GM Rednal's Legendary Planet AP (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Ooran's swing whistled harmlessly through the air as Phai got rid of the wolf. Even as Vincent started moving, however, the last of the foes gripped its weapon and stepped to the side, lashing out with a fierce strike.

Melee (Ooran): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 for Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Since technically, ranged attacks originate at a corner of space, I should have been able to rush down and fire at the lizard. But on the other hand, I have no way to know it's exact position from where I am. Sooo...

Seeing the wolf drop, Phai is somewhat relieved...but it's savage assault left her feel more drained than she is comfortable with.
Touching herself, she closes the wounds inflicted before rushing after Vincent.

CMW, mythic-powered: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 = 10 and exactly back to start...
Standard to inspired Spell, Move to move

Vincent circled wide around the klaven and prepared to attack when Ooran distracted it.

Ooran steps to the side, engaging the klaven from the opposite side as Vincent, and slashes at the lizard.

Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
Greatsword damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4) + 3 = 12
Shortsword attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20
Shortsword damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Shortsword attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21
Shortsword damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Vincent's blow was solid, but not enough to deal a critical blow to the creature. Ooran managed to land two shallow blows a moment later, which did a decent amount of damage when put together - and the creature responded by dropping the battleaxe and lashing out at Ooran with both of its claws.

Claw (Ooran): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Claw (Ooran): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Which I think drops Ooran, actually. ALWAYS keep the HP in your quick-reference bar up-to-date. It's easy to forget until you make it a habit, but it really is important, especially so you don't forget how on health low you are and know when backing off might be wiser. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere and actually be much weaker than you think you are. XD

Which I think drops Ooran, actually. ALWAYS keep the HP in your quick-reference bar up-to-date. It's easy to forget until you make it a habit, but it really is important, especially so you don't forget how on health low you are and know when backing off might be wiser. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere and actually be much weaker than you think you are. XD

Yup, forgot to save changes. Profile open in another tab. As for when backing off might be wiser, that would be Ooran's issue right now. :) This, however, is the perfect time to spend one Mythic point and gain DR 5/- for the hit. Making Ooran's current HP 0, instead of -5.

With Ooran wobbling on his feet, Vincent swung to end the fight.

Mwk Falcata: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 1 = 11, Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

Too distracted with saving Ooran, his cut went high. "If you stay close to me I can try to defend you Ooran."

Rounding the corner just in time to see Ooran take a dangerous hit, and Vincent's blow failing to connect, Phai rushes closer, not seeing a good angle to get a shot at the creature, instead slicing with her glaive, hoping to overwhelm it's defenses with 3 enemies bearing down on it.

Attack Glaive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Crit?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

We did find 2 potions of CMW with the loot, right? Might be a good time to drink one...while I have 2 MP left, I would prefer keeping some in reserve for the added flexibility...

Ah, mythic abilities - saving us when we need it most. XD Good plan.

While the creature was busy dueling with both Vincent and Ooran, Phai darted over, her slice cleanly lopping the creature's head off. That seemed to be the last of them, and after a few moments, everyone from the previous chamber began to cautiously advance into the room. The Wyrd was the first one to dart over, apparently concerned for your well-being.

"Careful...we don't know if this area is safe, yet...while any patrols would probably have heard the battle, it's no guarantee that there's not more on the way. We should probably take a look at these side rooms, too, just to be safe-"
Phai tells the others, both in common and Ultari, smiling at the Wyrd acknowledging it's concern for their well-being, before heading towards the room the wolves were in, staying outside the entrance but looking in to make sure it's empty(as opposed to 3 Wolven Barbarians trying to squeeze into their Medium Armor after napping)

Using a second Mythic Point to activate fast healing. Over the next minute he'll Heal to full HP.

"Man, I'm gettin' sick of those lizards."

That's super cool for our current healing predicament.

"I know the feeling. You had me worried there for a moment, but you seem to be mending quickly. Another manifestation of the new source of magic that Phai and I have tapped into?" Once he was sure that Ooran was recovering, Vincent checked the bodies of the klaven for anything useful, then headed off towards Phai to begin checking the side rooms.

"Baeden, what sort of temple is this?"

I figure we can start with the open door room, then head counter clockwise?

