"Ha Karzug, finding our loves is like the nose on our face, it's right in front of us but half the time we don't notice until our attention is drawn to it or we see it reflected in something"
"Gratus, we know that in the main people who wear masks are people trying to hide something - perhaps it's just her prudent habits at play and she wants to be able to identify someone. Maybe to ensure you are what you appear to be? If you willingly took off your mask you could be a fraud, perhaps it was a test. Doesn't say a lot for her faith in our judgment though if that is the case"
Male LG Half-Orc Cleric 5 / Hellknight Signifier 3 | HP 50/59 | AC 26 T 12 FF 25 | CMB +9, CMD 23 | F: +10, R: +6, W: +12 | Init: +3 | Perc: +3 | Speed 20ft | Enlarge: 6/6, Channel Energy: 4/4 | Active conditions: Barkskin +3
"Or maybe she want see how you look. Man ask me why we all half-orc except Hell-yun. Me not notice that, but truth. And maybe you right, maybe she know Karzug exist, but Karzug very shy and not want to bother her. She very busy and good pathfinder agent. Karzug join Grand Lodge be close to her, but find calling when he go to big wedding. Hellknights very important people." He nods, not understanding everything being said, but following well enough.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
"Paralictor? Of course you may enter."
The Doctor downs his drink and sits up straight. Or, as straight as his deformities allow.
"Come join us, we were just talking about what it was that attracted us to the righteous path of the Hellknight, would you care to join us Paralictor?"
The Paralictor closes the door carefully behind him and then waits for a moment, listening carefully. He then takes a seat "Thank you, and also thanks for the help you provided today. I know that you are also pathfinders beside being hellknights. I don't mind that one bit, but there are some among this fortress who would state that a hellknight can't serve two masters. Therefore please don't tell anyone. How I know what I know I will keep to myself. I share this with you so that we have an understanding"
"It is only right that we help our fellow Hellknights, but I appreciate your thanks. I have had no conflict between my service to the Order and my service to the Society, though I can see how outsiders might have a concern about where loyalties may lie"
"And now that we have an understanding, I feel you are about to build on that foundation by sharing something further with us?" Svetlana raises an eyebrow in curiosity.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
"I was a pathfinder before I was a Hellknight, it's true. But I was invited to join the Order of the Gate after I assisted them whilst a pathfinder. I was not asked to cease my activities with the Society. I am confident that Vicarius Torchia would not have allowed my admission if conflicted loyalties were anticipated.
The Order and the Society are quite different, Paralictor. The Society provides extensive resources and fair pay for hard work. The Order gives me greater purpose.
Male LG Half-Orc Cleric 5 / Hellknight Signifier 3 | HP 50/59 | AC 26 T 12 FF 25 | CMB +9, CMD 23 | F: +10, R: +6, W: +12 | Init: +3 | Perc: +3 | Speed 20ft | Enlarge: 6/6, Channel Energy: 4/4 | Active conditions: Barkskin +3
Karzug lets the other people talk. They were better at talking than him, plus he didn't know how to handle this situation. He had always served more than one master. In his earliest days it was Erastil and the abbot. In his more recent years it had been Erastil and Ambrus Valsin. In even more recent months it was Erastil, Ambrus Valsin, and the Order of the God-Claw, so as long as one didn't disagree with the other, what matter was it to him?
He simply nods assent with what the others are saying. He too was invited to become a hellknight while working with the society. They trained him in ways he wasn't familiar with to make him able to become one, turned his skill at woodcutting into knowledge of outsiders. It really had been an interesting time.
"I was trained as a gladiator first and then a hellknight signifier acolyte before I was invited to join the pathfinders, endorsed by my order. I server my order first and then the society. All my missions seldom conflicts and even then I have always put the Order first."
My chronicle sheet says so. lol.
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.
The paralictor smiles at Svetlana "Indeed, I will share more with you. Besides this man Grone you know that we also are missing the archeologists. I ask that you do everything you can to also rescue them. I have a particular interest there..."
