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FYI: In the interest of keeping things moving, Thanim is continuing to try to come up with something to purge Perri, but so far, he has nothing. Though he is considering escorting Perri to the city for help beyond that which he can personally provide, he would refuse to approach/enter the city knowing that he is a vector, himself.
Thanim shakes his head. "That's not what I meant. I believe we can hold the demon at bay. However, I lack the skill to rid Perri of it and bring him back to himself. Physical ailments I understand and have practiced on plenty, but those of the spirit..." Thanim sighs, "I can give aid and support, but I'm afraid we may need to return to the temple at Burle to give Perri all that he needs. It is only a day away, but my health is failing." Thanim is worried but is not close to giving up hope. Wiggar and Cwenchild weigh heavily on his mind, and he is not willing to lose another friend, especially so soon.
The newcomer shouts his way into the camp. Thanim hears the conversation, but keeps quiet; Maja and Bynoth seem to have it under control. A deep breath escapes Thanim. He is glad that Harry and Cerilis have returned to normal, but Perri has him deeply worried. The warrior's condition has improved; the signs of the plague itself are almost completely gone, but still, Perri is not right. He looks out the window toward the source of his strength and prays to Pelor, "I am wise. Grant me the wisdom to help my friend Perri." He starts to sit up, and his head spins as he feels the effects of the plague on his own body. "Please... Grant me some strength, too," he adds, rotating away from the table. He leans over, putting his elbows on his knees and cradling his face with his hands, "What can be done for Perri? What can be done?" He thinks for a moment, prays to Pelor, and presses his hand to his chest.
Thanim rises, walks to the door, and opens it. Leaning against the frame, he searches the yard and calls to Bynoth, "Bynoth! Help me get water from the stream." As Bynoth approaches, Thanim holds up a hand, "Not too close. I've begun to feel the effects. Let's talk while we walk. Who is this stranger? I could not hear everything while in the cabin." After the two are out of hearing distance, Thanim changes the topic, "Bynoth, I have need of your counsel. I am concerned for Perri. Physically, he is fine, but as you've seen, he is not yet right." Thanim lowers his voice, "I've seen further sign of possession. Images of a demon trying to make Perri its home. Some prayers seem to give him a bit of comfort and hold the demon at bay, but none I know are able to purge him of the demon. It is not a curse, and it is no common disease."
"Do we need to do an exorcism? Splash holy water and put the holy symbol of Pelor on his forehead?" Thanim looks at Maja. Maja sees that Thanim is looking worn, the toil of care and disease taking its toll, but there is still a light of strength and determination in his eyes. "A type of exorcism may be exactly what is needed. I am investigating some new ways of applying the blessings of Pelor to Perri to aid him in any way we can."
"Bloodletting is used amongst the ranks of Hextor's faithful to combat a number of ills - both physical and spiritual. My recommendation would be to commence with such a treatment..."[/b] Bynoth makes his suggestions and Thanim stops his activity to consider them. "There are many who believe the removal of blood puts the body back in balance or purges bad humors. But I, like you, have spent much time on the battlefield. In my experience, spilling blood only weakens the man. I am loathe to try this with Perri. I am sure he will have many opportunities to balance his humors in the future." --- Thanim is both excited and scared by Perri's reaction to being prayed over and blessed to resist evil. At least something seems to have an effect, but will it be enough? "If the evil has found a home in him, have we lost him? Bynoth may be right... But we shall not pass judgment prematurely!" Thanim sees to the care of Cerilis and Harry. He explains that as part of a new healing regimen, he will bless them with additional protection from Pelor to fortify their spirit. He casts Protection from Evil, Communal on both of them as well as himself. He pays special attention to any reaction.
Afterwards, he takes the chance to kneel and pray to Pelor for additional protection.
Perri questions Thanim's intentions, and Thanim furrows his brow. In a voice as calm and as soothing as he can manage, Thanim says, "No, Perri. This plague is not the conventional disease with which we are all familiar. The spiritual component is as strong as the physical, which is why you must fight so hard. Fight this disease! The voices are not your friends; you have known us much longer. You know our hearts. We have fought together, bled together, and we shall heal together. These spells are to fortify you and your spirit, to give you every advantage. We care for you, as you care for us, and we want to help you in any way we can."
Thanim finshes checking himself in the rays of the rising sun. "This will be my best chance to care for myself," he thinks with some glumness, clearly not looking forward to the next few days. He's seen the toll it has taken on the others, and he knows both that he will suffer and that he will be unable to help his friends. "Sol, I am strong. Lend me thy strength that I may continue this fight." He spreads his arms, letting the light wash over him, then digs into his bag to do what he can.
