DM Brainiac's Tyrant's Grasp (COMPLETE!) (Inactive)

Game Master Brainiac

Elly and Cuddles team up to take down the far cultist. Gabby scores a critical hit on the other one, and Allie lands a good punch. He is terribly injured but still standing.

Elka is up!

"Only one option will solve the problem though." She adds, slamming her foot into the cultist's knee with a crack.

Elká spits a mouthful of blood at the last cultist before leaping onto the fool of a man. Whatever remains of his mortal coil once he's done with him will require more than a simple spell if someone wants to put him back together.

[ooc]Full-round action: full attack (-2 to hit from power attack, first attack triggers studied target)[ooc]
Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage 1: 1d4 + 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 12 = 19
Attack 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Damage 2: 1d4 + 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (3) + (4) + 12 = 19

The last cultist falls in two bloody pieces on the floor at Elka's feet.

You find the following on them: oil of magic weapon (8), potions of invisibility
(8), potion of spider climb (4); +1 daggers (4), mwk studded leather (4), mwk daggers (16), 68 gp

"These boys really liked their knives," Gabriella comments once they inventory the cultist's equipment. "I think we should each take at least one of these potions," she says, indicating both potion types that there's a surplus of. invisibility & magic weapon

She points to one of the suits of armor. "That looks better than what I'm wearing now. Although, I think mine is more stylish." She shrugs and begins shedding her current armor.

"Could you look somewhere else for, like, two minutes, Ulrich?" she asks with a roll of her eyes.

One less ACP, yea!

"Oh, uhm, pardon me." Ulrich replies as he takes the extra potions and steps outside. He tries to study the composition of the two potions, knowing they're arcane spells he could learn, but he can't study them in liquid form.
I'll take an oil and an invisibility. What's the plan with spider climb, and magic daggers?

"If you're planning on drawing me again, you'll need to ask," the dhampir says over her shoulder as she dons the better quality armor. "Nicely."

Not sure what to do with the daggers other than carry them around and eventually sell them - if possible. Gabbi's already got a magical dagger. As far as the potions of spider climb Gabbi can carry them if no one else has a pressing need. Never know when they'll come in handy.

Ellie's eyes light up at the goodies. "Ooh, shiny toys! Nice to have a backup." She quickly grabs one of the magical daggers plus an oil or two. Being able to boost her weapon to do further damage is a pleasing concept.

I'll take 2 of the oils of magic weapon if that's ok; I figure there's enough to go round. I'll also take one of each of the potions and a +1 Dagger.

Gabbi being able to climb buildings before shooting is useful I think so she should have those. Elka might want the armour, and should probably have two daggers as well (I think they're better than the claws?) Allie would like invisibility potions.

"Lots of knives..." Allie agrees, before setting to sorting out the potions. "Ellie, Gabbi - you should probably split these since the rest of us don't use weapons much. Climbing potions go to the archer. I'd like some invisibility potions so I can keep patching you all up without getting quite so battered." She pauses, looking at the huge collection of knives. "Anyone particularly keen on these? These four are enchanted, the rest might make good thrown weapons?"

"So, shall we push on or not?" She asks, "That fight didn't cost us much but I'm short on magic now. If anyone gets really hurt I'm going to have a hard time fixing you up."

Ellie flexes her hand, which is still not fully healed from the last fight; but it's good enough for now. "Let's keep moving. We have some potions left if it comes to that. I just want to get out of here. Seeing my old home like this is painful."

With no healing potions in sight, the changeling hogs two of the vials that contain some sort of invisible liquid instead. All the other stuff is hot trash to her - who would want to fight with daggers or get into a brawl wearing leather?!

Elká took a whoopin' 38 damage so she isn't going anywhere anytime soon, hehe.

You head towards the loci spirit's final fragment. As you approach the town square of Roslar’s Coffer, you spot a glow coming from a wide porch on one of the buildings adjacent to the square. The glow emanates from a pair of translucent figures that resemble an elderly couple. Their forms are indistinct, so it is diffcult to tell their races and genders, but the figures are holding hands as they sit in ancient rocking chairs on the porch and look out onto the square. The figures rock slowly back and forth, and the squeak of their old wooden chairs echoes eerily.

