Ruins of Aztlant

Game Master Nayr Trebrot

Next building?

Next building! That's the last one too, right?

Sure is!

This wooden-framed, mud brick structure is currently the colony's only two-story building, as well as one of the largest structures. It has the appearance of a rural courthouse or city hall rather than that of a residence. The front features a small porch supported by rough log pillars, with double wooden doors facing west. Numerous window frames with shutters, some of them open, wrap around the building on both floors. The roof is not thatched, but has wooden shakes instead. The construction suggests this building was intended to be a source of community pride, but it still has a rough, unfinished appearance due to lack of paint and coarse materials. A few small shrubs have been planted around it.

The doors are unsecured, and through them is a foyer opening to a large chamber that occupies most of the main floor. This room is open to the second floor, and two flights of stairs lead to a gallery that overlooks this space, supported by columns on the main level. At the rear of the chamber against the east wall is a raised desk, like a podium. Tables and chairs are arrayed in front of it like a courtroom. The gallery above has simple wooden chairs so that citizens can observe whatever business is conducted here. Doors at the north and south ends of the main floor lead to what appears to be separate offices.

Where would you like to start?

Looking disappointed at what he sees (or doesn't see) on the list of colonists, Kar follows to the next building.

Kar will move further into the building and checks around the podium area.

Tess will carefully peer through the north door, and, if it's safe, search the office behind it.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Wow! Looks like this would be a good place to set up as a base of operations. It even has offices for me to research in." exclaims Posh excitedly.

"Look clear Tess? I would love for us to get in there and see what kind of books they've collected on this place. Perhaps they've already begun researching the island."

"Oh...and Kal, you of course would be free to chance a look through the book. I'm not used to your kind yet, sorry." he adds with a smile.

As I recall, you can take from wizard spellbooks, but I can't take from your formulae book. Works the same way as an alchemist, right?

Yep, I think that's how it works.

"My kind, huh? Is it the ears? Maybe the non-standard features?" He smiles, apparently amused at his own little joke, as he holds up one hand, showing off the translucent webbing between his fingers.

Kalathiel moves in behind Tess to inspect the north office, weapon drawn in case of any danger as the door is opened. He only sheaths it if there appears to be no danger inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Kar perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The podium seems to be nothing out of the ordinary. It's sturdy and sized for a human, with an opening in the back with a shelf on which whomever was speaking could put anything he needs to help facilitate his speech.

Tess and Kal move into the back office, and find it to be fairly mundane as well, if well stocked for a recently built colony. there are simple wooden tables, chairs, and writing equipment including stationery, ink, and quills.

They also find a locked wooden coffer sized to hold papers, though the key is nowhere to be found.

"Wait...what? No! No no no....I only meant...you know...with the formulas...and things... I..." stammers the old gnome, failing to catch the joke.

As they others move to inspect the building further, he calls out "If you need any help, let me know. Gonna keep an eye on the rear."

"Let's see if I can't get this open." The elf sets to work trying to open the lock on the coffer.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Hah, let's try again.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Uhh...
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Lol, can I just take 20?

Sure can - it's a simple lock

Kal eventually opens the coffer, to reveal multiple journals and logbooks. The logbooks seem to record various types of events, such as the sea journey to Ancorato, daily work details for construction and farming, a master tool inventory, records for the daily weather, and so on. The information is fairly pedestrian in nature.

All of the books seem to date back to about a month ago, whereupon the entries become more sporadic and then stop altogether a week later.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Odd," Kalathiel says after a minute of quickly flipping through the various logbooks in front of him. He holds up one in particular, showing the cuts along its binding. "The last several pages of this one have been removed. Very carefully, too."

