The nobles accept the drinks and warm up a little towards Trevor. "Thank you. The offering is appreciated. But I'd appreciate it more if you got us out of here." says Lord Botoles.
Staying relatively silent for the past couple of minutes, Xallis simply takes in the scenery. Out of a sense of repetition and an odd hunch, Navia walks towards the western wall. She examines a stretch of wall where a door would be if the same pattern of rooms continued.
After satisfying her curiosity, she goes back the way they came, two rooms east and towards that unopened door. After giving everyone time to finish conversations and catch up, she opens the way to the next room.
Navia does not find any secret doors behind the banners on the western wall. The only other exit from the banner room is to the north. Going back to the east, Navia opens the eastern door from the artifact storage room.
The door to the east opens to a taxidermy storage room. A fearsome winged beast poses ferociously in the southeastern corner of this square room. Two wolves stand in similar poses in the northern corners, while an immense coiled serpent poises itself in the southwestern corner, ready to strike. A small elephant stands in the center of the room, its head drooping far too low, and the top of its neck torn open. Thick cords of rope hoist avian creatures of every size along the ceiling, with an impressive eagle taking up the most space above. Doors exit to the north and west.
After entering the room and beginning your exploration, the wolves animate. They rise on clicking mechanisms, their bodies straining to stand on two legs. During this movement, however, one of the wolves’ hind legs collapses, while the fur on the other wolf ’s back splits open, rendering them both inert.
This causes another round of screams from your guests. Lady Urbaen stumbles backward in fear and falls on her butt.
Following the horrific display, while Sir Plastion is helping Lady Urbaen up, the winged beast’s (a griffon’s) wings begin to beat, only for one wing to tear off entirely. Moments later, it rips off the front foot attaching it to its display and moves to attack those in the chamber, as a spark of insight pushes it to inflict pain on others.
Jowuan whispers a prayer to Abadar. ”Abadar protect us. Keep us safe as your humble servants are your greatest wealth. A bounty upon your church if we live.”
Round 1
Initiative
23 - Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 - Trevor
09 - Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 - Henrika
07 - Animated Griffon
07 - Malphene Trant
05 - Xallis
05 - Navia (Mage Armor [145 min])
04 - Liraela
Icabhod, Trevor, Tychus, and Henrika go first.
•A taxidermic griffon’s type is construct.
•Taxidermic creatures are the work of obsessed individuals seeking to use their alchemical or occult talents to preserve and reanimate lifeless beings. The abilities of taxidermic creatures often pale in comparison to those of their living counterparts, as they are bereft of intelligence or an animate life force to guide them. Instead, taxidermic creatures possess a rudimentary form of instinct, though they are still able to follow basic instructions from their creators.
•Every taxidermic creature has one major defect. This manifests as a unique weakness, based on the reconstruction method used on the subject.
•This animated griffon’s defect is it’s wire frame. Thick metal wiring supports the taxidermic creature. It is vulnerable to electricity and counts as metal for the purposes of abilities and spells that affect metal.
•Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
•Immunity to bleed, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
•Not subject to ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, or nonlethal damage.
•Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
Emboldened by the nearby prayer to Abadar, Tychus hops towards Navia for a clearer shot, and takes careful aim at the Animated Griffon.
Henrika raises an eyebrow at the strange antics of the animated creatures, then shrugs, draws her sword, and rushes forward.
Round 1
Unsure whether even his masterwork rapier can make a difference against such a daunting foe, Trevor witnesses Dame Trant at the ready to attack. Inspiration takes the cleric as he touches the towering debutante on the shoulder. "Cayden guide your swordarm, dear lady!"
Trevor casts Touch of Good (Sp) on Dame Trant.
Icabhod steps forwards while drawing his club and strikes!
Round 1
Icabhod swings his club wildly in the air.
Tychus fires a bolt that tears through the griffon's ancient skin.
Henrika slashes the griffon. Instead of muscle and bone underneath, Henrika cuts through stuffing and metal wiring.
