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Jekka relays your requests to Nahansa. The elderly iruxi smiles.
"We will gladly help you in any way we can. However, " he says, hesitantly, "we were wondering if you could also help us with our problem." He pulls out a compass and shows it to you. You see that the needle, instead of pointing in one direction, is spinning in circles. "I'd imagine that your compasses are similarly ... broken. The ancient gargoyle Paravaax lives in the jungle to the east of here. He’s old, cruel, and has an unusual connection to the Plane of Earth. His body has the properties of a giant lodestone, capable of disrupting compasses for miles around. When he rests or moves it causes all kinds of problems for anyone trying to navigate with such devices. Your compasses will not work while Paravaax is active in the region, and we are not safe so long as the gargoyle hunts the edges of our territory. If you are willing to seek the gargoyle out and drive him away, you would be helping both our people."
"We also have another problem we could use help with. You see, in our temple of Gozreh, there have been odd noises coming from the belfry for almost a week now. I’m loathe to admit it, but we’ve been too preoccupied the coming rainstorms to look into it ourselves."
"Will you help us?"
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"A gargoyles?" Pooka wrinkles her face. "Those can be pretty means, if I's remembering rights. But it sounds like we won't be getting anywheres if we don't takes care of hims. So...yes, we'll helps."
Pooka puts her hands on her hips, brow furrowed in thought. "Might not hurts to take cares of the temple problem firsts, though - since we's already right here and all."
His arcana is +7 to remember things about gargoyles.
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Nahansa beams with delight. He starts making plans on the spot, discussing what you might need to bring and whatnot. While he animatedly discusses the route with you, a commotion (fortunately?) interrupts him. Jekka listens and turns to you, "Some creatures are attacking the village! This way! Hurry!"
You see, off in the distance, three quadrupeds running straight at the village.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
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Those with ** may go
**Henri Hart - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 48/48
White
Red
Iustanus - AC 19, 42/42
Cascading Rapids - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 44/44
Pooka Palooka - AC 20 (21 w/shield), 50/50
Welby - AC 18, 58/58; Drake AC 20
Nazsnaga - AC 21, 49/49
Blue
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You recall your research of gargoyles. It appears you paid attention in class!
Gargoyles are monstrous hunters made of elemental stone. They use their resemblance to decorative statues to hide in plain sight in cities during the day and descend upon unlucky pedestrians at night. Their most common form is that of a horned humanoid with bat-like wings, but individual gargoyles show a great deal of variation, with some appearing more or less humanoid and others resembling no known creature. A gargoyle’s features are not flxed; city-dwelling gargoyles who remain in the same locale long enough slowly morph, day by day, to match the style of the local architecture. These patient monsters can stay disguised for long stretches of time as they patiently await an opportunity to strike.
Gargoyles tend to be lone hunters, though sometimes they band into fearsome tribes called “wings” for protection or sport. On rare occasions, wings become relatively stable communities, and gargoyles in wings may even ally with other creatures such as demons and intelligent aberrations, though these alliances exist on a razor’s edge. The majority of gargoyles are treacherous, vindictive, and petty—traits that preclude lasting partnerships. Many tend to be obsessive and compulsive. Some are collectors, focusing on anything from books to grim trophies, while others are ritualistic or overly passionate about niche intellectual subjects or certain artistic motifs. These tendencies often contribute to the dissolution of wings as individuals’ obsessions and compulsions clash.
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The red creature immediately closes the distance to the party and attempts to chomp
White also closes the distance to the party and tries to sink its teeth into
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Henri Hart - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 48/48 (delaying)
White
Red
**Iustanus - AC 19, 42/42
**Cascading Rapids - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 33/44
**Pooka Palooka - AC 20 (21 w/shield), 50/50
**Welby - AC 18, 49/58; Drake AC 20
**Nazsnaga - AC 21, 49/49
Blue
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"That doesn't say much to me!" retorts back Naz as she strikes the ones near her.
◆ Draw Fauchard
◆ Strike at Red ,
◆ Brutish Shove at White ,
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"This is a gargoyle?"
It wasn't quite what he expected.
Regardless, there was no doubt to their intent. Getting his shield into a proper defensive position, Cascading Rapids steps around the one who attacked him into a more advantageous position. He then puts his strength into a magically-empowered flurry of attacks.
