[Game Thread] A Story to tell in the Dark

[sertaki]

"Eh, watch and see ... watch and see for yourself." Malgrim says to Wulfric, following the group out into the main hall. Sir Rekkart holds out his hand as Esiak advances him with his many questions, motioning the young troglodyte to wait. The Paladin approaches the door cautiously, dragging Madge away from it to the side - she doesn't even resist, only muttering "What is this?"

As you approach the main entry to the courthouse, a strange sight unfolds before your eyes. The ruins of what once was Beldrin's Bluff are gone. You are looking into a swirling misty void, the house standing alone in a barren landscape. On the tenth anniversary of Mord's trial, his malicious spirit must have somehow broken his final resting place off from Golarion. Maybe you are still in the quarter but trapped in an illusion. Maybe you were transported into the etheral plane. Noone of you has ever heard of something comparable to this. "Told ya. No way out." says Malgrim's raspy voice suddenly from behind Esiak's shoulder, the smoke engulfing his face.

OOC He will answer your questions, but not right now   Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (12)+5 Total = 17 Roll20

[sertaki]

OOC The prolonged interaction with some of these characters allows you some checks to remember more about them.   Malgrim Hurkes has an infamous reputation as a bloodthirsty killer and runs a gang called the Grindle Street Shades. He is a fearsome cutthroat with a reputation for garroting — with his spiked chain — any who cross him.   Malgrim used to work as a simple thug, but he managed to gain Beldrin's Bluff under his control following the rapid social decay after the Bluff's collapse. His gang climbed up the ladder of Absalom's underground with shady money lending and simple thuggery. After leaving the district five years ago because profit waned with the Bluff's residents moving away, the gang lost much of its power but remained a small presence in dark alleys to this day.   Madge is a pretty popular street performer in Absalom, touring the districts with an ever changing cast of supporting acts and musicians.   She used to be one half of a father-daughter show with her father Daben, although now she performs solo.   Malgrim's Cigars seem pretty expensive, in addition he keeps them in a gold cigar case.   They are Julan cigars harvested from the once-rich tobacco fields of the Sodden Lands long before they were washed away by the Eye of Abendego. They are extremely rare and no longer made. Today, only a few caches still exist and they are nigh-impossible to procure.

[wodine]

René looks at the swirling nothingness which has engulfed the courthouse and a million different arcane theories begin to run through is head. The most prevalent of which is that they have been trapped in the far ethereal plane which unlike the near which houses ghosts and other pseduomaterial objects is far removed from the prime material where nothing is as it seems and tragedy and darkness are known to reign supreme. René decides that a simple experimental test would be the best in this case and grabs a piece of debris off the ground and whips it out the door to see what will happen to it.

 

Dice malgrim:

d20+8

(17)+8

Total = 25

Dice Madge:

d20+8

(9)+8

Total = 17

Dice appraise:

d20+8

(18)+8

Total = 26

 

STATBLOCK René HP: 6/6 Senses: Initiative: +1; Perception: +1 AC (Normal, Touch, Flat): 11; 11; 10 Saves (Fort, Ref, Will): +0; +1; +3 Arcane Resevoir: 4/4 (daily) At Will: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost, Open/Close Spells Prepared Level 1: Mage Armor, Hold Portal, Charm Person Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Draconic, Aklo, Abyssal Traits Magical Talent – Mage Hand, Tireless Logic Notes: Potent Magic – Each point from Arcane Reservoir spent increases CL by 2

[Kylie]

Luxanna smiles back at Patrissa and offers her hand more as a comfort like a parent guiding a child to safety. Whether or not Patrissa takes her hand, Luxanna brushes the cigar smoke to the side moves up, next to Sir Rekkart keeping her Scimtar in hand ready to draw if needed. She looks back to the hobgoblin and politely asks him, "Looks like your right. Did you figure out anything else about this place, Mister Malgrim?"

