Nightmare in Katapesh IC

[Gwynfrid]

Gurmok's astonishment at the sudden turn of events doesn't last. Being threatened by a multi-legged, hungry-mouthed horror will do wonders' to one's reflexes, his brain idly reflects while his body jumps into action. With amazing alacrity, he mounts Zen, who was just behind him, busy trying to grab and eat some crawling insect in the street.

Once on top of his loyal friend, he considers his situation. Having expected just a day of shopping, he has no armor, and no weapon in hand. This big guardsman here, he looks quite able. Logically, it would be a good idea to keep him alive as long as possible. In his own language, the goblin begins to chant a plea for Irori's help.

"Devant ce monstre aberrant
Se trouve un commode garde
Mais Irori le défend
Pour qu'il me sauvegarde!"

Spoiler

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Action #1 Mount Zen, who is located in H12.
Action #2/3 cast Forbidding Ward. Sadar gains a +1 status bonus to Armor Class and saving throws against X2's attacks, spells, and other effects.

Gurmok, level 1 cloistered cleric of Irori
Perception +6; darkvision
AC 12; Fort +4, Refl +5, Will +8
HP 7/15

Zen, goblin dog (trained animal)
Perception +6; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
AC 17; Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +5
HP 17

[SanguinePenguin]

Zetath narrowly evades the spidery monstrosity, only for Kharesh to punch him in the face. The first strike brings a look of confusion and pain, the second a look of terror, “he’s gone mad!” The merchant screams before he flees. His path follows the boy who was serving tea psat Sadar and Gurmok. Some distance away though, he stops, drinks a red potion and turns back to face the battle.

Gex tries to connect mentally with the creature, but it is unlike anything he’s ever experienced. It is as if whatever intelligence is there is so utterly alien that its mind works in a different plane than his. Still, he thinks he could affect the creature slightly, just not this time. Kali has more luck, her axe lands hard into the body of the creature, drawing back mucus and a violet viscera. Maurico has no luck, however. Both dwarf and grimspawn are dismayed to note that they haven’t the faintest idea what these monstrosities before them are.

Sadar’s falchion completely severs one the legs of the other creature, and Gurmok mounts Zen, and augments Sadar’s defenses. The man in the yellow turban runs past them. He still has dozens of those things on him, slowly falling off as he moves. The creatures follow, but then settle around Sadar, Gurmok, and Zen. Their cacophony continues as they grasp, bite, and stab at Sadar, Gurmok and Zen with their legs.

The two spiders each rise up on a few of their legs, wave the others in the air, throwing gray mucus about. The mucus is either the source of the noxious rotting garbage smell, or has fully absorbed it. The two then proceed to to attack the warriors that wounded them the most, Kali and Sadar. While Kali avoids injury, Sadar is not so lucky. Although were it not for Gurmok's blessing, it could have been even worse.

Spoiler: Actions

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X1
1-2: Revolting Display (OOC)
3: Attack (Kali) (1d20+9)[17] (1d6+2)[3]

X2
1-2: Revolting Display (OOC)
3: Attack (Sadar) (1d20+9)[28] (1d6+2)[6]

Swarm:
1: Maddening display (all immune)
2: Move
3: Bites (basic reflex save DC 18) for 1d6 damage vs Zen, Gurmok and Sadar

Spoiler: Conditions

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Stupified
Sickened
Stunned

Spoiler: Map

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Pink - the swarm
X - the two spidery things
Y - yellow turban
Z - Zetath
Green (red, gray, blue) are merchant stalls, can stride through require a DC 12 Acrobatics check: crit success: pass through as normal; success: to pass through them as difficult terrain; failure: end stride; crit fail: as failure, but fall prone.
P and E,G are all fleeing in terror.

[BelGareth]

Gex is spattered with the sewage smelling mucous from these....things, he feels the need to vomit, and indeed, a small amount comes up into his mouth, which he spits out contemptuously, struggling to move, he can't recall the last time he felt like this, but he knew something had to be done, he moves around the abberation, and then casts another spell, this time, one of his favorites.

Let them avoid this he thinks to himself.

Spoiler

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1 action: step to O11
2 actions: cast Grim Tendrils
30ft line starting at N11 and through I11
Negative Energy - (2d4)[3] & 1 persistent bleed damage to living creatures
Fort save DC 15 (including both sickened and stupefied)

• Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
• Success The creature takes half the negative damage and no persistent bleed damage.
• Failure The creature takes full damage.
• Critical Failure The creature takes double negative damage and double persistent bleed damage.