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"That's a great storys and all, but what hurts them bests!?" Pooka hollers just before she winds up another composition...
~Searching in the darkness
Running from the day
Hiding from tomorrow
Nothing left to say
Victims of the moment
Future deep in doubt
Living in a whisper
'Til we start to shout
We're creatures of the night
We're creatures of the night~
...and then steps into a slightly better position to strike at Red with her sword.
______________
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Henri realizes it's not a good idea to delay, after learning that they are somewhat fast-moving, or so he thinks. He forges a temporary connection to Cascading Rapids so that he takes half of whatever Cascading Rapid will absorb.
He then raises his magical shield blessed by Sarenrae.
◆◆ Cast a Spell, Shield Other to Cascading Rapids
◆ Cast a Spell, Shield (+1 to AC)
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Pooka belts out a rousing tune and inspires her companions. She strikes one of the creatures and wounds it slightly. Cade immediately flanks White an unleashes a pair of powerful strikes on it. He manages to land a solid blow which leaves White momentarily seeing stars, though it recovers in time.
Naznaga draws her fauchard and opens a slice in Red's flank. She attempts to shove White back but does not succeed.
Henri shields Cade and himself after realizing that letting these critters get close is a bad idea. Drake meanwhile retaliates and violently clobbers White, killing it.
Iustanius shoots Red with a fireball and connects, causing the critter to whimper.
Blue closes with Cade and attempts to bite him.
As a wound opens on Cade, a parallel wound opens on Henri.
Red attempts to chomp Pooka.
Red's jaws connect with Pooka, the force of the blow knocking her off her feet. Red attempts to bite again.
Fortunately, Pooka manages to avoid the second bite.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Corageous Anthem (formerly known as Inspire Courage; 3 rds)
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Those with ** may go
Red (-28)
**Iustanus - AC 19, 42/42 (CA 1/3; AC 20)
**Cascading Rapids - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 28/44 (CA 1/3)
**Pooka Palooka - AC 20 (21 w/shield), 36/50 (CA 1/3; Prone, OG)
**Henri Hart - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 43/48 (CA 2/3; AC 18)
**Welby - AC 18, 49/58; Drake AC 20 (CA 2/3)
**Nazsnaga - AC 21, 49/49 (CA 2/3)
Blue
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"Sarenrae's fire be upon you!" Henri calls a blazing band of fire arcs that through the air towards Red!
fire damage
He then raises a shield.
◆◆ Cast a Spell, Fire Ray
◆ Cast a Spell, Shield
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Henri calls down Sarenrae's wrath on Red and drops a fireball on it, burning it almost to a crisp.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (formerly known as Inspire Courage; 3 rds)
------------------
Those with ** may go
Red (-40)
**Iustanus - AC 19, 42/42 (CA 1/3)
**Cascading Rapids - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 28/44 (CA 1/3)
**Pooka Palooka - AC 20 (21 w/shield), 36/50 (CA 1/3; Prone, OG)
Henri Hart - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 43/48 (CA 2/3; AC 18)
**Welby - AC 18, 49/58; Drake AC 20 (CA 2/3)
**Nazsnaga - AC 21, 49/49 (CA 2/3)
Blue
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Drake steps up to Red and smacks it with his beak hard enough to shatter its skull.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (formerly known as Inspire Courage; 3 rds)
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Iustanus - AC 19, 42/42 (CA 1/3)
**Cascading Rapids - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 28/44 (CA 1/3)
**Pooka Palooka - AC 20 (21 w/shield), 36/50 (CA 1/3; Prone, OG)
Henri Hart - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 43/48 (CA 2/3; AC 18)
**Welby - AC 18, 49/58; Drake AC 20 (CA 2/3; 1 action)
**Nazsnaga - AC 21, 49/49 (CA 2/3)
Blue
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"Oh! I thought that was going to be worse than it was," Cascade says cheerfully, "It seems you're fairly harmless!"
Keeping his shield up, he moves around the remaining foe (though he is starting to doubt such a tactic will matter) before striking from the other side.
Oh dear. Perhaps more tactics are best, yes.
