"Upstairs? In the attic?"
Kolgradd looks up at the ceiling to see if there's a hatch or something.
"Where's the roof access?"
"What will this blue liquid do?"
”Give…me…peace…”
Shohreh gives Kolgradd a short, forceful nod when he hesitates. "Do it."
Kolgradd looks at Jevar and Boodiddly first to make sure they're finished, then pours the liquid into the container.
Afterwards he heads up the ladder. He has to have his hammer hanging low on his back as it's so large, and otherwise the haft would be awkward opening the hatch. He tries to go as stealthily as possible.
Kolgradd pours the vial into the vat labeled “Number 61.” As the blue liquid begins to mix in with the rest of the fluids, the face-skin burbles out ”Thank……..you……..”
The face-skin then shudders before stilling, then slowly floats to the bottom of the vat.
As Kolgradd moves up the ladder, he finds that the hatch doesn’t open—not that it’s locked, but that there’s clearly something on top of it. Stealth be damned, I suppose.
There is just enough resistance that Kolgradd has to actually try to force open the trapdoor, but the resistance is so mild that he easily overcomes it. He manages to open the trapdoor despite the weight put on top of it, moving the weight to the side as he does so.
The smell of chemicals and flesh fill the room. What first appear to be curtains hanging throughout the room turn out to be scores of skins, taken in unimaginable agony judging by the looks on the faces that waft eerily in an unseen breeze.
What Kolgradd first notices as he reaches the top of the ladder is that there is a second ladder—this one not invisible—continuing to move upward to yet another hatch in the ceiling. The second thing he notices is Miacknian Mun—or just another of his numerous copies—laying on his side in the fetal position right next to the trapdoor he just came through—was HE what was on top of the trapdoor? Mun seems completely unresponsive to the fact that he was just forcibly knocked onto his side—he just stares at the wall with bloodshot eyes and mumbling to himself.
The rest of the former-amnesiacs come up the ladder and they begin to notice shadows in the translucent skins.
In the northwest corner of the room, the former-amnesiacs all notice a hunched over shadow, clearly trying (and failing) to hide .
Only Kolgradd and Shohreh notice, however, that there is another figure hiding in the southwest corner.
Round 1
==============
Shohreh
Boodiddly
Kolgradd
White
Black
Jevar
==============
Boodiddly snaps his fingers and a translucent copy of his left hand appears next to him. Carefully he mimes pulling a curtain aside, grimacing as if it were his actual hand touching the skin-curtain and not a projection of it.
"Who's there?"
Kolgradd unslings his long hammer, casts a quick protective shield, and tries to figure out exactly what sort of danger they're facing.
◆ Interact to draw hammer
◆ Cast Shield
◆ Recall Knowledge
"Shadows preserve us..." Shohreh breathes, clearly disturbed by their new surroundings. Still, she keeps her head. "There!" she shouts, pointing a finger to the southwest. "Another!"
She quietly chants a prayer, suddenly surrounding herself in an aura of forboding.
Shohreh points out one of the figures and then surrounds herself in an aura.
Boodiddly summons forth an invisible servant to take down the curtains.
Kolgradd pulls out his hammer and protects himself.
Just as soon as White is pointed out, that shadow seems to blend in to the rest of the lighting.
As the former-amnesiacs continue trying to find this person or thing, they reveal themselves. Quick footfalls echo throughout the room, and before he even realizes it, Kolgradd sees a flash of silver coming from the corner of his eye!
Kolgradd nevertheless manages to stop the attack with his magical shield, and he sees something interesting: another dero, but this one having three arms! One hand holds a shortsword while another holds this strange hook on a rope.
Black Strides out from behind the curtain—he appears to be another dero, this one more elderly—and Casts a Spell that Boodiddly immediately recognizes: hideous laughter!
Critical Success
Round 1 —> 2
==============
Shohreh
Boodiddly
Kolgradd
White (+10)
Black
Jevar
==============
Jevar looks down at his feathered friend and whispers...
Please repleshing my wellspring...
Shohreh throws a beam of pure energy at the monster threatening Kolgradd before tending to her own defense.
