Codex Pathfinder Adventures (Logs from Session 1 posted!)

[Angelo85]

We are voting for the next session? Didn't we already agree to play bi-weekly?
Anyways, February 4th is fine with me.

 

[Ulminati]

Thanks for the visit, good to see you enjoy the game so far!
At this rate you probably won't have to wait too long before several characters die and spots will be open

I fear it will take much, much more time. I've spoken to Ulm about that - a player can play as long as he wishes. If he loses his char he just rolls another one. Only once you resign you have no way back.

Yes. Like Mrowak said, I'm not going to kick a player with a proven record of showing up for our little circlejerk sessions simply because he rolled a "1" at an inoppertune time. With our current buffer we're probably set for players for the foreseeable future. I'll add you to the buffer, but at the present time the only realistic chance anyone past the first 3-4 buffer slots has of getting a game is if someone else voulenteers to DM something.

We are voting for the next session? Didn't we already agree to play bi-weekly?

We did indeed agree on bi-weekly. But since there's been all kinds of confusion with the hilidays and my Exciting™ computer troubles I don't blame people for thinking we're still voting. Since everyone seems to be happy with the 4th regardless, I'm hereby going to stick to schedule and play on the day we were already going to

 

[Vicissitudes]

Thanks for the visit, good to see you enjoy the game so far!
At this rate you probably won't have to wait too long before several characters die and spots will be open

I fear it will take much, much more time. I've spoken to Ulm about that - a player can play as long as he wishes. If he loses his char he just rolls another one. Only once you resign you have no way back.

Yes. Like Mrowak said, I'm not going to kick a player with a proven record of showing up for our little circlejerk sessions simply because he rolled a "1" at an inoppertune time. With our current buffer we're probably set for players for the foreseeable future. I'll add you to the buffer, but at the present time the only realistic chance anyone past the first 3-4 buffer slots has of getting a game is if someone else voulenteers to DM something.

Yeah that makes sense. On the other hand I'm still trying to wrap my head around the rule book and getting into the lore. So as a total newbie in PnP RPG I'm going to stick to the Paizo PbP forum for now.

 

[Ulminati]

Yeah that makes sense. On the other hand I'm still trying to wrap my head around the rule book and getting into the lore. So as a total newbie in PnP RPG I'm going to stick to the Paizo PbP forum for now.

An alternate solution once you feel comfortable with the ruleset is to check out the rptools.net forums. They have (several) subforums where people look for players/gms in all manner of pen&paper systems to play/run campaigns over maptools. most groups seem to be located in the states (with corresponding timezones) but every so often there's an euro group advertizing for more players.

 

[Vicissitudes]

Yeah that makes sense. On the other hand I'm still trying to wrap my head around the rule book and getting into the lore. So as a total newbie in PnP RPG I'm going to stick to the Paizo PbP forum for now.

An alternate solution once you feel comfortable with the ruleset is to check out the rptools.net forums. They have (several) subforums where people look for players/gms in all manner of pen&paper systems to play/run campaigns over maptools. most groups seem to be located in the states (with corresponding timezones) but every so often there's an euro group advertizing for more players.

I've seen some gamplay on YT and to be honest I don't feel like using skype to handle communications. Unfortunately forums accompanying VTs like rptools, openrpg, infrno, d20, fantasygrounds, are dominated by US citizens, so it's not only voice communication that I don't see working for me but as you said it's also pretty hardcore hours for euros to scream into the mic that you leave the shadows jump over the table and charge the goblin swinging your sword..
But that's just me and I guess it's gonna take me some time to get a hang of it.

 

[Akasen]

Reading your session recaps and enjoying them. The news of the loss of BC (at least for the Codex) does leave a sad note as does all forms of drama I read up on for recaps of roleplay sessions.

Now to comment on the prior discussion taking place: I have been told that the www.thetangledweb.net is a nice place to go to for roleplaying needs. You could probably put up a post specifying that you are looking for a group of people for a game of [insert RPG here] and that the game hours need to be at such and such hours in accordance to whatever time zone you are in.

Now if you don't feel up to using Skype for your voice communication you can always have someone setup a Mumble server with Hamachi and use that. Or if the mere thought of using a VoIP doesn't wet your whistle then just type. I guess.

Hope what I have typed is of at least a marginal amount of help. Now if you excuse me I must dispute with myself whether to change my avatar to something with anime flair or not. I like my Domination Malk Avatar too much to change it.

 

[lightbane]

Updated my alchemist's sheet, here's the link with it (how I wish I had one of these codes to save my char, but I'm too greedy thrifty to get one)


By the way, the 1st page needs editing, many of the links don't work (and it lacks the link with the 2nd update). What's our current "reputation" score with the villagers, Ulmi? Last time I checked you said it was 20 something. Assuming Ed does not die next session, I'll have to think about an excuse to replace him with my incoming summoner without killing him, if possible (perhaps he'll be kidnapped by evil ninjas negrodancers necromancers). Here's my secondary character's sheet anyways:



WORK IN PROGRESS (I have some doubts about how to create this character, there are many options for the summoner class. For now I was considering getting the Eldritch Heritage feat later so I can get a wisecracking parrot as a familiar/pet, then a pseudodragon with the improved familiar feat plus the Craft Woundrous item feat to build stuff, if Ulmi agrees of course)


Name: Isaac Darksun
Player: Lightbane
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral good
Deity: Desna
Race: Human
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 4 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 125 lb.
Campaign: Carrion Crown
Class: Summoner 1
HP: 10/10


Attributes
STR 9 (-1)
Dex 12 (+1)
CON 14 (+2)
INT 12 (+1)
WIS 10 (+0)
CHAR 17 (+3)

Saves:
AC: 10+1+1= 12
BAB: +0
Fort: 2
Ref: 1
Will: 2
CMB: -1
CMD: 10
Initiative: 2

Skills:
Diplomacy (Cha): 1 (+3+3= 7)
Knowledge (arcana) (Int): 1 (+1+3= 5)
Knowledge (Planes) (Int): 2 (+1+3= 6)
Linguistics (Int): 1 (1+3= 5)
Perception (Wis): 1
Spellcraft (Int): 1(+3+3= 5)
Use Magic Device (Cha): 1 (+3+3= 7)



Class features:
+Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Summoners are proficient with all simple weapons. They are also proficient with light armor, but not with shields.
+Cantrips
+Eidolon
+Life Link
+Summon Monster 1

Special abilities:
Languages: Common, Infernal, Celestial.

Traits:
Teacher’s Pet (+2 to Knowledge (Planes))
World Traveler (+1 trait bonus on Diplomacy plus it becomes a class skill)


Spells:
Level 0: Detect Magic, Guidance, Open/Close, Message.
Level 1 (2/day): Mage Armor, Rejuvenate Eidolon (Lesser).


Feats:
+Augment Summoning
+Spell Focus (Conjuration)

Gear (8 gp remaining)

Equipped: Leather armor (10 gp, +1 AC), Light crossbow (35 g), Short spear x1 (1 gp), Bolts x20 (2 gp), Mask (5 sp), Pointy hat (5 sp), Pouch (Spell components) (5 gp).
+Backpack (2 gp), 10 foot pole (5 cp), torch x2 (2 cp), waterskin (1 gp), rope (hemp) (1 gp), flint and steel (1 gp), lamp (1 sp), bedroll (1 sp), oil (lamp) x2 (2 sp), rations (food, trail) (5 sp), firewood (1 cp), bag (waterproof) (5 sp), Hammer (5 sp), Iron spike x2 (10 cp), Grappling hook (1 gp), spare mask and hat (1 gp), Board game (1 gp).




