Ghostfoot's Age of Worms (IC) Pt 2

[Togo]

Jascan glares at the bow, and then shrugs and stretches out his free hand. With the words of power his eyes briefly burn with flames. As does his hand, and the ray streaking out from it. As does the doppelganger furthest from the door.

Spoiler: Actions

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casting scorching ray
Touch attack hits AC (1d20+1)[21] (including the penalty for cover) for (4d6)[10] fire damage.
Touch attack hits AC (1d20+1)[13] (including the penalty for cover) for (4d6)[16] fire damage.

Edit that should be +3 on each attack and +2 on each damage, due to my own bonuses

[Togo]

The first fire bolt hits the creature right between the eyes.

Spoiler: Confirming critical hit

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(1d20+4)[24] to confirm a critical for (4d6+2)[18] extra damage

[Cavir]

Keston's mind ponders why these creatures would fight like this, letting themselves get trapped instead of taking advantage of the fight with the mimics they must have heard. The creatures made it clear they would rather die than talk. "So be it. Here's an early taste of what you face soon enough." The cleric casts a spell, and the creature facing Kuln in the back gets a vision of the afterlife to come.

Spoiler: OOC

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Sacrifice Bless spell to cast Vision of Punishment (Champions of Valor p59). Target O13 unless it is already down, then target O12. Will DC 16. Save: Sickened for 2 rounds. Fail: Nauseated for 2 rounds.
Sacrifice: (1d2)[2] Str damage after spell ends

[DrK]

Kurnos

Kurnos grunts and Secundus howls as the the dopplegangers slash and hack them. "You will die beasts. You cannot take us all..." seeing that the vambraces offer little help the claws glow even brighter as the incarnum pulses into them.

Spoiler: Kurnos

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Kurnos
Sphynx claws (1d20+11)[19] Dam (1d8+9)[17]
Sphynx claws (1d20+11)[24] Dam (1d8+9)[12]
Sphynx claws (1d20+11)[22] Dam (1d8+9)[14]

Primus vs U6
Sphynx claws (1d20+19)[21] Dam (2d6+13)[18]
Sphynx claws (1d20+19)[35] Dam (2d6+13)[21]
Sphynx claws (1d20+19)[36] Dam (2d6+13)[24]


Secundus vs S8
Sphynx claws (1d20+11)[16] Dam (1d8+6)[11]
Sphynx claws (1d20+11)[19] Dam (1d8+6)[8]
Sphynx claws (1d20+11)[21] Dam (1d8+6)[8]


Kurnos
hps 33/53
Saves 9/8/8 (+2 vs evil, +2 vs disease)
AC 20/22 vs evil (6 arm, 2 dex, 2 NA, 2 vs evil)

Secundus
Hps 31 / 49
Saves 9/8/5 Evasion, +2 vs evil
AC 23 (Arm 3, Dex 3, Nat 7) +2 vs Evil +2 wyrm belt = 25/27

Primus
Hps 85/85
Saves 11/9/6
AC 23 (Arm 3, dex 3, nat 8, sz -1) +2 vs evil +2 wyrm = 25/27

DR 2/ magic

Incarnum
1E Wormtail belt (+2 NA, +1/E)
3E Sphynx Claws (+E on Str check, Claws +E, 1d8+E)
0E Lamusu Mantle (+2 saves/deflect vs evil)
1E Dread Carapace (Power attack Bite -1/+2 per E)
0E Astral Vambrace (DR 2+2*E/magic)
0E Strong Heart Vest (DR 1+1*E for ability damage)

Kurnos Effects:
Longstrider, Primal Hunter, Primal instinct, "Uncanny dodge"

+3 to hit (+2 morale +1 untyped from haste)
+2 to damage (morale)
+1 to AC (dodge)
+1 to reflex saves (dodge)
+2 to fear saves
+2 to the next save made against charm or fear (stacks with above)
An extra attack at full BAB when full attacking

[Dienekes]

"They will not take a one," Wat muttered as he took a breath to center himself, before he struck at the nearest doppelganger.

Spoiler

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HP: 49
AC: 22

Swift action to refresh spent maneuvers.

Attack 1: (1d20+12)[30]
Damage 1: (1d8+6)[12]

Attack 2: (1d20+12)[18]
Damage 2: (1d8+6)[14]

Attack 3: (1d20+7)[12]
Damage 3: (1d8+6)[8]

Stuff effecting Wat
+3 to hit (+2 morale +1 untyped from haste)
+2 to damage (morale)
+1 to AC (dodge)
+1 to reflex saves (dodge)
+2 to fear saves
+2 to the next save made against charm or fear (stacks with above)
An extra attack at full BAB when full attacking
+2 Str and Dex
+5 Move

[Ghostfoot]

The brief fight is quickly over in a brutal flurry of activity. Flames from Jascan blast two of the aberrant humanoids into charred ruin while the remaining fighter falls to a rain of weapon blows and the hounds.

