None of the PCs spook so much as to draw a weapon, and, noses pinched and eyes open, continue slowly around the corner...
...to see the man who was yelling at them earlier standing beside a !
The Corpse adjusts it's gaze to fix upon your general direction, when suddenly you realize this Woman is Alive! She looks now not At you, but Past you, as if sensing an entity that is creeping up on you from behind!
The strangeness of the situation immediately halts anyone whose first plan was to approach and touch the woman. Indeed, the man - who will shortly introduce himself as Regis Toshida - stands somewhat between you and her at her side, and interposes between the lingering space his hand, palm open, as well as the words "Careful now. I know you consider yourself healers of the body, but I dare say that is not the medicine for what ails here!" he waits to make sure no one advances with sudden movement before dropping his hand and introducing himself, giving his name and credentials, before adding "You are the third group of "adventurers" what come these past days to re-invoke the trauma my charge yet suffers under, and I plead with you now upon her behalf, as you are now witness to the state of things here: Please Leave!"
Nothing seems amiss judging what Regis Toshida says - you believe his intentions to match his words.
...
The place seems unnaturally filthy, which, contrasting that with the tidy and well-put-together appearance of Regis Toshida, presents somewhat of a paradox?
You quickly scan the room for secret compartments or hidden objects, and conclusively decide that nothing of the sort occupies the front area or this middle room. That said, there are several interesting-looking tinctures inside of a chest behind Regis Toshida - maybe you or one of your compatriots would be able to say more ?
There are no auras here. Whatever afflicts this place - and this woman - is of a non-magical nature. Nor does Regis Toshida glow, as it seems he carries no magical items to assist him.
You quickly scan the room for secret compartments or hidden objects, and conclusively decide that nothing of the sort occupies the front area or this middle room. That said, there are several interesting-looking tinctures inside of a chest behind Regis Toshida - maybe one of your compatriots would be able to say more ?
You quickly scan the room for secret compartments or hidden objects, and conclusively decide that nothing of the sort occupies the front area or this middle room. That said, there are several interesting-looking tinctures inside of a chest behind Regis Toshida - maybe you or one of your compatriots would be able to say more ?
You deduce that this man is a priest of some kind - maybe one of your compatriots would be able to say more ?
...
Kappa to Detect Magic
...
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This town is all mad!
Ignoring Regis, Kappa turns his attention to the old woman in the chair. "Right...Greetings Ms. Lyons. We are wondering if you can tell us a bit about the day you saw the Mosquito Witch. We're trying to put an end to Shimmerford's mosquito plague and any information you have would be useful."
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Endra rounds the corner and tries to pick her jaw up of the floor. Oh... hi. Pleased to meet you...
She trails off realizing that the woman is looking through her and turns to look over her shoulder.
Then, hearing Regis her eyes narrow in suspicion. Avoiding medicine...?
Hmm...
It's all so unreal that her reactions are detached from fluid, collaborative conversation with the man. It's more like they're trying to negotiate their way through a gate, on a heavily guarded road...
She spies some tinctures peaking out of a chest behind Regis, and focuses on them for several moments.
Not really making anything of them immediately.
You are sure whatever she is looking at simply... isn't there!
The tinctures look to be of an alchemical nature.
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Brayka looks behind himself, fearing to see the doll has pursued them:
And then scrutinizes Regis.
Brayka waits to see if Ms. Lyons responds to Kappa, then turns to Regis.
“Sir, I’m Brayka. Your charge and her house are in terrible condition. You however are comparatively clean? Why do you let her stay this way?”
You are sure whatever she is looking at simply... isn't there!
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Manny looks behind him as he tries to absorb the atmosphere.
Nope, just kind of creepy.
"Thank you. We're trying to find out what happened here. Mister Regis Toshida, who were these other adventurers? The sooner we can band together and end this infestation the sooner we can stop traumatizing her."
The woman kind of reminds him of his great aunt, gods rest her soul. He isn't able to concentrate on his surroundings.
