PbP Gameday 3 - GM Mars' 6-03 The Technic Siege

Game Master Iammars

Since S'slarn isn't much of an information-gatherer, he'll agree that it's probably time to head back.

I agree, lets head back. We can ask around a little to see if we can find out when the Tech league might make their mover on our way.
Iron man will Aid anyone one other than Aroden! :)
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Navi asks on their way back if anyone has seen any strange individuals and moving golems which might indicate the Tech league.
gather info: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Not spending a huge amount of time, just asking people while the rest is walking. Navi can quickly fly around and ask her questions while the others keep up.

Note that the above was not me trying to be snarky - you've hit on the main question with this scenario. When are they going to attack? How much do you think you can get done?

It's one of the main questions in this scenario. :) Not sure that Aroden will do any asking about when the League is going to attack...he feels it would be best to let them attack while we flee with the book. Or let them attack, then attack from behind. Hmmm...

Aroden goes back to the Pathfinder Lodge with the team, forgoing any more preaching to the good (human) citizens. He will help animate the golem and set up traps (by gloriously inspiring both with recounts of his 'miracles').

Let's set some traps!

Uzoma nods at Navi as you leave.

You make it back to the lodge without incident. This is good for the fact that you're not getting jumped on the way back, but bad that Navi's not able to figure out anything on the way back about Technic League agents.

Once inside the lodge, activating the armor is as simple as putting the jewel in the center of the armor. Once you do so, it flies off the rack, circles the ceiling, then flies down to right in front of the person who put the jewel in and nods.

Armor Stats:

ZENJ CEREMONIAL ARMOR - CR 5
N Medium construct
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception –5

DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 16 (+6 natural)
hp 36 (3d10+20)
Fort +1, Ref +1, Will –4
Defensive Abilities hardness 10; Immune construct traits

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (clumsy)
Melee 2 slams +5 (1d8+3/19–20)

STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 10, Con —, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 15
SQ construction points (additional attack, additional movement, metal)

You may decide among yourselves who is controlling the armor, but I am turning control over to you guys. Also, the map to Sharrowsmith's Exports will be linked at the top momentarily.

I can interface with the construct through my armor and incorporate an A.I. I designed to control multiple designs of my armor simultaneously in combat situations. Iron Man says as he start to remove metal strings and brackets from his armor and attach them to the construct. This would look pretty nice with some red and gold detailing. he muses out loud.

Aroden looks at the empty animated armor with a look of disdain. He then turns away from Iron Man to look over the Zenj armor.

"Do you think it will work? Will it fight?" Aroden asks Aaroko. "What else do we want to do to prepare?"

Aroden doesn't have much prep outside of snark.

Iron Man, do you want to put the stats for that armor into your profile for ease-of-reference? That would probably be useful.

S'slarn could try to build some crude traps that might at least alert us when the siege might begin.
Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Quick note: I linked the stats up at the top of the thread.

S'Slarn - you need to come up with what you're building first. I put the link to the map at the top of the thread.

Iron Man would like to help craft a trap or two, can I use Knowledge (engineering) and/or Craft (clockwork)? I was thinking something simple like attacking my Flash grenade to a door so that when the door is opened it sets off the grenade. Probably do it at the vault door and have the Armor waiting near by to attack anyone who is blinded or stunned. Any chance there is a scroll of Alarm here at the safe house?

"We should probably focus our defenses on the manor house itself, as trying to defend the entire yard will be more difficult."

S'slarn will attempt to craft some trip-wire traps attached to bells or perhaps Iron Man's flash grenades if possible, and place them at each door. Perhaps the windows as well.

Survival, front door: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Survival, back door, facing courtyard: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Survival, window 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Survival, window 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Survival, window 3: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Survival, window 4: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Survival, window 5: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Let me know if there are more windows I need to attempt.

Tarquin enhances the multitude traps together with Slarn by using whatever is at hand.
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24

Navi will hang outside with a message stone and look for trouble.

stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43
perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Are we assuming that Slyph is gone? Does that change anything?

Aroden 'helps' S'Slarn with the traps.

"So...Sslarn...do you wish you were human?"

Yeah, you're able to trap all the doors and windows fairly easily to make a lot of noise when someone tries to open them.

S'slarn looks perplexed at Aroden's question.

"Why would I wish such a thing? I have the blood of the noble and great Naga flowing in my veins... I mean no disrespect, but compared to the Naga, humans are barbaric apes."

