Lost Lands: Grimmsgate IC

[Farmerbink]

It's not much surprise when the gruff cleric turns out to snore like an absolute chainsaw. Easily filling the space with her raucous distraction, Artaith clearly has no difficulty at all remaining comfortable.

Perhaps it's her faith in Yngrit Fire-Hair that sustains her. Or maybe the inexorable march of time towards a grisly fate. Regardless, the Dwarf sleeps on, dreaming of bizarre feral anomalies and days to come.

[Ghostfoot]

As everyone discusses the unsettling situation Riaghan casts his magical senses towards the ground, and the area at large. He doesn't detect anything magical in nature in the immediate vicinity.

Even as you discuss your plans to bed down and continue searching for clues with the dawn, you note the horses starting to stamp the ground and whinny in distress. They jostle against each other, agitated. Still, there is nothing clearly visible out in the darkness.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Ugh...there's something more out there," groans Philemon with a yawn and a scowl directed out into the darkness. "I don't like it, but when things get bad enough you don't stick around. Let's wake up everyone, get the torches lit, and lead the horses back to Grimmsgate. They might not want to let us inside, but we can't keep trying this while everyone is hurt and distracted..."

The outdoorsman doesn't wait long, expecting either a counter-suggestion or the party's cooperation with his plan nearly immediately...

[Farmerbink]

Artaith starts suddenly. "Aye, wot?" she mutters, trying to rub consciousness into her eyes. She blinks repeatedly as Philemon is forced to repeat himself.

"Oi, we can't leave already! Let's just head out there and settle 'em down. Ah never met nothin' spooked horses that couldn't be fixed... sometimes with an axe." She hefts her blade and shield and stomps out the door, eager to settle the mounts and get back to sleep.

[DrK]

Elethielle Woken by the others by the strange atmosphere spooking the horses Elethielle rises silently and places herself beside Philemon, summoning a cool glowing orb of light that offers to place gently on Artiath before the dwarf stomps outside the door. A whispered "To help the rest of those not born in a dwarven mine with our vision" she suggests

Spoiler: OOC

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Elethielle (Ellie)
M LG Half Elf Summoner (Wild caller) [VMC Druid], Level 1, Init 2, HP 8/8, Speed
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 1, Ref 2, Will 3, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Shortbow (20) +2 (1d6, x3)
Reach Longspear (-) +1 (1d8+1, x3)
Longsword (Cold Iron) +1 (1d8+1, 19-20)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 16
Condition Half Elf: Immune sleep, +2 vs Mind Affecting
Trait: +1 saves vs Fey

Summon Animal I: 6/6 remaining

Biped Eidolon - Looks like cross between a wolf and a large cat
HD 1d10 HPs 7/11 BAB +1 Saves 3/4/0 Init +2 Speed 40ft
AC 16 ( +4 natural, +2 dex)
Bite +3 (1d6+2), 2 x Claws +3 (1d4+2) +1d6 bleed
Str 14 Dex 14 Con 13 Int 7 Wis 10 Cha 11
Skills (4): Perception (1) +4, Stealth (1) +6, Survival (1) +4, Acrobatics (1) +6
Feats (1): Power attack
Evol Pool (4): Limbs, Bite, Claws (1), Bleed (claws) (1), Imp Natural armour (1), Pounce (1)
SQ: Darkvision, link, Share spells

Conditions:

[RCgothic]

"I don't much like the idea of giving up already. I'll make sure she's ok," Eponine says, following Artaith out the door.

[Ghostfoot]

Artaith stomps outside, joined by Eponine. In the magical light you spy the horses, by now eyes wide and clearly distressed pulling at their tethers stamping their hooves and jostling one another. You hear squeals of pain and see flashes of bright red, and are alarmed to see repetitive crude markings have been sliced into the bleeding flanks of some of the poor animals.

Spoiler: Artaith

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Artaith recognises the markings as Abyssal, although can't decipher them

The horses buck and a form leaps out at you from atop one of them, a pale bloated goblin-sized demonic creature fresh horse-blood dripping from it's claws. The babbling in your minds intensifies as it slams against Artaith's shield scrabbling at her snapping its fangs trying savagely to bite at her...