Kolgradd's eyes narrow at the spellcaster when they try to make him laugh.
"That one's mine"
Casually ignoring his three-armed attacker, he regrips his hammer for maximum flexibility, then approaches the spellcaster to get his revenge
◆ Enter Disruptive Stance
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
“I didn’t get that one - think you could explain it to me?” Boodiddly quips even as his nose wrinkles in disgust at the idea of his hand even remotely touching the skins. The other hand snaps and taps, creating a familiar rhythm that fights to be heard through the sound-dampening curtains.
Jevar sends a bolt of force at White.
Shohreh sends a beam of energy at White, but the spell misses as White makes a Nimble Dodge!
Boodiddly quips at White then begins singing.
Kolgradd moves over and attacks the spellcaster!
“I didn’t get that one - think you could explain it to me?”
White snaps her gaze onto Boodiddly and simply says ”You have seen too much. Die!”
She returns her gaze back onto Jevar and does a quick one-two with the roped-hook and the shortsword in her hands!
Black—with the knowledge that Kolgradd has an Attack of Opportunity but NOT the knowledge he is in Disruptive Stance—attempts to stare deeply into Kolgradd’s eyes but this only causes Kolgradd to lash out at the mage!
Kolgradd hits Black such that the mage cannot maintain eye contact long enough to do what he wanted. And barely on the brink of life, Black Casts a Spell.
Black places a hand on Kolgradd’s chest in an attempt to drain the dwarf of his life force!
Seeing that his last spell worked, Jevar sends another force bolt at the nearby creature and some fire as well.
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“Sorry, what was that?” Boodiddly quips right back, letting his ghostly hand vanish. “‘You’ve been to lunch, bye?’ Is… Is it a joke?” He chuckles politely just in case it was.
Shohreh repeats her actions, hoping to distract Koglradd's opponent enough to help the dwarf land a finishing blow.
Kolgradd rages at having his life energy stolen.
◆ Strike
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
"We've seen too much?!"
Growing increasing angry, Kolgradd races over to the three-armed rogue and attacks her too.
Jevar sends a set of bolts at White followed by a mass of fire.
Shohreh sends a bolt of energy at Black, which knocks the mage to the ground!
Boodiddly quips at White and sends a spell at her.
The three-armed dero then begins laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor in a fit.
Kolgradd moves over and moves to slam his hammer over the three-armed dero’s head, but barely misses as the dero rolls around on the floor in laughter. He then follows up with another attack!
White continues to laugh on the ground uncontrollably.
Round 3 —> 4
==============
Shohreh
Boodiddly {Lingering Defense: Round 2 of 3}
Kolgradd (-20)
White (-41) {prone; Bon Motted; no reactions & slowed 1}
Jevar (-15)
==============
He's down! FINISH HIM! Jevar shouts before stepping over to square himself up with the creature.
Reciting an incantation that is unintelligible to his teammates, but for which the sounds are very familiar, the mage winds up with his left arm while manifesting a blade of fire, before forcefully swinging it down on the creature.
He stands over it and looks down to see what is left.
If it works, it works, Shohreh thinks to herself, throwing yet another blast of divine energy at their sole remaining foe.
Boodiddly continues laughing nervously and tries to think about what these two could be - especially since most folks he knew didn’t have three arms.
Jevar sends a mass of flame at White.
Shohreh sends spiritual energy at White.
As for why the deros are here: You think they might have just wandered up. Maybe Mun has them as roommates or something?
Kolgradd Strikes then does two Advantageous Assaults.
White ceases laughing long enough to spring back to her feet! Then, seeing the damage that can be done by him, does a Twin Feint against Kolgradd!
Round 4 —> 5
==============
Shohreh
Boodiddly
Kolgradd (-20)
White (-119) {Bon Motted; no reactions & slowed 1}
Jevar (-15)
==============
What? No! Just die already. He seems incredulous that she got to her feet again.
Jevar tries to smash her with his "flame club" again.
This can't go on much longer!
"Just...stop...fighting!" Shohreh commands, clearly just as exasperated. She flings her starknife and a spell in quick succession.
