Are other people having trouble with the Paizo website? I keep getting very slow submit times and 404 errors (but then finding out the posts actually did go through).
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Neronius reaches into a pocket and brings out what looks like a glowing ball of clay. Dropping the flail, he quickly molds it into the shape of the chair binding Madge. "I'm not sure if this will work . . ." he mutters.
Neronius jolts as the creature comes to life. "That's . . . Father Kelgaard! I remember the story now! He led adventurers here years ago to cleanse the the place of evil. Obviously, they failed miserably! Run!"
"Use it? And risk damaging it?" Neronius gives the flail a couple of experimental swings and is soon out of breath from the exertion. "I really think not . . ."
"Ah, this flail has been enchanted! Our diligent efforts have finally resulted in potential profit. I had best hold on to it for now."
"Check in the . . . iron maiden . . ." suggests Neronius, still looking a bit pale. The reminder of potential valuables lends him a spot of courage, however. He carefully enters the room and assesses the condition of the spears and flails after donning an ancient-looking monocle.
"I'm afraid not. I was investigating rooms in this wing when this . . . rope . . . attacked me. There's a torture chamber nearby, but I didn't go inside."
"It tried to kill me! Neronius shrieks at a rather high pitch, his calm clearly shaken. He tries to squeeze his bulk through the fray and out the door.
Really sorry everyone, camping trip ran long and I just got back and am exhausted--I promise a post in the morning!
Neronious looks at Rekkart with grateful eyes, like a drowning man thrown a lifeline.
Realising the shard of glass isn't getting him anywhere, Neronius drops it and grabs the rope with both hands like he's trying to strangle a deadly serpent!
Ok, I finally got Neronius leveled up! New character sheet is linked in his profile, and I've updated his tagline.
"Assistance please!" Neronius shouts, as he continues trying to cut furiously at the rope.
Legitimately starting to panic now, Neronius reaches down for the broken off spout of the whisky bottle and tries to cut the rope with the jagged edge!
It's on my to-do list! (the Reflex save doesn't change at L2, so we can use what I rolled in Gameplay)
Pleased by the discovering of a fine whisky--finally, something worth all this bother!--Neronius doesn't realise the rope is winding around his leg until it may be too late!
Neronius chuckles to himself. I'm going to regret this. He enters the windowless chamber and pokes around, opening the wooden cask.
Seeing the room of torture implements and knowing the propensity for the malevolent spirit in the courtroom to to take out its anger through manipulating physical objects, Neronius quietly closes the door. He wipes his brow with sweat and then turns to realise he's all alone. "Well! More valuables for me then!" he blusters unconvincingly. Seeing another closed door, he heads towards it, desperately hoping it might just contain a way out.
"I'm beginning to find this situation very vexing indeed!" grumbles Neronius. "Oh, how I long for my orchids, my armchair, and my wine. Indeed, even ale would do!" The portly man walks to the nearest door and tries to swing it open, increasingly desperate to escape.
My posting might be a bit slow this week as I'm travelling, so please bot if necessary.
Neronius takes a deep breath and tries to collect his wits. The only way out is through, he reminds himself silently before throwing open the door and charging through with a bellow!
Neronius gasps audibly and looks shaken and confused as he instinctively backs up behind the iron door and swings it shut!
"Well . . ." says Neronius as the door opens. "Not the exit I was hoping for. I suggest those of you stout of heart and sinew take the lead."
Neronius makes his way down the stairs, humming softly under his breath. He moves to a door that previously stymied his efforts to open it, and inserts the key into the lock. .
Neronius shows no emotion during Tolbold's outburst, but upon hearing Zinli's pronouncement, he says "I am sorry to hear that. But now is not the time for grief--now is the time for survival." He picks up the key ring. "And this may be, quite literally, the key to our escape."
Huffing, puffing, and red-cheeked, Neronius arrives just as the battle is over. "Most!" . . . "Fortuitous!" he says in between gasps, his hands on his knees. He shakes his head in pity at Carrie before joining Tolbold in looking for whatever clues the ghostly dancer was concealing.
Hearing Rekkart's shouting, Neronius can't help but thinking the situation must be quite dire up there. Perhaps . . . well, maybe . . . there's something he could do to help. Facing a daunting climb up the stairs, the portly occultist gathers his courage and begins to ascend!
No worries from this end! Hope the work goes well for you.
From the ground hear, Neronius hears the sound of combat from above, and continues humming softly under his breath as he assembles the courthouse's valuables in one place.
