Basilan Lasiliran, an 80 something aristocrat was a kind old man. Anyone who met him instantly fell for his charms and as such, being a merchant in his younger years was an easy task. Amassing his wealth, Basilan eventually found a wife and fathered a beautiful baby girl, who blossomed into a beautiful woman. Settling down, Baslian recruited many people to help his lands and family, forming strong and loyal friendships. Basilan eventually became bored and decided that since his wife pased away some 2 years ago, that he would see his daughter, Sophia, before he enters Shelyn’s Haven and joins his wife for eternity.
Basilan contacted quite a few people for the journey, knowing all to wall that the journey to the town of Hallowfeld will be a dangerous one, having to hire numerous bodyguards and warriors in his youth whenever he travelled from his manor to the town. First he talked briefly with Iriel Lassalanter, his oldest and most trusted friend, asking her to find a person with certain talents, which led to her meeting with Zidoren and his employment by the aristocrat. Basilan then talked with Amihan, and asked her to accompany him, as he has friends in Hallowfeld that might need her abilities. Basilan then sought out the son of an old friend, Ba’andu, and asked if he would like to accompany him on a trip to meet a local woman who practices the same ability as he and his father do, thinking that the cultural interaction would be good for the man. Lastly, wanting somebody to accompany him so that if anything whould happen to him, he would be able to pass into Shelyn’s Haven without any problems, Basilan sought out a woman he knew when she was an acolyte, Alisen Renard. After talking to her, and even going as far as to offer a substantial tithe to the church, she agreed.
And so they set off for Hallowfeld, only things aren’t what they expect when they arrive.
Most of the buildings are burnt partially or completely, and terrific bloodstains mar the streets and facades. Strangely there are no bodies anywhere.
As the group began its journey, Elisen was thrilled to see her old friend Basilan again. The trip didn't seem to take much time at all as introductions were done, and there was much to catch up to with Basilan. She was especially pleased, and had began quietly singing a tune nshe had composed on the way
As the group enters the village of Hallowfield, it was obvious something was wrong to the young cleric. She immediately stopped her song, and her hand went to the prominent holy symbol dangling from her neck. "What has happened here" she asked, looking at the destruction of the village and the prevalent blood. After a pause, she also asked the question on everyone's tongue, "and where is everyone?"
Perception
Basilan's talk with Amihan was short and straight to the point. In the past, there had been little talk between the two, with her magical tutelage having taken much of her time. The chicken incident was brought up, with polite chuckles all around, and her mother's health was inquired. Amihan still felt ill at ease when at his presence, remembering Basilan as the stoic old master that she had to keep distance from. Still, she felt she owed it to the old man, and agreed to accompany his venture out of respect.
Towards the end of their journey, she felt something amiss. Maybe it was the lack of animals as they neared Hallowfield, or the thin plume of smoke that Basilan insisted was a small campfire that gave her that idea, but it did nag her until they reached Hallowfield. The cleric's song stopped abruptly, and Amihan found herself aghast at the devastation.
Zidoren never enjoyed being with others, but something about the old man just drew people in. Being recommended by Iriel Lassalanter, he knew he had to perform exceptionally well. The mission Iriel had contracted Zidoren for has turned out better than planned and Iriel, for some reason, attributed it to Zidoren. Maybe he was being to modest in his mind but you can't deny their success.
As the trip wound down, Zidoren noticed the uncomfortable silence of the forest around Hallowfield. "Maybe it is the time of year." Zidoren thought, knowing that he was trying to make excuses.
As they entered the town a similar look fell upon the adventurer's faces.
Iriel enjoyed, after spending a long time on Basilan's lands, being able to get out once again onto the road and see new sights. Even though the forest would always be her first home, she was eager to visit the town and experience the peculiar "wilderness" of civilization. Though she spoke little, the anticipation was apparent on her face.
And the look fell as they approached the village, her brow furrowing at the penetrating silence.
In response to Zidoren, she shook her head. "No. There is something..." Her look grew more grim as it became apparent that many of the buildings had been burned.
Painted on the walls of the buildings are large unsettling markings, depicting a strange rune of three hooked arm like squiggles around a small circle.
Everyone notices the strange sounds are issuing from the houses and buildings - sounds of feet dragging across floorboards, a curious heavy breathing laced with a strange hissing, and an unnerving sloshing and slurping.
A dozen creatures burst forth from each building. Each creature has pale white skin, with a yellowish tint that seems almost luminescent. Their flesh is rubbery and soft, lacking any rigidity or apparent skeletal structure. In place of heads are nests of writhing pseudopods and delicate pale feelers.
