(PF) maggie's Rise of the Runelords: Skinsaw Murders IC

[Bhaakon]

Brin
AC: 18
HP: 26/26

Knew I should have killed that bird. Again, I mean. Another desperate, drunken mistake. No, wait that one was sober. Drunk me would know it was dumb and not care, sober me convinced herself it was clever.

The sudden appearance for three additional Setsunas snaps Brin back into the present. "Hold a second. Let me grant you, all of you, some protection. The blessing won't be proof against the ghouls' taint, but it should help some." She reaches out while invoking Pharasma's aid with a whispered prayer, touching each of the others in turn.

She discharges the last of the divinely granted energy just as Taladron's own enchantment takes hold. Fast as thought, her hand drops down to her quiver and grabs an arrow, launching it, then a second and third towards the figures advancing across the storm-whipped field. She could almost feel the arrows being blown off course, but the only thing she could do to combat the unpredictable wind was launch a fusillade into its teeth.

Spoiler

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might as well roll the attacks (haste bonus and rapid shot penalty included, weather and range penalties not):

Rd 2:
(1d20+7)[18]
(1d8+1)[3]
(1d20+7)[12]
(1d8+1)[2]
(1d20+7)[13]
(1d8+1)[4]

Rd 3:
(1d20+7)[27]
(1d8+1)[4]
(1d20+7)[8]
(1d8+1)[6]
(1d20+7)[25]
(1d8+1)[4]

[ProudGrognard]

Sirus
HP 32 AC 27 with PfE

Sirus walks almost casually towards the ghouls, accelerating only as they approach. As he walks, he takes deep breaths, willing his chi into focus, his hands crooked like talons, his stride the distinct gait of the boar style. When they ghouls are only some feet away, he explodes into action, into a whirlwind of low kicks, sweeping rakes and low grabs.

Spoiler

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So... a hell of a lot of rolls

FoB 3 trips
Trip 1 (1d20+15)[22]
If successful Vicious Stomp (1d20+8)[27] dmg (1d8+5)[7]

Trip 2 (1d20+15)[23]
If successful Vicious Stomp (1d20+8)[25] dmg (1d8+5)[13]

Trip 3 (1d20+15)[29]
If successful Vicious Stomp (1d20+8)[25] dmg (1d8+5)[9]

If some of the ghouls are tripped and trys to get up: AoO, one each
(1d20+8)[21] dmg (1d8+5)[10]
(1d20+8)[10] dmg (1d8+5)[13]
(1d20+8)[10] dmg (1d8+5)[7]

And finally, Boar Style dmg if any was hit twice in the same round (2d6)[6]

I sure hope I did not make a mistake anywhere here.

[Miraqariftsky]

Rico, Raging, PfE'd, Hasted
HP 42/42, AC 23/20
Rage I/III, 4/7

Rico hurries along at a trot,
Wary for these fiends' lot
Shielding the mages
Aith her flesh and iron

When the others engage, she holds back
And, focused, still keeps watch
For flanking and maneuvering

Sword sheathed, hauls out throwing blades
And hurls them for the ravening foe

Spoiler

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Aim at whichever ones are not engaged in melee.

Dagger and dagger, saving the axe for something special.
(1d20+2)[6]
(1d4+6)[8]
(1d20+2)[4]
(1d4+6)[9]

[maggie_mcknife]

Red
AC 20 (Hasted and PfE - AC 23)
HP: 36/36

Spoiler

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Round 1: (add on -4 from wind)
Attack: (1d20+7)[9]
Damage: (1d8)[4]

Round 2: (add on -4 from wind)
Attack: (1d20+8)[12]
Damage: (1d8)[5]
Extra Attack: (1d20+8)[22]
Damage: (1d8)[3]

Round 3:
Attack 1: (1d20+7)[19]
Damage: (1d4+3)[4]
Attack 2: (1d20+7)[21]
Damage: (1d4+3)[7]
Extra Attack: (1d20+7)[13]
Damage: (1d4+3)[7]

Nodding her silent thanks to Taladron, Red continues to sight down the arrow shaft at the approaching ghouls. Shooting ghouls from afar with arrows in a rainstorm. This wasn't how she liked to fight. But life didn't always give you that choice, did it?

Cayden watch over us- Taking a deep breath, Red shoots - releasing arrows in quick succession before hurling her bow aside and sliding out her kukris, rain be damned. Arrows in a storm! Rathi would have laughed. And then sent her out to practice anyway, because one never knew.

*****

GM post

From somewhere behind you comes a strident flash, followed by the booming whip-crack of thunder rolling across the darkened sky. The carrionstorm in the sack continues to call plaintively to its flock through the pounding rain, its sickening cries raising the hairs on your neck like nails down a chalkboard. Across the wheat field, the ghouls fan out as they run towards you with the rangy, tireless pace of the living dead. One of them even appears to be waving and gesticulating madly at the others in a semblance of generalship...

