Trick or Treat 5
Log Info
- Title: Trick or Treat 5, Eidolon, the Inner Spirit Store
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Merek, Tenoc, Mercy, Nels, Rumbo, MAC-B1G
- Place: A07: Lower Alexandria Market District
- Time: Monday, October 19, 2020, 1:47 PM
- Summary: It's a grey day in the lower marketplace. The only bright spot is a sign for Eidolon, the Inner Spirit Store. The three kobolds in a trenchcoat are shopping for a giant egg. Tenoc is guarding them and follows them into the store. Several other adventurers decide to go along also. Before entering, a Quickling who lost all her Quick, gives some of the people a glow-band collar. Once inside, the store is revealed to be a costume warehouse, with rows and racks of everything imaginable, a wall of decorations, and a drider-like half-human, half-spider-taur situated in a web on the far wall, playing a sitar over a bubbling white pool surrounded by mists. She welcomes them, suggests they shop, and various adventurers fall into or select their costumes. Meanwhile, the three kobolds select a succubus costume and pay for it with 'her first born', the ostrich egg from earlier. Putting the costume on, the three kobolds are unexpected turned into one person and hypnotized, head into the back. Tenoc rescues them/her, Merek uses True Sight, and the spiderlings are seen to be dopplegangers, and Mistress Weaver to be a weaver worm. Battle Ensues, with Nels and Rumbo firing guns, Mercy attempting to close, remaining distant to shoot with her crossbow, then being knocked unconscious. Nels is captured and brought into the web, MAC-B1G is charmed by Mistress Weaver's music, and who is winning goes back and forth until some well placed shots by Nels, and hard strikes by Tenoc, turn the tide. The shop is set on fire. Everyone escapes, with the fate of the three kobolds unknown.
-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Lower Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-
Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.
For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.
Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Nels 3'7" 42 Lb Goblin Male Tall, for a goblin, and athletic. Close-cut black hair. Tenoc 7'0" 280 Lb Sith-Makar Male Tall, green-scaled Sith'Makar hunter Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. MAC-B1G 6'6" 303 Lb War Golem Neuter Drab gray primarily metal humanoid with cyan-lit optical receptors. Mercy 5'5" 150 Lb Human Female A platinum haired Aesir woman, in flamboyant black. Rumbo 3'2" 35 Lb Goblin Male A gun-toting gobber with a wooden peg-leg. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
It's chilly and damp. Everything is veiled by a great mist. There is no wind. The marketplace is active but those activities are muted. There are few shoppers about, the stands and stores have all been drained of colour and seem the same, bleak grey signage. Nothing seems interesting, vibrant. It is like life in the tidal pools, between waves.
Were it a mood, one might think depression. Were it a spell, crushing despair. Yet it's only the weather being bleak and demoralizing.
A lumpy looking sith-makar woman clutches her trenchcoat tightly about herself. She's engaged in some transaction, purchasing an egg. She reaches out from the middle folds of the trenchcoat to pay some coins and take the egg. It's ostrich sized but vanishes easily into the lumpiness. She turns and walks along the stands.
A large main coon cat sits on a wall, watching everying, in particular a large black crow. Two guards patroll, crossing diagonally through the square. A couple children and a goblin are kicking a round ball around, complaining at anyone who gets in their way.
Nels eyes the cat critically. He heard a child got turned into one the other day. That's life in the big city, though. One day a child eating too much candy, the next, you're a cat. He's at an alchemist's shop, buying a large bag of black powder from a hesitant tradesman. He forks over gold, though, and is given the bag, which he sticks in his pack and moves along.
Not every duty is glorious; Tenoc stands watchful guard for the sith-makar woman, leaving her to her shopping unmolested as he gazes out over the dampened crowd. Cold seeps through every scale; a million tiny, tingling needles. Yet, save for a simple cloak of rugged wool, he stands without else to cover him-- enduring the elements for his own, inscrutible purpose. The woman turns, purchase complete; Tenoc moves alongside and behind her, silent and stoic, Only the keenest eye might see the heartbeat's pause in his movements, the sluggishness even this simple chill brings.
GAME: Merek rolls intelligence: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Merek casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 10 DC: 20
Merek was coming in from the wilderness to settle into the city, and look into shopping. The man has a longcoat about him while he takes a moment to settle in to look at what's for sale. He nods a bit to a shopkeeper, a little bit curious about the sith'makar, he notes them. Perhaps three kobolds while in a trenchcoat, he wonders what they're looking for. He then purchases a few nice candles.
With everything muted, drab, and gray, MAC-B1G's presence may be initially unnoticed. It is not inconspicuous by design, but unmoving and blends rather well into the bleak surrondings. It could possibly be mistaken for statuary as it observes the resource exchange process in an effort to learn more of said process. Currently, it appears heavily influenced by humidity more than factors of rarity nor necessity.
Tenoc suddenly realizes, the Sith Mark 'woman' is return of three Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, 'Kiat'! How did they run into each other? Hunter caste does not normally walk/attend as guard.... hrm. Encountered while traveling. Volunteered to protect her! "Because city is dangerous, *sagenod!*
Walking around with a surprisingly happy expression on her face, Mercy, the young foppish inquisitor, is looking mostly at the sky. "Wow it's like a water colour on a wet page with indigo ink. Beautiful..." She collects herself in time to wave her hat in flourishing greeting to anyone who passes close. Including the Sith Makar woman whom she addresses as 'Ma'm' . What will the big city suprise her with today?
The main coon cat does not reveal any secrets, nor is it fat enough to have been eating excessive amounts of candy. Some candy though, who can say. With a loud squawk the crow flies to another roof-peak and stares down, watching the movements. The lumpy sith'makar woman seems to appreciate Tenoc's escourt. At least, he gets a few uncertain glances. She says nothing to Mercy and heads towards the only bright spot in the market.
Which is a sign floating in the air, which displays 'Eidolon, The frighteningly festive store'. It is in bright yellows, greens, purples, oranges and an off-white. It shines through the mists like a beacon, the letters are surrounded in a faint rainbow halo. It is above a canopy, under which sits a large fey woman, also floating in a laid back position with a long pipe in her hand. She resembles a Quickling which has lost all her quick, with dark circles under her eyes, tattoos, a tired expression and a leafy ensemble that resembles a bikini, with boots and a conical hat.
"Welcome to Eidolon, your inner spirit store. Find your true self for the cost of your soul." She sounds incredibly bored, rattling off a standard welcome. "Oh, you're back." She waves the lumpy sith past her. There doesn't seem to be anything else under the awning, only the giant fairy and the brick wall of a building which has a faint shimmer to it. The sith walks directly at the wall and vanishes.
Tenoc rumbles discontentedly. Magic wall? Uncertain whether to blame it on Fey workings, mischievious spirits, or just softskin things-- he sketches a simple ward on the air, steeling himself before he follows.
Grimacing as he hopes against hope that the wall does not smash his snout.
Merek looks to the fae, then he seems to think about it, before he walks to follow along into the place. He seems a little content to pack away the candles while he will explore the new place!
"Oh wait, before you go in." The bored fairy stops Tenoc and Merek by holding out her pipe. She leans over, still floating, the smoke she exhales in their faces wasn't intentional. She fastens a glowing band around Tenoc's neck, then another around Merek's. The sith's is green, the sage's purple. "There."
Nels looks over at the bored barker, and will head over to take a look. Alexandria's a place of wonders, and this ought to be interesting. Things usually are, even if he needs to shoot them after. He'll head over towards he fairy to see what there is to see.
