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Light Condition: None
Active Buffs: Inspire Courage (4 Rounds: Round 2 Start), Air Mephit Ally. Magic Weapon (Hulgur)
Active Penalties: None
Allania(-12,Fine)
Gobil Sliink(-0,Fine)
Hulgur Grimm(-0,Fine)
Merin Talusian(-9,Fine)
Screech Razorsong(-0,Fine)
Chewface(-0,Fine) Mephit (-8, Fine)
Orc Brutes(6/8 Remain,15 AC, 15 HP Each)
Lord Nar, the Big Boss Orc(21,Fine)
Merin draws his blade and makes 2 wild and inaccurate swings at the orc in front of him.
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Screech looks at light green, and says "GET AWAY!!" as he casts sound burst, channeling all of his fear into a loud burst!
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half damage.
Failure The creature takes full damage and is deafened for 1 round.
Critical Failure The creature takes double damage and is deafened for 1 minute, and stunned 1.
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Light Condition: None
Active Buffs: Inspire Courage (4 Rounds: Round 2 Start), Air Mephit Ally. Magic Weapon (Hulgur)
Active Penalties: None
Allania(-12,Fine)
Gobil Sliink(-0,Fine)
Hulgur Grimm(-0,Fine)
Merin Talusian(-9,Fine)
Screech Razorsong(-0,Fine)
Chewface(-0,Fine) Mephit (-8, Fine)
Orc Brutes(6/8 Remain,15 AC, 15 HP Each)
Lord Nar, the Big Boss Orc(21,Fine)
Orcs Damage Taken
Red 23 (1 HP, Wounded 1), Yellow 17 (1 HP, Wounded 1), Green 17(1 HP, Wounded 1), Teal (Down), Orange (Down), Dark Green 3 (Running Away 3 Actions), Blue 7 (Deafened 1), Purple 3
Chaos begins to ensue, as one orc runs in panic and another is deaf from the goblin's screech! The orcs begin their retaliation against the invading Pathfinders!
With slicing ferocity, the orcs finally cut deeply into the mephit, and that is more than the summon can handle! It disappears!
The orc in red moves up to behind Hulgur, blocking his exit and attempts to attack the half-breed!
Lord Nar, surrounded by Allania and Hulgur, roars his challenging fury as he swings at both of them!
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Light Condition: None
Active Buffs: Inspire Courage (4 Rounds: Round 2 Start), Air Mephit Ally. Magic Weapon (Hulgur)
Active Penalties: None
Allania(-12,Fine)
Gobil Sliink(-0,Fine)
Hulgur Grimm(-28,Fine)
Merin Talusian(-9,Fine)
Screech Razorsong(-0,Fine)
Chewface(-0,Fine)
Orc Brutes(6/8 Remain,15 AC, 15 HP Each)
Lord Nar, the Big Boss Orc(21,Fine)
Orcs Damage Taken
Red 23 (1 HP, Wounded 1), Yellow 17 (1 HP, Wounded 1), Green 17(1 HP, Wounded 1), Teal (Down), Orange (Down), Dark Green 3, Blue 7 (Deafened 1), Purple 3
Gobil continues his barrage of attacks on the orcs assaulting Merin, first biting down on the yellow orc before climbing over him to strike at the purple one.
"HuuuuulGuuuur" he croaks as he hears his friend in battle further away.
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Light Condition: None
Active Buffs: Inspire Courage (4 Rounds: Round 2 Start), Air Mephit Ally. Magic Weapon (Hulgur)
Active Penalties: None
Allania(-12,Fine)
Gobil Sliink(-0,Fine)
Hulgur Grimm(-28,Fine)
Merin Talusian(-9,Fine)
Screech Razorsong(-0,Fine)
Chewface(-0,Fine)
Orc Brutes(4/8 Remain,15 AC, 15 HP Each)
Lord Nar, the Big Boss Orc(21,Fine)
Orcs Damage Taken
Red 23 (1 HP, Wounded 1), Yellow (Down), Green (Very Dead), Teal (Down), Orange (Down), Dark Green 3, Blue 7 (Deafened 1), Purple 3
The green orc assailed by the rock has it shatter through his face. A sizeable hole now can be seen through it's head.
Gobil smacks down the yellow orc, and lands another blow against the purple orc!
Chewface takes a moment considering how best to immolate one of the orcs menacing his allies.
Allania continues to smash Lord Nar as her sword stabs out the entryway, followed by her shield bashing into his body.
She raises her shield expecting a bit of retaliation.
HP 35/47
AC 20 (22 with shield raised)
Hero Points 0/3
Merin follows Chewface's flame with a strike of his own, before noticing that Hulgur is being held up practically by his bluster alone. With a quick prayer to the Dawnflower, he gestures to him and unleashes a burst of healing on him.
