GM Rednal's Iron Gods (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

<"Invalid authorization."> the machine responded in Androffan as Brass and Mr. Black let loose into it - damaging it enough to get it to stop moving. Perem's blast went wide a moment later as she darted over to the tube, unable to notice anything more. That might have been because the machine was continuing to fire sonic pulses towards her.

Ranged Attack (Perem): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Brass and Black moved to the other machine and started smacking that one around, too. It seemed the thing to do.

To Hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

Slam 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Perem scrambled back as the machine's blast. Perem grumbled as she tried to send off another blast back...

Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

...before trying to return her attention to the tube.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

This time, Perem heard what sounded like muffled thumping and shouting from inside the tube, even as you worked to focus your attacks on the other machine. Sparks erupted from its body, but your attacks seemed like they hadn't penetrated very far thanks to the sheer hardness of the metal involved. Fire spewed out from a few cylindrical areas on the machine as it shot forward, slamming out at Brass as it did.

Slam (Brass): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"Nope," Brass muttered as the thing clanged to the side. "~Emergency shut down, initiate self-repair."~ She swung again, since it wasn't likely to do that."

To Hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11

Mr Black began slamming, too.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Slam 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Perem patted the tube in an attempt to show that she heard whoever was inside since it seemed that the thickness of the tube made proper communication an issue.

Perem sent another blast back at the machine - getting anyone injured out while it was still around would also be an issue...

Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

...before she started to look for a way to open the tube.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Knowledge Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Mr. Black's strikes didn't seem to be doing enough damage to hurt the machine - nor, for that matter, was Perem's destructive blast. Brass' hit managed to cause a slight amount of damage as the machine continued its assault.

Slam (Brass): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Slam (Brass): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

...With limited effect.

Meanwhile, Perem saw what looked like a number of different controls... and did remember that if she could release someone, they might be targeted by the machine.

Resiliant to Bludgeoning, eh? Or just resistant to all attacks? Still, she wasn't sure what else to do. Well, other than mad science. Taking a step back, and leaving Black to smack it around if it tried anything, Brass selected a gadget - Von Hoheinheim's Shocking Response - and tried that.

To Hit (Touch): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage (Electric): 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Mr Black kept slamming, because it didn't have many other options. Maybe it would hit somewhere important.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Slam 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

"I found some controls for this, now if there were some for that..." Perem calls over to Brass, Mr. Black, and Eir before returning her attention to the resilient construct. Her previous thought - that bringing whoever out while the machine was still being murdery would be an issue, turned her thoughts to how to best deal with that.

She to move to be behind the murder bot with her rapier, and attempted to poke it.

Rapier: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Mr. Black and Perem's attacks glanced off the robot's body. Brass' electric shock, on the other hand, elicited a very different response. Smoke immediately erupted from its metallic body as the electricity savaged its systems, and it lurched slightly.

"Obser-" Eir began, ducking behind the wall as the machine fired a burst of sound at her. "Observation: Target appears to be made of unusually hard metals that are resistant to most conventional forms of weaponry."

"I laugh mockingly at conventional," Brass responded, "Although on this occasion it would be nice to laugh when this damned this drops." Brass fully intended to plunder the metal, too. She fired more electric since it seemed to not like that.

To Hit (Touch): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage (Electric): 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Black also hit it, because what else was there to do?

Slam 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Slam 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

+2 Ac, +4 against metal.

On one hand, the unusually hard metal was interesting and might be good for testing later. On the other hand, Perem wanted it to stop fighting now so she could get try to help whoever was in the tube-thingy.

Since her own magic and weapons seemed useless - something Perem did not like - the oracle chose instead to move so she could speed up Brass to enable the one who seemed able to deal with this to do so faster...

Haste on Brass

Mr. Black's first hit chipped off a bit of metal - a small, but real, amount of damage. The second seemed to do nothing at all. By far the bigger effect was Brass' electrical attack, and the machine lurched to the side as its parts were savaged. In fact, it looked like the electricity was doing more damage to the machine than it would have to, say, those skeletons you'd fought. The gun turret turned towards Brass with a painful, damaged whine, and a pulse of sound shot towards her.

Ranged Attack (Brass): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 for Nonlethal Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Brass gritted her teeth. "Ohno, Iknowwhereitstingsnownewfriend. I'llbetakingthatgunaswellasyourprettyhide." She turned the dial up a notch.

To Hit (Touch): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage (Electric): 3d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) = 6

Mr Black continued chipping

Slam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Slam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Perem decided to try something new to see if it might be helpful. Gripping her rapier righter, she lifted her hand to cast at the machine.

Casts Slow

The machine lurched a bit under the force of Perem's spell, visibly slowing down... then Brass' lightning attack struck it and it quite literally exploded, parts flinging across the room at entirely unsafe speeds.

Reflex DC 8 (Brass): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Reflex DC 8 (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Reflex DC 8 (Perem): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Mr. Black stepped in front of you as the shards of metal bounced around, forming a sturdy wall that easily repelled the scrap. A few moments later, the thumping from inside the tube stopped.

