[Outpost IV] PFS2 1-02: The Mosquito Witch (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

Ulrich finds a clear shot on the loose stirge and shoots it out of the sky.

Fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Then Korkai blasts the other one off of Suzzavyan

End of Combat

You still have a very angry dog to deal with, but it isn't attack you...yet.

Seeing the last creature fall, Mafalda lets the branch she was about to throw against one of the monsters fall.

She takes a few steps forward and bangs her cane on the ground.

“Peaches! Here now. Sit.”

Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Natural-born druid.

The dog clams down and recognizes you from before. She pads up and barks expectant and then starts to lead off to a near by clearing. It turns and barks trying to get you to follow.

Assuming you do....

About a hundred yards away there is a clearing. Ulrich notices as you enter the area, that everyone's compass and wayfinders are not working. They spin and point in random directions. The trees also have cryptic runes on them.

In the clearing is Haru, who is currently in a daze with a very engorged bloodseeker attached to her. Scattered around is also additional gear. A gold plated breast plate hangs off a branch, with strips of tattered red fabric waving out from it being blown by the occasional breeze. A sword and a dagger are also haphazardly around the area. Haur is holding on to some type of rucksack, that is covered in dirt and local leaves.

Andor looks up at the hanging breastplate and smirks. "I Think that is my statue"

Ulrich looks at the runes on the trees and tries to understand what they do

Aracana/Ocultism +7 +1 if this could be treated as a Witch lead, which I think it could.

"What on earth is happening here? What are those runes? I think we should detach this bloodseeker from Haru" says Ulrich.

Can we attack it?

The bloodseeker is engorged and slow enough that you can pull it off with ease then smash it. A quick look over, she is fine except for the loss of blood that she will recover in time.

As she stirs, "Wha...How....Who?" She looks up and sees you then sees Peaches waging its tail. "Well thank you. I am glad Peaches found you. I don't know how I got here" She looks around and sees the scattered equipment. "Though I know how this is. These are Lasarte's gear" The elven hunter in the golden armor that also came though.

She holds up the sack. "I found this near by too" In the sack is an inky black potion. "I think it was heres"

You do realize that the scattered equipment is here, but no body.

Mafalda notice more small footed tracks leading out of the clearing with more scraps of clothing. As well as drag marks of a body. Looks like Lasarte was drag off that way.

Ulrich studies the runes and frowns. He realizes that these symbols aren’t actually occult runes or a real language, just scribbles intended to look frightening. Another false lead.

Haru speaks up. "I am not sure what you see there, but in that direction," she points towards the other side of the clearing, "I
found a concealed entrance to an cavern of sort" Examining that side of the clearing also show the occasional small footed prints, but they are better concealed.

Ulrich looks around and frowns.

"Those symbols are pure gibberish. They look like kids drawing on the trees. It looks like someone did them to scare away others."

Ulrich looks at the equipment and the potion. Anything valuable? Can Ulrich identify the potion?

"Lasarte was your friend? The one that sent you the letter? So when you went back to the city you came searching her right?" asks Ulrich

Ulric spends some time investigating the potion while other tend to wounds. At first glance is seems like a invisibility potion, but on closer examination it is cursed. When drunk the recipient would be under the effect of some type of prolonged fear spell.

Haru responds. "Yes, Lasarte is my friend. But seeing her armor here tells me that all is not well with her."

Mafalda points out the footprints and then listens to Haru’s story.

“You should have returned to village as instructed. Can you walk now? If so, please, take this man back to Shimmerford. We will do what we can to find your friend and, if possible, bring her back to safety. A description would be appreciated.”

After slapping a few more mosquitos, Mafalda sighs.

“Shall we go, master Makaisson? Hopefully we will find whatever pitiful creature has been wrecking havoc around this place by investigating the cavern. And keep that potion. One never knows when such things might be helpful.” Her smile indicates Mafalda might know when such things can be helpful.

Ulrich nods to what Mafalda is saying. He hides the bow and takes out his razor.

"When fighting in tight spaces this could prove more deadly. To the caves then" says Ulrich.

"So tell me Haru, why did not you stay in town?"

That part did not add up for me. We left her, and she claimed to be going to town. Did she just lie? Or something happened in town and someone brought her here?

Haru is taken aback by the chiding. She is a experiences adventurer in her own right. "Yes heading in to unknown woods without back up is risky. But it is risks we take every day. I would still like to find Lasarte's remains. I will need to rest a bit longer before making it back to town. But I think I can keep your friend there well and we can make our way back once I recover a bit more strength."

She does dig in to here pack, and pulls out a cold iron dagger as well as two vials of holy water. "I am not sure what you may be facing down there, but take these. One of these should be useful"

Leaving Haru, Andor, and Peaches safely with each other, you make your way to the hidden cave that Haru mentioned. As you get closer you do find more small footed tracks scattered about. This seems to be the place.

