Enemy Among Us (DM: Stringbean2142, Judge: TwoHeadsBarking)

[TwoHeadsBarking]

[sblock=ooc]

I have no idea what's going on... last I remember was a thunderwave from Veruzak. Probably knocked out Catein and left it in the basement. He'll tag along quietly til I get my feet back under me again...

*Sigh*

That's it. One of you will have to go. Clearly I am only capable of remembering that five players exist at a time. I'm just going to be forgetting about a different one of you in every one of my posts from now until the end of this adventure.

I'm getting a message now informing me that the above is completely unreasonable, and I'll just have to deal. Fine.

Speaking of mistreating players, we need a new judge now, don't we.[/sblock]

[sblock=Veruzak]Your awareness becomes a tangible thing as you direct it towards the woman and into the ground. From her you feel nothing, maybe the faint lingerings of extreme emotion, but it is only a remnant. There is nothing of substance left.

As you reach further into the ground, you start becoming slightly nauseous, and you feel a slight pressure behind your left ear. Both feelings increase the deeper you go. Suddenly agony unlike you've ever felt slams into you, and you are aware that you have attracted the attention of *something*. For all your education, you have no idea what it is. As painful as this is you are unable to break the connection to this entity. Perhaps this is because you realize the longer you maintain the bond, the more likely you will be able to track and understand this... thing. Perhaps a part of you doesn't want to.

Your attention snaps back to your physical surroundings, mostly. You see several ruptures appear in the air nearby, and you have the horrible suspicion that there is something on the other side, attempting to push through.[/sblock]

[sblock=Martelai and Bell]You see ephemeral tendrils splay out from Veruzak's body. Some of them drift towards the captives while others plunge into the ground, clearly searching for something. Suddenly, Veruzak grits his teeth in pain. Before either of you can react, the pain is transferred to you. It feels like someone is grinding needles into your spine. You don't have long to dwell, as your attention is diverted by a number of ruptures appearing in the air nearby. It looks like something is on the other side, trying to push though. But that would be impossible, insane.[/sblock]

[sblock=Everyone else]Nothing appears to happen for a few moments. Veruzak is just being as creepy as ever. All of a sudden, all three of the arcanists wince in pain, and you think you can see strange shimmers in the air. More pressingly, you hear an unnatural howl, as well as the sound of a lot of creatures approaching quickly.[/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]Last chance to present me with token pictures. Or a fluff section.[/sblock]

 

[CaBaNa]

Bell, are you ok? Veruzak glances over Bell, then Martelai, Martelai? Well done both of you! Now on point. Veruzak drags the woman behind him, Don't let them have our divining rods, Atlas, this one is mindless as well... Veruzak states the malady matter-of-factly.

[sblock=OOC and Token]

Ready Grasping Shadows, trigger, if two or more enemies can be targeted. (Mostly to slow them as they come out of the rip in reality.)


Disappointed I couldn't find anything better...

Token...

[/sblock]

 

[Atriden]

Before the experiment
Atlas is not comfortable by letting Veruzak attempt this experiment, but is now somewhat persuaded that the magician is telling the truth.

After the experiment

Nothing appears to happen for a few moments. Veruzak is just being as creepy as ever. All of a sudden, all three of the arcanists wince in pain, and you think you can see strange shimmers in the air. More pressingly, you hear an unnatural howl, as well as the sound of a lot of creatures approaching quickly

Atlas watches his comrades in pain and is about to push them away from the woman when Veruzak comes back to senses.

Bell, are you ok? Veruzak glances over Bell, then Martelai, Martelai? Well done both of you! Now on point. Veruzak drags the woman behind him, Don't let them have our divining rods, Atlas, this one is mindless as well... Veruzak states the malady matter-of-factly.

Hearing that the woman is not to be saved, strikes Atlas like a hard blow to the head but the statue does not hesitate to grab his sword and shield to defend the group " What's happening Veruzak, what is this coming out of the rift? " not waiting for an answer he moves to block the creatures path from the others " Looks like we are going to have to do the dirty work Kendrick. Let's keep it away from the others best we can so that they may use their spells at distance " he suggests.
[sblock=OOC]
I have updated some of my fluff. I had made everything a long time ago, but since then I forgot to upload it and suddenly was forced to format my hard-disc and lost everything .

To DM: Did we have time for a short rest so that I can heal Atlas to full HP's?
[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

Martelai winces, but maintains his concentration. Worry about woman forgotten, he focuses on this new threat.

Shouting in draconic:
"Caiphona mi, ne smiješ doći, zvijeri! Natrag! Natrag!"
[sblock=Translation]
By Caiphon, you may not come, beast! Back! Back!
[/sblock]
Martelai removes the glove from his right hand and presents it's back toward the ruptures. Those facing him see purple scar/rune/tatoo? on it. He focuses and dire radiance spills from his hand over the ruptures and the rune(s) remain alight.

