Drip Drip 1

Log Info

• Title: Drip Drip 1
• Emitter: Pendleton
• Characters: Barbalau Inq2, Hassan Wiz6, Klythos Art3, Redmane Rog2
• Place: Bideyburg, in northern Alexandros
• Time: May 6th, 2014
• Summary: Hired by the Guild of Adventurers, sent to investigate mysterious disturbances.
• APL: 3.25
• Encounter 1: 4 creatures (skinned Zombie Brown Bears, CR 2 each), CR 6 (capped at 5.25, yeah, I know)

The small Halfling village of Bideyburg, in northern Alexandros, has been troubled over the past few days. Something has been lurking in the dark, spooking the ponies, flattening the crops. Mayor Semwell is willing to pay for a few adventurers to protect the town. Will you help them?

The road to Bideyburg is a major trade route to some of the more stable farmlands to the north and a few small mines further beyond. Bideyburg itself is nestled within a series of tall hills that provide it some protection from the elements, and also give it a good vantage point as the easiest path through the region. As you approach on the road, in the late afternoon, the style and size of the buildings suggest most of the inhabitants are halflings. Beyond the town, a bit to the east and away from the main road, glitters a sizeable lake.

Hassan rides in as much style as he can muster. As buying a half dozen men to carry him around in a palanquin is out of the question (savages!), he sticks with a mule driven cart with his parasol stuck in the top, draining a wineskin as he sits in the shade. "At least they'll have decent food, if they don't pick our pockets and pull the gold from our teeth as we sleep."

Klythos has a dog, its a riding dog, and he rides it. The goblin seems rather bored during the trip, whenever they stop he will tinker with some device or other of his, working on them quietly, sometimes humming to himself. When they near the town, the goblin becomes a bit more wary, a hand reaching over to his arm and adjusting a dial on his armor.

The redhaired hobgoblin has ridden his donkey most of the way, walking only when one ass needed a rest from another. He has been relatively quiet and pleasant company for most of the journey, seeming interested only in practicing his Tradespeek and getting to know the other people involved in this little outting. He slides off of Donkey and pats it on the nose saying, "Donkey is good donkey. Can see village up ahead. Look like they definitely half Ling. Hm...never consider how small house have to be to fit one." he muses on this for a moment as he stops to rub his bum then continues on with the others, walking beside Donkey and tugging absentmindedly on its lead when it slows.

The party is met by a quartet of orcs... ?? Oh. And a bunch of halflings, who seem a bit relieved and not a little nervous, both at the trio and the orcs. The orcs are dressed in simple leather armors, with a blazon of a white tulip.

As the three of you come to a stop, the middle two orcs make way for a very corpulent and officious halfling in a big flowery hat with more symbols of tulips on it. Clearly the mayor.

"Welcome to Bideyburg, I am Mayor Semwell, my ... fine... mmm. You must be the adventurers I called for. Well, no matter, let us sit and half a meal. I will relay what information we have, eh? Talbash, you and your men keep watch outside."

The mayor and his entourage lead you to a small house, while the townsfolk mill about, each peering at the adventurers before muttering amongst themselves.

Orcs, Gobs, and Halflings? Hassan makes mental note to lay arcane locks on every openable container he owns. "A pleasure, Mayor Semwell. I, for one, welcome a halfling meal after three days subsisting on rations." Rations must be some Veyshanti codeword for wine, expensive cheese, and drugs. Hiking up a robe hem, he steps down from the cart, flexing and stretching his scrawny frame to work out the stiffness.

Klythos dismounts from his dog, a hand reaching once more to adjust another knob on his armor. *click* *click* The noise from the turning is faint, but seems to make the goblin happy. He follows along with the group, sniffing faintly as they get closer to the house, whats to eat?

Redmane peers curiously at the orcs then the halfling mayor as he steps forward. Shrugging a shoulder he nods and follows the mayor willingly enough after tying up his donkey to the nearest hitching point. Ducking his head he moves into the small house with the others. He doesn't seem to want to be the frontman on this little venture, so he hangs back and lets the others do the talking for the moment.

