GM Lari's Iron Gods

Game Master Dhenn

Vivilaas hears movement in the fog behind her, she tries to pick up the pace from her persuer...until she sees Vaughn's form break through the fog.

Poltergeists Vaughn! We, we need to get away! We can't see them, can't kill them, they can't be stopped!

She continues hatening in the same direction, barely looking back to see if Vaughn will take her sound and calm advice or foolishly try to fight the invincible spectres.

@GM Lari: Ah, I always overlook that!

Ray gives a nod of assent towards Vivilaas, falling back to Selkania's side and preparing to strike anything that attempts to assault her directly, for whatever that is worth.

Move to Selk and ready an attack.

"The wand of arcane bolts... that should work."

Blackblade (readied, power): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Conceal (high=good): 1d100 ⇒ 78

viv, STOP!! You don't know what's down there!!

Doctor N takes off, assuming she's still surrounded, and trying to see if she can somehow manage to still avoid an attack.

Acrobatics to Avoid AoOs: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

She turns back around and channels arcane energy into her pistol.

As a swift action, Doctor N will sacrifice Acid Arrow to give her pistol ghost touch and seeking

If something took an AoO on her, she will attack the area the attack seemed to come from. Otherwise, she will just fire at the last known location of green, as she would probably assume red has moved at this point

Touch Attack with +1 Ghost Touch Seeking Inferno Pistol (point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 = 25
Damage (point blank shot): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Dr N, nobody took an AOO.

Selkainia's fireball clears out much of the necromantic mists, though it begins filling back in quickly. Dr. N's bullet seems to connect with something, and Ray detects a faint shimmer in the air, bringing his blade down upon it.

Selkania feels a strong pulling sensation, as a force tries to drag her toward the toxic pond, without success.

CMB: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Flying debris fills the air once more, missing both Dr. N and Ray.
1d3 ⇒ 3
Attack Ray: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
1d3 ⇒ 1
Attack Dr N: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

The party may act

"GET OUT OF MY MIND!"

Flee

We don't know what's down there, but its better than staying for certain death! Vivilaas replies to Vaughn as she continues to run.

(I've run out of map, but am keeping going)

Doctor N grins and pumps her fist as she sees her blast appear to connect with something. She fires again at the same spot.

Touch Attack with +1 Seeking Ghost Touch Inferno Pistol vs Green(point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13
Damage (point blank shot): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Shouldn't we stop running once the sight of the cause of our fear is gone?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Are we staying and fighting? Ray's action depends somewhat on Selk staying and fighting, versus running and regrouping.

Re: frightened-it is a weird case where the (bestiary) tactics don't quite match up to RAW. They're supposed to send you running, but they resume their invisibility as a free action after scaring you.

Seri, please give me a Will save.

There's a tortured scream as Doctor N's bullet strikes something in the empty air.

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Not sure...

Again, Selkania calls for her heritage to destroy by fire the creatures.

Fireball (Ref DC19): 6d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6, 5, 5, 1) = 24

May the Fire of the Forge burn you !

She target a space where she hopes to catch both creature.

Another tortured scream echoes through the canyon. No debris flies your way.

The party may act[/b]

Ah I was waiting on Selk. My bad.

Last Round
Ray, seeing Selkania plans to stay in combat, continues to try to keep the nearest ghost off her.

Concentrate (arcane mark; DC15): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Blackblade (power, spell combat): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 2 = 10 for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Conceal (high=good): 1d100 ⇒ 51
Blackblade (power, spell combat): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 2 = 20 for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Conceal (high=good): 1d100 ⇒ 2
**

Current Round
Ray continues his technique of pairing magic strikes against the ghost, knowing the magic of his blade should be able to do something.

"Hey! Stop sticking me in that... *thing*! It's cold!"

Concentrate (arcane mark; DC15): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Blackblade (power, spell combat): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 = 23 for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Conceal (high=good): 1d100 ⇒ 67
Blackblade (power, spell combat): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 2 = 24 for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Conceal (high=good): 1d100 ⇒ 49

Oh, all those possible crits! Damn you incorporeals!

Vivilaas conitnues to run forward through the mist. As the noise of her comrades fades into the background, the samsaran slows and shakes her head.

Damn it Viv! You panicked. Over this!