Eidolon: Tindalos


Base Form: Quadruped
HP: 10
HD: 1
BAB: +1
Starting Statistics: Size Medium; Speed 40 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Saves Fort (good), Ref (good), Will (bad); Attack bite (1d6); Ability Scores Str 14, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11; Free Evolutions bite, limbs (legs) (2).

digiEvolutions: Pounce, Scent, Improved Natural Armor.
Feats: Power Attack.

 

[Mrowak]

I am dropping in my updated character sheet:

Alais

I think we need to summarize what we've learned so far and, what leads we have and what should we do next.

Professor Lorrimor was in all probability murdered - yet we don't have any technical proof of that. Do we really need it for any reason, and what can constitute it? I think we should ignore this lead for now. Perhaps when we learn more about other facets of our investigation as we go on.

Next we have details we learn from Professor's journal: Click, click for reference.

We know that the cabal of necromacers called Whispering Way was after something in Ravengro. We also know a few details about them:

The Whispering Way is a sinister organization of necromancers that has been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years. Agents of the Whispering Way often seek alliances with undead creatures, or are themselves undead. The Whispering Way’s most notorious member was Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, although the society itself has existed much longer than even that mighty necromancer. The Whispering Way itself is a series of philosophies that can only be transferred via whispers— the philosophies are never written or spoken of loudly, making the exact goals and nature of the secretive philosophy difficult for outsiders to learn much about.

It's not enough to form any comprehensive lead. :/ Perhaps we should study the subject more thoroughly.

There's also the mystery of Harrowstone professor mentioned in his journal. So far throuigh our investigation we determined that:

Harrowstone is a ruined prison— partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has stood vacant ever since. The locals suspect that it’s haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place. Harrowstone was built in 4594. Ravengro was founded at the same time as a place where guards and their families could live and that would produce food and other supplies used by the prison. The fire that killed all of the prisoners and most of the guards destroyed a large portion of the prison’s underground eastern wing, but left most of the stone structure above relatively intact. The prison’s warden perished in the fire, along with his wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison when the fire occurred. A statue commemorating the warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in the months after the tragedy—that statue still stands on the riverbank just outside of town.

Also, from earlier rumourmongering we know that

It is rumored the Harrowstone prison's executioner still keeps watch over the execution balcony on the western side of the prison, and that in some nights his scyte can be seen patroling the area on its own, like if held by an invisible hand.

Whether the rumour is true or not remains to be seen.

Obviously we should learn more about the place and go about dungeoneering. Before that it may pay to ask venerable father about the prison. Seeing that he is the specialist at pacifying restless souls it stands to reason he should know more than some random tavern dwellers. Also, we already have some "tools" professor mentioned... But more about it later.

While rereading Lorrimor's journal one thing struck me:

It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was
held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died
the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list.

Yes, we don't know anything about what the WW is after. Perhaps we should follow this lead and confront father Grimburrow about the list of prisoners prof mentioned?

We obtained the "tools" - what they are and what purpose do they serve - I have no clue. We may never learn because someone decided to nick them.
Also we know that someone before us was in the fake crypt. My bet is - it was the professor. Lorrimor wrote that he required "some" tool - so he might have left the rest. This leads me to believe that either our tools are inadequate for the task and we will need to obtain the one's professor had on himself (which would require exhuming him, but more likely confronting his murderers), or they are the surplus that will be enough to move around the prison.

While we are at the tools - should we investigate those books prof. left us? We were to carry them to Lepidstadt University, but they might just be connected with our mystery somehow? Perhaps they can tell us more about the Whispering Way?

There's also the Harrowstone Memorial - how the strange happenings out there are connected with it all? Some ritual by Whispering Way? I would be inclined to thinks so, seeing how we were attacked there by zombies. On the other hand our noble, glorious, fair and awesome GM kinda gave it away the whole zombie attack was just a random encounter.

Still, there is something going on there, but I have no clue how it connects to the whole thing. When I think about it now it is kind of strange that the happenings occured just after we arrived and didn't cease to happen while we were in jail. It's just a wild guess but could it be prof. Lorrimor's is trying to tell us something from beyond the grave?

Anyway, that's all I noticed. If you've seen anything more, I think it would be a good idea to share it here. Perhaps I misinterpreted some events, or didn't spot something essential the others did.

I think our next step should be:

1) getting the list of prisoners and asking father Grimburrow about the Harrowstone itself,
2) studying about the Whispering Way and Harrowstone,
3) learning a little bit about the "tools" and the books,
4) investigating Harrowstone Memorial.

We could do that in any order. All of this should take us 3-5 days. I know you guys may be inclined to explore the prison first but I think neglecting gathering intelligence may cover us in deep shit later on. Also our Ranger needs time to recover his dexterity. After all that the next stage would be:

4) preparing ourselves for the trip to Horrowstone prison (perhaps asking Grimburrow to provide assistance if it turns out the prison is really haunted),
5) going there and getting slaughtered filthy rich.

What say you?

 

[lightbane]

I think we have part of the "tools", remember the arrows we obtained: "10x +1 arrow, 5x +1 ghost touch arrow, 2x +1 undead bane arrow". Then there are these strange vials.

We still have to investigate the town's magic shop, find the Mysterious Boy TM we found back at the 1st session, and go to that strange bar that was mentioned.

 

[Mrowak]

I think we have part of the "tools", remember the arrows we obtained: "10x +1 arrow, 5x +1 ghost touch arrow, 2x +1 undead bane arrow". Then there are these strange vials.

Hmm... I assumed the tools are the vials and the ouija board - not the arrows. Fair point. Arrows of ghost touch would be shit against undead, though (I phailed my Pathfinder knowledge roll again).

We still have to investigate the town's magic shop, find the Mysterious Boy TM we found back at the 1st session, and go to that strange bar that was mentioned.

Good - so we will need more than 3-5 days. And we will have to split up, yet again.

 

[Angelo85]

Also remember that at both incidents with the desecrations we were left with a single letter each. Could be a hint towards the prisoner that the way is interested in.

Regarding the Tools I think we already found what we were looking for.

/e: Maybe the headless Executioner has unfinished business with that special prisoner, or the letters refer to him. I'm guessing the letter mystery has something to do with one of those two options.

 

[Ulminati]

By the way, the 1st page needs editing, many of the links don't work (and it lacks the link with the 2nd update). What's our current "reputation" score with the villagers, Ulmi?

I know. I've been horrendously busy and will remain so for a while yet.

Your reputation score is secret. The only reason I gave you a value in the first session was to make it clear that the way you handle stuff is being tracked and may have repercussions later. (Since many published adventures take a biowarian approach to quest completion).

I've not read up on summoners -- never felt the urge to play one myself. I trust in my players honesty and ability to figure out the rules on their own. Although I should hasten to add that your deaths are by no means assured. I mean, EVENTUALLY the dice should turn your way, no?

The session after tomorrow (feb 18th.) will have to be rescheduled, since that's the day we're celebrating my fathers birthday. Feb 25th shouldn't be a problem for me, but I could conceivably clear feb 11th if people don't want to wait that long.

 

[Quilty]

I'll probably be half an hour to an hour late tomorrow, but I'll get there. I'm pretty much still recovering from glorious beetle-squashing, so just ignore my dude.

Btw, the 11th would work for me.