Mercy 's attention is caught by the goings on. She wanders over. "Good lady", she doffs and flourishes her hat at the fairy. "Tell me what is this price of soul again. It SOUNDS... a little shady? Who would volunteer their most precious self?"
Suspicious. SUSPICIOUS. Tenoc casts the fey a scathing look, a chuff of breath returning steam to the air, to swirl with the lazy pipe smoke. He accepts the band, if reluctantly; frowning fit to show fang, he stalks after the Sith. "This one comes," he rumbles after. "Hssk. Go not far, Kiat."
"Welcome to Eidolon, your inner spirit store. Find your true self for the cost of your soul." The Quickling Fairy tells Nels, waving him through, "You're fine as you are."
She turns and looks at Mercy. Those are some really dark circles under her eyes. She sighs, "I just work here, it's what I'm paid to say. Ask Mistress Weaver inside."
She reaches out and fastens an orange glowing band around Mercy's neck. She couldn't sound more bored, "Spooooky. Ooooooo. Go in if you want."
Merek looks thoughtful and nods a bit to the fae, while he would begin adjusting the piece. There's a smile while he thinks about it, "I appreciate it," he states, then follows along into the place.
Nels goes inside. This ought to be good. He heads ... in, if it's in, really, with eagerness. Anyway, he's got a backpack full of powder, what could go wrong?
Mercy fingers the collar and shrugs... "okaaay.. well i guess I'll have a look." With that she walks forward and enters the strange space.
It's a little unsettlng to walk straight at a wall. The bricks loom up, and then...
The shimmering on the wall is a doorway, into the twilight... store. It leads into a store that is impressive by size, but not layout or structure. What appears to be a hastily redecorated warehouse with a low ceiling is full of rows of costumes and accessories. At the front is a section for decorations, offering lights, paper and carved items, webbing, and various other items to make a place suitable spooky. Along the walls are faux arches, statues, skeletons of various things, and figures in shadowy clothing.
The back of the store is covered in mist. Seated in the midst of it is a large spider-woman, dressed as a witch and playing a sitar. She is perched on a web which covers the entire back wall, except for two web-funnels on either side of her, and above a bubbing white pool that's made to look like a collapsed shrine. Collapsed columns, and carved rocks forming the edge. The mist flows out and across the floor. Above her, sits a shining mirror ball that spins slowly. Dancing lights surround it and are reflected as dots all over the store. The woman herself, wears revealing armour that seems bio-organic, with a bug-like mask and false talons. A horse-sized abdomen with eight legs is behind her in the web, the foremost two crossed demurely. Her witch costume is a peaked hat, a sort of cape that gives her sleeves while leaving all of her front exposed, a long black dress that lies over her forelegs and the humanoid join to the abdomen, and ruby red slippers. The lower, arachnid half, seems completely inert. Her music is eerie and enticing, the right kind of spooky.
"Welcome to Mistress Weaver's self-discovery store! Find your inner self in the form of a costume." Mistress Weaver clicks, waving a talon about. "Ask one of my spiderings for assistance."
She resumes playing, a 'spiderling' pops up beside the door. It is a humanoid wearing a grey bodyform which is tight and conceals all details. On top of it is a thin wooden mask, painted in dark colours with six bright red eyes. Two pairs of wooden spider-legs are attached to a corset, and a small 'abdomen' tail is attached to it's rear. This spiderling has a small witches hat. A few more seem to be converging, as there's a sudden crowd at the door.
MAC-B1G's cyan receptors blink on more brightly and it's faceplate pans towards the bright signage. It begins to move, heavy steps tromping it to one of the only illuminations in the immediate vicinity. It pauses just shy of the temporary shelter to scan the sign in detail before focusing attention upon the presumed proprietor. "This unit requests clarification. Datum: Announced service locates and identifies unit core. Datum: Core typically referenced, in vernacular of biological units, as 'soul.' Datum: Fee for this service is one soul. Conclusion: Fee for service renders service irrelevant."
"Um." The Quickless Fairy stares at MAC-B1G. She waves her pipe, "Go in, Mistress Weaver will figure it out."
Mercy admires what in another world would be a 'disco ball' going 'Wow' then she hears the Mistress's speal and thinks.... and thinks... "but... THIS is my Whole Self." She gestures at her musketeerish inquistor's uniform in styling black with platinum highlights including a dragon front and back. "There are no secrets when facing the full might of JUSTICE" She proclaims, fist in the air.
Nels is a bit puzzled by the costume shop, and, puzzlingly, the costumes he's looking at are all floor-length red satin dresses trimmed in black lace. Whenever he tries to go and check out something else, he seems to wind up at that rack. It's not like they'd fit him. He'd need to be twice as tall.
Mercy remains FASCINATED by the spinning glinting ball and the rotating lights about the room.
Merek walks up into the place, and looks to the spider lady, with a nod along to the woman. "Thank you, I am interested in looking for a useful costume," he notes, while he finds a place to settle in and begins to adjust that longcoat.
Tenoc shivers after stepping in/through the wall,eyes perceptably widened as he rumbles grimly. Shaking off the spoo-- he stares at the sotre itself. Mists, swirling slowly about everything. The glowing orb, gleaming subtly as it scatters the drifting sparkles of light hiother and yon. Gaze searching, spares the GIANT SPIDER---!
Alarmed, Tenoc hisses sharply; the search for Kiat takes on a rapid urgency now, scanning the store for her presence. SPIDERS.
"Oh darling, it's you." A spiderling seems to appear out of nowhere beside Nels. Like the other, she is a grey humanoid with a false abdomen, four false legs, and a spider face mask. This one has cat ears. She takes down one of the red and black dresses and holds it out to Nels, "Try it."
"Of course, come this way." The witch spiderling leads Merek towards the rack, "What do you fancy? Swashbuckler, Private Investigator? Samurai?"
"Directive received," MAC acknowledges to the unpaid unthinker outside before it tromps its way within. Therein it finds a rather unexpected sight in the form of the various arachnids. It begins calculating possible extermination protocols while scanning the humanoid units for injuries and evaluating the arachnid threat level.
The lumpy sith'makar in a trenchcoat, or three kobolds in a trenchcoat, is some distance from the door. The aisle that she, or they, has a bunch of 'sexy demon' costumes. Predominantly, they tend to be a mask, large boots, small clothes and a whip, although there is some variation. She's picked one off the rack already.
"Once you have a costume, feel free to try it on!" Mistress Weaver calls from the back of the store. Her sitar playing subsides a little, her voice is teasing, dramatic "Free to try in the store, but if you leave, it will cost your SOUL."
Mistress Weaver cackles.
Merek looks pensive, and nods a bit to the witch, "I would like to be a PI Swashbuckler," he notes, then he crosses both of his arms thoughtfully. There's a look to the people that came in, and back to the main area, and nods a bit.
Nels gives a choked scream as the spiderling offers him one of those dresses. He turns and runs, plowing facefirst into a rack of gothic dresses, mostly black, with various colors of lace, each one with various sorts of frilly accessories. Gloves, hair-coverings, masks, and so on. One of them falls on him, where with a glow, it is suddenly on him. And sized correctly, ironically. Or, rather, Nels is sized correctly for the costume. "Arrrgh!" Apparently he's correct for the costume in other ways,
Costume wise, theree is the usual. Nurse, Witch, Mummy, Zombie, Holy Knight, Vampire, Skeleton, Cat-person. Strange bulbous humanoid, which might be a frog or alien.