An old stone pool stands in the center of the square, its water stagnant and murky with dirt and rotting vegetation. Next to the pool is an oddly overgrown flower bed filled with strange, squirming flora surrounding an enormous pitcher plant.

The couple shake their heads and make sad clucks with their tongues.

Elka - pretty sure there's a couple of potions remaining. Feel free to chug them in order to get some hp back

Ellie approaches the translucent figures. "Hello. Is something wrong?"

"Look at the sad state of the square and the fountain," one laments. "They used to be so beautiful we could just sit here for hours looking at it.”

"What I wouldn’t give to see the place cleaned up again," says the other. The head shaking resumes.

Previously ...

Gabbi shudders.

She then moves to put her hands on Elká. "Hold still, this won't hurt a bit."

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

~~~~~~

Currently ...

The inquisitor frowns. "So we're supposed to be gardeners?" She looks over the square attempting to determine how much time it'll require to return it to its former state.

I have no idea what knowledge skill that would fall under other than Knowledge (nature) and that's one that Gabbi's lacking.

"I suppose it does look a bit... dingy." Ellie concedes. She racks her brains, trying to remember what the place used to look like or should look like.

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

To no avail, it seems: her memories of the place are just too blurred and distant.

You'll have to get rid of the big pitcher plant first. Then removing its roots and the weeds in the flower bed takes a total of 8 hours of work (meaning four PCs working together can do it in 2 hours). A PC who succeeds at a DC 22 Knowledge (nature) check can reduce the total amount of time needed to only 4 hours.

"After all this is over, I would like to ask you again." Replies Ulrich as he walks out the door.

-----------

"Here, Elka. I still have this healing potion. I think it would be best for you to take it."

-----------

Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Ah yes, there is a specific way to remove a pitcher plant..."

Ulrich directs the cleaning endeavour and gets to work. He does use Mage Hand to pick things up from the pool, and he uses Prestidigitation to clean the place, everyone working, and make the area smell nice. While working, he engages in small talk with the spirits.

As soon as you get within 10 feet of the enormous pitcher plant, a pair of serpentine vines begin whipping around it! The soil churns as its shoots dig rapidly around you, and the single leaf above its bulbous flower opens to reveal rows of jagged, inward-facing spines!

Allie, Elka, and Ulrich may act before the plant! The ground in a 20-foot radius around it is treated as difficult terrain.

"S%&&!"

Ulrich casts Touch of Fatigue and hurls Kamosh towards the giant plant.

Kamosh touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
DC15 Fort

Before: CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 7) + 3 = 14
Which leaves Elká at 40/44

"SERIOUSLY?! You expect me to charge THAT?!"

Standard action: one attack (power attack, fight defensively)
Move action: study target
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Current AC 22 / CMD 24. I really think we should've fallen back.

"Get back!" Allie yells in agreement. "Shoot it down!"

Bless. Now for the love of god let Gabbi shoot it down!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

While the enormous pitcher plant easily resists Ulrich's spell, Elka's claws tear deep furrows in its fibrous body.

The plant retaliates, and while Elka's armor keeps its bite at bay, its vines slam into the changeling with crushing force, then they wrap around her and lift her off the ground!

Bite, Vines: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 171d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 251d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 121d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Grab: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39

23 damage to Elka and she is grappled. Everybody may act!

Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

"Oh, I've read about these things..." Ellie is about to share her knowledge, and agree with Alessandra's suggestion of killing it from a safe distance, when Elka rushes in and gets mangled.

With a shout of anger, Ellie charges in to help her friend.

Heavy Flail: 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 33
(BAB, Str, Masterwork weapon, Weapon Focus, Weapon Mastery, Power Attack, Trait, Charge, Bless)

Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 18
(Str, Power Attack, Weapon Mastery, Weapon Specialisation, Trait)

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 31

Critical Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 18

Pah. Who needs retreat as a strategy when you can roll criticals this often ;)

Ellie's flail causes the pitcher plant's bulbous flower to crumple significantly, but the monstrous flora is still fighting on!