 

[Angelo85]

The 11th would probably be a no-go for me. Will find out about middle of next week for sure though.

 

[Ulminati]

Infodump from yesterday, spirit planchette:

Spirit Planchette
Aura moderate divination; CL 9th
Slot none; Price 4,000 gp (brass planchette),
10,000 gp (cold iron planchette), 18,000 gp
(silver planchette); Weight 5 lbs.

Description

A spirit planchette is typically found in a wooden case along with a thin wooden board printed with numerous letters and numbers. Nonmagical versions of these divination tools can be purchased in curiosity shops (typically costing 25 gp); while these items can be used as alternative components for augury spells, only magical spirit planchettes allow users to communicate with the other side. Three types of spirit planchettes exist—brass, cold iron, and silver. Each in turn allows an increasingly potent form of divination effect to be utilized. A spirit planchette requires a board to move upon, but this “board” can be made up of letters scribed upon any smooth surface—it need not be a prepared board for a spirit planchette to work.
To use a spirit planchette, you must rest your fingers lightly upon the planchette’s surface and then concentrate on the planchette (as if maintaining a spell with a duration of concentration) for 2d6 rounds while the planchette attunes itself to the ambient spirits of the area. After this time, the planchette begins to slowly slide in random patterns across the board—at this point, questions may be asked of the spirits by any of the individuals involved in the séance. The consequences of each question asked of the spirits depends upon what type of planchette is used for the divination, as summarized on the table below. The spirits reply in a language understood by the character who asked the question, but resent such contact and give only brief answers to the questions. All questions are answered with “yes,” “no,” or “maybe,” or by spelling out a single word from the letters arranged on the board. The spirits answer each question either in the same round the question is asked (in the case of a yes, no, or maybe answer) or at a rate of one letter per round (in the case of a single word being spelled out). A spirit planchette may be used once per day—the maximum number of questions you can ask with it depends on the type of planchette being used (as detailed on the table below).
Communication with spirits can be a dangerous task, for many spirits are jealous or hateful of the living. Every time a spirit planchette is used, the user must succeed on a Will save to avoid being temporarily possessed and harmed by the angry spirits. In some areas where the spirits are particularly violent or hateful (such as in Harrowstone), this Will save takes a –2 penalty. The DC of this save depends on the type of spirit planchette being used. Anyone who fails the Will save becomes confused for a number of rounds (depending on the type of planchette being used), and no answer is received. The spirits in the area are not omniscient—the GM should decide whether or not the spirits would actually know the answer to the question asked, and if they do not, the answer granted is automatically “maybe.” If the GM determines that the spirits are knowledgeable about the answer, roll d% to determine whether the spirits speak truthfully or whether they lie.

Spirit Planchettes
Planchette Questions Will save Confusion True
Type per Use DC Duration Answer Lie
Brass 1 11 1 round 01–60 61–100
Cold Iron 3 15 2 rounds 01–75 76–100
Silver 5 19 3 rounds 01–90 91–100

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, contact other plane, speak
with dead; Cost 2,000 gp (brass spirit planchette), 5,000 gp
(cold iron spirit planchette), 9,000 gp (silver spirit planchette)

 

[Azira]

Ouija board..

 

[lightbane]

There's something I don't understand from the Summoners' Eidolon class feature. One of the Eidolon's stats is "Skills". According to the text, it says:

"This lists the eidolon’s total skill ranks. An eidolon can assign skill ranks to any skill, but it must possess the appropriate appendages to use some skills. Eidolons with Intelligence scores above the base value modify these totals as normal (an eidolon receives a number of skill ranks equal to 6 + its Intelligence modifier per HD). An eidolon cannot have more ranks in a skill than it has Hit Dice. Eidolon skill ranks are set once chosen, even if the creature changes when the summoner gains a new level."

A Quadruped type Eidolon has Intelligence 07, and said skills stat for level 1 is 4, 8 for level 2, 12 for level 3/4 and so on. However, I don't understand what exactly it means, the Eidolon receives at least 6 skill points each level + Int modifier, so what is that thing refering to?

 

[Ulminati]

It refers to table 12.C (iii) in which Ulminati said

I've never looked into summoners. If you're going to roll one, you're responsible for reading up on the rules. I can't help you.

I've referred to it a couple of times.

 

[Mrowak]

Sorry bros for the delay, but you'd have to wait another day for the writeup. I've got serious shitstorm at work. Hopefully it'll be over by tomorrow evening.

 

[lightbane]

EDIT: Edited my character's sheet, now it's the final version unless I notice something else that's wrong.

Nevermind, my new character is finally done, here is the sheet

As a bonus, have a picture of Isaac:

(His usual travelling attire, minus the scepter)

And his Eidolon, Tindalos:

(Normally looks like this, once enraged/in combat, it warps into a hideous version of itself, covered with a metallic-like skin, showing all of his offensive evolutions).

 

[Akasen]

Must curse myself for when I finally decided to spectate a session, I also decided to take a nap. Note to self: Destroy human need to sleep.

 

[lightbane]

Sorry bros for the delay, but you'd have to wait another day for the writeup. I've got serious shitstorm at work. Hopefully it'll be over by tomorrow evening.

 

[Mrowak]

Disclaimer: I think I've overdone it. It's less of a writeup - more like a transcript of the entire adventure, with a few things edited out and a few added for consistency. I may try to shorten it, but if I ever do that, I'll do that tomorrow. I blame combat, which took a lot of space to write. I really don't know how to shorten the rest without losing "the flavour". Btw, I already cut out 2/3 of what was there.

Like last time I will try to identify the most important threads and leads in another post.

Last time in the Codex Pathfinder Squad!!

Right. According to my notes it's the evening of the 7th day, you've returned from your grave robbing adventure and are currently deciding whether or not to let anyone in on your stolen lewtz.

Well, that was pretty much it, except that this time around the approaching conflict between our party members that threatened the very integrity of our group. As usual - when you don’t know WTF it’s all about - it was about the lewtz. It all started when witty, perpetually fashionable, stylish and above all modest Vanessa and equally dashing and humble Ulzir tried to get back at the party by stealing nicking appropriating what they found should be rightfully theirs.

Paranoiac about everything and everyone Alais decides to interrogate one of her companions about the objective of their little escapade to the fake crypt.

Ok, Grotak one question to you. We went to the damn crypt with particular goal in mind - to find the tools. Did I find anything or not?

let it go man ((sic!))

((Here we go…)).

((Again.))

Did you find anything?

You were there with us if I remember correctly?

Answer me, no beating about the bush.

we found a bunch of scrolls and you got some of them from Vanessa if I saw right on our trip back to the temple?

((You know, we may as well cut the crap in a nutshell.))

((Yeah, it kinda leads us nowhere. He/she/it is totally over it.))

then some potions that Ed has probably identified by now and that obscure box

Obscure box?

also whats there to beat around the bush Alais?

What obscure box?

you seem rather strange as of late

: ((Word.))

Stick to the topic, please

What's wrong with you?

((Many things, apparently. ))

((They call it paranoia))

((Anyway…))

SO, did you find something else or not? Besides the potions and the arrows

At this point, a call is heard from downstairs. It’s Vanessa having unexpected revelation for the rest of the party.

Are we all together or not?

no!

Considering I just called you to come.

nooo

well anyways, what is it you wanted to discuss with us Vanessa?

* Vanessa places the box, closed (and containing one vial and the rest of the items) on the table.

