Jortix care not for the mist or cloud of dust, she knew where the creature was, she sends a rather big stone that way, and she does hear bonk and a yell ... now she hopes it was the bad guy.
Rethersfell jumps across the corner of the pit, then move to try to see within the dust. He urges on the broom.
Leap; Stride; Sustain
As its bristles previously failed, the broom now tries to better handle the situation.
Melee, bristles (agile, magical, finesse):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 Damage, bludgeoning plus dust:1d4 ⇒ 1 Concealment:1d20 ⇒ 6 Melee, bristles (agile, magical, finesse):1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 4 = 22 Damage, bludgeoning plus dust:1d4 ⇒ 2 Concealment:1d20 ⇒ 2 Dust A creature hit by an animated broom's bristles must succeed at a DC 15 Fortitude save or spend its next action coughing. Even if hit by multiple dust attacks, the creature has to spend only 1 action coughing to clear the dust out. A creature who doesn't breathe is immune to this effect.
Jortix's rock connects with a splat and you hear "Squaak..." The fan he's holding just disintegrates into a pile of feathers.
COMBAT OVER
Save for sliding door cupboards along the walls, this room appears completely empty. Opening the cupboards in the sidewalls, you find neatly rolled bedrolls, folded clothing and other personal effects from the bandits.
Your attackers aren't really carrying anything remarkable, other than their weapons. You can take a bit of time to heal. But where you do you plan to explore next?
| Female Gnome Witch 3 | HP 29/29 | AC 18 (+1 AC Shield) | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 (low-light vision) | Default Exploration: Scout | Speed 25ft | hero points 1 | Active Conditions: None
Jortix casts her whitch spell of fast healing on whoever needs it and then spends a short amount of time speaking with her bird. Refocus, is the box up north, going down the stairs?
While the others are healing, BK goes over to the northeast door. Battling curiosity and impatience, he alternately tries to peek through the cracks, fidget with the doorknob (if there is one), and listen through the door.
Jortix - nope. The box up north are not connected to the steps. The stairs go somewhere if you'd like to head down that way...
BK listens at the door but hears nothing behind it. Old Glim opens the door.
This room contains an elegant and expensive floor rug, velvet covered chairs, a small wooden chest and a grandlooking desk.
DC 17 Perception:
You find a diary that details the boss’s rise to power within this cell of the Golden League, revealing a ruthless cunning and honest self-appraisal. But in the most recent diary entries, the handwriting becomes erratic as the boss extols Bloodmoon and expresses violent sentiments like, 'They don’t want me to succeed, but I will crush them all like the insects they are.'
If you take some time to read the diary
Spoiler:
The Golden League cell has been hiding within Silvertree village for decades, integrating with the villagers and blending in seamlessly, so they can use the settlement as a hiding spot for stolen or smuggled goods until it was safe to move them. The other residents are unaware of the cell’s affiliation and are equally unaware of the labyrinthine smuggler’s den they slowly built over the decades underneath the unassuming business the cell uses as a front. The Golden League made sure not to disturb the forest directly outside of the village and skirted the kami Sakura’s wrath with secret offerings. Those offerings, though, would not work this time.
Then the events of Godsrain caused the cursed weapon Bloodmoon to fall to earth in a literal rain of blood, where it found a cell of Golden League smugglers. Bloodmoon is the naginata that the deity Fumeiyoshi, Lord of Envy, used to slay his brother, the moon god Tsukiyo. Though Fumeiyoshi later tossed the bloodstained blade away, the cursed weapon has sought opportunities for both mischief and selfaggrandizement ever since.
Sakura, already on edge with the chaos wrought recently due to the Godsrain, was in no mood to host an unholy item such as Bloodmoon in their territory. They can feel its ill intent like a cloying stench, undetectable to the residents of Silvertree, even the cell. Sakura blamed the entire village for the actions of the Golden League Cell and, as punishment, sealed it off from the rest of the trade route with a bank of disorienting fog. Travelers trying to pass through will find themselves leaving the fog in the same place that they entered. Sakura has demanded the removal of the “filthy source of miasma,” but will not elaborate. The innocent villagers have no idea what their guardian could mean. Ever inscrutable, the will of the kami seems, to them, impossible to carry out.
Meanwhile, the Golden League cell has been overwhelmed by the cursed naginata. Bloodmoon has stoked their greed and paranoia, causing them to shutter their businesses and act aggressively to outsiders and each other.
