Extinction Curse- The Show Must Go On!

[DarkOne-Rob]

Still utterly exhausted, Giggles begins to snore, loudly, as the party finishes their discussion with the priest.

Spoiler: OoC

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Feel free to wake him anytime - I'm just trying to give him a nap so he will be in a better mood for the next encounters!

[Gwynfrid]

When the conversation with the Father ends, Keshkaru shakes Giggles awake. "All right, our work isn't finished yet, friend. There's at least another of these intruders, a winged one, about. We've agreed to go check the church grounds and patrol the town for a bit. Are you okay to move?"

[DarkOne-Rob]

With a moment of blurry-eye-rubbing and a yawn during which it seems the gnome's jaw is about to come unhinged Giggles wakes and then smiles. "Okay to move? I'm great to move! Though...if Tessara wants to carry me I don't mind!" he says with a laugh. Seeming fully awake, refreshed, and once again cheerful, the little gnome looks around animatedly but makes no move to get out of the drow-blooded spellcaster's arms...

[MuffinMan]

"Ugh. I think your own feet can carry you well enough!" Tessara says with mock outrage as she lowers the gnome back to the ground. "Unless you want Vorgrok to carry you around - I'm sure he'd be willing."

"Thank you, Father. We'll check back in on you later today or tomorrow after we've checked on the town, the Gozreh hermits, and the other winged intruder..." She sighs. "Things sure have gotten complicated recently, haven't they?" Then she finishes getting her things together, ready to scour the church grounds before heading properly into town.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Giggles lands on his feet and with a twinkle in his eye pouts up at Tessara. Then he winks and dashes off through the church door to start looking around the church grounds for signs of...a flying creature and some papers...? (It is clear to anyone looking that his attention span is spent, but he is trying to be part of the team and help out, in his own, distracted way.)

[DeVermis]

Pip, making sure to snag a flask of holy water, follows giggles out the front door. There were places to be and things to do!

[Farmerbink]

Back on the street, the sun has risen on a gently waking village. The location of Goldenlaws church leaves it far enough from the common square to be only lightly trafficked, but a handful of people have begun to gather and eye the shattered windows with mixtures of curiosity and perhaps a bit of macabre fascination. A few townsfolk seem to show legitimate concern and after a wary glance at the odd party (which immediately identifies you both as newcomers and associates you with the circus) make their way inside to check on Father Drend, and perhaps aid in the recovery efforts.

It quickly becomes apparent that you've already inspected most of the church grounds, as you leave the sanctuary behind. Much of the space is dominated by the simple cemetery, where you dispatched the demonic bodysnatchers. Only a pair of freestanding crypts remain largely unexplored for now, one each at the southwest and northwest corners of the graveyard.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Hey, what are in those two buildings?" asks Giggles as he points out the crypts. "If they are full of dead people, should we ask the priest about checking them out? I could imagine a little flying thing hiding inside if it found a hole..." With overexaggerated motions he sneaks up to the northwest crypt and looks around for anything that might show signs of either danger or forced entry by the rogue quasit.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Stealth: (1d20+7)[24]
Perception: (1d20+6)[13]

[Gwynfrid]

"Good thinking. Let me check the other one." Keshkaru's approach is nowhere as discreet as Giggles' as she moves closer to the southernmost crypt, Ozkrak in tow.

Spoiler

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No Stealth to speak of, but Perception (1d20+8)[23]

[Farmerbink]

Giggles takes a moment to investigate the northern mausoleum and finds it still well-sealed against the elements (as well as his own efforts to gain entry). The heavy stone door appears to either have been permanently affixed or weathered firmly into place. At any rate, he cannot find anything out of sorts about the building.

Keshkaru, however, doesn't quite have to reach the heavy wooden door to notice something out of sorts about the southern crypt. Just beneath a broad engraving of the name "MOULDER," a clearly broken lock hangs from the latch. Though it isn't her strongest suit, she approaches cautiously, and is rewarded by the sounds of high-pitched squabbling from within. Most of the words are unintelligible, spoken in another language, or both, but she occasionally makes out a phrase that sounds like impassioned bargaining.