 

Dice Appraise:

1d20-2

(2)-2

Total = 0

 

STATBLOCK Anna HP: 9/9 Senses: Initiative: +1; Perception: +5 AC (Normal, Touch, Flat): 18; 11; 17 Saves (Fort, Ref, Will): +3; +1; +5 Channel Positive Energy (Su): 8/9 (daily), Touch of Glory (Sp): 6/6 (daily) At Will: Read Magic, Stabilize, Guidance Spells Prepared Level 1: Bless, Magic Weapon, Shield of Faith (Domain) Always On: Faint Aura of Good, Halo (Bright Light: 20 feet) Languages: Common, Celestial Notes: My Channel is 1d6+1.5 Damage, DC 17 Will (Half Damage), (DC = 10 + Charisma Mod 4 + Glory Domain 2 + Sacred Conduit 1

[sertaki]

René throws debris into the mist, but no sound of impact can be heard, as if it never reached the ground. Patrissa takes Luxanna's hand willingly, quietly saying "Thank the gods you are with us." and follows her. Malgrim shrugs at the question. "Woke up, broke the damn door open, but didn't feel a burning need to die out there. Came back to the courtroom and all ya merry people awoke from sweet dreams." A wicked grin forms on his face. "Say girl, have you ever watched a cat play with its prey? It surely is a wicked sight. Might well be we will watch something simillar tonight."

Suddenly, the great clock in the main hall starts to go berserk. The ticking begins to swell into a cacophony, and its hands begin to rotate wildly. Luxanna is able to realize what is happening fast enough and can do something before it gets worse. Judging from what happened in the courtroom, she may need to focus her goddess might against the spirits within.

OOC I'm being a bit generous here, haunts are hard to run in play-by-post without taking up ludicrous amount of time, so I'll make them slightly easier to deal with. Running to the clock and blowing a channel might stop it, and you should be able to do so before it does horrific things to you all. This time the spirits were a bit slow Also: You have a rank in Knowledge (nobility), but not (religion). Just wondering if that was intended.   Dice Perception Luxanna: 1d20+5 (8)+5 Total = 13 Dice Initiative Luxanna: 1d20+1 (13)+1 Total = 14

[Kylie]

Luxanna quickly warns everyone, "Watch out!"

Luxanna lets go of Patrissa's hand and rushes over to the location of the haunt and tries to infuse it with

Dice * Channel Positive Energy Harm:

1d6+1

(5)+1

Total = 6

Positive Energy. Hold her wooden idol of Sarenrae she prays, "Lady Dawnflower banish this evil spirit with your cleansing light."

 

Dice Channel Positive Energy Harm:

1d6+1

(5)+1

Total = 6

 

STATBLOCK Anna HP: 9/9 Senses: Initiative: +1; Perception: +5 AC (Normal, Touch, Flat): 18; 11; 17 Saves (Fort, Ref, Will): +3; +1; +5 Channel Positive Energy (Su): 7/9 (daily), Touch of Glory (Sp): 6/6 (daily) At Will: Read Magic, Stabilize, Guidance Spells Prepared Level 1: Bless, Magic Weapon, Shield of Faith (Domain) Always On: Faint Aura of Good, Halo (Bright Light: 20 feet) Languages: Common, Celestial Notes: My Channel is 1d6+1.5 Damage, DC 17 Will (Half Damage), (DC = 10 + Charisma Mod 4 + Glory Domain 2 + Sacred Conduit 1

[sertaki]

The jurors watch Luxanna, some eyes open in fear and surprise, some like Malgrim with a judgemental look. She rushes furiously to the great clock, running towards the mad clunking and clicking, and summons the power of Sarenrae - a warm energy fills her immediate surroundings, seeping into the clock. All of you see brief flashes of gruesome crimes - strangulation, death, murder by axe, and simillar - but they are muffled and seem to be hidden behind a bright light which pushes them away. It feels as if a filthy presence was barred from entering your minds. Then the clock slowly seems to calm down, returning to a natural behavior, ticking away slowly but steadily - the pendulum swinging like a great hammer. It is 6:20 PM

OOC   This haunt would have assaulted your very mind with horrific scenes of murder in very vivid detail. It might have done some lasting damage, leaving bits of bloody death embeded in you (Winsdom damage), but thankfully Luxanna was able to stop it.   I'll tell you if someone notices   Dice Roll: 1d20+8 (17)+8 Total = 25

[chuckx777]

Esiak slowly approaches Luxanna.

