Strange Aeons

Game Master Whack-a-Rogue

Two desks are crammed into this crowded office. More space has been dedicated to filing cabinets, bookshelves, and stacks of loose research than room for occupants. Two bodies lie slumped over the desks, both dead.

Tassa sighs at the sight of two more corpses (and does her best to quiet the hungry rumbling in her belly).

To distract herself she starts looking through the papers, wondering if there's anything more to explain what's going on here.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Meanwhile, Baldrek takes a look at the corpses themselves.

Are they also in yellow robes?

Mya helps Tassa with the book searching.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Ephra'im considers whether he has heard the name Losandro before.

Knowledge (civilization), free inspiration: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 8 + (4) = 24

He realizes he has been lost in thought and speaks up. "Whoever they are, since they are an administrator I imagine there will be some interesting reading present in their office. Maybe we will find some patient files? I for one would love to have more information about why I am here." He quickly joins Tassa and Mya in going through papers.

The corpses are dressed in doctors uniforms and appear to have been slain by blows to the back of the head. Further examination reveals claw marks around the wounds, sized for a small creature of some sort.

Ephra'im vaguely recognizes the name Losandro. You don't remember how you know this, but you believe she's a capable administrator who seems to care about the patients under her care. She also cares about proper record-keeping procedures.

The papers are primarily mundane documents and files related to asylum duties and unremarkable psychological evaluations. You do, however, discover a thick yew wand etched with the symbol of Sarenrae hidden in the back of one of the desks. A piece of twine is wrapped around it, connecting to a note: "Mr. Lantz, this is a place of science, not faith. Please keep your religion at home."

Potential Loot
Wand - Purity of the Dawnflower (worth 1,000gp; sells for half)
1/day as a Standard action, grant a Good-aligned creature within 25ft a +1 sacred bonus to attack rolls, AC, and saving throws vs Evil creatures for 1 minute. While this bonus is active, the affected creature gains immunity to possession and mental control (including enchantment charms and compulsions) from Evil creatures. If the target is already affected by one of these effects, they can immediately attempt a new saving throw.

Ephra'im shares what he remembers. "Losandro... I think the lead administrator is a woman. I have a hazy memory that suggests she is meticulous in her record-keeping and genuinely cares about those in her charge." He shrugs to indicate he is not sure the origin of this knowledge.

After identifying the wand, Ephra'im suggests they put it somewhere easily accessible. If he should happen to see the contents of the handy haversack, he blinks and peers more closely. "Is that a surgeon's scalpel?" he asks. "Such a tool would be very valuable to my medical studies. Would anyone mind if I carried it?" Once they are finished searching the room, he brushes himself off and peers forward further down the corridor.

Mya waves her hand, signaling Ephra'im can take the scalpel. "Doctors died probably in the hands of patients, maybe the yellow-robed ones. Losandro probably met a similar fate, unfortunately." she follows Ephra'im.

A once-handsome wood conference table now sits marred by the partially toppled southwest walls. Between heaps of collapsed stone, a closet door still stands.

Baldrek enters the room, looking around. "One crrown somesing will jumb me when I oben ze closete dorr... any takerrs?"

He then readies his weapons and opens the closet door.

Ephra'im blinks, and then readies his longspear just in case. "I've got your back, even if I don't take your bet."

Mya prepares to hasten the group, including the newcomer. "So, rat, yellow-robed person or ghoul?"

The answer to Mya's question is revealed to be "none of the above" as Baldrek opens the door. Instead, a mason jar filled with foul-smelling preservation fluid drops from above the door.
Attack vs Touch AC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 4 = 12 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
If this hits, Fortitude DC 12 (disease) vs -2 DEX and CHA for the next 24hrs.

