Kondor Vy'Zanth |
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Kondor watches the woman gamble and win, and then confirming his suspicions he approaches her as Jomanda tries to buy-in to the table. He approaches from the other side in an attempt to box her in if she tries to run away.
Malvic Trist |
After receiving the tip from Drupka the elf moves nearby but not joining the table as to not crowd her. He prepares to daze her if necessary to stop an escape or fight.
Xukong |
Once alerted, Xukong attempts to join the game.
GM Crunch |
It is difficult to tell whether the oread knows she is being boxed in. Certainly she notices Xukong, as it has engaged in the game. "Well, hello, you handsome...thing," she smiles at it. "My name is Ladahlia. What's yours, and your story?"
Drukpa Marpo |
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Drukpa notices that she does not appear to be who she actually is and attempts to signal the same to the others. I think that's a Bluff check to pass a secret message? Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Xukong |
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 *grits teeth*
"I am Xukong. I am a wanderer. I am the road. I am the horizon. I am the destination."
Valon Soranus |
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Like the others, Valon notices an oread woman get on a winning streak, though he's not familiar enough with gambling to know if this is clearly the result of cheating. Regardless, when the others approach the table she's at and begin to engage with her, he positions himself off to the side so as to intercept her should she attempt to run.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Oh come on.
Kondor Vy'Zanth |
In position now to block her escape, Kondor continues to watch the lady ready to jump into action.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Seeing through her disguise, Kondor flags down a casino waitress, and after asking for a drink, whispers, ”Quickly and discreetly call Boss over here.”
GM Crunch |
Drukpa looks to signal the others of his findings, but catches Ladahlia's attention. At about the same time, Kondor signals for assistance, which also fails to escape her notice. Seeming to divine the nagaji's meaning, she starts to tear up. "You think I have no reason for this guise?!" She shrills angrily. Patrons begin to stop and gawk at the new performance. "Or should I remove it, and apologize on behalf of the efreet that burned me so long ago? Or perhaps you'd rather I got them to come and say sorry themselves!" Rather quickly, slips begin to circle the room as the watching crowd thickens.
If you succeeded at the check and call her out on it, read the spoiler below and inform the rest that they can as well.
You can make another Sense Motive check here. I won't put up the potential result as the spoilers are getting a bit thick.
Xukong |
"Slips begin to circle the room?" You mean "slips" as in Halfling slaves, or what?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Xukong is preoccupied with learning the game.
Kondor Vy'Zanth |
Linguistics: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Kondor is not fooled by Inysha’s dramatic outburst, ”No need to make a scene Inysha. You are a liar and a cheat, and not welcome here. Stand down now!”
All can read the PER ABOVE spoiler now
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Malvic Trist |
Malvic continues to watch the scene unfold staying near the group of people forming watching for any of her allies or her escape route.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
He readies his daze spell to intervene.
GM Crunch |
Ah, forgot about that. Slips as in pieces of paper.
As the new casino guards unravel Inysha's arguments, she begins to look more petulant about the whole affair. Perhaps she can be convinced to leave without escalating the situation further...?
Anyone can make or aid a Diplomacy check.
Kondor Vy'Zanth |
Kondor shakes his head, then adds in a less commanding voice, "It's best that you leave now. We do not want to cause a scene nor harm you, but know that we are Ungrounded, and will get the job done."
Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Drukpa Marpo |
Sense Motive (2nd SM check, re the Per Above spoiler): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
"Leave? Wait jest a sec, ain't we s'posed to feed her to the dragon?"
Malvic Trist |
Malvic overhears the conversation and joins in this time from his position.
"Your ruse is up. Your reputation has preceded you and this establishment does not accept patrons of your status. The security here is not something you can overcome. Leaving peacefully is your most effective method of solving this issue." Malvic adds matter-of-factly emphasizing their advantage.
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
GM Crunch |
Inysha listens impassively to the team's arguments, before their combined truth (especially Malvic's) causes her to deflate. Combined with your quick piercing of her disguises, she opts to leave peacefully, return her ill-gotten gains, and disarm the trap she set up earlier in the elevator to ensure a clean escape. Boss calls everyone to his office and hands each of you a small sack of gems. "Thank you. We could not have accomplished this without you."
This leaves you free to gamble and/or indulge in the fine VIP dining and lounge until your shift is truly over, at which point you must (however resignedly) report back to the Captain. All the more reason to enjoy yourselves now!
Will further update tomorrow.
