It Came from Hollow Mountain

Game Master DEREK LANE 127

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND TWO
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: touches Walf!
Roscoe:
Ayita: miss!
Doc Hatfield:
Frantino: miss!
Nasir: miss!
Walfrenden: Saves! Attacks to aid another. Will come into play next turn.

Status:
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)

ROSCOE? DOC?

I guess I'll try with the Earthbreaker to offset some of my negatives.

Nasir wearily drops his sword and shield and takes the weapon offered by Walfrenden.

"I hope that your magic can help us crush this abomination quickly."

He swings the weapon as he whispers a prayer for a solid hit.

[dice=Earthbreaker]1d20+4-1-1+1
[dice=Dmg]2d6+3-1

I forgot that I have a flank as well from Gregory, so I need to add +2 to hit for a total of 17.

Nasir al-Rafik Kamal wrote:

I guess I'll try with the Earthbreaker to offset some of my negatives.

Nasir wearily drops his sword and shield and takes the weapon offered by Walfrenden.

"I hope that your magic can help us crush this abomination quickly."

He swings the weapon as he whispers a prayer for a solid hit.

[dice=Earthbreaker]1d20+4-1-1+1
[dice=Dmg]2d6+3-1

I forgot that I have a flank as well from Gregory, so I need to add +2 to hit for a total of 17.

Oh! Good catch! But still a miss.

Roscoe, with no room to maneuver to strike the doll in melee, draws his crossbow and fires past his allies.

"Stop that creepy thing!"

light crossbow (aura of sobs, fire into melee): 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 1 - 4 = 181d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Aid Another+Flank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Hatfield, incredibly uncomfortable with the situation, tries to Aid Another the next attack, but fails.

Roscoe, with no room to maneuver to strike the doll in melee, draws his crossbow and fires past his allies.

"Stop that creepy thing!"

[dice=light crossbow (aura of sobs, fire into melee)]1d20+4-1-4;1d6-1

MISS!

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND TWO - FINAL
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: touches Walf!
Roscoe: Miss!
Ayita: miss!
Doc Hatfield: Tries to aid another. Fails.
Frantino: miss!
Nasir: miss!
Walfrenden: Saves! Attacks to aid another. Will come into play next turn.

Status:
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND THREE
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: touches Walf again!
Roscoe:
Ayita:
Doc Hatfield:
Frantino:
Nasir:
Walfrenden: Who was your "Attack to aid" helping last turn? It matters this turn.

Status:
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)
--------------------------------------

"Help me! I'm stuck in this body!" mews the little thing in Ayita's voice.

Touch vs. Walf: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Dmg: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 HIT! Will save DC16, please.

PARTY IS UP!

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 - 1 = 14 Modified for the aura.

Walf fails and is unable to speak!

Walf's attack to aid was for Nasir.

Light Hammer Attack to Aid Nasir Again Next Round: 1d20 + 3 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 1 - 1 = 13 Modified for fatigue and the aura

Nasir swings at the monstrosity again!

Earthbreaker: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 13

Bonuses: Masterwork, Flank, Aid Another

Dmg: 2d6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 - 1 = 10

Damn RNG again!!!

Frantino tries to identify the creature, looking for ways to harm it most effectively.

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 or whichever knowledge is relevant

And he'll attack again!

greatsword: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 = 20, damage: 2d6 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 - 1 = 13

If this doesn't hit, it may be time to do a tactical retreat, shut the door, and reassess our approach.

Frantino tries to identify the creature, looking for ways to harm it most effectively.

[dice=Knowledge religion]1d20 + 7 or whichever knowledge is relevant

And he'll attack again!

[dice=greatsword]1d20 + 4 - 1, [dice=damage]2d6 + 6 - 1

If this doesn't hit, it may be time to do a tactical retreat, shut the door, and reassess our approach.

HIT!

