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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Removing the mud, Ilmarinen once again proceeds to retaliate with spell and blade against the same elemental.
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Round 4- (swift action) Arcane strike (+2 damage; 1 round)
(Entangled) - (full attack action) Spell combat/Spellstrike
(Attack vs mud) Black blade [roll0] melee [roll1] (crit 15-20) vs Mud (Hardness 5, HP 10) -> Mud removed
(Entangled)
(Spellstrike) Cast Shocking grasp; Concentration [roll2] vs DC 17 for casting defensively
(Spellstrike attack vs Elemental at (j-k,14-15)) Black blade [roll3] melee [roll4] + [roll5] electric (crit 15-20)
Finally, just after his turn ends,
- (immediate action) Spell shield: +5 shield bonus to AC [1AP] (until the end of his next turn)
Arcane pool [4/7]
Effects- Ablative barrier (7 hours)
- Enhance weapon [Black blade +3 keen] (8 rounds)
- Spell shield [+5 shield AC] (end of next round)
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
"Who goes? Something doesn't seem right about this. Khrona, do you have any knowledge of these muddy guardians? If only we knew what answer they were looking for." Jasper stops his inspiring oratory and begins to cast a spell.
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HP: 52/52
Performance: 24/27
Spells: 6/6/2/2(6/6/4/2)
Casting Ancestral Communion to try to figure out what response they are looking for (with a +6 bonus). Knowledge Local: [roll0]
Current Performance (2 rounds remaining)
Inspire Courage: +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Khrona, Mistress of Time
Noticing the wounds and light bluish hue of both Ilamrinen and Amalody... Khrona conjures forth a bit of healing magic for Ilamrinen.
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Cast Cure Light Wounds on Ilamrinen. Then move to look down the cellar staircase with Deathwatch.
Cure Light Wounds: [roll0]
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Amalody
Amalody attacks the severely weakened mudman in front of her, then steps up side by side with Ilmarinen.
Attack!
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[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Gorm
Taking a step out to get a more clear view of the final remaining enemy, his arrows fly through the melee with uncanny accuracy, threading the needle and striking at the mudman with ease.
Attack!
Spoiler
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5 foot step and full attack, deadly aim active, rapid shot.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Current Positions
Heathers claws tear into the muddy beast in front fo her, and Ilmarinen is easily able to remove the mud that caked to his armor and clothing. Arrows streak in and the vicious pokes of the blade Amalody wields see another two of the wounded creatures fall. Gorms arrows find purchase on the fresh enemy, as well as one of Amalodys sword strikes. It looks battered already, but still attempts to continue the fight.
Attack on Amalody!
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[roll0]
[roll1]
On hit, dc 17 reflex or entangled.
Amalody is able to dodge the ponderous swinging fist.
Jasper notices as well that the small noises that could be heard ever so often from the stair well behind him have stopped for the most part.
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Continuing her onslaught, Heather rips through the pulpy elemental.
Spoiler
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Full Attack:
[roll0], [roll1]+[roll2]
[roll3], [roll4]+[roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]+[roll8]
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
The furious assault from Heathers claws destroys the remaining mudman, the thing dissolving into a lifeless pile of muddy clumps. The swamp grows eerily silent now, only the chitter of nearby insects to break the silence. Nothing seems to move about the ruined base of the tower.
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Murmuring a quick cantrip, the remaining dirt and mud covering Ilmarinen simply falls away, leaving him and is garments fresh and clean, and every link of his mithril shirt gleaming once again.
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End of Combat
Arcane pool [4/7]
Effects- Ablative barrier (7 hours)
- Enhance weapon [Black blade +3 keen] (7 rounds)
Although he feels significantly better after Khrona's healing magics, he is still slightly hurt, not that Ilmarinen lets that affect anything as he takes position as rear guard as he waits for the others to fall back into the more defensible tower ruins first.
(Ilmarinen: HP 40/49; non-lethal 4 points)
As he stands in the 'doorway', Ilmarinen comments "Whoever built this place put some serious work into construction of the base ... the land here in this spot, not just the tower itself, was definitely manufactured. Perhaps the guardians we just faced were also used to construct the earthen base too?"
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
With no available foes to fight, Heather launches skyward. After a minute spent circling tower without a target, her bestial fury subsides.
As her heartbeat slows, her vision returns and she remembers her companions below. Ducking into a dive she swoops down and lands atop the roof.
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
The sound of creaking boards comes from the stairs, and soon a small hunched figure can be seen slowly coming up the stairs. It puts a hand up, as if to signal that it means no harm. A thin voice follows from inside the voluminous hood the creature wears.
