Carrion Crown Session 15

Session 15

DUNGEON MASTER: Sheriff Benjan pauses a moment while looks at the bound form of Gibs where he sits on the floor.  "He did, did he?" he replies to Johan.  "Well, well..." he turns and rounds on Solar, "right, let's see what you got." 

"You lot," Benjan says, nodding to his three deputies, "stay here with him--" (here he points at Johan), "--and Mr. Hephenus."  With that he nods at Solar to lead on.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar takes the sherriff to where the extra war razor and bloody rags are hidden and explains that: I have found these hidden here and have not moved them, I strongly believe these are the tools used to disect the animals smeared all around the statue.

DUNGEON MASTER: Benjan takes the items in hand and turns them over thoughtfully.  "Well, that's that then.  We'll get Gibs locked away and talk to him there.  He... didn't give you too much trouble, did he?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: He attacked us, but it seemed more out of a desire to get us off the property not to escape.

SOLAR CE’NEA: I have no doubt he did it but I am not sure if he is aware of the fact he did it.

DUNGEON MASTER: "We have ways of finding that out," replies Benjan grimly.  "You... three have done the town a service, and I... ah... thank you."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Not a problem Sherriff, We are happy to be able to serve the town and make it a safer place!

DUNGEON MASTER: With Solar, he returns to the house and directs the deputies to take Gibs away.  The man seems at first confused, then angry, and he curses Benjan loudly.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar takes a good solid search in the shack looking for unusual items that don't fit in with the theme of a shanck, hidey holes in the wall or floor, under mats or markings near cupboards/bookcases to indicate any thing being moved. perception 1d20+3=18

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan follows Solar into the now abandoned shack and watches as Solar begins to examine the contains of the building in more detail. "You think there might be more concealed in here?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: I am owndering if there is an item that might help with possion similar to the items we took to the blue lady (the warden wife) for her to identify.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Hmmm, yes it did seem odd that our friend Gibbs honestly had no idea what we were talking about earlier. So we might be looking for some kind of magical item or runes hidden that could control his man's mind? I'm not sure what I'm looking for but it should be something unusual."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Correct!

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan searches underneath the bed and table for anything out of the ordinary. Perception check: 1d20+8 = 9

DUNGEON MASTER: The heroes' search turns up no new evidence.

DUNGEON MASTER: [For handling Gibs, each party member earns 800xp.]

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "I don't see anything that stands out as unusual. Did you want to head back to Kendra's or did you think there might be some merit in braving this weather and searching outisde the shack?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: I hope I would have noticed someting outside earlier, but if you wnat to search aorund outside I am happy to do so, but I would like to leave sometime soon, I am worried about Kendra being by herself.  Many individuals are become aware of our investigations

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Well hopefully after tonight the townsfolk feel more at ease with our prescence as gossip of Gibbs capture becomes common knowledge. I assume half of the town probably already knows about it."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Let's take a quick look around the shack before we head back."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Perception check: 1d20+8 = 20 (22 vs. humans)

SOLAR CE’NEA: OK no problems.  Solar assists in searching looking for hollows in logs or things that have been recently buried Percpetion 1d20+3=4

DUNGEON MASTER: Under a pile of dirty rags in the corner Johan discovers a floorboard that squeaks monstrously under his weight.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan turns to Solar and Mesodias, "We might have found something here. Let me check this for any crude trap first before we mess with it."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Perception check (traps): 1d20+9 = 23

SOLAR CE’NEA: Good idea.  Solar tries to use his cloak to protect Johan from the elements while he works

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan looks for any sign of mundane or mechanic traps that might be involved with the loose floor board before removing it.

DUNGEON MASTER: Johan discovers no sign of traps.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Let crack this open then." Johan removes any nails in the floorboard with his thieves tookit before lifting it up. "Direct your magic light spell over here so we can check this out."

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar recasts Dancing lights and sends it to Johan to assist him.

DUNGEON MASTER: The board creaks as Johan lifts it.  Underneath lies a small sack of coins totalling 42gp and 32sp.  There is also a small, green gem.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "This gem might be cursed."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar casts detect magic on the gem

DUNGEON MASTER: The gem does not radiate magic.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar then casts disrupt undead at the Gem

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Is it safe to touch then? I'm just not sure how a guy like this could afford a gem like this. It must be worth more than his house."

DUNGEON MASTER: Solar's spell strikes the gem to no obvious effect.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar looks at the Gem to attempt to appraise it Appraise 1d20+4=23

DUNGEON MASTER: The gem is a poor quality emerald.  Solar estimates it is worth about 200gp.

