[DnD 5e] Playthings in an Interplanar Dollhouse- A Path of the Planebreaker Adventure

[jscape2000]

Bil Twilight Cleric of Damh AC: 18 HP: 33 / 33 THP: 11 PP: 17 PIv: 11 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 / 5 d8 HD Spell Slots- 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 1/3, 3rd: 1/2; channel 2/3 Tossing aside the lifeless brainhood, Bil turns his attention to the lizard. Following Felicity’s lead, he backs away, clearing an avenue for the creature to flee but ready to strike it with divine retribution should it attack any of his allies. Spoiler: crunch Show move 4 squares north hold action: Toll the dead if it attacks anyone. DC17 wis save or 12 damage.

[purepolarpanzer]

The Mage's Manse

When presented with an opportunity to flee, the mortally wounded lizard rears back on it's rear feet and hurriedly dashes away towards the gate, narrowly dodging any attempts to take advantage of it's flight, leaving the stable and the mansion open to you all. Should you choose to pursue the lizard it would be difficult to catch it, as the beast's top speed far surpasses a humanoid's.

Spoiler: OOC

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Lizard disengages and runs for it. Fight over, unless you want to follow the lizard and hurl stuff at it.

[truemane]

Felicity Fourhooves Centaur Paladin 5 AC: 17 HP: 44 PP:10 PIv: 09 PIs: 10 Lay on Hands: 25/25 Spell Slots: 4/2 As soon as the lizard was out of the melee, Felicity swung back around to make sure everyone else was okay. "Did you get it?" she asked, "The... whatever it was... on the head? That was...." She trailed off. She actually had no idea what was going on.

[jscape2000]

Bil Twilight Cleric of Damh AC: 18 HP: 33 / 33 THP: 11 PP: 17 PIv: 11 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 / 5 d8 HD Spell Slots- 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 1/3, 3rd: 1/2; channel 2/3 “It spoke of a master. We should be prepared for an enchanter of some sort. One who could create or conjure a range of mind control.” he surveys his companions. Then Bil sighs. There will be more blood spilled than wine this day. ”in my experience, a strong offense is our best defense. As much as we can, bypass minions or thralls. Strike the enchanter.” Spoiler: crunch Show na

[purepolarpanzer]

The Mage's Manse

Spoiler: Brainhood Nature or Arcana DC 5

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Looks like some kind of living hat.

Spoiler: DC 10

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More like a hood, really. With tentacles and glowing red eyes.

Spoiler: DC 15

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These creatures are called brainhoods, aberrations known for taking control of the minds of beasts.

Spoiler: DC 20

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These strange creatures use alien psionics to replicate many spell effects, such as burning hands and hold person.

Spoiler: DC 25

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Some particularly amoral mages keep brainhoods as a improved familiar of sorts, capable of much greater magics than a regular familiar.

[Awful]

Hylusi Quaternaros, Magus of Bleakpines Magework Necromancer Darkvision: 60ft AC: 15 HP: 32/32 THP: 5 PP: 14 PIv: 14 PIs: 11 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3/5 d6 HD Arcane recovery 0/1 Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 1/2 3rd Fingerbone staff 4/10 Alchemical treats: 7/7 granting 3THP Gorelings: 2 Hylusi stepped aside as the lizard barrelled past, features creasing in a scowl as she rounded on the others. <Why did you let it go?> Her mental voice cracked out, sharp and slicing as a whip. <That creature could have been useful materials - and, at least, there is now one more threat roaming the streets of this lamentable city!> She hissed out a sigh of exasperation, walking over to poke at the charred remains of many of her gorelings with the butt of her staff. There would be no coming back from that - those hands had manhandled their last lizard. She made a mental note to reexamine that for better phrasing and clicked her fingers, letting the remaining two gorelings swarm up her robe to perch on her shoulders like blasphemous parrots. She moved on to examining the deflated, sad remains of the magecap. Always ready to show off her breadth of knowledge, she conversed with the others as she lifted up a limp tendril to examine the beady eyes. <This thing was a brainhood, an aberration from the distant places. More capable than a normal familiar, if you can get one. It mind-controls beasts, as you saw, and can replicate the effects of spells.> She gave a sideways glance to Bil, and a sharp note of amusement entered her mental tone. <Perhaps you were lucky, ser rabbit.>

Spoiler: OOC

Show

nucht

[jscape2000]

Bil Twilight Cleric of Damh AC: 18 HP: 33 / 33 THP: 11 PP: 17 PIv: 11 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 / 5 d8 HD Spell Slots- 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 1/3, 3rd: 1/2; channel 2/3 Bil’s nose twitches with irritation. “You are welcome to throw yourself into the path of any wild beasts we encounter. For me, when a creature shows itself to have been dominated by a power hungry magic wielder, once the creature is liberated, if it does not attack me I will not presume it to be a foe.” Bil allows the rabbit comment to pass. Arguing with the self centered wizardess seemed unlikely to speed their quest.

