/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>171588
>waving her hoof towards her building
>her building
I actually kind of like that she's claiming ownership

The griffin continues looking about. He steps into the threshold, but doesn't actually go through. He continues to look behind him, having a strong distrust of both the interior of the building itself, but also the street behind him.

"Are you the ones who cleared it?" He asks

>>171589
I meant *the building
>"Are you the ones who cleared it?"
"I would have loved to have been here for that, but no..." Posey says, drooping her head as if defeated
"It was handled by a band of mercenaries who worked on behalf of local officials: I guess the military does care about stamping out evil once it interferes with productivity. They did a sloppy job, but a thorough one." she says
"Or cell, has had to lay low... The temptation to strike evil as we see it is so painfully to pass up, but but right now we have far greater priorities, such as..." (intentional pause to prompt curiosity)

>>171590
The griffin steps through, and looks at Posey with golden eyes that mirror her own

"And what might that be?"

>>171591
"The rescue of our princesses." She says
".. It's a thing I hoped to speak with you about today. You see, the Holy Knights of Equestria are in need of... Friends. And from the stories I've heard about you, your cell is in need as well. I recon you knew this though, so let's talk about that."

>>171592
He closes his beak for a moment, but then makes one "heh" laugh

"You're an awful long way away, and more than a few ponies short for that, aren't you?"

>>171593
"Yes." Posey says flatly
"And as for that holy bastion your comrades vanguard I'm northern griffonia; I heard it's recently been putting out calls for personnel across the globe, hasn't it?"
She gestures to the sword
"That sword, it was forged from silver, for the purpose of slaying vampires. The Knights Of Celestia know well the horrors of the walking dead; they're so few in Equestria due to our service, and the grace of the Sun Princess."

>>171594
"That is..." He pauses for a moment, and looks back towards Alluring, who has the sword.

"My understanding..." He looks back towards Posey
"What are you implying?"

>>171595
"What I'm saying is, if the call came, the knights of Celestia would be ready to fight against the dead, but now, they are at an impass."
She looks towards the griffon
"I can't speak for all of the cells, but I know that right now, what the cells seek is a path forward, a beacon of hope, a path towards the light. Should they hear of a means to free the princess, they would surely reunite and charge on their crusade, and the Arcturian order would have the knights of Celestia at its service, and potentially even the princess itself." she continues
"And so I ask you, is the Arcturian Order prepared to help find that path forward, should it make contact with the cell?"

(This is the part where I get good pony points from master, for extracting crucial intelligence from Luminous before killing him)

>>171596
>itself
*herself

>>171596
There's a sort of slow nod
"You say you can stop death itself, but you couldn't stop your princess from getting captured, could you?"

He breathes in, then breathes out
"I can't really speak for the Arcturian Order. They've kept themselves neutral in all of the politics around the Griffin throne, and in that I am proud but uh... Well" He looks away

>>171598
>I can't really speak for the Arcturian Order.
Well so much for that.
"I fully believed that the princess could stop death itself if she were ready, but protecting her from conniving changelings was our duty, and we failed..."

"And I can't speak for my own order, but I know what motivates them. I know of the Order's neutrality, and I respect it, for your cell are ascetic knights. I only ask, do you believe that our Order's position might change? Don't get me wrong, this is no quid pro quo, but just an inquiry. We swore an oath to fight against the darkness, and we'll always help those in need, but as we are now, we have only do much to offer."
"So, what do you suspect the order would say in the future?"

Vid unrelated

(Posey is afraid of Princess Celestia potentially interfering in the war with the Arcturian order, were she freed, so she's inquiring if the order has any possibility of helping her)

>>171599
He seems uncertain if he has understood her question:

"I believe that the Arcturian Order knows that had it, for example, supported a particular Archon, or claimant to the Imperial throne, it would not have lasted as long as it has. And so it is with pony politics. Perhaps.... Perhaps I can be a little more free."

>>171601
Posey gives a satisfied nod
"You're an honest one. As I expected. In these trying times, I think we could still help each other quite a bit. In fact, I believe that we could be good friends." she says, with a smile
"I have something I would like to show you, away from the prying eyes if the military, or any disguised changelings." She says, gesturing to the opening threshold of the building and the creatures outside
"Follow me. You too, Alluring." she says, not waiting for a response as she turns slowly walks deeper into the building.

(She intends to kill him now)
I think this is a good stopping point for tonight.

>>171602
"But. I... My cousin..."

>>171603
Posey rolls her eyes
"It won't take long, but if you're too chicken (lol), you may go home now. Just give me the sword."

>>171604
"It's just... do you have another exit?"

>>171605
"There's a couple others in the building. I could lead you to one."