You are sure whatever she is looking at simply... isn't there!
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Nikebei is looking at a chest and just scratches his head, he calls out to any that hear, "If any are good with their hands, and I don't mean the thieving type, there maybe something interesting here." He waits patiently whilst his companions come to help, before turning around and seeing the man, Regis Toshida. "You say we're the third group, who were the other two and do you know what your charge said to them, after all I guess you were in the room with her then too." the sorcerer tries to say cheerfully. "If you told us what she said, then we wouldn't have to bother her."
Wrapped in a blanket and sitting in a wooden rocking chair, the woman's skeletal hands shake as Mister Regis Toshida - ignoring Brayka and Nikebei completely - looks about to address Manny's questions, when suddenly...
...Mordha Lyons sits up in her chair and locks eyes with Kappa the old woman says, her voice pinched thin with bitterness. “They pretended to care, a little, when they were all scared that they would be next. Not much, even then.”...
...Regis is speechlessly surprised and transfixed while she speaks!...
...“It was up on Witchtop Hill. Up to the north, a little left of the three boulders and past the bend in the stream. We thought it was a dead animal at first, lying on the ground. It was when we got close that it sprung up, tall as a full-grown man. Came after us on its thin little legs. Didn’t matter how fast we ran, it was right behind us. I thought my heart would burst with the running. It was only when we got to town that we dared to look back. But we didn’t find it. Just sharp footprints in the mud, and smears of sicklysweet blood."...
...Regis' hand reaches for the first and third bottles behind him...
...“And them, with their masks and their dolls and their festivals. To have it in their dreams at night, to wake up with its little paper dolls by the bed. If they’d seen it, they’d never have dared. They don’t know what it’s like to see its eyes in every filthy little bug, for the whining of those insects to be like screaming in my ears.” Mordha clams her mouth shut, before speaking again, in a trembling tone. And I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it. No one will ever remember it.”...
...
There are three bottles.
The first is used to focus the mind and relax the body - this bottle is nearly empty.
The second is used to stimulate the senses into mild hallucination - this bottle is nearly full.
The third is sleep inducing - this bottle is about half way in volume.
...
Endra to ??
Nikebei to Make Impression (Diplomacy) @ 8
Oscre to ??
...
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Manny keeps quiet as Ms. Lyons bares her soul to him and the party. Didn't sound like a vampire, but the dread was all the same. Creatures running through the night, faster than a horse cart, able to uproot trees with a single motion. Cousin Garrick could rattle off all sorts of their abilities.
Great Aunt Gladis died old. But her enthusiasm died a long time ago after she survived one night.
Witchtop Hill. Finally, a lead. That's where the search begins.
"Thank you, Ms Lyons. You've helped us greatly. Please rest. Thank you, Regis. We will leave you, now." Manny bows sincerely before turning to leave.
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Brayka looks around at the filth, the potions, the restless woman, and scowls. "This is not right.". He turns to Regis again as Manny, Nikebei and Kappa turn to leave.
"Sir, how long has she been like this? And, again, should we try our remedies on her before we go? Your medicines don't seem to be improving her condition. And why is it that this house is so very, very filthy? We've seen other places in town and even with this plague, they aren't this filthy. You are falling behind as her steward."
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Oscre tries to sneak a peek at the alchemical things Endra pointed out.
Beyond that, he stays quiet and listens to Ms. Lyons's tale. Then scratches his head. "Terribly sorry for all you've suffered. We don't want to upset you any further." He turns to his teammates. "We'd best be going, don't you think? Seems like we've got enough of a lead to head into the forest...to Witchtop Hill."
The room is full of tension as eventually even Brayka stops berating the caretaker who, in his own pride, never "stoops" to directly answer the young goblins legitimate questions. While the party patiently waits outside, after an uneven row, he emerges from the filthy abode, still upset from the exchange. And! Just as each of the PCs are about to breathe again the fresh air - their mouths are assaulted by clouds of voracious mosquitos, quickly re-establishing their dominance in the thick muggy air. Without pausing for relief, the party travels according to Mordha Lyon's "directions" into the forest headed directly for Witchtop Hill!