The griffon takes a step off its platform. It lets off a loud eagle-like screech and savagely bites into Henrika’s shoulder with its sharp beak. It swipes at Icabhod with its remaining talon and it would have injured him if not for his leather armor.
Malphene accepts Trevor's touch and nods with stern determination. She pushes past Icabhod and Henrika to get within reach to attack. The griffon swipes its claw at her as she approaches, which rips the sleeve off her dress and draws blood. She screams in pain and brings her longsword down into its neck with a crunch of metal.
Round 1
Initiative
23 - Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 - Trevor
09 - Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 – Henrika (12/19 hp)
07 - Animated Griffon (12 damage)
07 - Malphene Trant (9/13 hp)
05 - Xallis
05 - Navia (Mage Armor [145 min])
04 - Liraela
Round 2
Initiative
23 – Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 – Trevor
09 – Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 – Henrika (12/19 hp)
Xallis and Liraela go in Round 2. Then back to Icabhod, Trevor, Tychus, and Henrika.
Banking on it not having another bout of reactions in it, Lir will push forward to take advantage of Malphene's opportune distraction.
Xallis eyes the creature and observes is stiff, mechanical movements. "I've heard about creatures like this before. The wiring that animates it is vulnerable to electricity. Shock it if you can!"
The summoner reaches out to tap Navia's arm, blessing her with a big of fortune magic. The eidolon, excited to feel the thrill of battle once more, rushes to the wall and scampers up the side. Her claws and talons dig into the old stonework as she rapidly claws her way into position, stopping only to extend one talon to rake at the artificial beast.
Round 1
Navia rakes with her talon. Unfortunately, even with Xallis' guidance, the wall is slippier than expected and Navia's kick is unbalanced and misses.
Liraela takes advantage of the griffon looking towards Malphene and stabs at a blind-spot under its missing limb.
Round 2
Initiative
23 - Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 - Trevor
09 - Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 – Henrika (12/19 hp)
07 - Animated Griffon (16 damage)
07 - Malphene Trant (9/13 hp)
05 - Xallis
05 - Navia (Mage Armor [145 min])
04 - Liraela
Icabhod, Trevor, Tychus, and Henrika can go.
Icabhod thumps again.
Round 2
With the flow of battle taking Dame Trant away from Trevor, the cleric touches Tychus on the shoulder with the Touch of Good (Sp).
"Aim true, Tychus."
Tychus hits the animated griffon again with an explosion of feathers. However, the construct lacks the intelligence to realize it is wounded and fights on.
Henrika attacks the griffon but a thick layer of hide and feather absorbs the blow.
The animated griffon twists its head to bite at Liraela but snaps at nothing. It claws at Malphene again and badly wounds her. She screams in pain and puts a hand on the wall to stabilize herself.
Malphene does not give up the fight and cuts at the swiping limb. She cuts through the desiccated flesh but there is a thick metal pole underneath.
Round 2
Initiative
23 - Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 - Trevor
09 - Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 – Henrika (12/19 hp)
07 - Animated Griffon (23 damage)
07 - Malphene Trant (3/13 hp)
05 – Xallis
05 – Navia (Mage Armor [145 min])
04 – Liraela
Round 3
Initiative
23 – Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 – Trevor
09 – Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 – Henrika (12/19 hp)
The griffon still looks like it has a lot of fight left in it. Everyone’s up.
Round 3
Trevor hears then ravaged cry of Dame Trant and rushed over to touch her shoulder, casting cure light wounds.
Trevor, unable to reach Dame Trant to offer aid, touches Ichaboid on the shoulder, casting Touch of Good.
"Cayden stands with you!"
Icabhod keeps swinging, sweat flying off his bald pate, having never been in this kind of situation before.
Unfortunately, the sweat stings his eyes and throws off his aim.
Henrika continues her assault against the griffon creature, alternating slashes and stabs with her longsword.
Navia digs her fingers into the wall, detatching her talons one at a time to strike at her foe. With his spells exhaused, Xallis fires a crossbow bolt and hopes for a lucky hit.
