GM MattMorris Tears at Bitter Manor (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

"The mistress of the house. If she leaves here..."
He gestures toward the window.

Tathane still has 1 CHA drain

"The mistress? We haven't see anyone who we'd call the mistress. Maybe she already left. Unless you mean that woman we killed downstairs. If so, she's not leaving anywhere."

Tathane scowls at the mothman.

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"She dwells below. Below they pluck the strings of many fates."

"Wasn't there a tunnel network down there that we deigned not to explore?"

"Was there? That's stupid that we just ignored it. Why did you let us to that Leo? It's like I have to do all of the thinking around here."

Tathane rubs his palms on his thighs like he's trying to clean off his hands. He looks at them. Nothing seems to be on them but something is wrong. He doesn't feel like himself.

"Since I'm doing the thinking here, I'll tell you. We need to just kill that mothman and then finish looking through the rest of the rooms up here."

Hekk looks at Tathane strangely, wondering why he is so bloodthirsty and why he has such a negative attitude about the guru.

"Gee, I don't know. Why do we have to kill everything? He doesn't seem to be bothering anyone and he's, like, answering all our questions."

"Yes, Tathane. You've really become less likable all of a sudden. Should we maybe do an e-meter reading?"

You folks did explore the tunnel to the extent that seemed possible.

"We obviously missed something. I would argue that finding hidden doors is not among my skills, as impressive as my skills may be."

"Ha! Leave your hocus-pocus for someone more gullible." Tathane snorts in disgust and waves Leopold away. "And maybe it's not me who's become less likable. Maybe I've just got fed up with all of you."

Tathane grabs his dagger. "Since none of you seem to be willing to, I'll take care of this." He storms into the room with the mothman and approaches him, holding the dagger out in a threatening posture.

"Ok, mothy, stop speaking in riddles. Where is this mistress? Tell me now or I'll slit your throat."

Aryas steps in front of Tathane.

"I am very sorry but I cannot allow that to happen. My guide and teacher was not harmed by this moth being and the path to redemption is open for anyone ... also you Tathane!" Aryas says with a concerned look on his face.

”Even my friend and guide likes the mothman!“

"Shut the door on this weirdo and let's keep moving. Lives are on the line!"

Aryas thinks. He then addresses the mothman.

”Sir, this is a really dangerous place. We would really like to evacuate you. There are people we need to save and bad people we need to fight so how did you get here and what can we do for you so you are happy and can leave?!“ he asks with concern in his eyes.

diplomacy : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

"Will you end her? Do you swear it?"

"Well, um, I think so. We came here to deal with a problem and if our problem is your problem then yes."

Hekk looks a little confused by what he just said.

Aryas scratches his head and is as confused as Hekk.

He suddenly remembers his moth familiar’s teachings and tries to detect evil on the creature.

In case not evil:

“Well, you don’t have a bad heart so if you think someone dangerous and evil is in this house then we will confront her and with Hekk’s usual self and Tathane’s new self I believe there will little chance for her to not end up destroyed!“

Tathane is brought up short by Aryas. "What do you mean you can't let me do this? You're not in charge. Certainly not in charge of me!" Tathane tries to step to the side but Ayras blocks him until Tathane tosses his hands up in disgust. "Alright! Whatever. You guys do what you want. It's your funeral."

Tathane reverses course and moves back out into the loft, impatiently waiting to see what the others are going to do.

A little West Virginia folklore going on in this adventure! Seems more appropriate to a Dark*Matter game than Pathfinder, but I'll bite!

"I have never seen the like, but I am inclined to parlay with this thing and learn what it can tell us, before we head out to destroy the true threat."

"Oh, indeed. In my younger years I co-wrote a cycle of epic poetry with one of these guys. They're perfectly harmless and have a natural sense of meter."

"Go down a narrow, smoky path to find the mistress. If you resolve to slay her, you will have aid."

With that cryptic remark, the creature launches himself out the window and wings away into the forest.

Aryas is totally confused by Tathane’s reaction and the moth man’s disappearance.

“Did we really cure Tathane’s injuries?“

"Go down a narrow, smoky path to find the mistress. If you resolve to slay her, you will have aid."

With that cryptic remark, the creature launches himself out the window and wings away into the forest.

"...Spoken in perfect iambic pentameter."

Hekk, who knows nothing of poetry, nods, waltzes over to the next door and hesitates. "Do you think we should go though this door? Its not smokey or anything, but I guess... Well I guess we might as well open it, right?"

"Yes, please Hekk. Let's find them!"

Tathane moves to a corner of the loft and leans up into it. He crosses his arms. "You all go ahead. I'll just wait here since you didn't want to follow my plan. And, oh, by the way, that evil moth creature got away. Huh? What do you know? Who would have guessed it?"

Aryas nods.

"Lead the way!"

He then looks at Tathane.

"Are we still at odds? I hope you feel better?"

A wall runs north to south across a good portion of this room, dividing it into two areas. The ceiling is high, secured by sturdy beams strung with dusty cobwebs. Broken glass windows let in pale light from the clouded sky outside.

Harlan, you notice a cunning trap: A hook dangling from the ceiling is rigged to snag an intruder and hurl them out the window!

Otherwise, there isn't much in this room.