Frantino has heard of such fox-headed abominations. It is an attic whisperer, spawning as the result of a lonely or neglected child’s death. This is unusual, as Roderic's children were loved and cared for. Frantino recalls stories of a haunted thing, lurking in the town of Roderic's Cove, seeking companionship from little children. But, Frantino realizes, the time of Sir Roderic's death coincides with the last time the child-haunt was last talked about in town.

Rather than animating the body of a dead youth, the creature rises from an amalgam of old toys, clothing, dust, and other objects associated with a child. When an attic whisperer first forms, it does so without a skull. It seeks out a small animal’s skull as a form of decoration soon after it manifests.

Attic whisperers often linger in the places where they were formed, but they will move locations eventually, knowing they cannot remain safe in a crowded location for long.

This thing is undead, animated with latent necromantic energies, and is generally a weak physical opponent, using its ability to steal voices and fatigue adversaries and targeted children, until they fall asleep, kept forever a plaything in its horrific, secluded playroom.

No particular weaknesses. Undead traits. Weakest weakness? Fort save.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 (Success!)

Hatfield tries to aid the next melee attack, again.

"Yuck, yuck, yuck!"

Ayita will try to assist Roscoe when he hits at it (since Roscoe doesn't seem to have gone yet). Ter says from Ayita's shoulder, Can feel Ayita still Ayita!

assist attack if these are the right dice: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 1 - 1 = 11

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND THREE
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: touches Walf again!
Roscoe: ??
Ayita: aids Roscoe's next attack
Doc Hatfield: aids Frantino's attack
Frantino: HIT!
Nasir: MISS
Walfrenden: Aid's Nasir's next attack

Status:
Walfrenden - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)
--------------------------------------

ROSCOE IS UP!

Ayita will try to assist Roscoe when he hits at it (since Roscoe doesn't seem to have gone yet). Ter says from Ayita's shoulder, Can feel Ayita still Ayita!

[dice=assist attack if these are the right dice]1d20+4-1-1

Your aid will affect Roscoe's NEXT attack, as he is before you in the init order.

Derek, Walf was hit last round and failed his save. Is he unable to speak, fatigued, or both? I don't see the effect. I assumed it was both, but the summary for this round doesn't say.

Thanks for calling that out. He's unable to speak only. Fatigued is the other one.

Thanks for calling that out. He's unable to speak only. Fatigued is the other one.

No problem! Not to be a pain, but is there a hp loss with that then? You imposed one, but not when it stole Ayita's voice. Or was the way Walf lost his voice different somehow?

GM Derek wrote:

Thanks for calling that out. He's unable to speak only. Fatigued is the other one.

No problem! Not to be a pain, but is there a hp loss with that then? You imposed one, but not when it stole Ayita's voice. Or was the way Walf lost his voice different somehow?

OK, error error, Will Robinson! I used the bite attack mod, but was thinking touch attack to steal your voice. So, since I used the bite mod, let's call it a bite attack with 3hp dmg and you are fatigued (the Save DC is the same, which you failed). You can still cast/speak, but are fatigued. I'll update the status. Thanks for noticing that.

OK, error error, Will Robinson! I used the bite attack mod, but was thinking touch attack to steal your voice. So, since I used the bite mod, let's call it a bite attack with 3hp dmg and you are fatigued (the Save DC is the same, which you failed). You can still cast/speak, but are fatigued. I'll update the status. Thanks for noticing that.

Have folks watched the new "Lost in Space"? The robot in that is amazing.

GM Derek wrote:

OK, error error, Will Robinson! I used the bite attack mod, but was thinking touch attack to steal your voice. So, since I used the bite mod, let's call it a bite attack with 3hp dmg and you are fatigued (the Save DC is the same, which you failed). You can still cast/speak, but are fatigued. I'll update the status. Thanks for noticing that.

Have folks watched the new "Lost in Space"? The robot in that is amazing.

I LOVE Lost in Space! Watching it with my youngest.

Roscoe DELAYS.