Spoiler: info & rolls

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demonic thing vs Artaith
charge! bite (1d20+3)[14] damage (1d4-1)[0] (minimum 1)

knowledge checks
Riaghan (1d20+1)[19]
Ellie (1d20+1)[17]
Phil (1d20)[10]
Artaith (1d20-2)[10]
Eponine (1d20)[14]
=> you all recognize it as some sort of outsider, but beyond that you are not certain what it is

Initiative
Riaghan (1d20+5)[14]
Ellie (1d20+2)[15]
Phil (1d20+2)[15]
Artaith (1d20+1)[13]
Eponine (1d20+3)[13]
demonic thing (1d20)[6]

=> Party

[RCgothic]

"Everyone come quick! A demon's attacking!" Eponine calls or to those still inside, raising her hammer to smite the thing whilst manoeuvring for an advantageous position.

Spoiler

Show

Smite Evil (1d20+7)[12](+1BaB, +2STR, +2CHA, +2flanking)
Damage (1d12+4)[6](+2STR, +2lvlx2) bludgeoning

[Ghostfoot]

The things reckless attack provides a perfect opening and Eponine smacks hit heartily with her polearm for 6 damage vile ichor spattering and leaving it reeling and screeching as it turns to face her.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Round 1, Philemon's Statistics

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Philemon Cooper
Male Neutral Good Human Ranger (Skirmisher/Guide), Level 1, Init 2, HP 13/13, Speed 30 ft.
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 1
Scale Mail (+5 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 17, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 7
Conditions

Philemon scrambles to draw his bow and an arrow, firing at the creature attacking from the relative safety of the light...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Not sure the penalties on this, suspect there is one for concealment...

Short bow: (1d20+3)[22] to hit, (1d20+3)[10] (20/x3), (1d100)[11] vs concealment, (1d6)[3] piercing damage, (2d6)[12] critical strike damage.

[Farmerbink]

"Devils upon us!" Artaith yells, as she takes the creature's blow on her shield. "Hah!" she crows cheerfully at the simple thrill of main combat.

Immediately she falls into a defensive stance, hoping to keep the thing distracted while her allies cut it down. When it turns to pursue Eponine, she barks, "Oh, no ya don't!" and dives back in recklessly.

Spoiler: Artaith, round 1

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Artaith Forgeheart
F NG Dwarf Warpriest (Shield bearer), Level 1, Init 1, HP 14/14, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 2, Will 5, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 0
Dwarven double war axe +3 (or +1 TWF) (1d10+3, x3) cleave bonus
Spiked steel shield +3 (or +1 TWF) (1d6+3 (+1 TWF), x2)
Scale mail, Heavy steel shield with spike (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 17, Cha 6
Condition Iron Within: 1/1
Cleric spells
Blessings: 3/3

Full-attack with axe and shield
(1d20+1)[3] axe
(1d20+1)[15] CC (21, x3)
(1d10+3)[9] damage
(2d10+6)[19] crit bonus

(1d20+1)[2] spiked shield
(1d20+1)[17] CC (21, x2)
(1d6+1)[2] damage
(1d6+1)[3] crit bonus damage

[DrK]

Elethielle At the sight of the horses ritually scarred and the beast approaching Etheielle snarls a curse in elven, then nods to the others as she snatches up her spear and starts to circle the beast. "Surround it and we can take it together" she shouts to the others as she moves into a flanking position, her eidolon at her heels.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Draw spear
Move 30ft to go around it and flank with the others

Elethielle (Ellie)
M LG Half Elf Summoner (Wild caller) [VMC Druid], Level 1, Init 2, HP 8/8, Speed
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 1, Ref 2, Will 3, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Shortbow (20) +2 (1d6, x3)
Reach Longspear (-) +1 (1d8+1, x3)
Longsword (Cold Iron) +1 (1d8+1, 19-20)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 16
Condition Half Elf: Immune sleep, +2 vs Mind Affecting
Trait: +1 saves vs Fey