At a shout from one of their number, the ghouls split neatly into two packs, one knot of four heading right for Sirus and Setsuna while the remaining three continue to pelt through the fields towards the rest of you. The shout seems to agitate the carrionstorms nesting in the Whisperwood trees as well, with hundreds of the necromantic birds rising abruptly from the trees in a squalling, shrieking cloud that blots out the sky above the trees. For those of you who pay attention to such things, it strikes you that the timing and coordination of this attack is a little too perfect. Surely, the carrionstorms can't be working in tandem with the ghouls... or are they?

*****

Red's first arrow goes wide, snatched up by a gust of wind and hurled across the field. Nor does Brin's first volley fare much better, with the approaching ghoul pack of three hooting derisively as the arrows and Rico's dagger sail harmlessly overhead. Even when the arrows do strike, piercing the leading ghoul through the chest and shoulder, the foul creatures simply jeer all the louder - the leading ghoul even snapping the shaft of Brin's arrow off in her fist with a loud whoop. These ghouls, clearly enough, are not your regular mindless undead and the sight of them relishing the prospect of an impending fight is enough to unsettle even the most sanguine of you.

Further up in the field, the sight of the lantern archon coruscating above Setsuna's head causes the remaining four ghouls to gape and hesitate, their steps slowing even as they prepare to clash with Setsuna. The moment of distraction is all that Sirus needs, however, as he spins and ploughs into their midst, axing the nearest three ghouls to the ground with swift sweeps and calculated shoves, their bones cracking in their chests as he brings his heels down on their ribs.

Upon seeing the others bowled over like ninepins in a child's game, the remaining ghoul still standing barks savagely at the rest in Common, the veins on its newly purpled neck standing out with the force of its shout. "Leave him! Take the oth-" The ghoul's orders are cut off as it head practically explodes in a shower of ice and white lightning, Setsuna's kiai soaring triumphantly over the noise of the battlefield.

Lantern Archon has cast Aid on Setsuna.

Haste and Protection from Evil are in effect.

One ghoul is down, three ghouls are prone, the other three are still running. Three carrionstorm swarms are on the way.

*****

Spoiler

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Party Initiative:
Sirus: (1d20+4)[16]
Brin: (1d20+5)[6]
Setsuna: (1d20+4)[10]
Red: (1d20+5)[11]
Rico: (1d20+1)[16]
Taladron: (1d20+4)[23]

Ghouls:
G1: (1d20+2)[22]
G2: (1d20+2)[12]
G3: (1d20+2)[18]
G4: (1d20+2)[22]
G5: (1d20+2)[19]
G6: (1d20+2)[16]

Carrionstorms:
CS1: (1d20+4)[24]
CS2: (1d20+4)[7]
CS3: (1d20+4)[6]

Initiative Order:
24 - Carrionstorm 1
23 - Taladron
22 - G1
22 - G4
19 - G5
18 - G3
16 - Sirus
16 - G6
16 - Rico
12 - G2
11 - Red
10 - Setsuna
7 - Carrionstorm 2
6 - Brin
6 - Carrionstorm 3

Carrionstorm 1

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Will Save: (1d20)[15] - passed, Carrionstorm unaffected by Aura of Menace

AoO - Ranged touch attack: (1d20+3)[12], Damage: (1d6)[2] - hits

Swarm damage: (1d6)[5]
Fort Save: (1d20+4)[11] - passed, Archon is not Distracted

The swiftest of the carrionstorm flocks wings its away over to where Sirus and Setsuna are, cawing furiously as they dive and eddy around the two, repelled by Pharasma's blessing against evil. Unable to vent their fury on the humanoids, the flock instead turns its attention to the orb of pale light above Setsuna's head, hurling themselves at it and pecking for all they are worth despite their mouldering wings getting seared by the archon's light.

*****

Initiative Order:
24 - Carrionstorm 1
> 23 - Taladron
22 - G1 - prone
22 - G4 - off map, will charge for Rico
19 - G5 - off map, will charge for Red
18 - G3 - prone
16 - Sirus
16 - G6 - off map, will charge for Taladron
16 - Rico
12 - G2 - prone
11 - Red
10 - Setsuna
7 - Carrionstorm 2 - off map, will head for Sirus and Setsuna
6 - Brin - already made rolls for round 3
6 - Carrionstorm 3 - off map, will head for Brin

It is now Taladron's turn.

*****

Battle Map

[bcool999]

Taladron

So organized... I don't like this. Thinks Taladron to himself as he surveys the wheat-field turned battlefield.

"Rico, Red! I got the two at 4 o'clock, watch the one at 8 o'clock!" He shouts as he moves into better position. He stops and mutters a spell before throwing a delicate spiderweb that grows and expands to cover the two ghouls at 4 o'clock in a strong, sticky net.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move: Moving to G5
Standard: Casting Web on the two ghouls at 4 o'clock, Reflex save vs. DC 18 (10+2nd level+5int+1spell focus) or be grappled. Can escape with either escape artist check or a CMD check vs same DC. Web is considered difficult terrain, anyone trying to move through the web must make a CMD or escape artist vs DC 18 as part of the move action failure means they stop and are grappled.

********

Meanwhile the Lantern Archon is amused by the carrionstorms attempts to breach its holy protections. Nevertheless, it will not suffer such creatures to be in such close proximity to its form. It lashes out with searing light.

