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While Rain pulls his spores together, Kosh works on patching up kormandil and Erzuuk.
"I appreciate the effort Kosh but more work needs to be done and we don't have time to spare." He claps him on the shoulder and eats some fresh fruit.
"Try to keep together, these things are appearing out of the shadows." He advises the others. "Kosh, there are tall shelves of powerful items here, Gorum would punish us if we didn't at least look for something useful, come."
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Fishy dispenses healing fruit and soon everyone is fully healed.
Erzuuk heads over to the tall shelves and sticks his head into a dark shelf. After rooting around, he doesn't find anything relevant.
Glenda heads to the Treasure Pile, and one of the random tables. She digs around the stuff lying on the tables but doesn't find anything useful.
Zahnder checks out one of the tables with random stuff on it. He finds a vial of oil and crystal. Rain identifies them as a potency crystal and a vial of oil of mending.
Dibble takes the first 10 minutes to refocus before scampering off to the scrolls to search. Unfortunately, all he finds is a scroll with a recipe for broiled Rat.
Kosh spends the entire 20 minutes attempting to heal his companions. Unfortunately, the stress of battle makes him shaky and his bandages keep falling off.
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Kormandil heads to one of the random items tables and roots through the items.
Kormandil finds a crossbow bolt with some twine wrapped on the shaft. Rain's eyes widen as he identifies it as a climbing bolt. Kormandil also finds another potency crystal hidden in the pile of stuff.
A cry from Rain in Cloudy Day pierces the vault. "Oh, no! She's back!" Moments later, an imposing figure steps into the vault, striding straight past the cowering Pathfinder. With her wild hair, wicked curved horns, sharp teeth, and glowing eyes, she's a fearful sight. The bones of her enormous, clawed hands make hideous cracking sounds as she heaves on a chain wrapped around her torso, dragging an iron cauldron across the stone floor. It nearly tips, spilling a glob of vile black ooze filled with vibrant constellations.
She casts her gaze around the vault and rises to her full height. She speaks, her voice like a dying goat by a crackling fire. "What is this? Ah yes, I see. Precious treasures, all for me! A dagger, its twin my child wields. I command you, Star: break cities! Burn fields! A key, its message yet unclear. Why does it hide? What does it fear? Pathfinders! You'll seek boundless wonder across the land... and find Aslynn's nightmares, hand in hand!"
Aslynn stoops to grasp the chain once more and proceeds with her cauldron into the vault, still ignoring Rain and anyone else around her. Suddenly, a new voice—a harsh whisper—carries through the air. "Psst! Hey, you! Pathfinders! She's not real. Well, not too real. Just a bit. No time to explain! You've got to distract her! Don't let her find what she's looking for! Distract her, then find a way to get rid of her!"
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"This place is full of old junk!" Erzuuk swears after 20 minutes of finding nothing useful.
He heads towards the others after hearing the witch enter the room. He spins around trying to find the source of the whisper while his grip on his axe tightens.
He continues to look around, confused, his gaze finally settles on the witch. He asks his ancestors for guidance.
"Witch! Your tricks won't fool the strong, only the weak. Even the fools can see what you're up to. Begone else we'll feed you to your own pot!" He does his best to rouse the courage of the others, like any fine general would.
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After twenty minutes of reading... READING!!!, and all for nothing, Dibble is at the end of his rope when Aslynn shows up. "Now stop right there!" He steps forward with shield in hand, then strikes the most heroic pose he can muster "You shall not pass! This place is protected by..." The young knight flourishes his shield, spinning it between both hands and behind his back as he pirouettes into position "Dibble, breaker of shields!"
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Kormandil mutters some arcane-sounding formula that makes Aslynn stop short. Zahnder heads to the treasure pile and performs some switcheroo with the dagger.
Aslynn shrieks with delight and rushes to the pile of treasure at the center of the vault. "It's here! I can taste it! Come to me, my dearest nightmares!" She rakes through the treasure with her claws, scattering coins and shredding pages. "Where is it?! Where?! I must have it! What have you done with it?!" With a final shriek, she curls in on herself, melding with the ooze from her cauldron. She and the cauldron melt into the floor, bubbling and hissing. The sounds turn to frantic chittering as dozens of rats begin pouring from the ground.
Those near the rats notice that they have extraordinarily long necks...
