GM Kate's Extinction Curse [closed]

Game Master Kate Baker

I'll leave Brother in the back for now, but you can move him to the front before the next action starts.

You open the door to see two more priests, both with defaced holy symbols. They are arguing with each other and don't immediately notice the door open.

"Bak, get your things out of here! I clearly said that I was taking Harlock's rooms. It's seniority."

"Well, Lessa, I've been doing much more work than you demonizing the animals, so I should get Harlock's rooms."

"That's a lie! Carlessa's doing all that work!"

Niksi glances to Mukluk with a "what do you suggest?" look and raises an eyebrow. Or, rather, she switches to her "quizzical" face.

Mukluk rubs his hand over his hairless head, trying to think. It’s not something he’s good at and may take a while. He’d like to avoid violence, but also, he’d like to toss those unholy symbols into the dumpster.

As he thinks, he gives time for Rova or Prism to be brilliant.

Sorry, should have responded to Niksi yesterday.

Rova looks askance at Niksi, and Brother. She's known lots of raving people. For some reason, her family seemed to attract them from time to time, people who didn't understand that they weren't suffering from some delusions, but were trying to warn people about something that was really going on. They'd always been frustrated by such people -- it made it harder to get the message across to people who preferred to stick their head in the sand and ignore the signs -- but they'd always disappeared soon enough. She's a little worried that Niksi could be one of those people, and hopes the elf doll doesn't go the same way they did.

Still, she's drawn away from such dark musings about voices in people's head by the voices she can actually hear in the room ahead of them. Her face darkens as the impact of what they're saying hits them, and she urges the others to retreat, since they don't seem to have been noticed.

"They're demonizing animals? With everything we've seen here, I bet they mean for real, not like the Pharasmins do with people who tell the truth!" she hisses. "I think we should find out what's going on. Maybe one of us can put on the robes and pretend to be a new Gozren here and ask?"

She looks at Niksi to see if the doll elf would be willing, since she seems the most likely candidate.

Prism grabs the clothing and one of the defaced holy symbols holding it out to Niksi. "Youcould..claimthe..room asyourown, withus..beingnew..initiates." Prism shrugs. Ifall..elsefails..then..." She quietly taps her sickle.

Niksi tosses up a thumbs up to Prism. takes a moment to disguise herself in the robes and defaced holy symbol. She weighs her options, then decides to take off her mask assembly completely, albeit out-of-view of her allies. It would make the deception far more believable, and her masks are quite distinctive by nature. She takes one of the fuller bags of travel gear as her luggage.

Deception to Disguise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

She trots in dragging her luggage along. "Well, how do you do! Names Balenni. Believe this is my room." The key is confidence, and she can fake that well enough. Just act like everything is all right and let them fill in the gaps.

Deception to Lie: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Mukluk waits in the hallway, hoping for the best. He’s not a good showman yet, and knows he doesn’t quite have the skills to pull off a performance like Niksi is trying.

Rova winces as she listens to Niksi, thinking the woman's not quite as believable as she usually is. Maybe it's the lack of a mask? She can't help but wonder what she looks like without it, but masks are for everyone's safety, she knows.

Maybe I should wear one? she thinks idly. The Norgorberites always did when they had ceremonies together.

They turn to you. "What? You're not Balenni. Balenni's off at the Erran Tower. You're an intruder!"

While the ruse didn't quite fool them, it did distract them for long enough that Rova and Prism get the drop on them!

Initiative!
Rova
Prism
Bak
Mukluk
Niksi
Lessa

Special mechanic for the encounter: these two really hate each other. With a successful Deception check, you can get them to spend some of their actions arguing with each other.

Prism steps into the room. "She maynot..beBalenni, butshe..representsher..andwill..behearing ofthis."

Deception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

She shields herself with a translucent shield, in case her ruse falls through as well.

◆ Move
◆ Deception
◆ Shield

Rova moves in, eyes widening as she takes in the full scene in front of her. Picking a target in the nearest of the two, she lets her sling stone fly.

Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Hunt Prey
Action 3: Strike

Halfling sling staff (reload 1, propulsive): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Hunter's edge (precision/bludgeoning damage): 1d10 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + (1) = 2

Prism enters and tries to extend the deception, without any luck.

Rova moves in, but her stone doesn't find its target.

The man yells, "You dare question our loyalty to Balenni? She showed us the way!"

He casts a spell and his skin grows thicker and barklike. He draws a trident.

