Both the mysterious stranger and Lazlo seem weakened by the attack.
"Well that was interesting. Should we go upstairs immediately or should we head down and let Ezramalkun know that we have defeated his bad birds? I'm sure that he would like to know. Perhaps knowing this will cause him to be more forthcoming with information."
The group can head back down to Ezramalkun, who will remind them that there were two groups - the "bad birds" above (upstairs) and the "monster dogs" below (in the basement).
"Let us heal and go up, there is a monster that needs to be slain!" says Fundin helping to heal up others.
"Agreed. We can let our friend below know the results once we've fully dealt with the situation," Galimus says.
A set of spiral stairs leads into an octagonal observatory, although the room appears to have been torn apart long ago from a violent search or perhaps a long, drawn-out fight. A desk and chair in the northern part of the room seem to have escaped this violence, as did a five-foot-tall, one-foot-wide mirror of dark glass in a frame made of wood, but other pieces of furniture, shelves, and books lie scattered through the rest of the room. A pile of rubble near the south walls appears to be the shattered remains of what might have once been an observation platform. At the room’s eastern and western sides, gears and chains look like they once allowed for the retraction of the roof above, but the mechanisms and chains to the east lie in rubble. Several strange skeletons lie strewn about the place; these long-dead creatures appear both humanoid and bat-like yet resemble something else entirely.
A creature greets you at the top of the stairs. It looks like the drawing that the grioths gave to you.
It roars and unleashes a psychic wave.
--Round 1
Galimus
Lazlo
Fundin
Zoi
--Round 2
Creature (Recall: Occultism)
Galimus groans as a lance of mental forces penetrates his mind.
Given how tight the space is, he opts for support, casting out his own wave of mental anguish but more to distract than harm.
He then reaches out to provide Lazlo with some Guidance.
"You can't fool me! I see you trying to surround me, fiend!
"Well, if that isn't terrifying!" Zoi squawks in fright as he rushes back away from it. As he does so he slaps a few bandages onto Lazlo and Fundin as his companions begin attacking each other.
HP 36/38
AC 18 (19 w/ shield)
Spells Used:
Divine Font 4/4
Focus Points 1/1
Wand of Heal (1st): 1/1
Battle Medicine: Zoi, Fundin, Lazlo
Hero Points 0/3
"You!?!? I knew you cannot be trusted!"
Galimus casts Bane and Guides Lazlo, who, unfortunately, gets confused anyway.
In a fit of confusion, Lazlo turns and attacks Fundin.
vs DC 11
The strike seems to snap Fundin out of his confusion.
Zoi quickly patches Lazlo and Fundin.
--Round 1
Galimus (26/54, bane 5')
Lazlo (31/40, confused)
Fundin (31/62, confused)
Zoi
--Round 2
Creature (Recall: Occultism)
Fundin runs towards the creature and smacks it with his hammer
Funding swooshes twice trying to see if he can open the crab!
Fundin swings his hammer twice, hitting both times.
In return, it bites at
plus DC 25 Fortitude
Then it reaches forth with a claw and tries to swipe and Lazlo's head.
vs Lazlo flat-footed
vs DC 11
Lazlo snaps to attention after the first hit, just barely dodging the second.
--Round 2
Galimus (26/54, bane 5')
Lazlo (3/40, confused)
Fundin (31/62)
Zoi
--Round 3
Creature (-25 hp, Recall: Occultism, AC <= 22)
Zoi sends a bit of healing out towards Lazlo. "Be careful in here. it is too tight."
He then draws a wand to his aid, knowing this is going to take everything they ave in them just to survive the night.
HP 36/38
AC 18 (19 w/ shield)
Spells Used:
Divine Font 4/4
Focus Points 1/1
Wand of Heal (1st): 1/1
Battle Medicine: Zoi, Fundin, Lazlo
Hero Points 0/3
Zoi heals Lazlo. As the beam of positive energy passes near the creature, it shudders.
