Phantom Phenomena (Inactive)

Game Master Shadow Dragon

** spoiler omitted **

"It's a Mindslaver Mold! Be careful - it's resistant to acid and immune to cold, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep effects, and stunning. They also have some resistance against spells in general - there's a chance that a spell does not affect it at all." She pauses for a second, then adds: "Additionally, when a Mindslaver Mold has "infested" a creature, it can attempt to avoid getting hit and let the host take the hit instead. However the plant is quite slow so that's a risk to its mobility."

I believe that was enough talking to count as a full round action. ;-)

"Any idea how to remove or cure the 'infestation'?" enquires Victor.

"Any idea how to remove or cure the 'infestation'?" enquires Victor.

Vreekka tells the group to free the man you must kill the mold!

The Mindslaver Mold, upon hearing that, throws something at Victor!
Mindslaver Mold is MAD!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Bahaha! And my dice roller curse continues! :)

Guardian XI, Victor, Daegon, and Quinn are UP!

Vreekka and Cannoli: Please wait until those 4 have taken their turn before going.

"Let's try not to kill the poor blighter underneath the mold!" shouts Quinn as he moves in closer. He tries to whip his sword in a way that will cut off some of the slime without penetrating too deeply.

Move action and nonlethal attack.

Sword Cane (nonlethal penalty) vs Mindslaver Mold: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 = 0
damage (nonlethal): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Guardian listens to Vreekka's rundown, afterward remarking

Okay, great. So spells are no good and we hack it up until we find the victim underneath?

He strides forward next to Quinn and adds a careful, controlled slash from his own shadowblade.

[move] 25ft
[standard] attack nonlethal
shadow weapon attack (nonlethal), nonlethal slashing damage: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 212d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 = 12
confirm?, crit nonlethal slashing damage: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 192d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 = 12

Victor nods in agreement with his allies and then, if the mold is still alive, moves to where he can (nonlethally) hit the mold with his bardiche (Do the trees on the map provide any sort of cover or count as difficult terrain? If they do, then rather than going north around Silas he will go south so he can avoid any penalties for cover)...

Bardiche vs mold + harrow (nonlethal): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 10
S Damage (nonlethal) + harrow: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Well...that's a problem... Daegon says as he grabs his walking stick and prepares to back up the others.

is there a spot i can get into to help GX to hit it..if it survives that is...

The overgrown man spasms to get away from Guardian XI's vicious slash!

Don't hit me!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

And it succeeds! Guardian XI's attack brutally subdues the poor victim and he falls to the ground. The Mindslaver Mold, however, still lives...

@Victor: The overgrown areas are difficult terrain but provide no cover as the plants move out of the way of Victor's bardiche swings. They have no interest in becoming someone's/something's salad.

Victor's bardiche swing whistles past the mold!

@Daegon: Not this round. Daegon can take a single move action to get closer, a double move to get within melee range of the mold, or he can take a single move and unleash one of his infamous acid splashes.

Cannoli and Vreekka are UP! With Daegon's action still pending.

i'll move in...try to see if i can help...double move...will try to help..on tablet...can someone move me up please? ty

Is it reasonable to assume the mold cannot do the ‘force victim to take the hit’ if said victim is unconscious?

Is it reasonable to assume the mold cannot do the ‘force victim to take the hit’ if said victim is unconscious?

It's time for another Discussion tab discussion! Everyone feel free to chime in.

i'll move in...try to see if i can help...double move...will try to help..on tablet...can someone move me up please? ty

I moved Daegon's token as far as he could go on a double move. He'll be in position to assist next round - if the poor lil innocent monster isn't beat up by big bad meanies. :(

Cannoli steps up and sunmetals Guardian’s weapon.

+1d4 fire damage if you hit on your next turn.

”Burn it with FIAAAAHHHHH!”

"Fire, you said? Okay, here it comes!"

Vreekka moves up and throws a bomb at an intersection next to the mold.

Bomb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 (vs AC 5)
6 splash fire damage (Reflex DC 15 for half)

"Fire, you said? Okay, here it comes!"

Vreekka moves up and throws a bomb at an intersection next to the mold.

[dice=Bomb]1d20+5 (vs AC 5)
6 splash fire damage (Reflex DC 15 for half)

If you're targeting and intersection, and not the mold itself, won't Silas Gren also take the damage?

