[PFS] Iron Gods - The Divinity Drive - Sanctioned Content by GM Upaynao (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

Urko just stares at the creature, somewhat nonplussed. It is our understanding that Unity wishes to bring the entire planet under his influence. That is really not something we can permit to happen. We would negotiate with it if possible and, if not, we would stop this mad plan. Free will is important to us says Urko before glancing over to the robot and sighing a little. Normally important...

Mawd, could you ask our friend there how we go about accessing different parts of the complex, how we open the doors or operate the...strange moving lift machines. It might also be able to identify some of the strange technological items we have found.

Sweet Mawd relays Urko's question and translates any answer. She and Agata also relay all that they recall about the creature. Please read the above spoiler with creature info and also any Androffan text boxes that Mawd may need to translate. I will likely have limited posting ability the next 2-3 days.

The creature slithers a little closer to Urko and sits there, swaying gently as the lull in the conversation drags on. And on. And on.

Finally, he confesses:"I not understand all words you speak. You speak more better for me?"

The joys of low mental stats.

Urko looks at the creature, frustration evident. Perhaps you could take us to Ophelia and we could explain to her? he asks.

Hugo restrain from saying anything to the creature for fear he may confuse it think further.

Miranda stifles a laugh at the thing's stunted response. She approaches it with her sword sheathed and her hands laced lazily behind her head.

"Sorry Choek, let's try again. We can be friends? We won't say mean things. It's just that we're worried... for... Unity. Can you help us? Also, are you hungry.... or do you even eat?"

"I can't. I is told not go down to see Ophelia when she wid' Unity communinining. It very sacred place and Ophelia say "not good place for you Choek." So I stay and wait here for Ophelia" rasps Choek in its phlegmy voice. As Miranda pipes up, he elongates his body so as to "behold" her. "Try again what?" it asks, audibly confused. "We can be friends, but I scared you do same to Ophelia that you do to other garg-oil, 'cause dey are garg-oil too and dey also say dey are Unity choice even though dey don't look pretty like Ophelia. Or maybe you only attack not pretty garg-oil? I don't want you hurt Ophelia 'cuz she nice to me and noone else nice to me Choek, 'specially not chain things from place with blue sky and white-skin people. Why you worried for Unity? Unity is god of here place, and it want make everything better for everyone, dat what Ophelia tell me. Whatsa slav'? And whatsa "freewill"? I can help but is very conf... Conf... Too many words same time. I is to eat much small things. Metal-eat bugs is favorite. Ophelia is maybe slav' but I not know what word mean. Is like metal man? Ophelia not metal man, she pretty garg-oil."

Also, could someone post in the discussion what items need to be identified by the robot, if it can? Also also, we should probably talk about stuff you can loot once you begin exploring the entire level. I'm not going to spring any more surprises on you, and the only other person you could fight is Choek, but right now he is rather fond of you.

Meanwhile, the robot identifies the blades used by Metweska as "chainsaws". It is clear that even with a name and their enchantments identified, using these will require training. It also identifies the explosives devices as "inferno grenades", which shower a given area with burning-hot chemicals.

Inferno grenades deal 5d6 points of fire damage. Activating them is a free action, a standard to throw and a DC 15 Reflex halves the damage.

Hugo will collect into his haversack a share (2 of 11?) of the gargoyle equipment to add to his tithe to the First Vault.

Abadar will be pleased. But I will need to rest and pray soon to provide any meaningful assistance. Ask our friend for a good resting place where we will not be disturbed.

Urko's eyes cross as he tries to follow Choek's rambling. Well, we do have one piece of good news for you Choek. The creatures with the chains will not hurt you ever again. We got rid of them because they were very bad people. We would like to talk to Ophelia but first I think we may need to rest for a bit.

He looks over to Hugo. I am not sure resting inside here is a good idea, we don't know enough about what else might be here and we have made quite a mess as it is. It seems that Unity is aware of where we are and what we are doing so is likely to send more enemies against us if we rest here. I can wind walk myself and five others out of here but there are 9 of us. I can turn Artemis into a statue but we may need some of us to leave through the entrance and teleport.

He looks over to the rest of the group. What do you think? I would suggest we withdraw to the capital and rest there. It is likely safer than here and would allow us to resupply if we need it. I would like to secure a way to speak Androffan at least.

Sweet Mawd continues to translate all of the robot's Androffan for the rest of the group. Please read any of the Androffan spoilers if you haven't already been doing so.

