GM Niles Iron Gods (Inactive)

Game Master nilesr

Omo coughs and spits a little blood. "I don't feel so good."

He then woozily sits down.

"Can somebody help Omo?" asks Seventeen before adding, "Why did they explode? Most peculiar."

Jarreck digs around in Omo's pack and retrieves the hypogun, returning the favor the alchemist has performed many times for him.

Omo -38hp
hypogun: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5) + 3 = 12
hypogun: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9
hypogun: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 = 11 -5hp

Before using the device on himself.....

Jarreck -35hp
hypogun: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 2) + 3 = 13
hypogun: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 7) + 3 = 11
hypogun: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 7) + 3 = 13 good

"Anyone else"

6 charges out of next canister Omo, I'll let you keep track.

"I care less about the exploding, than us surviving.
But a plausible reason i can think of, is to blind the opponents, rendering them less effective in combat. Though it would have to be brighter than just now."

Seventeen sits down crosslegged and attempts to rebalance the Arcane energies stored in her mind. She converts 2 level 1 spells into Arcane Reservoir points.

Suddenly she looks up and states flatly, "Creatures don't normally just explode Guaire. Anyway it's just a curiosity of no great importance."

When Jarreck is done healing, Seventeen says, "Thank you Jarreck. Now everyone is back on their feet, perhaps we should explore to the north?"

If the others agree she will start heading that way, but will let Jarreck scout ahead if he wishes.

I'll assume Jarreck heads north...

The northern wall of this cave bears a crude but still unsettling cave painting of a strange, four-armed red fiend rising up from a mass of what look like dead bodies-whatever eerie pigment has been used for this painting glows faintly in the dark. A dozen real bodies of orcs and ratfolk and a few humans lie heaped against the base of the wall below the painting. The torso of each decaying carcass is split open, as if it exploded from within.

Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

Knowledge: Planes: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24

"They must be worshiping a Xill. How primitive."

Seventeen asks, "I have no experience with Xill, I presume they are dangerous?"

As they travel forwards she tries keeps her eyes open, but she is distracted by the implications of the earlier revelations about Hellion, Casandalee and Unity.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"They are evil outsiders who lay eggs into people. It's really gross. They can easily transition from the Ethereal plan into our own, and they have some skill at combat."

"That is no laughing matter.
Do they do so with dead people, or anybody who is KO?"

Seventeen frowns, and says flatly, "We shall burn them with fire then. Still let us carry on but be wary."

She motions the party forward.

While the others consider burning the bodies at the Xill 'alter?' Jarreck eases down the pathway to the west checking to see what is ahead. [ooc]red arrow added[./ooc]

Jarreck stalks forward

This long, narrow cavern has a twenty-five-foot high ceiling adorned with hundreds of stalactites. The cave floor slopes downward to the east. Patches of strange fungi and lichen cling to the walls and floor-between these patches on the cave walls, strange words have been scratched in to the stone. On the south wall, portions of a buried metal structure protrude from the stone, particularly in the middle where a wide metal ledge rises fifteen feet off the ground to support a nest made of bones woven together by pale strips of supple leather and cords of braided hair. Two panels of glass, both smashed to fragments, once hung from the lower walls of the metal balcony.

A red skinned four armed creature makes itself visible on the ledge. It speaks with a raspy grumble

Mortals. You wish to slay the Godclaw? Free me from my bonds and I will help you.

Well, yet another surprise.

"Who are you, that you are bound and wish to help total strangers?"

I am the Blood Ghost, Zaagmander Lord of Rust, and bound by fell magics to this plane. Release me from my bonds and I will aid you in the destruction of the God Claw. I have no love for it.

"Dinvaya, spoke of you as Hellion's enforcer and assassin. What bonds are upon you that prevent you from leaving yet still allow you to kill at Hellion's wish; for to do that you must have some amount of freedom."

I am trapped on this miserable plane of existence. I cannot travel with my brood freely across the planes. Hellion has promised my freedom, but the God Claw has been less than forthright. Lift my Curse and I will help you...

Kn:Planes or Kn:Arcana might give you more information...

Seventeen crossreferences her internal database, 'select * from table planarCreatures where color is red and numArms is 4 and cursed is true.'