Afterwards, he reenters the cabin and looks to the others. As he tends to Perri, he speaks with him, "Are you feeling any better? Tell me more about the voices..." He opens the windows and tries to arrange it such that as much natural light as possible is in the cabin and on Perri. He completes Perri's care with a special sequence of spells. Endure Elements
Thanim continues to monitor all his patients, but pays close attention to Perri and whether the spell regimen seems to have any effect.
As day breaks over the horizon, Thanim begins his daily preparations and considers the conditions of his patients. "Possession. Perhaps that is it. An entity taking the opportunity provided by this dreadful disease to make Perri, and perhaps the others, its home. It will not succeed! We shall cut off the avenue of entry." Thanim considers ways of foiling the designs of evil spirits on his friends. I may soon be too weak to serve you properly, Sol. I am good; please grant me the strength to do good while I can. Thanim kneels and prays to Pelor while preparing his spells, giving special consideration as to what may help Perri. Hmmm, Remove Curse, Protection from Evil. What else? He prepares his list and makes ready for his own descent.
Thanim listens as Perri describes the voices. His brow furrows and his visage becomes as stone. "Perri, it is good that you are telling me this. We do not hear those voices, but that does not mean that what is behind them is not real. You must acknowledge those voices, but always remember, they are not you. They are from the sickness. Do not suppress them and force them to manifest in some hidden way. They are not good. Nothing good hides in the shadows like that. Fight them. Laugh at them. You do not have to do their bidding. They. Are. Not. You. You have our support. You have Wigger and Cwenchild's support! We have been with you, through thick and thin. We shall continue to be here. Use our bond, our strength to fight them." Thanim does what he can to put Perri and the others at ease, even as he feels his own sickness strengthen. When Bynoth gathers the group together, Thanim keeps a respectable distance, but says, "Perri is in a fight. A fight no less important than the physical battles we have waged together, and he needs our support. Shortly, I'll need your support as this disease grows in me, but together, together!" He pauses and looks eye to eye with each of the others, "We will beat this. Now is not the time to consider anything else." The group disbands and he monitors Harry and Cerilis, hoping one of them will be well enough that he can take their bed.
Perri moves to the porch and Thanim removes his shield. He embraces Perri, then supports him while moving into the cabin. "Voices, Perri? What voices are these." "This is no conventional disease. No wonder it has been so virulent and intractable. Pelor, enlighten me..." "Here, lie down and tell me about these voices." As he moves about the room, he also checks on Cerilis and Harry. "With your help, we won the battle, but now you need rest. The others will let us know if they need us."
Thanim gives Bynoth a cutting look, "Perri! Cerilis! Maja is right. The immediate danger has passed. You are not well. Return inside; you'll know it if we need you." Thanim sheathes his mace and opens the door, waving them inside.
The dretch approaches and Thanim braces himself. The evil demon strikes with great fury, but the blessing from Pelor obstructs his attempts to do harm. Thanim smiles, radiating an inner light, "Foul beast of the dark! Your evil will be outdone by good. You will not prevail!" Suddenly, Perri's whip lashes out and the creature is thrown from his feet. Seeing his chance, Thout raises his mace and strikes mightily as the beast tumbles. "Cower before Pelor! His light will be your end!"
Hearing the disturbing and seemingly non sequitur comments from Harry and Perri, Thanim grows concerned. Though they are healing physically, clearly that is not all there is to their condition.
Unable to see through the remaining fog, Thanim remains outside it and steadies himself while considering the enemies. Realizing they are the spawn of darkness, he reaches forward and casts Bless Weapon on Bynoth's flail. "Pelor blesses thy weapon to defeat the evil before us." Seeing no immediate threat, he draws his mace and prepares himself to strike any foe that emerges from the cloudy depths.
Rogues and Monks get Weapon Finesse at 1st level under the unchained and house rules, so there is no restriction there. The 14 Dex requirement is fine, but honestly, anyone wanting to spend a feat on Weapon Finesse will have at least a 14 Dex. I don't see a big reason to hold back either Weapon Finesse or Agile Maneuvers in and of themselves; however, since they have been combined into one feat, I understand delaying one of them until BAB +2. I would consider letting the player decide which one to take right away, and which to delay until BAB +2.
