After Dark (Inactive)

Game Master rando1000

Isagoras looks at Dave askance. "'Tis not a bomb or unstable alchemical concoction. Neither lead case nor lanyard is needed. I have a sheath, and it shall be kept safe there until such time as a more suitable home can be acquired."

"You know what that things capable of, Izzy. I wouldn't put it past that it'd have just killed whoever touched it because they didn't like their face or whatever."

Joey playfully sticks his tongue out towards Valda, chiming, "Please - after I cash in my golden boot, every dagger in the world will be practically BEGGING to get a stab in on me!"

Stepping over to the others and leaning in to glance at the blade, the Investigator laughs and shrugs his shoulders as he returns upright.

"Honestly thought we'd run into ninjas down here too, or something. Thought that "evil sect" would have an ambush waiting for us - guess not!"

Dave slowly turns to Joe, "If they show up now, I swear I'm going to stab you for saying that."

And I may shoot you for good measure... Pavel says to Joey as he looks between the dagger and the group, and extends it out pommel first to Isagoras, moving painfully slow and very obviously relictanct to part with the treasure. This dagger... it's more incredible than anything I have seen. I hope that whatever your... Order... plans to do with it will not come back to haunt us. Though truth be told, I hold no illusions about such a positive outcome...

Crosses his arms and turns his nose up into the air with a huff.

"Oh yeah - let everyone hate on the Man With the Golden Boot now, huh! No autographs for you all then when we get back to the States!" With Pavel's grim mention of his suspicions towards Isagoras' Order, Joey adds, "I trust Isagoras, but I have trouble trusting those that I don't know... Ah well - if they end up using it for evil then that's just another Big Bad for us to tackle, right? We can take 'em!"

Assuming no one has any more to do here, you're ready to head back toward the surface. You pass the mysterious natural tunnel leading further down into the spiral. Does anyone wish to investigate it further? It doesn't seem necessary considering you have the dagger already.

Isagoras secures the dagger to his belt. As he walks, he keeps his hand on it. Some might consider placing it in a pack, but there are dozens of spells to make a thing disappear, and he knows constant vigilance is the best security.

"My thanks to you, good Pavel. And my thanks to all of you here. I know this was not easy, but I assure you that service to the Greater Good is always the highest calling.

Indeed, I can think of no task that would now take precedence if it should cause us any delay. Let us follow the path of the arrow and see this artifact in more secure hands than ours with all speed!"

"I get the feeling that some strange cosmic force wants us to investigate the other part of this cave. But that could just be the mind rape talking. I'm with Izzy on this though, we should get moving."

Maria doesn't say much about the dagger, she just follows along with the rest of the group.

Don't really know what else she could add about it or anything, so mostly making this post to let you all know I'm still here. :)

"Well, since I'm lacking in golden clothes, exploring potentially treasure containing areas does have a certain appeal..." Valda glanced at the passage. "Plus we'd look really dumb if we didn't bring back the right sacred dagger thing."

I am confident this is the dagger your Order... Servant... seeks. But I believe checking the cave would be and interesting side trip, perhaps containing treasure that we could sell... He strokes his chin while he ponders the thought, then focuses inward to ask whatever force that guides him whether following this side track could bring weal or woe to himself.

Near as I can tell, that's 2-2 leave vs. investigate further. guess Joey will be the tie breaker. This is not a decision I want to make since it can have some serious effects on the campaign. The game will not shutter to a stop either way, but things could progress quite differently depending on which path you choose.

"Since we are here, might as well see what else is around."

Okay, rather than risk Joey turning it into a tie again, I'll take that as the tie breaker. Unless Isagoras flat out says he's leaving with the knife, we'll continue on. I can retcon in if people change their minds or something else happens relatively soon...

Against Isagoras' better judgement, the group seems to want to at least investigate the natural looking exit. Heading in, it's easy to see with a light source that this is probably a natural fissure. In face, after just a few yards, it becomes obvious that you're traveling in very recent natural "construction". The walls are irregular and very jagged, and more than once someone cuts themselves just squeezing by.

The air is relatively cool, and before too long, after a steady downward path, it opens into a wider cavern.

Maria:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Valda:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Pavel:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Dave:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Isagoras:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Joey:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Gm grumbles because he rolled a natural 2 on a +16 stealth check...

Isagoras and Joey realize almost immediately you're not alone. There are three beings in the room with you, pressed up against the wall. They look a little like elongated aliens, naked and slender with smooth skin, no hair, and bulbous eyes. Their skintones seem to fade into the rock behind them.

Isagoras and Joey may act, then the creatures, followed by everyone else.

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Joey - following along the others down the path - grumbles, "What, I don't get a vote! I was going to say we should investigate this place more! Ha! I voted anyway - take that!"

As they enter the cavern, his eyes immediately fall upon the three uncanny critters, and he alerts his friends of their presence, trying to point out the locations of these monsters.

"Guys, look out! Three hostiles on the walls!"

Letting his gaze fall directly on the one to the room's left, Joey's eyes seem to shift malignant as they peer into the creature's very soul.
Joey uses the hex Evil Eye! Will Save DC 15

Will Save:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

With the save, it only takes the penalty for 1 round, but Joey still gets to choose -2 on ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks.

Isagoras calls out: "Be wary, everyone. 'Twould seem that caution may have been the safest road. But as we are now cought in the spider's web, one must needs brandish violence to cut our path to safety now!"

With that he summons 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 eagles and isolates the creature in the corner.

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Isagoras' eagles rip into the one they've surrounded, but fail to drop it (and yes, 16 does confirm).

In response, the one attacked by the eagles activates a Swarm of Crystals, which spreads in a cone hitting 2 eagles Valda, Isagoras, Joey and Dave for:

5d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 3, 1) = 11

Note: No save for this.
Overcome eagles' SR is automatic, so 2 are destroyed.
Also, he did hit his friend behind Dave in the crossfire.

