With James sawing all the bushes away and Anjo's excellent scouting, Sid and Thellira help Haechi through, avoiding the worst of the barbs. A gout of poison gas nearly gives everyone trouble, but James and Sid find an alternate path while everyone else holds their breath. Two-thirds of the way through, the gusts of wind pick up, but the party steels itself strong...
The party picks her up, and take a 10-minute break before continuing...
...
Anjo (☑☑☑) @ CS, F, CS
Haechi (☑☑☑) @ F, F, S
James (☑☑☑) @ CS*, S, F
Sid (☑☑☑) @ S, S, F
Thellira (☑☑☑) @ S, F, CF*
Anjo @ ?? w/ Bow
Haechi @ Detect Magic holding Potion
James @ Search holding nothing
Sid @ Search holding nothing
Thellira (-9 rocks) @ Scout holding Meteor
...
|
Haechi sits himself on a rock and catches his breath after the horrible ordeal he'd just gone through. He dabs at a couple of small cuts he picked up from the sharp spines, but is otherwise unhurt. "I don't know, Haetae. If the rest of the day is anything like what we just went through, we'll be lucky to survive until dinner tonight, ha ha."
When the call to continue is made, Haechi stands wearily and joins his colleagues on the way to the river.
A brief rest as Siddhartha the Wanderer treats the wound of Thellira Daybreaker, and the party is off, coming to a river ahead, an eery sound coming from the forest. Khoumrock Blackthane puts a finger to his lips and then speaks quietly. “There’s things here that aren’t what they seem. Some of those fey are real tricky...looking like things they aren’t. Don’t trust your eyes.”
Hiking in the humidity, suddenly the dwarf's ominous words seem to ring true: Standing in the middle of the river is a beautiful mare, golden skin the color of the sun on a summer's afternoon, drinking quietly and swishing it's lustrous tail. It glances at Siddhartha, who starts to spontaneously walk towards it!
...
...
The creature seems to be beckoning to Sid somehow...
The creature seems to be beckoning to Sid somehow...
It's a fine riding horse...
It's a fine riding horse...
The horse beckons to you - you feel a strong urge to walk over and mount it - are you able to overcome your urge?
...
Haechi (AC 18, HP 24/24) @ Detect Magic w/ potion @ 26
James (AC 19, HP 53/53) @ Search w/ greatclub @ 25
Anjo (AC 21, HP 52/52) @ Refocus w/ bow @ 19
Thellira (AC 19, HP 49/52) @ Scout w/ meteor @ 19
Sid (AC 21, HP 52/52) @ Search w/ nothing @ 17
...
Siddhartha looks to Wander towards the beautiful mare in the water, takes a single step, then stops short.
|
|
Haechi sees the beautiful golden mare in the river and his suspicions are instantly raised. Venture-Captain Blackthane's words come back to him: “There’s things here that aren’t what they seem. Some of those fey are real tricky...looking like things they aren’t. Don’t trust your eyes.”
He stops short to examine the creature from a distance and notices it beckoning mysteriously to Siddhartha, who then starts walking towards it in what seems like a trance. "Uh, hold up there a moment, Siddhartha old boy. I'm pretty sure that is not what it seems. Perhaps it might be best to give it a wide berth, eh?"
Since discretion being the better part of valor was one of Haechi's core principals in life, he says the word, "scutum," and the space around him shimmers slightly for a second.
Haechi feels a sense of deja vu as he wards himself from potential attack!
-This is a large magically polymorphed amphibious fey creature known as a Kelpie.
-They are know to partner with more powerful evil fey (such as Qxal) working together towards mutual goals.
-They speak Aquan and Sylvan.
-The eat humanoids.
Powerful jaws capable of clutching a humanoid creature and slowly eating them!
Resistant to fire, weak to cold iron!
As demonstrated on Sid (but who resisted), they can charm humanoid creatures into not attacking them, making them easy and helpless prey!
This creature is a capricious fey that hosts itself in the bodies of humanoids - it can be killed with curative magic, or pouring healing potions and elixirs upon it, being weak to positive energy. If you stand next to it, it will "bond" with you, granting you both access to eachother's skill proficiencies!
...
|
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Haechi recoils slightly when he realizes what it is they're facing. He remembers reading about these creatures when he was researching Brine Dragons in Steyn van Hensbroek's excellent treatise, De Dracones Aquae et Ubi Vivunt. The dragons did not like these malevolent beasts trespassing on their territory and made a habit of hunting them for sport.
