...I am begining to think they are setting me up...

Rois Vindmel was nothing if not an idiot. You can only assume his was the body you found floating in the captain's cabin. The damned fool not only let them destroy him. He let 'them' destroy an u told number of the city's populace as well.

But perhaps it would be best to start at the beginning.

Vencarlo helped haul you all back into the boat, as well as the locker you had found. Evening was approaching, and all you could think about was your wounds and dry clothing. Vencarlo was prepared. As soon as you reached shore, he provided you all clean if cheap robes and some healing salves. Selvin has a bandage wrapped around his midsection and Vaddis has a few lengths of cotton gauze encircling his leg. But that is mostly to keep the wounds clean. The magic and a night before the fire are working wonders on healing you all up. You should soon be as good as new.

Once back at the inn, you had attacked the locker. It was easy enough to get into once steel was brought into the equation. Inside you found various papers, the ship's log, and one of those accursed coffers. You turned to the paper first, leaving aside the coffer for review later.

The papers told a story. A story of a foolish man. Rois Vindmel was listed as the nominal captain of the Direption. Though from his entries you get a sense that Vindmel couldn't have captained his way out of a pillow case. The ship was deeded to 'R Davaulus' from a group only known as 'B7'. None of you have a clue who B7 is. But Davaulus..well. The head of the Queen's physicians is Rogero Davulus. You saw him in the Palace courtyard just the other day. It could be coincidence but not likely.

Vindmel sailed the Direption, who's cargo was ambiguously labeled as samples, from the north to Korvosa. Worse, Vindmel does little to hide the fact that he was a member of the Cult of Urgathoa in the log. Reading between the lines, it sounds like the whole crew was. Followers of the Queen of Illness. A ship full of 'samples'. And now this plague. It doesn't take much to follow the lines.

Vindmel seemed to have had no knowledge of the contents of the hold. He was simply following the orders of someone named Andisain. The last entry made must have been written just as the Direption began to move into the harbor just outside the city. Vindmel found himself alone on the ship. All his crew had disappeared, abandoning him to take the last of the voyage on his own. Thoug the logs don't detail what occured next, you can work it out. Vindmel must have aimed the ship towards the shore, hoping to flee before the city guard began to fire on the ship. He must not have been succesful. The hag must have boarded the ship as it was sinking and locked these documents into the water-tight locker until she could peruse them later at her leisure.

You all fall asleep that night, well aware that beyond the inn's walls, hundreds if not thousands of people are sickening and dying from Blood Veil. As you awake the next morning, you can hear the death carts rattling through the streets outside. A glance out the window shows the carts are filled to the top with bodies. Vindmel was at least succesful in his mission, whether he meant to be or not.

The innkeeper is absent as you come downstairs. His daughter is running the front room by herself. She looks tired. "My parents are just resting," she mutters to any questions. They must be sick as well. She sets a note down with the bread and ham. It is addressed to Tarrov. A reminder he is to entertain tonight at the Corawyn mansion.

I'l let you ask any questions, etc before we move on
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Fri 12 Dec 2014.

---

---

"Well," said Tarrov, exhaling as he sat back in his chair.  "That is interesting information.  But what can we do with it?"  He directed his questions towards Vencarlo.  "The Queen's physician is apparently connected in some fashion, but I imagine it would be difficult arranging a meeting with him, or getting him to give us truthful answers to our questions if we did.  Maybe a late-night excursion to his quarters could unearth some additional information?  But I'm not sure any of us," he waved his arms around the room, indicating himself and his companions, "would be as adept at that as you, Vencarlo."

The bard picked fitfully at his borrowed robe.  It just didn't have the same feel as the fine clothes he normally wore.  And he felt almost naked.  But there would be time to worry about later.  "What about this 'B7' organization?  Does anyone know anything about that?  Or know who this Andisain character might be?"  Tarrov thought hard about the names, trying to think of anything he might have heard about either of them.

OOC:

23:40, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 24 using 1d20+8. Knowledge Check re Names.

---

---

Nothing springs to mind.

The physicians are ensonced in the royal palace. Not impossible, but it would probably be difficult. I leave that up to ya'll to decide. Let me know so I know how to proceed.

"I'm not sure revealing our hand to the Queen or her physicians is our best course of action. If we're caught, that's it. Then again I'm not sure what a better idea would be unless this plague is just going to up and vanish tomorrow," the orc says, as he mulls it all over. His hand goes to the vial of antidote they had been given. He'd yet to take it, but every time they had to cross the streets, it certainly became tempting. Still, in times of trouble, his harrow deck had never led him astray. Though they gave a grim read out today.

This time, I got the Eclipse, so that's +2 to a Wis check today

"I'll let you make the decision."

Izzick drops a hand to his deck. Perhaps a simple reading. Four cards then. One for each of the cardinal directions. A quick, to the point reading.

The first card...a man leads  woman through the steps of a walt. Behind them a harlequin plays a fiddle. But the card comes out upside down. The Dance, inverted.

The next card...a flock of crows descending upon the aftermath of a battlefield. This card is usually representative of murder.

The third card is also ominous. People being dipped alive into vats of hotwax and set out on display for paying customers to view. The Waxworks. Imprisonment snd torture.

The last draw is an odd one. Seemingly by accident the half orc pcks up two cards t once. They seem stuck together for a moment. The one that shuld have come up is The Lost. A woman wanders the hallways of an asylum, pulling her hair out while behind her people howl at a moon peeping through windoes covered in thick metl bars. But the card that was attached flutters down to the table, landing atop the inverted The Dance card. A gnomish mage is looking wide eyed at a tome of knowledge, pointing at  passage he had not noticed until now. The Hidden Truth. Something revealed.

On the face of it, it appears that the Harrow is simply saying you will find what you seek after much evil is met. But what is off isn't this extra card. It is the first card you drew. The only inverted card that has come up. The Dance...

Didn't somebody say something about a ball being held this evening?

Selvin was glad to be healed a bit as well as his ally and companions. And to be out of the water. Sharks. He didn't like them. He thanked Vencarlo for his aid (and foresight).

Once back at the inn, he glanced at the documents, reading them with a frown. He listened to his companions and licked his lips. "Right. I agree. Let's not go tippin' our hand t'the Queen or physicians..."

His voice lowered, and he looked around before speaking, "Do we...do we think the Queen is behind this? I mean she's been actin'...odd an' brutal. First that guard turns against her. Then the deal with the girl we saved an' had t'be re-saved by Blackjack...now...this..."

Anyone? Need to know what you wanna do, go to the ball, sneak into the palace, something else?

I say go to the ball, as my dialogue fell flat.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:44, Tue 16 Dec 2014.

"Agreed, the ball it is then."

The address for the Corawyn Mansion is in a well-to-do neighborhood in southwest Korvosa. As you head that way, the streets grow wider and better paved. The buildings are newer or at least better kept. There are more trees and shrubs. Even the rats look cleaner.

But regardless of the average median income, you still see signs of the epidemic. Death carts still roll by. Businesses are still locked up tight. People peek out from behind curtained windows to watch you walk past. The sun begins to dip in the west.

You leave the road to walk up a short but winding private drive. The estate is surronded by a high, stone wall. On the other side you can see a thick canopy of trees. Bloodwood and elm mostly. Costly trees to maintain in this climate. A couple of birds twitter inside the wall. You don't hear any other sounds though.

The front gate to the estate is a thick wooden door set into the wall. Oddly, there is no one around. No guard or valet is waiting to see you in. There are several carriages parked a little further down the drive, in front of a stables that must be set up for the draw horses. But you see no movement down that way either.

There is a bell and pulley set up just beside the closed gate. Perhaps you need to ring for entrance then. As you come closer, you see one odd thing. The pull rope on the bell is stained black in one place. Dried blood from the looks of it.

"Hmm, something odd going on here. Should we ring the bell?"

Selvin shook his head. "I think this is bad. That...looks like dried blood. I think I should summon my friend." He sits down and begins chanting unless stopped.