SOLAR CE’NEA: I don't think the gem is dangerous it doesn't radiate magic and I have cast disrupt undead so even it it was possessed it should now be safe.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan shakes the water from his jacket as he takes a seat. He scratches his head as he ponders, "The right thing to do would be to turn this into the sheriff but we could consider it compensating for our injuries and a little bonus for stopping his crimes. Just that if the town decides he isn't guilty then it will complicate things in the future."

SOLAR CE’NEA: I agree, even if he isn't innocent vbut possessed it isn't his fault, he shouldn't be punished for that.

SOLAR CE’NEA: we should give it to the sherriff

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "I agree," says Johan. He silently swears about doing the right thing. "Do you think we should put it back, I mean it would indicate we continued to search the shack after the sheriff had left. I don't know how they will feel about that."

SOLAR CE’NEA: I don't think that should be a problem, he is a suspect in a henius crime, we were given permission to look around

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar suggests we quickly catch the Sherriff

DUNGEON MASTER: The party shuts the door and hurries off into the storm.  They reach the group of lawmen just outside the Ravengro Prison.  As the heroes approach they turn around in surprise.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Initiative: 1d20+4 = 18

SOLAR CE’NEA: Sheriff can we talk to you for a moment

DUNGEON MASTER: "Aye!  Come in!" he shouts over the storm, as his deputies open the jailhouse door and haul the now-soaked form of Gibs inside.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Sherriff we continued our search after you took gibbs away and we found the following items hidden on his property.  Solar showes the cash and the gem.  We just wanted you to hold them in case he is not aware of what he did, he should then receive them back  If he did it in full knowledge this might help restore the statue or we would also be happy to take it as payment for our services

DUNGEON MASTER: Gibs' eyes widen and he curses Solar roundly as he hands the bag to the Sherrif.  "Thank ye," says Benjan; "we'll keep it as evidence for the time."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Thanks Sheriff, we will now bid you good night!

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan nods and begins to leave. "Good night."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar directs the dancing lights to his and Johans hands so it looks like they are holding a torch in the night

DUNGEON MASTER: The party returns back to the Larrimore residence through the wind and the rain.  Even now, the storm appears to be rising rather than waning.

Inside, Kendra sits at the table.  Her eyes immediatly flick to Johan's wounds, and her mouth twitches somewhat at the sight, but she says nothing of it.  "What did he want?" she asks somewhat tersely.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar suggests Kendra sits down and relays the nights activites to her.

DUNGEON MASTER: She complies and listens with interest as Solar relates the facts about Gibs.  She is silent and thoughtful afterwards.  "Gibs!  He was a villian!  But I wonder--it does not sound like he was himself," she says at last.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Yes I suspect possession with all the ghosts and spirits that we keep encountering

DUNGEON MASTER: "Like as not," agrees Kendra with sudden tartness.  "That would explain a great deal."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "I honestly don't know what was going on with Gibbs but he didn't seem to believe he had done anything wrong. And I don't think he was setup, either his ethical compass was completely brokem or something else more concerning was happening in the background."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "I just hope this signals the end to this defiling of the town statue business which is bothering the locals."

SOLAR CE’NEA: I think it might have something to do with the splatterman, If we can sto him at the prison, I think all the desecrations will stop

DUNGEON MASTER: "Indeed," agrees Kendra.  "Still, I will feel much safer once we are sure of Gibs."

DUNGEON MASTER: "The Splatterman?  Why so?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar explains what he learnt from his studies of the books in the house:

SOLAR CE’NEA: The Splatter Man (Hean Feramin): Professor Feramin was a celebrated scholar of Anthroponomastics (the study of personal names and their origins) at the Quartrefaux Archives in Caliphas. Yet an accidental association with a succubus twisted and warped his study, turning it into an obsession. Feramin became obsessed with the power of a name and how he could use it to terrify and control. Soon enough, his reputation was ruined, he’d lost his tenure, and he’d developed an uncontrollable obsession with an imaginary link between a person’s name and what happens to that name when the person dies. Every few days, he would secretly arrange for his victim to find a letter from her name written in blood, perhaps smeared on a wall or spelled out with carefully arranged entrails. Once he had spelled his victim’s name, he would at last come for her, killing her in a gory mess using a complex trap or series of rigged events meant to look like an accident.

SOLAR CE’NEA: I think the Splatter man was using Gibbs to write a name on the statue

DUNGEON MASTER: "That does sound like the desecrated monument," agrees Kendra with a slight shudder.

SOLAR CE’NEA: I just don't know how

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Wow I had not thought about that!" Johan thinks about the link and nods slightly.