"Uh, fellows? This is definitely not a horse. I believe we are facing a kelpie; an amphibious fey creature that has magically polymorphed itself into a large horse. It is almost certainly an ally of Qxal and intent of doing us harm. And, um... I believe they find humanoids to be a particular delicacy. If any of you know Aquan or Sylvan, then perhaps you can convince it to, uh... leave us alone?" The wizard clearly doesn't believe this suggestion is going to pan out.
He looks around at his colleagues. "If we back away from it slowly, maybe we can avoid a nasty confrontation." But James obviously has other ideas on how to handle the situation and sprints past Haechi to engage the kelpie. "Well, so much for that idea. "
Haechi sighs and flicks his finger in the kelpie's direction.
|
|
Haetae is admiring the big horse and its beautiful gold pelt when suddenly, the strange blue-skinned fellow that's been following them around goes berserk and starts attacking it for no apparent reason. She guesses it's probably due to some unresolved horse-related trauma he'd suffered as a young boy, or maybe he just really didn't like horses.
But when her master starts throwing spells around, she knows something's up and that things are about to get ugly. She turns to Haechi, and slightly ironically, says:
And with that, she slips into her master's backpack and finds and nice cozy corner to ride out the fireworks.
The Dustwalker and Kobold smash and blast - the fey reels from the blows - when suddenly James' math halves as another creature - this one constituted of soggy mud - slurks forth, and spews a gout of hot muddy bile from it's jaw at Thellira and Haechi!
◆) Slurk
◆◆) Spew
...
...
Kelpie / "Horse" (-9 blunt, -4 force)
Haechi (AC 18, HP 24/24) @ Detect Magic w/ potion @ Save Pending!
James (AC 19, HP 53/53) @ Search w/ greatclub
Soggy Mud Creature
Anjo (AC 21, HP 52/52) @ Refocus w/ bow
Thellira (AC 19, HP 49/52) @ Scout w/ meteor @ Save Pending!
Sid (AC 21, HP 52/52) @ Search w/ nothing
...
|
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Siddhartha shakes off the entrancing effect the horse/Kelpie initially had on him.
He moves up (first action) and starts pummeling the soggy mud creature.
Does anybody know what this is, and will fire hurt it?
While waiting for an answer, he delivers a flurry of blows.(second action)
Bludgeoning
Bludgeoning
No sure what this creature is, he utters the ancient elven words and casts Shield raising his AC to 22
(third action)
As the archer retreats back, the Golden Mare (evil fey!) beckons towards him now!
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|
When the mud creature makes its appearance, Haechi thinks, "Uh oh. Now what?" But it doesn't take long before his question is answered by a gout of hot muddy vomit being barfed in his direction. He tries to dodge the worst of it...
...but some hard muddy lumps still strike him and leave a bruise.
"Ow, ow ow. How terribly unfriendly." Haechi tries to wipe some of the mud off himself in vain. In consternation, he shouts, "This cloak is brand new, you beast!" Haechi was angry now; his favorite old cloak could not be saved after his recent adventure in the sewers of Absalom, and to have his new cloak similarly defiled really rankled him.
Haechi lifts up his head; looks the muddy creature straight into, uh... the best approximation he could find for its face; and says, "luto calescit". A small ball of flame appears in the palm of his hand, which he flings at the muddy creature with a flick of his wrist.
Lastly, he renews his defensive spell with another, "scutum.". The air around him shimmers one again.
Yonder, you see Anschluss, Laeron, Nant, Quickblade Trueshot, and Ulrich Makaisson fighting similar creatures to you!
It looks as though the Qxal has more than one Kelpie allies - and as this group is not faring well, they call for help!
Siddartha smacks some mud off the attacking glob - but not before nearly slipping in the mud that continuously seems to ooze from it's strange body!
Thellira gets a good strike in - the mud sizzles with a burning sound and smell and the Soggy Mud Creature screams!
Does your weapon have reach?
Assuming not, please move your Token into range on the Map, in lieu of your second attack.
Anjo shoots an arrow into the Golden Mare then too resists the tricky fey's enchanting magic; it turns to smash James in anger!
◆◆) Captivating Lure vs Anjo
◆) Strike vs James
Then, with arcane power, Haechi sets the Soggy Mud Creature aflame - it screams some more as it melts back into the River!