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (1/3)
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Those with ** may go
**Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 20/20
**Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Blue
Swarm 1
Glenda - AC 20, 42/42
Red
Swarm 2
kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 18/18
Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 21/21 (AC 20)
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Erzuuk runs around the spiral staircases while Zahnder rushes to the red rat and tries to punch it, to no avail.
A rat with some blue in its fur skitters up to Kosh. To his horror, its neck snaps at him from 10' away!!
A large mass of rats surges across the Vault floor and swarms over Kosh and Glenda.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Before Your Turn:
DC 17 Basic Reflex vs 3 Piercing: Kosh, Glenda
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Those with ** may go
Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 20/20
Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Blue
Swarm 1
**Glenda - AC 20, 42/42
Red
Swarm 2
kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 18/18
Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 21/21 (AC 20)
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Glenda escapes with minor scrapes and hurls Fishy at the rats. Fishy smushes a good portion of the rats, leaving the swarm a bit less swarmy...
A rat with some red in its tail takes a step back and snaps its jaws at Zahnder.
The second swarm heads towards Glenda and Dibble and tries to bury them in a sea of grey...
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1-2
Tactical Map
Before Your Turn:
DC 17 Basic Reflex vs 3 Piercing: Glenda, Dibble
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Those with ** may go
-2-
**Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 20/20
**Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Blue
Swarm 1 (-8)
Glenda - AC 20, 41/42
Red
Swarm 2
-1-
**kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
**Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 17/18
**Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 21/21 (AC 20)
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Dibble screams heroically as the rats swarm over him "Aaaaagh! Get 'em off, get 'em off!!!" and lashes out with his shield, trying to brush the furry little monsters off himself and squishing as many as he can as he runs (equally heroically) away. Phew! That was close... I almost lost my composure.
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Erzuuk rushes to Kosh's aid, drawing his axe as he goes. Dibble manages to get away with a few minor scratches but does manage to mash some rats.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1-2
Tactical Map
Before Your Turn:
DC 17 Basic Reflex vs 3 Piercing: Glenda
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Those with ** may go
-2-
Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 20/20
**Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Blue
Swarm 1 (-8)
Glenda - AC 20, 41/42
Red
Swarm 2 (-5)
-1-
**kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
**Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 17/18
Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/21
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Zahnder moves up and slashes at the Red rat, removing its head. ()
Kosh looks hungry. But he first inspires his comrades in battle. He draws his sword and slashes at the rats. Although he hits, his strike doesn't appear to do much damage.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1-2
Tactical Map
Before Your Turn:
DC 17 Basic Reflex vs 3 Piercing: Glenda
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Those with ** may go
-2-
Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 20/20
**Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17 (1 action)
Blue
Swarm 1 (-8)
Glenda - AC 20, 41/42
Swarm 2 (-5)
-1-
**kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 17/18
Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/21
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Kormandil and Zahnder make their way down to the Vault floor to join the action.
Blue's neck snakes out and attempts to latch onto Erzuuk.
Swarm 1 continues to try to bury Kosh with rats.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Before Your Turn:
DC 17 Basic Reflex vs 6 Piercing: Kosh
DC 17 Basic Reflex vs 3 Piercing: Glenda, Kosh
DC 17 Basic Reflex vs 1 Piercing: Kosh
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Those with ** may go
Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 13/20
Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Blue
Swarm 1 (-8)
**Glenda - AC 20, 41/42
Swarm 2 (-5)
kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 17/18
Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/21
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Glenda gets away with minor scratches and blasts the swarm with a wall of water. The swarm is washed away. Any surviving rats scatter to the corners of the Vault.
Kosh gets a few nibbles but also gets away with minor injuries.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2-3
Tactical Map
Before Your Turn:
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Those with ** may go
-3-
**Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 13/20
**Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Blue
Swarm 1 (-8)
-2-
Glenda - AC 20, 40/42
**kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
**Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 12/18
**Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/21
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Kosh inspires his companions before flanking Blue. His slash removes the extra long neck.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2-3
Tactical Map
Before Your Turn:
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (1/1)
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Those with ** may go
-3-
**Erzuuk of Garaguum - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 13/20
**Zahnder - AC 18, 17/17
Swarm 1 (-8)
-2-
Glenda - AC 20, 40/42
**kormandil - AC 18, 14/14 (Wounded 1)
Kosh Bracken - AC 16 (17 w/shield), 12/18
**Dibble Shortcoat - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 20/21
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Dibble charges into the fray and mashes enough rats so that the swarm disperses.