The inside of the closet is filled with a macabre collection of deformities preserved in jars. These grotesqueries are stored in a 'nest' made from lab coats and what appears to be the corpse of a doctor. As you take in the scene, two creatures leap toward you from a shelf in the back of the closet. Both appear to be human fetuses, but their craniums are much larger than they should be, giving them an oddly sagacious appearance.
Enemy Initiative: 2d20 + 2 ⇒ (12, 12) + 2 = 26 (average 13)
Your Initiative: 4d20 + 9 ⇒ (2, 12, 8, 3) + 9 = 34 (average 9ish)

Bite (baldrek): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Damage: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1 (converts to 1pt nonlethal damage)
If this hits, Fortitude DC 12 (disease) vs -2 DEX and CHA for the next 24hrs. This doesn't stack with that from the jar. In addition, on a hit, the creature latches on to you: you're considered grappled but take no penalties.

Ephra'im Knowledge (divine) DC 16: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 8 + (2) = 29
Mya Knowledge (divine) DC 16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
You believe these creatures are pickled punks: deformed fetuses raised by necromancers. While not physically dangerous, the embalming fluid infused throughout their bodies is highly irritating. When destroyed, they discorporate into a nauseating fleshy sludge.

Your Turns
The creatures currently have cover from everyone except Baldrek unless he moves away from the door.

Since Ephra'im succeeded on his Knowledge roll, I assume that means he learns everything he would receive on a successful Scout check? I think that's specifically any weaknesses or vulnerabilities they may have, and his Study Technique talent says that he learns the creatures' BAB and any martial spheres. Also, Find Gap says to treat their AC as 1 less, and Identify Rhythms says to treat my AC as one greater (a dodge bonus).

Ephrai'm tries to study one of the creatures without being overcome with revulsion. (This is a move action.) Though he has difficulty seeing them, he tries to pin one of the punks with his longspear to make it easier for Baldrek to dispatch them. (This is a standard action.)

Aid another (Baldrek attack), studied combat: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 If this attack beats a DC of 10, Ephra'im grants Baldrek a +5 bonus on his attack.

Mya couldn't think of anything to say, her throwaway comment about what they would find rang hollow as she stared at the disgusting creatures that leaped agaisnt them. Mya's small size worked in her favor, as the fluid from the jar that fell on them completely went over her.

Pickled Punks she thought with no prompt, unaware of how she knew that. Watching as their new companion helped Baldrek, she focused on hasting Baldrek.

5ft step backwards just in case they might make attacks of opportunity. Standard Action to Improved Haste on Baldrek.

Oh shoot, I should have described Ephra'im announcing what they are and anything he knows about them. He's not going to hold back information unless he has a good reason to distrust someone.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Fortitude: 13 + 5 = 18 <- Spending Martial Focus for a 13 on roll

"F&$#errs!" He exclaims as he attacks the one not grappling him. He'll deal with that f@*#er later.

Attack (trident), Risky Strike, Aid, Haste: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 1 + 5 + 1 = 18
Damage, Risky Strike: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12
Attack (trident), Risky Strike, Aid, Haste: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 1 + 5 + 1 = 17
Damage, Risky Strike: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12

Attacking the one not grappling Baldrek. If it falls with the first attack, will try to tick the other. The attack would be -1 to hit and with 1d4+4+2 damage instead.

@Ephra'im: That's correct. It doesn't convey those benefits to your allies, though, as you Scouted as a Swift action rather than a Standard. :-)

BAB +1
DR/bludgeoning
Undead
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Baldrek repeatedly stabs one of the creatures, and it discorporates into a fleshy sludge. Fortitude DC 12 vs nauseated 1rd

The other creature continues to gnaw on the Kelishite.
1d3 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2 (this converts to 1pt nonlethal damage)
Fortitude DC 12 (disease) vs -2 DEX and CHA for the next 24hrs.

Mya simply keeps concentrating on accelerating Baldrek, saving her energy for when they explore the northern wing of this place.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Nauseated

"Oh what ze fu..." The sudden sludge is to much. Baldrek throws up inside the closet.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Ephra'im goggles at the disgusting mess, and attempts to pierce the remaining pickled punk with his spear.