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Boodiddly’s chuckles slowly turn into a sigh. Suddenly turns his face towards the three-armed woman. “You’d better do as she says,” he croaks in a raspy, thin voice, “or she’ll do exactly what she’s wanted to do ever since she laid eyes on your unfortunate skin.” Just as abruptly, he starts whistling innocently.
Constantly moving while trading blows with the talented swordswoman, Kolgradd repositions to take advantage of Jevar's flaming blade.
◆ Stride
He then sweeps the curtain away, and attacks!
◆ Interact to pull curtain
◆ Strike
Jevar misses with his spell.
Shohreh misses with her starknife.
Boodiddly critically succeeds at Demoralizing.
Kolgradd takes down a curtain then attacks White.
White does a Twin Feint against Kolgradd.
Round 5 —> 6
==============
Shohreh
Boodiddly
Kolgradd (-47)
White (-167) {Bon Motted; no reactions & slowed 1; frightened 1}
Jevar (-15)
==============
Jevar looks over at Shohreh and Boodiddly before stepping to the side to make room for them around their foe.
Would you just die already?!
While Jevar's burning them to a crisp, Kolgradd is hammering them to a pulp.
◆ Cast Shield
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
Jevar and Kolgradd double-team White until she is reduced to a bloody—and burning—pulp!
All the while, the only thing being heard anymore is the mutterings of “Miacknian Mun” in the corner of the room.
Jevar and Boodiddly Refocus.
Jevar exhales and gives himself a full minute to catch his breath.
I'm starting the feel like part of a brute squad. Sure spells are great, but I'm nearly reduced to beating things with my books at this point!
He cracks his knuckles and steps back over to near where Mun is still huddled tightly on the ground.
He gently pokes Mun in the side with is staff (of the dreamlands).
Is it really you, finally? Just what is going on around here? Copies of you and countless other creatures have made it known that we are not welcome here and all the while we simply had some questions for you.
He pauses and focuses in for a second on the figure, waiting to see if it stirs and responds or takes on some new grotesque figure to attack.
Mun does not look in Jevar’s direction, merely continuing to rock himself on the ground as he digs the fingernails of his right hand into his left shoulder. It is at this point that Jevar notices that Mun is apparently clutching something in his left hand—some scraps of paper, perhaps?
Jevar very gingerly squats down, trying to not generally intrude on Mun's person.
He does however, try to lightly pinch an opposite end of one or more of the scraps of paper and tug lightly at them to see if Mun will release any.
Kolgradd looks a little wounded at the "brute squad" remark, but only for a second.
"It'll do you good to use your muscles from time to time!"
Remembering how the Mun at the entrance felt strange and not at all like a human, Kolgradd tries to assess this one, under the guise of a reassuring pat.
"There there lad, it's over now"
Remembering how the Mun at the entrance felt strange and not at all like a human, Kolgradd tries to assess this one, under the guise of a reassuring pat.
Mun doesn’t seem to react to Kolgradd’s gesture. The dwarf puts a hand on Mun’s shoulder and gives a slight squeeze. Sure enough, it seems that his body is not supported by anything inside. This one is just like the other two “Miacknian Muns” the former-amnesiacs found—lacking in internal organs and just sapient skin.
He does however, try to lightly pinch an opposite end of one or more of the scraps of paper and tug lightly at them to see if Mun will release any.
Mun clutches the papers with a white-knuckled strength, and does not give way at Jevar’s efforts; if the wizard kept trying to get the papers, he would most likely end up ripping a corner.
Jevar taps Mun on the back with his staff.
Come now Mun, answer us or release what you're holding so that we can understand!
His staff prods directly at the man's hand that holds the papers. He's not (yet?) trying to hurt Mun, but more see if his attention can be captured.
Kolgradd stands back up and replaces his hands on his hammer. He shakes his head at Jevar.
"That's not Mun. It's another sibling"
He looks warily at the construct holding the papers, but doesn't move to intervene.
Kolgradd notices that this Mun’s eyes occasionally dart to the ladder right next to him (leading up another floor), and looking at that ladder seems to stress him out more, so he breaks his gaze.