(I gotta sleep)

I have risen.
Posey proceeds towards the oddly shaped room beneath the first floor. As she goes, she puts on a friendly demeanor and makes some smalltalk, to lul her victims into a false sense of security:
"I'm another time, I might have given you a tour of one of our cathedrals. The sight of a Equestrian cathedral is one to behold. They're all built with the polar directions in consideration, so that the light of the princess can shine through the stained glass windows just right. There's still a few of them, but the Blackhooves have them under watch, ever so eager to scrutinize gatherings of the faithful. They don't appreciate just how important we are, or what dreadful evil could take root in our absence... Lurking in the shadows..." she says, with false wistfulness.
Rolling Bluff, to influence their attitudes.
[1d20+12 = (2+12) = 14]
>inb4 nat 1

>>171607
>could take 10 for a modified 22
>choose to roll anyway
>on an unnecessary spam-check
I am a masochist.
Well, this could be an interesting development nonetheless.

I would like to resolve the encounter tonight, if possible.

Does Posey succeed in luring the griffons into the room?

>>171607
Let's dissect this:
>The sight of a Equestrian cathedral is one to behold.
Some are pretty, true
>They're all built with the polar directions in consideration, so that the light of the princess can shine through the stained glass windows just right
This is a very strange way to say it, but Equestrian holy places are surely going to be structured in such a way as to take advantage of light, yes. This is true, unless maybe you're suggesting that they are built north to south so that light shines through the side? Seems like it would make more sense to build it east to west so the morning sun shines behind and... right into the eyes of the priest. Well maybe not. Anyways, this one is true enough
>There's still a few of them, but the Blackhooves have them under watch, ever so eager to scrutinize gatherings of the faithful.
This is pretty accurate. Celestialist services have surely been required to not state that Celestia or the Mane Six are political leaders, but are allowed to otherwise continue, with the priests of course being required to become paid informants of the state, and all church attendance monitored. So this one is true
>They don't appreciate just how important we are, or what dreadful evil could take root in our absence... Lurking in the shadows...
This one is true. The Blackhooves don't give a fuck about whatever mediaeval superstitious bullshit the Celestialist church was originally designed to combat

>>171604
>>171605
The griffins are hesitant to enter, but come anyways. When the door closes behind them, they seem oddly relieved, as if they have somehow escaped the greater danger.

The first segment to be traversed is from the door by the entryway, with a hallway, flanked by a door into a reception area, that leads towards the central corridor of the first floor. The whitewashed walls and white tile floors are dirtier, older, and have more flaking paint than the halls of the medical institution attached to the University where Posey studies... and yet, the two locations are rather similar in design and overall feel, with long corridors, evenly spaced and an uncomfortable "sanitary" aesthetic, as if it were designed to be inhospitable even to microorganisms. The remnants of a now removed sun on the wall remain visible through a layer of paint, even after presumable decades.

Posey needn't go far, not likely 30 feet, before coming to a wooden door that opens into a stairwell. The stairwell is concrete with white paneled walls... but descending even ten feet, the entire feel of the structure changes, as plaster walls are replaced with beige stone held in place by mortar

Reaching the bottom, Posey finds another hallway. This one, however, has an arched roof, is narrow, and lined with old beige stones held in place by mortar. The lectric lights are powered by a wire that is external to the roof rather than built in. To the right, Posey knows this way leads to a laundry. But to her left, it leads to another, smaller stairwell, a room designated "morgue," and a room designated "records."

It is before coming to this point that Posey tells her lie about taking the griffins on a tour of a cathedral. They don't seem to notice, however, as they look around. The structure as a whole is cold, as no one has cared to turn on the heat in a week. Below ground, however, the humidity has risen even greater, and the cold can be felt. Electric lights still come on, though the softer white lights of the first level have been replaced with harsher yellow lights underground. Posey, being a regular magical unicorn in need of light to see, and not an undead monstrosity that can see in the dark, surely turns on the lights before going into any room.

Posey should take note that there is a door that leads to a tunnel, presumably away from the structure. But Posey's destination is going through a room filed with pipes and large, metal cylinders, with a pair of oil barrels, titled "Boiler room." On the opposite side of this room is a door, and through that door, an entry into a very small hallway parallel to the original that leads into a rectangular room of antique design.

This room is maybe 40 feet by 50 feet, and beyond it is still another door that leads to a few more rooms and ultimately to the sea through an underground section not underneath the building, but the yard between the building and the sea. It has brick arches holding up the edges. The stones in this room must surely be 300 years old or even more and would not look out of place in a Magehold castle. In the time this place was a fortress, or a military prison, this must surely have been a storage area for goods taken in from the water. But for now it's Posey's chosen battlefield. The floors are covered in mortar and fairly level. The ceiling is nine feet high, the edges of the ceiling are rounded by the arches. The room is clear save for a steel door to a more modern chute, presumably a garbage chute of some kind, and a steel cage for a large animal. The room has an evil aura to it and an unpleasant smell, besides the moister

>>171610
>This is a very strange way to say it
Posey is just making things up to sound more like a real paladin. She only cathedral she's ever seen was the abandoned one in the zigger slums.
>The Blackhooves don't give a fuck about whatever mediaeval superstitious bullshit the Celestialist church was originally designed to combat
Then they shall prove useful, muhahahaha!

