Samnell's Barbaric, Gestalt Iron Gods (Inactive)

Game Master Samnell

"Your eyes see value. Go ahead."

Where do we commence, erm, salvaging?

Well, we do seem to be right next to several watchtowers. We could start there.

Yeah, if I can get into any nearby towers, I'll just start with the closest and work the perimeter methodically, avoiding anything that looks big, central, mostly inhabited, or otherwise like a serious engagement.
I'll summon Raven for traps & lockpicking as well, with a standard T10 of 18 for Spidre's perception & Raven's Disable.

Spidre chose the watchtower flanking the gate and set Raven to work at it. In a few moments, the locked door sprang open to show a small guardroom with a narrow flight of stairs descending to the ground floor and nary a scrap of plunder to be found.

Does it look like someone has plundered here recently, or it's been ages since anything of value rested here?

Rikal waited for Spidre and her curious friend Raven to work the door, and to give them the signal for when they could follow.

"We'll be down below little one. Let us know when you have found what you're looking for and we'll head in." Chotka beckoned for Groomahk to follow, then descended the staircase.

Figure it'll be best to be on the ground floor, and Spidre might want to climp up to the top of the tower so she can shoot down from a distance at whatever comes out of the middle area.

Does it look like someone has plundered here recently, or it's been ages since anything of value rested here?

The tower looks pretty boring. No signs of recent pillage.

"We'll be down below little one. Let us know when you have found what you're looking for and we'll head in." Chotka beckoned for Groomahk to follow, then descended the staircase.

Figure it'll be best to be on the ground floor, and Spidre might want to climp up to the top of the tower so she can shoot down from a distance at whatever comes out of the middle area.

No hidden foes leaped to their dooms by contesting the advance of Chotka and Groomahk.

Spidre was disappointed, but her and Raven walked the wall near the ground party, giving them cover and briefly investigating any doors along the way.
on the assumption that we'll just make a full circle to see if we find anything before digging deeper.

Rikal follows Chotka and Groomahk down the staircase to the ground level. Once there, he looks to the ruined keep, and says, "Should we perhaps look there?"

"That's the plan, as soon as the little one finds a good spot to watch the battle."

"That's the plan, as soon as the little one finds a good spot to watch the battle."

Is Chotka suggesting Spidre get back up in the tower and serve as lookout?

She's an archer right? It sounded like she was running around on the ramparts finding a good sniping spot and then we can lure whatever's in the keep out to the courtyard for an epic brawl.

She's an archer right? It sounded like she was running around on the ramparts finding a good sniping spot and then we can lure whatever's in the keep out to the courtyard for an epic brawl.

Just wanted to be sure. Spidre, do you want to hole up atop the tower you were just in or shop for a different one?

I don't see a map anywhere, but in my head this whole thing should be kind of a loop that we can skirt around together, with me & Raven being up top/exploring towers as we come across them, and the gang down below ready to kill anything that jumps out. At least until we find the best tower from which to cover the gang as they move for the aforementioned keep.

I don't see a map anywhere, but in my head this whole thing should be kind of a loop that we can skirt around together, with me & Raven being up top/exploring towers as we come across them, and the gang down below ready to kill anything that jumps out. At least until we find the best tower from which to cover the gang as they move for the aforementioned keep.

You could go around about a quarter of the circumference on wall walks and such, then you'd need to climb down where there's a tower with no access above, but there is a ladder. Or going the other way from the gate, about as far before the ruined keep gets in the way. Good enough?

...or I could not be a dumbass and give you a map. Which I have done. Spidre's position is correct. The others are just C&Ped from the previous map for now. Will fix if it comes to a fight.

Okay. I moved myself inside the walls since that's where we are.

Ah I see, yes. There's not a lot of good places to cover them from the walls that I can tell. I guess I'll just go back to the ground and we can work our way around... clockwise? That good with you guys?

Clockwise works for me.

Sounds good. I can't access the map from work, but so I'll let the experienced scouts dictate the path. They obviously know what they're doing, because they're not dead yet.

Sounds good. I can't access the map from work, but so I'll let the experienced scouts dictate the path. They obviously know what they're doing, because they're not dead yet.

By experienced scout, do you mean Spidre being sneaky or Groo barging around naked, dipped in hot sauce, and possibly hamstrung whilst yelling that it's supper time? :)

If Spidre, how much lead will she have? More space and it's easier for her to escape the dire influence of the clank machines and Groo in his coquettish catsuit, but also the rescue could take longer if it goes badly.

50ft should be enough for me to get back & them to get to me. Or for Groo to charge, if he stays lined up.
T10 on perception & stealth is 18 & 22 respectively. Raven is 16 & 24.

