GM Rinaldo's Ruins of Azlant (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

Lily breathes, gathering up power, and fires again.

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 12
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 16

But this time her poor nerves throw her aim off, and her shot goes wild.

Are these tiny creatures, or are they smaller than that, GM Rinaldo?

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

“I think the robo-ants are avoiding the bare slopes for some reason. Maybe we should do the same?”

Round #1: AC 17, ☤ 31 hp ☤

“Lily is the key to victory here. I’d suggest getting in the way of these things, so hopefully they’ll attack us instead of her.”

“But keep spread out, so they can only attack one of us at a time.”

Gervase delays until Arcilde has her turn. “If these things aren’t too teensy, tridents and axes will still do some damage to them.”

The ranger advances 25 feet towards the swarm and readies an action to fling alchemist’s fire at it, if it comes within 10 feet of her.

“I still have one alchemist’s fire from when we explored the smithy on our first day in Talmandor’s Bounty.”

Are these tiny creatures, or are they smaller than that, GM Rinaldo?

The constructs are fine sized - each one would fit in the palm of your hand. There are thousands of them.

“I think the robo-ants are avoiding the bare slopes for some reason. Maybe we should do the same?”

You read that exactly backward, Gervase. Making the Perception check means you realize that they aren't so much avoiding the slope as they are using the stairs because of their size and movement method -- they probably can't go up and down the slope.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Get on the slopes!" cries Gilstrom as he realizes what's happening. He starts rushing towards the hillside.

Double move.

Aahh … Do you mind if I alter my actions then, GM Rinaldo?

RE-DO Round #1: AC 17, ☤ 31 hp ☤

Heeding Gilstrom’s superior understanding, Gervase double-moves to the base of the first slope and attempts to climb to the next level.

climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

35' to Gilstrom's square, leaving 25'/4 = 6' climb at quarter speed.

Lily! Get up the slope. I'll try t' keep tha beasties away from you.

Arcilde mutters a quick prayer, then moves to the base of the stairs, hoping to give her friend some cover.

Activating Protection Blessing: +1 sacred bonus to AC and saving throuws for 1 minute.

You scatter a bit as Lily's second shot goes wide. Gilstrom takes cover underneath one of the slopes and Gervase climbs onto a rock pile, while Arcilde says a prayer and moves up to draw the attention of the roiling pile of little machines.

As expected, they squeeze together and pour down the last set of stairs, surrounding Arcilde and climbing up her.
Arcilde takes Swarm damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 and must make two saves: one Fort save vs distraction, and a Reflex save or be knocked prone by the wave of mechanical bugs.

Everyone is up!

GET OFF OF HER! Lily cries, focusing and trying to blast away the bugs in a torrent of wood and flowerpetals.

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 14

While not as powerful as her first blast, this one's aim is far more true.

Lily fires off another blast of grass, leaves, and thorns. The plant matter blows through the metal bugs and gets all into their inner workings, and as the wind dies down, the creatures all fall to the ground, inert.

AAAAAND Combat over! Kinetic Blast is apparently the Right Answer for swarms! Arcilde can ignore those saves, since they have no lasting effect, but she does have the 3 damage.

The pile of small constructs are even more inscrutable than the eyeball with legs you found in the colony on the first day. Going up the hill you can find tracks where they traveled, apparently on some sort of patrol in the area.

To the north, the hills give way to sharp, rocky inclines. A solitary stone structure, a tower at least three stories high, is partially embedded in the rocky cliff wall behind it. The cylindrical edifice is oddly undamaged, however, as if the rock were only the tide lapping at the tower’s lower half, frozen in time. The structure has no windows or rooftop battlements. A metal double door is set in the base of the southern side and is slightly ajar.

Interesting rock formations, rubble, and boulders litter the surrounding countryside, suggesting an ancient site where stone was once quarried and buildings and monuments were erected. Catastrophe and the return of wilderness have made almost all of it unrecognizable— save for this strange building.