---

---

What was going on in Korvosa?  Tarrov had lived in the city all of his life and had never experienced even one of the things that had happened in the last couple of weeks, much less all of them.  The city truly seemed sick.  Something dark was at work, of that the young bard was sure.

"No guards and no servants at a formal ball?  And no music?  No conversation?  No one stepping outside for a private meeting?"  The silver-haired man shook his head.  "This isn't right.  We should definitely be on our guard.  Something has happened here."  He looked at Vaddis.  "I wouldn't ring the bell.  It might alert whoever has done whatever has happened here.  At worst we stumble into a surprise party and make our apologies.  At best we surprise whoever's done this."  He gestured to the building in a general sort of way.

"Summon your friend."  Tarrov nodded at Selvin, then looked at the others.  "And make whatever preparations are needed.  Something bad has happened.  And whoever did it might still be here."

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Wed 17 Dec 2014.

Sorry had meant to suggest it, but got busy before I managed to post

While his race had often been a problem at such social events, the half-orc had made good to look good, as well as applied some of his most expensive perfumed cologne. He knew it tended to impress the well-to-do. But the night was quickly playing out more like a horror story told in the abandoned buildings of Racker's Alley than a nigh at the ball. A scroll of Shield came out into Izzick's hand, making certain he was ready to cast it at a moment's notice.

"Do you hear anything?" he asked, quieting them all as he tried to listen as well. Maybe it could let them know who or what awaited them inside. Though his senses seemed to fail him if there was anything to hear.

01:41, Today: Izzick rolled 1 using 1d20-1. Perception.

Though Izzick himself is useless to the cause
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:58, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Vaddis checks to see if the gate is open.

Map uploaded to group 2

The gate swings open easily, though it creaks. The squeal sounds louder than it actually is given the unnerving silence. A path extends up past the gate to a series of wide stone steps. At the top of the steps sets the manor. In the moonlight, you can see a small trail of dried blood leading up to the manor door. Someone was bleeding as they came or went.

The manor consits of a two story house with a hedged in garden behind it. The hedge is higher than a man and blocks your view of the garden. There is an outbuilding set at one end of the hedged garden. Probably a servants quarters or storage shed.

You can see lights inside the house through the windows. Shadows move across a couple of windows, so someone is home. But you can hear nothing. There is no music or chatter of conversation.

You all finish your preperations.

You can go up to the front doors. Look in the wondows. Duck through the hedge. Or what have you.

_"Window?" Vaddis questions the others.

Selvin stretched as his ally arrived and melded over his body. He nodded at Vaddis' observation and then realized he was asking a question. "Not goin' through the door?" He moved towards the manor, loping on all fours. He gave a shrug.

---

---

Tarrov made an intricate motion with his fingers, then pointed first at Vaddis, then at Selvin, then at Izzick.  "Here's a little trick I learned," he said, and all could hear his voice whispering in their ear, even though he was standing several feet away.  "You can all communicate with me wherever you go on these grounds, and I'll be able to communicate with you.  Just whisper something, and I'll hear it."

He pointed to the hedge-obscured garden.  "I think we should ensure that no one is outside, first." He pointed to the trail of blood.  "Someone could be injured, or hiding, or both.  They could let us know what happened here.  Also I don't fancy being ambushed by someone left outside, or having them alert whoever's in the house to our presence."

With that, he moved quietly up to the hedge and inspected the garden as surreptitiously as he could.

OOC:  Tarrov casts Message.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

I'm assuming Vaddis and Selvin are looking through the nearest windows first. These would be the ones on each side of the main door. Also assuming Tarrov is peeking through the hedge and Izzick is keeping watch. Uploading an updated map to group 1

The two sets of windows on the front of the manor look into small rooms. To the east of the door is a small drawing room. A couch is visible as well as some chairs. The room is lit by a ornate lantern suspended from a finely wrought chain hanging from the ceiling. The room looks deserted, though the couch faces away from the windows and anyone sitting on it is not visible from your vantage.

The windows to the west of the front door look onto a small gaming parlor. A round table surronded by chairs takes up most of the room. It looks like a game of mah jong tiles had been set up for entertainment. A man is seated at the table, his head slumped down on the table top. Blood is caked onto his neck and it looks like the back of his head has been caved in. You see no sign of him breathing.

Peering through the hedge shows a grizaly sight. A woman is laying face down on the grass in the middle of the garden. Her fine gown has been shredded, and it appears she crawled out a backdoor before succumbing to her wounds. She os dead as well. Some birds are already dining on her.

Selvin and Vaddis, as you cross from window to window, you can make out some faint sounds behind the front door. It sounds like footsteps. Quite a few. The gait of them is odd. Slightly rhythmic but horribly offbeat. There are some thudding sounds as well. But they sound more faint and are probably farther inside the house.

Feel free to move around to the side to look into more windows, climb through a window, open the front door, enter the garden, or what have you.

Izzick stays around the front of the yard, trying his best to keep a good look out for the group, listening for any messages while ready to send any message warning he needs to, all the while, the tattoo on his arm seemed to crawl from his flesh, forming a solid black scorpion that remained just as alert as he did as it crawled across his clothing. Then again, his thoughts were still elsewhere with the plague seemingly so advanced and unstoppable now.

Bring out my Scorpion familiar so I gain Alertness (completely forgot about that)

But I still can't roll at all
02:28, Today: Izzick rolled 4 using 1d20+1. Perception.

Vaddis goes to the door and opens it.

Selvin did a double-take as Vaddis, who had wanted to go and he though through the windows, now move to the front door. Selvin bounded after him and stood behind and to the side as Vaddis opened the door.

Updated map

As you get closer to the front door Vaddis  you see speckles of blood on the porch and door itself. The handle is covered as well, as if some bloody handed fool had taken a hold of it.

The door swings easily inward. You are staring down a short hallway into a large foyer. There are doors to your right and left leading into the two rooms you saw before.

The foyer was once probably an elegantly decorated room. Large, open, breezy. There are a number of fine paintings on the walls as well as a few small statues. The floor is made of polished tile that almost gleams. Or would if it weren't for the gore.

It's hard to tell how many are dead because of the dancers. Though the twelve or fourteen you see definitely appear dead themselves. So there are at least that many. Their fine clothes are torn and their pretty faces slashed and bruised. The dancers move gracelessly around the foyer, dancing to music that isn't there. Sometimes they stumble as they trip on a body laying on the floor. Othertimes they just stomp on it.

They ignore you as you stand in the doorway.

---

---

"That," whispered Tarrov through his mystical link with the others, "is really strange."  He had come up behind Vaddis and Selvin as they stood in the doorway.  He looked pained at the sight of the dancers; among all the strangeness he had encountered lately, he had never imagined that the violence would spread to his own community of entertainers.  "What is going on here?  That is definitely not natural behavior."  He indicated the marionette-like figures moving about the room.  "Are they compelled, or controlled, or what?"

---

---

"They are dead." Vaddis replied via the 'message'.

The dancers continue to shamble through a waltz. They show no signs of interest in you.

"Is someone there?" You can't see the woman who has called out to you. It sounds like she is further inside. Perhaps on the staircase inside the foyer but out of view. "Are you from the Girl's Youth Brigade? Selling cookies maybe? Because I would just die for a honey lemon wafer right about now." She giggles. "There's been alotta that goin' around tonight. So anyhooo...why don'tcha come on in? We'll make some fuuuuuddddgeeeee"

Selvin watched the dancers and shook his head. Then the girl's voice called out to them and giggled. Selvin had a disturbed look on his face. "Okay. She sounds creepy."

Nevertheless he moved in and towards the voice.

Vaddis follows, detecting evil!

---

---

Tarrov gave Selvin a disheartened shrug.  "I think creepy is our best-case scenario right now," he said as he followed the others towards the voice.

---

---

While Izzick kept his eyes on the entry way, he couldn't help but hear the sudden whispers of his companions about the going ons behind him. He only needed a peek down the hall before he seemed as surprised and shocked as the rest. Through the message spell, he sent "Should I head in with you? Everything out here seems clear." He wondered what was going on, but no matter what, he figured his talents might be more helpful inside than out at this point.