Gex
HP's: 16/16
AC: 16
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25ft
Fort: +5
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +3
Feats: Hobnobber, Unexpected Shift
Effects: Stupefied 1 (2/3), sickened 1

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh felt the resounding thud associated with pushing someone. In the chaos and swirling images, there was no way to be positive what (or who) he had struck, but it was moot - some of the fog in his brain was lifting, and he could see again. While he still felt fuzzy, at least he could see a clear target in front of him. Prepared to get back into the conflict, a wave of foul stench washed over him, and his stomach roiled in protest, almost emptying the meager contents from his earlier snack. He considered for a moment, then turned his head and tried to clear the sick with a giant heave.

Once his attempt was complete, Kharesh leaned in and struck out with three rapid strikes from his stance. He normally would have spent more time trying to understand what was going in, but given the horror of the situation, there wasn't much time for chatting through the problem. These things not only looked evil, they felt wrong.

---

Round 2 Confusion is gone, but Sickened is active for a round, and stupefied will continue for just under a minute
Action 1: Retch and try to clear sickened for this round: Fort vs DC17 - (1d20+6)[23]
Action 2: Flurry of blows vs X1 Attack 1 - (1d20+6)[14], Damage - (1d8+4)[12]; Attack 2 - (1d20+1)[3], Damage - (1d8+4)[8]
Action 3: Take cover, using the stall in N10 (+4 AC?).

EDIT: If the sickened condition is gone, add +1 to both attack rolls.

Effects / Status / Conditions: Sickened 1 (-1 to all checks/DCs, 1 round); Stupefied 2 (-2 on Int/Wis/Cha checks/DCs, 10 rnds); Stance (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance); Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

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AC: 17 (19) HP 22 Initiative +5
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 (+5) Per +5 / Move 20’ (15')
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +7, Warfare Lore +3, Religion +5, Stealth +5, Pahmet Lore +3
Abilities: Call on Ancient Blood (prior to rolling a save vs magical effect, add +1 [circ]); Flurry of blows (make two strikes for 1 action [flourish]); Mountain stance (see below); Darkvision; Dwarven Weapon Familiarity; Cat Fall (treat falls as 10' shorter)
Stance: Mountain (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance)
Combat: Axe (+7 / 1d8S+4 / sweep); Clan Dagger (+7 / 1d4P+4 / agile, dwarf, parry, uncommon, versatile B); Unarmed (+7 / 1d6B+4 / agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed); Falling Stone (+7 / 1d8B+4 / forceful, nonlethal, unarmed)

[Kirjath]

Kali had barely wrenched her axe free of the creature's hide when it lunged at her again. Sharp teeth and spindly legs tried to tear at her while she did her level best to fend it off with the haft of her axe. She could hear the sharp sound of claws tearing at the metal on her breastplate and punching holes in her cloak, but the vile mucus dripping from the creature itself was the worst part. It flung itself about, and Kali barely managed to push the creature off of her again. Briefly thwarted, it reared back and flung a glob of mucus that struck her square in the face.

The stench was truly overwhelming. Kali fought to stay on her feet as the bile rose in her throat and the waves of nausea overpowered her. She placed a hand on her knee to steady herself, but it was too late. Kali gagged before succumbing to a fit of coughing and heaving as her stomach tried to expel that morning's breakfasts.

Spoiler: Actions

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Action 1: Stunned
Action 2: Retch (1d20+7)[12]
Action 3: Retch (1d20+7)[19]

Spoiler: Current Status

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HP: 22/22
AC: 18 (19 vs X1 creature)
Class DC: 16
Speed: 20ft
Fort: +7
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +7

Buffs:
Debuffs: Stupefied 1 (2/5 rounds), Sickened 2

[Prehysterical]

Confronted by such alien physiology, Mauricio hesitates and misses. His concentration is further tested by the horrible grey mucus. "Oh, by Lady Death," he swears. Still, Mauricio is heartened by the sight of one of the creatures being felled. Turning around, Mauricio sees the guard being savaged by the other creature. Moving up directly behind the foul creature, Mauricio looks for an opening...

There. Right there.

Spoiler: OOC

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Actions: Stride to get behind X2, providing flanking for Sadar
Devise a Stratagem (See OOC)
Dagger attack is bumped up to a critical hit
Dagger damage: (1d4)[3] x 2 for a total of 6 Piercing damage
Precision damage: (1d6)[2]

Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17 (16)
Speed: 25
Fort: +4 (+3)
Ref: +6 (+5)
Will: +7 (+5 currently)
Perception: +7 (+6)
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd
Status: Stupefied 1, Sickened 1, last round for both

[SanguinePenguin]

As Kali gags, Gex lashes the two creatures and Sadar with his magical necrotic tendrils. Then Kharesh lands a powerful fist into one of their backs. After the loud crunch that follows, the thing collapses to the dirt and ceases all movement.

