[Outpost VI] PFS2 4-06: Signal from the Electric Laboratory

[Quinoline Silicate]

To be clear, Quinoline's Glad-Hand should not have counted as an attempt - it's an immediate, free check with no Failure or Crit Failure.

Quinoline's first attempt (Diplomacy, after 1 min of talking):
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

"Look, we know there are dangers inside, but we're best equipped to handle them. Look at Astrid, she's downright scary. I mean, heh, heh, I may have peed in my pants a little when I first met her. But that's good, when we're fighting the bad guys. So, let us do our jobs, what do you say?"

Quinoline's second attempt (Arcana):
Arcana: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29

"The creatures inside are magical, with arcane powers that are difficult to comprehend. We must deal with the elements, constructing safe conduits for all this electrical energy. Please, let us work in peace."

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

Quinoline Silicate wrote:

"The creatures inside are magical, with arcane powers that are difficult to comprehend. We must deal with the elements, constructing safe conduits for all this electrical energy. Please, let us work in peace."

"Otherwise there might be..." Astrid cracks her knuckles. "...consequences. "

intimidate, coerce: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31

[Eithrim Navarre]

Intimidate coerce: 1d20 + 21 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 1 + 3 = 33

[Fin-thir]

The ranger said to them: We have better weapons and we are better prepared.

Diplomacy:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Maybe inside there are the most terrifying creatures.

Intimidation:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

[cmlobue]

Between Fin-thir's and Quinoline's pleadings, Teja's treatise on Desna, and Astrid still being there looking like Astrid, the mob decides that their energies are better spent elsewhere and they disperse.

You return to the upper floor of the manor, where Revecka is putting the finishing touches on her device. She attaches it to her artificial heart and spends a few moments calibrating it, then redirects power out of the room. "You have no idea how nice it is not to hear the constant hum of electricity," she tells you with a sigh. "I've restored power to the laboratory, so you should be able to get into the basement now. It will still be some time before I have the energy to leave this room, so I will have to leave you to the exploration. I'm sure Vilo will take good care of me, and can find you if we need anything else."

[Teja Khellekdottir]

"We might stay with you for a bit. Those oozes took a lot of killing, and the team could do with a patch-job" says Teja.

"We won't bother you for long, just a short rest."

[Othello Verese]

Assurance, Ward medic, Trained DC, Treat wounds

Othello (-15 HP): 4d8 ⇒ (5, 7, 8, 2) = 22
Astrid (-2 HP): 4d8 ⇒ (7, 8, 5, 4) = 24
Navarre (-36 HP): 4d8 ⇒ (7, 3, 4, 6) = 20
Fin-thir (-4 HP): 4d8 ⇒ (6, 6, 1, 5) = 18

If we have another ten minutes, then LayOnHands Navarre for 24 HP, and refocus.

[cmlobue]

After taking the time to patch your wounds, you return to the lab on the ground floor. The glass panel is now illuminated and repeats the phrase "lockdown disengaged" at regular intervals.

[Eithrim Navarre]

"well we are going to do the work for which we have come"

[Quinoline Silicate]

Quinoline will lead the way by following Astrid downstairs.

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

Astrid hefts her shield and looks around. "Are there some stairs down or something?"

[cmlobue]

Quinoline speaks the password "Stormheart" into the horn by the door. The door unlocks, revealing a small room with stairs leading deep below the manor. The air becomes cold and humid and carries an animalistic smell. The sound of water is faintly audible in the distance. She leads the Pathfinders from behind Astrid.

>Slide 6<

The room is dominated by a complex device fitted with two large coils and dozens of dials located on a raised platform. Its metallic shine has not faded over the years, although some of the engravings next to each panel have been worn out due to long-time use. The machine emits a steady and low hum.

[Eithrim Navarre]

Navarre takes his weapon on hands and moves to front protecting the group "Astrid come with me its time we make the hard job"

[cmlobue]

Navarre does not bother investigating the first room of the basement.

The room is filled with spacious pens holding a few different animals. On one side, an albino ball python slithers in a terrarium adorned with Osirion inspired decor while a vampire bat sleeps lazily away from the light. On the opposite end, a large aquarium fitted with a spigot hosts a pair of bizarre fishlike creatures. An attentive and diminutive cu sith sits free in the middle of the room, wearing a polished silver collar with the word “Gleam” on it.

