[SFS_Aerondor] 01-06 A Night in Nightarch (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Hudathan sheathes his longsword and nods. "Agreed. These drow must be deaf from that terrible music. Surprise has been working." He turns to the door, ready to infiltrate the elevator.

[ooc]Your best remaining computer bonus is Sovyal at +7[/dice]
computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Sovyal, as he plays with the controls realises that the environmental controls are just a mock up. Underneath he finds some real controls for a defence system. Hard to tell where exactly. However he can easily wire up his coms unit to provide some remote control from anywhere in the building.

Air Conditioning: The default setting is 65° F and allows values from 40° F to 90° F. With the right computers check you could write a script to make an area misty for a while.

Automated Defenses: This view shows that automated defenses
are currently “online” on the warehouse floor.
With a bit of work (a computers check_ you could switch these off.

Door Access: This setting is currently set to “normal,” which means that any locked door can be opened with the right key card. The other two settings are “full lockdown” and “open all,” which lock and unlock, respectively, all doors on the office floor.

Inventory: The warehouse inventory shows that “Xicton guns” have arrived and are ready for shipping, but the database is poorly maintained, and the precise location of the guns is unspecified.

Light Level: This setting is currently set to “manual,” which means each room has an individual light level set on a control panel in the room. Three other settings (0, 1, and 2) set a uniform light level (dark, dim, or normal, respectively) in the whole building, overriding the individual light settings.
With a bit of work (and a computers check) you can write a script that overloads the lights, causing them to emit bright light for 3 rounds (which triggers the drow’s light blindness), after which the lights break and all areas of the building are irrevocably dark from that time forward.

Sovyal whistles at the veritable bounty of options. "Well well well. Take a look at this. Quite a few ways to trick out drow friends downstairs. And a good way to decrease the... 'potency' of their welcoming party." He quirks a smile.

"I say we get those defenses off-line and make the lights nice and bright. Everything else should be easy enough to deal with once we're there."

Computers (aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Lol, gotta make up for that 20 Aerondor rolled.

Mobius tries his best to deactivate the defenses.
Computers, Automated Defenses: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

...or not. :P

The large vesk nods. "Agreed. The darkness will be a hamper, but no more than the blindness will hurt them." He hits his chest, turning on the small flashlight embedded in his suit. "Controlling the doors could give some interesting advantages as well."

Computers, Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 2Well...

Mobius knows the defences are on, but how to turn them off... that would not be an easy process. Time is limited after all. You could try the others still if you wanted though.

Mobius tries to see if he can do anything about the lights.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

How about we connect the computer to Mobius' comms/datapad so you can try disabling the automatic defenses again later?

Seeing that the group is struggling, Sovyal shrugs. "If it comes to it, some sneaking and a few well-placed shots are worth a much as any of these tricks." Once the remote connection is established, he leads the way back to the elevator and uses the access codes to take it down to the caverns below.

Twik nods his approval and follows the team down to the basement level.

Mobius finds the lighting subroutines just where he expects them, and quickly manages to subvert them to his writst-computer.
It would be a standard action for you to use your script to use the lights as described

The upstairs secured, you head off to the lift. Trying various keycards you have removed from the dead drow, you eventually come upon one that operates the lift and down you go.. down..down..down.

Suddenly, heralded by a puff of yellow vapor and the smell of rotten eggs, a small, mostly humanoid creature appears in the elevator. Her little leathery wings flap furiously to keep her airborne. She has spiraling horns and an ominous tattoo on her chest.
“"Now who might you be? You are a bit—how should I put it—lacking in the pointy ears and blue pigment departments. Are you Villyth’s new slaves or something else?”

Hudathan's eyes widen at the sight of the...demon? His hand nearly jerks up the heavy cannon in his hands before he stops himself. Hrm... do I take the first blow? Or do I allow this talky-talking to commence? I suppose this small thing won't be much harm.

The vesk growls out, "Who are you? Villyth's new slave or something else?" Hudathan's lips turn up slightly. Totally pulled it off.

Sovyal smirks "Ah yes Hudathan, the old rubber and glue routine! I'm absolutely positive she won't have an adequate response for that one."

He turns to the imp and gives a little half bow. "Yes my dear, we are absolutely Villyth's friends. How did you ever guess? You must be the smartest little lady in this entire complex."

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

"Now, you wouldn't mind telling us where Villyth is right now?"