Mauricio takes a moment to study the other creature, then, with a calculated attack, thrusts his dagger into a clear weakness in its amorphous form. After the blow, three of its legs fall out with a gush of violet goo, and it too collapses motionless.

Spoiler

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X1 and X2 are down
Sadar can use his reaction to AoO the swarm when it moved through squares he threatened.

Waiting on Sadar and Gurmok

[DrK]

Sadar

Sadar grimaces as h clawed by a barbed leg again and then the swarm of worms and other wretched things is atop of him. he swings the falchion ins great sweeps trying to remove the vile beasts and and then as the tendrils of weird magic obliterate the dog sized creature he stumbles east towards the other strangers fighting these weird monsters. A trail of blood behind him as he seeks to push through the pain of dozens of minor wounds


AoO (1d20+9)[12] dam (1d10+4)[7]
Attack 1 (1d20+9)[19] dam (1d10+4)[9]
Attack 2 (1d20+4)[18] dam (1d10+5)[9]
Stride to M11

Sadar
HPs 5/19
Saves +6/7/4 Per +6
AC 18

[Gwynfrid]

The crawling army of tiny horrors is terrifying enough, but their bites are the worst, both for Zen and his rider. Still, Gurmok has to thank Irori for his good fortune: Today's marketplace customers just happen to have remarkable reflexes and skill at arms! The two largest threats fall, and the robed guard wisely moves away from the worst of the swarm. The obvious course of action is to get away as well - Zen doesn't need to be asked twice. From his slightly safer position, Gurmok takes stock of the situation. Looks like this really hurts, the blessing of Irori is well warranted in this case...

"Irori, bénis ce camarade
Certes, je ne le connais nullement
Mais contre ces horreurs il me garde,
Donc je le veux conserver vivant..."

From his pointed finger, a ray of greenish light strikes the bleeding guard, easing the pain and closing many of his wounds.

Spoiler

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EDIT I forgot to add the effect of sickened. This doesn't change the outcome.

Damage from swarm:
Gurmok: Refl DC18 (1d20+5)[8] damage (1d6)[4] - ouch, crit fail
Zen: Refl DC18 (1d20+8)[20] damage (1d6)[6] (was in fact rolled in OOC)

Action #1 Command Zen, who uses his Juke reaction to Step to G11, then Strides 40ft to M9.
Action #2/3 Cast Heal on Sadar (1d8+8)[12]

Gurmok, level 1 cloistered cleric of Irori
Speed 25
Perception +6; darkvision
AC 11; Fort +3, Refl +4, Will +7 (includes sickened 1 condition)
HP 4/15

Zen, goblin dog (trained animal)
Perception +6; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Speed 40
AC 17; Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +5
HP 14/17

[SanguinePenguin]

With the two larger creatures down, Sadar chops into the horde. While his first swing is ineffective at best, his next two connect and prove rather successful. His falchion is able to slice through the bulbous bodies and writhing limbs with relative ease, and he sprays a smattering of violet goo all over the stalls, plaza, and nearby people. He then retreats to a safer area. Gurmok and Zen also retreat behind the stalls before healing the warrior. Zetath rushes after him and hovers nearby.

Meanwhile, the man in the yellow turban starts to shriek as one of the horrifying creature from the horde bursts from out of his thigh, tendrils and bulbous body abruptly leaping from a gap in his flesh it had carved out. The nascent blobby mass scrambles over to rejoin the horde as the man in the yellow turban collapses to the street bleeding. After his own encounter with the horde, Gurmok can feel something starting to wriggle under his own skin on his abdomen. He sees a spot on Zen's side where a lot of unnatural movement is starting to happen, but a violet fleshy egg pops out of the wound and starts to shrivel on the nearby ground.

As the highest nearby concertation of warm bodies is in the packed corridor where people are still pushing to flee from the plaza and into the overcrowded street, the horde moves there. Screams come from the crowd as the creatures begin to attack the market goers.

Spoiler: Actions

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First, some accounting for Gurmok/Zen. After our Discord discussion, I had rolled the reflex / damage OOC. He took 3, Zen took 3. However, in the first round, Gurmok took 8 damage from X2. This should have him at 4/15.

Yellow hat damage: (1d6)[5]

Gurmok Fort (DC18) (1d20+4)[12]
Zen Fort (DC18) (1d20+8)[27]

Action 1 Remove egg: a DC 13 medicine check can remove the implanted egg which will otherwise hatch next round (dealing 1d6 damage).