The orcs, always scanning the area, give the party a thorough look-over on the short walk, particularly Redmane. Two take a position outside at the front door, while the other two circle round to the back of the house.

The Semwell house is the largest, part of an inner ring of prosperous houses around the village square and a large well. Thankfully, the Mayor's house, while styled much like traditional lucht homes, was clearly designed to accomodate larger races.

The spacious main room is appointed with chairs of different sizes, and a woman, introduced as the Mayor's wife, Tarianne, directs each of the guests to a seat with a warm, if a touch strained, smile, before directing some younger women (daughters?) to carry out some bread and stew.

Mayor Semwell settles in at the head of the table. He nods vaguely at his wife as she sets down some food. "Well. Introductions, my esteemed hirees?"

But of course. I am Hassan Tevani of Tashraan. Journeyman Transmuter and Master Alchemist, amongst other titles. Please excuse any rudeness or barbarity these goblin-creatures I am with display, they were assigned to this contract by the Guild. I'm sure you can sympathize, what with these Yrchs stomping around." Hassan rattles off in rather fluent Halfling, "The stew smells positively divine, by the way." He settles down into a (hopefully human-sized) seat, observing proper table etiquette like the good noble he is. <halfling>

Klythos looks at the food, picking up a piece and putting it in his mouth. Did you expect manners from a goblin? At the request for introductions, the goblin finishes chewing as he stares at Hassan with incomprehension. Then the goblin looks to the mayor, "Klythos." He looks towards Redmane, obviously having finished his introduction.

Redmane sits without a flourish, though the slippery tongued language Hassan speaks gets his attention for a moment. He lets the others go before him and says finally when they are done, "I Redmane. Please to meet you and your. I hope we can help with problem you have." he glances at the door and mutters, though not quite to himself, "It must be some big problem, those oruchs not able to handle it."

Mayor Semwell nods with a smile to Hassan, chuckling before nibbling on a piece of bread. But his heart doesn't seem into it. "Oh yes. So... for the last week there's been something stirring around the town, something... evil. We had closed the lake access for fishing, due to some contamination. And then the noises, at night... something moving about the fen between here and the lake, then dripping. Even when the sky is clear, this dripping noise, just outside." He shakes himself from some reverie, attempts a smile that comes across more nasty than anything else.

"Which is bad enough, I suppose, but it's been spooking ponies and horses. Some travelers claim there have been abductions at night, although Talbash, my main boy, hasn't been able to find any truth in the matter. I also suspect someone is trying to cause trouble, and I need you lot to catch..."

At which point he is interrupted by a scream from outside. And then a few more screams. Semwell's eyes bug a bit, then he stares at the trio. He gestures wildly. "Go! Save me!"

Hassan is about to take a spoonful of stew into his mouth. In fact he does, while he listens for details and waits for the goblin-folk to get a couple steps ahead of him like a good meat shield. Only then does he rise and move to the door, weaving a spell of protection to be on the safe side.

Klythos turns, having just put more food in his mouth, he grunts faintly and jumps off his chair. As he does he grabs a dial on his armor, twisting it four clicks and then hitting a button next to it. There is a humm and a faint crackle around him as small sparks of electricity leap across his armor in places.

The redhaired hobgoblin is listening along well enough then the screaming and the plea to save him from Semwell confuses him. He vaporlocks for a moment as he translates what he's heard into Arvek, but the screams from outside manage to get him moving finally. Drawing his falchion he moves toward the door and glances at the others before pulling the door open slightly and peering outside to see what's happening before rushing into anything.

Three ... figures are slowly pulling apart a Halfling while the oruchs beside you gape, a half dozen yards away.

Dripping with ... water? The figures are hard to see clearly, in the deepening shadows of early evening. They are large, hulking things, with black, steaming bodies, ropey and slimed. Four limbs, each ending in jagged bones or claws or teeth, and some longer bit filled with teeth that almost certainly is a head.

As the three of you step out, with Semwell cowering but peeking out from behind, the heads(?) of the three swivel toward the house, reddish light oozing from two cavities deep within.

A fourth shape humps obscenely into view, parting the grass at the edge of the fen just visible between two houses, before rising up and staring as well.