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Attack1 (Vs. Carrionstorm): (1d20+4)[11] vs. touch AC, Damage: (1d6)[6]
Attack2 (Vs. Carrionstorm): (1d20+4)[7] vs. touch AC, Damage: (1d6)[1]
Attack3 (Vs. Ghoul 1): (1d20+4)[9] vs. touch AC, Damage: (1d6)[3]

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post

Taladron and the Lantern Archon

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Reflex saves:
(1d20+2)[11] - failed
(1d20+2)[19] - passed

Though the lantern archon does its best, the carrionstorm has grown canny upon seeing several of its members fall to the burning rays of light. Diving and weaving, they dodge the archon's beams, cawing in frustration as they stab down with their beaks and meet with nothing more than air. Meanwhile, across the field, Taladron's spell manifests in the form of a a nebulous mass of shimmering white threads that, as luck would have it, happens to slap onto the bodies of the two nearest ghouls.

What happens next would be nothing short of hilarious, were it not for the fact that you are in the middle of combat. The leading ghoul, for the moment unaware of her impediment, ploughs onwards, causing her unfortunate companion to become even more tangled up in the sticky web, which snags and catches on the surrounding wheat. With a wail of alarm, the second ghoul stumbles, clutching frantically at the wheat around him, enmeshing himself further and looking for all the world like an extremely ugly bug wrapped up for eating by some monstrous spider. The web will only stretch so far though, and the leading ghoul suddenly finds herself pedaling air as she strains against the leash of a thousand of translucent threads.

Temporary house rule in place to expedite iffy RAW. G4 and G5 are the diametrically opposed points and they are both are now grappled, but with G4 in the middle and G5 at the edge of the web, since she passed her reflex save.

*****

G1

Spoiler

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Move: get up
Attack on Sirus that is going to fail because of PfE

Sirus's pre-rolled AoO: (1d20+8)[21] dmg (1d8+5)[10] - hits

Ignoring the command of the recently decapitated ghoul, the nimblest of the ghouls at Sirus's feet hisses up at him with virulent anger, its clouded eyes glowing a faint sickly yellow. He cannot possibly have been a ghoul for more than a few days, for though his teeth are fang-like and his nails curled into wicked talons, his skin is still a sallow grey, lank blonde hair plastered to his forehead in rivulets.

Despite the vicious kick that Sirus deals to its ribs, the ghoul scrambles to its feet and dives at the half-orc with mouth agape, only to howl in pain the instant it touches Sirus's shoulder - the blessing that Brin cast will not permit it to lay as much as a finger on his body. Hissing cat-like, the ghoul shrinks away, his teeth bared in a silent snarl.

*****

G4 and G5

Spoiler

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CM check DC 18:
(1d20+2)[5] - failed
(1d20+2)[21] - passed

Attack on Rico is also going to fail due to PfE

The two ghouls caught in Taladron's web continue to struggle, doing their best to swat the sticky material away from them. While the one firmly caught in the middle of the web only succeeds in smearing webbing all over his hands and face, the other, with an almighty lunge and downward chop of her arm, actually manages to sever most of the threads holding her in place. Immediately, her eyes, bright with malice, fix upon Taladron. If not for the tell-tale blackened bite wound at her neck and the odd tint of her skin, this ghoul could easily be mistaken for someone still alive. Even in undeath and soaked by rain, her hair is a vibrant mane of chesnut and if the make of the kapenia around her wrist is any indication, she too, was alive not too long ago.

Parting her wrinkled lips as if to speak, the ghoul only grins before proceeding charging towards Rico as fast as she can, sharp claws raised and ready. Like her companion at Sirus's side, however, she ends up recoiling sharply away from Rico with an all too human-sounding shriek, her fingers smoking slightly at where they grazed Rico's arm.

*****

G3

Spoiler

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Sirus's pre-rolled AoO - (1d20+8)[10] dmg (1d8+5)[13] - hit

For a moment, one of the downed ghouls at Sirus's feet gapes like a fish as he beholds his companions burned by some invisible effect, his jaw slack in surprise as he glances around him in alarm. "Don't touch 'em! There's some kinda shield! Kill 'em some other way!" His voice, surprisingly reedy for a ghoul, rises above the tumult in a feeble attempt to alert the others.

The ghoul's warning, however, is the very last thing he manages to say. As he tries scrambling to his feet, one of Sirus's hands, crooked like a claw, comes slashing across his throat, very nearly severing his head.

G3 is now dead.

*****

Initiative Order:
24 - Carrionstorm 1
23 - Taladron
22 - G1
22 - G4 - off map, grappled and stuck in a web
19 - G5
> 16 - Sirus
16 - G6 - off map, will charge for Taladron
16 - Rico
12 - G2 - prone
11 - Red
10 - Setsuna
7 - Carrionstorm 2 - off map, will head for Sirus and Setsuna
6 - Brin - already made rolls for round 3
6 - Carrionstorm 3 - off map, will head for Brin

It is now Sirus's turn.