Summon Animal I: 6/6 remaining

Biped Eidolon - Looks like cross between a wolf and a large cat
HD 1d10 HPs 7/11 BAB +1 Saves 3/4/0 Init +2 Speed 40ft
AC 16 ( +4 natural, +2 dex)
Bite +3 (1d6+2), 2 x Claws +3 (1d4+2) +1d6 bleed
Str 14 Dex 14 Con 13 Int 7 Wis 10 Cha 11
Skills (4): Perception (1) +4, Stealth (1) +6, Survival (1) +4, Acrobatics (1) +6
Feats (1): Power attack
Evol Pool (4): Limbs, Bite, Claws (1), Bleed (claws) (1), Imp Natural armour (1), Pounce (1)
SQ: Darkvision, link, Share spells

Conditions:

[Ghostfoot]

Philemon shoots into the fray, timing his shot and catching the demon square in the chest. It doesn't seem to care though, seemingly uninjured as the arrow juts grotesquely as it snarls and seethes. Artaith tries to batter a tit but the thing ducks easily evading her clumsy blows. Seeing the half-elven woman circling around it launches itself towards her, leaping forward seeking to sink its wicked fangs into her throat...

Spoiler: rolls & info

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-4 for shooting into combat, but Philemon hits
No concealment as Artaith has light cast on her
But 0 damage as it has DR

demon charge! vs Elethielle
bite (1d20+3)[23] damage (1d4-1)[2]
crit? (1d20+3)[17] damage (1d4-1)[2]

Everyone nearby gets an AoO to stop the critical charge. 1 hp damage will drop it...no pressure!

=> Party

[Farmerbink]

Artaith lashes out angrily as the creature recklessly dives away.

Spoiler: Artaith, AoO

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Artaith Forgeheart
F NG Dwarf Warpriest (Shield bearer), Level 1, Init 1, HP 14/14, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 2, Will 5, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 0
Dwarven double war axe +3 (or +1 TWF) (1d10+3, x3) cleave bonus
Spiked steel shield +3 (or +1 TWF) (1d6+3 (+1 TWF), x2)
Scale mail, Heavy steel shield with spike (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 17, Cha 6
Condition Iron Within: 1/1
Cleric spells
Blessings: 3/3

(1d20+3)[22] attack
(1d20+3)[10] CC (23, x3)
(1d10+3)[11] damage
(2d10+6)[14] crit bonus

[Ghostfoot]

As it leaps towards Elethielle, Artaith's axe sings out, arcing around and 'thwack'-ing into the vicious monster for 6 damage.

The thing collapses to the ground in a bloody heap, vile ichor gushing from the deep wound as it feebly spasms and dies.

[RCgothic]

As it dies, Eponine crushes its head with her hammer to make sure.

”I hope that's the last of that for now. Can someone tend the horses? This thing left them badly scratched."

[DarkOne-Rob]

Philemon doesn't hesitate, immediately looking to the mounts and doing his best to calm them down and look them over for wounds.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Handle Animal [roll0]

As he works, he "listens" for the demonic voice, hoping it is really and truly gone. "What was that thing? Is it good and dead?"

[Ghostfoot]

Eponine deals a final sickening blow to the thing. It's body starts to pulsate, images of tortured faces shifting under the skin pressing and subsiding for a few moments until the corpse falls still. The foul babbling in your minds is now thankfully silenced.

Philemon immediately moves to the horses and works to calm them down. The beasts are distressed and some of them do bear cruel but superficial cuts and claws marks. He's nevertheless able to ease them back from their agitated state now that the demon is slain.

[Cephor]

Cephor runs over behind Philemon with all the pots and containers from his mess kit he could find. Laying them on the ground near Philemon he'll bend down, and cast drench, immediately a cascade of pure water falls from his hands, filling the vessels to the brim.

"Use as much as they need for their wounds or drink. We will not run out."

