Strange Aeons: In Search of Sanity II [IC - Group #1]

[BuckGodot]

Björn nods his agreement. And cautiously follows.

[lostsole31]

Though you left out the north door, and there does seem to be a path, Zoo starts snuffling towards the south. In just a few feet, you see the door that leads back inside (i.e., the south-side-external door from the facing doors in the corridor, and he does seem to be on a path that keeps close to the building.

This was probably one of the more picturesque of the Briarstone's courtyards, this grassy space likely a calming refuge at one time. Cobblestone paths once ran the perimeter of the space, leaving the interior to a few colorful mimosa trees and sweet shrubs. All of the plants you see as you make your way along the cobblestone path are dead now, poisoned by the mist and strange weather effects.

Zoo, you are de facto leading the group. You cannot actually see really any part of the interior of the courtyard. Do you follow a circuit on the path, or go off the path?

[SwordChucks]

Zoo follows the path and continues snuffling.

[lostsole31]

***FWUMP!***

Something lands in front of Zoo, having been dropped from some distance. It is a body ... what appears to be a yellow-robed cultist that has been scratched countless times by powerful claws. Zoo doesn't smell any other creature, nor hear anything that might have held this body aloft, and it sounds like it fell from higher than the roof.

[SwordChucks]

Zoo grabs the body and slides it over to the rest of the group. He uses one of his arms to indicate that it came from above.

Spoiler

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If no one else does, Zoo will do a quick pat down of the body to see if it has any equipment.

[lostsole31]

The middle-aged man in yellow robes has no equipment. He had padded armor at one point, but it was shredded.

Now what?

[BuckGodot]

Björn gestures to move on and steps back to the path as point.

[SwordChucks]

Zoo continues on the path while trying to keep an eye out for anymore crashing cultists.

[lostsole31]

Twenty-five feet from the southern door, rubbles spills out onto the path. There is a very short "alcove" to the west as you round the corner of the building that has rubble, and a little more. Then you finally go east before going south again. Twenty feet and you then "widen" only slightly and end up fishhooking .... it seems there must have been a southern "offshoot" to the northern courtyard. You then head east for some 50-60' before you get to an external door. The external door is on a wall that is only about 5' wide itself, but otherwise is part of the eastern side of the courtyard.

Lord Hanley will state, "That door goes into the Apostle's camp. It is currently part of the western line (internally, that is) of barricades that were set up in the great hall .... goes right to the survivor camp. Apparently, something dangerous is out here that hasn't shown itself to us. Yet. If we go through that door, the one going through first will be riddled with crossbow bolts by scared cultists that don't know we're coming, and you can bet won't open that door for love or money. Perhaps we should continue the circuit of the courtyard."

Zoo (and only Zoo) ...

Spoiler: Zoo

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once or twice during this whole thing, you feel that you have had strange sensations. First, ever just on the edge of the wind and out of scent-reach you think you can smell the scent of Tribals. Also, every so often on the farthest edge of hearing, you think you hear the clip-clop of hooves.

[pfm1995]

Jean nods. "The dwarf is correct, in both location and planning. I would rather a door that will not have us prematurely feathered."

[SwordChucks]

Zoo points to his own hooves and cups his ear with the other hand before pointing off into the mist.

[pfm1995]

Jean nods in understanding and preemptively focuses in on his sword, drawing power into it. That done, he nudges Zoo to keep moving around the courtyard. Hopefully they can get inside before whatever it is decides to strike.

Spoiler: Actions

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Activating Legacy Weapon

[SwordChucks]

Zoo continues his circuit once he sees that his message is understood. He sniffs more rapidly and looks up occasionally, hoping to avoid an ambush.

[lostsole31]

Zoo leads the group up to where it turns west. After several feet, there is another makeshift barrier (barred from inside, again), and this time Lord Hanley says that is probably the prep room south of the kitchen where there was mysterious banging when he first got there. The party continues, and finally ends up where they started. Every so often, Zoo hears a faint clip-clop from the center of the courtyard, or smells the elusive scent of Tribals on the air.

Now what?