*****

Battle Map

[ProudGrognard]

Sirus
HP 32 AC 27

Sirus was waiting for the ghouls attack. As it tries to bite, he grabs it by the hands and, with a twist of his shoulders, sends it sprawling down, but not before it meets his knee in terminal velocity. When down, he kicks it again for good measure. It is only then that he turns to the other prone ghoul, sending a kick its way.

Spoiler

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Using the rolls from before
FoB
Trip standing ghoul roll 31
Vicious stomp atk roll 23 dmg 12
Second attack at the one down 28 dmg 9. Extra dmg from Boar 6

Third attack at already prone (1d20+11)[28] dmg (1d8+5)[11]

[Miraqariftsky]

Rico, Raging, PfE'd, Hasted
HP 42/42, AC 23/20
Rage I/III, 5/7

Rico flattens her ears, tries not to hold her breath
As the assault of horror charges 'cross the fields
Holds her ground, yet recoils at deathly touch
Two daggers spent, rips out her sword
Hacks at the ghoul before her,
Shield bashing forward,
Blade sweeping
A diagonal cut...

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...hip to shoulder, if feasible.

(1d20+10)[15]
(1d10+10)[16]

[Desril]

Setsuna
HP 39/34
AC 26 (Shield, +3 Mirror Images, Protection from Evil, Haste, Aid, Arcane Pool (Shocking Keen))

Doing her best to ignore the flock of undead birds battling the summoned archon in the air above her, Setsuna whirls to face the triplet of ghouls that went for Sirus only to see them each meet a swift and efficient end at the half-orc's hand. Not wanting the magical celerity from Taladron's spell to be wasted, she refocuses her attention on the ghouls that thought attacking Rico and the elven wizard was a good idea.

With a short chant which causes Maethilur to glow with a ghostly blue light and the mental command to call up the power of her sarashi, Setsuna dashes to Taladron's aid almost faster than the eye can follow and makes a trio of slashes intended to cut it down forever.

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I wanted to see some use out of haste. Kinda of a waste of the QRS, but damnit, I want that full-attack.

Spell Combat (Casting Arcane Mark) + QRS to move to G7 (flanking the ghoul with Taladron, I love having all this extra mobility) + Spell Combat (Attack + Spellstrike)

Attack (1d20+12)[25] (Already taking flanking into account)
Damage (1d8+6)[13] slashing + (1d6)[2] electricity

Attack (1d20+12)[21]
Damage (1d8+6)[8] slashing + (1d6)[5] electricity

Spellstrike (1d20+12)[27]
Damage (1d8+6)[8] slashing + (1d6)[1] electricity + Magically writing the Minkai equivalent to "R.I.P." (Rest in Peace)
Spellstrike Critical Confirmation (1d20+12)[23]
Damage (1d8+6)[10] slashing + (1d6)[2] electricity shocking doesn't multiply, ignore that part.

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post

G6

Spoiler

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Charging to G6

Attack: (1d20+1)[18]
Damage: (1d4)[3]

The last of the ghouls to reach you all was once a lanky youth of Chelish complexion and he sprints straight for Taladron, fueled by what can only be a suicidal impulse. "For his Lordship!" Yanking a dagger out of his belt, the ghoul thrusts wildly at Taladron's belly, doing his best to disembowel the elf.

*****

Sirus / Rico / Brin / Setsuna

Holding Red's turn and saving the rolls.

Shielded by the divine hand of Pharasma and quickened by Taladron's mage-weaving, the rest of you have no trouble dispatching the rest of the ghouls. Those near Sirus have their skulls stove in by swift kicks, while Rico swiftly hacks the one that dared to strike her into two ragged halves, shriveled viscera bursting out of its torn belly. The dagger-wielding ghoul that Setsuna attacks is nearly obliterated by crackling lightning that chars its undead flesh, the skin puckering back from the mouth and eyes until it is stretched tight over the bones in a ghastly parody of a skull. Even the ghoul trussed up in Taladron's magical web is not spared, being quickly riddled with Brin's arrows.

All the ghouls are dead! Dead dead dead dead dead.

*****

Carrionstorm 2 and 3 / Red

Spoiler

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Holding attacks, moved to 50 feet above your heads.

While you all slay the ghouls, above your heads, the remaining two carrionstorm flocks hover and circle warily, screeching in what might seem to be frustration. Eyeless though they be, the birds are not fools and it might be that some of them remember all too clearly the figure of Brin Zafira and the strange energy she used to attack them with in the morning at Pauper's Grave.

They are much too far for Red to reach with her kukris, and the young woman can only stare in frustration up at them for now. "... Should I shoot?"

*****

Carrionstorm 1

The flock of birds currently trying to murder the lantern archon continues to ineffectually mob the little orb of light. If nothing else, their persistence is admirable.

In the sack, the captured carrionstorm is still cawing away for all it is worth. The noise is beginning to get on your nerves.

*****

Initiative Order:
24 - Carrionstorm 1
> 23 - Taladron
16 - Sirus
16 - Rico
11 - Red - holding turn
10 - Setsuna
7 - Carrionstorm 2
6 - Brin
6 - Carrionstorm 3

It is now Taladron's turn.

