Doug M's Way of the Wicked (Inactive)

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

Sorry for my absence all, had finals, fun, work and holiday obligations, ouch you guys are taking a beating! DM took over but that's on me for not being able to post.

DM I would most definitely NOT cast Force Missile on anything golem like and my first round actions I would have made ALL Knowledge checks I could - but alas I was not here.

Had been running Cуровую it would have been more along these lines -

Round 1

Knowledge Rolls, perception in room, see what that rope did. Cуровую would suggest that the dead flesh eating beetles in the next room would maybe affect the dead parts of this machine (that's a long shot however). Since the party already are looking into the rope and the beetles let's just say my spell went off to no effect. But nothing on Knowledge rolls?

Round 2

I don't think I have acted yet but let me know.

Making sure Cуровую was nowhere near the smell of the automation she would pull back
but then verbally/loudly shout out to Zargo -

'Enough of this Dwarf ENOUGH! Its time to make terms. I have never been with a Dwarf before. Disengage with the IX now and I will give you a night and a day, at the time of your choosing, if you please me which I highly doubt I will take you on a further day and a night at the time of MY choosing and if you please me then I will allow you to take one quarter pound of my flesh to keep for posterity sake, you can show me just how BIG your 'intellect' is ...

She makes sure she has Zargo's full attention.

With that, in a single swift move, Cуровую disrobes and her clothes quietly hit the floor. She still moves towards the previous door though.

I am thinking this counts as Lust, Greed and Pride?

Based on this I have my round three actions plotted out.

I should have opened the door before Bref as I am after Zargo, and, thus, before Bref in the party order. I think that Bref wanted to grab some bugs and head back with them.

Good catch Jax, I forgot that he was terrified of them. I was going of the multiple mentions that the golem is rotting and that these are carrion bugs.

This round Tohram will open the bug door - Move Action. And then dismiss Morsum back to his home plane.

DMDM - He is at -10 HP, your call on whether he continues to bleed while elsewhere. If he does, then he will die and I cannot resummon him for 1 day. If not, then I can resummon him and heal him later.

Wups, looked like I mixed Jax up with Dren. My bad. Okay, Zargo wants that wand. Since you're determined to keep it from him, he's just going to beat you until you collapse, the collect the wand from your unconscious or dead body. So, first blow, you take the 11 points intended for Sir Edmin. (So Edmin DOES NOT take that damage.) Since you're still standing, he'll hit you again: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 I believe that hits, so another 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 6) + 5 = 17 points of damage, for a total of 28. That puts you at -8.

Zargo then picks up the wand as a move action and takes a 5' step, which puts him within reach of Zimu and Sir Edmin.

DM the above post was my 2nd round action, I am trying to distract Zargo and buy time for the party. How many times will he ever get a willing test subject.

Judge, Bref had the idea first. He's the only one who is before Zargo in initiative.

Wow, does he continue to bleed? Excellent question! Buffs wear off in normal time, but OTOH it's RAW that he comes back with the same hp as when he left. So, I'll tentatively say that no, he does not bleed. Go ahead and dismiss him. (You're going to be getting pretty sick of resummoning him...)

Zimu, while the potential for entertainment here is significant, [HAL]I'm afraid I can't let you do that[/HAL9000] as your Round 2 action -- we're starting Round 4, so it would be a bit much to backtrack now.

Wups, looked like I mixed Jax up with Dren. My bad. Okay, Zargo wants that wand. Since you're determined to keep it from him, he's just going to beat you until you collapse, the collect the wand from your unconscious or dead body. So, first blow, you take the 11 points intended for Sir Edmin. (So Edmin DOES NOT take that damage.) Since you're still standing, he'll hit you again: d20+13 I believe that hits, so another 2d6+5 points of damage, for a total of 28. That puts you at -8.

Zargo then picks up the wand as a move action and takes a 5' step, which puts him within reach of Zimu and Sir Edmin.