I just meant that other players could take the lead here, but of course Chotka is very much in charge, he's just delegating. Of course.

Spidre skulked off and the Sworn Band followed at a decent distance. She checked the other gate tower, finding it as uneventful as the first, and pressed on to the ruined keep. Only its outer shell stood, the inside burned away long ago. Within lay the campfire spotted from afar, smoldering and with strips of meat hanging above it.

Rikal moves in the direction Spidre went, both to back her up if she was in danger, and to talk if those they met were not hostile.

Spidre checks to make sure she's being followed, then sneaks towards the campfire and investigates it for signs of recent use or tracks leading to and from.
Survival (how recent is this? tracks?): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Spidre checks to make sure she's being followed, then sneaks towards the campfire and investigates it for signs of recent use or tracks leading to and from.

[dice=Survival (how recent is this? tracks?)]1d20+5

Spidre does find tracks going to and from the fire. She thinks it and them are at most hours old.

Where do they seem to go?
Actually can I trace out any events based on the tracks, a la Princess Bride?
new Survival roll if needed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Where do they seem to go?

Actually can I trace out any events based on the tracks, a la Princess Bride?
[dice=new Survival roll if needed]1d20+5

Spidre can tell that the tracks mill about the fire for some time and head off toward the other buildings about the courtyard, but she doesn't have a good sense for just what happened or which came first. There was a lot of back and forth.

Survival for tracking is cool, but it's not postcognition cool. :)

Is the meat burned? Can I identify what left the tracks?

Is the meat burned? Can I identify what left the tracks?

It's cooked. The tracks look to be about the size of those a human or half-orc might leave.

"This might not be as bad as I first thought. Let's keep moving."
Spidre suggests as she continues along the wall towards the southern keep.

Spidre makes her way to the building in the castle's southeastern corner, where she finds both doors locked against her.

Spidre gestures to Raven and the dark figure sets to work on the lock.
Perception (no traps though, right?): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Disable Device T10: 10 + 8 = 18
Disable Device roll if needed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Chotka and the others approach as the halfling's companion fiddles with the locked door.

Don't want you all alone if something bursts out as soon as you unlock the door =P.

If a color spray or burning hands bursts through the door though...

Chotka has squinty eyes and thick skin. Chotka will be fine.

It took some doing, but Spidre got the door open. Beyond she found the roof collapsed, leaving the ground a mess of rotting wood that would take much time and careful stepping to work through. The moment her eyes fell upon it, the unsettling feeling of being watched by something unseen struck her.

Spidre backs up slowly and reaches for her bow, even as Raven senses her tension and puts away his lockpicks. She says nothing, hears nothing; but the rush of adrenaline begins to grow louder as she looks around.
Perception (who's there?): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Rikal watches Spidre's reactions, then calls on the legends of his tribe to grant him the ability to seek out auras of black magic and scans the room.

Casting Detect Magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Spidre's keen eyes see no one lurking. Nor does Rikal's divination.

Spidre motions forward and Raven takes the lead, shield drawn and morningstar at the ready. Spidre follows not too far behind.
Stealthing it, T10 for 24, and moving in.

With everyone looking around suspiciously Karek decides that now is a good time to use his abilities. Drinking his Mutagen he shudders as he shifts into a more bestial shape, raising his muzzle to scent the air.

Perception + Scent: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Groomahk sniffs the air, hunting for prey

Rikal remains ready, allowing Groomahk, Karek, and Spidre to attempt to divine the location of any enemies.

Chotka revved his chainsaw... oh wait... not until next level...

Chotka shifted his greataxe to one hand, then back to his customary grip and followed behind Raven.

Chotka revved his chainsaw... oh wait... not until next level...

Chotka shifted his greataxe to one hand, then back to his customary grip and followed behind Raven.

I was wondering if it had been forgotten. :-P

The Sworn Band stalked into the chamber in Spidre's wake, picking about the rubble. Among it stood a dust-caked statue of Sarenrae, still erect in an alcove, but little else remained to be seen. Nor did the attached, much larger, chamber show more than wrecked pews and more collapsed roof. This must have been a temple once.

"A holy place to the settlers who live in these lands. Even when tribes war, we leave the holy sites of our enemies be. Doing so angers the spirits and brings their wrath upon us - and it is the height of folly to do so."

Definitely not forgotten, just not proficient yet :D

"A strange thought. If you slay your enemies and destroy their temple, is your god not strong enough to reward you with protection?"

We worship one of the same gods, but Chotka does not know this. =P