"Oh, for the love of ..." Gabriella mutters to herself as first Elká and then Ellie both charged in to the seemingly non-mobile plant.

She rolls her eyes, aims her weapon, and fires. Trying to avoid hitting Elká as she struggles in the thing's vines works to her detriment, though, and the bolt is lost in the overgrown vegetation.

Light Crossbow Attack - PBS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 12 bless
Light Crossbow Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Guess we're doing it that way." Allie replies, rolling her eyes over her shoulder as she whacks a hand onto Cuddles and sends him bounding towards the huge plant.

Divine Favor.

Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26 Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Elká shifts her focus to defense and tries to keep the plant from turning her into compost.

Full-round action: Total Defense (+6 AC / CMD)
Current AC 25 / CMD 27

Ulrich takes out his crossbow and fires a bolt at the bulbous plant.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 - 4 = 16
Dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Elly's and Ulrich's crossbow bolts bounce harmlessly off the thick flower. Cuddles manages to lightly wound the massive plant.

The plant maneuvers Elka to its central bulb! The overhanging petal slams down and the flower rapidly constricts. Its spines gnaw upon the captured changeling, drawing her into the large, hollow pitcher to be dissolved in sweet-scented but acidic and toxic nectar!

Grapple, Swallow Whole: 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 5 = 31
Damage, Bite + Acid: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (2) = 10

8 physical and 2 acid damage to Elka. She must make a DC 18 Fortitude save against poison or take 1d4 Dex damage. She can try to cut her way free with any light slashing or piercing weapon or try to escape the grapple as normal.

Everybody may act!

"Damn!" Ulrich curses. He drops his crossbow and casts another spell, shouting in the Necril tongue "Move Faster!"

Casting Haste

I should mention that the Haste targets are Ellie, Cuddles, Gabbi, and Elka. Not me or Alli

You don't have line of effect to Elka while she is inside the plant, so unless everybody delays until after she potentially escapes, you can't target her with haste this round.

Okay let's switch Elka with Alli

Elká struggles against the plant's attempts to digest her.

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Damage 1: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Damage 1: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
7/44 hp

Ellie lashes out with her flail again, although the magical speed-enhancement takes some getting used to.

Heavy Flail: 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 27
(BAB, Str, Masterwork weapon, Weapon Focus, Weapon Mastery, Power Attack, Trait, Bless, Haste)

Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 17
(Str, Power Attack, Weapon Mastery, Weapon Specialisation, Trait)

Heavy Flail: 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 14
(BAB, Str, Masterwork weapon, Weapon Focus, Weapon Mastery, Power Attack, Trait, Bless, Haste)

Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 25
(Str, Power Attack, Weapon Mastery, Weapon Specialisation, Trait)

Ellie lands another solid blow, battering the plant. From inside the flower, Elka rips at it with her claws. She tears a gaping hole in the side from which the toxic nectar spills out, and as she squeezes through the hole, the plant sags and falls limp, its wounds proving fatal!

Gabbi returns the precious bolt she was about to fire to her quiver and shoulders her crossbow. She moves up to stand next to Ellie. "So now that you've slain the vicious asparagus, what next? Potatoes?"

With a giggle, she moves to help Elká to her feet and wipe off some of the nectar. "It tingles," she comments, looking down at the fluid on her fingers. "Hmm."

"Once we get the square cleaned up, we're going to need to take a break," she announces.

Ulrich Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

You spend most of the afternoon cleaning up the flower bed and scouring the surrounding woods for suitable flowers to replace the weeds. Jando Parr is able to assist in this task and the subsequent replanting. It takes another few hours to clean up the pool and draw up enough fresh water from the town's well to refill it. Finally, as evening approaches, you complete your efforts.

The ghostly couple seems delighted by the restoration, commenting cheerfully about every minute detail of your work. One of the indistinct ghostly watchers speaks, "Ah, we can rest easily with that good work done. It's reassuring to know there are still helpful people here. We knew we wouldn't get any help from that strange purple woman with the long tongue. All she ever did is come by and pick through the ruins with a sour look on her face."

The other spirit interjects as they both start to fade away, "Except when she saw the corpse of that cat; she tore into that like she hadn't eaten in months. So very desperate. Always hungry and distracted by an easy meal, I'd wager. Thanks again, friends!"

