SCG shakes off the magical effect and catches a glimpse of the shadowy figure he does the opposite of expected he tries to appear to succumb to the spell....his shield arm goes limp as his Morningstar likewise hangs loosely on his wrist

Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Bluff to appear to fall asleep
This message was last edited by the player at 21:20, Fri 10 May 2019.

Even having shaken off the effects of the spell clever Constantine "succumbed" to its effects, slumping into a faint at the base of the monument. Its secret aim apparently fulfilled, the mysterious figure crept closer and closer, hovering through the mist towards the prone paladin.

As the figure hove through the mist it resolved into the gnarled, elderly figure of a townsman familiar to our heroes. Gibs Hephenus, the ill tempered old curmudgeon who had harassed the funeral procession on the day of Professor Lorrimor's burial, staggered out of the mist. In his hand, raised high to strike, gleamed the wicked blade of a straight razor. He was clad only in a nightgown and cap, his feet bare, the razor in one hand and the dripping corpse of a farmyard dog dangling from his other.

Just as Gibs was leaning down to cut Constantine's throat Darcon's spell washed over him. He swayed, nearly falling to the magics, but his supernatural resolve won through and his attention snapped to the heroes hiding in the mist. He did not snarl, or scream a warcry, or try to flee. He swayed, like a marionette with broken strings, the razor flashing, before bringing it down to slash viciously at Constantine.

There was a swirl of magic around Gibs, although he made no movement and uttered no spell, and the air seemed to harden and coalesce around him into a shimmering barrier of protection.

---

---

Constantine feigns sleep, luring the hidden figure out of the shadows.
The figure approaches Constantine revealing himself to be Gibs Hephenus.
Darcon casts Sleep, which Gibs resists.
Gibs slashes Constantine with his razor for 5 damage.
A spell is cast on Gibs which Darcon and Keanala recognize: Shield. Darcon knows this to be odd for a number of reasons, firstly he didn't see Gibs cast it, and secondly shield is a spell with target Self, which means you shouldn't be able to cast it on another person.

---

CON - Constantine, 5 damage
GAR - Garland
KEA - Keanala
DAR - Darcon

GIB - Gibs Hephenus  AC 16, Touch 12, Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +6, 20% miss chance, Shield

M - Hearthstone Monument

Garland holds his holy symbol tightly as he raises it into the air as he moves forward. "Pharasma, hear my words and show this man his doom!" he shouts while staring at the man, his spell causing a dark swirl around the two men.

OOC: So I made a critical error, touch of mercy is a 2nd level spell which I dont have access to yet. So I swapped said spells out for some debuffing spells starting with Garland casting Doom on Gibs. DC 14 will save or he becomes shaken

Constantine moves away from and into an upright position.  He takes a weak swing at the man, but misses entirely.

"This seems wrong beyond words, is this man possessed or mad?"

Darcon gritted his teeth in irritation as Gibs was able to shake off his enchantment. Did he shake it off, or is some dark power aiding him? the mage wondered. That the crazed townsman appeared to be having some type of eldritch assistance was obvious to Darcon, with the way he was acting and the way a the battle-spell of protection had appeared around him, but who or what was aiding him was a mystery.

Was it some demon from the abyss Gibs had made a pact with in a crazed bid for worldly power, or was it the Whispering Way, or was it something else entirely? The only way to find out would be take him down without killing him, something that seemed quite difficult to accomplish given the circumstances. Still they had to try...

"Try to take him down without killing him," Darcon called out to the others. Then, focusing his mind he strode forward quickly to flank the crazed slasher as it focused on Constantine and reaching out with a hand murmured two quick words of power, "Fulmine Tactus."

The strange tattoo on the inside of his palm crackled as there was a flash of blue light followed by the smell of ozone & burned flesh wafting in the air...

---

Move to 8-F

Garland called down necromantic energies on the reeling Gibs, a darkness that seemed to resonate and grapple with the animus that lit his face. There was some strange interaction there, some conflicting play of emotions over his slack features, but at the least the magics seemed affect him.

Constantine drew his attention with a feint, ineffective but distracting, as Darcon moved into position. The mage sent a bolt of crackling energy surging through Gibs to devastating effect.

The nightgowned terror seemed heedless of their attacks. As he moved through the fog towards Constantine the remainder of the party hovered into his view through the veiling mists. For the first time an expression lit his blank features. Rage and resentment filled his face as his eyes fell on Keanala, a warrior woman armed and armored.

"Know your...place...woman..." He groaned, half growl and half grimace.

He staggered forwards, heedless of Constantine and Darcon, lashing out viciously at Keanala with his razor.

---

Garland casts Doom and Gibs fails his save, becoming shaken.
Constantine misses.
Darcon moves in and applies Shocking Grasp for 13 damage.
Gibs moves past Darcon and Constantine, provoking an Attack of Opportunity from both.
He attacks Keanala for 7 damage.

Remember to roll the 20% miss chance on attacks because of the mist.

Keanala, since you didn't act last round you get two standard actions this round.