--Round 2
Galimus (26/54, bane 5')
Lazlo (23/40)
Fundin (31/62)
Zoi (38/38)
--Round 3
Creature (-25 hp, Recall: Occultism or Religion, AC <= 22)
Funding swings his hammer then reaches and touches Lazlo
Then he raises his shield.
Galimus sustains his Bane spell and the creature will begin to feel the effects.
He then sends some positive energy Fundin's way.
"What...? I...sorry Fundin. Somehow this thing got me all turned around."
Lazlo, unfortunately, doesn't know anything about this creature.
Fundin swings wildly with his hammer, but manages to heal Lazlo a little, while Galimus heals Fundin and extends a dark aura around him.
Lazlo starts moving to one side, and then quickly spins and stabs the creature.
The creature bites at Lazlo.
vs AC 23
plus DC 25 Fortitude
vs AC 23
vs AC 23
--Round 3
Galimus (26/54, bane 10')
Lazlo (35/40 19/40)
Fundin (60/62)
Zoi (38/38)
--Round 4
Creature (-35 hp, Recall: Occultism or Religion, 12 < AC <= 22, Enfeebled 2 0/1)
Galimus repeats his former actions but redirects one part of it, sending his healing energy toward Lazlo, this time.
Fundin keeps on swinging his skullcracker "Why don't you pick up someone of your size?"
Then he strikes again
But misses. He raises his shield "Thank you master Galimus!"
With a mighty swipe, Fundin knocks the creature to the ground. Galimus patches up Lazlo, and extends bane once again.
--Round 3
Galimus (26/54, bane 15')
Lazlo (40/40)
Fundin (60/62)
Zoi (38/38)
--Round 4
Creature (-59 hp, prone, Recall: Occultism or Religion, 12 < AC <= 22, Enfeebled 2 0/1)
Zoi shields himself as he too sends a bit of healing out to Galimus. "I think we might have this!" He chirps as the group seems to regain their footing.
HP 36/38
AC 18 (19 w/ shield)
Spells Used:
Divine Font 2/4
Focus Points 1/1
Wand of Heal (1st): 1/1
Battle Medicine: Zoi, Fundin, Lazlo
Hero Points 0/3
Laszlo presses the attack.
Zoi heals Galimus.
Lazlo stabs furiously at the prone creature, but only the first strike hits.
vs DC 25
Lazlo feels dizzy, and his mind clouds over.
It stands upright and seems to smile at the wounded Lazlo. It turns its attention to Fundin, confident that its poison will cause Lazlo to succumb.
plus DC 25 Fort save
--Round 4
Galimus (53/54, bane 15')
Lazlo (40/40, 1d6 persistent negative, stupefied 1, slowed 1)
Fundin (19/62, Fort save, Shield Block retcon?)
Zoi (38/38)
--Round 5
Creature (-66 hp, prone, 20 < AC <= 22)
Zoi tries to keep up with the amount of damage this creature is putting out as patches up Fundin this time.
HP 36/38
AC 18 (19 w/ shield)
Spells Used:
Divine Font 1/4
Focus Points 1/1
Wand of Heal (1st): 1/1
Battle Medicine: Zoi, Fundin, Lazlo
Hero Points 0/3
Fundin's eyes grow big when both strikes hit him. His breath comes back to normal when Zoi heals him. He swings his hammer
Than he raises shield
Lazlo attempts to tumble past the creature but is unsuccessful. Nevertheless he is successful in finding a weakness in the beast's armor and in shrugging off the effects of the negative energy that afflicts him.
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vs DC 25
Zoi heals Fundin, who turns to say thanks, and his attention is drawn from his target for just a split second.
Lazlo tries to Tumble Through, but there are too many legs in the way. However, he sees a soft spot, and stabs it.