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Light Condition: None
Active Buffs: Inspire Courage (4 Rounds: Round 2 Start), Air Mephit Ally. Magic Weapon (Hulgur)
Active Penalties: None
Allania(-12,Fine)
Gobil Sliink(-0,Fine)
Hulgur Grimm(-5,Fine)
Merin Talusian(-9,Fine)
Screech Razorsong(-0,Fine)
Chewface(-0,Fine)
Orc Brutes(3/8 Remaining,15 AC, 15 HP Each)
Lord Nar, the Big Boss Orc(54,Fine)
Orcs Damage Taken
Red 23 (1 HP, Wounded 1), Yellow (Down), Green (Very Dead), Teal (Down), Orange (Down), Dark Green 3, Blue 7 (Deafened 1), Purple (Down)
"Ugh... Why you.." Nar's grip tightens on his club, but he is dripping beads of sweat. He starts swinging his club at the half-breed once again.
The red orc tries to take down Hulgur!
The red orc then moves on to attack the healer, Merin!
The blue orc tries to finish off Merin, and does a pathetic job at doing so.
The dark green orc begins running back to the fight.
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Light Condition: None
Active Buffs: Inspire Courage (4 Rounds: Round 2 Start), Air Mephit Ally. Magic Weapon (Hulgur)
Active Penalties: None
Allania(-12,Fine)
Gobil Sliink(-0,Fine)
Hulgur Grimm(-36,Dying 1)
Merin Talusian(-27,Fine)
Screech Razorsong(-0,Fine)
Chewface(-0,Fine)
Orc Brutes(3/8 Remaining,15 AC, 15 HP Each)
Lord Nar, the Big Boss Orc(54,Fine)
Orcs Damage Taken
Red 23 (1 HP, Wounded 1), Yellow (Down), Green (Very Dead), Teal (Down), Orange (Down), Dark Green 3, Blue 7 (Deafened 1), Purple (Down)
Knowing he needs to get to Hulgur, Gobil bites and punches the two orcs in front of him.
Against his better judgement, Chewface tries to get the big orc's attention with more fire.
Allania gets a bit more aggressive with Lord Nar as she sees Hulgur in trouble. "You alright Hulgur? That looked bad."
HP 35/47
AC 20 (22 with shield raised)
Hero Points 0/3
Merin grunts in pain as the attacks land. While he'd prefer to focus on defeating the orcs, keeping himself up and getting Hulgur up is a greater priority. So, with another prayer to Sarenrae to mend his fallen friend, the cleric turns to his training as a medic to heal himself.
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Allania slices right into Lord Nar's chest, and blood sprays out from the bulbous orc's body! His eyes roll back into his head as he tries to usher a curse.
Gobil goes into a martial frenzy, bashing and smashing the orcs that dare to front him. Merin gets Hulgur back up to fighting condition, and Screech sends another rock into an orc skull!
With the orcs of this camp now thoroughly beaten and dead or dying, the party has a moment of reprieve.
From Nar's corpse is a bronze key, a magical +1 greatclub, two hatchets, and hide armor that smells like a sweaty orc.
From the brutes are the usual orc knuckle daggers and about 24 javelins.
Allania looks around at all of the carnage. "Let's get inside that cave and heal up a little bit. That alarm is going to raise some defenses quickly."
She grabs Hulgur's arm, helping him stay on his feet as she rushes to the entrance to the southwest.
"Aha, that was a rush. We really showed them not to mess with us...sorry for raising the alarm." Gobil says scratching his head as he picks up a few javelins from the corpses.
He heads to check out the cave with Allania.
"We're in, we're though. that's all that matters," Merin says as he walks to the cave as well. "Of course, my question is: Is this Spite's cradle, or just an outpost that was setup on the way?"
"See, that went well. Now the orcs're gone and we'll see what's up here." Chewface spends some time with the recuperating party as he peruses his spellbook. He then starts poking around the buildings, quietly in case of more aggressors.
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With enough time to rest and no more orcs coming around to fight, the Pathfinders patch up their wounds.
In the center of this wooden hut is a massive stone throne. Crudely carved with howling orc faces, the chair is clearly intended to intimidate. Flanking it on the walls of the hut are two massive leather canvases featuring simplistic paintings. On the left is an image of a mountain peak with an orc head howling up at it from a great cavern at the mountain’s heart.
On the right is the image of a tall, slender woman with black hair. Her ears suggest she is elven or half-elven. In one hand, she holds a large beaker overflowing with green liquid; in the other, she holds naked fire. At the back wall, you can make out a curtain partly concealing an opening into the cliff face.
The throne seems to be of curious design and make. It looks like something could be hidden in it. There even appears to be buttons on the end of the throne that look like eyes.
Do you press them?
"Oh, this throne is more than for looks. My curiosity may end up killing me...but there are buttons there. I want to press them quite badly...maybe stand back." he says looking around for a pole or something to push the buttons, failing that he will push them himself.
Merin's eyes fall onto the canvases. Walking over to the one on the right, he half-asks, "Do you think this is an image of Vilree? If that's the case, then she's the one that taught, or at least funded, these orcs in whatever alchemical disasters they're causing. and it's also likely that she's a spellcaster of some sort."
Chewface ambles over. "If that's her, is she worshiped by orcs? Doesn't make sense." He does a routine check for traces of magic.
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Merin, recalling back to some discussions from the village, would have reason to believe this is indeed the infamous Vilree they have learned bits and pieces of.