You come to the archway into the foyer. The dancers seem to ignore you as they continue to whirl. To your right are the stairs leading to the upper floor.

Perched on the railing above, on a mezzanine above, is a woman. Her large elongated ears give her away as an elf. Nothing else about her seems at all of this world. She has dressed herself as a harlequin, complete with red and black checkered robes, a pointed hat with small bells on the end, and shoes that end in curly que toes. The bottoms of those shoes are caked in gore. Her gloves are covered in crusted blood. And she holds two eyeballs in one hand, juggling them between her fingers the way some people slip coins between the knuckles of one hand.

She screams evil. Not that you probably needed a sixth sense to make that out.

"Creepy?"  She cocks an eyebrow in mock surprise. "I was goin' for a whole more psychotic vibe. 'Creepy' are old guys with too much nose hair. But enough about my love life. Look!" She holds up the eyeballs in front of her own and scans you wth them. "I SEE DEAD PEOPLE!"

She tosses the eyeballs away. They fall down to the floor of the foyer and splurt like two grapes. "Le's see here...we got a pretty boy...a lunk head wearin' holy lookin' stuff...an orc mutt... " She frowns at Selvin. "...whatever tha hell you are. A house fulla zombies. The toy surprise Rolfie boy left me. And me. Your ravishing hostess this evening. It's my seventh birthday all over again. ATTENTION MY WARRIORS! KIIIIIIILLLLLLLLL THEEEEEEEMMM!!!"

She holds up one hand over her mouth and giggles. "I've kinda always wanted ta say that..."

The dancers are obviously turning to attack. Seven of them at the moment. She is on the floor above you, so ranged attacks or such against her. Her location is at the top of the stairs and one floor up.

The zombies got a 10 init. You guys roll init and attack. Or what have you.

---

---

"Aren't elves supposed to be good?"  Tarrov complained as he thrust out his hand, fingers splayed, and uttered an arcane command.  Immediately the floor beneath the four closest dancers was covered with a slick grease, causing them to start slipping and sliding . . . .

OOC:  21:49, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 21 using 1d20+1. Initiative.

Standard Action:  Cast Grease.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Mon 29 Dec 2014.

08:09, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 19 using 1d20. Initiative.

A mutt? Izzick certainly didn't appreciate the term, but he didn't respond either. Calling her a psychopath when she herself already had seemed like useless back in forth when there were far more pressing matters. "Are they dead?" he asked about the dancers to his allies, "Or just controlled?" He wasn't sure how he felt about murdering innocents if some of them were simply being puppeteered. As he grabbed  for his crossbow, he took aim for the harlequin - better the master than the slave.

08:37, Today: Izzick rolled 16 using 1d20+6. Initiatiative

Crossbow attack:
08:38, Today: Izzick rolled 22 using 1d20+6. Attack.
08:39, Today: Izzick rolled 8 using 1d8. Damage

Selvin tilted his head at the clearly-crazy woman as she rambled on. "I'm a half-elf, crazy girl." He tried to figure out what he could from her speech but then got distracted by the dancers coming towards them. He let out a growl and charged one of the dancers, not the ones with the grease under them, trying to keep part of the attackers focused on him.


AC: 21. Initiative 18. Attacks: 24 (damage 10), 12 (damage 11 if that hits), and 23 (damage 9). 10 misses for sure.

09:59, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 18 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
10:02, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 24,12,10,23 using d20+7,d20+7,d20+7,d20+7. Power attack charge pounce on 1 or 2 dancers.
10:03, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 10,9,11 using d6+7,d6+7,d6+7. Damage for the 24 and 23, and 12 just in case.

Vaddis, you can go ahead and act. Izzick, they are dead. No need to hold back.

Three of the zombies stumble and fall under Tarrov's slip and slide. The fourth manages to stay up, mostly by shambling over the backs of it's fallen comrades. Another comes to pieces under Selvin's claw and tail. The other two move forward as well.

"Hey now! You could poke an eye out with that thing!" In a moment, Crazy Girl's prediction almost comes true as  Izzick's bolt slams into her shoulder. Her mouth contorts in a snarl as she reflexively grabs the bolt sticking out of her. "SCRUUUUUMMPPPPPERS!!!" she hollers for some reason. Likes to yell, this one does.

There is a sound from the back of the mansion. Something large seems to be moving.

---

---

Tarrov stepped back from the zombies and began to recite an impromptu song to inspire his friends.

Performers can get in a rut.
As these ones here seem to have.  But
All these dancers?  Mostly dead.
Have you heard what the wise men said?
You shouldn't bring the fallen back
It shows that you're on the wrong track
An indication you've gone bad
Now that you have?  We're kind of mad!

OOC:

Standard Action - Inspire Courage

All party members get +2 "to hit" and +2 damage.

---

---

Vaddis steps to the nearest zombie and slices it hard with his sword.


09:02, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 27 using 1d20+11. longsword attack.
09:02, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 10 using 1d8+5. longsword damage.

Selvin didn't like the sound of her screaming and something seemingly answering her by coming this way. He attacked another dancer or two, attempting to help cut them down before whatever it was that was coming got there.

Full Attack (hit AC 14 for 11 damage, AC 25 for 12 damage and critical hit for 25 damage!!!).

09:00, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14,8,27,25 using d20+7,d20+7,d20+7,d20+7. Power-Attacking Dancers.
16:58, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 27 using 1d20+7. Crit confirm.
09:00, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 11,12,13 using d6+9,d6+9,d6+9. Damage on dancers (not sure if 14 hits).
16:59, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 12 using 1d6+9. Critical damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Wed 31 Dec 2014.

Izzick's crossbow took aim, "Scream all you want lady. Scrumpers smumpers." With another bolt locked and loaded, he fired off yet another round at the controller of the undead minions. He'd leave the undead dancers to his companions. The song seemed to bring a grin, bringing Izzick to focus his aim to make for a very well aimed shot.

16:57, Today: Izzick rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Crossbow attack.
16:57, Today: Izzick rolled 6 using 1d8+2. damage.

(Forgot to include the bonus so threw those on to my rolls which were originally 17 and 4)

Three zombies fall apart under Selvin and Vaddis'  attacks. The others still in the room are sliding in Tarrov's slick.

"OH C'MON!" Ms. Yelley screams as the second of Izzick's  bolts strike her.

Celebration is short lived though. The double doors to the east come open. A fresh pack of shambling, dead party guests comes billowing out. But that pales in comparrison to what walks out of the archway to the north. It is huge. A man at first glance well over seven feet tall. He is thick limbed and broad chested. His skin is leathery and reddish of hue. And his head is that of a bull.

But wait! There's more!

It's obvious he has been dead some small while. His neck is twosted at an odd angle. And there is a large gash in his side his guts should have leaked out of a while ago. Perhaps it is from this hole the awful stench emenates from. Because even across the room he smells like a mound of fish left four days in the sun before being doused with buckets of vomit. In other words, Scrumpers stinks. Bad.

"Now," she says, pulling a small flask from a pocket in her costume. "We can party."

The Grease spell occupies the west side of the room. So pproaches to Scrumpers, the new zombies (there are five more coming in), and the stairwell are clear. Everyone make me a Fort. save DC15. Fail it and you are sickened from Scrumpers' odor for 3 rds. I'm still on init 10. Please take your actions. Thanks.

03:18, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 27 using 1d20+9. Fort save.

Selvin grinned at the victory but then as the double doors opened he realized it was a minor victory and let out a small groan. He fought down a gag reflex as the smell of the new 'thing' hit him and tried to overwhelm him. Nevertheless, he charged towards the very large minotaur man and lashed out with the teeth, claws and tail stinger of his eidolon.

Made Fort save.
Charge-pounce on Scrumpers. Hit AC 20 for 12 damage, AC 23 for 12 damage, AC 17 for 11 damage and AC 16 for 14 damage. The attacks are considered 'magical' for DR.
Selvin is at AC 19 for this round due to charging.