Agata smiles a toothy smile towards Choek and coos. "Well I'm sure that yer 'Phelia sounds just lovely and I'm sure we'd love to meet her and share a spot o' tea with her whenever it pleases her. Now what sorts o' things does she like? Mayhap we can bring her favorite flowers or cookies or whatever it might be that suits her. And you too, of course! We shan't forget lovely l'il Choek, not ever. Mayhap we can bring you some nails and screws to munch on. Do you like 'em rusty or plain?"

Choek trills, eliciting a rather disturbing display of bubbles that lazily burst at the base of its "neck". "Really? Really really! I so happy! Chain-things always ask for Choek because he think and talk and not like other in no-noise garden. Ophelia not let them and punch one in face, and it make "blurts" sound and dat funny!" he says to Urko before turning to Agata, shaking its gelatinous self. "Oh no, Choek I is no eat screw. Bug that eat metal. Rust bug! Very like taste. Other memory is tell that is like lob-stur."

It pauses and continues: "She is like talk about Unity and how Unity make us all better." It pauses again and elongates a pseudo-limb, reforming its face at the tip and seemingly looking around conspiratorially before returning to its previous state and adding: "Are you say that Unity not nice?"

The robot continues, at Sweet Maud's request:

Are you simply withdrawing, or are you searching the command deck? I have only given you the gear on the gargoyles as their bodies are just... Lying there. But there's an entire deck of stuff to check out. You do feel like you've dealt a blow to Unity; that was a large chunk of her most fervent believers you just beat there. Not to mention the robots.

Agata is in favor of searching the command deck before we retreat to rest.

Hugo will continue to search the immediate area until the others are ready to leave.

"Some of these devices should be catalogued for future reference by the Society. Items of such power should not be left to lay idle ."

Agreed that we should search before finding a place to rest. Nalshene is glad to help look around. Perception bonus is +25

Investigating the command deck fully and understanding its many mysteries is a task that could take several lifetimes, but unfortunately, you only have the one and perhaps not even that - considering Unity's still considerable strength. The command deck, overall, is an area where many things throughout the entire void-faring ship could be controlled remotely, at least according to the robot's explanations as translated by Sweet Maud. One area seems to be filled with devices that calculate how things will move based on their speed, direction and other things that escape you but seem to be related to either of those things and/or gravity; as well as devices that could control something sent into the void beyond Golarion (or any planet's) atmosphere.

Going towards the other side, past the orange-glowing metal doorjambs you were informed are elevators, you arrive to a fist door on your right which is easily opened with a wave of one of your orange cards. Choek pipes up: "Dat is room for man made with light dat is colored. He weirdest." Looking in, sleek furnishings fill this rather clean suite, though they show few signs of use and there is no bed. Books, slates of metal and crystal, and strange projection machines sit in precise rows. The air is filled with transparent
shapes and abstract blobs of colored light. Looking through the books, you easily spot several that look promising and indeed, a few minutes later you come to the realization that five of them are rare and valuable tomes of Azlanti, Taldan,and even Thassilonian philosophy, easily worth a thousand gold pieces. There is also a rather fancy device with marking that lazily shift from one color to the next without any real pattern, which when presented to the robot elicit a blurt of Androffan.

As you approach the next door, Choek coughs. "Uhm. Dat Ophelia's room. No make mess OK?"

Looking in, this sleek furnished room has seen a good amount of wear and tear, with only the vague outline of a stain or two peeking out to your trained gaze at first glance. The large writing desk is covered with sheets of paper, large books, and an impressive collection of quills and ink. Lying on the bed is a staff.

Back to you.

Urko examines the various items that they have found, thankful they finally have a way to open the doors. Mawd, ask our friend here what it means that there is no data on the device. Is this like the orange card we found? Is there some significance to the different colours?

Entering Ophelias room he reassures Choek, We aren't here to cause a mess, we just need to speak to Unity. Before checking things out he casts a quick detect magic spell, checking for magical auras and scans the area for potential traps or dangers.

Perception: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (1) + 27 = 28

If things look safe he scans over sheets of paper and books on the desk. Assuming they are written in Adroffan he will activate his wand of comprehend languages and sift through them.

He will also check out the staff. Assuming it is magical he tries to identify it.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (11) + 23 = 34

Agata asks Choek, "Tell us more about the man made of colored light, dearie. What makes him the weirdest? Is he also a servant of Unity?"

Dammit, I could have sworn I had posted a version of this yesterday.

Choek pauses for a really really long time as it emits one ponderous bubble at a time, leaving the Pathfinders with enough time to identify the staff on the bed as a staff of healing.

