Niksi begins getting out her thieves tools. "We will be there in a moment."
Rova sizes up the wolf but relaxes at the woman's words. "Who are you? Why did they lock you up?" she asks as Niksi begins getting ready to free her.
"It's a trap!" Prism calls out, revealing her hiding spot. "She can get out on her own!"
"I wanted to do things the easy way, but I guess we'll have to do them the fun way, just like at the monastery."
Her eyes flash demonically, and you realize that you are in the presence of none other than Balenni!
Initiative!
Mukluk
Prism
Balenni
Rova
Niksi
Wolf
?
There are possible effects when you get within 10 feet of her: please see discussion for more details.
Prism locks eyes with the woman and feels a strange pull in her chest. Due to the effect she doesn't even question it twice but in the back of her mind she understands it is still a trap.
She runs back behind the wall in the adjoining room as she hunts for a good hiding spot. Her heart pounding through her chest.
HP 48/48
AC 21 (AC 23 w/ Shield and Inspire Defense)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Round 1
Action 2: Stride.
Action 2:
Action 3: Ready strike.
"Trap, huh? I don't like no traps." Mukluk moves up to the corner so he can see what is going on. He readies a lunging strike as needed.
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
"Oh, I think we'll get along just fine. You're fun." She casts a spell and suddenly appears next to Mukluk! His readied attack goes off.
"Ouch! Cold iron? There's no need for that. I'm sure you'll get to like me."
Her honeyed words distract Mukluk long enough for her to wrap her arms around him. Despite her soft appearance, her grip is like iron.
Initiative!
Mukluk, grabbed
Prism
Balenni, -15 hp
Rova
Niksi
Wolf
?
[ spoiler=Status]
HP 54/54
AC 21 (22, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9 (+1 to all with inspire defense)
Hero points: 2
Battle Medicine: Rova [], Thkrull [], Mukluk [], Prism [x], Niksi []
Arrows used: 11/23; Stones used 1/7
Effects: Hunted prey (little nose), inspired defense
[/spoiler]
Rova quickly tries to size up Balenni, firing a stone vaguely in her direction in her haste to call on Thkrull to go help the dwarf.
HP 32/32
AC 19 (20, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +6 (+1 to all when inspired)
Perception +5, Acrobatics +6, Athletics +7, Intimidation +4
Effects:
Thkrull rumbles forward, picking up steam as he gets close and tries to stomp on the little-nosed, not-at-all-attractive thing.
Niksi summons The Brother back into existence right across from Thkrull and begins reciting an apt poem from memory.
"Inexhaustible well of folly and of sins!
Eternal alembic of ancient suffering!
Through the curved trellis of your ribs
I see, still wandering, the insatiable asp.
To tell the truth, I fear your coquetry
Will not find a reward worthy of its efforts;
Which of these mortal hearts understands raillery?
The charms of horror enrapture only the strong!"
Rova's sling staff misses, but Thkrull solidly stomps on Balenni. Balenni brings Brother back to to the fight while keeping everyone inspired.
The wolf moves forward and bites at Brother.
Another wolf pops out of invisibility to attack Thkrull!
Not very well. You realize this wolf is a shape-shifted demon.
Initiative!
Mukluk, grabbed
Prism
Balenni, -24 hp
Rova
Niksi
Wolf
Quasit
Round 2
Action 2: Strike.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.
Mukluk remembers how much he *hates* being grappled. Always has. Ever since the pits, being grappled usually means death.
"Let go! Well...maybe one kiss...NO! LET ME GO!" Mukluk lashes out, trying to get free.
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Prism rushes out of hiding to help Mukluk. Her heart hurts as she sees him trying to kiss Balenni and she doesn't understand why or the pull it has on her. She slashes her sickle at Balenni.
HP 48/48
AC 21 (AC 23 w/ Shield and Inspire Defense)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Mukluk connects once as he lashes out with his pick, and Prism's confusion drives her to hit twice.
"I'm happy to oblige with a kiss."
Balenni touches her lips to the top of Mukluk's head, but the gesture lacks any affection. Instead, she seems to draw out some of Mukluk's life energy.
"Hmmph. Not very much. Perhaps this gnome has a little more life energy."
Balenni releases Mukluk and insinuates herself next to Prism.
She runs her nails along Prism's arm after gripping her tightly, but doesn't manage to draw blood.
plus
Initiative!
Mukluk, drained 1, -7 hp
Prism, grabbed
Balenni, -54 hp
Rova
Niksi
Wolf
Quasit
Niksi snaps her fingers in frustration as The Brother disappears yet again. She continues her recitation while attempting to slow down the succubus with a mental attack.
