After another minute or so of awkward chatter the shobad finish securing their equipment and bid you adieu, marching off towards the metal ship – now with one engine flaring up towards the starry sky. You wonder for a moment how your fellow agents – and Bennary – will react to the sight of four-armed giants marching towards them holding a large flag of the Glyph of the Open Road. But for now, that is the other’s teams’ problem.
Turning back to the burning expanse, the six of you move to call out to lower Pathfinders as they make their own crossings towards the crash site. You’re getting more familiar with the terrain, and are able to assist several groups with avoiding the worst of the lava flows, and teaching them potential signs of an elemental attack. Sharing stories as you move, you hear that across the asteroid several groups of Pathfinders seem to be making their way towards the mysterious frozen city off on the space rock’s opposite side. A lesser number has begun braving the central crater, though they are experiencing significant resistance from earthen creatures and strafing runs by a flight of crystal dragons.
After minutes, you wave goodbye to a pair of dwarf agents and begin scanning for other nearby Pathfinders. Suddenly, you hear a scratching sound from below you, one immeadiately followed by several monsters bursting out from the earth around you! Eight legs jut out from a sphereical body dominated by a large motuh of rasping teeth. Most are ‘small’ in size, but one sits larger, and has a bulbous egg sac dangling below it .
All five chitter and charge towards you!
PER:
Initiative
Crios
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The Professor tilts his head slightly, despite his sometimes difficulty hearing, he nods as he translates the strange crab-monsters' words.
"They say we're intruding on their home!"
The Professor shouts back at the creatures.
[spoiler=The Professor's Status]
Spells Prepared
3rd — [ ] [ ] fireball[D] (DC 18), communal resist energy[UC]
2nd — [ ] hold person (DC 16), [ ] produce flame[D], [ ] lesser restoration, [ ] sound burst (DC 17)
1st — [ ] [ ] burning hands, intensified [D] (DC 16), [ ] command (DC 15), [ ] liberating command[UC], [ ] murderous command[UM] (DC 15)
Elemental Rod (Cold) remaining: 2/3
Selective Rod remaining: 3/3
Pearls remaining: 1/2
Channel remaining: 5/5
Fire Bolt remaining: 5/7
Bless wand remaining: 42/50
Cure light wand remaining: 48/50
Crios isn't entirely sure what these strange creatures are or what they call themselves, but the aasimar has seen enough beast in her time to make some educated guesses. The aberrations' 'heads' seem to have relatively large ear opening for their size: sonic attacks might disrupt them even more than normal. While only the largest seems to have claws big enough to cause any real damage, the way each arachnid moves implies they are used to pack hunting. Crios thinks that the aliens may be able to swarm on top of each other, just like morlocks back on Golarion.
As the magus moves to protect him, the Professor tries to reason with the five new arrivals. They hiss at him in resonse, the large one's fangs dripping as she shakes.
Fire things come, earth, water. Come to home and take food and space and slay us. You'll do same! But we get you first!
A five are in an unshakebale frenzy, and one charges forwards to bite at Blanmieux before he can ready his scythe.
for
Initiative
Jade
Blanmieux 75/83 hp
Kivuli
Blanmieux draws blood indeed, as in a spray of viscera and bile the scythe lops of three of the creature's legs and a good chunk of its torso. It falls, twitching.
Initiative
Jade
Kivuli
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The rogue springs into action in an attempt to strike before the creatures can react.
for and
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Kivuli darts quickly around the nearest creature and strikes at it before it can respond. The beast tries to dodge out of the way, but caught unawares the wayang's blade pierces it squarely in the abdomen and it ceases to move.
His target dispatched, Kivuli scans the larger alien. From the shape of its fangs and the way they keep dripping a glistening substance, the wayang suspects that this larger type may be venomous. Further, next to the eggs sac he thing he spies an organ that looks vaguely like a spinneret.
Across the field, Jade rapidly draws forth and fires a pair of shots. The first hits the alien and causes it to screech. The second stops that screeching.
Initiative
Professor F
Sorrina Westyr urgently projects her image to speak to every Pathfinder, and appears to be holding tightly to a steel ring near an alien device. “Everyone, brace yourselves. We have finished repairs of a strange craft on the bright side of the asteroid, and the engines will fire shortly, hopefully causing this rock to spin and even out the extreme temperatures. This may get a bit bumpy though in three…two…one... Hold on!”
A sudden jolt shakes the entire asteroid, sending anything unsecured reeling as the stars begin to spin overhead.
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Seeing their brood quickly dispatched, the last small alien and its larger counterpart screech and hiss as they move towards the closest soft target.
for
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for
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Ready for the onslaught, the aasimar manages to dodge all but one of the blows as the large aberration spits and gnashes.
RRRWAWRAGH! Our home our home our home! First hollow, then build, then kill us. No more! You die die die!
Initiative
Bless is up (+1 morale on attacks, saves against fear)
Crios 34/38 hp
Blue Circle-crab thing!