This.

noooooooooooo!! My 35 minutes of pointless drivel about a plot thread that just came about totally ruined!!!

Thank you, Vanessa!

At this point everyone starts discussing what the hell is in the box.

So what's in the box?

*grabs one of the vials and gives it a closer look*

There's a single vial in the box, edgar.

*I guess I'll roll to analyze these*

*

All the others were hidden by Vanessa and Ulzir. :twisted: *

vial board and copper thingie with hole in it, right?

It was a craft (alchemy ) roll

Yup. And in the cover of the box there's the symbol of the order of the palatine eye.

The same symbol we found in the locked book.

« 1d20+9 = 18 + 9 = 27 »

woah

nice

Yay.

Sadly, the vials are not alchemical in nature

we're looking at spellcraft rolls

Wait, I can do that as well

Let me have a look then : detect magic :

Someone take a sip from the vial and let's see what happens. *laugh*

Spellcraft roll « d20+9 = 15 + 9 = 24 »

Nice

Whatever these are, it's does not have an alchemical origin

sec, looking up the description

ok

Does my character know what a ouija board is? Because the board and thingie are obviously one.

I guess that's another Spellcraft roll

the vial is called a haunt siphon

These glass vials are held within stylized cold-iron casings etched with strange runes, necromantic designs, or other eldritch markings. Within the vial roils a small wisp of white vapor, churning as if caught in a miniature vortex of air. To capture a haunt’s energies within a haunt siphon, you need only twist the metal casing to open the vial in the same round that the haunt manifests (a standard action)—this can be before or after the haunt has acted. You must be within the haunt’s area of influence to use a haunt siphon. When you activate a haunt siphon, it deals 3d6 points of positive energy damage to a single haunt. If it deals enough damage to the haunt to reduce the haunt’s hit points to 0, the mist inside the haunt siphon glows green—if it does not reduce the haunt to 0 hit points, the haunt siphon is still expended and becomes nonmagical. It may take multiple haunt siphons to destroy powerful haunts. A haunt that is neutralized by a haunt siphon takes a –5 penalty on its caster level check to manifest again after its reset time passes. A haunt siphon that neutralizes a haunt can no longer be used to harm haunts, but it can be used as a grenadelike splash weapon that deals 1d6 points of negative energy damage with a direct hit. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the haunt siphon hits takes 1 point of negative energy damage from the splash.

So we have a ouija board and ghostbuster equipment.

At least we know that it is a tool Professor wrote about.

Basically if you're in a haunted area, you can open the vial and it'll suck some of the ghost juice away

that's pretty cool

But it's a one-use item

We still can harm the ghost with the old-fashioned violence. And magic

Now, about the board

Well since you are pretty familiar with this stuff why don't you have a closer look at that board as well? Can't hurt right?

Afterwards it'll be filled with negative energy. you could conceivably use it as a grenade against the living then.

Now the sight of the party members rested on the Ouija board.

I'll roll spellcraft to analyze the board « 1d20+9 = 2 + 9 = 11 »

Edgar, have a look too Spellcraft « d20+9 = 10 + 9 = 19 »

* Vanessa files her nails while the others do boring nerdy stuff.

It's a piece of paper and a brass thingie

xD

vanessa's my kind of girl

... That's all?

because the roll failed, yeah

definately magic tho

Alais rolled higher

moderate divination aura

Fucken rolls . I guess we will need to inquire about it in town

But I think you can only do that once per day, right?

yeah. you can only attempt to identify an item once per day

I guess we'll have to ask at the magic shop

Remember doing so tomorrow, then.

(btw, why is there a magic shop in a town that hates spellcasters?)

That’s actually a very good question - one which answering to might prove valuable for our quest.

well we still got one magic char who hasn't tried to identify yet

(Oh, well) Spellcraft check: « 1d20+1 = 13 + 1 = 14 » No idea. *back to her nails*

Having spectacularly failed to determine that an Ouija board is an fact, an Ouija board. Our intrepid heroes move to discussing! more pressing matters, such as what to do now, should they investigate a wee bit more, or finally get their act together and brave the perilous dungeons of Harrowstone prison, or just fuck it all, burn the church and stock up with baby meat… when SUDDENLY!

Perception checks plz

« d20+1 = 19 + 1 = 20 »

Perception checks were d20 + perception + ability, right?

yep

« d20-2 = 13 - 2 = 11 »

« 1d20+5 = 20 + 5 = 25 »

« d20+5 = 7 + 5 = 12 »

Yay.

wait what are we rolling?

perception

Grotak, Lightbane -- you hear a strangely haunting pipe melody from somewhere outside the estate

ok a moment

Do you hear that too?

what time is it, again?

it's really faint

Hear what?

« d20+8 = 19 + 8 = 27 »

It's like... piping?

You guys look strangely perplexed..

Have you heard something? It sounds like a strangely haunting pipe melody from somewhere outside the estate

sounds very far away

How "hounting"?

Sounds like something that's in dire need of killing.

Like drunken sod hounting?

I guess it won't hurt to check it. But before doing that, give me a minute to prepare a potion

Mysterious and vague piping sounds in the middle of the night. And we have a ghost trap thingie. Aha.

It must be fate

Who you gonna call?

ulzir is not bad himself

i think grotak is better right now

So what about that sound, of yours?

We should investigate if we want to because it sounds quite far away. Could be gone if we keep on talking

We should hurry.

Clearly we should, then… After some time of merry chattering, the heroes reach their destination:

you follow the sound and it leads you into a deserted alley

In a sudden attack of Clairvoyance Grotak exclaims:

ITZ A TARP!!!

(perception check)

i have low visibility vision

« d20+5 = 1 + 5 = 6 »

« d20+1 = 2 + 1 = 3 »

*loads the crossbow* Better to be sure

ehh

« d20-2 = 16 - 2 = 14 »

« d20+8 = 20 + 8 = 28 »

« 1d20+5 = 20 + 5 = 25 » wow

nice

a giant board is floating towards you!

arrrgh!

Nooo! It cannot beeee!!1111

Who was the one holding the board? Alais?

The sound cuts out abruptly and you hear a bussing sound from the direction you came

Did we also leave the ghost trap thingie? We are so dead.

You have no idea…

quilty, lightbane, initiave checks plz

« d20+4 = 13 + 4 = 17 »

« 1d20+2 = 12 + 2 = 14 »

what looks like an overgrown mosquito flaps out of the darkness and tries to latch onto Alais. K, the stirge is now grappling alais. she loses a point of con.

Thus, with the Alais’ insectoid penetration the battle commences.

First Ulizr valiantly charges forward to save the day

The stirge explodes with a disgusting popping sound. There is blood everywhere

IT'S ACID BLOOD!

don't give him ideas!!

(think swatting a mosquito that already drank blood. Now scale it up x200)

So Alais is covered from head to toe in blood and insect juices?

sexy

There is no time for Alais to express the gratitude in more… physically expressive way, as more stirges barge in and strike down Edgar.

FUUCK!

Bugs are feasting like it's thanksgiving.

Vanessa gets stung as well. And her precious bodily fluids sucked away. :twisted:

Halp. :[

Edgar swats the bug, or at least attempts that, but fails miserably

Thus the surprise round comes to an end. Now the real battle starts.

I'm liking the initiative roll of 15 for my stirges

Ulzir gashingly strikes down the bug attacking Vanessa.

I shall defend you, Vanessa!