[Farmerbink]

Artaith cautiously approaches the horses, not trusting them and suspecting the feeling is mutual. "Aye, lemme help yeah?" She picks the one that seems most hurt and conjures a simple curative spell to ease the animal's pain.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spontaneous CLW: (1d8+1)[4]

[DarkOne-Rob]

Philemon continues to sooth the animals while the others inspect, heal, and ensure they are tied down. "Well, that voice in my head stopped - was that thing doing it? I guess we can actually rest now, no need to go back to town," he rambles, as the fatigue and stress leave him tired. As things seem to settle he looks at the others for an answer, trying to determine if he's laying down for his turn to sleep now. (Philemon offered to take the graveyard shift as long as another PC stands watch first.)

[Cephor]

Overhearing Philemon's mutterings, Riaghan reflected on the conversations prior to the voices filing them with dread.

"Eponine, I believe you had volunteered to take first watch originally. Do you still want it? Otherwise I could."

[Ghostfoot]

You tend to the horses and calm them down, the injuries being distressing but thankfully minor. With that, the rest of you settle down in the rickety farmhouse to get some rest. A watch is set and you are on high alert knowing that warped twisted humans and strange demonic creatures haunt the night in this accursed area.

For the most part the night passes quietly enough. At one point, a couple of hours before dawn, Elethielle does hear a scuffling and scratching farther out in the night, like an animal pawing at the ground. But other than that there's just the occasional owl, the snorting of the horses and the rustle of the gentle wind through the trees.

Spoiler: choice

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Up to you if you want to investigate the sound, otherwise we'll fast-forward to morning wake-up.

[DrK]

Elethielle Elethielle for her part in the watch had kept her eidolon near her, the warmth and comfort of the savage clawed beast doing much to lift her spirits. At the faint rustling sond she'll stand by the door of the rickety hovel and gaze out into the night, her elven blood letting and sharp eyes meaning the faint starlight was okay, the eidolon was at her side, its otherworldly eyes starting out. If nothing appears she will stand ready, clutching her spear but let the others sleep, if she see's something approaching she'll shout and raise the alarm.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Elethielle (Ellie)
M LG Half Elf Summoner (Wild caller) [VMC Druid], Level 1, Init 2, HP 8/8, Speed
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 1, Ref 2, Will 3, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Shortbow (20) +2 (1d6, x3)
Reach Longspear (-) +1 (1d8+1, x3)
Longsword (Cold Iron) +1 (1d8+1, 19-20)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 16
Condition Half Elf: Immune sleep, +2 vs Mind Affecting
Trait: +1 saves vs Fey

Summon Animal I: 6/6 remaining

Biped Eidolon - Looks like cross between a wolf and a large cat
HD 1d10 HPs 7/11 BAB +1 Saves 3/4/0 Init +2 Speed 40ft
AC 16 ( +4 natural, +2 dex)
Bite +3 (1d6+2), 2 x Claws +3 (1d4+2) +1d6 bleed
Str 14 Dex 14 Con 13 Int 7 Wis 10 Cha 11
Skills (4): Perception (1) +4, Stealth (1) +6, Survival (1) +4, Acrobatics (1) +6
Feats (1): Power attack
Evol Pool (4): Limbs, Bite, Claws (1), Bleed (claws) (1), Imp Natural armour (1), Pounce (1)
SQ: Darkvision, link, Share spells

Conditions:

[Ghostfoot]

Elethielle stays vigilant. Wary of the sounds of the night she is unwilling to rouse her companions without good cause. The scuffling sounds passes soon enough and before too long her watch is over, the sky stating to lighten with the coming dawn.

Later, having woken and eaten you gather your belongings and talk through your plans for the days investigations - return to the village, retrace the trail of the abducted farmers back to the forestline, search for more signs of bandits or beasts, or perhaps something else? It's only later as you prepare to depart that you discover the bodies of the two corrupted people are no longer where you left them behind the trees. A couple of mounded patches of freshly turned soil nearby seem to indicate that something/s man-sized had burrowed up near them and presumably snatched the corpses.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Philemon rises with the sun, yawning but seeming to grapple with waking well. After a moment of deep breathing and a sip of water from his waterskin he rises and begins looking about to see what has happened overnight.

