Spooky House
No really, you're respected adventurers. You would never, ever be sent on a meaningless chore. Just because the clerk at the guild flat out says "Look, it's probably just some gobber kids sparking up Gods know what. But gold is gold. Go to this house, on the outskirts of the city, and see what's scaring the daylights out of the woman across the street, alright? Any questions?"
Katsuro shrugs. He's new in town, he doesn't even really know what questions to ask. Oh, there's one: What do you want us to do with the gobber kids?" He's dressed normally, as he always is. He'd considered wearing his 'professional' clothes, but now he's glad he didn't. This certainly doesn't seem like that sort of mission.
Jormund is just the halfling for the job like this. "The church of Tarien will see about this, if it's dangerous in any way or the pranks are in poor taste we will immediately put an end to it." Jormund offers with confidence.
The clerk shrugs "You're the adventurers. You figure it out. Now get out of here."
Katsuro has just been given the green light to assasinate some kids. This is definitely an interesting town. He will nod, rise, and get out of there. "Yes, sir." He peers at Jormund, and asks, "Warrior?"
Jormund adjusts his vest. "Warrior? Probably not of the type your thinking, I am administer to the wacky, silly and fun. If these kids are just having a good time with clever pranks I mean to help them out, guide them to be the very best." he says with a smile under his broad mustache.
Katsuro peers at Jormund, shrugs. This city gets stranger and stranger. "We're being paid to stop whatever pranks are going on, good or bad," he says tartly. "Anyhow, it could as easily be actual monsters. From what I've heard of this town, ghouls from the underworld coming up in your basement happens daily." But he'll head out to where we were directed to, and see what there is to see.
Jormund nods "It could be that too, in which case we can purge it. Evil is something I will not abide." he notes very seriously. "What about yourself? What skills do you bring?" he asks with a sidelong glance.
The pair leaves, and crosses town according to the given directions. Arriving to the right place, they will find an unpaved little road on the edge of the city, and at the end of it, a pair of houses. One is neatly kept, visibly occupied. The other is almost completely overgrown. It used to look like its opposite, but fines have covered the walls six feet ight, as well as the brick walls flanking it, surrounding a rear yard. The only sign of anything there, is that along one of those overgrown walls are some seasonally carved pumpkins.
Katsuro opens his backpack and pulls out a short sword of his own. It's a foreign style, but servicable enough. He'll belt it onto his waist and he explains, "I do a bit of everything, I guess," he explains. "They did not demand any qualifications at the Guild." When we arrive, he asks, "Which house are we invesitigating again? Or, rather, why does someone live next to an abandoned house and -not- expect things going on. Goblins have moved in, likely, or something worse. I will sneak up and peek, if you like?"
Jormund smiles at the pumpkins "Ah Jack o lanterns, marvelous. I will be right along with you, good friend. Let us take a peak and see if we cannot catch these scoundrels in the act. Maybe give them a good scare of their own."
GAME: Jormund refreshes spells.
GAME: Katsuro rolls stealth: (16)+9: 25
GAME: Katsuro rolls perception: (11)+6: 17
GAME: Jormund rolls perception: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Jormund rolls stealth: (19)+11: 30
Katsuro will move forward stealthily, attempting to sneak up on the house and see what's going on. He's got a bit too much dark blue in his cloak for sneaking this time of day, but he's a shadow moving forward.
The pair sneaks along. Very quiet. It's obvious nobody in the overgorown house would ever hear a thing. But unfortunately as the pair approaches, the weirdest thing happens. Four of the jack-o-lanterns begin to MOVE!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Erendriel has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Erendriel to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 23.
It is now Jormund's turn! Jack3 is next!
GAME: Jormund spends ONE use of COPYCAT.
GAME: Jormund refreshes special ability pools.
GAME: Jormund spends ONE use of COPYCAT.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 18.
It is now Jack3's turn! Katsuro is next!
GAME: Katsuro rolls reflex: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Jormund rolls reflex: (12)+6: 18
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d10: (5): 5
Jormund cries our on surprise, pulling out his crossbow and as he jumps splits into two copies of himself "Scoundrels!" he exclaims in stereo.
In response, the nearest jack-o-lantern opens its jagged mouth, and a blast of fire comes out at both adventurers! Fortunately they are able to escape the brunt of the blast.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 10.
It is now Katsuro's turn! Jack1 is next!
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 9.
It is now Jack1's turn! Jack2 is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15
Katsuro is anxious, as this is his first mission in this new city, and he's a bit out of sorts because he's not in any sort of disguise. He'll try throwing a shuriken at one of the pumpkins, but he's wide left, and it spangs off the wall.
Another of the pumpkins lashes a vine out at Katsuro... but can't quite get a leaf onto the dancer.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now Jack2's turn! Jack4 is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init -1.
It is now Jack4's turn! Jormund is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11
The remaining two try the same move, but just can't touch either of them.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 23.
It is now Jormund's turn! Jack3 is next!
GAME: Jormund casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
GAME: Jormund rolls +4: (16)++4: 20
GAME: Jormund rolls 1d8+1: (8)+1: 9
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 18.
It is now Jack3's turn! Katsuro is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 10.
It is now Katsuro's turn! Jack1 is next!
Jormund takes a step back, concentrates "Terian, holy Jackel, these monsters are anathema to what good jack-o-laterns should be. I call on your weapon to slay them." as he says it he conjured a spiritual shortsword that slices through one of the pumpkins.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 9.
It is now Jack1's turn! Jack2 is next!
GAME: Katsuro rolls reflex: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Jormund rolls reflex: (16)+6: 22
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d10: (5): 5
The pumpkin that breathed on you takes another swipe with the vine, and AGAIN misses. Another of the pumpkins tries its melon at breathing on you, and really broadsides Katsuro.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now Jack2's turn! Jack4 is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init -1.
