LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
"I think we're breaking curfew." Kuikka grins as she sheathes all the weapons and adjusts them for the climb down.
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
"Kuikka!"
Corba looks down the crevice (seeing absolutely nothing).
When the paladin arrives on the ground, the halfling starts to climb down.
NG Male Dwarf Fighter 3| 20' speed|init+2, Perc +0,| 60' darkvision|37/37 HP|AC21, T12, FF19|Fort+6, Ref+3, Will+1, +1 bravery|
"Markus, did you use this rope some place greasy and forget to clean it?" Kimlo eyes the rope suspiciously. "It's not supposed to be hard to use ropes." rope climb down:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 rope climb down#2:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Kimlo gets to the ground and looks around.
perception:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20 "Well, I see it is dark. But not much more then that."
LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
Letting out a shriek as her grip fails, Kuikka reaches for the edge of the rocks.
Reflex:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
With a gigantic klonk, she arrives at the bottom. "*wheeze* Ow. *wheeze* That. *wheeze* hurt. *wheeze*"
After a moment, she rolls over and stares up at the sky, then groaning, climbs to her feet. "I think I need to work on my climbing skills." She pulls a wand out of her pouch and pokes herself gently.
healing:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Still breathing heavily, Kuikka looks around. "Anything interesting down here?"
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
"I cannot see a thing... is it ok to cast a light spell?"
A couple pathfinders are quite in the dark. Kuikka indicates that she is totally fine and meant to do that. Nothing particularly is visible in the small crevice tunnel, but when you push your way into the next area you see…
The fissure widens and opens into an underground forest. A mass of leafless vines covers all of the cavern’s walls, and a colony of trees with white bark and pale yellow leaves emerges from the walls and ceiling. Thousands of bats hang from the tree branches, and a thick layer of guano carpets the ground of hard-packed dirt.
The trees suspiciously match the description of what was seen when the town of Mercy was protected from the storm.
I’ll use your perception rolls for this room, since there wasn’t really anything in the entrance area. But without light, only part of the cavern is visible to the darkvisioners.
Trained Knowledge Nature will reveal a little info, if you can see.
NG Male Dwarf Fighter 3| 20' speed|init+2, Perc +0,| 60' darkvision|37/37 HP|AC21, T12, FF19|Fort+6, Ref+3, Will+1, +1 bravery|
"Nira, what does this 'cloaker' thing look like?"
Kimlo pulls up his axe and positions his shield to be ready for a 'cloaker' to appear. Though he has no idea what a 'cloaker' looks like.
"Just point the darn thing out and I'll chop it."
After all that he finally notices the weird colored trees.
"Strange trees here, lots of bats, any body know anything useful about these trees and bats? Not my area of expertise."
LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
"There's a whole bunch of bats, but not much else. I don't think light will hurt and it will probably help all the rest of you."
CN male (CORE)Bard 1 | HP 5/8 NL 8/8 | AC:17, T: 14, FF: 13 | CMD: 14 | Performance: 3/6 Fort +0, Ref +6, Will +2 | perception +6 | initiative +4 | 30ft
skills:
Acro +5 (+1 to jump), Bluff +6, Diplo +6, arcana +2, dungeoneering +2, engineering +2, geography +2, history +2, local +2, nature +2, nobility +6, planes +2, religion +2, Linguistics +5, sing +7, Spellcraft +6 (+8 to ID)
"sounds good, lets take a look around," he says before casting light on the feathers of an arrow and holding it up around his head to check out the room,
K(nature):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4Oh boy, I bet these are vampire vines?
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
"Okay, I'll make some lights, too."
The halfling casts dancing lights and checks her surroundings.
Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Unfortunately, Corba created the lights directly in front of her.
"Aaaargh! I must be more careful where I put these lights!" (just role-playing the low Perception roll...)
Knowledge: Nature t:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Lucky! That should get us some information - if someone shows Corba where she should look... ;-)
Male Dwarf Monk 4, Hp:16/34, AC:24 T:16 FF 18; Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +8, +5 Init, +11 Perception (Darkvision), Active Effect: Fast Movement 30'
I wonder if these trees are magical and protecting themselves, and as a result, this town from magical storms? Corba, check these out, no over here. the dwarf muses, and seeing Corba staring directly into the light, nudges her toward examining the trees instead.
The trees quake and shiver at the word axe. Or maybe it was just Dwalin’s breath. Either way, that little reaction triggers an easy identification by Corba.
She identifies the two most prominent species of plant in this cavern. The trees are all part of clonal colony of quaking aspen trees, each connected to a single root system. These trees gain their name from the way their leaves shake at the slightest breeze. Quaking aspen trees should not be able to survive underground, and they do not appear anywhere else in the surrounding area. The giant blossoms that reek of rotting flesh are parasitic plants called corpse flowers. They feed off the nutrients of other plants—in this case, the vines surrounding the trees.