"He... Is... Many faces in one. And can walk through doors. And talks lots about many things that make me hurt in my minds. He want me back with chain things and ask Ophelia, but she say no."

Meanwhile, Urko finds (to his possible delight) that the papers are written not in the strange Androffan language but in good old fashioned Taldane. It seems that this is a journal, Ophelia's private diary.

"Today I have decided to record my thoughts on paper so as to strengthen my resolve and serve as a record of our glorious beginning" reads the first entry.

The journal has enough entries that reading it all while you are here is not an option unless you wish to spend hours on end here.

The robot elaborates:

Sweet Mawd translates the robot's explanation for the others and adds, "Sounds rather dangerous, doesn't it?"

Hugo marvels at the staff from the bed and will pick it up unless others would rather.

The staff I can understand. However I am not fond of this other strange and vile 'technology' device. It is unnatural and not to be trusted.

Hugo muses to himself after the translation.

Let us press onward to clear this level. We can only imagine the next deck will be even more overrun with these techno-zealots.

Hugo waits for the others to finish their discussion or searches before indicating he is ready to advance to the next chamber.

Miranda taps her chin and looks sidelong at the 'ho-lo-gram generator', once the translation has been given. "Sounds like a damn Asmodean contract at the end there, 's what I think."

She looks chipper enough at Hugo's suggestion. "Sure, haha! I'm not out of... sword!"

Sorry I've been so quiet, I've been traveling, but hope to resume more regular posting

@Hugo, if you would prefer to have other uses of your actions, Sweet Mawd can take the Staff. With a UMD of +24 she should be able to activate it and she doesn't have a lot left that she can do (1 scroll of haste left, 1 magic missile left, and a wand of cure moderate).

Hugo is totally fine with Mawd having the staff - assuming she can lift it :)

He hands the staff to the tiny Azata as he nods to Miranda.

Very good. I have nothing against contracts. Abadar would appreciate the structure and the detail. But this dark 'technology' is entirely inexcusable.

Urko turns the strange "prismatic" device over in his hand as the construct explains its function. I am not sure I quite understand but its worth keeping hold of for now, it may come in useful. Lets search the rest of the place, we should keep the journal too. It might reveal more useful information once we have had time too study it.

Marduk grunts in agreement but otherwise follows in silence.

Just checking in. Don't really have anything to add right now.

Nalshene nods. "I am ready to continue on when you are, my friends."

Sweet Mawd takes the staff. It's quite a bit larger than she is, but somehow she is (just) able to wield it.

Very well then. It is settled. Onward.

Hugo nods and spins as he heads into the next room or chamber.

I lost track of which room we were in - was this the bedroom?

He searches the next area

perception: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (2) + 32 = 34

You have just searched through two suites that seem to serve(or are intended to serve) as bedrooms.

With Choek leading you around, you make your way into what seems to have been a room with a lot of chairs and tables, looking very much like a strange feast hall from the lands of the Linnorn Kings. However, some of the room's furniture has been altered In the back of the room is a hidden hatch, visible only to Venture Captain Victor. This hatch, once opened, leads to a series of small tunnels where you apprehended the lead gargoyle.

The big room with the large chair, the one where the gargoyles retreated to, contains a large number of broken beyond repair devices. There are however a number of gems which you believe where subsequently added, or rather, hammered into the displays along with standing brass idols which might be worth something to Nigel Aldain and the Blackroses. All in all, you all guesstimate this room's contents to be worth 11,000 gold pieces.

Finally in the last room, the one where one of the creatures retreated, you find a number of texts of a religious nature, carved into the wall. In this rudimentary vestry, not only are there a number of codified religious practices pertaining to the forthcoming world-wide cult of Unity, but also texts pertaining to the Midnight Lord, the Whisper in Bronze, the Archfiend, Prince of Hell, and finally the Master of the First Vault. Robes, fitted to be worn by a gargoyle, dangle from hooks on the ceiling, along with various pieces of eye-themed jewelry. Of particular interest is a battleaxe that was in the process of being enchanted; alas, after a few seconds of scrutiny by the pathfinders, it is clear it will require a couple more days of work before it is done.

At which point it will be a +3 axiomatic battleaxe.

This hidden hatch holds riches and collectables which undoubtedly show the Unity is hoarding wealth from his subjects. While there is nothing wrong with amassing riches, the persona being conveyed to his hapless followers is misguided even on this level.

Hugo is can be seeing mentally totaling the values of the items, and how to transport it back to civilization for proper cataloging.

