Motteditor's Strange Aeons PBP

Game Master motteditor

"Thank you priest, let us hope it does the job." He smiles, and turns to Tenebrynn, "Maybe not - but now we rest for we've had a busy, busy day. In the morning things should look different. I'll prepare for the swarms with a few of my spells. That and Tenebrynn's power should carry the day I hope!"

Kyffin is optimistic about their chances on the next day, what with improved spell power backing them up. He underestimates their foe however, so we'll see...

Ready to move on overnight, and head back into the maw of the beast - or swarm in this case. Pending the guards following us of course.

Tenebrynn nods in thanks to the gozran then follows Kyffin back outside, asking as they go, ”How do we test to see if whatever the priestess did worked? What was she trying to fix?”

"That's a good question Tenebrynn. I suppose after you're rested, see how you feel. You should feel better. More relaxed maybe, I dunno." but Kyffin shrugs, not really sure what the illness might have been.

Don’t we want to both shop for nice clothes and/or buy some magics so we can deal with swarms before we go back?

”Maybe we should prepare more?”

”Prepare how, exactly?” The gnome then inhales sharply, as if having a sudden realization dawn on her. ”Beekeeper suits. Good idea. Wasps were nasty, though, so maybe we get each get two and we wear them in layers.”

"Oh sure, nice clothes. Yeah, I almost forgot." Kyffin nods along with Tristain.

If folks need to do a divvy in order to buy swarm gear, let me know and I'll set it up. I think we've got a little we could sell.

"I need to go shopping. Some new clothes. And maybe a wand. I have money, I think. Let's go when others are fixt."

Happy to go shopping (he doesn't need a divvy if no one needs it) and then to rest and preparing to do better tomorrow.

"The guards don't seem much interested in bothering us, we should be fine shopping. Let's get some food on the way, then turn in for the evening afterwards." The battered old man finally moves like someone that looks his age, instead of flowing with the agile movements of the alien inside.

Starflit follows quietly, apparently having nothing to add to the conversation.

Tristain buys some nice(r) new clothes and a sweet wand, and is ready to retire for the night. And try again with the swarm in the morning. He also hopes the party will have good solutions to the nigh unkillable swarm.

The guards keep a close eye on you, but as long as you continue to pay for your items, they seem content to do no more than that.

In the meantime, Tenebrynn seems to feel things are going better with Tristain. He's perhaps still not acting "normal," but at the very least, he's no longer mooning over her or passive aggressively behaving when she doesn't return his feelings. In fact, thinking about it, maybe she was wrong about his feelings in the first place. Maybe.

Thus it's a largely harmonious -- and better dressed -- group that turns into bed at the Sceptered House for the night and awakens in the morning ready to break back into Miacknian Mun's home again.

Of course, it appears the guards are still keeping a close eye on you, a squad stepping out from around the corner as you leave the inn, which could complicate things.

Tristain feels mildly better for the night’s rest, and his new clothes. He doesn’t feel fancy, but he definitely feels better than before. His bath at the Sceptered House certainly helped.

”Alight, are you guys sure we have everything we need to deal with the swarms? You’ve thought things through?” Tristain asks, wondering what horrors await them.

"Well, we got some suits that will protect us a little, but how are we going to kill the things? And we should probably tell those guards to get some suits are stay clear, ain't no sense in letting them get hurt by following us."

not sure Al can do much/any damage to the swarm, but he can neutralize poison and heal as a swift action and is immune to disease, so he could draw the swarm away from the party

Al, you don't think the guards would think highly of you breaking into the building, which might be the bigger concern to them than the swarm you found inside the building.

Kyffin is pleased to have some new, better fitting, clothes. He feels refreshed, and ready to take on a new day. First thing in the morning, he’ll cast Lesser Restoration 1d4 ⇒ 1 to try and reduce the dexterity damage he’s suffering under.

His spell doesn’t do much, but it’ll save him a day’s recuperation. He shrugs and gets out of bed.