[bcool999]

Taladron
AC 13
HP: 27/30

Taladron is shocked still as the Ghoul starts to slide his dagger into his belly. Luckily for him, Setsuna appeared in the blink of an eye and, once again without clothing, struck down the ghoul before the wound turned from minor to mortal. "Thank you Setsuna. Not a moment to soon." says Taladron as he puts a hand to the wound and turns his attention to the carrionstorms overhead to both ponder how to assault them and save the Tieflings thin dignity.

He gets an idea and moves directly underneath where the Carrionstom is assaulting his summoned ally.
Celestial:

Spoiler

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"Assault the larger group up there. I will ensure that these ones do not remain to harry you."

Once the Archon follows his orders, Taladron lets loose a gout of seering flame into the carrionstorm above before it can make to follow.

Spoiler: Actions

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Taladron: Move to L3 (directly under Archon and Swarm) Ready action to use Burning Hands straight up at the swarm for (5d4)[14] x 1.5 Fire Damage (AKA I kill them) once the Archon is out of the blast.

Archon: Move into the swarms up above and fire his beam into them. Attack: (1d20+4)[15] Damage: (1d6)[3]

[Miraqariftsky]

With gore slicking off her wave-bladed sword,
Rico gestures with its edge
And yells, "Take 'im alive!"

Only for Setsuna's mark to be consumed with lightning
Shielding he gaze, she spits
And yells, "Good work, y'all!"

Then sees Taladron's bleeding belly, and asks,
"Tal. Errythin' dandy wit' ye?"

Then grits her teeth, skyward gazing,
Shoulders her battle-table,
Sheathes her sword,

Hisses quickly to the others,
"Brin, apologies an' thanks in advance.
Ye need ta get closer ta finish 'em off with god-juice, right?
Red... we throw her. You give 'er a low, strong spin, then pass 'er ta me, then I'll throw.
...Sirus? Run an' catch, make sure she don't break no bones nor cracks 'er noggin. Arright, move out!"

Fitting word to deed, she assumes the position,
Then grabs their projectile priestess when Red passes the ball
Gives her a good spin, and hurls her like a screaming hammer through the night.

"Cayden, make this craziness work..."

[Desril]

Setsuna
HP 39/34
AC 26 (Shield, +3 Mirror Images, Protection from Evil, Haste, Aid, Arcane Pool (Shocking Keen))

Acutely aware of her renewed state of undress thanks to both the steady fall of the rain on parts that are typically better covered and being able to see three clones of herself mirroring her movements and dress in a similar state Setsuna does her best to keep her mind on the real problem at hand, but not before smiling and commenting to Taladron in Celestial.

Spoiler: Celestial

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"I am not that reckless."

Doing her best to assist with the divine elven cannon, Setsuna takes a moment to figure out what to do, deciding to wait and see if Rico's idea works for the moment before changing her mind. Even if it does, we probably will not have a second try...

After seeing Brin safely launched into the air, the magus promptly disproves her comment to the wizard and splits off from the group, running with magically enhanced speed until she gets far enough from the party. Once safely away enough to look alone and exposed, Setsuna calls out to any survivors of the carrionstorm, the illusory topless Tian tiefling trio tries to taunt the undead birds as well by jumping with the original and trying to look vulnerable.

Spoiler

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Aid another for the Brintapult in the OOC.

Bluff (1d20+2)[19]

Hold action until Brin's turn, then move 60ft away from the party and try to look like an easy target for the carrionstorms.

Readied action to attack any carrionstorm dumb enough to fall for it. If possible, will also ready a swift action to use Maethilur's arcane pool and make all the slashing damage electric as well.
Readied Attack against the not-quite-helpless flock of murderous death-birds

Attack (1d20+12)[22]
Damage (1d8+6)[7] (electricity if I can use a swift action on a readied attack, otherwise slashing) + (1d6)[5] electricity.

If swift action for Maethilur's Arcane Pool is allowed, she has 1/2 AP remaining for today.

[Bhaakon]

Brin
AC 18
HP 26/26

"Apologies for wha..?" Brin starts before realizing exactly what Rico has in mind. The rest of her response melts into surprised and somewhat undignified shout (some might even call it a scream, but surely not within Brin's hearing) as Red and the burly guards-orc swing her up and into range of the circling carrion storms.

She regains her composure near the apex of her flight, just in time to enact her part in the whole insane scheme. "Lady, grant me strength to smite the deathless vermin!" Then, as the burning pulse of positive energy flows out and her stomach informs her of the impending drop, she whisper "...and to survive friends with more muscle than sense."

Spoiler

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Rolled 14 on the channel in the dice thread, DC 14 Will save for half

[ProudGrognard]

Sirus

Sirus hears Rico 's order and he nods from habit. But then his brain registers what has been said and he stares almost open mouthed as Brin is launched in the air like a doll.

With no time to think, his body takes over. He starts to run after Brin, timing his movements. Just as Brin reaches the ground again, Sirus jumps into the air, tackling her, and then they both hit the ground. But it is a controlled descent, as Sirus starts to to roll and roll, with Brin caught in his tumblings.

Finally, they stop. Sirus, somewhat hesitatingly, stands up. He winces as his shoulders ache.