"The abyss of your eyes, full of horrible thoughts,
Exhales vertigo, and discreet dancers
Cannot look without bitter nausea
At the eternal smile of your thirty-two teeth."
HP 54/54
AC 21 (22, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9 (+1 to all with inspire defense)
Hero points: 2
Battle Medicine: Rova [], Thkrull [], Mukluk [], Prism [x], Niksi []
Arrows used: 12/23; Stones used 1/7
Effects: Hunted prey (little nose), inspired defense
Rova drops her slingstaff and draws her bow, firing an arrow into the succubus as Thkrull roars in outrage, drowning out anything she might have said.
HP 32/32
AC 19 (20, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +6 (+1 to all when inspired)
Perception +5, Acrobatics +6, Athletics +7, Intimidation +4
Effects: Inspired
Heedless of anything his halfling may have told him, Thkrull spins around in outrage, trumpeting furiously as he stomps and gouges at the fake wolf.
Rova aims an arrow right at Balenni, who shudders at the impact. Thkrull stomps on the demon wolf. Niksi tries to get into the succubus's mind.
"It's a little harder than that to stun me! Horrible thoughts, indeed."
The blood wolf runs over and bites at Prism.
The demon wolf tries to bite Thkrull!
for minimum 1, which Niksi reduces to 0! I believe that also means the Knockdown doesn't happen.
It nips at Thkrull's heels on the last attack.
Initiative!
Mukluk, drained 1, -7 hp
Prism, grabbed
Balenni, -66 hp
Rova (Thkrull at -3)
Niksi
Wolf
Quasit, -4 hp
Niksi's defense saves Prism from the wolf's jaws as she struggles against the succubus' firm, inviting grasp.
HP 48/48
AC 21 (AC 23 w/ Shield and Inspire Defense)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Round 3
Action 2: Strike.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.
"Let go of her! That's not a good kiss, like one that Moose would give!" Mukluk lashes out, angry and jealous of the attention given another. "But I'll take another!"
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mukluk, in his fury and jealousy, lashes out against Balenni. His first attack obviously stings with the cold iron, but his second attack hits her directly in the back. Balenni, shocked at the powerful hit, seems surprised as she crumples to the ground. Prism is freed.
Initiative!
Mukluk, drained 1, -7 hp
Prism, grabbed
Rova (Thkrull at -3)
Niksi
Wolf
Quasit, -4 hp
HP 54/54
AC 21 (22, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9 (+1 to all with inspire defense)
Hero points: 2
Battle Medicine: Rova [], Thkrull [], Mukluk [], Prism [x], Niksi []
Arrows used: 12/23; Stones used 1/7
Effects: Hunted prey (demon wolf), inspired defense
Rova moves into the room, studying the demon wolf as Thkrull continues his rampage against the creature.
HP 32/32
AC 19 (20, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +6 (+1 to all when inspired)
Perception +5, Acrobatics +6, Athletics +7, Intimidation +4
Effects: Inspired
Thkrull continues trying to smash and slash the stupid thing attacking him.
He trumpets loudly.
"Die, you mangy cur!"
Prism attacks the wolf, hitting once.
Rova moves in and studies the demon, while Thkrull gets a good kick on it.
Initiative!
Mukluk, drained 1, -7 hp
Prism, grabbed
Rova (Thkrull at -3)
Niksi
Wolf, -4 hp
Quasit, -11 hp
Niksi ceases her recitation, as the subject of the poem is now kindly unconscious, and switches to singing.
The quasit is stunned!
The wolf tears into Prism.
Prism is knocked prone!
The quasit, badly injured and stunned, tries to cast a spell. Mukluk takes an AoO.
to hit;
cold iron damage
The quasit is demolished.
Initiative!
Mukluk, drained 1, -7 hp
Prism, -9 hp, prone
Rova (Thkrull at -3)
Niksi
Wolf, -4 hp
Everyone is up, and only the wolf is left.
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Round 4
Action 2: Stride.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.
"Gah! Sorry, luv! You shoulda maybe been kissing me!" Mukluk almost feels bad for what he did, but he done did it and that’s it. ”Alright, wolfie. Go back to your cage. Get in there or there will be more brainin’.”