Joining the others, he’ll renew his Magic Vestment (+2 AC).

”So, is everyone ready to take on the swarms? We should all be able to do something hopefully.” he echos Tristain smiling. When Albert brings up the guards, Kyffin nods, ”Yes, they are a problem. Anyone want to go talk to them? Maybe if we can see what they want, we can satisfy them and buy some alone time.”

If no one else does, he’ll approach the guards, though he's not the most diplomatic sort.

Swambane Clasp, Al? We might need a bit more than healing.

”If we just want to avoid them, Tenebrynn can fly away and I can blampf us out of sight so we can go where we want without being followed,” Tristain offers helpfully. ”But also, maybe talking to them is best.”

Starflit buys a swarmsuit but nothing else in the way of new clothing; she hasn't been through the trials and tribulations the others have faced recently. When Kyffin suggests trying to talk with the town guards, Starflit agrees to join him in doing so. She suggests that possessing swarmsuits might actually help them convince the guard that they're acting in the town's best interest.

Keeping her hood down and mask off to appear unthreatening, the young lady approaches the guards while flashing a disarming smile.

"Good morning gentlemen!" she says, still smiling. "My friends and I have noticed you following us around the last day or so. If you fear we're up to no good, let me assure you that's not the case. In fact, quite the opposite. Swarms of deadly otherworldly wasps have nested in an old building nearby and pose a threat to the locals." Showing the guards her newly-purchased swarmsuit, she adds, "We intend to exterminate them. It'd be best if you didn't follow too closely, lest the things target you as well."

Starflit Diplomacy Check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

The guards look a little discomfited as Starflit approaches them directly, but they stand up straight, ready for a confrontation should one come.

"Be that as it may, we've had a report that you have aroused some concern, and we'll be keeping an eye on you, Madam," the leader says, her eyes staring directly into the inquisitor's.

"Of course," Starflit replies pleasantly. She takes a few moments to utilize her detect alignment spell-like ability, scanning to see if these guards are tainted with evil...or are just diligently going about their job.

Kyffin would have joined Starflit to go talk to the guards.

"Be that as it may, we've had a report that you have aroused some concern, and we'll be keeping an eye on you, Madam," the leader says, her eyes staring directly into the inquisitor's.

”Oh? I was not aware we had caused anyone any trouble. May I ask who is making these accusations about us? We’re here peaceably I assure you, the bee problem not-with-standing you understand.”

”What can we do for you to help us clear our names?”

Kyffin hopes they won’t have to ditch them with Tristain’s plan, but he’s willing if they don’t give them another choice.

The guards appear to be lawful neutral as far as you can tell, Starflit.

"Stay out of trouble," the woman responds to Kyffin. "If you aren't causing any trouble, you won't have anything to worry about, of course."

Kyffin doesn't think he's going to get the information he's looking for from the guards, who appear to be doing their job. Who you concerned enough to go to the guards will remain a mystery, at least for now.

Kyffin walks away, shrugging, ”Suit yourself.”

Once some distance away, he suggests to the party, ”We may only get one shot at this, ditching the guards I mean. We’ll need to finish the structure and learn all we can while in hiding. Is everyone ready for the swarms?”

When everyone is ready, he’ll suggest they head to their rooms, where Tenebrynn can fly out her window and the rest of us can dimension door with Tristain’s aid. It should be enough to shake the guards and get us inside through the roof again. I hope. Besting the swarms will require a different kind of luck.

Starflit nods at Kyffin's plan. "I don't believe the guards are evil--they were just doing their job," Starflit chimes in. "Nice try to get them to spill who reported us as suspicious. Could be the gnome, could be the manager of the Sceptered House...or any number of other people, I suppose."

"Yeah," Kyffin looks uneasy at Starflit, "Most of us have past lives we'd rather not have to live down. We were decidedly not good people. So it could be something we did last time we were in town."