Along the main trade road, a short man with reddish curls of hair stands talking to a few other halflings. Well. Was talking. Now mainly staring at the figures.

=============== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===============

---Init--Name----------------Notes--------------------------------------------
    21   Redmane             Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    21   Barbalau            Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    18   Klythos             Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    14   D2                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    12   D3                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    10   D4                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    8    D1                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    7    Hassan              Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================

Redmane moves through the door and sees the creatures. Instead of running into combat he moves to the right, stabbing his falchion into the ground he draws up his light crossbow and begins loading it, readying it to fire at the creatures.

<OOC> Klythos says, "Shooting death ray. Ranged touch, 2d6+4 and tanglefoot DC 15"

GAME: Klythos casts Shield. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

<OOC> Klythos says, "AC: +4"

GAME: Klythos rolls ranged+1: (9)+6+1: 16

<OOC> Redmane notes that I'm going to be a bit slow, helping get supper started

GAME: Klythos rolls 2d6+5: (8)+5: 13

<OOC> Barbalau says, "i can not figure out how to cast a luck ability"

<OOC> Pendleton says, "What's the effect?"

<OOC> Klythos says, "So: Touch attack 16. If that hits, Damage is 13. And the tanglefoot DC is 15."

GAME: Barbalau casts Divine Favor. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15

<OOC> Barbalau says, "i can reroll a d20 on my next attack if choose"

<OOC> Pendleton says, "It hits"

<OOC> Pendleton says, "Ok, just wing it. ;)"

<OOC> Pendleton says, "Barb pose then Kly pose"

Barbalau calls on his Ditey for favor as he advances, a sword in hand, the Manoverer watches and closes distance.

Klythos steps out of the house, looking around at the creatures. He grunts faintly, the humming noise fairly noticable now, his armor producing a shield to protect him. He raises his right arm, pointing the death ray at one of the creatures. Green energy glows from the tubing attaching the death ray to the pack on his back. His left hand adjusts two different knobs on the weapon before it fires out a burst of green goo that crackles with electricity.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 2: (15)+2: 17 (reflex save against tangle)

The skin of one of the creatures snaps and squirms away from the blast in a ... very disturbing manner. Tendrils of viridiscent slime spatter over the squamous shape, not quite pinning it down, but it does seem to move with more difficulty.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (11)+10: 21 (single charge/slam, Kly’s AC is 22)

One of the creatures humps forward with surprising speed, toward the trio. Semwell screams out "Talbash! Unk! Inside, protect me!" before darting inside.

The creature ends its charge by raising one limb and swings it at Klythos' head. Klythos manages to step back, bone somethings scraping juuuust off his the metal on his chest.

Up close... oh gods. The SMELL. Burnt, rot... the head almost looks equine, under burnt skin and ... oh. It's MOVING with maggots and worms and... is that an eel?

GAME: Pendleton rolls 12: (17)+12: 29

GAME: Pendleton rolls d8+6: (5)+d8+6: 11

GAME: You damaged Barbalau for 11 points. 9 remaining.

<OOC> Barbalau grumbles

Another of the creatures darts toward Barbalou, dropping the half a 'ling it is holding, and delivering a staggering blow to Barbalau.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 12: (16)+12: 28

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13

GAME: You damaged Klythos for 13 points. 15 remaining.

The injured, smoking creature dashes toward Klythos as well, and THIS blow actually strikes true. Small bits of worm and flesh scatter with each movement, and there is a slow gurgling from deep within...

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20: (3): 3 (attempt to identify creatures. Enough for most know checks)

GAME: Hassan casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17

GAME: Hassan casts Summon Monster II. Caster Level: 6 DC: 18

Hassan recoils once the smell hits him. Mage armor doesn't protect against that, sadly. Hanging in the doorway, he pauses to study them a moment, before announcing, "I think they are undead." If the maggots and rot didn't give it away. But he is hard at work putting together some sort of magical spell, albeit a slightly long winded one.