"No idea where he is, but I wouldn't mind telling you if I did. I however am Ipquik. But if you are friends of Villyth, I guess you are allowed to be here. I'll be on my way."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"Oh, you don't know where Villyth is? How very unfortunate." Sovyal twirls the end of his mustache, trying to make heads or tails of this strange creature. "I'm dreadfully sorry to disappoint you by being one of Villyth's friends. You were hoping for otherwise? Are you are guard or somesuch, hired by our blue-tinted schemer?"

Diplomacy, try to get in this creature's good graces: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

"We're new to this particular warehouse, and would appreciate some of your precious time to explain how the area below is laid out..."

”Aye my fellow slave speaks true, you do sound somewhat like you were hoping for something else?You do seem like the highly competent sort? Does you know the layout of place? Being new and being slave means we have work do but no one gives us the time of day so we are working off the cuff as it were”

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Magnus smiles at Ipquik. "The drow didn't give us much info. Anything you can tell us would be much appreciative."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

"Hired? As if. That would indicate he would pay me. In terms other than regular torture that is." The flying creature does seem to have an unsually large about of scar tissue on it.

"Well. I’m supposed to keep track of everything Villyth steals and sells, but it’s quite hard!” the creature starts to say.

"Essentially the warehouse has a lare forklift robot that we use to get stuff from the lift to the various shelves. Fast-moving wares get placed onto the nearest racks, while items in long-term storage are farther away from the elevator. From there, outbound goods are moved to the packing area, which is west of the elevator. When the goods are ready to be delivered, the drow move them into the elevator."

Mysticism : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

A Quastic... huh. I remember the darnedest things. Hudathan messages the info to the rest of the team, trying to hide the action from the demon.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Second check?

Mysticism: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 Mysticism #2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Id cocks his head slightly, then reaches out to the quasit telepathically. We certainly are "friends of Villyth", but just out of curiosity what would you do if we, well, weren't friends of Vyllith? Would your decision be informed by that big scar? He twitches his antennae as if to articulate air-quotes.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

KM keeps close but quiet throughout the interaction. Is it normal for drow to keep such... company?

Id recognises the tattoo on the quasits chest as the symbol of Andirifkhu, a demon lord of illusions, knives, torture, and traps.

"Well, if you were not friends of Vyllith, I suppose I would have to sound the alarm. But as you obviously are friends, I don't think we need to do that, do we?" answers the little creature with a degree of reasoning.

The shirren nods slowly. Yes. Good answer. You passed the test, can’t be too careful with traitors in this trade, ya know?

"Ah, thank you so very much for your help. You know how it is on your first day. Very challenging. A lot of expectations... especially with drow that like to break out the whips and chains. Not that there's anything wrong with whips and chains, of course dear. I just like to avoid them being applied to myself. I'm sure you can agree." Sovyal seems to be on the brink of breaking out in laughter.

Very slightly more serious, he adds "Hmmm... you see, we were sent to replace the guards for the warehouse. From what I understand, Villyth is sick and tired of lazy half-orcs. Or at least, that's what the unpleasant fellow upstairs said. Do you think you could tell the half-orcs that they can take a break, and then head out from the rest of the day?"

"You know how half-orcs are. If you tell them, It'd save us all a fight. And some mess in the warehouse that would be a real nuisance to clean up."

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Hudathan stands in the back and smiles. I suppose not all problems must be solved with force.

"True, true. And I must say that you don't seem much like the other guards. I mean we have been talking for what.. almost a minute and not one of you has tried to pull my wings off yet. I tell you when that Orc finally dies, his soul is MINE."

She coughs delicately. "Speaking of which, there is a crew down here, but they don't listen to anything I tell them, which makes keeping order down here almost impossible. Go on it and tell them they are relieved. "

"Just point us in the right direction. As you have seen, we can be quite persuasive. I'm sure they will understand," chuckles Magnus.

Map updated

Well over a hundred feet long, this immense warehouse is covered with rows of thirty-foot-tall pallet racks. Each of the racks has a secondary floor fifteen feet from the ground level. The ceiling here rises to an impressive forty feet in height.

Hudathan moves into the room, putting his back up against a pallet of boxes.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Id also peers around, his antennae primed for vibratory movement.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 OOF

Magnus stealthy moves over to the end of a row.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Ooooh scaffolding...DIBS!" he says telepathically as he rushes up while drawing his sniper rifle and takes look at the surrounding warehouse.

stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Twik advances toward the 2nd lot of highground intent on getting a better view of what is around in this basement level.