The hidden Cave

It is dark in here with no other light then that of the entrance.

Tengu and gnomes has low-light vision Mafalda is blind as a bat (without the sonar);) So it is torch time

Ulrich takes out one of his torches and lights it up. On another hand, he holds his razor. He looks to the left and to the right, and

1-left, 2-right: 1d2 ⇒ 2

goes right.

Korakai moves behind him, but first casts light on Suz sword

Intended path, marked on the map. Korakai can scout (to give us +1 to initiative), Ulrich will search for traps, hidden passages etc.

Seeing Ulrich lighting the torch, Mafalda shakes her head and puts her hand on his shoulder.

“There is no need, master Makaisson,” she says and then bangs her cane lightly against the ground. The stick begins emanating light. “Best you keep your other hand free. And, before we rush in, please, hold my hand while I look through Beatriu’s eyes. She can see in the dark and is small enough not to attract much attention inside a cave.”

Casting light, then using familiar ability share senses to explore the path indicated by Ulrich. Beatriu has darkvision and stealth +5.

You take your path and start your way though this cave system. It seems to be a abandoned Iron Mine. Ulrich notices that it is low-grade but very abundant. This would be the reason for compasses to go wrong near here.

As you go around, you hear a loud buzzing. A larger bloodseeker appears with a small blue humanoid creature. The small blue creature yells out and alarm and two more can be seen coming from the other hall way.

It seems the little guards get the drop on you.

The one from the far side rushes over and the throws a Dart at Mafalada
Dart: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

The near one does the same to pick off the lagging party member
Dart: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Dart: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 5 = 17
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Mafalda finds herself stuck with many needles.

Korakai can now act.

The Buggy Clearing

Group conditions:
Round 1

Korakai - dmg;

Bigger Bug

Mafalda - 6 dmg;
Suzzavyan - dmg;

Boss Mitfllt, orange

Ulrich - dmg;

Mitflit, red
Mitflit, blue

Korakai reacts first. It turns to the side and moves back closer to Mafalda. Korakai focuses on his connection with the storm and waves his wings, from the whirlwind of the storm surrounding Korakai a lightning blast into Mitflit with a red bandana and then jumps onto the second one.

Electric arc@red and black?: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 DC17 reflex save

Reflex, Red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Reflex, Blue: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The Small fey take some of the electical damage but both are still up.

The larger bloodsucker buzzes up to Ulrich and attemps to stick to him.
Attach: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Sticking its barbed leg in to him and then starts to drain his blood
blood drain: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Ulrich is also drained 1 until he receives any healing

Bold can now act.

The Iron Caves

Group conditions:
Round 1

Mafalda - 6 dmg;
Suzzavyan - dmg;

Boss Mitfllt, orange

Ulrich - 2 dmg; drained 1

Mitflit, red - 4 dmg
Mitflit, blue - 8 dmg

Korakai - dmg;

Bigger Bug -- dmg ; +2 tmphp

Seeing herself getting surrounded, Mafalda observes the creatures, then raises her cane and slams it against the ground with both hands. In reply, an illusory wall of stone seems to grow from the ground, visually blocking the passage between her and the creatures. Casting Illusory Object ◆◆. Wall position and area (using only a fraction of its 20ft burst) marked in red on map.

ID blue humanoids (occultism?): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Recall Knowledge ◆

Suzzavyan, seeing Mafalda having bought him some time with her stone wall, jumps at the bloodsucker and slashes it twice with his sword.

Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
S damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Strike, agile, MAP: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18
S damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The check is Nature, they are Fey creature

Mafalada has no idea what these creatures are.

Suzzavyan gets one hit on the bloodsucker on Ulrich.

Sneak: 1d20 ⇒ 17 +??
The boss dude sneaks around and you lose sight of him

The other two Mitflits shocked that there is a wall now start to move around it

Ulrich and Korakai can now act.

The Iron Caves

Group conditions:
Round 1

Ulrich - 2 dmg; drained 1
Korakai - dmg;

Bigger Bug -- 2 dmg ;

Mafalda - 6 dmg;
Suzzavyan - dmg;

Boss Mitfllt, orange

Mitflit, red - 4 dmg
Mitflit, blue - 8 dmg

When the bug bites Ulrich and attaches to his arm he begins to yell

"Let me go! You bloodsucker!" He observes the flying thing and looks for a way to hurt it

Device a strategem: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Then using his razor he cuts the bug hoping to take it down

Attack@bigger bug: 10 + 7 = 17 I think the bug is flat-footed when attacked
Damage, precision damage, backstabber: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + (3) + 1 = 8

Then Ulrich moves towards Korakai

Devise a strategem, attack, move

Korakai attacks the bug with his beak...
Attack@bigger bug, beak: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage, piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

And then touches it with one of his wings, making some of the storm surrounding him to smash into the bug

Tempest touch: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + (1) = 3 Casting Tempest touch Fortitude save DC17. Curse progress to moderate.