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
GM TOP wrote:
The giant blossoms that reek of rotting flesh are parasitic plants called corpse flowers. They feed off the nutrients of other plants—in this case, the vines surrounding the trees.
Is this the same blight that Corba noticed at the roots of the big tree in Mercy?
LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
Ooooh, aspens are so pretty!
Not seeing anything of note, Kuikka moves forward into the cavern, as quietly as she knows how. Which is not very.
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
Corba shares her knowledge.
"Should we interfere and cut the parasitic plants, the giant stinky blossoms, off the vines? What do you think?"
Seen the paladin clank walk away, she follows her further into the cavern.
Round 1: Let’s make a Cloaker, Croaker! Buffs: NA Kimlo
Barcher
Cloaker
Markus
Corba
Kimlo
Kuikka
Bold are up! I’ll allow another K: Dungeoneering check on this critter. It IS the same creature you saw in the town square. It is also hanging from the ceiling, 30ft up.
NG Male Dwarf Fighter 3| 20' speed|init+2, Perc +0,| 60' darkvision|37/37 HP|AC21, T12, FF19|Fort+6, Ref+3, Will+1, +1 bravery|
Kimlo takes a look at the thing on the ceiling. "Hhmp, that must be a cloaker." dungeoneering knowledge:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Kimlo shield and mace in hand readies to strike the thing should it come close enough.
LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
"Where??" Kuikka asks looking around blankly. It hasn't occurred to her yet that flying things probably wouldn't be on the ground. Hooray for crappy initiative!
CN male (CORE)Bard 1 | HP 5/8 NL 8/8 | AC:17, T: 14, FF: 13 | CMD: 14 | Performance: 3/6 Fort +0, Ref +6, Will +2 | perception +6 | initiative +4 | 30ft
skills:
Acro +5 (+1 to jump), Bluff +6, Diplo +6, arcana +2, dungeoneering +2, engineering +2, geography +2, history +2, local +2, nature +2, nobility +6, planes +2, religion +2, Linguistics +5, sing +7, Spellcraft +6 (+8 to ID)
K(dungeoneering):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Barcher wheels around the cavern past Kimlo and Markus before firing off a shaft at the cloaker,
PBS Attack:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 121d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Kimmlo recognizes that this 'cloaker thing' is actually called... a Cloaker. It is a CN Large Aberration most well known for its ability to engulf and eat its prey.
Engulf Ability Details:
Engulf (Ex) A cloaker can try to wrap a Medium or smaller creature in its body as a standard action. The cloaker attempts a grapple that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and bites the engulfed victim with a +4 bonus on its attack roll. It can still use its whip-like tail to strike at other targets. Attacks that hit an engulfing cloaker deal half their damage to the monster and half to the trapped victim.
He moves in and readies to strike if the foe gets close. Barcher fires an arrow into the creature, but its thick skin resists the elf's strike (flavored miss, not DR). He does not recall anything about the creature.
Its body shakes and blurs, but currently stays up on the ceiling. It seems to be calculating what to do.
Round 1: Let’s make a Cloaker, Croaker! Buffs: NA
Kimlo
Barcher
Cloaker (blur, 20% miss chance against it)
Markus
Corba
Kimlo
Kuikka
Nira
Bold are up! I’ll allow another K: Dungeoneering check on this critter. It IS the same creature you saw in the town square. It is also hanging from the ceiling, 30ft up.
LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
"What *is* it with things that won't come down and fight properly?" Kuikka grumbles and pulls out her sling. She drops a stone in the cup and whirls it around her head before letting it fly.
sling :1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 for bludgeoning:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 miss chance, in case she needs it:1d100 ⇒ 88
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
GM TOP wrote:
Splitting a spell-cast like that requires a standard action on both turns. Would you like to do sleep or get IC up?
Corba begins inspiring the group, but it isn't enough to get her allies attacks to hit. She still doesn't know anymore about this critter than what Kimlo has shared.
Dwalin's Javelin, Kuikka's sling bullet and both of Markus's shuriken clatter off the stalactites near the foe.
Nira moves up into the cavern and shrieks out at the Cloaker, "MURDERER!!!" She moves to the front line and it seems she is preparing an attack if the creature comes closer.
Readied:
Splinteringspray:3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5) = 13 DC 11 Reflex for half
The cloaker, in kind, responds to her threat with a fearful quiver and shriek. It speaks in a nasty voice, "khnhom ban samleab anak! anak min ach now mean chivit ! slab slab!" It seems ready to rush the group.
Undercommon:
"I KILLED YOU! YOU CAN'T BE ALIVE! DIE DIE DIE!"
Round 2: Let’s make a Cloaker, Croaker! Buffs: IC +1 is up!