"Stay your weapons...what is your business here? You are not of the swamp."
The hand that the creature put up to signal you as he came up the stairs is what catches your eye the most. It's hand seems to be covered in warts, and more interestingly it has green scales down one half of the hand. Pink flesh covers the other half. Only three fingers can be seen, the one int he middle thicker than the others. Truly a strange sight.
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
"Please, we are not here for violence. We just want to talk to you about the scalies that have been giving you trouble."
diplomacySpoiler
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Perform (oratory): [roll0]
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
The creature turns, and you get a slight glimpse of the side of its face. You can see that its chin is a pale skin, but there are deep green scales that start at it's cheekbone and disappear into the darkness provided by the cloak.
"Why do you care what happens to us? There are fewer and fewer every moon...we think the others are taken as slaves by the Lizardfolk. We wish we could help them but there is no way we could leave this place. The swamp is far too dangerous, and master has been dead for decades."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Ilmarinen turns his head briefly at the sound of the thin voice coming from the stairs, but upon seeing it's source, he turns his attention back to the swamp outside, remaining aware and vigilant against whatever dangers lie without these ruined stone walls.Spoiler
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- Perception (keeping watch against the dangers of the swamp): [roll0]
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
"Ah yes. Iv heard of this master of yours, though I know little about him. He commanded the mud men, correct?"
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Ilmarinen keeps an eye out, but the swamp seems idle. The pools of mud and the remains of the mudmen settle into one another and only the chitter of insects can be heard.
The creature turns its head, and pushes back it's cloak. It;s face is strange, like several creatures patched together. Scales run up the side of its face, but its nose, eyes and forehead were a more human skin color, the nose a piggish snout. Wiry hair covered its head, scraggly flowing down his shoulders.
"He is long dead. He created the mudmen, the same as he created us. The Lizards tried to harness the mudmen but their magic is locked to this place. They take more and more of us each time they come. We don't know where they take them. We were once his slaves, and now we just want to be left alone...
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
"Well we are no friends of the lizards, and we wish to know what they are up to. We believe we can help you in the process."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
The look on the creatures face remained skeptical, but his attitude towards Jasper did not change.
"I do not know where the Lizards take us. It has been several moons since they last came. They could come again at any time. I warn you, be careful. They have many slaves. Savage creatures from the deep swamp. What would you even do if you could find their home?"
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
"I can investigate. Slip in and find out what they are up to. I wouldn't even raise any suspicion, its kind of my specialty."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
The strange creature simply shrugs it's shoulders.
"Whatever business you have with the Lizards is none of my concern, I suppose. You are welcome to stay here if you like, I know the appearance of my people can be unsettling, but we are simple folk."
Gorm pipes up then, musing a bit about the current situation.
"Hmm. We have to make our way back to town by Dusk tomorrow. I'm up for whatever you guys want to do...I can try and look for any trail the lizardfolk might have left, but the swamp is notorious for devouring trail signs if left for too long. I'll go take a look around, while you guys decide what you want to do"
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
"I would appreciate that very much, Gorm. We can rest for now. If you find any trails, we will decide how to proceed."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
The Mongrelmen begin to go about their business, a menagerie of strange and foul looking folk bustling about. You find that there are actually crops hidden among the backside of the tower. Their leader can even be seen working a small bit of magic, if only to purify some water from the swamp. It turns slowly from the algae tainted green to a clear cool blue. They set up a cooking pot of great proportions and light a small fire. Soon the smell of stew fills the base of the tower, and about that time Gorm comes back.
He takes a seat with the party after giving a few sprigs of some herbs to the leader of the Mongrelmen.
"I smelled the cook fire, so I grabbed up a couple of herbs that I find tasty...they grow all over around here. I found signs of the way the Lizardmen come, but the trail is old. It disappears less than half a mile from here. I know they come from the Northwest, but I can't rightly tell beyond that half mile. The swamp devours tracks too quickly sometimes."
The Mongrel man leader offers some stew to all of you, and Gorm takes some first. He assures that it is actually quite tasty, vegetables and broth and such. The leader takes a seat nearby and gives a crooked smile.
"We have few guests that are not interested in doing us harm. It is comforting to see that there are people who would not shun our kind. I heard your ranger speak about the trails..and I am sorry you could not find what you are looking for. The Lizards will no doubt return here. We simply cannot say when. You are welcome here, if you wish to stay, or return to seek them out."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Khrona, Mistress of Time
Having stayed quiet since the fighting... Khrona helped with the finding sticks of wood for the fire. Once the stew began bubbling however, her stomach could no longer be held back. She graciously accepts a bowl of stew and quickly devours it.