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Cade manages to jam his buckler into the critter's mouth and stave off some extra damage. He unleashes a pair of strikes but accidentally bangs one hand on his shield, the pain causing him to miss the other blow. Iustanius unleashes a trio of dragon-like darts which all hit Blue.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (formerly known as Inspire Courage; 3 rds)
------------------
Those with ** may go
Iustanus - AC 19, 42/42 (CA 1/3)
Cascading Rapids - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 30/44 (CA 1/3; Buckler HP - 10/12)
**Pooka Palooka - AC 20 (21 w/shield), 36/50 (CA 1/3; Prone, OG)
Henri Hart - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 43/48 (CA 2/3; AC 18)
Welby - AC 18, 49/58; Drake AC 20 (CA 2/3)
**Nazsnaga - AC 21, 49/49 (CA 2/3)
Blue (-13)
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Naz strides into a flank and swings at the remaining creature. Her first slash almost severs a front paw while the second slash opens a gash in the creature's flank. Pooka gets up and slashes at the gravely wounded Blue and lops off its head.
The Iruxi return and begin treating wounds.
Iustanus - AC 19, 42/42
Cascading Rapids - AC 21 (23 w/shield), 39/44 (Buckler HP - 10/12)
Pooka Palooka - AC 20 (21 w/shield), 40/50
Henri Hart - AC 17 (18 w/shield), 48/48
Welby - AC 18, 58/58; Drake AC 20
Nazsnaga - AC 21, 49/49
Once the worst of the injuries are treated, Nahansa speaks with you and Mirian Raas, while Jekka serves as translator again.
"I do not believe this attack to be a coincidence; I believe the strange metallic creatures are connected to Paravaax — a sign that the gargoyle has grown bolder than ever before. The gargoyle has taken roost in the iruxi’s old observatory: an ancient, abandoned building that once served as a place for observing the skies and learning for centuries before the native iruxi were driven out by Paravaax and his monsters. The gargoyle has been spotted in that same area by scouts to this day, so I suspect that he still lives there."
"Your duty is clear, Pathfinders, " Mirian proclaims. "Jekka and I will stay behind in Kihirat to help protect the village while you hunt down Paravaax."
Nahansa turns and introduces you to an iruxi astrologer. "This is Lumki. She can guide you to the observatory, navigating by her knowledge of the stars."
"Well met, Pathfinders! I have been waiting months for an opportunity to travel to the observatory, a journey that is a rite of passage for iruxi astrologers in the area. If you are willing to take me along, I will help however I can." You notice that she communicates basic ideas through a combination of drawing, gestures, and demonstrations.
Nahansa gestures to one of the huts. "I would advise you get some rest. You leave on the morrow."
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You leave bright and early the next day. Before you leave, however, Nahansa meets you and hands you a Scrollstaff. "Good fortune to you, Pathfinders. Please accept this item as my thanks for defeating the sod hounds. This contains a spell that turns you into a dangerous animal. I hope you can use it."
After a 30 minute trek inland, you and Lumki make it past the fringes of the jungle’s tree line. The foliage and brush become so thick that visibility is at most only about 20 feet. The jungle becomes unforgivingly dense and oppressively humid as the trail winds deeper into the canopied depths. Dappled light shines down through gaps in the leaves above, and although nothing stirs but the dew dripping from the branches above, the sing-song sounds of the jungle wildlife are a constant reminder that one is never truly alone here. As you proceed into the jungle, Lumki indicates a small side trail leading up to an old temple.
A twisting path branches away from the main trail leading east. The path is trampled flat and lifeless by the passage of many feet, but the jungle seems well on its way to reclaiming the narrow passage.
As long as the PCs are accompanied by the iruxi guide Lumki, the lizardfolk stops alongside the side trail and turns to them. Using gestures and drawings, Lumki quickly explains that the trail leads to Kihirat's temple of Gozreh. The temple has fallen into disuse during the past year as Paravaax has left his dormant state and become more active, and Lumki believes that something may have moved in since the last iruxi made the trek to the temple.
"Do you mind if we investigate the temple?"
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"Ooh, this is just likes those stories about the archaeologist guy with the whips," Pooka remarks with glee. "We'll investigate the temples! I's not afraid!"
Then, in a more thoughtful tone, she adds, "Gozreh, huh? Wind and Waves. I's not a follower but I's respect them. Maybe we can helps clean the temple back up too, if we haves the time."
As Henri activates his wayfinder Pooka cautiously edges up to the temple entrance, sword in hand, to peer inside.
______________