[PF2] Malevolence (GM Watery Soup) (Inactive)

Game Master Watery Soup

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(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺

GM Screen:

Fundin Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Perception (Laurel): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Perception (Fundin): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Perception (Zoi): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Perception (Galimus): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Perception (Lazlo): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 +9 vs traps
Perception (De Sibelius): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Fundin:
Out of combat, you remember these are called mandragora. These insidious little plants typically form when a mandrake root is watered with a demon's blood. Upon absorbing the otherworldly properties of the demon's blood, the root animates and is forced to seek out blood to feast from, lest it die of thirst.

Always famished and in search for sustenance, mandragoras live haunted, pained lives and perform vile and desperate acts to acquire the blood they crave. While they prefer magically infused blood such as that of unicorns, fey, or sorcerers, and they can also feed off of potions, alchemical bombs, and other magical elixirs, a mandragora can subsist on the blood of non-magical creatures. They find the flavor of mundane blood to be bland and bitter, and they do not blanch at voicing these complaints to the creatures from which they drink.

Sometimes a mandragora offers its services to a spellcaster in exchange for sustenance. Tales tell of sorcerers or other magical creatures who keep mandragora “familiars” whose loyalty is sustained by feeding the little beasts with their own blood. These tales generally have gruesome endings wherein the mandragora is overcome with bloodlust and, unable to control itself, devours its master.

I elected to give you lore instead of combat abilities. If there was something you were particularly interested in, you can have one piece of information.

---

Icon moved on Slide 4.

Circling around the north side of the building, the once well-kept path has become overgrown in the years since the house was abandoned.

DC 15 Survival:
The path continues into the woods.

First to attempt the Survival check:
For a moment, you felt like someone - or something - was watching you from the house.

Zoi:
You catch a glimpse of movement among the row of windows on the second floor of the house that look into the northern yard. Although you don't get a good look, a seemingly human figure retreats from view as soon as you turn your head.


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

The boy tries to make himself useful... "Hol' still I kin do this!"

Survival (Trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Rushing all the way from the heel of the group to the fore, Laurel charts a path into the woods, yelling "Sef come this way!" excited to be employed at something is is halfway decent at.

Suddenly he stops in his tracks "Whassat!?" looking back at the window he had just inspected moments ago "Iss watchin' us!" he gulps!


Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

Brushing the leaves from his coat, readjusting his spectacles, de Sibelius looks back over his shoulder at the window. "Mr Gorog, I am sorry that there seems to be an occupant in the house, however let me assure you that with the full force of the law, we shall be able to evict them." he nods and smiles. "As for this, nature seems to have taken a monumental hold on the grounds. I shall of course seek the employment of gardeners when we get back to town. And if there are none, we at Sibelius, Sibelius and Grieg will provide the right contracts and skilled personnel you will want to staff the house and garden." his voice full of pomposity, typical of a city dweller.

Once more he writes in his book, the details as he looks back up again at the window pointed out by Laurel. "Thank you Laurel, but the inside can take care of itself, whilst we are out here. Lead on through this jungle."


(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺

Laurel dashes through the woods, laughing all the way.

The oppressive forest retreats into a clearing of dry grass that seems to almost whisper as a breeze wafts through. A ring of seven ancient standing stones surrounds a circular crypt-like stone structure that measures roughly twelve feet in diameter and rises to a height of fifteen feet. Carvings of moths and butterfly-winged people flying among the stars decorate the crypt’s sides, while its heavy stone slab door is embedded with a series of bronze rings set in grooves. Each of the rings has a single, small disk of differently colored crystals attached to it; at the very center, a larger orb of pale-yellow crystal is affixed to the stone.

See Slide 9 for art.

DC 23 Religion or DC 18 Desnan Lore or DC 18 Thassilonian Lore:
The workmanship of the monolith evokes an ancient, largely abandoned style of Desnan art that experienced its height of popularity in ancient Thassilon, nearly ten thousand years ago. The circle of rings represents the solar system.

Critical Success:

Spoiler:
These decorations were often used as combination locks to keep a door sealed.


Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

Religion 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

As the gnome follows the laughing girl through the undergrowth, he stops suddenly and looks up, as he starts to stutter and furiously starts to make further notes in his journal.

"Mr Gorog, I'm not so sure, but aren't these stones magnificent. I'll take care of this in the legal documents, our company can manage the relocation into more suitable surroundings. Hmmmm!!!" the gnome ponders.

The gnome wanders over to Zoi and quietly asks, "Perhaps you could confirm this as you seem quite knowledgeable regarding religious and history. You see I think that the stones represent the solar system as was 10,000 years ago, near as dammit. I mean an ancient Desnan design style of the Thassilonian age long since passed into history. I wonder what it all means, I think we should study it before the light of the day disappears." he looks earnestly at the tengu, his hands nervously rubbing themselves together, his eyes focused on his inner most thoughts.