Swarm:
1: Move 20' to F-G13-14
2: Bites (basic reflex save DC 18) for 1d6 damage vs B, P1, P2
3: Bites (basic reflex save DC 18) for 1d6 damage vs B, P1, P2

Reflex DC 18 (1d6)[4]
B - (1d20+7)[14] 4
P1 - (1d20+3)[18] 2
P2 - (1d20+3)[10] 4

Reflex DC 18 (1d6)[3]
B - (1d20+7)[25] 1
P1 - (1d20+3)[15] 3
P2 - (1d20+3)[16] 3

Spoiler: Conditions

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Stupified
Sickened

Spoiler: Map

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Pink - the swarm
B - the tea service boy
Y - yellow turban (dying)
Z - Zetath
G - Galtho
E - Erthin
P - are people from the market
Green (red, gray, blue) are merchant stalls, can stride through require a DC 12 Acrobatics check: crit success: pass through as normal; success: to pass through them as difficult terrain; failure: end stride; crit fail: as failure, but fall prone.
P, B, E,G are all fleeing in terror.

[BelGareth]

Seeing the monsters fall, he frowns, and then smiles and laughs as he realizes they actually managed to get through this living hell.

Still feeling terrible, he vomits, once, and then twice, the noodles he ate earlier coming out like small worms, not making things any better...

Wiping his face of vomit, he kooks around "Should we....go deal with that swarm?" he says meekly, as if he wasn't actually sure.

Spoiler

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1st action: (1d20+4)[6] vs dc 17
2nd action: (1d20+4)[23] vs dc 17
3rd action: Talk


Gex
HP's: 16/16
AC: 16
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25ft
Fort: +5
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +3
Feats: Hobnobber, Unexpected Shift
Effects: Stupefied 1 (3/3)

[Prehysterical]

It's almost as if the creature's death soothes both Mauricio's gut and his mind. He stands there for a moment, his thin lips pursed tightly over his teeth and his dagger dripping with foul ichor. There is still so much going on with the yellow-turbaned man screaming in agony and the swarm assaulting the other market-goers. In response to Gex's question, Mauricio's voice is firm but worried. "If we don't kill them here, and they spread through those people, they will become a plague upon all of Katapesh!" He hurries over toward the fallen man, fumbling for his tools.

Spoiler: OOC

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Actions: Double Stride to end up next to Yellow Turban. Will attempt to Administer First Aid next turn.

Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[Gwynfrid]

Gurmok's mind reels, the effect of both the blood loss and the terror he just witnessed. On top of his disgusting giant rodent (Zen, currently stomping furiously to squish one last purple tentacle and licking the resulting juice), he feels queasy, puts a hand on his belly. It's there, the writhing egg about to erupt into the open! He nearly loses it, both physically and mentally... On the point of breaking, he remembers Garrogar. When you're about to give up, to let everything go, that's exactly when to pray for Irori's courage. The moment of truth is now! The old master's lessons never seemed as relevant as they do now.

The blue-skinned goblin closes his eyes. Inner Restful Orison Repairs Ineptitude!

And begins to cast.

"À la perfection j'aspire
À apaiser mon esprit
Avec le maître je respire
Pour oublier mes ennuis."

He opens his eyes, and the rising madness in them seems to have abated, a little. One hand on his heart and on the symbol of his god, the other spread out horizontally, pefectly still, at eye level, he calls out:

"Être parfait, c'est bien joli
Mais j'en ai pris plein la tête
Irori, c'est toi qui me guéris
Sinon c'est la fin de ton prêtre!"

... And the greenish light washes over his wounds, closing them.

Spoiler

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Action #1 Cast Perfected Mind to try and remove the Revolting Display effect. New Will save DC17 (1d20+7)[12]
Action #2/3 cast Heal on self (1d8+8)[16]

Status (will edit depending on outcome)

Gurmok, level 1 cloistered cleric of Irori
Condition: sickened 1
Speed 25
Perception +6; darkvision
AC 11; Fort +3, Refl +4, Will +7 (includes sickened 1 condition)
HP 15/15

Zen, goblin dog (trained animal)
Condition: none
Perception +6; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Speed 40
AC 17; Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +5
HP 14/17

[Kirjath]

Kali spat on the ground one last time as the waves of nausea lessened. She could see the nearest monster fall mercifully still after that last blow, and Kali could only muster a weak nod of gratitude to the dwarf she had previously thought of as an ax-crazed miscreant. The gnome standing next to her looked to have taken the monster's vile secretions just about as well as she had, which lessened her embarrassment somewhat, but everyone else nearby seemed to be ok. Even more surprising, the goblin riding a smelly rodent was going around healing people. Katepesh was a truly strange place.

There was no time to gather herself though, as the thin man from across the street jumped into action. Her stomach churned again as she saw eggs begin to emerge from the victims of the swarming creatures. This was all unlike anything Kali had ever seen before.

"He's right, call the guards!" Kali responded to the weary gnome next to her as she took off down the street. She wasn't sure how any of them could deal with the swarm, but maybe they could at least save some people before the city guards got there.