Round 2
Navia rakes with her feet. One of her talons hooks into its remaining wing and nearly tears the already damaged appendage off. Xallis’ crossbow bolt clacks harmlessly into the back wall.
Liraela jabs her dagger into another joint, dismantling the creature one piece at a time.
Round 3
Even with Trevor’s aid, Icabhod continues to miss the construct.
Tychus scores a critical hit. His bolt destroys one of the griffon’s glass eyes.
Henrika tries to attack the griffon but Icabhod’s flailing causes too much of a distraction and she stumbles.
The griffon screeches in Tychus’ direction but the rest of the party has it thoroughly surrounded and unable to move so it lashes out at those it can reach.
With Tychus’ bolt still sticking out of its eye socket it struggles to see and swings wildly. Liraela and Icabhod easily step back and avoid the attacks.
Malphene curses and makes the decision to risk escaping. The griffon nips at her head but she ducks under the attack and flees to the safety of the doorway.
The animated griffon’s skeleton creaks and moans. It sounds like wires are snapping every time it moves but it appears that you’ll need to beat it down a little more before it stops completely.
Round 3
Initiative
23 - Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 - Trevor
09 - Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 – Henrika (12/19 hp)
07 - Animated Griffon (40 damage)
07 - Malphene Trant (3/13 hp)
05 – Xallis
05 – Navia (Mage Armor [145 min])
04 – Liraela
Round 4
Initiative
23 – Icabhod (18/19 hp)
18 – Trevor
09 – Tychus (18/19 hp)
09 – Henrika (12/19 hp)
Everyone’s up again. The griffon is badly wounded now but not quite down.
Seeing the mechanical monster on its last legs, Navia tries to go in for the kill. Rleasing her grip on the wall, she drops towards the floor and tries to rake her talons across its body on the way down.
If the thing still stands, Xallis takes another gamble with his ammo.
"I came dressed for a social event, not whatever this crazed maniac designer made in his spare time. Bored nobles do the most insane things, I swear."
Lir stabs into the beast again, trying to take it down for good.
Henrika steps sideways into the position Malphene occupied, striking at the creature with a loud "Hah!"
Round 3
Navia drops to the ground, claws out, but the griffon dodges out of the way with a short hop towards Liraela. Xallis fires another bolt at the wall.
Liraela uses the griffon’s own momentum and size against it. It falls onto her dagger, driving the blade in deep.
Round 4
Icabhod tries again. This time his club smacks against the rump of the stuffed elephant releasing a puff of dust.
Trevor casts touch of good on Henrika.
Tychus shoots at the griffon again but with all the dust in the air, he can’t get a clear shot.
With Trevor’s blessing, with a single slash, Henrika severs the remaining wing and cuts through the griffon’s spine. It lets out one last high-pitched mechanical whine then collapses into a pile of metal and hide on the ground.
The cleric, Jowuan, tends to Malphene's most grievous wounds. He puts his hands on her arm and the healing energy of Abadar stops the bleeding.
Henrika (12/19 hp)
Icabhod (18/19 hp)
Liraela (Full)
Trevor (Full)
Tychus (18/19 hp)
Xallis (Full)
Navia (Full)
Malphene Trant (6/13 hp)
Jowuan chastises Malphene. ”Lady Trant. That was very reckless of you. That creature nearly killed you. The dangers of this place are clear. Please let the professionals handle the fighting. If you were to die…”
”Well maybe I want to die!” Malphene screams. Tears well up around her eyes. She roughly pushes Jowuan’s hands off of her and rushes away into the adjacent room. There, she squats in a ball on the ground. With her arms wrapped around her knees and her face buried in her chest, she sobs loudly.
Jowuan stands up and straightens his collar. ”It seems this last encounter was taxing on us all. Perhaps a rest is in order.”
Moments later, you receive a final telepathic message from Martella. “Reached safe house. It’s located at the Dignif—”
The message cuts off mid-sentence.
Tychus takes a few moments of deep breathing to gather himself. As Dame Trant runs off he looks around at his comerades and sheepishly points in her direction with a nod of his head.