Perc +7 | 25 feet | Spell DC 21 | Active Conditions: none NG Male Fleshwarp (Created) Oracle/Runescarred 5th HP 67/67 | AC: 21 | F +11 R +9 W +11

Galimus almost calls out to Laurel to stop the boy from going off on his own. The fact that yelling in this place might attract just the attention they are hoping to avoid combined with the fact that the youngster might not pay any attention silences him.

He watches the encroaching woods warily, relaxing somewhat when they arrive at the clearing.

He frowns and cocks his head thoughtfully as he looks at the crypt.

Thassilonian Lore (Yes I actually have it): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

A light comes from under his shirt over his chest and knowledge floods into his mind.

"You're right, de Sibelius. Definitely Thassilonian. Those rings signify the solar system."


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

Leading the party though the woods gives Laurel a sense of pride... all the way, he talks to himself out loud "Two stumps" and "Mud cool on ma feet" and "Sound o' them crickets" narrating his first person experience through all five of his senses, the practice of which seems to allow him to stay focused. When he looks back and notices Galimus cutting his eyes at him, he lowers his volume but otherwise continues unabated "whassat smell? pine?" and "ew - definitely not pine"...

...finally arriving at the stones!

Desna Lore (Trained) vs DC 18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"Mebe yer rite and mebe yer rong" he exerts his "expertise" on the subject "Or mebe they just Creepy Rocks!"

Having successfully led the party "somewhere" our young hero has no idea what to do next. Furthermore, some little voice in his head warns him that he will get into trouble with his new friends if he touches anything... so he doesn't... for now...


Tengu| HP 46/46 | AC: 20 | F: +9 R: +10, W: +13 | Perception: +13 (T, Low-Light) | Default Exploration: Searching

Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Zoi is a bit startled as Sibelius speaks with him. "Squawk!" He ruffles his feathers. "Sorry, you startled me." He points back to the house. "There was someone in there. Second floor, they noticed me an moved away from the window."

He turns back to the solar system theory. "It very well could be from 10,000 year ago as it doesn't seem to match the current alignment. But, I know little more than that I'm afraid."


m Human | Rogue 5 | HP58/58 | AC 22/23| F +8 R +13 W +11 | Perception +11( +12 vs Traps, Trap Finder) | Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: Wounded 1 |

religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Lazlo turns to the tengu. "Was it a woman? In a mask? What a relief. I've been catching glimpses of her for weeks now but when I turn to get a good look she's gone. I was starting to think I was going insane."


| Male Dwarf Champion 5 | HP 80/80 | AC 23 (25 w shield) | F +12 R +8 W +12 | Perc +10 (dark vision) | Default Exploration: guard | Speed 15ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None

Religion(Expert): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

"Solar system?! Hmm if you say so."

He looks at the big stones and finally get his a-ha moment

"Now I remember the creatures that we just faced, they are called mandragora. These insidious little plants typically form when a mandrake root is watered with a demon's blood. Upon absorbing the otherworldly properties of the demon's blood, the root animates and is forced to seek out blood to feast from, lest it dies of thirst."

"Always famished and in search for sustenance, mandragoras live haunted, pained lives and perform vile and desperate acts to acquire the blood they crave. While they prefer magically infused blood such as that of unicorns, fey, or sorcerers, and they can also feed off of potions, alchemical bombs, and other magical elixirs, a mandragora can subsist on the blood of non-magical creatures. They find the flavor of mundane blood to be bland and bitter, and they do not blanch at voicing these complaints to the creatures from which they drink."

"Sometimes a mandragora offers its services to a spellcaster in exchange for sustenance. Tales tell of sorcerers or other magical creatures who keep mandragora “familiars” whose loyalty is sustained by feeding the little beasts with their own blood. These tales generally have gruesome endings wherein the mandragora is overcome with bloodlust and, unable to control itself, devours its master."

Fundin says not really focusing on the stones "It could mean that there are demons nearby... Or were."


Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

De Sibelius' lips curl in disgust as Fundin tells them of the demon invested creature that just ran away, he does however write. the detail in his journal with a note, Hit them with fire, charge Mr Gorog extra for using fire in providing security to the house. He looks up, his mouth twitching as the words leave Fundin.

"Demons you say Fundin, I'll keep my eyes peeled." he nods knowingly, as he wipes his glasses clean, although in all honestly he has no real idea of the demons Fundin speaks of.


(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺

In the interest of holiday expediency (today is Thanksgiving holiday in the US, and I'll be spending most of today and tomorrow with my family), I'm going to assume you continue circling around the building.

In the eastern alcove of the house, three partially ruined wooden benches surround a dry fountain in the middle of this fenced-in garden. The fountain features what looks like five ravens perched on the edges, but each of their heads has been broken off. Two small trees grow to the east, while to the west, a huge patch of blackberries and thistles thrives.

See Slide 10.

GM Screen:

Fundin Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Galimus Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Laurel Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Lazlo Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
de Sibelius Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Zoi Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Fundin:
You feel a sense of pride over the workmanship of the ravens and satisfaction knowing that someone who has annoyed you recently will be bothered by the art.