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
HP 54/54
AC 21 (22, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9 (+1 to all with inspire defense)
Hero points: 2
Battle Medicine: Rova [], Thkrull [], Mukluk [], Prism [x], Niksi []
Arrows used: 12/23; Stones used 1/7
Effects: Hunted prey (wolf), inspired defense
Rova steps up, turning her attention now to the wolf, and fires an arrow at it, aiming carefully to make sure she doesn't hit any of her friends.
With his halfling not needing him to do anything else, Thkrull continues to stomp on the demon's corpse, smearing its ichor across the floor.
Prism is yanked to the ground where the wolf begins to claw and bite into her. She screams as she jams the handle of her sickle into it's mouth. "GETIT..OFFME!"
Sliding to her feet she slashes back and forth at the beasts muzzle.
HP 31/48
AC 21 (AC 23 w/ Shield and Inspire Defense)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 1/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Mukluk channels his feelings into a massive hit on the wolf. Rova follows up with an arrow that takes down the beast.
Mukluk, drained 1, -7 hp
Prism, -15 hp, prone
Rova (Thkrull at -3)
Niksi
Rova heals Prism for
Rova heals Thkrull for
Rova heals Thkrull for
As Rova patches everyone up, you search Balenni's chambers thoroughly.
Balenni had a lot of luxuries in her rooms. These include elegant clothing worth 16 gp, six silk pillows worth 2 gp each, and a golden statuette of a flying fish worth 11 gp. Four matching crystal vials in a velvet-lined case are worth 4 gp each. Two vials hold strong spirits, one holds a dose of belladonna, and the fourth holds a lesser elixir of life. Hanging above the desk is a demon mask resembling the scowling visage of Balenni herself.
The notes on her desk make it clear that she engineered the corruption
at the hermitage, as well as pushed Nemmia to attack Abberton. She now works for Cavnakash, a xulgath leader who is attempting to destroy the magical orb at the top of this tower. Balenni didn’t know what Cavnakash hopes to gain by this. He’s working for more powerful xulgaths—whom Balenni hadn't met—in an abandoned temple underneath Escadar called Moonstone Hall.
"HAW HAW HAW!" Mukluk gloats as the fight is over, finally able to resist the librarian's appeal. "That wasn't good at all! She wasn't nice, but she kisst good!" He clearly has some issues with what just happened, unable to de-stimulate from the experience.
* * *
"Oh, I don't feel so good. It's like there is something stabbing my kidney or liver, right here," Mukluk points to his head. "Something ain't right all. Ain't felt this bad since I got them 'downthere itches', you know?"
* * *
"Cavnakash? What is that? Where is that?"
Niksi chuckles at Mukluk’s giddiness. ”She probably had a great deal of practice, considering she drains life force with such amorous affectations.” The scene was also a reminder that Niksi herself has not had much of an opportunity for a good kiss in a while herself.
Niksi takes a look over Mukluk during the rest time, seeing if there is anything she can do. ”Unfortunately, dear, I know how to fix the issue but am incapable of it as of yet. The good news is that a good bed rest will get you back to normal.”
She spends most of the rest of the healing time looking over the items the group has collected, taking special care to investigate the notes in detail. ”It is a ‘who,’ Mukluk. He is a xulgath attempting to destroy an orb at the top of the tower for Gods know what reason. We shall have to ask him. Though, he is apparently doing so on orders from more powerful xulgath in Escadar, so it is entirely possible he does not know.”
Rova shudders a bit at Mukluk's comment, not really wanting to think about that.
"Well, I don't know about the more powerful ones, but I think we should go see why he wanted them to attack our circus and the town," she says. She eyes the mask, wondering if anyone wants it.
You follow the stairs up to the roof. A sun-shaped platform of marble rises ten feet above the flat, mud-brick summit of the Erran Tower. Four large columns support another marble slab over the circular staircase in the center of the tower summit, but there are no walls, so the open-air platform provides a commanding view of the Isle of Erran, the Inner Sea, and the Isle of Kortos to the south. A blazing ball of light three feet in diameter swings around the tower summit in a lazy circle, never approaching closer than within forty feet of the tower, causing shadows to spin across the marble. The orb provides bright light but no heat; instead, a soothing feeling of growth and life emanates from it. On the platform, a small heap of ripped nets, broken poles, and other debris is surrounded by several charcoal marks of geometric shapes.
The columns are 15 feet tall, and the 70-foot-diameter marble slab they support serves to keep rain out of the stairwell. Its top is smooth and flat.
A powerful-looking xulgath (yellow) turns. "What! Outsiders! Here to stop my work on the orb, I'm sure. Kill them!"
One of the warriors draws a club, runs toward Prism, and tries to smash!