"Someone should probably talk to her..." he says, clearly unwilling to be the one to do it first.
As the final message comes through the badge and gets interrupted, he looks around once again, but this time wide-eyed.
"Well, that's not good. Any one knows what "Dignif-" was supposed to be?"
I still belive we should be very cautious in that regards, at least do not establish contact until we can scout the location out throughly.
Tychus takes a few moments of deep breathing to gather himself. As Dame Trant runs off he looks around at his comerades and sheepishly points in her direction with a nod of his head.
"Someone should probably talk to her..." he says, clearly unwilling to be the one to do it first.
Trevor wordlessly holds up his hand and walks toward the room where the towering debutante weeps. The caydenite lets out a energy channel to the remaining nobles and defenders.
The Kastner noble takes out a scented handkerchief and offers it to the survivor as he sits down next to Dame Trant.
"Thank you for helping to defend us and the other nobles. Cayden could ask no less of you in his horrid time. The loss you feel must be immense. I myself do not know if my Uncle Remillard got to safety. It appears all our futures are only for Pharasma to known and understand."
"I am just a simple cleric. But if I may make a recommendation. Take that despair in your heart. The heart your father sacrificed his life to keep beating. And change to determination to make the bastards who orchestrated your father's death pay, as only a Caydenite can make them pay. I don't know what will happen once we leave these catacombs, but you are most welcome to join us in fighting to free our country from the tyrannical grip of Grand Prince Stavian!!"
Trevor reaches out and touches Dame Trant's shoulder, casting cure light wounds.
Henrika takes a deep breath and shakes the sawdust off of her sword. She raises an eyebrow as Dame Trant rushes off, and gives the others a meaningful look. "I'll speak with her as well," she suggests.
"What a strange creature," she says quietly as Dame Trant sobs. After the grieving noblewoman's initial outburst, Henrika gently asks "Perhaps it would help us all to know more about your father?" She nods encouragingly toward the longsword Dame Trant has been using. "Did he support your education with the blade? Your skill is notable, so I would guess that you have been trained."
"Perhaps it would help us all to know more about your father?" She nods encouragingly toward the longsword Dame Trant has been using. "Did he support your education with the blade? Your skill is notable, so I would guess that you have been trained."
"My father didn't support me learning to use a sword but he didn't forbid it either. Even from a young age, I've always been bigger and stronger than most boys. It wasn't easy growing up when most people considered you a freak so I learned to defend myself with my fists. Then when I came of age, I was suddenly expected to wear dresses and be a woman. Men looked at me differently and women were intimidated by me. It was a whole new level of suck. My father was the only one who cared for me. With him gone, there's no one else. No one will miss me if I don't escape and die down here. If others weren't trapped down here too, I probably wouldn't even try."
"Thank you for helping to defend us and the other nobles. Cayden could ask no less of you in his horrid time. The loss you feel must be immense. I myself do not know if my Uncle Remillard got to safety. It appears all our futures are only for Pharasma to known and understand."
"I am just a simple cleric. But if I may make a recommendation. Take that despair in your heart. The heart your father sacrificed his life to keep beating. And change to determination to make the bastards who orchestrated your father's death pay, as only a Caydenite can make them pay. I don't know what will happen once we leave these catacombs, but you are most welcome to join us in fighting to free our country from the tyrannical grip of Grand Prince Stavian!!"
"I hope your Uncle made it out safely." She says sincerely. "I don't know what I'll do once we get out of here. I have a lot to think about. I appreciate your offer and will consider it."
Malphene stands up and wipes her tears. "Thank you for your kind words. I overreacted. I'll be okay."
"Well, that's not good. Any one knows what "Dignif-" was supposed to be?"
The nobles all just shrug.
"Professionals? I don't think any of us are professionals, just doing our best to survive an unfortunate situation. Just like you are trying your best.
[b]"I don't need to rest, but I do think some of you need one." she says, taking a look around the group. "I can stand watch, should any of you need to recover some strength."
I am mildly scuffed but still able to continue on.
