear effect).
(bless)
Need a Will save (fear based) from Selia before proceeding.
I'll do a Will save for Selia if she doesn't roll for one before this evening, just to keep things moving.
Everyone is paralyzed and cowering in fear from the revenant's unearthly howls. Her face contorted in rage, Iesha's eyes flash immediately to the doorway.
She walks between Nich and Ned, both paralyzed by their terror. Selia and Lleidr are prostrate on the floor and whimpering, as Iesha's feet march past their sight. She passes the doorway without a further glance behind her. She is halfway down the hall, when you hear her speak; her words are heavily accented Varisian but filled with cold menace.
"Aldern! I can smell your fear. You'll be in my arms soon!"
Her footsteps recede further down the hallway. After a few seconds, you've all regained your senses.
Hmm ... well, I think the total for your Will save would actually be a 20 which beats what I got for you earlier today. So, that changes things somewhat. You're not prone on the floor and you're not paralyzed by fear.
Iesha is headed towards the hallway. You can try to stop her or you may try something else. This would be an attack of opportunity on your part, if you wish to try preventing Iesha from leaving the room.
You can also act on your round, so Selia, you need to tell me what you're doing for your AoO and then your actions for the first round.
Selia let's the creature by. "Look, guys... it doesn't seem interested in us at all. She wants this Aldren. I don't know what this is all about, but I say we follow her..."
Selia follows the creature.
Fortunately, the fear Iesha inspired in you all only lasted a few seconds, so if you do want to follow her, it shouldn't be difficult, as you can hear her footsteps going down the hallway.
Just a reminder, Aldern Foxglove is the guy you rescued back in Sandpoint who took a keen interest in the party, especially in Selia, whom he showered in flowery compliments.
Lleidr will hop to his feet, shaking off the last of the unnatural terror.
"Well, c'mon, Selia, you need to go fight for your man!"
Iesha is headed towards the stairs leading from the attic down to the upper floor. Are you all following her? or do you wish to continue exploring the attic?
Lleidr would like to follow Iesha.
Selia continues to follow. The attention Aldern showed here always seemed odd, and now that there is a ghost with a vengeance issue, she is quite intrigued.
"We can come back to check out the house, but I feel like this may be going somewhere."
She tries to catch up and talk to the ghost. "Excuse me - why do you hate Aldern so much?"
God above - her power is terrifying! Lets follow her - then we need to lay her to rest. I think she is the source of disquiet in this house.
With a determined stride, she works her way down through the house. In short order, she's down to the upper level, ready to descend the main stair to the foyer.
"Face me, Aldern, or do you hide in fear from what your hand has wrought?"
Do you wish to keep following her?
Lleidr will keep Iesha in sight.
Nicolae follows as well but is intimated by the strength of this undead creature.
You're all making your way back to the house's ground level. Iesha has stopped upon coming to a foul swirl of dark mold on the hallway floor. She stares the floor, transfixed, and appears to take no notice of you.