His search finally successful, Tenoc makes a determined stalk over to the lumpy Sith, tapping the butt of his spear on the floor-- more a herald of his approach than anything else; 'Kiat' does not respond well to someone sneaking up on her.
He spares a glance (a LONG glance) at the costumes, tail twitching before he resumes the post of watchful guard. With a glance back at the Spiderlings, the Spider Witch Queen. Eyes carefully. Watch EVERYTHING.
GAME: Tenoc rolls Perception: (2)+9: 11
The arachnid threat could only be considered secondary to to EXTRAPLANAR INVADERS! The construct notes the horned visage in red near they lumpy reptilian(s) and promptly moves to investigate!
It is not until it arrives that it is apparent the plating is mounted upon a mannequin for display. MAC stoops to study it, one manipulator reaching for the material. While the focus upon protection of only core, vital components is efficient, the construction of the armor and helm seem less robust that is required.
"Yes, we have that exactly over here." The witch spiderling leads Merek down an aisle. She hands him a hat, a Zorro-style mask, a cape, a rapier and a magnifying glass. "Just put on the mask, it will tailor itself to you."
The cat spiderling seems satisfyed with the results that Nels found for himself, herself. The grey-ish being heads over to MAC-B1G, "Do you require assistance? What would you like to see yourself as?"
Merek would look to what's available, then he places the mask on, along with what he finds, a pair of cat-like ears, nodding a bit to the witch, "Thank you," he states, letting that adjust to him, and wrapping him up in the material.
Rumbo fingers the glowing collar that has been slipped over his neck as he wanders into this Eidolon store. "Interesting," He muses as he approaches one of the spiderling assistants, "Very interesting. Spooky scary costumes? Nothing more scary than a Myrrish Gnome Inventor.. crazed naturally, they all are." He winks sidelong to the spiderling as he stops besides the rack of costumes. <goblin-talk>
The young inquisitor and self-proclaimed warrior and investigator of Deus' JUSTICE walks down the aisle glancing mostly with disinterest at the various costumes. She pauses briefly at an otherworldy one. It's composed of a Black trench coat with silver buttons and buckles and crowned with an odd looking black hat with a silver hatband. Someone MAY recognise it as a Fedora if such a thing exists in this world. Somehow she imagines it accompanied by a silver dragon spitter type contraption and dealing RIGHTEUS JUSTICE from the shadows. It tweaks her interest for a moment and THEN her eyes alight on a Platinum Washed set of Plate Armour with a large two handed sword and a shield armed with the symbol of Deus. Her eyes light up and shine as she steps forward and raises a hand to caress the armour of a true HOLY KNIGHT OF JUSTICE as she has always longed to be.
Nels stands up, dusts herself off, sighs heavily. "There'd better be a way to get this off," she says, but seems unable to find a button or catch other than the ones sewn on decoratively in various places. "Stupid human clothes," he complains. "Good goblin clothing's always got a quick-release latch in case it catches fire." Goblins and grease fires go together.
Mercy gasps as the Paladin costume glows, flows and cloaks her with it's mighty form. Granting the dreams of her childhood, Dashed by her pursuit of JUSTICE over and above Law.
A doctor spiderling, a humanoid with a male physique, leads Rumbo down an aisle. "All sorts of inventors, take your pick."
At the back of the store, the spider-woman sits on her web, strumming away and watching the shoppers. The mist that spills out from her pool reaches the aisles but doesn't seep into them. The lights reflecting off the mirror ball cast faint rays through the mist.
Meanwhile, the 'individual' in the trenchcoat nods at Tenoc. She tells him, "Getting this one," and heads towards the back, stepping into the mist. She sways suddenly, but moves closer and addresses Mistress Weaver.
"Alternate forms of payment, yes?"
The Witch-Spider-Woman stops her playing and stares at the three kobolds in a trenchcoat, very rapidly rattling off, "Yes. I'll accept first born, mortal favours, servitude, and other things. It's negotiable."
MAC-B1G's faceplate now pans to the inquiring feline(?) arachnid. "Chassis integrity one-hundred percent. Optical reception nominal. This unit is presently as constructed."
"These all seem to be fae like deals," Merek notes with a nod along to the Mistress, thinking about it.
Tenoc nods in agreement, surveying the store with distaste. Like the swamp, but...chilly, Cool. Too much mist, stealing the proper heat away. The Makar steps pointedly *away* from Giant Unspeakable Metal Thing (MAC), shuddering as he sketches the air again. He follows close to 'Kiat', one eye on the Spiderlings, one on the Witch Spider, one on MAC, one on the lumpy 'Makar'(?).
Too many things to watch, not enough eyes. Tenoc sighs stoically, rumbling as he glowers around.
The costumes are more than just costumes. Nels feels more diplomatic and charismatic, Merek can feel the cat ears move, and hear things through them. Even without putting it on, Rumbo has a desire to disassembe MAC-B1G, or create a flying machine. Standing in the aisle is enough.
Nels shouts out to the spider costume mistress, "Hey, wait. Wait, what if I want a different costume?" Any costume, at this point, would be an improvement. "And these shoes," she eyes the spiked heels, "They're way too tall. -I'm- way too tall!"
Rumbo takes a deep breath and then just steps in to the rack of costumes that the spiderling 'Doctor' attends. The rack shakes a bit, replete with glowing and a groan, then Rumbo emerges from the other side but now his bald head sports a shock of spikey grey hair and thick spectacles cover his eyes. He now wears a white lab coat from shoulder to ankle that is covered with black soot explosion marks and, of course, a pocket protector with what looks to be glass test tubes poking out of it. "Muahahaha!" Rumbo laughs and, in his broken tradespeak, threatens "Beware gnome invention! Invent demon fry-pan. Cook eggs on Imp-head!" He cackles again as he winks to the Doctor Spiderling and then approaches MAC-B1G still giggling.
The inquisitor turned HOLY KNIGHT OF JUSTICE seems to grow in stature, even her posture becomes more ... well not imposing as in inquistor she always had a peircing gaze, but somehow more noble. Mercy experimentally swings the oversize one and half hander sword and braces the shield. going through martial art forms suitable to a 'sword and board' that an Inquisitor should not be proficient in. "Wundabar! She says in Aesir. I am TRULY DEUS' WARRIOR OF JUSTICE!!"
Merek nods a bit while he flicks a little ear, with a look to the spider, "Well, interesting. I would like to make a deal that involves favours, I don't think that a lot of the other things would work," he then admits.
MAC-B1G cannot parse the inquiry beyond the literal and responds to the helper accordingly. The cackling of a gobber causes its faceplate to rotate one-hundred fifty-seven degrees to face Rumbo. It is entirely possible that sounds of gobber glee are firmware-encoded signals for concern. The mannequin of the daemonatrix-like covering is brought around as its torso rotates beneath the faceplate to re-align.
Inadvertent grasp?
Defensive barrier?
Either is possible.
"You selected your costume, it's what your soul wants." Mistress Weaver answers Nels, making the lumpy sith'makar wait a moment before turning back to her. Them. "Let me see your payment."
There is some squirming. A hand reaches out of the middle of the trenchcoat, holding a large egg. "First born," they say. The mistress stares. She leans, across her web and the bubbling pool beneath it. She takes the egg, places it in her web. She stares at it critically.
"Okay honey, payment accepted. Put your costume on and head into the changing room for final adjustments and to make it permanent."
"Just a moment sugar," The spider-woman tells Merek.
It takes everything Tenoc has not to turn around and *stare*. Face unremarkable, he simply keeps his stoic, grim expression, settling into a comfortable 'I am terribly vicious and wonder what you taste like' glower.