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The other two turn invisible.

Ugh. Gonna burn 2 AP to soften that to 1hp.

I think I'll do the same, that's just ow

"Great, this is what we get for fighting a bunch of aliens." Dave moves forward, and acts as if going for the creature's right.

Feint: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Feint successful.

I have...11 hp remaining. So...let's spend some points on that.

"I may have some regrets," Valda muttered, aiming to return the favour and moving to catch as many as she could, "About going down here."

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Snowball: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 4) = 13

Sorry, but if ever a time... Maria points her finger at one of the aliens then says, "Dormir!"

Slumber Hex, DC 17

Valda drops the one visible creature.

I'll hold Maria's action until after one of the two invisible ones becomes visible, which will be on their action.

It's now Pavel's action, followed by Isagoras and Joey. Feel free to hold your actions until after the others become visible, or to attempt to target specific squares in the hopes of hitting the invisible foes.

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Alright, копиле, let's see how you like this... Pavel says, reaching his hand out and once again calling upon the universe to react to his will, causing an explosion of golden, glittering dust to erupt in the cave.

And thus goes my last second level spell.
I don't know if this is exactly accurate, but that is where I am wanting to put my Glitterdust, more or less.

.

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And thus goes my last second level spell.

And well spend it was...

The "G" are the two remaining opponents, who were approaching.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

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And thus goes my last second level spell.

And well spend it was...

The "G" are the two remaining opponents, who were approaching.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

They are both blinded. One falls asleep due to Maria's slumber hex, leaving one up.

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Top of round 2, Joey and Isagoras' actions.

Seeing the sleeping beast, Joey circles around before ending standing so he's flanking the creature, but he'll aim his pistol at the one still standing.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 WEAK!

The Investigator mutters to himself as he glares at the sleeping beauty beneath him, "Sleep well, my princess. Your life will soon be mine!"

Cannot resist that Coup de Grace opportunity on the next round! Blood lust rising! xD

Oh, I neglected to mention that I too shall use 2 AP to preserve my HP :P

Isagoras carefully sidesteps a few feet to get a clear shot, then launches an acid dart at the one remaining active foe.

The eagle flies around until it is opposite Valda, then aims a steel-hard beak at the monstrosity.

Acid Dart, ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Eagle1 beak w/ flank : 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20
Eagle1 beak damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

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Both creatures are injured, one remains asleep under Maria's hex (S) with Joey ready to gack it as it dozes.

"G" attempts a psionic attack on Valda; I need a WILL SAVE from Valda.

Everyone else (not Joey or Isagoras) may now act.

"Was thinking we might keep them alive, but actually... I don't care to be anal probed..."

and with that, Maria again says "Dormir! as she puts another one to sleep (hopefully.)

Slumber Hex, DC 17

Will Save:
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Last one resists the sleep hex and is still awake.

Dave steps around the blinded creature, taking advantage of it's lack of sight using it's hideous looking eyes to get into a flanking position with where Joe would be.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 24
Damage, + Sneak: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) + 5 = 14

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Dave grievously wounds the creature "G", but it is still up, barely.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

That bodes well...

Valda seems very confused, as if she's unsure how to act.

Pavel has yet to act; I'm going to rule he finishes "G", since it had only 2 HP left. This leaves Joey free to complete his Coup, and finishes the battle.

As soon as "G" dies, Valda's confusion passes. The cavern has additional exits to the left and right, both leading further downward. At this point, you could easily return to the surface, having completed your primary mission of retrieving the dagger; go much further and you may become embroiled in a situation it's harder to extract yourselves from. That said, the choice is still up to you.

"Okay, let me be the one to say it... what the hell is this thing?" He gestures widely to the bizare creatures.

Isagoras strokes his chin, knowingly.

K(um, Planes?): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

More like, unknowingly.

"Dead," Valda replied helpfully, kicking one. "Although...I really should start writting a book about these things, or something. It would sell a fortune. Make it some kind of teen literature, staking sparkly abusive stalkers, crap like that..."

"Fah! Sparkly abusive stalkers? No one would purchase such tripe."

Pavel will also muse over what the creatures might be, reaching back to try to remember anything he may have heard about subterranean aliens and whether provoking them is wise...

Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Occult: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Either that, or you would be put in Government Labor Camp for knowing too much. Probably the former, preferably not the latter, Pavel replies to Valda's musings, letting it hang in the air before adding, it should be fine though.

Pavel has heard, once or twice in the right circles, rumors of a subterranean pre-human sentient species. They're so vague, though, that they could have been ancient legend or lucky guess. It does seem concerning that there are multiple humanoid sized exits from this deep in the earth, both heading down.

Isagoras crosses his arms in impotent superiority. "My opinion on our current course of action is already known, as it is the one that does not have us fighting invisible meta-humans. I'm certain those of us of the precious-metals footwear-wearing crowd will no doubt cry havok, gather the party, and venture forth."

"Yeah, we've already wasted plenty of time down here as is. We should get moving."

Joey throws his hands into air and cries out, "Havok! Let's cash in our proverbial chips and literal golden boots before our luck-well runs dry! I don't want to face more of those things - they may have bigger cousins!"

Mollified, Isagoras nods. "Perhaps, if we wanted to rest for bit and take on the cyclopean subterranean labyrinth in morning, after I have had respite to again draw power, that might be a potentiality."

Potentiality. He hated using that word. It didn't even sound like a real word. But like other words, it's been used so much that it is, now, a word.

"Is that even an actual word. Could've just used 'possibility' instead, ya know." He shakes his head, "My mind is really hazy still, I need a few days to get over all this for good and solid."