"An old one?" Baeden quipped as BR-N3R began scuttling around and examining the area. "Sorry, sorry - couldn't resist. I've honestly got no idea. I don't even know if the Gate was here and they built the temple around it, or if they built the temple so they could house the Gate. It could be either one. Argosa has a lot of ruins, and we don't know very much about most of them. There might be some more information in the city, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you - if people knew a Gate was here, one of the Coteries would've claimed it."

As for the room...

Double stone doors stand partially open to this room, leading to a long, rectangular chamber which carries the heavy musk of large animals cut with a peculiar scent of chemicals. The floor is swept clear of debris, save for the crumbled remains of ancient furniture shoved to the walls, each piece seemingly ready to collapse into dust. Gnawed bones strewn about the floor seem far more recent, however, and two troughs, each large enough for a horse, stand at the north end of the chamber. There's an exotic-looking military saddle (worth 60 GP) hanging on one of the walls, but it seems otherwise devoid of useful things.

"There are other gates here then? To be honest, I had never seen one before today, when I blundered through the one back there," Vincent said as he picked his way through the room, taking a few moments, to tie the saddle to his growing hoard.

Perhaps this saddle was for the wolf? Could the klaven ride those beasts?

Once he was confident the room had nothing else of interest, he moved on to the northwest doors and opened them once Ooran had given them the all clear of traps.

"One of the Coteries would have claimed it? Care to tell us about those Coteries? Argosa is not my home, and if there's more ruins, there may be more gates...or we may learn how to dial in a different Location with this one. I assume we may need some of the locals to back us up on this, and they can happily claim a Gate after it brought me back home."

Phai, while her intent was to search the side rooms, gets distracted by Ooran's self-regeneration: "Fascinating...how..."- when he is all healed up, she returns to the task at hand and follows Vincent to the next door.
I would search the bodies later, after Perimeter is secured, tbh...

Ooran looks dazed for a moment as his wounds continue to heal. "Yeah, apparently something from the portal trip. I guess?"

His head whips around at the mention as a new Gates. "Wait, you mean there are more of these things? Where can we find them? Do you think they'll let us take one apart? Or do they already know how they work?" He starts looking a little more guarded.

At Ooran's question, Baeden laughed. "Friend, you're welcome to try, but you're not going to get very far." he explained. "Nobody's ever been able to so much as scratch one of them, much less take them apart. As far as anyone can tell, they're indestructible. The most anyone's ever done is shut one down, and that seems permanent, too." As he spoke, Vincent opened the northern door to find a short hallway and some stairs... totally filled with rubble. There was clearly a lower level here, but it had long since stopped being accessible.

"Anyway, off-worlders come to Argosa all the time. Zel-Argose has twelve major gates leading to different worlds. Used to be thirteen, but the Thanex shut one of theirs down a long time ago to stop an invasion, and that pretty much convinced everyone else to quit with the whole 'Conquest of Argosa' idea. We like being independent. The Coteries are the groups that control the gates. They maintain compounds to guard them, tax goods going through, that sort of thing. They're pretty ruthless about protecting their power, so if you're smart, you won't cross them."

"I wonder what was down below. Maybe if we have time some day we can come back and excavate it. A temple with an indestructable gate probably has interesting things in its basement.

"The Coteries control the gates? Why is this one not controlled? Or... is Lomrick associated with them? If so, I think it might be far too late to avoid crossing them. If not... perhaps we could inform the Coteries of this gate's existence, and gain an ally against Lomrick. If they tax goods traveling through, I assume it's possible to get some kind of pass or ticket to travel through ourselves? A planet that allows travel to many others would be an excellent location for me to use in my search for my eidos. Easy access to vastly different cultures and places might help me put the pieces together -- both figuratively and literally."

Vincent led Ooran to the south-western door next, and checked inside.

"Ooran, once we are no longer in danger, I'd love to help you research how the gates work. If could understand them, I might be able to harness that technology for my own upgrades. Perhaps that is why Haymot guided me here."

"Instant travel to twelve different worlds? That sounds too good to be true. The things and creatures I could learn about there. Is there a cost for passing through the gates without taxable goods? If so, how expensive would that be?"

Contemplating for a moment, she then adds:"I don't quite remember anything about a Gate like this on my world, but then, my memories of home seem all messed up. But if there's been a hidden gate here, in a temple, all the time, on a world that knows these gates exist, there's hope to find a way home, as well...- The other side of this gate was not in a very hospitable location, but the notes we found suggested that it could be re-aligned...was that something specific to this dead gate, or can the others also be shifted to a different target world?"

