Bink's Christmas Brawl

[Farmerbink]

You blink, and before you even open your eyes, you're struck by the sensation of deep chill. Flecks of sleet and snow pelt your face, leaving you struggling to even open your eyes, much less see your surroundings.

The sensation fades, and you manage to open your eyes, using your arms to shield your eyes from the residual snowflakes.

Spoiler: Around you

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As you breathe, trying to make sense of the sudden development, the flakes gently fall to the ground. You blink, and are startled by the appearance of a snowman.

Spoiler: Now around you

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The snap of a twig. You look to your left and right and see three other... well, people might be a strong word, but figures just as surprised as confused-looking as you feel. You blink again.

Spoiler: Hello

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The creature leaps forward, leaving most of its snow form behind. It flies over and through an idyllic wooden picket fence as it coalesces from shadow, wind, and ice into a vile, reaching claw, and a gaping mouth. It screeches, with the sound of a thousand blizzards, "LoOKs LiKe A BiG sNoW!!"

((Jack and Jaque to act))
Map!

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Jack Skellington, Picture and Status, Round 1

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Jack Skellington
Male Chaotic Good Dhampir Sorcerer/Bard, VMC Monk, Level 1/1, Init 2, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft
AC 12, Touch 12, Flat-footed 10, CMD 11, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 4, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Whip 0 (1d3-1, 20/x2)
Shortbow (20 Arrows) +2 (1d6, 20/x3)
Dagger +0 Melee/+2 Thrown (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
No Armor Worn (+2 Dex)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None

"What's this?!?" sing-songs Jack as his long, skeletal limbs backpedal away from melee with the snow-claw. "I can't believe my eyes! It's a scary snow-creature! How queer!" As he moves he reaches into his pinstripe suit and pulls out large femur (club) in one hand and a scroll in the other...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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I suppose Initiative and/or Surprise are irrelevant, but in case they matter: Perception [roll0], Initiative [roll1]

Bardic Knowledge to identify the attacker: [roll2] (all Knowledge skills have the same modifier - +1; Jack can use them all untrained)

Actions are to move to R23 and draw a weapon (the club) and then to draw a scroll of Sleep in the hopes that the creature might be susceptible to it next round.

[Llyarden]

"What..."

Jaque blinked in confusion, looking around at the situation. He was decidedly underdressed for the snow, wearing clothes that looked like they had been chosen to make the wearer look like a skilled adventurer rather than actually being the kind of thing a real adventurer would wear - although the driving blizzard didn't actually seem to be bothering him much.

Unlike the pinstriped skeleton, he didn't back away from the oncoming snowman. Instead, he pulled a Christmas tree about the same size he was off his back and levelled it at the snowman, the star at its tip glinting.

Meanwhile, the reindeer that had appeared with him shifted between its master and the snowman, lowering its horns and stomping its hooves as threateningly as it could...although its hooves seemed to flow through the snow rather than actually leave any marks in it.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spirit of Rudolph
Move: Into R20.
Standard: Ready an action to attack should the snowman get in melee.

Jaque
Move: Draw lucerne hammer.
5ft-step into R21.
Standard: Ready an action to attack the snowman likewise.

[Farmerbink]

The ghost-like snowman lurches forward with truly astonishing speed. Jaque's hammer slams into the ground half a stride behind the assailant, though the vaguely phantasmal Rudolph manages to gore the fiend with its spectral antlers. In return, one spectral claw lashes out at Rudolph as the other grass for the Grinch's throat. Despite Jaque's attempted intervention, both claw connect, leaving Rudolph and the Grinch hissing in pain and cowering in fear.

Spoiler: OOC

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Rudolph and the Grinch took 7 and 6 damage, respectively. Sadly, both failed a DC 14 will check, and will cower in fear until they pass. The DC drops by 1 every round. So this round, Rudolph and Grinch can take no actions, but roll a will save (DC 13) to act next round.

Jack's bardic knowledge retrieves only vague legends of a snowman telling tales by a candy-cane lamppost. Strangely, the tales are usually more benign than... well, this.