Okay guys, we're hitting Christmas, and I don't want to start a new encounter right on Christmas Eve/Day. I'm going to go ahead and trigger the final encounter after Christmas, either on the Friday or the Saturday, depending on how my timing works out. (I was waiting to see if anyone else had any plans, but that appears not to be the case.)

Okay, new map is up with you guys (including your spiffy new animated armor) + a sampling of the NPC merchants and guards. I'm going to assume that each entryway into the Pathfinder Society section is now trapped, and that took an hour of your time. What I would like from you guys is an explanation of what you are doing after the traps are set. Where would you like to be for the next couple hours?

Aroden walks through the building again, as if seeing it for the first time.

"Ah yes. I remember this place..." Aroden says off-handedly. "This is the place that is not easily defended. Any thought to us setting up in the stable? We might only find enemies from one direction there."

"I would like to be where everyone can see me...I can be so inspiring to others," Aroden remarks.

Just to be clear, only Aaroko has accepted Aroden's blessing, yes?

S'slarn will set up an ambush at the front door (toward the top of the map), sitting just inside the doors out of sight. As soon as someone comes through that door, S'slarn will pounce on them.

While I hate to admit it there is some sense in what Aaron is saying. The less chance we have of being surrounded the better. They will probably come at this place with a large assault at the front but that will be a distraction. A more experienced team will then move in through he back gate once the frontal assault is fully engaged. They'll probably head straight for the double doors leading into the building. This is will be where we set up an ambush. I'll have the the armor right behind the door. Aya, take a few of your best men and guard this room try and keep the main group in the open courtyard where we can rain some fire down on them. Anyone want to help Aya hold this room? Iron Man looks at his companions.
If no one wants to help I'll help block the door with the animated armor (44,U & 45,U) if someone else wants to guard the room Iron Man will guard Aaroko in the stable starting out at 38,#.
Iron Man will set up 'Com links' with everyone.

Navi is outside (check above) serving as our early warning sign at which point Tarquin will swallow mutagen and other buffs. During downtime he will recraft his mutagen and prepare all his extracts. He will drink his potion of heroism (thanks to newly prepared alchemical allocation in his medlance) as well as shield and exp retreat extracts, saving his last slot for a clw for himself.

With Navi outside keeping a lookout, Tarquin paces the room with extracts in hand, ready to be drank upon arrival of the league.

Aaroko will stay with Dino in the middle of the building.

Yes, Aaroko pays lip service to aroden. He doesn't go out of his way to mention it though. He basically takes any excuse he can to quiet the man down.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Aroden will stay near Aaroko, in the same room, but in a corner.

After about 2 hours, when the merchants start preparing to close up their shops and get ready to head home, Navi notices that a Zenj woman hops up on the fountain and starts playing a song. The song seems fairly popular - all of the merchants seem to stop what they're doing a listen in wonder.

Map updated

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 Know (Local)

Aroden hums along with the song that he has not heard in a long time.

I remember more of what I lost every day.

Someone want to go shut that woman up. Grumbles Iron Man obviously tired of waiting around in the heat.

So are we positioning ourselves in the stable? what doors/rooms are trapped? Is Aya with us or is she out in the market? Does she have guards with her?

"The melody is pleasant." S'slarn says absently, waiting patiently at the door for an intruder.

Aya is not here, she is out in the city running errands at the moment, but Rand is talking with the various merchants right now. Or at least, he was, until the merchants started paying attention to the music.

The stable was mentioned as a potential idea, but no one seems to have headed over there as far as I can tell.

Navi will also be able to report that she sees a group of 5 people moving towards the side of the outside wall. (See the bottom-left corner of the map.) Two look like guards similar to the ones that you saw with the oread, and one looks like another gearsman. The two accompanying them do not look familiar. The female human isn't wearing weapons or armor, but she is holding a wand and she seems to have some weird green substance replacing a patch of skin on the right side of her head. The male human is wearing a chain shirt and is wielding a mace. He seems to be muttering something to himself, but Navi cannot pick it up at this distance.

Navi can move into detect evil range, and detect that both the male and the female previously described have a faint evil aura.

Aroden waits for word or actual danger; he is content to hmm his tune and reflect on his latest life.

Tarquin downs his potions and extracts goes outside in the yard.

Navi keeps a close eye on those approaching the wall and shares her information.
stealth take 10: 10 + 23 = 33

Let me know how much time I have. Tarquin doing his buffs takes two rounds I think.

I'm going to cover the front door with S'slarn. Iron Man says impatiently as he stands up and heads towards the front.
Somewhere around 30,O would be good. He'll be pacing back and forth.