* Vanessa manages to whimper a "Thank you" to Ulzir even while pouting and despairing to the state her dress, her hair, and herself are now in. T_T

Once back on her feet, Vanessa casts Daze, temporarily getting rid of one buzzer

Then our benevolent GM remembers something special:

oh, nearly forgot. Edgar and grotak get to make a fort save

Luckily, whatever was in store, the heroes survive it

k, no worries then. (forgot 10% chance of contracting disease every time a stirke sucks your blahd)

Alais casts magic missile but does negligible 2 point damage to one stirge. Edgar attempts to bash the bloodsucker down, but to no avail. Same with Grotak.

Luckily, Ulzir comes to the rescue!

« d20+11 = 16 + 11 = 27 »

« 1d8+4 = 5 + 4 = 9 »

Victory at sea!

Awesome.

Taking a moment to brush the worst stirge gunk off of you, you can celebrate by rolling me some perception.

What can it mean?!

Right, everyone but edgar can hear the pipe music. it appears to be coming from somewhare up on the rooftops

Suddenly!

whispers: Also, you could've sworn someone just went past near the entrance of the alley.

It appears only Alais has noticed something afoot

Can we assume there was some connection between stirges and the sound?

(( everyday i'm ooc'ing ))

Quite possibly. Stirges usually don't live in cities, so something drew them here

Could the stirges produce that sound - which means the nest is nearby? Oh, I see.

Let's keep following the music. More juicy things to hit, I hope.

Nah. That was pipe music. Only sounds stirges tend to make a re buzzing and sucking

Didn't you notice anything weird? Like we were being observed?

Weird? Nah, I'm getting used to the dirty dwarf.

from the entrance to the alley?

(( Vanessa will follow but being sure to not move from behind Ulzir ))

This would be a perfect opportunity to split up but…

: don't you know you never split the party : Alais follows the rest

Following them where?

Guess.

The party decides it would be a splendid idea to follow the source of the sound up on the rooftops

Up on the rooftops? there are no ladders or stairwalls. So that's a bunch of climb checks if you're gonna go all batman on me

Anyone manly enough to climb up there?

Of course there was - Ulzir decided to prove Vanessa that he “conquers vertically as well as horizontally”… whatever that was supposed to mean. Unfortunately, while he did have a good start, it seems that that seeing things reach their completion isn’t really his thing:

Cursed peasant hovel has loose bricks

((did i get up there? or am i plummeting as we speak?))

(( looking up falling damage, we may be looking at the first death in the party ))

roll me an acrobatics check

« d20-1 = 17 - 1 = 16 »

ok

(( nice ))

SUCCESS!

he'll live

that lets you ignore the first 10 feet of the fall. meaning you only take « 2d6 = 3 » damage.

* offers him a hand to help him stand back up. "And do you disappoint so in both?"

Sure. But it's a public street and the building is 30' high

(( as we saw, we fail at the manly approach ))

I doubt you'd find a ladder long enough

(( what kind of roof is it? flat top? ))

The party ponders what to do next, when GM decides it’s worth having a second go with Alais.

whispers: you're still pretty certain you saw someone walk past the entry of the alley shortly after the stirges got smacked

whispers: Ehh… have it your way then.

Anyways people, I am pretty sure I saw someone observing our battle with the Stirges. We should scratch the sounds and go investigate.

We can't just drop the sounds.

Whoever that was he might be behind the attack on us

the attack on us was carried out by mindless *insects*

I don't believe swampland creatures would attack us in the middle of the town.

what do you suggest, mindcontrol of mindless creatures?

After we were drawn here.

All I need is one of you to aid me.

It could work, if these creatures were summoned

can you determine if they were summoned by their corpses?

We should follow the music.

Let's stop the chattering and follow the sound at ground level.

Sooner or later it will have to come back down.

Follow the music! More faggotry is afoot.

(( you wanna give it another go with the grappling hook? ))

slightly pissed off by this sidetracking (even though it weas here who sidetracked), Alais states firmly:

Fine, fine - I'll go alone ((certain death))

Just as planned

Wait, let me help you, Alais

what are you doing?

We shouldn't split, and the origin of the music is about getting away.

alais -- by now it's going to be a tracking check to follow what you thought you saw. That's perception

« d20+5 = 17 + 5 = 22 »

is it wise to follow this lead if you were suggesting a moment ago that the creatures were summoned to attack us on your own?

That was actually a good question. The thing is the apparent intention from the beginning was the opportunity to sing out favorite tune. Let us join together in chorus: Never split the party.

Let Alais and Grotak go after whatever they are going after, and let us follow the music.

I don't even saw anything, I just don't want Alais wander the streets alone after we have just been attacked

Ok, then I stay with Vanessa. You stay with Alais, Grotak.

I see, I'll follow Grotak then.

Come then Grotak, before our lead vanishes.

Off we go, hunting shadows in the night!

Let us go then, Maese Ulzir. The sooner we finish this adventure, the sooner I can take a bath.

Wonder who'll get horribly killed in a moment...

(( will you be back LB? ))

roll d2 to determine that Ulm

Right, who wants to go first? The music group or the suspicious dude group?

Mememememe!!!

K, it's a tracking (perception) check to follow them. They seem to be headed south(ish). There are several small spatters of fresh blood on the street.

Ulzir would prove invaluable asset here

I try to determine where the blood trail leads - survival roll ok?

yeh

« 20+5 = 20 + 5 = 25 »

w00t

wow. scratch Ulzir, you are the MAN!

dwarf!

they seem to be headed south. You follow them for a bit and it's evident thye're making a beeline for the town memorial.

they trail seems to be leading towards the memorial... again?

Shadowing the mysterious figure, we approach carefully.

Let's Sneak to the location

maybe we can catch the one responsible in the act if we hurry

(( somewhere, Kendra Lorrimor breathes a sigh of relief ))

we apporach the memorial the sneaky way

« d20+6 = 9 + 6 = 15 »

« d20-1 = 16 - 1 = 15 »

hmmmm

« 1d20+2 = 14 + 2 = 16 »

(( oh sneaky alais! ))

You notice a man dressed in his nightshirt and hat, carrying a wineskin. He's standing near the town memorial, drawing on it with his fingers

((Whoever they are we might be not enough to confront him))

(( single man ))

((Fingers?))

(( hoyl shit. prosper deteced ))

His movements are odd and jerky

(Should I throw a bomb in an unprovoked attack?)

He almost looks like under a spell

you could try to sneak closer if you like. It's hard to make out details at this distance

ok, Grotak, stay here!

« d20+6 = 6 + 6 = 12 » oops

A loud snap echoes through the night as alais steps on an inoppertunately placed twig. Alais'es noise alerts the guy. He spins around to face you. His eyes have a vacant look, but he still roars at you:

: You shall not prevent our escape! The woman will die again!

And that's where we roll initiative

« d20+1 = 9 + 1 = 10 »

misogynistic necromancers

« 1d20+2 = 4 + 2 = 6 »

« d20+8 = 3 + 8 = 11 »

Go go 12 initiative! the npcs ar eona roll tonight!

And so another battle starts

He charges alais, swinging a wicked barbers razor at her while blood sprays from the wineskin he's clutching in his left hand

The man hits Alais for some serious damage.

Agghhh

What does he look like?

It looks like the guy leading the mob at the professors funeral. His eyes are vacant and his movements oddly jerky, as if he was a puppet being moved about.

