For the duo out front nothing strange is noted. Through the shop glass you see a counter and a cash register. Bookshelves arranged in a labyrinthian pattern with several cozy chairs among the shelves. Also a small stand displaying different bookmarkers on the counter. 

Noticing the looming bestial figure in the darkness, the mysterious talisman adorning the pale tieflings chest flickers briefly with celestial light just before the tiefling throws a coin in the direction of the sinister shadow to reveal it to his associates. "Look out Ms. Nasha!" Nathaniel calls out and tries to interpose himself between her and the nightmarish creature.

Cast Light on coin and throw it fairly close to the shadow beast.

Gavyn, lets out a smooth breath, feeling ready for the first time this evening.  He draws his shield and axe and tests the front door, expecting it to be locked.  He will open it by force if necessary or by smashing the handle with the butt of his axe if that doesn't work either.

Athletics to just brute force it: 19

Attack roll if the axe is needed: 16 Damage: 10

The front door is shattered into splinters and glass. Nothing has changed as far as you can tell. It's quiet in the bookstore. 

Do you head further in?

Seeing as stealth is clearly not needed as Nathaniel calls out, Laine readies a fire bolt, flames flickering to life in his hand and illuminating the area further for those without darkvision.

The sweet taste of freedom on her mind seems to have distracted Nisha more than she thought. With her thoughts too preoccupied to really focus on her surroundings, the half-elf trips on some random book on the floor and she loses her balance for a moment. And that moment is all it takes for her to lose her focus completely, and not notice the looming figure lurking in the shadows. 

A light comes out of somewhere, along with the tiefling’s warning shout. More an instinct than not, Nisha tries to take a step back.

The light from the coin reveals this half wolf creature. It wears a heavy collar fitted with tubes and vials of unknown chemicals slowly injected into the creature. No, this no true werewolf, but something made. 

For combat I am using Side Initiation where the baddies go then the party or vice versa. 

Half-Wolf - 20

Lain, Nathaniel, Nisha - 17

Round 1 

Post when able.

The stock room party goes first. Do you call out to your companions out front?

Seeing this creature come into view Laine throws his firebolt: To Hit: 23, Damage: 10

Kaelen draws his shield and warhammer “Let’s proceed, Dawn Father be with us.” He says walking into the building and looking around for anything in the building that they can see or hear.

OOC:

cast Guidance on self

Perception check: 18 + 3

"Some assistance would be appreciated." The pale tiefling calls out to the front of the bookshop, hoping Kaelen and Gavyn will hear him. Nathaniel then swiftly uses the celestial powers of his talisman summon a barrier of divine fire with the wolven abomination on one side and Laine, Nisha and himself on the other, hoping it would hold the experiment at bay, then backing up by his two associates. "Good shot Mr. Laine. The barrier is just an illusion I'm afraid but hopefully that thing won't realize that until reinforcements arrive." He quietly says to his two associates.

Cast Silent Image of a barrier of divine fire completely blocking off the area between us and the monster. Those who know it's an illusion can see through it though.

Gavyn and Kaelen you both hear Nathaniel's call for help coming from a door further in the bookstore. It is unlocked. As soon as you enter the stock room you also see this abomination. 

Nisha's eyes widen as she sees the monster in front of them properly, now that there is some light to illuminate the room. 

"What in the nine Hells is this thing?" She mutters to nobody in particular, just staring at the abomination in front of them. She lets the other two attack it from a distance, instead focusing her attention on looking around their group properly and observing the creature more carefully. 

Investigation: 22 Insight: 20

Its veins are bulging and its muscles are under stress from this transformation. It is driven to madness and kills anyone in its sight. Nearby you find the mutilated remains of Dartwick Jones the shop owner. 

Gavyn enters the shop shield up, axe ready to strike.  Upon hearing the muffled call for help, he looks to Kaelen. "Someone else is still here. It might be more than 1. I'll watch the flank."

He ushers the minotaur past him towards the stock room, backpedaling with his shield guarding the rear. Once in the stockroom, he turns to look and echoes Nasha. "What is that thing?!"

Kaelen nods and rushes towards the cry for help like a bull in a china shop…or shop in this case.

"Well, if comes near again I can try to convince it that it is indeed real, by throwing more fire at it," he replies to Nathaniel.

The Half-Wolf snarls at the fire and attacks Gavyn 2x

Bite

Attack: 14 Damage: 7

Claw

Attack: 22 Damage: 4

Round 2

Now it's the party's turn.