Lazlo:
You feel a complex sensation of fear and betrayal at the sight of the headless ravens, along with an urge to smash at where the heads once were.

DC 20 Perception:
The five stone ravens, while still decades old, were newer additions to an existing fountain.

DC 25 Religion check, Zoi +5 to his check:
These are depictions not of ravens, but of nosoi psychopomps.

---

There is another broken window in this alcove. To be clear, the membrane that covers the rest of this house also covers this area.

Any young'uns who can't resist peeking?:
Aw, a library?! BORING! Who's got time for books?! Several floor-to-ceiling bookshelves turn this large room into a cozy, almost cramped library. Most of the shelves are stuffed with books of all shapes and sizes. The flooring and wall around it appear more weathered than anywhere else in the room.

---

Revealing the entire exterior map. There are a total of 5 broken windows around the house - three on the first floor (green arrow), and two that you can see, but not reach, on the second floor (yellow arrow). There's also the main entrance (blue arrow), and the gibbering mouther (pink outline) in the pond. It's almost dark.


Tengu| HP 46/46 | AC: 20 | F: +9 R: +10, W: +13 | Perception: +13 (T, Low-Light) | Default Exploration: Searching

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Religion: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 5 = 24

"It was too far away to tell if it was a man or a woman." Zoi stops for a moment. "These ravens seem newer additions to the fountain." Zoi begins to have difficulty seeing. "It will be dark soon. We should find a safe place."


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

As if some perpetual hunger seizes the boy by his stomach, automatically our young hero finds himself drawn to the blackberry bush, stowing his knives so as to apply the full compliment of his limbs to the stuffing of his cheeks "MMmmm, guuh" he declares, juice dripping down both sides of his mouth, one dribble reaching down his neck and onto his chest!

Perception (Trained): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Religion (Trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

With his mouth full "Dem birdth loo' new" commenting on how the five stone ravens, while still decades old, look to be newer additions to the existing fountain.


| Male Dwarf Champion 5 | HP 80/80 | AC 23 (25 w shield) | F +12 R +8 W +12 | Perc +10 (dark vision) | Default Exploration: guard | Speed 15ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None

Fundin looks at the ravens and checks the craftsmanship "Those are well-made sculptures, I am not sure why someone destroyed them, and what kind of person would be bothered by art. But I guess they must be so twisted that they deserve to be annoyed by that."

He looks at the sky "Yeah, it has been a long day, we should find a place to lay our heads. Ideally away from this house"

Yeah, let us find some food and a bed. Ideally six instances of both ;)


m Human | Rogue 5 | HP58/58 | AC 22/23| F +8 R +13 W +11 | Perception +11( +12 vs Traps, Trap Finder) | Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: Wounded 1 |

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Lazlo scowls at the ruined statues. "There is something terribly wrong with those raven statues. Could those ravens possibly have been masked like those smaller psychopomps we saw earlier? Are raven psychopomps a thing?"

He looks at the setting sun and sighs.

"I think you're right Fundin. We need to find a place to stay the night. I wonder if there is a suitable spot among the ruins of the town?"


(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺
Lazlo Gorog wrote:
"Are raven psychopomps a thing?"

I'll consider this question an Aid to Zoi's check, he can open the DC 25 Religion spoiler.

---

Lazlo Gorog wrote:
I wonder if there is a suitable spot among the ruins of the town?

If you do go back to the town, you'll readily find a place to rest for the night, no checks required.

Because this is your first night resting, I'm going to ask you to set up a default watch order which I'll use every time you rest unless otherwise told. I'm perfectly fine assuming everyone automatically gets the rest they need, i.e., spellcasters can be in the middle of the order if they wish with little concern for the beauty sleep rules (which I have not bothered looking up). Over the course of the Adventure, I need to know who is awake at certain points of the night and/or what time of night certain PCs are awake, muhahahahaha.


| Male Dwarf Champion 5 | HP 80/80 | AC 23 (25 w shield) | F +12 R +8 W +12 | Perc +10 (dark vision) | Default Exploration: guard | Speed 15ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None

For lack of better idea, how about Alphabetical order for keeping watch: Fundin, Galimus, Laurel, Lazlo, De Sibelius, Zoi

The town is in ruin right? So there are no citizens and working inn?

When resting Fundin puts his skull-crasher on the ground next to him and puts the shield on his backpack. He helps to set up a fire and prepare some simple meals from dried rations. Since he is a Goldenoak he brings a small cask of a golden brew and opens it. "It is enough to get a small glass of beer for everyone. It is a Goldenoak Ale, in some regions called 'gale'. Since it is relatively easy to drink but a strong beverage. Enjoy, we earned it." He takes a sip and begin to chew the dried meat with a rough biscuit

He looks at Laurel "Are you old enough to drink, laddie? And where did you learn to fight? You look to young to be in the military."