Talking as much to herself as to Baeden, Vincent and Ooran, Phai tagged along behind them towards the southern door, gesticulating with all 4 hands while talking.

"I wish we could study one. Then it'd be easier to figure out how to retarget. Then again, If we don't know that there's a Gate on the far end, it'll be pretty hard to aim."

"Different groups do different things. Ain't usually too hard to get through one, though, if you've got the coin to pay. Ain't like everyone's a merchant, after all." Baeden noted as the group moved around. "Only reason nobody's controlling this gate is that they don't know about it, and I don't want to get caught in the crossfire of Coteries fighting over a new gate."

Rubble covers the floor of this solemn chamber, except for the cleared areas within two metal cages standing empty along the east wall. The air has a decidedly musty smell as heaps of sawdust lay in piles around the cages. Two stone doors exit north, and a single door leads west.

"But you said if a Gate goes dead, it cannot be re-activated. Why would they fight over this one, then? They don't understand it themselves? That would also explain why one of the Gates had been shut down to prevent invasion, rather than direct it elsewhere...these coteries play with powers they have no idea about, do they?", Phai picks up on what Baeden states.

Keeping positiion in front of the southern(Edit:Errata: Northwestern ...we wanted to go counterclockwise from the open top door...guess we missed one there---) door and readying her bow, she signals her readyness to Ooran and Vincent, expecting them to open it as soon as they were prepared to do so.

We did the NW door already, it had stairs down filled with rubble. Then we went straight across to the SW door.

"More cages for the wolves? Or perhaps these cages were meant to hold people like us before being sent through the gate to Lomrick's facility.

"Baeden, are you familiar with a Temple of the Celestial Helix?"

After pausing for a few moments to ask his questions and scan the room with a quick detect magic, Vincent trotted across the room to the western door with Ooran.

We did the NW door already, it had stairs down filled with rubble. Then we went straight across to the SW door.

Take another look at the map. We DID miss a door since there where 3 on top.

That's what I get for going off of memory >.<. Let's go back to that one next, after we finish this room out I guess.

Maps help, yo.

"That one doesn't look dead to me." Baeden said, jerking a thumb at it. "Dunno what happened where you came from, or if you can go back, but from this side, it should work fine to connect to anywhere else on the network. Never heard of this 'Helix' of yours."

Past the western door was a small chamber - clearly a pantry of some kind, but long since cleared out of all its contents. There was no more than dust on the shelves now.

"What happens when the Gate at the other end goes dead? This Gate is probably still perfectly functional, but the one on the other end will probably not work again. I'm certain Lomrick won't be too happy about that." Ooran follows along, not really paying much attention to the rooms that they've been exploring, he's much more interested in the Gates and their foibles.

"So the gates can freely connect to each other? Or are there limitations? It would seem weird that there's 13 or more Gates here, and that the Coteries would fight over them...if they control 1, they can reach all the destinations they'd need, or not?"

Still in position at northern door...just making small talk until then

"Perhaps it's difficult or expensive to redirect the gates. If the gates are so important to these Coteries, I'm sure they'll be excited to find out about this one. Might help us get some influence with them to gain some allies against Lomrick." Vincent returned to where Phai was waiting and checked out the northwestern side room next.

"Think of it like this." Baeden said, holding hit hand up with his fingers spread. "My hands are the gates and my fingers are the places a Gate can connect to, right?" He pushed his hands so that only the middle fingers were touching. "When a Gate's turned on, it connects to another Gate." He closed one of his fists. "If a Gate's shut off, it doesn't matter how many places connect to it, because there's nothing there anymore." He folded back his remaining middle finger as well. "So the active gate has one less connection, but can still be used to go anywhere else it links to. Not every Gate goes to every destination, either. In fact, I think there's usually only one connection between any two worlds. So if a link's cut, you might be able to go around somehow through a series of Gates... but if not, that whole part of the network could be separated forever. That's why even the most aggressive groups are hesitant to do anything that could get a Gate shut on them. I've never heard of a shut-down Gate being opened from the other side."

As for up by the northwestern door...

Four immense pillars stand in the corners of this room, each one decorated with patterns of stars and outlined in unusual constellations. Shelves line every wall except for the southern side of the chamber, but any books once stored here have long deteriorated into piles of dust and debris, spilling to the floor. As a result, several footprints appear along the floor, passing among broken, discarded stone tablets and unsealed scroll tubes.