GAME: Redmane rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9

Redmane is apparently unable to hit the broad side of a barn, standing on the inside of it. Deciding the crossbow is a losing tactic, he drops the crossbow back down to where it was hanging and grabs up his falchion which is stuck in the ground next to him. He eyes the nearest set of combatants as he readies to move into combat next round.

GAME: Barbalau casts Wrath. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15

GAME: Barbalau rolls 1d20: (17): 17 (concentration check defensive casting. DC 19, plus caster level and ability, enough)

GAME: Klythos rolls ranged+1: (16)+6+1: 23

GAME: Klythos rolls 2d6+5: (5)+5: 10

<OOC> Klythos says, "Touch AC 23, Damage 10, Tanglefoot DC 15"

GAME: Pendleton rolls 2: (20)+2: 22 (reflex save)

Klythos takes the hit from the creature, a thought coming to his mind as he starts to twist the knobs on his death ray, but when Hassan remarks they are undead, he sighs. Once more the settings are changed and the same green goo charged with electricity fires out to hit the creature. Its hurt, but it doesn' slow down.

Barbalau shifts his weight looking reay for his next attack! He calls out to Ceinara and draws the deity's power into his weapon .. looking up his eyes enraged that he was hit he also casts Judgement on the nearest foe.!

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (6)+10: 16 (claw/claw bite)

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (8)+10: 18

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (4)+10: 14

The shambling thing perhaps doesn't take kindly to being judged. Or... or maybe it doesn't think much of anything. In any case, it rears up and swats at Barbalau with both front limbs, which he is able to dodge, before its head (pretty sure, now) darts forth and snaps ineffectually at him.

His pride, perhaps, and definitely his sense of smell have taken a hit, but thankfully, that is all for this round...

GAME: Pendleton rolls 8: (15)+8: 23

GAME: Pendleton rolls 8: (3)+8: 11

GAME: Pendleton rolls 8: (3)+8: 11

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13

GAME: You damaged Klythos for 13 points. 2 remaining.

One of the two things near Klythos shifts closer and rears up to batter at him... one of the claws (hooves? ... somethin) manages to connect and smash him. Hard. Bits of bone and less identifiable bits spray out, though thankfully that's from the creature's limb.

Inside Semwell is screaming about something, and ... dammit. The orcs inside slam the door shut, and it sounds like they are securing it from inside. Nice.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (17)+10: 27

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d8+6: (6)+6: 12

GAME: You damaged Redmane for 12 points. 3 remaining.

The thing in the square notices Redmane, despite the air shot, and slumphs forth... slamming him almost off his feet with a huge kick. Or punch. Or something.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 8: (4)+8: 12

GAME: Pendleton rolls 8: (18)+8: 26

GAME: Pendleton rolls 8: (4)+8: 12

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d8+6: (5)+6: 11

GAME: You damaged Klythos for 11 points. -9 remaining. (DYING)

One of the creatures on Klythos batters at him, and then bashes him to the ground with one of its limbs. There is more screaming from inside the house.

GAME: Hassan rolls Perception: (3)+7: 10 (listening for screams, trying to make out words)

<OOC> Hassan says, "I HEAR NUFFIN."

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12 (earth elemental’s attack)

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d6+7: (3)+7: 10

GAME: Redmane rolls 1d20+5: (15)+5: 20

GAME: Redmane rolls 2d4+4: (4)+4: 8

Hassan's spell finishes, conjuring up a creature of earth and stone from the ground below to defend/avenge the goblin artificer, just as the door is shut behind him and barred, to muffled screaming. Always paranoid, and let's face it, you can't trust any yrchs, Hassan weaves an impromptu spell, turning the door into a hankerchief, which he pockets as he peers back inside. "Calm down, mayor. All is being-" A thud of one of the creatures getting smashed into the dirt...by the dirt reverberates behind him, "-handled."

The redheaded hobgoblin is hurt. He's hurt badly, from the sound of his strangled battlecry, it's probably several broken ribs. He grabs his Falchion in both hands though and slices into the creature attacking him, releasing ichor and a foul odor. After he attacks, he reaches inside his jerkin and pulls out a small vial, preparing to throw it on the creature with his next attack.