Thanim sees Bynoth struggling against an adversary and hears the sound of claws on steel, but he is unable to make out the creature, "Bynoth! What's going on?" He calls back to Harry, "An enemy is within the perimeter fighting Bynoth. We need help with this fog!" Thanim hesitates, but steps forward as he utters a prayer to Pelor, "Protect us in the struggle against evil!" The tips of the fingers on his right hand begin to glow. He reaches out and touches Maja with a single digit. The glow grows and flows from Thanim, briefly engulfing Maja in a hazy nimbus which quickly dissipates. He repeats this with Bynoth and finally, himself.
Protection from Evil: +2 resistance, +2 deflection, see spell for additional benefits; 2 minutes each
Protection from Evil: This spell wards a creature from attacks by evil creatures, from mental control, and from summoned creatures. It creates a magical barrier around the subject at a distance of 1 foot. The barrier moves with the subject and has three major effects. First, the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures. Second, the subject immediately receives another saving throw (if one was allowed to begin with) against any spells or effects that possess or exercise mental control over the creature (including enchantment [charm] effects and enchantment [compulsion] effects, such as charm person, command, and dominate person). This saving throw is made with a +2 morale bonus, using the same DC as the original effect. If successful, such effects are suppressed for the duration of this spell. The effects resume when the duration of this spell expires. While under the effects of this spell, the target is immune to any new attempts to possess or exercise mental control over the target. This spell does not expel a controlling life force (such as a ghost or spellcaster using magic jar), but it does prevent them from controlling the target. This second effect only functions against spells and effects created by evil creatures or objects, subject to GM discretion. Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by evil summoned creatures. This causes the natural weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creatures to recoil if such attacks require touching the warded creature. Summoned creatures that are not evil are immune to this effect. The protection against contact by summoned creatures ends if the warded creature makes an attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature. Spell Resistance can allow a creature to overcome this protection and touch the warded creature.
@AllenDM - What is your take on communal touch spells? As in, do all the recipients have to be adjacent at casting? Or can the caster use his move action to run around touching allies? My understanding of the rules is that to touch more than one, they must all be adjacent, and it takes a full action (combining the casting and multiple touches). But I wanted to check with you.
AllenDM - I have a spell, Bless Weapon, available to Thanim as part of the Glory domain. Part of its benefit is that it automatically confirms crits. Since that already happens, I was wondering if we could house rule it to instead provide an increase to the critical threat range by 1 that would stack with other increases, but not with the keen enchantment. What do you think?
Thanim sets the crossbow on the porch and readies his shield. He searches through the dense fog, but can make out nothing beyond a few feet. Giving up on seeing anything, he listens intently. He hears the sorcerer above and calls out to him, "Sylas, get out of that cloud! It's from evil and will do you no good!" He then looks at Bynoth, "What is this foul stench, anyway? I heard the terrible words, but could not understand them." He casts Shield of Faith (Glory) upon himself and stands ready.
The green-eyed dog barks and speaks in its dark language. Thanim shudders at the foul feel of the force it calls forth, but he pays close attention, trying to divine its purpose.
Thanim hears the dogs howl and sees his ill companions react. "This disease, this sickness, is unnatural, evil to its core. It seems to summon these stricken animals. They are drawn to and intensify the suffering." He shakes his head to clear it of the dread thoughts and wipes Cerilis' forehead, doing what he can to give comfort. Maja cries out. "Oh no!", but the thought barely has time to form before Thanim scoops up his shield and crossbow. "Don't worry," he tells the others in the cabin, "Keep the door shut and we'll take care of this." He hustles out the door and lets it shut beind him, "Though the sun has set, give us strength that we may see it rise once more." He takes position at the door and surveys the circumstance.
Thanim hears the others talking outside, but concerns himself with his work within. He prepares his remaining spell slots (Shield of Faith, Shield Other) and tends to his patients. Recognizing that soon, it will be his time to be cared for, he makes plans to explain his satchel to Bynoth, "He likes his battles, but he can heal, too." He lays out his shield with his crossbow and straps his mace to his belt. "Pelor, hopefully, these will not be necessary, but grant me thy strength if they are." Once he has made his rounds in the cabin, he steps out the door. "Bynoth!" he calls out, "Scourge of Hextor! Do not get too close, but I have 2 things for you. First, a ring." He places a ring on his own finger then sets another down. "Put on this ring, and if things do not go well, when you are close to me I shall call upon Pelor to protect you and have me share your pain. Second, this satchel. When it becomes such that any of us need care, this kit is blessed of Pelor and will help when giving aid. Use it to keep us in this battle for life." He explains the use before giving a grim smile and returning to the cabin.
Thanim is not ok with tying up Harry. He's been caring for them, and though there have been some unusual symptoms, there is nothing that has made him afraid for his own (or anyone else's) safety. He is philosophically opposed to such restraints unless there is an obvious danger or escape risk. He just wants Harry to continue his recuperation.