Kimlo (readied)
Barcher
Cloaker (blur, 20% miss chance against it)
Markus
Corba
Kimlo
Kuikka
Nira (readied)
Bold are up! The cloaker is also hanging from the ceiling, 30ft up.
It easily does so, and you hear a chomping crunch. Pieces of Nira fall to the ground as she is obliterated. It certainly didn't help that she was already quite damaged. Hopefully something is left to save. But for now, a very dangerous foe is cackling in glee.
Rounds 2 & 3: Let’s make a Cloaker, Croaker! Buffs: IC +1 is up! Kimlo
Barcher
Cloaker (-6 HP, blur, 20% miss chance against it)
Markus
Corba
Kimlo
Kuikka
Nira (-23 HP, dead)
Bold are up! If wondering, Nira had 13 damage from the earlier fight.
LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
Kuikka growls as the doll drops in pieces. "You'll pay for that!" She draws her sword and, closing her eyes to call upon her god smite evil slashes at it.
greataxe, power attack, IC:1d20 + 4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 1 + 1 = 18 for slashing:1d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13(+2 to hit and +1 damage if it's evil)
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
Corba cries out: "Nira! Noooo! You monster!"
The halfling loads her crossbow while maintaining her bardic inspiration:
"Take arms against a mean cloaker - and by opposing end them." (loosely based on Shakespeare ^_^)
She aims at the cloaker, ready to shoot, should it try to fly away.
readied action: attack
condition: the cloaker isn't in melee anymore
Markus draws first blood! Well, other than the wooden spikes from Nira. The first blood from a pathfinder attack!
DC 15 Fort:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Ooooh, that could be really bad.
Reeling from the strike, the cloaker can't avoid both of the next attacks from the monk, getting hit again.
Miss 1-20 Kuikka:1d100 ⇒ 94
Kuikka feels the divine anger of her god rise in her, then fulfil itself in justification to destroy this wicked creature. While most cloakers aren't evil, this one definitely worships an evil goddess and relishes in the pain it causes. Not that Kuikka knows that, but some part of her is very satisfied when the sword strike lands.
The two ranged specialists ready to fire if an opportune shot presents itself.
Rounds 2 & 3: Let’s make a Cloaker, Croaker! Buffs: IC +1 is up! Kimlo
Barcher (readied)
Cloaker (-38 HP, blur, 20% miss chance against it, stunned -5 AC)
Markus
Corba (readied)
Dwalin
Kuikka (smite evil vs. Cloaker)
Nira (-23 HP, dead)
Dwalin and Kimlo try to strike the stunned foe, but just can't get through its thick hide, curses!
Speaking of that, it finally breaks out of the stun and Kimlo, at least, gets a full blast of said curses right into his undercommon understanding ears!
There could be children somewhere near, so I won't repeat all the horrible things it says. :}
Rounds 3 & 4: Let’s make a Cloaker, Croaker! Buffs: IC +1 is up! Kimlo
Barcher
Cloaker (-38 HP, blur, 20% miss chance against it)
Markus
Corba
Dwalin
Kuikka (smite evil vs. Cloaker) Nira (-23 HP, dead)
Bold are up! The stun is gone, for now. Can you kill it before it is able to do anything else?
LG (she/her) half-orc paladin of Erastil 1 || HP 12/12 || AC 17/12/15; -3 ACP || Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2 || Perc -1 (darkvision) || Stealth -3 || Speed 30/20 ||
Kuikka wipes her blade and sheathes it, sighing happily before being reminded of the doll's destruction. Pulling out an old shirt, she kneels and gently begins to gather shards of Nira.
"I'm sorry, small one. I'm sorry we couldn't keep you safe."
The holy warrior of Erastil shows her compassion for a creature that was barely known. While gathering the pieces, Kuikka collects a locket that was around the doll’s neck. It seems to only be lightly scratched.
The group sees an obvious passage deeper into the cavern to the south.
Markus, Dwalin, Barcher, Corba:
You all see a smaller passage to the east, hidden in the thick vines.
NG Male Dwarf Fighter 3| 20' speed|init+2, Perc +0,| 60' darkvision|37/37 HP|AC21, T12, FF19|Fort+6, Ref+3, Will+1, +1 bravery|
"I may be making alot of 'ssumtions here, but I think our proverbial goose is cooked. We just lost what I think was the soul bound doll that that had what was left of 'Amenira'. 'Nira', this dolly, did not like the 'murderer' cloaker and the cloaker wanted to kill the dolly again. My calculations lead me to think unless that locket can be melded with another doll, we just lost all our connections to 'Amenira'. The head pathies won't be happy."
Kimlo looks like he just lost his brother. With an emotional release, Kimlo slams his mace one good time into the cloaker body with a "Yarah!"
"Well, let's follow the passage, maybe this cloaker thing has her notes or something hidden nearby." Kimlo lefts his mace and shield back into place and lines up to move down the passage.