07:38, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 25 using 1d20+6. Fortitude save.
07:43, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 20,23,17,16 using d20+9,d20+9,d20+9,d20+9. Charging pounce powerattack on minotaur.
07:44, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 12,12,11,14 using d6+9,d6+9,d6+9,d6+9. Damage for attacks if they hit (in order).

---

---

Tarrov retched from the overwhelmingly bad odors.  He's smelled some pretty bad things in his time, but nothing quite like this.  Still, he managed to throw his hand out and utter the word of power summoning yet more of the greasy substance that coated the floor . . .

OOC:

Standard Action:  Cast Grease on Crumples and any nearby zombies.

00:35, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 8 using 1d20+1. Fortitude Save.

Failed Save.  Sickened for 1st of 3 turns.

---

---

13:45, Today: Izzick rolled 6 using 1d20+1. Fort.

The odors of the monster covered even the elegant smells of Izzick's own cologne. He gagged and reeled from it. Still, through it all, he managed to recite an incantation, creating a beam of pure flame to burn the gigantic Scrumper.

Casting Scorching Ray
13:48, Today: Izzick rolled 15 using 1d20+6. Ranged Touch Attack
13:49, Today: Izzick rolled 15 using 4d6. Damage.

A couple more of the zombies fall to Tarrov's slick. The minotaur however is a bit more nimble. With a speed and grace the others can not manage, he leaps to one side of the slick and braces himself as Izzick's beam burns across his skin.

Selvin  lands two brutal attacks on the minotaur's hide. It slashes back with a bony hand and chomps down on Zac's arm. The eilidon seems to stiffen...

From above, an empty flask flies downwards and strikes Vaddis on top of the head. "Alright boys," Ms Yelley is pointing a polished oak stick at you all. "Here we go!"

A thin beam of white energy springs from one end and slams into Izzick.

Izzick take 5 pts magic missle dam. Vaddis, damage from bottle was negligible. Take your action. Selvin, 14 pts total damage. Also need Zac to save vs DC13 for paralysis. Minotaur is a ghast.

---

---

Gods, the minotaur was undead.  No wonder it had such a foul stench.  But undead or not, it was still surprisingly agile, negotiating the Tarrov-greased floor with relative ease.  The young performer sighed and drew his whip, cracking it out to catch one of the Minotaur's legs and spill it to the floor . . . .

OOC:

I know Tarrov is aghast at this Minotaur!

Free - Maintain Inspire Courage (+2 "to hit" and +2 damage to all party members)

Move - Draw Scorpion Whip.

Standard - Trip Attack Minotaur

21:21, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Whip Trip Attack Minotaur.

Sickened for 2nd of 3 turns.  Inspire Courage and Sickened cancel each other.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Fri 02 Jan 2015.

Selvin and his eidolon companion stop moving suddenly as the minotaur ghast tears in.

07:50, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 10 using 1d20+6. Fort save vs paralysis DC 13.

Vaddis steps to the Minotaur and slices him open with his sword!


12:05, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 31 using 1d20+14. longsword attack Smite Evil.
12:06, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 12 using 1d8+9. longsword damage Smite Evil!

AC 21 vs. the Minotaur.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Fri 02 Jan 2015.

---

---

Tarrov grimaces as he sees Selvin fall under the sway of the minotaur's peculiar venom.  He finishes his performance with a flourishing crescendo, inspiring his friend to fight off the creature's paralyzing touch.

OOC:

Immediate Action:  Cast Saving Finale, allowing Selvin to re-roll his Fortitude save v. Paralysis.

Result:  Tarrov's Inspire Courage ends.

---

---

OOC: Does that mean that I get to act normally this round?

11:03, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 17 using 1d20+6. Fort save vs paralysis DC 13, take 2!

OOC:  You should, since it was an immediate action to give you a re-roll.  It's just like you never failed it!  Although you won't get the +2 hit/+2 dmg from Tarrov's bardsong until he can restart it next round.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Fri 02 Jan 2015.

OOC - Doesn't it last five rounds after you stop like 3.5?

Selvin started moving again almost immediately as Tarrov's magical song reached out to him to help him fight off the paralyzing pain inflicted by the undead creature. He lashed out with all his ally's natural weapons, hoping to hurt the beast more before it could hit him again.

OOC: Assuming Selvin gets his round of actions after Tarrov's 2nd save help.

11:17, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14,24,7,22 using d20+5,d20+5,d20+5,d20+5. Full power attack on ghast.
11:18, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 8,10,11 using d6+7,d6+7,d6+7. ACs 14, 24 and 22 damage.

OOC:  Unfortunately no Vaddis, although I can take the Lingering Performance feat to have the bardsong effects last for an additional two rounds after Tarrov has stopped performing.  Maybe I'll take that one for my next feat, especially if I end up using Saving Finale a lot.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Fri 02 Jan 2015.

Tarrov: So noted on Saving Finale. You may wat to take that feat, but you might...might...be able to wait until higher levels.

Dead Minotaur ignores the whip around his leg and sinks a claw into   Selvin/Zac. It proves to be a mistake as it stumbles backwards and into the arc of Vaddis' blade. The impact sends it rolling backwards and slams it against the wall.

"Fire in the hole!" From above, a small metal tin of some kind lands in the middle of the room. Thick, inky smoke begons to billow outwards from it at an alarming rate.

She's tossed a smoke bomb into the middle of the room. Selvin and Vaddis are near it so will be affected this coming round. Tarrov and Izzy, you are at the south end of the room still, so can still see clearly for the coming round. Selvin, 8 pts more dam. Also, let's have you save against ghoul fever shall we? Fort DC 13.

Still a few zombies flailing in the slicks by the by.

---

---

Seeing that Selvin has recovered from his brief bout with ghoul fever, Tarrov restarts his performance, once again bringing inspiration to his comrades as they fight this monstrous woman and her undead minions.

OOC:

Standard Action - Begin Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage, +2 "to hit" and +2 damage for all party members)

Move - Toward woman (is there a staircase or something via which I can reach her?).

Sickened - Round 3 of 3.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 12:28, Sat 03 Jan 2015.

Vaddis ignores the billowing smoke for the moment and strikes out at the undead minotaur while he can see yet. "Back to the hells you come from undead filth!"


07:59, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 29 using 1d20+12. longsword attack Smite Evil.
08:00, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 9 using 1d8+7. longsword damage Smite Evil!

The blade cleaves into the minotaur's snout Vaddis.  What was left of it's mumified brains makes a nasty gray splatter pattern on the floor and your boots.

Ms. Yelley tchs. "Tch. Rolfie really needs to get some quality control goin' on in his lab."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:28, Tue 06 Jan 2015.

Selvin let out a sigh of relief as the undead fell. He took the moment's respite to cast a quick healing spell on his symbiote, who had been seriously injured by the creature. He chanted a few words and the healing warmth spread over his otherworldy ally.

OOC: Really? A 7 total? Sigh.
10:10, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 7 using 1d10+5. Rejuvenated Eidolon Lesser.

Hey folks.

Apologies for the map situation. I just don't have the tech these days to do more with it. But since a couple of you asked...

Using the square marked E1a as the base:

Vaddis and Selvin are one square north of E1a.

Tarrov is just starting to climb the stairs. This would be two squares down, one square right of E1a.

Izzy is three squares down of E1a.

The smoke is centered on E1a, spreading out two squares in any direction. It will completely fill the room at the end of this turn.

Yelley is on a mezzanine above which looks down on the foyer. She would roughly be standing above the double doors in the east wall. Or was the last you saw her.

I've asked a friend who knows this stuff for advice. Hopefully he can provide me some sort of solution. Ya'lls move by the by.

Let me know if there are questions. Thanks.

---

---

Tarrov increased the tempo of his singing, which seemed to help him move faster as he bounded up the stairs in pursuit of what seemed, in light of all the evidence, to be both a murderess and a necromancer.

OOC: Tarrov casts Allegro on himself (under effects of Haste spell while maintaining bardic performance) and moves up the stairs after the woman as quickly as possible.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 05:28, Wed 07 Jan 2015.

