GM Endless Forms' Shattered Star (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Thanks for botting Karn for me, that makes my life easier! Especially as I had a very long day in the lab today. It's spring break and I'm trying to take advantage of no classes and no undergrads in the way to get as much work done as I can.

Fort: 3d20 ⇒ (5, 16, 2) = 23
Ref: 6d20 ⇒ (18, 15, 16, 9, 6, 15) = 79

Karn's hammer leaves several broken bones in the nasty eel! Argust focuses on stunning two of them, letting them have a taste of their own medicine! Brelar then burns them all by turning the water into acid! The eel creatures are not happy and the ones who are not stunned fight back!

Confirm on Bert:
bite: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Initiative:

1. Siyokoys
2. Bert, Argust, Brelar, and Karn

#1: 22 dmg
#2: 22 dmg
#3: 81 dmg
#4: 45 dmg
#5: 76 dmg, stunned
#6: 127 dmg, stunned

You guys are up!

Argust decides to try and put down as many eels as he can! Back to Power Attack

Attack: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (19) + 29 = 48 for Damage: 2d6 + 39 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 39 + (6, 6) = 58
Attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25 for Damage: 2d6 + 39 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 39 + (3, 3) = 53
Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34 for Damage: 2d6 + 39 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 39 + (1, 4) = 52
Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 for Damage: 2d6 + 39 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 39 + (6, 2) = 56

Confirm?: 1d20 + 29 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 29 + 4 = 52 for Damage: 2d6 + 39 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 39 + (3, 1) = 48 plus Bleed: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 plus Staggered (DC 26)

I think Karn is grappled, assuming that his header is correct. If I take out #6 and #5 I'd move to try and kill the one on Karn.

Bert still can't act; current AC is 26.

Karn takes 48 +15 from life link HP and is grappled; he tries to break free.

Break free, raging: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

Argust cuts down two of the siyokoys and then swims over to help Brelar by cutting into another! Meanwhile Karn breaks into a rage and tears himself free of the eel's grasp!

Initiative:

1. Siyokoys
2. Bert, Argust, Brelar, and Karn

#1: 78 dmg
#2: 22 dmg
#3: 81 dmg
#4: 45 dmg

Brelar is up!

It looks like the two on Bert both have him grappled (not sure how that works, since he's Small), so I expect that they're going to play make-a-wish with him.

Brelar narrowly avoids the bite, but the rest of the attacks take their toll!

Cast Defensively: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

Brelar again unleashes an acidball on the foes! DC 24 Ref for half.

Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 4, 6, 4, 2) = 31

hp: 72/114

Sorry for the delay! I was traveling this weekend, got back late yesterday, and then had a very full day today.

Ref: 4d20 ⇒ (2, 18, 19, 7) = 46

Brelar's acid continues to burn away at the siyokoys' hide! The eel-creatures each take one of you and try to take you all down together!

Initiative:

1. Siyokoys
2. Bert, Argust, Brelar, and Karn

#1: 109 dmg
#2: 37 dmg
#3: 96 dmg
#4: 76 dmg

You guys are up!

Argust tries to help out his liege! Start with #1 and work my way around.

Attack: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (2) + 29 = 31 for Damage: 2d6 + 39 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 39 + (4, 1) = 49
Attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 41 for Damage: 2d6 + 43 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 43 + (3, 6) = 56
Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20 for Damage: 2d6 + 43 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 43 + (1, 4) = 56
Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 for Damage: 2d6 + 43 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) + 43 + (1, 1) = 52

Confirm?: 1d20 + 24 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 24 + 4 = 37 for Damage: 2d6 + 43 ⇒ (6, 6) + 43 = 55 plus Bleed: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 and DC 26 or staggered for Rounds: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

After those attacks Bert is at 0 HP, until the life link kicks in.

Karn's raging AC is 26, so he's bitten, grabbed, and clawed once for 32 HP. This puts him down 95; it'll be 110 after the HP transfer from the life links for Argust, Bert, and Brelar. He activates his moment of clarity and channels to heal, excluding the siyokoys.