And thumps his tail. Definite bemusement! Clever girl.
Rumbo chooses a suitable language to match the costume he is in as he points out a finger towards MAC-B1G and states, "You there Golem you need experimental upgrade!" he slips into his broken Tradespeak for just a moment as he introduces himself as Professor Widget Windup and then adds "How about occular sensors in your butt to watch for oil leaks? Perfect idea. Hold still." <unknown>
Nels acks at being told the costume is what his soul wants. "It's /not/," she protests. "I don't even /know/ any martial arts." She reaches behind her head and grimaces. His neat, short hair has been replaced by a fine chestnut mane down to her waist. "And notning's exploding." Which proves, more than anything, that he's still a goblin at heart.
Mercy blinks as payment is mentioned " Oh -----!" she tries to say and blinks as her expiative is deleted. "Right Soul, First born, er... Good lady Drider. Are there any other options? I don't think a Holy Knight can give her soul to anyone other than Deus"
Two costumes are put on at the same time. One voluntarily, one involuntarily. They are similar in colouration and effect.
The accidental grasp of the maniken wearing the dominatrix costume is enough to activate it. It flows across the combat unit, transforming it. MAC-B1G becomes a lot more shapely, still a golem but a female-form one with sharp edges on all her limb plates. The colouration is black, red, with a white face-mask that has a fixed expression and a black crown.
The deliberate choice of the demon costume takes over Tenoc's charge. They, she, suddenly transform into a red-skinned demon. Tall black boots, a bikini, a whip, and dark tattoos that seem to be stylized decorations. She has a human face, and her expression glasses over. She turns and stalks into the funnel web. Her skin twitching as she does.
Up close, Tenoc is able to observe the changes in Kiat. Her markings are moving, not her skin. The markings are faces, one on her chest, one on her stomach. The three kobolds have been mushed into one human. Humanoid, who displays three consciousnesses.
Tenoc 's gaze is appreciative of the strangely alluring globe. Mostly ignoring the others, eyes for the sparkly, tantalizing, brilliant globe. It almost escapes his vision, but the corner of one eye sees the sudden, red-skinned change from trenchcoated Sith(?) to--
"Malsvir!" the Makar snarls, from tranquil to sudden, hair-trigger ferocious in an instant. He moves towards the 'demon' grasp firm as he seizes her shoulder. "Malsvir navnik!" he growls again, tugging back with a firm wrench. "Evil spirits!" Tail lashing he casts the spider-witch-woman a sudden, scathing glare. "Explain thisss!"
GAME: Merek casts True Seeing. Caster Level: 11 DC: 19
Rumbo bursts out laughing as the Golem he had been approaching reforms into a dominatrix, doubling up and slapping at his wooden peg-leg in cheer.
Merek would nod a bit while he begins to chant a bit then he draws the ability to True See within.
Coincidentally enough, it was not long ago that the construct found its chassis re-arranged into something more angular and narrow-waisted. The previous incident involved scorpians of unusual size, several thousand pounds of force, and were accompanied by the screaming of rent metal and numerous structural integrity warnings.
This time, it is rather different, and perhaps even more sudden. The redistribution makes it (she?) extremely angular rather than rounded, to include torso, limbs, and even the now angled and sharply triangular magenta receptors visible through the slits in the mask.
The timbre of its vocalization is only slightly altered, granting a possible hint of authoritative menace as it announces, "Evaluating..." What, or possibly whom, the statement is in reference to is rather unclear.
There's a sudden surge of power, flowing out from the pool beneath Mistress Weaver. The costumes are empowered, so are some of the people wearing them. The collars around everyone's necks glow. Only Merek feels something different, a huge drain, sucking the energy and ability out of him.
The demonic woman keeps walking even as Tenoc puts his hand on her shoudler. She seems transfixed, hypnotized, as she enters the funnel web.
Except her markings are going crazy, the ones on her stomach and abdomen are crawling and shifting. She sees something in the change room, a sight which the male sith'makar is dragged close enough to see. One of horror.
"Honey, you can't go back there." Mistress Weaver tells Tenoc, reaching towards him with a clawed hand. As Merek casts a spell, her head whips to look at him.
Merek looks to the kobold in trenchcoats, wait that... Well, he didn't expect to be right about it. He then looks to the Mistress Weaver, while he seems to think about it, "Dopplegangers, of course, that... Looks like a Weaver Worm, that's nice." He then nods a bit to everyone, while he feels the power within shift. He then looks to Tenoc, Mac, and Nels, along with Rumbo as well as Mercy, "This is all a setup."
In the changing room there's a pool, full of the same bubbling and translucent fluid that Mistress Weaver has her net over. Rising up from it is a form that matches the transformed kobolds perfectly. This second demon is holding out her arms towards the kobolds to embrace her. The arms of the transformed kobolds are waving to keep away, the legs locked. She has wings too, and the wings are beating to pull her forward.
"I knew there were too many customers in the store at once." Mistress Weaver says, "Oh well, drag them back the usual way."
Nels grumbles at Merek, "You're just now figuring this out? Stupid wizards." She's been told that the costume is somehow her own doing, which puzzles her entirely. Though, it's got a very familiar aspect to it. It's different, too, though. Like the fightyness she feels. That's something new. On the other hand, she's now sized appropriately for the large thunderbelcher she carries.
Tenoc grins-- all sharp teeth and absolutely no mirth whatsoever.
"This one was not planning to," he rumbles in reply, grasp tightening on the demon-costumed Kiat. He shifts his grip; like quicksilver, he moves from restraint to a more physical hold; seizing her by the waist, he heaves the female over his shoulder-- a sack of demonic potatoes, as he steps back from the webbed funnel!
MAC-B1G's white-masked faceplate pans around from one person or thing to another as it tries to parse the internal changes, shift in perceptions, as well as the sudden flurry of external activity. If it didn't have a fixed expression of stern ... something, it might appear consternated or confused. "Clarify."
Mercy notice the action and hears the comments. "Oh MY EVIL is a foot. This calls for the RIGHTOUS SWORD OF JUSTICE" She charges toward the direction the others who disappeared went casting protection from evil a on herself as she goes.
Rumbo just continues to cackle at the changes to the War Golem as he wanders about dressed as a crazed gnome tinker. He's not sure what he paid for this lark but whatever it was seems like a good deal for the fun to be had as Professor Widget Windup!
The inquisitrix stands the edge of the fog, her paladin-esque protection from evil shimmering around her. Mistress Weaver is sitting in a web over a pool of what looks like bubbling milk. Each bubble that bursts disgorges a puff of fog, out of the milk. Above, the mirror ball circles, casting spots of coloured light. It's twenty feet from the edge of the mist to the Mistress, and ten feet from her the pool of milk starts.
Anyone meleeing her will have to get wet.
GAME: Mercy rolls perception: (17)+3: 20 GAME: Mercy rolls knowledge/dungeoneering +5: (5)+2+5+3: 15 GAME: Mercy rolls weapon1: (3)+4+5: 12
Mercy is wary of the ppol and so falls back on her go to weapon. Dropping the costume sword and drawing her Light Repeating Crossbow. 'TWANG" even with her enhanced reverse enervation she misses badly, rattled by the sudden turn of events.
GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (20)+12: 32 (THREAT) GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (19)+12: 31 (Confirmed) GAME: Nels rolls 4d12+28: (22)+28: 50
Nels does not like that mirrorball, and she's not very pleased with this whole costume shop. Or with her current costume, familiar though it may be. So, she's going to do some damage. First shot is on the mirrorball, because she's a suspocious person and maybe it can break this whole spell thing. She takes aim with her thunderbelcher and it belches thunder. The mirrorball shatters, and Nels looks smug right up until she looks down at the proprietpress. "Uh, you got /ugly/..."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (13)+11: 24 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "will save Nels" Against Mind Fog GAME: Nels rolls will: (14)+3: 17
Glittering shards of reflective glass shower down on Mistress Weaver, into her web and making small splashes in the pool around her.
"Darling," she says, casting a ball of webbing at Nels, entangling her and then reeling her in as if she was fishing, "we all have things we want to change about ourselves."
Nels is up close, and she is very ugly. Parts of her costume, aren't, other parts are. A huge segment of her is hidden in the white, bubbling pool.
<OOC> Doctor Spiderling follows after Mercy,
Witch Spiderling attacks Merek,
Cat Spiderling 1 Rumbo, 2 Mac"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d2: (1): 1
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+8: (5)+8: 13
GAME: You damaged Merek for 25 points. 59 HP remaining.
GAME: You damaged Merek for 13 points. 46 HP remaining.
The spiderling shop assistants obey Mistress Weaver, moving up on the shoppers.
"Time for your checkup" The one dressed as a doctor says, swinging a stethoscope at Mercy.
"Merrrow!" The spiderling, dressed as a cat says, taking a swipe at Merek and connecting with her claws.
"I'll cast a spell on you." The final one says, running up to Rumbo and bopping him with a small, glittering wand. "Oh, that didn't work. I'll have to use a knife."
GAME: MAC-B1G activates its Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Str GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Witch-Spiderlign damaged MAC-B1G for 11 points. 87 HP remaining. <OOC> MAC-B1G does have DR 3/Adamantine. GAME: You damaged MAC-B1G for -3 points. 90 HP remaining. GAME: MAC-B1G rolls ranged: (7)+8: 15 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls 5d6+int: (18)+2: 20
"Engaging countermeasures..." MAC notes, the layered chorus on vocalization making it seem less threat and more alluring promise as it steps forward. Limbs appear more lengthy as they are more slender than previously. It(she) coaxes the cylinder on her right scapular plate to rise up vertically, then just forwards even as it telescopes to full extension. The fore is caught and its heft cradled with narrowed fore manipulators. The tip then glows briefly before loosing a surge of energy at The Weaver.
<OOC> Rumbo says, "+5 for the bonus levels right?" GAME: Rumbo rolls Ranged+6: (9)+4+6: 19 GAME: Rumbo rolls 1d6: (6): 6
Rumbo sputters as the fairy-spiderling 'casts a spell' by bopping him over the head with a wand and then threatens to use a knife to cast the spell next time. "splodey splode" Rumbo blurts out as he twirls the dragonspitter from the holster at his hip, continues to flip it around his trigger finger and aims point blank at the spiderling. "Bugger this! Remember, Guns don't kill spiderlings, Gnomes do!" He pulls the trigger and the handgun barks, flame errupts from the barrel and smoke puffs out as the spiderling is shot in the face (or body.. it's just shot!) <goblin-talk>
GAME: Merek casts Angelic Aspect. Caster Level: 11 DC: 19 GAME: Merek casts Blessing of Fervor. Caster Level: 11 DC: 18
Merek lifts up both hands while he uses the Blood Pact to sacrifice from himself, then he draws a weave of magic. That will begin to shift into permitting the man use of magic in two ways. Then the wings would extend from upon that man's back, while he places a blessing upon people.
GAME: Tenoc rolls Will+5: (12)+2+5: 19
"You're wasting your blood!" The cat-spiderling says, crouching to lap at Merek's sacrifice.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, sounds good, Spider-cat gets the AOO, you get an attack and pass by." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (15)+8: 23 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Misses with your AC bonus" GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+8+5: (5)+8+5: 18 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10
Tenoc secures his grasp on the relatively unstruggling sack-of-Demon over his shoulder; she struggles weakly, as if torn between answering that unheard call and clinging for dear life in turn. The Makar growls as he steadies his load, the warmth of blessing flooding like a river-- like sunlight, strong and fierce as the summer sun! Grasping his spear with one hand, the other secures her as he moves, weaves-- absent a quick, hard swat to the back of the Cat Spiderling's head as he passes, the hard shaft of the Tepoztopilli firm as he moves by, grinning wickedly.
"MeeeOOOW!" The Cat-spiderling says, wacked in passing.
GAME: Mercy rolls weapon1 +5: (14)+4+5: 23 GAME: Mercy rolls weapon1 +5: (1)+4+5: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Mercy rolls 1d8: (3): 3
Mercy in the grip of her new bespelled fervour attempts to rapid fire the repeating crossbow. The first shot grazes past the creature drawing at least a bit of blood or ichor. her hasty draw causes her off hand to get in the way on the second shot and the string painfully slaps her hand causes her to drop the bow. "OUCH! ____ it!"
GAME: Nels rolls cmb+2: (4)+7+2: 13
Nels is caught up in that webbing stuff and she struggles to get out. At this point, her heel turns, and she's suddenly falling on her face. But she finds herself held up by the webbing. She carefully gets her feet back into place, and resumes her struggle to be free. There must be 50 ways to leave your webbing.
Nels's problem is all inside her head.
"Ouch. Ow! Oooh. Oh darlings stop!" Mistress Weaver says, peppered by attacks, some of which hurt significantly. That little piece of mirror-ball that got inside her costume is cutting away unpleasantly. Her witch costume isn't holding up very well, but the bio-organic armour, that works. Too bad it doesn't cover her.
With great disdain, she gently shoves Nels into the web so she's stuck, wrapped up like a waiting snack. She draws her hands, unsettling claws really, along the strands. Her web hums like a grotesque musical instrument. A sitar that is much too loud, whose notes cut through thought and the body.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (2)+14: 16 (Mistress Weaver Perform)
Notes which are rather dischordant and inharmonic, although it's pleasant enough.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Okay, Will saves everyone, DC16" GAME: Tenoc rolls will+5: (10)+2+5: 17 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls will: (9)+4: 13 GAME: Rumbo rolls Will+5: (20)+4+5: 29 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Nels rolls will: (15)+3: 18 GAME: Mercy rolls will +5: (1)+6+5: 12 (EPIC FAIL)
However, the song is enticing, drawing a few close.
Mistress Weaver hums, "Lets all relax, avoid panic buying."
Mercy stares at the Worm and looks dreamy, dropping all defences.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (7)+8: 15 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (14)+8: 22 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Doc-Spiderling damaged Mercy for 6 points. 12 AND 19 TEMP HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Cat-Spiderling damaged Merek for 9 points. 37 HP remaining.
The spiderlings continue with their previous instructions, the doctor coming up behind Mercy, whipping her with his stethoscope enough that it rings her helmet and stings.
The Cat Spiderling rips off her mask. She's tasted Merek's blood, and she's turning into him. He's faced with a feminine visage of herself, and another claw swipe.
The witch stabs at Mad Doctor Rumbo, then stabs again. Both missing.
Out of the changing room, a fourth figure emerges. It seems female, resembles the demon that Tenoc is pulling from the store. Except, she's melting, half-formed. She's leaving a trail of white goo, and rivulets of it are leaking off her. The goopy demon heads for MAC-B1G.
MAC-B1G's manipulators on the weapon release it and lower to its sides, the cylinder drooping over its shoulder limply. It was made to serve. Literally. Now, perhaps, the effects of the clothing go beyond the exterior? Is it now the one owed service by others, or something for itself?