Her stomach still felt the sharp pangs of sickness and her throat was still burning from the coughing fit, but Kali could hear fresh screams erupting from down the street. It was a horrible wailing sound, difficult to hear over the ringing in her ears from the screeching monsters, but it was there. With a grunt, Kali ran as fast as her short legs could carry her and rounded the corner to yet another scene of horror.

"Oh gods!" was the only thing Kali could exclaim as she witnessed the carnage that unfolded before her. Men, women, and children were all being savagely bitten by the tiny creatures. No doubt many had new eggs being planted in them as she stood momentarily stunned. The nausea she felt earlier threatened to overpower her again, but Kali had no time to waste anymore. The only person she could reach without jumping into the swarm itself seemed to be a boy she'd seen near some of the market stalls she'd passed earlier that day.

"It'll be ok lad," Kali tried to say as calmly as she could manage. Whether it was more to calm the boy or herself down was unclear. "I'll get you out of there!"

She reached out a hand to swat desperately at the aberrations crawling all over him, images of the egg erupting from the man in the colorful turban swimming through her head.

"What the devil are these things!" Kali cursed loudly. "I don't see an end ta them!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Stride (This should allow Kali to reach a square next to B, though maybe not if she can't move through Sadar's space)
Free Action: Release (Not holding the great axe with two hands anymore, leaving one hand free)
Action 3: Medicine check to remove any eggs on B (1d20+4)[10] vs DC 13 (this includes the -1 from Sickened, I assume the -1 from Stupefied doesn't stack since they're both status penalties. If this isn't true, this number should be an additional -1)

Spoiler: Current Status

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Kali Ashmane
HP: 22/22
AC: 18 (19 vs X1 creature)
Class DC: 16
Speed: 20ft
Fort: +7
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +7

Buffs:
Debuffs: Stupefied 1 (3/5 rounds), Sickened 1

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Wiping his mouth with a massive arm, Kharesh turned to follow the swarm of creatures rolling towards the main section of the market. A glance at several people nearby showed the evolving threat - eggs that these horrid creature seemed to be laying in the victims. To the exchanges, Kharesh grunted aloud, "Safeguard the bystanders!" Then he rushed to the other side of the line of stalls, one hand resting on a small cart to vault over the sickness to the side. As he landed and hustled along the line of stalls, the monk felt his limbs free from the Stance of the Rooted Mountain. Running parallel to the wall, he pulled free a stoppered vial fill with a volatile liquid. Rounding the end of the row, Kharesh held up the vial and called out, "Move those people!"

---

Round 3
Action 1: Stride 20' around the 'back' of the stalls (N9-M9-L9-K9)
Action 2: Stride 20' to the corner of the row (J9-I9-H9-G9)
Action 3: Draw the alchemist vial out

Setting up to attack the swarm with an aoe fire bomb

Effects / Status / Conditions: Stupefied 2 (-2 on Int/Wis/Cha checks/DCs, 9 rnds); Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance); Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

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AC: 17 HP 22 Initiative +5
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 Per +5 / Move 20’
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +7, Warfare Lore +3, Religion +5, Stealth +5, Pahmet Lore +3
Abilities: Call on Ancient Blood (prior to rolling a save vs magical effect, add +1 [circ]); Flurry of blows (make two strikes for 1 action [flourish]); Mountain stance (see below); Darkvision; Dwarven Weapon Familiarity; Cat Fall (treat falls as 10' shorter)
Stance: Mountain (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance)
Combat: Axe (+7 / 1d8S+4 / sweep); Clan Dagger (+7 / 1d4P+4 / agile, dwarf, parry, uncommon, versatile B); Unarmed (+7 / 1d6B+4 / agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed); Falling Stone (+7 / 1d8B+4 / forceful, nonlethal, unarmed)

[DrK]

Sadar

Sadar comes staggering back into the fray. A grumbled, "My thanks my small friend" to Gurmock as the goblin touches him healing wounds from the dozens of small bites. He chases down the swarm swinging hard seeking to hack down as many as possible. A bellowed "Clear the streets you fools;"

Stride to H12
Power attack (1d20+9)[13] dam (2d10+4)[21]

Sadar
HPs 17/19
Saves +6/7/4 Per +6
AC 18 +1 conditional

[SanguinePenguin]

While Gex vomits and Gurmok heals himself, Mauricio rushes to the side of the unconscious man in the yellow turban. Kali and Sadar rush forward to the swarm, as does Kharesh, drawing a bomb as he goes. Sadar levels a powerful blow, but aside from severing a few stray tendrils, he fails to connect with the swing. Kali tries to remove the egg from the boy, but she can't reason with him through his panic to stop flailing wildly.