The place is a mess, weird gore splattering the floor of the prison. In her cell, silenced by your magical effects, the Lantanna woman continues to watch & stare dully at it all not fazed in the least by the carnage.

[Dienekes]

Wat wipes the gore from his weapon, before moving toward the woman. He stands at the door of her cell observing her for a moment. After deciding she didn't seem a direct threat, Wat gave her a brief salute, before opening his bag and pulling out one of his rations. He stuck his hand through the bars of the cell and placed the food on the ground before stepping back.

[Togo]

Jascan drops to the ground, and then starts stretching, waggling his head around at alarming angles.

Ow, that was cramped! We have any ideas what these guys were trying to accomplish?

[BelGareth]

Bron, seeing the carnage come to a stop, drops his sword arm, his whole arm was aching as he held it in a deathgrip, and he put it in his scabbard with shaky hands, the adrenaline getting the better of him, once in, he flexed his right hand, trying to prevent bruising and swelling, though, he knew later it was going to swell and hurt, oh well, maybe some ice would help.

He looked around and "None, this whole place reeks of deception"

[Cavir]

Keston nearly stumbles with the weight of his gear but catches himself. "Hmmm, guess that last spell wasn't so wise for me. Perhaps we should fortify the position here before venturing deeper tomorrow."

He looks around the group "Well done. Yes, their tactics are perplexing. Let's be glad they weren't smart enough to have one of them go raise the alarm on us. Bron, let me take a look at those slashes." Keston's hand glows as one of Mystra's blessings heal some of the wounds.

Seeing Wat head towards the conscious women, Keston heads to deal with the unconscious one.

Spoiler: OOC

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Two Visions of Punishment in one day is not a good idea. Down to 7STR and medium load.
Touch of Healing on Bron. +9hp.

Is anyone else below half hp for free healing? If so assume I'll use ToH on them too.

Is the first cell locked? Lay on Hands on her (+9hp) then heal check. Take 10= 19.

[razorback]

Kicking the near one to make sure it's dead, Kuln moves past the others, before looking down the hallway to the door he was inspecting before.

Spoiler

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GF, do you want me to roll again?

[BelGareth]

Bron nods to Keston with a nod of thanks. He felt much better, exhausted still, but better. He moved off, and searched the remains of the dopplegangers who attacked them, hoping to find some kind of information, a symbol, or device they used to communicate with.

[Togo]

Jascan notes the others moving around, and then joins Wat, crouching down low next to him, seeing if he can help.

Spoiler: Actions

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Jascan's help gives Wat + 3 to any charisma checks or charisma-based skill checks.

Of course, if the lady starts talking, he may try communicating himself, as well.

[Ghostfoot]

Wat offers rations to the Lantanna woman in the cell, accompanied by Jascan. She watches him, wipes the tears from her eyes, but does not shift to accept the food. "What, you expect me to fall for that?" she spits.

Keston meanwhile moves to the southern cell where the emaciated body lies sprawled. On inspection the disheveled man is still breathing although barely. As Keston heals him his eyes flutter open. Seconds later he bursts into howling laughter, before babbling incoherently and scuttling into the corner of the room seeming to have lost his mind.

Kuln moves forward, back to the door leading onward to the flooded room and plank walkways.

Bron rifles through the belongings of the dead dopplegangers. They each wear leather armour under their rags and were armed with fine longswords.

Spoiler: info

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GF, do you want me to roll again?

Depends, what're you trying to do? It's no problem to move back to the doors.

Spoiler: Loot

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• MW studded leather armour x3
• MW longsword (magic, confirmed by Keston) x3

[razorback]

At the doors, Kuln tries again to get them open.

Spoiler

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Move to the double door and listen.
(1d20+13)[28]

If sounds safe, he'll search the door for locks and traps
(1d20+13)[33]

If nothing, he opens and looks inside.
If locked/trapped, he tries to open/disable
(1d20+13)[23]

[Dienekes]

"Good woman, if I wished you harm I would harm you. Eat the food or do not. We will find a way to release you, presently." He looked to Jascan. "You know how to do that? I could just break down the door."

[BelGareth]

After finishing his search, and Keston confirming the blades magical, he straps them to his back. "These blades are worth something, the leather is of higher quality, but I cannot haul it around with ease. Nothing else on their bodies, which fits their MO." he says simply, looking towards everything else, "Is there another room that connects this one?"