Yes, he would, but as all damage he took so far was non-lethal, he should survive 6 lethal fire damage. NPCs have a CON score of more than 5, right?

Yes, he would, but as all damage he took so far was non-lethal, he should survive 6 lethal fire damage. NPCs have a CON score of more than 5, right?

I can't give that information without a Heal check. I would just bear in mind that Guardian XI hit Gren for 24 HP.

Guardian holds up his shimmering black blade in front of him and appreciates the contrasting flames that now outline it.

Cannoli grins knowingly, ”I kno, right? Pretty sweet. Flame and Shadow. Shadowflame. Badass.”

Vreekka The Brainiac wrote:

Yes, he would, but as all damage he took so far was non-lethal, he should survive 6 lethal fire damage. NPCs have a CON score of more than 5, right?

I can't give that information without a Heal check. I would just bear in mind that Guardian XI hit Gren for 24 HP.

Huh. Interesting... o_O Today I learned that non-lethal damage can become lethal damage:

If a creature’s nonlethal damage is equal to his total maximum hit points (not his current hit points), all further nonlethal damage is treated as lethal damage. This does not apply to creatures with regeneration. Such creatures simply accrue additional nonlethal damage, increasing the amount of time they remain unconscious. (Source)

In that case, Heal check it is (instead of bomb throwing):

Heal, +1 Harrow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

GM Shadow Dragon wrote:

Vreekka The Brainiac wrote:

Yes, he would, but as all damage he took so far was non-lethal, he should survive 6 lethal fire damage. NPCs have a CON score of more than 5, right?

I can't give that information without a Heal check. I would just bear in mind that Guardian XI hit Gren for 24 HP.

Huh. Interesting... o_O Today I learned that non-lethal damage can become lethal damage:

Damage rules wrote:

If a creature’s nonlethal damage is equal to his total maximum hit points (not his current hit points), all further nonlethal damage is treated as lethal damage. This does not apply to creatures with regeneration. Such creatures simply accrue additional nonlethal damage, increasing the amount of time they remain unconscious. (Source)

In that case, Heal check it is (instead of bomb throwing):

In PbP things get forgotten so I wanted to remind you of how much nonlethal damage Silas Gren had thanks to Guardian XI's crit - the big meanie! ;)

Vreekka determines Silas Gren is in very poor health.

The angry looking mold spits a pod at Guardian XI for trying to hit it!

@Guardian XI and Quinn: The mold is using a ranged attack so it provokes from both of you.

Mold MAD!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The pod bursts open, showering Guardian XI with spores!

Fort Guardian XI: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Wisdom damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

But Guardian XI is made of tough stuff, and still under warranty, and his powerful body shrugs off the damage!

Guardian XI and Quinn have AoOs to resolve.
Guardian XI, Victor, Daegon, and Quinn are UP!

Victor continues to circle around Silas and the mold so that it is between him and Guardian, before trying to hit the mold again with his bardiche...

Am I correct in thinking that, as far as we know, the mold can now no longer get Silas to take damage for it, so we are safe to attack it with lethal damage without the risk of Silas getting hurt? Assuming that's correct Victor will do lethal damage this time, but if not he will do non-lethal and take the -4 to his attacks.

Bardiche vs mold + harrow + flank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14
S Damage + harrow: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8

Would Victor also get an AoO as he was in melee range with his reach weapon when the mold made it's ranged attack? If he does here's the AoO...

Apologies, I didn't check to see if Victor was within reach also. Yes he'd be able to take an AoO. Re: Damage - You aren't sure (it would require a Knowledge (Nature)) and Vreekka has exhausted her knowledge of the plant but it seems a reasonable deduction. :)

The mold is hurt and even angrier!

Guardian XI and Quinn have AoOs if they wish.
Guardian XI, Daegon, and Quinn are UP!

IF he cannot target only the mold then... actually he just wouldn't attack then.

Guardian squints with the broad mechanical folds of his face that frame his eyes. He wonders if he can slice the mold off of the man. Perhaps if the mold took some of Silas' skin, the flames gifted from Cannoli would cauterize any open wound. He had to take the chance.

[standard] Attack the MOLD
shadow weapon attack, slashing damage, fire damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 252d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 141d4 ⇒ 4

um what? Don't know how that's possible two turns in a row... but big meanie indeed!

confirm?, crit slashing damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 172d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 = 16
IIRC, the fire damage isn't doubled

Daegon has a flash of inspiration. He moves up to touch the nearly dead man and casts a spell on him.

infernal healing on Gren...worth a shot to keep him alive...

