GMG's PBP: Series of the Fiend (10-11) (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Doctor Drokk scoops up the broken corpse of his familiar. The Doctor strips off the black, slick gloves that Nigel wore, and places them over his own claws. Miraculously, the magical gloves expand and adapt to cover the far larger mutated appendages.

"I will learn from this experience Nigel. A piece of me has died today, in spite of my strength and power. But I live on. For science, Nigel. FOR SCIENCE!"

Drokk holds Nigel's remains in his arms for a moment seeming almost tender - and then stuffs the little cadaver in his haversack.

"I am physically unharmed. I will ensure no more enemies come whilst you heal."

Drokk takes to the air and circles the area, watching for new enemies until his comrades are repaired.

Svetlana looks at the carnage with clear distaste - "I tire of these disgusting creatures, they are almost as foul as the Derro"

Karzug
UMD Wand of Infernal Healing 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Svetlana stares at the wand intently and by sheer intimidation manages to cajole it into working.

I can use the Wand of Infernal Healing and Wand of Cure Light Wounds.
Wand of Infernal Healing on Gratus 9 charges....
How Many Charges does Karzug need?
Gratus holds up his wand of Infernal Healing and prepares to use it on his companions.....

"Is there anyone else besides myself and Karzug wounded?"

While you heal you notice some hellknights watching you from atop the palisade.

Once he is awake, Karzug declines the Infernal healing wand. "Karzug appreciate help, but prefer not use demon power." He taps himself with a CLW wand until he's all better.

CLW: 8d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 7, 8, 2, 3, 7, 3, 7) + 8 = 49

"And We're being watched. No surprises there."

Drokk lands near his companions.

"If you are ready now, let us approach these fellow Hellknights and state our purpose."

Drokk consumes a Gravelly Tonic using alchemical efficiency boon.

The Doctor approaches the Hellknights at the fort. In his rumbling, alchemically enhanced voice, he speaks:

"Brothers and Sisters, admit us! In the names of Vicarius Giordano Torchia, Lictor Rouen Stought, and Lictor Severs DiViri! We have destroyed the morlocks, at great personal cost. None may sway us from our appointed task! We must enter Rachikan!"

"Well met fellow Hellknights! Please enter through the front gate where paralictor Maladin Bane will welcome you"

You move around the camp and enter it through a 30 ft wide gate. Behind the gate you find an enclosure. In the middle stands a man, midway in his thirties in the trappings of a hellknight paralictor of the order of the rack.

"Welcome brothers and sisters, thank you for assisting us by taking care of that golem. What brings you to the Pillars of Anferita"

"And in turn, we thank you for your hospitality, Paralictor"

"We are investigating the disappearance of a group of archaeologists. They were from Egorian’s prestigious Athenaeum, so you can imagine this has created a stir. We need to search the undercity to retrieve them, or their remains."

"Could you tell us a bit more about this place?"

"Unfortunately the lifts to the undercity got damaged in the assault, so we have to repair it.

The paralictor points to a building on his left "Those are the barracks, we can offer you the use of a bed there. Come, I'll show you the camp, after we have done a round of introductions. I am Paralictor Bane, Order of the Rack. I am responsible for the camp and the archeologists."

"I am Hellknight-Scientist Doctor Drokk, alchemical engineer. Order of the Gate. I should have liked to have introduced my assistant Nigel; alas, he was killed by the golem outside. How is it that base creatures like morlocks come to command golems?"

"Hellknight Svetlana, also of the Order of the Gate. Thank you for your hospitality, are there many fellow Hellknights here?"

"Greetings and thank you for your welcome Paralictor Bane, I am Gratus Leogil Hellknight Signifier from the Order of the Nail. Like my breathen, I'm tasked to aid them in retreving the archaeologists or their remains and send them back."

Karzug, still tired from the unconsciousness he endured a short while ago, is slower on the uptake than others. "Oh. Karzug. Order of god-claw. Cleric Erastil. Nice to meet you."

He doesn't let a silly thing like nearly dying or being a hellknight dampen his attitude.

"You have to tell me how three orders decided to set aside their differences and assigned you to a single mission over a pint later. Come, I will show you the lifts, stables and the building that is our headquarters."

After he has led you around the camp you find yourselves in the middle of the camp "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some reports to write. My men told me it would take a few days before the lifts are useable again, I hope you can find something to do until they are repaired"

Can you roughly tell me what you intend to do?