...
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"If it helps, Brayka, I do agree. But I've seen people fight try to climb uphill during a flood. It ain't easy. Miss Lyons has people bugging her constantly and all she can do is relive that night." Manny is quiet for once.
"Kappa has a point. I'm a city guy, but this town is dying, with or without the mosquitoes. The least we can do is give them another chance. Besides, I'm dying to get out there and see if we can get to Witchtop Hill soon."
"Uh, I'm bad with the outdoors. Someone else want to lead?"
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“I’ll watch the woods for anything unusual. We should also keep an eye out for those other two explorers that Galia said headed into the forest looking for the witch.”
“Endra, I trust your navigation skills far more than mine. Kappa, I think we’ll need your magic sense. Something foul is here.”
Brayka sighs and slumps as another wave of pests swarm down his breastplate and under his helmet.
“Kappa is right, it will be good to get out of Shimmerford. Manny, I know we’re supposed to save it, but it feels like there’s nothing left to save.”
Brayka’s mouth twitches into a half-grin. “Well, other than charming Galia and her fragrant beet juice.”
Shaking his head to clear it, Brayka squares his pack and gives Manny a thumbs up. He readies his weapons and rope for quick access and prepares to hike.
Endra to Assist Navigation (Survival)
Brayka to Investigate (various)
Kappa to Lead Navigation (Survival)
Manny to Search (Perception)
Nikebei to Search?? or Avoid Detection??
Oscre to ??
Endra to Assist Navigation (Survival)
Brayka to Investigate (various)
Kappa to Lead Navigation (Survival)
Manny to Search (Perception)
Nikebei to Search (Perception)
Oscre to Investigate (varies)
Kappa relaxes as the density of mosquitos dies down proportional to how much distance the party puts between themselves and the village! The halfling - following the old woman's "directions" - quickly leads the party to the top of Witchtop Hill in about half an hour's time. Although the clouds of vermin are diminished, at the hill's apex, with the sun still high in the sky and already beginning it's descent into dusk, the mugginess of the heat is multiplied by a palpable humidity, the PCs find themselves wiping sweat from their brow and moistening the garments around their armpits and backs. Perhaps in their excitement, they hastened too fast? Nevertheless...
...Walking down just over the summit, there is a dimly lit grove of uncanny, bare-branched trees, with thousands of the townsfolks’ Mosquito Witch dolls nailed to the bark. Investigating the dolls reveals contradictory information as to who could have placed them or when they were placed, for a patina of grime suggests they have been there for a long time, but the dolls should not have survived in such pristine conditions if exposed to the elements. Attempting to pull out the nails results in a sticky, foul, blood-red sap oozing from the tree bark, accompanied by a sickly-sweet smell...
...In addition to inspecting the dolls, the PCs scour the area for clues!:
You discover some recent tracks!
You discover Kobold tracks!
There are no magical auras here.
You discover a tiny discarded sword, suited for a creature one size smaller than you!
Rubbing your eyes, at first you think you see the Doll following you!
A moment later you realize that perhaps your eyes are playing tricks. Maybe because you are hungry...
Blowing your nose, at first you think you smell Regis following you!
A moment later you realize that perhaps your nose is playing tricks. Maybe because your nostril hairs are still unsaturating...
...
Endra to Search
Brayka to Investigate
Kappa to Detect Magic
Manny to Investigate
Nikebei to Search
Oscre to Search
...
Kappa to Detect Magic
...
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It's quiet out here. Sometimes going outside is a nice way to unwind. Yeah, it's really sweaty, but distractions suck. It's easy for him to quickly start humming to himself.
When they reach the clearing of dolls, Manny finally shuts up and takes a look around.
Manny notices a sword and picks it up carefully. "Huh, this sword is too small for me."