Kal? What do you make of it? Do you think this has any significance to the manifest?
Jader looks over the elves shoulder to have a better look

Tess frowns as she sees the cuts. Her mind is racing with questions.
"The last pages might have had some insight as to what in the depths happened here... I suspect their removal may not have been accidental." She sighs. "This log was inside a locked coffer. The pages have been carefully removed. Whoever did this had the knowledge of the log being inside the coffer, access to its key, the time and calm around them to carefully remove the pages, and a motive to place the log back as if nothing was wrong."
Tess starts looking around the office again. "I want to know whose office this is. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I feel like that log had something written down that could tell us what happened here. Either the owner of this office wrote it down and someone else removed it, or for some reason they removed it themselves later on, but either way, I think finding out whose log this is going to be important."

Perception to find the office's owner's name: 1d1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Today is not Tess's day for sleuthing, clearly

Tessa...are you aware you rolled a 1-sided die?

"Good insight Tessa! We should definitely try to figure out who was stationed in this room. If they are still with the other settlers, we may be able to question them further..." Calls out the older gnome from the safety of another room.

... I was very much still waking up by the time I made that post. I'll, uh, roll another.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Alas, there are no identifying marks for whose office this may be - either it was a communal office used by whomever needed it at the time or whomever was stationed there didn't give it any personal touches. Perhaps Ramona could enlighten you as to some of the major roles of the original colonists, and that could point you in the right direction.

Seems like we are out of things to do for the time being. No further leads beyond the goblin tribes and nothing to do but get the others from the ship here. Anyone see anything I'm missing?

Finishing up in the office, Tess climbs the stairs up to the second floor.

That's the last place I can imagine, unless the south office still has something of interest.

"Hopefully more will be clear later on. For now let's finish searching this building and meet up with the ship. We may already be behind schedule." Kalathiel places a logbook back down on the table before exiting the office and following Tess up the stairs.

Yeah, I think it's just the area upstairs and the south office.

As she walks up the stairs, Tess takes a moment to assemble all the clues she found out. Perhaps she'd missed something, a connection...
"The letter is currently our most telling clue. It gives us some names, hints at their behavior and their loyalties...

Slowly but surely, her inner voice becomes her outer voice as she thinks out loud.
"Rayland Arkley's leadership was usurped by Eliza Haniver, but he took back control. People 'resumed' supporting him, making it sound like it was a willing choice... Perhaps Haniver's takeover was not one the people were happy with?
But in the end, there were still others unhappy with Arkley when he seized back power. The recipient of the letter, I presume... Dulin... Barnabas... Una...
She suddenly freezes.
"Una. Una Hendrake. U.H!
She excitedly turns around to the others, and barely manages to stay balanced turning around in the middle of the stairs.
"Guys! We found a wand in one of the barracks. It had the initials U.H. on them. Most likely, that wand belonged to Una Hendrake! Una Hendrake was a spellcaster, and according to the note, she found herself opposite Rayland Arkley when the colony was divided! What if Arkley captured her? He'd have to make sure she wasn't a threat anymore. How can you neutralize a wizard? By confiscating her spellbook! That's why Rayland had a spellbook in his quarters, he took it away from her!

... I think!"

Even though she's fairly certain, there is no decisive proof of this, only circumstantial evidence, and at the end of her rant, she realizes this. And even if it was true, it was just a small piece of the puzzle, and in reality, it might not even be a piece that truly answers any question that matters.

But still, she cherishes this small investigative victory.

Kar looks at Tessa while she thinks out loud, his face its usual stern mask. When she finishes, he nods in approval before speaking. "Very well reasoned, Tessa. I agree. And with your willingness to leave room for doubt."

Kalathiel nods along with Tess as she speaks. "Certainly plausible. It explains little about why no one has been here in weeks, but perhaps..." He trails off, clearly puzzling over things in his head. After a moment he seems to realize he stopped in the middle of a sentence. "Well, regardless, it's certainly something we can investigate further."

Clutching the discovered spellbook tighter and sticking his other hand into his pack to touch his own...Posh frowns. "I...uh....well that would certainly be quite unsettling."

"For the record, I'd prefer none of you remove my spellbook..." he announces, cautiously following the others up the stairs.

As soon as Tess reaches the second floor, she's greeted by an odd sight. A strangle little mechanical creature appearing like a spider with one giant red eye is looking down from the second floor gallery. It clicks and jumps up - much like a spider - then turns and dashes away from the approaching two-legs.