Everyone takes back: 9d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 6, 2, 6, 5, 3, 6) = 40

Bert: 45/118 HP, and I think he's no longer stunned after this round.
Karn: 64/134 HP and grabbed; used 1/6 channels for the day.

Karn notices that the party is looking a little worse for wear and channels energy into the water which heals everyone! Argust then slices one of them in two and then hacks another one to pieces!

Initiative:

1. Siyokoys
2. Bert, Argust, Brelar, and Karn

#3: 96 dmg
#4: 76 dmg

Brelar is up!

Brelar unleashes a trio of scorching (acid) rays at the two remaining siyokoys!

Cast Defensively: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Ranged Touch (#3): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Ranged Touch (#4): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Ranged Touch (#4): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 5) = 18
Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 3) = 10
Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 6) = 17

Brelar's acid once again cuts through the water and finishes off the nasty eel creatures!

Out of combat!

As you finish off the siyokoys, a beautiful Azlanti woman comes out from hiding amidst the countless clockwork soldiers. She swims closer and speaks to you through the water. "Hello. My name is Aulthunn. I. . . I think I've been trapped here, in stasis, for many ages from what I can tell. I was a sorcerer from Azlant who came to Thassilon to attempt to broker a new peace with Xin. I was instead placed into stasis and only just reawoke recently. I've already used several divinatory spells to learn of the major events of the past 11,000 years and I think I've been here precisely 11,211 years, in fact. I could use your help if you will tell me a bit about yourselves."

Umm, Brelar? How can someone be livin' for err... how many years was that again?

Bert grins, though his amusement is tinged with suspicion. "Now, Argust--think about how many really old people we've met. Like the bone sage under Kaer Maga. If her story is true, she's been in stasis all this time."

He addresses the woman. "Sorry to be rude, Aulthunn, but when we were trying to get in here we ran into some gillmen who were really aboleths in disguise. You should know about aboleths, right? And then there was this clockwork thing that said it was Xin before it attacked us. So we're a little bit reluctant to take anything at face value, OK?"

Sense Motive check: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29

Aulthunn nods her head, her lush brown hair swaying in the water. "I understand. That is why I have been hiding, searching for a way out of this place. Even to explore on my own has been dangerous." Bert doesn't see any obvious faults in her story and she certainly doesn't seem hostile.

Bert nods. "Well, we're explorers. Brelar, here, is a wizard. Karn's an oracle and a few other things. Argust is our muscle. (He's a dwarf, by the way. His ancestors came up from the Darklands after Earthfall and the destruction of Old Azlant.) And I'm Bert, combat historian and occasional comic relief."

Aulthunn nods along. "Well, you seem a very capable bunch, as I observed when you fought off those siyokoys. I admit, I am more skilled at divination magics than at combat. If you don't mind, I would like to follow around a bit and explore this place in the safety of your company. Of course I would eventually like to leave but I would love the opportunity to learn more as long as I am here!"

Oh, you must be like these other fellas here! They like all that brainy stuff and such. Don't you worry! I'll keep ya safe as best I can! Right, Brelar?

"What else have you seen down here?"

Aulthunn shrugs and shakes her head. "Not much. Luckily I had the skills to help myself survive under the water when I awoke but I had to hide immediately from those eel monsters. Down at the end of the hall is a small room of little interest, as far as I could see."

Sure enough, the small chamber at the end of the hall has nothing more than broken parts and spare limbs littering the room.

You swim and wade to the north to see if anything more interesting can be found. A jagged, puckered scar mars the otherwise exquisite floor of this large chamber, as if the palace had covered some great rift with a crystal scab. Debris litters the floor-weapons in ancient styles, wasp-waisted shield, and the parts and limbs of great iron constructs-marking this place as some sort of armory. "I tried coming in here," Aulthunn whispers, "but I saw something move."