...
Kelpie / "Horse" (AC 21, 36/60) @ (-9 blunt, -4 force, -11 shot)
Haechi (AC 18, HP 19/24) w/ potion @ Shield Spell
James (AC 19, HP 38/53) w/ greatclub
Soggy Mud Creature (-12 smack, -14 acid smash, -24 burn)
Anjo (AC 21, HP 52/52) @ Refocus w/ bow
Thellira (AC 19, HP 49/52) w/ meteor
Sid (AC 21, HP 52/52) w/ nothing @ Shield Spell
...
Do you have the link or actual text for your spell?
|
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Sid moves up to flank the Kelpie.(First Action)
It's a pity you are using the power to appear as such a magnificent beast for evil purposes.
He will attack the Kelpie with a Flurry of Blows. (Second action)
Bludgeoning
Bludgeoning
Lastly, he once again utters the ancient Elven words to cast Shield bringing his AC back up to 22 (Third Action)
Golden Mare ducks James, dodges Anjo, sidesteps Thellira, and blocks Siddhartha!
It turns it's attention now to James...
James' wild nature is exposed!
Captivating Lure
The kelpie instills an overwhelming attraction to itself within the mind of a single creature within 60 feet. The target perceives the kelpie as a valuable steed (if the kelpie is in equine form) and must attempt a DC 23 Will saving throw.
Failure @ The creature is fascinated, and it must spend each of its actions to move closer to the kelpie as expediently as possible while avoiding obvious dangers. If a captivated creature is adjacent to the kelpie, it attempts to mount the kelpie.
...
Golden Mare continues it's assault clockwise now, clamping it's powerful maw down upon Sid!
...
|
|
You are hard to hit, aren't you
Siddhartha focuses on his core and lets forth a mighty yell. Kihap!
Casts Ki Strike (First Action}
Flurry of Blows (Second Action)
Thinking he may be the target of this creature again, he casts Shield bringing his AC back up to 22 (Third Action}
|
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Haechi is pleasantly surprised by the mud creature's overreaction to his rather simple fire spell. He wishes all monsters were so easily dealt with.
He then looks yonder and sees another group of Pathfinders dealing with their own set of similar looking opponents. He recognizes one of them. "Is that Ulrich? Why, yes. Yes it is!" He waves to his old companion, but Ulrich is apparently distracted by his own mud creature and doesn't notice the kobold. Haechi tries shouting some help to his old friend instead. But he's not sure if the gnome can hear him.
Haechi then turns his attention to the kelpie. He sighs as his thoughts flow along the same lines as Siddhartha's. "Funny how often evil cloaks itself in beauty to hide its true nature." Van Hensbroek's tome on water dragons had not included an image of the kelpie's true form, and Haechi was interested in seeing what it really looked like without its enchantment.
Spotting a nearby pinecone, he swings a practiced hand and with a "abiete conum ad equum malus" sends it rocketing towards the kelpie.
He watches as the pinecone slams hard into the side of the kelpie and lets out a yip of satisfaction.
Between Siddhartha's ki and Haechi's telekinesis, the Kelpie goes down. The party takes a moment to rest before heading down the River Bank!
Khoumrock says "See, what did I say?" after having stepped away a moment to help other junior Pathfinders "Look's like you're getting the hang of this!"
...
1a) "Portal"
2b) "Canyon"
3c) "Sidetrails"
4d) "Clearing"
Haechi (AC 18, HP 19/24) w/ potion @ Detect Magic
James (AC 19, HP 38/53) w/ greatclub @ Search
Anjo (AC 21, HP 52/52) @ ??
Thellira (AC 19, HP 49/52) w/ meteor @ Scout
Sid (AC 21, HP 52/52) w/ nothing @ Search
...
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Haechi finds a nice comfortable patch of grass and sits there quietly. He goes over the recent encounter in his head and makes notes in his book on the kelpie and mud man's strengths and weaknesses. When the kelpie finally succumbed to their attacks and the glamour fell from its body, Haechi had moved closer to examine it in it's undisguised form. It was a far different sight from the golden horse it had presented when living; nowhere near as attractive. He made a small sketch of it in his book next to his earlier notes. Next time he ran into one of these creatures, he'd be a lot better prepared.