Map updated
Party to act

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Jack Skellington, Picture and Status, Round 2

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Jack Skellington
Male Chaotic Good Dhampir Sorcerer/Bard, VMC Monk, Level 1/1, Init 2, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft
AC 12, Touch 12, Flat-footed 10, CMD 11, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 4, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Whip 0 (1d3-1, 20/x2)
Shortbow (20 Arrows) +2 (1d6, 20/x3)
Dagger +0 Melee/+2 Thrown (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
No Armor Worn (+2 Dex)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None

"With the slightest little effort of my ghostlike charms I have seen grown men give out a shriek!" sings Jack, ending with a literal shriek as he directs some bardic magic at the individual attacker. Jack then walks around behind the party, looking for a chance to club the snowman from a flanking position next round.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Cast Cause Fear, DC 16 Will save or the snowman(?) becomes frightened:

Frightened
A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.

Frightened is like shaken, except that the creature must flee if possible. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear.

If it passes it's save it is shaken for one round:

Shaken
A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.

Jack then moves to U22.

[Albinobrow]

The Grinch's eyes go wide, the yellows of his eyes shining with... with... Oh no... oh Nooohoohoohooooo!! He crouches and covers his head, his fur wriggling and oozing...?

Spoiler: OoC

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Will save DC 13 to do stuff next round. (1d20+1)[11] Nope. Still scared.

Spoiler: Character Stats

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The Grinch
Male Chaotic Neutral Hobgoblin Toxicant Grenadier Alchemist VMC Oracle, Level 2, Init 1, HP 14/20, Speed 30ft
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 5*, Ref 4, Will 1, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 01
Has a strap on the handle if needing to craft. "Sedative" MW Warhammer (--) +4 (1d8+2, x3)
5 splash damage, reflex DC 15 for half. Bomb (0/7 uses a day) +2 (1d6+4, )
Light Crossbow (bolts) +2 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar (Leather) (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 7
Condition Toxic Secretion: When hit with natural or unarmored attack; DC 15 Fort poison effect, 4dmg on failed save.
FEARED: can take no actions until a passed will save.

[Ancient]

"Whoa, whoa, there Mr. Snowballs! You don't seem nice at all!"

Mick tumbles backwards in a somewhat acrobatic manner, drawing a pistol and firing hastily at the naughty snow beastie.

Spoiler: Mick Clane's Actions

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Free action: Draw pistol as part of move
Swift action: Activate Archaeologist luck - +1 Atk, Dmg, Skill, Saves
Move action: Tumle to U22, Acrobatics: (1d20+10)[18]
Standard action: Fire a shot at the bad guy (touch AC): (1d20+6)[16], Damage if hit: (1d6+1)[2]

[Farmerbink]

The savage snowman laughs wickedly as Jack's spell rolls off its shoulders with little effect. It then sneers and responds unkindly to Mick's shot, swiping at Rudolph perhaps spitefully before drifting suddenly into Mick's face with another vile claw!

Spoiler: OOC

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Both Rudolph and Mick passed their saves, so everyone but the Grinch acts this round!

Rudolph took another 6 damage, and Mick took 7. He's gonna have to roll less than 16 on an attack roll or this might be a short game O_o

Map updated

Party to act (Jaque twice!)

[Ancient]

"Oof! You are definitely going on the naughty list!" Mick says through gritted teeth as the snow beast scratches his shoulder. He scrambles backward, reloads the pistol with speed and snaps off another shot, a wild look in his eyes.
"I hope ya melt right down to the corncob."

Spoiler: Mick's Actions

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No Action: 5 ft step to V22
Swift Action: Focused Aim: Spend 1 Grit for Cha to Damage
Move Action: Reload
Standard Action: Fire at the Snow SoB (Touch AC): (1d20+6)[26] , Damage if Hit: (1d6+4)[9]

[Albinobrow]

Ahah! Ahah! Ahah!

As gunfire and melee breaks out above him, The Grinch covers his ears in continued fear.

Spoiler: OOC

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Try to not be scared DC 12 (1d20+1)[6]

[Llyarden]

The phantasmal reindeer whimpered and cowered briefly as the snowman's claws raked across it, but regained its courage shortly thereafter as Jaque repositioned. "We're not done yet!" he declared, bringing his tree-weapon around as the spirit of Rudolph lashed out with its horns to try to keep the snowman off-balance for its master's attack.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spirit of Rudolph (turn 1)
Cowering.

Jaque (turn 1)
Standard: Attack the snowman.
Attack: (1d20+3)[18]
Damage: (1d12+3)[9]

Immediate: Use Beastmastery Style to try to negate the hit on SoR (DC22 since the snowman was shaken from Jack?): (1d20+7)[23] Possibly negated?

