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As Tristain makes sure the wall will support everyone, Starflit again casts her spell, getting back several answers.

1. The best bar will depend on what you are looking for, but it will be difficult to find one with both books for Tristain and broads for Lothan. The best bet may be the Bawdy Librarian, which was named for its proximity to a bookseller. It's on Uzumaki Street in the heart of the city.

2. She waits in the fitting room to make her grand debut.

3. The bedrooms on the second floor allow guests to make a secret rendevous with none the wiser.

4. The curse lifts and the vampires remember themselves for what they truly are, and behave accordingly.

VAMPIRES!" one of them hisses at Tristain, sounding like he suspects he's talking to someone who bonks his head against the wall for no reason at all. "And who needs guards here? They can defend themselves if you provoke them! Which you shouldn't do if you don't want to become one of them!"

They don't know where anyone is, but suggest you might try the ballroom upstairs

Perception: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (16) + 35 = 51

Lothan easily spots one of the servants' upward glances, but remains quiet at first until he realizes he's the only one who did. "Wait, are you guys serious? None of you saw him look upward? What's up there? Is it something not safe? Is it some hot damsel you're hoping will flee with you? Piles of treasure we should go loot?" he asks.

The servant who looked upward's eyes widen and a look of panic crosses his face as another urgently tries to signal for Lothan to stop talking, a gesture he's never recognized before (or now).

“They’ll hear you and then the beasts will awaken!" he whispers. "They will transform soon enough and kill everyone here. You should leave while you still can!"

With that, he turns back to his packing, throwing a last few items in his bag, and pushes out past you.

"Everybody move!" Daehalya calls out.

Intimidation (trained): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Daehalya strikes again vs. the evil pudding, the color once more flashing through and off her as she suddenly seems carved from ice.

"Perhaps these people are right," she says coldly. "If this is evil, we can see how it grows. And it seems to have found a home here in Egede." She gestures toward the Committee of Moral Rectitude, and their cage that contained this horror instead of destroying it, with the butt of her staff as she retreats.

Titan Swing, Stride
+1 striking staff 2H vs. red pudding: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Bludgeoning: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 8, 6) + 4 = 21
On a hit, I push the target back 5 feet and deal 1d6 persistent bleed. Crit? You knock the target 10 feet away from you. This is forced movement.
Reflex (expert, +1 vs. traps): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Flat check DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Will Nimble Dodge first attack that comes my way. (+2 circumstance bonus to AC against the triggering attack)

Kilitsi makes her way over to Alyce Quinley. "Oh my hero-god, Alyce, your outfit is so nice. I bet you blend right into the woods." She makes some inane small chatter with the woman, curious to learn more about her.

Diplomacy (trained): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

I'm heading to Houston tomorrow through Monday. I'm planning to bring my computer, so I may have some time to post, but not sure my frequency.

"Like, of course I'll help," Kilitsi says, with a smile. "I'm, like, always having to help people who get lost in the woods, and I hardly ever can't get them home!"

The minotaur woman towers, about as tall as the tortoise is wide. Her horns end in a wicked point, but the deadliness seems somehow mitigated by the dusky rose tint shes applied to them, and the silver caps on the end. A green tunic bedecked with embroidered flowers covers her breastplate, and painted sprites with butterfly wings adorn her chainmail skirt. In fact, the only thing that seems to have avoided any adornment -- other than several magical runes -- as the huge greataxe strapped to her back.

Thkrull grumbles, barely stopping himself from trumpeting. He could beat any stupid tyrant lizard. He'd squash it like a bug!

Tristain is pretty sure it's a ghost.

"Ah, yes, a good belt, helps keep your pants up, right, lad? I always say, without a good belt, your pants will fall right down around your ankles," the shopkeeper replies. "Not too flashy, huh? Well, how about this one?" He gestures to a very plain belt of brown leather, without even a belt buckle. "No one's going to accuse that belt of being too flashy, now are they?" He doesn't seem to have any true artifacts, but does have magic items of the more common sort.

He turns to Kyffin. "Well, I'm always happy to buy things what are worth buying."

Cassilda teleported away, so isn't here at the moment.

It appears that -- unlike traveling to a mythical place called Mordor -- you can simply walk into another nexus once you reach the end of one. The Neruzavin nexus is near a section of lakeshore, and the Aevan-Vhor nexus is not far -- just down the shore, in fact. You'll need to perform a ritual once you get to the star selae at the nexuses in Carcosa.