Sure enough, not all in here is debris: among the pieces of half-made iron golems moves a perfectly in-tact golem moving to fight off the intruders!

Initiative:

1. Bert and Brelar
2. Iron Golem
3. Argust and Karn

Bert and Brelar are up!

Bert executes his usual opening move, casting good hope and calling on his luck!

Sorry for the delay. Does the golem seem to be able to swim ok? Or is it plodding along against the water?

It certainly wasn't designed with water combat in mind but, knowing Xin, it is probably magically enhanced in other ways.

Brelar attempts to drop the thing into a spiked pit. DC 22 Ref save! 50' fall and 2d6 piercing damage, though the golem will probably be able to shrug off the damage with DR :)

Does it seem as though this lower level was designed to be under water?

@Bert: Not in the slightest! It probably has more to do with its prolonged stay at the bottom of the sea. The water didn't invade the rest of the palace due to the protective magics but clearly they failed in this part.

Ref: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Having fun thinking about the physics of this. I might have argued that some other creature would just float or something... but this is a heavy iron golem that I specifically described as being unfit for the water so I guess it would sink the same as it would fall in air, only more slowly.

2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

Bert's pit causes the golem to slowly sink down where it can not reach you, although the spikes aren't able to scratch its tough metal exterior. "What a marvelous tactic!" Aulthunn comments as she laughs at the golem's plight.

Climb: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Climb: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

The golem tries to climb and swim from the pit but doesn't have much luck. It seems to be stuck down there for some time.

I'm going to call it. You can pick it off from afar or just have Argust cannonball it and destroy it. Good job!

Cannonball!

Brelar! That was real smartlike! You're the best wizard in the world!

"Looks like there's a passage south and west--let's go!"

Following Bert's suggestion you head to the southwest. Millions of brass gears and sprockets cover the chamber's floor in a layer several inches deep. Glass globes-broken and otherwise-contain even more gears, while brass-mounted lenses, crystal tables, and gilded benches lie toppled and cracked throughout the room. Several small clockwork automatons attempt to put the room back in order, quite the futile task. A trio of particularly well-constructed clockwork golems stand guard here but as you enter they only turn to you and bow before resuming their natural guarded stances. "Interesting," Aulthunn notes. "These seem in better condition. And perhaps because I am a full-blooded Azlanti they naturally do not perceive us an intruders. I should have come in here first!"

Further on there is a final chamber below where incomplete brass bones of dozens of clockwork soldiers litter the floor below the massive chassis of an eel-like clockwork creature suspended from the ceiling by arcs of magical force. Everywhere are strange metal contraptions. illuminated by the pulsating blue glow of glyph-inscribed walls. Eerie shadows dance on the wall as crabs clamber over the incomplete clockworks, and the beady eyes of eels peer from between the wreckage of this assembly line.

As you enter, your presence seems to awaken this construct as well, except this one does not bow to you.... "Oh..." Aulthunn whispers, "I don't think the same magic is working on this one..."

Initiative:

1. Argust and Brelar
2. Clockwork Leviathon
3. Karn and Bert

Argust and Brelar are up!

Is this like the ones we fought in Magnimar?

Argust clicks his heels and changes the creature!

Charge!: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (2) + 32 = 34 for Damage: 2d6 + 43 ⇒ (6, 2) + 43 = 51 plus If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

@Bert: Yep! Except this one may or may not have been enhanced by Xin....

Argust wastes no time in charging the clockwork beast!

Initiative:

1. Argust and Brelar
2. Clockwork Leviathon (41 dmg)
3. Karn and Bert

Brelar is up!

Brelar removes a scroll from his scroll case, after reciting the arcane words he looks at the clockwork leviathon and says "Heel."

Cast control construct.

Spellcraft check to take control: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (20) + 30 = 50 vs DC 10+HD

Woot!

Well it certainly doesn't have 40 HD! Very useful spell in this place.