"Perhaps I can assist with repairing the lifts, brothers and sister. Though I am an alchemical engineer primarily, baser devices are of course also within my grasp."

Drokk asks the local hellknights to show him the problem with the broken lifts, to see if he can devise a solution.

know.engineering, heroism, heightened awareness: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 15
disable device, heroism, unarmoured: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 2 = 24

Drokk would not attempt to make a repair himself whilst wearing his full plate - if a Disable Device attempt is called for Drokk firsts removes his armour, replacing it when the job is done.

Thanks, I will respond once your teammates have also given me an idea what they will do. Repairing would be tedious work, for which you would need to be out of your full plate for the entire day. The Hellknights can loan you a studded leather armor.

Svetlana settles in to the accommodation, then seeks her comrades to understand their intentions...

We going to have some doing repairs and some pressing flesh and trying to identify any leads/information/etc? My Know Eng is only +4, so probably better at 'face stuff'

"Karzug good chop wood. Very strong. Can make big. Not very good much else. Need help? Healing? Karzug like help. That why god-claw send him places."

Karzug would do most anything they need. He is of course about as useful as a sack full of hammers and bandaids, however.

"Our superiors have decided to send us and despite our different backgrounds, we are still all Hellknights and a show of unity would serve to remind our foes not to underestimate us." Gratus responds.

"Brother Drokk, I'll accompany you as you repair the lift." Gratus offers.
If you're taking off your armor, you'll need help.

Svetlana changes out of her armour and gets to work on the lift.

Karzug

A Hellknight approaches, holding out a mug. "Well met! I am Lurconarr Baradin. It seems your fellows will be working on the lift, why don't you come with me and have a few drinks?"

Others
A stern female leads the work on repairing the elevator. "I am Hellknight Baradin and you will have no need for my given name. I expect total obedience, you do as I tell you. You, Leogil! To the maintenance building with Krumpt. Tiefling and Drokk, you are with me."

She moves to the lifts and sets you to the tasks while Gratus finds himself in the company of a sultry woman. "Hi, I am Rulla. Let's go."

"Karzug gladly drink with brother Baradin. Is good make friends with other hellknight." He's all smiles, and if there is a cost he offers to purchase the first round.

Fort save please Karzug

"Here is to a new friend! What a weird company you keep with that tiefling. Are you certain she is a hellknight?"

Fort: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Yes, Hell-yun very good hellknight. Hell in name! Ha. But they all good hellknight. Karzug good cleric of Erastil, make okay hellknight." Karzug does not seem to be holding his drinks the best.

Drokk looks over Hellknight Baradin for an indication of superior rank that might justify her expectation of obedience...

perception, HA, heroism: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30
know.local, HA, heroism: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 13
sense motive, heroism: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19

Drokk isn't looking to outright challenge Baradin's assumption of authority, but wants to understand where it comes from. He fully accepts that he is part of a larger order, but expects an indication of rank.

Svetlana shrugs a bit but follows along, pulling closer to the other Hellknight to limit the number of people who can listen in.

"Sister Baradin, your confidence in command is admirable, but as you are of the Rack and I am of the Gate, and we are both Hellknights of our orders I would remind you that you have my compliance through friendship, not authority. We are united in common purpose and cause"

Gratis turns to this new company.
"Does This sister Baradin understand what she is doing ordering around other Hellknights? Especially those of the other orders...." his words trail off leaving no other interpretation on how the Asmodeon Hellknight thinks about the hellknight.

He looks the woman over.
What Does Gratus see? He has not stripped off his armor nor mask. Simple because he's too used to having it on already.

"Sister Irriseni, your companion here as it right; I am the chief engineer and therefore the leader of this work detail. Our ranks within our respective orders do not come into play here."

She turns to Drokk "I would have you and our sister here to work on clearing the rubble from the elevator shafts first."

If you want you can roll a knowledge engineering to come up with a better proposal. DC is 15 ;-)

- - -
Karzug

The ale is watered down, and you have no problem matching the drinking speed of your companion

"Still, why is that tiefling allowed in your ranks? And why is the rest of ya'all half-orcs. Are you some special team or something?"