Jade
Blanmieux 75/83 hp
Kivuli
Circle-crab thing
Professor F
Circle-crab thing!
Keriassa
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The Professor hobbles about in a semi-circle, waving his wand at the crab-monsters continuing to prattle at them in their own language.
"Well, we really just arrived, and normally, well at least some of us Pathfinders, err, uh, try not to kill everything we come across"
As he gets a good angle, the Professor hurls another fiery bolt
for
The creatures seem beyond solace or reason as the Professor tries to nitpick their frenzied logic, even as his own bolt goes wide as an 'accidental warning shot'.
Crios and Blanmieux, for their part, strike back at the unwavering creatures, hard. With two great swings the barbarian shears both sets of limbs from the creature in front of him while the magus' staff lands two solid blows on the large matriarch, who seems battered but still standing.
Keriassa, Kivuli, and Jade are up!
Moving almost as one, the two archers in the party shift around to pincushion the last creature from either side. Each of their arrows hammer home, and with a last cry the large alien falls to join the others.
You look around nervously to see if any more of the creatures are nearby, but none seem to be within sight and the ground around you seems stable for now. Off in the distance, you see not only that the other Pathfinder group you spied has managed to drive back the lava monsters, but that the crashed starship now has not one, but four engines firing off into the sky. The stars above you seem to finally be slowly moving as Aucturn's Tear is rotating once more.
Meanwhile, more and more Pathfinders are head towards and into the tunnels by the crash site, ready to delve deeper into the asteroid.
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The Professor removes, cleans his lenses and places them back before his oversized eyes.
"Well done, Pathfinders. Usually beings speaking Aklo would assault us with never-ending mental attacks, trying to twist our own members against one another."
The Professor eyes the archers, aware that such mind-tricks could be fatal.
He then gestures to the delve site.
"Now, shall we?"
Sorrina Westyr’s projection appears once again to every Pathfinder. Behind her is a map of the Asteroid, Aucturn’s Tear, lit up with different colors around the different regions.
“Good news, everyone! Our tactical reports coming from the region known as Area F, ‘The Sea of Fire’, tell us that the entire region has been claimed and is now safe for travel! Keep going, Pathfinders!”
You move towards the tunnels leading into Aucturn's Tear's depths, the way now clear As you make your way underground, it is not too long before the two or three main, large pathways bored into the rock splinter off into dozens of narrower and rougher trails. The way becomes labyrinthine, and quickly the six of you lose sight of the other teams heading into the depths. The rocky openings are lit throughout with a dim glow of heated rock - heated rock that makes the temperature blisteringly hot even as your magic protects you from the worst of it.
The only respite from the heat is the faint but constant cool winds that whips through the tunnels. What could possibly be causing such a breeze in space is its own nagging mystery, but for now you don't look that gift horse in the mouth.
You map and navigate your way 'south' through the network of tunnels, until in a flash minutes have passed. Suddenly, you turn a corner and the monotonous igneous rock gives way to reveal a large cavern, at one end of which is a massive palace constructed of gleaming obsidian bricks. The large structure is ringed by cultivated 'gardens' containing brass mockeries of plant life and elegant pools of lava. Loud noises of cheers and revelry drift out from the building's wide-open gates, without a guard in sight
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Crios activates another charge of his mage armor wand as he says, "Explore, yes, and this certainly qualifies."
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You walk through the palace gates to find an inner 'garden' even more exquisitely carved than the outer one. Moving further through, the wide stone double doors to the palace itself sit ajar, and swing freely open as you push on them. A long hallway sits before you with its obsidian walls decorated with bright crimson banners depicting red-skinned humanoids and fiery beasts marching triumphantly against a series of foes, including multiple battalions of earthen shaitan. One silken sheet show a massive figure with the body of some large reptilian beast whose upper half is that of a fierce foru-armed woman. She holds swords prudly aloft before her draconic wings and her hair is made of the purest flame.
Following the echoing sounds of raucous noise, eventually you push through a door to reveal a massive, and busting, feast hall. Fine decorations and plush carpeting line the room's floors and walls, and the scent of rich delicacies wafts from the tables laden with opulent dishes. Spread throughout the room are dozens of slamanaders, ifrits, veela, azers, and even a fire giant eating his fill. All stop talking quickly and turn towards you is bemused surprise as you enter.
The silence is broken as a large res-kinned figure calls out from the head of the table. Decked in in extremely fine robes he smiles at you.
"Well, is this not an unexpected breath of fresh air to liven up this evening? The Court has had guests to entertain us. Come, sit, eat!" he gestures towards the food splayed out accross the wooden tables. I am malik Fahaz Nahlam, Master of the Labyrinthe of Flame! Welcome! Servents, a new course for the new arrivals!"[/b]
“More tactical reports have been flowing in to our Control Center,” Sorrina Westyr proclaims as her image appears once more to all of you. She points her wand at a now glowing region of the Asteroid. “We’ve cleared another region! Area D, The Frozen City has been claimed and is now safe for travel!”