"Okay, good to have you with us Harlan! Then let us move to this last room"

Is this last room still remaining? If yes, then Aryas opens it.

The windows of this room remain mostly intact, but are filthy from years of neglect. Three small daybeds lie empty. Several old toys, including a porcelain doll and a collection of wooden animals, rest unused in the corners of the room. Tiny tracks crisscross the dust on the floor. They seem almost like the tracks of a cat, but the oily fingerprints on the windows are unmistakably those of young children.

Dust swirls in the room in chaotic eddies. An unseen wind drives the dust and debris on the floor into vaguely childlike forms. Within seconds, three small creatures shuffle forward, a terrible mixture of broken stuffed animals, dried cat bones, and old clothes. One of them wears a filthy rag over its round head, one has the face of a large bat skull, and the last wears the head of that broken porcelain doll. The creatures approach, surrounded by a dreadful chorus of disembodied, childlike whispers, uttering things such as, “Where have you been, Mother?”, “Play with us,” and “I’m hungry.”

Aryas is quite confused and concentrates on them to feel them.

Detect Evil.

Definitely evil.

”Evil strange things are incoming! Help me!“ he shouts.

Then Aryas steps back and prepares to attack!

No idea if we are in initiative but if this a surprise round then he 5 ft steps back and he readies an action to attack in case they approach. He is still in small size if 5 minutes have not passed since before the fight with the incorporeal lady, so is he stil small?

Scimitar +1, Bab +4, dex +5, weapon focus +1, reduce person +2 : 1d20 + 1 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 2 = 23
+1 Holy Scimitar +2d6, Dex+5, reduce person d4+1: 1 + 2d6 + 5 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ 1 + (3, 5) + 5 + (4) + 1 = 19

Aryas decides to attack the poor, defenseless horrible children. But, before he can act, the red child lunges toward him.
You can keep your attack for your turn, if you'd like. But, this isn't a surprise round situation.
bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 for b/p/s: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Red
Harlan
Leopold
Yellow
Hekk
Blue
Tathane
Branson

AURA: Once you are within 10 feet of the creatures, you take a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws.

Map

I'm going to assume Hekk followed along and have repositioned his icon. Branson and Harlan might need repositioning too.

Religion
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Leo squints around the corner at Red and lays the ole' stink on him. Bold Stare = -3 to will saves, -3 to attack rolls, +3 damage to the first hit it takes each round, and if mindless, is susceptible to mind fx (albeit with a +2 to the save and 50% chance of ignoring it each round)

"Wouldn't it be nice if you played rough with your little friends in there?"

Murderous Command DC 16 Will at a net -1 if they're mindless

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Kn(religion): 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 12 + (3) = 25

DR? Weaknesses? Resist/Immunities?

Just undead immunities.

delay

Will: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 1 = 18
REd is subjected to Leo's stare. It still looks more interested in play with you all than its friends.

The yellow attic whisperer moves up to join the fun, but can't get to its new playmates.

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Red
Harlan
Leopold
Yellow
Hekk
Blue
Tathane
Branson

AURA: Once you are within 10 feet of the creatures, you take a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws.

Map

Heck move to the side and sticks his spear between Aryas and Leo, attempting to poke the red creature.

To hit Bardiche, power attack, childish penalty: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 1 = 8; If it has cover then another -4
Damage Bardiche, power attack, childish penalty: 1d10 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 - 1 = 19

"They don't look well, do they."

The blue spirit crowds in as well.
Sorry, long wait for a short update.

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Red
Harlan
Leopold
Yellow
Hekk
Blue
Tathane
Branson

AURA: Once you are within 10 feet of the creatures, you take a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws.

Map

Tathane moves towards the end of the hallway while pulling his bow off his shoulder.

Double move

Branson moves down the hall, so he can heal if needed.

Aryas, sorry! I left you out. You should go too!

Aryas attacks but is hampered by the aura!

Scimitar +1,aura-1, Bab +4, dex +5, weapon focus +1, reduce person +2 : 1d20 + 1 - 1 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 1 + 4 + 5 + 1 + 2 = 14
+1 Holy Scimitar +2d6,aura-1, Dex+5, reduce person d4+1: 1 + 2d6 - 1 + 5 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ 1 + (5, 5) - 1 + 5 + (2) + 1 = 18

The lead spirit lifts its arms toward Aryas, as if asking to be picked up.
touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Its fingers brush against the paladin, then it says, in Aryas voice,"We just want to play!"
Aryas, you cannot talk! The creature has stolen your voice!

It seems to want to play rough, because it tries to take a bite out of the paladin as well, though it misses.
bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 for b/p/s: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Red
Yellow
Blue
Harlan
Leopold
Hekk
Aryas
Tathane
Branson

AURA: Once you are within 10 feet of the creatures, you take a –1 penalty on all attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws.

Map

I moved all of the spirits together, considering the tight quarters. It should make this go a little faster. Consider Yellow and Blue to have delayed.

Again, Hekk tries to squeeze his spear in between the doorway and Aryas
To hit Bardiche, power attack, aura: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 24; I think it has +4 AC from cover :(
Damage Bardiche, power attack, aura: 1d10 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 1 = 18

"Well, Aryas, you might want to share the fun and step to the side. AND we can surround the little bugger that way and make things easier if we let one through the door at a time."