You manage to trace the voice to Area 4, where Rain had dumped all the empty chests. As you approach, a disembodied pair of elegant blue gloves busily clears chests off a table. The gloves make a "Stop right there!" gesture before signaling toward the table. They gently pat its surface, then indicate the boxes on top of it. The voice from earlier says, "I see you've met Mr. Glovely! He wants you to help clear those boxes. I'm, uh, underneath them. It's a bit embarrassing. Help a poor guy out? Many hands are better than two! No offense, Mr. Glovely." The gloves wave dismissively, as if to say, "None taken."
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Erzuuk is too slow with that giant axe, his team clearing the rats quickly "Solid work but next time save some for me!" He grins, stowing his weapon again. He follows the floating gloves with suspicion "Who goes there! We've had enough tricks and surprises already today!" He bends down to peer through and around the boxes as best he can.
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Erzuuk eats the far too healthy snack, his wounds disappearing completely. "Can your fish friend summon roasted lamb too?" He grins at Glenda.
"Keep your weapons at the ready. I'll start moving boxes, but if things get iffy strike first!"
Kosh gives a nod. He loads his crossbow, and trains it on the source of the voice.
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Somewhat doubtful, Erzuuk and Dibble start moving boxes. Eventually, the table is cleared. A moment later the table stretches and shakes itself like a wet dog. Then it starts folding in on itself and then puffing itself out randomly until a new shape forms - that of a large, gaudy treasure chest with an enormous, shiny silver chain and padlock. He grins and introduces himself.
"I'm Biglock, one of the best mimics around! That means I can turn into all kinds of things. Tables, chairs, you name it! And this is Mr. Glovely. He… you know, I'm not sure. He showed up one day and lent me a fand. Or two! Ha! We have what you might call a mutually beneficial arrangement. I do the talking, and Mr. Glovely does everything else."
"Look, there's not much time so I'll be brief. I've been in quite a few of the Society's vaults over the years. I'm good at going unnoticed. Last time I got noticed, it was by that night hag, Aslynn. She saw my potential, and… well, she owns a significant share of my soul. I can barely even remember how I lost it to her in the first place. A bad bet? A worse debt? Can't rightly say, as I don't rightly know. Well, for years now, I've had to do as she asks. Mostly spying, a bit of stealing. But when I wised up to some of her plans, I made a break for it. She's been looking for me ever since. I think she fed information to those Onyx Alliance rascals. They captured me, so when the Society got hold of their treasures, I came with! I don't know the details, but I know she's trying to brew some powerful magic in that weird cauldron. She needs a few of the magic items from your stash here."
"While you were distracting Aslynn, we found these! I think she was looking for them." Biglock has Mr Glovely produce two items, a dagger with magical runes and a key made of some sort of crystalline substance. "This dagger here looks like it's from the Jistka Imperium. Might be a powerful magic weapon, but I'm not sure how to unlock its potential! I think Aslynn was looking for this, too. I don't recognize the crystal it's made of, and I don't think it's from this world at all! You better take them and keep them for the Society."
"I can't take hostile actions against Aslynn. That goes for Mr. Glovely here, too, for his own reasons. But I can help you find some great equipment and make a plan! Mr Glovely, show these nice people that thing you found." Mr. Glovely produces a small gold spoon. "No, not that! The other thing!" Mr. Glovely shows you a jagged shard of purple glass with constellations like those visible in the ooze of Aslynn's cauldron. "That's the one! I think it's a shard of Aslynn's mind. It's projecting all those creatures into this place. She's probably looking for it. I think you should destroy it, but first, you'll want to prepare for a fight. A piece of a night hag's mind isn't bound to go out without a struggle. We can help you find some good stuff, in fact, I've got something for you."
"Mr Glovely, get my new friends 'some of the good stuff'." Mr. Glovely rummages around the many discarded chests for a few minutes, then produces a wayfinder and proudly presents it to you. "No, no, I mean the really good stuff." Mr. Glovely smacks his nonexistent forehead. He produces a small key from thin air and unlocks some sort of invisible container. With an exaggerated display of effort, he lifts a +1 resilient breastplate from the container and presents it to you. Biglock grins. "That oughta do it. Have fun!"
"Take some time and search the vault again for anything you can use against Aslynn. Mr Glovely and I will help you."