GM Zoomba's PFS 2-21 In Pursuit of Water [[Outpost VI]] (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

Princess Sunset peeks out from within the flaps of the saddle bag. "Let's go meet thema nd see if they are friends?" She smiles putting crease marks in the soot and dirt stained face of hers.

You approach the oasis with your camels, eager to get a rest and a drink and make some new friedns and/or stop a fire from burning all the trees down

Up close this place is your classic oasis. Trees providing shade. The desert sun reflecting off cool still water. The faint crackle of a campfire echoing in the air. It's a nice sight - though one marred just a bit by a nearby stack of corpses laid out near the water, all of them buzzing with flies. Standing on the oasis' far side you see five figures with whips and daggers milling about the campfire. Near the water's edge, two more figures - a man and a woman - kneel on the sands bound together in chains.

As they stand near the campfire - which seems to be flickering a bit strangely - one of them glances up and notices you as you approach. With a cry they turn towards you...with blades and cords drawn!

One of the figures speaks words of power and a grey light seems to shimmer around her for a moment. Then she strides around the oasis towards you, whip in hand.

Initiative

Yellow figure
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
figure
figure
Cascading Rapids
figure
figure
Princess Sunset

Shayna immediately raises her flute to her lips and plays a lilting melody on her flute. She ends the tune with a flourish, hoping to make it stick in her companions' minds.

Performance, Lingering Composition: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Virtuosic Performer gives +1 to checks with her chosen art (Wind Instruments)

She then sends some divine aid to Thevenin before summoning a mystical shield to protect herself.

◇ Lingering Composition
◆ Inspire Courage
◆ Guidance @ Thevenin
◆ Shield (+1 AC)

Junior's face droops at the pile of corpses and bound prisoners. "Defend yourselves quickly!" He draws his shortbow, does a quick evaluation of the advancing yellow humanoid, then fires an arrow in their direction.

Recall Knowledge vs Yellow

Short Bow(Deadly d10, 60'), Inspired: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
Deadly: Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Sneak Attack if Recall Knowledge Successful: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Draw weapon, Recall, Strike Yellow

And I'm back.

Lesley, sensing their hostility, springs into action by drawing his dagger pistol weapon and setting it in range mode. She then moves close to the body of water to get a nice view of Yellow before she shoots at them.
Dagger Pistol (Ranged) Attack vs Yellow, Range Penalty: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 = 13
Dagger Pistol Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 P/B (concussive) damage

Seeing that she isn't hitting, she draws her buckler shield.

◇ Spring the Trap
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
◆ Interact to draw shield
↺ Hit the Dirt (if a creature she can see attempts a ranged Strike on her)

Lesley, don't forget the IC

Thevenin heads to the oasis shore. Taking some cover in the trees, they shoot an arc of lightning at the approaching figure!

Electric Arc: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The armed figures are humans – that’s easy enough to see – but JR can recognize from their attire that these are Usij cultists! Based on the div symbols and icons about them and their dress they appear to be mages, and though the elf’s target (and Lesley’s as well) dodges the ranged shots and the worst of Thevenin’s lightning he suspects her Reflexes are likely her weakest link in general.
Crit success on that Recall, but even flat-footed the Strike misses

Another of the Usij cultists follows his ally around the oasis. Speaking words of power a dark beam shoots out from his hand towards Lesley!

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
The gunslinger hits the dirt to try and doge but the beam strikes her nonetheless. Amazing though, Lesley seems unharmed…

Meanwhile, from their positions by the water’s edge Lesly and Thevenin can make out a fiendish looking face in the campfire’s flames! The sparks, smoke and fire twist in the air to form the shape of a snarling horned face that barks out something in a harsh unfamiliar tongue.

Klaugh Ixn Droces!

At this, the cultist closest to the oasis’ water moves to the two chained and bound figures, and with a mighty push shoves them both into the water! The pair flail against their restraints but are getting dragged down into the oasis’ depths!

Initiative

Yellow cultist 3 damage
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
Blue figure
Green figure
Bound pair in water
Cascading Rapids
Red figure
Purple figure
Princess Sunset

Cascade moves out and hops ightly on the water. It's slower than he moves on land, but doesn't appear difficult for him.

"You can not swim while bound!" he calls out to the victims, "Do not sink! Stay on the sur--they did not listen to me."

As he approaches, he quickly launched two seed pods at the rude cultists who had pushed them.