[Cavir]

Keston's shoulders drop in sorrow for the man who had been brought past his breaking point. Knowing there wasn't much he could do for the man at this point he took a portion of a ration and put it on the ground next to the babbling soul. Keston stepped out of the cell and closed the door. Proper help would have to be brought back later. "May Mystra guide you back."

Keston joined the others at the cell on the other end. There seemed to be a standoff with the woman there. He spoke up, hoping to help things along. "Hello there. I am Keston Tornok, a cleric of Mystra. As you saw, we are no friends of those that put you here. These fiends tried framing us for murder then tried gutting us. The Town Watch will be coming. They are allowing us to clear the way to see who is behind all this. What is your name? Can you tell us anything about who or what we'll meet as we continue please?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Diplomacy (1d20+11)[24]

[DrK]

Justin

Kurnos breathes heavily as the last of the enemy are torn to pieces ir burnt to a crisp. Seenig the others talk to the other hapless prisoners he offers caution, "Ware, those others may be shape changers as well." Then he taps himself and Secundus lightly on the flanks where the long blade slashes are still oozing blood. With a dull green glow the jagged scars fade rapidly. He pulls out a think willowbark wand and offers it around - "Is anyone else injured?"

Looking to the door at the far end of the corridor, when the healing has complete Kurnos moves down the corrridor with his two wolves and opens the door gently to peek out.

Spoiler: Kurnos

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Lesser vigour on Kurnos and Secundus (+15 hps over 15 rounds)

Kurnos
hps /53
Saves 9/8/8 (+2 vs evil, +2 vs disease)
AC 20/22 vs evil (6 arm, 2 dex, 2 NA, 2 vs evil)

Secundus
Hps / 49
Saves 9/8/5 Evasion, +2 vs evil
AC 23 (Arm 3, Dex 3, Nat 7) +2 vs Evil +2 wyrm belt = 25/27

Primus
Hps 85/85
Saves 11/9/6
AC 23 (Arm 3, dex 3, nat 8, sz -1) +2 vs evil +2 wyrm = 25/27

DR 2/ magic

Incarnum
1E Wormtail belt (+2 NA, +1/E)
3E Sphynx Claws (+E on Str check, Claws +E, 1d8+E)
0E Lamusu Mantle (+2 saves/deflect vs evil)
1E Dread Carapace (Power attack Bite -1/+2 per E)
0E Astral Vambrace (DR 2+2*E/magic)
0E Strong Heart Vest (DR 1+1*E for ability damage)

Kurnos Effects:
Longstrider, Primal Hunter, Primal instinct, "Uncanny dodge"

+3 to hit (+2 morale +1 untyped from haste)
+2 to damage (morale)
+1 to AC (dodge)
+1 to reflex saves (dodge)
+2 to fear saves
+2 to the next save made against charm or fear (stacks with above)
An extra attack at full BAB when full attacking

[Togo]

Jascan stirs.

Actually, I think I see the problem. Hold on a sec...

He ducks out of view towards the cell with the doppelgangers, and returns dragging a heavy doppelganger corpse.

This? This the one of the creatures who have been keeping you prisoner. They have some kind of magical illusion or shapeshifting trick to them, I'm afraid I don't know the details. So I'm guessing you've been having a lot of innocent-looking, apparently trustworthy people coming to chat to you? Because If I was an evil illusion shifter-thing, I'd want someone to test my disguises on too. And I'm sure it's been really tedious.

Thing is, we're planning on heading onwards now, and every else here is dead apart from you two. And I'd really rather not head into danger without having at least some clue as to what we're up against, or if there are any more of them out there. So if you could tell us what this situation has been like, from your perspective, I would really really appreciate hearing anything that might help keep me alive...

He pauses a beat, and then gives a grin.

...and this lot too, of course.

Spoiler: Actions

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Diplomacy (1d20+16)[30] (including my own bonus)

Anyone else's diplomacy rolls get a +3 bonus for being with Jascan

He turns to the others.

I don't know of any obvious way of getting doors open. If you remember, we met in a cell a bit like this one?

He pauses considering... Unless heating the bars or hinges up, would help?

[Ghostfoot]

The woman's suspicious demeanor slowly fades as Jascan and Keston try to coax her to trust them. "My name is Tryssia Lanngolyn." She regains her composure and as she shifts her posture you see she sits and carries herself with the poise and grace of a noble. "They took me, weeks ago now. I...I don't remember much. There was a device in the catacombs below, a contraption. Not a creation of Gond the Wonderbringer," she smiles observing Kuln's holy symbol, "this was a twisted machine. They strapped me down, bled my mind of all thoughts. I saw one of them take on my form, armed with all I knew. I fear they have infiltrated my parents holdings, seeking wealth, trade secrets or who knows what else? I've seen other prisoners come and go, replaced by shapechangers. Guards, merchants, bureaucrats. They must have spies everywhere."