Kn:Arcarna: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 +2 if alien

Seven believes that the creature is talking about a unique Curse that limits the Xill's ability to travel between planes, effectively trapping her on the Material Plane.

"We can empathize on such a situation."

Guaire turns his head at the others.
"I think we should free this one."

"Xill are not known for breeding practices that leave other races alive. If we free her, we free her to murder other living sentients. I do not want their blood on my paws. She is a danger to all who live."

"Hmmm...."

Choices choices......character wise this would imply Guaire to leave it be, for the safety of the group.

"Seven?" Jarreck looks towards the Arcanist, "This is way out of my depth here. Having a tool to use against Hellion is well and good but Omo's concern is right as well."

The Xill watches you all with an expressionless alien look as you discuss what to do.

"If we slay Hellion, doesn't that also free Xill up from his bound state?"

"Dunno, but if it does, then would it not be better to have Zagmander fight with us than against us for not releasing her?"

Jarreck offers not fully understanding the ramifications of curses and the like, but understanding the desire for revenge.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Niles can Jarreck determine whether Zagmander intends to betray the group, or desire vengeance against Hellion truely

Seventeen ponders, "Hellion has trapped it here on this plane of existence. Powerful magic would be needed to reverse the curse, or perhaps killing Hellion. I don't expect that to be easy."

She notes Omo's opinion and replies quietly, "It's method of reproduction does sound distinctly unpleasant... Yet it could have attacked us and it did not. We're here to fight Hellion, I think we should see what kind of aid it can give before we make a hasty decision."

She eyes the Xill warily and demands, "What manner of aid can you provide?"

Xill are pretty unpleasant, still Seventeen isn't going to be enthusiastic about picking a fight that could be avoided.

"I see neither reason to fight her nor aid her."

Jarreck you cannot discern the Xill's purpose, and no one ever said it was Hellion that trapped her here, only that Hellion promised to free her and has yet to deliver on that promise.

The four armed red skinned fiend gives what looks like a shrug I am the Blood Ghost, for centuries I have hunted these lands, my skill at arms is what I offer and you may have these baubles when I leave this plane Zaagmander gestures to the firearm and the weapons it carries Decide now your course, I tire of your presence. the creature says with its grating voice.

"Would you leave this plane never to return, and ensure that none of your children do either? Freedom is a fine thing, but I would rather fight you now then let you go out to murder others."

Jarreck smiles at the audacity of the youngling to barter time with the nearly timeless, though perhaps the Xill would agree to the terms knowing the mouslings great-great-grandchilderen would be long dead before itself had died.

The Xill regards Omo curiously, almost as if speaking with an ant. Your presence now offends me. I do not bow to Food.

Round 1
Zaagmander casts a spell and 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 images spring up around her. She makes clicking noises deep in her throat, and you hear sounds in the cave...something answers her call.
Jarreck
Seventeen
Guaire
Omo
Mort

Zaags is up on that platform 15' off the ground

Jarreck moves up to the wall corner drawing the mostly unused pistol he has carried for so long, firing from what he hopes will be cover. "Let the fun begin."

inferno pistol+PBS: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Round 1
Zaagmander casts a spell and 5 images spring up around her. She makes clicking noises deep in her throat, and you hear sounds in the cave...something answers her call.
Jarreck steps up, drawing his pistol and firing. Hitona1: 1d6 ⇒ 1 the pellet sizzles as it strikes Zaagmander but the infernal creature doesn't flinch.
Seventeen
Guaire
Omo
Mort

I made an error before. I am not able to talk as I'm still in Raven form.

Niles how much time has passed between our end with the fight of the dark folk and our talk here?

4d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 4) + 4 = 17 minutes

Mort flies up and his wings become very dark and he emits a black aura, then a spell goes off in the direction of Zaagmander.

Casting Blindness DC 17 Fort Save or be permanently blinded

Seventeen pulls out an alabaster wand and whispers "Lassitude!". Suddenly a black ray stabs out but her aim is off and it lances out harmlessly into the wall.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
I'm not having the best luck with to hit rolls on Seventeen. Anyway Wand of Exhaustion 33/50 charges used.

"Well, she has forced our hand. No need to feel sorry for her now."

Guaire keeps his bow in hand during the walking around.