It is now Jack4's turn! Jormund is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18
GAME: Jormund rolls reflex: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d2: (1): 1
The final pumpkin FINALLY gets a good shot in... but hits Jormund's mirror image, dissolving it.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 23.
It is now Jormund's turn! Jack3 is next!
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+5: (8)+5: 13
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d6+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Jormund rolls 4: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 18.
It is now Jack3's turn! Katsuro is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 10.
It is now Katsuro's turn! Jack1 is next!
GAME: Jormund spends ONE use of COPYCAT.
Katsuro sees how things are going and will step up to fight shoulder to shoulder with Jormund, or with the spiritual weapon anyhow, and so he slashes at it with his sword and cuts it in half, turning it into pumpkin mess.
Jormund gestures to send the spiritual short sword after another pumpkin and promptly steps out of himself, splitting in two again. "This is just awful. I am beside myself with rage!"
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10
Katsuro tries to slip around to the outside, to get behind these ... these things. Definitely haunting material, and he swings his sword, but he's a bit too slow, and barely misses it.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 9.
It is now Jack1's turn! Jack2 is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19
GAME: Katsuro rolls reflex: (10)+7: 17
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4
Jack on the left reaches out, and finally manages to land a vine on Katsuro, however its attempt to wrap him up fails, as he's able to upll his limb away in time.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 7.
It is now Jack2's turn! Jack4 is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d2: (1): 1
Jack being flanked lashs out at Jormond, and again a mirror image gets dissolved
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init -1.
It is now Jack4's turn! Jormund is next!
GAME: Jormund rolls reflex: (11)+6: 17
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d10: (1): 1
Jack on the right breathes fire, that scary spooky flame coming from its evil jagged mouth, but JAck manages to dodge it completely.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 23.
It is now Jormund's turn! Jack3 is next!
GAME: Jormund rolls 4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Jormund rolls 2d6: (3): 3
GAME: Jormund spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY.
Jormund steps up to one of the pumpkins, drawing his short sword. "Come on, this is no laughing matter. If we don't deal with these quickly we may have bigger issues." the mustachiod halfling calls out.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 18.
It is now Jack3's turn! Katsuro is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 10.
It is now Katsuro's turn! Jack1 is next!
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d6+3+1d6: (3)+3+(1): 7
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 9.
It is now Jack1's turn! Jack2 is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 7.
It is now Jack2's turn! Jack4 is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8
Katsuro now shows the true skill he posseses. Such as it is. When he's got the blindside of the one pumpkin, SLASH, he cuts it down.
Out of breath weapons, left pumpkin attempts at Katsuro, now that he's shown his true power, and it's not even close to a good shot.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init -1.
It is now Jack4's turn! Jormund is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7
Same goes for right shark.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 23.
It is now Jormund's turn! Jack3 is next!
GAME: Jormund spends ONE use of COPYCAT.
GAME: Jormund rolls weapon3: (10)+4: 14
GAME: Jormund rolls 1d6: (6): 6
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 10.
It is now Katsuro's turn! Jack1 is next!
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+7: (8)+7: 15
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d6+3+1d6: (6)+3+(5): 14
Jormund takes a swipe with his own sword, leaving a nearly gash on the creature " Well done on that last one! It will see be three on one!" he says as he duplicates himself again.
Katsuro is now into the swing of things, or at least into the stab of them. With Jormund distracting the pumpkinm he thrusts from behind and runs the pumpkin through on his short, thin sword. He flicks it away and the pumpkiny remains splatter on the ground. He says nothing as we fight, grimly silent.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 9.
It is now Jack1's turn! Jack4 is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18
GAME: Katsuro rolls reflex: (5)+7: 12
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d4+2: (3)+2: 5
while you're finishing off right pumpkin, left pumpkin gets in what could be one final shot, smacking Katsuro upside the face with a vine.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Six - Init 23.
It is now Jormund's turn! Katsuro is next!
GAME: Jormund rolls 0: (11)+0: 11
GAME: Jormund rolls 1d4: (2): 2
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Six - Init 10.
It is now Katsuro's turn! Jack1 is next!
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+7: (12)+7: 19
GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d6+3+1d6: (4)+3+(4): 11
GAME: Erendriel removes the timestop.
Timestop by Erendriel has left.
Jormund moves in and stabs at the last one with his sword. "This place needs a gardener, not adventurers." he comments as he slices inexpertly.
Katsuro slips around behind the last pumpkin. He and Jormund seem to have a pattern down now, and he will do it as many times as he can while the blood stains his clothes. He hrmphs at needing gardeners, slashing at the last pumpkin with a viscious slash that sends it to the ground in pieces. He's panting as he looks around to try and regain situational awareness.
Jormund puts his shortsword away. "That was rough, let me patch you up." he says reaching out for Katsuro. "We need to be in tip top shape for this!"
Katsuro nods gravely to Jormund. He will not object to healing, and he nods about being in tip top shape.
GAME: Jormund casts Protection From Evil. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
GAME: Jormund rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10
GAME: Jormund rolls 2d6: (5): 5
Once the party recovers, they're able to look around. Seems like the place really is abandoned, and while there is evidnece of a little bit of gobber pyrotechnics going on, overall it's highly likely that... well... what you killed was what was giving the lady across the road grief.
Katsuro whews as he's healed, and he says, "Thank you," sincerely. He will clean the pumpkin muck off his sword and sheath it, then have another look around the place. "Looks like that was it," he says.
Jormund nods "The trickster looks out for us. This was certainly no prank but vile pumpkins. Can't imagine anyone thinks this fun." he comments wryly.