Brass looked at the tune. "Uh oh." As much as she wanted the scrap they needed to open that tube. Moving over, Brass looked over the controls, hoping for a big, red 'Open!' button. If she couldn't then she'd have Mr Black rip it open.

Knowledge (Engineering + Technologist feat): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Perem's relief that the stabby machine had stopped was quickly replaced by panic about whoever was in the tube. She tried to help with the controls...

Knowledge Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

As you found a switch and pressed it, the pod hissed open, and a man you recognized as Khonnir Baine tumbled out. Sweat covered his skin, and it looked like someone had done some kind of surgery on his legs. He began to collapse-

Dexterity (Brass): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Dexterity (Perem): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

-but you two managed to grab him before he actually tumbled. He stared at you, wild-eyed, as a hoarse croaking sound came out of his throat. He didn't try to fight you, though, and there was a definite glimmer of relief in his expression.

"Whoa, hey, it's OK. Crazy medibot is down for the count." Brass focused on keeping the flailing, injured man from falling and hurting himself while Perem tried healing.

Perem tried to gently hold the man up as she tried to figure out what to do next. Awkwardly, she blurted out, "Hi! We've been tocking for you! Councilor Dolga and Val ticked us!" before she looked around for a seat for him...or maybe a bed would be better...

At Perem's words, the man just let out a hoarse croak - it didn't seem like he was capable of talking, and indeed, his behavior was almost more animal than human. Whatever had happened to him had caused significant changes to his body - the kind that might need more than a bowl of soup and a good night's rest to heal.

Brass considered. The people who had built this ship, they probably weren't human. Therefore the machines they built were likely not meant for humans, either. Even if this was meant to heal, the machinery or magic or whatever else it used might well be thinking that being human was a disease, not a state.

She examined the controls again, trying to get a better understanding of what it did and hoping Perem's healing magic would undo some of it.

Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Perem took a few moments to look over the man and try to get him comfortable-ish somewhere. Then while Brass was investigating the machines, Perem tried to soothe at least some of the Councillor's pain...

Cure + Revitalize: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

...though the oracle was clearly still a bit flustered, she hoped it was a good start and that it would help him heal faster.

The man looked a bit better after the cure, but his mind didn't seem to be coming back any. Meanwhile, Brass was getting a better sense for what the machine could do. It seemed to be some kind of holding cell, though it for what purpose wasn't entirely clear.

Maybe she hadn't entered the right exit thing, and it was treating him like an escaped prisoner? Brass was stumped. She looked over at Perem. "OK...I think the best we can do is stabalize him and then get back to the surface. We'll need to be careful as we move him away. This this is a cell of some kind, and I guess it might be what's making him ill."

Perem nodded, "Heading back quickly does seem best. I wish we knew where the others were...do you think anything in here might tell us where they are?" she asked before returning her attention to the Councillor.

After a moment, she sighed "I can try another healing spell...but..." Perem looked over the Councillor, unsure anything she could do would really help beyond patching up his physical wounds.

Heal to check how stable he is and if she can tell if Restoration would be more use than Cure: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

The damage to him seems to be less to his body and more to his mind. It's quite possible Restore could help - if used in the right way.

"Is his mind damaged?" Brass wondered, considering. "Maybe Restore his brain?"

Perem nodded in thought, "Probably. I'm happy to try but I think he may need something a bit more specialized than what I can do...let's prepare for the trip back." Perem said with mixed feelings as she took one more look around the room before she tried to see if she could help the Councillor a bit more before they all tried to make their way back...

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Restoring what? You have to choose an ability score unless you have the Greater Restore talent - aaaaaand Restore costs a Spell Point, so it matters.

I would assume Intelligence, from how he's not functioning.

Sorry, I thought the 'in the right way' meant something like Restore Mind or Restore Soul or one of the specialized ones she doesn't have yet, and my brain entirely blanked other than deducting the spell point. Yeah, since he can't talk or people function, I'm thinking Restoration of INT which I need from how the heat has zapped mine.

Restore Intelligence: 1d4 ⇒ 2

As Perem sent a bit of restorative power into the man, a glimmer of intelligence seemed to return to his gaze, and his words became a little more intelligible. "More... or... Joram..." he croaked, naming someone you recognized as a Cleric of Brigh who lived in town. Unfortunately, he still didn't seem like he could move very well.

"Guess it's his brain after all," Brass noted. Looking at Perem, she added, "Can you spare a couple more? The more compus mentus he is on the way out the easier this will be."

Perem's eyes grew wide in surprise behind her goggles as she heard him speak. "Joram, yes, I know Joram!" she said as she tried to show the councilor her large symbol of Brigh.

Perem considered what Brass said for a moment, [b]"It's a bit risky, the more I do now, the less I can do later if we get in trouble. I think...maybe once more shouldn't put us in too bad a position..." she said before she started to cast the same again...

Restoration: Intelligence: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The man nodded as Perem repeated the name, and another restoration saw a further enhancement of his intelligence. He was getting back to a normal level - though from what you knew, he was almost definitely well above average, and it would take quite a few more restorations to return him to his normal level. His personality was returning, too.