When he finds the overturned earth and follows the signs he looks concerned, returning to the others to report his find. "Something out there came up from the earth and took the corpses. I don't like it, but they didn't bother us - yet. I'd like to look at it closer and see what I can learn. Will someone else watch to make sure my head isn't down when something else comes to mess with us?" he asks, obviously expecting someone to help. Then he returns to the sites and starts a thorough search of the area to try and see if anything else can be discovered...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Survival (+5) - taking 20 nets a 25. Perception (if applicable) has the same modifier. Phil wants to try to figure out what it was, if possible, and where it took the bodies.

[Cephor]

Riaghan takes up the assist, surveying the terrain for clues as to where the bodies could have been taken.

Spoiler: Knowledge: Geography

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(1d20+5)[18]

[Farmerbink]

"Aye, do your work," Artaith grunts. She dutifully stands guard while her companions flex their outdoorsy muscles.

Glancing down in curiosity for a moment, she scowls. "Nasty work, that. Without knowing more, we can't rule out that we'll see 'em again. Plenty o' nasties out there like makin' you kill 'em more 'n once." As she turns her focus back to their surroundings, she huffs, unhappy about the prospect.

[Ghostfoot]

Phil carefully inspects the area with Riaghan as Atraith stands guard. The signs indicate a burrowing creature came up from below and snatched each corpse - either one creature or two separate occurrences of the same creature. The prints around the site are familiar, and Philemon recognises them as similar to the tracks that you had been following south yesterday (the tracks of whatever had snatched the farmers).

Riaghan surveys the wider area and finds a section some 80 feet away where the burrowing creature came to the surface and seems to have then carried/ dragged its prize further. Sure enough the signs of passage converge with those from yesterday, leading south towards the forested hills over which rain clouds are starting to gather.

Artaith stands guard, keenly watching the surrounding fields and copses for any danger. Nothing flashes danger while her companions are investigating, but no sooner have they finished she hears a loud splashing and bellowing from back by the river...

...the curious among you approach the sounds, and from behind a thicket you observe a large, violently ugly humanoid splashing about in the water. It wipes lank hair and pond weed from it's face, clearly having stumbled and fallen into the muck while fishing. Bellowing angrily the armoured brute stabs down with its spear, flicking a large eel to the bank before raising a heavy boot and brining it down heavily on the writhing snack, chuckling and muttering to itself.

Spoiler: knowledge & info

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It's an ogre, but I don't believe any of you have the skills to ID it

It has not seen you. You have a surprise action if you wish.

[DrK]

Elethielle Elethielle freezes as they catch sight of hulking beast. Gesturing the others to be silent she looks at Artaith and Philemon, a whispered “Shall we try and speak with it? It looks like it may understand language. It may know of the issues here.? Giving the others time to prepare an ambush she waits to see if people agree and if they do she’ll rise up to her full height and call out “Ho stranger. Do you need for anything,”

Spoiler: OOC

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Elethielle (Ellie)
M LG Half Elf Summoner (Wild caller) [VMC Druid], Level 1, Init 2, HP 8/8, Speed
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 1, Ref 2, Will 3, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Shortbow (20) +2 (1d6, x3)
Reach Longspear (-) +1 (1d8+1, x3)
Longsword (Cold Iron) +1 (1d8+1, 19-20)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 16
Condition Half Elf: Immune sleep, +2 vs Mind Affecting
Trait: +1 saves vs Fey

Summon Animal I: 6/6 remaining

Biped Eidolon - Looks like cross between a wolf and a large cat
HD 1d10 HPs 7/11 BAB +1 Saves 3/4/0 Init +2 Speed 40ft
AC 16 ( +4 natural, +2 dex)
Bite +3 (1d6+2), 2 x Claws +3 (1d4+2) +1d6 bleed
Str 14 Dex 14 Con 13 Int 7 Wis 10 Cha 11
Skills (4): Perception (1) +4, Stealth (1) +6, Survival (1) +4, Acrobatics (1) +6
Feats (1): Power attack
Evol Pool (4): Limbs, Bite, Claws (1), Bleed (claws) (1), Imp Natural armour (1), Pounce (1)
SQ: Darkvision, link, Share spells

Conditions: