GM Doug Henderson’s Malevolence (Inactive)

Game Master Fiasko

Abella rouses at the clear signs of a haunting and rushes over to the room. ”Well! What a dynamic vision of horror. The skeletons are a nice touch.”

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

She is a bit too distracted admiring the intricacies of the room’s thanergy lattice to actually exorcise anything yet, however.

QUIET!

Intimidation (E; Vers. Perform): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Shade steps into the room, raises his holy symbol, and with a prayer to Desna, exorcises the haunt!

Shade, Religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Out of combat!

There is little else to discover in this burned out study, but there is a door to the east.

Pavo listens and does not hear anything on the other side.

Shall we heal up and head through?

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
healing: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
healing: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 6) = 16
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
healing: 4d8 ⇒ (4, 7, 5, 1) = 17

Shade heals people a bunch with continyual recovery.

Phaed opens the door.

I like kicking doors. Metaphorically of course as this is my new home.

"Thank you, Shade," Pavo says, plucking at the edges of the bandage over his burns. He draws his blades and moves around the couch to the join Phaedria at the door.

Feeling mostly better Tuco nods and readies his shortbow.

Phaed opens the door.

This room has a large brick fireplace to the north. The rest of the parlor is empty save for a pair of chairs seated next to a small round table to the southeast. The door to the garden is locked (DC 20 Thievery to Pick the Lock).

After some poking around, Phaed notices a secret door near the fireplace that opens into a secret study!

The air in this windowless room is stuffy and stale. Densely packed bookshelves line the wall to the west and most of the south. The only other furnishings in the room are a large wooden desk with a high-backed chair in the corner opposite the shelves.

Thick black curtains with little glowing spots hang on the north and east walls, giving the impression of a star-filled night sky.

On the ceiling above, a strange, spiral shaped growth of fungus almost looks like a twisted series of letters.

Pavo notices a secret door in the bookcase leads to a set of stairs heading down.

I'll pause here to give folks a chance to explore.

Phaed gazes up at the fungus. Does it… say something?

Phaed takes a moment to study the spiral, and she can indeed make out a poem:

Can you feel me sleeping
from underneath my bed?
Will I keep on dreaming
even after I’m dead?
Every time I waken
the nightmare fades away.
But now my mother’s taken;
she left me here to stay.
I thought you were a monster,
turns out you’re so much worse.
You called in an imposter
From beyond the universe.
Now Tchekuth is impending,
was that always your plan?
Did you begin this ending
to sate the Ashen Man?
So now no one is sleeping,
I wait under my bed.
And I’m no longer dreaming,
because I’m finally dead.

You have unlocked the Ashen Man a a research topic!

Tuco follows Phaed's explanation of the spiral but can't make out any deeper meaning.

No Religion or Pharasma Lore.

Religion (E): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"Look at that, Shade," Pavo says as he cranes his neck to read the bizarre poem. "The words for a counter-helix to Pharasma's spiral. I think the symbol is used to represent something antithetical to the Lady of Graves."

Phaed reads the poem aloud in her best poet's voice incanting the words.

She whistles at the opposition to Pharasma and looks askance at the party necromancer. What you you think of that, Abella?

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Abella looks over the symbol briefly, her eyes glazing over instantly at the realization it’s the symbol of that spoilsport Pharasma. She shrugs her mouth in a “not bad” expression as Pavo mentions the reversed spiral. She looks askance at Phaedra in response to her question.

”Back when I was with The Way, I had an aunty—not really an aunt—who was the cult’s expert on hauntings. As in how to craft them properly so as to maximize the effect upon the intended viewer. She had a zombie of a 10-year-old she trained to recite nursery rhymes. Put the little thing in a messy old dress and just had her stand stock still reciting. Disappear and reappear for effect, etc….Scared the wits out of people more than all of her other creations put together.”

She looks at her nails on her fleshy hand, nipping at a hangnail absentmindedly before continuing.

”As for this rhyme, some decent images, an evocative horror figure in this Ashen Man, and the ABAB rhyme scheme is suitable to the subject. Reveals a little too much though and could do with some artistic restraint. This Tchekuth figure is a bit under-introduced and took me out of the experience. 7/10”

Phaed listens carefully, her mask a blank slate.