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND FOUR
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: bites at Walf again! MISSES
Roscoe: due to Ayita's aid last round, your attack is +2 this round
Ayita:
Doc Hatfield:
Frantino:
Nasir: due to Walf's aid last round, your attack is +2 this round
Walfrenden:

Status:
Walfrenden - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)
--------------------------------------

The attic whisperer bites Walf again!

bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 MISS

PARTY IS UP!

Aid Another for the next melee attack: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 1 = 13

His heart clearly not in it, the herbalist mutters to himself: "Don' feel right, fightin' a kid--undead or not."

"You need to be put to rest!"

greatsword: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 20 with Doc's aid

damage: 2d6 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 - 1 = 11

Gah! I thought I had posted.

Roscoe raises his light crossbow again and fires another bolt, trying to avoid his companions.

"Stop the whispering!" he exclaims.

light crossbow (fire into melee, aid): 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 4 + 2 = 201d6 ⇒ 5

Ayita feels intense relief as her companions' strikes seem to connect quite solidly with the horrid little thing. Will it finally stop moving?

Walf continues to attempt to help Nasir attack the horrid toy.

Attack to Aid Nasir in Round 5: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 1 = 11

Ayita will aid another again, since this thing is so hard to hit:

rapier attack assist: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 - 1 = 8

Hatfield looks away from all the violence and squints his eyes--as though that could make it stop.

"Is it dead, yet? Err, um, I mean: again?"

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND FOUR - FINAL
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: bites at Walf again! MISSES
Roscoe: HITS! 5pts
Ayita: Aid. fails.
Doc Hatfield: Aids Frantion, Round Five. Succeeds
Frantino: HITS. 11pts
Nasir: DELAY
Walfrenden: Aid Nasir Round Five. Succeeds.

Status:
Walfrenden - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)
--------------------------------------

Roscoe and Frantino, with the aid of their compatriots, hit the weird little thing. Doc, although he aids, is saddened and conflicted by the child-like horror raised from the dead by the power of despite.

The attic whisperer says, as Frantino and Roscoe attack it, creepily in an Ayita-voiced whisper, "No. Don't hurt me, Roscoe!"

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND FIVE
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: bites Nasir again! HITS!
Roscoe:
Ayita:
Doc Hatfield:
Frantino: Doc has aided you this round.
Nasir: Walf has aided you this round. Save, please.
Walfrenden:

Status:
Walfrenden - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)
--------------------------------------

The fox-skull thing bites Nasir!

Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 Dmg: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 Will DC16, please.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Nasir will attempt to stike the creature again with the Earthbreaker.

Earthbreaker: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 8

Dmg: 1d6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 1 = 8

I get the Will save but totally wiff on the attack. Feast or famine with this roller...

Hatfield starts swinging his club around in seemingly randome arcs near the undead creature.

Swing!: 1d20 + 0 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 0 + 2 - 1 = 18, Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

"Did I git it? Did I git it? Aw, heck. I didn't git it, did I?"

With no other options obvious to prevent this undead creature from going back to haunt the children of the Cove, Frantino continues swinging at the whisperer. However, the incessant voices seem to get to him.

greatsword: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 8 with Doc's aid

damage: 2d6 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 - 1 = 13

Ayita will try again to hit... she silently motions to Doc with a hand swirl, attempting to show that she'd love to switch places with him before next round. Does he understand, and can we do this?

rapier attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 1 - 1 = 7

rapier damage: 1d6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 - 1 = 6

Ayita will try again to hit... she silently motions to Doc with a hand swirl, attempting to show that she'd love to switch places with him before next round. Does he understand, and can we do this?

[dice=rapier attack]1d20+4-1-1

[dice=rapier damage]1d6+1-1

The dice roller hates you. Clearly.

Walf pulls out a flask of holy water and throws it at the creature, inviting an attack from it.

Throw vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 1 = 17

Holy Water Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5 Miss = 1 splash damage

This is the second flask for Walf, the one that was retrieved after he threw it at the flood downstairs. Roscoe, Ayita, Frantino, and Doc should each have one, too.