Navi did mention through message that some baddies are on approach

-Posted with Wayfinder

S'Slarn motions to Iron Man to take up residence on the other side of the door from him, in order to surprise the enemies upon their entrance.

Works for me Thinks Iron Man as he takes up position opposite S'Slarn.

Aroden waits.

I wonder if those coming are followers of mine...or if they will be soon.

Initiative!
Unknown Female: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Unknown Male: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Gearsman: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Red Guard: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Blue Guard: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Aaroko: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Dino: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Aroden: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Iron Man: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
S'Slarn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Slyph: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Tarquin/Navi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Zenj Ceremonial Armor: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Order
Slyph
Aroden
Red Guard
Blue Guard
Aaroko
Unknown Male
Zenj Ceremonial Armor
Gearsman
Iron Man
Dino
Tarquin/Navi
S'Slarn
Unknown Female

Currently up - Slyph, Aroden, Aaroko, Zenj Ceremonial Armor reacting to what Navi will be mentioning soon. (The guards are holding their actions and the unknown male seems to be scrunching his face up like he's thinking really hard but not doing much.)

Congrats on the job, Mars. :)

I don't think Slyph will back. He's even left the Gameday he was GMing (link). They found a replacement.

Round 1, Init 23

Aroden looks up as the hustle and bustle begins.

"Oh, are they here-here? Good. Let us fight in honor of me...and in memory of me...and for the greater glory of me," Aroden intones, beginning a blessing in honor of himself.

Cast Bless. 7 minutes. +1 morale bonus to attacks and vs. fear.

Aroden draws his fancy wand.

Through the message spell you hear the slightly panicked voice of Navi "They just made a huge hole in the wall on the south side of the building! They know we are in here. Quickly come over here guys!" She whispers into the stone while staying in position.
stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35

Well, I'll be botting Slyph then. We're a little far in to get a replacement. Thanks for letting me know.

Slyph will drink his mutagen.

I'll push forward in initiative later today if Aaroko hasn't posted yet - need to be on my laptop to update the map.

Sorry, I've been watching but not posting. Aaroko is on the defensive.

He will cast Divine Favor and wait for the baddies to look like they are breaking in. (He has the "football" and doesnt want to be in front line just yet.)

He will also draw a M.W. Dart and have Dino move to M44 and wait for hostiles. (readied action talon if enemy enters an adjacent square)

Slyph and Aroden prepare for the combat to come.

The guard seem to be waiting for something.

Aaroko commands Dino to move while drawing a weapon.

The unknown male appears to be concentration.

The floating armor awaits commands.

The gearsman seems to be waiting for something.

Hey guys, this round was soooooo interesting. Stupid caster with stone shape losing initiative...

Order
Slyph
Aroden
Red Guard
Blue Guard
Aaroko
Unknown Male
Zenj Ceremonial Armor
Gearsman
Iron Man
Dino
Tarquin/Navi
S'Slarn
Unknown Female

Party Buffs
Bless - 7 minutes

Iron Man, Dino, Tarquin/Navi, and S'Slarn up. I'll update the map with where Dino moves.

OK, I'm confused. Is there no way from the front door to the back door? Wasn't there a secret door somewhere? Looking at the map I dont' see anyway for S'Slarn or I to make it to the rest of the party without going outside the compound and going around the outside wall.

Iron Man curses as he tries to make his way to where the action is.

Oh wow, yeah... I can't see any way to get over there. Weird. I'll wait until we get confirmation from you, Mars, before I declare an action from S'slarn.

How many of his readied actions was Tarquin able to pull off? Was he able to do all his buffs thanks to Navi's warning?

There's a secret door between P34 and P35. I'll mark it on the map when I get home and can use Photoshop.

Tarquin - yeah, you got your buffs up.

S'slarn moves to the secret door and opens it, hoping to get to the action ASAP.
Move-move.

Well since they are still near the outside wall Tarquin will wait until they actually do something. so delay

Lots of movement happens. Notably, Navi is able to see the unknown female cast stone shape on the outside wall and both the gearsman and the guards move in.

Order
Slyph
Aroden
Aaroko
Unknown Male
Zenj Ceremonial Armor
Iron Man
Dino
Tarquin/Navi
S'Slarn
Unknown Female
Red Guard
Blue Guard
Gearsman

Party Buffs
Bless - 7 minutes

Unless someone's interacting with the unknown male outside, you all can take your turns. He's continuing to concentrate on something...

(Also Iron Man, I wasn't sure whether you were move/buff or double move, so feel free to post what your last turn would've been.)