With a wave of his hand Brelar takes control of the construct. "Unbelievable!" Aulthunn shouts. However, when you turn to look at her you no longer see the beautiful Azlanti woman but intsead a massive form of fishlike alien undulating with thick mucus, with four long tentacles writhing around its multi-eyed head. Despite its alien nature, its presence is almost calming, even... alluring.

The creature formerly known as Althunn quickly casts two spells, trying to take control of the party. DC 28 Will save from Brelar against dominate monster or turn the clockwork leviathon and yourself upon your own companions; DC 24 Will save from Argust against quickened dominate person or you will also turn against your own allies. Good luck! Mwooo ah ah ah!

Initiative:

1. Argust and Brelar (and his clockwork leviathon, 41 dmg)
2. Ogonthunn
3. Karn and Bert

You guys are up!

Will: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 4 = 28

What? I thought this here thing was our friend! Since Argust reacted the quickest, he charges Ogonthunn! Just enough movement with Haste and a clear path!

Charge! with Stunning Assault: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (19) + 32 = 51 for Damage: 2d6 + 28 ⇒ (2, 1) + 28 = 31 plus If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11 and DC 26 Fort or be stunned.

Confirm?: 1d20 + 32 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 32 + 4 = 49 for Damage: 2d6 + 28 ⇒ (3, 1) + 28 = 32 plus Bleed: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7 and DC 26 Fort or be staggered for Rounds, or just one on a save: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Yeah, can't say as I didn't see that coming. Bert's Knoweldge (Dungeoneering) check is a +19, so with Lore Master he barely makes it automatically.

"Ooh, a veiled master! You're pretty rare, aren't you? When Brelar gets through with you I think you'll be well-done, though."

Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Shocked by this sudden, but inevitable betrayal Brelar shakes off the effects of the spell. Though he might have gotten lucky with his SR, but probably not. :)

"I don't think you are going to like this very much, " Brelar says with a hint of sadness in his voice. He looks to his new clockwork pet, then points at the creature that was Althunn and says "Attack!"

Clockwork Bite!: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (17) + 25 = 42
Damage: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 3) + 11 = 17
Grab: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (5) + 29 = 34
Grind: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Brelar himself is content to direct his new pet as it's massive mouth closes in on the veiled master.

Yeah... suspicious Azlanti lady claiming to be in stasis down here for thousands of years? Sounds totally legit.

Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Argust charges in against the aristocratic aboleth and deals her a heavy wound while Brelar unleashes his new pet, which bites into Aulthunn but is not able to grab her slippery skin.

Knowing that taking Brelar out of the fight means taking the clockwork leviathon out of the fight, she backs up and focuses her efforts on Brelar!

Another DC 24 Will save from Brelar against quickened dominate person or you will turn against your own allies.

If Brelar makes his save, she will then hit him with phantasmal killer (DC 23 Will save, then DC 23 Fort save, I think you know the drill). If Brelar fails the save on the dominate, she will instead leave Brelar alone and focus the phantasmal killer on Argust.

Initiative:

1. Argust and Brelar (and his clockwork leviathon, 41 dmg)
2. Ogonthunn (98 dmg)
3. Karn and Bert

You guys are up!

Guess I'll wait to see what our fate is before proceeding!

Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 *derp*

Maybe my SR 18 will help? :)

CL: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

Brelar is dominated! Turn on your allies!

And Argust gets to save against phantasmal killer now!

Hey, I just noticed I hadn't taken an action yet. Not that it'll help, but Bert will do the usual luck/good hope combo, so Argust gets +2 to his save vs. phantasmal killer. I'll post this round's action when I can get to the map.

ETA: Clockwork leviathans have a 15' reach, so I don't think she can back up out of its reach and cast without taking an AoO.

ETA II: Argust would also get an AoO as she retreated, wouldn't he? She can't withdraw and cast in the same round AFAIK.

Will: 1d20 + 14 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 4 + 2 = 34 Yep, that got it.