OOC: There are still zombies about as well, right? Mostly in Grease spots but still around?

Vaddis coughs and flaps his hand about in the cloud of smoke, trying to clear it a bit so he can see what he is about.

Izzick enters a fit of coughing, as the smoke begins to billow around the room, filling it and preventing them from seeing where the mysterious yelling jester was headed. He quickly took a few steps back, trying to clear his vision and catch a glimpse of her. Regardless though, his hands fly into the intricate patterns of a spell, as he conjures a small air elemental to clear the room.

Cast Summon Monster II and conjure a small Air elemental at the start of my next turn.

Now, Whirlwind doesn't have a wind speed, but it can damage creatures up to one size smaller (Tiny). Tiny creatures only need to make checks to see if they can move in 20-30 mph winds. So I'm hoping maybe I can move the smoke if you rule it ok? Otherwise, still get a creature that can attack the zombies.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Thu 08 Jan 2015.

Selvin, only zombies in this room are greased. There may be others downstairs. Hint hint. Izzy, good use of the spell and it makes sense. It will take a turn or two to completely clear.

The smoke begins to whirl and thin as a breeze runs through it. The rest of you can dimly see Tarrov breaking up the stairs like a beautiful silver buck.

Yelley looks a little surprised when you burst out of smoke and charge up the last few stairs Tarrov  . She lifts her wand and a streak of bluish light strikes you in the chest.

Below the smoke is thin enough you can see each other dimly.

Tarrov, 5 dam. Everyone else, -1 penalty to actions this round due to the smoke. It will dissapate next round. Selvin and Vaddis, you can see well enough to avoid the grease slicks.

Vaddis turns and swings at the closest zombie, but misses. "Blasted smoke!"


08:32, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 12 using 1d20+9. longsword attack. -1 to hit makes it an 11, miss?

Not wanting to leave enemies behind them if he could help it, Selvin tried to dispatch two of the zombies close to each other in the grease, despite the smoke. "Tarrov! Do you need help?"

09:30, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 26,20 using d20+8,d20+8. Attack on Zombie 1.
09:30, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 25,25 using d20+8,d20+8. Attack on Zombie 2.
09:31, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 10,8 using d6+5,d6+5. Damage on zombie 1.
09:31, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 6,9 using d6+5,d6+5. Damage on zombie 2.

---

---

Tarrov grunted as he ran straight into the light from the woman's wand, receiving a slight scorching.  "Yes, please!"  He responded to Selvin as he sent his whip coiling around the woman's legs, spilling her to the ground.  "Surrender, now!" He said sternly.  "Or you're going to be in a lot of trouble!"  His whip snaked out again, marking the woman's face.  "That's just a taste of how much."

OOC:

Free Action:  Maintain Bardic Performance (+2 attack/+2 damage)

Full-attack action:

10:15, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 5 using 1d4+4. Scorpion Whip Damage to Woman.
10:15, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 28 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack on Woman.
10:12, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 27 using 1d20+10. Whip Trip Attack Woman.

HP:  29/34

---

---

Vaddis, the zombies are prone, so unless you get a fumble or below a five, I'm calling it a hit. Let's just get them out of the way. 'Them' being the ones in the grease that is.

As Vaddis and Selvin make quick work of the flailing zombies, Tarrov cracks the whip. The result is surprising.

Yelley touches her bloody cheek with one hand. And smiles. "Oh don't make me fall in love with you. Blue eyes." She waves the wand and another streak of blue light flashes towards you Tarrov

"Or is that blown out eyes? I always get those confused. But wait! You wouldn't want to kill an innocent bystander would you? I mean the woman in that room..." She jerks a finger at one of the doors off the mezzanine. "Not me. Even I'm not delusional enough to say I'm innocent."

Tarrov, 6 pts. Selvin, you killed two of the zombi. Vaddis, roll your damage and you can swing again if you like. There are only two zombi left. Izzy, the elemental has cleared the air.

---

---

"Argh!" Tarrov grunted again as the light hit him.  "I."  Tarrov drew his whip back.  "Am getting."  The whip lashed out and wrapped itself around the woman's wand.  "A little tired of that!"  With that, he yanked the wand out of the woman's grip.

"And how exactly," Tarrov grimaced from the pain the wand had already inflicted, "am I killing an innocent bystander?"

OOC:

Free Action - Maintain Inspire Courage

Free Action - Maintain Allegro (Haste to Tarrov)

Full-Round Action - Full Attack

21:59, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 22 using 1d20+14. Whip Disarm Woman (+ 2 Inspire Courage +4 Prone).

IF 19 FAILS -

21:59, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 19 using 1d20+14. Whip Disarm Woman (+ 2 Inspire Courage +4 Prone).

IF 19 SUCCEEDS IN DISARMING

22:02, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 7 using 1d4+4. Scorpion Whip Damage to Woman.
22:01, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack on Woman.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 06:05, Sun 11 Jan 2015.

"C'mon now. 's only our first date." She waves her hand as if to dispel the pain from the edge of the whip, Tarrov.

"If I told you how you were killin' 'em, then you would know. Duh. 's like you've never dealt with a psychopath before."

She throws something with her free hand. A small vial that shatters on the floor between you. Another smoke bomb. The mezzanine begins to fill with smoke.

Assuming everyone else is killing zombies. They are dead. Heading upstairs or looking around downstairs? Tarrov, you're upstairs.

---

---

Tarrov grimaced again, this time at the woman's words. "No offense, but this is the worst date ever.  Although I do have a great sense of humor.  Don't you think?"  He thrust out a hand toward the woman, murmuring the appropriate arcane words, before moving over to the door the woman had indicated and listening for any sounds of activity on the other side.

OOC:

Standard Action - Cast Hideous Laughter on woman.  (DC 15 Will Save to Negate)

Move - To Indicated Door

Free - Listen at door.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Mon 12 Jan 2015.

Izzick motioned for his elemental, forcing it to blow up the stairs as a swirling gust of wind in hopes of removing her cover once more. The spell didn't require much to maintain, but with the zombies dispatched, it was all he could do, besides quickly following the summoned monster.

Moving the elemental and myself up the stairs

As he finished off his last zombie and Vaddis finished off his, the smoke began upstairs but Izzick was on it already. Selvin nodded to Vaddis, "Head up t'help out Tarrov while I look around down here?"

Izzick sends his friend into the growing cloud of smoke. The cloud begins to swirl although it isn't disappating yet.

Yelley cocks an eyebrow at you Tarrov "Not really. No. Was something supposed to happen there?" She moves to stand up.

Vaddis and Selvin,  you are hearing noises. From downstairs, to the east, you can hear some kind of soft banging. And from above, on the second floor, you can hear the ceiling creak as someone or something up there seems to be running. It seems like Yelley has started thngs moving again.

Izzy, the smoke upstairs should clear next round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:21, Wed 14 Jan 2015.

Selvin's decision was decided for him. He assumed Tarrov and Izzick could handle themselves. He loped towards the noises to the east to see what that was.

Vaddis heads upstairs to aid Tarrov in ending the psychopath necromancer.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 78):

Thanks for catching that Tarrov. Original post is edited. Here is what you find at the door.

Tarrov, you push your ear to the door as it were and listen. It sounds like someone inside is walking. And there's a creaking sound. Like old metal swinging in a slight breeze.

Alright. We're gonna try a diffeent solution to the map problem. Look at the map on group 1 please. Find your inital. Selvin, you may have a problem seeing yours, but look southeast of the E1a numeric. Please note: 1) I'm giving you both upper and lower floor maps, 2) the orientation has changed. South is to the left, 3) 'Y' is Yelley

Selvin,  you stop momentarily at the archway that leads into the eastern portion of the house. The sounds of scufflng are coming from a door almost straight ahead of you E1d. A door to the south E1e looks busted down and a foul odor lingers from that direction. Scrumpers or whatever it's name must have come from there.

Vaddis and Izzy, the smoke has cleared. Yelley is starting to stand and looks over at the two of you. Then at Tarrov  who is listening at a far door. "Hey. I don't offer a group rate..."