[RandomWombat]

Prince Doredan Human Martial Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 24/33 PP: 9 PIv: 11 PIs: 9 Conditions: Standing Reaction: Dodge Roll if critically hit or if hit while at 12 hit points or less (1/encounter), 1 Alchemical Treat (eat for 3 thp as a bonus action) The others may be prepared to let the beast go, but the prince is not. He gives chase on swift feet, before the creature can vanish into the city and cause chaos. "Set beasts loose in the wilds, merrymaker, not in cities!" he shouts back at Bil. Spoiler: Actions Show Dash 80 feet after the lizard. Bonus action Charger attack if he can get in range. (1d20+7)[21] to hit (1d4+11)[14] damage on hit

[purepolarpanzer]

Outside the Gate

Doredan's dash does catch him up with the fleeing lizard, but only barely. It careens down the road, menacing the few people left in this neighborhood as they scramble for cover inside the buildings. Leaping forward at it, the Prince catches the beast with a long gash across it's side that spills far too much blood for the creature to survive. It roars savagely, then falls to the ground, bleeding and dying. From a nearby stoop to a stone building a lone vedalken claps slowly with four hands. "Uh... thank you? For slaying that monster. Good on you..." Hardly a crowd of adoring populace, his mild approval is all the thanks the prince gets for now.

[truemane]

Felicity Fourhooves Centaur Paladin 5 AC: 17 HP: 39/44 PP:10 PIv: 09 PIs: 10 Lay on Hands: 25/25 Spell Slots: 4/2 Everything happened really fast. Letting the lizard go seemed like the obviously right thing to do. What honour (or glory) was there in killing simple creatures when all it wanted was to get away? Then Hylusi (who was very smart, if creepy [but cute]) had a strong opinion about it (and not a terrible one) and then Prince Doredan (who, to the extent that the term had meaning here, was her liege lord) ALSO had an opinion about it (and a pretty good one) and then dashed off! Felicity was torn. Should she follow? Disagree? Be angry? She was quick on her hooves, but not on her feet, as it were. And then it was all over anyway. "Should we.... should we keep trying to explore the house? Do we think there's more giant lizards? Either mind controlled ones or regular ones?"

[jscape2000]

Bil Twilight Cleric of Damh AC: 18 HP: 33 / 33 THP: 11 PP: 17 PIv: 11 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 / 5 d8 HD Spell Slots- 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 1/3, 3rd: 1/2; channel 2/3 Bil was taken aback by the scolding from the prince. He froze, conflicted and ears twitching flat against his head. There was no reason to believe the lizard remained a threat. But a royal command was a royal command. And they would certainly feel responsible if the lizard injured a civilian. But on the other hand, Planebreaker seemed to be populated only by citizens who were equipped to handle the chaos of planar travel. Bil watches Felicity approach the prince, thinking sourly that he already knows that Doredan and Hylusi will want to slaughter everything that makes it’s home within the mansion. Instead he turns his attention to the house, looking carefully for signs of movement, or recently uses entrances. Spoiler Show perception if needed: 24

[RandomWombat]

Prince Doredan Human Martial Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 24/33 PP: 9 PIv: 11 PIs: 9 Conditions: Standing Reaction: Dodge Roll if critically hit or if hit while at 12 hit points or less (1/encounter), 1 Alchemical Treat (eat for 3 thp as a bonus action) Pulling the dagger free, Doredan walks up to the bleeding and dying beast and plunges the blade into its neck, hoping to sever the spine and end its suffering if it were still alive. He steps back and looks down at his now-bloodstained clothes with mild annoyance, then waves awkwardly at the... vedalken, was it? "If anyone wants lizard jerky, feel free. I left the cooks at home," he shuffles back to the wizard's yard, wiping his blade clean on a kerchief and then stowing it in its scabbard. "All is well," he reports to his entourage, not bothering with further scolding or gloating. "Shall we be banishing this ghost, then? I suppose the Magus is best to lead. She knows what to expect of a mage's abode."