"Kobolds? Hmm." Manny doesn't know what to make of it. "Why would kobolds be out here?"
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Nikebei is put out by the dolls and the bleeding sap of the trees, and begins the search to find further clues.
Nikebei feels the hairs on his neck bristle, a cold clamminess in his hands, he looks behind him. "Hey, whoever you are stop following me!." He strains his eyes looking into the darkness of the forest, Nothing! The halfling continues ot search for clues, only for him to feel the burning sensation of eyes looking at him, he looks around again, not quite believing what he sees out of the corner of his eyes, A Mosquito doll, it's following me!! As he turns to face the doll, he blinks in disbelief, Where is it? It was there? surely! Am I going as mad as Quintus! Yes! I saw it, I did! No! it's not there! Don't tell, they will know! The witch will know!...Get a grip!
He stands, concentrating on the area, and several lights appear in the sky, over the ground behind him, from where the doll had disappeared.
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Kappa looks around the grove nervously. "Not sensing any magic around here, but this place is still giving me the creeps."
Kappa takes the sword from Manny and looks at it, "Hmmm...looks sized for one of my kind. Course I wouldn't really know what to do with it, except I think you stick this end in the bad guys, right?"
Kappa looks worringly over at his fellow halfling Pathfinder. "Niki, I think perhaps you should sit down and take a little break. Maybe have a snack. I have some more of those yucca chips if you'd like."
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Nikebei moves the lights to above Kappa and looks at him, That's Kappa, yes it is I can see him, but can I believe my eyes any more! But he has yucca chips, it must be Kappa. The halfling walks slowly in his swirling cloak towards Kappa, stopping every 15ft or so to look behind him, a fear in his eyes.
Reaching his hand towards Kappa, he takes the Yucca chips, nervously moving them from hand to hand, "Thanks, just what I need." he stuffs the chips into his mouth and eats. When he finishes, he whispers conspiratorially to Kappa, "She's here, or her image is! Did you see, there's a doll following me!"
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Further investigation of the premises yield fruitlessness. There is nothing special about the shortshortsword. Endra is confident she can follow the tracks. Nikebei's paranoia worsens, then gets better, then worsens again. The sun falls deeper towards the horizon.
The party eats Yucca chips with their mouths (and ears?). A mosquito nearly flies into Nikebei's mouth (or ear?).
...
Nikebei's slowing grip upon his sanity!
...
Endra leads the party to follow the tracks with speed for maybe half-an-hour, but eventually slows down when her compass stops working, and eventually stops within a copse in the woods. The crooked trees here - as if sneaking off into the night - are inscribed with creepy runes that seem to depict a "warning" of some sort. Pieces of hunter's gear and scraps torn from a red dress lay strewn about, blended with the detritus on the ground. The shadows seem to move here. But at least the mosquito density is the lowest it's been since the PCs arrival...
A short sword, a dagger, a lesser antidote, and a suit of gold-plated half-plate armor.
You get a creepy feeling about the writing on the trees - as if the Doll could see you through the arcane runes scrabbled in a secret lost language!
You feel as though the Doll is responsible for dulling your compass!
Inside the strewn gear is bottle with an inky black fluid - you take some time and identify it as a potion of invisibility!
You get a feeling that the symbols are not some "secret language" or "magical runes" in any sense of the word - just some random scribbles written to scare others! You, however, are totally unafraid...
Coming to your senses a bit now, you find old, pointed tracks in the ground and scraps of cloth in nearby branches that suggest someone was dragged off and up into a tree. What’s more, while the tracks resemble those that would be left by the Mosquito Witch’s pointy feet, a creature of its reported size would be unlikely to take such close footsteps.
You get a creepy feeling about the writing on the trees - as if the Doll could see you through the primal runes scrabbled in a secret lost language!
...
Oscre to ??
...
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As the party moves further away from Witchtop Hill and away from all the dolls, Nikebei calms down and eventually stops looking behind him. As he walks with Brayka he talks, "You know I don't know what came over me, it was sure a creepy place. Its OK now, 'specially now there aren't so many of those damn mosquitoes flying around. It's either that or Kappa's magical yucca chips, they are really tasty!"