Walf's attack with the holy water should only be a 16. I forgot the penalty for the aura.

Ayita of the Hawk Clan wrote:

Ayita will try again to hit... she silently motions to Doc with a hand swirl, attempting to show that she'd love to switch places with him before next round. Does he understand, and can we do this?

[dice=rapier attack]1d20+4-1-1

[dice=rapier damage]1d6+1-1

The dice roller hates you. Clearly.

The dice roller clearly hates all of us. Only 3 double digit rolls this round. I'm not even asking for high rolls...

GM Derek wrote:

Ayita of the Hawk Clan wrote:

Ayita will try again to hit... she silently motions to Doc with a hand swirl, attempting to show that she'd love to switch places with him before next round. Does he understand, and can we do this?

[dice=rapier attack]1d20+4-1-1

[dice=rapier damage]1d6+1-1

The dice roller hates you. Clearly.

The dice roller clearly hates all of us. Only 3 double digit rolls this round. I'm not even asking for high rolls...

It wouldn't even have helped if I'd assisted Walf's attack instead of attacking; I can't even make a 10...

Throw holy water. The touch AC should be lower and you should at least get a point of splash damage.

Though Roscoe's last shot hit, this one goes wildly over the fray, thudding into the ceiling as he hears the thing whisper to him directly.

"Make it stop! Make it stop!" he exclaims. "It knows my name!!!"

light crossbow (aura of sobs): 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 = 71d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND FIVE - FINAL
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: bites Nasir again! HITS!
Roscoe: Miss!
Ayita: Miss!
Doc Hatfield: Hit, but no damage
Frantino: Miss!
Nasir: Saves. But misses.
Walfrenden: HITS!

Status:
Walfrenden - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)
--------------------------------------

Doc Hatfield's clubs connects, but only on the thing's skull, where it does no damage! Walf's holy water burns and hisses when it hits the undead horror!

"Walfrenden, why are you hurting me! It's me, Ayita!" it says with a pathetic little sob and cry that is utterly out of character from the real Ayita.

THE VOICES OF CHILDREN LONG GONE
ROUND SIX
-------------------------------------
Rabbit Costume Nightmare: bites Walf again! HITS!
Roscoe:
Ayita:
Doc Hatfield:
Frantino:
Nasir:
Walfrenden:

Status:
Walfrenden - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Ayita - unable to speak; fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
Nasir - fatigued (-2 Dex, -2 Str)
ALL - Aura of Sobs (-1 atk/dmg, will saves)
--------------------------------------

The doll-like thing, having been struck by Walf's holy water, turns to him and raises its arms, as if wanting to be picked up. It reaches for the smith and... BITES him!

Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Dmg: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 Will DC16 or be exhausted!

Walf flinches back as the horror bites him again.

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 1 = 20

Although he feels the toy trying to drain him, he fights through.

Walf calls out, "Pelt it with holy water. That seems to have worked!"

Derek, did you miss an AoO on Walf or your attack for round 6? Or did the throw not provoke?

Light Hammer Attack to Aid Nasir in Round 7: 1d20 + 3 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 1 - 1 = 3

Walf flinches back as the horror bites him again.

Although he feels the toy trying to drain him, he fights through.

Walf calls out, "Pelt it with holy water. That seems to have worked!"

Derek, did you miss an AoO on Walf or your attack for round 6? Or did the throw not provoke?

"Stop talking Walf!," it says.

Touch on Walf AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Will DC16 or lose voice.

"Gods damn this thing! How is it so difficult to kill!?!?!?"

Nasir swings the Earthbreaker again!

Earthbreaker attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 15
Bonuses: Masterwork, Flank

Earthbreaker damage: 2d6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 3 - 1 = 12

"Ahhh!!! Make it stop!" Roscoe exclaims as he tries to hit it again. But as before, the bolt flies wide as the halfling tries to dampen the voices in his mind.

light crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 81d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9