[Othello Verese]

Othello will look at the device in the first room

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

[Eithrim Navarre]

Navarre moves in the direction of the strange Sith to see what he is doing in the middle of the room and take a look at the Necklace.

[cmlobue]

I hate to waste a crit, but...

Othello finds a small hole in the device that looks perfect for the crystal key. Unfortunately, he lacks the skill (Crafting) to do anything more complex than stick it in, which does not accomplish anything on its own.

The collar does not seem any way unusual on its own, but the creature wearing it taps three times on the ground, then moves and sits next to a paper in a simple metal frame. Among the writing on it is "3: Shadow Plane portal".

[Teja Khellekdottir]

Teja peers over the shoulder of Othello.

"Interesting... I wonder if "

crafting,bump: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 2 = 26

[cmlobue]

Teja begins working on the device. It's far more complicated than anything that she has handled before, but it has been set up so that one step logically follows from the other as long as you have a basic understanding. She takes the key from Quinoline and inserts it into the device. The hum is replaced by a series of different high and low frequency sounds before a feminine voice filled with trepidation asks, “Revecka? Is that you?”

[Eithrim Navarre]

"NO my name is Navarre and we are member of the Pathfinder Society we are trying to help Rececka, who are you??"

[Quinoline Silicate]

If it changes anything, Quinoline is Master in Crafting and has a +22. Crafting: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

"We were brought here by signal from a crystal key we had in our possession - have you been calling us?"

[cmlobue]

"Pathfinders? Where are we? What happened to Revecka?"

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

cmlobue wrote:

"Pathfinders? Where are we? What happened to Revecka?"

"She'll be okay. She was wounded but we managed to get her some reagents to power some mechanical widget that keeps her alive. She's resting upstairs. I'm Astrid, who are we speaking to?"

[cmlobue]

"My apologies. I am Narcela. I know your Society has had encounters with my mother, Aslynn. She sent me here to monitor the Ardis Scholars. I met Revecka initially by visiting her dreams. We agreed to try to stop my mother, but before we could do so, she attacked, kidnapping most of the Scholars. She plans to use their knowledge of the planes to attack the Tomb Between Worlds.

"I know I am no match for my mother, so I ran. I found that key that you brought here and hid it in the Pathfinder's vaults, hoping that Lumna would evade my mother and eventually reach out for aid. The others have been left to fend for themselves. I haven't been able to touch Revecka's dreams since then, so I was worried that she was under my mother's control, or dead."

[Quinoline Silicate]

"Well, we're here now. How can we help?"

[cmlobue]

"I want to speak with Revecka again, but it's not yet safe down here. There's something in the lab further down this passageway. One of Dr. Treju's experiments gone wrong, I think. And then Lumna will need to be saved - it's her who has been calling to you."

[Eithrim Navarre]

"Ok we will go to clean the area and make it safe so you can come!"

[Teja Khellekdottir]

Teja listens and watches with interest. "If you don't mind me asking, Narcela... what exactly are you? And what is the nature of the experiment gone awry?"

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

"An experiment gone wrong huh? Seems to be a lot of that going around lately." Astrid looks closely at the cu sith.

Astrid will recall knowledge on the cu sith. Her nature skill is +13

"Collar says Gleam. Is that your name? Are you trying to tell us something?" The shield maiden examines the paper in the frame. "Shadow plane portal? Is that what's in the lab?"

[cmlobue]

Secret Check:

1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Astrid recalls that cu sith are often found near interplanar portals. They understand Sylvan but cannot speak. They have a bark that can frighten any who hear it.

"I am a changeling. One day, I will be a hag like my mother, which I dread, but for now... well, I am in a safe place, able to communicate through this device, as I possess a key similar to yours. Perhaps I will tell Revecka how to find me when this is all over, but I hope you understand why doing so would not be safe now.

"I am not a Scholar, so I do not know many of the details, but I believe they were working on planar travel before my mother interfered."

Gleam seems happy to be noticed and continues the pattern of taps and moving toward the sign.

[Quinoline Silicate]

Quinoline speaks Sylvan. She'll tell Gleam to lead the way.

Quinoline will follow the group.

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

Astrid pats Gleam on the head. "Good doggie." She hefts her shield and checks the passage to the north.