She seems to be hesitating, waiting to see who moves next...

Selvin paused a moment as he looked over the destroyed door that had perhaps housed the minotaur. Did that mean that the noise he was hearing was yet another undead awaiting command to come forth? He listened for a moment at the door and then opened it.

OOC: Hehe. My nat 1.
09:41, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 10 using 1d20+9. Perception.

---

---

Not without some trepidation, Tarrov opened the door to the indicated room, fearing what he might find inside . . . .

OOC:  Move Action - Open Door

Free Action - Observe Room

Standard Action - Reserved until Tarrov finds out what's in the room.

---

---

"Even if he's not as funny as he thinks, I've still go this," Izzick says, as he fires off a bolt of his crossbow. While the shot goes wide, he hopes there's still a bit of painful reminder of the bolts that had hit the woman earlier in the fight.

Ya'll are some door opening folks, I'll tell you that...

"They say comedy's in tha timing Guy..." Yelley watches as the bolt strikes a window at the far end of the hall than looks back at you Izzick  . "Though you do make a compelling argument about the importance of accuracy." Her souless eyes cut to look at Vaddis charging at her. "And on that note..."

Yelley leaps over the railing of the mezzanine and begins to fall down to the floor below.

---

Well...there is one...maybe two...somethings behind the door Selvin  . Meh. How bad could it be, right? You open the door.

Beyond is what appears to be a parlor. Four large, once-probably-comfy leather highback chairs sit in a semicircle with their backs to you, facing a large round table and wall of high glass windows. If it weren't for the ghouls, it might be pretty.

Two of them are busy chewing their way through a corpse that isn't moving while another one gnoshes on a corpse that is moving. A zombie apparenly. There's not a lot left of the corpse to be sure though. Undead on undead violence is never pretty. A fourth ghoul is stradling the top of one of the chairs, biting on the leather like a puppy worrying a rawhide bone.

All four ghouls stop their various forms of mastication and stare at you Selvin. Though don't seem to have stopped drolling though...

---

The room beyond is easy to observe Tarrov. Someone has kindly left a couple of lamps lit in the far corners. They shine into your face, but not enough of a glare to keep you from seeing what there is to see.

It's a bedroom. Probably the Corawyns personal suite. The furnishings are probably very nice and expensive. You can look at those later. You're probably more distracted by the chair and the woman with the bag and that dead guy thing.

Across the room is a desk pushed against the far wall. The desk chair is set back from it and is balanced on it's back two legs. It's kept in this positon by the toes of the woman with the bag on her head. The woman is suspended from the ceiling by the noose around her neck but by stretching her legs, has been able to keep her toes on top of the chair which is trying to tip over. She isn't saying anything, but the bag on her head is pretty thick and covered in blood and dirt and who knows what else. Her hands are tied behind her back.

Sitting between the chair and you is the dead guy thing. He's obviously not a zombie. Probably a ghoul. Or whatever the net step up from zombie is. He moves faster than the zombies downstairs do at any rate. He's already getting up to charge at you.

But wait. There's more.

The dead guy thing has a rope tied around his waist. It's a fairly short piece of rope, about five feet of slack or so. The other end of the rope is tied around the seat of the chair. As Dead Guy moves to lunch on you, the rope gets pulled taunt. The chair starts to move towards Dead Guy. The woman's toes are trying to find a grip. It appears someone's idea of hillarity is about to ensue.

At least that's what you see Tarrov as you open the door to scan the room.

---

"Well I dunno about you guys...but all this dramatic tension is making me gassy." Yelley farts loudly as she continues to fall towards the foyer below. She seems to be falling at a slower pace than should be the usual. Yelley puts her fingers over her lips in fake shock. "Oh! Pardon! Gracious what have I done! Hey Mr. Holy?"

She waves at you Vaddis.  "Can you c'mere an' give me some ettiquette lessons please? I jus' don't know how a lady is supposed to act! And you seem to have that down pat."

Everyone should roll init and take their actions. Vaddis, she is directly below you. Izzy, you can move to either Vaddis or Tarrov. You can see something is charging Tarrov if not the whole of the room. Selvin...well. Good luck.

I'll have the map updated later tonight.

Selvin opened the door, expecting a zombie bumping against the wall or something, stuck in 'can't open door' undead mode. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open at the sight in front of him. Four...ghouls... He quickly tried to shut the door and lock it before the ghouls could get to him.

22:14, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Initiative, or "Uh...can I go first please? I'd like to shut the door".

Vaddis takes his sword point down and dives on top of the woman driving his sword into her!


09:27, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 18 using 1d20+11. longsword attack.
09:27, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 8 using 1d8+3. longsword damage.

Izzick rushed to where one of the doors open as he saw what the bard had gotten himself into. It took only a few words and gestures to conjure forth a line of fire to burn up one of the ghouls.

As much as I love you Vaddis, I think Tarrov might need me more
01:05, Today: Izzick rolled 26 using 1d20+6. Init.

Casting scorching ray on a ghoul
01:14, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Scorching Ray.
01:15, Today: Izzick rolled 12 using 4d6. Damage

Yelley's eyes go wide. "Oh poo..." she manages before becoming the middle part of this particular melee sandwhich.

The two of you go crashing into the floor below Vaddis. You land heavily and get the wind knocked out of you, but it appears you managed to knock quite a bit out of her. Not everything though. She moans and manages a single giggle between her wet, bloody coughs. "...was it...good...fer you...too sweet 'ums?"

---

The ghouls seem surprised as you slam the door Selvin. Sadly, the moment is all too fleeting. Even sadder is the fact the lock is on the other side of the door.

You hear the ghouls charging towards the door. And then you hear something crash into the foyer Room where ya'll fought the zombies.

Hey Izzy. I'll answer your post tomorrow if that's okay.

---

---

Tarrov paled as he saw the situation in the room, which seemed especially perilous for the bound woman.  The young man was no warrior, but he knew what he had to do.  Thanking the gods he had won the part of the whip-wielding adventurer in the recent long-running revival of "The Pirate Queen," he lashed his whip out and around the ghoul's ankles, taking its feet out from under it and spilling it onto the floor.  Still invigorated, he brought the whip back around, opening the dead skin on the creature's chest with it.

Now that the ghoul was temporarily neutralized, Tarrov sprung across the room towards the woman, drawing his dagger and trying to avoid its grasp as much as he could.  Once he reached the woman, he stepped up on the chair next to her.

"Good evening, Miss."  He said as he sliced through the rope attaching her to the ceiling.  "No need to worry, the cavalry's here."  He whipped the bag off her head and gave her a grinn.  "Well, no need to worry about your life, anyway.  Now, your virtue?  I can't make any guarantees."

OOC:

Reserved Action - Full Attack

22:39, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 5 using 1d4+4. Scorpion Whip Damage to Ghoul.
22:38, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 16 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack on Ghoul.
22:37, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 23 using 1d20+10. Trip Attack on Ghoul.

New Round -

Free Action - Maintain Bardic Performance and Allegro

Move Action - Next to Woman, Avoiding Ghoul if Possible, Drawing Dagger.

22:46, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Acrobatics Check to Avoid Any AoO.

Standard Action - Cut Rope

---

---

Thankfully, the ghoul isn't a concern any longer Tarrov. You tenderized that roast and Izzick seared it to a nice, golden brown.

Izzick, you watch the bard stride across the room to rescue the damsal. A quick glance tells the story...and what a horrific one it was. Bound and kept balanced on a chair...having to remain literally on her toes for who knows how long or risk being lynched. And man. She must have some powerful toes.

Tarrov,  the woman almost melts into your arms as you lift her down. Her warm body is trembling against you. Whoever she is, she is in quite good shape. Maybe a dancer hired to entertain at the party.

The bard lifts off her hood.

You both notice her hair first. It appears she is a firey red head. But then...no. She seems to have hair as dark as a raven's feather. No. Her hair is both deep firey red and ebony black. It is colored in an odd checkerboard kind of pattern. Sort of like a harlequinn's costume.