The little thing is headed towards a window, no doubt sensing a means of escape.

Kar wants to try and grapple it. He does NOT have Improved Grapple, so it will provoke. But he rushes forward, seeming to move to cut off the creature even before it lands and moves towards the window. As it approaches, he tries to scoop it up and grab it tight.

Grapple: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

But he can't seem to get a hand on it as it scurries away.
Since we don't have a combat map, I'm just going to say that Kar is between the spider and the window with his move.

This is why I should never try to grapple. I've been playing for over 10 years. Any character I've ever played that tries to grapple always rolls terrible at it.

Instinctively, Tess throws her trident at the creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

I'll leave it up to the DM if this is a ranged-into-melee situation or not

Spotting the creature rushing for the window, Posh closes his eyes to concentrate a moment...as an idea comes to him. "Oooo lets see if we can keep the beasty inside..."

Pointing towards the window, he mumbles to himself a moment. Suddenly indistinct shouting noises come from beyond the window!

Ghost Sound Spell-Like Gnome Ability so...DC 12 Will Save i believe.

Not on the second floor and not knowing what is going on Jader waits. After hearing a loud noise of someone jumping on the wooden floor and hearing a weapon clang to the ground. Jader will make his way up to the second level to see what is the matter. Sword and shield at the ready

Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Kar lunges at the smaller clicking creature, but it skitters away from him and continues towards the window. At Posh's created noises, it freezes though, seemingly stuck in indecision, or perhaps its computing possible avenues of escape.

Notably, the thing has no desire to attack Kar when he attempts to grapple it...it merely tries to skitter way.

Feel free to change your action, Tess. The creature is stuck in between Kar and you, making a small whirring noise with random clicks.
Nice one Posh!

Following Kar's example, Tess lunges on top of the creature in an attempt to grab it.

Grapple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Dang! Grapple really is cursed...

Kalathiel uses the little creature's hesitation to his advantage. He quickly dashes up the last few stairs, nimbly maneuvering around his companions and snatching the thing before it can escape.

Grapple: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Aww yeah. Let the curse be broken.

Escape: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

As the little creature remains paused in indecision, Kal takes the moment to dash up and leap down upon it! He wraps it up in a tight grip, forcing its thin mechanical legs in tight to its body. It moves into action immediately after, trying to scrabble out of the much larger being's grasp. However, Kal's grip remains solid.

It delayed action until attacked, and Kal took the advantage. The creature's initiative is set to Kal's. Everyone is up as before the critter can try to escape again.

Kalathiel holds tightly onto the creature, trying to keep his grip on it while looking for a way to disable it without permanently breaking it.

Grapple?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Disable Device?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
I'll admit I'm not overly familiar with the grapple rules, since I rarely ever made a character who used them. I'm also not sure exactly what to do with this thing. So I guess I'd like to Disable Device if possible, otherwise I'll try to hold onto it.

Kal, if I understand the flowchart correctly, you gain an extra +5 to maintain the grapple against the opponent's CMD! Let's hope it's 14 or lower...

"If we can make it there, we could also lock it in the coffer downstairs?" Tess brainstorms.

Kar moves to assist with the grapple check, frustration at the many unexplained things they keep encountering on this island is plain on his face.

Grapple Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Since Kar's turn hits first in Init, he can successfully aid because I got over a 10. So that is a +2. Also, Tessa, you are correct. Maintaining a grapple grants a +5 bonus. So that should bring Kal up to a 16 total.

Seeing his companions trying to grab hold of the beast, he smiles. 'Seems the sounds may have worked' he considers.

While the noise fades away, (only lasts 1 rnd per level so being level 1...poof) he rushes to black the path.

Move between the window and the creature

That's definitely sufficient given the thing's relatively week nature and the fact that you're all surrounding it.

Kal holds the thing tightly, and from his particularly close angle, he puts together how this thing works. There's an mechanism that, if unwound, he's fairly sure he could then take control of it, or review its current instructions.