Henrika takes another look at Malphene and pretends to be more tired than she is. "Oh, yes-- I could certainly benefit from taking a few hours to pull myself together. I cannot think there is any reason we must rush back to the palace. Did anyone bring something to eat?" She looks at Imistos hopefully.
As it seems like the group is getting ready to rest, Xallis nods to his eidolon. She smiles and places a clawed hand on his shoulder. "Stay safe." she says before being dismissed from this plane in a poof of green mist.
"Oh, yes-- I could certainly benefit from taking a few hours to pull myself together. I cannot think there is any reason we must rush back to the palace. Did anyone bring something to eat?" She looks at Imistos hopefully.
Xallis shrugs. "The best we have is that magic spoon. Purely utilitarian, unless someone knows a flavoring cantrip or happens to be carrying a spice rack on them."
"Well, that's not good. Any one knows what "Dignif-" was supposed to be?"
"The Dignified Something-Or-Other, I'd asume. Perhaps it's a popular hangout? I wonder..." Xallis ponders this as he winds down for rest.
Before going to sleep, the summoner takes a moment to comfort their troubled ally. "Dame Trant. I know this is difficult for all of us. But we appreciate having you along. The more capable fighters among us, the better, especially when these halls are full of danger. Don't let anyone tell you that your strength isn't an asset."
”Did anyone bring something to eat?" She looks at Imistos hopefully.
Imistos turns his pockets inside out and frowns.
"The Dignified Something-Or-Other, I'd asume. Perhaps it's a popular hangout? I wonder..." Xallis ponders this as he winds down for rest.
Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
"Dame Trant. I know this is difficult for all of us. But we appreciate having you along. The more capable fighters among us, the better, especially when these halls are full of danger. Don't let anyone tell you that your strength isn't an asset."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
You return to the safe quarters that you arrived at to rest.
Although you lack any fresh food, Trevor is able to use your wand of create food and water to create a simple meal. It certainly can’t compare to the food at the gala but it will keep you nourished. The silverware in the storage is still functional. You all sit down in the bar area and share a meal together before you rest. Imistos tries to make himself useful by setting the tables and then cleaning up afterwards. If anyone offers to help, he’ll have none of it and insists that he contributes in some way.
"The best we have is that magic spoon. Purely utilitarian, unless someone knows a flavoring cantrip or happens to be carrying a spice rack on them."
Excluding the master bed, there are six beds in the servant area so you split into two shifts of six each (excluding Navia) to sleep. The other six will stay up to keep watch and then switch.
You decide that the first to sleep will be Tychus, Trevor, Henrika, Gryphus, Gael, and Malphene.
The second group will be Icabhod, Liraela, Xallis, Wilfen, Jowuan, and Imistos.
The first watch goes by uneventfully. During this time, you are able to identify the remaining items you still needed to identify, they are:
+1 Heavy Steel Shield
Ring of Protection +1
Figurine of Wondrous Power (Silver Raven)
Then during the second watch you are awoken by Liraela’s scream.
While Liraela slept, she felt the strong urge to grab her knife and murder the nearest person to her. She resting the urge but wakes up unsettled. When she sits up in the bed she finds the wig she found fastened securely on her head (whether she wore it to sleep or not). The wig on her head seems to have a mind of its own. It has taken on a shade of purple to match Liraela’s natural hair and tendrils of hair wave wildly in every direction. Liraela screams, waking the others in the bedroom and alerting those on watch.
Round 1
Initiative
23 – Tychus
21 – Icabhod
13 – Xallis
11 – Henrika
10 – Liraela
10 – Other survivors
09 – Animate Hair
09 – Malphene
03 – Trevor
•An animate hair’s type is ooze.
•Animate hair is a carnivorous creature composed entirely of hair. It possesses an uncanny ability to make itself more appealing, and can shape itself into an attractive, and often quite complex, wig.
•Mindless.
•Blind.
•Immune to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning.
•Not subject to critical hits or flanking. Does not take additional damage from precision-based attacks, such as sneak attack.
Everyone except Trevor starts.