The books in this secret study represent a much more in-depth occult collection than those found in the library. It is not hard to imagine Ioseff spending long ours here lost in his studies.

The collection of books here can be used to aid recall knowledge checks just like the texts in the library, or to research the topics of the Dominion of the Black, the Order of the Starless Night, Tchekuth, the Void Mirror, the Starless Scope, or the Ashen Man: DC 26 Library Lore or DC 28 Occultism (2 hours). In place of Library Lore, you may use another appropriate lore skill instead.

"Hopefully, there's a key to go to that lock on the ring, though I can unlock it whenever you like, Phaed," Pavo says. "When we find the children's rooms, we might find a body to lay to rest and finally start unravelling this haunting!"

He pauses and then looks at the window. "Since it is daylight and we are forewarned, do you want to deal with that gibbering mouther wandering around the pond?" He fishes out a pair of ear plugs. "Did anyone else bring ear plugs in case of banshees?"

religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
"For sure that is the spiral of Pharasma." says Shade. "I also have earplugs, should they be needed."

Shall we do more research, then rest?

You certainly have time in the day to do research, at least 2 rounds before dinner. Or you could do one round and fight the mother, or some other combination of things, however you want to divide things up.

"Well, I'm game for that, too," Pavo says. "Not that I'm scared... or anything..."

I'm not scared, either! Let's go. We also have some more of the grounds to explore, no?

To the mouther?

"Very good, then!" Pavo pulls out the wax earplugs from his pouch and places them in his ears. He heads out of the secret study and makes his way toward the door on the far side of the sitting room before turning on his heel to make for the long way across the manor. "Nooo. Not through the haunted hallway. No, no."

How's everyone's leveling coming along? Is anyone else ready to go with Pavo, or is he going alone...?

Tuco flexes, ready to join Pavo.

Phaed flexes too. All leveled. Doug — note that she will always use reactive shield if a reaction is available and she was targeted by a melee attack.

Pavo makes his way through the manor, and for a moment thinks he hears something moving in the walls of the entrance hall, but then Tuco is there, flexing, and Phaed soon joins, flexing as well, and the noises must have simply been his imagination.

The group returns to the star pond, and the gibbering mouther emerges from the rusty globe in the center of the lake.

Recognizing that the party means to fight, it screams in Aklo, "Iä Tchekuth!" Hail Tchekuth!

Everyone but Pavo or wearing earplugs, needs to make a DC 19 Will save vs the mouther's gibbering aura! On a failure, you are confused for 1 round. On a success, you are temporarily immune for 1 minute.

Phaed
Mouther
Pavo
Abella
Shade
Tuco

Phaed is up! The water is difficult terrain.

So Aura before reactions; no counter perform till I gain reactions at end of turn.

Will (E): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Fail. No hero points. Confused.

order top to bottom of macros slide, excluding self: 1d5 ⇒ 4

HA! Betrayal! This is MY HOUSE.

Phaed lashes out at her friend, confused, sending a broken piece od statuary at the Desnan.

Telekinetic projectile vs Shade: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
B: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 = 13

order top to bottom of macros slide, excluding self: 1d5 ⇒ 4

Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Nonlethal S: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Abella does indeed have ear plugs!

Will Save (ear plugs): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21

The gibbering mouther slithers out of the globe and spits acid at Phaed and Tuco!

Spittle @ Phaed: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 Ouch!
Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 4) = 15
Plus a DC 22 Fortitude save or else:

Spittle @ Tuco: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 5 = 10 Miss

Phaed
Mouther
Pavo
Abella
Shade
Tuco

Bold may act! Looks like we need a DC 19 Will save from Pavo after all, since earplugs don't negate the sound.

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

My EYES!! Why… Why is this haaaaapeniiiing!?

Seemingly immune to the sound Tuco leaps into the muck as far as he can before into a low mountain stance before slamming the Mouther twice.

Mountain Strike: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Mountain Strike: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 5 = 12
Forceful bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

Will, Ear Plugs: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 = 23

"Into the muck, Tuco? Really?" Pavo laments before making an eldritch sign in the air. "Desna's light defend us from creatures of the night!"