Spirit of Rudolph (turn 2)
5ft-step into S20.
Standard: Aid Jaque to attack the Snowman: (1d20+5)[25] What a waste of a natural 20...

Jaque (turn 2)
5ft-step into R20.
Standard: Attack the snowman.
Attack: (1d20+3)[5] (potentially +4 for Aid) ...especially when it was followed by a natural 2.
Damage: (1d12+3)[10]

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Jack Skellington, Picture and Status, Round 3

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Jack Skellington
Male Chaotic Good Dhampir Sorcerer/Bard, VMC Monk, Level 1/1, Init 2, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft
AC 12, Touch 12, Flat-footed 10, CMD 11, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 4, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Whip 0 (1d3-1, 20/x2)
Shortbow (20 Arrows) +2 (1d6, 20/x3)
Dagger +0 Melee/+2 Thrown (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
No Armor Worn (+2 Dex)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None

"Why does nothing ever turn out like it should?" says Jack sadly before casting a totally different spell, conjuring a slick of grease underneath the snow-creature as he hopes it will fall instead of fighting...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Cast Grease, DC 16 Reflex of fall, centered on squares T20-U21. Jack will then move to V23.

[Farmerbink]

The snowman was utterly unprepared for Mick's assault, and the blasting away of half its head is sufficient proof thereof. Unfortunately, the creature apparently was never quite precisely alive, as it seems not at all phased by the sudden loss of the better portion of its brain box.

It nimbly dodges hammer and antlers, only to be toppled by Jack's spell with a sudden "umph!" As it rises clumsily, Rudolph and Jaque swing again, struggling to find purchase in the suddenly thick snow around your feet. With a sudden step backwards, the thoroughly roughed-up... thing grimaces, looks up with cold, blue fury in what's left of its face.

"It's GONNA! BE! A BIIG! SNOW!!" With a sudden roar of wind, it punctuates its claim with outstretched arms and a massive flurry of hard-packed ice and snow!

Spoiler: OOC

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everyone but the Grinch passed their reflex saves (Mick wasn't in the area) and takes 7 cold damage. I think that's going to do Rudolph?

Sadly, the Grinch failed his save. Even more sadly, the baddy rolled exactly 14 damage. Sorry, friend.

Map updated

Party to act (mostly)

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Jack Skellington, Picture and Status, Round 4

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Jack Skellington
Male Chaotic Good Dhampir Sorcerer/Bard, VMC Monk, Level 1/1, Init 2, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft
AC 12, Touch 12, Flat-footed 10, CMD 11, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 4, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Whip 0 (1d3-1, 20/x2)
Shortbow (20 Arrows) +2 (1d6, 20/x3)
Dagger +0 Melee/+2 Thrown (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
No Armor Worn (+2 Dex)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None

"How dare you treat my friend so shamefully!" bellows Jack as he dismisses the Grease spell and moves around to try and help one of his allies get a flank on the snowman...

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Dismiss Grease. Jack will then move to V22 by going around the tree to avoid AoOs.

[Ancient]

Mick admires his shot briefly before realizing this snow monstrousity seems to still be moving despite losing half its head.

"Aw, come on! That's cheating Frosty!"

He blasts another shot at the snow beastie!

Spoiler: Mick's Mechanics

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No Action: Regain 1 Grit for Last Rounds Critical Hit
No Action: 5 ft step to V22
Swift Action: Focused Aim: Spend 1 Grit for Cha to Damage
Move Action: Reload
Standard Action: Fire at the Snow SoB (Touch AC): (1d20+6)[18] , Damage if Hit: (1d6+4)[9]

[Albinobrow]

The Grinch tries to blink but the frost keeps his eyes open. Thankfully that blast of cold brought him to his senses, and he reaches for a greasy black banana and slurps down the rotting fruit juice inside, shakes his head and steals his gaze upon the holey snowman! He than takes his hammer and swiftly scratches his back before grabbing a glowing bottle of something and smashes it against his own hammer, causing a small explosion in his hands leaving a smoldering smoking fire hot hammer left in his hands.

OWIEE!

Spoiler: OoC

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Last hit put him to 0HP and disabled. Drink down a cure light wounds banana (1d8+2)[6] for a standard action.
Then swift action, collecting the poison he is secreting and coating his warhammer.
Then move action alchemically apply the effects of alchemist fire to the warhammer as well.