Following the short, you soon arrive at the Aevan-Vhor nexus, which appears to be larger and more populated than the Neruzavin nexus. The city still has a deserted feel, but people are plainly seen carrying out the business of daily life. The outlying districts resemble the worst parts of Ustalavic farm country, with sick and struggling crops. The city proper is a stark contrast however, with tall, once-impressive stone structures in various states of disrepair.

You have directions from Cassilda to an estate, or you can explore some yourself, including possibly doing some shopping.

"Speak for yourself!" Hooli says, with a laugh. "I can try to lure the dog away as a fox..." Based on my dog spending every night screaming at the neighborhood foxes, that shouldn't even require a roll! >:(

She thinks for a moment.

"Or do we want to try to impersonate one of these faceless creatures? We would need a good story, but we know they've been trying to abduct people. Perhaps Xiung-Lau and I could pretend to have abducted Kwan Tai and Li Jie Qiang?"

You guiding us sounds like a good plan for PBP. Thank you.

Kadosh wipes his head and sheds a layer of clothing. "It's so warm!" he marvels.

He looks around, in a bit of dismay. "Where should we go first?" He glances up at the sky to make sure the dragon hasn't already found them. Somehow, he just knows in his bones, they're going to end up having to fight it.

"Of course!" Kadosh says, feeling more confident. All the travels -- as awful as they've been -- seem to have given him more strength, of body and purpose. Also, if we say no, the adventure ends. :D

Whoops! I missed the last two lines because of the way it cut off in the pdf! Gemstones worth 4,900 gp. The following coins can also be salvaged: 512 pp, 7,690 gp, 34,160 sp, and 85,400 cp.

Continuing on, the basalt walls widen to form an artificial gorge. A massive, twisted willow tree stands here. A strange azure moss grows in patches over and in between breaks in its ebony bark. Beyond the tree and in the distance to the south, the ravine rises and flattens out as the basalt structures give way to an entirely different landscape—as if this were some environmental demarcation point.

As you move to advance, however, Lothan and Starflit both notice the tree seems to quiver ever so slightly. Shockingly, it's not a normal tree, but also a monster!

Lothan and Starflit are up in a SURPRISE ROUND (so only standard actions; this is NOT the more common 1/2 round)! Then it will go and then the entire party will be up. Map is updated; still 10-foot squares.

Thanks for the bot, first of all. Tyr, my max HP is 61; not sure where the divergence came in -- either last round of level up or Toughness was missed, I'm guessing.

Will (expert, +1 vs. traps): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

The bright lights fascinate Daehalya as she seems to find herself in a trance again. Still, much like the Twilight Speaker herself, it is a cold emotion, one that doesn't prevent her from moving into inexorable action, like a glacier slowly calving from the Crown of the World.

She carefully elf steps toward the nearest of the starry creatures, staff swinging in a mighty blow as she again seems to turn momentarily to ice herself.

Elf Step to Step twice; Titan Swing (two actions)
Titan Swing +1 striking staff 2H vs. green: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Bludgeoning: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 8, 1) + 4 = 18
If it hits, push the target back by 5 feet and deal 1d6 persistent bleed damage
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Will Nimble Dodge first attack that comes my way. (+2 circumstance bonus to AC against the triggering attack)

Probably my last post until I return from vacation, but I wanted to collect all the information we just learned in one spot, since I think it'll be helpful (and it was spread over two pages worth of posts):

You quickly begin to make progress in your research efforts. You start by learning and affirming common Quest for Sky knowledge: born just before Earthfall and Torag’s call for dwarven migration, Taargick grew up during the Quest for Sky and swiftly established himself as a leader and polymath. His diplomacy mobilized and united countless dwarven clans to travel to the surface, even if many split off in different directions as they ascended.

From there, you begin to learn minor details about Taargick’s birthplace, Felgunn, one of several kingdoms deep in the Darklands where dwarves lived before Earthfall. The city seemed prosperous, even idyllic, which helps explain why so many dwarves were reticent to heed Torag’s summons upward. Knowledge of Felgunn isn’t widespread, and its actual location doesn’t survive in modern records. It may as well be a myth.

You learn about some of Taargick’s closest companions during the Quest for Sky. Hrungul Ironeye defied Torag’s call, but after Taargick bested him in a duel, Hrungul became a fervent supporter and co-leader. The young priest Ferghaz (the same figure you met in Tolorr crypt several days ago) lent Taargick religious legitimacy early on, and his tireless advocacy of Torag’s vision kept the dwarven migration energized. Yuli Rholdammen led the dwarven vanguard, becoming a heavily decorated and scarred general from her countless battles.