"Are you. Alright?"

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post (with some creative rearrangements of turn order for the sake of drama)

Spoiler

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Will Save:
(1d20+5)[7] - failed
(1d20+5)[12] - failed
(1d20+5)[15] - passed

Perhaps the sight of one of her chosen sailing through the air in an ungainly flurry of bright cloth and flailing arms brought a smile to The Lady's face, causing her to bestow upon Brin a greater surge of divine power. Perhaps not. Either way, as Brin reaches the top of her flight arc, a barely visible pulse of energy bursts from her fingertips, charring the rancid flesh of the carrionstorm flocks to a ear-splitting chorus of screams and screeches.

As Brin descends in a shower of burning feathers and bone, Taladron's arcane fire blazes upwards from the ground, incinerating most of the remaining two flocks. Meanwhile, the carrionstorms attacking the lantern archon finally grow weary of being blasted by a fleshless being with no eyes to peck out and spying Setsuna at some distance from the rest of you, abandon the fight there to attack the apparently vulnerable tiefling. As the bright blue lightning coruscating around Maethilur's blade soon testifies though, the carrionstorm flock has made its last mistake and they are quickly dispatched of in several quick slashes, the tiny bird bodies falling to the ground and twitching as the necromantic force animating them flickers and fades out.

All carrionstorms are now dead. Combat is over, initiative ends.

*****

Red

A faint smile tugging at her lips at the sight of Brin flying, despite herself, Red nudges Rico in tacit acknowledgement of a job well done. Of course Sirus would catch her. That was all right then.

"I do not think... that was all. Of them." Red squints through the rain into the farmhouse in the distance, a sinking feeling of dread slowly growing in her chest once more. Given how many ghouls they were finding here, there probably wasn't any chance that the child who owned that toy in the other farmhouse had survived.

[Desril]

Setsuna

After taking a moment to make sure that none of the murder at her feet were still twitching or likely to get back up and a glance at the formerly flying elf to make sure that Brin doesn't seem to be hurt, Setsuna says a quiet "Thank you" to Maethilur for being able to draw on the blade's own reserves of magical energy before sheathing her. Just before walking back to the others however, the tiefling notices her duplicates' state of undress and feels her cheeks flush with embarrassment even though they no longer turn as red as they used to. Reaching for the one spare shirt she has on her, Setsuna silently prays to whatever god might be listening that the curse doesn't activate so far from the spares that were given to her, only to find herself disappointed when the wet cloth incinerates the moment she tries to put it on, serving only to burn off the last remnants of her old skin on her torso.

Torn between deciding whether the risk of being bitten by a ghoul was worse than the idea of her new body, one that she hadn't quite figured out how she felt about, being shown off four times over, the tiefling eventually settles on protecting her life over her modesty. At this point, it's not like they haven't all already seen me...Defaulting to covering herself with her tail, Setsuna notices from her mirror images copying her movements just how little that actually hides and instead opts to cover herself with her off-hand as best she can before rejoining the party and trying not to look anyone in the eye arriving just after Red's opinion that they hadn't seen the last ghoul of the area yet.

Doing her best to sound like nothing is wrong or bothering her despite the obvious embarrassment, Setsuna speaks up while looking pointedly out at the remaining scarecrows, "We should keep moving. There might be more survivors who need our help."

[bcool999]

Taladron

Seeing the results of the projectile cleric blast, Taladron sighs and shakes his head. We might be an unorthodox group, but no one can deny the results at least. Still, if they had thought to try that nonsense with me I would have turned invisible until they got the fool idea out of their heads.

With one hand, Taladron waves farewell to the Lantern Archon as it winks back to it's plane of existence. With the other, he holds the mostly clotted cut he got when the Ghoul charged at him.

At Red's observation he merely nods, and he frowns as Setsuna comes back to the group trying feebly to cover herself. Looking around at the ghouls clothing soaking in the sludge of their dead owners, he decides something cleaner should be found. Taladron looks around for a real scarecrow that they passed and takes it's rather damp-musty clothing and passes it to Setsuna.

[maggie_mcknife]

Red

Shaking her head wearily, Red turns back to ask Rico where they ought to go next, only to immediately blush the same colour as her hair and shield her eyes with her hand.

Gods. She ought to be used to seeing Setsuna like this in the middle of battle by now. It wasn't as though she hadn't already seen the tiefling before in the bathhouse anyway. (And quietly appreciated the view, because Setsuna had a dancer's grace and lithe body.) But to see all that again, with Setsuna's skin gleaming stark white like a ghost... Red's mouth twists with unease and she turns away, keeping her eyes stubbornly fixed on a distant scarecrow - was that one real or just another ghoul in disguise?

It didn't matter if Setsuna had given her permission to look. It wasn't respectful to stare, whether or not Setsuna's skin looked weird. Besides, a bathhouse was one thing, but this really wasn't the time or place for nakedness.

"... Rico? Is she still... not wearing anything?" Red deliberately counts off six more scarecrows on the other side of Hambley lands. Hopefully those wouldn't be all ghouls. That would be... unpleasant.