Initiative!
Rova
Prism
Bak
Mukluk
Niksi
Lessa

There is no more total defense, right? If you have a shield you can raise that, but if you don’t have a shield you can’t ready to move out of the way or brace yourself, right? No, I dont’ have anything to hide behind, like a gnome or halfling.

Round 1

Action 1: Stride.
Action 2: Stride.
Action 3: Total Defense?

Mukluk lumbers up and lumbers up again. He doesn’t want to kill either of the two jerks, and certainly doesn’t know which one to attack.

He waits between them, trying to avoid any fighting if it can be avoided. He braces for impact. I guess I’m wasting my third action.

Try to stoke their disagreement, maybe? Or Take Cover (by the bed?)

Yeah, Take Cover, which I would allow for an adjacent piece of furniture.

Niksi grins under her hood, but she doesn't pull it back or reveal herself. "My apologies. I heard that one of the people in here was lacking in faith and thought to capitalize on it."

Deception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

She then begins whistling an unsettling tune. Inspire courage

As if in response, Brother moves into the room on top of the bed and swipes at one of the priests.

Illusory Creature Attack vs Green (inspire): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 = 11
Damage (inspire): 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

Try to make them argue, inspire courage, sustain the spell

I'm so sorry; I thought I posted this yesterday, but I never hit submit!

The woman casts a spell, turning his skin thick and barklike as well, and pulls her trident out.

"Our faith is pure!"

Mukluk can take an AoO if he would like.

Initiative!
Rova
Prism
Bak
Mukluk
Niksi
Lessa

Mukluk shakes his head, waffling in his boots about what to do. Finally, he sighs and lashes out.

Melee, AoO:
Gouger: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 = 13 to hit;
P: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 damage

Deception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"Pure as what?" Prism asks trying to continue to stir the conversation. "Cause we heard otherwise. Reason we are here."

+1 sickle; Inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

◆ Move
◆ Deception
◆ Attack

Sorry about the delay, everyone.

Rova quickly reloads her staff and fires another stone at the priestess, a brutal shot.

"She knows you're no real demon!" Rova yells at the green one, not really sure if she'll even consider that an insult, and not being all that convincing because of it.

Action 1: Reload
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Deception to stoke division

Halfling sling staff (reload 1, propulsive): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 = 29 Unfortunately, she probably has some cover, so likely not a crit.
Hunter's edge (precision/bludgeoning damage): 1d10 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (9) + (7) + 1 = 17

Deception (untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Mukluk's heart just isn't in his AoO, which misses.

Rova sends a perfectly aimed sling bullet at Bak, who shudders at the impact.

Prism slides a sickle into the man's side, but her words are what really seem to make him mad.

"What! Who made Balenni mad at us? It was Lessa, wasn't it!"

The man sends a flaming sphere at the woman!

Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) = 5

She seems to take extra damage from the fire.

She retorts, "It must have been you, Bak! Always telling everyone about our business!"

Bak spends one action to heal himself, but not very well.

1d8 ⇒ 2

Initiative!
Rova
Prism
Bak, -30 hp
Mukluk
Niksi
Lessa, -8 hp

Round 2

Action 1: Strike.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.

Mukluk shrugs and begins to lay into red box foe, not happy about any of this, but evil demon priests probably need to die.

Melee:
Gouger: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 = 23 to hit;
P: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 cold iron damage

Melee:
The Poker: 1d20 + 11 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 4 + 1 = 25 to hit;
P: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 damage

Melee:
The Poker: 1d20 + 11 - 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 11 - 8 + 1 = 6 to hit;
P: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10 damage

Niksi decides to give up on the deceptions for the moment. Sometimes, it's better to just call it when you are having a bad run with an audience and let someone else take the lead. She focuses instead on giving her kind Brother a chance to do his "Good Works." He slams twice at Bak with his automated arms.

Illusory Creature Attack vs Bak (inspire): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 = 21
Damage (inspire): 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Illusory Creature Attack vs Bak (inspire, multiple attack penalty): 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 21
Damage (inspire): 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

For her part, Niksi continues her song, taking a step closer while leaving a spot open in the room.

Sustain the spell, inspire, step

Mukluk strikes one priest while Brother crushes the other!

The woman cackles in glee as Bak falls. "Serves him right. But now it's your turn!"

She Steps back from Mukluk and creates a Flaming Sphere of her own, placed right under his feet.

ouch!: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) = 6 fire damage, DC 20 Reflex save negates.