Judging from the consistently inconsistent bantering, the bargaining appears to have reached an impasse of some sort. It would take some time to get more useful information.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Nothing here - how about that one, Keshkaru?" calls Giggles, suddenly not stealthy at all. When he sees the lizardfolk peering closely and listening to something he can't hear, Giggles covers his mouth with both hands and sneaks up to the crypt where the noises are.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Stealth (1d20+7)[10]
Perception (1d20+6)[22]

[MuffinMan]

Tessara waits patiently, not expecting her allies' searches to turn up anything of note. Keshkaru's rigid body language, however, clues her in to something amiss at the southern tomb. She gestures for Vorgrok and the others to follow, quietly!, as she herself begins to tiptoe closer...

Spoiler: Stealth

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(1d20+6)[18]

[Gwynfrid]

The iruxi woman freezes on the spot, her orange and green spines flattening along her curbed back. In silence, she makes an urgent sign of her hand for her companions to join her.

[Farmerbink]

As the party gathers, the speakers inside remain fixed on their discussion. It's impossible to be sure, as only a fraction of one half of the conversation is intelligible to you all, but it doesn't appear to be going anywhere.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Once he gets close enough to hear the sounds of arguing in the crypt Giggles puts a finger to his lips dramatically and looks at the others. He gestures that he is going to sneak in (by getting on tip toes and putting his hands in front of him with the fingers curled down) and creeps up to the entrance. Carefully and gently he eases the door open and begins to make his way down towards the voices...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Stealth: (1d20+7)[9]to get close enough to hear more of what is happening.

[JWallyR]

"Ugh. I think your own feet can carry you well enough! Unless you want Vorgrok to carry you around - I'm sure he'd be willing."

The dwarf raises one eyebrow quizzically, coinciding with a lifting of his bushy beard, giving evidence to a wry smile beneath.

As the others move out to explore the rest of the grounds, Vorgrok trudges along, his posture seemingly relaxed, but his eyes constantly searching for evidence of the remaining miscreant. Noticing Keshkaru's change in posture and Tessara's wave, the dwarf strides forward, his heavy sledge suddenly appearing in his hands as though having moved of its own volition...

Spoiler: Actions

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Stealth: (1d20+3)[7]

[DeVermis]

As Giggles slips through the door, Pip peeks around the frame, hoping to get a glimpse of what is going on inside.

Spoiler: OOC

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Stealth (1d20+8)[9]
Perception (1d20+6)[10] (Pip has darkvision if that makes a difference)

[Farmerbink]

As soon as Giggles begins opening the door, the voices stop. It's all the warning the heroes get, but it's all the warning most of them needed.

The door to the crypt opens, letting plenty of light into the otherwise dank chamber. You've never been in a crypt before, but it seems out of sorts at first glance. A small pile of glittering refuse lies gathered in the middle of the room, surrounded by a strange trio of tiny creatures. One, with wings, looks much like the pest you recently dispatched in Father Drend's store room. The other two are tiny (mechanically) dog-faced bipedal critters, armed with tiny, shiny blades.

Spoiler: If/when you move within 20' of a "P"

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Make a will save, DC 16. You must roll this save twice, taking the worse result. If you fail, you continue rolling twice and taking the lower result on every d20 as long as you stay within 20'.

Sorry DarkOne XD.

Party to act, except Pip and Giggles

Map updated

[JWallyR]

Vorgrok wastes no time, charging through the foremost members of the party with a gravelly roar to lash out with his heavy sledge against one of the dog-faced creatures!

Spoiler: Actions

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First: RAAAAAGE! +4 temp HP, -1 AC, +6 damage
Second and third: Sudden Charge to move to H16 (or thereabouts) and SMASH!

