The Summit Road Campaign Thread

"The issue is possession," Tashana explains calmly. "It may not be a likely possibility, but it is a possibility, that this is a creature that can possess or control others, perhaps through a deep psychic bond. Our worry is that it is hiding in or seeing through one of you, and thus watching every effort to find it. We do not believe any one of you was the creature at the fight, or at least I do not, but I agree with the others that it is possible that one of you has become an unwitting accomplice. You are rather perfect for the job of accidental spy or host." She clasps her hands. "None of us are going to convince the others that they are utterly exempt from suspicion, or that they should give up their suspicions. Taran has been cleared because I would have detected the touch of possession earlier today, when we walked deeply through his mind. Vishal is similarly clear because I doubt that he could have been possessed or bonded, between the utter disgust that Riedrans harbor for kalashtar and his otherworldly assistance through Vakri. But Vishal is only mostly clear. As I said, I am not going to reveal your intentions to the others, just as I am not going to reveal their plans to you. That way, we can be nearly sure that the killer does not suspect the entire array of countermeasures laid out against him. I understand it is frustrating to be suspected when your own innocence is so clear to you, but it is not so clear to us. If the others found out, I suspect they would experience similar feelings of frustration for your own suspicions." She looks at Taran. "Regarding your suggestion, Taran, it is a good one, except for one problem. We have very little time before the ambush begins, and a deep walk in someone's mind takes time. If I rush it, it could cause mental damage to yourselves or me. I would also remind you that whatever countermeasures we prepare will also be employed should the killer turn out to be one of our number. So it is in all of our best interests to trust that most of us have the good of the monastery at heart." She inclines her head to all of you. "Druhdaar, I am not surprised you lost the scent. The large corridors have hundreds pass through them each day. Now, if there is no more, I will go to meet the others and alter our measures. We will see you in the training room in a little over an hour."

"A-Apologies," Taran says with a quick bow, "I-I g-g-guess I d-didn't re-realize how l-long it t-took. A-Allow m-myself and, um, M-Mister Caelius perhaps? I'm n-not sure who w-w-would wish to, but l-let us es-escort you b-back. I-I d-d-don't w-wish to s-see harm c-c-come to you."

Tashana returns to the others, and you all make your final preparations before heading to the training room.

The six of you arrive a little early, and over the next few minutes, Tashana, Bhimaani, Shen, and Soravai all filter in. "All right," Bhimaani says seriously. "Let's hear this information."

OOC: If people could give me a general idea of their location in the room (i.e. against the door, by the wall, etc.) in their post, it would be appreciated

Akuma is leaning against the wall in the corner.

"O-One m-m-moment," Taran says closing the door and laying the last strip of plaster around the frame to seal it, "H-He h-has b-b-been u-using a g-g-gaseous f-form," Taran explains, "W-We d-d-don't w-w-want h-him to sn-sneak in."

Once that was finished, Taran will stay in front of the door.

Kaori stands near the centre of the room, standing tall and looking very proud indeed.

Druhdaar remains standing about 5 feet to the left and back of Tashana, his attention mainly focused on Shen.

** Readies Action: Attack in case Shen turns out to be a direct threat. **

Caelius hangs back, staying within 5 feet of Taran.

Vishal is ready and waiting in the middle of the room with a smile on his face, waiting until everyone arrives until casting his spell. 

(Everyone you have invited is now here)

The quartet waits for someone to answer Bhimaani's question.

Tashana is nearest the door, where she can watch almost everyone at the same time, while Bhimaani and Shen are paired to the side. Soravai looks the most confused of anyone there, watching from the side of the room.

 Taran looks around the small room, seeing the signal from the others that they were all ready, he took a step back into the flow, and began presenting the situation in his slow, doctor's voice.

"The killer contacted us in our dreams last night," Taran begins keeping an eye on everyone's faces, "He presented us with an ultimatum, however, during the course of our discussion, he revealed information that leads us to believe he has been keeping an intimate eye on us since our arrival, and access to information that only very few people had access to." Taran takes a deep breath, fingers curling and uncurling in a nervous tic, "The majority of those people are now in this room. Since the killer is a shapshifter who has likely taken the form of an innocent, we plan on asking questions to ferret out that truth. Esteemed Vishal will cast a spell to prevent falsehoods from being communicated. We will then ask yes or no questions, to try and clear all of us from suspicion. Vishal will know anyone who is not under the effect of his magic. We ask that everyone willingly submit to the spell. We will also answer questions."

Taran bows, "Please, allow us to clear everyone of suspicion."