Urko thumbs through the various religious texts. Why would someone who served this Unity be interested in these other deities? There is more here than meets the eye I think.

Looking over the panels he asks Maud, can you ask our friend here why these gems have been hammered in here. Can he explain the purpose of these panels?

The robot shifts.

Miranda lets out a low whistle at the sight of the gems. "Now that's a pretty penny, isn't it? Even by our lights."

She listens to the relayed translation when it comes, her brows furrowed. "Wait, so does that mean we can't prise the gems out cuz you gotta use them to control something?"

This, said as she was seconds away from using the tip of her rapier to try and pry a ruby the size of her eye free.

The gems do not appear to be linked to any sort of device; with the explanation given they simply seem to have been hammered into the consoles as a way to make them "pretty".

Hugo will take special interest in the tome for and finally the Master of the First Vault. I would be very interested in reviewing the tome of Abadar. I suspect this is a lesser text but I must ensure it has not been defiled or altered.

He will give it a quick perusal while he shakes his head at the "decorated" consoles.

What an absurd use of valuable gemstones.

I suspect I wasn't clear enough: all the texts present have been carved into the walls of the room; crudely perhaps, but carved nonetheless. And seemingly all by the same hand.

The holy text being quoted from is one of the two main holy books of the faith: the Manual of City Building.

Just let me know if you have any further designs on anything in here, what you plan on doing with your blob friend and your cybernetic one, and where you plan on going to rest (although from your RP it seems that retreating to Starfall was at least favored by a couple of you?

It seems that we have exhausted this deck for now. I suggest we return to Starfall, report our findings to date and return refreshed in the morning. We can bring our robotic friend with us and find a more permanent solution for him later on. Cho'ek, do you have any plans for now? We could bring you to Starfall with us. We have people who might be willing to take you in?

Oops - I envisioned 'texts' to be separate tomes not carvings. My misunderstanding. Hugo would still take interest in those of Abadar

I have finished reading of those pertaining to my liege. I am ready to depart as well

A loud burble erupts from Choek. "Uh... I is like this place. Not much bother me. And I no wanna make Ophelia sad 'cause I not here if she come up. So I stay here. Not gonna go far 'dough. It dangerous in other places."

With the ooze's assurances, you make your way back through the various corridors and on the suspended metal chariots back to the entrance. From there it is simple, and rather uneventful, to return to Starfall under the moonlight, barring the odd encounter with an outmatched band of kellid raiders.

After a long day, and more than a few checkpoints, Drasha-Vor greets you back with a nod and a grunt, before taking you to your rooms. "Slaves can bring you water if you wish to clean off the road's dirt. Guards will be at your doors and they can summon the slaves. Do not damage them, or you will need to buy them."

Go ahead and refresh your spells and other daily resources. While it is too late for you to talk or buy anything tonight, you can go ahead and start a list of anything you'd like to purchase the following morning. I'm in between two interviews, so I have not fleshed out how I'm going to present the contents of Ophelia's journal. If you have a preference, go ahead and let me know either here or in discussion. Hugo, let me know if you the player need a primer on the contents of the Manual of City Building.

Hugo will express a sigh of relief once the final checkpoint is reached and rooms are identified.

As fascinating as the place was to visit, the thought of the twisted citizens and their distorted view of reality and the motives of Unity were disturbing. I must rest and pray Abadar may provide me the will to endure another day in that place.

He will head to his chambers for the evening, with the Manual of City Building in hand. Prior to departing, he offers his final "heal" spell if anyone remains sufficiently injured or under ill effect.

I will take you up on the primer. He will also swap out some of his teleport/dimensional spells since those appeared to be of little use in the place. Are we heading back to the same place, different level or was that the top/bottom as far as we can access?

Once we get outside the Mount Urko turns to Mawd. Mawd, can you please tell our mechanical friend that I am going to send him somewhere safe and that he should not resist the spell I am going to cast upon him.

He slowly mutters the words to a powerful incantation and his hands glow softly and steadily with a solid blue light. Goodbye my fiend, may you have a better life in the future

He reaches out to touch the robot and the light covers it. The two fade gently away into nothingness.

I have sent him to Axis, hopefully he can have a life there. They aren't really our enemies, perhaps there he can be free of Unity's control. He would have been free of my influence fairly soon and would most likely have attacked us.

Urko plane shifts his robotic friend to Axis in the hopes he can start a new life there among the inevitables.

Returning to Starfall Urko gratefully heads to his rooms to rest, Artemis in tow. He will spend some time leafing through Ophelia's journal. Before heading off to rest he makes a few preparations and in the morning nips out early to do some brief shopping.

