GMTrex's PFS 6-01 Trial by Machine (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

Everyone heal up and we can quickly finish them off. Don't get near them as the air around them seems to burn.

Said pooch is still bleeding out. Unless Lyklor or Payj stabilize it immediately, it will continue bleeding out. Polo is also currently down.

We're still initiative but that can be relaxed for the moment. Everybody can post actions for as many rounds as you need -- the skeletons aren't opening that door.

I'll hit him with a charge from my own wand (1 round)

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

49 charges remaining.

Lyklor looks around at Polo and the wounded dog.

"I don't know what to do! The halfliing and the dog look like they are going to bleed to death. Can one of you tap heal them? While you are at it, can one of you heal me? I was not expecting to get quite so hurt on this training run!"

Seems I need to add UMD to my skills lol.

Know Ar, Rel, Planes, Local, History: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

She looks Archimedicus.

"Let me help."

Activating Wizard's bond to cast Enlarge person. Should help keep Archimedicus from getting torched by those Auras.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I've now spent 2 rounds (and 2 charges) of actions since closing the door.

Actually, changed my mind. Now that Eclipse got some healing from Zo (putting the wolf at -5/13), we'll drop out of initiative and roll a new one later. I'll assume Payj enlarges Archimedicus right before the door gets re-opened.

Payj, what are you trying to assess with your Knowledge check? Zosimos, who are you targeting with that second CLW tap?

Zos and Torsk, I owe you big! Please use my wand to heal me and the pup up so we don't use anymore of your charges. Lyklor and anyone else can certainly have any healing he needs from it as well.

-Posted with Wayfinder

I feel really bad about using people's charges on their CLW wands. I will happily purchase one. I just wasn't thinking when we started the campaign. GMTrex, I am not sure how you want me to handle it. Can I retroactively purchase one and use it now, or shall I rely on the generosity of my kind pathfinders? If this is not the time to make the purchase, I will plan on it for the end of the adventure.

I feel really bad about using people's charges on their CLW wands. I will happily purchase one. I just wasn't thinking when we started the campaign. GMTrex, I am not sure how you want me to handle it. Can I retroactively purchase one and use it now, or shall I rely on the generosity of my kind pathfinders? If this is not the time to make the purchase, I will plan on it for the end of the adventure.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't permit you to make purchases at this point in time, but seeing as the party as a whole doesn't lack for healing and this is really just for equitable consumption of resources, I'll allow a retroactive purchase in this case.

I do not have a wand as this is this characters first scenario so I have to wait til the end to purchase one.

Also when we reopen the door would I still have cleave active as it only lasts for 1 minute?

I do not have a wand as this is this characters first scenario so I have to wait til the end to purchase one.

Also when we reopen the door would I still have cleave active as it only lasts for 1 minute?

Yep, you get a pass. =) Your cleave (and Payj's grease) should still be active for another 7 or so rounds, so it will be up if you open the door before then.

I do not have a wand as this is this characters first scenario so I have to wait til the end to purchase one.

Also when we reopen the door would I still have cleave active as it only lasts for 1 minute?

Up to the GM, but we've only actually spent a few rounds with the door closed.

Any weaknesses Trex?

Mostly the same as regular skeletons -- DR overcome by bludgeoning -- but also immune to fire and electricity damage. No particular weaknesses.

Once everyone is all healed up Archimedicus will position himself near the door's button in a hopes of surprising the creatures. Holding his open hand back to the rest of the party in a signal to stand back and be prepared. Be ready in case I miss these skeletons

This way I may be able to just cleave them

Thanks, GMTrex!

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Lyklor pulls out his wand of cure light wounds and tries to heal himself up, but is unable to activate the device.

"How do you guys make this thing work? It looks so easy when you do it!"

Once Zosimo puts the wand to good use, Lyklor is healed up to full strength.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Ahh that feels much better!"

46 charges remain

When we're out of initiative I'm just going to assume Zosimos borrows my wand and roll the heals needed, if that is OK.

Polo's wand is easily found protruding out of his pockets.

Wand CLW Polo: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Wand CLW Polo: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Polo comes to and grabs his throbbing head as he looks around with groggy eyes.

"What by The Order happened?"

His eyes find Eclipse and he immediately scrambles across the room. Though his fur is tinted crimson, Polo realizes his long known friend still lives.

"The last I remember-" he pauses to turn and face the now sealed door. "You are true friends to have protected us. I apologize for my folly. Please, bring my pup around too."