[sblock=Actions]
Minor: active perception
Minor (move): remove glove
Standard: Dire Radiance over rupture. If the beast is hit and moves closer it suffers damage.
Not sure if this will do anything, but it doesn't cost me nothing and may do some good.
[/sblock]

[sblock=token]not really elaborate braid, but good enough, overtly downcast, but fits the description and history
[/sblock]

 

[CaBaNa]

Agents Atlas, this thing we're investigating is powerful and it doesn't want to be investigated. Veruzak watches Atlas place himself between the oncoming things, and most everyone else. *Yes, protect the weak...* the tattoo's on Veruzak's face scrunch toward his nose again, and his eyes narrow, Martelai, if we survive this, it is necessary we parley. Bell, we must speak as well, for alternate reasons. Also if you hadn't noticed, Martelai is also one of us... The facial features relax when addressing Bell, until the mention that Martelai had already joined the IAC.

Veruzak takes special note of the markings on Martelai, the color resembles the inscriptions on his eladrin face. Magenta orbs peruse the possible markings of power, looking for more kindred ancestry, as well as a deeper understanding of Martelai.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Kendrick raises an eyebrow as half the party wails in pain.

-''Uh. It's a good thing howling beasts are coming to eat us otherwise you would have to explain to us what went wrong.'' he comments dryly, drawing both of his swords.

[sblock=OOC]
Couldn't find a picture I liked so I settled on a symbol.

[/sblock]

 

[ScorpiusRisk]

Bell, are you ok? Veruzak glances over Bell, then Martelai, Martelai? Well done both of you! Now on point. Veruzak drags the woman behind him, Don't let them have our divining rods, Atlas, this one is mindless as well... Veruzak states the malady matter-of-factly.

Agents Atlas, this thing we're investigating is powerful and it doesn't want to be investigated. Veruzak watches Atlas place himself between the oncoming things, and most everyone else. The tattoo's on Veruzak's face scrunch toward his nose again, and his eyes narrow, Martelai, if we survive this, it is necessary we parley. Bell, we must speak as well, for alternate reasons. Also if you hadn't noticed, Martelai is also one of us... The facial features relax when addressing Bell, until the mention that Martelai had already joined the IAC.

Bell takes half a step back as she winces in pain. She eyes the rifts before her, worry clearly etched across her face. Here they come. . . now if only Veruzak would be a wise mentor like in the stories and stop being such a jerk.

"I'm fine!" She says with a bit of frustration. "And this is not the time for choosing sides!" She says in reference to the 'one of us', comment. "Eye's peeled, and the moment you think you've found a weakness you shout it out!"

[sblock=Portrait] At first I couldn't find one, but I just stumbled upon this little gem.

[/sblock]

 

[TwoHeadsBarking]

As you watch, what appears to be spectral jellyfish pull their way through the ruptures and float in place around you. You almost expect them to make some noise when they push through, which makes it all the eerier when they don't. They are perfectly silent, ephemeral tendrils drifting in a breeze you cannot feel. The oncoming mass of creatures is almost comforting in its solidity. You see a number of people, some dogs, and even a horse, all approaching your position. Even though the people are carrying various improvised weapons, they seem exceptionally serene.

[sblock=Status]Initiative:
Martelai (28/28)
Bad Guys
Veruzak (20/20)
Kendrick (31/31)
Bell (25/25)
Atlas (26/26)
Catien (27/27)

Initiative rolls

Yes, you had enough time to take a short rest and be at full hit points. Also, Martelai doesn't have to spend his first turn Direly Radiating the nearest seeker, although he certainly can if he'd like.

Map stuff: the stream and patch of rocks are difficult terrain. The cliffside is below you.[/sblock]

[sblock=Monster Info]Seeker:
AC 12 | Fort 12 | Reflex 13 | Will 14
HP: 18. Insubstantial. Vulnerable 5 psychic.
MBA: +4 vs Reflex, 1d4+3 psychic damage.

Horse:
AC 16 | Fort 15 | Reflex 13 | Will 13
HP: 48
MBA: +5 vs AC; 1d6+5 damage.

Husks:
AC 15 | Fort 13 | Reflex 11 | Will 11
HP: Minion. Gains +2 to all defenses if there are two other husks w/in 5 squares.
MBA: +6 vs AC, 4 damage.

Hounds:
AC 16 | Fort 14 | Reflex 13 | Will 12
HP: 37.
MBA: +7 vs AC, 1d6+3 damage, + an additional d6 if two or more allies are adjacent to the target.
If a hound is adjacent to an enemy, that enemy grants CA to all melee attackers.[/sblock]

 

[ScorpiusRisk]

[sblock=clarification]Just to be absolutely clear, the non-jellyfish seem very solid and not otherworldly? More like controlled locals or are ephermal as well?[/sblock]

 

[TwoHeadsBarking]

ooc: Yes. You would guess, and be correct, that the jellies are more closely related to the cause of the problems than the host creatures, who are like those you fought in the town: as solid as expected.