My current AC is 22.

Wow, really! Huh. Okay, then you don't take that second hit and you're still standing. Good on you!

Of course, now Zargo is getting annoyed, so he'll probably kill you next round.

Zimu, while the potential for entertainment here is significant, [HAL]I'm afraid I can't let you do that[/HAL9000] as your Round 2 action -- we're starting Round 4, so it would be a bit much to backtrack now.

That voice always scared me as a child!

I had no idea we were on round four I thought we were starting round three, sorry! What were Cуровую round 2 actions? What round can Cуровую act then? Did you make Knowledge rolls, I saw rolls but not sure what they were for, it looked like perception.

Dren touches himself with the wand then tries to flee drawing the AOO from the beast...

I hope you guys can figure out how to take it out on 1 round :] Cast cure lights wounds 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 looks like I am going for night night time...GM my AC is now back to 18 since I am no longer fully defensive

2HP

Edmin continues to tear apart the doors.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 2 = 18

Bref posted before me, but that was his Round 4 action. I posted my Round 3 action. So I should be able to open the door and dismiss Morsum in Round 4, and then Bref would be able to scoop up some bugs and head back.

Tohram calls out. EDMIN, bring those boards. We need to corral some bugs.

I think he is saying that it was the goblin's idea and it is a meta game for judge to do it because Bref did not share the idea with you

Actually, I had the exact same idea and was planning on doing that in Round 3, you posted it before me. I had completely forgotten the fact that Zargo is also scare to death of bugs, but was just going on DMDM's repetitive comments that the body was rotting flesh.

** spoiler omitted **

Bref - the golem is still in the other room, about 40' away. I figured that you would roll in them and cover your body and then run back. The reason I yelled to Edmin is that I hope he will bring some boards so that we can push the bugs toward the hallway, sort of like a large wooden squeegee.

no change here. bugs are closer to the door then to be gathered.

How long will it take the pungent smell of death that exudes from the golem to reach the room with the bugs? I would think that it would attract the swarm.

Dren is at 9+3=12 HP for the wand charge BTW. Hopefully he doesn't one shot kill me.

How long will it take the pungent smell of death that exudes from the golem to reach the room with the bugs? I would think that it would attract the swarm.

There seems to be a magical or anyway supernatural aspect to the stench -- it's unbearably intense within the creature's reach, much weaker (though still unpleasant) further away. You didn't notice it in the room until you opened the door.

I think he is saying that it was the goblin's idea and it is a meta game for judge to do it because Bref did not share the idea with you

Correct. Speech is a free action, so Bref could have yelled it -- but AFAICT, he didn't.

Round Four actions: Bref can open the door (I assume he does so) and then take a standard action. It's hard to move the bugs, they're small; they come out and run around in the outer chamber, but so far so no particular inclination to do anything else. Once Bref has acted, Zargo is going to break some heads, and then everyone else can act.

You do realize that I had posted that I was retreating back as far as I can before Bref posted. I figured that it was two rounds to get to the prior room and release the bugs. So this was my first rounds action - I actually intended to do this as soon as I saw that the Intimidate-debuff did not work.

See Post 2617

I also am considering popping dogboy's door if the bugs do not do in Zargo and we have to retreat through the bug chamber.

If Bref has already opened the door, then Tohram will delay until after Bref and then dismiss Morsum (Standard Action) and then try to push/slide the bugs toward the entry to Zargoland.

Retreating out of the room != having the idea to release the bugs. I'd assume that move took you just outside the door, in the hall, which would still put you more than a 30' move away from the door of the bug chamber.

Round 4:
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 to stabilize v DC 10

Round Four actions: Bref can open the door (I assume he does so) and then take a standard action. It's hard to move the bugs, they're small; they come out and run around in the outer chamber, but so far so no particular inclination to do anything else. Once Bref has acted, Zargo is going to break some heads, and then everyone else can act.