((Possession))

(( thanks for splittign the party btw ))

It's you alais

It’s Alais’ turn. She wants to cast Sleep on the enemy, but is kindly reminded by the GM that Sleep is a full round spell. After some arguing and raging she goes for Ray of Enfeeblement, which of course, fails to hit the target. For some reason Grotak, instead of rushing to help our heroine, decides it’s best to keep safe distance, and leaves here defenseless. Only Edgar runs to help her, and shoots with his crossbow to distract the wacko, not wanting to accidentally murder him. Predictably, though the madman is completely unfazed by that.

By some stroke of luck, the man misses Alais, so she can do her magick. Because of the close distance she cannot put him to sleep, however. She casts Daze and succeeds, which gives the party the upper hand… for now.

whispers: I like this guys statblock. Quote: "Gibs fights tenaciously, slashing at foes with his war razor or punching if unarmed. Somewhat of a misogynist, he focuses his attacks on women first, particularly those who seem to him to be attempting to “be men” (heavily armored women or those wielding two-handed weapons)"

whispers: I knew I should have gone paladin. XD

Grotak finally reaches the man and whacks him for some serious non-lethal damage

« d10+3 = 10 + 3 = 13 »

Nice. He's still standing

After that Edgar lands a punch worth of 2 dmg. The dude still is unfazed.

Finally Alais gets to cast her favourite spell:

Sleep - and let's pray it lands

Next Grotak strikes nicely

« d10+3 = 10 + 3 = 13 »

Nice

He's still standing though

what?!

(!!!!)

At this point the party was all:

(( maybe you should start running. ))

(( LB: with the blunt end of my axe ))

((You want us dead!!!))

... That's it, the fucker is a demon on disguise

28 non leathal damage so far

:3

I know. I' m keeping track :3

((do normal damage from now on))

Alais’ suggestion is taken heed of - no more dillydallying. Lightbane rushes at the guy and mircoulously grapples him. In return, the man slashes him for some impressive damage. Alais finishes casting Sleep, but Tzeentch does not like her very much so far.

: « 1d20+2 = 16 + 2 = 18 »
The fucker overcomes mind-effect

:3

Alais casts another spell but misses. Grotak does not make the same mistake.

alright this time normal attack (lethal): « d20+6 = 12 + 6 = 18 ». enough?

yep

« d10+3 = 6 + 3 = 9 »

Yeah, that'll take him down p. nicely

The GM has some good revelation for our heroes:

Gotta love how possessed creatures don't take nonlethal damage.

The party goes in the dumbstruck mode:

But there’s no time to waste - the man is dying. First thing, though Edgar, removes his weapon and binds him. Second, Alais provides him first aid and staunches bleeding. It turns out we were lucky enough to prevent the culprit from dying on us :p.

if you had taken one more turn to disarm/tie him up, he'd have been dead :p He was bleeding out at -9 hp :p

After so much action we return to Vanessa’s and Ulzir’s exploits.

you're standing in a deserted alley. the rest of your group went off to chase shadows or someshit. Music is sounding from the rooftops

We are following the sounds as they remove themselves from the rooftop Ulzir tried to climb to.

every so often they move to a different roof, but you can’t see anything moving up there.

roll perception to see if we can gain the roof in any way

(perception roll please)

« d20+8 = 9 + 8 = 17 »

« d20-2 = 13 - 2 = 11 »

This reveals another swarm of bugs are after the heroes

Lulz, more bugs

I've got more hearts than that.

COME AT US BROS

sounds good. roll initiative please

« d20+4 = 5 + 4 = 9 »

« d20+1+2 = 13 + 1 + 2 = 16 »

Mother of shit.

Not sure why people insist on staying near the stirge-attracting music but oh well

So here we go again: Never Split the party.

I cast daze on the stirge without number.

((and maybe there's gold somewhere))

Another swarm of oversized mosquitoes come flapping out of the night

« 1d20+1 = 19 + 1 = 20 »

Fuck. Off.

Epic mosquito is epic.

bzzzzzz

Ain’t the best start of all - and that’s just the beginning

1: « 1d20+7 = 15 + 7 = 22 »

WOULD YOU STOP

2: « 1d20+7 = 15 + 7 = 22 »

I MEAN IT

3: « 1d20+7 = 11 + 7 = 18 »

MOTHER OF TENTACLE PORN.

well, that's -3 total constitution loss this round

AGH!

* Vanessa asks "Are you alright?" in a whispers and towards the dark alley she's kind of leaving behind.

Undaunted, Ulzir attacks

THEN LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

« d20+7 = 10 + 7 = 17 »

FEEL THE STING MOTHERFUCKERS

« 1d8+4 = 4 + 4 = 8 »

Ulzir has received initiative.

did i kill two?

one is chopped off, roll attack for cleave

(( you need to roll attack for the other ))

« 1d8+4 = 3 + 4 = 7 »

kinda wrong dice :/

Stirges strike back and make Ulzir suffer.

7 con left on you then. Plenty :3

Help me Vanessa!

Vanessa casts another Daze, which fortunately lands. Then Ulzir cleaves through two bugs - I would say effortlessly if he hadn’t grown so pale.

SUCCESS

The last bug keeps fighting.

4 con on ulzir

Ulzir misses terribly, and Vanessa readies her charge attack - sadly, as graceful as she was, her feeble physical strength didn’t let her land a blow.

Shit. Awful roll.

Yep. Congrats on your first melee miss 3

Eventually, Ulzir saves his sorry arse with one successful roll while Vanessa was cheerleading him into inevitable success.

Faito! Faito! Faito!

« d20+9 = 5 + 9 = 14 » « 1d8+4 = 7 + 4 = 11 »

Or rather he would have if it weren’t for the fact that at this point he was well beneath 0 hp. So it fell to Vanessa to drive the last stirge away with her dagger.

Oh god enough already

Let's get out of here

I need...a doctor...

Ulzir is looking ghostly pale

He's lost a *lot* of blood

Are you alright? You look rater... dry.

Which is conveniently splattered all over the ground and himself now

Again, for splitting the party. I was worried the encounters would be too easy now that you dinged

Of course Ulzir wouldn’t be himself he didn’t take advantage of himself being bled out like a pig after Easter and not hit his charming companion. Being covered in your own blood is but a minor annoyance, after all.

I need you to prove to me that you still love me even though you abandoned me.

A long, wet proof.

Ulzir. you're covered in stirge gunk and your own blood

That's kinda a disgusting image

that only turns him more on

I'm covered in the remains of VICTORY.

And almost unconscious from blood loss.

I believe he can barely talk.

definately delirious

I doubt he will be able to say that, yes.

This may be our last chance.

and now the remaining blood is all flowing into the nether regions

Quick, grant me one last wish.

A kiss from a lovely witch

true. Wonder if an erection would be fatal to him at this point

to keep me warm on my way to hell

let the dice decide ;p

what's you ac witch? emotional ac

You have obviously lost your mind. Let's get you back to the estate. And, eww, to a bath. Soon. Quick. Urgently, even.

We'll talk about this later then,

I'm sure we will.

Perhaps in some other time-continuum the scene above would have taken place. Alas, because Ulzir sustained too grave wounds he was unable to say any of that. It fell to Vanessa to drag him safely home

While Vanessa urges Ulzir on to a bath, we rejoin Edgar, Grotak and Alais. Unfortunately, it becomes apparent there’s going to be some friction in the group.

I say we go to the temple

once again alais, I think we should question this... puppet privately

No, my friend. The man is dying, and his condition may turn worse. As far as we know he might still be under malicious influence of the ghost

oh btw I check if the guy has written something on the memorial before we disturbed him

Among the various spatteres you notice the letter "S" written in blood

or whatever spirit it was

He's all tied up and we can always bring him to the temple in the morning. He is stable as far as I can see.