[Desril]

Setsuna

Gratefully taking the clothes Taladron salvaged from an actual scarecrow, Setsuna turns her back to the rest of the group in order to clean it with a quick Prestidigitation before slipping into the shirt and sighing in relief.

Overhearing Red, the tiefling tries not to sound embarrassed as she thanks the wizard for finding the outfit and answers for Rico, assuming correctly that it was her nudity rather than her pale skin that was distracting the rogue, "Yes, I am covered now. We should probably keep moving now."

Spoiler

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Prestidigitation to clean the scarecrow outfit before putting it on. That one's just dirty, rather than disgusting, cleaning it is perfectly viable

[Miraqariftsky]

A squeeze of the shoulder, Rico echoes Red
"Damned straight. Keep sharp.", she says,
Briefly touches her helm and hat
Breathing a prayer of thanks

The halforc constable tromps over to Brin
And Sirus, offering both a warm arm
Of support, of steadying
And her brandy flask
"Y'all arright?
Sorry. Koff."

She sets to cleaning her wave-bladed sword
Slowly walking back to their vanguard
Arriving some strides too late
To answer Red's concern
Or offer a cloak to
Naked Setsuna

"She ain't wearin' yer eyes, tha's summin'."
Comes the lamely comedic quip.

Dropping the humour,
Prepares her shield once more,
Leads, sets off towards the farmhouse.

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post

With the clothing crisis averted for now, your band takes the straightest and most direct route to the farmhouse, cutting through the wheat fields instead of going by the walking path. If the ghouls aren't going to take the paths, then there is little reason for you all to do so yourselves either. Fortunately though, the only scarecrow that you all pass your chosen route proves to be of the regular straw-stuffed variety, its large water-sodden straw hat drooping mournfully and the colours of its crude sack-cloth face running as you troop past.

All seems normal as you approach the Hambley farmhouse and the massive L-shaped grain barn to its north. The ground here, far from being scattered with dog entrails or ploughed up with footprints as the Bolin farmstead was, is in fact quite devoid of carnage and contains nothing worse than tall heads of nodding wheat. The farmhouse has all its windows intact, with a modest vegetable garden and tool shed out by the western wall. You know better than to be taken in by mere appearances though. Given the extremely recent encounter with the ghouls scarecrows and the complete absence of living people thus far, it would be impossible for everything here to be be truly well.

Unusually enough, the Hambley farmhouse and barn are constructed entirely out of smooth grey stone - a testament to the wealth and industry of old man Hambley in a region where brick or wood-scaffolded buildings abound. It is the barn that is the more striking of the two buildings, however, for where the support beam would be at the apex of the L-shaped building is instead a 15-foot high stone head. Though the weathered head is canted slightly to the left and is mostly covered with dark green moss, those of you who stop to examine the head can discern the features of a helmed warrior, his face a stern model of determination.

Knowledge (local) DC 12

Spoiler

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This stone head, known locally as "the Stone Warrior", is said to be the remnant of an ancient Thassilonian statue that once stood in the area. Old man Hambley had built his barn around it, realising that it was too large to move and too unique to destroy.

Knowledge (history) DC 25 check

Spoiler

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You recognise that the Stone Warrior head was likely once a giant granite effigy of some long dead general from Runelord Karzoug's army. Alaznist, after all, favoured demons in her troops and would probably not have built a statue of a human that was not of herself.

*****

Map


GM note: A1 is the barn, A2 is the farmhouse.

[Desril]

Setsuna

Only pausing for a moment to glance at the granite head holding up the barn, Setsuna looks worriedly at the house, not liking how quiet and still everything is even though nothing seems damaged. "Let us check the house first. Maybe there are a few who managed to hide from the ghouls inside. It does not look like there was a fight here, at least."

[bcool999]

Taladron

Seeing the Thassilonian statue, Taladron temporarily forgets what they were about and walks right up to it. He lays a hand on it and imagines who it could have been before time and weather made it's features almost indistinguishable from any other person. That is when he remembers where they are according to the old maps of the Thassilonian Empire. Right on the contested borders between the Runelords Alaznist and Karzoug. They already knew that Alaznist favored demonic soldiers as that Lieutenant Bargast they found proved. So perhaps this was one of Karzougs men. In fact, Taladron was almost certain of it now as faint lines that may have once been a fringed helm make themselves apparent in the stone. A great man to have so big a statue. A general perhaps? What deeds did he do to deserve such honor? Was it erected right in the middle of a battlefield where he proved his worth? Or is this stone head all that remains of that man's grave?

"Funny isn't it? This statue was once a great man. Possibly a leader of Runelord Karzougs armies. Yet now he is little more than a beam to keep a barn from toppling over. *Sigh* Time is a ponderously slow and cruel grindstone. It can appear to be almost stopped, but before you know it it is upon you. Crushing you and everything you have done and known and loved into dust, until you are a barely remembered piece of stone sitting in a field..." Taladron says aloud before thinking to himself, But what if it were not so... with enough power... maybe one could beat time. The gods have done so surely, and even that Bargest had endured through centuries at least... maybe I could...