They continue to the clearing where Nikebei calls his dancing lights to help with searching the area, as he notices tracks, "Kappa, you know stuff, lookee here, see tracks." He follows the tracks a short way, "Hey everyone, someone's been here, see look in the brambles, torn cloth." Nikebei carefully takes a small bit of torn red cloth from the prickly bush, rubs it between his fingers and puts it to his nose. "You know, I don't think it's been here a long, long time, it's nice cloth too."
Looking down, he points, "hey, them are more tracks, someone's been dragging something. Kappa, do you know where these tracks lead?" He scratches his chin, "So you got these little pointy tracks, pretty close together, drag marks of something and bits of rags torn off. What does it mean? It's not a big witch, these tracks don't match."
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Manny keeps quiet as they move on. The short sword is intriguing, but there's clearly more to look for on their way to Witchtop Hill.
Something's up with Nikebei, but everyone's on edge.
He looks closely at the runes scribed on the trees. "This... doesn't mean anything. Someone drew some pretty art, but it's not magical or cursed. I think they just wanted to scare people away."
Manny turns toward Nikebei. "Did you say torn cloth? And it's red..."
“Oh yeah - you’re not the only people that have come here looking for the witch. Most of the monster hunters gave up after the first couple adventurers were found w-without any blood, but there’s been a whole bunch of new people lately! Two of them showed up some weeks ago, a brown-haired human dressed all in white, and this half-elf woman with beautiful silky black hair and gold armor over this amazing red dress! Neither of them talked to me, though—they just went into the woods and never came back."
"Red cloth and gold armor." Manny notes the half-plate they found scattered about. "And drag marks? I think the half-elven lady was here. She must have been knocked out or something and dragged away. Maybe she was ambushed as she slept?"
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"Well, I don't think these are deer tracks, that's for sure. It looks an awful lot like what Lyons described."
Kappa examines the tracks carefully, not expecting to figure much out from them, then perks up at Manny's comment. "Good memory you got there. I think we need to follow these. Maybe she's still alive, or at least we could find some clues to what happened to her.". Kappa follows the trail of ripped cloth. [b]"You tall folks watch the skies, I'm going to stick to the ground, being that I'm closer to it."
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Brayka glances at the gold plated half-plate. He checks the size to see if he can fit it. “This feels morbid but if this helps me get your owner back, I have to try.”. He offers to stow the gear if the party has no use for it.
Prickles break out on Brayka’s neck. “Does anyone else feel like the sigils are watching them? It feels similar to how I felt with Quintus’ doll. Kappa, could I have a chip?”
As Kappa follows on the trail, Brayka draws his shield and follows him closely. “Kappa, if we find this thing that dragged away the lady, I’d suggest you let me take the lead...”
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Oscre lets out a relieved sigh thanks to Manny's take on the writings. "So someone is trying to scare folks off, huh? Maybe bit off more than they could chew with this half-elf lady. Let's see if we can't track her down." He looks for a trail to follow the fate of the previously golden armored explorer!
After several hours of following the trail, the party realizes each in turn that they are hopelessly lost. To add to the stress of the situation, perhaps as a result of repeated surges of adrenaline and cortisol throughout the day, the PCs feel themselves drained of vibrance; muscles ache, their equipment feels heavier, their breathing shallower, the sweaty moisture rubbing around joints in their armor, their hunger panging and unable to be kept at bay by mere chips. To add to their problems, the sun has fallen across the sky, and is soon setting...
...Suddenly up ahead is a small clearing with a large muddy pond that looks nearly identical to many such ponds in the Shimmerford woods, except that it seems to be teeming with unseasonable life—the water is squirming with mosquito larvae. Furthermore a man with fine brown hair and white clothing lies supine on the ground, legs spread on the shore of the pond, head and torso floating in the water...
...