Wand CLW Eclipse: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Wand CLW Eclipse: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

-Posted with Wayfinder

Polo uses a full round action to remove his scizore and finds and stows his lance. He takes out his halfling sling and loads a bullet before mounting back up on Eclipse.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Once everyone is healed Archimedicus hits the button to open the door.

Torsk, looks on as everyone gets healed, and he breathes a large sigh of relief as the door stays shut during the whole ordeal.

Those damned things are tough. Are they still susceptible to bludgeoning weapons? If so, I may not be the best of help against them, but I will do my best.

Can I ready an action to cast disrupt undead as the door opens, a "surprise" round or something that doesn't take my init turn?

They are susceptible to bludgeoning weapons

Okay, since Zosimos is the only one who can use CLW wands, you guys have a decision to make: either you wait until the ten rounds of healing (so far) have occurred before opening the door, or you open the door midway through healing so that grease and Cleave stay active. either way, the skeletons are as aware of you as you are of them, so nobody's getting a surprise round -- get your ranged weapons ready and hope to beat their initiative.

I don't mind removing the last charge from both Polo and Eclipse, lowering it to 8 rounds. That should be a total of 3 rounds for my characters.

-Posted with Wayfinder

That still wouldn't be enough to keep grease/cleave. 7 rounds past shutting the door, so you'll need to lower it 6 in order to keep it for a round after opening the door.

I am fine with cleave going away. I can always throw it back on again and I do have reach now that I am large

I will be in the second line, while holding the charge of disrupt undead?

I have a pearl of power, I'll take a standard action to recall Grease. Heal away.

Cool, I guess I'll still use all those charges in that case.

-Posted with Wayfinder

I will be in the second line, while holding the charge of disrupt undead?

Sure, that works, you can ready an action for disrupt undead if the skeletons try to move forward or something. Just let me know specifically what that is.

Here goes...

Zosimos: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Polo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Lyklor: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Archimedicus: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Torsk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Payj: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Meleren: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Shechera: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Baddies: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Payj enlarges Archimedicus, Archimedicus pushes the button, and the door whirs open. The one on the left is still missing its ribcage and both are still enveloped in a halo of plasmatic fire. Polo and Payj are the first to react; Meleren fires a distracting bolt at the bones Aid Another: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 - 4 = 10 SUCCESS (+2 to Archimedicus's next attack roll) while the brawler sets up a shield smash.

Initiative Re-order
Polo: CURRENT
Payj:
Meleren: aid another to Archimedicus
Archimedicus:
Shechera:
Baddies:
Zosimos:
Lyklor:
Torsk: (readied action)

"I hate being forced to use this thing." laments Polo.

Halfling Sling: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 4 = 4

"I feel like this has all happened before," Payj says with a laugh and casts grease.

DC 16 Reflex.

"They're all yours, boys."

Reflex L: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Reflex R: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Both skeletons keep their feet. Polo's bullet ricochet's off the wall... behind him.

Archimedicus is up!

Round I Update
Polo: miss
Payj: grease
Meleren: aid another to Archimedicus
Archimedicus: CURRENT
Shechera:
Baddies:
Zosimos:
Lyklor:
Torsk: (readied action)

Archimedicus once again slams his shield in a wide arc at the skeletal monstrosities.

Shield Main: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

shield cleave: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Archimedicus kills one skeleton, which explodes harmlessly. The other ducks out of the way and attempts to step forward...

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 ...but slips on the grease and falls! It then slowly recollects itself and stands back up.

Zosimos, Lyklor, Torsk!

Round I Update
Polo: miss
Payj: grease
Meleren: aid another to Archimedicus
Archimedicus: shield cleave
Shechera: is unhelpful
Baddies: slips, stands
Zosimos: CURRENT
Lyklor:
Torsk: (readied action)

If the skeleton standing provokes an AoO

Unarmed strike AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

It does indeed! I momentarily forgot that you are large. Thanks for that!

Archimedicus smacks the skeleton silly as it rises, triggering another harmless explosion. Out of initiative!

The monotony of red steel ends in this octagonal chamber. Red metal looms in the background, but is accented by gleaming chrome panels and tables set against every wall. A round table stands upon a plinth in the center of the room. Bronze and brass levers and dials occupy all these surfaces, along with flat bits of glass, some lit, some dark. Beyond the central table, a wide red metal pillar with a door in its southern face stretches from floor to ceiling. More doors open off the south, east, and west walls.