Drukpa Marpo |
Drukpa uses the time to learn all that he can about the Dragon Castranell. If approaching the Dragon himself is a possibility, he certainly does that. If not, he learns what he can by observation and indirect questioning of the workers. I ain't likely to get 'nother chance to learn how to be a dragon, I'd best make the most of this here 'portunity, pick up some useful tidbits, like how to fold and unfold the wings, that's the sort of thing that a real dragon won't mess up that's fer sure. 'N what about breathing fire? Is it more from the mouth? Or the nose? Or both? I've got a lot to larn, that's fer sure!
Malvic Trist |
"An expected outcome. We just had to give her the odds." Malvic says to Boss with a shallow bow. He turns to leave with the others so he can have a word in private.
He sighs before taking a serious tone, "What words will the Captain have for us now? Another task handled proficiently. More importantly handled in front of others with no reason to fear her."
Kondor Vy'Zanth |
Kondor puffs up with pride at the Boss’ words, and he nods saying, ”The Ungrounded meet their commitments. Thank you for your recognition. Please call on us again if you need the services of a talented and competent team.”
Then after re-grouping with the team, he addresses Malvic, ”We should use this opportunity to gain the attention of the General of the Ungrounded. If possible also raise to her attention that Captain Othis tried to sabotage our mission, embarrass the general and the Ungrounded. Even if just planting the seed of the captain’s misdeeds would be a positive outcome.”
Valon Soranus |
Apologies for the low posting rate. Been a weird week.
Valon bows to Boss after his thanks. "A simple matter. Call on us again if you need us to bounce out some more cheaters."
Afterwards he comments to the others. "This might be our only chance to speak with the general, though I wonder if that's the best idea. She probably came here for a night off, so trying to approach her about Othis right now might not go well. I once tried to bother one of my masters after he told us not to disturb him; he made me spend the next day carrying around a giant rock that I wasn't allowed to put down even for a moment. It was really heavy, too! That wasn't a fun day..." He glances apprehensively in the general's direction. "I wonder if that's something they'd do here."
GM Crunch |
Didn't think about this. In that case, I'll postpone your reuniting with Othis until you've finished talking to Hanif or decided against it.
General Faiza bint Hanif looks at you shrewdly. "Are you the security guards? Quite the trick you pulled on Inysha; I was watching. Most can't see through her disguises, so I've heard, I must confess I wasn't paying attention." A xorn dealer calls out a pattern of tiles, causing Hanif to lose a small amount from what seems to be a modest sum gained. "But I can assure you, I'm no cheat; you have my word as a General. I was just looking to treat myself, as I do when I all too rarely can, to some mid-stakes gambling." With that, she turns back to the game, raising the bet by a few chips.
You can make or aid a Diplomacy check to improve her attitude and keep talking to you, it won't worsen as a result of a failure.
Xukong |
Xukong tries its spidery hand at the games.
If DM permits:
Knowledge (Engineering) to represent talent with mathematics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 A '6?' Why, that's my Numerological Gift! I'll declare that today's '20' for a result of '33!'
Luck? Skill? To Xukong, there is precious little difference.
Jomanda Josebeth |
Oh hey my fluff post didn't go through.
Jomanda's eyes sparkle not unlike the gems just handed to her. "Just doing our duty, sir." she says to Boss in a tone that definitely doesn't match her expression before heading off to blow all the gifted gems practicing her ability to read others.
GM Crunch |
Again, sorry for the slow going, guys. I'm going to streamline this conversation a bit, as the only option it wants to you to say is a bit hard to recall.
Beyond first interactions, Hanif doesn't seem very interested in talking to you. She returns to play, not noticing that Xukong has joined the table until its prowess begins to show. It then catches her attention, and she spies an Ungrounded insignia or symbol somewhere. Her mood changes suddenly "You're Ungrounded? I suppose that makes sense. We not only provide security most places around here, we do it well. Still in practical training, I suppose?"
Drukpa Marpo |
Having learned all that he can about the ways of Dragons, Drukpa watches Xukong's gambling with interest and more than his usual amount of befuddlement. It certainly all seems very complex!
When Xukong begins to engage the General, Drukpa can't help but blurt out, "Well ain't it strange how much you look like that picture that Cap'n Offal gave us! I sure can't figger that one out...!"
Based on that, I've now read the spoiler, and I assume that everyone else can too?
Drukpa Marpo |
"Cap'n Oh This, like I tole you. She shore don't seem to like us much, but I still can't unnerstand why she would give us yer pittcher 'n tell us you was the gambling cheat we was looking fer."
GM Crunch |
Sorry Drukpa, I didn't notice you mentioned the Captain
"Captain Offal...Oh This...Othis?" bint Hanif looks a bit confused at Drukpa's rustic speech, but gets the message. "I'll have this looked into, rest assured. Until then, good fortune be upon you." She turns and goes back to the foyer, where she glides out through the floor.