Haechi looks up at the rise to the portal, and then down into the canyon. He was already somewhat tired from all the hiking and fighting and was not in the mood for a climb. "I prefer it when gravity is my friend," he thinks to himself. "That canyon does look rather more inviting to me than the portal. What say we go down there and look around?"
While Siddhartha meditates and Haechi studies, Anjo keeps his eyes sharp.
Khoumrock Blackthane sits on a rock, looking thoughtfully into the trees. “I could swear that I just heard a talking lizard. Can you go and check it out?”
Checking out where the Venture Captain indicated, your trained eye spots a cluster of 5 four-legged reptilian creatures - one is larger than the rest - and IT also seems to notice YOU - it's eyes strange somehow, like...
...
Haechi (AC 18, HP 19/24) w/ potion @ Detect Magic @ 21
James (AC 19, HP 38/53) w/ greatclub @ Search @ ??
Anjo (AC 21, HP 52/52) w/ bow @ Search @ 17
Thellira (AC 19, HP 49/52) w/ meteor @ Scout @ ??
Sid (AC 21, HP 52/52) w/ nothing @ Search @ ??
...
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Haechi finally spots the lizards that the Venture-Captain and Anjo had discovered a little earlier. It is clear that the lizards also seem to have spotted them in return. He whispers something to Haetae.
"Did you say you heard them talking, Venture-Captain? That suggests a certain level of intelligence, no? Perhaps I should try talking them into not trying to kill us. I can be very persuasive when I put my mind to it."
Haechi advances toward the lizards slowly and cautiously, so as not to spook them. When he gets within hearing range of the creatures he attempts to make contact. "Hail there fellows, and well met! I am Haechi and these are my colleagues. I do hope that we haven't trespassed overly on your good nature, but we are making our way to the Door of Seasons to um... how shall I put this... to uh, attempt to gain an audience with Qxal, the Thorned Monarch. If you would be so kind as to direct us in the right direction, we will leave you to your devices and bother you no longer." He puts on a nervous smile and enters into Kobold Obeisance Stance #3™ (his favorite) to show deference. It is then that he realizes that he hadn't confirmed that these creatures spoke Common. Gulp! Doubtless he would soon find out one way or another. He really hoped it wouldn't be a fatal lapse on his part.
The larger of the Quadruped Reptiles regards the Kobold, meeting speech in Common with likewise "Trespassed you have!" perhaps the eloquence is unexpected - no matter "I speak for this group, for they have not the ability themselves: As a result, you may call me Leader" as it talks, the other four draw closer, wary of the intruders such as the party "The Leader knows not of the - and the Leader knows not of this - and the Leader knows not of " it directs it's gaze to each of the party members, as if sizing you up as prey "Should you tell us of All Three - I may reconsider your current title as Trespassers!"
The party trespasses on a hair trigger here - a single hostile action could turn this situation swiftly violent!
...
Forest Lore (DC 16), Performance (DC 16), Deception (DC 18), Nature (DC 18), Diplomacy (DC 20)
☑ Haechi w/ Diplomacy @ 22
□ James w/ ?? @ ??
□ Anjo w/ ?? @ ??
□ Thellira w/ ?? @ ??
□ Sid w/ ?? @ ??
@
□"Door of Seasons"?
□"Thorned Monarch"?
□"You"?
...
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James was about to mount the Kelpie only to see it drop, Ah, now we see its true form.
We come here not to Trespass but to seek. Anyway, the outdoors is what we call home and I'm here to explore and learn the outdoors. Actually what is that?! As James points in the 3rd direction Gotcha. Know you know of me, or rather you were asking about YOU. While looking at me.
|
Anjo instinctively marks the leader as his prey as he listens.
Unable to get a read on the Leader, Anjo tries to reassure him.
"I see the oak, them maple, and poplar. And here we have the lilac and some honey bees. If you tell us the plants that identify your home, we will make sure to avoid it and trespass no further."
Leader watches Anjo as he "hunts" him, and snarls "Is your friend here to negotiate or to fight?" the surrounding lizards begin to spread around the party just a little bit more...
...
Forest Lore (DC 18), Performance (DC 18), Deception (DC 20), Nature (DC 20), Diplomacy (DC 22)
☑ Haechi w/ Diplomacy @ 22
☑ James w/ Deception @ 19
☑ Anjo w/ Nature @ 23
□ Thellira w/ ?? @ ??
□ Sid w/ ?? @ ??
@
□"Door of Seasons"?
□"Thorned Monarch"?
□"You"?
...