"Right then"
Kolgradd announces, stowing his hammer and looking significantly at the ladder.
"Let's make sure the rest of this place is safe"
He then climbs it to see what's above
As soon as Kolgradd moves over to the ladder, Mun breaks down. His strange madness intensifies as he grips both of his shoulders with the opposite hands, digging his nails into his skin—though he notably does not bleed. This action causes the papers Mun was clutching to slip from his hand.
As Jevar bends down to look at the papers, it seems to be several scribbles. Among them is a sentence fragment about the otherworldly protector of the library and the Soul within an iron puzzle box.
Another note, this one much more intact, reads Afterward, equip in Okeno—meet with Biting Lash. A ship has been arranged. In the margins, there are a number of crude drawings of angels and the note Swivel heads in the right direction to delve deeper.
Jevar winces at the reference in the note.
[b]Okeno. They do a lot of slave trade there. Most folk their are the kholos. I guess we're eventually headed there, but we should be careful in that place.[/b
He then follows Kolgradd up.
As the former-amnesiacs begin to climb the invisible ladder, they are overcome with mental fatigue, as the world disappears around them. They see a vision: some kind of mold or other fungus in a blank void. The fungus is rapidly growing and then collapsing in on itself before growing anew. This vision repeats and repeats and repeats.
And the former-amnesiacs hear the sounds of clicks and mental static, which (for some reason) the former-amnesiacs know as a language that they somehow understand.
” I̛̳̬̙̟̠̟͕t̘̭͔̙̫ ̦̻̯͚̦͡re͔̝̲a̧̪͇c̣̼̻̥h̭͖̹͝e͈̼s҉ ̲̮͖̗͚͕i͈͈͈̮̜͘ṯ̟͖̜̰s͖̗̜̺̱̱͚ ̪͕̱̼̱̠͉͢ţ̗̠̙̲̞e̷̥̮ͅn͉̲d̮͖͖͇̻r͕̮͓̱͚͡i̟̼͈͚̝͎l͚̙͖s̟͓̥̖̙̮̲ t͔͖̟̬̫h̴͎̟r̨̩ou̼̹̲͟g̫̪̜͘h͙̻̝̜ ̬̮̰̥́t̼̭̩̺͈͕͞ḥ̬̬͔͜e̸ ̖m͚̞i͏̼͇n̶͍͉̞̹̭d̠͔͞s̫ ̮͉͔̻̮̞̻of̲̪͉̀ ͚͇͟t̥̯̻͇̥͍h̼̝̗o͖̻͔̺s̜̳͚e̠͉͚̺̖͝ ̶w̤̳̰͠h͈o̺͔ ͍̫͍͈̗k̨̮̥̠̗n̲̦͝o͚͕͇͉͇͎̼͞w̸͙ ͕̮̳̦͈̰o̪̪̼f̞͈͖̦͍͟ͅ ͙͔͓̹i̮̖͚̭t̬̼.̤ ̤͠I͖̠͍̗̤̟̩t͕̤̼̥͚͡ ͎̖̣̭͟ͅṟe̝a̗̫͠c͏̭̣͍͚͇͓h̼̩̹́ȩ̗͎͎̬̼͚s̤͎̗͟ ̀b̶̝̹̩͈̱̤e̗̫̗̖̭͇y̞̩̩o͚̪̼͍̕n̖̤͚ͅd̡ ̤̯͔̥t̵̯h͓̬̠̮͘ͅè͚̘̜͔̣ ̠̣v̟͡ȩ̘̣͕̰i̵̞̥̰̗l͔͉͖̹̞͍̲͘ ͍ọ͙̗̱̱̦f̞̫ ̱̯̺̫d͓̠͔̕r̻̺̪̪͝e̛̲̦͖͇̜̜ͅa̢̫͈̙ͅm̰̩͍̜̪̬s̩͍̮̤̝͍͎.̠̫̥̝̫ ̼͓̱̰͖̲͙H̼͇͉̮u͙͕̳̖̖͜r̶̪ry̜͇̖.͏̞̞̻ͅ “
And once more, the ringing of a massive bell snaps the former-amnesiacs back to reality. The vision is gone and it appears as if nothing else has changed.