Spoiler: OoC

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The Grinch
Male Chaotic Neutral Hobgoblin Toxicant Grenadier Alchemist VMC Oracle, Level 2, Init 1, HP 6/20, Speed 30ft
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 5*, Ref 4, Will 1, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 01
Has a strap on the handle if needing to craft. "Sedative" MW Warhammer (--) +4 (1d8+2, x3)
5 splash damage, reflex DC 15 for half. Bomb (0/7 uses a day) +2 (1d6+4, )
Light Crossbow (bolts) +2 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar (Leather) (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 7
Condition Toxic Secretion: When hit with natural or unarmored attack; DC 15 Fort poison effect, 4dmg on failed save.

[Llyarden]

"You call this a big snow?!" Jaque retorted, virtually unharmed by the blizzard. His phantasmal reindeer seemed to be suffering from the snow rather more than its master, but Jaque held out his hand - and one of his fingers dissolved into snow and joined the blizzard, rapidly whirling around the red-nosed phantom and patching it up with ice and snow as the two surrounded the snowman and attacked once again.

Spoiler: OOC

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Can I roll above a 10 on an attack in this entire fight? Let's see!

As a non-action, Jaque spends 3 hitpoints to reduce the damage Rudolph takes by 3 using Etheric Tether, leaving it at 1hp.

Spirit of Rudolph
Move: Move with its 50ft of movement into V18, skirting to the south (since the grease is gone) to avoid provoking from the snowman.
Standard: Ready an action to attack once Jaque moves to flank with it, which I'll just roll now for convenience.
Attack (+2 for flanking): (1d20+7)[24] ♪ Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, better fighter than its boss... ♫
Damage: (1d6+1)[6]

Jaque
5ft-step into S20 to flank with Rudolph.
Standard: Attack the snowman.
Attack (+2 for flanking): (1d20+5)[7]
Damage: (1d12+3)[10]

[Farmerbink]

At last, the combined efforts of Mick's gun and Rudolph's antlers tear enough "flesh" from the creature that it succumbs to its injuries. With too few limbs connected to too little remaining torso, the bizarrely still-animate arms and legs pose no great threat. It's a matter of a few minutes grisly work to stomp and hack the remaining pieces into even smaller pieces until they stop moving entirely.

In the eerie winterland, the sound of steady driving wind leaves you unable to truly relax as you try to make sense of what your eyes, ears, and in some cases battered and bruised torsos are telling you. One thing's for sure, you're not at all safe, here. Wherever you are.

Spoiler: OOC

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Good show, gents! With those last few attacks, Burl Ives is returned to his eternal annual slumber.

Go ahead and level your characters up. If you want to re-train things, do it but try to maintain the same "idea" and mechanical foci. Ideally tomorrow morning, you'll be surprised attacked again. Please post something vaguely like "woah, I guess I'm ready" here in the IC so I can be sure you're done leveling up.

[Llyarden]

"Well, that could've gone better." Jaque absently cast a couple of spells, fusing a lump of snow from the ground back into his missing finger and wreathing the phantasmal reindeer in a protective field of snow. "Anyone else have any idea what's going on?"

Spoiler: OOC

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My levelling up should be done.

From now on Spirit of Rudolph will have mage armour cast on it every 'day,' since that lasts 3 hours at present.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Jack's Status

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Jack Skellington
Male Chaotic Good Dhampir Sorcerer/Bard, VMC Monk, Level 1/2, Init 2, HP 27/27, Speed 30 ft
AC 16, Touch 12, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 4, Ref 6, Will 6, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 1
Whip 0 (1d3-1, 20/x2)
Shortbow +3 (1d6, 20/x3)
Unarmed Strike 0 (1d6-1, 20/x2)
Mage Armor (+4 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition Heightened Awareness (+2 Perception and Knowledge Skills, can discharge for +4 to Initiative)
Bloody Tears and Jagged Smile (gain Bite attack 1d4, +4 Intimidate and DCs of Fear effects, Deathwatch)

With a sigh Jack puts his bone-club away and scratches at a spot on his bone-arm. A moment later, Zero appears (mechanically a rat tattoo familiar) and Jack says, “Come on, Zero, Christmas isn’t over yet!” and the two begin to look around, with the Pumpkin King humming gaily to himself. He smiles at the other assembled characters but wastes no time with pleasantries, instead trying to get a beat on things.