DUNGEON MASTER: "It could be posession, as you suggested," agrees Kendra stifling a yawn, as outside a particularily heavy thunderclap peals and the windows light up with dull white light.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Hmmm, I tink it is time for us to get some rest!

DUNGEON MASTER: The heroes head off to bed, while downstairs Solar remains to keep the first watch.  For an hour he sits listening to the storm grow outside.

DUNGEON MASTER: Quite suddenly, during a slight lull in the wind, he hears for the second time this night a slow knock-knock-knock at the door.

DUNGEON MASTER: Knock-knock-knock

DUNGEON MASTER: Knock-knock-knock

DUNGEON MASTER: Knock-knock-knock

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar looks for something like a broom to bang on the celing to try and alert Johan nad Mesedious and then proceeds to go to the door and say through it...Who is it? Can I help you?

DUNGEON MASTER: Knock-knock-knock

SOLAR CE’NEA: Perception check for sounds/smells to help me identify who/what is outside: Percpetion 1d20+3 = 13

DUNGEON MASTER: It is very stormy and loud, and Solar can hear nothing over the furor.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar walks to the window and tries to see who is at the door through the Window

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Perception check: 1d20+8 = 15

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias Perception check: 1d20+5 = 21

DUNGEON MASTER: Solar sees a figure in a wide hat with its head hunched down against the storm.  Two other figures stand off to the side.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar Yells through the door, Just a moment and I will go get the master.  Solar then runs upstairs to wake the people in the house up

DUNGEON MASTER: Knock-knock-knock

DUNGEON MASTER: The knocking continues while Solar rushes up the stairs and awakens Kendra, Johan, and Mesodias.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar quickly explains the situation and leads them all downstairs

DUNGEON MASTER: The knocking suddenly ceases.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar says if they are dangerous I'll cast grease on them. be ready to attack.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar then goes to open the door provided someone doesnt suggest soemthing else

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: *yawn* "Wha.. is goin on?" Johan opens his eyes and looks around, now fully awake from the commotion as Solar alerts them to the inexpected visitors.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: He rolls out of bed and grabs his greatsword before following Solar down stairs.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar Casts dancing lights and opens the door but doesn't go outside straight away but dirrects the lights directly in the faces of the people he saw

SOLAR CE’NEA: through the window

DUNGEON MASTER: An awful sight greets the heroes' eyes.  A figure, lean and black-clad stands before them.  Its face is a maggot-eaten mess of crushed flesh, and its throat is torn and rotten.  A horrible gargling noise comes from its throat as it lunges forward.

[Initiative please.]

SOLAR CE’NEA: Initiave 1d20+7=26

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Initiative check: 1d20+4 = 14

DUNGEON MASTER: [Order--Solar: 26

Kendra: 21

Johan: 14

Bad guy: 9

Mesodias: 6]

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar attempts to identify what type of creatures these are Knowledge religion 1d20+6=20

Solar casts Grease at the feet of those at the door but not inside the house

DUNGEON MASTER: These are zombies.

SOLAR CE’NEA: and takes a 5 foot step back so others can get in for a swipe

DUNGEON MASTER: The horrid figure keeps his footing on the slippery porch.

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra's eys go wide.  "F-father?"  Her scream is loud, but not so loud as the thunder crashing outside.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "What the fuck!" Johan recoils in horror and disgust before gaining his wits and lashing out with his greatsword. He thinks to himself, this isn't your father anymore.

To Hit (greatsword): 1d20+7 = 19

Damage (greatsword): 2d6+6 = 12

DUNGEON MASTER: Johan slices straight across the zombie's chest, exposing rotten flesh, broken organs, and white bone.  The zombie remains standing, however, and swipes Johan for 6 hp.  Behind, the other two zombies move up on either side.

DUNGEON MASTER: One zombie fails to make it through the grease and collapses in a not-so-scary heap.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias snarls in rage at the sight of the zombies as they attack Johan. He readies his greatsword and attempts to drop the zombie standing before them.

To Hit (greatsword): 1d20+5 = 15

Damage (greatsword): 2d6+4 = 13

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Cancel the previous action. Mesodias stands ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar cast disrupt undead at what looks like Kendras father

SOLAR CE’NEA: Disrupt Undead - (Ranged Touch Attack)

1d20+3 =18

Damage 1d6=6 against undead

DUNGEON MASTER: Solar's ray strikes true.  The zombie collapses to the ground on the porch.

[Perception, please.]