He hestitates and then continues "because Marianix Karn and myself are involved with each other. My duties here prevent me from going down, and I also am not sure who I can trust. Most of the others frown on our relationship, so it is hard enough as it is."
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
”Karn? We encountered and killed two of that name when we first came to this site. They were Aspis agents who obstructed our lawful investigation. Who is this Marianix Karn? Are the Aspis here?”
Bane smiles when Svetlana mentions that this is for love "Yes, you might say that this is for love." he then turns to Doctor Drokk "wheels within wheels, I understood that her father and uncle were killed here, but I had no idea how that happened. I do not think she is in league with the aspis consortium. Can you tell me what happened when you were here months ago? My briefing was rather vague on what happened here before the order of the rack got involved."
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Drokk decides to trust the Hellknight commander, despite all the talk of love.
"We were sent to find a missing person, an adventurer who claimed to have discovered Rachikan. This adventurer was the nephew of a pathfinder, and it was the Society who asked us to find the nephew and determine whether or not his claim was true.
Upon arrival we discovered an encampment and a mining operation. The mining crew assaulted us. A bound devil claimed that the area had been ceded to her employers for the year, but no corroborating evidence was provided. As Hellknights we had a duty to guard against unlawful trespass. We demanded that the crew cooperate with our lawful investigations and prove their claim to Rachikan. Since they responded with violence, we killed them. I chased down one who attempted to flee. He gave us the name Karn, and we discovered that the operation was Aspis.
We descended into Rachikan. More of the Aspis' henchmen attempted to stop us, and paid the price for their folly.
In the depths, we were accosted by Morlocks and a Stone Golem. We destroyed them. Then we encountered what I assume was the elder Karn. He tried to claim Rachikan for himself, but presented no evidence of any legal entitlement. Instead he assaulted us, and so we killed him. We found the remains of our pathfinder colleague's nephew, and brought the cadaver out with us.
We filed our reports, both to the Society and to our Orders. It is my firm belief that the Apsis Consortium was operating illegally here. It is good to see that the Hellknights have taken charge."
"I too lost my love down a deep dark hole, so I can empathise. If this is another Karn though, what can be said or done so that she doesn't do something rash towards us and get herself killed?"
Male LG Half-Orc Cleric 5 / Hellknight Signifier 3 | HP 50/59 | AC 26 T 12 FF 25 | CMB +9, CMD 23 | F: +10, R: +6, W: +12 | Init: +3 | Perc: +3 | Speed 20ft | Enlarge: 6/6, Channel Energy: 4/4 | Active conditions: Barkskin +3
Karzug continues to let the people who like to talk do the talking. He slowly starts humming to himself, mind distracted in the midst of all these words. He hears love bandied about, which draws his interest but only for a few moments. The tune he hums is a bawdy song, though he has absolutely no idea what the phrases mean.
The paralictor seems lost in thought "I don't know. Not all who have the same name are alike. I am sure each of you can relate to that."
You spend some more time together until the paralictor takes his leave. The next morning you spend some more hours working on the elevator. Quicker than expected you manage to make a test run with the empty elevator. It seems to work great!
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
"Paralictor, do you know anything at all of what lies beneath us?"
When the Paralictor has gone, Drokk turns to his comrades: "If we encounter this Marianix Karn we should mention the Paralictor to her. Perhaps, if she is Apsis, she will surrender peacefully if she has any love for him."
I'm going to re-tool my infusion loadout a bit, will update character sheet. Vine Strike has now been ruled as working as per Ultimate Wilderness, so I won't be using it anymore.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Gratus Leogil wrote:
Gratus is more then ready with his equipment prepared.
"Give the word and I shall proceed with my mission."
Hmm should I change my spell load out too?
Recommend an Air Walk, maybe a Communal Resist Energy or Communal Protection fromEnergy?