The figures of the old couple vanish and two matching silver rings drop to the porch between the two rocking chairs with a tinkling sound.

Take 10 on spellcraft.[/dice]

"Protection and slowing you down if you fall too fast." Allie announces after examining the rings for few moments. "Ulrich, perhaps you should have this one - stop you falling for my sister too fast!"

She also does her best to tend to the group's injuries.

[Ooc]Who needs what? I've got channels and one lesser restoration as needed.

"Ulrich, perhaps you should have this one - stop you falling for my sister too fast!"

Gabbi glares at her sister.

She then takes a deep breath. "Let's take a rest over there," she says, indicating the dwelling just vacated by the apparitions of the elderly couple.

Ellie came through that fight miraculously uninjured and she gives thanks to whatever gods may be for that.

"Oh, a protection ring? I could use that, for sure." She dutifully groans at Alessandra's pun.

"Uh, why not rest back at Jando's place? It's hidden, and we don't know how many other cultists are out there. Oh, speaking of which: do we want to just leave their bodies as a warning for the others? Or do we want to try and conceal what we did?"

"Ulrich, perhaps you should have this one - stop you falling for my sister too fast!"

Ulrich hesitates for a moment and looks at Gabriella. With a smile, he slowly replies "Thank you for the offer, I would like to linger in this." He accepts the ring and puts it on.

Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
I'd like to identify the 'strange purple woman with the long tongue that ate a cat corpse'. I suspect a ghoul/ghast.

He cracks a few joints and says "It is some extra work, but I believe concealing the bodies would be more beneficial than displaying them. We may draw unwanted attention. As for where to stay the night, I do believe that Jando's is much safer. It is quite cramped however, I had a difficult time sleeping."

Ulrich is fairly certain the woman is a ghoul or ghast--perhaps the same woman the schoolchildren mentioned.

He cracks a few joints and says "It is some extra work, but I believe concealing the bodies would be more beneficial than displaying them. We may draw unwanted attention. As for where to stay the night, I do believe that Jando's is much safer. It is quite cramped however, I had a difficult time sleeping."

"I agree, hiding the bodies is best." Allie offers. "And if you're having trouble Ulrich I'm sure us girls could squeeze a little closer together, give your old bones some extra room." She shoots an exaggerated wink at Ellie.

"Either way we shouldn't linger. I don't want to be out here after dark with some sort of cat-eating crazy lady around..."

Cuddles growls, seemingly in agreement with Allie's statement.

You take some time to conceal the bodies of the Whispering Way cultists, then you return to Jando's blind to safely rest. The night passes uneventfully, and you awaken refreshed and ready to face the new day's challenges.

I suggest we put the ring on our frontliner. We're already undergeared for the encounters as is (something we were warned of before so no, DM, I'm not salty/angry at all, ha) and we are lacking the support spells to fill the gap, meaning as much that every encounter is a 'go hard or go home' scenario right now. We need to bump up Ellie's AC or expect to lose her soon.

Elká wakes up feeling odd. Something isn't quite right, but she can't put her finger on it. Perhaps it is the fact her entire body is the issue - pain, pain all over, and the knowledge that every step they're about to take is only going to bring more pain into their lives. "Ul-ulrich, I don't feel so well. I think that plant mighta broken a rib or two."

"That crazy lady is likely a ghoul, or a ghast. The long tongue and a craving for flesh give it away." Ulrich replies.

-------------

Ulrich wakes up and slowly crawls over to Elka. He whispers to her "May I take a look?"
For the next hour, Ulrich sets about taking care of Elka. He gives her some herbs that when chewed help with the pain, and some oil that helps relax her torso. "Yes, you do have a broken rib. I do not think you need surgery, but it will take some time to heal. Normally I would prescribe you these herbs and oil, and tell you to rest as best you can. However you may need to seek healing from Alessandra since we will likely be in a fight soon. I wish I could do more for you."

Treat Deadly Wounds: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 = 27
Elka receives 7hp

Gabble glances towards Ulrich before turning back to her sister with a wide grin.

Before bed ...

"I saved this for you, m'Love," Gabbi says once they reach the forest blind. "Ready?"

Inflict Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 6) + 5 = 16

Just a note for future botting purposes; Gabbi will always keep one spell in reserve to be used for 'healing' for her sister - just in case.

~~~~~
The next morning ...

"Back to the cemetery then ..." the inquisitor announces. She seems to be a much better mood this morning. Almost chipper, in fact.