"I am so grateful for your attention to our wounds!"

He touches the area of his neck that took the nasty cut.

"And to your wonderful attention to that possessed clock. Such images I had! Of punishment!"

He turns his gaze toward the threatening mist just beyond the door.

"I hope not to need your help again so soon, Anna, but I must investigate that mist."

He slowly walks to the door and makes a motion as if to step into the foggy void beyond.

 

HP: 13
AC: 16
Touch: 11
Flatfooted: 15
W: +1 F: +5 R: +1
XP: 0
Actions: Converse with Luxana and walk to door/mist.

[sertaki]

Once he realizes what Esiak is doing, Sir Rekkart shouts after him "Don't go in there, you fool!", but the troglodyte doesn't listen and vanishes into the fog. As Esiak touches the mist with his boots, it swirls around him, as if to engulf his body. It is an unpleasant experience with fog strands grasping frantically after him like cold hands. Before he can react, the frosty wall engulfs him and all light that emits from the open door is muffled. The cold runs deep into his body.

OOC Esiak is dealt 6 nonleathal damage as the frosty grasp shakes his very soul. While the way back is hidden by mist, he can easily escape from this situation before more exposure. Dice Damage: 1d6 6

[chuckx777]

"This has achieved nothing, or has it? I can't let this strange frost kill me. I must escape and tell others, who may be able to make some use of my experience!"

Esiak's thoughts stop as the cold runs into his being. As he is cold-blooded, involuntarily his body functions begins to slow before completely shutting down, on the threshold of a stillness that would be like a coma in a human.

Esiak remembers that he walked straight from the door before craning his head back to see when he lost the light from the building. Recalling review of the captives by the Lord he was servant to, he did a perfect about face, being careful not to entangle his tale, and attempt to get back to the building while he is still able.

 

Dice Roll:

1d20+1

(8)+1

Total = 9

 

HP: 7/13
AC: 16
Touch: 11
Flatfooted: 15
W: +1 F: +5 R: +1
XP: 0
Actions: Attempt 'Escape Artist' to return to the door from the mist.

[sertaki]

You try to struggle free, but the strange mist did not actually inhibit your movements. It is easy enough to get out of it, and the strange coldness fades swiftly once you leave it and return into the light. The jurors have gathered at the door, looking at you in surprise, as if they had already been sure you wouldn't return. "See? Nothin' to fear!" shouts out Talbrak, rushing towards you to lend you a hand in returning - supporting your walk even though he is much smaller. The dwarf has a reassuring smile on his face. "You're cold as a troll's behind lizard boy, get back in the warmth." Once he helps you back inside, Sir Rekkart shuts the door behind you. "No point to walk out there again - damn, I thought you were done for." he says with a grim face. Ebin watches nervously, spinning a sap around in hands. Killian seems to put on a straight face, but takes a sip from a hip flask to steady himself.

[wodine]

René René takes no interest in the idiocy of the Troglodyte. He continues to stare intently at the clock. Tick Tock goes the clock. Standing in the hall. René runs a finger down the clock and casts detect magic to see if there is anything he can gleam about these haunts from an arcane perspective. René begins singing again, an eerie and haunting rendition of a child's nursery rhyme. Tick Tock goes the clock. Telling the time to all. René circles the clock while continuing to focus on the clock and surrounding area. Tick Tock goes the clock. It’s time for you to go to bed. When he looks over and sees everyone fawning over the miraculously not dead Troglodyte René thinks to himself It isn’t every day I meet someone crazier than I am. Tick Tock goes the clock. Put down your sleepy head. Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock, sounds the Clock! René chuckles as he finishes his nursery rhyme and walks over to join the others. If you have a death wish Troglodyte, I’m sure Malgrim here would be happy to garrote you and save us all a lot of time and energy, isn’t that how things are handled on Grindle Street, Malgrim? René does not yield the Hobgoblin enough time to make a response, Now if we are done dallying here I suggest we press on to find some way to get out of here, and I would suggest the pretty cleric or Sir Rekkart lead the way, so we may further benefit by their suffusion of the divine.