A silvery ray of fire lances toward the gibbering mouther, and then the tiefling breaks across the shore of the pond with an askance look to Phaedria.

Cast (V/S): moonbeam, Stride

Spell Attack: Moon Beam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Fire, Silver: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12 + dazzled 1 round on critical success

will with earplugs: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 1 = 29

”Oh, Phaed. Why?”

He moves away from Phaed, and focuses on the mouther, casting divine lance at the abomination.

Spell attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

But, the attack upon him has concerned him, and he does not cleanly cast.

Tuco jumps into the muck and lands a blow on the mouther like a falling stone.

Unfortunately both the moonbeam and the divine lance go wide.

Phaed
Mouther -8 hp
Pavo
Abella
Shade
Tuco

Abella is up, then we'll return to the top of the round with Phaed.

Ah, thought I had already posted, but that was just the will save!

Abella rushes up the stairs. ”Can one of you do something to help Phaedra with the gibbering?” She blasts the mouther with her electric arc in the meantime.

Electric Arc (DC 20 reflex): 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6

Stride, two actions to cast electric arc

The gibbering mouther takes the full blast of Abella's electric arc!

And it looks like Tuco's fist did more damage than expected. Weakness to bludgeoning!

Phaed
Mouther -29 hp
Pavo
Abella
Shade
Tuco

Back to the top of the round with Phaed!

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 whew.

Phaed shakes her head. I don't know what came over me. This is almost worse than the time I ate the bad shrimp before playing Lady MacBeath on Primaldo's yacht in stormy waters just off the Cape Erebus.

Lingering Composition Perform Check (DC 19): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 Inspire Courage Lingers 4 rounds

And I'll gibber how I like, thank you very much.

She then soothes Shade. It's not quite an apology, but something adjacent to one.

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 weak
Flat DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 18

I think everyone made their save? In case not, counter perform reaction: counterperform: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 Failing that…

Status: 31/46 HP; no longer Dazzles or confused.

With such a tasty looking foe in front of it, the gibbering mouther tries to bite Tuco!

Bite: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 Ouch!
Piercing: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1) + 5 = 12

Then grab! DC 23 to escape

Then bite again.

Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 Miss
Piercing: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 3) + 5 = 16 plus 1d4 persistent bleed.

Phaed
Mouther -29 hp
Pavo
Abella
Shade
Tuco

Bold may act! The water is difficult terrain, or you can swim with a DC 10 Athletics check.

Phaed moves in to provide Tuco a flank (should he escape, it's as far as she can get), and gives the Mouther a deadly look.

Intimidation (E; Vers. Perform): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Tuco retaliates with a pair of punches.

courage punch: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 1 = 30
b damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13

flurry punch: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 - 5 = 27
b damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

Tuco then draws his shield to block with.

AC 24, no ability to block.

"Tuco!"

Shade calls upon the Song of Spheres to cleanse the abomination that has grabbed his friend, casting moonbeam.

spell attack, moonbeam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 fire: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7 plus dazzled for 1 round... or 1 minute if this is a crit

He then casts guidance on Tuco.

Pavo draws a sign in the air and prays. "Desna send you back to the space between the stars!"

He then draws the mace at his belt with his free hand.

Cast (V/S): divine lance, Interact

Spell Attack: Divine Lance: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Good: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) + 3 = 14

Wow. Just.... wow...

Abella throws a smile to Phaedra. ”I am simply saying if you must gibber, gibber at the mouther.” She blasts the mouther again with electricity, pleased with how well her last shock worked. She conjures a shield to her hand as protection, should the creature decide it has had enough of her shocking behavior.

Electric Arc (DC 20 reflex): 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

Two actions to cast, one for shield

Tuco does indeed retaliate, landing a critical blow! Both strikes seem to do more damage than expected. -41 hp altogether!

Shade blasts the creature with a moonbeam, dazzling it as well.

Unfortunately, Pavo's diving lance misses.

Once again, the gibbering mouther takes the full brunt of Abella's electric arc!

Phaed
Mouther -88 hp Dazzled
Pavo
Abella
Shade
Tuco

We're back to the top of the round. Phaed, do you want to keep your action to flank or change to something else?

Please see above for Phaed's turn