While the party was off trying to find the murderer, a tale that was told in passing by Screech and Allania from when they were walking the elderly mayor around town seems most relevant.
**************************************************
Flashback to the Plaguestone...
The path next leads to the plaguestone, which was used to give food and aid to those suffering from the plague. Targen can tell you both much about the plague that came to Etran’s Folly. He recounts how everyone suspected a local witch named Silwyth of starting the plague, and after Silwyth caught it herself, she cursed the town’s only priest before she died. Soon after, Father Bolgrist contracted the plague and died.
He tells you that Silwyth had a daughter named Vilree who stuck around her mother’s home for a few years, then probably died or ran off.
***************************************************
The only magical presence Chewface can detect seems to come from within the throne chair's base.
A hidden compartment opens at the base of the throne, and what a trove of supplies and riches it has! A bag containing 28 gp in silver and copper pieces, a flawed sapphire worth 20 gp, a scroll of heal (2nd level), a scroll of sound burst, and a scroll of restoration.
There is also a straw doll with black bits of hair in a very loose shape of the portrait's hair, and a journal written in orcish.
Gobil keeps looking over the throne, when Chewface gets near he waves at him.
"You sense anything...these buttons have to do something. Help me push them at the same time? What is the worst that could happen!" he says pushing his own.
Chewface doesn't look enthused by menial labor, as little as it is, but he chips in anyway. "Sure. Something's up with the seat." The throne opening up explains this, and leaves him fairly sure there aren't any traps. "Oh, phew. Hey Merin, goodies!"
Allania pushes the second button in time with Gobil. The hidden compartment slides open. "Would you look at that!" She gives a small whistle. Reaching in she grabs the straw doll, looks at it and tosses it to the ground with a tsk. She then grabs the journal and begins to flip through it. reading a couple of passages.
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1st Entry
Old chief was a fool. He lead the warband but fought against the girl. She proved his better. When he was told to bow to her, he refused. She turned him into a pile of ashes with strange liquids. I agreed to lead the tribe under her rule.
2nd Entry
Boss lady sent others to place near village. Told them they were to make weapons to get revenge. Said the village killed her mother. When I ask her about it, she tells me to not get out of line.
3rd Entry
Can hear her story once. Talk to fat human. Boss lady mother taught her "Alchemy". Boss Lady mother try to save village from plague. They call her witch, and burn her when plague get out of control. Boss lady want revenge. Kill entire town.
4th Entry
The water taste funny.
5th Entry
Made doll like boss lady. Used hair from brush. Practice with it to get courage to talk to boss lady. Graytusk almost saw once.
6th Entry
Graytusk get new post to not spy on me. Graytusk either on hunt or go wait inside lounge. No need to see doll.
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Certainly, you have enough confirmation now. This is without a doubt Spite's Cradle. Vilree must be inside the larger complex, somewhere.
Allania follows into the complex behind Hulgur. "Yup, let's keep moving before they have too much time to organize." She looks into the room. "North or South?"
"South," Marin adds to the conversation as he steps up behind Allania and Hulgur. As he tucks the scroll of heal and restoration into his back, he adds, "So, Are we going to try to subdue her and take her back to Etran's Folly, if it's possible?"
"I'm not trying very hard," Chewface chips in as he follows. "If she gives up, great. Not gonna try to act like she won't kill us back until we make sure she can't."
"South it is." Allania shoves the door open south and heads into the room.
"If I am being honest, a foul desecrator of nature like that won't reform. The best we can do is make sure it ends here and now." he agrees, not bloodthirsty but sure that he wants to stop her once and for all.
He follows close to the others.
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As the Pathfinders begin their search of the complex, the first chamber appears to be a reception hall. A well worn carpet that stretches from the doors leads straight ahead to a double door set. On the wall to the right of the double door is a map of the area that has been painted.
Spite's Cradle resides in the center of the map, with lines drawn to all of the nearby settlements and noting travel time by horse. Where Etran’s Folly should be, there is only a simple legend that reads Ruins of Plaguestone.
Passing through the double door is a strange fat little creature that bobs on two wings. It appears to be making a meal of some kind. It hasn't noticed you so far.
"Ooh, what're you?" Chewface says, surprisingly not trying get the thing's attention.
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Chewface recognizes the creature immediately as a Homonculus.
A homunculus is a tiny servitor construct created by a crafter to serve as a spy, scout, messenger, or assistant. When a crafter first begins to study the art of creating constructs, she often crafts a homunculus first, since the creation process is simple and inexpensive due to a magical shortcut: the use of the creator’s own blood. This forges a link between the homunculus and its master, causing the homunculus to gain a spark of the creator’s intellect, as well as the same moral values and some of the creator’s basic personality traits. Homunculi left to their own devices never stray far from their masters.
Weakest Saves: Fort and Will.
Immunities: bleed, death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, unconscious
Homonculus Poison: A homunculus has one dose of poison in a reservoir in its head. It can refill this poison from its reserves with an Interact action. Saving Throw DC 15 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 poison and enfeebled 1 (1 round)