Ivy fills the room—endless trailing vines flow in through broken windows and cover the floor here like a living carpet. The sickening scent of decay hides within the scent of fresh vegetation.
The former-amnesiacs don’t notice anything out of the ordinary as they all get into the room. That is, until Shoreh comes up the ladder, and decides to look up. There is a creature in the rafters. No, not in; part of the rafters! It’s grown into and around the wooden rafters of this building!
As the former-amnesiacs are looking up at the hideous monstrosity in the rafters, a translucent image superimposes itself over the former-amnesiacs’ eyesight on the abomination. They see a chaotic image of hundreds of faces all flickering between one another. The clicking and mental static once more echoes in their ears.
”It̴͉̝̬ ͍̣̱̝se̺n̡̼̪d̬̦s̬̻͇͓͙̣͜ ̥̤̙̦̝͜i͏͚̼͚t̵̪͉̭s̗ ͓t̨̪̭̙en̺̘d̶̻̻̖͇ͅr̫̠̝̭͍̜͡ͅi̺̗̗ls̵̞͚ ͍͖̗̝ͅt̼̱̼ḥr̦͇̣͓̜̝̳o̝ù̼g̢̲̰̞̯h̼͕ t͈̣̞̭̻͚̖̕h͔͚e̱͓͉̙͎̝i̠͔̦̬͉r̵̺̞̬̬̹̦ ̗͜ḿ͓̩͇̤͎in̕d͔̗͈͉͖̜͟s̢̤̩̗ ̭̫̖̀t̼̯̣͎̻o̸ ̲̲̯g̫̱͔at̮̮̝̠h̼̹͎̹͍̠̼͡ę̼͇̲̜̩r̩̦͇͔͓̦̕ͅ ̻̭͍̻i̟͠ṱ̛̬̣̣̜̙s̥̪͓ͅ ̱̤̝̠̲̰ͅs̢̫̹t̫̰̖͈̱̝̲r͔̖̹̯̮̲̖ẹ͈̯͇͢n̰͖g̙̲͉̘t̵̬̠̘̩̱͎h͎͖̤̹͚͚,҉̪̜͎̠͍ ̴̱bu̗͜t̮̠͚̠̫̻͚ ̳̜̥͙̰̫ͅd͖̝̥͖͍e̤s̟p̱͔̦̞̮͈i̵̮̟̤͚̮̤ͅt͇̼e̱͙̣̯̠͎͙ ̡̩̫̟̣y̵̪̝o̺̳̟̩u͔͔̞̺͎͈͜ͅr̝̩̀ ͈̀k̡̥͉̖̠͙ͅn̰̺̲͉̺͞ͅo͚̗̤̤̭͓w͎̻̱͎͉̱ͅl̼̗̠̲̤̭ed̲̻̭̜͚͙̥̀g̣̪̖͔ḛ͓̲ ̸͓͖͈͇y̷̬͈̭ou̺͙̣͕͖͔͝ ̲̲ḁ͡r͈̥̰̼e̡̺̩̯͉̞̳͖ ̸͕͕c̙̦̰̙l̳̼̪͠e̬̱a̴̹̗͈͇n̼̝̤͕̫͉͔͢.̥̘̮͎̰̳̣ ̡̬̹̼Y̛̙o̝̯̫̙͕u͜ ̹ca̟̥͔̭̻n̢ ̡̝̣s̨̯͎̙̱̳to̼͓̬̼p̶͔̗̺̥͔ ̶̻̤̝̮̭i̵͍̰͇̹͖͎͈t̫̹̳̹͔̱͢.͉͠ ̦̰̥̣̹̻D̺̼͍͉͚̞̼o̟̞n̝̺͎̠̙̖’̥̞̼̖͕̪͠t͟ ̸̠͖͙̦̺̺̭l̩̠̰͔̲e̱̙͔̙̰̙͞t̥̞͕̮̱̼ ̥̤i͡t̘̳̤͝ͅ ̵i̘̗͔̤̟ͅn̸̖̜͈f͙̩̙̻e̩̝͉c͚͕̠̖͢t̲̟̼ ͔t̘̠̤͔̼̝͡ͅh̛i͖s̱̺̞̬̺̞͠ ̟͚̰̥w̻͇̱͍̭o̷̮̞̗ͅͅr͏l̨͓͍͖̟̖̪d̵̲͖͖̩̠̼̣ ̰̖̜̱̮̣a̹̳͕̬̟͇̬nd̖̗̳ ̡͕̣̗̠͉͚s̥̰̮̲e͉̻̯͍̟ͅr̸̜̙ͅͅv̘̻̳̫͚̗̙͡e̼̻̭̫̠ ̸̦̬̖͚̻̖i̴͕̼t̫̟̝̬́ ̞̮͈t͇̟̖̻͕͡o̦ ̭̺C͚͍̯a̯̙̜̻̮̺͘r̲̞c̱͓̪̯o͚̬s͇͍̟̙̫̰̩͡ą͈̹͇̱̘.̯͕̮̭̯͓“
The sound of a massive bell snaps former-amnesiacs back to where they are currently as they notice monster’s many eyes already on them. It begins to shift slightly, causing the wooden foundation to creak, as it unleashes several rubbery tentacles!