The freizes and statues suggest schisms and internal conflicts during the centuries-long Quest for Sky. Some dwarves wanted to settle down at the halfway point or turn back altogether. Some abandoned Taargick’s path and ventured in different directions. You begin noticing clues in the art and documents that suggest many dwarves increasingly resented and regretted that Torag’s mission caused so much bloodshed and earned them so many enemies. Upon reaching the surface, however, newfound confidence and fervor drown out old concerns, and artwork increasingly depicts dwarven warfare as righteous and warranted.

You learn of Taargick’s deeds after reaching the surface and becoming high king. Most information is bland and positive, with him building this or declaring that. The greatest upset of his reign came when the sky citadel Koldukar’s artisans built an elaborate tomb for the aging monarch, only for him to politely decline. The venerable king disappears into the Darklands, never to be seen again—at least until a massive cave worm crashed into Highhelm a few years later, regurgitated his clan dagger, announced that the high king was well, then withdrew peacefully.

Taargick’s disappearance into the Darklands wasn’t unexpected. By reading between the lines, you find signs that Taargick’s faith wavered, that he questioned the atrocities committed in Torag’s name, and that he attempted several unpopular initiatives to repair past wrongs. The historians of Tar Taargadth, the first dwarven empire in Avistan, seemed especially keen to sugarcoat the Quest for Sky and their founder’s legacy...

Brijetta and Uhe make great strides in the reading room. They are able to piece together some of the misdeeds committed by Taargick, his advisors, and the dwarves they led. Rhetoric by the priest Ferghaz became increasingly xenophobic and zealous, pushing out moderating Rivethun voices. Absolved by this religious mandate, General Rholdammen and her soldiers committed war crimes against orcs, xulgaths, and other Darklands inhabitants. Taargick walked a fine line: he stopped what he could but knew that a major controversy could break morale and end the migration.

There's no immediate indication of treasure, but as you keep an eye out, Lothan's able to spot a likely hiding place in the next cavern: a 20-foot-by-45-foot opening in the walls of the nexus 40 feet above the path. You easily ascend, where you find amid a tangled pile of skeletons, tarnished mundane equipment, and half-rotten packs, a luckblade (1 wish remaining), a cauldron of resurrection, a ring of psychic mastery, 2 potions of cure serious wounds, and a sealed container filled with rare and expensive material components worth 10,000 gp in total. These components can be used with the cauldron of resurrection or applied to any spell that requires them, like restoration or stoneskin. Additionally, you discover a platinum ring worth 3,300 gp, a set of diamond earrings worth 2,290 gp, a pair of silver armbands worth 340 gp as a set, and various gemstones.

That's likely my last post until I return.

Just FYI, I'll be out of town for two weeks starting Monday evening (so April 22-May 4), and likely not posting during that time.

Feel free to bot Rova and Thkrull in my absence.

"Great spirits, let him return safely, and not fall, where he'll be horribly torn apart by wolves even if he survives the landing..." Kadosh murmurs, watching anxiously for Hakata's return.

I'm so excited this is announced! I had a great time writing it (with Rigby!) and can't wait for everyone to play!

"This mushroom sounds like a really fun guy," Hooli says. "But I bet we can cut him to ribbons. We'll scratch his back and you can scratch ours!"

She considers for a moment.

"Do you want us to give your friend a message?"

"It's some sort of fey!" Rova exclaims. Her first arrow slams home in the creature's chest, but the second goes wide as Thkrull begins moving in.

Hunt Prey, Strike x2 (Thkrull will use one action to Stride closer)

+1 striking shortbow (deadly d10, magical, 60 foot range, reload 0): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 + (2) = 12
Deadly?: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Shortbow (iterative): 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 19 - 5 = 15

"Oh, well, boss, I've never seen him undress, but I just get the impression he might like something nice. I thought I saw a pair of frilly undergarments, but I don't think Aily wears any, and I figure you wear something with spikes in it, so just process of elimination, I guess," Humerus answers Ceceka.

"Oh, hi," Humerus replies. "Thanks. I'm Humerus Fetch. And that's Aily Yor. And Caraid. He doesn't have a last name. I'm not quite sure why, but I bet it's not some reason like he's on the run from something because he's a criminal or anything like that. It's probably a totally reasonable reason. Oh, and I don't see him, but there's also Telvir Stanton somewhere -- he's probably hiding from the vicious cur that he's been cursed with. And Ceceka. He doesn't have a last name either. I think that might be because he got angry and killed it. Anyway, do you want to come in?"