>>171610
>Posey, being a regular magical unicorn in need of light to see, and not an undead monstrosity that can see in the dark, surely turns on the lights before going into any room.
That she does.
>The room has an evil aura to it and an unpleasant smell, besides the moister
Does our presumed paladin react to this evil aura?

>>171612
It seems that he does, looking around, and having an expression of disgust, then looking back to Posey

"And are we to meet the other members of your order here?"

>>171613
Posey at this point is turned away from both griffons, and has been silent for at least a minute. She doesn't look at the white griffon (who I really, really hope is Luminous, or this is going to be embarrassing). Still turned away, she steps away from the two by several paces, and stifles a giggle. The griffons might see the glow of her golden eyes blazing in the dim light.
>"And are we to meet the other members of your order here?"
"Yes, actually." Posey replies
Posey immediately hums the somatic components to a spell. Without a rank in Spellcraft, it can't be identified, but it sounds... eldritch. And suspiciously like a whistle for dogs?

Posey spends two lvl 1 slots with Versatile Spellcaster to perform as feat of arcane might. With a full round action they consumes her surprise round, she casts a Cerebrotic spell: Summon Amoebic Crawler.

2nd level:
Call Amoebic Crawler
Conjuration (Summoning)
Level: Cerebrant 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5ft./2 levels)
Effect: One summoned amoebic crawler
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This spell calls an extraplanar creature known as an amoebic crawler. It appears where you designate and acts immediately, on you turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions.
Cerebrotic Escalation: Instead of merely calling one amoebic crawler, you can call two. However, if you do so you must make a DC 13 Will saving throw, or the extra creature turns on you.

Amoebic Crawler
Large Ooze (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 4d10+32 (54 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 9 (-1 size), touch 9, flat-footed 9
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+7
Attack: Tentacle +2 melee (1d6 plus 1d6 acid)
Full Attack: 2 tentacles +2 melee (1d6 plus 1d6 acid)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Acid, improved grab, vile touch
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., immunity to electricity, ooze traits, translucent
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +1, Will -4
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 11, Con 26, Int -, Wis 1, Cha 11
Skills:-
Feats:-
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5-12 HD (Large); 13-24 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment:-

A wriggling shape pulses forward, at least 10 feet in length. It is a nauseatingly textured translucent worm whose head gradually narrows into two ominously long, questing tentacles.

Condensed from the hidden marrow of a cerebrotic blot, amoebic crawlers are clots of alien space-time concentrated into awful ravenous, self-propelled motes. Amoebic crawlers partake somewhat of the realm which is ultimately responsible for their existence, and thus exude a palpable dread. An amoebic crawler is 10feet long, although its tentacles can stretch further. It weighs about 1,000 pounds, although much larger specimens are known to exist.

Combat
An amoebic crawler attacks with its lashing tentacles, attempting to grab and slowly strangle helpless foes. Subdued foes are absorbed into the crawler’s body in an horrific external digestive process.
Acid (Ex): An amoebic crawler’s acid does not harm metal or stone.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an amoebic crawler must hit with its tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it established a hold and deals damage automatically every round (those grappled are affected by its vile touch ability).
Vile Touch (Su): Those grappled by the slimy tentacles of this creature sometimes glimpse images from the Far Realm, and the sight sends them into screaming, explosive convulsions of nausea. Each round a creature remains grappled, it must succeed on a DC 12 Will save or be nauseated for that round.
Translucent (Ex): Amoebic crawlers are hard to see, even under ideal conditions, and it takes a DC 10 Spot check to notice one. Creatures who fail to notice a crawler and walk into it automatically take acid damage.

Posey reaches into the depths of her mutated mind to escalate the spell. If she fails this will save, one of the beasts turns on her. In either case, she is sure to summon them in front of the only exit.

[1d20+11 = (5+11) = 16] (+2 because Cerebrosis)

"~Here, puppies."

>>171614
Posey's 'puppies' attack on her surprise round. Without any ability to communicate with them, Posey cannot give them precise commands. I would assume they each attempt to attack a single griffon (even though I'd prefer them to flank and dogpile Luminous). They lash out against the flat-footed griffons with voracious ferocity.