After eating and drinking he takes out a pipe and puts some tobacco into it. He lights it with a long stick that he lightened from the fireplace and sends a small cloud of smoke into the air.


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Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Religion 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

De Sibelius starts to note down the condition and state of the statues as he grumbles into his journal. "Big crows ... no, could be well weathered ravens...why everyone says they are new additions.... umpf and not well looked after ... been broken .... needs repairs, remember to addd that to the charges .... hmmm! ... " the gnome stops and considers the significance of the statues, pulling at his beard and adjusting the glasses on his nose. Before he shrugs and buries himself into his journal once more, noting, "Tasty looking berries in the area, worth a look."

The gnome seeing the fresh food available, Recall Knowledge about Nature +2 calls to his companions, "Ummm, perhaps we could take a few fresh berries for supper?" he says as he points to the bushes.

If the fresh berries are behind the membrane, then de Sibelius will just mark the bushes down in his inventory to return to later, same with the tree if he sees any fruit on it or on the ground around it.

As Fundin broaches the subject of returning to town, de Sibelius is eager to find a safe, warm and comfortable bed to sleep in ...

Hows about going on the vision scales for the watch, Lazlo, de Sibelius, Fundin, Galimus, Zoi, Laurel.. normal, low-light, dark, dark, low-light, normal....

de Sibelius asks to be first in the watch, "I need a lot of time to sleep, you know. I don't want to wake up early, the sleep helps me remember and organise the days events.. I don't want to wake early you know...no I like to lie in..."


Perc +7 | 25 feet | Spell DC 21 | Active Conditions: none NG Male Fleshwarp (Created) Oracle/Runescarred 5th HP 67/67 | AC: 21 | F +11 R +9 W +11

Galimus looks a little forlornly at the house before joining the rest of the group in returning to the town.

"It will be here tomorrow and so will any secrets it holds," he says quietly to himself.

After they choose lodgings, he sits a little away from the fire, wrapped tightly in his long, patchwork coat and staring into the flames, all but unmoving.

When the time for food comes, he waves it away. "I am not hungry," he says.

He will take a mug of Gale, though.

"May the inside of the house be less dangerous than the outside," he says as he raises his glass to the group.


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

Happy to be "last" on deck for the boring watch, Laurel insists that he be "old enough" to drink and smoke "fer sure" with, if push coming to shove, the "evidence" he submits about being the "strongest fighter" in the group and "if I can take a hit I can take a drink" and other such appeals.

If allowed to participate:

One sip and he spits out the beer with a "Blech!"
One puff and he is coughing his lungs out with a "Uughk"
And having satisfied his curiosity, he politely declines a second try of either...

If forbade to participate:

He watches intently as the adults join in the merriment of drinking and smoking, studying how to be an "adult" thinking the secret lies in the exact techniques themselves!
But ultimately, ends up going to bed early, frustrated at having been excluded despite the true ring of his collected arguments...


Tengu| HP 46/46 | AC: 20 | F: +9 R: +10, W: +13 | Perception: +13 (T, Low-Light) | Default Exploration: Searching

Vision scales watch order works for me.

Zoi heads back to the Inn with the others. "After a small bit of thought, those didn't look like ravens at all on the statue. They looked like nosoi psychopomps." The thought had been digging into the edges of his mind for some time now. "Should we head back at first light?"


m Human | Rogue 5 | HP58/58 | AC 22/23| F +8 R +13 W +11 | Perception +11( +12 vs Traps, Trap Finder) | Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: Wounded 1 |

Seemingly disturbed by the day's events Lazlo simply waves his hand and agrees offhandedly to watch order by vision. He is lost in thought until his watch begins."Masks, psychopomps, hmm..."

As his watch begins he perks up and addresses the barrister. "Plenty to ponder eh, de Sibelius? Well we'll figure it out tomorrow I'm sure. Best stay alert tonight though for more potato people or other squatters. I wouldn't want to have to will this manse away before I've even taken possession."


Perc +7 | 25 feet | Spell DC 21 | Active Conditions: none NG Male Fleshwarp (Created) Oracle/Runescarred 5th HP 67/67 | AC: 21 | F +11 R +9 W +11

We have 2 of each types of vision. So, I suggest Lazlo, de Sibelius, Galimus, Fundin, Zoi, Laurel as watch order.


Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

"Yes, yes Mr Gorog, I've marked it all down in my journal, now we just need to find the formal papers, which should be inside. It is sure to be easier once we are out of the elements and ..." the gnome pauses for thought, his brow furrowed he continues in a hushed voice. "And we must see whoever is inside and determine their claim on the property. Hopewfully they can find accommodation elsewhere." The gnome's eyes darken, as he goes over the various scenarios in his head.....

The evening is taken up with the gnome, walking up and down repeatedly, his beard held tightly in his right hand as he looks down at the floor, mumbling to himself, arguing with himself and focusing on tomorrow's journey into the house. Only stopping when he takes food and drink, although he refuses Fundin's ale with his mind racing.