[Awful]

Hylusi Quaternaros, Magus of Bleakpines Magework Necromancer Darkvision: 60ft AC: 15 HP: 32/32 THP: 5 PP: 14 PIv: 14 PIs: 11 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3/5 d6 HD Arcane recovery 0/1 Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 1/2 3rd Fingerbone staff 4/10 Alchemical treats: 7/7 granting 3THP <Ah. Good work, your Highness.> she sends to the princeling, and then nods. She clicked her fingers and pointed, and the three servitors hurried out to retrieve the dead lizard. She would examine what she could do with it afterwards. Meanwhile, the Magus turned her gaze on the others. <A ghost typically remains because it is trapped by something - a grudge, a sorrow-> She glanced at the mansion. <A failed magic ritual, perhaps, and resolving it can cause the ghost to move on. Some manage to cling to existence enough destroying them merely disperses them instead, and they reform in time. Be wary - many spirits can travel silently through walls and floors if they wish to ambush trespassers, and non-magical weapons find it hard to damage them, as any fool might expect. Watch your companions for changes behaviour, lest they be possessed.> She gestured towards the stables. In her mind, she recited the wards of protection, holding the spell just on the border of existence. <First, however, let us check the stables, where the lizard came from.> Barring any complaints, she lead the way inside cautiously.

Spoiler: OOC

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Action: Ready a casting of Protection from Evil and Good at the first sign of spooky action

[purepolarpanzer]

The Stables

As Hylusi passes through the broken gate leading to the stable, she can readily identify the creature that made the alarmed sounds earlier. Dead on the ground, still tied to a hay rack, is the remains of a large pony, covered in bites and bruises, but finally killed by having it's throat torn out. It's still warm, but beyond saving without major magic. The inside of the stable is filled with hay so old and dry that it is incredibly light and nearly translucent, but with common tools of the trade scattered around, as though one day some number of years ago the staff simply walked off in the middle of their duties. Beyond that there is no one in the stable, and without some searching nothing readily visible of interest.

The Courtyard

There are two major entrances to the home- a path to the south-west that leads up a set of stone stairs to a small outdoor stone porch, bordered by a door and large windows that lead into the home. It looks like the flowers of this small garden have overgrown considerably. The "front" entrance is a full double door, sound and thick looking, with an ornate lock. A bell hangs on a chain next to this door, with a sign saying "Ring For Deliveries".

[RandomWombat]

Prince Doredan Human Martial Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 24/33 PP: 9 PIv: 11 PIs: 9 Conditions: Standing Reaction: Dodge Roll if critically hit or if hit while at 12 hit points or less (1/encounter), 1 Alchemical Treat (eat for 3 thp as a bonus action) While the magus examines the stables, Prince Doredan walks to the front door and reads the sign next to the bell. He looks at the door and considers whether the ghost would answer the door by force of habit. Ghosts are just a collection of habit, no? Drawing his dagger, Doredan raps the flat edge against the bell.

[purepolarpanzer]

The Front Door

With a sudden, violent CLACK the latch on the door slides upward, followed by a long, mournful creeeeeaaaakkk as one half of the door slowly and agonizingly opened, with the house moaning as though an old wound had been prodded.

No one is on the other side of the door. The difference in brightness from the city to the inside makes looking inside very difficult, but it looks like the door opens up into an entryway. The air smells of must and dust. Shadows of coats on racks, shades of shoes piled under a boot remover, and another open door can be made out, but only by squinting heavily.

Everything will become so much more clear when you ENTER THE HOUSE.

[jscape2000]

Bil Twilight Cleric of Damh AC: 18 HP: 33 / 33 THP: 11 PP: 17 PIv: 11 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 / 5 d8 HD Spell Slots- 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 1/3, 3rd: 1/2; channel 2/3 Bil sniffs. “Root cellar, with a touch of moldy wood and a dash of forgotten cheese. “ Turning to his companions he offers, “I’m willing to lead the procession knowing you are not *too* far behind. Bringing the holy symbol on his shield to the fore, with a nod to the other adventurers, he prepares to enter.