---

CON - Constantine, 5 damage
GAR - Garland
KEA - Keanala - 7 damage
DAR - Darcon

GIB - Gibs Hephenus  HP AC 16, Touch 12, Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +6, 20% miss chance, Shield, Shaken, 13 damage

M - Hearthstone Monument
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:37, Tue 14 May 2019.

SCG knows and chooses to apply the meriful smite he is granted to attack this robed deranged barber of the ville....


19:07, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 5 using 1d8+3. Merciful Smiting! Morningstar Damage. 19:06, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 53 using 1d100. 20% miss chance. 19:06, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 20 using 1d20+5. Merciful Smiting! Morningstar (cold iron) Attack.

"This shall be ended and quickly."

The response and movement of this man only made Garland even more sure that he was possessed but to rush Keanala with such recklessness surprised him. It made him wonder who they were really dealing with. He reaches forward placing a hand on Keanala's shoulder as he speaks "Pharasma bless this maiden with your healing touch." he states as the healing energies wash over her.

"The lady of graves power has no limit fiend, surrender to her judgement!" he shouts.

OOC: 16:14, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 5 using 1d8+1.  Cure light wounds.

Watching the fight unfold, Darcon realized the others had it well in hand. Constantine or Garland would likely take Gibs down soon enough.

Still, there remained the issue of who, or what was aiding or controlling the man. The mage raised a hand, fingers splayed and palm pointed in direction of the slasher as he murmured a few words under his breath.

His eyes glazed over with a bluish tinge as he studied his targets aura...

---

Cast Detect Magic on the Slasher

Holy energies radiated from Constantine and Garland, washing over Gibs and Keanala. The holy wave that Garland cast over the doughty oread was a knitting, healing rush of light. Constantine's application was via mace, and considerably more harsh. The smite resonated against Gibs' form, setting up a backlash of damage.

From his vantage Darcon cast out his spell, playing the detecting field over the combat. Quite unsurprisingly he detected the presence of magical auras playing in the area.

The raving Gibs seemed heedless of the swirling melee around him, instead focusing his attacks on Keanala. Whether due to the mist, Garland's hindering magic, or the paladin thumping him from behind his slash went wide, mercifully missing.

---

Constantine hits Gibs for 5 damage.
Garland heals Keanala for 5 damage
Darcon casts Detect Magic. In the first round of concentration you detect that there are definitely magical auras present.
Gibs slashes at Keanala but misses.

Keanala, since you didn't act last round you get two standard actions this round.

---

CON - Constantine, 5 damage, Flanking w/ Keanala
GAR - Garland
KEA - Keanala - 2 damage, Flanking w/ Constantine
DAR - Darcon

GIB - Gibs Hephenus  HP AC 16, Touch 12, Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +6, 20% miss chance, Shield, Shaken, 18(5) damage

M - Hearthstone Monument
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:09, Wed 15 May 2019.

Seeing the odd behavoir Garland decides to change his strategy and test a theory at the same time. He brandishes his holy symbol again, this time focusing as he fills the area with positive energy. "Let this fiend burn in the fires of Pharasma's retribution!"

Garland called out strongly and sent a wave of power washing over Gibs to little effect. He seemed indifferent to the holy power, reacting with only a grimace as she lashed out at Kenala again. Fortunately he missed, his bloody razor slashing only air.

---

Garland channels to turn undead but Gibs is unaffected.
Darcon concentrates for a second round and detects eight magical auras. The strongest is CL8.
Gibs attacks Keanala again but misses.

Darcon, Constantine, and Keanala have two standard actions next round.

---

CON - Constantine, 5 damage, Flanking w/ Keanala
GAR - Garland
KEA - Keanala - 2 damage, Flanking w/ Constantine
DAR - Darcon

GIB - Gibs Hephenus  HP AC 16, Touch 12, Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +6, 20% miss chance, Shield, Shaken, 18(5) damage

M - Hearthstone Monument

The fact that Gibs was concentrating solely on Keanala was disturbing to say the least, and Darcon put the information into the back of his mind, another question to answer later. He kept focusing on his magic, eyebrows raised at the number of magical auras he detected, including the strength of the most powerful one.

Murmuring a quiet word of power he pointed his palm at the slasher, and the tattoo on his palm glowed with a soft blue light. A crackling spark burst on Gibs body, stinging the Slasher, hopefully irritating it but doing little else.

---

1st Standard Action: Making 8 Knowledge Arcana Checks, one for each Aura: 25, 12, 25, 21, 11, 10, 22, 19. Will try to focus the highest result on Gibs first of all if possible.

SCG continues to be uncertain of the right course of action is the man in front of him an enemy or was the enemy in hiding and causing this all.  Although his attack misses he tries another tact...

“Get behind me woman! Know the best place for yourself !”

Seeing this not going anywhere Garland reaches down to his belt and draws his morningstar, waiting for Gibs to attack again as he tries to aid Kenala, serving as a distraction that doesnt go well.

Darcon's mystical gaze pierced through the shrouding enchantments, highlighting each as he threw a minor bolt of power at Gibs.

Constantine and Garland milled about in the melee, swiping and feinting, although neither landed an effective hit Constantine did push Keanala behind him, blocking with his shield and trying to position himself between her and Gibs.

