Children of the Mud

[Maidhc O Casain]

[section]

The sting of flames washing over him pierces Weylyn's bloodrage to draw his attention to the crab, once the little man has fallen. Abnormally long arms swing the EarthBreaker Muutos with tremendous force and speed, slamming it into the carapace once... twice! His third blow is a little wild and throws rock chips through the room as it slams into the ground in front of the creature.
​

[/section]

[sblock=Actions/Rolls]Attack: 31/33/13, for Damage: 28/31 (51 Total)[/sblock]

[sblock=StatBlock]
Weylyn Wealbetwyn
Male aasimar bloodrager 9 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 15, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 7)
NG Medium outsider (native)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +12
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+7 armor, +2 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 121/128 (9d10+36)
Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +6; +2 bonus vs. spells cast by self or an ally
Defensive Abilities blood sanctuary, improved uncanny dodge; DR 1/—; Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 50 ft.
Melee cold iron dagger +12/+7 (1d4+3/19-20) or
. . muutos +13/+8 (2d6+5/×3) or
. . silver cestus +12/+7 (1d4+3/19-20)
Special Attacks blood casting, bloodrage (23 rounds/day), staggering strike
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 9th; concentration +11)
. . 1—corruption resistance (vs evil hr/lvl on self)[APG] (DC 14)
Bloodrager Spells Known (CL 9th; concentration +11)
. . 2nd (2/day)—elemental touch[APG], glitterdust (DC 14), ironskin, stone discus[ACG]
. . 1st (3/day)—blade lash[ACG], blurred movement[ACG], enlarge person (DC 13), magic missile, stone fist[APG], thunderstomp[ACG]
. . Bloodline Aberrant
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 15
Base Atk +9; CMB +12; CMD 25
Feats Bludgeoner[UC], Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Enforcer[APG], Eschew Materials, Extra Rage, Iron Will, Power Attack
Traits armor expert, resilient (will)
Skills Acrobatics +12 (+20 to jump), Climb +9, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +14, Linguistics +3, Perception +12, Sense Motive +2, Spellcraft +4, Survival +5 (+7 to get along in the wild, endure severe weather, avoid getting lost, spot natural hazards, and predict weather), Swim +9
Languages Aklo, Celestial, Custom Language, Dwarven, Low Landellan
SQ abnormal reach, fast movement, truespeaker
Other Gear +1 mithral breastplate, muutos[UE], cold iron dagger, silver cestus[APG], boots of swift fury[ACG], ring of vengeful blood magic[ACG], basic maps (major landmarks only), bedroll, blanket[APG], candle (2), chalk, everburning torch, flint and steel, hammer, hammock[UE], knife, utility (0.5 lb), masterwork backpack[APG], mess kit[UE], piton (4), sack (2), silk rope (50 ft.), sunrod (3), tindertwig (4), torch (2), trail rations (6), waterskin (2), 161 gp, 1 sp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Abnormal Reach (Su) Increase reach by 5 ft when raging.
Armor Expert -1 Armor check penalty.
Blood Casting (Su) Cast bloodrager spells while in bloodrage.
Blood Sanctuary +2 (Su) +2 bonus to save vs. spells cast by self or an ally.
Bloodrage (23 rounds/day) (Su) +4 Str, +4 Con, +2 to Will saves, -2 to AC when enraged.
Bludgeoner Inflict nonlethal damage with bludgeoning weapons
Boots of swift fury While raging, +4 def to AC vs. AoO from moving through or out of threat area, or casting spell.
Combat Reflexes (3 AoO/round) Can make extra attacks of opportunity/rd, and even when flat-footed.
Damage Reduction (1/-) You have Damage Reduction against all attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Energy Resistance, Acid (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Acid attacks.
Energy Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Cold attacks.
Energy Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Enforcer If you deal nonlethal damage with a melee weapon, make a free Intimidate check to demoralize.
Eschew Materials Cast spells without materials, if component cost is 1 gp or less.
Fast Movement +10 (Ex) +10 feet to speed, unless heavily loaded.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Lv >=13) (Ex) Retain DEX bonus to AC when flat-footed. You cannot be flanked unless the attacker is Level 13+.
Power Attack -3/+6 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Ring of vengeful blood magic (3/day) While bloodraging, cast spell (std act or less) as Attack of Opportunity.
Staggering Strike (DC 17) (Su) On critical hit when raging, target is staggered 1 rd (Fort neg).
Truespeaker Learn two languages for each rank you put in Linguistics.
[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Lem takes a five foot step backwards from the mud man and yells, "Don't let that Thrax guy die on us. We don't want to lose what he might know."