And, as it turns out, Hassan is prescient. Sort of. As the doorway opens, a bit of water spills out, and everyone is treated to four dead oruchs and a halfling screaming at the center of a big mass of squirming glistening black tentacles.

GAME: Barbalau rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12

GAME: Barbalau rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7

Barbalau brings down his charged weapon doing very little to the thing he is fighting. Even with his extra prepations the inquisitor seems not to really do much of a dent. He is hurt and he tries to manover a bit out of the way.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (10)+10: 20

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (18)+10: 28 (sigh, really?)

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (1)+10: 11

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d6+6: (2)+6: 8

GAME: You damaged Barbalau for 8 points. 1 remaining.

The creature ain't having none of that, and flails at him. One of the hooves connects bashing him within an inch of his life... perhaps the gods will take note.

The creature humped over Klythos noses his body for a moment, before turning it's leaky gaze on Hassan, then the door beyond. It takes a step and strikes at the side of the house... which suddenly bursts into flames. With a weird reddish wave of... something, in almost a moment the entire house is ablaze.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 10: (14)+10: 24

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d20+10: (12)+10: 22

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d6+6: (4)+6: 10

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d6+6: (1)+6: 7

Another of the creatures strikes at Redmane, and with a powerful battering and biting, soon he is down as well.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+8: (18)+8: 26

GAME: Hassan rolls Spellcraft: (17)+15: 32 (identifying whatever the tentacles are)

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d6+7: (6)+7: 13

GAME: Redmane used a Alchemist's Fire.

It is most definitely not black tentacles spell. There's almost something living about it... actually, it looked vaguely like an elemental

GAME: Hassan casts Grease. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17

Hassan's elemental surges towards the zombified creature that felled redmane, smashing back into in an inert state. "Er, something you forget to mention, Master Halfling?" The Veyshanti quips before he conjures up a thick coating of slippery grease all over the halfling. He was saving that for the brothel, but ah well.

GAME: Barbalau rolls 1d8+1: (8)+1: 9 (CLW potion)

Barbalau looks to Hassan as he quaffs his potion of healing and closes his eyes, as his wounds knit together.

GAME: Pendleton rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30

GAME: Pendleton rolls 2d6+12: (8)+12: 20

GAME: You damaged Barbalau for 20 points. -10 remaining. (DYING)

Just as Barbalau sighs in comfort as his worst wounds knit, the thing hunches forward and... literally knocks him off his feet, landing in a bloody mess a few yards away. The dripping red glows of eyes turn toward the house.

There is a wave of... something, a noxious wind, almost a sigh from the direction of the lake, washing over the square. The two remaining creatures... slump suddenly, worms and eels and other things falling out into an obscene pool. The fire on the house suddenly, inexplicably, goes out. There are scorch marks, but little else. There is a surge of water as the tentacles within dissolve, the now rather greasy, and lifeless, body of Mayor Semwell flopping to the floor. And then there is silence.

Hassan looks around at all the bodies and huffs, producing a wineskin from his satchel. He pulls the cork out with his teeth and takes a long pull before remarking. "Worst. Adventurers. Ever."

After a long (long) few minutes, some of the halfings appear, peering from houses and fields they had scampered down. The mayor's wife, come down the stairs, is kneeling at his side, hand on his chest. A few halflings have come over to Redmane, Klythos, and Barbalau and begun ministrations.

GAME: Hassan rolls Wisdom+2: (7)+1+2: 10

<OOC> Hassan says, "HE DROWNED."

When the goblin artificer is brought back around, he seems slightly agitated, refusing to let anyone remove his armor to treat him. Instead, he crawls off to somewhere clear and begins taking apart a few small pieces of his armor, and building something with small scalpals.

Redmane finally comes around when the healers begin to work on him. The skin on his chest is singed and burned from the alchemist's fire and will likely take a while to heal properly. He sits up slowly and clutches at his broken ribs, muttering, "That not small problem. That /big/ problem...need stronger people than Redmane."

Barbalau will come around after redmane blinking his eyes and he sighs a little looking silently from one adventurer to the other.

The scene ends as a few halflings poke at the messy remains and at least one comments, 'Who the fuck is going to clean this up?'

Fin!