DC 15 Thievery / DC 17 Athletics to open the chest:
Exploration activity: Scout Human (versatile) Barbarian (spirit)/2 HP 36/36, 4 temp| AC 19| Fort (E) +8| Ref (T) +6| Will (E) +7| Init Perc (E) +7
DC 17 Perception check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Kimmo looks over the desk and finds an apparent diary, flipping through it quickly. "Huh. What's the Golden League?" He holds it up for anyone who might want to read it.
Finally something interesting to look at! At least he hopes so. BK examines the items with a Read Aura spell. If something IS magical, he will want to Identify it.
Exploration activity: Scout Human (versatile) Barbarian (spirit)/2 HP 36/36, 4 temp| AC 19| Fort (E) +8| Ref (T) +6| Will (E) +7| Init Perc (E) +7
While everyone else focuses on the contents of the chest, Kimmo reads more of the diary. He frowns. "Um, I, ah, found something. What Sakura is mad about. These people found a god weapon that corrupted them. Someone who knows more than me needs to read this."
"Someone who knows more than me needs to read this."
"Presumably, that could be anyone here." Rethersfell declares, evocatively, as he snatches the diary from Kimmo's hand. He gives it a quick read, attempting to recall some useful information as he does so.
Society re Golden League:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Religion re Bloodmoon:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
"Not good." The gnome concludes after finishing his read.
"I believe we need to recover this Bloodmoon if we are to truly deal with the fog and the threat it was meant to address." He urges. "Let us continue our search."
Exploration activity: Scout Human (versatile) Barbarian (spirit)/2 HP 36/36, 4 temp| AC 19| Fort (E) +8| Ref (T) +6| Will (E) +7| Init Perc (E) +7
The barbarian looks around at the party, then away to the west. "Right. Looks like a door that way, then it opens up. Door first." He strides forward and listens at the door.
The barbarian looks around at the party, then away to the west. "Right. Looks like a door that way, then it opens up. Door first." He strides forward and listens at the door.
"Hear anything?" Rethersfell inquires, keeping a distance.
Kimmo opens the door. This room includes mannequins bearing various uniforms and other costumes for the Golden League cell, along with a plain wooden desk and ledgers.
What's more remarkable, however, is the seemingly inebriated bird man sitting behind the desk. "Oh! Heyyyyyyy... you shtartled me.. " he slurs, "You wanna have shhomme of thish good shtuff? My friend will be by shhooon wishh more..."
N male thaumaturge 3 HP 40/40 | AC 19 | F +9 R +10 W +6 | Perc +6 | speed 25 ft | focus 0/0| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
"Why, we wouldn't want to impose," Glim begs off the offer. "I see that you're taking a break now, but what are you typically up to down here? We've got...an important delivery and we're looking for someone responsible to give it to."
"Oh, thish ish shake. Made from rishe. Would you like shome, my friendsh? My friend should be by shoon." He raises his voice in a typical drunken fashion and calls out "Oy! I've got shome new friendsh here! Bring the wine!"
Sure enough, another tengu appears around the corner, followed by a large walking wine vat. Both tengus suddenly pull weapons and attack.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1 Tactical Map Active Conditions:
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Jotrix - AC 18 (19 w/shield) 29/29
**Kimmo - AC 19 36/36
**Rethersfell the Evocator - AC 14 26/26
**Old Glim - AC 19 40/40
**Banterknell - AC 19 36/36
Red
Yellow
Hadrimos - AC 21 41/41
Wine Jar
Jortix tries to blind the tengu but the birdman just shrugs it off. The rock she hurls at him bounces off a wall and comes flying back, causing her to duck.
"Hahaha!" the birdman laughs.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1 Tactical Map Active Conditions:
------------------
Those with ** may go
Jotrix - AC 18 (19 w/shield) 29/29
**Kimmo - AC 19 36/36
**Rethersfell the Evocator - AC 14 26/26
**Old Glim - AC 19 40/40
**Banterknell - AC 19 36/36
Red
Yellow
Hadrimos - AC 21 41/41
Wine Jar
Exploration activity: Scout Human (versatile) Barbarian (spirit)/2 HP 36/36, 4 temp| AC 19| Fort (E) +8| Ref (T) +6| Will (E) +7| Init Perc (E) +7
Kimmo's fury and focus consume him. All hesitance gone, he brings his sword around in a slashing arc on the yellow tengu's head. His followup swings are well wide of the mark, though.
Yellow cries out in pain as Kimmo's sword makes contact. "What?! If you didn't want to drink with me you coulda said so!" Yellow also avoids the worst of the damage from Rethersfell's zap. Red also avoids Rethersfell's zap but doesn't dodge Old Glim's and takes the full jolt.