Lily runs up to Arcilde and helps her up, brushing petals and woody debris off her.

Are you okay Arcilde? I just... i thought they where gonna take you and... oh dear, I just kinda panicked, I'm sorry... Are you hurt to much?

---------------------

Lily looks at the tower and blinks a few times.

That looks weird right? Am I the only one who thinks that looks weird?

Reaching down to offer a hand to Gilstrom as he begins negotiating the slope, Gervase has a good view of the battle’s climax. “Wow, Arcilde! You were so brave!”

Leaping down from her elevated spot, Gervase moves to the smith and offers her three good berries. “I think we should save your spells for what comes next. I’ve still got two berries left.”

“And, Lily –– that was AEWESOME girl-friend. Can’t wait to see what new tricks you develop.”

⚡ ⚛ ⚠

“Nope. Weird is the word I would use.”

Gervase gives Lily’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “So we enter by the southern door? We’d better check carefully for traps or sentry devices.”

stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Gilstrom lets out an ooooh as LIly's kinetic blast just shreds the little gadget things. "THAT WAS AMAZING!" He scampers over, offering a tiny hand to Arcilde. "Everything okay? I think you hvae some mecha-spider on your face."

He gives Lily a pat on the back. "Very heroic! I'll tell everyone."

----

Gilstrom wanders gasping at the rock formations and general weirdness of the place. "This is why I came to this island! New stuff all the time. This is great!" He looks at the door. "Wow! A door that's also a jar! Get it? Ahem. Right. Let's see..."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Checking out the door, peeking in the crack.

Been a weird week over here, and forum notifications are not always showing up. Going to get Arcilde a chance to make a post-combat post before moving into the tower.

As the group heads towards the tower. Arcilde spends a use of fervor to heal herself.

Fervor: 1d6 ⇒ 6

As you approach the tower, you see Azlanti writing etched into the doors. With a bit of work, Gervase puzzles it out as “Spindlelock
Research Facility: a division of the Spindle Solution, making tomorrow’s humanity today. Authorized Personnel Only.”

You also note that the tower has what appear to be stone posts directly abutting either side of the door, hinting that there was at one time a walkway or some other structure attached to the tower.

Gnomish curiosity leads Gilstrom to peek inside, where he sees a large, dark chamber, with only a sliver of light coming in through the cracked doors. With her darkvision, Arcilde sees a spacious chamber that appears to have been designed to awe or impress the entrant. Pale gray tiles decorated with faint, intricate geometrical designs cover the floor. A large double door leads to the north.

You are still outside, peering in. I wasn't going to make an assumption about who would be the first to stride boldly into the strange, dark chamber, though I have a guess...

"Whole lotta dark, looks safe to me! Did I ever tell you about my great uncle Blathforth who was once eaten by a grue in a very same dark room?"

Gilstrom swings the door open to proceed, trident and shield at the ready.

’Making tomorrow’s humanity today.’ Don’t like the sound of that much …

“Was he any relation to your third cousin Milton, who got brain-preggers to a statue, Gilstrom?”

Gervase does a few practise draws with her bow, as she follows on the cavalier's heels. “Wait! Maybe you should keep us in suspense and tell us later.”

Arcilde ignores the curious gnome and peers into the darkness.

Taking 10 for a 13 perception.

Looking in from the door reveals nothing else, so you cautiously enter. The moment the first of you crosses the threshold, the entire ceiling begins to glow, bathing the room in an even lighting.

In the center of the chamber is a lifelike statue of a man in simple black robes with a helmet that obscures most of his face - almost identical to the image you saw at the ruin where you encountered the three goblin-apes.

Map is updated. I stepped Gilstrom in and left everyone else out side. I assumed he'd stop when the lights popped on. Sorry about not mentioning the statue before, it was in a different part of the room description. *sigh*

No worries, it always is.

Lily blinks and walks into the room behind gil.

He looks familiar now. Some good artistry... kinda creepy don't you think?

