GM Rednal's Iron Gods (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Perem's blast hit the creature, but sizzled a little against it - a moot point, however, as Brass' crossbow found a weakpoint and plunged much deeper into the entity. With that, it shuddered and lay still - like many ambushers, not nearly as dangerous once you were prepared for it. Of course, that begged the question of what else might be waiting for you in the wider chamber.

"Whoo! A good smack always does the job. Except when it breaks it." Brass stared at the creature for a moment. "Is it me, or is kinda strange that this was here? Not just in a 'what's such a thing doing in a metal cavern' way."

Perem smiled brightly over to Brass and Eir before they considered what their gearhead companion had said. "A lot of this place *is* strange..." Perem said as she pulled her rapier in hand, slowly moving toward the corpse.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16

"Observation: This does appear to be an entrance of sorts - or an exit. Perhaps it was searching for food." Eir suggested. "Either way, its presence suggests a functioning ecosystem of sorts."

"Hopefully we just killed the apex preditor, then." Somehow Brass doubted it, however. After double checking and re-arming her crossbow, Brass nodded towards the strange cavern. "Let's see if we can find some hints."

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 15

"I'd imagine there would need to be with people down here...ticks I don't think I want to see what that thing usually eats..." Perem replied as they poked what they hoped was the corpse with the rapier...really want to make sure it's dead and not just pretending so it can eat them later.

Perem nodded to Brass and slowly moved away from the shell-beast behind the gearhead.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 19

At first glance, this cold cavern presents a strange and disconcerting vista - that of a desert valley under a starless, night sky. A stretch of sand covers the ground, a vista broken here and there by bits of strange, spiky shells or contorted, dead fronds that look like branches. Ahead of you, you see a path on the ground where the sand seems to have been disturbed. The path curves downward, then arches away to the east.

Nodding to the disturbed area, Brass shrugged. "Seems like a good place to start following." Unless someone had another idea she started following.

Perem followed after Brass with a nod, looking around from behind her goggles for anything useful...or interesting...or scary...or all of the above...

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20

A few moments after you set down the path, a bit of rock shifted... then a skeleton lurched forth. It was immediately obvious that it was not human - rather, it had an elongated skull and four arms instead of two, and it was only 20 feet away when it emerged from an outcropping of stone.

Init (Skeleton): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Init (Brass): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Init (Perem): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Without hesitation, it lashed forward and swept at Perem with its claws.

Claw (Perem): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"What the tocks?" Perem said in pain as she the very weird skeleton. She clicked out of her startled reaction to send a blast back...

Attack Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

"Bone Golems or something?" Brass wondered, cranking the arming leaver hard and raising her gun. "Mr Black, you're up please."

To Hit (Touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage (Piercing): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The lumber machine focused on the nearest threat, raising one iron fist and charging into action.

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Perem's attack shot wide - Brass' gunshot was more accurate, but did little more than scrape the undead's bone. Alas, no organs for the bullet to wreck. Mr. Black didn't manage to hit at all, and the skeleton advanced forward to continue its assault.

Claw (Perem): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Claw (Perem): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Claw (Perem): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw (Perem): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Further away, you could see two more skeletons advancing - they'd likely arrive within two rounds.

60 feet away. Don't forget to keep your HP up-to-date in your stat bar!

"Back up, Perem. Let Black smash them." Brass focused on the enemy in the distance while Black pummled the closer.

To Hit (Touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Mr Black hammered at the attacking bone creature.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Slam 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Perem nodded in agreement. She disengaged from the skeleton creature, moving back behind Brass and her Mr Black while trying not to wince or whimper too loudly from her injuries.

She watched the skeletons coming in and prepared to blast one as it came into range...

Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Mr. Black's first strike was enough to shatter the skeleton - while Perem's attack, unfortunately, missed the incoming foe. They continued closing at a steady pace - and you saw four more closing from other directions.

Two skeletons at 30 feet, four at 60 feet.

Brass whooped as Black smashed the first. It wasn't going to get easier, but taking the fight to them created a bit of wiggle room. She opened fire on the ones in the distance again.

To Hit (Touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Mr Black lumbered into a charge, raising one huge fist as Brass hoped he could shatter another one.

Slam (Charge): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20
Damage (Bludgeon): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Knowledge Geography: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Perem looked around in frustration, trying to something around them in the terrain that might help, another path they could to get around these or a way to block where they were coming from off. She didn't want to turn tail and run again but if these weird skeletons kept coming out in such numbers...this was not going to end well.

As she looked, she paused to try to send off one blast towards the one closest to her...
Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

Brass, remember to say WHICH exact weapon you're using - so, among other things, I can check damage type and such. ^^

Between the two of you, you managed to break down the two closer skeletons - that left the four incoming, two of which were able to get close to Mr. Black and start attacking it. The other two were still coming in from different directions, and were another 30 feet away yet.

Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Clicking and pumping a fresh round into the Aeria Gloris Brass focused on the further enemies again, so as not to accidently shoot Black.

To Hit (Aeria Gloris): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage (Piercing): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

With a terrible mechanical silence, Black lashed out with both huge, flat fists.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Slam 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Perem felt relief as the two skeletons went down, and tried to squeeze out another shot at the incoming creatures...

Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

...apparently, a moment of relief had totally thrown off the now quite embarrassed Cavalier's aim. She hoped she'd learned from that...

Mr. Black's first punch hit (and shattered its target) - the second one did not. Neither the Aeria Gloris nor Perim's blast were effective, either, and the skeletons finished closing in. The machine took the worst of the blows - the skeleton had been close long enough to start lashing out with all of its arms.

Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Claw (Brass): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Claw (Perem): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"These things are very aggravating," Brass muttered and backed away from her attacker, aiming a device strapped to one arm at the attacker before her. "Let's see how this works." A bolt of superheated steam roared from the weapon and detonated.

Damage (Fire) DC 14 Reflex Save to Half: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Mr Black shuddered under the assault, rearing back and slamming his hands down on the attacking creatures.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Slam 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Perem shifted away from their attacker, "Very aggravating..." Perem said in agreement, her tone very frustrated. "Just want to find people, not waste time with this..." Perem continued ranting as she sent off another blast...

Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Perem's blast hit - and the skeleton shattered under the force of the attack. Meanwhile, Mr. Black was unfortunately unable to crush the one attacking it... and the one by Brass dodged the worst of the fire.

Claw (Brass): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Claw (Brass): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Claw (Brass): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw (Brass): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Claw (Mr. Black): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Perem nodded in satisfaction as their blast felled another enemy, and the ones left seemed to be...not in gear. Perem sent off another blast towards the closer skeleton that had dodged Brass's fire...

Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Muttering unpleasant, unkind and unlikely words about the skeletons parentage, Brass swung the Aeria Gloris' heavy blade towards the thrice-damned skeletal beastie.

To Hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage (Slashing, Piercing): 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

Mr Black stoically took the assault and replied with one of his own.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Slam 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Finally, the last of the skeletons shattered and lay on the ground before you, unmoving. Hopefully they were going to stay that way - with undead, it was hard to tell.

"Observation: Species unknown." Eir said, poking curiously at one of the skeletons. "Addendum: Relevance of species to environment unknown. Addendum: I hope there are no doors that require eight hands to open."

Brass booted a skull away from a body - if the damned thing reformed, it could hunt its own head down itself - and movedover to Repair Black. "Well, between us, we've got eight hands. Maybe we'll mananged."

Mending: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Mending: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Mending: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Perem took a moment to consider all their hands before moving towards the others, intending to keep watch which Brass mended Black...

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4

...but was partially distracted by the idea of large doors needing eight boney hands...

Repairing Mr. Black was relatively straightforward, and the skeletons didn't start moving again... although there was no telling if they would, or how long it might take them to do so. Ahead of you was a large mound of stone - the path continued along its south side, but to the far northeast, you saw what looked like a cave entrance.

"If we climb that mound to look around what are the chances it'll turn out to be a stone giant whose asleep or something?" Brass asked, looking skeptical.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Perem let out a sigh, unsure in her mix of feelings it was more amusement or frustration. "With our luck down here, I wouldn't say it isn't a possibility...guess we get to test that out now..."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

She walked towards the large mound of stone, watching cautiously, one hand clinging anxiously to her rapier...

Given the size of the rock, it would take some serious effort to scale it - and there was no indication that it was alive. (If it was, it was buried way too far under the ground to see - and at any rate, probably wouldn't notice such small creatures.)

Brass shrugged and started climbing. If nothing else they might see something from up there.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Perem carefully climbed the rocky surface towards the top, glancing around nervously as she did so...

*Updates map* You see stuff. XD

"Nice place for a picnic," Brass noted as she looked around. "Looks like our main choices are follow the path and see where it leads or head to that cave entrance." Considering, Brass pointed South. "The path suggests something remotely alive, at least."

Perem looked as Brass directed, very unsure about the idea of picnics here as she looked to the south. "Perhaps, it's just as likely the way they went as any other, might as well test it..." as she began to cautiously head that way, looking for risks and signs of life Brass seemed to think were this way...

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

At the end of the path to the south, a crisp glow of light shines from the northern wall of this cavern, although no obvious source of the light is apparent. Eir frowned at that, but didn't seem to have any idea what it was.

Looking for the light source in obvious interest, Brass announced, "Hey, I can do that too!" She concentrated for a moment and her body lit up. "Sadly, I can't keep it going long without focusing on it yet."

She moved up to the wall, examining it to see if it was fake or an illusion or something more interesting than simply glowy.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Perem's eyebrows shot up as Brass started to glow...

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 3

...while her thoughts were on the thoughts, she was mildly distracted by her shiny companion and the several hypotheses running through her mind on possible sources to begin testing them yet...

1d20 ⇒ 3

You see... that there is still light coming from the northern wall. As far as you can tell, though, the rock is real... but the path does go right up to it.

Shrugging, Brass put her hand on, and tried to push through, the stone in front of the path. If it was real then it meant a missed door, but the leaking light suggested an illusion hid the light source.

Perem watched anxiously as Brass tested the rock wall...the cavalier's mind considering what else she could see and if there were any signs of movement having come this way...

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 15

As Brass moves forward, she passes right through the wall.

Sticking her head back through the illusion, Brass said, "Yup, the door's here, and there's a light beyond. That was what was glowing. Still say I do it better, though." With that she popped back through, and after exmaining the part open door for traps (the old bucket of acid perched on a part open door gag never failed to get both laughs and screams) opened it up.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Yes you do" Perem said in a mildly amused tone as she attempted to follow Brass. "This place is...a minefield of things requiring testing..." Perem continued as she attempted to explain just how weird this all felt to her...

There were no traps on the door.

Ahead, this metal room is brightly lit by glowing panels in the ceiling above. To the left and right, complex machines consisting of spiral tubes and nozzles twitch and hum. Another door lies ahead of you.

Brass paused, staring at the machinery. Was it supposed to twitch and hum, or was it damaged and not quite functioning? She examined the machines in the hope of understanding them, if not now then later.

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