As a lotus leshy, Cascade can walk on water, but only at half speed so he can't quite reach them with an action left to do something about it. Instead he'll Stride twice and then Flurry with seed pods. (I hope his position is okay. I moved him up forgetting about the half speed thing, and then couldn't quite remember his exact starting position when moving him back.)
Seedpod: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 for bludgeoning damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Seedpod: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 forbludgeoning damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4. If both hit, combine the damage before applying resistance or weakness.

Cascade rushes up and deals floral retaliation on the pushy jerk.
When/if you do reach the bound people, it would be an Athletics check to try and pull/swim them to shallow shore and safety.

As the one cultist winces, another advances and shoots a dark beam of her own right back at Cascade. It hits the least, and unlike his gunner friend Cascade finds the beam makes him feel really tired and gross.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 for Eeeeevil!: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Meanwhile the fifth Usij figure begins hustling around the southern side of the oasis, whip in hand.

Initiative

Yellow figure 3 damage
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 8 damage
Green figure
Bound pair in water
Cascading Rapids 12/20HP
Red figure
Purple figure
Princess Sunset

Thanks for the bot!

Princess Sunset frowns deeply as these bad men hurt her friends. Her psyche breaks as the sky turns dark. The backdrop is suddenlt replaced with massive skyscraper sized dollhouse structures. "You bad men. Bad men will be punished." She helps to ease Cascading Rapids mind.

Restore the Mind +6 hp to Cascading Rapids.

◇ Unleashe Psyche Round 1
◆ Shield
◆ Stride
◆ Restore the Mind (Cascading Rapids)

Princess - Unleash Psyche can only be performed if you have cast something the previous turn. It cannot be entered into round 1 (barring an unusual circumstance not present here)

"Requirements You're in an encounter, you Cast a Spell on your previous turn, and you aren't stupefied."

So you would still have a third action (though can unleash and heal Cascade next turn if you like)

Doh, indeed. Thanks I will correct.

Princess Sunset waddles across the sand entering ne of the men's minds to try and quickly incapacitate him.

Amped Daze vs Blue: 1d10 ⇒ 6 DC Basic 18 Will | Failure also gains Weakness 1 to mental and -1 to Will saves until end of its next turn.

◆ Stride
◆◆ Daze (Blue)

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

the Princess can see her target grimace and clutch their head as the poppet's spell seems to badly affect them.

The qucikest-off-the-draw Usij continues to stride across the sands towards the bulk of your party. Seeing Thevenin she lashes her whip out towards the leshy but it smacks against a nearby frond.

Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 for Nonlethal Slashing: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

frowning, she narrows her eyes and the oracle feels an overwhelming sensation of doom start to come over them.

Could Thevenin (and anyone who approaches within 10 feet of yellow) give me a DC 17 Will save.

Initiative, Round 2

Yellow figure 3 damage
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage, weak to mental and -1 Will
Green figure
Bound pair in water
Cascading Rapids 12/20HP
Red figure
Purple figure
Princess Sunset

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 vs DC 17

Thevenin isn't sure of themselves, but casts another electric arc anyway, on Yellow and Green. "Bzzzap!"

Electricity: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
DC 17 basic Reflex save

Moving up behind Cascading Rapids, Thevenin whispers, "I'll protect you. After all, what are fronds for?"

Now prone after being attacked from a distance, Lesley stands up. She then steps forward as she reloads her weapon. She then shoots at Green. "I'll take care of this one over here!' she shouts at the others.
Dagger Pistol (Ranged) Attack vs Green: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Dagger Pistol Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 P/B (concussive) damage

◆ Stand
◆ Touch and Go
◆ Strike

Shayna sees the Yellow figure approach her. She immediately sends a rock at him.

TKP vs Yellow, IC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Bludgeoning?: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

She backs away to put some distance between herself and the figure.

◆◆ TKP vs Yellow
◆ Stride

Moving up behind Cascading Rapids, Thevenin whispers, "I'll protect you. After all, what are fronds for?"

Both of your tokens are currently on top of water. Cascading Rapids can easily walk on water from his heritage, but can Thevenin?

Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Green R: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

The parties divides and conquers as they strike back at the encroaching cultists. The whipped one takes the electricity full to the face even as she narrowly dodges the mentally-thrown rock. Meanwhile he companion avoids more of the lightning but between that shock and the bullet he's looking mighty hurt.

Initiative, Round 2

Yellow figure 10 damage
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage, weak to mental and -1 Will
Green figure 6 damage
Bound pair in water
Cascading Rapids 12/20HP
Red figure
Purple figure
Princess Sunset

Junior doesn't like the look in that yellow cultist's eyes, or the smell of their breath.