Her face is familiar at least in feature. Yelley is probably the older of the two, though with elves it's hard to be sure. However Yelley's expressions have all born passion and feeling. Psychotic ones, yes. But emotion.

This woman shows no expression as she simply says, "Virtue is a weakness."

Izzick,  the woman pivots slightly on her left hip and brings her right knee squarely and quickly into Tarrov's stomach. Then, just as quickly, she stamps her right foot back down and pivoting again, bringing her left leg up to smash against the bard's side. You can almost hear his ribs crack.

Tarrov, you just took a flurry of blows. 16 total points damage.

Monk Lady got a 21 on init. You may both take actions now.

---

---

"Urk!" Tarrov said as he had the breath nearly knocked out of him.  "I don't think you're showing the proper gratitude to someone who just saved your life," he wheezed.  The young bard nearly retched; he normally had more fun than this when a woman manhandled him with her knees.  He quickly stepped back and lashed out with his whip, taking the woman's feet out from under her.  He then brought his whip back again, trying to mark the woman's impassive face . . . .

OOC:

Free Action - Maintain Inspire Courage (+2 to hit, +2 damage) and Allegro.

Full-Round Action - Full Attack

00:36, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 7 using 1d4+4. Scorpion Whip Damage .
00:36, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 15 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack on Monk.
00:35, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 23 using 1d20+10. Whip Trip Attack on Monk.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 08:42, Sat 17 Jan 2015.

The half orc smirked as the bard's bravado and chivalry backfired, but it was quickly obvious that this was a very serious affair. As soon as the ghoul'd been taken down, of course the trap was that there was something just as bad behind it. He began to make more of the arcane gestures that empowered his spells, letting loose a burst of magic through the doorway.

Are these two women visibly undead as well? If not, then I'll cast Ray of Enfeeblement. If they do appear undead, Magic missile.

Ray: 22:21, Today: Izzick rolled 12 using 1d20+6. Ray of Enfeeblement. vs a monk's touch probably does jack!
22:22, Today: Izzick rolled 3 using 1d6+2. Str.
She'll lose 3 strength if it does hit. (Fort DC15 for half)

Magic Missile option:
22:35, Today: Izzick rolled 9 using 3d4+3. Magic Missile option.

Terrible rolls either way!

Selvin calls towards the group for help as he heads back towards the main room they'd been fighting in. He wasn't in shape to take on the zombies himself. In fact, he cast another healing spell on his ally as he came to a stop near Vaddis. "GUYS! LOTSA GHOULS COMIN'!"

OOC: F**king dice roller! lol
21:56, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 6 using 1d10+5. Rejuvenate Eidolon Lesser.

Is she dead?

In reply to Vaddis Sonaden (msg # 96):

Nope. She's still alive.

Yelley coughs some more blood Vaddis. "Maybe..we can...make a deal here...." She scrunches her face. "...or are you tha die-die-die-evil kinda holy guy?"

---

Izzy, she's alive

The whip manages to snake around her ankle Tarrov. She stumbles to her knees and makes no sound as the whip carresses her check. She does make a sound when Izzick's beam strikes her.

"Cowardly bastard," she mutters, getting one of her legs under her.
Trrov's trip really helped you there Izzy

---

Vaddis, you hear Selvin come rumbling up as there's the sound of something wooden breaking coming from the direction he just arrived from. Must be those ghouls he's talking about.

Selvin, sounds like the ghouls really are coming.

Yelley chuckles. "I guess we do have somethin' ta bargin bout after all. Huh?" She smiles weakly. "I can make 'em stop..."

---

---

"Cowardly?"  Tarrov gritted his teeth.  The nerve of this woman!  "How about attacking the man who just made some serious sacrifices to save your life?  How cowardly was THAT?!?"  Tarrov's whip flicked back and forth, spilling the woman onto the ground yet again, although he couldn't tell if he'd managed to do any damage to her this time or not.

OOC:

Tarrov's all about helping his friends!

Free Action – 5’ step away from Monk

Free Action – Maintain Bardic Performance and Allegro

Full-Round Action – Full Attack

23:57, Yesterday: Tarrov Garrick rolled 8 using 1d4+4. Scorpion Whip Damage to Monk (if 17 tripped).
23:57, Yesterday: Tarrov Garrick rolled 25 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack on Monk (if 17 tripped).
23:56, Yesterday: Tarrov Garrick rolled 27 using 1d20+10. Whip Trip Attack on Monk No. 2 (If No. 1 ineffective).
23:56, Yesterday: Tarrov Garrick rolled 17 using 1d20+10. Whip Trip Attack on Monk.

Bardic Performance Rounds Used - 11/16

Spells Cast:

Lvl 1 – 4/5
Lvl 2 – 1/3

Allegro Expires

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 08:13, Mon 19 Jan 2015.

Vaddis twists his blade inside Yelly for good measure and withdraws it and swings again!

"My sword speaks for me!"

12:05, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 5 using 1d8+3. longsword damage.
12:05, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 22 using 1d20+9. longsword attack.

Selvin looked at Yelley when she mentioned she could stop the ghouls. He looked up to Vaddis, but before he could speak the paladin ended the insane woman's life. Selvin looked around for the rest of his party and thought he heard or spotted the legs of his allies. So he spouted out the arcane words while his hand pulled out a shaving of licorice root from his spell component pouch.

The spell filled Selvin and his allies with a restless energy to move, to act!

Casting Haste on the party. If making a full attack, make one extra attack at full BAB. Movement is increased by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice normal speed. Gain a +1 to attack rolls and +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 101):

Let's have a moment pf silence to mourn the passing of Yelley. The best villans are always the psychos.

"...oh poo..." Yelley burbbles as Vaddis' blade has the final say on the matter. Her gloved hand twitches and then flops downwards. The psycho is dead.

As the final words of the incantation leave Selvin's  lips, the ghouls come bursting in from the hallway. They gibber and howl as they see Vaddis, Selvin, and Zac. 

Upstaors, the monk stumbles again as Tarrov snakes his whip around her ankle. But as she falls she manages to throw herself forward, landing atop the whip. She raises her head to glare at the bard and Izzick  and then pulls her leg backwards. The whip is trapped under her body and she seems to be trying to pull it out of Tarrov's hand by using the strength of her leg. She's been weakened by Izzick's  bolt, but she seems to still have some fight in her...

Vaddis and Selvin, four ghouls are charging in at you. They will go on init 8. Tarrov, she's trying to trap the whip snd pull it free from your hand using her legs. We'll resolve as a strength check. Since my dice continue to love you guys I doubt it will work. Beat a 7. Izzy? You still there? I'll assume you magic missle her next round if I don't hear from you.

Questions?

"Well,thismightsuckabit." Selvin hesitated a moment as the ghouls came around the corner, barely restraining himself and Zac. He then exploded into movement as he charged forward and lashed out at two of the ghouls with a mighty roar!

OOC: 5ft step then full attack. Guessing the 11 misses, not sure about 13.
Damage is 9, 7 and 6, (plus the 10 if AC 13 is a hit).

14:21, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19,11,25,13,17 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10. 5ft step then full attack on ghouls.
14:23, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 9,7,10,6 using d6+5,d6+5,d6+5,d6+5. Damage (not sure if the 13 hits).

Vaddis moves 5' and attacks also. "Time to join your mistress in hell boys!"


17:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 25 using 1d20+10. longsword attack.
17:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 11 using 1d8+3. longsword damage.
17:39, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 29 using 1d20+10. longsword attack.
17:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 9 using 1d8+3. longsword damage.
17:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 26 using 1d20+10. confirm crit.
17:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 8 using 1d8+3. longsword crit. damage.

If one hit drops one, then the other is at a second.

---

---

Now the woman was trying to take his whip!  Tarrov was through playing nice.  He artfully snatched the whip from the woman's grasping hands, freeing it.  The young man took a breath, meeting the woman's cold, emotionless stare with one of his own.

Tarrov's blue eyes hardened into azure ice.