Humerus congratulates himself for remembering everyone's names and starting off good relations with the upstairs neighbors. They certainly wouldn't have wanted to let Aily or Ceceka do it (no offense), or there might be a war between north and south.

"Just point me to what you need me to haul, blood bosses, and I'll get it in here three shakes of a quickling's tail," Humerus says, before pausing to scratch his skull. " ... Do quicklings have tails? I don't think I know. It might help them navigate if they're moving quickly, but maybe it would just slow them down. I don't even know. I'm not sure why people say in three shakes of a quickling's tail, because why would they shake it? Maybe they mean tale, like a story? Perhaps they tell stories that make people shake! I bet they have contests to see who can get three people to shake the fastest. I wonder what the winner gets ... "

Familiar with working together now, Kyffin, Al and Starflit quickly leap into magic, casting spells and advancing on their foe. "Like everything, parleys come to an end --" the Pallid Mask begins to say, only to be cut off by the Teralindar's Honor. "CAN'T THE TALKING COME TO AN END NOW? LET'S GET WITH THE FIGHTING! KILL THE ABBERATION!" Pallid Mask is, mechanically, an aberration, Kyffin.

Pallid Mask adjusts his robes, revealing Hastur's Yellow Sign on his body. He steps back, but when Kyffin follows, he reaches out to touch the warpriest, who begins to fade as if he were being unmade! Need a DC 28 Will save, please

The Pallid Mask’s touch steals the very essence of reality from his victims. Creatures struck by the Pallid Mask’s touch attack take 1d6 ⇒ 1 points of Charisma drain and become less real, appearing faintly translucent and shadowy. Attacks from such creatures deal half their normal damage, and spells cast by an affected creature that do not deal damage have a 50% chance of affecting their targets. Creatures struck by the Pallid Mask remain unreal for 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6rounds. A successful DC 28 Will save negates the Charisma drain and reduces the duration of this effect to 1 round.

Touch: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

Party is up.

It's good to see this come out, though I'm sad it's the last issue. As Garrett and Scott said, Wayfinder was very helpful early in my game design experience and I really enjoyed contributing to it. It was important to me to keep submitting (and later editing!) as a way of trying to give back a little to the community.

the Fatal Four disaster

Another mystery? Who dies among the Emerald Empress, Mano, the Persuader, Validus, and Tharok?

I just want to add my voice to those who are enjoying the Choose Your Own Adventure History. Our group just finished it and it was excellent. Especially considering the resources it took, I really appreciated it!

Teamwork feats simplified: The teamwork feats pretty much let you pretend that your companions also have the feats. That means you get bonuses from them whenever they'd apply, though your teammates wouldn't.

Some examples that I liked when I had an inquisitor archer:
Shake It Off: When you are adjacent to one or more allies who also have this feat, you gain a +1 bonus on saving throws per such ally (maximum +4). (So as long as you cluster together in perfect spacing for my AoE abilities, you get a bonus.)

Coordinated Shot: If your ally with this feat is threatening an opponent and is not providing cover to that opponent against your ranged attacks, you gain a +1 bonus on ranged attacks against that opponent. If your ally with this feat is flanking that opponent with another ally (even if that other ally doesn't have this feat), this bonus increases to +2

Lookout: Whenever you are adjacent to an ally who also has this feat, you may act in the surprise round as long as your ally would normally be able to act in the surprise round. If you would normally be denied the ability to act in the surprise round, your initiative is equal to your initiative roll or the roll of your ally –1, whichever is lower. If both you and your ally would be able to act in the surprise round without the aid of this feat, you may take both a standard and a move action (or a full-round action) during the surprise round.(Permanent Bonus teamwork feat)

"Oh, we're telling everyone about Groetus and The End, so they can make their preparations!" Rova exclaims. "I've been thinking about it, and I'm pretty sure there's going to be some big war with all the gods, and some of them are going to die! Probably not Erastil, or Pharasma, or Asmodeus, Cayden, Nethys, or Urgathoa, but almost definitely someone else! That's going to spray god guts all over Golarion, which will attract Groetus' attention and ... well, that'll be The End!"

She looks around to see what her companions think of her theory. She's pretty sure it would make for an amazing act.

"All the world shall be your subjects, bowing down to you and through you to Hastur. Those who resist shall be destroyed, blown away like ashes from a dead fire," he replies to Tristain.