All four of them listen with varying degrees of neutrality on their faces, and Shen glances at Bhimaani. "I guess that's our cue to pack in. Everyone should be in the range of the spell at the time of casting, yes?"

The NPCs proceed to move within 15 feet of Vishal (assuming you all do the same?).

Druhdaar's bushy eyebrows raise up as he realizes that Taran exposed the whole situation without stuttering even once, but he quickly recovers from his surprise and focuses on the small group assembled around Shen again, getting ready for the spell to take effect.

Everyone around him Vishal focuses on his magic, his eyes glow blue as a light blue circle slowly and magically appears around the group, as it comes to completion everyone feels the magic take hold of them.

Just as Vishal finishes casting his spell, three things happen.

One, an explosion of psychic static erupts through the room.
Everyone make a DC 14 Int ST for half of 34 psychic damage.
On fail, subtract a d6 from attack rolls, ability checks, and concentration STs for the next minute. You may repeat the ST at the end of each of your turns.

Tashana and Soravai both give pained shouts, grabbing their heads.

Two, there's a shattering noise from near the right corner of the room nearest the door, and a silvery mist similar to the quori essence that knocked several of you out in your very first fight together envelops Tashana, Soravai, and Bhimaani, each of whom drop to the floor with a thud, unconscious.

Three, Shen's form melts into the form of the masked killer you all fought in the dining hall last night. When he speaks, Tariiq's voice comes out. "Well, you were getting close, so unfortunately I thought it was time I made violent choices. Surrender yourselves now, and they'll live--all four of them. Kill me, and you'll never find Shen before that traitor starves in his sleep."

OOC: Ash is out for about a week, so I'll be botting Druhdaar during that time.

Initiative:
Akuma: 7
Caelius: 6
Druhdaar: 8
Kaori: 10
Taran: 23
Vishal: 3

Tariiq: 18
?: 17

Initiative Order: Vishal 22, Caelius 17, Druhdaar 12, Taran 12, Tariiq 9, ? 7, Akuma 5, Kaori 3

Also Druhdaar save since I forgot: 23

Vishal, Caelius, Taran, and Druhdaar are up.
I will take Druhdaar's turn last.

Books did definitely not forget about Druhd's readied action.

Druhdaar uses said readied action to throw a sling bullet at no-longer-Shen.

Attack: 15 Damage: 5

It pings off of Tariiq's skin.

Int saving throw: 15

Caelius winces at the mind splitting headache. He looks to Taran beside him and reaches out a hand, shadows wrapping both the rogue and himself. And they're gone. Caelius runs away.

Caelius cast invisibility at 3rd level and moved to d7.

Int save at the end of turn: 6

Int ST: 8

Using Inspiration on ST: 17

"You're not killing anyone today!" Vishal tells the oni as his eyes glow blue and suddenly himself, Akuma, and Druhdaar all glow with a faint blue protective energy. 

Action: Casted Bless

Int ST at End of Turn: 20

INT Save: 22

Taran scream as the psychic blast hits him, reeling into Caelius' shadows. But, the killer was here, and he wasn't getting away again. They wouldn't let him.

He darted back, covering the door as a he flung a vial of Alchemist Fire at the gloating creature, followed moments later by a small flash pellet to smash at the monsters feet. Running into an invisible body that he assumed was the sorcerer he took a stance between the killer and freedom as he faded back into view at E7. "You will not escape." he growls in a harsh monotone.

Alchemist Fire: 27 minus 6    for 6 fire damage and 8 sneak

Tarriq will take 1d4 fire damage at the start of every turn until he uses his action to make a DC 10 dex check to extinguish the flames. (1 fire damage first round)

Then I need a DC 12 Dex Save to avoid blindness, on a failure it lasts 1 round.

INT Save to end Static: 18

Druhdaar wild shapes into a brown bear and charges Tariiq.

Attack: 11 Damage: 7

Attack: 20 Damage: 15

Tariiq Dex ST: 19

Several of Tariiq's wounds close as he pats the flames out carefully and flies 10 feet higher, provoking an attack from Beardaar before he gets out of reach.

Beardaar Opportunity Attack: 15 Damage: 7

"I don't need to escape. Why would I? I've got you all right here, everyone I've been assigned to retrieve." Tariiq shrugs.

At the same time, Taran hears a blast of air next to his ear, and something slams into him, twice, before there's another rush of air as whatever it was moves away.

Attack: 26 Damage: 19

Attack: 14 Damage: 11

Initiative Order: Vishal 22, Caelius 17, Druhdaar 12, Taran 12, Tariiq 9, ? 7, Akuma 5, Kaori 3

Akuma and Kaori are up.

OOC: Please do not forget your saves!