Shot, rapid: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 = 19Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Shot, rapid: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 = 19Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 1
Zaagmander casts a spell and 5 images spring up around her. She makes clicking noises deep in her throat, and you hear sounds in the cave...something answers her call.
Jarreck steps up, drawing his pistol and firing. the pellet sizzles as it strikes Zaagmander but the infernal creature doesn't flinch.
Seventeen fires a ray of exhaustion at Zags but she misses.
Guaire fires two arrows, but they miss.
Omo *waiting on actions
Mort casts a spell CL Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 and the magic fails to gain purchase on the outsider. SR 17

Waiting on Omo

"Seven, dispel her defenses!"

Omo shoots a bolt at her, confused that his sister did not seem to take this threat seriously.

Bolt: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12

Knowledge: Planes: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 Special defenses? Xill are not normally immune to fire. Is this a special type?

Omo knows that Xill have Spell Resistance and are deadly melee combatants wielding multiple weapons simultaneously with their four arms. She does have resist fire, but its not from her subtype, she has class levels (Starsoul Sorceror)

Round 1
Zaagmander casts a spell and 5 images spring up around her. She makes clicking noises deep in her throat, and you hear sounds in the cave...something answers her call.
Jarreck steps up, drawing his pistol and firing. the pellet sizzles as it strikes Zaagmander but the infernal creature doesn't flinch.
Seventeen fires a ray of exhaustion at Zags but she misses.
Guaire fires two arrows, but they miss.
Omo fires a crossbow bolt that misses
Mort casts a spell and the magic fails to gain purchase on the outsider. SR 17

Round 2
Zaagmander[5 images] continues making the deep clicking noise, and the party notices movement high on the cavern walls. She points her clawed fingers at 1d5 ⇒ 4 Guaire and a purplish ray streaks down at him Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 Guaire takes 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Strength damage from the Enfeebling Ray (Fort DC 14 for half)
Jarreck
Seventeen
Guaire
Omo
Mort

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Phew....still that does reduce efficiency with the bow.

Rapid, str penalty: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 - 2 = 17Dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Rapid, str penalty: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 2 - 2 = 19Dmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Mort casts another spell at Zaagmander, then moves forward staying 5 feet away.

Mudball Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
If it hits, it's Blinded. A reflex Save of DC 14 at the beginning of its turn ends the effect or else it needs to spend a standard action to wipe it off.

TBH Seventeen isn't well prepared for this fight. She doesn't have Dispel Magic memorized currently, moreover she only has 1 level 3 spell slot left. I'd prefer to keep that for fighting Hellion, which I assume is going to be an epic fight (he is an iron god after all). I think landing an exhaustion spell from the wand will be very difficult, got to hit touch AC, got to beat SR with only +5 to the roll, it has to fail fort check. Of course if the stars and planets align it's combat effectiveness will be cut in half.
Seventeen regards her wand with something akin to mind distaste, and remarks without rancor, "It did not function as advertised."

@Jarreck do you want her to cast enlarge on you?

Well I think if Mort called out we might have a better chance of hitting it. Being blinded removes a lot of AC from it. Sadly Mort is last in Init.

"Can you summon something to keep her busy?"

Bolt: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Taking another shot at the creature on the ledge "Anyway to get her down from there?"

inferno pistol+PBS: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Round 2
Zaagmander[5 images] continues making the deep clicking noise, and the party notices movement high on the cavern walls. She points her clawed fingers at 1d5 ⇒ 4 Guaire and a purplish ray streaks down at him Guaire takes 3 Strength damage from the Enfeebling Ray (Fort DC 14 for half)
Jarreck fires his pistol but misses the planeswalker.
Seventeen *waiting on actions
Guaire fires two arrows, both of which miss
Omo fires his bolt, which destroys an image.
Mort hurls mud at the creature blinding it!

Waiting on Seven

Round 3
Zaags [4 images, blinded]
Good guys

Seventeen nods, "Yes, but not again today."

She mutters an arcane phrase, whistles and clicks her fingers, suddenly a wolverine pops into existence next to the Xill! Wolverine's are temperamental at the best of times and this one goes berserk at the extra-planar horror it appears next to!

Wolverine RAGES +4 str/con -2 ac for 34 hp and 12 ac. It immediately full attacks. I assume it will get shredded.
Claw: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23Dmg: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Claw: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11Dmg: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Bite: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13Dmg: 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7