Spoiler

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perception 26 on entering

[Awful]

Hylusi Quaternaros, Magus of Bleakpines Magework Necromancer Darkvision: 60ft AC: 15 HP: 32/32 THP: 5 PP: 14 PIv: 14 PIs: 11 Conditions: Protected from Evil and Good Concentrating on: Protection from Evil and Good 3/5 d6 HD Arcane recovery 0/1 Spell Slots- 3/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 1/2 3rd Fingerbone staff 4/10 Alchemical treats: 7/7 granting 3THP With little else in the stable to interest her, the Magus turned her attention to other matters. With a thoughtful look, Hylusi picked up one of the tools with a a thin, narrow point as she headed to the now-open door. <Take your pills, if you do not have other methods of magical reinforcement,> the magus reminds the party, the with a sharp gesture, warding magic briefly glimmers over her skin. Stepping forward, warded against all manner of supernatural powers, she took a step into the building, then paused and glanced back at the others. <Do not>, her mental voice snapped, <go wandering off. My telepathy requires my being able to see you for it to function. > With all the strength her noodly berobed arms could muster, she slid the tool into the hinge, wedging the door open before they continued.

Spoiler: OOC

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Action: cast Protection from evil and good
Jam the front door open

[truemane]

Felicity Fourhooves Centaur Paladin 5 AC: 17 HP: 39/44 PP:10 PIv: 09 PIs: 10 Lay on Hands: 25/25 Spell Slots: 4/2 Felicity didn't know much, but she knew that, like spring followed winter, like night followed day, like love followed roses, magic-types were supposed to follow fighting-types. "Thank you for the protection," she said, "Please allow me to protect you, in turn." And she stepped deftly in front of Hylusi and entered the house. She peered into the shadows, trying to gauge the environment with all of her senses, including her divine ones. Spoiler Show Use Divine Sense!

[RandomWombat]

Prince Doredan Human Martial Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 24/33, 3 thp PP: 9 PIv: 11 PIs: 9 Conditions: Standing Reaction: Dodge Roll if critically hit or if hit while at 12 hit points or less (1/encounter) So it's a polite ghost, at least. Doredan follows the Magus' advice and swallows the pill, feeling perhaps a little more energized. Walking in behind the paladin, he keeps his magical dagger at the ready. "Hello?" he asks as they walk over the threshold, seeing if anything responds.

[purepolarpanzer]

The Entryway

As Bil enters the shaded room, he notices just early enough that while most of the clothes on the rack are haggard, dusty, and old, a number of them are nice, new, and fancy looking. He also notices that as he approaches, one of the sleeves of a shirt seems to reach out for him, only to be slapped away by a woman's dress. This could be construed as the wind, but the air was still as the grave when the clothing reached out to admonish the other clothing. Something magical is afoot.

[jscape2000]

Bil Twilight Cleric of Damh AC: 18 HP: 33 / 33 THP: 11 PP: 17 PIv: 11 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 / 5 d8 HD Spell Slots- 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 1/3, 3rd: 1/2; channel 2/3 Bil swallows his pill at Hylusi’s instruction. “Step carefully, friends. Those clothes may be more restricting than a typical corset.” He pauses. Giving the clothes his full attention wishing he’d paid more attention during his apprenticeship’s magical training. Or at least that he’d occasionally attended without a hangover. Spoiler Show arcana 7

[truemane]

Felicity Fourhooves Centaur Paladin 5 AC: 17 HP: 39/44 PP:10 PIv: 09 PIs: 10 Lay on Hands: 25/25 Spell Slots: 4/2 Felicity was not at all happy to learn that the clothes were grabbing at people. She was not at all small. Or as lithe. Or as good at keeping herself from touching things in narrow passageways. She moved forward, as careful as possible to stay out of everything's way, keeping her eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary (or interesting, or fun).

[RandomWombat]

Prince Doredan Human Martial Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 24/33, 3 thp PP: 9 PIv: 11 PIs: 9 Conditions: Standing Reaction: Dodge Roll if critically hit or if hit while at 12 hit points or less (1/encounter) "We should simply be rid of them, lest they come upon us from behind," Doredan suggests, adjusting his dagger's grip and turning to face the clothing with a little bit of distance from them. "Well? Stand and fight," he challenges, to see if the clothes can move or simply dangle menacingly upon their rack.