"That explanation makes a lot of sense actually. Deactivating a gate would be a really final last resort then."

Vincent scanned the room for magic, not really expecting to find anything left, and inspected the various tablets and scroll tubes. "It's unfortunate, these things are ruined. This room looks like a library or records office, and based on the star motif and the gate's place of prominence, I'm guessing planetary travel figured prominently into this temple's purpose. Their records could have held very useful information. It looks like anything useful has been picked over already though."

Once he was satisfied there was nothing left worth salvaging, and the others had had their opportunity to look around, Vincent led the way back to the central southern door.

"How old is this Gate system? It seems like folks have forgotten a lot of how it used to work." Ooran runs his fingers through the dust with a wistful look on his face.

"Yes, that makes more sense. You are a businessman, Baeden, a merchant, are you not? And a local, with contacts. Do you think you could secure this gate for your own hours if given some time to prepare? If an ally of ours had power over this gate, it would definitely give us a better negotion base with the other gate's owners than if we were to come emptyhanded to them."

In the room:
Phai will try and trace the footprints...one view showed that almost everything had crumbled to dust here. Was there someone looking for something? Or was something not broken in this room?
Track: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
"Those patterns and constellations look interesting. Let me copy them for reference..." Fetching her trusty writing supplies, Phai will copy down the patterns and constellations as accurately as possible.

It was probably for the best that Phai made a more careful examination of the room (Rolling Perception, yay).

At the base of one of the shelves is a panel whose presence is hidden among minute grooves of the constellations and stars depicted on the walls. The indelible, precise lines hiding the compartment depict two coin-sized circles and a smaller circle bisected by a curving line looping around the larger ones like an infinity symbol.

"Nobody I know has anywhere near the strength needed to hold a Gate." Baeden said, shaking his head. "As you say, I'm a merchant - and I know when a deal would be way over my head. I like profit, but not so much I'd throw my life away for it. If you come with the offer of knowledge about an unsecured Gate, they might accept it... or get it from you and then slit your throats so you can't talk. I'd be real careful who you mention it to."

"We'll keep that advice in mind. We'll have to tread carefully when we find our way to the city."

As he turned to leave, he noticed Phai taking a closer look at the pillars. "Anything interesting, Phai?"

Would you like us to actively be rolling perception for each room we search? I'm used to only actually rolling perception if called for (or as secret rolls), otherwise I just declare that I search a room. If so, it is still in character for me to make a rather cursory search, primarily for threats, while our keen-eyed tretharri do the really detailed searching, so no big deal that I haven't been rolling.

"Yes, definitely interesting. This looks like it could be the control panel for the Gate. We'll need to be very careful with this, I think. Ooran, want to take a look? But don't touch anything for now, ok?"

Phai takes one step back, then looks at Baeden:"In that case, we should keep this a secret. You as well. Not a word to anybody. We'll make up some other story about what happened to you, none of us even have been here. Does that work for you?"

@Perception: I assume to take a standard take 10 for perception, unless stating otherwise. In this case, there were footprints in the dust that I could not reasonably explain, so tried to see where they led. Also, constellations and patterns I thought could be a map of sorts...it was interesting enough to warrant taking a closer look, that is, try for a higher score than 20- seems it was a good idea ;) - for the record, taking 20 is not a realistic option to pursue if we don't want to be venerable by book 4 or 5...every single 5-foot square would take 2 minutes to take a look at. So this room alone would take 48 minutes to search...only something to do if we KNOW there is something to find...

Ooran bends down to look closely at the panel in question. Without taking it apart or playing with it much, he tries to work out how to operate it and what it might do.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Profession (engineer): 1d20 + 8 - 7 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 7 = 7

I've been assuming that Ooran's toxin induced ADHD has been reducing his interest in doing in-depth searching. So, I haven't been rolling or worrying about it much.

"It does work for me." Baeden said, looking slightly relieved.

Meanwhile, the small panel was almost certainly unconnected to the Gate. At least, if it was, it wasn't by any mechanism any of you could see. It looked more like a front panel of some kind, the sort used to hide things, and Ooran would be able to open it quite easily if he chose to.

Wait, I didn't- *Goes back to check* Darnit, my bad. >.> I meant for the Ability Drain to be healed when you first got Mythic power, as part of the supercharge from passing through the gate and your body being changed now. Let's just say it took a little time for that to work, then, and that your Wisdom will be returning 1 point a round now as the lingering energy finishes changing you.