Thanim is aghast at Maja's suggestion. He looks at Maja with an unwavering glare, interrupting the conversation before Harry has the chance to answer, "There is no need for tying folks, particularly patients, up. Harry might not yet be himself, but he is no danger." He takes Harry by the arm and shoulder, ushering him back into the cabin. "Finish your recovery. We'll take care of the dogs." He leads him to his bed, tucking him in. He returns to the door, shutting it completely after giving another look to those outside. Once back at Harry's side, he applies a damp, cool cloth to his forehead and in a soft, soothing voice says, "Rest. Rest. But when you have the energy, tell me what you have seen."
Thanim listens to Harry and Maja speak. "Let us worry about those dogs." He puts his hand on Harry's shoulder, "Your job is finishing your recovery." Thanim checks the men for the status of the disease and is relieved to see signs of improvement. "Ahh, you're looking better. We'll beat this, yet." He's quiet as he considers his options, "Soon, I'll have to stay away from them. I'll not be able to give care without risking reinfection." He shakes his head and slaps them on the backs, "Pelor has blessed you. You'll be back at full strength in no time. For now, rest. Your recovery is not yet complete." Thanim provides the care he can, then prepares a bed for himself, a bed he'll need soon enough, whether he wants to or not.
Thanim dreads watching the sun set. The colors are beautiful as the rays of Sol spread across the sky, but the sight is not enough to lift his spirits. He knows this may be his last night of any comfort for a while and his patients' mysterious symptoms do not set him at ease. He places his crossbow for easy access and straps on the quivers of bolts. Should any commotion begin, he'll be ready. He's watched over these men and will not let a pack of wild dogs waste his efforts. They will be defended to the end, if necessary. "Wigger, Cwenchild, I remember you and the sacrifices you made for us. I, too, will do my part." He kneels and prays, almost in solemn mourning as the last rays disappear.
Thanim feels the urge to cough and quickly turns his head before it bursts forth. He wipes his mouth and feels his forehead. "This is not good. Soon, I will be needing treatment. Oh my... Pelor, merciful Pelor, grant me strength that I may continue to help my friends." He backs away from those outside the cabin. "I am not myself. I believe I am coming down with the plague. Soon, I fear I will be in need of a bed myself, but not yet. Remain out here if possible. If I succumb, message the temple in Burle. They may be able to help." Thanim retreats to the cabin and continues the care of his charges while he is able. He begins to plan for his own fight with this mysterious plague, "Soon I shall understand the fight these valiant men now fight. Bless them and bless me, O Pelor."
Thanim, looking around finds a ladder. "Hey! Putting this ladder up for easy access to the roof, if need be." He picks it up and positions it for roof access from the western front of the house. He checks on his patients once more, seeing to their needs.
The flaw with my approach, as AllenDM pointed out, is in keeping the firepits fed. That would require people periodically leaving the protected area and feeding the fires. With so few people, that is problematic, so I have significantly modified the design. Please review and make alterations. The idea is to keep them to the northeast.
If we want to have the opening be that large, we should probably use the top right barricade elsewhere. My concern about the escape route is that if it's an exit, it's an entrance. We'll need to have someone specifically defend there.
I adjusted it a little bit and added in some firepits. Feel free to modify...
Drew some lines on the map to illustrate what I'm thinking. Also put a firepit at the bottom of the chute. My thinking there is that it would be unlit. Once the dogs start to enter the chute, we light it to keep them from getting to the cabin. We distribute the remaining pits for light and use the remaining barriers to reinforce weak points. Perhaps use a pole or ladder in the front of the cabin to get up to the roof. Feel free to edit or put up something entirely different. Edit: According to my reading of the topography, the 5' and 10' lines meet to essentially form a cliff or wall that runs kind of southwest to northeast about 50' north of the cabin. This will help funnel the dogs into the chute as well.
A noise and some apparent movement startle Thanim, but when he quickly checks it out, he finds nothing. "There is something unnatural here. This disease is far beyond what I have ever experienced." Since he is up, he checks on his patients and is happy that the ill are seemingly sleeping well. Now that his charges are taken care of, Thanim takes the opportunity to step out into the sun. The sun is there, but so is a flurry of activity. Maja, Bynoth, and Sylas are heavily engaged in steady work, with Maja running the show. Thanim sits on the steps for a minute, both to clear his head and to chuckle at Maja giving orders and showing the others how to properly build some pointy barricades. He stands and approaches the others, "What have you going on here? This is for the dogs? Have we seen more of them? I'm not too handy, but I'll help out with whatever I can. Perhaps reinforcing the cabin?"