Blanmieux sits and starts to eat. But before, he is gonna drinks a flask of antitoxin.
"Really, i didn't know elementals love so much asteroïd."
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Fahaz’s smile cracks just for a moment before returning to its wide and welcoming grin. ”Passion is its own fiery drive, but at times it must be tempered by our duty to our glorious Queen, for whom we serve to stoke the embers of her benevolence. And as it travels through the cosmos this stony sphere has its own charms and diversions. The native flocks of magma worms have provided great sport: perhaps you can join on a hurt to see how they twist and turn in this maze of tunnels!”
The efreeti pulls out and sits in a large chair at the head of the table, motioning for you to take a seat as well. Staff of azers bring out additional courses from back rooms as you sit. Fahaz himself reaches out to pluck a large drumstick of heavily season meat and takes a large bite, before chewing and speaking.
”Ah, but it has been too long since I have seen new mortals such as yourselves. I have forgotten that a host’s duties are to tend to heralded visitors and not expound on oneself. You are new to this asteroid, are you not. Please, tell your tale: how have you come to be so far from home? And what brings you so far down below?”
[ooc]As you sit and chat with the efreeti, please everyone make a Will Save.
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The Professor squints at the assorted diners and speaks up so they can hear.
"Uh, hello! Greetings from the, uh, Pathfinder Society of Golarion!"
He gestures to his allies.
"I was wondering if we might have a moment of your, uh, time? We'd like to discuss the matters of this peculiar asteroid we are all sharing at the moment?"
As the efreet inquires as to their purposes, the Professor helps himself to a date and pops it into his mouth.
"Ah, yes, why you see we're part of rather large guild of explorers and we couldn't resist the lure of Aucturn's Tear this time it passed by our home world of Golarion..."
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"Interesting." Crios says sitting down and looking at all the food before him.
Looking back and forth to his team, he catches their eyes for a moment and makes a small shake of his head, then turns and smiles at the Malik, listening to his response to the professor's comments.
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Reaching for an illusory thigh-meat, Keriassa pauses as her hand passes through it. She reaches around until she does find a suitable edible and speaks before indulging.
"A worm hunt? For sport? Or necessity? We've been doing our fair share of combat since we have arrived here, so I'm sure we are more than up to the task."
"I do have to admit, this is a welcome respite in our curious day thus far. I did not expect to find such a splendid court or such hospitality in such an inhospitable land."
"But I do sense that this place is not up to your standards, magnificent as they must be. Surely you desire more than this simple hunk of rock can offer. Is there any way we can be of assistance in that regard? Or is the prospect of the worm hunt enough for now?"
The efreeti glares at Keriassa as she comments on the relative paucity of the setting. ”My standards as it were may be less refined than what I would offer you if we were in my family’s demesne back on the Plane of Fire. Still, one does what one can in climates less conductive to extravagance. I would hope that even this home can provide you some rest from the sun above, as your mortal forms are less suited to the heat are you not? Still, you are fortunate that your band chose this domain to delve: those stone brutes to the north have little sense of hospitality.” the genie snarls and spits as he mentions the earth elementals.
Turning his head towards the professor, Fahaz Nahlam leads forward. ”But explorers you say? And an entire guild of you? That is…interesting. I do hope that you have not run into too much trouble above. My Court is responsible for patrolling this part of the rock you call Aucturn’s Tear from…certain sorts. Though from your words and attire,” he looks over the blood and bile stains speckling your party’s clothes, ”I suspect we may need to reinforce some of the routes above.”
”Tell me ‘Pathfinders’”, where have you explored so far? And what exactly is it that you hope to find?” He looks at you expectantly, a glint in his eyes showing he is very curious about what you say next.
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"Our goal as explorers is to find something new and interesting. We determined that this rock was behaving oddly when compared with similar rocks that have passed us by, so we decided it was worth exploration.
But enough about us. How long have you had a presence here and for what purpose did you come?"
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Fahaz waves a dismissive hand at the barbarian's wardrobe concerns. "Think not of it. It may be a bit more...rustic than I am used to but a contrasting sense of style could perhaps add some new color to our little gatherings."
"And you looked around that Vercite craft that hit us? Dreadful pirates - they sought to raid our forces and potentially take things that did not belong to them. I am pleased to hear they have paid for their folly a second time."
The efreeti claps loudly and a quarter of fire elementals bring out skewers of vegetables, the produce cooking as they carry them towards you. "Now outsider, my story is little to tell. The Queen of the Inferno has been a generous liege for my family, and as the firstborn of my time it is my honor to serve her. For many millennia I served near the borders of Earth in various skirmishes, or as an emissary in the City of Brass." A wistful expression crosses his face as he is lost in memories for a moment. Then Fahaz's face sours, and he continues. "Yet for the last few decades, my service to my Queen has brought me here. Serving alongside some of Her Eminence's colleague's agents has been interesting, but I believe this post should not be a permanent one."