Expedition to the B.P. - Chp. 2: Rage Against the Machine

[greyarea]

Asherrion replies to the lizardman, I know I'm myself. And if you were all possessed, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still yourselves. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. It'll fight if it has to, but it's vulnerable out in the open. If it takes us over, then it has no more enemies, nobody left to kill it. And then it's won.

[ChubbyPixie]

Wrenly's eyes narrow, flicking from Asherrion to Guido and back again. He remembers Getafix's attempts to cast suspicion on him. But with Getafix a blathering idiot now, like Gryev, the creature did seem to be working its way through them, one by one. Which one was it? He has an idea. "I will get to the bottom of this!" he announces. He raises his hands dramatically, pushing back the sleeves of his robes, then walks purposefully over to Porphyry and whispers something inaudible to the rest of the party.

[ChubbyPixie]

Wisdom Save (12): [1d20] = 3

Brother Puddington walks over and tries to give Guido a big, friendly hug.

[Pulpatoon]

Porphyry hands something to Wrenly, and then steps over Fingal's twitching form. He picks up the paralysis device, and turning it around, points it at Guido. He then addresses the group. "Guido, when we left the medical room, I heard you call something out. It sounded to be a message of alarm and warning. But you were cut off—as though by an attack from the brain-creature. At the time, you were alone, save for two idiots... and Brother Puddington. The Brother has since joined the ranks of the simple-minded.

"Therefore, we can easily draw several conclusions: One, the brain creature can posses but one individual at a time; two, it leaves the vacuous, imbecilic husk when it leaves that victim; and three, it's present host is our own dear Guido. Someone grab him, will you?

"I think we can hold off on using any more of the demon's eyes, Wrenly. My exquisite logic is ample for the job at hand."

[ChubbyPixie]

'Cough!"

Wrenly spits the demon eye back out... and looks disappointed.

[tkrexx]

What? Guido is aghast. Wait, no! Brother Puddington told me he suspected YOU are the one possessed, and suddenly the good Brother was put down! Logic dictates his current condition has been caused by the Demon's desire to remain hidden, to slay or incapacitate any who suspect it! I see now Puddington must have been correct in his assumption!

[AleBelly]

Wulfhart watches the debate. All make good points. He tries to reason his way to the truth, but his barbarian brain refuses to comply.

[AleBelly]

Candy is too preoccupied with her own injuries to weigh in on the discussion. When the opportunity to interject presents itself, she simply cries out "Healing, please?"

[Pulpatoon]

"Lies," says Porphyry, and he discharges the paralysis device at Guido.

In case you need an INT check to have correctly observed Fingal's working of the stunner: INT check (18): [1d20] = 3

Ranged Attack (THAC0 19): [1d20+3] = 10+3 = 13

[Grognardsw]

Guido can declare action and include any necessary rolls. I'll roll initiative and sum up in next post.

[tkrexx]

Don't point that thing at me! Panicking, Guido flees the room!

[Pulpatoon]

Porphyry shouts to the rest of the party: "Don't let him escape!"

[Zhym]

Andover sighs and shakes his head. "This is all too familiar," he says.

[Hotgoblin]

[/b]Groyn[/b] watches as the chaos ensues. That damn brain eater can't still be hungry, he's been munching on almost the whole party. He won't get much with me, you know I try to know as little as possible! So, he better keep his distance!!

[Grognardsw]

Porphry fires the magic metal gourd at Guido. The cleric moves with a speed belying his girth and dodges. As Guido runs from the room, the satyr lets loose another shot and hits the panicked priest in the back. He falls to the floor paralyzed.

Initiative: Monsters [1d6] = 1, Party [1d6] = 4. Porphyry wins.
His shot misses.
Guido retreat = free Porphry attack. I rolled to speed things along:
Porphyry free attack [1d20+5] = 9+5 = 14 Hits. Guido's splint is AC 4. Running gives no shield bonus, and a +2 back attack for Porphyry to hit. Guido is paralyzed.

[Inferno]

Swilbosh, savage lizardman fighter:

While the necromantic satyr was distracted attacking a party member, Swilbosh used that instant, and the element of surprise, to ferociously strike Porphry with the flat of his trident.


Magic Trident: To Hit: [1d20+7] = 20+7 = 27, Damage: S/M: [1d6+8] = 5+8 = 13, L: [3d4+7] = 7+7 = 14 Attacking to subdue.


The massive, barbaric reptile was unversed in the subtle subterfuge and politics that defined all civilized men, and was therefore immune to them. It was all simple to his direct, straightforward mind.
"Sssstop! A traitor in our number can only work in ssssecret.
If we sssstay together, he'll have to arm himself and attack in the open, which Porphry did.
And the traitor would prevent anyone from ussssing magic to find him, which Porphry did.
But I could be wrong. Sssso I didn't kill him. Yet.

"Wrenly, put the damn eyeball back in your mouth and tell ussss who here is possssessssed," Swilbosh growled impatiently as he placed a large foot on Porphry's fallen weapon.

[Zhym]

Andover looks at the paralyzed Guido and the paralyzing Prophyry. If he were a brain eater, he knows which one he'd go to for a filling meal. Swayed by the lizardman's logic, Andover attacks the satyr with the flat of his blade.

Spellslasher vs. magic-using or enchanted (THAC0: 16): [1d20+5] = 1+5 = 6; S/M Damage: [1d8+8] = 3+8 = 11; L Damage: [1d12+8] = 9+8 = 17

[greyarea]

Asherrion waits for the creature to reappear so he can attack it as quickly as possible when it reveals itself.

[ChubbyPixie]

Wrenly is alarmed by the sudden flurry of party member on party member attacks. Hesitating for only a moment, he puts the disgusting mess of a half-swallowed demon eye back in his mouth and chokes it down. He shudders all over for an instant, then his eyes go wide. An involuntary sigh escapes him. He scans the room, taking in each party member... "Stop striking the satyr, you fools! No matter how satisfying I expect it is. It is the currently inert Guido, I'm afraid, who emits an aura of evil! He is the one who is under the sway of the creature. I suggest binding him tightly until we can devise how to proceed!"

[Zhym]

Andover's face turns deep red. He quickly sheathes his sword (if he still has it after the critical miss). "I apologize," he tells Prophyry. "No hard feelings, I hope?"