Study the new punk with his studied combat as a move action, attack as standard.

Attack (longspear), haste, Power Attack, studied combat: 1d20 + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 6 Because Ephra'im has Scouted his target, its AC is reduced by 1 and his AC is increased by 1
Damage (piercing), Power Attack, studied combat: 1d8 - 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 + 3 + 1 = 7

Ephra'im's attack misses, as he needs to be careful to avoid striking Baldrek instead. Ignoring what happened to its ally, the pickled punk continues to gnaw away at Baldrek.
Damage: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1 (this converts to 1pt nonlethal damage)
Fortitude DC 12 (disease) vs -2 DEX and CHA for the next 24hrs.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The irritant thing finally gets him, so Baldrek drops his trident and starts shoving and pounding at the thing.

Shove: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Touch. 4 bludgeoning damage and is battered

Attack (unarmed strike), Risky Strike: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 1 = 10 It is grappled? Perhaps there is a chance lol
Damage, Risky Strike: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

After seeing Baldrek stop attacking due to the creatures, Mya grasps the time thread that she accelerated for him and stops it, doing the opposite motion for Ephra'im, hastening him. She concentrates on it to keep it going.

For future reference, since Baldrek got nauseated, my previous turn was allowed to be retconned so Mya hastened Ephra'im. This turn Mya is merely concentrating on it.

Ephra'im tries to skewer the punk again, this time benefitting from the improved haste effect.

Attack (longspear), haste, Power Attack, studied combat: 1d20 + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 6 Because Ephra'im has Scouted his target, its AC is reduced by 1 and his AC is increased by 1
Damage (piercing), Power Attack, studied combat: 1d8 - 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 + 3 + 1 = 7

Bonus (improved haste) attack (longspear), haste, Power Attack, studied combat: 1d20 + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 3 Because Ephra'im has Scouted his target, its AC is reduced by 1 and his AC is increased by 1
Damage (piercing), Power Attack, studied combat: 1d8 - 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 3 + 1 = 5

The dice really don't like when Ephra'im attacks instead of aiding. :P

@Baldrek: Your attack missed by one point. So close!

Baldrek pounds away at the pickled punk but is hampered by the irritating slime covering its body. Unthinkingly, the creature continues to gnaw.
The penalties from the irritant don't stack, so all that happens is 1pt nonlethal damage.

"Enough!"

Shove: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Touch. 4 bludgeoning damage and is battered

Attack (unarmed strike), Risky Strike: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 1 = 16
Damage, Risky Strike: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Mya watches aghast as they fail to hurt these punks. Mya considers drawing her weapon and joining the fray, knowing full well it would not help, but after seeing Baldrek, decides to keep concentrating for now.

I really think the Haste would be better on Baldrek, but as long as it's still on Ephra'im I feel compelled to try and make use of it.

Ephra'im pokes wildly at the pickled punk with his longspear.

Attack (longspear), haste, Power Attack, studied combat: 1d20 + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 10 Because Ephra'im has Scouted his target, its AC is reduced by 1 and his AC is increased by 1
Damage (piercing), Power Attack, studied combat: 1d8 - 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 + 3 + 1 = 8

Bonus (improved haste) attack (longspear), haste, Power Attack, studied combat: 1d20 + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 0 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 11 Because Ephra'im has Scouted his target, its AC is reduced by 1 and his AC is increased by 1
Damage (piercing), Power Attack, studied combat: 1d8 - 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 3 + 1 = 5

Baldrek finally manages to turn the other creature into sludge. Fortitude DC 12 vs nauseated 1rd

Amidst the mess of the closet are a few items of potential interest.

Potential Loot
alchemist fire x6 (on the corpse)
Lab Coat x8 (grant +2 to Deception checks when impersonating a doctor)

I agree about the Haste! I usually spent my turns concentrating on multiple simultaneous ones, so you'll probably have it as well as Baldrek, since Tessa is missing. I have a few other tricks that I haven't used yet, mostly because I have not exactly gotten the feel of the spell point management and how much I can use in an encounter.