He stops when it comes to his time to watch over his companions, but even then, he is still seen during his watch, walking around and fidgeting as he looks out into the darkness.


(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺

GM Screen:

de Sibelius Occultism: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 vs Ioseff DC 18 (CS)
Galimus Intimidation: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 vs Caul DC 19 (CS)
Fundin Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 vs Caul DC 21 (CF)
Zoi Intimidation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 vs Caul DC 19 (S)
Laurel Intimidation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 vs Caul DC 19 (CS)
Lazlo Occultism: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 vs Ioseff DC 18 (F)

Lazlo takes the first watch, telling a bedtime story to the rest of group and tucking them in to their bedrolls. Dusk gives way to night, and save for the distant cawing of the nosoi swarms, the night is eerily quiet.

de Sibelius:
de Sibelius casts a spell, an a bright sphere of flame presses back against an empty, black void. Nothing can be seen, no gauge of distance, no sign that the light reaches anything.

Tchekuth! a million gibbering mouths seem to say, all at once.

Something lurks in the darkness, a predator. The flaming sphere becomes a ball, kicked back and forth by two young twins.

Tchekuth!

"De Sibelius!"

De Sibelius bolts upright, a startled Lazlo patting his back.

Lazlo takes his place in his comfy bed as de Sibelius puts a log on the fire. After stirring the embers, de Sibelius does a few jumping jacks to get the blood flowing.

Galimus:
Galimus's eyes snap open, surrounded by an inky blackness. Reaching his hand out, he feels a enclosure around him. It's not glass, as expected, but a flexible membrane of some kind. The membrane is cold to the touch, and Galimus feels it stretching as he pushes his finger into it.

Tchekuth! a million ravens caw, all at once.

Galimus's finger finally pushes the membrane to its limit. Galimus inhales sharply as the membrane shatters, the rush of air quickly displacing the black fluid in his lungs.

"Galimus!"

De Sibelius goes to sleep as Galimus silently stands watch, his darkvision scanning the surroundings.

Fundin:
Fundin stands alone as his warhammer falls to the ground with a thud. The city around him, the city of Lastwall, burns.

The black blood that stains his weapons and armor soak into the ground, staining it an inky black. The deep blackness spreads, and Fundin loses all sense of direction as he looks down and the deep blackness swallows his entire field of vision.

Tchekuth! a million voices chant, all at once.

The voices echo through the vastness of space. Something lurks here - something from the deep past, but also from the near future. A single sharp voice cuts through the oppressive presence filling the black space.

"FUNDIN!"

Fundin awakes with a start, Galimus shaking his shoulder.

Fundin takes his place at the watch, peeling off a few splinters for tomorrow's kindling while watching the fire.

Zoi:
Zoi soars through the inky blackness of the Astral Plane. A stream of souls meanders gently through the darkness towards Pharasma's throne, in the distance. Except ... the throne is gone. Instead, the stream disappears into a black void that's even blacker than the blackness all around, never to appear again.

Zoi presses his finger against the darkness. It's a membrane, flexible and cold to the touch. Suddenly, it bursts.

Tchekuth! a million voices cry out, all at once.

Zoi feels a sharp pain in his chest.

"Zoi!"

Zoi awakes with a loud squawk, nearly waking the entire party. Fundin's steady hand rests on his shoulder.

Zoi wraps himself with a blanket as the temperature of the air drops to uncomfortably cold levels.

Laurel:
"Ma, watch this! MA! MA!"

Laurel runs and leaps across a deep pit, too deep to measure.

"MA! I told ya t' watch!"

Laurel runs and leaps again, except this time his foot slips, and he falls in. He's stopped by some kind of thin, flexible membrane, cold to the touch. He pushes his finger into the membrane.

"MA?"

Tchekuth! a million mothers all scream, all at once.

The voices startle him, and in a panic, his pushes his hands through the membrane. It bursts, sending him falling into the darkness.

Laurel wakes with a start, Zoi kicking his feet to wake him up.

Laurel snaps awake, refreshed, and begins practicing throwing knives against the nearest wall.

Lazlo:
Lazlo looks up into the clear night sky. It feels close, close enough to touch. Reaching out his hand, he feels his consciousness rising, leaving behind the earth and floating into the inky blackness between the stars.

Then, the voices start.

First, they're familiar voices - the widow who pleaded with him to take her life savings, the detective that asked for a bribe. Suddenly, a single word cuts through all the noise.

Tchekuth! a million mouths seem to say, all at once.

Lazlo snaps awake all of a sudden.

The party awakens in the morning, wordlessly nodding at one another as they go about their daily preparations.

You are free to discuss whatever you want over breakfast, and then formulate a plan for the day.


| Male Dwarf Champion 5 | HP 80/80 | AC 23 (25 w shield) | F +12 R +8 W +12 | Perc +10 (dark vision) | Default Exploration: guard | Speed 15ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None

Fundin does not mind the boy drinking or smoking. He survived the day, and there are no guarantees that he will survive another one.