Initiative!
Rova
Prism
Mukluk
Niksi
Lessa, -22 hp

Round 2

Action 1: Stride.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 Reflex Fire Resist 1

Mukluk shrugs and follows his foe, moving up to swing and swing again.

Melee:
Gouger: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 = 19 to hit;
P: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10 cold iron damage

Melee:
The Poker: 1d20 + 11 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 4 + 1 = 26 to hit;
P: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 damage

Deception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Deception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"Sure does, He is the one that turned you in." Prism continues to sow doscord among the cultists.

+1 sickle; Inspire: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

◆ Deception (Sow Discord)
◆ Deception (Feint)
◆ Attack

Sizing up her new foe, Rova sends a stone toward the priestess.

Action 1: Reload
Action 2: Hunt Prey
Action 3: Strike

Halfling sling staff (reload 1, propulsive): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 = 15
Hunter's edge (precision/bludgeoning damage): 1d10 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + (8) + 1 = 17

Working together, everyone is able to drop the second priest.

Sorry, I forgot to remove the priest who went down first from the map, which made everything more complicated.

The office includes a small desk and a few chairs, and it is lined with bookcases that hold Harlock’s personal library devoted to historical and religious lore, bestiaries and beast fables, and the occasional adventure story. Harlock’s bedroom is furnished with a double bed, armoire, and metal bathtub. His personal journal is tucked into a nightstand next to the bed.

Harlock’s desk contains a recent letter from a distant Gozren abbey discussing rare spells. Included with this letter is a scroll of personal rain cloud, a scroll of sea surge, and a scroll of sudden bolt.

The two priests have 29 gp between them, as well as tridents, leather armor, and defaced holy symbols.

Those are arcane and primal spells; not sure if Niksi can use them? I think that's our only chance to Cast them, unless someone picks up a dedication or I think there's a feat that allows it...

Rova picks up the journal and starts flipping through it -- she starts at the end, a habit taught to her as a child, since you never knew otherwise if you'd ever get to know how a story would turn out.

I should probably check to see if explosive runes are a thing in second edition... (Not that I expect them here, but that's the whole point. No one expects the explosive runes.)

Niksi's sorcerer dedication gives her access to primal spells, so she can use them afaik

Niksi replaces her mask and discards the robes. "Well, that didn't work out particularly well on my end. My apologies, everyone." She takes up the scrolls as well.

Mukluk seems pleasantly surprised by his lack of wounds during the weird and confusing fight and shrugs happily at his good luck.

”No sure you need to apologize,” Mukluk confirms to Niksi. ”We got it done. We got it done.”

Mukluk will loot the bodies and wait to see if the journal holds any interesting secrets.

”What’sit say Rova?”

I was looking at this on another character earlier. Might be pretty close as you can put any spell on it you want. Glyph of Warding

"Prism reaches up to high five Niksi. [b]"Youdid..aswellas..anyofus..couldhave..Niksi." Prism is curious as to what the journals could say as well.

Rova flips through to the last entry.

I just returned from the Erran Tower. I still suspect that the aeon orb is failing somehow, causing the land around it to die, but I couldn't get close enough to confirm my hypothesis as some foul-smelling creatures hurled spears at me before I could get close. Stinking xulgaths. I spied on them for a while. There are at least a dozen, and they are accompanied by large lizards and several demons.

The hermitage got a new guest while I was away...a woman named Balenni.

Hero Point to Prism for getting the priests to attack each other!

"I think this Balenni is the real problem," Rova says, reading the passage to the others. "I think she's probably at this Erran Tower? But it sounds dangerous there. And maybe what's making everything go wrong? But if she's there, is she trying to fix the orb? It doesn't really make sense. Why would Nemmia trust her?"

She thinks for a moment, then shakes her head.

"We still need to find Harlock and probably make sure there aren't any more demon-lovers here before we go there..."

Do we know what Erran Tower and/or the aeon orb are?

Nemmia talked about the Isle of Erran dying, and come to think of it, you all did notice an old-looking tower on your way over to the Hermitage, a few miles out of your path. It could be that.

Society to know more about the Erran Tower.

Religion to know more about aeon orbs.

Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"Yup, isn't Erran Tower thatold..towerwe..passedby..onthe..wayhere?" SHe tries to remember what she knows about it. Taking Rova's suggestion Prism begins leading the way towards the next door as she gets slightly turned around from continuing her thoughts and conversation.

"What, Prism? What Errant Flower? You mean them things that look like they shoud be edible but really taste something awful? Them errant flowers?" Mukluk tries to follow along with the conversation but isn't interested in eating any bad tasting flowers.