"Carry on, carry on. I'll continue my investigations down here and . . ." he adds with a slight grin, "see if any valuables remain undiscovered."
"I surmise that enchanted blades would be useful, along with the usual suspects: holy water and the like."
Neronius presses his fingers together into a steeple. "Ahem. I do believe it was established that the malevolent spiritual energy manifesting in this courtroom will be assuaged--or at least become incarnate--only when the full scope of its originating cause is revealed? Each clue has been found in the presence of a hazard conjured by the poltergeist. Thus, I believe you brave heroes must again do battle with the so-called 'dancing ghost' upstairs."
Neronius hums softly to himself as he sorts the curios and antiques the group has discovered into small piles. He finally looks up and, with a small shrug, says "To my ears it sounds as if Sveth has received just what he deserved for his role in causing this unfortunate business. Fitting, that cosmic justice should be served in a mundane courtroom." He chuckles softly to himself.
I'm off this morning--back on the 25th. GM, you've done a great job with the horror atmosphere of the adventure! I'll level up once I get back--though you guys may have finished by then :)
"If you have nothing else, try to set it ablaze--with a torch!" shouts Neronius, safely some distance away.
Seeing the battle unfold, Neronius calls out some advice: "Yes, blades! They seem most effective against zombies!" Meanwhile, he strokes his chin, trying to think if any keys have been discovered during the group's exploration of the courthouse.
Neronius backs away several more feet just in case his allies lose containment on the zombie. He finds himself standing next to a door that the group hasn't yet opened, and decides he may as well examine it.
"Ah yes, a zombie! Maintain consistent application of physical force."
Stout in name and body, but not in heart, Neronius decides discretion is the better part of valor. He moves (surprisingly swiftly given his bulk) towards shelter.
As the others chatter, Neronius rubs his chin and ponders what he knows about destroying spectral creatures like the ghostly, dancing woman his companions have described.
I won't have access to a computer, unfortunately, and sometimes the big meanies even lock up our phones :)
Neronius nods at the discovery of the carving, and shakes his head slowly at Ebin. "Alas, the past does not always stay buried, does it? We'll see about your hand when more pressing matters are addressed." He turns to Zinli. "To answer your query, a reasonable inference is this: after the poltergeist has shown us everything it wishes us to see, it will either manifest in a . . . more or less . . . corporeal manner and confront us, or its spirit will depart for whatever lies beyond this mortal realm. Thus, I'm afraid we need to finish a thorough exploration of this courthouse, including another foray against the ghostly scarf-twirling Varisian figure. Naturally, I will direct matters from the rear."
Just an early FYI that I'm going to be away from 9-25 May.
"Ladies and gentlemen," says Neronius, pacing with his hands clasped behind his back and his chest puffed out, "I surmise what we are dealing with is . . . a poltergeist!" He waits a moment for his dramatic revelation to land before continuing. "Cast your minds back to every dangerous or violent incident that has occurred during our explorations of the courthouse. Each has led to the discovery of a vital clue as to what happened during the criminal trial the jurors participated in almost a decade ago. For example, where we found the moneylender's journal was where we fought the fearsome, enormous, leech-like creature. The note from the judge was discovered after an encounter with the terrifying hound. The trauma and rage of Jarbin Mord, I suggest to you, has manifested in a lethal--though perhaps successful--attempt to have his conviction re-examined."
Neronius sighs and reaches into a pocket inside his vest to produce a small vial. "A healing draught," he says, handing it to Zinli. "Rekkart was following my invitation to climb down the rope, after all. Though I hope recompense is forthcoming." He begins pacing, with a distant, thoughtful look. At last, he nods to himself and mumbles: "Yes, yes--elementary, from a certain point of view."
As he's working to light a torch with flint and steel, Neronius winces to see Zinli try to pull the side of the man's face away from the frozen door.
"Stop moving, you fool!" shouts Neronius. With a heavy sigh, the portly man moves closer to Ebin and examines the door without touching it.
"Yes, yes, by all means head into a torture chamber. Meanwhile, I'll keep thinking."
Neronius steeples his fingers as he thinks, and finally says: "Well, we have attempted a variety of physical ways to make our escape, and have so far been unsuccessful. The malevolent spirit is in full control of our surroundings, and is, apparently, not willing to let us leave. Perhaps there is a way we could conjure the spirit, and converse with it?"
Neronius' eyes widen as he enters and sees Halgrak in bloody pieces. "Ah . . . Hm . . ." He looks at Zinli. "Rekkart? He volunteered to go for help. Alas, the fog . . . ate . . . him."
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