Ooran looks up from the panel. "I don't think that this is connected to the Gate at all. It looks more like a safe. Or something similar. I think I can get it open pretty easily. If you want me to."

Ok. That works for me.

My bad, I misunderstood- panel as in the cover of something, rather than a control panel...sorry

"I am not really...tech-savvy. If you believe it's safe to do so, open it. I trust your judgement."

"A hidden cache in an ancient temple? Might contain very useful items. If we're lucky, maybe a star map and information on the gate system? Go ahead and check it out Ooran. You know what you're doing."

Ooran pulls out his tools and begins to work the panel open.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Your previous DD roll is fine. XD

After a few moments of tinkering, Ooran managed to click open the panel's insides. Tucked within the secret compartment is an ancient spellbook constructed from thin gold plates and holding a removable lesser selective metamagic rod tucked within its spine. The spellbook is worth 600 gp, which includes its value as an art object. It contains the following spells: 2nd — glide, knock, levitate, rope trick; 1st — ant haul, enlarge person, erase, expeditious retreat, hold portal, jump, magic weapon, shield.

"Hm...this book looks like its an object of art used to contain spells. But I think none of us can use it for it's intended purpose, so let's see if we can fetch some of the local currency for it...we will need money, for whatever is our next step after reaching the city. That rod could well be of use. Do you want to hold on to it for now, Vincent?"

Eventually, I may end up not needing the Glaive for cover...then I'd have a free arm I could use for rods...so later I could possibly also get some mileage out of it for low-level spells...but for now, I think sorcerer benefits more
After the contents of the storage space had been looked at, Phai will press on, hoping to secure the inmediate area as quickly as possible, walking towards the middle southern door and waiting for Vincent and Ooran.
The pantry to the left shows an extra "room" on the map...just part of the pantry? or something missed...my intent was not skipping that room, it just turned out that way since I stated I was waiting on northern door and Vincent proceeded to the southern one...just saying if we missed something there, please do assume I took 10 on looking around there, too-

"This is very fine craftsmanship. You're right about getting the local currency. Hopefully our gold is good here, but getting some local coin will help us blend in more easily. Since this world has several planetary gates, I'm guessing that the locals here frequently see strange people from other lands, so our appearances shouldn't be too conspicuous.

"Why don't you hold on to the book until you can sell it. It's a good idea for me to hang on to the rod in case I need to cast burning hands with you or Ooran in the way."

Ooran's head begins to clear as they look over the book. "Did I really think that insect thing was my gladiator buddy? What was I on?" He shakes his head to clear it more.

"Let's get this place cleared out as quickly as possible."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 5 = 10

That was the empty part of the pantry. XD Incidentally, no map update yet because there's nothing of significant relevance here. XD

Two wooden tubs, fashioned like giant vats, and each large enough to hold a human-sized creature, sit in the center of this room. Behind them stand two, box-like contraptions with shelves of alchemical equipment and tubing which coils into the vats. The rest of the room contains piles of rubble, refuse, and dust swept into the corners, and a nauseating, coppery scent of chemicals and bodily fluids permeates the air. The only exit is the pair of double stone doors to the north (that you entered through.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Phai, noting the equipment, tubing and contraptions, begins to take a look at the contents of this room, as well. Picking up a vial, another part of an alchemical contraption loses balance and crashes to the floor, causing her to reconsider.
She was not very knowledgeable in these kinds of things, her mind still on the fact that she mistook a bland cover panel for a alien control station.
Stepping back to the entrance, keeping watch, she states:"Sorry, this is not my area of expertise...best if you two try and take a look. Aside, Ooran, that self-healing of yours is remarkable, even the results of the toxin seem to have been removed. If you can force this ability of yours to manifest, could I persuade you to be a subject of a vivisection once things calmed down a bit? For science?"

Vincent glanced at Phai, and smirked. "Remind me not to suddenly manifest wings or anything around you."

As he stepped about the room, he inspected the inside of the vats. "What do you think this could be? Some sort of preservation room for preparing bodies for burial?"

Ooran quickly responds, "Sure! Be glad to..." Then trails off. "Um, wait, you want to do what?" He thinks about the offer more as his head clears further. "How is that better than what Lomrick was doing back there?"