[cmlobue]

Gleam is clearly not interested in leading the way and would need to be forced to leave the room. Fortunately, Astrid is willing.

The worked stone gives away to a more rugged and natural cavern overflowing with water from an underground stream. A fine metal mesh containing a slowly dissipating energy orb about 5 feet across is suspended in the center of the enclosure.

In the room before you is a tall woman in her 50. At first you think it may be one of the Scholars, but quickly realize that the creature is incorporeal. "You are the ones who found the key?" she asks calmly. "I am Lumna, and I am the one who called for help. Dr. Treju brought me here by accident, and in my disorientation, I nearly killed her. But she and her associates repaid my violence with kindness and understanding. This electrical field has allowed me to communicate safely with the scholars, and they worked to heal my wounds, until they were attacked."

[Teja Khellekdottir]

Teja looks at the etheral woman with awe.

"How can we help them... and you?" she asks.

"And if you don't mind a scholar asking... what are you? A ghost?"

[cmlobue]

"No, I am quite alive, though the form you are seeing is just a projection. I am from one of the moons of the planet you call Liavara. I use the doctor's form because she was comforting, and someone from this world would not expect a being that looks like me. My true self if within this field, and if you could find a safe way to get me out, I would be most grateful.

"I fear there is little you can do for the scholars who brought me here now."

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

Astrid considers Lumna's story carefully, searching for any deception.

Astrid's perception is +17. Is Lumna telling the truth?

"Sure we'll see what we can do for you. Any ideas on how we can free you?"

[cmlobue]

Secret Check:

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

Astrid:

Lumna appears to be telling the truth.

"I'm sure the scholars have something here that could help, but I'm not a scientist myself. Just be careful about using magic around my enclosure. It can be... unpredictable."

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

"Ha! Unpredictable is my middle name. We'll go take a look around. You stay here."

Astrid heads south to look into the next room.

"Navarre. You've been quiet. What have you found over here?"

[Teja Khellekdottir]

Teja eyes up the spirit in the field, finding it curious to be able to talk with an alien creature. "What do you people call yourselves?" she asks. "And how did you come to learn our language?"

[cmlobue]

"We are called <something unpronounceable by Golarion tongues> because the scenario doesn't say. I have been cooperating with Dr. Treju and her assistants since our... unfortunate first meeting, and we learned to communicate."

Navarre discovered another passage that led to Lumna's chambers and that going too far forward alone could be dangerous.

The air feels stale and cold, as if something were draining this place of warmth. Scraps and spare parts lie scattered across the room, making it difficult to move without hitting a spring, coil or tube. Unfinished, humanlike constructs lean inert against the wall, most missing limbs or critical components. One slender construct, heavily modified by expert hands, is fitted with a large coil leading to a container filled with dark energy.

Some of the broken machines are not as broken as they appear.

Initiative:

”Teja Initiative(stealth)(bmp)”: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 = 26
”Fin-thir Initiative”: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
”Othello Initiative”: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
”Astrid Initiative”: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37
”Navarre Initiative”: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25
”Quinoline Initiative”: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
”Red Initiative”: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
”Green Initiative”: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
”Blue Initiative”: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
”Purple Initiative”: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31

Round 1 - bolded may go

Astrid
Quinoline
Purple
Red
Fin-thir
Teja
Navarre
Othello
Green
Blue

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

"Well now. What do we have here?"

Astrid moves forward to engage the wayward machines.

quick draw, bastard sword: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31
slashing, electric: 2d8 + 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 3) + (1) + 8 = 17

strike, bastard sword: 1d20 + 23 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 23 - 5 = 36
slashing, electric: 2d8 + 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (7, 3) + (3) + 8 = 21

◆ Stride, ◆ Quick Draw, ◆ strike

sword critical specailization

shock rune

[Quinoline Silicate]

Quinoline can't see the ones around the corner and I feel like it would be metagamey for her to move up and bomb them. So, she'll Recall Knowledge on the one in front of Astrid (Purple, Arcana +20, Crafting +22, Nature +14, Occultism +18, Religion +14; resistances and weaknesses on Success).

If they're weak to fire, electricity, cold, or sonic, or if they're resistant to acid, she'll Quick Alchemy (Sticky Bomb) one of those and throw it. If not, she'll throw two acid flasks.