Puppy 1: Attacking Alluring
Full attack (2 tentacles)
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]
[1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]

Puppy 2: Attacking White Griffon (Luminous)
[1d20+2 = (7+2) = 9]
[1d20+2 = (14+2) = 16]

Posey cackles in deranged laughter as the aberrant spell tickles her rotten brain. She nonetheless rolls initiative.
[1d20+9 = (9+9) = 18]

>>171615
Alluring is unarmored, so I assume a 19 hits him flat footed.
Rolling damage
[2d6 = 6]
And grapple
[1d20+7 = (7+7) = 14]
He's going to need to make a will save or be driven mad by the Vile Touch.

Idk what the white griffon's AC is. He may dodge it.

"It's been so long since I fed my puppies. I met them when my own master threw me into the mire as part of my training. We had a bit of a tussy at first, but we came to an understanding. They're just so very, very, very hungry. I could relate afterall, to the feeling of having a bottomless hunger deep inside your core that you can never, ever fill..!"
*Cue insane laughter

Sorry for meta-bombing you all of a sudden, GM. It might be frustrating. If you want to wait until tomorrow to do combat, I'm fine with that.

>>171614
>she is sure to summon them in front of the only exit.
No. There are two on either side of the room.

Alluring is grabbed
"They figured us out! They figured us out! Now they will severe our limbs! Oh Boreas, call Jungle Dark and get his Griffins here!" He yells

There's a "clank and bounces off against unseen metal as the tentacle makes an attempt on the white griffin. It fails. The white griffin looks towards Posey with a determined look, as if the fear and uncertainty that troubled him on the street had been at once washed away. Hee looks to Posey with his golden eyes as he reaches back, and takes the sword from Alluring.

"No. It was a trap for us. She's here for me."

[1d20+2 = (7+2) = 9]

>>171617
The white griffin lets out a long sigh. It's that long, troubled sigh of an overworked civil servant, who discovers, to his horror, that Monday is upon him.

And yet, he doesn't seem to lack the virtues of his race - that ability to face suffering with strength and stoic resolve.

"And here I thought I was done with you. I would blame my cousin's greed, but really, it was Arcturus that brought me to you."

>>171619
Posey's giggling dies down and she gazes back. The concentric rings in her eyes swirling with uncanny madness.
Black, necrotic veins push up through her fur coat, and she cracks her neck in an unnatural angle.
"~Let's dance!"
>It's that long, troubled sigh of an overworked civil servant, who discovers, to his horror, that Monday is upon him.

I'll await you for what the initiative order is. Puppies move on Posey's turn.

>>171619
>Monday is upon him
Kek'd hard at this.

>>171620
I believe initiative is:

Posey
Pup 1 (attacking Alluring)
White griffin
Pup 2 (attacking white griffin)
Alluring

>>171622
Posey draws her unholy symbol and takes an action to spend a use of rebuke undead to Bolster herself against turning (because I still have no idea how powerful Luminous is, and turning could ruin my night).
She ten steps until she's just ~30 ft away from Luminous, and cackles.
Puppy 1 continues it's ravenous assault, intent on devouring Alluring
Two tentacles
[1d20+2 = (16+2) = 18]
[1d20+2 = (12+2) = 14]

>>171623
Wait... I forgot how 3.5e grapple rules work...
Is Alluring already grappled? That might change things.

>>171624
>>171623
>Attack Your Opponent
You can make an attack with an unarmed strike, natural weapon, or light weapon against another character you are grappling. You take a –4 penalty on such attacks.
Okay, if Alluring is already grappled, subtract -4 from either of those rolls.
If the crawler success in hitting him again while grappled, it proceeds to pin him to the floor, covering his mouth to smother him and prevent him from screaming. I'll need a separate grapple check for that though.

>>171624
>>171625
Pup 1 needs to roll a grapple check

>>171627
I think that means Alluring is grappled

Of the new attacks, only one would land

>>171627
Okay, that means it deals damage. Half crushing, half acid.
[2d6 = 6]
He needs to make another saving throw or be nauseated.

>>171630
That saves.

It should be Luminous's turn now.

>>171629
>>171630
He cries out in pain, and these screams reveberate against the stone and brick walls and ceiling.

Luminous takes the silver sword, and with a massive swing of both claws, swings at Pup 2
[1d20+11 = (19+11) = 30]

>>171633
The sword slices into the ooze, visibly giving off light as it burns into the entity.

Pup 2 is fortunate to not be vulnerable to critical hits
[1d8+5 = (5+5) = 10]

>>171633
The ooze shrieks in pained fury, it's hunger intensified by the violence.
(I thought it was a greatsword?)

>>171635
We can make it a greatsword

>>171633
I guess the Puppy moves now?
It attacks as it did before, it's slavering tentacles questing mindlessly.
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]
[1d20+2 = (5+2) = 7]

The crawlers will only be around for a couple more rounds.

>>171636
Okay.