The madman seemed heedless of their tactics though, plowing through the lines to land another bleeding slash on the huntress.

---

Darcon concentrates for a third round and discerns the location and strength of active auras.

1) Centered on Gibs, CL8 enchantment, active
2) Centered on Gibs, CL8 unknown school, active
3) Centered on Gibs, CL2 necromancy, active
4) Centered on Gibs, CL2 evocation, fading
5) Centered on Gibs, CL2 unknown school, fading
6) Centered on Constantine, CL8 unknown school, fading
7) Centered on Keanala, CL2 conjuration, fading
8) Emanating from the mist, CL8 conjuration, active

Darcon casts Jolt on Gibs for 1 damage.
Constantine misses.
Keanala full withdraws to move without provoking AoOs.
Garland fails an Aid Another.
Gibs moves around Constantine which provokes an AoO from Constantine, Garland, and Keanala.
Gibs attacks Keanala for 5 damage.

---

CON - Constantine, 5 damage
GAR - Garland
KEA - Keanala - 7 damage
DAR - Darcon

GIB - Gibs Hephenus  HP AC 16, Touch 12, Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +6, 20% miss chance, Shield, Shaken, 19(5) damage

M - Hearthstone Monument

Keanala had been at a bit of a loss for what to do about Gibs.  Clearly something was either controlling him or aiding him, and before she could dwell too much on that, the mad-man attacked her.

"Ow!" she shouted, as the mans razor slashed at her again.  "Quit that, ya raving lunatic."

Trying to keep the man at bay by swinging her short bow around, Keanala takes a short step back while pulling out an arrow.  She nocked the arrow and fired at Gibs.  She tried to aim her blunt arrow in such a manner as to try and knock Gibs out but between the rush of his attacks and her falling back, her shot went wild.

"Constantine!  Get behind this bastard and hit him while he's focussed on me!" she shouted, preparing for another slash.

OOC:
5 foot step to C7
Attack - 4 (The arrow was blunted and she was trying for non-lethal damage)

Darcon rushed forward, robes and cloak swishing almost soundlessly as he tried to take up a flanking position opposite his companions. Holding his staff in both hands he lashed out with a strike against the slasher, aiming for the head to try and knock him out, while yelling out, "Now Sir Constantine, attack!"

---

Move to b-5; Standard Action: Attack (Non-Lethal):  12 (miss)

Constantine and/or Garland should get a flanking bonus due to Darcon's position. Wanted to use Aid Another but no one else is in melee range

Garland moves forward and attacks with his morningstar, missing entirely and betraying the fact that martial prowess is not his forte.

OOC:16:09, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 3 using 1d20.  attack roll.

The fight dragged on, combatants swirling through the mist as they hacked and slashed at each other. Whether due to the lack of vision or the attempts to take Gibs alive there were no effective hits, simply swirling and re-positioning.

---

Not much to say this round.

Keanala misses.
Darcon misses.
Garland misses.

Gibs misses.

Constantine, you get an additional standard action next round.

---

CON - Constantine, 5 damage
GAR - Garland
KEA - Keanala - 7 damage
DAR - Darcon

GIB - Gibs Hephenus  HP AC 16, Touch 12, Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +6, 20% miss chance, Shield, Shaken, 19(5) damage

M - Hearthstone Monument

"Enough!!!"

SCG bellows at the figure and wades into battle, no longer holding back and trusting in the mercies to save the man's life if he is innocent.


19:34, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 11 using 1d8+3. Merciful smite damage. 19:33, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 34 using 1d100. 20% miss chance. 19:33, Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Merciful smite attack.

SCG presses in and connects solidly with the man and attempts to hammer him again, but misses...
This message was last edited by the player at 23:39, Mon 20 May 2019.

Garland tries to lash out with his morningstar, wielding it in a way as he was trying to subdue the man instead of kill him. However its clear that the scholar lacks much martial ability

OOC: 19:41, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled 1 using 1d20-4.  attack roll.

19:40, Today: Garland Van Burke rolled -3 using 1d20-4.  attack roll.

Both regular attack and AoO miss, the dice roller does not like me in combat

Darcon feinted with both ends of his staff, trying to distract Gibs to leave him more vulnerable to one of his companions.

---

Aid Another: 19; Next person already in melee range to attack Gibs gets a +2 to hit.

20:21, Today: Darcon rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Aid Another.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:24, Tue 21 May 2019.

The skirmish swirled around the feet of the monument, adventurers and antagonist vying for position as they slashed and skirted. There was a whirlwind exchange of blows and then Darcon gave Gibs a shove, pushing him off balance and sending him careening into Constantine. The paladin drew back and brought his morningstar smashing down on top of Gibs' head.

What would otherwise have been a skull-shattering, fatal blow was commuted by his merciful smite into a resonating braining that dropped Gibs to the flagstone, senseless. The razor clattered from his nerveless fingers.

"Let us subdue the man, but touch not the razor it is perhaps one of the objects or cursed origins."

SCG looks around attempting to see through the mist and perhaps identify the others who had cast the magics.....