Fundin trashes in his sleeping bag, and when he wakes he sees a most horrible face of a monster. Altered flesh looks like it is about to fall to pieces. He yells and reaches for the dagger before realizing that it is Galimus

"I won't let it happen again, I won't let it happen again... Tchekuth, why did I dream of that name?"

He sits on the ground and nods to Galimus that he is awake "Sorry, I am just still recovering from that odd dream. You can go to sleep now."

He stands up and drinks a bit of water, maybe it was the alcohol that caused it...

During the morning Fundin wakes up and conducts a simple prayer to Magrim. Then he warms some water over the fire and prepares a simple stew.

"I doubt we will have time to eat proper lunch so a bigger breakfast would have to do."

He pours the meal into bowls and as he eats he makes a drawing of the

"Did any of you see from which direction it would be good to enter the place?"


Perc +7 | 25 feet | Spell DC 21 | Active Conditions: none NG Male Fleshwarp (Created) Oracle/Runescarred 5th HP 67/67 | AC: 21 | F +11 R +9 W +11

There is a look of hurt and betrayal on Galimus's ruined face for a moment at Fundin's reaction. It quickly turns to a hard mask of indifference.

"Think nothing of it," he says quietly before rolling up in his long coat with his back to the fire.

He does not look at Fundin as the man offers him a bowl and actually waves the food away, sitting off to himself as the group gathers around to eat.

As plans for the day begins he moves closer.

"The front door seems too obvious. If there is something lurking within, it will surely be watching that point of entrance. Perhaps the broken window on the back of the house? Perhaps we break a window on the back of the house?"

Later, as they begin to gather to depart, he moves to Fundin's side.

Fundin:
"It was in your dreams as well, wasn't it? Whatever 'Tchekuth' is, it has a grip on this place and is reaching for us as well."


Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

De Sibelius rubs the sleep from his eyes and is quite shocked that the day is quite so bright. His hand reaches out and fumbles around next to him as he grasps a pair of glasses that end up on his nose.

"Hmm, a Hmm. Good Morning ... Mr Gorog are you awake?" he looks around, smiling contentedly at the new day, until he realises his situation... Oh...the mansion, oh this place ....

As he gets ready, the gnome wanders around hapazardly, as though looking for something, but not finding anything he scratches his head and looks a little confused. The twins.... no.... Instead after several more moments, a butterfly lazily flutters past, leaving de Sibelius to run after it and catch it in his hands...."I found one...." he starts to repeat "Tchekuth! ... Tchekuth!" to the delicate insect. Nothing transpires as the gnome tries to speak other than the butterfly flaps its pretty little yellow and black wings and flutters away...

"Gentlemen and women" he addresses the company over breakfast, "I think we should find the library, find the documents of import, before you start to find the other treasures." he nods at himself in agreement.


Tengu| HP 46/46 | AC: 20 | F: +9 R: +10, W: +13 | Perception: +13 (T, Low-Light) | Default Exploration: Searching

Zoi looks like crap as he wakes up. His disheveled feathers don't seem to stay in place as they jut out at odd angles. He shivers and can't seem to get warm, no matter how close to the fire he gets. "Strange dreams, strange place." He wonders why his mind dreamt of Pharasma as it had. "Is there a reason, not to just go through the front door? The place has been abandoned for some time."


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

Kicking and futzing and talking... Yelling!... in his fitful sleep "No... No... MA... Mmmmhmm... Eh... Ma?... MA!! Tchekuth!!!" suddenly somersaulting with automaticity and breaking into a full sprint smacking into the wagon and spending the next couple hours passed out when 1d4 ⇒ 3 Galimus (on watch) comes to check on him (there is a pulse... and a lump)...

...later, when Zoi wakes him to trade watches, he agrees "Me too, Zo" was it possible to shorten a three-letter one-syllable name!? "An me Ma she was ther', an' the Chee-Kooth ("Tchekuth") too an' I was fallin' an then me Ma she yellin' at me wen I sed ta lookit an she didit one hunnerd times" the highest number the boy can think of "Then i was fallin' an' SPLAT there ah go thru the Muckus" he points to the window they passed earlier with the "Membrane" slick "The Muckus - yech! - slimey an' nassy an', um, I'm cold" he goes to hug the warm feathers of the tengu, still distraught, before completing his watch in uncharacteristic silence...


| Male Dwarf Champion 5 | HP 80/80 | AC 23 (25 w shield) | F +12 R +8 W +12 | Perc +10 (dark vision) | Default Exploration: guard | Speed 15ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None

"That membrane might be made by some creature living within. It could be a demon of some sort since the mandragoras were there. They look for blood, so there has to be one in the building."

He continues eating his meal "If someone was watching us, then they know that we will come in. However, if they trapped the house, the main entrance could be best protected. The two mandragoras did not come inside, which make me believe that they couldn't find their way inside"

I am fine with any entrance, to be honest.