“You already serve Hastur, so why not continue," he tells Kyffin. "You took his coin, supped at his table, and drank from his cup. The service you gave Lowls was in service to the King, to Carcosa. Accept your fate, because you will not avoid it in death.”

Starflit doesn't get a sense that he's lying, but she knows the spell isn't infallible, and can't really deal with the concept that the Pallid Mask's version of the truth might not match what you would see as the truth.

The fur on the back of Hooli's neck immediately rises. This doesn't seem good -- or funny! -- at all.

"Hello, little girl, why are you here, alone, with thatchlings?" she calls out.

She can't help looking closely to see if the girl has very big eyes, or teeth, or any other lupine features.

As Al approaches, the Pallid Mask calls out: “I would parley. The King in Carcosa knows you travelers and thus so do I. You are delivered into the hands of the Unspeakable One, but you already belong to him. Carcosa is his child, and he is Carcosa. Carcosa birthed Xhamen-Dor, who is now one with a certain Count Haserton Lowls, with whom you are well acquainted. You were marked long ago.

"I have a proposition for you: Swear fealty to Hastur and gaze upon the Yellow Sign of your own free will. He will grant you crowns of gold and make you lords in the new reality that waits.”

"Run!" Kadosh cries, hoping to send the last longshield into motion. Then he drives his axe into Pakano, unfusing it with a little mammoth hair from the following he abandoned to enhance its power against him.

Demoralize, Strike, Strike!
Intimidation (trained): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Slashing, with implement empowerment, personal antithesis: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 5 = 10
Slashing, with implement empowerment, personal antithesis: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12
Reaction to Ring Bell if target of Exploit Vulnerability makes a Strike or Casts a Spell that would affect me or an ally. Class DC 18.

Starflit has heard of the King in Yellow, but fortunately for her sanity, doesn't know too much. She's not able to tell anything about the woman.

"I am Cassilda," the woman says, "and an ally to Hastur’s enemies and victims alike. I once the queen of Yhtill before the King in Yellow destroyed our city. I understand you have no reason to trust me -- that is reasonable when dealing with the Great Old Ones -- but I will submit myself to any divinations or truth-telling magic you may have. I hope we might find common cause.

"You find yourself in Carcosa, the third of three great metropolises on the world that was also home to Yhtill and our rivals, Alar. Carcosa is a city of monsters, with inhuman denizens that stalk its streets and are spawned in its shadows."

She explains further:

Carcosa was a mirage that appeared across Lake Hali when the twin black suns dipped below the horizon and seemed to fall into the waters of the immense lake. Carcosa and its mysterious immortal ruler, the King in Yellow, dominated the folklore of both Yhtill and Alar. Some modern legends suggest that Carcosa was Hastur’s home before his imprisonment.

Though imprisoned, the King in Yellow was able to reach beyond his cell, and he eventually deceived the people of Alar and Yhtill, bending them to his terrible will. He reshaped Carcosa to become not only the instrument of his release, but also a catalyst for his apotheosis into an Outer God. Hastur mystically conjoined the three cities, drawing the other two into the abandoned husk of Carcosa. Empty Carcosa served as a skeleton and foundation for this new creation.

Carcosa is not merely a collection of streets and buildings, but a living, alien, and monstrous entity. It can fashion a mystical connection to cities on distant planets and feed on them like a parasite. Its sustenance is civilization itself. When a connection is created, a destructive plague of madness spreads across the target city as Carcosa feeds upon its zeitgeist. A portion of Carcosa, meanwhile, shifts and warps as it adds a twisted replica of its target, which is referred to as a nexus.

Unless the process is disrupted in time, the entire target city and its denizens are actually transported across the gulf of space and drawn wholly into Carcosa. When the parasite city reaches its apex -- an unknown size -- Hastur may emerge from Lake Hali and ascend in power as an Outer God.

Rova doesn't answer. She doesn't know what kind of trick this doppelganger is playing, but she for one won't fall prey to it.

Marshmallows. Roasting over an open fire. With cookies. Just like Uncle Buck used to make. I ain't afraid of no doppelgangers!

Aw, so I'm your favorite then? Wow, I didn't realize you liked me so much!

"That's an awful big skeleton, blood boss!" Humerus observes as he realizes he needs to do more than look impressed by it.

He falls into his fighting stance, rushes forward and -- realizing it's probably too big to grab -- tries pummeling it.