Not very well.
Initiative
Green Warrior
Mukluk
Cavnakash
Pteranodon
Rova
Prism
Niksi
Red Warrior
Blue Warrior
Round 1
Action 2: Step carefully.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.
"Oh man, why are all these people so angry!" Mukluk grouses as he’s dragged into another scuffle. He moves carefully to try to brain the thug that attacked Prism.
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58 - 4 drained
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mukluk's first hit is a crit, and his second attack takes down the xulgath who attacked Prism!
The leader draws a fancy maul, but then extends a hand toward Mukluk and a ray of darkness emerges.
The pteranodon awkwardly flies forward, then lands on the ground and pecks at Niksi.
Initiative
Mukluk, -19 hp
Cavnakash
Pteranodon
Rova
Prism
Niksi, -24 hp
Red Warrior
Blue Warrior
Niksi grunts in pain as the pteranodon's beak pierces her side. "Making me bleed my own blood. How unfortunate." She takes a couple careful steps away as she tries to back away from the dinosaur. She continues her usual singing, just happy to get away before this beast hits her again like that.
Prism moves out of range of the winged dinosaur as she tosses fire at one of the xulgaths before it has too much time to reach. "Somany..ofthem."
HP 48/48
AC 21 (AC 23 w/ Shield and Inspire Defense)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 2/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
HP 54/54
AC 21 (22, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9 (+1 to all with inspire defense)
Hero points: 2
Battle Medicine: Rova [], Thkrull [], Mukluk [], Prism [x], Niksi []
Arrows used: 12/23; Stones used 2/7
Effects: Hunted prey (blue xulgath)
"Get them, Thkrull!" Rova calls as she sizes up the nearest xulgath and fires a stone at it
HP 32/32
AC 19 (20, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +6 (+1 to all when inspired)
Perception +5, Acrobatics +6, Athletics +7, Intimidation +4
Effects:
Thkrull lets out a mighty trumpet and charges around the corner to get the big, stupid flying thing, though it proves to be a little harder to stomp on than he expected.
Niksi keeps everyone's defenses inspired and gets away from the pteronodon.
Prism, Rova, and Thkrull all have trouble connecting.
The remaining xulgaths draw their clubs and surround Prism. Blue takes a whack at her.
Initiative
Mukluk, -19 hp
Cavnakash
Pteranodon
Rova
Prism, -8 hp
Niksi, -24 hp
Red Warrior
Purple Warrior
Blue Warrior
Round 2
Action 2: Strike or step carefully.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike.
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
to hit;
cold iron damage
[ dice=ColdyVonPierceFace]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d6+4[/dice] cold iron damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-4[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Poker]1d20+12-8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P]1d4+4[/dice] damage
ColdyVonPierceFace
AC: 21 +1 with parry action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 10/10/10
HP: 58/58 - 4 drained
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Prism runs away as she gets a small cut on her arm. She tosses more fire at the same Xulgath she missed before.
HP 40/48
AC 21 (AC 23 w/ Shield and Inspire Defense)
Spells: 1st 0/1
Hero Points 2/3
Vibrant Display 1/10 minutes
Mukluk hits the xulgath in reach twice.
Cavnakash moves in and utters a cry of destruction!
This provokes from Mukluk, though does not stop the spell.
to hit;
cold iron damage
, DC 24 basic Reflex save
The pteranodon pecks at Thkrull.
Prism then moves and finishes off the Blue Warrior.
Initiative
Mukluk, -19 hp
Cavnakash, -6 hp
Pteranodon
Rova
Prism, -8 hp
Niksi, -24 hp
Red Warrior
Purple Warrior
HP 32/32
AC 19 (20, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +6 (+1 to all when inspired)
Perception +5, Acrobatics +6, Athletics +7, Intimidation +4
Effects: inspired
Thkrull gives an elephantine bellow of laughter at the stupid, ugly bird thing and rears up, bringing his heavy feet down on it.
HP 54/54
AC 21 (22, plus physical resistance 2, when inspired)
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +9 (+1 to all with inspire defense)
Hero points: 2
Battle Medicine: Rova [], Thkrull [], Mukluk [], Prism [x], Niksi []
Arrows used: 13/23; Stones used 2/7
Effects: Hunted prey (blue xulgath)
Rova opens her mouth to give Thkrull instructions, then realizes he has the matter well in trunk, and turns her attention back to the xulgath trying to kill them.
"What are you doing here?" she calls out as she fires an arrow at the blue-tinged one.