Lem heals his own wounds using ki powers, while shifting a stance to fight totally defensively next round. (+9 hit points. Now at 13/56. +4 to AC next round)

Mini-Stats
[sblock]
HP: 13/56 (30 subdual damage), AC: 26, AC Touch: 24, AC Flatfooted: 19
INIT: +8, BAB: +6, CMB: +8, CMD: 26
Fortitude: +7, Reflex:+13, Will:+10, Speed: 50'

-Unarmed Strike: Attack: +16 = [BAB (6) + Dex (6) + Size (1) + Weapon Focus (1) + Amulet (2)]
Damage: 1d8+3+1d6 fire, Crit: 20/x2, Special: Stunning Fist Option
-Flurry of Blows: Attack: +17/+17/+12/+12 = [Monk(9) + Dex(6) + TWF (-2) +WF(1) +Size(1) + Amulet (2)]
Damage: 1d8+3+1d6 fire/1d8+3+1d6 fire/1d8+3+1d6 fire/1d8+3+1d6 fire, Crit: 20/x2, Special: Stunning Fist
- Stunning Fist (7/9 day): At 1st level, the monk gains Stunning Fist as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. The monk may attempt a stunning attack a number of times per day equal to his monk level, plus one more time per day for every four levels he has in classes other than monk. Can also choose to make target fatigued or sickened.

Ki Powers:
Ki Pool, 4/8 points
- ki strike allows his unarmed attacks to be treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
- Ki Pool Cold Iron/Silver (Cla Feat, Lvl 7): Unarmed attacks are also treated as cold iron and silver for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

By spending 1 point from his ki pool, a monk can do one of the following:
- Make one additional attack at his highest attack bonus when making a flurry of blows attack, or
- Ki Weapons (Class Feat, Lvl 5): Spend 1 point from his ki pool to deal damage equal to his unarmed strike damage with an improvised weapon for 1 round.
- Increase his speed by 20 feet for 1 round, or
- Give himself a +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round.
- incr range 20' for imp thrown or shuriken
- Wholeness of Body (Class Feat, Lvl 7): Heal his own wounds as a standard action. He can heal a number of hit points of damage equal to his monk level by using 2 points from his ki.
[/sblock]

 

[kinem]

So! A child of the mud!

Seeing that Lem might be in trouble, Menik casts a series of magic missiles at the mudman, in such a way as might trip it up. At the same time, his balls of lightning continue to shock the crab.

ooc: Tripping magic missile: trip [roll1]

Ball lightning: [roll2] (SR negated last round so may be moot), [roll3], [roll4]. Reflex saves DC 20 negate each.

 

[kinem]

ooc: re-rolling damage 'cause I accidently put 5d5 instead of 5d4.
magic missile damage: [roll0].

 

[mfloyd3]

As Larissa strikes at the little man, a tendril of black energy tries to slither up her blade. But as it reaches the guard, the symbol of Lady Kamara blazes, dispersing the energy.

The priestess murmurs a brief chant of gratitude, but her face grows cold at the scent of ozone. Remembering a maneuver from her training, she jabs the tip of her blade into the muddy floor and ducks behind it. She winces as the bolt dances about her, but the metal sends most of the energy arcing into the ground. She rises, panting as she fights to overcome her injuries.

The crab is reeling backward from the strength of Weylyn's blows, and abruptly finds itself standing before the warrior woman. Larissa moves in a whirlwind of devastation that leaves the cavern echoing with the sound of ringing steel.

[sblock=ooc]
Saves:
Will save:_: 1D20+9 = [18]+9 = 27


Reflex save:_: 1D20+2 = [14]+2 = 16


Attack Rolls: NOTE: THESE TWO SHOULD HAVE ONE MORE ADDED TO THEM FOR EFFECT OF HASTE
_: 1D20+12 = [14]+12 = 26
1D20+7 = [18]+7 = 25


Damage for these attacks (assuming they hit):
Damage for first 2 attacks: 2D6+14 = [6, 1]+14 = 21
2D6+14 = [1, 1]+14 = 16


BONUS ATTACK DUE TO HASTE (FORGOT)
Bonust power attk due to Haste: 1D20+13 = [20]+13 = 33

Confirming crit:confirming crit: 1D20+13 = [18]+13 = 31
- CRIT CONFIRMED!