Galimus:
"I was thinking it was only me, and that what notes I made was emanating in my dreams. But I am afraid that you are right. We should be careful, and find the source of it"

He looks at Galimus "Pardon me asking, but how is your soul? Do you feel like sometimes you have other voices in your head? Do you have blackouts when you can't recall what you did? Terrible nightmares or visions?" he looks Galimus in the eyes "Magrim at times repairs damaged souls. Besides fighting the undead, I dealt with some hauntings and ghosts in the past, but I never met someone like ... you."


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m Human | Rogue 5 | HP58/58 | AC 22/23| F +8 R +13 W +11 | Perception +11( +12 vs Traps, Trap Finder) | Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: Wounded 1 |

Lazlo awakes with a start, drenched in sweat. That's not true. I never took everything. I only took from people that could afford it. Besides, I...I...was providing a service. They wanted...needed to hear from their loved ones. Really. I was helping. I was. Even Xira. Without me she would have died alone in that big house with no one to take care of her. It's only right that I get it all. She had no heirs. She would have wanted it this way. Tchekuth.

"Tchekuth?" He frowns.

That word again. What does it mean? We need to find out.


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m Human | Rogue 5 | HP58/58 | AC 22/23| F +8 R +13 W +11 | Perception +11( +12 vs Traps, Trap Finder) | Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: Wounded 1 |
Pourrimenmots de Sibelius wrote:
"Gentlemen and women" he addresses the company over breakfast, "I think we should find the library, find the documents of import, before you start to find the other treasures." he nods at himself in agreement.

Lazlo nods vigorously in agreement. "Yes. Yes. Clearly there is more going on here than meets the eye. We should get to the root of it." He thinks of the mandragora and grins wryly. "No pun intended."

He shakes his head. "Anyway, a library might provide us with much needed information. Like why the connection to the psychopomps and who or what is Tchekuth."


Perc +7 | 25 feet | Spell DC 21 | Active Conditions: none NG Male Fleshwarp (Created) Oracle/Runescarred 5th HP 67/67 | AC: 21 | F +11 R +9 W +11

"So...the front door or no?" Galimus asks as one person advocates for it, one person advocates against it and the others make plans for what to do once inside.

Fundin:
"It seems it was all of us, given the way everyone is waking up," Galimus replies.

He barks a quick, involuntary laugh at Fundin's question. "I can't tell if I have no soul or too many. I do hear voices in my head but they are my voice...s. I would say it is as though I were having thoughts that were not my own but I cannot honestly say which ones are truly mine in the first place.

"I don't blackout. I'm always there when I act I just can't really say who 'I' am. And, until this place, I only had one real nightmare and whatever soul or souls are in me...I...we...all experienced it together."


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"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

"Wussa Lie-berry?" he looks towards de Sibelius, expectant that he'd know for sure. Perhaps he or someone explains to the boy.

"Oh I know books. Yeh read'im alla time" boasting his smarts... when talk turns to the front door, Laurel beams up "I kin take the door - ain' no Chee-Kooth ("Tchekuth") gittin' the better'a me!" he eats hungrily and pulls out some foraged berries he found that are now smooshed to share around the circle.

Sharpening his knives on a rock, Laurel prepares to enter through whichever side the party deems the best choice.


(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺

Since nobody has expressed a strong preference, I'm putting your icon at the front door. In any case, the story starts off the same way ...

Laurel runs up and inadvisedly presses his face against the soft membrane that covers the entire house, while others more prudently search about for an alternative.

There doesn't seem to be any - to reach the interior of the house, the membrane will have to be broken somehow.


Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

Inspecting the membrane, from a safe distance of inches away, de Sibelius scrunches up his face, "My friends, it must be some sort of defensive shield, a warning system perhaps."

Occult on membrane? +5


| Male Dwarf Champion 5 | HP 80/80 | AC 23 (25 w shield) | F +12 R +8 W +12 | Perc +10 (dark vision) | Default Exploration: guard | Speed 15ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None

Galimus:
Fundin nods and smiles to Galimus "I see, When this is over I will try to read a bit about it. From the current state of it, I am afraid that you may end up hunting a location after death instead of peacefully departing. But maybe you will find what you are looking for here." The dwarf looks at the building.

When they are in front of the house Fundin reaches for his backpack and finds there his hatchet. "Ha take a look at that, I actually brought it!" he actually seems surprised but hangs his hatchet on his belt.

He takes the dagger and gives it back to Lazlo "Thank you for this knife. It is a good blade, nice craftsmanship. When on the watch I sharpened it a bit."

Finally, the dwarf looks at the membrane. "It could be an egg. Protecting something inside until it is ready to hatch." stipulates.

He goes and checks if the membrane only fills the entrance to the building or is it a full dome. He pushes the membrane next to the side of the wall to see if it stretches inside.