-

DM if I may ask, did you give Cуровую round 2 or round 3 actions while you were running her?

The reason Cуровую dropped tousers was to try to give us one round of actions while he stared and gaped and/or try to get our boy blue here closer to the door of the first room.

Okay, so:

The bugs suddenly pause in their aimless scampering. They wriggle their antennae frantically... and then, first one and then dozens begin to pour through the door and down the hall. A moment later, a flood of thousands of bugs follows, a massive black shiny carpet of them flowing forward at remarkable speed.

"SO I'M THINKING I'LL START WITH BALDY HERE. HE'S GOT THAT COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION THING GOING. THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING. REMOVE THE BODY, APPLY A SUITABLE STIMULUS TO THE PROPER BRAIN CENTER, THEN WHAT? I MEAN, THAT WAS KIND OF THE IDEA WITH B-21, AND COME ON, IT TOTALLY WORKED. OKAY, PEOPLE GOT A LITTLE EXCITED ABOUT... EH?"

The Judge follows the bugs down the hall. When I see that the bugs have reached Zargo, I call out:

ZARGO'S TOY. AS A JUDGE OF TALINGARDE, I CONDEMN YOU TO BE CONSUMED BY CARRION BEETLES. I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS I SHALL!!!

STOOOOOOOOPIIIIIID Z-ORC-O! Goblin accidentally open buggy door...oops! Goblin break Z-ORC-o's nice things tee hee!

"WHAT IS THIS... NO." The stinking, clanking thing turns and runs away to the other end of the room. It begins smashing at the opposite door. 1d20 ⇒ 3 "NO. NO! NOT... NOT BUGS! NO!"

The beetles pour into the room and rush across it to the creature. The swarm pours up its rotting lower limbs and then disappears under its armor plates.

"NOT BUGS NO NOT NOT NOT BUGS! BUGS BUGS! NO!"

Zorco Scream
Zorco Cry
It's not a dream
Now Zorco die!

Bref dances a goblin jig dance1d20 - 3 ⇒ (7) - 3 = 4

Tohram stands in the now broken doorway that Edmin was smashing with his arms crossed before him smiling.

The sentence was pronounced and punishment has commenced.

Tohram then looks down at Toothpick and wonders what is causing the painful gyrations that the little goblin's body is making.

Bloodlicker fix Shadow Beastie? Shadowshanks fix Evil Word Spawn?

Bref will make a point to collect some beetles into his pack...for fun with Zorco later.

The bugs are devouring the carrion flesh of the creature so fast that you can actually hear their little jaws. It's a wet sort of a sound, and not very pleasant.

"GET THEM OFF ME GET THEM OFF ME GET THEM OFF NNNNNAAAAH NO NOT BUGS" The armored creature attempts to flee but slams into a wall; the bugs are covering it so thickly that its vision, or whatever it uses instead of vision, is blocked. "NO PLEASE bzzzt NOT BUGS AGAIN sss NO"

The rotting, armored thing is now covered completely in a carpet of bugs so thick that it can no longer be seen beneath. It raises its arms. "HELP... zzzzt crack... HELP ME... PLEASE..."

Tohram looks down at Bref and then to the rest of the crew.

Wonder if Zargo in all his infinite wisdom actually transplanted his brain into that creature? Well, we shall find out when we are finished.

Looking down at Bref again.

I bet you could make good use of that fireball launching weapon he had on his arm. A goblin with a weapon that can start fires from a long distance. Now that is amusing.

The Judge begins to chuckle in a cold and rather frightening manner.

Bloodlicker genius!

bref will attempt to safely remove the fireball launcher.

DD1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 he will also remove the brain if it isn't eaten.

The thing isn't dead yet -- it's still flailing around and dangerous. Do you want to try anyway?

Bref waits till it is dead, giggling all the while. tee hee tee hee hee hee

Bref will make a point to collect some beetles into his pack...for fun with Zorco later.