Rolling damage
Larissa crit hit: 4D6+14 = [6, 1, 1, 3]+14 = 25


Coyotecode is apparently very sorry it made trouble for me yesterday, and is trying to make it up. And I have to say, all is forgiven!

[/sblock]

 

[sunshadow21]

OOC: The crab is well and truly dead. Will get a proper post up after work.

 

[sunshadow21]

Menik's magic seems to give Lem the room he needs to recover from the steady stream of pummeling he has gotten since opening his mouth, knocking the mud creature prone, or at least as prone as one can knock a creature made of flowing mud, and sending some damp sticky mud flying, some of which sticks to Lem somewhat unpleasantly. While this exchange is going on, Larissa and Weylyn turn their attention to the crab like monstrosity, and though none of the hits seems to have the full impact that is expected, the sheer number of blows is too much for the creature to take. As the the whole party hears amused chuckles in their heads, every blow not only sends green ichor that smells of rotten eggs flying out of the creature, covering Larissa and Weylyn, but also causes the cave itself to distort and shrink as it starts to fade away. By the time Larissa starts in, a faint outline of the inside of a snail's shell is becoming visible as the party is pushed closer and closer together. Finally, as the last blow falls, the party, along with the still bleeding body of Thrax, two mud men, and a tiny floating tentacled creature, finds itself crammed into a tight space between a moss covered swamp rock with a well dissected body of the crab like thing, the inside walls of an overly sized snail shell, and the opening through which the party can see darkness and rain. The chuckles turns into a deep voice with a tone of a parent talking to a child, "So the heroes of the chains finally arrive; no matter, the seeds have been planted. I shall return soon enough to reap the harvest. The unnatural chains cannot hold against the forces that are now arrayed to tear them apart."
----------
The floating thing disappears out into the rain quickly, clearly having no interest in staying to get to know you better. The mudman that had been pummeling Lem continues to do so, but the halfling's healing efforts prove to be sufficient to keep conscious as yet another blow hits home. The other mudman releases a stinking cloud that is even worse than normal due to the extremely cramped conditions of the snail shell. While Lem and Weylyn find themselves barely able to act because of nausua, Menik and Larissa are able to finish off the mudmen without any further difficulty, and a silence broken only by the eerie reverbations of the pitter patter of the outside rain falls on the scene. Pushed together close enough that any movement is uncomfortable, covered in sticky mud, green and rotten smelling ichor from the crab, and the almost, but not quite, normal blood from Thrax's still bleeding wounds, and surrounded by a sickening fog filled with weird shadows created by the lightning balls, the party has a chance to take in the surreal scene and ponder what the heck just happened.

OOC: Sorry about the delay, but there was a lot to cover with this post, and I wanted to make sure to include all of it. Combat is over, Thrax can still be saved if the party wishes, and the party is free to react to the scene described above. The opening looks like the one you came through, so it is big enough to go through; you can also climb onto the rock with the dissected crab-like thing bits on it.

 

[mfloyd3]

Larissa looks at her bloodied companions. "Keep him covered," she tells Weylyn, gesturing to the prostrate Thrax. "I'll see to our wounds." She gathers her patrons power together and lets it wash over her comrades, healing their wounds even if it fails to cleanse the filth from their bodies.

As the wave of energy recedes, she says, "Come. Our true foe seems to have quit this place. We should do the same." While calm in the face of the corruption and devastation, she is clearly ready to leave the cavern behind her.

[sblock=ooc]
Channeling, including Thrax but no other enemies who might still be alive (she has selective channeling).