"Eat frost!" He launches a bolt of cold at yellow, then retreats.

Ray of Frost (120ft Range): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Cold Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Ray of Frost, Stride

JR really has his target's number still flat-footed to you from the RK crit last round And with a well-placed beam the nearest cultist cries out before falling frigid into the sands. Crit! and she drops.

As the face in the fire continues to rasp out shouts - Theiorim! Setres Crek! Setres! An Usij races up to the Princess and stabs at her with a dagger, though the poppet manages to deflect the strike.

Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 for Piercing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Across the pond Cascade's target looses a sickly beam of his own at the encroaching leshy, before moving behind some of the oasis' palms for some cover.

Strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 for EEVIL!: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Initiative, Round 2

Yellow figure
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage, weak to mental and -1 Will
Green figure 6 damage
Bound pair in water
Cascading Rapids 5/20HP
Red figure
Purple figure
Princess Sunset

"I'll provide cover fire from here!" Junior hollers to the others as they make their way forward.

Not much versatility in combat for JR, and no in combat healing available. But he does have a decent frost bolt!

"Oh, that does not feel good," Cascade says, somewhat dizzily. Falling unconscious on the water would be far from ideal; even a lotus will drown if submerged.

He skips forward, grabbing the nearest victim and pulling her with him towards the edge of the water. Not entirely away from the cultists, but the best spot he can see at least.

He then raises his shield defensively. Those spells only just hit him--if he'd been ready for them...

*Stride
* I assume the Athletics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 check to pull a victim out adds an action
*Raise Shield

Cascade maanges to grab onto the joinign chain links and drag the pair of humans to shore as he gets to semi-solid ground. As they gasp for air - but safe from drowning for now! - the leshy raises his shield for his own defense.

And just in time, as one of the cultist mages draws out their whip and lashes out at the monk. Even with extra wood between them the sharp cord whips around towards the plant's 'flesh' once.

Whip Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 for Nonlethal slashing: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Whip Strike 2: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 5 = 18 for Nonlethal slashing: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
I am assuming you're Blocking the first strike? If not (and would rather drop for some reason), let me know and they'd've taken a different third action.

Meanwhile another of the Usij turns away from Cascade to continue around the oasis towards the bulk of the party. He strides right up to Shayna and delivers a quick cut to the bard.

Whip Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 for Nonlethal slashing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Initiative, Round 3

Yellow figure
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage
Green figure 6 damage
Bound pair...on shore!
Cascading Rapids 5/20HP
Red figure
Purple figure
Princess Sunset

The whip hits, and Cascading Rapids collapses.

No question of "rather"--Cascade doesn't have the Shield Block feat, alas.

Junior again shifts his position in an effort to help out the battered Cascading Rapids "I got you Case." He calls out before launching another frost bolt, this time at red.

Ray of Frost (120ft Range): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Nice.
Cold Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Critical Success! The target takes double damage and takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds for 1 round.

30' Stride, 2 action ray of frost vs red

Princess Sunset screams as the dagger comes near. "Leave my friends alone!" the mental compulsion stretches out to the man attacking her as she compels him to flee.

Command to flee. (DC 18 Will Save).

◆ Shield
◆◆ Command (Green)

"Aaah! The xylem! The xylem!"

Thevenin quickly casts heal on Cascading Rapid before all his xylem flows out.

Heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

"Stay away! Meanies!"

Thevenin moves up beside his fallen friend.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Rays are firing all over the oasis as yet another cultists is now tagged - quite hard - by the elf's frigid bolt. Meanwhile Cascade finds himself suddenly conscious again on the ground while Princess sees a quite annoyed and very much not afraid cultist now staring real hard at her.

Initiative, Round 3

Yellow figure
JR
Shayna
Thevenin
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage
Green figure 6 damage
Bound pair...on shore!
Cascading Rapids 14/20HP, prone
Red figure 8 damage, -10 speed
Purple figure
Princess Sunset

Shayna yelps as Purple gets in her face. She immediately scrambles backwards (hoping these don't have AoOs) to a safe distance. Seeing Green harassing Princess Sunset, she immediate shags a rock at him.

"Hey ugly! Behind you!" she calls triumphantly, letting the rock fly.

TKP vs Green, IC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Bludgeoning, IC: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Doubled if a crit

◆ Stride
◆◆ TKP vs Green

Lesley steps out of the water and closer to Green and reloads at the same time. She then shoots at Green.
Dagger Pistol (Ranged) Attack vs Green: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Dagger Pistol Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 P/B (concussive) damage

She then raises her buckler shield for additional protection.