Tychus spends most of his shift leaning against the wall and silently listening to the others chat.
Upon hearing the screaming coming from the adjacent room, he jolts into action and grabs his crossbow. He runs over to the sleeping area, shouldering both doors, which had been left ajar, with crossbow raised.
He has a moment of hesitation as he tries to process what he is seeing.
Considering how dark it was, Tychus clearly has no idea what is happening in the room.
"Abadar, shed me some light!" he shouts, as his crossbow blossoms with light.
Icabhod attempts to rip the hair away.
Grapple: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Icabhod rips the hair off of Liraela's head and it squirms wildly in his hands.
Lir awakes when the murderous thoughts enter her head, screaming in anger as she rolls over and takes an attempt at stabbing the hair once someone rips it off of her hair.
Icabhod tosses it to the floor for mass stomping. Bald is better.
Henrika hears the commotion in the other room and rushes in with her sword drawn. "What is't that transpires?" she cries.
Although you lack any fresh food, Trevor is able to use your wand of create food and water to create a simple meal. It certainly can’t compare to the food at the gala but it will keep you nourished. The silverware in the storage is still functional. You all sit down in the bar area and share a meal together before you rest. Imistos tries to make himself useful by setting the tables and then cleaning up afterwards. If anyone offers to help, he’ll have none of it and insists that he contributes in some way.
Trevor busies himself by producing dinner with the wand of create food and water. During the dinner, the cleric of Cayden Cailean leads a prayer of thanks to the Gods, for keeping them safe and saving them from the slaughter of the Senate Floor.
Excluding the master bed, there are six beds in the servant area so you split into two shifts of six each (excluding Navia) to sleep. The other six will stay up to keep watch and then switch.
Still concerned by Dame Trant's breakout earlier, Trevor stays nearby to offer a kind word or joke if he thinks it would help the towering debutante. The caydenite also checks in with Lady Henrika, as she is the only other person in the coterie from one of major families of Taldor.
The first watch goes by uneventfully. During this time, you are able to identify the remaining items you still needed to identify, they are:
+1 Heavy Steel Shield
Ring of Protection +1
Figurine of Wondrous Power (Silver Raven)
Trevor is keen on claiming the ring of protection, especially when the Silver Raven is identified.
Round 1
Xallis is woken by Liraela’s scream next to him. He climbs out of the bed and begins using his ability to cast summon monster I.
Henrika rushes into the room.
Liraela stabs at the mass of hair but only manages to pierce the floorboard next to it.
The three survivors sleeping in the room, Wilfen, Jowuan, and Imistos scream in fear and run and hide in the nearby bathroom.
The animate hair remains where Icabhod dropped it and whips at his legs.
Malphene draws her sword and cautiously moves towards the sleeping quarters.
Round 1
Initiative
03 – Trevor
Round 2
Initiative
23 – Tychus
21 – Icabhod
13 – Xallis
11 – Henrika
10 – Liraela
10 – Other survivors
09 – Animate Hair
09 – Malphene
03 – Trevor
Trevor goes. Then the rest go again in Round 2.
Round 1
Trevor advances, his rapier drawn, hoping Desna will be with him as strikes the murderous hairpiece.
Trevor stabs at the hair. He aims at its center but it morphs into a ring shape and Trevor hits the empty space in between it.
Round 2
Initiative
23 – Tychus
21 – Icabhod
13 – Xallis
11 – Henrika
10 – Liraela
10 – Other survivors
09 – Animate Hair
09 – Malphene
03 – Trevor
Taken aback by the oddity of the situation, Tychus nevertheless maintains his composure and takes a moment to observe this new foe.
He raises his crossbow, and once he has the hair squarely in his sights, attempts to fire upon it, trying his best not to hit any of his allies.
Xallis perks up from his watch to the sounds of screaming, completely caught by surprise by the nature of their foe. Eventually, he gathers his wits about them and concentrates on his magic.
A red portal opens next to the wriggling monster and a dog with gold and silver fur leaps out, snapping at the aberration.
We are being humiliated by a wig! If we fall the world is doomed!