"Can you get my legs?" he asked with a grimace, finally able to form complete sentences. "Those machines did something to me - I can barely move them." His muscles seemed surprisingly strong, and his overall vitality was high... but he was definitely sluggish in his movement.

"Mr Black, give the man a hand." She gestured the massive machine to help him as he needed. "OK, we have two choices. Unless we have a reason to stay in this place we should likely get outof here, but if there's something we should do first..."

Perem smiled as the councillor spoke more clearly. The oracle looked back to Brass as the other woman spoke as Perem ensured she moved out of Mr. Black's way. Perem considered a moment, then replied, "Unless there are any signs of the others who came down, heading back quickly and getting all healed up seems best." with a sad glance around the room. With as much blood as had been seen on the way, Perem felt the news about the others was probably grim. She took a quick look around to see if she could find any other information that might be important...

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

There was no sign of anyone else in the room, and the man - clearly Khonnir Baine, who you'd come here to rescue - coughed out a bit of blood. "Robots injected me with something." he managed to get out. "Gonna need more than a little healing for this one. I... don't think anyone else is still around. Blasted robots ambushed us."

"Time to go, then," Brass said cheerfully. For now, the job was to get Baine out. She supposed one of the others could have been brought back later, with the spell meant to return Baine.

She started working her way to the exit of the ship, hoping to avoid any of the remaining monsters. Most of them didn't seem to be wandering the corridor, but the desert area had more of the skeletons.

Perem nodded, a bit sad. It would have been great to rescue the entire party that had come with the councillor but that was very unlikely at this point. Perem walked near Mr. Black to help keep an eye on the wounded councillor asthe group travelled back.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Mr. Black had to do most of the work with Khonnir - eventually resorting to just outright carrying him as your group, now four and a big machine strong, headed back. Eir stuck to the rear, continuing to hold open your line of retreat in case something bad happened as you made your way through the ship, the large open cavern, the caves... and to the water-filled tunnel that Khonnir looked rather worried about crossing. Eventually, though, you managed to get safely through and started back towards town. The Church of Brigh was likely the ideal first stop, but there were alternatives, like bringing him to the council chambers and sending for Joram instead.

Well, it wasn't like they'd been subtle bringing the man here, so taking him to the Council chamber seemed like a waste of time. "Straight to the Temple?" she asked Perem.

Perem nodded eagerly with a tired smile, "Joram and the others should be better able to help."

It doesn't take long to reach the temple, which is located right at the foot of the Black Hill that dominates the town.

Bronze wind chimes and clockwork statues decorate the domed portico of this compound dedicated to the goddess of invention. The oldest faith in Torch, Brigh's temple sees regular worship from many of the town's citizens, and also includes a meticulously organized workshop managed by the town's religious leader, Joram Kyte. His friendly demeanor, active interest in the metal trade, and innovative crafting skills helped land him a seat on the town council many years ago. Joram's temple includes a small shopfront selling magic items and gear, should you be interested in trade.

As you enter, you see the priest himself - like most of Brigh's faithful, he delights in creation, and looks the part. He looks up a few moments as you enter. "Wel- Khonnir! You found him!"

"A bit worse for wear, I'm afraid." Khonnir said with a grimace. "I'll need several restorations of the lesser order at minimum, I think - the machines in there damaged my mind and body."

"Of course, of course!" Joram said, escorting his friend in and beginning to cast. "What happened in there?" he asked, looking up at your group.

"Well, it's a bit of a long story, and we only know bits of it. It turns out that there's a massive metal building beneath Torch, which is probably where the fire comes from. Apparently, the metal building was a ship, once, according to the machines."

Brass paused, and continued, "Whenever the metal ship landed it looked like it killed most of the things on board, and a lot of them became undead. One of them even tore up Mr Black. That's why he's eight feet tall now, I fixed him and made some improvements. Plus it was full of robots. They seemed at least part operational, but most of them were aggresive. Even the medical bots. That's what got Khonnir. I'm not sure they were trying to hurt him, but I'm not sure what they were doing was good for humans."

Perem watched as Joram worked, nodding away as Brass spoke before she tiredly added her response, "It's an odd, dangerous, ticking maze of caves, sand, tock machines, and interesting metals down there. The fauna, undead, slimes, machines, ticks seem primed to be aggressive - even some of the flora seemed to have evolved to attack. We were also helped after dealing with one of the tocking fungi by a group who...said they'd come into conflict with the councillor's group. Sadly, though we found ticky of signs of fighting, we were unable to find the rest of those who went down there but thankfully were able to find this tock tube machine holding him and get him out. I started the restoration process so we could back as tickly as we could..."

"Fascinating..." Joram said as he continued tending to his patient - and his eyes had definitely lit up at Brass' mention of working on Mr. Black. He had interests and wasn't shy about it. "Did you find out why the torch went out? We'd still like to restart that if at all possible."

Brass shook her head. "It's probably further into the the place," Brass replied. "Now we know no one else is in need of rescue down there we can head back in and take time hunting for the problem." And looting that robot.