◆ Touch and Go
◆ Strike
◆ Raise a Shield
↺ Shield Block (if hit with crit)

Shayna retreats no AoO and sends a stone slmaming har into her target. The cultist winces and staggers but twists his head toawrds the fire and the flaming face within it, muttering Retyud Ipk and lashing out at Princess with one final stab before dropping to the sands bleeding out from his injuries.

Some sort of Reaction strike!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 for Piercing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

With her initial target dropped, Lesley whirls and fires at the other approaching figure, seriously wounding them. redirecting shot towards purple

Seeing one leshy bring the other back into the fihgt, one of the cultists at the far shore launches a black beam to the healer.

Attack v Thevenin: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 for Evil: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Before advancing on both plants.

Initiative, Round 3

Yellow figure
JR
Shayna
Thevenin 18/26hp
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage
Green figure
Bound pair...on shore!
Cascading Rapids 14/20HP, prone
Red figure 8 damage, -10 speed
Purple figure 5 damage
Princess Sunset 20/22 hp

An awakened Cascade stands up and moves to the injured cultist, slamming at them twice.

Flurry: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 for blud: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
flurry: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 for blud: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Both of Cascade’s swings miss (one very narrowly), but the cultist he flailed at responds by drawing out his dagger and slicing twice on his own.

strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 for P damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
strike: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 4 = 9 for P damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

While this is happening, the badly hurt Usij by Princess strides up to the doll again to lash out once more.

strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 for nonlethal S damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Strike: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 5 = 18 for nonlethal S: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Initiative, Round 4

JR
Shayna
Thevenin 18/26hp
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage
Bound pair...on shore!
Cascading Rapids 14/20HP, prone
Red figure 8 damage
Purple figure 5 damage
Princess Sunset 16/22 hp

"No! Bad hoomans!"

Thevenin casts electric arc, targeting Blue and Red.

Electricity: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
DC 18 basic Reflex save

He'll then shield himself with a spell.

Will Shield Block the first hit that does over 5 damage.

Junior moves closer to the action, despite his better judgement. He sends another bolt of cold at the red human, over Thevenin's head.

Ray of Frost (120ft Range): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Cold Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

30' Stride, 2 action ray of frost vs red

Princess Sunset waddles back to safety. Her psyche breaks as the sky turns dark. The backdrop is suddenlt replaced with massive skyscraper sized dollhouse structures. "You bad men. Bad men will be punished." She begins to cause an immense headache against her assailant.

Amped Daze vs Purple: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 DC Basic 18 Will | Failure also gains Weakness 1 to mental and -1 to Will saves until end of its next turn.

◇ Unleashe Psyche Round 1
◆ Stride
◆◆ Amped Daze

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Red Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Princesses target resists the worst of Princess’ spell’s effect, but the amplified nature of the magic causes even a mitigated blast to cause him to crumple - but not before he reacts by whipping as Lesley one final time!

Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 for nonlethal slashing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Meanwhile the lightning and the cold prove too much for one of the last two Usij standing. Though once again Cascade gets pricked as the cultist strikes out with a last gasp attack.
Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for piercing: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Initiative, Round 4

JR
Shayna
Thevenin 18/26hp
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage
Bound pair...on shore!
Cascading Rapids 14/20HP, prone
Red figure
Purple figure
Princess Sunset 16/22 hp

Shayna raises her flute and plays another lively tune to inspire her companions. She hurries forward and gives Lesley a boost to strike.

◆ Inspire Courage
◆ Stride
◆ Guidance @ Lesley

Lesley takes aim and fires!

strike: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 23 for P: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Then Reolads and sets her buckler to defend herself

Hurt but muttering what sound like curses in a dark tongue, the last Usij standing walks towards the shore. Hiding slightly amidst the tree line they fire their own ray out at JR

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for evil: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

But the elf seems unaffected!

Initiative, Round 5

JR
Shayna
Thevenin 18/26hp
Lesley Hart
Blue figure 14 damage
Bound pair...on shore!
Cascading Rapids 8/20HP
Princess

The tracker doesn't seem to match the descriptions - Blue was at -14 hp when he failed vs electric arc last round. I don't think it matters which one is left, though, I'm assuming the last one will go down this round.

Thevenin jumps up and down excitedly. "Meanies! Bzzap!"

Electricity: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
DC 18 basic Reflex save

Thevenin moves to interpose himself between the remaining enemy and Cascading Rapids.