After several moments of looking around, he sing-songs, “There’s something out there far from my home. A longing that I’ve never known,” as he gestures to the path of streetlamps leading off into the snow suggestively. Before he continues, though, Zero merges with his form again and Jack removes several scrolls to cast on himself. Upon the end of his preparations a slight shimmer can be seen on his pinstripe suit, his already huge eyes seem even more intensely observant, and his face has developed a fearsome expression, dripping blood from his eye sockets and with a slightly crooked, broken smile.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Perception with Zero - taking 10 for a 20 or (1d20+10)[18]. Zero's modifier won't be as good as Jack's, so I'm not too worried about him. (Both of these values need to increase by +2 from Heightened Awareness, which I forgot to include.)

Jack will prepare to activate all of his buff scrolls with durations long enough to be worthwhile - Heightened Awareness (10 minutes duration), Mage Armor (1 hour duration), and Bloody Tears and Jagged Smile (UMD: (1d20+10)[20] passed in OoC thread vs DC 23 or 10 minutes duration).

[Albinobrow]

The Grinch stared them all down with a sour, Grinchy frown. And he pointed to each one who stood all around. Hate, hate, hate. Double hate. Then he looked at the snow where the frozen man was, and snarled as he spoke like the coo of a dove, Loathe entirely.

But he shook his head and collected his thought, as he considered the monster that they all fought. I don't know what's going on, I do not. The twisted and arched, trying to itch that hard to reach spot.

He searched and he looked till his peepers were sore, then turned around thrice and peered out once more. He laughed in his throat, This thing, I believe, didn't come from the store. Began with a roar, now its smashed on the floor.. hehehe hahaha!

Spoiler: OoC

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Grinch is ready to go. He has Endure Elements and Heightened Awareness prepped as well. New revelation gives him cold resistance 5! So maybe he'll be able to help next go round!

Spoiler: The Grinch!

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The Grinch
Male Chaotic Neutral Hobgoblin Toxicant Grenadier Alchemist VMC Oracle, Level 2, Init 1, HP 31/31, Speed 30ft
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 15, Fort 5*, Ref 4, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 2
Has a strap on the handle if needing to craft. "Sedative" MW Warhammer (--) +4 (1d8+2, x3)
5 splash damage, reflex DC 15 for half. Bomb (0/7 uses a day) +2 (1d6+4, )
Light Crossbow (bolts) +2 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar (Leather) (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 7
Condition Toxic Secretion: When hit with natural or unarmored attack; DC 15 Fort poison effect, 4dmg and Sickened on failed save.
Endure Elements: 24 hr duration.
Heightened Awareness: 30:00

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the Grinch declares Jack gets the "double hate" Jack smiles broadly and giggles for a moment in a disturbing, high-pitched way. "I’ve read those Christmas books so many times. I know the stories and I know the rhymes," he sings before stopping and saying, "But I always though you should have been in a Halloween story...You'd fit just right - unlike your shoes - in my home." he declares to the grouchy green Grinch before giggling more quietly to himself as he curiously moves forward to continue looking for clues about this...Christmas thing.

[Ancient]

"Look, Pal," Mick says with a quirky smirk on his mug, "I haven't the foggiest idea what's going on here. One minute I am looking for the missus at this swanky holiday party in Nakatomi village and the next I am here, not trying to get eaten by a rabid Snowball. "

Mick peers about through squinty eyes, paying close attention to the one thing that seems to stick out to him, the giant candy cane.

Spoiler: OOC:

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Taking 20 on Perception

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Ah, Los Angeles - last time I was there I got shot down in my flying sleigh! You must tell me all about this Christmas party - there was some debate on your story in the books I've studied. Is it even a Christmas story?" asks Jack over his shoulder with a knowing wink to the short gunslinger. "After all, 'If this is their idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Year's!'"

[Ancient]

"Ah, Los Angeles - last time I was there I got shot down in my flying sleigh! You must tell me all about this Christmas party - there was some debate on your story in the books I've studied. Is it even a Christmas story?" asks Jack over his shoulder with a knowing wink to the short gunslinger. "After all, 'If this is their idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Year's!'"

"Not much to say really," Mick says offhandledly, as he inspects the candy cane. "I came from my assignment in Newyawk, to see my girl, Holly, and see if we could, you know, work things out."

"Next thing I know, all these clowns led by this thug Gruber are raiding the village. They were going on about how they were doing it for idealistic reasons, but I think they were there really for the presents. In the end, we routed the goons out of Nakatomi and me and Holly, we uh, reunited, sort of. " Clane says with a wistful smile.