Mya checks the closet and points to the itens inside. "We should all probably carry some of those." and distributes 2 alchemist fires to each. "I don't know about the coats, seems an even quicker way to be attacked, considering what happened here."

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

The last f@@#er falls and Baldrek starts scratching his skin. "Blastede brricks... and you, mate, you betterr worrk with zis aim of yourrs."

He takes the vials and turns to leave the room. This new day was already turning to be worse than the previous one. "Come, we keeb moving. If we need, we come back forr ze coats."

Back to the hall, opening the south door on the right.

This room’s sagging ceiling rests largely upon a pair of sturdy bookshelves. A desk and set of chairs skirt the edge of a sizable fissure in the floor.

Another ratling is here, appearing tougher than the ones you encountered in the library. He's guarded by a pair of dire rats.
Enemy Initiative: 3d20 + 7 ⇒ (14, 8, 9) + 7 = 38 (average 12ish)
Your Initiative: 3d20 + 8 ⇒ (2, 2, 18) + 8 = 30 (average 10)
The ratling screams a command, and the dire rats charge toward you!
Bite: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 2 = 22 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Who did the ratlings charge toward? All of us were bitten?

Mya braces for impact as she sees the rats charging towards the group. She steps back and hastens both Baldrek and Ephra'im.

5ft step back, -1 spell point for Mass Time for Improved Haste on both.

Sorry about that. They attacked Baldrek, as he's the one who opened the door.

Ephra'im looks over the dire rats and the ratling and considers what he knows about each.

Knowledge (nature), free inspiration: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 8 + (6) = 29
Knowledge (arcane), free inspiration: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 8 + (6) = 28

He will also Scout the ratling as a swift action.

Knowledge (arcane), free inspiration: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 8 + (1) = 21

Unless he learns that the ratling is resistant to bludgeoning damage, he will throw two bombs from his prepared cluster at it.

Ranged touch attack (bomb), haste: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15 If his Scout was successful, the ratling's AC is treated as 1 lower.
Bludgeoning damage (bomb): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Bonus (improved haste) ranged touch attack (bomb), haste: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 If his Scout was successful, the ratling's AC is treated as 1 lower.
Bludgeoning damage (bomb): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Wasting no time, Baldrek skewers the rats.

Attack (trident), Haste, Risky Strike: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 20
Damage (trident), Risky Strike: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 3 = 15

Assuming the first attack kills the rat, activating Bloodthirsty Boost as a swift action for another attack on the next rat.

Attack (trident), Haste, Risky Strike: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 8
Damage (trident), Risky Strike: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 = 16

Attack (trident), Haste, Risky Strike: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 19
Damage (trident), Risky Strike: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 3 = 15

Assuming both are dead, then 5ft. step forward.

Knowledge: Ratlings are rat-human hybrids with an innate sense for magic. They're immune to disease and poison and are quite agile (evasion class feature). This particular individual appears more competent than most (BAB +4) but lacks any real martial threat. However, its unusually long limbs betray some aberrant heritage in its blood (at least one sorcerer level).
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Baldrek quickly skewers both of the rats as Ephra'im begins hurling explosives at the ratling. The creature squeaks in alarm, and Baldrek feels a wave of fear pass over him (Will DC 14 vs frightened 1dr rounds) as the ratling dives into the fissure.
I've added the ratling to the map so you can see where the fissure is, but it's 15ft down into it. Small creatures can squeeze after him, but it's too narrow for Medium creatures.

Ratling: 4pts damage

Mya does not move so she can keep both of her targets hastened.

"Should we seal the fissure?

"Lete it be. We have ozerr zings to worrry aboute." He turns, closing the door behind, before turning to Ephra'im. "Any ozerr botion of yourrs?"