This is beyond our expertise.

it's time we receive some answers.

From a possessed man?

for all we know the temple might be involved in all of this

We deon't have the means to harm the creature dwelling within him

you know magic and we got this board back home... we might be able to communicate with the human inside

I don't plan to harm him, I only seek answers.

I don't have to knowledge necessary to banish such creature, least of all to force it to give the answers.

but I see that this debate is going nowhere, how about we meet up with Vanessa and Ulzir - we need to make sure they are ok and i would like to know what they think

I say, we had to the temple - that's imperative. The man is dying.

surely this poor soul will have some more minutes and vanessa might know about these things. I'm trying to get a compromise here. once again: let's at least see what Ulzir and Vanessa have to say and more importantly what they found out

(( That stirges suck? ))

I somehow doubt that seeing how as far as undead go I am this group’s specialist. Plus, taking innocent man into house may raise suspicion. Let's go to the authorities.

taking an innocent man we just cut open to one of the local authority might raise suspicion.

So we head to the damn temple. to patch him up

you go ahead, I have no part in this.

you do - I need your help draggin him

edgar can give you a hand if he desires

* Grotak walks back towards Ulzir and Vanessa

I'll take the whole blame on myself if worst comes to worst ((can we assume I and Edgar dragged the man?)).

(( I honestly don't know what edgar would do ))

Sure

Just let us go with it

well ed and alais to temple and grotak back to ulzir and vanessa then

Fuck it - we go to the temple

So story is Edward and Alais are carrying the homicidal maniac to the temple, Grotak joins up with Vanessa and Ulzir. Once the first group reached their destination:

Bones of the mistress, what on earth happened here?

Venerable father, we need your aid once more. This man - he attacked us near the Harrowstone Memorial.

* Father Grimburrow channels energy.

« 3d6 = 12 »

that's 12 hp regained for alais and edgar. Gibs is also back in positive hp, but remains unconscious

I think he was under influence of some magic, father. He didn't behave rationally - he attacked us without provocation.

Hm... I think you'd best come inside while one of the acolytes fetch the sheriff

Yes, father. But I would request to have the man watched and tied

some minutes are going to pass while the acolyte runs off and wakes up a grumpy sheriff. Gibs will remain tied up like a ham.

We rejoin Vanessa & crew in the meantime

So did you find out where this obscure music was coming from?

We did discover nothing other than the bugs are attracted to it somehow. And that the origin of it may fly, too.

A flying piping bag eh? This is getting more curious by the minute.

Fucking things bit a chunk of my head off.

Well, that and Ulzir being quite tasty if you are into blood.

Ulzir! I almost didn't recognize you!

I'll take that as a compliment.

Grotak! I immediately recognized your hideous face! So, I see you killed a man. Nice.

nah we didn't kill him - like I said Alais dragged him to the temple. which will get us into trouble with the sheriff for sure.

So you dragged a man against hiw will. Even better.

have any of you seen our host yet? Edgar feared the mad men might have done her harm

Edgar always fear someone did her harm.

Kendra is fine. Kinda keeping to herself, politely trying not to let it show that her guests are sociopaths.

Alright. Then I'll go take a bath and then I'll try to socialize with Kendra, talk about stuffies, thank her for letting us stay after all the trouble, play cards with her, etc. Resolve it with a diplomacy roll if you don't want to roleplay "Girls talk about girly thingies".

I'm wondering if we will find Alais in a prison cell tomorrow - wake me if anything interesting should happen

* Grotak goes off to bed.

girly thingies and stuffies. Gotcha

XD Narrator: Meanwhile... *images of alais in chains*

We are going back to Alais

Right, Grimburrow, would you mind telling me why I'm being pulled here at this ung--- flame and ashes, what have you done to Gibs!?

We haven't done much to him sir - most of the damage he did himself.

I was hoping to find that out myself, Benjan. This lovely young lady and her accomplice brought him here. I've been holding off on the tale until you arrived.

Hrm... If you would be so kind as to stand over there a moment

Yes

* Father Grimburrow gestures to a circle painted on the temple floor.

thank you. Now, please, explain what happened to bring you here with gibs tied up like this. Short and precise if you please

((can I talk normally?))

((or will you do that part for me?))

(( Seems like it ))

(( You'll have to roll will saves to lie, though :p ))

(( zone of truth. I'll let you succeed that spellcraft check for free ))

We've encoutered this many around the Harrowstone Memorail. Unprovoked he attacked us shouting "You shall not prevent our escape! The woman will die again!" This lead me to believe he was either insane or under some sort of enchantment. We fought for our lives doing all we could not to harm him.

(( "all we could not to harm him... then the dwarf hit him with an axe" ))

Once we struck him down we immediately provided first aid. Unsure what to do with the man Edgar and I resolved to bring him here to the temple.

I tied him and removed his weapon so he wouldn't accidentally hurt himself

What do you think Benjan?

We were certain that whatever the cause of the man's behaviour was the temple could provide him help and give us the answers.

(( have you mentioned Alais' wounds? )) She was attacked with a knife, that will help our arguments.

Hm. It sounds incredible. But I suppose I can't argue with your magic, Grimburrow. I'll have him locked up and questioned.

I would ask you to observe the man closely. I cannot rule out some demonic possession.

If the temple can be of assistance you know where to reach me

Yes father. Thank you.

I should probably also send someone down to clean up at the memorial before the gossip battalion shows up at dawn as well *sigh*

((Fuck yeah - I hoped Frimburrow would cast Discern Lies or similar spell on us))

Benjan marches off with Gibs (the madman) in tow.

Ok, come on Edgar. Let's head back home.

*at alais* By the way miss

Yes, father.

I know you aren't here at the best of times. I'm not sure what caused Gibs to behave so strangely. But as a sort of compensation - if there is anything else the temple can do for you for the duration of your stay, don't hesitate to ask

Father there are two things. The first thing concerns poor Gibs. I fear he was under some enchantment that made him behave so strangely. I would request you perform exorcisms on him and try to determine what adled the man's brain.

tough*

Secondly, there's the matter of your library
* Father Grimburrow nods.

I would request extended access to it with my companions.
* Edgar smiles.

I'll assist the sheriff in any way I can of course. But I cannot simply barge in and demand to cast spells on his prisoner. I think we can arrange access to the library however

Thank you father

Anyways, should we ask him for the list or not? I'll ask him to heal Ulzi as well.

You don't know he's sick.

Then we need to ask him for free restoration potions. Actually, I will do so.

I should, however insist on the matter of determining what caused the man to attack us. I am certain it was some nefarious power. Now, if we may go father.

Give it a few days child. I've found it's best to wait until Benjan asks me for assistance instead of trying to move in on his job.

Of course father.

By the way Father, may we ask to buy some of your restoration potions? With a discount, if that's possible

* Vanessa facepalms.

Hm. We do have a small amount of restoration potions. But they are expensive to produce. How does a 25% discount sound?

Hmm, that's more than fair father.

Thank you, we'll keep these in mind if we need them. Now, shall we go back, miss Alais?

One more thing. We encountered some malicious beasts - the stirges in town - as unbelievable as it sounds. We were wondering if you could perform healing of the ailments those creatures cause?