"Please, I must go and warn my House of the danger. I can take Magister Gattel with me, poor man. What they did to him...unspeakable."

Spoiler: info

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Knowledge (local or nobility) DC15
Kuln (1d20+4)[16]
Keston (1d20+3)[20]
Kuln & Keston know that House Lanngolyn is a prominent noble family trading in textiles and shipping. Based in Waterdeep the family originate from Lantan and follow the teachings of Gond. The House is led by Tresh Lanngolyn and her consort Ormaes "Seamaster" Lanngolyn. The heir to the family holdings is Tryssia Lanngolyn, their daughter.

she smiles observing Kuln's holy symbol

....assuming that cleric Kuln has one??

I don't know of any obvious way of getting doors open.

There must be a key around. You find the keys to the cells on the jailers.

[razorback]

Kuln give a nod, though the others are unsure if it is in acknowledgement of Grond or her look at him. "Though I know no members of your house, I know of it, Miss Lanngolyn." he says as he looks at the waiting door. "What if you and Magister Gattel come upon more of these creatures? This seems ill-advised." the gnome says with some apprehension apparent in his voice.

Spoiler

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Yes, he has a holy symbol. There are a few things on my excel sheet, I'm realizing. I'll update the differences.

Sense motive
(1d20+9)[11]

[Cavir]

Keston was impressed with Jascan's direct wordage. "Heiress Lanngolyn, greetings. I fear it will not be a good idea to go to your family just yet. These things have the head start and you could be walking right back into their hands. If you do not wish to wait for escort from the Town Watch I insist you go to the Elfstone Tavern and ask for Delfen, the wizard we are working with. Give him my name, Keston, and explain the situation. He will help. Once we finish here we will return there and assist in cleaning your House of any of these Dopplegangers. We can't have these things spoiling our every move."

[BelGareth]

Bron moves to the door near Kuln, ready for another surprise attack, shield and sword in hand, he was already weary of this place.

[Dienekes]

Wat nodded. "If you have to go, that's the best answer. But I'd prefer you stay with us. If you are secretly a skinchanger, it'd be best to keep an eye on you. If you're not but there's another of you running about, it'd still be best if we kept an eye on you."

[DrK]

Kurnos

Kunors looks to the woman, "WHere is the route downstairs?" the druid demands harshly, anger at the dopplegangers evident on his face as he rests his hands on the hackles of the massive dogs. "We should head down further my friends, we should destroy this cult of shifters." As the woman speaks he nods, "Thank you you Lady, take care of this poor broken wretch."

[Ghostfoot]

"You can't take me down there with you! Surely not!" gasps Tryssia, "I can hide somewhere if you think it's not safe out there. But I should try to warn my parents somehow. And as for going back down there," she waves toward the open door in front of Kuln and Bron, "I can't. I just......can't".

Kurnos questions the way forward and she responds "They take people through there," pointing to the doors ahead, "There's a platform that descends, ad many chambers below. I don't remember much else thankfully."

Spoiler: sense motive

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Sense motive
[roll0]

She seems legit, as far as you can tell.

[DrK]

Kurnos

Kurnos nods to the others, "Should we head down there and investigate?" he takes off his white mask for a second to rub the sweat of his face. "I'm keen to dsiturb these shifter's party" He checks the two massive hounds to make sure they are ready (and hungry!) and nods at the door. "Does anyone need more tending or time to prepare?"

[razorback]

Kuln ponders for a moment as he weighs both options. With a sigh that slumps his shoulders, he begrudgingly says "Aye. Best root them out, here and now while we can, so we don't have to try and come back and figure out what machinations they have put into motion. I'm fine and can aid any who need it but we should get on with it if that is what we are going to do."

[Cavir]

Keston addresses Tryssia's concerns. "I think we can have a happy middle ground. Just around that corner is a staircase. You can wait there instead of the cell here. From the top of the stairs you can look into the warehouse. The town watch will be coming. We already killed the town watch imposters so I doubt they've been able to re-infiltrate so soon. If they come in carefully not knowing the situation nor your hiding spot you'll know it's really them. They can secure the warehouse and you until we return. If anywhere, have them escort you to Delfin at the Elfstone Tavern. If there's trouble you can follow our path and catch up to us. OK?"

He turns to the group. "I don't have the spell repertoire I would want for driving on but I am sure Mystra will provide. Better to deal with those below now."