THen Korakai uses his magic to make the storm thicker around him to protect his body.

Attack, cast tempest touch, cast shield. Sorry been busy => short posts :(

Bug Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Ulrichs stabs at the bug on him, but it tenactiously holds on. But Korakia steps up and explodes the bug.

Mafalda and Suzzavyan can act

The Iron Caves

Group conditions:
Round 1

Ulrich - 2 dmg; drained 1
Korakai - dmg;

Mafalda - 6 dmg;
Suzzavyan - dmg;

Boss Mitfllt, orange

Mitflit, red - 4 dmg
Mitflit, blue - 8 dmg

Bigger Bug -- DEAD

Seeing that her illusion worked as intended, Mafalda calmly walks where she hopes to get some cover from one of the incoming monsters. Preparing for an incoming blow, she draws a glyph of warding in the air. To the other she dedicates a single, intimidating glance that sends the creature shivers down its spine. Casting Evil Eye hex cantrip (frightened 1 on failure, 2 on crit failure) , Will save DC 17.

Suzzavyan, meanwhile, rushes to the same creature cursed by Mafalda and attacks it.

Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Mafalda
Stride ◆
Cast shield (AC +1, will block if hit) ◆
Cast evil eye vs blue ◆

Suzzavyan
Stride x2 ◆◆
Strike ◆

Mitflit Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
The creature cowers to Mafalda's Evil Eye

Suzzavyan leaps forward but can not hit the cowering creature.

It the sucurreis around the Tengu and strikes at him twice
Milfit shortsword: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 1 = 25
Milfit shortsword: 1d20 + 8 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 1 - 4 = 12
Hitting once
shortsword damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Then the boss come around the corner and flanks the swashbuckler
Boss shortsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 v FF
Boss shortsword: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 4 = 16 v FF

hitting Twice
shortsword damage w/sneak: 1d6 - 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) - 1 + (4) = 4
shortsword damage w/sneak: 1d6 - 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) - 1 + (6) = 11
Striking down the Swashbuckler.

The remaining Mitflit comes around the "wall" and catches back up with everyone.

The Iron Caves

Group conditions:
Round 1

Ulrich - 2 dmg; drained 1
Korakai - dmg;
Mafalda - 6 dmg;
Suzzavyan - 17 dmg; Dying 1

Boss Mitfllt, orange

Mitflit, red - 4 dmg
Mitflit, blue - 8 dmg ; frightened 1

Bigger Bug -- DEAD

So Ulrich knows that Mitflits are the small feet folks whom he marked as leads. As such devise a strategem becomes a free action

"I will take care of this creature here and you take care of the ones from the other side." said Ulrich as he looked at the approaching creature

Devise a strategem@red: 1d20 ⇒ 3

But he saw no weak spots, its defense was impeccable.

"Darn it!" yells Ulrich and his eyes, hair, and skin changes their color in such speed that it brings the attention to their enemies

Feint: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Using Vibrant display to Feint all of the enemies within 30 ft range.

Then he moves and slices the blue Misfit with his razor

Attack@blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 +1 if the target is flat-footed due to feint.

I know that Vibrant display makes no sense here as I can attack only one target this round. But soon there might be not enough enemies to use it :D

Korakai, surrounded by raging storm focuses on the powers of thunder, and healing properties of the rain. He sends some of that power forwards to aid his fellow Tengu

Healing@Suzzavyan: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Then Korakai attacks with his beak the enemy in front.

Attack@blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

If that enemy turns out to be dead, he would cast Shield.

Suzzavyan barely has time to lose consciousness and his fellow tengu brings him back from the edge.

Acrobatics: Tumble through: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 assuming 22 is a success and suzzavyan has panache now
Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
S dmg, panache precision dmg: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

The swashbuckler kips up and, with a great show of acrobatic skill, tumbles through the swarthy blue creature and swipes his sword at its back.

Suzzavyan:
Stand up ◆
Stride/tumble through ◆
Strike ◆

Meanwhile, Mafalda turns her cold stare at the humanoid approaching from behind. Evil Eye vs red, DC 17.

She then flicks her wrist and sends a loose rock flying towards the little one's head.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 doubt this will hit…but perhaps if Evil Eye latches on…
B, magic dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Mafalda:
Evil Eye ◆
Telekinetic Projectile ◆◆

Ulrich Dazzles the small creature and then strikes it down. It slumps to the ground.

Korakai brings his comapanion up from the brink of death then casts his shield.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Mafalda stares down the other smaller mitflit as it begins to panic (crit fail on the will save) and then knocks it out with some flying loose stone. The frighten made the difference

Suzzavyan recovers and tumbles up to stab the surprised boss Mitflit.