Taladron shakes his head and returns to the others. "Let us get out of this rain at least and see if there are any here to help."

[Miraqariftsky]

Through the sodden wheatfields, Rico'd led their way
Hacking through the stalks, bashing them down
She gazes in awe at the Stone Warrior
Then rumbles in her throat and nods
Braces herself before the door
Preparing to burst in...

Spoiler

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Housebreaking!

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post

The front door of the farmhouse is made of thick unyielding wood and it will not budge, not matter how much Rico pushes and pries. Red's tools are still at hand, and it is a few minutes quick work with a pick and hook before you hear the muted whisper of counterweights from within the lock. Even then though, the door resists being opened and it is only when the heavier ones in the group band together to shove their combined weight against the door that whatever was obstructing it from behind finally gives way with the agonised groan of wood scraping on stone.

Someone on the other side, not wanting you to enter, had propped a large table against the door and no wonder. The instant you all open the door, those of you closer to the front immediately pick up a distinctive iron tang in the air, even as a chilling wind sweeps through the open door and tugs at your clothes. If you'd though that the Bolin farmstead was in a bad shape, the Hambley house is in an even worse condition, with copious amounts of dried blood splattered on every surface that the eye can see. Chairs have been smashed into splinters, ripped cushions disgorge their cotton stuffing, and just about everything made of ceramic or glass seems to have been hurled against the wall or floor, covering the floor with broken porcelain.

Those of you who follow the blood trail on the floor end up treading cautiously through the living room and into the kitchen, only to behold a sight most gruesome. On the kitchen table lies the half naked body of a bloated old man, pinned to the table with curved harvesting sickles through his shoulders and elbows. The skin has been flayed clean off the old man's face, exposing wet muscle and stringy tendons framed by tufts of greying hair, while most of his stomach and legs have been gnawed down to the bone, whatever it was that attacked him chewing right through the canvas of his clothing. Though the corpse is already ripe with flies and maggots, those of you who manage to hold your bile and look past the swarming insects manage to pick out the by now familiar sun-burst pattern carved on the man's chest - like Banny Harker, the body of this old man has been marked with the Sihedron Rune.

An exceptionally large sickle blade has been driven into the table just below the crotch of the corpse. Anyone who steps close enough to the corpse can see that the blade also holds in a place a folded sheet of parchment that cannot be reached without moving the tumid legs of the corpse apart, as if someone is playing a cruel and perverse joke on whoever wishes to read it.

[Bhaakon]

Brin

Quiet and wan since here little flight, not even a long pull from Rico's brandy flask could bring the color back to Brin's face. She hung back from the others, doing her best to settle down the tumult in her inner ears before it erupted into a migraine (an ailment which the elf didn't suffer from, but seemed dead certain was on the horizon anyway). Thinking about what the surviving farmers wasn't helping to calm her. Nor the not-surviving farmers, for that matter.

She's just about regained a handle on the situation when Red finishes fiddling with the door of the farmhouse and pushes it open.

Brin liked to think that she was prepared to witness death in all its terrible forms. It might be a bit perverse, perhaps, but Pharasmin took some small pride in not being shaken by such sights. It was part of the calling, after all, and it would be unprofessional--unfaithful, even--to blanche before a simple corpse, no matter how mangled. Even the scene at the sawmill hadn't been anything Brin wasn't prepared for (stench notwithstanding).

Maybe it was just the after effects of being tossed around like a sack of potatoes, or gulping down a solid gill of brandy on an empty stomach, but the elf gagged out loud as she fought her gorge back down.

"By the Lady's mercy," she mutters once everything is back where it should be. "I hope they fed on a corpse and not a living man."

She reaches out to move the dead man's legs and retrieve the note, silently ashamed when her hand hesitates ever so slightly to touch the fly-blown, half-consumed farmer.

[ProudGrognard]

Sirus

Sirus approaches the giant statue with slow movements, almost like a religious icon. He takes some time to walk around it, even touch it in the night.

"Even gods. Die. Thus. Pharasma. Knows. And waits.

This statue. Shows us. That. An age. Ago. This. Was like. A demigod. To some. But now. He is. Forgotten.

I would. Make. A place of pilgrimage. Here."

But then they move on, into the ghastly house. Sirus feels a foreboding from the first moment. He has the feeling he knows what he will find.

But reality exceeds his expectations. Slowly, he approaches Brin, holding the paper. He fears he knows what he will find.

[maggie_mcknife]

GM post

In the note that Brin has retrieved...

Spoiler

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Master Skerlati,

You, and you alone, have brought this fearful harvest. They are dead because of you and more shall join them soon.

His Lordship

[ProudGrognard]

Sirus

Sirus read the paper over Brin 's hand. His face freezes even more and for a moment, he seems to hardly to breath.

What have I done? What can I do? Pharasma, help me!

But his iron self control reasserts itself. He breathes, deeply, despite the smell.He starts looking around for clues as to what has happened. As he does, he addresses the others in what could only be a subdued voice.

"I. Must. Find. Who this. Is.

But. I am. At my wits. End. I would. Welcome. Suggestions. Any suggestions."

Spoiler

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Perception take 10 for 22