Hearing the sounds of explosions, yells, and gunshots behind her, the woman turns and readies to make her way back alone though the fog-filled canyon.

Huzzah: Frightened is gone! Now for getting back onto the map.
GM Lari: before I spin, did I run into anything down that canyon?

Can Seri act, or just scream in mental anguish?

"Seri! Something above your head."

Doctor N spins around and fires where she glimpsed the creature.

Attack with +1 Seeking Ghost Touch Inferno Pistol (point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10
Damage (point blank shot): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Vaughn, not being certain whether Vivialis has stopped fleeing for good, catches up with her, grabs her by the hand, and starts pulling her back, dagger in his other fist. Come ON, Viv!

He's trying to be both in front of her as they return, to keep her screened from the scaries they know are there, and behind her, to protect her from the unknown scaries, while still holding her hand--

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

--and making a total buffoon out of himself while doing it, tripping over his own feet.

I'm going as fast as I can in this fog! Vivilaas says as Vaughn drags her back. At least he's all right. That's one.

Hearing a *THUD* in front of them, the psychic winces. Just be careful: we can't help the others if we rush into a pit or dead end!

Ray's assault causes the last poltergeist to dissipate with a shriek. The large shape that targeted Seri takes off into the air after dodging Dr. N's blast. Unless you pursue it, it will quickly be lost in the mist.

Out of combat unless anyone wants to case that thing down. Longer update coming soonish, but in the meantime you can regroup and recover.

Seri runs his hands through his hair, and appears a bit jumpy, "What the bloody hell just happened, and please tell me it's all over..."

Vaughn comes back hand-in-hand with Vivialis, clearly relieved that the rest of the group appears OK. I'm sorry about that, everyone--but I didn't think it was smart to let Viv run away like that. Are we all OK now?

He has not yet let go of the young lady's hand...

I will calls for Brigh healing get close.

Says Selkania

Channel positive energy (healing): 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Thanks, Selkania. By the way...what happened with those ghost-thingies?

I let my emotions get the better of me. Vivilaas admits, cowed. Which is especially embarrassing given the context. Those creatures were 'poltergeists': invisible and incorporeal undead who linger to menace the living. They are not however especially dangerous. They can't touch any of us directly, beyond throwing things around. With about as good aim as me.

She collects herself. Theyll be back unfortunately: I don't know how long it will take but their tethered to this world similar to ghosts. But if we need to return here, we may want to just stay calm and ignore them long enough to rush past. At least unlike those Dark Folk who keep chasing is, poltergeists are unable to roam far.

I should also try to work on a better way to see the unseen.

I let my emotions get the better of me. Vivilaas admits, cowed. Which is especially embarrassing given the context.

Hey now...the only reason *I* didn't run away was because of Selkania's spell! Don't beat yourself up.

he pauses. and seeing the unseen is a good idea. I've heard of people training to fight while blind, maybe I should work on that too.

Doctor N brushes herself off, then begins the process of checking her gun for any malfunctions or wear-and-tear.

"Just so everyone knows: saw jellyfish--or perhaps squid?--creature about ten feet over Seri's head."

A jellyfish? Vivilaas looks confused. Poltergesits can't change form, based on everything I've heard about them at least. Did it attack you?

She looks around nervously. We should move, quickly. As soon as we retrieve the explosives we can leave this place.

Seri, while no longer supernatural frightened, is still terrified of what just happened on a visceral level.

"Viv is right, let's get the Galt outa here."

Vaughn is also clearly spooked, despite the magical bolster Sel gave him.

Yeah, let's get this done.

(he still hasn't let go of Viv's hand...)

As the party turns to leave, the samsaran seems to finally notice Vaughn's continuing gesture.

Vau...

She stops herself short, remaining silent for a moment. Then

It is difficult to see through the fog. So that we don't become scattered again, it may be good for all of us to remain in contact with each other.

Ray reluctantly accepts the physical content, but approves of the reasoning and logic his allies are demonstrating.

"Yes. The poltergeist's ability to remain invisible was unlike any I have encountered... "

Ray pauses, seemingly lost in thought for a moment as he searches his memories.

"Or..."

He pauses again for an extraordinarily long moment as he sword pipes up audibly for all to hear.

"He's stuck! Someone give him a nudge!"