With no one left to support him, the creature flails his sword three times at Suzzavyan

Boss shortsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Boss shortsword: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 4 = 13
Boss shortsword: 1d20 + 8 - 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 8 = 15

Sword Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Not as deadly without his adding companions.

The Iron Caves

Group conditions:
Round 1

Ulrich - 2 dmg; drained 1
Korakai - dmg;
Mafalda - 6 dmg;
Suzzavyan - 9 dmg; Wounded 1

Boss Mitfllt, orange - 7dmg

Mitflit, red - DEAD
Mitflit, blue - DEAD

Bigger Bug -- DEAD

Korakai waves his wings and again a blizzard smacks into the Mitflilt

Electric arc, reflex save DC17 for half: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Then Korakai casts a shield.

Devise a strategem: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Ulrich takes a step forwards and slashes twice with his razor, trying to be a distraction to the last enemy

Using strategem: 5 + 7 = 12
Damage, backstabber: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (5) = 8

Attack, map: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 4 = 12
Damage, backstabber: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

But his attacks are inaccurate.

"Go Suz, finish it now!"

Mafalda looks at the blue thing with equal amounts of pity and anger. Cast Evil Eye, DC 17.

“You should really drop your weapons and beg for your life now.” She shakes her head and echoes Ulrich. “Yes, Suzzavyan, have your way with that pitiful thing.” Casting Guidance on Suzzavyan and Ulrich.

Mafalda: Cast Evil Eye ◆, Cast Guidance on Suzzavyan ◆, Cast Guidance on Ulrich ◆.

The tengu nods and takes two swings, the second of which is aimed at his enemy’s neck.

Strike, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26
S damage, panache precision: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

Confident Finisher, flank, MAP x1, Guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 - 4 + 1 = 20
S damage, panache precision: 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (3, 5) = 13

If the creature still lives, he spits a curse:

“Won’t you die already, maggot?”

Intimidate: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Suzzavyan: Strike ◆, Confident Finisher ◆, Intimidate ◆

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Almost dodge the bolt completely, the mitflit gets singed a bit.

Ulrich's razor however does not seem to gain any purchase.

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

But then the Boss starts to cower to Mafalda's evil eye.

With all that distraction, Suzzavyan explodes in a flash of deadly steel that cuts down the Gwibble the head Mitflit

Taking a moment you gather your breath and scout a head. In one room you find almost another dozen mitflits, but they immediately cower and surrender to your approach.

Ulrich breaths out and nods to Mafalda, Korakai, and Suzzavyan.

"Well done." Ulrich's hair and skin are of different colors which slowly comes back to normal. Whatever that means for him.

As the walk deeper and spot a dozen mitflits he is surprised.

"Ehhh, hello? Who are you? And what are you doing here? "

It’s been a long day. Mafalda wants some tea, then some hard liquor and then a bed without mosquitos.

“We have killed your boss and are quite frankly at the end of our patience. For everyone’s continued sanity and good health, please answer my associate’s question. If you are responsible for the mosquitos, make them stop and scurry away to some wretched place far from here.”

A number of the mitflits answer.

"It wasn't us. Well it was us, but not us us. Gwibble scared us in to doing it. He though by telling the bugs to attack humans we would drive them out and be safe here. But that angered the real Mosquito Witch! It did it did! But we can go now? We won't come back if you let us go"

In short you realize that mitflit have an affinity to talk with vermin and used that ability along with the stories of the Mosquito Witch to cause the current issue driving the towns folk away. You can tell some what immediately that the bugs have started to die down and get back to "normal" level of annoyance.

"Ok, be gone then! Those good folks don't need to be bothered anymore. Head deeper into the forest and live in peace." says, Ulrich

Turning to Mafalda "So it seems that this city is full-on wackadoodles. I am not sure if there is anything more with the tools or anything on that sort. What a mess..."

Ulrich, you do notice some of the missing tools scattered about here. The mitflits were using them to dig and expand the cave. There are still some odd things like the spooked horses and Andor's condition seems more than the mitflits could have managed. It could be just bad luck and coincident or...Well the main issue is solved for now.

You head back to the village and already the heavy clouds of mosquitos have abated. Some of the more advneterous villagers are already outside surveying what will need to be done next. But at least mosquitos won't be the problem.

Haru also returns with Andor, they looked briefly around the clearing but aside from the gear, no actual body of Lastre was found. However, you are able to bring Andor back with you in order to get treatment for his disease, but he is done with his field investigation days. Haru recovers and says she will still go and see if she can discover anything more about the disposition of her friend.

Venture Captain Smine is pleased with the reports and says he will keep an eye on the goings on in Shimmerford. In fact he did get a report while you were returning to Tymon, that the locals found the cave where the mitflits were burrowed had collapsed and the found a small and intricate paper doll of the Mosquito Witch found in the mud nearby.