TOZ's The Flesh Collector (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

smoke expands 10 ft. --> 90 ft total

Skivven pops a wand out of his spring loaded wrist sheath and bonks himself on the head, uttering an arcane syllable.

shield via wand UMD, heroism: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 16 + 2 = 33

He then jumps on the back of the tiger statue!!

Estara scoots 'south' to get some distance between her and the spiritualist with her companion.

Less for paranoia and more for splitting up the options for the worm to target when it surfaces next.

Move.

Skivven and Estara maneuver through the courtyard, waiting for the worm to reappear.

28 Daedin (Damage: 33)

27 Inga
25 Skivven
25 Estara
19 Drusilla (Damage: 19, 2 Str, Poisoned 2/?) Fort Save needed!
19 Klaus
17 Grunjar
16 Worm (Damage: 172)
14 Pradnyara

Daedîn moves 30’ very quietly and lightly on his feet…

Stealth: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 = 31 (Fast Stealth ability)

…and then listens intently for any sounds/vibrations that might give away the location of the worm’s next emergence…

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Guide me if needed, Daedin..It must be angry, and I hope to bring an end to this fight

"Do you need healing, Drusilla?"

@Drusilla: You need to make a Fortitude Save against the worm's poison. And if you need Grunjar to neutralize the poison or to heal you, please tell. My next action depends on it.

I can handle the wounds, Neutralize poison would be better

Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Str Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Drusilla continues to suffer the ravage of the poison, while Daedin listens for the return of the worm, but hears no rumbling underground.

28 Daedin (Damage: 33)

27 Inga
25 Skivven
25 Estara
19 Drusilla (Damage: 19, 4 Str, Poisoned 2/?)
19 Klaus
17 Grunjar
16 Worm (Damage: 172)
14 Pradnyara

@Drusilla: I assume you actually call for help in character. Otherwise, Grunjar has no idea that you need help (and what kind).

Grunjar moves towards Drusilla's voice. When he finds her in all that smoke the cleric casts neutralize poison on her.

CL-check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 (vs. DC of the poison)

"There. Do you feel better now?"

Good enough to kill that oversized worm. Thanks. I'll buy you a few drinks later, to celebrate.

Drusilla feels the spread of the weakness stop as the healing magic takes hold. Pradnyara checks the fighter one more time before nodding and listening for the return of the worm.

28 Daedin (Damage: 33)

27 Inga
25 Skivven
25 Estara
19 Drusilla (Damage: 19, 4 Str)
19 Klaus
17 Grunjar
16 Worm (Damage: 172)
14 Pradnyara

Party is up!

Inga's eyes close, and she begins to chant in a mysterious, meditative cadence. As she does, Klaus's ectoplasmic form starts to wane, gradually becoming insubstantial, taking on a ghostly semblance.

With a sly curl of his lip, Klaus flashes a devilish grin and effortlessly ascends into the air, hovering near the ceiling next to Inga.

They both wait for the massive worm to reappear.

Full round action to change Klaus' form to incorporeal.

7 rounds of Haste remaining. 5 rounds of greater invis. remaining.

Skivven issues the command word and stoppers his magic smoke bottle at his belt. He then quietly moves to the door, telling the others via message that the angry druidess demon is playing meat puppet with the priests again.

stealth, heroism, more than half speed, rogue's edge stealth 10 ranks: 1d20 + 30 + 2 - 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 30 + 2 - 5 + 2 = 30

Skivven moves towards the temple as Inga prepares Klaus for hostilities!

28 Daedin (Damage: 33)

27 Inga
25 Skivven
25 Estara
19 Drusilla (Damage: 19, 4 Str)
19 Klaus
17 Grunjar
16 Worm (Damage: 172)
14 Pradnyara

As Drusilla is still injured Grunjar casts cure moderate wounds on her. (spontaneously converting align weapon)

CMW: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 4) + 8 = 17

"There you go. Nearly as good as new!"

The cleric also draws his cold iron battleaxe.

Grunjar heals most of Drusilla's remaining wounds, readying for battle!

28 Daedin (Damage: 33)

27 Inga
25 Skivven
25 Estara
19 Drusilla (Damage: 2, 4 Str)
19 Klaus
17 Grunjar
16 Worm (Damage: 172)
14 Pradnyara

The telekinetic woman of orcish descent scoots along the 'southern' passageway, to get into position to move the unconscious *out* of immediate danger.

Double move

The Pathfinders wait for Daedin and Drusilla to be in position, before throwing open the doors to the temple once more. Skivven sees the priest crumpled before the doorway, a puppet with its strings cut.

No rumbling announces the return of the worm, no voice calls out in mockery. The temple remains silent as the party waits for the attack. But it does not come.