[jscape2000]

Bil Twilight Cleric of Damh AC: 18 HP: 33 / 33 THP: 11 PP: 17 PIv: 11 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 / 5 d8 HD Spell Slots- 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 1/3, 3rd: 1/2; channel 2/3 Bil draws two torches from his pack and offers one to the prince. "Perhaps a touch of flame is the right approach?"

[purepolarpanzer]

Magical Manse

At the mention of fire the men's coat and pants hop off the rack and awkwardly run away, flapping and floating through the air and into the halls of the mansion. A lady's corset quickly follows suit, ruffling away into the dark in fear of the mention of fire.

Spoiler: OOC

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If you wish you may each fire a volley at the fleeing clothing, and if people wish to rush after them we can enter formal combat, should people wish.

[truemane]

Felicity Fourhooves Centaur Paladin 5 AC: 17 HP: 39/44 PP:10 PIv: 09 PIs: 10 Lay on Hands: 25/25 Spell Slots: 4/2 Felicity jumped a bit when the clothing ran away. "This seems silly to say, even as I say it, but I didn't expect the living clothing to fear for its life. I'm glad you're here, my Prince." She blushed a little, got hold of herself, gripped her pike more firmly, and soldiered on.

[Awful]

Hylusi Quaternaros, Magus of Bleakpines Magework Necromancer Darkvision: 60ft AC: 15 HP: 32/32 THP: 5 PP: 14 PIv: 14 PIs: 11 Conditions: Protected from Evil and Good Concentrating on: Protection from Evil and Good 3/5 d6 HD Arcane recovery 0/1 Spell Slots- 3/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 1/2 3rd Fingerbone staff 4/10 Alchemical treats: 7/7 granting 3THP On instinct at the movement, Hylusi slammed her staff down, and the dolorous bell rang out. <Ragamuffins,> the magus said. <Errant scraps of living magic. Do not, obviously, wear them, or let them get on you. Merely burn them.>, With an impatient gesture, the Magus made to move forward.

Spoiler: OOC

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Action: toll the dead

[RandomWombat]

Prince Doredan Human Martial Bard 5 AC: 14 HP: 24/33, 3 thp PP: 9 PIv: 11 PIs: 9 Conditions: Standing Reaction: Dodge Roll if critically hit or if hit while at 12 hit points or less (1/encounter) "While I accept the compliment, I do believe they were fleeing from Bil's flames," Doredan observes. He lowers his dagger, showing no interest in chasing down the clothing. "I suggest we not risk burning the building down by lighting them aflame. If they come near, a blade will cut them well enough. No?"

[purepolarpanzer]

Mage's Manse

As the party pushes on beyond the cloak room, they enter a dark hall. As Bil crosses the threshold, several candelabras throughout the hall puff flames into existence to light the space, but the lights are a cold blue that doesn't add any cheeriness, instead emphasizing the cold and the gloom of the building. The hallway goes to the left and the right, and in both directions there is both a door on the inner wall and a turn in the hallway that leads deeper into the house.

Spoiler: Twists and Turns.

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Spoiler: West

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Spoiler: Door

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A solid wooden door bound with metal straps sits in the frame, and periodically a fierce knocking shakes the door, like a massive fist slamming the door. There is a padlock and chains on the door, as though to keep something terrible inside.

Spoiler: Hallway

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The western hallway turns a corner and leads to an extensive staircase, presumably heading upward to a second floor. There are windows on the landing, one of which is open, curtain streaming from a fierce wind. The night sky is covered by thick clouds and a puddle of rain water has formed on the landing, which is particularly interesting because outside the manse it was both daytime and dry.

Spoiler: East

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Spoiler: Door

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A rather ostentatious door rests in a frame with no apparent lock, just a fine latched door. There are three candles affixed to the brass filigree of the door- one red, one yellow, and one blue. Underneath the candles is an etched plate that reads "Only Royal Colors May Enter My Study

Spoiler: Hallway

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The East Hallway curves around a corner to reveal a two sets of simple doors without locks, latches, or handles, which appear to swing easily on their hinges. Both and plain wood with some minor carvings. The south door has a cooked goose surrounded by fruit on it, while the northern door has a crossed knife and meat fork over a severed pig head with an apple in it's mouth.