Nature +7, Religion +9


Perc +7 | 25 feet | Spell DC 21 | Active Conditions: none NG Male Fleshwarp (Created) Oracle/Runescarred 5th HP 67/67 | AC: 21 | F +11 R +9 W +11

Galimus joins in the study of the membrane.

Occult +6, Religion +6

He also gently grips Laurel's shoulder and pulls the ragamuffin away while simultaneously watching his hands. He's ready to stop the boy from doing anything rash with anything pointy before they've decided that's the right course of action.


(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺

GM Screen:
de Sibelius Occultism: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Galimus Occultism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Fundin Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Galimus Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Fundin NAture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

de Sibelius:
The membrane is a protective membrane. Breaking it would likely lower the defenses of anything growing inside.

Galimus:
The membrane is a manifestation of the evils within, and as long as a haunting presence lies within, would likely re-form even if broken.

Fundin:
The membrane is a caul, like newborns sometimes have over their faces. They're easily ruptured and removed.

Fundin pushes the membrane all the way to the door, but it feels like it's stretched to its absolute limit - opening the door would cause it to rupture.

The screeching of flocks of ravens and their eerie circling seems to pick up as the membrane gets stretched.


Perc +7 | 25 feet | Spell DC 21 | Active Conditions: none NG Male Fleshwarp (Created) Oracle/Runescarred 5th HP 67/67 | AC: 21 | F +11 R +9 W +11

"We face something of a conundrum. The membrane is created by evil forces within the house. I believe we can pierce it but I suspect it would seal behind us once we went inside. I don't know how hard it will be to get back out without putting to rest what lies within," Galimus bleakly explains as he studies the manifestation of malevolence.


Male Gnome Sorcerer(Diabolic)/3 HP 29/32(29) AC 17(Shield 18) F+7,R+7,W+9 Perc +7 Hero 0/1 Focus 2/2 Speed 25; Default Exploration Investigate; Active Condition: Drained 1

De Sibelius' eyes open wide at Galimus' assertions on the membrane, "Well I suppose that could be correct, but to my mind, if I may be so bold, is that it provides a protective layer to whatever is inside, if we cut it, it should weaken the inhabitants that rely on it." The gnome smiles and raises his head up high, obviously pleased with the work he has done. He taps his book contentedly. "Does evil really lurk within?"


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

Laurel imagines an "egg" when Fundin mentions "hatching" and contorts his face, telegraphing "eww" with the musculature control of his cheeks, eyebrows, and nose.

Rashly, he reaches out to stab the membrane - unable to help himself! - perhaps a millimeter from perforation when Galimus suddenly stops him "But I wanna know what it does!" in protest he turns first to Lazlo for support "Ain-chu the one thet owns this?" then to de Sibelius "An' you - gotta make the paperwerk er' some'at?" then to Zoi "C'mon doncha wanna know too!?"

If anyone agrees with the boy:

Laurel exasperates loudly "Yeh!" and, twirling his starknife with a deft flourish, slices crosswise into the membrane, and, if it opens into a "portal"(?), enters it with reckless abandon, grossing himself out again as he crosses the threshold!

If everyone disagrees with the boy:

He stamps his foot "Aww muck" and waits until, inevitably, the same idea that is his is had by someone else in the party with more... station?


Tengu| HP 46/46 | AC: 20 | F: +9 R: +10, W: +13 | Perception: +13 (T, Low-Light) | Default Exploration: Searching

Zoi looks at the membrane in horror. "Thi..this was in my dream." He reaches out to touch it to see if it pops the same as his dream. His feathers shaking as he does so, only after seeing the membrane not hurting anyone else. "Was this membrane on any of the broken windows we saw?"


m Human | Rogue 5 | HP58/58 | AC 22/23| F +8 R +13 W +11 | Perception +11( +12 vs Traps, Trap Finder) | Hero 0/3 | Active Conditions: Wounded 1 |

Lazlo considers the options before speaking. "We'll have to go in sooner or later. There's bound to be some clue in there to what is going on and we need that information. Unless we plan to tunnel inside we have no choice but to break that membrane. If that's the wrong choice we'll just have to deal with the consequences." He shrugs.


(he/him) | Troubles in Otari | 2-17 | | Icons: ◆◇↺

The membrane did extend across the broken windows, and if you dig around a little, you'll find that it surrounds even the lower parts of the house.

Will resolve Laurel's slashing action later today unless anyone objects.


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

...inching closer and closer...


| Male Dwarf Champion 5 | HP 80/80 | AC 23 (25 w shield) | F +12 R +8 W +12 | Perc +10 (dark vision) | Default Exploration: guard | Speed 15ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None

"It seems that the membrane is a caul, like newborns sometimes have over their faces. They're easily ruptured and removed." Says Fundin as he interacts with it

"It might be better to break it from further away" he suggests seeing an overexcited lad with a dagger.


"Bedwick", little cousin Hireling to Tao | Driving Lore (**) +10, Fortune-Telling Lore (**) +10, Thievery (**) +10 w/ Pickpocket

...and closer...

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