Good point regarding the spells. With reduced personnel, I believe it will be hard to defend a circle around the entire cabin against a large number of dogs. That's why I was thinking of just reinforcing weak points (windows, for example. Maybe we'll even put one in front of the door?) with the barriers and use the remainder to form the chute/choke point. Thanim can use his crossbow, and hopefully none of the ill will even need to get involved if we set this up right. :)
I agree that we should space the firepits evenly around the cabin (for light more than as a barrier), but I'd say that rather than distribute the barriers around the cabin, we put one in front of each window and use the remainder to form a chute that the dogs/wolves have to run down before they can get to us. Ideally, we'd force them to run uphill, but in looking at the map, I don't think that is possible while remaining in the cabin. So what I'm suggesting is that we use one side of the cabin (probably the front) as the base of a more or less isosceles triangle with the barriers forming the sides and also a chute running down the center (along the path from the front door). What do we have as far as ranged resources? Thanim has a light crossbow, though he is not particularly good with it. It would be great to have an archer on the roof, but Perri is sick. What do you think of this? Or some variation?
While his charges are resting, Thanim takes a quick break and sits on the steps of the cabin. Maja returns to camp and explains what she found. While not the worts thing, her news is not good. The last thing Thanim wants is to be protecting 3 weakened patients from a pack of possessed or unnatural dogs. "Hmmm. Should we set up a trap or ambush of some sort? Get them before they get too close?"
Thanim rolls over in his sleep, the barks penetrating to his dreams before he wakes with a start. He feels uneasy as he tries to decipher the dream from reality, and he doesn't know exactly where to draw the line. He stands, but it is too fast, and he stumbles to the entrance. "Is everything ok? What is that howling. It gives me chills as if it be unholy."
The nightmares, the fire, the cold, the smells, it's all very unnerving for the young cleric. A chill ripples through his body as he ponders. He's cared for others when sick, he's healed gruesome injuries, but this? Never has he seen anything like this in person; heard rumors, yes, seen, no. Unsure of the best way forward, he decides to continue with his efforts until a better option presents itself. The one bit of encouragement, however, is that the spooky smells and temperature changes seem to be in response to his supplications of Pelor. Whatever this disease is, their efforts do seem to be affecting it. Thanim looks over his patients, relieved that they seem to be comfortable for the time being. Now seems like the chance to take advantage of the peace and get some rest. He walks to the door, leaning lightly on the frame, and calls out to Maja, "I'm taking a nap. Alert me if you hear any changes. Thank you for all your help." He takes a step back from the door, gathers his bedding, and immediately falls asleep.
Thanim has never had to provide extended, direct care for those infected by the plague, and he finds the febrile muttering to be unsettling. "They mutter to themselves, then speak to one another as if they've all had the same dream... nightmare?" He cares for Cerilis, wiping the sweat from his brow. Cerilis tosses and turns, but when he seems to stabilize, Thanim implores, "Rest. Rest. This shall pass and you can tell me of your dreams." After Cerilis' bout passes, Thanim pauses and thinks for a moment, "Perhaps this illness is beyond the mere physical. It may require more than simple physical care." He leaves the cabin and walks to where he can face the sun. Kneeling, he prays to Pelor to grant the aid these ailing men require. Several minutes pass, and he rises, returning inside. He leans over Cerilis and in a low, comforting voice says, "There may be more to this disease than is readily apparent. Let me help you." In a deeper voice, he starts to chant. The words are difficult to understand, but unmistakably, he calls upon Sol and his blessings.
Thanim listens intently to Cerilis' words. "The plague must be inducing hallucinations along with the fever." He steps out on the porch. "They are feverish; I need to cool them down. Please, bring a bucket of cold water from the stream." He soaks strips of cloth in the water and applies it to their foreheads, all the while muttering prayers and comforting words.
Thanim grows concerned, "Rumors? Voices? This is not good." He cares for Harry and Perri as they talk, "If the voice is not bringing peace, ignore it. Our focus is healing. Give that your attention, nothing else."
As Thanim gives out the soup, he takes a moment with each patient, "Maja and Sylas have prepared this. Taking good care of us." He checks each one, but when Harry makes his cryptic comment, he pauses. "Everything ok? What do you need?"
Thanim gets the bowls and water on the porch, "Thank you Maja. Pelor shines upon you." He steps back in the cabin and gives each patient the soup and water. He talks briefly with each one, judging their conditions. |