The harmonious, reverberating sounds draw it forward. The bubbling pool looks ... required, necessary. If it IS milk, the high fat content and/or long chain protein compounds may well do wonders for the chassis. It steps forward into the mist and simmering pool.
Cow goo, take me away!
"You, go after that one, drag them here." Mistress Weaver gestures at the melting demon and continues playing.
<OOC> Rumbo says, "Sweet 2 magic missiles at the witch spiderling ;)" GAME: Rumbo rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2 GAME: Rumbo rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (2)+8: 10
Rumbo has started to dance? The music played by Mistress Weaver has a certain chaotic harmony to it that Rumbo quite enjoys it seems and he favours the Witch Spiderling with a wide Gobber-grin! Perhaps the Blessing of Fervour has made him confident, or the way his dancing on a wooden-leg has allowed him to dodge all of the Witch Spiderlings knife thrusts have made him cocky, whatever it is the Gobber keeps blasting away with the dragonspitter in his hand and it fires twice in quick succession with the regular loud barks and smoke wafting from the barrel but instead of bullets magic missiles erupt from the barrel. The thrust from the Witch Spiderling's knife is easily avoided by a waggling of Rumbo's hips.
GAME: Merek casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 10 DC: 18 (DC13 due to Enervation) GAME: Merek rolls 6d6: (18): 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (8)+5: 13
Merek would begin to take a step back while he swings on the hip, then he lifts a hand while he chants a word, an arc of electric energy beginning to whoosh along the Weaverworm in spider form, even after it would begin to scratch him up twice. That blood rolls along while he tries to mask the scent of the scorched being from note.
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+8+2+5: (20)+8+2+5: 35 (THREAT) GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+8+2+5: (2)+8+2+5: 17 (Confirmed) GAME: Tenoc rolls 2d10+12: (15)+12: 27
Tenoc works back to the entry, halfway torn-- just to leave, or stay and put down the monster?
The thought takes only a heartbeat; gently, Tenoc settles Kita agaisnt the wall, focusing his gaze into her eyes. "Sssstay," he asks guardedly, nodding once before rising anew. Again the grin returns; for the first time he twirls his spear, levelling the tepoztopilli against the first, closerst target. No scream, no leap-- only rushing foprward, the magic energy sending himm surging forward!
Obsidian strikes, spearpoint sinking deep. With a hiss of satisfaction, Tenoc punches in and through the cat spoiderling's frame, wrenching it upward like a gory7 banner as it dies upon the spear!
GAME: Mercy rolls weapon1 +7: (12)+4+7: 23 GAME: Mercy rolls 1d6: (4): 4
The inquisitor Cum paladin is broken from her enchantment by the spiderling's attack. Shaking her head and finding the fervour now making her better at attack and defence she picks up her bow. Cocks it. Then she fires it at the worm again. "DIE FOUL CREATURE!", Unfortunately her shot is only another, slightly deeper, grazed.
<OOC> Nels says, "BOF to CMB" GAME: Nels rolls cmb+2: (12)+7+2: 21
Nels slips out the web, Jeb, but finds himself in hell, Nels. Or in the milky yuck right next to the horrible spider thing. Eyuck. It's kind of hellish. And it's trashing the costume shoes, she knows it. And soaking into the hem of the dress. She'll never get the stains out. "Argh," she grimaces, eyes squinting.
"Ouch!" Mistress Weaver says, shot by a crossbow again. She shakes a large claw warningly in Mercy's direction.
The struggling of Nels gets her attention though, "Oh darling, you broke my mirror ball. Just settle down." Swipe, swipe, she pokes at her with those claws.
The spider costume is distracting, she's actually larger than it, and her maggot lower-body makes the faux-spider aspects shift awkwardly and clack.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AC21 with BoF? Yes Nels?" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9: (16)+9: 25 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9: (10)+9: 19 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+7: (3)+7: 10 GAME: Mistress Weaver damaged Nels for 10 points. 43 HP remaining. <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Roll Fortitude, DC19," GAME: Nels rolls fortitude+2: (15)+7+2: 24
Her nail breaks off on Nels' neck, leaving a smear of ichor which has no effect.
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+9+5: (7)+9+5: 21 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d10+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (10)+12: 22 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "2 attacks mercy, 2 rumbo" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (18)+8: 26 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "2 Mercy, 1 Rumbo" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (6)+4: 10 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Doc-Spiderling damaged Mercy for 19 points. 12 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Witch-Spiderling damaged Rumbo for 5 points. 10 AND 20 TEMP HP remaining.
The spiderlings attack! The doctor gets his stethoscope around Mercy's neck and chokes her painfully. Rumbo finds the witch casting the hex of 'stabby dagger' over and over, landing it at least once.
The melting demon charges at Merek and Tenoc, getting cut by the sith's obsidian blade before failing to strike either of them.
"Hugs and Kisses, my spiderlings, hugs and kisses. We need them alive my pets." Mistress Weaver coos happily. She's really into her costume.
The golem-turned-dominatrix obeys Mistress Weaver's commands, turning in place in the milk and outstretching her arms. She waits for someone to walk into them.
That last hit did more damage than one might of thought. Mercy gasps silently and her face turns red then blue as her pupils dilate into pinpoints. then her eyes roll into her head and she falls backwards shuddering and twitching before going limp.
GAME: Rumbo rolls melee+5: (7)+1+5: 13 <OOC> Rumbo says, "Oops +2 from the BoF I forgot." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Rumbo rolls 1d4: (1): 1
Rumbo continues his improvised dancing, hopping about on his wooden peg-leg, and smiles cheerfully to the witch spiderling. After she stabs him Rumbo begins to sing as he points sternly at her:
"You should know, you should know that,"
"Cogz Rumbo is not having anything today"
"As we stand here totally gnomed up"
"We comence to make ya, Thump Thump!"
"Cogz Rumbo'll make ya, Thump Thump!"
"Widget Windup'll make ya, Thump Thump!"
"Gunahkar'll make ya, Thump Thump!"
"And with that Rumbo thumps the Witch Spiderling over the head with his Dragonspitter. <Goblin-talk>
<OOC> Merek says, "DC 21." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC is 15 + 2xSpell level" GAME: Merek rolls 1d20+6-5+5: (8)+6+-5+5: 14 <OOC> Merek says, "I wish to use my one reroll." GAME: Merek rolls 1d20+6-5+5: (15)+6+-5+5: 21 GAME: Merek rolls 6d6: (30): 30 GAME: Merek casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 10 DC: 18 (DC13 with 5 Enveration) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10
Merek looks from the mask while he takes a stance, then he nods to Tenoc. He will give them the flank, which means that he will cast defensively. Those ears flick while the hat is adjusted, lifting both hands to then begin firing that lightning bolt, "Tehen!" The electricity arcs about it, while he nods a bit, "This one looks like it might need a little work, or another way."
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+5+8+2: (12)+5+8+2: 27 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+5+8+2: (6)+5+8+2: 21 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+5+8+2: (20)+5+8+2: 35 (THREAT) GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+5+8+2: (9)+5+8+2: 24 (Confirmed) GAME: Tenoc rolls 4d6+16: (14)+16: 30
Tenoc's grin grows ever wider as he nods to Merek, and he sets about proving just how dangerous he is up close as from afar-- worse, even! Lightning crackles and explodes through it; barely does the squealing outrage stop then the Makar has moved to the opposite side, twisting about with a savage kick! One, and two, and*more*--
The last is a brutal thrust to the midsection, burying his foot in the creature's softer middle to set it staggering.
