Iron Gods - PFS (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew L Klein

"More machines, it would seem..." Miranda muses. "Does anyone know what they are?"
Craft mech: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
KN.engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Kn.arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"Oh, things!"
Iantha scurries closer so she can touch the things.

As Forlen opens the door, a wave of recollection surges through him, making him yelp out in surprise. A yelp that's almost a frog's croak.

"I think I remember this! I was in this room, and I wanted to go outside. This door used to be locked, I think. I was futzing with it and I vaguely recall being ambushed. I must've fought them off, though, otherwise why would I be here. Right?"

Did... Did I get probed? >_>

Although you are able to enter the small room, the northeastern door seems to still be locked. Though the room seems mostly clear, tucked away in a dimly lit corner appears to be a body.

Forlen recognizes the body as likely being one of his attackers. The rest of the party clearly recognizes it as being of the same race as the humanoids they met in the cave.

Did... Did I get probed? >_>

I don't think you want the answer to that...

"I'm not sure of their exact purpose, but these coils were definitely used to transport something into the room. Whether small items, or even liquid or gas, I'm not sure, but it's some sort of delivery system. Given the size of the last several rooms and that this is clearly not part of the cave, it appears likely they would be used to either eject something from the structure, or prepare something for entrance."

Smith ponders and goes to further investigate the body.

The body was clearly victim of a fairly vicious attack, covered in hacks and slashes, with a dagger just inches from its hand. If Forlen is remembering correctly, then there's a good chance this was one of his assailants. It definitely is the same species, whatever kind that is, as those you bargained with back in the cave.

Iantha gently touches the body.

Lorekeeper skill, DC19 appropriate skill check equivalent

Smith will cast detect magic, will collect the dagger and especially look for keys.

spellcraft?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Smith does not detect any magical auras, nor any way to unlock the door -- which doesn't seem to be unlockable from this side at all.

Iantha frowns. "I just got some inspiriation from Lady Brigh. Those creatures are skulks. They have a natural ability to camouflage. They can blend in with virtually any environment, and tend to stick to the shadows to quickly dispatch any opponents. We should be weary. I doubt those back at the huts will keep the deal if they think they have an advantage over us."

A sheen of sweat starts to form on Forlen's head as he starts recalling things.

"Guys, I'm getting bad vibes here. I'm still not sure what it means, but it can't be good. Shall we continue?"

Forlen glances at the room one last time, looking for anything that might jog his memory.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"While I am inclined to trust your instincts, my new friend, we must continue on."

"I cannot ascertain any method of opening the door at this time. We must find another means of ingress."

Forlen prods the body to make sure it's dead, then stiffens as memories come flooding back.

"I think I remember something. I made a deal with them to let me in in exchange for information, but suddenly these guys jumped me. So apparently they don't know what's inside either, and they're backstabbing little pieces of work."

"That's not nice. We will need to be careful. But how are we going to get this door open?"

"I'm guessing we don't? I was struggling with it back then, so maybe we need a key or something. Have you found any other passages you haven't gone through yet? Or maybe this thing has a key on him."

Forlen gives the dead skulk a rough pat-down to see if there are any belongings on it.

I see on the map a door on the upper right, maybe this is our cue to go inspect that?

We saw that door earlier but it looked to be completely shut when we checked it.

Hmmm, there needs to be a way through somehow...

Smith accesses his recent memory banks.

"In the room where we encountered the small sneaky ones there was a door that we didn't further explore. We should go there next."

"Wasnt that one horribly stuck? Then again, I have no idea how to open this door. So we are stuck here too..."

"There must be a way through, friends. Let's examine each of the doors in detail and put our collective heads together, yes?"

"Or ask the Skulks? The other party went trough here. Maybe they know more."

Iantha scratches behind an ear. "Stupid door..."

Taking one last look at the door. perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

"You know what, lets be silly. It cant hurt."
Iantha walks up to the door and knocks on it as if she wants entry.

As soon as you hear the light rapping of small claws on the metal door, you hear a a faint hissing from the coils. A dim red light seems to engulf the entire room as it slowly fades in and out. You can hear a very quiet grinding sound from just outside the door behind you.

Smith's skin hardens once again.

"I cant believe this worked..."