Attack: (1d20+8)[19]
Damage: (1d12+10)[21]

Spoiler: Stats

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Vorgrok Giantforge
Level 2 Neutral Neutral Dwarf Barbarian. Speed 20 ft, Medium Humanoid (Rock Dwarf), Rigger
AC 17, Fort 7, Reflex 4, Will 7, Perception 7
Rock Dwarf Heritage- +2 vs shove/trip/prone effects, half forced movement over 10 ft
Dwarven Darkvision
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
HP 25/38 (+4 temp)

Conditions:
Clumsy 1 (-1 to Dex-based DCs/checks) while wielding Large weapon.
Demon bite attack: -1 to Cha-based skills for 1 day (lulz)
RAGE! +6 damage, -1 AC, +4 temp HP

[Gwynfrid]

Keshkaru reacts just as forcefully, if less noisily. With a word in her ancestral language and a sign of pinched claws, she sends Ozkrak to the attack! The swift raptor jumps forward, displaying her impressive speed again to go all the way around the enemies, trapping them between herself and the raging dwarf. Then, the iruxi's voice intones:


"Deux êtres déplaisants
De l'esprit de la foudre
Vont voir le châtiment
Qu'ils soient réduits en poudre!"


... And the now familiar spark of lightning erupts between the two tiny dog faces.

Spoiler

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Keshkaru
#1 Command Ozkrak to attack
#2-3 Electric Arc between the two dog-faced things, (1d4+4)[5] basic save Ref DC18 for each of them

Ozkrak
#1 Stride to G18, flanking position
Will saves DC16 (1d20+5)[15] (1d20+5)[11] - failed!
#2 Jaws Strike (1d20+7)[26] (if the Will save was failed, then (1d20+7)[21] and take the lowest) damage (1d8+2)[4]

Spoiler: Stats

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Keshkaru
Female Iruxi Druid (animal order), Level 2, HP 24/24, Speed 25
Medium humanoid (Frilled Lizardfolk), Animal Wrangler
AC 17, Fort +4, Refl +4, Will +10, Perception +8
Abilities Str 16, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 14
Senses: Baseline
Attack, Claw +7 (1d4+3 slashing, agile)
Attack, Tail +7 (1d6+3 bludgeoning, sweep)
Attack, Sling +4 (1d6+1 bludgeoning, propulsive)
Athletics +7, Diplomacy +6, Intimidation +6, Nature +8, Performance +6
Focus Points: 0/1
Conditions: None

Ozkrak
Female Raptor (dromaesaur) Animal Companion, Level 2, HP 10/22, Speed 50
Small Animal
AC 17, Fort +6, Refl +7, Will +5, Perception +5
Ability bonuses Str +2, Dex +3, Con +2, Int -4, Wis +1, Cha 0
Senses: Low-light vision, scent (imprecise, 30 feet)
Attack, Jaw +7 (1d8+2 piercing, finesse)
Attack, Talon +7 (1d6+2 slashing, agile, finesse)
Acrobatics +7, Athletics +6, Stealth +7
Conditions: None

[MuffinMan]

"What's in there?! I can't s- Ahhh!" Tessara recoils in surprise and hops back away from the crypt entrance. Weaving a spell, she tosses a dagger into the air and causes it to telekinetically streak towards the winged creature.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to H/12 or as needed for line of sight, then telekinetic projectile at the quasit(?):
atk (1d20+8)[16], dmg (1d6+4)[5] piercing

Spoiler: Status

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Chaotic Neutral Half-Elf Sorcerer, Level 2, HP 20/20, Speed 30 ft.
Medium Humanoid (Half-Drow), Imperial Bloodline
AC 16, Fort 4, Ref 6, Will 6, Perception 4
Abilities Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 18
Conditions: None

[Farmerbink]

With a sudden shout, Vorgrok shatters the stillness, and reduces one of the dog-faced creatures to little more than paste.

Tessara's attack goes just wide in the dimness, while Keshkaru and Ozkrak work together to severely injure the other, and lightly injure the quasit.

The two remaining foes respond ferociously, but not terribly effectively. Despite a veritable flurry of claws, swipes, and lunges with tiny blades, Vorgrok handily avoids the worst of it. The dog-faced critter manages to connect twice with its blade, but accomplishes little besides demonstrating its own feebleness (Vorgrok takes 2 damage).

Map updated

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Gigglespit's Status, Round 2 (?)