"Maybe we can pull this goop off him!" Quinn tries to get in close enough to grab handfuls of the clinging mold!

I'll forgo the AoO as well. I'm unsure how badly this guy is hurt, so I'll provoke an attack of opportunity as I try a grapple check. What's the worst that can happen? (Don't answer that)

Grapple check vs mold: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

I suppose Guardian's attack should be the AoO, but I'd like to see the results of ongoing attacks before proceeding.

As Daegon heals Silas Gren, and Quinn attempts to grapple a moldy plant, Guardian XI slices, dices, and burns the mold to dEaTh!!!

Holy dice pile that poor mold never stood a chance. :( I took Guardian XI's crit as his AoO and then the 2nd attack as his action.

What would our intrepid crew like to do now?

Guardian recedes backwards a little bit, and lets his shadow blade dissipate.

He suspects Silas would not react well to his face being the first he sees when he awakes. He'll need to let the other, more fleshy individuals coax the man back to the waking world and get info.

Cannoli steps up to replace the android and crouches down on her haunches. She begins brushing the crispy mold pieces off the victim and then presses her glowing hand onto his chest, ”Maybe some non-evil healing will help more.”

Her tone is neutral, not admonishing the sorcerer but not praising his choice of magic either.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

If that healing or the ticking of the infernal spell brings her patient back she gives a gentle but toothy smile, ”Easy there friend, you had a bit of a mold infestation we had to wipe out. Does your brain hurt? It was dug in there pretty deep.”

Cannoli's healing helps Silas but he remains unconscious until Daegon's magic can revive him.

"Thank you very much for saving me! Were you sent by Dr. Quolorum?"

Yes, actually. Are you able to tell us anything? That...experience might be a bit traumatic...take a moment and sit. Daegon says, clearly unfazed by Cannoli's statement.

Yes, actually. Are you able to tell us anything? That...experience might be a bit traumatic...take a moment and sit. Daegon says, clearly unfazed by Cannoli's statement.

"Praise Desna! The body you walked by over there The one Cannolu totally MISSED! was Alerin Quinn, one of my assistant gardeners. One week ago we received a shipment of odd plant life from Soddentimbers and other parts of the Forest of Veils. Quinn was opening crates to inventory the plants and get them transplanted when that...thing...must've attacked him. At the time I didn't know what happened except Quinn went missing. We searched for him for three days and then I found him trying to break into the greenhouse. He knows he shouldn't be in here without me; some of the plants in here are a bit...rambunctious."

As Silas speaks to the group Guardian XI feels a nibble on his toe and sees the Wreckus Androidus that Vreekka identified earlier is the cause of it!

Silas says, "Now Roxy stop that! What did I say about being nice to visitors?"
You're all sure if a plant could pout this one was doing it as it obeys Silas and leaves Guardian XI alone.

Silas continues, "I don't know exactly what that creature was but I knew it was a plant growing on Quinn. I remember Dr. Quolorum talking about an experimental herbicide he developed that he kept in his office. I'm no adventurer like you lot so it was the only thing I could think of to kill the damn thing. Here we are at the world famous Sincomakti School of Sciences but do you think any of the high and mighty wizards, clerics, etc. we have here would make the time to deal with something like this? Noooo. Only if one of them gets bothered! Anyway I found out the hard way the Dr.'s office has a magical trap. That wasn't fun. I finally got out of his office with the herbicide and came back here but when I came in to douse the monster, I suddenly had this weird thought that the plant was my friend and I should let him attach to me. I really didn't want to but it's like my thoughts didn't matter anymore... I would've ended up like Quinn over there if it weren't for you all. Desna bless you!"

Silas Gren weakly stands and tries to hug each of you and shake your hands to show his gratitude.

A Spellcraft check might reveal what happened to both Quinn and Gren.

The catfolk grins then winks at the android, "Guardian likes the nibbles, I think."

Then listens through the LONG exposition. Well, listen is an exaggeration. She is actually just looking around at all the plants and pretending to listen. Pretending poorly.

When he finishes Cannoli replies, "All right, thanks for the blessing! You good here? Sorry about that dude over there. Let us know when the funeral is, we can probably make it to show our respects."

The catfolk grins then winks at the android, "Guardian likes the nibbles, I think."