SOLAR CE’NEA: Perception check 1d20+3=12

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Perception check: 1d20+8 = 12

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra gathers her courage and steps up beside Solar, casting a blue ray to match his.  Unfortunately, her attack arcs past the zombie laying in the mud outside the door.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan retreats further into the hallway (five foot step) before readying an action to strike at the first zombie to approach.

DUNGEON MASTER: The zombie to Johan's right staggers through the doorway.  [Prompting a readied action.]  The other zombie behind rises to its feet.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan strikes out at the zombie as it enters the doorway.

To Hit (greatsword): 1d20+7 = 20

Damage (greatsword): 2d6+6 = 15

DUNGEON MASTER: A spray of rotten guts splatters the door as the zombie falls to the floor in two pieces.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias grunts as he unceremoniously drags Kendra back away from the zombies in an attempt to get into melee.

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra gasps in surprise but does not struggle.  [now solar.]

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar casts disrupt undead once again

Disrupt Undead - (Ranged Touch Attack)

1d20+4 =21

Damage 1d6=3 against undead

DUNGEON MASTER: Solar's ray illuminates the standing zombie.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan waits for the zombie to approach with a readied action to attack.

DUNGEON MASTER: "Hey!" Kendra says as she finds herself removed from the combat.

DUNGEON MASTER: The zombie shambles forward through the door [prompting yet another aoo].

DUNGEON MASTER: [READIED ACTION, DAMNIT]

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan drives his greatsword into the zombie.

To Hit (greatsword): 1d20+7 = 21

Damage (greatsword): 2d6+6 = 12

DUNGEON MASTER: The last zombie falls in a gory mess.

DUNGEON MASTER: [Off rounds.]

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar quickly grabs his cloak to cover the remains of the professor so Kendra doesn't have to look at her mangle fathers corpse

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan just stands there for a moment half expecting another shambling undead to approach from the cover of the storm. He shivers not so much from the cold but the shock of what had just happened.

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra is very white, and her hands tremble.  "That--that was my father... who... how?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar goes over to kendra and holds her gently. The evil spirits in the prison, they grow stronger and are reaching out to us.  We will defeat them My dear Kendra and stop this from happening to others

SOLAR CE’NEA: Perhaps I should take you to your room, you need to get some sleep, we will clean up here.

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra goes stiff in his arms then suddenly goes limp, breaking into a heaving sob.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar Holds Kendra, allowing her to vent her sorrow

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Solar will you help me get these outside. I mean I don't know how that happened but they can't stay here."

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra continues to sob.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan will with the assistance of Solar move the remains outside before bolting the door and checking on Kendra.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Perhaps we can pour some holy water on these, just to make sure Solar suggests to johan while holding Kendra

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "My lady you are safe now." Johan stands there not knowing what else to say to comfort her.

DUNGEON MASTER: Relatively soon, Kendra recovers herself and stands up straight, drying her eyes with a white kerchief.  "That--how?  My friends, my father was buried by a priest of Pharasma.  All propities were observed!  How could this have happened?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: I am not sure my dear, but it just shows how strong the evil spirits are getting, we need to end this as soon as possible.

DUNGEON MASTER: "I... yes... please excuse me," she says, turning and fleeing up the stairs.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar says to the other men, I will continue my watch from Kendras room if she will let me, I'll just be there to confort her if she will allow me, this is a lot for her to bare.  Solar then picks up a light chair and takes it with him up to Kendras room where he gently knowcks on the door

SOLAR CE’NEA: "Kendra"

DUNGEON MASTER: "Yes?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: If you will allow me I will sit beside your bed during my watch until you fall asleep, I don't want to leave you allone after what has happened

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra opens the door.  "I-I ... are you sure?  It wouldn't be..." she stops and hesitates.  "Well, yes, it would be ... welcome.  Thank you."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar sets the chair next to Kendras bed holds her hand and just pats it while she trys to sleep, whilst he strains to hear any noises indicating other prowlers

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Hey thanks again for covering my ass. This is messed up whatever this means. It's messy work but we need to do something about these bodies. We can't leave them for Kendra to see tomorrow morning." Johan will grab a shovel from the house and dig a shallow grave to prevent carrion from gathering tomorrow morning.

DUNGEON MASTER: "Ooooohhhhnnn," agrees Mesodias.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan Perception check: 1d20+8 = 19

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias Perception check: 1d20+5 = 10

DUNGEON MASTER: A thin, black-bound journal falls out from the professor's torn coat when Johan lifts the body up to be re-buried.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Damn it I almost buried this!" Johan wipes off the maggots and gore from the journal before passing it to Mesodias to safe keep while Johan finishes.

DUNGEON MASTER: Johan buries the bodies about 15' away from the house in a shallow, muddy grave.