The inquisitor lies collapsed on the ground.
GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (16)+12: 28 GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21 GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17 GAME: Nels rolls 1d12+8: (5)+8: 13 GAME: Nels rolls 1d12+8: (2)+8: 10 GAME: Nels rolls 1d12+8: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (20)+12: 32 (THREAT) GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (16)+12: 28 (Confirmed) GAME: Nels rolls 4d12+32: (24)+32: 56
Nels is finally getting to work out her frustrations on the proprietress, sliding four rounds into the breech of her thunderbelcher, sealing it up, racking the bolt, and letting out four thunderous shots at point blank range, aided by the magical fervor. The first three shots have really really got her annoyed, but his last shot hits her right between the eyes, and there is a messy sound and that's it for her.
Mistress Weaver thrashes as the bullets rip through, revealing her in all her maggoty glory. Which isn't very glorious. White fluid, which must be her blood, overflows the pool and spills across the floor. There's a final thrashing which raises her lower body up before she flops into the pool.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Tenoc is attacked by Melty demon, Merek by the Doc, and Rumbo by the witch" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (15)+8: 23 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (7)+8: 15 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (14)+8: 22 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Witch-Spiderling damaged Rumbo for 20 points. 10 HP remaining.
The spiderling continue their attack. Well, dopplegangers actually, and whatever the melty demon is. Tenoc and Merek easily dodge their blows, and the stethoscope.
The gun goblin disguised as a gnome inventor is not as lucky. The witch casts 'stab' and 'stab again', inflicing deep wounds with her very deadly dagger.
The dominatrix golem turns to look at her fallen mistress and ponders the implications. Perhaps she inherits the store.
GAME: Rumbo rolls melee+7: (16)+1+7: 24 GAME: Rumbo rolls 1d4: (2): 2
Rumbo grits his teeth as he takes two stab spells to the chest and glares at the witch spiderling. Both hands grip the barrel of the dragonspitter as he swipes down at the witch spiderling's head, connecting with a dull thud.
GAME: Merek casts Lightning Bolt/A2. Caster Level: 10 DC: 20 (DC15 due to 5 Enverations) GAME: Merek rolls 6d6: (28): 28 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8
Merek looks to the two which will swing along at him, then he nods a bit, "I'm going to take care of this one," he notes then to Tenoc, while he swivels along upon the hip. With that he maneuvers from between the two, then he takes a hand to lift it up, before he fires another lightning bolt, into the Doctor Spider. Electricity arcs while it scorches the Weaverworm, the creature melting and oozing while it's taken into pieces.
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+8+5+2: (3)+8+5+2: 18 GAME: Tenoc rolls +1d6+4: +(3)+4: 7 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+9+5+2: (17)+9+5+2: 33 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d10+6: (3)+6: 9
Tenoc leaves nothing to chance-- moving from savage kicks to grasping the greatspear with both hands, he simly steps forward, a swift, powerful stroke smashing the still-forming creature in front of him apaart. Wincing at the beast as it suddenly discorporates, he grimaces at the mix of sludge and milky blood, grimacing. But time for disgust later-- he lunges forward, dark spear tip dragged in a ragged rake along the Witch's side!
The Witch-Spiderling falls, opened up, bleeding white and showing a distinct lack of organs.
GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (20)+12: 32 (THREAT) GAME: Nels rolls 1d20+12: (18)+12: 30 (Confirmed) GAME: Nels rolls 4d12+32: (28)+32: 60
Nels sees only one target left and she smirks, loading a single round. He fires from the hip, nails it in the forehead. The head explodes. The shelves behind it explode. He attempts to look smug. "I meant to do that," he claims.
Rumbo shirks down a little and glances over his shoulder at the exploding shelves beside him before glancing back to Nels, still dressed like a Gnomish Inventor. He doesn't waste much time though with stares and instead fusses with the dragonspitter to reload it. Powder poured down the barrel, wad placed over it and then a lead ball rammed down by a short rod.
The inquisitrix lies unconscious on the floor, the white fluid spreading around her. The pool of it is leaking down the aisles. It's thick, some sort of solid goop, the weaver worm's blood, but also simiar to what leaks out of the spiderlings.
The spiderlings don't change much, they were dopplegangers in costume. Slightly redundant, but hide in plane sight, much like Mistress Weaver had.
Debris and costumes from the shattered shelves fall across the floor.
Nels feels her... no himself shrinking, although he is stuck in a dress. Merek's cat ears stop working. MAC-B1G returns to form, a blocky, square form, exploding its dominatrix costume. Rumbo, no longer wishes to make disassemble golems or invent things. Firearms remain fascinating.
The store is in ruins, and with the loss of its proprietess many of the effects fade. The loop collars stop glowing, Merek feels his strength and energy return, others, feel their strange empowerment drain away.
Tenoc rumbles quietly as the store reverts, as the strange changes fade... Totally trying to look nonchalant at the EXPLODING SHELVES NEAR HIS HEAD.
With a last glance at Nels, the Makar snorts in bemusement. "This one shall not argue," he remarks, grinning. Another chuff, lifting his spear before he goes to check on Kiat. Near the door--?
Merek looks to the store in full, now that it's all settled, taking the time to see what is still around. He takes a moment to adjust the belt of his attire while he takes off the costume. "We might need a magical clean up," he notes, while he sighs a little bit in thought. "I'm going to check with the fae that was at the front," he will walk to look that way.
Rumbo finishes loading his dragonspitter and surveys the damage left in the demolished store. "Now that is what I call a party!" He exclaims with a cheery grin. After storing the ramrod away Rumbo drops his hand to pluck a glass globe of oily liquid from his belt and, as he holds it up, offers "Should we end this with a bang and burn down the store?" <Goblin-Talk>
She's gone! They're gone! In all the commotion the demon must have slipped out. Or the kobolds in a trenchcoat, or oddly shaped sith'makar, whatever it was.
All that remains is a glowing loop-collar, unfastened, with the glow slowly fading.
Nels looks relieved as the world returns to it's proper proportions and size, breathing a deep sigh of relief as his goblinity returns. The remains of the dress are ripped free, leaving him in his armor and such. He peers at Rumbo, says, "You should use Tradespeak here in Alexandria. Not everyone understands Goblin. But yeah, lets burn this place. I don't think I like costumes much anymore."
Rumbo nods in agreement to Nels and tosses the glass globe up into the air. Before it can land and break open he says, his voice harsh as he speaks in broken tradespeak, "Tradespeak difficult. Rumbo sounds stupid Tradespeaking."
GAME: Rumbo used a Alchemist's Fire.
The costumes are all handmade, from spider-silk. Or... maggot-silk. Maggot-silk costumes.
People were wearing these!
Tenoc rumbles quietly. Tempted! "Hssk. This one must... disagree," he replies to Nels quietly, with great sorrow. "Though it is best to-- sssk --use in cleansing evil things, this one has been told that Alexandrians do not like their selmolik jihl--" He pauses, grinning darkly. "Ssssk. Their softskin mound burned."
Oh no. Fire. Tragic.
- ...BASK.
Outside, Merek finds the bored looking fairy, hovering in place and smoking her pipe. She looks at the sage as he exits, "Hmmm? What?"
Nels shrugs about Rumbo's Tradespeak, says, "You'll get better at it the more you use it. I had to learn it, too. It's just how things go." As the place burns, he appreciates the flames with a smile, piling the costumes onto the flames until the heat drives him from the store.