--Round 4
Galimus (53/54, bane 15')
Lazlo (40/40, 1d6 persistent negative, stupefied 1, slowed 1) 1 action
Fundin (43/62)
Zoi (38/38)
--Round 5
Creature (-86 hp, 20 < AC <= 22)
After getting pummeled at the beginning of the battle, it seems that the group has caught their footing. Galimus doesn't see anyone in dire need of healing at the moment so he
Concentrates on Maintaining his Bane.
Gives Lazlo some magical Guidance.
And tries to figure out what the heck this thing is and, more importantly, how to most efficiently finish it off.
---
Galimus tries to recall, but the creature is too foreign. As he looks at the creature's many eyes, though, he feels like the creature is looking back at him, at least a few eyes seem to be fixed on Galimus.
The creature's creepy stare doesn't affect its visciousness, though, as it goes for Fundin's throat.
plus DC 25 Fort save
It turns its attention to Lazlo.
--Round 5
Galimus (53/54, bane 15')
Lazlo (35/37, guidance)
Zoi (38/38)
Fundin (0/62, shield 0/20, prone, Dying 1, DC 25 Fort save)
--Round 6
Creature (-78 hp, 20 < AC <= 22)
Zoi reacts quickly as Fundin collapses. "Get back up...get back up.." He prays, otherwise their visit to the mortal real will be cut real short.
HP 36/38
AC 18 (19 w/ shield)
Spells Used:
Divine Font 0/4
Focus Points 1/1
Wand of Heal (1st): 1/1
Battle Medicine: Zoi, Fundin, Lazlo
Hero Points 0/3
The stranger lashes out with their scythe arm.
Lazlo attempts to tumble past the creature once more.
Fundin brings his shield which breaks in half, under the strength of that mighty blow. The bloody dwarf was standing before the second hit came. He fell to the ground smiling, hoping to see Magrim on the other side. But soon after he woke up feeling the pain once again.
He cursed horribly and got up. He picks up his hammer in his left hand and strikes
His strike was not that good, but Fundin tries to save it using all his Magrim points that he hoped to accumulate throughout his life.
It was almost as if Galimus allowing his mind to wander into what the creature is gave the creature an opening to lay Fundin low.
He released a curse that only a guttersnipe would have ready on their lips but didn't let his concentration on his spell lapse.
He continues to concentrate on Bane then sends a bolt of healing at Fundin.
---
Zoi and Galimus heal Fundin, who stands up and smashes it with his hammer. Lazlo tumbles through the creature's legs successfully, and the Mysterious Stranger slashes it with his arm.
--Round 5
Galimus (53/54, bane 15')
Lazlo (35/37, guidance) 1 action
Zoi (38/38)
Fundin (58/62, shield 0/20, wounded 1)
--Round 6
Creature (-95 hp, 20 < AC <= 22, <20% hp remaining)
Lazlo tries to stab the creature as he rolls through, but its underside is armored enough to block it.
The creature tries to gnaw of Fundin's head, not quite intelligent enough to grasp the concept of healing.
plus DC 25 Fortitude
--Round 6
Galimus (53/54, bane 15')
Lazlo (35/37, guidance)
Zoi (38/38)
Fundin (22/62, shield 0/20, wounded 1, DC 25 Fort save)
--Round 7
Creature (-95 hp, 20 < AC <= 22, <20% hp remaining)
Fundin does not feel well, but he keeps on swinging!
"Why don't you die already?!"
Given how well the crab thing is hitting, Galimus isn't sure how well his Bane is working but he keeps it up just in case.
What he does know is working is the healing, though it's just barely keeping up with demand. Still, he sends more Fundin's way.
"I don't have anything as potent after that one," he warns.
Zoi conjures up a spiritual dagger that hovers over the strange creature before plummeting it into its back.
HP 36/38
AC 18 (19 w/ shield)
Spells Used: Spiritual Weapon
Divine Font 0/4
Focus Points 1/1
Wand of Heal (1st): 1/1
Battle Medicine: Zoi, Fundin, Lazlo
Hero Points 0/3
"I think we have its number now."