"Which is why I asked. Might be possible to right some former wrongs, that sort of thing." He shakes his head sadly, and tries to change the subject, "You ready for the swarms Starflit? We can do this." he nods smiling.

As they prepare to depart, dimension dooring to their destination, Kyffin will cast Air Walk.

”I’m ready to go.” he nods to Tristain and joins hands, or whatever needs to be done for dimension door.

"Well, we'll just go back to our rooms then," Tristain agrees with the plan, and goes back to their rooms.

After Tenebrynn has slipped away, Tristain will Dimension Door the party well out of sight of their lodging, leaving the guards watching the inn.

* * *

Tristain will prep himself on the way back to the swarmhome, and the bad things inside.

Heroism on himself and Kyffin, False Life for 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 temp hp, See Invisibility.

Agreeing with the good plan to depart unnoticed from their room, Albert suits up for the swarms. "Didn't Mun say he was working on a project for the Taldan Navy? Probably some government connection was keeping an eye on him and happened to notice us. We might find some new guests at the old prison now that we've interfered with their plans."

Using Tristain and Tenebrynn's magics, you're able to escape the prying eyes of the guards as far as you can tell, and make your way back to Mun's home. Standing outside, you realize you're uncertain whether another squad of guards could be stationed to watch here. You don't see any, but you suspect you better not tarry. You can try the front again, or back upstairs.

”Front door! Let’s get ready and get in there,” Tristain doesn’t want to dawdle too much. He’s cast his magics, has his new wand in hand, and will follow others in.

Starflit goes along with the plan, donning her swarmsuit whenever the others choose to do so.

"I feel more like a beetle in its carapace than an agent of the Black Butterfly under all this protection!" she grouses quietly from inside her new swarmsuit.

Front door is OK with me.

So let me know what you do.

”Thanks for the heroism Tristain. That’s very helpful.” Kyffin thanks the man, smiling.

Kyffin shrugs as the others suggest the front door, himself not knowing how they’re going to get in. ”Anyone any good with locks? ‘Cause if we kick it in, the guards are going to pile on when they see it. I suggest we take the high road.”

If no one has a way in the front door, he’ll air walk up and set a grapple, then help others up a knotted rope back into the attic. Quickly too, as spells are indeed churning.

"Oh, I can do it, I can do it!" Tenebrynn says, hopping up and down at the chance to use one of her skills that she rarely gets to display. She's +19 at Disable Device.

Tristain watches as Tenebrynn tries to open the door after both he and she examine it for traps.

1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23 Perception - Tristain
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Perception - Tenebrynn

Tristain moves far away as Tenebrynn works, hoping to provide aid from afar should something go wrong.

1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29 Disable Device

Kyffin tries to look casual as Tenebrynn works. He'll walk on the other side of Tristain, also some distance away (20').

If she gets the door open, he'll rush up with her and enter, blade drawn, ioun stone of light lit like a shining beacon of justice spinning around his head.

If there are no immediate threats, he'll call quietly to the others to hurry and he'll close the door behind the party when everyone is inside.

Albert sighs as his companions duck and hide. "Alright Tenny, tell me what I can do to help, and when to jump away if needed." Doing his best to assist the lockpick, Albert hopes for a favorable outcome...

Assist, untrained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

...but perhaps this wasn't the best moment for him to lend a helping hand.

Unfortunately, neither Tristain nor Tenebrynn noticed that there was in fact a trap and Al and the gnome are sprayed with acid as she begins to work on it. 28 acid damage to both, DC 20 Reflex for half

"Ow!" she calls out, reflexively pulling back before she can get the lock opened. She can try again if you all want.

6d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 2, 6, 6) = 28

Tristain does not laugh as Tenebrynn gets a face full of acid. It’s not funny, at all. Poor dear.

Tristain waits for both of them to be healed before encouraging them to try again.

5d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5, 8, 7, 4) + 5 = 33 5*CLW Tenebrynn
5d8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 6, 3) + 5 = 27 5*CLW Al. 10 charges, oh wandkeeper.

