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You got it. I'll even give you the ecology.
The thing is called a Peryton.
They are vicious beasts, possessing all the intelligence of a human. Perytons hunt any creature weaker than themselves, but prefer humanoid prey, as they particularly relish the taste of such creatures’ still-beating hearts.
Nice, huh?
Perytons loathe all other creatures, even their own kind, and adult male perytons often attack one another on sight. However, strong females sometimes lead small family flocks composed of the alpha female, two or three weaker females, and up to six fledglings. The flock drives off males when they come of age, but females are allowed to join the pack when they mature, provided they swear allegiance to the alpha female. Unpaired males frequently attack such flocks in the hope of making off with a mate; failing that, they approach more peacefully, with offers of warm humanoid hearts (or even still-living victims) to attract females.
Not the friendliest sorts.
Perytons mate once per year. The mating ritual is short, brutal, and in the end often fatal for the male. Afterward, the female lays a single, foot-tall black egg, which hatches 7 months later. Which means that Lupe's egg is definitely not from this thing.
It has a horrific gore attack that threatens 18+ and, if the attack is particularly successful they can rip a man's heart right out. Seeing this happen is also very frightening to behold.
And you notice something else peculiar that sparks a memory. The Peryton's shadow now looks like Lupe's shadow. The Peryton has made a link to Lupe via this shadow and will be more easily able to hit him and, potentially, send him into a full on panic attack (i.e. in Pathfinder lingo that means frightened).
They have no special weaknesses.
Rahella's voice trailed off as the strange creature began to fly overhead. It was one of the most hideous things she'd ever seen that was still alive and she tried to recall what it was.
Rahella confirms what the creature is and points out that unless you use magic, it's hide is pretty tough. A lot like the annoying gremlins except worse. Even if Lady Vulpina went and got a longbow and some arrows, they probably would not do much to it unless she is really accurate. (DR 5/magic)
If the creature begins to approach again for a full on attack, Lupe will cast magic weapon on his sword and magic fang on Wolf.
Otherwise, he will wait it out with the rest of the group.
The thing decides to bide it's time and wheels away, though it seems to be keeping an eye on you from up above.
"I suggest we find some sort of cover to avoid another attack by this fell beast!"
Casper scans the surrounding terrain for a suitable point of refuge.
"That is a peryton. It has marked Lupe as potential prey and likely seeks to eat his heart." Sarona states, her tone clinical. "I have further information about its place in an ecosystem, but I suspect that is currently irrelevant to the situation."
As Rahella puts some distance between her and the party, the Peryton subtly alters its patch and seems to be shadowing her.
"That is a peryton. It has marked Lupe as potential prey and likely seeks to eat his heart." Sarona states, her tone clinical. "I have further information about its place in an ecosystem, but I suspect that is currently irrelevant to the situation."
Casper's eyes narrow,
"And what, exactly, leads you to suspect this?"
"Well, then I guess I'm bate then. Casper time for one of your patented plans. More bear traps maybe? But you guys don't have magic weapons."
"That is a peryton. It has marked Lupe as potential prey and likely seeks to eat his heart." Sarona states, her tone clinical. "I have further information about its place in an ecosystem, but I suspect that is currently irrelevant to the situation."Casper's eyes narrow,
"And what, exactly, leads you to suspect this?"
"Its shadow changed to match Lupe's--and it has changed its shadow to match Rahella's. That is how it identifies potential prey. It is hoping one of us will stray from the group and thus single ourselves out for attack."
Rahella came back closer to the group as she saw the thing fly towards her. The mage hadn't realized she'd even become slightly separated from them to begin with and she certainly wasn't going to let that happen now. "Let's get back to the monastery for now, I don't think we want to be out in the open like this."
Sarona sighs. "Everyone, stay together. We should investigate some of these outlying structures--if nothing else, they can serve as a forward operating post for our investigations if we do not wish to draw attention to the main camp."
"Ya, let's move in as a group if we are seen again let's try to take that building as quickly as possible. Failing that we retreat."
Sarona sighs. "Everyone, stay together. We should investigate some of these outlying structures--if nothing else, they can serve as a forward operating post for our investigations if we do not wish to draw attention to the main camp."