Channel check: 4D6 = [4, 2, 2, 1] = 9



[/sblock]



[sblock=Larissa stat block]
Larissa
Initiative: +0
AC: 22 (22 flat-footed, 11 Touch)
HP: 93 Current: 93
CMB: +11 CMD: 22
Fort: +10 Reflex: +2 Will: +9 (currently wearing Cloak of Resistance)
PER Roll: +3
Move: 30’ (w/boots of Striding & Springing)
Current Weapon in Hand: Greatsword

Weapons:
+2 Greatsword Attack: +14/+9 = [BAB(6/1) + STR(4) + WF(1) + Magic(2)]
Damage: 2d6+8, Crit: 19-20/x2,
Special: pommel is hollow, contains scripture
Pow Att w/+2 Greatsword Attack: +12/+7 = [BAB(6/1) + STR(4) + WF(1) + Magic(2) +PA(-2)]
Damage: 2d6+14, Crit: 19-20/x2,




Spells prepared:
0 Level (4) Level 01 (5+1) Level 02 (4+1)
* Detect Magic * Bless * Shatter
* Read Magic * Protection from Evil * Resist Energy
* Light * Detect Evil * Grace
* Guidance * Obscuring Mist * Zone of Truth
* *unassigned * D: Spiritual Weapon
* D: Shield of Faith


Level 03 (4+1) Level 04 (2+1)

* Speak with Dead * Summon Monster IV
* Remove Curse * Divination
* D: Holy Smite
* Dispel Magic
* Searing Light
* D: Heroism



Channeling at current level: Channel 4d6,
DC 18 =(10 + 1/2 Cleric lvl + CHA +2 for Glory) for
Undead to Save.





[/sblock]

 

[kinem]

"Thank you, Larissa" Menik says as the healing energy reaches him. "Yes, let's take him and go."

If Thrax is still unconscious, Menik will help carry him out.

 

[sunshadow21]

He is now conscious, but you realize quickly that if you wish to travel with him, keeping him unconscious or gagged will be necessary if you don't want to draw the attention of everything in the marshes as you leave. He keeps laughing maniacally while occasionally spouting nonsense about the glory of the Prophet or the need to break the chains that enslave the world.

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

[section]

Weylyn allows the rage to slip from him, nodding in weary thanks to Larissa as she bids him watch their downed foe and heals the party. Though fatigued from the fight and the aftereffects of his rage, the stocky little man flips Thrax over to bind his hands, shoves a rag into his mouth and lashes another around his jaw to keep him quiet.

"Very well, let's be off then. Just let me take a quick look around...

He performs a cursory check of the area, looking for anything man made and out of place in the swamp. Once satisfied they're not leaving anything of value behind, he gestures his readiness to carry Thrax back to the Whitecloaks.
​

[/section]

[sblock=Actions/Rolls]--[/sblock]