The young performer then unleashed a barrage of strikes on the woman, ripping the flesh away from her face and her body with an assault whose ferocity was matched only by the skill with it was expertly delivered.  The crack of the whip fell in a deadly cadence as Tarrov changed his song to one of vengeance, justice, and retribution.

OOC:

15:13, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 20 using 1d20+2. STR Check vs. Monk to Maintain Whip.

Free Action:  5' Step Away from Monk, outside door.
Free Action:  Maintain Inspire Courage.

Full-Round Action:  Full Attack with Scorpion Whip

15:20, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 14 using 2d4+8. 2nd Scorpion Whip Critical Damage.
15:19, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 12 using 2d4+8. 1st Scorpion Whip Critical Damage.
15:19, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack Crit. Confirmation.
15:19, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 32 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack on Monk No. 2.
15:18, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 28 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack Crit. Confirmation.
15:18, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 32 using 1d20+12. Scorpion Whip Attack on Monk.

!!!!HOLY CRAP!!!!

Bardic Performance Rounds Used - 12/16

Spells Cast:

Lvl 1 – 4/5
Lvl 2 – 1/3

---

---

Izzick's hands quickly and deftly went to work on another spell. The lightning quick harlequin monk couldn't have a second to regain her footing or Izzick was sure he'd be on the receiving side of a few kicks to his ribs. He wasn't particularly fond of the idea. As the blue missiles of magical energy burst out, all of them collided with the sister to Yelley.

00:38, Today: Izzick rolled 7 using 3d4+3. Magic Missile.

Rolled even worse!

Vaddis, sorry. The 11 was just under the damage for one. But you definitely pulverized at least one. Selvin, their AC is 14.

Two of the ghouls come apart into wee greasy bits under Vaddis and Selvin's  tender care. The other two manage to land blows...one slashes across the warrior's pretty face while the other gnashes it's teeth on Zac's arm.

Upstairs the Monk is thrown one way then another by the furious assault of Izzick's bolt and Tarrov's whip. She smashes against the wall, falls, and lays still.

Vaddis...3 pts dam. Selvin, Zac takes 5. Vaddis and Zac will need to save DC13 Fort vs paralysis. Thanks.

Selvin winced as Zac was hit again, but the symbiotic outsider didn't freeze up with paralysis as Selvin had feared. He saw Vaddis get slashed as well and knew they needed to end it quickly, and the two of them dropped two of the ghouls right away! Selvin stepped up towards the next two and let loose another fury of blows.

22:42, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 23 using 1d20+6. Fortitude Save vs ghoul paralysis DC 13.

22:43, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 15,26,24,24,24 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10. Full attack on ghouls.
22:44, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 11,11,8,11,6 using d6+5,d6+5,d6+5,d6+5,d6+5. Damage on ghouls.

Vaddis freezes in his tracks at the attack from the ghoul!

07:03, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 11 using 1d20+9. Fort save.

With their target frozen, Izzick is quick to make use of their hastened state, rushing now to where the ghouls swarm the others. He gripped a bolt and began to load it into his crossbow, knowing that he'd been quite happy slinging spells around just a few moments ago.

Going to move towards Selvin (though staying behind obviously, just crossbow range of ghouls) and reload

The last ghoul pivots to slash at Vaddis,  who suddenly is filled with images of a bright, pure light...

Vaddis, see Tarrov's note in the OOC thread. He has the higher init so his spell does go off. You can reroll your save. Should you fail, I'll let you khow the consequences.

08:00, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 21 using 1d20+9. Fort save.

Let's wrap this up then. Vaddis I rolled your attack and damage. My dice love you guys.

Vaddis shakes his head, eyes blurry for a moment from the light. His blade swings and meets some resistance.

The last ghoul falls down, at last laid to rest. The four of you stare at each other. Then at all the dead and layers upon layers of gore. Outside, it sounds like it's started raining.

Who's doing what? No monsters or psychos at the moment.

Search the bodies, starting with Yelly.

Selvin had learned his lesson for the moment. He stayed near the others and didn't stray but watched over them as they looted and looked around. "That was...not fun. Everyone alright?"

"I was hit, but I'll survive."

"I seem to have made out better than the rest of you if nothing else." The half-orc could see the wounds and bruises on his allies, but he was no healer. "So would the queen do this to her own party, or is the mystery getting deeper by the minute?" he asked, deciding to check if the monk woman had anything on her. Maybe something would clear this all up.

---

---

"I'm pretty beat up," admitted Tarrov.  The front of his shirt was singed from the wand blasts, and now that the adrenaline was fading he was staring to really feel the damage the monk's knees had done to his ribcage.  He fished one of the healing wands out of his pack and pressed it to his side, murmuring the word of activation.  The wand glowed, but it didn't have much visible effect.

"I don't understand any of this, though."  The bard gestured around the house with his wand-holding hand.  "Who were these women?  What were they hoping to accomplish?"  He started searching the house to see if he could find any evidence or clues regarding what had happened here and what its purpose could possibly be.

OOC:

Standard Action:  Use Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

12:47, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 5 using 1d8+3. Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

Knowledge Check re: the sisters to determine if Tarrov knows who they might be.

12:42, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Knowledge Check Re: Sisters.

HP: 12/34

Bardic Performance Rounds Used - 12/16

Spells Cast:

Lvl 1 – 5/5
Lvl 2 – 1/3

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Tue 27 Jan 2015.

Yelley seems to be nothing but pockets. Mot of them filled with small finger bones, dried bits of flayed skin, some gold teeth bound together like dentures that chatter when you wind a small key in the back, a note, a smoke bomb, the wand she used to attack Izzick, a couple of dark purple potions, a small bound leather book filled with arcane symbols, and a quill.

Ms. Monk has little on her. The only two things of note are a gold chain about her neck and her tattoo.

The tattoo is disturbing. It is more a patchwork of scars starting below her right collar bone and extending almost to her navel. Up close, it simply looks like she spent too long in the mouth of a jigsaw shark. If a step is taken back, the scars seem to form a picture. A woman in armor. The gold chain bears the mark of Korvosa on it.

In the bedroom you find a small safe that has been open. A few ledger books lay inside but seem burnt beyond recognition. You do find part of a page near the back of one ledger that has escaped searing. It seems to detail payments to a group named B7. The amounts are large though...more than pehaps the Corawyns, the hosts of this party, could even afford.

The note on Yelley's body also contains some interesting information. Yelley...her real name was Jostilina... appears to have been an apprentice to a necromancer named Rolth. Vaddis, Selvin, and Tarrov,  you recognize the name, though you've never met the man. He was the one whose lab you penetrated under the cemetary to rescue the barbarian's body. He was the one who employed the Derro that tortured the citizens you rescued.

"...you may do as you wish with everyone you find at the ball. Just be sure Carowyn dies. My employer wants no loose ends. Send a message to me at the Hospice on West Docks when it's accomplished. And do not go overboard. We do not want to attract attention."

Seems Yelley/Jostilina didn't take instructions very well.

The potions are Cure Serious. Two total uses. The wand is of course magic missle. 17 uses left. The gold chattery teeth are worth 350 gp. The monk's necklace is worth 50 gp. The quill radiates magic but nothing you can readily identify. The spellbook contains Feather Fall, Ghoul Touch, Interrogation, Spectral Hand, and Marionette Possession.

I'm guessing there weren't any questions. So I'm going to work up the next, and last, section of this book. Everyone tak a level. You'll need ir on the next part.

OOC:  What does Tarrov know about the tattoo picture of the armored woman?  Not Iomedae, surely.  :)  He'll also try and think about what he knows about the B7 group.

20:31, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Knowledge Check Re: Tattoo.

20:34, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 10 using 1d20+8. Knowledge Check re: "B7".

Maybe in the intervening time he can also check his local contacts regarding a B7 organization? 
This message was last edited by the player at 04:35, Fri 30 Jan 2015.

Selvin sighed as he looked over the things that had found and read that name. "Rolth again. That damn necromancer seems t'keep comin' up, don't he? I do believe we're gonna need t'do somethin' about that."

He nodded at the things they had found. "Not bad. Bit o'money there, yeah?"