It would not fit in the coffer downstairs - too many spiny legs. The DC was 25 for that disable, so nice one!

Perhaps we can learn something from this device. In the very least whoever or whatever this mechanism serves will not be getting any new information anytime soon.
Jader moves to go down the stairs. Holding his sword and shield at the ready, but more casually than before as he descends.

I think we’ve found out all that we can here perhaps we should report back. What do the rest of you think?

Is the thing disabled, or was that first check just to find out how it works?

You can disable it with that previous check. It functions as both - find out how it works and disable it. You'll need more checks to reprogram or perform other functions.

Brief review - Ramona has led the Peregrine up to the secondary docking location - to the north. You're to travel up there to meet her as soon as you're done here. From your exploration, you've seen that the infrastructure of the settlement is completely salvageable. Almost all of the building remain structurally sound. The first wave of colonists started a defensive wall and dug two wells, and the plots of farmland need only a little attention and effort to still yield food this year.

You reviewed a map of the second landing site before leaving the Peregrine, and know that it is about 9 miles to the north, though through the wilderness along the coastline. It is early afternoon now; did you wish to proceed? It will probably be dark before the end of your trip, even assuming there are no delays.

I’m ready to proceed. However we are likely needing to rest, but we can do that after being on the road for a few miles, then make camp when it gets dark

I don't think we missed any of the buildings really, and there's a couple things that will need dealing with that can be done later. So yeah, I think we're ready to move forward.

Indeed, let's be off!

Before we set out, could we get some of that healing you were talking about Tessa? I'd like to be in double digit HP again.

Ah, of course! Expect me to forget I can heal frequently, not very accustomed to paladinhood.

With some semblance of peace and quiet returned over the group, Tess takes a breather and sits down. "I... think we've at least made the colony relatively safe enough for the others to join us. I agree, Jader, let's reconvene with the ship. I'm looking very forward to sleeping off this wound."
Tess instinctively touches the wound on her face inflicted by the ankheg earlier. However, instead, she feels some sort of energy coursing through her skin, back and forth, like the sea's last strength softly hitting the shores of a beach.

Lay on Hands on self: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"... It... feels better now. What in the world? ... Can I..."
She runs up to Kar. "This may sound odd, but could you show me your wounds please?"

She then tries to replicate the healing effect.
Lay on Hands on Kar: 1d6 ⇒ 1
"Wait, I think if I... just channel it a little better..."
Lay on Hands on Kar: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Dangit
She sighs. "Sorry, Kar. I seem to have been... blessed with some sort of power, but clearly I'm not very skilled at it quite yet."

As Tessamine growls in frustration and communes with her patron to better her gift, the group proceeds out of the colony proper, and starts to head north along the coast. With the sea to the west, the group travels on open land that soon begins to show signs of sparse vegetation. There are many stumps where trees were cut for wood in the area, as well as more than a few spots where a crude small wagon or heavy tarp lay - apparently used for transporting or storing wood.

Not more than an hour out of the colony, you come to a small field. Inundating the meadow is a series of large holes dug in at an angle. Piles of dirt surround each hole. A large copse of trees grows due east of this location.

Ah, good catch, I missed that tidbit.

I can’t seem to get the map working right although I’m using a phone so maybe that is the problem. So if anyone wants to help me out and that would be great

Also if possible Jader would like to use detect magic and spellcraft to identify any unknown items

Sure thing;

The wand with "U.H" on it is a wand of color spray with 12 charges

The Talisman is a lesser talisman of good fortune

The other wand is a wand of goodberry with 49 charges

Guys, I'll be traveling Tues - Fri for work. Posting will be limited to what I can accomplish on my phone.

Just a heads up to everyone. End of this week (Thursday), I am going on vacation with the family. I'll be gone all the way till July 1st. So I won't be posting in that time frame.

Enjoy the vacation where are you going

We went to Northfield MN for the wife's 10 year college reunion. Now we're in SD visiting some of my family.

Nice! That's a heck of a trip...driving?

Yeah. As long as it takes to drive it, flying is so much more expensive since nothing goes direct from IL to Rapid City.