[sblock=StatBlock]
Weylyn Wealbetwyn
Male aasimar bloodrager 9 (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Class Guide 15, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 7)
NG Medium outsider (native)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +12
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+7 armor, +2 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 121/128 (9d10+36)
Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +6; +2 bonus vs. spells cast by self or an ally
Defensive Abilities blood sanctuary, improved uncanny dodge; DR 1/—; Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 50 ft.
Melee cold iron dagger +12/+7 (1d4+3/19-20) or
. . muutos +13/+8 (2d6+5/×3) or
. . silver cestus +12/+7 (1d4+3/19-20)
Special Attacks blood casting, bloodrage (23 rounds/day), staggering strike
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 9th; concentration +11)
. . 1—corruption resistance (vs evil hr/lvl on self)[APG] (DC 14)
Bloodrager Spells Known (CL 9th; concentration +11)
. . 2nd (2/day)—elemental touch[APG], glitterdust (DC 14), ironskin, stone discus[ACG]
. . 1st (3/day)—blade lash[ACG], blurred movement[ACG], enlarge person (DC 13), magic missile, stone fist[APG], thunderstomp[ACG]
. . Bloodline Aberrant
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 15
Base Atk +9; CMB +12; CMD 25
Feats Bludgeoner[UC], Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Enforcer[APG], Eschew Materials, Extra Rage, Iron Will, Power Attack
Traits armor expert, resilient (will)
Skills Acrobatics +12 (+20 to jump), Climb +9, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +14, Linguistics +3, Perception +12, Sense Motive +2, Spellcraft +4, Survival +5 (+7 to get along in the wild, endure severe weather, avoid getting lost, spot natural hazards, and predict weather), Swim +9
Languages Aklo, Celestial, Custom Language, Dwarven, Low Landellan
SQ abnormal reach, fast movement, truespeaker
Other Gear +1 mithral breastplate, muutos[UE], cold iron dagger, silver cestus[APG], boots of swift fury[ACG], ring of vengeful blood magic[ACG], basic maps (major landmarks only), bedroll, blanket[APG], candle (2), chalk, everburning torch, flint and steel, hammer, hammock[UE], knife, utility (0.5 lb), masterwork backpack[APG], mess kit[UE], piton (4), sack (2), silk rope (50 ft.), sunrod (3), tindertwig (4), torch (2), trail rations (6), waterskin (2), 161 gp, 1 sp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Abnormal Reach (Su) Increase reach by 5 ft when raging.
Armor Expert -1 Armor check penalty.
Blood Casting (Su) Cast bloodrager spells while in bloodrage.
Blood Sanctuary +2 (Su) +2 bonus to save vs. spells cast by self or an ally.
Bloodrage (23 rounds/day) (Su) +4 Str, +4 Con, +2 to Will saves, -2 to AC when enraged.
Bludgeoner Inflict nonlethal damage with bludgeoning weapons
Boots of swift fury While raging, +4 def to AC vs. AoO from moving through or out of threat area, or casting spell.
Combat Reflexes (3 AoO/round) Can make extra attacks of opportunity/rd, and even when flat-footed.
Damage Reduction (1/-) You have Damage Reduction against all attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Energy Resistance, Acid (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Acid attacks.
Energy Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Cold attacks.
Energy Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Enforcer If you deal nonlethal damage with a melee weapon, make a free Intimidate check to demoralize.
Eschew Materials Cast spells without materials, if component cost is 1 gp or less.
Fast Movement +10 (Ex) +10 feet to speed, unless heavily loaded.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Lv >=13) (Ex) Retain DEX bonus to AC when flat-footed. You cannot be flanked unless the attacker is Level 13+.
Power Attack -3/+6 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Ring of vengeful blood magic (3/day) While bloodraging, cast spell (std act or less) as Attack of Opportunity.
Staggering Strike (DC 17) (Su) On critical hit when raging, target is staggered 1 rd (Fort neg).
Truespeaker Learn two languages for each rank you put in Linguistics.
[/sblock]

 

[kinem]

If Thrax has what appears to be a spell component pouch, Menik will relieve him of it. Menik also casts detect magic to see if the man has magic items on him.

 

[sunshadow21]

Thrax is wearing some basic nondescript clothes, a +2 spell storing armored coat, a +2 ring of protection, and a clear spindle ioun stone. There is no spell component pouch or spellbook, and aside from Thrax's gear, nothing of value left on the scene.

You have two choices to deal with Thrax. The first is the Whitecloaks, who while they are the law enforcers seemed a bit over their heads when it came to this particular matter; the second is Andolyn, who seems to know whats going on with the larger picture and might be able to extract details from Thrax about the larger problem.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Lem says, "Thanks for the assist back there. I vote we take him to Andolyn, if there is to be voting I mean. This just keeps getting more and more unpleasant. I just hope we'll see those villagers changed back to normal after it all."

 

[mfloyd3]

Larissa hesitates a moment at the halfling's suggestion, then nods. "I dislike bypassing the guard," she says, "But they have so far been unable to contain the threat. Andolyn, at least, appears to understand what we are facing."



[sblock=Larissa stat block]
Larissa
Initiative: +0
AC: 22 (22 flat-footed, 11 Touch)
HP: 93 Current: 93
CMB: +11 CMD: 22
Fort: +10 Reflex: +2 Will: +9 (currently wearing Cloak of Resistance)
PER Roll: +3
Move: 30’ (w/boots of Striding & Springing)
Current Weapon in Hand: Greatsword

Weapons:
+2 Greatsword Attack: +14/+9 = [BAB(6/1) + STR(4) + WF(1) + Magic(2)]
Damage: 2d6+8, Crit: 19-20/x2,
Special: pommel is hollow, contains scripture
Pow Att w/+2 Greatsword Attack: +12/+7 = [BAB(6/1) + STR(4) + WF(1) + Magic(2) +PA(-2)]
Damage: 2d6+14, Crit: 19-20/x2,