1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37 Disable Device

"Hurry!" Kyffin hisses as he worries about guards coming around the corner any second.

He'll rush in, blade out, when the door is eventually breached.

Reflex save DC 20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Al falls back cursing as the acid sprays across him while Tenny skips away from harm. He forgives Tristain for snickering at him while healing the burns, certainly he looked ridiculous trying to assist a lockpicking in his swarm suit, and after a moment he's chuckling with the young man. "We never stop doing foolish things, do we?"

As Tenebrynn works the lock, she shrugs in agreement. ”I don’t know why you all insist on wearing those suits already. If we aren’t going in through the roof, who knows how many other things we’ll need to fight through first before we get back to that room?”

Tenebrynn feels the lock give way to her picks, letting you quickly swing the door open before hopefully anyone noticed you and you rush inside. There, you find a familiar figure: the scarred man you seemingly fought the previous day (only to realize it was a construct).

It turns to you as you enter: "Ah," he says in a voice that doesn't seem at all different based on your unexpected and unauthorized entry. "I'm afraid it's just not a good time. My apologies, but I'm busy with an experiment for the Taldan Navy and simply cannot be disturbed right now. I do hope you understand. Please, if you can just return tomorrow, I should be more able to accommodate whatever request you have."

Kyffin is surprised to see the man whole and nearly skewers him until Kyffin realizes he's repeating himself. Creepy. It's locked into that same speech, over and over again...

He ignores the automaton and looks around the room they’re in presently. Also, now that they’re going in from below, he’ll cast his Bull's Strength.

If there’s nothing here but the speaker, he’ll open the nearest door when the party is ready.

Tristain almost facepalms as the same construct answers the door.

”Oh no. It’s a recurring nightmare,” he complains as he draws his wand. ”Might as well get this over with.”

He’s ready to blast his way through, hoping there aren’t sneaky foes around.

Al walks directly up to the construct and addresses it in a voice of authority. "Good sir, we are from the Taldan Navy, and we're here to check up on the experiments. Please, take us to the experiments directly."

Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Starflit is impressed by Albert's clever bluff attempt but wonders if it'll work on a construct that seems programmed to chase away uninvited visitors. She lets things play out, ready to go on the offensive at a moment's notice.

Kyffin looks around and sees beyond the door is a cozy chamber with a curiously carved wooden coatrack topped with stuffed stirges, among which
hang several fine garments that suggest their wearer is a gentleman of some standing. Numerous fancy bottles, strange alchemical objects, and a hefty cudgel sit on recessed shelves. Directly opposite the door is a fine portrait of a thin man in his fifties, with neat blond hair and immaculate attire -- a man who looks just like the automaton. A chemical scent fills the air.

The creature replies once more to Al, "I'm afraid it's just not a good time. My apologies, but I'm busy with an experiment for the Taldan Navy and simply cannot be disturbed right now. I do hope you understand. Please, if you can just return tomorrow, I should be more able to accommodate whatever request you have."

As Kyffin goes to push past it, however, it suddenly reacts violently!

Tristain, Starflit and Al are up for Round 1/2!

Starflit slips into flanking position opposite Kyffin, deftly drawing her main starknife.

Surprise Round?

Round 1

Thankfully not frightened into uselessness this time, Tristain uses his new wand to put some holes in the construct, maybe.

"zee-NOO!”

Wand of Magic Missile (lvl9): 49/50 left
5d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 2, 1) + 4 = 11 force damage.

At the violent reaction Albert draws his blade and slashes at the construct...

curve blade, power attack: 1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 15 - 3 = 13
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 9 = 16

...or his foot, it's hard to tell.

Recalling the serious butt-whooping she received from this monster's twin, the Black Butterfly's agent invokes two judgments against the construct (protection and resilency) before stabbing with her weapon.

Starflit +1 returning starknife (flanking): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 2 = 22 for magical, piercing damage (precise strike): 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4) = 10