OK, so I wouldn't think Argust would realize that Brelar and the pet have turned against the party yet so he would 5' step and attack her again.

Attack with Stunning Assault, DC 26: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (15) + 32 = 47 for Damage: 2d6 + 26 ⇒ (6, 4) + 26 = 36 plus If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Attack with Stunning Assault, DC 26: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (12) + 32 = 44 for Damage: 2d6 + 30 ⇒ (4, 3) + 30 = 37 plus If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
Attack with Stunning Assault, DC 26: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (20) + 27 = 47 for Damage: 2d6 + 30 ⇒ (1, 5) + 30 = 36 plus If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
Attack with Stunning Assault, DC 26: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42 for Damage: 2d6 + 30 ⇒ (4, 3) + 30 = 37 plus If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Attack with Stunning Assault, DC 26: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 for Damage: 2d6 + 30 ⇒ (6, 4) + 30 = 40 plus If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Confirm #3?: 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 27 + 4 = 49 for Damage: 2d6 + 30 ⇒ (4, 1) + 30 = 35 plus Bleed: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5 and Stunning Strike DC 26: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Confirm #4?: 1d20 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 22 + 4 = 27 for Damage: 2d6 + 30 ⇒ (1, 2) + 30 = 33 plus Bleed: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 and Stunning Strike DC 26: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

That's a lot of damage, 206 by my count assuming the 5th attack misses, less any DR she might have.

Oh sorry Bert. I thought you were using Lore Master to figure out what she is.

Good call on the reach of the leviathon but she 5' stepped away from Argust so no AoO from him.

DC 23 defensive casting: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28

---

Argust's flurry of attacks just barely take down the ancient and noble aboleth!

[ooc]Out of combat!

Take THAT, whoeverthehellyouwere. Argust looks to see if the clockwork creature is doing anything it shouldn't. Wow, lookie at all this weird stuff, Brelar! Can we use any of it?

She was pretty flush. Nice job, Argust!

"Argust, I think you and Karn can use a lot of these. The pale green prism boosts your competence. Brelar probably wants the orange one, though."

Ah, what about this one here? Whatzit do? Argust picks up the dusty rose prism and shows it to Bert.

My AC is getting up there but as the tank I like as much as I can get. Depends if someone else can really use that +1 AC though. The pale green one would be great also.

Once Brelar loses concentration, the construct is free again but I think you can pretty easily mop it up so we'll move out of the water and up the stairs:

Inert constructs of all shapes and sizes line each side of this broad hallway. Each specimen is more complicated and intricate than the last, and their varied archaic styles hint that these constructs were not a single person’s creations, but rather a collection of multiple creators’ works. Several archways punctuate the statue-lined walls.

One of the clockwork creations in this room still moves to defend the Crystal Palace... and, of course, it is a huge clockwork dragon!

Just like most clockworks of sufficient complexity, DR/adamantine and vulnerability to electricity. It also has resistance to electricity and fire though and it can breath fire. Have fun!

And of course the dragon goes first. 1d2 ⇒ 1

The dragon breathes a line of fire onto Argust and Brelar!

fire: 14d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 6, 4, 4, 5, 2, 6, 3, 2) = 49
DC 22 Ref for half

Initiative:

1. Clockwork dragon
2. Argust, Bert, Karn, and Brelar

You guys are up!

I'm assuming I now have those two ioun stones I mentioned. If so, my init modifier is now +5, still not enough this time though.

Reflex!: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19 So unless that's a spell or SLA I fail.

August takes the full brunt of the blast! 44 to me, 5 for Karn. Argust takes a dislike to being burned and rushes the dragon! Back to Power Attack

Charge!: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (5) + 32 = 37 for Damage: 2d6 + 43 ⇒ (5, 2) + 43 = 50 plus Is it Evil?: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Bert calls on his luck, then casts a spell to grant himself better mobility! Casting expeditious retreat.

Karn casts blessing of fervor on the party, then moves up a little, preparing to strike next round.