Daedin (Damage: 33)

Inga
Skivven
Estara
Drusilla (Damage: 2, 4 Str)
Klaus
Grunjar

"This Jathyl is troublesome." Pradnyara speaks as it becomes clear that combat is over. "We must find a way to draw her out and deal with her once and for all. If there is anything I can do to help this, say the word and it shall be done."

"Mmm-hmm." Inga nods in agreement as she flies over to the paladin.

"I have an idea, Pradnyara. If you can detect evil while I detect undead, we should continuously scan the area to try to find her."

Inga will keep fly spell active for entire duration (10 minutes) & keep Klaus in incorporeal form.

"Pradnyara: get those unconscious priests to safety. Bind them and drip some bone broth into their mouth with a cloth... they appear starved or exhausted or dehydrated. I don't know. I'm not a healer. But please get them out of here... this is not safe. Then I'll see if I can grab that scroll up there while not turning into a piece of fried bacon..."

Skivven waits for the priest(esses) to be evacuated by much larger folks than him, then using great care and looking for runes and traps, climbs towards the top of the pillar to carefully pry out the scroll they all need to complete their collection... the ratfolk is ready to jump away from the pillar at the first sign of magical trouble...

Perception vs. traps or invisible creatures/objects, heroism: 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 27 + 2 = 42 Actively looking for traps on ground level then every 10 feet afterwards

"Undead? You believe her to be a spirit?" The paladin frowns, pausing for long moments as she considers the plan.

Finally, she speaks again. "I am willing to help locate her, but I do not see how divination spells will force her into the open rather than flee away. Even if we manage that, my oaths prevent me from participating in hostilities against her. My order believes that those who cannot pass on should only be aided on the journey, never battled." She politely does not look at Klaus. "The best tool for many battles is knowledge. The library is open for whatever you might need. If you have an idea in mind, I can direct you to the proper stacks. Otherwise, I think it best I move the master and the priests into the meditation room, out of the way of any further battles."

"Pradnyara: get those unconscious priests to safety. Bind them and drip some bone broth into their mouth with a cloth... they appear starved or exhausted or dehydrated. I don't know. I'm not a healer. But please get them out of here... this is not safe. Then I'll see if I can grab that scroll up there while not turning into a piece of fried bacon..."

"We are of the same mind. I shall speak with Inlanni as soon as I have secured them."

Skivven sees no further dangers now than before, easily making the climb.

What would the rest of the party like to do?

Skivven looks at the scroll strangely, half expecting the sky to fall on his head based on Daedin's first experience.

"What in the Nine Hells?" he thinks, the idea of prying or cutting loose other items from the pillar dawning in his mind... "Wouldn't want to push my luck... but maybe one more item won't hurt."

He places the scroll in his Pathfinder Pouch. As he starts climbing back down, he grabs the next item in line... i.e. the second highest item that is... ...then waits to see if the pillar reacts...

Skivven creeps into the upper reaches of the tree, tentatively crossing the boundary as Daedin did, but the haunt appears to not have recovered from its manifestation. The final part of the manuscript pulls slowly away, the sticky resin slowly releasing its grip.

Skittering down with the prize, he notes a shining book stuck to the tree as well, clearly magical to his senses. Thankfully, the cover is stuck in the same way as the parchment had been, pulling away with enough effort.

While flying, Inga will assist Skivven with getting the items down from the tree.

The smoky haze continues to hang all around the temple floor and courtyard, clearly not dispersing any time soon.

What would the party like to do next?

While the party is regrouping Estara will be looking for Isa, to attempt to ascertain her well-being and location.

While not quite 'motherly fussing', the orcish woman will make sure that the best of care that can be provided to the priestess is.

Pradnyara is more than happy for the assistance moving the unconscious and comatose monastery residents to the meditation room.

Daedîn say, ”From the vision I had before getting zapped, I saw a naked female trying to protect this tree/column; I think this Jathyl was a dryad, but now perhaps an undead one?”

He then alertly continues to look and listen for t signs of danger, worm or no…

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25

As combat seems over, Grunjar offers to help heal Daedîn with his wand of CLW.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"There you go."

When Pradnyara mentions the library as a way to possibly gain some knowledge about Jathyl, the cleric answers: "That's a good idea."

After pulling the rest of the items with Inga, Skivven hurries out of the room, and notifies the others that he will finish securing the rooms they haven't been into yet...

@GM: resuming SOP clockwise starting with the room they haven't been into yet...

Drusilla will help with the evacuation of the unconscious priests before they got attacked again.

Better to put the innocents and non-fighting people out of harm way.

Skivven finds the scroll and scripture pull free with about as much effort, but the short bow will require magic or careful cutting into the pillar to free.

Does Skivven want to cut the weapon free?

Skivven skips the bow, afraid of triggering the angry demon druid...