Hope you have fun with it, road trips can be great!

Did you guys want to take the left or right fork?

I apologize if you've already seen this in another game, I am posting it to all I'm involved in.

It's unlikely I'll be able to post for a couple days. An emergent family issue has come up. Feel free to bot me as you see fit if necessary. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

No worries Posh; hope everything's okay!

Kal, have anything spectactular to do? If not, the critter will be up

Sorry guys, had to head out of town for a funeral, will update Monday

Wow, apologies everyone. I haven't been getting notifications for this game for a while apparently. I'll try to catch up and get back into things when Kal's turn rolls around.

No worries Kal, good to see you back!

I'll be on vacation this Saturday through next Friday; posting will be by phone and sporadic at best. Feel free to continue the RP;)

Can I just say that I feel very conflicted because at the one hand it's important to every game that the team is functional, of course...
But at the other hand I am living for this drama

Lol; as long as our team drama is all understood to be in character, it can be quite fun

Absolutely! If it's starting to become a detriment to the enjoyment of the game I'll gladly tone it down, of course.

Sorry for sort of falling off the face of the earth again. Life's been a little strange lately. I do like that we've got us an ethical debate going, though!

No problem at all Kal; hope you're all good! Strange can be good at times, right?

Ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times."

I'll be on a short weekend trip to Germany starting tomorrow, by all means don't hestitate to bot if necessary.

Sounds good, have fun!

You're good at 10/22, Jader.

Kal, Posh, you guys around?

I'm still around. Busy times last week and this coming week.

Sorry if I've caused any delay.

Still around. Still struggling with depression. I'll see if I can get caught up tonight. Sorry.

No worries guys, just checking on you; post whenever you can.

Dangit, who the hell is Tessara then!

Sucks getting old.

Meant to post this before but I forgot...

Tomorrow morning (Saturday October 19th) I am running for the hills. I shall be fleeing my state of residence for a warmer climate with less technological anchors! lol

I'm going fishing for a week. I will be without reliable internet and phone until I return on October 25th. Please don't hesitate to bot me as needed.

I will try in the evening to post via cell phone, but it's not guaranteed at all to work. :-P

Gotcha, have fun!

I have returned from the wilderness to a hectic weekend.

I am now back to work and attempting to catch up on it. As time allows, I'm catching up on my games. Should be all caught up today or tomorrow.

I apologize for any inconvenience.

No worries Posh, take your time!

Thanks Posh!

Guys, if you're cool with it, I'd like to start using these rules:

1. I'd like to use some variant crit rules - here
2. Crit hits that are not confirmed are MAX damage
3. Crit fumbles when shooting into melee with a ranged attack could hit your ally...just need to figure out the percentile for that

Guys, if you're cool with it, I'd like to start using these rules:

1. I'd like to use some variant crit rules - here
2. Crit hits that are not confirmed are MAX damage
3. Crit fumbles when shooting into melee with a ranged attack could hit your ally...just need to figure out the percentile for that

I'll carry over my opinion from the Skull's and Shackles post.

1) Neat - Ok with me
2) Sure
3) I would argue for fairness if Ranged attacks could hit allies, adjacent melee allies should have the same chance on a crit fumble. That aside, I'm with whatever majority decision is.

Good enough; we'll go with 1 and 2; one strong "no" is enough for me to discard it

My opinion is pretty similar, the crit stuff is fine but the ranged fumble friendly fire isn't my thing either.

Understood, thanks all!

Guys, we'll be slow over this holiday and weekend; hope you all have a great holiday. I'll have family to entertain, but will try and check in.

I'll be away and unable to post this Thursday night through Sunday night

I'm going to be going dark for most of next week; family, holidays, travel, yada yada yada. Feel free to bot me as needed.

Pretty much likewise here; feel free to post when you have time everyone, but I probably won't be posting after today until early next week.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Jader, still with us buddy? Just wanted to see what your readied action will be, if you're setting one up.

Sorry guys, caught a nasty bug. On some meds, so hope to be back to posting tomorrow.