Blinking, Ray apologizes.

"I apologize - for a moment, I felt as if I may have a memory about such creatures, but it is quite faint. Nonetheless, it would be logical for us to prepare against this type of incorporeal, unseen enemy in the future. As well as prepare those of you more... predisposed to flee, to not be subject to any supernatural powers said enemies may possess."

Good to keep exploring this area and GTFO.

Map to come shortly

Continuing on to the site Redtooth indicated, you come to a large, glaucite structure jutting out of the ground at a strange angle. It resembles a streamlined bird, crashed nosefirst into the dirt and detritus of Scrapwall.

An intact pair of double doors sits above one wing. They sit open, and the otherworldly mists that fill this area seem to billow silently out of its interior.

Clambering up and inside reveals a short corridor. The pathway to the nose of the craft has collapsed, forcing you towards the tail. The short hallway has doors to both sides, as well as another directly at the end.

Due to the strange angle of the floor here, everything is treated as difficult terrain.

Seri, still rather shy from the last encounter stops and spends time listening for anything down the halls. Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Seri doesn't hear anything in particular. It's possible nobody's here...or maybe the mists and walls are muffling sound...

Vivilaas carefully advances herself as she takes pains to brance against the angled floor.

Looking around, the samsaran marvels. This mechanical craft is fascinating! Like a smaller scale version of the complex below Torch! And yet it seems to be the source of these strange fogs; the previous structure seemed highly damaged - I wonder if a injury to this may be causing it to 'leak' out some form of dark gas...

1d3 ⇒ 2

Vivilaas looks forward to the door straight ahead.

Doctor N darts about the craft, even up and down the walls. Every crack is possible evidence of the glaucite bird's shattering, every strange curve a potential sign of ship's origin and design. She ends up lagging behind the others, her wonderment overtaking her sense of safety.

"Maybe mist spell? Been going too long. Likely not. Possibly recent? Unlikely."

*deep breath*

"Requires further study. Mmhmm."

Vaughn finally lets go of Vivialis' hand and draws both daggers, trying to see every angle at once.

I'll take point. Selkania, will you back me up in case more Creepy Creeps pop out to suck out my soul? The young man is going for a joking bravado, but the jittery laugh he gives betrays his nerves.

But he still takes point...

I will be right behind you Vaughn !

Says Selkania

Seri stays quiet, blade out, and light on his feet....

I'm unclear where we are on the map...?

I just plopped you all on the outside so you could figure out your own positions, especially with the difficult terrain. Viv's picked the central door, so...

The eastern half of this room is a tangle of gray metal, strange engine parts, and rubble, all of which was subjected to great heat long ago, judging by the metal’s melted and scorched surfaces. Here and there, softly glowing residues are caked onto bits and pieces of the metal. Though they look radically different, it seems these residues could function as the same unpredictable Numerian fluids that you first found back on Torch's peak.

A glowing yellow skull floats in the air, bobbing around the machines. It winks out of sight as the door slides open.

I ended up putting you guys in a rough marching order. We are back in combat. Dungeoneering IDs

Know Dung: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

As the luminescent skull winks out of sight, Vivilaas blinks before her eyes widen as she realizes what floats before them.

Oh no. That's a [INSERT ADVICE HERE]!

Viv recognizes the telltale glow of a will-o-wisp before it vanishes. Another naturally invisible creature, these creatures feed on death and fear. They deal electricity damage, and are immune to almost all magic. Magic Missile, Maze, and anything that works on a golem are the only exceptions.

Ray arches an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Viv's knowledge.

"Fascinating. They feed on fear? I imagine we have nothing to be concerned about as long as no poltergeists return and we repeat recent events."

I see we're back in combat, presumably waiting for Initiative?

The party can act. I rolled initiative in an earlier eaten post and the Willowisp won. It just went invisible again. Last known location is marked.

Ray advances ahead.

"It is.. hostile, correct?"

"Damn straight it's hostile, Ray! Get it!"

Ray, heeding his blades advice stabs where the wisp was last seen, hoping for the best.

Swift action for arcane pool use for +2, as well.

Blackblade (power, pool): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11 for 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Conceal (high=good): 1d100 ⇒ 91

Vaughn will ready an action to stab at a 'Wisp if it appears and is reachable.