Bodies pack more forcefully into the street, as the screams intensivefy, while the boy and the two others covered in the creatures flee as fast as they can back into the plaza and away from the horde. The swarm of creatures begins to move deeper into the street, screaming and wailing in their eerie cadence. Sadar seizes the opportunity, and swings his falchion low and through the bulk of the remaining creatures. Purple goo splatters everywhere and the horde is reduced to about a dozen moving creatures, most of which are trampled underfoot as they attempt to work their way into the frenzied crowd. While the battle began in a abrupt and terrifying blast of confusion, its end is a slow and melancholy ebb of confusion. What was moments before a true threat is quickly reduced to a few horrifying, but rather small creatures, some eggs, which hatch into more small creatures that are quickly killed, some truly horrendous odors from the foul spidery corpses, and some wounded people.

With the threat gone, people stop crushing each other to get out of the plaza in terror and start to help one another. Mauricio stabilizes the man in the yellow turban, and the other injured people receive some first aid from others. Though not as dangerous as they were en masse, the scattered remaining vile creatures and their purple leathery eggs represent smaller dangers, certainly unfit for the market. The application of weapons or medical talents make short work of these issues though. Only a few moments after these dangers are removed, a squadron of the Zephyr Guard finally pushes their way through the crowded street and into the plaza with a daunting 14 ft tall Aluum golem in tow.

Their leader surveys the scene, deems you and Zetath, who stays close by, persons of interest, likely due to the thick coating of purple goo draping most of you, then sends her underlings to question other members of the crowd. The Vudrani woman who approaches you is tall, very broad-shouldered, and powerfully built, with her weapons sheathed and helmet in one hand. Around her neck, she wears one of the famed items, a pendant with a block of faintly glowing amber, that controls the massive golem acting as her shadow. She has long black hair, thick eyebrows, a rigid jawline, and an aquiline nose. She also bears the irate and despondent expression of a woman just realizing that her day is about to devolve into more paperwork than she thought possible. "Sergeant Tuthani," she curtly introduces herself, "now, what in the nine hells am I looking at here?"

[BelGareth]

Suddenly, Gex felt better, however, he was still covered in vile....goop, of weird colors, he didn't even look at it too closely, he instantly began casting a simple spell to remove it from his body. As his clothes and body are being cleaned by...invisible threads of magic, he listens to the sergeant.

"Well, the yellow turbaned man over there" he points in the general direction "activated a staff of some kind, and BOOM! These twice damned abominations appeared and assaulted people, I would suggest you inspect that vendors crafts for other unknown devices, or perhaps where that staff came from? But we" he says pointing the goop covered group "managed to fend them off, the real hero's are they" he says

After thinking for a moment, a light bulb goes off.

"I believe, these things could be qlippoth, the primordial denizens of the abyss. I also think they were not summoned, but actually brought here, since their corpses are sticking around."

Spoiler

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Cast's Prestidigitation to clean his garments and body. (but no one else, unless asked)
Diplomacy - (1d20+7)[23]

to ID or know anything about what happened?
Arcana - (1d20+1)[17]
Occultism - (1d20+4)[20]

Gex
HP's: 16/16
AC: 16
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25ft
Fort: +5
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +3
Feats: Hobnobber, Unexpected Shift
Effects: none

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh put away the vial when it became apparent there was no good way to only burn the swarm. However, it was simple enough to assist in destroying the straggling creatures, while assisting any hosts that were victims of egg implants. After several minutes of disgusting work, it seemed they finally ended the threat.
Walking over, he joined the others, wiping any ooze or ichor off his arms and chest as he approached. Before he could ask anything, the guards finally showed up, with the leader of the contingent approaching the small group of strangers that had jumped into action at the sign of danger. "Sergeant Tuthani.
Now, what in the nine hells am I looking at here?"

Kharesh glanced around and said simply, "Chaos." The fainting gnome went on to describe what had happened, to which Kharesh simply nodded. As discussions turned to extra-dimensional beings, he stood and listened, having no expertise to offer an informed opinion. However, one thing did bother the dwarf elicited a direct comment. "Check all the patrons. One missed egg could be disastrous."

---

Nothing much at this point ...