Skivven rapidly moves through a handful of sparse living quarters, occupied with only beds and candles, before meeting with Drusilla and Estara in the meditation room. It is a peaceful chamber featuring a series of faded silk cushions, carefully arranged across the floor. A polished brass gong hangs next to the northern wall reflecting every corner of the room. A burbling fountain fills the room with a relaxing susurrus. The silk cushions now support the unconscious inhabitants, taking up much of the floor space.

"Skivven, would you mind putting a cork in that smoking bottle? Do we really need it anymore?" Inga asks while waving smoke from her face.

"Should we search around this room? I am a bit anxious to head to the library to find out more about Jathyl."

"Skivven, would you mind putting a cork in that smoking bottle? Do we really need it anymore?" Inga asks while waving smoke from her face.

He already did that:

Skivven issues the command word and stoppers his magic smoke bottle at his belt.

Maybe you didn't see it because of all that smoke... ;-)

Grunjar helps searching the room thoroughly.

Take 20 Perception, guidance: 20 + 17 + 1 = 38

Inga notices that a breeze from the shore is beginning to clear the smoke from the courtyard, although the temple itself will take longer for the air to circulate. More interesting to Skivven and the rest, Grunjar locates a trapdoor under one of the cushions!

Trapdoor marked in red.

"By the gods Grunjar... how did you spot that? ever thought of joining The Exchange? we could use clever dwarves like you..."

Skivven checks for traps before opening the hatch.

Perception vs. traps or invisible creatures/objects, heroism: 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 27 + 2 = 42 Actively looking for traps

Skivven notices no traps laid on the trapdoor, but does hear the sound of cries from the courtyard, as does the rest of the party.

"FIRE! The workshop is on fire!"

Through the haze of smoke not yet dispersed by the wind, Inga and Klaus and Daedin can see flickering light towards the front gate!

26 Daedin
20 Inga
18 Skivven
18 Pradnyara
15 Grunjar
10 Drusilla
6 Estara
4 Klaus

Party is up!

"A fire!?!" Inga's eyes go wide in shock as she looks towards the front gates.
"Oh, no!!! A fire!!!"

Klaus goes full-on panic mode.
"F-F-F-FIRE!?! No, no, no, no, no!!!" He shouts, flying around in little, panicked circles with his arms flailing.

"It's OK, Klaus. Just don't get too close to it." Inga tries to calm the phantom.
"Klaus was burned pretty badly when his family's barn burned down when he was a child," she informs her teammates.

Inga runs toward the workshop with Klaus reluctantly following.
"I hope you have create water available, Grunjar!"

Are there any buckets nearby? Any certain checks we need to make to help put out the fire?

Inga believes that copious amounts of water will help fight the fire, with a barrelful being enough to quench a 5ft square. No obvious well has been noticed in the party's exploration however. Powerful magic would certainly be the fastest way, such as a quench spell.

26 Daedin
20 Inga
18 Skivven
18 Pradnyara
15 Grunjar
10 Drusilla
6 Estara
4 Klaus

Inga doesn't need a well. There's already a small pond in the middle of the courtyard. Her plan was to find a bucket or some sort of container to mage hand buckets of water to the fire, if possible. However...

Inga and Klaus get closer with Klaus definitely keeping his distance from the blaze. The gaze in awe at the flames enveloping the workshop.
Inga Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Klaus Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Klaus is very emotionally distracted by the harmful flames.
"No. No. Fire. Fire bad." he moans softly.

"The wall!!!" Inga shouts. "Tear down the eastern wall to isolate the workshop from the rest of the building! The wind will blow the flames westward!"

"Klaus, you're going to need to help us here!" she calls out in desperation.

Full round action to convert Klaus to ectoplasmic form.

Inga brings Klaus back to physical form to help with the blaze, despite his protests!

26 Daedin
20 Inga
18 Skivven
18 Pradnyara
15 Grunjar
10 Drusilla
6 Estara
4 Klaus

Bolded party members have actions to take!

When he hears the cries Grunjar hustles to the fire exit.
double move to get outside

"I hope you have create water available, Grunjar!"

"Yes, I do! Where is the fire? I just see a lot of smoke!"

Grunjar runs outside to see the glow of firelight to the south!

26 Daedin
20 Inga
18 Skivven
18 Pradnyara
15 Grunjar
10 Drusilla
6 Estara
4 Klaus

Bolded party members have actions to take!

Skivven follows the dwarf.

Double move. Someone deleted my token: not sure of his present location as a result...

Skivven and Pradnyara follow Grunjar out into the courtyard.

26 Daedin
20 Inga
18 Skivven
18 Pradnyara
15 Grunjar
10 Drusilla (Damage: 2, 4 Str)
6 Estara
4 Klaus

Map reverted to put Skivven where he started, please go ahead and make the moves from there.

Dru follows the others in the courtyard, even if her strenght isn't fully recovered

”We need water quickly! Perhaps in the kitchen?”

Daedîn looks around for a water source…

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39

Is there water in that pond in the middle of the courtyard?