"So, uh, I guess Christmas was salvaged and I got my Christmas wish, so yeah, I guess it sort is a Christmas story, maybe."

[Farmerbink]

As the unlikely quartet inspects their surroundings, you're struck by the barren-ness of it all. Everywhere you look, is just snow, and trees. A nice wooden fence, as if bordering a farm, but certainly not farmland beyond. The candy-cane lamppost truly sticks out like a sore thumb, warm and welcoming amidst an endless panorama of snowy pines. As its light fades to dark, you catch a handful of twinkling stars- no constellation you recognize, unfortunately. Finally, in the distance, you spy one more light. It seems to grow into two as you cautiously leave the sensation of safety granted by the candle-lit lamp. The pair of lights grow into a pair of door-lights, flanking a dark brown wooden door set in a drab, gray stony building. Perhaps more of a hut, really. One story, and maybe 40 feet across, there's no windows to speak of, only two (strangely) lit lamps acting as a beacon into the darkness.

With nowhere else to go, you open the door, and file in (and out of the rough, frigid breeze).

And find yourselves in a workshop, fairly tidy. A handful of toys lie forgotten on the floor, but most of the space has been well-cleared. Benches and ladders are stowed judiciously beneath heavy wooden tables, though the space remains dark and difficult to see. Somewhere, a clock ticks loudly- echoing noisily off the stone walls and floor. Surprisingly, the inside of the hut is much larger than it seemed outside! You can see warm, orange light emanating from an open doorway across the room.

Spoiler: Hi there!

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Spoiler: OOC

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Please place yourselves in the lime green squares and describe your first impressions.

Though Jaque and Mick can see little inside but the distant glow, Jack and the Grinch can clearly make out several heavy wooden tables with steel tools impeccably organized atop nearby. No doubt whoever runs this place does a good job keeping things tidy.
Map updated

[Ancient]

Mick strolls in, his short stature allowing a limited view. The place seems warm, cozy, inviting, the perfect trap if he ever saw one. Still, being impolite was a surefire way to end up on the naughty list.

"Hello, anyhere? I have a candy gram for Bumble, candy gram for Bumble."

Spoiler: Where am I and what do I see?

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Starting at O25
Perception: (1d20+9)[28]

[DarkOne-Rob]

Jack giggles quietly to himself as he steps to the right of the door and looks inside. "Last time I was here I only looked inside from the window...though where is Christmas town? Could it be a trick? I don't see any treats..." he says as he looks around animatedly. Suddenly he raises his voice and bellows, "Hello? Is anyone here? Mr. Claus? This time I'm saying hello, not skulking around!"

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Go to R23, Perception (1d20+10)[21], and then deliberately raise his voice to attract the attention of something or someone...

[Albinobrow]

The Grinch slunk into the house full of tools, full of toys, with an audible ugh.. like the who girls and who boys... He peers round the room while scratching his fur, and little critters fall out, and he lets out a purr.

Spoiler: OoC

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Move to P24 with "Sedative" ready. Perception check(addtl. +1 at night) (1d20+5)[16]

Spoiler: Character Stats

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The Grinch
Male Chaotic Neutral Hobgoblin Toxicant Grenadier Alchemist VMC Oracle, Level 2, Init 1, HP 31/31, Speed 30ft
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 15, Fort 5*, Ref 4, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 2
Has a strap on the handle if needing to craft. "Sedative" MW Warhammer (--) +5 (1d8+2, x3)
5 splash damage, reflex DC 15 for half. Bomb (0/8 uses a day) +3 (2d6+4, )
Light Crossbow (bolts) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar (Leather) (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 7
Condition Toxic Secretion: When hit with natural or unarmored attack; DC 15 Fort poison effect, 4dmg on failed save.
Endure Elements: 24 hr duration.
Heightened Awareness: 29:54

[Llyarden]

Jaque hadn't been particularly bothered by the weather outside, but the same could not be said for his reindeer, who shook itself off, seeming very glad to be out of the biting wind. After a few moments, Jaque cast a spell and the star atop his Christmas tree began to glow brightly. "Seems like someone's been doing interesting things with the fabric of space," he commented, idly.

Spoiler: OOC

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As an undine, Jaque has darkvision, but he'll cast light on his hammer head anyway.