Ephra'im is startled by Baldrek's question, and then seems to look at him carefully for the first time. "Oh, you are hurt!" he exclaims. "Yes, of course: please apply this salve to your wound and it should speed the healing process."

Ephra'im has two prepared, and it takes 15 minutes of rest to make more. It can only affect a person five times each day, though. By the way, thanks for calling it out. I should be looking, but because your vitals are behind a spoiler it takes me thinking ahead to notice. :)

Salve (Alchemy) hp healed: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Tassa has been unusually silent since Ephra'im joined them.

Well dammit, do I show him and risk being attacked? What will Ephra'im say when he finds out that I seem...corrupted, too? Still, if I hide what I can do, we may all just get killed.

In a small voice, Tassa says, "Ephra'im, there's something I haven't shared yet. I seem to have...abilities. Horrifying-looking ones. There's a hunger within me. I've controlled it so far, in part by letting it feed on those that attack us." She gives an involuntary look of hunger at the warm corpses of the dire rats.

"If you'll trust me, I can let some of the power out here, and perhaps be able to seal the ratling into that fissure. At least for some time."

If Ephra'im says yes, she will let the tentacles out, and spit a web over the fissure. If that happens, her tentacles will also drag the nearest dire rate corpse over and consume it (though the many tiny mouths on the tentacles coming from her belly, not through her human mouth)

Mya watches silently as Tassa approaches Ephra'im. She had grown used to the transformations, as they have only come in handy and the group met under less than ideal circunstances. Mya had never stopped to think that showing it to other people might have caused problems. Not wanting to call attention to herself, Mya nods to Ephra'im.

Ephra'im seems speechless and surprised by Tassa's admission, and his eyes dart back and forth from the dark woman to the fissure. He seems slightly curious but also slightly afraid. He is unable to articulate his concerns, and also unwilling to forbid his traveling companion from using her abilities. Finally, he gives a half-hearted shrug, even as he involuntarily steps back.

Painful Magic (DC 10 Fort): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Tassa nods, sweating–and then heaves with nausea as black, rubbery tentacles covered in mouths snake out of her abdomen. One spits a gooey 'web' over the fissure...while several others start to devour the warm bodies of the dire rats.

Finally the tentacles seem sated. Realizing that no one had spoken in too long, Tassa clears her throat and says, "Alrighty, then. What's nexssst in this houssse of horrors?"

She listens at the Northeast door and then (unless she hears something concerning) opens it.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

4/6 SP // -2 SP for 20 minute transformation + retain abilities
.
Current transformation:
Serpentine
40’ speed, 20’ climb
Bite 1d6 + grab + constrict
1. Web
2. Acid spit

This would look like a typical physician’s office if it weren’t for the preponderance of grotesque anatomical sketches, most depicting traumas and deformities of the head and brain. A sturdy display case stands open and completely empty. You notice spilt preservative fluids pooling around the display case and leading back out into the hall. The fluid appears identical to that of the pickled punks you encountered a few rooms ago.

Perhaps still recovering from the shock of witnessing Tassa's transformation, Ephra'im takes his time examining the office and the sketches. He is slightly worried about their contents, but he figures they can't be worse than what he just witnessed. He suspects the pickled punks came from the display case, and checks to see if there is evidence of how they were released. "I am guessing we are in the physician's wing? I wonder what happened to the doctors."

Baldrek wastes no time in pondering and instead starts to look around in the drawers and shelves for anything useful.

The various sketches and notes seem to belong to a Doctor Arosh Chawaar and have to do with a proposed new treatment for hydrocephalus. Many of the notes bear marginalia from a Doctor Anya Chawaar of Katheer. This is potentially a valuable find, though only to another doctor.

Ephra'im will collect all the notes, being very interested in formal medicine himself for some reason that he does not quite remember. He watches Baldrek go through the rest of the office, watching for traps and ready to try and disable any locks they may find.