"The simplest ways are sometimes the correct ones. Well done, Iantha." Miranda waits for the door to be opened and her friends to move through.

The door... does not open.

Smith ponders outloud "Is this some sort of vault lock? Only one door can be open at a time?"

"That's a good idea Smith. Lets see if we can pull the other door closed."

The doors in this new area are all sliding doors, and are currently in the walls. You will not be able to close them.

"Ugh, it doesnt budge."

Where Iantha was exited that knocking on the door had a reaction, she look a bit sad now that another dead end had been hit.

"How do we close these things?"

Smith ponders outloud "We heard the grinding behind us and these coils hissed. We might either need more power in the form of bellows or soap water to find the leak."

"I've got this."

Iantha starts massaging her cheeks to start working up a big wad of saliva.
Mouth full, she spits it into her paws, and spreads the saliva over coils.
She repeats it as much time as needed to cover the coils.

"Not as classy as soap water, but its the best I've got. It blows bubbles too. Lets try it again!"

No luck. The hissing of the coils sounds like their trying to spray into your room, but with nothing to spray from the other end, wherever in the world that may be.

Upon a brief inspection outside the door into your room, you notice a slot that wasn't there when you first were here. It is likely where the sound came from, and you don't believe you'll be able to get inside the structure without finding the item that belongs inside.

Having gathered some information about a mysterious party, a potential guide through the entrance of this mysterious structure, and the creatures that inhabit this only recently discovered cave, it may benefit you to head back to town and relay this information to Baine's daughter and the city council. They may be able to offer some assistance in where or how to proceed.

Smith comments "I see no further means of ingress at this juncture. I believe we should return with the news we have, especially since we are unaware of the total duration of our ability to breathe water."

"Oh, good point. I totally forgot about that! But I dont relish going back past those nasty skulks..."

"I suppose that is our only option at this point, though." Miranda follows the others back the way they came.

"Guess so. But we better prepare for trouble. If they send their buddies after Forlen, and Forlen comes back out fine and dandy, they know their game is up."

Iantha straps on her shield just in case.

Making your way back towards the cave entrance, you are surprised to find the skulk's area lifeless. You see the small huts they had built, but otherwise no trace anybody has been there recently. As you continue on, you notice that the half orc Parda's body (who you had found soon after entering this cave) is gone. Based on his reaction when you found her, Dromer likely took her body back to the surface when he left.

Currently, with the exception of Forlen, the party is protected from the cleric's spell on the surface while swimming back up. If anyone has something to help your newfound ally, now's the time to use it. Swimming without protection won't kill anyone, but it's not good.

"Fellows, I have to admit something. I did not count on coming back up again today, so I did not make any preparations in my spell selection. And although I'd love to be closer to my spirit animal by applying a slimy coating, I don't think submerging myself into a poisonous lake is a good idea."

Forlen blushes and starts to stammer.

"I er, also have to admit I'm not really a good swimmer. A shame, really, but that is only taught to higher ranking initiates in my clan."

Fort save in spoiler tags so you don't have to roll, but the result is also not immediately visible in case it isn't needed.

Iantha's ears perk up. "Can you apply a slimy coating? Because that would just be awesome."

"Er, I meant the foul water around here. Wouldn't much care for submerging myself in that stuff unprotected, it looks rancid."

Iantha's ears droop down again. "Oh, that is too bad. Being able to protect yourself with slime would be an awesome ability."

You are all able to make it to the surface safely, though you've certainly felt better than you do swimming through the sickly green water. You will likely want to avoid going back today. It's barely into the afternoon, and the people of Torch still seem to be out and about.

I thought I had a Torch map up, but I'll do so on my break. It is in the player's guide. I'll leave it to each of you if there's anyone in particular you would like to find or speak with.

Smith scans Forlen for any lingering ill effects.
Heal Check: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Forlen doesn't appear to be suffering from any side effects. Had this been his body's first exposure to the filth, he probably would have come out a bit worse for wear.

"Ew ew ew ew ew ew ew!!!"
Iantha takes off all her gear and clothes again, and cleans herself with copious amounts of create water.
Having washed off all the filthy water, she starts grooming her fur.
Between licks, she adresses the group.

"Well, that was exiting and disappointing at the same time. I guess we should tell miss Freddert?"