Male LG Half-Orc Cleric 5 / Hellknight Signifier 3 | HP 50/59 | AC 26 T 12 FF 25 | CMB +9, CMD 23 | F: +10, R: +6, W: +12 | Init: +3 | Perc: +3 | Speed 20ft | Enlarge: 6/6, Channel Energy: 4/4 | Active conditions: Barkskin +3
Karzug similarly doesn't worry about his spell choice, though that is more out of the fact that a small cup has less need to be filled.
He sticks with what he asks Erastil for every day, figuring that if there were a need to change things, Erastil would guide him as he had since the orc was small.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Ready - will apply hour/level buffs as we enter the elevator.
You enter the lift. The door is closed behind you and you see some hellknights approaching, led by a hulking man. This must be Ambusta! He shouts "Bane, stop!"
Paralictor Bane looks at you "Good luck down there, I will take care of things here". The elevator starts going down and you hear shouting at the surface "These are frauds! You had no right to send them down" to which Bane reacts "Last time I checked I was still paralictor and you are not. You don't speak to me like that."
You feel a shock while you hear the clanging of metal. From topside you hear the calm voice of Bane "Regardless, you will have a hard time pulling them up now."
As the elevator makes its cogwheel descent, it exits a natural chute in Rachikan’s crust, where a second city emerges beneath the Hellknight’s fort. Crumbling Jistkan architecture clings to the cavern’s sloping walls where forms skulk along this perpendicular avenue. Before long, the cavern’s cathedrallike walls are crawling with morlocks. Soon drums begin to beat, and as the beat quickens, several morlocks burst from their cavern holes. Eight of them make the jump towards the elevator and hang onto it...
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
It sounds like we become aware of the presence of morlocks all around us as we descend, in which case Drokk consumes additional infusions and his mutagen during the journey.
What is the elevator's construction? Can we already melee the morlocks, or is it a sealed car?
The elevator car is a cagelike-construction. You can attack the morlocks from inside, the bars provide cover (+2 to AC) from reach and ranged weapons. There are hatches on top of the car, but it might be safer to attack them from inside the car.
They jumped towards the elevator as soon as quickly as they could. You had 2 rounds before these eight jumped towards you. Note that I made a mistake in the size of the car, I adjusted that.
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Is that 2 rounds from when we begin the descent? Or two rounds from when we see morlocks "bursting from their cavern holes"? I've so many buffs to manage, it'll affect what is active.
"Let us dispatch these creatures quickly!"
full attack:
Drokk spends one of the two rounds casting shield from his wand, then replaces the wand and pulls his nodachi; when the morlocks hit the cage, Drokk attacks.
nodachi vs dark blue morlock, mutagen, heroism, power attack:1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 17damage:1d10 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 6 = 25 nodachi vs dark blue morlock, iterative, mutagen, heroism, power attack:1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 23damage:1d10 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 6 = 18 bite vs dark blue morlock, secondary, mutagen, heroism, GMF, power attack:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 30damage, vicious:1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 + 2 + (1, 4) = 17 vicious damage to drokk:1d6 ⇒ 6 confirm crit? bite vs dark blue morlock, secondary, mutagen, heroism, GMF, power attack:1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 25extra crit damage:1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 11
full attack, with only 2 rounds since descent:
Drokk only has time to swallow his mutagen and infusion of resinous skin. (AC=25).
claw 1 vs dark blue morlock, mutagen, GMF, power attack:1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 23damage, vicious:1d6 + 8 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 + (5, 6) = 26 claw 2 vs dark blue morlock, mutagen, GMF, power attack:1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 23damage, vicious:1d6 + 8 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 + (6, 2) = 23 bite vs dark blue morlock, mutagen, GMF, power attack:1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 23damage, vicious:1d8 + 8 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 4 + (3, 6) = 27 vicious damage to Drokk:3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2) = 9
If by some chance the first morlock target should perish, Drokk next attacks Red Morlock.
Drokk is protected by a Resinous Skin infusion. Consumed just prior to his mutagen, this infusion grants DR5/piercing, and any time Drokk is hit by a (manufactured) melee weapon the attacker must make a DC17 Reflex save or else the weapon sticks to Drokk until pulled free with a DC17 Strength check.
You specified that you would apply hour/lvl buffs before entering. Then there are a few rounds of descending through a shaft and then you entered through the ceiling of a large open area. That is when you become aware of the morlocks. We could discuss that you would have applied your 10 minute lvl buffs when the elevator started the descent, but that is not what you posted. Therefore you get 2 rounds to buff (the scenario does not give you any time, but that is not realistic in my opinion given the description. I know: I could have posted "you start the descent" after which you could have posted "I will apply my 10 minute/lvl buffs".
Just explaining, I don't mind the questions at all
Drokk dispatches three morlocks on the north side of the elevator car while Svetlana kills two on the south side!
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
No worries GM. Drokk is a complex beast to manage and I just wasn't sure how much time had elapsed. Will layer on the buffs as soon as we get time to do so, and will adjust header appropriately.
The two morlocks next to Karzug attempt to hit him with their clubs when he casts his spell, but fail to connect. The car speeds up, but fortunately there is a brake inside the car. Eight more morlocks make the jump. The three that were left scamper over and attack Drokk and Karzug, but they miss. One of many morlocks on the car starts to rock violently, causing the whole elevator to swing....
Speeding up: Reflex save or be violently jostled
Wheeeeee! A morlock starts to rock violently causing
the elevator to swing. Each PC must both make Reflex save to avoid being violently jostled, and make a Fortitude save or contract motion sickness. (The reflex is in addition to the speeding up save above)
Violent motion condition: requiring a Concentration
DC of 15 + spell level to successfully cast any desired spell
Applying the brakes is a standard action, taking a STR check. One PC can aid, of course you need to be adjacent to the brake to apply or aid
Initiative Prayer: You and each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of your foes takes a –1 penalty on such rolls. Karzug
Gratus
Drokk -9 hp
Svetlana
- - -
GM
- - -
Reflex Svetlana:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 To clarify: I need 2 reflex saves plus a fortitude save from each of you
Svetlana is not bothered by the lurching motions of the elevator while it moves down at dizzying speed towards the ground and again sends two morlocks to their deaths
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Drokk and Gratus are jostled about in the car, Drokk kills two more morlocks while Gratus pulls hard on the brakes.
Initiative Round 2 Prayer: You and each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of your foes takes a –1 penalty on such rolls. Applying the brakes is a standard action, taking a STR check. One PC can aid, of course you need to be adjacent to the brake to apply or aid Karzug (2 reflex, 1 fortitude save)
- - -
GM
- - -
Gratus -5 nonlethal - applied brakes 24
Drokk -17 hp, -3 nonlethal
Svetlana
M Half Orc Fighter 1 (unbreakable) / Alchemist 11 (beastmorph) | Current AC 23 T 11 FF 23 | HP 100/100 | F +17 R +14 W +9 | Init +1 | Perc +15/17 darkvision 60'
Given that one of Drokk's attacks missed (nat 1), he'll take 5 damage from the vicious amulet rather than 8.
Is the elevator car now slowing down to a safe speed?
I will resolve applying the brakes once Karzug has said what he will do, I want to give him the option to assist. In table-play you can discuss what to do in advance, in PbP that is a bit harder without stalling the game.
Initiative Round 2 Prayer: You and each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of your foes takes a –1 penalty on such rolls. Applying the brakes is a standard action, taking a STR check. One PC can aid, of course you need to be adjacent to the brake to apply or aid Karzug (2 reflex, 1 fortitude save)
- - -
GM
- - -
Gratus -5 nonlethal - applied brakes 24
Drokk -14 hp, -3 nonlethal
Svetlana