Effects / Status / Conditions: Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

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AC: 17 HP 22 Initiative +5
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 Per +5 / Move 20’
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +7, Warfare Lore +3, Religion +5, Stealth +5, Pahmet Lore +3
Abilities: Call on Ancient Blood (prior to rolling a save vs magical effect, add +1 [circ]); Flurry of blows (make two strikes for 1 action [flourish]); Mountain stance (see below); Darkvision; Dwarven Weapon Familiarity; Cat Fall (treat falls as 10' shorter)
Stance: Mountain (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance)
Combat: Axe (+7 / 1d8S+4 / sweep); Clan Dagger (+7 / 1d4P+4 / agile, dwarf, parry, uncommon, versatile B); Unarmed (+7 / 1d6B+4 / agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed); Falling Stone (+7 / 1d8B+4 / forceful, nonlethal, unarmed)

[SanguinePenguin]

Sergeant Tuthani listens to Kharesh and Gex, withdraws a parchment and quill from a scroll case and begins to jot down some notes using her helmet as a writing surface. "Thank you all for your aid to the city in dispatching these things. Brought here? That's interesting. I have no idea what a clip-off is though. Thank you for the suggestion about the eggs. We'll be thorough."

Zetath interjects, "that can't be. The rod is not magic. It has been in my possession for over a decade. Most of my items are not, barring some fairly mundane things. The man must have done something. He had been hanging around my stand for a long time before this happened. He didn't buy anything or move on."

Tuthani's brow furrows at this. She holds up a finger implying for you to wait, and steps toward one her underlings. Her path to the man takes her past one of the fetid spidery corpses. Whether the breeze shifts or something else, she suddenly flails as the stench hits her nostrils, then keels over, retching. After a moment of collecting herself, she continues her path to other man, who nods at her words and does some thing near Zetath's stand. After a little while, says some things to her, she points emphatically at the rod still laying where the man in the yellow turban dropped it. He nods and says something back. She jots a few more notes.

Spoiler

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Any who can cast or are trained in arcana would recognize the guard as having detected magic

Sergeant Tuthani returns - the long way around this time. "What you say checks out and the rod is apparently not magic." She looks nearby to where the man in the yellow turban still lies, unconscious. She shakes her head, "we'll bring him in for questioning, I guess. Is there anything more you can tell us?"

[BelGareth]

Gex frowns, "there are ways to mask a magical aura, I would treat that staff with the utmost care and have it inspected a little more through than a simple cantrip." he looks to everyone else, finally realizing they were still covered in the gruesome goop "Does anyone else need help cleaning?" he asks earnestly.

If the sergeant isn't interested: "Well, I'll take the staff then, how much?" he asks the seller.

Spoiler

Show

Offering Prestidigation, if not, he'll clean up any remaining in the area.

Gex
HP's: 16/16
AC: 16
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25ft
Fort: +5
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +3
Feats: Hobnobber, Unexpected Shift
Effects: none

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh glanced around the market, peering at the man, then to the others. After a moment, something else tickled at his memory and he added his comments.
"Two things. First, this gnome fainted before the chaos. Second, the man did something with the rod and called the chaos. But it covered him as well."

Ending abruptly, Kharesh stood there silently, if a little awkwardly for everyone else, staring at the sergeant.

---

So maybe it sounds bad when you say it like that ... but it was kind of weird, and none of us really knows the other.

Effects / Status / Conditions: Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 HP 22 Initiative +5
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 Per +5 / Move 20’
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +7, Warfare Lore +3, Religion +5, Stealth +5, Pahmet Lore +3
Abilities: Call on Ancient Blood (prior to rolling a save vs magical effect, add +1 [circ]); Flurry of blows (make two strikes for 1 action [flourish]); Mountain stance (see below); Darkvision; Dwarven Weapon Familiarity; Cat Fall (treat falls as 10' shorter)
Stance: Mountain (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance)
Combat: Axe (+7 / 1d8S+4 / sweep); Clan Dagger (+7 / 1d4P+4 / agile, dwarf, parry, uncommon, versatile B); Unarmed (+7 / 1d6B+4 / agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed); Falling Stone (+7 / 1d8B+4 / forceful, nonlethal, unarmed)

[DrK]

Sadar

Sadar had offered the guards and in particular the golem controlling sergeant and low and repsectful bow before he slowly cleaned the goop off his blade and sheathed it carefully (and very much non threateningly) in the log sheath at his waist. As the Sergeant asks about he lets the other would be heroes answer and adds only "I know not of where these things came from, only that they appeared from thin air and immediately went to attack all here. We are lucky to have survived"

As the rod is collected and inspected he looks at the small goblin and offers a bow. "My thanks for the salve on my wounds. I would buy a dinner and drinks, a way of saying "my thanks" if you will permit it?"