- - -
Gratus
The woman is dressed in a studded leather hellknight armor. You notice that she forgot to tighten all of it, or maybe she unknotted the top few fastenings on her jerkin due to the temperature. "Oh, sister Baradin. Don't pay attention to her. She is a bore, just like the men around here. Why don't you tell me something about yourself?"

Engineering 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"A sound plan, to shift some of the bulkier rubble we could set up a block and tackle to help winch it out of the way - I think I can identify a few likely spots"

Diplomacy (too smooth it all over) 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

know.engineering, HA, heroism, mutagen: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 29

"I concur with Sister Irriseni, Chief Engineer. Whilst my alchemical enhancements last I propose to make use of my wings and superior strength to speed the process in situ, by your leave Chief Engineer."

Doctor Drokk's multiple protruding eyestalks swivel unnervingly as he beats his vulture-like wings in anticipation.

Gratus may have noticed the state of dress or undress in his companion but his mask hides his expression away.
"I am Gratus a Signifier in the service of the Order of the Nail. My Patron if you have not known yet is Asmodeous. I have served on multiple missions for the order. How about yourself, Sister Rulla?" Gratus is formal as he does not know exactly what rank does Sister Rulla hold.

"Karzug not notice we all half-orc. We not special team, work together because orders say to. Funny that all half orc except hell-yun. And so what she Tief-ling? Not make her bad or good, just who she is. She good soldier. Strong. Maybe we outcast, that why they send us, maybe we good for job and that why they send us. Not do good think about why. Karzug think only best to do what he can." The half-orc smiles wistfully. "Karzug think also that his team very strange, but good people. Or at least people who do good things. Is Karzug making sense?"

Gratus
"I am Hellknight Rulla, order of the rack. I used to be stationed in Citadel Rivad, near Westcrown, but have been detailed here for three months now. Nothing much happens here. Say, why don't you remove that mask, it must be sweltering hot in there."

Svetlana and Drokk
You make good progress during the day and are able to impress the chief engineer with your knowledge.

Karzug
"So what you are saying is that I should not look at your heritage but what you do? And that it is no good to question your orders? That makes sense"

All
Please give me a diplomacy check

Assuming these are all individual checks? Otherwise, will Aid Another Svetlana.

diplomacy, heroism, hellknight: 1d20 - 2 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (14) - 2 + 2 + 5 = 19

Diplomacy 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 2 = 17

Try as she might, Svetlana let's her cool slip.

Diplomacy Check 1d20 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 27
Armiger (Fame 20, 2 PP) Though still a loyal Pathfinder, your service to Cheliax grants you admission into a Hellknight order of your choice with the rank of armiger. You gain a +3 bonus on Diplomacy checks made against Hellknights of any order or rank.
Hellknight (Fame 40, 2 PP, Armiger) Your continued loyalty to Cheliax and your Hellknight order earn you the honorary rank of Hellknight (or signifer if you are a spellcaster), granting you a +3 bonus on Intimidate checks when wearing heavy armor. This rank is granted independently of levels in the Hellknight prestige class.
Reinforced Alliance: You sided with the Order of the Gate Hellknights. Word of your deeds spreads among Hellknights, granting you a +2 bonus on all Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate checks against members of a Hellknight order.

"I thank you for your concern Sister Rulla however the mask stays on. It is a matter of devotion and one that I am keen to uphold. As signifier, the mask is a way to show that I have certain responsibilities to my order." Gratus bows as he speaks, a courtly bow that wouldn't look out of place amongst the nobility in a Cheliaxan setting. His voice is low and gentle to show that he is not offended about the mask being an issue.

Good reminder - I have those three as well, just forgot I had the third one :)

Did you stand up to the Order of the Nail as well? TO uphold the law.....vague reference...

In that wild and crazy fortress? Seems I GM'd it but never assigned credit :p

Don't have it on this char. But on the other Hellknight.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 18

The half-orc forms the most sentences he probably has in his entire life, but drink and conversation tend to go together. "Orders are orders. Should follow, but not blindly. Question can be good. Sometimes need know why. If boss say 'go kill babies', I say why. Maybe babies going to die from disease, suffer less to die now. Maybe they monster babies. Maybe only creature look like baby. Or maybe order wrong. It good follow orders, but it also good think. And so what Karzug half-orc? Karzug good person. You right, judge Karzug by what Karzug do."

I have not yet purchased the vanities, but I have that last one.

You work hard during the day and eat a hearty dinner in the evening. Afterwards you have some time to get together privately.

"It seems the day went well, I think we achieved a lot fixing the structure, perhaps we will be ready to leave here before long?" Svetlana asides to her companions once away from the other Hellknights.

"It has not been a good day. Nigel is dead.... he has been a loyal companion and a trusted assistant for years. Ever since I discovered the necessary concoctions and tinctures to grow a sapient tumour. I birthed him. And because of my carelessness and lack of foresight he is no longer with us."

The morose Doctor takes little solace.

"I know the pain" Svetlana offers a comforting smile to the good Doctor.

"Hellion is my fighting name - Hellion and the Angel. We were the rising stars on in the Magnimarian pits, an Aasimar and a Tiefling, a wit and a wild one – a face and a heel in one team. We were the product of a Riddleport tavern owner and promoter ‘Mad’ Rufus Kaskerkill. Angel would bring class and sophistication to a match, intelligent banter and quips thrown out against foes as sharp as her Rapier, and I would come crashing through opponents using brute force and unrestrained violence."

"At pre-match events Angel could be trusted to be charming and graceful, and so beautiful, but I'd always take insult at some slight, real or imagined, and then it was all in with whatever was to hand... chairs, mugs, cutlery, guests... nothing was safe when I had one of my black moods. I was never sure if they were really part of me, or just part of the show persona"

"Angel never even saw the hit that killed her, it was a lucky shot, a fluke, and she was dead before she hit the arena floor. Combat is combat and that's the way it can go. Rufus, on the other hand, took it terribly. As both Angel's manager and lover he had lost not only a major investment but also the love of his life"

"In a fit of sadness and depression he went for a pub crawl through Magnimar that saw him finish in a dockside tavern; still not to the point of being able to drown his sorrow, he threw himself into the harbour. Normally not a big deal, but in this case he had strapped himself to a spare anchor and his body was found still tied to it at low tide the next morning"

She pours out a few drinks and hands one to the Doctor "Here's to Nigel"

"Don't get me started on the Paladin"

She sits back down and takes out her silver wayfinder which bears the engraving of a dragon and looks at it deep in thought.

"To Nigel!"

Doctor Drokk joins the toast.

"... why, Svetlana? Why would he put his lover in harm's way? I did not love Nigel. I valued him. I was proud of my accomplishment. I appreciated what he could do. But I did not love him. I would not use a... a lover... in the way that I have used Nigel."

It seems far-fetched that the monstrous, mutated scientist might have ever had a lover, not merely because of his appearance, but from the way he struggles to even form the word.

"I suppose some days we just don't see the full picture as emotion clouds our judgment, or we trust others only to realise later that fate has it's own designs. I thought it all seemed so clear once upon a time too until a Pathfinder mission in Opara went bad. During a particularly wild melee the group was split up. We lost my first true love, presumed captured by Derro down in Cassomirs Locker and never seen again. That woke me up to the true nature of the world - I thought we could solve everything with love and good-will, only to learn how wrong I was. Zarta Dralneen led me to a better way. It is the Hellknights alone that have the resolve to do what needs to be done and cut deep into the flesh to remove the rot. The others still cut gingerly and in doing so leave pockets of decay."

She looks at a small portrait on the inside of the Wayfinder case with a slight wistfulness "He used to buy me roses".

Karzug appears saddened by your tales of loss. He doesn't cry particularly, but his face shows the signs. "Karzug raised temple Erastil. Not have family. Have brothers, of sort, but no family. Not lose anyone, but Karzug and Erastil make sure he not lose anyone. Very sorry your losing. Karzug see friends hurt by cult Lissala. He make sure to get rid of Lissala and bad gods so people better."

Karzug blushes as Hellion begins talking of love and lovers. "There girl Karzug like, but she barely know he exist. Went on con-fur-may-shun with her. She very strong. Take on whole minotaur by self! Very pretty. Also smart."

"To Nigel." Gratus joins in the toast.

"I haven't much to say other then raised from the arena, I have followed and known Asmodeus all of my life. Several times I have had to bear the brunt of combat by myself while my more agile and intelligent members of my assigned group worked on puzzles and traps. I'm still lucky to have survived though being cloistered has not helped my experience in the more secular world."

"This Hellknight Rulla though keeps trying to get me to remove my mask....I can't figure it out why."