Archimedicus attempts to understand the room as he looks about it with curiosity.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Ha! I was just about to post.

I'll take a moment to address our prospective pledges, "Well played. Note the efficacy of teamwork. This is the life you could lead."

I'll take 20 checking out the TARDIS helm in the middle. Then I vote the cubicle in the room first.

I'll take a moment to address our prospective pledges, "Well played. Note the efficacy of teamwork. This is the life you could lead."

Meleren and Shechera give each other a look, but say nothing. Make a diplomacy or CHA check. Others can aid if they wish.

Archimedicus is quickly drawn to the strange gauntlets worn by the shattered skeletons. All four are intact, and each is made up of a bizarre array of wires and pads.

Zosimos heads over to the central plinth. A mass of wheels with letters on them face you, currently spelling nothing but gibberish. An odd see-through image, not unlike the effect of a silent image spell, pops to life as you approach and hovers over the plinth -- and, upon closer inspection, it appears to be a miniaturized version of the area you stand in. (See map.) A lever topped with a glowing amber light is positioned on the right side of the plinth.

I PULL THE LEVER! IT"S WHAT I WAS BORN TO DO!

I mean.... I inspect the level for traps. Man I hope this adventure comes with a langue availability boon.

Can we get a feel for what else is in this place by looking at the map?

I'll also identify those gauntlets if magical (and anything else given to me.)

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

The gauntlets are... odd. You're not entirely sure whether they're magical or not.

Meleren steps into the chamber -- the last of the party -- just as Zosimos pulls the lever. A massive, cacophonous sound of moving gears fills the entire chamber, and the outer ring on the display rotates slightly -- before stopping quite suddenly alongside an enormous crash and the screeching halt of metal on metal.

The entire display begins flashing red, and suddenly the lettered gears whir to life, spinning madly. Just as quickly they stop, delivering a readout in, unexpectedly, Taldane:

WARNING
DEPLOYMENT CAROUSEL HALTED BETWEEN POSITIONS

HOLOGRAPHIC INTERFACE LAST LOGGED IN MONITOR ROOM TO ACCESS ATMOSPHERIC CONTROLS FOR ATMOSPHERIC NULLIFICATION

Payj nods to the bandits.

"Thanks for your help back there," She says. "Our halfling knight would have likely died had it not been for your actions."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Kr-rrr-uk!

Am I glad I didn't pull the lever this time!

"Zosimos, what did you do? What happened?"

The tengu moves around the room and reads the Taldane readouts.

"This message is in Taldane, but it almost seems like another language. It says here that the carousel has halted between positions. It says we need to realign the carousel to access the exits from the security sublevel. I'm not sure exactly what it means, but I have a feeling that we have more buttons to push if we want to get out of here. It says the 'manual realignment systems is offline', but I do not even see a line here!"

Lyklor inspects the control panel, looking for some indication of how to move the carousel.

Polo gestures around at his companions. He grins and looks to the two new group members.

"Do you see the strength in unity? When champions come together to face a challenge their true power shows! Imagine if any one of us had to fight those odd creatures alone." He salutes by pounding a closed fist across his chest. "By The Order, I thank you for any part you had in ensuring my safety. I promise you can expect the same treatment from me."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 Polo bites his tongue while trying to convince them. :-/

He stows his sling and once more equips his scizore on his left hand. He picks up one of the four odd gauntlets and equips it his open hand.

-Posted with Wayfinder

There is no indication on how to move the carousel, beyond:

HOLOGRAPHIC CONTROLS: FUNCTIONAL
HOLOGRAPHIC INTERFACE APPARATUS NOT DETECTED IN VICINITY
HOLOGRAPHIC INTERFACE LAST LOGGED IN MONITOR ROOM TO ACCESS ATMOSPHERIC CONTROLS FOR ATMOSPHERIC NULLIFICATION

Meleren speaks up, though, again in an utterly flat tone. "That may have been me."

"Oh? Give me some data to work with. What did you do?"

The ashen-grey man with odd, linear tattoos gazes at you for a moment before continuing in his monotone. "It is a sense, not data. There is a faint tugging at the base of my skull which I have felt ever since entering the Red Redoubt. I sense that the activation of this security sublevel is the result of forces I do not control, but that control me."

Woah.... Sense Motive to detect Enchantment 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17. BLARG. Not enough.