Give him a big wet kiss, and slip him a bug in his mouth.

I will make any Knowledge roll to help Bref in his delicate transplant procedure.

As my table top game friend said - Give a Goblin some fish and he will eat for a day. Give a Goblin a plasma cannon and he will become Megoblintron.

"THERE'S NO EMERGENCY RELEASE ON THE CONTROL RIG AAAAHHH CAN'T TURN IT OFF CAN'T RELEASE BUGS BUGS BUGS AAAAHHHHHHH"

As the creature shrieks and flails, Grumblejack raises his hand. "Uhh, Dr. Zargo? It was nice kind of you and all to offer me a job and stuff. But, huh, I guess I'm going to stick with the Ninth Knot for now. Maybe some other time. Thanks."

Tohram points at the flailing and bug ridden golem. Grumblejack. Want to have some fun? Now is a great time to BASH!!

Edmin stands relaxed, his axe resting on his shoulder as he watches Zargo's toy flail around under the assault of the beetles.

Tohram points at the flailing and bug ridden golem. Grumblejack. Want to have some fun? Now is a great time to BASH!!

Grumblejack looks at you with a hint of reproach. "I don't think Dr. Zargo would like that."

Grumblejack sees no reason to constrain possible long-term employment opportunities. Bashing is great and all, but that lab assistant job sounded okay. So, best to keep on good terms with Zargo, just in case the whole Ninth Knot thing doesn't work out.

"GRAAAA zzzzzSQUEEE BUGS NO BUGS"

Suddenly the creature stops flailing. Through the carpet of insects covering it, one mad, glaring eye appears for just a moment. It fixes on Bref.

"zzzzLL GET YOU FOR THzzzt, GOBLIN! CRACKLE squeeeJECT S IS READY! I WILL ksssshtIVATE PROJECT S AND I WILL squrrk SQUUEE ZZZZZZT YOU!"

The creature lurches to its feet and swings its left arm -- the one with the launcher -- around under its chin, or where its chin would be if it weren't covered with thousands of frantically gobbling beetles.

"SQUEEEEEEE!!!"

FOOOMF

There is a blast of shattering glass, an explosion of steam, and a truly remarkable smell.

The headless construct, still twitching and sparking, slumps over lifelessly. The greedy beetles continue their work.

Seeing the monstrosity fall down. Well, one more test overcome.

The Judge then walks over and picks up the wand of CLW and tosses it to Dren.

I suppose we should get Jax and Edmin healed up a little.

Tohram then casts Detect Magic and scans the area to see if there is anything in the way of useful magic still on the metallic heap - like a flamethrower.

If there is nothing else about, he will then take a deep breath and begin to resummon Morsum. Dreading the nausea that it causes, but knowing that the shadow creature is a necessary tool in the survival of the Ninth.

He then immediately heals the creature.
Restore Eidolon: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Once he has completed the summoning and the detect magic. He will walk over and pick up the insignia of the Seventh.

Looking at the others.
Never know when this might be useful.

Once again the shadowy thing stretches and separates from Tohram's shadow.

With its usual cold stone on stone grating voice:
Where dwarf? I eat dwarf. Test dwarf brain.

There's nothing left of the brain, or the fluid it was in. Only a few half-melted shards of glass remain of the tank.

Detect Magic gives nothing. It's now just a heap of rusty armor, gears, tubes, and wires, with the few remaining scraps of rotting flesh attached to it rapidly being liquefied and guzzled down by the beetles.

Dren starts to heal the group starting with Jax...
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

On himself:
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 I am now at max.

Othwer party members?
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Cast cure lights wounds from Wand 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Looks like we may need a few of these wands...

He looks over the golem corpse, I have never fought one of these before, hopefully I won't have to again...my gifts only affect living minds.

bref takes those first three charges and is down only 1 point. that leaves that 9 hp roll for someone who needs it.