Round 1
==============
Kolgradd
Boodiddly
Shohreh
Jevar
Abomination {off-guard & -2 to Reflex} [15’ above ground]
==============
That is disgusting... Is Mun or someone else actively having this dream?
He winces in disgust, trying to avoid get the fluids in his eyes as he looks up at the abomination and tries to burn it. Just as quickly as he completes the spell he looks away.
"I don't think that's a dream, Jevar!" Boodiddly instinctively quips even as the tones of a familiar melody begin to arrange themselves in his head. "And while I'm usually not worried about the word, why does that mystery voice think we're 'clean'?"
"What the..."
Kolgradd is too dumbfounded to reply to Boodiddly, but he eventually snaps his attention back to his surroundings.
◆◆ Interact to activate Cape of the Mountebank
◆ Draw weapon
He whips a scroll out of a tube on his belt and starts reading from it
◆ Draw Scroll of Fly
◆◆ Cast Fly on himself
Shohreh barely stops her hand from reaching to the scar at the base of her neck, and feels a thrill of fear run through her, followed by something darker. She shakes the feeling away.
Shohreh's face twists into one of disgust, not all of which truly belongs to her. The Enemy.
With a wordless cry of condemnation, she raises her hand and blasts the monster with holy starlight.
Kolgradd takes out a scroll and uses it
Boodiddly begins singing.
This…this is the child of an ancient entity of the forest and fertility: Shub-Niggurath. Its connection to its parent makes any and all plant life avoid it instinctually, for to harm a being of Shub-Niggurath in such a way is against the natural order.
You believe that its sucking maws are very dangerous. It requires close range, but those maws could easily suck out a person’s blood rapidly!
Shohreh sends holy starlight at the beast, but is astonished to find that this abomination is not a supernaturally unholy being!
Jevar sends forth a blast of fire that gets completely deflected by one of the beast’s rubbery tentacles.
The beast utters out in a wholly incomprehensible language—Kolgradd vaguely recognizes some Aklo words, but largely cannot make out the meaning.
Suddenly, the various vines grow rapidly and lash out at all within!
The beast then reaches down with one of its long tentacles and lashes out at Boodiddly!
By some miracle, though, the gnome avoids the attack.
Success
Success
Success --> Critical Success (nat 20)
Round 1
==============
Kolgradd
Boodiddly {-10 feet to Speeds: Round 0 of 1}
Shohreh
Jevar
Abomination (-22) {off-guard & -2 to Reflex} [15’ above ground]
==============
Shohreh quickly lays blessings upon Kolgradd before he leaves her reach, both meant to aid his assault against the monster.
"Oh good call Shohreh - don't let this thing grab you or it'll suck the life out of you!" Knowing that his companions are unlikely to use vegetation offensively, the bard doesn't bother mentioning his other hypothesis about the creature. "I think it's some kind of spawn, maybe of some strange forest fertility entity." He hums to himself and wraps soft sounds around him to discourage another unwanted touch.