"I believe that it would be for the best to return on time to town, Mr. Grom. That way we will be given more attempts to return and find more information in the future."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Overhearing the conversation from her perch on the roof, Heather takes to the air as well. In the next hour she does a wide circuit of the ruins, eyes on the horizon looking for smoke from campfires, or signs of a settlement.
When she returns she makes sure to land away from the mongrelfolk and revert back to her normal form before joining the group around the fire. Hungry from the flight, she gladly accepts some stew.
"It seems that we are no closer to finding the lost hunters than before. I agree with Khrona that perhaps it is best if we head back tomorrow morning with our toads to avoid suspicion."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Heather
Spoiler
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You don't find any sign of settlements in your circuit, and there are no plumes of smoke in or around the swamp. You can see a plume or two back towards the forest. Most likely small farms or villages on the swamps edge.
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
While Gorm is hunting game for the party, Jasper takes some time to go through the paperwork and familiarize himself with it.
In privateSpoiler
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Jasper takes his parchment and ink quill and practices making copies of the documents. He makes note of what kind of paper, ink, and pen he would need to make high quality forgeries.
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Even as he notes Jasper doing some sort of paperwork, Ilmarinen nods briefly, once, to himself, and sitting down he too pulls out some ink and papers.
However what he does is substantially different, as a map of the area starts to come into being under his pen.Spoiler
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- Use map-making kit, and ink (to draw a map of this area, specifically marking landmarks like this tower ruins and the point at which they entered the swamp)
- Knowledge(geography) (to help with drawing the map): [roll0]
Finally, having finished as much as he is able of the map, Ilmarinen partakes of a small portion of the soup, not needing to eat himself due to the magic of his ring, he partakes in order to experience the taste.
Responding to both Khrona's and Heather's comments, Ilmarinen states "It seems the lizardfolk are becoming more active here in the swamp, and it would seem that we are in need of more time in order to get the answers we seek."
He then turns to Gorm, "Gorm, with what we know now, how hard would you think it to be to obtain a permit to spend a longer period of time investigating the swamp?"
"I suggest we be on our guard tonight just in case"
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Things begin to die down as the Mongrel men set up watch and most make their way back downstairs to sleep. The party gathers back together and readies for sleep as well, Gorm volunteering for first watch. Before everyone beds down though, he answers any questions posed to him.
"Well, you should probably spend a bit of time in the city when we get back. A few days should do fine. See the sights for a bit, enjoy some of the food and wine maybe. I'll mention around the Hunters guild that you enjoyed your stay and want to hunt some larger game. I can probably swing getting you a five day permit for Catoblepas. They wander the swamp pretty regularly, but stay more of the west in the deep swamp. Not a bad haul if we take a couple down, the restaurants in the city pay pretty well for the meat."
Jasper
Spoiler
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You are able to easily copy the handwriting of the hobgoblins, and the parchment used is good quality but otherwise plain. The only thing that has you perplexed so far is that the Hobgoblins use stamps and black ink to endorse properly filled out documents. The marks do not seem too intricate, but you feel it would be noticed if they were simply drawn, and not made with a stamp.
Ilmarinen
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Your map is correct, but incredibly rough at this point. You have several landmarks that you would easily recognize but are unsure if you have them in exactly the correct locations in relation to each other. A little more time in the swamp would easily grant you a chance to improve your map.
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
Jasper
"Well that sounds splendid! It probably would be most shrewd not to dally with only a day left on our permit. Perhaps I can come back another day and look into this lizardfolk situation a bit more."
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Re: [Pathfinder] Old Enemies, New Alliances (IC)
The Mongrelmen bid you farewell the next morning, after a meal of berries and roots and the like that they have gathered from their makeshift gardens nearby. They seem a simple and peaceful folk.
The pelts and meat of the hunt are gathered once again, and brought back to the horses. None have bothered the animals thanks to the hunters tricks. Gorm readies the horses and soon the group is off on the road to Brindol.
It is nearing dusk, and Brindol is a mere hours ride ahead when a wagon is seen on the side of the road. A man is there with a broken wheel laying behind the wagon, a new one in his grasp as he tries his best to fit it to the axle and pound it on. When you approach he looks up warily, his wagon full of casks that look hastily piled there. A blanket covers half of them. As you approach another man comes from the other side of the wagon with some more tools and settles in to help him.