 

OOC Dice perform check: d20+2 (10)+2 Total = 12 Dice knowledge religion: d20+4 (12)+4 Total = 16 Dice spellcraft: d20+8 (7)+8 Total = 15

[chuckx777]

"Thank you, Talbrak. And the gentleman questioning whether I have a death wish is justified in his frustration."

Esiak takes a moment to allow his body to return from its movement toward a dormant state in the chill.

"I have always been taught that if there's a way in, there's a way out. I was a unable in that mist to sense a way through or out. The cold that it pushed into me, nearly shutting me down, was as an intelligence. The strands of fog moved into me as hands and then into me, joining me."

He looked back through the door.

"The first choice of a way out is certainly not there."

 

HP: 13/13; Non-lethal Damage: 6
AC: 16
Touch: 11
Flatfooted: 15
W: +1 F: +5 R: +1
XP: 0
Actions: Return from the mist.

[sertaki]

"Then we will have to play Mord's little games it seems." says Killian,the glow in his eyes gone. "And he will kill us all." adds Halgrak the half-orc without looking up.

Malgrim When Malgrim hears René talking, he mostly ignores the boys antics - until his name is uttered. With an angry grunt, he walks swiftly towards the clock leaning on his shoulder and speaks something quietly into René's ear - almost whispering. Then, with a grim look in his eyes, he turns away to face the nearest door and opens it with a kick, vanishing in the darkness in the western room. After less than half a minute you hear the man shouting, and the sound of metal whipped against old wood reverberates throughout the house. "Bloody birds! Mova ya' asses in here, idiots!"

OOC As she is near enough to the scene, Luxanna might be able to pick up what Malgrim said with a Perception DC 15 check. All others must beat a Perception DC 25.   You hear the followin uttered by Malgrim: "You seem to know a few things huh? Looking the bookish type. Always stickin' your nose where it does not belong. Keep on and I'll make sure you wished to go nutters like your dear aunty. Only then will I crush your throat hard enough for death to come." His voicekept low and guttural, Malgrim covers René's face in smoke.   Dice Intimidate (Malgrim): 1d20+11 (20)+11 Total = 31 René is shaken for 4 rounds from this unpleasant experience with a hobgoblin up close. Malgrim went into a pitch-black room. The dim light from the main hall illuminates only the first 10 ft, but you can almost make out Malgrim's shillouette deep inside, striking at something with a whip of some kind.

[wodine]

René René’s eyes are wide with fear as the hobgoblin storms off in the other direction. His pale skin gone even whiter with his back tensed up against the clock. His breathing labored, anyone who strains to hear can hear him whispering to himself Told you we should have kept our mouths shut… René slams his open palm against the clock and begins to stutter another rhyme, Wh…whe…whe…When ghosts and goblins come t…t…t…to town, and the sk…skeletons all dance around…Ugly monsters jumping up and d…d…down…close your eyes and count down… René slides down into a squat with his back against the clock and begins to count down from 10 to 1. His breathing normalizes and he takes a long drink from the flask in his jacket before standing make up and turning around to look back at the clock. He stares intently into the face of the clock and Dice knowledge local: d20+8 (6)+8 Total = 14 wonders if there is anything significant about 6:20 or if the clock is functioning properly, is this when the bluff fell? or perhaps when the jury convicted Mord? or something else all together? or perhaps and ordinary clock? René ponders ignoring the screams of the hobgoblin while continuing his fixation with the clock.

 

STATBLOCK René HP: 6/6 Senses: Initiative: +1; Perception: +1 AC (Normal, Touch, Flat): 11; 11; 10 Saves (Fort, Ref, Will): +0; +1; +3 Arcane Resevoir: 4/4 (daily) At Will: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost, Open/Close Spells Prepared Level 1: Mage Armor, Hold Portal, Charm Person Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Draconic, Aklo, Abyssal Traits Magical Talent – Mage Hand, Tireless Logic Notes: Potent Magic – Each point from Arcane Reservoir spent increases CL by 2