Adding the loot to the loot list.

Religion (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Society (untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Still racking her brain, Rova makes sure her sling staff is loaded and follows along with the others.

And just to clarify, Rova's a little more confused than I am. She knows Balenni set Nemmia on the sort of wrong trail, but I think she's not yet realizing Balenni lied to Nemmia or that Nemmia didn't realize that Balenni is probably the villain in this situation.

Prism and Rova put their heads together to try to remember. The Erran Tower is very old and had something to do with Aroden.

Religion (trained): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Society (trained): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Niksi taps at the chin of her mask while she tries to remember what she knows about the subjects.

Niksi also knows that the Tower is something to do with Aroden and thinks that the placement of the Hermitage was deliberately near the Tower.

Mukluk looks for an explanation, as he knows little of flowers or botany.

Prism finds a long row of bedrooms. Each of these rooms contains a wooden bunk bed with simple, straw-filled mattresses and chests for storing clothes and personal belongings.

Each room has been personalized by its inhabitants, including manuscripts in progress or art that honors Gozreh (usually dramatic landscapes). As Prism looks closely, she realizes they began to neglect Gozreh and their scholarship and revel in sin. Paintings are torn or defaced, books are torn or scribbled in, and some chambers are stained with blood.

Mukluk will help examine the room, but then is ready to move on.

”Any answers on how to open that door yet? Or should we explore more?” Mukluk eventually stops by the doorway.

Moved on map. Ready to go in when others are.

Mukluk opens the door to a library that must once have been magnificent. Tall wooden bookcases still line the room’s walls, but many have been pulled over, spilling books of all types and sizes over the carpeted floor. Statuary busts decorate a few cases that remain standing, but others have toppled and shattered. Shredded paper and torn parchment cover the ground. Tables where hermits must once have studied ancient lore are flipped on their sides or upside down, their legs broken off. Archways to the north and south lead to reading rooms that have so far been spared from the damage to the library.

Two wrecker demons are the obvious cause of the destruction. They turn as you enter.

Initiative!
Prism
Mukluk
Yellow Wrecker Demon
Red Wrecker Demon
Rova
Niksi

Prism and Mukluk are ready for action!

You fought these creatures before so you probably remember some things! They are weak to cold iron and good, they hate mirrors with a passion (and take damage from seeing their reflections), their bite can mutilate you, and they like to throw furniture.

"Not flowers, Mukmuk...Tow...ers!" She slowly mouths the syllables as she giggles.

Her giggles quickly cease as she sees the wrecker demons. "Not more of these." She groans as she recalls one nearly taking out their group. She tries to keep her distance as a small ball of flames comes into her hand. She tosses it into the room.

Produce Flame: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7 2d4 Persistent Fire on a crit.

A magical shield springs from Prism's fingers, protecting her briefly.

Cast Shield

◆◆Produce Flame (Orange)
◆ Shield

Round 2

Action 1: Stride.
Action 2: Stride.
Action 3: Strike.

Mukluk moves in, moves in more, then strikes.

Melee:
Gouger: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 1 = 28 to hit;
P: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7 cold iron damage

Prism throws a ball of fire into the library!

flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Luckily, it misses the flammable papers and furniture!

Mukluk moves in and lands a solid blow on the demon!

The demon returns blows with a bite and a claw!

jaws!: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
ouch!: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) + 4 = 15 and a Fort save

claw!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
ouch!: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

It then moves away, provoking from Mukluk, who crits right back!

ColdyVonPierceFace: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 to hit;
P: 2d10 + 8 + 1d10 ⇒ (5, 8) + 8 + (1) = 22 damage

The other demon moves in to the middle of the room and throws a broken table at Prism, followed by a whole encyclopedia!

hurled debris: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
ouch!: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11

hurled debris: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 5 = 18
ouch!: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

Initiative!
Prism
Mukluk
Yellow Wrecker Demon, -38 hp
Red Wrecker Demon
Rova
Niksi

"Don't burn it all down!" Rova calls out in alarm, as she hurries forward, sizing up the nearest demon and sending a stone slamming into it.

"Maybe we should get a mirror," she muses. I assume we haven't seen a mirror anywhere in here.

Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Hunt Prey
Action 3: Strike

Halfling sling staff (reload 1, propulsive): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Hunter's edge (precision/bludgeoning damage): 1d10 + 1d8 ⇒ (8) + (6) = 14

Prism falls to the ground in an unconscious heap as the broken table smashes her in the head. Dying 1