Perception (T10): 10 + 10 = 20
Stealth (T10): 10 + 15 = 25

Sovyal joins Magnus, trying to move quietly up to one of the pallet racks. He sends telepathically to his allies. "Just a smidgen larger than I expected. Unless we want to spend all afternoon here, I suggest locating some guards and pressing them for information on our weapons. Sound good?"

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

There is a bit of a clanging sound from the far corner of the warehouse. Distant sounds of a glutteral language are also evident.

And for line of sight etc reasons, if you move on the map, can you please leave a trail so I can see where you are moving. If you want to climb on the shelving (those grey areas) then I'll also need an athletics check.

"Do we want to stick with the replacement slave story?" Magnus sends out telepathically.

"Might be the easiest way to get close without a firefight. And if we're convincing enough we'll skip one entirely. Anyone know orcish?"

Assuming no one does, Sovyal holsters his pistols. "I can try speaking in drow. It might even cow them faster that way. If you can get good sniping angles on them KM, that'd be mighty fine insurance."

Assuming people are OK with this plan: Sovyal heads towards the sound of the guttral speech. If it suddenly dies down or he comes into line of sight with the source, he'll call out in drow. >"Alright meatheads! You're being relieved for this shift by my crew, Villyth's orders. Go lift some weights, or whatever it is you thugs do for fun."<

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Just going to wait for a couple of hours so others can move on the map to where they want to be, then we'll see what happes.

Id follows Sovyal so he isn't stranded alone, prepping his graviton pistol and words of a spell already in his mandibles.

Moved.

Dismissing his axe, Magnus follows Sovyal as well.

Hudathan, knowing his face is terrible at hiding secrets, stays back.

KM continues to move quietly down the scaffolding. he will quietly go prone and set up his rifles bipod and and track Sovyal and the rest, keeping his eyes peeled for danger, ready to fire once it presents itself
.
Go ahead boys, I got you covered from here. he sends telepathically once he is set up.

readied action to fire if it goes to hell: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 191d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Up ahead you spy a large robot. It looks to be some kind of device for stacking crates. There are severl crates even already loaded upon it.

However as he stare in wonder at it, Sovyal is surprised as a bulk load of tentacles spring from the floor at his feet.

Damage Sov: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 1, 5, 6) = 18
Damage Id: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 5, 5, 6) = 28
Reflex DC 14 for half
init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Status, bold may post
Hudathan
Id-Sinitis 29 SP damage (ref DC 14 to reudce to `15SP)
Twik
Magnus
Krombopulos 1SP
Mobius
Sovyal 19 SP (ref DC 14 to reduce to 10 SP)
Stuff

Ow!

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

As soon at the tentacles smash into him, Sovyal rolls forwards. He mentally calls out "Well, that doesn't bode well for any deception. Watch for the tentacle trap!" before advancing into what he hopes is a safe location and drawing his laser pistol.

Spending the remaining move action to inspect the area ahead for any other traps.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Magnus falls back to a bit to get a running start to leap over the area the tentacles attacked his teammates. He then moves along shelves.Acrobatics 10: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Twik keeps pace with Sovyal, also with his eyes peeled.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Operatives have Evasion so, presumably, Sovyal will take no damage because of the successful save?

Hudathan, hearing trouble, picks up his gun and hikes forward through the shelves. [
double move.

Operatives have Evasion so, presumably, Sovyal will take no damage because of the successful save?

Oh, good point!

everyone ok? that was weird.

Good catch

A team of half orcs, alerted by your voices and the trap activation opens fire on you. It would seem they are not really in a talking mood. One of them charges forward at Magnus, lashing out at him with... a tentacle?

In general their aim seems to be pretty good, only one shot missing, and that by the narrowest of margins.

Status, bold may post
Hudathan
Id-Sinitis 29 SP damage (ref DC 14 to reudce to `15SP)
Twik
Magnus 12SP
Krombopulos 1SP
Mobius
Sovyal 5 SP
Half orcs
(pink has tentacle)

Ref DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Id swiftly dodges out of the way, then circles the boxes and projects a mental bombard into the pink orc-thing’s brain.

Move 30 ft, standard cast mind thrust II on pink.

Mental Damage (Will DC 17 half): 4d10 ⇒ (2, 8, 9, 6) = 25