Upon returning to the barracks, most have retired for the night, Othis included. You wait until morning to deliver your report. Regardless of its wording, she remains silent until its conclusion, then speaks. “You’re still here?” Captain Othis growls, without looking up from the pile of missives on her desk. “I thought you’d find a path out of here by now. Well, maggots, it’s your lucky day. I have another easy job for you to screw up.” She rifles through her stack of papers and holds up a scroll bearing a bronze seal.
“Zuhair Issawa needs someone to babysit a shipment of gems. Our real troops have more important things to do, so I’m sending you. All you have to do is get the caravan to his estate a few miles outside the city. Any questions?”
GM Crunch |
"A good soldier always expects trouble. In this case, you must pretend." Captain Othis seems slightly more irritated than usual today. Barring any other questions, she shoos the team out of her office.
Another short trek later - these and training exercises seems to have taken up the majority of this mission - you reach an old warehouse on the outskirts of the city. There are two dwarves already here who introduce themselves as Nef and Annie, and bring out a cart handsomely laden with gemstones. They also tug to you four rock beetles to draw the cart, and the real brawn, a massive, rocky snake with similarly stony antlers (picture in handouts) Nef identifies as an agrawgh.
The journey with the cart is practically as slow as that without, for the beetles must rest frequently and be coaxed into moving again. Unfortunately, none present could hope to carry the burden they bear, at least long enough to get to Issawa's estate. After a few hours, the rocky forestry and other terrain gives way to a more crystalline locale. A miles-long quartz bridge spans dark chasms below, with many offshoots criss-crossing to other destinations. "This is a close border to the Plane of Water," Annie explains. As further evidence, a thin mist swirls about, but is not so troublesome as to impede vision.
At a point where the chasms below are shallow enough to see the bottom, perhaps fifteen feet down (but covered in jagged spikes), the agrawgh stops. In almost the same moment, two figures plunge from the ceiling and land directly and painfully on the beast! Straightening up, the pair of men who seem as if carved from stone pose menacingly - could these be the pillar men of ancient legends?!
The music, is it only playing in Jomanda's head? You decide!
You can enter the same space as the agrawgh, as these two have, but it's difficult terrain. The black spaces are down below, ten feet deep and lined with spikes.
Drukpa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Valon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Kondor: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Xukong: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
JoJo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Pillar Men Elementals: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Kondor
Valon
Jomanda
Malvic
Xukong
Pillar Men(?)
Drukpa
Drukpa Marpo |
Drukpa chortles with glee. "Some heads to bash, alrighty, I knows all 'bout that!"
Then he notices his dismal initiative roll and sits back to wait, hoping that his comrades will leave him a little piece of the action...
Xukong |
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Xukong stares in fascination at the remarkable serpentine beast, even finding it refreshing to not know what it is looking at.
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
These beings, on the other hand, are almost tiresomely familiar.
"Simple earth elementals," It hisses to its companions in a voice like a cold wind blowing languidly across a deep and lonely desert. "Beware these walls of stone. They are loyal, and will yield to their kin."
Xukong draws a wand shaped like an isosceles pyramid of black marble, its edges lined with diamond. It touches it to both shoulders, and its form is momentarily overlaid by a the stylized black silhouette of a suit of armor (mage armor wand).
Kondor Vy'Zanth |
At the warehouse:
Kn. the Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Animal Handling: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
===============
At the ambush site, Kondor will quickly take aim with his longbow and shoots at the "red" earth elemental.
Kn. the Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Attack, longbow + PB - shooting into melee: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 17
Damage, longbow + PB: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Valon Soranus |
A smirk plays across Valon's face. "Punching rocks, huh? Well all right." He slips around Jomanda and Drukpa, but pulls up just short of the agrawgh itself. He considers for a moment, then puts his hands up and gestures at the elementals. "Come on then! Let's see how many little pieces I can break you into!"
Ten foot movement, total defense. Also the map doesn't seem to want to cooperate; my little token disappears when I move it.
Malvic Trist |
Malvic moves into a new position while waiting for the earth elementals or his allies to make a move.
GM Crunch |
Ah, I figured out the problem. I copy/pasted a few of the tiles because they had GM info on them, but they were taking to the very front. I moved them until they were at the penultimate place to back, tested it and all should be good now.
Kondor shoots true at one of the elementals, while his allies get into position and prepare themselves.
Kondor
Valon (total defense)
Jomanda
Malvic
Xukong (mage armor)
Elementals (red -7)
Drukpa
Jomanda Josebeth |
Swift Action to use Martial Flexibility to gain Dedicated Adversary (Earth Elemental)
Melee attack vs -Red- Elemental: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Melee damage vs -Red- Elemental: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Jomanda sidles past Valon's position and attempts to strike at the damaged Elemental, striking a dramatic pose in time with her punch and music unheard by others.