The diseases, yes. For blood loss I recommend plenty of water and bedrest

That's all, good night, Father Grim. Come on, Alais

Time passes, it's next morning. Back at Lorrimor’s estate, lots of talking about healing, potions, random items, gold and stuffies. Finally, however, Edgar and Grotak decide to venture forth and investigate the magic shop in the town. Alais resolves to go to the library to find out a little bit about the list of prisoners.

so anyways, a new day dawns

Yes, time to investigate the magic shop, before I forget about it yet again.

Alais when you look into the list remember to look out for the letters we found, I still think they might be connected to the prisoner the professor spoke about

Edgar -- as you enter the magic shop you notice an old man sitting in a chair in a corner. He looks up from the book he was reading

Welcome to the unfurling scroll, stranger How may I assist you?

Greetings. So, that's a nice magic shop you have. How did you do it?

How did I do what?

I mean, it seems there's an irrational hate to spellcasters in this town.

There's a suspicion against outsiders. I'm a respected upstanding member of the community, so no one bothers me much.

I see. May I have a look at your wares?

Of course. Anything in particular you are interested in? I've several books, a fine selection of scrolls and reagents. A few enchanted items.

Do you have only books in magic nature or also history books, especially concerning this town?

* Alendru taps his chin

I've a fair selection of books in the back room, including some local histories.

* Edgar casts retroactive action

would you mind if we would browse the selection of books? (( whats that LB? ))

Also, before I forget. Which type of enchanted items are you offering?

Browsing is fine, of course. If you intend to do so for extended periods I'll have to charge a small fee of course

Oh, can you identify magical items?

Certainly, for a quite modest fee I'll put my magical talents at your disposal for that

Also, before I forget. Which type of enchanted items are you offering?

A few wands mainly. I've an enchanted ring that will make it harder for those who wish you harm to hit you

If you don't mind me asking, do you see lots of customers here? Any regulars by chance?

Do you have wands of healing?

Ah, you'd have to see the temple for that. I deal with arcane magic. I leave divine blessings to those with a higher tolerance for incense.

OH well. Then I will give it a look at these books you offer, then I'll ask you to identify an item for me, if you don't mind.

That ring your spoke of earlier made me curious, what would you charge for it?

There are several bookcases full of books. They seem to be stored in no particular order.

for the ring? Two thousand gold pieces. Or an equivalent sum in gems or other trade goods.

* Edgar gives a look at the books

2000 gold pieces? How long has this ring sitting on the case I wonder? You can't get that many customers interested in these things?

Edgar -- like I said, there are several bookcases full of books. If you pay the fee to peruse them for an extended period it functions as a library for research.

It's an investment. It'll sell eventually. 2000 gold pieces is a very fair price I assure you.

* Grotak joins Edgar at the books

How much do you ask for using the books?

You can find some local histories. You could probably learn more about Harrowstone here. You don't see anything conspirational enough to deal with the whispering way itself

for extended study, I charge 10gp per day in the library

So, tell me man, do you know what is this? *shows up the ouija board*

Hrm... Yes, I believe I could find some relevant information on this item. My time would be worth 25 gold pieces at least of course.

(( haggle him down ))

(hmm, I have only 3 gp left)

(and a penalty to charisma, so... USe your talking skills, dear dwarf)

(( use mad conversation skillz ))

Well, not trained

(( haggling also could include some LARPing *hint hint* ))

(( you can try identifying an item again every day, you know ))

« 1d20+4 = 20 + 4 = 24 »

(( just sayin' ))

woah

w00t. he will pay us now.

Lightbane -- using your acute appraisal skills you do the mental arithmetic and realize the wizard is actually offering to do the identification for 50% of the PHB list price. He's basically being *extremely* fair to the point it's almost suspiciously so.

Thus Edgar pinpointed a suspicious fellow in town.

((Good info))

I see. Unfortunately, we don't have the money to pay right now, we'll come back later. Shall we go back, Grotak?

(( shit guys, session is almost over and we still haven't seen the major dungeon :/ ))

I guess there's nothing left here to do.

With that we move to the investigation in the library

Right, Alais, you wanted to do research in the temple? You going to ask father Grimburrow for help with your research? It may give you a bonus to the roll, but he'd know what you were looking for.

Yes, I actually wanted to ask him about the prisoner list first, but if this speeds things up, let's just have us research together.

There weren't too many prisoners in Harrowstone by the time it burned. I think the temple inherited some old manifests from the town hall some years back

If I could have a look at it father, I would be grateful

He shows you to the relevant shelves in the library in the temple basement.

I'm gonna let you has a +6 on your knowledge(local) or knowledge(history) to research the 5 prisoners

With so great boost Alais is confident she will succeed. Alas, the blasted dice…

((history then)) « d20+8 = 9 + 8 = 17 »

phail

The girls does manage to learn something, nonetheless

Originally, Harrowstone housed only local criminals, but as the prison’s fame spread, other counties and distant lands began paying to have more 16 dangerous criminals housed within this prison’s walls. At the time of the great Harrowstone Fire, the number of particularly violent or dangerous criminals imprisoned within the dungeons below was at an all-time high.

At this point everyone was already a bit tired, and GM took the stand no one else dared to take

we're nearing a good time to wrap things up though. If we start up something new we'll run dangerously close to midnight

that's when the Gm turns into a gremlin and spawns dracoliches

With that, everyone agreed, it’s time to wrap things up. Before finishing Alais rolls for Ouija board identification, and succeeds!

« d20+9 = 16 + 9 = 25 »

The effects of these roll you can admire in the last post by Ulminati.

This concludes this week’s writeup session. What will become of our heroes + ines? Will they get their act together and finally start exploring perilous dungeons of the olden days? Will Ulzir recover from half-paralysis? Will Grotak break the prisoner Alais put in jail and squeeze information out of him? Will Vanessa get any useful info from Kendra about why the Whispering Way was after her father? Finally how the characters will use their newly-acquired items, and will they manage not to blow themselves up in doing so? Stay tuned for the next exciting adventure of Codex Pathfinder Squad

 

[lightbane]

At last, the transcript!!
Good work, but some things were said out of character, yet you wrote them as it was said by them, like:

tough*

I don't know what was that about, but I guess it was something OOC, it makes little sense for Edgar to said this (unless he was a madman that randomly rambles, something he probably does).

There's one picture of this guy with no dialogue, perhaps you forgot to include it.

(( somewhere, Kendra Lorrimor breathes a sigh of relief ))

That was a reply to a random OOC thing, I think it was that Edgar was not really interested on Kendra (romantically at least).

(( I honestly don't know what edgar would do ))

Duh, he would help you, he's chaotic good after all. He's not a bad person enough to leave a defenseless woman alone at night, especially in a rape-friendly town. Also, I had to disappear for a while because I had to do some stuff IRL.

Edward

Edgar!

Edgar always fear someone did her harm.

Chaotic good.

Kendra is fine. Kinda keeping to herself, politely trying not to let it show that her guests are sociopaths.

Compared with the average Dnd party, we are somewhat normal, at least we don't have Kenders halfings with us.

* Edgar casts retroactive action

That was a joke I made that Edgar "magically" took the ouija board, we were wondering who had that so I joked he retroactively took it.

That's all, now there's the detail that I'll start with a new character next session, so I'll have to look for an excuse for the alchemist to disappear, perhaps something related with necromancer ninjas.

PS: Awesome song btw.

PPS: Also, Edgar kindly gave to each party member one of the healing potions.

 

[Quilty]

Thanks for the write-up! It was a good session.