"Oooooohhh..." Gilstrom trots over to the statue, looking ot over. "It's weird to think that we're the first ones here but we're really really not in all sorts of ways."

“As long as he only looks creepy, Old Mate and I will get on fine, Lily.”

Gervase decides to shoulder her bow and draw her harpoon as she steps up beside Gilstrom and scans the room, floor and ceiling for traps and threats.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

“Yup, so true, Gilstrom. Presumably the Three Fish-Faced Amigos and maybe some of the First Colonists all passed through here. So let’s be on guard.”

As you start to move up to the statue, you are startled to see two skum emerge through the wall to your left!

Red vs Gervase flat-footed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
One stabs ineffectually at Gervase while the other moves into position.

Surprise round actions: Red took a 5' step through the wall and attacked. Blue took a move action. Statue has done nothing, and has given you no indication that it intends to. Lily is up!

Lily wheels on the one that attacked Goldhawk.

HEY! BACK OFF!

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 18

Gervase is surprised again as a massive thorn flies past her ear and embeds itself into the neck of the first skum.

Blue vs Gervase flat-footed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
The second one ignores Lily and jabs its trident at Gervase, but is no more effective than its partner was.

Arcilde is up!

“Yikes! Where did they come from?”

Gervase is taken aback with the skum sneak attack, and her bestie’s response. “Thanks, Lily!”

“I don’t trust that statue. Can anyone tell what it is?”

Arcilde takes a second to glance at the statue before she moves up to engage the skum-fishy-beasties.

I don't know, 'awk--looks like a statue.

Arcilde moves up and attacks the red skum.

Attack, battleaxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Arcilde steps up and swings her battleaxe, knocking the first skum unconscious.

Arcilde please give me a Will save.

Gilstrom and Gervase are up! The statue does not appear to be moving or otherwise getting involved.

Will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

+2 vs spells and spell-like abilities, -2 vs light effects

Gilstrom holds up his shield and lunges at the skum, trying his best not to be out-tridented.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 = 15 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Round #1: AC 17, ☤ 31 hp ☤

“Arcilde, are you OK?”

Watching the statue out of the corner of her eye, Gervase thrusts her harpoon at Gilstrom’s skum-fishy beastie.

harpoon + PA: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 1 = 8
piercing damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12

“Lily, do you want me out of the way for a clearer shot?”

If Lily says yes, Gervase will 5’ step into the square her friend suggests.

Gilstrom lands a good blow on the remaining skum, but Gervase is somewhat distracted by the statue. For its part, the statue continues its silent observation of the proceedings, not moving at all.

Lily is up!

Lily aims.

I got it!

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 12
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13

She winces as the recoil knocks her back.

I don't got it!

"That's okay, missing that badly is the first step to hitting the next time!" cries Gilstrom unhelpfully.

As Lily's shot just barely glances off of its hide, the skum stabs back at Gilstrom.

Trident: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

It doesn't hit with either its weapon or its clawed hand, but it manages to push Gilstrom's shield aside and bite his arm.

Arcilde is up!

If the red skum is still up, Arcilde will attack it. If not, she'll attack blue.

Attack, battleaxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Wha--? Arcilde attacks with her axe, but something distracts her, and the swing goes wildly astray. This wall 'ere--it isn't 'ere at all!

Arcilde's swing goes wide as she notices the wall beside her isn't a proper wall.

Gervase and Gilstrom are up! Red is unconscious, blue is wounded.

Gilstrom tries to bat aside the skum's shield before lunging in with his trident again.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Round #2: AC 17, ☤ 31 hp ☤

Taking advantage of Gilstrom’s armor-accessory embargo, Gervase thrusts her harpoon at the semi-exposed skum.

harpoon + PA: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 1 = 11
piercing damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 3 = 17

Gilstrom imagines a shield on the skum that isn't there, then bats it away very effectively before stabbing it solidly.