Sadar
HPs 17/19
Saves +6/7/4 Per +6
AC 18 +1 conditional

[Prehysterical]

Mauricio only lets out a sigh of relief when he knows that the yellow-turbaned shopper is stable. By this point, his fingers are covered in blood and ichor from treating the man's wounds. Thankfully, it seems like others are helping the survivors of the attack. He frowns as the Zephyr Guard show up. Wonderful... Too late to help, but just early enough to suspect us. Contrary to Mauricio's expectations, the sergeant seems inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. Since he hadn't been paying much attention to the other stalls, Mauricio hears Gex's testimony with curiosity. How could such a devise transplant these creatures and not merely summon them? Since the others seem to have everything under control, Mauricio leaves behind his patient and picks the rod up off the ground to examine it... carefully. Perhaps the eye could reveal what magic could not.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Actions: Pursuing a Lead on the rod.
Perception: (1d20+8)[12]

Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[Kirjath]

Kali leaned heavily on a nearby stall to steady herself. That the fight was over was such a relief that she couldn't even muster up the effort to try and defend herself against the sergeant's suspicions. Even if she'd wanted to, the stench of the mucus still coating her was almost enough to make her throw up again. Kali tried retching as quietly as possible while the others explained the ordeal to the city guards. It was a truly horrible ichor, but she was loathe to use what was left of her water to try and wash it off.

She needed to do something though. Kali noted with some jealousy the ease with which the gnome cleaned himself off, but he was at least generous enough to offer this service openly. With a grunt, she shuffled over to the gnome and gave him a weak smile.

"D'you mind using that fancy magic on me?" She asked, stifling another gag. If she talked too much, Kali was afraid she'd give the gnome another mess to clean up. "This stinks worse than a gnoll's fart."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

(1d20+7)[27] Fort vs 17 DC save to clear the Sickened condition

Spoiler: Current Status

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Kali Ashmane
HP: 22/22
AC: 18
Class DC: 16
Speed: 20ft
Fort: +7
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +7

Buffs:
Debuffs: Sickened 1

[SanguinePenguin]

"Fainted? Was this related to the incident?" The prospect clearly seemed a stretch to the sergeant, but she wanted to be thorough.

The sergeant confers with her subordinates, who have concluded their own questionings. Once she notices Mauricio examining the item, she shouts at him, "hey! Put that down! The gnome is right - we'll be taking that until it's deemed safe!" After the outburst though, she says to Zetath, "this was a significant market disruption, but after the accounts of those nearby, I don’t believe it was intentional, malicious, or egregiously negligent on your part. I'll say as much in my report, and I see no reason to hold you. As for the rest of you, from what I understand your presence was vital to keeping this situation from ballooning out of control. No one died and even injuries were relatively minor, so thank you again. I'll put in a request for a commendation," she holds up a hand and tips her head indicated to pause, "now, before you get too excited, it won't be much at all, probably just a few coins and maybe a terse letter, if it gets approved. It helps encourage people to act beneficiently when they can though. Please give me your names, and you can check in at the Lower City barracks in a day or two," she awaits your introductions, quill at the ready.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio was able to examine it long enough to activate Pursue a Lead.

Might also be a good moment to introduce yourselves to each other.

[Prehysterical]

When the sergeant begins barking orders at him, Mauricio frowns but complies. He makes sure to set the rod down gently so as not to cause another incident. At least he has had a decent look at the artifact to commit its details to his memory. Despite the sergeant's temperance of expectations, the commendation would come as a pleasant surprise. More than anything, a budding medical professional needs solid referrals to advocate for his skills.

Taking out a handkerchief, Mauricio does what he can to wipe the filth from his hands. "Mauricio Averni, layman doctor," he informs Tuthani with back straight and chin held high.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[DrK]

Sadar Al'Hamar

Sadar offers another low bow to the guards and then gives his name. "I am Sadar Al'Hamar, a lowly merchant guard" he adds. As the Sergeant grabs the rod he shrugs and looks at the ichor splattered fellow warriors. "I suspect this corner of the market will be closed for the day. Can I give my fellow warriors some date wine and we can speaks of the day?" he offers looking towards the book stand to see if his merchant is still there.

[Kirjath]

Kali wiped some of the ichor off with a grimace. "Kali of clan Ashmane." was her terse reply to the sergeant. The nausea was finally starting to dissipate, though the mention of a monetary reward gave her ideas of finding a nice inn and taking a long bath once the day was over. A nice ale wouldn't go amiss either, though the wine Sadar offered was an acceptable substitute.

Spoiler: Current Status

Show

Kali Ashmane
HP: 22/22
AC: 18
Class DC: 16
Speed: 20ft
Fort: +7
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +7

Buffs:
Debuffs:

[BelGareth]

"Er no..." he responds to the sergeant slightly embarrassed, "...that was not related."

Gex nods and smiles at Kali "Of course!" he says cheerfully and begins his ministrations. Once done, he bows to everyone "I am Gex Daelfagnim and some wine would be an excellent distraction."

Spoiler

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Offering Prestidigitation, if not, he'll clean up any remaining in the area.

Gex
HP's: 16/16
AC: 16
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25ft
Fort: +5
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +3
Feats: Hobnobber, Unexpected Shift
Effects: none