Bomb #1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37
Bomb #2: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 19 - 5 = 25

Fire: Fire: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 7) = 10 plus 2 persistent fire plus 7 splash fire
Acid: 2 acid + 2d6 persistent acid + 7 splash acid
Electricity: Electricity: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9 plus 7 splash electricity plus flat-footed
Cold: Cold: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6 plus 7 splash cold plus -10' speed
Sonic: Sonic: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 plus 7 splash sonic plus deafened

[cmlobue]

Secret Check:

1d20 ⇒ 2

Astrid employs a more direct approach, stepping forward and hacking at the device. Both hits are solid, and while the frame absorbs some of the impact, something in them doesn't enjoy the shock.

Quinoline can't figure out what they are facing, but she notices that the electricity from Astrid's sword works well, so she whips up an electrifying bomb and tosses it in.

I'm treating the initial damage and splash as the same hit for calculating weakness. If that is wrong, feel free to point me to better information.

The creature with the purple aura swings at Astrid twice, then brings a metal plate in front of its body.

Halberd: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29
Piercing Damage: 2d10 + 9 ⇒ (6, 8) + 9 = 23
Negative Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Halberd: 1d20 + 23 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 23 - 5 = 24
Piercing Damage: 2d10 + 9 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 = 15
Negative Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

The heap with red-tinged metal steps toward Astrid and touches her with a rusted claw.

Infested Touch: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
Negative Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (7, 2) + 6 = 15

Infested Touch: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 4 = 23
Negative Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (5, 11) + 6 = 22

Round 1 - bolded may go

Astrid (-48 HP)
Quinoline
Purple (-61 HP, flat-footed, +2 AC)
Red
Fin-thir
Teja
Navarre
Othello
Green
Blue

[Quinoline Silicate]

Quinoline has Sticky Bomb, so it should also have 5 persistent electricity.

[Astrid Gertasdottir]

The shield maiden instinctively raises her shield upon being attacked, causing the attack and all subsequent attacks to miss.

Astrid uses reactive shield and now has her shield raised. Also if she does actually get hit in the future she has resistance 1 be negative energy.

↺ reactive shield

[Othello Verese]

In response to the first strike from the creature with the purple aura, Othello will react with Glimpse of Redemption (Either the strike doesn't hit or it hits and does 10 less damage and the creature is enfeebled 2).

Othello will move behind the creature with the purple aura and strike at it twice.

Strike (purple flanked): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Damage: 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 = 10

Strike (purple flanked): 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 15 - 5 = 22
Damage: 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (5, 10) + 4 = 19

If purple dropped after the first strike, then the second strike would be against the creature with the red aura.

[Fin-thir]

The ranger steps and hunt prey the purple.

Then he fires the purple. (hunted shot)

+1 striking comp. shortbow:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5) + 1 + 2 = 12

+1 striking comp. shortbow:1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 16 - 3 = 20

Damage:2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 + 2 = 7

[Teja Khellekdottir]

Teja holds back for a moment, considering what strengths and weaknesses the constructs might have.

Three actions monster knowledge with whatever the relevant skill for them is. Teja is at least trained in all of them.

[cmlobue]

Secret Checks:

3d20 ⇒ (1, 1, 13) = 15

Teja identifies the creature as a feybound armor. They resist physical damage from all sources except cold iron. You cannot Recall Knowledge against it again for reasons, so you get two actions back. If you want, I can use one on the other creatures.

Othello circles the creature in the center of the room, drawing a counter-attack.

↺ Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43
Piercing Damage: 2d10 + 9 ⇒ (7, 9) + 9 = 25
Negative Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2

He then swings at the creature twice, neither blow landing.

Fin-thir fires a pair of arrows which fly past the enemy.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Astrid (shield raised)
Quinoline
Purple (-61 HP, flat-footed, +2 AC, 5 persistent electricity)
Red
Fin-thir
Teja (2 actions)
Navarre
Othello (-54 HP)
Green
Blue

[Teja Khellekdottir]

I'll use one on the other creatures.

"Cold iron is sovereign against them, other weapons... will have a hard time cutting their flesh." warns the scholar.

She draws her own rapier.

* id creature (feybound armor)
* id creature (other)
* interact (draw weapon)