Urko will pick up a scroll of tongues to use with his mnemonic vestment if needed. Are we getting a hero's feast in the morning before setting off? In any event I am going to significantly cut down on my pre-buffs I think, both to conserve some spell slots and make things more interesting for our GM.

Before heading to sleep I will renew extended magic vestment and delay poison on myself and Artemis. I only have 5 level 5+ slots left so I will drop life bubble on myself and Artemis along with eaglesoul on myself.

In the morning, when we arrive at the Mount I will cast deathwatch, greater magic weapon on my weapon and spell share an overland flight and freedom of movement with Artemis and cast shield of faith on each of us. I will tap us both with a wand of heroism and cast Hunters Blessing on everyone (same as last one) and split a life bubble on the rest of the group (lasts about 4 hours). I have updated the buff list.

Nalshene and Narshala return to their room, where Narshala instantly curls up in the corner, falling into a restful sleep. She's earned it.
Nalshene goes over a mental checklist of things she feels will shore up some blaring weaknesses in her own and Narshala's defenses.

Nalshene would also like to pick up a scroll of Tongues, as well as a page of spell knowledge 2 (Resist Energy) and a page of spell konwledge 2 (Protection from Outsiders). She also remembers that she had stored away several scrolls that she should have been attempting to use on the stupid turrets.

Hugo will again prepare a feast fit for heroes in the morning as well as his previous buffs.

Paging through the heavy tome, Hugo's thoughts go back to a simpler time, when he was but a novitiate in the Service of the Lord of Aktun. "Those insular, naive hillbillies that Worship Erastil may believe that they have the monopoly on community, but what is commerce, but an expanded community that forever expands outward, seeking the betterment of all it touches?"

The Manual of City Building is a text that documents how to build a city from a town, with specific details on the required urban planning, the logistics behind it, specific recommendations for fortifications, etc... Some of its more philosophical aspects focus on community building but on a larger, less intimate and more impersonal scale. Perhaps in the far distant future people will use this as inspiration to build up the first multinational or multi-planetary corporation.

He isn't the only one to be reading, even this late into the night; Ophelia's journal provides Urko with some keen insight into the gargoyle who became Unity's first cleric. Although the book deals mostly with her frustrations at her underlings, who she sees as not having fully grasped what Unity is, in spite of its purpose being in it's very name. She mentions multiple times how much the Technic League agents she is forced to meet enrage her, especially the one called Zaidow, who she sees as a meat puppet unworthy of Unity's blessings.

There is not a day when she does not thank Unity, for apparently having found her soon after she had been banished by her tribe, sentenced to a likely terrible death. She thanks the Iron God for having molded her into a better creature, and cannot wait until the world can see its glory and embrace it.

She mentions that Unity has confided in her that it will not repeat the errors of the past, and that time is short before the "Devourers of Infinity" bring the end of all things to this world. She confesses not understanding what that means, but that if it has made the Iron God fail before, it must be worthy of concern; thus reaffirming in her the need to serve Unity with all of her being.

A few passages mention Choek, who she feels is but a simple soul to whom she will one day reveal all the mysteries of Unity, but for the time being the ooze does not seem to care one way or the other about divine Unity. She writes excitedly about the stories Choek tells, from his many-fold memories. She also describes in great detail how she eviscerated one of the Kytons for leaving it's "lair" and demanding Choek's return. She also makes quite evident how much she loathes the creatures and cannot wait for Unity to be done with them.

Soon, it is too much to even try to continue reading, and you all finally rest soundly.

***The following morning/noon***

Silver Mount beckons anew, as you step on into the cavernous opening.

Where to?

Nalshene and Narshala stretch, readying themselves for the day. "My friends, I hope that we can make more headway with this Unity creature today. I feel that we were hitting roadblock after roadblock last time."

Urko stretches the kinks out of his back and leans back in the saddle. Given some of the comments in this journal I fear the gargoyle leader will not be any more susceptible to reasoning than the last group. The astrogation section has some lifts in it, we could try those.

Turning to Narshala he says, I don't think I would agree. Yesterday saw us deal with foul kytons, dangerous plant life, a weird creature of light and a large number of Unitiy's fanatical gargoyles and robot guardians. I think we have made a lot of progress. We now effectively control two large sections of the Mount.

"That is a fair point, my friend. I suppose it felt like we were battling on all fronts at once, and not making much headway as we spread ourselves thin, but you're correct. Let us continue that tradition today... but perhaps with less spreading thin." She smiles at Urko affectionately.