END OF COMBAT

Both skum are unconscious but not dead.

The fight over, Arcilde pokes at the wall next to her, and then steps through it into an unlit chamber with a simple stone floor and undecorated gray stone walls. The stark nature of the room is interrupted only by a large circle of silvery metal set into the floor in the corner of this room. From this side, the illusory wall is completely transparent.

You check the other walls, and realize the opposite side is identical to this one, but the north wall is real.

Arcilde's Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Both rings radiate magic, but the aura is unlike anything Arcilde has encountered before.

Arcilde's Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
In addition, the tridents carried by the skum are magically enhanced. +1 tridents, medium sized.

Carefully opening the doors, you look into the next room. A curving ramp along the northern wall of this chamber ascends to the floor above. The east and west walls each have a single door. Murals cover the east and west walls, depicting kind-looking human adult figures smiling benevolently at children. The children, for their part, are smiling and appear healthy and happy. The figures, both adults and children, have tiny jewels orbiting around their heads in shining rings that resemble halos. Azlanti text at the top of the murals reads, “Ours is the Large Activity to see people achieve its largest maybe.” (Or something like that, Gervase is still learning Azlanti...)

On the north wall you notice a small metallic panel with several buttons and dials. That piques Gilstrom's interest, as buttons usually do something. He scans around the room, and realizes that there are two panels inset in the ceiling, where something might drop out.

You are outside the room, looking in. Gilstrom is suspicious of the panels in the ceiling.

“Woo hoo! Magic tridents! If it’s OK with everyone, I will replace my harpoon with one of these.”

♆ ♆

The ranger recites in a faltered lilt: “Ours … is the Large Activity … to see people achieve its largest … Maybe?”

Gervase squirms uncomfortably under the others’ gaze. “Sheesh! Give me a break people. I’m new at this.”

“I can translate ‘two beers, please’ in about six languages, no problem.”

Gilstrom is suspicious of the panels in the ceiling.

“So the ceiling panels are probably a trap? Can we disable it, or should we set it off remotely somehow?”

Gervase screws up her lip. “That will probably make noise.”

Lily rolls her eyes at Hawk.

And "Take me to your bed" in 8 I bet.

Lily looks at the ceiling panels that Gilstrom pointed out and bites her lip in thought.

I think if there is going to be any noise, we already made plenty of it with that fight just now... I think our best chance is to just try the buttons and stay out of the way of those ceiling panels... Gil? will you do the honors?

In case it wasn't clear, the buttons are on a panel across the room, not in reach.

And "Take me to your bed" in 8 I bet.

Oooh, good one, Freefield! You'll pay for that!

Gervase mutters under her breath in stilted Atlanti "Σκύλα."

... So, whatcha gonna do?

Arcilde picks up the other trident. Not me favorite weapon, but it's a pokey one....

She studies the rings for a minute, then shakes her head. I need more practice on this magic-studyin' thing..

The dwarf looks at the buttons across the room, then turns to Lily. Lily, can ye hit one o' them buttons from 'ere? If not, I say we investigate these close doors first.

Worth a shot Says Lily. Literally.

She takes a knee and tries to steady her aim, shooting a ball of wood towards the panel.

Wood button blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Lily takes careful aim and fires a shot at the panel. It hits directly, and sparks fly as electrical and magic energies are released.

Immediately, the two panels open up, and from each one a repeating crossbow is lowered and fires. You duck around the corner in time to avoid a bolt skewering the front two.

The trap has been sprung, and appears to be able to go for quite some time. I moved your tokens so that no one is directly in the doorway.

I'll move forward in rounds, giving everyone a chance to act between when the trap fires. Everyone is up!

Lily takes a deep breath.

Reloading crossbows. Lovely. Let me see what I can do. Hawk, some cover?

Lily step into the doorway and take another shot, Goldhawk trying to help protect her during any of the attacks.

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13

Hawk reaches out wither her weapon to try and give some screening for her friend.

Aid Another AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12