Yellow swings at Kimmo.
Wakizashi vs Kimmo AC 18:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 for Piercing:1d4 ⇒ 2 Wakizashi vs Kimmo AC 18, MAP:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 for Piercing:1d4 ⇒ 4 Wakizashi vs Kimmo AC 18, MAP 2+:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4 for Piercing:1d4 ⇒ 3
Red rushes forward and takes a couple of stabs at Rethersfell.
Wakizashi vs Rethersfell AC 14:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 for Piercing:1d4 ⇒ 2 Wakizashi vs Rethersfell AC 14, MAP:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 for Piercing:1d4 ⇒ 2
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1 Tactical Map Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (1 of 3, BK's turn)
------------------
Those with ** may go
Jotrix - AC 18 (19 w/shield) 29/29
Kimmo - AC 19 30/36
Rethersfell the Evocator - AC 14 22/26
Old Glim - AC 19 40/40
Banterknell - AC 19 36/36 (AC 20)
Red (-12)
Yellow (-13)
**Hadrimos - AC 21 41/41
Wine Jar
Hadrimos enters a combat stance and manages to get behind Red. However, he leaves himself open to the wine jar behind him.
Jaws vs Hadrimos AC 21, OG:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 for Bludgeoning:2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 2) + 4 = 13
Athletics, Grab vs DC 18:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
It grabs onto Hadrimos. It attempts to tip its head back to swallow him!!
Athletics, Swallow vs DC 21:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
Fortunately, Hadrimos manages to prevent himself from being gulped down.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1 Tactical Map Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (1 of 3, BK's turn)
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Jotrix - AC 18 (19 w/shield) 29/29
**Kimmo - AC 19 30/36
**Rethersfell the Evocator - AC 14 22/26
**Old Glim - AC 19 40/40
**Banterknell - AC 19 36/36 (AC 20)
Red (-12)
Yellow (-13)
Hadrimos - AC 21 28/41 (Grabbed, OG, Immobilized; Escape DC 27)
Wine Jar
The anthem still resonating, BK turns to a more offensive posture and casts Illusory Creature. It appears to be a harbor seal and attacks yellow from behind!
Rethersfell touches Red with a flaming hand and turns the tengu into barbecue. Similarly, Kimmo swings and Yellow's head hits the opposite wall... These birds only have 17 hp...
Old Glim tries to find a weakness for the wine jar but doesn't quite succeed. He hurls magic at it anyway and it barely gets out of the way in time. Jortix sends another rock but doesn't connect. She again summons a shield in front of her.
GM Dice:
Reflex:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
The wine jar trying to swallow Hadrimos brings THIS to mind..
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2 Tactical Map Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (2 of 3, BK's turn)
------------------
Those with ** may go
Jotrix - AC 18 (19 w/shield) 29/29
**Kimmo - AC 19 30/36 (2 actions)
Rethersfell the Evocator - AC 14 22/26
Old Glim - AC 19 40/40
**Banterknell - AC 19 36/36
**Hadrimos - AC 21 28/41 (Grabbed, OG, Immobilized; Escape DC 27)
Wine Jar (-5)
Well, I generally like to have my players save resources if they can. I suppose it could have happened in reverse order, though it somehow feels more satisfying to have Kimmo remove his head (since it was a crit)
Kimmo moves to the hallway and changes weapons. BK follows, sees the jar and flings a rock at it. The rock hits but the jar resists some of the damage. Hadrimos begins throwing punches at it. One strikes the jar, but the remaining strikes miss.
GM Dice:
Fort:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
The jar immediately attempts to swallow Hadrimos again.
Swallow vs Reflex DC 21:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 Swallow vs Reflex DC 21, MAP:1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 4 = 25
Bludgeoning:2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7
The wine jar looks satisfied as it backs up to give more room for others to enter...
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 3 Tactical Map Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (2 of 3, BK's turn)
Before your Turn: DC 19 Fort vs wine-soaked: Hadrimos
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Jotrix - AC 18 (19 w/shield) 29/29
**Kimmo - AC 19 30/36 (2 actions)
**Rethersfell the Evocator - AC 14 22/26
**Old Glim - AC 19 40/40
**Banterknell - AC 19 36/36
**Hadrimos - AC 21 21/41 (Swallowed: Grabbed, OG, Immobilized, Slowed 1, Suffocation/Air Remaining: 1/6; Inside the jar)
Wine Jar (-21; OG to Hadrimos)
-------------------------------- CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE --------------------------------