◈ Mountain Stronghold, ◈ Stride, ◈ Flurry to Strike x2
Falling Stone: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25
Bludgeoning damage (forceful, cold iron and silver): 2d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 8) + 6 + 2 = 18

Falling Stone, iterative: 1d20 + 21 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 21 - 5 = 28
Bludgeoning damage (forceful, cold iron and silver): 2d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7, 4) + 6 + 2 = 19

Reminder of what we're doing here.

"Pholebis? I apologize for interrupting, but we've come to speak with you." Daehalya calls out.

Actually, I think you should level up. Everyone should be 15th level (which I thought you were, but looks like still 14).

Al loses all his paladin-y abilities. HOW DARE YOU INSULT THE SWORD!!!

There doesn't seem to be any magical treasure around, but perhaps helping save the world is enough of a reward. Knowing you have a little time, you decide to rest and prepare yourself for the ritual, which Tristain is certain he'll be able to perform since I screwed up a while ago and he already did it.

More seriously, let's say you take time to rest overnight -- you do have it -- so you can start fresh in the morning with the ritual.

And with that, we've finished book 5! I need to do a little prep for Book 6, which I hope to have ready by Monday at the latest (I'm coming up on a deadline for a writing project, plus some other RL stuff in the next week, so no guarantees, but that's my plan!).

Donning her fantastic sea dress -- though she blushes to actually wear it out in public -- Brijetta hesitantly begins mixing around the festival. She'd rather hide in the corner, but she knows Krohan is counting on them -- on her! -- to help free the trapped soul. And maybe that soul is relying on them too.

Certain that Gig will head straight for Bulgra, given their shared affinity for puppets, she follows along, hoping that at least his presence will help attract the older dwarf's attention.

"Hello," she says quietly. But she's at a loss as to what else to say. They're both newcomers (relatively) to Highhelm, but she just isn't good at talking to people.

Lore (Highhelm) (trained) to Discover: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14 This includes my dress bonus.

Nature (trained): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 So close!

"Well, if you can't find anything, I don't know if we'll be able to," Hooli says. "Unless ..."

She transforms into her fox form and starts sniffing around to see if she can find anything with her scent.

A spirit! Kadosh thinks.

"A spirit!" Kadosh exclaims, completely oblivious as usual to what type it is or anything else that may be lurking nearby. "Of course we can help you, spirit. Can you tell us more about these quicklings?"

Lore (esoteric) (trained): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Perception (expert): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Lore (esoteric) (trained) to RK about quicklings: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Yes, that was very clear. :D

It is not. It's undead.

"HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW THAT? DID I TELL YOU IT WAS AN ABERRATION? WOULDN'T I HAVE DONE THAT IF IT WERE CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME TO SENSE THAT (NOT THAT IT IS YET -- GET CLOSER SO WE CAN FIND OUT AND SMITE IT!). THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE ME, ISN'T IT, BECAUSE YOUR SENSES AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH!" the sword thunders, seeming to react to no clear stimulus.

Starflit doesn't know anything more about it.

Fortitude (trained, +1 vs. traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Feeling her life draining away, Daehalya seems to pale even more if such is possible. It only pales even more -- turning her into a figure that looks carved from ice or snow momentarily -- as she swings her staff in a complex pattern, first slamming it toward the wight, then in an arc toward the fey.

Two-action Titan Swing vs. red, Strike vs. ghoul
+1 striking staff 2H vs. ghoul: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Bludgeoning: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 8) + 4 = 17
Sneak attack?: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6
Backlash flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 11

+1 striking staff 2H vs. grodair, iterative, tale spun: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 1 - 5 = 28
Bludgeoning: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10

Hooli shrugs. "It sounds easier than having to do carpentry," she agrees.

Despite the monsters in Willowshore, she's sure that it will be absolutely safe, as always, with absolutely no encounters on the quick, horseback journey.

Mighty Thkrull trumpets in rage as the spider tries to take his halfling. He spins on his haunches and unleashes stomping destruction on the stupid insect.

He glances at the tiny Thkrull. For a moment he's offended, but then he realizes whatever it is clearly realizes he is the strongest, smartest, and leaderest member of this troupe and bows his head in acknowledgement of that shared fact.

Foot: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 18 + 1 = 36
Hunter's Edge (bludgeoning/precision damage: 2d8 + 4 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 3) + 4 + (5) + 1 = 20

Tusk (agile), iterative: 1d20 + 17 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 17 - 4 + 1 = 16 He doesn't forget his MAP because he is an elephant! But he chooses not to hit with it this time out of spite!