A sickening realisation dawns on the party, but before any can say anything, Basilan gasps in horror.
"Shelyn save us, those are the locals!"
A distinctive creature stands apart from the rest, a hand axe and sicle wielded in either slithering tentacled appendagesm while the others fight with pitchforks. The figure also wears a chain shirt, spalttered with what could be drool, you aren't quite sure, while the other creatures wear tattered and torn clothes.
Elisen continued to stay by Basilan's side while their group had been staring at the buildings. Upon seeing the stream of what Balisan described as the townsfolk, rush into the street, she immediately grabbed for her holy symbol, and exclaimed, "Shelyn's graces, please be with us."
Amihan stands her ground next to Basilan, her spellbook at the ready. A small piece of cured leather in hand, she cast her spell. Raw arcane magic danced in her hands, which she manipulated skillfully to settle and thicken around her like a protective coat.
"Stay close to me." Amihan whispers to Basilan.
Iriel looks at Amihan, thinking the spellcaster would be most likely to be able to answer the question, "Do you know what those markings are?"
If there is a nice cluster of monsters advancing toward them, she casts Entangle on the largest/most menacing group in hopes of keeping them from advancing, careful not to include her party members in the spell's radius.
If that doesn't seem feasible, she will draw her blade if the monsters are less than 40' away, and otherwise draw her bow. She stays protectively beside Basilan.
Amihan stands her ground next to Basilan, her spellbook at the ready. A small piece of cured leather in hand, she cast her spell. Raw arcane magic danced in her hands, which she manipulated skillfully to settle and thicken around her like a protective coat.
"Stay close to me." Amihan whispers to Basilan.
** spoiler omitted **
You think to yourself that these things definitely aren't local, nor are they arcane in nature, but then it dawns apon you. In your early studies of summoning creatures during your time at the academy, you were banned from reading a tome called "Planes Apon Planes" when you found it hidden in the back of the library.
Despite being barred from the subject, you snuck into the library late one night and read the tome from cover to cover, learning that despite most people call from the "inner planes" of existance, there are planes further than man has ever known, called the "outer planes" which is where most Abberations originally came from.
These creatures fit a description you read called Psuedonatural, although how the local populous became these creatures is unkown to you, as the creatures you read about always gain abilities and physical traits through hereditary nature.
Iriel looks at Amihan, thinking the spellcaster would be most likely to be able to answer the question, "Do you know what those markings are?"
If there is a nice cluster of monsters advancing toward them, she casts Entangle on the largest/most menacing group in hopes of keeping them from advancing, careful not to include her party members in the spell's radius.
If that doesn't seem feasible, she will draw her blade if the monsters are less than 40' away, and otherwise draw her bow. She stays protectively beside Basilan.
Zidoren draws his kukris and moves toward the nearest shadows, hoping to conceal himself enough to gain the upper hand.
It had turned out to be a more enjoyable trip than Ba'andu had expected, especially because of the company. When Basilan had contacted him he was hestitating to accept the assignment, but he owed it to his dead father to repay their debt to this man who had become a dear friend to his father. Besides, he needed to buy a few ingredients for a complicated concuction he was brewing at home so a little trip into town wouldn't hurt anybody.
The feeling of a pleasant trip disappeared immediately as he laid eyes upon the burned village.
”By the spirits, what has happened here? Where is everybody?”
To answer his own question he moved closer to one of the burned out buildings to inspect it, when suddenly the door burst open and a group of strange creatures ran towards him.
Thinking qucik he muttered a few words and pointed his finger towards the group, conjuring a large spider's web.
Battle Map (which I made bigger)
Ba'andu successfully traps two psuedonatural creatures in their house, who struggle against the sticky arcane silk.
All of the creatures move toward the group of adventurers, only a couple of them actually getting close enough to attack.
Seeing the abominations close in from everywhere Ba'andu scans his memorized spells finding one that won't hurt any of the villagers.
He cups his hands before his mouth and spit through them, creating a field of grease beneath two of the villagers, he then moves back towards the rest of the group drawing a wand as he goes.
Zidoren moves up silently behind the freakish creature hoping he can hit a vital spot with his kukri.
:
With gritted teeth, Iriel slices at Monster 5. If he goes down, then 6 instead.
Perception
Elisen grabs her glaive with both hands and throws herself between any of the oncoming humanoids and her old friend. "Behind me, Basilan!" she exclaims.