[SwordChucks]

Zoo returns to human form and addresses the group. "I can smell tribals, but I'm not sure where exactly they are. There's also something with hooves toward the center of the courtyard. Can horses become tribal?" He ponders the last bit.

"Either way, we can approach the center and see what's going on."

[BuckGodot]

Björn nods his agreement and asks, "Do you want me to take point as we may encounter a fight this time?"

[SwordChucks]

"There's more room out here, so we might as well have all of the close combatants up front so we're harder to surround. We're going to want to stay close together so we don't lose each other in the fog."

"When I see or smell anything, I'll growl to let you know I'm moving in. Oh, and I'll be a lot bigger."

Spoiler: OOC

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Spend an SP to become Big Arm-Dog (Animalistic Transformation, Size Change [Large], Additional Limbs [a pair of arms], and 2 hooves from Animalistic Transformation's options)

When the party is ready, Zoo will head toward the center of the courtyard.

[BuckGodot]

Björn nods his agreement and let’s the big dog lead following closely behind.

[pfm1995]

Jean himself nods and steps off to the side, following along to the left.

[lostsole31]

The party ventures deeper into the mist of the northern courtyard, leaving the path behind them to the west, crowding together as best they can to keep folks in sight, and led by Zoo.

Spoiler: Zoo, Haru

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Zoo, from a place you can't quite pinpoint with your ears, you hear the clip-clopping of hooves, this time stronger than before. Haru, same thing, you now hear the sound of hooves.

Zoo, Haru, since the two of you are the only ones who receive any type of sensory stimulus out of the norm, do you do or say anything?

[meemaas]

Haru speaks quietly to the others that were native to this side. "Were there any horses or similar creatures that you discovered? Because I hear something with hooves, I believe approaching."

[BuckGodot]

Björn readies his sword.

[pfm1995]

"No, no horses. Or anything else with hooves." Jean answers, straining to see anything through the mist.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Akbar, Haru, Björn, & Zoo

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Akbar, Haru, Björn, & Zoo see Gaye start to get into a defensive fencing stance.

Spoiler: Björn and Haru

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Björn and Haru see Akbar take out a piece of leather, cast a spell, and briefly a force field is seen shimmering around the man (mage armor).

Zoo, what do you do? Björn is behind you. Gaye behind you and to your left. Javert is behind you and to your right.

[SwordChucks]

Zoo lets out a low growl and barks loudly once. He extends his claws as he listens for hoof beats. He motions for the others to get into position.

Spoiler: OOC

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Free action: extend claws
Standard action: Ready an action to grapple the first creature to approach Zoo (allies excluded of course).

[lostsole31]

R1T19: Zoo lets out a low growl and barks loudly once. He extends his claws as he listens for hoof beats.

R1T16: Björn, what do you do?

[BuckGodot]

Björn will assume a defensive posture and fix his shield into position and preparing to swing at the target that appears first.

[lostsole31]

R1T16: Björn assumes a defensive posture and fixes his shield into position, preparing to swing at the target that appears first.

R1T9: Haru, what do you do?

[meemaas]

Haru draws his weapon and focuses his energy, emitting a small light similar to his magic light that envelops the area around him.

Spoiler

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Standard action: Draw weapon
Move action: Activate Totem of War attached to self, granting a +2 bonus to all allies within 55 feet (should be everybody), will currently concentrate on it until at least next turn.

[lostsole31]

R1T9: Haru draws his weapon and focuses his energy, and a palpable aura can be felt from him, one which energizes his allies (but perhaps taps into their savagery).

Spoiler: Haru

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Remember to define what a bonus is given to, though with Flair in the other party, I know this one.

R1T8: The party now hears hoofbeats coming closer, and speeding up. It comes incredibly close, closer than what would make Zoo comfortable with his increased size. It isn't until he sees something right in front of him that he lashes out with an arm to try to grab. But in trying to grab his grabby-hand gets speared by something for 12, causing Zoo to yelp in pain. Still the tactic works as Zoo halts the creature's charge and is now grappling something Large!
R1T3: Jean, Zoo is battling something to the east of you. What do you do? What do you have Javert do?

Lord Hanley on deck, Gaye in the hole ...