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Gigglespit Baderiggo Humbleback
Chaotic Good Gnome Bard, Level 2, HP 26/26, Speed 25 ft.
Small Humanoid (Fey Touched Gnome), Circus Born
AC 18, Fort 6, Ref 7, Will 6, Perception 6
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 18
Conditions: None

"Gah! What are those?" splurts Giggles as he stumbles and reacts slower than his friends. When he gets his wits about him he raises his buckler, tosses a dagger, and says, "Get em, everyone! Be careful!" From his shoulder his little blue snake hisses at the tiny enemies, though it makes no move to attack.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Save vs. Curse - Will Save vs DC 16 (1d20+6)[12] or (1d20+6)[7]. Edit: I hate my dice...
Cast Shield to get the Shield bonus to AC and have access to the Shield Block action
Cast Inspire Courage to give everyone +1 to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects
Attack with thrown dagger - (1d20+8)[27] (1d20+8)[11] to hit and (1d4+1)[4] damage. Edit: I really hate my dice.

[JWallyR]

Instead of recoiling from the scratch, tiny against his thick, muscular frame, Vorgrok begins to chortle, somehow sounding no more mirthful than before. In apparent reckless abandon, he flings the business end of his heavy sledge toward the remaining foes!

Spoiler: Actions

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I'm posting, but hoping that Keshkaru continues to order her companion to attack, and it seems to be smart about flanking... so I'm hoping (assuming?) that it provides Vorgrok flanking vs. the... 'P' enemy on the map. If that's the case, Vorgrok will attack it until/unless it dies, and then attack Q instead. If flanking is not provided... the other way around.

Action 1: Attack! (1d20+9)[10] for (1d12+11)[13] damage
Action 2: Attack! (1d20+4)[18] for (1d12+11)[20] damage
Action 3: Attack! (1d20-1)[9] for (1d12+11)[23] damage

Spoiler: Stats

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Vorgrok Giantforge
Level 2 Neutral Neutral Dwarf Barbarian. Speed 20 ft, Medium Humanoid (Rock Dwarf), Rigger
AC 17, Fort 7, Reflex 4, Will 7, Perception 7
Rock Dwarf Heritage- +2 vs shove/trip/prone effects, half forced movement over 10 ft
Dwarven Darkvision
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
HP 25/38 (+2 temp)

Conditions:
Clumsy 1 (-1 to Dex-based DCs/checks) while wielding Large weapon.
Demon bite attack: -1 to Cha-based skills for 1 day (lulz)
RAGE! +6 damage, -1 AC, +4 temp HP, 8 rds remaining
Inspire Courage: +1 atk/damage/saves vs fear

[MuffinMan]

Tessara frowns and sidesteps to regain sight of the foe before recasting her spell - the dagger rises again from where it had fallen to the ground and streaks towards the winged foe!

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to F/12 or as needed for line of sight, then telekinetic projectile at the quasit:

Including +1 inspire courage:
attack (1d20+9)[15], damage (1d6+5)[11]

Spoiler: Status

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Chaotic Neutral Half-Elf Sorcerer, Level 2, HP 20/20, Speed 30 ft.
Medium Humanoid (Half-Drow), Imperial Bloodline
AC 16, Fort 4, Ref 6, Will 6, Perception 4
Abilities Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 18
Conditions: None

[Gwynfrid]

Keshkaru purposefully steps inside the building, keeping the enemy within sight.

Spoiler

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Keshkaru's actions will depend on the situation.

If Vorgork killed the second small creature:

Keshkaru
#1 Stride to F15 - Will (1d20+10)[11]
#2-3 Electric Arc over the quasit (1d4+4)[5] electricity, basic save Ref DC18.

If the second small creature is still alive:

Keshkaru
#1 Stride to F15 (Will save as above)
#2 Command Ozkrak to attack
#3 Recall Knowledge on the dog-faced creature, Nature (1d20+8)[12] (if Will save failed, second roll (1d20+8)[15])

Ozkrak
#1 Stride to H18, flanking position
#2 Jaws Strike including Inspire Courage (1d20+8)[28] (1d20+8)[18] damage (1d8+3)[5]