Amihan takes a step back from the nearest pseudonatural, and turns to the largest clump of them. Raising her hands, she sends out a wave of energy washing over them.
EDIT: Dammit, I have posting problems today.
1. Zidoren
2. Amihan
3. Ba'andu
4. Psuedonatural #5
5. Elisen Renard
6. Iriel Lasslanta
7. Psuedonatural #6
With deadly skill, Zidoren easily dispatches with #5 as Amihan casts her spell. The spell takes effect on two of the other creatures, #1 babbling incoherently, which looks strange and unsettling as it has no mouth. #2 tries to impale itself on it's own pitchfork, which doesn't quite work as well as it had originally planned, but still managed to hurt itself, green ichor oozing from the wound. Lastly #4 charges forward, running #3 through with it's pitchfork, the prongs visible on the other side of the creature's body.
Ba'andu casts his spell, causing #9 to fall prone, #8 managing to avoid the effect of the spell. Unfortunately for the psuedonaturals, #7 rushes forward to get a better position and slips on the greased area, falling prone next to #9.
#6 thrusts it's pitchfork lazily and still catches Amihan dealing 5 damage to the wizardess. Iriel manages to slice #6 and drop it where it stands.
All other psuedonaturals, except #11 and #12, who are still stuck inside the southern building, move closer to the party, trying to encircle the party, the dual wielding psuedonatural audibly snarling in some alien and unkown dialect.
Elisen, keeping Balisan behind her, waits for one of the creatures to approach close enough for her to attack with her glaive. While observing the others on in the town, that at least the party seemed to be able to put these things down.
Glaive attack one:
Glaive damage one:
Glaive attack two, if applicable:
Glaive damage two:
Amihan backed away from the attacking pseudonatural once again, and once more turned to the advancing group. She pulls a small handful of dust out of her pouch, and blew lightly on it, causing it to scatter into the wind. She brought her hands down theatrically, and a golden cloud erupted in the midst of the pseudonaturals.
Iriel curses, seeing the dual wielding creature in the distance and wanting to do something about him, but unwilling to leave Basilan's side. She quickly makes her decision to do the more straightforward action, and steps forward to slice at the monster heading toward her.
:
Zidoren moves next to Iriel "Any of you know what these things are?" He asks while striking the pseudonatural.
"Hold your blades! Amihan, is there any way to undo their tranformation? If we use non-lethal force we might still be able to rescue the villagers from this horrible destiny."
he says while grabbing some kind of dust from a pocket. Clenching his fist in front of his mouth he blows through it and the dust settles on some of the pseudonaturals.
check to overcome SR if they got it
Battle Map (added abbreviated spell effects)
Zidoren and Iriel again manage to drop #3 as Amihan covers some of the opponents in a fine glittering shimmer that seems to have little obvious effect on the creatures. Bandu manages to cast his spell, knocking #7, #9 and #10 unconscious as Elisen awaits enemies to attack.
#0 swings at Ba'andu with each weapon, hitting him once and dealing 5 damage to him. #8 thrusts his pithfork at Iriel, but the blow glances off her armour, allowing her to escape unscathed.
Strange things happen to the others as #2 attacks and kills #1, while #4 manages to impale itself on it's own pitchfork, killing the strange creature instantly, a pool of green ichor forming around the body of the creature.
Some of the Psuedonatural creatures make strange noises, as if communicating, the noise responded by a larger gurgling and slurping sound, as two immense creature burst through a building and move toward the party. Their skin is translucent, showing strange, twisted strands of pulsing organs underneath. The creatures have no face, just large sucker holes fringed by long, claw-tipped tentacles. The creatures are 5 feet in diameter, and 25 feet long.
About to deal with his attacker Ba'andu spots the two newly arrived creatures and is sure he has spotted the source of the villagers tranformation. He activates his wand and drift upwards.
”What are those?”
Amihan takes another step back as the armored pseudonatural drew close, thankfully focusing its attention on Ba'andu. Seeing as her latest spell had little effect on the creatures, she opts for a different tactic. Taking the smallest pinch of root shavings in her hand, she throws it into the air, where it slowly grew into a thin and hazy cloud. A word of arcane power on her lips, the cloud descended upon her and her comrades, and she felt the battle slow to a crawl...
Zidoren moves quickly, seeing the pseudonatural threaten Basilan. In a split second his kukris were lashing out at the mysterious creature.
Attack & Damage Rolls:
"Step back carefully, old friend. Keep away from them and don't let them hit you!" Iriel says to Basilan.
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