Merek looks to the bored fairy while he thinks about it, "Well, those were... You know what, it's not important, I would like to hire you sometime if possible, I need more magical security," he notes. The man nods a bit, then he seems to think about it, "Dopplegangers, Weaverworms, within the city. I will bring all of that to the guard."
The dominatrix-golem emerges from its fascination. It is in a pool of maggot milk beside a huge dead half woman, half maggot. Nearby, Inquisitor Mercy lies unconscious.
Rumbo strips off his gnome inventor's costume and tosses it onto the fire he has started before joining the others outside the store and nods slowly to Nels. "Yes. Must learn better." Then mutters to himself, "Speak eight languages. Stupid tradespeak."
The costumes burn well, as do the webs. The 'milk' starts to stink in horrible ways. The body of Mistress Weaver is too large to move unless everyone gets involved, and that would mean touching her. The store seems to be burning well enough.
The fire grows, higher and more intense. Black smoke pools along the ceiling and starts to grow downwards. Lingering could be dangerous.
Outside, the bored fairy gazes with tired eyes at Merek, "I only do this once in a while. So, maybe." She exhales soem smoke in his face.
Merek makes a face, then nods a bit to the fairy, "Of course, well you take care," he notes. Then he waves to people, he will let them do what they will with the place, he will talk with the Guild about it.
Nels gets out when the smoke gets to heavy, nods to the others. "We ought to report this place to the Guild. I'll bet they give us a reward."
Rumbo edges closer to Nels and, bending forward, peers over the Thunderbelcher with obvious jealousy as he examines it's construction with little care for the flames and the stench.
The two goblins exit the store.
Nels uses a Medium-sized thunderbelcher with a quite complicated loading and firing mechanism, he'll show it to Rumbo as he's quite proud of it. "I had it made special," he explains, as he's a proper goblin gunslinger.
Tenoc glances to the gunslinging gobbers. Tail thumping in quiet bemusement. A last glance to the flames-- a last glance around with a sigh. "One believes that he shall return to rest," he grouses. Without the warmth and energy-- the Breath of Fire --he feels drained, almost sluggish. Colder now, as he rustles, shaking it off. Grimace-- and return home!
Rumbo keeps examining the thunderbelcher as he resists the urge to steal it. "Most interesting." He says in his harsh tradespeak, "I trained as Feurwerker. Bludguni Gunsmith. Never seen this type though. Not powder and shot but something.. complicated?"
Nels nods about 'something complicated'. "Indeed," he agrees without explaining further. "But you must allow me a few secrets." Because loading powder, ball, and shot for 3 or 4 shots a round is kind of insane, so there've been some mods to the weapon ... thoug they only work for Nels. Or, presumably, someone with Rapid Reload and Firearm Mastery.
The golem retrieves the Inquisitor and leaves. The flames are getting intense, maggot-web burns quickly, smoke covers the ceiling and is obscuring visibility. It would be hard to breathe, if the golem breathed. The inquisitor isn't breathing much, she'll survive.
Rumbo nods again, slowly, and then takes a step back and pulls himself to his full height. Three feet, two AND a half inches. "Well Ok. Good party. Maybe see you next party!" Rumbo says, smiling, and still practicing his harsh tradespeak. He gives a cheery wave to Nels and to any of the others who were in the store and who are still here watching it burn.
Everyone exits the Ediolon store. Once out, it's impossble to re-enter. Kiat, as Tenoc has been calling her, is no where to be seen. The Quickless Fairy is still floating around, having a smoke, barely piqued curiosity focusing on the others. "Store's closed?"
Amazingly, she can smell smoke on them, even though air doesn't seem to be entering or exiting.
The guards are informed, but find themselves unable to pass through the shimmering door. The other side of the wall is a completely unreleated spae, with a different configuration. It's suggested that it was a 'Mage's Magic Mansion', configured to be a warehouse full of costumes.
It's not clear what Mistress Weaver's plan ultimate plan was. Weaverworms aren't usually known for working with dopplegangers, or having the levels of magic demonstrated. Perhaps some lost artifact. After 20 hours pass, the shimmering vanishes leaving a pile of carbon stacked against the wall, the evidence inside completely incinerated.
It's unclear how many people went in before the adventurers, if they purchased costumes or not, and what happened when they left. There are bone fragments in the ashes, and from what the adventurers saw, there were no bones in the creatures they fought inside.
Combatty stuff
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "If you are below level 6, you get a Reverse Enervation. What this means is, you get five temporary levels. This would affect Mercy, Tenoc, Rumbo. The effect is generally +5. So I'll keep track, but you can note this down. It's +25HP (5 a level), +5 Base Attack Bonus, +5 Saves/Skills you have, +5 AC."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "effect 2, is your costume gives you a special at/will skill.
Mercy, you get a Smite +1d8, can use the sword, etc, and a swift Protection from Evil, yourself or others
Tenoc, no costume, so you just get the bonuses previously.
Rumbo, you get a Craft/Artifice equal to your Craft/Gunsmithing, that will allow you to make CR1 traps as a standard action, or repair golems for 1d4.
Nels, you get Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, Improved trip, and you can also do them as ranged attacks, like a street fighter fireball thingy.
MAC-B1G, you get a +5 to intimidate, a +5 to CMB rolls to pin/bind, proficiencies to use a whip and a whip attack that does lethal 1d6 up to 20' range.
Merek, as swashbuckling investigator you get (to make it simple) a parry roll for any attack, if you roll 5 over attack you do melee damage and the attack misses. And a +5 on perception."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Effect 3. Merek, you get the regular enervate. You feel five negative levels hit. -25 HP, -5 BAB, -5 Saves/Skills you have."
<OOC> Merek says, "Considering the level shift would it be ok to lower the circles I can use by two levels?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "You are casting as if you are five levels lower in terms of what caster strength you have. Per Enervate, you still have your slots/prepared spells, they're waker."
<OOC> Merek nods, ty!
<OOC> Rumbo says, "Do these reverse enervation bonus levels count as Caster Levels? Rumbo will continue blasting at the witch spiderling but instead of spending a turn reloading he is going to use his arcane bonded dragonspitter to cast Magic Missile. Either 1 or 2 missiles depending on the caster levels."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Yes. they do."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| MAC-B1G.......| 90 | 98 |
| Mercy.........| 12 | 12 |
| Merek.........| 37 | 84 |
| Nels..........| 32 | 53 |
| Rumbo.........| 10 | 10 |
| Tenoc.........| 45 +25 | 45 |
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| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|MAC-B1G |WAR_GOLEM |Art | 90 | 98 |23/21/14 | 27 | 10 | 8 | 4 |
|Mercy |HUMAN |Inq | 12 | 12 |13/10/13 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
|Merek |HUMAN |Clr/MTh/Sor| 46 | 84 |19/15/18 | 26 | 12 | 11 | 18 |
|Nels |GOBLIN |Ftr | 53 | 53 |19/15/15 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
|Rumbo |GOBLIN |Rog/Wiz | 10 | 10 |14/11/14 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
|Tenoc |SITH-MAKAR|Mnk/Rgr | 45 | 45 |21/19/18 | 24 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
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===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 5 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
23 Mercy 1
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>> 16 Nels 1 <<
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14 Mistress Weaver 1
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14 Spiderlings 1
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11 MAC-B1G 1 Titan Armor (5 rnds active)
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10 Rumbo 1
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6 Merek 1
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3 Tenoc 3
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==============================================================================
What a Weaverworm looks like
https://files.cults3d.com/uploaders/14149155/illustration-file/e02fcece-5dce-40ad-9f40-02b61432397f/weaverworm_large.jpg