["I will try to reconnoiter?"
Is Casper heading off on his own? Do you intend to start off right away or do you want to go back inside the monastery and get missile weapons?
Keep in mind the Peryton is still circling you overhead.
Rahella shook her head at Casper and said, "No, not yet, let's make sure everyone has a way to attack it at range before we progress further."
Is Casper heading off on his own? Do you intend to start off right away or do you want to go back inside the monastery and get missile weapons?
Keep in mind the Peryton is still circling you overhead.
You could but I think the odds would be against you. It's got a great perception, it has an overlooking view that would give it a bonus, and, as soon as you were no longer with the group, it would know and start looking for you. that last point means that I'd make you make more than one stealth roll as it hunted for you.
On the other hand if you all went back in the monastery then it would no longer have you in its sights and would eventually lose interest.
Between the catacombs and the mercenaries, you are able to locate any weapon
worth <= 50 gp you choose. You find a long bow but need a useable string. Please add any new equipment to your character sheet.
While you are the the Peryton goes on its way. Luke's shadow is still all messed up and it freaks Hadrah and Hadrod out, though Father Zastoran finds it intriguing. Almah, of course, wants a full report on the scouting results.
"I have an extra sling. I even got some little cold iron balls from one of the soldiers. Special ammo can be very useful."
"I have an extra sling. I even got some little cold iron balls from one of the soldiers. Special ammo can be very useful."
"I will follow at a safe distance."
Which building do you visit and how do you prepare?
Rahella considered where they should start this exploration and said, "I think we should start with the church or the waterwheel on the far side first. They are outliers compared to the rest of the buildings and easier to search and fall back from if necessary."
"I vote the church."
As you make your way towards the town, you spot a lone pugwampi furtively making it's way towards the monastery. It sees you shortly afterwards and hisses at you before it slinks off into the chaparral.
Coming in from the wests side of town you approach the church. The cliffside behind the ruined church overlooks the fields west of Kelmarane through a ruined series of pillared arches. Across a short yard stands a column about 10' tall, upon which stands a splendid statue of Sarenrae with both arms upraised to the heavens. In the shadow of this statue are five graves marked with life-sized statues of holy warriors. Remarkably, what appears to be a human man garbed in the fine robes of Sarenrae kneels before these graves, muttering a quiet series of prayers.
You are still a fair ways away, probably 60'.
When Sarona sees the pugwampi, she momentarily freezes. A wave of heat radiates out from her heart and floods into her limbs before it abates.
Is this irritation? Likely. Pugwampi have a well-earned reputation for being unfathomably annoying.
"Attention. We are likely to encounter more pugwampis once we reach the church." She informs the party. "If anyone has any second thoughts or recommendations for alternative courses of action, I recommend voicing them now."
"Did everyone get cold iron? Let's move in and inspect."
When Sarona sees the pugwampi, she momentarily freezes. A wave of heat radiates out from her heart and floods into her limbs before it abates.
Is this irritation? Likely. Pugwampi have a well-earned reputation for being unfathomably annoying.
"Attention. We are likely to encounter more pugwampis once we reach the church." She informs the party. "If anyone has any second thoughts or recommendations for alternative courses of action, I recommend voicing them now."
Casper groans audibly at the mention of more of the implacable goblinoid vermin.
Sarona starts to move towards the church. "Aaliyah has assisted me with developing a hex that will counteract the pugwampi's innate misfortune powers."
"Ok That will help." Lupe leads the way.
When you approach the man he rises up and turns toward you, a friendly smile on his dark-skinned, handsome face. "Welcome..." he says with a grin. But the grin is short-lived as his features seem to melt away, leaving a hideous skeletal face garbed in a grubby, fire-stained robe. "... to my church," he finishes. "Your souls will feed the greatest heroes of Kelmarane!"
Ongoing effects:
Bold may go.
Sarona ()
Lady Vulpina ()
Halruune ()
Casper ()
Rahella (L)
Lupe ()
Wolf ()
Found one. Not that hard :)
Have at it!
Vulpina draws her pistol and her blade, drawing closer before taking a shot against the skeleton priest guy!
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For a dead person, Halruune moves pretty quickly and avoids the shot.