"Err...Perhaps celebrations are a bit premature though."
Fundin sweeps the feet with a mighty swing of his warhammer, and then Zoi casts a spell, a dagger appears and stabs the prone creature.
Its eyes blink repeatedly, looking up at the assembled crew - emissaries of Magrim and Pharasma, and one other that he recognizes.
His eyes narrow, to focus on Galimus's visage.
"Welcome home, brother," it speaks, in Common, before closing its eyes forever.
---
+10 vs traps
While the room is devastated, it contains Xarwin’s notes and books, which have remained intact. With an hour’s work, these materials are gathered and organized into a small collection .
Looking through the books, the party discovers two things of note: a formula for a retracting roof like the one in this room () and a set of detailed drawings of the Cosmic Crypt () that reveals the proper method to open it.
Five voidglass kukris lie amid the remains of the dead grioths.
The party finds three more items of value: a copper astrolabe set with garnets and amethysts worth 45 gp, a traveler’s any-tool, and a module which looks like it might fit in the brainclock in the foyer.
However, the greatest treasure in this room is the a large, concave mirror - of sorts. The mirror is the deepest black, and while it looks like it should be reflecting the light in the room, it doesn't.
---
Everyone feels weirdly invigorated, and more capable, than they were just a few seconds ago.
Galimus breathes a sigh of relief that catches in his throat when the creature focuses on him.
Then, it becomes impossible to breath for several moments as he tries to process what has been said to him.
"I don't...I'm not...I don't know what he means," he says to those gathered around him.
Zoi is also relieved, though he catches a second wind, feeling as if he could continue on for a little bit more. "This looks like it could fit in the clock. Should we give it a try?"
Galimus nods quickly when Zoi brings up something other than the strange creature's last words. "Yes, perhaps it will solve another mystery of this place."
As they go, he removes the steel shield he's been wearing on his back as they've explored.
"I don't really know why I have this," he says, offering it to Fundin. "I supposed I might have used it often at one time, but I don't think I have at all since getting in this house."
An enameled classical chimera (lion head and forequarters, goat hindquarters and a serpent for a tail) decorates the shield.
"I, too, am curious to see what effect this module might have on that mysterious clock."
Arcana T +10
Crafting T +10
Nature T +9
Occultism E +12
Religion T +9
Society T +10
Haunt Lore E +12
Fundin ends the evening in the various libraries, trying to find information about the Order of the Starless Night and the mysterious Void Mirror. The two seem to be connected - the Void Mirror is a pre-Earthfall artifact said to have the ability to communicate with strange intelligences from the Dark Tapestry. The Order of the Starless Night took it from Tchekuth after his defeat and used it to ensure he would stay dead.
---
Zoi learns Asethanna’s maiden name was Arvanxi. She was the great-aunt of Queen Ileosa of Korvosa. Asethanna was a well-regarded sculptor and painter in her time, although today her work is largely forgotten. Sometime after she moved into Xarwin Manor, Asethanna’s art became increasingly focused on her growing faith in Pharasma and on psychopomps.
The Caul absorbs knowledge and memories from sentient creatures that dream within its area of influence, and these absorbed thoughts are siphoned into the actual malevolence that haunts the manor. The PC also understands the mechanics of the Caul’s Burst of Hatred, its antipathetic aura against psychopomps, and that it takes weeks to reset.
---
Galimus spends several hours in a study, with nothing but an ink pen and a blank piece of parchment in front of him. Throughout the evening, several party members come by to check if he's okay, but he just nods silently. Abruptly, he grabs the pen, and draws a single line running down the paper. And then another. Soon, all the shapes and images that have been floating through his mind are scrawled onto the page, forming a partial map of the basement. Although the party has already discovered the secret study and the peephole on the first floor, Galimus remembers their construction - as well as the location of several secret doors down below, built by none other than the Order of the Starless Night.
But how could he? That was eons ago.
---