Spells prepared:
0 Level (4) Level 01 (5+1) Level 02 (4+1)
* Detect Magic * Bless * Shatter
* Read Magic * Protection from Evil * Resist Energy
* Light * Detect Evil * Grace
* Guidance * Obscuring Mist * Zone of Truth
* *unassigned * D: Spiritual Weapon
* D: Shield of Faith


Level 03 (4+1) Level 04 (2+1)

* Speak with Dead * Summon Monster IV
* Remove Curse * Divination
* D: Holy Smite
* Dispel Magic
* Searing Light
* D: Heroism



Channeling at current level: Channel 4d6,
DC 18 =(10 + 1/2 Cleric lvl + CHA +2 for Glory) for
Undead to Save.





[/sblock]

 

[kinem]

Menik nods.

 

[sunshadow21]

Leaving the clearing behind, it's a long several hours in the dark and the rain before you finally get out of the marshes and find yourself back at the Baron's Cross at what would be dawn if one could see past the clouds. After a cleanup, short breakfast, and a rest at the Broken Log, the party continues on through the steady rain back to Venza. Oddly enough, Thrax shows no signs of hunger or tiredness throughout the trip, and his manic laughter never seems to stop; though the gag keeps the audio part silent, his body is constantly convulsing from it. When you get to Andolyn's house in the early afternoon, she is not immediately home, but the halfling sends a message to her as Gendrew brings in a welcome looking tray of sandwich meats, cheeses, and a couple varieties of bread for you to munch on; the gingerbread golem is ordered to watch the prisoner while you eat.

Andolyn arrives with a tengu paladin; Larissa recognizes the symbol as one associated with Gist, but cannot recall any further details. They both listen closely to the report, though the paladin excuses himself right afterward to deal with the high priest of the temple in town. Andolyn examines the prisoner carefully before finally speaking, "His mind is gone, literally replaced by pure chaos. If that is what was happening to the others, no wonder they were doing what they were doing. It is good to know that the immediate problem has been resolved. Last night, the grand opening of a much anticipated opera was almost cancelled due to a bunch of apparently bored noble youth turning themselves into enlarged statues at every entrance to the theater, blocking all transit in and out; hopefully, they will be the last of the major shenigans we see. The high priest is a problem, and we need to track down the thing that escaped into the marshes, but without the neh-thallgu to direct them, we have time to deal with them. Even if we don't get any direct intelligence from the laughing fool, we can at least get an idea of what was being done to people's minds. If you give me a place to contact you, I will forward word of your success to the Whitecloaks, who finally launched a formal investigation into the matter this morning after the very powerful nobles who are the sponsors of this particular opera complained about last night's disruption, and a number of other interested parties who will be more than happy to hear that at least part of the problem has been resolved. I'm sure that a very substantial reward will be coming your way for taking the initiative on this matter. If you wish, you may stay for dinner; my husband loves guests, and I can think of no better way to personally thank you than one of his magnificent meals." Those who stay for dinner are treated to an extremely sumptous dinner as Gendrew prepares some of his best dishes for your eating pleasure. Otherwise, in a few days, you all get a communication from Andolyn to stop by her house to pick up your reward. At that time, she informs you that there have been no further notable disturbances, the high priest in town has temporarily vanished, though he will certainly reappear at some point, and the focus has moved east to Gist, where they are moving closer to finding the source of the problem.

OOC: The adventure is officially over. I hope you all enjoyed the journey into madness. I will have numbers and loot updated in the first post by the end of the night.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"How have the poor, transformed people faired," Lem asks out of concern.

 

[sunshadow21]

"Not so well, I fear. Most have remained as animals, seemingly content to do. A few have had further changes, turning them into half one animal and half another, or something similar; again, they seem to be perfectly content. You can rest your mind as to their fate. However twisted we may see it, there is no indication that they saw it in the same light. Not all of those who fell under the sway of the cult had their mind drained; many simply didn't have any better of a life outside of it. Some of the nobles understand that aspect of the danger they faced; others don't. The cult gave these people hope and comfort when the rest of the world would not. That is the hardest part of their presence to combat; there must be reasonable alternatives and people willing to provide them. That is now the challenge we face here in Venza. The part that you did was easy; the hard part still very much remains."

 

[sunshadow21]

[MENTION=6747658]Aura[/MENTION], final numbers are ready for review.