Spoiler: Stats

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Keshkaru
Female Iruxi Druid (animal order), Level 2, HP 24/24, Speed 25
Medium humanoid (Frilled Lizardfolk), Animal Wrangler
AC 17, Fort +4, Refl +4, Will +10, Perception +8
Abilities Str 16, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 14
Senses: Baseline
Attack, Claw +7 (1d4+3 slashing, agile)
Attack, Tail +7 (1d6+3 bludgeoning, sweep)
Attack, Sling +4 (1d6+1 bludgeoning, propulsive)
Athletics +7, Diplomacy +6, Intimidation +6, Nature +8, Performance +6
Focus Points: 0/1
Conditions: None

Ozkrak
Female Raptor (dromaesaur) Animal Companion, Level 2, HP 10/22, Speed 50
Small Animal
AC 17, Fort +6, Refl +7, Will +5, Perception +5
Ability bonuses Str +2, Dex +3, Con +2, Int -4, Wis +1, Cha 0
Senses: Low-light vision, scent (imprecise, 30 feet)
Attack, Jaw +7 (1d8+2 piercing, finesse)
Attack, Talon +7 (1d6+2 slashing, agile, finesse)
Acrobatics +7, Athletics +6, Stealth +7
Conditions: None

[DeVermis]

Pip readies his bow, hopefully for the last time that day, and lines up a shot, careful to avoid his companions in the stone confines.

Spoiler: If winged creature is still alive:

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Spoiler: OOC

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Action 1: Get out bow
Action 2: Fire at winged creature (1d20+8)[15] for (1d6)[6] damage
Action 2: Fire at winged creature again (1d20+3)[15] for (1d6)[1] damage

Spoiler: Stats

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Pip
Level 2, HP 19/28, Speed 25 ft.
Small Humanoid (Goblin), Artisan (Tailor)
AC 19, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +6, Perception +6
Abilities Str +0, Dex +4, Con +1, Int +3, Wis -1, Cha +2
Conditions: None

Spoiler: If only the dog faced creature is alive:

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Pip lowers his bow, the creature is certainly not innocent but not necessarily deserving of summary execution either. "Wait!" Pip calls out. "We should question him!"

[Farmerbink]

Once more, Vorgrok's hammer makes short work of the verminous pest. In the wake of such violence, the Quasit immediately tries to flee. Unfortunately, Ozkrak is faster, and Pips and Tessara's airborne attacks even more so. The enemies quickly perish, and once more the quasit leaves little behind to tell it was once here.

The other two creatures' bodies, so much as they remain identifiable, in fact remain. Their swords are tiny, and smashed beyond reasonable repair- though they might make interesting mementos.

Otherwise, the party finds themselves amongst a once-more vermin free crypt. It's a simple one-room affair. The pile of oddities in the middle of the floor is revealed to be a small collection of the imp's findings- no doubt from within and without the crypt. Everything from tarnished belt buckles, colorful buttons, and false teeth to a gold ring, an ornate bracelet, and more can be found within, clearly betraying the creatures' unlikely sense of value.

Spoiler: OOC

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Total *actual* spoils:
gold ring worth 10gp
bracelet of dashing (I need to look up identification rules, but frankly can't be bothered atm)
silver brooch worth 20gp
lesser bravo's brew
owlbear claw
potency crystal

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the violence ends Giggles looks down at the tiny dog-faced corpses. "Poor, foolish things. You really shouldn't steal anything too big for you to hide..." he says as he looks down on the creatures and compares them to their "treasures." "Well, do you think they stole these from the church? Would that priest even miss them if they did?" he continues as he walks up and retrieves his dagger. Then he looks closely at the small pile of loot curiously. He picks up the bracelet and tries it on. "What do you think, guys? I kind of like it..."

Spoiler: OoC

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He's not a melee PC, but Giggles would take the Bracelet of Dashing if no one else wants it. If someone does want it then just argue in character and Giggles will let them have it.

[MuffinMan]

"Hmm, not from the church, I don't think" Tessara replies, holding the silver brooch up to the light to study it. "I'd guess they were just grave robbing. What a peculiar thing, though - some of these monsters wanting to gather trinkets while others are wanting to... feed" she grimaces. "Well, should we go back and tell that priest that the grounds are safe again? After that we had better start looking for clues... To town, do you think, or the Hermitage?"