"Enough of this!" Shayna cries, waggling her fingers and points at the remaining cultist. Three missiles of force shoot straight at Blue.

◆◆◆ Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 3) + 3 = 10

Junior's eyes go wide as the ray strikes him straight in the face, luckily for some reason it has no effect. "You're illusion spells have no effect on me cultist!"

Recall Knowledge vs blue for that FF buff!

Ray of Frost (120ft Range): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Cold Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

recall, 2 action ray of frost vs blue

The tracker doesn't seem to match the descriptions - Blue was at -14 hp when he failed vs electric arc last round. I don't think it matters which one is left, though, I'm assuming the last one will go down this round.

Sorry, you’re correct - am traveling and was posting on phone and confused red and blue. Luckily on the whole:

With a trio of missiles and some more lightning, the last cultist falls! The horned face in the flames scowls deeply, hissing Yuohe Ahrim Fiugo! and then vanishes, leaving only normal smoke and flame.

COMBAT OVER!!

Thevenin will tend to any wounds that the bound pair have immediately (Battle Medicine if they are too wounded for Treat Wounds), but they have no good way of unbinding them.

They will Treat Wounds on Cascading Rapids.

Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 vs DC 15

Unfamiliar with his physiology (not all leshies are the same!), Thevenin takes a break treating their own wounds.

Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 vs DC 15
Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

After an hour has passed, Thevenin tries Cascading Rapids again.

Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 vs DC 15
Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Seeing as they have figured it out, they continue treating him. Double the healing after 1 hour => 16 healing

Thevenin 25/26, Cascading 20/20 after 2 hours total.

Junior takes stock of the battlefield for a moment while Thevenin attends to the bound "I'll help with their bindings, you focus on medical attention." He stows his bow and does what he can with the prisoners. "Check to see if there are any other survivors, but take your time with the cultists, I doubt they'll do anything but thrash and curse us."

He introduces himself to the bound "Name's Junior, we're here to help, try to relax while I release you from these bindings. What's happened here?" He does his best to reassure them and get some info at the same time.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

If the bindings are locked he has +8 thievery and picks but I assume its just rope.

"Yes," says Cascading Rapids as he looks over the victims for sign of injury, "please tell us how you came to be here with these persons. They do not seem to be your friends."

As JR and Cascade looks over the bound pair, you find that their chains are locked but that one of the cultists has the simply key to open them. Once freed and ungagged both the man and the woman are incredibly grateful.

Thank the Dawnflower! the man says. you came just in time. Those men and women fell upon our caravan hours ago. They...they killed ev....everyone! He staggers back and falls to sit on the sand, overwhelmed. The woman moves over to comfort him, while speaking to you.

'There there Rasool. It's done. They are done.' She looks up at you. 'I am Seda Alame. this is my husband Rasool. We were part of a caravan coming back from Pashow towards Aspenthar. We stopped at this oasis for a rest just some hours ago, but those murderers set upon us. They killed the rest right away, but kept my husband and I alive. I heard them keep murmuring about killing us as 'something beautiful' to 'free the ancient one'. Talking about a 'poison that would flow from the desert' We didn't understand, but they seemed fanatical. And then there was that powder they threw in the fire and that - thing emerged and talked to them!' Seda shudders. Bandits, bandits we know are always a risk. But this was something I've never seen before.

If any of you would like to try and Recall knowledge on the face in the flames, let me know (Religion or Occultism)

Meanwhile, while Thevenin tends to the wounded the rest of the party can check and sadly confirm that all of the other members of the caravan are indeed quite dead. Meanwhile each of the five fallen Usij have a whip, a dagger, and a symbol about their necks - a black circle edged with a thin band of sliver that seems to represent and eclipse. Also about the remains of the caravan are about a week's worth of still-intact provisions, a well-preserved copy of Parvad’s Calamities which is a historical work on Osirian's many wars against the Jistka Imperium, and a pair of minor healing potions

Princess notices something else interesting about the enemies as she checks to make sure they aren't just playing desert-possum. Three of them have a tattoo on their upper arms: a stylized blue eye ringed with fangs

If you'd like to try a Recall Knowledge on that (also Religion or Occultism), let me know that as well

Occultism +4 for the Face in the Fire.
Occultism +4 for the Fanged Tattoo.

Princess kneels down tracing the tattoo with a grimy finger. "What does this mean." She cleans it off trying to get a clearer look at the tattoo, wondering if she has heard anyone speaking off it over the years.