GM Crunch |
Is the map still having problems? It looks like the agrawgh was having the same one as the hidden squares and I fixed it.
Jomanda's fist connects, but to little effect due to the elemental's stony skin. It mutters something in a strange language, certainly not Terran, as they launch a counterattack. Instead of simple slams, they look to shove their targets into the spiky depressions. Fortunately, Valon was already on the defensive and stands his ground, and the rock trying to push Jomanda misses entirely!
Bull Rush vs. Jomanda: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Bull Rush vs. Valon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Kondor
Valon
Jomanda (martial flexibility)
Malvic
Xukong (mage armor)
Elementals (red -7)
Drukpa
Kondor Vy'Zanth |
Kondor shoots another arrow at Red, aiming carefully to not strike the agrawgh.
Attack, longbow + PB - firing into melee penalty: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 12
Damaage, longbow + PB: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Xukong |
Upon observing these beings' 'dirty' tactics, Xukong decides to respond with some of its own: It takes out a wand it's never used before - a pitch-black rod of some sinister alchemical compound*, heavily warped in shape and embedded with brown and purple pearls - and points it at the ground at and in front of the elementals' legs, generating a viscous, noisome pool of petroleum (DC 11)!
Drukpa Marpo |
Drukpa roars with delighted anger and, drawing his bardiche, attempts to smash the red elemental to bits!
Free action: enter bloodrage, move action: draw weapon, standard action: attack
attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
GM Crunch |
As the fight begins in earnest, the agrawgh roars in pain and agitation, rearing up and spewing acid everywhere. The rock beetles scatter in search of cover, but the one Kondor coaxed rushes one of the elementals before it hides, knocking the rock over! Nef and Annie shield themselves from blows and acid while trying to calm the serpentine outsider down.
Everyone takes 1d4 ⇒ 4 acid damage, DC 13 Reflex for half. The agrawgh will continue to do this each round, but it can be calmed with a Diplomacy check. Making or aiding this check is your standard action.
Reflex: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
Xukong creates a strange slick on the ground, but the elemental still upright manages to stay so. The other, having fallen, is spared another one of Kondor's arrows, but is instead treated to Drukpa's tender mercies, the force of which practically blow it to smithereens!
Kondor
Valon
Jomanda (martial flexibility)
Malvic
Xukong (mage armor)
Elementals
Drukpa (bloodrage)
Malvic Trist |
Seeing the stone snake rear up Malvic moves to avoid what he can...
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
...and dodges a modest amount but he still winces as some acid bites into his flesh.
The he extends his hand to dispense some acid of his own. The orb flies towards the remaining elemental...
Acid Orb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
...but his aim is clearly affected by the pain he is in.
Valon Soranus |
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Valon doesn't see the acid coming until too late, but his quick reflexes mean he manages to avoid much of it. Some of it still lands on his arms, burning at the flesh it touches.
"Someone get that thing under control!" he shouts over his shoulder toward the two caravan drivers. Ignoring the pain, he strikes quickly, jabbing twice at the body of the stone figure before him.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Attack (flurry of blows): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage (flurry of blows): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Xukong |
Reflex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Drukpa Marpo |
Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Drukpa ducks to avoid as much of the acid as possible.
Jomanda Josebeth |
Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Jomanda deftly avoids MOST of the acid, but still takes a stinging burn to the arm. As she spins to avoid the acid she comes around with a spinning kick toward the remaining elemental.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Oooo my first critical threat on PbP, i'll roll to confirm
Critical threat confirmation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
And assuming that is a hit...
Second damage roll: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
for a total of 17 damage
GM Crunch |
The remaining elemental feels one of Valon's punches through its thick skin, and Jomanda's kick knocks it to the floor, all the fight having been drained from it. With the threat out of the way, Nef and Annie manage to calm the agrawgh down. "Raiders, cartel highwaymen of some sort? Doesn't matter," the latter puffs as she rounds up the rock beetles. "We wouldn't'a made if without your help." The pair of thieves already had a modest cache of gems on them, which the dwarves insist you receive.
It is but another hour after that to the Issawa estate, and a thankfully uneventful one at that. Upon reaching the the small mansion, Nef and Annie unload the cart as bronze-skinned and businesslike shaitan Zuhair Issawa himself makes an appearance. He thanks you for defending his shipment and hands over, in addition to a small tablet entitling the Ungrounded to its pay, an ornate silver ring with the Issawa family crest on it. It is not magical, but very fancy.
Barring any questions for Zuhair, we'll return. The final act is nigh, it's been a while and remember, everyone hates Captain Othis!