Then listens through the LONG exposition. Well, listen is an exaggeration. She is actually just looking around at all the plants and pretending to listen. Pretending poorly.

When he finishes Cannoli replies, "All right, thanks for the blessing! You good here? Sorry about that dude over there. Let us know when the funeral is, we can probably make it to show our respects."

"Did you find Dr. Quolorum's experimental herbicide? I dropped it when the plant thing attacked me."

Spellcraft t: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

I doubt that's enough...

no spellcraft for me...

Not that I am aware of...is it magical in nature? Might make it easier to find if it is. And perhaps you can make a plant repellent in the future that would be handy to keep around...should something go awry in the future...the Gods forbid...

Cannoli looks down at the vial in her hand, "You mean this thing, right? It was lying on the ground when you... er... that thing on your head made you attack."

Neither Vreekka nor Daegon have any idea what magics the mindslaver mold used on Silas Gren.

Looking at Cannoli's hand Silas sees the purple glow and exclaims, "Yes! That's it! Thank goodness it didn't break. I hate to think how mad Dr. Quolorum would've been had it been lost."

To Daegon, "After this the School will have to since a member of staff died. I'm sure there will be all sorts of new protocols too."

Congrats! You have finished the 'Unversity' chapter; only the 'Epicenter' remains...

Well, at least there is a lesson learned from all the chaos here. A small comfort since someone lost their life, but if it prevents more, that is something... Daegon says trying to spin a positive side to the incident.

harrow: 1d6 ⇒ 5wis..nice...

Victor will see if he has any idea what happened...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 ...which it seems he doesn't

Before the party leave Victor will make sure to go back to Dr. Quolorum's office to update the residents of the Collected Wisdom and Secrets of the Luralia on what happed and to thank them for their help.

Harrow: 1d6 ⇒ 4 (Intelligence)

The PCs have a chance to re-supply in Rozenport if anyone wishes to make any purchases.

Following the directions in Dr. Quolorum's letter, the group heads to the eastern Hungry Mountains - specifically on the slopes of Diremark, 50 miles to the northeast of Rozenport.

When they arrive they find Dr. Quolorum waiting for them.

Feel free to ask the Professor any questions you might have about this missing and Knowledge (Geography) checks could supply some helpful information. Also if everyone can check into the Discussion tab there is some important information there.

"Well, Doctor, working for you has certainly been eventful. What is this intriguing phenomena you mention in your letter?"

I'm more sympathetic to Dr Quolorum now, as I'm also in the midst of marking repetitive student essays at the moment and it sort of deadens one's soul :)

Cannoli enjoys their travel days, it’s relaxing and fun just walking places. She has also been working on a protective symbol based upon the Gorum runes in the morlock place. It is now prominently placed on her armor.

She pulls out another harrow card and inspects it while the group catches up with Dr. Q.

Harrow: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Lol dex again! No complaints for sure.

"Well, Doctor, working for you has certainly been eventful. What is this intriguing phenomena you mention in your letter?"

I'm more sympathetic to Dr Quolorum now, as I'm also in the midst of marking repetitive student essays at the moment and it sort of deadens one's soul :)

"My good Quinn everything that you've experienced so far! The Harrow deck, unquiet dead, and the alien phantasm in Dunhob. The red lightning and spiritual energy of the blackened hilltop. Lady Illirigarde’s manor, research, and of course the etheric compasses. The Eye of Gorum I see Cannoli has inscribed onto her breastplate. Which leads to the question: What's behind all of this? A fascinating question, isn’t it? I am not completely sure, but I doubt the source is of this world. Amazing, yes?”

If anyone purchased any equipment in Rozenport before the group left, please post it in the Discussion tab.

The catfolk nods along as the crazy doctor rambles on. When he finishes she smiles, ”Yup! Those things all definitely happened. And we took care of business right away. Not one single non-gardener died. So anyway doc, what’s it all leading too? A nice payday for us, I presume.”

Last card...

harrow draw: 1d6 ⇒ 3 ⇒ CON

The catfolk nods along as the crazy doctor rambles on. When he finishes she smiles, ”Yup! Those things all definitely happened. And we took care of business right away. Not one single non-gardener died. So anyway doc, what’s it all leading too? A nice payday for us, I presume.”

"We need to keep following the etheric compass until it leads us to the source of the phenomena. To do that we need to climb Diremark until we locate it. And yes a nice payday for all of your assistance."